JPH0346622Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a system for photographing the environment around a vehicle using an infrared region television camera and a monitor television mounted on the vehicle.

(Prior art) In fog or dark places, headlights are used to illuminate the area around the vehicle so that obstacles, pedestrians, etc. can be seen. However, in order to prevent the area that can be illuminated by the headlight from giving dazzling light to oncoming vehicles,
There are strict restrictions on the right side and above of the vehicle. Therefore, the area in these directions becomes dark when there is no oncoming vehicle. However, it is preferable for safe driving to make it visible even in these areas. Therefore, in recent years, it has been proposed to equip a vehicle with an infrared region television camera so that the vehicle can be reliably seen over a wide area even in fog or dark places, and the vehicle can be easily driven. For example, this device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-92117, and an outline of this device is shown in FIG.

In the apparatus shown in the figure, an infrared region television camera 1
The subject 11 around the vehicle is photographed using the camera 0, and the subject 11 around the vehicle is displayed on the monitor television 20 using the electrical signals obtained thereby.

The infrared region television camera 10 has a lens system 10a for changing magnification using a zoom lens.
, an image tube 10b that converts light in the infrared region to light in the visible region, a tandem lens 10c that focuses this light in the visible region, and an image pickup tube that images the light on an image sensor and converts it into an electrical signal. 10d.

According to such a device, even when the vehicle is driving in fog or in a dark place, the driver of the vehicle can visually check the environment around the vehicle.

Further, for example, according to Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 54-132224 or Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 41-3933, a device has been proposed that operates a television camera, a fluorescent lamp, and a backlight lamp in conjunction with a door switch and a backlight switch.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, among the above conventional examples, according to the one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-92117, an image of a subject 11 in a dark place is displayed using an infrared region television camera 10. This makes it possible to drive without turning on the headlights. If you drive without turning on your headlights, pedestrians, other vehicles, etc. may not be aware of your vehicle's presence, which may pose a danger.

Also, please refer to Utility Model Publication No. 54-132224 or Utility Model Publication No. 132224
The television camera of the device described in Publication No. 41-3933 cannot photograph obstacles in fog or dark places. Even if a part of the surrounding area of the vehicle is illuminated with fluorescent lights, etc., as mentioned above, there are safety limits to the areas that can be illuminated.
It is not possible to cover all areas where visibility is required.

The present invention has been developed by focusing on such conventional problems, and it is possible to reliably prevent the above-mentioned dangerous situations, and also to project areas that need to be visually recognized even outside the light irradiation area. The purpose is to provide a device that can.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention to achieve the above purpose uses an infrared camera, a monitor television, and an environment where the own vehicle can be clearly recognized by other vehicles or pedestrians. and a control means for disabling the infrared camera or the monitor television when the environmental state is not detected by the environmental state detecting means. .

(Function) With this configuration, the infrared camera and monitor TV can detect environmental conditions in which the own vehicle cannot be clearly recognized by other vehicles or pedestrians, etc.
For example, the control means makes it inoperable except when the headlight is turned on during the day, at night, or in dense fog. On the other hand, in environmental conditions where the own vehicle can be clearly recognized by other vehicles or pedestrians, the control means enables the operation.
It becomes possible to drive while recognizing the presence or absence of obstacles outside the irradiation area of the headlight.

Therefore, infrared cameras and monitor TVs are activated only when the vehicle can be clearly recognized by other vehicles or pedestrians, so there is no risk of driving without turning on the headlights. This will definitely be prevented. On the other hand, when they are in operation, visibility is possible even outside the irradiation area of the headlight.

(Example) The present invention will be described in detail below based on an example shown in the accompanying drawings. Note that the same members are given the same reference numerals.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. Electrical signals obtained by the infrared television camera 10 are directed to a monitor television 20 via a connector 12 and an electronic switch 30 as a control means. Further, when a main light switch 32 serving as an environmental state detection means is turned on, an electronic switch 30 is turned on. Note that 13 and 14 are power supply terminals, 31 is a headlight, and 121 and 122 are signal output terminals and preheating terminals, respectively.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained. In fog or dark place, switch 3 for main light.
When the switch 2 is turned on, the electronic switch 30 is turned on, so that the electric signal obtained by the camera 10 is sent to the monitor television 20, and image information is displayed on the monitor television 20. At the same time, the headlight 31 lights up. In this way, the electronic switch 30 will not be turned on unless the main light switch 32 is turned on, so when you want to see around the vehicle on the monitor TV 20, the headlight 31 will always be turned on, making it possible to detect pedestrians or other vehicles. The presence of the own vehicle can be recognized.

Also, as shown in Figure 2, the main light switch 3
Instead of electrically detecting that 2 is turned on,
A light receiving element such as a CDS, a solar cell, a photodiode, or a phototransistor may be provided near the headlight 31 to detect the illumination of the headlight 31 and turn on the electronic switch 30 when this detection is made.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. The light-receiving element 50 uses a CDS, a solar cell, a photodiode, a phototransistor, or the like, and is installed, for example, in a front bumper facing downward, and generates a voltage proportional to the illuminance of the environment. The setter 40a generates a voltage corresponding to a predetermined brightness, and the comparator 40 outputs an output when the output voltage of the light receiving element 50 is higher than the output voltage of the setter 40a. The OR gate 60 turns on the electronic switch 30 when the comparator 40 outputs an output or when the main light switch 32 is turned on.
In this embodiment, a comparator 40, a main light switch 32, a setting device 40a, a light receiving element 50,
The OR gate 60 constitutes an environmental state detection means.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained. First, when the illuminance of the environment is low and the main light switch 32 is off, the comparator 40 does not output, and the OR gate 60 also does not output, so the electronic switch 30 does not turn on. Therefore, the monitor television 20 does not display image information. However, when the illuminance of the environment exceeds a predetermined value or when the main light switch 32 is turned on, the electronic switch 30 is turned on via the OR gate 60, so the monitor television 20 cannot display image information. I can do it.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. The first setter 41a outputs a voltage corresponding to dim illuminance, and the comparator 41 outputs a voltage corresponding to the dim illuminance when the ambient illuminance is higher than the dim illuminance. The second setter 42a outputs a voltage corresponding to bright illuminance, and the comparator 42a outputs a voltage corresponding to bright illuminance.
is output when the ambient illuminance is higher than the bright illuminance. 32 is a main light switch, and 33 is a small light switch. The input terminal of the OR gate 61 is connected to the output terminal of the comparator 42 and the small light switch 33, and the input terminal of the AND gate 62 is connected to the output terminal of the OR gate 61 and the output terminal of the comparator 41. . Also, the input terminal of OR gate 63 is
It is connected to the output terminal of the AND gate 62 and the main light switch 32. In this embodiment, the environmental state detection means is composed of components other than the electronic switch 30 shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained. If the environment is dark, the electronic switch 30 will not be turned on unless the main light switch 32 is turned on.
When the environment is dim, the comparator 41 outputs, so when the small light switch 33 is turned on, the electronic switch 30 is turned on so that the AND gate 62 outputs. Further, when the environment is bright, both comparators 41 and 42 output, so the electronic switch 30 is turned on. When the electronic switch 30 is turned on in this manner, the monitor television 20 displays image information. As described above, the monitor television 20 is activated when the small lights or headlights are turned on or when the environment is bright, that is, when pedestrians and the like can recognize the presence of the own vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, when the vehicle is stopped,
Even if the light is turned off, the monitor television 20 can display image information. That is, each input terminal of the OR gate 64 is connected to the comparator 40.
output terminal, main light switch 32,
It is connected to the handbrake switch 34.
This handbrake switch 34 is turned on during handbrake operation.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained. Even if the ambient illuminance is lower than a predetermined value or the headlight 31 is off, while the handbrake is operating, the OR gate 64 outputs an output, the electronic switch 30 is turned on, and the monitor TV 20 displays image information. Display. This is because while the vehicle is stopped, safety can be maintained without informing pedestrians of the vehicle's presence. Further, instead of the handbrake switch 34, a vehicle speed switch may be provided that is turned on when the vehicle speed is zero or close to zero.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, even if the illuminance of the environment is higher than a predetermined value, if visibility is poor due to rain, fog, etc., the monitor television 20 will not display unless the main light switch 32 is turned on. It is something. The dew condensation sensor 51 has a larger output as the degree of dew condensation increases, and is installed in a place where it is not directly exposed to rain. The comparator 43 outputs when the degree of dew condensation is below a predetermined value. AND gate 65 is a comparator 40,
The OR gate 66 turns on the electronic switch 30 when the AND gate 65 outputs or when the main light switch 32 is turned on. In this embodiment as well, the environmental state detection means is constituted by components other than the electronic switch 30 shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained. When the illuminance of the environment is below a predetermined value, the comparator 40 does not output, and when the degree of dew condensation is above the predetermined value, the comparator 43 does not output, and in either of these cases,
Since the AND gate 65 does not output, the electronic switch 30 will not be turned on unless the main light switch 32 is turned on. Conversely, if the illuminance of the environment is greater than or equal to the predetermined value and the degree of condensation is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the monitor television 20 displays the image at any time. In other words, if the degree of dew condensation is above a predetermined value, it means that it is raining or there is a lot of fog, and in this case, the visibility around the vehicle is poor. The monitor television 20 does not display any information unless the main light switch 32 is turned on, that is, the presence of the vehicle is visible to pedestrians or other vehicles.

In addition, a dew condensation sensor 51, a setting device 43a, a comparator 4
3, a wiper switch or a rain sensor may be used. Further, a dew condensation sensor 51, a setting device 43a, a comparator 43, a light receiving element 50, a setting device 40
a, instead of the comparator 40 and the AND gate 65,
Monitor TV 2 as a means to detect the illuminance of the environment
A luminance signal of 0 may also be used. That is, the brightness signal of the monitor television 20 may be detected, and if this signal is below a predetermined value, the display on the monitor television 20 may not be displayed unless the main light switch 32 is turned on. That is, the fact that the brightness signal of the monitor television 20 is below the predetermined value means that
The area around the vehicle was dark, and the attempt was made to forcibly turn on the lights in this case.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the light transmittance of the atmosphere is detected, and if the light transmittance is good and it is bright, it is displayed on the monitor television at any time. The light emitting element 70 is attached to the right fender of a vehicle, for example, and is connected to a battery 72 via an ignition switch 71. case 73
is installed, for example, in the left fender of a vehicle, and has a small hole 74 in which a light receiving element 75 is provided. The light receiving element 75 is configured to receive only light from the light emitting element 70 through the small hole 74. The setting device 44a generates a voltage corresponding to a predetermined illuminance. The comparator 44 outputs an output when the amount of light received by the light receiving element 75 from the light emitting element 70 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. AND gate 67
is the output when both the comparators 40 and 44 output, and the OR gate 68 is the one output when the comparators 40 and 44 output together.
7 outputs or main light switch 3
When the switch 2 is turned on, the electronic switch 30 is turned on. In this embodiment as well, the environmental state detection means is constituted by components other than the electronic switch 30 shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained. It is assumed that the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 70 is always constant. Therefore, when the amount of light received by the light receiving element 75 is small, it is when the light transmittance of the atmosphere is poor, and in this case, the comparator 44 does not output, so the AND gate 67 does not output. In this case, unless the main light switch 68 is turned on, the electronic switch 30 will not be turned on and the monitor television 20 will not display image information. In other words, when the illuminance of the environment is low or the light transmittance of the atmosphere is low, that is, when there is fog, etc., the presence of the own vehicle must be made visible to pedestrians or other vehicles. The display on the monitor television 20 is not made.

(Effects of the invention) As explained above, according to the invention, the infrared camera and monitor television are activated only when the own vehicle can be clearly recognized by other vehicles or pedestrians. This improves safety by preventing other vehicles such as oncoming vehicles and pedestrians from noticing that a vehicle equipped with this type of device is running in fog or dark places. be able to.

Further, when the infrared camera and the monitor television are in operation, it is possible to recognize obstacles outside the irradiation area of the headlight, which contributes to safe driving.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a conventional vehicle monitoring device.
Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing one embodiment of the invention, Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a second embodiment of the invention, Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a third embodiment of the invention, Fig. 5. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 10... Infrared region television camera, 20... Monitor television, 30, 36... Electronic switch, 31
...Headlight, 32...Switch for main light, 33...Switch for small light, 34...
...Handbrake switch, 40, 41, 42,
43, 44... Comparator, 50, 75... Light receiving element, 70... Light emitting element.

Claims (1)

[Scope of claim for utility model registration] An infrared camera, a monitor television, an environmental state detection means for detecting that the own vehicle is in an environment where it can be clearly recognized by other vehicles or pedestrians, etc., and the environment. A vehicle monitoring device comprising: control means for disabling the infrared camera or the monitor television when the environmental state is not detected by the state detection means.