On-vehicle camera setting method

Abstract

To provide an on-vehicle camera setting method capable of reducing a management cost of an on-vehicle camera.SOLUTION: The on-vehicle camera setting method is configured to perform setting of an on-vehicle camera connected to an ECU of a vehicle. The method comprises: a camera connection process for connecting the on-vehicle camera to an ECU of the vehicle; and a setting information writing process for writing individual vehicle setting information stored in the ECU into the on-vehicle camera.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for setting an in-vehicle camera.

Background Art

[0002] As a technical document regarding rewriting of a program of a device mounted on a vehicle, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-27667 is known. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-27667 discloses a technique for appropriately controlling switching from an old program to a new program when a plurality of devices are to be rewritten.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, there may be a case where it is required to standardize the hardware configuration of in-vehicle cameras mounted on a plurality of vehicle models. In that case, since individual vehicle setting information for each vehicle model is pre-written in each in-vehicle camera, it was necessary to manage the correspondence between the vehicle model and the in-vehicle camera by the product number or the like.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for setting an in-vehicle camera capable of reducing the management cost of the in-vehicle camera.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The method for setting an in-vehicle camera according to the present disclosure is a method for setting an in-vehicle camera that is connected to an ECU of a vehicle, and includes a camera connection step of connecting the in-vehicle camera to the ECU of the vehicle, and a setting information writing step of writing the individual vehicle setting information stored in the ECU into the in-vehicle camera.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a method for setting an in-vehicle camera that can reduce the management cost of the in-vehicle camera.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the functional configuration of a vehicle according to the present embodiment. The vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, an autonomous driving vehicle or a driving support vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes an ECU [Electronic Control Unit] 2, an in-vehicle camera 3, and a display 4.

[0011] The ECU 2 is an electronic control unit having a CPU [Central Processing Unit] and a storage unit such as a ROM [Read Only Memory] or a RAM [Random Access Memory]. In the ECU 10, for example, various functions are realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the storage unit. The ECU 2 is mounted on the vehicle 1.

[0012] The in-vehicle camera 3 images the external environment of the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the in-vehicle camera 3 is a front camera that images the front of the vehicle 1, a left camera that images the left side of the vehicle 1, a right camera that images the right side of the vehicle 1, or a rear camera that images the rear of the vehicle 1. The in-vehicle camera 3 may be a monocular camera or a stereo camera. The in-vehicle camera 3 is connected to the ECU 2. The in-vehicle camera 3 transmits an image of the external environment of the vehicle 1 to the ECU 2.

[0013] The display 4 is provided, for example, on the instrument panel of the vehicle 1. The display 4 has a display screen for displaying an image. The display 4 displays an image on the display screen according to a control signal from the ECU 2. Note that the display 4 may be an HUD [Head Up Display] or the like that performs projection display on the front glass or a projection screen of the vehicle 1.

[0014] The ECU 2 functionally includes a storage unit 21, a write command signal receiving unit 22, a setting information writing unit 23, a determination unit 24, and a display control unit 25.

[0015] The storage unit 21 stores the individual vehicle setting information of the in-vehicle camera 3. The individual vehicle setting information includes information such as camera constants, the position of the camera, and the orientation of the camera. The individual vehicle setting information is determined based on the vehicle type of the vehicle 1, the fixed position of the in-vehicle camera 3 in the vehicle 1, or the fixing method of the in-vehicle camera 3.

[0016] The write command signal receiving unit 22 receives a write command signal transmitted from outside the vehicle 1. The write command signal is a trigger signal for writing the individual vehicle setting information stored in the storage unit 21 to the in-vehicle camera 3.

[0017] When the write command signal receiving unit 22 receives a write command signal, the setting information writing unit 23 reads out the individual vehicle setting information stored in the storage unit 21. The setting information writing unit 23 transmits the individual vehicle setting information read from the storage unit 21 to the in-vehicle camera 3.

[0018] The determination unit 24 determines whether the individual vehicle setting information stored in the in-vehicle camera 3 matches the individual vehicle setting information stored in the ECU 2. After reading out the individual vehicle setting information stored in the in-vehicle camera 3 and the ECU 2, the determination unit 24 determines whether the individual vehicle setting information matches. The determination unit 24 determines whether the individual vehicle setting information stored in the in-vehicle camera 3 is the initial value. The display control unit 25 causes the display 4 to display the display image transmitted from the in-vehicle camera 3.

[0019] Functionally, the in-vehicle camera 3 includes an imaging unit 31, a storage unit 32, an image processing unit 33, and an image transmission unit 34.

[0020] The imaging unit 31 has, for example, a lens and a sensor, etc. The imaging unit 31 images the external environment of the vehicle 1. The storage unit 32 stores the individual vehicle setting information transmitted from the ECU 2.

[0021] Based on the captured image captured by the imaging unit 31 and the individual vehicle setting information stored in the storage unit 32, the image processing unit 33 generates a display image. The display image is an image in which the individual vehicle setting information is reflected in the captured image captured by the imaging unit 31.

[0022] The image transmission unit 34 transmits the display image generated by the image processing unit 33 to the ECU 2. In this way, the vehicle 1 executes image display based on the captured image of the in-vehicle camera 3 and the individual vehicle setting information of the in-vehicle camera 3.

[0023] Next, an example of the setting method of the in-vehicle camera will be described. FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing each step of the setting method of the in-vehicle camera. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the setting method of the in-vehicle camera includes a setting information storage step S1, an initial value setting step S2, a camera connection step S3, a write command signal transmission step S4, a setting information write step S5, and a write completion determination step S6.

[0024] In the setting information storage step S1, the vehicle-specific setting information of the in-vehicle camera 3 is stored in the ECU 2. In the present embodiment, the setting information storage step S1 is performed before the ECU 2 is mounted on the vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, after the vehicle-specific setting information is stored in the ECU 2 in the manufacturing process of the ECU 2, the ECU 2 in which the vehicle-specific setting information is stored is mounted on the vehicle 1.

[0025] In the initial value setting step S2, the initial value of the vehicle-specific setting information is written into the in-vehicle camera 3. In the initial value setting step S2, the initial value of the vehicle-specific setting information is stored in the storage unit 32 of the in-vehicle camera 3. In the present embodiment, the initial value setting step S2 is performed before the in-vehicle camera 3 is mounted on the vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, after the initial value is stored in the in-vehicle camera 3 in the manufacturing process of the in-vehicle camera 3, the in-vehicle camera 3 in which the initial value is stored is mounted on the vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, the setting information storage step S1 is performed at the manufacturing factory of the ECU 2, and the initial value setting step S2 is performed at the manufacturing factory of the in-vehicle camera 3.

[0026] In the camera connection step S3, the in-vehicle camera 3 is connected to the ECU 2. In the camera connection step S3, the in-vehicle camera 3 in which the initial value is written is fixed at a predetermined position of the vehicle 1. The in-vehicle camera 3 is electrically connected to the vehicle 1. The in-vehicle camera 3 is communicable with the ECU 2.

[0027] In the write command signal transmission step S4, a write command signal is transmitted to the ECU 2 mounted on the vehicle 1. In the write command signal transmission step S4, the write command signal is transmitted from outside the vehicle 1 to the ECU 2. The write command signal transmission step S4 is performed, for example, in the inspection process of the vehicle 1.

[0028] In the setting information writing step S5, when a write command signal is transmitted from outside the vehicle 1 to the ECU 2 in the setting information writing step S5, the vehicle-specific setting information stored in the ECU 2 is written into the in-vehicle camera 3. In the setting information writing step S5, the vehicle-specific setting information stored in the storage unit 21 of the ECU 2 is stored in the storage unit 32 of the in-vehicle camera 3.

[0029] In the writing completion determination step S6, after the setting information writing step S5, it is determined whether the writing of the individual vehicle setting information to the in-vehicle camera 3 is completed. In the writing completion determination step S6, when the individual vehicle setting information stored in the in-vehicle camera 3 matches the individual vehicle setting information stored in the ECU 2, it is determined that the writing of the individual vehicle setting information to the in-vehicle camera 3 is completed. In the writing completion determination step S6, when the individual vehicle setting information stored in the in-vehicle camera 3 is the initial value, it is determined that the writing of the setting information to the in-vehicle camera 3 is not completed.

[0030] In the present embodiment, the camera connection step S3, the write command signal transmission step S4, the setting information writing step S5, and the writing completion determination step S6 are performed at the manufacturing factory of the vehicle 1.

[0031] Next, an example of the processing by the ECU 2 of the vehicle 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing each step of image display in the vehicle 1. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is executed after each step shown in FIG. 3 is completed. As shown in FIG. 4, the ECU 2 determines, in step S11, whether the individual vehicle setting information stored in the ECU 2 matches the individual vehicle setting information stored in the in-vehicle camera 3.

[0032] When the individual vehicle setting information stored in the ECU 2 matches the individual vehicle setting information stored in the in-vehicle camera 3 (step S11: YES), the ECU 2 proceeds to step S12. When the individual vehicle setting information stored in the ECU 2 does not match the individual vehicle setting information stored in the in-vehicle camera 3 (step S11: NO), the ECU 2 proceeds to step S13.

[0033] In step S12, ECU2 causes the display image transmitted from in-vehicle camera 3 to be displayed on display 4. In step S13, ECU2 determines whether the individual vehicle setting information stored in in-vehicle camera 3 is the initial value. If the individual vehicle setting information stored in in-vehicle camera 3 is the initial value (step S13: YES), ECU2 proceeds to step S14. If the individual vehicle setting information stored in in-vehicle camera 3 is not the initial value (step S13: NO), ECU2 proceeds to step S15.

[0034] In step S14, ECU2 executes a notification of unwritten setting information. For example, ECU2 causes predetermined information to be displayed on display 4 as the notification of unwritten setting information. In step S15, ECU2 executes a notification of abnormality of written setting information. For example, ECU2 causes predetermined information to be displayed on display 4 as the notification of abnormality of written setting information.

[0035] As described above, in setting information writing step S5, the individual vehicle setting information stored in ECU2 is written into in-vehicle camera 3 in response to a write command signal. That is, after in-vehicle camera 3 is connected to ECU2, the individual vehicle setting information is written into in-vehicle camera 3. Thereby, regardless of the vehicle type of vehicle 1 or the fixed position and method of in-vehicle camera 3, etc., the in-vehicle camera 3 can be made common and the identification of the in-vehicle camera 3 can be omitted. Therefore, the individual vehicle setting of in-vehicle camera 3 can be performed without strictly managing the part number of in-vehicle camera 3 according to the vehicle type, etc., so that the management cost of in-vehicle camera 3 can be reduced. Also, for example, compared with the case where the individual vehicle setting information stored in ECU2 is reflected in the captured image of in-vehicle camera 3 every time in-vehicle camera 3 is started, the image display on display 4 is speeded up.

[0036] In camera connection step S3, an in-vehicle camera 3 in which the initial value of the individual vehicle setting information is written is connected to ECU2. Thereby, the in-vehicle camera 3 can be made common and the identification of the in-vehicle camera 3 can be omitted.

[0037] In the setting information writing step S5, when a writing command signal is transmitted to the ECU 2 from outside the vehicle 1, the individual vehicle setting information stored in the ECU 2 is written into the in-vehicle camera 3. Thereby, the individual vehicle setting information stored in the ECU 2 can be appropriately written into the in-vehicle camera 3.

[0038] In the writing completion determination step S6, when the individual vehicle setting information stored in the in-vehicle camera 3 matches the individual vehicle setting information stored in the ECU 2, it is determined that the writing of the individual vehicle setting information into the in-vehicle camera 3 is completed. Thereby, the writing of the individual vehicle setting information into the in-vehicle camera 3 can be surely realized.

[0039] As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0040] Although the setting information storage step S1 is carried out at the manufacturing factory of the ECU 2, the setting information storage step S1 may be carried out at the manufacturing factory of the vehicle 1. The setting method of the in-vehicle camera according to the present disclosure may be carried out after the manufacture of the vehicle 1.

[0041] Although the setting method of the in-vehicle camera includes the setting information storage step S1 and the initial value setting step S2, the setting method of the in-vehicle camera may not include at least one of the setting information storage step S1 and the initial value setting step S2. The setting method of the in-vehicle camera may not include the writing completion determination step S6.

[0042] After the individual vehicle setting information of the in-vehicle camera 3 is stored in the ECU 2, the ECU 2 in which the individual vehicle setting information is stored is mounted on the vehicle 1. However, after the ECU 2 is mounted on the vehicle 1, the individual vehicle setting information may be stored in the ECU 2.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0043] 1... vehicle, 2... ECU, 3... in-vehicle camera, 21... storage unit, 22... writing command signal receiving unit, 23... setting information writing unit, 24... determination unit, 25... display control unit, 31... imaging unit, 32... storage unit, 33... image processing unit, 34... image transmission unit.

Claims

1. A method for setting an in-vehicle camera that sets the in-vehicle camera connected to the ECU of a vehicle, comprising: a camera connection step of connecting the in-vehicle camera to the ECU of the vehicle; a setting information writing step of writing the individual vehicle setting information stored in the ECU to the in-vehicle camera.

2. The method for setting an in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein in the camera connection step, the in-vehicle camera with the initial value of the individual vehicle setting information written therein is connected to the ECU.

3. The method for setting an in-vehicle camera according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the setting information writing step, when a write command signal is transmitted to the ECU from outside the vehicle, the individual vehicle setting information stored in the ECU is written to the in-vehicle camera.

4. The method further comprises a write completion determination step of determining whether the writing of the individual vehicle setting information to the in-vehicle camera is completed after the setting information writing step. In the write completion determination step, when the individual vehicle setting information stored in the in-vehicle camera matches the individual vehicle setting information stored in the ECU, it is determined that the writing of the individual vehicle setting information to the in-vehicle camera is completed. The method for setting an in-vehicle camera according to claim 1 or 2.

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