Image calibration and monitoring apparatus and image calibration and monitoring method

摘要

The present invention relates to an enhanced image calibration and monitoring apparatus and method for calibrating and monitoring an imaging of a camera of a vehicle. A predetermined light pattern is emitted by a lighting unit, for instance a headlight of a vehicle. The headlight of the vehicle may be configured as a digital light processing projector or a liquid crystal display projector. The emitted light pattern is projected at least partly in the field of view of a camera. After capturing the emitted light pattern by this camera, the image data provided by the camera are analysed in order to determine calibration or monitoring parameters of the camera. In this way, an automated calibration and monitoring of an optical system may be obtained. By using the headlights of the vehicle for emitting the light pattern, no further light sources are required. Hence, the costs for such a calibration and monitoring can be reduced.