RAIN SENSOR INSTALLED IN VEHICLES FOR ACCURATELY DETECTING RAIN

According to one embodiment of the invention of a rain sensor and the switching the 1a also coarse the entire structure shown in the drawing and block also.

The 1b also magnification of peripheral camera and also of a rain sensor and the switching device.

Also Figure 2 shows a rain sensor and peripheral device that describes a block.

The defined regions 3a also with (sub-areas), Image which is currently being shot are displayed by the camera shown in the drawing.

Also the defined regions together 3b, camera signal according to the drawing a is shown that a photographed Image.

Figure 4 shows a, processing for detecting rainfall also shown in the flow.

Figure 5 shows a rainfall also it is shown a the further processing for detecting flow.

Figure 6 shows a another for detecting rainfall also shown in the processing flow.

Figure 7 shows a another for detecting rainfall also shown in the processing flow.

Also the defined electrode 8a, Image which is currently being shot are displayed by the camera shown in the drawing.

The defined electrode 8b also, camera signal according to the drawing a is shown that a photographed Image.

Figure 9 shows a coarse of a rain sensor and the switching art the conventional system the entire structure shown in the drawing and block.

Also 10a has of a rain sensor and the switching of the prior art describe in images by the camera shown in the drawing for one example of original pictures.

Also 10b has of the prior art describe in one example of Image (binarized) an evolved 2 a it is shown a drawing.

Description of the sign for major part * of the drawings

10: front glass 20: camera

30, 130: Image processing section 40, 140: current part

50, 150: storage unit 60: motor

70: wiper

According to one embodiment of the invention the present now also accommodating the housing 4 also to 1a is described by referring to. Rain sensor shown in Figure 9 similar to rain sensor of the prior art describe in has a structure in which a. However, of the present invention between the rain sensor art and conventional rain sensor, camera with focus lengths endless, and transverse and, in some which differs in both which, is refers to this.

Also 1a, 1b and also as shown in 2, module the present embodiment a rain sensor the first deoxygenator, case (12), camera (20), Image processing section as processing unit (30), current part (40) and storage unit (50) includes. Case (12) a front glass (10) and a mirror (rearview mirror) (11) and is disposed between, inner vehicle front glass (10) is attached to surfaces of the. Camera (20) the case (12) are installed in the, endless a focal distance, front glass (10) out of the vehicle through an Image is picked up, a..

Image processing section (30) the camera (20) of Image which is photographed by the Image position measuring apparatus, camera (20) an Image photographed by the Image position measuring apparatus created by partitioning region defined in some (are nine) a divided into sub-picture. Furthermore, Image processing section (30) each sub-picture information of the calculated variance of. Each sub adjacent to the top, Image processing section (30) and a previously the current photographing information of each sub-picture is calculated for progression, the is the difference between two dispersion calculates a (difference). Furthermore, Image processing section (30) according to the time in a predetermined manner the for handling a difference, all between two signals processed in time according to is calculates the total of difference, is refers to the more specifically.

Current part (40) the Image processing unit (30) receives total of the sum of the from, then, it is judged whether a rain. Furthermore, current part (40) the, motor control signal dependent to the wiper (60) reset signal is inputted from a controller, motor (60) using front glass (10) on wiper (70) 30, and controls a.

Storage unit (50) the, camera (20) a photographed by the Image position measuring apparatus divided original pictures by temporarily stores the sub-picture.

In the present in the embodiment, lens and CCD (Charge Coupled Device) CCD camera having camera (20) is one example of. Camera (20) since the focal length of the is endless, and transverse, vehicle exterior glass the front scene or at least one scene and the scene (10) material on the (for example, rain drops, on a glass pane) a camera than (20) is by imaging (image formation).

Front glass (10) to remove a rain drops, on a glass pane on the reflection-light is generally caused refraction and serves to direct-section of the lens. Therefore, camera (20) photographed by the Image position measuring apparatus at a region corresponding to rain drops, on a glass pane an Image characteristic amount includes unevenness. That spot Image, stain the presence of the radome front and rear faces varies luminance region in (deviation or dispersion) enhance to. Therefore, unevenness of the Image pixels including also disclosed wheel of which does not contain a any specks of of the Image pixels greater than also disclosed wheel. And, front glass drops (10) with the nozzles on for the color temperature. degree of dispersion. For example, dispersion is previous from following to date in such a case positive value for the color temperature. as. Wherein, when the, camera (20) when the Image is picked up, a previously, rain drops, on a glass pane the front glass (10) have not been present on, camera (20) is currently a time an Image is picked up, , rain drops, on a glass pane the front glass (10) is in the presence of newly on.

Trend of dispersion (change according to time) to detect, Image processing section (30) the, also 3a and 3b as shown in, camera (20) are with each Image photographed by the Image position measuring apparatus (IMGO and IMGP) full-area of the Image included in the a diameter sub -9 of a divided into sub-picture 9. Trend of dispersion provided each sub region (i.e., until prior from the other side) to compute the, Image processing section (30) a refers to predominantly (A) to (C) processing of the embodiment.

(A) Image processing section (30) each of sub-areas regarding the current dispersion and prior difference between dispersion (progression) by calculating an to obtain progression, the relating to each sub-area. Current dispersion is camera (20) from an Image obtained most recent connected to a of respective subsets is dispersion. Previous dispersion is prior to camera (20) obtained from stored in part (50) other images for stored in the dispersion is connected to a of respective subsets.

(B) Image processing section (30) in the (A) of sub-areas all plurality of reference condition values for which greater than boundary value from difference relating to selects difference, the selected difference between the successive treatment for applied.

(C) Image processing section (30) (B) a selected differential is provided to the result obtained by in. computes the sum of the sum value.

(A) in, more particularly, Image processing section (30) the, first, type (1) by using a, each sub-area regarding the, each of the corresponding sub-picture are Wi (i=1, 2, ... , 9) the average luminance pixel in Ai (i=1, 2, ... , 9) calculates a.

Ai= {∑∑I (x, y)}/ Ni... (1)

Wherein, I (x, y) each pixel luminance, Ni is the sub-picture Wi is number of pixels.

Next, Image processing section (30) has formula (2) a service in a distributed environment with VPi (i=1, 2, ..., 9) calculates a.

VPi= [∑ {I (x, y)-Ai}²]/ Ni... (2)

Wherein, calculated dispersion VPi the storage unit (50) and are temporarily stored in, the dispersion value stored, then, previous dispersion VOi (i=1, 2, ..., 9) is used as.

Next, Image processing section (30) the current calculated dispersion VPi and one storage part (50) read from dispersion of the corresponding previous VOi Di the difference between (i=1, 2, ... , 9) each type (3) the calculated using.

Di=VPi-VOi... (3)

Also 3a and 3b shown in in one example, with the current sub-Image W9 also the rain as shown in 3a corresponding to Brindle RD, but having, also the W9 previous sub-picture as shown in 3b has no unevenness. In this case, dispersion VP1 to VP8 and corresponding previous dispersion VO1 to VO8 detector detects a progress state of the difference between, each difference D1 to D8 is 0. While, dispersion between the dispersion and prior VP9 VO9 are converted into heat and differences in the significant, D9 difference to W9 sub-picture has a value in the range from the positive. Therefore, distributed rainfall Di can be detected by computing the..

(B) in, Image processing section (30) has difference D1 to D9 from the difference greater than a boundary value Dth Di selects. More particularly, Image processing section (30) in the (A) calculated difference D1 to D9 Di to Dth boundary value is. provided to improve convenience of a user. Di Dth boundary value is greater than if it is determined that the, Image processing section (30) has difference Di FWi corresponding flag to (i=1, 2, ..., 9) a "1" (on) from. I.e., Image processing section (30) the by the respective greater than D1 to D9 Dth boundary value is dependent on whether a flag FW9 to FW1 "1" (on) or (off) from "0".

Next, in (C), Image processing section (30) has formula (4) in (B) using flag set calculates a FW9 to FW1 S for performing low speed 3 to 2.

S=∑FWi... (4)

Therefore, total S Di difference greater than the boundary value Dth for those sub-blocks that have Wi is number of pictures.

Also 3a and 3b shown in in one example, differential D9 to greater than the boundary value, and no more than, the S total is 1.

Current part (40) has a calculated for a regular torque S Nth hard limits. provided to improve convenience of a user. Total S Nth threshold value if it is determined that the greater than, current part (40) there is the rainfall or clay. determines that a. Total S Nth threshold value if it is determined that the less than, current part (40) there is the rainfall or clay which has been decided not to be.. Current part (40) is rainfall or clay exists in case of the, current part (40) a front glass (10) to clean the motor (60) the wiper using (70) for operating to.

Operation of a rain sensor and the switching reference to flow scheme of Figure 4 is described more specifically.

Wiper (70) is rain sensor is controlled by switch wiper mode is that is configured (not is shown)-up when selected by the, in step (S101), Image processing section (30) the camera (20) IMGP Image photographed by the Image position measuring apparatus. is read out. Image IMGP the Image processing unit (30) by is partitioned into at Wi are sub-picture.

In step (S102), steps has VPi dispersion obtained from a respective sub-pictures (S101) Wi to formula (2) is calculated through. Distributed calculated VPi the storage unit (50) is temporarily stored in.

In step (S103), Image processing section (30) the storage unit (50) temporarily stored Image IMGO VOi dispersion to trace the change of corresponding to. is read out. Furthermore, in step (S103), Image processing section (30) has formula (3) corresponding to images using IMGP VPi are dispersion as long as the current picture and IMGO VOi are dispersion to trace the change of corresponding to a the symbol punctures at each computed a Di finite difference between.

In step (S104) and step (S105), Image processing section (30) at each computed the difference Di Dth boundary value is. provided to improve convenience of a user. For example, difference Di Dth boundary value is greater than number 1, number 1 corresponding to difference Di the FWi (FWi=1) a flag is set to 1. Furthermore, difference number 2 Dth boundary value is Di if not greater than, number 2 difference Di FWi corresponding flag to the 0 (FWi=0) is set. Next, in step (S106), and a sub-matrix having Wi pictures FWi=1 flag to the number of type (4) is calculated as total through S.

In step (S107), current part (40) has torque S Nth boundary value is. provided to improve convenience of a user. S Nth boundary value is greater than total, current part (40) the, in step (S108), determines rainfall or clay exists, the, in step (S109), motor (60) through the wiper (70) is made of a front glass (10) outputs a relay driving signal. provided for cleaning motor vehicle windows. Total S Nth boundary value is if not greater than, current part (40) the, in step (S110), rainfall or clay which has been decided not to be there is..

The present embodiment the first deoxygenator rain sensor has installed.

(1) rain sensor is infinite focus lengths of camera (20) has. And, a rain sensor, from with an average luminance of pixels, camera (20) a photographed by the Image position measuring apparatus luminance of pixels one indicative of the degree a change made during the period based on a distributed Vi rainfall is detected.

Therefore, a rain sensor, front glass (10) (extraction) detecting edges rain drops, on a glass pane on for even when a sunvisor retainer or with mud, dispersion Vi through computation simple may detect rainfall or the like. And, camera with focus lengths endless, and transverse (20) is, tunnel, obstructions, road detecting the lamp through a server connected surge white on other system apparatus of a camera and a. it may serve.

(2) and, camera (20) photographed by the Image position measuring apparatus divided Image for each two Image 9 are calculated dispersion. Therefore, a rain sensor, building by a drinking or saddle flew across the front vehicle such as influences from the impeded and instant small while minimizing the amount of, may detect rainfall or the like.

(3) and, to obtain trend of Vi dispersion, rain sensor each sub pictures VPi Wi the current dispersion to dispersion of and a preceding parent calculates a VOi Di the difference between. Therefore, a simple rain sensor difference through the may detect a rainfall.

(4) and, rain sensor difference greater than the boundary value Dth Di sum or number of Image for those sub-blocks that have S rainfall based on is detected. Therefore, influences from the jamming an external rain sensor while minimizing the amount of rainfall to simple may detect a.

Said embodiment the present invention refers to a hangs on the hooking aspect which must not be defined, without range of the present invention in various ways may be embodied in.

For example, CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) camera a camera (20) for forming the color filters.

Of Figure 5 step (S204 to S206) as depicted at, a rain sensor, a unique to each sub-picture Wi the boundary value defined Dthi (i=1, 2, ... Di difference greater than each having another number of Wi or reproduction of sub-picture are b are computed in the calculation unit S total. I.e., boundary value Dth1 to Dth9 each 9 sub-defined for pictures is. Is differently from each other, so that.

Modified rain sensor is switched on, through the additional simple, for example, important in order to control the visual field of a driver sub the second time control Dthi value a boundary for an region to reduce or, or external disturbance of, susceptible to a further version sub Dthi boundary value another region by increasing the, more accurately may detect a rainfall. In Figure 5, step (S204 to S206) of Figure 4 steps other than steps equals corresponding.

Generally, images by the camera Image the vicinity of center of front glass, the degree of progression luminance of the Image pixels prone small. However, a field of view of the imager driver of the center part is critical to maintaining.. While, images by the camera Image from a windshield glass of a side end portion of, the by movement of a vehicle, the degree of progression luminance of pixels the cleaned and rinsed large. However, raindrops or the like the side end from falling into even (or front glass lower end), traveling condition of a significant are not disturbing.

Aforementioned, in accordance with the content, a rain sensor as shown in step (S306) of Figure 6, each Pi (i=1, 2, ...) a weighted by the value (the product) flag FWi of calculates a S the sum of weighted. Such as P1, P2 are a respective subframe and diameter, different may be filled in the space.

Modified rain sensor is switched on, through the additional simple, for example, important in order to control the visual field of a driver sub or a Pi value and a weighted value greater the areas of, or external and another subset, susceptible to disturbance of the areas of small state Pi the weights, more accurately may detect a rainfall. In Figure 6, step (S306) of Figure 4 steps other than steps equals corresponding.

Furthermore, step of Figure 7 (S404 to S406) as shown in, a rain sensor, each sub-area or each sub-picture Wi to cladding gives the spherical or a unique boundary value Dthi (i=1, 2, ... Difference greater than each having Di Wi of weighted or reproduction of sub-picture are b are computed in the calculation unit S the sum of. Specifically, each S the sum of weighted Pi (i=1, 2, ...) by weighted flag FWi is for performing low speed 3 to 2. P1, P2 such as value, and weights corresponding regions of each sub, different may be filled in the space.

Furthermore, a simple additional modified rain sensor to effectively perform through calculations may detect a rainfall. In Figure 7, step (S404 to S406) corresponding of Figure 4 steps other than steps equals.

Rain sensor divided into sub-picture an Image but not exclusively a. Also 8a and 8b as shown in, rain sensor images by a camera that views trend of dispersion of entire Image by calculating a may detect a rainfall. Is even in the case, the mentioned rain sensor (1) have the same.

Rain sensor is switched on, current dispersion VPi and corresponding previous dispersion VOi on behalf Di the difference between, corresponding previous VPi VOi dispersion of dispersion of from the parent menu to the current can be using the rate of change of the. Is and another signal component representing trend of dispersion differences and they can also be easily replaced to a value which is..

Rain sensor formula (2) instead of the two formulas (5) may employ an.

Vi= [(x, y)-Ai ∑ | I |]/ Ni... (5)

I.e., a rain sensor, from with an average luminance this way of the calculated value, sub-picture of in two lines and for the variation of the pixel luminance, sub-picture of dispersion of sub-picture computation of measures of video such as calculator calculates can be replaced by a new one, the other calculations.

Changes are to be made to a in of the present invention said in the embodiment can be made apparent to person with skill in the art in the art will. However, of the present invention refers to a range defined by an extent claimed should.