JP2006005451A - In-vehicle monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a captured image obtained by capturing a situation around a vehicle and to display an imaging area illustration showing an imaging area of a surveillance camera so that an imaging range of the surveillance camera can be easily visually recognized.
Surveillance cameras (11-16) are attached to a vehicle (20) to capture a situation around the vehicle and obtain a captured image. The display control unit 17 generates an imaging area illustration indicating the imaging area of the monitoring camera according to, for example, the imaging direction of the monitoring camera, the focal length, and the distance to the subject, based on the mounting position of the monitoring camera. The illustration is controlled on the display means 18a together with the captured image.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle monitoring apparatus that is mounted on a vehicle and images a situation around the vehicle and displays the captured image in the vehicle to monitor the situation around the vehicle.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an in-vehicle monitoring device that captures a situation around a vehicle as a captured image with a camera or the like and displays the captured image on a display device such as a monitor disposed in the vehicle. The surrounding conditions are monitored. And in this kind of vehicle-mounted monitoring apparatus, there exist some which changed and displayed the some imaging range on the display apparatus.

  For example, when switching a plurality of imaging ranges displayed by the display device, in order to easily recognize which imaging range is displayed by the display device, the imaging device captures a plurality of imaging ranges around the vehicle, and the touch panel And an imaging range to be displayed on the display device based on various signals indicating the vehicle state and the like such as a shift position signal. Here, the imaging range is switched according to a user operation. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Furthermore, in the in-vehicle monitoring device, the driver may misrecognize the distance to the subject around the vehicle only with the image captured by the camera, so that the illustration data such as the distance display is superimposed and displayed on the captured image, Some drivers try to avoid misidentifying the sense of distance, etc. Here, the captured image is displayed on a screen that can be viewed from the driver's seat, and illustration data for distance display is superimposed on the captured image. When the vehicle height changes and the size and scale of the captured image change, the illustration data size and scale are also changed in response to the change (for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-116125 (pages 3 to 5, FIGS. 1 to 9) JP-A-2002-293196 (pages 3 to 5, FIGS. 1 to 6)

  Since the conventional in-vehicle monitoring apparatus is configured as described above, a plurality of imaging ranges are selectively displayed or hidden by a driver's operation (will), but a plurality of imaging ranges are simply set by a driver's operation. The display range (imaging area) cannot be changed according to the driver's operation, and only the display / non-display is selectively performed. As a result, the driver selects multiple display ranges to display / hide However, there is a problem that the imaging range desired by the driver may not be visible.

  Furthermore, in the conventional vehicle-mounted monitoring device, the driver cannot check the imaging range of the imaging camera, that is, only the image is displayed / hidden for each imaging range. There was a problem that the imaging range could not be confirmed, and as a result, it was not possible to confirm that there was a blind spot portion around the vehicle.

  In addition, in a conventional on-vehicle monitoring device, illustration data such as a distance display is superimposed and displayed on a captured image, and when the vehicle height changes and the size and scale of the captured image change, the illustration corresponds to this change. Although the data size and scale are also changed, the illustration data is only displayed as a distance, and the imaging range cannot be changed according to the operation of the driver. Has a problem that the imaging range of the imaging camera cannot be confirmed.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an in-vehicle monitoring device that can change an imaging range according to a driver's operation and can check the imaging range of an imaging camera. With the goal.

  An in-vehicle information device according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that is attached to a vehicle and captures a situation around the vehicle to obtain a captured image, and a display unit that displays the captured image. It has a generating means for generating an imaging area illustration showing the imaging area of the imaging means as a reference, and a display control switching means for controlling the display of the imaging area illustration on the display means together with the captured image.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the imaging area illustration indicating the imaging area of the imaging unit is generated with reference to the mounting position of the imaging unit, and the imaging area illustration is displayed on the display unit together with the captured image. Since it comprised in this way, there exists an effect that the imaging area which shows the imaging range of an imaging means can be confirmed easily.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 shows an in-vehicle monitoring apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an in-vehicle monitoring device 10 is mounted on a vehicle 20, and the in-vehicle monitoring device 10 has at least one monitoring camera (imaging means). In the illustrated example, six monitoring cameras 11 to 16 are provided, the monitoring cameras 11 to 13 are disposed on the front portion of the vehicle 20, and the monitoring cameras 14 and 15 are disposed on the side portion of the vehicle 20. . The surveillance camera 16 is disposed at the rear of the vehicle 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the monitoring camera 11 images the front lower side of the vehicle, and its imaging area (imaging range) is indicated by reference numeral A1. The monitoring cameras 12 and 13 image the left diagonal front and the right diagonal left front in the imaging areas A2 and A3, respectively. The monitoring cameras 14 and 15 image the left side and the right side in the imaging areas A4 and A5, respectively, and the monitoring camera 16 images the rear side in the imaging area A6. That is, the surrounding situation of the vehicle 20 is imaged by the monitoring cameras 11 to 16, and images captured by the monitoring cameras 11 to 16 (hereinafter, images captured by the monitoring cameras 11 to 16 are respectively referred to as first to sixth images). Is given to the display control means 17, and the display control means 17 displays the first to sixth picked-up images on the input display means 18 as described later.

  Referring also to FIG. 2, the input display means 18 has a monitor (display means) 18a and a touch panel (input means) 18b formed on the monitor 18a, and the display control means 17 has an imaging area illustration shape calculation unit ( It includes an imaging area illustration generating unit) 17a, a display switching control unit (display switching control unit) 17b, and an image processing unit 17c. The imaging area illustration shape calculation unit 17a is given a camera direction, a lens focal length, and a distance to a subject (subject distance) for each monitoring camera.

  And the imaging area illustration shape calculating part 17a is based on these camera directions, a lens focal distance, and object distance as mentioned later on the basis of the attachment position of the monitoring cameras 11-16 as mentioned later. An imaging area illustration showing the imaging areas A1 to A6 is generated.

  The imaging area illustration is transferred to the display switching control unit 17b, the display switching control unit 17b transfers the imaging area illustration to the image processing unit 17c, and the image processing unit 17c performs image processing on the imaging area illustration and displays the imaging area on the monitor 18a. Display an illustration. The first to sixth images from the monitoring cameras 11 to 16 are given to the image processing unit 17c, and after being processed here, they are displayed on the monitor 18a. Is operated, the display switching control unit 17b selectively displays the first to sixth captured images on the monitor 18a. For example, the output ports (video ports) of the monitoring cameras 11 to 16 are switched, and the first to sixth captured images are selectively displayed on the monitor 18a.

  Note that the directions of the monitoring cameras 11 to 16 are movable, and the imaging directions (camera directions) of the monitoring cameras 11 to 16 can be changed according to the operation of the touch panel 18b as described later. That is, the display switching control unit 17b drives and controls the monitoring cameras 11 to 16 to change the imaging direction (camera direction).

Next, the operation will be described.
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, when the in-vehicle monitoring device 10 is turned on, first to sixth captured images from the monitoring cameras 11 to 16 are given to the image processing unit 17c (capture of captured images). : Step ST1). The first to sixth captured images are subjected to image processing (conversion processing) by the image processing unit 17c (step ST2) and displayed on the monitor 18a (step ST3).

  By the way, the current camera direction, lens focal length, and subject distance of the monitoring cameras 11 to 16 are given to the shooting area illustration shape calculation unit 17a (current camera direction, lens focal length, and distance information to the subject are captured). : Step ST4), an imaging area illustration is obtained for each of the monitoring cameras 11 to 16 (Step ST5). The lens focal length and subject distance (for example, the ground, wall surface, person, other vehicle, scenery, etc.) are determined in advance for each of the monitoring cameras 11 to 16, and are set in the shooting area illustration shape calculation unit 17a. .

  The photographing area illustration is given to the display switching control unit 17b, and after undergoing display switching processing (step ST6) as described later, the image processing unit 17c performs conversion processing (step ST7). An imaging area illustration is displayed on the monitor 18a (step ST8).

  Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen of the monitor 18a. The monitor 18a has an imaging area illustration display unit 31 and a captured image display unit 32, and when the in-vehicle monitoring device 10 is turned on, An imaging area illustration 41 is displayed on the imaging area illustration display unit 31, and first to sixth captured images A1 to A6 are displayed on the captured image display unit 32 (here, for the convenience of explanation, the first to first images are displayed). 6 is the same as the imaged area).

  As shown in FIG. 4, a vehicle illustration 41a is displayed in the imaging area illustration 41, and the attachment positions C1 to C6 of the monitoring cameras 11 to 16 are shown in the vehicle illustration 41a. Area illustrations 41b to 41g showing the imaging areas A1 to A6 of 11 to 16 are shown. These area illustrations 41b to 41g are calculated according to the camera direction, the lens focal length, and the subject distance.

  On the other hand, the first to sixth captured images A1 to A6 are displayed on the captured image display unit 32. In FIG. 4, when the upper side is the front of the vehicle 20, the captured images are displayed according to the monitoring cameras 11 to 16. The display unit 32 is divided into six parts, and first to sixth captured images A1 to A6 are displayed as shown in the figure. That is, the left front captured image A2, the front lower captured image A1, the right front captured image A3, the left side captured image A4, the rear captured image A6, and the right side captured image A5 are associated with the attachment positions of the monitoring cameras 11 to 16. Is displayed on the captured image display unit 32.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first to sixth captured images A1 to A6 are displayed on the monitor 18a (note that the imaging area illustration display unit 31 is omitted in FIG. 5). When the driver operates the touch panel 18b to select a desired image, only the selected captured image is displayed on the captured image display unit 32.

  When the driver operates the touch panel 18b and selects the second to fifth captured images A2 to A5, the display switching control unit 17b performs switching control so as to select only the video ports of the monitoring cameras 12 to 15, Only video signals (second to fifth captured images) from the monitoring cameras 12 to 15 are given to the image processing unit 17c. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the captured image display unit 32 is divided into four, and the second to fifth captured images are associated with the attachment positions of the monitoring cameras 12 to 15 and the captured image display unit 32. Is displayed.

  Further, the display switching control unit 17b performs display switching processing of the imaging area illustration given from the imaging area illustration shape calculation unit 17a, and deletes and corrects the area illustrations other than the surveillance camera that captures an image according to the driver's selection. The image is sent to the image processing unit 17c as an imaging area illustration. In the example shown in FIG. 6, since the second to fifth captured images A2 to A5 from the monitoring cameras 12 to 15 are selected by the driver, the area illustrations 41b and 41g shown in FIG. 4 are deleted and the area illustrations 41c to 41f are deleted. Is displayed on the imaging area illustration display unit 31 together with the vehicle illustration 41a (note that the imaging area illustration display unit 31 is omitted in FIG. 6).

  Subsequently, when the driver operates the touch panel 18b and selects three images in the state illustrated in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, for example, the first to third captured images A1 to A3 (or the fourth to sixth images) are selected. When the captured images A4 to A6) are selected, the display switching control unit 17b performs switching control so as to select only the video ports of the monitoring cameras 11 to 13 (or the monitoring cameras 14 to 16), and monitors the image processing unit 17c. Only video signals (first to third captured images (or fourth to sixth captured images)) from the cameras 11 to 13 (or the monitoring cameras 14 to 16) are given.

  At this time, the captured image display unit 32 is divided into four parts as shown in FIG. 7, and is associated with the attachment positions of the monitoring cameras 11 to 13 (or the monitoring cameras 14 to 16). The captured image (or the fourth to sixth captured images) is displayed on the captured image display unit 32.

  Further, the display switching control unit 17b performs display switching processing of the imaging area illustration, and the fourth to sixth image capturing A4 to A6 (or first to first) from the monitoring cameras 14 to 16 (or the monitoring cameras 11 to 13). Area illustrations 41e to 41g (or area illustrations 41b to 41d) corresponding to the three captured images A1 to A3) are deleted, and the area illustrations 41b to 41d (or area illustrations 41b to 41d) are displayed together with the vehicle illustration 41a. (The imaging area illustration display unit 31 is omitted in FIG. 7).

  Similarly, when the driver operates the touch panel 18b to select the first and sixth images A1 and A6 in the state shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the display switching control unit 17b displays the images of the monitoring cameras 11 and 16. Switching control is performed so that only the port is selected. As shown in FIG. 8, the captured image display unit 32 is divided into two in the horizontal direction and is associated with the attachment positions of the monitoring cameras 11 and 16. The first and sixth captured images are displayed on the captured image display unit 32.

  In this case, the area illustrations 41b and 41g are displayed on the imaging area illustration display unit 31 together with the vehicle illustration 41a (note that the imaging area illustration display unit 31 is omitted in FIG. 8). .

  Furthermore, when the driver operates the touch panel 18b and selects the second and third captured images A1 and A3 (or the fourth and fifth captured images A4 and A5) in the state illustrated in FIGS. The display switching control unit 17b performs switching control so that only the video ports of the monitoring cameras 12 and 13 (or the monitoring cameras 14 and 15) are selected. In the captured image display unit 32, as shown in FIG. The second and third captured images A1 and A3 (or the fourth and fifth) are divided into two in the vertical and horizontal directions and correspond to the mounting positions of the monitoring cameras 12 and 13 (or the monitoring cameras 14 and 15). The captured images A4 and A5) are displayed on the captured image display unit 32.

  At this time, the area illustrations 41c and 41d (or area illustrations 41e and 41f) are displayed on the imaging area illustration display unit 31 together with the vehicle illustration 41a (in FIG. 9, the imaging area illustration display is shown). The part 31 is omitted).

  In addition, when the driver operates the touch panel 18b and selects any one of the first to sixth images A1 to A3 in the state illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9, the display switching control unit 17b performs monitoring cameras 11 to 16. Switching control is performed so that only one of the video ports is selected. As shown in FIG. 10, the captured image display unit 32 is one of the first to sixth captured images A1 to A3. It is displayed on the captured image display unit 32.

  At this time, any one of the area illustrations 41b to 41g is displayed on the imaging area illustration display unit 31 together with the vehicle illustration 41a (Note that the imaging area illustration display unit 31 is omitted in FIG. 10). ing).

  In this manner, the captured image can be displayed on the captured image display unit 32 in any of the states shown in FIGS. 5 to 10 in accordance with the driver's selection. In this case, the selected captured image corresponds to the selected captured image. Since only the area illustration is displayed, the driver can easily check the imaging area of the surveillance camera.

  When the driver touches a camera direction adjustment button (not shown) on the touch panel 18b in the state shown in FIG. 10, adjustment touch panel buttons 51 to 58 are displayed on the monitor 18a as shown in FIG. These touch panel buttons 51 to 58 are arranged so as to surround the center of the screen at equal intervals, the touch panel button 51 is upward, the touch panel button 52 is upper right, the touch panel button 53 is right, 54 is arranged in the lower right direction, the touch panel button 55 is arranged in the lower direction, the touch panel button 56 is arranged in the lower left direction, the touch panel button 57 is arranged in the left direction, and the touch panel button 58 is arranged in the upper left direction. ing).

  Now, when any one of the touch panel buttons 51 to 58 is touched while the first image A1 is displayed, the display switching control unit 17b controls the driving of the monitoring camera 11 and responds to the touched touch panel button. The camera direction of the monitoring camera 11 is changed to the direction. For example, when the touch panel button 51 is touched, the display switching control unit 17b changes the camera direction of the monitoring camera 11 upward according to the touch time.

  Similarly, when the touch panel button 52 is touched, the display switching control unit 17b changes the camera direction of the monitoring camera 11 to the upper right direction according to the touch time (the display switching control unit 17b serves as an imaging area adjustment unit). Function).

  The change in the camera direction of the monitoring camera 11 corresponds to the arrangement position of the touch panel buttons 51 to 58 with respect to the screen center, and the driver determines the arrangement position of the touch panel buttons 51 to 58 and the change direction of the camera direction of the monitoring camera 11. The driver can easily recognize the image, and the driver selectively touches the touch panel buttons 51 to 58 while checking the captured image displayed on the captured image display unit 32 and the captured area illustration 41 displayed on the captured area illustration display unit 31. Then, the camera direction of the monitoring camera 11 can be changed to a driver desired direction.

  And the area illustration 41b shown in FIG. 4 will change according to the change of the camera direction of the monitoring camera 11. FIG. If any of the touch panel buttons 51 to 58 is touched in a state where any of the second to sixth images A2 to A6 is displayed, the camera direction of any of the monitoring cameras 12 to 16 is changed in the same manner. Can be changed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the situation around the vehicle is captured by the monitoring camera to obtain the captured image, and the camera direction of the monitoring camera, the lens focus, for example, with reference to the mounting position of the monitoring camera. Since the imaging area illustration indicating the imaging area of the monitoring camera is generated according to the distance and the distance to the subject and the imaging area illustration is displayed together with the captured image, the driver can easily set the imaging area of the monitoring camera. There is an effect that it can be confirmed.

  According to the first embodiment, the camera direction of the monitoring camera is changed according to the imaging area adjustment instruction, and the imaging area illustration is changed according to the change of the camera direction. When adjusted, there is an effect that a change in the imaging area of the monitoring camera can be confirmed very easily.

  According to the first embodiment, the touch panel button is arranged on the touch panel so that the center of the screen is the camera direction and the touch panel buttons are arranged around the screen center in association with the change direction of the camera direction. The change in the camera direction can be easily associated with the touch panel button, and the camera direction can be easily adjusted.

  According to the first embodiment, the driver is provided with a plurality of monitoring cameras and is configured to selectively display a captured image captured by the monitoring camera in response to an image selection instruction. There is an effect that only can be selected and displayed.

  According to the first embodiment, the imaging area illustration for each imaging unit is shown as an area illustration in the imaging area illustration, and the imaging area illustration including only the area illustration corresponding to the selected captured image is displayed. When the driver selects a captured image, only the imaging area related to the monitoring camera corresponding to the captured image can be easily visually recognized.

It is a figure which shows roughly the vehicle-mounted monitoring apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display control means shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted monitoring apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the imaging area illustration display part and captured image display part which are displayed on the display means shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state by which six captured images were divided and displayed on the captured image display part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state by which the four captured images were divided and displayed on the captured image display part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state by which the three captured images were divided and displayed on the captured image display part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state (horizontal direction) by which the two captured images were divided and displayed on the captured image display part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state (vertical direction) by which the two captured images were divided and displayed on the captured image display part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state in which one captured image was displayed on the captured image display part shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an array of touch panel buttons displayed on the touch panel when adjusting the camera direction in the state illustrated in FIG. 10.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 In-vehicle monitoring apparatus, 11-16 Monitoring camera, 17 Display control means, 17a Imaging area illustration shape calculating part, 17b Display switching control part, 17c Image processing part, 18 Input display means, 18a Monitor (display means), 18b Touch panel ( Input means), 20 vehicle, 31 imaging area illustration display section, 32 captured image display section, 41 imaging area illustration, 41a vehicle illustration, 41b-41g area illustration, 51-58 touch panel buttons.

Claims (6)

In an in-vehicle monitoring device having an imaging unit attached to a vehicle and imaging a situation around the vehicle to obtain a captured image, and a display unit for displaying the captured image.
An imaging area illustration generating means for generating an imaging area illustration indicating an imaging area of the imaging means with reference to the mounting position of the imaging means;
A vehicle-mounted monitoring device, comprising: a display switching control unit that performs display control of the imaging area illustration together with the captured image on the display unit.   2. The imaging area illustration generating means generates an imaging area illustration indicating an imaging area of the imaging means in accordance with an imaging direction of the imaging means, a focal length, and a distance to a subject. In-vehicle monitoring device. Input means for inputting an imaging area adjustment instruction;
An imaging area adjustment unit that changes an imaging direction of the imaging unit according to the adjustment instruction;
The in-vehicle monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein the display switching control means changes the imaging area illustration according to the change in the imaging direction. The input means is a touch panel formed on the screen of the display means,
The in-vehicle monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein a touch panel button is arranged on the touch panel in such a manner that the center of the screen is an imaging direction of the imaging means and is associated with the change direction of the imaging direction around the center of the screen. . A plurality of imaging means,
The in-vehicle monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display switching control means selectively displays the picked-up image picked up by the image pick-up means on the display means in response to an image selection instruction. . In the imaging area illustration, the imaging area for each imaging means is shown as an area illustration,
6. The in-vehicle monitoring apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display switching control means displays on the display means an imaging area illustration having only an area illustration corresponding to the selected captured image.

Images