US 6,785,403 B1 · Method and system for inspecting a vehicle-mounted camera

Abstract

An optical axis direction, a distance measurement accuracy and so on are efficiently performed for quality assurance of a vehicle-mounted camera in cooperation of an image processing unit and a vehicle-mounted navigation control unit. In a vehicle monitoring system for imaging view ahead of the vehicle with the camera (2a, 2b) installed in the vehicle body and for recognizing a running condition with the image processing unit (20), the image processing unit measures an optical axis direction and a distance measurement accuracy to determine whether the camera quality is appropriate or not for quality assurance of the vehicle-mounted camera. The determined result is displayed on a monitor (52) of the vehicle mounted navigation control unit (5) to recommend adjustment of the camera. When failure is determined in the pass/fail determination of the optical axis direction, an attachment member having a shape, the optical axis direction by which is included in the correct range in the reference pattern of the recognized image, is selected from a variety of the attachment members prepared in advance, and replacement of the attachment member with the selected attachment member is recommended.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A method for inspecting a vehicle-mounted camera, used for a vehicle monitoring system for imaging a view ahead of a vehicle with said camera installed to a vehicle body to recognize a running condition with an image processing unit, said camera being mounted to said vehicle body with a replaceable attachment, said method comprising:

imaging an inspection chart with said camera to provide an inspection chart image, said inspection chart having a reference pattern being placed at a predetermined position ahead of the vehicle;
identifying said reference pattern in said inspection chart image;
determining whether or not it is necessary to adjust an optical axis direction of said camera on a basis of a relationship between a position of said identified reference pattern, and a predetermined correct range defined for an imaging direction of said camera;
selecting a replacement attachment member, if it is determined necessary to adjust an optical axis direction of said camera, said replacement attachment member having a shape so that said optical axis direction of said camera falls within said predetermined correct range;
and
displaying, by a monitor of a vehicle-mounted navigation control unit, an instruction for mounting said camera to said vehicle with said replacement member.

3 more elements

A system for inspecting a vehicle-mounted camera, used for a vehicle monitoring system for imaging a view ahead of a vehicle with said camera installed to a vehicle body to recognize a running condition with an image processing unit, said camera being mounted to said vehicle body through a replaceable attachment member,

said image processing unit comprising:
an inspection-means for inspecting whether or not an installing position of said camera is correct,
a monitor of a vehicle-mounted navigation control unit for displaying a result of an inspection by said inspection means and an instruction for an adjustment of said installing position of the camera,
said inspection means,
imaging an inspection chart, having a reference pattern and placed at a predetermined position ahead of said vehicle, with said camera;
identifying a reference pattern on an imaged inspection chart having an identified reference pattern;
determining whether or not it is necessary to adjust an optical axis direction of said camera on a basis of a relationship between a position of said identified reference pattern and a predetermined correct range defined for an imaging direction of said camera;
selecting a replacement attachment member if determined that it is necessary to adjust said optical axis direction of the camera said replacement attachment member having a shape, so that the optical axis direction of the camera falls in said predetermined correct range;
and
displaying an instruction on said monitor for installing said replacement attachment member to the vehicle.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for inspecting a vehicle-mounted camera

Life of this patent

Method and system for inspecting a vehicle-mounted camera

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims5