Observation device for observing one or more vehicle occupants in vehicle interior

Abstract

The invention relates to a viewing device (22) for viewing one or more vehicle occupants (24) in a vehicle interior (26), comprising a lighting unit (30) for emitting an infrared light beam (40) and a receiving unit (32) for receiving the light beam, the infrared light beam and a visible light beam being receivable by means of the receiving unit (32). According to the invention, the viewing device (22) has a cover element (46), the cover element (46) being designed as an infrared-light-transmitting, opaque cover element (46), the cover element (46) being arranged on the side of the lighting unit (30) and the receiving unit (32) facing the vehicle interior (26), wherein the cover element (46) has a first region (50) that is permeable to the visible light beam in a region of the light beam path upstream of the receiving unit (32), and wherein the cover element (46) has a structured layer (52) in the first region (50).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a viewing device for viewing one or more vehicle occupants in a vehicle interior. Background Art

[0002] A method and a device for operating an occupant observation system are known from DE 10 2014 214 350 A1.

[0003] An image acquisition device for a driver is known from EP 1 701 290 B1. Summary of the invention

[0004] A viewing device for viewing one or more vehicle occupants in a vehicle interior is proposed, comprising a lighting unit for emitting an infrared light beam and a receiving unit for receiving the light beam, wherein the infrared light beam and a visible light beam can be received by means of the receiving unit. The viewing device also comprises a covering element, wherein the covering element is designed as an infrared-transmissive, opaque covering element, wherein the covering element is arranged on a side of the lighting unit and the receiving unit facing the vehicle interior, wherein the covering element has a first region that is transmissive to visible light beams in a region of the light beam path upstream of the receiving unit, and wherein the covering element has a structured layer in the first region.

[0005] By means of the proposed observation device, the visibility of the driver observation system or driver monitoring system or DMS and occupant monitoring system or OMS in the vehicle can be advantageously influenced. Typically, these systems are used to monitor vehicle occupants, such as driver fatigue and / or to observe their behavior. The observation device includes two optical paths in particular. The lighting path is constructed for active near-infrared illumination, which is used to identify the driver and other occupants. The imaging path is constructed to receive images by means of a receiving unit or a camera unit and is achieved by reflection of the radiated light, especially on the vehicle interior space and / or the vehicle occupants. Thus, driver monitoring and color-consistent video streaming in the vehicle can be achieved by means of the observation device. For this purpose, not only infrared light but also visible light reaches the receiving unit through the imaging path. Thus, the receiving unit can be visible to the vehicle occupants, so that they can feel being observed.

[0006] By means of the present invention, the visibility of the receiving unit or imaging unit can be reduced, wherein in addition the observation of the vehicle occupants can be carried out by means of infrared light. As a result, the functional capability of fatigue recognition related to safety can be advantageously maintained. The advantage of the present invention is that the vehicle occupants do not feel that they are being observed by the identifiable receiving unit, wherein in addition the observation of the vehicle occupants can be achieved. As a result, the comfort of the vehicle occupants can be increased and safety in road traffic can be ensured at the same time. Advantageously, by means of the observation device, it can be achieved that the receiving unit or camera unit visible to the human eye can be made invisible or can be covered, wherein the full safety-related NIR functionality of the observation device continues to be maintained. By means of the proposed observation device, it can be achieved that the vehicle occupants, in particular the driver, do not feel that they are being observed by the identifiable imaging unit. As a result, the vehicle occupants can have a sense of an increased private atmosphere.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the layer can have a polka dot structure. Furthermore, the layer can have a checkerboard structure. Furthermore, the layer can have vertical and / or horizontal lines. The layer can have diagonal lines, for example. The advantage is that the receiving unit is invisible or almost invisible to the vehicle occupants due to the arrangement of the specially structured layers. This can increase comfort and / or safety in road traffic.

[0008] Furthermore, the layer can be designed as a layer that is opaque to visible light beams. The advantage is, in particular, that the receiving unit is invisible or barely visible to the vehicle occupants. This can increase comfort and / or safety in road traffic.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment, the layer can be designed as an infrared light-transmissive layer. With the aid of the viewing device, it can be advantageously achieved that the receiving unit is invisible or virtually invisible to the human eye, wherein the full safety-related NIR functionality of the viewing device is still maintained.

[0010] In one embodiment, the cover element can have a second region that is transparent to visible light beams in the region of the beam path in front of the lighting unit, wherein the cover element has a structured layer in the second region. This makes it possible, in particular, to achieve safe and / or reliable illumination of the vehicle interior and thus of the vehicle occupants.

[0011] Furthermore, a method for operating a device for observing one or more vehicle occupants in a vehicle interior is proposed, the method comprising the following steps:

[0012] With the help of the lighting unit to emit infrared beams,

[0013] The light beam is received by means of a receiving unit.

[0014] The method can advantageously have a further step of generating image data from the received light beam by means of a computing unit.

[0015] The method can preferably have a further step of analyzing the image data by means of a computing unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and explained in detail in the following description. The same reference numerals are used for elements shown in different drawings and having similar functions, wherein repeated descriptions of the elements are omitted. Among them:

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle having a device for observing a vehicle occupant is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing an observation device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing an observation device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing layers according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing layers according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle 20, such as a motor vehicle, such as a car, is shown, which has an observation device 22 for observing a vehicle occupant 24. The vehicle 20 has in particular a vehicle interior 26 or an interior space 26, wherein in the vehicle interior 26 one or more seats 28 for one or more vehicle occupants 24 can be arranged in particular. In addition, the vehicle 20 has an observation device 22 for observing a vehicle occupant 24, in particular a driver and / or a co-driver and / or one or more vehicle occupants on the rear seats. The observation device 22 can also be referred to as an observation system, a driver monitoring system, an occupant observation system and / or a monitoring system. The observation device 22 can be configured, for example, to detect the direction of sight, the body posture and / or the position of the head or face or eyes of the vehicle occupant 24 or the fatigue state and / or other vitality values ​​of the vehicle occupant 24. In addition, for example, the identity of the vehicle occupant 24 can be detected.

[0024] In order to observe the vehicle occupant 24, the observation device 22 has a lighting unit 30 for emitting a light beam, in particular an infrared light beam, and a receiving unit 32. The observation device 22 can be arranged in particular in a dashboard 34 and / or instrument panel 34 of the vehicle 20. In an advantageous embodiment, the observation device 22 can be arranged in particular in an instrument cluster in the dashboard 34. As an alternative or in addition, the observation device 22 can also be arranged at other locations in the vehicle interior 26 of the vehicle 20, such as in the steering wheel, on the roof 38, on a rearview mirror or on a column of the vehicle 20, such as on the A-pillar and / or the B-pillar.

[0025] The lighting unit 30 is particularly directed in the direction of the vehicle occupant 24 and thus in the direction of the vehicle seat 28 in order to illuminate the vehicle occupant 24 with a light beam, in particular an infrared light beam. In other words, a light beam, in particular an infrared light beam, is emitted in the direction of the vehicle occupant 24 by means of the lighting unit 30. The lighting unit 30 can be designed, for example, as a lighting unit, a lighting element, a light emitting diode, an LED, an OLED and / or a laser diode and / or has a lighting unit, a lighting element, a light emitting diode, an LED, an OLED and / or a laser diode.

[0026] The receiving unit 32 can be designed, for example, as an image receiving unit, for example as a sensor or as a camera, in particular as an infrared camera module, wherein the receiving unit 32 is directed in the direction of the vehicle occupant 24 and thus in the direction of the vehicle seat 28 for visually detecting the vehicle occupant 24 of the vehicle 20. Due to the design as an infrared camera module, observation can also be carried out at night without illuminating and thus blinding the vehicle occupant 24. The receiving unit 32 can include, for example, optical elements, such as lenses, filters and an image sensor located behind them.

[0027] In other words, the observation device 22 is configured to observe the vehicle interior of the vehicle. The observation device 22 has a lighting unit 30 for emitting a light beam, in particular an infrared light beam, in the direction of the vehicle interior, and a receiving unit 32 for receiving a light beam, in particular an infrared light beam, wherein the light beam, in particular the infrared light beam, emitted by the lighting unit 30 can be reflected at or in the vehicle interior, and wherein the reflected light beam, in particular the infrared light beam, can be redirected in the direction of the receiving unit 32.

[0028] Furthermore, the monitoring device 22 has a control unit 36 ​​or an evaluation unit 36 ​​or a computing unit 36 ​​for controlling the lighting unit 30 and / or the receiving unit 32 and / or for processing data received by means of the receiving unit 32 .

[0029] Figure 2FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an observation device 22 for observing one or more vehicle occupants in a vehicle interior according to an embodiment of the present invention. The observation device 22 can be used in particular according to Figure 1 The observation device 22 is designed and / or arranged in the vehicle.

[0030] The viewing device 22 comprises an illumination unit 30 for emitting an infrared light beam 40. The illumination unit 30 comprises one or more light sources. In this advantageous embodiment, the illumination unit 30 comprises at least two light sources 42, 44, in particular a first light source 42 and a second light source 44. The at least two light sources 42, 44 are in particular configured to emit an infrared light beam 40. The light sources 42, 44 can in particular be configured as light emitting diodes, LEDs or OLEDs. In addition, the viewing device 22 comprises a receiving unit 32 for receiving a light beam. By means of the receiving unit 32, an infrared light beam and a visible light beam can be received. In other words, the light beam that can be received by the receiving unit 32 can be configured as an infrared light beam and a visible light beam. In other words, the receiving unit 32 can receive an infrared light beam and a visible light beam or a light beam of light that is visible to a person. The receiving unit 32 is arranged between the first light source 42 and the second light source 44 in this advantageous embodiment. In other words, the first light source 42 is arranged on a first side of the receiving unit 32 at a slight distance, wherein the second light source 44 is arranged on a second side of the receiving unit 32 opposite to the first side at a slight distance. In other words, the first light source 42 and the second light source 44 surround the receiving unit 32 .

[0031] Furthermore, the viewing device 22 has a cover element 46. The cover element 46 is designed as an infrared light-transmissive, non-transparent cover element 46. Furthermore, the cover element 46 is arranged on a side of the lighting unit 30 and the receiving unit 32 that faces the vehicle interior 26. In other words, the cover element 46 is arranged, in particular with respect to the lighting unit 30 and the receiving unit 32, on a side 48 that faces the vehicle occupants. Furthermore, the cover element 46 has a first region 50 that is transparent to visible light beams in the region of the beam path that is located upstream of the receiving unit 32.

[0032] In one development, the viewing device 22 can have a housing, wherein a cover element 46 is arranged on the housing and wherein the lighting unit 30 and the receiving unit 32 are arranged within the housing and the cover element 46 .

[0033] The lighting unit 30, in particular the first light source 42 and / or the second light source 44, advantageously emits an infrared light beam 40, wherein these infrared light beams constitute an illumination path or an infrared light beam path. The infrared light beam path is radiated in the direction of the vehicle interior and thus in the direction of the vehicle occupant and thus in the direction of the side 48 facing the vehicle occupant. Thus, for example, the vehicle occupant, in particular its head or face, can be illuminated. Through the first infrared light-transmissive cover element 46, the lighting unit 30 is invisible to the vehicle occupant. The infrared light beam 40 is incident on the vehicle occupant and is reflected on the vehicle occupant. Thus, an imaging path is generated, wherein the light beam of the imaging path is diverted toward the receiving unit 32. In other words, the infrared light beam reflected on the vehicle occupant is diverted toward the receiving unit 32 and thus received by the receiving unit 32. In particular, the light beam received in this way can be analyzed so that the vehicle occupant 24 can be observed. Thus, for example, the state of the vehicle occupant 24 can be ascertained. The light beam diverted toward the receiving unit 32 is radiated toward the receiving unit 32 through the area 50.

[0034] In addition, the cover element 46 has a structured layer 52 in the first region 50. In other words, the layer 52 is arranged on the cover element 46 in the region of the incident light beam or the imaging path toward the receiving unit 32. The layer 52 can have a wave dot structure and / or a checkerboard structure and / or vertical and / or horizontal lines and / or diagonal lines. In other words, the structure can be configured as a wave dot structure and / or as a checkerboard structure and / or as vertical and / or horizontal lines and / or as diagonal lines. The layer 52 can be configured as a coating and / or a film, for example.

[0035] The layer 52 can preferably be designed as a layer 52 which is opaque to visible light beams. The layer 52 can advantageously be designed as a layer 52 which is transmissive to infrared light.

[0036] In other words, a structured layer 52 or a structured embossing 52 can be placed or applied on the cover element 46. The layer 52 can be arranged in particular in the area of ​​the front lens of the receiving unit 32 to hide the lens. This can produce a less noticeable appearance, but may nevertheless have a small effect on the optical performance. Since the image plane is particularly far away from the front cover, the effect on the image quality is small. The structure can be realized, for example, in the form of a wavy structure, a checkerboard structure, vertical or horizontal lines or other patterns. Preferably, the layer can be arranged or applied on the inner side and / or outer side of the cover.

[0037] In one embodiment, the region 50 can have, for example, a draw, into which the layer 52 is introduced. Preferably, a height step of the layer 52 relative to the cover element 46 can be avoided by adjusting the thickness of one or both sections. In one embodiment, a further layer that is transparent in the infrared and in the visible range can be applied to the cover and / or the first layer and reduce or eliminate the height difference.

[0038] In a further development, the structured layer 52 can be used both for the lens unit and for the lighting area. In addition, a material of the structured layer that is partially transparent in the visible spectral range can be used to further reduce the influence of the pattern area on the transmission and the optical quality. In a further development, a material of the structured layer that is transparent in the IR range, in particular in the spectral range of 850 to 1000 nm, but absorbs or partially absorbs in the visible spectrum can be used. As a result, the IR image quality and the RGB image can be concealed from the vehicle occupants without significantly affecting the camera.

[0039] Figure 3 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an observation device 22 for observing one or more vehicle occupants in a vehicle interior according to an embodiment of the present invention. The observation device 22 can be used in particular according to Figure 2 In addition, the observation device 22 can be configured in accordance with Figure 1 The viewing device 22 is designed and / or arranged in the vehicle. In this advantageous embodiment, the viewing device 22 is shown from the front. In other words, the viewing device 22 is shown as it can be seen by a vehicle occupant. The front side of the viewing device 22 is advantageously shown. In this way, in particular, the first covering element 46 with the structured layer 52 is shown, which can be perceived or seen by a vehicle occupant. In this embodiment, the viewing device 22 is shown from the front. In other words, the viewing device 22 is shown as it can be seen by a vehicle occupant. Figure 3 In an advantageous embodiment, the layer 52 has a checkerboard structure. In other words, the structure is configured as a checkerboard structure.

[0040] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of a layer 52 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The layer 52 can be arranged at or on the cover element. The cover element can in particular be part of the viewing device. In other words, the viewing device can have the cover element with the layer 52. The viewing device 22 can in particular be arranged according to Figure 2 and / or Figure 3 In addition, the observation device 22 can be configured in accordance with Figure 1The viewing device 22 is formed and / or arranged in the vehicle. In this advantageous embodiment, the layer 52 has a diagonal. In other words, the structure is constructed as a diagonal. In other words, the diagonal is arranged as a layer 52 on the cover element.

[0041] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of a layer 52 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The layer 52 can be arranged at or on the cover element. The cover element can in particular be part of the viewing device. In other words, the viewing device can have the cover element with the layer. The viewing device 22 can in particular be arranged according to Figure 2 and / or Figure 3 In addition, the observation device 22 can be configured in accordance with Figure 1 The viewing device 22 is formed and / or arranged in the vehicle. In this advantageous embodiment, the layer 52 has a wave-dot structure. In other words, the structure is configured as a wave-dot structure.

[0042] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a method 60 for operating an observation device for observing one or more vehicle occupants in a vehicle interior according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The observation device can be configured in particular according to Figure 2 and / or Figure 3 In addition, the observation device can be configured in accordance with Figure 1 The method 60 may be configured as an observation device and / or arranged in the vehicle. In a first step 62 of the method 60, an infrared light beam is emitted by means of a lighting unit. In a second step 64 of the method 60, the light beam is received by means of a receiving unit. The method 60 may have a further step of generating image data from the received light beam by means of a computing unit. Furthermore, the method 60 may have a further step of analyzing the image data by means of a computing unit.

Claims

1. An observation device (22) for observing one or more vehicle occupants (24) in a vehicle interior (26), comprising a lighting unit (30) for emitting an infrared light beam (40) and a receiving unit (32) for receiving the light beam, wherein the receiving unit (32) can receive the infrared light beam and the visible light beam, It is characterized in that The viewing device (22) has a cover element (46), The covering element (46) is designed as an infrared light-transmissive, non-transparent covering element (46), The cover element (46) is arranged on a side of the lighting unit (30) and the receiving unit (32) facing the vehicle interior (26). The covering element (46) has a first region (50) which is transparent to visible light beams in a region of the light beam path upstream of the receiving unit (32), and The cover element (46) has a structured layer (52) in a first region (50).

2. The observation device (22) according to claim 1, characterized in that The layer (52) has a wavy structure.

3. The viewing device (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The layer (52) has a checkerboard structure.

4. The viewing device (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The layer (52) has vertical and / or horizontal lines.

5. The viewing device (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The layer (52) has a diagonal line.

6. The viewing device (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The layer (52) is designed as a layer (52) that is opaque to visible light beams.

7. The viewing device (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The layer (52) is designed as an infrared light-transmitting layer (52).

8. The viewing device (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The covering element (46) has a second region (55) which is transmissive to visible light beams in a region of the beam path upstream of the lighting unit (30), and the covering element (46) has a structured layer in the second region.

9. A method (60) for operating a viewing device (22) according to any one of the preceding claims for viewing one or more vehicle occupants (24) in a vehicle interior (26), the method comprising the following steps: By means of the lighting unit (30) an infrared light beam (40) is emitted, The light beam is received by means of a receiving unit (32).

10. The method (60) as claimed in claim 10, comprising the further step of generating image data from the received light beam by means of a computing unit (36).

11. The method (60) as claimed in claim 11, comprising the further step of analyzing the image data by means of a computing unit (36).

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