Abstract: This object detection device for the area around a vehicle is provided with an imaging device and an image processing device. The image processing device is configured from a detection area setting unit, three area processing units, and an integration processing unit. The detection area setting unit sets a trio of small, medium, and large detection areas within a one-frame image captured by the imaging device. Detection processing for the presence of objects within the trio of small, medium, and large detection areas is carried out for each detection area simultaneously and in parallel by the three area processing units using pattern matching. The integration processing unit integrates the plurality of detection results resulting from detection processing by the plurality of area processing units and outputs the result. As a result, the present invention makes it possible to reduce the amount of time required for detection processing.

Abstract: A modular intelligent transportation system, comprising an environmentally protected enclosure, a system communications bus, a processor module, communicating with said bus, having a image data input and an audio input, the processor module analyzing the image data and/or audio input for data patterns represented therein, having at least one available option slot, a power supply, and a communication link for external communications, in which at least one available option slot can be occupied by a wireless local area network access point, having a communications path between said communications link and said wireless access point, or other modular components.

Abstract: Possible locations of a person of interest are ranked based on LPR instances captured around physical locations and license plate numbers associated with the person of interest. An LPR instance includes an indication of a vehicle license plate number, a physical location, and a time when the LPR instance was captured by a LPR system. A possible location of the person of interest may be a location of an LPR instance that matches the license plate number or an address location associated with the person of interest. The ranking may be based on the number of LPR visits to each location, the number of license plate number matches at each location, or an attribute of a cluster of LPR instances. In some examples, an electronic message is rapidly communicated to an entity if a target license plate number is found at a highly ranked location.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a plurality of objects in motion (OIMs) along a static route using a plurality of sensory detection devices, the static route having a plurality of route portions, each route portion having an entering boundary and an exiting boundary, at least one OIM being a designated OIM and having a tag indicating the location of the designated OIM along the route, the system comprising a plurality of sensory detection devices corresponding to the plurality of route portions for monitoring activity in each of the plurality of route portions and for providing monitor output representing activity within each of the plurality of route portions, a plurality of data stores corresponding to each of the plurality of route portions for receiving and storing the monitor output for each of the plurality of route portions, and a plurality of location detectors communicative with the tag of the designated OIM for identifying the location of the designated OIM, each location detector providing output when the

Abstract: A vehicle driver assistance apparatus is provided for a vehicle. The vehicle driver assistance apparatus comprises an image capture device arranged to capture image data which is representative of an object in vicinity of the vehicle. The vehicle driver assistance apparatus further comprises an electronic controller arranged to (i) process the captured image data to identify an edge line associated with the object, and (ii) process the captured image data further based upon the identified edge line to identify a distance between the vehicle and the edge line of the object.

Abstract: A method for detecting a traffic violation in a traffic light zone through rear end measurement by a FMCW radar device (1). A specific position (sP1) assigned to the front of a vehicle (3) and the radial velocity are derived from the measurement signal obtained at a first measurement time (t1), and a first anticipated position (eP1) for the front of the vehicle is calculated by the distance-time rule at the second measurement time (t2) by means of the time period between the first measurement time (t1) and the second measurement time (t2). Through repeated calculation of an anticipated position for the front of the vehicle at further measurement times, an anticipated time when the front of the vehicle crosses a stop line (5) defining the traffic light zone is predicted iteratively with the determined vehicle velocity.

Abstract: A collision mitigation system for a vehicle includes at least a forward viewing camera and a rearward viewing camera configured to be disposed at the vehicle so as to view generally forwardly or rearwardly of the vehicle. An image processor processes image data captured by the cameras. When the equipped vehicle is moving and responsive at least in part to a determination that the equipped vehicle is approaching an object determined to be present forwardly of the equipped vehicle, the control is operable to apply a vehicle brake to mitigate a collision with the determined object. When the vehicle is moving and the control is applying the vehicle brake, and responsive at least in part to a determination that a following vehicle is following the equipped vehicle, the control adjusts control of the vehicle brakes to mitigate a rear collision by the determined following vehicle.

Abstract: A communication system (200) comprises a radio communication device (100) comprising a controller (102) having law enforcement information (110) stored therein and a data acquisition device (108) for capturing area conditions surrounding a law enforcement vehicle or law enforcement personnel. The controller (102) detects violations of the law enforcement information based on variety of detection devices, such as video analytics. In response to a detection of a law violation by an offending vehicle, a transmitter (104) within communication device 100 generates an alert to similarly formed secondary devices (220) mounted and/or worn within the network. The system (200) provides an automated response through devices (220) by gathering additional data pertaining to the offending vehicle to detect for additional violations of the law, even across state lines. The system (200) may further facilitate apprehension of an offending vehicle through automated roadblocks.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an automated system may be implemented in which alerts to drivers are automatically distributed and implemented at the driver's vehicle. Thus, in some embodiments, no involvement by the driver is needed and everything may be done in an automated fashion including filtering alerts and responding to alerts. In some embodiments, each vehicle need not provide its current location to the Amber Alert System, providing greater privacy in some cases.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a security system that protects a secured area, a wireless portable device that arms and disarms the security system through a wireless interface, the wireless portable device having a camera, a microphone and a global positioning system (GPS), and a processor of the wireless portable device that detects disarming of the security system by a user under duress through the wireless portable device and captures information of an environment of the wireless portable device from the GPS and one or more of the camera and microphone and sends the captured information to a central monitoring station of the security system through the wireless interface.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for removing a crest end ramp along a work surface using a machine is provided. The computer-implemented method may include defining a volume threshold corresponding to a crest end region of the work surface where the volume threshold may be adjustable based on one or more parameters associated with the machine and the work surface, calculating a volume of material within the crest end region, comparing the calculated volume with the volume threshold, issuing a ramp cut if the calculated volume approximates but does not exceed the volume threshold, and issuing a short cut if the calculated volume exceeds the volume threshold.

Abstract: A working vehicle periphery monitoring system includes: a plurality of image capturing devices capturing a periphery of a working vehicle to output image information; a bird's eye image synthesizing unit synthesizing the image information to generate bird's eye image information for displaying a bird's eye image on a monitor; and a display control unit displaying, on the monitor, at least one of a first bird's eye image obtained by superimposing a first vessel image including at least the vessel other than a part of the vessel at a rear side of the working vehicle and front and rear wheels displayed with the vessel on an area of the working vehicle in the bird's eye image and a second bird's eye image obtained by superimposing a second vessel image including at least all of the vessel and the front and rear wheels displayed with the vessel on the area of the working vehicle in the bird's eye image.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, computer readable media and other implementations, including a method to calibrate a camera that includes capturing by the camera a frame of a scene, identifying features appearing in the captured frame, the features associated with pre-determined values representative of physical attributes of one or more objects, and determining parameters of the camera based on the identified features appearing in the captured frame and the pre-determined values associated with the identified features.

Abstract: A system for avoidance records comprises an interface and a processor. An interface is configured to receive an abbreviated record associated with a non-event profile identifier. A processor is configured to determine a counter value associated with the non-event profile identifier and, in the event that the counter value is greater than a predetermined threshold, create and store an avoidance record.

Abstract: A system for determining the proximity of client devices to locations of interest is provided. The system includes a data server configured to receive data identifying a plurality of vehicles and associated vehicle locations and an input processor configured to process the received data to identify a plurality of locations of interest related to one or more assets. A database in operative communication with the data server is provided to store the locations of interest as information records. A notification server is provided to receive data identifying geographic locations of a plurality of client devices. An output processor is operatively coupled to the notification server and is configured to determine whether one or of more the client devices are within a predetermined proximity to one or more of the locations of interest.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for creating multi-angle views of an object-of-interest from images stored in a dataset. A user specifies the location of an object-of-interest. As the user virtually navigates through the locality represented by the image dataset, his current virtual position is determined. Using the user's virtual position and the location of the object-of-interest, images in the image dataset are selected and interpolated or stitched together, if necessary, to present to the user a view from his current virtual position looking toward the object-of-interest. The object-of-interest remains in the view no matter where the user virtually travels. From the same image dataset, another user can select a different object-of-interest and virtually navigate in a similar manner, with his own object-of-interest always in view. The object-of-interest also can be “virtual,” added by computer-animation techniques to the image dataset.

Abstract: Possible locations of a person of interest are ranked based on LPR instances captured around physical locations and license plate numbers associated with the person of interest. An LPR instance includes an indication of a vehicle license plate number, a physical location, and a time when the LPR instance was captured by a LPR system. A possible location of the person of interest may be a location of an LPR instance that matches the license plate number or an address location associated with the person of interest. The ranking may be based on the number of LPR visits to each location, the number of license plate number matches at each location, or an attribute of a cluster of LPR instances. In some examples, an electronic message is rapidly communicated to an entity if a target license plate number is found at a highly ranked location.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle equipment control system and methods thereof are provided, the system includes at least one imager configured to acquire a continuous sequence of high dynamic range single frame images, a processor, a color spectral filter array including a plurality of color filters, at least a portion of which are different colors, and pixels of an imager pixel array being in optical communication with substantially one spectral color filter, and a lens, wherein the imager is configured to capture a non-saturated image of nearby oncoming headlamps and at least one of a diffuse lane marking and a distant tail lamp in one image frame of the continuous sequence of high dynamic range single frame images, and the system configured to detect at least one of said highway markings and said tail lamps, and quantify light from the oncoming headlamp from data in the one image frame.

Abstract: Vehicle event recorder systems are arranged to be in constant communication with remote servers and administrators via mobile wireless cellular networks. Vehicle event recorders equipped with video cameras capture video and other data records of important events relating to vehicle use. These data are then transmitted over special communications networks having very high coverage space but limited bandwidth. A vehicle may be operated over very large region while maintaining continuous communications connections with a remote fixed server. As such, systems of these inventions may be characterized as including a mobile unit having: a video camera; a microprocessor; memory; an event trigger; and mobile wireless transceivers, and a fixed network portion including: mobile wireless cellular network, a protocol translation gateway, the Internet and an application-specific server.

Abstract: Vehicle event recorder systems are arranged to be in constant communication with remote servers and administrators via mobile wireless cellular networks. Vehicle event recorders equipped with video cameras capture video and other data records of important events relating to vehicle use. These data are then transmitted over special communications networks having very high coverage space but limited bandwidth. A vehicle may be operated over very large region while maintaining continuous communications connections with a remote fixed server. As such, systems of these inventions may be characterized as including a mobile unit having: a video camera; a microprocessor; memory; an event trigger; and mobile wireless transceivers, and a fixed network portion including: mobile wireless cellular network, a protocol translation gateway, the Internet and an application-specific server.

Abstract: When performing video-based speed enforcement a main camera and a secondary RGB traffic camera are employed to provide improved accuracy of speed measurement and improved evidentiary photo quality compared to single camera approaches. The RGB traffic camera provides sparse secondary video data at a lower cost than a conventional stereo camera. The sparse stereo processing is performed using the main camera data and the sparse RGB camera data to estimate a height of one or more tracked vehicle features, which in turn is used to improve speed estimate accuracy. By using secondary video, spatio-temporally sparse stereo processing is enabled specifically for estimating the height of a vehicle feature above the road surface.

Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting traffic signals and their associated states are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example method includes a scanning a target area using one or more sensors of a vehicle to obtain target area information. The vehicle may be configured to operate in an autonomous mode, and the target area may be a type of area where traffic signals are typically located. The method may also include detecting a traffic signal in the target area information, determining a location of the traffic signal, and determining a state of the traffic signal. Also, a confidence in the traffic signal may be determined. For example, the location of the traffic signal may be compared to known locations of traffic signals. Based on the state of the traffic signal and the confidence in the traffic signal, the vehicle may be controlled in the autonomous mode.

Abstract: Embodiments for the detection of mobile device use in a motor vehicle are disclosed. As one example, a system and method are disclosed in which an image of a scene is captured via a camera. The presence of a graphical display of a mobile device is detected within the scene by processing the image to identify a signature pixel characteristic indicative of a graphical display in a portion of the scene corresponding to a driver's position within a vehicle frame of reference. An indication of a positive detection of the graphical display is output by the system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a driving guide of a vehicle are provided and include a sensor unit that has at least one sensor mounted within the vehicle. In addition, a controller is configured to sense obstacles positioned at a front and side of the vehicle using sensing information received from the sensor unit and arrange data for the obstacles based on an angle to determine whether a passage is present in front of the vehicle. In addition, the controller is configured to provide the driving guide of the checked passage.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically changing the operation of a mobile device in response to a presence of information is described. In some examples, the system determines an information capture device is proximate to text, automatically changes operation of the capture device to a certain mode, captures the text, and performs an action associated with the captured text.

Abstract: Techniques for providing image search templates are provided. An image search template may be associated with an image search query to aid the user in capturing an image that will be appropriate for processing the search query. The template may be displayed as an overlay during an image capturing process to indicate an appropriate image capturing pose, range, angle, or other view characteristics that may provide more accurate search results. The template may also be used in the image search query to segment the image and identify features relevant to the search query. Images in an image database may be clustered using characteristics of the images or metadata associated with the images in order to establish groups of images from which templates may be derived. The generated templates may be provided to users to assist in capturing images to be used as search engine queries.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving automated license plate recognition performance. One or more images of a vehicle can be captured via an automated license plate recognition engine. Vehicle class information associated with the vehicle can be obtained using the automated license place recognition engine. Such vehicle class information can be analyzed with respect to the vehicle. Finally, data can be dynamically adjusted with respect to the vehicle based on a per image basis to enhance recognition of the vehicle via the automated license plate recognition engine.

Abstract: A vehicle video recording apparatus has multiple cameras mounted on a car, a video processing unit electronically connected to the cameras, a storage unit for storing videos output from the cameras, and a control unit. The control unit has a signal detecting module for receiving vehicle status signals, a distance detecting module for sensing a distance between the car and an object, an output module for outputting warning signals, and a central control module for controlling the cameras based on the vehicle status signals. The vehicle video recording apparatus properly selects and activates the camera to record images around the car to enhance the driving safety.

Abstract: A parking lot management system that works in cooperation with intelligent cameras is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of intelligent cameras connected to each other via a wired/wireless mesh network, a license plate recognition unit which can recognize a license plate of a vehicle entering and exiting a parking lot, a server for storing and managing information about the vehicle, a parking information board and a vehicle information about the position terminal which provide a user with parking information, and a personal computer for controlling all information.

Abstract: System and method for tolling includes a location determining system arranged in a vehicle to determine its location during vehicular travel, a memory device that stores data about predetermined locations, and a processor coupled to the location determining system and that compares the location of the location determining system to data in the memory device to determine whether a transmission of the location is necessary and if so, directs the transmission to a remote site via the Internet. The memory device and/or processor may also be arranged on the vehicle, i.e., to provide a completely vehicle-resident system that may be installed on the vehicle during manufacture or retrofit to the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an inventory condition of objects based on captured images are described. An exemplary inventory control system or method utilizes a highly efficient and economical approach to apply suitable imaging parameters for capturing images of a storage drawer being accessed by a user, or for manipulating the captured images of the drawer. An inventory condition of the drawer is determined based on the captured images or manipulated images.

Abstract: Gaze based systems and methods are used to aid traffic controllers and/or pilots. A gaze line of an eye of the user viewing the display is tracked using an eyetracker. An intersection of the gaze line of the eye with the display is calculated to provide continuous feedback as to where on the display the user is looking. A trace of the gaze line of the eye is correlated with elements of a situation. The user's awareness of the situation is inferred by verifying that the user has looked at the elements of the situation. In an embodiment, the user is notified of the situation when it is determined that the user has not looked at the elements of the situation for a predetermined period of time. The notification is automatically removed once it is determined that the user has looked at the elements of the situation.

Abstract: In a case where a light distribution control apparatus judges that there is a possibility that a driver's own vehicle and an animal will contact each other if it is assumed that the animal remains at the present position, then it controls headlight such that the head of the animal is out of the illuminating range of the headlight. In a case where the light distribution control apparatus judges that there is no possibility that the driver's own vehicle and the animal will contact each other if it is assumed that the animal remains at the present position, then it controls the headlight such that the head of the animal is within the illuminating range of the headlight.

Abstract: A vehicular imaging system comprises a single imaging sensor having a plurality of photosensor elements. The imaging sensor captures image data of a scene exterior of the vehicle within its field of view. Image data captured by the imaging sensor is provided to a control. The control also receives via a communication bus at least one of vehicle pitch information, vehicle yaw information and vehicle steering information. The control detects two substantially straight and converging road features along the road the vehicle is travelling and determines a point of intersection where they would converge using, at least in part, the received vehicle information and the control automatically corrects for misalignment of the imaging sensor mounted at the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for determining the occupation state of a parking space, including the steps of: providing a first detection unit equipped with a frequency modulated continuous wave radar; preparing a decision unit and a second detection unit; transmitting via the radar a communication signal modulated on the basis of a first code, alternatively indicating the parking space or a vehicle; receiving the communication signal with the second detection unit; demodulating the first code with the second detection unit; transmitting the first code to the decision unit via the second detection unit; and determining, with the decision unit, the occupation state on the basis of the first code and the second code, alternatively indicating either a vehicle or the parking space.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting drowsy driving that include a controller configured to calculate basic characteristics based on steering torque information and lateral displacement information for every first time and basic thresholds based on the basic characteristics for a second time. In addition, the controller calculates a current characteristic based on the steering torque information and the lateral displacement information for every third time and calculates current thresholds based on the current characteristic for a fourth time. The controller then compares the current thresholds and the current characteristics to determine whether drowsy driving is generated.

Abstract: Multiple-object speed tracking apparatuses are disclosed, including a camera configured to capture a set of images of a monitored area (e.g., a roadway). The camera's longitudinal axis may be positioned at any viewing angle relative to a longitudinal axis of a roadway such that at least two moving objects moving on the roadway are included in a set of high or low resolution images. A computer system is configured to analyze the set of images to detect the two moving objects and substantially simultaneously determine a calculated rate of speed of at least one of the two moving objects. The computer system also provides an on-site speed calibration process for transforming locations of an image among the set of images into real-world coordinates by considering both perspective and scale of the image. An apparatus mount for at least one of either the camera or the computer system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vicinity environment estimation device includes neighborhood monitoring sensors that detect another vehicle, a car navigation system that acquires information about an untravelable region where a vehicle cannot travel, a vehicle-to-vehicle communication instrument that acquires information about detectable regions and results of detection of neighborhood monitoring sensors mounted in the another vehicle by wireless communication, and an ECU that estimates presence of a vehicle in the neighborhood of a host vehicle.

Abstract: An exterior mirror assembly with an optical display is suggested, whereby a light opening (2) is provided on the exterior mirror assembly for the passage of light of a warning display. The optical display comprieses of a display housing (4), into which an active illuminated display element (10) is mounted as a light source.

Abstract: A stop violation detection system and method includes at least one sensor mounted to establish a light shield adjacent a first vehicle, at least one image capture device mounted to record at least one image adjacent the first vehicle, and a control unit operatively coupled with the at least one sensor and the at least one image capture device to detect breach of the light shield by a second vehicle and record the breach of the light shield by the second vehicle with the at least one image capture device.

Abstract: Information on a traffic event, such as a traffic accident, may be provided to a vehicle equipped with a system for performing a wireless data communication with a traffic event center. The system can determine automatically if the vehicle approaches the traffic event by receiving corresponding information in a wireless data transmission, or by a determination based on the vehicle's current position and a location of the traffic event received in a wireless data transmission. If it is determined by the system that the vehicle has approached a traffic event, the system can automatically acquire image data of the vehicle environment, and transmit the acquired image data to the traffic event center.

Abstract: A rear-viewing camera system for a vehicle is described that includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to identify a driving corridor in image data received from at least one camera. The driving corridor corresponds to a predicted path of motion of the vehicle travelling in reverse. When a moving object is detected in the image data, the electronic control unit predicts, based on the image data, whether the moving object will enter the driving corridor. If the moving object is predicted to enter the driving corridor, the electronic control unit calculates an estimated time when the object is predicted to enter the driving corridor.

Abstract: A computerized system mountable on a vehicle operable to detect an object by processing first image frames from a first camera and second image frames from a second camera. A first range is determined to said detected object using the first image frames. An image location is projected of the detected object in the first image frames onto an image location in the second image frames. A second range is determined to the detected object based on both the first and second image frames. The detected object is tracked in both the first and second image frames When the detected object leaves a field of view of the first camera, a third range is determined responsive to the second range and the second image frames.

Abstract: A system for disabled parking spot enforcement uses a proximity sensor for detecting entry of a vehicle within a parking spot designated for use by disabled people. A radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag reader is positioned adjacent the parking spot for polling for the presence of an RFID tag associated with the vehicle. An alarm is also positioned adjacent the parking spot, and the alarm is actuated for a pre-set period of time if an RFID tag associated with the vehicle is not detected. A camera is further positioned adjacent the parking spot for capturing a photographic image of a license plate associated with the vehicle if the RFID tag was not detected and if the vehicle did not exit the parking spot within the pre-set period of time. If the RFID tag was detected, identifying information therefrom is read and logged.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a video camera and video processing alert system for detecting a vehicle in reverse. According to one exemplary embodiment, the system operates according to the following guidelines or steps: (1) Acquire video containing features relevant to reverse detection, (2) Identify feature(s) within the video frame that are relevant to a vehicle in reverse, (3) Examine identified features to extract the evidence of vehicle backing up for a current frame, (4) Apply temporal filtering on the frame-to-frame evidence, (5) Use filtered evidence for decision on triggering the alarm, (6) Triggering an alarm if indicated by the decision. The system can be implemented with relative low cost and complexity, due to the affordability of video cameras, and the fact that many drive-through locations have existing video capture infrastructure.

Abstract: A method and a meeting terminal for adjusting meeting place cameras in a remote presentation meeting system are disclosed. The method includes: determining a site to be tested in a meeting place (S202), wherein the site to be tested includes an intersection of the ideal boundary of depth of field of the meeting place and the ideal shooting boundary of the corresponding camera; determining the ideal imaging data of a reference object on the site to be tested (S204); acquiring, by the camera, actual imaging data of the reference object arranged on the site to be tested (S206); comparing the actual imaging data with the ideal imaging data and determining the range of needed adjustment of the camera according to the result of the comparison (S208) so as to make the actual imaging data of the reference object accord with the ideal imaging data.

Abstract: A parking assistance apparatus includes a display unit that displays an image of a scene behind a host vehicle. At least when the host vehicle moves forward or when the host vehicle is stopped, the display unit displays an indication including a plurality of kinds of trajectories along which the host vehicle is able to back up from a point at which the host vehicle is currently positioned, in a manner such that the indication is superimposed on the image of the scene behind the host vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system produce a warning signal to warn a driver of a vehicle about a potential obstacle crossing behind the vehicle, for example as the vehicle is backing out of a parking space. The system and method use a sensor to detect, monitor and track the position and velocity of a potential obstacle relative to the subject vehicle, in a detection space behind and to the sides of the vehicle, preferably to predict the probability that the trajectory of the potential obstacle will intersect with the trajectory of the subject vehicle at a critical time.

Abstract: A rear-viewing camera system for a vehicle is described. The rear-viewing system includes a first camera and a second camera. The first and second cameras are positioned with partially overlapping fields of view. An electronic control unit is configured to receive image data from the cameras and generated three-dimensional data for the overlapping portion of the fields of view. The electronic control unit then analyzes the movement of vehicles within the overlapping field of view based on the three-dimensional data. Movement of vehicles in the non-overlapping fields of view is analyzed based on two-dimensional image data from either the first camera or the second camera.

Abstract: An adaptive sensing system is configured to acquire sensor data pertaining to objects in the vicinity of a land vehicle. The adaptive sensing system may be configured to identify objects that are at least partially obscured by other objects and, in response, the adaptive sensing system may be configured to modify the configuration of one or more sensors to obtain additional information pertaining to the obscured objects. The adaptive sensing system may comprise and/or be communicatively coupled to a collision detection module, which may use the sensor data acquired by the adaptive sensing system to detect potential collisions.