JP2013109911A - Lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it easy to recognize existence of an object person without dazzling the object person.SOLUTION: The lighting device includes an image recognizing part for performing an image recognizing treatment based on an image obtained by photographing a targeted space, a targeted person recognizing part for recognizing a first region corresponding to the face of the targeted person existing in the targeted space and a second region corresponding to a lower body than the face of the targeted person, a targeted person light distribution control part for generating a light distribution signal so that the first region may become dark and that the second region and a third region where the second region is extended to a lower side direction of the targeted person may become bright relatively, and a light irradiation part for emitting light to the targeted space in accordance with the light distribution control signal generated by the targeted person light distribution control part.

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination device suitable for use as, for example, a vehicle headlamp.

  As a prior example of a light distribution control technique in a vehicle headlamp, for example, a vehicle illumination device and a light distribution control method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4720758 (Patent Document 1) are known. In the prior example disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is determined whether or not the road surface is in a mirror surface state due to rain, snow, or the like, and when the road surface is in a mirror surface state, it is reflected not only in the area of the oncoming vehicle but also on the road surface. The glare light to the oncoming vehicle is suppressed by controlling the irradiation range of the headlight of the own vehicle so that the area of the oncoming vehicle is also turned off or dimmed.

  By the way, although the glare light to the oncoming vehicle due to the specular reflection is suppressed in the preceding example, in the actual environment, not only the specular reflection light but also the diffuse reflection light (diffuse reflection) is reflected in the road surface reflection light by the headlight of the own vehicle. Light). For example, when the amount of rainfall is small or the road surface is uneven, the ratio of diffusely reflected light increases, and streak-like reflected light appears as if it has a tail on the road surface. For this reason, in the above-described prior example assuming only specular reflection light, the effect of suppressing road surface reflection light by the host vehicle in an actual environment may be insufficient. Furthermore, in the preceding example, because the headlight of the oncoming vehicle detects the bright spot (regular reflection point) generated by specular reflection on the road surface, light distribution control is performed, so in principle it exists in front of the host vehicle No pedestrians are detected. For this reason, it will be in the state which has given glare to the pedestrian by the light and reflected light which reach directly from the headlamp of the own vehicle. On the other hand, if the simple control of not irradiating light to the area where the pedestrian is present is performed, it becomes difficult for the driver of the own vehicle to recognize the presence of the pedestrian particularly in rainy weather. Such a situation can occur not only in the field of vehicle headlamps but also in general lighting technology in which a certain subject is irradiated with light.

Japanese Patent No. 4720758

  The specific aspect which concerns on this invention makes it one of the objectives to provide the illumination technique which does not give glare to a subject and can make it easy to recognize presence of a subject.

  An illumination device according to an aspect of the present invention includes (a) an image recognition unit that performs image recognition processing based on an image obtained by photographing a target space, and (b) an image recognition result obtained by the image recognition unit. A target area identifying unit that identifies a first area corresponding to the face of the target person existing in the target space and a second area corresponding to the body below the face of the target person, and (c) the first area is relative A light distribution control unit that generates a light distribution control signal so that the second region and the third region obtained by extending the second region in the lower direction of the subject become relatively brighter, and (d) The illumination device includes a light irradiation unit that emits light to a target space in accordance with a light distribution control signal generated by the light distribution control unit. Here, the “target space” is, for example, a space in front of the host vehicle, the “target person” is, for example, a pedestrian, and the “lower surface of the target space” is, for example, a road surface.

  According to the illumination device described above, the face of the subject (for example, a pedestrian) is extinguished or dimmed so as to be relatively dark, and the body below the face of the subject and the space leading to it are relatively Therefore, it is possible to make it easy to recognize the presence of the subject without giving glare to the subject.

  In the illumination device, the light distribution control unit outputs the light distribution control signal so that the second region is irradiated with the reflected light generated by the light emitted from the light irradiation unit being reflected by the lower surface (for example, the road surface) of the target space. It is also preferable to produce.

  Thereby, for example, when the lower surface is in a dry state, it is possible to generate light that extends in a line shape (line shape) and reaches the subject. For example, when the lower surface is in a wet state, it is possible to easily recognize the presence of the subject by irradiating the subject more brightly by using the reflected light from the lower surface.

  In the illumination device, the light distribution control unit may transmit the light distribution control signal so that the second region and the third region are relatively brighter than the regions existing around the first region, the second region, and the third region. It is also preferable to generate

  Thereby, not only the 1st-3rd area | region relevant to a subject but the case where light is irradiated also to the area | region other than that can make a subject's visibility better.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the illuminating device for vehicles of one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the optical structure of a headlamp. It is a typical perspective view which shows schematic structure of matrix LED. It is a figure which shows typically about the irradiation light produced | generated by a headlamp. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the illuminating device for vehicles. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the processing content of step S15. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating an example of the light distribution state implement | achieved in step S16, S17. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the light distribution control in each of this embodiment and a comparative example.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, a vehicle lighting device that is an example of a lighting device to which the present invention is applied will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle lighting device according to an embodiment. The vehicle illumination device shown in FIG. 1 performs light irradiation by setting a light distribution pattern based on an image obtained by imaging a space (target space) ahead of the host vehicle with a camera 10, and image recognition. Unit 11, light switch 12, light distribution control unit 13, left head lamp 14, right head lamp 15, and near infrared lamp 16. The camera 10 may also be part of the configuration of the vehicle lighting device.

  The camera 10 is installed at a predetermined position (for example, in the vicinity of an indoor rearview mirror) of the host vehicle and captures a space in front of the host vehicle. The camera 10 of this embodiment has sensitivity also in the near infrared wavelength range. As a result, for example, when the vehicle is traveling on a low beam, the space in front of the host vehicle can be photographed better even when the visible light alone does not sufficiently reach the pedestrian or the like.

  The image recognizing unit 11 acquires an image (image data) obtained by photographing a space ahead of the host vehicle from the camera 10 and performs image recognition processing on the image, whereby the target vehicle and the pedestrian ( Each position information of the target person) is detected. The “target vehicle” here is a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle.

  The light switch 12 is installed in the driver's seat of the host vehicle, and is used to instruct on / off of the left headlamp 14 and the right headlamp 15.

  The light distribution control unit 13 sets a light distribution range according to the positions of the target vehicle and the pedestrian existing in front of the host vehicle based on the position information of the target vehicle and the pedestrian detected by the image recognition unit 11. Then, a control signal (light distribution control signal) is output to each of the left head lamp 14 and the right head lamp 15 so that light is emitted according to the set light distribution range. The light distribution control unit 13 is realized by executing a predetermined operation program in a computer system having, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and includes an input / output interface (I / O) 21 and a pedestrian identification unit. (Subject identification unit) 22 is included.

  The input force interface 21 captures the position information of the target vehicle and pedestrian output from the image recognition unit 11 and the on / off state signal output from the light switch 12 into the light distribution control unit 13.

  The pedestrian identification unit 22 performs a calculation for setting a light distribution range in consideration of a pedestrian existing in front of the host vehicle. Details of calculation contents by the pedestrian identification unit 22 will be described later.

  The left headlamp 14 is installed on the front left side of the host vehicle and is used for irradiating light that illuminates the front of the host vehicle, and includes an LED driver 31 and a matrix LED 32. Similarly, the right headlamp 15 is installed on the front right side of the host vehicle and is used for irradiating light that illuminates the front of the host vehicle, and includes an LED driver 33 and a matrix LED 34.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an optical configuration example of the headlamp. As shown in FIG. 2, the left headlamp 14 includes the matrix LED 32 described above and a lens 35 disposed on the optical axis of the matrix LED 32. The light emitted from the matrix LED 32 is projected forward of the host vehicle by the lens 35. The right headlamp 15 has a similar configuration.

  The LED driver 31 selectively supplies a drive signal to a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) included in the matrix LED 32 based on a control signal output from the light distribution control unit 13. Similarly, the LED driver 33 selectively supplies a drive signal to a plurality of LEDs included in the matrix LED 34 based on a control signal output from the light distribution control unit 13.

  The matrix LED 32 includes a plurality of LEDs arranged in a matrix, and the plurality of LEDs are selectively lit based on a drive signal supplied from the LED driver 31. Similarly, the matrix LED 34 includes a plurality of LEDs arranged in a matrix, and the plurality of LEDs are selectively lit based on a drive signal supplied from the LED driver 33.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the matrix LED. The matrix LED 32 (34) shown in FIG. 3 includes a plurality of LEDs 36 arranged in a matrix along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, respectively. The plurality of LEDs 36 can be independently controlled to be turned on / off and the irradiation intensity (brightness) can be controlled.

  The near-infrared lamp 16 is installed in a predetermined position such as inside the left head lamp 14 and the right head lamp 15 or in the front bumper of the host vehicle, and irradiates near-infrared light to the space ahead of the host vehicle. By using this near infrared lamp 16 to irradiate near infrared light supplementarily, the detection accuracy of pedestrians and the like is further improved.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing irradiation light generated by the headlamp. As shown in the figure, the irradiation light generated by the left headlamp 14 and the right headlamp 15 of the host vehicle 100 is each of a plurality of areas set in a matrix (areas represented in a grid shape in the figure). The light intensity can be freely controlled. This is realized by selectively lighting a plurality of LEDs 36 provided in each of the matrix LEDs 32 and 34 and controlling the light intensity thereof. In other words, the vehicular illumination device according to the present embodiment has a delicate arrangement such as a state where no light is illuminated or a light intensity is reduced with respect to an area corresponding to a position where a vehicle ahead or a pedestrian is present. Light control can be realized.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the vehicle lighting device. Hereinafter, the operation of the vehicular illumination device of the present embodiment will be described in detail along this flowchart.

  First, an image ahead of the host vehicle is taken by the camera 10, and a predetermined image recognition process is executed by the image recognition unit 11 based on this image (step S11). Thereby, information such as position information indicating a region where a pedestrian is estimated to exist and luminance distribution in the region is output from the image recognition unit 11 to the light distribution control unit 13.

  The light distribution control unit 13 determines whether or not the headlamp switch is turned on based on the on / off state signal from the light switch 12 (step S12). When the headlamp switch is not turned on (step S12; NO), the light distribution control unit 13 does not perform special processing.

  When the headlamp switch is turned on (step S12; YES), the light distribution control unit 13 lights the headlamp (step S13). Specifically, the light distribution control unit 13 outputs a control signal to each of the left head lamp 14 and the right head lamp 15. Correspondingly, the LED drivers 31 and 33 supply drive signals to the matrix LEDs 32 and 34, respectively, and the headlamps of the host vehicle are turned on.

  Next, the pedestrian identification part 22 acquires each information output from the image recognition part 11, and determines whether a pedestrian exists ahead of the own vehicle based on this (step S14).

  When there is a pedestrian in front of the host vehicle (step S14; YES), the pedestrian identification unit 22 identifies the target range of the pedestrian and the face (step S15). FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the processing content of step S15. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the pedestrian identification unit 22 identifies the entire area where the pedestrian 110 exists as a target range, and identifies an area 111 corresponding to the face and an area 112 corresponding to the body below the face.

  Next, the light distribution control unit 13 turns off (or turns off) the area (first area) 111 corresponding to the face identified in step S15 (step S16) and corresponds to the body. The area (second area) 112 and the vertical row area (third area) 113 that extends downward from the area (second area) 113 are emphasized with a relatively higher illuminance than other areas. A control signal is output to the drivers 31 and 33 (step S17). Each of the left head lamp 14 and the right head lamp 15 operates according to this control signal, thereby realizing a desired light distribution state.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a light distribution state realized in steps S16 and S17. As shown in FIG. 7, in the area 111 corresponding to the face of the pedestrian, the left head lamp 14 and the right head lamp 15 are controlled so that light is not directly irradiated. Specifically, the current value is controlled so that the LED 36 corresponding to the area 111 is in the extinguished state or dimmed state. Thereby, a dimming (or extinguishing) area 121 corresponding to the position of the pedestrian's face is generated. In addition, the left head lamp 14 and the right head lamp 15 are controlled so that the illuminance of the area 112 corresponding to the body of the pedestrian and the area 113 extended from the area 112 is relatively higher than the other areas. . Specifically, the LED 36 corresponding to the area 111 is turned on, and the current value is controlled. As a result, a streak-like enhanced light area 122 extending from the own vehicle toward the body part below the face of the pedestrian is generated.

  When a negative determination (NO) is made in step S14 described above, or when the process of step S17 described above is completed, the light distribution control unit 13 performs heading based on the lighting / extinguishing state signal from the light switch 12. It is determined whether or not the light switch is turned off (OFF) (step S18). When the headlamp switch is not turned off (step S18; NO), the light distribution control unit 13 returns to the above-described step S14 and executes the subsequent processing. On the other hand, when the headlamp switch is turned off (step S18; YES), a series of processing ends.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining light distribution control in each of the present embodiment and the comparative example. Specifically, FIG. 8A shows a schematic view of the light distribution state in the present embodiment as viewed from the side of the vehicle and the pedestrian, and FIG. 8B shows the light distribution state in the comparative example. The schematic diagram seen from the side side of the own vehicle and a pedestrian is shown. In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 8A, the presence of glare to the pedestrian 110 is reduced by turning off or reducing the direct irradiation light in the vicinity of the face of the pedestrian 110. In addition, by increasing the intensity of regular reflection light and diffuse reflection light for the body part below the face of the pedestrian 110, a guideline for light from the own vehicle to the pedestrian 110 is generated in the case of a dry road. It becomes easier for the driver to visually recognize the pedestrian 110. In the case of a wet road, the reflection intensity of the pedestrian 110 is increased without giving glare to the pedestrian 110, and the driver can more easily see the pedestrian 110. . Since the specular reflection light and the diffuse reflection light each have a much smaller luminance than the direct light, the glare given to the pedestrian 110 is greatly reduced. On the other hand, in the comparative example shown in FIG. 8B, since the pedestrian 110 is not detected, the pedestrian 110 is directly irradiated with light and gives a very strong glare to the pedestrian 110. It will be.

  According to the present embodiment as described above, the pedestrian's face is quenched or dimmed so as to be relatively dark, and the body below the subject's face and the space to reach it are relatively bright. Since strong light is irradiated as it is, it becomes possible to make it easy to recognize the presence of the subject without giving glare to the subject.

  In addition, for example, when the road surface is in a dry state, the target person is generated by generating light that extends in a streak (line shape) to the subject, and when the road surface is wet, the reflected light from the road surface is used. It is possible to make it easier to recognize the presence of the subject.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the content of embodiment mentioned above, In the range of the summary of this invention, it can change and implement variously. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a vehicular lighting device has been described. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to this and can be widely applied to lighting devices in general. As an example, it can be applied to a search light for crime prevention security. In this case, by detecting the suspicious person (target person) and controlling the light distribution so that the light line extends toward the suspicious person, an effect can be expected for identifying the suspicious person and suppressing criminal acts.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Camera 11: Image recognition part 12: Light switch 13: Light distribution control part 14: Left side head lamp 15: Right side head lamp 16: Near-infrared lamp 21: Input / output interface (I / O)
22: Pedestrian identification part 31, 33: LED driver 32, 34: Matrix LED
35: Lens 36: LED
110: Pedestrian 111: Area corresponding to the face of the pedestrian 112: Area corresponding to the body of the pedestrian 113: Area of the vertical column extending the area 112 downward 121: Light (or off) area 122: Emphasis Light area

Claims (4)

An image recognition unit that performs image recognition processing based on an image obtained by photographing the target space;
A target person who identifies a first area corresponding to the face of the target person existing in the target space and a second area corresponding to the body below the face of the target person based on the image recognition result by the image recognition unit An identification unit;
The light distribution control signal is generated so that the first region becomes relatively dark, and the second region and the third region obtained by extending the second region in the lower direction of the subject become relatively bright. A light control unit;
A light irradiation unit that emits light to the target space according to the light distribution control signal generated by the light distribution control unit;
Including a lighting device.   The said light distribution control part produces | generates the said light distribution control signal so that the reflected light which arises when the light radiate | emitted from the said light irradiation part reflects on the lower surface of the said object space is irradiated to the said 2nd area | region. The lighting device according to 1.   The light distribution control unit controls the light distribution so that the second region and the third region are relatively brighter than regions existing around the first region, the second region, and the third region. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device generates a signal.   The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the target space is a space in front of the host vehicle, the target person is a pedestrian, and a lower surface of the target space is a road surface.

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