Predictive control system of intelligent headlight and method thereof

Abstract

A predictive control system of a smart headlight includes a front imaging unit configured to obtain a front image by capturing an image of a field of view in front of a host vehicle, a detection sensor configured to simultaneously monitor front and rear blind spots of the host vehicle, the headlight, and an image processing unit configured to process the front image and the detection sensor. A vehicle-mounted device includes a vehicle-mounted unit configured to radiate a high beam in front of a host vehicle based on a radiation area provided by a front imaging unit and a detection sensor, and a vehicle control unit configured to generate a control instruction to change a radiation form of a headlight based on information of the front imaging unit and the detection sensor; and a driving unit configured to drive the headlight based on a control instruction from the vehicle control unit.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application with an application date of July 1, 2020, application number 202010619077.2, and invention name “Predictive control system and method for intelligent headlights”. Technical Field

[0002] Exemplary embodiments / implementations relate to a predictive control system and method for intelligent headlights, and more particularly to a predictive control system and method for intelligent headlights that expands the predictive control range of blind spots by applying front and rear radar information to a lighting system according to situations in which an overtaking vehicle suddenly appears or follows a preceding vehicle, thereby fundamentally preventing other drivers from being blinded. Background Art

[0003] Typically, smart lights, adaptive driving beams (ADB), or high beam assistance (HBA) are camera-based nighttime driving safety systems that are configured to enhance the visibility of the host vehicle driver while minimizing blinding impairments to other drivers. However, such nighttime driving safety systems are incomplete systems that may pose a safety threat by temporarily blinding the driver of the vehicle, which may occur rapidly from a blind spot due to the limited field of view of a single system.

[0004] Due to the nature of the front camera's image processing algorithm, it's impossible to detect sudden appearances in real time, such as when a vehicle suddenly appears to be overtaking or following a vehicle ahead. Furthermore, due to the limitations of nighttime light source recognition, it's difficult to determine if a taillight's light source belongs to a vehicle until it's fully visible within the field of view.

[0005] In addition, according to the existing technology using rear-side radar, vehicles that usually overtake in the adjacent lane can be detected and predictive control of the headlights can be performed, but vehicles appearing from the front blind spot (vehicles that suddenly appear from a lane other than the adjacent lane, or vehicles in front that appear or deviate from the field of view) cannot be detected, resulting in obstruction of vision.

[0006] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a predictive control system and method for intelligent headlights. This system, based on the sudden appearance of an overtaking vehicle or the situation following a preceding vehicle, fundamentally prevents blinding of other drivers by applying front and rear radar information to the lighting system to expand the predictive control range of blind spots. This system also provides a system capable of performing 360-degree predictive control by overcoming blind spots using front / rear radar, surround radar, or four-corner radar. This system utilizes technology to improve the performance of glare-free high beams, configured to minimize blinding damage to drivers of vehicles traveling ahead or those appearing suddenly, without increasing production costs. By minimizing glare, intelligent headlights can be used without worrying about harming other drivers. Furthermore, the system can be implemented by utilizing sensors installed in various locations within the vehicle without increasing the number of components.

[0008] The technical objectives of the present invention are not limited to the above objectives, and those skilled in the art can clearly understand other technical objectives from the following disclosure.

[0009] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a predictive control system for intelligent headlights, comprising: a front imaging unit configured to obtain a front image by capturing an image of a field of view in front of a host vehicle; a detection sensor configured to simultaneously monitor the front and rear blind spots of the host vehicle; a headlight configured to radiate high beams in front of the host vehicle based on a radiation area set by the front imaging unit and the detection sensor; a vehicle control unit configured to generate a control instruction based on information from the front imaging unit and the detection sensor to change the radiation form of the headlights; and a drive unit configured to drive the headlights based on the control instruction from the vehicle control unit.

[0010] The detection sensors may include front and rear side radars, surround radars, or four-corner radars.

[0011] In the case where the headlights are adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlights, when the vehicle control unit determines that an overtaking vehicle is present on the left or right side of the main vehicle by analyzing information from the front imaging unit and the detection sensor, when the overtaking vehicle appears on the left, the vehicle control unit transmits a control instruction to the drive unit to pre-turn off the lighting of a partial area on the left, or when the overtaking vehicle appears on the right, the vehicle control unit transmits a control instruction to the drive unit to pre-turn off the lighting of a partial area on the right; or in the case where the headlights are high beam assist (HBA) headlights, when the overtaking vehicle appears on the left or right, the vehicle control unit transmits a control instruction to the drive unit to pre-turn off the high beam that is being output.

[0012] In the case where the headlights are adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlights, when the vehicle control unit determines that a leading vehicle is present on the left or right side of the main vehicle by analyzing information from the front imaging unit and the detection sensor, when the leading vehicle appears on the left, the vehicle control unit transmits a control instruction to the drive unit to pre-turn off the lighting of a partial area on the left, or when the leading vehicle appears on the right, transmits a control instruction to the drive unit to pre-turn off the lighting of a partial area on the right; or in the case where the headlights are HBA headlights, when the leading vehicle appears on the left or right, the vehicle control unit transmits a control instruction to the drive unit to pre-turn off the high beam that is being output.

[0013] When the vehicle control unit determines that there are no overtaking vehicles and leading vehicles based on analyzing information from the front imaging unit and the detection sensor, the vehicle control unit transmits a control instruction configured to allow the headlights to output high beams to the drive unit.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a predictive control method for intelligent headlights is provided. The predictive control method includes: obtaining a front image by capturing an image of a field of view in front of a host vehicle using a front imaging unit, while simultaneously monitoring the front and rear blind spots of the host vehicle using a detection sensor; generating, by a vehicle control unit, a control instruction based on a radiation area set by the front imaging unit and the detection sensor to control a radiation pattern of the headlights, wherein the headlights radiate a high beam in front of the host vehicle; and driving, by a drive unit, the headlights based on the control instruction from the vehicle control unit.

[0015] Monitoring may include using front and rear side radar, surround radar, or four corner radar to monitor the host vehicle's front and rear blind spots.

[0016] Generating control instructions may include: the vehicle control unit determining the presence of an overtaking vehicle on the left or right side of the main vehicle by analyzing information from the front imaging unit and the detection sensor; in a case where the headlights are adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlights, when the overtaking vehicle appears on the left, transmitting a control instruction to the drive unit to pre-turn off the lighting of a portion of the left area, or when the overtaking vehicle appears on the right, transmitting a control instruction to the drive unit to pre-turn off the lighting of a portion of the right area; and in a case where the headlights are low beam auxiliary lights (HBA), when the overtaking vehicle appears on the left or right, transmitting a control instruction to the drive unit to pre-turn off the high beam that is being output.

[0017] Generating control instructions may also include: the vehicle control unit determining the presence of a leading vehicle on the left or right side of the main vehicle by analyzing information from the front imaging unit and the detection sensor; in the case where the headlights are adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlights, when the leading vehicle appears on the left, transmitting a control instruction to the drive unit to pre-turn off the lighting of the left part of the area, or when the leading vehicle appears on the right, transmitting a control instruction to the drive unit to pre-turn off the lighting of the right part of the area; and in the case where the headlights are HBA headlights, when the leading vehicle appears on the left or right, transmitting a control instruction to the drive unit to pre-turn off the high beam that is being output.

[0018] The generating control may further include transmitting a control instruction configured to allow the headlights to output high beam to the driving unit when the vehicle control unit determines that there are no overtaking vehicles and leading vehicles based on analyzing information from the front imaging unit and the detection sensor.

[0019] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0021] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a predictive control system of an intelligent headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an initial state of a predictive control system of an intelligent headlamp according to an embodiment described herein.

[0023] Figure 3A and Figure 3B is a diagram illustrating an overtaking vehicle on the left side of a host vehicle according to a predictive control system for intelligent headlights according to embodiments described herein.

[0024] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a diagram showing an overtaking vehicle on the right side of a host vehicle, in which the predictive control system of an intelligent headlight according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the overtaking vehicle.

[0025] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the predictive control system of the intelligent headlight according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a leading vehicle.

[0026] Figure 6A and Figure 6BFIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state where the prediction control system of the intelligent headlight according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a leading vehicle.

[0027] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a predictive control method of an intelligent headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings that illustrate embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make this disclosure thorough and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Identical reference numerals in the accompanying drawings represent identical elements.

[0029] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that even if the same element is shown in different drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same element. When it is considered that such a description hinders the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions related to well-known configurations or functions will not be provided.

[0030] The terms "first", "second", "A", "B", "(a)", "(b)", etc. may be used herein to describe elements of embodiments of the present invention. However, these terms are only used to distinguish one element from other elements, and the attributes or order of these elements are not limited by these terms. Unless otherwise defined, the terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those understood by those skilled in the art. It will also be understood that, unless expressly defined herein, commonly used terms should also be interpreted as customary terms in the relevant art, rather than idealized or overly formalized meanings.

[0031] As is customary in the art, some exemplary embodiments are described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings according to functional blocks, units and / or modules. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that these blocks, units and / or modules are physically implemented by the electronic (or optical) circuits of, for example, logic circuits, discrete components, microprocessors, hard-wired circuits, storage elements, wiring connections, etc., and the electronic (or optical) circuits can be formed using semiconductor-based manufacturing techniques or other manufacturing techniques. In the case of blocks, units and / or modules implemented by microprocessors or other similar hardware, software (for example, microcode) can be used to program and control them to perform the various functions discussed herein, and can be optionally driven by firmware and / or software. It can also be expected that each block, unit and / or module can be implemented by dedicated hardware, or implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware performing some functions and a processor performing other operations (for example, one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuits). Moreover, without departing from the scope of the present invention, each block, unit and / or module of some exemplary embodiments can be physically divided into two or more interacting and discrete blocks, units and / or modules. Furthermore, the blocks, units and / or modules of some exemplary embodiments may be physically combined into more complex blocks, units and / or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

[0032] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the system may be implemented via software, hardware (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processing (DSP) chip, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.), firmware, or a combination thereof. In this manner, one or more components thereof may include or be associated with one or more memories (not shown), the one or more memories including codes (e.g., instructions) configured to cause the sending of control instructions, including driving high-beam and low-beam headlight lighting, and driving commands and / or one or more components thereof to perform one or more of the features, functions, processes, etc. described herein.

[0033] Memory can be any medium that participates in providing code to one or more software, hardware, and / or firmware components for execution. Such memory can be implemented in any suitable form, including but not limited to non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks. Volatile media include dynamic memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire, and optical fiber. Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic, optical, or electromagnetic waves. For example, common forms of computer-readable media include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, magnetic tape, any other magnetic media, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), compact disc rewritable (CD-RW), digital video disc (DVD), rewritable DVD (DVD-RW), any other optical media, punch cards, paper tape, optical marking paper, any other physical medium with a pattern of holes or other optically identifiable markings, random access memory (RAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM) and erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, carrier wave, or any other medium from which information can be read, for example, by a controller / processor.

[0034] In the following, reference will be made to Figure 1 6 to 6 , an embodiment of the present invention is described in detail.

[0035] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a predictive control system 100 of an intelligent headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 4 to 4 are diagrams showing a state where the prediction control system of the intelligent headlight according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to an overtaking vehicle. Figure 5 and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where the prediction control system of the intelligent headlight according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a leading vehicle.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 The prediction control system 100 of the intelligent headlight may include a front imaging unit 110 , a front / rear side detection sensor 130 , a vehicle control unit 170 , a driving unit 195 , and a headlight 197 .

[0037] The front imaging unit 110 is provided with a camera and may obtain a front image by capturing an image of a field of view in front of the host vehicle 100 through the camera.

[0038] The front / rear detection sensors 130 , which may be referred to as blind spot detection (BSD) sensors, are configured to simultaneously monitor the front and rear blind spots of the host vehicle 100 and may include front radar, rear radar, surround radar, or four-corner radar.

[0039] The headlight 197 radiates a light beam in front of the host vehicle 100 based on the radiation area set by the vehicle control unit 170. Here, the headlight 197 may be an adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlight that changes its lighting angle, brightness, width, and length to emit a light beam, or the headlight 197 may be a high beam assist (HBA) headlight that recognizes a vehicle traveling in an opposite lane to automatically switch from high beam to low beam.

[0040] The driving unit 195 may receive a control instruction from the vehicle control unit 170 and may drive the headlights 197 based on the control instruction. The driving unit 195 may be provided with an actuator including an electric motor and may drive the headlights 160 through the actuator so as to output a high beam by directing the headlights 197 upward or output a low beam by directing the headlights 197 downward.

[0041] The vehicle control unit 170 may be an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to generate control instructions to pre-control the radiation pattern of the headlights 197. The radiation pattern may be the illumination emitted by the headlights 197 of the vehicle 100, including changes in illumination from far to near or from near to far, or may be illumination that maintains a previous state. The control instructions may be based on the front image obtained by the front imaging unit 110 and information about the front and rear blind spots of the host vehicle 100 detected by the front / rear detection sensors 130. The vehicle control unit 170 may transmit the control instructions to the drive unit 195.

[0042] In detail, the vehicle control unit 170 may analyze information about the front and rear blind spots of the host vehicle 100 to determine whether there is an overtaking vehicle 300 ( Figure 2 ) and the preceding vehicle 500 ( Figure 5 ).

[0043] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an initial state of a predictive control system for an intelligent headlight according to an embodiment described herein. Figure 2 In the example, the front angle of the camera, the front side sensing from the sensor 130, and the rear side sensing can be obtained to obtain a 180-degree field of view. Similarly, when the area on the right side of the vehicle is obtained, an intelligent headlight system is provided that can perform 360-degree predictive control by using front / rear side radar, surrounding radar, or four-corner radar to overcome blind spots.

[0044] When it is determined as a result of the determination that the overtaking vehicle 300 and the preceding vehicle 500 are not present, the vehicle control unit 170 may generate a control command configured to allow the headlights 197 to output high beams, and may transmit the control command to the drive unit 195 .

[0045] Figure 3A and Figure 3B is a diagram illustrating an overtaking vehicle on the left side of a host vehicle according to a predictive control system for intelligent headlights according to embodiments described herein. Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a diagram showing an overtaking vehicle on the right side of a host vehicle, in which the predictive control system of an intelligent headlight according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the overtaking vehicle.

[0046] As a result of analyzing the front image and information about the front and rear blind spots of the host vehicle 100, the overtaking vehicle 300 may be determined to be present on the right side of the host vehicle 100 ( Figure 4A and 4B ) or left ( Figure 3A and 3B That is, after the overtaking vehicle 300 is detected by the front / rear side sensors 130 of the host vehicle, if the overtaking vehicle 300 is detected by the front / rear side sensors 130 of the host vehicle 100, when the overtaking vehicle 300 travels on the left side of the host vehicle 100 and attempts to overtake the host vehicle 100, the vehicle control unit 170 can predict that the overtaking vehicle 300 will travel in front of the host vehicle 100 and can transmit a control instruction for controlling the headlights 197 to the drive unit 195 in advance.

[0047] like Figure 3A As shown, the beam 320L and the beam 320R may represent the high beam illumination output from the host vehicle 100 in normal high beam operation. When the overtaking vehicle crosses the rear sensing area 210R and the front sensing area 210F, the vehicle control unit 170 may transmit a control instruction to the drive unit 195 in advance to turn off the high beam illumination. Figure 3A The high beams 320L and 320R are output as shown, so that when the overtaking vehicle 300 appears on the left side of the host vehicle 100, the Figure 3B The high beam shown changes to low beam 330L and low beam 330R. This can be done in the case where the headlight 197 is a HBA headlight ( Figure 3A ). Therefore, the vehicle control unit 170 can transmit a control instruction to the drive unit 195 to pre-close the illumination beams 320L and 320R of a portion of the left area so that the low beam 330L and the low beam 330R with a smaller area are used for illumination to form an L-shaped beam pattern 340 (shown by a dotted line) and form a dark area in the radiation area corresponding to the left side of the host vehicle 100. In the case where the headlight 197 is an ADB headlight ( Figure 3B), which may occur when the overtaking vehicle 300 appears on the left side of the host vehicle 100. Therefore, the system can fundamentally prevent the driver of the overtaking vehicle 300 from being blinded by turning off the high beam in advance. The term "in advance" can refer to the period before the overtaking vehicle 10 enters the high beam area of ​​the host vehicle 100.

[0048] Similarly, after detecting the overtaking vehicle 300 by the front / rear side sensors 130 of the main vehicle 100, if the overtaking vehicle 300 is detected by the front / rear side sensors 130 of the main vehicle 100, when the overtaking vehicle 300 is traveling on the right side of the main vehicle 100 and attempts to overtake the main vehicle 100, the vehicle control unit 170 can predict that the overtaking vehicle 300 will travel in front of the main vehicle 100, and can transmit a control instruction to the drive unit 195 to control the headlights 197 in advance.

[0049] like Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, the vehicle control unit 170 can transmit a control instruction to the drive unit 195 to pre-close the Figure 4A The high beams 420L and 420R are shown being output toward the left, front, and right of the host vehicle 100, so that when the overtaking vehicle 300 appears on the right side of the host vehicle 100, the high beams 420L and 420R are changed to Figure 4B The low beam 430L and low beam 430R shown. This can be done if the headlight 197 is a HBA headlight ( Figure 4A ) occurs. Therefore, the vehicle control unit 170 may transmit a control instruction to the drive unit 195 to pre-close the illumination beams 420L and 420R on a portion of the right side area so as to illuminate using the low beams 430L and 430R of a smaller area to form an L-shaped beam pattern 440 (indicated by a dotted line) and form a dark area in the radiation area corresponding to the right side of the host vehicle 100. When the headlight 197 is an ADB headlight ( Figure 4B ), which may occur when the overtaking vehicle 300 appears on the right side of the host vehicle 100. Therefore, the system can fundamentally prevent the driver of the overtaking vehicle 300 from being blinded by turning off the high beam in advance before the overtaking vehicle 10 enters the high beam area of ​​the host vehicle 100.

[0050] Figure 5 This figure shows a state where the predictive control system of the intelligent headlight according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a leading vehicle.

[0051] Reference Figure 5When it is determined that the front vehicle 500 is present on the right or left side of the host vehicle 100 by analyzing the front image and information about the front and rear blind spots of the host vehicle 100, that is, when the front vehicle 500 is present on the right front side of the host vehicle 100 on a right curved road, the vehicle control unit 170 may transmit a control instruction to the drive unit 195 so as to control the headlights 197. This may occur if the front vehicle 500 is detected by the front imaging unit 110 and the front side sensor 130.

[0052] Therefore, when the preceding vehicle 500 appears on the right side of the host vehicle 100, the vehicle control unit 170 may transmit a control instruction to the drive unit 195 to turn off the high beam being output so as to change the high beam to low beam. This is done when the headlight 197 is an HBA headlight ( Figure 6A ), or the vehicle control unit 170 may transmit a control instruction to the drive unit 195 to turn off the lighting on part of the right area. This may form an L-shaped beam pattern and form a dark area in the radiation area corresponding to the right side of the host vehicle 100. When the front vehicle 500 appears on the right side of the host vehicle 100 and the headlight 197 is an ADB headlight ( Figure 6B By turning off the high beams before the front vehicle 500 enters the high beam area of ​​the host vehicle 100, the driver of the front vehicle 500 can be prevented from being blinded.

[0053] Similarly, when a front vehicle 500 exists in front of the left side of the main vehicle 100 on a left curved road, if the front vehicle 500 is detected by the front imaging unit 110 and the front lateral sensor 130, the vehicle control unit 170 can transmit a control instruction to the drive unit 195 so as to control the headlights 197 in advance.

[0054] Figure 6A and Figure 6B FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another state in which the predictive control system of the intelligent headlight according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a leading vehicle.

[0055] Therefore, when the preceding vehicle 500 appears on the left side of the host vehicle 100, the vehicle control unit 170 may transmit a control instruction to the drive unit 195 to turn off the high beam being output in advance so as to change the high beam to low beam. This may be the case when the headlight 197 is an HBA headlight ( Figure 6A ), or a control instruction may be transmitted to the drive unit 195 to turn off the lighting on a portion of the left area in advance to form an L-shaped beam pattern and form a dark area in the radiation area corresponding to the left side of the host vehicle 100. Figure 6B), this situation may occur when the front vehicle 500 appears on the left side of the host vehicle 100. By turning off the high beams before the front vehicle 500 enters the high beam area of ​​the host vehicle 100, the driver's vision of the front vehicle 500 can be fundamentally prevented from being blinded. When the front vehicle 500 reappears within the high beam area of ​​the host vehicle 100 after deviating from the high beam area of ​​the host vehicle 100 on a curved road with a high curvature (such as the relative curvature shown herein), the front vehicle 500 can be detected outside the high beam area of ​​the host vehicle 100 by using a front sensor having a wider detection range than the detection range of the front imaging unit 110. When there is a possibility that the front vehicle 500 will reappear within the high beam area of ​​the host vehicle 100, the high beams of the host vehicle 100 can be turned off in advance before the front vehicle 500 enters the high beam area of ​​the host vehicle 100, thereby fundamentally preventing the driver's vision of the front vehicle 500 from being blinded.

[0056] In the following, reference will be made to Figure 7 A predictive control method for an intelligent headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention is described in detail. Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a predictive control method of an intelligent headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Here, assuming Figure 1 The predictive control system of the intelligent headlight shown in FIG Figure 7 process.

[0058] First, it is determined whether the operating conditions of the headlights 197 are satisfied (S101). If the operating conditions are satisfied, the high beams of the headlights 197 are turned on (S102), or if the operating conditions are not satisfied, the high beams of the headlights 197 are turned off (S115).

[0059] Here, the operating condition of the headlight 197 may be, for example, satisfaction of a condition such as a preset time, a preset illuminance, a date, etc. For example, the headlight 197 may be controlled so that the headlight 197 automatically enters the on state after 5 p.m., or the headlight 197 may be controlled so that the headlight 197 enters the on state when the illuminance during the day is low due to rainy or cloudy weather.

[0060] As described above, when the headlights 197 are in the on state, the control operation is performed by the vehicle control unit 170. By capturing an image of the field of view in front of the host vehicle 100 via the front imaging unit 110 to obtain a front image, the front and rear blind spots of the host vehicle 100 are simultaneously monitored by the front / rear detection sensors 130 (S103).

[0061] The vehicle control unit 170 then analyzes the information obtained from the front imaging unit 110 and the front / rear detection sensors 130 (S104). It determines that the overtaking vehicle 300 is located on the left side of the host vehicle 100 (S105). If the headlights 197 are HBA headlights, a control command to pre-disable the currently output high beam is transmitted to the drive unit 195. Alternatively, if the headlights 197 are ADB headlights, a control command to pre-disable the illumination of a portion of the left side is transmitted to the drive unit 195 (S106).

[0062] During operation, the vehicle control unit 170 analyzes information from the front imaging unit 110 and the front / rear detection sensors 130 (S104). Upon determining that the overtaking vehicle 300 is on the right side of the host vehicle 100, the vehicle control unit 170 transmits a control instruction to preemptively turn off the currently output high beam if the headlights 197 are HBA headlights. Alternatively, if the headlights 197 are ADB headlights, the vehicle control unit 170 transmits a control instruction to preemptively turn off the lighting of a portion of the right side area (S107).

[0063] The vehicle control unit 170 analyzes information from the front imaging unit 110 and the front / rear detection sensor 130 (S104), determines whether the front vehicle 500 exists in the blind spot (S108), and determines whether the front vehicle 500 will appear in the high beam area of ​​the host vehicle 100 (S109).

[0064] Thereafter, when the preceding vehicle 500 is likely to appear within the high beam area of ​​the host vehicle 100 (S110), and the preceding vehicle 500 is located on the left side of the host vehicle 100 (S111), a control command to pre-turn off the currently output high beam is transmitted to the drive unit 195. This may occur if the headlights 197 are HBA headlights, or if the headlights 197 are ADB headlights, a control command to pre-turn off the lighting of a portion of the left side is transmitted to the drive unit 195 (S112).

[0065] Furthermore, when the preceding vehicle 500 is located on the right side of the host vehicle 100 (S111), a control command to pre-turn off the currently output high beam is transmitted to the drive unit 195. This may occur when the headlight 197 is an HBA headlight, or when the headlight 197 is an HBA headlight, a control command to pre-turn off the lighting of a partial area on the right side is transmitted to the drive unit 195 (S113).

[0066] Thereafter, after performing the control operation, the vehicle control unit 170 may determine again whether the operation condition is satisfied to determine whether to continue performing the control operation or end the control operation ( S114 ).

[0067] The above-mentioned predictive control system and method of the intelligent headlight fundamentally prevents blinding of other drivers' vision by extending the predictive control range of blind spots and applying front radar information and rear radar information to the lighting system. This can be done according to the situation where an overtaking vehicle suddenly appears or follows the vehicle in front. According to the predictive control system and method of the intelligent headlight, an intelligent headlight system is provided that is capable of performing 360° predictive control by overcoming blind spots using front / rear radar, surrounding radar or four-corner radar, and a technology can be used to improve the performance of glare-free high beams to minimize blinding damage to the vision of drivers of suddenly appearing overtaking vehicles or vehicles traveling in front without increasing production costs. The intelligent headlights can be used without worrying about harming other drivers by minimizing glare, and the predictive control system and method of the intelligent headlights can be implemented by utilizing sensors installed in different locations in the vehicle without increasing the number of components.

[0068] In addition, the predictive control method of the intelligent headlamp according to the present invention including operations S101 to S115 may be programmed and stored in a computer-readable recording medium.

[0069] Therefore, the embodiments described herein are provided to describe the technical concept of the present invention, rather than to limit the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the attached technical solutions, and all technical concepts falling within the same scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A predictive control system for an intelligent headlight, comprising: a front imaging unit configured to obtain a front image by capturing an image of a field of view in front of the host vehicle; a detection sensor configured to simultaneously monitor the front and rear blind spots of the host vehicle; a headlight configured to radiate a high beam in front of the host vehicle based on a radiation area set by the front imaging unit and the detection sensor; a vehicle control unit configured to generate a control instruction based on information from the front imaging unit and the detection sensor to change a radiation form of the headlight; as well as A drive unit is configured to drive the headlight based on a control instruction from the vehicle control unit.

2. The predictive control system according to claim 1, wherein: The control command is issued before the overtaking vehicle enters the high beam area of ​​the host vehicle.

3. The predictive control system according to claim 1, wherein: The detection sensors include front and rear radars, surrounding radars, or four-corner radars.

4. The predictive control system according to claim 1, wherein: In the case where the headlight is an adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlight, when the vehicle control unit determines that an overtaking vehicle is present on the left or right side of the main vehicle by analyzing information from the front imaging unit and the detection sensor, when the overtaking vehicle appears on the left side, the vehicle control unit transmits the control instruction to the drive unit to pre-turn off the lighting of a partial area on the left side, or when the overtaking vehicle appears on the right side, the vehicle control unit transmits the control instruction to the drive unit to pre-turn off the lighting of a partial area on the right side; or in the case where the headlight is a high beam assist (HBA) headlight, when the overtaking vehicle appears on the left or right side, the vehicle control unit transmits the control instruction to the drive unit to pre-turn off the high beam being output.

5. The predictive control system according to claim 1, wherein: In the case where the headlight is an ADB headlight, when the vehicle control unit determines that a front vehicle exists on the left or right side of the host vehicle by analyzing information from the front imaging unit and the detection sensor, the vehicle control unit transmits the control instruction to the drive unit to turn off lighting of a left partial area in advance when the front vehicle appears on the left side, or transmits the control instruction to the drive unit to turn off lighting of a right partial area in advance when the front vehicle appears on the right side; Alternatively, in the case where the headlight is an HBA headlight, when the leading vehicle appears on the left or right side, the vehicle control unit transmits the control instruction to the drive unit to turn off the output high beam in advance.

6. The predictive control system according to claim 1, wherein: When the vehicle control unit determines that there is no overtaking vehicle and a leading vehicle based on analyzing information from the front imaging unit and the detection sensor, the vehicle control unit transmits a control instruction configured to allow the headlight to output a high beam to the drive unit.

7. A predictive control method for an intelligent headlight, comprising: obtaining a front image by capturing an image of a field of view in front of a host vehicle using a front imaging unit, and simultaneously monitoring front and rear blind spots of the host vehicle by means of detection sensors; generating, by a vehicle control unit, a control instruction to control a radiation pattern of the headlight based on a radiation area set by the front imaging unit and the detection sensor, wherein the headlight radiates a high beam in front of the host vehicle; as well as The headlight is driven by the driving unit based on the control instruction of the vehicle control unit.

8. The predictive control method according to claim 7, wherein: The control command is issued before the overtaking vehicle enters the high beam area of ​​the host vehicle.

9. The predictive control method according to claim 7, wherein: The monitoring includes monitoring the front and rear blind spots of the host vehicle using front and rear radars, surround radars, or four-corner radars.

10. The predictive control method according to claim 7, wherein: The generation control instruction comprises: The vehicle control unit determines that there is an overtaking vehicle on the left or right side of the host vehicle by analyzing information from the front imaging unit and the detection sensor; In the case where the headlight is an adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlight, when the overtaking vehicle appears on the left side, the control instruction is transmitted to the drive unit to pre-close the lighting of the left partial area, or when the overtaking vehicle appears on the right side, the control instruction is transmitted to the drive unit to pre-close the lighting of the right partial area; and In the case where the headlight is a low beam assist (HBA) headlight, when the overtaking vehicle appears on the left or right side, the control instruction is transmitted to the drive unit to turn off the high beam being output in advance.

11. The predictive control method according to claim 7, wherein: The generation control instruction comprises: The vehicle control unit determines that there is a front vehicle on the left or right side of the host vehicle by analyzing information from the front imaging unit and the detection sensor; In the case where the headlight is an adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlight, when the leading vehicle appears on the left side, the control instruction is transmitted to the drive unit to pre-turn off the lighting of the left partial area, or when the leading vehicle appears on the right side, the control instruction is transmitted to the drive unit to pre-turn off the lighting of the right partial area; and In the case where the headlight is an HBA headlight, when the leading vehicle appears on the left or right side, the control instruction is transmitted to the driving unit to turn off the high beam being output in advance.

12. The predictive control method according to claim 7, wherein: The generating of the control command includes transmitting the control command configured to allow the headlight to output high beam to the drive unit when the vehicle control unit determines that there is no overtaking vehicle and the leading vehicle based on analyzing information of the front imaging unit and the detection sensor.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium having software instructions stored thereon, the software instructions, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to generate a control signal to control the predictive control method of the smart headlight, the method comprising: obtaining a front image by capturing an image of a field of view in front of a host vehicle using a front imaging unit, and simultaneously monitoring front and rear blind spots of the host vehicle by the detection sensors; generating, by a vehicle control unit, a control instruction to control a radiation pattern of the headlight based on a radiation area set by the front imaging unit and the detection sensor, wherein the headlight radiates a high beam in front of the host vehicle; as well as The headlight is driven by the driving unit based on the control instruction of the vehicle control unit.

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