WO2021010484A1 - 配光制御装置および車両用灯具システム - Google Patents

配光制御装置および車両用灯具システム Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021010484A1
WO2021010484A1 PCT/JP2020/027942 JP2020027942W WO2021010484A1 WO 2021010484 A1 WO2021010484 A1 WO 2021010484A1 JP 2020027942 W JP2020027942 W JP 2020027942W WO 2021010484 A1 WO2021010484 A1 WO 2021010484A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
region
infrared
visible light
vehicle
control device
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Application number
PCT/JP2020/027942
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English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
達磨 北澤
Original Assignee
株式会社小糸製作所
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Priority to JP2021533120A priority Critical patent/JPWO2021010484A1/ja
Publication of WO2021010484A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021010484A1/ja

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/12—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of emitted light
    • F21S41/13—Ultraviolet light; Infrared light
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/24—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments for lighting other areas than only the way ahead
    • B60Q1/249—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments for lighting other areas than only the way ahead for illuminating the field of view of a sensor or camera
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/06—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle
    • B60Q1/08—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle automatically
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/14—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/60—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/10—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof for generating image signals from different wavelengths
    • H04N23/11—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof for generating image signals from different wavelengths for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/20—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof for generating image signals from infrared radiation only
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/56—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof provided with illuminating means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/57—Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/95—Computational photography systems, e.g. light-field imaging systems
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2107/00—Use or application of lighting devices on or in particular types of vehicles
    • F21W2107/10—Use or application of lighting devices on or in particular types of vehicles for land vehicles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a light distribution control device and a vehicle lighting system.
  • ADB Adaptive Driving Beam
  • the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and one of the exemplary purposes of the embodiment is to provide a technique for reducing power consumption when improving visibility in front of a vehicle during snowfall. is there.
  • One aspect of the present invention relates to a light distribution control device.
  • This light distribution control device is capable of irradiating an infrared beam having a variable intensity distribution in the front region based on a visible light image obtained from a camera having sensitivity in the visible light region, which images the front region of the vehicle. Control the lighting.
  • the front region includes an invalid region in which an object serving as a screen exists in the background of snow grains, and an effective region in which the object does not exist.
  • the light distribution control device controls the infrared illumination so that the intensity of the infrared rays irradiating the ineffective region forms an infrared pattern having an intensity distribution lower than the intensity of the infrared rays irradiating the effective region.
  • This vehicle lighting system includes infrared illumination capable of irradiating the front region of the vehicle with an infrared beam having a variable intensity distribution, a camera having sensitivity in the visible light region for imaging the front region, and light distribution control according to the above embodiment. It is equipped with a device.
  • the present invention it is possible to reduce the power consumption when improving the visibility in front of the vehicle during snowfall.
  • FIG. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the vehicle lamp system of FIG. It is a figure explaining the influence which the reflection of light by a snow grain has on the visibility of a driver. It is a figure explaining the decrease of visibility with shading control.
  • 5 (a) and 5 (b) are diagrams illustrating an effective region and an invalid region.
  • 6 (a) and 6 (b) are diagrams illustrating an effective region and an invalid region. It is a figure explaining the setting of an invalid area based on a contrast ratio. It is a flowchart of light distribution control which concerns on one Example.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle lamp system according to an embodiment.
  • a part of the components of the vehicle lighting system 100 is drawn as a functional block.
  • These functional blocks are realized by elements and circuits such as a computer CPU and memory as a hardware configuration, and are realized by a computer program or the like as a software configuration. Those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways by combining hardware and software.
  • the vehicle lighting system 100 includes a variable light distribution lamp 110, an infrared lighting 120, an infrared camera 130, a visible light camera 132, and a light distribution control device 140 (light distribution controller). All of these may be built into the same housing, or some members may be provided outside the housing, in other words, on the vehicle side.
  • the variable light distribution lamp 110 is a white light source capable of irradiating the front region of the vehicle with a visible light beam L3 having a variable intensity distribution.
  • the variable light distribution lamp 110 receives data indicating the visible light pattern PTN1 from the light distribution control device 140, emits a visible light beam L3 having an intensity distribution corresponding to the visible light pattern PTN1, and emits a visible light beam L3 in front of the vehicle.
  • the configuration of the light distribution variable lamp 110 is not particularly limited, and may include, for example, a semiconductor light source such as an LD (laser diode) or an LED (light emitting diode), and a lighting circuit for driving and lighting the semiconductor light source.
  • the variable light distribution lamp 110 may include a matrix-type pattern forming device such as a DMD (Digital Mirror Device) or a liquid crystal device in order to form an illuminance distribution according to the visible light pattern PTN1.
  • the variable light distribution lamp 110 has a resolution sufficient to block only the snow grain portion.
  • the infrared illumination 120 is a probe light source capable of irradiating the front region of the vehicle with an infrared beam L1 having a variable intensity distribution.
  • the infrared beam L1 may be near infrared light or light having a longer wavelength.
  • the infrared illumination 120 receives data indicating the infrared pattern PTN2 from the light distribution control device 140, emits an infrared beam L1 having an intensity distribution corresponding to the infrared pattern PTN2, and forms the infrared pattern PTN2 in front of the vehicle.
  • the configuration of the infrared illumination 120 is not particularly limited, and may include, for example, a semiconductor light source such as an LD or an LED, and a lighting circuit for driving and lighting the semiconductor light source.
  • the infrared illumination 120 may include a matrix-type pattern forming device such as a DMD or a liquid crystal device in order to form an illuminance distribution corresponding to the infrared pattern PTN2.
  • the infrared illumination 120 has the same resolution as, for example, the variable light distribution lamp 110.
  • the infrared camera 130 has sensitivity in the infrared region and images the front region of the vehicle.
  • the infrared camera 130 captures the reflected light L2 of the infrared beam L1 by an object in front of the vehicle.
  • the infrared camera 130 only needs to have sensitivity in the wavelength range of the infrared beam L1 and is preferably insensitive to visible light.
  • the visible light camera 132 has sensitivity in the visible light region and images the front region of the vehicle.
  • the visible light camera 132 captures the reflected light L4 of the visible light beam L3 by an object in front of the vehicle.
  • the visible light camera 132 only needs to have sensitivity in the wavelength range of the visible light beam L3, and is preferably insensitive to infrared rays. It should be noted that one camera may perform the functions of both the infrared camera 130 and the visible light camera 132.
  • the light distribution control device 140 has a pattern determination unit 142 and a pattern indicator unit 144, and dynamically and adapts the visible light pattern PTN1 supplied to the light distribution variable lamp 110 based on the infrared image IMG2 obtained from the infrared camera 130. Control.
  • the visible light pattern PTN1 is grasped as a two-dimensional illuminance distribution of the white light irradiation pattern 902 formed by the light distribution variable lamp 110 on the virtual vertical screen 900 in front of the vehicle.
  • the light distribution control device 140 can be configured by a digital processor, for example, it may be configured by a combination of a microcomputer including a CPU and a software program, or it may be configured by an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specified IC), or the like. You may.
  • a digital processor for example, it may be configured by a combination of a microcomputer including a CPU and a software program, or it may be configured by an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specified IC), or the like. You may.
  • FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array
  • ASIC Application Specified IC
  • the pattern determination unit 142 detects snow grains by image processing based on the infrared image IMG2 taken by the infrared camera 130.
  • the snowdrop detection algorithm is not particularly limited.
  • the pattern determination unit 142 may detect snow particles based on a plurality of consecutive frames of the infrared image IMG2. Then, the pattern determining unit 142 determines the visible light pattern PTN1 in which the portion corresponding to the snow grain is shielded.
  • the pattern indicator 144 transmits data indicating the visible light pattern PTN1 to the variable light distribution lamp 110.
  • Shade a certain part includes not only the case where the brightness (illuminance) of the part is completely set to zero, but also the case where the brightness (illuminance) of the part is lowered.
  • FIG. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the vehicle lighting system 100 of FIG.
  • FIG. 2A shows an infrared image IMG2
  • FIG. 2B shows a visible light pattern PTN1 corresponding to the infrared image IMG2 of FIG. 2A.
  • the infrared image IMG2 shows 6, snowflakes, 8 people, and 10 vehicles.
  • the light distribution control device 140 detects snow particles 6 from the infrared image IMG2, and provides a light-shielding portion 7 at a portion corresponding to the snow particles 6 in the visible light pattern PTN1.
  • the light distribution control device 140 may perform so-called ADB control. In that case, when a target such as the vehicle 10 that should not be given glare is detected, a light-shielding portion 11 is also provided in a portion corresponding to the target.
  • the visible light pattern PTN1 is updated at a rate of, for example, 30 fps or higher, and the light-shielding portion 7 can be moved following the snowflakes 6. As a result, the reflected light of the snow particles 6 can be reduced, and the visibility in front can be improved.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the effect of light reflection by the snowdrops 6 on the visibility of the driver. It is assumed that an object 20 that can be regarded as a screen, such as a wall (fence) 22 or a road surface 24, exists on the other side of the snowdrop 6 in front of the vehicle, that is, in the background.
  • the object 20 that can be regarded as a screen also includes road signs, signboards, side walls of highways, and the like.
  • the driver visually recognizes the reflected light L4 from the snow grain 6 and the reflected light L4 from the object 20. Therefore, when the object 20 is in the background of the snow grain 6, the reflected light L4 from the snow grain 6 is mixed with the reflected light L4 from the object 20, and the brightness difference of the visible light between the background and the snow grain 6, that is, the contrast ratio is large. It becomes smaller. In this case, even if the light is reflected by the snow particles 6, the driver is less likely to feel annoyed. Therefore, shading the snow particles 6 that overlap the object 20 has little merit for the driver's visibility. It should be noted that this event should not be regarded as a general recognition of those skilled in the art, and is independently recognized by the present inventor.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a decrease in visibility due to shading control.
  • an irradiation pattern 902 in other words, a visible light pattern PTN1 is projected on the object 20.
  • the irradiation pattern 902 includes dark spots 904 randomly distributed, which reduces visibility.
  • the dark spot 904 since the snowflakes 6 move from moment to moment, the dark spot 904 also moves from moment to moment, and therefore the irradiation pattern 902 projected on the object 20 flickers. This flicker further reduces the visibility in front of the vehicle. It should be noted that this problem should not be regarded as a general recognition of those skilled in the art, and is independently recognized by the present inventor.
  • the light distribution control device 140 invalidates the detection of snow particles 6 and the shading control in that area (referred to as an invalid area).
  • the detection of snow grains 6 and the shading control are effective.
  • the invalid region it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption due to the detection of snow particles 6.
  • 5 (a), 5 (b), 6 (a) and 6 (b) are diagrams for explaining the effective region and the invalid region.
  • 5 (a) shows the visible light image IMG1
  • FIG. 5 (b) shows the infrared pattern PTN2
  • FIG. 6 (a) shows the infrared image IMG2
  • FIG. 6 (b) shows the visible light pattern PTN1.
  • the pattern determination unit 142 sets an effective region A having a relatively low brightness (brightness of visible light) and an invalid region B having a relatively high brightness. Set. That is, the effective region A has a lower brightness than the invalid region B, and the invalid region B has a higher brightness than the effective region A. Therefore, the effective area A and the ineffective area B change dynamically and adaptively according to the situation in front of the vehicle. In FIG. 5A, the range corresponding to the road surface 24 is set in the invalid area B, and the other range is set in the effective area A.
  • the setting algorithm for the effective area A and the invalid area B is not particularly limited.
  • the pattern determination unit 142 holds in advance a first threshold value regarding the brightness (gradation) of visible light and a second threshold value regarding the size (area) of the invalid region B. Then, in the visible light image IMG1, a region having a brightness equal to or higher than the first threshold value and a magnitude equal to or higher than the second threshold value is set to the invalid region B, and the other ranges are set to the effective region A.
  • the visible light image IMG1 is subjected to known image processing such as shrinkage processing, and the pixels of the pixels corresponding to the snow grains 6.
  • the value is converted to the pixel value of the surrounding pixels. That is, the light spot corresponding to the snowdrop 6 is deleted.
  • the effective region A and the invalid region B are set based on the brightness of each pixel in the visible light image IMG1 subjected to this image processing.
  • the effective region A and the invalid region B may be set based on the contrast ratio of the visible light image IMG1.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the setting of the invalid region based on the contrast ratio.
  • FIG. 7 shows the visible light image IMG1. The sky is reflected above the visible light image IMG1, and there is no screen object. In this range A, the brightness (pixel value) of the snowdrop 6 is high, and the brightness is very low because there is no reflection around it. Therefore, the ratio (or difference) between the peak and the bottom of the brightness, that is, the contrast ratio becomes large.
  • the road surface that is, the screen object is included below the visible light image IMG1.
  • the visible light image IMG1 has a region where parts having a contrast ratio equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value and a portion having a contrast ratio less than the threshold value. Is divided into areas where are gathered. Then, the region having a contrast ratio equal to or higher than the threshold value is set to the effective region A, and the region having a contrast ratio less than the threshold value is set to the invalid region B.
  • the pattern determination unit 142 determines the infrared pattern PTN2 having an intensity distribution in which the intensity of the infrared rays irradiating the invalid region B is lower than the intensity of the infrared rays irradiating the effective region A.
  • the intensity of the infrared ray irradiating the invalid region B may be completely zero (that is, the infrared ray is not irradiated), or is weaker (that is, weaker) than the intensity of the infrared ray irradiating the effective region A. (Irradiate infrared rays) may be used.
  • the pattern indicator 144 controls the infrared illumination 120 so as to form the infrared pattern PTN2 by transmitting the data indicating the determined infrared pattern PTN2 to the infrared illumination 120.
  • an infrared image IMG2 showing the snow particles 6 existing in the effective region A can be obtained.
  • the pattern determination unit 142 detects the snowdrops 6 based on the infrared image IMG2, and determines the visible light pattern PTN1 having the light-shielding portion 7 in the portion corresponding to the snowflakes 6.
  • the pattern indicator 144 controls the light distribution variable lamp 110 so as to form the determined visible light pattern PTN1.
  • the portion corresponding to the snow grain 6 is shaded by the shading control.
  • the visible light beam L3 is also irradiated to the portion corresponding to the snow grain 6.
  • the power consumption by the infrared illumination 120 can be suppressed, and the dark spot 904 can be prevented from being projected on the screen object.
  • the intensity of infrared rays irradiating the effective region A may be fixedly set, but may be dynamically and adaptively changed according to the situation around the vehicle and the situation of the vehicle itself. For example, when the amount of snowfall is small, the degree to which the driver's field of vision is obstructed by the reflection of the snow particles 6 is small. Therefore, the effect of improving the visibility obtained by shading the snow particles 6 is small. That is, when the amount of snowfall is small, the merit obtained with respect to the power consumption by the infrared illumination 120 becomes small. In particular, when detecting a distant snow grain 6, it is necessary to increase the intensity of infrared rays (that is, the power consumption increases), so that the merit obtained for the power consumption becomes smaller and smaller.
  • the pattern determination unit 142 changes the intensity of infrared rays to irradiate the effective region A based on the amount of snowfall.
  • the pattern determination unit 142 receives data indicating the amount of snowfall from the raindrop sensor 12 provided on the vehicle side, and when the amount of snowfall is relatively small, the intensity of infrared rays irradiating the effective region A is relatively weakened.
  • the intensity of infrared rays irradiating the effective region A is relatively increased. That is, the first amount of snowfall is the first intensity, and the second amount of snowfall, which is larger than the first amount of snowfall, is the second intensity, which is stronger than the first intensity.
  • the pattern determination unit 142 holds a third threshold value for the amount of snowfall in advance, and when the amount of snowfall is less than the third threshold value, the intensity of infrared rays is reduced from a preset reference value.
  • the intensity of infrared rays is set as a reference value or increased above the reference value. In this way, by weakening the intensity of the infrared rays irradiating the effective region A when the amount of snowfall is small, it is possible to achieve both reduction of power consumption and improvement of visibility in front of the vehicle at a higher level.
  • the raindrop sensor 12 may be provided on the vehicle lamp side.
  • the moving speed (vehicle speed) of the vehicle is slow, the time required from the driver visually recognizing the target to be avoided ahead to stopping the vehicle or switching the traveling direction becomes shorter. In other words, the degree of demand for seeing a distant place is reduced. Therefore, the merit obtained is small with respect to the power consumption due to the detection of the distant snow particles 6.
  • the pattern determination unit 142 changes the intensity of infrared rays irradiating the effective region A based on the vehicle speed.
  • the pattern determining unit 142 receives data indicating the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed sensor 14 provided on the vehicle side, and when the vehicle speed is relatively slow, the intensity of infrared rays irradiating the effective region A is relatively weakened.
  • the intensity of infrared rays irradiating the effective region A is relatively increased. That is, the first vehicle speed is the first strength, and the second speed, which is faster than the first speed, is the second strength, which is stronger than the first strength.
  • the pattern determination unit 142 holds a fourth threshold value related to the vehicle speed in advance, and when the vehicle speed is less than the fourth threshold value, the intensity of infrared rays is reduced from a preset reference value.
  • the intensity of infrared rays is set as a reference value or increased above the reference value. In this way, by weakening the intensity of the infrared rays irradiating the effective region A when the vehicle speed is slow, it is possible to achieve both reduction of power consumption and improvement of visibility in front of the vehicle at a higher level.
  • the vehicle speed sensor 14 may be provided on the vehicle lamp side.
  • the light distribution control device 140 may have an exception area setting unit (not shown) that sets an exception area in which the light blocking control is exceptionally executed in the invalid area B.
  • the portion corresponding to the snow grain 6 is shielded from light.
  • the portion corresponding to the snow grain 6 is not shaded, but the portion corresponding to the snow grain 6 included in the exception region is shaded.
  • the target to be detected by the driver is not limited to the delineator, and may include pedestrians, preceding vehicles, oncoming vehicles, driving signs, and the like.
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart of light distribution control according to an embodiment.
  • a picture is taken with the visible light camera 132 (S100).
  • the effective area A and the invalid area B are set based on the visible light image IMG1 (S102).
  • the infrared pattern PTN2 is determined based on the set effective region A and invalid region B, the infrared pattern PTN2 is formed, and the image is taken by the infrared camera 130 (S104).
  • the snow grain 6 in the effective region A is detected in the infrared image IMG2
  • the portion of the snow grain 6 is shielded from light (S106).
  • the invalid area B includes an object to be watched such as a delineator (S108). If it is not included (N in S108), the visible light pattern PTN1 is updated (S114). If it is included (Y in S108), the circumference of the object is set as an exception area (S110). When the snow grain 6 in the exception region is detected, the portion of the snow grain 6 is shielded from light (S112) and the visible light pattern PTN1 is updated (S114).
  • an object to be watched such as a delineator (S108). If it is not included (N in S108), the visible light pattern PTN1 is updated (S114). If it is included (Y in S108), the circumference of the object is set as an exception area (S110). When the snow grain 6 in the exception region is detected, the portion of the snow grain 6 is shielded from light (S112) and the visible light pattern PTN1 is updated (S114).
  • the light distribution control device 140 has a variable intensity distribution in the front region based on the visible light image IMG1 obtained from the visible light camera 132 that captures the front region of the vehicle.
  • the infrared illumination 120 capable of irradiating the infrared beam L1 is controlled.
  • the front region includes an invalid region B in which an object 20 serving as a screen exists in the background of the snow particles 6, and an effective region A in which the object 20 does not exist.
  • the light distribution control device 140 controls the infrared illumination 120 so that the intensity of the infrared rays irradiating the invalid region B forms an infrared pattern PTN2 having an intensity distribution lower than the intensity of the infrared rays irradiating the effective region A. ..
  • the light distribution control device 140 sets the effective area A and the invalid area B based on the height of the brightness in the visible light image IMG1. Specifically, an infrared pattern PTN2 having an intensity distribution in which the intensity of infrared rays irradiating the invalid region B having a relatively high brightness is lower than the intensity of the infrared rays irradiating the effective region A having a relatively low brightness is formed. As such, the infrared illumination 120 is controlled. Alternatively, the light distribution control device 140 sets the effective region A and the invalid region B based on the contrast ratio in the visible light image IMG1.
  • the heat dissipation structure applied to the infrared illumination 120 can be reduced in size and weight. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of the infrared lighting 120 and thus the vehicle lighting system 100.
  • the light distribution control device 140 detects snow particles 6 based on the infrared image IMG2 obtained from the infrared camera 130 that images the front region, and forms a visible light pattern PTN1 in which the portion corresponding to the snow particles 6 is shielded.
  • the variable light distribution lamp 110 capable of irradiating the front region with the visible light beam L3 having a variable intensity distribution is controlled. This makes it possible to improve the visibility in front of the vehicle during snowfall.
  • the light distribution control device 140 changes the intensity of infrared rays to irradiate the effective region A based on the amount of snowfall. Further, the light distribution control device 140 changes the intensity of infrared rays irradiating the effective region A based on the vehicle speed. As a result, it is possible to achieve both reduction of power consumption and improvement of visibility in front of the vehicle at a higher level.
  • the invalid area B is dynamically set, but this is not the case. Since the road surface 24 exists at substantially the same position with respect to the own vehicle, the range corresponding to the road surface 24 may be fixedly set as the invalid region B. On the contrary, in the area above the field of view where the high beam is irradiated, the background is space (sky), and there is a high possibility that the screen object does not exist. Therefore, that portion may be fixedly set as the effective region A.
  • the pattern determination unit 142 increases the brightness based on, for example, the brightness of the region having the highest visible light brightness and increasing the infrared intensity as the brightness decreases, or the brightness of the region having the lowest visible light brightness.
  • the infrared pattern PTN2 may be determined by setting to reduce the intensity of infrared rays.
  • Infrared illumination (120) capable of irradiating the front region of the vehicle with an infrared beam (L1) having a variable intensity distribution
  • a camera (132) that has sensitivity in the visible light region that captures the front region
  • Light distribution control device (140) and Vehicle lighting system (100) capable of irradiating the front region of the vehicle with an infrared beam (L1) having a variable intensity distribution
  • a camera 132
  • Light distribution control device 140
  • Vehicle lighting system 100
  • the present invention can be used for a light distribution control device and a vehicle lighting system.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computing Systems (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
PCT/JP2020/027942 2019-07-18 2020-07-17 配光制御装置および車両用灯具システム WO2021010484A1 (ja)

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Citations (3)

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JP2012051488A (ja) * 2010-09-02 2012-03-15 Koito Mfg Co Ltd ランプ制御装置
JP2013189072A (ja) * 2012-03-14 2013-09-26 Koito Mfg Co Ltd 車両用ランプの配光制御装置
JP2017193277A (ja) * 2016-04-21 2017-10-26 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 車両用視認装置

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KR101172954B1 (ko) * 2009-12-23 2012-08-09 동의과학대학 산학협력단 차량등 자동제어 장치 및 방법
JP5999483B2 (ja) * 2011-11-02 2016-09-28 株式会社リコー 付着物検出装置および車載機器制御装置
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JP2012051488A (ja) * 2010-09-02 2012-03-15 Koito Mfg Co Ltd ランプ制御装置
JP2013189072A (ja) * 2012-03-14 2013-09-26 Koito Mfg Co Ltd 車両用ランプの配光制御装置
JP2017193277A (ja) * 2016-04-21 2017-10-26 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 車両用視認装置

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