JP2004001736A - Vehicle-mounted imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow use of a vehicle-mounted imaging device for various purposes according to driving conditions. <P>SOLUTION: Imaging devices 1-5 installed on the each part of a vehicle 6 can change the imaging direction of a video camera installed inside. The imaging device 1, as shown in the solid line of 1, is provided for the monitoring of a front side. However, as shown in a virtual line, it can also monitor the front side by changing the imaging direction. The monitoring device 2 for right rear side monitoring or a monitoring device 4 for rear side monitoring can also monitor a carrier installation load on a roof by changing the image direction. For instance, in the inside the cabin monitoring of a vehicle 6, the monitoring device 3 for left side face monitoring is also allowed to be used for checking the state of children. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an in-vehicle imaging device that is attached to a vehicle body such as an automobile to capture images inside and outside the vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image pickup device such as a video camera is attached to an automobile to take images of the inside and outside of the vehicle to contribute to safe driving. For example, in a large-sized vehicle, there is an example in which an image of a portion that is a blind spot of a driver is captured, and particularly, an image behind the vehicle is captured when the vehicle retreats.
[0003]
One prior art discloses a prior art in which a radar is provided in front of a vehicle, an obstacle on a road ahead in the traveling direction of the vehicle is detected, and an alarm for avoiding a collision is generated. If an imaging device is installed in front of the vehicle, it is expected that an equivalent obstacle can be avoided even by image processing by capturing an image ahead in the traveling direction instead of radar (see Patent Document 1). Further, there is disclosed a prior art in which an object or the like existing around a vehicle is detected by a peripheral object detection sensor such as an infrared sensor, and a relationship with a predicted traveling trajectory of the vehicle is displayed on a display. It is also conceivable to replace the prior art peripheral object sensor with an imaging device and recognize the peripheral object in an image (see Patent Document 2).
[0004]
2. Description of the Related Art A conventional in-vehicle imaging device captures an image in a specific range, such as a video camera that captures an image behind a vehicle. It is assumed that the imaging range of the imaging device is fixed even when the imaging device is used to detect an obstacle in front of the traveling direction of the vehicle or when the imaging device is used to detect an obstacle around the vehicle. It becomes.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-101299
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-10-185591
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, although an imaging device such as a video camera is conventionally mounted on a vehicle, an image captured by the mounted imaging device is an image in a fixed imaging direction. Since the image to be captured is fixed, the time during which the imaging device is not used increases depending on the driving situation of the vehicle. For example, an imaging device that captures an image behind a vehicle is used to eliminate a blind spot of a driver when the vehicle is stopped or when the vehicle is moving backward, but it is necessary to pause in other driving situations. Become. However, the vehicle has many portions that are blind spots of the driver, and there is a need to capture images in other directions according to the driving conditions of the vehicle. If the image capturing direction is fixed, it is necessary to mount many image capturing devices on the vehicle in order to capture different images according to various driving situations. In addition, when the imaging device is mounted on a vehicle so that the imaging device can accurately capture a desired image, the imaging direction of the image is accurately adjusted, and the adjusted direction is not shifted during traveling. In addition, it is necessary to firmly fix the vehicle. In addition, even if the imaging device is once fixed to the vehicle, it is necessary to change the imaging direction and repeat the driving so as to obtain a more useful image.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle imaging device that can be easily attached to a vehicle and that can easily change a direction in which an image is captured.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is directed to an in-vehicle imaging device having a single imaging camera and a direction changing mechanism that changes the camera between one imaging direction and another imaging direction different from the one imaging direction,
The direction changing mechanism is an in-vehicle image pickup apparatus, wherein an image pickup direction of a camera is changed according to a traveling state of a vehicle.
[0009]
According to the present invention, since the direction changing mechanism changes the imaging direction of a single imaging camera according to the traveling state of the vehicle, the direction of imaging the periphery of the vehicle body can be easily changed according to the traveling state. Can be done.
[0010]
Further, in the present invention, the vehicle-mounted imaging device is attached to the front right of the vehicle,
The direction changing mechanism changes the camera so as to capture an image of the front when the vehicle moves forward, and changes the camera so as to capture an image of the right side when the vehicle stops.
[0011]
According to the present invention, when the vehicle is moving forward, it is possible to take an image of the front with a camera attached to the front right of the vehicle, and take an image immediately before the vehicle. When the vehicle is stopped, an image of the right side of the vehicle can be taken and the condition of the road surface ahead of an obstacle that cannot be seen from the driver's seat can be monitored.
[0012]
Further, in the present invention, the vehicle-mounted imaging device is attached to the front left of the vehicle,
The direction changing mechanism changes the camera so as to capture the left rear side when the vehicle is moving forward, and changes the camera so as to capture the left side when the vehicle is stopped.
[0013]
According to the present invention, when the vehicle is moving forward, the camera mounted on the left front of the vehicle captures an image of the rear left side, and it is possible to prevent a roll-in accident when turning left at an intersection. When the vehicle is stopped, an image of the left side of the vehicle can be taken and the condition of the road surface ahead of an obstacle that cannot be seen from the driver's seat can be monitored.
[0014]
In the present invention, the vehicle-mounted imaging device is mounted on the front right of the roof of the vehicle,
The direction changing mechanism changes the camera so as to capture an image on the right rear side when the vehicle advances, and changes the camera so as to capture an image on the roof when the vehicle stops.
[0015]
According to the present invention, when the vehicle is moving forward, a camera mounted on the front right of the roof of the vehicle captures an image of the rear right side, thereby preventing contact when changing course. When the vehicle is stopped, an image of the roof can be taken and luggage and the like on the roof can be monitored.
[0016]
Further, in the present invention, the in-vehicle imaging device is mounted at the rear center on the roof of the vehicle,
The direction changing mechanism changes a camera so as to capture an image of the front when the vehicle moves forward, and changes the camera so as to capture an image of the rear when the vehicle moves backward.
[0017]
According to the present invention, when the vehicle is moving forward, a camera mounted at the rear center on the roof of the vehicle can capture an image of the front, and can monitor luggage and the like on the roof. When the vehicle is moving backward, the rear side can be imaged to prevent an accident during reverse driving.
[0018]
In the present invention, the in-vehicle imaging device is mounted on the right front of the vehicle, the left front of the vehicle, the right front on the roof of the vehicle, and the rear center on the roof of the vehicle, respectively.
The direction changing mechanism includes:
A camera attached to the right front of the vehicle is changed so as to capture an image of the front when the vehicle is moving forward, and is changed to capture an image of the right side when the vehicle is stopped,
The camera attached to the front left of the vehicle is changed so as to capture the left rear side when the vehicle is moving forward, and is changed to capture the left side when the vehicle is stopped,
A camera attached to the right front on the roof of the vehicle is changed to capture an image on the right rear side when the vehicle is moving forward, and is changed to capture an image on the roof when the vehicle is stopped,
A camera mounted at the rear center on the roof of the vehicle is changed so as to capture an image of the front when the vehicle is moving forward, and is changed so as to capture an image of the rear when the vehicle is moving backward.
[0019]
According to the present invention, when the vehicle is moving forward, it is possible to take an image of the front with a camera attached to the front right of the vehicle, and take an image immediately before the vehicle. When the vehicle is stopped, an image of the right side of the vehicle can be taken and the condition of the road surface ahead of an obstacle that cannot be seen from the driver's seat can be monitored.
[0020]
Further, when the vehicle is moving forward, an image of the left rear side is taken by a camera attached to the left front of the vehicle, and it is possible to prevent a roll-in accident when turning left at an intersection or the like. When the vehicle is stopped, an image of the left side of the vehicle can be taken and the condition of the road surface ahead of an obstacle that cannot be seen from the driver's seat can be monitored.
[0021]
Further, when the vehicle is moving forward, an image of the right rear side is taken by a camera attached to the front right of the roof of the vehicle, so that contact can be prevented when the course is changed. When the vehicle is stopped, an image of the roof can be taken and luggage and the like on the roof can be monitored.
[0022]
Further, when the vehicle is moving forward, an image of the front can be taken by a camera mounted at the rear center on the roof of the vehicle, and luggage and the like on the roof can be monitored. When the vehicle is moving backward, the rear side can be imaged to prevent an accident during reverse driving.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. The imaging devices 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are attached to each part of the vehicle 6 and form an image in a range indicated by a solid line as (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5). Take an image. That is, the imaging device 1 is attached to the front left and right of the vehicle body of the vehicle 6, and captures images from the driver's seat 7, which are blind spots and become shadows of obstacles 8 such as walls. For example, when the vehicle 6 is about to exit the parking lot of the house on the road, the front side monitoring can be performed so as not to cause a collision accident with the vehicle traveling on the road in front of the vehicle 6 and cause a collision accident. . The imaging device 2 performs right rear monitoring. While traveling on a road, it is possible to prevent contact when changing course. The imaging device 3 performs left side monitoring. For example, when turning left at an intersection or the like, it is possible to prevent a winding accident. The imaging device 4 monitors the rear. Accident prevention during reverse driving can be achieved. The imaging device 5 can perform roof monitoring on the roof of the vehicle 6. When the luggage is mounted on the roof carrier, it is possible to confirm and monitor whether the luggage is securely held.
[0024]
Each of the imaging devices 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the present embodiment can change the imaging direction to, for example, a direction indicated by a virtual line. The imaging device 1 can change the imaging direction so as to capture the most recent image in front. The imaging device 2 can also capture an image behind or on a roof. The imaging device 3 can also capture images of the driver's seat 7 and the interior of the vehicle. The imaging device 4 can also capture an image on the roof. The imaging device 5 can also monitor on the right rear side to prevent contact when changing course. Therefore, even if all of the imaging devices 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are not mounted, a similar number of imaging devices can be monitored by using a small number of imaging devices.
[0025]
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an image that can be captured by a part of the imaging device in FIG. 2A and 2B show examples of right and left front side monitoring images captured by the imaging device 1 of FIG. 1, respectively. The condition of the road surface 9 ahead of the obstacle 8 which cannot be seen from the driver's seat 7 can be monitored. An image similar to FIG. 2B, which is an image on the left side, can be taken even when the imaging direction of the imaging device 3 in FIG. 1 is directed to the left side. FIG. 2C shows an example of an image of a bicycle, which is a luggage mounted on a roof carrier, captured by the imaging device 5 of FIG. The roof carrier-mounted luggage can also be imaged by the other imaging devices 2 and 4 in FIG.
[0026]
FIG. 3 shows the shape of a camera unit 10 that can be used as the imaging devices 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in FIG. In the camera unit 10, a video camera 12 is stored in a waterproof casing 11. In a portion of the video camera 12 where the imaging lens 13 exists, a transparent window 14 is provided in the casing 11. Within the casing 11, the video camera 12 can change the imaging direction. An attraction magnet 15 is fixed to the bottom of the casing 11, and can be attached to each part of the vehicle body of the vehicle 6 in FIG. The cord 16 is pulled out from the camera unit 10 and is used for supplying power for operation, adjusting an imaging direction, and transmitting an image signal obtained by imaging. A portion where the cord 16 is attached to the surface of the vehicle body 6 may be held by providing a magnet clamp or the like. The casing 11 is also provided with a microphone 17 for sound collection. The microphone 17 is preferably of a stereo type. This is because sound is collected with directionality, and the approach of a child, a bicycle, or another car can be detected as sound.
[0027]
FIG. 4 shows a state where the camera unit 10 of FIG. 3 is disassembled. The casing 11 is disassembled into an upper portion 18 and a lower portion 19, and accommodates the video camera 12 and a direction changing mechanism 20 for changing the imaging direction therebetween. In a state where the upper part 18 and the lower part 19 are combined, it is possible to seal the inside so that rainwater or the like does not enter the inside and keep the inside waterproof.
[0028]
FIG. 5 shows a configuration of the direction changing mechanism of FIG. A motor 21 is attached to a lower portion 19 of the casing 11. The output shaft of the motor 21 is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the casing 11, and a worm gear 22 is attached. The worm gear 22 transmits the rotational driving force of the motor 21 to a spur gear 24 mounted on a support shaft 23 erected from the bottom surface of the lower portion 19. A worm gear 25 is mounted on the support shaft 23 together with the spur gear 24, and the rotational driving force transmitted to the spur gear 24 causes the worm gear 25 to rotate. The worm gear 25 transmits a rotational driving force to a spur gear 27 attached to one end of an angular displacement shaft 26 for angularly displacing the imaging direction of the video camera 12. The angular displacement axis 26 is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the lower portion 19 of the casing 11 and is substantially horizontal. When the spur gear 27 is angularly displaced by the rotational driving force from the motor 21, the optical axis of the imaging lens 13 of the video camera 12 is angularly displaced around the substantially horizontal axis of the angular displacement axis 26.
[0029]
FIG. 6 shows a schematic electrical configuration for changing the imaging direction of the camera unit 10 of FIG. The camera control unit 30 controls the rotation and the direction of the motor 21 according to a command input from the operation unit 31. The command from the operation unit 31 is input to the input circuit 32, and the processing circuit 33 interprets the content of the command. When the instruction is to drive the motor 21, the processing circuit 33 controls the drive circuit 34 to supply the electric power from the power supply 35 to the motor 21 via the cord 16 and rotate the motor 21. The image captured by the video camera 24 is displayed on the display unit 36 as an image. The display unit 36 is also used, for example, for displaying map data of a navigation device mounted on a vehicle and for receiving television broadcasts. The operator watching the image captured by the camera unit 10 from the display unit 36 stops driving the motor 21 in a state where a desired image is obtained, and keeps the imaging direction constant. The direction changing mechanism 20 of the present embodiment uses the worm gears 22 and 25 to transmit the rotational driving force from the motor 21, so that if the motor 21 is stopped, the rotational moment applied to the video camera 12 The driving force is not transmitted in the reverse direction, and the imaging direction of the video camera 12 can be maintained.
[0030]
FIG. 7 shows a schematic shape of the operation unit 31 connected to the camera control unit 30 in FIG. The operation unit 31 is provided with a + rotation switch 37 and a − rotation switch 38 on the surface. When the + rotation switch 37 is pressed, the motor 21 rotates to one side, and when the − rotation switch 38 is pressed, the motor 21 rotates to the other side. . The operation result of the + rotation switch 37 or the − rotation switch 38 is given to the input circuit 32 of FIG. The operator manually operates the operation unit 31 and adjusts the imaging direction to an appropriate target while viewing the image on the display unit 36.
[0031]
8A is a front view of the upper portion 18 of the casing 11 shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 8B is a plan view thereof. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 8B. The shape of the casing 11, particularly its upper part 18, is such that when the video camera 12 inside changes the imaging direction by the direction changing mechanism 20, the shape follows the locus drawn by the imaging lens 13 at the distal end. 14 are formed. Since the distance between the imaging lens 13 and the window 14 is minimized, a good external image can be captured even if the imaging direction changes. Further, the window 14 is subjected to a water-repellent process (coating with a water-repellent substance) so that rainwater or the like is hardly attached thereto. In addition, the water-repellent processing has an effect that the raindrops attached to the window 14 are blown off by the wind accompanying the traveling of the vehicle. Thus, the image of the video camera 12 can be captured in a favorable state. The other part of the window 14 in the casing 11 is formed as a curved surface as small as possible and does not cause air resistance. Further, such a casing 11 is made of a lightweight synthetic resin, and is formed to be lightweight and small as a whole of the camera unit 10. Thus, the image can be captured without being dropped by the vibration of the running vehicle or the like while being attracted to the vehicle by the magnet 15.
[0032]
FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of a camera unit 40 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The camera unit 40 of the present embodiment is substantially equivalent to the camera unit 10 shown in FIG. 3, and the corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference characters and redundant description will be omitted. In the camera unit 40 of the present embodiment, a bracket 41 is mounted on the bottom surface of the lower portion 19 of the casing 11 as a mounting mechanism. The bracket 41 can be joined to an arbitrary portion of the vehicle on the vehicle at the bottom surface 42 using a double-sided adhesive tape or the like. At a mounting portion 43 of the bracket 41 to the casing 41, the mounting angle can be changed and the bracket 41 can be fixed by tightening with a bolt 44 and a nut 45.
[0033]
FIG. 11 shows the shape of the bottom surface of the bracket 41 of FIG. Since the bracket 41 has a plurality of cutouts 46, the bracket 41 can be easily deformed according to the curved shape of the vehicle body to be joined, and can be easily attached to the vehicle body via a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive. . Such a joining method to a vehicle body is also performed by mounting an antenna or the like, and has a sufficiently reliable track record. The camera unit 10 having the magnet 15 mounted on the bottom as shown in FIG. 3 can be mounted on the bracket 41 by magnetic force.
[0034]
FIG. 12 shows a schematic shape of a camera unit 50 as still another embodiment of the present invention. The casing 51 of the camera unit 50 of the present embodiment has a hemispherical shape, and the video camera 12 can change the imaging direction not only about a substantially horizontal axis but also about a substantially vertical axis. For this reason, the transparent window 52 is also hemispherical, and if the camera unit 50 is installed at one location, an image can be captured by changing the imaging direction in many directions. The direction changing mechanism 53 that changes the imaging direction of the video camera 12 in two axes is realized by, for example, angularly displacing the entire direction changing mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 5 about a substantially vertical axis.
[0035]
FIG. 13 shows a schematic electrical configuration for controlling the direction in which the camera unit 50 captures an image in the embodiment of FIG. The direction changing mechanism 53 in FIG. 12 includes a horizontal motor 54 for angularly displacing the imaging direction about a substantially horizontal axis, and a vertical motor 55 for angularly displacing the imaging direction about a substantially vertical axis. The horizontal motor 54 is a rotational force transmission mechanism similar to the motor 21 shown in FIG. 5, and causes the video camera 12 to perform angular displacement about a substantially horizontal axis. The vertical motor 55 angularly displaces the entire direction changing mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 5 around a substantially vertical axis. The horizontal motor 54 and the vertical motor 55 are electrically driven by drive circuits 56 and 57, respectively. The horizontal motor 54 and the vertical motor 55 are, for example, pulse motors, and angularly displace according to the number of pulses driven by the drive circuits 56 and 57. The number of pulses corresponding to a specific imaging direction is stored in the memory 58 as data. The driving state input circuit 59 inputs signals indicating the driving state of the vehicle, for example, the vehicle speed, the traveling direction, the steering angle, and the like from various onboard electric control units (ECUs). The processing circuit 60 determines the driving state of the vehicle based on the signal input to the driving state input circuit 59, selects data stored in the memory 58, and selects the horizontal motor 54 and the vertical motor 55 according to the selected data. , And the switching of the imaging direction as described with reference to FIG. 1 can be automatically performed according to the driving state. When the horizontal motor 54 is driven to change the imaging direction beyond 90 °, for example, when switching from front imaging to rear imaging, the image is inverted by the inversion circuit 61 and displayed. When displayed on the display unit 36, the image is turned upside down and is difficult to see. The concept of inverting an image whose imaging direction has been changed around a horizontal axis using such an inversion circuit 61 is based on a camera unit 10 that changes the imaging direction in one axis as shown in FIGS. 40 can also be applied.
[0036]
The present invention is capable of the following embodiments.
(1) An imaging camera, a direction changing mechanism that changes the imaging direction of the camera, and a window that surrounds the camera and the direction changing mechanism, and is transparent at least in a part of a range in which the direction changing mechanism changes the imaging direction of the camera. A vehicle-mounted imaging device, comprising: a casing having a waterproof structure; and a mounting mechanism for mounting a casing containing a camera and a direction changing mechanism to a vehicle body.
[0037]
In a waterproof casing, a camera can change the direction in which images are taken by a direction changing mechanism, and one camera can take images in many directions. The camera and the direction change mechanism are housed in the casing, and the casing is made waterproof, so even if it is installed outside the vehicle body with the mounting mechanism, images can be taken without affecting the surrounding environment such as rainwater. be able to.
[0038]
(2) The on-vehicle imaging device, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a magnet for attracting the vehicle body.
[0039]
Since the mounting mechanism has a magnet for attracting to the vehicle body, the casing can be easily mounted at many places on the vehicle body. Since the magnet is used for attachment, the adjustment of the attachment angle and the like can be easily performed.
[0040]
(3) The on-vehicle imaging device, wherein the mounting mechanism includes a bracket that can be joined to a surface of a vehicle body, is fixed to the casing, and has a fixed angle that can be adjusted.
[0041]
The bracket is joined to an arbitrary portion of the vehicle body using, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape or the like, and a fixing angle with respect to the bracket is adjusted. Since the angle at which the casing housing the camera is fixed to the bracket is adjustable, the imaging device can be mounted in any direction. Since the bracket can be joined to an arbitrary position on the vehicle body, the adjustment of the imaging range and direction can be easily performed.
[0042]
(4) The in-vehicle imaging device, wherein the window has a shape along a locus drawn by a tip of the camera according to a change in an imaging direction of the camera by the direction change mechanism.
[0043]
Since the casing has a transparent window, even if the direction of the image captured by the camera is changed by the direction change mechanism, the image is captured in a state where the casing and the direction change mechanism are waterproof and surrounded by the casing. Direction can be easily changed.
[0044]
(5) The in-vehicle imaging device, wherein the casing has an internal shape that allows a change in an imaging direction of the camera by the direction changing mechanism, and has an external shape with low air resistance.
[0045]
The shape of the inside of the casing is a shape that allows the change of the imaging direction of the camera, and the shape of the outside is a shape with low air resistance, so even if the casing is mounted outside the vehicle body, it is hardly affected by air resistance, It can be small and lightweight.
[0046]
(6) The direction changing mechanism can change the imaging direction of the camera around a horizontal axis beyond 90 °, and the direction changing mechanism can change the imaging direction of the camera around the horizontal axis beyond 90 °. An in-vehicle imaging device, comprising: an inversion circuit that inverts an image captured by the camera when the image is changed to a vertical direction.
[0047]
The direction changing mechanism can change the imaging direction of the camera around a horizontal axis beyond 90 °. When the imaging direction is changed by more than 90 °, the vertical direction of the image is reversed, but since the vertical direction can be reversed by the reversing circuit, an easy-to-view image can be displayed.
[0048]
(7) The vehicle-mounted imaging device, wherein the window is subjected to a water-repellent treatment.
Since the window is water-repellent, raindrops and the like are less likely to adhere to the window, and the effect on image capturing can be reduced even in a rainy state.
[0049]
(8) a memory capable of storing an imaging direction of the camera that is changed by the direction changing mechanism; and controlling the direction changing mechanism when the imaging direction of the camera is different from the imaging direction stored in the memory. A control circuit for adjusting a direction to a stored direction.
[0050]
The image capturing direction of the camera is stored in the memory, and the control circuit can control the direction changing mechanism so as to be the image capturing direction stored in the memory.
[0051]
(9) The memory stores a plurality of imaging directions,
The in-vehicle imaging device, wherein the control circuit selects an imaging direction stored in the memory according to a driving state of the vehicle.
[0052]
Since a plurality of imaging directions can be stored in the memory and the imaging direction can be selected according to the driving state, an image in the imaging direction corresponding to the driving situation can be obtained from the camera.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the direction in which the periphery of the vehicle body is imaged by a single imaging camera can be easily changed according to the traveling state.
[0054]
Further, according to the present invention, when the vehicle is moving forward, an image of the front is taken by a camera attached to the front right of the vehicle, and when the vehicle is stopped, the vehicle is located on the right side of the vehicle on the road surface ahead of an obstacle that cannot be seen from the driver's seat. You can monitor the situation.
[0055]
Further, according to the present invention, when the vehicle is moving forward, an image of the left rear side is taken by a camera attached to the front left of the vehicle, and it is possible to prevent a roll-in accident when turning left at an intersection or the like. When the vehicle stops, it is possible to monitor the condition of the road surface ahead of an obstacle that cannot be seen from the driver's seat on the left side of the vehicle.
[0056]
Further, according to the present invention, when the vehicle is moving forward, an image of the right rear side is taken by a camera mounted on the front right of the roof of the vehicle, so that contact at the time of a course change can be prevented. When the vehicle stops, luggage and the like on the roof can be monitored.
[0057]
Further, according to the present invention, when the vehicle is moving forward, an image of the front can be taken by a camera mounted at the rear center on the roof of the vehicle, and luggage and the like on the roof can be monitored. When the vehicle is moving backward, it is possible to prevent accidents during reverse driving.
[0058]
Further, according to the present invention, when the vehicle is moving forward, an image of the front can be taken by a camera attached to the front right of the vehicle, and the most recent image in front can be taken. An image of the left rear side is taken by a camera attached to the left front of the vehicle, so that it is possible to prevent a roll-in accident when the vehicle turns left at an intersection. An image of the right rear side is taken by a camera attached to the right front on the roof of the vehicle, so that contact can be prevented when changing course. An image of the front can be captured by a camera attached to the center of the roof at the rear, and luggage and the like on the roof can be monitored.
[0059]
When the vehicle is stopped, the right and left sides of the vehicle can be imaged by cameras attached to the right and left front of the vehicle, and the condition of the road surface beyond the obstacle that cannot be seen from the driver's seat can be monitored. An image of the roof can be taken by a camera attached to the right front of the roof of the vehicle, and luggage and the like on the roof can be monitored.
[0060]
When the vehicle is moving backward, an image of the rear is taken by a camera mounted at the rear center on the roof of the vehicle, and an accident at the time of reverse driving can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view showing a state in which imaging devices 1 to 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention are mounted on a vehicle 6. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image captured by the imaging devices 1 to 5 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic shape of the camera unit 10 of FIG.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the camera unit 10 of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the direction changing mechanism 20 of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration for controlling an imaging direction of the camera unit 10 of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic shape of an operation unit 31 shown in FIG.
8 is a front view and a plan view of an upper portion 18 of the casing 11 shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion 18 of the casing 11 as viewed from a section line IX-IX of FIG. 8B.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a camera unit 40 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a plan view of the bottom surface of the bracket 41 of FIG.
FIG.
An oblique view showing a schematic configuration of a camera unit 50 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.
FIG. 13
Schematic electrical configuration for controlling the imaging direction of camera unit 50 in FIG.
FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1-5 Imaging device
6 vehicles
10,40,50 camera unit
11,51 Casing
12 Video camera
13 Imaging lens
14,52 windows
15 magnet
17 microphone
18 Upper part
20,53 Direction change mechanism
21 Motor
30 Camera control unit
31 Operation unit
33,60 processing circuit
36 Display unit
41 Bracket
54 horizontal motor
55 vertical motor
58 memory
59 Operation status input circuit
61 Inverting circuit

Claims (6)

A single imaging camera, and a direction change mechanism that changes the camera between one imaging direction and the other imaging direction different from the one imaging direction, an in-vehicle imaging device having:
The in-vehicle imaging device, wherein the direction changing mechanism changes an imaging direction of a camera according to a traveling state of the vehicle. The in-vehicle imaging device is mounted on the right front of the vehicle,
2. The vehicle-mounted vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the direction change mechanism changes the camera so as to capture an image of the front when the vehicle advances, and changes the camera so as to capture an image of the right side when the vehicle stops. 3. Imaging device. The in-vehicle imaging device is mounted on the left front of the vehicle,
The said direction change mechanism changes a camera so that it may image a left rear side when the vehicle advances, and changes the camera so that it may image a left side when the vehicle stops. In-vehicle imaging device. The in-vehicle imaging device is mounted on the front right of the vehicle roof,
The said direction change mechanism changes a camera so that it may image a rear right side when the vehicle advances, and changes the camera so that it may image a roof on when the vehicle is stopped. In-vehicle imaging device. The in-vehicle imaging device is mounted at the rear center on the roof of the vehicle,
The in-vehicle imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the direction change mechanism changes the camera so as to capture an image of the front when the vehicle advances, and changes the camera so as to capture the rear when the vehicle moves backward. apparatus. The in-vehicle imaging device is attached to the front right of the vehicle, the front left and right of the vehicle, the front right on the roof of the vehicle, and the rear center on the roof of the vehicle, respectively.
The direction changing mechanism includes:
A camera attached to the right front of the vehicle is changed so as to capture an image of the front when the vehicle is moving forward, and is changed to capture an image of the right side when the vehicle is stopped,
The camera attached to the front left of the vehicle is changed so as to capture the left rear side when the vehicle is moving forward, and is changed to capture the left side when the vehicle is stopped,
A camera attached to the right front on the roof of the vehicle is changed to capture an image on the right rear side when the vehicle is moving forward, and is changed to capture an image on the roof when the vehicle is stopped,
2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera mounted at the rear center on the roof of the vehicle is changed so as to capture an image of the front when the vehicle is moving forward, and is changed so as to capture an image of the rear when the vehicle is moving backward. In-vehicle imaging device.

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