US4625329A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Position analyzer for vehicle drivers
Assignee: Denso Corp
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Filing: 1985-01-18
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Granted: 1986-11-25
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Expires: 2005-01-18
Abstract
Abstract An image analyzer for analyzing the position of a vehicle driver in a three-dimensional coordinate system. The analyzer comprises a light emitting element for emitting an infrared light the driver's face portion and an image detector arranged to receive reflected infrared light to generate an optical image of the driver's face portion. A microcomputer includes a memory for storing an electronic image corresponding to the optical image and processes the stored image to determine the position of a facial feature, such as an eye, in a three-dimensional coordinate system. Position indicating data is utilized in a driver assistance system.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Ishikawa
- 👤 Kazuma Matsui
- 👤 Takashi Kurahashi
- 👤 Hidehiko Akatsuka
- 👤 Motokazu Yamada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/16; G01S5/163; B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/06; B60R1/062; B60R1/07; B60R99/00; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/181; F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/22; F41G3/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A position analyzer for a vehicle driver, comprising: light emitting means for directing light to said driver's face; light detecting means comprising a pair of two-dimensional image sensors for detecting light reflected from said driver's face; and recognition means for determining the position of said driver in a three-dimensional coordinate system in response to optical images detected by said image sensors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A position analyzer for a vehicle driver, comprising: light emitting means for directing light to said driver's face; light detecting means comprising a pair of two-dimensional image sensors for detecting light reflected from said driver's face; and recognition means for determining the position of said driver in a three-dimensional coordinate system in response to optical images detected by said image sensors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A position analyzer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light emitting means is arranged to emit light at periodic intervals and said recognition means is synchronized with said light emitting means to respond to said periodically emitted light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A position analyzer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said image sensors are solid-state image sensors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A position analyzer as claimed in claim 3, wherein said light emitting means comprises an infrared light emitting means and wherein said light detecting means comprises an infrared light detecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A position analyzer as claimed in claim 4, wherein said infrared light emitting means comprises an infrared light flash lamp.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A position analyzer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light emitting means is located in such a position that the emitted light is directed at an angle of elevation to said driver's face from in front of the driver and wherein said image sensors are located in front of said driver to receive light reflected from said driver's face.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A position analyzer as claimed in claim 6, wherein said image sensors are located on the instrument panel of a vehicle in a symmetrical relationship to each other with respect to a line bisecting a driver's seat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A position analyzer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising utilization means having a physical position therein, said utilization means being responsive to said recognition means to control said physical position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image analyzer as claimed in claim 8, wherein said utilization means comprises an adjusting means for controlling the angular position of a rearview mirror.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image analyzer as claimed in claim 8, wherein said utilization means comprises an adjusting means for controlling the angular position of a steering wheel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image analyzer as claimed in claim 8, wherein said utilization means comprises an adjusting means for controlling one of the angular and height positions of a head rest.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image analyzer as claimed in claim 8, wherein said utilization means comprises an adjusting means for controlling the direction of air directed from an air conditioner.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image analyzer as claimed in claim 8, wherein a display means and an adjusting means for controlling the position of data to be displayed on said display means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image analyzer as claimed in claim 13, wherein said display means is arranged to respond to vehicle operating conditions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4111555A
Cited
US4475814A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-11-24 | 1990-05-26 | 1990-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-24 | 1994-05-26 | 1994-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-24 | 1998-05-26 | 1998-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |