JP4939351B2 - Vehicle lighting control system and vehicle lighting control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system improving visibility of a driver in traveling, and preventing useless lighting that is not useful for traveling. <P>SOLUTION: A face direction/angle detection part 301 detects the direction and angle of the face in a front view, based on an image of a driver's face part picked up by an imaging device. A guide information input part 302 inputs guide information obtained based on map information and vehicle position information. An arrival distance obtaining part 303 obtains an arrival distance from a current vehicle position to the nearest intersection or curvature inlet along a guide passage, based on inputted guide information. A lighting control part 305 performs lighting control of lighting means such as headlights and bending lamps based on the detected face direction and angle, and the obtained arrival distance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling illumination by a vehicle headlamp, a bending lamp, or the like.

  In recent years, various techniques for controlling the irradiation direction of a headlamp, a bending lamp, and the like have been proposed from the viewpoint of improving the visibility of a driver and improving the safety of driving of an automobile (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In Patent Document 1, the direction of the driver's face is detected by light receiving elements (or light emitting elements) disposed on the driver's face and light emitting elements (or light receiving elements) provided at a plurality of locations in the passenger compartment. A technique for controlling the irradiation direction of the headlamp based on the orientation of the face has been proposed.

Patent Document 2 proposes a technique for detecting a line-of-sight direction from a driver's face image and controlling an auxiliary headlamp or the like according to a temporal change in the line-of-sight direction.
JP 2001-347881 A Japanese Patent No. 3203951

  However, in the technique proposed in Patent Document 1, in order to detect the face direction, it is necessary to dispose an instrument (such as glasses equipped with a light emitting element) on the driver's face. Therefore, it can be said that it is troublesome and inconvenient for the driver.

  Further, in the proposed technology of Patent Document 2, since the irradiation direction is controlled based on the driver's line of sight, the driver is not driving when looking at the surrounding scenery, signs, people walking on the sidewalk, etc. while waiting for a signal Even so, the light is turned on according to the direction of the line of sight. Such lighting is a waste of electric power, which is not preferable, and may unnecessarily illuminate pedestrians and the like that are unnecessarily illuminated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and can improve the visibility of the driver during traveling and can prevent unnecessary illumination unrelated to traveling and a vehicle lighting control system and vehicle An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting control method.

The vehicle lighting control system according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a driver's face seated on a driving seat of the vehicle, and an image obtained by imaging the imaging unit. Guidance information input for inputting guidance information obtained based on face orientation angle detection means for detecting the face orientation direction and face orientation angle, illumination means for performing illumination outside the vehicle, map information, and position information of the vehicle Means, a distance acquisition means for acquiring a distance from the current vehicle position to a predetermined point on the guidance route based on the input guidance information, and the detected face orientation direction and face orientation angle detected. based on the the said reach, lighting control means and, wherein the lighting control means for performing lighting control of the lighting means is shorter than the reference reach distance of the arrival distance is set in advance, and the face direction Angle and performing illumination control of the illumination means to illuminate the face orientation direction if it exceeds a preset threshold angle.

In the vehicle lighting control system configured as described above,
The lighting control means obtains the traveling direction of the vehicle,
The angle threshold value used by the illumination control unit is different between the case where the face direction is the same direction as the traveling direction of the vehicle and the case where the face direction is opposite to the traveling direction of the vehicle. The angle threshold when the direction is the same as the traveling direction may be set to be smaller than the angle threshold when the direction is the opposite direction to the traveling direction.
The illumination control unit may perform the illumination control by adjusting a swivel angle of the illumination unit.
The predetermined point may be the nearest intersection position.

  When the predetermined point is the position of the nearest intersection, the intersection control unit further includes an intersection shape acquisition unit that acquires intersection shape information related to the shape of the nearest intersection based on the input guidance information. The lighting control of the lighting means may be performed in consideration of intersection shape information.

  The predetermined point may be the entrance position of the latest curve.

  When the predetermined point is the entrance position of the latest curve, the illumination control means further comprises curve shape acquisition means for acquiring curve shape information related to the shape of the latest curve based on the input guidance information. The illumination control of the illumination means may be performed in consideration of the curve shape information.

  Moreover, the vehicle information acquisition means which acquires the vehicle information regarding the state of a vehicle may further be provided, and the said illumination control means may perform the illumination control of the said illumination means in consideration of the said vehicle information.

  The vehicle information may include a vehicle speed.

  The vehicle information may include an operating state of the direction indicator.

  The vehicle information may include an accumulated travel distance.

The vehicle lighting control method according to the present invention includes a step of imaging a driver's face seated on a driving seat of a vehicle, and a face direction and face from the front of the driver based on an image obtained by the imaging. A step of detecting a direction angle, a step of inputting guidance information obtained based on the map information and the position information of the vehicle, and on the guidance route from the current vehicle position based on the inputted guidance information. Obtaining a reach distance to a predetermined point in the vehicle, and performing illumination control of illumination means for illuminating outside the vehicle based on the detected face orientation direction and face orientation angle detected and the obtained reach distance. Yes, and in the step of performing the lighting control, shorter than the reference reach distance of the arrival distance is set in advance, and, when said the face direction angle is greater than a preset threshold angle Wherein the illumination control of the illumination means is made to illuminate the orientation direction.
In the vehicle lighting control method configured as described above,
In the step of performing the lighting control, the traveling direction of the vehicle is acquired,
The angle threshold used in the step of performing the illumination control includes a case where the face direction is the same direction as the traveling direction of the vehicle and a case where the face direction is opposite to the traveling direction of the vehicle. In other words, the angle threshold value when the direction is the same as the traveling direction may be set to be smaller than the angle threshold value when the direction is the opposite direction to the traveling direction.
In the step of performing the illumination control, the illumination control may be performed by adjusting a swivel angle of the illumination unit.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the visibility of the driver while traveling, and to prevent unnecessary illumination unrelated to traveling.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle lighting control system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The structure of the vehicle lighting control system 1 according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. The vehicle illumination control system 1 includes an imaging device 2, an ECU 3, a headlamp unit 4, a bending lamp 5L, and a bending lamp 5R. The ECU 3 is connected to the navigation device 7, the vehicle speed sensor 8, the blinker switch 9, the headlamp switch 10, and the like so that signals or data from these devices can be input.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging device 2 can image the face of the driver 22 seated on the driving seat 21 from the front (for example, on the steering column or the upper surface of the instrument panel as in this embodiment). Installed. The imaging device 2 is configured by, for example, a CCD camera module, a CMOS camera module, or the like, and outputs an image captured at a predetermined time (for example, 1/30 second) to the ECU 3.

  The ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 3 is an electronic control device for controlling the entire vehicle lighting control system 1. The ECU 3 includes a CPU 30, an image memory 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a head lamp driver 34, a bending lamp driver 35, an I / F unit 36, and the like.

  The image memory 31 is a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory that stores an image sent from the imaging device 2. The ROM 32 stores programs executed by the CPU 30 that is the main body of the control and calculation, various maps, and the like. The RAM 33 is used as a work area when the program is executed by the CPU 30. The headlamp driver 34 controls the headlamp unit 4 based on a control signal from the CPU 30. The bending lamp driver 35 controls the bending lamps 5L and 5R based on a control signal from the CPU 30. The I / F unit 36 performs an I / F (interface) process with each device connected to the ECU 3.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the headlamp unit 4 is provided on both sides of the front portion of the vehicle 23 and illuminates the front of the vehicle 23. The headlamp unit 4 includes a lamp unit that performs beam irradiation, and a motor (none of which is shown) that changes the irradiation direction (that is, the optical axis) of the lamp unit. As shown in FIG. 4, the headlamp unit 4 can change the irradiation direction (in other words, the illumination range) by a control signal from the ECU 3 (so-called swivel function).

  The bending lamp 5L and the bending lamp 5R are lamps composed of LEDs or the like, and are installed on the left side and the right side of the front portion of the vehicle 23, respectively, as shown in FIG. The bending lamp 5L and the bending lamp 5R respectively irradiate the left direction and the right direction of the vehicle 23 as viewed from the driver 22 by a control signal from the ECU 3 (see FIG. 5).

  Returning to FIG. 1, the navigation device 7 searches for a route (route search) from the current location (departure location) to the destination designated by the driver 22, and determines the destination for the driver 22 according to the search result. It is an electronic device that guides the route to the destination by voice or video. Moreover, the navigation apparatus 7 outputs the guidance information mentioned later to ECU3 for every predetermined time (for example, 1 second).

  In addition, vehicle information from the vehicle speed sensor 8, the blinker switch 9, and the headlamp switch 10 is input to the ECU 3. Specifically, the vehicle information from the vehicle speed sensor 8 indicates the detected vehicle speed of the vehicle 23, and the vehicle information from the blinker switch 9 indicates the operating state of the direction indicator, that is, the left and right blinkers (24L 24R), the vehicle information from the headlamp switch 10 indicates whether the headlamp 4 is on or off. Although not shown, the winkers 24 </ b> L and 24 </ b> R are also provided at the rear portion of the vehicle 23.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the ECU 3 functionally includes a face direction angle detection unit 301, a guidance information input unit 302, a reach distance acquisition unit 303, a vehicle information acquisition unit 304, a lighting control unit 305, Is provided. The face direction angle detection unit 301 analyzes a captured image transmitted from the image pickup apparatus 2 every predetermined time, and detects a face direction and a face direction angle in the horizontal direction from the front of the driver 22. For detection of the face direction and the face direction angle, a known technique can be used, and the method is not limited. Hereinafter, an example of the detection method of the face direction and the face direction angle by the face angle detector 301 will be described.

  The face angle detection unit 301 acquires the face image of the driver 22 captured by the image capturing device 2 from the image memory 31. The face angle detection unit 301 performs Sobel filter processing on the acquired face image, detects a horizontal edge (upper and lower side edges of the face) and a vertical edge (left and right side edges of the face), and FIG. The edge image 70 of the face of the driver 22 as shown in FIG. Based on the edge image 70, the face angle detection unit 301 acquires feature points of the constituent parts of the face, for example, binocular center points 71L and 71R as shown in FIG. 7B. The center of the face of the driver 22 can be obtained from the acquired center points 71L and 71R of the both eyeballs from the objectivity of the constituent parts of the face.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the face angle detection unit 301 acquires the face angle of the driver 22 based on the distances u <b> 1 and u <b> 2 between the face center line and both ends in the face width direction. In this case, in the processing of the face angle detection unit 301, if u1 = u2, it is determined that the driver 22 is facing the front in the left-right direction of the vehicle 23. If u1> u2, the left direction, u1 < If it is u2, it is judged that it faces right. In this way, the face angle detection unit 301 detects the face direction from the front of the driver 22. Then, the face direction angle detection unit 301 refers to a face direction angle map indicating the relationship between the difference between the intervals u1 and u2 and the face direction angle θ based on the acquired u1 and u2, and from the front of the driver 22. Get the face orientation angle. The face orientation angle map is created based on experiments and the like, and is stored in advance in the ROM 32 or the like.

  The guidance information input unit 302 inputs guidance information obtained based on the map information and the position information of the vehicle 23. In the present embodiment, the guidance information input unit 302 receives guidance information output from the navigation device 7 every predetermined time, and stores the guidance information in the RAM 33 or the like. The guidance information is information obtained from the route calculation result for guiding the vehicle 23 to the destination. For example, the current position, the latest intersection information (including the exit direction and the intersection position), the latest curve information (curve direction) , Including the curve entrance position).

  The reach distance acquisition unit 303 acquires the distance to the predetermined point based on the guidance information input by the guidance information input unit 302. More specifically, the arrival distance acquisition unit 303 acquires the distance to the nearest intersection (intersection center position) (intersection arrival distance) or the distance to the latest curve entrance position (curve arrival distance).

  The vehicle information acquisition unit 304 inputs the vehicle information described above from the vehicle speed sensor 8, the blinker switch 9, and the headlamp switch 10, and stores the vehicle information in the RAM 33 or the like. The illumination control unit 305 inputs the face direction and the face angle detected by the face angle detection unit 301, the intersection arrival distance or the curve arrival distance acquired by the arrival distance acquisition unit 303, and the vehicle information acquisition unit 304. The headlamp unit 4 and the bending lamps 5L and 5R are controlled based on the vehicle information.

  The illumination controller 305 includes a headlamp controller 310 that controls the headlamp unit 4 and a bending lamp controller 311 that controls the bending lamps 5L and 5R. The headlamp control unit 310 controls the irradiation direction of the lamp unit (that is, swivel control) on condition that the headlamp switch 10 is ON (that is, the lamp unit of the headlamp unit 4 is turned on). Hereinafter, swivel control executed by the headlamp control unit 310 will be specifically described.

When the vehicle 23 approaches the intersection or the entrance of the curve and the face orientation angle of the driver 22 exceeds a predetermined angle, the headlamp control unit 310 causes the lamp part of the headlamp unit 4 to change the face orientation direction. Adjust swivel angle to irradiate. The determination as to whether or not the vehicle is approaching the intersection or the curve entrance is made by determining the intersection arrival distance (L _C1 ) or the curve arrival distance (L _C2 ) acquired by the arrival distance acquisition unit 303 and the respective reference arrival distances ( L for ₁ or _{L 2)} by comparing the. That is, if L _C1 <L ₁ , it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the nearest intersection, and if L _C2 <L ₂ , it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the entrance of the latest curve.

The determination as to whether or not the face angle exceeds a predetermined angle and the determination of the swivel angle are performed according to an angle control map as shown in FIG. The angle control map is created based on experiments or the like and stored in advance in the ROM 32 or the like. The headlamp control unit 310 detects the face angle (θ _C ) detected by the face angle detection unit 301 and the face angle thresholds (θ ₁ (left direction), θ ₂ (right direction) set in the angle control map. )) Is compared to determine whether the face orientation angle exceeds a predetermined angle. When the face direction angle (θ _C ) exceeds the threshold value (θ ₁ or θ ₂ ) of the face direction angle, the headlamp control unit 310 sets the head lamp unit according to the size of the face direction angle (θ _C ). 4 determines the swivel angle of the ramp section.

A plurality of angle control maps are prepared corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle 23 at a predetermined point (intersection, curve entrance, etc.). For example, when making a right turn at the nearest intersection or when the nearest curve is a right curve, use the angle control map set as θ ₁ > θ ₂ and turn left at the nearest intersection as shown in FIG. 9B. If the current curve is the left curve or the latest curve is used, an angle control map set to θ ₁ <θ ₂ is used as shown in FIG. 9C. As a result, the driver 22 can face the road in the traveling direction of the vehicle 23 at a predetermined point (intersection, entrance of a curve, etc.) to immediately illuminate the road surface in the traveling direction, and useless illumination in a direction other than the traveling direction. Can be prevented as much as possible.

The swivel control by the headlamp control unit 310 will be described with a specific example. First, a case where the predetermined point is an intersection will be described. FIG. 10 shows a situation in which the driver 22 faces to the left by θ _C when the vehicle 23 entering the intersection reaches the point L _C1 from the intersection center. In the situation of FIG. 10, it is assumed that the headlamp switch 10 of the vehicle 23 is ON.

In this case, first, the headlamp control unit 310 determines whether or not the condition for approaching the nearest intersection is satisfied. Here, when L _C1 <L ₁ , the approach condition is satisfied. Next, the headlamp control unit 310 acquires the traveling direction (intersection traveling direction) at the intersection of the vehicle 23. The intersection traveling direction is obtained from the vehicle information (the blinking state of the blinkers 24L and 24R) from the blinker switch 9 input by the vehicle information acquisition unit 304. Or you may acquire from the guidance information (intersection leaving direction) from the navigation apparatus 7 which the guidance information input part 302 input.

Next, the headlamp control unit 310 acquires an angle control map corresponding to the acquired intersection traveling direction. In the situation of FIG. 10, when the vehicle 23 is about to turn left (that is, the blinker 24L is blinking), the headlamp control unit 310 selects the left turn angle control map shown in FIG. 9C. Then, the headlamp control unit 310 determines the threshold value of the face angle corresponding to the face direction of the driver 22 (left direction in this example) from the acquired angle control map, that is, the left direction threshold value (θ ₁ ). The threshold value (θ ₁ ) is compared with the face orientation angle (θ _C ). Here, assuming that θ _C > θ ₁ , the headlamp control unit 310 refers to the angle control map and acquires a swivel angle corresponding to the size of the face orientation angle (θ _C ). Then, according to the acquired swivel angle, the motor of the headlamp unit 4 is controlled to change the irradiation direction of the lamp unit.

  When the irradiation direction of the headlamp unit 4 is controlled as described above, irradiation in the straight traveling direction as shown in FIG. 11 (a) is performed before the intersection, as shown in FIG. 11 (b). It can be changed to irradiation on the left side with respect to the direction. Therefore, the road surface in the traveling direction of the vehicle 23 at the intersection can be accurately illuminated, the visibility of the driver 22 can be improved, and the driving safety can be improved.

Next, a case where the predetermined point is a curve entrance will be described. FIG. 12 shows a situation in which the driver 22 faces to the right by θ _C when the vehicle 23 that is about to enter the curve entrance reaches the point of L _C2 from the curve entrance. In the situation of FIG. 12, it is assumed that the headlamp switch 10 of the vehicle 23 is ON.

The headlamp control unit 310 determines whether or not the approach condition to the nearest curve entrance is satisfied as in the case of the intersection. Here, when L _C2 <L ₂ , the approach condition is satisfied. Next, the headlamp control unit 310 acquires the curve direction from the guidance information from the navigation device 7 input by the guidance information input unit 302.

Next, the headlamp control unit 310 acquires an angle control map corresponding to the acquired curve direction. In the situation of FIG. 12, since the curve direction is rightward with respect to the approach direction of the vehicle 23, the headlamp control unit 310 selects the angle control map for the right curve shown in FIG. 9B. Then, the headlamp control unit 310 determines a threshold value of the face angle corresponding to the face direction of the driver 22 (right direction in this example) from the acquired angle control map, that is, the right direction threshold value (θ ₂ ). The threshold value (θ ₂ ) is compared with the face orientation angle (θ _C ). Here, when θ _C > θ ₂ , the headlamp control unit 310 refers to the angle control map and acquires a swivel angle corresponding to the size of the face orientation angle (θ _C ). Then, according to the acquired swivel angle, the motor of the headlamp unit 4 is controlled to change the irradiation direction of the lamp unit.

  By controlling as described above, the irradiation in the forward direction of the vehicle 23 as shown in FIG. 13 (a) is performed in the curve direction side as shown in FIG. (Direction side) irradiation can be changed. Therefore, the road surface in the traveling direction of the vehicle 23 on the curve can be accurately illuminated, the visibility of the driver 22 can be improved, and the driving safety can be enhanced.

  Next, the control of the bending lamps 5L and 5R executed by the bending lamp control unit 311 will be specifically described.

When the vehicle 23 approaches an intersection or a curve entrance and the face angle of the driver 22 exceeds a predetermined angle, the bending lamp control unit 311 sets the bending lamp 5L or 5R corresponding to the face direction. Perform lighting control. Whether the vehicle is approaching the intersection or the curve entrance is determined by the intersection arrival distance (L _C1 ) or the curve arrival distance (L _C2 ) acquired by the arrival distance acquisition unit 303 as in the control of the headlamp control unit 310 described above. ) And each reference reach distance (L ₁ or L ₂ ). That is, if L _C1 <L ₁ , it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the nearest intersection, and if L _C2 <L ₂ , it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the entrance of the latest curve.

The determination as to whether or not the face orientation angle exceeds a predetermined angle is made according to a lighting control map as shown in FIG. The lighting control map is created based on experiments or the like and stored in advance in the ROM 32 or the like. The bending lamp control unit 311 detects the face angle (θ _C ) detected by the face angle detection unit 301 and the threshold values (θ ₃ (left direction), θ ₄ (right direction) set in the lighting control map. )) Is compared to determine whether the face orientation angle exceeds a predetermined angle. If the face direction angle (θ _C ) exceeds the threshold value (θ ₃ or θ ₄ ) of the face direction angle, the bending lamp control unit 311 lights the bending lamp 5L or 5R corresponding to the face direction.

Similar to the angle control map, a plurality of lighting control maps are prepared corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle 23 at a predetermined point (intersection, curve entrance, etc.). For example, when making a right turn at the nearest intersection or when the nearest curve is a right curve, use the lighting control map set as θ ₃ > θ ₄ as shown in FIG. 14B, and turn left at the nearest intersection. If the current curve is the left curve or the most recent curve is used, an angle control map set to θ ₃ <θ ₄ is used as shown in FIG. As a result, the driver 22 can face the road in the traveling direction of the vehicle 23 at a predetermined point (intersection, entrance of a curve, etc.) to immediately illuminate the road surface in the traveling direction, and useless illumination in a direction other than the traveling direction. Can be prevented as much as possible.

The lighting control of the bending lamps 5L and 5R by the bending lamp control unit 311 will be described with a specific example. First, a case where the predetermined point is an intersection will be described. For example, when the approach state of the vehicle 23 to the intersection is the state shown in FIG. 10 described above, first, the bending lamp control unit 311 determines whether or not an approach condition to the nearest intersection is satisfied. Here, when L _C1 <L ₁ , the approach condition is satisfied. Next, the bending lamp control unit 311 acquires the traveling direction (intersection traveling direction) at the intersection of the vehicle 23. The intersection traveling direction may be acquired from the vehicle information from the blinker switch 9 (the blinking state of the blinkers 24L and 24R) or may be acquired from the guidance information from the navigation device 7.

Next, the bending lamp control unit 311 acquires a lighting control map corresponding to the acquired intersection traveling direction. In the situation of FIG. 10, when the vehicle 23 is about to turn left (that is, the blinker 24L is blinking), the bending lamp control unit 311 selects the left turn lighting control map shown in FIG. Then, the bending lamp control unit 311 determines the threshold value of the face angle corresponding to the face direction of the driver 22 (left direction in this example) from the acquired lighting control map, that is, the left direction threshold value (θ ₃ ). The threshold value (θ ₃ ) is compared with the face orientation angle (θ _C ). Here, assuming that θ _C > θ ₃ , the bending lamp control unit 311 lights up the bending lamp 5L corresponding to the face direction (that is, the left direction) (see FIG. 15).

  By controlling in this way when approaching the nearest intersection, the road surface in the traveling direction of the vehicle 23 at the intersection can be accurately illuminated, the visibility of the driver 22 can be improved, and the driving safety can be enhanced.

Next, a case where the predetermined point is a curve entrance will be described. For example, when the approach state of the vehicle 23 to the curve entrance is the state shown in FIG. 12 described above, the bending lamp control unit 311 satisfies the approach condition to the nearest curve entrance as in the case of the intersection described above. Determine whether or not. Here, when L _C2 <L ₂ , the approach condition is satisfied. Next, the bending lamp control unit 311 acquires the curve direction from the guidance information from the navigation device 7 input by the guidance information input unit 302.

Next, the bending lamp control unit 311 acquires a lighting control map corresponding to the acquired curve direction. In the situation of FIG. 12, since the curve direction is rightward with respect to the approach direction of the vehicle 23, the bending lamp control unit 311 selects the lighting control map for the right curve shown in FIG. Then, the bending lamp control unit 311 determines the threshold value of the face direction angle corresponding to the face direction of the driver 22 (right direction in this example) from the acquired lighting control map, that is, the right direction threshold value (θ ₄ ). The threshold value (θ ₄ ) is compared with the face orientation angle (θ _C ). Here, assuming that θ _C > θ ₄ , the bending lamp control unit 311 lights the bending lamp 5R corresponding to the face direction (that is, the right direction) (see FIG. 16).

  By controlling in this way at the time of the latest approach to the curve, the road surface in the traveling direction of the vehicle 23 on the curve can be accurately illuminated, the visibility of the driver 22 can be improved, and the driving safety can be enhanced.

  Subsequently, the procedure of the illumination control process by the vehicle illumination control system of the present embodiment will be described along the flowchart of FIG. The illumination control process is repeatedly executed every predetermined time.

  The face image of the driver 22 transmitted from the imaging device 2 to the ECU 3 is stored in the image memory 31 (step S101). The face direction angle detection unit 301 acquires the face image of the driver 22 from the image memory 31, and acquires the face direction angle of the driver 22 based on the face image (step S102). The guidance information input unit 302 inputs the guidance information transmitted from the navigation device 7, and stores the guidance information in the RAM 33 or the like (step S103). The vehicle information acquisition unit 304 inputs the vehicle information transmitted from the vehicle speed sensor 8, the blinker switch 9, and the headlamp switch 10, and stores each vehicle information in the RAM 33 or the like (step S104). The arrival distance acquisition unit 303 acquires a distance (intersection arrival distance or curve arrival distance) to the nearest predetermined point (intersection or curve entrance) based on the guidance information input by the guidance information input unit 302 (step S105). .

The headlamp control unit 310 and the bending lamp control unit 311 check whether or not the vehicle 23 is approaching an intersection or a curve entrance (step S106). Here, when the nearest predetermined point is an intersection, the intersection arrival distance (L _C1 ) and the reference arrival distance (L ₁ ) are compared, and in the case of a curve, the curve arrival distance (L _C2 ) and the reference arrival distance ( L ₂ ) are compared. In this comparison, the reference reach distances (L ₁ , L ₂ ) corrected according to the vehicle speed of the vehicle 23 may be used. For example, when the vehicle speed is higher than a predetermined speed (in other words, when the approach speed to the intersection or the curve entrance is fast), the time to reach the intersection or the curve entrance is shortened, so the reference reach distance (L ₁ , L ₂ ) may be corrected to be longer, and if the vehicle speed is smaller than the predetermined speed, the reference reach distance (L ₁ , L ₂ ) may be corrected to be shorter.

  When the vehicle 23 is approaching the intersection or the curve entrance (YES in Step S106), the headlamp control unit 310 and the bending lamp control unit 311 acquire the traveling direction at the intersection or curve entrance of the vehicle 23 (Step S106). S107). The headlamp control unit 310 acquires an angle control map (see FIG. 9) corresponding to the acquired traveling direction of the vehicle 23 (step S108). The bending lamp control unit 311 acquires a lighting control map (see FIG. 14) corresponding to the acquired traveling direction of the vehicle 23 (step S109).

The headlamp control unit 310 and the bending lamp control unit 311 check whether or not the face direction angle of the driver 22 exceeds a predetermined angle (step S110). Specifically, the headlamp control unit 310 compares the face orientation angle threshold (θ ₁ or θ ₂ ) corresponding to the face orientation direction of the acquired angle control map with the face orientation angle (θ _C ). Further, the bending lamp control unit 311 compares the face orientation angle threshold (θ ₃ or θ ₄ ) corresponding to the face orientation direction of the acquired lighting control map with the face orientation angle (θ _C ).

In each of the above comparisons, when the face angle of the driver 22 exceeds the predetermined angle (YES in step S110), the headlamp control unit 310 and the bending lamp control unit 311 perform respective illumination controls. Specifically, the headlamp control unit 310 acquires a swivel angle corresponding to the size of the face orientation angle (θ _C ) from the acquired angle control map. Then, according to the obtained swivel angle, the motor of the headlamp unit 4 is controlled to change the irradiation direction of the lamp unit (step S111). Further, the bending lamp control unit 311 turns on the bending lamp (5L or 5R) corresponding to the face direction (step S112).

  As described above, according to the vehicle lighting control system of the present embodiment, when the vehicle 23 approaches an intersection or a curve entrance and the face orientation angle of the driver 22 exceeds a predetermined angle, The irradiation direction of the headlamp unit 4 is changed so as to match the face direction, and the bending lamp (5L or 5R) is turned on. Accordingly, since the direction to be watched can be accurately illuminated when the vehicle 23 is traveling, traveling safety is improved, and unnecessary illumination unrelated to traveling can be prevented as much as possible.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the ECU 3 is configured to perform both swivel control of the headlamp unit 4 and lighting control of the bending lamps 5L and 5R, but may be configured to perform only one of the controls. Even in such a configuration, the object of the present invention can be achieved.

In addition, the reference reach distances (L ₁ , L ₂ ) do not have to be the same in the headlamp control unit 310 and the bending lamp control unit 311, and suitable values derived from experiments or the like may be adopted in each control. it can. Furthermore, the reference reach distances (L ₁ , L ₂ ) can be appropriately corrected using various vehicle information in addition to the vehicle speed described above. For example, the ECU 3 is configured to be able to input vehicle information from an odometer or wiper switch, and based on the vehicle information (integrated travel distance and wiper operating state) from these, the reference reach distance (L ₁ , L ₂ ) May be corrected. Further, in the case of an intersection, the reference reach distance (L ₁ ) may be corrected by the traveling direction of the vehicle 23 (right / left turn, straight travel, etc.).

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the angle control map (refer FIG. 9) and the lighting control map (refer FIG. 14) were each prepared 3 patterns, more patterns (for example, the pattern corresponding to vehicle information). May be prepared. Further, the head lamp unit 4 or the bending lamps 5L and 5R may be controlled using a prepared angle control map or lighting control map corrected according to vehicle information or the like.

In addition, the ECU 3 includes an intersection shape acquisition unit that acquires intersection shape information regarding the shape of the nearest intersection, and the headlamp control unit 310 or the bending lamp control unit 311 takes into account the intersection shape information, and the headlamp unit 4 Alternatively, the bending lamps 5L and 5R may be controlled. Specifically, the headlamp control unit 310 or the bending lamp control unit 311 corrects the reference reach distance (L ₁ ) according to the nearest intersection shape (for example, the number of branch paths, the branch angle, etc.), the angle control map, Select and correct lighting control map.

  Further, the ECU 3 includes a curve shape acquisition unit that acquires curve shape information relating to the shape of the latest curve, and the headlamp control unit 310 or the bending lamp control unit 311 also provides such curve shape information (for example, the curvature of the curve). In addition, the head lamp unit 4 or the bending lamps 5L and 5R may be controlled.

  Further, the bending lamp control unit 311 may be configured to control the illuminance levels of the bending lamps 5L and 5R. In the case of such a configuration, for example, it is possible to adjust the illuminance level according to the face orientation angle using a lighting control map as shown in FIG. Further, the illuminance level may be adjusted based on vehicle information (vehicle speed, wiper operating state), intersection shape information, and curve shape information. Furthermore, the illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance around the vehicle 23 may be connected to the ECU 3, and the illuminance levels of the bending lamps 5L and 5R may be adjusted in consideration of the illuminance information from the illuminance sensor.

  Further, the bending lamp control unit 311 may be configured to select and control lighting of each of the plurality of LEDs constituting the bending lamps 5L and 5R. By adopting such a configuration, for example, the irradiation width of the bending lamps 5L and 5R can be adjusted based on the size of the face orientation angle, vehicle information, intersection / curve shape information, and the like.

Further, the configuration is such that the face orientation angle of the driver 22 and the control status by the headlamp control unit 310 or the bending lamp control unit 311 at a predetermined point can be stored as data, and the reference reach distance (L ₁ , L ₂ ) and selection or correction of the angle control map or lighting control map may be performed.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the vehicle illumination control system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the installation aspect of an imaging device. It is a figure which shows an example of the attachment position of a headlamp unit, a bending lamp, and a winker. It is a figure which shows the illumination area | region of a headlamp unit. It is a figure which shows the illumination area | region of a bending lamp. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of ECU shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows a driver | operator's face image, (a) shows an edge image, (b) shows the feature point of an edge image. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the distance between the center line of the face and both ends in the width direction of the face in the edge image of FIG. 7. It is a figure which shows an angle control map, (a) is for straight ahead, (b) is for right direction, (c) shows for left direction. It is a figure which shows the example of a condition for demonstrating the illumination control at the time of an intersection approach. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect by control of a headlamp unit at the time of an intersection approach, (a) when not controlling, (b) shows the case where it controls. It is a figure which shows the example of a condition for demonstrating the illumination control at the time of curve approach. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect by control of a headlamp unit at the time of curve approach, (a) when not controlling, (b) shows the case where it controls. It is a figure which shows a lighting control map, (a) is for straight ahead, (b) is for right direction, (c) shows for left direction. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect by control of a bending lamp at the time of an intersection approach. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect by control of a bending lamp at the time of curve approach. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of an illumination control process. It is a figure which shows an example of the lighting control map in other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle illumination control system 2 Imaging device (imaging means)
4 Headlamp unit (lighting means)
5L, 5R bending lamp (lighting means)
21 Driving seat 22 Driver 24L, 24R Winker (direction indicator)
34 Headlamp driver (lighting control means)
35 Bending lamp driver (lighting control means)
301 Face angle detector (face angle detector)
302 Guidance information input unit (guidance information input means)
303 Reaching distance acquisition unit (reaching distance acquisition means)
304 Vehicle information acquisition unit (vehicle information acquisition means)
305 Illumination control unit (illumination control means)

Claims (14)

Imaging means for imaging a driver's face seated on a vehicle driving seat;
A face angle detection unit that detects a face direction and a face direction angle from the front of the driver based on an image obtained by imaging of the imaging unit;
Lighting means for illuminating outside the vehicle;
Guidance information input means for inputting guidance information obtained based on map information and the position information of the vehicle;
Based on the input guidance information, an arrival distance acquisition means for acquiring an arrival distance from the current vehicle position to a predetermined point on the guidance route;
Illumination control means for performing illumination control of the illumination means based on the detected face orientation direction and face orientation angle, and the acquired reach distance ;
The illumination control means is configured to illuminate the face direction when the reach distance is shorter than a preset reference reach distance and the face angle exceeds a preset angle threshold. Lighting control of the means,
An illumination control system for a vehicle. The lighting control means obtains the traveling direction of the vehicle,
The angle threshold value used by the illumination control unit is different between the case where the face direction is the same direction as the traveling direction of the vehicle and the case where the face direction is opposite to the traveling direction of the vehicle. The angle threshold when the direction is the same as the traveling direction is set to be smaller than the angle threshold when the direction is the opposite direction of the traveling direction.
The vehicle illumination control system according to claim 1. The vehicle illumination control system according to claim 1, wherein the illumination control unit performs the illumination control by adjusting a swivel angle of the illumination unit. The vehicle lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined point is a nearest intersection position. Based on the input guidance information, further comprising an intersection shape acquisition means for acquiring intersection shape information regarding the shape of the nearest intersection,
The illumination control means performs illumination control of the illumination means in consideration of the intersection shape information.
The vehicle illumination control system according to claim 4 . The vehicle lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined point is an entrance position of the latest curve. Further comprising curve shape acquisition means for acquiring curve shape information related to the shape of the most recent curve based on the input guidance information,
The illumination control means performs illumination control of the illumination means in consideration of the curve shape information.
The vehicle lighting control system according to claim 6 . Vehicle information acquisition means for acquiring vehicle information related to the state of the vehicle,
The lighting control means performs lighting control of the lighting means in consideration of the vehicle information.
The vehicle lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . The vehicle lighting control system according to claim 8 , wherein the vehicle information includes a speed of the vehicle. The vehicle lighting control system according to claim 8 or 9 , wherein the vehicle information includes an operation state of a direction indicator. The vehicle lighting control system according to claim 8 , wherein the vehicle information includes an accumulated travel distance. Imaging the face of the driver seated on the vehicle's driving seat;
Detecting a face direction and a face angle from the front of the driver based on an image obtained by imaging; and
Inputting guidance information obtained based on map information and position information of the vehicle;
Acquiring a reach distance from the current vehicle position to a predetermined point on the guide route based on the input guide information;
Possess a detected the face orientation direction and the face direction angle was based on the obtained the reach distance, and performing illumination control of the illumination means for performing vehicle exterior lighting, and
In the step of performing the illumination control, the face orientation direction is irradiated when the reach distance is shorter than a preset reference reach distance and the face orientation angle exceeds a preset angle threshold. Lighting control of the lighting means is performed,
The vehicle lighting control method characterized by the above-mentioned. In the step of performing the lighting control, the traveling direction of the vehicle is acquired,
The angle threshold used in the step of performing the illumination control includes a case where the face direction is the same direction as the traveling direction of the vehicle and a case where the face direction is opposite to the traveling direction of the vehicle. The angle threshold when the direction is the same as the traveling direction is set to be smaller than the angle threshold when the direction is the opposite direction to the traveling direction.
The vehicle illumination control method according to claim 12. The vehicle lighting control system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein in the step of performing the lighting control, the lighting control is performed by adjusting a swivel angle of the lighting unit.

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