JP6373643B2 - External monitoring device for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an external monitoring device for monitoring the outside of a vehicle such as an automobile, and more particularly to an external monitoring device capable of monitoring an object to be monitored over a continuous wide area and clearly observing. is there.

  In order to monitor a rear or side region outside the automobile, an external monitoring device has been proposed in which the region is imaged by an imaging device and the captured image is displayed on a monitor in the vehicle interior. By providing this external monitoring device, the left and right side mirrors of the vehicle are omitted, which is advantageous in terms of vehicle design or in reducing air resistance during vehicle travel. In Patent Document 1, a camera that captures the rear or side of a front bumper of a vehicle, or a winker lens (side turn signal lamp) provided in a left and right front fender is disposed, and images are captured by the camera. A technique for displaying an image on a monitor provided in a driver's seat in a passenger compartment has been proposed.

JP 2000-177483 A JP 2007-131162 A

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, each camera disposed on the left and right sides of the automobile has a structure using an optical system (lens system) having a single focal length, and therefore an imaging region (imaging field angle) is determined by the optical system. Will be. In other words, a camera configured with an optical system with a narrow angle of view cannot capture a wide area behind or on the side of the automobile, and a so-called blind spot occurs. On the other hand, a camera configured with an optical system having a wide angle of view is effective in capturing a wide range and eliminating blind spots, but captures a small image of an object to be monitored, for example, another vehicle around the host vehicle. Therefore, when the captured image is displayed on the monitor as it is, it is difficult to clearly see the other vehicle. In particular, when a small image sensor is used to reduce the size of the camera, it is difficult to obtain a high-resolution image because the number of pixels constituting the imaging surface is limited.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to use a camera with a wide angle of view and a camera with a narrow angle of view. In this case, however, the number of cameras increases, which makes it difficult to install in a car and increases the cost. In Patent Document 2, two imaging optical systems having different imaging optical axis directions are arranged for one image sensor, and each of these different imaging optical systems is used to provide different regions with one image sensor. Techniques for imaging have been proposed. In the technique of Patent Document 2, it is possible to simultaneously image and monitor a plurality (two) of different areas without increasing the number of cameras, but in order to widen the imaging angle of view, two imaging areas are used. It has to be set in a separated state, and it is difficult to avoid a blind spot because it becomes impossible to monitor a wide area in which two imaging areas are continuous. Further, even if the monitoring area is expanded in this way, the resolution cannot be increased due to the limitation of the number of pixels of the image sensor, and it is difficult to obtain a clear image as in Patent Document 1.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an external monitoring device for a vehicle that can display a plurality of images obtained by imaging different areas in a continuous state and can enlarge and display an object to be monitored.

An external monitoring device for a vehicle according to the present invention includes an imaging device including a plurality of imaging optical systems that form optical images at different magnifications on an imaging surface of the same imaging device, and images captured by the imaging optical systems. And an image control means for combining and displaying on the monitor, and the imaging device is configured to take an image of the side from the rear of the outside of the vehicle. The area is imaged, the outside area in the vehicle width direction is imaged by the second imaging optical system having a short focal length, and the image control means arranges the images captured by the imaging optical systems side by side and synthesizes them and displays them on the monitor. Here, it is preferable that the image control unit detects a common image of two images, leaves a common image of one image, deletes a common image of other images, and combines both images. Here, the form in which both images are continuous is to prevent an area that is not captured between both images from being present, and includes a case where images common to both images are combined as overlapping images.

  In the present invention, the image control means arranges a plurality of images in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction and synthesizes them in a continuous state and displays them on the monitor. In this case, the image control means may perform image processing on at least one of the plurality of images and combine it with another image. For example, the image control means enlarges or reduces at least one image.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention, the imaging device is disposed on the left and right of the vehicle, the monitor one of coalescence displays two monitors or both images to individually display the image captured by the right and left imaging device Consists of monitors.

  According to the present invention, an imaging region of images captured by a plurality of optical systems, for example, a region where images overlap is detected, and an image synthesized based on the overlapping region is displayed on a monitor, so that the outside of the vehicle By enlarging and imaging an object such as another vehicle existing in the vehicle, the object is accurately recognized, and avoiding the generation of blind spots over a wide area outside the host vehicle, thereby surrounding the host vehicle It is possible to ensure safe driving by monitoring the object.

  In the present invention, when configured as an external monitoring device that images the side from the outside of the vehicle and displays the image on the monitor, the first imaging optical system having a long focal length images the vehicle width direction inner region, The second image forming optical system with a short distance is used to capture the outer region in the vehicle width direction, and the image control means is configured so that the images captured by each image forming optical system are arranged side by side and combined and displayed on the monitor. It is possible to enlarge and accurately monitor the vehicles behind and behind the vehicle, and to reliably monitor parallel vehicles and oncoming vehicles existing in a wide area on the side of the vehicle without causing blind spots. .

The top view which shows the conceptual structure of the motor vehicle provided with the external monitoring apparatus of this invention. The perspective view which fractured | ruptured a part of left turn signal lamp. The typical perspective view explaining the internal structure of a left camera module, and the block diagram of the optical system explaining an imaging region. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between an example of the external area | region of a motor vehicle, and the imaging area | region of each tele and wide lens system. The image which imaged the external area | region of FIG. 4, and its display image. The block diagram of the optical system of the modification of the lens system of a camera module. The typical perspective view of other embodiments of a left camera module. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between an example of the external area | region of a motor vehicle, and the imaging area | region of each tele and wide lens system. The image which imaged the external area | region of FIG. 8, and its display image. The typical perspective view of further another embodiment of a left camera module. The block diagram of the optical system of the modification of the lens system of a camera module.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 replaces the left and right side mirrors provided in an automobile with the present invention, images the left and right rear or side areas (hereinafter referred to as rear side areas) of the automobile, and displays the captured images on a monitor. It is the schematic of embodiment formed as an external monitoring apparatus. A left side turn signal lamp L-TSL and a right side turn signal lamp R-TSL are disposed on the left and right front fenders of the car CAR. These side turn signal lamps L-TSL and R-TSL are blinked to display the direction of travel of the automobile when turned on in response to a turn signal from a driver's seat or the like. These side turn signal lamps are also used as hazard lamps.

  Small camera modules 1L and 1R are incorporated in the lamp housings of the respective side turn signal lamps L-TSL and R-TSL, and the camera modules 1L and 1R allow the camera modules 1L and 1R to be indicated by the symbols θL and θR in FIG. It is possible to image the rear side area of the car CAR. Here, the right camera module 1R incorporated in the side turn signal lamp R-TSL on the right side of the automobile images the rear side angle region θR on the right side of the automobile CAR, and is incorporated in the side turn signal lamp L-TSL on the left side. The left camera module 1L images the rear side angle region θL on the left side of the automobile CAR.

  A monitor is disposed on the dashboard of the interior of the car CAR, and the left and right camera modules 1R. An image captured at 1L is displayed. Here, the right monitor 3R and the left monitor are arranged side by side on the left and right sides of the dashboard 3L at a position facing the driver's seat on the dashboard. In order to perform display on the left and right monitors 3L and 3R, the automobile CAR is equipped with an image ECU (electronic control unit) 2 as image control means, and images are taken by the left and right camera modules 1L and 1R. The processed image is processed in the image ECU 2 and displayed on the left and right monitors 3L and 3R.

  In this embodiment, an image captured by the right camera module 1R is displayed on the right monitor 3R, and an image captured by the left camera module 1L is displayed on the left monitor 3L. Although this display mode will be described later, the driver can monitor the left and right monitors 3L and 3R so that the driver can monitor the rear side of the vehicle with the left and right side mirrors. It becomes possible. Therefore, this car CAR is not provided with a side mirror.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which a part of the left side turn signal lamp L-TSL on the left side of the automobile CAR is broken. The left side turn signal lamp L-TSL is fixed to the base 41 so as to cover the base 41 fixed to the vehicle body BD of the automobile CAR, here the left front fender, and the inner surface of the base 41. The lamp housing 4 is composed of the dome-shaped translucent cover 42 to be formed. A bulb (small light bulb) or LED (light emitting diode) is mounted as a light source 40 on the inner surface of the base 41 in the lamp housing 4. Here, a discrete LED 40 is mounted. A left camera module 1 </ b> L with the imaging optical axis directed rearward is mounted at a position on the rear side of the automobile CAR in the lamp housing 4 and supported by the inner surface of the base 41. Further, a light shielding plate 43 is provided in the lamp housing 4 so that the light emitted from the light source (LED) 40 goes around to the camera module 1L and does not cause fogging in an image to be captured.

  The translucent cover 42 of the lamp housing 4 is made of translucent resin, and the rear side area of the left camera module 1L is configured as a transparent clear part that does not refract or diffuse light, and other areas. As a light emitting surface, an optical step for refracting or diffusing light emitted from the light source 40 toward a required region is formed. In addition, this light emitting surface may color the translucent cover 42 in amber color or the like. The right side turn signal lamp R-TSL is configured symmetrically.

  FIG. 3A is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the internal structure of the left camera module 1L. A camera body 11 and a lens barrel 12 are provided. One image pickup device 13 is provided in the camera body 11, and a lens system 14 is provided in the lens barrel 12. The image sensor 13 is composed of a semiconductor image sensor such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. The image pickup device 13 has an image pickup surface in which a large number of image pickup pixels are arranged in a matrix, although the details are omitted. The optical of the object imaged on the image pickup surface by the lens system 14 The object is imaged by receiving an image at each imaging pixel. The image pickup surface of the image pickup device 13 is formed in a horizontally long rectangle having a predetermined aspect ratio, and the image pickup surface is substantially perpendicular to the tube axis direction of the lens barrel 12, that is, the image pickup optical axis of the lens system 14. Is directed.

  Here, the lens system 14 in the lens barrel 12 has the respective imaging optical axes (optical axes passing through the center of the lens system) Ot and Ow oriented slightly outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear of the car CAR. The first lens system 14t and the second lens system 14w are configured. The first lens system 14t and the second lens system 14w are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, and each is configured to form an optical image in different regions of the imaging surface of the imaging device 13. Here, the first lens system 14t is arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the automobile CAR, that is, on the side closer to the vehicle body BD than the second lens system 14w, and the second lens system 14w is arranged on the outer side thereof. Each lens system shown in the figure means a single lens (single lens) or a lens group in which a plurality of lenses are combined.

  Then, the optical image formed by the first lens system 14t is formed and imaged on a substantially half region 13t on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the image pickup surface of the image pickup device 13. Further, the optical image formed by the second lens system 14w is formed and imaged on a substantially half region 13w on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the image pickup surface of the image pickup device 13. As a result, the image pickup device 13 can simultaneously pick up optical images formed by the first lens system 14t and the second lens system 14w, respectively.

  FIG. 3B is a plan view illustrating the optical system of the image sensor 13 and the first and second lens systems 14t and 14w. The basic configuration of the first lens system 14t and the second lens system 14w is substantially the same, but the focal length of the first lens system 14t is designed to be longer than the focal length of the second lens system 14w. Therefore, hereinafter, the first lens system 14t is referred to as a tele (telephoto) lens system, and the second lens system 14w is referred to as a wide (wide angle) lens system.

  In general, the imaging angle of view when imaging with the lens system is determined by the focal length of the lens system and the size of the imaging surface. In this embodiment, the region 13t, which divides the imaging surface of the imaging device 13 into left and right parts, Since the horizontal dimension of 13w is substantially the same, the imaging field angle θt of the tele lens system 14t is narrower than the imaging field angle θw of the wide lens system 14w. For example, the imaging field angle θt of the tele lens system 14t is about 30 °, and the imaging field angle θw of the wide lens system 14w is about 70 °. In this embodiment, since the optical axes Ot and Ow of the lens systems 14t and 14w are deviated outwardly in the vehicle width direction with respect to the centers of the imaging surfaces 13t and 13w, the lens systems 14t and 14w The shooting angle of view θt, θw is set to an angle of view that is larger outside than the inside in the vehicle width direction.

  Further, since the focal length of the tele lens system 14t is longer than the focal length of the wide lens system 14w, the imaging magnification of the tele lens system 14t is larger than that of the wide lens system 14w. Further, since the imaging surface areas 13t and 13w of the tele lens system 14t and the wide lens system 14w are arranged in the left-right direction, the imaging area of the tele lens system 14t and the imaging area of the wide lens system 14w partially overlap each other. Further, the entire shooting angle of view of the camera module 1L including the tele lens system 14t and the wide lens system 14w is the angle of view θL shown in FIG. The same applies to the right camera module 1R.

  The image ECU 2 shown in FIG. 1 can perform image processing, for example, enlargement, reduction, distortion correction, trimming, composition, etc., on an image captured by the image sensor 13. Here, the enlargement / reduction includes the process of independently enlarging / reducing the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the image, that is, the process of changing the vertical / horizontal dimension ratio of the image. Since such image processing can be realized by software (program), a specific description about the software is omitted here.

  Next, the display operation on the monitors 3R and 3L by the external monitoring device of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 shows a situation in which the rear vehicle CAR1 traveling in the own lane exists behind the own vehicle CAR and the parallel vehicle CAR2 and the rear vehicle CAR3 exist in the left lane when the left rear is viewed from the own vehicle. Indicates the situation. In this situation, when imaging is performed with the left camera module 1L, the imaging element 13 captures an area indicated by the symbol AT in the tele lens system 14t and an area indicated by the symbol AW in the wide lens system 14w. Incidentally, the SM area is an area that can be viewed with a left side mirror that is assumed to be provided in the automobile.

  5A and 5B show an image obtained by imaging the area AT with the tele lens system 14t (hereinafter referred to as a tele image AT) and an image obtained by imaging the area AW with the wide lens system 14w (hereinafter referred to as a wide image AW). ), And the left and right sides are inverted to be displayed on the monitor 3L. The tele image AT is an image of the rear region of the host vehicle CAR, and is captured in a state where the subsequent vehicle CAR1 and the rear vehicle CAR3 are enlarged, although it is narrower than the region visually recognized by the left side mirror. The wide image AW is an image of a wide area on the rear side of the host vehicle CAR, and the imaging area can capture an area larger than the area visually recognized by the left side mirror, and the following car CAR1, the parallel running car CAR2, and the rear car CAR3 All are imaged.

  When each of these images is captured, the image ECU 2 recognizes each of the tele image AT and the wide image AW, and images both the images AT and AW. Detect common images. Then, this common image is deleted from one image. Here, the common image is deleted from the wide image AW having a large imaging angle of view. At this time, since an image captured in the inner region in the vehicle width direction further than the common image is likely to be captured by the right camera module 1R, it may be deleted together with the common image. In addition, the common image is deleted over the entire vertical region. In this example, the area surrounded by the broken line is deleted from the wide image AW in FIG.

  Actually, the optical axes and the shooting angle of view of the tele lens system 14t and the wide lens system 14w are fixedly set, and an imaging region that overlaps both lens systems, that is, an overlapping portion in the present invention is known in advance. Without detecting and deleting common images, only images that do not overlap in both lens systems may be selected from among images captured by the lens systems from the beginning.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5C, the ECU 2 displays the tele image AT and the wide image AW obtained by deleting the common image in the left-right direction and displays them on the left monitor 3L. In the left monitor 3L, the tele image AT is displayed in the almost right half area of the display surface, and the wide image AW is displayed in the left half area. In the wide image AW displayed at this time, the common image with the tele image AT is deleted, and both the images AT and AW are displayed side by side in the left-right direction. With the image AT and the wide image AW, a wide area on the rear side of the host vehicle can be displayed in a continuous state without a blind spot, and the rear side area can be suitably monitored.

  In the display on the left monitor 3L, the following car CAR1 and the rear car CAR3 that are visually recognized in a small size by a normal side mirror are captured and displayed as high-magnification images by the tele image AT. The car CAR1 and the rear car CAR3 can be observed as an enlarged image with high resolution, and accurate monitoring becomes possible. On the other hand, in a normal side mirror, a side area where a blind spot is generated is displayed as a wide-angle image by the wide image AW. Therefore, the parallel running car CAR2 existing next to the host vehicle is observed, and a blind spot is not generated. It becomes possible to monitor. The same applies to the right camera module 1R and the right monitor 3R, but the left and right directions are opposite. The right monitor 3R can monitor an oncoming vehicle that is present in the right side area.

  Here, in the display form of the tele image and the wide image on the monitor in the embodiment, since the imaging magnification of the tele image and the wide image is different, the monitor may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, for example, the display magnification of the tele image or the wide image may be appropriately adjusted by an operation of a person who monitors the monitor. That is, the display magnification of the wide image is increased, and the wide image is displayed with a size close to the imaging magnification of the tele image. Alternatively, the display magnification of the tele image is reduced, and the tele image is displayed by reducing it to a size close to the imaging magnification of the wide image.

  By doing so, it is possible to display on the monitor in a state where the difference in magnification between the tele image and the wide image is relaxed, and the uncomfortable feeling caused by the difference in imaging magnification is eliminated. For example, when it is necessary to accurately observe other vehicles including the following vehicle in a large image, the wide image is enlarged and displayed as in the former case. Further, when it is considered necessary to observe a wide range on the rear side of the host vehicle, the tele image is reduced and displayed as in the latter case.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a modified example of the camera module, and is an example of the left camera module 1L as in FIG. 3B. In FIG. 6A, the tele lens system 14t is configured to use one side region of one main lens L1, and the wide lens system 14w uses the other one side region of the main lens L1, and the sub lens L2 is attached thereto. It is a combined configuration. Thus, the focal length of the tele lens system 14t is made longer than that of the wide lens system 14w, the imaging magnification of the tele lens system 14t is made larger than that of the wide lens system 14w, and conversely, the imaging field angle of the wide lens system 14w is set to the tele lens system 14t. It is larger than the imaging angle of view.

  FIG. 6B uses an aspherical lens as the secondary lens L3 combined with the main lens L1 in FIG. The aspherical lens is configured such that one side of the lens surface is a biconvex lens and the other side is a single convex lens. The tele lens system 14t is configured using the single convex lens region of the secondary lens L3, and the wide lens system 14w is configured using the biconvex lens region of the secondary lens L3. Thus, the focal length of the tele lens system 14t is longer than that of the wide lens system 14w, and the imaging field angle of the wide lens system 14w is larger than the imaging field angle of the tele lens system 14t.

  By the way, since the camera module of the vehicle external monitoring device according to the present invention is for monitoring other vehicles, pedestrians, etc. existing around the own vehicle in the rear side area of the automobile, It is preferable to take a wider imaging field angle in the left-right direction than the angle. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the camera module 1L according to the embodiment configured for such a purpose. The tele lens system 14t and the wide lens system 14w are vertically arranged with respect to the imaging surface of the imaging device 13, and FIG. An optical image formed by the telelens system 14t on the image pickup surface of the horizontally long image pickup device 13 is picked up in a substantially half region 13t on the lower side of the image pickup surface and is connected by the wide lens system 14w. The optical image to be imaged is configured to be imaged in a substantially half region 13w on the upper side of the imaging surface.

  In this configuration, when the rear side situation of the host vehicle as shown in FIG. 8 is imaged, areas AT and AW that are close to horizontally long are captured as a tele image and a wide image, respectively, as indicated by a chain line in FIG. Is done. SM is a viewing area by a side mirror. Thereby, the imaging field angle in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the tele lens system 14t and the wide lens system 14w can be enlarged, and an extremely wide area from the rear to the side of the automobile can be imaged.

  That is, FIG. 9A is a wide image AW imaged by the wide lens system 14w, and FIG. 9B is a tele image AT imaged by the telelens system 14t, both of which are horizontally reversed for display on a monitor. Is. The wide image AW can capture an area that is much wider than the side mirror viewing area SM, and the tele image AT can be captured as an enlarged image of the area including the side mirror viewing area SM. Therefore, by combining the wide image AT and the tele image A in the image ECU 2 in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and displaying this on the left monitor 3L, as shown in FIG. A wide area on the rear side of the left side can be displayed. However, in this case, the tele image AT and the wide image AW are respectively reduced in the left-right direction due to the relationship between the horizontal dimensions of the monitor. For this reason, other vehicles in the displayed image are displayed in a deformed state, but the display magnification and display area are maintained as they are, so a wide area on the rear side of the host vehicle is continuously displayed without a blind spot. In this state, the rear side area can be suitably monitored.

  As described above, even when the tele lens system 14t and the wide lens system 14w are arranged vertically, the focal lengths of the tele lens system 14t and the wide lens system 14w are made different, thereby making the imaging field angle and the imaging magnification of each lens system different. If possible, each lens system can have a lens configuration similar to that shown in the figure.

  In the camera module 1L of the embodiment, when the lens barrel 12 is directed to the rear of the automobile, the imaging surface of the imaging element 13 in the camera body 11 is directed to the rear of the automobile. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the height dimension of the lamp housing 4 that houses the camera module 1L in the vehicle width direction is larger than the horizontal dimension of the camera module 1L, that is, the horizontal dimension of the image sensor 13. There is a need to. In order to reduce the height dimension of the lamp housing 4, the camera module of the next embodiment is configured such that the imaging surface of the imaging element is oriented substantially parallel to the tube axis of the lens barrel.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the camera module 1L configured as described above. In the tele lens system 14t and the wide lens system 14w, the optical axes Ot and Ow are directed substantially in the front-rear direction of the automobile, while the imaging device 13 has the imaging surfaces 13t and 13w directed in the vehicle width direction of the automobile. Then, light reflecting mirrors 15t and 15w are disposed on the optical axes Ot and Ow of the tele lens system 14t and the wide lens system 14w, respectively, and the imaging optical axes of the lens systems 14t and 14w are arranged by the mirrors 15t and 15w. Bent almost at right angles.

  With this configuration, when the camera module is mounted on an automobile, the imaging element 13 is arranged along the front-rear direction of the automobile, so that the thin camera module 1L with reduced dimensions in the vehicle width direction is obtained. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the height dimension of the lamp housing 4 of the side turn signal lamp L-TSL in which the camera module 1L is housed is reduced, and the side turn signal lamp L-TSL is reduced in thickness to achieve the automobile. The dimension which protrudes from the side surface of the vehicle body can be reduced.

  FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of an optical system of a modification of the camera module shown in FIG. FIG. 11 (a) shows a difference between the tele lens system 14t and the wide lens system 14w by changing the angular positions of the reflecting surfaces of the mirrors 15t and 15w respectively provided in the lens systems 14t and 14w. The directions of the optical axes Ot and Ow of the wide lens system 14w are made different. That is, by making the angular position of the mirror 15t provided in the tele lens system with respect to the vehicle width direction larger than the angular position of the mirror 15t provided in the tele lens system 14t, the optical axis Ow of the wide lens system 14w is set to the outside in the vehicle width direction. It is aimed.

  Thereby, the imaging region of the wide lens system 14w having a large imaging field angle can be further expanded to the side region of the automobile. In addition, it is possible to reduce the overlapping area of the imaging area of the tele lens system 14t and the imaging area of the wide lens system 14w, and to significantly widen the imaging area of the entire camera module.

  In FIG. 11B, the mirror disposed in the tele lens system 14t is replaced with a right-angle prism 16t, and the inclined surface of the right-angle prism 16t is configured as a reflection surface. Also in this configuration, the directions of the imaging optical axes Ot and Ow of the tele lens system 14t and the wide lens system 14w are made different by appropriately adjusting the angular positions of the reflecting surfaces of the mirror 15w and the right-angle prism 16t.

  As described above, even in the case of a camera module in which the imaging surface of the imaging device 13 is directed in the vehicle width direction of an automobile, an optical image formed by the tele lens system and the wide lens system can be captured by dividing the imaging surface vertically. Good. In this case, the tele lens system and the wide lens system are arranged in the vertical direction.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the camera module is arranged on the left and right sides of the vehicle body and images the lateral region from the left and right rear sides of the vehicle has been described. The rear of the automobile may be configured as an imaging device that captures an image over a wide area from side to side. In this case, the region immediately behind is imaged with a telelens system having a long focal length, and the wide left and right regions are imaged with a wide lens system having a short focal length. As a result, it is possible to monitor a subsequent vehicle that runs directly behind the host vehicle to prevent rear-end collisions and the like, and it is possible to reliably monitor a vehicle that runs on one side or both sides of the host vehicle without causing blind spots. become.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the images captured by the first lens system (tele lens system) and the second lens system (wide lens system) are continuously combined in the left-right direction has been shown, but depending on the external situation to be monitored The first lens system and the second lens system may pick up different upper and lower areas, and in this case, the image control means may continuously synthesize the images in the vertical direction and display them on the monitor. .

  The imaging optical system of the imaging device constituting the external monitoring device of the present invention is not limited to the single lens or the lens system composed of the lens group described in the embodiment, but a reflecting mirror having an imaging function or the other An optical system using optical elements such as mirrors and prisms may be used. Further, the imaging optical system is not limited to two as in the embodiment, and may be three or more. In this case, all three images can be combined or any two or more images can be selected and combined and displayed on the monitor. Furthermore, when compositing a plurality of images as a continuous image, it is not always necessary to delete all of the common images. If the image displayed on the monitor does not cause a sense of incongruity, a part of the common image You may synthesize | combine in the overlapping state.

  Further, in the embodiment, images taken by the left and right camera modules in one image ECU are displayed on the left and right monitors, but independent image ECUs are built in the left and right monitors, respectively, and each taken by the left and right camera modules. These images may be processed independently in each image ECU and displayed on each monitor.

  Furthermore, the monitor may be configured by one monitor, and images captured by the left and right camera modules may be displayed side by side on the display surface of the monitor.

  The present invention can be applied to an external monitoring device for a vehicle that preferably performs imaging by monitoring a wide area outside the vehicle.

1L, 1R camera module (imaging device)
2 Image ECU (image control means)
3L, 3R Monitor 4 Lamp housing 11 Camera body 12 Lens barrel 13 Imaging element 13t, 13w Imaging surface 14 Lens system (imaging optical system)
14t tele lens system (first imaging optical system)
14w wide lens system (second imaging optical system)
40 Light source (LED)
L-TSL, R-TSL Side turn signal lamp CAR Car (own vehicle)

Claims (6)

An image pickup apparatus including a plurality of image forming optical systems that form optical images at different magnifications on the image pickup surface of the same image pickup device, and an image control unit that combines the images picked up by the image forming optical systems and displays them on a monitor An external monitoring device for a vehicle, wherein the imaging device is configured to image a lateral side from the rear outside the vehicle, and has a first imaging optical system with a long focal length to cover an inner region in the vehicle width direction. The second image forming optical system having a short focal distance is used to pick up an image of the outer region in the vehicle width direction, and the image control means arranges the images picked up by the image forming optical systems side by side and synthesizes them for display on the monitor An external monitoring device for vehicles.   The image control means detects a common image of two images, leaves a common image of one image, deletes a common image of other images, and combines both images. Vehicle external monitoring device.   The vehicle external monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein the image control unit arranges a plurality of images in the left-right direction or the up-down direction and combines them into a continuous state and displays them on a monitor.   4. The vehicular external monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the image control means performs image processing on at least one of a plurality of images and combines it with another image.   The vehicle external monitoring device according to claim 4, wherein the image control means enlarges or reduces at least one image. The imaging devices are arranged on the left and right sides of the vehicle, respectively, and the monitor includes two monitors that individually display images captured by the left and right imaging devices, or a single monitor that displays both images together. The external monitoring device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

Images