JP2006044472A - Peripheral checking device for car - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem wherein an image display screen is kept in a dark state even when a reverse shift of a transmission is operated and hard to watch when the image display screen is dark in a known vehicular peripheral checking device. <P>SOLUTION: A control device 3 regulates the light quantity of a back light 40 based on the brightness signal from a dimmer switch 25, and turn ON the back light 40 or increases the light quantity of the back light 40 by the vehicular signal from a reverse switch 22 and a turn indicator switch 23 when the back light 40 is turned OFF or the light quantity of the back light 40 is decreased. As a result, for example, in a situation for checking the periphery of a car C when the screen of a liquid crystal display device 4 is dark (for example, in a situation where the car C moves backwardly, the car C makes a left turn, or the car C changes its traveling lane), the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 is bright and easy to watch. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle surrounding confirmation device that displays information on the surroundings of a vehicle as an image on a liquid crystal display device in the vehicle to confirm the surroundings of the vehicle.

  This type of vehicle surrounding confirmation device has been conventionally available (for example, Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, this vehicle surrounding confirmation device will be described. In addition, the code | symbol with a parenthesis respond | corresponds to patent document 1, respectively. This vehicle surrounding confirmation device photographs a pair of left and right TV cameras (1) and (1) for photographing a rear view along the left and right side surfaces of the vehicle bodies (2) and (5), and a right-side view of the vehicle (5). The video of the rear TV camera (7) and the left and right TV cameras (1) and (1) are always left and right, and the video of the rear TV camera (7) is linked to the reverse shift of the transmission in the center. And a video display screen (6) to be projected.

  However, in the conventional vehicle surrounding confirmation device, the brightness of the video display screen (6) and the reverse shift of the transmission are not linked. For this reason, in the conventional vehicle surrounding confirmation device, when the video display screen (6) is in a dark state, the video display screen (6) is not bright even if the reverse shift of the transmission is activated. There is a problem that it is difficult to see.

No. 7-367

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that, in the conventional vehicle surrounding confirmation device, when the video display screen (6) is in a dark state, the video display screen (6) is displayed even if the reverse shift of the transmission is activated. It is not bright but remains dark and difficult to see.

  In the present invention, the control device adjusts the light amount of the backlight based on the light / dark signal from the light / dark signal output device, and the vehicle is turned off when the backlight is turned off or the light amount of the backlight is lowered. It has a control part which turns on a backlight or raises the quantity of light of a backlight by a vehicle signal from a signal output device.

  The vehicle surrounding confirmation device of the present invention can adjust the amount of backlight light based on the light / dark signal from the light / dark signal output device by the action of the control unit of the control device, and the backlight is in an OFF state or When the amount of light from the backlight is decreasing, the backlight can be turned on or the amount of light from the backlight can be increased by a vehicle signal from the vehicle signal output device. As a result, the vehicle surrounding confirmation device according to the present invention provides a situation in which the surroundings of the vehicle are desired to be confirmed (for example, a situation in which the vehicle moves backward or when the backlight is turned off or the amount of light from the backlight is reduced). In a situation where the vehicle turns to the left or a situation where the driving lane is changed, it is possible to make the screen of the liquid crystal display device easier to see by turning on the backlight or increasing the amount of the backlight. For this reason, the vehicle surrounding confirmation device according to the present invention can easily confirm the surroundings of the vehicle, and can contribute to the improvement of traffic safety.

  Embodiments of a vehicle surrounding confirmation device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Description of the configuration of the embodiment)
The accompanying drawings show an embodiment of a vehicle surrounding confirmation device according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration of the vehicle surrounding confirmation device according to this embodiment will be described.

  2 and 3, the symbol C is a vehicle on which the vehicle surrounding confirmation device according to this embodiment is mounted. In this example, the vehicle C is a cold car or the like, and the luggage compartment 1 is covered with a panel. In the vehicle C, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cargo compartment 1 causes the area A1 directly below the rear of the vehicle C and the side opposite to the driver's seat side of the vehicle C, for example, the rear left side. The area A2 is a blind spot area from the driver.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle surrounding confirmation device in this embodiment includes a plurality of (in this example, two) imaging devices 11, 12, a power switch 21, and a reverse switch 22 as a vehicle signal output device. And a winker switch 23, a changeover switch 24, a dimmer switch 25 and a light sensor 26 as a light / dark signal output device, a control device 3 (control circuit unit and ECU / electronic control unit), and a backlight 40. 4.

  The two imaging devices include a first imaging device 11 and a second imaging device 12 that capture information around the vehicle C. The first imaging device 11 and the second imaging device 12 are composed of, for example, a CCD camera. The first imaging device 11 and the second imaging device 12 capture information around the vehicle C with the CCD camera, and use the CCD camera to capture information around the vehicle C as electrical signals to the control device 3. Output.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first image pickup device 11 is disposed substantially at the center above the rear part of the cargo compartment 1 of the vehicle C, and images the information in the area A1 directly below the rear of the vehicle C, thereby An imaging apparatus that outputs a signal. The first imaging device 11 is a so-called direct camera that secures the field of view of the area A1 directly below the vehicle C.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the second imaging device 12 is disposed on a stay of an outside mirror on the left side of the vehicle C, and captures information on an area A2 on the rear left side of the vehicle C, An imaging device that outputs an electrical signal. The second imaging device 12 is a so-called side camera (side camera) that secures the field of view of the area A2 on the rear left side of the vehicle C.

  Information picked up by the first image pickup device 11 and the second image pickup device 12 is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 as a horizontally reversed image via the control device 3.

  The power switch 21 is a power-on switch for activating the vehicle surrounding confirmation device in this embodiment, and is, for example, an ignition switch or an accessory switch. The power switch 21 is connected to the power source 20 and the control device 3.

  The reverse switch 22 is a vehicle signal output device that outputs a vehicle signal. That is, the reverse switch 22 is turned on when the driver moves a shift lever (not shown) to the reverse position among the shift positions when the vehicle C moves backward, and when the vehicle C finishes moving backward. This switch is turned OFF when the driver places the shift lever at a shift position other than the reverse position. Further, the reverse switch 22 controls the ON signal (for example, HI level signal) as a vehicle signal when ON, and the OFF signal (for example, LO level signal) as output stop of the vehicle signal when OFF. Each is output to the device 3. Further, when the reverse switch 22 is ON, the vehicle C can be moved backward and a backup lamp (not shown) is lit. When the reverse switch 22 is OFF, the reverse movement of the vehicle C is stopped and the backup lamp is turned on. (Not shown) goes off. The reverse switch 22 may forcibly switch the image displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 to the image of the first imaging device 11 when turned on.

  The turn signal switch 23 is a vehicle signal output device that outputs a vehicle signal. In this example, the turn signal switch 23 is a left turn signal switch. That is, the turn signal switch 23 is turned on by the driver when the vehicle C makes a left turn at an intersection or when the vehicle C changes the lane to the left side, or after the vehicle C makes a left turn at an intersection or the like. This switch is automatically turned off when a steering wheel (not shown) returns more than a predetermined angle after changing to a lane. Further, the turn signal switch 23 controls the ON signal (for example, HI level signal) as a vehicle signal when ON, and the OFF signal (for example, LO level signal) as output stop of the vehicle signal when OFF. Each is output to the device 3. Further, when the turn signal switch 23 is ON, a left turn signal lamp (not shown) blinks and lights, and when the turn signal switch 23 is OFF, a left turn signal lamp (not shown) is turned off. The blinker switch 23 may forcibly switch the image displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 to the image of the second image pickup device 12 when turned on.

  The changeover switch 24 is an external switch (a switch that is not built in the control switch 3) for performing a video switching operation of the first imaging device 11 and the second imaging device 12, and is manually operated. It is a mechanical switch. For example, when the changeover switch 24 is turned ON (for example, pressed), a pulse signal of HI level (high level) is output with respect to a signal of LO level (low level). For example, after the power switch 21 is turned on, the changeover switch 24 changes the image displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 to the image of the first imaging device 11 by the first ON operation. In the second ON operation, the image of the second image pickup device 12 is displayed. In the third ON operation, the image of the first image pickup device 11 and the divided image of the image of the second image pickup device 12 are displayed. Switching to no video (black screen) by the first ON operation.

  The dimmer switch 25 is a light / dark signal output device that outputs a light / dark signal, and is a three-position switching switch. That is, when the dimmer switch 25 is switched to “auto” in the first position, the light sensor 26 detects the light and darkness around the vehicle C and outputs the light and dark signal to the control device 3. The dimmer switch 25 outputs an ON signal (for example, an HI level signal) to the control device 3 when switched to “ON” in the second position. Further, when the dimmer switch 25 is switched to “OFF” in the third position, the dimmer switch 25 outputs an OFF signal (for example, an LO level signal) to the control device 3.

  The light sensor 26 is an automatic dimmer device, and operates when the dimmer switch 25 is switched to the “auto” position of the first position to detect the light and darkness around the vehicle C as the light and dark signal. Output to the control device 3. The optical sensor 26 is composed of, for example, a light receiving element or a solar battery, and outputs an HI level signal when the surroundings of the vehicle C are below a predetermined brightness, and when the surroundings of the vehicle C are above a predetermined brightness. The LO level signal is output to the control device 3, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 3 includes a power supply unit 30, an inverter power supply 31, a control unit 32, a video processing unit (image processing unit) 33, and a video switching unit 34. The control device 3 uses a computer mounted on a vehicle, for example, a car navigation (navigation system) computer or a dedicated ECU (electronic control unit).

  The power supply unit 30 is connected to the power switch 21, the inverter power supply 31, and the control unit 32. When the power switch 21 is turned on, the power supply unit 30 turns on the inverter power supply 31 and the control unit 32 to operate the inverter power supply 31 and the control unit 32.

  The inverter power supply 31 is connected to the power supply unit 30, the control unit 32, and the liquid crystal display device 4. The inverter power supply 31 supplies power from the power supply unit 30 to the liquid crystal display device 4 and the backlight 40 as an inverter power supply.

  The video processing unit 33 is connected to the first imaging device 11, the second imaging device 12, the control unit 32, and the video switching unit 34. The video processing unit 33 inverts the information (electrical signals) captured from the two imaging devices 11 and 12 to the left and right and processes them into video signals.

  The video switching unit 34 is connected to the control unit 32, the video processing unit 33, and the liquid crystal display device 4. The video switching unit 34 switches the video captured by the two imaging devices 11 and 12 and processed by the video processing unit 33 via the control unit 32 by switching operation of the selector switch 24. This is output to the liquid crystal display device 4. Thereby, the image of the first imaging device 11, the image of the second imaging device 12, the image of the first imaging device 11, and the image of the second imaging device 12 are displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4. Are switched and displayed.

  The control unit 32 includes the reverse switch 22, the blinker switch 23, the changeover switch 24, the dimmer switch 25, the optical sensor 26, the power supply unit 30, the inverter power supply 31, and the video. The processing unit 33 and the video switching unit 34 are connected. The control unit 32 causes the video switching unit 34 to switch the video imaged by the two imaging devices 11 and 12 and processed by the video processing unit 33 by the switching operation of the changeover switch 24. . The control unit 32 turns on or off the backlight 40 or increases the amount of light of the backlight 40 via the inverter power supply 31 by the operation of the dimmer switch 25 and the optical sensor 26. Or lowering. Further, when the backlight 40 is in the OFF state or the light amount of the backlight 40 is reduced, the control unit 32 uses an ON signal from the reverse switch 22 and an ON signal from the blinker switch 23. The backlight 40 is turned on or the amount of light of the backlight 40 is increased.

(Explanation of working example)
The vehicle surrounding confirmation device in this embodiment has the above-described configuration, and the operation of the vehicle surrounding confirmation device in this embodiment will be described below.

  First, the power switch 21 is turned on. Then, the power supply 20 is turned on to the control unit 32 via the power supply unit 30 of the control device 3, and the control unit 32 is operated, while power is supplied from the inverter power supply 31 to the backlight 40. When the control unit 32 operates, the first imaging device 11 captures information on the area A1 immediately below the rear of the vehicle C, and the second imaging device 12 captures information on the area A2 on the rear left side of the vehicle C. Information picked up by the first image pickup device 11 and the second image pickup device 12 is taken into the image processing unit 33 of the control device 3 as an electric signal and processed. The video processed by the video processing unit 33 is output to the liquid crystal display device 4 via the video switching unit 34 and displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device. Here, by operating the changeover switch 24, the image displayed on the liquid crystal display device 4 includes the image of the first image pickup device 11, the image of the second image pickup device 12, the image of the first image pickup device 11, and the second image. It is possible to switch to the divided image of the image of the imaging device 12.

  Next, the control part 32 processes sequentially the process (step) of the flowchart shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the procedure (action) of the process process of the control unit 32 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the control unit 32 determines whether or not the dimmer switch 25 is auto in the first step (is the dimmer switch 25 auto? S1). Here, when the dimmer switch 25 is auto, the control unit 32 determines the next step (is the surrounding of the vehicle C dark? S2). Here, when the light sensor 26 detects the brightness around the vehicle C and the value of the detection is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control unit 32 determines that the surrounding of the vehicle C is dark and (reverse) Whether the switch 22 turn signal switch 23 is ON or not?

  Here, when both the reverse switch 22 and the turn signal switch 23 are OFF, the control unit 32 processes the next step (turn off the backlight 40 or reduce the light amount of the backlight 40 S4). For this reason, the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 becomes dark. As a result, for example, when the vehicle C travels at night, the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 becomes dark, and there is no influence on the driving of the driver. Thereafter, the process returns to the step (S1).

  When the reverse switch 22 or the turn signal switch 23 is turned on in the step (S3), the control unit 32 processes the next step (turns on the backlight 40 or increases the light quantity of the backlight 40 S5). . For this reason, the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 becomes bright. As a result, for example, when the vehicle C is traveling at night and the backlight 40 is off or the amount of light of the backlight 40 is low, a situation in which the surroundings of the vehicle C are to be confirmed, for example, the vehicle C In a situation where the vehicle moves backward, a situation where the vehicle C turns to the left, or a situation where the traveling lane is changed, the backlight 40 can be turned on or the amount of light of the backlight 40 can be increased to brighten the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 and make it easier to see. Thereafter, the process returns to the step (S1).

  In the step (S2), when the detection value of the optical sensor 26 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 32 determines that the surroundings of the vehicle C are bright and processes the step (S5). For this reason, the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 becomes bright. As a result, for example, when the vehicle C is traveling during the daytime, the backlight 40 can be turned on or the amount of light of the backlight 40 can be increased to brighten the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 and make it easier to see. Thereafter, the process returns to the step (S1).

  In the step (S1), when the dimmer switch 25 is not automatic but manual, the control unit 32 determines the next step (is the dimmer switch 25 ON? S6). Here, when the dimmer switch 25 is ON, the control unit 32 processes the step (S4). For this reason, the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 becomes dark. As a result, for example, when the vehicle C travels at night, the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 becomes dark, and there is no influence on the driving of the driver. Thereafter, the process returns to the step (S1).

  When the dimmer switch 25 is OFF in the step (S6), the control unit 32 processes the step (S5). For this reason, the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 becomes bright. As a result, for example, when the vehicle C is traveling during the daytime, the backlight 40 can be turned on or the amount of light of the backlight 40 can be increased to brighten the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 and make it easier to see. Thereafter, the process returns to the step (S1).

(Explanation of effect of embodiment)
The vehicle surrounding confirmation device in this embodiment is configured and operated as described above. Hereinafter, the effects of the vehicle surrounding confirmation device in this embodiment will be described.

  The vehicle surrounding confirmation device in this embodiment can achieve the following effects as is apparent from the configuration and operation as described above. That is, when the backlight 40 is in an OFF state or when the amount of light of the backlight 40 is reduced, a situation in which the surroundings of the vehicle C are to be confirmed, for example, a situation in which the vehicle C moves backward or a situation in which the vehicle C turns left In a situation where the traveling lane is changed, it is possible to make the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 easier to see by turning on the backlight 40 or increasing the amount of light of the backlight 40. For this reason, the surroundings confirmation device for vehicles in this embodiment can easily confirm the surroundings of the vehicle C, and can contribute to the improvement of traffic safety.

(Description of examples other than Examples)
In the above-described embodiment, the first imaging device 11 in which the imaging device images the area A1 directly below the rear of the vehicle C, and the side opposite to the driver seat side of the vehicle C, for example, the rear left area. It consists of the 2nd imaging device 12 which images A2. However, in the present invention, as the imaging device, a third imaging device that images the area behind the vehicle C, a fourth imaging device that images the side of the driver's side of the vehicle, for example, the rear right side area, Other imaging devices may be added. Moreover, in this invention, you may use one imaging device among the 1st imaging device 11, the 2nd imaging device 12, a 3rd imaging device, a 4th imaging device, and another imaging device. In this case, the changeover switch 24 and the video changeover unit 34 become unnecessary, and only one of the reverse switch 22 and the blinker switch 23 needs to be used.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, as a light / dark signal output device, an automatic dimmer device that detects light and dark surrounding the vehicle C and outputs the light / dark signal as a light / dark signal to the control device 3 and automatically adjusts the amount of light of the backlight 40; Based on the brightness of the surroundings of the vehicle C, the driver is turned ON / OFF and output to the control device 3 as a brightness / darkness signal to manually adjust the light quantity of the backlight 40. However, in the present invention, either an automatic dimmer device or a manual dimmer switch may be used.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the manual dimmer switch 25 is ON, that is, when the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 is dark, even if the reverse switch 22 and the blinker switch 23 are ON, the liquid crystal display device 4 This screen is for a process that does not become bright. However, in the present invention, when the manual dimmer switch 25 is turned on, that is, when the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 is dark, if the reverse switch 22 and the blinker switch 23 are turned on, the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 is brightened. It may be a processing step.

  In the above-described embodiment, the video processing unit 33 is built in the control device 3. However, in the present invention, the video processing unit may be built in the imaging device, or the video processing unit may be independent from the control device or the imaging device.

1 is a configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle surrounding confirmation device according to the present invention. Similarly, it is explanatory drawing with the installation position in the vehicle of a 1st imaging device (what is called a direct camera), and the area which images information. Similarly, it is explanatory drawing with the installation position in the vehicle of a 2nd imaging device (what is called a side camera or a side camera), and the area which images information. Similarly, it is a flowchart which shows the effect | action (procedure of process processing) of the control part of a control apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cargo compartment 11 1st imaging device 12 2nd imaging device 20 Power supply 21 Power switch 22 Reverse switch 23 Winker switch 24 Changeover switch 25 Dimmer switch 26 Optical sensor 3 Control apparatus 30 Power supply part 31 Inverter power supply 32 Control part 33 Image | video process part 34 Video switching unit 4 Liquid crystal display device 40 Backlight C Vehicle A1 Area behind the vehicle A2 Area on the left rear side of the vehicle

Claims (5)

In the vehicle surrounding confirmation device for confirming the surroundings of the vehicle by displaying information on the surroundings of the vehicle on the liquid crystal display device in the vehicle as an image
An imaging device for imaging information around the vehicle;
A control device for outputting information around the vehicle imaged by the imaging device to the liquid crystal display device as a video signal;
The liquid crystal display device comprising a backlight and displaying a video signal output from the control device as a video;
A light / dark signal output device for outputting a light / dark signal;
A vehicle signal output device for outputting a vehicle signal;
With
The controller is
The vehicle signal output device adjusts the light amount of the backlight based on the light / dark signal from the light / dark signal output device, and when the backlight is OFF or the light amount of the backlight is reduced. A controller that turns on the backlight or increases the amount of light of the backlight according to a vehicle signal from
A vehicle surrounding confirmation device.   The light / dark signal output device detects light and dark surrounding the vehicle and outputs it as a light / dark signal to the control unit to automatically adjust the ON / OFF of the backlight or the amount of light of the backlight, or the vehicle 2. A manual dimmer switch that is turned ON / OFF based on the brightness of the surrounding area and is output as a brightness signal to the control unit to manually adjust the ON / OFF of the backlight or the amount of light of the backlight. The vehicle surrounding confirmation device according to claim 1. The imaging device is an imaging device that captures information behind the vehicle,
The vehicle signal output device is a reverse switch that is turned on when the vehicle is retreated, and turned off when the vehicle is finished retreating,
The control device is configured to turn on the backlight or increase the light amount of the backlight by an ON signal from the reverse switch when the backlight is in an OFF state or in a state where the light amount of the backlight is reduced. Having a control unit,
The vehicle surrounding confirmation device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle surrounding confirmation device is provided. The imaging device is an imaging device that images information on the side of a vehicle,
The vehicle signal output device is a turn signal switch that is turned on when the vehicle is bent and turned off when the vehicle is finished bending,
The control device turns on the backlight or increases the light amount of the backlight by an ON signal from the blinker switch when the backlight is in an OFF state or in a state where the light amount of the backlight is reduced. Having a control unit,
The vehicle surrounding confirmation device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle surrounding confirmation device is provided. The imaging device is an imaging device that captures information behind the vehicle, and an imaging device that captures information on the side of the vehicle,
The vehicle signal output device is turned on when the vehicle moves backward, and turned off when the vehicle has finished moving backward, and turned on when the vehicle turns, and the vehicle A turn signal switch that turns off when the bend is finished,
The control device is configured to turn on at least one of an ON signal from the reverse switch and an ON signal from the blinker switch when the backlight is in an OFF state or a light amount of the backlight is reduced. The control unit that turns on the backlight or increases the amount of light of the backlight according to a signal,
The vehicle surrounding confirmation device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle surrounding confirmation device is provided.

Images