WO2012103886A1 - Optical device with electro-optical medium - Google Patents
Optical device with electro-optical medium Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2012103886A1 WO2012103886A1 PCT/DE2012/100022 DE2012100022W WO2012103886A1 WO 2012103886 A1 WO2012103886 A1 WO 2012103886A1 DE 2012100022 W DE2012100022 W DE 2012100022W WO 2012103886 A1 WO2012103886 A1 WO 2012103886A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- optical device
- optical
- electro
- vehicle
- tracking
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B26/00—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements
- G02B26/08—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light
- G02B26/0875—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light by means of one or more refracting elements
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
- G02B27/64—Imaging systems using optical elements for stabilisation of the lateral and angular position of the image
- G02B27/644—Imaging systems using optical elements for stabilisation of the lateral and angular position of the image compensating for large deviations, e.g. maintaining a fixed line of sight while a vehicle on which the system is mounted changes course
Definitions
- the invention relates to an optical device for a vehicle with electro-optical tracking of the beam path of the incident light beams in the optical device.
- Optical devices having an image-receiving element as the imaging unit e.g. Cameras with a CMOS or CCD chip are used, inter alia, in vehicles equipped with driver assistance systems.
- the cameras are used in the case to record the environment or the interior of a vehicle and pass on evaluable images.
- the driver can be warned, for example by means of an emergency brake assistant, by the driver assistance system in the event of a dangerous situation, or safety systems in the vehicle can be triggered.
- Cameras for forward-looking driver assistance systems such as lane assist, traffic sign recognition, collision warning, pedestrian detection or similar applications require a relatively large detection range, for example, with an opening angle of 50 ° or more, especially if several of these assistance functions to be implemented in a system.
- a camera for monitoring a vehicle environment for a driver assistance system is known for example from DE 10 2006 010 662 AI.
- a first camera detects the frontward in the direction of travel is applied on a roadway lane boundaries for output of warning signals to the driver when it passes over a lane boundary.
- a major disadvantage of these and similar known devices is that such cameras are equipped with a correspondingly large opening angle due to the large detection area that is required for these systems, whereby the resolution for the detection and detection of objects drops and particularly distant objects can be recognized worse.
- the invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide an optical device for detecting a vehicle environment or vehicle interior, having a detection sensor with a relatively small opening angle to thereby reliably detect objects in the greater distance, but at the same time targeted and without much delay to different areas the vehicle environment can be aligned so as to cover a large detection area despite the small opening angle.
- An essential idea of the invention is to arrange a medium in the optical device that has an electro-optical effect in order to be able to specifically track or deflect the beam path of the light beams incident in the optical device.
- Electro-optical effect is understood in particular to mean the change in the refractive index of a medium due to the generation of an electric field.
- the application of an electric field with different voltages to such a medium allows for example lenses with different focal lengths and prisms with adjustable light deflection.
- a significant advantage of such an optical device, such as a camera is that the electro-optical tracking of the beam path can be done without significant delay and at high speed.
- Such a system is also particularly suitable for winding roads in which the optical device is aimed specifically at the road and thus always the area of interest with high resolution can be observed.
- the area of interest it may in particular be the lane ahead in the direction of travel of the vehicle.
- the light beams incident in the optical device can be tracked via the electro-optical medium in such a way that a curve-adapted environmental monitoring is carried out.
- the device according to the invention is used in a vehicle, in particular in a passenger vehicle, and comprises at least one lens and at least one image recording element.
- the optical device may include, for example, optical filters, data storage and data processing devices, and data inputs and outputs.
- the optical device can also have a modular design, preferably with an optical module, for example a lens, and a second module, comprising the at least one image recording element. Images of the vehicle environment and / or the vehicle interior are taken with the optical device.
- at least one electro-optical medium is arranged in the optical device, in particular for targeted tracking of the beam path of the light beams incident in the optical device.
- the at least one medium is arranged in the beam path of the optical device, for example, between a plurality of lenses or directly above an image pickup element.
- the optical device according to the invention can be arranged, for example, in the interior of a vehicle, in particular behind the windshield, preferably with a view towards the road ahead in the direction of travel of the vehicle.
- the electro-optic medium may be an electro-optic plate or electro-optical variable-light-prism prism or an electro-optical variable-focus lens.
- the at least one electro-optical medium is an electro-optical crystal.
- the electro-optical crystal may be, for example, lithium niobate.
- the optical device comprises at least one objective, in which the at least one electro-optical medium for electro-optical tracking of the beam path is arranged.
- the objective may, for example, comprise one or more lenses arranged in a tubular housing.
- the electro-optical Medium for example, an electro-optical crystal, is preferably also in the tubular housing and in particular between two lenses in the beam path, the incident light beams in the lens arranged.
- the at least one electro-optical medium is arranged in the optical device, for example in an objective and / or above an image-receiving element, such that only a part of the image-recording element is covered by the electro-optical medium or that only a part of the incident in the optical device and incident on the image pickup element light rays through the at least one electro-optical medium fall.
- the at least one electro-optical medium can be arranged such that only half of the light beams incident on the optical pickup and incident on the image pickup element fall through the at least one electro-optical medium and can be tracked specifically. This results in particular a bifocal image of the optical device or the image pickup element.
- Bifocal imaging means the possibility that two separate regions of the vehicle environment and / or of the vehicle interior can be simultaneously imaged and monitored on the image recording element with a single image recording element.
- a far-end area and a near-end area can be imaged simultaneously on a single picture-taking element.
- the remote area may be, for example, the road ahead in the direction of travel of the vehicle, in the vicinity area, for example, around the windshield of the vehicle.
- the crystal has an electro-optical effect and can be arranged between two or more electrodes.
- the two or more electrodes are preferably connected to a voltage generating device, which can act on the crystal via the electrodes with a certain voltage or a certain voltage signal.
- An electric field is preferably generated by the voltage signal or by the voltage applied to the electrodes, whereby the refractive index of the crystal is influenced in such a way that the light beams incident on the optical device can be deflected by the crystal in a targeted manner.
- theorser Wegungsvomchtung is connected to a control device.
- the voltage generating device selects the voltage or voltage signal applied to the electrodes for generating the electric field, preferably in response to a control signal from the control device.
- the control signal of the control device can be different, for example, depending on a particular mode.
- the particular operating mode may be one or more of the following types:
- the optical device may first search in a search mode for objects of interest in the vehicle environment, for example by section scanning of the vehicle surroundings by means of targeted tracking of the beam path of the light beams incident in the optical device. Subsequently, one or more objects of interest by targeted tracking of the beam path, for example by Tracking according to the relative movement of the object or objects to the vehicle to be tracked or observed.
- the at least one electro-optical medium is formed as a plate.
- exactly two electro-optical media are arranged in the optical device.
- one of the two or more electro-optical media is an electro-optical lens, wherein the focal length of the optical device can be controlled via the electro-optical lens, for example by means of a control device and a power supply device.
- the arrangement of an electro-optical medium, which is designed as an electro-optical lens, for example with an electro-optical fluid, in particular, the focus of the optical device can be selectively changed.
- the focal length can be set short and thus the opening angle of the optical device wide, so that no objects, such as pedestrians, are overlooked on the side of the vehicle.
- the two or more media are preferably controlled via a common control device and / or power supply device.
- a common control device and / or power supply device is advantageous advantages of the invention.
- the device according to the invention can be realized with less effort and less space and with a faster control behavior than, for example, a detection sensor with mechanical tracking.
- the deflection of the beam path of the incident light beams in the optical device is advantageously carried out without significant delay and at high speed.
- the area of interest for example in the vehicle environment, can always be observed with high resolution and / or the direction of observation of the optical device can be targeted to individual objects, eg pedestrians, traffic signs, vehicles, etc.
- the optical device 1 comprises two lenses 2, an image recording element 3, for example a picture chip which is designed as a CMOS or CCD sensor, and an electro-optical medium 4.
- the medium 4 is a plate-shaped one Crystal having an electro-optical effect.
- Various preferred crystals having an electro-optic effect consist, for example, of KH 2 PO 4 (KDP), NH 4 H 2 PO 4 (ADP), LiNbO 3 and LiTaO 3 .
- KDP KH 2 PO 4
- ADP NH 4 H 2 PO 4
- LiNbO 3 LiNbO 3
- LiTaO 3 LiTaO 3
- a crystal of lithium niobate is used.
- the crystal 4 in Fig. 1 is formed between a pair of electrodes 5, 1 and 5, 2.
- the electrodes 5, 1 and 5, 2 are preferably made transparent and, according to the invention, can also be arranged on other regions of the medium 4.
- a voltage signal is applied to the electrodes 5, 1 and 5, 2 via a voltage generating device.
- the voltage generating device and the electrical connections between electrodes 5, 1 and 5, 2 and voltage generating device are not shown in FIG. 1.
- the voltage applied to the electrodes 5, 1 and 5, 2 generates an electric field that changes the refractive index of the electro-optical medium 4 as a function of the magnitude of the applied voltage. Since the refractive index depends directly on the applied voltage, the refractive index of the medium 4 can be controlled in a targeted manner.
- a control device is provided, which sends one or more control signals to the voltage generation device.
- the control device and its connection to the voltage generating device are not shown in FIG.
- the control signals are preferably selected as a function of a specific operating mode of the optical device 1.
- the optical device 1 can also comprise further components, which are not shown in FIG. These may include, for example, optical filters, data storage and data processing devices, and data inputs and outputs.
- the optical device 1 may also have a modular design and / or have one or more housings.
- the optical device 1 is designed as a camera for monitoring the environment or the interior of a vehicle, in particular for one or more driver assistance systems and / or driving safety systems.
- the driver assistance systems or driving safety systems are, for example, adaptive headlights, headlights, parking assistance, brake assist, proximity control, distance warning, turn assistant, traffic jam assistant, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, lane change assistant, cornering assistance, tire pressure monitoring system, driver condition detection and traffic sign recognition.
- FIG. 1 shows, by way of example, the beam path for light beams 6 that are incident on the optical device 1 from an object at infinity.
- the light beams 6 incident on the optical device 1 first strike the first of two lenses 2 and are refracted there.
- the deflection angle or the refractive index of the electro-optical medium 4 can be controlled in a targeted manner via the voltage applied to the electrodes 5, 1 and 5, 2.
- By varying the voltage applied to the electrodes 5, 1 and 5, different regions, for example in the vehicle environment, can be observed in succession with the optical device 1 and / or individual objects can be tracked.
- the electro-optical medium 4 can for this purpose also be arranged at a different location in the optical device.
- the optical device 1 of FIG. 2 is largely constructed in accordance with the description of FIG. Unlike in FIG. 1, in FIG. 2 the electrodes 5, 1 and 5, 2 are not arranged in the beam path of the incident light beams 6, but laterally on the electro-optical medium 4. In this case, the electrodes 5, 1 and 5, 2 are not made transparent.
- Fig. 3 a preferred embodiment of the optical device 1 is shown, wherein the electro-optical medium 4, which is arranged in the beam path of the incident light beams 6 in the optical device 1, the image pickup element 3 only partially obscured.
- the optical device 1 it is possible to image two different regions, for example the vehicle surroundings and / or the vehicle interior, simultaneously on the image recording element 3.
- a remote area for example, the road ahead in the direction of travel of the vehicle, and a vicinity, such as the windshield of the vehicle, can be displayed on the image pickup element 3 at the same time.
- simultaneous environmental monitoring, by imaging a long-range area, and rain sensing, by imaging the windshield can take place via the optical device 1.
- different operating modes can be provided for the optical device 1.
- control signals can be sent to the voltage generating device by the control device.
- the voltage generating device applies a respective voltage to the electrodes 5, 1 and 5, 5 in response to the control signals.
- the modes can be one or more of the following types:
- the optical device 1 is particularly suitable for winding roads.
- the course of the currently traveled road can be recognized via the optical device 1 itself and / or via an additional track recognition device, for example an additional camera and / or sensor system.
- the roadway is to be understood in particular as the road through which the vehicle in which the optical device 1 is arranged.
- the lane is in particular the track bounded by a lane marking on which the vehicle is currently located.
- the observation direction of the optical device 1 can be targeted by utilizing the electro-optical effect of the electro-optical medium 4, whereby the area of interest can always be observed with high resolution.
- the observation direction of the optical device 1 can also be targeted to a future traveled area, for example, the future driven lane or lane, aligned, for example, during use of the electro-optical effect of the medium 4 Turning into a side street and / or when driving on or off a motorway and / or when driving on a sharp bend.
- the future lane or lane course can be predetermined in particular via the optical device 1 itself or via additional lane recognition devices and / or can be determined as a function of a set turn signal.
- the observation direction of the optical device (1) can be targeted to the area of interest.
- the yaw and / or the steering angle of the vehicle can be determined via corresponding sensors and the direction of observation of the optical device 1 can be aligned.
- the observation direction of the optical device 1 can be targeted by utilizing the electro-optical effect of the medium 4.
- a search mode can be provided as the operating mode, with which the optical device 1 can search in sections the surroundings of the vehicle, for example the area ahead in the direction of travel, for objects of interest, e.g. traffic signs, pedestrians, lane markings, other vehicles and / or obstacles.
- objects of interest e.g. traffic signs, pedestrians, lane markings, other vehicles and / or obstacles.
- Sectional scanning here means, for example, a vertical subdivision of the region lying ahead in the direction of travel of the vehicle, in sections, for example, corresponding to the opening angle of the optical device.
- an operating mode may be provided in which the vehicle interior is scanned for interesting objects.
- the optical device 1 can be targeted to this object, in particular by utilizing the electro-optical effect of the medium 4. Alignment of the direction of observation of the optical device to individual obiekte to be observed in the vehicle environment and electro-optical tracking of the beam path of incident light beams for tracking relative to the vehicle moving objects
- the optical device 1 can be targeted to this object, in particular by utilizing the electro-optical effect of the medium 4 Furthermore, the electro-optical effect can be used to track the direction of observation of the optical device 1 according to the relative movement of the object in question to the vehicle, for example by the proper motion of the vehicle and / or by movement of the respective objective.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE112012000160T DE112012000160A5 (en) | 2011-02-02 | 2012-02-01 | Optical device with electro-optical medium |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE201110010012 DE102011010012A1 (en) | 2011-02-02 | 2011-02-02 | Optical device with electro-optical medium |
DE102011010012.1 | 2011-02-02 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO2012103886A1 true WO2012103886A1 (en) | 2012-08-09 |
Family
ID=45954258
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/DE2012/100022 WO2012103886A1 (en) | 2011-02-02 | 2012-02-01 | Optical device with electro-optical medium |
Country Status (2)
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DE (2) | DE102011010012A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012103886A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102012021885A1 (en) | 2012-10-27 | 2014-04-30 | Günter Fendt | Lens arrangement for environment detection system of motor vehicle, has two representation areas that are detected or represented different from one another, and two lenses for geometrical arrangement |
DE102020212218A1 (en) | 2020-09-28 | 2022-03-31 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Vehicle camera with a mechanically variable line of sight |
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DE19618979A1 (en) * | 1995-08-30 | 1997-03-06 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | Device for correcting image vibrations caused by hand vibrations in a video camera |
EP0779535A1 (en) * | 1995-12-11 | 1997-06-18 | THOMSON multimedia S.A. | Camera with variable deflection |
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EP1424850A2 (en) * | 2002-11-27 | 2004-06-02 | Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH | Camera system with deflection device for taking pictures of different regions |
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WO2010143449A1 (en) * | 2009-06-12 | 2010-12-16 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Variable focus lens and microscope |
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JPS61160715A (en) * | 1985-01-09 | 1986-07-21 | Canon Inc | Vari-focal lens |
JPS62157482A (en) * | 1985-12-27 | 1987-07-13 | Canon Inc | Image pickup device |
DE10336329A1 (en) * | 2003-08-07 | 2005-03-10 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Method and device for improving the visibility in a motor vehicle |
DE102007044535B4 (en) * | 2007-09-18 | 2022-07-14 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Method for driver information in a motor vehicle |
-
2011
- 2011-02-02 DE DE201110010012 patent/DE102011010012A1/en not_active Withdrawn
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2012
- 2012-02-01 WO PCT/DE2012/100022 patent/WO2012103886A1/en active Application Filing
- 2012-02-01 DE DE112012000160T patent/DE112012000160A5/en active Pending
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DE19618979A1 (en) * | 1995-08-30 | 1997-03-06 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | Device for correcting image vibrations caused by hand vibrations in a video camera |
EP0779535A1 (en) * | 1995-12-11 | 1997-06-18 | THOMSON multimedia S.A. | Camera with variable deflection |
US6987529B1 (en) * | 1999-05-28 | 2006-01-17 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Camera having shake correction device mounted thereon |
EP1111488A2 (en) * | 1999-12-18 | 2001-06-27 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Camera for a vehicle |
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EP1424850A2 (en) * | 2002-11-27 | 2004-06-02 | Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH | Camera system with deflection device for taking pictures of different regions |
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WO2010143449A1 (en) * | 2009-06-12 | 2010-12-16 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Variable focus lens and microscope |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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DE112012000160A5 (en) | 2013-08-01 |
DE102011010012A1 (en) | 2012-08-02 |
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