Vehicle lighting device and method of controlling brightness of vehicle lighting device

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of vehicle lighting device and the method of controlling the brightness of vehicle lighting device.The vehicle lighting device includes: camera module, sensing unit, lighting unit and controller, the camera module is configured to photograph the image of driver face;The sensing unit is configured to detect the surrounding environment of vehicle;The lighting unit includes at least one light source to illuminate the interior of vehicle.The controller is configured to obtain information about daytime mode and nighttime mode by sensing unit, obtain information about infrared brightness level or information about the pupil size of driver's eyes based on the image of driver face photographed by camera module, and control the brightness of lighting unit in response to the information obtained.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of and priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0102046, filed on August 13, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a vehicle lighting device and a method for controlling the brightness of the vehicle lighting device, and more particularly to a vehicle lighting device using an infrared camera and a method for controlling the brightness of the vehicle lighting device. Background Art

[0004] Generally, a vehicle is equipped with a vehicle lighting device for stably ensuring a driver's field of vision when driving in a dim environment or for notifying other vehicles of the vehicle's driving status.

[0005] The vehicle lighting device operates according to the driving state of the vehicle to ensure the safety of the driver. The vehicle lighting device includes a headlamp installed on the front side of the vehicle and a taillamp installed on the rear side of the vehicle.

[0006] When a vehicle is driving at night, the headlights are mainly used to illuminate the area in front of the vehicle.

[0007] The taillights include a brake light that turns on when the driver operates the brake system and a turn signal light that indicates the turning direction of the vehicle.

[0008] Generally, the human eye is relatively sensitive to light of low intensity in an environment with low light intensity (such as at night), but is relatively insensitive to light of high intensity in an environment with high light intensity (such as during the day).

[0009] Therefore, if vehicle lighting devices emit light of a constant intensity regardless of the time of day, the driver may experience eye fatigue due to the relatively high light intensity when driving at night, and may experience poor visibility due to the relatively low light intensity when driving during the day, which may lead to accidents.

[0010] To solve the above problem, a method of controlling a vehicle lighting device is proposed, which is disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1393349. According to this conventional control method, the intensity of light emitted from the vehicle lighting device changes according to the brightness outside the vehicle or weather conditions.

[0011] In more detail, according to the conventional method of controlling a vehicle lighting device, when a detected brightness outside the vehicle falls within a predetermined brightness range, a first vehicle lamp emits light of a predetermined intensity corresponding to the brightness range. When it is detected that there is fog in the surroundings of the vehicle, a second vehicle lamp is turned on.

[0012] In addition, according to the conventional method of controlling a vehicle lighting device, when it is detected that a brake system of the vehicle is operating, a third vehicle lamp emits light of a predetermined intensity corresponding to the detected brightness. When it is detected that it is raining outside the vehicle and a detected amount of rainfall is within a predetermined range of the amount of rainfall, the second vehicle lamp is turned on. In the case of driving in the rain, when the brake system is operating, the third vehicle lamp emits light of a predetermined intensity corresponding to the detected amount of rainfall.

[0013] However, in the conventional method of controlling a vehicle lighting device, a large number of various sensor modules are required to detect the surroundings of the vehicle, and logic for controlling the sensor modules is very complex.

[0014] Therefore, the conventional method of controlling a vehicle lighting device can increase the cost of manufacturing a vehicle due to the application of a large number of various sensor modules, and can cause a decrease in quality and frequent occurrence of errors due to the complex logic.

[0015] In addition, according to the conventional method of controlling a vehicle lighting device, the brightness of the vehicle lighting device controlled by determination logic in response to the detected surroundings of the vehicle can be different from the brightness required by the driver in the actual situation around the vehicle. SUMMARY

[0016] Therefore, the present application is directed to a vehicle lighting device and a method of controlling the brightness of a vehicle lighting device that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[0017] An object of the present application is to provide a vehicle lighting device and a method of controlling the brightness of a vehicle lighting device. The vehicle lighting device and method are capable of appropriately controlling a brightness suitable for a driver in a daytime driving mode and a nighttime driving mode without using a separate brightness sensor, using a camera for monitoring the driver.

[0018] However, the objects to be achieved by the embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned objects. Other objects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art from the following description.

[0019] To achieve the above and other objects, there is provided a vehicle lighting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. The vehicle lighting apparatus can include a camera module configured to capture an image of a driver's face, a sensing unit configured to detect a surrounding environment of a vehicle, a lighting unit including at least one light source to illuminate an interior of the vehicle, and a controller configured to acquire information on a daytime mode and a nighttime mode through the sensing unit, acquire information on an infrared brightness level or information on a pupil size of the driver's eyes based on the image of the driver's face captured by the camera module, and control a brightness of the lighting unit in response to the acquired information.

[0020] To achieve the above and other objects, there is provided a method of controlling a brightness of a vehicle lighting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present application. The method can include determining a daytime mode or a nighttime mode based on an environmental brightness detected by a brightness sensor, capturing an image of a driver's face through a camera module and repeatedly measuring an infrared brightness level using the captured image of the driver's face, and controlling a brightness of a lighting unit of the daytime mode or the nighttime mode in response to a change in the measured infrared brightness level.

[0021] To achieve the above and other objects, there is provided a method of controlling a brightness of a vehicle lighting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present application. The method can include determining a daytime mode or a nighttime mode based on an environmental brightness detected by a brightness sensor, capturing an image of a driver's pupil through a camera module and repeatedly measuring a size of the driver's pupil in the captured image, and controlling a brightness of a lighting unit of the daytime mode or the nighttime mode in response to a change in the measured size of the driver's pupil.

[0022] To achieve the above and other objects, there is provided a method of controlling a brightness of a vehicle lighting apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present application. The method can include determining a daytime mode or a nighttime mode based on an environmental brightness detected by a brightness sensor, capturing an image of a driver's face through a camera module and repeatedly measuring an infrared brightness level using the captured image of the driver's face, capturing an image of a driver's pupil through the camera module and repeatedly measuring a size of the driver's pupil in the captured image, calculating a change in the measured infrared brightness level, calculating a change in the measured size of the driver's pupil, and controlling a brightness of a lighting unit of the daytime mode or the nighttime mode in response to the calculated change in the infrared brightness level and the calculated change in the size of the driver's pupil.

[0023] The controlling of the brightness of the illumination unit can include establishing a lookup table in which a plurality of levels are set, controlling the brightness of the illumination unit based on the plurality of levels, and setting a duty ratio at which the illumination unit is driven in the daytime mode and the nighttime mode, respectively, for the plurality of levels in the lookup table; in response to a change in the infrared brightness level and / or a change in the pupil size of the driver, selecting a level among the plurality of levels by lowering or raising a current level; and driving the illumination unit at the duty ratio of the daytime mode or the nighttime mode corresponding to the selected level. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the application and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the application and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the application. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a vehicle illumination device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of a camera module of Figure 1

[0027] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a control process of a vehicle illumination device according to a first embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a specific point of an image of a driver's face taken by a camera module;

[0029] Figure 5 is a lookup table for explaining a method of controlling the brightness of a vehicle illumination device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a control process of a vehicle illumination device according to a second embodiment of the present application, in which the size of a driver's pupil is detected, and the brightness of the vehicle illumination device is controlled in response to the detected size of the driver's pupil;

[0031] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a process of measuring the size of a driver's pupil taken by a camera module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] ​The advantages and features of the present application and methods for accomplishing the same will become apparent from the embodiments described below in detail. The present application may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the application to those skilled in the art. The present application is defined by the scope of the claims.

[0033] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the present application. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes" and / or "including", when used herein, specify the presence of stated components, steps, operations, and / or elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, and / or elements.

[0034] A vehicle lighting apparatus according to embodiments of the present application controls luminance to suit a driver according to a luminance level and a size of a driver's pupil. The vehicle lighting apparatus does this by using a camera module for monitoring a driver inside a vehicle instead of a large variety of sensor modules installed in the vehicle, thereby improving visibility of the driver and reducing eye fatigue.

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of a vehicle lighting apparatus and a method of controlling luminance of the vehicle lighting apparatus according to the present application are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a vehicle lighting apparatus according to embodiments of the present application.

[0037] As Figure 1 indicated, a vehicle lighting apparatus according to embodiments of the present application can broadly include a camera module 110, a sensing unit 120, a lighting unit 130, and a controller 140.

[0038] In one example, the camera module 110 can be disposed at a position in a vehicle at which an image of at least a driver's eye can be photographed. In some embodiments, two or more camera modules can be provided. For example, the camera module 110 can be disposed at an A-pillar in front of a driver's seat, at a sun visor in front of the driver's seat, at an interior mirror, at an instrument cluster panel, or at any other portion near the driver, so as to photograph an image of at least the driver's eye when intending to photograph the driver. However, this is given by way of example only, and embodiments are not limited thereto. In addition, the camera module 110 can have a field of view within which a size of the driver's eye can be photographed at the installation position, but is not limited thereto.

[0039] The camera module 110 photographs an image of the driver's eyes in the vehicle in response to a control signal from the controller 140. The camera module 110 transmits the photographed image of the driver's eyes to the controller 140.

[0040] The sensing unit 120 can include at least one of a brightness sensor 121 for measuring brightness, a precipitation sensor 122 for detecting rainfall or snowfall, or a direction sensor 123.

[0041] The brightness sensor 121 can be used to implement an automatic lighting function that automatically controls the exterior headlamp depending on the time of day.

[0042] The precipitation sensor 122 can be used to control the operation of a wiper in response to rainfall or snowfall.

[0043] The direction sensor 123 can be used to determine the direction in which the vehicle travels. The direction sensor 123 can include a gyro sensor, a global positioning sensor (GPS), and / or a geomagnetic sensor, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the direction sensor 123 can further have a function of detecting the vehicle speed. The vehicle speed can be determined using GPS information or the value of a speed sensor (not shown).

[0044] The lighting unit 130 can include at least one light source capable of radiating light to the interior of the vehicle. For example, the lighting unit 130 can include a sun visor lighting element 131, an instrument panel lighting element 132, a display lighting element 133, a button lighting element 134, and / or other lighting elements 135. In this case, the individual lighting elements 131, 132, 133, 134, and 135 constituting the lighting unit 130 can be configured to change at least one of the brightness or the color. In the case where the individual lighting elements 131, 132, 133, 134, and 135 have fixed brightness or color, the indoor brightness environment can be changed by the individual on / off control thereof.

[0045] The sun visor lighting element 131 can be arranged near the sun visor of the vehicle, and can be turned on when the sun visor is unfolded downward from a folded state or when a mirror is exposed by moving a mirror cover. Depending on the vehicle, the mirror cover can be omitted.

[0046] In the case of an analog type instrument panel, the instrument panel lighting element 132 can be implemented in the form of backlighting. In the case of a digital display type instrument panel, the instrument panel lighting element 132 can be implemented not only in the form of backlighting but also in the form capable of changing the shape, arrangement position, background color, and theme of the elements displayed (e.g., meters, dials, and warning lights). However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0047] The display illumination element 133 can be used to illuminate a display of an audio / video / navigation (AVN) system and a display of an air conditioning system. The display illumination element 133 can be controlled in a similar manner to the control digital display type combination instrument panel illumination element 132.

[0048] The button illumination element 134 can be an illumination element installed inside, for example, a button, a dial, or a touch button.

[0049] The other illumination element 135 can include an ambient light, an environment light, and / or a map light. Here, the map light generally refers to a light disposed between (or inside the upper end of the mirror) a sun visor in front of a driver's seat and a sun visor in front of a co-driver's seat. The configuration of the other illumination element 135 is merely an example, and is not limited to any type of illumination element not included in the above-described illumination elements 131, 132, 133, and 134.

[0050] The controller 140 can acquire data required to control the illumination unit 130 from the camera module 110 and the sensing unit 120. The controller 140 can control the illumination unit 130 based on the acquired data. To this end, the controller 140 can store data about an infrared (IR) brightness level received from the camera module 110, data about an eye of a driver photographed by the camera module 110, and data about a driving environment of a vehicle detected by the sensing unit 120.

[0051] In other words, the controller 140 can acquire information about a time of day (e.g., daytime or nighttime) through a brightness sensor 121 of the sensing unit 120, information about an IR brightness level from the camera module 110, and information about an iris (pupil) size of an eye of a driver photographed by the camera module 110. The controller 140 can control individual components of the illumination unit 130 based on the acquired information. A specific control procedure of the controller 140 is described below.

[0052] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a detailed configuration diagram of the camera module 110.

[0053] As Figure 2 shown, the camera module 110 includes a camera 101 for photographing an image, and includes a first IR light emitting diode (LED) 102a and a second IR light emitting diode (LED) 102b. The LEDs 102a and 102b are disposed at opposite sides of the camera 101 to emit light in an IR wavelength range of 900 nm to 980 nm, thereby recognizing a driver's face.

[0054] Hereinafter, a method of controlling a vehicle lighting device according to the present application configured as described above is described.

[0055] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a control process of a vehicle lighting device according to the first embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a specific point of an image of a driver's face taken by the camera module 110.

[0056] As shown in Figure 3 , in the method of controlling a vehicle lighting device according to the first embodiment of the present application, when the vehicle is started, power is supplied to the controller 140, the camera module 110, and the sensing unit 120. This causes the vehicle lighting device according to the present application to operate (1S).

[0057] The controller 140 compares the ambient brightness detected by the brightness sensor 121 of the sensing unit 120 with a reference brightness (2S).

[0058] Upon determining that the ambient brightness detected by the brightness sensor 121 is higher than the reference brightness, the controller 140 enters a daytime mode (3S). Upon determining that the ambient brightness detected by the brightness sensor 121 is equal to or lower than the reference brightness, the controller 140 enters a nighttime mode (4S).

[0059] In the daytime mode, the headlamp of the vehicle is turned off. In the nighttime mode, the headlamp of the vehicle is automatically turned on.

[0060] The camera module 110 takes an image of the driver's face and transmits the taken image to the controller 140.

[0061] As shown in Figure 4 , in the daytime mode or the nighttime mode, the controller 140 measures the IR brightness level (IR light amount of the camera) of the Nth point according to the number of specific points appearing in the taken image of the driver's face (5S). Then, the controller 140 stores the measured brightness level (IR light amount) (6S).

[0062] This process is performed at least twice to determine whether the measured brightness level (IR light amount) has changed (7S).

[0063] In step 7S, when it is determined that the brightness level (IR light amount) has not changed, the current brightness of the lighting unit 130 is maintained.

[0064] In step 7S, when it is determined that the brightness level (IR light amount) has changed, the brightness of the lighting unit 130 is controlled in response to the change in the brightness level (8S).

[0065] Steps 5S-8S are repeated to control the brightness of the illumination unit 130 in response to a change in the brightness level (amount of IR light).

[0066] The above process is repeated to control the brightness of the illumination unit 130 in response to a change in the brightness level. When the vehicle is turned off, the process of controlling the vehicle illumination device according to the first embodiment of the present application is terminated (9S).

[0067] The method of controlling the brightness of the illumination unit 130 in response to a change in the brightness level is described in more detail below.

[0068] Figure 5 is a lookup table for explaining the method of controlling the brightness of the vehicle illumination device according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0069] The levels at which the brightness of the illumination unit 130 is controlled include 21 levels. For each level, the duty cycle at which the illumination unit 130 is driven in the daytime mode and the nighttime mode is set differently.

[0070] When a new vehicle is manufactured, the 12th level is set as the default level. In other words, the duty cycle at which the illumination unit 130 is driven in the daytime mode is set to 61.97, and the duty cycle at which the illumination unit 130 is driven in the nighttime mode is set to 9.03.

[0071] For example, by repeating steps 5S-8S, when the brightness level (amount of IR light) is decreased by two levels from the 12th level (i.e., to the 10th level), the duty cycle at which the illumination unit 130 is driven in the daytime mode is controlled to 56.15. Also, the duty cycle at which the illumination unit 130 is driven in the nighttime mode at the 10th level is controlled to 6.35.

[0072] For example, by repeating steps 5S-8S, when the brightness level (amount of IR light) is increased by five levels from the 12th level (i.e., to the 17th level), the duty cycle at which the illumination unit 130 is driven in the daytime mode is controlled to 79.33. Also, the duty cycle at which the illumination unit 130 is driven in the nighttime mode at the 17th level is controlled to 21.81.

[0073] In the same manner, by repeating steps 5S-8S, when the current brightness of the illumination unit 130 corresponds to the 17th level and the brightness level (amount of IR light) is decreased by three levels (i.e., to the 14th level), the duty cycle at which the illumination unit 130 is driven in the daytime mode is controlled to 68.41. Also, the duty cycle at which the illumination unit 130 is driven in the nighttime mode at the 14th level is controlled to 12.85.

[0074] In the Figure 5 , the 21st level (detent) is a level at which the driver can manually control the brightness of the illumination unit 130 to be super high.

[0075] In another embodiment of the present application, the size of the driver's pupil can be detected. The brightness of the vehicle lighting device can be controlled in response to the detected size of the driver's pupil.

[0076] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the control process of the vehicle lighting device according to the second embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, the size of the driver's pupil is detected, and the brightness of the vehicle lighting device is controlled in response to the detected size of the driver's pupil. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the process of measuring the size of the driver's pupil photographed by the camera module 110.

[0077] As Figure 6 shown in the method of controlling the vehicle lighting device according to the second embodiment of the present application, when the vehicle is turned on, the controller 140, the camera module 110, and the sensing unit 120 are supplied with power. This causes the vehicle lighting device according to the present application to operate (11S).

[0078] The controller 140 compares the ambient brightness detected by the brightness sensor 121 of the sensing unit 120 with the reference brightness (12S).

[0079] Upon determining that the ambient brightness detected by the brightness sensor 121 is higher than the reference brightness, the controller 140 enters the daytime mode (13S). Upon determining that the ambient brightness detected by the brightness sensor 121 is equal to or lower than the reference brightness, the controller 140 enters the nighttime mode (14S).

[0080] In the daytime mode, the headlamp of the vehicle is turned off. In the nighttime mode, the headlamp of the vehicle is automatically turned on.

[0081] The camera module 110 photographs an image of the driver's pupil, and transmits the photographed image of the pupil to the controller 140.

[0082] As Figure 7 shown, in each of the daytime mode and the nighttime mode, the controller 140 analyzes the iris (pupil) region, measures the size of the iris (pupil) in the photographed image of the driver's pupil (15S), and stores the measured size of the iris (pupil) (16S).

[0083] The size of the iris (pupil) can be measured 54 times per second.

[0084] The process is performed at least twice to determine whether the measured size of the iris (pupil) has changed (17S).

[0085] In step 17S, when it is determined that the size of the iris (pupil) has not changed, the current brightness of the illumination unit 130 is maintained.

[0086] In step 17S, when it is determined that the size of the iris (pupil) has changed, the brightness of the illumination unit 130 is controlled in response to the change in the size of the iris (pupil) (18S).

[0087] Steps 15S-18S are repeated, whereby the brightness of the illumination unit 130 is controlled in response to the change in the size of the iris (pupil).

[0088] The above-described process is repeated, whereby the brightness of the illumination unit 130 is controlled in response to the change in the size of the iris (pupil). When the vehicle is turned off, the process of controlling the vehicle illumination device according to the second embodiment of the present application is terminated (19S).

[0089] The method of controlling the brightness of the illumination unit 130 in response to the change in the size of the iris (pupil) will be described in more detail below.

[0090] As described above with reference to the lookup table in FIG. 10, Figure 5 The level at which the brightness of the illumination unit 130 is controlled includes 21 levels. For each level, the duty cycle at which the illumination unit 130 is driven in the daytime mode and the nighttime mode is set differently.

[0091] The size of the iris (pupil) increases in the dark and decreases in the light. Therefore, when the size of the iris (pupil) changes to a larger size, it is recognized that the interior of the vehicle is darkening, and when the size of the iris (pupil) changes to a smaller size, it is recognized that the interior of the vehicle is brightening.

[0092] Based on the lookup table in FIG. 10, Figure 5 When the size of the iris (pupil) changes to a larger size, the brightness of the illumination unit 130 is controlled so as to correspond to a lower level, and conversely, when the size of the iris (pupil) changes to a smaller size, the brightness of the illumination unit 130 is controlled so as to correspond to a higher level.

[0093] When a new vehicle is manufactured, the 12th level is set as the default level. In other words, the duty cycle at which the illumination unit 130 is driven in the daytime mode is set to 61.97, and the duty cycle at which the illumination unit 130 is driven in the nighttime mode is set to 9.03.

[0094] For example, by repeating steps 15S-18S, when the degree to which the size of the iris (pupil) increases corresponds to two levels, the brightness level is lowered from the 12th level to the 10th level. As a result, the duty cycle at which the illumination unit 130 is driven in the daytime mode is controlled to 56.15, and the duty cycle at which the illumination unit 130 is driven in the nighttime mode is controlled to 6.35.

[0095] For example, by repeating steps 15S-18S, when the degree of decrease in the size of the iris (pupil) corresponds to five levels, the brightness level is increased from the 12th level to the 17th level. As a result, the duty cycle for driving the illumination unit 130 in the daytime mode is controlled to 79.33, and the duty cycle for driving the illumination unit 130 in the nighttime mode is controlled to 21.81.

[0096] In the same manner, by repeating steps 15S-18S, when the current brightness of the illumination unit 130 corresponds to the 17th level and the degree of increase in the size of the iris (pupil) corresponds to three levels, the brightness level is decreased from the 17th level to the 14th level. As a result, the duty cycle for driving the illumination unit 130 in the daytime mode is controlled to 68.41, and the duty cycle for driving the illumination unit 130 in the nighttime mode is controlled to 12.85.

[0097] As described above, the 21st level (stop) is a level at which the driver can manually control the brightness of the illumination unit 130 to be super high.

[0098] In another embodiment of the present application, the first embodiment of the present application can be combined with the second embodiment.

[0099] In other words, when the ambient brightness detected by the brightness sensor 121 is higher than the reference brightness, the controller 140 enters the daytime mode. When the ambient brightness detected by the brightness sensor 121 is equal to or lower than the reference brightness, the controller 140 enters the nighttime mode.

[0100] As described in the first embodiment of the present application, the camera module 110 photographs an image of the driver's face. The controller 140 analyzes the photographed image, repeatedly measures the IR brightness level (amount of IR light of the camera) according to the number of specific points appearing in the photographed image of the driver's face, and determines whether the measured brightness level (amount of IR light) has changed.

[0101] In addition, as described in the second embodiment of the present application, the controller 140 analyzes the iris (pupil) region. The controller 140 repeatedly measures the size of the iris (pupil) in the image of the driver's face photographed by the camera module 110, and determines whether the measured size of the iris (pupil) has changed.

[0102] When it is determined that neither the measured brightness level (amount of IR light) nor the measured size of the iris (pupil) has changed, the current brightness of the illumination unit 130 is maintained.

[0103] When it is determined that the measured intensity level (IR light amount) or the measured size of the iris (pupil) has changed, the intensity of the illumination unit 130 is controlled in response to the change in the measured intensity level (IR light amount) or the change in the measured size of the iris (pupil).

[0104] In other words, as described with reference to Figure 5 In response to the degree (amount) of change in the measured intensity level (IR light amount) or the degree (amount) of change in the measured size of the iris (pupil), the duty cycle at which the illumination unit 130 is driven in the daytime mode and the nighttime mode is controlled.

[0105] As is apparent from the above description, according to the vehicle illumination apparatus and the method of controlling the intensity of the vehicle illumination apparatus according to the embodiments of the present application, the indoor (vehicle interior) illumination can be controlled by detecting the change in the infrared light amount of the camera and / or the change in the pupil size of the driver without the need for additionally installing a separate intensity sensor in the interior of the vehicle.

[0106] In addition, the vehicle illumination apparatus can be controlled using one camera module instead of an expensive intensity sensor. Thus, the manufacturing cost of the vehicle is reduced, and the structure of the vehicle is simplified.

[0107] In addition, since the intensity of the display apparatus is controlled in response to the indoor (vehicle interior) condition of the vehicle, the visibility can be improved.

[0108] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the application, as set forth in the appended claims. Thus, the above detailed description is not intended to be limiting, but is to be considered illustrative only. The scope of the application is to be determined solely by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled, and any modifications only being made in accordance with the application.

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting device, comprising: a camera module configured to capture an image of the driver's face; a sensing unit configured to detect the surrounding environment of the vehicle; a lighting unit comprising at least one light source to illuminate the interior of the vehicle; as well as a controller configured to acquire information about the day mode and the night mode through the sensing unit, acquire information about the infrared brightness level based on an image of the driver's face captured by the camera module, and control brightness of the lighting unit in response to the acquired information; The camera module includes: a camera and a first infrared light emitting diode and a second infrared light emitting diode, wherein the camera is used to capture an image of the driver's face, and the first infrared light emitting diode and the second infrared light emitting diode emit light of infrared wavelength; Wherein, the first infrared light emitting diode and the second infrared light emitting diode are arranged on both sides of the camera; wherein the controller repeatedly measures infrared brightness levels based on the number of specific points appearing in the captured image of the driver's face, and controls the brightness of the lighting unit in response to changes in the measured infrared brightness levels; Wherein, controlling the brightness of the lighting unit includes: Establishing a lookup table, setting a plurality of levels in the lookup table, controlling the brightness of the lighting unit based on the plurality of levels, and setting duty cycles for driving the lighting unit in a day mode and a night mode respectively for the plurality of levels in the lookup table; selecting a level among the plurality of levels by lowering or raising a current level in response to a change in the infrared brightness level; The lighting unit is driven at a duty cycle of the day mode or the night mode corresponding to the selected level.

2. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein The sensing unit includes at least one of the following: a brightness sensor configured to detect brightness of external light entering the vehicle; a precipitation sensor configured to measure rainfall or snowfall; or A direction sensor is configured to obtain a direction of natural light.

3. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein The lighting unit includes at least one of a sun visor lighting element, an instrument panel lighting element, a display lighting element, a button lighting element, an ambience light, a map light, or an ambient light.

4. A method for controlling the brightness of a vehicle lighting device, the method comprising: determining a day mode or a night mode based on ambient brightness detected by a brightness sensor; capturing an image of the driver's face through a camera module, and repeatedly measuring an infrared brightness level based on the number of specific points appearing in the captured image of the driver's face; controlling the brightness of the lighting unit in a day mode or a night mode to illuminate the interior of the vehicle in response to a change in the measured infrared brightness level; The camera module includes: a camera and a first infrared light emitting diode and a second infrared light emitting diode, wherein the camera is used to capture an image of the driver's face, and the first infrared light emitting diode and the second infrared light emitting diode emit light of infrared wavelength; Wherein, the first infrared light emitting diode and the second infrared light emitting diode are arranged on both sides of the camera; Wherein, controlling the brightness of the lighting unit includes: Establishing a lookup table, setting a plurality of levels in the lookup table, controlling the brightness of the lighting unit based on the plurality of levels, and setting duty cycles for driving the lighting unit in a day mode and a night mode respectively for the plurality of levels in the lookup table; selecting a level among the plurality of levels by lowering or raising a current level in response to a change in the infrared brightness level; The lighting unit is driven at a duty cycle of the day mode or the night mode corresponding to the selected level.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein Measuring the infrared brightness level using the captured image of the driver's face includes measuring the infrared brightness level based on the number of specific points appearing in the captured image of the driver's face.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: When the vehicle is manufactured, a middle level among the plurality of levels is set as a default level.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The highest level among the plurality of levels is a level that allows the driver to manually control the brightness of the lighting unit to be ultra-high brightness.

8. A method for controlling the brightness of a vehicle lighting device, the method comprising: determining a day mode or a night mode based on ambient brightness detected by a brightness sensor; capturing an image of the driver's face through a camera module, and repeatedly measuring an infrared brightness level based on the number of specific points appearing in the captured image of the driver's face; capturing an image of the driver's pupil by a camera module, and repeatedly measuring the size of the driver's pupil in the captured image; Calculating changes in measured infrared brightness levels; calculating a change in the measured pupil size of the driver; controlling the brightness of the lighting unit in a day mode or a night mode in response to a calculated change in the infrared brightness level and a calculated change in the driver's pupil size; The camera module includes: a camera and a first infrared light emitting diode and a second infrared light emitting diode, wherein the camera is used to capture an image of the driver's face, and the first infrared light emitting diode and the second infrared light emitting diode emit light of infrared wavelength; Wherein, the first infrared light emitting diode and the second infrared light emitting diode are arranged on both sides of the camera; Wherein, controlling the brightness of the lighting unit includes: Establishing a lookup table, setting a plurality of levels in the lookup table, controlling the brightness of the lighting unit based on the plurality of levels, and setting duty cycles for driving the lighting unit in a day mode and a night mode respectively for the plurality of levels in the lookup table; selecting a level among the plurality of levels by lowering or raising a current level in response to a change in the infrared brightness level and a change in a driver's pupil size; The lighting unit is driven at a duty cycle of the day mode or the night mode corresponding to the selected level.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein Measuring the infrared brightness level using the captured image of the driver's face includes measuring the infrared brightness level based on the number of specific points appearing in the captured image of the driver's face.

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