Driving system and method to prevent glare thereof

Abstract

A driving system for installation in a vehicle. The driving system includes a camera, a first controller, a light controller, and a second controller. The camera senses images in front of the vehicle. The first controller is electrically connected to the camera and identifies vehicles traveling in the same direction and oncoming vehicles in the image. The light controller is installed on the vehicle's windshield. The second controller is electrically connected to the first controller and the light controller. The second controller analyzes the image, and when a brightness value greater than or equal to a brightness threshold occurs at the oncoming vehicle's position in the camera's field of view, it converts the coordinates of the high-brightness position in the camera's field of view (brightness value greater than or equal to the brightness threshold) to the high-brightness position in the driver's field of view, and then controls the light controller to reduce the light transmittance at the high-brightness position in the driver's field of view. A method for preventing glare in the driving system is also proposed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a driving system and a method for preventing glare from the same. [Previous Technology]

[0002] With advancements in autonomous driving technology, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and adaptive lighting technology, driving safety on the road has significantly improved. However, these systems still cannot completely eliminate the dangers posed by the glare from oncoming vehicles. Besides temporarily impairing the driver's perception of road conditions and surrounding objects, the glare from oncoming vehicles also requires more reaction time to handle sudden traffic situations, such as a vehicle stopping temporarily in the same lane ahead. Therefore, the development of new driving systems is still necessary to address the problems caused by the glare from oncoming vehicles. [Summary of the Invention]

[0003] The present invention provides a driving system and a method for preventing glare, which can reduce the interference of sudden strong light in the driver's field of vision.

[0004] One embodiment of the present invention provides a driving system for installation in a vehicle. The driving system includes a camera, a first controller, a light controller, and a second controller. The camera is used to sense images in front of the vehicle. The first controller is electrically connected to the camera and is used to identify vehicles traveling in the same direction and oncoming vehicles in the image. The light controller is installed at the windshield of the vehicle. The second controller is electrically connected to the first controller and the light controller. The second controller analyzes the image, and when a brightness greater than or equal to a brightness threshold occurs at the position of the oncoming vehicle in the camera's field of view, it converts the coordinates of the high-brightness position in the camera's field of view (brightness greater than or equal to the brightness threshold) into a high-brightness position in the driver's field of view, and then controls the light controller to reduce the light transmittance at the high-brightness position in the driver's field of view.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for anti-glare in a driving system, comprising the following steps: Sensing an image in front of the vehicle; Identifying vehicles traveling in the same direction and oncoming vehicles in the image; Analyzing the image, and when a brightness greater than or equal to a brightness threshold occurs at the position of the oncoming vehicle in the camera's field of view, converting the coordinates of the high-brightness position in the camera's field of view (brightness greater than or equal to the brightness threshold) into a high-brightness position in the driver's field of view, and then controlling the light controller to reduce the light transmittance at the high-brightness position in the driver's field of view.

[0006] Based on the above, in a driving system and its anti-glare method according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the brightness at the position of the oncoming vehicle in the camera's field of view is greater than or equal to a brightness threshold, a coordinate transformation is performed, and then the light controller is controlled to reduce the light transmittance at the high-brightness position in the driver's field of view. Therefore, the driving system and its anti-glare method can improve visual clarity while reducing the interference of strong light on vision, thereby shortening driving reaction time and improving driving concentration, thus reducing the risk of traffic accidents and increasing driving safety.

Implementation Method

[0008] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a driving system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG1, an embodiment of the present invention provides a driving system 10 for installation in a vehicle. The driving system 10 includes a camera 100, a first controller 200, a light controller 400, and a second controller 300.

[0009] In this embodiment, the camera 100 may be a photosensitive device such as a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), a charge-coupled device (CCD), or a photodiode, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0010] In this embodiment, the first controller 200 and the second controller 300 may include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable controller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or other similar devices or combinations thereof, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the functions of the first controller 200 and the second controller 300 may be implemented as multiple code snippets. These code snippets are stored in a memory unit and executed by the first controller 200 and the second controller 300. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the functions of the first controller 200 and the second controller 300 may be implemented as one or more circuits. The present invention does not limit the implementation of the functions of the first controller 200 and the second controller 300 in software or hardware. In addition, in another embodiment, the first controller 200 and the second controller 300 may be integrated into a single controller, such as a device composed of a supercomputer, computer cluster, or other high-performance computing (HPC) device.

[0011] Figures 2A to 2D are schematic diagrams illustrating how a driving system controls a light controller to reduce light transmittance at high-brightness locations in the driver's field of vision according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 1 to 2D, in this embodiment, a camera 100 is used to sense an image IMG in front of the vehicle. A first controller 200 is electrically connected to the camera 100 to identify oncoming vehicles (SV) and parallel vehicles (OV) in the image IMG, as shown in Figure 2A. In one embodiment, the first controller 200 may be implemented as an advanced driver assistance system, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0012] In this embodiment, the light controller 200 is used to be installed on the windshield of a vehicle. The light controller 200 is, for example, a photochromic layer, a thermochromic layer, photochromic glass, or thermochromic glass. In a preferred embodiment, the light controller 200 may be an electrochromic layer or electrochromic glass. Furthermore, as shown in FIG1, the second controller 300 is electrically connected to the light controller 200, for example, via a general-purpose input / output (GPIO), but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0013] In this embodiment, the second controller 300 is electrically connected to the first controller 200 and the light controller 400. The second controller 300 analyzes the image IMG, and when the brightness is greater than or equal to a brightness threshold in the oncoming vehicle position of the camera field of view of the oncoming vehicle OV, it converts the coordinates of the high brightness position in the camera field of view (e.g., the position of sub-image SIMG' in the plurality of sub-images SIMG in FIG. 2B) which is greater than or equal to the brightness threshold into the high brightness position in the driver's field of view, and then controls the light controller 400 to reduce the transmittance at the high brightness position in the driver's field of view (e.g., the transmittance of sub-light controller 420' in the plurality of sub-light controllers 420 in FIG. 2D is reduced).

[0014] In this embodiment, the light controller 400 may include p×q sub-light controllers 420, where p≥2 and q≥2. For example, Figure 2D illustrates that the light controller 400 includes 4×8 sub-light controllers 420. When analyzing the image IMG, the second controller 300 (corresponding to the number of sub-light controllers 420) divides the image IMG into p×q sub-images SIMG, as shown in Figure 2B. When the standard deviation of light intensity in a sub-image SIMG exceeds the brightness threshold, the sub-light controller 420' of the sub-image SIMG' with the standard deviation of light intensity exceeding the brightness threshold is controlled to reduce the transmittance. Where, , , and , where in each sub-image SIMG, σ is the standard deviation of light intensity, b(x,y) is the light intensity at each pixel position, is the average light intensity, and n×m is the sum of the number of pixels. For example, the brightness threshold is set to the range of 200-500 cd / m².

[0015] In one embodiment, the second controller 300 binarizes the image IMG, as shown in FIG2C, and then determines whether a brightness value greater than or equal to a brightness threshold occurs in the oncoming vehicle position within the camera's field of view of the oncoming vehicle OV. For example, in FIG2A or 2B, pixels with brightness values ​​exceeding the threshold are set to 1, and pixels with brightness values ​​not exceeding the threshold are set to 0. Pixels set to 1 are displayed in black (normally 0 is displayed in black and 1 in white. However, for ease of illustration, FIG2C is presented in the opposite manner), thus generating FIG2C.

[0016] Figures 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the projection of markings of vehicles traveling in the same direction and vehicles traveling in the opposite direction onto a head-up display (HUD) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 1 and 3A and 3B, in this embodiment, the driving system 10 further includes a head-up display (HUD) 500. The HUD 500 is electrically connected to a second controller 300. The second controller 300 converts the coordinates of the same-direction vehicle (SV) and the opposite vehicle (OV) positions in the camera's field of view into the same-direction vehicle position and the opposite vehicle position in the driver's field of view, and then controls the HUD 500 to project the markings of the same-direction vehicle (SV) and the opposite vehicle (OV) onto the windshield (WS) at the same-direction vehicle position and the opposite vehicle position in the driver's field of view, as shown in Figure 3B.

[0017] In one embodiment, the head-up display 500 may be an augmented reality head-up display (AR HUD) system. The head-up display 500 may include, for example, a control unit composed of a microcontroller (MCU), a picture generation unit, and an optical engine (e.g., a projector). Furthermore, the first controller 200 and the second controller 300 may be electrically or signal-connected to the head-up display 500 via, for example, a Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) interface or a Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate (CAN-FD) interface.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3A, the head-up display 500 can project an image onto the windshield WS based on correction and storage information, navigation information, traffic object information, and vehicle information. The correction and storage information includes, for example, coordinate transformation parameters and distortion correction parameters. The navigation information includes, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation trajectory, navigation text, the vehicle's GPS location, and the vehicle's original data. The traffic object information includes, for example, vehicle information, category, lane marking information, traffic signal information, and pedestrian crossing information. The vehicle information includes, for example, vehicle speed and tire pressure.

[0019] Information from the first controller 200 includes the image IMG and information on vehicles traveling in the same direction (SV) and vehicles traveling in the opposite direction (OV). The image IMG and information on vehicles traveling in the same direction (SV) and vehicles traveling in the opposite direction (OV) can be converted to coordinates using the aforementioned correction storage information, navigation information, and traffic object information. This coordinate conversion can be performed using parameters including ARHUD distortion correction parameters, world coordinates converted to driver's field of vision coordinates, and driver's field of vision converted to HUD coordinates. A projected image is then generated through processes of drawing, color adjustment, contrast adjustment, correction compensation, and ARHUD distortion correction.

[0020] Referring again to Figure 1, in addition, the driving system 10 may also include a control panel 20. The control panel 20 is used to turn the anti-glare system on / off. The control panel 20 is, for example, an in-vehicle infotainment system panel.

[0021] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for preventing glare in a driving system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 4, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for preventing glare in a driving system, which includes the following steps: Step S10, determining whether there is an oncoming vehicle. Step S20, setting whether to enable automatic start. Step S30, determining whether to disable glare prevention. Step S40, if yes, entering glare prevention mode.

[0022] Figure 5 is a detailed flowchart of step S40 in Figure 4. Referring to Figure 5, in this embodiment, step S40 includes the following steps: Step S100, sensing the image IMG in front of the vehicle. Step S200, identifying the same-direction vehicle SV and oncoming vehicle OV in the image IMG. Step S300, analyzing the image IMG, and when the brightness of the oncoming vehicle OV in the camera's field of view is greater than or equal to a brightness threshold, converting the high-brightness position coordinates of the camera's field of view with brightness greater than or equal to the brightness threshold into a high-brightness position in the driver's field of view, and then controlling the light controller 400 to reduce the transmittance at the high-brightness position in the driver's field of view.

[0023] In this embodiment, step S40 above further includes the following steps. Step S400: Convert the coordinates of the same-direction vehicle SV and the opposite-direction vehicle position in the camera's field of view to the same-direction vehicle position and the opposite-direction vehicle position in the driver's field of view, and then control the head-up display 500 to project the markings of the same-direction vehicle SV and the opposite-direction vehicle VO on the windshield WS at the same-direction vehicle position and the opposite-direction vehicle position in the driver's field of view.

[0024] Figure 6 is a detailed flowchart of step S300 in Figure 5. Referring to Figure 6, in this embodiment, step S300 further includes the following steps: Step S320: Binarize the image IMG, and then determine whether the brightness is greater than or equal to the brightness threshold in the camera's field of view of the oncoming vehicle OV. Step S340: Divide the image IMG into p×q sub-images SIMG, and when the standard deviation of light intensity in a sub-image SIMG is greater than the brightness threshold, control the sub-light controller 420' of the corresponding sub-image SIMG' with the standard deviation of light intensity greater than the brightness threshold to reduce the transmittance.

[0025] In summary, in one embodiment of the present invention, the driving system and its anti-glare method sense the image in front of the vehicle, and then, by analyzing the image, when the brightness of the oncoming vehicle's position in the camera's field of view is greater than or equal to a brightness threshold, a coordinate transformation is performed, and then the light controller is controlled to reduce the light transmittance at the high-brightness position in the driver's field of view. Therefore, the driving system and its anti-glare method can improve visual clarity while reducing the interference of strong light on vision, thereby providing the driver with clarity in observing road conditions and the surrounding environment. By reducing sudden changes in brightness in the field of view, the driver can react more quickly to road and vehicle conditions, thereby reducing visual obstacles and misjudgments, and thus reducing the occurrence of traffic accidents. At the same time, in addition to reducing misjudgments, reducing strong light interference also reduces the mental stress caused by strong light, allowing the driver to drive more focused and calmly, thus improving driving safety. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a driving system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2A to 2D are schematic diagrams of a driving system according to an embodiment of the present invention controlling a light controller to reduce the light transmittance at high-brightness positions in the driver's field of vision. Figures 3A to 3B are schematic diagrams of a driving system according to an embodiment of the present invention controlling a head-up display to project markings of vehicles traveling in the same direction and vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for preventing glare in a driving system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a detailed flowchart of step S40 in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a detailed flowchart of step S300 in Figure 5.

Claims

1. A driving system for installation in a vehicle, comprising: A camera is used to sense the image in front of the vehicle; A first controller, electrically connected to the camera, is used to identify vehicles traveling in the same direction and oncoming vehicles in the image; a light controller is installed at the windshield of the vehicle; and a second controller, electrically connected to the first controller and the light controller, wherein the second controller analyzes the image and, when a brightness greater than or equal to a brightness threshold occurs at the oncoming vehicle's position in the camera's field of view, converts the coordinates of the high-brightness position in the camera's field of view greater than or equal to the brightness threshold to a high-brightness position in the driver's field of view, and then controls the light controller to reduce the transmittance at the high-brightness position in the driver's field of view, wherein the light controller includes p×q sub-light controllers, where p≥2 and q≥2, wherein the second controller divides the image into p×q sub-images, and, when a light intensity standard deviation in any of these sub-images exceeds the brightness threshold, controls the sub-light controller corresponding to the sub-image with the light intensity standard deviation exceeding the brightness threshold to reduce the transmittance, wherein: , , In each sub-image, σ is the standard deviation of the light intensity, b(x,y) is the light intensity at each pixel location, is the average light intensity, and n×m is the number of pixels.

2. The driving system as described in claim 1, further comprising: A head-up display is electrically connected to the second controller, wherein the second controller converts the coordinates of the same-direction vehicle position and the opposite-direction vehicle position in the camera's field of view into the same-direction vehicle position and the opposite-direction vehicle position in the driver's field of view, and then controls the head-up display to project the signs of the same-direction vehicle and the opposite-direction vehicle at the same-direction vehicle position and the opposite-direction vehicle position in the driver's field of view on the windshield.

3. The driving system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second controller binarizes the image and then determines whether a brightness greater than or equal to the brightness threshold occurs in the oncoming vehicle's position within the camera's field of view of the oncoming vehicle.

4. The driving system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light controller is an electrochromic layer or electrochromic glass.

5. A method for preventing glare in a driving system, comprising: Sensing an image of the front of a vehicle; Identify vehicles traveling in the same direction as and against the vehicle in the image; The process involves analyzing the image and, when a brightness value greater than or equal to a brightness threshold occurs in the oncoming vehicle's camera field of view at the oncoming vehicle's position, converting the coordinates of the high-brightness position in the camera field of view (where the brightness value is greater than or equal to the brightness threshold) to the high-brightness position in the driver's field of view, and then controlling a light controller to reduce the transmittance at the high-brightness position in the driver's field of view. The light controller includes p×q sub-light controllers, where p ≥ 2 and q ≥ 2. The steps of analyzing the image and, when a brightness value greater than or equal to the brightness threshold occurs in the oncoming vehicle's camera field of view at the oncoming vehicle's position, converting the coordinates of the high-brightness position in the camera field of view (where the brightness value is greater than or equal to the brightness threshold) to the high-brightness position in the driver's field of view, and then controlling the light controller to reduce the transmittance at the high-brightness position in the driver's field of view include: dividing the image into p×q sub-images, and, when a light intensity standard deviation in one of these sub-images exceeds the brightness threshold, controlling the sub-light controller corresponding to the sub-image with the light intensity standard deviation exceeding the brightness threshold to reduce the transmittance, where: , . In each sub-image, σ is the standard deviation of the light intensity, b(x,y) is the light intensity at each pixel location, is the average light intensity, and n×m is the number of pixels.

6. The method for preventing glare in a driving system as described in claim 5 further includes: The coordinates of the same-direction vehicle position and the opposite-direction vehicle position in the camera's field of view are converted into the same-direction vehicle position and the opposite-direction vehicle position in the driver's field of view. Then, a head-up display is controlled to project the signs of the same-direction vehicle and the opposite-direction vehicle at the same-direction vehicle position and the opposite-direction vehicle position in the driver's field of view on the windshield.

7. The method for preventing glare in a driving system as described in claim 5, wherein the steps of analyzing the image and, when the brightness is greater than or equal to the brightness threshold at the oncoming vehicle position in the camera's field of view of the oncoming vehicle, converting the coordinates of the high-brightness position in the camera's field of view with brightness greater than or equal to the brightness threshold to the high-brightness position in the driving field of view, and then controlling the light controller to reduce the transmittance at the high-brightness position in the driving field of view, include: The image is binarized, and then it is determined whether the brightness of the oncoming vehicle is greater than or equal to the brightness threshold in the camera's field of view of the oncoming vehicle.

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