FR3064439A1 - VIDEO RETROVISION DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Description

Holder (s): DAV Simplified joint stock company.

Extension request (s)

Agent (s): VALEO COMFORT AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE.

(54 / VIDEO REVIEW DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE.

FR 3 064 439 - A1 (5 // The invention relates to a video rearview device (1) comprising at least one video image capture means (30), configured to capture images of part of the environment (38) outside a motor vehicle (10), and display means (40) of images representing an observation area of said environment (38). The invention is characterized in that the device video rearview unit (1) comprises means for measuring (62, 64) the direction of gaze of the driver (20) and means for moving (64) the observation area (36) displayed by the display means (40), depending at least on the direction measured by the driver's gaze.

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Video rearview device for motor vehicle

Technical field to which the invention relates

The invention relates generally to the field of video rearview for a motor vehicle.

It more particularly relates to a video rearview device for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one image capture means configured to capture images of part of the environment outside the motor vehicle, and means for display of at least part of said images, representing an observation area of said environment.

It also relates to a method for controlling such a device. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

In the automotive field, the rearview is traditionally provided by a central mirror and a couple of side mirrors. However, it is known to replace at least part of these elements with a video rearview device, provided with electronic means, associating video cameras with one or more video screens arranged inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

The use of these video rearview devices has made it possible to replace traditional mirror mirrors, present on the outside of the motor vehicle, by small footprint video cameras. The aerodynamics of motor vehicles have thus been improved, making it possible to significantly increase their range and significantly reduce their noise level when traveling.

Another advantage is that the camera optics allow drivers to monitor much larger viewing areas of a landscape behind them and eliminate the blind spots of traditional mirror mirrors. In addition, video image processing software provides sharper and more precise viewing area images regardless of weather conditions.

For this, the cameras are rigidly fixed to the outside of motor vehicles so that their observation zone does not deviate over time: the camera observation zone is therefore frozen. However, with a traditional rear view mirror, a driver is used to being able to move the observation area quickly and intuitively, by shifting his head, in order to modify his angle of vision in the mirror of the rear view mirror. This is not possible with the currently available rearview devices.

Object of the invention

In order to remedy the abovementioned drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention provides a video rearview device for a motor vehicle, in which it is possible to vary the observation area displayed by the device, depending on the behavior of the driver.

For this, the video retrovision device comprises at least one image capture means, configured to capture images of part of the environment outside the motor vehicle, and means for displaying a part at least said images, representing an observation area of said environment. The invention is characterized in that the rearview device further comprises means for measuring the direction of the driver's gaze and means for moving the observation area displayed by the display means, depending at least on the direction measured by the driver's gaze.

When a vehicle was fitted with a mirror and the driver wished to change the angle of view he had of the environment through this mirror, he only had to move his head slightly to the left, or to the right, or by raising or lowering it.

The invention proposes to control the retrovision device in a similar manner, so as to adjust the observation area of the environment displayed as a function of the driver's head movements.

The invention advantageously allows the driver of a motor vehicle to select, by a simple glance, the means of capturing images, then to move the observation zone by a simple movement of the head. Thus, the driver does not have to search for the command for selecting the capture means at the cockpit level, a command whose position can vary from one model to another of a motor vehicle.

Therefore, the invention allows a driver familiar or not with the vehicle, to instinctively select the image capture means of which he wishes to modify the observation area, displayed by the display means, to adjust according to preferences and quickly said viewing area.

This means that the driver no longer needs to remove a hand from the steering wheel of the vehicle to perform this operation. This is why the invention also provides a rearview device which is safer to use and accessible to a larger number of drivers, in particular for drivers who can only use one hand to drive.

Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of the device according to the invention are as follows:

- The displacement means are configured to move the observation area, displayed by the display means, only when the measurement means detect that the direction of the driver's gaze is turned towards the display means;

- the measurement means are configured to measure the position of the head of the driver of the motor vehicle and in which the displacement means are configured to move the observation area as a function of the position of the driver's head;

- The displacement means are configured to move the observation area, displayed by the display means, in a direction opposite to the movement of the head detected by the measurement means;

- The displacement means are configured to move the observation area, displayed by the display means, in proportion to the movement of the head detected by the measurement means;

- Means are provided for acquiring and processing a voice command issued by the driver and in which the movement means are configured to move the observation area, displayed by the display means, also as a function of said voice command;

the displacement means comprise a calculation unit configured to select, on each image captured by the image capture means, the observation area, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the observation area to the means of display;

- at least one support adapted to support said image capturing means;

- The image capture means are mounted mobile on the support with at least one degree of freedom in pivoting, preferably with two degrees of freedom in pivoting, and in which the displacement means comprise a motorization of each degree of freedom;

- The image capture means is a sensitive video camera in the field of wavelengths visible to the driver and / or in the infrared field.

The invention also relates to a rearview method for a motor vehicle capable of being driven by a driver, the method being implemented by one of the devices described above and in that it comprises the following successive steps:

- identification, by the measuring means, of the direction of the driver's gaze, then, if the driver's gaze is turned towards the display means;

- identification, by the measuring means, of a movement of the driver's head relative to the display means; and

- displacement, by the displacement means, of the observation area displayed by the display means as a function of the identified movement of the driver's head.

According to an alternative embodiment, there is further provided a step of acquiring and processing a voice command issued by the driver, and in which, during the displacement step, the observation area displayed by the means of The display is also shifted depending on the voice command issued by the driver.

Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment

The description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be carried out.

In the accompanying drawings:

- Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a top view of a motor vehicle device comprising a rear view device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a front view of a rearview device according to the first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a top view of the rear view device shown in Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a top view of the rear view device shown in Figure 2, when the driver moves his head;

- Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a top view of a rear view device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a front view of a rearview device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

In FIGS. 1 to 3 is shown a first example of a video rearview device 1 for a motor vehicle 10 which is capable of being driven by a driver 20.

The rearview device 1 comprises a video image capture means 30, sensitive in the field of wavelengths visible to the driver

20. According to the present example, the image capture means is an outdoor video camera 32.

The outdoor camera 32 is connected to display means 40, capable of being taken on board the motor vehicle 10, to allow its driver 20 to view in real time the images captured by the outdoor camera 32. By the term "connected >>, we mean here the possibility for two entities to exchange information, directly or via an electronic unit 64. The entities can be connected by a physical link such as one or more conductive wires or, preferably, by a wireless link 33 of the “WIFI” or “Bluetooth” type as shown in the figures.

The display means 40 comprise for example a screen 42. By way of example, it may be a liquid crystal screen (or LCD for Liquid Crystal Display) with thin film transistors (or TFT for Thin- Film Transistor).

The retrovision device 1 also comprises a support 50 adapted to support the outdoor camera 32. According to the present example shown in FIG. 2, the support 50 comprises an arm 52 comprising, at a first end 54, fixing means 55 to the chassis or body of the motor vehicle 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the arm 52 maintains, at a second end 56, the outdoor camera 32 so that it is oriented towards the rear 12 of the vehicle to view an observation area 36 corresponding to a part of the environment 38 located on the side and behind the driver 20.

As shown in Figure 2, the support 50 comprises a motorized pivot means 58. This pivoting means 58 forms a mechanical connection configured to rotate the outdoor camera 32 relative to the arm 52. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the arm is fixed to a vehicle, the pivoting means makes it possible to modify the angle of the outdoor camera 32 so as to move its field of vision 34 along part of the environment 38 located behind the conductor 10. The outdoor camera 32 can thus capture video images corresponding to different areas of environmental observation 36 38.

According to the present example illustrated in FIG. 2, the pivoting means 58 is a mechanical connection of the ball joint type, allowing the outdoor camera 32 to pivot around a first vertical axis 58A and a second horizontal axis 58B. Preferably, the arm 52 is fixed to the motor vehicle 10 so that the first and second axes are normal or substantially normal to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A longitudinal axis of the vehicle is understood here as an axis parallel or substantially parallel to the movement of the vehicle along a rectilinear trajectory.

As shown in Figure 2, the rearview device 1 also includes measuring means 60 capable of determining the direction of the driver's gaze and the position of the driver's head.

Here, these measurement means are suitable for filming the conductor. For this, the measurement means 60 comprise a detection camera 62. As shown in FIG. 3, the detection camera 62 is oriented towards the top of the driver's seat 21 so as to be able to film, in real time, the head 22 of the driver 20, in particular when the latter is looking at the screen 42.

According to the present example shown in FIG. 3, the field of vision 63 of the detection camera 62 is wide enough so that the driver's head 22 can be filmed regardless of the size or position of the driver on the driver's seat 21. The detection camera 62 is connected to an electronic unit 64, for example via a wireless link 33, to allow the transmission of the images captured by the camera to said unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic unit 64 comprises a computer 641 and storage means 642. The storage means comprise a first software 643 for processing the video images captured by the detection camera 62. This first software 643 is a software of the facial recognition type, making it possible to measure the direction of the driver's gaze 24 and to detect when the driver's gaze is turned towards the screen 42. The storage means 642 also comprise a second software 644 of the facial recognition type, making it possible to measuring the displacement of the driver's head 22 relative to the screen 42. The computer 641 processes the video images coming from the detection camera 62, using software 643 and 644, so as to be able to detect in real time when the driver looks at the screen 42 and measure a displacement of the head of the driver with respect to said screen.

The electronic unit 64 is connected, via the wireless link 33, to the motorized pivoting means 58, so that the pivoting of the outdoor camera 32 can be controlled as a function of the measurements made by the computer 641 using first and second software. More specifically, the computer is configured to control by means of motorized pivot 58 to pivot the angle of the outdoor camera 32 when the driver looks at the screen 42 and when he moves his head.

The aim is to ensure that the image displayed on screen 42 is equivalent to that which would be seen by the driver if the vehicle were fitted with conventional mirror mirrors. More precisely, the habit of a driver being to raise his head so that the image of the environment which he sees through a mirror shifts downward, the invention proposes to shift downward the environment observation zone 36 which is displayed on the screen 42 when an upward movement of the driver's head is detected.

To shift the observation area 36, the mobility of the outdoor camera 32 is used here.

The pivoting movement of the outdoor camera 32 is preferably proportional and in the opposite direction to the movement of movement of the driver's head as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Thus, the driver 20 can advantageously adjust the orientation of the outdoor camera 32 with a simple movement of the head so that the outdoor camera 32 pivots and films an observation area 36 slightly offset from the environment 38 located behind the driver. Therefore, each driver can quickly and intuitively adjust the area observed by the outdoor camera 32 and displayed by the screen 42, in order to improve or change his angle of vision of the environment 38.

According to the invention, this movement of the outdoor camera 32 is controlled on the condition that the driver looks at the screen 42, so as to avoid unnecessary movements of this camera.

In Figure 5 is shown a second embodiment of a video 2 rearview device according to the invention. This second example differs from the first, in that the support 50 does not include motorized pivot means 58. Instead, the outdoor camera 32 includes a wide-angle lens 39, of the "fisheye type", allowing the camera to have a wider field of view angle 34 than previously. The images captured by the outdoor camera 32 are transmitted to the electronic unit 64 described above via a wireless link 33. In this second mode, the storage means 642 comprise a third software 645 for image processing , configured to select a portion of each video image acquired by the outdoor camera 32 in order to display it on the screen 42, said portion corresponding to the “observation area 36”. The observation area 36 is then transmitted to the video screen 42 via the wireless link 33. According to the invention, the observation area 36 can be moved in each image acquired by the outdoor camera 32 by function of the head movement detected by the detection camera 62, when the driver looks at the screen 42. This embodiment advantageously makes it possible to prevent any breakdown affecting the motorized pivoting means 58, mentioned in the first example above, in order to offer a safer to use and more economical manufacturing system.

It will be noted here that the first two embodiments could be combined.

In Figure 6 is shown a third embodiment of a rearview device 3 according to the invention. This third example differs in particular from the first example in that the electronic unit 64 comprises a microphone 68 configured to detect a voice command issued by the driver and transmit said command to the computer 641. The voice command is subsequently processed using of a fourth software 646 for processing, memorized by the storage means 642. More specifically, this fourth software 646 is configured to allow the pivoting of the motorized pivot means 58, as a function of a voice command sent by the driver 20 when the driver looks at the outdoor camera 32.

For example, when the driver says "rear view mirror to the left", it is possible to control the pivoting of the outdoor camera to the left.

Now, various embodiments of the embodiments described above are presented. Each of these variants can be combined with other variants in order to form new embodiments which are not explicitly described below.

According to a first variant, the outdoor camera 32 can be a sensitive video camera in the infrared range in order in particular to allow better night vision of the landscape behind the driver.

According to a second variant, the detection camera 62 can comprise an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver sensitive to the waves emitted by the transmitter. The transmitter is configured to send an infrared beam towards the driver, part of which is reflected by the driver's face towards the receiver. The use of infrared light helps to identify the position of the driver's head and pupils. From the measurements of the receiver, the camera 62 communicates an infrared image of the driver's face to the electronic unit 64.

According to a third variant, the detection camera 62 can be integrated into the screen 42. It thus becomes easier to know whether the driver is looking towards the screen 42 or not. As a variant, the detection camera 62 can be placed at the driver's seat.

According to a fourth variant, the electronic unit 64 can be integrated into the display means 40 or into the driving position of the vehicle.

In the embodiments described above, the electronic unit is distinct from the electronic units fitted to the screen 42, the outdoor camera 32 and the detection camera 62 and it is suitable for communicating with these. Alternatively, it could consist of one and / or the other of these electronic units.

According to a fifth variant, an embodiment described above can be duplicated so as to allow the driver to view several viewing areas of the same landscape. For this, two cameras 32 can be placed on each side of the vehicle, like the traditional mirror mirrors present on the outside of a motor vehicle, and each screen can be associated with a screen 42. Optionally, only one detection camera 62 and a single electronic unit 64 can be used to detect the gaze and a head movement 22 of the conductor 20 as described above.

The present invention also relates to a rearview method for a motor vehicle capable of being driven by a driver, the method being implemented by one of the devices described above.

During a first step of implementing the retrovision method, by the first embodiment of the device described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the measurement means 60 identify the direction of gaze of the driver in time real, via the detection camera 62. During a second step, if the driver's gaze is turned towards the screen 42, the measurement means 60 seek to detect a possible translational movement of the head of the conductor 20 relative to the screen 42. During a third step, if a head movement is detected, the measuring means 60 control the pivoting of the motorized pivot means 58 in a direction opposite to the detected head movement .

For example, when the driver shifts his head laterally to his left with respect to the screen 42, the measurement means 60 control the pivot means 58 to turn the field of vision 34 of the outdoor camera 32 to the right, so moving the observation area 36 visible on the screen 42 in a direction opposite to the head movement of the driver.

According to another example, when the driver shifts his head vertically with respect to the screen 42, downwards, the measurement means 60 command the pivoting means 58 to raise the field of vision 34 of the outdoor camera 32, so as to move the observation area 36 visible on the screen 42 upwards.

During a fourth and final step, the measuring means 60 control either the stopping of the pivoting means 58 when the driver turns his gaze from the screen 42, or the return of the pivoting means 58 to the initial position.

In the case of the second embodiment of the retrovision device described above with reference to FIG. 5, the third step may be substituted by a step of selection by the computer 641, of a part of each video image acquired by the outdoor camera 32, provided with a wide-angle lens 39, as a function of the driver's head movement.

For example, when the driver shifts his head laterally to his left relative to the screen 42, the selected part of the image is shifted to the right, so as to move the observation area 36 visible on the screen 42 in a direction opposite to the driver's head movement.

In the case of the third embodiment described above, the third step may be replaced or supplemented by a pivoting step of the motorized pivoting means 52, depending on the oral command issued by the driver 20.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the detection camera 62 could be used, when starting the vehicle, to orient the outdoor camera 32 in an initial direction suitable for the driver. More specifically, the computer could calibrate the orientation of the outdoor camera 32 in a position suitable for the driver, when the latter is looking for the first time towards the screen, taking into account the position of the driver's head in the vehicle.

Claims (11)

1. Video rearview device (1, 2, 3) for a motor vehicle (10), comprising: - at least one image capture means (30) configured to capture images of part of the environment (38) outside the motor vehicle (10), and - display means (40) of at least part of said images, representing an observation area (36) of said environment (38), characterized in that the rearview device (1,2, 3) comprises: means for measuring (62, 64) the direction of gaze (24) of the driver (20), and - displacement means (58, 64) of the observation zone (36) displayed by the display means (40), as a function at least of the measured direction of the look (24) of the driver (20). 2. rear view device (1, 2, 3) according to claim 1, wherein the movement means (58, 64) are configured to move the observation area (36) displayed by the display means (40) only when the measuring means (62, 64) detect that the direction of gaze of the conductor (20) is turned towards the display means (40). 3. rear view device (1, 2, 3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measuring means (62, 64) are configured to measure the position of the head (22) of the driver (20) of the motor vehicle (10) and in which the displacement means (58, 64) are configured to move the observation area (36) according to the position of the head (22) of the conductor (20). 4. Rearview device (1, 2, 3) according to claim 3, wherein the movement means (58, 64) are configured to move the observation area (36), displayed by the display means (40 ), in a direction opposite to the movement of the head (22) of the conductor detected by the measuring means (62, 64). 5. retrovision device (1, 2, 3) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the displacement means (58, 64) are configured to move the observation area (36), displayed by the display means (40), in proportion to the movement of the head (22) of the conductor, detected by the measuring means (62). 6. Rear view device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, in which there are provided means for acquiring (68) and processing (646) a voice command issued by the driver (20) of the motor vehicle. (10) and in which the movement means (58, 64) are configured to move the observation area (36), displayed by the display means (40), also as a function of said voice command. 7. Rearview device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the displacement means (62, 64) comprise: a calculation unit (641) configured to select, on each image captured by the image capture means (30?), the observation area (36), and - a transmission unit configured to transmit the observation area (36) to the display means (40). 8. retrovision device (1, 2, 3) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one support (50) on which the image capture means are mounted mobile with at least one degree of freedom in pivoting, and in which the displacement means (62, 64) comprise a motorization of each degree of freedom. 9. A rearview device (1, 2, 3) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the image capturing means is a video camera (32) sensitive in the range of wavelengths visible to the conductor of the motor vehicle (10) and / or in the infrared field. 10. Method for controlling a rear view device (1, 2, 3) which is in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps: - identification, by the measuring means (62, 64), of the direction of the driver's gaze (24), then, if the driver's gaze is turned towards the display means (40), - identification, by the measuring means (62, 64), of a movement of the head (22) of the driver relative to the display means (40), and - displacement, by the displacement means (58, 64), of the observation area (36) displayed by the display means (40) as a function of the identified movement of the head (22) of the driver. 11. A piloting method according to the preceding claim, in which there is further provided a step of acquiring and processing a voice command issued by the driver (20), and in which, in the displacement step, the observation area (36) displayed by the display means (40) is moved in 5 also a function of the voice command issued by the driver (20). 1/3 Vx z 58A P 1 I 1 I 1 I 1 I I 1 I I 1 I I I I 1 I I