Abstract: An manned, mobile traffic enforcement platform with aimable violation and documentation devices employing digital video and still images, incorporating contextual information as well as data input by the system operator and driver. The mobile enforcement platform (MEP) is operated by a trained and authorized system operator (typically a police officer trained and experienced in traffic enforcement) who applies pre-determined criteria, protocols, procedures and routines that are approved and authorized by the user-jurisdiction for use with the MEP system. MEP's aimable devices support detection, identification, and documentation of violations occurring in any of several lanes behind or in front of the moving MEP vehicle. MEP also can be used from the roadside. The violation information and documentation can be transmitted to a fixed facility for citation processing or it can be transferred in batches over landlines or by direct link for later citation processing.

Abstract: A process and a system for receiving compressed streaming video image data, simultaneously and continuously from a plurality of mobile sources, which stamp the data with time, location, and source identification. The data is processed by converting the location stamps to road vector identifications. The time, road vector and source are compared with those of other data received previously and being received concurrently to develop and revise a record comprising a reference to the most recent data, for each road vector and the speed of the mobile source. The data is stored and is retrieved by selected road vector, to display a continuous and coherent video image of the most recently recorded view at the selected road vector, together with the speed of the data source.

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

Abstract: A system for monitoring and reporting incidences of traffic violations at a traffic location is disclosed. The system comprises one or more digital still cameras and one or more digital video cameras system deployed at a traffic location. The camera system is coupled to a data processing system, which comprises an image processor for compiling vehicle and scene images produced by the digital camera system, a verification process for verifying the validity of the vehicle images, an image processing system for identifying driver information from the vehicle images, and a notification process for transmitting potential violation information to one or more law enforcement agencies. The video camera system is configured to record footage both before and after the offense is detected. The video camera system includes a non-stop video capture buffer that records the preceding few seconds of violation. The buffer holds a number of seconds of video data in memory. When an offense is detected, a timer is started.

Abstract: A system for apprehending vehicles violating a traffic signal comprises on-board equipment provided in vehicles that transmits speed information and license plate numbers of the vehicles. Roadside equipment receives the speed information and license plate numbers from the vehicles both before and after the vehicles enter an intersection. A signal light controller controls traffic signal lights at the intersection. A server center detects a vehicle violating a traffic signal on the basis of signals inputted from the roadside equipment and the signal light controller. An automated camera performs a photographing operation according to control of the server center and produces at least one image of the vehicle violating the traffic signal.

Abstract: A vehicular imaging system suitable for use in a vehicle includes at least one imaging array sensor and a control. The imaging array sensor has a field of view directed outwardly from the vehicle and is operable to sense at least one object or light source of interest external to the vehicle. The control is responsive to an output of the imaging array sensor to determine a distance between the imaging array sensor and the object or light source of interest external to the vehicle sensed by the imaging array sensor. The control is operable to control at least one accessory of the vehicle in response to a closest one of the objects or light sources of interest external to the vehicle sensed by the imaging array sensor. The control may be operable to control a headlamp of the vehicle in response to the determined distance.

Abstract: An on-vehicle camera calibration device is provided and a method of calibrating an on-vehicle camera easily is carried out by using a calibration indicator other than a three dimensional one. The calibration indicator makes it possible to set camera parameters to form an image on an arbitrary portion of a screen. The calibration indicator is in the form of a planar calibration indicator TB. A camera picked-up image including the calibration indicator TB is displayed on a screen on which a window is also displayed in superposed fashion. The position of the window is changed in a 2D image coordinate system. The position of the window is adjusted by manipulating an adjust button 7 so that the calibration indicator TB falls within the window. When the calibration indicator TB is placed in the window in coincident fashion, the resultant camera parameters (unknown roll &thgr; r, tilt angle &thgr; t, and pan angle &thgr; p) are set as camera parameters of the camera 17.

Abstract: A traffic monitoring apparatus that is used to reliably detect the occurrence of an abnormal situation, such as a traffic accident. An imaging device produces and outputs images of a point to be monitored at predetermined intervals. Image inputting unit of the traffic monitoring apparatus inputs images output from the imaging device. Move vector extracting unit first generates a background image from a plurality of images input, then specifies areas where a moving object exists by calculating the difference between the background image and a newly input image, and then extracts move vectors from the specified areas. Parameter calculating unit calculates the slope and intercept, being parameters, of a move vector by considering the move vector as a segment. Plotting unit plots parameters for each move vector in a two-dimensional coordinate system with slope and intercept as its bases.

Abstract: In a data processing system in which a plurality of data processing apparatuses are connected together via a communication network, each of the plurality of data processing apparatuses includes a data acquisition part obtaining data which should be processed; a data analysis part performing predetermined data analysis on the obtained data; a data unit identification part identifying the obtained data as a data unit for each event; and a determining unit determining for each data unit according to a predetermined condition whether the predetermined data analysis is performed on the obtained data should be processed in the own apparatus, or is sent to another apparatus and is performed on by the anointer apparatus the predetermined data analysis.

Abstract: A traffic sensor system for detecting and tracking vehicles is describede. A video camera is employed to obtain a video image of a section of a roadway. Motion is detected through changes in luminance and edges in frames of the video image. Predetermined sets of pixels (“tiles”) in the frames are designated to be in either an “active” state or an “inactive” state. A tile becomes active when the luminance or edge values of the pixels of the tile differ from the respective luminance or edge values of a corresponding tile in a reference frame in accordance with predetermined criteria. The tile becomes inactive when the luminance or edge values of the pixels of the tile do not differ from the corresponding reference frame tile in accordance with the is predetermined criteria. Shape and motion of groups of active tiles (“quanta”) are analyzed with software and a neural network to detect and track vehicles.

Abstract: A control method for automatically adjusting a view angle of a rearview mirror or a CCD camera of a turning vehicle is disclosed. The method includes steps of receiving an output of a navigation system; determining a turning level of the vehicle according to the output of the navigation system; and triggering the rearview mirror or the CCD camera to move to an extent corresponding to the turning level of the vehicle. A control device for automatically adjusting a view angle of a rearview mirror or a CCD camera of a turning vehicle in response to the output of an electronic compass or a global positioning system (GPS) is also disclosed.

Abstract: The method and device help avoid traffic accidents and violations through significant enhancing safety and convenience of driving by providing a far better rear and side observation including in darkness, and reliably prevent, if an accident/violation occurs, from misjudging, owing to an unbeatable legal evidence through recording the objective pattern of the accident/violation . It is accomplished by positioning into a vehicle an onboard digital camera having at least one lens with a photo-receiver, shooting permanently the surroundings at an predetermined frequency, showing images captured on at least one onboard screen, and making the running sequence of images through digital memory so that a latest image captured is recorded and stored in digital memory expelling an oldest one and the overall amount of the images and, hence, duration of time recorded does not change.

Abstract: Images of objects existing behind a first vehicle are detected to obtain distance data on the objects in relation to the first vehicle for recognizing one of the objects as a second vehicle travelling behind the first vehicle based on the distance data. The type of the second vehicle travelling behind is determined in size based on the images. It is further determined whether the second vehicle is an emergency vehicle based on the images.

Abstract: An imaging system with brightness control includes an image capture subsystem and an image control block and is adapted for use in conjunction with an image processing application. The image capture subsystem receives an image and converts this image into digital image data. The digital signal is then stored in a video buffer for access by the image control block. The image control block provides brightness control of an image sensor in the image control subsystem to optimize the brightness of the desired area of interest in the image relative to the background. In one application, the imaging system is used in conjunction with a lane tracking system image processing application to detect roadway lane markings from a moving vehicle.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus carried on a vehicle, an image of a scene around the vehicle, which is photographed by an image pick-up, is inputted into a white line failure extractor. Then, outline points of a white line on a road and a guardrail, which is parallel to the white line, are sought. Further, the outline points are detected as a polynomial. Moreover, the image photographed by the image pick-up is also inputted into an intermittent image obtainer. Then, the images from the image pick-up are intermittently obtained at constant periodical intervals, and further the images are compressed using JPEG compression method. Further, in a synthesizer, the feature data from the white line feature extractor and the image data from the intermittent image obtainer are aligned in order of time. Moreover, the image data and feature data, which are aligned in order of time, are conserved within a given constant period by a recorder.

Abstract: A display system for a vehicle is comprised of a projector which projects a virtual preceding vehicle at a position ahead of a driver of a host vehicle, a vehicle condition detecting unit which detects a vehicle traveling condition of the host vehicle, a road condition detecting unit which detects a road condition of a road ahead of the host vehicle and a controller coupled to the projector, the vehicle condition detecting unit and the road condition detecting unit. The controller arranged to calculate a traveling condition of the virtual preceding vehicle on the basis of the vehicle traveling condition and the road condition, and to command the projector to project the preceding vehicle which travels under the calculated traveling condition of the virtual preceding vehicle.

Abstract: A surround surveillance system mounted on a mobile body for surveying surroundings around the mobile body includes an omniazimuth visual system, the omniazimuth visual system including: at least one omniazimuth visual sensor including an optical system capable of obtaining an image of 360° view field area therearound and capable of central projection transformation for the image, and an imaging section for converting the image obtained by the optical system into first image data; an image processor for transforming the first image data into second image data for a panoramic image and/or for a perspective image; a display section for displaying the panoramic image and/or the perspective image based on the second image data; and a display control section for selecting and controlling the panoramic image and/or the perspective image.

Abstract: A system and method assists the driver of a motor vehicle in preventing accidents or minimizing the effects of same. In one form, a television camera is mounted on a vehicle and scans the roadway ahead of the vehicle as the vehicle travels. Continuously generated video picture signals output by the camera are electronically processed and analyzed by an image analyzing computer, which generates codes that serve to identify obstacles. A decision computer mounted in the controlled vehicle receives such code signals along with code signals generated by the speedometer or one or more sensors sensing steering mechanism operation and generates control signals. Such code signals may be displayed, and a synthetic speech or special sound generating and warning means used, to warn the driver of the vehicle of approaching and existing hazards.

Abstract: Method for determining the lighting conditions in front of a moving object, in particular in front of a motor vehicle. The arrangement includes a sensor unit which scans the area in front of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel as well as an evaluation unit which measures both the general lighting conditions and the lighting conditions in front of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel based on the values supplied by the sensor unit. The brightness measurement is carried out with a two-dimensional image sensor, and one or more information values relating to the lighting conditions, for example before entering a tunnel, is generated with the help of a sectoral and/or global evaluation of the brightness values measured by the image sensor in the respective sectors used on a traffic lane between the edges of the traffic lane.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and filtering non-violation events in a traffic light violation prediction and recording system, including at least one violation prediction image capturing device, such as a video camera, and a violation prediction unit. The prediction unit generates a prediction reflecting a probability that the vehicle will violate a red light phase of the traffic signal. A non-violation event filter determines whether the vehicle approaching the traffic signal is actually performing a non-violation action. Non-violation events may include a variety of actions performed by the vehicle, and are fully configurable to meet the needs and policies of various specific intersections and jurisdictions. When the non-violation event filter determines that the vehicle is performing a non-violation action, resources that may have been allocated to recording the non-violating vehicle may be released, and a determination may be made that additional resources need not be allocated to such recording.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system including a camera mounted on top of the vehicle reflector in operative relation to the camera. The camera and the conical reflector provide a 360° field of view image around the vehicle. A controller is also included is adapted to detect objects within the field of view image, and determine a reference angle between the vehicle and a detected object. The controller also generates a distance value between the vehicle and the detected object as a function of a lane (w) and a reference angle (q). In one embodiment, the system includes an overhead-view display system including a reference vehicle indicator representative vehicle within the environment and an indicator element adapted to display the detected object with respect to the vehicle indicator as a function of the distance value.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of processing vehicular image are disclosed having a shift position acquisition unit 102, a plurality of cameras mounted on a vehicle to pickup surroundings of the vehicle, a plane view image preparing Unit 101 that converts pickup images pick up with the cameras, such that angles of reflection to interiors of the cameras are less than angles of incidence from outsides of the cameras, to prepare plane view images, an image processing unit 104 synthesizing the plurality of images into a single image, an image display unit 105 displaying a synthesized image, a figure indicative of the vehicle and a figure indicative of a direction in which the vehicle travels, and a display mode setting unit 103 operative to set a display mode of the image display unit 105.

Abstract: Surveillance platforms detect dangers and transmit information signals describing the dangers to a control center, which determines the degree of danger and its geographic extent. The center generates a message that identifies the degree of danger and GPS coordinates of the impacted geographic area for a region. A vulnerability index determined using neural networks and fuzzy logic enables a prioritized message. The center broadcasts the message to remotely located warning devices, which compare the received danger coordinates with their own GPS coordinates and determine the extent to which they are in danger. Warning signals can issue automatically, appropriate to the degree of danger. Emergency manned vehicles may also directly receive the broadcast message and act appropriately relative to the degree of danger.

Abstract: A process and a system for receiving compressed streaming video image data, simultaneously and continuously from a plurality of mobile sources, which stamp the data with time, location, and source identification. The data is processed by converting the location stamps to road vector identifications. The time, road vector and source are compared with those of other data received previously and being received concurrently to develop and revise a record comprising a reference to the most recent data, for each road vector and the speed of the mobile source. The data is stored and is retrieved by selected road vector, to display a continuous and coherent video image of the most recently recorded view at the selected road vector, together with the speed of the data source.

Abstract: A rearview vision system for a vehicle includes at least one image capture device directed rearwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle. A display system displays an image synthesized from output of the image capture device. The display system is preferably contiguous with the forward field of view of the vehicle driver at a focal length that is forward of the vehicle passenger compartment. A plurality of image capture devices may be provided and the display system displays a unitary image synthesized from outputs of the image capture devices which approximates a rearward-facing view from a single location, such as forward of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring and controlling traffic states in a road traffic system current or predicted traffic states are determined for one or more points and a distinction is made between the three types of traffic states: free-flowing traffic, slow-moving traffic and stationary traffic. Vehicle inflow into the traffic system is then controlled as a function of the detected traffic states. The state monitoring method is configured to detect phase transitions between free-flowing and slow-moving traffic and/or stationary traffic states, which can be detected or predicted by means of specified criteria. Furthermore, according to the invention the vehicle inflow into the monitored traffic system section is controlled as a function of detected phase transitions between free-flowing and slow-moving traffic.

Abstract: A traffic light violation prediction and recording system, including at least one violation prediction video camera and a violation prediction unit. The violation prediction unit generates violation probability scores for vehicles approaching a traffic intersection based on attributes of those vehicles, such as position, current speed and acceleration. The violation probability scores are passed to a violation recording unit, which allocates violation recording resources, such as a violation video camera, to capture activities of one or more vehicles associated with relatively high violation probabilities. The violation recording unit determines a violation recording resource allocation schedule. If sufficient resources cannot be allocated to record all possible violations within a given time period, the violation recording unit may ignore a potential violation having a relatively low priority.

Abstract: A vehicle-use surroundings monitoring system is provided, wherein a driver is prevented from driving without acknowledging that the detection of an approaching vehicle traveling in the adjacent lane area cannot be carried out because the driver is informed of the existence of an abnormally approaching following vehicle obstructing to image-take the adjacent lanes. An existence judging means (3a-3) judges the existence of the abnormally approaching following vehicle traveling on the subject lane and obstructing to image-take the adjacent lanes by an image-taking means. When the existence judging means (3a-3) judges that the abnormally approaching following vehicle exists, an alarm generating means (5) issues an alarm.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system including a camera mounted on top of the vehicle reflector in operative relation to the camera. The camera and the conical reflector provide a 360° field of view image around the vehicle. A controller is also included is adapted to detect objects within the field of view image, and determine a reference angle between the vehicle and a detected object. The controller also generates a distance value between the vehicle and the detected object as a function of a lane (w) and a reference angle (q). In one embodiment, the system includes an overhead-view display system including a reference vehicle indicator representative vehicle within the environment and an indicator element adapted to display the detected object with respect to the vehicle indicator as a function of the distance value.

Abstract: A parking assist system for a driver to confirm a relationship between relative positions to obstacles and one s own vehicle. A top plane creating image 7B in which a circumstance situation of one's own vehicle is indicated from a point of upward view is created based on a backward image of one's own vehicle taken by a CCD camera and displayed on a screen of a display. A mobile locus including a marker G of one's own vehicle, a marker, a parking path, and a current position is displayed on the top plane creating image in a duplicate way.

Abstract: Images are captured using a single camera in motion. A recognition process section detects a possible object in a photographed image, tracks the possible object within the moving image, and generates object shape information from the trajectory information. A motion and pose determination section determines camera motion and pose using the photographed images for recognition processing. The determined data are used for object recognition along with the tracking information. The motion and pose determination section converts the optical flow parameters obtained from the photographed images into physical parameters in three-dimensional space. An Extended Kalman Filter is used for both the determination of motion and pose and for object recognition.

Abstract: An invention is presented that expedites cause, fault and liability litigation of rail-highway crossing mishaps by providing a digital audio and video record of the events at the crossing as the locomotive or rail vehicle approaches and passes through the intersection. The electrical system components are located on and within the locomotive and can be powered exclusively by resources available from the locomotive. In addition, the invention may automatically and spontaneously inspect the operational status of the rail-highway crossing gate by capturing and processing the digital images of the gate by computational methods programmed in the locomotive's on-board computer. Alternatively, the images or video could be transmitted to a remote station for processing or inspection.

Abstract: 0 A vehicle peripheral-area display apparatus comprising: a camera (11) for picking up images of a peripheral area of a vehicle (2); an integration processing unit (21) for detecting the vehicle's own position as positional information via a vehicle sensor (12); a memory (15) for storing present picture data as to the peripheral area of the vehicle picked up by the camera (11), and also for storing positional information as to the picked up images of peripheral area of the vehicle; a picture composite unit (25) for reading past picture data corresponding to the positional information from the memory (15) by way of a memory control unit (24), and for combining own vehicle shape data “x” with this past picture data; and a display control unit (26) for displaying the picture data combined by this picture composite process unit (25) on a monitor display unit (16).

Abstract: A video system having a plurality of video cameras mounted on a utility pole a distance above the ground, a box mounted on the utility pole below the video cameras, a screen splitter contained inside the box and configured to receive a plurality of video images from the video cameras and to combine the plurality of images into a single video image and a video recorder, also inside the box, configured to record the single video image from the screen splitter. A time and date stamp is recorded on each frame of the single video image. Cables from the plurality of video cameras pass through a conduit extending down from the cameras and into the box to the screen splitter. The top of the conduit is formed of interlocking segments, which can be stored in a rack located inside a door of the box.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for collecting an distributing real-time, high resolution images of the Earth from GEO include an electro-optical sensor based on multi-megapixel two-dimensional charge coupled device (CCD) arrays mounted on a geostationary platform. At least four, three-axis stabilized satellites in Geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) provide worldwide coverage, excluding the poles. Image data that is collected at approximately 1 frame/sec, is broadcast over high-capacity communication links (roughly 15 MHZ bandwidth) providing real-time global coverage of the Earth at sub-kilometer resolutions directly to end users. This data may be distributed globally from each satellite through a system of space and ground telecommunication links.

Abstract: A feature amount of an inter-mobile unit relative movement are detected as an observation amount by an observation amount detecting section 26, time series of the observation amounts are stored as an observation series into a storage section 27 to calculate a similarity of the observation series to a predetermined collision observation series by a classification section 28. A determination section 29 determines to be a collision accident if, in a case where the similarity is larger than a predetermined value, a mobile unit associated with the similarity is at rest in a stoppage prohibition area set in a storage section 30 and another mobile unit is moving, and to be a mobile unit failure if collision determination conditions except for the similarity are met.

Abstract: By narrow region communication between a gate side communication apparatus (G-COM) and a mobile unit side communication apparatus (M-COM) passing through an on-road real gate at an interconnection, the G-COM assigns a real identification code (R-ID) ID1 including an intersection number to the M-COM after receiving a R-ID ID0 having been assigned from the M-COM, while time series pictures of the intersection including all real gates are taken by a camera 15 installed to assign a virtual identification code (V-ID) to a mobile unit passing through a slit, corresponding to a real gate, in pictures by processing them. In response to the assignment of the R-ID, the R-ID is brought into correspondence with the V-ID. The mobile unit is tracked and when an anomalous behavior thereof is detected in pictures, warning information is transmitted to the M-COM using the corresponding R-ID.

Abstract: A video image displaying apparatus and video image displaying method, applicable to the supplying, by arranging a plurality of picture displaying devices for instance on the inner walls of a tunnel, of consecutive articulated images by the plurality of picture displaying devices to occupants of a train to provide consecutive articulated images using these still pictures without, for instance, causing trouble to the performance by the driver of the mobile object. Blinking of still pictures at terminal displaying apparatuses is started and ended after waiting for the passage of a prescribed part of the mobile object.

Abstract: A traffic surveillance system for surveillance conditions of traffic at a traffic strategic point such as an intersection. The surveillance system has at least one traffic signal light having a housing which contains one set of traffic lights, installed at the traffic strategic point, a television camera adapted to image-pick up the traffic strategic point, and a television monitor for displaying a video signal from the camera. Lighting information of the traffic signal light and the video signal from the television camera are synthesized and displayed on the same screen of the television monitor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring traffic using vision-based technologies to recognize events and violations. The disclosed traffic monitoring system includes one or more image capture devices focused on a roadway where vehicles travel. The captured images are processed by the traffic monitoring system to identify one or more predefined events or traffic violations. A number of rules can be utilized to define various traffic-related events, including traffic violations. Each rule contains one or more conditions, and, optionally, a corresponding action-item that should be performed when the rule is satisfied. Upon detection of a predefined traffic event, the corresponding action, if any, is performed by the traffic monitoring system.

Abstract: A method of compensating for noise in a lane drifting warning system for vehicles.

Abstract: A system for detecting at least one aircraft comprises at least one illuminator capable of providing at least one light from the group consisting of visible light and near infrared light; at least one camera capable of providing a daytime image of the aircraft, the video camera being capable of providing a nighttime image of the aircraft if the aircraft is illuminated by the illuminator; a mechanism for detecting when the at least one aircraft moves; a processor for identifying a tail number of the at least one aircraft based on alphanumeric data in at least one image from the group consisting of the nighttime image and the daytime image; and a storage medium that stores the tail number of the aircraft and the least one image when the detecting means detects movement of the aircraft.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods effective for detecting, locating and characterizing traffic-related incidents are based upon improved image processing techniques applied to infrared and visible light spectrum roadway images in a time sequence. Substantially real-time isolation and identification of anomalous or unexpected traffic conditions allows control of traffic signals and dispatch of law enforcement, maintenance or emergency medical care resources to reduce cost and increase safety. Detectable traffic-related incidents include, for example, the appearance of a stationary object on a roadway, the appearance of a pedestrian on a roadway, and the identification and location of vehicles obstructing traffic flow by moving too slowly or erratically or in the wrong direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring traffic using vision-based technologies to recognize events and violations. The disclosed traffic monitoring system includes one or more image capture devices focused on a roadway where vehicles travel. The captured images are processed by the traffic monitoring system to identify one or more predefined events or traffic violations. A number of rules can be utilized to define various traffic-related events, including traffic violations. Each rule contains one or more conditions, and, optionally, a corresponding action-item that should be performed when the rule is satisfied. Upon detection of a predefined traffic event, the corresponding action, if any, is performed by the traffic monitoring system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for motor vehicles to monitor and automatically report to authorities aggressive driving behavior of other vehicles. The camera 10 takes images from the rear view of the vehicle 14 and preferably also from the front. For example, when a vehicle 14 is at a certain MPH and is being followed too closely by another driver (for an extended period of time—ten seconds or more) this event can trigger the system to capture and transmit the rear view images of the offending vehicle. These images are then uplinked to the local law enforcement agency that in turn will determine whether or not a citation or ticket should be automatically mailed to the offender. If the offending driver continues to harass the driver with the system and in doing so drives past the victim, similar images are captured from the frontal view of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sensing and processing unit (10) installed on an elevated structure (T) adjacent a roadway (R). An enclosure (12) is mounted on the structure. Housed in the enclosure is a television camera (22, 24), the camera being mounted at an angle less than the plane of the horizontal axis of the enclosure. A processor (42) is also housed in the enclosure and is operatively connected to the camera to process video images acquired by the camera. A digital data storage device (44, 46) is also installed in the enclosure for storing information relevant to a monitoring activity. A communications device (50) installed inside said enclosure sends data to and receives instructions from a monitoring site. The single enclosure facilitates remote site monitoring using a minimum of equipment and simplifies both installation and maintenance requirements.

Abstract: The monitoring device according to the present invention is a monitoring device A which comprises a master machine 101 comprising plural cameras 102, a camera interface circuit 103, a master machine control unit 104, a master machine radio transmitter 105, a master machine antenna 106, a recording unit 107, master machine operation buttons 108 and a power circuit 109, and a slave machine 110 comprising a slave machine antenna 111, a slave machine radio transmitter 112, a monitor unit 113, a monitor interface circuit 114, a slave machine control unit 115, slave machine operation buttons 116, a lamp 117, a buzzer 118, a vibrator 119 and a battery 120, as shown in FIG. 1.

Abstract: A traffic sensor system for detecting and tracking vehicles is described. The disclosed system may be employed as a traffic light violation prediction system for a traffic signal, and as a collision avoidance system. A video camera is employed to obtain a video image of a section of a roadway. Motion is detected through changes in luminance and edges in frames of the video image. Predetermined sets of pixels (“tiles”) in the frames are designated to be in either an “active” state or an “inactive” state. A tile becomes active when the luminance or edge values of the pixels of the tile differ from the respective luminance or edge values of a corresponding tile in a reference frame in accordance with predetermined criteria. The tile becomes inactive when the luminance or edge values of the pixels of the tile do not differ from the corresponding reference frame tile in accordance with the predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A camera or fiber optic lens is raised from an automobile on a retractable support to a height sufficient to view over SUVs to perceive an image of traffic beyond an obstructive SUV and transmit the image to a display that is viewable by the driver.

Abstract: The image processor of the present invention generates a more natural synthesized image from camera images taken with a plurality of cameras capturing the surroundings of a vehicle. A parameter storage section stores a plurality of image synthesis parameter groups representing the correspondence between the camera images and the synthesized image and having different spatial or temporal resolution relations. A parameter selection section selects the image synthesis parameter group according to the output of a vehicle motion detection section for detecting the motion of the vehicle such as the driving speed and direction. An image synthesis section generates the synthesized image from the camera images according to the selected image synthesis parameter group.