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US006549124B1
(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: us 6,549,124 Bi
Ishikawa et al. (45) Date of Patent: Apr. 15,2003
(54) ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SYSTEM
FOR A VEHICLE WITH AN IMAGE PICKUP
DEVICE
(75) Inventors: Naoto Ishikawa, Shizuoka (JP);
Kazutomo Fujinami, Shizuoka (JP);
Keiki Okamoto, Shizuoka (JP)
(73) Assignee: Yazaki Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 09/514,354
(22) Filed: Feb. 28, 2000
(30) Foreign Application Priority Data
Mar. 1, 1999 (JP) 11-052434
(51) Int. C I. B60Q 1 00
(52) U.S. CI 340/435; 340/436; 340/425.5;
340/540; 340/901
(58) Field of Search 340/903, 901,
340/904, 937, 435, 436, 425.5, 679, 540
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,475,494 A * 12/1995 Nishida et al 180/169
6,101,332 A * 8/2000 Satoh 396/52
6,226,389 Bl * 5/2001 Lemelson et al 382/104
6,246,961 Bl * 6/2001 Sasaki et al 701/301
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
JP 7-50769 2/1995
JP 08285534 A * 11/1996 B60Q/11/00
* cited by examiner
Primary Examiner—Daniel J. Wu
Assistant Examiner—Sihong Huang
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Armstrong, Westerman & Hattori, LLP
(57) ABSTRACT
In an environment monitoring system for a vehicle, when a detecting means decides that an approaching vehicle cannot be detected by an image processing means, a waning means gives warning ol this lact. Thus, the environment monitoring system permits one's own vehicle to run with salety even when the approaching vehicle cannot be detected.
10 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
