KR100514520B1 - Video and audio recording device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide an image recording means to the vehicle to record and confirm the driving information for the vehicle accident, and at the same time to control the vehicle video and audio storage device for controlling various convenient devices installed in the vehicle To provide.

[Composition] In the vehicle video and audio storage device installed in the vehicle to monitor the external video and audio and to store the monitored video and audio when an event occurs, the video recording to output an analog video signal by taking an external video outside the car window Wealth; A decoding unit for decoding the photographed external analog video signal and outputting a digital video signal; An image analyzer for analyzing a digital image signal and extracting image features related to weather outside the window; An event detector which detects an event during driving of the vehicle; A control unit for controlling the operation of the wiper of the vehicle by comparing the extracted image feature with a predetermined threshold value and storing the monitored video and audio when an event is detected by the event detecting unit; An image compressor for compressing a digital image signal and outputting compressed digital image data; And a storage unit which stores the compressed image data.

[Effects] The video and audio storage device for a vehicle according to the present invention installs an image capturing means in a vehicle to enable recording and checking of driving information during a vehicle accident, and simultaneously controls various convenient devices installed in a vehicle such as a wiper or a light. can do. In addition, the vehicle image and audio storage device according to the present invention may be installed in the vehicle image recording means to enable the recording and confirmation of the driving information for the vehicle accident and at the same time improve the visibility of the captured image through the image correction. .

Description

Video and audio recording device for vehicle

The present invention relates to a vehicle video and audio storage device, and more particularly, a vehicle video and audio storage that can control the amenities in the vehicle while at the same time securing evidence related to driving information when an accident occurs using a camera installed in the vehicle. Relates to a device.

Video recording means such as cameras and voice recording devices such as microphones are installed in vehicles to detect shocks, fires, and other emergencies in the vehicle as events, and when events are detected, cameras and microphones are used to Various technologies have been developed for a vehicle safety driving assistance device that stores sound and secures the stored image and sound information as evidence for a situation before and after an accident occurs.

Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-0369743 is installed in a predetermined portion inside the vehicle and the camera for photographing the environment around the vehicle, the encoder for converting the image signal transmitted from the camera into a digital signal, and the encoder A control unit which receives a video signal and performs a predetermined control operation and transmits it to a storage unit and an output unit, a storage unit which stores the image signal transmitted from the control unit and the data signal transmitted from the real-time switch in units of memory blocks, The control panel is provided on the front of the video recording apparatus and generates a predetermined operation signal according to a user's operation instruction, a real-time switch that generates a data signal for a current date and time and transmits it to a control unit. It is included integrally and the video signal of the camera transmitted from the controller and the data signal of the real-time switch It consists of an external display device for visually recognizing, an external output port integrally included in the output unit and transmitting data recorded in the storage unit to an external device, and two storage blocks. When operating the save button 2 provided in the operation panel, the first time is sequentially selected from the latest data to the fastest data among the data stored in the storage unit based on the point of time when the save button 2 is operated according to the control signal of the controller. The vehicle image recording apparatus, comprising: a secondary storage unit configured to transmit the data to the block and store the data transmitted from the camera and the real-time switch through the control unit in real time in the second block from the time when the storage button 2 is operated. Is disclosed.

However, the conventional vehicle video recording apparatus as described above can only be used for verifying an accident dispute after an accident and it is not useful if an event does not occur, so the user is likely to feel that the operation efficiency of the device is low. In reality, there is a problem that it is difficult to actively mount in the automobile industry.

On the other hand, a device for automatically detecting the rain and operating the wiper is disclosed in PCT Publication WO 99/47396. According to the published patent, at least one transmitter and at least one receiver using electromagnetic wavelengths (light waves) are included to detect environmental factors affecting a field of view, and at the same time, at least one receiver and one Measuring circuits are provided between the transmitters and output signals output by the receiver when an extension of the wavelength between the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver occurs in any window in the windshield, for example when wet due to precipitation. A light sensor of a motor vehicle is used to influence the conversion, and the output signal at this time is used for adjusting the wiper blade device.

In addition, according to the Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-0410936, an apparatus and method for adjusting the vehicle lighting according to the ambient illumination is disclosed. According to the patent data, the amount of light input to the light sensor around the vehicle is measured to automatically adjust the illumination of lights, taillights, and instrument clusters.

However, the conventional convenience device control method as described above should be equipped with a separate device unless it is mounted on a vehicle and consists of a separate device for rainwater detection and a light quantity detection, in particular for driving. Even when a camera is mounted on a vehicle to secure information, there is a problem in that the efficiency of the device is low because a separate convenience device controller must be mounted.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a video and audio storage device for the vehicle to control the various convenience devices installed in the vehicle while enabling the recording and confirmation of the driving information for the vehicle accident by installing an image photographing means in the vehicle will be.

Another technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide an image capturing means in a vehicle to enable recording and checking of driving information for a vehicle accident and to improve visibility of images captured by the image capturing means installed in the vehicle. It is to provide a vehicle video and audio storage device with an image correction function.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem, a vehicle video and audio storage device,

In the vehicle video and audio storage device installed in the vehicle to monitor the external video and audio, and to store the monitored video and audio when an event occurs,

An image photographing unit which outputs an analog image signal by capturing an external image outside the window;

A decoding unit for decoding the photographed external analog video signal and outputting a digital video signal;

An image analyzer for analyzing a digital image signal and extracting image features related to weather outside the window; And

An event detector configured to detect an event while the vehicle is running;

A controller configured to control the operation of the wiper of the vehicle by comparing the extracted image feature with a predetermined threshold value and to store the monitored video and audio when an event is detected by the event detector;

A compression unit which compresses the digital image signal and outputs compressed digital image data; And

And a storage unit for storing the compressed image data.

The video feature also includes at least the sharpness of the video,

The image analyzer,

A sharpness analyzer for analyzing the sharpness of the image based on the energy of the high frequency component of the image,

The control unit,

It is desirable to include a wiper operating control unit that determines whether to operate the wiper based on the analyzed sharpness.

In addition, the vehicle image and audio storage device according to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem,

In the vehicle video and audio storage device installed in the vehicle to monitor the external video and audio, and to store the monitored video and audio when an event occurs,

An image photographing unit which outputs an analog image signal by capturing an external image outside the window;

A decoding unit for decoding the photographed external analog video signal and outputting a digital video signal;

An image analyzer for analyzing a digital image signal and extracting image features related to contrast outside the window; And

An event detector configured to detect an event while the vehicle is running;

A controller configured to control the lighting apparatus of the vehicle by comparing the extracted image feature with a predetermined threshold value and to store the monitored video and audio when an event is detected by the event detector;

A compression unit which compresses the digital image signal and outputs compressed digital image data; And

And a storage unit for storing the compressed image data.

The image characteristic may include brightness of an image,

The image analyzer,

At least one of the brightness analyzer for analyzing the brightness of the image by analyzing the gray level of each pixel constituting the image,

The control unit,

It is preferable to include at least one of the light operation control unit for determining whether to operate the light or taillight based on the analyzed brightness.

In addition, the vehicle image and audio storage device according to the present invention for achieving the above another technical problem,

In the vehicle video and audio storage device installed in the vehicle to monitor the external video and audio, and to store the monitored video and audio when an event occurs,

An image photographing unit which outputs an analog image signal by capturing an external image outside the window;

A decoding unit for decoding the photographed external analog video signal and outputting a digital video signal;

An image corrector configured to input a digital image signal to perform an image correction including at least one of a contrast tension or a histogram balance to output a corrected digital image signal; And

An event detector configured to detect an event while the vehicle is running;

A controller configured to store the monitored video and audio when an event is detected by the event detector;

A compression unit configured to compress the corrected digital image signal and output compressed digital image data; And

And a storage unit for storing the compressed digital image data.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a vehicle video and audio storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the main steps of the operational process performed within the apparatus of FIG. 1. 2 is often referenced below.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle video and audio storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a vehicle to monitor external video and audio, and to store the monitored video and audio when an event occurs. The vehicle image and audio storage device as described above may include an image capturing unit 102 such as a camera which outputs an analog image signal by capturing an external image outside the window, and a decoding unit which decodes the captured external analog image signal and outputs a digital image signal. And an image analyzer 106 for analyzing the digital image signal and extracting image characteristics related to weather and / or contrast outside the window. The image capturing unit 102 is installed in the interior of the vehicle, preferably in the windshield part of the vehicle.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the image analyzer 106 includes a sharpness analyzer 108 and a brightness analyzer 110. In addition, the vehicle image and audio storage device is a voice collector 142, such as a microphone for collecting external voice, A / D conversion unit 144 for converting an analog voice signal into a digital voice signal, compressing the digital voice signal A voice compression unit 146 is provided.

In addition, the vehicle image and audio storage device includes a vehicle driving information I / F unit 150 for inputting vehicle driving information such as speed, time and direction, an event detecting unit 152 for detecting an event while driving the vehicle; The automatic wiper operation switch 154, the automatic light operation switch 156, and a control key 158 which can be used when the user changes the set value are provided.

In addition, the vehicle image and audio storage device includes a controller 16, an image restoration unit 172, an audio restoration unit 180, and a D / A converter 182. The control unit 16 includes a wiper operation control unit 162, a write operation control unit 164, and an emergency situation information storage / reproduction control unit 168. In addition, the vehicle image and audio storage device includes a multiplexing unit 174 MUX and an encoding unit 176.

The operational effects of the vehicle video and audio storage device as described above will be described.

First, if the automatic wiper operation switch 154 is on, the wiper operation control unit 162 of the control unit 16 is enabled. In addition, when the automatic light operation switch 156 is turned on, the light operation control unit 164 of the control unit 16 is enabled. Next, the image capturing unit 102 captures an external image outside the window to output an analog image signal. The decoding unit 104 decodes the captured external analog image signal, that is, the camera image, and converts the image into a digital image signal (S202). The image analysis unit 106 analyzes the digital image signal and relates to weather and contrast outside the window. Extract the image feature.

In the present embodiment, the brightness analyzer 110 in the image analyzer 106 analyzes the brightness and contrast of the image (S204), and identifies whether the brightness and contrast are less than a predetermined value (S206). If it is identified in step S206 that the brightness and contrast of the image are less than a predetermined value, the image is corrected (S208).

The brightness analyzer 110 of the image analyzer 106 analyzes brightness and contrast (contrast) among the features of the image in the following manner. First, one pixel may be represented by a value of R, G, and B having different sizes, which may be displayed in gray level. For example, an entire screen Assume that it consists of pixels Is The gray level of the first pixel, Is the total number of pixels in the image, Is The number of pixels in the first gray level, Probability of a pixel Is,

It can be represented as

3 is a diagram for describing an example of a process of analyzing the brightness and contrast of an image by the image analyzer 106. Referring to FIG. 3, the image analyzer 106 of the vehicle image and audio storage device according to an exemplary embodiment analyzes a gray level distribution of an image by a histogram technique. That is, dark images, such as images taken at night, are distributed in areas with low gray levels as shown in (a), and bright images, such as images taken at day, have high gray levels as shown in (b). It is distributed in the area. In addition, the low contrast image appears dense in a specific area of gray level distribution as shown in (c), and the high contrast image appears scattered in a wide area of gray level distribution as shown in (d). That is, by analyzing the brightness and contrast of the image photographed by the image capturing means, it is possible to control lights such as headlamps, taillights, and dashboards.

In addition, the sharpness analysis unit 108 in the image analysis unit 106 analyzes the sharpness of the image (S210) and the wiper operation control unit 162 in the control unit 16 identifies whether the analyzed sharpness is less than a predetermined threshold value ( In step S212, if the sharpness is identified as being less than the predetermined threshold in step S212, the wiper operation command is output (S214).

In addition, the brightness analyzer 110 in the image analyzer 106 analyzes the brightness of the image (S220). Alternatively, the brightness of the image obtained in step S204 may be used. It is also possible to use both brightness and contrast. The light operation control unit 164 in the control unit 16 identifies whether the brightness of the image is less than a predetermined threshold (S222), and outputs a light operation command when the brightness of the image is identified as being less than the predetermined threshold in step S222. (S224).

On the other hand, in the misty state, the sharpness of the image is reduced, but less than in the rained state. In addition, in the fog state, the brightness of the image tends to shift toward the dark side as compared to the normal state, but less at night.

Fog lights can be automatically activated using the characteristics of these images. The light operation controller 164 identifies whether the sharpness value and the brightness value analyzed by the sharpness analyzer 108 and the brightness analyzer 110 in the image analyzer 106 are within a predetermined range, respectively (S230). If it is identified that the sharpness value and the brightness value analyzed by the sharpness analyzer 108 and the brightness analyzer 110 in the analyzer 106 are respectively within a predetermined range, the fog light operation command is output (S232).

4 is a view for explaining an example of the operation and effect of the image analysis unit 106. Referring to FIG. 4, the image taken out of the window through the window shows a big difference in sharpness characteristics such as energy size distribution of high frequency components in a rainy state and a non-rained state. Therefore, by analyzing the sharpness characteristics of the image, such as the energy of the high frequency component, it is possible to determine whether it is raining. If the sharpness value is less than the predetermined value, the wiper is operated to detect the rain and automatically operate the wiper. It is.

In addition, in the dark night, the result value analyzed by the image analyzer 106 has a low contrast with the brightness. In this case, when the result value is less than a predetermined threshold value, a light operation command is output. .

Therefore, analyzing the brightness and contrast of the image can determine whether it is dark or bright, and can automatically operate lights such as headlights, taillights, and dashboards according to the brightness and / or contrast range of the image. For example, depending on how dark it is, it may be possible to start the taillights and the instrument cluster first, and then control the headlights.

Here, the sharpness and the brightness may be measured in various ways in the image analyzer 106, and the unit and the specific value thereof are not meaningful and thus will be omitted.

Meanwhile, the image corrector 120 corrects the original image as an image having high brightness and contrast through image enhancement such as contrast stretching or histogram equalization. 5 is a view for explaining an example of the operation and effect of the image correction unit 120.

In addition, the emergency situation information storage / reproduction control unit 168 of the controller 16 stores an image captured by the image capture unit 102 in a memory. The order of writing to memory can be continuously overwritten to memory based on round robin. It is preferable to use a non-volatile memory such as flash memory as a method of storing in the memory. The nonvolatile memory may be a memory stick inserted into a memory slot, a multi-media card (MMC), an SD memory, or a compact flash memory.

In the vehicle image and audio storage device according to the present invention as described above, the multiplexing unit 174 (MUX) multiplexes to selectively monitor the image currently being photographed or the image restored by the image restoring unit 172 according to a user's selection. By multiplexing, the encoder 176 may monitor an image currently being photographed, an image corrected image, or a reproduced image through a monitor (not shown) by TV-encoding and outputting a video signal. The voice restorer 180 retrieves the compressed voice stored through the memory or the memory slot 184 under the control of the emergency information storage / playback controller 168, and the D / A converter 182 restores the voice. By converting digital voice data into analog voice signals, it is possible to monitor the stored voice along with video in case of accident or emergency.

As described above, the vehicle image and audio storage device according to the present invention controls to compress and store the monitored image and audio when an event is detected, and at the same time, the image characteristics and predetermined images extracted from the image such as sharpness and / or brightness of the image are controlled. Control the operation of the wiper, lights or fog lights of the vehicle by comparing the thresholds.

Accordingly, an event signal is output from the event detecting unit 152 and input to the controller 16 when an event generated during an accident or emergency, for example, an airbag shock sensor is operated or a vehicle emergency button is pressed. . The emergency situation information storage / reproduction controller 168 of the controller 16 write protects a portion from the current memory address to the memory address up to a predetermined time, thereby protecting accident and emergency information.

At this time, the emergency information storage / playback control unit 168 is a vehicle input through the vehicle driving information I / F unit 150, while the video compression unit 130 and the audio compression unit 146 compresses the video and audio By using vehicle driving information such as speed, time, and direction, the information is inserted into and stored in a data area such as closed caption (CC) or user data on a stream of compressed video. It is possible.

The image compressor 130 compresses the digital image signal to output compressed digital image data, and stores the compressed image data in a storage unit such as a memory or a memory slot 184. At this time, the memory or the memory slot 184 is preferably configured independently so that it is easy to attach / detach.

In the vehicle image and audio storage device according to the present invention as described above, a low visibility image photographed in a poor environment such as at night increases visibility through image correction.

In addition, the corrected video signal is input and compressed by the image compressor 130 that compresses based on image compression such as MPEG, and the controller 16 is compressed by the image compressor 130 and the audio compressor 146. Various pieces of information input from the vehicle driving information interface unit 150, for example, speed, driving time, and direction, are inserted into the video and audio signals and stored together through the memory or the memory slot 184.

When the apparatus according to the present invention operates without any abnormality after an accident and an emergency situation, the compressed video and audio may be continuously overwritten based on the round robin method using the remaining memory area except the write protected memory area.

In the above embodiment, the control of the wiper, the light, and the fog light by analyzing the sharpness and the brightness has been described as an example. However, if the threshold value is appropriately selected, it may be possible to automatically adjust the vehicle light such as the tail light or the instrument panel.

In the vehicle image and audio storage device according to the present invention as described above, the image obtained through the camera installed in the vehicle is converted into a digital signal through a decoder, the converted digital signal is input to the image analyzer. The image analyzer analyzes the input image signal to extract sharpness information and brightness information, and performs wiper control and light control using the extracted sharpness information and brightness information. The output signal is displayed on the driver's display through the MUX and encoder, helping to drive safely. In this case, an ultraviolet / infrared filter may be used to increase the performance.

The video and audio storage device for a vehicle according to the present invention as described above is equipped with an image capturing means to enable recording and checking of driving information for a vehicle accident, and at the same time, various convenient devices installed in a vehicle such as a wiper or a light. Can be controlled. In addition, the vehicle image and audio storage device according to the present invention as described above to install the image recording means to enable the recording and confirmation of the driving information for the vehicle accident and at the same time improve the visibility of the captured image through image correction You can.

As described above, the vehicle image and audio storage device according to the present invention is provided with an image capturing means to enable recording and checking of driving information for a vehicle accident, and at the same time, various conveniences installed in a vehicle such as a wiper or a light. You can control the device. In addition, the vehicle image and audio storage device according to the present invention may be installed in the vehicle image recording means to enable the recording and confirmation of the driving information for the vehicle accident and at the same time improve the visibility of the captured image through the image correction. .

1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a vehicle video and audio storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the main steps of the operation process performed in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

3 is a view for explaining an example of a process of analyzing the brightness and contrast of an image in the image analyzer 106;

4 is a view for explaining an example of the operation and effect of the image analyzer 106;

5 is a view for explaining an example of the operation and effect of the image correction unit 120.

Claims (5)

In the vehicle video and audio storage device installed in the vehicle to monitor the external video and audio, and to store the monitored video and audio when an event occurs, An image photographing unit which outputs an analog image signal by capturing an external image outside the window; A decoding unit for decoding the photographed external analog video signal and outputting a digital video signal; An image analyzer for analyzing a digital image signal and extracting image features related to weather outside the window; An event detector configured to detect an event while the vehicle is running; A control unit for controlling the wiper of the vehicle by comparing the extracted video feature with a predetermined threshold value and controlling to compress and store the monitored video and audio when an event is detected by the event detecting unit; An image corrector configured to input a digital image signal to perform an image correction including at least one of a contrast tension or a histogram balance to output a corrected digital image signal; An image compressor for compressing a digital image signal and outputting compressed digital image data; And It includes; a storage unit for storing the compressed image data; The image characteristic includes at least the sharpness of the image, wherein the image analyzer A sharpness analyzer for analyzing the sharpness of the image based on the energy of the high frequency component of the image, The controller may include a wiper operation controller configured to determine whether to operate the wiper based on the analyzed sharpness. delete In the vehicle video and audio storage device installed in the vehicle to monitor the external video and audio, and to store the monitored video and audio when an event occurs, An image photographing unit which outputs an analog image signal by capturing an external image outside the window; A decoding unit for decoding the photographed external analog video signal and outputting a digital video signal; An image analyzer for analyzing a digital image signal and extracting image features related to contrast outside the window; An event detector configured to detect an event while the vehicle is running; A controller configured to control to compress and store the monitored video and audio when an event is detected by the event detector and to compare the extracted video feature with a predetermined threshold to control the lighting device of the vehicle; An image compressor for compressing a digital image signal and outputting compressed digital image data; And It includes; a storage unit for storing the compressed image data; The image feature comprises a brightness of the image, The image analyzer, At least one of the brightness analyzer for analyzing the brightness of the image by analyzing the gray level of each pixel constituting the image, The control unit, And at least one of a light operation control unit configured to determine whether to operate a light or a tail light based on the analyzed brightness. delete delete