JP2010176382A - Lighting apparatus, and lighting method for use in the apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting apparatus that does not give discomfort to a driver. <P>SOLUTION: Visible light of a wavelength in the visible region and infrared light of a wavelength in the infrared region are radiated from behind an instrument panel as irradiation light, and the irradiation light passes through the instrument panel as transmitted light. When the radiation part of the vehicle is operated and the engine of the vehicle is stopped, the intensity of the irradiation light is controlled mainly according to an environment light illuminance detected by an environment light detection part. When both the radiation part of the vehicle and the engine of the vehicle are operated, on the other hand, the intensity of the irradiation light is controlled mainly according to a recognition result notified from a recognition part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device, and more particularly to a lighting device that illuminates a driver of a moving object such as an automobile.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a moving body such as an automobile is provided with a driver monitoring device that detects a driver's sleep or aside driving based on an image obtained by imaging a driver's face. In the driver monitoring device, in order to obtain a clearer image of the driver's face, a near-infrared light source that irradiates the driver with light in the near-infrared region and a light with a wavelength in the near-infrared region In order to capture the image of the driver's face, a near-infrared camera having a relatively increased sensitivity to wavelengths in the near-infrared region is used. As an example of the prior art of such a driver monitoring device, there is a driver appearance recognition system (hereinafter referred to as the prior art) described in Patent Document 1.

  In the prior art, the above-mentioned near-infrared camera is placed in a deep place in the instrument panel in the vehicle's instrument panel, and the above-mentioned near-infrared light source is placed on both the left and right sides in the vicinity of the near-infrared camera is doing.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-301742

  However, the above prior art has the following problems. That is, in recent years, the wavelength of light emitted from, for example, a near infrared LED (Light Emitting Diode) used as the above-described near infrared light source is actually a wavelength that can be sensed by human eyes. The light. For this reason, when a near-infrared light source is arranged on the instrument panel in the instrument panel as in the prior art, the light emitted from the near-infrared light source when the driver looks at the instrument panel operates as a backlight. It is felt by the driver's eyes and gives the driver a sense of incongruity.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device that does not give the driver a sense of incongruity.

The present invention has the following features to solve the above problems.
According to the first invention, there is provided an irradiating device for irradiating light to the driver of the host vehicle, the display unit being provided in the front direction of the host vehicle with respect to the driver, and indicating the information of the host vehicle by transmitted light Irradiating means for irradiating the display means with transmitted light by irradiating two irradiation lights of visible light having a wavelength in the visible region and infrared light having a wavelength in the infrared region from the back of the display means And recognition means for recognizing the subject based on the image of the subject imaged by receiving the reflected light of the infrared light, and ambient light that detects the illuminance of the ambient light irradiated to the host vehicle including the subject as the ambient light illuminance A detection unit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts the intensity of the irradiation light based on at least one of the recognition result of the subject by the recognition unit and the ambient light illuminance.

  The second invention is an invention subordinate to the first invention, wherein the adjusting means is operated when the irradiation means is operating and a predetermined in-vehicle device mounted on the host vehicle is operating. , Adjust the intensity of irradiation light.

  A third invention is an invention subordinate to the first invention, wherein the adjusting means emits light in accordance with ambient light illuminance when the irradiation means is operating and the engine of the host vehicle is stopped. Setting means for adjusting the light intensity is included.

  A fourth invention is an invention subordinate to the third invention, wherein the adjusting means determines that it is daytime when the ambient light illuminance is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold according to the ambient light illuminance. And daylight / night determination means for determining that the ambient light illuminance is less than the threshold value, and two or more predetermined irradiation lights corresponding to daytime and nighttime determined by the day / night determination means. Storage means for storing the intensity of the light, and the setting means is the intensity of the lowest irradiation light corresponding to the result determined by the day / night determination means according to the ambient light illuminance among the intensity stored in the storage means Is selected, and the intensity of the irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation means is set to the selected intensity and adjusted.

  The fifth invention is an invention subordinate to the fourth invention, wherein the storage means has two or more predetermined intensities of visible light respectively corresponding to daytime and nighttime determined by the day / night determination means. The storing means and the setting means correspond to the result determined by the day / night determining means stored in the storing means when the irradiation means is operating and the engine of the host vehicle is stopped. The lowest visible light intensity is set and adjusted, and the infrared light intensity not stored in the storage means is set to zero and adjusted.

  A sixth invention is an invention according to the first invention, wherein the recognition means includes an imaging means for capturing an image, and an exposure value notification means for notifying an exposure value when the imaging means captures an image. A recognition result notifying unit for notifying the subject of the information based on the image captured by the imaging unit and the exposure value as a recognition result, and the adjusting unit includes the irradiation unit and the engine of the host vehicle. Are operating, the intensity of the irradiation light is adjusted based on the recognition result notified from the recognition result notification means and the ambient light illuminance.

  A seventh invention is an invention subordinate to the sixth invention, wherein the adjustment means determines that the recognition result notified from the recognition result notification means cannot recognize the subject, and sets an upper limit exposure value of the imaging means. When it shows, the setting means which raises the intensity | strength of irradiation light according to ambient light illumination intensity is included.

  The eighth invention is an invention according to the seventh invention, wherein the adjusting means determines that it is daytime according to the ambient light illuminance when the ambient light illuminance is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. The daylight and nighttime determining means for determining that the ambient light illuminance is less than the threshold value corresponds to daytime and nighttime determined by the daytime and nighttime determining means, respectively, and is predetermined in advance. Storage means for storing the intensity of the two or more irradiated lights, and the setting means corresponds to the result determined by the day / night determination means stored in the storage means when increasing the intensity of the irradiation light. From the intensity of the irradiation light, select the next highest intensity of the irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation means, and set the intensity of the irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation means to the selected intensity and adjust .

  The ninth invention is an invention subordinate to the eighth invention, wherein the storage means is the irradiation light set by the passenger of the own vehicle corresponding to the daytime and nighttime determined by the day / night determination means, respectively. Each of which is further stored as a set intensity, and the adjusting means, when the recognition result notified from the recognition result notifying means indicates that the subject can be recognized, from the intensity of the irradiation light emitted from the irradiating means, day and night determining means The intensity closest to the set intensity corresponding to the result determined by is selected from the intensity of the irradiation light stored in the storage means, and the intensity of the irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation means is selected as the selected intensity. It further includes return setting means for setting and adjusting.

  The tenth invention is an invention subordinate to the eighth invention, and the storage means corresponds to daytime and nighttime determined by the day / night determination means, and is determined in advance so as to increase in order. The infrared light intensity is stored, and when the setting means adjusts the intensity of the irradiation light, the setting means stores the infrared light intensity stored in the storage means and corresponds to the result determined by the day / night determination means. Then, the second highest intensity of the infrared light irradiated from the irradiation means is selected, and the intensity of the infrared light irradiated from the irradiation means is set to the selected intensity and adjusted.

  An eleventh invention is an invention subordinate to the tenth invention, wherein the storage means reduces the infrared light intensity determined in advance corresponding to daytime and nighttime determined by the day / night determination means. Further stored as the external light setting intensity, and when the recognition means notified from the recognition result notification means indicates that the subject can be recognized, the adjustment means determines the day / night judgment means from the intensity of the infrared light emitted from the irradiation means. The intensity closest to the infrared light setting intensity corresponding to the determined result is selected from the infrared light intensity stored in the storage means, and the intensity of the infrared light emitted from the irradiation means is selected. And a return setting means for setting and adjusting the selected intensity.

  The twelfth invention is an invention subordinate to the sixth invention, wherein the storage means is visible light set by the passenger of the own vehicle corresponding to daytime and nighttime determined by the day / night determination means. Each of which is further stored as a set intensity, and the adjusting means sets the visible light intensity emitted from the irradiating means to a setting intensity corresponding to the result determined by the day / night determining means to adjust the visible light setting means Further included.

  A thirteenth invention is an invention dependent on any one of the first to twelfth inventions, wherein the recognition means recognizes the driver's face included in the subject.

  A fourteenth aspect of the invention is an invention dependent on the first aspect of the invention, wherein the adjusting means is mounted on the host vehicle, and when a light projecting device that projects light toward the outside of the host vehicle is activated, Setting means for adjusting the intensity of irradiation light is included.

  A fifteenth aspect of the invention is an invention dependent on the first aspect of the invention, wherein the adjusting means is mounted on the own vehicle, and when the light projection device that projects light toward the outside of the own vehicle stops, Setting means for adjusting the intensity of irradiation light is included.

  The sixteenth invention is an invention subordinate to the second invention, wherein the adjusting means has an intensity of irradiation light when a driver monitor system predetermined as an in-vehicle device mounted on the host vehicle is operating. Adjust.

  A seventeenth aspect of the invention is an irradiation method used in an irradiation device for irradiating light to a driver of the host vehicle, which is provided in the front direction of the host vehicle with respect to the driver, and indicates information of the host vehicle by transmitted light. By irradiating the back of the instrument panel with two irradiation lights of visible light having a wavelength in the visible region and infrared light having a wavelength in the infrared region, the information on the vehicle is displayed on the instrument panel as transmitted light. An irradiating step, a recognition step for recognizing the subject based on an image of the subject by receiving reflected light of infrared light, and detecting the illuminance of the ambient light irradiated to the host vehicle including the subject as the ambient light illuminance An ambient light detection step, an adjustment step of adjusting the intensity of the irradiation light based on at least one of the recognition result of the subject in the recognition step and the ambient light illuminance detected in the ambient light detection step; Provided.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, since the vehicle information is indicated by the transmitted light obtained by transmitting the visible light and the infrared light through the instrument panel, the infrared light can be mixed into the transmitted light indicating the information. In addition, it is possible to eliminate the driver's uncomfortable feeling that occurs when only the infrared light is detected by the driver's eyes separately from the transmitted light. Furthermore, according to the first aspect, since infrared light is also irradiated from the position where the transmitted light is irradiated from the instrument panel, the space for arranging a light source for irradiating infrared light separately from the transmitted light can be reduced. Thus, space saving and cost reduction of the lighting device can be achieved. Further, according to the first aspect, the irradiation light is based on at least one of the result of recognizing the subject including the driver based on the image and the illuminance of the ambient light irradiated to the host vehicle including the subject. In order to adjust the intensity of the vehicle, for example, a system that grasps the state of the driver based on the result of recognizing the subject including the driver can always obtain a good recognition result.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if the intensity of irradiation light is adjusted when a predetermined in-vehicle device mounted on the host vehicle is operating, it is possible to eliminate the uncomfortable feeling given to the driver of the host vehicle. it can.

  According to the third aspect, when the irradiation light is irradiated and the engine of the host vehicle is stopped, the intensity of the irradiation light can be adjusted according to the illuminance of the environmental light.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is a high possibility that the irradiation light is irradiated and the engine is stopped, that is, when the host vehicle is not running and it is not necessary to recognize the subject. In order to irradiate the irradiation light, the intensity of the irradiation light actually irradiated can be adjusted to the lowest intensity among the intensity of two or more irradiation lights corresponding to the result of judging daytime and nighttime. Can save power.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, it is possible that the irradiation light is irradiated and the engine of the host vehicle is stopped, that is, the host vehicle is not running and it is not necessary to recognize the subject. The intensity of visible light emitted when it is considered to be high is adjusted to the lowest visible light intensity corresponding to the result of judging daytime and nighttime. By setting the intensity to zero, extra power for irradiating the irradiation light can be further saved.

  According to the sixth aspect, when the irradiation light is irradiated and the engine of the host vehicle is operating, as a result of recognizing the subject based on the captured image, based on the exposure value and the ambient light illuminance, The intensity of irradiation light can be adjusted.

  According to the seventh aspect, when the subject cannot be recognized even though the exposure value when capturing an image is the upper limit, the intensity of the irradiation light is increased to increase the darkness of the shadow generated in the image. Can be appropriate.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, it is possible to store two or more predetermined intensities of irradiation light that correspond to daytime and nighttime, and increase in order. And according to the said 8th invention, it is the next highest intensity | strength of the irradiation light actually irradiated from the intensity | strength of two or more irradiation light corresponding to the result of having judged either daytime or nighttime. By selecting and adjusting the intensity, it is possible to increase the intensity of the irradiation light and to adjust the density of the shadow generated in the image.

  According to the ninth aspect, when the subject can be recognized regardless of the intensity of the irradiation light, the intensity of the irradiation light that is actually irradiated is changed to the setting intensity of the irradiation light set by the driver. By selecting a close intensity, it is possible to bring the intensity of the irradiation light actually irradiated closer to the set intensity desired by the passenger.

  According to the tenth aspect of the invention, when adjusting the intensity of the irradiation light to appropriately adjust the shade density generated in the image, two or more infrared rays corresponding to the result of determining either daytime or nighttime From the intensity of the light, select the next highest intensity of the infrared light that is actually irradiated and adjust it separately from the intensity of the visible light, thereby increasing the intensity of the infrared light and resulting in the image The shade can be made appropriate.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, when the subject can be recognized based on the image of the subject, the intensity of the infrared light actually irradiated is next to the infrared light setting intensity set in advance as a default value. By selecting an intensity close to, the intensity of the infrared light actually irradiated can be made closer to the default value.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the set intensity of visible light set by the driver corresponding to the daytime and the nighttime according to the illuminance of the ambient light irradiated to the host vehicle including the driver is stored. I can keep it. According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, either daytime or nighttime is determined according to the illuminance of the ambient light, and the set intensity of visible light corresponding to the determined result (daytime or nighttime) is actually set. The intensity of visible light to be irradiated can be adjusted. That is, according to the twelfth aspect of the invention, according to daytime and nighttime, apart from the intensity of infrared light, the driver sets the intensity of visible light that mainly shows the vehicle information to the driver. It can be adjusted to the desired intensity.

  According to the thirteenth aspect, the irradiation light can be adjusted when recognizing the driver's face included in the subject.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, when the light projector provided in the host vehicle is activated, the adjustment of the intensity of the irradiated light can be started.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, when the light projector provided in the host vehicle stops, the adjustment of the intensity of the irradiated light can be started.

  According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, even if the intensity of irradiation light is adjusted when a driver monitor system mounted as an in-vehicle device is operating in the host vehicle, the uncomfortable feeling given to the driver of the host vehicle is eliminated. Can do.

  Moreover, according to the illumination method which concerns on this invention, the effect similar to the illuminating device which concerns on this invention mentioned above can be acquired.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the illuminating device which concerns on this invention. The figure which shows an example of the external appearance of the display part which concerns on this invention The figure which shows the more detailed structure of the display part which concerns on this invention The figure which shows the more detailed structure of the recognition part which concerns on this invention. The figure which shows the more detailed structure of the adjustment part which concerns on this invention. The figure which shows an example of the illumination light intensity table which concerns on this invention The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the illuminating device based on this invention. The figure which shows an example of the mounting part of an irradiation part The figure which shows an example of the area (space) which can be saved by this invention

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a lighting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a display unit 101, a recognition unit 102, an adjustment unit 103, and an ambient light detection unit 104. Hereinafter, each structure shown in FIG. 1 of the illuminating device 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated. In the description of the present embodiment, a case where the lighting device 1 is mounted on the host vehicle will be described as an example.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display unit 101 according to the present embodiment. The display unit 101 according to the present embodiment is typically in an instrument panel between the driver of the host vehicle and the windshield, in front of the driver of the host vehicle, as shown in FIG. It is an instrument panel that is provided and indicates information about the host vehicle such as the traveling speed of the host vehicle and the number of revolutions of the engine of the host vehicle.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the display unit 101 according to the present embodiment in more detail. The display unit 101 according to the present embodiment has characters (numerals) a1 and scales b1 indicating the speed and the number of rotations drawn on the instrument panel, the current traveling speed and the number of rotations of the host vehicle. And a pointer c1 indicating the character (number) a1 or the scale b1. In the display unit 101 according to the present embodiment, at least the letter (number) a1, the scale b1, and the part d1 of the pointer c1 are each formed of a material that can transmit light, and at least the letter (number) a1 and Light is transmitted from the back of the scale b1 and the part d1 of the pointer c1 in the direction in which the driver is on board.

  The display unit 101 according to the present embodiment includes an irradiation unit 1011 on the back of the instrument panel, and a reflector, a light guide plate, or the like directly from the irradiation unit 1011 to the letter a1, the scale b1, and the part d1 of the pointer c1. Irradiation light is irradiated through. The irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 is transmitted as a transmitted light through the above-described light-transmitting substance configured on the instrument panel, and the transmitted light reaches the eyes of the driver of the own vehicle. The vehicle information shown on the instrument panel is communicated to the driver. That is, the irradiating unit 1011 causes the instrument panel to display the information of the own vehicle with transmitted light by irradiating the irradiation light from the back of the instrument panel. It should be noted that the light source of the irradiation unit 1011 is operated in any case directly via a reflector or a light guide plate when irradiating the letter a1, the scale b1, and a part d1 of the pointer c1. The above-mentioned substances or installation positions are selected so as not to give discomfort to the aesthetic sense of the person.

  A specific example of the irradiation unit 1011 according to the present embodiment is two LEDs, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits visible light having a wavelength in the visible region and an LED that emits infrared light having a wavelength in the infrared region. . Another specific example of the irradiation unit 1011 according to the present embodiment is a two-wavelength LED that can irradiate both the above-described visible light and the above-described infrared light. The illumination device 1 according to the present embodiment irradiates visible light and infrared light as irradiation light using the above-described two LEDs or the above-described two-wavelength LEDs as the irradiation unit 1011 as described above. Infrared light can be mixed with transmitted light reaching the driver's eyes.

  Infrared light is generally known to be difficult to be detected by the human eye, but may be detected by the human eye depending on individual differences in the human eye and the ambient light environment. . Further, the infrared light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 only needs to be emitted so that the recognition unit 102 can recognize the subject as described later, and only the infrared light need not be detected by human eyes. . Therefore, in the illuminating device 1 according to this embodiment, as described above, infrared light is emitted from a position different from the transmitted light by causing infrared light to be lost in the transmitted light reaching the driver's eyes. Only the driver's eyes sense it, and the driver can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable.

  Next, the recognition unit 102 will be described. As described above, the recognizing unit 102 captures an object by receiving infrared light such as reflected light of infrared light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 as illumination light, and detects the object based on the captured image. Process to recognize. When the process of recognizing the subject is performed, the recognition unit 102 notifies the adjustment unit 103 whether or not the subject has been recognized. In addition, the recognition unit 102 notifies the adjustment unit 103 of an exposure value when the subject is imaged. In the description of the present embodiment, the case where the recognition unit 102 recognizes the driver's face as a subject will be described as an example.

  The recognition unit 102 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a more detailed configuration of the recognition unit 102 according to the present embodiment. The recognition unit 102 according to the present embodiment includes an imaging unit 1021, a subject recognition unit 1022, an exposure value notification unit 1023, and a recognition result notification unit 1024.

  The imaging unit 1021 is typically a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera capable of receiving and detecting infrared light having a wavelength of at least an infrared region, and includes the driver's face in the imaging range. It is mounted at a position where the driver can be imaged from the front of the vehicle. A typical mounting position of the imaging unit 1021 is the upper part of the steering column or the above-described instrument panel. The imaging unit 1021 captures an image of a subject including a driver's face at a predetermined interval (for example, one frame (for example, 1/24 second)), and each time it captures image data indicating the captured image. Generate. Note that the imaging unit 1021 may receive and detect visible light having a wavelength in the visible region in addition to the wavelength in the infrared region.

  The subject recognition unit 1022 acquires the generated image data when the image data is generated by the imaging unit 1021. Each time image data is acquired, the imaging unit 1021 performs a process of recognizing the driver's face by any known method based on the acquired image data. The imaging unit 1021 typically recognizes the angle of the driver's face, the opening degree of each of the left and right eyelids, and the like in a process of recognizing the driver's face.

  The exposure value notification unit 1023 sequentially detects the exposure value when the imaging unit 1021 captures an image as described above, and generates exposure value information indicating the detected exposure value each time the exposure value is detected.

  The recognition result notification unit 1024 determines whether or not the subject recognition unit 1022 has recognized the driver's face each time the subject recognition unit 1022 performs processing for recognizing the driver's face. The recognition result notification unit 1024 determines whether or not a target detection result has been obtained in the detection process in an arbitrary detection process performed in the process in which the subject recognition unit 1022 recognizes the driver's face. Based on the result, it is determined whether or not the subject recognition unit 1022 has recognized the driver's face.

  More specifically, for example, in the process in which the subject recognition unit 1022 recognizes the driver's face, a detection process is performed to detect the symmetry of the driver's face captured in the image indicated by the image data. In this case, when the symmetry can be detected in the detection process, the recognition result notification unit 1024 determines that the subject recognition unit 1022 has recognized the driver's face, and the symmetry cannot be detected in the detection process. The recognition result notification unit 1024 determines that the subject recognition unit 1022 cannot recognize the driver's face.

  Furthermore, the recognition result notification unit 1024 acquires the generated exposure value information when the exposure value notification unit 1023 generates the exposure value information. The recognition result notification unit 1024 determines whether or not the subject recognition unit 1022 has recognized the driver's face and acquires exposure value information. The acquired result (hereinafter referred to as a recognition determination result) and the acquired exposure are obtained. Recognition result information indicating the exposure value indicated by the value information as a recognition result is generated.

  Note that the detection result of the detection process determined by the recognition result notification unit 1024 may be one, or may be the detection results of two or more detection processes. When the recognition result notification unit 1024 determines the detection results of two or more detection processes, the detection process that has obtained any one of the target detection results among the detection results of the detection processes to be determined. The subject recognition unit 1022 may determine that the driver's face has been recognized, or the subject recognition unit 1022 may detect the driver's face when there is a detection process in which two or more target detection results are obtained. It may be determined that the face has been recognized. In addition to the detection process for detecting the symmetry of the driver's face described above, the detection process determined by the recognition result notification unit 1024 includes a detection process for detecting a feature point in the image indicated by the image data, and image data. As an example, a detection process for detecting an edge in the image indicated by, a detection process for detecting the opening degree of the driver's eyelid, a detection process for detecting the angle of the driver's face direction, and the like.

  The functions of the subject recognition unit 1022, the exposure value notification unit 1023, and the recognition result notification unit 1024 included in the recognition unit 102 are realized mainly by an arithmetic circuit configured by an integrated circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The More specifically, the recognition unit 102 causes the CPU to execute a program stored in a storage unit (not shown) realized by a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory). It is realized by at least functioning as the subject recognition unit 1022, the exposure value notification unit 1023, and the recognition result notification unit 1024.

  Further, when the function of the exposure value notification unit 1023 is realized by an arithmetic circuit different from the CPU that realizes the functions of the subject recognition unit 1022 and the recognition result notification unit 1024, the imaging unit 1021 that incorporates the function in advance is used. The function of the exposure value notification unit 1023 built in the imaging unit 1021 may be used.

  Next, the adjustment unit 103 will be described. Typically, the adjustment unit 103 is an arithmetic circuit mainly composed of an integrated circuit such as a CPU, and the recognition result notified from the recognition unit 102 and the ambient light illuminance notified from the environment light detection unit 104. Based on at least one of them, the intensity of the irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 is adjusted.

  The adjustment unit 103 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a more detailed configuration of the adjusting unit 103 according to the present embodiment. The adjustment unit 103 according to the present embodiment includes a storage unit 1031, a setting unit 1032, a day / night determination unit 1033, and a return setting unit 1034. More specifically, the adjustment unit 103 causes the CPU constituting the arithmetic circuit to execute a program stored in the storage unit 1031 typically realized by a ROM or a RAM, so that the CPU is At least function as the setting unit 1032, the day / night determination unit 1033, and the return setting unit 1034.

  The storage unit 1031 is typically a ROM or a RAM as described above, and stores two or more predetermined intensities of irradiation light in addition to the above-described program. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a more specific example of the intensity of irradiation light stored in the storage unit 1031. As shown in FIG. 6, the storage unit 1031 according to the present embodiment stores two or more predetermined intensities of irradiation light corresponding to daytime and nighttime as an irradiation light intensity table. Further, as an example, the intensity of the irradiation light shown in the irradiation light intensity table shown in FIG. 6 is predetermined so as to increase in the order of levels 1 to 6. Further, the intensity of the irradiation light shown in the irradiation light intensity table shown in FIG. 6 is set to be relatively lower in the intensity corresponding to the night than the intensity corresponding to the daytime. As shown in FIG. 6 as an example, the storage unit 1031 according to the present embodiment stores four to six levels of intensity among six levels as the intensity of irradiation light corresponding to daytime. In addition, the storage unit 1031 according to the present embodiment stores, as shown in FIG. 6 as an example, intensity levels of 1 to 3 out of 6 levels as irradiation light intensity corresponding to nighttime. .

  In addition, the storage unit 1031 is irradiated with light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 that is set in association with daytime and nighttime by a passenger using a switch (not shown) when the lighting device 1 is operating. Are stored as set intensities, respectively. A method for determining daytime and nighttime in this embodiment will be described later.

  The own vehicle may continue to travel throughout the day and at night, but the required intensity of irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 differs between daytime and nighttime. The reason for this is that there is at least a difference between whether or not sunlight is applied to the host vehicle including the driver between daytime and nighttime, so the illuminance of the ambient light applied to the host vehicle including the driver is Because it is different. Furthermore, since the environment of the light source that irradiates the ambient light from the surroundings to the host vehicle changes from moment to moment as the host vehicle travels at daytime and at night, the irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 The appropriate intensity (the intensity at which the subject recognition unit 1022 can accurately recognize the subject) changes. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by storing two or more predetermined intensities of irradiation light corresponding to daytime and nighttime in advance in the storage unit 1031, the setting unit 1032 can be used in daytime and nighttime as described later. Accordingly, it is possible to select appropriate illuminance from predetermined illuminance.

  The setting unit 1032 is indicated by the recognition result indicated by the recognition result information generated by the recognition result notification unit 1024 as described above, and the ambient light illuminance information generated by the ambient light detection unit 104 as described later. Based on at least one of the ambient light illuminance, the intensity of the irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 is adjusted.

  The setting unit 1032 according to the present embodiment adjusts the intensity of irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 in such a manner that the irradiation unit 1011 of the own vehicle is operating and at least one of in-vehicle devices of the own vehicle ( For example, between when the engine is stopped and when the irradiation unit 1011 of the host vehicle is operating and at least one of the in-vehicle devices of the host vehicle (for example, the engine) is operating. At least different.

  First, the setting unit 1032 according to this embodiment adjusts the intensity of irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 when the irradiation unit 1011 of the own vehicle is operating and the engine of the own vehicle is stopped. The method to do is demonstrated. Note that the setting unit 1032 according to the present embodiment detects whether or not the irradiation unit 1011 is operating in a detection unit (not shown) and whether or not the engine of the host vehicle is operating.

  The setting unit 1032 according to the present embodiment is indicated by the ambient light illuminance information generated by the ambient light detection unit 104 as described later when the irradiation unit 1011 is operating and the engine of the host vehicle is stopped. The intensity of the irradiation light of the irradiation unit 1011 is set and adjusted to the intensity selected from the irradiation light stored in the storage unit 1031 according to the ambient light illuminance.

  More specifically, the setting unit 1032 generates the day and night when the day and night determination information indicating the result of determining whether it is daytime or nighttime according to the ambient light illuminance by the daytime and nighttime determination unit 1033 described later is generated. Get decision information. When the day / night determination information is acquired, the setting unit 1032 displays the irradiation light intensity table corresponding to the determination result (daytime or nighttime) indicated by the acquired day / night determination information in the storage unit 1031. The intensity of irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 is set to the selected intensity and adjusted.

  At this time, the setting unit 1032 has the highest irradiation light intensity corresponding to the result determined by the day / night determination unit 1033 from the irradiation light intensity table stored in the storage unit 1031 as described above. You may select a low intensity | strength and set the intensity | strength of the irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation part 1011 to the selected intensity | strength.

  More specifically, when the setting unit 1032 acquires the day / night determination information indicating the daytime from the day / night determination unit 1033, the setting unit 1032 has the lowest intensity of the irradiation light corresponding to the daytime stored in the storage unit 1031 (see FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 6, level 4) is selected. Further, when the setting unit 1032 acquires the day / night determination information indicating the night from the day / night determination unit 1033, the setting unit 1032 has the lowest intensity of the irradiation light corresponding to the night stored in the storage unit 1031 (example illustrated in FIG. 6). Now select level 1).

  When the irradiation unit 1011 of the host vehicle is operating and the engine of the host vehicle is stopped, the driver is on the host vehicle, but the driver is unlikely to travel, and the driver's There is a high possibility that it is not necessary to recognize the face. This is because the typical purpose of recognizing the driver's face is to detect the driver's doze based on the result of detecting the opening of the heel in the process of recognizing the driver's face, In the process of recognizing the driver's face direction angle, the driver's side-by-side driving is detected, and the own vehicle and the object (for example, a person, another vehicle, a road installation, etc.) This is because it predicts a collision with a).

  Therefore, the setting unit 1032 according to the present embodiment has the intensity of irradiation light corresponding to the result determined by the day / night determination unit 1033 when the irradiation unit 1011 is operating and the engine of the host vehicle is not operating. In order to irradiate irradiation light when there is a high possibility that it is not necessary to recognize the driver's face by selecting the lowest intensity from among them and setting the illuminance of irradiation light of the irradiation unit 1011 Can save extra power.

  It should be noted that the setting unit 1032 according to the present embodiment has an intensity of irradiation light corresponding to a determination result indicated by day / night determination information when the irradiation unit 1011 is operating and the engine of the host vehicle is stopped. As described above, the lowest strength is selected when the main purpose of recognizing the driver's face is to predict the collision between the host vehicle and the object. For the purpose of recognizing the driver's face, the lowest strength need not always be selected.

  Next, the setting unit 1032 according to the present embodiment determines the intensity of irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 when the irradiation unit 1011 of the own vehicle is operating and the engine of the own vehicle is operating. A method of adjusting will be described.

  When the irradiation unit 1011 and the engine of the host vehicle are respectively operating, the setting unit 1032 according to the present embodiment first reads the set intensity stored in the storage unit 1031 and reads the irradiation unit 1011. The intensity of the irradiation light irradiated from is set to the read set intensity and adjusted.

  More specifically, the setting unit 1032 according to the present embodiment first obtains day / night determination information generated by the day / night determination unit 1033 when the irradiation unit 1011 and the engine of the host vehicle are operating. . When the day / night determination information is acquired, the setting unit 1032 reads the setting intensity corresponding to the determination result indicated by the acquired day / night determination information from the storage unit 1031. When the setting intensity corresponding to the determination result indicated by the day / night determination information is read from the storage unit 1031, the setting unit 1032 sets and adjusts the intensity of the irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 to the read setting intensity. . When the setting unit 1032 reads the setting intensity from the storage unit 1031 and the setting intensity corresponding to the determination result indicated by the acquired day / night determination information is not stored, the determination result indicated by the day / night determination information is displayed. The corresponding predetermined default value (level 2 or level 5 in the example shown in FIG. 6) is read.

  When the setting unit 1032 sets the intensity of irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 to a set intensity (or default value) and adjusts the irradiation unit 1011 and the engine of the host vehicle, respectively, Intensity selected from the irradiation light stored in the storage unit 1031 based on the recognition result indicated by the recognition result information generated by the recognition result notification unit 1024 and the ambient light illuminance detected by the ambient light detection unit 104 In addition, the intensity of irradiation light of the irradiation unit 1011 is set and adjusted.

  More specifically, when the recognition result information is generated by the recognition result notification unit 1024, the setting unit 1032 acquires the generated recognition result information. The setting unit 1032 generates the day / night determination information when the day / night determination information indicating the result of determining whether it is daytime or nighttime according to the ambient light illuminance by the day / night determination unit 1033 described later is generated. get. When the setting unit 1032 acquires the day / night determination information and the recognition result information, based on the determination result indicated by the acquired day / night determination information and the above-described recognition determination result and exposure value respectively indicated by the recognition result information. The intensity of irradiation light is selected from the irradiation light intensity table stored in the storage unit 1031 and the intensity of irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 is set to the selected intensity and adjusted.

  At this time, the setting unit 1032 indicates that the subject recognition unit 1022 cannot recognize the driver's face based on the recognition determination result indicated by the recognition result information, and the exposure value indicated by the recognition result information is the upper limit of the imaging unit 1021. May be adjusted to increase the intensity of the irradiation light of the irradiation unit 1011.

  More specifically, the setting unit 1032 indicates that the subject recognition unit 1022 cannot recognize the driver's face based on the recognition determination result indicated by the recognition result information, and the exposure value indicated by the recognition result information is the imaging unit. When the upper limit exposure value of 1021 is indicated, when the result of the determination indicated by the acquired day / night determination information is daytime, from the intensity of irradiation light corresponding to the daytime stored in the storage unit 1031, The next highest intensity of the illumination light irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 is selected, and the intensity of the illumination light irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 is set to the selected intensity and adjusted. The setting unit 1032 indicates that the subject recognition unit 1022 cannot recognize the driver's face based on the recognition determination result indicated by the recognition result information, and the exposure value indicated by the recognition result information is the upper limit of the imaging unit 1021. When the exposure value is indicated, when the result of the determination indicated by the acquired day / night determination information is nighttime, from the intensity of irradiation light corresponding to the nighttime stored in the storage unit 1031, the irradiation unit 1011 is currently used. The intensity next to the intensity of the illuminated illumination light is selected, and the intensity of the illumination light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 is set to the selected intensity and adjusted.

  The imaging unit 1021 typically has a function of automatically adjusting the exposure value so that the shadow in the captured image is appropriate when the shadow in the captured image is not appropriate. However, the exposure value that can be adjusted by the imaging unit 1021 has an upper limit value, and by simply adjusting the exposure value, the shadow in the captured image is not appropriate, and the subject recognition unit 1022 cannot recognize the driver's face. There is a case.

  Therefore, the setting unit 1032 indicates that the recognition determination result indicated by the acquired recognition result information indicates that the subject recognition unit 1022 cannot recognize the driver's face and that the exposure value indicates the upper limit exposure value of the imaging unit 1021. That is, when the function of automatically adjusting the exposure value of the imaging unit 1021 cannot properly shade the captured image, the intensity of irradiation light of the irradiation unit 1011 is adjusted to be increased as described above. Thus, the shadow in the image captured by the imaging unit 1021 can be appropriately adjusted so that the subject recognition unit 1022 can recognize the driver's face based on the image.

  When the irradiation unit 1011 of the own vehicle and the engine of the own vehicle are operating, the driver is on the own vehicle and the own vehicle is likely to travel, and the driver's face needs to be recognized. It is likely that there is a time. The reason why the driver is likely to need to recognize the driver's face when the driver is on the vehicle and the vehicle is likely to travel is explained above. This is because the typical purpose of recognizing the driver's face is to predict a collision between the host vehicle and an object (for example, a person, another vehicle, or a road installation).

  For example, when the setting unit 1032 adjusts the intensity of irradiation light based on the acquired recognition result information and day / night determination information when the irradiation unit 1011 and the engine of the host vehicle are operating, for example, When the collision between the vehicle and the object is predicted, the driver's face can be reliably recognized by the subject recognition unit 1022.

  Next, the day / night determination unit 1033 will be described. The day / night determination unit 1033 acquires the generated ambient light illuminance information when the ambient light detection unit 104 generates the ambient light illuminance information as described later. When the ambient light illuminance information is acquired, the day / night determination unit 1033 determines based on the ambient light illuminance indicated by the acquired ambient light illuminance information whether it is daytime or nighttime.

  More specifically, the day / night determination unit 1033 determines that it is daytime when the ambient light illuminance information is acquired when the ambient light illuminance indicated by the acquired ambient light illuminance information is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. On the other hand, when the ambient light illuminance indicated by the acquired ambient light illuminance information is less than a predetermined threshold, the day / night determination unit 1033 determines that the ambient light illuminance information is acquired at night. When the day / night determination unit 1033 determines whether it is daytime or nighttime based on the ambient light illuminance indicated by the acquired ambient light illuminance information, the day / night determination unit 1033 generates day / night determination information indicating the determined result.

  When the recognition determination result indicated by the recognition result information indicates that the subject recognition unit 1022 can recognize the driver's face, the return setting unit 1034, that is, regardless of the intensity of the irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011. When the subject recognition unit 1022 can recognize the driver's face, the intensity of the irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 is adjusted.

  More specifically, the return setting unit 1034 according to the present embodiment is generated by the day / night determination unit 1033 when the subject recognition unit 1022 indicates that the driver's face can be recognized by the recognition determination result indicated by the recognition result information. Get day / night judgment information. When the day / night determination information generated by the day / night determination unit 1033 is acquired, the return setting unit 1034 determines whether or not the setting intensity corresponding to the determination result indicated by the acquired day / night determination information is stored in the storage unit 1031. To do.

  When it is determined that the setting intensity corresponding to the determination result indicated by the acquired day / night determination information is stored in the storage unit 1031, the return setting unit 1034 presents the intensity of the irradiation light currently irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011. Is the set strength stored in the storage unit 1031. On the other hand, when it is determined that the setting intensity corresponding to the determination result indicated by the acquired day / night determination information is not stored in the storage unit 1031, the return setting unit 1034 currently irradiates the irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011. Is determined to be a default value corresponding to the determination result indicated by the day / night determination information from the intensity of the irradiation light stored in the storage unit 1031.

  When the return setting unit 1034 determines that the intensity of the irradiation light currently emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 is not the set intensity or the default value, the intensity of the irradiation light currently emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 From the set intensity or the intensity of the irradiation light closest to the default value, the intensity of the irradiation light corresponding to the determination result indicated by the day / night determination information stored in the storage unit 1031 is selected and The intensity of irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 is set to the selected intensity and adjusted.

  As described above, the return setting unit 1034 allows the subject recognition unit 1022 to recognize the driver's face regardless of the intensity of the irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011, and as described above, When the intensity of the irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 is not the set intensity, the intensity of the irradiation light currently irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 is set by the occupant by adjusting the intensity so as to approach the set intensity. Irradiation light can be irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 with preferable intensity.

  The ambient light detection unit 104 is typically an illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance of incident light. The ambient light detection unit 104 is typically installed at the top of the instrument panel so that ambient light emitted to the host vehicle including the driver can be received via the windshield. The ambient light detection unit 104 sequentially detects the illuminance of incident light, and generates ambient light illuminance information indicating the detected illuminance as the aforementioned ambient light illuminance each time the illuminance is detected.

  The above is description of the structure of the illuminating device 1 which concerns on this embodiment. Next, the operation of the illumination device 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is started when the irradiation unit 1011 of the host vehicle starts operating and the engine of the host vehicle is stopped.

  In step S <b> 101, the lighting device 1 acquires the day / night determination information generated by the day / night determination unit 1033 using the setting unit 1032. When the day / night determination information is acquired by the setting unit 1032, the lighting device 1 determines, based on the acquired day / night determination information, whether or not the present day is daytime by the setting unit 1032. In step S101, when the setting unit 1032 determines that the acquired day / night determination information indicates daytime and the current time is daytime, the lighting device 1 proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, in step S101, when the setting unit 1032 determines that the acquired day / night determination information indicates nighttime and the current time is nighttime, the lighting device 1 proceeds to step S103.

  In step S102, the illuminating device 1 sets the lowest intensity among the intensity of irradiation light corresponding to daytime from the intensity of irradiation light indicated by the illumination light intensity table stored in the storage unit 1031. Then, the setting unit 1032 sets and adjusts the intensity of the irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 to the selected intensity. When the lighting device 1 completes the process of step S102, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S103, the illuminating device 1 sets the lowest intensity among the intensity of irradiation light corresponding to the night from the intensity of irradiation light indicated by the illumination light intensity table stored in the storage unit 1031. Then, the setting unit 1032 sets and adjusts the intensity of the irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 to the selected intensity. When the lighting device 1 completes the process of step S103, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S <b> 104, the lighting device 1 determines whether or not the setting unit 1032 detects that the engine of the host vehicle is operating by a detection unit (not shown). When the setting unit 1032 determines that the engine of the host vehicle is detected to be operating in step S104, the lighting device 1 advances the process to step S105. On the other hand, in the lighting device 1, when the detection unit (not shown) does not detect that the engine of the host vehicle is operating, that is, the detection unit (not shown) detects that the engine of the host vehicle is stopped, the setting unit 1032. When it is determined in step S104, the process of step S104 is repeated.

  In step S <b> 105, the lighting device 1 acquires the day / night determination information generated by the day / night determination unit 1033 using the setting unit 1032. When the day / night determination information is acquired by the setting unit 1032, the lighting device 1 determines whether or not the setting intensity corresponding to the determination result indicated by the acquired day / night determination information is stored in the storage unit 1031. to decide. When the setting unit 1032 determines that the setting intensity corresponding to the determination result indicated by the day / night determination information is stored in the storage unit 1031 in step S105, the lighting device 1 advances the process to step S107. On the other hand, when the setting unit 1032 determines that the setting intensity corresponding to the determination result indicated by the day / night determination information is not stored in the storage unit 1031 in step S105, the lighting device 1 advances the process to step S106.

  In step S106, the lighting device 1 reads the default value corresponding to the determination result indicated by the day / night determination information from the storage unit 1031 by the setting unit 1032 and reads the intensity of the irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011. The default value is set and adjusted by the setting unit 1032. When the process of step S106 is completed, the lighting device 1 proceeds with the process to step S108.

  In step S107, the lighting device 1 reads the setting intensity corresponding to the determination result indicated by the day / night determination information from the storage unit 1031 by the setting unit 1032 and reads the intensity of the irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011. The default value is set by the setting unit 1032 and adjusted. When the process of step S107 is completed, the lighting device 1 proceeds with the process to step S108.

  In step S <b> 108, the lighting apparatus 1 acquires the recognition result information generated by the recognition result notification unit 1024 using the setting unit 1032. When the recognition result information is acquired by the setting unit 1032, the lighting device 1 determines whether or not the subject recognition unit 1022 has recognized the driver's face based on the recognition determination result indicated by the recognition result information, and the exposure indicated by the recognition result information. The setting unit 1032 determines whether the value is the upper limit value of the imaging unit 1021 or not. In step S108, the lighting device 1 indicates that the driver's face cannot be recognized by the subject recognition unit 1022 based on the recognition determination result indicated by the recognition result information, and the upper limit exposure value of the imaging unit 1021 is determined based on the recognition result information. Is determined by the setting unit 1032, the process proceeds to step S <b> 109. On the other hand, when the setting unit 1032 determines that the driver's face can be recognized by the subject recognition unit 1022 based on the recognition determination result indicated by the recognition result information in step S108, the lighting device 1 proceeds to step S111. To proceed.

  In step S <b> 109, the lighting device 1 acquires the day / night determination information generated by the day / night determination unit 1033 using the setting unit 1032. When the setting unit 1032 acquires the day / night determination information, the lighting device 1 includes the irradiation light currently irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 out of the irradiation light intensity corresponding to the determination result indicated by the acquired day / night determination information. The setting unit 1032 determines whether or not the next highest intensity is stored in the storage unit 1031. In step S109, the illuminating device 1 has the next highest intensity after the intensity of the irradiation light currently irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 among the intensity of the irradiation light corresponding to the determination result indicated by the acquired day / night determination information. When the setting unit 1032 determines that the data is stored in the storage unit 1031, the process proceeds to step S <b> 110. On the other hand, in step S109, the illuminating device 1 has the next highest intensity of the irradiation light currently irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 among the intensity of the irradiation light corresponding to the determination result indicated by the acquired day / night determination information. When it is determined that the strength is not stored in the storage unit 1031, the process returns to step S <b> 108.

  In step S <b> 110, the lighting device 1 next to the intensity of the irradiation light currently emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 from the intensity of the irradiation light corresponding to the determination result indicated by the day / night determination information acquired in step S <b> 109. The setting unit 1032 selects a higher intensity, and the setting unit 1032 sets and adjusts the intensity of irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 to the selected intensity. When the lighting device 1 completes the process of step S110, the process returns to step S108.

  In step S <b> 111, the lighting device 1 acquires the day / night determination information generated by the day / night determination unit 1033 using the return setting unit 1034. When the return setting unit 1034 acquires the day / night determination information, the lighting device 1 determines whether or not the setting intensity corresponding to the determination result indicated by the acquired day / night determination information is stored in the storage unit 1031. The determination is made at 1034. When the return setting unit 1034 determines that the setting intensity corresponding to the determination result indicated by the acquired day / night determination information is stored in the storage unit 1031 in step S111, the lighting device 1 performs the process in step S112. To proceed. On the other hand, when the return setting unit 1034 determines in step S111 that the set intensity corresponding to the determination result indicated by the acquired day / night determination information is not stored in the storage unit 1031 in step S111, step S114 is performed. Proceed to the process.

  In step S112, the lighting device 1 determines whether the intensity of the irradiation light currently irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 is the set intensity determined to be stored in step S111, using the return setting unit 1034. . In step S112, when the return setting unit 1034 determines that the intensity of the irradiation light currently emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 is the setting intensity determined in step S111, the illuminating device 1 The process returns to S108. On the other hand, when the lighting apparatus 1 determines in step S112 that the intensity of the irradiation light currently irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 is not the setting intensity determined to be stored in step S111, the return setting unit 1034 The process proceeds to step S113.

  In step S113, the illumination device 1 stores in the storage unit 1031 the intensity closest to the set intensity determined to be stored in step S111 from the intensity of the irradiation light currently irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011. The return setting unit 1034 selects from the intensity of the irradiated light, and the intensity of the irradiation light currently emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 is set to the selected intensity by the return setting unit 1034 and adjusted. When the lighting device 1 completes the process of step S113, the process returns to step S108.

  In step S114, the illuminating device 1 determines whether the intensity | strength of the irradiation light currently irradiated from the irradiation part 1011 is the default value determined in step S111 by the return setting part 1034. In step S114, when the return setting unit 1034 determines that the intensity of the irradiation light currently irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 is the default value determined in step S111, the lighting device 1 returns the process to step S108. . On the other hand, when the lighting device 1 determines in step S114 that the intensity of the irradiation light currently irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 is not the default value determined in step S111, the return setting unit 1034 performs the process to step S115. Proceed.

  In step S <b> 115, the illumination device 1 uses the intensity of the irradiation light stored in the storage unit 1031 to the intensity closest to the default value determined in step S <b> 111 from the intensity of the irradiation light currently irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011. The intensity is selected by the return setting unit 1034 from the intensities, and the intensity of the irradiation light currently emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 is set and adjusted to the selected intensity by the return setting unit 1034. When the lighting device 1 completes the process of step S115, the process returns to step S108.

  The above is description of operation | movement of the illuminating device 1 which concerns on this embodiment. According to the illuminating device 1 according to the present embodiment, since the vehicle information is indicated by the transmitted light that has transmitted visible light and infrared light through the instrument panel, the infrared light is mixed into the transmitted light indicating the information. In addition, it is possible to eliminate the driver's uncomfortable feeling that occurs when only infrared light is detected by the driver's eyes separately from transmitted light. Moreover, according to the illuminating device 1 which concerns on this embodiment, since infrared light is mixed with the transmitted light which shows the information of the own vehicle, the intensity | strength of the irradiation light permeate | transmitted as transmitted light with an instrument panel is adjusted with the adjustment part 103. Even if it adjusts to such intensity | strength, a driver | operator's discomfort which arises when infrared light is perceived with a driver | operator's eyes can be eliminated. Moreover, according to the illuminating device 1 which concerns on this embodiment, since infrared light is also irradiated from the position where transmitted light is irradiated from an instrument panel, the space which arrange | positions the light source which irradiates infrared light separately from transmitted light is arranged. It is possible to reduce the space of the lighting device 1 and to reduce the cost. Furthermore, according to the lighting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, based on at least one of the result of recognizing the subject including the driver based on the image and the illuminance of the ambient light irradiated to the host vehicle including the subject. In order to adjust the intensity of irradiation light, for example, a system that grasps the state of the driver based on the result of recognizing the subject including the driver can always obtain a good recognition result.

(Modification of the first embodiment)
In the description of the first embodiment, a case where the intensities of visible light and infrared light irradiated as irradiation light from the irradiation unit 1011 are both adjusted as the intensity of irradiation light has been described as an example. However, in the lighting device 1 according to the modification of the first embodiment, the intensity of visible light and the intensity of infrared light irradiated as irradiation light from the irradiation unit 1011 can be individually set and adjusted. Good.

  More specifically, in the lighting device 1 according to this modification, the storage unit 1031 stores two or more predetermined intensities of visible light corresponding to daytime and nighttime as a visible light intensity table, and the daytime And two or more predetermined intensities of infrared light respectively corresponding to the nighttime are stored as an infrared light intensity table.

  Here, the intensities shown in the visible light intensity table and the infrared light intensity table are determined in advance so as to increase in order. In addition, it is assumed that the intensity of visible light shown in the visible light intensity table is relatively lower in intensity corresponding to nighttime than intensities corresponding to daytime. Similarly, it is assumed that the intensity of infrared light indicated in the infrared light intensity table is relatively lower in intensity corresponding to nighttime than intensities corresponding to daytime.

  Furthermore, in the storage unit 1031 according to the present modification, when the lighting device 1 is operating, the irradiation unit 1011 is set in association with each of daytime and nighttime by a passenger using a switch (not shown). Is stored in the storage unit 1031 as a visible light setting intensity. Here, the visible light setting intensity is selected and set by the passenger of the host vehicle from the intensity indicated in the visible light intensity table.

  When the setting unit 1032 according to this modification acquires day / night determination information when the irradiation unit 1011 is operating and the engine of the host vehicle is stopped, the determination result indicated by the acquired day / night determination information Is read from the storage unit 1031. When the visible light setting intensity is read, the setting unit 1032 sets the visible light intensity emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 to the read visible light setting intensity and adjusts it. Furthermore, the setting unit 1032 according to the present modified example sets the intensity of infrared light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 when the irradiation unit 1011 is operating and the engine of the host vehicle is stopped. Adjust to the lowest intensity shown in the intensity table or set to zero.

  This is because, as described in the first embodiment, when the irradiation unit 1011 is operating and the engine of the host vehicle is stopped, it is not necessary to recognize the driver's face. This is because the possibility is high and it is considered unnecessary to irradiate infrared light from the irradiation unit 1011. Therefore, according to the illuminating device 1 which concerns on this modification, the intensity | strength of the infrared light irradiated from the irradiation part 1011 is made the lowest or zero, irradiating the visible light of visible light setting intensity | strength from the irradiation part 1011. As a result, it is possible to further save the power required to irradiate infrared light while maintaining the visibility of the instrument panel.

  And the setting part 1032 which concerns on this modification is the visible light setting corresponding to the result of the judgment shown by day / night judgment information, when the irradiation part 1011 and the engine of the own vehicle are each operating. Similar to the operation described in the first embodiment, the recognition result indicated by the recognition result information generated by the recognition result notification unit 1024 and the ambient light detection unit 104 are set to the intensity and only the intensity of the infrared light is used. Adjust based on the ambient light illuminance detected by.

  More specifically, the setting unit 1032 first sets the intensity of infrared light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 to a predetermined default value when the irradiation unit 1011 and the engine of the host vehicle are operating. Set to and adjust. Here, the default value is determined in advance in the intensity of infrared light indicated by the infrared light intensity table.

  When the intensity of infrared light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 is set to a default value, the setting unit 1032 includes recognition result information generated by the recognition result notification unit 1024, and day / night determination information generated by the day / night determination unit 1033. Get each. When the setting unit 1032 acquires the day / night determination information and the recognition result information, based on the determination result indicated by the acquired day / night determination information and the recognition determination result and the exposure value respectively indicated by the recognition result information, the setting unit 1032 Similar to the operation described in the first embodiment, the intensity of only the infrared light irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 is selected from the infrared light intensity table and adjusted.

  At this time, in the setting unit 1032 according to this modification, the recognition determination result indicated by the acquired recognition result information indicates that the subject recognition unit 1022 cannot recognize the driver's face, and is indicated by the recognition result information. When the exposure value indicates the upper limit exposure value of the imaging unit 1021, the intensity of the infrared light irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 is irradiated in the same manner as the operation for adjusting the intensity of the irradiation light described in the first embodiment. You may adjust so that it may raise similarly to the intensity | strength of the irradiation light irradiated from the part 1011. FIG.

  In addition, the return setting unit 1034 according to this modification example indicates that the subject recognition unit 1022 can recognize the driver's face based on the recognition determination result indicated by the recognition result information, that is, the red light emitted from the irradiation unit 1011. When the subject recognizing unit 1022 can recognize the driver's face regardless of the intensity of external light, it is emitted from the irradiating unit 1011 in the same manner as the operation for adjusting the intensity of irradiated light described in the first embodiment. Adjust the intensity of infrared light only.

  More specifically, the return setting unit 1034 according to the present modification is currently irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 when the subject recognition unit 1022 indicates that the driver's face can be recognized by the recognition determination result indicated by the recognition result information. It is determined whether or not the intensity of the infrared light is a default value corresponding to the determination result indicated by the day / night determination information among the infrared light intensity stored in the storage unit 1031.

  Then, when the return setting unit 1034 determines that the intensity of the infrared light currently emitted from the irradiation unit 1011 is not the default value, from the intensity of the infrared light currently emitted from the irradiation unit 1011, The infrared light intensity closest to the default value is selected from the infrared light intensities corresponding to the determination result indicated by the day / night determination information stored in the storage unit 1031, and the irradiation unit 1011 is currently selected. Set the intensity of the infrared light irradiated from to the selected intensity and adjust.

  The setting unit 1032 and the return setting unit 1034 according to this modification maintain the visibility of the instrument panel by adjusting only the intensity of infrared light while the visible light intensity is set to the visible light setting intensity. However, the effect obtained by the illumination device 1 according to the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In the first embodiment and its modification, each of the setting unit 1032 and the return setting unit 1034 changes the intensity of the irradiation light currently irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 to the intensity of the selected irradiation light. When setting and adjusting, it may be adjusted by changing the intensity of the irradiation light currently irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 to a directly selected intensity, or the irradiation currently irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011. The light intensity may be adjusted so as to gradually decrease or increase from a light intensity to a selected intensity.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment and its modification, when the irradiation part 1011 is operate | moving and the engine of the own vehicle has stopped, the irradiation part 1011 and the engine of the own vehicle operate | move, respectively. It may be determined in advance so that the adjustment range of the intensity of the irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation unit 1011 is different between the time when the irradiation is being performed. In this case, the irradiation unit 1011 is operating at the lower limit of the irradiation light intensity adjustment range when the irradiation unit 1011 and the engine of the host vehicle are operating, and the engine of the host vehicle is stopped. It may be determined in advance so as to be relatively higher than the lower limit of the adjustment range of the intensity of the irradiation light.

  More specifically, referring to the irradiation light intensity table of FIG. 6, for example, in the lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment, the irradiation unit 1011 is operating and the engine of the host vehicle is stopped. When it is daytime, the adjustment range of the intensity of irradiation light may be determined in advance as level 4 to level 6, and when it is nighttime, it may be determined as levels 1 to 3. On the other hand, for example, in the lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment, when the irradiation unit 1011 and the engine of the host vehicle are operating, the adjustment range of the intensity of the irradiation light is set to level 5 in the daytime. Or may be predetermined to level 6 and may be predetermined to levels 2 to 3 when it is nighttime.

  Thereby, as described above, when the driver is on the host vehicle, the host vehicle is highly likely to travel, and it is highly likely that the driver needs to recognize the face. It is possible to prevent the intensity of the irradiation light from being adjusted to a setting intensity set to an intensity at which the driver's face cannot be recognized.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment and its modification, as an example of the timing which the illuminating device 1 which concerns on this invention adjusts irradiation light, the irradiation part 1011 is operating and the engine of the own vehicle stops. And when the irradiation unit 1011 and the engine of the host vehicle are operating. However, the illuminating device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention, when the irradiating unit 1011 is operating, makes visible infrared light no matter how and when the intensity of the irradiating light is adjusted. Since it is irradiated with light, it can eliminate the uncomfortable feeling given to the driver.

  As another example of the timing at which the irradiation apparatus 1 according to the present invention adjusts the intensity of the irradiation light, the irradiation unit 1011 is operating, and among the in-vehicle apparatuses mounted on the host vehicle, at least a predetermined amount An example is when one on-vehicle device is operating. In this case, as at least one predetermined in-vehicle device, among the in-vehicle devices mounted on the own vehicle, at least one in-vehicle device that operates when the driver of the own vehicle is on board is determined in advance. Good. Examples of such an in-vehicle device include a car navigation system and a driver monitor system. Here, the driver monitor system is based on an image obtained by capturing the driver's face like the subject recognition unit 1022 described above, and the driver's face symmetry, face orientation angle, and eyelid opening. It may be a system that detects the degree and the like, and notifies the driver of the result of predicting the possibility of dozing driving, aside driving, and collision based on the detected result.

  As long as the in-vehicle device that operates when the driver of the host vehicle is on board, any in-vehicle device is determined in advance, according to the lighting device 1 according to the present invention, red as described above. In order to irradiate ambient light with visible light, for example, how to adjust the intensity of irradiation light based on at least one of the ambient light illuminance indicated by the ambient light illuminance information and the recognition result indicated by the recognition result information. Even if the adjustment is made, it is possible to eliminate the uncomfortable feeling given to the driver in the own vehicle.

  Moreover, the irradiation part 1011 which concerns on other one embodiment is equipped with the own vehicle, such as a small lamp and a headlamp, for example, and the switch of the light projector which projects toward the exterior of the own vehicle is a passenger of the own vehicle. It may be configured to operate at the same time as being turned on, and the irradiation light may be irradiated when the operation is started. And the adjustment part 103 may be provided in the own vehicle, and may adjust the intensity | strength of irradiated light when the operation | movement which projects light toward the exterior of the own vehicle is started. More specifically, the adjustment unit 103 sets the intensity of visible light by the occupant at the setting unit 1032, the day / night determination unit 1033, and the return setting unit 1034 when the floodlighting device of the host vehicle starts operating. The set intensity or the default value may be set, and the intensity of infrared light may be set based on at least one of the ambient light illuminance indicated by the ambient light illuminance information and the recognition result indicated by the recognition result information.

  Moreover, the irradiation part 1011 which concerns on other one embodiment is equipped with the own vehicle, such as a small lamp and a headlamp, for example, and the switch of the light projector which projects toward the exterior of the own vehicle is a passenger of the own vehicle. The irradiation light may be irradiated when the operation is stopped by the turning off. And the adjustment part 103 may adjust the intensity | strength of irradiation light, when the light projection apparatus of the own vehicle stops an operation | movement. More specifically, the adjustment unit 103 uses the setting unit 1032, the day / night determination unit 1033, and the return setting unit 1034 to calculate the intensity of visible light when the light projection device of the host vehicle stops operating. The intensity of infrared light may be set based on at least one of the ambient light illuminance indicated by the ambient light illuminance information and the recognition result indicated by the recognition result information.

  The infrared light having the wavelength in the infrared region described in the first embodiment may be infrared light having a wavelength in the near infrared region.

  When the passenger of the host vehicle turns on or turns off a light projection device such as a small lamp or headlamp of the host vehicle, the irradiation unit 1011 emits irradiation light, and how the intensity is increased. Even if it adjusts, according to the irradiation apparatus 1 which concerns on this invention, since infrared light is lost in visible light as demonstrated above, the discomfort given to a driver | operator can be eliminated.

  Moreover, as an example of the mounting location of the irradiation part 1011 in 1st Embodiment and its modification, as shown in FIG. 8, it determines beforehand toward the outer side of the width direction of the own vehicle from the center of an instrument panel. A position having an offset.

  Moreover, FIG. 9 is the front view which looked at the irradiation part of the illuminating device which concerns on other invention of this invention from the front. As shown in FIG. 9, typically, the illumination unit of the illumination device according to another invention of the present invention is mounted on both sides of a CCD camera corresponding to the imaging unit 1021 according to the present invention. On the other hand, according to the present invention, as described above, infrared light and visible light are transmitted through the above-described material that can transmit light, which is configured on the instrument panel. In addition, by irradiating the subject including the driver's face, as shown in FIG. 9, the area necessary for installing the LED serving as the infrared light source can be saved, and space saving and cost reduction can be achieved. Can be achieved.

  In addition, according to the present invention, as described above, infrared light and visible light are transmitted through the above-described light-transmitting substance configured on the instrument panel, and the vehicle information is indicated. By irradiating infrared light into transmitted light, the irradiation area of infrared light can be increased as compared with an infrared light source shown in FIG. 9 as an example.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the above description is merely an example of the present invention in all respects and is not intended to limit the scope thereof. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to irradiate infrared light without giving a sense of incongruity to a subject.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Illuminating device 101 Display part 1011 Irradiation part 102 Recognition part 1021 Camera 1022 Subject recognition part 1023 Exposure value notification part 1024 Recognition result notification part 103 Adjustment part 1031 Storage part 1032 Setting part 1033 Day / Night judgment part 1034 Return setting part 104 Ambient light detection part

Claims (17)

An irradiation device for irradiating light to a driver of the own vehicle,
Display means provided in the front direction of the host vehicle with respect to the driver, and indicating information of the host vehicle with transmitted light;
By irradiating two light beams of visible light having a wavelength in the visible region and infrared light having a wavelength in the infrared region from the back surface of the display device, the information is displayed on the display device by the transmitted light. Irradiation means for causing,
Recognition means for recognizing the subject based on the image of the subject imaged by receiving the reflected light of the infrared light;
Ambient light detection means for detecting the illuminance of ambient light applied to the host vehicle including the subject as ambient light illuminance;
An irradiation apparatus comprising: an adjusting unit that adjusts the intensity of the irradiation light based on at least one of the recognition result of the subject by the recognition unit and the ambient light illuminance.   The said adjustment means adjusts the intensity | strength of the said irradiation light, when the said irradiation means is operating and the predetermined vehicle-mounted apparatus mounted in the said own vehicle is operating. Irradiation device.   The adjusting means includes setting means for adjusting the intensity of the irradiation light according to the ambient light illuminance when the irradiation means is operating and the engine of the host vehicle is stopped. An irradiation apparatus according to 1. The adjusting means is
Day and night when the ambient light illuminance is determined to be daytime when the ambient light illuminance is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and determined to be night when the ambient light illuminance is less than the threshold. Judgment means,
Storage means for storing two or more predetermined intensities of the irradiation light respectively corresponding to daytime and nighttime determined by the day / night determination means;
The setting means selects the lowest intensity of the irradiation light corresponding to the result determined by the day / night determination means according to the ambient light illuminance from the intensity stored in the storage means, and the irradiation means The irradiation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the intensity of the irradiation light irradiated from is set and adjusted to a selected intensity. The storage means stores two or more predetermined intensities of the visible light corresponding to daytime and nighttime determined by the day / night determination means;
The setting means adjusts the visible light intensity by setting the lowest visible light intensity corresponding to the result determined by the day / night determination means stored in the storage means, and the storage means The irradiation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the intensity of the infrared light that is not stored is adjusted to zero. The recognition means is
Imaging means for capturing the image;
Exposure value notifying means for notifying an exposure value when the image capturing means captures the image;
Recognizing result notifying means for notifying information indicating whether or not the subject has been recognized based on an image captured by the image capturing means and the exposure value as the recognition result;
The adjusting unit adjusts the intensity of the irradiation light based on the recognition result and the ambient light illuminance notified from the recognition result notification unit when the irradiation unit and the engine of the host vehicle are operating. The irradiation apparatus according to claim 1.   When the recognition result notified from the recognition result notification unit indicates that the subject cannot be recognized and the upper limit exposure value of the imaging unit, the adjustment unit is configured to change the irradiation light according to the ambient light illuminance. The irradiation apparatus according to claim 6, comprising setting means for increasing the intensity of the irradiation. The adjusting means is
Day and night when the ambient light illuminance is determined to be daytime when the ambient light illuminance is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and determined to be night when the ambient light illuminance is less than the threshold. Judgment means,
Storage means for storing the intensity of the irradiation light of two or more predetermined corresponding to daytime and nighttime determined by the daytime and nighttime determination means, and increasing in order,
When the intensity of the irradiation light is increased, the setting means is irradiated from the irradiation means from the intensity of the irradiation light stored in the storage means and corresponding to the result determined by the day / night determination means. The irradiation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second highest intensity of the irradiation light is selected, and the intensity of the irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation unit is set and adjusted to the selected intensity. The storage means further stores the intensity of the irradiation light set by the driver of the host vehicle corresponding to the daytime and nighttime determined by the daytime / nighttime determination means, respectively as a set intensity,
When the recognition result notified from the recognition result notification means indicates that the subject can be recognized, the adjustment means is determined by the day / night determination means from the intensity of the irradiation light emitted from the irradiation means. The intensity closest to the set intensity corresponding to the result is selected from the intensity of the irradiation light stored in the storage means, and the intensity of the irradiation light irradiated from the irradiation means is selected. The irradiation apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising return setting means for setting and adjusting the intensity. The storage means corresponds to daytime and nighttime determined by the daytime / nighttime determination means, and stores intensities of the two or more infrared lights set in advance so as to increase in order,
The setting means adjusts the intensity of the irradiation light from the intensity of the infrared light stored in the storage means and corresponding to the result of the determination by the day / night determination means from the irradiation means. The intensity | strength next to the intensity | strength of the said infrared light currently irradiated is selected, and the intensity | strength of the said infrared light irradiated from the said irradiation means is set to the selected intensity | strength, and is adjusted. Irradiation equipment. The storage means further stores the intensity of the infrared light determined in advance corresponding to the daytime and nighttime determined by the day / night determination means as an infrared light setting intensity,
When the recognition result notified from the recognition result notification means indicates that the subject can be recognized, the adjustment means is determined by the day / night determination means from the intensity of the infrared light irradiated from the irradiation means. The intensity closest to the infrared light set intensity corresponding to the result is selected from the intensities of the infrared light stored in the storage means, and the infrared light irradiated from the irradiation means The irradiation apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising return setting means for setting and adjusting the intensity of the light to the selected intensity. The storage means further stores the intensity of the visible light set by the driver of the host vehicle corresponding to the daytime and nighttime determined by the daytime / nighttime determination means, respectively, as set intensity,
The adjusting means further includes visible light setting means for setting and adjusting the intensity of the visible light emitted from the irradiating means to the set intensity corresponding to the result determined by the day / night determining means. 6. The irradiation apparatus according to 6.   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the recognition unit recognizes a face of the driver included in the subject.   2. The irradiation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit is mounted on the host vehicle and adjusts the intensity of the irradiation light when a light projection apparatus that projects light toward the outside of the host vehicle is activated. .   2. The irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the intensity of the irradiation light when the light projection device that is mounted on the host vehicle and projects light toward the outside of the host vehicle stops. .   The irradiation device according to claim 2, wherein the adjusting means adjusts the intensity of the irradiation light when a driver monitor system predetermined as the in-vehicle device mounted on the host vehicle is operating. An irradiation method used in an irradiation device for irradiating light to a driver of the own vehicle,
Visible light having a wavelength in the visible region and infrared light having a wavelength in the infrared region from the back of the instrument panel provided in the front direction of the own vehicle with respect to the driver and indicating the information of the own vehicle with transmitted light. And irradiating each of the two irradiation lights, and causing the instrument panel to indicate the information of the host vehicle with the transmitted light,
A recognition step of recognizing the subject based on an image of the subject by receiving the reflected light of the infrared light;
An ambient light detection step for detecting the illuminance of ambient light applied to the host vehicle including the subject as ambient light illuminance;
An irradiation method comprising: an adjustment step of adjusting the intensity of the irradiation light based on at least one of the recognition result of the subject in the recognition step and the ambient light illuminance detected in the ambient light detection step.

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