Abstract: A vehicle area detector correctly detects a vehicle area. The vehicle area detector detects a vehicle area in a vehicle candidate area having a high probability of existence of a vehicle in an image produced by imaging means mounted on a vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed are a car sensing method and a car sensing apparatus, which are cable of sensing a car surely in spite of an image with poor contrast. Image inputting means photographs a rear portion of another car running ahead of a car mounting a car sensing apparatus, for example, and generates image data. Edge line segment extraction means extracts horizontal and vertical edge line segments included in an image based on the image data. Line segment pair extracting means extracts a pair of vertical edge line segments among the extracted vertical edge line segments, a horizontal distance and a vertical distance between the vertical edge line segments forming the pair satisfying a reference condition relating to a car width and a car height. Line segment pair evaluation value calculating means selects horizontal edge line segments existing, in the horizontal direction, between the vertical edge line segments among the horizontal edge line segments for each pair of vertical edge line segments.

Abstract: A vehicle area detector correctly detects a vehicle area. The vehicle area detector detects a vehicle area in a vehicle candidate area having a high probability of existence of a vehicle in an image produced by imaging means mounted on a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle area detector correctly detects a vehicle area. The vehicle area detector detects a vehicle area in a vehicle candidate area having a high probability of existence of a vehicle in an image produced by imaging means mounted on a vehicle.

Abstract: In an image processing system or method, an image element memorizing device memorizes image elements which are image data that are subjects of process. An image element processing state memorizing device memorizes present processing states of the image elements in the image element memorizing device. A detecting device detects, in response to the present processing states, a pointer of one of the image elements that is capable of being processed by the image processing system. A temporary pointer memorizing device memorizes the pointer from the detecting device. A calculating device reads the pointer from the temporary pointer memorizing device to process an image in response to the image element of the pointer which is read.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided with a linear processor array which includes a plurality of linearly coupled processing elements. The apparatus further includes a plurality of local memories each of which takes a form of one-dimensional pixel data memories. The local memories are respectively assigned to the plurality of processing elements. Further, the local memories are arranged so as to store in combination a two-dimensional pixel image to be processed. A plurality of buffers are respectively assigned to the processing elements. Each buffer stores pixel location information of at least one center pixel from which a unique pixel value is to be propagated if the center pixel exists on a corresponding local memory. With the arrangement mentioned above, in order to accelerate pixel data propagation in the two-dimensional pixel image, a plurality of register units are respectively assigned to the plurality of processing elements.

Abstract: In an image processing system or method, an image element memorizing device memorizes image elements which are image data that are subjects of process. An image element processing state memorizing device memorizes present processing states of the image elements in the image element memorizing device. A detecting device detects, in response to the present processing states, a pointer of one of the image element that is capable of being processed by the image processing system. A temporary pointer memorizing device memorizes the pointer from the detecting device. A calculating device reads the pointer from the temporary pointer memorizing device to process an image in response to the image element of the pointer which is read.