Lighting control device

Abstract

To appropriately appeal the presence of an own vehicle to the surroundings in situations where ensuring sight is difficult.SOLUTION: A lighting control device turns on at least a hazard light among a headlight, a fog light, and the hazard light when the recognition rate of a camera is equal to or lower than a first threshold, and specific weather conditions are established, turns on the headlight and fog light when the specific weather conditions are not established even if the recognition rate is equal to or lower than the first threshold, or when the recognition rate is higher than the first threshold and equal to or lower than a second threshold, and turns on the headlight or a small light when the recognition rate is higher than the second threshold and equal to or lower than a third threshold. The specific weather conditions mean that it is detected that raindrops in an amount that maximizes the wiping speed of the wiper blades adhere to the outer surface of a windshield, or it is detected that the raindrops adhere to the outer surface, and that an outside temperature is equal to or less than a temperature threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle light control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an auto fog lamp device that uses a laser radar device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-115623 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In situations where visibility is difficult due to bad weather, it is necessary to be able to properly alert others to the presence of one's vehicle.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a light control device that can appropriately alert others to the presence of the vehicle in situations where it is difficult to ensure visibility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The light control device according to the present disclosure controls a vehicle lighting device having a recognition sensor including a camera that recognizes the situation around the vehicle. When the recognition rate of the camera is equal to or lower than a first threshold and a specific weather condition is established, the light control device turns on at least the hazard lights among the headlights, fog lights, and hazard lights included in the lighting device. When the recognition rate is equal to or lower than the first threshold but the specific weather condition is not established, or when the recognition rate is higher than the first threshold and equal to or lower than a second threshold, the light control device turns on the headlights and the fog lights. When the recognition rate is higher than the second threshold and equal to or lower than a third threshold, the light control device turns on the headlights or the small lights included in the lighting device. The specific weather condition is when raindrops are detected on the outer surface of the vehicle's windshield in an amount that maximizes the wiping speed of the vehicle's wiper blades, or when raindrops are detected on the outer surface and the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a temperature threshold. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the automatic lighting of the various lights selected in a stepwise different manner according to the recognition rate of the camera is controlled. Also, according to the present disclosure, the lighting is controlled taking into consideration the above-mentioned specific weather conditions. This makes it possible to automatically turn on the various lights in an appropriate manner according to the degree of poor visibility in a situation where it is difficult to ensure visibility. As a result, it becomes possible to appropriately appeal to the surroundings the presence of the vehicle in a situation where it is difficult to ensure visibility. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a vehicle equipped with a light control device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart showing a process related to light control according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] 1. Vehicle configuration 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle 1 equipped with a lighting control device according to an embodiment. The vehicle 1 includes a lighting device 10, sensors 20, light switches 30, and an electronic control unit (ECU) 40. The vehicle 1 is, for example, a manually driven vehicle that runs in response to a driving operation by a driver, but may also be an automatically driven vehicle.

[0010] The lighting device 10 includes a headlight 11, a small light 12, a fog light 13, and a hazard light 14. The fog light 13 is, for example, a front fog light attached to the front of the vehicle 1. However, the fog light 13 may include a rear fog light attached to the rear of the vehicle 1 in addition to the front fog light.

[0011] The sensors 20 include a recognition sensor 21. The recognition sensor 21 includes at least one or more cameras 22 (hereinafter simply referred to as cameras 22) and recognizes (detects) the surroundings of the vehicle 1. The recognition sensor 21 may also include a millimeter wave radar 23. The sensors 20 also include, for example, a raindrop sensor 24, a rotation angle sensor 25, an outside air temperature sensor 26, a vehicle speed sensor 27, and an illuminance sensor 28. In addition, the raindrop sensor 24 detects the presence and amount of raindrops adhering to the outer surface of the windshield of the vehicle 1. The rotation angle sensor 25 detects the rotation angle of a wiper motor that drives the wiper blades of the vehicle 1. The illuminance sensor 28 is installed, for example, inside the vehicle cabin and detects the illuminance outside the vehicle through the windshield.

[0012] The light switches 30 are operated by the driver of the vehicle 1. The light switches 30 include switches for turning on / off the headlights 11, the small lights 12, the fog lights 13, and the hazard lights 14, respectively.

[0013] The ECU 40 is a computer that controls the lighting device 10, and includes a processing circuit and a memory. The processing circuit executes various processes related to the control of the lighting device 10 (light control). The memory stores various information required for the processes by the processing circuit. The various processes by the ECU 40 are realized by the processing circuit executing a computer program. Note that the ECU 40 may be configured by combining a plurality of ECUs. The ECU 40 corresponds to an example of a "light control device" according to this embodiment.

[0014] 2. Light control In a situation where visibility is difficult due to bad weather (for example, fog, heavy rain, or snowstorm), it is necessary to be able to appropriately notify the surroundings of the presence of the vehicle. In view of this problem, in this embodiment, the following light control is executed.

[0015] 2 is a flowchart showing a process related to light control according to the embodiment. The process of this flowchart is repeatedly executed by the ECU 40 (the processing circuit) while the vehicle 1 is traveling.

[0016] Prior to explaining each step, the recognition rate (image recognition rate) R of camera 22 and three thresholds TH1 (first threshold), threshold TH2 (second threshold), and threshold TH3 (third threshold) used in this embodiment to determine the degree of the recognition rate R will be explained.

[0017] The recognition rate R can be calculated using the following method. That is, the ECU 40 calculates the recognition rate R based on, for example, the result of image recognition using machine learning on an image acquired by the camera 22 and the image recognition rate information. The image recognition rate information here is information on the image recognition rate in image recognition that recognizes a predetermined object (such as a vehicle, a person, or a building) from image information about the surroundings of the vehicle 1 captured by the camera 22, and is stored in the memory of the ECU 40.

[0018] Of the three thresholds TH1, TH2, and TH3, the threshold TH1 is the lowest value, followed by the threshold TH2 and the threshold TH3 in that order. Therefore, the three thresholds TH1 to TH3 can be used to specify three ranges that stepwise indicate the degree of the recognition rate R, that is, the first range (R ≤ TH1), the second range (TH1 < R ≤ TH2), and the third range (TH2 < R ≤ TH3).

[0019] More specifically, the threshold TH1 for specifying the first range where the recognition rate R is the lowest is, for example, determined in advance as the upper limit value of the range of the recognition rate R (the first range) corresponding to a situation where the use of the advanced safety system using the camera 22 becomes impossible due to a whiteout phenomenon caused by heavy rain or blizzard or the like.

[0020] The threshold TH2 for specifying the second range, which is the next lowest after the first range, together with the threshold TH1 is, for example, determined in advance as the upper limit value of the range of the recognition rate R (the second range) corresponding to a situation where it is quite difficult to see the surroundings of the vehicle 1 due to the influence of fog or rain.

[0021] The threshold TH3 for specifying the third range, which is the next lowest after the second range, together with the threshold TH2 is, for example, determined in advance as the upper limit value of the range of the recognition rate R (the third range) corresponding to a situation where it is difficult to confirm the preceding vehicle.

[0022] In step S100, the ECU 40 determines whether the recognition rate R is less than or equal to the threshold TH1. As a result, if the recognition rate R is less than or equal to the threshold TH1 (step S100; Yes), that is, in a situation where the camera 22 cannot be used (the above first range), the process proceeds to step S102.

[0023] In step S102, the ECU 40 determines whether or not a "specific weather condition" indicating that visibility is particularly difficult is established. The specific weather condition here is, for example, that the raindrop sensor 24 detects that an amount of raindrops that maximizes the wiping speed of the wiper blades of the vehicle 1 has adhered to the outer surface of the windshield. This wiping speed can be calculated, for example, based on the output of the rotation angle sensor 25. As a premise, the vehicle 1 is configured to be able to execute wiper control that automatically changes the wiping speed according to the amount of raindrops. Alternatively, the specific weather condition may be that raindrops are detected to adhere to the outer surface of the windshield and the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature threshold (for example, 3°C). In addition, the latter specific weather condition may also include a vehicle speed condition of the vehicle 1 (for example, the vehicle speed is higher than a predetermined speed threshold).

[0024] If the specific weather condition is satisfied in the first range (step S102; Yes), the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, the ECU 40 executes a process to turn on the hazard lights 14 and the fog lights 13. Alternatively, in step S104, the ECU 40 may turn on only the hazard lights 14. Furthermore, the ECU 40 may turn on the headlights 11 in low beam or high beam in addition to turning on the hazard lights 14 or turning on both the hazard lights 14 and the fog lights 13. According to the process of step S104, in a situation where it is most difficult to ensure visibility (steps S100 and S102; Yes), at least the hazard lights 14 are automatically turned on, so that the presence of the vehicle (vehicle 1) can be effectively notified to the surroundings.

[0025] Furthermore, when the vehicle 1 is being manually driven by the driver, in step S104, the ECU 40 may additionally provide the driver with a notification to encourage safe driving via a predetermined HMI device.

[0026] On the other hand, if the specific weather condition is not satisfied even though it is within the first range (step S102; No), the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, the ECU 40 executes a process to turn on the headlights 11 and the fog lights 13. The turn-on of the headlights 11 here may be either low beam or high beam.

[0027] On the other hand, if the recognition rate R is higher than the threshold value TH1 (step S100; No), the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the ECU 40 determines whether or not both of the following conditions are met: the recognition rate R is equal to or lower than the threshold value TH2, and the "millimeter wave condition" is met. The millimeter wave condition here means that the output of the millimeter wave radar 23 is normal but the S / N ratio of the millimeter wave radar 23 is lower than a predetermined threshold. This S / N ratio is calculated by a known method.

[0028] Alternatively, instead of the above example, in step S108, it may be determined that the recognition rate R is equal to or lower than the threshold value TH2 and that the "millimeter wave condition" is satisfied. This also applies to the process of step S110 described later.

[0029] If the recognition rate R is equal to or lower than the threshold value TH2 (second range) and the millimeter wave condition is satisfied (step S108; Yes), the process proceeds to the above-mentioned step S106. Therefore, the headlights 11 and the fog lights 13 are turned on. On the other hand, if either or both of the recognition rate R being equal to or lower than the threshold value TH2 and the "millimeter wave condition" being satisfied are not satisfied (step S108; No), the process proceeds to step S110.

[0030] In step S110, the ECU 40 determines whether or not both the recognition rate R is equal to or lower than the threshold value TH3 and the millimeter wave condition is satisfied. If the recognition rate R is equal to or lower than the threshold value TH3 (in the third range) and the millimeter wave condition is satisfied (step S110; Yes), the process proceeds to step S112.

[0031] In step S112, the ECU 40 executes a process to turn on the parking lights 12. Alternatively, in step S112, the ECU 40 may execute a process to turn on the headlights 11 in low beam.

[0032] On the other hand, if either or both of the recognition rate R being equal to or lower than the threshold value TH3 and the "millimeter wave condition" being satisfied are not satisfied (step S110; No), the process proceeds to step S114. More specifically, the process proceeds to step S114 when the recognition rate R is higher than the threshold value TH3 (i.e., when the camera 22 properly recognizes the surroundings of the vehicle 1 (regardless of whether the millimeter wave condition is satisfied)) or when the recognition rate R is in the second or third range but the millimeter wave radar 23 functions normally with a high S / N ratio equal to or higher than the threshold value.

[0033] In step S114, the ECU 40 determines whether or not the illuminance sensor 28 is ON (that is, it is not nighttime) or the light switches 30 have been operated.

[0034] As a result, if it is determined using the illuminance sensor 28 that it is not nighttime, or if the light switches 30 (specifically, the switches for the headlights 11, fog lights 13, or hazard lights 14) have been operated (step S114; Yes), the process proceeds to step S116. In step S116, the ECU 40 executes a process to turn off the headlights 11 and fog lights 13. This makes it possible to turn off the headlights 11 and fog lights 13 that have been erroneously turned on in a situation in which they are not required.

[0035] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S114 is No, the process proceeds to step S118. In step S118, the ECU 40 determines whether or not the switch of the fog lights 13 remains ON. As a result, if the switch of the fog lights 13 remains ON (step S118; Yes), the process proceeds to step S120. In step S120, the ECU 40 executes a process to turn off the fog lights 13. This makes it possible to turn off the fog lights 13 that are turned on because the fog lights 13 were forgotten to be turned off when it is not necessary to turn them on.

[0036] In addition, in an example in which the fog lights 13 equipped on the vehicle 1 include rear fog lights, the processes in steps S114 to S120 may be executed with particular attention paid to the rear fog lights, thereby preventing unnecessary illumination of the rear fog lights from causing a nuisance to vehicles behind.

[0037] In addition, the following process may be executed in conjunction with the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2. That is, while the vehicle 1 is traveling, the ECU 40 may use the vehicle position information to store and accumulate information on each point (point information) where the determination results in steps S100 and S102 are Yes in a memory. Then, the ECU 40 may use the accumulated point information to extract points where the determination results in steps S100 and S102 are often Yes. Then, the ECU 40 may provide the extracted point information to an external system (for example, an ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) or a data center) using a communication device (not shown). This allows the external system to use the provided point information for, for example, issuing a warning or closing a road.

[0038] As described above, according to the lighting control of the present embodiment, the automatic lighting of various lights (headlights 11, small lights 12, fog lights 13, and hazard lights 14) included in the lighting device 10 is controlled in a manner that differs stepwise according to the recognition rate R of the camera 22. Moreover, according to the lighting control, lighting is controlled taking into consideration specific weather conditions (step S102). This makes it possible to automatically turn on various lights in an appropriate manner according to the degree of poor visibility in a situation where it is difficult to ensure visibility. As a result, it becomes possible to appropriately appeal the presence of the vehicle (vehicle 1) to the surroundings in a situation where it is difficult to ensure visibility. This leads to a reduction in the risk of collision due to poor visibility. In addition, unlike a general auto light function in which a vehicle detects the brightness of the surroundings while traveling and automatically turns on the headlights, the automatic lighting can be performed even in fog or a snowstorm that occurs during the day, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 vehicle, 10 lighting device, 11 headlight, 12 small light, 13 fog light, 14 hazard light, 20 sensors, 22 camera, 30 light switches, 40 electronic control unit (ECU)

Claims

[Claim 1] A lighting control device that controls lighting devices of a vehicle having a recognition sensor including a camera that recognizes a situation around the vehicle, When the recognition rate of the camera is equal to or less than a first threshold and a specific weather condition is established, at least a hazard light among a headlight, a fog light, and a hazard light included in the lighting device is turned on; when the specific weather condition is not satisfied even if the recognition rate is equal to or lower than the first threshold, or when the recognition rate is higher than the first threshold and equal to or lower than a second threshold, turning on the headlights and the fog lights; When the recognition rate is higher than the second threshold value and equal to or lower than a third threshold value, turning on the headlights or a small light included in the lighting device; The specific weather condition is that raindrops are detected on the outer surface of the windshield of the vehicle in an amount that maximizes the wiping speed of the wiper blade of the vehicle, or that raindrops are detected on the outer surface and the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a temperature threshold. A light control device comprising:

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