CN112824118A

CN112824118A - Vehicle assistance system for supporting a glare-free driver view

Info

Publication number: CN112824118A
Application number: CN202011122784.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: C.马斯; A.格罗特; G.布洛克; K.布兰德斯-格罗特
Original assignee: Volkswagen AG
Current assignee: Volkswagen AG
Priority date: 2019-11-20
Filing date: 2020-10-20
Publication date: 2021-05-21
Also published as: DE102019217920A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle assistance system for supporting a glare-free driver view and a vehicle comprising a vehicle assistance system. Such a system comprises a camera device which is designed to detect a surrounding area in front of the vehicle and to provide the surrounding area as image data. The control and computation unit with a processing program belonging to the system is designed for reprocessing the image data. The system comprises at least one vehicle glazing coupled to a control and calculation unit, having means for selectively darkening a field of view. The vehicle assistance system comprises a projection device coupled to the control and calculation unit and designed to project the reprocessed image data onto a selectively darkened field of view region of the vehicle glazing, so that the darkened field of view region is substantially filled with the reprocessed image data, whereby a gapless and glare-free driver view of the surrounding area can be provided to the driver.

Description

Vehicle assistance system for supporting a glare-free driver view

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle assistance system for supporting (or assisting) a glare-free driver's field of view and a vehicle comprising such a vehicle assistance system.

Background

Headlamp technology and lighting device technology have evolved significantly over the past few years and provide improved road illumination for motorists. This improves safety when driving in the dark or at night. On the other hand, drivers who are confronted with the oncoming traffic by these intense, usually punctiform light sources feel dazzled, which also occurs with ordinary low-beam lights. At least from the self-perception of a corresponding night-time driving on the federal highway (bundestra β e), the perception of the road surface and the surrounding environment in front in the dark is very eyestrain when a strong, dazzling light spot is simultaneously present in the field of vision. Preliminary methods for solving these problems are known. Some examples from the prior art are listed below.

A device and a method for reducing the glare effect are therefore known from DE 102011084730 a 1. The proposed solution relates in particular to a device and a method for avoiding or reducing the glare effect caused by external light sources when maneuvering a vehicle. An apparatus for reducing the glare effect of a light source on the eyes of a vehicle driver is described. The device comprises a dimmable panel which comprises a plurality of individual dimmable cells and is arranged between the position of the vehicle driver and the light source, an optical sensor which is arranged to detect an image of the eyes of the vehicle driver, and a computing unit which is designed to control the plurality of cells of the dimmable panel on the basis of the image detected by the optical sensor in such a way that shadows are cast on the eyes of the vehicle driver.

DE 102014206202 a1 discloses a sun visor with an electronic image display and a method for operating the sun visor. A sun visor with an electronic image display in a vehicle is described. A method for operating such a sun visor is also described. After the sun visor in the flipped-down state blocks the driver's view, an image of the blocked local surroundings is displayed on a monitor fixedly mounted on the sun visor.

A device and a method for avoiding glare while driving are known from KR 20190064223 (a). The device for preventing glare while driving herein includes: a recording unit which records a front area of a vehicle, a high-precision map unit in which a high-precision map having a road structure and lane information is stored, a filtering unit in which a predetermined area of an entire windshield of the vehicle can be darkened, the apparatus further comprising a control unit which determines a center fence based on an image of a preceding vehicle and the high-precision map of the high-precision map unit when the photographing unit receives the image of the preceding vehicle, and changes a set light shift area so as to darken the filtering unit, in such a manner that the determined area of the determined center fence of the entire windshield of the vehicle is set as the light shift area.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative vehicle assistance system for supporting a glare-free driver's field of vision, which allows a fast and reliable mode of operation while providing a high level of comfort for the driver.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a vehicle assistance system is provided for supporting a glare-free driver field of vision (bledfreie fahrlblicke). Such a system comprises at least one camera device which is designed to detect at least one surrounding area in front of the vehicle and to provide the surrounding area as image data, a control and computation unit with a processing program which is coupled to the camera device and is designed to reprocess the image data in order to be able to filter at least one image information of the image data, and at least one vehicle glazing which is coupled to the control and computation unit and has means for selectively darkening the field of view area of the vehicle glazing as a function of the light incidence on the field of view area (or the light incident on the field of view area) and/or the light intensity detected in the field of view area. The vehicle assistance system further comprises a projection device coupled to the control and calculation unit, which projection device is designed to project the reprocessed image data onto a selectively darkened field of view region of the vehicle glazing, so that the darkened field of view region is substantially filled with the reprocessed image data and thus a gapless and glare-free driver view of the surrounding region can be provided for the driver. In this way, a driver assistance system can be provided which achieves a fast and reliable mode of operation while at the same time providing a high level of comfort for the driver. The light incidence and the light intensity in the field of view of the vehicle glazing, which are evaluated as disturbing, are first darkened by means provided for this purpose. The driver is thus unable to see what happens in the area behind said area in his surroundings. Such selective darkening may also be considered as placing a burden and strain on or feeling the eyes of the driver. This loss of information due to the obscuring of the field of view, in particular when it involves more than a small point-like light source (but for example a falling day), may therefore be considered disadvantageous. These may not only cause the eyes to feel more tired, but may also cause the driver to feel tired more quickly because the darkened points and surfaces that may dynamically move through the field of view due to the traveling motion do not correspond to the natural field of view. The projection by means of the previously determined image data from this region can therefore provide a gapless and glare-free driver view of this surrounding region, so that the above-mentioned disadvantages do not occur.

In addition to these advantages, the system described is also capable of being implemented and therefore operated quickly, so that additionally a high level of comfort is achieved for the user. In this regard, for example, driving in the dark when there is oncoming traffic or strong differences in light intensity occurring when the sun falls can be minimized by first shading (ausblenden) or at least dimming the strong light source in the driver's field of view. These darkened regions can then be filled in by means of projection with previously recorded image data about the field of view. However, the image data is reprocessed and filtered in such a way that at least the disturbing luminance values are minimized if they are not completely removed. It is thereby possible to provide the driver with an optimization of the darkened area. Therefore, projecting the scene that should be seen in the absence of glare into the obscured area may also be understood as filling. In other words, the disturbing glare is first darkened, which results in the driver's view in this field of view region being lost locally. A projection of the image data can then be made in this region, which projection shows what the driver should have seen in this region directly behind the vehicle glazing. For this purpose, one or more camera devices can be used, depending on the size of the vehicle in which such a system is to be installed or integrated, in order to capture the surroundings in as great a detail as possible, in order to obtain sufficient image data for the reprocessing process. In this sense, filtering can simply mean reducing individual luminance points. However, filtering can also refer to a previously determined method for a plurality of further processing steps of the image data. As a result, an image about the surroundings should be generated each time, which image does not comprise (disturbing) glare. In other words, an image of the surroundings is provided which no longer has light interference. Thereby creating a natural view for the driver, which means less strain/fatigue for the driver. Furthermore, there is no longer the need to keep the shadowed area as small as possible in order to keep the visual information loss as small as possible.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a vehicle is provided with a vehicle assistance system according to the invention. The above advantages can also be transferred to the presented vehicle.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the projection device comprises at least one Head-Up Display device (Head-Up-Display-vorticihtung). In other words, additional hardware can be provided, by means of which the feasibility of the projection is defined. Such a head-up display device may comprise any technical components provided in simple head-up displays, such as are generally regarded as known in the trade. This enables and provides a reliable and fast projection, so that a particularly high level of comfort can be achieved. The coupling of the individual components of the system makes it possible to precisely calculate the image portions (or image portions) which are projected into the obscured field of view in such a way that they add seamlessly to the overall image perceived by the driver.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the vehicle assistance system further comprises a driver visibility detection device (Fahrerblickerfassungsvorrichtung) coupled to the control and computing unit, which is designed to detect the direction and duration of the driver's field of view (or the line of sight) and the brightness value of the eye region of the driver associated with this driver's field of view, which brightness value is generated by at least one external light source, so that the field of view region of the vehicle glazing can be selectively darkened in a targeted manner as a function of the analysis of the driver's field of view by means of the analysis program stored on the control and computing unit and as a function of the associated brightness value. This enables both the surroundings and the position of the eyes of the driver to be detected optically. This makes it possible to better calculate the image part which is projected into the obscured field of view in such a way that it is added locally seamlessly to the overall image perceived by the driver. Furthermore, the system can thus determine to what extent the driver is dazzled by external light sources and how strong this effect is. This makes it possible not only to darken the vehicle window by means of the device provided for this purpose for selectively darkening the field of view, but also to additionally use the data collected by the driver field of view detection device in order to assist the driver in a glare-free driving operation.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one external light source is a light source of an oncoming vehicle and/or a plurality of light sources of an oncoming traffic object (Verkehr). Especially when driving on a motorway at night, for example, the lighting of oncoming traffic may be disturbing. This allows the light to be specifically removed from the field of view by means of the system described, wherein an almost complete image of the surroundings is nevertheless provided in the driver's field of view. The disturbing light intensity or even approximately all the light of the oncoming traffic is therefore almost filtered out.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one external light source is a light source of an oncoming or parked vehicle and/or a plurality of light sources of an oncoming or stationary traffic object (Verkehr) and/or that the at least one external light source is a stationary or movable light source of a stationary object, in particular a traffic sign or an infrastructure sign (infrastutturbihesessischild). The aforementioned advantages are thus also applicable to these special cases.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the at least one external light source is a light source of an oncoming or parked vehicle and/or a plurality of light sources of an oncoming or stationary traffic object and/or wherein the at least one external light source is a stationary or movable light source of a stationary object, which is a traffic sign or an infrastructure sign, or wherein the external light source is at least partially a reflection of light of at least one of the aforementioned light sources and/or wherein the external light source is any combination of light from the aforementioned light sources. The aforementioned advantages are thus also applicable to these special cases.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the camera arrangement comprises at least one camera and at least one sensor element, in particular a light sensor element. In this way more data can be detected and reprocessed accordingly. In particular the combination of image data and light sensor data can achieve better results here. The number of cameras and sensor elements can be adapted to the vehicle size. The sensor elements may also comprise other sensor units that are considered reasonable when implementing the projection.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the projection device of each vehicle pane provided comprises a head-up display device, which has means for selectively dimming the field of view. For example, the system described can also be used on a rear window. It is thus possible to comfortably achieve a glare-free view of the rear view mirror and thus a view from the rear window back, so that the advantages mentioned above can also be achieved here.

Finally, in a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the control and computation unit with the processing program is additionally designed to filter at least one image information item of the image data in accordance with a user definition, so that the respective maximum brightness of the at least one image information item can be adjusted in accordance with a user preset. Thus, a personalized adaptation is possible depending on the degree of sensitivity of the user (or driver) of the system, so that the system described can be understood as particularly comfortable.

The system described and the corresponding embodiments of the system can be integrated and combined, for example, in any non-autonomous vehicle. In particular, a motor vehicle may be referred to herein. However, all types of vehicles driven by a vehicle driver can also be equipped with the described system. Thus, applications range from locomotives to small boats and ships to aircraft. In the case of extreme miniaturisation, it is even possible to envisage the use or integration in a motorcycle helmet or even in eyeglasses.

The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in the present application can advantageously be combined with one another as long as they are not separately specified.

Drawings

The invention is elucidated below in the examples with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle assistance system for supporting a glare-free driver view; and is

Fig. 2 shows a vehicle with a vehicle assistance system according to the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a vehicle assistance system 10 for supporting a glare-free driver view. There is shown a vehicle assistance system 10 having a camera arrangement 12 with a camera 14. The camera 14 is shown here above a vehicle pane 16 in the form of a windshield of a vehicle 18, the vehicle 18 being simplified to a greater extent and only partially shown. The vehicle glazing 16 also comprises means, not shown in detail, for selectively darkening the viewing area 20 of said vehicle glazing 16.

A darkened area 21 is schematically shown in the upper left corner of the field of view area 20 of the vehicle glazing 16, with reference to the image plane. The means for selectively dimming the field of view region 20 of the vehicle glazing 16 can comprise, for example, electronic components, not shown in detail, so that, for example, a targeted automatic control can likewise be effected by means of the control and computation unit 22. These means may also comprise any sensor unit distributed on the vehicle glazing 16 so as to be able to darken regionally, depending on the light incidence on the field of view region 20 and/or the light intensity detected in said field of view region 20. A front window 16 with this field of view 20 is shown, through which a driver, who is seated in a vehicle 18, for example, in a driver's seat, not shown in detail, perceives his surroundings. A part of the vehicle assistance system 10 is schematically shown below the front window glass 16, with reference to the image plane. Here too, a control and computation unit 22 with a processing program 24 is schematically shown, which is assigned to the vehicle assistance system 10. The control and computation unit 22 with the processing program 24 is designed here to reprocess the image data detected by means of the camera device 12 with the camera 14, so that at least one image information of the image data can be filtered. For this purpose, a first connection line 26 is shown, via which the control and computation unit 22 is coupled to the camera device 12. The control and computation unit 22 is coupled to the vehicle pane 16 by means of a second connection 28. The control and computation unit 22 is coupled to the projection device 32 by means of a third connection 30. The projection device 32 is shown here above a dashboard 34 of the vehicle 18. The projection device 32 is designed here to project the reprocessed image data onto the selectively darkened field of view region or the exemplarily shown darkened region 21 of the vehicle glazing 16, so that the darkened field of view region is substantially filled with the reprocessed image data and thus a seamless and glare-free driver view of the surrounding region can be provided for the driver. The projection device 32 may comprise, for example, at least one head-up display device, which is not shown in detail. The number of head-up display devices can vary here depending on the size of the vehicle in which the vehicle assistance system 10 is integrated. The number may also be selected based on the number of vehicle glasses 16 present in the vehicle 18. In fig. 1, a part of the oncoming traffic lane 33 is shown on the left side of the field of view 20 and outside of the vehicle 18, with reference to the image plane. The oncoming traffic object 35, which in this case consists of two cars, dazzles the driver, so that the upper left region of the field of view region 20 of the vehicle glazing 16 is darkened as already explained. The camera device 12 with the camera 14 records (or captures) the section of the oncoming traffic lane or the entire image, so that the reprocessed image data of the section or the entire image can be projected by means of the projection device 32 onto the darkened region 21 of the vehicle glazing 16. Furthermore, the system 10 can comprise, in a manner not shown in detail, a driver field-of-view detection device which can likewise be coupled to the control and calculation unit 22. The driver field of view detection device is designed here to detect the direction and duration of the driver's field of view and the brightness values of the eye region of the driver, which are assigned to the driver's field of view and which are generated by at least one external light source, so that the field of view region 20 of the vehicle glazing 16 can be selectively darkened in a targeted manner as a function of the analysis of the driver's field of view by means of the analysis program 36 stored on the control and computation unit 22 and as a function of the assigned brightness values.

List of reference numerals

10 vehicle assistance system

12 camera device

14 vidicon

16 vehicle glazing

18 vehicle

20 field of view

21 darkened area

22 control and calculation unit

24 processing procedure

26 first connection line

28 second connection line

30 third connection line

32 projection device

33 opposite traffic lane

34 dashboard

35 traffic object

36 analysis program

Claims

1. A vehicle assistance system (10) for supporting a glare-free driver vision, comprising at least one camera device (12) which is designed to detect at least one surrounding area in front of a vehicle (18) and to provide the surrounding area as image data, further comprising a control and calculation unit (22) having a processing program (24) coupled to the camera device (12) and which is designed to reprocess the image data in order to be able to filter at least one image information of the image data, further comprising at least one vehicle glass (16) coupled to the control and calculation unit (22) and having a light intensity selection device for selecting the light incident on and/or detected in the field of view area (20) as a function of the light incidence on and/or detected in the field of view area (20) Device for selectively dimming the field of view (20) of a vehicle glazing (16), characterized in that the vehicle assistance system (10) further comprises a projection device (32) coupled to the control and calculation unit (22) and designed to project the reprocessed image data onto the selectively dimmed field of view of the vehicle glazing (16) such that the dimmed field of view is substantially filled with the reprocessed image data and thus a gapless and glare-free driver view of the surrounding area can be provided for the driver.

2. The vehicle assistance system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the projection device (32) comprises at least one head-up display device.

3. Vehicle assistance system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle assistance system (10) further comprises a driver field of view detection device coupled to the control and calculation unit (22), which driver field of view detection device is designed to detect the direction and duration of the driver's field of view and the brightness values of the eye region of the driver associated with the driver's field of view, which brightness values are formed by at least one external light source, so that the field of view region (20) of the vehicle glazing (16) can be selectively darkened in a targeted manner as a function of the analysis of the driver's field of view by means of an analysis program (36) stored on the control and calculation unit (22) and as a function of the associated brightness values.

4. Vehicle assistance system (10) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one external light source is a light source of an oncoming vehicle and/or a plurality of light sources of oncoming traffic objects.

5. Vehicle assistance system (10) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one external light source is a light source of an oncoming or parked vehicle and/or a plurality of light sources of oncoming or stationary traffic objects and/or wherein the at least one external light source is a stationary or movable light source of a static object, in particular a traffic sign or an infrastructure sign.

6. Vehicle assistance system (10) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one external light source is a light source of an oncoming or parked vehicle and/or a plurality of light sources of an oncoming or stationary traffic object and/or wherein the at least one external light source is a fixed or movable light source of a static object, in particular a traffic sign or an infrastructure sign, or wherein the external light source is at least partially a reflection of light of at least one of the aforementioned light sources and/or wherein the external light source is any combination of light from the aforementioned light sources.

7. Vehicle assistance system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the camera device (12) comprises at least one camera (14) and at least one sensor element, in particular a light sensor element.

8. Vehicle assistance system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the projection device (32) of each vehicle glazing (16) provided comprises a head-up display device having means for selectively darkening the field of view (20).

9. Vehicle assistance system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control and calculation unit (22) with the processing program (24) is additionally designed for user-defined filtering of at least one image information of the image data, so that a respective maximum brightness of the at least one image information can be adjusted according to a user's presettings.

10. A vehicle (18) with a vehicle assistance system (10) according to claims 1 to 9.