DE102013106769B4 - Tachograph with lane keeping and collision warning functions - Google Patents

Abstract

Tachograph, which is provided with a lane departure warning and collision warning system, is installed in a motor vehicle and comprises: a main unit (10) which is in the form of a separate unit; a control unit (20) which is built into the main unit (10) , wherein the control unit (20) comprises a compression unit (21), an image processing unit (22), a lane measuring unit (23) for determining lane deviations, a distance measuring unit (24) which determines a distance to a vehicle in front, a data combination and synchronization unit (25) and a warning decision unit (26) which judges whether a warning is issued, an image capturing unit (30) which is in the form of a separate device and is connected to a connector on the main device (10 ) formed image capturing connection (101) is connected, wherein the image capturing unit (30) for capturing image data vo r is used for the motor vehicle, an image signal being generated which is output to the control unit (20); a driving data acquisition unit (40) which is in the form of a separate device and is connected to a connector on the main device (10 ) formed driving data acquisition connection (102) is connected, wherein the driving data acquisition unit (40) is used to acquire operating data of the motor vehicle, a vehicle signal is generated which is output to the control unit (20); a memory unit (50) which is connected to the The data combination and synchronization unit (25) of the control unit (20) is connected, the memory unit (50) serving to transfer the data processed by the compression unit (21) and the data combination and synchronization unit (25) to the control unit (20) to save; anda warning unit (60) which is connected to the warning decision unit (26) of the control unit (20), wherein the image data captured by the image capturing unit (30) are input to the control unit (20) and on the one hand by the compression unit (21) of the control unit ( 20) are compressed and then stored in the storage unit (50) via the data combination and synchronization unit (25); andwherein the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit (30) and input into the control unit (20) are on the other hand processed by the image processing unit (22) in such a way that they are each divided into image data for a lane measurement and image data for a distance measurement and accordingly separately to the lane measurement unit ( 23) and the distance measuring unit (24) are forwarded, whereupon the lane measuring unit (23) and the distance measuring unit (24) accordingly calculate a distance to a vehicle ahead and a lane deviation and transmit the results to the warning decision unit (26), which are based on the results of the lane measuring unit (23) and the distance measuring unit (24) in connection with the vehicle signals generated by the driving data acquisition unit (40) determine whether a current driving behavior of the driver is dangerous, and if a dangerous driving behavior is determined, the warning decision unit (26) ei n outputs a control signal to the warning unit (60) so that it warns the driver of a danger with a warning signal.

Description

The invention relates to a tachograph, in particular a tachograph with a lane keeping and collision warning assistant.

The currently known tachographs usually have a large number of functions and can, for example, automatically record various image data inside or outside a vehicle while driving, so that a driver's misconduct or a situation that can trigger a road traffic accident or a dangerous situation, can be examined in detail in a subsequent analysis.

The collision warning assistant and the lane departure warning system, which are mentioned at the beginning, belong to the state of the art, in which the current driving situation is monitored on the basis of image recognition technology. The disadvantage of the known image recognition technology, however, is that image recognition generally requires high computing power and relatively longer computing time, whereby it is relatively difficult to define characteristic features in an image file, which means that a monitoring system that works on the basis of image recognition technology , only has a relatively lower resolution, so that its area of application is currently only limited to parking radar or a similar monitoring system that monitors movement occurring at a lower speed, primarily to a collision warning system for a close range. All tachographs manufactured according to the conventional technology can be further improved because they usually have at least one of the following disadvantages: For example, they cannot warn the driver more precisely about a driving condition, or a distance they record from a vehicle in front is too safe for driving low, or complicated in construction, or high in manufacturing cost, etc.

From the pamphlet DE 10 2006 043 149 A1 a system for supporting the driver when changing lanes and when staying in the lane is known which, with the help of an environment sensor system, detects the entire immediate area around the vehicle. Examples of conventional safety systems with collision warning and lane departure warning systems can be found in the publications WO 2013/081 533 A1 , U.S. 5,642,093 A and US 2011/0 251 768 A1 In these conventional embodiments, considerable computing capacity is required for evaluating video data recorded by cameras in order to obtain lane-keeping and collision information and warnings from the video data.

The invention is based on the object of providing a tachograph provided with a lane departure warning and collision warning assistant which can detect a vehicle traveling ahead at a greater distance, the tachograph having a simple construction, taking up relatively little space and being manufactured at reduced production costs can be.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a tachograph which is provided with a lane keeping and collision warning assistant and has the features specified in claim 1. Further advantageous developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

• ein Hauptgerät, das in Form eines separaten Gerätes ausgeführt ist;
• eine Steuereinheit, die in das Hauptgerät eingebaut ist, wobei die Steuereinheit eine Komprimiereinheit, eine Bildbearbeitungseinheit, eine Fahrspurmesseinheit zum Erfassen von Fahrspurabweichungen, eine Abstandsmesseinheit, die einen Abstand zu einem vorausfahrenden Fahrzeug misst, eine Datenkombinations- und -synchronisationseinheit und eine Warnentscheidungseinheit umfasst, die beurteilt, ob eine Warnung ausgegeben wird;
• eine Bilderfassungseinheit, die in Form eines separaten Gerätes ausgeführt ist und mittels eines an einem Anschlusskabel angebrachten Steckers an einem an dem Hauptgerät ausgebildeten Bilderfassungs-Anschluss angeschlossen ist, wobei die Bilderfassungseinheit zum Erfassen von Bilddaten vor dem Kraftfahrzeug dient, wobei ein Bildsignal erzeugt wird, das in die Steuereinheit eingebbar ist;
• eine Fahrdatenerfassungseinheit, die in Form eines separaten Gerätes ausgeführt ist und mittels eines an einem Anschlusskabel angebrachten Steckers an einem an dem Hauptgerät ausgebildeten Fahrdatenerfassungs-Anschluss angeschlossen wird, wobei die Fahrdatenerfassungseinheit zum Erfassen von Betriebsdaten des Kraftfahrzeuges dient, wobei ein Fahrzeugsignal erzeugt wird, das in die Steuereinheit eingebbar ist;
• eine Speichereinheit, die mit einer Datenkombinations- und -synchronisationseinheit der Steuereinheit verbunden ist, wobei die Speichereinheit dazu dient, die von der Komprimiereinheit und der Datenkombinations- und - synchronisationseinheit bearbeiteten Daten zu speichern; und
• eine Warneinheit, die mit der Warnentscheidungseinheit der Steuereinheit verbunden ist.

According to the invention, a tachograph is provided which is provided with a lane departure warning and collision warning assistant, is installed in a motor vehicle and has the following:

• a main device implemented in the form of a separate device;
• a control unit built into the main unit, the control unit comprising a compression unit, an image processing unit, a lane measurement unit for detecting lane deviations, a distance measurement unit that measures a distance to a preceding vehicle, a data combination and synchronization unit, and a warning decision unit which judges whether a warning is issued;
• an image capture unit, which is designed in the form of a separate device and is connected by means of a plug attached to a connection cable to an image capture connection formed on the main device, the image capture unit serving to capture image data in front of the motor vehicle, an image signal being generated which can be entered into the control unit;
• a driving data acquisition unit, which is designed in the form of a separate device and is connected by means of a plug attached to a connection cable to a driving data acquisition connection formed on the main device, the driving data acquisition unit serving to acquire operating data of the motor vehicle, a vehicle signal being generated which is in the control unit can be entered;
• a storage unit which is connected to a data combination and synchronization unit of the control unit, the storage unit serving to store data from the compression unit and to store processed data in the data combination and synchronization unit; and
• a warning unit connected to the warning decision unit of the control unit.

The image data acquired by the image acquisition unit can be compressed by the compression unit of the control unit and are then stored in the storage unit via the data combination and synchronization unit. On the other hand, the image data captured by the image capture unit are also processed by the image processing unit of the control unit, with a measurement area and its capture distance being able to be enlarged using an image sectioning method and a zooming method, so that a maximum distance to be captured from the vehicle in front is about 100 m. The image data captured by the image acquisition unit are processed by the image processing unit in such a way that they are each divided into image data for a lane measurement and image data for a distance measurement and accordingly entered and evaluated separately in the lane measurement unit and the distance measurement unit of the control unit, so that the distance measurement unit of the control unit determines a distance measure to a vehicle ahead and the lane measuring unit of the control unit can calculate a lane deviation. The results of the lane measuring unit and the distance measuring unit are then input into the warning decision unit which, in conjunction with the vehicle signals detected by the driving data detection unit, determines whether the driver's current driving behavior is dangerous. If dangerous driving behavior is determined, the warning decision unit outputs a control signal to the warning unit so that it warns the driver of a danger with a warning signal.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines in ein Fahrzeug eingebauten, erfindungsgemäßen Fahrtenschreibers im Gebrauchszustand;
• 2 ein Blockdiagramm eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrtenschreibers; und
• 3 ein Blockdiagramm eines weiteres Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrtenschreibers.

The invention and its configurations are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings shows:

• 1 a schematic representation of a tachograph according to the invention installed in a vehicle in the state of use;
• 2 a block diagram of an embodiment of a tachograph according to the invention; and
• 3 a block diagram of a further embodiment of a tachograph according to the invention.

Using the accompanying drawings 1 and 2 a tachograph according to the invention, in which a lane departure warning assistant and a collision warning assistant are provided, is presented according to an exemplary embodiment. In the 1 Road markings whose distance from the vehicle serves as reference points for detecting a lane deviation of the vehicle are indicated by arrows A. The arrow B in the drawing represents a measurement area in which the distance between the vehicle and a vehicle in front is detected, while the arrow C shows a recording area of the tachograph. The tachograph according to the invention, in which the lane departure warning system and the collision warning system are integrated, is installed in a motor vehicle. For example, the tachograph can be attached to the inside of the front windshield or on top of the instrument panel of the motor vehicle, so that the tachograph works independently of the weather and is not so easily soiled. The tachograph according to the invention comprises a main unit 10 , a control unit 20th , an image capture unit 30th , a driving data acquisition unit 40 , a storage unit 50 and a warning unit 60 .

The main device 10 is designed in the form of a separate device.

The control unit 20th , consisting of a compression unit 21 , an image processing unit 22nd , a lane measuring unit 23 for detecting lane deviations, a distance measuring unit 24 for detecting a distance to a vehicle driving ahead, a data combination or data synchronization unit 25th and a warning decision unit 26th , is in the main unit 10 appropriate.

The compression unit 21 is used to compress images and sounds produced by the image capture unit 30th into the control unit 20th are entered, the compressed data being sent to the data combination or data synchronization unit for further processing 25th forwarded and after processing in the storage unit 50 can be saved. The one from the imaging unit 30th into the control unit 20th Input images are also processed in parallel by the image processing unit 22nd processed and then to the lane measuring unit 23 and the distance measuring unit 24 forwarded, by means of the lane measuring unit 23 It is checked whether a lane deviation occurs while using the distance measuring unit 24 it is determined whether a vehicle traveling ahead is located in the measurement area, which is determined by the lane measurement unit 23 and the distance measuring unit 24 generated results to the warning decision unit 26th are forwarded, which judges on the basis of the results obtained whether a corresponding warning is issued. The data combination or data synchronization unit 25th is used to collect the data from different sources (such as: image files, sound files and data from different peripheral devices) summarize and synchronize. The warning decision unit 26th judges on the basis of the result data obtained whether a predefined warning signal is issued (for example, it beeps three times if the distance to a vehicle in front is too close; or a yellow light flashes if a GPS device is not in operation). The control unit described above 20th works in a multi-process operation and can simultaneously carry out several tasks such as handling a lane deviation, recording the distance of a vehicle in front, compressing image and sound files and data storage. The above-mentioned data from peripheral devices can be operating data of the vehicle, GPS-dependent driving data or the data recorded by a G-sensor.

The image capture unit 30th can either in the main unit 10 arranged or external to the main unit as an external device 10 be connected. The image capture unit 30th is used to capture images of the surroundings on a road in front of the vehicle, an image signal being generated which is entered in the main unit 10 built-in control unit 20th is entered. In the exemplary embodiment, the image acquisition unit 30th by means of a connection cable on the main unit 10 connected. With the help of a light-sensitive electronic component, such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, the image data are sent to the image processing unit with a high resolution 22nd the control unit 20th output and processed by this, the measuring range and its detection distance of the image capture unit 30th can be enlarged by an image cropping method and a zooming method so that a detection distance L is formed in front of the vehicle. Like in the 1 shown, the detection distance L ranges from 0 to 100 meters. By increasing the detection distance and restricting the image processing to a specific area, a required computing speed can be reduced, so that the control unit 20th Depending on the image signal received, a vehicle that is driving within 100 m in the same lane as well as in an adjacent, left or right lane in front, can detect. In addition, the image capture unit 30th be designed in the form of a camera lens, which is attached to a connector on the main unit by means of a connector attached to a connection cable 10 trained image capture connector 101 so that the camera lens is connected to the main unit 10 cooperates. In addition, said image signals can be controlled by the control unit 20th , on an image output unit 70 are displayed, the image output unit 70 either one on the main unit 10 attached screen or one external to the main unit by means of an audio and video output cable 10 connected, external display device can be. The one from the imaging unit 30th Captured image data with a relatively high resolution (from 640 x 480) are sent to the control unit using a distortion-free process 20th forwarded.

The driving data acquisition unit 40 is external to the main unit 10 connected and is used for the acquisition of operating data of the vehicle, whereby a vehicle signal (such as: a speed signal, a left or a right direction indicator signal, a brake light signal, etc., which can help with an assessment) is generated, which is included in the data combination or data synchronization unit 25th and warning decision unit 26th the one in the main unit 10 attached control unit 20th is entered. The one from the compression unit 21 and the driving data acquisition unit 40 Incoming data are processed by the data combination or data synchronization unit 25th edited so that they are combined either in the form of a text file or in the form of a compressed video and audio file combined with the text file. The driving data acquisition unit 30th is designed in the form of an external device that is connected to a connector on the main device by means of a plug attached to its connection cable 10 trained driving data acquisition connection 102 so that it connects to the main unit 10 cooperates. Using the image recognition technology, the tachograph according to the invention can use the received driving data to assess whether the driver is driving safely, which not only increases the detection rate and thus the measuring range of the tachograph, but also enables the tachograph to obtain information on the current driving status based on the received driving data. This means that the tachograph can warn the driver even more precisely, which not only reduces false warnings, but also increases system stability. If the driving data (such as the left or right direction indicator signal) are not used, the tachograph can warn the driver of an intended lane change, for example, because the lane change leads to a deviation from the original lane, so that the driver can do so can be wrong.

The storage unit 50 is used to store by the control unit 20th (the data combination or data synchronization unit 25th ) of the main unit 10 edited data, images and sounds. The storage unit 50 can either be a hard drive that is located directly in the main unit 10 built-in and with the control unit 20th connected, or a CF or SD memory card, which is not limited in the present invention. So that the storage unit 50 such as a CF or SD memory card into the main unit 10 inserted or can be excluded from this is an insertion opening 103 on the main unit 10 educated. The above image signals are first passed through the compression unit 21 the control unit 20th compressed and then into the storage unit 50 stored.

The warning unit 60 can either in the main unit 10 built-in or on the outside of the main unit 10 connected, with the warning unit 60 electrically with the one in the main unit 10 built-in control unit 20th is connected. Depending on the operating status of the main device 10 generates the control unit 20th a corresponding control signal, more precisely the warning decision unit generates 26th if necessary a corresponding control signal. The warning unit issues this control signal 60 emits a warning signal in order to fulfill a warning function, the warning signal warning the driver optically and / or acoustically (such as, for example, by means of a light, a sound, a vibration). In the exemplary embodiment, the are from the image acquisition unit 30th captured image signals first by the image processing unit 22nd the control unit 20th processed, whereby it is judged whether the signals for the lane departure warning system or for the collision warning system are intended. The signals are accordingly entered separately in the lane measuring unit 23 and into the distance measuring unit 24 entered so the control unit 20th depending on the image signals received with the distance measuring unit 24 the distance to a vehicle in front is detected and by the lane measuring unit 23 a lane deviation is calculated. With the help of the driving data acquisition unit 40 detected vehicle signals, it is assessed whether a current driving behavior of the driver is dangerous, a control signal is generated. If dangerous driving behavior is detected, the warning unit issues 60 after the control signal, a warning signal is issued to warn the driver of the dangerous driving behavior.

In 3 a further embodiment of the tachograph according to the invention is shown. Because the embodiment is a variant of the above embodiment, the similar parts are not explained here. The main difference is that the tachograph according to the invention in this exemplary embodiment also has a noise detection unit 80 , a GPS device 90 and a G-sensor 100 includes.

The noise detection unit 80 is connected to the main unit by means of a plug attached to a connection cable 10 trained noise detection connection 104 connected and with the control unit 20th of the main unit 10 connected. The noise detection unit 80 is used to detect the noises in the vicinity of the vehicle, a sound signal being generated which is fed into the control unit 20th is entered. The noise detection unit 80 can be a microphone.

The GPS device 90 is designed in the form of a separate device and is connected to the main device by means of a plug attached to a connection cable 10 trained GPS connection 105 connected. The GPS device 90 is used to record coordinates and tracks of the motor vehicle, the global time and date of which are automatically updated, a driving signal being generated which is fed into the data combination and synchronization unit 25 in the main unit 10 built-in control unit 20th is input, so that the data combination and synchronization unit 25 that of the compression unit 21 as well as from the driving data acquisition unit 40 incoming data combined with the data of the driving signal. For example, the above-mentioned data can be combined either in a text file or in a compressed image file associated with the text file.

The G-sensor 100 is in the main unit 10 attached and with the control unit 20th connected. The G-sensor 100 is used to detect a change in position in the X, Y and Z axes, whereby a sensor signal generated thereby is transmitted to the control unit 20th of the main unit 10 is entered. In the event of an accident or a collision, a current driving condition such as acceleration, braking, turning, etc. can be clearly recognized, for example, on the basis of the detected change in position in the X, Y and Z axes.

As a further improvement, the control unit 20th another on-screen display 27 and a parameter setting unit 28 include. The on-screen display 27 is used to display the current time and vehicle status (namely the operating data recorded as vehicle signals and transmitted by the GPS device 90 provided driving data) on an original image background (namely on that of the image acquisition unit 30th captured image data), the image data combined with the operating and driving data being displayed by an image output unit 70 can be displayed. The parameter setting unit 28 allows a user to set required parameters in the compression unit 21 , the image processing unit 22nd and the distance measuring unit 24 by means of at least one on the main device 10 attached and electrically connected to the control unit 20th connected button 281 set, with the settings made in a working memory 200 be registered, which further increases the usability of the tachograph.

In the present invention need the compressing unit 21 , the lane measurement unit 23 and the distance measuring unit 24 the control unit 20th very different image data. This is how the image data originally captured are processed by the image processing unit 22nd processed so that the image data for further processing depending on a desired image area to the lane measuring unit 23 and the distance measuring unit 24 be distributed.

The lane departure warning system usually requires wide-angle images, the upper limit of which is restricted, while the collision warning system requires narrow-angle images, the viewing angle of which is restricted to one lane. The original images recorded by the tachograph are the wide-angle images with a high resolution. It is known that a vehicle traveling further than 50 m ahead cannot be detected with a general resolution. Therefore, the image data are used with a high resolution in the present invention, which not only increases the detection distance, but also makes it possible to limit the image data to a specific processing area and thus to reduce a required computing speed.

• Bei der Bildaufnahme werden die von der Bilderfassungseinheit 30 erfassten Bilddaten und die von der Geräuscherfassungseinheit 80 erfassten Geräuschsignale in der Komprimiereinheit 21 komprimiert. Dann werden die komprimierten Daten mit den von der Fahrdatenerfassungseinheit 40 erfassten Fahrzeugsignalen, den von dem GPS-Gerät 90 erfassten Fahrsignalen, den von dem G-Sensor 100 erfassten Sensorsignalen zusammengefasst und in die Speichereinheit 50 eingespeichert.

Using the enclosed 3 individual processes of the tachograph according to the invention such as image recording, lane detection, distance detection of a vehicle ahead, image data output and warning are explained in more detail below:

• When the image is recorded, the image acquisition unit 30th captured image data and that of the noise capture unit 80 recorded sound signals in the compression unit 21 compressed. Then the compressed data are combined with those from the driving data acquisition unit 40 captured vehicle signals from the GPS device 90 detected driving signals from the G-sensor 100 captured sensor signals are summarized and stored in the memory unit 50 stored.

When the lane is detected, the image detection unit 30th captured image data by the image processing unit 22nd divided into different viewing angles, the image data required for the lane detection with a desired viewing angle in the lane measuring unit 23 can be entered so that it can detect the lane deviations. The recorded results are sent to the distance measuring unit 24 and the warning unit 60 forwarded.

When the distance of a vehicle driving ahead is detected, the image detection unit 30th captured image data by the image processing unit 22nd divided into different viewing angles, with the image data required for distance detection in the distance measuring unit 24 can be entered so that it uses the results obtained in the lane detection to judge whether there is a vehicle in front. The calculated results are sent to the warning unit 60 forwarded.

When the image is output, the image capture unit 30th captured image data depending on a corresponding system state together with the captured results of individual captures on a display device (the image output unit 70 ) or by means of an audio and video output cable (the image output unit 70 ) issued.

During the warning sequence, the lane measuring unit is based on the recorded results 23 , the distance measuring unit 24 and the driving data acquisition unit 40 as well as that from the G-sensor 100 detected signals assesses whether a warning is necessary to warn the driver of a danger.

Overtiredness of a driver due to long journeys and insufficient safety distance from a vehicle in front can usually easily lead to a traffic accident. Thus, the tachograph according to the invention with the lane departure warning assistant and the collision warning assistant can better help the driver during a journey. Such a combination is unfortunately not available according to the state of the art. In addition, no identical or similar construction is currently available.

Due to the resolution and the viewing angle of the image data, a conventional image capturing construction cannot capture a vehicle traveling more than 50 m in front of the motor vehicle. Although the measurement range of such an image capturing construction was later increased by a newly developed technique using at least two image capturing devices, such an image capturing construction can still be improved because it takes up a larger space and is therefore not competitive.

In contrast to this, a lane departure warning assistant and a collision warning assistant, both of which can record the image data with a higher resolution thanks to their light-sensitive CCD or CMOS sensor, are integrated in the tachograph according to the invention. The image data with the higher resolution captured by the lane departure warning assistant and the collision warning assistant are processed by the image processing unit 22nd the control unit 20th recognized and processed, wherein the measuring range and its detection distance of the tachograph are enlarged by an image section method and a zoom method. In connection with the from the driving data acquisition unit 40 detected vehicle signals is assessed whether the current driving behavior of the driver is dangerous. If so, the warning unit gives 60 an optical and / or acoustic warning signal, which increases the reliability and stability of the tachograph. The images in front of the motor vehicle and the noises in the vicinity of the motor vehicle are recorded by the tachograph according to the invention and sent to the control unit 20th forwarded, said image and sound data, which can be presented as evidence in the event of a traffic accident, after compression in the storage unit 50 like an SD or CF memory card.

In the present invention, the functions of the lane departure warning system, the collision warning system and the functions of the tachograph are integrated in a single device, so that the driver no longer has to install the three devices mentioned separately in his vehicle, which not only simplifies assembly and takes up less space decreases, but also lowers manufacturing costs. Thus, the present invention is competitive and beneficial to its users.

1. 1. Die erfindungsgemäße Bilderfassungseinheit stellt der Steuereinheit die Bilddaten mit einer hohen Auflösung zur Verfügung, was nicht nur die Erkennungsrate erhöht, sondern auch den Erfassungsbereich erweitert.
2. 2. Erfindungsgemäß wird der Fahrzustand mithilfe von Fahrzeugsignalen beurteilt, was nicht nur falsche Warnungen reduziert, sondern auch die Systemstabilität erhöht.
3. 3. Der erfindungsgemäße Fahrtenschreiber verfügt über einen relativ großen Messbereich und kann ein Fahrzeug, das innerhalb von 100 m auf einer gleichen Fahrspur und auf einer benachbarten, linken bzw. rechten Fahrspur vorausfährt, erfassen, sodass der Fahrer rechtzeitig vor einem zu geringen Sicherheitsabstand gewarnt wird, um Unfälle zu vermeiden.
4. 4. Erfindungsgemäß wird keine Bildauflösungsreduziereinheit eingesetzt, wobei auch weder Codiereinheit noch Decodiereinheit benötigt werden, was nicht nur eine Verzerrung bei einer Bilderumsetzung reduziert, sondern auch eine Bilderkennungsrate und somit die gesamte Erkennungsrate des Fahrtenschreibers erhöht.
5. 5. Der erfindungsgemäße Fahrtenschreiber weist eine einfache Konstruktion auf und nimmt daher einen relativ kleinen Platzbedarf in Anspruch, wobei die Fertigungskosten auch durch die einfache Konstruktion verringert werden.

Compared to the prior art, the tachograph according to the invention has the following advantages:

1. 1. The image acquisition unit according to the invention provides the control unit with the image data with a high resolution, which not only increases the recognition rate, but also expands the acquisition area.
2. 2. According to the invention, the driving state is assessed with the aid of vehicle signals, which not only reduces false warnings but also increases system stability.
3. 3. The tachograph according to the invention has a relatively large measuring range and can detect a vehicle that is driving within 100 m in the same lane and in an adjacent, left or right lane ahead, so that the driver is warned in good time that the safety distance is too small to avoid accidents.
4. 4. According to the invention, no image resolution reduction unit is used, neither coding unit nor decoding unit being required, which not only reduces distortion during image conversion, but also increases an image recognition rate and thus the overall recognition rate of the tachograph.
5. 5. The tachograph according to the invention has a simple construction and therefore takes up a relatively small space requirement, the manufacturing costs also being reduced by the simple construction.

List of reference symbols

10

Main unit

20th

Control unit

21

Compression unit

22nd

Image processing unit

23

Lane measurement unit

24

Distance measuring unit

25th

Data combination and synchronization unit

26th

Warning decision unit

27

On-screen display

28

Parameter setting unit

281

button

30th

Image capture unit

40

Driving data acquisition unit

50

Storage unit

60

Warning unit

70

Image output unit

80

Sound detection unit

90

GPS device

100

G-sensor

101

Image capture port

102

Driving data acquisition connection

103

Insertion opening

104

Sound capture port

105

GPS connection

200

random access memory

Claims (10)

Tachograph, which is provided with a lane departure warning and collision warning assistant, is installed in a motor vehicle and has the following: a main unit (10) which is in the form of a separate unit; a control unit (20) built into the main unit (10), the control unit (20) having a compression unit (21), an image processing unit (22), a lane measuring unit (23) for determining lane deviations, a distance measuring unit (24), which is a distance to a vehicle in front Vehicle, a data combination and synchronization unit (25) and a warning decision unit (26) which judges whether a warning is issued; an image capturing unit (30) which is designed in the form of a separate device and is connected to an image capturing connection (101) formed on the main device (10) by means of a plug attached to a connection cable, the image capturing unit (30) for capturing image data serves in front of the motor vehicle, generating an image signal which is output to the control unit (20); a driving data acquisition unit (40) which is in the form of a separate device and is connected to a driving data acquisition connection (102) formed on the main device (10) by means of a plug attached to a connection cable, the driving data acquisition unit (40) for acquiring operating data the motor vehicle is used, a vehicle signal being generated which is output to the control unit (20); a storage unit (50) which is connected to the data combination and synchronization unit (25) of the control unit (20), the storage unit (50) serving to store the data from the compression unit (21) and the data combination and synchronization unit (25 ) the control unit (20) to store processed data; and a warning unit (60) connected to the warning decision unit (26) of the control unit (20), the image data captured by the image capturing unit (30) being input to the control unit (20) and, on the one hand, by the compression unit (21) of the control unit (20) are compressed and then stored in the storage unit (50) via the data combination and synchronization unit (25); and wherein the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit (30) and input into the control unit (20) are processed by the image processing unit (22) in such a way that they are each divided into image data for a lane measurement and image data for a distance measurement and accordingly separately to the lane measurement unit (23) and the distance measuring unit (24) are forwarded, whereupon the lane measuring unit (23) and the distance measuring unit (24) accordingly calculate a distance to a vehicle ahead and a lane deviation and transmit the results to the warning decision unit (26), which based on the results determines from the lane measuring unit (23) and the distance measuring unit (24) in connection with the vehicle signals generated by the driving data acquisition unit (40) whether a current driving behavior of the driver is dangerous, and if a dangerous driving behavior is determined, the warning decision unit (26) e outputs a control signal to the warning unit (60) so that it warns the driver of a hazard with a warning signal. Tachograph after Claim 1 , characterized in that the control unit (20) furthermore has a parameter setting unit (28) so that a user can access corresponding parameters in the compression unit (21), the image processing unit (22) and the distance measuring unit (24) by means of at least one on the main device (10) attached, electrically connected to the control unit (20) button can set. Tachograph after Claim 1 , characterized in that the control unit (20) also has an on-screen display (27) which summarizes the image data captured by the image capture unit (30) and the operating data of the motor vehicle captured as vehicle signals, the data then being displayed on an image output unit ( 70), and wherein the image output unit (70) is arranged on the main device (10) and connected to the control unit (20), and wherein the image output unit (70) is designed as a screen. Tachograph after Claim 1 , characterized in that the tachograph furthermore has a noise detection unit (80) which is connected to a noise detection connection (104) formed on the main device (10) by means of a plug attached to a connection cable and is connected to the control unit (20), wherein the noise detection unit (80) is used to detect the noise in the vicinity of the motor vehicle, a noise signal being generated which is input into the control unit (20) and compressed by the compression unit (21) and stored in the memory unit (50), whereby it the noise detection unit (80) is a microphone. Tachograph after Claim 1 , characterized in that the tachograph also has a GPS device (90) which is designed in the form of a separate device and is connected to a GPS connector (105) on the main device (10) by means of a plug attached to a connection cable , wherein the GPS is used to record coordinates and tracks driven by the motor vehicle, with a driving signal being generated that at the control unit (20) of the main device (10) is output. Tachograph after Claim 1 , characterized in that the tachograph furthermore has a G-sensor (100) built into the main device (10), which is connected to the control unit (20), the G-sensor (100) for detecting a change in position in the X- , Y- and Z-axes, a sensor signal is generated which is output to the control unit (20) of the main unit (10). Tachograph after Claim 1 , characterized in that the image acquisition unit (30) acquires the image data with a higher resolution from 640 x 480, so that the image data can be inputted into the control unit (20) without distortion. Tachograph after Claim 1 , characterized in that the image acquisition unit (30) has a light-sensitive, electronic image sensor element, which is a CCD sensor [abbr. for Charge Coupled Device or a CMOS sensor [abbr. for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor]. Tachograph after Claim 1 , characterized in that the memory unit (50) is selected from a group consisting of an SD memory card, a CF memory card and a hard disk. Tachograph after Claim 1 , characterized in that the warning signals which are output by the warning unit (60) are formed from a group which has an optical, an acoustic warning signal and a combination of an optical and an acoustic warning signal.

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