LIGHT DISTRIBUTION CONTROL UNIT AND LIGHT DISTRIBUTION CONTROL METHOD

Abstract

The goal is to provide a technology capable of enhancing lighting to suit the driver. A light distribution control device comprises a controller with a variety of light enhancement modes, which cause a lighting device to implement the light enhancement based on at least one piece of information acquired by an information acquisition unit.The control system switches from one currently executed lighting mode to another lighting mode when a predefined transition condition is met in the currently executed lighting mode, and, if the multitude of lighting enhancement modes are present in the other lighting mode, performs collaborative lighting in which the perceptibility of each lighting state of one or more and less than all lighting enhancement modes is higher than the perceptibility of the lighting states of the remaining lighting enhancement modes, based on the currently executed lighting mode and the transition condition.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light distribution control apparatus and a method for controlling the light distribution. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] In recent years, various technologies for light distribution control devices have been proposed, each causing a vehicle's lighting device to improve illumination when the vehicle's surroundings are dark. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technology by which a lighting device improves the illumination of an obstacle that impedes a vehicle's driving. For example, Patent Document 2 proposes a technology by which a lighting device improves illumination in the direction of view of a vehicle's driver. State of the art documents Patent document [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Disclosure No. 2007-38878 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Disclosure No. 2020-111328 SUMMARY: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0003] However, when simultaneously implementing different lighting improvements with the same perceptibility, problems arise in that the driver has difficulty recognizing which lighting improvement to pay attention to, and that no lighting improvement suitable for the driver can be implemented.

[0004] The present disclosure was therefore conceived from the view that problems exist, and aims to provide a technology that can implement a lighting improvement suitable for the driver. MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM

[0005] A light distribution control apparatus according to the present disclosure is a light distribution control apparatus that controls the distribution of light from a lighting device of a vehicle, wherein the light distribution control apparatus comprises: an information acquisition unit for acquiring at least one piece of information from environmental information about the vehicle, information about the vehicle, or gaze information about a gaze direction of a driver of the vehicle;and a controller with a plurality of lighting enhancement modes that cause the lighting device to perform a lighting enhancement based on at least one piece of information, wherein the controller switches from a currently executed lighting mode to another lighting mode when a predefined transition condition is met in the currently executed lighting mode, and, in the presence of the plurality of lighting enhancement modes in the other lighting mode, performs collaborative lighting in which the perceptibility of each lighting state of one or more and less than all lighting enhancement modes is higher than the perceptibility of the lighting states of the remaining lighting enhancement modes, based on the currently executed lighting mode and the transition condition. EFFECTS OF INVENTION

[0006] According to the present disclosure, collaborative lighting is implemented in which the perceptibility of each lighting state of one or more, but fewer than all, of a plurality of lighting enhancement modes is higher than the perceptibility of the lighting states of the remaining lighting enhancement modes, based on the currently implemented lighting mode and the transition condition. Such a structure enables adequate illumination for the driver.

[0007] The subject matter, features, aspects and benefits of this revelation will become clearer from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [ Fig. Figure 1] is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a light distribution control apparatus according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 2] is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. Figure 3] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. Figure 4] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. Figure 5] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. Figure 6] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. Figure 7] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to modification 1 of embodiment 1. [ Fig. Figure 8] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to modification 3 of embodiment 1. [ Fig. [9] is a lighting mode transition diagram that presents a summary of the transition between lighting modes. [ Fig.

[10] is a flowchart illustrating the functions of the light distribution control apparatus according to embodiment 2. [ Fig. Figure 11] is a flowchart illustrating the functions of the light distribution control apparatus according to embodiment 2. [ Fig. Figure 12] is a diagram illustrating a function of the light distribution control apparatus according to embodiment 2. [ Fig. Figure 13] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to embodiment 2. [ Fig.

[14] is a lighting mode transition diagram that presents a summary of the transition between lighting modes. [ Fig.

[15] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to modification 2 of embodiment 2. [ Fig. Figure 16] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to modification 2 of embodiment 2. [ Fig. Figure 17] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to modification 3 of embodiment 2. [ Fig. Figure 18] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to modification 3 of embodiment 2. [ Fig.

[19] is a lighting mode transition diagram that presents a summary of the transition between lighting modes. [ Fig.

[20] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to modification 5 of embodiment 2. [ Fig.

[21] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to modification 5 of embodiment 2. [ Fig. Figure 22] is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a light distribution control apparatus according to embodiment 3. [ Fig. Figure 23] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to embodiment 3. [ Fig. Figure 24] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to embodiment 3. [ Fig.

[25] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to modification 1 of embodiment 3. [ Fig.

[26] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to modification 1 of embodiment 3. [ Fig.

[27] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to modification 1 of embodiment 3. [ Fig.

[28] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to modification 3 of embodiment 3. [ Fig.

[29] is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control apparatus according to modification 3 of embodiment 3. [ Fig. Figure 30] is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a light distribution control apparatus according to other modifications. [ Fig. Figure 31] is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the light distribution control apparatus according to other modifications. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS<Ausführungsform 1>

[0008] Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a light distribution control device 1 according to embodiment 1. The light distribution control device 1 is included in a vehicle system. In addition to the light distribution control device 1, the vehicle system comprises an environment detection device 21, a gaze detection device 22, and a lighting device 23. Before describing the light distribution control device 1, the environment detection device 21, the gaze detection device 22, and the lighting device 23 will first be described.

[0009] The environment detection device 21 detects environmental information about a vehicle. This environmental information includes, for example, information about an object in the vehicle's vicinity or information about a condition in the vehicle's environment. Examples of information about objects in the vehicle's vicinity include specific details about the object, such as its position, type, and direction of movement. Examples of objects include obstacles, features such as roads and traffic signs, pedestrians, two-wheeled vehicles (e.g., bicycles and motorcycles), and four-wheeled vehicles.The environmental detection device 21 includes, for example, a millimeter wave radar, a light detection and distance measuring device (LiDAR), an object detection sensor characterized by an ultrasonic sensor, or an image detection device characterized, for example, by a camera and directed outwards, or both.

[0010] The gaze detection device 22, for example, captures a facial image of a vehicle driver, recognizes the driver's gaze direction from the facial image, and generates gaze information indicating the gaze direction. The gaze detection device 22 can recognize the driver's facial orientation as the gaze direction from the facial image. Alternatively, the gaze detection device 22 can recognize the gaze direction not based on an image, but based on the driver's eye orientation. Examples of the gaze detection device 22 include an image recognition device directed into the interior of a vehicle.

[0011] The lighting device 23 comprises a headlight 23a and an auxiliary light 23b, which are provided in a vehicle. The headlight 23a is a lighting device that primarily illuminates the front of the vehicle and is configured to switch between a high beam, which is a driving light, and a low beam, which is a passing light. The auxiliary light 23b enhances the lighting with various shapes of illumination zones in any direction, so that the lighting can assist the driver, i.e., spot lighting is possible.

[0012] In the following description, the light distribution control device 1 controls the distribution of the light from the auxiliary light 23b, but this is not limited to that. For example, if the headlight 23a has a spot lighting function, the light distribution control device 1 can control the light distribution using this function. If spot lighting is possible, the configuration of the lighting device 23 is not limited to the above description.

[0013] Next, the light distribution control apparatus 1 is described. The light distribution control apparatus 1 controls the distribution of the additional light 23b of the lighting device 23. This light distribution control apparatus 1 according to embodiment 1 comprises an environmental information acquisition unit 11a, a gaze information acquisition unit 11b, a caution area identification unit 12a and a light distribution control 12b.

[0014] The environmental information acquisition unit 11a acquires the environmental information from the environmental sensor device 21. In embodiment 1, the environmental information acquisition unit 11a includes, for example, an interface of the environmental sensor device 21, but can also include the environmental sensor device 21 itself.

[0015] The gaze information acquisition unit 11b acquires the gaze information from the gaze recognition device 22. In embodiment 1, the gaze information 11b includes, for example, an interface of the gaze recognition device 22, but can also include the gaze recognition device 22 itself.

[0016] The environmental information acquisition unit 11a and the gaze information acquisition unit 11b described above are included in the concept of an information acquisition unit 11. This information acquisition unit 11 in embodiment 1 receives the environmental information and the gaze information. The information acquisition unit 11 is not limited to this, but can be configured to receive at least one piece of information from the environmental information, information about a vehicle, and the gaze information described in embodiment 3.

[0017] The Caution Area Identification Unit 12a determines the presence or absence of a caution object (or attention object or caution object) in the vicinity of the vehicle that the driver should be aware of while driving, based on the mobile objects detected by the Environment Information Acquisition Unit 11a. Examples of caution objects include obstacles and mobile objects such as pedestrians and motorcycles. The Caution Area Identification Unit 12a identifies an area encompassing the caution object as a caution area (or attention area or caution area) when it determines the presence of a caution object around the vehicle.

[0018] The light distribution control 12b has two lighting enhancement modes: a caution area lighting mode A, in which the auxiliary light 23b illuminates a caution area identified by the caution area identification unit 12a, and a gaze-tracking lighting mode B, in which the auxiliary light 23b illuminates in a direction of the driver's gaze indicated by the gaze information. When the light distribution control 12b operates in caution area lighting mode A, the perceptibility (or visibility) of the caution area to the driver can be increased. When the light distribution control 12b operates in gaze-tracking lighting mode B, the driver's perceptibility in a direction the driver wishes to see can be increased.

[0019] When both the caution area lighting mode A and the eye-tracking lighting mode B are executed simultaneously, the light distribution controller 12b performs collaborative lighting in which the perceptibility of one lighting state of the caution area lighting mode A or the eye-tracking lighting mode B is higher than that of the other. In embodiment 1, the collaborative lighting includes an eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba in which the perceptibility of eye-tracking lighting mode B is higher than that of caution area lighting mode A.

[0020] In other words, the light distribution control 12b in embodiment 1 switches from a currently executed lighting mode to another lighting mode when a predefined transition condition is met in the currently executed lighting mode, and, if a plurality of lighting enhancement modes are present in the other lighting mode, performs collaborative lighting in which the perceptibility of each lighting state of one or more and less than all lighting enhancement modes is higher than the perceptibility of the lighting states of the remaining lighting enhancement modes, based on the currently executed lighting mode and the transition condition.The following describes, as an example, a structure where the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba is switched to a different lighting mode when the caution area lighting mode A is executed and a predefined transition condition is met, namely that the driver's gaze is directed towards the caution area. The following describes a structure where a difference in perceptibility between lighting states corresponds to a difference in brightness, such as luminous intensity and illuminance. Since perceptibility is a degree to which human attention is attracted, the difference in perceptibility is not limited to differences in brightness but may also include differences in other states, including flashing, color, and marking.

[0021] The caution area identification unit 12a described above and the light distribution control 12b are included in the concept of a controller 12. This controller 12 in embodiment 1 has a variety of lighting enhancement modes, such as the caution area lighting mode A and the eye-tracking lighting mode B, and executes one of the caution area lighting mode A, the eye-tracking lighting mode B and the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba.

[0022] As described in embodiment 3, the multitude of illumination enhancement modes that enable the auxiliary light 23b to perform illumination enhancement based on at least one part detected by the information acquisition unit 11 are not limited to the caution area illumination mode A and the eye-tracking illumination mode B. In this case as well, the controller 12 should perform collaborative illumination in which the perceptibility of each illumination state of one or more, but fewer than all, illumination enhancement modes is higher than the perceptibility of the illumination states of the remaining illumination enhancement modes. <betriebe>

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the light distribution control device 1 according to embodiment 1. The functions in Fig. 2 are executed, for example, when the illumination of the headlight 23a is switched on. For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed below that a previously detected object requiring caution will continue to be detected.

[0024] When the headlight 23a is switched on, the light distribution control 12b executes a normal lighting mode O in step S1. Although the illumination of the headlight 23a is executed in normal lighting mode O, no illumination enhancement of the auxiliary light 23b is performed. As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 3, a lighting area 32 of the headlight 23a on a left-hand traffic road is a low-light lighting area, and a lighting range on the right side of the lighting area 32 is shorter than a lighting range on the left side in normal lighting mode O according to embodiment 1. Such lighting can suppress the glare of a driver of an oncoming vehicle traveling on a right-hand traffic road. Fig. Figure 3 also illustrates a direction of view 33 of the driver and a road 34 in the direction of travel of a vehicle 31.

[0025] In step S2 of Fig. 2 The environmental information acquisition unit 11a receives the environmental information from the environmental detection device 21.

[0026] In step S3, the eye-gaze information acquisition unit 11b receives the eye-gaze information from the eye-gaze detection device 22 and determines the driver's current gaze direction based on this information. The eye-gaze information acquisition unit 11b can determine the driver's gaze distribution based on a time series of gaze directions displayed by the eye-gaze information and determine the driver's gaze direction from this distribution, or it can determine the gaze direction displayed by the eye-gaze information itself as the driver's gaze direction. If the eye-gaze information displays a gaze distribution of the driver, the eye-gaze information acquisition unit 11b can determine the driver's gaze direction from the gaze distribution displayed by the eye-gaze information.

[0027] In step S4, the light distribution controller 12b determines which lighting mode is currently being executed. If it is determined that normal lighting mode O is being executed, the processes proceed to step S5. If it is determined that single caution area lighting mode A (or single caution area lighting mode A) is being executed, the processes proceed to step S10. If it is determined that eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba is being executed, the processes proceed to step S20.

[0028] In step S5, the caution area identification unit 12a determines the type of object in the vehicle's vicinity based on the surrounding information and detects the presence of a caution object if the object type matches a predetermined type. Examples of caution objects include pedestrians and motorcycles.

[0029] The Caution Area Identification Unit 12a can determine the presence or absence of a caution object based on a positional relationship between a vehicle or road (when the vehicle is moving) and a pedestrian or motorcycle. For example, the Caution Area Identification Unit 12a can determine the presence of a caution object if a pedestrian is within 2 meters of a road in the vehicle's direction of travel. Furthermore, the Caution Area Identification Unit 12a can determine the presence or absence of a caution object by considering the direction of movement of a pedestrian or motorcycle. For example, the Caution Area Identification Unit 12a can determine the presence of a caution object if a pedestrian is approaching a road in the vehicle's direction of travel.

[0030] Furthermore, the caution area identification unit 12a can, for example, identify objects requiring caution such as a bicycle traveling on a dedicated bicycle path, a bicycle, a light vehicle, and a motorcycle traveling at the edge of a roadway, as well as a mobile object emerging from a side street without lights. Additionally, the caution area identification unit 12a can determine the presence or absence of an object requiring caution, taking into account the vehicle's speed as vehicle information.

[0031] In step S5, the caution area identification unit 12a identifies a caution area if it detects the presence of a caution object. Additionally, the light distribution controller 12b determines whether the caution area identification unit 12a has identified a caution area (i.e., whether the presence of a caution object is detected). If a caution area has been identified, the processes proceed to step S6. If a caution area has not been identified, the processes proceed to step S8.

[0032] In step S6, the light distribution control 12b determines to execute the individual caution area lighting mode A.

[0033] In step S7, the light distribution controller 12b executes the single caution area lighting mode A and causes the auxiliary light 23b to enhance the illumination of the caution area identified by the caution area identification unit 12a. In other words, since the normal lighting mode O is currently executed as the lighting mode in step S4, and a condition that a caution area is identified in step S5 is met as a predefined transition condition, the light distribution controller 12b switches to the caution area lighting mode A as a different lighting mode in steps S6 and S7. In this case, however, collaborative lighting is not executed due to the absence of the multiple lighting enhancement modes. Fig. Figure 4 illustrates an example of a lighting state for the individual caution area lighting mode A. In the example of Fig. 4 A pedestrian 35 is identified as an object requiring caution on the left in front of a vehicle 31, and the lighting of a specific area encompassing the pedestrian 35 and his surroundings is improved as a caution area 36.

[0034] In step S8 of Fig. 2. The light distribution control 12b determines whether an end condition is met. The end condition is, for example, switching off the headlight 23a or stopping a vehicle's movement. If it is determined that the end condition is met, the processes terminate the operations in Fig. 2. If it is not determined that the end condition is met, the processes continue with step S2. If a series of processes from steps S2 → S3 → S4 → S5 → S8 → S2 is repeated, the execution of normal lighting mode O continues. If the single caution area lighting mode A is executed via steps S6 → S7 → S8 and processes S8 → S2 → S3 are performed, step S4 determines that the single caution area lighting mode A is executed. Therefore, the processes continue with step S10.

[0035] Caution Area Lighting Mode A is executed as the currently active lighting mode in step S10. In step S10, the light distribution control 12b determines, based on the gaze direction obtained from the gaze information and the direction of the object requiring caution, whether the driver has visually identified a caution area in order to make a decision regarding the predefined transition condition. For example, if the angle between the gaze direction and the direction of the object requiring caution is within 2 degrees, the light distribution control 12b determines that the driver has visually identified a caution area. If it is determined that the driver has visually identified a caution area, the processes proceed to step S11. If it is not determined that the driver has visually identified the caution area, the processes proceed to step S6.If a series of processes of steps S10 → S6 → S7 → S8 → S2 → S3 → S4 → S10 is repeated, the execution of the caution area lighting mode A for a single caution area continues.

[0036] In step S11, the light distribution control 12b determines to execute the eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba as a different illumination mode.

[0037] In step S12, the light distribution control 12b executes the gaze tracking illumination mode B while executing the caution area illumination mode A, and causes the auxiliary light 23b to perform an illumination enhancement in the direction of gaze.

[0038] In step S13, the multiple lighting enhancement modes exist in the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba. Thus, the light distribution control 12b performs collaborative lighting based on the fulfillment of a condition that the driver has visually identified the caution area while the caution area lighting mode A is running. In step S13, the light distribution control 12b performs the collaborative lighting in the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba by performing at least one of the following: decreasing the brightness of the lighting in caution area lighting mode A or increasing the brightness of the lighting in eye-tracking lighting mode B.In other words, the driver's visual identification of the caution area while executing caution area lighting mode A means that the significance of the illumination enhancement provided by caution area lighting mode A, which focuses the driver's attention on pedestrian 35, has been realized. Having visually identified the caution area, the driver attempts to assess the situation around pedestrian 35 to determine the extent to which pedestrian 35 poses a hazard. The illumination enhancement provided by gaze-tracking lighting mode B is executed to assist in this assessment. Under these circumstances, gaze-tracking lighting mode B requires a higher degree of perceptibility of the illumination enhancement. Based on these control principles, the light distribution controller 12b executes the collaborative lighting in gaze-tracking lighting priority mode Cba.

[0039] Fig. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an illumination state in the eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba. Fig. In Figure 5 and the following drawings, dot hatching represents relatively low visibility. In eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba, a control is executed to make an eye-tracking illumination area 37, which is illuminated based on a gaze direction, brighter than a caution area 36. For example, from Fig. 5 is an overlap of the area requiring caution 36 and the area of ​​focus 37, which is brighter than the individual area of ​​focus 37. The shapes of the area requiring caution 36 and the area of ​​focus 37 may be identical or different at this time.

[0040] After step S13 in Fig. 2. The processes proceed to step S8. If the eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba is executed through steps S11 → S12 → S13 and the processes from S8 → S2 → S3 are executed, the processes continue to step S20, because step S4 determines that the eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba is being executed. The currently executed illumination mode at this time is the eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba.

[0041] In step S20, the light distribution controller 12b determines whether the time elapsed since the execution of the eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba exceeds a first threshold (e.g., 10 seconds) in order to make a decision regarding the predefined transition condition. If it is determined that the elapsed time exceeds the first threshold, the processes proceed to step S21, as the predefined transition condition is met. If it is not determined that the elapsed time exceeds the first threshold, the processes proceed to step S11, as the predefined transition condition is not met. If a series of processes from steps S20 → S11 → S12 → S13 → S8 → S2 → S3 → S4 → S20 is repeated, the execution of the eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba continues.

[0042] Fig. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an illumination state when the driver, during the continued execution of the gaze-tracking lighting priority mode Cba, averts their gaze from the caution area 36. The shape of the gaze-tracking lighting area 37, which is illuminated based on the gaze direction, can be seen as in Fig. 5. remain circular. However, if the directional lighting area 37 is moved in a specific shape based on a viewing direction that changes frequently while driving, the directional lighting area 37 flickers from the driver's perspective. Therefore, the driver has difficulty seeing the directional lighting area 37.

[0043] Therefore, according to embodiment 1, the light distribution control 12b does not extinguish immediately, but rather gradually dims a section of the eye-tracking illumination area 37 that was once illuminated in eye-tracking illumination mode B and eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba. Specifically, the light distribution control 12b controls the distribution of the light to shift an illumination edge of the eye-tracking illumination area 37 in a direction of eye movement so that the illumination edge can follow the direction of eye movement, and to shift an illumination edge of the eye-tracking illumination area 37 opposite to the direction of eye movement at a speed lower than the movement of the illumination edge in the direction of eye movement. When the gaze moves to the left, the eye-tracking illumination area 37 becomes an elliptical area with a dark right side.When the gaze moves to the right, the viewing illumination area 37 becomes an elliptical area with a dark left side. Such illumination, i.e., the illumination of an elliptical area, as in . Fig. Figure 6 is referred to in the following description, for convenience, as "tail lighting".

[0044] If the predefined transition condition in step S20 is met, the light distribution control 12b decides in step S21 of Fig. 2, to execute the normal lighting mode O as a different lighting mode. In step S22, the light distribution control 12b stops the caution area lighting mode A. In step S23, the light distribution control 12b stops the eye tracking lighting mode B. Consequently, the lighting state returns to that in Fig. The lighting state shown in step 3 is restored. However, collaborative lighting is not executed due to the lack of the numerous lighting enhancement modes. After step S23 in Fig. 2. The processes continue with step S8. <Zusammenfassung der Ausführungsform 1>

[0045] If lighting enhancements from multiple lighting enhancement modes are implemented with the same perceptibility, the driver has difficulty discerning which enhancement to focus on. In contrast, the light distribution control apparatus 1 according to embodiment 1 implements collaborative lighting, in which the perceptibility of each lighting state of one or more, but fewer than all, lighting enhancement modes is higher than the perceptibility of the lighting states of the remaining lighting enhancement modes. Such a structure allows the driver to easily identify which lighting enhancement to focus on.Since the collaborative lighting is implemented based on the currently executed lighting mode and the transition condition when a multitude of lighting enhancement modes are present in embodiment 1, the driver can also easily recognize which lighting enhancement to pay attention to.

[0046] When the caution area lighting mode A is executed and the driver's gaze is directed towards the caution area 36, ​​the controller 12 executes the gaze-tracking lighting priority mode Cba in embodiment 1. Since such a structure allows the driver to easily check the surrounding caution area 36 with the gaze lighting area 37 when and after the driver has visually identified a caution object, a light distribution is possible that is tailored to the general attention / checking tendency of drivers.

[0047] Furthermore, according to embodiment 1, the control unit 12 causes the auxiliary light 23b to perform tail lighting based on the driver's gaze direction in gaze-tracking lighting mode B and gaze-tracking lighting priority mode Cba. Since such a structure can suppress the flickering of the gaze-tracking lighting area 37 from the driver's perspective, it can make it easier for the driver to view the gaze-tracking lighting area 37. <Modifikation 1>

[0048] In step S20 of Fig. 2 according to embodiment 1, until it is determined that a time elapsed since the execution of the eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba exceeds the first threshold, the perceptibility of the caution area illumination mode A and the eye-tracking illumination mode B for implementing the eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba is kept constant, but this is not limited to.

[0049] For example, while eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba is running, the light distribution controller 12b can gradually decrease the perceptibility of the caution area lighting mode A while maintaining the perceptibility of eye-tracking lighting mode B. Then, when the time elapsed since eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba started exceeding a second threshold (e.g., 5 seconds), the light distribution controller 12b can end the caution area lighting mode and start eye-tracking lighting mode B, as shown in Fig. Figure 7 illustrates this. Consequently, the light distribution control 12b can smoothly transition from eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba to single eye-tracking illumination mode B.

[0050] If the time elapsed since the execution of the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba exceeds the first threshold (e.g., 10 seconds), the light distribution controller 12b can maintain the individual eye-tracking lighting mode B and execute the normal lighting mode O. Since such a structure gradually dims the illumination of the auxiliary light 23b, the light distribution controller 12b can smoothly transition from the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba to the normal lighting mode O. <Modifikation 2>

[0051] In modification 1, during the execution of eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba, the light distribution controller 12b decreases the perceptibility of the caution area lighting mode A over time, while maintaining the perceptibility of eye-tracking lighting mode B. However, during the execution of eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba, the light distribution controller 12b can decrease not only the perceptibility of caution area lighting mode A over time, but also the perceptibility of eye-tracking lighting mode B. It is important to note that the condition that the perceptibility of eye-tracking lighting mode B is higher than the perceptibility of caution area lighting mode A is maintained at a constant level.If the time elapsed since the execution of the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba exceeds the second threshold, the light distribution control 12b can maintain the caution area lighting mode A and execute the individual eye-tracking lighting mode B.

[0052] If the reduction in the perceptibility of the individual eye-tracking illumination mode B continues and the time elapsed since the execution of the eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba exceeds the first threshold, the light distribution controller 12b can stop the individual eye-tracking illumination mode B and execute the normal illumination mode O. Since such a structure gradually dims the illumination of the auxiliary light 23b, the light distribution controller 12b can smoothly transition from the individual eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba through the eye-tracking illumination mode B to the normal illumination mode O. <Modifikation 3>

[0053] In the description above, exceeding the first or second threshold due to the time elapsed since the execution of the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba is a condition for maintaining the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba, but it is not limited to this. For example, if the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba is executed and the driver performs a predefined operation, the light distribution control 12b can terminate the eye-tracking lighting mode B and execute the single caution area lighting mode A.

[0054] The predefined operation can, for example, consist of directing the driver's gaze to the illumination area 32 of the headlight 23a. In other words, when the driver's gaze is directed towards the illumination area 32 of the headlight 23a, the light distribution control 12b can switch from the gaze-tracking lighting priority mode Cba to the single caution area lighting mode A. This is a state in which the driver has acknowledged the presence of the pedestrian 35 and is looking forward again. If the significance of the illumination enhancement provided by gaze-tracking lighting mode B has been realized, the need to continue the illumination enhancement of gaze-tracking lighting mode B is low. <Modifikation 4>

[0055] Although once identified, an object requiring caution is described by Fig. 2. If the object requiring caution is no longer detected at a particular point, a lighting mode can be appropriately changed. For example, if Caution Area Lighting Mode A is running for a single caution area and a caution object being illuminated is not detected, the lighting distribution controller 12b can end Caution Area Lighting Mode A for that single caution area and run normal lighting mode O. For example, if Eye Tracking Priority Lighting Mode Cba is running and an illuminated caution object is not detected, the lighting distribution controller 12b can stop Caution Area Lighting Mode A and run Eye Tracking Lighting Mode B. <sonstiges>

[0056] Fig. Figure 9 is a lighting mode transition diagram that summarizes the lighting mode transitions in embodiment 1 and modifications 1 to 4. Fig. 9. Circles (nodes) represent the lighting modes, arrows (edges) represent the transition, text added to the arrows represents the transition condition and the number of modifications, and S1 etc. represent S1 etc. in Fig. 2. The solid lines represent the lighting modes and the transition described in embodiment 1, and the dashed lines represent the lighting modes and the transition described in the modifications.

[0057] In embodiment 1, the light distribution control 12b, for example, carries out the in Fig. The processes shown in 2 occur when the illumination of the headlight 23a is switched on, but this is not limited to that. For example, the light distribution control 12b can also be used to control the process shown in Fig. The operations described in section 2 are performed when the illuminance around a vehicle is less than or equal to a threshold, regardless of whether the headlight 23a is switched on or off. The illuminance around a vehicle can be detected using a light meter or a brightness sensor of an imaging device. <Ausführungsform 2>

[0058] The block diagram illustrating the configuration of the light distribution control apparatus 1 according to embodiment 2 is identical to Fig. 1. In the following, components according to embodiment 2, which are identical or similar to those described above, will be designated by the same or similar reference numerals, and mainly different components will be described.

[0059] In embodiment 2, the collaborative lighting includes not only the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba, but also a caution area lighting priority mode Cab, in which the perceptibility of the caution area lighting mode A is higher than that of the eye-tracking lighting mode B. If the currently executed lighting mode is the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba and a predefined transition condition—that the caution level of an object requiring caution has been increased—is met, the light distribution control 12b switches to the caution area lighting priority mode Cab as another lighting mode. <betriebe>

[0060] The Fig. 10 and Fig. Figure 11 are flowcharts illustrating the operations of the light distribution control apparatus 1 according to embodiment 2. The operations in the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 are identical to the establishments that were created by adding steps S24 and S30 to S32 to the establishments in Fig. 2 and by changing step S4 and step S5 to step S4a and step S5a, respectively. The following mainly describes steps S4a, S5a, S24, and S30 to S32 in the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 described.

[0061] In step S4a, the light distribution controller 12b determines which lighting mode is currently running. If it is determined that normal lighting mode O is running, the processes proceed to step S5a. If it is determined that single caution area lighting mode A is running, the processes proceed to step S10. If it is determined that eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba is running, the processes proceed to step S24. If it is determined that caution area lighting priority mode Cab is running, the processes proceed to step S30.

[0062] In step S5 of embodiment 1, the caution area identification unit 12a determines, based on environmental information, the type of object in the vicinity of the vehicle and, based on this type, determines the presence or absence of a caution-requiring object in order to identify a caution-requiring area. In step S5a of embodiment 2, the caution area identification unit 12a calculates, based on environmental information, the caution level of an object in the vicinity of the vehicle and determines the presence of a caution-requiring object if the caution level is greater than or equal to the threshold, in order to identify a caution-requiring area.In other words, assuming that CAUTION(t0) denotes a caution level calculated in step S5a and CAUTION_TH1 denotes a threshold in step S5a, the caution requirement area identification unit 12a identifies a caution requirement area if CAUTION(t0) ≥ CAUTION_TH1.

[0063] In embodiment 2, the caution area identification unit 12a calculates a higher caution level the higher the probability of contact between a vehicle and an object in the vehicle's vicinity. For example, the caution area identification unit 12a can calculate a higher caution level if an object is closer to a road in the vehicle's direction of travel. Furthermore, based on an object's speed or orientation, the caution area identification unit 12a can calculate a higher caution level if the time until the object reaches the vehicle's road is shorter, or if the time until the object makes contact with the vehicle is shorter.Since the contact time is related to the vehicle speed of a vehicle, the caution requirement area identification unit 12a, when calculating the contact time, can retrieve the vehicle speed as an example of vehicle information from a local area network (LAN) provided in the vehicle and not illustrated.

[0064] After step 5a, the operations in steps S6 to S8 are carried out similarly to embodiment 1. If the caution area lighting mode A for a single area requiring caution is executed through the processes of steps S6 → S7 and processes S8 → S2 → S3 are carried out, step S4a determines that the caution area lighting mode A is executed for a single area requiring caution. The processes then continue with step S10.

[0065] In step S10, the light distribution 12b determines, based on the gaze direction derived from the gaze information and the direction of the object requiring caution, whether the driver has visually identified a caution area. The processes then proceed to step S11 if it is determined that the driver has visually identified the caution area, and to step S6 if it is not determined that the driver has visually identified the caution area, similar to embodiment 1. If the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba is executed by the processes of steps S11 → S12 → S13 and the processes of S8 → S2 → S3 are executed, the processes proceed to step S24, since step S4a determines that the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba is executed.The eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba is the currently running illumination mode.

[0066] In step S24, the caution area identification unit 12a calculates a caution level, similar to step S5a, and the light distribution control 12b determines whether the caution level of a caution-requiring object has been increased in order to make a decision about the predefined transition condition. An increase in the caution level means an increase in the collision risk.

[0067] For example, if the object requiring caution is greater than or equal to a threshold greater than the threshold of step S5a, the light distribution controller 12b can determine that the caution level of the object requiring caution has been increased. In other words, assuming CAUTION(t1) denotes the caution level calculated in step S24, CAUTION_TH1 denotes the threshold in step S5a, and CAUTION_TH2 denotes the threshold in step S24, then the light distribution controller 12b can determine that the caution level of the object requiring caution has been increased if CAUTION(t1) ≥ CAUTION_TH2 > CAUTION_TH1.

[0068] For example, if a change in the object requiring caution is greater than or equal to a threshold in step S24, the light distribution control 12b can determine that the caution level of the object requiring caution has been increased. In other words, assuming that CAUTION(t0) denotes the caution level calculated in step S5a, CAUTION(t1) the caution level calculated in step S24, and CAUTION_TH3 the threshold in step S24, the light distribution control 12b can determine that the caution level of the object requiring caution has been increased if CAUTION(t1) - CAUTION(t0) ≥ CAUTION_TH3.

[0069] If step S24 determines that the caution level of the object requiring caution has been increased, the processes proceed with step S31. Fig. The processes continue to step 11, as the predefined transition condition is met. If it is not determined that the caution level of the object requiring caution has been increased, the processes continue to step S20, as the predefined transition condition is not met.

[0070] In step S31 of Fig. 11 determines the light distribution control 12b to execute the caution area lighting priority mode Cab as a different lighting mode.

[0071] In step S32, the light distribution controller 12b performs collaborative lighting in the Caution Area Lighting Priority Mode Cab by doing at least one of the following: increasing the brightness of the lighting in Caution Area Lighting Mode A or decreasing the brightness of the lighting in Eye Tracking Lighting Mode B. For example, the light distribution controller 12b increases the brightness of the lighting in Caution Area Lighting Mode A to restore the original state or decreases the brightness of the lighting in Eye Tracking Lighting Mode B to execute Caution Area Lighting Priority Mode Cab.

[0072] The Fig. 12 and Fig. Figure 13 are diagrams illustrating an example transition state from the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba to the caution-needs lighting priority mode Cab. Fig. 12. The eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba is executed. This is because it is determined that the caution level is low due to the approach of pedestrian 35, who is a caution-requiring object, to the road 34 in the direction of travel of vehicle 31 in the state of Fig. When the value 12 was increased, the light distribution control 12b switches from the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba to the caution area lighting priority mode Cab. Fig. 13.

[0073] After step S32 in Fig. 11 processes begin with step S8 in Fig. 10 continues. If the caution area lighting priority mode Cab is executed by the processes in steps S31 → S32 and the processes from S8 → S2 → S3 are carried out, the processes continue with step S30 in Fig. 11 continues, since in step S4a it is determined that the caution area lighting priority mode Cab is executed.

[0074] The currently executed lighting mode in step S30 is the caution area lighting priority mode Cab. In step S30, the light distribution control 12b determines, based on the gaze direction obtained from the gaze information and the direction of a caution object, whether the driver has visually identified a caution area in order to make a decision regarding the predefined transition condition. If it is determined that the driver has visually identified the caution area, the processes proceed with steps S11 to S13. Fig. Step 10 continues because the predefined transition condition is met, and the light distribution control 12b switches to the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba as a different lighting mode. Because the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba includes a variety of lighting enhancements, including a lighting enhancement for the caution area lighting mode A and a lighting enhancement for the eye-tracking lighting mode B, collaborative lighting is executed, in which the perceptibility of these areas has been adjusted. If it is not determined that the driver has visually detected a caution area, the processes continue with step S31 because the predefined transition condition is not met. If a series of processes of steps S31 → S32 → S8 → S2 → S3 → S4 → S30 → S31 is repeated, the execution of the caution area lighting priority mode Cab continues.

[0075] Fig. Figure 14 is a transition diagram that summarizes the transition of the lighting modes in modifications 1 to 4 of embodiment 1 and embodiment 2. The lighting mode transition diagram in Fig. 14 is obtained by connecting the nodes and edges of the caution requirement area lighting priority mode Cab to the lighting mode transition diagram in Fig. 9 will be added. <Zusammenfassung der Ausführungsform 2>

[0076] In the light distribution control apparatus 1 according to embodiment 2, the control unit 12 executes the caution area lighting priority mode Cab when the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba is executed and the caution level of an object requiring caution has been increased. If the caution level was increased during the execution of the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba, the aforementioned structure enables the execution of the caution area lighting priority mode Cab. In this way, it is possible to alert the driver to the object requiring caution. <Modifikation 1>

[0077] In steps S10 and S30 of the Fig. 10 and Fig. According to embodiment 2, the light distribution control 12b does not have to switch immediately between lighting modes, but can implement a transition with hysteresis. For example, consider a case in which the driver visually identifies a caution area within a certain time (e.g., 2 seconds) since a time Tw at which the caution area lighting priority mode Cab was displayed. In this case, the light distribution control 12b does not have to switch immediately from the single caution area lighting mode A or the caution area lighting priority mode Cab to the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba, but can execute the transition after a certain time has elapsed since time Tw. <Modifikation 2>

[0078] When the caution area lighting priority mode Cab is executed and an object in a caution area is a person, the light distribution control 12b can cause the auxiliary light 23b to indicate a blockage indicator object 41 with light, as shown in Fig. Figure 15 illustrates the blocking indicator object 41, which is an indicator object for blocking a person from entering a road surface. This blocking is indicated by light between the person, for example the pedestrian 35, and a road surface of the road 34 in the direction of travel of the vehicle 31.

[0079] The blocking indicator object 41 can be a display object that specifies a graphic symbol, text, and any other symbol, and animations such as blinking can be used when displaying the blocking indicator object 41 with light. The blocking indicator object 41 in the example of Fig. 15 is a display object that specifies a graphic symbol creating the illusion of a three-dimensional object when viewed from the perspective of a person, such as pedestrian 35. Since the blocking display object 41 in Fig. 15. If pedestrian 35 can be given the illusion that there is an obstacle, it is possible to prevent pedestrian 35 from entering street 34.

[0080] If the pedestrian 35 emerges from the state in Fig. 15 furthermore, as the pedestrian approaches road 34 and the pedestrian's level of caution 35 further increases, the light distribution control 12b can improve the perceptibility of the blocking indicator object 41 by illuminating the blocking indicator object 41, as in Fig. 16 is shown, enlarged, or the flashing intervals are shortened. If the caution area lighting priority mode is set to Cab in Fig. 15 or Fig. When operation 16 is executed, the light distribution controller 12b can execute the caution area lighting mode A, while stopping the eye-tracking lighting mode B and displaying the obstruction indicator object 41 with light. If the pedestrian 35 then stops or changes direction, the light distribution controller 12b can determine that the caution level has decreased, stop displaying the obstruction indicator object 41 with light, and then execute the individual caution area lighting mode A.

[0081] In Modification 2, if the currently active lighting mode is the Caution Area Lighting Priority Mode (Cab), an object in a caution area can be a person as a predefined transition condition. When this condition is met, a transition can be made to display a blocking indicator object with light as a different lighting mode. Here, it is assumed that Caution Area Lighting Mode A, Eye-Tracking Lighting Mode B, and the display of a blocking indicator object with light are present as lighting enhancements at this time, and collaborative lighting can be performed, adjusting the perceptibility of these elements. <Modifikation 3>

[0082] Embodiments 1 and 2 each describe a case in which the number of objects requiring caution is one. If there are multiple objects requiring caution, the light distribution controller 12b can execute the caution area lighting mode A for each of the objects requiring caution. In this case, the caution area lighting mode A includes a variety of lighting enhancements. Thus, based on the caution level of multiple objects requiring caution, the light distribution controller 12b can execute collaborative lighting, in which the objects requiring caution differ in the perceptibility of a lighting mode, or collaborative lighting, in which only the object with the highest caution level in the caution area lighting mode A is illuminated for the area where caution is required.Furthermore, based on the caution levels of a variety of caution-requiring objects, the light distribution control 12b can execute the caution-requiring area lighting mode A for a caution-requiring object with the highest caution level for the right half of a vehicle and for a caution-requiring object with the highest caution level for the left half of the vehicle.

[0083] When the eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba is running as the currently running illumination mode, as in Fig. Figure 17 illustrates this, and if a new Caution Area is identified as a case, and the predefined transition condition is met, the light distribution control 12b can execute the Caution Area Lighting Priority Mode Cab as a different lighting mode, as shown in Figure 12b. Fig. 18 illustrates this. In an example of Fig. 17 The eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba is executed, and the caution area 36 of the pedestrian 35 is illuminated on the left side of the vehicle 31 with low perceptibility. In an example in Fig. 18 A new area requiring caution 36 is designated for a pedestrian 35 on the right side of the vehicle 31 in the state of Fig. 17 identified. Here, the light distribution control 12b performs collaborative lighting, maintaining the perceptibility of the caution area lighting mode A for the left caution area 36, ​​reducing the perceptibility of the eye-tracking lighting mode B, and increasing the perceptibility of the caution area lighting mode A for the right caution area 36 more than the perceptibility of the eye-tracking lighting mode B.

[0084] This allows a transition from the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba to the caution area lighting priority mode Cab. With such a structure, when the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba is active and a new caution area is identified, the driver can easily shift their attention to the new caution area.

[0085] The light distribution control 12b can end the caution area lighting mode A for the left caution area 36 to reduce perceptibility in the lighting state of the caution area lighting priority mode Cab. Fig. 18 to reduce. Alternatively, the light distribution control 12b can decrease the perceptibility of the caution area lighting mode A for the left caution area 36 over time and maintain the caution area lighting mode A if a time elapsed since the execution of the caution area lighting priority mode Cab exceeds a threshold.

[0086] Furthermore, if the caution level of the left pedestrian was increased to 35, if the predefined transition condition in the lighting state of the caution requirement area lighting priority mode Cab is the currently executed lighting mode in Fig. If condition 18 is met, the light distribution control 12b can switch to the caution area lighting priority mode Cab as a different lighting mode. Then, the light distribution control 12b can perform collaborative lighting to increase the perceptibility of caution area lighting mode A for the left caution area 36 more than the perceptibility of caution area lighting mode A for the right caution area 36 or the perceptibility of eye-tracking lighting mode B. In other words, different lighting modes do not necessarily specify different types, such as caution area lighting mode A and eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba, but also include caution area lighting priority modes Cab with varying perceptibility.Furthermore, during the execution of the eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba, the light distribution control 12b can decrease the perceptibility of the eye-tracking illumination mode B over time and transition from the caution area illumination priority mode Cab to the single caution area illumination mode A. <Modifikation 4>

[0087] The light distribution control 12b can execute individual eye-tracking lighting mode B when it detects that a predefined start condition for that mode is met. Examples of predefined start conditions include at least one predefined start operation by the driver, a predefined start gesture by the driver, or the driver looking at a specific point near a vehicle's path. The driver looking at a specific point near the vehicle's path indicates that the driver wishes to confirm what is at that point, and a condition fulfilling this condition becomes a favorable start condition for initiating eye-tracking lighting mode B.

[0088] If it is determined that a predefined end condition for the individual eye-tracking lighting mode B is met, the light distribution control 12b can maintain the individual eye-tracking lighting mode B and execute the normal lighting mode O. Examples of the predefined end condition may include at least one of the following: a predefined end operation by the driver, a predefined end gesture by the driver, the driver looking at an area other than a predefined point (e.g., a viewing area of ​​the headlight 23a and the road 34), or the elapse of a certain amount of time since the execution of the individual eye-tracking lighting mode B.

[0089] When the single eye-tracking lighting mode B is executed and a new caution area is identified, the light distribution controller 12b can execute the caution area lighting priority mode Cab by performing steps S31 and S32 in Fig. 11. With such a structure, when the single eye-tracking lighting mode B is executed and a new area requiring caution is identified, the driver can easily focus his attention on the new area requiring caution.

[0090] Fig. Figure 19 is a lighting mode transition diagram, which is obtained by adding the transitions according to modification 4 described herein to the lighting mode transition diagram in Fig. 14 is obtained. In the lighting mode transition diagram of Fig. 19. The transitions according to modification 4 are indicated by alternating long and short dashed lines. <Modifikation 5>

[0091] When transitioning from single eye-tracking illumination mode B, as in Fig. Figure 20 illustrates that, as the currently executed lighting mode changes to the caution area lighting priority mode (Cab), the light distribution control 12b can determine whether the distance between a sight lighting area and a new caution area is greater than or equal to a predefined threshold in order to make a decision regarding the predefined transition condition. If it is determined that the distance is greater than or equal to the threshold, the light distribution control 12b can cause the auxiliary light 23b to display light guide indicator objects 42, which are indicator objects to guide the driver's gaze from the sight lighting area 37 to a new caution area 36, ​​as shown in Figure 20. Fig. 21 shown.

[0092] Fig. Figure 21 illustrates the guidance indicator objects 42, which move (scroll) over time from the driver's line of sight area 37 to the new area requiring caution 36. As long as the guidance indicator objects 42 are intended to direct the driver's gaze from the line of sight area 37 to the new area requiring caution 36, they are not limited to this. For example, they can be indicator objects each marked with an arrow to indicate the new area requiring caution 36. If the distance between the line of sight area 37 and the new area requiring caution 36 is greater than or equal to the threshold, the aforementioned structure allows the driver to easily identify a new area requiring caution. <Modifikation 6>

[0093] In embodiment 2, a difference in perceptibility is shown between the illumination states of the caution area illumination mode A for the area where caution is required and the eye-tracking illumination mode B in the caution area illumination priority mode Cab in steps S31 and S32 of Fig. 11. A difference in perceptibility exists between the brightness levels of the illumination provided by the additional light 23b. The difference in perceptibility is not limited to this.

[0094] The difference in perceptibility between the illumination states of the caution area illumination mode A and the eye-tracking illumination mode B in the caution area illumination priority mode Cab in steps S31 and S32 can be a difference in perceptibility between the colors of the illumination by the auxiliary light 23b. In other words, the perceptibility of the caution area illumination mode A, which is higher than the perceptibility of the eye-tracking illumination mode B, can correspond to the perceptibility of an illumination color of the caution area illumination mode A, which is higher than the perceptibility of an illumination color of the eye-tracking illumination mode B.

[0095] For example, the fact that the perceivability of the illumination color in precautionary lighting mode A is higher than the perceivability of the illumination color in eye-tracking lighting mode B could mean that the illumination color in precautionary lighting mode A encompasses a variety of colors, while the illumination color in eye-tracking lighting mode B is a single color. Alternatively, for example, the fact that the perceivability of the illumination color in precautionary lighting mode A is higher than the perceivability of the illumination color in eye-tracking lighting mode B could mean that the illumination in precautionary lighting mode A has a warm color tone, while the illumination in eye-tracking lighting mode B has a cool color tone.For example, the fact that the perceptibility of the illumination color of the caution area illumination mode A is higher than the perceptibility of the illumination color of the eye-tracking illumination mode B may mean that the illumination color of the caution area illumination mode A indicates patterns and graphic symbols, and the illumination color of the eye-tracking illumination mode B does not indicate a pattern or graphic symbol.

[0096] The difference in perceptibility between the illumination states of the caution area illumination mode A and the eye-tracking illumination mode B in the eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba in steps S11 to S13 of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 10. There may be a difference in the perceptibility between the colors of the lighting from the additional light 23b. <Modifikation 7>

[0097] The difference in perceptibility between the illumination states of the caution area illumination mode A and the eye-tracking illumination mode B in the caution area illumination priority mode Cab in steps S31 and S32 of Fig. 11. A difference in perceptibility may exist between animations displayed by the auxiliary light 23b. In other words, the perceptibility of the caution area lighting mode A, which is higher than the perceptibility of the eye-tracking lighting mode B, may correspond to the perceptibility of an animation of the lighting of the caution area lighting mode A, which is higher than the perceptibility of an animation of the lighting of the eye-tracking lighting mode B.

[0098] For example, the perceptibility of an illumination color in caution area lighting mode A that exceeds the perceptibility of an illumination color in eye-tracking lighting mode B may mean that the flash intervals of the illumination in caution area lighting mode A are shorter than the flash intervals of the illumination in eye-tracking lighting mode B. For example, the fact that the perceptibility of the illumination color in caution area lighting mode A is higher than the perceptibility of the illumination color in eye-tracking lighting mode B may mean that at least one of the changes in hue, size, or shape of the illumination in caution area lighting mode A is greater than the change in the illumination in eye-tracking lighting mode B.

[0099] The difference in perceptibility between the illumination states of the caution area illumination mode A and the eye-tracking illumination mode B in the eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cba in steps S11 to S13 of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 10 may be a difference in perceptibility between animations displayed by the additional light 23b. <Modifikation 8>

[0100] Light distribution control 12b can cause the auxiliary light 23b to perform rear illumination based on the driver's gaze direction in gaze-tracking lighting mode B and gaze-tracking lighting priority mode Cba. Furthermore, light distribution control 12b can cause the auxiliary light 23b to illuminate the gaze-tracking area 37 of a specific shape without performing rear illumination for the area where caution is required in gaze-tracking lighting mode B and caution-required lighting priority mode Cab. Because the perceptibility of gaze-tracking lighting mode B is low in caution-required lighting priority mode Cab, the flickering of gaze-tracking area 37 from the driver's perspective can be suppressed without rear illumination under high processing load. <sonstiges>

[0101] At least one of embodiment 1 and modifications 1 to 4 of embodiment 1 may be voluntarily combined with at least one of embodiment 2 and modifications 1 to 8 of embodiment 2. <Ausführungsform 3>

[0102] Fig. Figure 22 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a light distribution control device 1 according to embodiment 3. Components according to embodiment 3 that are identical or similar to those described above are referred to by the same or similar reference numerals, and mainly different components are described. The configuration in Fig. 22 is a configuration that is achieved by adding a navigation device 25 and a vehicle information acquisition unit 11c to the configuration of Fig. 1 is obtained. The vehicle information acquisition unit 11c is comprehensive in the concept of the information acquisition unit 11.

[0103] The Navigation Device 25 includes a localizer that captures a vehicle's position information and a standard definition map database containing road shape data based on each road. In addition, the Navigation Device 25 has a route search function that uses the vehicle's position information and the standard definition map database to search for a route for the vehicle to follow, and a function that displays a route at a driving change point, such as an intersection or junction, based on the route search result.

[0104] The vehicle information acquisition unit 11c acquires information about a vehicle. Examples of vehicle information include position information and the route search result for the vehicle, acquired by the navigation device 25. The vehicle information is not limited to this, and examples may include a vehicle's direction of travel and its speed. The vehicle information can be retrieved from an in-vehicle network, referred to as a Controller Area Network (CAN), which is not illustrated. In embodiment 3, for example, the information acquisition unit 11c includes an interface to the navigation device 25, but may also include the navigation device 25 itself. <beleuchtungsmodus>

[0105] The controller 12 according to embodiment 3 has a variety of illumination enhancement modes that cause the auxiliary light 23b to perform illumination enhancements based on at least one piece of information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11, similar to the controller 12 according to embodiment 1. While the illumination enhancement modes according to embodiment 1 include the caution area illumination mode A and the eye-tracking illumination mode B, the illumination enhancement modes according to embodiment 3 include eye-tracking illumination mode B and a route guidance illumination mode D. The route guidance illumination mode D is an illumination enhancement mode that causes the auxiliary light 23b to display an information display object, which is a display object for guiding a route along which a vehicle should travel, based on the position information and the route search result on the vehicle.

[0106] Fig. Figure 23 illustrates an example of a lighting state for the single route guidance lighting mode D. When the single route guidance lighting mode D is executed, the light distribution control 12b of the controller 12 determines, based on the position information and route search result of the vehicle 31 received from the information acquisition unit 11, whether the vehicle 31 is in an area where the information display object 46 should be illuminated. The area where the information display object 46 should be illuminated is, for example, an area separated by a certain distance from a driving change point 38, such as a junction where a vehicle is to change direction, or an area where the vehicle can reach the driving change point 38 after a certain time (e.g., 5 seconds).

[0107] When it is determined that the vehicle 31 is at a location where information is to be displayed by the information display object 46 with light, the light distribution control 12b causes the auxiliary light 23b to display the information display object 46 with light near the driving change point 38. The information display object 46 in Fig. 23 is an arrow indicating route 39, along which vehicle 31 is to travel from driving change point 38. The information display object 46 is not limited to an arrow, as long as it is a display object that indicates a route along which a vehicle is to travel. <Kollaborative Beleuchtung>

[0108] The controller 12 according to embodiment 3 performs collaborative lighting in which the perceivability of each lighting state of one or more, but less than all, of a plurality of lighting enhancement modes is higher than the perceivability of the lighting states of the remaining lighting enhancement modes, based on the currently executed lighting mode and the transition condition, similar to the controller 12 according to embodiment 1. While the collaborative lighting according to embodiment 1 includes the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cba, the collaborative lighting according to embodiment 3 includes an eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cbd in which the perceivability of the eye-tracking lighting mode B is higher than the perceivability of the route guidance lighting mode D.In other words, according to embodiment 3, the controller 12 executes the eye-tracking illumination priority mode Cbd, in which the perceptibility of eye-tracking illumination mode B is relatively higher than that of eye-tracking illumination mode B and route guidance illumination mode D.

[0109] Fig. Figure 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a lighting state in the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cbd. When the route guidance lighting mode D is currently executed as the lighting mode and the driver's gaze is directed at the information display object 46 or at the direction of a road on which the vehicle is to travel from the driving change point 38, as a case in which the predefined transition condition is met, the light distribution control 12b of the controller 12 executes the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cbd as a different lighting mode. <Zusammenfassung der Ausführungsform 3>

[0110] The control unit 12 of the light distribution control apparatus 1 according to embodiment 3 performs collaborative lighting in which the perceptibility of each lighting state of one or more, but less than all, of a plurality of lighting enhancement modes is higher than the perceptibility of the lighting states of the other lighting enhancement modes, based on the currently executed lighting mode and the transition condition, similar to embodiment 1. Such a structure enables the driver to easily recognize which lighting to focus their attention on.

[0111] When route guidance lighting mode D is executed and the driver's gaze is directed towards the information display object 46 or towards a direction of a road on which the vehicle is to travel from the driving change point 38, the controller 12 in embodiment 3 executes the gaze tracking lighting priority mode Cbd. Since, in such a structure, the gaze lighting area 37 allows the driver to easily confirm a route on which the vehicle is to travel when and after the driver has visually identified a route on which the vehicle is to travel, a light distribution control is possible that is tailored to the general attention / confirmation tendency of drivers. <Modifikation 1>

[0112] While the collaborative lighting according to embodiment 3 includes the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cbd, the collaborative lighting can also include a route guidance lighting priority mode Cdb, where the perceptibility of route guidance lighting mode D is higher than the perceptibility of eye-tracking lighting mode B. For example, if eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cbd is currently executed as the lighting mode and the driver does not visually re-identify the information display object 46 even when the vehicle 31 arrives at a point much closer to the driving change point 38, provided the predefined transition condition is met, the light distribution control 12b can switch to route guidance lighting priority mode Cdb as the other lighting mode and execute collaborative lighting.The point that is much closer to driving change point 38 could, for example, be a point from which the vehicle can reach driving change point 38 after 2 seconds. If route guidance lighting mode D is currently in operation and the vehicle 31 arrives at a point much closer to driving change point 38 than the predefined transition condition would meet, the light distribution control 12b can switch to route guidance lighting priority mode Cdb as a different lighting mode and perform collaborative lighting regardless of the driver's gaze.

[0113] While the lighting enhancement modes include eye-tracking lighting mode B and route guidance lighting mode D, the lighting enhancement modes can include caution area lighting mode A, eye-tracking lighting mode B, and route guidance lighting mode D. Collaborative lighting can include a caution area lighting priority mode Cabd, in which the perceptibility of eye-tracking lighting mode B is higher than that of route guidance lighting mode D, and the perceptibility of caution area lighting mode A is higher than that of eye-tracking lighting mode B. Furthermore, collaborative lighting can include a caution area lighting priority mode Cad, in which the perceptibility of caution area lighting mode A is higher than that of route guidance lighting mode D.

[0114] If the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cbd is currently running as the lighting mode and a new caution area is identified as a case where the predefined transition condition is met, the light distribution control 12b can run the caution area lighting priority mode Cabd as a different lighting mode, as shown in Fig. 25 illustrates, or switch to the Caution Area Lighting Priority Mode Cad and execute collaborative lighting as shown in Fig. 26 illustrates. In addition, the collaborative lighting can include a caution area lighting priority mode Cadb, in which the perceptibility of the route guidance lighting mode D is higher than that of the eye tracking lighting mode B, and the perceptibility of the caution area lighting mode A is higher than that of the route guidance lighting mode D.

[0115] In the preceding description, the caution area lighting mode A, the eye-tracking lighting mode B, and the route guidance lighting mode D differ completely in their perceptibility within the collaborative lighting, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the collaborative lighting may include a multi-priority lighting mode Cm, in which the caution area lighting mode A is identical in perceptibility to the eye-tracking lighting mode B, and the perceptibility of these two modes is higher than that of the route guidance lighting mode D. Then, when the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cbd is executed and a new caution area is identified, the light distribution controller 12b may execute the multi-priority lighting mode Cm, as shown in Fig. 27 illustrated. <Modifikation 2>

[0116] The navigation device 25 according to embodiment 3 comprises a localizer that acquires position information about a vehicle and a standard-resolution map database containing road shape data on a road-by-road basis, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the navigation device 25 may include a high-resolution localizer (HDL) that acquires position information about a vehicle with sub-meter resolution, and a high-resolution map database (HD map database) that contains road shape data for each lane.

[0117] The navigation device 25 then searches for a route and guides the route based on sub-meter resolution position information and the HD map database, so that the vehicle information can include sub-meter resolution position information and the route search result. For example, if a route is a road leading left from a junction, and a vehicle is not in a lane from which it can enter such a structure, the light distribution control 12b can cause the auxiliary light 23b to illuminate the lane change information display object 46. <Modifikation 3>

[0118] The lighting modes may further include a route lighting mode E, which causes, if a route a vehicle is to travel on is a branching road that connects at a junction point to a road on which the vehicle is currently traveling, the auxiliary light 23b to illuminate an area along the branching road. The collaborative lighting may include an eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cbe, in which the perceptibility of eye-tracking lighting mode B is higher than that of route lighting mode E. Then, if route lighting mode E is to illuminate the branching road, which is route 39 on which a vehicle is to travel, as in Fig. 28 illustrates that if the driver's gaze is directed towards the branching road, the light distribution control 12b can execute the eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cbe, as shown in Fig. 29 shown. <Modifikation 4>

[0119] The lighting enhancement modes may also include an information sign illumination mode F, in which the auxiliary light 23b illuminates the information, if an information sign displays information relevant to a vehicle's lane change. The collaborative lighting may, for example, include an eye-tracking lighting priority mode Cbf, in which the perceptibility of an illumination state of eye-tracking lighting mode B is higher than the perceptibility of information sign illumination mode F. <sonstiges>

[0120] At least one of embodiment 1, modifications 1 to 4 of embodiment 1, embodiment 2 or modifications 1 to 8 of embodiment 2 may be voluntarily combined with at least one of embodiment 3 or modifications 1 to 4 of embodiment 3. <Weitere Modifikationen>

[0121] The aforementioned information acquisition unit 11 and the control unit 12 in Fig. 1 are referred to as "information acquisition unit 11, etc." A processing circuit 81 in Fig. 30 implements the information acquisition unit 11, etc. In other words, the processing circuit 81 comprises: the information acquisition unit 11 for acquiring at least part of an information from environmental information about the vehicle, information about the vehicle, or gaze information about a driver's gaze direction; and the controller 12 with a plurality of lighting enhancement modes that cause the lighting device to perform a lighting enhancement based on the at least one piece of information, wherein the controller 12 transitions from a currently executed lighting mode to another lighting mode when a predefined transition condition is met in the currently executed lighting mode, and, if the plurality of lighting enhancement modes is present in the other lighting mode, performs: collaborative lighting,where the perceptibility of each illumination state of one or more, but less than, all illumination enhancement modes is higher than the perceptibility of the illumination states of the remaining illumination enhancement modes, based on the currently executed illumination mode and the transition condition. The processing circuit 81 can be dedicated hardware or a processor that executes a program stored in memory. The processor is, for example, a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a digital signal processor (DSP).

[0122] If the processing circuit 81 is dedicated hardware, then the processing circuit 81 is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any combination thereof. The functions of the information acquisition unit 11, etc., can be implemented by distributed processing circuits, or the functions of the units can be implemented jointly by a single processing circuit.

[0123] If the processing circuit 81 is a processor, the functions of the information acquisition unit 11, etc., are implemented by any combination of software, etc. The software, etc., is, for example, software, firmware, or both. For example, the software is described as a program and stored in memory. As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 31, a processor 82, used as a processing circuit 81, defines the functions of each of the units by reading and executing a program stored in a memory 83. In other words, the light distribution control apparatus 1 includes the memory 83 for storing a program which, when executed by the processing circuit 81, consequently performs the following steps: obtaining at least one piece of information about environmental information about the vehicle, information about the vehicle, or gaze information about the direction of view of a driver of the vehicle; preparing a variety of lighting enhancement modes that cause the lighting device to perform a lighting enhancement based on the at least one piece of information; and transitioning from one currently executed lighting mode to another lighting mode when a predefined transition condition is met in the currently executed lighting mode.and execute, in the presence of the multitude of illumination enhancement modes in the other illumination mode, a collaborative illumination in which the perceivability of each illumination state of one or more and fewer than all illumination enhancement modes is higher than the perceivability of the illumination states of the remaining illumination enhancement modes, based on the currently executed illumination mode and the transition condition. In other words, this program allows a computer to execute procedures or processes of the information acquisition unit 11, etc. Examples of memory 83 may here include non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memories such as random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), hard disk drive (HDD), magnetic disk, flexible disk,an optical disc, a compact disc, a mini disc, a digital versatile disc (DVD), a corresponding drive and any storage medium to be used in the future.

[0124] The configuration for implementing each of the functions of the Information Acquisition Unit 11, etc., using hardware and / or software, etc., has been described above. However, the configuration is not limited to this; part of the Information Acquisition Unit 11, etc., can be implemented by dedicated hardware, while another part can be implemented by software, etc. For example, the Processing Circuit 81, acting as dedicated hardware, can implement the functions of the Information Acquisition Unit 11, etc., and the Processing Circuit 81, acting as Processor 82, can implement functions of components other than the Information Acquisition Unit 11, etc., by reading and executing a program stored in Memory 83.

[0125] As described above, the processing circuit 81 can implement any of the functions by hardware, software, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0126] The aforementioned light distribution control device is applicable to a light distribution control system, which is structured as a system obtained through a suitable combination of vehicle equipment, a communication terminal, application functions to be installed in at least one of the vehicle equipment components or the communication terminal, and a server. Examples of the communication terminal are a mobile phone, a smartphone, and a tablet. The functions and components of the control device described above can be distributed among each device to form the system or centrally distributed among one of the devices.

[0127] The embodiments and modifications can be freely combined and modified or omitted accordingly.

[0128] The above description is illustrative in every aspect and not limiting. Numerous modifications and deviations are conceivable, which have not yet been exemplified. EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0129] 1 Light distribution control device, 11 Information acquisition unit, 11a Environmental information acquisition unit, 11b Eye view information acquisition unit, 12 Control, 12a Caution area identification unit, 12b Light distribution control, 23b Auxiliary light, 36 Caution area, 37 Eye view illumination area, 41 Blocking indicator object, 42 Guide indicator object, 46 Information display object. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2007-38878

[0002] JP 2020-111328

[0002] < / sonstiges> < / beleuchtungsmodus> < / sonstiges> < / betriebe> < / sonstiges> < / betriebe>

Images