KR102622579B1 - Apparatus and method for preventing glare when driving - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for preventing glare while driving. An apparatus and method for preventing glare while driving of the present invention includes a route search unit that searches a route when a starting point and a destination are input; An orbital information unit that provides orbital information by time and season of the route searched by the route search unit; And, based on orbital information by time and season, the backlight section and backlight direction of the searched route are predicted, and the predicted backlight section and backlight direction are reflected in the driving route, and when the vehicle is located in the predicted backlight section, the predicted backlight direction is. It is characterized in that it includes a control unit that adjusts the transparency of the window to correspond to.

Description

Apparatus and method for preventing glare while driving {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING GLARE WHEN DRIVING}

The present invention relates to an anti-glare device and method while driving, and more specifically, to an anti-glare device and method for driving that predicts backlight sections in advance and reflects them in driving route information.

In general, the use of wide glass on the front of vehicles is increasing to ensure sufficient visibility and create a bright interior atmosphere. In particular, front windows are gradually becoming larger to ensure forward visibility, which is directly related to safety.

However, as the vehicle's windshield becomes larger, the driver's field of view expands, but the amount of sunlight entering through the windshield and the amount of light that interferes with the driver's vision increases relatively, acting as a factor that hinders safe driving. there is. In particular, when driving while facing the sun, in severe cases, the driver may be temporarily unable to see what is ahead due to glare.

Accordingly, various methods have been developed to prevent the driver from being dazzled by sunlight, and a simple sun visor is used. However, the sun visor blocks sunlight and also blocks the driver's field of view, greatly reducing the driver's field of view. Additionally, in the past, a camera was used to recognize not only sunlight but also light from the headlight of a vehicle in front, and operated a device to prevent glare when the headlight was turned on. Therefore, because glare can be prevented after the headlights are turned on, there is a problem of not being able to cover the moment when the headlights are first turned on.

That is, in the past, there was a problem in that visibility was not secured because it was vulnerable to backlight and did not have a function to compensate for strong sunlight. In addition, even if correction was made after visibility had already been lost due to backlight, there was a possibility that an accident could occur in a split second.

The background technology of the present invention includes “Driver glare prevention system and method,” which is Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1655197 (announcement date: 2016.09.07.).

According to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention was created to improve the above problems, and includes an anti-glare device while driving that predicts the backlight section in advance using the Earth's orbital orbit information and a precision map and reflects it in the driving route information; The purpose is to provide a method.

An anti-glare device while driving according to an aspect of the present invention includes a route search unit that searches a route when a starting point and a destination are input; an orbital information unit that provides orbital information by time and season of the route searched by the route search unit; and predicting the backlight section and backlight direction of the searched route based on the orbital information by time and season, and reflecting the predicted backlight section and backlight direction in the driving route, so that if the vehicle is located in the predicted backlight section, It is characterized by including a control unit that adjusts the transparency of the window to correspond to the predicted backlight direction.

The present invention further includes a map information unit that provides precise map information including geographical feature information, wherein the control unit provides the geographical feature information in the backlight section and backlight direction predicted based on the hourly and seasonal orbital information. It is characterized by predicting the final backlight section and backlight direction and calculating the backlight level.

In the present invention, when the vehicle is located in the predicted final backlight section, the control unit adjusts the transparency of the window corresponding to the predicted final backlight direction among all windowpanes of the vehicle to darken it.

In the present invention, the control unit determines the backlight level based on at least one of the distance to the sun based on the hourly and seasonal orbit information, the number of features larger than a set size based on the feature information, the presence of a tunnel, and the presence of an intersection. It is characterized by calculating .

In the present invention, the glass window is formed to include a suspended particle display (SPD), and the control unit controls the window to darken by cutting off the electric signal flowing through the window, and controls the window to darken by cutting off the electric signal flowing through the window. It is characterized by controlling the window to become brighter by connecting electricity.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for preventing glare while driving includes the steps of: receiving a searched route from a route search unit when a starting point and a destination are inputted to the control unit; The control unit receiving orbital information by time and season of the route searched by the route search unit from the orbital information unit; The control unit predicts a backlight section and a backlight direction of the searched route based on the orbital information by time and season; And the control unit reflects the predicted backlight section and backlight direction on the driving path, and when the vehicle is located in the predicted backlight section, adjusting the transparency of the window to correspond to the predicted backlight direction. do.

The present invention includes the steps of the control unit receiving precise map information including geographical feature information from a map information unit; And the controller reflecting the terrain information in the backlight section and backlight direction predicted based on the hourly and seasonal orbital information, predicting the final backlight section and backlight direction, and calculating a backlight level; further comprising: It is characterized by

In the present invention, when the vehicle is located in the predicted final backlight section, the control unit adjusts the transparency of the window corresponding to the predicted final backlight direction among all windowpanes of the vehicle to darken it.

In the present invention, the control unit determines the backlight level based on at least one of the distance to the sun based on the hourly and seasonal orbit information, the number of features larger than a set size based on the feature information, the presence of a tunnel, and the presence of an intersection. It is characterized by calculating .

In the present invention, the glass window is formed to include a suspended particle display (SPD), and the control unit controls the window to darken by cutting off the electric signal flowing through the window, and controls the window to darken by cutting off the electric signal flowing through the window. It is characterized by controlling the window to become brighter by connecting electricity.

An apparatus and method for preventing glare while driving according to an embodiment of the present invention uses the Earth's orbital information and a precision map to predict the backlight section in advance and reflect it in the driving route information, thereby reducing the driver's glare in advance before glare occurs due to the backlight. can be prevented and the risk of accidents occurring can be reduced. In other words, by fundamentally canceling out the glare phenomenon in the backlight section, the glare phenomenon can be quickly and accurately prevented, thereby improving user satisfaction.

1 is a block diagram showing an anti-glare device while driving according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a flowchart for explaining a method for preventing glare while driving according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is an exemplary diagram for explaining an apparatus and method for preventing glare while driving according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for preventing glare while driving according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In this process, the thickness of lines or sizes of components shown in the drawing may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation.

In addition, the terms described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, and may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user or operator. Therefore, definitions of these terms should be made based on the content throughout this specification.

Additionally, implementations described herein may be implemented as, for example, a method or process, device, software program, data stream, or signal. Although discussed only in the context of a single form of implementation (eg, only as a method), implementations of the features discussed may also be implemented in other forms (eg, devices or programs). The device may be implemented with appropriate hardware, software, firmware, etc. The method may be implemented in a device such as a processor, which generally refers to a processing device including a computer, microprocessor, integrated circuit, or programmable logic device. Processors also include communication devices such as computers, cell phones, portable/personal digital assistants (“PDAs”) and other devices that facilitate communication of information between end-users.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an anti-glare device and method while driving according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is an exemplary diagram for explaining an anti-glare device and method when driving according to an embodiment of the present invention. For reference, the anti-glare device while driving is explained as follows.

As shown in FIG. 1, the anti-glare device while driving according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a location providing unit 10, a route search unit 20, a map information unit 30, an orbital information unit 40, and Including the control unit 50, the transparency of the window 1 provided on the front, left side, rear side, and rear of the vehicle is adjusted.

The location providing unit 10 provides current location information of the vehicle, and can extract the current location of the vehicle based on information provided by a satellite and provide it to the control unit 50. That is, the location providing unit 10 may include a Global Positioning System (GPS) module.

When a user inputs a starting point and a destination through the input interface of a vehicle navigation system, the route search unit 20 searches for a route from the starting point to the destination. At this time, the route search method is not limited and various routes can be searched using preset methods. Meanwhile, even if the starting point is not entered separately, the starting point can be set based on the current location of the vehicle provided by the location providing unit 10.

In other words, once the starting point and destination are determined, the route search unit 20 searches the route using link and node information. At this time, the route search unit 20 may load geographical feature information logically connected to the link from the map information unit 30, which will be described later. Here, geographical feature information may include buildings, tunnels, intersections, etc.

The map information unit 30 provides precise map information including geographic feature information, and includes not only geographic feature information including buildings, tunnels, and intersections, but also POI (Point of Interest), link, and node information. Map information can be provided.

Additionally, the map information unit 30 may store a high-precision map including road structure and lane information. A high-precision map may contain positioning information including at least one of the following: size (width, height), shape, color, pattern, location (interpolation point coordinates, etc.), and material (e.g., steel, plastic, etc.) of road structures and lanes. It can be done, but is not limited to this.

The orbit information unit 40 can provide orbit information by time and season of the route searched by the route search unit 20. That is, the orbit information unit 40 can store the Earth's orbit information by season and time and provide it to the control unit 50, and the control unit 50 can predict the backlight section and direction.

The control unit 50 uses the Earth's orbit information received from the orbit information unit 40 and the surrounding terrain information received from the map information unit 30 to predict the backlight section and backlight direction corresponding to the route to the destination and drive. It is reflected in the route information and darkens specific areas of the vehicle's windshield in predicted backlight sections to prevent glare for the driver and passengers.

More specifically, the control unit 50 includes a backlight information prediction unit 52 that predicts backlight information and a window control unit 54 that adjusts the transparency of the vehicle window 1 in response to the predicted backlight information. .

The backlight information prediction unit 52 can reflect orbital information by time and season on the driving route through route search. That is, the backlight information prediction unit 52 can reflect the Earth's orbital information in the discovered driving path and store information about the backlight section and backlight direction (left, right, front, rear) of the driving path in advance. In other words, the backlight information prediction unit 52 can predict the backlight section and backlight direction of the route searched by the route search unit 20 based on the hourly and seasonal orbital information from the orbital information unit 40. .

And the backlight information prediction unit 52 can predict the final backlight section and backlight direction by reflecting the geographical feature information in the backlight section and backlight direction predicted based on the hourly and seasonal orbital information. In other words, the backlight information prediction unit 52 can predict the actual backlight section by using the feature information of a pre-constructed precision map because even in the backlight section, there may be areas where there is no backlight due to being obscured by surrounding features.

Additionally, the backlight information prediction unit 52 can calculate the backlight level. For example, the backlight information prediction unit 52 is based on at least one of the distance to the sun based on the hourly and seasonal orbital information, the number of features larger than a set size based on the feature information, the presence of a tunnel, and the presence of an intersection. The backlight level can be calculated.

In addition, the control unit 50 can reflect the final predicted backlight section and backlight direction in the driving path. At this time, the backlight level can be reflected and displayed for each backlight level. For example, when displaying the driving route on the navigation, the control unit 50 may display it in red if it is judged to be a severely backlit section, yellow if it is judged to be a weakly backlit section, and blue if it is judged to be a normal backlight section. It can be expressed. That is, for example, as described above, the control unit 50 may determine that the backlight section is severely backlit when there is no terrain feature to block the backlight at a location with the closest distance to the sun.

The window adjusting unit 54 reflects the backlight section and backlight direction predicted by the backlight information prediction unit 52 on the driving path and adjusts the transparency of the window to correspond to the predicted backlight direction when the vehicle is located in the predicted backlight section. It can be adjusted.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the vehicle is located in the final backlight section predicted by the backlight information prediction unit 52, the window control unit 54 adjusts the window in the predicted final backlight direction among all windows of the vehicle. You can change it to dark by adjusting the transparency of the corresponding window. In other words, the windshield control unit 54 can control the electric signal of the windshield 1 on the driver's side to darken it when affected by the sun on the left side of the driving direction.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the glass window 1 may be formed including a suspended particle display (SPD). That is, the control unit 50 controls the window to darken by cutting off the electric signal flowing through the window 1 so that the particles are arranged irregularly, and connects the electricity flowing through the window 1 to arrange the particle arrangement, thereby ensuring transparency. The window can be controlled to become brighter by raising the window.

At this time, in this embodiment, the control unit 50 is described as controlling the electrical signal flowing through the window 1 to be disconnected or connected, but a separate driving unit capable of controlling the electrical signal of the window may be provided.

Figure 2 is a flowchart for explaining a method for preventing glare while driving according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to this, the method for preventing glare while driving is described as follows.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the method for preventing glare while driving according to an embodiment of the present invention, first, the control unit 50 receives the searched route from the route search unit 20 when the starting point and destination are input. Then, when the user inputs the starting point and destination through the input interface of the car navigation system, the route search unit 20 searches for the route from the starting point to the destination (S10).

Meanwhile, even if the starting point is not entered separately, the starting point can be set based on the current location of the vehicle provided by the location providing unit 10.

Next, the control unit 50 predicts backlight information of the route searched by the route search unit 20 (S20).

That is, the control unit 50 receives orbital information by time and season of the route searched by the route search unit 20 from the orbital information unit 40, and determines the orbital information of the searched route based on the orbital information by time and season. The backlight section and backlight direction can be predicted.

In addition, the control unit 50 receives precision map information including geographical feature information from the map information unit 30, and reflects the geographical feature information in the backlight section and backlight direction predicted based on the hourly and seasonal orbital information. , the final backlight section and backlight direction can be predicted.

In other words, the control unit 50 can reflect the Earth orbit information in the discovered driving path and store information about the backlight section and backlight direction (left, right, front, rear) of the driving path in advance.

In addition, the control unit 50 can predict the actual backlight section by using the feature information of a pre-constructed precision map because even in the backlight section, there may be areas where there is no backlight due to being obscured by surrounding features.

Additionally, the control unit 50 can calculate the backlight level. For example, the control unit 50 sets the backlight level based on at least one of the distance to the sun based on the hourly and seasonal orbit information, the number of features larger than a set size based on the feature information, the presence of a tunnel, and whether or not an intersection exists. It can be calculated.

Next, the control unit 50 can reflect the backlight information on the driving route to the destination (S30) and control the brightness by adjusting the transparency of the window 1 when driving according to the backlight information (S40).

In other words, the control unit 50 predicts the backlight section and backlight direction corresponding to the route to the destination using the Earth's orbit information received from the orbit information unit 40 and the surrounding terrain information received from the map information unit 30. This is reflected in the driving route information, and in the predicted backlight section, specific areas of the vehicle's windshield are darkened to prevent glare for the driver and passengers.

In other words, the control unit 50 can reflect the predicted backlight section and backlight direction on the driving path and adjust the transparency of the window to correspond to the predicted backlight direction when the vehicle is located in the predicted backlight section.

In other words, when the vehicle is located in the finally predicted backlight section, the control unit 50 darkens the window 1 corresponding to the finally predicted backlight direction to prevent glare, and then changes the vehicle's position again to change the window 1 to the backlight section. If it deviates from this, the transparency of the glass window (1) can be increased to make it brighter to its original state.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the glass window 1 may be formed including a suspended particle display (SPD). That is, the control unit 50 controls the window to darken by cutting off the electric signal flowing through the window 1 so that the particles are arranged irregularly, and connects the electricity flowing through the window 1 to arrange the particle arrangement, thereby ensuring transparency. The window can be controlled to become brighter by raising the window.

In addition, the control unit 50 can reflect the final predicted backlight section and backlight direction in the driving path. At this time, the backlight level can be reflected and displayed for each backlight level. For example, when displaying the driving route on the navigation, the control unit 50 may display it in red if it is judged to be a severely backlit section, yellow if it is judged to be a weakly backlit section, and blue if it is judged to be a normal backlight section. It can be expressed. That is, for example, as described above, the control unit 50 may determine that the backlight section is severely backlit when there is no terrain feature to block the backlight at a location with the closest distance to the sun.

As described above, the apparatus and method for preventing glare while driving according to an embodiment of the present invention uses the Earth's orbital information and a precision map to predict backlight sections in advance and reflect them in the driving route information, thereby preventing glare due to backlight. By preventing dazzling the driver in advance, the risk of an accident can be reduced. In other words, by fundamentally canceling out the glare phenomenon in the backlight section, the glare phenomenon can be quickly and accurately prevented, thereby improving user satisfaction.

The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but these are merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments can be made therefrom. You will understand.

Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the patent claims below.

10: Location provision section
20: Route search unit
30: Map Information Department
40: Orbital Information Department
50: control unit
52: Backlight information prediction unit
54: Glass window control unit
1: glass window

Claims (10)

A route search unit that searches the route when the starting point and destination are entered;
an orbital information unit that provides orbital information by time and season of the route searched by the route search unit; and
Based on the hourly and seasonal orbital information, the backlight section and backlight direction of the searched route are predicted, and the predicted backlight section and backlight direction are reflected in the driving path, and when the vehicle is located in the predicted backlight section, the prediction is made. It includes a control unit that adjusts the transparency of the window to correspond to one backlight direction,
It further includes a map information unit that provides precise map information including geographical feature information,
The control unit,
An anti-glare device while driving, characterized in that the backlight level for each backlight section is calculated based on the orbital orbit information for each hour and season and the terrain information, and the backlight level for each backlight section is reflected and displayed on the driving path.
According to clause 1,
The control unit,
An anti-glare device while driving, characterized in that the final backlight section and backlight direction are predicted by reflecting the terrain information in the backlight section and backlight direction predicted based on the hourly and seasonal orbital information.
According to clause 2,
The control unit,
An anti-glare device while driving, characterized in that when the vehicle is located in the predicted final backlight section, the transparency of the window corresponding to the predicted final backlight direction among all the windows of the vehicle is adjusted to be darkened.
According to clause 1,
The control unit,
Driving, characterized in that calculating the backlight level based on at least one of the distance to the sun based on the orbital information by time and season, the number of features larger than a set size based on the feature information, the presence of a tunnel, and whether or not an intersection exists. City anti-glare device.
According to clause 1,
The window is
It is formed including a suspended particle display (SPD),
The control unit controls the window to become dark by cutting off the electric signal flowing through the window, and controls the window to become bright by connecting the electricity flowing through the window.
The control unit receives the searched route from the route search unit when the starting point and destination are input;
The control unit receiving orbital information by time and season of the route searched by the route search unit from the orbital information unit;
The control unit predicts a backlight section and a backlight direction of the searched route based on the orbital information by time and season; and
The control unit includes reflecting the predicted backlight section and backlight direction on the driving path, and adjusting the transparency of the window to correspond to the predicted backlight direction when the vehicle is located in the predicted backlight section,
The control unit receiving precise map information including geographical feature information from the map information unit;
The control unit calculating a backlight level for each backlight section based on the hourly and seasonal orbital information and the terrain information; and
A method for preventing glare while driving, further comprising displaying the backlight level for each backlight section by reflecting it on the driving path.
According to clause 6,
When driving, the control unit predicts a final backlight section and backlight direction by reflecting the terrain information in the backlight section and backlight direction predicted based on the hourly and seasonal orbital information. How to prevent glare.
According to clause 7,
The control unit, when the vehicle is located in the predicted final backlight section, adjusts the transparency of the window corresponding to the predicted final backlight direction among all windowpanes of the vehicle to darken it. .
According to clause 6,
The control unit calculates the backlight level based on at least one of the distance to the sun based on the orbit information by time and season, the number of features larger than a set size based on the feature information, the presence of a tunnel, and whether or not an intersection exists. Features: How to prevent glare while driving.
According to clause 6,
The glass window is formed including a suspended particle display (SPD),
The method of preventing glare while driving, wherein the control unit controls the window to become dark by cutting off the electric signal flowing through the window, and controls the window to become bright by connecting the electricity flowing through the window.

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