JP2010058548A - Night vision device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a night vision device for a vehicle capable of automatically starting a display function when a night vision image is required. <P>SOLUTION: The night vision device for the vehicle 1 includes: a photographing means 11 for photographing the periphery of its own vehicle; a display means 20 for displaying the night view image photographed with the imaging means 11; driving environment detection means 15, 31 for detecting the driving environment of its own vehicle; and driving operation detection means 13, 32 for detecting the driving operation of the driver. The night vision image display function for displaying the night vision image photographed with the imaging means 11 on the display means 20 is started based on the change in the driving environment detected with the driving environment detection means 15, 31 and the driving operation detected with the driving operation detection means 13, 32. Specifically, the night view image display function is started when the driving operation changes for entering a road highly required for the night vision image from the road less required for the night vision image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a night vision device for a vehicle.

A night view system equipped with a night vision function mounted on a vehicle has been developed in order to assist the driver in confirming the surrounding situation in a situation that is difficult to see with the naked eye such as at night. In the night view system, a near-infrared camera images the front of the vehicle and displays the near-infrared image on a monitor or the like. In order to clarify the driver's display intention, the night view system is usually activated by a driver's switch operation and displays a near infrared image. In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, during operation of the apparatus, infrared projection / stop by an infrared projector or increase / decrease in the amount of infrared light is automatically performed based on the traveling environment (ambient illumination, traveling location, etc.).
JP 2005-50139 A JP 2007-89094 A

  Even at night, a night view system is not activated by a driver because a night view system does not require a night vision system on a light road with a lighting facility (such as a main road). On the other hand, on a dark road (such as a living road) with little or no lighting equipment, a night vision image is required. However, when the night view system is not activated, there is a situation where the driver's driving load is high due to a left / right turn operation to enter the road when entering a road that requires such night vision images. is there. Since it is cumbersome to perform other operations when the driving load is high, a switch operation for starting the night view system cannot be performed immediately. For this reason, the surrounding situation cannot be immediately confirmed with the night vision video, even though the night vision video is required. In the above-described apparatus, the infrared projector can be projected / stopped without any operation by the driver, but the system itself needs to be started / stopped by the driver.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle night vision apparatus that can automatically activate a display function when a night vision image is required.

  The night vision device for a vehicle according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that images the periphery of the host vehicle, a display unit that displays a night vision image captured by the imaging unit, and a driving environment detection that detects the driving environment of the host vehicle. Night vision imaged by the imaging means based on the change of the driving environment detected by the driving environment detecting means and the driving operation detected by the driving operation detecting means A night vision video display function for displaying video on a display means is activated.

  In this night vision device for a vehicle, the driving environment detecting means detects the driving environment (for example, a dark road or a light road at night), and the driving operation detecting means detects a driving operation by the driver. In the night vision device for a vehicle, when the driving environment changes to an environment that requires a night vision image, the night vision image display function is activated according to a predetermined driving operation, and the surroundings of the own vehicle imaged by the imaging unit Are displayed on the display means. As described above, in the night vision device for a vehicle, when a night vision image changes to a necessary driving environment, the night vision image is automatically generated according to a normal driving operation without a driving load for starting the night vision image display function. The display function can be activated.

  In the vehicle night vision apparatus of the present invention, the driving operation detected by the driving operation detecting means is a driving operation for entering a highly necessary road from a low necessity road of the night vision image detected by the driving environment detecting means. In this case, it is preferable to activate the night vision video display function.

  In this vehicle night-vision device, when the driving environment changes from a low-needed road to a highly-needed road, a driving operation (for example, a steering operation) for entering the high-needed road The night vision image display function is activated in response to. As a road with a low necessity for a night vision image, for example, a road that is bright even at night (eg, a main road, a downtown area, etc.). As a road with a high necessity for a night vision image, for example, it is a dark road (life road, mountain road, farm road, etc.) at night.

  In the vehicle night vision apparatus of the present invention, the driving operation for entering the road with the high necessity from the road with the low necessity for the night vision image is performed from the road with the low necessity for the night vision image to the road with the high necessity. A steering operation for turning is preferable.

  In this vehicle night vision device, when the driving environment changes from a road with a low necessity for night vision images to a high road, the driver turns right or left without driving load to activate the night vision image display function by the driver. Therefore, the night vision image display function can be automatically activated according to the normal steering operation. At this time, the driver has a high driving load to turn right or left, but the driver can check the night vision image at a timing when the driver wants to check the night vision image.

  The present invention can automatically activate the night vision image display function in accordance with a normal driving operation when the driving environment changes to a night vision image.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a night vision device for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the present embodiment, the night vision device for a vehicle according to the present invention is applied to a night view system mounted on a vehicle. The night view system according to the present embodiment displays a near-infrared image (night vision image) from a near-infrared camera on a monitor in order to assist the driver in confirming the surrounding situation. The night view system according to the present embodiment is provided with a system switch that indicates a willingness to display a near infrared image by the driver. This system switch has a non-display mode (OFF) for stopping the system, a constant display mode for always displaying near-infrared video, and an automatic display mode for determining display of the near-infrared video on the system side. The night view system may not only display the near infrared image captured by the camera as it is, but also detect an obstacle such as a pedestrian and display the obstacle information on the near infrared image. In the night view system, a near-infrared image in front of the host vehicle is displayed. However, a near-infrared image in another direction such as rear and side may be displayed.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the night view system 1 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a night view system according to the present embodiment.

  The night view system 1 determines whether or not the driving environment changes to an environment that requires a near-infrared image when the automatic display mode is selected by the system switch by the driver, and determines that the driving environment changes to the required driving environment. In this case, a near infrared image display function is activated in accordance with a predetermined driving operation performed by the driver. Therefore, the night view system 1 includes a near-infrared projector 10, a near-infrared camera 11, a driving operation detection unit 12, a steering angle sensor 13, a conlight device 14, a navigation system 15, an inter-vehicle communication device 16, a monitoring device 20, and an ECU. [Electronic Control Unit] 30 is provided. The ECU 30 includes a driving scene determination unit 31, a driving load determination unit 32, an activation determination unit 33, and a display control unit 34.

  In the present embodiment, the near-infrared camera 11 corresponds to the imaging means described in the claims, the monitor device 20 corresponds to the display means described in the claims, and the navigation system 15 and the driving scene determination The unit 31 corresponds to the driving environment detection means described in the claims, and the steering angle sensor 13 and the driving load determination unit 32 correspond to the driving operation detection means described in the claims.

  The near-infrared projector 10 is disposed at the front end of the vehicle and attached toward the front of the vehicle. The near-infrared projector 10 irradiates near-infrared rays in front of the vehicle. The near-infrared projector 10 emits near-infrared light when the display function is turned on by the ECU 30 in the constant display mode or the automatic display mode by the system switch, and stops in other cases.

  The near-infrared camera 11 is disposed on the front side of the vehicle (for example, the back side of the rearview mirror) and attached toward the front of the vehicle. The near-infrared camera 11 takes in near-infrared light (such as reflected light of near-infrared light from the near-infrared projector 10) and generates a near-infrared image based on the intensity of the near-infrared light. This near-infrared image is composed of a near-infrared image of a frame every certain time (for example, 1/30 second). The near-infrared camera 11 transmits near-infrared image information of each frame to the ECU 30 as an image signal at regular time intervals. The near-infrared camera 11 captures an image when the display function is turned on by the ECU 30 when the system switch is in the constant display mode or in the automatic display mode, and stops in other cases.

  The driving operation detection unit 12 detects and determines what operation the driver has performed. The operations to be judged are various operations that can be performed by the driver. For example, steering operation, accelerator operation, brake operation, shift operation, winker operation, wiper operation, lighting operation, window operation, navigation operation, audio operation There is. The driving operation detection unit 12 detects operations with various sensors for detecting these various operations and various switches to which various operations are input, and how the driver is based on signals from these various sensors and various switches. It is determined whether a correct operation has been performed. Then, the driving operation detection unit 12 transmits the determination result to the ECU 30 as a driving operation signal.

  The steering angle sensor 13 is a sensor that detects the steering angle input from the steering wheel by the driver. The steering angle sensor 13 detects the steering angle at regular time intervals and transmits a steering angle signal indicating the steering angle to the ECU 30.

  The conlight device 14 is a device that automatically turns on / off a headlight or the like according to the illuminance around the host vehicle. In particular, the conlight device 14 transmits the illuminance around the host vehicle detected by the illuminance sensor to the ECU 30 as a conlight signal at regular time intervals. In addition, when the conlight apparatus is not equipped, an illuminance sensor is provided and illuminance is acquired from the illuminance sensor.

  The navigation system 15 is a system that performs detection of the current position and traveling direction of the host vehicle, route guidance to a destination, and the like. In particular, each time the current position is detected, the navigation system 15 transmits the current position information and road information around the current position to the ECU 30 as navigation signals. Examples of road information include road width and intersection information.

  The inter-vehicle communication device 16 is a wireless communication device for communicating with other vehicles around the host vehicle. The inter-vehicle communication device 16 transmits various types of information to vehicles existing within a predetermined distance, and receives various types of information from vehicles existing within a predetermined distance. In particular, when the inter-vehicle communication device 16 receives information on the existence probability of a pedestrian from another vehicle, the information is transmitted to the ECU 30 as an inter-vehicle information signal. The existence probability of this pedestrian is information for each travel area and time zone. It is a vehicle equipped with a pedestrian detection system such as PCS [Pre-Crash Safety System] and pedestrian detection type night view system. It is the accumulated information. In addition, when the pedestrian detection is performed also in the own vehicle and the existence probability of the pedestrian is obtained, information on the existence probability of the pedestrian is transmitted to the other vehicle.

  The monitor device 20 is display means for displaying near-infrared video, and is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor used in the navigation system 15 or a liquid crystal monitor provided in a combination meter. The monitor device 20 receives a display signal from the ECU 30 at regular intervals when the display function is turned on by the ECU 30 when the system switch is in the constant display mode or in the automatic display mode. Displays an infrared image (near-infrared image), and does not display a near-infrared image otherwise (displays another image).

  The ECU 30 includes a CPU [Central Processing Unit], a ROM [Read Only Memory], a RAM [Random Access Memory], and the like. The CPU 30 executes software stored in the ROM so that the driving scene determination unit 31 and the driving load determination unit are executed. 32, an activation determination unit 33, and a display control unit 34 are configured. The ECU 30 receives signals from the driving operation detection unit 12, the steering angle sensor 13, the conlight device 14, the navigation system 15, and the inter-vehicle communication device 16, and uses the signals to process the units 31, 32, and 33. I do. The ECU 30 receives an image signal from the near infrared camera 11 and transmits a display signal to the monitor device 20 when displaying a near infrared image.

  The ECU 30 stops when the system switch is OFF, and only the display control unit 34 is activated in the constant display mode, and the driving scene determination unit 31, the driving load determination unit 32, and the activation in the automatic display mode. When the determination unit 33 is activated and the display function is automatically turned on, the display control unit 34 is activated.

  When the system switch is in the automatic display mode, the driving scene determination unit 31 determines whether to enter a high road from a road with a low necessity for near-infrared video.

  Specifically, the driving scene determination unit 31 determines whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a road having a road width W1 (m) or more based on the current position from the navigation system 15 and road information around the current position. The road width W1 (m) is a road having a relatively wide road and lighting facilities, and is a threshold for determining a road that is bright even at night (that is, a road that is not necessary for near-infrared video). It is set in advance.

  When driving on a road having a width of W1 (m) or more, the driving scene determination unit 31 determines whether or not an intersection exists ahead based on the current position from the navigation system 15 and road information around the current position. judge. When there is an intersection ahead, the driving scene determination unit 31 determines whether or not a road having a road width W2 (m) or less is connected to the intersection based on the current position from the navigation system 15 and road information around the current position. Determine whether. The road width W2 (m) is a road with a narrow road width and no lighting facilities, and is a threshold value for determining a road that becomes dark at night (a road that has a high need for near-infrared video). Is done.

  When a road having a road width W2 (m) or less is connected to a front intersection, the driving scene determination unit 31 moves to a road having a road width W2 (m) or less based on the winker information from the driving operation detection unit 12. It is determined whether or not a blinker blinking operation for a right turn or a left turn is performed in order to enter. When the blinker blinking operation for the right turn or the left turn is performed, the driving scene determination unit 31 determines that the road is changed from a road with a low necessity for a near infrared image to a high road.

  In addition, roads with a road width of W1 (m) or more such as main roads are relatively bright due to road lighting and vehicle lighting, and the driver can sufficiently confirm pedestrians and the like with the naked eye, so the need for near-infrared video is low. . Further, on such a road, the roadway and the sidewalk are partitioned, so that the vehicle does not travel with a pedestrian. On the other hand, roads with a width of W2 (m) or less, such as residential roads in residential areas, may not have enough or no road lighting, and it may be difficult for the driver to identify pedestrians with the naked eye. There is a high need for infrared images. In such a road, the roadway and the sidewalk are often not partitioned, and the vehicle may run in a mixed manner with pedestrians.

  Moreover, when the environment changes from a bright environment to a dark environment, there is dark adaptation that gradually becomes visible to the human eye from the first difficult-to-see situation. For this reason, the need for near-infrared images is the highest from the moment you enter a dark road until your eyes become used to darkness. Therefore, it is necessary to display a near infrared image when entering a dark road.

  Whether the driving load of the driver is high when the driving load determination unit 32 determines that the driving scene determination unit 31 changes from a road with low necessity for near-infrared images to a high road when the system switch is in the automatic display mode. Judge whether or not. Here, it is determined that a steering operation for turning from a road having a road width W1 (m) or more to a road having a road width W2 (m) or less is an operation with a high driving load.

  Specifically, the driving load determination unit 32 determines whether or not the steering angle is equal to or greater than α (°) based on the steering angle from the steering angle sensor 13. The steering angle α (°) is a threshold value for determining the minimum steering angle necessary for making a right or left turn, and is set in advance by an experiment or the like. When the steering angle is greater than or equal to α (°), the driving load determination unit 32 displays a near-infrared image when entering the road having a road width W2 (m) or less because the driving load is high (as a result, the driving load is high). It is determined that the operation for displaying cannot be performed).

  By the way, when turning right or left into a high road from a road where the need for near-infrared images is low at an intersection, the driver needs to make many judgments such as confirmation of the surroundings and steering operation. Under such a high driving load, the driver cannot afford to perform other switch operations until the right turn or left turn is completed. Therefore, it is necessary to automatically display a near-infrared image when entering a road where there is a high need for a near-infrared image without operating a switch.

  When the system switch is in the automatic display mode, the activation determination unit 33 determines that the driving scene determination unit 31 changes from a road with a low near-infrared image need to a high road, and the driving load determination unit 32 has a high driving load. It is determined whether or not a condition for displaying a near-infrared image is satisfied.

  Specifically, the activation determination unit 33 determines whether the illuminance is equal to or less than S (lx) based on the illuminance from the conlight device 14. The illuminance S (lx) is a threshold value for determining whether or not the dark state is difficult to see with the naked eye, and is set in advance by an experiment or the like.

  When the illuminance is S (lx) or less, the activation determination unit 33 refers to the database, and extracts the pedestrian existence probability in the current time zone on the road with a width of W2 (m) or less that enters by turning right or left. To do. Here, when the existence probability of the pedestrian in the current time zone of the travel area is not stored in the database, the inter-vehicle communication device 16 from another vehicle currently traveling on the road having the road width W2 (m) or less. Information on the existence probability of pedestrians is acquired via Then, the activation determination unit 33 determines whether or not the extracted existence probability of the pedestrian is R (%) or less. The pedestrian presence probability R (%) is a threshold value for determining a road with few pedestrians, and is set in advance by an experiment or the like. The need for near-infrared images is higher for the driver if the pedestrians are only occasionally.

  When the illuminance is S (lx) or less and the pedestrian existence probability is R (%) or less, the activation determination unit 33 determines that the condition for displaying the near-infrared image is satisfied, and turns on the display function. For this purpose, the activation determination unit 33 activates the near-infrared projector 10 and the near-infrared camera 11 and activates the display control unit 34.

  Each time the pedestrian presence probability information is acquired via the inter-vehicle communication device 16, the ECU 30 stores the pedestrian presence probability information in the database in association with the travel area and the time zone.

  The display control unit 34 causes the monitor device 20 to display the near-infrared image captured by the near-infrared camera 11 when the system switch is in the constant display mode or when the display function is turned on by the activation determination unit 33 in the automatic display mode. .

  Specifically, the display control unit 34 takes in the near-infrared image of each frame from the near-infrared camera 11 at regular time intervals. Then, the display control unit 34 converts the near-infrared image into a format for display on the monitor device 20, and transmits the converted near-infrared image information to the monitor device 20 as a display signal. When there is an obstacle (such as a pedestrian) detection function, an image is generated by adding information on the detected obstacle to the near-infrared image.

  The operation in the night view system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the operation when the automatic display mode is selected by the system switch by the driver will be described. In particular, the processing in the ECU 30 will be described along the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the automatic display mode in the ECU of FIG.

  The driving operation detection unit 12 detects and determines various operations by the driver at regular intervals, and transmits a driving operation signal indicating the determination result to the ECU 30. The steering angle sensor 13 detects the steering angle at regular intervals and transmits a steering angle signal indicating the steering angle to the ECU 30.

  The conlight device 14 transmits a conlight signal indicating the illuminance around the host vehicle to the ECU 30 at regular intervals. The navigation system 15 transmits a navigation signal indicating the current position and road information around the current position to the ECU 30 at regular intervals.

  When the inter-vehicle communication device 16 receives a signal from another vehicle, if the pedestrian existence probability information is included in the signal, the inter-vehicle communication signal indicating the pedestrian existence probability information is transmitted to the ECU 30. is doing. When the inter-vehicle information signal is received, the ECU 30 stores the pedestrian presence probability in the database in association with the travel area and the time zone.

  The ECU 30 acquires the current position from the navigation system 15 and road information around the current position (S1). Then, the ECU 30 determines whether or not the road width of the currently traveling road is greater than or equal to W1 (m) (S2). If it is determined in S2 that the road width is less than W1 (m), the ECU 30 ends the process.

  When it is determined in S2 that the road width is equal to or greater than W1 (m), the ECU 30 acquires driving operation information from the driving operation detection unit 12 (S3), and the current position from the navigation system 15 and the vicinity of the current position. Road information is acquired (S4). Then, the ECU 30 determines whether or not a blinker blinking operation for entering a road having a road width of W2 (m) or less at an intersection ahead is performed (S5). When it is determined in S5 that the blinker blinking operation for entering the road having a road width of W2 (m) or less is not performed, the ECU 30 ends the process.

  When it is determined in S5 that the blinker blinking operation for entering the road having a road width of W2 (m) or less has been performed, the ECU 30 acquires the steering angle from the steering angle sensor 13 (S6). Then, the ECU 30 determines whether or not the steering angle has become α (°) or more as a steering operation for turning to a road having a road width of W2 (m) or less (S7). If it is determined in S7 that the steering angle is not greater than α (°), the ECU 30 ends the process.

  When it is determined in S7 that the steering angle is equal to or greater than α (°), the ECU 30 acquires the illuminance from the conlight device 14 (S8). Then, the ECU 30 determines whether or not the illuminance is S (lx) or less (S9). When it determines with illumination intensity being higher than S (lx) in S9, ECU30 complete | finishes a process.

  When it is determined in S9 that the illuminance is S (lx) or less, the ECU 30 extracts from the database the pedestrian existence probability in the current time zone on a road having a road width W2 (m) or less (that is, around the current position). (S10). Then, the ECU 30 determines whether or not the extracted existence probability of the pedestrian is equal to or less than R (%) (S11). When it is determined in S11 that the presence probability of the pedestrian is larger than R (%), the ECU 30 ends the process.

  When it is determined in S11 that the pedestrian presence probability is R (%) or less, the ECU 30 turns on the display function in the night view system 1 and activates the near-infrared projector 10 and the near-infrared camera 11 (S12). The near-infrared projector 10 irradiates near-infrared rays ahead of the host vehicle. The near-infrared camera 11 images the front of the host vehicle with near-infrared light and transmits an image signal indicating near-infrared image information of each frame to the ECU 30 at regular intervals. When the image signal is received at regular intervals, the ECU 30 converts the captured near-infrared image of each frame for display, and transmits the display signal to the monitor device 20 (S13). When the display signal is received at regular intervals, the monitor device 20 displays a near infrared image (near infrared image) of the display signal.

  Thus, when the vehicle is dark and the vehicle enters the living road or the like where there are few pedestrians by turning right or left, the driver automatically switches to near-infrared light without operating the switch. An image is displayed. Therefore, when entering a dark road, the driver can confirm the surrounding situation by a near infrared image.

  According to this night view system 1, when the driving environment changes from a road with a low necessity for near-infrared video (night vision video) to a high road, the driver turns right without driving load to activate the display function by the driver. Alternatively, the display function can be automatically activated in accordance with a normal steering operation for making a left turn. At this time, the driver has a high driving load to turn right or left, but the driver can check the near-infrared image at the timing when the driver wants to check the near-infrared image (when entering the road where the need for the near-infrared image is high). . By the way, when the driver manually activates the display function, it is after the steering operation is finished, so the timing is delayed and cannot be confirmed when the near-infrared image is to be confirmed.

  Since the display function can be automatically activated in this way, a near-infrared image can be displayed at an optimal timing, the time for which the near-infrared image can be viewed is lengthened, and the surrounding situation such as a pedestrian can be sufficiently recognized. In addition, the driver can concentrate on driving operation and surrounding confirmation. Therefore, safety is improved and an accident reduction effect is obtained.

  Further, according to the night view system 1, the near-infrared image is displayed only in the scene where the near-infrared image is necessary in the automatic display mode, so that the power consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, according to the night view system 1, only a road with few pedestrians can display a near-infrared image, so that power consumption can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment which concerns on this invention was described, this invention is implemented in various forms, without being limited to the said embodiment.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a night view system having an automatic start function. However, when the automatic start device is configured separately from the night view device and the automatic start condition is satisfied, the night view system is configured. It is good also as a structure which starts an apparatus.

  In this embodiment, a night vision image is captured by near infrared rays, but a night vision image may be captured by other methods.

  In this embodiment, the display function is automatically activated on the condition that a steering operation for turning from a road with a low necessity for near-infrared video to a high road is performed. The display function may be automatically activated subject to environmental changes and driving operations. For example, a large vehicle is wide on the condition that the window is opened when entering a dark parking lot such as an underground parking lot. Driving to avoid a large vehicle coming from the front while driving on a narrow road, provided that a driving operation is performed to enter a narrow road (a little wider than the vehicle width) from the road. There are conditions for operation, and various driving operations performed in bad weather (rain, storm, heavy fog, etc.).

  In this embodiment, the driving environment is detected by information from the navigation system. However, the driving environment may be detected by information obtained by other methods such as road-to-vehicle communication.

  In the present embodiment, the road width is determined to determine whether the road is highly necessary or low for near-infrared images, but may be determined using other information such as the road type.

  In the present embodiment, the driving load is determined based on the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor. However, the driving load may be determined using other operations in the driving operation detection unit.

  In this embodiment, the display function is automatically activated on the condition that the pedestrian existence probability is low. However, the pedestrian existence probability may not be used as a condition.

It is a block diagram of the night view system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the automatic display mode in ECU of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Night view system, 10 ... Near infrared projector, 11 ... Near infrared camera, 12 ... Driving operation detection part, 13 ... Steering angle sensor, 14 ... Conlight apparatus, 15 ... Navigation system, 16 ... Inter-vehicle communication apparatus, 20 ... Monitor device, 30 ... ECU, 31 ... Driving scene judgment unit, 32 ... Driving load judgment unit, 33 ... Startup judgment unit, 34 ... Display control unit

Claims (3)

Imaging means for imaging the periphery of the vehicle;
Display means for displaying a night vision image captured by the imaging means;
Driving environment detection means for detecting the driving environment of the host vehicle;
Driving operation detection means for detecting the driving operation of the driver,
Based on the change in the driving environment detected by the driving environment detection means and the driving operation detected by the driving operation detection means, a night vision video display function for displaying the night vision video captured by the imaging means on the display means is started. A night-vision device for a vehicle.   The night vision image display function is activated when the driving operation detected by the driving operation detection means is a driving operation for entering a road with high necessity from a road with low necessity for night vision video detected by the driving environment detection means. The vehicle night vision apparatus according to claim 1.   The driving operation for entering a road with high necessity from a road with low necessity for night vision images is a steering operation for turning from a road with low necessity for night vision images to a road with high necessity. The vehicle night vision apparatus according to claim 2.

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