Method for examining shooting direction of camera apparatus, device thereof and structure for installing sensor

A test device for examining the shooting direction of an onboard camera apparatus attached to a body of a vehicle, comprising:

• a camera apparatus attached to the vehicle body and configured to photograph a situation ahead of the vehicle and output a photographed image;
• and
• a test unit for examining the shooting direction of said camera apparatus based on a photographed image obtained by photographing with said camera apparatus a test chart placed at a predefined position ahead of the vehicle with a specific reference pattern on the test chart, wherein
• said test unit is configured to determine the position of said reference pattern on said photographed image, and to judge that the shooting direction of said camera apparatus is proper when the position of said reference pattern is determined to fall within a predetermined proper range defining a range appropriate for the shooting direction of said camera apparatus, and to judge that the shooting direction of said camera apparatus is improper when the position of said reference pattern falls outside said proper range,
• said test unit is configured to evaluate a correlation of a plurality of specific regions in said photographed image with a previously prepared specific brightness characteristics pattern and, to specify the position of one of said specific regions having the greatest correlation as the position of said reference pattern, and
• said brightness characteristics pattern has the same brightness characteristics as said reference pattern shown on said photographed image.

A test device for examining the shooting direction of an onboard camera apparatus attached to a body of a vehicle, comprising:

• a camera apparatus attached to the vehicle body and configured to photograph a situation ahead of the vehicle and output a photographed image;
• a test unit for examining the shooting direction of said camera apparatus based on a photographed image obtained by photographing with said camera apparatus a test chart placed at a predefined position ahead of the vehicle with a specific reference pattern on the test chart;
• and
• a mounting member, wherein
• said test unit is configured to determine the position of said reference pattern on said photographed image, and to judge that the shooting direction of said camera apparatus is proper when the position of said reference pattern is determined to fall within a predetermined proper range defining a range appropriate for the shooting direction of said camera apparatus, and to judge that the shooting direction of said camera apparatus is improper when the position of said reference pattern falls outside said proper range,
• said camera apparatus is attached to the vehicle body via said mounting member, and
• said test unit is configured to output instructional information concerning adjustment of the mounting of said camera apparatus according to the amount of a deviation of said reference pattern relative to said proper range when the position of said reference pattern deviates from said proper range.