JP2016068665A - Room mirror for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a room mirror for a vehicle which is equipped with a camera for imaging a rear side, capable of suppressing discomfort which a passenger is possible to feel.SOLUTION: A room mirror 1 for a vehicle which is provided in a cabin for a driver to confirm a rear side includes a rear camera 21 for imaging a rear side that is opposite to an advancement direction of a vehicle, a shielding means which shields a line of sight from a passenger side in a vehicle to make the rear camera 21 inconspicuous, and an adjusting means for adjusting an imaging direction of the rear camera 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle rearview mirror installed in a vehicle interior.

  Conventionally, a drive recorder that captures and records a driving environment of a vehicle has been used. A drive recorder for photographing the front in the traveling direction of a vehicle is generally installed on an upper part of a windshield of the vehicle. There has also been proposed a room mirror type drive recorder in which a camera is embedded in a room mirror so as to ensure a driver's field of view as wide as possible (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The image captured by the drive recorder is useful for investigating the cause of an accident when the vehicle is involved in an accident or an accident occurs. When investigating the cause of an accident, it is useful to analyze not only the image ahead of the traveling direction but also the situation of the driver and the situation behind. Therefore, the room mirror type drive recorder disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of cameras so that a rear side image can be recorded in addition to a front side image in the traveling direction. Each camera can shoot in front of the vehicle and can change the shooting direction so that the rear side can be shot.

  For example, if the camera is set so that the driver can be photographed, the driving situation of the driver can be recorded. For example, it is difficult for transportation companies and taxi companies to directly manage the driving status of employees as drivers. On the other hand, if driving conditions are recorded, ex-post management and guidance are possible, improving safety. it can.

Utility Model Registration No. 3170691

  However, the conventional rearview mirror type drive recorder capable of photographing the rear side has the following problems. That is, for example, a driver who is an employee may feel uncomfortable because the drive recorder becomes a camera for monitoring himself / herself. Further, for example, when the driver himself / herself installs a drive recorder, there is a risk that the passenger may feel the same discomfort because there is a camera facing the passenger.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and is a vehicle rearview mirror including a camera that captures the rear side, and a vehicle rearview mirror that can suppress discomfort that an occupant may feel. Is to provide.

(1) A vehicle rearview mirror provided in the passenger compartment for the driver to check the rear,
A rear imaging means for photographing the rear side;
Shielding means for blocking the line of sight from the occupant side of the vehicle and making the rear imaging means inconspicuous;
It is preferable that the vehicle rear-view mirror includes an adjusting unit for adjusting a shooting direction of the rear imaging unit.

  The vehicle rearview mirror includes a shielding unit that blocks the line of sight and makes the rear imaging unit inconspicuous. If the rear imaging means is made inconspicuous, the possibility that the vehicle occupant will notice the presence of the rear imaging means is reduced, and the possibility of discomfort can be suppressed.

  In the case of a vehicle rearview mirror, the direction of the mirror surface is appropriately adjusted according to the viewpoint height of the driver. If the shooting direction of the rear imaging means is fixed, the shooting direction may vary depending on the driver, making it impossible to obtain the desired shot image. Since the vehicle rear-view mirror of the present invention includes an adjustment unit for adjusting the shooting direction of the rear imaging unit, a target shot image can be acquired without depending on the mirror surface orientation adjustment for each driver.

  In addition, the direction of the mirror surface is generally tilted toward the driver so that the driver can see directly behind the mirror surface, while the direction of the mirror surface is the direction of the mirror surface. May be set in a different direction. For this reason, there is a problem that the occupant who is the subject of photographing is particularly easily recognized that the photographing direction is deviated from the direction of the mirror surface and is likely to cause discomfort. Such a problem inherent to the vehicle rearview mirror can be solved.

  Thus, if the above configuration is adopted, it is possible to photograph the rear side while suppressing discomfort that may be felt by the occupant.

  Moreover, if comprised as mentioned above, the target picked-up image can be acquired, suppressing the possibility of being noticed by the passenger. For example, when photographing the outside of a vehicle through a rear window or the like, an image outside the vehicle can be acquired while suppressing unnecessary worry on the occupant's side that he or she is being photographed. For example, if a vehicle manager or the like wants to photograph a driver, a driver's photographed image can be acquired while suppressing the discomfort that the photographer is taking.

  For example, the shielding means may be configured so as to make it difficult for the occupant to recognize the shooting direction of the rear imaging means, and particularly configured to prevent the occupant from recognizing the shooting direction of the rear imaging means. Good. For example, at least a part of the rear imaging unit may be difficult to see from the occupant, and desirably the whole rear imaging unit may be difficult to see from the occupant. As an aspect that is particularly difficult to see, an invisible aspect is preferable. The shielding unit may be, for example, a unit that makes at least a part of the rear imaging unit invisible to the occupant, and preferably a unit that blocks the line of sight so that the photographing direction of the rear imaging unit cannot be recognized by the occupant. The occupant is particularly preferably an occupant to be photographed by the rear imaging means.

Further, for example, the shielding unit may be configured to shield the shooting direction of the rear imaging unit, and to be configured to be able to acquire an image ahead of the shielding unit via the shielding unit. For example, the shielding means may be configured as a slit or a group of slits that are difficult to recognize from the outside provided in the photographing direction of the rear imaging means. Further, the shielding means may be a means that has translucency at least in the photographing direction and makes the rear imaging means difficult to recognize from the occupant. For example, the following configuration (2) is preferable.
For example, the rear imaging unit may be configured to capture an area including at least the rear side of the mirror surface of the room mirror. The rear imaging unit may be configured to shoot up to the front, or may be configured to be adjustable to a state where only the front can be captured by the adjusting unit.

(2) The shielding means is a mirror surface having translucency, and is constituted by a half mirror that forms at least a part of the mirror surface of the vehicle rearview mirror,
The rear imaging means may be configured to take an image through the half mirror.

  If the half mirror that forms at least a part of the mirror surface is used, the rear imaging means can be made inconspicuous by the mirror surface for realizing the original function of the vehicle rearview mirror, and there is less possibility that the passenger will feel uncomfortable. In addition, for example, since it is possible to suppress the necessity of disposing an optical lens or the like for configuring the rear imaging means outside the mirror surface, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the vehicle rearview mirror and to maintain good front visibility for the driver. it can.

  As the adjusting means, it is preferable that the rear image pickup means can be swung in the left-right direction. Moreover, it is good to set it also as a structure provided with the shielding means for adjustment means which makes an adjustment means inconspicuous. The shielding means for adjusting means may be configured similarly to the shielding means (hereinafter also referred to as imaging means shielding means). The adjusting means may be as described in (3) below.

(3) The adjustment unit may be configured to be able to change the shooting direction of the rear imaging unit in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.
In this case, if the shooting direction can be changed up, down, left, or right to obtain the desired shot image, for example, when shooting a passenger such as a driver, or when shooting the back of the vehicle over the head of the passenger Therefore, it is possible to appropriately cope with it, and it is possible to easily obtain a desired photographed image. The adjusting means may be configured to be attached inside the housing of the vehicle rearview mirror. That is, it is good to attach not the exterior like patent document 1 but the inside of the housing | casing of a vehicle rearview mirror.

  If the direction of the vehicle rearview mirror can be adjusted, the vertical axis of the vehicle rearview mirror and the direction of gravity acceleration will be misaligned. Deviation occurs in the coordinate axes. The horizontal direction and the vertical direction may be the horizontal direction and the vertical direction with respect to the coordinate axis based on the vehicle rearview mirror, but in particular, the horizontal direction and the vertical direction may be set with respect to the coordinate axis based on the direction of gravitational acceleration. In this way, it is possible to capture an image in which the inclination of the object to be imaged is suppressed regardless of the direction of the vehicle rearview mirror. As a configuration that is horizontal and vertical with respect to the coordinate axis based on the direction of gravitational acceleration, for example, generally based on how often the vehicle rearview mirror is displaced with respect to the gravitational acceleration direction, A direction that can be adjusted in advance may be set for the angle of the deviation, but in particular, the adjusting means is configured to be rotatable about a predetermined axis and the photographing direction of the rear imaging means is changed by the rotation. good. As the predetermined axis, it is particularly preferable to provide the photographing direction of the rear imaging means. In this way, it is possible to easily cancel the fluctuation in the horizontal and vertical directions due to the adjustment of the rearview mirror and align the vertical direction of the captured image with the direction of gravity, etc. When checking the image on the screen It is possible to prevent the image from being inclined and difficult to see with respect to the four sides or the level line of the screen, and to reduce the possibility of erroneous evaluation of the content of the image.

(4) The rear imaging means is held on the main body side of the vehicle rearview mirror through a ball joint mechanism that holds the spherical portion having a convex spherical outer peripheral surface slidably by the concave spherical inner peripheral surface. It is preferable that the shooting direction can be adjusted using the ball joint mechanism.

  In this case, the photographing direction changing mechanism can be realized with a relatively simple configuration. Furthermore, since a ball joint mechanism can simultaneously realize both a mechanism for changing in the vertical direction and a mechanism for changing in the horizontal direction, for example, compared to the case where each mechanism is provided independently. , Downsizing and low cost. For example, the imaging means is placed in a spherical housing with a part including the shooting direction open, and the housing is put in the housing of the vehicle rearview mirror so that the imaging direction of the imaging means can be adjusted. It is good to make it the structure which attaches so that the case which put it in can be moved. In particular, a kind of ball joint structure is preferable. By doing so, the angle can be changed relatively freely. In particular, the rear imaging means may be provided inside the ball joint.

  For example, the operation unit for changing the shooting direction may be configured to be adjustable from the back side (the side opposite to the mirror) of the housing of the vehicle rearview mirror. Even if the rear imaging means is adjusted to the angle between the mirror surface and the shooting direction so as to face the predetermined shooting direction, it is necessary to readjust the vehicle rearview mirror according to the driver's physique and seat position. It is desirable to adjust the angle of the rear imaging means with respect to the mirror surface. Further, depending on the usage, it may be better to set the shooting direction so as to compensate for the dead angle with the vehicle rearview mirror rather than centering on the rear front. Thus, if the adjustment of the photographing direction of the image pickup means can be performed from the back side of the vehicle rearview mirror, the adjustment mechanism is not visible to the driver or passengers, and the appearance is good.

(5) It is preferable that an operation unit for changing the shooting direction is arranged on a side surface.
If the operation unit is on the rear side, the operation unit cannot be seen from the occupant side, which may make it difficult to change the shooting direction. On the other hand, if the operation unit is provided on the front side, the vehicle rearview mirror is increased in size, and the forward visibility may be impaired. Therefore, if the operation unit is provided on the side surface, a driver or the like can change the shooting direction relatively easily by extending his hand, and avoids an increase in the size of the vehicle rearview mirror and improves forward visibility. Can be maintained.

(6) A vehicle rearview mirror that is attached to the mirror surface of an existing rearview mirror that is installed in the vehicle interior so that the driver can check the rear,
The operation unit for changing the shooting direction may be configured to be provided in a portion of the rear surface of the vehicle rearview mirror that does not face the existing rearview mirror when attached to the existing rearview mirror.

  Even if it is a retrofit type vehicle rearview mirror that covers an existing room mirror, if the operation section is arranged in a portion that does not face the existing rearview mirror as described above, the operation can be performed without removing from the existing rearview mirror. When it becomes necessary to change the shooting direction, the shooting direction can be easily changed without removing from the existing room mirror.

(7) A vehicle rearview mirror that is attached to the mirror surface side of an existing rearview mirror that is installed in the passenger compartment so that the driver can check the rear,
The operation unit for changing the shooting direction may be configured to be provided at a position where it can be operated from the outer peripheral side of the existing room mirror on the back surface facing the existing room mirror.

  Even if it is a retrofit type vehicle rearview mirror that covers the existing rearview mirror, it can be removed from the existing rearview mirror by arranging the operation unit at a position where it can be operated from the outer periphery of the existing rearview mirror as described above. When it becomes necessary to change the shooting direction, the operation direction can be easily changed without removing from the existing room mirror.

  The operation unit may be configured to adjust the shooting direction of the rear imaging means using a tool, for example. For example, it is good also as a structure which provides the hole which inserts rod-shaped objects, such as a driver, and inserts the said object in the said hole, and adjusts. However, it is particularly preferable to adjust the shooting direction with a finger. For example, the operation unit may be provided with a protrusion, and the shooting direction may be adjusted by placing a finger on the protrusion. In particular, a projection is formed in the opposite direction to the lens surface of the rear imaging means of the housing for housing the rear imaging means, and a hole is formed on the rear side of the housing of the vehicle rearview mirror so that the projection can be touched from the hole. It is preferable that the angle of the shooting direction of the rear imaging means can be adjusted by moving the camera. By attaching a protrusion, the angle can be adjusted relatively easily with your fingertips without any special tools.

An image pickup means and a circuit for recording video captured by the image pickup means may be placed in the housing of the vehicle rearview mirror, and the vehicle rearview mirror may be mounted on the existing room mirror of the vehicle. In this way, when retrofitting to a vehicle, it is easier to attach than replacing an existing room mirror of the vehicle.
In the configuration of the vehicle rearview mirror that is attached to the existing rearview mirror of the vehicle, the image pickup means is provided in the housing of the rearview vehicle mirror to be retrofitted, and the adjustment means may include a portion that goes outside the existing rearview mirror. . If it does in this way, it will become possible to adjust, without removing the attached vehicle rearview mirror one by one.

(8) It has a control unit for storing the captured image acquired by the rear imaging unit in a storage medium, and the control unit erases a captured image whose shooting time is old while receiving power from the vehicle side. By doing so, it is preferable to repeat the operation of storing a new captured image while securing a storage area.
In this case, a room mirror type drive recorder can be realized. If the rearview mirror is equipped with a function as a drive recorder, the drive recorder function can be realized while ensuring the driver's field of view, and the possibility that the vehicle occupant will notice the presence of the rear imaging means is reduced. It is possible to record the state of the occupant with a natural appearance without being conscious of being.

(9) It is good to set it as the structure provided with the front imaging means to image | photograph the space outside the vehicle of the front side of a vehicle.
In this case, a front side photographed image can be acquired without installing a front camera or the like on the windshield separately from the vehicle rearview mirror of the present invention. If this vehicle rearview mirror is used, it is possible to acquire both the rear side photographed image and the front side photographed image with little risk of incurring a complicated installation situation.

(10) At least part of the mirror surface provided in the vehicle rearview mirror is formed by a half mirror that is a light-transmitting mirror surface, and the rear imaging means is configured to take an image through the half mirror,
Brightness adjusting means for suppressing the difference between the brightness of the captured image of the rear imaging means that captures images through the half mirror and the brightness of the captured image of the forward imaging means that captures images without involving the half mirror It is good to have a configuration.

  When photographing is performed through a half mirror having an optical characteristic of reflecting a part of incident light and transmitting a part thereof, the brightness of the photographed image tends to be impaired. For this reason, there is a high possibility that a difference in brightness will occur between the captured image of the rear imaging unit that includes a half mirror and the captured image of the front imaging unit that does not include a half mirror. If the brightness adjusting means is provided, a difference in brightness can be suppressed, and for example, it is possible to suppress a sense of incongruity when a captured image by the rear imaging means and a captured image by the front imaging means are displayed side by side or switched.

(11) It may be configured to include an adjusting means for adjusting the shooting direction by the front imaging means.
In this case, the target forward direction can be photographed regardless of the mirror adjustment direction by the driver.

(12) The adjustment unit is shared between the rear imaging unit and the front imaging unit, and the imaging direction of the rear imaging unit and the imaging direction of the front imaging unit may be changed in conjunction with each other. .

  For example, when the moving direction of the vehicle is photographed by the front imaging means and the rear along the traveling direction of the vehicle is photographed by the rear imaging means, the photographing direction of the front imaging means and the photographing direction of the rear imaging means are opposite to each other by 180 degrees. Become. If the adjustment means is shared between the front imaging means and the rear imaging means, the effort for adjusting the photographing direction is reduced. As described above, it is particularly preferable that the imaging direction of the front imaging unit and the imaging direction of the rear imaging unit are configured so that the imaging direction can be changed in conjunction with the adjustment unit while maintaining a preset angular relationship.

(13) It is preferable that image display means for displaying image information is provided and means for suppressing reflection of light of the image display means on the rear imaging means.
If the light of the screen on which the image display means displays the image information is reflected on the rear imaging means, a high-quality captured image cannot be acquired. If the means for suppressing the reflection of light on the rear imaging means is provided as described above, it is possible to suppress degradation of the photographed image by the rear imaging means even when the image display means is provided. In particular, when both the photographing direction of the rear imaging means and the display direction of the image display means are directed to the passenger compartment side, a remarkable effect is exhibited.
Also, for example, an image display means for displaying image information is provided outside the housing of the mirror incorporating the rear imaging means, and is configured as a vehicle room mirror that suppresses reflection of light by the image display means; Good. In particular, an image display means for displaying image information is provided outside the mirror housing incorporating the rear imaging means, and the image display means is a foldable structure or a slide-type structure that can be taken out when necessary. A vehicle rearview mirror having a structure attached to the body and suppressing reflection of light by the image display means may be used. In this way, it is possible to confirm with the image display means only when it is desired to see the video imaged by the rear imaging means, and at other times the image display means can be placed in an inconspicuous position. Further, it is preferable that the vehicle image is transmitted by wireless communication between the external image display means for displaying image information and the rearview mirror with a built-in rear-view camera, and the external image display means is a smartphone ( For example, as Wi-Fi, wireless communication may be performed by, for example, transmitting an image captured by the rear imaging unit to a smartphone and displaying the image received by the smartphone.
(14) It is good to set it as the structure provided with the illumination means which illuminates at least one part of the imaging range by the said rear imaging means, and the illumination shielding means which obstructs the eyes | visual_axis from the passenger | crew side of a vehicle and makes the said illumination means inconspicuous.
If a high-sensitivity infrared camera is used for the rear imaging means, the illumination means can be omitted. However, according to (14), even if a general camera is used, for example, even in a situation where there is not enough brightness for imaging by the rear imaging means, such as at night, the illumination means The illuminated range can be captured more clearly. For example, when the rear imaging means captures the interior of the vehicle, the imaging range may be set so that at least a part of the passenger in the vehicle is captured.
As the illuminating means, for example, a means that emits light that is difficult to be visually recognized by a human so as to be inconspicuous may be used. In particular, the rear imaging means may be one having sensitivity characteristics from the visible light region to the infrared region, and the illumination means may be an infrared LED.
The illumination shielding means may be a plate or a lens. In particular, it may be an object that covers the irradiation direction of the illumination means. When the illumination unit emits infrared light, the illumination unit may be covered with a plate-like or lens-like object having a filter characteristic that allows infrared light to pass through.
(15) The illumination shielding means may be the shielding means. The shielding means and the illumination shielding means are preferably used as the same member. In particular, the shielding means and the illumination shielding means are preferably the same member.
For example, an infrared LED is used as the illumination means, and the shielding means and the illumination shielding means are preferably provided together with a camera or the like as a rear imaging means in the same half mirror. It becomes inconspicuous, and it becomes difficult for a person to be photographed to recognize that illumination and imaging are being performed.
(16) It is good to provide the incident suppression means which suppresses that the reflected light by the said illumination shielding means injects into the image | video imaged by the said back imaging means.
For example, the shielding means and the illumination shielding means serve as the same member. For example, if the member is a half mirror, the illumination light of the illumination means is incident on the rear imaging means as reflected light by the half mirror, and the image in the imaging range However, it has been found that there is a problem that normal photographing cannot be performed because the light cannot be obtained by the reflected light from the half mirror. This problem remarkably occurs particularly when the configuration (15) is provided.
Therefore, according to the above (16), the image in the imaging range of the rear imaging means can be normally taken by the reflected light from the illumination shielding means.
The incident suppression means may have any configuration as long as it prevents the reflected light from the illumination shielding means from entering, but in particular, the space between the illumination means and the illumination shielding means, and the rear imaging means to the shielding means. It is preferable to provide a structure for optically partitioning the space between the two. For example, a shielding plate or the like may be provided between the two spaces. In addition, it is preferable that the space between the two be separated by a distance that is difficult for the light reflected by the illumination shielding means to enter.
(17) The illumination shielding means may be arranged outside the shielding means.
In particular, the illumination shielding means may be configured separately from the shielding means.
(18) The illumination shielding unit may include at least one of an operation unit included in the vehicle rearview mirror or a dummy member that is visible in the operation unit included in the vehicle rearview mirror.
In this way, it becomes difficult for the person to be photographed to recognize the presence of the illumination means.
For example, the following configuration examples (14) to (18) may be used.
1. An infrared LED for illumination is disposed outside the mirror, and a partition is provided between the mirror and the infrared LED.
2. In order to camouflage the infrared LED, the infrared LED is covered with a plate-like or lens-like object having a filter characteristic that allows infrared light to pass.
3. A partition is provided between the plate-like or lens-like object and the mirror.
4). An operation button or a dummy of the operation button is made of a resin or the like that transmits infrared light on the outside of the mirror, and infrared light is emitted from behind the button.

(19) Instead of the adjusting means described above or together with the adjusting means, a vehicle rearview mirror provided with a fixing means for fixing the rear imaging means may be used.
The fixing means may have a structure that can fix the rear imaging means to the housing. For example, a substrate provided with a camera may be fixed by screwing or the like.
The configuration including the fixing means for fixing the rear imaging means instead of the adjusting means is a vehicle rearview mirror provided in the vehicle interior so that the driver can confirm the rear, and the rear imaging for photographing the rear side. A vehicle rear-view mirror comprising: means and shielding means for blocking the line of sight from the vehicle occupant side to obscure the rear imaging means.
For example, in the configuration described above, the adjustment unit is provided, but the adjustment unit is not provided, and the imaging unit is housed in the housing of the vehicle rearview mirror, and imaging is performed with respect to the normal direction of the mirror surface (perpendicular to the mirror surface). The image pickup means may be attached at an angle in which the photographing direction of the means (for example, the optical axis of the camera) is shifted. The vehicle rearview mirror adjusts the angle of the mirror surface so that the driver can see the rear. In that case, when the rear imaging means is attached with the normal direction of the mirror surface as the imaging direction, the rear imaging means does not face the rear front. In this way, this can be corrected and the back front can also be photographed.

For example, the components described in the items (1) to (19) described above may be arbitrarily combined to form a device. In particular, it may be configured to include at least one of the components (1) or (19). More preferably, the configuration includes the combination of the components described in the items (1) to (19) described above, and the configuration described in each item can be configured independently. ) To (19) combine two or more configurations to produce a device that exhibits excellent effects. In particular, a combination having the configuration (1) is preferable.
For example, the following configuration may be used.
A room mirror provided in the passenger compartment for the driver to check the rear,
First imaging means for photographing the front of the car;
A second imaging means for photographing the interior and rear of the vehicle, and a recording means for recording images taken by both imaging means;
At least the second imaging means is disposed inside the housing of the room mirror,
Set the shooting angle of view and installation accuracy so that you can shoot both the passenger and the situation outside the vehicle from the rear window,
Shielding means for blocking the line of sight from the occupant side of the vehicle to obscure the second imaging means;
Vehicle rearview mirror equipped with.

The perspective view which looks at the room mirror in Example 1 from the front side. The perspective view which looks at the room mirror in Example 1 from the back side. Explanatory drawing which shows the attachment procedure to the existing room mirror in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an assembly structure of a room mirror in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a case for housing an electronic substrate in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a structure of a camera holding unit in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross-sectional structure of a camera holding unit in Embodiment 1. The front view and side view which show the front camera in Example 1. FIG. The front view and side view which show a rear camera in Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing of the adjustment means of the camera axis of a front camera in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a camera axis adjustment unit of a rear camera in the first embodiment. 1 is a front view showing an electronic substrate in Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the electric power supply state by a cigar plug cord in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a method for browsing image data recorded on a microSD card on a PC in the first embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the cross-section of the other camera holding part in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating other camera adjustment means according to the first exemplary embodiment. The perspective view which looks at the room mirror 1 in Example 2 from the back side. The perspective view which looks at the rear-view mirror 2 in Example 2 from the back side. Sectional drawing which shows the cross-sectional structure of the room mirror 2 in Example 2. FIG.

The embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the following examples.
Example 1
The vehicle rearview mirror 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a rear-viewing rearview mirror that is mounted on a rearview mirror installed in the vehicle as shown in FIG. The vehicle rearview mirror 1 includes a front camera 25 (described later with reference to FIG. 8) that captures the front in the traveling direction, a rear camera 21 (FIG. 9) that is an example of a rear imaging unit that captures the rear side, and an image. The electronic apparatus includes a liquid crystal display 30 (FIG. 4), which is an example of display means, and has an image recording function (recording function), a display function, and the like. In the following description, the vehicle rearview mirror of the present invention is simply referred to as a rearview mirror 1, and a rearview mirror originally provided on the vehicle is referred to as an existing mirror.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a mirror surface 160 is formed on the front surface of the rearview mirror 1 facing the driver when it is mounted, and an operation button 171 for operation and setting is disposed on the left end. An operation area 170 is provided. On the mirror surface 160, the screen area of the liquid crystal display 30 (dashed line area 165 in FIG. 1) is arranged on the left side, and the lens area (the broken line area 161) of the rear camera 21 is arranged on the right side. The mirror surface 160 excluding the broken line areas 161 and 165 reflects incident light nearly 100%, while the broken line areas 161 and 165 reflect a part of the incident light as a half mirror that transmits a part thereof. It is an area with the characteristics of In particular, the half mirror in the broken line region 161 is an example of a shielding unit that blocks the line of sight from the passenger side and makes the rear camera 21 inconspicuous.

  On the back side of the right end, which is the driver side of the right-hand drive vehicle, a camera holding unit 130 that holds the rear camera 21 is erected. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 7, the front camera 25 is accommodated at the tip of the camera holding unit 130, and the rear camera 21 is accommodated on the base side. A power supply terminal 37 for supplying power and a slot 35 for inserting a microSD card are disposed on the side surface (see FIG. 2) of the opposite end of the room mirror 1.

  At the center of the rear side of the rearview mirror 1, hooks 141 and 142 for attaching to the existing mirror are erected (see FIG. 2). A total of four hooks are provided, and a pair of upper and lower hooks 141 and 142 are arranged on the left and right so as to sandwich the center of the rearview mirror 1. The upper hook 141 is slidable in the vertical direction with respect to the lower hook 142 fixed to the rear surface of the room mirror 1. The upper hook 141 is urged toward the lower hook 142 by an elastic member (not shown), and is positioned so that the distance from the lower hook 142 is the smallest when the rearview mirror 1 is detached.

  When attaching the rearview mirror 1 to the existing mirror 81, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the rearview mirror 1 is pulled down while the upper hook 141 is hooked on the upper portion of the existing mirror 81, so that the hook 141 is provided. And the distance between the upper and lower hooks 141 and 142 is increased. With the upper and lower hooks 141 and 142 pushed out in this way, the lower hook 142 is turned to the lower side of the existing mirror 81, and then the lower hook 142 is pressed against the lower edge of the existing mirror 81. Then, the room mirror 1 is pushed upward.

  At this time, the upper hook 141 to which the urging force by the elastic member acts slides so as to reduce the distance from the lower hook 142 while maintaining the state of pressing against the upper edge of the existing mirror 81. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the rearview mirror 1 can be attached by sandwiching the existing mirror 81 between the upper and lower hooks 141 and 142, and this attached state is maintained by the above urging force. In addition, in the same figure, illustration of the camera holding | maintenance part 130 which protrudes in the back side is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the room mirror 1 is configured by housing the electronic substrate 3 in a horizontally long casing 10. The housing 10 has a two-part structure by a combination of a front-side cover 15 facing the driver and a back-side case 11 corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle.

  The cover 15 is a resin member in which a recess 158 that accommodates the plate-like mirror 16 is formed on the front side, and an outer peripheral frame 159 that surrounds the recess 158 is formed. A through hole 152 or a through window 155 is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 158 so as to correspond to the broken line regions 161 and 165 in FIG. In FIG. 4, the left through window 155 is a window that opens at a position corresponding to the display screen of the liquid crystal display 30 accommodated therein. The right through hole 152 is a hole that opens at a position corresponding to the lens 213 (FIG. 9) of the rear camera 21 housed inside. The through hole 152 is provided at a position corresponding to a later-described communication hole 112 on the case 11 side.

  Like the cover 15, the case 11 is a resin member, and is configured to be able to accommodate the electronic substrate 3 in an internal space when the cover 15 is combined. Inside the case 11, a partition 115 is provided that divides a space corresponding to the base of the camera holding unit 130. The electronic board 3 is disposed on the opposite side divided by the partition 115 (see FIG. 5). In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the partition corresponding to the cover 15 side is also provided. When the cover 15 is combined with the case 11, both partitions match and function as a partition wall (reference numeral 107 in FIG. 7) that partitions the internal space of the housing 10.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the camera holding unit 130 erected on the back side of the case 11 has a divided structure that is divided into left and right along the erection direction. The camera holding part 130 is formed by combining a receiving part 130A molded integrally with the case 11 and a camera cover 130B that is a fitting part. On the outer peripheral surface side of the camera holding portion 130, a groove 130T is formed along the mating surface between the receiving portion 130A and the camera cover 130B. The groove 130T is a groove for accommodating the control cable 21C of the rear camera 21 and the control cable 25C of the front camera 25. The groove 130 </ b> T is formed so as to communicate the hole 130 </ b> H drilled around the middle of the camera holding unit 130 in the standing direction and the hole 11 </ b> H drilled so as to open on the back surface of the case 11. The groove 130T can be covered with a cover 130C. If the cover 130C is attached, the appearance can be improved and the control cables 21C and 25C can be protected.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the case 11 main body side receiving portion 130 </ b> A is formed with substantially hemispherical housing shapes 131 </ b> A and 135 </ b> A at two locations, the tip side and the base side. FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional structure of the room mirror 1 along the standing direction of the camera holding unit 130.
A substantially hemispherical housing shape (not shown) similar to that on the case 11 side is also formed on the camera cover 130B side. When the camera cover 130B is combined with the receiving portion 130A, the front end side and the root of the camera holding portion 130 are formed. The accommodating parts 131 and 135 which form a substantially spherical space are formed at two locations on the side.

  The distal end side accommodating portion 135 communicates with the outside (the front side in the traveling direction) through the opening 136 at the distal end of the camera holding portion 130. The base-side accommodating portion 131 communicates with the internal space of the housing 10 through the communication hole 112 on the bottom surface of the case 11. The front camera 25 of FIG. 8 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 135 on the distal end side, and the rear camera 21 of FIG. 9 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 131 on the base side. An adjustment hole 132 for adjusting the shooting direction of the rear camera 21 is provided in a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the camera cover 130 </ b> B that contacts the outer periphery of the housing portion 131.

The front camera 25 in FIG. 8 is a camera in which a camera unit including an imaging device is accommodated in a substantially spherical holder 250. A lens cylinder 252 having a substantially cylindrical outer shape for holding the lens 253 protrudes from one place on the outer peripheral surface, and a control cable (not shown) is extended from the opposite side.
The rear camera 21 in FIG. 9 is a camera in which a camera unit is housed in a substantially spherical holder 210 as in the front camera 25. The difference from the front camera 25 is that it includes an adjustment knob 215 that is an example of an operation unit that constitutes a photographing direction adjustment unit. The adjustment knob 215 protrudes in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction of the lens 213 corresponding to the photographing direction.

  The front camera 25 is assembled in a state where the lens tube 252 is positioned in the opening 136 provided at the tip of the camera holding unit 130 (see FIG. 7). The rear camera 21 is assembled in a state where the adjustment knob 215 is positioned in the adjustment hole 132 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the camera cover 130B and the lens 213 is positioned in the communication hole 112 of the case 11 (see FIGS. 5 and 7). .) In the rearview mirror 1, the combination of the adjustment knob 215 and the adjustment hole 132 is an example of an adjustment unit that adjusts the shooting direction (camera axis) of the rear camera 21.

  The rear camera 21 photographs the rear through the communication hole 112 of the case 11, the through hole 152 of the cover 15, and the broken line area 161 of the mirror 16 (see FIG. 7). In addition, the broken line area 161 is light-transmitting to the extent that the rear camera 21 can image the rear in the mirror 16 in which the reflective films 165 and 166 are laminated on the back surface of the transparent glass 163, unlike the reflective film 165 that is almost completely surrounding. This is a region where the reflective film 166 having the properties is laminated and exhibits the properties of a half mirror.

  7-9, the curvature radius of the inner peripheral surface of each accommodating part 131,135 of the camera holding part 130 is substantially the same as the radius of the substantially spherical holders 210,250 of the corresponding cameras 21,25. . However, in the camera cover 130B, the depth of each of the substantially hemispherical housing shapes is slightly shallower than the radius of the holders 210 and 250. If the camera cover 130B is fitted with the cameras 21 and 25 positioned at predetermined positions on the receiving portion 130A, a pressing force is generated from the inner peripheral surface of the camera holding portion 130 to the outer peripheral surfaces of the cameras 21 and 25. The shooting direction of each camera 21 and 25 can be fixed by the pressing force, that is, in a state where the operation is not applied with the fingertip or the like, and the camera 21 and 25 can be fixed to the extent that it moves when an operation force is applied with the fingertip or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the front camera 25 can be adjusted in the vertical and horizontal directions by operating the fingertip or the like to change the position of the lens tube 252 in the opening 136 at the tip of the camera holding unit 130. It is. Furthermore, if the lens barrel 252 is pinched and rotated, it can be rotated around the camera axis corresponding to the shooting direction, and the tilt of the shot image can be adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 11, the rear camera 21 is operated with a fingertip or the like so as to change the position of the adjustment knob 215 in the adjustment hole 132 opened on the outer peripheral side surface of the camera holding unit 130. Can be adjusted. By operating the adjustment knob 215 before and after hitting the traveling direction, the shooting direction can be adjusted to the left and right. If the adjustment knob 215 is rotated, the shooting direction can be adjusted up and down. By operating the adjustment knob 215 up and down, the tilt of the captured image can be adjusted.
Since each of the cameras 21 and 25 is appropriately fixed as described above by the pressing force from the inner peripheral surface of the camera holding unit 130 as described above, the adjusted shooting direction can be held with high reliability.

  In the camera holding unit 130 that holds the rear camera 21 and the front camera 25, an internal space 130 </ b> R is formed in an intermediate portion sandwiched between the two cameras 21 and 25. The control cables 21C and 25C of the cameras 21 and 25 are connected to the rear side of the cameras 21 and 25, that is, the part opposite to the lens, so as to be positioned in the internal space 130R. The control cables 21C and 25C are flexible and slack in the internal space 130R to such an extent that fluctuations in the shooting direction of the cameras 21 and 25 can be allowed. The control cables 21C and 25C are taken out to the outer peripheral side through the hole 130H drilled in the camera holding unit 130, and reach the inside of the housing 10 through the groove 130T and the hole 11H.

  The electronic substrate 3 of FIG. 12 provided in the room mirror 1 is a double-sided mounting substrate. A liquid crystal display 30 and a chip switch 36 corresponding to the operation buttons 171 (FIG. 1) are disposed on the mounting surface (A in FIG. 1) corresponding to the front side of the room mirror 1. On the mounting surface (B in the same figure) corresponding to the back side, an electronic circuit including a microcomputer 32 having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an RTC (timer), a card connector 350, a plug connector 370, and the like are arranged. The front camera 25 and the rear camera 21 are electrically connected to the electronic board 3 via control cables 25C and 21C. The cameras 21 and 25 operate by being supplied with power through the control cables 21C and 25C, and output an output signal through the control cables 21C and 25C.

The card connector 350 is a connector that holds a microSD card inserted into the slot 35. The card connector 350 holds a microSD card, which is an example of an electronic storage medium, and realizes an electrical connection state to the electronic board 3.
The plug connector 370 is a component part of the power supply terminal 37. The plug connector 370 is a connector having a specification corresponding to the plug 45 (see FIG. 13) provided at the tip of the cigar plug.

  The ROM of the microcomputer 32 stores various programs such as an image processing program for recording image data acquired by the front camera 25 and the rear camera 21 on a microSD card, and an OS (Operation System). The CPU of the microcomputer 32 implements various functions such as continuous recording of image data and display of recorded image data by reading and executing these programs.

  The room mirror 1 having a drive recorder function operates by receiving power supply from the vehicle side via a power cord such as a cigar plug cord 4 as shown in FIG. The cigar plug cord 4 is a power cord having a cigar plug 40 for connection to a cigar socket 83 on the vehicle side where power supply is started when an ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on. If the plug 45 of the cigar plug cord 4 is connected to the power plug 37, power supply to the room mirror 1 is started when the ignition switch is turned on, and the operation of the room mirror 1 is started. .

  For example, if the operation mode for continuously recording image data is set, the microcomputer 32 erases old image data to record new image data while securing a recording area on the microSD card. The image data over a predetermined period in the past with respect to is recorded on the microSD card. Further, the image data can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 30 while being recorded.

  The image data recorded on the microSD card 304 can be played back using the personal computer 5 having a card reader function or externally connected to the card reader 51 in addition to the playback display on the room mirror 1 (FIG. 14). ). In order to view the playback image on the personal computer 5, the microSD card 304 is taken out from the room mirror 1 and set in the card reader 51 or the like externally connected to the personal computer 5. Subsequently, if a predetermined image browsing application installed in the personal computer 5 in advance is started and a file read operation is executed on the application screen (not shown), the playback image can be browsed.

  In the rearview mirror 1 configured as described above, the rear camera 21 is disposed on the back side of the broken line area 161 having a half mirror characteristic in the mirror surface 160. In the rearview mirror 1, the line of sight from the passenger side is blocked by the mirror surface 160, and the rear camera 21 is inconspicuous. In particular, if a half mirror that forms at least a part of the mirror surface 160 is used, the rear camera 21 can be made inconspicuous by the mirror surface 160 for realizing the original function of the room mirror 1, and a sense of incongruity on the passenger side can be suppressed. Further, for example, since it is possible to suppress the necessity of disposing the lens of the rear camera 21 on the outer peripheral side of the mirror surface 160, an increase in the size of the rear mirror 21 can be avoided, and the driver's front visibility can be maintained well.

  The direction of the mirror surface 160 is tilted toward the driver so that the driver can see right behind by adjusting the direction of the existing mirror 81 using a direction adjusting mechanism provided on the vehicle side, The shooting direction to be directed to the direction may be set to a direction different from the direction of the mirror surface 160. Therefore, in particular, there is a problem that an occupant who is a subject of photographing easily recognizes that the photographing direction is deviated with respect to the direction of the mirror surface 160 and easily causes discomfort. On the other hand, in the rearview mirror 1 of this example, since the rear camera 21 is disposed so as not to be conspicuous, the problems inherent to the rearview mirror can be solved, and passenger discomfort can be suppressed in advance.

  If the rear camera 21 is arranged so as not to be noticeable, a target photographed image can be acquired while suppressing the possibility of being noticed by the occupant. For example, when photographing the outside of a vehicle through a rear window or the like, an image outside the vehicle can be acquired while suppressing unnecessary worry on the occupant's side that he or she is being photographed. On the other hand, for example, when it is desired to photograph a driver such as a taxi, a truck, or a bus, a photographed image of the driver can be acquired while suppressing discomfort that the photographer is taking.

  In the room mirror 1 of this example, as a shielding unit that makes the rear camera 21 inconspicuous, an example of a configuration in which the imaging direction of the imaging unit is shielded and an image ahead of the shielding unit can be acquired via the shielding unit. The half mirror which is is adopted. Instead of this, for example, the shielding means may be configured as a slit or a group of slits that are difficult to recognize from the outside.

  In general, in the case of a room mirror, the direction of the mirror surface 160 is appropriately adjusted according to the viewpoint height of the driver. If the shooting direction (camera axis) of the rear camera 21 is fixed, the shooting direction may change according to the adjustment of the mirror surface 160, and a target shot image may not be acquired. On the other hand, since the rear-view mirror 1 of this example can adjust the imaging | photography direction of the rear camera 21, it can acquire the target picked-up image without depending on the direction adjustment of the mirror surface for every driver | operator.

  In the rearview mirror 1 of this example, the photographing direction of the rear camera 21 can be changed into a horizontal direction (left-right direction) and a vertical direction (up-down direction). In this way, if the shooting direction can be changed to up, down, left and right in order to obtain the desired shot image, it is possible to respond appropriately to shooting a vehicle occupant or over the occupant's head. The target photographed image can be acquired relatively easily. When the direction of the mirror surface 160 of the rearview mirror 1 can be adjusted, the coordinate axis with respect to the rearview mirror 1 and the direction of the gravitational acceleration, such as a deviation between the vertical direction of the rearview mirror 1 and the direction of the gravitational acceleration, occur. Deviation occurs in the coordinate axis with reference to. The horizontal direction and the vertical direction may be the horizontal direction and the vertical direction with respect to the coordinate axis with the room mirror 1 as a reference, but in particular, the horizontal direction and the vertical direction with respect to the coordinate axis with the gravitational acceleration direction as a reference may be used. In this way, it is possible to shoot an image in which the tilt of the photographic subject is suppressed regardless of the orientation of the room mirror 1.

  In the room mirror 1 of this example, the cameras 21 and 25 in which the camera units are housed in the substantially spherical holders 210 and 250 are housed in the substantially spherical housing portions 131 and 135. Each camera 21, 25 can adjust the orientation of the holders 210, 250 in the housing parts 131, 135, and thereby the shooting direction of the cameras 21, 25 can be adjusted. If the ball joint mechanism is employed in this way, the shooting directions of the cameras 21 and 25 can be freely changed. Considering that the mirror surface 160 is appropriately adjusted, in the adjustment of the cameras 21 and 25, swinging in the left-right direction is important in addition to the up-down direction. The camera can be adjusted. Furthermore, if the ball joint mechanism is used, the cameras 21 and 25 can be rotated about the optical axis of the lens, so that the tilt of the captured image can be adjusted.

  If the above-described ball joint mechanism is used as the camera shooting direction adjusting means, the shooting directions of the cameras 21 and 25 can be adjusted relatively freely. Furthermore, since both the mechanism for changing in the vertical direction and the mechanism for changing in the horizontal direction can be realized at the same time, for example, the size and cost can be reduced compared to the case where each mechanism is provided independently. Can be realized. In particular, for the rear camera 21, the shooting direction can be adjusted by moving an adjustment knob 215 that protrudes from the outer peripheral side surface of the camera holding unit 130. By providing such an adjustment knob 215, the angle can be easily adjusted with a fingertip or the like without requiring a special tool.

  In the rearview mirror 1, an adjustment knob 215, which is an example of an operation unit for changing the shooting direction, is disposed on the back side corresponding to the opposite side of the mirror surface 160. Even if the angle between the mirror surface 160 and the shooting direction is adjusted so that the rear camera 21 faces the predetermined shooting direction, the rearview mirror 1 needs to be readjusted according to the physique of the driver and the position of the seat. It is desirable to adjust the angle of the rear camera 21 with respect to 160. Further, depending on the usage, it may be better to set the shooting direction so as to compensate for the blind spot of the rearview mirror 1 rather than centering the rear front. If adjustment of the photographing direction of the rear camera 21 can be performed on the back side of the rearview mirror 1, the adjustment mechanism becomes difficult to see from the occupant side, which is good in appearance.

  Furthermore, in the rearview mirror 1 of this example, on the back side of the mirror surface 160, the photographing direction adjusting means of the rear camera 21 is arranged on the driver's seat side. For example, when the room mirror 1 of this example is installed in a taxi or the like, it is not pleasant for a taxi customer to always take pictures. For example, indoor photography is highly likely to cause passenger discomfort even in a general car. Therefore, if the rear camera 21 is placed on the back side of the half mirror so as to be inconspicuous, and the adjusting means is arranged on the back side of the mirror surface 160, the presence of the rear camera 21 can be made unnoticeable. This is effective for suppressing uncomfortable feelings of passengers of ordinary vehicles.

  If the operation unit such as the adjustment knob 215 is disposed on the rear surface of the housing 10, the operation part for changing the shooting direction may be difficult because the operation part is not visible from the passenger side. On the other hand, when the operation unit such as the adjustment knob 215 is provided on the front side, the vehicle rearview mirror is increased in size, and the forward visibility may be impaired. If the operation unit is provided on the side surface, the driver or the like can extend the hand and change the shooting direction of the rear camera 21 relatively easily, and avoid the enlargement of the rearview mirror 1 and improve the forward visibility. Can be maintained.

  The room mirror 1 having a drive recorder function can be attached to cover an existing mirror. If retrofitting is possible on the vehicle side in this way, it can be attached more easily than replacing the existing mirror. Further, in the rearview mirror 1, an adjustment knob 215 that forms an operation unit for adjusting the shooting direction of the rear camera 21 is arranged so that it can be adjusted with a fingertip or the like even when attached to an existing mirror. If the adjustment knob 215 is arranged in this way, the shooting direction of the rear camera 21 can be adjusted without removing the rearview mirror 1 from the existing mirror.

  In the rearview mirror 1, the shooting direction of the rear camera 21 and the display direction of the liquid crystal display 30 are both directed toward the passenger compartment. In general, when light when the liquid crystal display 30 displays image information enters the rear camera 21, there is a possibility that a high-quality captured image cannot be acquired. Therefore, in the rearview mirror 1 of this example, as an example of a configuration for suppressing the reflection of light to the rear camera 21, the liquid crystal display 30 is disposed on the left side from the driver side, and the rear camera is on the right side. 21 is arranged, and a partition wall 107 (see FIG. 7) is provided inside the housing 10. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to suppress degradation of the captured image by the rear camera 21 even when image display means such as the liquid crystal display 30 is provided.

  The rearview mirror 1 includes not only the rear camera 21 but also the front camera 25. For this reason, it is possible to acquire a front-side photographed image without installing a front camera or the like on the windshield separately from the room mirror 1. By using the room mirror 1, it is possible to acquire both the rear side photographed image and the front side photographed image without incurring a complicated installation situation.

  Note that there is a high possibility that a difference in brightness of the captured image occurs between the rear camera 21 that is photographed through the half mirror and the front camera 25 that is exposed to the outside. Therefore, the brightness for suppressing the difference in brightness. Adjustment means may be provided. If the difference in brightness of the captured images of the cameras 21 and 25 can be suppressed, for example, it is possible to reduce a sense of incongruity when displaying the images side by side on the liquid crystal display 30 or switching them over time. As the adjustment means, for example, a means for adjusting the image brightness by optical adjustment such as an aperture or an exposure time (shutter speed), a means for adjusting the image brightness by software, or the like may be employed. As software adjustment means, for example, when the power is turned on for the first time after installation, both images are displayed side by side on the display screen of the liquid crystal display 30, and the brightness adjustment switch corresponding to both images is operated by up and down operation. Display the state of changing light and dark, memorize the adjustment state when the confirmation switch is pressed, adjust the brightness of both based on the stored adjustment state, for example, It is conceivable that the CPU of the microcomputer 32 compares the image brightness of the two and automatically adjusts the difference between the two so as to reduce the difference between them. In software image brightness adjustment, it is preferable to control the brightness of the captured image of the front camera 25 to be suppressed and increase the brightness of the captured image of the rear camera 21.

  For example, when the front camera 25 captures the traveling direction of the vehicle and the rear camera 21 captures the rear along the traveling direction of the vehicle, the capturing direction of the front camera 25 and the capturing direction of the rear camera are opposite to each other by 180 degrees. It becomes. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, two camera units are accommodated in a substantially spherical holder 280, and lenses 281 and 283 are arranged at two opposing positions on the outer peripheral surface of the holder 280, and an adjustment knob in a substantially orthogonal direction It is also possible to employ the camera 28 provided with 285. With the camera 28 having such a configuration, the adjusting means can be shared between the front camera and the rear camera. If one of the cameras is adjusted by operating the adjustment knob 285, the other camera is adjusted to a position reverse to 180 degrees, so that the trouble for adjusting the shooting direction is reduced.

  As described above, the rearview mirror 1 is provided with means for adjusting the photographing direction of the rear camera 21, but instead, the rear camera 21 is housed in the housing 10 of the rearview mirror 1 and is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the mirror surface 160. On the other hand, the shooting direction of the rear camera 21 may be shifted in advance. About the room mirror 1, the angle of the mirror surface 160 is adjusted so that a driver | operator can confirm back. In that case, when the rear camera 21 is mounted with the vertical direction of the mirror surface 160 as the photographing direction, the rear camera 21 does not face the rear front. As described above, if the shooting direction of the rear camera 21 is appropriately shifted in advance, the tilt of the mirror surface 160 is corrected and the rear front can also be shot.

  Two cameras may be provided without distinction between the front camera 25 and the rear camera 21, and both may be configured to be able to rotate 180 degrees. If the two cameras are pointed in different forward directions, the two forward directions can be photographed simultaneously. It is possible to take pictures of the rear and the front and, for example, two different directions of the rear such as the outside of the rear of the vehicle and the inside of the car, and can be freely set according to the user's request.

  In general, a drive recorder is often installed near the upper center of a windshield, for example, in order to capture as wide as possible the top, bottom, left, and right of the front. The position of the upper center of the windshield is, for example, the back side of the vehicle rearview mirror (existing mirror), but if you try to install a drive recorder equipped with a front camera and a rear camera at this position, at least one of the cameras The existing mirror is in the way of shooting. Therefore, a drive recorder equipped with two cameras must be installed at a different position while avoiding the existing mirror so that the existing mirror does not interfere with shooting. Such another position is not necessarily an optimal position for at least the front camera. On the other hand, a room mirror type drive recorder such as the room mirror 1 can be installed over the existing mirror without avoiding the position of the existing mirror. If it is installed over the existing mirror in this way, the front camera and the rear camera can be set at an optimal position near the upper center of the windshield.

  The rearview mirror 1 is provided with two cameras, the front camera 25 and the rear camera 21, but the number of cameras can be further increased. For example, a camera for photographing the side may be installed. If an image photographed by the rear camera 21 or the side camera is displayed on the liquid crystal display 30, the rearview mirror 1 can be made to play a role of assisting the rear / side confirmation. It is preferable that the shooting direction of the side camera can be adjusted.

  In the room mirror 1 of this example, an adjustment knob 215 that can be operated with a fingertip or the like is illustrated as an operation unit for adjusting the shooting direction of the rear camera 21. Instead of this, for example, a configuration may be used in which the shooting direction of the rear camera 21 is adjusted using a tool. For example, an adjustment hole for inserting a rod-shaped object such as a driver or a wrench may be provided, and the object may be inserted into the adjustment hole for adjustment (see FIG. 16).

  In the example of FIG. 16, the camera cover 130 </ b> B is thickened so that the portion surrounding the adjustment hole 132 does not touch the rear camera 21 with a fingertip or the like. Hole 216 is provided. For example, if an L-shaped Torx (registered trademark) wrench (not shown) is inserted into the hole 216 and the other end is appropriately operated, the photographing direction of the rear camera 21 can be adjusted as in the case where the adjustment knob 215 is operated. If comprised in this way, the possibility that the imaging | photography direction of the rear camera 21 may be changed carelessly can be suppressed beforehand, and a desired picked-up image can be acquired with high reliability. In particular, in the case where a driver is photographed for managing a taxi, a truck, etc., it is possible to avoid a situation in which the driver on the photographing side changes the photographing direction without permission. Further, if the thickness of the portion surrounding the adjustment hole 132 is increased, the outer peripheral surface of the rear camera 21 becomes a deepened position. Therefore, even when the adjustment knob 215 is provided on the outer peripheral surface, for example, the position of the adjustment knob 215 The risk of guessing the shooting direction from the state is reduced.

(Example 2)
This example is an example in which the front camera is omitted and the configuration of the adjusting means for adjusting the shooting direction of the rear camera is changed based on the room mirror 1 of the first embodiment.
In the rearview mirror of the first embodiment, an adjustment knob (symbol 215 in FIG. 1), which is an example of a projecting portion that forms an operation unit, is provided at a position that is substantially orthogonal to the shooting direction of the rear camera. On the other hand, in the rearview mirror 1 of FIGS. 17 to 19, an adjustment projection 215 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rear camera 21 on the opposite side of the shooting direction, and on the rear side of the housing 10 of the rearview mirror 1. The adjustment hole 106 is opened so that the protrusion 215 can be touched from the adjustment hole 106. The shooting direction of the rear camera 21 can be adjusted by moving the protrusion 215. In FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, a region facing the existing mirror is illustrated by a broken line 810 when attached to the vehicle.

  The room mirror 1 illustrated in FIG. 17 has a dimension in the horizontal direction larger than that of the existing mirror, and a portion that does not face the existing mirror is formed. In this room mirror 1, a substantially spherical camera 21 is accommodated in a portion that does not face the existing mirror. A dome shape for accommodating the camera 21 is formed on the rear side of the housing 10, and an adjustment hole 106 for exposing a projection 215 for adjusting the shooting direction of the camera is provided at the top portion thereof. .

  In the rearview mirror 1 illustrated in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, a groove-shaped recess 109 whose casing 10 is thinner than the surrounding is formed, and a substantially spherical camera 21 is accommodated inside the recess 109. An adjustment hole 106 is provided on the bottom surface of the recess 109, and a protrusion 215 for adjusting the shooting direction of the camera 21 is exposed there. When the rearview mirror 1 is attached to the existing mirror, the projection 215 faces the existing mirror, while the projection 215 can be operated with a fingertip or the like inserted from the outer peripheral side using the groove-shaped recess 109.

If the projection 215 for adjusting the shooting direction of the rear camera 21 is provided as shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, when it is necessary to change the shooting direction, the fingertip or the like is not removed from the existing mirror each time. You can easily change the shooting direction. Moreover, if it is the projection part 215 provided in the back side of the housing | casing 10, since it cannot see from a passenger | crew side, there is almost no possibility of impairing external appearance.
Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The embodiments described above may be modified and combined. For example, with respect to the structure of the first embodiment, the structure of the rear camera 21 of the second embodiment may be provided at the right end of the rearview mirror 1 so that the rear can be photographed by two cameras and the front can be photographed. . In addition, it is good also as a structure which incorporates the component described in each Example in another Example, and it is good also as a structure to which the technical idea described in the means for solving a problem, etc. is applied.

(Example 3)
This example is a modification based on Example 1 or Example 2.
For example, the liquid crystal display 30 that displays image information may be a vehicle rear-view mirror that is provided outside the housing 10 including the rear camera 21 and suppresses reflection of light by the liquid crystal display 30. In particular, in this vehicle rearview mirror, the liquid crystal display 30 is attached to the housing 10 in a foldable structure.
With such a vehicle rearview mirror, it is possible to confirm with the liquid crystal display 30 only when it is desired to view the video image taken by the rear camera 21, and otherwise the liquid crystal display 30 may be in an inconspicuous position. it can. Instead of the folding structure, the liquid crystal display 30 can be attached to the housing 10 with a sliding structure that can be taken out when necessary.

Further, it is preferable to use a vehicle rearview mirror that wirelessly transmits image information between image display means such as an external liquid crystal display that displays image information and the main body side in which the rear camera 21 is built. The external image display means may be a smartphone or the like, and wireless communication may be performed, for example, as Wi-Fi, by transmitting the image captured by the rear imaging means to the smartphone and displaying the image received by the smartphone. .
In addition, about another structure and an effect, it is the same as that of another Example.

Example 4
This example is a modification based on any one of Examples 1 to 3.
For example, a vehicle room mirror comprising: illumination means such as an LED that illuminates at least a part of the imaging range of the rear camera 21; and illumination shielding means that blocks the line of sight from the vehicle occupant side and makes the illumination means inconspicuous. Good. For example, if a high-sensitivity infrared camera is employed as the rear camera 21, a configuration that does not require illumination means can be obtained. However, if the configuration including the illumination unit and the illumination shielding unit as described above is used, for example, even when a general camera is used, there is not enough brightness for imaging by the rear camera 21 such as at night. Even so, the range illuminated by the illumination means can be imaged more clearly. For example, when photographing the inside of the vehicle with the rear camera 21, the photographing range may be set so that at least a part of the passenger in the vehicle is photographed.

As the illuminating means, for example, a means that emits light that is difficult to be visually recognized by a human so as to be inconspicuous may be used. In particular, the rear camera 21 may be one having sensitivity characteristics from the visible light region to the infrared region, and the illumination means may be an infrared LED.
The illumination shielding means may be a plate or a lens. In particular, it may be an object that covers the irradiation direction of the illumination means. When the illumination unit emits infrared light, the illumination unit may be covered with a plate-like or lens-like object having a filter characteristic that allows infrared light to pass through.

  The illumination shielding means may be a shielding means that makes the rear camera 21 inconspicuous. The shielding means and the illumination shielding means are preferably used as the same member. In particular, the shielding means and the illumination shielding means are preferably the same member. For example, an infrared LED is used as the illumination means, and the shielding means and the illumination shielding means may be provided with the rear camera 21 or the like as the rear imaging means inside the half mirror of the same member. It becomes inconspicuous from the outside, and it becomes difficult for the person to be photographed to recognize that illumination and imaging are being performed.

  Moreover, it is good to provide the incident suppression means which suppresses that the reflected light by an illumination shielding means injects into the image | video imaged with the rear camera 21. FIG. For example, when the shielding means and the illumination shielding means are used as the same member, for example, when the member is a half mirror, the illumination light of the illumination means is incident on the rear camera 21 as reflected light by the half mirror. It has been found that there is a problem in that an image in the imaging range is not obtained by reflected light from the half mirror and normal imaging cannot be performed. This problem is particularly noticeable when a configuration is adopted in which the shielding means and the illumination shielding means are the same member.

Therefore, if the above-described incident suppression unit is provided, an image in the imaging range of the rear camera 21 can be normally captured by the reflected light from the illumination shielding unit.
The incident suppression means may be of any configuration as long as it prevents the reflected light from the illumination shielding means from entering. In particular, the space between the illumination means and the illumination shielding means, and the rear camera 21 shielding means. It is preferable to provide a structure for optically partitioning the space between the two. For example, a shielding plate or the like may be provided between the two spaces. In addition, it is preferable that the space between the two be separated by a distance that is difficult for the light reflected by the illumination shielding means to enter.

  The illumination shielding means may be arranged outside the shielding means. In particular, the illumination shielding means may be configured separately from the shielding means.

  The illumination shielding means may include at least one of an operation unit included in the vehicle rearview mirror or a dummy member that is visible in the operation unit included in the vehicle rearview mirror. If comprised in this way, it will become difficult to recognize especially the presence of an illumination means by the person of imaging | photography object.

Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those of the other embodiments. As a specific example of the above-described configuration described in this example, for example, the following may be used.
(A) A configuration in which the infrared LED for illumination is arranged outside the mirror and a partition is provided between the mirror and the infrared LED.
(B) In order to camouflage the infrared LED, a configuration in which it is covered with a plate-like or lens-like object having a filter characteristic that allows infrared light to pass before the infrared LED.
(C) A configuration in which a partition is provided between the plate-like or lens-like object and the mirror.
(D) A configuration in which an operation button or a dummy of the operation button is made of a resin or the like that transmits infrared light outside the mirror and emits infrared light from behind the button.

(Example 5)
This example is a modification based on any one of Examples 1 to 4.
The vehicle rear-view mirror of this example includes a fixing means for fixing the rear camera 21 in place of or together with the adjusting means for the camera shooting direction.
The fixing means may have a structure that can fix the rear camera 21 to the housing 10. For example, a substrate provided with the camera may be fixed by screwing or the like.

  The configuration including the fixing means for fixing the rear camera 21 instead of the adjusting means is a vehicle rearview mirror provided in the vehicle interior so that the driver can confirm the rear, and the rear camera 21 for photographing the rear side. And a shielding means for obstructing the line of sight from the vehicle occupant side and making the rear camera 21 inconspicuous.

For example, the adjustment means is replaced with the configuration of the other embodiments, the adjustment means is not provided, and the camera is housed in the housing of the vehicle rearview mirror, and the camera is photographed with respect to the normal direction of the mirror surface (perpendicular to the mirror surface). A configuration may be adopted in which the camera is attached at an angle in which the direction (for example, the optical axis of the camera) is shifted. The vehicle rearview mirror adjusts the angle of the mirror surface so that the driver can see the rear. In that case, when the rear camera 21 is mounted with the normal direction of the mirror surface as the photographing direction, the rear camera 21 does not face the rear front. In this way, this can be corrected and the back front can also be photographed.
In addition, about another structure and an effect, it is the same as that of another Example.

(Example 6)
The components in the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined to constitute a device.
For example, the components described as suitable in any of the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined to form a device. In particular, a configuration including at least one of these components is preferable. More preferably, a configuration including a combination of these preferable components may be provided, and each component may be configured independently, but a device in which two or more configurations of particularly preferable components are combined. When it is configured, it exhibits an excellent effect.

For example, a configuration example may be as follows, for example.
A room mirror provided in the passenger compartment for the driver to check the rear,
First imaging means (e.g., a front camera) for photographing the front of the car;
A second imaging means (for example, a rear camera) that captures the interior and rear of the vehicle, and a recording means that records images captured by both imaging means;
At least the second imaging means is disposed inside the housing of the room mirror,
Set the shooting angle of view and installation accuracy so that you can shoot both the passenger and the situation outside the vehicle from the rear window,
Shielding means for blocking the line of sight from the occupant side of the vehicle to obscure the second imaging means;
Vehicle rearview mirror equipped with.

  As described above, specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail as in the embodiments. However, these specific examples merely disclose an example of the technology included in the scope of claims. Needless to say, the scope of the claims should not be construed as limited by the configuration, numerical values, or the like of the specific examples. The scope of the claims includes techniques in which the specific examples are variously modified, changed, or appropriately combined using known techniques and knowledge of those skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle room mirror 11 Case 130 Camera holding part 131,135 Housing | casing part 15 Cover 16 Mirror 160 Mirror surface 21 Rear camera 215 Adjustment knob 25 Front camera 3 Electronic board 30 Liquid crystal display

Claims (19)

A vehicle rearview mirror provided in the passenger compartment for the driver to check the rear,
A rear imaging means for photographing the rear side;
Shielding means for blocking the line of sight from the occupant side of the vehicle and making the rear imaging means inconspicuous;
A vehicle rearview mirror comprising: adjusting means for adjusting a shooting direction of the rear imaging means. In Claim 1, the said shielding means is a mirror surface which has translucency, and comprises a half mirror which forms at least a part of the mirror surface of a vehicle rearview mirror,
The rear imaging means is a vehicle rearview mirror that captures the rear side through the half mirror.   3. The vehicle rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit is capable of changing a shooting direction of the rear imaging unit in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.   4. The rear imaging means according to claim 3, wherein the rear imaging means is held on the main body side of the vehicle rearview mirror via a ball joint mechanism that holds the spherical portion having a convex spherical outer peripheral surface slidably by the concave spherical inner peripheral surface. A vehicle rearview mirror that is capable of adjusting the shooting direction using the ball joint mechanism.   The vehicle rearview mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an operation unit for changing the shooting direction is disposed on a side surface. The vehicle rearview mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the driver covers the mirror surface side of an existing rearview mirror installed in the vehicle interior so as to confirm the rear, and is attached later.
The vehicle room mirror in which the operation unit for changing the shooting direction is provided in a portion of the rear surface of the vehicle rearview mirror that does not face the existing rearview mirror when mounted on the existing rearview mirror. The vehicle rearview mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the driver covers the mirror surface side of an existing rearview mirror installed in the vehicle interior so as to confirm the rear, and is attached later.
The vehicle rearview mirror provided with the operation part for changing the imaging | photography direction in the position which can be operated from the outer peripheral side of the existing room mirror among the back surfaces which face an existing room mirror.   8. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to store a captured image acquired by the rear imaging unit in a storage medium, while the control unit receives power supply from the vehicle side. A vehicle rear-view mirror that repeatedly executes an operation of storing a new photographed image while allocating a storage area by deleting a photographed image with an old photographing time point.   The vehicle rear-view mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a front imaging unit that images a space outside the vehicle on the front side of the vehicle. 10. The structure according to claim 9, wherein at least a part of a mirror surface provided in the vehicle rearview mirror is formed by a half mirror that is a light-transmitting mirror surface, and the rear imaging means captures images through the half mirror. And
Brightness adjusting means for suppressing the difference between the brightness of the captured image of the rear imaging means that captures images through the half mirror and the brightness of the captured image of the forward imaging means that captures images without involving the half mirror Vehicle rearview mirror.   11. The vehicle rearview mirror according to claim 9, further comprising an adjusting unit for adjusting a shooting direction of the front imaging unit.   12. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein an adjustment unit is shared between the rear imaging unit and the front imaging unit, and the imaging direction of the rear imaging unit and the imaging direction of the front imaging unit can be changed in conjunction with each other. Room mirror.   The image display means for displaying image information is provided in any one of Claims 1-12, and the means for suppressing the reflection of the light of the said image display means with respect to the said back imaging means is provided. Vehicle rearview mirror. In any one of Claims 1-12,
Illuminating means for illuminating at least part of the imaging range by the rear imaging means;
A vehicle rearview mirror comprising illumination shielding means for obstructing the line of sight from the passenger side of the vehicle and making the illumination means inconspicuous.   15. The vehicle rearview mirror according to claim 14, wherein the illumination shielding means is the shielding means.   16. The vehicle rearview mirror according to claim 14, further comprising an incident suppression unit that suppresses the reflected light from the illumination shielding unit from entering an image captured by the rear imaging unit.   17. The vehicle rearview mirror according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the illumination shielding means is disposed outside the shielding means.   18. The illumination shielding unit according to claim 14, wherein the illumination shielding unit includes at least one of an operation unit included in the vehicle rear-view mirror or a dummy member that is visible in an operation unit included in the vehicle rear-view mirror. Vehicle rearview mirror equipped.   The vehicle rearview mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising: a fixing unit that fixes the rear imaging unit together with the adjusting unit instead of the adjusting unit according to the claim.