JP2005297761A - In-vehicle camera video transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

An in-vehicle camera video transmission system in which a communication method for connecting an imaging camera and a display device can be easily changed is provided.
A communication method (wired communication or wireless communication) used for communication between a receiving device 13 and each imaging camera 11a to 11d can be appropriately changed without affecting the configuration of the camera control device 12. ing. When the cable 140 is connected to the connector 132, the signal switching devices 161a to 161d are switched to select wired communication. When the cable 140 is not connected to the connector 132, the signal switching devices 161a to 161d are switched. Thus, the receiver 162 and the antenna 164 are selected, and wireless communication is selected.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle camera video transmission system mainly mounted in an automobile.

  In an automobile, as shown in FIG. 8, the traveling direction and other surrounding scenery are imaged by an imaging camera 1 using a CCD imaging device or the like, and an image captured by the imaging camera 1 is an instrument in a vehicle interior. The display is performed on the display device 3 installed on a panel or the like. In this case, the imaging camera 1 and the display device 3 are connected by a predetermined cable 5, and an image from the imaging camera 1 is given to the display device 3 by flowing a video signal through the cable 5.

  As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a technique for performing wireless communication between the imaging camera 1 and the display device 3 is also disclosed.

JP 2001-301538 A

  In general, an automobile is equipped not only with an electric system but also with many parts of an engine system and a cooling system. Many of these components are appropriately arranged at optimal positions for weight balance and functional efficiency. In such an automobile, when the imaging camera 1 and the display device 3 are connected by the cable 5, the arrangement of the cable 5 is restricted by the layout of many vehicle parts. For example, when the imaging camera 1 is installed at the front end of an automobile, various vehicle parts such as an engine mechanism are usually mounted between the front end of the automobile and the passenger compartment. The arrangement of the cable 5 is restricted.

  By the way, in order to reduce the cost by mass production, it is necessary to standardize the imaging camera 1 and the display device 3, and such a standardized imaging camera 1 and display device 3 are mounted on automobiles of various vehicle types. In this case, as described above, depending on the layout of the vehicle parts, there are cases where the cable 5 is easily routed and difficult. That is, the cable 5 that connects the imaging camera 1 and the display device 3 is usually a bundle of three wires, a power supply wire, a ground wire, and a video signal wire, which are shielded and covered. The cable 5 is formed with a wire having a certain thickness. In this case, since there is a certain limit in reducing the curvature radius, it may be difficult to bend the cable 5 while avoiding the vehicle parts optimally arranged for a desired purpose.

  Also, depending on the automobile, as shown in FIG. 9, there are cases where a plurality of imaging cameras 1 a to 1 d are installed and images obtained by the respective imaging cameras 1 a to 1 d are desired to be displayed on the display device 3 in the vehicle interior. In this case, due to the problem of interference with other vehicle parts, some of the imaging cameras 1a to 1d can be easily wired with the cables 5a to 5d, but the other imaging cameras 1a to 1d May occur when it becomes difficult to make a wired connection with the cables 5a to 5d. That is, even in a single automobile, it may be difficult to wire-connect some of the imaging cameras 1a to 1d to the display device 3.

  On the other hand, when performing wireless communication as in Patent Document 1, there is also a problem of how to remove externally mixed electromagnetic noise, so that the quality of the transmitted signal is maintained while preventing the mixing of electromagnetic noise. If there is a part where electromagnetic shielding is difficult to be performed, it may be difficult to perform wireless communication in general. In particular, depending on the layout of the vehicle parts, it may be difficult to form a waveguide serving as a radio wave path. In this case, the use of the cable 5 may be desirable. Furthermore, in order to change the installation position of the imaging cameras 1a to 1d, or to change the design of the automobile in which the imaging cameras 1a to 1d are installed (or to change the mounted vehicle type), the imaging cameras 1a to 1d are displayed. There is a case where it is requested to change the communication method for connecting to the device 3. However, in the conventional technique, when the communication method is changed, it is necessary to greatly change the configurations of the imaging cameras 1a to 1d and the display device 3.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle camera video transmission system in which it is easy to change a communication method for connecting an imaging camera and a display device.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 is directed to an in-vehicle camera video transmission for performing data transmission between an imaging means for imaging the surroundings of an automobile and an imaging control means for receiving a video signal of the imaging means. The system includes a repeater connected to the imaging control means, and the repeater connects a transmission line component serving as a signal transmission medium to and from the imaging means, and the imaging means The connection between the wireless communication means for performing wireless communication and the imaging control means is switched between the connector and the wireless communication means, and the communication method between the imaging means is either wired communication or wireless communication. And setting means for setting.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the in-vehicle camera video transmission system according to the first aspect, the repeater further includes a detection unit that detects connection of the transmission line component to the connector, and the setting unit includes: The communication method is set to either wired communication or wireless communication based on the detection result of the detecting means.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the in-vehicle camera video transmission system according to the second aspect, wherein a plurality of the imaging means are provided, and the repeater corresponds to each of the plurality of the imaging means, and When one connector, the detection means, and the setting means are provided, and each of the plurality of detection means detects the connection of the transmission line component to the connector corresponding to the detection means, The setting means corresponding to the detection means sets the connection with the imaging control means to the connector corresponding to each detection means, and the communication method with each imaging means corresponding to each detection means is wired communication. It is characterized by setting to.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the in-vehicle camera video transmission system according to the third aspect of the present invention, the wireless communication means is provided only in a single unit, and the wireless communication means outputs an image output by a plurality of the imaging means. A signal can be acquired.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the in-vehicle camera video transmission system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the repeater further includes an output terminal for outputting a video signal acquired from the imaging means, The output terminal can be detachably fitted to the input terminal formed in the imaging control means.

  According to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the detecting means detects whether or not the transmission line component is connected to the connector, and either wired communication or wireless communication is selected based on the detection result. Therefore, the communication method between the image pickup unit and the image pickup control unit can be easily changed without changing the configuration of the image pickup control unit according to the communication method.

  According to invention of Claim 3 or Claim 4, the combination of the communication system between several imaging means and an imaging control means can be changed easily.

  According to the invention of claim 4, since only one wireless communication means is provided, the communication means can be reduced in size.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the communication means and the imaging control means can be attached and detached, the communication method can be changed by changing the communication means without affecting the imaging control means.

○ Schematic configuration of in-vehicle camera video transmission system installed in automobiles;
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an automobile AM on which the in-vehicle camera video transmission system 10 according to the embodiment is mounted as viewed from above. Below, the outline | summary of the vehicle-mounted camera video transmission system 10 is demonstrated, referring FIG.

  For example, four imaging cameras 11a to 11d for imaging the surroundings are installed in the automobile AM. The imaging cameras 11a to 11d are installed in a front end portion, a rear end portion, a left side mirror, and a right side mirror, respectively, of an automobile. The imaging cameras 11a to 11d respectively output, for example, images of the front or front left / right, rear, left lower part, and right lower part of the automobile.

  Further, the car AM is provided with a camera control device 12 that controls the imaging cameras 11a to 11d. The camera control device 12 can communicate with the imaging cameras 11a to 11d via a receiving device 13 that is a repeater. The camera control device 12 communicates with the imaging cameras 11a to 11d to acquire video signals output from the imaging cameras 11a to 11d and output them to the liquid crystal display 15 that is a video display device. Note that the camera control device 12 may be able to send control signals to the imaging cameras 11a to 11d so that the camera control device 12 can execute on / off control and imaging parameter control of the imaging cameras 11a to 11d. Communication between the receiving device 13 and the imaging cameras 11a to 11d is performed using either wired communication using transmission line components or wireless communication using electromagnetic interaction. A typical example of the “transmission line component” here is a cable for electrical connection, and preferably a cable having noise resistance such as a shielded wire or a coaxial cable. In the following, a general cable is used as the transmission line component in which three wires of a power supply wire, a ground wire, and a video signal wire are bundled and shielded to cover them. The explanation will be made assuming that For wireless communication, for example, 2.4 GHz band electromagnetic waves subjected to various digital modulations are used.

  In FIG. 1, communication between the imaging camera 11a and the receiving device 13 is performed using wireless communication. On the other hand, communication between the imaging cameras 11b to 11d and the receiving device 13 is performed using wired communication.

  In the above description, the number of installed imaging cameras is four. However, the number of installed imaging cameras is not limited, and may be three or less or five or more. In addition, the communication method (wired communication or wireless communication) used for communication between the reception device 13 and each of the imaging cameras 11 a to 11 d can be changed as appropriate without affecting the configuration of the camera control device 12. Therefore, even if it becomes necessary to change the communication method by changing the design of the vehicle AM, changing the vehicle model of the in-vehicle camera video transmission system 10 or changing the installation positions of the imaging cameras 11a to 11d, the communication method can be easily changed. ing. That is, by adopting this in-vehicle camera video transmission system 10, the degree of freedom of the design of the automobile, the type of vehicle mounted, the installation position of the imaging camera, etc. is improved.

○ Mechanism configuration of in-vehicle camera video transmission system;
2 to 5, imaging cameras (hereinafter abbreviated as “wired connection imaging cameras”) 11 b to 11 d and the receiving device 13 that perform wired communication with the camera control device 12, the receiving device 13, and the receiving device 13, and the receiving device 13, respectively. It is a figure which shows the mechanism structure of the imaging camera (it abbreviates as "wireless connection imaging camera" hereafter) 11a which communicates.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a connector 122 that functions as a connection member used for mechanical and electrical connection with the receiving device 13 is provided on the surface of the housing 121 of the camera control device 12. The connector 122 includes pin groups 122a to 122d corresponding to the imaging cameras 11a to 11d, respectively. Each of the pin groups 122a to 122d includes, for example, a power supply pin P1, a ground pin P2, a video signal pin P3, and a shield ground pin P4 as illustrated in the schematic front view of the pin group in FIG. The power supply pin P <b> 1 is used for supplying operating power to the receiving device 13. The video signal terminal P3 is used to acquire the video signal output from the imaging camera from the receiving device 13. The ground pin P2 and the shield ground pin P4 provide a reference potential for the power supply pin P1 and the video signal pin P3.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the reception device 13 includes a connector 131 that can be fitted to the connector 122 of the camera control device 12. The connector 131 includes pin groups 131 a to 131 d having the same pin arrangement as the connector 122, and can separate video signals related to the imaging cameras 11 a to 11 d and output them to the camera control device 12. The receiving device 13 includes a connector 132 that is a connecting member for connecting a cable for wired communication with the imaging cameras 11a to 11d. The connector 132 has the same pin arrangement as that of the connector 122 and can be connected to a cable serving as a video signal transmission medium related to the wired connection imaging cameras 11b to 11d. Further, a wireless substrate 134 on which a receiver and an antenna used for wireless communication with the imaging cameras 11a to 11d are formed is provided inside the housing 133 of the receiving device 13. The receiver includes a baseband circuit and an RF circuit, and the antenna is a patch antenna, a dielectric antenna, or the like. The receiving device 133 demodulates the video signal wirelessly transmitted from the wireless connection imaging camera 11a. In addition, by configuring the receiving device 13 and the camera control device 12 to be detachable by the connectors 122 and 131, the communication method can be changed without affecting the camera control device 12.

  In the above description, the imaging cameras 11b to 11d are wired connection cameras and the imaging camera 11a is a wireless connection camera. However, in the reception device 13, a communication method with the imaging cameras 11a to 11d is described. Can be arbitrarily set. This point will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the wired connection imaging cameras 11 b to 11 d, a circuit board 112 is provided inside the housing 111. A CCD element 113 is mounted on the circuit board 112 so that imaging can be performed. Further, a waterproof four-terminal connector 114 is formed in the casing 111. The connector 114 is provided with a power supply pin P11, a ground pin P12, a video signal pin P13, and a shield ground pin P14. The wired connection imaging cameras 11b to 11d are connected to the connector 132 of the receiving device 13 via the cable 140 having connectors 141 and 142 formed at both ends, and receive operating power from the receiving device 13 and receive video signals. Wired transmission to the device 13 is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the wireless connection imaging camera 11a includes the same casing 111, circuit board 112, CCD element 113, and connector 114 as the wired connection imaging cameras 11b to 11d. Then, instead of the cable 140, a wireless transmission device 150 is fitted and connected to the wireless connection camera 11a. The wireless transmission device 150 supplies power to the wireless connection imaging camera 11 a and converts a video signal related to imaging by the wireless connection imaging camera 11 a into an electromagnetic wave that can be received by the reception device 133.

  The wireless transmission device 150 wirelessly transmits a connector 151 that can be fitted and connected to the connector 114 of the wireless connection imaging camera 11 a, and a video signal provided from the wireless connection imaging camera 11 a through the connector 151 into an electromagnetic wave and transmits the electromagnetic wave. A circuit 153. Since the wireless transmission device 150 needs to supply power to the wireless connection imaging camera 11a, the power supply line 154 is drawn from the wireless transmission device 150 and connected to the main power circuit of the automobile.

○ Functional configuration of the receiving device;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the receiving device 13.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the video signal pins P23a to P23d of the pin groups 131a to 131d of the connector 131 are connected to signal switchers (setting means) 161a to 161d, respectively. The signal switchers 161a to 161d can change the electrical connection state in two ways. Specifically, a first connection state in which video signals input to the video signal pins P33a to P33d of the pin groups 132a to 132d of the connector 132 are output to the video signal pins P23a to P23d, respectively, and reception described later. The second connection state in which the video signal input from the device 162 is output to the video signal pins P23a to P23d can be switched in accordance with detection signals given from connection detection units 163a to 163d described later. That is, the signal switching devices 161a to 161d set the communication method between the receiving device 13 and the imaging cameras 11a to 11d by changing the electrical connection state.

  The receiving device 13 includes an antenna 164 that acquires the electromagnetic wave transmitted by the wireless connection imaging camera 11a, and a receiver 162 that restores the original video signal by performing signal processing such as amplification and demodulation on the RF signal related to the electromagnetic wave. Prepare. The receiver 162 can identify the imaging camera that has captured the demodulated video signal by means such as using an ID that identifies the imaging camera included in the electromagnetic waves. Furthermore, the receiver 162 supplies the demodulated video signal to a signal switch connected to the video signal pins of the pin group corresponding to the identified imaging camera. In the receiving device 13 illustrated in FIG. 7, the receiver 162 and the antenna 164, which are wireless communication means, perform multiplex communication, and only one system is provided. Therefore, the receiving device 13 can be configured in a small size. However, this point does not prevent the provision of a plurality of receivers.

  Furthermore, the receiving device 13 includes connection detection units 163a to 163d that independently detect the connection of the cable 140 to the pin groups 132a to 132d for each pin group. When the connection detectors 163a to 163d detect the connection of the cable 140 to the pin groups 132a to 132d, they output detection signals to the signal switchers 161a to 161d. That is, in the receiving device 13, pin groups 132 a to 132 d that are connection members, connection detectors 163 a to 163 d, and signal switches 161 a to 161 d are provided corresponding to the imaging cameras 11 a to 11 d, respectively. When receiving the detection signal, the signal switchers 161a to 161d set the connection state to the first connection state, and the video signal input from the wired connection imaging camera via the cable 140 is sent to the camera control device 12. Output. When such a connection detection unit 163a to 163d and signal switchers 161a to 161d are connected to the imaging camera and the receiving device 13 via a cable 140, the communication method between the imaging camera and the receiving device 13 is automatically set. Will be wired communication. Conversely, when the cable 140 is not connected, the receiving device 13 automatically receives a video signal transmitted from the wireless imaging camera by wireless communication and outputs it to the camera control device 12.

  In addition, the detection of the connection of the cable 140 can be detected by the change of the electrical state in each pin group 132a-132d. For example, the connection of the cable 140 may be detected by monitoring the current supplied to the imaging camera from the power supply pin of each of the pin groups 132a to 132d, or the specific component of the video signal input from the imaging camera may be detected. The connection of the cable 140 may be detected by Alternatively, a switch whose electrical connection state changes depending on the connection of the cable 140 may be provided in the connector 132, and the connection of the cable 140 may be detected based on a change in the electrical connection state of the switch.

  The change of the electrical connection state in the signal switchers 161a to 161d may be performed by an electrical switching operation using a switching diode or a switching transistor, or may be performed by a mechanical switching operation such as a mechanical relay. Also good. Alternatively, it may be performed by a switching operation by a photocoupler.

  With such a configuration of the receiver 13, wired communication is automatically established between the imaging camera and the receiver 13 when the cable 140 is connected, and automatically when the cable 140 is disconnected. Wireless communication is established with That is, the presence of the receiving device 13 makes it possible to automatically change the communication method without affecting the configuration of the camera control device, and the in-vehicle camera image that can easily change the communication method of the imaging camera. A transmission system can be realized.

It is the plane schematic diagram which looked at the motor vehicle carrying the vehicle-mounted camera image transmission system of embodiment from the upper direction. It is a figure which shows the mechanism structure of a camera control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the mechanism structure of a receiver. It is a figure which shows the mechanism structure of the imaging camera which performs wired communication with a receiver. It is a figure which shows the mechanism structure of the imaging camera which performs radio | wireless communication with a receiver. It is a front schematic diagram which shows each structure of a pin group. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of a receiver and its periphery structure. It is the plane schematic diagram which looked at the motor vehicle carrying the vehicle-mounted camera video transmission system which concerns on a prior art from the upper direction. It is the plane schematic diagram which looked at the motor vehicle carrying the vehicle-mounted camera video transmission system which concerns on a prior art from the upper direction.

Explanation of symbols

AM automobile 10 vehicle-mounted camera video transmission system 11a to 11d imaging camera 12 camera control device 113 CCD element 114, 122, 131, 132, 141, 142, 151 connector 13 receiver 140 cable 161a to 161d signal switch 162 receiver 164 antenna

Claims (5)

In an in-vehicle camera video transmission system that performs data transmission between an imaging unit for imaging the surroundings of an automobile and an imaging control unit that receives a video signal of the imaging unit,
Having a repeater connected to the imaging control means, the repeater,
A connector for connecting a transmission line component serving as a signal transmission medium with the imaging means;
Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the imaging means;
And a setting unit that switches the connection with the imaging control unit between the connector and the wireless communication unit and sets a communication method with the imaging unit to either wired communication or wireless communication. In-vehicle camera video transmission system. The in-vehicle camera video transmission system according to claim 1,
The repeater further includes detection means for detecting connection of the transmission line component to the connector,
The in-vehicle camera video transmission system, wherein the setting unit sets the communication method to one of wired communication and wireless communication based on a detection result of the detection unit. The in-vehicle camera video transmission system according to claim 2,
A plurality of the imaging means are provided,
In the repeater, corresponding to each of the plurality of imaging means, the connector, the detection means and the setting means are provided one by one,
When each of the plurality of detection means detects the connection of the transmission line component to the connector corresponding to each detection means, the setting means corresponding to each detection means is connected to the imaging control means. Is set in a connector corresponding to each of the detection means, and a communication system between the imaging means corresponding to the detection means is set to wired communication. The in-vehicle camera video transmission system according to claim 3,
The wireless communication means is provided only in one,
The in-vehicle camera video transmission system, wherein the wireless communication means can acquire video signals output from a plurality of the imaging means. In the vehicle-mounted camera video transmission system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The repeater further includes an output terminal for outputting a video signal acquired from the imaging unit, and the output terminal can be detachably fitted to an input terminal formed in the imaging control unit. In-vehicle camera video transmission system.

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