Visible region adjustment aid for physical or virtual exterior mirrors in the vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for a vehicle for adjusting a visible region of an exterior mirror (1) or a camera monitor system equivalent to the exterior mirror (1), having a touch-sensitive configuration monitor (3), a rear view camera unit (5), and a control unit (7) which is designed to detect a user input at the configuration monitor (3) and to use same to change the visible region of the exterior mirror (1) or of the camera monitor system, and to depict an environment of the vehicle, captured by the rear view camera unit (5), on the configuration monitor (3) as a reference image, and to display, overlaid over the reference image and / or adjacent to the reference image, a visual limiting element (9), wherein the limiting element (9) marks a section of the reference image that specifies a visible region in accordance with the user input.

Description

[0001] Visibility adjustment aid for physical or virtual exterior mirrors in the vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a system for a vehicle for adjusting a field of view of an exterior mirror or a camera-monitor system equivalent to an exterior mirror, a vehicle with such a system, and a method for adjusting a field of view of an exterior mirror or a camera-monitor system equivalent to an exterior mirror of a vehicle.

[0003] Motor vehicles, such as passenger cars, are typically equipped with a device that allows the driver to view the area behind and partially to the sides of the vehicle without having to turn their gaze against the direction of travel. Conventional devices for this purpose typically use physical mirrors with reflective glass, which, when mounted outside the passenger compartment on the exterior of the vehicle, are called side mirrors.

[0004] In the prior art, when using such side mirrors, it is common to provide one or more degrees of freedom for manual or actuator-based adjustment of an orientation, for example electromechanically, in order to accommodate the individual physical characteristics of different drivers. For example, a taller driver typically requires a different orientation of a side mirror around a vehicle transverse axis than a shorter driver, since there is usually a difference in their average head height relative to the vehicle body, unless the differences in physical size can be compensated for by different seat heights of an adjustable driver's seat.While in older vehicles a side mirror can be manually adjusted by overcoming a frictional force in the side mirror's mounting, in newer generation vehicles control panels have become common, which allow input to input elements such as buttons or switches, while their electrical signal serves as a command for an actuator connected to the side mirror.

[0005] In this context, DE 10 2022 200 061 A1 relates to a method for controlling at least one actuator or switching unit by means of at least one control panel, wherein at least one setting function for the control panel is changed and / or selected, and at least one actuator or switch, which is assigned to the selected setting function, is controlled by means of an input via the control panel. In particular, a two-dimensional angle adjustment of at least one rear-view mirror or side mirror can be carried out by means of four buttons of the control panel by means of at least one selected setting function.

[0006] However, in more modern vehicles, the use of physical side mirrors with mirrored glass is increasingly being abandoned, and these are being replaced by a camera screen system.

[0007] WO 2014 / 206406 A1 concerns a mirror replacement device for a vehicle, comprising at least one camera designed to capture at least part of the vehicle's surroundings and provide a corresponding image signal. The mirror replacement device also includes an image processing unit coupled to the camera, designed to process the image signal from the at least one camera and output a processed image signal, as well as at least one display unit designed to display the processed image signal.

[0008] While the ability to adjust the orientation of a physical side mirror is necessary to compensate for the physical characteristics of different drivers as described above, it is often also desirable to adjust the field of view of a camera and the display of the field of view on a monitor to meet individual preferences regarding the field of view.

[0009] The rearward field of vision provided by an exterior mirror or a monitor replacing the exterior mirror, which is connected to a rear-facing camera on the vehicle, is subject to certain requirements, some of them legal requirements, which must be met to ensure safe observation of the surroundings by the driver. However, the ability to adjust the orientation of a side mirror also carries the risk of violating these requirements if the field of vision of an exterior mirror, or of a camera-monitor system functioning as an exterior mirror, is incorrectly adjusted.

[0010] The object of the invention is to avoid such an incorrect setting of the field of view of an external mirror or an equivalent camera-monitor system and to simplify the setting of the field of view for a user.

[0011] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments and embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] A first aspect of the invention relates to a system for a vehicle for adjusting the viewing area of ​​an exterior mirror or a camera-monitor system equivalent to an exterior mirror, comprising a touch-sensitive configuration monitor, a rear-view camera unit for capturing the rear surroundings of the vehicle, and a control unit configured to capture user input on the configuration monitor and use it to change the viewing area of ​​the exterior mirror or the camera-monitor system, as well as displaying the surroundings of the vehicle captured by the rear-view camera unit on the configuration monitor as a reference image, and superimposed on and / or adjacent to the reference image a visual boundary element that marks a current viewing area or a viewing area specified according to user input as a section of the reference image.and to display or remain undisplayed within the limits specified in the reference image for the boundary element according to specified requirements for the viewing area.

[0013] Undisplayed boundary adherence means that the boundaries are not shown on the reference image, but it prevents manual movement of the boundary element beyond the boundaries, even without them being displayed. However, they can also be displayed and adhered to in that case as well.

[0014] The limiting element displayed on the configuration monitor provides visual assistance for easily adjusting the field of view within predefined limits. For this purpose, a reference image generated by data from a rear-view camera unit is displayed on the configuration monitor. In the case of a camera-monitor system, the rear-view camera unit can display data from a side camera alone, replacing a side mirror. However, preferably, a larger reference image is shown than all the fields of view within the predefined limits could encompass. This makes it easier for the user to determine how to optimally adjust the field of view. By displaying the limits in the reference image, the user also knows how far they can adjust the field of view without violating predefined requirements such as legal regulations.The reference image must therefore cover at least such an area in the vicinity of the vehicle that all possible viewing areas within the specified limits are visible on it, so that any displacement of the boundary element within the specified limits on the reference image can take place.

[0015] In particular, the image from an external camera replacing a side mirror can be combined with the image from another reversing camera on the vehicle, allowing, for example, a virtual view through the vehicle to be displayed, at least partially. In any case, the configuration monitor provides the user with easily understandable feedback on the predefined limits in relation to the limiting element indicating the current or desired field of view, indicating the degree of flexibility available to adjust the field of view according to their personal preferences without compromising the requirements.

[0016] When using an external camera instead of a side mirror, calculating the field of view and thus placing the limiting element on the configuration monitor is simpler, as the field of view is independent of the driver's eye position. However, if a physical side mirror is used, the field of view depends on the driver's eye position. This can be estimated using standard methods or determined by sensors, such as an interior camera, interior radar, etc.

[0017] Furthermore, if an external camera replaces a side mirror, an external camera monitor must be provided, which displays the camera image from the external camera within the selected viewing area. This external camera monitor can display additional visual feedback for the user when they move the limiting element on the configuration monitor. A particularly desirable feature is feedback confirming which of the external cameras (left or right) has been selected for adjusting the viewing area. Additionally, each external camera monitor can display explicit visual feedback indicating the direction in which the viewing area is currently being moved. Furthermore, each external camera monitor can display explicit visual feedback indicating whether the user-initiated movement of the viewing area reaches one of the predefined limits.If this is the case, for example a red bar can be displayed superimposed on the edge of the outdoor camera monitor, specifically at the edge where the limit of the field of view is reached.

[0018] Further advantages of the system include the elimination of a control panel in the vehicle's door panel, compliance with mandatory predefined limits for the field of vision, and the intuitive understanding of geometric relationships created by the visual display of the limiting element for adjusting the current field of vision. This is particularly beneficial when using physical side mirrors, where a new field of vision can only be determined after reorienting the mirrors. With the system, the user can define the desired result by moving the limiting element on the configuration monitor without having to iteratively adjust the orientation of a side mirror. Information about a user-defined field of vision can also be transferred when switching between vehicles.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to stop the display of the reference image on the configuration monitor when the vehicle's current speed exceeds a predefined limit. This serves safety purposes, ensuring that adjustment of the viewing area is only permitted at low speeds, particularly below 25 km / h or 26 km / h, or values ​​below or above these example values.

[0020] According to another advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to detect a manual movement of the boundary element displayed on the configuration monitor as user input.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the limiting element comprises a frame formed from edges, wherein the edges on the configuration monitor can only be moved up to the specified limits.

[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the system serves to adjust the field of view of an exterior mirror, wherein the control unit is designed to determine a field of view expected according to user input based on an expected eye position of a driver of the vehicle and to display it on the configuration monitor by means of the limiting element, even before the actual field of view of the exterior mirror is changed according to the user input.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the system serves to adjust the viewing range of an external mirror, wherein the control unit is configured to adjust the viewing range of the external mirror in real time according to the user input and simultaneously to adjust the limiting element displayed on the configuration monitor according to the user input.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the system serves to adjust the viewing area of ​​a camera-monitor system and has a respective external camera and an external camera monitor instead of a respective physical external mirror, wherein the respective external camera and the respective external camera monitor are each connected to the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to move the limiting element in the reference image according to the user input and to display an external camera image on the external camera monitor selected by the user input for adjusting the viewing area simultaneously with the user input in the changing viewing area or to change the viewing area in the external camera monitor only after confirmation by the user to accept the user input.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to display visual feedback on the selection of the external camera monitor chosen by the user for adjusting the viewing area.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to display visual feedback on the direction on the external camera monitor, with the viewing area changing according to the user input, when the user inputs to adjust the viewing area in a direction.

[0027] Preferably, this visual feedback is displayed on such an edge of the outdoor camera monitor, with the viewing area changing according to the user input, in the direction towards which the camera is directed. For example, if the viewing area is shifted to the left, the left edge of the outdoor camera monitor can be highlighted in color.

[0028] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to indicate, upon user input to adjust the viewing area on the external camera monitor with the viewing area changing according to the user input, the reaching of the predetermined limit with a visual feedback at such an edge of the external camera monitor where the predetermined limit is reached.

[0029] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with a system as described above and below, wherein the system serves to adjust a viewing area of ​​a camera-monitor system, and has a respective external camera and an respective external camera monitor instead of a respective physical external mirror on a left and right side of the vehicle, wherein the rearview camera unit comprises the respective external camera and at least one additional rearview camera arranged on an outside of the vehicle.

[0030] By combining the information from a left and right exterior camera with that of the reversing camera, particularly one located at the rear of the vehicle, a graphically smooth transition between the exterior and reversing camera images is achieved when displaying the reference image. According to a further advantageous embodiment, a left and a right exterior camera monitor are arranged inside the vehicle to replace physical exterior mirrors, and the configuration monitor is positioned between the left and right exterior camera monitors with respect to a transverse axis of the vehicle.

[0031] Advantages and preferred further developments of the proposed vehicle result from an analogous and substantive transfer of the above statements made in connection with the proposed system.

[0032] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for adjusting the viewing area of ​​an exterior mirror or a camera-monitor system equivalent to an exterior mirror of a vehicle, wherein a control unit detects user input made on a touch-sensitive configuration monitor and uses it to change the viewing area of ​​the exterior mirror or the camera-monitor system, and a reference image from the data of a rear-view camera unit, which detects a rear environment of the vehicle, is displayed on the configuration monitor, and a visual boundary element is superimposed on and / or displayed adjacent to the reference image, which marks a current viewing area or a viewing area specified according to the user input as a section of the reference image.and wherein the reference image's specified limits for the reference image are displayed according to specified requirements for the viewing area, or are adhered to without being displayed.

[0033] Advantages and preferred further developments of the proposed procedure result from an analogous and substantive transfer of the above statements made in connection with the proposed system.

[0034] Further advantages, features and details will become apparent from the following description, in which - possibly with reference to the drawing - at least one embodiment is described in detail.

[0035] They show:

[0036] Fig. 1: A vehicle interior with a system for adjusting the field of view of exterior mirrors according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0037] Fig. 2: A vehicle interior with a system for adjusting the field of view of a camera-monitor system equivalent to exterior mirrors according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3: A vehicle with a system according to Fig. 1 from above.

[0038] Fig. 4: A configuration monitor of a system according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2.

[0039] Fig. 5: A configuration monitor and external camera monitors of a system according to Fig. 2 in a first state.

[0040] Fig. 6: A configuration monitor and external camera monitors of a system according to Fig. 2 in a second state.

[0041] Fig. 7: A method for adjusting a viewing area of ​​an external mirror or an equivalent camera-monitor system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0042] The representations in the figures are schematic and not to scale.

[0043] Fig. 1 shows the interior of a vehicle equipped with side mirrors 1. Specifically, a left side mirror 1a and a right side mirror 1b are shown. A configuration monitor 3 is located centrally in the interior and is easily accessible to the driver. A rearview camera unit 5 (not shown in Fig. 1 due to the perspective, but see Fig. 3) displays a reference image on the configuration monitor 3. This reference image shows all possible fields of view through the side mirrors 1 from the driver's perspective, as well as areas extending essentially to the rear of the vehicle and parts of the vehicle's sides. A control unit 7 is also shown, the function of which is discussed in detail in Figs. 4 to 6.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows another interior of a vehicle equipped with a camera-monitor system equivalent to the side mirrors 1 of Fig. 1. This system includes an external camera 11 and a corresponding external camera monitor 13. The image from a left external camera 11a is displayed on a left external camera monitor 13a, and the image from a right external camera 11b is displayed on a right external camera monitor 13b. A configuration monitor 3 is located centrally in the interior and is easily accessible to the driver. A rearview camera unit 5 (not shown in Fig. 1 due to the perspective, but see Fig. 3) displays a reference image on the configuration monitor 3. This reference image shows all possible fields of view through the side mirrors 1 from the driver's perspective, as well as areas extending essentially to the rear of the vehicle and parts of the vehicle's sides.Furthermore, a control unit 7 is shown, the function of which is discussed in detail in Figures 4 to 6. Figure 3 shows a vehicle from a bird's-eye view, which exemplifies the configuration with physical side mirrors 1. The reversing camera unit 5 is composed of several individual cameras: Firstly, cameras are arranged in the side mirrors 1, i.e., in the left side mirror 1a and the right side mirror 1b, but a further reversing camera is also part of the reversing camera unit 5, which is arranged at another location on the exterior of the vehicle. Therefore, the configuration monitor 3, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, can display not only an image of a selected side mirror 1, i.e.,The image displayed is not shown in the left side mirror 1a or optionally in the right side mirror 1b, but rather this displayed image is augmented by the image from the reversing camera, thus providing the user with a better understanding of their input and its effect on otherwise obscured areas. The reference image is therefore composed of at least one image each from the cameras in the left side mirror 1a and the right side mirror 1b, and the image from the reversing camera unit 5.

[0045] Fig. 4 shows a configuration monitor 3, which is controlled by the control unit 7 (see Figs. 1 to 2). A frame-shaped boundary element 9 is displayed on the configuration monitor 3, and, indicated in Fig. 4 by dotted lines, predefined limits are shown within which the boundary element 9 can be moved by user input. As an example, Fig. 4 shows the image of the left side mirror 1a on the configuration monitor 3, in which parts of the vehicle's side wall are still visible and the field of vision is essentially directed towards the road beside and behind the vehicle. The configuration monitor 3 is a touch-sensitive screen on which this boundary element 9 is movable by touch and movement. This movement of the boundary element 9 simultaneously provides a command to the control unit 7 to define a field of view of an exterior mirror 1 (see variant Fig. 1).1) or a camera-monitor system equivalent to exterior mirrors 1 (see variant Fig. 2) according to the user's wishes. If the configuration monitor 3 is used in the variant with exterior mirrors 1 (see variant Fig. 1), the movement of the limiting element 9 can display a preview image of the field of view through a selected exterior mirror 1, and the control unit 7 changes the orientation of a respective exterior mirror 1 after confirmation by the user. Alternatively, the orientation can be changed in real time by the control unit 7 together with the movement of the limiting element 9, so that the user can verify the displayed field of view using the limiting element 9 by actually looking into a respective exterior mirror 1.The latter variant is helpful insofar as the display of the limiting element 9 is based on an expected eye position of the driver, which is determined in real time, for example, by an interior camera inside the vehicle. On the other hand, the first variant of the initial subsequent orientation change is gentler on an actuator that adjusts a side mirror 1; rather, by moving the limiting element 9 arbitrarily within its boundaries, the desired field of view can first be optimized before the selected side mirror 1 needs to be moved.

[0046] Fig. 5 shows an arrangement of a central configuration monitor 3 and two external camera monitors 13, a left external camera monitor 13a and a right external camera monitor 13b. This arrangement is therefore used for a configuration corresponding to Fig. 2 without actual external mirrors 1. In Fig. 5, an example user input is made by a user on the configuration monitor 3, who first selects the unit consisting of the left external camera monitor 13a and the left external camera 11a in order to change its field of view. Therefore, a colored frame is displayed on the screen of the left external camera monitor 13a, but not on the screen of the right external camera monitor 13b. This provides the user with feedback that the left field of view is being adjusted by means of the subsequent user inputs on the configuration monitor 3.When the driver selects a side to adjust the field of view, not only does the reference image appear on the configuration monitor, but also a colored frame briefly appears around the displayed image on the external camera monitor 13 selected for adjusting the field of view, confirming that it has been selected and is now awaiting user input with directional commands. Additionally, a colored frame on the configuration monitor visualizes the maximum displayable field of view for the driver.

[0047] Fig. 6 shows the same arrangement as in Fig. 5, but in a later state. After the left external camera monitor 13a has already been selected, the desired field of view on the left side of the vehicle is set by manually changing the position of the limiting element 9 on the configuration monitor 3. As already sketched on the configuration monitor 3 in Fig. 6, in this situation, the limiting element 9 reaches a left boundary that it cannot and must not cross. Corresponding to this left boundary, visual feedback is displayed on the left edge of the external camera monitor 13b, for example, in red. The limiting element 9 remains in its position when it reaches the left of the predefined boundaries, even if the driver attempts to move it further to the left. The field of view is therefore not shifted further.

[0048] Fig. 7 shows a method for adjusting the viewing range of an exterior mirror 1 or a camera-monitor system equivalent to the exterior mirror 1 of a vehicle, wherein a control unit 7 detects user input S1 made on a touch-sensitive configuration monitor 3 and uses it to change the viewing range of the exterior mirror 1 or the camera-monitor system S2, and a reference image from the data of a rear-view camera unit 5, which detects a rear environment of the vehicle, is displayed on the configuration monitor 3 S3, and a visual limiting element 9 is superimposed on and / or adjacent to the reference image S4, wherein the limiting element 9 marks such a section of the reference image that indicates a viewing range according to the user input, and predefined limits for the reference image are displayed in the reference image according to predefined requirements for the viewing range S5.

[0049] Although the invention has been further illustrated and explained in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived from them by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that the embodiments mentioned as examples are truly only examples and are not to be understood in any way as limiting, for example, the scope of protection, the possible applications, or the configuration of the invention.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without leaving the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

Claims

Patent claims 1. System for a vehicle for adjusting the viewing range of an exterior mirror (1) or a camera-monitor system equivalent to an exterior mirror (1), comprising a touch-sensitive configuration monitor (3), a rear-view camera unit (5) for capturing the rear surroundings of the vehicle, and a control unit (7) configured to receive user input on the configuration monitor (3) and use it to change the viewing range of the exterior mirror (1) or the camera-monitor system, and to display the surroundings of the vehicle captured by the rear-view camera unit (5) on the configuration monitor (3) as a reference image, and to display a visual boundary element (9) superimposed on and / or adjacent to the reference image, which marks a current viewing range or a viewing range specified by the user input as a section of the reference image.and to display or remain within the limits specified in the reference image for the limiting element (9) according to specified requirements for the viewing area.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (7) is configured to detect a manual movement of the boundary element (9) displayed on the configuration monitor (3) as user input.

3. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the limiting element (9) comprises a frame formed from edges, wherein the edges on the configuration monitor (3) are only movable up to the specified limits.

4. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the system serves to adjust a field of view of an external mirror (1), wherein the control unit (7) is configured to determine a field of view expected according to user input based on an expected eye position of a driver of the vehicle and to display it on the configuration monitor (3) by means of the limiting element (9) before the actual field of view of the external mirror (1) is changed according to the user input.

5. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the system is used to adjust the viewing range of an external mirror (1), wherein the control unit (7) is configured to adjust the viewing range of the external mirror (1) in real time according to the user input and simultaneously to adjust the limiting element (9) displayed on the configuration monitor (3) according to the user input.

6. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the system serves to adjust a viewing area of ​​a camera-monitor system, and has a respective external camera (11) and a respective external camera monitor (13) instead of a respective physical external mirror (1), wherein the respective external camera (11) and the respective external camera monitor (13) are each connected to the control unit (7), wherein the control unit (7) is configured to move the limiting element (9) in the reference image according to the user input and to display an external camera image on the external camera monitor (13) selected by the user input for adjusting the viewing area simultaneously with the user input in the changing viewing area or to change the viewing area in the external camera monitor (13) only after confirmation by the user to accept the user input.

7. System according to claim 6, wherein the control unit (7) is configured to display visual feedback on the selection of the external camera monitor (13) selected by the user input for adjusting the viewing area.

8. System according to one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the control unit (7) is configured to display, upon user input to adjust the viewing area in a direction, visual feedback about the direction on the external camera monitor (13) with the viewing area changing according to the user input.

9. System according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the control unit (7) is configured to provide visual feedback at such an edge of the external camera monitor (13) where the specified limit is reached, upon user input to adjust the viewing area on the external camera monitor (13) with the viewing area changing according to the user input, to represent.

10. Vehicle with a system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system serves to adjust a viewing area of ​​a camera-monitor system, and has a respective external camera (11) and a respective external camera monitor (13) instead of a respective physical external mirror (1) on a left and a right side of the vehicle, wherein the rearview camera unit (5) comprises the respective external camera (11) and at least one additional rearview camera arranged on an outside of the vehicle.

11. Method for adjusting the viewing range of an external mirror (1) or a camera-monitor system equivalent to the external mirror (1) of a vehicle, wherein a control unit (7) detects (S1) a user input made on a touch-sensitive configuration monitor (3) and uses it to change the viewing range of the external mirror (1) or the camera-monitor system (S2), and a reference image from the data of a rear-view camera unit (5) which detects a rear environment of the vehicle is displayed on the configuration monitor (3) (S3), and a visual limiting element (9) is superimposed on and / or adjacent to the reference image (S4), which marks a current viewing range or a viewing range specified according to the user input as a section of the reference image,and wherein the reference image's specified limits for the reference image are displayed according to specified requirements for the viewing area or are adhered to without being displayed (S5).

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