KR101533285B1 - Car safety system to get and display infrared images for sensing dangers in dark environments and photographing method for infrared images - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a vehicle safety system for photographing and displaying an infrared image to sense a danger in a dark environment and a method for photographing an infrared image. The vehicle safety system for photographing and displaying an infrared image to sense a danger in a dark environment comprises: an ambient light sensor installed on the outside of a vehicle to sense outside brightness; an infrared camera unit consisting of a plurality of infrared cameras installed on the vehicle to emit infrared light and then photograph the infrared light reflected from an object to generate an infrared image; a signal processing unit to signal-process the infrared image generated by the infrared camera unit; a display unit to display the infrared image signal-processed by the signal processing unit; and a control unit to control the infrared camera unit to generate the infrared image when the outside brightness sensed by the ambient light sensor is lower than prescribed reference brightness. According to the present invention, the front, rear, left, and right of the vehicle can be checked through an infrared image, thereby securing safe driving when it rains or at night.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle safety system and an infrared image capturing method for capturing and displaying an infrared image for detecting a danger in a dark environment,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle safety system and an infrared image capturing method for capturing and displaying an infrared image for detecting a danger in a dark environment, and more particularly to a vehicle safety system and an infrared image capturing method for operating the vehicle in a dark environment And more particularly, to a vehicle safety system and an infrared ray image capturing method for capturing and displaying an infrared ray image for detecting a danger in a dark environment so as to secure a driver's view by capturing a vehicle's front, back, left, and right sides.

Generally, the automobile has a side mirror for monitoring the left and right direction of the driver, a rear mirror for monitoring the rear, and a room mirror for monitoring the room. The driver secures his / her field of view at the front of the vehicle depending on the driver's vision, while securing the field of vision by using the side mirrors and rearview mirrors at the side and rear.

In the day when there is a light source such as the sunlight, it is possible to secure the view of the front, rear, left and right depending on the driver's vision, the side mirrors and the rearview mirror. However, in a dark environment such as rain or night, There is a limit to the field of vision. In other words, it is difficult to accurately grasp things because of the darkness, which increases the probability of accidents.

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0573883 discloses a forward monitoring apparatus for night driving of a vehicle. The front monitoring device at the time of vehicle night driving clearly displays a rectangular area ahead of the vehicle at nighttime driving by using an infrared camera and a left / right auxiliary infrared lamp installed in a proper position in front of the vehicle, so that even when the driver is driving at night, So that the accident can be prevented in advance. However, although the forward monitoring apparatus of the above-described technique can easily grasp the situation ahead, it can not grasp the situation on the left and right side and the rear side.

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0503299 discloses a vehicle night driving assistance method. The method of assisting the nighttime driving of the vehicle includes installing an infrared camera in a proper place inside the vehicle, capturing a pedestrian present in the front of the vehicle at nighttime, informing the driver thereof, and alerting the pedestrian that the vehicle is running. The night driving assistance method of the vehicle can also easily grasp the situation ahead, but it can not grasp the situation on the left and right side and the rear side.

Korean Patent No. 10-0976336 discloses a left-and-right directional danger detection and alarm apparatus for an automobile. The left and right directional danger detection and alarm device detects the lane change signal and measures the distance between the left or right direction of the traveling vehicle and the distance of the adjacent traveling vehicle located at each blind spot according to the detected lane change signal. When there is an adjacent driving vehicle within the error range, an alarm sound is generated, and the direction indicator light is changed from yellow to red.

The vehicle information on the side and the blind spot of the vehicle can be visually and audibly confirmed through the left and right directional danger detection and alarm device of the automobile, which is a great help for safe driving in night driving and comb driving. However, when the alarm sound is generated, it is difficult for the driver to visually confirm how close to the side vehicle the vehicle is located, so that it is difficult to easily take action.

Korean Registered Patent No. 10-0573883 (Registered on Apr. 19, 2006) Korean Registered Patent No. 10-0503299 (registered July 14, 2005) Korean Registered Patent No. 10-0976336 (Registered on Aug. 10, 2010)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for detecting a danger in a dark environment in which an operator can easily detect an accident and reduce an occurrence of an accident by displaying an infrared image taken on the front, And to provide a vehicle safety system and an infrared image capturing method for capturing and displaying an infrared image.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle safety system comprising: an illuminance sensor installed outside a vehicle to detect an external brightness; an infrared sensor installed in the vehicle for emitting infrared rays, An infrared camera unit including a plurality of infrared cameras for capturing an infrared image and generating an infrared image, a signal processing unit for processing an infrared image generated through the infrared camera unit, and an infrared image signal- And a control unit for controlling the infrared camera unit to generate an infrared image when the external brightness sensed through the illuminance sensor is lower than a predetermined reference illuminance.

The infrared camera unit may include an infrared camera installed in at least one of the front, rear, and both side mirrors of the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle safety system including a direction sensing unit for sensing a traveling direction of a vehicle, the control unit comprising: And the signal processing unit is controlled so as to be displayed on the display unit.

The infrared camera includes a plurality of infrared LEDs installed at the edges of both side mirrors of the vehicle, and an infrared ray photographing unit installed at the center of the plurality of infrared LEDs and configured to photograph infrared rays emitted from the plurality of infrared LEDs when the infrared rays are reflected by the object and are reflected And the plurality of infrared LEDs are black IR LEDs.

The infrared camera is installed inside both side mirrors of the vehicle, and the reflector of the side mirrors is coated such that visible light is reflected and only infrared rays are passed therethrough.

Meanwhile, an infrared ray image capturing method of a vehicle safety system including an infrared ray camera section for capturing an infrared ray image includes the steps of: detecting an external illuminance through an illuminance sensor and comparing the detected external illuminance with a preset reference illuminance; A step of storing the infrared image generated by the infrared camera unit, and a step of sensing the vehicle traveling direction, generating an infrared image corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle, and outputting the generated infrared image to the screen.

Here, the vehicle traveling direction is detected according to whether the left or right blinking of the vehicle is on.

According to the vehicle safety system and the infrared ray imaging method for photographing and displaying an infrared ray image for detecting a danger in the dark environment of the present invention, an infrared ray image is generated through the infrared ray camera unit according to the external illuminance, It is possible to safely operate with reference to the image.

In addition, by providing the infrared camera in the front, rear, and both side mirrors of the vehicle, it is possible to confirm all the front, rear, left, and right sides during operation, and automatically display the infrared image in the corresponding direction And can operate safely even if it is a beginner.

The reflector is coated so that visible light is reflected and only infrared light passes through it, and a black IR LED is installed on the side mirror so that the reflector does not affect the role of the side mirror, so the driver can see the left and right through the side mirror .

FIG. 1 is a view showing a position where an infrared camera included in a vehicle safety system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed;
2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle safety system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are views illustrating a case where an infrared camera included in a vehicle safety system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a right side mirror, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an infrared imaging method of a vehicle safety system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, It will be possible. The present invention is capable of various modifications and various forms, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, the terms "comprising" or "having ", and the like, are intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

The terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a vehicle safety system (hereinafter, referred to as a 'vehicle safety system') equipped with an infrared camera for photographing an infrared image for detecting a danger in a dark environment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Explain.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a position where an infrared camera included in a vehicle safety system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle safety system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, the vehicle safety system of the present invention includes an infrared camera unit 100, a wireless communication unit 110, a signal processing unit 120, a display unit 130, a storage unit 140, an operation unit 150, A direction sensing unit 160, an illuminance sensor 170, and a control unit 180.

1, the infrared camera unit 100 includes a first infrared camera 101 installed in front of the vehicle, a second infrared camera 103 installed in the rear of the vehicle, a third infrared camera 103 installed in the left side mirror, And an infrared camera 105 and a fourth infrared camera 107 installed on the right side mirror. The infrared cameras 101, 103, 105, and 107 include a plurality of infrared LEDs that emit infrared rays, and an infrared ray photographing unit that generates infrared rays by imaging infrared rays emitted through a plurality of infrared LEDs when the infrared rays are reflected on an object.

Infrared rays have a wavelength of 850nm ~ 940nm and are not visible to the human eye. Therefore, the infrared camera unit 100 can generate an infrared image that can be seen even in a dark environment. Further, a plurality of infrared LEDs are used when white light is not necessary and when natural infrared light is not sufficient. A clear infrared image with less noise can be generated by the infrared rays emitted from the plurality of infrared LEDs.

In the front case, a first infrared camera 101 is installed on the rear surface of the rearview mirror installed inside the vehicle. Alternatively, it may be installed in a front grill or a front bumper of the vehicle although not shown. It is possible to detect the vehicle ahead by 30 to 50 meters through the first infrared camera 101 installed in the front. That is, when infrared rays are emitted from a plurality of infrared LEDs and reflected by a vehicle in front, an infrared image is generated for the vehicle ahead through the infrared ray photographing unit. Therefore, the driver can identify vehicles, objects, or people in operation within 30 ~ 50m ahead of rain or night.

In the rear case, a second infrared camera 103 is installed on the trunk of the vehicle or on the rear grille. Likewise, the rear infrared camera 103 can sense the vehicle 30 to 50 meters behind the second infrared camera 103, so that objects or people behind the vehicle can be identified when the vehicle is reversed or parked.

In the case of the right and left side surfaces, the third and fourth infrared cameras 107 are installed in the side mirrors of the vehicle, and FIGS. 3 and 4 show the infrared cameras included in the vehicle safety system according to the embodiment of the present invention, As shown in Fig.

3 and 4, a plurality of infrared LEDs (L) are provided at the edge of the right side mirror of the vehicle, and infrared rays emitted from the plurality of infrared LEDs (L) And the portion C is provided at the center of the plurality of infrared LEDs L. [ 4, the plurality of infrared LEDs L are provided so as to protrude to the outside of the reflecting mirror 109, so that light emitted from the plurality of infrared LEDs L is not scattered by the reflecting mirror 109. [

4, the infrared ray photographing unit C is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) which is provided on the back surface of the reflector 109 and converts infrared light having passed through the reflector 109 to convert the light into an electric signal . At this time, since the blind spot shown in Fig. 1 is photographed through the infrared ray photographing unit C, the driver can safely operate by confirming an object or objects appearing in the blind spot.

Here, since the visible ray is reflected by the reflector 109 and the infrared ray is coated only through the infrared ray, the reflector 109 serves as a side mirror and simultaneously transmits the infrared ray to the infrared ray radiating unit C through the infrared ray. In addition, a plurality of infrared LEDs (L) installed thereon are black IR (Infrared) LEDs, unlike ordinary infrared LEDs emitting red color, no color appears. Therefore, the reflector 109 does not influence the role of the side mirror.

The infrared ray photographing unit C includes transceiver units 102, 104, 106, and 108 for transmitting the infrared ray image generated through the wireless communication to the signal processing unit 120. A first transceiver 102 for transmitting the infrared signal generated by the first infrared camera 101, a second transceiver 104 for transmitting the infrared signal generated by the second infrared camera 103, A third transmission and reception unit 106 for transmitting the infrared signal generated by the third infrared camera 105 and a fourth transmission and reception unit 108 for transmitting the infrared signal generated by the fourth infrared camera 107 do. In addition, a user command for controlling each of the infrared cameras 101, 103, 105, and 107 is received according to a user command input through the operation unit 150, which will be described later.

The wireless communication unit 110 communicates with the first to fourth transmission / reception units 102, 104, 106 and 108 to receive infrared images generated by the first to fourth infrared cameras 107 and transmits user commands to the first to fourth transmission / ).

The signal processing unit 120 processes and outputs the infrared image generated through the infrared camera unit 100. Generally, the infrared image generated by the infrared camera unit 100 is monochrome, and performs signal processing so that the infrared image can be displayed through the display unit 130 installed inside the vehicle. At this time, the signal processing unit 120 processes the infrared image generated by the selected infrared camera unit 100 under the control of the control unit 180, which will be described later.

More specifically, when the vehicle is traveling forward, the infrared image generated through the infrared camera unit 100 installed in the front side is subjected to signal processing. When the vehicle is moving backward, the infrared camera unit 100 ) Of the infrared image. When a left-turn blink of the vehicle is turned on, the infrared image generated through the infrared camera unit 100 installed on the left side mirror of the vehicle is subjected to signal processing. When the right turn blink of the vehicle is turned on, And processes the infrared image generated through the installed infrared camera unit 100.

The storage unit 140 stores the infrared image generated by the infrared camera unit 100 to perform a function of a black box. That is, infrared images generated from the first to fourth infrared cameras 107 installed on the front, rear, left, and right sides of the vehicle are stored in the storage unit 140.

The operation unit 150 receives a user command for controlling the first to fourth infrared cameras 107 and a user command for selecting various options displayed on the display unit 130. That is, zooming, tilting, and rotation of the first to fourth infrared cameras 107 can be adjusted through the operation unit 150, and a range that can be photographed through the first to fourth infrared cameras 107 . In addition, even when the outside is bright by operating the operation unit 150, infrared images can be generated by controlling the first to fourth infrared cameras 107 as needed, and displayed on the display unit 130 regardless of the direction of the vehicle You can select the desired infrared image.

The direction sensing unit 160 senses the traveling direction of the vehicle. That is, the direction detecting unit 160 detects whether the vehicle is moving forward or backward, and detects whether the left turn blink of the vehicle is turned on or the right turn blink is turned on. The control unit 180 controls the signal processing unit 120 to display the infrared image generated by the infrared camera unit 100 installed in the corresponding direction on the display unit 130 according to the direction sensed through the direction sensing unit 160 .

The illuminance sensor 170 is installed outside the vehicle to sense external brightness. The control unit 180 controls the infrared camera unit 100 to generate an infrared image when the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 170 is lower than a predetermined reference illuminance. That is, when it is determined that the vehicle is in a dark environment for driving the vehicle at night or in a rainy day, the controller 180 controls the infrared camera unit 100 to generate an infrared image.

The control unit 180 extracts an object or person included in the infrared image and controls the signal processing unit 120 to calculate the distance to the object or person and display the calculated distance on the display unit 130. [ That is, the time when the infrared ray emitted from the infrared LED (L) hits the object and converges on the infrared ray photographing unit (C) is calculated to obtain the distance to the object. This distance information can be displayed on the display unit 130 together with the infrared image.

A method of photographing a vehicle safety system composed of the above components will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an infrared imaging method of a vehicle safety system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 5, first, the illuminance is sensed and compared with a reference illuminance (S200). That is, when the external illuminance is sensed through the illuminance sensor 170, the controller 180 compares the sensed illuminance with a preset reference illuminance.

If the sensed illuminance is lower than the reference illuminance (S220-Y), the infrared image generated by the infrared camera unit 100 is stored in the storage unit 140 (S240). That is, when it is determined that the detected illuminance is lower than the reference illuminance, the controller 180 controls the first to fourth infrared cameras 107 to generate an infrared image. The control unit 180 controls the plurality of LEDs provided in the first to fourth infrared cameras 107 to radiate infrared rays and controls the infrared ray photographing unit to converge the infrared rays to generate an infrared ray image. The infrared image thus generated is received through the wireless communication unit 110 and stored in the storage unit 140.

If the vehicle traveling direction is sensed (S260), an infrared ray image corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle is generated and output to the screen (S280). That is, when the vehicle traveling direction is detected, the controller 180 controls the display unit 130 to display the infrared image photographed by the infrared camera installed in the corresponding direction. For example, when the vehicle is advancing and the left flicker is turned on, the control unit 180 controls the infrared image generated by the first infrared camera 101 to be displayed on the display unit 130. When the left flickering is turned on, So that the infrared image generated by the infrared camera 105 is displayed on the display unit 130.

By the above process, it is possible for the driver to precisely secure the field of view in front of and behind, in the rain or at night, and to operate safely.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. It can be understood that it is possible.

100: infrared camera part 101: first infrared camera
102: first transmission / reception unit 103: second infrared camera
104: second transmission / reception unit 105: third infrared camera
106: third transmission / reception unit 107: fourth infrared camera
108: fourth transmission / reception unit 109: reflector
110: wireless communication unit 120: signal processing unit
130: display unit 140:
150: operating part 160: directional sensing part
170: illuminance sensor 180:

Claims (8)

An illuminance sensor installed outside the vehicle for sensing an external brightness;
And a plurality of infrared cameras installed at a suitable position of at least one of the front, rear, and both side mirrors of the vehicle, for emitting infrared rays, and emitting infrared rays when the infrared rays are reflected by the object, An infrared camera unit;
A signal processing unit for signal processing the infrared image generated through the infrared camera unit;
A display unit installed in the vehicle and displaying an infrared image signal processed through the signal processing unit;
A control unit for controlling the infrared camera unit to generate an infrared image when the external brightness detected by the illuminance sensor is lower than a preset reference illuminance; And
And an operation unit for controlling zooming, tilting, and rotation of the plurality of infrared cameras to control the shooting range, and receiving a user command for selecting an infrared image to be displayed on the display unit,
The plurality of infrared cameras include:
A plurality of infrared LEDs provided at the edges of both side mirrors of the vehicle, and an infrared ray photographing unit installed at the center of the plurality of infrared LEDs and photographing infrared rays emitted from the plurality of infrared LEDs when the infrared rays are reflected by the object,
Wherein the reflector of the side mirror is coated so that visible light is reflected and only infrared rays pass therethrough, and the plurality of infrared LEDs are a black IR LED, and are installed to protrude outside the reflector. A vehicle safety system that captures and displays an infrared image for a vehicle. delete The method according to claim 1,
And a direction sensing unit for sensing a traveling direction of the vehicle,
Wherein,
Wherein the signal processing unit is controlled such that an infrared image generated by an infrared camera corresponding to a direction detected by the direction sensing unit is signal-processed and displayed on the display unit, A vehicle safety system that captures and displays an infrared image for a vehicle. delete delete delete An infrared ray camera which is installed at a suitable position of at least one of the front, rear, and both side mirrors of the vehicle and which radiates infrared rays and then radiates the infrared rays reflected by the object to generate an infrared ray image Wherein the plurality of infrared cameras include a plurality of infrared LEDs installed at the edges of both side mirrors of the vehicle and infrared light emitted from the plurality of infrared LEDs arranged in the center of the plurality of infrared LEDs reflected by the object The infrared LED is a black IR LED. The infrared LED is installed to be protruded to the outside of the reflector. The infrared LED is arranged to protrude to the outside of the reflector. , And the zoom, tilt, and zoom of the plurality of infrared cameras By adjusting the entire control of the shooting range and, in the infrared image of the vehicle security system including a control panel for receiving user commands recording method for selecting an infrared image to be displayed,
Detecting an external illuminance through the illuminance sensor and comparing the illuminance with a predetermined reference illuminance;
Storing the infrared image generated by the infrared camera unit when the sensed illuminance is smaller than the reference illuminance; And
Sensing the vehicle traveling direction and generating an infrared image corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle and outputting the infrared image to a screen. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the vehicle traveling direction is detected according to whether a left or right blink of the vehicle is turned on.

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