Vehicle lamp system, control method thereof, computer program product, and vehicle

Abstract

A lamp system for a vehicle, a control method for the lamp system, a lamp control program, and a vehicle are provided. A driver of the vehicle can easily recognize a pedestrian, and the pedestrian is not easily dazzled even in rainy weather. A driver that turns on and off or dims a part of a projection range of light of a lamp unit is provided. A first projection range in which light is directly projected to a head of a pedestrian in the projection range of the light of the lamp unit and a second projection range in which the projected light is reflected on a road surface and reaches a body other than the head of the pedestrian are found. A segment corresponding to the first projection range is dimmed or the light is dimmed, and predetermined emphasized light is projected from a segment corresponding to the second projection range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to lighting systems for vehicles, and more particularly to headlight systems. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) technology has been used. This technology detects the position of oncoming vehicles and partially dims the headlights, preventing the headlights from shining on the driver of the oncoming vehicle. This helps prevent glare for the driver of the oncoming vehicle.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses a headlight control device that, when a pedestrian is near the vehicle, projects a linear illumination pattern from the headlight toward the pedestrian on the road surface between the vehicle and the pedestrian, or projects a dotted illumination pattern from the headlight toward the pedestrian's feet. Thus, a headlight control device capable of allowing pedestrians to perceive the vehicle is disclosed.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-122755 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] According to the technology in Patent Document 1, when a linear illumination pattern is projected onto the road surface from the vehicle toward the pedestrian, even if the illumination direction is controlled so that it does not directly illuminate the pedestrian's face, the reflected light from the road surface will still illuminate the pedestrian's face, causing glare (dazzle) to the pedestrian.

[0009] Furthermore, since pedestrians walk on the shoulders or sidewalks on either side of the road where the vehicle is traveling, if the linear pattern is illuminated by the headlights on both sides of the vehicle, the light from either headlight will cross in front of the vehicle. Therefore, in rainy conditions, a problem arises: some of the light crossing in front of the vehicle is reflected by raindrops falling in front of the vehicle, creating a glare in front of the vehicle and making it difficult for the driver to see clearly.

[0010] Furthermore, if the headlights on both sides of the vehicle shine light towards a pedestrian, the light beams from both headlights will intersect near the pedestrian. The driver will look for the intersection of the light paths, making it difficult to instantly determine the pedestrian's location.

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vehicle lighting system that makes it easy for drivers to identify pedestrians, and that pedestrians are not easily blinded even in rainy weather.

[0012] Methods for solving problems

[0013] To achieve the above objectives, according to the present invention, a vehicle lighting system is provided, comprising: a lamp unit that projects light onto a predetermined range; a driver that turns the projection range of the lamp unit's light on, off, or dims it in predetermined units; and a control unit that controls the driver. The control unit extinguishes or dims a first projection range of the lamp unit's light projection range that directly projects light toward a pedestrian's head, and projects a predetermined accent light onto a second projection range, which is the projection range of the projected light that is orthogonally reflected from the road surface and reaches the pedestrian's body excluding the head.

[0014] The effects of the invention

[0015] According to the present invention, since the light is emphasized to reach the pedestrian's body other than the head by positive reflection from the road surface, the driver of the vehicle can easily identify the pedestrian, and the pedestrian is less likely to feel glare. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the lighting system 100 and the vehicle 200 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 (a) is a diagram showing the projection range (segment) of the matrix-arranged LEDs 13 of the left headlight 10 of the lamp system 100 of Embodiment 1. Figure 2 (b) is a diagram showing the projection range (segment) of the matrix-arranged LEDs 23 of the right headlight 20. Figure 2 (c) is a diagram showing the composite projection range (segment) of the left and right headlights 10 and 20.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the projection range 31-35 of the headlight 20 on the side closer to the pedestrian 50 and the pedestrian 50, as viewed from the side of the vehicle 200 of Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the lamp system 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the method for determining the position (critical point) T of the positive reflected light from the road surface illuminating the neck of pedestrian 50 in Implementation Method 1.

[0021] Figure 6(a) is a diagram showing the projection range (segment) of the matrix-arranged LEDs 13 of the left headlamp 10 of the lamp system 100 in embodiment 2. Figure 6 (b) is a diagram showing the projection range (segment) of the matrix-arranged LEDs 23 of the right headlight 20. Figure 6 (c) is a diagram showing the composite projection range (segment) of the left and right headlights 10 and 20.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the projection range 31-35 of the headlight 20 on the side closer to the pedestrian 50 and the pedestrian 50, as viewed from the side of the vehicle 200 in Embodiment 2.

[0023] Figure 8 (a) is a diagram showing the projection range (segment) of the matrix-arranged LEDs 13 of the left headlight 10 of the lamp system 100 in embodiment 3. Figure 8 (b) is a diagram showing the projection range (segment) of the matrix-arranged LEDs 23 of the right headlight 20. Figure 8 (c) is a diagram showing the composite projection range (segment) of the left and right headlights 10 and 20.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the projection range 31-35 of the headlight 20 on the side closer to the pedestrian 50 and the pedestrian 50, as viewed from the side of the vehicle 200 in Embodiment 3.

[0025] Figure 10 (a) is a diagram showing the projection range (segment) of the matrix-arranged LEDs 13 of the left headlight 10 of the lamp system 100 in embodiment 4. Figure 10 (b) is a diagram showing the projection range (segment) of the matrix-arranged LEDs 23 of the right headlight 20. Figure 10 (c) is a diagram showing the composite projection range (segment) of the left and right headlights 10 and 20.

[0026] Label Explanation

[0027] 10: Left headlight; 11: Headlight unit; 12: LED driver; 13: LED; 20: Right headlight; 21: Headlight unit; 22: LED driver; 23: LED; 30: Light ECU; 31: First projection range; 32: Third projection range; 33: Second projection range; 34: Fourth projection range; 35: Fifth projection range; 36: Sixth projection range; 40: Sensor; 50: Pedestrian; 50a: Head; 50b: Body; 100: Lighting system; 130: Road surface; 200: Vehicle. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described using the accompanying drawings.

[0029] <<<Implementation Method 1>>>

[0030] The vehicle lighting system 100 of Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 1 The overall structure of the lighting system 100 is shown. Figure 2 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the projection range of the LEDs 13 and 23 arranged in a matrix for the left and right headlights 10 and 20. Figure 2 (c) shows the state in which the projection ranges of the left and right headlamps 10 and 20 overlap. Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the projection range of the left and right headlights 10 and 20 as viewed from the side of vehicle 200.

[0031] Lighting system 100 is the vehicle's headlight system. Lighting system 100, as... Figure 1 As shown in the diagram, it includes a left headlight 10 and a right headlight 20, as well as a lamp ECU (electronic control unit) 30 that controls them.

[0032] The left headlamp 10 includes a headlamp unit 11 and an LED driver 12. The headlamp unit 11 has multiple LEDs (light-emitting elements) 13 arranged in a matrix. Figure 2 As shown in (a), light from multiple LEDs 13 is projected onto a predetermined range in front of the vehicle through an optical lens (not shown). The LED driver 12 can individually control the LEDs (light-emitting elements) 13 arranged in a matrix in a predetermined number, and can turn the projection range of the headlight unit 11 on / off or reduce / increase the brightness in segments of a predetermined size. As long as the LED driver 12 can control the projection range of the light in segments, it can control the LEDs 13 individually or in groups of multiple LEDs 13. In this embodiment, as an example, the LED driver 12 is configured to control the LEDs 13 one by one, turning on / off or reducing / increasing the brightness of approximately rectangular segments of the light projected onto each LED 13.

[0033] Similarly, the right headlight 20 includes a headlight unit 21 and an LED driver 22. Within the headlight unit 21, multiple LEDs 23 are arranged in a matrix. As an example, the LED driver 22 individually controls multiple LEDs 23, such as... Figure 2 As shown in (b), the LED driver 22 can turn on or off or reduce / increase the light of the approximately rectangular segments projected by each LED 23.

[0034] The lamp ECU 30 controls LED drivers 12 and 22. Therefore, the lamp ECU 30 controls the headlight on the side of the left and right headlights 10 and 20 closest to the pedestrian 50 in the following manner (in... Figure 2 The projection range of the light from the headlamp unit 21 (right-side headlamp 20) is controlled. That is, as... Figure 2 (b) and Figure 3 As shown, the light is turned off or reduced in the first projection range 31 and the third projection range 32. The first projection range 31 is the projection range in which light is directly projected onto the head 50a of the pedestrian 50, and the third projection range 32 is the projection range in which the projected light is reflected positively from the road surface 130 and reaches the head 50a of the pedestrian 50. Furthermore, the lamp ECU 30 projects a predetermined accent light into the second projection range 33, which is the projection range in which the projected light is reflected positively from the road surface 130 and reaches the body 50b of the pedestrian 50, excluding the head 50a.

[0035] This reduces the amount of light hitting the head 50a of the pedestrian 50, thus mitigating glare (dazzle) for the pedestrian. At the same time, the accent light reflected from the road surface 130 is projected onto the body 50b of the pedestrian 50, thus increasing the brightness of the pedestrian's body 50b for the driver and making it easier to visually identify.

[0036] The ECU30 controls the headlight on the side furthest from the pedestrian (50) of the left and right headlights 10 and 20. Figure 2 The fourth projection range 34 of the light projected directly onto the pedestrian 50 from the projection range of the headlamp unit 11 (left headlamp 10) is turned off or reduced.

[0037] Therefore, the beams of the left and right headlights 10 and 20 will not overlap, making it easier for the driver to judge the position of the pedestrian 50. Furthermore, the beam from the headlight on the side furthest from the pedestrian 50 will not cross in front of the vehicle, thus preventing the phenomenon of light being reflected by raindrops and forming a glare in the driver's field of vision, especially in heavy rain. Therefore, even in rainy weather, the driver can easily observe the area in front of them.

[0038] The lighting ECU 30 is connected to sensors 40 in the vehicle 200, including an onboard camera, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), millimeter-wave radar, raindrop recognition device, and wiper switch, and receives the outputs from the sensors 40. Based on the received outputs from the sensors 40, the lighting ECU 30 controls the LED drivers 12 and 22. Specifically, based on the position and size of the pedestrian 50 detected by the sensors 40, it calculates the first projection range 31 to the fourth projection range 34, causing the LEDs 13 and 23 to be turned off, dimmed, or brightened. This enables the vehicle-based lighting system 100 to perform additional functions for the adaptive high beam (ADB) system.

[0039] Furthermore, the headlamp units 11 and 21 can have any structure, and are not limited to controlling the LEDs 13 and 23 arranged in a matrix, as long as they can turn the projection range of light on and off or reduce / increase the light in segments of a specified size. Systems such as: LED segmented ADB systems that turn LEDs arranged only in the horizontal direction on and off and project them in the vertical direction using lenses; LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) headlamp systems that use LEDs as light sources and use liquid crystal elements to turn the light through each area on / off to form light distribution; systems that use MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) mirrors to scan the light from a laser source while projecting it using optical lenses to form light distribution; and systems that use DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) devices that allow multiple micromirrors to move to project light from LEDs to form light distribution.

[0040] <<Implementation Method 1>>

[0041] The operation of the vehicle lighting system according to Embodiment 1 will be described below.

[0042] In Implementation 1, control is performed in such a way that light is not directly projected onto the head 50a of the pedestrian 50, nor is light directly projected onto the body 50b, but the stressed light reflected from the road surface 130 illuminates the body 50b.

[0043] use Figure 4 The process describes the control actions of the lamp ECU30.

[0044] It should be noted that the lamp ECU30 is composed of a computer or similar device equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and memory. The lamp ECU30's functions are implemented by the processor reading and executing programs stored in memory. Alternatively, part or all of the lamp ECU30 can be constructed using hardware. For example, the circuit design can utilize custom ICs such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) or programmable ICs such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) to implement the lamp ECU30's functions.

[0045] (Step 101)

[0046] First, the light ECU 30 acquires images from the onboard camera in the sensor 40 of the vehicle 200.

[0047] (Step 102)

[0048] If the brightness of the image acquired in step 101 is below a specified value, the lamp ECU 30 determines that it is nighttime. Alternatively, the lamp ECU 30 can also determine whether it is nighttime based on the time of day.

[0049] (Step 103)

[0050] If it is determined in step 102 that it is nighttime, the lamp ECU30 instructs the LED drivers 12 and 22 to illuminate the headlight units 11 and 21.

[0051] (Step 104)

[0052] LED drivers 12 and 22 supply power to all LEDs 13 and 23 of headlight units 11 and 21 to light up LEDs 13 and 23.

[0053] (Step 105)

[0054] The ECU30 acquires and processes images from the vehicle-mounted camera to determine whether the image contains a pedestrian 50.

[0055] (Step 106)

[0056] In the presence of an oncoming vehicle 2, the light ECU 30 detects the position of pedestrian 50 relative to the vehicle 200 based on images acquired from the onboard camera. Specifically, it detects the distance d of pedestrian 50 relative to the vehicle 200. P The system includes the direction, position of the head 50a (the top of the head 50a and the position of the neck), position of the pedestrian 50's feet (the bottom of the body 50b), and width of the body 50b. For example, the positions of the top of the head 50a and the feet can be detected by extracting the top and bottom pixels of the pedestrian 50 using image processing. The width of the body can be detected by extracting the pixels of the pedestrian in the left-right direction using image processing. The position of the neck can be calculated by calculating the height based on the position of the top of the head 50a and the position of the road surface 130, and then multiplying the height by a predetermined coefficient. Alternatively, the outline of the pedestrian can be extracted using image processing, and the position of the neck can be detected based on the outline shape.

[0057] (Step 107)

[0058] The lamp ECU 30 determines a fourth projection range 34 obtained by adding the first projection range 31 and the fifth projection range 35. The first projection range 31 is the projection range that directly projects light onto the head 50a (the uppermost part of the head 50a and the neck area) of the pedestrian 50 detected in step 106, and the fifth projection range 35 is the projection range that directly projects light onto the body 50b. Furthermore, the lamp ECU 30 determines segments in the left and right headlamp units 11 and 21 that project light into the fourth projection range 34 at a distance equal to the width of the body, and instructs the LED drivers 12 and 22 to turn off or reduce the brightness of the LEDs 13 and 23 corresponding to these segments.

[0059] Therefore, as Figure 2 of (a) Figure 2 As shown in (b), the light from the lighting system will not directly illuminate the head 50a and body 50b of pedestrian 50, and will not cause glare (dazzle) to pedestrian 50.

[0060] (Step 108)

[0061] Next, the light ECU 30 receives the output from the sensor 40 indicating whether the wiper switch is on or off, and / or the output from the raindrop detection device used to identify whether there are raindrops on the windshield. If the wiper switch is on, or if the raindrop detection device detects raindrops on the windshield, the light ECU 30 determines that the road surface is wet. If the road surface is not wet, it returns to step 105.

[0062] (Step 109)

[0063] If the road surface is determined to be wet in step 108, then... Figure 5 As shown, the light ECU30 adjusts the height h from the road surface to the pedestrian's neck. p The distance d between this vehicle (200) and the pedestrian (50) P The pre-calculated height h of the headlights 10 and 20 above the road surface HL To calculate the distance d from the vehicle to the position (critical point) T of the light projected from the headlamp 20 on the side closest to pedestrian 50, reflected orthogonally from the road surface 130, reaching the pedestrian 50's neck on the road surface. T .

[0064] The light ECU 30 sets the range from the calculated position T to the feet of the pedestrian 50 as the second projection range 33. The second projection range 33 is the projection range of the projected light reflecting off the road surface and reaching the pedestrian 50's body 50b, excluding the head 50a. In addition, the range from the calculated position T to the vehicle 200 is set as the third projection range 32. The third projection range 32 is the projection range of the projected light reflecting off the road surface and reaching the pedestrian's head.

[0065] The distance d of the specific location T T The calculation method is as follows: First, the lamp ECU30 calculates the angle θ at the position where the light emitted from the headlight 20 is reflected from the road surface and reaches the neck using the following formula (1). CP Furthermore, based on the angle θ CP The distance d at position T is calculated using equation (2). T .

[0066] θ CP =tan -1 ((h HL +h p ) / d P ...(1)

[0067] d T =h HL / tanθ CP ...(2)

[0068] (Step 110)

[0069] The lamp ECU30 instructs the headlamp 20 on the side closest to the pedestrian 50 to project a predetermined accent light from the segment corresponding to the second projection range 33. For example, light with an intensity stronger than the usual projection light and a wavelength different from the usual projection light is used as the accent light and emitted from the LED 23. As a result, the light projected onto the second projection range 33 is positively reflected by the road surface 130 and reaches the pedestrian 50's body 50b, excluding the head 50a.

[0070] At the same time, the lamp ECU30 turns off or dims the segment of the headlamp 20 on the side closest to the pedestrian 50 that corresponds to the third projection range 32. This prevents light projected from the headlamp 20 from being reflected positively from the road surface 130 and reaching the head 50a of the pedestrian 50, thus preventing glare (dazzle).

[0071] Furthermore, at the same time, the lamp ECU 30 extinguishes or reduces the brightness of the section of the headlight 10 on the side furthest from the pedestrian 50, from the pedestrian 50's feet to the sixth projection range 36 of the headlight 10. This further suppresses the light projected from the headlight 10 from crossing in front of the vehicle 200 and being reflected by raindrops to form a light curtain.

[0072] (Step 111)

[0073] The ECU 30 retrieves and processes images from the vehicle-mounted camera again to determine if there is a pedestrian 50. If there is a pedestrian, it returns to step 108 and repeats steps 108-110. If there is no pedestrian 50 (who has already passed by), it proceeds to step 112.

[0074] (Step 112)

[0075] Similar to step 102, the light ECU 30 determines whether it is still nighttime. If it is still nighttime, it returns to step 105 and repeats steps 105-111. If it is no longer nighttime (it is daytime), it proceeds to step 113.

[0076] (Step 113)

[0077] The lamp ECU30 instructs LED drivers 12 and 22 to turn off the headlights. LED drivers 12 and 13 turn off all headlight units 11 and 12.

[0078] As described above, according to embodiment 1, such as Figure 2 As shown in (b), the first projection range 31, which directly projects light onto the head 50a of the pedestrian 50, and the third projection range 32, which reflects the projected light onto the road surface 130 and reaches the head 50a of the pedestrian 50, can be extinguished or dimmed. Furthermore, the lamp ECU 30 can project a predetermined accent light from a segment of the second projection range 33, which is the projection range of the projected light reflecting onto the road surface 130 and reaching the body 50b of the pedestrian 50, excluding the head 50a.

[0079] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown in (a), the lamp ECU 30 extinguishes or reduces the light intensity of the fourth projection range 34 of the light projection range of the headlamp 10 on the side of the left and right headlamps 10 and 20 that directly projects light onto the pedestrian 50, and the segment corresponding to the sixth projection range 36 from the feet of the pedestrian 50 to the headlamp 10.

[0080] Therefore, as Figure 2 As shown in (c), the light illuminating the head 50a of the pedestrian 50 can be reduced, thus reducing glare (dazzle) to the pedestrian. At the same time, since the stressed light reflected from the road surface 130 is projected onto the body 50b of the pedestrian 50, the brightness of the body 50b of the pedestrian 50 is increased for the driver, making it easier to visually identify.

[0081] Furthermore, the beams of the left and right headlights 10 and 20 do not overlap, making it easy for the driver to determine the position of the pedestrian 50. Also, the beam of the headlight 10 on the side furthest from the pedestrian 50 does not cross in front of the vehicle, thus preventing the phenomenon of light being reflected by raindrops and forming a glare in the driver's field of vision, especially in heavy rain. Therefore, even in rainy weather, the driver can easily observe the area in front of them.

[0082] In addition, in Embodiment 1, the effect of preventing glare from pedestrian 50 is improved by controlling it in the following way: in addition to not directly projecting light onto the head 50a of pedestrian 50, light is not directly projected onto the body 50b, but the stressed light reflected from the road surface 130 is directed to the body 50b.

[0083] <<<Implementation Method 2>>>

[0084] The lamp system 100 of Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0085] In the lighting system 100 of embodiment 2, such as Figure 6 (b)~(c) and Figure 7 As shown, the headlamp 20 on the side closest to the pedestrian 50 not only illuminates the stressed light from the segment corresponding to the second projection range 33, but also illuminates the stressed light from the segment corresponding to the fifth projection range 35, which is the projection range that directly projects light onto the part of the body 50b below the neck of the pedestrian 50.

[0086] In addition, such as Figure 6 As shown in (a), in the headlamp 10 on the side away from the pedestrian 50, the segment corresponding to the fifth projection range 35 that directly projects light onto the part of the body 50b below the neck of the pedestrian 50 is not extinguished or dimmed, but the light is projected at the normal intensity.

[0087] Therefore, the part of the body 50b below the neck of the pedestrian 50 can be highlighted, making it easier to visually identify the position of the pedestrian 50.

[0088] Such an action is described in implementation method 1. Figure 4 Step 110 can be achieved by illuminating a segment of the second projection range 33 of the headlamp 20 on the side closer to the pedestrian 50 with an emphasis light, and illuminating a segment of the fifth projection range 35 of the headlamp 10 on the side farther from the pedestrian 50 with an emphasis light, and illuminating the segment of the headlamp 10 on the side farther from the pedestrian 50 that corresponds to the fifth projection range 35.

[0089] Other structures, actions, and effects are the same as in Implementation Method 1, so descriptions are omitted.

[0090] <<<Implementation Method 3>>>

[0091] The lamp system 100 of Embodiment 3 will be described.

[0092] Regarding the lamp system 100 in embodiment 3, as follows Figure 8 (a)~(c) and Figure 9 As shown, in the headlights 10 and 20 on the left and right sides, the segment corresponding to the third projection range 32 on the side of the vehicle 200 near the position T is normally lit.

[0093] Therefore, it has the advantage that the driver can ensure visibility of the area in front of the vehicle 200.

[0094] Furthermore, the light projected onto the third projection range 32 is reflected by the wet road surface 130 and directed towards the head 50a or above the pedestrian 50. However, the third projection range 32 is the closest to the vehicle 200 and the furthest from the pedestrian 50. Additionally, the reflected light from the wet road surface 130 is easily diffused and is not a focused illumination but rather a general lighting effect. Therefore, the glare caused to the pedestrian 50 is not strong.

[0095] The action of implementation method 3 is based on that of implementation method 1. Figure 4 Step 110 can be achieved in the following way: the third projection range 32 of the headlamps 10 and 20 is kept normally lit without being turned off or dimmed.

[0096] Other structures, actions, and effects are the same as in Implementation Method 1, so descriptions are omitted.

[0097] Alternatively, the structure of Embodiment 3 that prevents the third projection range 32 from being extinguished or reduced in light can also be applied to the lamp system of Embodiment 2.

[0098] <<<Implementation Method 4>>>

[0099] use Figure 10 The lighting system of Embodiment 4 will be described.

[0100] In Embodiment 4, the projection range of the extinguished or reduced light and the projection range of the irradiated emphasized light are the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0101] However, it is composed of Figure 10 The light distribution pattern of the left headlamp 10 shown in (a) and Figure 10 The light distribution pattern of the right headlamp 20 shown in (b) is projected in such a way that it overlaps only in the area near the center, as... Figure 10 Like (c), the headlamp illuminates a wide range in the left and right directions.

[0102] Therefore, as Figure 10 As shown in (a), in the left headlamp 10, the segment corresponding to the projected area of ​​being turned off or dimmed is to the right. Figure 10 In (b), the right headlamp 20 has the section that is turned off or dimmed and the section that illuminates the brighter light on the left.

[0103] Thus, even when the light distribution patterns of the left and right headlights only partially overlap to generate an overall light distribution pattern, the same effect as in embodiment 1 can be achieved by adjusting the extinguishing position of the left and right headlights according to the position of the oncoming vehicle.

[0104] In the embodiments described above, the headlight unit 11 uses a plurality of LEDs (light-emitting elements) 13 arranged in a matrix, which are projected onto a predetermined range in front of the vehicle through optical lenses (not shown). The LED driver 12 individually controls the matrix-arranged LEDs (light-emitting elements) 13 in a predetermined number of units, and turns the projection range of the headlight unit 11 on or off, or reduces / increases the light, in segments of a predetermined size. However, there is also an optical system (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-081831) in which a mirror, such as a MEMS mirror, can be rotated 2D without segmenting the projection range, allowing the desired projection range to be lit up or turned off, or reduced / increased, seamlessly (without segmenting). The optical system includes a light source (blue laser or blue LED), a MEMS mirror, a wavelength conversion layer, and a projection lens. The light from the light source is focused and directed towards the MEMS mirror. The MEMS mirror is driven in two dimensions and reflects light towards the wavelength conversion layer, enabling scanning in both vertical and horizontal directions. It also scans the entire rectangular, yellow-emitting wavelength conversion layer in a serpentine pattern. The laser-irradiated area emits yellow light, and the blue light from the laser mixes with the yellow light, causing white light to be directed towards the projection lens. This white light is then focused or diffused towards the vehicle's front. It is preferable to perform the control described in embodiments 1-4 only by different optical systems. However, the method of illuminating pedestrians in step 110 differs from embodiments 1-4; the light source is turned on for the desired projection area. The projection area to be turned off or dimmed can be achieved by turning off or dimming the blue laser scanning the portion of the wavelength conversion layer corresponding to that projection area. In the case of an optical system using a MEMS mirror, there is no unit such as a segment. In other words, regarding the projection range, depending on the optical system, if the projection range is divided into segments, it also includes the case where the projection range is a seamless unit without segmentation.

[0105] <<<Application of the product>>>

[0106] The lighting system of this embodiment can be used for automotive headlights.

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting system, characterized in that, have: A lamp unit that projects light onto a specified area; A driver that turns on, off, or dims a portion of the projection range of the light from the lamp unit; and The control unit controls the driver. The control unit performs the following processing: The first projection range of the light projected directly onto the head of the pedestrian is extinguished or reduced, and a predetermined emphasis light is projected onto the second projection range, which is the projection range of the pedestrian's body other than the head, where the projected light is reflected positively from the road surface. The projected light is extinguished or reduced in the third projection area that is reflected positively from the road surface and reaches the pedestrian's head.

2. A vehicle lighting system, characterized in that, have: A lamp unit that projects light onto a specified area; A driver that turns on, off, or dims a portion of the projection range of the light from the lamp unit; and The control unit controls the driver. The control unit performs the following processing: The first projection range of the light unit that directly projects light onto the head of a pedestrian is extinguished or reduced, and a predetermined emphasis light is projected onto the second projection range, which is the projection range of the pedestrian's body other than the head, where the projected light is reflected positively from the road surface. Determine whether the road surface is wet, and project the emphasis light onto the second projection range only if the road surface is determined to be wet.

3. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control unit processes the image of the pedestrian captured by the vehicle and calculates the height (h) from the road surface to the pedestrian's neck. p ) and the distance (d) between the vehicle and the pedestrian P ), The control unit is based on the height (h) p ) and the distance (d) P ), calculate the following position (T) on the road surface: the position (T) is the position where the light projected from the lamp unit is reflected onto the pedestrian's neck by the road surface, and the range from the calculated position (T) to the pedestrian's feet is set as the second projection range.

4. A vehicle lighting system, characterized in that, have: A lamp unit that projects light onto a specified area; A driver that turns on, off, or dims a portion of the projection range of the light from the lamp unit; and The control unit controls the driver. The control unit performs the following processing: The first projection range of the light unit that directly projects light onto the head of a pedestrian is extinguished or reduced, and a predetermined emphasis light is projected onto the second projection range, which is the projection range of the pedestrian's body other than the head, where the projected light is reflected positively from the road surface. The projected light is reflected off the road surface and illuminates the third projection area around the pedestrian's head.

5. The vehicle lighting system according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4, characterized in that, The control unit processes the image of the pedestrian captured by the vehicle to determine the first projection range and the second projection range.

6. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, The control unit processes the image of the pedestrian captured by the vehicle and calculates the height (h) from the road surface to the pedestrian's neck. p ) and the distance (d) between the vehicle and the pedestrian P ), The control unit is based on the height (h) p ) and the distance (d) P ), calculate the following position (T) on the road surface: the position (T) is the position where the light projected from the lamp unit is reflected onto the pedestrian's neck by the road surface, and the range from the calculated position (T) to the pedestrian's feet is set as the second projection range.

7. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The range from the location (T) to the vehicle is defined as the third projection range.

8. The vehicle lighting system according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4, characterized in that, The lamp unit includes light-emitting elements arranged in a matrix. The driver turns the light on, off, or dims the light in units of the light-emitting elements.

9. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, The control unit determines whether the road surface is wet, and projects the emphasis light onto the second projection range only if the road surface is determined to be wet.

10. The vehicle lighting system according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4, characterized in that, The lamp units are a pair, arranged separately in the left-right direction across the vehicle's central axis. The control unit performs the process of determining the first projection range, the fifth projection range, and the fourth projection range. The first projection range is the projection range of light directly projected onto the pedestrian's head. The fifth projection range is the projection range of light directly projected onto the pedestrian's body other than the head. The fourth projection range is the projection range obtained by adding the first projection range and the fifth projection range. The control unit performs a process that extinguishes or reduces the light intensity of the fourth projection range of the light projected directly onto the pedestrian from the projection range of the light unit on the side of the pair of lamp units furthest from the pedestrian.

11. The vehicle lighting system according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4, characterized in that, The lamp units are a pair, arranged separately in the left-right direction across the vehicle's central axis. The control unit performs the following processing: the lamp unit on the side closer to the pedestrian in a pair of lamp units projects the stressed light not only into the second projection range but also into the fifth projection range, and the lamp unit on the side farther from the pedestrian projects the stressed light into the fifth projection range with an intensity no brighter than the stressed light, the fifth projection range being the projection range of the pedestrian's body excluding the head.

12. A control method for a vehicle lighting system, the vehicle lighting system comprising: a lamp unit that projects light onto a predetermined range; and a driver that turns on, off, or reduces the brightness of a portion of the projection range of the light from the lamp unit. The control method for the vehicle lighting system is characterized by including the following steps: Find the first projection range of the light directly projected onto the pedestrian's head, and the second projection range of the projected light reflected off the road surface and reaching the pedestrian's body (excluding the head); and The first projection area is turned off or dimmed, and a predetermined emphasis light is projected onto the second projection area. The control method for the vehicle lighting system also includes a step of determining whether the road surface is wet. In the step of projecting the predetermined emphasis light, the emphasis light is projected onto the second projection range only if the road surface is determined to be wet.

13. A computer program product comprising a lamp control program, wherein, The light control program causes the computer to perform the following steps: Determine the first projection range of the light directly projected onto the pedestrian's head, and the second projection range of the projected light reflected off the road surface and reaching the pedestrian's body (excluding the head); and The lamp unit's first projection area is turned off or dimmed, and a predetermined accent light is projected onto the second projection area. The light control program also causes the computer to perform a step of determining whether the road surface is wet. In the step of projecting the predetermined emphasis light, the emphasis light is projected onto the second projection range only if the road surface is determined to be wet.

14. A vehicle equipped with a vehicle lighting system according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4.

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