DE102017009965A1 - Method for operating an assistance system for a motor vehicle and assistance system for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating an assistance system (10) for a motor vehicle (50), in which by means of a camera (20) at least one camera image (42) is detected, in which by a computing device (30) of the assistance system (10) Image processing of the camera (20) detected, at least one camera image (42) is performed and in which an image representation on a monitor (40) of the assistance system (10). In the image processing on the basis of the at least one camera image (42), at least one difference image (44) is determined by the computing device (30) and the difference image (44) is determined by differentiating between a first channel, which is assigned to a first wavelength, and a second channel, which is associated with a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, displayed on the monitor (40). A second aspect of the invention relates to an assistance system (10) for a motor vehicle (50).

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating an assistance system for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1. A further aspect of the invention relates to an assistance system for a motor vehicle.

By means of such assistance systems, for example, in the dark, images of an environment of a moving motor vehicle can be detected and evaluated. As a result, the general traffic safety can be improved, in particular if infrared cameras are used, for example, for driving in the dark in order to detect persons walking on the edge of the roadway.

In order to improve the visibility of objects, captured images (camera images) are often subjected to image processing, whereby, for example, contrasts in the representation of images on a monitor can be better recognized.

From the DE 36 20 261 A1 a method for superimposing a reference image with an actual image or with a difference image of reference image and actual image is known. In this case, all images or parts thereof are displayed optically in the form of light or image signals. In the overlay, unmodified image areas are displayed in black and white, while image differences are displayed in color. The respective images are finally superimposed on a color monitor.

Object of the present invention is to provide a method and an assistance system of the type mentioned, by which an increased driving safety in bad weather can be achieved.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of patent claim 1 and by an assistance system having the features of patent claim 3.

Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.

The invention is based on a method for operating an assistance system for a motor vehicle. In the method, at least one camera image is detected by means of a camera, and image processing of the at least one camera image detected by the camera is performed by a computing device of the assistance system. Furthermore, an image is displayed on a monitor of the assistance system.

The monitor can be designed as a S / W monitor. The abbreviation "S / W" in the context of the invention for black and white.

The monitor can preferably be designed as an RGB monitor, as a result of which improved object recognition can be achieved. The abbreviation "RGB" in the context of the invention stands for the colors red, green and blue.

In order to achieve increased driving safety in bad weather, it is inventively provided that at least one difference image is determined by the computing device in the image processing based on the at least one camera image and the difference image with difference between a first channel, which is associated with a first wavelength and a second channel, which is associated with a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, is displayed on the monitor. For example, the first channel can be configured as a red channel and the second channel as a blue channel, for example. Demensprechend the first channel at least one, the hue "red" characterizing wavelength range, so be associated in other words a "red wavelength range". The second channel can be assigned at least one wavelength range characterizing the hue "blue", in other words a "blue wavelength range".

The invention is based on the finding that blue light is scattered more strongly in rain or fog than red light. Thus, a corresponding contrast information, ie a contrast in the red wavelength range is better or greater than in the blue wavelength range. Due to the difference between the red channel and the blue channel (red-blue), a particularly clear contrast display can be achieved. In other words, therefore, contrasts detected with the camera image, especially in bad weather (rain, or fog) can be highlighted particularly clearly by means of the difference between the red channel and the blue channel if the latter is designed as an RGB monitor. which, especially in bad weather, ie precipitation or liquid droplets in the ambient air increased driving safety can be achieved.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the at least one difference image and the at least one camera image or a further camera image captured after the camera image are shown superimposed on one another by the monitor. This is advantageous because such an overlay causes an additional increase in contrast and accordingly an improved recognizability of the camera image or the further camera image detected objects in the vicinity of the motor vehicle can be achieved. In other words, the increase in contrast can thus be effected by the currently superimposed on the monitor camera image is superimposed by the difference image. The further camera image is to be understood as a camera image recorded temporally following the camera image by means of the camera.

A second aspect of the invention relates to an assistance system for a motor vehicle, comprising a camera, by means of which at least one camera image can be detected, which comprises a computing device, which is adapted to perform an image processing of the camera captured by the at least one camera image and which Includes monitor for image display.

According to the invention, the computing device is set up to determine at least one difference image in the image processing on the basis of the at least one camera image and a representation of the difference image with difference formation between a first channel, which is assigned to a first wavelength and a second channel, which one of the first wavelength different, second wavelength is assigned to effect on the monitor. As a result, especially in bad weather increased driving safety can be achieved.

The features presented in connection with the method according to the invention and their advantages apply correspondingly to the assistance system according to the invention and vice versa.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawing (s). The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the figure description and / or alone in the single figure can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in other combinations or alone, without the frame to leave the invention.

The single figure shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle, which comprises an assistance system with a camera, a computing device and a monitor.

The figure shows a car 50 , which is an assistance system 10 includes. The assistance system 10 includes a camera 20 , a monitor designed as an RGB monitor 40 and a computing device 30 , which on the one hand signal transmitting with the camera 20 and on the other hand signal transmitting with the monitor 40 connected is. At the drive of the motor vehicle 50 , especially in bad weather, so for example in rain or fog, is an environment of the motor vehicle 50 by means of respective headlights 52 . 54 illuminated. This red light shares of by means of the headlights 52 . 54 emitted light due to the rain or fog more scattered than blue light components. In other words, the contrast information in the red wavelength range is larger or better than in the blue wavelength range.

By means of, in the present case designed as an environment camera camera 20 becomes a camera picture 42 captured and an image processing by the camera 20 captured camera image by the computing device 30 carried out. In image processing, a difference image 44 determined and with difference formation between a first channel, which is assigned to a first wavelength and a second channel, which is assigned a different from the first wavelength, the second wavelength, on the monitor 40 shown. The first channel is presently designed as a red channel, and the second channel as a blue channel.

To represent respective contrasts particularly clearly, the difference image 44 and the camera image 42 or a captured after the camera image, another camera image superimposed by the monitor 40 shown.

In summary, based on the present camera-based assistance system 10 for the car 50 the image processing by means of the camera 20 (Surrounding camera) captured camera image 42 carried out. In the context of image processing, the difference image becomes 44 generated, whereby a contrast improvement is achieved.

In image processing, a differential evaluation of color information (RGB information) of the captured camera image 42 take place, wherein the difference between the red channel (R) and the blue channel (B) is performed. The thus obtained difference image 44 becomes the camera image 42 or the time after the camera image 42 captured, another camera image, which may be a live image, superimposed and the driver of the motor vehicle 50 on the monitor 40 , which may be formed for example as a head-up display represented. The display 40 So serves as an image display. By contrast (for example, on fog particles) caused contrast reductions are thus based on the camera image 42 and the resulting difference image 44 reduced in a profitable way.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

assistance system

20

camera

30

computing device

40

monitor

42

camera image

44

difference image

50

motor vehicle

52

headlights

54

headlights

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 3620261 A1 [0004]

Claims (3)

Method for operating an assistance system ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle ( 50 ), in which by means of a camera ( 20 ) at least one camera image ( 42 ) is detected, in which by a computing device ( 30 ) of the assistance system ( 10 ) an image processing by the camera ( 20 ), at least one camera image ( 42 ) and in which an image representation on a monitor ( 40 ) of the assistance system ( 10 ), characterized in that by the computing device ( 30 ) in the image processing based on the at least one camera image ( 42 ) at least one difference image ( 44 ) and the difference image ( 44 ) with difference formation between a first channel, which is assigned to a first wavelength and a second channel, to which a second wavelength, which is different from the first wavelength, is assigned to the monitor ( 40 ) is pictured. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one difference image ( 44 ) and the at least one camera image ( 42 ) or captured after the camera image, another camera image superimposed by the monitor ( 40 ) being represented. Assistance system ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle ( 50 ), which is a camera ( 20 ), by means of which at least one camera image ( 42 ) is detectable, which a computing device ( 30 ), which is adapted to perform an image processing by the camera ( 20 ), at least one camera image ( 42 ) and which monitor ( 40 ) for image display, characterized in that the computing device ( 30 ) is set up in image processing on the basis of the at least one camera image ( 42 ) at least one difference image ( 44 ) and a representation of the difference image ( 44 ) with difference formation between a first channel, which is assigned to a first wavelength and a second channel, to which a second wavelength, which is different from the first wavelength, is assigned to the monitor ( 40 ) to effect.

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