OPTICAL MODULE FOR AN ASSISTANCE SYSTEM

• US 20090128629A1
• Filed: 11/19/2008
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Egbert, Peter, Goermer, Steffen, Park, Ing Su-Birm
• Application Number:
  US12/273,578
• Publication Number:
  US 20090128629A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/108 using 'non-standard' camera systems, e.g. camera sensor used for additional purposes i.a. rain sensor, camera sensor split in multiple image areas
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0844 including a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/32 Means for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/12 with means for supporting objectives, supplementary lenses, filters, masks, or turrets
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 19/023 Multi-image cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle

Abstract

The invention concerns an optical module for an assistance system covering an ambient region of a vehicle, having a camera arranged in the region of an inner side of a pane of glass, in particular a windscreen, of the vehicle and directed into the ambient region of the vehicle, with an objective through which a distant region can be imaged in sharp focus on a first section of a sensor surface of the camera, and having an optical assembly which is arranged in the field of vision of the camera and by which a close region covering a detection region of the pane can be imaged in sharp focus on a second section of the sensor surface of the camera. The invention further concerns a method for controlling a wiping interval of a windscreen wiper, in particular of a motor vehicle, by means of such an optical module.

Claims

1. An optical module for a vehicle having a windshield that includes a detection region, comprising

a camera arranged at an inner side of the windshield and having a field of vision directed through the windshield toward an ambient region about the vehicle, said camera comprising a sensor having a sensor surface that includes a first section and a second section, and an objective arranged with the sensor surface for focusing a distant region on the first section to create a sharp image, and

an optical assembly disposed in the field of vision and adapted for focusing the detection region on the second section to create a sharp image.

2. An optical module according to claim 1, wherein the optical assembly comprises a lens disposed between the windshield and the objective.

3. An optical module according to claim 2, wherein the optical assembly further comprises a mirror for guiding light from the detection region through the lens to the camera.

4. An optical module according to claim 3, wherein the optical assembly further comprises a screen for shielding light deflected by the mirror from impinging on the first section of the sensor surface.

5. An optical module according to claim 1 further comprising a light source adapted for illumination of the detection region.

6. An optical module according to claim 5, wherein the light source comprises a light-emitting diode adapted to emit light in the infrared wavelength range.

7. An optical module according to claim 5 wherein the light source radiates light in a preferential direction to impinges on an outer side of the windshield at an angle not equal to 90°

.

8. An optical module according to claim 7, wherein the preferential direction forms an angle within the range from approximately 10°

to 30°

with the inner side.

9. An optical module according to claim 5, wherein the optical assembly further comprises a mirror for guiding light from the detection region to the camera, wherein the mirror is disposed between the light source and the camera.

10. An optical module according to claim 9, wherein the mirror is impermeable to light from the light source.

11. An optical module according to claim 1, wherein the camera is adapted to be coupled to an image evaluation unit configured for detecting an object in an image recorded by the second section by edge extraction.

12. An optical module according to claim 11, wherein the image evaluation unit is coupled to a windshield wiper control system for a windshield wiper and having a wiping interval based upon object detection.

13. A method for controlling a wiping interval of a windshield wiper of a motor vehicle, said method comprising

providing an optical module comprising

a camera arranged at an inner side of the windshield and having a field of vision directed through the windshield toward an ambient region about the vehicle, said camera comprising a sensor having a sensor surface that includes a first section and a second section, and an objective arranged with the sensor surface for focusing a distant region on the first section to create a sharp image, and

an optical assembly disposed in the field of vision and adapted for focusing the detection region on the second section to create a sharp image;

detecting an object in an image recorded by the second section; and

determining the wiping interval based upon detection of the object.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein detecting the object comprises performing edge extraction on the image.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein performing edge extraction includes extracting an edge of the object and segmenting the edge by using an adaptive threshold value.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein segmenting the edge adding picture elements of the edge to obtain a sum and determining a rain intensity based upon the sum.

17. A method according to claim 13, further comprising recording an image immediately after passage of a wiper blade through the detection region, and classifying an object detected therein as a disturbing object.

18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising ignoring the disturbing object when detecting an object in a subsequently recorded.

19. A method according to claim 13, further comprising dividing the image recorded by the second section into a plurality of partial regions, determining if a partial region exhibits a significantly higher brightness, and deactivating the partial region when detecting an object.