JP4101167B2 - Vehicle periphery monitoring device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle periphery monitoring device including an imaging unit that images the outside of a vehicle, and more particularly to a vehicle periphery monitoring device that captures and displays a blind spot from a driver's seat.

In order to confirm the safety around the vehicle, an imaging device is attached to the outside of the vehicle, and a blind spot from the driver's seat (driver), for example, the front part of the vehicle, the rear part of the vehicle, or the side part of the left front wheel of the vehicle is imaged. It is desirable to display the image on a display device installed inside the vehicle. Conventionally, as such a vehicle periphery monitoring device, an infrared light sensitive television camera is provided in the vicinity of a position immediately behind the vehicle so that the vehicle rear can be monitored (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-9-39658

  However, in the conventional vehicle periphery monitoring device as described above, when a CCD camera is used as the imaging device for monitoring the blind spot, the image is smeared by the blinker lamp blinking in the imaging area, Monitoring may not be possible.

  In addition, the function of automatically recognizing and adjusting the brightness inside the camera (AGC: auto gain control) may cause the dark part to be invisible due to the brightness fluctuation caused by the blinker lamp.

  Furthermore, not only the blinker lamp, but also a brake lamp, a back lamp, etc., smear may occur, and similarly, the blind spot portion may not be monitored.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle periphery monitoring device capable of stably monitoring a blind spot portion of a vehicle even when the surroundings are dark such as at night. Yes.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows.

(1) A vehicle periphery monitoring device including an imaging unit that images the outside of the vehicle, the imaging unit having a sensitivity in a near infrared region, and a winker lamp, a tail lamp, a brake lamp, A vehicle periphery monitoring device, characterized in that imaging is performed at a timing inverted from a lighting pulse of any one of the back lamps .
(2) A vehicle periphery monitoring device including an imaging unit that images the outside of the vehicle, including an illumination unit that illuminates an imaging range of the imaging unit, the illumination unit including a light source that emits infrared light, The image pickup means has a sensitivity in an infrared region, and picks up an image at a timing reverse to a lighting pulse of any one of a blinker lamp, a tail lamp, a brake lamp, and a back lamp installed in the vehicle. Perimeter monitoring device.
(3) The imaging unit according to (1) or (2), wherein the imaging unit is provided in at least one of a front part, a rear part, and a side part of the vehicle, and images a blind spot part from a driver's seat. Vehicle periphery monitoring device.
(4) The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to (2) or (3), wherein the illumination unit emits a pulsed light in accordance with a shutter timing of the imaging unit.
(5) The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to (2) or (3), wherein the illumination unit is turned on and off manually or automatically by a signal from the imaging unit.
(6) The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein a display device that displays an image captured by the imaging device is provided inside the vehicle.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a vehicle periphery monitoring device that can stably monitor a blind spot portion of a vehicle even when the surroundings are dark such as at night.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are a plan view and a side view showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention, and show the appearance of a vehicle (rear part) on which the present monitoring device is mounted.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a rear door of a vehicle, and a camera (imaging means) 2 for imaging the rear of the vehicle is provided above the rear door. 3 is a tail lamp unit, 4 is a license plate lamp, and these are provided with illumination means 6 for illuminating the rear part 5 of the vehicle, which is the imaging range of the camera 2.

  The camera 2 is attached to the upper portion of the rear door 1, but it may be attached to the inside of the tail lamp unit, the bumper, the number plate, or the like. The tail lamp unit 3 has not only functions as a tail lamp, a back lamp, and a brake lamp, but also a built-in lighting element (LED or light bulb) having sensitivity in the near infrared region. If obtained, illumination around the camera 2 can be omitted.

  And by the above structure, the vehicle rear part 5 used as a blind spot of a driver's seat (driver) can be illuminated and imaged.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of this embodiment.

  The camera 2 uses an image pickup device such as a CCD or CMOS having sensitivity in the near infrared region. In addition, in order to reduce smear due to nighttime outdoor lights (streetlights) and headlamps of oncoming vehicles, it is possible to capture only the necessary wavelengths using a visible light cut filter or a near infrared bandpass filter.

  The illumination means 6 uses an LED or a light bulb having a peak wavelength in the near infrared. Moreover, visible light can be made invisible by inserting a visible light cut filter or a near infrared band pass filter. In the case of an LED, the above filter can be omitted if one having no visible light wavelength is used.

  The tail lamp unit 3 and the license plate lamp 4 contain the same LED or light bulb as the illumination means 6 described above.

  The display means 7 has a display unit used for display of a navigation system installed inside the vehicle or a display unit of a head-up display projected on the windshield, and displays a blind spot behind the vehicle imaged by the camera 2. Is.

  The manual switch 8 is for illuminating the illumination means 6, the tail lamp unit 3, and the illumination element incorporated in the license plate lamp 4 in synchronization with the lighting switch or back gear of the vehicle headlamp. During the daytime, the blind spot behind the vehicle is well illuminated by sunlight and other lighting, and can be turned off when not needed.

  The control processing unit 9 sends an imaging signal from the camera 2 to the display means 7. Further, upon receiving an electronic shutter signal from the camera 2, lighting control of the illumination means 6, tail lamp unit 3, and license plate lamp 4 is also performed.

  Furthermore, it is also possible to process the imaging signal from the camera 2 and automatically control lighting of the lighting means 6 according to the brightness of the imaging screen, thereby turning off the lighting means 6 in a bright place even at night. You can also. This function may be incorporated in the camera so that no shutter signal is output when illumination is unnecessary.

  Further, since the image pickup signal of the camera 2 is output to the display means 7 by the control processing section 9, it is possible to perform image processing on the video. For example, it is possible to superimpose a dangerous place on the video or to display a specific color with emphasis when an object is detected in the blind spot.

  Further, a signal from the gear 10, a vehicle speed pulse from the vehicle speed detection unit 11, and a signal from the steering device (steering) 12 are also input to the control processing unit 9.

  FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing drive signal waveforms of the respective parts of this embodiment. Here, the shutter signal of the camera 2, the illumination signal of the illumination means 6, and the lamp signal of the license plate lamp 4 are shown. ing.

  Since the shutter signal output from the camera 2 is the imaging time of the CCD or CMOS image sensor, the illumination signal is output only when the shutter signal is on. Thereby, the energy required for illumination can be reduced. Further, in order to prevent the light of the back lamp, brake lamp, and tail lamp from entering the image, those obtained by inverting the illumination signal are used as those lamp signals. As a result, it is possible to eliminate smearing on the video of the camera 2. And by these processes, power consumption, such as illumination and a winker, can be reduced.

  Further, since the tail lamp and the brake lamp are pulsed light, the brightness can be changed depending on the pulse width. Therefore, the tail lamp and the brake lamp can be shared. The brightness is also changed by a signal from the manual switch 8 or the camera 2 so that processing such as bright daytime and low brightness at night is possible.

  Further, the camera 2 can perform power management by inputting the signal of the gear 10 into the control processing unit 9. For example, turning the power on when putting it in the bag. It is also possible to apply the camera 2 to monitoring the rear of the vehicle in conjunction with the vehicle speed pulse. For example, it is possible to monitor the rear of the vehicle by widening the angle of view of the lens, changing the direction of the camera 2 in conjunction with the vehicle speed, or changing the direction by placing a prism or mirror in front of the lens of the camera 2 The safety can be improved, for example, by giving a warning to a vehicle or the like approaching rapidly.

  In addition, monitoring the moving direction of the vehicle can be enhanced by moving the camera 2 left and right according to the steering.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the blind spot portion of the vehicle can be stably monitored even when the surroundings are dark, such as at night.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention, and shows the appearance of a vehicle (front part) on which the present monitoring apparatus is mounted.

  In the figure, 21 is a left front wheel of a vehicle, 22 is a side mirror holder for holding a side mirror, and an illuminating means 23 (corresponding to the illuminating means 6 of the first embodiment) and a camera on the opposite side (back side) of the mirror. 24 (corresponding to the camera 2 of the first embodiment) is provided. 25 is a side winker, and 26 is a front winker.

  The camera 24 is built in a side mirror holder 22 provided on the door of the vehicle, and is installed so that the left front wheel 21 and its periphery can be imaged when the vehicle is traveling.

  The illumination means 23 is provided in the vicinity of the camera 24 (built in the side mirror holder 22 as in the camera 24), and is installed so as to illuminate the left front wheel 21 and its surroundings when the vehicle is traveling.

  The side winker 25 has not only a function as a winker but also a built-in near-infrared illumination element (LED or light bulb), and has a function of illuminating the left front wheel 21 and its surroundings similar to the illumination means 23. When sufficient brightness can be obtained only with this illumination, the illumination means 23 is not necessary, and therefore the illumination means 23 can be omitted.

  And by the above structure, the vehicle rear part 5 used as a blind spot of a driver's seat (driver) can be illuminated and imaged.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of this embodiment.

  The camera 24 is provided with an image pickup device such as a CCD or CMOS having sensitivity in the near infrared region, and only a necessary wavelength can be selectively obtained by inserting a visible light cut filter or a near infrared band pass filter into a lens or the like. It can be taken in. As a result, it is possible to reduce smears caused by nighttime outdoor lights (streetlights) and headlamps of oncoming vehicles.

  The illumination means 23 uses an LED or a light bulb having a peak wavelength in the near infrared. Moreover, visible light can be made invisible by inserting a visible light cut filter or a near infrared band pass filter. In the case of an LED, the above filter can be omitted if one having no visible light wavelength is used.

  The side winker 25 incorporates the same LED or light bulb as the illumination means 23.

  The display means 7 has a display part of a display used for display of a navigation system installed in the vehicle or a head-up display projected on the windshield, and displays a blind spot part on the left front side of the vehicle imaged by the camera 24. To do.

  The manual switch 8 turns on the illumination means 23 in synchronization with the lighting switch of the vehicle headlamp. During the daytime, the blind spot in front of the left side of the vehicle is sufficiently illuminated by sunlight, etc., and can be turned off when not necessary.

  The control processing unit 9 sends an imaging signal from the camera 24 to the display means 7. In addition, upon receiving an electronic shutter signal from the camera 24, lighting control of the illumination means 23 and the winkers 25 and 26 is also performed.

  Furthermore, it is also possible to process the imaging signal from the camera 24 and automatically control the lighting means 23 to be turned on according to the brightness of the imaging screen, thereby turning off the lighting means 23 in a bright place even at night. You can also. This function may be incorporated in the camera so that no shutter signal is output when illumination is unnecessary.

  Further, since the image pickup signal of the camera 24 is output to the display means 7 by the control processing section 9, it is possible to perform image processing on the video. For example, it is possible to superimpose a dangerous place on the video or to display a specific color with emphasis when an object is detected in the blind spot.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing drive signal waveforms of the respective parts of this embodiment. Here, the shutter signal of the camera 24, the illumination signal of the illumination means 23, and the blinker signals of the blinkers 25 and 26 are shown. ing.

  Since the shutter signal output from the camera 24 is the imaging time of the CCD or CMOS image sensor, the illumination signal is output only when the shutter signal is on. Thereby, the energy required for illumination can be reduced. Further, in order to prevent the lights of the winkers 25 and 26 from entering the video, those obtained by inverting the illumination signals are used as those winker signals. Thereby, it is possible to eliminate the smear to the image | video of the camera 24. FIG. And by these processes, the power consumption of illumination and a blinker can be reduced.

  Further, since the winkers 25 and 26 are pulsed light, the brightness of the winkers 25 and 26 can be changed by the pulse width. Further, by changing the brightness by a signal from the manual switch 8 or the camera 24, it is possible to perform processing such as brightening during the day and suppressing the brightness at night.

  Further, the camera 24 can perform safety management by inputting a steering signal, a vehicle speed pulse, and signals of the blinkers 25 and 26 into the control processing unit 9. For example, it is confirmation of entrainment when the vehicle turns left.

  In addition, the camera 24 can be linked to the blinkers 25 and 26 and applied to blind spot monitoring behind the vehicle. For example, widen the angle of view of the lens, or turn the camera 24 backward in conjunction with the vehicle speed and winkers 25, 26, or place a prism or mirror in front of the lens of the camera 24 and change the direction. Thus, the blind spot behind the vehicle can be imaged and the safety when changing lanes can be improved. In this case, the camera 24 can be applied to the blind spot monitoring of the right rear portion of the vehicle by placing the camera 24 inside the side mirror holder on the right side of the vehicle.

  Thus, also in the present embodiment, the blind spot portion of the vehicle can be stably monitored even when the surroundings are dark such as at night.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention, and shows the appearance of a vehicle (front part) on which the present monitoring apparatus is mounted.

  In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes a front part of the vehicle, which includes a camera 32 (corresponding to the camera 2 of the first embodiment and the camera 24 of the second embodiment) and an illumination means 33 (the illumination means 6 of the first embodiment). And equivalent to the illumination means 23 of the second embodiment). 34 blinkers and 35 are headlamps.

  The camera 32 is provided in the vehicle front portion 31 and is installed so that the front of the vehicle can be imaged. However, the camera 32 may be attached inside the left and right headlamps 35. The illumination means 33 is provided in the vicinity of the camera 32 and is installed so as to illuminate the front of the vehicle, but this may also be incorporated in the headlamp 35.

  The headlamp 35 has not only functions such as a low beam and a high beam but also a built-in near-infrared illumination element (LED or light bulb), and has a function that can illuminate a blind spot in front of the vehicle, similar to the illumination means 33. When sufficient brightness can be obtained only with this illumination, the illumination means 23 can be omitted.

  And by the above structure, the vehicle front used as a blind spot of a driver's seat (driver) can be illuminated and imaged.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of this embodiment.

  The camera 32 is provided with an image pickup device such as a CCD or CMOS having sensitivity in the near infrared region, and only a necessary wavelength can be selected by inserting a visible light cut filter or a near infrared band pass filter into a lens or the like. It can be taken in. As a result, it is possible to reduce smear due to nighttime outdoor lights (streetlights) and vehicle headlamps.

  The illumination means 33 uses an LED or a light bulb having a peak wavelength in the near infrared. Moreover, visible light can be made invisible by inserting a visible light cut filter or a near infrared band pass filter. In the case of an LED, the above filter can be omitted if one having no visible light wavelength is used.

  The blinker 34 and the headlamp 35 incorporate the same LED or light bulb as the illumination means 33.

  The display means 7 has a display unit used for display of a navigation system installed inside the vehicle or a display unit of a head-up display projected on the windshield, and displays a blind spot portion in front of the vehicle imaged by the camera 32. Is.

  The manual switch 8 lights the lighting device 33, the blinker 34, and the lighting element built in the headlamp 35 in synchronization with the lighting switch of the vehicle headlamp 35 or a vehicle speed pulse. In the daytime, the blind spot in front of the vehicle is sufficiently illuminated by sunlight or other illumination, and can be turned off when not needed.

  The control processing unit 9 sends an imaging signal from the camera 32 to the display means 7. In addition, upon receiving an electronic shutter signal from the camera 32, lighting control of the illumination means 33, the blinker 34, and the headlamp 35 is also performed.

  Furthermore, it is also possible to process the imaging signal from the camera 34 and automatically control the lighting means 33 to be turned on according to the brightness of the imaging screen, thereby turning off the lighting means 33 in a bright place even at night. You can also. This function may be incorporated in the camera so that no shutter signal is output when illumination is unnecessary.

  Further, since the image pickup signal of the camera 32 is output to the display means 7 by the control processing section 9, it is possible to perform image processing on the video. For example, it is possible to superimpose a dangerous place on the video or to display a specific color with emphasis when an object is detected in the blind spot.

  Further, the camera 32 is provided with a function of changing the direction by steering, thereby reducing the blind spot with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle and improving the safety. When the cameras 32 are inserted into the left and right headlamps 35, the left and right cameras are switched in accordance with the steering, thereby improving safety at intersections with poor visibility and increasing blind spots.

  FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing drive signal waveforms of the respective parts of this embodiment. Here, the shutter signal of the camera 32, the illumination signal of the illumination means 33, the blinker 34, and the lamp signal of the headlamp 35 are shown. (Drive signal) is shown.

  Since the shutter signal output from the camera 32 is the imaging time of the CCD or CMOS image sensor, the illumination signal is output only when the shutter signal is on. Thereby, the energy required for illumination can be reduced. Further, in order to prevent the lights of the winker 34 and the headlamp 35 from entering the image, those obtained by inverting the illumination signal are used as the lamp signals. Thereby, it is possible to eliminate the smear to the image | video of the camera 32. FIG. And by these processes, the power consumption of illumination, a blinker, and a headlamp can be reduced.

  Further, since the winker 34 and the headlamp 35 are pulsed light, the brightness of the winker 34 and the headlamp 35 can be changed by the pulse width. Further, by changing the brightness by a signal from the manual switch 8 or the camera 32, it is possible to perform processing such as bright daytime and low brightness at night.

  Furthermore, the camera 32 can be applied to monitoring the front of the vehicle in conjunction with the steering. For example, by widening the angle of view of the lens, changing the direction of the camera 32 in conjunction with the vehicle speed, or placing a prism or mirror on the front surface of the lens of the camera 32 and changing the direction according to the vehicle speed or steering. It is possible to improve safety by monitoring the front of the vehicle and giving a warning to the driver when the vehicle suddenly approaches another vehicle, a person or an obstacle.

  Thus, also in the present embodiment, the blind spot portion of the vehicle can be stably monitored even when the surroundings are dark such as at night.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, as described above, the present invention is dazzling for drivers, other vehicles, and pedestrians even in dark places such as nighttime by the imaging means and near infrared illumination provided in the vehicle. Without doing so, it is possible to monitor the part that becomes a blind spot from the driver. In addition, it is possible to eliminate the influence on the image pickup means by turning on the blinker, the brake lamp, the tail lamp, and the back lamp, and to always provide a stable image to the driver. In addition, the image pickup means and the illumination means are placed inside the tail lamp unit so that the tail lamp unit can be attached without affecting the design.

The top view which shows the structure of the 1st Example of this invention. The side view which shows the structure of the 1st Example of this invention. The block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of 1st Example of this invention. Drive signal waveform diagram of each part in the first embodiment of the present invention The perspective view which shows the structure of the 2nd Example of this invention. The block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the 2nd Example of this invention. Drive signal waveform diagram of each part in the second embodiment of the present invention The perspective view which shows the structure of the 3rd Example of this invention. The block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the 3rd Example of this invention. Drive signal waveform diagram of each part in the third embodiment of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

1 Rear door 2 Camera (imaging means)
3 Tail lamp unit 4 License plate lamp 5 Vehicle rear part 6 Illumination means 7 Display means 8 Manual switch 9 Control processing part 10 Gear 11 Vehicle speed detection part 12 Steering device 23 Illumination means 24 Camera (imaging means)
25 Side winker 26 Front winker 32 Camera (imaging means)
33 Illumination means 34 Winker 35 Headlamp

Claims (6)

A vehicle periphery monitoring device including an imaging unit that images the outside of a vehicle, wherein the imaging unit has a sensitivity in a near infrared region, and includes a blinker lamp, a tail lamp, a brake lamp, and a back lamp installed in the vehicle . A vehicle periphery monitoring device characterized in that an image is taken at a timing inverted from a lighting pulse of any lamp. A vehicle periphery monitoring device comprising an imaging means for imaging the outside of a vehicle, comprising an illuminating means for illuminating an imaging range of the imaging means, the illuminating means having a light source that emits infrared light, and the imaging means Is a vehicle periphery monitoring device characterized in that it has sensitivity in the infrared region and takes an image at a timing reversed from a lighting pulse of any one of a blinker lamp, a tail lamp, a brake lamp, and a back lamp installed in the vehicle. .   3. The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit is provided in at least one of a front portion, a rear portion, and a side portion of the vehicle and images a blind spot portion from a driver's seat. The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the illumination unit emits pulse light in accordance with a shutter timing of the imaging unit. 4. The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to claim 2 , wherein the illumination unit is turned on and off manually or automatically by a signal from the imaging unit. 5. The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to 5 any one claims 1, characterized in that a display device for displaying the video imaged and provided inside the vehicle by the image pickup device.

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