JP4893204B2 - Mirror position adjusting device for vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle mirror position adjusting device that automatically adjusts the position of a vehicle mirror such as a door mirror or a room mirror.

  In recent years, electric door mirrors have been adopted in many automobiles. In this type of electric door mirror, when the driver operates an operation button (switching button), switching between the use state (standing state) and the storage state (folded state) is electrically performed. It is also possible to adjust the position to a suitable use state (ie, angle adjustment) by operating the operation lever or the like.

  Various techniques for improving the convenience of the user (driver) have been proposed for such electric door mirrors (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for putting a door mirror into a use state by inserting an ignition key and putting the door mirror into a retracted state when the ignition key is removed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique that can turn the door mirror between the use state and the storage state based on the door lock and release thereof, and can prevent the door mirror from turning to the storage state during traveling.

  The above prior art automatically switches the door mirror from the storage state to the use state, or from the use state to the storage state, triggered by an electrical change inside the vehicle during normal boarding or getting off or during travel. This reduces the operation burden on the driver.

  However, even in the above-described prior art, the angle adjustment of the door mirror that is in use can only be manually adjusted using an operation lever or the like, and it cannot be denied that it is time-consuming and troublesome.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 3, the position (angle) of the door mirror suitable for use is stored in advance, and the door mirror is stored by operating a predetermined operation button or the like at the next boarding or later. A technique is disclosed that can automatically adjust to the position it was in.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-73448 JP 2004-306899 A JP 2000-159019 A

  However, even in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3, the position adjustment of the door mirror for storing must be performed manually by the driver, and the operation buttons and the like are also required for automatic adjustment to the storage position. It becomes. That is, the operation related to the angle adjustment is simplified, but the driver's conscious operation is still necessary. Therefore, the actual situation is that further improvement in convenience is desired for the position adjustment of the electric mirror.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a vehicle mirror position adjustment device that can automatically adjust the position of a vehicle mirror to a suitable position without making the driver aware of it. The purpose is to do.

A mirror position adjusting device for a vehicle according to the present invention is disposed in front of a seating position change detecting means for detecting a change in the seating position of a driver by receiving a signal related to a position change of the driver seat. When the change of the seating position of the driver is detected by the seating position change detection means, an imaging device that starts imaging the face of the driver seated on the driver seat, and an image captured by the imaging device Based on the direction of the face in which the driver's face direction is monitored and when the driver continuously faces the front for a predetermined time is detected, the captured image at the time of detection is stored in the storage device. A detection unit; an eye position acquisition unit that analyzes a captured image stored in the storage device and acquires a position of the driver's eyes in the image; and a vehicle corresponding to the acquired driver's eye position Mirror surface for mirror An angle obtaining means for obtaining an angle, in accordance with said angle acquired, and a drive control means for driving the mirror the vehicle, it is characterized.

In the above configuration , an operation unit that causes the imaging device to start imaging when operated by a driver may be added .

  As described above, according to the present invention, the vehicle mirror can be automatically adjusted to a position suitable for the driver without making the driver aware of it. Therefore, the driver is eliminated from the troublesome operation for adjusting the vehicle mirror, and the surroundings are easier to see, and the safety is also improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a mirror position adjusting device for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an internal state of an automobile equipped with a vehicle mirror position adjusting device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, when traveling, the driver 1 mainly uses the left door mirror 3 a, the right door mirror 3 b, and the room mirror 4 provided in the automobile 2 to check the situation near and behind both sides of the automobile 2. Check. The vehicle mirror position adjusting device according to the present embodiment has a function of automatically adjusting these mirrors to a position suitable for the driver 1 (more specifically, a position according to the seating situation of the driver 1). .

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the vehicle mirror position adjusting device according to the present embodiment. The vehicle mirror position adjusting device 10 shown in FIG. 2 includes an imaging device 5, a control unit 11, an image memory 12, a left door mirror driver 13, a right door mirror driver 14, and a room mirror driver 15. Prepare.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 5 has a position where the face of the driver 1 seated on the driver seat 6 can be imaged from the front (for example, on the steering column or the upper surface of the instrument panel 7 as in the present embodiment). ). The imaging device 5 is composed of, for example, a CCD camera module, a CMOS camera module, or the like, and transmits an image captured every predetermined time (for example, 1/30 second) to the control unit 11.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU that executes a control program, a ROM that stores the program, a RAM that is used as a work area when the program is executed, an input / output I / F (all (Not shown) in the interior thereof, and controls the vehicle mirror position adjusting device 10 as a whole.

  The image memory 12 is a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory that stores a captured image to be processed.

  The left door mirror driver 13 performs rotation control of a motor (not shown) (left door mirror motor) that drives the left door mirror 3 a based on a control signal from the control unit 11. Similarly, the right door mirror driver 14 controls rotation of a right door mirror motor (not shown), and the rear mirror driver 15 controls rotation of a room mirror motor (not shown).

  Functionally, the control unit 11 includes a boarding detection unit 100, a face direction detection unit 101, an eye position acquisition unit 102, and an angle acquisition unit 103, as shown in FIG.

  The boarding detection unit 100 performs a process of detecting the driver 1 getting into the car 2 and getting out of the car 2 based on the detection signal from the weight detection sensor. The weight detection sensor is provided inside the driving seat 6 and detects whether or not the driver 1 is seated on the driving seat, and the detection result is input / output I of the control unit 11 via a signal line (not shown). Send to / F. The boarding detection part 100 will send out an imaging start signal to the imaging device 5 via input / output I / F, if the boarding detection part 100 detects boarding of the motor vehicle 2 of the driver | operator 1. FIG.

  In addition, when the boarding detection part 100 cancels | releases a door lock, when an ignition key is inserted, or at the time of a shift change from P range to D range in AT (automatic transmission), a shift change from R range to D range, etc. Alternatively, it may be configured to detect the ride of the driver 1 on the automobile 2.

  The face direction detection unit 101 analyzes a captured image transmitted from the imaging device 5 every predetermined time, and determines whether or not the face direction of the driver 1 is facing the front using a known face recognition technique or the like. Perform the process. And when the driver | operator 1's face direction is facing the front, the duration is measured. As a result, when it is determined that the camera is continuously facing the front for a predetermined time, the fact is notified to the eye position acquisition unit 102 and the current captured image is stored in the image memory 12.

  The eye position acquisition unit 102 analyzes the captured image stored in the image memory 12 when the face direction of the driver 1 is facing the front for a predetermined time, and determines the eye position of the driver 1 in the image. Perform the acquisition process. In this case, a known face recognition technique or the like can also be used for obtaining the eye position.

  The angle acquisition unit 103 performs processing for acquiring the angles of the mirror surfaces of the left door mirror 3 a, the right door mirror 3 b, and the room mirror 4 corresponding to the eye position of the driver 1 acquired by the eye position acquisition unit 102. Specifically, the angle acquisition unit 103 acquires the angle of the mirror surface corresponding to the eye position in the image using the angle acquisition table. The angle acquisition table is created for each of the left door mirror 3a, the right door mirror 3b, and the room mirror 4 before product shipment, and is stored in the ROM or the like of the control unit 11.

  A method for creating such an angle acquisition table will be described. First, the imaging area of the imaging device 5 is divided into small areas. Next, for each area, when the driver's eyes are in the area, the optimal mirror angle (that is, the angle at which it is estimated that the driver taking the driving posture is most likely to see the mirror) Obtained by measurement. Then, the angle acquisition table is generated by associating each area with the obtained mirror surface angle.

  The eye position acquisition unit 102 calculates the distance between the eyes of the driver 1 and the imaging device 5 based on the size of the face of the driver 1 and the size of the eyes in the captured image. The position of the eye can also be specified by three-dimensional coordinates taking into account the calculation result. In this case, the angle acquisition table has a configuration in which the area area specified by the three-dimensional coordinates is associated with the obtained mirror surface angle. Further, one or a plurality of imaging devices that image the face of the driver 1 from another angle may be further provided, and the position of the eyes of the driver 1 may be specified by three-dimensional coordinates from these captured images.

  As described above, the angle acquisition unit 103 uses the angle acquisition table prepared for each of the left door mirror 3a, the right door mirror 3b, and the room mirror 4 to immediately acquire the corresponding mirror surface angle without complicated processing. can do. In addition to using the angle acquisition table, for example, a specification for calculating the angle of the corresponding mirror surface using a calculation formula derived by an actual vehicle test, measurement, or the like may be used.

  The angle acquisition unit 103 generates a control signal based on the mirror surface angle of each mirror acquired as described above, and sends the control signal to the left door mirror driver 13, the right door mirror driver 14, and the room mirror driver 15, respectively. Each driver that has received such a control signal drives and controls the motor for the corresponding mirror (left door mirror 3a, right door mirror 3b, and room mirror 4) in accordance with each control signal. As a result, the positions of the left door mirror 3a, the right door mirror 3b, and the room mirror 4 are adjusted.

  Next, a processing procedure relating to mirror position adjustment performed by the vehicle mirror position adjustment device 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4.

  The mirror position adjustment process starts when the driver 1 enters the vehicle 2 and sits on the driving seat 6. More specifically, the detection is started when a detection result (detection signal) from a weight detection sensor that detects that the driver 1 is seated on the driving seat 6 is input to the control unit 11.

  First, the boarding detection unit 100 generates a control signal for setting each mirror (the left door mirror 3a, the right door mirror 3b, and the room mirror 4) to a use state (standup state), and each driver (left door mirror driver 13, It is sent to the right door mirror driver 14 and the room mirror driver 15), respectively. Each driver that has received such a control signal drives and controls the motor for the corresponding mirror (left door mirror 3a, right door mirror 3b, and room mirror 4) in accordance with each control signal. As a result, the left door mirror 3a, the right door mirror 3b, and the room mirror 4 that are in the retracted state (that is, the folded state) are erected and are in use (step S401). Here, the angle of the mirror surface of each mirror immediately after being used is the angle adjusted last time.

  Further, the boarding detection unit 100 sends an imaging start signal to the imaging device 5. The imaging device 5 that has received the imaging start signal starts imaging (step S402), and transmits an image captured every predetermined time to the control unit 11.

  The face direction detection unit 101 analyzes a captured image transmitted from the imaging device 5 every predetermined time, and detects whether or not the face direction of the driver 1 is continuously facing the front for a predetermined time. As a result, when it is detected that the camera is facing the front for a predetermined time (YES in step S403), the fact is notified to the eye position acquisition unit 102, and the current captured image is stored in the image memory 12. In addition, an imaging end signal is sent to the imaging device 5. The imaging device 5 that has received the imaging end signal ends imaging (step S404).

  Receiving the notification from the face direction detection unit 101, the eye position acquisition unit 102 analyzes the captured image stored in the image memory 12, and acquires the eye position of the driver 1 in the image (step). In step S405), the angle acquisition unit 103 is notified of this. The angle acquisition unit 103 that has received the notification from the eye position acquisition unit 102 determines the angle of the mirror surface of each mirror (the left door mirror 3a, the right door mirror 3b, and the room mirror 4) corresponding to the acquired eye position of the driver 1. Obtain (step S406).

  Then, the angle acquisition unit 103 generates a control signal based on the acquired mirror angle of each mirror, and sends the control signal to each driver (left door mirror driver 13, right door mirror driver 14, and room mirror driver 15). . As a result, the positions of the left door mirror 3a, the right door mirror 3b, and the room mirror 4 are adjusted (step S407). This completes the mirror position adjustment process.

  Next, a mirror storing process performed when the driver 1 gets out of the car 2 will be briefly described. First, when the driver 1 raises his / her waist to get off and the load on the driving seat 6 disappears, the weight detection sensor detects this, and the detection result (that is, a signal indicating that the driver is not seated). ) To the control unit 11.

  Upon receiving the detection result, the boarding detection unit 100 of the control unit 11 generates a control signal for putting each mirror (the left door mirror 3a, the right door mirror 3b, and the room mirror 4) into the retracted state, and each driver (the left door mirror). To the driver 13, the right door mirror driver 14, and the room mirror driver 15). As a result, the left door mirror 3a, the right door mirror 3b, and the room mirror 4 that have been in use are folded into a retracted state.

  As described above, when the vehicle mirror position adjusting device 10 according to the present embodiment detects the ride of the driver 1, the vehicle mirror position adjusting apparatus 10 puts each mirror into a use state and starts a position adjusting process for each mirror. Then, when detecting a state in which the face direction of the driver 1 continues to face the front for a predetermined time (that is, when it can be estimated that the driver 1 is in the driving state), the eye position of the driver 1 is acquired, The position of each mirror is adjusted according to the position. Therefore, the mirror position adjustment suitable for the sitting situation of the driver 1 (in other words, the viewpoint of the driver 1) can be automatically performed without making the driver 1 aware of it.

  The vehicle mirror position adjusting device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, there is no limitation on the target of the mirror that automatically adjusts the position, and for example, a fender mirror or a rear under mirror may be used.

  Further, when the sheet position is changed, the mirror position adjustment process may be executed again. With this specification, the seat position can be changed when waiting for a signal or the like, and even if the driver's seating situation changes (that is, the driver's viewpoint changes), it can be immediately adjusted to a suitable mirror position. it can.

  The above specification detects whether or not the seating position of the driver has been changed by a signal (change signal) relating to the change of the seat position, and when it is changed, the seating position change detection that causes the imaging device to start imaging. This is achieved by providing a part. Further, examples of the change signal in this case include signals related to a change in seat height, a change in seat angle, a change in seat heel height, a change in seat back, and the like.

  Further, an operation button or the like for forcibly executing the mirror position adjustment process may be provided so that the mirror position can be readjusted according to the driver's intention.

  In addition, a configuration may be provided that includes a switch for switching between an automatic mode for automatically executing the mirror position adjustment process and a manual mode for enabling manual mirror adjustment by the driver.

It is a top view which shows the mode of the inside of the motor vehicle carrying the vehicle mirror position adjustment apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mirror position adjustment apparatus for vehicles which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the control part with which the mirror position adjustment apparatus for vehicles of FIG. 1 is provided. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which concerns on the mirror position adjustment which the mirror position adjustment apparatus for vehicles of FIG. 1 performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Driver 2 Car 3a Left door mirror 3b Right door mirror 4 Room mirror 5 Imaging device 6 Driving seat 7 Instrument panel 10 Vehicle mirror position adjustment device 11 Control part (boarding detection means, face direction detection means, eye position acquisition means, Angle acquisition means)
12 Image memory 13 Left door mirror driver (drive control means)
14 Right door mirror driver (drive control means)
15 Room mirror driver (drive control means)
100 Boarding detection part (boarding detection means)
101 face direction detection unit (face direction detection means)
102 Eye position acquisition unit (eye position acquisition means)
103 Angle acquisition unit (angle acquisition means)

Claims (2)

A seating position change detecting means for detecting a change in the seating position of the driver by receiving a signal related to the position change of the driving seat;
Is disposed in front of the driver's seat, when the change of the seating position of the driver is detected by the seating position change detecting means, and an imaging device to start imaging of the face portion of the driver seated in the driver's seat,
The direction of the driver's face is monitored on the basis of the image captured by the imaging device, and when the driver continuously faces the front for a predetermined time, the imaging at the time of detection is performed. Face direction detecting means for storing an image in a storage device;
Eye position acquisition means for analyzing a captured image stored in the storage device and acquiring the position of the driver's eyes in the image;
Angle acquisition means for acquiring the angle of the mirror surface of the vehicle mirror corresponding to the acquired eye position of the driver;
Drive control means for driving the vehicle mirror according to the acquired angle;
A mirror position adjusting device for a vehicle. When operated by a driver, the image pickup apparatus further includes an operation unit that starts the image pickup.
The vehicle mirror position adjusting device according to claim 1.

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