KR20030011007A - Rear vision system for a vehicle, capable of displaying a rear image and a distance from a rear object - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A rear observation system for displaying a rear image and the distance from an object for a vehicle is provided to easily watch the state and the distance between the rear end of the vehicle and an object to the rear of the vehicle. CONSTITUTION: An image pickup unit(10) is installed at a vehicle, and picks up the image to the rear of the vehicle. Sensors(21,22) detect the distance between the rear end of the vehicle and an object to the rear of the vehicle. A display unit displays the image and the distance. A control unit controls the display unit to display data on the image and the distance.

Description

Rear vision system for a vehicle, capable of displaying a rear image and a distance from a rear object}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle rear view system, and more particularly, to a vehicle rear view system that enables identification of a rear object when the vehicle reverses or changes direction of travel.

Often the driver needs to look behind the wheel while driving the vehicle. Observing the rear of the vehicle is necessary especially when backing up for parking or the like. The use of rear mirrors for rearviewing is limited in its accuracy and range of observation, especially in large vehicles, through the rear mirrors or through the glass on the rear of the vehicle. It is very difficult to judge the distance. In order to overcome these disadvantages, a rear view system for a vehicle has been developed that photographs the rear of the vehicle using a camera and displays the captured image on a separate monitor installed near the driver's seat.

However, since the conventional vehicle rear observation system as described above merely provides an image of the rear of the vehicle, it is difficult to accurately determine the distance between the rear end surface of the vehicle and an object behind the vehicle. Therefore, when precise observation of the distance between the rear object and the vehicle is required, such as when parking a vehicle in a narrow space, it is practically useless.

In addition, a vehicle rear observation system has been proposed that can measure the distance between an object located behind the vehicle and the vehicle and display it to the driver. However, such a vehicle rear observation system simply provides the driver with a distance to a rear object, so that the driver cannot know the state of the rear of the vehicle. In particular, the conventional vehicle rear observation system sometimes malfunctions to calculate a distance from another object without calculating a distance to an object closest to the rear surface of the vehicle among the objects behind the vehicle. The disadvantage is that it can lead to a very dangerous situation.

Furthermore, the conventional vehicle rear observation systems as described above simply provide an image of the rear side or merely provide information on the distance between the rear object and the vehicle, thereby actively operating in the driver's vehicle operation state or the driving state of the vehicle. There is also a disadvantage in that the use is very limited.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention, the driver can easily know the state of the rear of the vehicle and at the same time information on the distance between the rear surface of the vehicle and the object By allowing the driver to easily recognize the driver, the driver can drive by combining the distance between the image of the rear of the vehicle and the distance of the rear object, thereby preventing the risk of an accident caused by the rear object. To provide a rear view system for a vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rear view observation system for a vehicle that can provide various conveniences for driving by actively providing information about the rear of the vehicle required by the driver in accordance with the driver's vehicle driving operation.

1 and 2 is a view showing the appearance of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle rear observation system according to the present invention,

3 is a block diagram of a vehicle rearview system according to the invention, and

4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of FIG. 3.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: camera 21, 22: sensor

34 gear 40 display unit

50: multiplexer 90: horn

A vehicle rear observation system according to the present invention for achieving the above object is an image pickup device mounted on the vehicle for capturing an image of the rear of the vehicle, mounted on the vehicle and placed on the rear end of the vehicle and the rear of the vehicle. At least one sensor for detecting a distance between objects, a display unit for displaying the image picked up by the imaging device and the distance detected by the sensor, and data for the image and the distance to be displayed on the display unit And a control unit for controlling the display unit. Since the distance between the rear object and the vehicle is displayed to the driver along with the rear image, the driver can drive by referring to the complex information.

The imaging direction of the imaging device is changed by the driver. The driving unit drives the imaging device to capture a sensing position of the sensor that detects that the distance is the closest among the sensors. Further, when the gear is set to reverse, the driving unit drives the imaging device so that the imaging device picks up the rear bumper of the vehicle.

In addition, the driving unit may drive the imaging device such that the imaging direction is changed in a direction corresponding to the rotational direction of the vehicle indicated by the winker.

Meanwhile, the display unit displays colors different from each other according to the distance. In addition, the distance measured by the sensor is displayed as a sound by the sound horn. At this time, the horn generates different horns according to the distance. Therefore, the user can know the distance between the vehicle and the rear object through the color displayed on the display unit or the sound generated by the sound unit.

The controller may be configured such that the image and / or the distance are displayed on the display unit and the horn unit for a predetermined time from the release point when the state of the gear is set to the reverse direction and then released. Control the sensor, the display, and / or the horn. Accordingly, even if the gear is frequently changed for parking or the like, information on the distance can be continuously provided.

On the other hand, between the image pickup device and the display unit, a signal selector is provided for selecting any one of an external signal transmitted from an external video device and the image transmitted from the image pickup device and providing it to the display unit. The controller controls the signal selection unit so that the image is provided to the display unit when the imaging apparatus is operated.

Further, a power switch is provided between the power supply in the vehicle and the display section to intercept the supply of power to the display section. The control unit controls the power switch so that the power is supplied to the display unit when the imaging apparatus is operated. When the image pickup device or the sensor operates, the display operation of the image and the distance may be automatically performed.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described the present invention in more detail.

1 and 2 are views showing the appearance of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle rear observation system according to the present invention. The camera 10 and the sensors 21 and 22 are installed at the rear of the vehicle.

The camera 10 is installed at the top of the rear of the vehicle. As the camera 10, a CCD camera or other general imaging device may be used. The camera 10 captures an image of the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, an image of an object, a person, an obstacle, or the like existing behind the vehicle is captured by the camera 10.

The sensors 21 and 22 measure the distance from the rear end of the vehicle (for example, the position where the bumper at the rear of the vehicle is installed) to an object existing behind the vehicle. To this end, the sensors 21 and 22 are respectively installed on the left and right sides of the vehicle rear bumper. As the sensors 21 and 22, a general ultrasonic sensor or microwave sensor used for distance sensing may be used.

The number of sensors 21 and 22 is preferably two, as in the present embodiment, but may be one or three or more. The number of sensors 21 and 22 may be determined in consideration of the problem of the size of the vehicle or the accuracy of distance measurement and the problem of cost.

3 is a block diagram of a vehicle rearview system according to the present invention having the camera 10 and the sensors 21 and 22 as described above.

In the vehicle rear observation system according to the present invention, the camera 10, the first and second sensors 21 and 22, the image captured by the camera 10, and the distance measured by the sensors 21 and 22. It has a display unit 40 for displaying a, a control unit 100 for controlling these operations, and an input unit 80 for inputting various control commands to the control unit 100.

The input unit 80 may be configured with various input devices such as an operation panel provided with various operation buttons or a touch screen on which a driver inputs a command by touching the surface thereof. The control command input through the input unit 80 is transmitted to the control unit 100, which controls the camera 10, the sensors 21 and 22, the display unit 40, and other parts according to the input control command. Control their behavior. The input unit 80 is located near the driver's seat in the vehicle to facilitate the driver's operation.

As the display unit 40, a general LCD display or a monitor using a cathode ray tube may be used. In addition, when the vehicle TV is installed in the vehicle, it may be used as the display unit 40. In this case, a connection means such as a separate connector for connecting the vehicle TV with the rear observation system according to the present invention should be provided. The display unit 40 is placed near the driver's seat in the vehicle so that the driver can easily see the driver while sitting in the driver's seat.

The imaging range of the camera 10 is approximately 80 degrees angle range, and the imaging direction of the camera 10 is adjusted by the camera driver 12. The camera driver 12 is composed of a drive motor (not shown) that generates a rotational driving force, and a gear assembly composed of gears such as racks and pinions or warm gears. The rotational force of the driving motor is transmitted to the camera 10 by the gear assembly, and thus the imaging direction of the camera 10 is changed. At this time, the camera driver 12 has a structure in which the imaging direction of the camera 10 can be changed in the vertical direction as well as the horizontal direction. Accordingly, the imaging direction of the camera 10 may be changed along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The camera driver 12 is controlled by the controller 100.

The multiplexer 50 is disposed between the camera 10 and the display unit 40. The image signal captured by the camera 10 is input to the display unit 40 via the multiplexer 50. The multiplexer 50 receives a video signal transmitted from an external video device (not shown) together with the video signal from the camera 10. The operation of the multiplexer 50 is controlled by the controller 100, and accordingly, any one of the signals input by the control of the controller 100 is selected and provided to the display unit 40.

3 illustrates an example in which a DVD signal transmitted from a DVD player and a broadcast signal transmitted from an over-the-air broadcast signal receiver are input as an example of a video signal transmitted from an external video device. As the multiplexer 50 is installed, the display unit 40 may display an image captured by the camera 10 and an external display such as a DVD player or a broadcast signal receiver in addition to displaying the distance measured by the sensors 21 and 22. It can also be used to display an image received from an image device of the.

The OSD IC 60 is disposed between the display unit 40 and the control unit 60. Data about the distance measured by the first and second sensors 21 and 22 is transmitted to the controller 100, and the controller 100 transmits the data to the display unit 40 via the OSD IC 60. In this case, the OSD IC 60 generates an on-screen display (OSD) screen using this data, and thus, the display unit 40 adds information about distance to the currently displayed image on the OSD screen.

Power is supplied from the battery 70 installed in the vehicle to the display unit 40, and a power switch 72 is provided between the battery 70 and the display unit 40 to control the supply of power. The operation of the power switch 72 is controlled by the controller 100. The control unit 100 controls the power switch 72 according to a control command for turning on / off the wave source of the display unit 40 input by the driver, or according to an operation state of another part of the vehicle or the rear observation system as described below. do. Although not shown in the figure, the power of the battery 70 is also supplied to each part of the rear view system through a separate power supply line.

On the other hand, the rear view system according to the present invention, in addition to the display unit 40 for displaying the captured image and the measured distance on the screen, the sounding unit 90 for displaying the measured distance by sound. The horn 90 may be configured as a separate speaker, a beeper, or the like, or may be implemented by using a speaker employed in an acoustic system in a vehicle. In addition, when the vehicle small TV is used as the display unit 40 as described above, the speaker provided in the TV may be used as the sounding unit 90.

The horn unit 90 receives data about the distance measured by the first sensor 21 or the second sensor 22 from the control unit 100, and the horn unit 90 adjusts the measured distance to the magnitude thereof. According to the mutually different sound. For example, the closer the distance is, the louder the sound may be, or the measured distance may be divided into several stages according to its magnitude so that different kinds of sounds are generated at each stage.

In addition, the horn may be composed of intermittent sounds that are generated intermittently according to a predetermined period. In such a case, it is preferable that the period in which the intermittent sound is interrupted is substantially proportional to the measured distance. The driver can hear that the distance to the rear object is gradually getting closer as the period of intermittent sound is getting faster.

On the other hand, the control unit 100 has a signal from a winker (32) (operation key for flashing the left or right direction indicator lamp in accordance with the driver's operation to display the traveling direction of the vehicle to the outside), and the vehicle A signal from the gear 34 for setting the travel direction of the signal is input. Accordingly, the controller 100 may know whether the driving direction of the vehicle is set, that is, whether it is forward, backward, or neutral, and also whether the driver wants to rotate the vehicle to the left or the right. The controller 100 controls the camera 10, the sensors 21 and 22, the display unit 40, and the like based on the signals input from the winker 32 and the gear 34.

Hereinafter will be described the operation of the vehicle rear observation system according to the present invention having the configuration as described above.

The vehicle rear observation system according to the present invention may be operated manually according to a command input by a driver for the operations of the camera 10, the sensors 21, 22, the display unit 40, and the control unit 100. May automatically control their operation according to the state of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, an example is described in which both the manual mode and the automatic mode are provided for the driver to select. The manual mode and the automatic mode may be arbitrarily set by the driver through the input unit 80. When the manual mode is set, a means (for example, a menu provided by a separate operation button or OSD screen) that the driver can directly operate for each operation of each part should be provided in the input unit 80, and the automatic mode Even if it is set to, the input unit 80 should be provided with means for individually setting or releasing various types of operating conditions as described below.

When the driver sets the manual mode through the input unit 80, the operations of the camera 10, the sensors 21 and 22, and the display unit 40 are controlled according to the operation of the driver. Accordingly, the driver may display only the image of the rear of the vehicle captured by the camera 10 on the display unit 40, and display only the distance between the rear end surface of the vehicle and the object behind the vehicle measured by the sensors 21 and 22. It may be displayed at 40, and all of them may be displayed.

In addition, the driver may select whether to display an image, a DVD signal, or a broadcast signal from the camera 10 by inputting a control command to the multiplexer 50, and input a control command to the power switch 72. As a result, power may be supplied to the display unit 40 or the power supply may be cut off.

In addition, the driver may arbitrarily set a direction to be photographed by inputting a control command to the camera driver 12. Therefore, the driver may display the image in the desired direction on the display unit 40.

When the driver sets the automatic mode through the input unit 80, the operations of the camera 10, the sensors 21 and 22, and the display unit 40 are automatically controlled according to the driving state of the vehicle. This will be described in detail as follows.

When the driver operates the gear 34 to set the driving state of the vehicle to reverse, a signal informing of the reverse setting is transmitted from the gear 34 to the controller 100, and the controller 100 controls the camera 10 and the sensor ( 21 and 22 and the display portion 40 are operated. The image of the rear of the vehicle captured by the camera 10 is provided to the display unit 40 through the multiplexer 50, and the distance calculated by the controller 100 according to a result detected by the sensors 21 and 22 is determined by the controller ( 100 to the display unit 40. In this case, as the reverse signal is input to the controller 100, the controller 100 controls the driver 12 to drive the camera 10 to move downward. Accordingly, the camera 10 photographs the rear surface of the vehicle, that is, the bumper, and the driver can know whether the vehicle is in contact with the rear object. In this case, only one of the camera 10 and the sensors 21 and 22 may be operated so that only one of the image and the distance is displayed on the display unit 40.

An example of a screen displayed on the display unit 40 is illustrated in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the captured image is displayed on the screen 42 in the display unit 40, and the measured distance is added to the OSD screen 46 in the screen 42. The measured distance may be displayed as a letter as shown in FIG. 4, or may be displayed together with the letter or as a separate picture from the letter. For example, the length may be displayed in the form of a bar whose length changes according to the measured distance, or may be expressed in a color that changes according to the measured distance.

Preferably, the color displayed as described above (part indicated by 'distance 1.2m' in FIG. 4) or the background color thereof is changed according to the distance. For example, the above-mentioned distance display character starts to appear when it is within 10 meters, wherein the distance from 10 meters to 1.5 meters is blue, the distance from 1.5 meters to 0.7 meters is yellow, and the distance within 0.7 meters is red. It is displayed in color. Accordingly, the driver can easily grasp the change of the distance visually, and can also grasp the degree of adjoining the rear object by the color alone.

Meanwhile, the horn unit 90 informs the driver of the information about the measured distance through the horn, and as described above, the shorter the distance, the shorter the period, the shorter the sound is displayed. For example, if the distance is more than 1 meter, no alarm is generated. If the distance is less than 1 meter, the alarm is quickly generated when the distance is approached. There is a continuous alarm. Accordingly, the driver can know the distance between the rear object and the vehicle through hearing, and the driver's field of view is rearward while the vehicle reverses, and thus the distance between the rear object and the vehicle may be difficult to view. You will know exactly.

Meanwhile, the first sensor 21 and the second sensor 22 independently perform the distance measuring operation, and the control unit 100 measures the closest of the distances measured by the first and second sensors 21 and 22. The data of the distance is provided to the display unit 40. Therefore, the display part 40 displays the distance measured by the near of each measured by these. Therefore, when a plurality of objects exist in different positions at the rear of the vehicle, the driver displays the distance to the nearest object among them on the display unit 40.

The controller 100 detects that the distance from the rearmost object among the sensors 21 and 22 is closest to the camera 10 in a direction corresponding to a position where the distance is measured (for example, a direction in which ultrasound is emitted). The camera driving unit 12 is driven so that the photographing direction is changed. Therefore, the display unit 40 displays an image of an object that is closest to the rear end surface of the vehicle. Accordingly, the driver can easily prevent the collision with the rear object during the reverse driving.

When the driver releases the state set to reverse by operating the gear 34 (that is, set to the forward, neutral, etc.), the control unit 100 detects this and the camera 10, the sensors 21 and 22, the horn 90 and the display unit 40 are stopped. At this time, the control unit 100 stops their operation after a predetermined time, preferably about 20 seconds, has elapsed from the time when the gear 34 is released. In general, since the reverse and the forward are often repeated during the reverse driving of the vehicle for parking, the operation of displaying the rear image and the distance is continued for a predetermined time from the reverse release point. Accordingly, the driver can inquire the information about the rear through the display unit 40 and the horn unit 90 continuously while driving while changing the operation state of the gear 34 or more times.

On the other hand, when the driver manipulates the winker 32 to display the rotational direction of the vehicle to the outside, the controller 100 drives the camera driver 12 to control the imaging direction of the camera 10 to the operation direction of the winker 32. Change in the direction corresponding to. For example, when the driver operates the winker 32 such that the direction indicator on the left side of the front of the vehicle flashes while the vehicle is running, the camera 10 is driven so that the left side of the vehicle is imaged. Accordingly, the driver can see through the display unit 40 vehicles running behind the direction to move the vehicle. Thus, the camera 10 and the display unit 40 function as a rear mirror. For this function, the control unit 100 preferably controls the camera driving unit 12 so that the camera 10 is driven according to the operation of the winker 32 only when the gear 34 is set to move forward.

On the other hand, in the rear observation system according to the present embodiment, the imaging operation of the camera 10 is started or the sensors 21 and 22 are started even when the display unit 40 is in the off state or while the DVD signal or the broadcast signal is being reproduced. When the sensing operation is started, the image and the distance are provided on the display unit 40. This function is preferably provided as a menu that can be set and released through the input unit 80 so that the driver can perform only if desired.

For this operation, when the camera 10 starts to operate, the control unit 100 drives the power switch 72 to supply power to the display unit 40 from the battery 70, and the multiplexer 50. ) So that the video signal from the camera 10 is provided to the display unit 40. At the same time, the controller 100 provides the display unit 40 with information about the distance detected by the sensors 21 and 22 through the OSD IC 60.

In this case, the controller 100 may detect whether the camera 10 or the sensors 21 and 22 have started in various ways. For example, the control unit 100 may receive an image signal directly from the camera 10 so that the control unit 100 may detect the image signal when the image signal is generated, or based on a mode set by the driver through the input unit 80 or an input control command. It may be possible to detect whether the camera 10 or the sensors 21 and 22 operate. In addition, as described above, the operation of the camera 10 or the sensors 21 and 22 may be determined according to the operation state of the gear 34 or the winker 32.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the driver can simultaneously know the image of the rear of the vehicle and the distance between the rear object and the vehicle, the driver is provided with the convenience of driving the vehicle and the effect of preventing the risk of an accident.

In addition, since the camera is driven to capture the closest of the objects behind the vehicle, it is very useful when information about the rear object is important, such as when the vehicle is reversed.

In addition, the driver can sense the distance between the rear object and the vehicle both visually and audibly, so that the distance between the vehicle and the object can be easily detected even when the driver is looking backward for backward driving.

In addition, according to the operation state of the device in the vehicle, such as gears and winkers, the camera, sensors, the sounding portion, the display portion and the like is appropriately controlled, so that various information necessary for the driver is provided.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Anyone skilled in the art can make various modifications, as well as such modifications are within the scope of the claims.

Claims (16)

In a vehicle rearview system, An imaging device mounted on the vehicle and configured to capture an image of the rear side of the vehicle; At least one sensor mounted on the vehicle and configured to sense a distance between a rear end of the vehicle and an object placed behind the vehicle; A display unit for displaying the image picked up by the imaging device and the distance sensed by the sensor; And And a control unit controlling the display unit such that the image and the data regarding the distance are displayed on the display unit. The method of claim 1, And a driving unit controlled by the controller to drive the imaging device so that the imaging direction of the imaging device is changed. The method of claim 2, Two or more sensors are provided; And the control unit controls the driving unit to capture a sensing position of the sensor that detects that the distance is the closest among the sensors. The method of claim 2, The control unit controls the driving unit in response to a predetermined control signal input by a driver. The method of claim 4, wherein A gear for setting a traveling direction of the vehicle is provided in the vehicle; The control signal is a reverse signal generated when the state of the gear is set to reverse; And the driving unit drives the imaging device so that the imaging device picks up the rear bumper of the vehicle. The method of claim 2, The vehicle is provided with a winker for displaying the rotational direction of the vehicle to the outside according to the driver's operation; And the driving unit drives the imaging device such that the imaging direction is changed in a direction corresponding to the rotational direction indicated by the winker. The method of claim 1, And the display unit displays different colors according to the distance. The method of claim 1, And a sounding unit configured to generate different soundings according to the distance. The method of claim 8, The horn is an intermittent sound produced intermittently according to a predetermined period; And said period is substantially proportional to said distance. The method of claim 1, A gear for setting a traveling direction of the vehicle is provided in the vehicle; The control unit controls the imaging device, the sensor, and / or the display unit such that the image and / or the distance are displayed on the display unit when the state of the gear is set to reverse. Observation system. The method of claim 10, The controller may be configured such that the image and / or the distance are displayed on the display unit for a predetermined time from the time of release when the state of the gear is set to the reverse direction and then released. Or the display unit for controlling the display unit. The method of claim 8, A gear for setting a traveling direction of the vehicle is provided in the vehicle; And the control unit controls the sensor and the horn to operate the horn when the state of the gear is set to reverse. The method of claim 12, And the controller controls the sensor and the horn to operate the horn for a predetermined time from the time when the gear is released after the state of the gear is set to the reverse direction. The method of claim 1, And a signal selector which selects one of an external signal transmitted from an external imaging device and the image transmitted from the imaging device and provides the selected signal to the display unit. The method of claim 14, And the control unit controls the signal selection unit so that the image is provided to the display unit when the imaging apparatus is operated. The method of claim 1, A power switch for controlling supply of power to the display unit; And the control unit controls the power switch so that the power is supplied to the display unit when the imaging apparatus is operated.