Lane-adaptive headlight control device and corresponding procedure

Abstract

Lane-adaptive headlight control device with: a lane sensor (100) configured to detect lane information about a road travelled by the vehicle; a lane determination device (200) configured to determine information about a lane travelled by the vehicle based on the lane information detected by the lane sensor (100); and a headlight control device (300) configured to control the switching on of a headlight based on the lane information determined by the lane determination device (200), characterized by that when the lane-determining device (200) determines that the lane currently being traveled in by the vehicle is the first lane, the headlight control device (300) switches off all headlights located on the left side / facing upwards; when the lane-determining device (200) determines that the lane currently being traveled in by the vehicle is the second lane, the headlight control device (300) switches on a specific area of ​​the headlight corresponding to a single lane; and when the lane-determining device (200) determines that the lane currently being traveled in by the vehicle is the third lane, the headlight control device (300) switches on a specific area of ​​the headlight corresponding to two lanes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED REGISTRATION

[0001] This application claims the priority and benefits of Korean patent application No. 2017-0056458, filed on May 2, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety into the present application. BACKGROUND 1. Field of the invention

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a lane-adaptive headlight control device and a corresponding method, and in particular to a lane-adaptive headlight control device and a corresponding method in which information about a lane currently being driven on is identified and the switching on of a headlight is controlled according to the identified lane information in such a way as to prevent a glare effect to which an oncoming vehicle and a preceding vehicle are exposed and thus ensure the visibility of the drivers. 2. Discussion of the relevant state of the art

[0003] Generally, a vehicle's headlights are designed to provide the driver with visibility in the direction of travel while driving at night or in darkness. Vehicle headlights have undergone significant technological advancements.

[0004] Among the vehicle headlights are so-called intelligent headlights equipped with functions that allow for consideration of the driving conditions and the prevention of a glare effect on oncoming and preceding vehicles.

[0005] A conventional smart headlight of this type is equipped with a forward-facing camera, which is the primary component for capturing the field of vision in front of the vehicle. Its function is to prevent glare for oncoming and preceding vehicles. This front camera is used to control whether a headlight should be switched off based on a pair of light sources (headlights and taillights). This means that the decision to switch off the conventional smart headlights is based on the presence of a light source detected by the camera image processing.

[0006] On highways, a central barrier is usually installed to separate traffic from oncoming traffic, and most central barriers are visually partially open rather than completely closed, so that during the actual driving process the light sources of oncoming vehicles are exposed and obscured in rapid succession.

[0007] If the light sources are exposed in a road section with a median barrier, a conventional adaptive headlight based on light source detection will experience a false detection, causing the headlight to frequently switch on and off.

[0008] In an attempt to eliminate such a limitation of conventional adaptive headlights based on light source detection, adaptive headlights have been equipped with a technology in which information about a road section with a median barrier is obtained from a navigation system and all headlights located on the left side / directed upwards are switched off in the corresponding road section.

[0009] However, since a conventional intelligent headlight that uses navigation road information is only informed about the existence of a median barrier on the currently driven road by the road information of a navigation system and the information of a Global Positioning System (GPS), the headlights are controlled consistently regardless of the respective lane in which the vehicle is driving.

[0010] If the control of a headlight is independent of the lane of travel on a road, switching off the left-hand / upward-facing headlights may be of practical use when a vehicle is traveling in a first lane; however, if the vehicle is in a second or third lane, switching off the left-hand / upward-facing headlights may not achieve its purpose of ensuring visibility with respect to the lanes on the left when the vehicle is traveling in an inside lane (the second or third lane).

[0011] Particularly when merging onto a major highway, a conventional intelligent headlight, while preventing glare for an oncoming vehicle when merging into a right-hand lane, may fail to ensure visibility of a left-hand lane, potentially leading to fatal accidents. KR 10 2015 134 793 A discloses a lane-adaptive headlight control device with the features of the preamble of claim 1. Further lane-adaptive headlight control devices are known from DE 197 58 664 B4, DE 10 2013 016 761 A1, DE 196 02 622 A1, DE 10 2010 010 426 A1, DE 10 2011 083 265 A1 and DE 10 2014 214 607 A1. OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention relates to a lane-adaptive headlight control device and a corresponding method which is able to prevent headlight glare and faulty detection caused by a central barrier and to improve the visibility of a driver by varying a collective switching-off zone of the lighting in accordance with the lane being traveled.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a lane-adaptive headlight control device and a corresponding method which is able to quickly identify a lane by obtaining information about the number of one-way lanes from a navigation system and applying the obtained information to determine the lane information.

[0014] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those listed above, and further problems may be apparent to those skilled in the field based on the following description.

[0015] One aspect of the present invention comprises a lane-adaptive headlight control device comprising: a lane sensor configured to detect lane information about a road traveled by the vehicle; a lane determination device configured to determine information about a lane traveled by the vehicle based on the lane information detected by the lane sensor;and a headlight control device configured to control the switching on of a headlight based on the lane information determined by the lane detection device, wherein when the lane detection device determines that the lane currently being traveled in by the vehicle is the first lane, the headlight control device switches off all headlights located on the left / upward-facing side; when the lane detection device determines that the lane currently being traveled in by the vehicle is the second lane, the headlight control device switches on a specific portion of the headlight corresponding to a single lane; and when the lane detection device determines that the lane currently being traveled in by the vehicle is the third lane, the headlight control device switches on a specific portion of the headlight corresponding to two lanes.

[0016] The lane sensor can be a camera configured to identify a lane.

[0017] The lane determination device can determine the lane information by using line type information from the lane information collected during driving.

[0018] The lane determination device can obtain information about the number of one-way lanes in conjunction with a navigation system and use the obtained information to determine a lane.

[0019] According to the invention, the headlight control device controls a switch-off zone of the headlight according to the lane information determined by the lane determination device.

[0020] Another aspect of the present invention consists of a lane-adaptive headlight control method comprising: collecting lane information about a road traveled by the vehicle by means of a control processor for controlling the switching on of an adaptive headlight by means of a detection module; determining information about a lane traveled by the vehicle from the collected lane information by means of the control processor;and by means of the control processor, controlling the switching on of the headlight according to the lane information determined when the lane information is determined, wherein if it is determined that the lane currently being traveled by the vehicle is the first lane, all headlights located on the left / upward-facing side are switched off; if it is determined that the lane currently being traveled by the vehicle is the second lane, a specific area of ​​the headlight corresponding to a single lane is switched on; and if it is determined that the lane currently being traveled by the vehicle is the third lane, a specific area of ​​the headlight corresponding to two lanes is switched on.

[0021] The collection of lane information can include the collection of lane information using an image captured by a camera.

[0022] Determining lane information can include determining lane information using line type information from lane information collected during driving.

[0023] Determining lane information can involve obtaining information about the number of one-way lanes from a navigation system in conjunction with the control processor.

[0024] According to the invention, controlling the headlight thus includes controlling a switch-off zone of the headlight according to the specified lane information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] These and other tasks, features, and advantages of the present invention will become clearer to those skilled in the field from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a functional block diagram to illustrate a lane-adaptive headlight control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 a flowchart to illustrate the identification of a lane according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 a flowchart to illustrate a lane-adaptive headlight control method according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4A to Fig. 4C Views illustrating a headlight switching control carried out according to a lane according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION

[0026] The aforementioned advantages, as well as further advantages and a concept for achieving the advantages of the present invention, will become clearer from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of protection of the invention is limited to these embodiments, and the invention can be implemented in various forms. The embodiments described below serve as a thorough and complete description from which those skilled in the art can gain a comprehensive understanding of the scope of protection of the invention. The invention is defined only by the scope of the accompanying claims. The terms used here serve to aid in the explanation and understanding of the invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope and content of the invention.It should be clear that the singular forms "ein", "eine" and "der", "die", "das" also include the plural, unless explicitly stated otherwise in the context. The expressions "aufweist", "aufweisend", "umfasst", and / or "umfassend" specify the presence of components, steps, and / or operations, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more further components, steps, and / or operations.

[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows a functional block diagram illustrating a lane-adaptive headlight control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 The lane-adaptive headlight control device of this embodiment of the invention comprises a lane sensor 100, a lane determination device 200 and a headlight control device 300.

[0029] The lane sensor 100 serves to detect lane information on a road traveled by the vehicle. Preferably, according to the embodiment of the invention, the lane sensor 100 is implemented using a camera capable of identifying a lane. The lane sensor 100 can utilize lane detection technology used in a conventional lane keeping assistance system (LKAS) or a lane departure warning system (LDWS), also known as a lane keeping warning system, for lane detection, such that the lane sensor 100 recognizes a lane from a captured image.

[0030] The lane determination device 200 serves to determine information about a lane travelled by the vehicle on the basis of the road information detected by means of the lane sensor 100.

[0031] The headlight control device 300 serves to control the switching on of a headlight according to the road information determined by the lane determination device 200. Preferably, a headlight used in the embodiment of the invention can have several individually controllable light-emitting diodes (LEDs) such that selective switching on of the headlight is carried out according to the control by the headlight control device 300.

[0032] According to the embodiment of the present invention, information about a lane travelled by the vehicle is identified, and the switching on of the headlight is controlled in accordance with the identified lane information, so that an incorrect switching on or off of the headlight, which could be caused by incorrect detection of oncoming vehicles or road information, is prevented and the visibility of a driver is improved.

[0033] The lane determination device 200 according to the embodiment of the invention determines the lane information using line type information about the lines running along the left and right sides of a lane and the nearest lines adjacent to the left and right lines, based on the road surface information detected by the lane sensor 100. In the embodiment of the invention, the lane traveled by the vehicle is determined as a highway, where a line type comprises only a solid line and a broken line; however, the invention is not limited to this. Various lines can be used, such as a combined line or a double solid line.

[0034] Fig. Figure 2 shows a flowchart illustrating a process in which the lane determination device determines 200 lane information by using lane information detected on a three-lane highway with a solid line and a broken line.

[0035] First, the lane determination device 200 determines whether a left-hand line of a lane is a solid line (S201).

[0036] In this case, if the left lane line is a solid line (YES in S201), it is determined whether there is a next left line adjacent to the left line (S202).

[0037] Then, if a next left line does not exist (NO in S202) and a right line of the lane is a broken line (S203), the currently used lane is determined to be a first lane (S204), and if a next left line exists (YES in S202) and the right line of the lane is a broken line (S206), the currently used lane is determined to be a second lane (S207).

[0038] If, however, the left lane line is not a solid line (NO in S201) but a broken line, it is determined whether the next left line is a solid line (S205). If operation S205 determines that the next left line is a solid line (YES in S205) and the right lane line is a broken line (S206), the currently occupied lane is determined to be the second lane (S207).

[0039] If, however, when determining whether the next left line is a solid line (S205) and the right line of the lane is a solid line (S208), it is found that the next left line is not a solid line (NO in S205) but a broken line, it is determined whether a next right line adjacent to the right line exists (S209).

[0040] If operation S209 determines that a next right-hand lane does not exist (NO in S09), the currently used lane is determined to be the third lane (S210).

[0041] If, during operation S209, it is determined that a next right-hand line exists (JA in S09), a further process to determine a next lane is included in the sequence (S211).

[0042] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been explained using the example of a three-lane highway which has only the solid line and the broken line, the invention is not limited to the number of lanes and can also be applied to a highway which has other types of lanes with a combined line, e.g. a bus lane.

[0043] The lane determination device 200 can obtain information about the number of one-way lanes using a navigation system and use the information obtained to determine the lanes.

[0044] This means that if the lane determination device 200 does not receive information about the number of one-way lanes with the help of the navigation system, the lane determination device 200 must perform the determination process to determine the presence of the next right-hand line (S209) and the determination process to determine the presence of the next lane (S211).

[0045] However, if the lane determination device 200 receives information about the number of one-way lanes using the navigation system, the lane determination device 200 can omit determining the existence of the next lane after the lane currently being used by the vehicle has been determined.

[0046] The headlight control device 300 controls a switch-off zone of the headlight according to the lane information determined by the lane determination device 200.

[0047] This means that if the lane determination device 200 determines that the lane currently being used by the vehicle is the first lane, the headlight control device 300 switches off a specific range of adaptive high beam (referred to as “ADB”, adaptive driving beam), i.e., according to Fig. 4A switches off all headlights located on the left side / facing upwards, and if the currently driven lane is recognized as the second lane, the headlight control device 300 according to Fig. 4B switches on a specific area of ​​the headlight corresponding to a single lane in such a way that the single lane is illuminated, and when the lane currently being driven on is recognized as the third lane, the headlight control device 300 according to Fig. 4C activates a specific area of ​​the headlight corresponding to two lanes in such a way as to ensure visibility for both lanes.

[0048] Fig. Figure 3 shows a flowchart illustrating a lane-adaptive headlight control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The in Fig. 3. The lane-adaptive headlight control method illustrated according to the embodiment of the invention can preferably be carried out by means of a control processor for controlling the switching on of an adaptive headlight.

[0049] First, lane information about a lane currently occupied by a vehicle is collected using a sensor module (S100). Preferably, the lane information (S100) can be collected by gathering it from an image captured by a camera. In this operation, a lane detection technique similar to that used in conventional LKAS or LDWS can be employed to identify a lane from the captured image.

[0050] Subsequently, the information about the lane currently being used by the vehicle is determined based on the collected lane information (S200).

[0051] For this purpose, it is determined, based on the collected lane information, whether a left-hand line of a lane is a solid line (S201).

[0052] In this case, if the left lane line is a solid line (YES in S201), it is determined whether there is a next left line adjacent to the left line (S202).

[0053] If a next left line does not exist (NO in S202) and a right lane line is a broken line (S203), the lane currently being used by the vehicle is recognized as the first lane (S204), and if the next left line exists (YES in S202) and the right lane line is a broken line (S206), the lane currently being used is recognized as the second lane (S207).

[0054] If, however, the left lane line is not a solid line (NO in S201) but a broken line, it is checked whether the next left line adjacent to the left line is a solid line (S205). If operation S205 determines that the next left line is a solid line (YES in S205) and a right lane line is a broken line (S206), the currently occupied lane is recognized as the second lane (S207).

[0055] If, however, when checking whether the next left line is a solid line (S205) and the right line of the lane is a solid line (S208), it is found that the next left line is not a solid line (NO in S205) but a broken line, it is checked whether a next right line adjacent to the right line is a solid line (S209).

[0056] Then, the activation of a headlight is controlled according to the lane information determined in operation S300. This means that, preferably, the control of the headlight activation (S300) can be carried out by controlling a headlight deactivation zone according to the determined lane information. This means that if the lane currently being traveled by the vehicle is identified as the first lane by the lane determination device 200, the headlight control device 300 deactivates a specific area of ​​an ADB, i.e., according to Fig. 4A switches off all headlights located on the left side / facing upwards, and if the currently driven lane is recognized as the second lane, the headlight control device 300 according to Fig. 4B switches on a specific area of ​​the headlight corresponding to a single lane in such a way that the single lane is illuminated, and when the lane currently being driven on is recognized as the third lane, the headlight control device 300 according to Fig. 4C activates a specific area of ​​the headlight corresponding to two lanes in such a way as to ensure visibility for both lanes.

[0057] Preferably, the lane information (S200) can be determined by identifying the lane using line type information from the lane information collected during driving. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the line type is determined only as to whether it is a solid or a broken line, but the invention is not limited thereto. Various line types, such as a combined line and a double solid line, can be used.

[0058] The process of determining lane information (S200) can include obtaining information about the number of one-way lanes from a navigation system. Without obtaining information about the number of one-way lanes from the navigation system, determining lane information (S200) requires checking for the presence of the next right-hand line (S209) and checking for the presence of the next lane (S211). However, if the information about the number of one-way lanes obtained from the navigation system is used in the lane information operation, the operation of checking for the presence of the next lane after the currently occupied lane has been determined is omitted.

[0059] As can be seen from the above description, a glare effect that could occur due to the switching on and off of a headlight because of a central barrier can be prevented, and the driver's visibility can be improved by varying a switch-off zone according to the position of a lane.

[0060] Furthermore, a lane can be quickly identified by including the number of one-way lanes provided by a navigation system when determining the lane.

[0061] The foregoing description of the invention serves only for illustration, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the field that further specific modifications can easily be made without deviating from the technical content or the essential features of the invention. Thus, the exemplary embodiments listed in this description and the accompanying drawings are intended to clarify the invention but not to limit its technical content, and the scope of protection of the invention is defined not by the foregoing detailed description but by the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] Lane-adaptive headlight control device with: a lane sensor (100) configured to detect lane information about a road travelled by the vehicle; a lane determination device (200) configured to determine information about a lane travelled by the vehicle based on the lane information detected by the lane sensor (100); and a headlight control device (300) configured to control the switching on of a headlight based on the lane information determined by the lane determination device (200), characterized by , that when the lane-determining device (200) determines that the lane currently being traveled in by the vehicle is the first lane, the headlight control device (300) switches off all headlights located on the left side / facing upwards; when the lane-determining device (200) determines that the lane currently being traveled in by the vehicle is the second lane, the headlight control device (300) switches on a specific area of ​​the headlight corresponding to a single lane; and when the lane-determining device (200) determines that the lane currently being traveled in by the vehicle is the third lane, the headlight control device (300) switches on a specific area of ​​the headlight corresponding to two lanes. [2] Lane-adaptive headlight control device according to claim 1, characterized by, that the lane sensor (100) is a camera configured in such a way that a lane can be identified by it. [3] Lane-adaptive headlight control device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the lane determination device (200) determines the lane information by using line type information from the lane information collected during driving. [4] Lane-adaptive headlight control device according to claim 3, characterized by , that the lane determination device (200) receives information about the number of one-way lanes in conjunction with a navigation system and uses the received information in determining a lane. [5] Lane-adaptive headlight control system, comprising: by means of a control processor to control the switching on of an adaptive headlight, collecting lane information about a road travelled by the vehicle through a detection module; by means of the control processor, determining information about a lane travelled by the vehicle from the collected lane information; and by means of the control processor, the switching on of the headlight is controlled according to the lane information determined during the lane information determination process. characterized by , that, if it is determined that the lane currently being traveled by the vehicle is the first lane, all headlights located on the left / facing upwards are switched off; if it is determined that the lane currently being traveled by the vehicle is the second lane, a specific area of ​​the headlight corresponding to a single lane is switched on; and if it is determined that the lane currently being traveled by the vehicle is the third lane, a specific area of ​​the headlight corresponding to two lanes is switched on. [6] Lane-adaptive headlight control method according to claim 5, characterized by , that the collection of lane information includes the collection of lane information using an image captured by a camera. [7] Lane-adaptive headlight control method according to claim 6, characterized by, that determining the lane information includes determining the lane information using line type information from the lane information collected during driving. [8] Lane-adaptive headlight control method according to claim 5, characterized by , that determining the lane information includes obtaining information about the number of one-way lanes from a navigation system in conjunction with the control processor.

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