Camera system based on printed organic electronic components for detecting the surroundings

Abstract

The invention relates to a camera device (6) for detecting the surroundings, comprising an optical input (8) for receiving an optical transmission signal (9), an opto-electronic converter unit (13) which is designed to generate an electric control signal (14) based on the optical transmission signal (9), and a camera sensor (15) which can be controlled on the basis of the electric control signal (14) in order to collect surroundings information, said opto-electronic converter unit (13) and camera sensor (15) being designed as printed organic electronic components. The invention additionally relates to a camera system comprising at least one such camera device (6), wherein the camera system (2) has a laser device which is designed as a printed organic electronic component for providing the optical transmission signal (9) and a computing device for processing surroundings information collected by the camera sensor (15), and to a motor vehicle comprising such a camera system. The camera system preferably has multiple camera devices (4, 6) which are joined together in order to form a camera array. By using the printed organic electronic components, the camera device according to the invention can be produced with minimized costs in less time, without requiring expensive chip production. Organic printed electronic components require less power, and the use of printed organic electronic components offers the possibility of manufacturing the camera device on curved surfaces. The camera device can be produced without a complex optical unit or at least with a less complex optical unit. For example, the printed organic electronic components can be applied onto flexible printable circuits. For this purpose, the camera device or the components thereof can be produced in the form of printed components, e.g. by means of OLED printing or OPD printing.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Camera system based on printed, organic electronic components for environmental detection

[0003] The invention relates to a camera device for environmental detection.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a camera system with at least one camera device. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with a corresponding camera system.

[0005] For example, for automatic or autonomous driving, the most reliable environmental perception possible is essential. For this purpose, the environment is recorded using sensors such as radar, LIDAR, and cameras. A holistic 360-degree 3D recording of the environment is particularly important, so that all static and dynamic objects can be detected. LIDAR, in particular, plays a key role in redundant, robust environmental detection, as this type of sensor can precisely measure distances in environmental detection and can also be used for classification. However, these sensors are expensive and complex to construct.360-degree 3D environment detection is particularly problematic, as it requires either many smaller individual sensors, which typically operate with many individual light sources and detector elements, or large sensors with corresponding 360-degree scanning ranges, such as the Velodyne VLP 32. Furthermore, LIDAR systems are vulnerable to weather influences such as rain, fog, or direct sunlight.

[0006] Radar sensors have been established in the automotive sector for years and provide reliable and detailed data in all weather conditions. Even poor visibility conditions such as rain, fog, dust, and darkness barely affect their detection reliability. However, their resolution is currently limited; standard radar sensors in use have a resolution of only approximately seven degrees for azimuth angle measurements.

[0007] Therefore, high-resolution camera sensors are necessary for reliable environmental detection, which guarantees the requirements for autonomy levels 4 and 5 of automated driving with safe driving functions. For example, US 2012 / 0 326 139 A1 discloses materials and a method for controlling or verifying the properties of organic light-emitting devices. In particular, a method for producing an organic layer for an OLED can be provided.

[0008] Furthermore, US 2007 / 0 040 166 A1 discloses a flexible image sensor containing an array of lenses. The array of lenses can be formed on a surface of a flexible substrate based on an optical polymer substrate.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a camera device for a camera system which can be used flexibly for environmental detection.

[0010] This problem is solved by a camera device, a camera system, and a motor vehicle according to the independent patent claims. Useful further developments arise from the dependent patent claims.

[0011] One aspect of the invention relates to a camera device for environmental detection, comprising an optical input for receiving an optical transmission signal, an optical-electronic converter unit which is designed to generate an electrical control signal based on the optical transmission signal, a camera sensor which is controllable depending on the electrical control signal for detecting environmental information, wherein the optical-electronic converter unit and the camera sensor are designed as printed, organic electronic components.

[0012] The proposed camera device, which can also be referred to as a camera module, can improve the detection of the surroundings of a motor vehicle because, for example, the corresponding camera sensor of the camera device can be flexibly mounted on the motor vehicle. This allows, for example, various or numerous camera sensors, which are designed as printed, organic electronic components, to be mounted on the motor vehicle. This advantageously enables 360-degree 3D detection of the surroundings of the motor vehicle.

[0013] In particular, the proposed camera device can be designed as an organically printable circuit. The proposed camera device can be manufactured more cost-effectively and in a shorter time by using printed, organic electronic components. Furthermore, no complex chip manufacturing is required. Furthermore, such organically printed electronic components require less power. Furthermore, the use of printed, organic electronic components offers the possibility of manufacturing the camera device on curved surfaces. Thus, such a camera device can be adapted to the respective surfaces or conditions of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, such a camera device can be used to manufacture or provide a curved sensor array.Furthermore, the camera device can be provided or manufactured without or with less complex optics.

[0014] For example, the printed organic electronic components can be printed or applied to "flexible printable circuits." Furthermore, the use of standard telecommunications technology, such as telecommunications lasers, would be conceivable.

[0015] Particularly advantageous for 360-degree environmental detection would be the attachment of the camera device, or at least the camera sensor, to or near glass panes such as the windshield of a vehicle. For this purpose, the printed, organic electronic components can be manufactured using a transparent print. Attachment along the body is also possible, since the printed electronics are flat. Furthermore, the interior of the vehicle can be monitored with such a camera. Furthermore, such a camera can be integrated into a mobile device, such as a smartphone.

[0016] Another advantage of using printed, organic electronic components for the camera device would be the reduction of dependence on the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

[0017] For this purpose, the camera device or the components of the camera device can be manufactured as printed components, for example by means of OLED printing or OPD printing.

[0018] In particular, the proposed camera device enables an advantageous transfer of an existing camera system into printable circuits with organic electronics. Organic electronics can utilize electronic circuits made of electrically conductive polymers or smaller organic compounds. Thus, such printed organic electronic components can be referred to as polymer electronics, plastic electronics, or plastic electronics. For example, printed organic electronic components comprise microelectronic components on carrier materials made of organic films, as well as conductor tracks and components made of conductive organic molecules. The molecules can be printed, glued, or otherwise applied to films in the form of thin films or small volumes.For the production of the thin layers, processes that are also used for electronics on ceramic or semiconducting substrates can be considered.

[0019] In particular, an organic, printed electronic component, such as an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or an organic photodiode, can be used, whereby these offer the possibility of replacing the photonic camera systems with organic or organic and printed circuits.

[0020] The optical-electronic converter unit, which can be formed from multiple components, for example, can be used to convert optical signals into electrical signals and / or electrical signals into optical signals. The optical-electronic converter unit can be coupled to the optical input so that the optical transmission signal provided or transmitted to the camera device can be made available to the optical-electronic converter unit, so that the electrical control signal can be generated depending on the optical transmission signal. Using the electrical control signal, the camera sensor or multiple camera sensors of the camera device can be controlled or activated. This is used in particular for environmental detection.

[0021] The camera sensor can be designed or referred to, for example, as an image sensor or as a camera pixel.

[0022] In addition to the optical-electronic converter unit and the camera sensor, other components or elements of the camera device can also be designed as printed, organic electronic components. In particular, the camera device itself can be designed as an organic, printed circuit.

[0023] In particular, the technical innovation of the camera device or camera system lies in the signal transmission of gigahertz signals using an optical carrier signal, i.e., the optical transmission signal, in the terahertz frequency range. The computing device or optical device generates an optical carrier frequency. The signal to be transmitted is modulated on this carrier frequency, for example, amplitude, frequency, or phase, and sent to the camera device via optical fibers. These fibers convert the signal back into an electrical signal. Signal detection occurs in the reverse direction. All data can be processed on the computing device.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, the optical-electronic converter unit comprises a photodiode for generating the electrical control signal based on the optical transmission signal, wherein the photodiode is designed as a printed, organic electronic component. Thus, the electrical control signal can be generated using the photodiode or a phototransistor as a function of the optical transmission signal. In particular, the optical-electrical converter unit can be arranged on the camera device, integrated, and / or partially integrated.

[0025] In one embodiment, the camera device comprises a monitoring and control unit configured to control the camera sensor in response to the control signal. The monitoring and control unit is configured as a printed, organic electronic component. In particular, the monitoring and control unit can be used to monitor the conversion or conversion process of the optical transmission signal into the electrical control signal. This can be used, for example, for diagnostic purposes.

[0026] The optical-electronic or optical-electrical converter unit or converter device can be referred to as a detector.

[0027] In one embodiment, it is further provided that the camera device has a data preprocessing unit configured to prepare captured environmental information from the camera sensor for subsequent processing. The data preprocessing unit is configured as a printed, organic electronic component. Additionally, the data preprocessing unit can be configured to compress the captured environmental information. Data preprocessing or data preparation can save computing power for a subsequent evaluation of the environmental information, for example, to be carried out in a central computing device, since the data is advantageously prepared accordingly.For example, if the camera device and the central computing device are separate units, data preprocessing can reduce the data to be transmitted, particularly the data size. This has a positive effect, particularly on the overall signal processing, or rather, signal processing with regard to environment detection.

[0028] Furthermore, data compression is particularly advantageous for very large data sets related to environmental detection. This simplifies the transmission of the data to the corresponding processing units or central processing units and makes data transfer easier. This allows the camera system, in particular, to be used and operated with minimal power consumption.

[0029] In one embodiment, the camera device comprises a further optical-electronic converter unit configured to generate an optical output signal based on the acquired environmental information, wherein the further optical-electronic converter unit is configured as a printed, organic electronic component. In particular, the acquired environmental information can be provided by the camera sensor as an electrical signal, for example, an electrical detection signal. This electrical signal can be processed, for example, by the data preprocessing unit with regard to the data size and / or data type.In order to be able to provide the information relating to the environment detection to other computing units efficiently and without significant data loss, the optical output signal can be output by the camera device for further data processing or for evaluating the environment detection, similar to the optical transmission signal provided to the camera device. The additional optical-electronic converter unit can be used for this purpose. This additional optical-electronic converter unit can be designed to be identical in construction and / or functionally identical to the optical-electronic converter unit already mentioned at the beginning. For example, the additional optical-electronic converter unit can be arranged or connected in or on the camera device subsequent to the monitoring and control unit and / or the data preprocessing unit.

[0030] In a further embodiment, the camera device has an optical output for providing the optical output signal. Thus, in addition to the optically provided input signals, in particular the optical transmission signal, output signals can also be provided to computing devices and / or other processing and / or control systems via optical transmission paths or optical transmission connections. Thus, the camera device has an optical output in addition to an optical input.

[0031] In one embodiment, the camera device comprises an optical lens or an optical element. The optical lens is coupled to the camera sensor, in particular optically. The camera lens, in conjunction with the camera sensor or with the camera pixel, serves for image capture, i.e., for environmental detection or surroundings detection. The optical lens can be arranged in a region of the camera sensor on the camera device. A further aspect of the invention relates to a camera system comprising at least one camera device according to the previous aspect or an advantageous development thereof. In particular, the camera system just described can comprise at least one camera device according to the previous aspect.

[0032] The camera system has an optical device for providing or generating the optical transmission signal for the camera device. Furthermore, the camera system has a computing device, in particular a central one, for processing environmental information detected by the camera sensor. In particular, the computing device can be referred to as a central unit. For example, the computing device serves for signal generation, signal acquisition, and data processing related to environmental detection. Thus, for example, the computing device can control the camera device, and the camera device, in turn, can provide the computing device with the signals or environmental information to be evaluated or processed.

[0033] In particular, the camera system can have multiple camera devices. Thus, multiple camera devices can be coupled or networked with the central computing device. This is particularly advantageous for use of the camera system in the automotive sector. Thus, for example, the computing device can be configured or integrated centrally in the motor vehicle. For this purpose, multiple camera devices can be distributed on and / or in the motor vehicle and networked or coupled with the computing device.

[0034] In one embodiment, it is provided that the optical device and / or the computing device are coupled to the camera device by means of an optical transmission link. Thus, for example, the optical transmission signal can be transmitted to the camera device using fiber optics as the optical transmission link. Furthermore, the optical output signal can in turn be transmitted to the computing device using fiber optics as the optical transmission link. For example, the optical device and the computing device can be designed as a common unit, so that in this case one optical transmission link is sufficient. Likewise, the optical device and the computing device can be different units, so that each of these units is coupled to the camera device via fiber optics, for example.

[0035] For example, the computing device can consist entirely or at least partially of printed, organic electronic components. It is also conceivable for the computing device to be designed as a printed, organic electronic component or circuit.

[0036] For example, the optical device can be coupled to the optical input and the computing device to the optical output, for example via fiber optics.

[0037] In one embodiment, it is provided that the optical device is designed as an optical laser device or optical source, wherein the optical device, and thus the optical laser device, is designed as a printed, organic electronic component. In particular, depending on the application and / or field of use, the optical device can generate or provide a modulated optical signal, i.e., the optical transmission signal. For example, the optical transmission signal can be modulated directly using the optical device and / or by means of external components. Central processing of data, signals, and information can be carried out using the computing device.

[0038] In particular, in one embodiment, the camera system comprises an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit serves for signal processing and / or signal evaluation of a signal relating to the environmental information detected by the camera sensor. The evaluation unit can be integrated, for example, in the computing device or in the camera device. In particular, a signal relating to the detected environment or the environmental detection can be provided to the evaluation unit. This can be done either by means of an electrical signal originating from the camera sensor or by means of the transmitted optical output signal.

[0039] Furthermore, the evaluation unit can be designed as a printed, organic electronic component.

[0040] Furthermore, the evaluation unit can perform signal processing and / or signal evaluation using a compressed sensing method. This type of compressed sensing method (compressive sensing or compressive sampling) is a process for capturing and reconstructing sparse signals or information sources. These can be compressed without significant loss of information, for example, due to their redundancy. This is efficiently utilized when sampling the signals to significantly reduce the sampling rate compared to conventional methods. This allows the camera system to perform improved evaluation for environmental detection.

[0041] In one embodiment, it is further provided that several camera devices are combined to form a camera array, wherein the camera array is coupled to the optical device and / or the computing device via data technology, optically, and / or electronically. The camera array can, for example, be configured as a sparsely populated camera array. In this regard, the aforementioned compressed acquisition method is advantageously used.

[0042] In particular, the camera array can be configured as a sparse camera array, a camera line, or a large-spaced single pixel array in a sparse configuration. By combining multiple camera devices into a camera array—that is, a camera arrangement, camera area, camera field, or camera group—the camera system can be advantageously used in motor vehicles or other technical fields where environmental detection is important, since multiple camera devices can be distributed throughout the vehicle. By using a camera array configuration in a sparse or weakly populated matrix, any number of camera arrays can be efficiently interconnected. Central processing can be performed by the computing device.

[0043] In one embodiment, it is provided that the camera device, the optical device, and the computing device are physically and / or spatially separate units from one another. Consequently, the devices are separate units from one another or from each other. Alternatively, the camera device, optical device, and the computing device can be formed together as a common unit. Consequently, the device is a combined, common, or single unit. For example, the devices can be integrated together on a chip. This has primarily space-saving and space-optimized advantages. In this case, the devices can be integrated, for example, in a printed, organic circuit.

[0044] If necessary, the camera system may be physically separated from the optical system. In this case, a special optical transmission path is required.

[0045] In one embodiment, the camera device, the optical device, and / or the computing device are at least partially physically and / or spatially separate units. This allows the camera system to be better adapted to the respective field of application or the respective application case.

[0046] For example, the camera device and the optical device can be formed together as a common unit and, as a common unit, can be physically and / or spatially separated from the computing device. It is also conceivable for the camera device and the computing device to be formed together as a common unit and, as a common unit, physically and / or spatially separated from the optical device. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the camera device to be formed as an independent unit and, for this purpose, the computing device and the optical device to be designed as a common unit. The possibilities just mentioned for how the individual devices are designed in relation to one another are not to be understood as exhaustive, but are merely intended to provide an overview of the very wide variety of combination options. Further combinations are therefore possible.In this context, it should be noted that the arrangement of the hardware components is not intended to be exhaustive, but merely provides an overview of the diverse combination possibilities. Further combinations of hardware components are therefore also possible.

[0047] A further aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a camera system according to the previous aspect or an advantageous development thereof. In particular, the motor vehicle just described includes a sensor system according to the previous aspect.

[0048] In particular, the motor vehicle is an assisted or at least partially autonomous vehicle. In particular, the motor vehicle is a highly automated vehicle that includes various driver assistance systems. These driver assistance systems can access the proposed camera system and, for example, retrieve environmental information. In particular, the motor vehicle can also have several such camera systems.

[0049] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle. Furthermore, trams, subways, trains, boats, aircraft, satellites, and other mobile units, such as mobile end-user devices, can also be equipped with this camera system.

[0050] For example, the units or devices of the camera system can be distributed throughout the motor vehicle, particularly for environmental detection. In particular, the camera system is an environmental detection system.

[0051] Embodiments of the individual aspects of the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of other aspects, in particular all other aspects. In particular, the respective embodiments of individual aspects can be regarded as advantageous embodiments of all other aspects, and vice versa.

[0052] An environmental sensor system can be understood, for example, as a sensor system capable of generating sensor data or sensor signals that map, represent, or reproduce the environment of the environmental sensor system. In particular, the ability to detect electromagnetic or other signals from the environment is not sufficient for a sensor system to be considered an environmental sensor system. For example, cameras, radar systems, LIDAR systems, and / or ultrasonic sensor systems can be considered environmental sensor systems.

[0053] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the method and which are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, in accordance with the method, an error message and / or a request to enter user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0054] The invention also includes further developments of the camera system according to the invention and the motor vehicle according to the invention, which have features already described in connection with the further developments of the camera device according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the camera system according to the invention and the motor vehicle according to the invention are not described again here.

[0055] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

[0056] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. Shown are:

[0057] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with a camera system for detecting the surroundings;

[0058] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a camera device of the camera system from Fig. 1;

[0059] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a computing device of the camera system of Fig. 1; and

[0060] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary data acquisition process using a compressed acquisition method. The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual, independently considered features of the invention, which also further develop the invention independently of one another and are thus also considered a component of the invention, either individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described exemplary embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0061] In the figures, functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0062] Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of a motor vehicle 1. The motor vehicle 1 can, for example, be designed as a highly automated vehicle. The motor vehicle 1 can, above all, have a camera system 2. This camera system 2 serves, in particular, to detect the surroundings 3 of the motor vehicle 1. For this purpose, the camera system 2 can have a plurality or a plurality of camera devices 4. These camera devices 4 of the camera system 2 can be arranged distributed over the motor vehicle 1. The camera devices 4 can be arranged at any desired location in or on the motor vehicle. In order to be able to use the camera system 2 particularly advantageously, in particular flexibly, in the motor vehicle 1 or in the automotive sector, the camera system 2 can be implemented entirely, in particular at least partially or in certain regions, using printed, organic electronic components.Thus, circuits of a conventional camera system can be replaced with organic, printable circuits. This is made possible by the proposed camera system 2. Organic electronic components can be manufactured and printed for this purpose, especially for use in the camera system 2.

[0063] In particular, the multiple camera devices 4 can be combined or spanned to form a camera array. Furthermore, the multiple camera devices 4 can optionally be provided as a thinned camera array, camera lines, or individual pixels with large spacing in a sparse configuration. Thus, integration can be achieved by large-area distribution in an array arrangement, such as in a sparse camera array configuration, using the multiple camera devices 4. For example, such a camera array 5 (see Fig. 1) can be arranged over a large area on the entire vehicle surface of the motor vehicle 1, such as the windshield and / or rear window and vehicle roof, bumper, etc. This allows, above all, a holistic 360-degree recording of the surroundings 3 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0064] Thus, the camera devices 4 or camera modules serve to capture the surroundings 3.

[0065] Figure 2 schematically shows a camera device 6 of the camera system 2. This camera device 6, like the camera devices 4, can be combined to form an overall array. In particular, several camera devices 4, 6 can be combined to form a line scan camera or a module with many pixels or camera pixels. This is particularly advantageous for RGB detection, i.e., for color detection of color images.

[0066] In particular, the camera device 6 can be designed as a printed, organic circuit 7. In particular, the components or elements of the camera device 6 can be designed at least partially, in particular completely, as printed, organic electronic components.

[0067] The camera device 6 can have an optical input 8, which is configured to receive an optical transmission signal 9. The optical transmission signal can be provided or generated by an optical device 10. The optical device 10 can be a laser device or an optical source. The optical device 10 can be configured as a standalone unit. As in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the optical device 10 can be integrated or arranged in or on a computing device 11.

[0068] With the aid of the optical transmission signal 9, for example, control signals or control instructions can be transmitted to the camera device 6. For this purpose, an optical transmission link 12 (see Fig. 3) can be used, for example. The optical transmission link 12 can be a fiber optic cable, for example. The optical transmission signal 9 received and provided at the optical input 8 can be converted by an optical-electronic converter unit 13 into an electrical control signal 14 based on the optical transmission signal 9. With the aid of the electrical control signal 14, a camera sensor 15 of the camera device 6 can be controlled or activated. The environmental detection of the environment 3 can be carried out or carried out with the aid of the camera sensor 15 or a camera pixel or an image sensor.For this purpose, an optical lens 16 can also be coupled to the camera sensor 15. The optical-electronic converter unit 15 and the camera sensor 15 can be designed as a printed, organic electronic component.

[0069] For converting the optical transmission signal 9 into the electrical control signal 14, the converter unit 13 can have a photodiode 17 or phototransistor. The photodiode 17 or phototransistor can also be designed or configured as a printed, organic electronic component. The camera sensor 15 can detect the surroundings 3 by means of a performed environmental detection. This information can be provided, for example, by means of an electrical signal 18. In order to be able to evaluate or analyze this electrical signal 18, which contains environmental information, the camera device 6 can have a further optical-electronic converter unit 19. This converter unit 19 can be designed similarly or have the same function as the converter unit 13.Using the converter unit 19, an optical output signal 20 can be generated or converted depending on the electrical signal 18. This optical output signal 20 can be made available or provided to the computing device 11 at an optical output 21 of the camera device 6. Thus, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 as possible embodiments, the camera device 6 and the computing device 11 can be coupled to one another via optical transmission links 12.

[0070] The converter unit 19 can also be designed as a printed, organic electronic component.

[0071] In order to keep the data load and, in particular, the computing power with regard to the environmental information to be evaluated low or to a minimum, the camera device 6 can have a monitoring and control unit 22 and a data preprocessing unit 23. These two units can consist of several individual components. In particular, the monitoring and control unit 22 and the preprocessing unit 23 are designed as printed, organic electronic components. By means of these units 22, 23, the electrical signal 18 in particular can be appropriately prepared, preprocessed and / or compressed. Thus, in particular, the data relating to environmental detection can be appropriately preprocessed, compressed and / or processed. Thus, the data load and, in particular, the computing power that must be performed, for example, by the computing device 11, are no longer too great.This means that camera system 2 in particular can be operated more efficiently.

[0072] For example, the monitoring and control unit 22 can include a detector, frequency multiplier, and / or frequency mixer. Thus, the electrical signal 18 can be conditioned or processed accordingly.

[0073] The further converter unit 19 may further comprise control units and / or a modulator.

[0074] In particular, Fig. 2 shows an exemplary representation of the camera device 6 or a camera module, which can contain at least one camera pixel, which is manufactured or designed by means of the printed, organic electronics technology.

[0075] Thus, organic electronics and printing of the circuits of the camera device 6 can be implemented instead of conventional chip manufacturing. Accordingly, conventional components can be replaced by organically printed components. For example, a photodiode, such as the photodiode 17, a camera pixel such as the camera sensor 15, control circuits and preprocessing units, such as the monitoring and control unit 22, as well as the data preprocessing unit 23 or a data compression unit, can be configured as organically printed electronic components. Furthermore, components of the computing device 11 can be replaced by printed organic electronic components.

[0076] For example, the camera sensor 15 can be an organically printed camera chip. Likewise, the camera sensor 15 can be designed as a line scan camera.

[0077] In particular, chip modules or camera devices 6 can be integrated into the vehicle or motor vehicle 1. These, in turn, can be networked with the computing device 11, which is located centrally in the motor vehicle 1. This is particularly advantageous for assistance systems.

[0078] In particular, the camera device 6 and, in particular, the camera system 2 enable polarization-sensitive detection by shaping the pixel geometry or polarization filtering. The proposed camera system 2 makes it possible to achieve the goal of "designing and manufacturing an electronic-photonic co-integrated camera system using organic electronics and organic photodiodes and printing the components."

[0079] As already mentioned, Fig. 3 shows the computing device 11 or a central unit for signal generation, signal acquisition and data processing.

[0080] Here, the optical device 10 is shown, for example, as a laser device. A converter module 24, which may optionally be designed as a printed, organic electronic component, can be provided adjacent to the optical device 10. The converter module 24 can be designed, for example, in the form of a Mach-Zehnder module. For example, a frequency of the optical transmission signal 9 can be set in a transformation module 25. Furthermore, the transformation module 25 can contain a "1:N switch" or be designed as such. With such a transformation module 25, frequency, wavelength, and / or time multiplexing can be performed. Thus, a transmission signal 9 can be made available for each of the multiple camera devices 4. Furthermore, a modulator 26 can be provided, with which the optical transmission signal 9 can be modulated or manipulated.Furthermore, a control unit 27 can be provided with which the transformation module 25 and / or the modulator 26 can be monitored.

[0081] The optical output signal 20 can be made available to the computing device 11 at a fiber input or an optical input. In this case, a respective output signal 9 can in turn be received from the multiple camera devices 4. First, the output signal 20 can be converted into an electrical signal 29 or an electrical reception signal by means of a converter unit 28, for example a photodiode and / or phototransistor. Furthermore, the computing device 11 in the present exemplary embodiment has a respective further detection device 30 for detecting the electrical signal 29. Furthermore, a plurality of further modulation devices 31, such as analog-to-digital converters, can be provided.In particular, it can be provided that, for example, the further detection device 22, the further modulation device 31, and the further converter unit 28 are designed as organic electronic components. In particular, the invention provides that at least the computing device 11 and / or the optical device 10 and / or the camera devices 4, 6 are designed as organic electronic components or have at least one organic printed electronic component.

[0082] The appropriately processed electrical signal 29 can be provided to an evaluation unit 32 or a processor. With the help of the evaluation unit 32, an evaluation can be performed depending on the electrical signal, which thus contains environmental information. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 32 can be coupled or connected to the control unit 27.

[0083] In particular, the computing device 11 can be used to generate control signals. In particular, the computing device 11 can perform all signal processing and evaluation. For this purpose, each camera device 4, 6 or detector module, which consists of at least one organic camera pixel or a pixel array, can be connected. The camera devices 4, 6 can be connected via optical fiber or an electronic interface, such as Ethernet. The computing device 11 or central unit, for example, provides all necessary control and data processing signals, modules, and interfaces.

[0084] Figure 4 shows a flowchart or a schematic sequence of data acquisition by the camera array 6. The camera array 6 can be operated, in particular with the aid of the evaluation unit 32, using a compressed acquisition method. In this case, the antenna array 6 can be designed as a sparse array, so that limitations due to this configuration (sparse configuration) can be compensated for by signal algorithms such as "compressive sensing."

[0085] For this purpose, the information acquired by the camera sensor 15 can be provided in an optional first step S1. In an optional second step S2, a color filter, such as a "Bio Pattern," can be used. Furthermore, in an optional third step S3, "ISP hardware" can be applied.

[0086] In a subsequent optional fourth step S4, a sparsity algorithm can be used. Thus, image processing or processing of the surrounding information can be performed here. The compressed acquisition method can be used for this purpose. In a subsequent fifth step S5, an RGB output or grayscale output can again be output as image information or surrounding information. These steps can be performed, in particular, with the aid of the evaluation unit 32. It is also conceivable for these steps to already take place in the camera device 4, 6.

[0087] List of reference symbols

[0088] Motor vehicle

[0089] Camera system

[0090] Environment multiple camera devices camera array

[0091] Camera device printed organic circuit optical input optical transmission signal optical device

[0092] Computing device optical transmission path optical-electronic converter unit electrical control signal camera sensor optical lens photodiode electrical signal optical-electronic converter unit optical output signal optical output

[0093] Control and monitoring unit Data preprocessing unit Converter module

[0094] Transformation module

[0095] modulator

[0096] Control unit Converter unit Electrical signal Detection device Modulation device

[0097] Evaluation unit first to fifth step

Claims

Patent claims 1. Camera device (6) for environment detection, with - an optical input (8) for receiving an optical transmission signal (9), - an optical-electronic converter unit (13) which is designed to generate an electrical control signal (14) on the basis of the optical transmission signal (9), - a camera sensor (15) which can be controlled depending on the electrical control signal (14) to detect environmental information, wherein - the optical-electronic converter unit (13) and the camera sensor (15) are designed as printed, organic electronic components.

2. Camera device (6) according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical-electronic converter unit (13) has a photodiode (17) for generating the electrical control signal (14) on the basis of the optical transmission signal (9), wherein the photodiode (17) is designed as a printed, organic electronic component.

3. Camera device (6) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a monitoring and control unit (22) which is designed to control the camera sensor (15) depending on the control signal (14), wherein the monitoring and control unit (22) is designed as a printed, organic electronic component.

4. Camera device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a data pre-processing unit (23) which is designed to prepare detected environmental information of the camera sensor (15) for later processing, wherein the data pre-processing unit (23) is designed as a printed, organic electronic component, in particular the data pre-processing unit (23) is additionally designed for data compression of the detected environmental information.

5. Camera device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a further optical-electronic converter unit (19) which is designed to generate an optical output signal (20) on the basis of the detected environmental information, wherein the further optical-electronic converter unit (19) is designed as a printed, organic electronic component.

6. Camera device (6) according to claim 5, characterized by an optical output (21) for providing the optical output signal (20).

7. Camera device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an optical lens (16) which is coupled to the camera sensor (15).

8. Camera system (2) with at least one camera device (4, 6) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the camera system (2) comprises: - an optical device (10) for providing the optical transmission signal (9), and - a computing device (11) for processing environmental information detected by the camera sensor (15).

9. Camera system (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that the optical device (10) and / or the computing device (11) is coupled to the camera device (4, 6) by means of an optical transmission path (12), in particular the optical device (10) is coupled to the optical input (8) and the computing device (11) is coupled to the optical output (21).

10. Camera system (2) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the optical device (10) is designed as an optical laser device, wherein the optical device (10) is designed as a printed, organic electronic component.

11. Camera system (2) according to one of the preceding claims 8, 9 or 10, characterized by an evaluation unit (32) for signal processing and / or signal evaluation of a signal (29) relating to the detected environmental information of the camera sensor (15), in particular by means of a compressed detection method, wherein the evaluation unit (32) is designed as a printed, organic electronic component.

12. Camera system (2) according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 11, characterized in that a plurality of camera devices (4, 6) are combined to form a camera array (5), wherein the camera array (5) is coupled to the optical device (10) and / or the computing device (11), and / or the camera array (5) is configured as a sparsely populated camera array.

13. Camera system (2) according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 12, characterized in that - the camera device (4, 6), the optical device (10) and the computing device (11) are physically and / or spatially separate units from one another, or - the camera device (4, 6), the optical device (10) and the computing device (11) are formed together as a common unit.

14. Camera system (2) according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the camera device (4, 6), the optical device (10) and / or the computing device (11) are at least partially physically and / or spatially separate units from one another.

15. Motor vehicle (1) with a camera system (2) according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 14.

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