Image processing device and method for sensing moving objects and rangefinder employing the same

Patent 5212547 Issued on May 18, 1993. Estimated Expiration Date:

July 8, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

High efficiency technique for coding a digital video signal
Patent #: 4729021
Issued on: 03/01/1988
Inventor: Kondo

Tracking distance-measuring equipment system with means for setting a window and means for sampling image signals at predetermined time intervals
Patent #: 5023712
Issued on: 06/11/1991
Inventor: Kajiwara

Motion detection circuit for use in a television Patent #: 5023713
Issued on: 06/11/1991
Inventor: Nishigori

Inventor

Otsuki, Akira

Assignee

Application

No. 726938 filed on 07/08/1991

US Classes:

348/139, Multiple cameras on baseline (e.g., range finder, etc.)348/154, Motion detection348/416.1Including motion vector

Examiners

Primary: Peng, John K.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

Foreign Patent References

0064192 EP. 11/13/1982

International Classes

H04N 007/18
H04N 017/00

Foreign Application Priority Data

1990-07-06 JP

Abstract

An image processing device and method for detecting moving objects against complex moving backgrounds, and a rangefinder based thereon are disclosed. The device and method are applicable to rapid and selective evaluation of complex visual fields, without the need for extensive numerical processing. The disclosed image processing method comprises the steps of obtaining sequential video frame data; storing video data in memory for a consecutive series of video frames obtained over a predetermined time interval in the past at a predetermined sampling rate; obtaining a standard image by averaging the video data stored in memory for the predetermined time interval so as to obtain video data representing a composite image for the predetermined time interval; and subtracting the video data for the standard image from video data for a current video frame.