Image capture control device
A centralized control system synchronizes exposure and lighting timing across multiple vehicle cameras and projectors to maintain consistent image capture conditions, addressing deviations that cause decreased recognition accuracy and improving image quality.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-22
AI Technical Summary
In vehicles equipped with multiple cameras and projectors, deviations in exposure and lighting timing can lead to decreased recognition accuracy of peripheral objects due to positional shifts and uneven brightness in images captured by different cameras.
A centralized control system, such as an ECU, synchronizes the exposure timing of multiple cameras and lighting timing of multiple projectors using communication units to ensure uniformity across all cameras and projectors, thereby maintaining consistent image capture conditions.
This synchronization enhances the accuracy of recognizing surrounding objects by minimizing discrepancies in exposure and lighting timing, reducing misrecognition and improving image quality.
Smart Images
Figure 2026101110000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a shooting control device.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, in order to improve the shooting accuracy of a camera provided in a vehicle, it is known to provide a projector near the camera and irradiate the shooting target of the camera. Patent Document 1 describes that in order to reduce the power consumption of the projector, the projector is caused to emit light based on the timing of video capture by the camera.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to the case where a plurality of projectors are provided for a plurality of cameras in a vehicle. In such a configuration, if a deviation occurs in the exposure timing between a plurality of cameras, a deviation occurs in the recognition position of a peripheral object such as a moving object in the images generated by the plurality of cameras. Further, if a deviation occurs in the lighting timing between a plurality of projectors, unevenness in brightness occurs between the images generated by the plurality of cameras, and there is a risk that the recognition accuracy of the peripheral object may decrease.
[0005] Therefore, in view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to suppress a decrease in the recognition accuracy of a peripheral object when recognizing a peripheral object based on images generated by a plurality of cameras in a vehicle including a plurality of cameras and a plurality of projectors.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The gist of the present disclosure is as follows.
[0007] (1) A camera control device installed in a vehicle equipped with a plurality of cameras and a plurality of floodlights, comprising: a first communication unit that communicates with a specific camera among the plurality of cameras; and a second communication unit that communicates with each of the cameras other than the specific camera among the plurality of cameras and each of the plurality of floodlights, wherein the first communication unit receives information regarding the exposure timing of the specific camera from the specific camera, and the second communication unit, based on the information, instructs the cameras other than the specific camera on the exposure timing and instructs the plurality of floodlights on the lighting timing.
[0008] (2) The shooting control device according to (1) above, wherein the information includes the exposure start timing of the specific camera, and the second communication unit instructs the plurality of floodlights to turn on at a timing such that the lighting start timing of the plurality of floodlights coincides with the exposure start timing of the specific camera and the lighting time of the plurality of floodlights coincides with the maximum exposure time of the specific camera.
[0009] (3) The shooting control device according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the information includes the exposure start timing of the specific camera, and the second communication unit instructs the cameras other than the specific camera to set their exposure timing so that the exposure start timing of the cameras other than the specific camera coincides with the exposure start timing of the specific camera and the exposure time of the cameras other than the specific camera coincides with the maximum exposure time of the specific camera when predetermined conditions are met.
[0010] (4) The photographic control device according to (2) or (3) above, wherein the predetermined condition is that the brightness around the vehicle is less than a predetermined value.
[0011] (5) The imaging control device according to (1) above, wherein the information includes the exposure start timing and exposure end timing of the specific camera, the second communication unit instructs the cameras other than the specific camera to set their exposure timing so that their exposure start timing and exposure end timing coincide with the exposure start timing and exposure end timing of the specific camera, and instructs the plurality of floodlights to set their lighting timing so that their lighting start timing and lighting end timing coincide with the exposure start timing and exposure end timing of the specific camera. [Effects of the Invention]
[0012] According to the present invention, when recognizing surrounding objects based on images generated by multiple cameras in a vehicle equipped with multiple cameras and multiple floodlights, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the accuracy of recognizing surrounding objects. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0013] [Figure 1] This diagram schematically shows a part of the configuration of a vehicle equipped with a photography control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram shows an example of a configuration of multiple cameras and multiple floodlights installed on a vehicle. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the problems that can occur when there is a discrepancy in the exposure timing or the lighting timing. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows the control routine for the image capture control process in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart showing the control routine for the image capture control process in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, similar components will be given the same reference numerals.
[0015] <First Embodiment> The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the configuration of a vehicle 1 equipped with a shooting control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the vehicle 1 is a four-wheeled automobile.
[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 1 is equipped with multiple cameras 2, multiple floodlights 3, and an electronic control unit (ECU) 10. The multiple cameras 2 and multiple floodlights 3 are electrically connected to the ECU 10 via an in-vehicle network compliant with standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network) or Ethernet.
[0017] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of multiple cameras and multiple floodlights installed on vehicle 1. Vehicle 1 is equipped with a first camera 2a and a second camera 2b, which are multiple cameras, each of which captures images of the area around vehicle 1 and generates images of the area around vehicle 1. The first camera 2a and the second camera 2b each have a lens and an image sensor, and the image sensor is, for example, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) or a charge-coupled device (CCD). The first camera 2a and the second camera 2b may each be monocular cameras or stereo cameras. The first camera 2a and the second camera 2b each communicate with the ECU 10.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the first camera 2a is provided on the vehicle 1 so as to photograph the front of the vehicle 1 and generates an image of the front of the vehicle 1. That is, the first camera 2a is a front camera. For example, the first camera 2a is disposed on the front grille or the front bumper of the vehicle 1. On the other hand, the second camera 2b is provided on the vehicle 1 so as to photograph the right side of the vehicle 1 and generates an image of the right side of the vehicle 1. That is, the second camera 2b is a right side camera. For example, the second camera 2b is disposed on the door mirror (side mirror) or the B pillar (door pillar) of the vehicle 1.
[0019] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 1 includes a first projector 3a and a second projector 3b as a plurality of projectors that each irradiate the periphery of the vehicle 1 to assist in photographing the periphery of the vehicle 1. The first projector 3a is provided near the first camera 2a so as to assist the photographing by the first camera 2a and irradiates the front of the vehicle 1. The second projector 3b is provided near the second camera 2b so as to assist the photographing by the second camera 2b and irradiates the right side of the vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, the first projector 3a has two light emitting diodes (LEDs: Light Emitting Diodes) disposed in the left and right regions near the first camera 2a, and the second projector 3b has two LEDs disposed in the left and right regions near the second camera 2b. Note that the first projector 3a and the second projector 3b may each have one LED or three or more LEDs. Further, the LEDs may be disposed at other positions (for example, the upper and lower regions of the first projector 3a and the second projector 3b). The first projector 3a and the second projector 3b each communicate with the ECU 10.
[0020] The ECU 10 executes various controls of the vehicle 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the ECU 10 includes a communication interface 11, a memory 12, and a processor 13. The communication interface 11 and the memory 12 are connected to the processor 13 via signal lines. Note that the communication interface 11, the memory 12, and the processor 13 may be configured as one integrated circuit or as separate circuits, respectively.
[0021] The communication interface 11 has an interface circuit for connecting the ECU 10 to the in-vehicle network. The ECU 10 is connected to other in-vehicle devices via the communication interface 11. In this embodiment, the communication interface 11 transmits the signal received from the first camera 2a to the processor 13. Further, the communication interface 11 transmits the signal output from the processor 13 to the second camera 2b, the first projector 3a, and the second projector 3b.
[0022] The memory 12 has, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), etc.) and a non-volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), flash memory, etc.). The memory 12 stores temporary data, a computer program (control program of the ECU 10) used for various processes by the processor 13, setting data of the ECU 10, log data, vehicle information, and the like.
[0023] The processor 13 has one or more CPUs (Central Processing Unit) and its peripheral circuits. The processor 13 executes the computer program stored in the memory 12. Note that the processor 13 may further have other arithmetic circuits such as a logical arithmetic unit, a numerical arithmetic unit, or a graphic processing unit.
[0024] In this embodiment, the ECU 10 functions as a shooting control device that controls shooting around the vehicle 1 using a plurality of cameras 2 and a plurality of projectors 3. Specifically, the ECU 10 controls the exposure timing of the plurality of cameras 2 and the lighting timing of the plurality of projectors 3. Note that the ECU 10 is an example of a shooting control device.
[0025] As described above, the first floodlight 3a assists (supports) the shooting of the first camera 2a, and the second floodlight 3b assists (supports) the shooting of the second camera 2b. This improves the shooting environment of the first camera 2a and the second camera 2b, and consequently improves the shooting accuracy of the first camera 2a and the second camera 2b. In such a configuration, it is conceivable to control the shooting by the first camera system including the first camera 2a and the first floodlight 3a, and the shooting by the second camera system including the second camera 2b and the second floodlight 3b, using separate control devices (for example, separate ECUs). However, in this case, there is a risk of a discrepancy in exposure timing between the first camera 2a and the second camera 2b, or a discrepancy in lighting timing between the first floodlight 3a and the second floodlight 3b.
[0026] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating malfunctions that occur when there is a discrepancy in exposure timing or lighting timing. In Figure 3, the illumination ranges of the first floodlight 3a and the second floodlight 3b are shown by dashed lines. In the example in Figure 3, a bicycle 20 located diagonally to the right in front of a stationary vehicle 1 is about to cross in front of the vehicle 1, and the first camera 2a and the second camera 2b each generate images of the bicycle 20 as images of surrounding objects.
[0027] Figure 3(a) shows the scene at time t0, and Figure 3(b) shows the scene at time t1, which is later than time t0. At time t0, the first camera 2a has started taking pictures, but the second camera 2b has not. Therefore, the first floodlight 3a, which assists the first camera 2a, is lit, while the second floodlight 3b, which assists the second camera 2b, is not lit. On the other hand, at time t1, the first camera 2a is still taking pictures, and the second camera 2b has also started taking pictures. Therefore, both the first floodlight 3a and the second floodlight 3b are lit. In other words, in the example in Figure 3, the exposure timing of the first camera 2a is earlier than the exposure timing of the second camera 2b, and accordingly, the lighting timing of the first floodlight 3a is earlier than the lighting timing of the second floodlight 3b.
[0028] As the bicycle 20 shown in Figure 3 is a moving object, its position changes over time. In the example in Figure 3, the bicycle 20 moves to the left and approaches the vehicle 1 in the vehicle width direction at time t1 compared to time t0. Therefore, the relative position of the bicycle 20 with respect to the vehicle 1 will be shifted between the exposure timing of the first camera 2a and the exposure timing of the second camera 2b. For example, if the exposure timing is shifted by 10 ms when the speed of the bicycle 20 is 20 km / h, the relative position of the bicycle will shift by approximately 5.4 cm. As a result, when attempting to recognize objects around the vehicle 1 using the image generated by the first camera 2a and the image generated by the second camera 2b, the recognition accuracy may decrease due to the positional shift between the images of the recognized objects.
[0029] Furthermore, since the second floodlight 3b is not lit at time t0, the brightness of the bicycle 20 will be uneven (specifically, the part that should be illuminated by the second floodlight 3b will be dark), which may degrade the quality of the image generated by the first camera 2a. Such degradation of image quality may lead to misrecognition of surrounding objects.
[0030] In contrast, in this embodiment, the ECU 10 controls the exposure timing of the second camera 2b and the lighting timing of the first and second light emitters 3a and 3b based on the exposure timing of the first camera 2a. As shown in Figure 1, the ECU 10 has a first communication unit 14 and a second communication unit 15 to perform such control. The first communication unit 14 and the second communication unit 15 are functional modules realized by the execution of a computer program stored in the memory 12 of the ECU 10 by the processor 13 of the ECU 10. These functional modules may each be realized by a dedicated arithmetic circuit provided in the processor 13.
[0031] The first communication unit 14 communicates with a specific camera among the multiple cameras 2, and the second communication unit 15 communicates with each of the cameras 2 other than the specific camera, and with each of the multiple floodlights 3. The first communication unit 14 receives information regarding the exposure timing of the specific camera from the specific camera. Then, based on the information regarding the exposure timing of the specific camera, the second communication unit 15 instructs the cameras other than the specific camera on their exposure timing and instructs the multiple floodlights 3 on their lighting timing.
[0032] This makes it possible to suppress discrepancies in exposure timing between multiple cameras 2 and discrepancies in lighting timing between multiple floodlights 3. Therefore, in a vehicle 1 equipped with multiple cameras 2 and multiple floodlights 3, when recognizing surrounding objects based on images generated by the multiple cameras 2, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the accuracy of surrounding object recognition. Furthermore, it becomes possible to control the lighting timing of multiple floodlights 3 with a single control system, thereby reducing control load and component costs.
[0033] In this embodiment, the first communication unit 14 communicates with the first camera 2a, and the second communication unit 15 communicates with the second camera 2b, the first light emitter 3a, and the second light emitter 3b. The first communication unit 14 acquires information regarding the exposure timing of the first camera 2a (hereinafter referred to as "exposure information for the first camera 2a"), and the second communication unit 15 instructs the second camera 2b on the exposure timing and the first light emitter 3a and the second light emitter 3b on the lighting timing based on the exposure information for the first camera 2a.
[0034] In particular, in this embodiment, the first communication unit 14 acquires the exposure start timing and exposure end timing of the first camera 2a as exposure information of the first camera 2a. The first camera 2a photographs the front of the vehicle 1 at a predetermined shooting interval (for example, 1 / 30 second to 1 / 10 second) and generates an image of the front of the vehicle 1. At this time, the first camera 2a uses an auto exposure function to determine the optimal shutter speed based on the brightness around the first camera 2a (i.e., around the vehicle 1), and sets the exposure start timing and exposure end timing based on this shutter speed. The exposure start timing and exposure end timing set by the first camera 2a are transmitted from the first camera 2a to the ECU 10.
[0035] In the above case, the second communication unit 15 instructs the second camera 2b on its exposure timing so that the exposure start timing and exposure end timing of the second camera 2b coincide with the exposure start timing and exposure end timing of the first camera 2a, and instructs the first light emitter 3a and the second light emitter 3b on their lighting start timing and lighting end timing so that the lighting start timing and lighting end timing of the first light emitter 3a and the second light emitter 3b coincide with the exposure start timing and exposure end timing of the first camera 2a. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress discrepancies in exposure timing between the first camera 2a and the second camera 2b, and discrepancies in lighting timing between the first light emitter 3a and the second light emitter 3b.
[0036] The following describes the processing flow for executing the control described above, with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the control routine for the image capture control process in the first embodiment. This control routine is repeatedly executed by the processor 13 of the ECU 10, for example, according to a computer program stored in the memory 12 of the ECU 10.
[0037] First, in step S101, the second communication unit 15 of the processor 13 determines whether the first communication unit 14 of the processor 13 has received the exposure start timing from the first camera 2a. If it is determined that the first communication unit 14 has not received the exposure start timing from the first camera 2a, this control routine terminates. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first communication unit 14 has received the exposure start timing from the first camera 2a, this control routine proceeds to step S102.
[0038] In step S102, the second communication unit 15 transmits the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a to the second camera 2b, instructing the second camera 2b to start shooting. Upon receiving the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a, the second camera 2b begins shooting around the vehicle 1 so that the exposure start timing of the second camera 2b matches the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a. Thus, the second communication unit 15 synchronizes the exposure start timing of the second camera 2b with the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a.
[0039] Next, in step S103, the second communication unit 15 transmits the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a to the first floodlight 3a and the second floodlight 3b, instructing them to start turning on their lights. Upon receiving the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a, the first floodlight 3a begins illuminating the area around the vehicle 1 so that its own lighting start timing coincides with the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a. Upon receiving the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a, the second floodlight 3b begins illuminating the area around the vehicle 1 so that its own lighting start timing coincides with the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a. Thus, the second communication unit 15 synchronizes the lighting start timings of the first floodlight 3a and the second floodlight 3b with the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a.
[0040] Next, in step S104, the second communication unit 15 determines whether the first communication unit 14 has received the exposure end timing from the first camera 2a. Step S104 is repeated until this determination is affirmed. If it is determined that the first communication unit 14 has received the exposure end timing from the first camera 2a, the control routine proceeds to step S105.
[0041] In step S105, the second communication unit 15 transmits the exposure end timing of the first camera 2a to the second camera 2b, instructing the second camera 2b to end shooting. Upon receiving the exposure end timing of the first camera 2a, the second camera 2b ends shooting around the vehicle 1 so that the exposure end timing of the second camera 2b matches the exposure end timing of the first camera 2a. Thus, the second communication unit 15 synchronizes the exposure end timing of the second camera 2b with the exposure end timing of the first camera 2a.
[0042] Next, in step S106, the second communication unit 15 transmits the exposure end timing of the first camera 2a to the first and second floodlights 3a and 3b, instructing them to turn off their lights. Upon receiving the exposure end timing of the first camera 2a, the first floodlight 3a terminates illumination around the vehicle 1 so that its own light-off timing coincides with the exposure end timing of the first camera 2a. Upon receiving the exposure end timing of the first camera 2a, the second floodlight 3b terminates illumination around the vehicle 1 so that its own light-off timing coincides with the exposure end timing of the first camera 2a. Thus, the second communication unit 15 synchronizes the light-off timings of the first and second floodlights 3a and 3b with the exposure end timing of the first camera 2a. After step S106, this control routine terminates.
[0043] <Second Embodiment> The configuration and control of the imaging control device according to the second embodiment are basically the same as those of the imaging control device according to the first embodiment, except for the points described below. Therefore, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.
[0044] Under certain ambient conditions, such as when the area around vehicle 1 is dark, the auto exposure function is expected to set the exposure time of the first camera 2a to its maximum value. Taking this into consideration, in the second embodiment, when predetermined conditions are met, the second communication unit 15 instructs the first and second floodlights 3a and 3b to turn on so that their on-start timing coincides with the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a and their on-times coincide with the maximum exposure time of the first camera 2a. This simplifies the control of the first and second floodlights 3a and 3b, and consequently reduces the computational load on the ECU 10.
[0045] Furthermore, when predetermined conditions are met, the second communication unit 15 instructs the second camera 2b on its exposure timing so that the exposure start timing of the second camera 2b coincides with the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a and the exposure time of the second camera 2b coincides with the maximum exposure time of the first camera 2a. This simplifies the exposure control of the second camera 2b and, consequently, reduces the computational load on the ECU 10.
[0046] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the control routine for the image capture control process in the second embodiment. This control routine is repeatedly executed by the processor 13 of the ECU 10, for example, according to a computer program stored in the memory 12 of the ECU 10.
[0047] First, in step S201, similar to step S101 in Figure 4, the second communication unit 15 of the processor 13 determines whether the first communication unit 14 of the processor 13 has received the exposure start timing from the first camera 2a. If it is determined that the first communication unit 14 has not received the exposure start timing from the first camera 2a, this control routine terminates. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first communication unit 14 has received the exposure start timing from the first camera 2a, this control routine proceeds to step S202.
[0048] In step S202, the second communication unit 15 determines whether a predetermined condition is met. For example, the predetermined condition is that the brightness around vehicle 1 is less than a predetermined value. In this case, the predetermined condition is met when the brightness around vehicle 1 is less than the predetermined value, and the predetermined condition is not met when the brightness around vehicle 1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. The brightness around vehicle 1 is calculated, for example, based on the output of an illuminance sensor installed on vehicle 1. The predetermined condition may also be that the current time is within a predetermined time period (for example, late night and early morning).
[0049] If it is determined in step S202 that the predetermined conditions are not met, the control routine proceeds to step S102 in Figure 4, and steps S102 to S106 are executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S202 that the predetermined conditions are met, the control routine proceeds to step S203.
[0050] In step S203, the second communication unit 15 transmits the exposure start timing and maximum exposure time of the first camera 2a to the second camera 2b to instruct the second camera 2b to take photographs. Upon receiving the exposure start timing and maximum exposure time of the first camera 2a, the second camera 2b takes photographs of the area around the vehicle 1 such that the exposure start timing of the second camera 2b matches the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a and the exposure time of the second camera 2b matches the maximum exposure time of the first camera 2a. The maximum exposure time of the first camera 2a is predetermined and stored, for example, in the memory 12 of the ECU 10. The maximum exposure time of the first camera 2a may also be transmitted from the first camera 2a to the ECU 10 (specifically the first communication unit 14) along with the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a.
[0051] Next, in step S204, the second communication unit 15 transmits the exposure start timing and maximum exposure time of the first camera 2a to the second camera 2b, instructing the first and second floodlights 3a and 3b to turn on their lights. Upon receiving the exposure start timing and maximum exposure time of the first camera 2a, the first floodlight 3a illuminates the area around the vehicle 1 so that its on-time coincides with the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a and its on-time coincides with the maximum exposure time of the first camera 2a. Upon receiving the exposure start timing and maximum exposure time of the first camera 2a, the second floodlight 3b illuminates the area around the vehicle 1 so that its on-time coincides with the exposure start timing of the first camera 2a and its on-time coincides with the maximum exposure time of the first camera 2a. After step S204, this control routine ends.
[0052] <Other Embodiments> Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims.
[0053] For example, the number of cameras 2 and the number of floodlights 3 may each be three or more. In this case as well, one camera is pre-selected from the multiple cameras 2 as the specific camera that communicates with the first communication unit 14.
[0054] Furthermore, the computer program that enables a computer to implement the functions of each part of the processor 13 of the ECU 10 may be provided in the form of a recording medium readable by a computer, or in the form of a computer program product. The recording medium readable by a computer may be, for example, a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. [Explanation of symbols]
[0055] 1 vehicle 2 Multiple cameras 2a First camera 2b Second camera 3. Multiple floodlights 3a First floodlight 3b 2nd floodlight 14. First Communications Department 15. Second Communications Department
Claims
1. A photographic control device installed in a vehicle equipped with multiple cameras and multiple floodlights, A first communication unit that communicates with a specific camera among the aforementioned multiple cameras, A second communication unit that communicates with each of the cameras other than the specific camera among the plurality of cameras, and with each of the plurality of light emitters. Equipped with, The first communication unit receives information regarding the exposure timing of the specific camera from the specific camera, The second communication unit is a shooting control device that, based on the information, instructs cameras other than the specific camera on the exposure timing and instructs the plurality of floodlights on the lighting timing.
2. The aforementioned information includes the exposure start timing of the particular camera, The shooting control device according to claim 1, wherein the second communication unit, when predetermined conditions are met, instructs the plurality of floodlights to turn on at a timing such that the timing of the start of turning on the plurality of floodlights coincides with the exposure start timing of the specific camera and the duration of the illumination of the plurality of floodlights coincides with the maximum exposure time of the specific camera.
3. The aforementioned information includes the exposure start timing of the particular camera, The shooting control device according to claim 1, wherein the second communication unit, when predetermined conditions are met, instructs the cameras other than the specific camera to set an exposure timing such that the exposure start timing of the cameras other than the specific camera coincides with the exposure start timing of the specific camera and the exposure time of the cameras other than the specific camera coincides with the maximum exposure time of the specific camera.
4. The photographic control device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the predetermined condition is that the brightness around the vehicle is less than a predetermined value.
5. The information includes the exposure start timing and exposure end timing of the specific camera. The shooting control device according to claim 1, wherein the second communication unit instructs the cameras other than the specific camera to set their exposure start timing and exposure end timing so that their exposure start timing and exposure end timing coincide with the exposure start timing and exposure end timing of the specific camera, and instructs the plurality of floodlights to set their lighting start timing and lighting end timing so that their lighting start timing and lighting end timing coincide with the exposure start timing and exposure end timing of the specific camera.