Patents by Inventor Tatsuhiko Monji
Tatsuhiko Monji has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 8199976Abstract: An image pickup device that acquires images is controlled by an image pickup device controller that accepts image acquisition requests from multiple application programs, and an application scheduler selects application programs to be executed. Information indicative of the image data volumes and image data acquisition rates required for each of the multiple application programs is stored and used to select multiple concurrently executable application programs on the basis of the image data volumes and image data acquisition rates. An image acquisition scheduler determines the timing and intervals at which the multiple executable application programs repeat receiving image data from the image pickup device, without overlapping in terms of time. In addition, an operations section, which explicitly presents concurrently executable application programs to a user and commands the startup of these programs, is displayed on a navigation screen menu.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2011Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shoji Muramatsu, Yuuji Otsuka, Hiroshi Takenaga, Tatsuhiko Monji, Jiro Takezaki, Isao Furusawa
-
Publication number: 20120133767Abstract: An image pickup device that acquires images is controlled by an image pickup device controller that accepts image acquisition requests from multiple application programs, and an application scheduler selects application programs to be executed. Information indicative of the image data volumes and image data acquisition rates required for each of the multiple application programs is stored and used to select multiple concurrently executable application programs on the basis of the image data volumes and image data acquisition rates. An image acquisition scheduler determines the timing and intervals at which the multiple executable application programs repeat receiving image data from the image pickup device, without overlapping in terms of time. In addition, an operations section, which explicitly presents concurrently executable application programs to a user and commands the startup of these programs, is displayed on a navigation screen menu.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2012Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shoji MURAMATSU, Yuuji Otsuka, Hiroshi Takenaga, Tatsuhiko Monji, Jiro Takezaki, Isao Furusawa
-
Patent number: 8184860Abstract: An image processing device of the present invention performs a task to execute an image processing This image processing device comprises a picture frame assigning unit that assigns an identification number to the image data to be collected by a picture collection device, an image capture requested picture of checking unit that checks whether the image data to which the identification number is assigned is identical with the image data that is requested by the task, an requested picture frame image collection notification unit that notifies the task of the image data having been collected which the task requests, if the image data to which the picture frame number is assigned is identical with the image data which the task requests, and an image capture requested picture frame receiving unit receives an image collection request from the task.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shoji Muramatsu, Tstsuaki Nakamikawa, Takeshi Shima, Yuji Otsuka, Mirai Higuchi, Tatsuhiko Monji, Kota Irie
-
Publication number: 20120062746Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of detecting, simultaneously and with high precision, headlights of oncoming cars, taillights of cars ahead, and pedestrians at night, the image processing apparatus comprising: means that obtains first exposure data at a first shutter speed; means that obtains second exposure data at a second shutter speed that is slower than the shutter speed; means that obtains third exposure data at a third shutter speed that is slower than the first shutter speed; means that converts the first exposure data into a visible grayscale image; means that outputs the visible grayscale image; means that converts the second exposure data into a color image; means that outputs the color image; means that converts the third exposure data into an infrared grayscale image; means that outputs the infrared grayscale image; means that detects a headlight based on the visible grayscale image; means that detects a taillight based on the color image; and means that detects a pedestrian based on an imaType: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Otsuka, Tatsuhiko Monji
-
Patent number: 8081800Abstract: A detection system of vehicle interior condition includes an illumination unit for illuminating a plurality of mutually different illumination regions including at least one seat of a vehicle and a surrounding region thereof so as to have different illumination time durations shifted by a predetermined time. An imaging unit photographs an occupant and/or an object on the seat upon each illumination of the illumination unit. A control processor compares a plurality of images photographed by the imaging unit, and generates information indicative of a condition of the occupant or object, based on the result of the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Kota Irie, Isao Furusawa, Tatsuhiko Monji
-
Publication number: 20110273565Abstract: An image pickup device that acquires images is controlled by an image pickup device controller that accepts image acquisition requests from multiple application programs, and an application scheduler selects application programs to be executed. Information indicative of the image data volumes and image data acquisition rates required for each of the multiple application programs is stored and used to select multiple concurrently executable application programs on the basis of the image data volumes and image data acquisition rates. An image acquisition scheduler determines the timing and intervals at which the multiple executable application programs repeat receiving image data from the image pickup device, without overlapping in terms of time. In addition, an operations section, which explicitly presents concurrently executable application programs to a user and commands the startup of these programs, is displayed on a navigation screen menu.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shoji Muramatsu, Yuuji Otsuka, Hiroshi Takenaga, Tatsuhiko Monji, Jiro Takezaki, Isao Furusawa
-
Publication number: 20110261168Abstract: Provided is a camera device which is capable of estimating a road shape ahead of a target vehicle or capable of determining whether or not the target vehicle needs to be decelerated by controlling a brake before a curve, even in the situation where a white line of a traveling road or a roadside three-dimensional object is difficult to detect. A camera device 105 including a plurality of image capturing units 107 and 108 which each take an image of a traveling road ahead of a target vehicle 106, includes: a three-dimensional object ahead detection unit 114 which detects three-dimensional objects ahead 101 existing in a vicinity of a vanishing point of the traveling road 102 on the basis of the images picked up by the plurality of image capturing units 107 and 108; and a road shape estimation unit 113 which estimates a road shape of a distant portion on the traveling road 102 on the basis of a detection result detected by the three-dimensional object ahead detection unit 114.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2009Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Shima, Mirai Higuchi, Shoji Muramatsu, Tatsuhiko Monji
-
Publication number: 20110234761Abstract: Provided is a three-dimensional object emergence detecting device capable of detecting the emergence of a three-dimensional object rapidly and correctly at low costs. Based on a bird's-eye view image 30 taken by a camera 21 mounted in a vehicle 20, the three-dimensional object emergence detecting device detects the emergence of a three-dimensional object 22 in the vicinity of the vehicle. From the bird's-eye view image 30, the three-dimensional object emergence detecting device extracts orthogonal-direction characteristic components 46 and 47, which are on the bird's-eye view image 30 and has directions 36 and 37 orthogonal to a view direction 33 of the camera 21, and based on amounts of the extracted orthogonal-direction characteristic components 46 and 47, detects the emergence of the three-dimensional object 22. This prevents from erroneously detecting incidental changes in the image, such as sway of sunshine or movement of a shadow, as the emergence of the three-dimensional object.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventors: Ryo Yumiba, Masahiro Kiyohara, Kota Irie, Tatsuhiko Monji
-
Patent number: 8013901Abstract: A camera apparatus for vehicles including an imaging element and a lens comprises a gradation generation unit for stepwise changing the light amount reaching a whole or part of the imaging element. By this, a gradation region is formed on the imaging element and it absorbs assembling errors during manufacturing and positional shifts attributed to a road surface slope or the like. Even when an inverse light state is caused, it is possible to improve the image processing performance with an ecconomical configuration.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2004Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Masaaki Fukuhara, Isao Furusawa, Tatsuhiko Monji
-
Publication number: 20110205042Abstract: Provided are an information processing device and a processing method both of which are capable of executing processing in response to a traveling situation of a vehicle, thereby securing safety at the time of emergency while securing convenience.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2009Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: Masayuki Takemura, Shoji Muramatsu, Tatsuhiko Monji
-
Patent number: 7995797Abstract: An image pickup device that acquires images is controlled by an image pickup device controller that accepts image acquisition requests from multiple application programs, and an application scheduler selects application programs to be executed. Information indicative of the image data volumes and image data acquisition rates required for each of the multiple application programs is stored and used to select multiple concurrently executable application programs on the basis of the image data volumes and image data acquisition rates. An image acquisition scheduler determines the timing and intervals at which the multiple executable application programs repeat receiving image data from the image pickup device, without overlapping in terms of time. In addition, an operations section, which explicitly presents concurrently executable application programs to a user and commands the startup of these programs, is displayed on a navigation screen menu.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shoji Muramatsu, Yuuji Otsuka, Hiroshi Takenaga, Tatsuhiko Monji, Jiro Takezaki, Isao Furusawa
-
Patent number: 7957559Abstract: In conventional systems using an onboard camera disposed rearward of a vehicle for recognizing an object surrounding the vehicle, the object is recognized by the camera disposed rearward of the vehicle. In the image recognized by the camera, a road surface marking taken by the camera appears at a lower end of a screen of the image, which makes it difficult to predict a specific position in the screen from which the road surface marking appears. Further, an angle of depression of the camera is large, and it is a short period of time to acquire the object. Therefore, it is difficult to improve a recognition rate and to reduce false recognition. Results of recognition (type, position, angle, recognition time) made by a camera disposed forward of the vehicle, are used to predict a specific timing and a specific position of a field of view of a camera disposed rearward of the vehicle, at which the object appears.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2007Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Shima, Shoji Muramatsu, Yuji Otsuka, Kimiyoshi Machii, Mirai Higuchi, Tatsuhiko Monji, Kota Irie
-
Publication number: 20110074957Abstract: There is provided apparatus for vehicle surroundings monitorings that assists so as to make it possible for a driver to check the periphery of the vehicle with ease. Plural images are obtained by capturing the periphery of the vehicle with mutually differing exposure. A process of image recognition is then performed for a target within the thus obtained images. The images are then compared, and images for which the accuracy of image recognition of the target is favorable are selected from among the images. The selected images are joined and composited to generate a host vehicle periphery composite image. Thus, an image with a wide dynamic range and high visibility is generated, thereby making it easier for the driver to check the periphery of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Masahiro Kiyohara, Ryo Yumiba, Kota Irie, Tatsuhiko Monji
-
Publication number: 20110063097Abstract: There is provided a road boundary detection/judgment device resistant to environmental change and capable of detecting even a road boundary demarcated by a three-dimensional object in the distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, LtdInventors: Takuya Naka, Tatsuhiko Monji
-
Patent number: 7899213Abstract: An image processing system including an imaging unit mounted on a subject vehicle, and an image analysis unit that acquires images photographed by the imaging unit. The image analysis unit acquires plural images with different exposures that the imaging unit photographed, detects light spots emitted from the other vehicles from the plural images with different exposures, and detects positions of the other vehicles. The plural images are an image photographed with a first exposure, and an image photographed with a second exposure greater than the first exposure. The image analysis unit extracts a first area containing a first color component from the image photographed with the first exposure to determine the first area to be a first three-dimensional object, and extracts a second area containing a second color component from the image photographed with the second exposure to determine the second area to be a second three-dimensional object.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Otsuka, Hiroshi Takenaga, Shoji Muramatsu, Tatsuhiko Monji, Isao Furusawa
-
Publication number: 20110025848Abstract: Provided is an in-vehicle image display device capable of providing, from among images of the peripheral area of a vehicle that can change in accordance with the driving state, an image of a part needed by the driver at an appropriate timing so that the driver can recognize the positional relationship between the vehicle and the peripheral area of the vehicle. Images captured with in-vehicle cameras are acquired, and a vehicle periphery image is generated from such images. Then, a collision-warned part of the vehicle that has a possibility of hitting a nearby object is selected based on the vehicle driving state, and the acquired image is processed to generate an enlarged image of the peripheral area of the collision-warned part of the vehicle selected by the collision-warned part selection part. Then, a composite display image, in which the positions of the enlarged image and the vehicle periphery image are displayed in a correlated manner, is generated and displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Ryo YUMIBA, Masahiro Kiyohara, Tatsuhiko Monji, Kota Irie
-
Publication number: 20100157060Abstract: An image pickup device that acquires images is controlled by an image pickup device controller that accepts image acquisition requests from multiple application programs, and an application scheduler selects application programs to be executed. Information indicative of the image data volumes and image data acquisition rates required for each of the multiple application programs is stored and used to select multiple concurrently executable application programs on the basis of the image data volumes and image data acquisition rates. An image acquisition scheduler determines the timing and intervals at which the multiple executable application programs repeat receiving image data from the image pickup device, without overlapping in terms of time. In addition, an operations section, which explicitly presents concurrently executable application programs to a user and commands the startup of these programs, is displayed on a navigation screen menu.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2010Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shoji MURAMATSU, Yuuji Otsuka, Hiroshi Takenaga, Tatsuhiko Monji, Jiro Takezaki, Isao Furusawa
-
Patent number: 7702133Abstract: An image pickup device that acquires images is controlled by an image pickup device controller that accepts image acquisition requests from multiple application programs, and an application scheduler selects application programs to be executed. Information indicative of the image data volumes and image data acquisition rates required for each of the multiple application programs is stored and used to select multiple concurrently executable application programs on the basis of the image data volumes and image data acquisition rates. An image acquisition scheduler determines the timing and intervals at which the multiple executable application programs repeat receiving image data from the image pickup device, without overlapping in terms of time. In addition, an operations section, which explicitly presents concurrently executable application programs to a user and commands the startup of these programs, is displayed on a navigation screen menu.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shoji Muramatsu, Yuuji Otsuka, Hiroshi Takenaga, Tatsuhiko Monji, Jiro Takezaki, Isao Furusawa
-
Publication number: 20090316956Abstract: An image processing accuracy estimation unit estimates an image processing accuracy by calculating a size of an object by which the accuracy of measurement of the distance of the object photographed by an on-vehicle camera becomes a permissible value or less. An image post-processing area determination unit determines, in accordance with the estimated image processing accuracy, a partial area inside a detection area of the object as an image post-processing area for which an image post-processing is carried out and lattices the determined image post-processing area to cells. An image processing unit processes the image photographed by the on-vehicle camera to detect a candidate for object and calculates a three-dimensional position of the detected object candidate. An image post-processing unit calculates, in each the individual cell inside the determined area the probability as to whether the detected object is present and determines the presence/absence of the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Mirai Higuchi, Shoji Muramatsu, Soichiro Yokota, Tatsuhiko Monji
-
Publication number: 20090201370Abstract: A traveling lane detector according to the present invention includes: an imaging unit mounted on a vehicle to take a road surface image; and an image processor performing image processing on the image to detect lane marks on the road surface. The image processor judges whether the vehicle is crossing the lane marks, and, when the vehicle is not crossing any of the lane marks, defines first and second windows, in the image, for detecting the lane marks located respectively on left and right parts of a road surface in front of or behind the vehicle, performs image processing on the image in each of the windows to detect the lane marks, and, when the vehicle is crossing any of the lane marks, defines a third window including the currently-crossed lane mark in the image, performs image processing on the image in the third window to detect the lane mark.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Yuji OTSUKA, Masayuki Takemura, Tatsuhiko Monji, Isao Furusawa