DE102008062168A1 - Data recording device for use in passenger car, has sensors connected with base device by plug connectors, where device informs driver about evaluation results without deviating driver's view from driving surface - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has an evaluation unit, a storage medium and a device-internal, external, fixed and variable optic sensor (3) for recording images. The device records image information from a surrounding of a vehicle (6), where the image information are recorded, evaluated and stored as image data. The device informs a driver (7) about evaluation results without deviating driver's view from a driving surface. A global positioning system or a camera phone is used as a mobile base device (2). The optic sensor and a sensor (4) are connected with the base device by plug connectors.

Description

Known are built-in speed limiters in vehicles, equipment for monitoring the state of tiredness of the driver, devices for distance measurement, devices as a parking aid, etc. Problem is the intention of an older vehicle to retrofit accordingly there is no device to disposal stands, with which the permanently installed possibilities can be used.

Besides that is in an accident the driver usually relies on the testimony of witnesses, or on photos taken after the accident. at the most fortuitously someone had a video camera in operation and recorded the process.

On the other hand becomes with the described solution a brought significant improvement.

Mainly the data acquisition device ( 1 ) in 1 Image data from the environment of the vehicle ( 6 ) and evaluate the driver ( 7 ) and save important content.

To the For example, in the event of an accident, objective documentation on the procedure have and passed through pictures Traffic information, especially speed limits, permanent, during the Existence to be able to recall and transgressions clearly and without turning away from the roadway, by visual information.

The Of course, optical acquisition, evaluation and storage data can be added with all sorts of help information that will be useful in special situations can.

Particularly suitable as an inexpensive base unit ( 2 ) "Mitnehmbargeräte", such as the already common mobile phones with photo optics or GPS devices with memory unit, in individual cases such as experimental vehicles with extensive equipment in portable computing units, of course, a permanent installation in the vehicle ( 6 ) possible.

In Almost all hardware components are already individually available today present, but not in a suitable form, linked together and used for this purpose. Evaluation software is also marketable, not however, adapted for this purpose.

1 shows that, of course, preferably not only an optical system (that of the mobile phone) looks in one direction, the risk of contamination would be much too large, for example, behind the vehicle windscreens fixed screwed, glued or clipped, or in Saugnäpfen or the like, a location variable, one or more, single-lens sensors ( 3 ) whose data are stored in the evaluation unit ( 2a ), in the base unit ( 2 ) and permanently checked for usable information. Mounted behind the headlamp lens on a deflected reflector, the optics ( 3 ) fulfill a part of their forward-looking purpose even in narrower curves.

For two-wheelers is a mobile phone variant provided, in each case an optic in all 4 directions is appropriate. The device will then be for free view attached to the helmet. It is also possible, of course, attach the optics to a headband or similar.

Around a comprehensive overview getting details is a mix of wide-angle and teleopics intended. The image capture area extends from the roadway, directly in front of the vehicle, up to the permissible road sign height, the Distance range from about 0.1 meters to about 1 Km,

There not only the course of a frontal accident, but especially the rear and side damage, as is often the case Insecure testimonies or just circumstantial evidence of the remaining damage claims is, these directions are also covered.

Starting pollution is indicated before signal failure or misinterpretation can occur, preferably the sensors ( 3 ) Of course in the cleaning area z. B. the wiper mounted.

The various additional sensors ( 4 ) for the additional information, such as time, speed, noise (speech), accelerations, distances, light, wetness, temperature, pedal levels of the vehicle, steering movements, etc., are conveniently located inside or outside the vehicle. The more extensive the data collection, the better an accident can be reconstructed.

Ultimately is it a question of cost, what level of information analysis and storage selected becomes.

The connection of the sensors ( 3 + 4 ) with the memory ( 9 ) and / or the evaluation unit ( 2a ) can of course be done with cable or radio, the cables can be firmly connected or detachably connected via a connector, such as mini-USB.

The processing of the data concerning one The purpose of an accident is to recognize the driver by early recognition of accident-typical situations ( 7 ) warn early enough about pedestrians or vehicles (which is already happening in some modern and high-priced vehicles partly by permanently installed systems, but not by retrofittable devices that process multiple types of signals); on the other hand, the conclusive storage of the former and the related circumstances when an accident occurred; reduce the amount of data by filtering away unchanged or irrelevant content and saving the document data ( 10 ) against data loss or manipulation.

There partially the same hardware components are used, it is essentially only one software supplement, the recorded speeds with the existing road signs, especially Speed limits and z. B. over-prohibition.

For some drivers ( 7 ) is the loss of driving license through speeding so threatening or specific that they pay less attention to the traffic than practically only on speed compliance.

Substantial facilitation and improvement of traffic safety can be achieved here if the driver ( 7 ) is shown the threatening excess of the permissible vehicle speed, without having to focus his attention on any ads.

So is, for example, a nocturnal, City streets with advertising contaminated roadside only with high concentration a "30s Zone " recognize, or in dense traffic in the glare of oncoming traffic on a country road a limit sign also unintentionally quickly overlooked, or in a narrow construction area the view better on the road as left on the speedometer.

The device-based reading of speed limit signs is state of the art today, but lacks a device ( 1 ), which gives the driver ( 7 ), without turning away from the road or the traffic, a crossing of a border, such as a speed limit, safely signaled.

This device may be a clearly warning voice output, with specific mention of the driver-related punishment currently due, and or preferably, because of ambient noise, a non-dazzling light signal, colored and resizable, which is connected to a sufficiently large area in the side view field (FIG. 5 ) of the driver is projected, or causes them to light up. So z. B. in the side view field outside the direct optical viewing window, in the area of the roof or the sun visor or the A-pillar, or on the edge of the windshield or on the dashboard, a sufficiently large yellow area light up when he z. B. at 5 km / h drives too fast and the color changes abruptly, stepped or slowly to red, if it is 10 km / h too fast.

It can also the sun visor in the middle as desired or target speed The right edge may be the driver's license loss and a light bar shows the current speed on the track.

If he overlooked a bid sign should not be waited until he happens to be on the dashboard looks and sees the ad there, but he should immediately, clearly and unequivocally informed become. Since some drivers are hard of hearing, but all about adequate eyesight feature have to, an optical display is the safest method. For colorblind Driver can be provided brightness change, flashing and the like.

Likewise, the driver ( 7 ) are supported when the road guidance information of a GPS is compared with the current vehicle speed, taking into account the prevailing weather and road conditions and so z. B. be warned at night or in fog before sharp turns.

The Light signal can be generated by incandescent lamps, LED, laser or similar, Of course, it is very comfortable a writable one Laser.

Of the Display start or the limit, the color change, if necessary a blink, can by simple Software setting as by switch, screen button, or language individually to the time-dependent, personal Claims of the Driver can be adjusted, the brightness in the vehicle and lighting conditions outside Taking into account; as in the case of speech output, the texts and the volume correspond to the situation, depending on the situation the signal inputs for Ambient noise, violation importance etc., should vary.

There especially a little driver affected by traffic violations the penalties Often not in all graduations and all countries know by heart, this but under difficult circumstances, especially if repeated, may lead to the withdrawal of the license, should the device via optical and acoustic output to communicate the currently expected penalty can.

Useful is also a documentation (longer lasting, forgery-proof storage of document data ( 10 )) of the state of a bid / prohibition sign at the time of passing, its pollution status, its location, its cover by vegetation and the like, to legally relieve the driver when there are errors and detectable with the device.

The Minimum and maximum storage time results on the one hand from the significance the data and on the other from the following events (accident) and the available Space. After an accident, at least the last should 5 minutes as complete as still possible Data is retained, then accident can be started with priority-based deletion become. Quick delete are all unchanged / unobtrusive signals, then all signals with change but without relevance, etc.

All traffic restriction signs should be stored at least until the respective statute of limitations. Of course, a compression of the document data ( 10 ) possible, only the evidence ability may not be lost.

A later search of the stored document data ( 10 ) If necessary, at least the place and date should be possible.

A Evaluation of visual deterioration z. B. by fog or snowfall can be detected over the loss of contour sharpness of signs or side posts and thus also supporting the Warn drivers against excessive speed. When wet can often through a system of continuous moisture film more objective be judged as by subjective human opinion.

Even the often missing or worn "alarming side strips" on highways and other roads can be completed by the image analysis system visually, acoustically and / or mechanically Information ( 8th ) to the driver ( 7 ) as soon as a track injury becomes apparent. Especially in construction sites an exact distance compliance is required, including the vehicles on the neighboring lanes.

In addition to the driving behavior and the alertness of the driver ( 7 ) itself, optics / sensors could also be concentrated on this person and the base unit ( 2 ) to adjust and react to typical behavioral behavior of weakness with the behavior of the driver; B. as actuators ( 8th ) optical signals (flash), acoustic signals (siren), mechanical signals (vibrating massage seat) or electrically (voltage-loadable steering wheel cuff) can be activated as a wake-up, in extreme cases, the engine power is reduced.

For distance measurement, the distance between the side posts is compared with the object distance, or analogous to distance measurements with two adjacent lenses, the distance between the two data "image projections" in the evaluation unit can be determined by two optics and reinterpreted in distance. For this purpose, the common fixed point of the two optics z. B. between 10 and 100 m to be able to measure accurately in the dangerous close range. Since at higher speeds the fixed point should be rather further away, a variable setting is advantageous. Too fast, instantaneous approach are caused by the actuators ( 8th ) given clear warning signals to the driver. In order not to unintentionally display all trees or the like, the evaluation unit ( 2a ) For this purpose, for example, be bound to person or game contours or to license plates or contours.

Using distance measurements from the sensors ( 3 + 4 ) can easily with the deposit of ideal Einparkfahrbewegungen (to match the vehicle length) the driver ( 7 ) are given a clear help on a handlebar proposal in a circular or bar display when driving forwards or backwards. He drives past the parking space, the sensors ( 3 + 4 ) record the gap length and the vehicle distance, the actuators ( 8th ) indicate via light or speech output the ideal stopping point, when reversing the ideal steering wheel angle with deflection and new steering wheel position. It becomes aware of mechanically or electrically active engagement of the actuators ( 8th ) waived to keep the system costs low. Of course, this can change in a few years if technical progress is made.

There it with such devices, especially in the lower price range, no absolute exactness of the rating and indicate border crossings is, the display threshold of the warning can be set, depending if the driver prefers "one Warning too much or too little "wishes.

Of course, can and should the driver ( 7 ) do not relieve any system of its attention and due diligence, at any time, independently of any auxiliary devices ( 1 ) to judge his driving style and speed according to the given or expected circumstances.

1

Data collection device

2

basic unit

3

sensors for optical information gathering

4

sensors for others information gathering

5

light field in the side view area

6

Vehicle, z. B. a car

7

driver of the car

8th

actuators

9

Storage

10

document data

Claims (18)

Data collection device ( 1 ) with evaluation unit and storage medium, characterized in that the non-vehicle-fixed device states and events, in particular image information from the environment of a vehicle ( 6 ) records that they are recorded, evaluated and stored permanently or triggered as data and informs the driver of the result of the evaluation, without distracting the driver's view from the roadway, Data collection device ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that as a mobile base unit ( 2 ) is used for example a GPS, or a camera phone, or another easily expandable base unit, and that it is an easily replaceable, directly or indirectly anchored in the vehicle device, Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one individual, device-internal or external, fixed or spatially variable optical sensor ( 3 ) takes over the image acquisition, Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the captured image information is supplemented with signals from sensors ( 4 ) z. B. for paths, speeds, accelerations, distance measurements, noise, light (visible, infrared, laser), moisture, temperature, time, pedal levels, steering (and in each case the rates of change) and are evaluated, usually before a storage of image and relevant Additional information is provided Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the data acquisition can take place both only in the direction of travel, as well as additionally backwards and sideways and that the alignment and display quality z. B. on a display, for. B. of the base unit ( 2 ) and that the sensors ( 3 + 4 ) or via plug with the base unit ( 2 ) are connected, Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sensors ( 3 + 4 ), at least in part, stationary in or on the vehicle ( 6 ) z. B. screwed, clipped or glued attached or location variable z. B. with suction cups from the inside of a disc on the windshield preferably in the cleaning area of the windshield wiper, or klettähnlich attached to a panel, or be placed on covered headlights and in two-wheeled z. B. are attached to the helmet or on a headband, Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that z. B. electronic image stabilizers and mechanical vibration decouplers quiet images allow combinations of wide-angle ( 3 ) and Teleopics ( 3 ) provide a comprehensive information base and that pollution of the optics ( 3 ) or the discs are displayed before the image quality is impaired too much, Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the evaluation particularly the early view and foresight on accident-prone or legally effective situations and hazards for vehicle ( 6 ), Driver ( 7 ) and / or other road users and, when concretised, the driver ( 7 ) and in memory ( 9 ), Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the records are maximally accident and forgery-proof stored on internal or external storage media and the connection between the sensors ( 3 + 4 ) and the base unit ( 2 ) via cable or radio, that after disturbances or reset all settings preferably start again from the "show all" setting, Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that important recorded data of accidents, especially front, rear and side crash, with their attendant circumstances documented evidence and stored, Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in particular the existence of speed restrictions or z. B. passing bans, by actuators ( 8th ) on a display of the base unit ( 2 ) or preferably, glare-free and large format in the side view field ( 5 ) of the driver ( 7 ) is displayed and in particular that an exceeding of the restriction or a predetermined tolerance / correction limit is made clear, preferably by color change of a z. B. point, line, circle or bar graph and, or frequency or intensity change of an acoustic display, or through visual or speech output of the expected penalty and that the display limits and other necessary parameters in the device ( 1 ) are adjustable and that the exceedances are recorded, Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that z. B. all captured bidding and prohibition signs with place, time and readability state are stored and that also recorded monitoring measures are verifiably stored, and that the automatic deletion of the document data ( 10 ) only after expiry of the respective limitation period, Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that all adjustments to changing driver needs, environmental conditions / detection conditions are automatic and / or manually or vocally feasible, Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the "Aufweckwirkung" is supported by not (more) noise-forming side stripes and when crossing existing, recognizable or necessary limits, or not observing necessary distances, or recognizable concentration reduction by Actuators ( 8th ) preselected strong signals to the driver ( 7 ), optically, acoustically, mechanically, or electrically, Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that stronger driver behavior by actuators ( 8th ) is visually and / or acoustically displayed by in or on the vehicle ( 6 ) in the driver's secondary field ( 7 ) an area ( 5 ) from the device ( 2 ) or a lighting device is illuminated or there existing lamps are driven, for example, in motor vehicles ( 6 ) by illuminating the right or left A-pillar, a roof area, or the sun visor ( 5 ); or the dashboard ( 5 ) is used to provide light and color information to the driver ( 7 to give) Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that an objective measurement of the visibility z. B. in fog, rain, or snow is performed or z. B. limit values for Lichtanschaltwarner, freezing danger warning, leaving a desired speed range, or the like can be defined and with stepped display by actuators ( 8th ) the driver ( 7 ) and can be warned against too high a speed by comparing expected GPS road conditions with the weather conditions, Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a distance measurement to preceding objects or vehicles is made by the distance of the guide posts to the vehicle distances, or the image distances of at least 2 optics, which are aligned to a common focus, the focal point can vary speed-dependent, in the evaluation unit ( 2a ) can be related to each other. Data collection device ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that by means of the base unit ( 2 ) the data of the sensors ( 3 + 4 ) are evaluated by means of light and speech signals, or mechanically the driver ( 7 ) when parking