Navigation Patents (Class 348/113)
  • Patent number: 8089510
    Abstract: An interface (402) to a video imaging device (490) that generates captured frames of a video image (100) is described. The interface includes control registers (430) that store at least two sets of stream parameters (401) corresponding to at least two regions of interest (ROIs) and a function (410) that generates at least two corresponding ROI video streams (460) that are derived from the captured frames as essentially simultaneous output signals using the at least two sets of stream parameters. In some embodiments a new selection value (436) is determined from a current selection value and a derivative parameter stored as a portion of a set of stream parameters. In these embodiments, the generating of the at least two corresponding ROI video streams as essentially simultaneous output signals includes using the new selection value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Sek M. Chai, Zhiyuan Li, Abelardo Lopez Lagunas
  • Patent number: 8081210
    Abstract: A system and method for mitigating the effects of Doppler shift, multipath and/or noise for a mobile receiver, such as on a vehicle, that is receiving broadcast television signals. The vehicle may include a map database and a GPS receiver that combine to identify the location of the vehicle on the roadway. The receiver on the vehicle includes a rotatable antenna that can be either mechanically or electronically directed towards a broadcast tower that is broadcasting the signal that the vehicle wishes to receive. Therefore, multipath effects and other noise conditions can be mitigated or eliminated by more precisely directing the antenna towards the source of a signal. Further, the receiver on the vehicle can use the forward velocity of the vehicle and the direction of the broadcasting tower to determine the movement of the vehicle relative to the tower to correct for the Doppler shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robert P. Roesser
  • Patent number: 8077908
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image analysis method for analyzing an image. By inputting starting point coordinates and ending point coordinates of individual image blocks contained in the image, an image block arrangement table is created. The image is analyzed according to the image block arrangement table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Jen Liao, Tung-Hsuan Pai
  • Patent number: 8077921
    Abstract: An apparatus that determines the presence of an element such as fog interfering with the visibility of a frontal view of an driver in an vehicle in an environmental atmosphere in ahead of the vehicle equipped with the apparatus in the daytime is provided. In this apparatus, the determination of whether the presence of the element is determined based on an image that captured by a vehicle-mounted camera and in which a picture of an obstacle located on a road over which the vehicle is traveling is masked. In the determination, a reliability of determining the presence of the element is considered by measuring the effect of masking the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8060582
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating geocoded user information is disclosed. The method comprises searching user data across multiple different data corpuses for entries having location-related information and determining locations for the location-related information. The method further comprises generating a map showing a current location of a mobile device along with representations of the entries having location-related information, at the determined locations, for entries from the multiple different data corpuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Bliss, David P. Conway
  • Patent number: 8051375
    Abstract: A television Widget movement method involves providing access to a plurality of Widget programs to a television Widget host processor; receiving a dedicated command from a remote controller that activates the plurality of Widget programs, wherein the Widget programs, when in a Display mode, display Widget representations on a display; receiving a command from the remote controller that establishes one of the plurality of displayed Widget programs as the Widget program that is currently in focus; and receiving a command from the remote controller that places the Widget program that is currently in focus in a Move Mode, wherein the Widget representation can be moved about the display while in Move Mode. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Friedlander, Thomas Patrick Dawson, Privan Gunatilake, Seth Hill, Andy Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20110261187
    Abstract: Mobile Internet devices may be used to generate Mirror World depictions. The mobile Internet devices may use inertial navigation system sensor data, combined with camera images, to develop three dimensional models. The con of an input geometric model may be aligned with edge features of the input camera images instead of using point features of images or laser scan data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Peng Wang, Tao Wang, Dayong Ding, Yimin Zhang
  • Patent number: 8046705
    Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a control framework for organizing, selecting and launching media items including graphical user interfaces coupled with an optional free space control device for collection of the basic control primitives of point, click, scroll, hover and zoom which permit for easy and rapid selection of media items, e.g., movies, songs etc., from large or small collections. The remote control maps natural hand movements and gestures into relevant commands while the graphical display uses images, zooming for increased/decreased levels of detail and continuity of GUI objects to provide easy organization, selection and navigation among the media items by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. Hunleth, Negar Moshiri, William J. Napier, Daniel S. Simpkins, Frank J. Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 8031238
    Abstract: In an image-capturing apparatus, recorded position information is stored upon receiving instruction of storing the recorded position information, and real-time position information is stored upon a photograph is taken, which is stored together with a captured-image. The image-capturing apparatus executes mode changeover from a recorded position information use mode to a real-time position information use mode when a timing of the mode changeover matches a mode change condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroaki Uchiyama, Seiji Nagao
  • Publication number: 20110228079
    Abstract: A method is provided for the selective display of information from a camera system in a display device of a vehicle and vehicle with a camera system. The method includes, but is not limited to selecting an operating mode of the camera system, determining at least one quantity characterizing a possible reversing of the vehicle, and displaying information from at least one camera of the camera system in the display device as a function of the selected operating mode of the camera system if the at least one determined quantity characterizes an imminent reversing of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Holger WOLF
  • Publication number: 20110228078
    Abstract: A real-time augmented reality device, a real-time augmented reality method and a computer storage medium are provided. The real-time augmented reality device may work with a navigation device and an image capture device. The navigation device is configured to generate navigation information according to the current location of the navigation device. The image capture device is configured to capture the real-time image which comprises an object. The real-time augmented reality device is configured to generate the navigation image according to the real time image and the navigation information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: INSTITUTE FOR INFORMATION INDUSTRY
    Inventors: Yu-Chang CHEN, Yung-Chih LIU, Shih-Yuan LIN
  • Patent number: 8022978
    Abstract: An automatic control system for directional control of an aircraft moving on the ground utilizing computer vision methods and camera sensing methods (visible, infrared or microwave) to optically recognize and track taxiway navigation features thereby providing pilot television picture steering cues or force inputs to the nosewheel steering system to maintain the aircraft on the centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kazuhide Konya
  • Patent number: 8013721
    Abstract: A display apparatus displaying an image of surroundings of a vehicle includes a camera capturing an image of the surroundings of the vehicle, and a display monitor provided inside the vehicle for superimposingly displaying the image of the surroundings of the vehicle captured by the camera, and a first distance indicator line and a second distance indicator line, wherein the first distance indicator line indicates a first predetermined distance from the vehicle and the second distance indicator line indicates a second predetermined distance from the vehicle, the second distance indicator line is positioned farther away from the vehicle than the first distance indicator line, and the first distance indicator line is wider than the second distance indicator line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yamanaka, Shoichi Hashiba
  • Patent number: 8009024
    Abstract: A display device of the present invention is mounted on an automotive vehicle. An obstacle located in front of the vehicle is detected by a camera, and its features including speed, distance, size, etc. are analyzed by electronic circuits. An image showing the features of the front object is outputted from a liquid crystal panel. The outputted image is reflected on the windshield, displaying a virtual image to a driver. The virtual image is displayed in a form of a spot encircling the front obstacle seen through the windshield. The ways of displaying the encircling spot are variously changed according to a degree of collision danger that is determined according to a period in which the vehicle reaches the obstacle. For example, if the degree of collision danger is high, the spot is shown in red-orange color and/or with a high brightness. Thus, the driver easily recognizes the front obstacle in a high degree of collision danger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Enya, Masaru Kakizaki
  • Patent number: 8009191
    Abstract: The invention relates to a marine recovery system comprising the following features: a chart plotter (1) a position sensor (10) arranged for displaying the vessel's (2) position (2N, 2E) in said chart plotter (1); a position receiver (21) for other vessels' (221, 222, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Aptomar AS
    Inventors: Hákon Skjelten, Jonas Aamodt Moræus, Lars André Solberg
  • Publication number: 20110178658
    Abstract: Systems and methods for airborne object detection using monocular sensors are provided. In one embodiment, a system for detecting moving objects from a mobile vehicle comprises: an imaging camera; a navigation unit including at least an inertial measurement unit; and a computer system coupled to the image camera and the navigation unit. The computer system executes an airborne object detection process algorithm, and calculates a transformation between two or more image frames captured by the imaging camera using navigation information associated with each of the two or more image frames to generate a motion compensated background image sequence. The computer system detects moving objects from the motion compensated background image sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Ondrej Kotaba, Jan Lukas, Milan Sopata
  • Patent number: 7982635
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for displaying a driving location of a moving object which controls a Red, Green, Blue (RGB) ratio by corresponding to a property of a road where the moving object travels, differently renders a moving object symbol according to the controlled RGB ratio, and thereby may identify a driving status of the moving object more accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Thinkware Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Deuk Yeong Seong
  • Publication number: 20110169943
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product provides for avoiding collision between a vehicle and a target object. Pluralities of images from the target object are sensed. Pluralities of polarized images are generated from the sensed images. One or more composite images are calculated from the two or more polarized images by performing an algebraic manipulation between the two or more polarized images. The target object is tracked based on composite images. A set of evasive maneuver instructions are established for the respective hazard associated with the target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: AAI Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Bachman, II, Kirk A. Slenker
  • Patent number: 7978881
    Abstract: An occupant information detection system for detecting information related to a vehicle occupant on a vehicle seat includes an image detecting section facing a vehicle seat area taking a three-dimensional image, an information extraction processing section extracting information related to a three-dimensional surface profile of a detected object on a vehicle seat based on the three-dimensional image, a conversion processing section converting the extracted information into numerical coordinates of a predetermined coordinate system, and a computation processing section deriving a computed value by subtracting an average of first and second coordinate components from a third coordinate component. The system also includes a determination processing section determining the concave-convex shape of a line segment formed by the arbitrary points and the middle point based on the computed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Aoki, Hirofumi Mita, Masato Yokoo, Yuu Hakomori
  • Patent number: 7973819
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the present position of a vehicle, by utilizing a visible-light communication system. The apparatus uses a visible-light communication beacon and video data representing an image photographed by one camera. The beacon emits a visible optical signal, thus transmitting position data. The visible-light communication beacon comprises a road-illuminating lamp and a visible-light communication apparatus, both secured to a lamp post. The vehicle has the camera and a vehicle position determination apparatus. The vehicle position determination apparatus demodulates the visible optical signal, there restoring the position data, and calculates the present position of the vehicle from the position data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Shigehito Shimada
  • Patent number: 7962266
    Abstract: A method, a controller and a vehicle for performing agricultural operations on a field with parallel arranged rows having ends. The operations are performed at positions related to the positions of the rows under control of the controller, based upon stored information about the orientation of the rows, stored information about a distance between adjacent rows, a distance signal related to a distance traveled by the vehicle and a direction signal related to the heading of the vehicle. The invention is particularly suited for providing dams to prevent water from a head ditch to enter into pre-selected, dry furrows on a field with an irrigation arrangement with raised rows and lower furrows between the rows, or dams matching up with adjacent raised rows so that water runs down each furrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Frederick William Nelson, Broughton Boydell, Robert Lynn Mayfield
  • Patent number: 7957559
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Shima, Shoji Muramatsu, Yuji Otsuka, Kimiyoshi Machii, Mirai Higuchi, Tatsuhiko Monji, Kota Irie
  • Publication number: 20110122244
    Abstract: Vehicle-mounted video cameras, if and when wirelessly connected via a hybrid transceiver of satellite and terrestrial links and either through a randomly-formed vehicle-to-vehicle network, or via mobile web links, may enable motorists behind the wheel to remotely see either on a navigator screen, or on a screen of mobile equipment, inclusive of handsets and tablet PCs, any real-time video images of traffic and/or street scenes, far beyond physical limits of human eyesight. In pursuing the said peer-to-peer advantages, the real-time street views targeted in any directions can be picked at the discretion of motorists, by transmitting the location-based inquiry to the targeted on-vehicle cameras, by tapping on an in-vehicle touchscreen or a mobile device screen and also by activating voice commands, if necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Kyu Hwang Cho
  • Publication number: 20110109737
    Abstract: A navigation apparatus includes an image recording device for recording image data and a processing resource configured to receive an incident signal indicative of the occurrence of an incident and to perform an image data processing operation in response to the incident signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Sjoerd Aben, Erik Thomassen, Teun De Haas
  • Patent number: 7933434
    Abstract: A vehicle capable of preventing detection of stud-type lane marks from being impossible and a vehicle having a lane mark recognizer are provided. The vehicle includes installation interval recognizing means (21) which recognizes an interval (L) between Botts Dots, vehicle speed recognizing means (22) which recognizes a traveling speed (v) of the vehicle, image synthesizing means (13) which generates synthesized image data (M3) by combining image data (M1) stored in an image memory (11) through an image input circuit (10) and image data (M2) stored in an image memory (12) through the same, imaging timing determining means (20) which determines the timing of imaging by a camera (2) on the basis of the interval (L) and the traveling speed (v) when acquiring the image data (M1, M2) in such a way that the positions of the Botts Dots in the image data (M1, M2) are different therebetween, and Botts Dots detecting means (14) which detects the Botts Dots from the synthesized image data (M3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Aoki, Sachio Kobayashi, Naoki Mori, Takuma Nakamori
  • Publication number: 20110050883
    Abstract: Machine vision based obstacle avoidance system is provided. The system utilizes a CCD camera to capture an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
    Inventors: Debasish Ghose, Varun Raj Kompella
  • Patent number: 7899213
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Otsuka, Hiroshi Takenaga, Shoji Muramatsu, Tatsuhiko Monji, Isao Furusawa
  • Patent number: 7894552
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a quick, low-distortion and efficient reduction in sample rate requiring minimal logic. An IF signal is passed into an analog-to-digital converter. The converted signal is mixed with the combination of an in-phase and a quadrature component. The mixed signal is then split into an in-phase signal and a quadrature signal. The quadrature signal is interpolated to form a new signal aligned in time to the in-phase signal. Alternatively, the in-phase signal is interpolated to form a new signal aligned in time to the quadrature signal. The interpolation may comprise linear interpolation or parabolic interpolation. The simplified signal processing reduces the sample rate of the signal and the interpolation reduces aliasing introduced by the simplification. One advantage of this approach is that only half of the signal needs to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph T. Graf
  • Patent number: 7876359
    Abstract: A method and system for stabilizing images being taken by a video camera using electromechanical stabilization. The stabilization system performs inter-frame stabilization based on the velocity of a vehicle on which the video camera is mounted and the pan rate of a line-of-sight controller of the video camera. The inter-frame stabilization is performed by a software component by moving a display area (or viewport) within a larger image area. The stabilization system converts an inter-frame stabilization adjustment into a pan rate adjustment so that the line-of-sight controller will keep the desired object within the image area of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Insitu, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas H. von Flotow, Mathieu Mercadal, Brian T. McGeer
  • Publication number: 20110013014
    Abstract: A method of determining a target geographic location, using an electronic device including a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a digital camera, and a display for presenting images and functioning as a viewfinder for the digital camera, is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communication AB
    Inventor: Tomas WASSINGSBO
  • Publication number: 20110001819
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a plurality of cameras which are arranged at respectively different positions of a moving body moving on a reference surface, and output an object scene image representing a surrounding area of the moving body. A first creator creates a bird's-eye view image relative to the reference surface, based on the object scene images outputted from the plurality of cameras. A first displayer displays the bird's-eye view image created by the first creator, on a monitor screen. A detector detects a location of the moving body in parallel with a creating process of the first creator. A second creator creates navigation information based on a detection result of the detector and map information. A second displayer displays the navigation information created by the second creator on the monitor screen in association with a displaying process of the first displayer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keisuke ASARI
  • Patent number: 7831385
    Abstract: In offering a route guidance service at a plurality of sites, passage through the same route as before is excluded from the route guidance as much as possible. In order to achieve this object, a route guidance providing system according to this invention includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a server through a network and provides route guidance to a user. The system includes a unit which acquires, on the basis of, history information until the user travels to the installation location of the image forming apparatus, a unit which acquires, on the basis of the document, destination information of the user, a unit which acquires additional destination information, and a search unit which finds route guidance on the basis of the destination information, additional destination information, and history information. The found route guidance is printed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Sato
  • Patent number: 7825784
    Abstract: A display apparatus displaying an image of surroundings of a vehicle includes a camera capturing an image of the surroundings of the vehicle, and a display monitor provided inside the vehicle for superimposingly displaying the image of the surroundings of the vehicle captured by the camera, and a first distance indicator line and a second distance indicator line, wherein the first distance indicator line indicates a first predetermined distance from the vehicle and the second distance indicator line indicates a second predetermined distance from the vehicle, the second distance indicator line is positioned farther away from the vehicle than the first distance indicator line, and the first distance indicator line is wider than the second distance indicator line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yamanaka, Shoichi Hashiba
  • Patent number: 7822545
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile terminal with navigation function which is able to display traveling directions on a photographed picture displayed on the display. The mobile terminal with navigation function of the present invention detects the present location of the cellular phone, detects the direction of the camera, sets the destination, receives the route information from present location to the destination from the server based on the destination and present location, calculates the traveling direction on the photographed picture based on the route information and direction of the camera and adds the traveling direction onto the photographed picture displayed on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Kanda, Ryo Fukazawa
  • Publication number: 20100259607
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for imaging according to various aspects of the present invention may generate an enhanced image of a target in an environment using image data from a sensor. The methods and apparatus may scale the image data to a higher resolution and register the image represented by the image data with other images of the same target. The enhanced image of the target is generated according to the registered images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Diana J. Kennedy, Toby E. Reed, David L. Johansen
  • Patent number: 7813596
    Abstract: A system and method synthesizing images of a locale to generate a composite image that provide a panoramic view of the locale. A video camera moves along a street recording images of objects along the street. A GPS receiver and inertial navigation system provide the position of the camera as the images are being recorded. The images are indexed with the position data provided by the GPS receiver and inertial navigation system. The composite image is created on a column-by-column basis by determining which of the acquired images contains the desired pixel column, extracting the pixels associated with the column, and stacking the columns side by side. The composite images are stored in an image database and associated with a street name and number range of the street being depicted in the image. The image database covers a substantial amount of a geographic area allowing a user to visually navigate the area from a user terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Vederi, LLC
    Inventors: Enrico Di Bernardo, Luis F. Goncalves
  • Patent number: 7813844
    Abstract: In the case of a system for automatically bringing a motor vehicle into a target position, having a sensor system and an analyzing unit for determining the position of the motor vehicle relative to the target position as well as devices for planning a collision-free drive from the current position to the target position, and devices for implementing the planned drive, a first part of the sensor system is arranged at or in the motor vehicle, and a second part of the sensor system is arranged in a stationary manner in a defined position close to the target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Gensler, Dirk Ehmanns
  • Patent number: 7805025
    Abstract: A system and method synthesizing images of a locale to generate a composite image that provide a panoramic view of the locale. A video camera moves along a street recording images of objects along the street. A GPS receiver and inertial navigation system provide the position of the camera as the images are being recorded. The images are indexed with the position data provided by the GPS receiver and inertial navigation system. The composite image is created on a column-by-column basis by determining which of the acquired images contains the desired pixel column, extracting the pixels associated with the column, and stacking the columns side by side. The composite images are stored in an image database and associated with a street name and number range of the street being depicted in the image. The image database covers a substantial amount of a geographic area allowing a user to visually navigate the area from a user terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Vederi, LLC
    Inventors: Enrico DiBernardo, Luis F. Goncalves
  • Patent number: 7788033
    Abstract: A collision possibility determining unit determines that a subject vehicle has possibility of colliding with a certain vehicle when both the following two determinations are fulfilled. The first determination is that the traveling state of the subject vehicle is proper. The second determination is that a relative position between the subject vehicle and the certain vehicle continues to be maintained at the same relationship for a given period. When the collision possibility is determined to be existing, an alarm generating unit generates an alarm that arouses driver's attention. Thus, collision possibility is determined based on the relative position relationship with another vehicle, so that an alarm relating to another vehicle as an obstacle can be generated at a proper timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Isaji, Naohiko Tsuru
  • Patent number: 7782374
    Abstract: An image processor is disclosed for a vehicle having a plurality of cameras and a monitor that displays a panoramic image derived from multiple images generated by the plurality of cameras. The processor includes input buffers for storing camera image data captured through respective camera modules and output buffer for storing a panoramic image. The camera image data for generating the panoramic image are retrieved from input buffers. The camera image data are stored in an output buffer using an reconfigured address conversion table. The reconfigured address conversion table is an address conversion table which is obtained by reconfiguring an address conversion table when camera modules are assumed to be free of vehicle installation errors. The reconfiguration is performed on the basis of parameters which are used to correct vehicle installation errors of camera modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayasu Suzuki, Ken Oizumi, Takeshi Akatsuka
  • Patent number: 7782359
    Abstract: A digital camera with navigation features comprises optical elements configured to focus an image onto a focal plane, an image capture medium positioned at the focal plane configured to capture the image focused onto the focal plane, image control logic configured to process images captured by the image capture medium, navigation control logic configured to perform navigation functions and to determine navigational information, and a display screen communicatively coupled to the image control logic and the navigation control logic and configured to display at least one of an image captured by, the image capture medium and a map for navigation purposes. The digital camera can further comprise a docking station configured to be communicatively coupled to the digital camera and having an information storage device for storage of images, navigation information and other data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Shinhaeng Lee
  • Patent number: 7751945
    Abstract: In a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system, when moving image information is transmitted between vehicles, a delay time acquisition unit determines a delay time that occurs when the moving image information is transmitted from a first vehicle to a second vehicle, and an applicability determination unit determines whether the moving image information transmitted with such a delay time is applicable to an application program running on an in-vehicle apparatus installed in the second vehicle. This makes it possible to transmit only moving image information which is usable by the in-vehicle apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kijuro Obata
  • Patent number: 7734063
    Abstract: A multi-agent autonomous system for exploration of hazardous or inaccessible locations. The multi-agent autonomous system includes simple surface-based agents or craft controlled by an airborne tracking and command system. The airborne tracking and command system includes an instrument suite used to image an operational area and any craft deployed within the operational area. The image data is used to identify the craft, targets for exploration, and obstacles in the operational area. The tracking and command system determines paths for the surface-based craft using the identified targets and obstacles and commands the craft using simple movement commands to move through the operational area to the targets while avoiding the obstacles. Each craft includes its own instrument suite to collect information about the operational area that is transmitted back to the tracking and command system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fink, James Dohm, Mark A. Tarbell
  • Publication number: 20100138153
    Abstract: A navigation device which stores a captured image of an area ahead of user in a moving direction after turning at an intersection and displays the captured image before turning at the intersection, includes: a first storage unit (HDD recording/playback unit 14) storing a map; a display unit (display unit 18); and a control unit (control unit 10) displaying the map on the display unit, and the navigation device further includes a second storage unit (HDD recording/playback unit 14) storing a captured image of an area to be entered after a turn is made at an intersection, and the control unit displays the captured image stored in the second storage unit on the display unit before a mobile body reaches the intersection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: SANYO CONSUMER ELECTRICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichi Abe, Ryo Watanabe, Kazuhiro Yamane, Tomoyuki Yoshimura, Tadashi Sakai, Toshiyuki Irie, Tomoaki Maeta, Kazuya Murakami
  • Publication number: 20100134264
    Abstract: According to an aspect of this disclosure, a vehicle surrounding confirmation apparatus includes a narrow-field-of-view image generating portion generating a narrow-field-of-view image, showing a portion of a vehicle surrounding, from a captured image of the vehicle surrounding obtained by an image capturing portion, an obstacle recognizing portion recognizing an obstacle existing at the vehicle surrounding, a determining portion determining whether or not the obstacle, recognized by the obstacle recognizing portion, is included within the narrow-field-of-view image, an obstacle image extracting portion extracting an area, in which an image of the obstacle is shown, from the captured image as an obstacle image, when the obstacle, recognized by the obstacle recognizing portion, is not determined to be included within the narrow-field-of-view image, and a display image generating portion generating a display image from the narrow-field-of-view image and the obstacle image, thereby outputting the generated displ
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noboru NAGAMINE, Kazuya WATANABE, Takeshi NAITO, Tadashi ASANO
  • Patent number: 7728869
    Abstract: The present invention relates to matching a camera-photographed image with map data in a portable terminal. Location information of objects of images photographed by a camera and location information of display objects, such as a building included in the map data are calculated based on location information of the camera, and the calculated location information is used to match the objects with the display objects. The image photographed by the camera is displayed on a screen, and text information of display objects matched to the objects is read out from the map data and is displayed on the locations of the objects displayed on the screen. If a user moves, a travel route is guided using the matching information between the objects and display objects, so the user can be guided with the travel route while personally checking objects such as a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Mun Ho Jung
  • Patent number: 7705879
    Abstract: A system for and a method of synchronous acquisition of pulsed source light performs monitoring of aircraft flight operation. Diode sources of illumination (18, 108, 208) are pulsed (16, 106, 206) at one-half the video frame rate of an imaging camera (36, 136, 236). Alternate frames view the world-scene with lights of interest pulsed on, and then off, respectively. Video differencing (34, 134, 234) eliminates the background scene, as well as all lights not of interest. Suitable threshholding over a resulting array of camera pixel-differences acquires the desired lights and represents them as point symbology on a display (40, 140, 240). In an enhanced vision landing system embodiment, the desired lights (symbols) overlay or are fused on a thermal image of the scene; alternatively, the symbols overlay a visible scene (TV) image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Max-Viz, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Richard Kerr, Gregory A. Zuro, Michael E. Fossey
  • Patent number: 7697027
    Abstract: A vehicle-based video system includes a video processor, a plurality of electronic sensor interfaces that are operable to receive image output data from a plurality of sensor devices and at least one electronic vehicle interface that is operable to communicate with a vehicle communication bus. The video processor generates display signals for displaying video information for viewing and use by a driver in the vehicle for normal operation of the vehicle by the driver. The video processor is operable to fuse data from at least one imaging device and at least one non-imaging device into a single database in a standard format. The video processor, in response to processing the fused data, provides at least one output signal for conveying information to a driver in the vehicle that is used by the driver in the vehicle when the vehicle is being driven by the driver in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Martha A. McMahon, Troy O. Cooprider
  • Patent number: 7697028
    Abstract: A security system for recording information outside a vehicle and delivering such information to a remote location includes a plurality of cameras mounted within a housing with radial lines of sight for providing a panoramic view of the surroundings. The present invention further includes a communication mechanism for transmitting an image to a remote location. A user interface includes one of a hand-operable video phone, personal computer and cellcorder. The present invention further includes an image stabilizing mechanism for maintaining the lines of sight along a linear path. The image stabilizing mechanism is secured to the housing and cameras. Such an image stabilizing mechanism includes a housing that has a motor, a gyro, and a helical spring member, which provide support as the vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Douglas M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7679642
    Abstract: A system and method for camera navigation that provides a player with an unobstructed, non-disorienting view of a target is provided. The system includes a memory for storing a camera navigation/control model, a central processing unit for executing the camera navigation/control model to provide unobstructed and non-disorienting target character views, and a graphics processing unit configured to render the unobstructed views of the target in an image for display. In addition, the camera navigation/control model includes an object detection model, line-of-sight restoration models to restore a line-of-sight view of an obstructed target, and a camera navigation path model. In the method, a collision probe is sent on a straight line path between a camera and a target whereby line-of-sight obstructions are detected if the probe intersects with polygonal sides of an object. A line-of-sight restoration method is used to move the camera to provide an unobstructed view of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
    Inventor: Gavin Michael James