VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTEM

Abstract

A vehicle monitoring system that includes: a luminaire (1) that has a first light source (21) configured to emit light, forming a first light distribution area (PL1, PH1) on a virtual vertical screen, positioned at a predetermined distance from the vehicle, and a second light source (22), configured to emit light that forms a second light distribution area (PL2, PH2) which has a light quantity higher than that of the first light distribution area (PL1, PH1) on the virtual vertical screen, the first light distribution area (PL1, PH1) and the second light distribution area (PL2, PH2) are combined to form a predetermined light distribution pattern (PL, PH) on the virtual vertical screen; a visible light camera (4) configured to record the vehicle's surroundings, including the area where the light distribution pattern is formed; and a controller (3) configured to control at least one emission time from the second light source (22) or image acquisition time from the visible light camera (4), such that the visible light camera (4) performs an image acquisition while only the first light source (21) emits light.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED REGISTRATIONS

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority from Japanese patent application No. 2019-051491, filed on March 19, 2019, with the Japanese Patent Office, and the disclosure thereof is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. TECHNICAL AREA

[0002] The present disclosure relates to vehicle monitoring systems. BACKGROUND

[0003] A vehicle equipped with a visible light camera that monitors a direction of travel is known, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese patent publication no. 2018-086913. SUMMARY

[0004] When driving at night, the light from a vehicle's headlights is used for recording by a visible light camera. The image capture settings of the visible light camera are adjusted according to the brightness of the vehicle's headlights, but the vehicle's illumination area includes both areas of strong and weak illumination. Therefore, it is difficult to adjust the image capture settings of the visible light camera appropriately for the entire field of view. If the image capture settings of the visible light camera are not suitable, overexposure or underexposure can occur in the resulting image.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a vehicle monitoring system capable of obtaining an advantageous image recording result for a visible light camera.

[0006] A vehicle monitoring system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a lighting unit comprising a first light source configured to emit light forming a first light distribution area on a virtual vertical screen positioned at a predetermined distance from the vehicle; and a second light source configured to emit light forming a second light distribution area, which has a higher quantity of light than the first light distribution area, on the virtual vertical screen; the first light distribution area and the second light distribution area being combined to form a predetermined light distribution pattern on the virtual vertical screen; and a visible-light camera configured to record an environment from the vehicle that is included in the area where the light distribution pattern is formed.and a controller configured to control at least one emission time from the second light source or an image acquisition time from the visible light camera, such that the visible light camera performs an image acquisition while only the first light source emits light.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle monitoring system that is capable of obtaining an advantageous imaging result from a visible light camera.

[0008] The preceding summary is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. In addition to the aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the detailed description that follows. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle light according to an embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the "present embodiment") of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 is a drawing showing an example of a low beam light distribution pattern through the vehicle light according to the present embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 is a drawing showing an example of a high beam light distribution pattern through the vehicle light according to the present embodiment. Fig. Figure 4 is a flow diagram that is executed by a control from the vehicle light according to the present embodiment. Fig. Figure 5 is a flow diagram that is executed by a control of a vehicle light according to a modification of the present embodiment. Fig. Figure 6 is a drawing showing a switch-on time profile of a second light source from the vehicle light and an image capture time profile of a visible light camera according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which form part thereof. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be implemented, and other modifications may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein.

[0010] The following are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure described with reference to the drawings. Descriptions of elements that have the same reference numerals as elements already described in the description of the present exemplary embodiment are omitted for the sake of clarity. Furthermore, dimensions of elements shown in the drawings may differ from actual dimensions of elements for the sake of clarity.

[0011] Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle light 1 according to the present embodiment. The vehicle light 1 is an example of a vehicle monitoring system from the present disclosure. The vehicle light 1 is configured to be mounted on a vehicle and to illuminate the area around the vehicle. For example, the vehicle light 1 is a vehicle headlight provided on the front of the vehicle and configured to illuminate the area in front of the vehicle. The vehicle headlight is described below as an example of the vehicle light 1.

[0012] The vehicle light 1 comprises a lighting unit 2 and a control unit 3. The lighting unit 2 is configured to illuminate the area in front of the vehicle based on a switch-on control signal received by the control unit 3. The light emitted by the lighting unit 2 forms a predefined light distribution pattern in front of the vehicle.

[0013] The lighting unit 2 comprises a first light source 21, a second light source 22, and an optical unit 23. The light emitted from the first light source 21 is directed to the area in front of the vehicle via the optical unit 23 to form a predefined light distribution area in front of the vehicle. The light emitted from the second light source 22 is also directed to the area in front of the vehicle via the optical unit 23 to form a predefined light distribution area in front of the vehicle. These light distribution areas are combined to form a predefined light distribution pattern. The predefined light distribution pattern refers, for example, to a low beam distribution pattern or a high beam distribution pattern.The luminaire unit 2 is configured such that the amount of light from the light distribution area formed by the light from the second light source 22 (hereinafter referred to as a "light-concentrated section") is higher than the amount of light from the light distribution area formed by the light from the first light source 21 (hereinafter referred to as a "diffusion section").

[0014] Each of the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 has, for example, one or more light-emitting elements, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) or a laser diode (LD). The first light source 21 is controlled to be, for example, continuously switched on or switched on in a pulsed manner. The second light source 22 is also controlled to be switched on in a pulsed manner. The optical unit 23 has, for example, a projection lens, a reflector, and a movable shield. Emitting light from the light source is referred to as "switching on".

[0015] The configuration of luminaire unit 2 is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, luminaire unit 2 uses the common optical unit 23 for both the first light source 21 and the second light source 22, but is not limited to this. Luminaire unit 2 can include a first optical unit assigned to the first light source 21 and a second optical unit assigned to the second light source 22.

[0016] A light distribution pattern formed by the luminaire unit 2 is described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 described. Fig. Figure 2 represents an example of a low beam distribution pattern PL of the vehicle lamp 1 according to the present embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 represents an example of a high beam light distribution pattern PH by the vehicle light 1 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is a light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen positioned at a predetermined distance in front of a vehicle, for example, a position 25 m in front of the vehicle, by which the light emitted to the front area in front of the vehicle from the lighting unit 2 is shown transparently.

[0017] The low-beam light distribution pattern PL and the high-beam light distribution pattern PH each have scattering sections PL1 and PH1, formed by the light from the first light source 21, and light-concentrated sections PL2 and PH2, formed by the light from the second light source 22, which has a higher light intensity than that of the scattering sections PL1 and PH1. The scattering sections PL1 and PH1 are examples of the first light distribution area, and the light-concentrated sections PL2 and PH2 are examples of the second light distribution area.

[0018] The low beam distribution pattern PL, shown in Fig. 2 is a low-beam light distribution pattern of a left-side light distribution. The low-beam light distribution pattern PL has cutoff lines CL1 and CL2, which have different left and right steps at their upper edge. The cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 have different left and right steps, with the VV line passing through a vanishing point VP in the front direction from the luminaire in the vertical direction and extending in the horizontal direction. An oncoming lane side section on the right side of the VV line is formed as a lower cutoff line CL1. A own lane side section on the left side of the VV line is formed as an upper cutoff line CL2, which rises through a step and an inclined section from the lower cutoff line CL1.The cutoff line CL2 has a cutoff line CL21, formed by the scattering section, and a cutoff line CL22, formed by the light-condensing section. The cutoff line CL21 is positioned lower than the cutoff line CL22. In the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, there is a kink point, which is the intersection point of the lower cutoff line CL1 and the VV line, positioned, for example, 0.5° to 0.6° below the vanishing point VP.

[0019] The light-concentrated section PL2 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL forms the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 (CL22) at a central section of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, and a light distribution area in its vicinity. The diffused section PL1 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL forms the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 (CL21), which are positioned lower than the cutoff line CL22 of the light-concentrated section PL2 and extend in the left-right direction around the VV line, with a light distribution area spreading downwards from it. Since the amount of light from the scattering section PL1 is less than from the light-condensed section PL2, there is no step-light-amount change in the vicinity of the cutoff lines CL1 and CL21 of the scattering section PL1, compared with the vicinity of the cutoff lines CL1 and CL22 of the light-condensed section PL2.

[0020] The scattering section PL1, for example, is formed by projecting a light-source image from the first light source 21, formed on a rear focal plane by a projection lens, through the light from the first light source 21, which is reflected by the reflector of the optical unit 23, as an inverted projection image onto the virtual vertical screen by the projection lens. The cutoff lines CL1 and CL21 are formed by blocking a portion of the light from the first light source 21 to the projection lens by the movable screen.

[0021] The light-condensed section PL2 is formed, for example, by projecting a light-source image from the second light source 22, formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens, from the light from the second light source 22, which is reflected by the reflector, onto the optical unit 23 as an inverted projection image on the virtual vertical screen through the projection lens. The cutoff lines CL1 and CL22 are formed by blocking a portion of the light from the second light source 22 to the projection lens by the movable screen.

[0022] The high beam light distribution pattern PH, shown in Fig. 3, has a shape obtained by extending the low-beam light distribution pattern PL over the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2. The scattering section PH1 of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH is formed as a light distribution area that extends further horizontally around the VV line. The light-concentrated section PH2 of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH is formed as a light distribution area that has a spot shape that extends slightly horizontally around the VV line and is narrower than the scattering section PH1.

[0023] The scattering section PL1 is formed by projecting the light source image from the first light source 21, formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens, by light from the first light source 21, which is reflected by the reflector, as the inverted projection image on the virtual vertical screen through the projection lens.

[0024] The light-condensed section PH2 is formed by projecting the light source image from the second light source 22, formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens, through the light from the second light source 22, which is reflected by the reflector, as the inverted projection image on the virtual vertical screen through the projection lens.

[0025] Back to Fig. 1. The vehicle light 1 further includes a visible-light camera 4. The visible-light camera 4, together with the light unit 2 and the controller 3, is positioned in a space formed by a housing that has an opening at the front of the vehicle and an outer lens attached to cover the opening. The visible-light camera 4 is configured to record the front of the vehicle based on an image capture control signal received from the controller 3. When driving at night, the visible-light camera 4 is configured to record the front of the vehicle using light from the light unit 2. The visible-light camera 4 is, for example, a camera that includes an image capture device such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS).The visible light camera 4 can be configured as a monocular or stereo camera. When imaging data depicting the area in front of the vehicle is requested, the visible light camera 4 is configured to send this data to the controller 3. The imaging data sent to the controller 3 is converted into vehicle environment information and then used to control the lighting unit 2 and / or the visible light camera 4, or sent to a vehicle controller that operates the vehicle.

[0026] Controller 3 is configured to control the operation of the lighting unit 2 and the visible light camera 4. Controller 3 sends the image capture control signal, which includes image capture time information, to the visible light camera 4 based on an image capture instruction signal from the vehicle control unit. The image capture time information includes information about the cycle and period (exposure time) of the image captured by the visible light camera 4. Furthermore, Controller 3 sends the switch-on control signal, which includes switch-on time information, to the lighting unit 2 based on a switch-on instruction signal from the vehicle control unit.The switch-on time information includes switch-on time information from the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 of the luminaire unit 2, and in a case of pulsed switch-on, includes information on a cycle and a period of the pulsed switch-on.

[0027] Furthermore, the controller 3 controls at least one of the switching-on time of the second light source 22 or the image acquisition time of the visible light camera 4, so that the visible light camera 4 performs an image acquisition while of the light distribution pattern, only the scattering section is formed, and the light condensation section is not formed (that is, only the first light source 21 is switched ON, and the second light source 22 is not switched ON).

[0028] Controller 3 is configured by an electronic control unit (ECU). The electronic control unit includes a system-on-a-chip (SoC) containing one or more processors, one or more memory modules, and an electronic circuit configured with active elements, such as transistors, and passive elements. The processor includes at least one CPU, one MPU, one GPU, and one TPU. The memory includes ROM and RAM. Furthermore, the system-on-a-chip can be configured as a non-von Neumann computer, such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

[0029] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the controller 3 is a single electronic control unit configured by, but not limited to, two electronic control units. The controller 3 can be configured by two electronic control units, that is, one electronic control unit configured to control an actuation from the light unit 2, and one electronic control unit configured to control an actuation from the visible light camera 4.

[0030] The following describes an operational control of the lighting unit 2 and the visible light camera 4, executed by the control unit 3. Fig. Figure 4 is a flow diagram that is executed by the control unit 3 of the vehicle light 1, according to the present embodiment.

[0031] The controller 3 of the present embodiment is configured to control the image acquisition time of the visible-light camera 4 based on the switch-on time of the second light source 22, so that the visible-light camera 4 performs an image acquisition while only the light source 21 of the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 is switched on. The flowchart provides descriptions based on an example in which the first light source 21 is continuously switched on, and the second light source 22 is switched on in a pulsed manner.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 4. In step S1, when an operating instruction signal from the visible light camera 4 is received by the vehicle control unit, the control unit 3 determines whether the lighting unit 2 performs a switching operation. The state in which the lighting unit 2 performs the switching operation refers to a state in which the lighting unit 2 forms a light distribution pattern using the light from the first light source 21 and the second light source 22. For example, if a switching control signal is sent to the first light source 21 and the second light source 22, the control unit 3 determines that the lighting unit 2 performs the switching operation. If configured to send an on-state signal indicating that the lighting unit 2 is switched ON to the controller 3, the controller 3 determines that the lighting unit 2 performs the on-switching operation as a result of receiving the on-state signal.Furthermore, control unit 3 can determine whether the lighting unit 2 is in active mode or not, based on vehicle environment information from an external sensor requested by the vehicle control unit. If the result of the determination in step S1 is NO, the control process is terminated.

[0033] If the determination result in step S1 is YES, the controller 3 detects the switch-on time (cycle and time of the pulsed switch-on) of the second light source 22 (step S2). For example, the controller 3 detects the switch-on time of the second light source 22 based on the switch-on time information contained in the switch-on control signal sent to the luminaire unit 2. If configured to send the pulsed switch-on state signal, indicating that the second light source 22 is in the pulsed switch-on state, to the controller 3, the controller 3 can detect the switch-on time of the second light source 22 based on the detected pulsed switch-on state signal.

[0034] Off-time information can be used as on-time information. That is, the on-time in step S2 can be determined using a cycle and time of the pulsed OFF signal during the pulsed ON signal in the pulsed on-control.

[0035] Subsequently, in step S3, the controller 3 determines the image acquisition time (cycle and time) of the visible light camera 4, so that the visible light camera 4 performs an image acquisition while the second light source 22 is not switched on, based on the detected switch-on time of the second light source 22. The visible light camera 4 receives the image acquisition control signal, which contains the image acquisition time information, from the controller 3 and performs an image acquisition based on the received image acquisition time.

[0036] Fig. Figure 6 is a drawing showing the switch-on time (upper part of Fig. 6) from the second light source 22 and the image acquisition time (lower part of Fig. 6) from the visible light camera 4. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, for example, the controller 3 controls the image capture time of the visible light camera 4, so that an image is captured while the second light source 22 is not switched ON.

[0037] In steps S1 to S3, the controller 3 confirms whether or not vehicle light 1 is switching on when the image capture operation of the visible light camera 4 begins, and determines the image capture time of the visible light camera 4 based on the detected switch-on time of the second light source, but is not limited to this. For example, the controller 3 can confirm whether or not the visible light camera 4 is switching on when light unit 2 begins by receiving the switch-on instruction signal from light unit 2 from the vehicle controller, and if the visible light camera 4 performs the image capture operation, it can set and determine the image capture time of the visible light camera 4 based on the specified switch-on time of the second light source.

[0038] Furthermore, in step S3, the controller 3 controls the image acquisition time from the visible light camera 4, but is not limited to this. Without using the image data acquired while the second light source 2 is ON, from the image data acquired by the visible light camera 4, the controller 3 can request the vehicle environment information based on other image data. (Modification)

[0039] The following describes a modification of the operating control of the lighting unit 2 and the visible light camera 4, carried out by the control unit 3, with reference to Fig. 5 described. Fig. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the implementation of the control unit 3 of the vehicle light 1 according to the modification of the present embodiment. The control unit 3 of the modification is configured to control the switch-on time of the second light source 22 of the light unit 2 based on the image acquisition time of the visible light camera 4, such that the visible light camera 4 takes an image while only the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 are switched on. Similar descriptions, also shown in the flowchart, are based on an example in which the light source 21 is continuously switched on and the second light source 22 is switched on in a pulsed manner.

[0040] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 5, in step S11, when the switch-on instruction signal from the lighting unit 2 is received from the vehicle control unit, the control unit 3 determines whether the visible light camera 4 performs the image acquisition operation. For example, when the image acquisition control signal is sent to the visible light camera 4, the control unit 3 determines that the visible light camera 4 performs the image acquisition operation. The control unit 3 can determine whether the visible light camera 4 performs the image acquisition operation or not by receiving the signal regarding the actuation of the visible light camera 4 from the vehicle control unit. If image data is received from the visible light camera 4, the control unit 3 can determine that the visible light camera 4 performs the image acquisition operation. If the determination result in step S11 is NO, the control process is terminated.

[0041] If the determination result in step S11 is YES, the controller 3 acquires the image acquisition time (cycle and time of image acquisition) from the visible light camera 4 (step S12). For example, the controller 3 acquires the image acquisition time from the visible light camera 4 based on the image acquisition time information included in the image acquisition control signal sent to the visible light camera 4.

[0042] Subsequently, in step S13, the controller 3 determines the switch-on time (cycle and time) of the second light source 22, so that the second light source 22 is not switched on while the visible light camera 4 is recording, based on the image acquisition time recorded by the visible light camera 4. The second light source 22 receives the switch-on control signal, which contains the switch-on time information, from the controller 3 and performs the pulsed switch-on based on the received switch-on time.

[0043] In steps S11 to S13, the controller 3 confirms whether the visible light camera 4 is in image acquisition mode when the lighting unit 2 begins its switch-on operation, and determines the switch-on time of the second light source 22 based on the detected image acquisition time from the visible light camera 4, but is not limited to this. For example, the controller 3 can confirm whether the lighting unit 2 is in image acquisition mode when the visible light camera 4 begins its image acquisition operation, and can set and determine the switch-on time of the second light source 22 based on a predefined image acquisition time from the visible light camera 4 when the lighting unit 2 performs its switch-on operation.

[0044] As described above, in the vehicle light 1 of the present embodiment, the first light source 21 emits light that forms the diffusion sections PL1 and PH1 of the light distribution pattern PL and PH. The second light source 22 emits light that forms the light-concentrated sections PL2 and PH2, which have a higher light intensity than the diffusion sections PL1 and PH1. The visible-light camera 4 records the area around the vehicle (for example, the front area), which includes the area where the light distribution patterns PL and PH are formed. The control 3 controls at least one of the switching-on time of the second light source 22 or the image acquisition time of the visible light camera 4, so that the visible light camera 4 performs an image acquisition while only the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 are switched ON.For example, control 3 controls the image acquisition time of the visible light camera 4 based on the switch-on time of the second light source 22. Alternatively, control 3 controls the switch-on time of the second light source 22 based on the image acquisition time of the visible light camera 4.

[0045] Therefore, in the vehicle light 1, the image acquisition conditions of the visible light camera 4 can be adjusted in response to the brightness of the first light source 21, and thus it is possible to acquire an image under good image acquisition conditions across the entire field angle of view of the visible light camera 4. Therefore, the vehicle light 1 can obtain a good image acquisition result from the visible light camera 4. For example, it is possible to suppress overexposure and underexposure occurring in the image acquisition result from the visible light camera 4. Furthermore, in the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, it is possible to prevent the visible light camera 4 from perceiving the cutoff lines CL1 and CL22, in which the light-dense section PL2 exists as a specific line in reality.Furthermore, in the dimming light distribution pattern PL, color blurring from the cutoff lines CL1 and CL22, which exist in the light-densified section PL2, is not included in the image acquisition data, thus simplifying the imaging process.

[0046] The lighting unit 2 includes the common optical unit 23, which is configured to emit the light from the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 to the surroundings (for example, the front area) of the vehicle. Therefore, the lighting unit 2 can be miniaturized. The lighting unit 2 can include a first optical unit corresponding to the first light source 21 and a second optical unit corresponding to the second light source 22. Therefore, the control of the light distribution area formed by the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 can be carried out independently.

[0047] In the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, the light-dense section PL2 forms the clipping lines CL1 and CL22 at a central position within the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, and the scattering section PL1 is positioned lower than the clipping lines CL1 and CL22 of the light-dense section PL2. For example, it is possible to prevent the visible-light camera 4 from perceiving the clipping lines CL1 and CL22, in which the light-dense section PL2 exists, as specific lines in reality by performing image acquisition with the visible-light camera 4 while only the scattering section PL1 is formed. Furthermore, the color blurring of the clipping lines CL1 and CL22, which exists in the light-densified section PL2, is not included in the image acquisition data, thus simplifying the imaging process.

[0048] In the glare-light distribution pattern PH, the light-concentrated section PH2 is narrower than the scattering section PH1 and overlaps with the scattering section PH1. For example, it is possible to suppress overexposure or underexposure occurring in the image acquisition result from the visible-light camera 4 by performing the image acquisition with the visible-light camera 4 while only the scattering section PH1 is formed.

[0049] In the embodiment described above, the vehicle headlight illuminating the front of the vehicle has been described as an example of vehicle light 1, but vehicle light 1 is not limited to this. Vehicle light 1 can be a light illuminating the side or rear of the vehicle.

[0050] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the vehicle monitoring system of the present disclosure is configured by the vehicle light 1 described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the visible light camera 4 may be positioned outside the vehicle light 1. In this case, the controller 3 may be configured by an electronic control unit configured to control the actuation of the light unit 2, and a controller configured to control the actuation of the visible light camera 4 may be positioned separately outside the vehicle light 1. In this case, the controller configured to control the actuation of the visible light camera 4 may be configured integrally with the vehicle controller.

[0051] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, when driving at night, the visible-light camera 4 records the front of the vehicle using the light from the lighting unit 2, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The visible-light camera 4 can also record the front of the vehicle using the light from the lighting unit 2 in a case where image capture data with a good amount of light cannot be obtained because the vehicle's surroundings are dark, such as when driving in a tunnel.

[0052] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the second light source 22 is switched on in a pulsating manner, but is not limited to this. The second light source 22 can be switched on continuously. In this case, the controller 3 regularly stops the continuous switching on of the second light source 22 or switches to pulsating switching in order to control the image acquisition time of the visible light camera 4, so that the visible light camera 4 performs an image acquisition while the second light source 22 is switched off.

[0053] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the first light source 21 is continuously switched on, but is not limited to this. The first light source 21 can be switched on in a pulsating manner. In this case, the controller 3 controls the image acquisition time of the visible light camera 4, so that the visible light camera 4 performs an image acquisition while the first light source 21 is switched on.

[0054] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the switch-on time of the second light source 22 or the image acquisition time of the visible-light camera 4 is controlled, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Both the switch-on time of the second light source 22 and the image acquisition time of the visible-light camera 4 can be controlled so that they are synchronized with each other.

[0055] Of the foregoing, it is commendable that various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described for illustrative purposes, and that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to limit the true scope and spirit indicated by the following claims.

Claims

[1] A vehicle monitoring system that includes: a luminaire (1) that has a first light source (21) configured to emit light, forming a first light distribution area (PL1, PH1) on a virtual vertical screen, positioned at a predetermined distance from the vehicle, and a second light source (22), configured to emit light that forms a second light distribution area (PL2, PH2) which has a light quantity higher than that of the first light distribution area (PL1, PH1) on the virtual vertical screen, the first light distribution area (PL1, PH1) and the second light distribution area (PL2, PH2) are combined to form a predetermined light distribution pattern (PL, PH) on the virtual vertical screen; a visible light camera (4) configured to record the vehicle's surroundings, including the area where the light distribution pattern is formed; and a controller (3) configured to control at least one emission time from the second light source (22) or image acquisition time from the visible light camera (4), such that the visible light camera (4) performs an image acquisition while only the first light source (21) emits light. [2] The vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the controller (3) controls the image acquisition time of the visible light camera (4) based on the emission time of the second light source (22). [3] The vehicle monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the controller (3) controls the emission time from the second light source (22) based on the image acquisition time from the visible light camera (4). [4] The vehicle monitoring system according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light (1) includes an optical unit (23) configured to emit light emitted from the first light source (21) and the second light source (22) to an outside side of the vehicle. [5] The vehicle monitoring system according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light (1) includes: a first optical unit, configured to emit light emitted from the first light source (21) to the outside of the vehicle; and a second optical unit configured to emit light emitted from the second light source (22) to the outside of the vehicle. [6] The vehicle monitoring system according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the light distribution pattern is a low beam light distribution pattern (PL) which includes a cutoff line (CL1, CL2), the second light distribution area (PL2) of the low beam distribution pattern (PL) overlaps at least partially with the first light distribution area (PL1) of the low beam distribution pattern (PL), the second light distribution area (PL2) of the low beam light distribution pattern (PL) forms a cutting line (CL22) at a central section of the low beam light distribution pattern (PL), and The first light distribution area (PL1) of the low beam light distribution pattern (PL) is an area that is positioned below the cutoff line (CL22) of the second light distribution area (PL2) of the low beam light distribution pattern (PL). [7] The vehicle monitoring system according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light distribution pattern is a high beam light distribution pattern (PH), and the second light distribution area (PH2) of the high beam light distribution pattern (PH) is narrower than the first light distribution area (PH1) of the high beam light distribution pattern (PH) and overlaps with the first light distribution area (PH1) of the high beam light distribution pattern (PH).

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