JPH1049800A - Visual confirmation device for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the maintenance of a view filed in front and the visual confirmation of the image of a position to be a dead angle compatible as needed by switching image display to an image mode capable of recognizing the image and a transmission mode incapable of recognizing the image. SOLUTION: A CCD line sensor 5 is provided oh the rear part of an automobile and picks up the images behind the automobile. Then, by switching the application of the voltage of a liquid crystal panel 20, the image mode for displaying the images picked up by the CCD line sensor 5 on the liquid crystal panel 20 and the transmission mode for transmitting the images picked up by the CCD line sensor 5 and making the liquid crystal panel 20 function similarly to front glass are switched. Thus, in the case of moving back the automobile, it is possible to visually confirm the conditions of a front part and the rear part on the front glass. Also, in the case other than the case of moving back the automobile, the liquid crystal panel 20 is used similarly to the front glass and the view field of the front glass is maintained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a visual recognition device for visually recognizing a blind spot, and more particularly to a visual recognition device for an automobile used by being attached to an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Automobiles are provided with a visual recognition device for a vehicle which functions to visually recognize a blind spot for a driver for driving safety. Such a visual recognition device for an automobile includes, for example, a rearview mirror that visually recognizes the rear, or a television that is attached to a large vehicle and the like, for viewing the rear.

[0003] Of these, the rearview mirror reflects the situation behind the vehicle on a mirror surface mounted above the occupant's head, and is the most common vehicle viewing device. In addition, a television for rear view captures an image of the rear of the vehicle using an image pickup device attached to the rear of the vehicle, and displays this image on a display screen which is usually located near a driver's hand. It informs you of the situation behind you.

[0004]

However, when the vehicle is moved backward using such a visual recognition device, the driver operates the vehicle while paying attention to both the front and overhead rearview mirrors or the display screen at hand. Had to do. Such an operation is more difficult than an operation performed only in one direction because the attention is dispersed in two directions, and the probability of an erroneous operation increases. In addition, when a display screen for displaying a rear image is provided on a windshield for visually recognizing the front of the automobile, the front field of view is narrowed particularly when it is not necessary to visually recognize the rear.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is more suitable for an automobile for maintaining both forward visibility and visual recognition of an image at a blind spot as necessary. It is an object to provide a visual recognition device.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual recognition device for an automobile, wherein the imaging means is attached to the automobile and captures an image of the outside of the automobile, a projection means for projecting an image captured by the imaging means, and a projection means. Image display means for displaying an image projected by the user, and display for switching the image display means between an image mode in which the occupant can recognize the image by applying and stopping the voltage and a transmission mode in which the occupant cannot recognize the image. Switching means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the display switching means has time measuring means for measuring the application and stop of the application of the voltage, and the application of the voltage to the image display means and the stop of the application are periodically performed. The image mode and the transmission mode are set by setting the voltage application time longer or shorter than the voltage application stop time.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle visual recognition device, the image capturing means captures an image of the rear of the vehicle.

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
The image picked up by the image pickup means can be switched to be displayed or not displayed on the image means.

[0010] By configuring as in claim 2,
The image mode and the transmission mode can be performed quickly and smoothly.

According to a third aspect of the present invention,
The image behind the car can be switched to be displayed or not displayed on the image means.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle visual recognition device of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view showing an attachment position of an image sensor according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are external views of a visual recognition device for a vehicle according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a visual recognition device for a vehicle according to the present embodiment has a CCD line sensor 5,
An amplifier 11 that performs line drawing processing on an image captured by the CD line sensor 5, a projector 15 that projects an image processed by the amplifier 11, a liquid crystal panel 20 that displays an image projected by the projector 15, and application of a voltage to the liquid crystal panel 20. And a microcomputer 10 that measures the timing of voltage application by the timer 12 and adjusts the timing of voltage application switching to the liquid crystal panel 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the CCD line sensor 5 is provided at the rear of the automobile and captures an image behind the automobile. Therefore, the visual recognition device for a vehicle of the present embodiment functions as a rear visual recognition device. 2 CCD line sensors 5
The reason for this is that the rear lower and upper rear images can be captured, and are appropriately switched so that the rear image of a wider area can be visually recognized.

The projector 15 is placed near the driver as shown in FIG.
It is attached to the windshield as shown. Also,
The attachment of the liquid crystal panel 20 to the windshield may be performed by embedding the liquid crystal panel 20 in the windshield,
The liquid crystal panel 20 may be attached to the outside of the vehicle compartment of the windshield, and a resin film or the like may be applied from the outside to protect the liquid crystal. The liquid crystal panel 20 and the projector 15
The liquid crystal panel 20 is arranged so as to have an optimal positional relationship for receiving the image projected by the projector 15.

In general, there are a liquid crystal and a liquid crystal in which the liquid crystal is disturbed by the application of a voltage to scatter light, and the liquid crystal becomes transparent in a uniform manner. Either of them may be used for the liquid crystal panel 20 of the present embodiment. As a liquid crystal that transmits light when a voltage is applied and is transparent when no voltage is applied, for example, a cholesteric-nematic phase-change liquid crystal that is a phase transition type liquid crystal can be given. Cholesteric-
The nematic phase change type liquid crystal is a cholesteric liquid crystal having a helical structure in a state where no voltage is applied, and scatters light. Scattering is suppressed and it becomes transparent.

In the present embodiment, this cholesteric
A crystal panel 20 using a nematic crystal is provided behind a windshield for light projected by a projector 15. The projected light is scattered by turbulence in the liquid crystal and cannot pass through the windshield. Therefore, it is possible to display the image projected by the projector 15 as if it were a half mirror as the reflectance of the windshield increases. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal panel 20, the light projected by the projector 15 is transmitted because the liquid crystal molecules inside are aligned, and the liquid crystal panel 20 is in a transparent state.

In this embodiment, the application of the voltage to the liquid crystal panel 20 is switched so that the CCD line sensor 5
(Hereinafter also referred to as an image mode) in which the image captured by the CCD line sensor 5 is transmitted and the liquid crystal panel 20 functions in the same manner as a windshield (hereinafter also referred to as a transmission mode). Switchover and setting).

Hereinafter, a method of switching between the image mode and the transmission mode will be specifically described.

The microcomputer 10 of the present embodiment always applies a pulse voltage to the liquid crystal panel 20. FIG.
The waveform of this pulse is shown, where (a) shows the timing of voltage application in the transmission mode and (b) shows the timing of voltage application in the image mode. In the transmission mode shown in (a), the voltage OFF time b is set shorter than the voltage ON time a. Therefore, in the transmissive mode, the time during which the liquid crystal screen 20 is transparent is longer than the time during which an image is displayed. Afterimages will remain and appear to be always transparent. Therefore, in this case, the portion to which the liquid crystal panel 20 is attached can be used as a windshield by switching to the transmission mode, like the portion without the attachment.

On the other hand, in the image mode shown in (b), the voltage OFF time b 'is set longer than the voltage ON time a'. Therefore, in the image mode, the time for displaying the image is longer than the time for which the liquid crystal screen 20 is in the transparent state, and the human eyes have an afterimage of the image as if the image is always displayed.

In this embodiment, the mode of the liquid crystal panel 20 is switched at the timing when the "R" of the select range of the vehicle is switched, for example, by inputting an inhibitor switch signal to the microcomputer 10. Alternatively, the rear image may be automatically recognized on the liquid crystal panel 20 only when the car moves backward. In the present embodiment, a and b ′ are set to about 10 to 100 ms,
And b were about 10 to 200 ms.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining switching between the image mode and the transmission mode of the crystal panel 20 according to the present embodiment.

The process of visually recognizing the back of this embodiment is started when an ignition switch (in the flowchart, referred to as an IG switch) is turned on (S).
1). When the ignition switch is turned on, the CCD line sensor 5 starts imaging (S2), and the timer t starts measuring time (S3). Immediately after the timer t starts counting, it is determined whether or not the select range is in the reverse mode ("R") (S4). The timer t counts an interval for judging the select range in order to periodically judge the select range.
This is performed irrespective of the timing of the OFF timing.

When the select range is set to the reverse mode, the microcomputer 10 detects this and applies a pulse voltage having a waveform whose OFF time is longer than the ON time to the liquid crystal panel 20. (See FIG. 5B). At this time, the liquid crystal panel functions as an image mode and the CCD line sensor 5
Displays the captured image (S6). When the select range is set to a mode other than the reverse mode, a pulse voltage having a waveform whose ON time is longer than the OFF time is applied to the liquid crystal panel 20. (See FIG. 5A). At this time, the liquid crystal panel functions in a transmission mode, and transmits an image captured by the CCD line sensor 5 to display a forward image similarly to the front panel (S5).

When the counting of the timer t ends while the image is being displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20 (S7), it is determined whether the ignition switch is ON or OFF (S8). As a result of the judgment,
If the ignition switch has not been turned off, the timer t is turned on again (S3), and the setting of the select range is determined (S4). When the ignition switch is in the OFF state, the process of visually recognizing the rear is ended.

In the present embodiment described above, the liquid crystal panel can be used as an image display screen behind the vehicle when the vehicle moves backward. Therefore, when the vehicle is moved backward, the front and rear conditions can be visually recognized on the windshield, and the operation of moving the vehicle backward can be easily performed. The liquid crystal panel can be used in the same way as the windshield except when the vehicle is moved backward. Therefore, the view of the windshield can be maintained except when the vehicle is moved backward.

In this embodiment, the selection range and the switching of the liquid crystal panel are linked, so that when the gear is put in reverse, an image behind the automobile can be automatically displayed.

In this embodiment, a pulse voltage is always applied to the liquid crystal panel, and the switching between the image mode and the transmission mode is performed by the pulse waveform of this voltage. Is possible. Note that in this embodiment mode, a liquid crystal that is in a transmission mode when a voltage is applied is used. However, if a liquid crystal that is in a transmission mode when a voltage is not applied and an image mode is used is used, The image does not disappear due to disconnection or the like during the visual recognition behind, and the safety is further improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the liquid crystal panel is provided on the windshield, it is not necessary to provide a space for separately installing a display screen which can be viewed from the rear. Can be used.

[0031]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the visual recognition apparatus for an automobile can switch the image display means for displaying the image picked up by the image pickup means to either the image mode or the transmission mode by the switch means. Therefore, it is possible to display an image only when necessary for the image display means.

The vehicle visual recognition device according to the second aspect of the present invention can switch between the transmission mode and the image mode by switching the pulse voltage applied to the image display means. Therefore, the switching of the image mode is performed promptly and smoothly, and the usability of the rear viewing device can be improved.

The vehicle visual recognition device according to the third aspect of the present invention can display an image behind the vehicle only when necessary for the image display means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automobile visual recognition device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view exemplifying an attachment position of an image sensor of the visual recognition device for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an appearance of the vehicle visual recognition device of the present invention as viewed from the vehicle interior.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an appearance of the visual recognition device for a vehicle according to the present invention as viewed from the outside front.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating timings of voltage application of the visual recognition device for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the visual recognition device for a vehicle according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

5: CCD line sensor, 10: microcomputer, 11: amplifier, 15: projector, 20: liquid crystal panel, 2
1. Switch.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Agency reference number FI Technical indication H04N 7/18 G06F 15/62

Claims (3)

[Claims] An imaging unit (5) attached to an automobile for imaging the outside of the automobile, a projection unit (15) for projecting an image captured by the imaging unit (5), and the projection unit (15) An image display means (20) for displaying the projected image; and an image mode in which the occupant can recognize the image by applying and stopping the application of the voltage and a transmission mode in which the occupant cannot recognize the image. And a display switching means (10, 21) for switching to any one of the above. 2. The display switching means (10, 21) is a clocking means (12) for clocking application and stoppage of voltage application.
The voltage application to the image display means and the application stop are periodically repeated, and the voltage application time is set to be longer or shorter than the voltage application stop time, so that the image mode and the transmission are stopped. The visual recognition device for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein a mode is set. 3. The visual recognition device for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the imaging means (5) images the rear of the automobile.