JP2008044475A - Vehicular periphery monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily acquire that respective images are photographed by which photographing means in a vehicular periphery monitoring device in which a plurality of photographing means are mounted to a periphery of the vehicle and the images from those photographing means are displayed on a common display means provided in a cabin. <P>SOLUTION: In order to discriminate that the photographed image in the respective photographing means 3, 4, 5 is the image by which photographing means, a display image preparation part 7 displays them on the display means by performing predetermined coloring processing on a frame or a scenery. Accordingly, for example, by recognizing the color in which a rear side image is made to a red base, the color in which a front lower image is made to a yellow base and a color in which a side image at an opposite side to a driver's seat, the driver can easily acquire that the respective images are photographed by which photographing means even if a picture is appropriately switched interlocking with gear operation or by switching operation of itself or is combined on one picture, and visibility of the monitor image can be enhanced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention attaches an imaging means around a vehicle such as an automobile and displays an image from the imaging means on a display means provided in a driver's seat or the like, thereby allowing the driver to grasp the surrounding situation and assisting driving. In particular, the present invention relates to a configuration in which a plurality of imaging units are used and selectively or divided into screens and displayed on a common display unit.

As described above, a plurality of image pickup means are mounted around the vehicle, and an image from the image pickup means is appropriately displayed on the display means provided in the driver's seat, thereby allowing the driver to grasp the surrounding situation and driving assistance. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that performs the above-described process. According to the prior art, for example, when the shift position is the R range (during reverse movement), the rear image is displayed, and when the shift position is the D range (during forward movement), the left and right camera images are divided and displayed on the display means. However, it is shown that when the steering wheel is operated, the image on the traveling direction side is displayed larger and the image on the opposite side is displayed smaller.
JP 2005-186648 A

  In the above-described prior art, the screen is appropriately switched in conjunction with the gear operation or by the switching operation of the driver, or combined with one screen, and the driver knows the surrounding situation as described above. It is effective to make it. However, in some cases, it may become impossible to grasp which imaging means has captured the currently displayed image. For example, if there are few cars parked around in a large parking lot that only displays the parking frame, the monitor images captured by the front and rear imaging means will be similar to the display of the parking frame. It becomes difficult to know which image is picked up by which image pickup means.

  An object of the present invention is to display an image being displayed by which imaging means when displaying images from a plurality of imaging means mounted around the vehicle on a common display means provided in the vehicle. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle periphery monitoring device that allows a driver to easily grasp this.

  The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to the present invention is a vehicle periphery monitoring device in which a plurality of image pickup means are attached around the vehicle, and images from these image pickup means are displayed on a common display means provided in the vehicle. And an image processing means for providing the common display means with an image signal obtained by adding a signal for identifying the imaging means to the picked-up image of each of the image pickup means.

  According to the above configuration, a plurality of imaging units are attached around a vehicle such as an automobile, and images from these imaging units are selectively or divided into screens on a common display unit provided in a driver's seat or the like. By displaying, in a monitor device that allows the driver to grasp the surrounding situation and to support driving, an image processing unit is interposed between each imaging unit and the display unit, and the captured image is captured by the image processing unit. Then, a signal for identifying the image picked up by which image pickup means is added and displayed on the common display means.

  Therefore, if the signal to be added is a color signal, for example, the background and the frame of the captured image are colored, for example, the rear image is a red base, the front lower image is a yellow base, and the opposite side of the driver seat By recognizing the correspondence between each imaging means such as blue base and the color of the side image, the driver can switch the screen appropriately in conjunction with the gear operation or by his own switching operation. Even if they are combined on the screen, it is possible to easily grasp which imaging means each image was captured, and to improve the visibility of the monitor image.

  In addition, the vehicle periphery monitoring device of the present invention includes an operation unit that selects the imaging unit, and includes a display unit in or near the operation unit, in response to an operation on the operation unit. An imaging unit corresponding to an image to be displayed on the common display unit can be selected, and the display unit responds to an operation to the operation unit and corresponds to a color signal added by the image processing unit. It further comprises switching means for performing color display.

  According to the above configuration, when providing the switching unit that selects the imaging unit corresponding to the image to be displayed on the common display unit, the switching unit includes the operation unit for performing the selection operation and the operation unit. And a display unit provided in the vicinity thereof. The display unit performs color display corresponding to the background or frame coloring process performed by the image processing unit in response to an operation on the operation unit.

  Therefore, for example, if the driver wants to check the rear image, he / she only operates the switching means without checking the display means, such as operating the operation part so that the display part turns red. An image in a desired imaging range can be selected, and operability can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the vehicle periphery monitoring device of the present invention, the display unit is configured to be capable of displaying characters, and performs character display for identifying the imaging means together with the color display.

  According to the above configuration, the display unit is configured to include a variable color backlight on the liquid crystal panel, and in response to an operation on the operation unit, a color display corresponding to the color processing in the image processing unit is performed. At the same time, using the color display as the background color, for example, a character display representing the imaging range such as “rear image” is also displayed.

  Therefore, when the operation is performed while only looking at the switching means as described above, an image in a desired imaging range can be selected more reliably.

  Further, in the vehicle periphery monitoring device of the present invention, the switching unit is composed of a single operation unit including a display unit, and in response to an operation to the operation unit, the common display unit includes the plurality of display units. The image pickup means are sequentially selected one by one.

  According to said structure, the said switching means consists of a single operation part incorporating a display part, and the said common display means selects the imaging means cyclically in response to operation to the said operation part. I will do it.

  Therefore, there is no need to provide switching means corresponding to each of the plurality of imaging means, and space saving can be achieved.

  As described above, the vehicle periphery monitoring device of the present invention is provided with a plurality of imaging means around a vehicle such as an automobile, and a common display means provided with images from those imaging means in a driver's seat or the like. By selectively displaying or dividing the screen, the driver can grasp the surrounding situation, and in the monitor device that supports driving, an image processing unit is interposed between the imaging unit and the display unit. In the image processing means, a signal for identifying which image pickup means is an image picked up by the image pickup means is added and displayed on the common display means.

  Therefore, if the image processing is, for example, a background or captured image frame coloring process, for example, the rear image is a red base, the front lower image is a yellow base, the side image opposite to the driver's seat is a blue base, etc. By recognizing the predetermined mode, the driver can change the screen appropriately in conjunction with the gear operation, or by the switching operation of the driver, or can be combined into one screen. It can be easily ascertained by which imaging means the image is captured, and the visibility of the monitor image can be improved.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view for explaining the overall configuration of a vehicle periphery monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle periphery monitoring device includes imaging means 3, 4, 5 provided on the side opposite to the front and rear of the vehicle 1 and the driver's seat 2 (FIG. 1 is a right-hand drive vehicle and the right side of the vehicle 1). Select the picked-up images from these image pickup means 3, 4 and 5 alternatively, or display means 6 for display in combination with one screen, and select the image to be displayed on the display means, A display image creation unit 7 that processes the image as described later, a shift position sensor 8 that detects a shift position and realizes automatic selection of the display image in conjunction with the detection result, and the display image And switching means 9 for realizing manual selection.

  Each of the imaging means 3, 4 and 5 is composed of a video camera such as a CCD or a CMOS, and may be provided with a zoom mechanism or a tilt / pan mechanism as necessary. In addition to visible light, infrared light is also provided. Or the like, and the resolution, frame rate, etc. are arbitrary. The image pickup means 3 attached to the front of the vehicle 1 is provided, for example, in a grill or the like, and is particularly provided to supplement the vision of the front and lower side of the vehicle 1. The imaging means 4 attached to the rear of the vehicle 1 is provided, for example, in a trunk portion, a bumper portion, a high-mount brake lamp portion, and the like, and is particularly provided to supplement the vision behind the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the image pickup means 5 attached to the side of the vehicle 1 is provided, for example, in a center pillar or the like, and is particularly provided to supplement the vision on the side opposite to the driver seat 2. Each of the imaging means 3, 4, 5 is activated (powered) by the display image creation unit 7 as necessary, and the captured image is input to the display image creation unit 7. In FIG. 1, an example of the imaging range of each imaging means 3, 4, 5 is indicated by reference numerals 3A, 4A, 5A.

  Outputs from the shift position sensor 8 and the switching means 9 are input to the display image creation unit 7, and the display position of the display image creation unit 7 is, for example, an R range (during reverse) by the shift position sensor 8. When it is detected that the rear image is detected, the rear image by the imaging unit 4 is displayed on the display unit 6, and the front image by the imaging unit 3 is displayed on the display unit 6 while the shift position is in the D range (during forward movement). When displayed or switched by the switching means 9, the captured images of the imaging means 3, 4 and 5 are selectively selected (cyclically) and displayed.

  The display image creating unit 7 and the display means 6 can also serve as, for example, a navigation device. For example, the rear image is displayed while the shift position is in the R range, and the navigation is performed while the shift position is in the N range. When the D range is reached, the front image is displayed, and after a while or when a predetermined speed is reached, the navigation image is switched to, for example, the navigation image and the imaging means according to the shift position and the driver's operation. What is necessary is just to switch between the captured images of 3, 4, and 5. The display image creation unit 7 is configured by including a peripheral circuit and the like in a microcomputer, and the display means 6 is realized by a liquid crystal display device or the like, and is installed near the driver's seat 2 in the vehicle.

  It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the display image creating unit 7 that is an image processing unit outputs each imaging unit to the image signal displayed on the display unit 6 that is commonly used by the imaging units 3, 4, and 5. A color signal indicating which of the image pickup means 3, 4, and 5 is taken is added, and identification display is performed with a predetermined color for each image pickup means 3, 4, and 5.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of such image processing, and shows an example in which a frame of an image displayed on the display means 6 is colored. For example, the rear image shown in FIG. 2 (a) is a red frame FR, the front lower image shown in FIG. 2 (b) is a yellow frame FY, and the side opposite to the driver seat shown in FIG. 2 (c). The image is indicated by a blue frame FB.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining another example of image processing, and shows an example in which the background of the image displayed on the display means 6 is colored. For example, the rear image shown in FIG. 3A is a red background BR, the front lower image shown in FIG. 3B is a yellow background BY, and the side opposite to the driver seat shown in FIG. The image is shown with a blue background BB.

  These figures illustrate images in a parking lot. The side images shown in FIGS. 2C and 3C reflect the vehicle body side 11 and the door mirror 12 and can be recognized relatively easily as side images. In these drawings, the parked vehicles 13, 14, and 15 are shown. From the direction and the like, the rear images shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 3 (a), and FIGS. 2 (b) and 3 are shown. The front image shown in (b) can be recognized.

  However, as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), when there are no parked vehicles 13, 14, and 15, the white lines 16 and 17 of the parking space are both shown, and the rear image is shown. The driver may not be able to recognize whether there is a front image.

  Therefore, by performing the frame coloring process as shown in FIG. 2 and the background coloring process as shown in FIG. If the relationship between the captured image and the captured image is perceived, it is possible to easily grasp whether the rear image or the front image is reflected. Thus, the visibility of the monitor image can be improved. In the display image, characters such as “rear image” and “front image” may be displayed together, or only character display may be performed instead of the above-described coloring process. Alternatively, the steering angle may be detected and the route of the vehicle 1 may be combined and displayed as indicated by reference numeral 18 in FIG.

  Although the above example shows an example in which an image displayed on the display unit 6 is selected in response to the shift position or the driver's operation, the display unit 6 is used for the navigation or television. When displaying a John image or the like and displaying a relatively large image, a combined image as shown in FIG. 5 may be displayed. In the example of FIG. 5, the side images shown in FIG. 2 (c) and FIG. 3 (c) are shown on the left side of the screen, and the front side shown in FIG. 2 (b) and FIG. An example is shown in which the rear image shown in FIG. 2A or FIG. 3A is displayed on the lower right side from the center of the screen. Further, in FIG. 5, the colored display is shown by an example in which the same frames FR, FY, and FB as in FIG. 2 are colored. Further, when displaying a combined image in this way, the size ratio of the image may be changed in accordance with the traveling direction (not only forward / backward but also right / left turn) and speed.

  It should also be noted that the switching means 9 is composed of an internally illuminating switch, and the color of the internal illumination changes corresponding to the switching output. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the switch 21 as an example of the switching means 9, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the switch 21. The switch 21 is provided on the handle 22, and corresponds to the operation of the translucent operation button 23 operated by the driver, the internal illumination 24 embedded in the operation button 23, and the operation button 23. And a switch body 25 for outputting data. The operation buttons 23 and the switch body 25 constitute an operation unit, and the internal illumination 24 constitutes a display unit.

  The switch body 25 circulates (cyclically) outputs 2-bit data in response to the operation of the operation button 23, and switches the color of the internal illumination in response to the output data. For example, when data “0” is output, the display image creating unit 7 does not switch the display image, and the internal illumination 24 of the switch 21 is turned off as shown in FIG. . When the switch 21 is pressed once from this state, data “1” is output. In response to this, the display image creating unit 7 switches the display image to the rear image by the imaging means 4 and the internal illumination 24 As shown in FIG. 8B, the light is red. Further, when the switch 21 is pressed once, data “2” is output, and in response to this, the display image creation unit 7 switches the display image to the front image by the imaging means 3 and the internal illumination 24 Lights up yellow as shown in FIG. Further, when the switch 21 is pressed once, data “3” is output, and in response to this, the display image creating unit 7 switches the display image to a side image by the imaging means 5, and the internal illumination 24 Lights up in blue as shown in FIG. Further, when the switch 21 is pressed once, data “0” is output, and the internal illumination 24 is turned off as shown in FIG.

  In the above description, the switch body 25 outputs data that can identify the switching state, and the internal illumination 24 is turned on / off and discolored correspondingly, but the switch body 25 is simply operated each time it is operated. The contact output may be derived, and the display image creation unit 7 may perform cyclic image switching in response to it, and may control the turning on / off of the internal illumination 24 and the color change.

  Thus, when the switching means 9 for selecting the imaging means corresponding to the image to be displayed on the common display means 6 is provided, the switching means 9 displays the color display corresponding to the coloring process in the display image creating section 7. By configuring the switch 21 to be performed, the driver can check the rear image, for example, by operating the operation button 23 so that the internal illumination 24 becomes red, without checking the display means 6. It is possible to select a desired image of the image pickup means simply by operating while looking only at the switching means 9, and the operability can be improved.

  Further, the switching means 9 is constituted by the single switch 21 with the internal illumination 24 capable of emitting variable colors as described above, so that the switching means corresponding to each of the plurality of imaging means 3, 4 and 5 can be provided. There is no need to provide it, and space can be saved.

  Furthermore, it is preferable to use a switch capable of displaying characters on the operation button 23 as the switching means 9. For example, a small liquid crystal panel having a free pattern is used as the operation button 23, and the internal illumination 24 serves as a variable color backlight.

  In this case, for example, the display as shown in FIG. 9 corresponding to FIG. 8 is performed. That is, when the internal illumination 24 is turned off, no characters are displayed as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the internal illumination 24 is lit red, as shown in FIG. 9B, “REAR” is displayed, and when the internal illumination 24 is lit yellow, as shown in FIG. 9C. When “FRONT” is displayed and the internal illumination 24 is lit in blue, “SIDE” is displayed as shown in FIG. 9D.

  By configuring in this way, it is possible to more reliably select a desired image of the imaging means when operating while only looking at the switching means 9 as described above.

  Here, in JP-A-2005-130011, when displaying an image around the vehicle (side opposite to the driver's seat) with a head-mounted display, a frame is displayed on the image from the imaging means, A vehicle monitoring apparatus has been proposed in which a real image passing through a windshield and a virtual image obtained by the head-mounted display can be distinguished by colored display. However, it is also suggested that it is possible to specify which imaging means is used to identify the image from a plurality of imaging means while sharing the dedicated display means and displaying images selectively or in combination. Nor.

It is a top view for demonstrating the whole structure of the vehicle periphery monitoring apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the image processing of one Embodiment of this invention which makes clear which image pick-up means is displaying the image from the some image pick-up means provided around the vehicle. . It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the image processing of other form of implementation of this invention which makes clear which imaging means is displaying the image from the some imaging means provided around the vehicle. is there. It is a figure which shows the example of the image for a comparison with the said FIG. 2 and FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display which applied the image processing shown in the said FIG. 2 to another display mode. It is a perspective view which shows the switch vicinity as an example of the switching means of several imaging means. It is sectional drawing of the said switch. It is a figure for demonstrating lighting / extinction of the said switch, and a color change. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of a display of the said switch.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 2 Driver's seat 3, 4, 5 Image pick-up means 6 Display means 7 Display image preparation part 8 Shift position sensor 9 Switching means 21 Switch 22 Handle 22 Operation button 24 Internal illumination 25 Switch body

Claims (7)

In the vehicle periphery monitoring device in which a plurality of imaging means are attached around the vehicle, and images from these imaging means are displayed on a common display means provided in the vehicle.
A vehicle periphery monitoring device, comprising: an image processing unit that supplies an image signal obtained by adding a signal for identifying the imaging unit to the captured image of each imaging unit to the common display unit.   2. The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the signal for identifying the imaging means is a color signal in a predetermined mode.   The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein the image processing unit adds the color signal to a background of the captured image.   The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein the image processing unit adds the color signal to a frame of the captured image.   It has an operation unit for selecting the imaging means and a display unit in or near the operation unit, and corresponds to an image to be displayed on the common display means in response to an operation on the operation unit The display unit further includes a switching unit that performs color display corresponding to the color signal added by the image processing unit in response to an operation on the operation unit. The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.   6. The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to claim 5, wherein the display unit is configured to be capable of displaying characters, and performs character display for identifying the imaging means together with the color display.   The switching unit is composed of a single operation unit with a built-in display unit, and the common display unit sequentially selects the plurality of imaging units in response to an operation on the operation unit. The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to claim 5 or 6.

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