DE102017219791A1 - Optical detection system for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical detection system (2) for a vehicle (1) having a detection area (3) for recording an environmental detail, the optical detection system (2) having an image receiver chip (4),
wherein the image receiver chip (4) has a certain maximum number of pixels, wherein when taking an environment image, a certain number of pixels in a pixel region (6) of the image receiver chip (4) to be evaluated is active, the maximum pixel number of the image receiver chip being larger , as the pixel number of the pixel area (6) to be evaluated,
wherein the optical detection system (2) on at least one outer side of the vehicle (1) is arranged and detects a lateral and counter to the direction of travel of the vehicle (1) aligned area and wherein the detection area (3) depending on the traveled lane (S) by changing of the pixel region (6) to be evaluated on the image receiver chip (4) is variable.

Description

The invention relates to an optical detection system with a detection area that is variable as a function of the traffic lane and a method for adjusting the detection area.

Optical systems, in particular assistance systems have become the state of the art in the vehicle world.

In image processing, or data fusion of multiple sources, a very high computing power is needed.

However, since the processing power of a microprocessor is limited, there is a problem that, as a result, the information to be processed is limited. A limitation can be realized, for example, by limiting the repetition rate of the processing cycles within a predetermined time or by limiting the number of pixels of the receiver chips to be evaluated.

However, a limitation of the pixels of the receiver chip to be evaluated are also limited, since the image to be acquired must have a certain sharpness in order to be able to recognize and interpret the image content correctly and in particular reliably.

Furthermore, camera systems are also known as mirror replacement systems, which can detect a lateral area or a rear area of a vehicle. For example, the document shows EP2884735A1 a rear-facing camera system. In the publication W02014 / 206406A1 a mirror replacement device is shown which can detect a certain part of an environment of the vehicle.

A disadvantage of the cited prior art is that a fixed detection range is defined for each camera, as a result of which potentially important elements which lie outside this fixed area can not be detected, which can lead to a reduction in driving safety.

An object of the invention is to provide an optical detection system which enables an improved detection of an environmental detail and increases traffic safety while the computing power required for the evaluation remains constant.

This object is solved by the features of independent claims 1 and 7. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Initial considerations have shown that current systems have only a rigid predetermined detection range. If such systems are used as mirror replacement systems, it must be ensured that all relevant objects are reliably detected next to and behind a vehicle, since the driver and / or a driver assistance system must rely on the data provided. Thus, in certain situations, it may be necessary to detect more than one side lane in order to ensure, for example, before a lane change, that no other vehicle changes to the desired lane and enters the detection range of the camera too late. However, the increased coverage should not be accompanied by increased computational effort or a reduction in image resolution.

According to the invention, therefore, an optical detection system for a vehicle with a detection area for taking an environmental detail is proposed, wherein the optical detection system comprises an image receiver chip, wherein the image receiver chip has a certain maximum number of pixels, wherein when taking an environment image, a certain number of pixels in a pixel region of the image receiver chip is active, wherein the maximum pixel number of the image receiver chip is greater than the pixel number of the pixel region to be evaluated, wherein the optical detection system is disposed on at least one outer side of the vehicle and a lateral and counter to the direction of travel of the vehicle aligned area detected and wherein the detection range is variable depending on the traffic lane.

The advantage here is that the detection range is variable depending on the situation and depending on the traffic lane, since, for example, result in a three-lane roadway different areas of interest, depending on which lane the vehicle is located. Thus, for example, on the right lane a greater area of interest than on a middle lane, since on the right lane two more lanes must be monitored. When changing to the middle lane, the area of interest is reduced to one lane. In order to realize such a change of the detection area, the image receiver chip has a larger total number of pixels than are active for the detection. Thus, the detection range can be varied by changing the pixel range to be evaluated on the image receiver chip. The detection range can therefore be varied within the entire recording range. The pixel area to be evaluated describes the area of the image receiver chip in which the active pixels lie. Thus, it is an evaluation or active pixel area. In the light of the invention, an active pixel region is to be understood as meaning one pixel region or several pixel regions which are actively evaluated in the further course.

Theoretically or practically, all the pixels of the image receiver chip could be active (ready to be detected), whereby, based on the selection of a certain pixel region or certain pixel regions, which is then actively evaluated, the environmental region to be detected is determined.

The pixels that are not evaluated need not necessarily be disabled.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the currently traveled lane can be determined by means of a front camera and / or GPS data. With these means, the position of the vehicle can be reliably determined. For example, the data transmitted by the GPS system can be verified by means of the front camera.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the optical detection system is a side mirror replacement system.

Particularly preferably, the number of pixels of the pixel area to be evaluated is constant. The constant number of pixels of the pixel region to be evaluated or active is advantageous in order to also keep the required computation constant.

In a further preferred embodiment, the detection range can be changed by changing the row and column number of the pixel area to be evaluated and / or by dividing the pixel area to be evaluated. In this way, the extent of the detection range can be changed so that, for example, when the detection range is increased instead of an auxiliary lane, two secondary lane tracks can be detected.

Preferably, the recorded environmental section can be provided to a driver assistance system and / or to a driver. The provision of the environmental section to the driver can take place via one or more display devices. For example, in each case a display device on the left and right side of the interior of the vehicle be mounted in the field of vision of the driver. This is advantageous because a driver would intuitively look in these directions, as he is used to from actual side mirrors.

• - Erfassen eines Umgebungsausschnitts;
• - Ermitteln einer aktuell befahrenen Fahrspur;
• - Anpassen des Erfassungsbereichs des optischen Erfassungssystems in Abhängigkeit der aktuell befahrenen Fahrspur durch Veränderung des auf dem Bildempfänger-Chip auszuwertenden Pixelbereichs.

According to the invention, a method for adjusting a detection range of an optical detection system is proposed, comprising the following steps:

• - capture an environmental section;
• - determining a currently traveled lane;
• - Adapting the detection range of the optical detection system depending on the currently traveled lane by changing the pixel area to be evaluated on the image receptor chip.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the currently traveled lane is determined by means of a front camera and / or GPS data.

• 1: eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 2: einen erfindungsgemäßen Bildempfänger-Chip mit aktivem Pixelbereich;
• 3: eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 4: einen erfindungsgemäßen Bildempfänger-Chip aus 2 mit verändertem auszuwertendem Pixelbereich;
• 5: einen erfindungsgemäßen Bildempfänger-Chip aus 2 mit verändertem auszuwertendem Pixelbereich;
• 6: ein schematisches Ablaufdiagramm des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

Further advantageous embodiments will be apparent from the drawings. Hereby show:

• 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention;
• 2 : an image receiver chip according to the invention with an active pixel area;
• 3 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention;
• 4 : an image receiver chip according to the invention 2 with changed pixel area to be evaluated;
• 5 : an image receiver chip according to the invention 2 with changed pixel area to be evaluated;
• 6 : a schematic flow diagram of the method according to the invention.

1 shows a vehicle 1 with an optical detection system according to the invention 2 , The optical detection system 2 has a detection area 3 on. The vehicle 1 is in this illustration on the road F on a middle lane S , The coverage area 3 is designed such that a lane S can be detected.

2 shows an image receiver chip according to the invention 4 with a pixel area to be evaluated 6 , The image receiver chip 4 has a large number of pixels 5 on, wherein the maximum number of pixels is greater than the number of active pixels 7 in the pixel area to be evaluated 6 , The representation of the image receiver chip 4 Here is only schematic. With the pixel range to be evaluated 6 can be a detection area 3 as in 1 be realized shown.

3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 1 is in this illustration on the extreme right lane S , There are now two lanes S to the left of the vehicle 1 must be monitored, the detection area 3 of the optical acquisition system 2 , as in 3 shown enlarged.

The 4 and 5 each show an image receiver chip according to the invention 4 out 2 with changed pixel area to be evaluated 6 , In 4 became the number of columns of active pixels 7 increased while the number of lines was reduced. This results in a flatter, but wider pixel range to be evaluated 6 and thus also a flatter and wider coverage area 3 , The number of active pixels 7 was kept constant in order to keep the required computation constant.

In 5 the number of columns and lines of the pixel area to be evaluated was kept constant, but the pixel area to be evaluated became 6 divided into individual sections, with non-active pixels between each active section to be evaluated 5 (not active means that these pixels will not be evaluated) are the number of active pixels 7 continue to hold steady. By dividing the pixel area to be evaluated 6 will also broaden the coverage 3 reached.

It would also be conceivable that the coverage area 3 is reduced when the vehicle 1 for example, on an extreme left lane S drives, there on this lane S only a small area needs to be monitored. To realize this can be done on the image receiver chip 4 the number of columns of the active (ie, to be evaluated) pixels 7 be reduced and the number of lines are increased. This would result in a narrower and higher coverage 3 result. Also in this case, the number of active pixels remains 7 of the pixel area to be evaluated constant.

6 shows a schematic flow diagram of the method according to the invention. In step S1 an environmental section is detected. In step S2 becomes the currently traveled lane S determined. In step S3 is, if necessary, the coverage area 3 of the optical detection system 2 depending on the currently traveled lane S by changing the on the image receiver chip 4 pixel area to be evaluated 6 customized.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vehicle

2

optical detection system

3

detection range

4

Image receiver chip

5

non-active / un-evaluated pixels

6

pixel area to be evaluated

7

active pixels

F

roadway

S

lane

S1-S3

steps

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 2884735 A1 [0006]
• WO 2014/206406 Al [0006]

Claims (8)

An optical detection system (2) for a vehicle (1) having a detection area (3) for taking an environmental detail, the optical detection system (2) comprising an image receiver chip (4), wherein the image receiver chip (4) has a certain maximum number of pixels, wherein when taking an environment image, a certain number of pixels in a pixel region (6) of the image receiver chip (4) to be evaluated is active, the maximum pixel number of the image receiver chip being larger , as the pixel number of the pixel area (6) to be evaluated, wherein the optical detection system (2) on at least one outer side of the vehicle (1) is arranged and detects a lateral and counter to the direction of travel of the vehicle (1) aligned area and wherein the detection area (3) depending on the traveled lane (S) by changing of the pixel region (6) to be evaluated on the image receiver chip (4) is variable. Optical detection system (2) according to Claim 1 , wherein the currently traveled lane (S) by means of a front camera and / or GPS data can be determined. An optical detection system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical detection system (2) is a side mirror replacement system. Optical detection system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pixel number of the pixel region (6) to be evaluated is constant. Optical detection system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection range (3) is variable by changing the row and column number of the pixel region (6) to be evaluated and / or by dividing the pixel region (6) to be evaluated. Optical detection system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recorded environmental detail is a driver assistance system and / or a driver available. Method for adjusting a detection area (3) of an optical detection system (2), comprising the following steps: - capture an environmental section; - determining a currently traveled lane (S); - Adjusting the detection range (3) of the optical detection system (2) in dependence on the currently traveled lane (S) by changing the pixel area (6) to be evaluated on the image receiver chip (4). Method according to Claim 7 , wherein the currently traveled lane (S) by means of a front camera and / or GPS data is determined.

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