DRIVER ASSISTANCE APPARATUS AND VEHICLE

• US 20170293198A1
• Filed: 04/06/2017
• Published: 10/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: KIM, Jooyoung, YUN, Seonghan, LEE, Wonsuk, KIM, Hun
• Granted Patent: US 10,768,505 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/16 Type of output information
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/24 in front of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/31 providing stereoscopic vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/107 using stereoscopic cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/303 using joined images, e.g. multiple camera images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8033 for pedestrian protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/804 for lane monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/029 Steering assistants using warnings or proposing actions to the driver without influencing the steering system
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/005 based on electrowetting
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/003 Light absorbing elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/29 for the control of the position or the direction of light beams, i.e. deflection
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/294 Variable focal length devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/32 Means for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/582 : of traffic signs
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/588 : Recognition of the road, e.g. of lane markings; Recognition of the vehicle driving pattern in relation to the road
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 : for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 : Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof

Abstract

A driver assistance apparatus includes a camera provided in a vehicle and configured to acquire an image; and a processor configured to process the image. The camera includes an image sensor; and a variable lens that includes a liquid crystal layer and configured to alter light that is introduced into the image sensor based on an arrangement of liquid crystal molecules included in the liquid crystal layer. The arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer is dependent on an applied voltage.

Claims

1. A driver assistance apparatus comprising:

a camera provided in a vehicle and configured to acquire an image; and

a processor configured to process the image,

wherein the camera comprises;

an image sensor; and

a variable lens comprising a liquid crystal layer and configured to alter light that is introduced into the image sensor based on an arrangement of liquid crystal molecules included in the liquid crystal layer, the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer being dependent on an applied voltage.

2. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to alter a focal distance of the variable lens by controlling the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules.

3. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an interface unit,

wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive, via the interface unit, driving information for the vehicle; and

change the focal distance of the variable lens based on the received driving information.

4. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the received driving information comprises driving speed information for the vehicle, and

the processor is further configured to, based on a driving speed of the vehicle indicated by the driving speed information:

increase the focal distance of the variable lens based on a determination that the driving speed is increased; and

reduce the focal distance of the variable lens based on a determination that the driving speed is reduced.

5. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the driving information comprises steering information or turn-signal information for the vehicle, and

the processor is configured to change the focal distance of the variable lens based on at least one of the steering information or the turn-signal information.

6. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the steering information comprises a steering value that indicates an amount of steering to the left or the right relative to a direction of travel for the vehicle, and

the processor is configured to reduce the focal distance of the variable lens based on a determination that the steering value is greater than or equal to a threshold steering value.

7. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the driving information comprises path information for the vehicle, and

the processor is further configured to change the focal distance of the variable lens based on the path information.

8. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an input unit,

the processor is further configured to change the focal distance of the variable lens based on an input signal received via the input unit.

9. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to:

detect an object in the image acquired via the camera; and

change the focal distance of the variable lens based on the object detected in the image.

10. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to change the focal distance of the variable lens based on a distance to the object or based on a position of the object.

11. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to:

increase the focal distance of the variable lens based on a determination that the distance to the object is increased; and

reduce the focal distance of the variable lens based on a determination that the distance to the object is reduced.

12. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to, change a Region of Interest (ROI) of the image based on the position of the object.

13. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to reduce the focal distance of the variable lens based on a determination that a road intersection is detected as the object in the image.

14. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to:

detect an object in the image acquired via the camera;

track variations in the object detected in the image based on varying the focal distance of the variable lens; and

determine a distance to the object based on the tracked variations in the object that result from varying the focal distance.

15. A driver assistance apparatus comprising:

a first camera provided in a vehicle and configured to acquire a first image;

a second camera provided in the vehicle and configured to acquire a second image; and

a processor configured to process the first image and the second image,

wherein the first camera comprises;

a first image sensor; and

a first variable lens comprising a first liquid crystal layer and configured to alter light that is introduced into the first image sensor based on an arrangement of liquid crystal molecules included in the first liquid crystal layer, the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal layer being dependent on a first applied voltage, and

wherein the second camera comprises;

a second image sensor; and

a second variable lens comprising a second liquid crystal layer and configured to alter light that is introduced into the second image sensor based on an arrangement of liquid crystal molecules included in the second liquid crystal layer, the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules being dependent on a second applied voltage.

16. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to:

change a focal distance of the first variable lens by controlling the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules included in the first liquid crystal layer; and

change a focal distance of the second variable lens by controlling the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules included in the second liquid crystal layer.

17. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to change the focal distance of the first variable lens and the focal distance of the second variable lens differently from each other.

18. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to:

acquire at least one stereo image by processing each of the first image and the second image; and

perform disparity calculation based on the at least one stereo image.

19. The driver assistance apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to acquire at least one stereo image based on the received first image and the received second image by:

detecting an object based on the first image; and

changing a focal distance of the first variable lens or a focal distance of the second variable lens based on the object detected in the first image.

20. A driver assistance apparatus comprising:

a camera provided in a vehicle and configured to acquire an image; and

a processor configured to process the image,

wherein the camera comprises;

an image sensor; and

a variable lens configured to alter light that is introduced into the image sensor by varying an interface formed between a polar fluid and a non-polar fluid based on a voltage applied thereto.