JP2001239883A - On-vehicle camera and automobile provided with camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems that a conventional camera provided for an automobile is uncapable of changing its mounting portion once fixed and that an image necessary to the driver is not displayed on a monitor when a load is loaded on the outside of the car body. SOLUTION: A camera provided with a camera support part capable of being installed on a body surface or a loaded load and of transmitting an image signal to a monitor inside the body is mounted on a preferable position of a driver as the case may be, and thereby the image from a viewpoint which the driver wants to refer to can be used as a driving aid. For instance, the driver can determine whether the automobile can pass without bringing the load into contact with an overpass when going under the overpass by mounting the camera on the uppermost part of the load loaded on the roof and by referring to the image from the mounted camera.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automobile equipped with a camera capable of photographing moving images, and a camera developed for equipping the automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 shows a conventional technique in this field. FIG. 5 shows an automobile equipped with a camera capable of shooting a moving image 3000 and a monitor for displaying an image shot by the camera 3001. The driver can see the image taken by the camera 3000 through the monitor 3001 when the vehicle is backed, for example, to know the state behind the vehicle so that the vehicle body does not accidentally come into contact with a wall or a wall. it can.

[0003]

However, in the prior art, since the camera is fixed, when a load such as a long object is loaded on the roof of a car, for example, the tip of the load is fixed from the position of the fixed camera. The disadvantage is that it is not possible for the driver to know whether the vehicle is operating without the luggage touching the fence or the wall.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned object, the present invention makes it possible to attach a camera for taking a moving image and the camera to the surface of a car, luggage loaded on the car, or equipment in the car. An automobile having a camera support unit, a signal transmission unit for transmitting a video signal from the camera, and a monitor for displaying a moving image signal transmitted using the transmission unit is proposed.

[0005]

(Embodiment 1) An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a camera denoted by 1000, a signal receiving unit denoted by 1400, an image signal output unit denoted by 1100, a monitor denoted by 1200, and an automobile denoted by 1300. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the camera.
The camera 1000 includes a signal generation unit 1001 and a signal generation unit 1002.
And a camera support unit 1003.

The camera support portion 1003 has a shape that can be fixed to the handle of the bicycle, and fixes the camera 1000 to the top of the bicycle mounted on the roof of the automobile 1300. The signal generation unit 1001 captures an image and changes it to an electric signal.
Any means such as D, CMOS sensor, etc. Signal transmission unit 1
Reference numeral 002 denotes a unit that transmits a signal by radio such as radio waves or light, and transmits a video signal output from the signal generation unit 1001. Signal receiving section 1400 receives the signal transmitted from signal transmitting section 1002. The signal received by the signal receiving unit 1400 becomes an image signal that can be displayed on a monitor via the image signal output unit 1100, and is output to the monitor 1200.

[0007] By adopting such a configuration, the driver can monitor the moving image captured by the camera 1000 on the monitor 1200.
Can be seen through. As a result, when passing under a low elevated road or the like, it is possible to obtain an effect that the monitor can confirm whether or not the bicycle on the roof can pass without contact.

In the first embodiment, signals are transmitted and received wirelessly. However, the same effects can be obtained by transmitting and receiving signals by wire.

In the first embodiment, the camera 1000 is installed on the top of a bicycle stacked on a roof. However, a luggage when a long object such as a long ladder or a steel frame is stacked. The camera 1000 may be installed at a location where the driver is concerned about contact, such as the tip of the camera, and the same effect can be obtained.

[0010] In the first embodiment, the camera 1000 is installed on the top of the bicycle stacked on the roof. However, the driver may be concerned about contact at the end of the automobile or on the roof. The camera 1000 may be installed in a part where the driver performs the operation or a place where the driver wants to view the captured image.

In the second embodiment, the camera support unit 1003 or the signal generation unit 1001 has a function of recognizing the horizontal direction using a gyro or the like.
When displaying an image at 00, a configuration in which the horizontal direction is indicated by a horizontal line may be adopted, and the same effect can be obtained.

(Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a camera denoted by 1000, a signal receiving unit denoted by 1400, an image signal output unit denoted by 1100, and 12
A monitor denoted by 00 and a driver's seat denoted by 1500 are shown. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the camera. Camera 1000 is 10
01 and a signal transmission unit indicated by 1002, 1
003.

The camera support 1003 has a shape that can be fixed to the lower part of the driver's seat, and fixes the camera 1000 to the lower part of the driver's seat. The signal generation unit 1001 is an arbitrary unit such as a CCD, a CMOS sensor, or the like that captures an image and changes the image into an electric signal. The signal transmission unit 1002 is a unit that transmits a signal by radio such as radio waves or light, and transmits a video signal output from the signal generation unit 1001. Signal receiving section 1400 receives the signal transmitted from signal transmitting section 1002. The signal received by the signal receiving unit 1400 is output to the image signal output unit 110.
0 and becomes an image signal that can be displayed on the monitor.
Output to 200.

By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to obtain an effect that the driver can see the state of the lower part of the seat simply by looking at the monitor 1200, for example, when the driver drops an object on the lower part of the seat 1500 of the driver's seat.

In the second embodiment, the image captured by the camera is wirelessly transmitted to the signal receiving unit 1400. However, a configuration in which the image is transmitted using a wired or in-vehicle LAN may be employed. Is obtained.

In the second embodiment, the camera support unit 1003 or the signal generation unit 1001 has a function of recognizing the horizontal direction using a gyro or the like.
When displaying an image at 00, a configuration in which the horizontal direction is indicated by a horizontal line may be adopted, and the same effect can be obtained.

(Embodiment 3) Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a driver seat 1500, a monitor 1200, an image signal output unit 1100, and 1700.
A signal demultiplexing unit indicated by, a user operation unit indicated by 1800,
1600, a signal transmitting / receiving unit denoted by 2005, a signal demultiplexing unit denoted by 2004, a signal generating unit denoted by 2003, a camera direction changing unit denoted by 2002, 200
1 comprises a camera support.

The signal generation unit 2003 is an arbitrary means such as a CCD, a CMOS sensor, or the like, which captures an image and changes it into an electric signal. The signal generated by the signal generation unit 2003 is transmitted from the signal transmission / reception unit 2005 via the signal demultiplexing unit 2004. The signal demultiplexing unit 2004 demultiplexes the signal generated by the signal generation unit 2003 and a camera direction control signal described later. The signal transmission / reception unit 2005 is means for transmitting a signal by radio such as radio waves or light. The transmitted signal is received by signal transmitting / receiving section 1600, and signal demultiplexing section 1700
, Becomes an image signal that can be displayed on the monitor by the image signal output unit 1100, and is displayed on the monitor 1200. Further, the camera support unit 2001 has a shape capable of fixing the signal generation unit 2003 to the lower part of the seat surface of the driver seat 1500, and fixes the signal generation unit to the lower part of the driver seat surface. The driver can use the user operation unit 1800 to generate the signal
It is possible to change the range of the moving image to be shot with.
The driver generates a camera direction control signal through the user operation unit 1800. The generated camera direction control signal is transmitted from the signal transmitting / receiving unit 1600 via the signal demultiplexing unit 1700. The transmitted camera direction control signal is received by the signal transmission / reception unit 2005 and transmitted to the camera direction change unit 2002 via the signal demultiplexing unit 2004. The camera direction change unit 2002 determines the direction of the signal generation unit 2003 according to the received camera direction control signal. To change.

By adopting the above-described configuration, the user can see the portion of the driver's seat lower surface that he wants to see through the monitor, for example, when an object is dropped to the lower portion of the driver's seat lower surface.

In the third embodiment, the communication between the signal transmitting and receiving units is performed wirelessly. However, the same effect can be obtained by adopting a configuration in which communication is performed by wire.

In the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which communication is performed wirelessly between the signal transmitting and receiving units. However, a configuration in which communication is performed through a LAN existing in the vehicle may be employed, and similar effects can be obtained. .

In the third embodiment, the user can operate only the direction of the signal generation unit. However, the operation of the signal generation unit is turned on and off, and the light that illuminates the imaged part of the signal generation unit is turned on and off. , An arbitrary operation related to the signal generation unit may be instructed through the user operation 1800, and the same effect may be obtained. Thus, all operations related to the signal generation unit can be controlled by one user operation unit.

In the third embodiment, the moving image signal generated by the signal generation unit 2003 and the user operation unit 180
Although the camera direction control signal generated at 0 is multiplexed and transmitted by the signal demultiplexing unit, a configuration may be adopted in which transmission and reception are performed separately without multiplexing, and the same effect is obtained.

The third embodiment may be applied to the first embodiment, and a similar effect can be obtained.

It should be noted that the camera direction changing unit 2002, the camera support unit 2001, and the signal generation unit 2 in the third embodiment
003 may be provided with a function of recognizing the horizontal direction using a gyro or the like, and when displaying an image on the monitor 1200, a configuration may be adopted in which the horizontal direction is indicated by a horizontal line, and the same effect is obtained.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, a camera for taking a moving image, a camera supporting portion capable of attaching the camera to the surface of a car, luggage loaded on the car and equipment in the car, and the camera. By using a vehicle equipped with a signal transmission unit for transmitting a video signal of the same type and a monitor for displaying a moving image signal transmitted using the transmission unit, the driver can display an image from a desired viewpoint on the monitor. It is possible to confirm whether the vehicle can be driven without contacting the luggage or the vehicle body and the obstacle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an automobile equipped with a vehicle-mounted camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the camera of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the vehicle-mounted camera according to the present invention is installed below a driver seat surface;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the on-vehicle camera of the present invention is installed below a driver seat surface and has a mechanism for controlling the camera direction.

FIG. 5 shows a prior art in the field of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1000 camera 1001 signal generation unit 1002 signal transmission unit 1003 camera support unit 1100 image signal output unit 1200 monitor 1300 automobile 1400 signal reception unit 1500 driver's seat 1600 signal transmission / reception 1700 signal demultiplexing unit 1800 user operation unit 2001 camera support unit 2002 camera direction Change unit 2003 signal generation unit 2004 signal demultiplexing unit 2005 signal transmission / reception unit 3000 camera 3001 monitor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/18 H04N 7/18 J (72) Inventor Susumu Ibaraki 1006 Kadoma, Kazuma, Kazuma, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial (72) Inventor Takahisa Sakai 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshiaki Mori 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akihiro Yamamoto 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture F-term in Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 3D020 BA05 BA20 BB01 BC09 BC18 BD03 BD09 BE03 5C054 CE11 CF06 CG08 DA01 DA07 HA30

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A camera for taking a moving image, a camera support for enabling the camera to be attached to the surface of a vehicle, luggage loaded on the vehicle, and equipment in the vehicle, and a signal transmission for transmitting a video signal from the camera. A vehicle comprising: a monitor for displaying a moving image signal transmitted using the transmission unit. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the signal transmission unit transmits the signal wirelessly. 3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the signal transmission unit transmits the signal by wire. 4. The automobile according to claim 1, wherein the camera supporting portion fixes the camera to a lower portion of a driver's seat. 5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the camera support secures the camera to the top of luggage loaded on the roof of the vehicle. 6. A camera support unit for changing a camera direction, a camera direction control signal transmitting unit transmitting a camera direction control signal to the camera direction changing unit, and a camera direction changing unit for changing a camera direction through the camera direction control signal transmitting unit. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, comprising a user operation unit for transmitting a control signal. 7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the signal transmission unit transmits the signal wirelessly. 8. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the signal transmission unit transmits the signal by wire. 9. The motor vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the camera supporting portion fixes the camera to a lower portion of a driver's seat. 10. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the camera support secures the camera to the top of luggage loaded on the roof of the vehicle. 11. A signal generator for converting a captured image into a signal, a signal transmitter for transmitting a signal generated by the signal generator, the signal generator and the signal transmitter are mounted on the surface of a vehicle body or in a vehicle. A camera support unit that can be fixed to the loaded luggage or equipment in the vehicle, and transmits the signal captured and generated by the signal generation unit for display on a monitor in the vehicle using the signal transmission unit. camera. 12. A signal generation unit for converting a captured image into a signal, a signal transmission unit for transmitting a signal generated by the signal generation unit, and a camera direction change unit for changing a shooting direction by the signal generation unit. And a camera support unit capable of fixing the signal generation unit, the signal transmission unit, and the camera direction changing unit to a vehicle body surface, a luggage loaded in the vehicle, or equipment in the vehicle. Using the signal transmission unit, the signal generated and photographed by the unit is transmitted to be displayed on a monitor in the automobile, and the camera direction change unit is used to change a range to be photographed by the signal generation unit in accordance with an instruction from a driver. Camera that can do.