JPH0717650U - In-vehicle camera video switching control device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a vehicle-mounted camera video switching control device capable of easily and surely confirming safety. [Configuration] The first to fourth sound sensor in the vicinity of the first to fourth vehicle camera TV _A ~TV _D, detects each first to fourth vehicle cameras TV _A ~TV _D sound imaging direction of the SND _A ~ SN
The D _D provided, usually, to display the image of one camera to a TV monitor MNT in accordance with a predetermined switching command, the first to fourth
When any of the sound sensors SND _{A to} SND _D of the sound sensors detects a warning sound such as a horn at a level higher than the reference level, the camera image capturing the direction in which the warning sound is emitted is forcibly for a predetermined time. Display it.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted camera video switching control device that controls video switching by a plurality of vehicle-mounted cameras that obtain a video of a blind spot or the like.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Generally, since the rear part of the vehicle is a blind spot for the driver, a television camera or the like is placed on the rear part of the vehicle body, and when the gear is set to "rear (back) R", the TV camera is activated to operate the rear part of the vehicle body. There is known a car equipped with a so-called safety confirmation device that obtains an image and displays this image on a monitor TV installed in the vehicle.

Further, as a similar device, television cameras are further mounted on both rear and front sides of the vehicle body, and the television camera mounted on the operated side is driven according to the operation of the turn signal. It is also known to obtain the video signal and display it on a television monitor installed in the vehicle. With this device, for example, when driving a vehicle from a small alley or a parking lot to the road and only the front part or the rear part of the car is projected to the road side for safety confirmation, the driver places his upper body on the windshield It eliminates the need for complicated operations such as starting the vehicle, and ensures safety confirmation in the turning direction.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 By the way, in the above-mentioned device, only the image of the side that bends is displayed on the TV monitor.Therefore, in order to check the presence of a car, motorcycle, or bicycle traveling from the opposite side, the driver should place his upper body on the windshield It is necessary to embark on a safety check. When it is dangerous, a warning sound may be emitted due to the horn of the traveling vehicle, but depending on the situation of the vehicle, even if the driver leans out the upper body to the front glass side and confirms the safety. In some cases, it may not be possible to see the vehicle that emitted the warning sound. Normally, one TV monitor is provided because of the space inside the vehicle, and only one direction of the image is displayed on this monitor. However, if you misunderstand the image capturing direction of this image, you can see only the same direction as the image capturing direction. There may be cases where the train departs just by checking in. As described above, the conventional device has a problem that the safety confirmation in the left-right direction of the vehicle cannot be easily and surely performed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an in-vehicle camera image switching control device capable of realizing easy and reliable safety confirmation.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the present invention, a plurality of cameras mounted at different positions of a vehicle, each of which obtains an image in a different direction outside the vehicle, and a plurality of cameras provided corresponding to the respective cameras, and the imaging directions of the corresponding cameras, A plurality of sound detecting means for detecting the sound of the above, a display means, a first video switching means for displaying the video of one of the plurality of cameras on the display means in response to a switching command, If the result of sound detection by the sound detection unit has a level higher than the preset level, the image of the camera corresponding to the sound detection unit that obtained the detection result is displayed on the display unit. In place of the second video switching means.

[0007]

[Action]

 According to the present invention, for example, one camera is driven by the first image switching means in response to a switching command, and the image outside the vehicle by this camera is displayed on the display means for the monitor, and by observing the monitor image. Safety confirmation in a predetermined direction is performed. At this time, for example, when a warning sound is emitted from a vehicle traveling in the direction opposite to the direction displayed on the display means, the warning sound is provided corresponding to the camera capturing the direction. It is detected by the sound detecting means, and the detection result is input to the second video switching means. In the second video switching means, the sound level based on the input detection result is compared with the set level, and if the input level is equal to or higher than the set level, the sound level of the camera corresponding to the sound detecting means which obtained the detection result is compared. The image is displayed in place of the image currently displayed on the display means. As a result, the safety confirmation of the direction in which the warning sound is emitted is performed while visually recognizing the image displayed on the display means.

[0008]

【Example】

 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an in-vehicle camera video switching control device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the TV_AIs the first in-vehicle camera, TV_BIs the second in-vehicle camera, TV _C Is the third in-vehicle camera, TV_DIs the fourth in-vehicle camera, TV_EIs the fifth in-vehicle camera, MNT is a TV monitor, SND_AIs the first sound sensor, SND_BIs the second sound sensor, SND_CIs the third sound sensor, SND_DIs a fourth sound sensor, 1 is a video switching control device, 11 is a camera video switching circuit, 12 is a manual switching device, 13 is a left / right discrimination circuit, 14 is a front / back discrimination circuit, 15 is a comparison circuit, 16 is the first control Reference numeral 17 denotes a signal generation circuit, and 2 denotes a second control signal generation circuit.

Each of the first to fifth vehicle-mounted cameras TV _{A to} TV _E is composed of a television camera using a solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD, and the switching operation of the camera video switching circuit 11 will be described later. , One of the cameras is selected and its video signal is sent to the television monitor MNT. As shown in FIG. 2, these first to fifth vehicle-mounted cameras TV _{A to} TV _E are provided on both sides of the front (F) side, rear (R) side, and rear of the car CAR, respectively. It is placed. Specifically, the first vehicle-mounted camera TV _A is mounted on the front left side toward the front (F) of the car CAR to obtain a front-left image outside the vehicle, and the second vehicle-mounted camera TV _B is mounted on the vehicle CAR. It is placed on the right front side toward the front (F) of the CAR to obtain a front outside right side image outside the vehicle, and the third vehicle-mounted camera TV _C is located on the left rear side toward the front (F) of the car CAR. The vehicle-mounted image on the rear left side is obtained, and the fourth vehicle-mounted camera TV _D is placed on the right rear side toward the front (F) of the car CAR to obtain the vehicle-side image on the rear right side. The fifth vehicle-mounted camera T V _E is mounted on the rear part of the car CAR to obtain a rear outside image.

The television monitor MNT is composed of, for example, a CRT type display, a liquid crystal display type display, or the like, and is arranged near the driver's seat in the car CAR.

The first to fourth sound sensors SND _{A to} SND _D are composed of, for example, microphones having a sound collecting property, and generate sounds in the imaging directions of the first to fourth vehicle-mounted cameras TV _{A to} TV _D , respectively. collects and outputs a detection signal DT _a to DT _D indicating the detection level result to the comparison circuit 15. As shown in FIG. 2, these first to fourth sound sensors SND _{A to} SND _D are arranged on both sides of the front (F) side and rear (R) side of the car CAR, respectively. There is. Specifically, the first sound sensor SND _A collects outside sound imaging direction of the first vehicle camera TV _A is disposed near the first vehicle camera TV _A, the second sound sensor S ND _B is collected outside the vehicle sound imaging direction of the second vehicle camera TV _B is disposed near the second vehicle camera TV _B, a third sound sensor SND _C is the third vehicle camera TV _C The fourth sound sensor SND _D is arranged in the vicinity of the third vehicle camera TV _C to collect the sound outside the vehicle in the image pickup direction, and the fourth sound sensor SND _D is arranged in the vicinity of the fourth vehicle camera TV _{D in} the vicinity of the fourth vehicle camera TV _D. Sound outside the vehicle in the TV _D image pickup direction is collected.

The camera video switching circuit 11 is composed of five switch circuits SW _{A to} SW _E provided corresponding to the first to fifth vehicle-mounted cameras TV _{A to} TV _E. The switch SW _A is turned on when the control signal CTL _A from the first control signal generating circuit 16 is input at a high level, and connects the vehicle-mounted camera TV _A to the driving power source PWR and the television monitor MNT. The switch SW _B is turned on when the control signal CTL _B from the first control signal generating circuit 16 is input at a high level, and connects the vehicle-mounted camera TV _B to the driving power source PWR and the television monitor MNT. The switch SW _C turns on when the control signal CTL _C from the second control signal generation circuit 17 is input at a high level, and connects the vehicle-mounted camera TV _C to the driving power source PWR and the television monitor MNT. The switch SW _D is turned on when the control signal CTL _D from the second control signal generation circuit 17 is input at a high level, and connects the vehicle-mounted camera TV _D to the driving power source PWR and the television monitor MNT. The switch SW _E is turned on when the control signal CTL _E from the second control signal generation circuit 17 is input at a high level, and connects the vehicle-mounted camera TV _E to the driving power source PWR and the television monitor MNT.

The manual switching device 12 has a manual switching switch (not shown) for selecting a desired camera from among the first to fifth vehicle-mounted cameras TV _{A to} TV _E , and the first vehicle-mounted camera TV _A or When the second vehicle-mounted camera TV _B is selected, the signal SEL ₁ indicating the selection result is output to the first control signal generation circuit 16, and the third vehicle-mounted camera TV _C and the fourth vehicle-mounted camera TV _D are output. Alternatively, when the fifth vehicle-mounted camera TV _E is selected, the signal SEL ₂ indicating the selection result is output to the second control signal generation circuit 17.

The left / right discriminating circuit 13 discriminates whether the instructed direction is the right direction or the left direction by operating a turn signal (not shown) and receiving signals R and L based on the turn signal, and a signal S indicating the discrimination result. _R , S_LTo the first and second control signal generation circuits 16 and 17, respectively. For example, when the blinker is not operated and the signals R and L are at low level, the output signal S_RAnd S_LIs output at a low level, and when the signal R is at a high level, the output signal S_RHigh level, signal S_LAre output at a low level, and when the signal L is at a high level, the output signal S_RLow level, signal S_LIs output at a high level.

The front / rear determination circuit 14 determines “front” when the gear is not set to “rear (back) R” and “rear” when the gear is set, and outputs a signal S _FR indicating the determination result. For example, the signal is output to the first and second control signal generation circuits 16 and 17 at a high level when it is "front" and at a low level when it is "rear".

The comparator circuit 15 receives the detection signal D T ₁ to DT ₄ according to the first to fourth sound sensor SND ₁ ~SND _4, comparison with the reference level set in advance the level indicated by the detection signals If the detection level of the first or second sound sensor SND ₁ or SND ₂ is equal to or higher than the reference level, the signal S _A or S _B is set to the high level for a preset time and the first control signal generation circuit 16 When the detection level of the third or fourth sound sensor SND ₃ , SND ₄ is equal to or higher than the reference level, the signal S _C or S _D is generated at the high level for a preset time and the second control signal is generated. Output to circuit 17.

The first control signal generation circuit 16 controls the output signal SEL of the manual switching device 12.₁Input, and the output signal S of the left / right discrimination circuit 13_R, S_L, The output signal S of the comparison circuit 15_A, S _B Is input at a low level, and the output signal S of the front-back discrimination circuit 14_FRIs input at a high level or a low level, the output signal SEL of the manual switching device 12₁ Manually selected first or second vehicle camera TV shown by_AOr TV_BControl signal CTL to display the image by_AOr CTL_BIs set to a high level and output to the camera video switching circuit 11. Further, the output signal S of the left / right discrimination circuit 13_ROr S_LIs inputted at a high level, and the output signal S of the front-back discrimination circuit 14 is inputted._FRIs input at a high level, the output signal S_ROr S_LSecond or first vehicle-mounted camera TV according to_B Or TV_AControl signal CTL to display the image by_BOr CTL_AIs set to a high level and output to the camera video switching circuit 11. Further, the output signal S of the comparison circuit 15_AOr S_BIs input at a high level, other input signals SEL₁, S_R, S_L, S_FROutput signal S regardless of the level of_AOr S_B1st or 2nd on-vehicle camera TV according to_AOr TV_BControl signal CTL for a certain period of time to display the image_AOr CTL_BIs set to a high level and output to the camera video switching circuit 11. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the control operation of the first control signal generation circuit 16 described above.

The second control signal generation circuit 17 controls the output signal SEL of the manual switching device 12.₂Input, and the output signal S of the left / right discrimination circuit 13_R, S_L, The output signal S of the comparison circuit 15_C, S _D , S_EIs input at a low level, and the output signal S of the front-back discrimination circuit 14_FRIs input at low level or high level, the output signal SEL of the manual switching device 12₂Manually selected third, fourth or fifth vehicle camera TV shown by_C, TV _D Or TV_EControl signal CTL to display the image by_C, CTL_DOr CTL_EIs set to a high level and output to the camera video switching circuit 11. Further, the output signal S of the left / right discrimination circuit 13_ROr S_LIs inputted at a high level, and the output signal S of the front-back discrimination circuit 14 is inputted._FRIs input at low level, the output signal S_ROr S_L4th or 3rd on-vehicle camera TV according to_D Or TV_CControl signal CTL to display the image by_DOr CTL_EIs set to a high level and output to the camera video switching circuit 11. Further, the output signal S of the left / right discrimination circuit 13_RAnd S_LIs input at a low level, and the output signal S of the front-back discrimination circuit 14 is_FRIs input at a low level, the output signal SEL of the manual switching device 12₂If is not entered, the fifth in-vehicle camera TV_EControl signal CTL to display the image by_EIs set to a high level and output to the camera video switching circuit 11. Further, the output signal S of the comparison circuit 15_C, S_DOr S_EIs input at a high level, other input signals SEL₁, S_R, S_L, S_FROutput signal S regardless of the level of_C, S_DOr S_E3rd or 4th vehicle-mounted camera TV according to_COr TV_DControl signal CTL to display the image by_COr CTL_DIs set to a high level and output to the camera video switching circuit 11. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the control operation of the second control signal generating circuit 17 described above.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. For example, assuming a case where the car CAR is turned right from a small alley and put out in a street with a certain amount of traffic, a driver operates a turn signal (not shown) to input a signal R to the left / right discrimination circuit 13 at a high level. In the left / right discriminating circuit 13, since the signal R is input at a high level, the signal S _R is set to a high level and the signal S _L is set to a low level, so that the first and second control signal generating circuits 16 and 17 are provided. Is output. At this time, the gear is set to, for example, "D (drive)" other than "R (rear)", and the high-level signal S _FR from the front-rear discrimination circuit 14 causes the first and second control signal generation circuits 16 to operate. , 17 are output.

Further, the first to fourth sound sensors SND _{1 to} SND ₄ detect sounds on the front left and right sides and the rear left and right sides of the vehicle, and the detection signals DT _{1 to} DT ₄ are input to the comparison circuit 15. To be done. In the comparison circuit 15, compared with the first to fourth sound sensor SND ₁ ~SND ₄ by the detection signal DT ₁ to DT ₄ shows the level of the preset reference level is performed, it is lower than the reference level each detection level In this case, the high level signals S _{A to} S _D are not output to the first and second control signal generation circuits 16 and 17.

In the first control signal generation circuit 16, since the signals S _R and S _FR are input at a high level and the signals S _L , S _C , S _D and S _E are input at a low level, The control signal CTL _B is set to Hibel according to the signal S _R and is output to the camera video switching circuit 11. On the other hand, in the second control signal generation circuit 17, since the signals S _R and S _FR are input at the high level and the signals S _L , S _A and S _B are input at the low level, the control signal CTL _C , CTL _D and CTL _E are held low.

In the camera image switching circuit 11 to which the control signal CTL _B is input at a high level, only the switch circuit SW _B is turned on, and the outside vehicle image on the front right side of the vehicle by the second vehicle camera TV _B is displayed inside the vehicle. It is displayed on the TV monitor MNT of, and by checking this image, the safety confirmation on the front right side of the car is performed.

Here, when the horn is operated by the traveling vehicle and a warning sound is emitted when the vehicle traveling from the front left side of the vehicle is not aware of the vehicle and is about to start, the first sound sensor SND ₁ When the comparison result that the detection level of the _first sound sensor SND ₁ is equal to or higher than the reference level is obtained in the comparison circuit 15, the signal S _A is kept at the high level for a certain period of time and the first control is performed. It is output to the signal generation circuit 16. As a result, in the first control signal generation circuit 16, the input of the signal S _A is given priority and the control signal CTL _B is switched from the high level to the low level, regardless of the input levels of the signals S _R and S _FR . The control signal CTL _A is switched from low level to high level and is output to the camera video switching circuit 11.

As a result, in the camera video switching circuit 11, the switch circuit SW _B switches from the on state to the off state, and the switch circuit SW _A switches from the off state to the on state. As a result, an image outside the vehicle on the front left side of the vehicle is displayed on the television monitor MNT inside the vehicle, and by checking this image, the safety confirmation on the front left side of the vehicle is performed.

The signal S _A output at a high level from the comparison circuit 15 is switched to a low level after a fixed time, for example, 10 seconds. As a result, in the first control signal generation circuit 16, the input level of the signals S _R and S _FR is given priority, the control signal CTL _B is switched from the low level to the high level, and the control signal CTL _A is switched from the high level to the low level. The level is switched and output to the camera video switching circuit 11.

As a result, in the camera image switching circuit 11, the switch circuit SW _B switches from the off state to the on state, and the switch circuit SW _A switches from the on state to the off state. As a result, the image outside the vehicle on the front right side of the vehicle is again displayed on the television monitor MNT in the vehicle.

Even when the car is backed, the same image switching control as described above is performed.

[0028] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the vicinity of the first to fourth vehicle camera TV _A through T V _D, the first to capturing the fourth vehicle camera TV _A ~TV _D First to fourth sound sensors SND _{A to} SND _D for detecting the sound in the direction are provided, and normally, the image of one camera is displayed on the television monitor MNT in response to a predetermined switching command, and the first to fourth sound sensors are displayed. When any of the sound sensors SND _{A to} SND _D detects a warning sound such as a horn at a level higher than the reference level, the camera image capturing the direction in which the warning sound is emitted is forced for a predetermined time. Since it is displayed on the screen, easy and reliable safety confirmation can be realized.

The comparison operation of the comparison circuit 15 with respect to the detection results of the first to fourth sound sensors SND _{A to} SND _D can take various modes such as determination based on frequency or amplitude. Also, the warning sound by the horn has been described as an example of the detection sound of the first to fourth sound sensors SND _{A to} SND _D , but the detection sound is not limited to this and may be, for example, a human voice or an animal cry. It goes without saying that you can deal with it. Further, it goes without saying that the mounting positions and the numbers of the on-vehicle cameras and the sound sensors are not limited to those in this embodiment.

[0030]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, easy and reliable safety confirmation can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an in-vehicle camera video switching control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement positions of a vehicle-mounted camera and a sound sensor according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a control operation of a first control signal generating circuit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a control operation of a second control signal generating circuit according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

TV _A ... 1st vehicle-mounted camera TV _B ... 2nd vehicle-mounted camera TV _C ... 3rd vehicle-mounted camera TV _D ... 4th vehicle-mounted camera TV _E ... 5th vehicle-mounted camera MNT ... TV monitor SND _A ... 1st Sound sensor SND _B ... Second sound sensor SND _C ... Third sound sensor SND _D ... Fourth sound sensor 1 ... Image switching control device 11 ... Camera image switching circuit 12 ... Manual switching device 13 ... Left / right discriminating circuit 14 ... Front-back discrimination circuit 15 ... Comparison circuit 16 ... First control signal generation circuit 17 ... Second control signal generation circuit

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A plurality of cameras mounted at different positions of a vehicle to obtain images in different directions outside the vehicle, and a plurality of cameras provided corresponding to each camera to detect sound in the imaging direction of the corresponding camera. Sound detecting means, display means, first video switching means for displaying video of one of the plurality of cameras on the display means in response to a switching command, and detection by the plurality of sound detecting means When the result has a result equal to or higher than a preset level, the second image for displaying the image of the camera corresponding to the sound detecting means which has obtained the detection result in place of the image displayed on the display means. An in-vehicle camera video switching control device comprising a switching means.