IP Library Granted Patent US 11,187,805
Granted Patent B2
US 11,187,805 · App. 16/065,016 · Granted Nov 30, 2021

Image acquiring apparatus for vehicle, control device, vehicle having image acquiring apparatus for vehicle or control device, and image acquiring method for vehicle

Inventors: Takanori Namba (Shizuoka, JP); Masayasu Ito (Shizuoka, JP); Mitsuharu Mano (Shizuoka, JP)
Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
G01S17/10B60R21/013G01S7/483G01S17/18G01S17/89G01S17/931
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,187,805
App. No.
16/065,016
Granted
Nov 30, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image acquiring apparatus for a vehicle includes a light emitting unit configured to emit pulse light to a predetermined direction, an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of different images of target distance ranges by imaging reflected light returning from the target distance ranges at imaging timings set according to the target distance ranges, and a timing controller configured to control a light emission cycle of the pulse light and the imaging timings. The timing controller is configured to control the light emission cycle and the imaging timings such that the light emission cycle and the imaging timings are modulated by random numbers.

Claims (30)

1. An image acquiring apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a light emitting unit configured to emit pulse light to a predetermined direction;

an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of different images of target distance ranges by imaging reflected light returning from the target distance ranges at imaging timings set according to the target distance ranges; and

a timing controller configured to control a light emission cycle of the pulse light and the imaging timings, the light emission cycle representing a timing difference between two consecutive light emissions,

wherein the timing controller is configured to control the light emission cycle and the imaging timings such that the light emission cycle and the imaging timings are modulated by random numbers, and

wherein the timing controller is configured to modulate the light emission cycle and the imaging timings by adding a time generated randomly to each of a basic interval period of the light emission cycle and a basic interval period of the imaging timings.

2. The image acquiring apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the timing controller is configured to perform control such that a part of the basic interval period is changed for the target distance ranges, and

wherein the timing controller is configured to perform control such that the time generated randomly is added to each of the different basic interval periods for the different target distance ranges.

3. A control device for controlling an image acquiring apparatus for a vehicle,

the vehicle comprising:

a light emitting unit configured to emit pulse light to a predetermined direction, and

an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of different images of target distance ranges by imaging reflected light returning from the target distance ranges at imaging timings set according to the target distance ranges,

the control device comprising:

a controller configured to control a light emission cycle of the pulse light and the imaging timings such that the light emission cycle and the imaging timings are modulated by random numbers,

wherein the light emission cycle representing a timing difference between two consecutive light emissions, and

wherein the controller is configured to modulate the light emission cycle and the imaging timings by adding a time generated randomly to each of a basic interval period of the light emission cycle and a basic interval period of the imaging timings.

4. An image acquiring method for a vehicle, comprising:

acquiring a plurality of different images of target distance ranges by imaging reflected light of pulse light emitted to a predetermined direction while changing imaging timings; and

controlling a light emission cycle of the pulse light and the imaging timings such that the light emission cycle and the imaging timings are modulated by random numbers,

wherein the light emission cycle represents a timing difference between two consecutive light emissions, and

wherein modulating the light emission cycle and the imaging timings comprises adding a time generated randomly to each of a basic interval period of the light emission cycle and a basic interval period of the imaging timings.

5. A vehicle comprising:

the image acquiring apparatus according to claim 1 .

6. The control device according to claim 3 ,

wherein the timing controller is configured to perform control such that a part of the basic interval period is changed for the target distance ranges, and

wherein the timing controller is configured to perform control such that the time generated randomly is added to each of the different basic interval periods for the different target distance ranges.

7. The image acquiring method according to claim 4 ,

wherein the controlling includes performing control such that a part of the basic interval period is changed for the target distance ranges, and

wherein the time generated randomly is added to each of the different basic interval periods for the different target distance ranges.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2023
From: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
To: BRIGHTWAY VISION LTD.; KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 064899/0803 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2022
From: OIL STATES ENERGY SERVICES, L.L.C.; OIL STATES INDUSTRIES, INC.; GEODYNAMICS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 059861/0477 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2018
From: NAMBA, TAKANORI; ITO, MASAYASU; MANO, MITSUHARU
To: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 046178/0769 →