Vehicle lighting systems, vehicles, street lights and program products

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle lighting system, a vehicle, a streetlight, and a program. A lighting unit is provided that enables pedestrians on a crosswalk intended for a right-turning vehicle to cross to recognize the presence of the vehicle. Before a vehicle enters an intersection to turn right, the system detects the location of the crosswalk intended for the right turn and the presence of pedestrians on the crosswalk or those attempting to enter the crosswalk. If a pedestrian is present, a light source illuminates a spotlight at the location of the crosswalk intended for the right turn.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp system for guiding the sight lines of pedestrians at an intersection. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, technologies have been proposed to assist vehicle driving by controlling the light of a lamp mounted on a vehicle.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that irradiates light from auxiliary light sources mounted on the sides of a vehicle to the sides of the vehicle when turning left or right, thereby irradiating the auxiliary light source's beam to the crosswalk the vehicle crosses, thereby improving visibility.

[0004] In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses the following technology: using camera images and millimeter-wave radar to detect pedestrians walking on the left side of the vehicle, when the distance from the vehicle is less than a specified distance, a light beam spot is irradiated onto the road surface so that it gradually approaches the pedestrian, thereby notifying the pedestrian that the vehicle has recognized the pedestrian.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-38300 (especially FIG. 44 )

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 5696701 (particularly Figure 6 ) Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] When a vehicle turns right at a large intersection, the distance between the vehicle and pedestrians on the crosswalk it is turning to cross is large at the start of the right turn, making it difficult for pedestrians to notice the right-turning vehicle. In particular, if a pedestrian and a vehicle enter the intersection facing the same direction and the pedestrian is walking on the crosswalk the right-turning vehicle is about to cross, it is difficult for the pedestrian to recognize the right-turning vehicle before it crosses the crosswalk.

[0011] The technology in Patent Document 1 does not detect the presence of a crosswalk or pedestrians. While there may be a point where light emitted from the side of a right-turning vehicle reaches the crosswalk, the trajectory of the vehicle's steering wheel changes, creating an angle at which the light does not reach the crosswalk. Furthermore, using light emitted from the direct side of the vehicle to illuminate the crosswalk makes it difficult to communicate to pedestrians the presence of a right-turning vehicle.

[0012] The technology in Patent Document 2 assumes that when a pedestrian is walking toward a vehicle, the light beam emitted by the vehicle can guide the pedestrian's line of sight and allow them to identify the vehicle. However, if the pedestrian's direction of travel is the same as that of the vehicle, the pedestrian cannot see the light beam and therefore cannot recognize the vehicle. Therefore, when the technology in Patent Document 2 is applied to a pedestrian walking in a crosswalk at an intersection and a vehicle turning right, if the pedestrian and the vehicle are facing the same direction when entering the intersection, the pedestrian will not be able to recognize the vehicle.

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a lamp unit that enables pedestrians on a crosswalk where a right-turning vehicle is about to cross to recognize the presence of the right-turning vehicle.

[0014] Means for solving problems

[0015] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides a vehicle lighting system comprising: a light source unit mounted on a vehicle; and a light source control unit that receives information from a detection unit mounted on the vehicle and controls the light source unit based on the information. Based on the information received from the detection unit, the light source control unit detects the location of a crosswalk to be crossed when turning right and the presence of pedestrians on the crosswalk or attempting to enter the crosswalk before the vehicle enters the intersection to turn right. If a pedestrian is present, the light source controls the light source to illuminate a spot of light at the location of the crosswalk to be crossed when turning right.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lamp unit that enables pedestrians on a crosswalk where a right-turning vehicle is about to cross to recognize the presence of the right-turning vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a vehicle 100 including the vehicle lamp unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 (a) is a plan view showing the mounting position of the vehicle lamp system 1 on the vehicle 100 , and (b) is a plan view showing the arrangement of the auxiliary light source units in the vehicle lamp system 1 .

[0020] Figure 3 (a) to (c) are a plan view, a front view, and a rear view, respectively, showing the structure of the auxiliary light source unit 10 of the vehicle lighting system 1 .

[0021] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the light source control unit 20 according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 5 (a) to (e) are explanatory diagrams showing the positions of spot lights irradiated onto a crosswalk by the vehicle lamp system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a switching timing table stored in the storage unit 21 of the light source control unit 20 according to the second embodiment.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the light source control unit 20 according to the second embodiment.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a vehicle 100 and a street lamp including a vehicle lamp unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 9 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a street lamp 300 including a light source control unit 20 and an auxiliary light source unit 10 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Description of labels

[0028] 1 Vehicle lighting system

[0029] 10 Auxiliary light source unit

[0030] 11 Alignment mechanism

[0031] 20 Light source control unit

[0032] 21 Storage

[0033] 30 Headlamp unit

[0034] 31 Low beam light source

[0035] 32 High beam light source

[0036] 50 cameras

[0037] 40 Automotive ECU

[0038] 60 Navigation System

[0039] 70 Vehicle position detection unit

[0040] 80 Vehicle speed detection unit

[0041] 90 Vehicle drive unit

[0042] 100 vehicles

[0043] 110 Turn signal unit

[0044] 111 Turn signal pole

[0045] 112 Turn signal light source

[0046] 120 Ministry of Communications

[0047] 130 Ministry of Communications

[0048] 200 Street Lights

[0049] 210 Auxiliary light source unit

[0050] 211 Alignment Mechanism

[0051] 300 street lights

[0052] 301 Light Source

[0053] 302 light source

[0054] 303 Light Source

[0055] 304 projection lens

[0056] 307 Mask

[0057] 308 mounting base

[0058] 309 heat dissipation radiator

[0059] 310 bracket

[0060] 311 Pivot Point

[0061] 312 ribs

[0062] 313 Support

[0063] 314 Pivot point for left and right adjustment

[0064] 315 screw

[0065] 316 Actuator for left and right direction adjustment

[0066] 317 Actuator for vertical adjustment

[0067] 318 Pivot point for vertical adjustment

[0068] 350 cameras

[0069] 380 Vehicle Speed ​​Detection Unit

[0070] 501 Crosswalk

[0071] 502 Crosswalk

[0072] 503 pedestrians

[0073] 504 Zone

[0074] 505 Area

[0075] 506 Entry Line

[0076] 507 Central Location

[0077] 508 Vertical Entry Line

[0078] 509 Horizontal Entry Line DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0079] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0080] Implementation Method 1

[0081] <Summary>

[0082] When a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lighting system of embodiment 1 enters an intersection to turn right, it detects the position of the crosswalk to be crossed when turning right and the presence of pedestrians on the crosswalk or pedestrians wanting to enter the crosswalk. If there are pedestrians, a light source is used to illuminate the position of the crosswalk to be crossed when turning right.

[0083] This allows pedestrians on the crosswalk that the right-turning vehicle is about to cross to recognize the presence of the right-turning vehicle.

[0084] In this case, the vehicle can guide pedestrians' sight by moving the spotlight along the crosswalk as the vehicle moves through the intersection. In particular, as the vehicle approaches the crosswalk within the intersection, the spotlight moves across the width of the crosswalk toward the vehicle, effectively directing pedestrians' sight toward the vehicle turning right.

[0085] <Structure>

[0086] First, use Figures 1 to 4 The structures of the vehicle lighting system 1 and the vehicle 100 equipped with the vehicle lighting system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of the vehicle 100 . Figure 2 (a) shows the installation position of the vehicle lighting system 1 on the vehicle 100. Figure 2 (b) is a diagram showing the arrangement of auxiliary light source units in the vehicle lighting system 1 . Figure 3 (a) to (c) are a plan view, a front view, and a rear view showing a configuration example of the auxiliary light source unit 10 .

[0087] Vehicle 100 includes: a vehicle lighting system 1; a vehicle drive unit 90 such as an engine or electric motor; a camera 50 that captures images of at least a predetermined angle in front of the vehicle; a vehicle position detection unit (e.g., GPS) 70; a navigation system 60 that provides road guidance using the detected vehicle position and map data; a vehicle speed detection unit 80; a turn signal unit 110; and an on-board ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 40. Although not shown, vehicle 100 also includes a transmission, a power steering system, and the like.

[0088] The vehicle-mounted ECU 40 controls the vehicle driving unit 90, the transmission, the power steering system, etc. by using the detection results of the camera 50, the vehicle position detection unit 70, and the vehicle speed detection unit 80, thereby controlling the driving of the vehicle. In addition, when the driver operates the turn signal lever 111 of the turn signal unit 110, the vehicle-mounted ECU 40 illuminates and flashes the turn signal light source 112.

[0089] The vehicle lighting system 1 includes a headlamp unit 30 that radiates headlight (high beam, low beam) toward the front of the vehicle, an auxiliary light source unit 10 , and a light source control unit 20 that controls the headlamp unit 30 and the auxiliary light source unit 10 .

[0090] The headlight unit 30 includes a low-beam light source 31 and a high-beam light source 32 .

[0091] The light source control unit 20 receives information from a detection unit (such as a camera 50) mounted on the vehicle 100 and controls the auxiliary light source unit 10 based on the received information. Thus, as described in detail later, when the vehicle 100 enters an intersection to turn right, the light source control unit 20 detects the location of the crosswalk to be crossed when turning right and the presence of pedestrians on the crosswalk or pedestrians attempting to enter the crosswalk. If a pedestrian is present, the auxiliary light source unit 10 illuminates a spot light at the location of the crosswalk to be crossed when turning right.

[0092] The auxiliary light source unit 10 includes an alignment mechanism 11 for adjusting the optical axis of the auxiliary light source unit 10 , and irradiates spot light toward a position indicated by the light source control unit 20 .

[0093] Here, if Figure 2 As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 8 , the auxiliary light source unit 10 is arranged in the headlamp unit 30 and is arranged at a position closer to the side of the vehicle 100 than the low beam light source 31 and the high beam light source 32 .

[0094] Specifically, if Figure 2As shown, the auxiliary light source unit 10 includes a plurality of light sources (LEDs) 301, 302, and 303 mounted on a mounting substrate 308. A mask 307 for generating a desired light distribution pattern is mounted on the light emitting surface side of the light sources 301 to 303. Projection lenses 304, 305, and 306 are arranged on the mask 307 to focus the light from the light sources 301 to 303 that has passed through the mask. Figure 2 As shown, the directions and positions in which the projection lenses 304 , 305 , and 306 focus the lights from the light sources 301 , 302 , and 303 , respectively, are designed to be predetermined directions and positions that are different from each other.

[0095] A heat sink 309 for heat dissipation is fixed to the rear surface of the mounting substrate 308 , and the rear surface of the heat sink 309 is mounted on a rectangular plate-shaped bracket 310 .

[0096] Bracket 310 is equipped with a mechanism for adjusting the optical axes of light sources 301 to 303 in both the horizontal and vertical directions as alignment mechanism 11. For example, a pivot point 311 serving as a fulcrum is provided at one corner of rectangular plate-shaped bracket 310, to which the tip of a columnar rib 312 is fixed. The base of rib 312 is fixed to a plate-shaped support portion 313.

[0097] In order to tilt the bracket 310 left and right relative to the support portion 313 using the pivot point 311 as a fulcrum, a left-right adjustment pivot point 314 is provided at the corner of the bracket 310 opposite the corner where the pivot point 311 is provided, into which the tip of a screw 315 is screwed. The base of the screw 315 passes through the support portion 313 and is inserted into a left-right adjustment actuator 316 located on the back side of the support portion 313. The left-right adjustment actuator 316 rotates the screw 315 to move the corner of the bracket 310 where the left-right adjustment pivot point 314 is provided toward or away from the support portion 313, thereby tilting the bracket 310 left and right.

[0098] Furthermore, a vertical adjustment pivot point 318 is provided at a corner of the bracket 310, diagonally opposite the corner where the pivot point 314 is provided, into which the tip of a screw (not shown) is screwed. The base of the screw passes through the support portion 313 and is inserted into a vertical adjustment actuator 317 located on the back side of the support portion 313. The vertical adjustment actuator 317 rotates the screw to move the corner of the bracket 310, where the vertical adjustment pivot point 318 is provided, closer to or farther from the support portion 313, thereby tilting the bracket 310 in the vertical direction.

[0099] The light source control unit 20 switches the light sources 301 , 302 , and 303 that radiate light in order to change the position of the spot light radiated from the auxiliary light source unit 10 toward the crosswalk.

[0100] Here, among the light sources 301 to 303, the first light source 301 is closer to the pivot point (fulcrum) 311 and therefore has a smaller adjustment range in terms of up, down, left, and right directions than the third light source 303. Therefore, the first light source 301 is used for illuminating distant objects. The second and third light sources 302 and 303 are located farther from the pivot point (fulcrum) 311 than the first light source 301 and therefore have a larger adjustment range in terms of up, down, left, and right directions and are used for illuminating nearby objects.

[0101] The color of the light spot emitted by the auxiliary light source unit 10 is different from the color of the headlight emitted by the headlamp unit 30 , which is preferable because it easily attracts the attention of pedestrians.

[0102] For example, when the color of the light spot emitted by the auxiliary light source unit 10 is amber or green, this tends to attract the attention of pedestrians, which is preferable.

[0103] <Action>

[0104] use Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the operation of the vehicle lighting system 1 will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the light source control unit 20. Figure 5 (a) to (e) show the positions of the spot lights irradiated onto the crosswalk by the vehicle lighting system 1 .

[0105] The light source control unit 20 performs the following operations according to Figure 4 The process controls each part, and when there are pedestrians, the auxiliary light source unit 10 illuminates a spot light on the crosswalk to be crossed when turning right.

[0106] In addition, the following example is described: the light source control unit 20 is composed of a computer or the like having a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and a memory, and the processor reads and executes a program stored in the memory, thereby realizing the control by software. Figure 4 However, the light source control unit 20 is not limited to realizing its functions by software, and a part or all of it may be constituted by hardware. For example, a custom IC such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a programmable IC such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) may be used to realize Figure 4 The circuit design may be performed in such a manner as to realize the functions of the light source control unit 20 as shown.

[0107] (Step 401)

[0108] First, the light source control unit 20 receives information from the vehicle-mounted ECU 40 as to whether the right turn signal light source 112 of the turn signal unit 110 is on. If the information is on, the process proceeds to step 402 .

[0109] (Step 402)

[0110] Next, the light source control unit 20 receives the image from the camera 50 from the vehicle-mounted ECU 40, and detects the position of the crosswalk 501 that the vehicle 100 is going to cross when turning right, and whether there are pedestrians on the crosswalk 501 or pedestrians who want to enter the crosswalk based on the image.

[0111] Specifically, by performing image processing such as binary processing on the image of the camera 50, the crosswalk in the image is extracted, and the crosswalk 501 located on the right side of the vehicle is selected (refer to Figure 5 (a)). Thus, crosswalk 501, which vehicle 100 will cross when turning right, is determined. Furthermore, region 504 is set within approximately three-quarters of the length of crosswalk 501, starting from the near front side (the side closer to vehicle 100) on the image, and image processing is used to detect whether a pedestrian 503 exists within region 504. This makes it possible to detect whether a pedestrian exists on the crosswalk in an area closer to the position where the vehicle will cross when turning right than the position where the vehicle will enter the intersection.

[0112] In addition, the crosswalk 501 can be determined not based on the image of the camera 50, but by receiving map data of the intersection that the vehicle 100 is to enter from the navigation system 60, and the light source control unit 20 extracting the crosswalk to be crossed when turning right.

[0113] When there is a pedestrian in the area 504 of the crosswalk 501 , the light source control unit 20 proceeds to step 403 .

[0114] (Step 403)

[0115] The light source control unit 20 determines whether the vehicle 100 has reached a predetermined position A-1. Position A-1 is an approach line 506 that the vehicle 100 will pass when entering the intersection, or a predetermined position of a crosswalk that the vehicle 100 will first cross when entering the intersection (for example, a position after crossing the crosswalk).

[0116] Specifically, the light source control unit 20 detects the position of the vehicle 100 by performing image processing on the image from the camera 50, and determines whether the vehicle 100 has arrived at the position A-1. Alternatively, the light source control unit 20 may determine whether the vehicle 100 has arrived at the position A-1 by receiving the position of the vehicle 100 from a vehicle position detection unit (hereinafter referred to as GPS) 70 of the navigation system 60.

[0117] When the vehicle 100 arrives at the predetermined position A- 1 , the light source control unit 20 proceeds to step 404 .

[0118] (Step 404)

[0119] The light source control unit 20 causes the auxiliary light source unit 10 of the vehicle 100 that has arrived at position A-1 to flash a spot light toward an area R-1 on the crosswalk 501 that is farthest from the vehicle 100 (inward in the width direction) within the area 505 that the vehicle will cross when turning right.

[0120] Specifically, the light source control unit 20 uses the image from the camera 50 or the map data from the navigation system 60 to set the area 505 within a predetermined range (e.g., approximately 1 / 4 of the area) from the inner side (the side away from the vehicle 100) in the longitudinal direction of the crosswalk 501 on the crosswalk 501 determined in step 402. The light source control unit 20 then sets the area farthest from the vehicle 100 in the width direction of the crosswalk 501 as area R-1.

[0121] The light source control unit 20 calculates the drive amounts of the left-right direction adjustment actuator 316 and the up-down direction adjustment actuator 317 of the aiming mechanism 11 of the auxiliary light source unit 10 to illuminate the area R-1 from position A-1 of the vehicle 100. At this time, the light source control unit 20 selects the first light source 301 among the light sources 301 to 303, calculates the drive amounts of the left-right direction adjustment actuator 316 and the up-down direction adjustment actuator 317, and then illuminates the area R-1 from the first light source 301.

[0122] The light source control unit 20 blinks the first light source 301 and sets the calculated drive amounts for the horizontal adjustment actuator 316 and the vertical adjustment actuator 317 of the aiming mechanism 11. Thus, the spot light emitted from the first light source 301 is irradiated onto the region R-1.

[0123] A pedestrian 503 who starts walking on the crosswalk 501 will visually confirm that an area R-1 on the right side of the crosswalk 501 in the width direction is illuminated by a flashing spot light of a color different from that of the headlight, and his sight is guided to the area R-1 ( Figure 5 (a)).

[0124] (Step 405)

[0125] Vehicle 100 enters the intersection and moves forward to turn right. Light source control unit 20 determines whether vehicle 100 has reached a predetermined position A-2. Position A-2 is the midpoint between intersection approach line 506 or first-crossed crosswalk 502 and intersection center 507.

[0126] Specifically, the light source control unit 20 detects the position of the vehicle 100 by performing image processing on the image of the camera 50 and determines whether the vehicle 100 has reached the position A-2. Alternatively, the light source control unit 20 may determine whether the vehicle 100 has reached the position A-2 by receiving the position of the vehicle 100 from the GPS 70 of the navigation system 60.

[0127] Furthermore, the light source control unit 20 may determine that the vehicle 100 has arrived at the position A-2 when the center of the vehicle 100 reaches the longitudinal entry line 508 passing through the center position 507 of the intersection.

[0128] When the vehicle 100 reaches the predetermined position A- 2 , the light source control unit 20 proceeds to step 406 .

[0129] (Step 406)

[0130] The light source control unit 20 causes the auxiliary light source unit 10 of the vehicle 100 that has arrived at the position A-2 to flash a spot light toward an area R-2 in the center of the crosswalk 501 in the width direction within the area 505 that the vehicle is to cross when turning right.

[0131] Specifically, the light source control unit 20 sets the area in the center of the crosswalk 501 in the width direction within the area 505 set in step 404 as the area R- 2 .

[0132] The light source control unit 20 calculates the drive amount of the aiming mechanism 11 of the auxiliary light source unit 10 to illuminate the area R-2 from position A-2 of the vehicle 100. At this point, the light source control unit 20 selects the second light source 302 among the light sources 301 to 303, calculates the drive amounts of the left-right direction adjustment actuator 316 and the up-down direction adjustment actuator 317, and then illuminates the area R-2 from the second light source 302.

[0133] The light source control unit 20 turns off the first light source 301, blinks on the second light source 302, and sets the calculated drive amounts for the left-right direction adjustment actuator 316 and the up-down direction adjustment actuator 317 of the aiming mechanism 11. As a result, the blinking spotlight emitted from the second light source 302 is irradiated onto the region R-2.

[0134] Since the flashing point light irradiated to the area R-1 in step 404 is offset in the width direction of the crosswalk and moves to the central area R-2, the sight of the pedestrian 503 walking on the crosswalk 501 is guided to the area R-2 ( Figure 5 (b)).

[0135] (Step 407)

[0136] The vehicle 100 moves further forward in the intersection to turn right. The light source control unit 20 determines whether the vehicle 100 has reached a predetermined position A to 3. Positions A to 3 are the center position 507 of the intersection.

[0137] Specifically, the image from camera 50 is processed, and if vehicle 100 reaches horizontal entry line 509, which crosses the center of the intersection 507, it is determined that vehicle 100 has reached position A-2. Light source control unit 20 may also determine whether vehicle 100 has reached position A-3 by receiving the position of vehicle 100 from GPS 70 of navigation system 60.

[0138] When the vehicle 100 reaches the predetermined position A- 3 , the light source control unit 20 proceeds to step 408 .

[0139] (Step 408)

[0140] The light source control unit 20 causes the auxiliary light source unit 10 of the vehicle 100 that has arrived at position A-3 to flash a spot light toward an area R-3 on the crosswalk 501 that is closest to the vehicle 100 in the width direction of the crosswalk 501 within the area 505 that the vehicle will cross when turning right.

[0141] Specifically, the light source control unit 20 sets the area closest to the vehicle 100 in the width direction of the crosswalk 501 within the area 505 set in step 404 as the area R- 3 .

[0142] The light source control unit 20 calculates the drive amount of the aiming mechanism 11 of the auxiliary light source unit 10 to illuminate the area R-3 from position A-2 of the vehicle 100. At this time, the light source control unit 20 selects the third light source 303 among the light sources 301 to 303, calculates the drive amounts of the left-right direction adjustment actuator 316 and the up-down direction adjustment actuator 317, and then illuminates the area R-3 from the third light source 303.

[0143] The light source control unit 20 turns off the second light source 302, blinks on the third light source 302, and sets the calculated drive amounts for the left-right direction adjustment actuator 316 and the up-down direction adjustment actuator 317 of the aiming mechanism 11. As a result, the blinking spotlight emitted from the third light source 303 is irradiated onto the region R-3.

[0144] Since the flashing spot light irradiated to the area R-2 in step 406 moves to the area R-3 on the left side in the width direction of the crosswalk, the sight of the pedestrian 503 walking on the crosswalk 501 is guided to the area R-3 ( Figure 5At this time, since the vehicle 100 is located immediately to the left of the area R-3 to which the pedestrian 503's sight is directed, the pedestrian 503's sight is directed to the vehicle 100 and recognizes the vehicle 100 .

[0145] (Step 409)

[0146] The vehicle 100 moves further in the intersection to turn right and approaches the crosswalk 501 ( Figure 5 During this period, the light source control unit 20 continues to irradiate the region R-3 with the flashing point light emitted from the third light source 303 .

[0147] As a result, the pedestrian 503 can cross the crosswalk 501 while recognizing the vehicle 100 .

[0148] (Steps 410, 411)

[0149] The light source control unit 20 receives the image from the camera 50 and detects whether there are pedestrians on the crosswalk 501 based on the image (step 409 ).

[0150] If there are no pedestrians, the light source control unit 20 proceeds to step 410 to turn off the auxiliary light source unit 10 ( Figure 5 (e)).

[0151] Since there are no pedestrians, the vehicle 100 crosses the crosswalk 501 and completes the right turn.

[0152] As described above, as the vehicle 100 moves within the intersection, the light source control unit 20 moves the spot light on the crosswalk 501 along the width direction of the crosswalk 501 and gradually approaches the vehicle 100. This guides the line of sight of the pedestrian 503 from right to left along the width direction of the crosswalk 501, ultimately guiding it to the vehicle 100 approaching to turn right. This allows the pedestrian to recognize the vehicle 100 turning right.

[0153] In this embodiment, the spot light is moved in the width direction of the crosswalk 501 , but the moving direction is not limited to the width direction. The spot light may be moved in the longitudinal direction of the crosswalk or in a desired pattern such as a zigzag pattern.

[0154] The positions A-1, A-2, and A-3 of the vehicle 100 at the time the spot light is moved are not limited to the above-described positions. For example, the position where the driver of the vehicle 100 has turned the steering wheel 30° (steering angle 30°) may be set as position A-2, and the position where the driver has turned the steering wheel 45° (steering angle 45°) may be set as position A-3.

[0155] Alternatively, the diameter of the spot light may be varied for each region R-1, R-2, and R-3. Figure 5 As shown in (a) to (c) of FIG. 5 , the diameter of the spot light in the longitudinal direction of the crosswalk 501 may be increased in sequence in the order of regions R- 1 , R- 2 , and R- 3 .

[0156] In addition, in step 402 , when a large number of people walking on the crosswalk 501 is detected, the spot light irradiated on the crosswalk 501 becomes invisible, and therefore the light source control unit 20 may end the control.

[0157] The light source control unit 20 may be configured to terminate control when there is a vehicle in front of the vehicle 100 .

[0158] Implementation Method 2

[0159] A vehicle 100 equipped with the vehicle lighting system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0160] In the first embodiment, the system detects whether vehicle 100 has reached positions A-1, A-2, and A-3 within the intersection. If vehicle 100 has reached these positions, the illumination area of ​​the spotlight is switched to areas R-1, R-2, and R-3. In the second embodiment, the position of vehicle 100 is not detected. Instead, the illumination area of ​​the spotlight is sequentially switched to areas R-1, R-2, and R-3 at a switching timing corresponding to the speed of vehicle 100 entering the intersection. This eliminates the need for vehicle position detection, thus achieving substantially the same effects as in the first embodiment while reducing the amount of computation required.

[0161] The configuration of the vehicle lighting system 1 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in that the light source control unit includes a storage unit 21 that stores switching timings obtained in advance for each of a plurality of speeds.

[0162] Figure 6 2 shows an example of the switching timing stored in the storage unit 21. Figure 6 As shown, here, in addition to the speed of the vehicle 100 when entering the intersection, the timing of switching the illumination area of ​​the point light to areas R-1, R-2, and R-3 in sequence is pre-specified in a tabular form according to the length and width of the crosswalk 501 that the vehicle 100 is to cross when turning right, and is stored in the storage unit 21.

[0163] Below, use Figure 7 The operation of the vehicle lighting system 1 is described in the following flow. Figure 7 In the process of Figure 4 The same steps in the process are marked with the same step numbers and the descriptions are omitted.

[0164] (Steps 401, 402)

[0165] The light source control unit 20 and Figure 6 Similarly, in steps 401 and 402 of the process, when the right turn signal light source 112 is turned on, the position of the crosswalk 501 that the vehicle 100 is going to cross when turning right and the pedestrians on the crosswalk 501 or the pedestrians 503 that are going to enter the crosswalk 501 are detected.

[0166] When the light source control unit 20 detects the pedestrian 503 , the process proceeds to step 601 .

[0167] (Step 601)

[0168] The light source control unit 20 receives the current vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection unit 80 via the vehicle-mounted ECU 40. Furthermore, the light source control unit 20 calculates the length and width of the crosswalk 501 based on the image from the camera 50 or the map data from the navigation system 60. The light source control unit 20 reads the obtained vehicle speed and the switching timing of the light spots in the regions R-1, R-2, and R-3 corresponding to the length and width of the crosswalk 501 from the storage unit 21.

[0169] (Step 602)

[0170] The light source control section 20 determines whether the read-out lighting timing 1 has been reached from the time when the switching timing is read out from the storage section 21 in step 601 , and if so, proceeds to step 404 .

[0171] Since the vehicle 100 advances in the intersection until the lighting timing 1 is reached, the vehicle 100 arrives near the position A-1 in the first embodiment at the lighting timing 1 .

[0172] (Step 404)

[0173] At lighting timing 1, the light source control unit 20 flashes a spot light from the auxiliary light source unit 10 toward the area R-1 on the crosswalk 501, which is the farthest from the vehicle 100 (toward the rear in the width direction) within the area 505 that the vehicle will cross when turning right. Step 404 is performed in the same manner as step 404 of the first embodiment.

[0174] (Step 603)

[0175] The light source control unit 20 determines whether it is the lighting timing 2 , and if it is the lighting timing 2 , the process proceeds to step 406 .

[0176] At the time of lighting timing 2, vehicle 100 arrives near position A-2 in the first embodiment.

[0177] (Step 406)

[0178] At lighting timing 2, the light source control unit 20 flashes a spotlight from the auxiliary light source unit 10 of the vehicle 100 toward a region R-2 in the center of the width direction of the crosswalk 501 within the region 505 that the vehicle will cross when turning right. The processing in step 406 is performed in the same manner as step 406 in the first embodiment.

[0179] (Step 604)

[0180] The light source control unit 20 determines whether the lighting timing 3 has arrived. If the lighting timing 3 has arrived, the process proceeds to step 408 .

[0181] At the time of lighting timing 3 , vehicle 100 arrives near position A-3 in the first embodiment.

[0182] (Step 408)

[0183] The light source control unit 20 causes the auxiliary light source unit 10 of the vehicle 100 that has arrived at position A-3 to flash a spot light toward area R-3, which is located on the crosswalk 501 and is closest to the vehicle 100 in the width direction of the crosswalk 501 within area 505 that the vehicle will cross when turning right. The processing in step 408 is performed in the same manner as step 408 in the first embodiment.

[0184] (Step 409)

[0185] The vehicle 100 moves further in the intersection to turn right and approaches the crosswalk 501 (see Figure 5 During this period, the light source control unit 20 continues to irradiate the region R-3 with the flashing spot light emitted from the third light source 303 (step 409).

[0186] As a result, the pedestrian 503 can cross the crosswalk 501 while recognizing the vehicle 100 .

[0187] (Steps 410, 411)

[0188] The light source control unit 20 detects whether there are pedestrians on the crosswalk 501 based on the image of the camera 50. If there are no pedestrians, the light source control unit 20 turns off the auxiliary light source unit 10 ( Figure 5 (e)).

[0189] As described above, according to the second embodiment, by reading the switching timings 1, 2, and 3 predetermined according to the vehicle speed and the like from the storage unit 21, the amount of calculation can be reduced while achieving the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0190] In the above embodiment, the switching timings 1, 2, and 3 are predetermined according to the speed and stored in the storage unit 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the light source control unit 20 may calculate the switching timing based on the speed received from the vehicle 100 in step 601 each time.

[0191] Implementation Method 3

[0192] use Figure 8 The street lamp 200 according to the third embodiment will be described.

[0193] In embodiments 1 and 2, the auxiliary light source unit 10 mounted on the vehicle is configured to irradiate point light to areas R-1, R-2, and R-3, but in embodiment 3, point light is irradiated to areas R-1, R-2, and R-3 from a street lamp 200 installed at an intersection.

[0194] like Figure 8 As shown, the street lamp 200 includes an auxiliary light source unit 210 and a communication unit 130 . The vehicle lighting system of the vehicle 100 does not include the auxiliary light source unit 10 but includes a communication unit 120 .

[0195] The light source control unit 20 of the vehicle 100 performs Figure 4 However, in steps 404, 406, and 408, the auxiliary light source unit 210 of the street lamp 200 is instructed to irradiate light to the areas R-1, R-2, and R-3 respectively via the communication units 120 and 130.

[0196] The street lamp 200 irradiates spot light from the auxiliary light source unit 210 toward the regions R- 1 , R- 2 , and R- 3 instructed by the light source control unit 20 .

[0197] Thus, according to the third embodiment, even if the vehicle 100 is not equipped with the auxiliary light source unit 10, it is possible to illuminate a spot light to guide the sight of pedestrians when turning right at an intersection equipped with a street lamp 200. Therefore, pedestrians can recognize the presence of the vehicle 100 turning right.

[0198] Therefore, it is possible to simplify and reduce the weight of the vehicle 100. Furthermore, by installing the streetlights 200 only at intersections where it is difficult to recognize vehicles 100 turning right, it is possible to select intersections where spotlights are illuminated to guide the sight of pedestrians.

[0199] It should be noted that although the auxiliary light source unit 210 of the street lamp 200 may be provided with an aiming mechanism 211, the street lamp 200 does not move and the positional relationship between the street lamp 200 and the crosswalk 501 is fixed, and therefore the aiming mechanism 211 may not be provided. Figure 3In the case of a structure with a plurality of light sources, it is sufficient to pre-adjust the first light source 301, the second light source 302, and the third light source 303 so that the point light emitted reaches the regions R-1, R-2, and R-3, respectively. Thus, even without the aiming mechanism 211, the auxiliary light source unit 210 of the street lamp 200 can still emit point light to the regions R-1, R-2, and R-3.

[0200] In addition, the light source control unit 20 of the vehicle 100 can also perform the same operation as that of the second embodiment. Figure 7 The same process is performed for the street lamp 200. In steps 602, 603, and 604, the auxiliary light source unit 210 of the street lamp 200 can be instructed via the communication units 120 and 130 to irradiate light to the regions R-1, R-2, and R-3, respectively.

[0201] Implementation Method 4

[0202] As embodiment 4, use Figure 9 A street lamp 300 including the light source control section 20 and the auxiliary light source unit 10 will be described.

[0203] The streetlight 300 of the fourth embodiment includes a camera 350, a vehicle speed detection unit 380, a light source control unit 20, and an auxiliary light source unit 10. The camera 350 captures an image from above the intersection that allows the positional relationship between the vehicle 100 and the crosswalk to be determined. The vehicle speed detection unit 380 detects the speed of the vehicle 100 using radar or the like.

[0204] The operation of the light source control unit 20 is similar to that of the first embodiment. Figure 4 The process is the same as that of FIG. 4 , but in step 401 , if a vehicle 100 entering the intersection is detected from the image of the camera 50 instead of a turn signal, the process proceeds to step 402 .

[0205] After step 402, the light source control unit 20 of the street lamp 300, similar to the first embodiment, irradiates point light to areas R-1, R-2, and R-3 in sequence if it detects from the image of the camera 350 that the vehicle 100 has arrived at positions A-1, A-2, and A-3 of the intersection.

[0206] Furthermore, although the auxiliary light source unit 210 of the street lamp 300 may include the aiming mechanism 211 , the positional relationship between the street lamp 200 and the crosswalk 501 is fixed, and therefore the aiming mechanism 211 may not be included, which is the same as in the third embodiment.

[0207] Thus, according to the fourth embodiment, the street lamp 300 alone can emit spotlight to guide the sight of pedestrians, and the pedestrians can recognize the presence of the vehicle 100 turning right.

[0208] In addition, the light source control unit 20 of the street lamp 300 can perform the same operation as in the second embodiment after step 402. Figure 7 In this case, in step 601, the switching timings of the regions R1, R-2, and R-3 corresponding to the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection unit 380 and the length and width of the crosswalk are read from the table in the storage unit 21. The length and width of the crosswalk at the intersection below the streetlight 300 are fixed, so the table is more accurate than Figure 6 simplify.

[0209] The auxiliary light source unit 10 of this embodiment changes the curvature of the front and back surfaces of each projection lens corresponding to the three light sources to change the distance of the point light focus. However, a projection lens that can control the distance of the point light focus by mechanically moving the position of any one of the multiple lenses back and forth, such as an autofocus lens of a camera composed of multiple lenses, can also be used. In this case, the light source and the mask become one, which can make the auxiliary light source unit miniaturized. The mask can also be a liquid crystal type. By controlling the transmission area of ​​the light from the light source by switching the liquid crystal on / off, the size and shape of the point light can be freely changed. In addition, the mask can also be a MEMS type. The light source is a MEMS type that is combined with a MEMS mirror that uses laser light and can scan the laser light to the left, right, and upward. The size and shape of the point light can be freely changed by turning the laser light on / off and swinging the MEMS mirror up, down, left, and right. For the auxiliary light source unit 10 that switches between three light sources and the auxiliary light source unit that controls the focusing position with one light source, if the mask is replaced with a liquid crystal type or a MEMS type, the size and shape (graphics, text) of the point light can be freely changed, thereby generating point light that can easily attract the attention of pedestrians.

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting system, characterized in that: have: a light source unit, which is mounted on a vehicle; as well as a light source control unit that receives information from a detection unit mounted on the vehicle and controls the light source unit based on the information; The light source control unit detects the position of the crosswalk that the vehicle will cross when turning right and the presence of pedestrians on the crosswalk or pedestrians wanting to enter the crosswalk based on the information received from the detection unit before the vehicle enters the intersection to turn right. If the pedestrians are present, the light source control unit irradiates a point light at a specified position of the crosswalk that the vehicle will cross when turning right. As the vehicle moves within the intersection and approaches the crosswalk, the point light irradiated from the light source unit moves along the width direction of the crosswalk on the crosswalk in the following direction, which is a direction approaching the direction in which the vehicle exists.

2. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: Before the vehicle enters the intersection, the light source control unit detects, based on information from the detection unit, whether there are pedestrians in an area on the side of the crosswalk that the vehicle will cross when turning right, which is closer to the position where the vehicle enters the intersection than the position where the vehicle will cross when turning right.

3. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: Before the vehicle enters the intersection to turn right means before the vehicle turns on its right turn signal, or before the vehicle reaches the crosswalk that it first crosses when entering the intersection.

4. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The light source control unit further detects the position of the vehicle in the intersection based on the information from the detection unit. The light source control unit sequentially moves the spot light to a plurality of locations on the crosswalk when detecting that the position of the vehicle has reached a plurality of predetermined positions within the intersection.

5. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 4, wherein: When the position of the vehicle reaches the entrance line of the intersection or the first crosswalk to be crossed, the light source control unit causes the spot light to be irradiated on the portion of the crosswalk to be crossed when turning right that is farthest from the vehicle in the width direction. When the position of the vehicle reaches the middle point between the entrance line of the intersection and the center of the intersection, or the middle point between the crosswalk to be crossed first and the center of the intersection, the light source control unit causes the point light to be irradiated onto the center portion in the width direction of the crosswalk to be crossed when turning right. When the position of the vehicle reaches the center of the intersection, the light source control unit causes the spot light to be irradiated onto a portion of the crosswalk that the vehicle crosses when turning right, which portion is closest to the vehicle in the width direction.

6. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The light source control unit receives from the vehicle a speed of the vehicle when entering the intersection, The light source control unit sequentially moves the spot light to a plurality of locations on the crosswalk at a switching timing corresponding to the speed.

7. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 6, wherein: The vehicle lighting system further includes a storage unit that stores switching timings calculated in advance for each of a plurality of speeds. The light source control unit reads out the switching timing corresponding to the speed received from the vehicle from the storage unit, and sequentially moves the spot light to a plurality of locations on the crosswalk according to the read-out switching timing.

8. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 6, wherein: The light source control unit calculates the switching timing based on the speed received from the vehicle.

9. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle lighting system receives information about the crosswalk from the vehicle and detects the length of the crosswalk. The light source control unit selects a switching timing corresponding to the detected length of the crosswalk from among switching timings predetermined for each of a plurality of crosswalk lengths, and sequentially moves the spot light to a plurality of locations on the crosswalk according to the selected timing.

10. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 9, wherein: The light source unit includes an alignment mechanism for adjusting the optical axis of the light source unit. The light source control unit controls the aiming mechanism to change the position of the spot light.

11. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 10, wherein: The light source unit includes a plurality of light sources configured to irradiate light in different directions. The light source control unit switches the light sources emitting light in order to change the position of the spot light, and adjusts the optical axes of the plurality of light sources by the alignment mechanism after the switching.

12. The vehicle lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The vehicle lighting system further includes a headlamp unit for emitting front light. The color of the light point emitted by the light source unit is different from the color of the headlight emitted by the headlamp unit.

13. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 12, wherein: The color of the light spot emitted by the light source unit is amber or green.

14. A vehicle, characterized in that: have: light source unit; a detection unit that detects, before the vehicle enters the intersection to turn right, the position of a crosswalk to be crossed when turning right, and the presence or absence of pedestrians on the crosswalk or pedestrians intending to enter the crosswalk; as well as Light source control unit, When the detection unit detects the pedestrian, the light source control unit causes the light source unit to irradiate a point light at a specified position of the crosswalk detected by the detection unit. As the vehicle moves within the intersection and approaches the crosswalk, the point light irradiated from the light source unit moves along the width direction of the crosswalk on the crosswalk in the following direction, which is a direction approaching the direction in which the vehicle is located.

15. The vehicle according to claim 14, characterized in that The detection unit includes a camera.

16. A vehicle lighting system, characterized in that: have: a light source control unit that receives information from a detection unit mounted on the vehicle and controls a light source unit mounted on the streetlight based on the information; and Ministry of Communications, The light source control unit detects the position of the crosswalk to be crossed when the vehicle turns right and the presence of pedestrians on the crosswalk or pedestrians wanting to enter the crosswalk based on the information received from the detection unit before the vehicle enters the intersection to turn right. If the pedestrians are present, the communication unit instructs the street light to irradiate a point light from the light source unit to a specified position of the crosswalk to be crossed when the vehicle turns right. As the vehicle moves in the intersection and approaches the crosswalk, the point light irradiated from the light source unit moves in the width direction of the crosswalk on the crosswalk in the following direction, which is a direction approaching the direction in which the vehicle exists.

17. A street lamp, characterized in that: have: light source unit; a detection unit that detects, before the vehicle enters the intersection to turn right, the position of a crosswalk to be crossed when turning right, and the presence or absence of pedestrians on the crosswalk or pedestrians intending to enter the crosswalk; as well as a light source control unit which, when the detection unit detects the pedestrian, causes the light source unit to irradiate a point light at a specified position of the crosswalk detected by the detection unit, and which causes the point light irradiated from the light source unit to move along the width direction of the crosswalk on the crosswalk in a direction approaching the direction in which the vehicle is located as the vehicle moves within the intersection and approaches the crosswalk.

18. A program product comprising a program, the program causing a computer to execute the following steps: receiving information from a detection unit mounted on the vehicle and determining whether the vehicle is about to enter the intersection in order to turn right; When the vehicle is about to enter an intersection to turn right, detecting, based on the information, the position of a crosswalk that the vehicle is about to cross when turning right, and the presence or absence of pedestrians on the crosswalk or pedestrians intending to enter the crosswalk; and In the presence of the pedestrian, a light source unit mounted on the vehicle is caused to irradiate a point light at a specified position on the crosswalk that the vehicle will cross when turning right. As the vehicle moves within the intersection and approaches the crosswalk, the point light irradiated from the light source unit is caused to move along the width direction of the crosswalk on the crosswalk in the following direction, which is a direction approaching the direction in which the vehicle is present.

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