WO2021010485A1

WO2021010485A1 - Vehicle light-fixture system, vehicle light-fixture control device and vehicle light-fixture control method

Info

Publication number: WO2021010485A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/027943
Authority: WO
Inventors: 隆雄村松; 佳典柴田
Original assignee: 株式会社小糸製作所
Priority date: 2019-07-18
Filing date: 2020-07-17
Publication date: 2021-01-21
Also published as: JPWO2021010485A1; JP7442528B2

Abstract

A vehicle light-fixture system (1) comprises: an infrared projecting unit (10) that projects infrared (IR) to the area in front of the host vehicle; a low-gradation region detection unit (36) that detects a prescribed low-gradation region on the basis of image information obtained from an infrared imaging unit (14) that images the area in front of the host vehicle and/or a visible light imaging unit (16) that images the area in front of the host vehicle; and a projection control unit (38) that controls the infrared projection unit (10) so that the infrared (IR) is projected toward the low-gradation region.

Description

Vehicle lighting system, vehicle lighting control device and vehicle lighting control method

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp system, a vehicle lamp control device, and a vehicle lamp control method, and more particularly to a vehicle lamp system used for an automobile or the like, a vehicle lamp control device, and a vehicle lamp control method.

Conventionally, there is a technology that assists the driver's driving by irradiating the front of the vehicle with infrared rays to detect obstacles and pedestrians existing in front of the vehicle and irradiating the detected targets with visible light. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2009-18726

In recent years, research and development of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving technology have been promoted as further technologies to support the driving operation of drivers. In ADAS and automatic driving technology, the situation around the vehicle is grasped by the camera, which is the eye of the machine, and vehicle control is executed according to the situation. The above-mentioned visibility support using infrared rays is also effective for the eyes of machines in ADAS and automatic driving technology. Under such circumstances, the present inventors have conducted diligent studies on visual field support using infrared rays, and found that there is room for improving the safety of vehicle driving with conventional visual field support.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for enhancing the safety of vehicle driving.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle lamp system. This vehicle lighting system is based on image information obtained from at least one of an infrared irradiation unit that irradiates the front of the vehicle with infrared rays, an infrared imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle, and a visible light imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle. It is provided with a low gradation region detection unit that detects a predetermined low gradation region, and an irradiation control unit that controls an infrared irradiation unit so as to irradiate infrared rays toward the low gradation region.

Another aspect of the present invention is a control device for a vehicle lamp. This control device detects a predetermined low gradation region based on image information obtained from at least one of an infrared imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle and a visible light imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle. It is provided with a unit and an irradiation control unit that controls an infrared irradiation unit that irradiates infrared rays in front of the vehicle so as to irradiate infrared rays toward a low gradation region.

Further, another aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a vehicle lamp. This control method detects a predetermined low gradation region based on image information obtained from at least one of an infrared imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle and a visible light imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle, and detects a low gradation region. This includes controlling an infrared irradiation unit that irradiates infrared rays in front of the vehicle so as to irradiate infrared rays toward the vehicle.

It should be noted that any combination of the above components and the conversion of the expression of the present invention between methods, devices, systems, etc. are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

According to the present invention, the safety of vehicle driving can be enhanced.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the vehicle lamp system which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 2A is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the light deflector. FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along the line AA of the light deflector shown in FIG. 2A. It is a figure which shows the state in front of the own vehicle schematically. It is a timing chart which shows the exposure timing of an infrared imaging part and the irradiation timing of an infrared irradiation part.

One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle lighting system. This vehicle lighting system is based on image information obtained from at least one of an infrared irradiation unit that irradiates the front of the vehicle with infrared rays, an infrared imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle, and a visible light imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle. It is provided with a low gradation region detection unit that detects a predetermined low gradation region, and an irradiation control unit that controls an infrared irradiation unit so as to irradiate infrared rays toward the low gradation region.

In the above aspect, the vehicle lighting system includes a daytime determination unit that determines that the surroundings of the own vehicle are daytime, and the low gradation region detection unit is a low gradation region based on image information captured in the daytime. May be detected. Further, in any of the above embodiments, the vehicle lighting system includes a visible light irradiation unit that irradiates visible light in front of the vehicle, and the low gradation region detection unit is imaged while the visible light irradiation unit is turned off. The low gradation region may be detected based on the image information. Further, in any of the above embodiments, the vehicle lighting system is based on an infrared imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle and image information obtained from the infrared imaging unit while the infrared irradiation unit is controlled by the irradiation control unit. , A target analysis unit that detects a predetermined target existing in the low gradation region may be provided. Further, in any of the above embodiments, the vehicle lighting system includes a visible light imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle, and the low gradation region detection unit is a lower floor based on image information obtained from the visible light imaging unit. The tuning area may be detected. Further, in any of the above embodiments, the vehicle lighting system includes an infrared imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle, and the low gradation region detection unit has a low gradation region based on image information obtained from the infrared imaging unit. May be detected. Further, in any of the above embodiments, the irradiation control unit may control the infrared irradiation unit so as to pulse infrared rays in synchronization with the exposure timing of the infrared imaging unit.

Further, another aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a vehicle lamp. In this control method, a predetermined low gradation region is detected based on image information obtained from at least one of an infrared imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle and a visible light imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle, and the low gradation region is detected. It includes controlling an infrared irradiation unit that irradiates infrared rays in front of the vehicle so as to irradiate infrared rays toward the vehicle.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are not limited to the invention, but are exemplary, and all the features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings shall be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, the scale and shape of each part shown in each figure are set for convenience in order to facilitate explanation, and are not limitedly interpreted unless otherwise specified. In addition, when terms such as "first" and "second" are used in the present specification or claims, these terms do not represent any order or importance unless otherwise specified, and have a certain structure. It is for distinguishing between and other configurations. In addition, some of the members that are not important for explaining the embodiment in each drawing are omitted and displayed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle lighting system according to an embodiment. In FIG. 1, a part of the components of the vehicle lighting system 1 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 1 is applied to a vehicle headlight device having a pair of headlight units arranged on the left and right in front of the vehicle. Since the pair of headlight units have substantially the same configuration except that they have a symmetrical structure, FIG. 1 shows the structure of one headlight unit as the vehicle lighting fixture 2.

The vehicle lighting equipment 2 included in the vehicle lighting equipment system 1 includes a lamp body 4 having an opening on the front side of the vehicle, and a translucent cover 6 attached so as to cover the opening of the lamp body 4. The translucent cover 6 is made of a translucent resin, glass, or the like. In the lamp chamber 8 formed by the lamp body 4 and the translucent cover 6, an infrared irradiation unit 10, a visible light irradiation unit 12, an infrared imaging unit 14, a visible light imaging unit 16, and a control device 18 are included. , Is housed.

The infrared irradiation unit 10 is a device that irradiates the front of the vehicle with infrared IR. The infrared irradiation unit 10 of the present embodiment can independently adjust the illuminance (intensity) of the infrared IR irradiating each of the plurality of individual regions R (see FIG. 3) arranged in front of the vehicle, and the infrared rays having a desired shape. A pattern can be formed in front of the vehicle. The infrared irradiation unit 10 includes an infrared light source 22, a reflection optical member 24, a light deflection device 26, and a projection optical member 28. Each part is attached to the lamp body 4 by a support mechanism (not shown).

As the infrared light source 22, a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED (Light emission diode), LD (Laser diode), or EL (Electroluminescence) element, a light bulb, an incandescent lamp (halogen lamp), a discharge lamp (discharge lamp), or the like is used. Can be done. The infrared light source 22 emits near-infrared rays or mid-infrared rays having a wavelength of, for example, 0.4 μm to 4 μm. The reflective optical member 24 is configured to guide the infrared IR emitted from the infrared light source 22 to the reflecting surface of the light deflector 26. The reflecting optical member 24 is composed of a reflecting mirror whose inner surface is a predetermined reflecting surface. The reflection optical member 24 may be a solid light guide or the like. Further, if the infrared IR emitted from the infrared light source 22 can be directly guided to the light deflector 26, the reflection optical member 24 may not be provided.

The light deflection device 26 is arranged on the optical axis of the projection optical member 28, and is configured to selectively reflect the infrared IR emitted from the infrared light source 22 to the projection optical member 28. The light deflector 26 is composed of, for example, a DMD (Digital Mirror Device). That is, the light deflector 26 is an array (matrix) of a plurality of micromirrors. By controlling the angles of the reflecting surfaces of these plurality of micromirrors, the reflection direction of the infrared IR can be selectively changed. That is, the light deflector 26 reflects a part of the infrared IR emitted from the infrared light source 22 toward the projection optical member 28, and the other infrared IR is not effectively used by the projection optical member 28. Can be directed and reflected. Here, the direction that is not effectively used can be regarded as, for example, a direction that is incident on the projection optical member 28 but hardly contributes to the formation of the infrared pattern, or a direction toward an infrared absorbing member (shielding member) (not shown). ..

FIG. 2A is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the light deflector. FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along the line AA of the light deflector shown in FIG. 2A. The light deflector 26 includes a micromirror array 32 in which a plurality of minute mirror elements 30 are arranged in a matrix, and a right side of the light deflector 26 shown on the front side of the reflection surface 30a of the mirror element 30 (FIG. 2B). ), And a transparent cover member 34. The cover member 34 is made of, for example, glass or plastic.

The mirror element 30 is substantially square and has a rotation shaft 30b extending in the horizontal direction and substantially equally dividing the mirror element 30. Each mirror element 30 of the micromirror array 32 reflects the infrared IR toward the projection optical member 28 so as to be used as a part of a desired infrared pattern (shown by a solid line in FIG. 2B). The position) and the second reflection position (the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 2B) that reflects the infrared IR so as not to be effectively used can be switched. Each mirror element 30 rotates around the rotation shaft 30b and is individually switched between the first reflection position and the second reflection position. Each mirror element 30 takes a first reflection position when it is on and a second reflection position when it is off.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the state in front of the own vehicle. As described above, the infrared irradiation unit 10 has a plurality of mirror elements 30 as individual irradiation units capable of independently irradiating infrared IR toward the front of the lamp. The infrared irradiation unit 10 can irradiate a plurality of individual regions R arranged in front of the vehicle by the mirror element 30 with infrared IR. Each individual region R is an region corresponding to a set of one pixel or a plurality of pixels of the infrared imaging unit 14. In the present embodiment, each individual region R and each mirror element 30 are associated with each other on a one-to-one basis. In addition, in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, a part of the mirror element 30 is thinned out for convenience of illustration.

Further, the number of the mirror element 30 and the individual region R is not particularly limited. For example, the resolution of the micromirror array 32 (in other words, the number of mirror elements 30 and individual regions R) is 10 to 300,000 pixels. The time required for the infrared irradiation unit 10 to form one infrared pattern is, for example, 0.1 to 5 ms. That is, the infrared irradiation unit 10 can change the infrared pattern every 0.1 to 5 ms.

As shown in FIG. 1, the projection optical member 28 is composed of, for example, a free-curved lens whose front surface and rear surface have a free curved shape. The projection optical member 28 projects a light source image formed on the rear focal plane including the rear focal point in front of the lamp as an inverted image. The projection optical member 28 is arranged so that its rear focus is located on the optical axis of the vehicle lamp 2 and near the reflection surface of the micromirror array 32. The projection optical member 28 may be a reflector.

The infrared IR emitted from the infrared light source 22 is reflected by the reflecting optical member 24 and irradiated to the micromirror array 32 of the light deflecting device 26. The light deflector 26 reflects infrared IR toward the projection optical member 28 by a predetermined mirror element 30 at the first reflection position. The reflected infrared IR passes through the projection optical member 28, travels in front of the lamp, and irradiates each individual region R corresponding to each mirror element 30. As a result, an infrared pattern having a predetermined shape formed by gathering a plurality of partially irradiated areas is formed in front of the lamp.

The visible light irradiation unit 12 is a device that irradiates visible light VL in front of the vehicle, and is a lamp unit that functions as a headlight that forms, for example, a low beam or a high beam. Although not shown, the visible light irradiation unit 12 of the present embodiment has the same structure as the infrared irradiation unit 10. That is, the visible light irradiation unit 12 includes a visible light source, a reflection optical member 24, a light deflection device 26, and a projection optical member 28. Therefore, the visible light irradiation unit 12 can independently adjust the illuminance (intensity) of the visible light VL that irradiates each of the plurality of individual regions R, and can form a visible light pattern having a desired shape in front of the vehicle. it can.

The infrared imaging unit 14 is a device that images the front of the vehicle. The infrared imaging unit 14 is composed of an infrared camera or the like having sensitivity to the wavelength of the infrared IR irradiated by the infrared irradiation unit 10. The infrared imaging unit 14 has a frame rate of, for example, 5 fps or more and 10,000 fps or less (0.1 to 200 ms per frame), and a resolution of, for example, 300,000 pixels or more and less than 5 million pixels. The infrared imaging unit 14 images all the individual regions R.

The visible light imaging unit 16 is a device that images the front of the vehicle. The visible light imaging unit 16 is composed of a visible light camera or the like having sensitivity to the wavelength of visible light VL emitted by the visible light irradiation unit 12. The visible light imaging unit 16 has a frame rate of, for example, 200 fps or more and 10,000 fps or less (0.1 to 5 ms per frame), and a resolution of, for example, 5 million pixels or more. The visible light imaging unit 16 includes a high-speed camera having a relatively high frame rate of, for example, 200 fps or more and 10,000 fps or less, and a relatively small resolution of, for example, 300,000 pixels or more and less than 5 million pixels, and a relatively high frame rate of, for example, 30 fps or more and 120 fps or less. It may be configured in combination with a low frame rate and a low speed camera having a relatively large resolution of, for example, 5 million pixels or more. The visible light imaging unit 16 images all the individual regions R.

The control device 18 includes a low gradation region detection unit 36, an irradiation control unit 38, a target analysis unit 40, and a daytime determination unit 42. Each part can operate by executing a program held in a memory by an integrated circuit constituting itself.

The image information generated by the visible light imaging unit 16 is sent to the low gradation region detection unit 36. The low gradation region detection unit 36 detects a predetermined low gradation region 44 (see FIG. 3) based on the image information obtained from the visible light imaging unit 16. The low gradation region 44 is, for example, a shaded place formed by blocking the sunlight SL by a building on the side of the road in the daytime.

For example, the low gradation region detection unit 36 holds in advance a first threshold value regarding the gradation (luminance) of visible light VL, and a region having a gradation lower than the first threshold value in visible light image information. It is detected as a low gradation region 44. Further, the low gradation region detection unit 36 further holds a second threshold value regarding the size (area) of the low gradation region 44, and the magnitude of the region whose brightness is lower than the first threshold value is larger. Those above the second threshold value may be detected as the low gradation region 44. The detection result of the low gradation region detection unit 36, that is, the signal indicating the position information of the low gradation region 44 and the like is transmitted to the irradiation control unit 38.

The low gradation region detection unit 36 also acquires image information from the infrared imaging unit 14, and lowers the region where the gradation (luminance) is less than the threshold value in each of the visible light image information and the infrared image information. The tentative determination may be made as the gradation region 44, and the tentative determination results may be integrated to detect the region determined to be the low gradation region 44 in both as the low gradation region 44. Further, the low gradation region detection unit 36 may synthesize the infrared image information and the visible light image information by known image processing, and detect the low gradation region 44 in the composite image. By these controls, the detection accuracy of the low gradation region 44 can be improved.

Further, the low gradation region detection unit 36 holds in advance a learning model that has been machine-learned to estimate an object that can create a low gradation region 44 from the shape of an object around the vehicle, and uses this learning model as the learning model. The low gradation region 44 may be detected by inputting image information. This learning model can be generated using a known machine learning algorithm. That is, the low gradation region detection unit 36 may detect the low gradation region 44 by using AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology such as deep learning.

The irradiation control unit 38 controls the infrared irradiation unit 10 so as to irradiate the infrared IR toward the low gradation region 44. Specifically, the irradiation control unit 38 has an infrared pattern in which the intensity of the infrared IR irradiating the individual region R overlapping the low gradation region 44 is higher than the intensity of the infrared IR irradiating the other individual region R. To determine. For example, this infrared pattern is an infrared pattern in which the individual region R overlapping the low gradation region 44 is irradiated with infrared IR of a predetermined intensity, and the other individual regions R are not irradiated with infrared IR (that is, shielded from light). is there.

Then, the irradiation control unit 38 controls the infrared irradiation unit 10 so as to form the determined infrared pattern in front of the own vehicle. Specifically, the irradiation control unit 38 controls turning on and off the infrared light source 22 and switching on / off of each mirror element 30. The irradiation control unit 38 adjusts the on-time ratio (width and density) of each mirror element 30 based on the intensity value of the infrared IR irradiating each individual region R. As a result, the infrared irradiation unit 10 generates an infrared beam having an intensity distribution corresponding to the determined infrared pattern.

The irradiation control unit 38 may irradiate each individual region R overlapping the low gradation region 44 with infrared IR having the same intensity, or infrared rays having different intensities depending on the gradation of each individual region R in the image information. You may irradiate IR. For example, the irradiation control unit 38 relatively weakens the intensity of the infrared IR that irradiates the individual region R having a relatively high gradation in the low gradation region 44, and irradiates the individual region R having a relatively low gradation. The intensity of the infrared IR may be relatively increased. That is, in the low gradation region 44, the infrared IR of the first intensity is applied to the individual region R which is the first gradation, and the individual region R which is the second gradation lower than the first gradation is the first. A second intensity infrared IR stronger than the first intensity is irradiated. As a result, it is possible to improve the visibility of the low gradation region 44 while suppressing the power consumption due to the irradiation of infrared IR.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the exposure timing of the infrared imaging unit and the irradiation timing of the infrared irradiation unit. The irradiation control unit 38 of the present embodiment controls the infrared irradiation unit 10 so as to pulse-irradiate the infrared IR in synchronization with the exposure timing (imaging timing) of the infrared imaging unit 14. For example, the irradiation control unit 38 controls the infrared irradiation unit 10 so as to irradiate the infrared IR for a time shorter than one exposure time when the infrared imaging unit 14 is exposed. The irradiation control unit 38 holds in advance infrared IR irradiation timing information determined based on the exposure timing of the infrared imaging unit 14, and controls the infrared irradiation unit 10 based on this information.

The target analysis unit 40 detects a predetermined target 46 existing in the low gradation region 44 based on the image information obtained from the infrared imaging unit 14 while the infrared irradiation unit 10 is controlled by the irradiation control unit 38. To do. Since the low-gradation region 44 is irradiated with the infrared IR, the infrared imaging unit 14 can image the low-gradation region 44 with high accuracy. Therefore, the target analysis unit 40 can more reliably detect the target 46 existing in the low gradation region 44 in the obtained infrared image information.

As a typical example, as shown in FIG. 3, the low gradation region 44 can be formed by a covered bus stop or the like provided on the side of the road. In this case, it is conceivable that a traffic participant (target 46) latent in the low gradation region 44 may jump out to the road side. Therefore, it is desirable to reliably recognize the target 46 in the low gradation region 44.

The target analysis unit 40 transmits a signal indicating target information including the position of the detected target 46 to the irradiation control unit 38. The irradiation control unit 38 sends this target information to the operation control unit 48 provided in the vehicle. The operation control unit 48 executes a predetermined operation control based on the received target information in ADAS or automatic operation. The target information may be sent directly from the target analysis unit 40 to the operation control unit 48. Further, the target information may be sent to a display unit (not shown) provided on the vehicle, and the driver may be alerted by displaying the information on the target 46 on the display unit.

Further, the target analysis unit 40 may execute the detection process of the target 46 also in the region other than the low gradation region 44. For example, the target analysis unit 40 detects the target 46 in front of the vehicle based on the image information obtained from at least one of the infrared imaging unit 14 and the visible light imaging unit 16. Examples of the target 46 to be detected include oncoming vehicles, preceding vehicles, pedestrians, obstacles that hinder the running of the own vehicle, road signs, road markings, road shapes, and the like.

The target analysis unit 40 can detect the target 46 by using a known method including algorithm recognition, deep learning, and the like. For example, when the target 46 is an oncoming vehicle, the target analysis unit 40 holds in advance feature points indicating the oncoming vehicle. The "feature point indicating an oncoming vehicle" is, for example, a light point having a predetermined luminous intensity or higher that appears in the estimated existence region of the headlight of the oncoming vehicle. In a situation where the headlights are not illuminated, such as in the daytime, the contour shape of the oncoming vehicle is a feature. Then, the target analysis unit 40 recognizes the position of the oncoming vehicle when the image information includes data including feature points indicating the oncoming vehicle. The target 46 other than the oncoming vehicle can be detected by the same processing.

The low gradation region detection unit 36 of the present embodiment detects the low gradation region 44 based on the image information captured in the daytime. That is, the control of irradiating the low gradation region 44 with the infrared IR is executed in the daytime. In the daytime, visible light and infrared rays contained in the solar SL are radiated around the own vehicle. As a result, there is a high possibility that the imaging contrast required for target recognition by the infrared imaging unit 14 and the visible light imaging unit 16 can be secured. Therefore, in general, infrared irradiation from the infrared irradiation unit 10 and visible light irradiation from the visible light irradiation unit 12 are not performed. That is, in the conventional visual field support, it is customary to perform target detection using infrared IR at night and not to irradiate infrared IR during the day. However, even in the daytime, in the low gradation region 44 formed by blocking the sunlight SL, there is a possibility that the imaging contrast required for target recognition by each imaging unit cannot be obtained.

Therefore, it is more effective that the control of irradiating the low gradation region 44 with infrared IR is executed in the daytime. By receiving the signal indicating the determination result from the daytime determination unit 42, the low gradation region detection unit 36 indicates that the current state is daytime and that the image information acquired from the image pickup unit is captured in the daytime. Can be judged.

The daytime determination unit 42 determines that the surroundings of the own vehicle are daytime. The daytime determination unit 42 can determine that it is daytime by detecting the current time with, for example, a timer (not shown). The time zone determined to be daytime can be appropriately set based on experiments and simulations by the designer. The daytime may include so-called dusk. Further, the time zone determined to be daytime may be changed according to the season.

Further, the daytime determination unit 42 can determine that it is daytime based on, for example, the illuminance around the vehicle (environmental illuminance). The environmental illuminance determined to be daytime can be appropriately set based on experiments and simulations by the designer. The environmental illuminance can be obtained from the illuminance sensor 50 provided in the vehicle. Alternatively, the environmental illuminance is the gradation of each individual region R in the image information obtained from the infrared imaging unit 14 or the visible light imaging unit 16 (for example, the average value of the gradations of all the individual regions R or the individual regions belonging to a predetermined upper region). It can be derived based on the average value of the gradation of R, etc.). The illuminance sensor 50 may be provided in the light chamber 8.

Further, the low gradation region detection unit 36 may detect the low gradation region 44 based on the image information captured while the visible light irradiation unit 12 is turned off. In the daytime, it is highly possible that the visible light irradiation unit 12 is turned off. Therefore, the lighting state of the visible light irradiation unit 12 can be used as an index of whether or not it is daytime. Thereby, it is possible to more easily realize the infrared irradiation control for the low gradation region 44 in the daytime. The low gradation region detection unit 36 receives, for example, a signal instructing the visible light irradiation unit 12 to turn off from the irradiation control unit 38, or sets the signal instructing the visible light irradiation unit 12 to turn on in a non-received state. With this, it is possible to detect that the visible light irradiation unit 12 is turned off. Although the extinguishing of the visible light irradiation unit 12 is described here as an index indicating that it is daytime, it is low if the visible light irradiation unit 12 is extinguished regardless of whether or not it is daytime. Infrared irradiation control for the gradation region 44 may be executed.

Further, the infrared irradiation control for the low gradation region 44 is not limited to being executed in the daytime. For example, there is a possibility that the low gradation region 44 may occur even in a situation where lighting such as a street lamp is lit at night. Therefore, even when the control is executed at night, the effect that the target 46 existing in the low gradation region 44 can be detected quickly and surely can be obtained.

The irradiation control unit 38 may control the visible light irradiation unit 12 so as to irradiate the visible light VL with respect to the low gradation region 44 or the target 46 existing in the low gradation region 44. .. As a result, the visibility of the target 46 in the low gradation region 44 can be further improved. Further, the irradiation control unit 38 sets the illuminance value of the visible light VL to irradiate each individual region R based on the detection result of the target 46 by the target analysis unit 40, and forms a visible light pattern in front of the vehicle. May be determined. For example, when the target 46 is an oncoming vehicle, "0" is set as a specific illuminance value for the individual region R overlapping the oncoming vehicle, and a predetermined illuminance value is set for the other individual region R. As a result, the individual region R overlapping the oncoming vehicle is shielded from light, and the visible light pattern in which the other individual region R is irradiated with visible light VL having a predetermined illuminance is determined. Then, the irradiation control unit 38 controls the visible light irradiation unit 12 so as to form the determined visible light pattern in front of the own vehicle.

As described above, in the vehicle lighting system 1 according to the present embodiment, the infrared irradiation unit 10 that irradiates the front of the vehicle with infrared IR and the image information obtained from the visible light imaging unit 16 or the visible light imaging unit 16 A low gradation region detection unit 36 that detects a predetermined low gradation region 44 based on image information obtained from the 16 and the infrared imaging unit 14, and an infrared irradiation unit that irradiates infrared IR toward the low gradation region 44. An irradiation control unit 38 for controlling 10 is provided.

As a result, ADAS, an automatic driving system, and visibility support for the driver of the own vehicle are realized, and it becomes possible to detect the target 46 latent in the low gradation region 44 more quickly and reliably. Therefore, the safety of vehicle driving and, by extension, the safety of road traffic can be improved. Further, by spot-irradiating the low-gradation region 44 with infrared IR, power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case where all individual regions R in front of the vehicle are irradiated with infrared IR. Further, since the infrared IR is irradiated, when the target 46 is a person, it is possible to avoid giving glare to the person.

Further, the vehicle lighting system 1 of the present embodiment includes a daytime determination unit 42 that determines that the surroundings of the own vehicle are daytime. Then, the low gradation region detection unit 36 detects the low gradation region 44 based on the image information captured in the daytime. As a result, it is possible to realize the visibility support in the daytime when the ADAS, the automatic driving system, and the driver's visibility are conventionally relied on by the solar SL.

Further, the vehicle lighting system 1 of the present embodiment includes a visible light irradiation unit 12 that irradiates the visible light VL in front of the own vehicle. Then, the low gradation region detection unit 36 detects the low gradation region 44 based on the image information captured while the visible light irradiation unit 12 is turned off. Thereby, the execution timing of the infrared irradiation control for the low gradation region 44 can be easily determined.

Further, the vehicle lamp system 1 of the present embodiment includes an infrared imaging unit 14 and a target analysis unit 40. The target analysis unit 40 is based on the image information obtained from the infrared imaging unit 14 in a state where the infrared irradiation unit 10 is controlled by the irradiation control unit 38, that is, in a state where the low gradation region 44 is irradiated with infrared IR. The target 46 existing in the low gradation region 44 is detected. As a result, the safety of vehicle driving and, by extension, the safety of road traffic can be further improved.

Further, the low gradation region detection unit 36 of the present embodiment detects the low gradation region 44 based on the image information obtained from the visible light imaging unit 16. In the captured image generated by the infrared imaging unit 14, the presence or absence of the low gradation region 44 changes depending on the switching between the infrared IR irradiation and the non-irradiation from the infrared irradiation unit 10. That is, under the control of irradiating the low gradation region 44 with the infrared IR, the low gradation region 44 disappears due to the irradiation of the infrared IR and the low gradation region 44 appears due to the non-irradiation of the infrared IR in the infrared image. And are repeated alternately.

Therefore, when the low gradation region detection unit 36 detects the low gradation region 44 using the infrared image, the detection result of the low gradation region 44 changes repeatedly. Therefore, the infrared irradiation control for the low gradation region 44 tends to be unstable. Further, the intensity of the infrared IR irradiated to the low gradation region 44 is averaged and halved, and there is a possibility that the visibility of the low gradation region 44 cannot be sufficiently improved. Alternatively, it may be necessary to further increase the intensity of the infrared IR in order to ensure sufficient visibility. On the other hand, by detecting the low gradation region 44 using the visible light image generated by the visible light imaging unit 16 that is not affected by the infrared irradiation, the low gradation region 44 can be detected and the infrared IR irradiation can be performed. Can be executed stably. In addition, the visibility of the low gradation region 44 can be improved more reliably.

The low gradation region detection unit 36 may detect the low gradation region 44 using only the image information obtained from the infrared imaging unit 14. In this case, infrared irradiation control for the low gradation region 44 can be realized without using the visible light imaging unit 16. As a result, the structure of the vehicle lamp system 1 can be simplified. That is, the low gradation region detection unit 36 included in the vehicle lighting system 1 of the present embodiment has a predetermined low gradation region based on image information obtained from at least one of the infrared imaging unit 14 and the visible light imaging unit 16. 44 can be detected.

Further, the irradiation control unit 38 of the present embodiment controls the infrared irradiation unit 10 so as to pulse-irradiate the infrared IR in synchronization with the exposure timing of the infrared imaging unit 14. As a result, it is possible to realize highly accurate detection of the target 46 in the low gradation region 44 while suppressing the power consumption due to the irradiation of the infrared IR.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. The above-described embodiment merely shows a specific example in carrying out the present invention. The content of the embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention, and many design changes such as modification, addition, and deletion of components are made without departing from the idea of the invention defined in the claims. Is possible. The new embodiment with the design change has the effects of the combined embodiment and the modification. In the above-described embodiment, the contents that can be changed in design are emphasized by adding notations such as "in the present embodiment" and "in the present embodiment". Design changes are allowed even if there is no content. Any combination of the above components is also valid as an aspect of the present invention. The hatching attached to the cross section of the drawing does not limit the material of the object to which the hatching is attached.

In the embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 14, the visible light imaging unit 16, the low gradation region detection unit 36, the irradiation control unit 38, the target analysis unit 40, and the daytime determination unit 42 are provided in the light room 8. , Each may be provided outside the light room 8 as appropriate. For example, the visible light imaging unit 16 can use an existing camera mounted in the vehicle interior. It is desirable that the infrared irradiation unit 10, the visible light irradiation unit 12, the infrared imaging unit 14, and the visible light imaging unit 16 have the same angle of view.

Instead of the light deflection device 26 which is a DMD, the infrared irradiation unit 10 may include a scan optical system that scans the front of the vehicle with the light source light, and an LED array in which LEDs corresponding to each individual region R are arranged. .. Further, the visible light irradiation unit 12 may not have a lamp structure capable of independently adjusting the illuminance of the visible light VL to irradiate each individual region R.

The invention according to the above-described embodiment may be specified by the items described below.
[Item 1]
Low that detects a predetermined low gradation region (44) based on image information obtained from at least one of an infrared imaging unit (14) that images the front of the vehicle and a visible light imaging unit (16) that images the front of the vehicle. Gradation area detection unit (36) and
An irradiation control unit (38) that controls an infrared irradiation unit (10) that irradiates infrared rays (IR) in front of the vehicle so as to irradiate infrared rays (IR) toward a low gradation region (44).
A control device (18) for a vehicle lamp (2).
[Item 2]
A predetermined low gradation region (44) is detected based on image information obtained from at least one of an infrared imaging unit (14) that images the front of the vehicle and a visible light imaging unit (16) that images the front of the vehicle.
Controlling the infrared irradiation unit (10) that irradiates infrared rays (IR) in front of the vehicle so as to irradiate infrared rays (IR) toward the low gradation region (44).
A control method for a vehicle lamp (2) including.

The present invention can be used for a vehicle lamp system, a vehicle lamp control device, and a vehicle lamp control method.

1 vehicle lighting system, 2 vehicle lighting, 10 infrared irradiation unit, 12 visible light irradiation unit, 14 infrared imaging unit, 16 visible light imaging unit, 18 control device, 36 low gradation area detection unit, 38 irradiation control unit, 40 target analysis unit, 42 daytime judgment unit, 44 low gradation area, 46 target.

Claims

Infrared irradiation part that irradiates infrared rays in front of the vehicle and
A low-gradation region detection unit that detects a predetermined low-gradation region based on image information obtained from at least one of an infrared imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle and a visible light imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle.
An irradiation control unit that controls the infrared irradiation unit so as to irradiate infrared rays toward the low gradation region.
A vehicle lighting system characterized by being equipped with.
The vehicle lighting system includes a daytime determination unit that determines that the surroundings of the own vehicle are daytime.
The vehicle lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the low gradation region detection unit detects the low gradation region based on the image information captured in the daytime.
The vehicle lighting system includes a visible light irradiation unit that irradiates visible light in front of the vehicle.
The vehicle lighting system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the low gradation region detection unit detects the low gradation region based on the image information captured while the visible light irradiation unit is turned off.
The vehicle lighting system is
Infrared imaging unit that captures the front of the vehicle and
A target analysis unit that detects a predetermined target existing in the low gradation region based on image information obtained from the infrared imaging unit while the infrared irradiation unit is controlled by the irradiation control unit.
The vehicle lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The vehicle lighting system includes a visible light imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle.
The vehicle lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the low gradation region detection unit detects the low gradation region based on image information obtained from the visible light imaging unit.
The vehicle lighting system includes an infrared imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle.
The vehicle lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the low gradation region detection unit detects the low gradation region based on image information obtained from the infrared imaging unit.
The vehicle lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the irradiation control unit controls the infrared irradiation unit so as to pulse infrared rays in synchronization with the exposure timing of the infrared imaging unit.
A low-gradation region detection unit that detects a predetermined low-gradation region based on image information obtained from at least one of an infrared imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle and a visible light imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle.
An irradiation control unit that controls an infrared irradiation unit that irradiates infrared rays in front of the vehicle so as to irradiate infrared rays toward the low gradation region.
A control device for a vehicle lamp, which comprises.
A predetermined low gradation region is detected based on image information obtained from at least one of an infrared imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle and a visible light imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle.
Controlling the infrared irradiation unit that irradiates infrared rays in front of the vehicle so as to irradiate infrared rays toward the low gradation region.
A method of controlling a vehicle lamp, which comprises.