Vehicle vision system with adaptive reversing lights

Abstract

A vehicle vision system (1) includes a camera (2a) disposed at a vehicle (3) and having a rearward field of view of the vehicle (3), a light source (4) disposed at the vehicle (3) and operable to emit light, and a control including an image processor. When operated, light emitted by the light source (4) illuminates at least a portion of the field of view of the camera (2a). The light source (4) includes a plurality of light segments (5), and when operated, light emitted by each light segment (5) of the light source (4) illuminates a corresponding portion of the field of view of the camera (2a). Image data captured by the camera (2a) is provided to the control. In response to image processing of the image data captured by the camera (2a) by the image processor, the control controls the intensity of light emitted by each light segment (5) to provide enhanced object detection via processing of the captured image data by the image processor.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 771,258, filed on November 26, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a vehicle vision system for a vehicle, and more particularly to a vehicle vision system utilizing a rear backup camera. Background Art

[0004] The use of imaging sensors in vehicle imaging systems is common and known. Examples of such known systems are described in US Pat. Nos. 5,949,331; 5,670,935 and / or 5,550,677, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides a driver assistance system or vision system or imaging system for a vehicle, which utilizes one or more cameras (such as a rear backup camera arranged at the rear of the vehicle and having a rear view of the vehicle) to capture image data representing an external image of the vehicle, and provides a light source disposed at the vehicle and operable to emit light. The light emitted by the light source illuminates at least a portion of the field of view of the camera when operated. The light source includes a plurality of light segments, and the light emitted by each light segment of the light source illuminates a corresponding portion of the field of view of the camera when operated. The control includes an image processor that processes the image data captured by the camera. In response to the image processing of the image data captured by the camera, the control controls the intensity of the light emitted by each light segment to provide enhanced object detection.

[0006] These and other objects, advantages, utilities and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vision system incorporating a camera and a rear light source according to the present invention;

[0008] Figure 2 Four individually illuminated segments are shown;

[0009] Figure 3 and Figure 4 A top view of a vehicle with a vision system illuminating multiple segments is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The vehicle vision system and / or driver assistance system and / or object detection system and / or warning system operates to capture images of the exterior of the vehicle and can process the captured image data to display the image and detect objects at or near the vehicle and in the predicted path of the vehicle, such as to assist the vehicle driver in maneuvering the vehicle in a rearward direction. The vision system includes an image processor or image processing system that is operable to receive image data from one or more cameras and provide an output to a display device for displaying an image representing the captured image data. Optionally, the vision system can provide a display, such as a rear view display or a top down or bird's eye or surround view display or the like.

[0011] Now referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 A vehicle vision system 1 or vision system is shown that includes at least one rearward-looking imaging sensor 2 (or camera 2a) that captures images of the exterior and rear of a vehicle 3, having a rearward-directed light source 4 that may be part of a vehicle taillight 4a (e.g., Figure 3 and 4 ), which provides illumination that surrounds at least a portion of the rearward field of view of the camera. Camera 2a includes a lens for focusing an image at or on an imaging array or imaging plane or imager of camera 2a. Vision system 1 includes a control or electronic control unit (ECU) or processor that is operable to process image data captured by camera 2a and can detect objects or the like and / or provide a displayed image at a display device for viewing by a driver of vehicle 3. Data transmission or signal communication from camera 2a to ECU may include any suitable data or communication link, such as a vehicle network bus or the like of an equipped vehicle 3.

[0012] The vehicle control system can (semi-)autonomously control the vehicle 3 entering and leaving the parking space. The control unit in the vehicle 3 analyzes the environmental data of several vehicle sensors (e.g., cameras, ultrasonic sensors, radar sensors and / or the like) and intervenes in the cross and length steering of the vehicle 3. In the case of reduced or low light conditions, the imaging sensor 2 is supported by the light source 4 (reversing light when driving in reverse). When the light source 4 is activated, reflections from highly reflective objects (leaving highly reflective objects in the field of view of the camera) can lead to an overload of the imaging sensor 2. This can lead to errors in the data analysis, whereby critical objects located on the road may not be (correctly) detected and / or reflective objects are detected as (larger) obstacles in the planned path of travel of the vehicle, although in reality they are smaller objects and / or are not located on the calculated or planned route or rear path of travel of the vehicle 3.

[0013] The control system of the present invention uses a control unit, adaptive and segmented reversing lights and an imaging sensor 2 and controls the components to provide optimal lighting for a particular driving situation.

[0014] Highly reflective objects are detected by the imaging sensor 2 and transmitted to the control unit / reversing light, including intensity and position information. The light source 4 comprises a number of individually controllable (and dimmable) light segments 5 or light sources (such as individual or groups of light emitting diodes), such as Figure 1 As shown in . Figure 2 Four lighting sections are shown in the isolux diagram, each of which is illuminated by a corresponding light segment 5. The control, in response to processing of the image data captured by the rear view camera 2a, adjusts or controls the light source 4 to adjust (increase / decrease) the required or determined level of intensity at the relevant area. The information is transmitted via the bus system of the vehicle. With this system, it is possible to illuminate the area 6 homogeneously. Glare / blinding effects from strongly reflective objects (obstacles) are suppressed (by reducing the intensity of the light source 4 that is illuminating the object) and error-free image recognition with very good contrast conditions is achieved.

[0015] The control system controls the intensity of light emitted by the corresponding light segment 5 (which is illuminating the detected highly reflective object) to reduce illumination of the highly reflective object in response to detection of a highly reflective object in a portion of the field of view of the camera 2a via image processing of the captured image data. The control system controls the intensity of light emitted by the corresponding light segment 5 to increase illumination of the low-illuminated object in response to detection of a low-illuminated object in a portion of the field of view of the camera 2a via image processing of the captured image data. The control system controls the intensity of light emitted by each light segment 5 during a backing maneuver of the vehicle 3, such as a parking maneuver, wherein the control may control the intensity of light emitted by each light segment 5 to provide enhanced detection of a parking space marking during the parking maneuver. For example, the control may increase the intensity of light emitted by a particular light segment 5 to enhance detection and identification of the corresponding parking space marking or may reduce the intensity of light emitted by a particular light segment 5 to enhance detection and identification of the corresponding parking space marking. In certain circumstances, the system may increase the intensity of light emitted by a particular light segment 5 to enhance detection and identification of a corresponding parking space marking, and may reduce the intensity of light emitted by another particular light segment 5 to enhance detection and identification of another corresponding parking space marking, depending on the lighting conditions and environment in which the vehicle is parking.

[0016] Thus, the system of the invention provides an optimal, homogeneous illumination of the scene even under dynamic lighting conditions or reflections. Thus, the system limits or avoids overloading of the imager or imaging sensor 2. Furthermore, the system limits or avoids errors in image data processing or image analysis. Thus, the system provides an enhanced detection of objects and an unambiguous detection of the (free) environment, such as during a reversing or parking maneuver of the vehicle 3.

[0017] Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments may be performed without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims as interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.

[0018] The light source 4 may be a high-definition light source, which includes a plurality of individually operable light sources, such as LEDs, which are preferably arranged in rows and columns to form a matrix-like arrangement of light sources, wherein the columns of the light sources correspond to the light segments 5 of the plurality of light segments 5. The matrix-like arrangement of the light sources enables the illumination area 6 to be divided into a plurality of illumination sub-areas 6a. Each sub-area 6a of the plurality of sub-areas 6a can be individually illuminated by a corresponding light source. Figure 4 Four illumination areas 6 are shown, where each area 6 includes three sub-areas 6a. An object marked with an "X" is located in the middle sub-area, where the corresponding light source illuminating the sub-area can be operated to increase or decrease the illumination of the sub-area. If an object is illuminated by a light source and the object is a highly reflective object, light can be reflected from the object towards the camera 2a and cause overexposure of the image sensor 2. To prevent overexposure of the image sensor 2, the control of the vehicle vision system 1 is configured to reduce the illumination of the illumination area 6 or sub-area 6a where the highly reflective object is located by dimming the corresponding light source.

[0019] The light source 4 is preferably part of a reversing light of the vehicle 3. The camera 2a is preferably a reversing camera of the vehicle 3.

Claims

1. A vehicle vision system (1), comprising: a camera (2a) disposed at the vehicle (3) and having a field of view to the rear of the vehicle; a light source (4) disposed at the vehicle (3) and operable to emit light, wherein, when in operation, the light emitted by the light source (4) illuminates at least a portion of the field of view of the camera (2a); wherein the light source (4) comprises a plurality of light segments (5), and wherein, when in operation, light emitted by each light segment (5) of the light source (4) illuminates a corresponding portion of the field of view of the camera (2a); a control comprising an image processor, wherein image data captured by the camera (2a) is provided to the control for processing by the image processor; and wherein the control controls the intensity of light emitted by each light segment (5) in response to image processing by the image processor of image data captured by the camera (2a) to provide enhanced object detection via processing of the image data captured by the camera (2a) at the control, wherein the control independently controls the intensity of the light emitted by each light segment (5) of the light source (4) during a reverse maneuver of the vehicle (3), Among them, reversing control includes parking control, wherein, in response to detecting non-optimal illumination of a parking space marking in a portion of the field of view of the camera (2a) via image processing of captured image data by the image processor, the control controls the intensity of light emitted by the corresponding light segment (5) of the light source (4) to enhance the illumination of the parking space marking to provide enhanced detection of the parking space marking during a parking maneuver.

2. The vehicle vision system (1) according to claim 1, wherein: In response to detecting a highly reflective object in a portion of the field of view of the camera (2a) via image processing of captured image data at the control, the control controls the intensity of light emitted by the corresponding light segment (5) of the light source (4) to reduce illumination of the highly reflective object.

3. The vehicle vision system (1) according to claim 1, wherein: In response to detection of a low-light object in a portion of the field of view of the camera (2a) via image processing of captured image data at the control, the control controls the intensity of light emitted by the corresponding light segment (5) of the light source (4) to increase illumination of the low-light object.

4. A vehicle comprising a vehicle vision system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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