JP2006200936A - Navigation system with camera function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To propose a further effective on-vehicle camera using a method for reducing a burden on a user in the first place. <P>SOLUTION: This navigation system is composed of a map information storage means for storing map information; a present position information detecting means for detecting present position information of itself; a camera 6 functioning as a photographing means; an image display means 2 for displaying the map information and an image photographed by the camera 6; and a control means for controlling so as to display the present position information on a vehicle mounted with itself on a map displayed on the image display means 2 by retrieving the map information on the basis of the detected present position information. For example, a desirable embodiment of the camera 6 is formed into a structure arranged in the image display means 2 and being freely rotatable by substantially 180° to the front and the rear of the vehicle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation system with a camera function that is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and that can perform forward shooting and backward (in-vehicle) shooting.

  Conventionally, various applications have been proposed in which a recording camera is installed in an owned vehicle and the camera is used. Among them, those related to vehicle security and those related to accident recording are effective methods of using a recording camera in that a moving image is recorded from a camera installed in the vehicle.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a camera is installed so that a vehicle interior can be photographed, and when an illegal act is performed on the vehicle, such as opening a door by an unauthorized method, the injustice is detected and an in-vehicle camera is installed. It describes what is operated and stores an image taken by a vehicle-mounted camera.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-228867 describes another method of using an in-vehicle camera that keeps the traveling vehicle safe by photographing the front of the traveling vehicle and performing image processing.
JP 2004-268610 A JP 2001-34899 A

  However, these systems have been proposed as independent functions, though they are common in that they use an in-vehicle camera. Since the installation location (installation direction) of the camera varies depending on each application, it must be installed separately for each application. This has the problem that it imposes a heavy burden on the user not only in the installation location restriction in the vehicle but also in the purchase cost and the labor of installation.

  On the other hand, the current car navigation system is equipped with various functions (destination search, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) appreciation, music box, etc.), but none equipped with a shooting function.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to propose a more effective method of using an in-vehicle camera, first of all, to reduce the burden on the user.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a map information storage means for storing map information, a current position information detection means for detecting its current position information, a camera functioning as a photographing means, The image display means for displaying the map information and the image taken by the camera, and the map information is searched based on the detected current position information, and is mounted on the map displayed on the image display means. And control means for controlling to display the current position information of the vehicle.
For example, as a preferred embodiment, the camera is installed in the image display means, and is rotatable about 180 ° forward and backward of the vehicle.

  According to the present invention, since the car navigation system is provided with a camera that can rotate, for example, by approximately 180 °, each function of the car navigation system, the security system, and the accident recording system can be obtained using this camera. It is possible to construct an all-in-one system.

  In the above-described invention, the control unit further includes a slot into which a recording medium is mounted, and the control unit displays on the image display unit the shooting data of the vehicle front imaged by the camera in response to a user operation. It is characterized in that it is stored in a recording medium mounted in the slot.

  According to the present invention, the photographed data can be displayed on the image display means or stored in the recording medium as operation record data, so that it can be viewed not only on the spot but also later when necessary.

  Further, in the above-mentioned invention, the apparatus further comprises vibration sensing means for sensing vibration and recording means for recording photographing data from the camera for a past predetermined time, and the control means is provided when the camera faces the front of the vehicle. When the vibration sensing means senses a vibration of a predetermined value or more, shooting data for a past predetermined time recorded in the recording means is stored in a recording medium.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to save shooting data for a predetermined period in the past from the time of the occurrence of the accident on the recording medium.

  Further, in the above-mentioned invention, the control means displays on the image display means the photographing data of the rear of the vehicle photographed by the camera in response to a user's operation, or saves it on a recording medium mounted in the slot. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, the photographed data can be displayed on the image display means or stored in the recording medium as operation record data, so that it can be viewed not only on the spot but also later when necessary.

  In the above-mentioned invention, the image display means further includes a person detection means for detecting the presence of a person, and the control means detects the presence of a person when the camera is facing the rear of the vehicle. When the vibration is detected or the vibration detecting means detects a vibration of a predetermined value or more, a warning is given through a speaker, the inside of the vehicle is photographed, and the photographed data is stored in the recording medium.

  According to the present invention, when a suspicious person enters the vehicle, an alarm is issued from the speaker and the interior of the vehicle is photographed, so that the image of the suspicious person can be recorded as evidence.

  In the above invention, the image display means further includes illuminance measuring means for measuring illuminance, and when the camera is facing the rear of the vehicle, the human sensing means senses the presence of a person or the vibration sensing. When the means senses a vibration of a predetermined value or more, the illuminance measuring means measures the illuminance in the vehicle, and if the value measured by the illuminance measuring means is less than the predetermined illuminance, the control means is disposed on the image display means. The light emitting means emits light.

  According to the present invention, since the light emitting means emits light when a predetermined photographing illuminance cannot be obtained during photographing of the suspicious person, the suspicious person can be threatened while assisting photographing.

  According to the present invention, according to the above-described embodiment, a car navigation system, a security system, and an accident are provided using the camera by providing a car navigation system with a camera that can rotate, for example, approximately 180 °. It is possible to construct a system that integrates all the functions of the recording system into one (all-in-one), which has the effect of reducing the burden on the user in terms of cost and installation work.

  Further, when the camera is arranged on the image display means, there is an effect that it is possible to secure an optimal shooting position for the entire vehicle interior during in-car shooting, and for the driver's eyes during forward shooting.

  In addition, when shooting data is stored in a recording medium, for example, when teaching directions to a person, a more specific image can be obtained by explaining while reproducing the driving record data (shooting data) of this navigation system. There is an effect that can be given.

  Further, when the image captured by the camera can be displayed on the image display means, for example, there is an effect that the driver's vehicle can use the rear shot image displayed on the image display means instead of the rearview mirror.

  In addition, when it is possible to save shooting data for a predetermined period in the past from the time of the occurrence of the accident, there is an effect that a reliable accident investigation can be performed.

  Further, when the light emission control of the light emission means is performed based on the measurement result of the illuminance measurement means at the time of photographing the suspicious person, there is an effect that a clearer image can be recorded as evidence and the suspicious person can be threatened.

The present invention is characterized in that a navigation system, which is a core device in a vehicle, is equipped with photographing means such as a camera. In other words, the security function (photographing suspicious persons in the car) and the accident recording function (photographing forward in the event of an accident) are implemented using a single camera equipped in the car navigation system.
Specifically, the camera is arranged on an image display device (display) so that the lens surface can rotate approximately 180 °. As a result, an optimal shooting position can be secured for both in-car shooting and front shooting, and bi-directional shooting is possible with a single camera. Movie recording is realized by the interface function of each recording medium attached to the car navigation system body. In addition, as a security function, the image display device is equipped with a human sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a suspicious person photographing and threatening LED. As an accident recording function, a shock sensor (also used for the security function) and a pre-image recording RAM (recording means) are installed in the main body. Each shooting function is operated with the remote controller attached to the navigation system so that some operations and shooting screens can be checked on the display.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

A configuration diagram of the navigation system with a camera function of this example (hereinafter also simply referred to as “navigation system”) is shown in FIG.
The navigation system of this example includes a system main body 1, an image display device 2 that functions as an image display unit equipped with a camera 5, and a speaker 3, and an attached remote controller (hereinafter referred to as “remote controller”) 4. Remote operation is possible without touching the operation unit on the image display device 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a camera 5 that functions as a photographing unit having an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) in a frame portion around the display panel 7 of the image display device 2. Place. The lens 6 of the camera 5 has a structure in which the lens surface can be rotated by approximately 180 ° from the screen display surface direction to the back surface direction. The orientation of the lens surface of the camera 6 can be adjusted manually by holding it by hand, from the operation unit provided in the image display device 2 or the main body 1 or remotely from the operation unit of the remote controller 4.

  In addition, for example, a white LED (Light Emitting Diode) 8, a human detection sensor (person detection means) 9 for detecting the presence of a person, and an illuminance sensor (illuminance measurement means for measuring the illuminance in the vehicle) ) 10 are arranged. Furthermore, a remote control signal receiving unit 11 is provided. In this example, six white LEDs 8 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  The person detection sensor 9 detects the presence of a person using infrared rays, for example, and sends data to the main body 1. The illuminance sensor 10 detects the illuminance in the vehicle and sends data of the detected illuminance to the main body 1.

  Further, the system main body 1 has an insertion slot 12 corresponding to various recording media having different standards. This recording medium uses a non-volatile storage means made of, for example, a semiconductor memory. Further, the system main body 1 has a slot (not shown) for inserting a DVD medium or the like, and can play and enjoy music and video.

  The remote controller 4 is provided with a captured image storage button 13 and a monitoring operation button 14 in addition to various operation buttons (not shown).

  As described above, the navigation system with a camera function of this example includes a camera that can rotate about 180 ° at an appropriate position of a screen display device that constitutes a conventional navigation system. Therefore, the original navigation functions such as road guidance are the same as in the past. For example, the navigation system of this example is built in the main body 1 that detects the current position information by communicating with a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite and a map information storage means such as a DVD that stores map information (not shown). Current position information detecting means, and the control means searches the map information based on the detected current position information, and displays the current position information on the map displayed on the image display device 2, Services such as road guidance can be provided to the driver's car.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the navigation system is mounted in the vehicle.
In this example, the screen display device 2 is installed above the dashboard 31 in the vehicle interior 30, and the main body 1 is housed in the center console. The camera 5 of the image display device 2 can shoot forward with the lens 6 facing the front (front glass) 31 and can shoot rearward or in-vehicle with the lens 6 reversed to the rear (rear glass) 32.

Next, a block diagram of the navigation system with a camera function of this example is shown in FIG.
In FIG. 3, an image processing unit 17 in the main body 1 converts analog image data obtained by an image sensor 15 provided in the camera 5 into digital image data and performs predetermined processing. In response to an instruction from (Unit) 22, the data is output to one of the following first to third systems.

  The first system is a system for outputting image data from the image processing unit 17 to the internal memory (RAM) 19 via the RAM I / F 18. Image data is stored in an internal memory (RAM) 19.

  The second system is a system for outputting image data from the image processing unit 17 to each recording medium 21 via various media I / Fs 20. Image data is recorded on the recording medium 21 inserted in the slot 12.

  The third system is a system for outputting the image data from the image sensor 15 to the image display device 2 as a video signal from the image processing unit 17. The video signal is reproduced by the image display device 2 and displayed on the display panel 7.

  Further, a main CPU (Central Processing Unit) 22 in the main body 1 functions as a control unit that controls the entire navigation system, and uses a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown) as a work area. Predetermined calculation and control are performed in accordance with a program recorded in a ROM (Read Only Memory).

  The main CPU 22 receives data from the human detection sensor 9 equipped in the image display device 2 and controls the alarm control unit 24 to detect an alarm from the speaker 3 when it detects an abnormality such as a suspicious person in the vehicle. At the same time, the image sensor 15 is instructed to start photographing inside the vehicle. At this time, the illuminance sensor 10 detects the illuminance in the vehicle and outputs the value to the main CPU 22. When the main CPU 22 compares the value acquired from the illuminance sensor 10 with the preset illuminance and determines that the illuminance in the vehicle is not sufficient for the photographic illuminance, the main CPU 22 controls the LED 8 by controlling the LED controller 25. Emits light.

  The shock sensor 23 is a vibration sensing unit configured by an accelerometer or the like to sense vibration, and outputs data for determining whether an abnormality such as theft has occurred to the main CPU 22. When the main CPU 22 determines that there is an abnormality, the same processing as when the above-described human sensor 9 detects an abnormality is performed.

  The camera direction detection unit 16 detects the direction of the lens surface of the camera 5 and sends the detected lens surface direction information to the main CPU 22. The main CPU 22 determines the orientation of the lens 6 of the camera 5 from the received lens surface orientation information.

  The main CPU 22 receives operation information input from the remote controller 4 by the user via the remote control signal receiving unit 11 provided in the image display device 2 or the main body 1, and performs predetermined processing according to the operation information. To do.

Next, various controls by the navigation system of this example configured as described above will be described.
The main control contents by this navigation system are the following four.
1. Operation control of security system 2. Recording control when an accident occurs 3. Operation record control by the user. Image display control by user

First, the operation control of the security system will be described with reference to FIG.
The operation control of the security system is activated by detecting that the user presses the monitoring activation button 14 after stopping the vehicle engine (step S1). Next, the main CPU 22 confirms that the lens surface of the camera 6 faces the vehicle interior by the camera direction detection unit 16 (step S2), and activates the shock sensor 23, the human sensor 9 or the illuminance sensor 10. . Then, it is determined whether either the shock sensor 23 or the human detection sensor 9 has detected an abnormality (step S3). When the abnormality is detected, the main CPU 22 activates the alarm control unit 24 and transmits an alarm from the speaker 3 (step S4). At the same time, the image processing unit 17 is activated to start taking in image data from the image sensor 15, and is stored in the recording medium 21 through the second system path (step S5).

  At this time, the main CPU 22 reads the data from the illuminance sensor 10 and compares it with a predetermined photographing illuminance set in advance (step S6). If it is determined that the photographing illuminance is insufficient, the LED control unit 25 is activated, the LED 8 is emitted (step S7), and the suspicious person is threatened while assisting photographing.

Next, recording control when an accident occurs will be described with reference to FIG.
The recording control at the time of an accident always operates when the vehicle engine is operating and the system is activated and the camera 6 is in the forward shooting position. The main CPU 22 confirms by the camera direction detection unit 16 that the lens surface of the camera 6 is in the forward direction (step S11), and the image data from the image processing unit 17 is always sent to the internal memory 19 through the first system path. Recording is performed (step S12). The recording time is about 30 seconds, and the data 30 seconds before is sequentially updated. Then, it is determined whether the data from the shock sensor 23 exceeds the set value (step S13). When the data from the shock sensor 23 exceeds the set value because the vehicle is subjected to a large impact due to an accident or the like, the main CPU 22 displays the image data stored in the internal memory 19 at that time as the first data. After being sucked up through the system route, it is stored in the recording medium 21 through the image processor 17 through the second system route (step S14).

Next, the operation record control by the user will be described with reference to FIG.
The operation record control is activated when the system is activated and the user selects the shooting record mode. First, it is determined whether or not the user has operated the navigation system or pressed the captured image storage button 13 (step S21). Here, if any operation or the photographed image storage button 13 is pressed, the photographing recording mode is validated. The main CPU 22 controls the image processing unit 17 and stores the image data in the recording medium 21 using the second system path (step S22).

  There are three types of recording termination: forced termination due to system stop, operation termination by user operation, or automatic termination when the recording medium 21 runs out of free space. In particular, when there is no more free space and the process ends, it is necessary to give a warning or guidance on the image display device 2 by voice when the remaining amount is low.

  Therefore, the main CPU 22 determines whether it is in a state of forced termination, operation termination, or insufficient free space on the recording medium 21 (step S23). If any one of them corresponds, it is further determined whether or not the free space is insufficient (step 24). If the free space is insufficient, a warning or guidance to that effect is given by the display on the image display device 17 and the sound from the speaker 3 when the remaining amount becomes low (step S25). Then, when the remaining amount is completely exhausted, the recording end guidance is similarly performed by display on the image display device 17 and voice from the speaker 3 (step S26).

Finally, image display control by the user will be described with reference to FIG.
The image display control is activated when the system is activated and the user selects the camera image display mode. First, the main CPU 22 determines whether or not the user operates the navigation system and validates the camera image display mode (step S31). When the camera image display mode is enabled, the main CPU 22 controls the image processing unit 17 to display image data of the front or rear of the vehicle from the image sensor 15 on the image display device 2 using the third system path. The information is displayed on the panel 7 (step S32). This control can be performed simultaneously with the operation record control.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the car navigation system is provided with the camera 6 that can rotate about 180 °, thereby integrating the functions of the car navigation system, the security system, and the accident recording system into one (all-in-one). Thus, the burden on the user can be reduced in terms of cost and installation work.

  In addition, by arranging the camera 6 on the image display device 2, it is possible to secure an optimal shooting position of the entire vehicle interior during in-vehicle shooting and a driver's eye view during forward shooting.

  Further, when teaching directions to a person, a more specific image can be given by explaining using driving record data (actual movie) stored in the recording medium of the navigation system.

  In addition, since the photographed image of the camera 6 can be displayed on the image display device 2, the rear photographed image displayed on the display panel 7 can be used instead of the rearview mirror by the driving car.

  In addition, since shooting data for a predetermined period of time from the time of the occurrence of the accident can be stored in a recording medium, a reliable accident investigation can be performed.

  Further, at the time of photographing a suspicious person, a clearer image can be recorded as evidence by the light emission control by the illuminance sensor 10, the LED control unit 20, and the LED 8.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various other configurations can be taken without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a block diagram of the navigation system with a camera function by one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example in the vehicle carrying the navigation system with a camera function of one embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram of a navigation system with a camera function according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement control processing of the security system by one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the recording control process at the time of the accident generation by one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the driving record control process by one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the image display control process by one embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body, 2 ... Image display apparatus, 3 ... Speaker, 4 ... Remote control, 5 ... Camera, 6 ... Lens, 7 ... Display panel, 8 ... LED, 9 ... Human sensor, 10 ... Illuminance sensor, 12 ... Slot, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Captured image save button, 14 ... Monitoring operation button, 15 ... Image sensor, 16 ... Camera direction detection part, 17 ... Image processing part, 19 ... Internal memory (RAM), 21 ... Recording medium, 22 ... Main CPU, 23 ... Shock sensor

Claims (7)

Map information storage means for storing map information;
Current position information detecting means for detecting own current position information;
A camera that functions as a photographing means;
Image display means for displaying the map information and an image taken by the camera;
Control means for searching the map information based on the detected current position information and controlling to display the current position information of the vehicle on which the vehicle is mounted on the map displayed on the image display means A navigation system with a camera function. The navigation system with a camera function according to claim 1, wherein the camera is installed in the image display means and is rotatable about 180 ° forward and backward of the vehicle. In addition, it has a slot for recording media,
The said control means displays the imaging | photography data of the vehicle front image | photographed with the said camera according to a user's operation on the said image display means, or preserve | saves it on the recording medium with which the said slot was mounted | worn. 2. A navigation system with a camera function according to 2. Vibration sensing means for sensing vibrations;
Recording means for recording photographing data from the camera over a predetermined period in the past,
When the camera is facing the front of the vehicle and the vibration sensing means senses a vibration greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the control means captures shooting data for a past predetermined time recorded in the recording means. The navigation system with a camera function according to claim 3, wherein the navigation system has a camera function. The said control means displays the imaging | photography data of the vehicle back image | photographed with the said camera according to a user's operation on the said image display means, or preserve | saves it on the recording medium with which the said slot was mounted | worn. 3. A navigation system with a camera function according to 3. Furthermore, the image display means includes a person sensing means for sensing the presence of a person,
When the camera is facing the rear of the vehicle, the control means warns via a speaker when the person sensing means senses the presence of a person or when the vibration sensing means senses a vibration greater than a predetermined value. The navigation system with a camera function according to claim 4, wherein the interior of the vehicle is photographed and the photographed data is stored in the recording medium. Furthermore, the image display means includes illuminance measuring means for measuring illuminance,
When the camera is facing the rear of the vehicle, the human sensing means senses the presence of a person, or the vibration sensing means senses a vibration greater than a predetermined value,
The illuminance measuring means measures the illuminance in the vehicle, and when the value measured by the illuminance measuring means is less than a predetermined illuminance, the control means causes the light emitting means arranged in the image display means to emit light. The navigation system with a camera function according to claim 6.

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