INTEGRATED MODULE WITH CAMERA AND LIGHT OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

System that features: a camera (20) designed to capture an image of the surroundings of a vehicle and to provide the image; at least one first light (11) and at least one second light (12) arranged at at least one location on an upper side and a lower side of the camera (20) in a direction along a transverse axis of the camera (20); and a lighting control device (40) configured to supply first electrical energy to at least one first luminaire (11) and second electrical energy to at least one second luminaire (12) according to day / night determination information (DN) determined on the basis of the image, wherein the lighting control device (40) always supplies the first electrical energy to the at least one first light (11) and the lighting control device (40) supplies the second electrical energy to the at least one second light (12) or stops the supply of the second electrical energy to the at least one second light (12).

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED REGISTRATION

[0001] The present application claims the priority benefit of Korean patent application No. 10-2020-0081143, filed on July 1, 2020 with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference into the present application. TECHNICAL AREA

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an integrated module comprising a camera and a light. BACKGROUND

[0003] In general, a camera is a configuration for capturing an image of a vehicle's surroundings, and one or more cameras are installed on the front, rear, left side, and right side of the vehicle.

[0004] The camera is an important device for detecting objects in the vicinity of a vehicle in an autonomous driver assistance system or advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). Various systems with cameras on vehicles are known from US 2007 / 0221822A1, US 6509832B1, and JP 2011-109634A.

[0005] However, an image delivered by the camera is significantly influenced by the external environment.

[0006] In particular, the difference between the reliability of the camera images taken during the day and at night is significant, and many studies have been conducted to increase the reliability of the images captured at night. OVERVIEW

[0007] The present disclosure serves to solve the above-mentioned problems that arise in the prior art, while retaining the advantages gained through the prior art.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure provides for a system in which a camera is arranged in the system which has a light source, and a light source with infrared radiation is arranged near a location where the camera is located.

[0009] The technical problems that are to be solved by the present invention concept are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and all other technical problems not mentioned herein are clearly apparent to those skilled in the field to which the present disclosure belongs from the following description.

[0010] A system according to the invention is defined by the features of claim 1. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system comprises: a camera that captures and provides an image of a vehicle's surroundings; at least one first light and at least one second light, arranged at at least one location on an upper side and a lower side of the camera in a direction along a transverse axis of the camera; and a light control device that supplies electrical energy to the first light and supplies electrical energy to the second light according to day / night determination information based on the image.

[0011] Another system according to the invention is defined by the features of claim 11. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system comprises: a camera that captures and provides an image of a vehicle's surroundings; a plurality of near-infrared luminaires arranged near the camera in a direction along a transverse axis of the camera; an image recognition device that determines, based on the image, whether the vehicle is traveling by day or by night and outputs the determination result as a day / night determination result; and a luminaire control device that supplies electrical energy to the near-infrared luminaires or stops the supply of electrical energy to the near-infrared luminaires based on the day / night determination information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing and other tasks, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become clearer to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0013] They show: Fig. 1 a view showing an embodiment of an integrated module with a camera and a light of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 a view showing an embodiment of a lighting control device of an integrated module with a camera and a light of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B Views showing an embodiment of an integrated module with a camera and a light of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 5 a view showing an integrated module with a camera and a light of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are described in more detail below with reference to the exemplary drawings. When adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it is important to ensure that identical or equivalent components are given the same reference numeral, even if the components are shown on other drawings. Furthermore, a detailed description of related known embodiments or functions is omitted from the description of the present disclosure if it is determined that such a description would impair the understanding of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] In describing the components of the embodiment according to this disclosure, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), and the like may be used. These terms serve only to distinguish the components from other components and do not restrict the type, arrangement, or sequence of the components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning they would have for a person skilled in the art in the field to which this disclosure relates.It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted in such a way as to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant field, and are not to be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0016] The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. 5 described in more detail.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a view illustrating an embodiment of a system, for example an integrated module or the like, with a camera and a light of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Referring to Fig. 1. A plurality of first lights 11, a plurality of second lights 12, a camera 20, an image recognition device 30, and a light control device 40 can be implemented inside a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The image recognition device 30 and the light control device 40 can be formed integrally with control units in the interior of the vehicle and can be designed as a separate device to be connected to the vehicle's control units by means of a separate connection unit.

[0019] The multitude of lights 11 may include daytime running lights (DRLs) or combination rear lights (RCLs) which are used as auxiliary light sources for the vehicle.

[0020] The DRLs are referred to as daytime running lights, usually feature LED headlights and can be switched on at the front of the vehicle so that a driver of another vehicle or a pedestrian can easily see the vehicle when it is driving during the day.

[0021] The term RCLs generally refers to lights that are mounted on the rear side of the vehicle and can be switched on to indicate a location, a stop state, a start state, and a lane change to the driver of a following vehicle.

[0022] The multitude of first lights 11 can be supplied with electrical energy L_ea for the first light and switched on. Then, if the multitude of first lights 11 are not supplied with electrical energy L_ea for the first light, they can be switched off.

[0023] If the electrical energy L_ea for the first light is current, the brightness of the multitude of first lights 11 can also change according to the intensity (or amount) of the current.

[0024] The multitude of second luminaires 12 can be luminaires that emit near-infrared rays and can generally have luminaires with near-infrared radiation (NIR).

[0025] The multiple second lights 12 can be supplied with electrical energy L_eb for the second light and switched on.

[0026] Then, if the multitude of second lights 12 are not supplied with the electrical energy L_eb for the second light, they can be switched off.

[0027] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the multitude of first lights 11 and the multitude of second lights 12 can be arranged alternately at a location where the camera 20 is installed.

[0028] Camera 20 can capture an image of the vehicle's surroundings and output image information C_i.

[0029] The image recognition device 30 can recognize the image information C_i provided by the camera 20 and provide driving information required for autonomous driving or ADAS driving.

[0030] For example, the image recognition device 30 can determine, based on the image information C_i, whether the vehicle is currently driving during the day or at night, the condition of a road on which the vehicle is currently driving, and what objects are in the vicinity of the vehicle.

[0031] More precisely, the image recognition device 30, which is included in the integrated module with the camera and the light of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, can determine, based on the image information C_i, whether the vehicle is currently driving by day or by night, and output the determination result as day / night determination information DN.

[0032] The lighting control device 40 can generate electrical energy L_ea and L_eb based on the day / night determination information DN provided by the image recognition device 30 for the first and second luminaires.

[0033] Then the electrical energy L_ea generated by the lighting control device 40 can be supplied to the first light for the plurality of first lights 11 and the electrical energy L_eb for the second light can be supplied to the plurality of second lights 12.

[0034] For example, based on the day / night determination information DN, which indicates that the vehicle is driving during the day, the lighting control device 40 can supply an initial preset amount of electrical energy L_ea to the first light of the plurality of first lights 11 and stop supplying electrical energy L_eb to the second light of the plurality of second lights 12.

[0035] Furthermore, the lighting control device 40 can, based on the day / night determination information DN, indicate that the vehicle is driving at night, supply a first preset amount of electrical energy L_ea to the first light of the plurality of first lights 12 and stop the supply of electrical energy L_eb to the second light of the plurality of second lights 12.

[0036] Then the first preset amount of electrical energy L_ea for the first light can be smaller than the second preset amount of electrical energy L_ea for the first light.

[0037] Although it is disclosed that the integrated module with the camera and the light of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, as in Fig. Figure 1 shows an image recognition device 30. The image recognition device 30 may not be included in the integrated module with the camera and the lamp, but may be connected to the camera 20 and the lamp control device 40 via a wired / wireless network (e.g. a CAN network) for the vehicle.

[0038] This means that the integrated module with the camera and the light according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can have the plurality of first lights 11, the plurality of second lights 12, the camera 20 and the light control device 40.

[0039] Fig. Figure 2 shows a view illustrating an embodiment of a lighting control device of an integrated module with a camera and a light of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Referring to Fig. 2. The lighting control device 40 can generate the electrical energy L_ea and L_eb for the first and second luminaires based on the day / night determination information DN, and the lighting control device 40 can have an operating control device 41 and a current control device 42.

[0041] The operating control device 41 can generate an operating signal OC and the electrical energy L_eb for the second light based on the day / night determination information DN.

[0042] For example, the operating control device 41 can receive the day / night determination information DN, which contains information indicating that the host vehicle is driving during the day, can activate the operating signal OC and stop the supply of electrical energy L_eb to the second light for the plurality of second lights 12.

[0043] For example, the operating control device 41 can receive the day / night determination information DN, which contains information indicating that the host vehicle is driving at night, can deactivate the operating signal OC and supply the electrical energy L_eb to the second light of the plurality of second lights 12.

[0044] The current control device 42 can control the amount of electrical energy contained in the electrical energy L_ea for the first light, based on the operating signal OC. The electrical energy controlled by the current control device 42 based on the operating signal OC can then be current.

[0045] For example, the current control device 42 can supply the electrical energy L_ea to the first light of the plurality of first lights 11 with higher currents when the operating signal OC is activated than when the operating signal OC is deactivated.

[0046] More precisely, the current control device 42 can supply the first preset amount of electrical energy L_ea to the first light of the plurality of first lights 11 when the operating signal OC is activated, and can supply the second preset amount of electrical energy L_ea to the first light of the plurality of first lights 11 when the operating signal is deactivated. Then, the first preset amount of electrical energy L_ea for the first light can have current intensities that are lower than the current intensities of the second preset amount of electrical energy L_ea for the first light.

[0047] Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 4A and Fig. Figure 4B shows views illustrating an embodiment of an integrated module with a camera and a light of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Fig. 3A and Fig. Figure 3B shows that the integrated module with the camera and the light of the vehicle is arranged on a front side of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] The integrated module with the camera and the vehicle light according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be arranged at a location where a headlight is located on the front side of the vehicle.

[0050] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3A, the camera 20 can be located near the location of the headlight, which is a main light source of the vehicle, and the plurality of first lights 11 can be arranged to surround the headlight and the camera 20.

[0051] The multiple second lights 12 can be arranged on the top side or bottom side or the bottom and top side of the location where the camera 20 is located, and the first light 11 and the second light 12 can be arranged alternately.

[0052] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, the camera 20 can be located near the location of the headlight, which is a main light source of the vehicle, and the plurality of first lights 11 and the plurality of second lights 12 can be arranged to surround the headlight and the camera 20.

[0053] The plurality of second lights 12 can be arranged continuously on the upper side or lower side or the lower and upper side of the location where the camera 20 is located, and the plurality of first lights 11 can be arranged at the other locations.

[0054] The first lights 11 can be daytime running lights (DLRs) and the second lights 12 can be near-infrared (NIR) lights.

[0055] Fig. 4A and Fig. Figure 4B shows that the integrated module with the camera and the light of the vehicle is arranged on a rear side of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] The integrated module with the camera and the vehicle light according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can then be arranged at a location where the RCLs are located on the rear side of the vehicle. The RCLs can be the plurality of first lights 11 (RCL-LEDs).

[0057] As in Fig. 4A, the camera 20 (a reversing camera or an autonomous driving camera) can be located at the bottom of the location where the RCLs are at the rear of the vehicle, and the plurality of second lights 12 can be located at the top of the location where the reversing camera and the autonomous driving camera are arranged alternately with the RCLs.

[0058] As in Fig. 4B, the camera 20 (a camera for reversing parking or a camera for autonomous driving) can be located on the lower side of the location where the RCLs are located on the rear of the vehicle, and the plurality of second lights 12 can be continuously located on the upper side of the location where the camera for reversing parking and the camera for autonomous driving are located.

[0059] The first lights 11 can be RCL-LEDs and the second lights 12 can be lights with near-infrared radiation (NIR).

[0060] The reason why the LEDs for near-infrared radiation, i.e., the NIR LEDs, are arranged alternately or continuously along the transverse axis (X-axis) on the top side, the bottom side, or both the top and bottom sides, is that the X-axis viewing angle of the camera is 20° larger than the X-axis viewing angle of the NIR LEDs, as shown in Fig. 5 shown.

[0061] The integrated module configured above, comprising the camera and the vehicle's light according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, can determine, based on the image captured by the camera, whether the vehicle is driving during the day or at night, and can supply a lower current to the primary lights (e.g., the DRLs and the RCLs) during daytime driving than during nighttime driving, thereby reducing the consumption of electrical energy by making the lights dimmer than during nighttime driving.

[0062] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated module with the camera and the vehicle's light can determine, based on the image captured by the camera, whether the vehicle is driving during the day or at night, and can supply a higher current to the first lights (e.g. the DRLs and the RCLs) during night driving than during day driving, thereby ensuring the safety of the host vehicle by making the lights brighter than during day driving.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the integrated module with the camera and the light according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the reliability of the image captured by the camera during driving at night can be increased by arranging the camera at the location where the first and second lights are located, and the night vision detection rate of the camera can be improved by arranging the second lights, which are near-infrared LED lights, such that the second lights are located near the location where the camera is located.

[0064] The present technology has the advantage of improving the quality of a camera's night shot.

[0065] The present technology can prevent the glare of a pedestrian and a driver in an oncoming vehicle by operating a light with near-infrared radiation when the vehicle is driving at night.

[0066] Furthermore, the present disclosure may offer various effects that can be recognized directly or indirectly.

[0067] The foregoing description is a simple example of the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure, and the present disclosure may be corrected and modified in various ways by those skilled in the art in the field to which the present disclosure falls, without departing from the essential features of the present disclosure.

[0068] Accordingly, the embodiment disclosed in the present disclosure does not serve to limit the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure, but rather to describe the present disclosure, and the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments. Accordingly, the technical scope of the present disclosure is to be interpreted by the appended claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent fields fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

[1] System that features: a camera (20) designed to capture an image of the surroundings of a vehicle and to provide the image; at least one first light (11) and at least one second light (12) arranged at at least one location on an upper side and a lower side of the camera (20) in a direction along a transverse axis of the camera (20); and a lighting control device (40) configured to supply first electrical energy to at least one first luminaire (11) and second electrical energy to at least one second luminaire (12) according to day / night determination information (DN) determined on the basis of the image, wherein the lighting control device (40) always supplies the first electrical energy to the at least one first light (11) and the lighting control device (40) supplies the second electrical energy to the at least one second light (12) or stops the supply of the second electrical energy to the at least one second light (12). [2] System according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one first light (11) having a daytime running light arranged on a front side of the vehicle, and / or having a combination rear light arranged on a rear side of the vehicle, and which has at least one second light (12) that is an LED light emitting near-infrared radiation. [3] System according to claim 2, wherein the at least one second light (12) is continuously arranged at the at least one location on the upper side and the lower side of the camera (20) in the direction of the transverse axis of the camera (20) or is arranged alternately with the at least one first light (11) at the at least one location on the upper side and the lower side of the camera (20) in the direction of the transverse axis of the camera (20). [4] System according to claim 1, further comprising an image recognition device (30) configured to: Receiving the image from the camera (20); Determine, based on the received image, whether the vehicle is currently driving during the day or at night; and Providing a result of the determined current journey of the vehicle as day / night determination information (DN). [5] System according to claim 4, wherein the lighting control device (40) is configured to: Supply to which at least one first light (11) a first quantity of the first electrical energy for the at least one first light (11) is determined to be driving during the day; Supply, to which at least one first lamp (11) a second quantity of the first electrical energy for the at least one first lamp (11), if it is determined that the vehicle is currently driving at night, where the first quantity is smaller than the second quantity; and Stopping the supply of electrical energy to at least one second light (12) when it is determined that the vehicle is currently driving during the day. [6] System according to claim 5, wherein the lighting control device (40) is further configured to: Supply to which at least one first light (11) is connected, a third quantity of the first electrical energy for the at least one first light (11) is supplied, when it is determined that the vehicle is currently driving at night; Supply, to which at least one first lamp (11), a fourth quantity of the first electrical energy for the at least one first lamp (11), if it is determined that the vehicle is currently driving during the day, where the third quantity is larger than the fourth quantity; and Supply to which at least a second light (12) supplies the second electrical energy for the at least one second light (12) when it is determined that the vehicle is currently driving at night. [7] System according to claim 1, wherein the lighting control device (40) comprises: an operating control device (41) configured to generate an operating signal (OC) and the second electrical energy for the at least one second luminaire (12) based on the day / night determination information (DN); and a current control device (42) configured to regulate the current intensity of the first electrical energy for the at least one first light (11) based on the operating signal (OC). [8] System according to claim 7, wherein the operating control device (41) is configured to: Activating the operating signal (OC) and stopping the supply to which at least one second light (12) is connected, the second electrical energy for the at least one second light (12), when the day / night determination information (DN) indicates that the vehicle is currently operating in daylight; and Deactivating the operating signal (OC) and supplying the second electrical energy to at least one second light (12) when the day / night determination information (DN) indicates that the vehicle is currently driving at night. [9] System according to claim 8, wherein the current control device (42) is further configured to: Causing the first electrical energy for the at least one first light (11) to have a first current when the operating signal (OC) is activated; and Causing the first electrical energy for the at least one first light (11) to have a second current when the operating signal (OC) is deactivated, wherein the first quantity is smaller than the second quantity. [10] System according to claim 1, wherein the system is an integrated module. [11] System that features: a camera (20) designed to capture an image of the surroundings of a vehicle and to provide the image; a multitude of near-infrared luminaires and a multitude of daytime running lights or combination rear lights located adjacent to the camera (20) in one direction along a transverse axis of the camera (20); an image recognition device (30) configured to determine, based on the image, whether the vehicle is currently driving during the day or at night, and outputs the result of the determined current driving of the vehicle as day / night determination information (DN); and a lighting control device (40) configured to supply or stop the supply of electrical energy to the near-infrared luminaires based on the day / night determination information (DN), the lighting control device always supplies electrical energy to the multitude of daytime running lights or the combination rear lights. [12] System according to claim 11, wherein the lighting control device (40) is configured to: Supplying electrical energy to the near-infrared luminaires when the day / night detection information (DN) indicates that the vehicle is currently operating during the day, and The supply of electrical energy to the near-infrared lights stops when the day / night detection information (DN) indicates that the vehicle is currently driving at night. [13] System according to claim 11, wherein the system is an integrated module.

Images