US 6,369,701 B1 · Rendering device for generating a drive assistant image for drive assistance

Abstract

In a rendering device Urnd, a CPU generates a lower viewpoint image based on captured images captured by image capture devices both securely mounted to a vehicle. Here, the lower viewpoint image shows a region rear of the vehicle viewed from those image capture devices. Then, the CPU executes viewpoint conversion processing onto the captured images, and generates an upper viewpoint image. Here, the upper viewpoint image shows also the region rear of the vehicle but viewed from a camera virtually placed above the vehicle. The CPU then stitches the upper and lower viewpoint images together to generate a drive assistant image. In such manner, the drive assistant image generated by the rendering device Urnd becomes informative enough for a driver of the vehicle.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A rendering device for generating a drive assistant image for drive assistance, comprising:

a reception part for receiving an image captured by an image capture device placed in a vehicle;
a first image generating part for generating, based on the captured image received by said reception part, a lower viewpoint image showing a surrounding region of said vehicle viewed from a first viewpoint;
a second image generating part for generating, based on the captured image received by said reception part, an upper viewpoint image showing said surrounding region viewed from a second viewpoint differing from said first viewpoint;
and
a third image generating part for generating the drive assistant image including the lower viewpoint image generated by said first image generating part, and the upper viewpoint image generated by said second image generating part;
wherein
a first angle formed between a road surface and a direction of said first viewpoint to said surrounding region is smaller than a second angle formed between the road surface and a direction of said second viewpoint to said surrounding region.

4 more elements

A rendering method for generating a drive assistant image for drive assistance, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving an image captured by an image capture device placed in a vehicle;
a first image generating step of generating, based on the captured image received in said receiving step, a lower viewpoint image showing a surrounding region of said vehicle viewed from a first viewpoint;
a second image generating step of generating, based on the captured image received in said receiving step, an upper viewpoint image showing said surrounding region viewed from a second viewpoint differing from said first viewpoint;
and
a third image generating step of generating the drive assistant image including the lower viewpoint image generated in said first image generating step, and the upper viewpoint image generated in said second image generating step;
wherein
a first angle formed between a road surface and a direction of said first viewpoint to said surrounding region is smaller than a second angle formed between the road surface and a direction of said second viewpoint to said surrounding region.

4 more elements

A recording medium with a program recorded for generating a drive assistant image for drive assistance, said program comprising:

a receiving step of receiving an image captured by an image capture device placed in a vehicle;
a first image generating step of generating, based on the captured image received in said receiving step, a lower viewpoint image showing a surrounding region of said vehicle viewed from a first viewpoint;
a second image generating step of generating, based on the captured image received in said receiving step, an upper viewpoint image showing said surrounding region viewed from a second viewpoint differing from said first viewpoint;
and
a third image generating step of generating the drive assistant image including the lower viewpoint image generated in said first image generating step, and the upper viewpoint image generated in said second image generating step;
wherein
a first angle formed between a road surf ace and a direction of said first viewpoint to said surrounding region is smaller than a second angle formed between the road surface and a direction ht of said second viewpoint to said surrounding region.

4 more elements

A program for generating a drive assistant image for drive assistance, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving an image captured by an image capture device placed in a vehicle;
a first image generating step of generating, based on the captured image received in said receiving step, a lower viewpoint image showing a surrounding region of said vehicle viewed from a first viewpoint;
a second image generating step of generating, based on the captured image received in said receiving step, an upper viewpoint image showing said surrounding region viewed from a second viewpoint differing from said first viewpoint;
and
a third image generating step of generating the drive assistant image including the lower viewpoint image generated in said first image generating step, and the upper viewpoint image generated in said second image generating step;
wherein
a first angle formed between a road surface and a direction of said first viewpoint to said surrounding region is smaller than a second angle formed between the road surface and a direction of said second viewpoint to said surrounding region.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Rendering device for generating a drive assistant image for drive assistance

Life of this patent

Rendering device for generating a drive assistant image for drive assistance

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23