Light distribution control device for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a light distribution control device for e vehicle capable of reducing trouble that a crew member who considers a light distribution control function unnecessary feels.SOLUTION: In a case where a scene in which a vehicle V comprising a light distribution control function travels is a recommendation scene in which utilization of the light distribution control function for headlights of the vehicle V is recommended, a light distribution control device 100 for a vehicle performs a light distribution control actuation suggestion that is a suggestion to actuate the light distribution control function to a crew member of the vehicle V.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a light distribution control device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In vehicles equipped with headlight light distribution control functions such as AHB (Auto High Beam) and ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam), there is known a device that automatically activates the light distribution control function based on light distribution control area information that determines areas where light distribution control is required (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 130866 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described device, the light distribution control function is automatically activated as described above, and therefore, occupants who do not consider the light distribution control function to be necessary may find it annoying.

[0005] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention aims to provide a light distribution control device for a vehicle that can reduce the annoyance felt by occupants who do not consider the light distribution control function to be unnecessary. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle light distribution control device according to one aspect of the present invention makes a light distribution control activation suggestion to the vehicle occupants, which is a suggestion to activate the light distribution control function, when the scene in which a vehicle equipped with a light distribution control function is traveling is a recommended scene in which use of the light distribution control function is recommended.

[0007] A vehicle light distribution control device according to one aspect of the present invention may, when the scene in which the vehicle is traveling is a recommended scene, determine whether or not to make a light distribution control operation proposal based on the number of times the vehicle's ignition has been turned on and the distance traveled since the previous light distribution control operation proposal, and may make a light distribution control operation proposal depending on the result of the determination.

[0008] In a vehicle light distribution control device according to one aspect of the present invention, a recommended scene is a scene at night in which the brightness around the vehicle remains low for a certain period of time or more, and if the recommended scene is a scene in which the vehicle is traveling, a light distribution control operation suggestion may be made when the number of times the vehicle's ignition has been turned on since the previous light distribution control operation suggestion is a certain number or more and the distance traveled by the vehicle since the previous light distribution control operation suggestion is a certain distance or more.

[0009] A vehicle light distribution control device according to one aspect of the present invention may make a light distribution control operation suggestion when the scene in which the vehicle is traveling is a recommended scene, the activation rate of the light distribution control function is below a predetermined value, the number of times the vehicle's ignition has been turned on since the previous light distribution control operation suggestion is equal to or greater than a certain number of times, and the distance traveled by the vehicle since the previous light distribution control operation suggestion is equal to or greater than a certain distance. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a light distribution control device for a vehicle that can reduce the annoyance felt by occupants who do not consider the light distribution control function to be unnecessary. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle light distribution control device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the steering switch of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a light distribution control operation suggestion displayed on the display of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of the vehicle light distribution control device of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle light distribution control device 100 according to this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle V. The vehicle V may be a passenger car or a freight vehicle. The vehicle V can accommodate one or more passengers. The vehicle V may be an autonomous vehicle capable of autonomous driving. The vehicle V may also be capable of manual driving by a driver. The vehicle V of this embodiment is equipped with a light distribution control function for the headlights of the vehicle V (hereinafter simply referred to as the "light distribution control function"). The headlights are lamps that illuminate the area ahead of the vehicle V. There are no particular limitations on the headlights, and various known headlights may be used.

[0014] The light distribution control function is a control function related to the high beam of the headlights of the vehicle V. The light distribution control function may be, for example, at least one of AHB (Auto High Beam) and ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam). AHB is a function that automatically switches the high beam off and on depending on whether or not there is another vehicle in front of the vehicle V, for example, at night. ADB is a function that automatically blocks the high beam only in the area where there is another vehicle in front of the vehicle V, for example, at night. The light distribution control function is not particularly limited and may be other functions related to high beams. In this embodiment, as an example, the light distribution control function is AHB. The area in front of the vehicle V corresponds to the illumination direction of the headlights of the vehicle V.

[0015] When the scene in which the vehicle V is traveling is a recommended scene in which use of the light distribution control function of the vehicle V is recommended, the vehicle light distribution control device 100 makes a light distribution control activation suggestion (described later) to the occupants (including the driver) of the vehicle V to activate the light distribution control function. The vehicle light distribution control device 100 includes an ECU 10.

[0016] The ECU 10 is an electronic control unit having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The ECU 10 realizes various functions by, for example, loading a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing the program loaded into the RAM by the CPU. Some of the functions of the ECU 10 may be executed by a server capable of communicating with the vehicle V. The ECU 10 may be composed of multiple electronic units. A camera 1, a steering switch 2, and a display 3 are connected to the ECU 10.

[0017] The camera 1 captures at least an image of the area in front of the vehicle V. The camera 1 is not particularly limited, and various known imaging devices may be used. The camera 1 transmits the captured camera image to the ECU 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steering switch 2 is a switch provided on the steering wheel 5. In the illustrated example, the steering switch 2 includes at least a confirm switch 2a and a cancel switch 2b. When operated by an occupant of the vehicle V, the steering switch 2 transmits an operation signal related to the operation to the ECU 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the display 3 is provided, for example, on an instrument panel in front of the driver's seat inside the vehicle V. In the illustrated example, the display 3 may be, for example, a meter display that displays various information such as a vehicle speedometer, or may be a multimedia display. The display of the display 3 is controlled by the ECU 10.

[0018] The ECU 10 includes, as its functional configuration, a memory unit 11, a scene determination unit 12, a proposal determination unit 13, a proposal execution unit 14, and a light distribution control function activation unit 15. The memory unit 11 stores driving history information D. The driving history information D includes information regarding the number of times the ignition of the vehicle V has been turned on since the last light distribution control activation proposal, the distance traveled during the last light distribution control activation proposal, and the activation rate of the light distribution control function. Turning on the ignition is the operation of turning on the ignition switch, which is a switch for starting and stopping the drive source of the vehicle V. The number of times the ignition has been turned on and the distance traveled can be acquired using various known sensors, etc. The activation rate of the light distribution control function is the ratio of the driving time during which the light distribution control function was activated to the total driving time. For example, if AHB was activated for 50 hours out of 100 hours of driving, the activation rate of the light distribution control function is 50%.

[0019] The scene determination unit 12 determines whether the scene in which the vehicle V is traveling is a recommended scene based on the camera image acquired by the camera 1. For example, a recommended scene is a scene in which it is nighttime and the brightness around the vehicle V remains dark for a certain period of time or more. The dark brightness state is, for example, a state in which the brightness is below a predetermined certain brightness. The certain period of time is a time that is set in advance. A scene in which it is nighttime and the brightness around the vehicle V remains dark for a certain period of time or more corresponds to a scene in which the vehicle V is traveling in the suburbs.

[0020] When the scene determination unit 12 determines that the scene in which the vehicle V is traveling is a recommended scene, the proposal determination unit 13 determines whether to make a light distribution control operation proposal based on the number of times the ignition of the vehicle V has been turned on and the distance traveled since the previous light distribution control operation proposal. Specifically, the proposal determination unit 13 determines to make a light distribution control operation proposal when the operation rate of the light distribution control function is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the number of times the ignition of the vehicle V has been turned on since the previous light distribution control operation proposal is equal to or greater than a certain number, and the distance traveled by the vehicle V since the previous light distribution control operation proposal is equal to or greater than a certain distance. The predetermined value is, for example, 50% or less. The certain number is, for example, 10 times or more. The certain distance is, for example, 100 km or more. Note that the proposal determination unit 13 does not make a light distribution control operation proposal unless the light distribution control function is currently inactive (off). Whether the light distribution control function is activated or inactive may be determined based on an operation of the occupant received via, for example, the steering switch 2.

[0021] The proposal execution unit 14 executes a light distribution control operation proposal in accordance with the result of the determination by the proposal determination unit 13. Specifically, when the proposal determination unit 13 determines that a light distribution control operation proposal should be made, the proposal execution unit 14 controls the display 3 to display, on the display 3, a notification T that urges the occupant to activate (turn on) the light distribution control function, as a light distribution control operation proposal, as shown in Fig. 3, for example. In the notification T of the illustrated example, the "◎ switch" corresponds to the decision switch 2a of the steering switch 2.

[0022] For example, when a notification T is displayed on the display 3 as a light distribution control activation suggestion, and the occupant presses the decision switch 2a of the steering switch 2, the light distribution control function activation unit 15 activates the light distribution control function. Note that the notification T on the display 3 is erased from the display 3 when the cancel switch 2b of the steering switch 2 is pressed.

[0023] Next, the processing in the vehicle light distribution control device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0024] For example, when the ignition is turned on in the vehicle V, the ECU 10 starts the following series of processes. First, the scene determination unit 12 determines whether the current time period is nighttime or not based on the camera image from the camera 1 (step S1). If the result of step S1 is YES, the proposal determination unit 13 determines whether the light distribution control function is inactive or not (step S2). If the result of step S2 is YES, the scene determination unit 12 determines whether the brightness around the vehicle V has remained low for a certain period of time or more (step S3).

[0025] If the answer is YES in step S3, the scene determination unit 12 determines that the scene in which the vehicle V is currently traveling is a recommended scene. Then, the proposal determination unit 13 determines whether or not the activation rate of the light distribution control function is equal to or less than a predetermined value, based on the traveling history information D stored in the memory unit 11 (step S4). If the answer is YES in step S4, the proposal determination unit 13 determines whether or not the number of times the ignition has been turned on since the previous light distribution control activation proposal is equal to or greater than a certain number, based on the traveling history information D stored in the memory unit 11 (step S5).

[0026] If the answer is YES in step S5, the proposal determination unit 13 determines whether the distance traveled since the previous light distribution control activation proposal is equal to or greater than a certain distance, based on the driving history information D stored in the storage unit 11 (step S6). If the answer is YES in step S6, the history of the number of times the ignition has been turned on and the distance traveled in the driving history information D stored in the storage unit 11 is cleared (step S7). Then, the proposal execution unit 14 executes the light distribution control activation proposal, and displays a notification T on the display 3 urging the user to activate the light distribution control function (step S8).

[0027] On the other hand, if the answer is NO in each of the above steps S1 to S6, the process of this cycle is ended, and the process of step S1 is repeated in the next cycle. Note that, for example, in the case of vehicle V, when an ignition off operation is performed, which is an operation to turn off the ignition switch, the above process is ended.

[0028] As described above, the vehicle light distribution control device 100 proposes activation of light distribution control when the scene in which the vehicle V equipped with a light distribution control function is traveling is a recommended scene. Therefore, the light distribution control function is not activated automatically, reducing the annoyance felt by occupants who do not consider the light distribution control function unnecessary. In addition, it is possible to encourage occupants who do not use or recognize the light distribution control function, and occupants who are not aware that the light distribution control function is inactive, to use the light distribution control function, thereby improving the activation rate of the light distribution control function and contributing to safer nighttime driving.

[0029] When the scene in which the vehicle V is traveling is a recommended scene, the vehicle light distribution control device 100 determines whether to make a light distribution control operation proposal based on the number of times the ignition of the vehicle V has been turned on and the distance traveled since the previous light distribution control operation proposal, and makes the light distribution control operation proposal according to the result of the determination. In this case, the frequency of making light distribution control operation proposals can be adjusted to reduce the annoyance felt by the occupants, and encourage them to use the light distribution control function.

[0030] In the vehicle light distribution control device 100, a recommended scene is a scene where it is nighttime and the brightness around the vehicle V remains low for a certain period of time or more. When the recommended scene is a scene in which the vehicle V is traveling, the vehicle light distribution control device 100 makes a light distribution control operation proposal when the number of times the ignition of the vehicle V has been turned on since the previous light distribution control operation proposal is equal to or greater than a certain number of times and the distance traveled by the vehicle V since the previous light distribution control operation proposal is equal to or greater than a certain distance. In this case, the frequency with which light distribution control operation proposals are made can be specifically adjusted to reduce the annoyance felt by the occupants and encourage them to use the light distribution control function.

[0031] When the scene in which the vehicle V is traveling is a recommended scene, the vehicle light distribution control device 100 makes a light distribution control operation proposal when the activation rate of the light distribution control function is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the number of times the ignition of the vehicle V has been turned on since the previous light distribution control operation proposal is equal to or greater than a certain number, and the distance traveled by the vehicle V since the previous light distribution control operation proposal is equal to or greater than a certain distance. In this case, the frequency of making light distribution control operation proposals can be adjusted more specifically to reduce the annoyance felt by the occupants and encourage them to use the light distribution control function.

[0032] Furthermore, since a suggestion to operate the light distribution control is made when the activation rate of the light distribution control function is below a predetermined value, the suggestion to operate the light distribution control can be effectively made to occupants who are not using or aware of the light distribution control function.

[0033] In this embodiment, the vehicle light distribution control device 100 constitutes an interactive suggestion system for the high beam system of the vehicle V. In the vehicle light distribution control device 100, the light distribution control function is activated when the occupant operates the steering wheel switch 2 or the like in response to suggestions displayed on the display 3 or the like. Furthermore, in the vehicle light distribution control device 100, since an excessive number of suggestions can lead to annoyance, by utilizing the driving history information D, it is possible to reduce annoyance and increase opportunities for the user to use the system.

[0034] Since it is believed that there will be a certain number of occupants who dislike the system activating the light distribution control function without their permission, the vehicle light distribution control device 100 does not activate the light distribution control function automatically, but instead takes into account the surrounding environment or driving history and recommends activation of the light distribution control function to the occupant, thereby making it possible to reduce the inconvenience to the occupant.

[0035] Although the embodiments have been described above, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. One aspect of the present invention can be embodied in various forms, including the above-described embodiments, with various modifications and improvements made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0036] In the above embodiment, notification T is displayed on the display 3 as a light distribution control operation suggestion, but this is not limited to this. The light distribution control operation suggestion may be a suggestion by a display other than notification T, or alternatively or in addition to this, it may be a suggestion by voice. In the above embodiment, a scene in which it is nighttime and the brightness around the vehicle V remains low for a certain period of time or more is used as the recommended scene, but this is not limited to this. The recommended scene may be any other scene as long as it is a recommended scene in which use of the light distribution control function is recommended. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1...camera, 2...steering switch, 3...display, 5...steering, 10...ECU, 100...vehicle light distribution control device, V...vehicle.

Claims

1. A light distribution control device for a vehicle that, when a scene in which a vehicle equipped with a light distribution control function is traveling is a recommended scene in which use of the light distribution control function of the vehicle's headlights is recommended, makes a light distribution control activation suggestion to an occupant of the vehicle, which is a suggestion to activate the light distribution control function.

2. 2. A light distribution control device for a vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein, when the scene in which the vehicle is traveling is the recommended scene, a determination is made as to whether or not to make the light distribution control operation proposal based on the number of times the ignition of the vehicle has been turned on and the distance traveled since the previous light distribution control operation proposal, and the light distribution control operation proposal is made depending on the result of the determination.

3. The recommended scene is a scene in which it is nighttime and the brightness around the vehicle is low for a certain period of time or more, 3. The light distribution control device for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein, when the scene in which the vehicle is traveling is the recommended scene, the light distribution control operation proposal is made when the number of times the ignition of the vehicle has been turned on since the previous light distribution control operation proposal is equal to or greater than a certain number of times and the distance traveled by the vehicle since the previous light distribution control operation proposal is equal to or greater than a certain distance.

4. 4. The light distribution control device for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein, when the scene in which the vehicle is traveling is the recommended scene, the light distribution control operation proposal is made when the activation rate of the light distribution control function is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the number of times the ignition of the vehicle has been turned on since the previous light distribution control operation proposal is equal to or greater than a certain number of times, and the distance traveled by the vehicle since the previous light distribution control operation proposal is equal to or greater than a certain distance.

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