Image processing system and driving support system
AssigneeKabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
InventorsMayumi Yuasa, Kazuhiro Fukui, Osamu Yamaguchi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An image input unit inputs an image including a user's face area to specify the user's gaze or face direction. A pattern generation unit generates an input pattern that can be compared with each dictionary pattern from the image. A dictionary unit previously stores a plurality of dictionary patterns each of which differently corresponds to the user's gaze or face direction. A pattern comparison unit respectively calculates a similarity degree between the input pattern and each of the dictionary patterns by comparing the input pattern with each of the dictionary patterns. A gaze detection unit detects the user's gaze or face direction based on the similarity degree.
Claims11
Driving support apparatus for a driver of a vehicle, comprising;
- an image input unit configured to input an image including the driver's face area to specify the driver's gaze or face direction;
- a pattern generation unit configured to generate an input pattern from the image that can be compared with each of a plurality of dictionary patterns each of which differently corresponds to the driver's gaze or face direction;
- a dictionary unit configured to store the plurality of dictionary patterns;
- a pattern comparison unit configured to respectively calculate a similarity degree between the input pattern and each of the dictionary patterns by comparing the input pattern with each of the dictionary patterns;
- a gaze detection unit configured to detect the driver's gaze or face direction based on the similarity degree;
- an obstacle detection area selection unit configured to select an area outside of the driver's view based on the driver's gaze or face direction, the area representing an obstacle detection area for the vehicle;
- and
- an obstacle detection unit configured to detect an obstacle existing in the obstacle detection area.
Driving support method for a driver of a vehicle, comprising:
- inputting an image including the driver's face area to specify the driver's gaze or face direction;
- generating an input pattern from the image that can be compared with each of a plurality of dictionary patterns each of which differently corresponds to the driver's gaze or face direction;
- storing the plurality of dictionary patterns;
- respectively calculating a similarity degree between the input pattern and each of the dictionary patterns by comparing the input pattern with each of the dictionary patterns;
- detecting the driver's gaze or face direction based on the similarity degree;
- selecting an area outside of the driver's view based on the driver's gaze or face direction, the area representing an obstacle detection area for the vehicle;
- and
- detecting an obstacle existing in the obstacle detection area.
A computer program product, comprising:
- a computer readable program code embodied in said product for causing a computer to support driving of a vehicle, said computer readable program code having:
- a first program code to input an image including the driver's face area to specify the driver's gaze or face direction;
- a second program code to generate an input pattern from the image that can be compared with each of a plurality of dictionary patterns each of which differently corresponds to the driver's gaze or face direction;
- a third program code to store the plurality of dictionary patterns;
- a fourth program code to respectively calculate a similarity degree between the input pattern and each of the dictionary patterns by comparing the input pattern with each of the dictionary patterns;
- a fifth program code to detect the driver's gaze or face direction based on the similarity degree;
- a sixth program code to select an area outside of the driver's view based on the driver's gaze or face direction, the area representing an obstacle detection area for the vehicle;
- and
- a seventh program code to detect an obstacle existing in the obstacle detection area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.