JP2018182602A - Imaging control device and imaging control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce power consumption in an imaging control device that controls an imaging apparatus which images a periphery of a vehicle.SOLUTION: In an imaging control device 10, an obstacle detection unit 13 detects an obstacle around an own vehicle, and acquires an obstacle direction viewed from the own vehicle and a distance from the own vehicle to the obstacle. When the distance from the own vehicle to the obstacle becomes a predetermined threshold value or less, a front camera power supply control unit 111, a rear camera power supply control unit 112, a right-side camera power supply control unit 113 and a left-side camera power supply control unit 114 turn on power supplies of a front camera 1, a rear camera 2, a right-side camera 3 and a left-side camera 4 of an imaging apparatus 100 which images a periphery of the own vehicle. The threshold value takes a different value according to the obstacle direction viewed from the own vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an imaging control apparatus that controls an imaging device that captures an area around a vehicle.

  An imaging control apparatus that captures an image of the periphery of a vehicle with a vehicle-mounted camera and stores an image captured when the vehicle collides with an obstacle is known as a so-called drive recorder (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 below). In such an imaging control apparatus, an on-vehicle camera always images the periphery of the vehicle, and the photographed images are sequentially recorded in a memory of a ring buffer structure. Then, when the vehicle collides with an obstacle, the video recorded in the memory before and after the collision is transferred to the non-volatile storage device and stored. Thereby, not only the video shot after the collision but also the video shot before the collision can be stored.

JP, 2006-331317, A JP 2004-224105 A Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2010-130114

  The conventional imaging control apparatus has a problem that power consumption is increased by the fact that shooting by the on-vehicle camera is always performed. This problem is particularly pronounced when multiple onboard cameras are used. In addition, since the video is always recorded in the memory, there is a concern that the life of the memory may be shortened.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce power consumption in an imaging control apparatus that controls an imaging device that captures an area around a vehicle.

  The imaging control apparatus according to the present invention detects an obstacle around the host vehicle and acquires an obstacle direction from the host vehicle and a distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle, and an obstacle from the host vehicle It has a power control unit that turns on the power of the imaging device that captures the area around the vehicle when the distance to the object is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and a video acquisition unit that acquires video captured by the imaging device. The threshold value takes different values according to the direction of the obstacle viewed from the host vehicle.

  According to the image pickup control device according to the present invention, the power of the image pickup apparatus is turned on only when the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. It can be reduced. Also, by taking different values according to the direction in which the obstacle is detected, it is possible to change the timing at which the camera is turned on for each direction in which the obstacle is detected. Thus, it is possible to suppress the power on of the camera being turned on wastefully, and to further reduce the power consumption.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle imaging system according to a first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the imaging control apparatus according to Embodiment 1. It is a flowchart which shows forward confirmation processing. It is a flowchart which shows a back confirmation process. It is a flowchart which shows the right side confirmation process. It is a flowchart which shows the left side confirmation process. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of an imaging control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of an imaging control apparatus. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle imaging system according to a second embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the image | video (bird's-eye view image | video) which a bird's-eye view image creation part produces. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle imaging system according to a third embodiment.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle imaging system according to the first embodiment. The said imaging system for vehicles contains the imaging device 100 mounted in the vehicle, the imaging control apparatus 10, the periphery sensor 5, and the collision sensor 6. FIG. Hereinafter, a vehicle equipped with these will be referred to as a "vehicle". However, the imaging control device 10 may not always be fixed in the host vehicle, and may be realized by a portable device such as a mobile phone or a smartphone.

  The imaging device 100 captures an image around the host vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 100 includes a front camera 1 that captures the front of the host vehicle, a rear camera 2 that captures the rear of the host vehicle, a right side camera 3 that captures the right side of the host vehicle, A left side camera 4 is provided to capture the left side of the vehicle. Although the imaging device 100 is configured to include four cameras here, the number of cameras included in the imaging device 100 may be any number.

  Hereinafter, the video captured by the front camera 1 is “front video”, the video captured by the rear camera 2 is “back video”, the video captured by the right side camera 3 is “right video”, and the left camera 4 is captured The image is called "left side image". Also, the front camera 1, rear camera 2, right side camera 3 and left side camera 4 are collectively referred to as "cameras 1 to 4", and the front image, rear image, right side image and left side image are collectively referred to as "peripheral images". There is also something to do.

  The surrounding sensor 5 detects an obstacle (for example, another vehicle, a pedestrian, a building, a guardrail, a falling object, etc.) existing around the own vehicle. In addition, the peripheral sensor 5 measures the direction of the obstacle seen from the host vehicle and the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle, and outputs a signal representing the measurement result. The peripheral sensor 5 is, for example, a millimeter wave radar, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser radar, or the like. The collision sensor 6 detects a collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle, and outputs a detection result, that is, a signal indicating the presence or absence of the collision. For example, an acceleration sensor that detects an impact applied to the host vehicle can be used as the collision sensor 6.

  The imaging control device 10 detects the direction of the obstacle measured by the peripheral sensor 5, the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle, and the detection result of the collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle by the collision sensor 6. It controls the operation of (cameras 1 to 4). Further, the imaging control device 10 acquires a peripheral image of the host vehicle taken by the imaging device 100, and when the collision sensor 6 detects a collision between the host vehicle and an obstacle, the drive recorder stores the peripheral image. Act as.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging control apparatus 10 functions as a power supply control unit that controls switching on and off of the power supply of the imaging device 100, such as a front camera power control unit 111 that controls the power supply of the front camera 1; The rear camera power control unit 112 that controls the power supply 2; the right side camera power control unit 113 that controls the power of the right side camera 3; and the left camera power control unit 114 that controls the power of the left side camera 4 Have. In the following description, the front camera power control unit 111, the rear camera power control unit 112, the right side camera power control unit 113, and the left side camera power control unit 114 may be collectively referred to as "camera power control units 111 to 114". is there.

  In addition, the imaging control device 10, as an image acquisition unit for acquiring a peripheral image of the host vehicle taken by the imaging device 100, a forward video acquisition unit 121 for acquiring a video (forward video) taken by the front camera 1, A rear image acquisition unit 122 for acquiring an image (a backward image) captured by 2; a right side image acquisition unit 123 for acquiring an image (right image) captured by a right side camera 3; And a left side video acquisition unit 124 for acquiring a video (left side video). Each of the forward video acquisition unit 121, the backward video acquisition unit 122, the right-side video acquisition unit 123, and the left-side video acquisition unit 124 has, for example, a memory of a ring buffer structure to temporarily record the acquired video. There is. In the following description, the front image acquisition unit 121, the rear image acquisition unit 122, the right side image acquisition unit 123, and the left direction image acquisition unit 124 may be collectively referred to as "image acquisition units 121 to 124".

  The imaging control device 10 further includes an obstacle detection unit 13 to which an output signal of the peripheral sensor 5 is input, and a collision detection unit 14 to which an output signal of the collision sensor 6 is input. The obstacle detection unit 13 detects an obstacle around the host vehicle based on the output signal of the peripheral sensor 5, and also detects information about the direction of the obstacle viewed from the host vehicle and the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle To get The collision detection unit 14 detects a collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle based on the output signal of the collision sensor 6.

  The imaging control device 10 further includes a video storage unit 15 capable of storing the peripheral video of the vehicle acquired by the video acquisition units 121 to 124. However, in the image storage unit 15, the peripheral image of the host vehicle is stored only when the collision detection unit 14 detects a collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle. By limiting peripheral images stored in the image storage unit 15 to those when the host vehicle collides with an obstacle, the storage capacity required for the image storage unit 15 can be reduced. The video storage unit 15 is preferably a non-volatile storage medium. In addition, the image storage unit 15 does not have to be built in the imaging control device 10, and may be externally attached to the imaging control device 10.

  As described above, the camera power control units 111 to 114 control switching on and off of the power of the cameras 1 to 4 included in the imaging device 100. The operations of the camera power control units 111 to 114 detect the direction of the obstacle acquired by the obstacle detection unit 13 and the distance from the vehicle to the obstacle, and the collision detection unit 14 detects a collision between the vehicle and the obstacle. It will be based on the result.

  First, an operation in which the camera power control units 111 to 114 turn on the cameras 1 to 4 will be described. When the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the camera power control units 111 to 114 turn on the cameras 1 to 4 and start photographing around the host vehicle. However, the above threshold value differs depending on the direction of the obstacle viewed from the host vehicle. The threshold value corresponding to each direction may be any value.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the threshold value of the side (left and right direction) of the host vehicle is different from the threshold of the host vehicle in the front and rear direction. Further, it is assumed that the forward threshold and the backward threshold of the vehicle are equal, and the right and left thresholds of the vehicle are equal. In this case, assuming that the obstacle is a moving object such as another vehicle or a pedestrian, for example, when the moving object approaches from the front or back and when the moving object approaches from the side. , The timing at which the power of the cameras 1 to 4 is turned on (the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle) is different. Hereinafter, the thresholds corresponding to the front, rear, right side and left side of the vehicle will be referred to as “front threshold”, “rear threshold”, “right side threshold” and “left side threshold”, respectively.

  Generally, the vehicle travels only in the front-rear direction, so the time taken for an obstacle appearing in the front-rear direction of the vehicle to collide with the vehicle is longer than the time taken for the obstacle appearing on the side to collide with the vehicle. short. Therefore, it is preferable to capture an obstacle detected in the front-rear direction of the host vehicle from earlier timing. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the front threshold and the rear threshold are made larger than the right threshold and the left threshold. Therefore, when the obstacle approaches the host vehicle from the front or the rear, the power of the cameras 1 to 4 is turned on earlier than when the mobile object approaches the host vehicle from the side.

  In the present embodiment, although the forward threshold and the backward threshold are assumed to be equal, in general, the forward threshold is made larger than the backward threshold because the vehicle moves faster when moving forward than when the vehicle is moving backward. May be

  Next, an operation in which the camera power control units 111 to 114 turn off the cameras 1 to 4 will be described. There are two major cases in which the cameras 1 to 4 are turned off.

  The first case is a case where the collision detection unit 14 detects a collision between the host vehicle and an obstacle. At this time, the camera power control units 111 to 114 turn off the power of the cameras 1 to 4 after a predetermined time from the detection of the collision to end the photographing. As described above, in this case, the peripheral images of the vehicle taken by the cameras 1 to 4 are stored in the video storage unit 15 by the video acquisition units 121 to 124.

  In the second case, a collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle is not detected even if a certain period of time has elapsed after the detection that the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle has become equal to or less than the threshold value. The distance from the point to the obstacle is greater than the threshold. That is, the cameras 1 to 4 are turned off if the host vehicle moves away from the obstacle without colliding with the obstacle. In this case, the peripheral image of the host vehicle taken by the cameras 1 to 4 is not stored in the image storage unit 15.

  In the above, it has been described that the switching on / off of the power of the cameras 1 to 4 is all simultaneously performed, but the power of the cameras 1 to 4 is controlled independently according to the direction in which the obstacle is detected. May be

  For example, among the cameras 1 to 4, only the camera corresponding to the direction in which the obstacle is detected may be turned on. In this case, when an obstacle is detected in front of the host vehicle and the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is less than or equal to the front threshold, the front camera power control unit 111 turns on only the power of the front camera 1 . Similarly, when the distance from the host vehicle to the rear obstacle becomes equal to or less than the rear threshold, the rear camera power control unit 112 turns on only the power of the rear camera 2. When the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle on the right side becomes equal to or less than the right side threshold, the right side camera power control unit 113 turns on only the power of the right side camera 3. When the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle on the left side becomes equal to or less than the left side threshold, the left side camera power control unit 114 turns on only the power of the left side camera 4.

  Also, the number of cameras associated with each direction may be more than one. In the present embodiment, three cameras are associated in each direction. That is, in the front, the front camera 1 is associated with the right side camera 3 and the left side camera 4 sandwiching it. At the rear, the rear camera 2 is associated with the right side camera 3 and the left side camera 4 that sandwich the rear camera 2. On the right side, the right side camera 3 is associated with the front camera 1 and the rear camera 2 sandwiching it. On the left side, the left side camera 4 is associated with the front camera 1 and the rear camera 2 sandwiching it.

  In this case, when the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle ahead becomes equal to or less than the front threshold, the front camera power control unit 111, the right side camera power control unit 113 and the left side camera power control unit 114 The power of the right side camera 3 and the left side camera 4 is turned on. In addition, when the distance from the host vehicle to the rear obstacle becomes equal to or less than the rear threshold, the rear camera power control unit 112, the right side camera power supply control unit 113, and the left side camera power supply control unit 114 The power of the one-way camera 3 and the left-side camera 4 is turned on. When the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle on the right side becomes equal to or less than the threshold on the right side, the right side camera power control unit 113, the front camera power control unit 111 and the rear camera power control unit 112 The camera 1 and the rear camera 2 are powered on. When the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle on the left side becomes equal to or less than the left side threshold, the left side camera power control unit 114, the front camera power control unit 111 and the rear camera power control unit 112 The camera 1 and the rear camera 2 are powered on.

  The user may arbitrarily set which camera is to be associated with each direction. Further, in the present embodiment, the direction of the obstacle viewed from the host vehicle is divided into four directions of front, rear, right side and left side, but it may be further subdivided, for example, divided into 6 directions, 8 directions etc. Good.

  2 to 6 are flowcharts showing the operation of the imaging control apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the imaging control apparatus 10 will be described with reference to these figures.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging control apparatus 10 confirms the situation in front of the host vehicle and performs processing according to that situation (Step S1), and confirms the situation in the rear of the host vehicle. Backward confirmation processing (step S2) which performs processing according to the situation, right side confirmation processing (step S3) which confirms the situation of the right side of the own vehicle and performs processing according to the situation, and left side of the own vehicle And the left side confirmation process (step S4) of performing the process according to the situation is repeatedly executed.

  In FIG. 2, it is shown that the forward confirmation process (step S1), the backward confirmation process (step S2), the right side confirmation process (step S3) and the left side confirmation process (step S4) are executed in this order. However, the order of these four processes may be arbitrary. Also, these four processes may be performed simultaneously in parallel.

  A flowchart of the forward confirmation process is shown in FIG. In the forward confirmation process, first, the obstacle detection unit 13 determines whether an obstacle is detected in front of the host vehicle based on the output signal of the surrounding sensor 5 (step S101). If an obstacle is not detected in front of the host vehicle (NO in step S101), the front confirmation process ends.

  If an obstacle is detected in front of the host vehicle (YES in step S101), the obstacle detection unit 13 determines whether the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is equal to or less than the front threshold (step S102). . If the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is greater than the front threshold (NO in step S102), the front confirmation process ends.

  If the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is equal to or less than the front threshold (YES in step S102), front camera power control unit 111, right side camera power control unit 113 and left side camera power control unit 114 The power of the right side camera 3 and the left side camera 4 is turned on (step S103). As a result, shooting of peripheral images (forward image, right side image and left side image) by the front camera 1, right side camera 3 and left side camera 4 is started. The photographed peripheral video is acquired by the forward video acquisition unit 121, the right side video acquisition unit 123, and the left side video acquisition unit 124, and is recorded in each of the memories.

  Next, the collision detection unit 14 determines whether a collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle is detected based on the output signal of the collision sensor 6 (step S104). If a collision between the own vehicle and an obstacle is detected (YES in step S104), a predetermined time after detection of the collision, the front camera power control unit 111, the right side camera power control unit 113, and the left side camera power control unit A step 114 turns off the power of the front camera 1, the right side camera 3 and the left side camera 4 (step S105). This completes the shooting of the peripheral image. Further, in this case, the front image acquisition unit 121, the right side image acquisition unit 123, and the left side image acquisition unit 124 can use the image storage unit 15 for peripheral images acquired from the front camera 1, the right side camera 3 and the left direction camera 4. Transfer and save (step S106).

  On the other hand, when a collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle is not detected in step S104 (NO in step S104), the obstacle detection unit 13 determines again whether the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is less than or equal to the front threshold. Is determined (step S107). At this time, if the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is equal to or less than the front threshold (YES in step S107), the process returns to step S104, and photographing of a surrounding image of the host vehicle and detection of a collision with the obstacle are continued.

  On the other hand, if the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is larger than the front threshold (NO in step S107), it can be determined that the host vehicle has moved away from the obstacle without colliding with the obstacle. The unit 111, the right-side camera power control unit 113 and the left-side camera power control unit 114 turn off the power of the front camera 1, the right-side camera 3 and the left-side camera 4 (step S108). This completes the shooting of the peripheral image. However, in this case, the peripheral video acquired by the forward video acquisition unit 121, the right side video acquisition unit 123, and the left side video acquisition unit 124 is not stored in the video storage unit 15. Thereafter, the forward confirmation process ends.

  Hereinafter, although the backward confirmation processing, the right side confirmation processing, and the left side confirmation processing will be described, those processing turn on the power of the threshold value in the direction of detecting the obstacle, the distance between the own vehicle and the obstacle Basically, the process is the same as the forward confirmation process except that the camera and the like are different.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the backward confirmation process. In the rear confirmation process, first, the obstacle detection unit 13 determines whether an obstacle is detected behind the host vehicle based on the output signal of the surrounding sensor 5 (step S201). If an obstacle is not detected behind the host vehicle (NO in step S201), the rear check processing ends.

  If an obstacle is detected behind the host vehicle (YES in step S201), the collision detection unit 14 determines whether the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is less than or equal to the rear threshold (step S202). If the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is larger than the rear threshold (NO in step S202), the rear confirmation processing ends.

  If the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is equal to or less than the rear threshold (YES in step S202), rear camera power control unit 112, right side camera power control unit 113 and left side camera power control unit 114 2. The power of the right side camera 3 and the left side camera 4 is turned on (step S203). As a result, shooting of a peripheral image (rear image, right side image, left side image) by the rear camera 2, right side camera 3 and left side camera 4 is started. The photographed peripheral video is acquired by the rear video acquisition unit 122, the right side video acquisition unit 123, and the left side video acquisition unit 124, and is recorded in the respective memories.

  Next, the collision detection unit 14 determines whether a collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle is detected based on the output signal of the collision sensor 6 (step S204). When a collision between the own vehicle and an obstacle is detected (YES in step S204), after a predetermined time from the detection of the collision, the rear camera power control unit 112, the right side camera power control unit 113, and the left side camera power control unit The power supply 114 turns off the power of the rear camera 2, the right side camera 3 and the left side camera 4 (step S205). This completes the shooting of the peripheral image. Also, in this case, the rear image acquisition unit 122, the right side image acquisition unit 123, and the left side image acquisition unit 124 can use the image storage unit 15 for peripheral images acquired from the rear camera 2, the right side camera 3 and the left direction camera 4. Transfer and save (step S206).

  On the other hand, when a collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle is not detected in step S204 (NO in step S204), the obstacle detection unit 13 determines again whether the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is less than or equal to the rear threshold. (Step S207). At this time, if the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is equal to or less than the rear threshold (YES in step S207), the process returns to step S204, and photographing of a surrounding image of the host vehicle and detection of a collision with the obstacle are continued.

  On the other hand, if the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is larger than the rear threshold (NO in step S207), it can be determined that the host vehicle has moved away from the obstacle without colliding with the obstacle. The unit 112, the right-side camera power control unit 113, and the left-side camera power control unit 114 turn off the power of the rear camera 2, the right-side camera 3 and the left-side camera 4 (step S208). This completes the shooting of the peripheral image. However, in this case, the peripheral image acquired by the rear image acquiring unit 122, the right side image acquiring unit 123, and the left side image acquiring unit 124 is not stored in the image storage unit 15. Thereafter, the backward confirmation process ends.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the right side confirmation process. In the right side confirmation process, first, the obstacle detection unit 13 determines whether an obstacle is detected on the right side of the host vehicle based on the output signal of the peripheral sensor 5 (step S301). If an obstacle is not detected on the right side of the host vehicle (NO in step S301), the right side confirmation process ends.

  If an obstacle is detected on the right side of the own vehicle (YES in step S301), the obstacle detection unit 13 determines whether the distance from the own vehicle to the obstacle is equal to or less than the right side threshold (step S302). If the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is larger than the right side threshold (NO in step S302), the right side confirmation process ends.

  If the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is equal to or less than the right side threshold (YES in step S302), the right side camera power control unit 113, the front camera power control unit 111 and the rear camera power control unit 112 respectively The power of the camera 3, the front camera 1 and the rear camera 2 is turned on (step S303). As a result, shooting of the peripheral video (right video, front video and rear video) by the right side camera 3, the front camera 1 and the rear camera 2 is started. The photographed peripheral video is acquired by the right side video acquisition unit 123, the forward video acquisition unit 121, and the rear video acquisition unit 122, and is recorded in each of the memories.

  Next, the collision detection unit 14 determines, based on the output signal of the collision sensor 6, whether or not a collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle is detected (step S304). If a collision between the own vehicle and an obstacle is detected (YES in step S304), a predetermined time after the detection of the collision, the right side camera power control unit 113, the front camera power control unit 111, and the rear camera power control unit 112 However, the power of the right side camera 3, the front camera 1 and the rear camera 2 is turned off (step S305). This completes the shooting of the peripheral image. Further, in this case, the right side video acquisition unit 123, the front video acquisition unit 121, and the rear video acquisition unit 122 transfer the peripheral video acquired from the right side camera 3, the front camera 1 and the rear camera 2 to the video storage unit 15. And save (step S306).

  On the other hand, in step S304, when a collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle is not detected (NO in step S304), obstacle detection unit 13 again determines whether the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is less than or equal to the right threshold. It is determined (step S307). At this time, if the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is less than or equal to the threshold on the right side (YES in step S307), the process returns to step S304, and photographing of a surrounding image of the host vehicle and detection of collision with the obstacle are continued. .

  On the other hand, if the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is larger than the threshold on the right side (NO in step S307), it can be determined that the host vehicle has moved away from the obstacle without colliding with the obstacle. The power control unit 113, the front camera power control unit 111 and the rear camera power control unit 112 turn off the power of the right side camera 3, the front camera 1 and the rear camera 2 respectively (step S308). This completes the shooting of the peripheral image. However, in this case, the peripheral video acquired by the right side video acquisition unit 123, the forward video acquisition unit 121, and the rear video acquisition unit 122 is not stored in the video storage unit 15. Thereafter, the right side confirmation process ends.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing left side confirmation processing. In the left side confirmation process, first, the obstacle detection unit 13 determines whether an obstacle is detected on the left side of the host vehicle based on the output signal of the peripheral sensor 5 (step S401). If an obstacle is not detected on the left side of the host vehicle (NO in step S401), the left side confirmation process ends.

  If an obstacle is detected on the left side of the own vehicle (YES in step S401), the obstacle detection unit 13 determines whether the distance from the own vehicle to the obstacle is equal to or less than the left side threshold (step S402). If the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is greater than the left side threshold (NO in step S402), the left side confirmation process ends.

  If the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is equal to or less than the left side threshold (YES in step S402), the left side camera power control unit 114, the front camera power control unit 111, and the rear camera power control unit 112 The power of the camera 4, the front camera 1 and the rear camera 2 is turned on (step S403). As a result, photographing of peripheral images (left side image, front image and rear image) by the left side camera 4, the front camera 1 and the rear camera 2 is started. The photographed peripheral video is acquired by the left side video acquisition unit 124, the forward video acquisition unit 121, and the rear video acquisition unit 122, and is recorded in each of the memories.

  Next, the collision detection unit 14 determines based on the output signal of the collision sensor 6 whether or not a collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle is detected (step S404). If a collision between the own vehicle and an obstacle is detected (YES in step S404), a predetermined time after detection of the collision, the left camera power control unit 114, the front camera power control unit 111, and the rear camera power control unit 112 However, the power of the left side camera 4, the front camera 1 and the rear camera 2 is turned off (step S405). This completes the shooting of the peripheral image. Also, in this case, the left side video acquisition unit 124, the front video acquisition unit 121, and the rear video acquisition unit 122 transfer the peripheral video acquired from the left side camera 4, the front camera 1 and the rear camera 2 to the video storage unit 15. And save (step S406).

  On the other hand, in step S404, when a collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle is not detected (NO in step S404), obstacle detection unit 13 again determines whether the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is less than or equal to the left threshold. It is determined (step S407). At this time, if the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is equal to or less than the left side threshold (YES in step S407), the process returns to step S404, and shooting of a surrounding image of the host vehicle and detection of a collision with the obstacle are continued. .

  On the other hand, if the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is greater than the left threshold (NO in step S407), it can be determined that the host vehicle has moved away from the obstacle without colliding with the obstacle. The power control unit 114, the front camera power control unit 111 and the rear camera power control unit 112 turn off the power of the left side camera 4, the front camera 1 and the rear camera 2 respectively (step S408). This completes the shooting of the peripheral image. However, in this case, the peripheral video acquired by the left side video acquisition unit 124, the forward video acquisition unit 121, and the rear video acquisition unit 122 is not stored in the video storage unit 15. Thereafter, the left side confirmation process ends.

  As described above, according to the imaging control device 10 according to the first embodiment, the imaging device 100 (cameras 1 to 4) is only when the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. Is turned on. Therefore, while being able to reduce the power consumption by imaging device 100, it can control that the life of the memory of image acquisition parts 121-124 which memorize | stores temporarily the image which imaging device 100 picturized is short. Furthermore, when the above threshold value takes different values depending on the direction in which the obstacle is detected, the timing at which the power of the imaging device 100 is turned on can be changed for each direction in which the obstacle is detected. As a result, it is possible to prevent the power of the imaging apparatus 100 from being turned on wastefully, and it is possible to further reduce the power consumption.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle becomes equal to or less than the threshold, all the power supplies of the cameras 1 to 4 are not turned on, but are associated with the direction in which the obstacle is detected. The camera is turned on only. This can also contribute to the reduction of power consumption.

  7 and 8 each show an example of the hardware configuration of the imaging control apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. Each element (camera power control units 111 to 114, image acquisition units 121 to 124, obstacle detection unit 13, collision detection unit 14 and image storage unit 15) of the imaging control device 10 shown in FIG. It is realized by the processing circuit 50 shown. That is, the processing circuit 50 detects an obstacle around the host vehicle, and also acquires an obstacle direction from the host vehicle and a distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle, and an obstacle from the host vehicle The camera power control units 111 to 114 that turn on the power of the imaging device 100 (cameras 1 to 4) that images the periphery of the vehicle when the distance to the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold And image acquisition units 121 to 124 for acquiring an image. Further, the threshold value takes different values according to the direction of the obstacle viewed from the host vehicle. Dedicated hardware may be applied to the processing circuit 50, and a processor that executes a program stored in a memory, a central processing unit (CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microprocessor, etc. A computer, DSP (Digital Signal Processor) may be applied.

  When the processing circuit 50 is dedicated hardware, the processing circuit 50 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA (field-programmable) This corresponds to Gate Array) or a combination thereof. Each of the functions of each element of the imaging control apparatus 10 may be realized by a plurality of processing circuits, or those functions may be realized collectively by one processing circuit.

  FIG. 8 shows the hardware configuration of the imaging control apparatus 10 when the processing circuit 50 is configured using a processor. In this case, the function of each element of the imaging control apparatus 10 is realized by software (software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware). Software and the like are described as a program and stored in the memory 52. The processor 51 as the processing circuit 50 reads out and executes a program stored in the memory 52 to realize the functions of the respective units. That is, when executed by the processing circuit 50, the imaging control device 10 detects an obstacle around the host vehicle and acquires the direction of the obstacle viewed from the host vehicle and the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle And the process of turning on the power of the imaging device 100 (cameras 1 to 4) for photographing the periphery of the host vehicle when the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, As a result, a process of acquiring a video image is performed, and the threshold is provided with a memory 52 for storing a program that takes different values depending on the direction of the obstacle viewed from the host vehicle. In other words, this program can be said to cause the computer to execute the procedure and method of the operation of each element of the imaging control apparatus 10.

  Here, the memory 52 is non-volatile or non-volatile such as, for example, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). Volatile semiconductor memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, mini disk, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), its drive device, etc., or any storage medium used in the future May be

  In the above, the configuration in which the function of each element of the imaging control apparatus 10 is realized by either hardware or software has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and some elements of the imaging control apparatus 10 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and other elements may be realized by software or the like. For example, the function is realized by the processing circuit 50 as dedicated hardware for some elements, and the processing circuit 50 as the processor 51 reads a program stored in the memory 52 for other elements. It is possible to realize the function by executing it.

  As described above, the imaging control apparatus 10 can realize each of the functions described above by hardware, software, or the like, or a combination thereof.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle imaging system according to the second embodiment. The configuration of the imaging system for a vehicle shown in FIG. 9 is obtained by adding a bird's-eye view image creation unit 16 to the imaging control device 10 in the configuration of FIG.

  The bird's-eye view image creation unit 16 creates a bird's-eye view image that looks as if the user's own vehicle was photographed from the sky, from the peripheral images acquired by the image acquisition units 121 to 124 from the cameras 1 to 4 and stored in the image storage unit 15. That is, the bird's-eye-view video creation unit 16 performs processing processing to process the peripheral video (front video, rear video, right-side video, and left-side video) of the own vehicle stored in the video storage 15 into planar video. As shown in FIG. 10, a bird's-eye view image is created by combining the front image, the rear image, the right side image, and the left side image after processing and the plane image of the vehicle. As in the first embodiment, when the power of the cameras 1 to 4 is selectively turned on and any one of the front image, the rear image, the right side image, and the left side image is not acquired. The bird's eye view video is partially missing. The bird's-eye view video created by the video storage unit 15 is stored in the video storage unit 15.

  In the imaging control apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment, the peripheral image before and after the own vehicle collides with the obstacle is stored in the image storage unit 15 as a bird's-eye image. The user can easily grasp the positional relationship between the vehicle and the obstacle by confirming the bird's-eye view video before and after the vehicle collides with the obstacle.

Embodiment 3
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle imaging system according to the third embodiment. The configuration of the imaging system for a vehicle shown in FIG. 11 is obtained by adding a communication processing unit 17 that performs communication using the communication device 7 to the imaging control device 10 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG.

  When the collision detection unit 14 detects a collision between the own vehicle and the obstacle, the communication processing unit 17 controls the communication device 7 to transmit a notification to the external communication device that the own vehicle has collided with the obstacle. Do. The destination of this notification may be, for example, a portable terminal or a server of the owner or manager of the own vehicle. For example, in the case where the host vehicle is a rental car, when the host vehicle collides with the obstacle, the communication processing unit 17 transmits a notification to that effect to the server of the rental car company. Further, for example, if the own vehicle is a company car, when the own vehicle collides with an obstacle, the communication processing unit 17 transmits a notification to that effect to the server of the company who is the owner of the own vehicle.

  In addition, the communication processing unit 17 may transmit the peripheral image stored in the image storage unit 15 at the time of the collision, together with the notification that the host vehicle has collided with the obstacle. For example, if the peripheral image is transmitted to the portable terminal of the owner of the own vehicle, the owner can confirm the peripheral image on the portable terminal, and the convenience of the vehicle imaging system is improved. Furthermore, the communication processing unit 17 is applied to the imaging control device 10 according to the second embodiment, and the communication processing unit 17 sends a notification indicating that the host vehicle has collided with an obstacle, and the surroundings stored in the video storage unit 15 at the time of the collision. A bird's-eye view image created from the image may be transmitted.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to immediately notify the owner or the manager of the own vehicle that the own vehicle collides with the obstacle, and for example, it is possible to promptly take action when an accident occurs. . In particular, it is effective when the driver of the own vehicle is different from the owner or the manager, as in the case of a rental car or a company car. In addition, even when the own vehicle is a private car, it can be said that it is effective because a person other than the owner may be the driver.

  In the present invention, within the scope of the invention, each embodiment can be freely combined, or each embodiment can be appropriately modified or omitted.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Imaging device, 1 front camera, 2 rear camera, 3 right side camera, 4 left side camera, 5 periphery sensor, 6 collision sensor, 7 communication apparatus, 10 imaging control apparatus, 111 front camera power control unit, 112 rear camera power supply Control unit, 113 right side camera power supply control unit, 114 left side camera power supply control unit, 121 front image acquisition unit, 122 rear image acquisition unit, 123 right side image acquisition unit, 124 left side image acquisition unit, 13 obstacle detection unit , 14 collision detection unit, 15 video storage unit, 16 bird's-eye view video creation unit, 17 communication processing unit, 50 processing circuit, 51 processor, 52 memory.

Claims (11)

An obstacle detection unit that detects an obstacle around the vehicle and acquires a direction of the obstacle viewed from the vehicle and a distance from the vehicle to the obstacle;
A power control unit that turns on a power supply of an imaging device that captures an area around the vehicle when the distance from the vehicle to the obstacle is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value;
A video acquisition unit that acquires a video captured by the imaging device;
Equipped with
The threshold takes a different value depending on the direction of the obstacle viewed from the host vehicle.
Imaging control device. The threshold in the front-rear direction of the host vehicle is different from the threshold in the left-right direction of the host vehicle
The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1. The threshold in the front-rear direction of the host vehicle is larger than the threshold in the left-right direction of the host vehicle.
The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1. A collision detection unit that detects a collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle;
When the collision is detected after the imaging device is powered on, the power control unit turns off the imaging device a predetermined time after the collision is detected.
The imaging control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The power control unit turns off the power of the imaging device if the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle becomes larger than the threshold after the power of the imaging device is turned on.
The imaging control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A video storage unit configured to store the video acquired by the video acquisition unit;
The imaging control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A collision detection unit that detects a collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle;
The image storage unit stores the image only when the collision is detected after the power of the imaging device is turned on.
The imaging control apparatus according to claim 6. The imaging device includes a plurality of cameras that capture different directions when viewed from the host vehicle,
The power supply control unit turns on only one or more of the plurality of cameras, the one or more cameras associated with the direction of the obstacle whose distance from the vehicle is less than the threshold. The imaging control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. And a bird's-eye-view video creation unit that creates a bird's-eye view video that appears to be captured from above the own vehicle from the video acquired by the video acquisition unit.
The imaging control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A collision detection unit that detects a collision between the host vehicle and the obstacle;
And a communication processing unit configured to notify an external communication device of the collision when the collision is detected.
The imaging control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. An imaging control method in an imaging control apparatus
The obstacle detection unit of the imaging control device detects an obstacle around the host vehicle and acquires the direction of the obstacle viewed from the host vehicle and the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle.
When the distance from the host vehicle to the obstacle is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the power control unit of the imaging control device turns on the power of the imaging device that captures the periphery of the host vehicle,
A video acquisition unit of the imaging control apparatus acquires a video captured by the imaging device;
The threshold takes a different value depending on the direction of the obstacle viewed from the host vehicle.
Imaging control method.

Images