Rear view mirror, monitoring apparatus and monitoring method

The embodiment relates to a rear view mirror, a monitoring apparatus and a monitoring method. The monitoring apparatus comprises a mirror for showing an object; a camera module obtaining image data from the object and processing the image data; and a display module for displaying the image data processed by the camera module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is the U.S. national stage application of International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2007/003932, filed Aug. 17, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to a rear view mirror, a monitoring apparatus, and a monitoring method.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a vehicle is equipped with two external rear view mirrors and one internal rear view mirror to allow a driver to recognize the situation behind the vehicle. The external rear view mirrors are installed at left and right sides of the vehicle to show the objects appearing behind the left and right sides of the vehicle. The internal rear view mirror is installed in the vehicle to show the objects appearing behind the vehicle. A driver can freely adjust the tilting angle of the rear view mirrors, but the rear view mirrors locally show the region behind the vehicle.

In addition, when monitoring the rear region using the rear view mirrors while driving the vehicle at night, the driver may not easily recognize the traffic situation and the shape of the object appearing behind the vehicle. In this case, the driver may feel inconvenienced.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

An embodiment provides a rear view mirror, a monitoring apparatus, and a monitoring method, capable of allowing the driver to recognize the situation behind the vehicle by using the rear view mirror and a camera.

An embodiment provides a rear view mirror, a monitoring apparatus, and a monitoring method, capable of displaying objects appearing behind the vehicle by detecting the objects using the rear view mirror, an infrared camera and a display module.

In addition, the embodiment provides a rear view mirror, a monitoring apparatus, and a monitoring method, capable of displaying data requested by a user in a display device installed in the rear view mirror.

Technical Solution

An embodiment provides monitoring apparatus, comprising: a mirror for showing an object; a camera module obtaining image data from the object and processing the image data; and a display module for displaying the image data processed by the camera module.

An embodiment provides rear view mirror, comprising: a trans-reflective mirror showing an object appearing in a rear region and being protected by a case; a camera module at a corner of the trans-reflective mirror to obtain image data from the object appearing in the rear region; and a display module behind the trans-reflective mirror to display the image data through the trans-reflective mirror.

An embodiment provides monitoring method, comprising the steps of: obtaining image data of a subject through a camera module; processing the image data and outputs the processed image data to a display module behind a trans-reflective region of a rear view mirror; displaying the image data through the display module and the rear view mirror.

Advantageous Effects

According to the rear view mirror, monitoring apparatus and monitoring method, the objects appearing behind the vehicle can be clearly displayed on the rear view mirror at night as well as in the daytime.

In addition, since the objects appearing behind the vehicle can be clearly displayed by means of the infrared camera, the driver can conveniently drive the vehicle at night.

Furthermore, the rear view mirror can be installed in a movable member or a fixed member to provide traffic information or to monitor facilities.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a view showing a monitoring apparatus using a rear view mirror for a vehicle according to an embodiment, andFIG. 2is a side sectional view of a rear view mirror for a vehicle according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 1, a vehicle101is equipped with various mirrors, such as rear view mirrors (or rear mirrors)111, for monitoring the region behind the vehicle or the dead angle region. For instance, the rear view mirror111may include left/right external rear view mirrors, an internal rear view mirror, and an auxiliary rear view mirror. The external rear view mirrors are installed near the left and right front doors of the vehicle to show the objects appearing in the rear region, and the internal rear view mirror is installed in the vehicle to show the object appearing behind the vehicle. The auxiliary rear view mirror shows the objects positioned in the specific region, which is not detected by the left/right external rear view mirrors and the internal rear view mirror. Among the above rear view mirrors, the following description relates to the left external rear view mirror.

The left external rear view mirror111(hereinafter, simply referred to as a rear view mirror) is protected by a mirror case110. The mirror case110has a contour designed to protect the rear view mirror111. All elements or some elements of a monitoring apparatus100are provided in the mirror case110.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the monitoring apparatus100includes the rear view mirror111, a camera module130and a display module140. The rear view mirror111may realize a trans-reflective mirror, which is formed over the whole area or a predetermined area of the rear view mirror111. The rear view mirror111is installed at the left side of the vehicle101to show the objects appearing in the rear region. An image display area112is provided in a transmission region of the rear view mirror111to display image data of the monitoring apparatus100. The rear view mirror111has a foldable structure, so that the user can adjust the angle of the rear view mirror111.

The camera module130is installed at the corner of the rear view mirror111. The photographing angle of the camera module130can be adjusted according to the tilting angle of the rear view mirror111. A lens unit131, which is provided at one end of the camera module130, is exposed to the exterior at the front of the rear view mirror111to ensure the field of vision.

The camera module130is coupled into a camera fixing hole114formed in the rear view mirror111. The camera module130is integrally coupled with the rear view mirror111, so that it is not necessary to separately install a tool for adjusting the photographing angle of the camera module130.

The camera module130has a zoom in/out function, so the user can deal with the camera module130using the zoom in/out function. The camera module130can be provided with a fixing unit, which is prepared in the form of hardware and/or software in order to prevent the camera module130from being shaken. In this case, the camera module130can provide clear image data.

The camera module130can be realized in the form of an infrared camera. The infrared camera detects a subject by using a temperature sensor or an infrared sensor.

The camera module130is electrically connected with the display module140and the data obtained by the camera module130are displayed on the display module140.

The display module140is coupled to a rear portion of the image display area112. For instance, the display module140includes a thin display device, such as an LCD, and displays the image data obtained from the camera module130. The image data are displayed through the image display area112of the rear view mirror111.

The display module140and the camera module130may operate when external environment is dark (for instance, at night). According to the embodiment, both the camera module130and the display module140are installed in the rear view mirror111. However, only the camera module130can be installed in the rear view mirror111while installing the display module140in the other region, or vice versa.

FIG. 3is a block diagram showing the monitoring apparatus according to the embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 3, the monitoring apparatus100includes the camera module130and the display module140. In addition, the monitoring apparatus100may further include an interface module150and a power source136, if necessary.

The camera module130includes a lens unit131, a detection unit132, an image processor133and a controller134. The lens unit131has at least one lens for adjusting the focal length. The detection unit132obtains the image data by detecting the infrared ray or the temperature of the subject. For instance, the detection unit132generates the electric signal by detecting the temperature or heat generated from the subject, or generates the electric signal by detecting the infrared ray that is irradiated onto the subject from an infrared ray lamp and reflected from the subject.

The image processor133converts the detected electric signal into digital image data. The image processor133can extract image data corresponding to the display area from the rear region.

The controller134controls the operation of the above components. Especially, the controller134controls the display module140to display the image data. The camera module130may include a memory that temporarily stores the image data to be output to the display module140.

The controller134makes communication with the system of the vehicle or the external host, and turns on/off the camera module130and the display module140. In addition, the controller134controls the camera module130and the display module140according to the signals, which are input into or output from the controller134through the interface module150.

The controller134checks the intensity of external light (for example, solar light), which is detected by an illumination sensor (not shown) installed in the vehicle, to turn on/off the monitoring apparatus100. That is, the controller134turns on the camera module130and the display module140of the monitoring apparatus100when the intensity of the external light is less than a predetermined level. Thus, the image data detected by the camera module130are displayed through the display module140and the rear view mirror111.

In addition, the controller134can turn on/off the monitoring apparatus100according to the on/off state of the headlight of the vehicle. That is, if the headlight is turned on, the monitoring apparatus100is also turned on. Therefore, the image data detected by the camera module130are displayed through the display module140and the rear view mirror111.

If the headlight is turned off or the intensity of the external light exceeds the predetermined level, the camera module130and the display module140are turned off. In this case, the rear view mirror111simply shows the objects appearing in the rear region.

The display module140includes a drive unit141and a display panel142. The drive unit141drives the display panel142according to the image data. For instance, the display panel142includes a liquid crystal panel or an organic light emitting diodes panel that displays the image data. Thus, the image data detected by the camera module130are displayed through the display panel142and the rear view mirror111.

In addition, the controller134controls the power source136to control power supplied to the camera module130and the display module140.

FIG. 4is a view showing the operational state of the monitoring apparatus using the rear view mirror in the daytime. As shown inFIG. 4, the camera module130and the display module140are turned off in the daytime M1, so the rear view mirror111simply shows the objects appearing in the rear region.

FIG. 5is a view showing the operational state of the monitoring apparatus using the rear view mirror at night. As shown inFIG. 5, the camera module140and the display module140are turned on at night M2, so the image data detected by the camera module130is displayed through the display module140. The output data of the display module140is exposed to the exterior through the rear view mirror111, that is, the image data are displayed on the rear view mirror111.

Such a monitoring apparatus100employing the rear view mirror111is adaptable for various mirrors of the vehicle111, such as automobiles. Especially, the subject photographed by the camera module130can be displayed through the rear view mirror111at night. In addition, the monitoring apparatus100can be installed in the fixed member to provide traffic information or to monitor facilities.

FIG. 6is a block diagram showing the monitoring apparatus according to another embodiment. In the following description, the elements identical to those of shown inFIG. 3will not be further described in order to avoid redundancy.

Referring toFIG. 6, the monitoring apparatus200includes a camera module230, a display module240and a data storage unit260. The monitoring apparatus200is turned on at night (night mode), so the image data of the subject photographed by the camera module230are displayed through the display module240and the rear view mirror.

The data storage unit260can store image data, which are input thereto from a lens unit231and a detection unit232, and an image processor233of the camera module230. The stored data can be output through a drive unit241and a display panel242as requested by the user.

In the user mode, the controller234downloads the image data (for example, moving picture files, image files and the like) stored in the data storage unit260, and the downloaded data are output through the display module240. Thus, the user can view the image data displayed on the rear view mirror111. If there are audio data, the controller234may output the audio data by controlling the speaker of the system through an interface module250. Such a user mode can be adopted when the vehicle engine stops its operation.

FIG. 7is a flowchart showing the monitoring method using the rear view mirror according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 7, the monitoring apparatus checks whether the vehicle is in the day mode or the night mode (S101).

If the vehicle is in the day mode (S103), the rear view mirror simply serves as a mirror (S117).

If it is determined in step S101that the vehicle is in the night mode (S105), the camera module and the display module provided in the rear view mirror are turned on (S107). Thus, the camera module obtains the image data of the subject positioned behind the vehicle (S109), and outputs the image data to the display module (S111).

The image data output from the display module is displayed on the rear view mirror (S113). Thus, the subject can be clearly shown in the rear view mirror at night (night mode).

Then, the controller checks where the night mode is changed. If there is no mode change, step S109is performed. If the night mode is changed, step S117is performed. The mode change may occur when the external environment is changed from night to day or vice versa, when the supply power is shut off, or when the user manually converts the mode.

In step S117, the rear view mirror of the monitoring apparatus simply serves as a mirror due to the mode change from the night mode to the day mode, shut-off of supply power, or manual mode change by the user.

In the above embodiment, the monitoring apparatus is turned on/off according to the turn on/off state of the headlight or the intensity of the solar light. However, the monitoring apparatus can be turned on/off by means of a switch, which is additionally installed to the movable member or the fixed member.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the rear view mirror, the monitoring apparatus and the monitoring method of the embodiment, the objects appearing behind the vehicle can be clearly displayed on the rear view mirror at night as well as in the daytime.

In addition, since the objects appearing behind the vehicle can be clearly displayed by means of the infrared camera, the driver can conveniently drive the vehicle at night.

Furthermore, the rear view mirror can be installed in a movable member or a fixed member to provide traffic information or to monitor facilities.