Light distribution control device and light distribution control method

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of appropriately coordinating irradiation to a driver. The light distribution control device includes a control unit having a plurality of emphasis irradiation modes for causing the lighting device to perform emphasis irradiation on the basis of at least any of the information acquired by the information acquisition unit. The control unit shifts from the in-execution irradiation mode to a different irradiation mode when a predetermined shift condition is satisfied in the in-execution irradiation mode, and shifts from the in-execution irradiation mode to the different irradiation mode when there are a plurality of emphasized irradiation modes in the different irradiation modes, and shifts from the in-execution irradiation mode to the emphasized irradiation mode on the basis of the in-execution irradiation mode and the shift condition when there are a plurality of emphasized irradiation modes in the different irradiation modes. Coordinated irradiation is performed in which the saliency of the irradiation modes of one or more and less than all of the plurality of emphasis irradiation modes is higher than the saliency of the irradiation modes of the remaining emphasis irradiation modes.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light distribution control device and a light distribution control method. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, various technologies have been proposed for a light distribution control device that emphasizes irradiation of a light device of a vehicle in a situation where the surroundings of the vehicle are dark. For example, Patent Literature 1 proposes a technology that causes a light device to emphasize irradiation of an obstacle that affects the running of a vehicle. For example, Patent Literature 2 proposes a technology that causes a light device to emphasize irradiation in the direction of the line of sight of a driver of a vehicle.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-38878

[0006] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-111328 SUMMARY

[0007] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] However, when different emphasized irradiations are simultaneously performed with the same prominence, the driver has difficulty in determining which emphasized irradiation should be focused on, and there is a problem that proper emphasized irradiation cannot be performed for the driver.

[0009] Therefore, the present disclosure was completed in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a technology that enables proper emphasized irradiation for a driver.

[0010] SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

[0011] The light distribution control device according to the present disclosure is a light distribution control device that controls light distribution of a light device of a vehicle, the light distribution control device including: an information acquisition section that acquires at least any of surrounding information of the vehicle, vehicle information, and line-of-sight information related to a line of sight of a driver of the vehicle; and a control section that has a plurality of emphasized irradiation modes that cause the light device to perform emphasized irradiation based on the at least any information, the control section shifting from an in-progress irradiation mode to a different irradiation mode when a predetermined shift condition is satisfied in the in-progress irradiation mode, and when there are a plurality of emphasized irradiation modes in the different irradiation mode, performing coordinated irradiation based on the in-progress irradiation mode and the shift condition, the coordinated irradiation causing the prominence of an irradiation manner of one or more than one and less than all of the plurality of emphasized irradiation modes to be higher than the prominence of an irradiation manner of the remaining emphasized irradiation modes.

[0012] EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0013] According to the present disclosure, coordinated irradiation is performed based on the irradiation pattern in execution and the shift condition, the coordinated irradiation making the prominence of the irradiation mode of one or more than one and less than all of the plurality of emphasized irradiation patterns higher than the prominence of the irradiation mode of the remaining emphasized irradiation patterns. With such a structure, appropriate irradiation can be performed for the driver.

[0014] Objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 1.

[0017] Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 1.

[0021] Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 1.

[0022] Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 1.

[0023] Figure 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 1.

[0024] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 2.

[0025] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 2.

[0026] Figure 12 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 2.

[0027] Figure 13 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 2.

[0028] Figure 14 is a light distribution mode transition diagram summarizing the transition of the light distribution mode.

[0029] Figure 15 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 2.

[0030] Figure 16 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 2.

[0031] Figure 17 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 2.

[0032] Figure 18 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 2.

[0033] Figure 19 is a light distribution mode transition diagram summarizing the transition of the light distribution mode.

[0034] Figure 20 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 2.

[0035] Figure 21 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 2.

[0036] Figure 22 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 3.

[0037] Figure 23 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 3.

[0038] Figure 24 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 3.

[0039] Figure 25 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 3.

[0040] Figure 26 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the light distribution control device according to Embodiment 3.

[0041] Figure 27is a view for explaining the operation of the light distribution control device according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 3.

[0042] Figure 28 is a view for explaining the operation of the light distribution control device according to Modification 3 of Embodiment 3.

[0043] Figure 29 is a view for explaining the operation of the light distribution control device according to Modification 3 of Embodiment 3.

[0044] Figure 30 is a block diagram showing a hardware structure of a light distribution control device according to another modification.

[0045] Figure 31 is a block diagram showing a hardware structure of a light distribution control device according to another modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Embodiment 1

[0047] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of a light distribution control device 1 according to the present embodiment. The light distribution control device 1 is arranged in a vehicle system including, in addition to the light distribution control device 1, a surrounding detection device 21, a line-of-sight detection device 22, and a light device 23. First, before explaining the light distribution control device 1, the surrounding detection device 21, the line-of-sight detection device 22, and the light device 23 are explained.

[0048] The surrounding detection device 21 detects surrounding information of the vehicle. The surrounding information of the vehicle exemplarily includes information related to objects around the vehicle or information related to situations around the vehicle, and the like. The information related to objects around the vehicle, for example, includes certain information related to objects around the vehicle such as positions, categories, and moving directions of the objects. The objects, for example, include above-ground objects such as obstacles, roads, and road signs, pedestrians, two-wheeled vehicles such as bicycles and motorcycles, and four-wheeled vehicles, and the like. The surrounding detection device 21 is constituted, for example, by a millimeter wave radar, a LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), an object detection sensor typified by an ultrasonic sensor, or an image recognition device toward the outside of the vehicle typified by a camera, or a combination of both.

[0049] The line-of-sight detection device 22, for example, captures an image of the face of the driver of the vehicle, detects a line-of-sight direction of the driver from the image of the face, and generates line-of-sight information indicating the line-of-sight direction. Further, the line-of-sight detection device 22 can also detect the face direction of the driver from the image of the face as the line-of-sight direction. Alternatively, the line-of-sight detection device 22 can also detect the line-of-sight direction on the basis of the orientation of the eyeballs of the driver other than the image. The line-of-sight detection device 22, for example, includes an image recognition device toward the inside of the vehicle.

[0050] The light device 23 includes a headlamp 23a and an auxiliary lamp 23b provided in the vehicle. The headlamp 23a is a main light device that illuminates the front of the vehicle, and can be switched to a high beam as a traveling light and a low beam as a passing light. The auxiliary lamp 23b is configured to be capable of spotlighting in various illumination regions in any direction, and thus is capable of spotlighting that assists the driver in driving.

[0051] In the following description, the light distribution of the auxiliary lamp 23b is described as a case where the light distribution is controlled by the light distribution control device 1, but is not limited thereto. For example, in a case where the headlamp 23a has a spotlighting function, the light distribution of the function can also be controlled by the light distribution control device 1. Furthermore, the structure of the light device 23 is not limited to the above-described structure as long as spotlighting is possible.

[0052] Next, the light distribution control device 1 is described. The light distribution control device 1 controls the light distribution of the auxiliary lamp 23b of the light device 23. In the present embodiment 1, the light distribution control device 1 includes a surrounding information acquisition section 11a, a line-of-sight information acquisition section 11b, a caution region determination section 12a, and a light distribution control section 12b.

[0053] The surrounding information acquisition section 11a acquires surrounding information from the surrounding detection device 21. In the present embodiment 1, the surrounding information acquisition section 11a includes, for example, an interface of the surrounding detection device 21, but can include the surrounding detection device 21 itself.

[0054] The line-of-sight information acquisition section 11b acquires line-of-sight information from the line-of-sight detection device 22. In the present embodiment 1, the line-of-sight information acquisition section 11b includes, for example, an interface of the line-of-sight detection device 22, but can include the line-of-sight detection device 22 itself.

[0055] The surrounding information acquisition section 11a and the line-of-sight information acquisition section 11b described above are included in the concept of the information acquisition section 11. In the present embodiment 1, the information acquisition section 11 acquires surrounding information and line-of-sight information. However, the information acquisition section 11 is not limited thereto, and can be configured to acquire at least any of surrounding information, vehicle information, and line-of-sight information, as described in Embodiment 3.

[0056] The caution region determination section 12a determines whether or not there is a caution object in the vicinity of the vehicle that the driver should pay attention to while the vehicle is running, on the basis of the surrounding information acquired by the surrounding information acquisition section 11a. The caution object includes, for example, an obstacle, a pedestrian, a two-wheeled vehicle, and the like. In a case where it is determined that there is a caution object in the vicinity of the vehicle, the caution region determination section 12a determines a region including the caution object as a caution region.

[0057] The light distribution control section 12b has a caution region irradiation pattern A for causing the auxiliary lamp 23b to irradiate the caution region determined by the caution region determination section 12a, and a line-of-sight linked irradiation pattern B for causing the auxiliary lamp 23b to irradiate the driver's line-of-sight direction indicated by the line-of-sight information, as the emphasized irradiation patterns. When the light distribution control section 12b executes the caution region irradiation pattern A, the driver's visual confirmation of the caution region can be improved. On the other hand, when the light distribution control section 12b executes the line-of-sight linked irradiation pattern B, the driver's visual confirmation of the direction in which the driver wants to observe can be improved.

[0058] Further, the light distribution control section 12b, when executing both the caution region irradiation pattern A and the line-of-sight linked irradiation pattern B, executes the coordinated irradiation in which one of the conspicuousness of the irradiation manner of the caution region irradiation pattern A or the conspicuousness of the irradiation manner of the line-of-sight linked irradiation pattern B is higher than the other. In the embodiment 1, the coordinated irradiation includes a line-of-sight linked irradiation priority pattern Cba in which the conspicuousness of the line-of-sight linked irradiation pattern B is higher than the conspicuousness of the caution region irradiation pattern A.

[0059] That is, in the embodiment 1, the light distribution control section 12b, when the predetermined transition condition is satisfied in the executing irradiation pattern, transitions from the executing irradiation pattern to a different irradiation pattern, and, when there are a plurality of emphasized irradiation patterns in the different irradiation pattern, executes the coordinated irradiation in which the conspicuousness of the irradiation manner of one or more than one of the emphasized irradiation patterns and less than all of the emphasized irradiation patterns is higher than the conspicuousness of the irradiation manner of the remaining emphasized irradiation patterns, based on the executing irradiation pattern and the transition condition. Hereinafter, as one example thereof, a structure in which, when the caution region irradiation pattern A is being executed and the condition that the driver's line-of-sight direction is directed toward the caution region as the predetermined transition condition is satisfied, the line-of-sight linked irradiation priority pattern Cba as the different irradiation pattern is transitioned to, is described. Further, hereinafter, a structure in which the difference in the conspicuousness of the irradiation manner corresponds to the difference in the brightness such as the luminosity and the illuminance of the irradiation, is described. In addition, the conspicuousness refers to the degree of attracting attention, and thus the difference in the conspicuousness is not limited to the difference in the brightness, but can include the difference in the flicker, the color, the mark, and the like, or other manners.

[0060] The caution region determination section 12a and the light distribution control section 12b described above are included in the concept of the control section 12. In the embodiment 1, the control section 12 has a plurality of emphasized irradiation patterns such as the caution region irradiation pattern A and the line-of-sight linked irradiation pattern B, and executes the caution region irradiation pattern A, the line-of-sight linked irradiation pattern B, or the line-of-sight linked irradiation priority pattern Cba.

[0061] However, as described in Embodiment 3, the multiple emphasis illumination modes for emphasizing the auxiliary lamp 23b based on at least any information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 are not limited to the attention area illumination mode A and the line-of-sight linkage illumination mode B. Even in this case, the control unit 12 only needs to perform coordinated illumination in which the salience of one or more, but fewer than all, emphasis illumination modes is higher than the salience of the remaining emphasis illumination modes.

[0062] <Action>

[0063] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the light distribution control device 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 The action is performed, for example, when the headlight 23a is turned on. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, the case where a previously detected object of attention is continuously monitored will be described.

[0064] When the headlight 23a is turned on, in step S1, the light distribution control unit 12b executes the normal illumination mode O. In normal illumination mode O, the headlight 23a illuminates the headlights, but the auxiliary lights 23b do not provide focused illumination. In the normal illumination mode O according to Embodiment 1, as... Figure 3 As shown, on the left-hand lane, the illumination area 32 of the headlight 23a is the low beam illumination area, and the right-hand illumination distance within the illumination area 32 is shorter than the left-hand illumination distance. This illumination method helps suppress glare for drivers of oncoming vehicles traveling in the right lane. Furthermore, Figure 3 The diagram also shows the driver's line of sight 33 and the road 34 in the direction the vehicle 31 is traveling.

[0065] exist Figure 2 In step S2, the surrounding information acquisition unit 11a acquires surrounding information from the surrounding detection device 21.

[0066] In step S3, the gaze information acquisition unit 11b acquires gaze information from the gaze detection device 22 and determines the driver's current gaze direction based on the gaze information. The gaze information acquisition unit 11b can determine the driver's gaze distribution based on the time sequence of the gaze directions shown in the gaze information and determine the driver's gaze direction from the gaze distribution. Alternatively, it can directly use the gaze direction shown in the gaze information as the driver's gaze direction. When the gaze information represents the driver's gaze distribution, the gaze information acquisition unit 11b can also determine the driver's gaze direction from the driver's gaze distribution shown in the gaze information.

[0067] In step S4, the light distribution control section 12b determines which irradiation mode is currently being executed. In the case where it is determined that the normal irradiation mode O is being executed, the process proceeds to step S5. In the case where it is determined that the separate attention region irradiation mode A is being executed, the process proceeds to step S10. In the case where it is determined that the line-of-sight-linked irradiation priority mode Cba is being executed, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0068] In step S5, the attention region determination section 12a determines the category of the vehicle periphery object on the basis of the periphery information, and determines that an attention object exists in the case where the category of the object is a predetermined category. The attention object is, for example, a pedestrian or a two-wheeled vehicle, or the like.

[0069] Further, the attention region determination section 12a can also determine whether or not an attention object exists on the basis of the positional relationship between the vehicle or the road in the vehicle travel direction and a pedestrian or a two-wheeled vehicle, or the like. As one example thereof, the attention region determination section 12a can determine that an attention object exists in the case where a pedestrian exists within 2 m from the road in the vehicle travel direction. In addition, the attention region determination section 12a can also determine whether or not an attention object exists in consideration of the moving direction of the pedestrian or the two-wheeled vehicle. As one example thereof, the attention region determination section 12a can determine that an attention object exists in the case where a pedestrian is approaching the road in the vehicle travel direction.

[0070] In addition, the attention region determination section 12a can determine, for example, a bicycle traveling on a bicycle-only road, a bicycle traveling on the edge of a lane, a light vehicle, a motorcycle, and a lampless moving body coming out of a branch road as an attention object. In addition, the attention region determination section 12a can also determine whether or not an attention object exists in consideration of the vehicle travel speed as vehicle information.

[0071] In the above step S5, the attention region determination section 12a determines the attention region when it is determined that an attention object exists. In addition, the light distribution control section 12b determines whether or not the attention region determination section 12a has determined the attention region (that is, whether or not it is determined that an attention object exists). In the case where it is determined that the attention region has been determined, the process proceeds to step S6, and in the case where it is not determined that the attention region has been determined, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0072] In step S6, the light distribution control section 12b determines that the separate attention region irradiation mode A is executed.

[0073] In step S7, the light distribution control section 12b executes the separate attention area irradiation mode A, causing the auxiliary lamp 23b to perform emphasized irradiation on the attention area determined by the attention area determination section 12a. That is, since the normal irradiation mode O as the execution-in-progress irradiation mode is executed in step S4, and the condition "attention area determined" as the predetermined transition condition is satisfied in step S5, in steps S6, S7, the process transitions to the attention area irradiation mode A as a different irradiation mode. However, in this case, since there are no multiple emphasized irradiation modes, coordinated irradiation is not performed. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the irradiation situation in the separate attention area irradiation mode A. In Figure 4 In the example of

[0074] In Figure 2 In step S8 of Figure 2 the process ends, and in the case where it is not determined that the end condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S2. In the case where the series of processes of steps S2→S3→S4→S5→S8→S2 are repeated, the normal irradiation mode O is continuously executed. On the other hand, in the case where the separate attention area irradiation mode A is executed by steps S6→S7→S8, and the processes of S8→S2→S3 are performed, in step S4, it is determined that the separate attention area irradiation mode A is being executed, and thus the process proceeds to step S10.

[0075] In step S10, the attention area irradiation mode A is being executed as the execution-in-progress irradiation mode. In step S10, the light distribution control section 12b determines whether or not the driver visually confirms the attention area, as a determination of a predetermined transition condition, based on the line-of-sight direction obtained from the line-of-sight information and the direction of the attention object. For example, the light distribution control section 12b determines that the driver visually confirms the attention area in the case where the angle between the line-of-sight direction and the direction of the attention object is within 2 degrees. In the case where it is determined that the driver visually confirms the attention area, the process proceeds to step S11, and in the case where it is not determined that the driver visually confirms the attention area, the process proceeds to step S6. In the case where the series of processes of steps S10→S6→S7→S8→S2→S3→S4→S10 are repeated, the separate attention area irradiation mode A is continuously executed.

[0076] In step S11, the light distribution control section 12b determines to execute the line-of-sight-linked irradiation priority mode Cba as a different irradiation mode.

[0077] In step S12, the light distribution control unit 12b executes the line-of-sight linkage illumination mode B while executing the area-of-sight illumination mode A, so that the auxiliary lamp 23b emphasizes the illumination in the line-of-sight direction.

[0078] In step S13, multiple emphasis illumination modes exist within the line-of-sight-linked illumination priority mode Cba. Therefore, based on the condition that the driver visually confirms the area requiring attention during the execution of the area requiring attention illumination mode A, the light distribution control unit 12b performs coordinated illumination. In step S13, the light distribution control unit 12b performs coordinated illumination under the line-of-sight-linked illumination priority mode Cba by performing at least one of the actions of reducing the illumination brightness of the area requiring attention illumination mode A and increasing the illumination brightness of the line-of-sight-linked illumination mode B. That is, during the execution of the area requiring attention illumination mode A, the driver's visual confirmation of the area requiring attention means that the significance of the emphasis illumination performed through the area requiring attention illumination mode A has been achieved, making the driver aware of the pedestrian 35. After visually confirming the area requiring attention, the driver will attempt to assess the surrounding situation of the pedestrian 35 in order to determine the level of danger. To assist in this, emphasis illumination is performed through the line-of-sight-linked illumination mode B. In this situation, the line-of-sight-linked illumination mode B is more important in emphasizing the significance of the illumination. Based on this control concept, the light distribution control unit 12b performs coordinated illumination in the line-of-sight linked illumination priority mode Cba.

[0079] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates an example of the illumination status in the line-of-sight-based illumination priority mode (Cba). Additionally, in Figure 5 In the subsequent figures, the shading indicates relatively low salience. In the line-of-sight-based illumination priority mode (Cba), the line-of-sight-based illumination region 37 is controlled to be brighter than the attention-required region 36, but... Figure 5 As in the example, it should be noted that the portion where area 36 overlaps with the viewing illumination area 37 is brighter than the viewing illumination area 37 alone. Furthermore, the shape of area 36 and the shape of viewing illumination area 37 can be the same or different.

[0080] exist Figure 2 After step S13, the process proceeds to step S8. When the line-of-sight-linked illumination priority mode Cba was executed through steps S11→S12→S13 and the processing of S8→S2→S3 was performed, it will be determined in step S4 that the line-of-sight-linked illumination priority mode Cba is being executed, so the process proceeds to step S20. At this time, the illumination mode being executed is equivalent to the line-of-sight-linked illumination priority mode Cba.

[0081] In step S20, as the determination of the predetermined transition condition, the light distribution control section 12b determines whether the time elapsed after the start of execution of the gaze-linking irradiation priority mode Cba exceeds a first threshold value (for example, 10 seconds). In the case where it is determined that the time elapsed exceeds the first threshold value, as a step in which the predetermined transition condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S21, and in the case where it is not determined that the time elapsed exceeds the first threshold value, as a step in which the predetermined transition condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step Sll. In the case where the series of processes of step S20→Sll→S12→S13→S8→S2→S3→S4→S20 is repeated, the gaze-linking irradiation priority mode Cba is continuously executed.

[0082] Figure 6 is a view showing an example of the irradiation condition when the driver moves the gaze away from the attention-required region 36 while the gaze-linking irradiation priority mode Cba is being executed. The shape of the gaze irradiation region 37 based on the gaze direction irradiation can be maintained as the same circular shape as Figure 5 However, since the gaze direction frequently changes while driving, if the gaze irradiation region 37 of a certain shape is moved based on the gaze direction, the gaze irradiation region 37 seen by the driver can flicker, and there is a problem that the gaze irradiation region 37 is difficult for the driver to see.

[0083] Therefore, in the present embodiment 1, as the gaze-linking irradiation mode B in the gaze-linking irradiation priority mode Cba, the light distribution control section 12b does not immediately turn off the portion of the gaze irradiation region 37 that was once irradiated, but gradually dims the light. Specifically, the light distribution control section 12b performs light distribution control such that the irradiation end portion on the gaze movement direction side of the gaze irradiation region 37 moves with the gaze movement direction, and the irradiation end portion on the opposite side of the gaze movement direction of the gaze irradiation region 37 moves at a smaller movement speed than the movement speed of the irradiation end portion on the gaze movement direction side. As a result, in the case where the gaze moves to the left side, the gaze irradiation region 37 becomes an elliptical region that is darker on the right side, and in the case where the gaze moves to the right side, the gaze irradiation region 37 becomes an elliptical region that is darker on the left side. In the following description, for convenience, the above such irradiation, that is, the irradiation to the elliptical region shown in Figure 6 is referred to as a trailing irradiation.

[0084] In the case where the predetermined transition condition is satisfied in step S20, in step S21 of Figure 2 , the light distribution control section 12b determines that the normal irradiation mode O, which is a different irradiation mode, is executed. In step S22, the light distribution control section 12b stops the attention-required region irradiation mode A. In step S23, the light distribution control section 12b stops the gaze-linking irradiation mode B. Thereby, the irradiation condition returns to Figure 3the illustrated irradiation conditions. In this case, since there are no multiple highlighted irradiation patterns, coordinated irradiation is not performed. In Figure 2 After the step S23, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0085] <Summary of Embodiment 1>

[0086] If highlighted irradiation is performed for multiple highlighted irradiation patterns with the same conspicuity, the driver can have difficulty in determining which highlighted irradiation should be focused on. In view of this, according to the light distribution control device 1 related to Embodiment 1, the control section 12 performs coordinated irradiation in which the conspicuity of the irradiation mode of one or more highlighted irradiation patterns less than all of the multiple highlighted irradiation patterns is made higher than the conspicuity of the irradiation mode of the remaining highlighted irradiation patterns. With such a structure, the driver can easily know which highlighted irradiation should be focused on. Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, in the case where multiple highlighted irradiation patterns exist, coordinated irradiation is performed based on the irradiation pattern being executed and the shift condition, so the driver can easily know which highlighted irradiation can be focused on.

[0087] In addition, according to Embodiment 1, in the case where the irradiation pattern of the attention-required region A is being executed and the driver's line-of-sight direction is oriented toward the attention-required region 36, the control section 12 executes the line-of-sight-linked irradiation priority mode Cba. According to such a structure, after the driver visually confirms the attention-required object, the driver can easily confirm the vicinity of the attention-required region 36 through the line-of-sight irradiation region 37, so light distribution control that conforms to the driver's general attention confirmation tendency can be performed.

[0088] Furthermore, according to Embodiment 1, as the line-of-sight-linked irradiation pattern B in the line-of-sight-linked irradiation priority mode Cba, the control section 12 causes the auxiliary lamp 23b to perform trailing irradiation based on the driver's line-of-sight direction. According to such a structure, the flickering of the line-of-sight irradiation region 37 from the driver's viewpoint can be suppressed, so the line-of-sight irradiation region 37 can be more easily seen by the driver.

[0089] <Modified Example 1>

[0090] In Embodiment 1, in the step S20 of the process of FIG. 8, until it is determined that the time that has elapsed after the line-of-sight-linked irradiation priority mode Cba starts to be executed exceeds the first threshold value, the conspicuity of the attention-required region irradiation pattern A and the line-of-sight-linked irradiation pattern B that realize the line-of-sight-linked irradiation priority mode Cba is maintained, but is not limited thereto. Figure 2

[0091] ​For example, during execution of the sight line linkage irradiation priority mode Cba, the light distribution control section 12b can maintain the prominence of the sight line linkage irradiation mode B while reducing the prominence of the attention area irradiation mode A over time. Then, in the case where the elapsed time after the start of execution of the sight line linkage irradiation priority mode Cba exceeds a second threshold value (for example, 5 seconds), the light distribution control section 12b can stop the attention area irradiation mode A and execute the separate sight line linkage irradiation mode B, as shown in FIG. 10B. Figure 7 By doing so, smooth transition from the sight line linkage irradiation priority mode Cba to the separate sight line linkage irradiation mode B can be achieved.

[0092] Then, in the case where the elapsed time after the start of execution of the sight line linkage irradiation priority mode Cba exceeds a first threshold value (for example, 10 seconds), the light distribution control section 12b can stop the separate sight line linkage irradiation mode B and execute the general irradiation mode O. According to such a configuration, since the irradiation of the auxiliary lamp 23b is gradually reduced in light, smooth transition from the sight line linkage irradiation priority mode Cba to the general irradiation mode O can be achieved.

[0093] <Modification Example 2>

[0094] In the modification example 1, during execution of the sight line linkage irradiation priority mode Cba, the light distribution control section 12b maintains the prominence of the sight line linkage irradiation mode B while reducing the prominence of the attention area irradiation mode A over time. However, during execution of the sight line linkage irradiation priority mode Cba, the light distribution control section 12b can reduce the prominence of the sight line linkage irradiation mode B as well as the attention area irradiation mode A over time. However, the condition that the prominence of the sight line linkage irradiation mode B is kept higher than that of the attention area irradiation mode A is maintained. Then, in the case where the elapsed time after the start of execution of the sight line linkage irradiation priority mode Cba exceeds a second threshold value, the light distribution control section 12b can stop the attention area irradiation mode A and execute the separate sight line linkage irradiation mode B.

[0095] Thereafter, the prominence of the separate sight line linkage irradiation mode B is continuously reduced, and in the case where the elapsed time after the start of execution of the sight line linkage irradiation priority mode Cba exceeds a first threshold value, the light distribution control section 12b can stop the separate sight line linkage irradiation mode B and execute the general irradiation mode O. According to such a configuration, since the irradiation of the auxiliary lamp 23b is gradually reduced in light, smooth transition from the sight line linkage irradiation priority mode Cba via the separate sight line linkage irradiation mode B to the general irradiation mode O can be achieved.

[0096] <Modification Example 3>

[0097] In the above description, the time elapsed after the start of execution of the sight line-linked irradiation priority mode Cba exceeding the first threshold value or the second threshold value is a condition for stopping the sight line-linked irradiation priority mode Cba, but is not limited thereto. For example, in a case where the sight line-linked irradiation priority mode Cba is being executed and the driver performs a predetermined operation, the light distribution control section 12b can stop the sight line-linked irradiation mode B and execute the separate attention area irradiation mode A.

[0098] The predetermined operation can be, for example, an operation in which the driver's line-of-sight direction is directed toward the irradiation area 32 of the headlamp 23a. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, in a case where the driver's line-of-sight direction is directed toward the irradiation area 32 of the headlamp 23a, the light distribution control section 12b can perform the transition from the sight line-linked irradiation priority mode Cba to the separate attention area irradiation mode A. This belongs to a case where the driver completes the confirmation of the surroundings of the pedestrian 35 and looks forward again. In this case, the significance of the emphasized irradiation of the sight line-linked irradiation mode B has been achieved, and thus the necessity of continuing the emphasized irradiation of the sight line-linked irradiation mode B is low. Figure 8

[0099]

[0100] In the above description, a case where the once-detected attention object is continuously detected is described, but when the attention object is no longer detected midway, the irradiation mode can be appropriately changed. For example, in a case where the separate attention area irradiation mode A is being executed and the irradiated attention object is no longer detected, the light distribution control section 12b can stop the separate attention area irradiation mode A and execute the normal irradiation mode O. Further, for example, in a case where the sight line-linked irradiation priority mode Cba is being executed and the irradiated attention object is no longer detected, the light distribution control section 12b can stop the attention area irradiation mode A and execute the separate sight line-linked irradiation mode B. Figure 2

[0101]

[0102] Figure 9 is a transition diagram of the irradiation mode summarizing the transition of the irradiation mode of Embodiment 1 and the modified examples 1 to 4. In Figure 9 , a circle (node) represents the irradiation mode, an arrow (edge) represents the transition, and the letter written next to the arrow represents the transition condition of Embodiment 1 and the number of the modified example, S1 and the like represent S1 and the like of Figure 2 . The solid line represents the irradiation mode and the transition described in Embodiment 1, and the broken line represents the irradiation mode and the transition described in the modified example.

[0103] In Embodiment 1, the light distribution control section 12b performs the transition from the sight line-linked irradiation mode B to the separate attention area irradiation mode A, for example, in a case where the irradiation area 32 of the headlamp 23a is detected in the attention area 31. Figure 2 ​​​​The explanation is based on the actions described, but is not limited to this. For example, regardless of whether the headlight 23a is on or off, if the illuminance around the vehicle is below a threshold, the light distribution control unit 12b can perform [actions]. Figure 2 The action. In addition, the illuminance around the vehicle can be detected using an illuminance meter or a sensor related to the brightness of the imaging device.

[0104] <Implementation Method 2>

[0105] A block diagram illustrating the structure of the light distribution control device 1 according to Embodiment 2 is shown below. Figure 1 Same. Hereinafter, in the structural elements involved in this embodiment 2, structural elements that are the same as or similar to the above-described structural elements will be marked with the same or similar reference numerals, and the different structural elements will be mainly described.

[0106] In this embodiment 2, the coordinated illumination includes not only the line-of-sight-linked illumination priority mode Cba, but also the attention-required area illumination priority mode Cab, where the significance of attention-required area illumination mode A is higher than that of line-of-sight-linked illumination mode B. Furthermore, when the illumination mode being executed is the line-of-sight-linked illumination priority mode Cba, if the condition of increased attention-required object, which is a predetermined transfer condition, is met, the light distribution control unit 12b switches to the attention-required area illumination priority mode Cab, which is a different illumination mode.

[0107] <Action>

[0108] Figure 10 Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the light distribution control device 1 according to Embodiment 2. Figure 10 and the actions in Figure 11 Figure 2 The actions have been modified by adding steps S24 and S30-S32, and steps S4 and S5 have been changed to steps S4a and S5a respectively. The following describes the actions for... Figure 10 Figure 11 mainly illustrates steps S4a, S5a, S24, and S30 to S32.

[0109] In step S4a, the light distribution control unit 12b determines which illumination mode is currently being executed. If it is determined that the normal illumination mode O is being executed, the process proceeds to step S5a. If it is determined that the individual attention-required area illumination mode A is being executed, the process proceeds to step S10. If it is determined that the line-of-sight linked illumination priority mode Cba is being executed, the process proceeds to step S24. If it is determined that the attention-required area illumination priority mode Cab is being executed, the process proceeds to step S30.

[0110] In step S5 of Embodiment 1, it is noted that the attention region determining section 12a determines the category of the vehicle surrounding object based on the surrounding information, and determines whether or not there is an attention object based on the category to determine the attention region. In step S5a of Embodiment 2, the attention region determining section 12a calculates the attention degree of the vehicle surrounding object based on the surrounding information, and determines that there is an attention object and determines the attention region in a case where the attention degree is equal to or higher than a threshold value. That is, the attention degree calculated in step S5a is set to CAUTION(t0), the threshold value of step S5a is set to CAUTION_TH1, and the attention region determining section 12a determines the attention region when CAUTION(t0) ≥ CAUTION_TH1 is satisfied.

[0111] In the present Embodiment 2, the attention region determining section 12a calculates the attention degree which is higher the higher the possibility that the vehicle contacts the vehicle surrounding object. For example, the attention region determining section 12a can calculate the attention degree which is higher the closer the object is to the road in the vehicle travel direction. Further, the attention region determining section 12a can calculate the attention degree which is higher the shorter the time until the object reaches the road of the vehicle, or the attention degree which is higher the shorter the time until the object contacts the vehicle, depending on the speed or the orientation of the object. Since the contact time is related to the vehicle speed, the attention region determining section 12a can acquire the vehicle speed as an example of the vehicle information from an unillustrated in-vehicle LAN (Local Area Network) provided in the vehicle when calculating the contact time.

[0112] After step S5a, the actions of steps S6 to S8 are performed as in Embodiment 1. In a case where the separate attention region irradiation mode A is executed by the processing of steps S6 → S7, and the processing of S8 → S2 → S3 is performed, it is determined in step S4a that the separate attention region irradiation mode A is being executed, and thus the processing proceeds to step S10.

[0113] In step S10, the light distribution control section 12b determines whether or not the driver visually confirms the attention region based on the line-of-sight direction obtained from the line-of-sight information and the direction of the attention object. As in Embodiment 1, in a case where it is determined that the driver visually confirms the attention region, the processing proceeds to step S11, and in a case where it is not determined that the driver visually confirms the attention region, the processing proceeds to step S6. When the line-of-sight linkage irradiation priority mode Cba is executed by the processing of steps S11 → S12 → S13, and the processing of S8 → S2 → S3 is performed, it is determined in step S4a that the line-of-sight linkage irradiation priority mode Cba is being executed, and thus the processing proceeds to step S24. At this time, the line-of-sight linkage irradiation priority mode Cba corresponds to the irradiation mode being executed.

[0114] In step S24, the attention area determination section 12a calculates the attention degree as in step S5a, and the light distribution control section 12b determines whether the attention degree of the attention object has increased as a determination of the predetermined transition condition. In addition, an increase in the attention degree means an increase in the collision risk.

[0115] For example, in step S24, in a case where the attention object itself is equal to or greater than a threshold value larger than the threshold value of step S5a, the light distribution control section 12b can determine that the attention degree of the attention object has increased. That is, the attention degree calculated in step S24 is set to CAUTION(t1), the threshold value of step S5a is set to CAUTION_TH1, and the threshold value of step S24 is set to CAUTION_TH2, and when CAUTION(t1) ≥ CAUTION_TH2 > CAUTION_TH1 is satisfied, the light distribution control section 12b can determine that the attention degree of the attention object has increased.

[0116] For example, in step S24, in a case where the change in the attention object is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the light distribution control section 12b can determine that the attention degree of the attention object has increased. That is, the attention degree calculated in step S5a is set to CAUTION(t0), the attention degree calculated in step S24 is set to CAUTION(t1), and the threshold value of step S24 is set to CAUTION_TH3, and when CAUTION(t1) - CAUTION(t0) ≥ CAUTION_TH3 is satisfied, the light distribution control section 12b can determine that the attention degree of the attention object has increased.

[0117] In step S24, in a case where it is determined that the attention degree of the attention object has increased, as a step in which the predetermined transition condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S31 of FIG. 11, and in a case where it is not determined that the attention degree of the attention object has increased, as a step in which the predetermined transition condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0118] In step S31 of FIG. 11, the light distribution control section 12b determines to execute the attention area irradiation priority mode Cab as a different irradiation mode.

[0119] In step S32, the light distribution control section 12b executes the coordinated irradiation in the attention area irradiation priority mode Cab by executing at least one of an action of increasing the irradiation luminance of the attention area irradiation mode A and an action of decreasing the irradiation luminance of the line-of-sight linkage irradiation mode B. For example, the light distribution control section 12b executes the attention area irradiation priority mode Cab by increasing the irradiation luminance of the attention area irradiation mode A and then restoring the original state, and decreasing the irradiation luminance of the line-of-sight linkage irradiation mode B.

[0120] Figure 12 and Figure 13 is a diagram indicating an example of a transition condition from the line-of-sight linked irradiation priority mode Cba to the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab. Figure 12 In the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab, the line-of-sight linked irradiation priority mode Cba is being executed. Figure 13 In the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab, in Figure 12 the state of the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab, since it is determined that the degree of attention increases because the pedestrian 35 as the attention object approaches the road 34 in the traveling direction of the vehicle 31, transition from the line-of-sight linked irradiation priority mode Cba to the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab is performed.

[0121] After the step S32 of Fig. 11, the process proceeds to the step S8 of the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab. In the case where the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab is executed by the process of the steps S32→S32, and the process of S8→S2→S3 is performed, it is determined in the step S4a that the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab is being executed, and thus the process proceeds to the step S30 of Fig. 11. Figure 10

[0122] In the step S30, the irradiation mode being executed is the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab. In the step S30, the light distribution control section 12b determines whether or not the driver visually confirms the attention region based on the line-of-sight direction obtained from the line-of-sight information and the direction of the attention object as the determination of the predetermined transition condition. In the case where it is determined that the driver visually confirms the attention region, as a case where the predetermined transition condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to the steps Sll-S13 of the line-of-sight linked irradiation priority mode Cba as a different irradiation mode. The line-of-sight linked irradiation priority mode Cba has a plurality of emphasized irradiations constituted by the emphasized irradiation of the attention region irradiation mode A and the emphasized irradiation of the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B, and thus coordinated irradiation in which the conspicuousness of these is adjusted is executed. In the case where it is not determined that the driver visually confirms the attention region, as a step where the predetermined transition condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to the step S31. In the case where the series of processes of the steps S31→S32→S8→S2→S3→S4→S30→S31 is repeatedly performed, the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab is continuously executed. Figure 10

[0123] Figure 14 is a transition diagram in which the irradiation modes of the modified examples 1 to 4 of the embodiment 1 and the embodiment 2 are summarized. Figure 14 In the irradiation mode transition diagram of Figure 9 the irradiation mode transition diagram of the embodiment 2, the node and the edge related to the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab are added.

[0124] <Summary of the Embodiment 2> ​​

[0125] According to the light distribution control device 1 of the above-described Embodiment 2, in a case where the line-of-sight-linked irradiation priority mode Cba is being executed and the attention degree of the attention object increases, the control section 12 executes the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab. With such a configuration, even if the line-of-sight-linked irradiation priority mode Cba is being executed, the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab is executed in a case where the attention degree increases, and thus the driver can be alerted to the attention object.

[0126] <Modification Example 1>

[0127] In the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab of Embodiment 2, Figure 10 In steps S10 and S30 of FIG. 11, the light distribution control section 12b can not immediately shift the irradiation mode, but can have a hysteresis in the shift. For example, assume that it is determined that the driver visually confirms the attention region within a certain time (for example, 2 seconds) from a time Tw at which the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab is executed. In this case, the light distribution control section 12b can not immediately shift from the separate attention region irradiation mode A or the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab to the line-of-sight-linked irradiation priority mode Cba, but can shift after a certain time elapses from the time Tw.

[0128] <Modification Example 2>

[0129] In a case where the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab is being executed and the object of the attention region is a person, the light distribution control section 12b can cause the auxiliary lamp 23b to irradiate a block display object 41 as Figure 15 The block display object 41 is a display object that irradiates between a person such as the pedestrian 35 and a road surface of the road 34 in the traveling direction of the vehicle 31, and is a display object for blocking the person from entering the road surface.

[0130] The block display object 41 can be a display object that represents a figure, a character, or any other arbitrary symbol, and the irradiation of the block display object 41 can also use animation such as flickering. Figure 15 The block display object 41 of the example is a display object that represents a figure that, when viewed from the person such as the pedestrian 35, causes an illusion as if there is a three-dimensional object. By Figure 15 Such a block display object 41 can cause the pedestrian 35 to mistakenly recognize that there is an obstacle, and thus can suppress the pedestrian 35 from entering the road 34.

[0131] Further, according to Figure 15 a state in which the pedestrian 35 further approaches the road 34 and the attention degree of the pedestrian 35 further increases, the light distribution control section 12b can increase the conspicuousness of the block display object 41 by, for example, Figure 16 as shown in FIG. 11. In addition, in a case where the line-of-sight-linked irradiation priority mode Cba is being executed, the light distribution control section 12b can increase the conspicuousness of the block display object 41 by, for example,Figure 15 or Figure 16 In the case of the attention area irradiation priority mode Cab, the light distribution control section 12b can stop the line-of-sight linkage irradiation mode B and execute the attention area irradiation mode A while irradiating the blocking display object 41. Further, in the case where the pedestrian 35 stops or changes direction thereafter, the light distribution control section 12b can determine that the degree of attention is reduced, stop the irradiation of the blocking display object 41, and execute the separate attention area irradiation mode A.

[0132] As for the modified example 2, it can also be understood that the irradiation mode being executed is the attention area irradiation priority mode Cab, the object of the attention area is a person, and the attention area irradiation priority mode Cab is shifted to the blocking display object irradiation as a different irradiation mode when the predetermined shift condition is satisfied. At this time, as the emphasized irradiation, there can be the attention area irradiation mode A, the line-of-sight linkage irradiation mode B, and the blocking display object irradiation, and the coordinated irradiation that adjusts the prominence between these modes is executed.

[0133] <Modified example 3>

[0134] In the embodiments 1 and 2, the case where the attention object is one is described. In the case where the attention objects are plural, the light distribution control section 12b can execute the attention area irradiation mode A for each of the plural attention objects. In this case, there can be plural emphasized irradiations in the attention area irradiation mode A. Therefore, the light distribution control section 12b can execute the coordinated irradiation that sets the prominence of the irradiation mode of the plural attention objects differently based on the degrees of attention of the plural attention objects, or can execute the coordinated irradiation that irradiates only the attention object with the highest degree of attention by the attention area irradiation mode A. In addition, the light distribution control section 12b can execute the attention area irradiation mode A for the attention object with the highest degree of attention in the right half of the vehicle and the attention object with the highest degree of attention in the left half of the vehicle based on the degrees of attention of the plural attention objects.

[0135] Further, as shown in Figure 17 , in the case where the line-of-sight linkage irradiation priority mode Cba that is the irradiation mode being executed is being executed and a new attention area is determined as a case where the predetermined shift condition is satisfied, the light distribution control section 12b can execute the attention area irradiation priority mode Cab as a different irradiation mode as in Figure 18 . Figure 17 In the example of Figure 17 , the line-of-sight linkage irradiation priority mode Cba is being executed, and the attention area 36 of the pedestrian 35 on the left side of the vehicle 31 is irradiated with lower prominence. Figure 18 In the example of Figure 17In this state, a new pedestrian 35 attention zone 36 is identified on the right side of vehicle 31. In this case, the light distribution control unit 12b performs the following coordinated illumination: maintaining the salience of attention zone illumination mode A for the left-side attention zone 36 unchanged, reducing the salience of line-of-sight linked illumination mode B, and making the salience of attention zone illumination mode A for the right-side attention zone 36 higher than the salience of line-of-sight linked illumination mode B.

[0136] This allows for a transition from the line-of-sight-based illumination priority mode (Cba) to the area of ​​attention priority mode (Cab). This structure enables the driver to easily focus on the new area of ​​attention while the line-of-sight-based illumination priority mode (Cba) is in operation and a new area of ​​attention has been identified.

[0137] In addition, the light distribution control unit 12b is in Figure 18 Under the illumination state of the attention area priority mode Cab, attention area illumination mode A for the left attention area 36 can also be stopped to reduce its salience. Alternatively, the light distribution control unit 12b can reduce the salience of attention area illumination mode A for the left attention area 36 over time, and stop attention area illumination mode A when the time elapsed after the attention area priority mode Cab starts to be executed exceeds a threshold.

[0138] Furthermore, in serving as Figure 18 When the attention-seeking area priority mode Cab is in the current illumination mode, and the attention-seeking intensity of the pedestrian 35 on the left increases as a predetermined transfer condition is met, the light distribution control unit 12b can switch to the attention-seeking area priority mode Cab, which is a different illumination mode. Furthermore, the light distribution control unit 12b can perform coordinated illumination by making the significance of attention-seeking area illumination mode A for the left attention-seeking area 36 higher than the significance of attention-seeking area illumination mode A for the right attention-seeking area 36 or the significance of line-of-sight linkage illumination mode B. That is, different illumination modes do not only refer to different categories of modes such as attention-seeking area illumination mode A and line-of-sight linkage illumination priority mode Cba, but also include attention-seeking area priority modes Cab with different significance levels. In addition, during the execution of line-of-sight linkage illumination priority mode Cba, the light distribution control unit 12b can not only reduce the significance of line-of-sight linkage illumination mode B over time, but also transfer from attention-seeking area priority mode Cab to the individual attention-seeking area illumination mode A.

[0139] <Variation Example 4>

[0140] When the predetermined activation conditions for the individual gaze-linked illumination mode B are determined to be met, the light distribution control unit 12b can execute the individual gaze-linked illumination mode B. The predetermined activation conditions may include, for example, at least one of the following: the driver performs a predetermined start operation, the driver performs a predetermined start gesture, or the driver looks at a specific location near the road where the vehicle is traveling. Furthermore, the situation where the driver looks at a specific location near the road where the vehicle is traveling refers to the situation where the driver wants to confirm what is at that specific location; satisfying this situation is a preferred activation condition for automatically activating the gaze-linked illumination mode B.

[0141] Furthermore, if the predetermined termination conditions for the individual line-of-sight-linked illumination mode B are determined to be met, the light distribution control unit 12b may stop the individual line-of-sight-linked illumination mode B and execute the normal illumination mode O. The predetermined termination conditions may include, for example, the driver performing a predetermined termination operation, the driver performing a predetermined termination gesture, the driver looking at an area other than a predetermined location (e.g., the illumination area of ​​the headlight 23a and the road 34), and at least one of the following: a certain period of time has elapsed since the individual line-of-sight-linked illumination mode B was started.

[0142] When the individual line-of-sight-linked illumination mode B is being executed and a new area requiring attention has been identified, the light distribution control unit 12b can execute steps S31 to S32 of FIG11 and execute the area requiring attention illumination priority mode Cab. With this structure, when the individual line-of-sight-linked illumination mode B is being executed and a new area requiring attention has been identified, the driver can easily focus on the new area requiring attention.

[0143] Figure 19 Is Figure 14 The illumination mode transfer diagram of variation 4 described here has been added to the existing illumination mode transfer diagram. Figure 19 In the irradiation mode transfer diagram, the transfer in this variation 4 is represented by a single-dot dashed line.

[0144] <Variation Example 5>

[0145] The light distribution control unit 12b performs the operation of the illumination mode as it is being executed. Figure 20 When transitioning from a standalone gaze-linked illumination mode B to a priority illumination mode Cab, which is a different illumination mode for the area requiring attention, the distance between the gaze-linked illumination area and the new area requiring attention can be determined as a predetermined transition condition. Then, if the distance is determined to be above the threshold, as... Figure 21As shown, the light distribution control section 12b can cause the auxiliary lamp 23b to irradiate a display object for guiding the driver's line of sight from the line-of-sight irradiation region 37 to the new attention region 36, that is, a guide display object 42.

[0146] Figure 21 The guide display object 42 is shown as moving (scanning) from the line-of-sight irradiation region 37 to the new attention region 36 over time. However, the guide display object 42 is not limited to this as long as it is a display object for guiding the driver's line of sight from the line-of-sight irradiation region 37 to the new attention region 36, and may, for example, be a display object of an arrow indicating the new attention region 36. According to the above structure, in a case where the distance between the line-of-sight irradiation region 37 and the new attention region 36 is above the threshold value, the driver can easily know the new attention region.

[0147] <Modification example 6>

[0148] In Embodiment 2, the conspicuousness difference in the irradiation manner of the attention region irradiation mode A and the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B in the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab of steps S31, S32 of Fig. 11 is a conspicuousness difference in the brightness of the irradiation by the auxiliary lamp 23b. However, the conspicuousness is not limited to this.

[0149] The conspicuousness difference in the irradiation manner of the attention region irradiation mode A and the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B in the attention region irradiation priority mode Cab of steps S31, S32 can also be a conspicuousness difference in the color of the irradiation by the auxiliary lamp 23b. That is, for a case where the conspicuousness of the attention region irradiation mode A is higher than that of the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B, it can be equivalent to a case where the conspicuousness of the irradiation color in the attention region irradiation mode A is higher than that of the irradiation color in the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B.

[0150] For example, for a case where the conspicuousness of the irradiation color in the attention region irradiation mode A is higher than that of the irradiation color in the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B, it can be a case where the irradiation color in the attention region irradiation mode A is multicolor and the irradiation color in the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B is monochrome. Or for example, for a case where the conspicuousness of the irradiation color in the attention region irradiation mode A is higher than that of the irradiation color in the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B, it can also be a case where the irradiation color in the attention region irradiation mode A is warm color and the irradiation color in the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B is cold color. Or for example, for a case where the conspicuousness of the irradiation color in the attention region irradiation mode A is higher than that of the irradiation color in the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B, it can also be a case where the irradiation color in the attention region irradiation mode A represents a pattern and a figure and the irradiation color in the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B does not represent a pattern and a figure.

[0151] Further, Figure 2 and Figure 10 The difference in the conspicuousness of the irradiation methods between the attention area irradiation mode A and the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B in the line-of-sight linked irradiation priority mode Cba of steps Sll-S13 of Fig. 11 can also be a difference in the color of the irradiation by the auxiliary lamp 23b.

[0152] <Modified Example 7>

[0153] The difference in the conspicuousness of the irradiation methods between the attention area irradiation mode A and the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B in the attention area irradiation priority mode Cab of steps S31, S32 of Fig. 11 can be a difference in the animation of the irradiation by the auxiliary lamp 23b. That is, for the case where the conspicuousness of the attention area irradiation mode A is higher than that of the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B, it can also be the case where the conspicuousness of the irradiation animation in the attention area irradiation mode A is higher than that in the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B.

[0154] For example, for the case where the conspicuousness of the irradiation color in the attention area irradiation mode A is higher than that in the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B, it can be the case where the interval of the irradiation flicker in the attention area irradiation mode A is faster than that in the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B. Further, for example, for the case where the conspicuousness of the irradiation color in the attention area irradiation mode A is higher than that in the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B, it can also be the case where at least any one of the change in the irradiation hue, size, and shape in the attention area irradiation mode A is larger than that in the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B.

[0155] Further, Figure 2 and Figure 10 The difference in the conspicuousness of the irradiation methods between the attention area irradiation mode A and the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B in the line-of-sight linked irradiation priority mode Cba of steps Sll-S13 of Fig. 11 can also be a difference in the animation of the irradiation by the auxiliary lamp 23b.

[0156] <Modified Example 8>

[0157] As the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B in the line-of-sight linked irradiation priority mode Cba, the light distribution control section 12b can cause the auxiliary lamp 23b to perform the trail irradiation based on the line-of-sight direction of the driver. On the other hand, as the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B in the attention area irradiation priority mode Cab, the light distribution control section 12b can not cause the auxiliary lamp 23b to perform the trail irradiation, but can cause the auxiliary lamp 23b to irradiate a certain shape of the line-of-sight irradiation area 37. In the attention area irradiation priority mode Cab, since the conspicuousness of the line-of-sight linked irradiation mode B is low, even if the trail irradiation which has a high processing load is not performed, the flicker of the line-of-sight irradiation area 37 from the view of the driver can be suppressed.

[0158] <Other>

[0159] At least any one of Embodiment 1 and Modification Examples 1 to 4 of Embodiment 1 can be arbitrarily combined with at least any one of Embodiment 2 and Modification Examples 1 to 8 of Embodiment 2.

[0160] <Embodiment 3>

[0161] Figure 22 is a block diagram showing the structure of the light distribution control device 1 according to the present embodiment 3. Hereinafter, among the structural elements according to the present embodiment 3, the same or similar reference numerals are attached to the same or similar structural elements as those described above, and only different structural elements will be mainly described. Figure 22 The structure of the light distribution control device 1 according to the present embodiment 3 is the same as that in Figure 1 The structure of the light distribution control device 1 according to the present embodiment 3 is the same as that in

[0162] The navigation device 25 has a positioner that acquires vehicle position information and a general-precision map database that has road shape data in units of roads. Further, the navigation device 25 has a function of performing path search for searching a path in which the vehicle should travel, based on the vehicle position information and the general-precision map database, and a function of performing path guidance at a travel change point such as an intersection and a merging / splitting point, based on the path search result.

[0163] The vehicle information acquisition section 11c acquires information of the vehicle. The information of the vehicle includes, for example, vehicle position information and a path search result acquired by the navigation device 25. The information of the vehicle is not limited to this, and can include, for example, a travel direction of the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and the like. Further, the information of the vehicle can be acquired from a vehicle-mounted network called CAN (Controller Area Network) that is not illustrated. In the present embodiment 3, the vehicle information acquisition section 11c includes, for example, an interface of the navigation device 25, but can include the navigation device 25 itself.

[0164] <Illumination pattern>

[0165] The control section 12 according to Embodiment 3 has, like the control section 12 according to Embodiment 1, a plurality of emphasis irradiation modes in which the auxiliary lamp 23b is caused to perform emphasis irradiation based on at least any information acquired by the information acquisition section 11. However, whereas the emphasis irradiation modes according to Embodiment 1 include the caution zone irradiation mode A and the line-of-sight linkage irradiation mode B, the emphasis irradiation modes according to Embodiment 3 include the line-of-sight linkage irradiation mode B and a route guidance irradiation mode D. The route guidance irradiation mode D is an emphasis irradiation mode in which the auxiliary lamp 23b is caused to irradiate a display object for guiding a route along which the vehicle should travel, i.e., a guidance display object, based on the position information of the vehicle and the route search result.

[0166] Figure 23 is a view showing an example of an irradiation state of the separate route guidance irradiation mode D. In a case where the separate route guidance irradiation mode D is being executed, the distribution control section 12b of the control section 12 determines whether or not the vehicle 31 is located within a range in which the guidance display object 46 should be irradiated, based on the position information of the vehicle 31 and the route search result acquired by the information acquisition section 11. The range in which the guidance display object 46 should be irradiated is, for example, a range of a certain distance from a travel change location 38 such as a branch point along which the vehicle should change travel, or a range that can reach the travel change location 38 after a certain time, e.g., 5 seconds.

[0167] In a case where it is determined that the vehicle 31 is located at a location at which the guidance display object 46 should be irradiated, the distribution control section 12b causes the auxiliary lamp 23b to irradiate the guidance display object 46 in the vicinity of the travel change location 38. Figure 23 The guidance display object 46 of is an arrow indicating a route 39 along which the vehicle 31 should travel from the travel change location 38. Note that the guidance display object 46 is not limited to an arrow as long as it is a display object for guiding a route along which the vehicle should travel.

[0168] <Coordination Irradiation>

[0169] The control section 12 according to Embodiment 3, like the control section 12 according to Embodiment 1, performs coordination irradiation in which the conspicuity of an irradiation mode in which one or more of the plurality of emphasis irradiation modes but less than all of the plurality of emphasis irradiation modes is executed is higher than the conspicuity of an irradiation mode in which the remaining emphasis irradiation modes are executed, based on the irradiation mode being executed and the transition condition. However, whereas the coordination irradiation according to Embodiment 1 includes the line-of-sight linkage irradiation priority mode Cba, the coordination irradiation according to Embodiment 3 includes a line-of-sight linkage irradiation priority mode Cbd in which the conspicuity of the line-of-sight linkage irradiation mode B is higher than the conspicuity of the route guidance irradiation mode D. That is, the control section 12 according to Embodiment 3 performs the line-of-sight linkage irradiation priority mode Cbd in which the conspicuity of the line-of-sight linkage irradiation mode B is relatively high among the line-of-sight linkage irradiation mode B and the route guidance irradiation mode D.

[0170] Figure 24 FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of the irradiation condition of the line-of-sight linked irradiation priority mode Cbd. When the path guidance irradiation mode D is being executed and the driver's line-of-sight direction is directed toward the guidance display object 46 or toward the road direction in which the vehicle should travel from the travel change point 38, the light distribution control section 12b of the control section 12 executes the line-of-sight linked irradiation priority mode Cbd as a different irradiation mode.

[0171] <Summary of Embodiment 3>

[0172] According to the light distribution control device 1 related to Embodiment 3 as described above, as with Embodiment 1, the control section 12 executes the coordinated irradiation in which the conspicuity of the irradiation mode of one or more than one and less than all of the plurality of emphasized irradiation modes is higher than the conspicuity of the irradiation mode of the remaining emphasized irradiation modes, based on the irradiation mode being executed and the transition condition. With such a configuration, the driver can easily know which irradiation should be focused on.

[0173] Further, according to Embodiment 3, when the path guidance irradiation mode D is being executed and the driver's line-of-sight direction is directed toward the guidance display object 46 or toward the road direction in which the vehicle should travel from the travel change point 38, the control section 12 executes the line-of-sight linked irradiation priority mode Cbd. According to such a configuration, after the time when the path to be traveled is visually confirmed, the path to be traveled can be easily confirmed by the line-of-sight irradiation region 37, and thus light distribution control that conforms to the driver's general attention confirmation tendency can be performed.

[0174] <Modified Example 1>

[0175] In Embodiment 3, the coordinated illumination includes the line-of-sight-linked illumination priority mode Cbd, but can also include the path-guidance-illumination priority mode Cdb in which the conspicuity of the path-guidance-illumination mode D is higher than the conspicuity of the line-of-sight-linked illumination mode B. For example, in a case where the line-of-sight-linked illumination priority mode Cbd is being executed as the execution-in-progress illumination mode, and in a case where the driver does not reconfirm the guidance display object 46 even if the vehicle 31 reaches a point closer to the travel change location 38 as a case that satisfies a predetermined transition condition, the light distribution control section 12b can transition to the path-guidance-illumination priority mode Cdb as a different illumination mode to execute the coordinated illumination. The point closer to the travel change location 38 can be, for example, a point at which the travel change location 38 can be reached after 2 seconds. In addition, in a case where the vehicle 31 reaches a point closer to the travel change location 38 as a case that satisfies a predetermined transition condition in a case where the path-guidance-illumination mode D is being executed as the execution-in-progress illumination mode, the light distribution control section 12b can transition to the path-guidance-illumination priority mode Cdb as a different illumination mode to execute the coordinated illumination regardless of the line-of-sight of the driver.

[0176] Further, the emphasized illumination mode includes the line-of-sight-linked illumination mode B and the path-guidance-illumination mode D, but can also include the attention-area illumination mode A, the line-of-sight-linked illumination mode B, and the path-guidance-illumination mode D. The coordinated illumination can also include the attention-area illumination priority mode Cabd in which the conspicuity of the line-of-sight-linked illumination mode B is higher than the conspicuity of the path-guidance-illumination mode D, and the conspicuity of the attention-area illumination mode A is higher than the conspicuity of the line-of-sight-linked illumination mode B. In addition, the coordinated illumination can also include the attention-area illumination priority mode Cad in which the conspicuity of the attention-area illumination mode A is higher than the conspicuity of the path-guidance-illumination mode D.

[0177] Further, in a case where the line-of-sight-linked illumination priority mode Cbd is being executed as the execution-in-progress illumination mode, and a new attention area is determined as a case that satisfies a predetermined transition condition, the light distribution control section 12b can execute the attention-area illumination priority mode Cabd as a different illumination mode as in Figure 25 , or can transition to the attention-area illumination priority mode Cad to execute the coordinated illumination as in Figure 26 . In addition, the coordinated illumination can include the attention-area illumination priority mode Cabd in which the conspicuity of the line-of-sight-linked illumination mode B is higher than the conspicuity of the path-guidance-illumination mode D, and the conspicuity of the attention-area illumination mode A is higher than the conspicuity of the path-guidance-illumination mode D.

[0178] Furthermore, in the above description, it is important to note that the salience of the area illumination mode A, line-of-sight linked illumination mode B, and path guidance illumination mode D must all be different in coordinated illumination, but this is not a limitation. For example, coordinated illumination may also include a multi-priority illumination mode Cm in which the salience of the area illumination mode A is the same as the salience of the line-of-sight linked illumination mode B, and these saliences are higher than the salience of the path guidance illumination mode D. Moreover, when the line-of-sight linked illumination priority mode Cbd is being executed and a new area requiring attention has been identified, the light distribution control unit 12b can, as follows: Figure 27 That would execute the multi-priority irradiation mode Cm.

[0179] <Variation Example 2>

[0180] In embodiment 3, the navigation device 25 has a locator for acquiring vehicle location information and a map database with general-precision accuracy for road shape data in units of roads, but is not limited thereto. For example, the navigation device 25 may have a high-precision locator (HDL) for acquiring vehicle location information with sub-meter accuracy and a high-precision map database (HD map database) with road shape data in units of lanes.

[0181] Then, the navigation device 25 performs path search and path guidance based on sub-meter accuracy location information and an HD map database, so that the vehicle information can include sub-meter accuracy location information and path search results. With such a structure, for example, if the path is a road to the left from a fork in the road and the vehicle is not traveling in a lane that allows access to that road, the light distribution control unit 12b can cause the auxiliary light 23b to illuminate the lane change guidance display object 46.

[0182] <Variation Example 3>

[0183] The illumination mode may also include a driving road illumination mode E, which illuminates the area along the fork in the road when the vehicle's path is a fork connecting to the road currently being traveled. Coordinated illumination may also include a line-of-sight illumination priority mode Cbe, where the salience of the line-of-sight illumination mode B is higher than that of the driving road illumination mode E. Furthermore, as... Figure 28 As shown, when the driving path illumination mode E, which illuminates the fork in the road 39 that the vehicle should travel on, is being executed, and the driver's line of sight is directed toward the fork in the road, the light distribution control unit 12b can, as shown... Figure 29 In that case, the line-of-sight-based illumination priority mode (Cbe) is executed.

[0184] <Variation Example 4>

[0185] The illumination mode may also include a guide sign illumination mode F, which illuminates the guide sign with auxiliary lights 23b when the guide sign indicates a lane change related to the vehicle. Coordinated illumination may also include a line-of-sight illumination priority mode Cbf, where the illumination pattern of line-of-sight illumination mode B has a higher salience than that of guide sign illumination mode F.

[0186] <Other>

[0187] At least one of Embodiment 1 and its variations 1 to 4, and Embodiment 2 and its variations 1 to 8, can be arbitrarily combined with at least one of Embodiment 3 and its variations 1 to 4.

[0188] <Other variations>

[0189] The following will be the above Figure 1 The information acquisition unit 11 and control unit 12 are referred to as "Information Acquisition Unit 11, etc." The Information Acquisition Unit 11, etc., consists of... Figure 30 The processing circuit 81 shown is implemented as follows. Specifically, the processing circuit 81 includes: an information acquisition unit 11, which acquires at least any information from the vehicle's surrounding information, vehicle information, and line-of-sight information related to the driver's line-of-sight direction; and a control unit 12, which has multiple emphasis illumination modes for emphasizing illumination of the lighting device based on at least any information. When a predetermined transfer condition is met in the current illumination mode, the control unit transfers from the current illumination mode to a different illumination mode. Furthermore, when multiple emphasis illumination modes exist in different illumination modes, the control unit performs coordinated illumination based on the current illumination mode and the transfer condition. This coordinated illumination makes the illumination mode of one or more, but fewer than all, of the multiple emphasis illumination modes more significant than the illumination mode of the remaining emphasis illumination modes. Dedicated hardware or a processor that executes programs stored in memory can be used for the processing circuit 81. The processor can be, for example, a central processing unit, processing device, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc.

[0190] In a case where the processing circuit 81 is a dedicated hardware, the processing circuit 81 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. The functions of each of the sections, such as the information acquisition section 11, can be implemented by a circuit in which the processing circuit is dispersed, or the functions of each of the sections can be integrated and implemented by one processing circuit.

[0191] In a case where the processing circuit 81 is a processor, the functions of each of the sections, such as the information acquisition section 11, are implemented by a combination with software or the like. The software or the like is, for example, software, firmware, or software and firmware. The software or the like is expressed in the form of a program and stored in a memory. As the memory, for example, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-R, a DVD-RW, a DVD+RW, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc, a flash memory, or the like is used. Figure 31As shown, the processor 82 of the processing circuit 81 reads a program stored in the memory 83 and executes, thereby realizing the functions of the respective sections. That is, the light distribution control device 1 has the memory 83 for storing a program which, when executed by the processing circuit 81, eventually performs the following steps: a step of acquiring at least any of the surrounding information of the vehicle, the information of the vehicle, and the line-of-sight information related to the line-of-sight direction of the driver of the vehicle; a step of preparing a plurality of emphasis irradiation modes which cause the light fixture to perform emphasis irradiation based on the at least any information; and a step of, when a predetermined transition condition is satisfied in the execution- in-progress irradiation mode, transitioning from the execution-in-progress irradiation mode to a different irradiation mode, and when there are a plurality of emphasis irradiation modes in the different irradiation mode, performing coordinated irradiation based on the execution-in-progress irradiation mode and the transition condition, the coordinated irradiation making the conspicuity of the irradiation pattern of one or more than one and less than all of the plurality of emphasis irradiation modes higher than the conspicuity of the irradiation pattern of the remaining emphasis irradiation modes. In other words, it can also be said that the program is a program which causes a computer to execute the sequence or method of the information acquisition section 11 and the like. Here, the memory 83 can be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a magnetic disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a drive device of these storage media, or any storage medium to be used in the future.

[0192] The above describes the structure in which any of hardware and software and the like realizes each function of the information acquisition section 11 and the like. However, it is not limited thereto, and it can also be a structure in which a part of the information acquisition section 11 and the like is realized by dedicated hardware and another part is realized by software and the like. For example, regarding the information acquisition section 11, the processing circuit 81 as dedicated hardware realizes the function thereof, and in addition thereto, the processing circuit 81 as the processor 82 reads out and executes a program stored in the memory 83, thereby being able to realize the function thereof.

[0193] As described above, the processing circuit 81 can realize each function described above by hardware, software, and the like, or a combination thereof.

[0194] Further, the light distribution control device described above can also be applied to a light distribution control system that is constructed as a system by appropriately combining a vehicle device, a communication terminal, functions of an application program installed in at least one of the vehicle device and the communication terminal, and a server. The communication terminal includes, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, and the like. Each function or each structural element of the light distribution control device described above can be distributed in each device that constructs the system or can be concentrated in any one device.

[0195] Further, each embodiment and each modification example can be freely combined, and each embodiment and each modification example can be appropriately modified or omitted.

[0196] The above description is illustrative in all aspects and is not limiting. The examples can be understood as countless modification examples that can be conceived without being exemplified.

[0197] Label Explanation

[0198] 1 Light distribution control device

[0199] 11 Information acquisition section

[0200] 11a Peripheral information acquisition section

[0201] 11b Line-of-sight information acquisition section

[0202] 12 Control section

[0203] 12a Attention-required region determination section

[0204] 12b Light distribution control section

[0205] 23b Auxiliary lamp

[0206] 36 Attention-required region

[0207] 37 Line-of-sight irradiation region

[0208] 41 Obstruction display object

[0209] 42 Guidance display object

[0210] 46 Direction display object

Claims

1. A light distribution control device that controls light distribution of a light fixture of a vehicle, characterized by comprising: including: an information acquisition section that acquires at least any of surrounding information of the vehicle, information of the vehicle, and line-of-sight information related to a line-of-sight direction of a driver of the vehicle; and a control section that has a plurality of emphasis irradiation modes in which the light fixture is caused to perform emphasis irradiation based on the at least any of the information, the control section shifting from an execution-in-progress irradiation mode to a different irradiation mode when a predetermined shift condition is satisfied in the execution-in-progress irradiation mode, and when there are the plurality of emphasis irradiation modes in the different irradiation mode, performing coordinated irradiation based on the execution-in-progress irradiation mode and the shift condition, the coordinated irradiation making a degree of prominence of an irradiation manner of more than one but less than all of the plurality of emphasis irradiation modes higher than a degree of prominence of an irradiation manner of the remaining emphasis irradiation modes.

2. The light distribution control device according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition section includes: a surrounding information acquisition section that acquires the surrounding information; and a line-of-sight information acquisition section that acquires the line-of-sight information, the control section includes: a region-of-attention determination section that determines a region-of-attention in the surroundings of the vehicle based on the surrounding information acquired by the surrounding information acquisition section; and a light distribution control section that has, as the plurality of emphasis irradiation modes, a region-of-attention irradiation mode in which the light fixture is caused to perform emphasis irradiation on the region-of-attention and a line-of-sight linkage irradiation mode in which the light fixture is caused to perform emphasis irradiation on the line-of-sight direction of the driver.

3. The light distribution control device according to claim 2, wherein the coordinated irradiation includes a line-of-sight linkage irradiation priority mode in which the degree of prominence of the line-of-sight linkage irradiation mode is made higher than the degree of prominence of the region-of-attention irradiation mode, the light distribution control section executes the line-of-sight linkage irradiation priority mode when the region-of-attention irradiation mode is being executed and the line-of-sight direction of the driver is oriented toward the region-of-attention.

4. The light distribution control device according to claim 3, wherein the coordinated irradiation further includes a region-of-attention irradiation priority mode in which the degree of prominence of the region-of-attention irradiation mode is made higher than the degree of prominence of the line-of-sight linkage irradiation mode, the light distribution control section executes the region-of-attention irradiation priority mode when the line-of-sight linkage irradiation priority mode is being executed and a degree of attention to an object of the region-of-attention increases.

5. The light distribution control device according to claim 4, wherein the light distribution control section causes the light fixture to irradiate a display object for preventing an object of the region-of-attention from entering a road surface of a traveling direction of the vehicle between the object and the road surface when the region-of-attention irradiation priority mode is being executed and the object of the region-of-attention is a person.

6. The light distribution control device according to claim 3, wherein the coordinated illumination includes a noticeable area illumination priority mode in which the prominence of the noticeable area illumination mode is higher than the prominence of the line-of-sight linkage illumination mode.

7. The light distribution control device according to claim 2, wherein the coordinated illumination includes a noticeable area illumination priority mode in which the prominence of the noticeable area illumination mode is higher than the prominence of the line-of-sight linkage illumination mode.

8. The light distribution control device according to claim 7, wherein the light distribution control section causes the light fixture to illuminate a display object for guiding the driver's line of sight from the illuminated area to the new noticeable area when the distance between the illuminated area in the line-of-sight direction and the new noticeable area is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value at the time of transition from the line-of-sight linkage illumination mode to the noticeable area illumination priority mode.

9. The light distribution control device according to claim 2, wherein the coordinated illumination includes a line-of-sight linkage illumination priority mode in which the prominence of the line-of-sight linkage illumination mode is higher than the prominence of the noticeable area illumination mode, and a noticeable area illumination priority mode in which the prominence of the noticeable area illumination mode is higher than the prominence of the line-of-sight linkage illumination mode.

10. The light distribution control device according to claim 1, wherein the difference in the prominence of the illumination mode includes a difference in the prominence of the color of the illumination from the light fixture.

11. The light distribution control device according to claim 1, wherein the difference in the prominence of the illumination mode includes a difference in the prominence of the animation of the illumination from the light fixture.

12. The light distribution control device according to claim 2, wherein the coordinated illumination includes a line-of-sight linkage illumination priority mode in which the prominence of the line-of-sight linkage illumination mode is higher than the prominence of the noticeable area illumination mode.

13. The light distribution control device according to claim 2, wherein the light distribution control section causes the light fixture to perform trailing illumination based on the driver's line-of-sight direction as the line-of-sight linkage illumination mode in the line-of-sight linkage illumination priority mode. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 13. A light distribution control method of controlling light distribution of a light fixture of a vehicle, characterized by acquiring at least any of surrounding information of the vehicle, information of the vehicle, and line-of-sight information related to a line-of-sight direction of a driver of the vehicle, preparing a plurality of highlight irradiation modes of causing the light fixture to perform highlight irradiation based on the at least any of the information, when a predetermined transition condition is satisfied in an executed irradiation mode, transitioning from the executed irradiation mode to a different irradiation mode, and when the plurality of highlight irradiation modes exist in the different irradiation mode, performing coordinated irradiation based on the executed irradiation mode and the transition condition, the coordinated irradiation making a prominence of an irradiation manner of more than one but less than all of the plurality of highlight irradiation modes higher than a prominence of an irradiation manner of the remaining highlight irradiation modes.

Images