JP2015033897A - Lighting system for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for performing lighting by determining a movement status of an occupant with a camera and taking into account the movement status of the occupant.SOLUTION: A system includes: a transmitting and receiving part 12 for transmitting a request signal to a vehicle 1 periodically; a portable machine 20 for transmitting a response signal for the request signal to the transmitting and receiving part 12 upon receipt of the transmitted request signal; at least one exterior camera 40 provided to the vehicle 1 capable of imaging the outside of the vehicle; a control part 14 for starting the exterior camera 40 when the transmitting and receiving part 12 receives the response signal from the portable machine 20; a determination part 11 for determining at least one of the position where an occupant is present and the direction that the occupant moves based on the image photographed by the exterior camera 40; and an illumination part 50 disposed at a predetermined position of the vehicle 1 that includes at least one lamp body for emitting light toward at least one of a predetermined direction and a predetermined range. The control part 14 controls the illumination part 50 so that it illuminates at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the direction that the occupant moves determined by the determination part 11.

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for determining a movement situation of an occupant using a camera and lighting in consideration of the movement situation of the occupant.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that performs lighting control of an illumination unit such as a door mirror lamp in accordance with an action related to approaching or leaving of an occupant as a vehicle illumination system. The system disclosed in Patent Document 1 receives a response signal exceeding a certain reception intensity from a portable device carried by a passenger, and when a lane change support camera provided in the vehicle detects a person, Illumination units such as door mirror lamps on the side where the light is detected are sequentially turned on. In another embodiment, the distance between the occupant and the vehicle is calculated based on the reception intensity of the user authentication signal from the portable device, and the lighting unit is turned on or off, or the lighting unit to be turned on is changed based on the calculated distance. To do.

  By the way, according to the description in Patent Document 1, it is determined whether or not the illumination member is turned on depending on whether or not the lane change support camera has detected a person. Therefore, although the system for detecting people is good, it is necessary to always activate the lane change support camera in order to detect people, so wasteful power consumption occurs when the occupant is not near the vehicle. . In another embodiment, the system calculates the distance between the portable device and the vehicle. However, for example, when there is a jamming radio wave, the exact distance between the portable device and the vehicle cannot be calculated. Therefore, there is a situation where it is difficult to perform welcome illumination with excellent production feeling.

JP 2002-211311 A

  One object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular lighting system having at least one of a welcome function and a leaving function that are more excellent in presentation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular lighting system capable of executing at least one of a welcome function and a leaving function with excellent performance with low power consumption. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by referring to the aspects and preferred embodiments exemplified below and the accompanying drawings.

  In the following, in order to easily understand the outline of the present invention, embodiments according to the present invention will be exemplified.

A first aspect according to the present invention includes a transmission / reception unit that periodically transmits a request signal to the outside of the vehicle;
Upon receiving the request signal transmitted from the transmission / reception unit, a portable device that transmits a response signal to the request signal to the transmission / reception unit;
At least one outside camera provided in the vehicle and capable of imaging the outside of the vehicle;
A controller that activates the camera outside the vehicle when the transceiver receives a response signal from the portable device;
A determination unit for determining at least one of a position where at least one occupant is present and a moving direction based on an image captured by the camera outside the vehicle;
An illumination unit that is provided at a fixed position of the vehicle and includes at least one lamp that emits light;
The control unit relates to a system that controls the illumination unit to illuminate at least one of a position where the occupant is present and a moving direction determined by the determination unit.

  Since the control unit activates the camera outside the vehicle with the transmission / reception unit receiving the response signal from the portable device as a trigger, it is possible to suppress the operation of the camera outside the vehicle at all times, thereby reducing power consumption. In addition, since at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction is determined based on the image captured by the camera outside the vehicle, the occupant not only approaches or leaves the vehicle but also moves in parallel with the vehicle. The moving direction can also be accurately determined. Therefore, since the illumination unit can be turned on so as to illuminate the moving direction of the occupant, it is possible to perform the welcome illumination or the leaving illumination that is more excellent in production.

In a second aspect according to the present invention, in the first aspect,
The control unit may change at least one of a predetermined direction and a predetermined range in which the illumination unit emits light so as to illuminate at least one of a position where the occupant exists determined by the determination unit and a moving direction are present.

  Since the illumination unit changes at least one of the predetermined direction and the predetermined range so as to illuminate at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the direction of movement, it is possible to perform welcome illumination or leaving illumination with a better sense of performance. it can.

In a third aspect according to the present invention, in the second aspect,
The at least one lamp is a plurality of lamps;
The control unit determines at least one lamp to be lit among the plurality of lamps so as to illuminate at least one of a position where the occupant is present and a moving direction determined by the determination unit. You may change at least one of the predetermined direction and predetermined range in which a part emits light.

  Since the lamp to be lit is determined so as to illuminate at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction, the lamp having an appropriate irradiation range is lit at least one of the distance between the occupant and the vehicle and the moving direction. Therefore, it is possible to perform welcome illumination or leaving illumination that is more excellent in production.

In a fourth aspect according to the present invention, in the third aspect,
The plurality of lamps may include a door mirror including at least one light source and an outer outer door handle including at least one light source.

  For example, when the occupant is present at a location close to the vehicle, a light source provided on the door mirror can be used to irradiate at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction. Further, when the occupant is present near the door of the vehicle, a light source provided on the outer outer door handle can be used to irradiate the occupant around the door, thereby informing the occupant of the position of the outer outer door handle. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to perform the welcome illumination or the leaving illumination that is more excellent in production.

In a fifth aspect according to the present invention, in the fourth aspect:
The plurality of lamps further includes a headlight including at least one light source,
When the determination unit determines that at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction do not overlap with at least one of the predetermined direction and the predetermined range in which the headlight emits light,
The control unit does not have to turn on the headlight.

  For example, when an occupant is present at a location far from the vehicle, for example, at least one of a position where the occupant exists and a moving direction can be irradiated using a headlight. For example, if the direction in which the occupant moves does not overlap the irradiable range of the headlights, the headlights are not lit, so unnecessary lighting can be suppressed, so power consumption can be reduced, and Unintentional irradiation can be suppressed.

In a sixth aspect according to the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects,
The at least one vehicle exterior camera may be a plurality of vehicle exterior cameras, and the plurality of vehicle exterior cameras may be disposed in the vehicle so as to be capable of capturing an image of the surroundings of the vehicle.

  Since a plurality of outside cameras are arranged in the vehicle so as to be able to image the periphery of the vehicle, it is possible to image substantially the entire circumference of the vehicle, and the position where the occupant is present regardless of where the occupant is present around the vehicle and At least one of the moving directions can be determined.

In a seventh aspect according to the present invention, in the sixth aspect,
When the occupant is present at a position away from the vehicle at a first distance, the image for determining at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction is captured by the at least one outside camera. The original image of the image,
When the occupant is present at a position closer than the first distance from the vehicle, the image for determining at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction is captured by the at least one vehicle exterior camera. It may be a bird's-eye view image converted so that it looks as if the vehicle is looked down from above.

  For example, when the occupant is present at a position farther from the vehicle than the first distance, it can be determined whether the vehicle approaches or leaves the vehicle using an original image having a wide display range. Further, for example, when the occupant approaches the vehicle from the first distance, the direction in which the occupant moves can be determined using a bird's-eye view image that makes it easy to determine where the occupant exists around the vehicle.

In an eighth aspect according to the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects,
When the door of the vehicle is locked, the determination unit determines that the occupant is present at a position closer to the vehicle than the second distance from the image captured by the camera outside the vehicle, and the determination When the unit determines that the ID included in the response signal from the portable device received by the transceiver unit is authentic,
The control unit may unlock the door of the vehicle.

  When it is determined that the occupant is present at a position closer to the vehicle than the second distance from the image captured by the camera outside the vehicle, and the ID of the portable device possessed by the occupant is determined to be genuine, The vehicle door is unlocked without any action. Therefore, it is possible to execute a welcome function that improves the convenience of the passenger.

In a ninth aspect according to the present invention, in any one of the first to eighth aspects,
When the vehicle door is unlocked, the determination unit determines that the ID included in the response signal from the portable device received by the transmission / reception unit is valid, and then the determination unit If it is determined from the image captured by the outside camera that the occupant is present at a position away from the vehicle by a third distance,
The control unit may lock the door of the vehicle.

  If it is determined that the ID of the portable device possessed by the occupant is legitimate, if the occupant is determined to be present at a position farther from the vehicle than the third distance by an image captured by the camera outside the vehicle, The vehicle door is locked without any action. Therefore, the reeve function that improves the convenience of the occupant can be executed.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of a structure of the system according to this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the camera outside a vehicle and the illumination part in the vehicle which employ | adopted the system according to this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part which displays the image in a multi view monitor system. It is a figure which shows the example of a relationship between a passenger | crew's movement and the change of the irradiation direction of an illumination part. It is a figure which shows a mode that the image used for determination is changed on the basis of 1st distance. It is a figure which shows the condition where the passenger | crew approached the vehicle from 2nd distance. It is a figure which shows the condition where the passenger | crew left | separated from the vehicle from 3rd distance.

  The preferred embodiments described below are used to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art should note that the present invention is not unduly limited by the embodiments described below.

1. Overall Configuration An example of the configuration of a vehicle lighting system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The system includes an ECU 10 that is provided in the vehicle 1 and includes at least the determination unit 11, the transmission / reception unit 12, and the control unit 14, a portable device 20, an exterior camera 40, and an illumination unit 50, for example, a door lock unit 60, The navigation device 110 can be further provided, and the ECU 10 can further include a storage unit 13, an image processing unit 15, and the like.

  ECU10 is comprised, for example from the microcomputer, and has the determination part 11, the transmission / reception part 12, the memory | storage part 13, the control part 14, the image process part 15, etc. as FIG. 1 shows. In FIG. 1, for ease of explanation, the image processing unit 15 inputs a signal from the outside camera 40, and the control unit 14 sends a signal to the outside camera 40, the illumination unit 50, the door lock unit 60, the navigation device 110, and the like. It is shown as outputting. However, an I / O interface unit (not shown) provided in the ECU 10 actually inputs and outputs signals via the in-vehicle LAN. On the other hand, the transmission / reception unit 12 is capable of wireless communication with the transmission / reception unit 21 of the portable device 20, and communicates signals with the transmission / reception unit of the portable device 20 via a transmission / reception antenna (not shown) provided in at least one of the vehicle interior and the exterior of the vehicle. Sending and receiving.

  The portable device 20 includes, for example, a transmission / reception unit 21 that can wirelessly communicate with the transmission / reception unit 12 of the ECU 10 and a storage unit 22 that stores ID information of the ECU 10. Moreover, the size of the portable device 20 is designed so that a passenger can carry it.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle exterior camera 40 includes, for example, a front camera 41, a left side camera 42, a right side camera 43, a rear camera 44, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of cameras outside the vehicle may be increased or decreased.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the illumination unit 50 includes, for example, a left headlight 51 having at least one light source, a right headlight 52 having at least one light source, a left door mirror light 53 having at least one light source, at least It has lamps such as a right door mirror light 54 having one light source, a left outer handle light 55 having at least one light source, and a right outer handle light 56 having at least one light source. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and at least one outer outer door handle on the rear seat side is provided with an outer handle light having at least one light source, or a backlight having at least one light source for irradiating the rear of the vehicle is provided. The number of lamps may be increased or decreased.

  The door lock unit 60 is connected to, for example, a door lock actuator (not shown) provided in each door. For example, when a signal for locking or unlocking the vehicle door is input from the control unit of the ECU 10, the door lock unit 60 is locked. The actuator is controlled to lock or unlock the vehicle door.

  The navigation device 110 includes, for example, a display unit 111 and can display an image captured by the vehicle camera 40. The display unit of the in-vehicle device shown in FIG. 1 is only the display unit 111 of the navigation device 110. However, if the vehicle 1 includes another in-vehicle device having a display unit, the display unit of the in-vehicle device includes a camera outside the vehicle. An image captured by 40, an image generated by the image processing unit 15, and the like may be displayed.

  An arrangement example of the outside camera 40 and the illumination unit 50 in the vehicle 1 adopting the vehicle illumination system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the vehicle front end portion and the left side surface portion of the vehicle 1, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the vehicle rear end portion and the right side surface portion of the vehicle 1.

  The front camera 41 is provided in the vehicle 1 such that a lens portion is disposed at an upper portion of an emblem mounting portion disposed at approximately the center of the front grill of the vehicle 1 so that the front direction can be imaged when viewed from the vehicle 1. The left side camera 42 is built in the left side mirror, for example, and has a lens part disposed slightly outside the lower surface in the vehicle width direction. The left side camera 42 is provided in the vehicle 1 so as to be able to image the left side when viewed from the vehicle 1. The right side camera 43 is provided in the vehicle 1 so that the right side camera 43 is incorporated in a right side mirror, for example. If the rear camera 44 is a minivan type vehicle 1 as shown in FIG. 2, for example, a lens portion is arranged on the upper edge of the license plate mounting portion of the tailgate so that the rear direction as viewed from the vehicle 1 can be imaged. Is provided.

  The left headlight 51 is provided, for example, on the left side of the front end portion of the vehicle 1, and is preferably lit so that the front can be illuminated when viewed from the vehicle, and can move the illumination range in the vertical and horizontal directions. The right headlight 52 is provided, for example, on the right side of the front end portion of the vehicle 1, and is preferably lit so that the front can be illuminated when viewed from the vehicle, and can move the irradiation range in the vertical and horizontal directions. The left door mirror light 53 is provided on the outer wall surface of a substantially bowl-shaped visor portion that supports, for example, the mirror portion of the left side mirror. For example, the left door mirror light 53 is lit so as to irradiate the front side of the left side surface of the vehicle 1. It is preferable that the irradiation range can be moved. It is provided on the outer wall surface of the right door mirror light 54, for example, the substantially bowl-shaped visor part that supports the mirror part of the right side mirror, for example, the front side of the right side surface of the vehicle 1 is illuminated so It is preferable that the irradiation range can be moved. The left outer handle light 55 is provided, for example, on the front surface of the outer door handle of the door on the passenger seat side of the vehicle 1, and lights up so as to irradiate the ground near the door on the passenger seat side of the vehicle 1. It is preferable that the irradiation range can be moved. The right outer handle light 56 is provided, for example, on the front surface of the outer door handle of the door on the driver's seat side of the vehicle 1, and lights up so as to irradiate the ground near the door on the driver's seat side of the vehicle 1. It is preferable that the irradiation range can be moved.

2-1. Operation Example of First Embodiment Before describing an operation example of the vehicular lighting system, an image for determining a moving direction of an occupant used in the system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows a display example of an image in a multi-view system as described in JP 2012-006551 A.

  An image P1 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a display example of an image in which the front camera 41 captures a forward direction when viewed from the vehicle 1, for example. An image P2 shown in FIG. 3 is a display example of an image in which the left side camera 42 captures the left direction as viewed from the vehicle 1, for example. An image P3 shown in FIG. 3 is a display example of an image taken by the right side camera 43 in the right direction when viewed from the vehicle 1, for example. An image P4 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a display example of an image in which the rear camera 44 captures a rearward direction when viewed from the vehicle 1, for example. In the image P5 shown in FIG. 3, the image processing unit 15 synthesizes images captured by, for example, the front camera 41, the left side camera 42, the right side camera 43, and the rear camera 44, and looks down at the vehicle 1 from above. It is a display example of the bird's-eye view image converted so as to look like.

  The five display examples described above are displayed on the display 111 of the navigation device 110 which is a display unit, for example. For example, the display 111 may display a plurality of images among the images P1 to P5 on one screen, or may display any one of the images P1 to P5, for example. Here, the images P1, P2, P3, and P4 are original images captured by the respective outside cameras. P5 is a bird's-eye view image converted so that it looks as if the vehicle 1 is looked down from above.

  In the vehicle illumination system, each of the original images captured by the outside camera 40 and the bird's-eye view image generated by the image processing unit 15 are subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 15 to detect a person. From the detection result, the determination unit 11 determines the position where the person exists.

  An operation example in the first embodiment of the vehicle illumination system will be described with reference to FIG. The first embodiment is an embodiment in which at least one of welcome illumination and leaving illumination can be performed by controlling the illumination unit 50 so as to illuminate at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction. .

  For example, FIG. 4 shows a state in which an occupant approaches the vehicle 1 in the order of (a), (b), and (c). In FIG. 4A, when the transmission / reception unit 21 of the portable device 20 carried by the occupant receives the request signal transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 12 of the ECU 10 of the vehicle 1, the ID of the ECU 10 stored in the storage unit 22 is stored. A response signal including information is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 21. When the transmission / reception unit 12 of the ECU 10 of the vehicle 1 receives the response signal from the portable device 20, the determination unit 11 determines whether the ID information of the ECU 10 stored in the storage unit 13 matches the ID information included in the response signal. judge. If it is determined that the ID information of the ECU 10 stored in the storage unit 13 matches the ID information included in the response signal, the ID information stored in the portable device 20 is determined to be genuine, and the control unit 14 Activates at least one, preferably all, exterior cameras 40. Here, the activation of the outside camera 40 includes changing the power of the outside camera 40 from the OFF state to the ON state, and changing to the wake-up state when the outside camera 40 is in the sleep state.

When the vehicle outside camera 40 is activated, each of the vehicle outside cameras 40 images the surroundings of the vehicle 1 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 5 seconds), for example. The determination unit 11 of the ECU 10 determines at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction from the original image captured by each of the outside cameras 40 or the bird's-eye view image generated by the image processing unit 15. In the direction in which the occupant moves, for example, at least two original images captured at different times or at least two bird's-eye images generated at different times, from the movement trajectory of the position of the occupant determined by the determination unit 11 The direction in which the occupant moves is determined. For example, when the determination unit 11 determines that the position where the determined occupant is present is a position closer to the vehicle 1 than the occupant illumination distance that is a predetermined distance from the vehicle 1, and the direction in which the determined occupant moves is the vehicle In at least one of the cases where it is determined that the vehicle is heading 1, the illumination unit 50 is controlled so as to illuminate at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction. That is, the control unit 14 determines at least one lamp to be lit among a plurality of lamps so as to illuminate at least one of the position where the occupant exists and the moving direction, or changes the direction in which the lamp emits light. Or the like, at least one of a predetermined direction and a predetermined range in which light is emitted by the illumination unit is changed. Whether or not the distance between the position where the occupant is present and the vehicle 1 is within a predetermined distance such as the occupant illumination distance, the first distance described later, the second distance described later, the third distance described later, or the like. The determination will be described later in 2-2. The operation example of the second embodiment will be described in detail.

  For example, in FIG. 4A, the occupant is present at a position away from the vehicle 1 in the right front direction from the original image captured by the front camera 41 or the bird's-eye image generated by the image processing unit 15. It is determined by the determination part 11 that it is approaching. Then, for example, the control unit 14 turns on the right headlight 52 and irradiates at least one of the position where the occupant exists and the moving direction by irradiating the front right direction of the vehicle 1. Thereafter, the determination unit 11 determines at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction from the original image captured by the outside camera 40 such as the front camera 41 or the bird's-eye view image generated by the image processing unit 15. . For example, the control unit 14 moves the irradiation direction of the right headlight 52 or turns on the other illumination unit 50 so as to illuminate at least one of the position where the occupant exists determined by the determination unit 11 and the moving direction are present.

  For example, in FIG. 4B, it is determined that the occupant has moved from the original image captured by the right side camera 43 or the bird's-eye view image generated by the image processing unit 15 to a position near the right front portion of the vehicle 1. Determined by the unit 11. Then, for example, the control unit 14 turns on the right door mirror light 54 and irradiates at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction by irradiating the vicinity of the right front of the vehicle 1. After that, the determination unit 11 determines at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction from the original image captured by the outside camera 40 such as the right side camera 43 or the bird's-eye image generated by the image processing unit 15. To do. For example, the control unit 14 moves the irradiation direction of the right door mirror light 54 or turns on the other illumination unit 50 so as to illuminate at least one of the position where the occupant exists determined by the determination unit 11 and the moving direction.

  For example, in FIG. 4C, it is determined that the occupant has moved from the original image captured by the right side camera 43 or the bird's-eye view image generated by the image processing unit 15 to a position near the right door portion of the vehicle 1. Determined by the unit 11. Then, for example, the control unit 14 turns on the right outer handle light 56 and irradiates at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction by irradiating the vicinity of the driver's seat side door. After that, the determination unit 11 determines at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction from the original image captured by the outside camera 40 such as the right side camera 43 or the bird's-eye image generated by the image processing unit 15. To do. For example, the control unit 14 moves the irradiation direction of the right outer handle light 56 or turns on the other illumination unit 50 so as to illuminate at least one of the position where the occupant exists and the moving direction determined by the determination unit 11 exist. As described above, it is possible to determine at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction from the original image captured by the outside camera 40 or the bird's-eye view image generated by the image processing unit 15 and irradiate the determined position. By illuminating the illumination unit 50 that can be used, welcome illumination can be given to an occupant moving from a position away from the vehicle 1 to a door on the driver's seat side of the vehicle 1.

  FIG. 4 shows an occupant who moves from a position away from the vehicle 1 to a door on the driver's seat side of the vehicle 1 in the order of (a), (b), and (c). Even if the occupant moves in the order of (b), (a), the occupant can be lit with the leaves from the door on the driver's seat side of the vehicle 1 to a position away from the vehicle 1. For example, when the occupant gets off the vehicle 1, the right outer handle light 56 is turned on when it is determined that the vehicle is near the door on the driver's seat side. Thereafter, when it is determined that an occupant is present, for example, at a position near the front portion on the right side of the vehicle 1, the right door mirror light 54 is turned on. And when it determines with a passenger | crew existing in the position of the front right direction of the vehicle 1, for example, the right headlight 52 lights.

  Furthermore, even if the occupant approaches or leaves the vehicle 1 in a direction or route different from the direction of movement of the occupant shown in FIG. 4, at least one of the position where the occupant exists and the direction of movement is illuminated. Thus, welcome illumination or leaving illumination can be performed. For example, when the occupant approaches the door on the driver's seat side of the vehicle 1 from a position away from the vehicle 1 in the right direction, if it is determined that the occupant is present in a position away from the vehicle 1 in the right direction, for example, a right door mirror The light 54 and the right outer handle light 56 are turned on. When it is determined that the occupant has moved to the vicinity of the door on the driver's seat side of the vehicle 1, for example, the right door mirror light 54 is turned off and only the right outer handle light 56 is turned on. As described above, when it is determined that at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction and at least one of the predetermined direction and the predetermined range in which the left headlight 51 or the right headlight 52 emits light do not overlap. The left headlight 51 or the right headlight 52 is not turned on. On the other hand, the welcome illumination or the leaving illumination is performed when the occupant gets on or gets off the vehicle 1, so at least the right door mirror light 54 and the right outer handle light 56, or the left door mirror light 53 and the right outer handle. The light 55 is lit.

The relationship between the distance between the occupant and the vehicle 1, and the image used for determining at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a state in which an image used for determining at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction is changed based on the first distance (predetermined distance). For example, when the occupant is in the right direction of the vehicle 1 and is located at a position away from the vehicle 1 by a first distance (predetermined distance), for example, the occupant uses the original image P3 captured by the right side camera 43, for example. At least one of the existing position and the moving direction is determined. On the other hand, for example, when the occupant is in the right direction of the vehicle 1 and is present at a position closer than the first distance (predetermined distance) from the vehicle 1, for example, the image processing unit 15 uses the original images captured by the plurality of outside cameras 40, for example. Is used to determine at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the direction of movement. A method for determining whether an occupant is present at a position away from the vehicle 1 by a first distance (predetermined distance) or at an approached position will be described later . The operation example of the second embodiment will be described.

  Since the original image has a wide display range in the distance direction, even if the occupant is away from the vehicle 1, the range in which at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction can be detected is wide. Thus, the original image is used when detecting at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction when the occupant is present at a position away from the vehicle 1 by a first distance (predetermined distance), for example. The On the other hand, the bird's-eye view image has a narrow display range in the distance direction compared to the original image, but is an image that looks like the vehicle 1 is looked down at the vehicle 1 from above. It is easy to detect at least one of them. Therefore, for example, when the occupant is present at a position closer to the vehicle 1 than the first distance (predetermined distance), the bird's-eye view image is used when detecting at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction. The

2-2. Example of Operation of Second Embodiment An example of operation in the second embodiment of the vehicular illumination system will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The second embodiment is an embodiment that can perform at least one of an auto-unlock function and an auto-lock function in addition to at least one of the welcome illumination and the leaving illumination in the first embodiment. When the vehicle lighting system has at least one of an auto-unlock function and an auto-lock function, it can also be called a smart entry system.

  Referring to FIG. 6, when an occupant carrying a portable device 20 storing regular ID information approaches the vehicle 1 from a second distance (predetermined distance), at least one door of the vehicle 1 The auto-unlock function that unlocks automatically will be described. For example, from the original image captured by the right side camera 43 or the bird's-eye view image generated by the image processing unit 15, the determination unit 11 approaches the vehicle 1 from the second distance (predetermined distance) shown in FIG. Suppose that it was determined that it was. In addition, it is assumed that the determination unit 11 determines that the response signal received from the portable device 20 includes ID information that matches the ID of the ECU 10 stored in the storage unit 13 of the ECU 10 of the vehicle 1. Then, the control unit 14 of the ECU 10 controls the door lock unit 60 so as to unlock at least one door of the vehicle 1, preferably all the doors.

  Here, a method for determining from the original image that the occupant has approached the vehicle 1 by a second distance (predetermined distance) will be described. For example, in the image P3-a when the occupant is present at a position separated from the vehicle 1 by a second distance (predetermined distance), a person is detected by the image processing unit 15, and the area of the range recognized as a person is determined. For example, the area is ΔS1. On the other hand, in the image P3-b when the occupant is present at a position closer than the second distance (predetermined distance) from the vehicle 1, for example, a person is detected by the image processing unit 15 and the range recognized as a person The area is, for example, area ΔS2.

  In the original image, the closer the distance between the vehicle camera 40 and the imaged object is, the larger the area of the object shown on the original image is. Accordingly, the relationship between the area ΔS1 and the area ΔS2 satisfies ΔS1 <ΔS2. Here, when the area ΔS1 of the range recognized as a person is equal to the predetermined area ΔSX, for example, the second distance (predetermined distance) is set, for example, when the occupant becomes ΔS1 ≧ ΔSX, It can be determined that the vehicle 1 is closer than the second distance (predetermined distance).

  On the other hand, since the bird's-eye view image looks like the vehicle 1 looks down, for example, if a circle having a radius of the second distance (predetermined distance) from the vehicle 1 is shown in advance in the bird's-eye view image, the circle is used as a reference. It is possible to determine whether the occupant is closer to or away from the second distance (predetermined distance).

  Referring to FIG. 7, when an occupant carrying a portable device 20 storing regular ID information is separated from the vehicle 1 by a third distance (predetermined distance), at least one door of the vehicle 1 is used. A description will be given of an auto-lock function that automatically locks. For example, it is assumed that the determination unit 11 determines that the response signal received from the portable device 20 includes ID information that matches the ID of the ECU 10 stored in the storage unit 13 of the ECU 10 of the vehicle 1. After that, for example, the determination unit 11 determines whether the occupant is the vehicle from the third distance (predetermined distance) shown in FIG. 7, for example, from the original image captured by the right side camera 43 or the bird's-eye view image generated by the image processing unit 15. Assume that it is determined that the user is away from 1. Then, the control unit 14 of the ECU 10 controls the door lock unit 60 so as to lock at least one door of the vehicle 1, preferably all the doors.

  Here, a method for determining that the occupant is separated from the vehicle 1 by a third distance (predetermined distance) from the original image will be described. For example, in the image P3-c when the occupant is present at a position closer than the third distance (predetermined distance) from the vehicle 1, a person is detected by the image processing unit 15, and the area of the range recognized as a person is calculated. For example, the area is ΔS3. On the other hand, in the image P3-d when the occupant is present at a position away from the vehicle 1, for example, the third distance, the image processing unit 15 detects a person, and the area of the range recognized as a person is, for example, the area Let ΔS4.

  In the original image, the closer the distance between the vehicle camera 40 and the imaged object is, the larger the area of the object shown on the original image is. Accordingly, the relationship between the area ΔS3 and the area ΔS4 satisfies ΔS3> ΔS4. Here, when the area ΔS3 of the range recognized as a person is equal to the predetermined area ΔSY, for example, a third distance (predetermined distance) is set, for example, when the occupant becomes ΔS3 ≦ ΔSY, It can be determined that the vehicle 1 is separated from the third distance (predetermined distance).

  On the other hand, since the bird's-eye view image looks like the vehicle 1 looks down, for example, if a circle with a radius of the third distance (predetermined distance) from the vehicle 1 is shown in advance in the bird's-eye view image, the circle is used as a reference. It is possible to determine whether the occupant has approached or separated from the third distance (predetermined distance).

  Since the physique differs depending on the person, the area ΔS recognized as a person in the original image is different even if they exist at the same distance. Therefore, an appropriate second distance (predetermined distance) and an appropriate third distance (predetermined distance) can be set by causing the system to learn the physique of the occupant, for example. Further, the occupant illumination distance, the first distance, the second distance, the third distance, etc., which are predetermined distances, may be different distances or the same distance. However, the occupant illumination distance is preferably a distance that is longer than other predetermined distances because the illuminating unit 50 is controlled to illuminate at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction. In addition, the second distance is preferably set to a distance that is the longest next to the occupant lighting distance, and then the third distance is the longest distance and the first distance is the shortest distance, or the third distance and the first distance It is preferable that the distance 1 is set to a distance having the same length.

3. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the determination as to whether or not the person imaged by the outside camera 40 is the target of the welcome illumination is based on whether or not there is an occupant at the occupant illumination distance and This is based on the determination result of at least one of whether the direction in which the occupant moves is toward the vehicle 1. However, when it is recognized as a person from the image captured by the camera 40 outside the vehicle and the person has recognized that a specific operation has been performed, the position of the occupant and the direction in which the occupant is present are assumed to be the occupant of the vehicle 1. The illumination unit 50 may be controlled to illuminate at least one. By doing so, the welcome function or the leaving function can be executed only for the passengers of the vehicle 1. The specific operation is an operation such as raising a hand.

  In addition, the system may learn the movement trajectory when the occupant gets on or gets off using the bird's-eye view image. By doing so, a person who moves corresponding to the learned locus can be recognized as an occupant of the vehicle 1. Therefore, the welcome function or the leaving function can be executed only for the passenger of the vehicle 1.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and those skilled in the art will be able to easily modify the above-described exemplary embodiments to the extent included in the claims. .

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 10 ... ECU, 11 ... Determination part, 12 ... Transmission / reception part, 13 ... Memory | storage part, 14 ... Control part, 15 ... Image processing part, 20 ... -Mobile device, 21 ... Transmitter / receiver, 22 ... Storage unit, 40 ... Outside camera, 41 ... Front camera, 42 ... Left side camera, 43 ... Right side camera, 44 ..Rear camera, 50 ... lighting unit, 51 ... left headlight, 52 ... right headlight, 53 ... left door mirror light, 54 ... right door mirror light, 55 ... left outer Handle light, 56 ... right outer handle light, 60 ... door lock unit, 110 ... navigation device, 111 ... display.

Claims (9)

A transmission / reception unit that periodically transmits a request signal to the outside of the vehicle;
Upon receiving the request signal transmitted from the transmission / reception unit, a portable device that transmits a response signal to the request signal to the transmission / reception unit;
At least one outside camera provided in the vehicle and capable of imaging the outside of the vehicle;
A controller that activates the camera outside the vehicle when the transceiver receives a response signal from the portable device;
A determination unit for determining at least one of a position where at least one occupant is present and a moving direction based on an image captured by the camera outside the vehicle;
An illumination unit that is provided at a fixed position of the vehicle and includes at least one lamp that emits light;
The control unit controls the illumination unit to illuminate at least one of a position where the occupant exists determined by the determination unit and a moving direction.   The control unit changes at least one of a predetermined direction and a predetermined range in which the illumination unit emits light so as to illuminate at least one of a position where the occupant exists determined by the determination unit and a moving direction are present. The described system. The at least one lamp is a plurality of lamps;
The control unit determines at least one lamp to be lit among the plurality of lamps so as to illuminate at least one of a position where the occupant is present and a moving direction determined by the determination unit. The system according to claim 2, wherein at least one of a predetermined direction and a predetermined range in which the unit emits light is changed.   The system according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of lamp bodies include a door mirror including at least one light source, and an outer outer door handle including at least one light source. The plurality of lamps further includes a headlight including at least one light source,
When the determination unit determines that at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction do not overlap with at least one of the predetermined direction and the predetermined range in which the headlight emits light,
The system according to claim 4, wherein the control unit does not turn on the headlight.   6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one vehicle exterior camera is a plurality of vehicle exterior cameras, and the plurality of vehicle exterior cameras are arranged in the vehicle so as to be capable of capturing an image of the periphery of the vehicle. . When the occupant is present at a position away from the vehicle at a first distance, the image for determining at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction is captured by the at least one outside camera. The original image of the image,
When the occupant is present at a position closer than the first distance from the vehicle, the image for determining at least one of the position where the occupant is present and the moving direction is captured by the at least one vehicle exterior camera. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the system is a bird's-eye view image converted so as to look down on the vehicle from above. When the door of the vehicle is locked, the determination unit determines that the occupant is present at a position closer to the vehicle than the second distance from the image captured by the camera outside the vehicle, and the determination When the unit determines that the ID included in the response signal from the portable device received by the transceiver unit is authentic,
The system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit unlocks the door of the vehicle. When the vehicle door is unlocked, the determination unit determines that the ID included in the response signal from the portable device received by the transmission / reception unit is valid, and then the determination unit If it is determined from the image captured by the outside camera that the occupant is present at a position away from the vehicle by a third distance,
The system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit locks the door of the vehicle.

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