Integrated module including vehicle camera and lamps

Abstract

To provide an integrated module including a camera and a lamp capable of improving the quality of a night video of the camera.SOLUTION: An integrated module includes a camera 20 for acquiring a video around a vehicle to provide an image, at least one or more first lamps 11 and at least one or more second lamps 12 arranged at at least one or more positions between an upper part and a lower part of the camera 20 in the horizontal axial direction of the camera 20, and a lamp control part 40 for providing the first lamps 11 with electric energy for the first lamps and the second lamps 12 with electric energy for the second lamps according to day / night determination information based on the image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an integrated module that includes a camera and a lamp. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a camera is configured to capture an image of the surroundings of a vehicle, and is installed at least one of the front, rear, left side, and right side of the vehicle.

[0003] Cameras are important devices for detecting objects around a vehicle in autonomous driving or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

[0004] However, the images provided by the camera are greatly affected by the external environment.

[0005] In particular, there is a large difference in reliability between images captured by cameras during the day and at night, and much research is being conducted to improve the reliability of images captured at night. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention seeks to provide an integrated module in which a camera is located in a module containing a lamp, and an infrared lamp is further located adjacent to the location where the camera is located.

[0007] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An integrated module including a camera and lamps according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a camera that obtains an image of a vehicle's surroundings and provides the image; at least one first lamp and at least one second lamp disposed at at least one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the camera in a horizontal axis direction of the camera; and a lamp control unit that provides first lamp electric energy to the first lamp and provides second lamp electric energy to the second lamp according to day / night determination information based on the image. The second lamps are a plurality of near-infrared LED lamps, and the second lamps are arranged in a line extending horizontally at the top, bottom, or top and bottom of the camera, and a common amount of electrical energy for the second lamps is supplied to the plurality of near-infrared LED lamps of the second lamps. It is possible.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an integrated module including a camera and a lamp includes a camera that captures an image of the surroundings of a vehicle and provides an image, a lamp adjacent to the camera in the horizontal direction of the camera, and a lamp. And, at the top, bottom, or top and bottom, on a straight line extending in the horizontal direction a video recognition unit that determines whether the vehicle is being driven in the daytime or at night based on the image and outputs the result of the determination as daytime / nighttime determination information; and a video recognition unit that recognizes the near-infrared lamps based on the daytime / nighttime determination information. Common size The near-infrared lamp may include a lamp control unit that supplies or blocks electrical energy from being supplied to the near-infrared lamp. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] This technology has the advantage of improving the quality of nighttime footage from cameras.

[0011] This technology can prevent pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles from being dazzled by activating near-infrared lamps when a vehicle is traveling at night.

[0012] In addition, various other effects may be provided that can be grasped directly or indirectly through this document. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an integrated module including a camera and lamps of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a lamp control unit of an integrated module including a camera and lamps of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 illustrates an embodiment of an integrated module including a camera and lamps for a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an embodiment of an integrated module including a camera and lamps for a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating an integrated module including a camera and a lamp of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. When assigning reference numerals to components in each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are assigned the same numerals as much as possible even if they appear in different drawings. Furthermore, when describing the embodiments of the present invention, if a detailed description of related known structures or functions is deemed to hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0015] In describing components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as "first," "second," "A," "B," "(a)," and "(b)" may be used. These terms are merely used to distinguish the component from other components and do not limit the essence, procedure, or order of the components. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as meanings consistent with the meanings they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined in this application.

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an integrated module including a camera and a lamp of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of first lamps 11, a plurality of second lamps 12, a camera 20, an image recognition unit 30, and a lamp control unit 40 may be implemented inside a vehicle. In this case, the image recognition unit 30 and the lamp control unit 40 may be integrally formed with an internal control unit of the vehicle, or may be implemented as a separate device and connected to the vehicle control unit by a separate connection means.

[0019] The plurality of first lamps 11 may include a DRL (Daytime Running Lamp) or an RCL (Rear Combination Lamp) used as an auxiliary light source for a vehicle.

[0020] At this time, DRLs are called daytime running lights and are usually made up of LED lamps that can be lit in front of a vehicle so that other drivers or pedestrians can easily recognize the vehicle when the vehicle is driving during the day.

[0021] RCL is a general term for lamps installed at the rear of a vehicle, and can indicate the vehicle's position, stopped state, starting state, lane change state, etc. to drivers of vehicles behind by turning on or flashing.

[0022] The first lamps 11 may be turned on when supplied with the first lamp electric energy L_ea, and may be turned off when not supplied with the first lamp electric energy L_ea.

[0023] Additionally, when the first lamp electric energy L_ea is a current, the brightness of the plurality of first lamps 11 may differ depending on the strength (or amount) of the current.

[0024] The plurality of second lamps 12 are lamps that emit near infrared rays, and may generally include NIR (Near Infrared) lamps.

[0025] The second lamps 12 can be lighted by receiving the second lamp electric energy L_eb.

[0026] On the other hand, the second lamps 12 may be turned off when the second lamp electric energy L_eb is not provided.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, each of the plurality of first lamps 11 and each of the plurality of second lamps 12 may be alternately arranged at the position where the camera 20 is provided.

[0028] The camera 20 can capture an image of the surroundings of the vehicle and output image information C_i.

[0029] The image recognition unit 30 recognizes the image information C_i provided by the camera 20 and can provide driving information necessary for autonomous driving or ADAS driving.

[0030] For example, based on the image information C_i, the image recognition unit 30 can determine whether the current vehicle is traveling during the day or at night, what the condition of the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling is, and what objects are present around the vehicle.

[0031] In more detail, the image recognition unit 30 included in the integrated module including the camera and lamps of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention can determine whether the vehicle is currently traveling in the daytime or at night based on the image information C_i, and output the determination result as day / night determination information DN.

[0032] The lamp control unit 40 can generate electric energy L_ea and L_eb for the first and second lamps based on the day / night determination information DN provided by the image recognition unit 30.

[0033] At this time, the electric energy L_ea for the first lamps generated by the lamp control unit 40 may be provided to the plurality of first lamps 11, and the electric energy L_eb for the second lamps may be provided to the plurality of second lamps 12.

[0034] For example, the lamp control unit 40 can provide a first preset amount of electrical energy L_ea for the first lamps to a plurality of first lamps 11 based on the day / night judgment information DN indicating that the vehicle is traveling during the day, and can block the provision of electrical energy L_eb for the second lamps to a plurality of second lamps 12.

[0035] Further, the lamp control unit 40 adjusts the second preset amount of the first light based on the day / night determination information DN indicating that night driving will be performed. 1 The lamp's electrical energy L_ea is divided into multiple 1 The second lamp electric energy L_eb can be provided to the plurality of second lamps 12.

[0036] At this time, the first preset amount of electric energy L_ea for the first lamp may be less than the second preset amount of electric energy L_ea for the first lamp.

[0037] Furthermore, although the vehicle camera and lamp integrated module according to an embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed as including an image recognition unit 30 as shown in FIG. 1, the image recognition unit 30 may not be included in the camera and lamp integrated module, but may be connected to the camera 20 and lamp control unit 40 via a vehicle wired / wireless network (e.g., CAN communication).

[0038] That is, the vehicle camera and lamp integrated module according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of first lamps 11, a plurality of second lamps 12, a camera 20, and a lamp control unit 40.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a lamp control unit of an integrated module including a camera and lamps of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, the lamp control unit 40 generates electrical energy L_ea and L_eb for the first and second lamps based on the day / night determination information DN provided from the image recognition unit 30, and the lamp control unit 40 may include an operation control unit 41 and a current control unit 42.

[0041] The operation control section 41 can generate the operation signal OC and the electric energy L_eb for the second lamp based on the day / night determination information DN.

[0042] For example, the operation control unit 41 can enable the operation signal OC upon receiving day / night judgment information DN including information that the vehicle is traveling during the day, and block the provision of second lamp electrical energy L_eb to the multiple second lamps 12.

[0043] On the other hand, the operation control unit 41 can disable the operation signal OC upon receiving day / night judgment information DN including information that the vehicle will be traveling at night, and provide electrical energy L_eb for the second lamps 12 to the multiple second lamps 12.

[0044] The current control unit 42 can control the amount of electrical energy contained in the first-lamp electrical energy L_ea based on the operation signal OC. In this case, the electrical energy controlled by the current control unit 42 based on the operation signal OC may be a current.

[0045] For example, when the operation signal OC is enabled, the current control unit 42 can provide the first lamp electrical energy L_ea containing a larger amount of current to the multiple first lamps 11 than when the operation signal OC is disabled.

[0046] In more detail, when the operation signal OC is enabled, the current control unit 42 can provide a first preset amount of electric energy L_ea for the first lamps 11 to the plurality of first lamps 11, and when the operation signal OC is disabled, can provide a second preset amount of electric energy L_ea for the first lamps 11 to the plurality of first lamps 11. In this case, the first preset amount of electric energy L_ea for the first lamps can include a smaller amount of current than the second preset amount of electric energy L_ea for the second lamps.

[0047] 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of an integrated module including a camera and lamps for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an integrated module including a vehicle camera and a lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is disposed at the front of the vehicle.

[0049] In this case, the integrated module including the vehicle camera and lamps according to the embodiment of the present invention may be disposed at a position where the headlights are disposed in front of the vehicle.

[0050] As shown in A) of Figure 3, the camera 20 may be positioned close to the location of the headlight, which is the main light source of the vehicle, and multiple first lamps 11 may be arranged to surround the headlight and camera 20.

[0051] In this case, a plurality of second lamps 12 can be arranged above or below, or above and below, the location where the camera 20 is located, and the first lamps 11 and the second lamps 12 can be arranged to intersect.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3B), the camera 20 may be positioned close to the location of the headlights, which are the main light sources of the vehicle, and a plurality of first lamps 11 and a plurality of second lamps 12 may be arranged to surround the headlights and the camera 20.

[0053] In this case, a plurality of second lamps 12 can be arranged in succession above or below, or above and below, the location where the camera 20 is located, and a plurality of first lamps 11 can be arranged in other positions.

[0054] The first lamp 11 may be a daytime running light (DRL), and the second lamp 12 may be a near-infrared LED lamp (NIR Lamp).

[0055] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an integrated module including a vehicle camera and a lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is disposed at the rear of the vehicle.

[0056] In this case, the integrated module including the vehicle camera and lamps according to the embodiment of the present invention may be disposed at a position where the RCL is disposed at the rear of the vehicle. In this case, the RCL may be a plurality of first lamps (RCL LEDs) 11.

[0057] As shown in A of Figure 4, the camera (rear parking camera, autonomous driving camera) 20 may be positioned below the position where the RCL is located at the rear of the vehicle, and each of the multiple second lamps 12 may be positioned above the positions where the rear parking camera and autonomous driving camera are located, intersecting with each RCL.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 4B), the camera (rear parking camera, autonomous driving camera) 20 may be positioned below the position where the RCL is positioned at the rear of the vehicle, and multiple second lamps 12 may be positioned consecutively above the positions where the rear parking camera and autonomous driving camera are positioned.

[0059] In this case, the first lamp 11 may be an RCL LED, and the second lamp 12 may be a near-infrared LED lamp (NIR Lamp, NIR LED).

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the reason why the near-infrared LED lamps, i.e., NIR LEDs, are arranged crosswise or continuously in the horizontal axis (X-axis) direction at the top or bottom, or at the top and bottom, of the camera 20 is that, as shown in FIG. 5, the viewing angle of the camera 20 with respect to the X-axis is wider than the viewing angle of the NIR LEDs with respect to the X-axis.

[0061] The integrated module including the vehicle camera and lamps according to an embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration determines whether the vehicle is driving during the day or at night from an image acquired from the camera, and if the vehicle is driving during the day, supplies a smaller amount of current to the first lamps (e.g., DRL and RCL) than when driving at night, thereby lighting them dimmer than when driving at night, thereby reducing electrical energy consumption.

[0062] In addition, the integrated module including the camera and lamps according to an embodiment of the present invention can determine whether the vehicle is driving during the day or at night from an image acquired from the camera, and if the vehicle is driving at night, can ensure the safety of the vehicle by lighting the first lamps (e.g., DRL and RCL) more brightly than during daytime driving by supplying a larger amount of current to the first lamps than during daytime driving.

[0063] In addition, the integrated module including a camera and a lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention can increase the reliability of images acquired from the camera when driving at night by placing the camera at the same position as the first and second lamps, and can also improve the nighttime image recognition rate of the camera by placing the second lamp, which is a near-infrared LED lamp, close to the position where the camera is located.

[0064] The above description is merely an illustrative example of the technical concept of the present invention, and various modifications and variations may be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0065] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention should not be limited by such embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A camera that captures and provides images of the vehicle's surroundings; At least one or more first lamps and at least one or more second lamps arranged at at least one of the upper and lower positions of the camera in the horizontal axis direction of the camera; and a lamp control unit that provides first lamp electric energy to the first lamp and second lamp electric energy to the second lamp according to day / night determination information based on the image; Including, the second lamp is a plurality of near-infrared LED lamps; the second lamps are arranged on a straight line extending laterally above, below, or above and below the camera; The plurality of near-infrared LED lamps of the second lamp are supplied with electrical energy of a common magnitude for the second lamp. An integrated module containing a camera and a lamp.

2. The first lamp is 10. The integrated module including a camera and a lamp according to claim 1, further comprising a Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) disposed at the front of the vehicle or a Rear Combination Lamp (RCL) disposed at the rear of the vehicle.

3. The first lamp is arranged on a straight line extending in the horizontal direction, 3. The integrated module including a camera and a lamp according to claim 2, wherein the second lamps are arranged adjacent to each other on the straight line extending in the horizontal direction or are arranged alternately with the first lamps on the straight line extending in the horizontal direction.

4. The image recognition unit receives the image from the camera, determines whether the vehicle is driving in the daytime or at night, and provides the result of the determination as the daytime / nighttime determination information. An integrated module comprising the camera and lamp of claim 1.

5. The lamp control unit providing the first lamp with a smaller amount of electric energy for the first lamp when driving in the daytime than when driving at night according to the daytime / nighttime determination information; 2. The integrated module including a camera and a lamp according to claim 1, wherein the module cuts off electrical energy for the second lamp from being provided to the second lamp.

6. The lamp control unit providing the first lamp with a larger amount of electric energy for the first lamp during nighttime driving according to the daytime / nighttime determination information than during daytime driving; 6. The integrated module including a camera and a lamp according to claim 5, further comprising: a second lamp for providing electrical energy for the second lamp.

7. The lamp control unit an operation control unit that generates an operation signal and electrical energy for the second lamp based on the day / night determination information; and 2. The integrated module including a camera and a lamp according to claim 1, further comprising a current control unit for controlling the amount of current of the electrical energy for the first lamp based on the operation signal.

8. The operation control unit enabling an operation signal during daytime driving according to the day / night determination information, and cutting off the supply of electrical energy for the second lamp to the second lamp; 8. The integrated module including a camera and a lamp according to claim 7, wherein the operation signal is disabled during nighttime driving according to the day / night determination information, and electrical energy for the second lamp is provided to the second lamp.

9. The current control unit 9. The integrated module including a camera and a lamp according to claim 8, wherein when the operation signal is enabled, the electrical energy for the first lamp includes a smaller amount of current than when the operation signal is disabled.

10. A camera that captures and provides images of the vehicle's surroundings; a plurality of near-infrared lamps arranged adjacent to the camera in a horizontal axis direction of the camera and arranged on a straight line extending in the horizontal direction above, below, or both above and below the camera; an image recognition unit that determines whether the vehicle is traveling in the daytime or at night based on the image and outputs the result of the determination as daytime / nighttime determination information; and a lamp control unit that supplies electric energy of a common magnitude to the near-infrared lamps or cuts off the supply of the electric energy to the near-infrared lamps based on the day / night determination information; 1. An integrated module including a camera and a lamp, comprising:

Images