JP4806492B2 - Shift lever monitoring system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shift lever monitoring system that monitors operation of a shift lever based on an image from a camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a shift device such as a shift-by-wire system installed in a vehicle can be shifted to a desired range by simply operating the shift lever lightly. For this reason, a shift device such as a shift-by-wire system has improved operability for drivers such as elderly people and persons with disabilities.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as a result of the improved operability, it may be possible to shift to a range different from the driver's will just by lightly touching the shift lever for some reason. Specifically, this may be the case when an infant in the passenger seat or the rear seat operates the shift lever, or when the driver touches the shift lever against the will. Assuming a case where the vehicle is shifted to a range different from the driver's will as described above, when a person other than the driver operates the shift lever, the operation needs to be invalidated.
[0004]
The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shift lever monitoring system that can invalidate erroneous operation of the shift lever.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, on the basis of the photographing means for photographing the operation of the driver when the shift lever is operated , and the image from the photographing means, the driver's seat And a control means for invalidating the operation of the shift lever when the shift lever is operated against the will of the driver in the seated state.
[0006]
Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the shift lever is operated against the driver's will in the seated state in the driver's seat based on the image from the photographing means, the shift is performed. Lever operation is disabled. As a result, erroneous operation of the shift lever can be invalidated.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the shift lever monitoring system according to the first aspect, storage means for storing an image of the operation of the driver when the shift lever is operated as an image when the shift lever is operated. The control means enables or disables the operation of the shift lever based on the image from the imaging means and the image at the time of operation of the shift lever stored in the storage means, and the control means further includes: If the operation of the shift lever is effective after comparing the video of the previous shift lever with the video stored in the storage means, the video of the previous shift lever operation stored in the storage means Update to the video at the time of operation.
[0008]
Therefore, according to the invention of claim 2, based on the video at the time of operation of the shift lever, which is stored in the video storage means from the imaging means, operation of the shift lever is enabled or disabled. As a result, erroneous operation of the shift lever can be invalidated.
[0010]
In addition, when the operation of the shift lever is effective after the image from the photographing unit is compared with the image stored in the storage unit, the image at the past operation of the shift lever stored in the storage unit is displayed. The video is updated to the latest operation of the shift lever. As a result, the latest video at the time of the operation of the shift lever is always stored in the storage means, and the operation of the shift lever is validated or invalidated based on the video at the time of the latest operation of the shift lever.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a shift lever monitoring system according to the present invention is embodied in a vehicle such as an automobile will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, a shift-by-wire shift device 10 is disposed on the center console panel between the driver seat and the passenger seat. The shift device 10 includes a shift gate 11 formed in a cross shape, and a shift lever 12 is erected in the shift gate 11.
[0013]
When the driver operates the shift lever 12 to “R (reverse range)”, the shift lever 12 returns to the intersection of the shift gate 11 after being once positioned at “R”. That is, the shift device 10 in the present embodiment has a momentary structure (return type). As a result, the vehicle is in a reverse state. Similarly, when the driver operates the shift lever 12 to “P (parking range)”, “D (traveling range)”, or “N (neutral range)”, the shift lever 12 is once turned to “P”, “ After being positioned at “D” or “N”, the shift lever 12 returns to the intersection of the shift gates 11. As a result, the vehicle is in a parking state, a traveling state, or a neutral state. When the shift lever 12 is operated to “D”, the state is automatically switched to four connection states having different gear ratios, that is, four stages from D1 to D4, depending on the traveling state of the vehicle.
[0014]
Further, a CCD camera 13 for photographing an operation when the driver operates the shift lever 12 is disposed at the upper end of the shift lever 12. Based on the image from the CCD camera 13, it is determined whether or not the operation of the shift lever 12 is an erroneous operation.
[0015]
Next, the electrical configuration of the shift lever monitoring system 20 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the shift lever monitoring system 20 includes a CCD camera 13, a storage unit 21, and a control unit 22.
[0016]
The CCD camera 13 outputs the captured video to the control unit 22. The storage unit 21 stores an image when the shift lever 12 is operated based on the image from the CCD camera 13. Further, based on the video from the CCD camera 13, the control unit 22 updates the previous video of the shift lever 12 operation stored in the storage unit 21 to the latest video of the shift lever 12 operation. Update video for output. Further, the control unit 22 compares the images from the CCD camera 13 and the storage unit 21 to determine whether the operation of the shift lever 12 is valid or invalid, and sends the determination result to the transmission control unit 30. Output. The transmission control unit 30 controls the transmission based on the determination result. That is, when a valid signal is input from the control unit 22, a control signal is output from the transmission control unit 30 to switch the transmission connection state. On the other hand, when an invalid signal is input from the control unit 22, the current connection state is maintained without switching the transmission connection state.
[0017]
Next, the operation of the shift lever monitoring system 20 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In addition, the memory | storage part 21 shall memorize | store the image | video at the time of the operation of the past shift lever 12 by a driver | operator.
[0018]
In step S <b> 1, an image when the shift lever 12 is operated is input from the CCD camera 13 based on the operation of the shift lever 12. Specifically, for example, an image when the shift lever 12 is operated from the intersection of the shift gate 11 to “D” is input.
[0019]
In step S <b> 2, the past image of the operation of the shift lever 12 stored in the storage unit 21 is compared with the image of the operation of the shift lever 12 input from the CCD camera 13. If the stored image of the previous operation of the shift lever 12 and the image of the operation of the shift lever 12 input from the CCD camera 13 are substantially equal, the shift lever is determined based on the driver's will. 12 is determined to have been operated, and the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, when the stored image of the previous operation of the shift lever 12 and the image of the operation of the shift lever 12 input from the CCD camera 13 are different, the shift lever is contrary to the driver's will. 12 is determined to have been operated, and the process proceeds to step S5.
[0020]
In step S <b> 3, a signal indicating validity is output to the transmission control unit 30. As a result, the transmission connection state is switched based on the control signal from the transmission control unit 30.
[0021]
In step S <b> 4, the video at the time of operating the shift lever 12 input from the CCD camera 13 is stored in the storage unit 21 as an updated video. As a result, the past video when the shift lever 12 was operated is updated to the latest video when the shift lever 12 was operated. Note that the image may be updated based on a predetermined time (for example, every 30 minutes) or based on the number of times the driver touches the shift lever 12 (for example, 10 times).
[0022]
In step S <b> 5, a signal indicating invalidity is output to the transmission control unit 30. As a result, since the control signal from the transmission control unit 30 is not output, the connection state of the transmission is not switched and the current connection state is maintained.
[0023]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained.
(1) Based on the image from the CCD camera 13 and the image stored in the storage unit 21, it is determined whether or not the shift lever 12 has been operated based on the driver's will. For this reason, when an infant in the passenger seat or the rear seat operates the shift lever 12, or when the driver touches the shift lever 12 against the will, the operation of the shift lever 12 is invalid. It is judged that. Then, a signal indicating the invalidity is output from the control unit 22 to the transmission control unit 30. As a result, the operation of the shift lever 12 becomes invalid, the transmission connection state is not switched, and the current connection state is maintained. On the other hand, when the shift lever 12 is operated on the basis of the driver's will, it is determined to be effective. Then, a signal indicating the validity is output from the control unit 22 to the transmission control unit 30. As a result, the operation of the shift lever 12 becomes effective, and the transmission connection state is switched. Therefore, even if the shift lever 12 is erroneously operated, the shift lever 12 is not shifted to a range contrary to the driver's will. Therefore, an erroneous operation of the shift lever 12 can be invalidated.
[0024]
(2) When the shift lever 12 is operated based on the driver's will, a signal indicating that the shift lever 12 is valid is output to the transmission control unit 30 and the video in the storage unit 21 is updated. For this reason, the storage unit 21 stores the latest video when the shift lever 12 is operated based on the will of the driver. As a result, the video when the shift lever 12 is operated is updated. Therefore, even if the operation of the shift lever 12 changes with the familiarity of the operation of the shift lever 12, the erroneous operation of the shift lever 12 can be invalidated based on the latest image of the operation of the shift lever 12. .
[0025]
(3) The image stored in the control unit 22 is an image only when the shift lever 12 is operated based on the operation of the shift lever 12. For this reason, the storage capacity of the storage unit 21 may be small. Therefore, the monitoring system 20 for the shift lever 12 can be configured at low cost.
[0026]
In addition, this embodiment can also be changed and embodied as follows.
-When a person other than the driver operates the shift lever 12 based on the image from the CCD camera 13, in other words, when the shift lever 12 is operated differently from the normal operation, the control is performed. It may be configured to output a signal indicating invalidity from the unit 22 to the transmission control unit 30.
[0027]
In the above-described embodiment, the shift-by-wire shift device having a momentary structure (return type) may be applied to a shift-by-wire shift device having a stationary structure (holding type).
[0028]
Applying so-called line-of-sight input technology, a CCD camera 43 is provided in the room mirror 41 shown in FIG. 1 or the left and right door mirrors 42 (including fender mirrors), and driving is performed based on the image from the CCD camera 43. "R (reverse range)" is effective only when the driver looks back and looks back, or when the driver is staring at the rearview mirror 41, the left or right door mirror 42 or the shift lever 12. You may make it the structure judged. If comprised in this way, a vehicle can be made to reverse | retreat only in the state which the driver has confirmed the back, and the safety at the time of making a vehicle reverse can be ensured. In addition, it cannot be overemphasized that it may replace with the door mirror 42 and may be applied to a fender mirror. In addition, when the driver is operating the shift lever 12 to a shift position other than “R” (such as “D” or “N”) while confirming the rear, the transmission is not affected regardless of the shift position. The connection state may be forcibly switched to the reverse state.
[0029]
The CCD camera 13 may be provided in the interior of the vehicle or in the vicinity of the interior light to photograph the operation of the shift lever 12. That is, any configuration may be used as long as the CCD camera 13 is provided at a position where the operation of the shift lever 12 can be photographed.
[0030]
The CCD camera 13 or the CCD camera 43 is preferably an infrared CCD camera in consideration of nighttime.
Instead of the CCD camera 13 or the CCD camera 43, a CMOS camera may be used.
[0031]
-You may apply the said embodiment to the shift apparatus 10 of what is called a trackball structure or a touch structure. Further, the above embodiment may be applied to the shift device 10 having a rotary structure.
[0032]
-You may apply the said embodiment also to what is called a column type shift device.
In the case where a single vehicle is shared by a plurality of people, a video may be stored in the storage unit 21 for each driver when the shift lever 12 is operated.
[0033]
-After starting the engine of a vehicle, if the image | video at the time of operation of the shift lever 12 is not memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 21, you may comprise so that a vehicle cannot be started. If comprised in this way, the image | video at the time of operation of the shift lever 12 by a driver | operator can be reliably memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 21. FIG. Moreover, with this configuration, the storage unit 21 can be configured with a so-called volatile memory.
[0034]
In consideration of long-distance driving, even when the engine is being driven, when the driver changes, the storage unit 21 stores an image when the driver operates the shift lever 12. good. Specifically, a configuration in which an image when the driver operates the shift lever 12 using a switch or the like is stored in the storage unit 21 before starting the vehicle is conceivable.
[0035]
In addition, even when the vehicle is used by a plurality of persons as described above, only the image when the driver operates the shift lever 12 may be stored in the storage unit 21. Therefore, the storage capacity of the storage unit 21 can also be suppressed.
[0036]
Furthermore, the technical idea grasped from the above embodiment will be described below together with the effects thereof.
[1] A monitor system of the shift lever, a monitoring means for monitoring the driver's line of sight, the control means, the monitoring system of the shift lever on the basis of the images from the monitoring means, for disabling the operation of the shift lever . If comprised in this way, the erroneous operation of a shift lever can be invalidated based on the image | video from a monitoring means.
[0037]
[2] The monitoring system of the shift lever, the storage means, the monitoring system of the shift lever for storing image during operation of the shift lever to each driver. According to this configuration, since the video at the time of operating the shift lever can be stored according to each driver, even when one vehicle is shared by a plurality of people, Misoperation can be invalidated.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects.
According to the first or second aspect of the invention, erroneous operation of the shift lever can be invalidated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the inside of a vehicle.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a shift lever monitoring system.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the shift lever monitoring system.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Shift apparatus, 12 ... Shift lever, 13 ... CCD camera as imaging | photography means, 20 ... Shift lever monitoring system, 21 ... Storage part as storage means, 22 ... Control part as control means, 43 ... As monitoring means CCD camera.

Claims (2)

A photographing means for photographing the driver's operation when the shift lever is operated, based on the image from the photographing means, in the seating state to the driver's seat, operation of the shift lever line against the will of the driver A shift lever monitoring system comprising control means for disabling the operation of the shift lever in the case of failure. 2. The shift lever monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing an image of the operation of the driver when the shift lever is operated as an image when the shift lever is operated. The operation of the shift lever is validated or invalidated on the basis of the image of the shift lever and the image at the time of operation of the shift lever stored in the storage means, and the control means stores the image from the photographing means in the storage means If the shift lever operation is valid after comparing with the video, the previous shift lever video stored in the storage means is updated to the latest shift lever video. Monitoring system.

Images