Method and control system for controlling a camera system for a vehicle

Abstract

Method for controlling a camera system (20) for a vehicle (10), comprising: Actuating an operating element (1) of the vehicle (10), wherein activation of an ignition of the vehicle (10) is independent of actuation of the operating element (1), Activating the camera system (20) depending on the actuation of the control element (1) in order to display a current image from the surroundings of the vehicle (10) on a screen (2), and Activating a timer (3) depending on the actuation of the control element (1), wherein the camera system (20) is deactivated when the timer (3) expires after a predetermined time interval; wherein, when the ignition of the vehicle (10) is switched on, the camera system (2) is activated independently of the actuation of the control element (1), and that when the ignition is switched off the timer (3) is activated.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a control system for controlling the operation of a camera system of a vehicle.

[0002] EP 1 500 558 B1 relates to a side mirror device with a camera, wherein the device is only switched off after a predetermined period of time when the driver opens the door of the vehicle.

[0003] EP 1 729 270 B1 describes a control system for controlling the operation of detection devices that detect the vehicle's surroundings. These detection devices remain switched on when the detection means detect an occupant inside the vehicle. The system describes a power supply for the detection devices that is dependent on a timer, on the ignition, and on the vehicle's door opening.

[0004] DE 20 2005 013 661 U1 describes a motorcycle rearview system.

[0005] DE 102 61 621 A1 relates to a device for monitoring the blind spots of a motor vehicle.

[0006] DE 20 2005 011 042 U1 describes a tractor with a trailer in an environmental monitoring system. The environmental monitoring system comprises two cameras and a display device, which are controlled by a control unit. Individual components can be activated using a button or switch on the control unit.

[0007] DE 603 ​​07 451 T2 relates to a side mirror device for a vehicle.

[0008] State-of-the-art camera systems, in which a section of the vehicle's surroundings is displayed on a monitor, are generally deactivated when the vehicle's ignition is turned off. This creates the risk that the camera system will be deactivated when a passenger or the driver of the vehicle attempts to exit the vehicle. Therefore, in this case (when exiting), the passenger or driver cannot use the camera system to monitor the area surrounding the vehicle (particularly the area behind it), for example, to rule out the possibility of a vehicle approaching from there.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention has the object of controlling the operation of such a camera system in such a way that the camera system is activated or at least easily activated before and during an occupant of the vehicle exiting.

[0010] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for controlling the operation of a camera system according to claim 1, by a control system according to claim 5, by a system according to claim 6, and by a vehicle according to claim 9. The dependent claims define preferred and advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0011] Within the scope of the present invention, a method for controlling the operation of a camera system for a vehicle is provided. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: • Operating a control element (e.g., a button) on the vehicle. The vehicle's ignition operates independently of the control element, so, for example, the ignition cannot be switched on using the control element. • Activation of the camera system depending on the operation of the control element, so that when the camera system is active, a current image of the surroundings of the vehicle is displayed on a screen. • Activation of a timer based on the operation of the control element. If the timer expires after a predetermined or configurable time interval, the camera system is automatically deactivated.

[0012] By simply activating the control element, the camera system is activated and a timer is set, the expiration of which signifies the deactivation of the camera system. This allows the camera system to be manually activated very easily (for example, by pressing a button) and ensures that the camera system remains activated for the predetermined time interval. The present invention thus offers a very simple way of activating the camera system before leaving the vehicle, ensuring that the camera system remains activated until the respective occupant has left the vehicle, provided the predetermined time interval is set accordingly.The present invention thus supports the safe exit of the vehicle in a simple manner by allowing the camera system, which in particular comprises a camera and a display device for displaying the image captured by the camera, to be easily activated manually. The automatic shutdown of the camera system after the time interval or follow-up time also ensures that the camera system does not remain activated inadvertently, thus consuming energy (discharging the battery).

[0013] If the camera system is still activated at the time the control element is operated, the timer and thus the follow-up time are advantageously restarted so that the timer only expires the predetermined time interval after this time and deactivates the camera system.

[0014] This ensures that the camera system remains activated for the predetermined time interval when the control element is operated, regardless of whether the camera system is activated or not at the time the control element is operated.

[0015] According to the invention, the camera system is activated when the vehicle's ignition is switched on, regardless of whether the control element is operated or not. When the ignition is switched off, the timer is activated, so that the camera system is deactivated after the ignition is switched off (at the earliest) after the predetermined time interval has elapsed.

[0016] This advantageously ensures that the camera system can always be used when the ignition is switched on, so that an occupant can use the camera system to observe the corresponding area of ​​the vehicle's surroundings when the ignition is switched on.

[0017] In addition, the timer can be restarted to expire after the predetermined time interval whenever one of the following predefined events occurs. In other words, the follow-up time is restarted so that the camera system remains activated for at least the follow-up time or time interval when one of the following predefined events occurs: • Opening or closing one of the vehicle's doors. In other words, when one of the doors changes state from closed to open or from open to closed. • Unlocking the vehicle. Unlocking the vehicle includes unlocking the vehicle via the central locking system (using the vehicle key or a remote control), but also unlocking an individual door, such as the driver's door. • Engaging or disengaging a vehicle gear. This event also includes changing gears. • Applying an electric parking brake (EPB) or parking brake. This includes both applying and releasing the brake. • Operating a pedal of the vehicle. Operating the pedal (e.g. The actuation of the pedal (e.g., the accelerator pedal, brake pedal, clutch pedal) also includes releasing the pedal. The pedal is therefore actuated when the position of the pedal is changed. • Activating a turn signal on the vehicle. Activating a turn signal includes, in particular, operating a turn signal lever on the vehicle. • Changing the vehicle's steering angle. The steering angle is changed primarily by operating the vehicle's steering wheel. • Operating another actuator in the vehicle, such as the horn, lights, radio or navigation system of the vehicle. • Detection of an obstacle in the vehicle's surroundings by the vehicle's detection means. For example, according to the invention, the camera system can remain activated if the detection means detect an obstacle in the opening area of ​​a vehicle door. • Detecting an occupant inside the vehicle using the vehicle's seat occupancy detection system or other occupant detection devices. These other occupant detection devices could, for example, be a camera in the interior. • Detecting another change in the vehicle’s state.

[0018] Furthermore, the camera system can be deactivated without a follow-up time if the vehicle is locked from the outside. The locking from the outside can be performed using a remote key or a vehicle key.

[0019] If the vehicle is locked from the outside, it can be assumed that either there are no longer any passengers in the vehicle or that the passenger inside (e.g., a child) is not supposed to leave the vehicle. In this case, the camera system is unnecessary and is therefore deactivated without taking into account any remaining run-on time.

[0020] Within the scope of the present invention, a control system for controlling the operation of a camera system for a vehicle is also provided. The control system comprises a controller, an operating element (e.g., a button), and a timer. Depending on the actuation of the operating element, the control system activates the camera system, so that the camera system displays a current image of the surroundings of the vehicle (in particular, the traffic area behind the vehicle) on a screen of the camera system. The operating element is not designed to switch on the vehicle's ignition. The control system activates the timer depending on the actuation of the operating element, and after this activation, the timer deactivates the camera system after a predetermined time interval.

[0021] Within the scope of the present invention, a system for a vehicle is additionally provided, which comprises the control system according to the invention and a camera system with a camera and a screen.

[0022] The control system according to the invention and the system according to the invention have the same advantages as the method according to the invention, which have been described in detail above, so that a repetition is omitted here.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the camera system comprises a digital exterior mirror of the vehicle, which is designed such that the digital exterior mirror captures at least a section of a rear environment of the vehicle by means of the camera of the camera system and displays it on the screen.

[0024] The camera of the camera system can be located in an exterior mirror of the vehicle.

[0025] Finally, the present invention provides a vehicle comprising a control system according to the invention and / or a system according to the invention.

[0026] The present invention can be used in particular in a digital exterior mirror of a vehicle, in which a section of the rear surroundings of the vehicle is displayed on a screen. Naturally, the present invention is not limited to this preferred field of application, since the present invention can also be used with other detection means, with which, for example, other (for example, front) areas of the surroundings of the vehicle are detected. Furthermore, the present invention can be used in ships, aircraft, and track-bound and rail-guided vehicles. The present invention can also be used in conjunction with a stationary camera system.

[0027] In the following, the present invention is described in detail using preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures. In Fig. Figure 1 is a state transition diagram for activating the camera system and activating the timer according to the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a vehicle according to the invention with a system according to the invention and with a control system according to the invention.

[0028] In Fig. 1, three states Z1-Z3 and four actions A1-P4, which usually lead to a state change, are shown according to the present invention. These states Z1-Z3 describe the states of an inventive system which comprises an inventive control system with a button and a timer and a camera system with a camera and a screen. In a first state Z1, the camera system and the timer are activated. Accordingly, a section of, for example, the rear area of ​​the vehicle is shown on the screen in this state Z1, although after the timer has expired there is an automatic change to the second state Z2, in which the camera system is or is deactivated. In the third state Z3, the camera system is also activated, although the timer is not activated, so that in this third state the camera system is not automatically deactivated.In other words, the first state differs from the third state Z3 only in that in the first state Z1, the timer is running or activated (and thus the camera system is deactivated after the timer expires), while in the third state Z3, the timer is not running or activated. In other words, the camera system is in tracking in the first state Z1, while in the third state Z3, the camera system is not in tracking.

[0029] Normally, the system is in the second state Z2, in which the ignition is off and the camera system is deactivated, when the driver gets into the vehicle. If the driver activates the ignition A3 in this state Z2 (also known as "terminal 15 on"), the system changes to the third state Z3, in which the camera system is activated so that the area around the vehicle is displayed on the screen. If the driver now deactivates the vehicle's ignition A4 in the third state Z3 (also known as "terminal 15 off"), the system changes to the first state Z1, in which the camera system is still activated, but in which the timer is also activated.If the driver (or another passenger) presses button A1 in this state Z1, the system remains in the first state Z1. However, pressing the button also restarts the timer, extending the run-on time accordingly. If the driver activates the ignition A3 in this state Z1, the system returns to the third state Z3, with the camera system remaining activated.

[0030] If the timer expires in the first state Z1 and thus the follow-up time A2, the system switches to the second state Z2, deactivating the camera system. If the button A1 is activated in this second state Z2, the system switches to the first state Z1 (in which the camera system and the timer are activated), even though the ignition is not activated.

[0031] In Fig.2 shows a vehicle 10 according to the invention. This vehicle 10 comprises a system 40 according to the invention, which itself comprises a control system 30 according to the invention and a camera system 20. The camera system 20, in turn, comprises a camera 5, which is located in an exterior mirror 6 of the vehicle 10, and a screen 2. When the camera system 20 is activated, a section of the rear surroundings of the vehicle 10 captured by the camera 5 is displayed on the screen 2.

[0032] The control system 30 according to the invention comprises, in addition to a controller 4, a timer 3 and a button 1. The control system 30 controls the operation of the camera system 20. When the button 1 is actuated, the camera system 20 is activated together with the timer 3, so that the camera system 20 is deactivated again when the timer 3 expires.

Claims

[1] Method for controlling a camera system (20) for a vehicle (10), comprising: Actuating an operating element (1) of the vehicle (10), wherein activation of an ignition of the vehicle (10) is independent of actuation of the operating element (1), Activating the camera system (20) depending on the actuation of the control element (1) in order to display a current image from the surroundings of the vehicle (10) on a screen (2), and Activating a timer (3) depending on the actuation of the control element (1), wherein the camera system (20) is deactivated when the timer (3) expires after a predetermined time interval; wherein, when the ignition of the vehicle (10) is switched on, the camera system (2) is activated independently of the actuation of the control element (1), and that when the ignition is switched off the timer (3) is activated. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat when the control element (1) is actuated while the camera system (20) is still activated, the timer (3) is restarted in order to run after the predetermined time interval. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, the timer (3) is restarted to expire after the predetermined time interval, wherein the predetermined event is selected from the group consisting of: • Opening or closing one of the vehicle doors (10), • Unlocking the vehicle (10), • Applying an electric parking brake or parking brake, • Engaging or disengaging a gear of the vehicle (10), • Operating a pedal of the vehicle (10), • Activating a turn signal on the vehicle (10), • Changing the steering angle of the vehicle (10), • Actuating another actuator of the vehicle (10), • Detection of obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle by means of the vehicle’s detection means (10), • Detecting an occupant of the vehicle (10) by means of a seat occupancy detection of the vehicle (10), • Detecting an occupant of the vehicle (10) by means of further occupant detection means of the vehicle (10), and • Detecting a change in the state of the vehicle (10). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the camera system (20) is deactivated when the vehicle (10) is locked from the outside. [5] Control system for controlling the operation of a camera system (20) for a vehicle (10), wherein the control system (30) comprises a controller (4), an operating element (1) and a timer (3), wherein the control system (30) is designed to activate the camera system (20) depending on an actuation of the control element (1), so that the camera system (20) displays a current image from the surroundings of the vehicle (10) on a screen (2), wherein an activation of an ignition of the vehicle (10) is independent of an actuation of the control element (1), and wherein the control system (30) is designed to additionally activate the timer (3) depending on the actuation of the control element (1), which deactivates the camera system (20) after a predetermined time interval, wherein, when the ignition of the vehicle (10) is switched on, the camera system (2) is activated independently of the actuation of the control element (1), and that when the ignition is switched off the timer (3) is activated. [6] Control system according to claim 5, characterized bythat the control system (30) is designed to carry out the method according to one of claims 1-4. [7] System for a vehicle (10), characterized by that the system (40) comprises a control system (30) according to claim 5 or 6 and a camera system (20) with a camera (5) and a screen (2). [8] System according to claim 7, characterized by that the camera system (20) comprises a digital exterior mirror (6) of the vehicle (10), in which at least part of a rear environment of the vehicle (10) can be captured by the camera (5) of the camera system (20) and displayed on the screen (2). [9] System according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that the camera (5) is arranged in an exterior mirror (6) of the vehicle. [10] Vehicle with a control system (30) according to claim 5 or 6 and / or with a system (40) according to any one of claims 7-9.

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