Background technology
In the past, vehicle when night running, headlight among the vehicle front according to less than a distant place (for example) and darker place from the about 100m of vehicle~400m the place ahead, chaufeur with the naked eye is difficult to see clearly, the unclear reason of bringing out traffic accident that becomes in such visual field.
Therefore, the scheme of vehicle front night viewing system has been proposed in recent years, promptly take the image in the place of the visual field as described above difference, and on display device for mounting on vehicle, show, come like this to assist night driving person's the visual field and guarantee safe operation with the on-vehicle night vision pick up camera.In addition,, utilize the mobile beam (below, be called distance light) of headlight, under the dizzy puzzled situation of the chaufeur that does not make the subtend car, can show a vehicle front side distant place according to this night vision system.
In addition, adjust and carry out angle of field when adjusting to the image of the optional position in the image that shows vehicle front with read out instrument or to the image of the optional position in the image of vehicle front, be with manual operations near the night vision camera machine self that is configured in the room mirror mechanically to be moved in the past, carried out the angle of field adjustment by screw etc.
But such mechanical alignment mechanism with screw etc. carries out angle of field when adjusting, and the operability of adjustment is poor.For example, operability is poor during the small adjustment of staggering optical axis position slightly, the adjustment of the above-below direction during particularly angle of field is adjusted, as long as the above-below direction position of mobile slightly night vision camera machine, the far and near position of captured image produces great changes, therefore, requires to carry out small angle of field adjustment, when carrying out such angle of field adjustment, operation is difficulty more.
And because the night vision camera machine is configured near the room mirror, therefore, it is very difficult that the limit sees that the operation of night vision camera machine is operated on vehicle-mounted read out instrument, limit.Thereby, needing when angle of field is adjusted operation to carry out expensive production time.
At such situation, the present inventor has attempted the exterior specialized equipment that employing is communicated by letter with night vision camera machine serializable, regulate and set the horizontal synchronizing contained in the vision signal and the time of at least a synchronizing signal among the vertical synchronizing signal, on electric, carry out the angle of field adjustment.But,, special-purpose angle of field must be set adjust equipment, so the cost height if like this.
Summary of the invention
The present invention provides a kind of vehicle front night viewing system in view of the above problems, and this night vision system does not need to be provided with special-purpose angle of field and adjusts equipment, can the limit sees that vehicle-mounted read out instrument, limit carry out the angle of field adjustment on electric.
In order to achieve the above object, technical scheme 1 described vehicle front night viewing system, it is characterized in that, comprising: the on-vehicle night vision pick up camera, it has the vision signal generating mechanism that image with vehicle front is transformed into the image mechanism of electric signal and vision signal takes place according to electric signal; Control mechanism, it is by the action of control vision signal generating mechanism, thereby the contained horizontal synchronizing of vision signal and the time of at least a synchronizing signal among the vertical synchronizing signal are controlled; Display device for mounting on vehicle, it has the display part according to the vision signal show image, control mechanism is assembled on the interior multiplex communication of car, by the angle of field command signal of multiplex communication input from the multichannel communication multiple telecommunication device of outside vehicle, control mechanism was controlled the time of at least a synchronizing signal, so that by the angle of field show image on display part according to the angle of field command signal.
At this, in recent years, for several electronic control mechanisms in the multiplex communication that is assembled in the car (below, be called ECU), a multichannel communication multiple telecommunication device of available outside vehicle carries out the various adjustment of several ECU.So, in the present invention, be to adopt the outer multichannel communication multiple telecommunication device of this car, make the control mechanism that is assembled in the night vision system in the multiplex communication in the car carry out the angle of field adjustment of on-vehicle night vision pick up camera.
Promptly, according to technique scheme 1, pass through multiplex communication, to be assembled in the control mechanism on the multiplex communication in the car from the angle of field command signal input of the multichannel communication multiple telecommunication device of outside vehicle, control mechanism is controlled a kind of time of synchronizing signal at least, to press angle of field show image on display part according to the angle of field command signal, owing to be such formation, so can utilize the multichannel communication multiple telecommunication device setting operation angle of field of outside vehicle, therefore, can the limit see that vehicle-mounted read out instrument, limit carry out the angle of field adjustment on electric.
And, according to the present invention, can utilize the multichannel communication multiple telecommunication device of the various adjustment of carrying out several ECU to carry out the angle of field adjustment, adjust equipment so can not need to be provided with special-purpose angle of field.
In addition, the on-vehicle night vision pick up camera also has the pick up camera that can directly be assembled on the multiplex communication, in this case, also can and carry out the angle of field adjustment with the multichannel communication multiple telecommunication device direct control night vision camera machine of outside vehicle.But the method for so directly carrying out the angle of field adjustment only is applicable to the pick up camera that can directly be assembled on the multiplex communication.To this,,, all applicable no matter whether the specification of pick up camera is the specification that can directly be assembled on the multiplex communication according to this programme.
Therefore, as described in technical scheme 2,, also can adopt technique scheme 1 described vehicle front night viewing system even on-vehicle night vision pick up camera and control mechanism are the occasions that constitutes in the mode that communicates by serial communication.
The specific embodiment
Below with reference to the accompanying drawings, one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.
Fig. 1 is the cutaway view that schematically shows the state of vehicle front night viewing system lift-launch on vehicle of present embodiment, and Fig. 2 is the block scheme of this vehicle front night viewing system.This night vision system is by constituting as the infrared camera 10 of on-vehicle night vision pick up camera with as the head-up display 20 of display device for mounting on vehicle, the night vision system control ECU 30 that reaches as control mechanism.
Infrared camera 10 is a device of taking the place ahead of this car by front windshield 1 near the indoor upper limb that is bearing in front windshield 1 of car, and it has telephoto lens 11, image mechanism 12, vision signal generating mechanism 13 and connects 14,15.
Image mechanism 12 specifically is transformed into the image of vehicle front the charge coupled cell (below, be called the CCD element) of electric signal.Vision signal generating mechanism 13 specifically is based on the electric signal that is transformed into by CCD element 12, take place to give the microcomputer with the vision signal of vertical synchronizing signal, horizontal synchronizing, burst signal.
In addition, the vision signal of present embodiment is to obtain with known NTSC mode.Microcomputer 13 is also controlled the processing of time of the electric charge of reading CCD element 12 etc. and known automatic gain processing etc.
Head-up display 20 is provided in from the lower edge of front windshield 1 on car indoor and the instrument carrier panel 2 that extends towards the below, have TFT type liquid crystal board 21 and back of the body illuminator 22 as display part, liquid crystal board 21 is being supported in the peristome 2b of the upper wall 2a of instrument carrier panel 2 as shown in Figure 1 horizontally.The light that this liquid crystal board 21 is accepted from back of the body illuminator 22 demonstrates display image on display frame 21a.
The display light of this display image is injected on the front windshield 1, by this front windshield 1, along the dotted line R shown in Fig. 1, to the eye reflection that sits in the chaufeur M on the driver's seat, so the place ahead of windshield 1 is with the mode imaging of virtual image m in front.
In addition, back of the body illuminator 22 is bearing in the rear side of liquid crystal board 21, and these back of the body illuminator 22 bright lamps are just injected light on the liquid crystal board 21 from this rear side.By with not shown matrix driving circuit drives liquid crystal board 21, the image of vehicle front is penetrated as display light.
Night vision system control ECU30 is the electronic control package of the whole night vision system of control, and one of control content can be enumerated the action of the microcomputer 13 of infrared camera 10 is controlled.Specifically, the horizontal synchronizing that vision signal contained of microcomputer 13 outputs and the time of at least a synchronizing signal among the vertical synchronizing signal are controlled.
In addition, night vision system control ECU 30 can carry out folk prescription to communicating by letter with microcomputer 13, for example communicates by letter to UART by the regular folk prescription of 9600bps 100ms, and like this, ECU 30 exports to microcomputer 13 by order wire L2 from night vision system control.
At this, with Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 the shown image of liquid crystal board 21 and the general corresponding relation of vision signal are described, the scope by long and short dash line P encirclement among Fig. 3 is represented the scope with liquid crystal board 21 demonstrations, the scope of being surrounded by solid line Q is represented the scope of the vision signal that is made of H and vertical blanking period V during signal of video signal S, the horizontal blanking (blanking), the scope of being surrounded by solid line R represent in the vision signal with the cooresponding scope of signal of video signal S.
Represent the image part of black with the oblique line in the cooresponding scope R of signal of video signal S, in the example of Fig. 3, expression is divided into the white circular image of background with this black part.In addition, for display device for mounting on vehicle 20, vertical synchronizing signal (with reference to each symbol VSY among Fig. 4) is imported with 60Hz, and horizontal synchronizing (with reference to each symbol HSY among Fig. 4) is when importing successively between each decrement phase of two vertical synchronizing signals with 15.7kHz, and display device for mounting on vehicle 20 shows the white circular image that is divided into background with above-mentioned black part on its liquid crystal board 21.
In addition, general, set greatlyyer with the cooresponding scope R of signal of video signal S than the scope P that shows with liquid crystal board 21, with liquid crystal board 21 show and the cooresponding scope R of signal of video signal S in, at the signal of video signal S of the locational specialized range that is determined in advance.
At this, the vertical direction display position that the black part with above-mentioned on the liquid crystal board 21 is divided into the white circular image of background decides according to the input number of times of the horizontal synchronizing after the vertical synchronizing signal input.For example, when two horizontal synchronizing HSY import continuously as shown in Figure 3, then for fwd horizontal synchronizing HSY, the image part among the show image signal S along horizon A, for the horizontal synchronizing HSY of back, the image part among the show image signal S along horizon B.
Therefore, if changing of the relative positions input time of vertical synchronizing signal, then the scope R of signal of video signal S is with respect to the position direction changing of the relative positions up and down of the scope Q of vision signal.So the white circular image that is divided into background with above-mentioned black part is with respect to the above-below direction position of liquid crystal board 21 and the input time of the changing of the relative positions accordingly of vertical synchronizing signal.
Equally, if changing of the relative positions input time of horizontal synchronizing, then the scope R of signal of video signal S is with respect to the position direction changing of the relative positions to the left and right of the scope Q of vision signal.So the white circular image that is divided into background with above-mentioned black part is with respect to the left and right directions position of liquid crystal board 21 and the input time of the changing of the relative positions accordingly of horizontal synchronizing.
Therefore, by the time of controlling the synchronizing signal of the vision signal of being exported by microcomputer 13 with night vision system control ECU 30, just can control angle of field with respect to the show image of liquid crystal board 21.
In addition, night vision system control ECU 30 is assembled on the multiplex communication in the car (below, be called LAN in the car).Lift-launch several various ECU 40,50,60 on vehicle are connected in the car on the LAN, as the example of these ECU, can list control vehicle with the Engine ECU 60 of the action of the air bag ECU 50 of the action of the air compressor ECU 40 of the action of interior environment system, control airbag apparatus, control driving engine etc.
By the way, the communication of LAN can be enumerated well-known BEAN, CAN, VAN etc. in the car.In the present embodiment, adopt the two-way multichannel communication multiple telecommunication of 10kbps (LAN order wire in the car).
In addition, symbol 70 expressions among Fig. 2 are that LAN checks adjustment equipment 70 in the general-duty car as the adjustment equipment 70 of the multichannel communication multiple telecommunication device of outside vehicle.Specifically, LAN is connected in this adjustment equipment 70 and the car, just can communicate by letter, and is to be used for several ECU 30,40,50,60 are carried out respectively the equipment of various adjustment.
Adopt this adjustment equipment 70, make the night vision system control ECU 30 that is assembled among the interior LAN of car can carry out the angle of field adjustment of infrared camera 10.After adjustment, with the angle of field of adjusted angle of field as acquiescence, night vision system control ECU 30 control microcomputers 13.
Promptly, come the angle of field command signal of self aligning equipment 70 to import night vision system control ECU 30 by LAN in the car, the time of at least a synchronizing signal among night vision system control ECU 30 controlling level synchronizing signals and the vertical synchronizing signal is so that by the angle of field show image on liquid crystal board 21 based on the angle of field command signal.Therefore, microcomputer 13 takes place and the vision signal of coming the corresponding angle of field of angle of field command signal of self aligning equipment 70.
Below, above-mentioned angle of field is adjusted operation be elaborated.The flow process of moving when the flow process of moving during the adjustment of (1) that describes below Fig. 5 represents~(3), the adjustment of (4) that describe below Fig. 6 represents~(7), the flow process of moving when (8) that describe below Fig. 7 represents, the adjustment of (9).
In addition, Fig. 5~Fig. 7 is with the time diagram form record from drawing top time lapse downwards, by from the left side order to the right of drawing, the UART interface of LAN interface, night vision system control ECU 30 in the car of expression adjustment equipment 70, night vision system control ECU 30, infrared camera 10, move during as the adjustment of the head-up display 20 of read out instrument.LAN interface is the input and output control mechanism for order wire L1 in the above-mentioned car, and the UART interface is the input and output control mechanism for order wire L2.
(1) will adjust equipment 70 and be connected, and adjust the operating personnel and select " angle of field adjustment state " (step S10) by the menu of adjustment equipment 70 with LAN in the car.So,, send " angle of field adjustment state requires signal " from 70 pairs of control of adjustment equipment ECU 30 by order wire L1.
(2) control ECU one receives " angle of field adjustment state requires signal ", just connects the power supply (step S20) of read out instrument 20 and pick up camera 10.Then, by order wire L1, exchange finishing equipment 70 and send " angle of field is adjusted the state acknowledge signal " (step S21).On the other hand, by order wire L2, regularly pick up camera 10 is begun to send " angle of field is adjusted amount of movement 0 signal " (step S22) by 100ms.
(3) pick up camera 10 1 receives " amount of movement 0 signal ", just will export (step S30) by order wire L3 to read out instrument 20 with its corresponding image signal.
(4) adjustment equipment 70 is confirmed reply (the step S11) from control ECU, in the situation of no operatton personnel operation, by order wire L1, regularly control ECU 30 is sent " angle of field is adjusted amount of movement 0 requirement " (step S12) by 3s.In addition, when having the operating personnel to operate, requirement cooresponding with it (for example requiring to be moved to the left 5 points) sent to control ECU 30 (step S13).
(6) pick up camera 10 carries out image processing according to the mobile message from control ECU 30, to read out instrument 20 outputs (step S23).
(7) the operating personnel limit is confirmed on read out instrument 20, limit operation adjustment equipment 70 adjusts operation.
(8) adjust when finishing, will adjust equipment 70 LAN in the car and unload or select " termination " menu down.When selecting " termination " menu, send " termination requires signal " (step S14) to control ECU30 from adjustment equipment 70.
(9) control ECU 30 can not receive self aligning equipment 70 require signal specified time (for example 5 seconds) above the time, think " end of angle of field adjustment state " (step S24) power supply (step S25) of cut-out pick up camera 10 and read out instrument 20.When receiving " termination requires signal ", cut off the power supply (step S25) of pick up camera 10 and read out instrument 20 similarly, exchange finishing equipment 70 and send " termination acknowledge signal " (step S26).By above step, angle of field is adjusted the end of job.
At this, because of the noise on the order wire L2 between control ECU 30 and the pick up camera 10 etc., pick up camera 10 is judged by accident and is decided to be " reception mobile message ", and angle of field changes under steam.So, in the present embodiment, have following security function for such problem.
That is, the countermeasure as pick up camera 10 1 sides is that through specified time (for example during 1 second), if do not receive from the signal of controlling ECU 30, then the received signal on the order wire L2 is invalid behind the power connection.In addition, be as the countermeasure of control ECU 30 1 sides, in case when communicating with order wire L2, till pick up camera 10 was cut off the electricity supply, the communication on the order wire L2 was effective, so after angle of field adjustment state finishes, the power supply of necessary cut-out pick up camera 10.
As mentioned above, according to present embodiment, but be set as LAN communication in the car by night vision system being controlled ECU 30, available adjustment equipment 70 carries out the angle of field adjustment of above-mentioned (1)~(9).Therefore, can the limit see that read out instrument 20, limit carry out the angle of field adjustment on electric.And according to present embodiment, LAN checks that adjustment equipment 70 carries out the angle of field adjustment in the general-duty car owing to can utilize, so can not need special-purpose angle of field to adjust equipment.
In addition, according to present embodiment, because is the night vision system of serial communication applicable to pick up camera 10 with communicating by letter of ECU 30 of control, so can adopt the pick up camera 10 that general microcomputer 13 is installed, can not need to install, be designed to carry out the special-purpose microcomputer of special communication usefulness.That is, in existing mechanical ground carries out night vision system that angle of field adjusts,, just can become as the present embodiment the night vision system that can adjust angle of field on electric as long as the software of pick up camera 10 and control ECU 30 is revised.
Other embodiment
In the above-mentioned embodiment, infrared camera 10 adopts and can carry out the pick up camera of folk prescription to serial communication, infrared camera 10 and night vision system control ECU 30 communicates to serial communication by folk prescription, but the present invention is not limited to such formation, also can adopt the infrared camera 10 that can carry out two way communication, perhaps, also can adopt the infrared camera 10 that can carry out LAN communication in the car.