JP2019200250A - Camera controller and camera control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To appropriately radiate ultraviolet ray.SOLUTION: A camera controller 50 for controlling an on-vehicle camera device 1 having a lens 18, an image sensor 14, a photocatalyst layer 20 that is provided on a surface 18A of the lens 18, decomposes organic matters with the irradiation of ultraviolet rays and exhibits hydrophilicity, and an ultraviolet LED 36 that irradiates the photocatalytic layer 20 with ultraviolet rays, is configured to comprise an ultraviolet irradiation control unit 77 that controls the amount of ultraviolet irradiation to the photocatalyst layer 20 by the ultraviolet LED 36 and the position of the ultraviolet LED 36 with respect to the lens 18 according to a predetermined condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera control device and a camera control method.

In recent years, in-vehicle camera devices mounted on vehicles have become widespread. In addition, a technology is known in which a hydrophilic filter containing a photocatalytic substance is provided on the front surface of a lens of an in-vehicle camera device, the surface of the hydrophilic filter is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and the organic substance adhering to the surface of the hydrophilic filter is washed with ultraviolet rays. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
As a method of irradiating the hydrophilic filter with ultraviolet rays, a method in which a cover having an ultraviolet light source is operated when the vehicle engine is stopped to cover the hydrophilic filter and irradiate the hydrophilic filter (for example, see Patent Document 1), or supported by a fixed arm. A method of irradiating a hydrophilic filter from an ultraviolet light source (for example, see Patent Document 2) has been proposed.

JP 2006-91249 A JP-A-9-230493

However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the battery is consumed due to the ultraviolet irradiation for a long time after the engine is stopped and the remaining amount is insufficient. Further, since the hydrophilic filter is covered with the cover when the engine is stopped, the hydrophilicity of the hydrophilic filter may be deteriorated when sunlight does not reach the hydrophilic filter and the vehicle is not used for a long time.
On the other hand, in the technique of Patent Document 2, there is a concern that ultraviolet rays are always fixedly irradiated from almost the front of the lens, and the image captured by the camera is affected.

  An object of this invention is to provide the camera control apparatus and camera control method which can irradiate an ultraviolet-ray appropriately.

  The present invention is a photocatalyst that is provided on a lens, an image sensor, the surface of the lens, or a transparent cover member that covers the lens, and that decomposes organic matter and develops hydrophilicity when irradiated with ultraviolet rays. A camera control device that controls a camera device having a layer and an ultraviolet light source that irradiates the photocatalyst layer with ultraviolet light, wherein the amount of ultraviolet light applied to the photocatalyst layer by the ultraviolet light source is variable and / or position variable. An ultraviolet irradiation control unit that controls a position of the configured ultraviolet light source with respect to the lens according to a predetermined condition is provided.

  In the camera control device according to the present invention, the camera or control device further includes a dirt determination unit that determines dirt on the surface of the lens or the cover member, and the ultraviolet irradiation control unit responds to dirt on the surface of the lens or the cover member. Then, the ultraviolet irradiation amount is controlled.

  The present invention is characterized in that, in the camera control device, the ultraviolet irradiation control unit starts ultraviolet irradiation to the photocatalyst layer by the ultraviolet light source according to the dirt.

  The present invention provides the above-described camera control device, further comprising a solar radiation amount determining unit that determines a solar radiation amount, and the ultraviolet irradiation control unit starts the ultraviolet irradiation to the photocatalyst layer by the ultraviolet light source according to the solar radiation amount. It is characterized by that.

  In the camera control device according to the present invention, the solar radiation amount determination unit determines the solar radiation amount based on a current time.

  In the camera control apparatus according to the present invention, the solar radiation amount determination unit determines the solar radiation amount based on exposure.

  The present invention includes a camera use state determination unit that determines whether or not imaging data of the camera device is being used by another device in the camera control device, wherein the ultraviolet irradiation control unit is configured to detect ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet light source. When irradiating the photocatalyst layer, when the other device is using the imaging data, the ultraviolet light source is disposed at a position outside the angle of view of the lens, and the other device uses the imaging data. When not in the middle, the ultraviolet light source is arranged at a position facing the lens.

  The present invention relates to the camera control device, wherein the camera device includes a case in which the imaging element is housed and the lens is provided on the front surface, and the ultraviolet irradiation control unit applies the ultraviolet rays of the ultraviolet light source to the photocatalyst layer. When not irradiating, the ultraviolet light source is arranged on the side of the case.

  The present invention relates to the camera control device, wherein the camera device supports the ultraviolet light source so as to be movable between a directly facing position facing the lens and a region outside the angle of view of the lens. It is characterized by providing.

  According to the present invention, in the camera control device, the camera device is provided in a vehicle, and includes a power source state determination unit that determines an operation state of a power source of the vehicle, and the ultraviolet irradiation control unit includes the power source. Is stopped, the irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet light source is stopped.

  The present invention is a photocatalyst that is provided on a lens, an image sensor, the surface of the lens, or a transparent cover member that covers the lens, and that decomposes organic matter and develops hydrophilicity when irradiated with ultraviolet rays. A camera control method for controlling a camera device having a layer and an ultraviolet light source that irradiates the photocatalyst layer with ultraviolet light, wherein the amount of ultraviolet irradiation to the photocatalyst layer by the ultraviolet light source is variable and / or position variable The position of the constructed ultraviolet light source with respect to the lens is controlled according to a predetermined condition.

  According to the present invention, ultraviolet rays can be appropriately irradiated.

It is a mimetic diagram of a vehicle carrying an in-vehicle camera concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of a vehicle-mounted camera typically, (A) is a top view, (B) is a front view. It is a figure which shows the movement of a light emission part typically. It is a figure which shows the structure of a vehicle-mounted camera control system. It is a flowchart of an ultraviolet irradiation control process. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the vehicle-mounted camera apparatus which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the vehicle-mounted camera apparatus which concerns on the other modification of this invention, (A) is a top view, (B) is a front view.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle 2 on which an in-vehicle camera device 1 according to the present embodiment is mounted.
The in-vehicle camera device 1 images the surroundings of the vehicle 2 and is installed to be exposed to the outside of the vehicle 2. The number of in-vehicle camera devices 1 can be set arbitrarily, but in this embodiment, the in-vehicle camera devices 1 are arranged on the front, rear, left side, and right side of the vehicle 2, respectively, and each in-vehicle camera device 1 has a predetermined angle of view α. By imaging each direction in FIG. 3, imaging in all directions of the vehicle 2 can be obtained based on the imaging of the in-vehicle camera device 1. Omnidirectional imaging is used for various purposes such as automatic driving control in the vehicle 2 and detection of an object (another vehicle, an obstacle, a person, a parking lot, etc.).
An in-vehicle camera control system 4 is mounted on the vehicle 2, and the in-vehicle camera control system 4 controls each in-vehicle camera device 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the in-vehicle camera device 1, where FIG. 2 (A) is a top view and FIG. 2 (B) is a front view.
As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the in-vehicle camera device 1 includes a camera unit 10 and a movable irradiation unit 12 when roughly classified.
The camera unit 10 includes an image sensor 14 and a substantially box-shaped case 16 that houses the image sensor 14. The case 16 is made of a material having ultraviolet resistance, and an observation window 17 is opened on the front surface 16 </ b> A, and a lens 18 is attached to the observation window 17.
The image pickup device 14 picks up an image of a range observed through the lens 18 from the observation window 17 (more precisely, the range of the angle of view α of the lens 18), and the image pickup device 14 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). ) Type solid-state imaging device or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type solid-state imaging device.

The lens 18 is a convex lens that protrudes from the observation window 17 of the case 16 to the front side. The lens 18 is also referred to as a so-called self-cleaning lens, and has a self-cleaning function for self-cleaning the surface 18A.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, the surface 18A of the lens 18 is covered with a photocatalyst layer 20 formed by depositing a photocatalyst with a predetermined thickness. For this photocatalyst, a material that oxidizes and decomposes organic matter by ultraviolet irradiation and develops hydrophilicity is used. In this embodiment, titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) that exhibits superhydrophilicity as hydrophilicity is used as the photocatalyst. It is used for.
The photocatalyst layer 20 oxidizes and decomposes organic contaminants by irradiation with ultraviolet rays, and further reacts with H ₂ O such as moisture in the air or rainwater to generate a hydrophilic hydroxyl group (—OH) on its surface. A thin water film is formed between its surface and the dirt adhering thereto, and the dirt floats up and flows down.
Furthermore, the photocatalyst layer 20 maintains hydrophilicity for a certain period after the ultraviolet irradiation. Therefore, during this time, even when exposed to rain water or washing water, the water film is formed on the surface of the photocatalyst layer 20 so that the dirt can easily flow down and also prevent the adhesion of water droplets. Is done. Note that the period during which the photocatalyst layer 20 remains hydrophilic is determined by the material of the photocatalyst.

The movable irradiation unit 12 includes a light source unit 30 that irradiates the lens 18 with ultraviolet rays, and is a unit that makes the position of the light source unit 30 relative to the lens 18 variable. In the present embodiment, the movable irradiation unit 12 includes the light source unit 30 between a position facing the lens 18 (a position facing the center of the lens 18) and a position deviating from the lens 18 in a front view. Is configured to move.
Specifically, the movable irradiation unit 12 includes a support arm 32 that supports the light source unit 30 and an actuator 34 having a rotation shaft 34A, and the support arm 32 is coupled to the rotation shaft 34A.

The light source unit 30 includes an ultraviolet LED 36 that is an example of an ultraviolet light source that emits ultraviolet rays, and a lens unit 38 that spreads and irradiates ultraviolet rays over substantially the entire area of the lens 18.
The support arm 32 is an L-shaped member that extends from one side surface of the case 16 and supports the light source unit 30 with the tip 32A. The tip 32A is located in front of the lens 18, and a light source is connected to the tip 32A. Part 30 is attached. One end 32B of the support arm 32 is connected to the rotation shaft 34A of the actuator 34, and the support arm 32 rotates as the rotation shaft 34A rotates.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the movement of the light source unit 30.
When the support arm 32 rotates integrally with the rotation shaft 34A of the actuator 34, the light source unit 30 supported by the support arm 32 moves from the directly facing position P0 of the lens 18 to the case 16 as shown in FIG. It moves to the retreat area C on the side surface. The retreat area C is an area outside the angle of view α of the lens 18, and the light source unit 30 moves to the retreat area C, thereby preventing the light source unit 30 from being reflected in imaging.

In the present embodiment, in the retreat area C, a position where the lens 18 can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays is set as the first retraction position P1. In the retreat area C, a position where the light source unit 30 does not shade the lens 18 (that is, a position directly facing the side surface of the case 16) is set as the second retraction position P2.
When the light source unit 30 moves from the directly-facing position P0 to the retreat area C, it moves to either the first retreat position P1 or the second retreat position P2 depending on the situation of the vehicle 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle camera control system 4.
The in-vehicle camera control system 4 includes a camera control device 50, a drive unit 52, and a signal processing unit 54.
The camera control device 50 controls each of the in-vehicle camera devices 1 and includes, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The ECU is an interface circuit for connecting a processor such as a CPU or MPU, a memory device such as a ROM or RAM, a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD, various vehicle-side devices 56, an in-vehicle network (for example, CAN), and the like. And a hardware device comprising: The vehicle side device 56 will be described later.

The drive unit 52 is provided for each in-vehicle camera device 1 and controls the in-vehicle camera device 1 according to the control of the camera control device 50. That is, the drive unit 52 rotationally drives the camera control circuit 52A that controls the imaging operation of the in-vehicle camera device 1, the LED control circuit 52B that controls the lighting of the ultraviolet LED 36, and the actuator 34 that controls the rotational drive of the actuator 34. An actuator control circuit 52C.
The LED control circuit 52B controls the light output (that is, the ultraviolet irradiation amount) of the ultraviolet LED 36 based on an instruction from the camera control device 50. For the light output control, an arbitrary method such as drive current control of the ultraviolet LED 36 or PWM lighting control is used.

The signal processing unit 54 processes an imaging signal output from the imaging device 14 of each in-vehicle camera device 1, and includes an A / D conversion circuit 54A, a memory 54B, and an image processing processor 54C. Consists of a computer.
The A / D conversion circuit 54A is provided for each on-vehicle camera device 1 (not shown), and performs analog-to-digital conversion on the output signal of the imaging device 14 to generate imaging data and outputs it to the memory 54B. The memory 54B stores imaging data of each in-vehicle camera device 1.
The image processor 54 </ b> C realizes a function of executing various types of image processing on the captured data, and includes an image density calculation unit 60 and a difference image generation unit 62 as functional units. Note that these functional units are realized by the image processor 54C executing a program stored in the memory 54B.

  The image density calculation unit 60 calculates the image density used for the exposure time control of each in-vehicle camera device 1 based on the imaging data of each in-vehicle camera device 1, and outputs it to the camera control device 50. The image density is a value indicating the signal output level of the image sensor 14 of the in-vehicle camera device 1, and the higher the image density, the higher the signal output level and the brighter the imaging target (high luminance). Therefore, by controlling the exposure of the in-vehicle camera device 1 so that the image density is constant, the imaging target is imaged with constant brightness (luminance).

In order to detect dirt on the lens 18 of each in-vehicle camera device 1, the difference image generation unit 62 generates, for each in-vehicle camera device 1, a difference image indicating a difference between two captured images based on the difference between the two imaging data. And output to the camera control device 50. These two photographed images are an image captured with the ultraviolet rays of the ultraviolet LED 36 applied to the lens 18 (hereinafter referred to as “ultraviolet irradiation image”) and an image captured with the ultraviolet LED 36 turned off (hereinafter referred to as “ultraviolet rays”). Non-irradiated image).
More specifically, organic molecules such as proteins absorb ultraviolet rays, and therefore, when such dirt components are attached to the lens, a difference occurs between the ultraviolet irradiation image and the ultraviolet non-irradiation image. The difference will appear in the difference image.

  The camera control device 50 controls the ultraviolet irradiation by the ultraviolet LED 36 to the lens 18 based on the signal processing result of the signal processing unit 54 and information obtained from the vehicle side device 56. A solar radiation amount determination unit 71, a camera usage state determination unit 73, a dirt determination unit 75, and an ultraviolet irradiation control unit 77.

  The engine state determination unit 70 determines whether or not the engine of the vehicle 2 is in an on state (non-stop state) based on information from the vehicle side device 56 such as an engine ECU. When the vehicle 2 uses a motor as a power source instead of an engine, the engine state determination unit 70 determines the operation state of the motor.

The solar radiation amount determination unit 71 determines whether the solar radiation amount sufficient for the photocatalytic layer 20 of the lens 18 to exhibit a photocatalytic action (oxidative decomposition action and hydrophilic expression) is obtained. In the present embodiment, the solar radiation amount determination unit 71 includes a sunset determination unit 78 and an exposure determination unit 79.
The sunset determination unit 78 determines the current time based on information from the vehicle-side device 56 such as GPS, and determines whether or not it is after sunset (or after the time when solar radiation becomes weak) based on the current time. .
The exposure determination unit 79 determines whether the in-vehicle camera device 1 is overexposed or insufficient based on the image density calculation unit 60 of the imaging data of each in-vehicle camera device 1.
And the solar radiation amount determination part 71 determines with sufficient solar radiation amount not being obtained after sunset or when exposure is insufficient.

  The camera control device 50 also performs exposure time control of each in-vehicle camera device 1 based on the determination result of the exposure determination unit 79. That is, the camera control device 50 calculates the exposure time for maintaining the image density constant based on the excess or deficiency of exposure, and controls each camera control circuit 52A so that imaging is performed with the exposure time.

  Based on information from the vehicle-side device 56 such as an in-vehicle monitor device, a navigation device, an automatic driving control device, and a driving support device, the camera use state determination unit 73 is connected to each on-vehicle camera device. It is determined whether or not one image data is being used.

  The dirt determination unit 75 determines the adhesion of dirt on the lens 18 of each in-vehicle camera device 1 based on the difference image of the difference image generation unit 62. Specifically, the dirt determination unit 75 determines whether or not a certain amount of dirt is attached (so-called degree of dirt) based on the size of the dirt area in the difference image.

  The ultraviolet irradiation control unit 77 controls the irradiation of the ultraviolet LED 36 in accordance with predetermined conditions such as the operating state of the engine, the amount of solar radiation, the usage state of the in-vehicle camera device 1 and the contamination of the lens 18. The operation will be described in detail below.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing ultraviolet irradiation control by the camera control device 50.
In the camera control device 50, first, the engine state determination unit 70 determines whether or not the engine is on (non-stop state) (step S1). If the engine is not on (step S1: NO), ultraviolet rays are emitted. In order to prevent battery consumption due to irradiation, the system waits until the engine is turned on without performing ultraviolet irradiation. During this time, the camera control device 50 arranges the light source unit 30 at the above-described second retraction position P2 so that the light source unit 30 does not shield sunlight entering the lens 18. Thereby, even when the vehicle 2 is placed in an outdoor parking lot or the like for a long time with the engine stopped, sunlight comes into contact with the lens 18, and the hydrophilicity of the photocatalyst layer 20 is maintained by the ultraviolet rays of the sunlight. , You will be able to disassemble the dirt again.

When the engine is turned on (non-stopped) (step S1: YES), the camera control device 50 activates the ultraviolet rays of the ultraviolet LED 36 only when the amount of solar radiation is small after starting each on-vehicle camera device 1. In order to suppress unnecessary UV irradiation by the UV LED 36, the following processing is executed.
That is, the sunset determination unit 78 determines whether or not the current time is after sunset (step S2). If it is before sunset (step S2: NO), the exposure determination unit 79 determines whether the exposure is excessive or insufficient. Determine (step S3). For example, if the amount of solar radiation is small due to bad weather or being located in a building shadow, tunnel or indoor parking lot, it is determined that the exposure is insufficient (step S3: YES).

  If it is before sunset and exposure is sufficient (step S2: NO and step S3: NO), the ultraviolet irradiation control unit 77, when there is an ultraviolet LED 36 that is lit at that time, the ultraviolet LED 36 Is turned off, and the light source unit 30 is moved to the second retracted position P2 (step S3-1).

  On the other hand, after sunset or when the exposure is insufficient (step S2: YES and step S3: YES), since the sunlight is not sufficiently applied to the lens 18, the ultraviolet irradiation control unit 77 includes the movable irradiation unit 12. And the photocatalyst layer 20 of the lens 18 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

  Specifically, first, the camera usage state determination unit 73 determines whether or not the vehicle-side device 56 is using the imaging data of the in-vehicle camera device 1 (step S4). When the imaging data is not in use (step S4: NO), the ultraviolet irradiation control unit 77 corrects the light source unit 30 so that the entire lens 18 including the central part that is particularly important in imaging is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. It moves to the position P0 (step S5). On the other hand, when the shooting data is in use (step S4: YES), the ultraviolet irradiation control unit 77 moves the light source unit 30 to the first retraction position P1 in order to prevent the light source unit 30 from being reflected in the captured image. (Step S6).

  Next, the dirt determination unit 75 determines whether or not a certain amount or more of dirt is attached to the lens 18 (that is, whether or not it is large) (step S7). Specifically, the camera control device 50 blinks the ultraviolet LED 36 and acquires from the signal processing unit 54 a difference image between the ultraviolet irradiation image and the ultraviolet non-irradiation image described above. Then, based on the difference image, the dirt determination unit 75 determines the adhesion of dirt.

If a certain amount or more of dirt is attached (step S7: YES), the ultraviolet irradiation control unit 77 turns on the ultraviolet LED 36 at the rated maximum light output (that is, the maximum ultraviolet irradiation amount) and starts ultraviolet irradiation (step). S8). Thereby, the photocatalyst layer 20 is irradiated with the maximum amount of ultraviolet rays.
On the other hand, if the adhesion of dirt is less than a certain amount (step S7: NO), the ultraviolet irradiation control unit 77 turns on the ultraviolet LED 36 with a light output lower than the rated maximum, and starts ultraviolet irradiation (step S9). Thereby, when there is not much dirt, the photocatalyst layer 20 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays having a low light amount corresponding to the dirt.
Therefore, the photocatalyst layer 20 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays having an appropriate amount of ultraviolet irradiation according to the degree of contamination, and the contamination of the lens 18 is efficiently removed.

When ultraviolet irradiation is started in this way, the dirt determination unit 75 determines whether or not the dirt has been decomposed (step S10). That is, also in step S10, as in step S7, the difference image is generated by the signal processing unit 54, and the stain determination unit 75 performs a stain based on the difference image (for example, the difference is equal to or less than a certain value). It is determined whether or not has been decomposed and removed.
When the dirt is not decomposed (step S10: NO), the camera control device 50 promptly determines that the ultraviolet irradiation control unit 77 suppresses battery consumption when the engine is turned off (step S11: YES). Then, the ultraviolet LED 36 is turned off, and the light source unit 30 is moved to the second retracted position P2 (step S12).

On the other hand, if the engine is not off (step S11: NO), the camera control device 50 returns the processing procedure to step S2. Thereby, while the amount of solar radiation is small (step S2: YES and step S3: YES), when the ultraviolet rays of the ultraviolet LED 36 are continuously irradiated and the dirt is decomposed (step S10: YES), the ultraviolet irradiation control is performed. The unit 77 turns off the ultraviolet LED 36 and moves the light source unit 30 to the second retreat position P2 (step S13).
Further, even when the ultraviolet LED 36 is on and the dirt is not decomposed (step S10: NO), when the amount of solar radiation increases (step S2: NO or step S3: NO), the ultraviolet irradiation control unit 77 ends the lighting of the ultraviolet LED 36, and moves the light source unit 30 to the second retracted position P2 (step S3-1).

  When the engine is on (step S1: YES), the camera control device 50 turns off the ultraviolet LED 36 and moves the light source unit 30 to the second retracted position P2 (step S3-1, step S13), and then the processing procedure. Is returned to step S1, and this process is repeatedly executed at regular intervals. Thereby, even if the vehicle 2 is traveling in an environment in which dirt easily adheres to the lens 18, the dirt can be quickly removed.

  According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, since the camera control device 50 controls the amount of ultraviolet irradiation to the photocatalyst layer 20 by the ultraviolet LED 36 and the position of the ultraviolet LED 36 with respect to the lens 18, the photocatalytic layer 20 can be more appropriately irradiated with ultraviolet rays. .

  In the present embodiment, since the ultraviolet ray irradiation amount is controlled according to the dirt on the surface of the lens 18, the photocatalyst layer 20 is irradiated with an ultraviolet ray having an appropriate irradiation ray dose depending on the degree of the dirt, and the lens 18 becomes dirty. Efficient removal.

  In the present embodiment, when the amount of solar radiation is small (more precisely, when the photocatalyst layer 20 is in an environment where sufficient ultraviolet light does not hit the photocatalytic action), the photocatalyst layer 20 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet LED 36. Start. Thereby, useless ultraviolet irradiation by ultraviolet LED36 can be prevented.

In this embodiment, since the solar radiation amount is determined based on the current time, it is possible to easily determine whether the solar radiation amount is excessive or insufficient.
In this embodiment, since the solar radiation amount is determined based on the exposure of the in-vehicle camera device 1, it is possible to determine whether the solar radiation amount is excessive or insufficient only by the information obtained from the in-vehicle camera device 1.
Since the amount of solar radiation is determined based on both the current time and the exposure, the vehicle 2 is traveling in an outdoor parking lot or tunnel even during the daytime when the amount of solar radiation is large. When the amount of solar radiation is insufficient due to bad conditions, it is possible to reliably irradiate ultraviolet rays. In particular, even in the rainy season and seasons with many typhoons, when the amount of solar radiation is insufficient, ultraviolet rays can be reliably irradiated to maintain the hydrophilicity of the photocatalyst layer 20.

In the present embodiment, when the photocatalyst layer 20 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet LED 36, the ultraviolet LED 36 is disposed at the first retraction position P1 outside the angle of view α of the lens 18 when other equipment is using the imaging data. However, when the other device is not using the imaging data, the ultraviolet LED 36 is disposed at the directly-facing position P 0 facing the lens 18.
Thereby, when another device is using the image data, it is possible to irradiate the ultraviolet ray in a state in which the reflection of the light source unit 30 in the captured image is suppressed. Further, when the other device is not using the imaging data, it is possible to irradiate the ultraviolet rays over the entire range from the central portion of the lens 18 to the whole.

In the present embodiment, when the photocatalyst layer 20 is not irradiated with the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet LED 36, the light source unit 30 places the light source unit 30 on the side of the case 16 (second retracted position P <b> 2). Is suppressed.
Thereby, even when the vehicle 2 is placed for a long period of time in an outdoor parking lot or the like, sunlight comes into contact with the lens 18, and the hydrophilicity of the photocatalyst layer 20 is maintained by the ultraviolet rays of the sunlight, and dirt is removed. It can be disassembled.

  In the present embodiment, while the engine of the vehicle 2 is in an off state (stopped), the irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet LED 36 is stopped, so that the battery of the vehicle 2 can be prevented from being consumed by the ultraviolet irradiation.

In the present embodiment, the support arm 32 that supports the ultraviolet LED 36 (the light source unit 30) is movable between a directly-facing position P0 that faces the lens 18 and a retreat area C that is out of the angle of view α of the lens 18. The in-vehicle camera device 1 is provided.
According to this configuration, the lens 18 is not obscured by the light source unit 30 as compared with the conventional configuration in which the lens 18 is covered with the cover provided with the ultraviolet light source. Can be washed away.

  The above-described embodiment is merely an example of one aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the above-described ultraviolet irradiation control, the camera control device 50 starts the ultraviolet irradiation by the ultraviolet LED 36 when there is no solar radiation amount sufficient to obtain the photocatalytic action of the photocatalyst layer 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. In response, ultraviolet irradiation may be started.
That is, when the engine is on (FIG. 5: step S1: YES), the camera control device 50 determines the adhesion of dirt to the surface of the lens 18 prior to the determination of the amount of solar radiation. And when dirt has adhered, ultraviolet irradiation by ultraviolet LED36 is started. In this case, an ultraviolet ray irradiation amount corresponding to the degree of dirt and the amount of solar radiation is irradiated, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the first retraction position P1 while imaging data is being used by another device.
Thereby, the ultraviolet LED 36 can be reliably turned on only when dirt is attached, and the dirt can be removed.

  In the above-described embodiment, even if the engine of the vehicle 2 is in the off state, the ultraviolet ray of the ultraviolet LED 36 is used to maintain the hydrophilicity of the photocatalyst layer 20 when the period in which the engine is off exceeds a certain time. May be irradiated to the photocatalyst layer 20.

  In the embodiment described above, the light source unit 30 may be provided with a plurality of ultraviolet LEDs 36. In this case, the ultraviolet irradiation amount may be controlled by changing the number of lighting of the ultraviolet LED 36.

  In the above-described embodiment, the sunset determination unit 78 acquires the sunrise time and sunset time of the day from the vehicle-side device 56 or an external server computer, and based on these sunrise time and sunset time. Whether or not it is after sunset may be accurately determined.

  In the embodiment described above, the in-vehicle camera control system 4 includes an illuminance sensor that detects ambient brightness, and the solar radiation amount determination unit 71 of the camera control device 50 is insufficient in the amount of solar radiation based on the detection result of the illuminance sensor. It may be determined whether or not.

  In the embodiment described above, the stain determination unit 75 may determine the stain as follows instead of determining the stain based on the difference image between the ultraviolet irradiation image and the ultraviolet non-irradiation image. That is, when each of the in-vehicle camera devices 1 has a foreign object appearing in the same location for a certain period of time or longer in each of the in-vehicle camera devices 1, the contamination determination unit 75 captures the foreign object. You may determine with dirt.

In the embodiment described above, the in-vehicle camera device 1 in which the photocatalyst layer 20 is coated on the surface 18A of the lens 18 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the camera unit 110 of the in-vehicle camera apparatus 100 houses the lens 18 inside the case 16 and fits the transparent cover glass 119 as a cover member in the observation window 17 of the case 16. Glass 119 covers lens 18. In this configuration, the photocatalyst layer 20 is provided on the surface 119A of the cover glass 119.

  In the above-described embodiment, the in-vehicle camera device 1 includes the movable irradiation unit 12 that makes the position of the light source unit 30 variable, but is not limited thereto. That is, as shown in the top view of FIG. 7A and the front view of FIG. 7A, an in-vehicle camera device 200 in which a plurality of light source units 30 that irradiate ultraviolet rays are arranged around the lens 18 is configured. Also good. In this configuration, it is desirable that each light source unit 30 be disposed at a location outside the angle of view α of the lens 18. Further, the camera control device 50 may control the ultraviolet light irradiation amount by controlling the light output of each light source unit 30, or control the ultraviolet light irradiation amount by changing the number of the light source units 30 to be lit. May be.

  In the embodiment described above, the ultraviolet irradiation control unit 77 controls both the ultraviolet irradiation amount and the position of the light source unit 30 when the light source unit 30 irradiates the ultraviolet light, but may be configured to control only one of them.

  In the above-described embodiment, a cleaning system that supplies a cleaning liquid (washer liquid, water, or the like) to the lens 18 may be provided in the vehicle 2, and the camera control device 50 may control the supply of the cleaning liquid. Specifically, when the dirt (inorganic matter such as mud and snow melting agent) that cannot be decomposed by the photocatalytic action adheres, the camera control device 50 injects a cleaning liquid to wash away the dirt. At this time, since the surface of the lens 18 is sufficiently hydrophilized by irradiation with ultraviolet rays, even if the cleaning liquid is supplied, a thin water film is formed on the surface of the lens 18 without forming water droplets, which affects the captured image. There is no.

In the above-described embodiment, an air injection system that injects air to the lens 18 and removes moisture and the like attached to the lens 18 may be provided in the vehicle 2, and the camera control device 50 may control the injection of the air. Specifically, for example, when tap water or rainwater after car washing adheres to the lens 18, the camera control device 50 removes this by jetting air. Thereby, it is possible to prevent impurities contained in moisture from remaining on the surface of the lens 18 due to drying. As a result, the amount of dirt attached to the surface of the lens 18 is reduced, and hydrophilicity can be maintained even with a small amount of ultraviolet irradiation.
Note that both the air injection system and the cleaning system may be provided in the vehicle 2.

  In the embodiment described above, the photocatalyst layer 20 may be provided on the ultraviolet light exit surface of the light source unit 30. The ultraviolet emission surface is, for example, the surface of the lens unit 38. As a result, it is possible to prevent dirt from adhering to the ultraviolet light exit surface of the light source unit 30 and to prevent a decrease in the amount of ultraviolet radiation.

  In the embodiment described above, the functional block shown in FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the components of the in-vehicle camera control system 4 classified according to main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention. These components can be classified into more components depending on the processing contents. Moreover, it can also classify | categorize so that one component may perform more processes.

  Further, the processing of each component of the camera control device 50 shown in FIG. 4 may be executed by one hardware or a plurality of hardware. Further, the processing of each component may be realized by one program or may be realized by a plurality of programs.

  The processing unit in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is divided according to the main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the ultraviolet irradiation control processing. The present invention is not limited by the way of dividing the processing unit or the name. Moreover, it can also divide | segment so that one process unit may contain many processes.

  The present invention is not limited to the on-vehicle camera device 1 and can be applied to control of any camera device used outdoors.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,100,200 Car-mounted camera apparatus 2 Vehicle 4 Car-mounted camera control system 10,110 Camera unit 12 Movable irradiation unit 14 Imaging element 16 Case 18 Lens 20 Photocatalyst layer 30 Light source part 32 Support arm 36 Ultraviolet LED (ultraviolet light source)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 Camera control apparatus 56 Vehicle side apparatus 70 Engine state determination part (power source state determination part)
71 Solar radiation amount determination unit 73 Camera use state determination unit 75 Dirt determination unit 77 Ultraviolet irradiation control unit 78 Sunset determination unit 79 Exposure determination unit 119 Cover glass (cover member)
C Retraction area P0 Direct position P1 First retraction position P2 Second retraction position α Angle of view

Claims (11)

A lens,
An image sensor;
A photocatalyst layer that is provided on the surface of the lens, or a transparent cover member that covers the lens, decomposes organic matter with the irradiation of ultraviolet rays, and exhibits hydrophilicity;
An ultraviolet light source for irradiating the photocatalyst layer with ultraviolet light;
A camera control device for controlling a camera device having
An ultraviolet irradiation control unit that controls the amount of ultraviolet irradiation to the photocatalyst layer by the ultraviolet light source and / or the position of the ultraviolet light source configured to be variable with respect to the lens according to a predetermined condition. A camera control device. A dirt determination unit for determining dirt on the surface of the lens or the cover member;
The ultraviolet irradiation control unit
The camera control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet irradiation amount is controlled in accordance with dirt on a surface of the lens or the cover member. The ultraviolet irradiation control unit
3. The camera control device according to claim 2, wherein ultraviolet irradiation to the photocatalyst layer by the ultraviolet light source is started in accordance with the dirt. A solar radiation amount determining unit for determining the solar radiation amount,
The ultraviolet irradiation control unit
4. The camera control device according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalyst layer is started to be irradiated with ultraviolet light by the ultraviolet light source according to the amount of solar radiation. 5. The solar radiation amount determination unit
Determining the amount of solar radiation based on the current time;
The camera control device according to claim 4. The solar radiation amount determination unit
The camera control device according to claim 4, wherein the amount of solar radiation is determined based on exposure. A camera use state determination unit that determines whether the imaging data of the camera device is being used by another device;
The ultraviolet irradiation control unit
When irradiating the photocatalyst layer with ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source, when the other device is using the imaging data, the ultraviolet light source is disposed at a position out of the angle of view of the lens, and the other device The camera control device according to claim 1, wherein when the imaging data is not in use, the ultraviolet light source is disposed at a position facing the lens. The camera device is
The image sensor is housed, and the lens is provided on the front surface.
The ultraviolet irradiation control unit
The camera control device according to claim 1, wherein when the photocatalyst layer is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet light source, the ultraviolet light source is disposed on a side of the case. The camera device is
The support arm for supporting the ultraviolet light source is provided so as to be movable between a directly-facing position facing the lens and a region out of the angle of view of the lens. The camera control device described in 1. The camera device is provided in a vehicle;
A power source state determination unit for determining an operation state of the power source of the vehicle;
The ultraviolet irradiation control unit
The camera control device according to claim 1, wherein irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet light source is stopped while the power source is stopped. A lens,
An image sensor;
A photocatalyst layer that is provided on the surface of the lens, or a transparent cover member that covers the lens, decomposes organic matter with the irradiation of ultraviolet rays, and exhibits hydrophilicity;
An ultraviolet light source for irradiating the photocatalyst layer with ultraviolet light;
A camera control method for controlling a camera device having
A camera control method, comprising: controlling an amount of ultraviolet irradiation to the photocatalyst layer by the ultraviolet light source and / or a position of the ultraviolet light source configured to be variable with respect to the lens according to a predetermined condition.

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