JP2008024085A - Camera device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly and surely perform an optical axis aligning work of a lens provided in a camera device by a driver in the camera device for photographing images of eyeballs or the vicinities of eyelids of the driver. <P>SOLUTION: A through hole having a center shaft parallel to an optical axis of the lens provided in this camera device is opened in a body of equipment of the camera device. Alternatively, a hole having a center shaft parallel to the optical axis of the lens provided in the camera device is dug in the body of equipment. In this case, a light emitting means may be provided in a bottom part of the hole. Alternatively, a through pipe having a center shaft parallel to the optical axis of the lens provided in the camera device is provided in the body of equipment. Alternatively, the body of equipment of the camera device is provided with rear sight and front sight so that a line for viewing the front sight from the rear sight may be parallel to the optical axis of the lens provided in the camera device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention detects the driver's gaze direction in order to analyze the driver's gaze direction while driving the vehicle, or detects the driver's blink in order to detect the driver's arousal level. Sometimes, it is used for a camera device that captures an image of a driver's eyeball or eyelid. Especially for heavy commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses.

  By analyzing the direction of the driver's line of sight while driving the vehicle, the passenger car has a device that detects the driver's attention or detects the driver's blink to detect the driver's arousal level. It is being put into practical use (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In order to realize such a device, it is indispensable to install a camera device capable of capturing an image near the driver's eyeball or eyelid with high accuracy in the cab.

JP-A-7-167618

  The cabin of large commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses is so wide that it cannot be compared with passenger cars, and the adjustment range of the handle position and seat position is so large that it cannot be compared with passenger cars. Furthermore, in large commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses, the driver is generally not fixed because of the shift system, and drivers of various heights and physiques use one vehicle.

  Under such circumstances, it is necessary to perform an operation for matching the optical axis of the lens of the camera device with a position near the driver's eyeball or eyelid every time the driver gets on the vehicle. It is desirable that such work be performed quickly and reliably without causing the driver to feel bothersome.

  The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera device that can quickly and reliably perform an optical axis alignment operation of a lens of a camera device by a driver. To do.

  The present invention is a camera device that is provided in a driver's cab of a vehicle and shoots an image of a driver's eyeball or eyelid. A feature of the present invention is that the optical axis of a lens included in the camera device is determined by the driver. Is provided with optical axis adjustment assisting means for assisting in matching the position to the vicinity of the eyeball or eyelid.

  By providing such an optical axis adjustment assisting means, the optical axis alignment operation of the lens of the camera device by the driver can be performed quickly and reliably.

  The optical axis adjustment assisting means is characterized in that a through hole having a central axis parallel to the optical axis of the lens of the own camera device is opened in the housing of the own camera device. The driver can make the optical axis coincide with the position of the driver's own eyeball or eyelid by adjusting the position of the camera device so that the scenery beyond the through hole can be seen.

  Alternatively, the optical axis adjustment assisting means is characterized in that a hole having a central axis parallel to the optical axis of the lens of the own camera device is dug in the housing of the own camera device. According to this, by adjusting the position of the camera device so that the bottom of the hole can be seen, it is possible to make the optical axis coincide with the position of the driver's own eyeball or eyelid.

  In this case, it is desirable that a light emitting means is provided at the bottom of the hole. According to this, by adjusting the position of the camera device so that the light source of the light emitting means can be visually recognized even when the bottom of the hole is dark and difficult to see or at night, the optical axis is adjusted to the driver's own eyeball or It can be matched to the position near the heel.

  Alternatively, the optical axis adjustment assisting means is characterized in that a through tube having a central axis parallel to the optical axis of the lens of the own camera device is provided in the housing of the own camera device. The driver can make the optical axis coincide with the position of the driver's own eyeball or eyelid by adjusting the position of the camera device so that the scenery beyond the through tube can be seen.

  Alternatively, the optical axis adjustment assisting means is an illuminator and a turret provided in a housing of the own camera device. The apparatus is provided so as to be parallel to the optical axis of a lens included in the apparatus. The driver can make the optical axis coincide with the position of the driver's own eyeball or eyelid by adjusting the position of the camera device so that the star can be seen from the turret.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the optical axis alignment operation | work of the lens which the camera apparatus by a driver has can be performed rapidly and reliably.

  Prior to describing the camera device of the embodiment of the present invention, a wakefulness detection device to which the camera device of the present embodiment is applied will be described. As a result, the scope of application of the camera device of the present embodiment is not limited to the arousal level detection device, and as described above, the driver's line of sight is analyzed to analyze the driver's line-of-sight direction while driving the vehicle. The present invention can be applied to any device that is required to photograph the vicinity of the driver's eyeball or eyelid, such as a device that detects the line-of-sight direction.

  A wakefulness detection device to which the camera device of this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a wakefulness detection device. As shown in FIG. 1, the arousal level detection device detects a driver's arousal level and, based on the detection result, detects a decrease in the driver's arousal level, the arousal level that issues a warning to the driver. A detection ECU (Electric Control Unit) 3 is provided.

  The camera device 1 captures the driver's blink and outputs the video information to the arousal level detection ECU 3. The arousal level detection ECU 3 detects the driver's arousal level based on the video information of the driver's blink. The procedure for detecting the arousal level will be described in detail later. In addition, since the infrared ray projector 2 can irradiate the driver's face with infrared rays, stable photographing can be performed even at night. In addition, since infrared rays outside the visible region are used, the driver does not recognize infrared irradiation, and driving is not hindered by infrared irradiation.

  When the arousal level detection ECU 3 detects a decrease in the driver's arousal level, the alarm level is output to the speaker 4 and the display unit 5. Thus, the driver is awakened by sound or voice and light (display). The alarm output is stopped until the next decrease in the arousal level is detected when the driver presses the alarm release switch 6.

  Next, the operation of the arousal level detection ECU 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for detecting the arousal level. The arousal level detection ECU 3 acquires video information obtained by photographing the driver's blinking state from the camera device 1 (S1), and counts the number of blinks per unit time (S2). The unit time is, for example, 5 seconds. If the count result is less than the threshold (S3), a warning is output if a decrease in the driver's arousal level is detected (S4).

  That is, if it is statistically known that blinking occurs once or twice per unit time (for example, 5 seconds) in the awake state, when blinking is not counted once per unit time. It can be determined that the degree of arousal has decreased.

  If the state in which the decrease in the arousal level is detected continues for a predetermined time or longer (S5), it is determined that the driver's blink is not photographed correctly (S6). The predetermined time is, for example, 5 minutes.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an alarm output procedure. The arousal level detection ECU 3 acquires the arousal level detection information by analyzing the video information of the driver's blink photographed by the camera device 1, and acquires the vehicle speed information from the vehicle ECU 7 (S10). If the arousal level detection information detects a decrease in the arousal level (S11) and the vehicle is not stopped from the vehicle speed information (S12), it is determined that the driver may fall asleep and alarm Output is performed (S13). With this alarm output, an alarm sound or sound is transmitted from the speaker 4, and an alarm or display by light is performed from the display unit 5. When the driver is awakened by receiving the alarm output and the alarm is released by pressing the alarm release switch 6 (S14), the alarm output is stopped (S15).

  At this time, if the driver's blink is not normally photographed by the camera device 1, a decrease in the arousal level is continuously detected for a long time, and the alarm is output again immediately after the driver releases the alarm. End up. In such a case, the driver can recognize that the blink is not normally captured by the camera device 1.

  The reason why the blink is not captured normally includes, for example, that the orientation of the camera device 1 has changed due to some impact, or that the driver put on glasses or sunglasses.

  The camera device 1 of the present embodiment is applied to, for example, the arousal level detection device as described above, and immediately after the driver is seated in the driver's seat or as described above, the orientation of the camera device 1 is changed by some impact. In such a case, the orientation of the camera device 1 can be corrected quickly and reliably.

  The following embodiment is an embodiment of an optical axis adjustment assisting means for assisting the driver in matching the optical axis of the lens of the camera device 1 with the position near his / her own eyeball or eyelid.

(First Example)
The camera device 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the camera apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the first embodiment is characterized in that a through hole 12 having a central axis parallel to the optical axis of the lens 11 included in the camera device 1 is a housing 10 of the camera device 1. It is in the place opened by.

  After the driver is seated at a predetermined position in the driver's seat, the driver checks the through hole 12 of the camera device 1, and if the scenery behind the camera device 1 can be seen through the through hole 12 from the seated position, the optical axis of the lens 11 is The camera device 1 can be confirmed to be able to normally photograph the driver's eyeball or eyelid.

(Second embodiment)
A camera device 1 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the camera apparatus 1 of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side view of the hole 13 in the camera device 1 of the second embodiment. The feature of the second embodiment is that, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a hole 13 having a central axis parallel to the optical axis of the lens 11 of the own camera device 1 is formed in the housing of the own camera device 1. It is in the place dug in the body 10.

  After the driver sits at a predetermined position of the driver's seat, the driver checks the hole 13 of the camera device 1 and if the bottom of the hole 13 can be seen from the seated position, the optical axis of the lens 11 is almost the driver's eyeball or eyelid. It can be confirmed that the camera device 1 can normally photograph the driver's eyeball or eyelid. It is desirable to improve the visibility by applying a fluorescent paint to the bottom of the hole 13 to increase the reflectance of light.

(Third embodiment)
A camera device 1 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of light emitting means in the camera device 1 of the third embodiment. A feature of the third embodiment is that, as shown in FIG. 7, an LED 14 is provided as a light emitting means at the bottom of the hole 13. As a result, by visually recognizing the LED 14 at the bottom of the hole 13 even in a dark place or at night, the optical axis of the lens 11 is almost in the vicinity of the driver's eyeball or eyelid. Or it can be confirmed that the shoots of the cocoons can be performed normally.

  The power source 15 of the LED 14 may incorporate a battery in the camera device 1 or may share the power source of the camera device 1 (supplied from an in-vehicle battery). The switch 16 is useful for extending the life of the battery when the camera device 1 has a built-in battery. The switch 16 is turned on only when the driver performs optical axis alignment. However, when the camera device 1 and the LED 14 share a power source, there is no utility of providing the switch 16 in particular. Further, when the power supply of the LED 14 is shared with the power supply of the camera apparatus 1, the LED 14 can be used as an operation confirmation lamp of the camera apparatus 1.

(Fourth embodiment)
A camera apparatus 1 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the camera apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment. A feature of the fourth embodiment is that, as shown in FIG. 8, a through-tube 17 having a central axis parallel to the optical axis of the lens 11 included in the camera device 1 is a housing 10 of the camera device 1. It is in place provided.

  After the driver is seated at a predetermined position of the driver's seat, the driver confirms the through pipe 17 and if the scenery behind the camera device 1 can be seen through the through pipe 17 from the seated position, the optical axis of the lens 11 is almost the driver. The camera device 1 can confirm that the driver's eyeball or eyelid can be photographed normally.

  The through hole 12 of the first embodiment or the hole 13 of the second embodiment needs to be processed in advance with respect to the housing 10, but the through pipe 17 of the fourth embodiment is formed by using the existing housing 10. Can be additionally installed.

(Fifth embodiment)
A camera apparatus 1 according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the camera apparatus 1 of the fifth embodiment. The feature of the fifth embodiment is that, as shown in FIG. 9, the housing 10 of the camera device 1 is provided with an sight 19 and a sight 18, The line looking from the sight 18 to the sight 19 is provided so as to be parallel to the optical axis of the lens 11 of the camera device 1.

  After the driver is seated at a predetermined position of the driver's seat, if the sight 19 can be seen through the sight 18 from the seated position, the optical axis of the lens 11 is almost in the vicinity of the driver's eyeball or eyelid, and the camera device 1 Confirms that the driver's eyeball or eyelid can be photographed normally.

  The through hole 12 of the first embodiment or the hole 13 of the second embodiment needs to be processed in advance on the housing 10, but the sight 18 and the sight star 19 of the fifth embodiment are the existing ones. It can be additionally installed in the case 10.

  According to the present invention, since the driver can quickly and reliably perform the optical axis alignment operation of the lens included in the camera device, the driver's line-of-sight direction is analyzed in order to analyze the driver's line-of-sight direction during driving of the vehicle. By applying this to a device that detects a driver or a device that detects a driver's blink in order to detect the driver's arousal level, it is possible to quickly and reliably obtain high-precision video information required for these devices. be able to.

  In particular, by applying it to large commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses that are frequently operated by the driver, the optical axis alignment work of the camera device can be performed quickly and reliably for drivers of various heights or physiques. Can contribute to ensuring the safety of vehicle operation.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a wakefulness detection device to which a camera device of the present embodiment is applied. The flowchart which shows the detection procedure of an arousal level. The flowchart which shows a warning output procedure. The perspective view of the camera apparatus of a 1st Example. The perspective view of the camera apparatus of a 2nd Example. The figure which looked at the hole in the camera apparatus of a 2nd Example from the side. The block diagram of the light emission means in the camera apparatus of a 3rd Example. The perspective view of the camera apparatus of 4th Example. The perspective view of the camera apparatus of 5th Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera apparatus 2 Infrared projector 3 Arousal level detection ECU
4 Speaker 5 Display 6 Alarm Cancel Switch 7 Vehicle ECU
10 Housing 11 Lens 12 Through-hole 13 Hole 14 LED
15 Power supply 16 Switch 17 Through pipe 18 Terumon 19

Claims (6)

In a camera device that is provided in a driver's cab of a vehicle and shoots an image of a driver's eyeball or eyelid,
A camera apparatus comprising: an optical axis adjustment assisting means for assisting a driver in aligning an optical axis of a lens included in the own camera apparatus with a position in the vicinity of his / her own eyeball or eyelid.   The camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis adjustment assisting means has a through-hole having a central axis parallel to an optical axis of a lens included in the camera apparatus opened in a housing of the camera apparatus.   The camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis adjustment assisting unit has a hole having a central axis parallel to an optical axis of a lens included in the own camera apparatus dug in a housing of the own camera apparatus.   The camera device according to claim 3, wherein a light emitting means is provided at a bottom of the hole.   The camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis adjustment assisting means is provided with a through tube having a central axis parallel to an optical axis of a lens of the camera apparatus provided in a housing of the camera apparatus.   The optical axis adjustment assisting means is an illuminator and a turret provided in a housing of the own camera device. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein the camera device is provided so as to be parallel to an optical axis of a lens having the lens.

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