Intrusion detection system using linear imaging

摘要

A vehicle intrusion detection system ( 10 ) for detecting an intrusion condition of a vehicle ( 12 ) having an occupant compartment ( 14 ) partially defined by an outer structure ( 30 ) of the vehicle, comprises an actuatable illuminator ( 40 ) mounted in the vehicle and having a limited field of illumination ( 52 ) extending within the vehicle occupant compartment adjacent the vehicle outer structure. A linear imager ( 60 ) mounted in the vehicle ( 12 ) has a field of view ( 62 ) that substantially coincides with the field of illumination ( 52 ) of the illuminator ( 40 ). A controller ( 70 ) compares a first image taken by the imager ( 60 ) when the illuminator ( 40 ) is actuated and a second image taken by the imager when the illuminator is unactuated to help determine the existence of an intrusion condition of the vehicle.