JP2010000963A - Wiper replacement warning device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wiper replacement warning device enabling a user to acknowledge the most suitable time for replacing a wiper. <P>SOLUTION: Uneven wiped part is detected by an uneven wiped part detecting part 5 in response to a photographed window image taken by a camera 2 after performing a wiping action carried out by a wiper 3. When it is diagnosed with a diagnosis processing part 6 that the wiped part at a window is inferior, a warning to promote a replacement work for the wiper 3 is outputted to cause a user to acknowledge the most suitable replacement time corresponding to an actual worn state of the wiper 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wiper replacement warning device, and more particularly, to a wiper replacement warning device suitable for a user to grasp a wiper replacement timing.

  Conventionally, in an in-vehicle device, as one of car maintenance information, a wiper replacement time is displayed on a display in a vehicle to allow a user to grasp the wiper replacement time (for example, Patent Documents). 1 and 2).

JP 2006-96060 A JP 7-311312 A

  However, conventionally, the wiper replacement time displayed on the vehicle-mounted device has been uniform depending on the product life of a general wiper and the previous wiper replacement date, so the wiper wear is more than usual. However, when the wearer wears less than expected, there is a problem that the user cannot grasp the optimum replacement time of the wiper.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wiper replacement warning device that allows a user to know the optimal replacement time of a wiper.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a wiper replacement warning device according to the present invention diagnoses a wiper that is detachably attached to a vehicle, and outputs a warning prompting the replacement of the wiper according to the diagnosis result. A camera installed in the vehicle of the vehicle and capable of photographing a window in the vehicle capable of being wiped off by the wiper, and a video image of the window by the camera; Based on the captured image of the window after the latest wiping operation by the wiper is performed, detection means formed so as to detect a wiping failure of the window, and based on the detection result of the detection means, the wiper It is configured to make a diagnosis, and when the wiping failure is detected by the detection means, a diagnosis result indicating that the wiper needs to be replaced is output. And a warning output means configured to output a warning prompting the replacement of the wiper when a diagnostic result indicating that the wiper needs to be replaced is output by the diagnostic means. It is characterized by that.

  And according to such a configuration, when a window wiping failure is detected based on a captured image of the window after the wiping operation by the wiper is performed, by outputting a warning prompting the replacement of the wiper, The user can be made aware of the optimal replacement time according to the actual wear state of the wiper.

  In addition, when the wiping operation is performed, the first storage unit that stores a captured image of the window before the wiping operation is performed, and the detection unit is configured to perform the wiping operation after the wiping operation is performed. By comparing a captured image of the window with a captured image of the window before the wiping operation stored in the first storage unit, the wiping failure may be detected.

  And according to such a structure, a wiping defect can be detected more correctly by comparing the picked-up image of the window before and behind a wiping operation | work.

  Or the said detection means may be formed so that the said wiping defect can be detected based on the luminance distribution of the picked-up image of the said window after the said wiping work was performed.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately detect a wiping failure based on the luminance distribution.

  Alternatively, it comprises second storage means for storing a photographed image of the window after the first wiping operation by the wiper at the time when the wiper is mounted on the vehicle, and the detection means includes the latest The wiping operation is performed by comparing the captured image of the window after the wiping operation is performed with the captured image of the window after the initial wiping operation stored in the second storage unit. It may be formed so that a defect can be detected.

  And according to such a configuration, the wiping failure is detected more accurately by comparing the windowed video after the first wiping operation at the beginning of wiper replacement with the windowed video after the latest wiping operation. can do.

  Further, an instruction means for instructing execution of the wiper diagnosis, and when the instruction means instructs execution of the wiper diagnosis, the wiper is driven to perform the latest wiping operation on the wiper. Wiper driving means formed so as to cause the wiper drive means to start detecting the wiping failure when the instruction means instructs execution of the wiper diagnosis. Also good.

  According to such a configuration, the user can perform wiper diagnosis only when necessary and acquire the presence or absence of a warning as a diagnosis result, so that convenience can be improved.

  Furthermore, the warning output means may be configured to output the warning by at least one of image display and audio output.

  According to such a configuration, the user can easily grasp that it is time to replace the wiper by at least one of warning display and audio output.

  According to the present invention, the user can be made aware of the optimal replacement time for the wiper.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a wiper replacement warning device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a wiper replacement warning device 1 in the present embodiment. The wiper replacement warning device 1 according to the present embodiment is capable of diagnosing the performance of a wiper provided in a vehicle and outputting a warning prompting the replacement of the wiper according to the diagnosis result.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the wiper replacement warning device 1 in the present embodiment has a camera 2 installed in a vehicle, and the camera 2 has a windshield as a vehicle window from the inside of the vehicle. You can shoot. A wiper 3 is detachably mounted in the vicinity of the windshield, and the wiper 3 can wipe the windshield.

  The camera 2 is connected with a wiping unevenness detection unit 5 as a detecting means, and the wiping unevenness detection unit 5 can acquire a video image taken by the camera 2 on the windshield.

  The wiping unevenness detection unit 5 is a photographed image of the windshield acquired from the camera 2, and based on the photographed image of the windshield immediately after the latest (in other words, current) wiping operation by the wiper 3 is performed. It is possible to detect wiping unevenness as wiping failure of the windshield.

  The wiping unevenness detection unit 5 is connected to a diagnosis processing unit 6 as a diagnostic unit, and the diagnosis processing unit 6 can acquire the detection result of the wiping unevenness detection unit 5. The diagnosis processing unit 6 is configured to diagnose the performance of the wiper 3 based on the detection result acquired from the wiping unevenness detection unit 5 and output the diagnosis result. Specifically, when the wiping unevenness is detected by the wiping unevenness detection unit 5, the diagnosis processing unit 6 outputs a diagnosis result indicating that the wiper 3 needs to be replaced, and no wiping unevenness is detected. In such a case, a diagnosis result indicating that the wiper 3 need not be replaced is output.

  A warning output unit 7 as a warning output unit is connected to the diagnosis processing unit 6, and a display 8 and a speaker 10 are connected to the warning output unit 7, respectively.

  The warning output unit 7 is input with the diagnosis result output from the diagnosis processing unit 6. Then, when the input diagnosis result is a diagnosis result indicating that the wiper 3 needs to be replaced, the warning output unit 7 generates a warning message and a warning sound as a warning prompting the wiper 3 to be replaced. It is like that. The warning output unit 7 displays the generated warning message on the display 8 and outputs the warning by outputting the generated warning voice through the speaker 10. The warning output unit 7 may be configured by a drawing IC, a voice IC, or the like.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a warning that prompts the user to replace the wiper 3 when the wiping unevenness of the windshield is detected based on the image taken on the windshield immediately after the latest wiping operation by the wiper 3 is performed. , The user can be made aware of the optimal replacement time according to the actual wear state of the wiper 3.

  In addition to the above configuration, in the present embodiment, the diagnosis processing unit 6 is connected to a diagnosis execution instruction unit 11 as an instruction unit, and the user can use the diagnosis execution instruction unit 11 to wipe the wiper. The diagnosis processing unit 6 can be instructed to execute the diagnosis 3. The diagnosis execution instruction unit 11 may be a remote control, a touch panel of the display 8 or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the diagnosis processing unit 6 is connected to a wiper driving unit 12 as a wiper driving unit and a window washer liquid ejection unit 14, and the wiper driving unit 12 is connected to the wiper 3. ing.

  The diagnosis processing unit 6 controls the operations of the wiper driving unit 12 and the window washer liquid ejecting unit 14 when the diagnosis is executed. That is, the diagnosis processing unit 6 causes the window washer liquid ejecting unit 14 to eject the window washer liquid to the windshield and the wiper driving unit 12 when the diagnosis execution instruction unit 11 instructs the execution of diagnosis. The wiper 3 is driven to cause the wiper 3 to perform the latest wiping operation.

  In this embodiment, the wiping unevenness detection unit 5 starts the operation for detecting wiping unevenness when the diagnosis execution instruction unit 11 instructs the execution of diagnosis.

  That is, in this embodiment, when the diagnosis execution instruction unit 11 instructs the diagnosis processing unit 6 to perform the diagnosis, the diagnosis processing unit 6 drives the camera 2 to control the front immediately before the latest wiping operation is performed. The glass is photographed, and the photographed image is acquired by the wiping unevenness detection unit 5.

  Further, the wiping unevenness detection unit 5 is connected to a memory 15 as a first storage unit, and the wiping unevenness detection unit 5 is a windshield immediately before the latest wiping operation input from the camera 2 is performed. The captured video is stored in the memory 15.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the diagnosis execution instruction unit 11 instructs the diagnosis processing unit 6 to execute diagnosis, the latest wiping operation is performed by driving the camera 2 (completed). The windshield immediately after shooting is photographed, and the photographed image is acquired by the wiping unevenness detection unit 5. At this time, about the execution time (continuation time) of the wiping work, various times may be set according to the concept.

  Then, the wiping unevenness detecting unit 5 uses the windshield image obtained immediately after the latest wiping operation acquired from the camera 2 as a windshield immediately before the latest wiping operation stored in the memory 15. It is possible to detect the wiping unevenness by comparing with the captured image.

  Here, the wiping unevenness may be detected by measuring the luminance distribution and the light refraction state of the photographed image of the windshield. As a specific example, for example, a line wiping unevenness 17 as shown in FIG. 2 is detected as an image portion having a luminance different from that of the surrounding photographed image being connected to the line. Also good. Further, for example, the wiping unevenness 18 having a certain range as shown in FIG. 2 may be detected as an image portion having a light refraction state different from that of the surrounding captured image.

  In addition, the detection of uneven wiping can be performed based only on the photographed image of the windshield immediately after the latest wiping operation is performed, but immediately before the latest wiping operation is performed as in the present embodiment. If it is made by comparing with a video image taken on the windshield, dirt and scratches formed on the windshield before the latest wiping operation and wiping unevenness formed by the latest wiping operation are distinguished. Therefore, the wiping unevenness can be detected more accurately.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  In this embodiment, first, in step 1 (ST1) of FIG. 3, the diagnosis processing unit 6 determines whether or not diagnosis execution is instructed by the diagnosis execution instructing unit 11, and when instructed, Proceeding to step 2 (ST2), if not instructed, step 1 (ST1) is repeated.

  Next, in step 2 (ST2), the diagnostic processing unit 6 controls the drive of the camera 2, thereby causing the camera 2 to take an image of the windshield immediately before the latest wiping operation is performed, and to wipe the photographed image. After being acquired by the detection unit 5, the acquired video image is stored in the memory 15 by the wiping unevenness detection unit 5.

  Note that a series of steps from Step 2 (ST2) to Step 5 (ST5) to be described later indicates a wiping unevenness detection operation.

  Next, in step 3 (ST3), under the control of the diagnostic processing section 6, the window washer liquid ejecting section 14 is made to eject window washer liquid to the windshield, and the wiper driving section 12 is driven to wipe the wiper 3. To cause the wiper 3 to perform the latest wiping operation.

  Next, in step 4 (ST4), the diagnostic processing unit 6 controls the drive of the camera 2 to photograph the windshield immediately after the latest wiping operation is performed, and the latest wiping operation is performed. The wiping unevenness detection unit 5 is made to acquire the photographed image of the windshield immediately after. At this time, the wiping unevenness detection unit 5 obtains a photographed image of the windshield immediately before the latest wiping operation stored in the memory 15 is performed.

  Next, in step 5 (ST5), the wiping unevenness detection unit 5 performs a photographed image of the windshield immediately after the latest wiping operation acquired in step 4 (ST4) and the latest wiping operation are performed. The wiping unevenness detection process is performed by comparing with a photographed image of the windshield immediately before it is displayed.

  Next, in step 6 (ST6), the diagnosis processing unit 6 determines whether or not wiping unevenness is detected in step 5 (ST5), and if detected, the process proceeds to step 7 (ST7). If not, the process proceeds to step 8 (ST8).

  In addition, the process of step 6 (ST6)-step 8 (ST8) has shown the diagnostic process of the wiper 3. FIG.

  Next, in step 7 (ST7), the diagnosis processing unit 6 outputs a diagnosis result indicating that the wiper 3 needs to be replaced to the warning output unit 7 and proceeds to step 9 (ST9).

  On the other hand, in step 8 (ST8), the diagnosis processing unit 6 outputs a diagnosis result indicating that the wiper 3 does not need to be replaced to the warning output unit 7 and ends the process.

  Next, in step 9 (ST9), the warning output unit 7 outputs a warning that the wiper 3 needs to be replaced, and the process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the wiping unevenness of the windshield is detected based on the captured images of the windshield immediately before and immediately after the latest wiping operation by the wiper 3 is performed, By outputting a warning prompting replacement, the user can be made aware of the optimal replacement time according to the actual wear state of the wiper 3.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various change is possible as needed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the memory 15 functions as the second storage unit, and the wiper 3 at the beginning when the wiper 3 is attached to the vehicle by replacing the wiper or manufacturing the vehicle is stored in the memory 15. You may comprise so that the imaging | photography image | video of the windshield immediately after the first wiping operation | work by may be memorize | stored.

  Then, the wiping unevenness detection unit 5 stores the first windshield image (see FIG. 4B) immediately after the latest wiping operation stored in the memory 15 as the second storage unit. You may comprise so that wiping unevenness may be detected by comparing with the image | photographed image of a windshield immediately after wiping off.

  However, in this case, it is preferable that the shooting environment of the windshield immediately after the first wiping operation is made coincident with the shooting environment of the windshield immediately after the latest wiping operation. Specifically, photographing the windshield immediately after the first wiping operation and photographing the windshield immediately after the latest wiping operation are performed at the same brightness in the same place such as a parking lot. Should be done under.

  According to such a configuration, the wiping unevenness can be detected more accurately by comparing the captured image of the windshield immediately after the first wiping operation at the beginning of the wiper replacement with the captured image of the window immediately after the latest wiping operation. be able to.

  Further, as the camera 2, if a camera provided in an alarm system (not shown) that monitors the traveling direction of the own vehicle and outputs an alarm for avoiding a collision with another vehicle, the existing technology is utilized. Cost can be reduced.

  Further, the wiper 3 is not limited to the wiper that can perform the above-described windshield wiping operation, and a rear wiper that enables the rear glass wiping operation may be used. However, in this case, it is necessary to configure the rear glass so that it can be photographed by the camera.

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a wiper replacement warning device according to the present invention. The figure which shows the aspect of the wiping unevenness as an example of the wiping defect in embodiment of the wiper replacement warning apparatus which concerns on this invention. The flowchart which shows embodiment of the wiper replacement warning apparatus which concerns on this invention Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification of the detection method of wiping unevenness in embodiment of the wiper replacement warning apparatus which concerns on this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wiper replacement warning device 2 Camera 3 Wiper 5 Wiping unevenness detection part 6 Diagnosis processing part 7 Warning output part 15 Memory

Claims (6)

A wiper replacement warning device for diagnosing a wiper detachably attached to a vehicle and outputting a warning prompting replacement of the wiper according to a diagnosis result,
A camera installed in the vehicle of the vehicle, and capable of photographing a window from the vehicle that can be wiped off by the wiper in the vehicle;
A detection means formed so as to detect a wiping failure of the window, based on the video image of the window after the latest wiping operation by the wiper is performed.
Based on the detection result of the detection means, the wiper is diagnosed. When the detection means detects the wiping failure, the wiper needs to be replaced. Diagnostic means formed in
And a warning output means configured to output a warning for prompting replacement of the wiper when a diagnostic result indicating that the wiper needs to be replaced is output by the diagnostic means. Wiper replacement warning device. In the case where the wiping operation is performed, a first storage unit that stores a captured image of the window before the wiping operation is performed,
The detection unit compares the captured image of the window after the wiping operation is performed with the captured image of the window before the wiping operation stored in the first storage unit. The wiper replacement warning device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper failure is formed so as to be detectable. The detection unit is configured to detect the wiping failure based on a luminance distribution of a captured image of the window after the wiping operation is performed. The wiper replacement warning device described. Second storage means for storing a photographed image of the window after the first wiping operation by the wiper at the time when the wiper is mounted on the vehicle;
The detection means is a photographic image of the window after the latest wiping operation is performed, and a photographic image of the window after the first wiping operation stored in the second storage means is performed. The wiper replacement warning device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper failure warning device is configured to be able to detect the wiping failure. Instruction means for instructing execution of diagnosis of the wiper;
Wiper driving means formed to drive the wiper and cause the wiper to perform the latest wiping operation when the instruction means instructs execution of the wiper diagnosis,
5. The detection unit according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured to start the detection operation of the wiping failure when the instruction unit instructs the execution of the wiper diagnosis. The wiper replacement warning device according to any one of the above. The wiper replacement warning according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the warning output means is configured to output the warning by at least one of image display and audio output. apparatus.

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