WO2016018022A1

WO2016018022A1 - Vehicle safety system for capturing and displaying infrared image so as to detect danger in dark environment, and method for capturing infrared image

Info

Publication number: WO2016018022A1
Application number: PCT/KR2015/007816
Authority: WO
Inventors: 우병욱
Original assignee: 우병욱
Priority date: 2014-08-01
Filing date: 2015-07-27
Publication date: 2016-02-04
Also published as: KR101533285B1

Abstract

Disclosed are a vehicle safety system for capturing and displaying an infrared image so as to detect danger in a dark environment and a method for capturing an infrared image. To this end, provided is a vehicle safety system comprising: an illumination sensor provided at the exterior of a vehicle so as to sense external brightness; an infrared camera unit provided at the vehicle and comprising a plurality of infrared cameras for emitting infrared rays and then generating an infrared image by capturing reflected infrared rays when the emitted infrared rays hit an object and are reflected from the object; a signal processing unit for performing signal processing on the infrared image generated through the infrared camera unit; a display unit for displaying the infrared image signal-processed through the signal processing unit; and a control unit for controlling the infrared camera unit to generate the infrared image when the external brightness sensed through the illumination sensor is lower than a preset reference intensity of illumination. According to the present invention, a driver can check the left, the right, the front and the rear through an infrared image during the rain or at night, thereby enabling safe driving.

Description

Vehicle safety system and infrared image capturing method to capture and display infrared image to detect danger in dark environment

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 drive a vehicle in a dark environment such as rainy weather or at night. The present invention relates to a vehicle safety system and an infrared image capturing method for photographing and displaying an infrared image for detecting a danger in a dark environment so as to secure a driver's field of vision by safely photographing front, rear, left, and right sides of a vehicle.

In general, a vehicle has a side mirror that allows a driver to monitor left and right directions, a rearview mirror that can monitor the rear, and a room mirror that can monitor an interior. When the driver drives the vehicle, the front of the vehicle is completely dependent on the driver's vision, and the side or the rear of the driver is secured by using side mirrors and rearview mirrors.

In the daytime with the light source such as sunlight, it is possible to secure the view of the front, rear, left and right depending on the driver's vision, side mirror and rear view mirror, but in the dark environment such as rainy weather or at night, There is a limit in vision. In other words, because it is dark, it is difficult to accurately grasp things, which increases the probability of accidents.

Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-0573883 discloses a front monitoring device at night driving of the vehicle. The front monitoring device during the night driving of the above technology clearly displays the blind spots in front of the vehicle at night by using an infrared camera and a left / right auxiliary infrared lamp installed at the right place of the vehicle, so that the driver can move the entire front of the vehicle even at night. The situation can be easily grasped to prevent accidents. However, the front monitoring device of the technology can easily grasp the situation in the front, but can not grasp the situation of the left and right side and rear.

Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-0503299 discloses a night driving assistance method of the vehicle. The night driving assistance method of the vehicle installs an infrared camera in place in the vehicle to capture a pedestrian present in front of the vehicle at night and notify the driver of this and warn the pedestrian that the vehicle is running. The night driving assistance method of the vehicle can easily grasp the situation in the front, but cannot grasp the situation in the left and right sides and the rear.

Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-0976336 discloses a left and right vehicle danger detection and alarm device. The left and right direction danger detection and warning device of the vehicle detects a lane change signal and measures a distance of a left or right direction of the driving vehicle and an adjacent driving vehicle located in each blind spot according to the detected lane change signal and transmits it to the controller. If there is an adjacent vehicle within the error range, an alarm sound is generated and the direction indicator light is changed from yellow to red.

Through the vehicle's left and right direction danger detection and alarm device, the vehicle information located on the side and the blind spot of the vehicle can be checked visually and acoustically, which can greatly help safety driving during night driving and rain driving. However, when an alarm occurs, it is difficult for the driver to visually check how close the vehicle is to the side of the vehicle, so it is difficult to take action.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to display the infrared image of the front, rear, left and right of the vehicle when driving the vehicle at night or rainy weather to detect the danger in a dark environment that can reduce the occurrence of accidents by the driver in advance to detect the danger The present invention provides a vehicle safety system and an infrared image photographing method for photographing and displaying an infrared image.

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, the vehicle safety system of the present invention is installed on the outside of the vehicle and the illumination sensor for detecting the external brightness, installed in the vehicle, after emitting infrared rays, the infrared rays emitted to the object When hit and reflected, the infrared camera unit is composed of a plurality of infrared cameras to shoot and generate an infrared image, a signal processing unit for processing the infrared image generated by the infrared camera unit, the infrared image signal processing through the signal processing unit is displayed And 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.

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

In addition, the vehicle safety system of the present invention further includes a direction detecting unit for detecting a traveling direction of the vehicle, wherein the control unit is an infrared image generated by an infrared camera corresponding to a direction detected by the direction detecting unit of the infrared camera unit. The signal processor controls the signal processor to be signal-processed and displayed on the display unit.

The infrared camera includes a plurality of infrared LEDs installed at edges of both side mirrors of the vehicle and an infrared photographing unit which is installed in the center of the plurality of infrared LEDs and photographs the infrared rays emitted from the plurality of infrared LEDs by hitting and reflecting an object. The plurality of infrared LEDs are characterized in that the black IR LED.

The infrared camera is installed in both side mirrors of the vehicle, and the reflecting mirrors of the side mirrors are coated such that visible light is reflected and only infrared light passes.

On the other hand, the infrared image capture method of the vehicle safety system including an infrared camera for capturing an infrared image detecting the external illuminance through an illuminance sensor, comparing the preset illuminance, the detected illuminance is less than the reference illuminance In this case, the method may include storing an infrared image generated by the infrared camera unit, and detecting an moving direction of the vehicle and generating an infrared image corresponding to the moving direction of the vehicle and outputting the infrared image to a screen.

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

According 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 of the present invention, since the infrared image is generated through an infrared camera unit according to external illumination, when driving in a dark environment, You can drive safely by referring to the video.

In addition, by installing an infrared camera on the front, rear, and both side mirrors of the vehicle, it is possible to check all the front, rear, left, and right side while driving, and automatically display the infrared image in the corresponding direction according to the driving direction of the vehicle. It is possible to drive safely even for beginners.

In addition, the reflector is coated to reflect visible light and pass only infrared rays, and by installing black IR LEDs on the side mirrors, the reflectors do not affect the role of side mirrors. Can be.

1 is a view showing a position installed an infrared camera included in a vehicle safety system according to an embodiment of the present invention,

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle safety system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 and 4 are views illustrating a case in which 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

5 is a flowchart illustrating an infrared image photographing method of a vehicle safety system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The above-described features and effects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and thus, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. Could be. As the inventive concept allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific disclosed form, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "having" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, action, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and that one or more other features It should be understood that it does not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of numbers, steps, actions, components, parts or combinations thereof.

Terms such as first and second 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 the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component.

Hereinafter, a vehicle safety system (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle safety system) equipped with an infrared camera for capturing 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.

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, Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the 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, and an operation unit 150. , Direction detecting unit 160, illuminance sensor 170, and controller 180.

As shown in FIG. 1, the infrared camera unit 100 includes a first infrared camera 101 installed at the front of the vehicle, a second infrared camera 103 installed at the rear of the vehicle, and a third installed at the left side mirror. And an infrared camera 105 and a fourth infrared camera 107 installed in the right side mirror. The

infrared cameras

101, 103, 105, and 107 include a plurality of infrared LEDs emitting infrared rays, and an infrared photographing unit configured to photograph infrared rays emitted by the plurality of infrared LEDs to hit an object and generate an infrared image.

Infrared has a wavelength of 850nm to 940nm and is invisible to the human eye. Therefore, the infrared camera unit 100 may generate an infrared image that can be seen by the eyes even in a dark environment. In addition, a plurality of infrared LEDs are used when white light is not required and natural infrared illumination is not sufficient. The infrared rays emitted from the plurality of infrared LEDs may generate a clear infrared image with low noise.

In the case of the front, the first infrared camera 101 is installed on the rear surface of the rearview mirror installed inside the vehicle. Alternatively, although not shown, the vehicle may be installed on a front grill or a front bumper of the vehicle. The first infrared camera 101 installed in the front can detect the vehicle of 30 ~ 50m ahead. That is, when infrared rays are emitted from the plurality of infrared LEDs and hit and reflected on the vehicle in front, an infrared image of the vehicle in front is generated through the infrared photographing unit. Therefore, the driver can check a vehicle, an object, or a person who is driving within 30 to 50 meters ahead even in rainy weather or at night.

In the rear, the second infrared camera 103 is installed on the trunk upper side or the rear grille of the vehicle. Similarly, in the case of the rear side, the vehicle 30 to 50m rear can be detected through the second infrared camera 103, so that the object or person present in the rear side can be checked when reversing or parking.

In the left and right side, the third and fourth infrared camera 107 is installed on the side mirror of the vehicle, and FIGS. 3 and 4 show that the infrared camera included in the vehicle safety system according to an embodiment of the present invention is the right side mirror. FIG. Is a diagram illustrating a case where it is installed in a.

3 and 4, a plurality of infrared LEDs (L) are installed at the edge of the right side mirror of the vehicle, and infrared imaging to shoot when the infrared rays emitted from the plurality of infrared LEDs (L) hit and reflect an object. Part C is provided in the middle of the plurality of infrared LEDs L. FIG. At this time, since the plurality of infrared LEDs (L) is provided so as to protrude to the outside of the reflector 109 as shown in FIG. 4, light emitted from the plurality of infrared LEDs (L) is not scattered by the reflector (109).

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 4, the infrared imaging unit C is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) installed at the rear side of the reflector 109 to converge infrared rays passing through the reflector 109 and convert light into an electrical signal. It is composed. In this case, since the blind spot shown in FIG. 1 is photographed through the infrared photographing unit C, the driver may safely drive the object or the object that appears in the blind spot.

Since the reflector 109 has a coating for reflecting visible light and passing only infrared rays, the reflector 109 serves as a side mirror and simultaneously passes external infrared rays to the infrared photographing unit C. In addition, the plurality of infrared LEDs L installed therein are black IR (Infrared) LEDs, unlike general infrared LEDs emitting a red color, and do not appear in color. Therefore, the reflector 109 does not affect the role of the side mirror.

On the other hand, the infrared imaging unit (C) includes a

transceiver

102, 104, 106, 108 for transmitting the infrared image generated through the wireless to the signal processing unit 120. That is, the first transmitter and receiver 102 for transmitting the infrared signal generated by the first infrared camera 101, the second transmitter and receiver 104 for transmitting the infrared signal generated by the second infrared camera 103, And a third transmitter / receiver 106 for transmitting the infrared signal generated by the third infrared camera 105 and a fourth transmitter / receiver 108 for transmitting the infrared signal generated by the fourth infrared camera 107. do. In addition, according to a user command input through the operation unit 150 to be described later receives a user command for controlling each of the infrared camera (101, 103, 105, 107).

The wireless communication unit 110 receives an infrared image generated by the first to fourth infrared cameras 107 by communicating with the first to fourth transmitting and receiving

units

102, 104, 106, and 108, and transmits a user command to the first to fourth transmitting and receiving units 108. To send).

The signal processor 120 processes and outputs an infrared image generated by the infrared camera unit 100. In general, the infrared image generated by the infrared camera unit 100 is black and white, and is signal-processed to be displayed through the display unit 130 installed in the vehicle. In this case, the signal processor 120 processes the infrared image generated by the selected infrared camera unit 100 under the control of the controller 180 to be described later.

In more detail, when the vehicle is going straight ahead, the infrared image generated by the infrared camera unit 100 installed in the front signal processing, if the vehicle is going backward, the infrared camera unit 100 installed at the rear Signal processing of the generated infrared image. In addition, when the left turn flicker of the vehicle is turned on, the infrared image generated by the infrared camera unit 100 installed in the left side mirror of the vehicle signal processing, and when the right turn flicker of the vehicle is turned on, the right side mirror of the vehicle Signal processing is performed on the infrared image generated by the installed infrared camera unit 100.

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

The operation unit 150 receives a user command for controlling the first to fourth infrared cameras 107, and receives a user command for selecting various options displayed on the display unit 130. That is, the zoom, tilt, and rotation of the first to fourth infrared cameras 107 may be adjusted through the operation unit 150, and the ranges to be photographed through the first to fourth infrared cameras 107 by such manipulations. Becomes wider. In addition, even when the outside is bright by operating the manipulation unit 150, the infrared rays may 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 infrared image you want.

The direction detecting unit 160 detects a 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 flashing or the right turn flashing of the vehicle is turned on. The controller 180 controls the signal processor 120 to display the infrared image generated by the infrared camera 100 installed in the corresponding direction on the display unit 130 according to the direction detected by the direction sensor 160. .

The illuminance sensor 170 is installed outside the vehicle to detect external brightness. The controller 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 preset reference illuminance. That is, the controller 180 controls the infrared camera unit 100 to generate an infrared image when it is determined that the environment is dark to drive the vehicle at night or in rain.

The controller 180 controls the signal processor 120 to extract an object or a person included in the infrared image, calculate a distance to the object or the person, and display the same on the display unit 130. That is, the distance to the object is calculated by calculating the time at which the infrared rays emitted from the infrared LED L collide with the object and converge to the infrared photographing unit C. Such distance information may be displayed on the display unit 130 together with the infrared image.

The photographing method of the vehicle safety system including the above components will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 5.

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

When the detected illuminance is lower than the standard 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 controller 180 controls the plurality of LEDs provided in the first to fourth infrared cameras 107 to emit infrared rays, and controls the infrared photographing unit to converge infrared rays to generate an infrared image. The infrared image generated as described above is received through the wireless communication unit 110 and stored in the storage 140.

When the vehicle traveling direction is detected (S260), an infrared image corresponding to the vehicle traveling direction is generated and output to the screen (S280). That is, when the vehicle traveling direction is detected, the controller 180 controls to display the infrared image captured by the infrared camera installed in the corresponding direction on the display unit 130. For example, when the vehicle moves forward and the left blinker is turned on, the controller 180 controls an infrared image generated by the first infrared camera 101 to be displayed on the display unit 130, and when the left blinker is turned on, the third blinker turns on the third blinker. The infrared image generated by the infrared camera 105 is controlled to be displayed on the display unit 130.

According to the above process, the driver can secure the front, rear, left and right view accurately in rainy weather or at night, and can drive safely.

Although the above has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will be able to variously modify and change the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. It will be appreciated.

Claims

An illumination sensor installed outside the vehicle to detect external brightness;

An infrared camera unit installed in the vehicle, the infrared camera unit including a plurality of infrared cameras that emit infrared light and then emit an infrared light by hitting and reflecting an object to generate an infrared image;

A signal processor for signal processing an infrared image generated by the infrared camera unit;

A display unit displaying an infrared image processed by the signal processor;

And a controller configured to control 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. Safety system.
The method of claim 1,

The infrared camera unit,

A vehicle safety system for capturing and displaying an infrared image for detecting a danger in a dark environment, characterized in that it comprises an infrared camera installed in at least one of the front, rear, and both side mirrors of the vehicle.
The method of claim 2,

Further comprising: a direction detecting unit for detecting the traveling direction of the vehicle,

The control unit,

Detecting danger in the dark environment, characterized in that for controlling the signal processing unit so that the infrared image generated by the infrared camera corresponding to the direction detected by the direction detection unit of the infrared camera unit is displayed on the display unit Vehicle safety system for taking and displaying infrared images.
The method of claim 2,

The infrared camera,

It is composed of a plurality of infrared LEDs installed on the edges of the side mirrors of the vehicle and the infrared imaging unit is installed in the middle of the plurality of infrared LEDs to shoot when the infrared rays emitted from the plurality of infrared LEDs hit the object and reflects it. Vehicle safety system that captures and displays infrared images to detect danger in dark environments.
The method of claim 4, wherein

The plurality of infrared LED is a black IR LED, the vehicle safety system for capturing and displaying infrared images for detecting danger in a dark environment.
The method of claim 2,

The infrared camera,

It is installed in the side mirrors of both sides of the vehicle, the reflector of the side mirror is a vehicle safety to shoot and display infrared images for detecting danger in a dark environment, characterized in that the visible light is reflected and only infrared light passes through system.
In the infrared image capture method of a vehicle safety system comprising an infrared camera unit for taking an infrared image,

Detecting external illuminance through an illuminance sensor and comparing the preset illuminance with a preset reference illuminance;

Storing the infrared image generated by the infrared camera unit when the detected illuminance is smaller than the reference illuminance; And

And sensing the vehicle traveling direction and generating an infrared image corresponding to the vehicle traveling direction and outputting the infrared image to a screen.
The method of claim 7, wherein

The moving direction of the vehicle is an infrared image photographing method of a vehicle safety system, characterized in that detected depending on whether the blinking of the left or right of the vehicle.