Irradiation control device and irradiation control method

Abstract

An illumination control device (100) comprises: a road information acquisition unit (110) that acquires information on roads including information on a distance (L) from a vehicle (1) to a connection (C1) between a first road (S1) on which the vehicle is traveling and a second road (S2) crossing the first road and connecting to the first road, and information on the shape of the second road; a sight direction acquisition unit (130) that acquires information on a sight direction (D1, D2) of a driver (3) of the vehicle; and an illumination control unit (140) that controls, on the basis of the distance from the vehicle to the connection, an illumination device (40) of the vehicle into a first mode in which the illumination device illuminates the connection, and, when the sight direction of the driver is directed to the second road while the illumination device is in the first mode, controls the illumination device into a second mode in which the illumination device illuminates a range (H2) extending to the connection from a part (A1) in which a virtual line (V1) along the sight direction of the driver overlaps with the second road in plan view.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an irradiation control device and an irradiation control method. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle lighting control system has been disclosed that changes the illumination direction of a headlamp unit based on the driver's facial direction and facial angle and the distance from the vehicle to an intersection (see Patent Document 1). When the driver turns his or her head in the direction in which the vehicle will turn right or left in response to guidance from a navigation device, this vehicle lighting control system controls the headlamp unit to illuminate the road surface in the direction of the turn by changing the illumination direction of the headlamp unit according to the driver's facial direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-73284 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In general, a driver of a vehicle needs to pay attention to other roadways that intersect with the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling. However, the vehicle lighting control system described in Patent Document 1 only aims to improve visibility by illuminating the road surface in the direction in which the vehicle is turning right or left, i.e., the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling, and cannot improve visibility of other roadways that intersect with the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling.

[0005] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an illumination control device and an illumination control method that can improve the visibility of the roadway. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The illumination control device according to the present disclosure is configured to detect a first road on which the vehicle is traveling, a second road that intersects with the first road and is located on the first road, and a third road that intersects with the first road. A boundary on one side of The second roadway connecting with With a roadway information acquisition unit that acquires information about the roadway, including information about the distance to the connection portion and information about the shape of the second roadway; a gaze direction acquisition unit that acquires information about the gaze direction of the driver of the vehicle; and a lighting device of the vehicle that is in a first mode for illuminating the connection portion based on the distance from the vehicle to the connection portion, and when the lighting device is in the first mode and the driver's gaze direction is directed toward the second road, at least The area where the virtual line along the driver's line of sight and the second road overlap in a plan view. Minutes The present invention is characterized by including an irradiation control unit that controls the irradiation device so as to perform the second irradiation mode. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve visibility of the roadway. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an irradiation control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an irradiation control device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the irradiation control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a process performed by an irradiation control device according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] 1 is a plan view showing a state in which a vehicle according to a first embodiment is traveling on a roadway. [Figure 8]4 is a plan view showing an illumination range by an illumination device of a first mode of the vehicle according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a plan view showing an illumination range by an illumination device of a second mode of the vehicle according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 4 is a timing chart showing an example of a change in luminance of the irradiation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a process performed by an irradiation control device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 is a plan view showing an illumination range when an illumination device of a second aspect according to the second embodiment illuminates a branch path. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a plan view showing an illumination range when an illumination device of a second aspect according to the second embodiment illuminates a junction path. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between a vehicle and a connection portion according to a third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] 13 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between a vehicle and a connection portion according to a third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an illumination range by an illumination device of a second mode of a vehicle according to embodiment 4. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an illumination range by an illumination device of a second mode of a vehicle according to embodiment 4. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an illumination range by an illumination device of a first mode of a vehicle according to embodiment 5. [Figure 19] 13 is a plan view showing an illumination range by an illumination device of a second mode of a vehicle according to embodiment 5. FIG. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing a process performed by an irradiation control device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state in which a vehicle according to a sixth embodiment is traveling on a roadway. [Figure 22] 13 is a flowchart showing a process performed by an irradiation control device according to the seventh embodiment. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a plan view showing an illumination range by an illumination device of a first mode of a vehicle according to embodiment 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1 First, a schematic configuration of a vehicle 1 as a host vehicle according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment. The vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 2, a map information acquisition unit 10, a position information generation unit 20, an occupant information acquisition unit 30, an illumination device 40, and an illumination control device 100. In the following description, the -Y direction shown in Fig. 1, which is the traveling direction of the vehicle 1 when a steering wheel (not shown) of the vehicle 1 is located in a neutral position, is defined as the forward direction, and the front-rear and left-right directions are defined based on this.

[0010] The map information acquisition unit 10 acquires map information related to roadways around the vehicle 1. For example, the map information acquisition unit 10 acquires map information related to roadways around the vehicle 1 from a map information management server (not shown) that is provided outside the vehicle and manages map information, by communicating with the map information management server. For example, the map information includes information related to the roadways around the vehicle 1, such as the layout, shape, number of lanes, and traveling direction of the roadways. Note that, if the vehicle 1 is provided with a storage unit that stores map information in advance, the map information acquisition unit 10 may be configured to acquire map information from the storage unit.

[0011] The position information generating unit 20 generates position information indicating the position of the vehicle 1. For example, the position information generating unit 20 generates the position information based on information acquired by a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Specifically, the position information generating unit 20 generates the position information based on information acquired by communicating with equipment (not shown) outside the vehicle, such as a Global Positioning Systems (GPS) satellite, a quasi-zenith satellite, or a base station located on the ground, and information acquired by sensors (not shown) of the vehicle 1, such as a gyro sensor, a speed sensor, and an acceleration sensor.

[0012] The occupant information acquisition unit 30 acquires information on the occupants 4, including the driver 3, in the vehicle compartment R defined by the vehicle body 2. For example, the occupant information acquisition unit 30 is configured by a DMS (Driver Monitoring System) or an OMS (Occupant Monitoring System), and acquires information on the appearance of the occupant 4, such as the posture, facial direction, and line of sight of the occupant 4, based on image information from a camera (not shown) that captures the inside of the vehicle compartment R.

[0013] The illumination device 40 is turned on to illuminate the outside of the vehicle. For example, the illumination device 40 has a headlight 41 that illuminates the area in front of the vehicle 1 and an auxiliary light 42 that can illuminate a range different from the headlight 41. For example, the auxiliary light 42 illuminates (lights) another roadway that intersects with and connects to the roadway on which the vehicle 1 is traveling. The illumination device 40 improves the visibility of the roadway by illuminating the outside of the vehicle in a state where the brightness around the vehicle 1 is insufficient, such as at night. The illumination control device 100 controls the illumination device 40. For example, the illumination control device 100 controls the turning on and off of the illumination device 40 and the illumination range based on information from the map information acquisition unit 10, the position information generation unit 20, and the occupant information acquisition unit 30. The illumination control device 100 will be described in detail later.

[0014] Next, the irradiation control device 100 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the vehicle 1 according to the embodiment 1. The irradiation control device 100 includes a roadway information acquisition unit 110, a position information acquisition unit 120, a gaze direction acquisition unit 130, and an irradiation control unit 140.

[0015] The position information acquisition unit 120 acquires the position information of the vehicle 1 generated by the position information generation unit 20. For example, the position information acquisition unit 120 acquires the coordinates in a geographic coordinate system of a predetermined part of the vehicle 1 (for example, the front end part at the center of the left and right of the vehicle 1) as the position information of the vehicle 1 generated by the position information generation unit 20. The position information acquisition unit 120 outputs the acquired position information.

[0016] The roadway information acquisition unit 110 acquires information about the roadway on which the vehicle 1 is traveling and the roadway around the vehicle 1. For example, the roadway information acquisition unit 110 acquires map information from the map information acquisition unit 10 and position information from the position information acquisition unit 120, and acquires information about the roadway on which the vehicle 1 is traveling and the roadway around the vehicle 1 based on the acquired information. The information about the roadway acquired by the roadway information acquisition unit 110 includes information about the distance from the vehicle 1 to the connection between the roadway on which the vehicle 1 is traveling and another roadway that intersects with and connects to the roadway, and information about the shape of the other roadway, in the vicinity of the vehicle 1. Note that the roadway on which the vehicle 1 is traveling constitutes the first roadway in the first embodiment, and the other roadway that intersects with and connects to the first roadway constitutes the second roadway in the first embodiment.

[0017] Furthermore, the roadway information acquisition unit 110 may be configured to acquire information about the roadway on which the vehicle 1 is traveling and the roadways around the vehicle 1 based on image information acquired from a camera that captures images outside the vehicle, in addition to or instead of the map information from the map information acquisition unit 10 and the position information from the position information acquisition unit 120. The roadway information acquisition unit 110 outputs the acquired information about the roadway. Details of the roadway information acquisition unit 110 will be described later.

[0018] The gaze direction acquisition unit 130 acquires information on the gaze direction of the driver 3 (see FIG. 1) of the vehicle 1 from the occupant information acquisition unit 30. For example, the gaze direction acquisition unit 130 acquires information on the gaze direction calculated by the occupant information acquisition unit 30 based on information on the eye movement of the driver 3 from the occupant information acquisition unit 30. The gaze direction acquisition unit 130 may acquire information on the gaze direction of the driver 3 indirectly estimated based on information on the face direction of the driver 3 acquired by the occupant information acquisition unit 30 from the occupant information acquisition unit 30, or may acquire information on the gaze direction of the driver 3 indirectly estimated based on information on the upper body direction of the driver 3 acquired by the occupant information acquisition unit 30 from the occupant information acquisition unit 30, or may acquire information on the gaze direction of the driver 3 by combining a plurality of pieces of information among the eye movement, face direction, and upper body direction of the driver 3. In general, the direction of the face and the direction of the upper body are highly correlated with the direction of the line of sight when a vehicle is traveling at a relatively slow speed at an intersection such as a T-junction or a crossroads and when the driver is gazing at a short distance.

[0019] Furthermore, the gaze direction acquisition unit 130 may acquire information regarding the gaze direction as a numerical value of an angle based on the front of the vehicle 1, or may acquire information regarding the gaze direction as a numerical value of a direction based on the driver, or may acquire information regarding the gaze direction as information regarding any one of the areas to which the driver's gaze is directed when the front of the vehicle 1 is divided into a plurality of areas. Furthermore, the gaze direction acquisition unit 130 may acquire information regarding the gaze direction by calculating (estimating) the gaze direction of the driver 3 based on the information acquired from the occupant information acquisition unit 30.

[0020] Furthermore, the gaze direction acquisition unit 130 acquires information on the gaze direction in which the driver 3 is gazing, based on the acquired information on the gaze direction of the driver 3. For example, when the amount of change in the acquired gaze direction of the driver 3 during a predetermined period is less than a preset threshold, the gaze direction acquisition unit 130 acquires the gaze direction based on the gaze direction during the predetermined period. Specifically, when the amount of change in the gaze direction of the driver 3 during a predetermined period is less than a preset threshold, the gaze direction acquisition unit 130 may acquire the average of the gaze directions during the predetermined period as the gaze direction, may acquire the gaze direction at the start of the predetermined period as the gaze direction, or may acquire the gaze direction at the end of the predetermined period as the gaze direction.

[0021] Furthermore, when the area in front of the vehicle 1 is divided into a plurality of areas and the area to which the driver's gaze is directed has not changed for a predetermined period, the gaze direction acquisition unit 130 may acquire the direction of the area as seen by the driver as the gaze direction. Various methods are conceivable for acquiring the gaze direction of the driver 3 based on the gaze direction of the driver 3. The gaze direction acquisition unit 130 outputs information indicating the acquired gaze direction of the driver 3. In the first embodiment, the instantaneous gaze direction and the gaze direction are also collectively referred to simply as the gaze direction. In the first embodiment, the gaze direction acquisition unit 130 constitutes the gaze direction acquisition unit.

[0022] The illumination control unit 140 outputs a control signal for controlling the turning on and off and illumination range of the illumination device 40, based on information from the roadway information acquisition unit 110 and the gaze direction acquisition unit 130. The illumination control unit 140 will be described in detail later.

[0023] Next, the hardware configuration of the irradiation control device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an example of the hardware configuration of the irradiation control device 100. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the irradiation control device 100 has a processor 100a, a memory 100b, and an I / O port 100c, and is configured so that the processor 100a reads and executes a program stored in the memory 100b.

[0024] 4, the irradiation control device 100 includes a processing circuit 100d, which is dedicated hardware, and an I / O port 100c. The processing circuit 100d is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination of these. Each function of the irradiation control device 100 is realized by the processor 100a or the processing circuit 100d, which is dedicated hardware, executing a program.

[0025] Next, the process performed by the irradiation control device 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 10. Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing the process performed by the irradiation control device 100, and Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment is traveling on a roadway S1 as a first roadway. In the state shown in Fig. 7, the irradiation device 40 irradiates the roadway S1 in a normal manner in which only an irradiation range H1 in front of the vehicle 1 is irradiated. The roadway S1 shown in Fig. 7 has a lane S11 on which the vehicle 1 is traveling, and a lane S12 adjacent to the lane S11 and heading in the same direction as the lane S11. The lane S11 is divided by a boundary K1 on one side in the width direction and a boundary K2 on the other side, and the lane S12 is divided by a boundary K2 on one side in the width direction and a boundary K3 on the other side. For example, the boundary K3 is a median strip dividing the lane S12 from an oncoming lane (not shown).

[0026] Around the vehicle 1, there is a roadway S2 as a second roadway that intersects with the roadway S1 and connects to a boundary K1 on one side of the roadway S1. For example, the roadway S2 is a merging road that merges with the roadway S1 at a junction C1 as a merging section. In other words, the roadway S2 is a merging road where a vehicle traveling on the roadway S2 merges with a vehicle traveling on the roadway S1 at the junction C1 where the roadways S1 and S2 are connected. Also, for example, the roadway S2 is connected to the roadway S1 so that a vehicle traveling on the roadway S2 can enter the roadway S1 by changing its travel direction by 90° or less.

[0027] When the irradiation control device 100 starts the process, first, the position information of the vehicle 1 is acquired by the position information acquisition unit 120 (step ST100). After the process of step ST100, the irradiation control device 100 acquires information on the surrounding roadways by the roadway information acquisition unit 110 (step ST101). In this process, for example, based on the map information and the position information, the roadway information acquisition unit 110 acquires information on the presence or absence of a connection part C1 between the roadway S1 on which the vehicle 1 is traveling and another roadway S2 within a range of a predetermined first distance set in advance from the vehicle 1, the position and shape of the connection part C1, the distance L from the vehicle 1 to the connection part C1, and the position and shape of the roadway S2 as seen from the vehicle 1.

[0028] For example, the first distance is a distance, such as 200 meters, that is greater than the maximum distance that can be illuminated by the headlight 41. The distance from the vehicle 1 to the connection part C1 may be the distance from the front end of the vehicle 1 to the front end P1 of the connection part C1, the distance from the center of the vehicle 1, the distance to the center point of the connection part C1, the straight-line distance, or the length along the roadway S1 on which the vehicle 1 is traveling.

[0029] After performing the process of step ST101, the irradiation control device 100 determines, by the irradiation control unit 140, based on the information on the roadway acquired by the roadway information acquisition unit 110, whether or not a connection point C1 between the roadway S1 on which the vehicle 1 is traveling and another roadway S2 is located ahead of the vehicle 1 in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1 and exists within a predetermined first distance (step ST102). In the process of step ST102, if the connection point C1 between the roadway S1 and the roadway S2 does not exist within the predetermined first distance (NO in step ST102), the irradiation control device 100 returns the process to step ST100.

[0030] In the process of step ST102, if the connection C1 between the roadway S1 and the roadway S2 is located ahead in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1 and exists within a predetermined first distance (YES in step ST102), the irradiation control device 100 determines by the irradiation control unit 140 whether the connection C1 is located ahead in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1 and the distance L from the vehicle 1 to the connection C1 is equal to or less than a predetermined second distance that is smaller than the predetermined first distance (step ST103). In other words, the irradiation control unit 140 determines whether the vehicle 1 has reached a position a second distance before the connection C1. For example, the second distance is the maximum distance at which the irradiation device 40 can irradiate the connection C1, for example, 100 meters. In this process, the irradiation control unit 140 determines whether the connection C1, which needs to be irradiated by the irradiation device 40 to improve visibility, exists within the predetermined second distance.

[0031] In the process of step ST103, if the distance L from the vehicle 1 to the connection part C1 is not equal to or less than the predetermined second distance (NO in step ST103), the irradiation control device 100 waits for the next process until the distance L between the vehicle 1 and the connection part C1 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined second distance. In the process of step ST103, if the distance L from the vehicle 1 to the connection part C1 is equal to or less than the predetermined second distance (YES in step ST103), the irradiation control device 100 outputs a control signal to the irradiation control unit 140 to control the irradiation device 40 to be in the first mode of irradiating the connection part C1 (step ST104).

[0032] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an illumination range by the illumination device 40 in the first mode of the vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the illumination device 40 illuminates the front of the vehicle 1 and the connection part C1 in the first mode. For example, in the first mode, the illumination device 40 illuminates an illumination range H1 in front of the vehicle 1 with the headlight 41 and illuminates an illumination range H2 including the connection part C1 with the auxiliary light 42. In this process, the illumination control device 100 illuminates the front of the vehicle 1 and illuminates the connection part C1, which is a relatively narrow range, to improve the visibility of the connection part C1 and to alert the driver of the vehicle 1 to the roadway S2.

[0033] In addition, it is sufficient that the illumination device 40 illuminates at least a part of the connection C1 in the first mode, and a part of the connection between the roadway S1 and the roadway S2 may not be included in the illumination range of the illumination device 40. In addition, a part or all of the connection C1 may be included in the illumination range when the illumination device 40 illuminates in a normal mode, for example, the illumination range of the headlight 41.

[0034] After performing the process of step ST104, the illumination control device 100 acquires information (driver information) related to the gaze direction of the driver 3 (see FIG. 1) by the gaze direction acquisition unit 130 (step ST105). In this process, the gaze direction acquisition unit 130 acquires the gaze direction of the driver 3 based on the gaze direction of the driver 3 and the change in the gaze direction over time.

[0035] After performing the process of step ST105, the irradiation control device 100 determines whether the gaze direction of the driver 3 is directed toward the roadway S2 by the irradiation control unit 140 (step ST106). In this process, the irradiation control unit 140 determines whether the gaze direction of the driver 3 is directed toward the second roadway S2 when the irradiation device 40 is in the first mode. In other words, the irradiation control unit 140 determines whether a virtual line along the gaze direction of the driver and the roadway S2 overlap in a plan view when the irradiation device 40 is in the first mode. In the process of step ST106, if the gaze direction of the driver 3 is not directed toward the roadway S2 (NO in step ST106), for example, if the gaze direction D1 of the driver 3 is directed forward as shown in FIG. 8, the irradiation control device 100 shifts the process to step ST108.

[0036] In the process of step ST106, when the gaze direction of the driver 3 faces the roadway S2 (YES in step ST106), the irradiation control device 100 outputs a control signal to control the irradiation device 40 so that the irradiation control unit 140 is in the second mode of irradiating the range including the connection part C1 to the part of the roadway S2 that the driver 3 is gazing at (step ST107). In other words, the irradiation control unit 140 outputs a control signal to control the irradiation device 40 to be in the second mode of irradiating the range including the part where the virtual line along the gaze direction of the driver 3 and the second roadway S2 overlap in a plan view to the connection part C1.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the illumination range by the illumination device 40 in the second mode of the vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, when the gaze direction D2 of the driver 3 faces the second road S2, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 to be in the second mode. In the second mode, the illumination device 40 illuminates the front of the vehicle 1 and an illumination range H3 including the gaze area A1 to the connection part C1, which is a part where the virtual line V1 along the gaze direction D2 of the driver 3 and the second road S2 overlap in a plan view. For example, in the second mode, the illumination device 40 illuminates the illumination range H1 in front of the vehicle 1 with the headlight 41, and illuminates the illumination range H3 including the connection part C1 to the gaze area A1 with the auxiliary light 42. In this process, the illumination control device 100 causes the illumination device 40 to illuminate the range including the connection part C1 to the part of the roadway S2 that the driver 3 is gazing at, thereby improving the visibility of the roadway S2 when the driver 3 turns his / her attention to the roadway S2, making it easier for the driver 3 to visually observe the shape of the roadway S2 and other vehicles, etc. on the roadway S2.

[0038] In the first embodiment, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 so that illumination is wider in the second mode than in the first mode. In other words, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 so that the width of the illumination range as seen from the vehicle 1 is larger in the second mode than in the first mode. In other words, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 so that the illumination range in the longitudinal direction of the roadway S2 is larger in the second mode than in the first mode.

[0039] For example, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 to illuminate in the second mode by emitting more light sources than when the illumination device 40 illuminates in the first mode. Also, for example, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 to switch between illumination in the first mode and illumination in the second mode by moving the auxiliary light 42 by a drive source (not shown). Also, for example, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 to switch between illumination in the first mode and illumination in the second mode by moving a reflector (not shown) of the illumination device 40 by a drive source (not shown). In this way, the illumination control device 100 improves visibility in a wider range of the roadway S2 than when the illumination device 40 illuminates in the first mode by making the illumination device 40 illuminate in the second mode when the driver 3 pays attention to the roadway S2.

[0040] After performing the process of step ST107, the irradiation control device 100 judges whether the vehicle 1 has passed through the connection part C1 by the irradiation control part 140 (step ST108). In this process, the irradiation control part 140 judges whether the vehicle 1 has passed through the connection part C1 based on the information on the roadway acquired by the roadway information acquisition part 110. In this process, the irradiation control part 140 may judge whether the vehicle 1 has passed through the connection part C1 by judging whether the front end of the vehicle 1 has passed through the innermost end of the connection part C1, or may judge whether the vehicle 1 has passed through the connection part C1 by judging whether the front end of the vehicle 1 has passed through the front end P1 of the connection part C1, or may judge whether the vehicle 1 has passed through the connection part C1 by judging whether the connection part C1 has deviated from the range that can be irradiated by the irradiation device 40 to the front side. If the vehicle 1 has not passed through the connection part C1 (NO in step ST108), the irradiation control device 100 shifts the process to ST105 and acquires the driver information again.

[0041] When the vehicle 1 passes through the connection section C1 (YES in step ST108), the illumination control device 100 outputs a control signal to the illumination control unit 140 to control the illumination device 40 to end the illumination in the first mode and the second mode and to illuminate in the normal mode (step ST109). For example, in this process, the illumination control unit 140 ends the illumination by the auxiliary lamp 42.

[0042] As described above, it is desirable to avoid abrupt changes in the luminance of the light illuminating the roadway S2 by the illumination device 40 in order to suppress the annoyance and discomfort felt by the driver 3, and the glare felt by passengers of other vehicles and pedestrians. FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an example of the change in luminance of the illumination device 40 according to the first embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the illumination control unit 140 gradually increases the luminance of the auxiliary light 42 illuminating the connection part C1 from zero at time t1 when the distance L between the vehicle 1 and the connection part C1 reaches the second distance, and causes the luminance of the auxiliary light 42 to reach a predetermined first luminance at time t2. The illumination control unit 140 causes the auxiliary light 42 to maintain the first luminance while the illumination device 40 maintains the first mode.

[0043] Thereafter, when the gaze direction of the driver 3 is directed toward the roadway S2 at time t3, the illumination control unit 140 gradually increases the luminance of the auxiliary light 42 again, and causes the luminance of the auxiliary light 42 to reach a predetermined second luminance higher than the first luminance at time t4. The illumination control unit 140 causes the auxiliary light 42 to maintain the second luminance while the illumination device 40 maintains the second mode. Thereafter, when the gaze direction of the driver 3 deviates from the roadway S2 at time t5 or the vehicle 1 passes through the connection part C1, the illumination control unit 140 gradually decreases the luminance of the auxiliary light 42, and causes the luminance of the auxiliary light 42 to become zero at time t6.

[0044] In this way, when the illumination device 40 is in the first mode, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 so that the luminance is lower than when the illumination device 40 is in the second mode. This makes it possible to suppress the driver from feeling annoyed or uncomfortable due to illumination by the illumination device 40 when the driver has little interest in the connection part C1.

[0045] In addition, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 so that the luminance gradually changes when the illumination device 40 of the first embodiment illuminates the connection part C1 and when the illumination device 40 of the second embodiment illuminates the connection part C1 and the roadway S2. This makes it possible to prevent the driver 3 from feeling annoyed and uncomfortable due to a sudden change in luminance, and to prevent passengers of other vehicles and pedestrians from feeling dazzled. The illumination control unit 140 may control the luminance illuminated by the illumination device 40 to change in stages.

[0046] As described above, in the irradiation control device 100 according to the first embodiment, the irradiation control unit 140 controls the irradiation device 40 of the vehicle 1 to be in the first mode of irradiating the connection part C1 based on the distance L from the vehicle 1 to the connection part C1, and controls the irradiation device 40 to be in the second mode of irradiating the range including the gaze area A1 where the virtual line V1 along the gaze direction of the driver 3 and the second road S2 overlap in a plan view to the connection part C1 when the driver 3 gazes toward the second road S2 while the irradiation device 40 is in the first mode. In this way, the irradiation control device 100 can improve the visibility of the road S2 by irradiating the intersecting road S2 when the driver directs his / her attention, regardless of whether the vehicle 1 travels straight on the road S1 or not.

[0047] Furthermore, when the illumination control device 100 causes the illumination device 40 to illuminate in the first mode, the illumination control device 100 controls the illumination device 40 so that the luminance is lower than when the illumination device 40 is caused to illuminate in the second mode. Therefore, when the driver is not directing his or her gaze toward the roadway S2, the luminance with which the illumination device 40 illuminates the connection portion C1 with the roadway S2 is suppressed, thereby suppressing the annoyance felt by the driver.

[0048] In addition, when the driver's gaze direction is toward the roadway S2, the illumination control device 100 causes the illumination device 40 to illuminate the roadway S2 in the second mode. This prevents the illumination mode and brightness of the illumination device 40 from changing frequently in a short period of time in response to changes in the line of sight, thereby reducing the annoyance felt by the driver and the glare felt by passengers of other vehicles and pedestrians, etc.

[0049] In the first embodiment, the roadway S2 has been described as a merging road that merges with the roadway S1 at the connection part C1, but is not limited thereto. The roadway S2 may be a branching road that branches off from the roadway S1 at the connection part C1, or may be a crossroad that intersects in a T-shape or a cross at the connection part C1. For example, when the roadway S2 is a branching road, the connection part C1 is a branching part that branches off from the roadway S1 to the roadway S2, and when the roadway S2 is a crossroad, the connection part C1 is an entrance part to an intersection of the roadways S1 and S2 or an exit part from the intersection.

[0050] Variation 1. Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In the first embodiment, the irradiation control device 100 controls the irradiation device 40 so that after irradiating in the first mode in step ST104, if the driver 3 gazes at the roadway S2, which is another roadway, even once, the irradiation control device 100 continues irradiating in the second mode until the driver 3 passes through the connecting section, but is not limited thereto. The irradiation control device 100 may control the irradiation device 40 so that the irradiation device 40 irradiates in the second mode when the driver 3 gazes at the roadway S2, and irradiates in the first mode again when the driver 3 does not gaze at the roadway S2. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process performed by the irradiation control device 100 according to the first modification of the first embodiment. The irradiation control device 100 according to the first modification is different from the irradiation control device 100 according to the first embodiment in the process of step ST106 when the driver 3's gaze direction is not toward the roadway S2 (NO in step ST106), but other processes and configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. In the process of step ST106, when the driver does not look at the roadway S2 (NO in step ST106), the irradiation control device 100 according to the first modification shifts the process to step ST104a and performs irradiation in the first mode. After performing the process of step ST104a, the irradiation control device 100 according to the first modification shifts the process to step ST108.

[0051] The irradiation control device 100 according to the first embodiment and the irradiation control device 100 according to the first modification operate to irradiate in the first mode once when the irradiation control device 100 is the second distance away from the connection part, but if the driver 3 is gazing at the roadway S2 when the irradiation control device 100 is the second distance away from the connection part, the irradiation device 40 may be controlled to irradiate in the second mode from the beginning without irradiating in the first mode. In such a case, the process performed by the irradiation control device 100 is the same as that shown in the flowcharts of Figs. 5 and 6 except that steps ST103 and ST104 are deleted (not shown). In addition, if the driver 3 gazes at the roadway S2 between the time when the vehicle is the second distance away from the connection and a time shortly before that time, for example, within 5 seconds before that time, the illumination device 40 may be controlled to illuminate in the second mode from the beginning, without illuminating in the first mode.

[0052] Embodiment 2 Next, an irradiation control device 100 according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 11 to Fig. 13. The irradiation control device 100 according to embodiment 2 differs from the irradiation control device 100 according to embodiment 1 in the process of causing the irradiation device 40 to irradiate in the second mode, but other processes and configurations are similar. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same processes and configurations as those in embodiment 1, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] 11 is a flowchart showing the process performed by the irradiation control device 100 according to the embodiment 2. In the process of step ST106, when the gaze direction of the driver 3 is toward the roadway S2 (YES in step ST106), the irradiation control device 100 determines by the irradiation control unit 140 whether or not the other roadway related to the junction C1 determined in step ST102 to be present within the first distance is a merging road that merges with the roadway S1 at the junction C1 (step ST1071).

[0054] In the process of step ST1071, if the other roadway related to the connection part C1 is not a merging road (NO in step ST1071), the irradiation control device 100 controls the irradiation control unit 140 to perform irradiation with the irradiation device 40 in the normal second mode (step ST1072). In addition, in the process of step ST1071, if the other roadway related to the connection part C1 is a merging road (YES in step ST1071), the irradiation control device 100 controls the irradiation control unit 140 to perform irradiation with the irradiation device 40 in the second mode so as to provide a wider angle of irradiation than in the case of irradiation in the normal second mode (step ST1073).

[0055] Fig. 12 is a plan view showing an illumination range when the illumination device 40 of the second mode according to the second embodiment illuminates the roadway S3 which is a branch road, and Fig. 13 is a plan view showing an illumination range when the illumination device 40 of the second mode according to the second embodiment illuminates the roadway S2 which is a merging road. As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, even if the gaze direction D2 is the same, when the illumination device 40 of the second mode illuminates the roadway S2 which is a merging road, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 so that the illumination angle is wider than when the illumination device 40 of the second mode illuminates the roadway S3 which is a branch road. In other words, when the other roadway is the roadway S2 which merges into the roadway S1, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 so that the illumination range is wider in the second mode than when the other roadway is the roadway S3 which branches off from the roadway S1.

[0056] For example, even if the gaze direction D2 is the same, the irradiation control unit 140 controls the irradiation device 40 so that the arc length W2 of the tip of the irradiation range H2 when the irradiation device 40 of the second mode irradiates the roadway S2 that is a junction (see FIG. 13) is longer than the arc length W1 of the tip of the irradiation range H2 when the irradiation device 40 of the second mode irradiates the roadway S3 that is a branching road (see FIG. 12). Note that, when the irradiation device 40 of the second mode irradiates the roadway S2 that is a junction, it is desirable for the irradiation control unit 140 to control the irradiation device 40 so that the irradiation range is wider in the direction away from the roadway S1 than when the irradiation device 40 of the second mode irradiates the roadway S3 that is a branching road.

[0057] After performing the processes of steps ST1072 and ST1073, the irradiation control device 100 performs the process of step ST108.

[0058] As described above, in the irradiation control device 100 according to the second embodiment, when the other roadway is the roadway S2 merging into the roadway S1, the irradiation control unit 140 controls the irradiation device 40 to irradiate a wider range in the second mode than when the other roadway is the roadway S3 branching off from the roadway S1. In this way, when the other roadway connected to the roadway S1 on which the vehicle is traveling is the roadway S2 which is a merging road on which there is a possibility of other vehicles traveling toward the roadway S1, the irradiation control device 100 can improve the visibility of the other roadway by irradiating a wider range with the irradiation device 40 than when the other roadway is not a merging road.

[0059] In the illumination control device 100 according to the second embodiment, the illumination control unit 140 is configured to change the width of the illumination range depending on whether the other roadway is the roadway S2 merging into the roadway S1 or not, but is not limited thereto. The illumination control device may be configured to change the width of the illumination range of the illumination device 40 based on the importance of the width of the range of the illumination range of the other roadway. For example, the illumination control device may be configured to change the width of the illumination range of the illumination device 40 based on the brightness of the surroundings, may be configured to change the width of the illumination range of the illumination device 40 based on the width of the other roadway, or may be configured to change the width of the illumination range of the illumination device 40 based on the speed of the vehicle.

[0060] Specifically, the illumination control device may control the illumination device 40 so that, when the surrounding brightness is darker than a predetermined brightness, the illumination device 40 illuminates a wider range than when the surrounding brightness is brighter than the predetermined brightness; when the width of the other roadway is wider than a predetermined width, the illumination device 40 illuminates a wider range than when the width of the other roadway is narrower than the predetermined width; and when the speed of the host vehicle is higher than a predetermined speed, the illumination device 40 may control the illumination device 40 so that the illumination device 40 illuminates a wider range than when the speed of the host vehicle is lower than the predetermined speed.

[0061] Embodiment 3 Next, an irradiation control device 100 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14 and Fig. 15. The irradiation control device 100 according to the third embodiment differs from the irradiation control device 100 according to the first embodiment in the process of causing the irradiation device 40 to irradiate in the first mode, but other processes and configurations are similar. The same reference numerals are used to denote the same processes and configurations as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0062] In the irradiation control device 100 according to the third embodiment, the irradiation control unit 140 controls the irradiation device 40 to be in a first mode for irradiating the connection part C1 based on the distance from the vehicle 1 to the connection part C1 and the speed of the vehicle 1. Specifically, in the irradiation control device 100, the irradiation control unit 140 controls the irradiation device 40 such that the second distance from the vehicle 1 to the connection part C1, which is a criterion for irradiating the connection part C1 in the first mode, becomes longer as the speed of the vehicle 1 increases.

[0063] For example, the irradiation control unit 140 calculates the speed of the vehicle 1 based on the change per unit time of the position of the vehicle 1 indicated by the position information of the vehicle 1 acquired from the position information acquisition unit 120. Such an irradiation control unit 140 constitutes a speed information acquisition unit that acquires speed information related to the speed of the vehicle in the third embodiment. Also, for example, the irradiation control device 100 includes a speed sensor (not shown) that acquires speed information indicating the speed of the vehicle 1, and outputs the speed information to the irradiation control unit 140. Such a speed sensor constitutes a speed information acquisition unit that acquires speed information related to the speed of the vehicle in the third embodiment.

[0064] The illumination control unit 140 sets the second distance L(t) so that L(t)=Vs×t1. Here, Vs is the speed of the vehicle 1, and t1 is a predetermined time that is set in advance. If t1 is too short, the second distance L(t) becomes small, making it difficult for the driver 3 to visually recognize the junction C1 and the roadway S2. For this reason, t1 is set to a value large enough to enable the driver 3 to visually recognize the junction C1 and the roadway S2 while driving the vehicle 1. For example, t1 is set in advance to a time of about 1 to 2.5 seconds.

[0065] By setting the second distance L(t) in this manner, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 so that the higher the vehicle speed Vs of the vehicle 1, the more the first mode is set in which the connection part C1 is illuminated at a position closer to the connection part C1. This makes it possible to illuminate the connection part C1 at an appropriate timing according to the speed, thereby improving the visibility of the connection part C1.

[0066] FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the vehicles 1a, 1b and the connection part C1 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the vehicle 1c and the connection part C1 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, when the coordinates of the connection part C1 are (X0, Y0) and the coordinates of the vehicle 1a, which is the vehicle itself, are (X1, Y1), the irradiation control unit 140 controls the irradiation device 40 to be in the first mode of irradiating the connection part C1 when the distance L(Y0-Y1) becomes smaller than the second distance L(t)=Vs×t1 when the coordinates of the vehicle 1b, which is the vehicle itself, are (X2, Y2). Also, as shown in FIG. 14, the irradiation control unit 140 controls the irradiation device 40 to be in the first mode of irradiating the connection part C1 when the distance L(Y0-Y2) becomes smaller than the second distance L(t)=Vs×t1 when the coordinates of the vehicle 1b, which is the vehicle itself, are (X2, Y2).

[0067] For example, the illumination control unit 140 may control the illumination device 40 to illuminate the connection C1 in a first mode based on the difference in coordinate between the connection C1 and the vehicle in the X direction, which is the width direction of the lane S12. Specifically, the illumination control unit 140 may control the illumination device 40 to illuminate the connection C1 in a first mode based on the difference in coordinate between the connection C1 and the vehicle in the X direction, which is the width direction of the lane S12. 2 +(Y0-Y2) 2 Based on the distance L between the connection C1 and the vehicle, calculated as follows: (a)=(c) / (d) / (e) / (f ...

[0068] As shown in FIG. 15, when the coordinates of the connection C1 are (X0, Y0), the coordinates of the vehicle 1c are (X3, Y3), and the vehicle 1c is traveling on a roadway S2 that is a merging road, the illumination control unit 140 calculates the distance L√[(X0-X3) 2 +(Y0-Y3) 2 When the second distance L(t) becomes smaller than the second distance L(t)=Vs×t1, the irradiation device 40 is controlled to be in the first mode for irradiating the connection portion C1.

[0069] Embodiment 4 Next, an irradiation control device 100 according to embodiment 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 16 and Fig. 17. The irradiation control device 100 according to embodiment 4 differs from the irradiation control device 100 according to embodiment 1 in the process of causing the irradiation device 40 to irradiate in the second mode, but other processes and configurations are similar. The same reference numerals are used to denote the same processes and configurations as those in embodiment 1, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0070] 16 and 17 are plan views showing an illumination range by the illumination device 40 in the second mode of the vehicle 1 according to the embodiment 4. As shown in Fig. 16, in the illumination control device 100 according to the embodiment 4, when the illumination device 40 is in the first mode and the driver's gaze direction D21 is directed toward the roadway S2, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 to be in the second mode in which the illumination range H21 including the gaze area A11 to the connection part C1, which is a part where the virtual line V11 along the driver's gaze direction D21 and the roadway S2 overlap in a plan view, is illuminated.

[0071] In addition, in the irradiation control device 100 according to the fourth embodiment, when the driver changes the gaze direction while the irradiation device 40 is irradiating the irradiation range H21 in the second mode, the irradiation control unit 140 controls the irradiation device 40 so that the range irradiated by the irradiation device 40 is changed in accordance with the change in the gaze direction. For example, as shown in Fig. 17, when the driver changes the gaze direction D21 (see Fig. 16) to the gaze direction D22 (see Fig. 17) while the irradiation device 40 is irradiating the irradiation range H21 in the second mode, the irradiation control unit 140 controls the irradiation device 40 so that the range irradiated by the irradiation device 40 is changed in accordance with the change in the gaze direction from the irradiation range H21 (see Fig. 16) to the irradiation range H22 (see Fig. 17) including the gaze area A12, which is a portion where the virtual line V12 along the driver's gaze direction D22 and the roadway S2 overlap in a planar view.

[0072] In this way, in the irradiation control device 100 of embodiment 4, when the driver changes his / her gaze direction while the irradiation device 40 is irradiating the irradiation range H21 in the second mode, the irradiation control unit 140 controls the irradiation device 40 to change the range irradiated by the irradiation device 40 in accordance with the change in the gaze direction. Therefore, when the driver is trying to focus his / her attention on a wide area of ​​the roadway S2, the irradiation device 40 can irradiate a wide area of ​​the roadway S2, thereby improving the visibility of the roadway S2.

[0073] In the fourth embodiment, the roadway S2, which is a branch road, has been described as an example, but the other roadway illuminated by the illumination device 40 may be a junction or an intersection. The illumination range H22 illuminated by the illumination device 40 may or may not include the connection part C1. When the driver changes the gaze direction while the illumination device 40 is illuminating the illumination range H21 in the second mode, the illumination control unit 140 may change the range illuminated by the illumination device 40 to move in accordance with the change in the gaze direction, may change the range illuminated by the illumination device 40 to expand in accordance with the change in the gaze direction, or may change the range illuminated by the illumination device 40 to expand while moving in accordance with the change in the gaze direction.

[0074] Embodiment 5. Next, an irradiation control device 100 according to embodiment 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 18 and Fig. 19. The irradiation control device 100 according to embodiment 5 differs from the irradiation control device 100 according to embodiment 1 in the process of causing the irradiation device 40 to irradiate in the first mode and the second mode, but other processes and configurations are similar. The same reference numerals are used to denote the same processes and configurations as those in embodiment 1, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0075] 18 is a plan view showing the illumination range by the illumination device 40 of the first mode of the vehicle 1 according to the fifth embodiment. For example, a case will be described in which there are roadways S2 and S3 as crossroads that intersect and connect to the roadway S1 on which the vehicle 1 is traveling. In the illumination control device 100 according to the fifth embodiment, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 of the vehicle 1 to be in the first mode of illuminating the connection part C1 based on the distance from the vehicle 1 to the connection part C1, and illuminates both the connection part C1 between the roadways S1 and S2 and the connection part C1 between the roadways S1 and S3.

[0076] 19 is a plan view showing an irradiation range by the irradiation device 40 in the second mode of the vehicle 1 according to the fifth embodiment. In the irradiation control device 100 according to the fifth embodiment, when the irradiation device 40 is in the first mode, the irradiation control unit 140 detects an operation by the driver for the vehicle 1 to enter the roadway S2 or S3, and controls the irradiation device 40 in response to the detected operation. In other words, in the irradiation control device 100 according to the fifth embodiment, when the irradiation device 40 is in the first mode, the irradiation control unit 140 detects an operation by the driver for the vehicle 1 to turn left or right toward the roadway S2 or S3, and controls the irradiation device 40 in response to the detected operation.

[0077] For example, the illumination control unit 140 detects a driver's operation to turn left or right, such as an operation to change the steering wheel angle to a predetermined angle or more, or an operation to start blinking a turn signal.

[0078] 19, for example, when the illumination control unit 140 detects the driver's operation to turn right, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 to illuminate an illumination range H3 including a connection C1 between the roadways S1 and S3 and a portion that is further in the traveling direction than the connection C1 when turning right. For example, when a crosswalk Z1 is located at a portion that is further in the traveling direction than the connection C1 when turning right, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 to illuminate an illumination range H3 including the connection C1 between the roadways S1 and S3 and the crosswalk Z1 of the roadway S3 when the illumination control unit 140 detects the driver's operation to turn right.

[0079] In general, when a driver turns left or right at an intersection, the driver often changes the direction of his / her line of sight in multiple directions in a short time to pay attention to a wide range of the surroundings, and it is difficult to extract the gaze direction in which the driver gazes at a narrow range. For this reason, when the roadways S2 and S3 exist as intersections, it may be more suitable for the purpose of improving the visibility of the roadways to control the illumination device 40 according to the direction of turning left or right at the intersection, rather than controlling the illumination device 40 based on the driver's gaze direction.

[0080] 19, the illumination control unit 140 may change the range illuminated by the illumination device 40 so as to move the illumination range H3 illuminated by the illumination device 40 further in the traveling direction. In addition, in the fifth embodiment, the roadways S1, S2, and S3 form an intersection that intersects with each other in a crisscross pattern, but the present invention is not limited to this and is similar to the case where the roadways S1, S2, and S3 form an intersection that intersects with each other in a T-shape.

[0081] Embodiment 6 Next, an irradiation control device 100 according to embodiment 6 will be described with reference to Fig. 20 and Fig. 21. The irradiation control device 100 according to embodiment 6 differs from the irradiation control device 100 according to embodiment 1 in the process of causing the irradiation device 40 to irradiate in the first mode, but other processes and configurations are similar. The same reference numerals are used to denote the same processes and configurations as those in embodiment 1, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0082] Fig. 20 is a flow chart showing the process performed by the irradiation control device 100 according to the sixth embodiment, and Fig. 21 is a plan view showing the vehicle 1 according to the sixth embodiment traveling on a roadway S1. When the irradiation control device 100 according to the sixth embodiment performs the process of step ST101, the roadway information acquisition unit 110 acquires information on the lane on which the vehicle 1 is traveling (step ST1001). In this process, the roadway information acquisition unit 110 acquires information indicating the number of lanes on the roadway S1 on which the vehicle 1 is traveling, and, if the roadway S1 has multiple lanes, information indicating which of the multiple lanes the vehicle 1 is traveling on.

[0083] After the process of step ST1001, the irradiation control device 100 performs the process of step ST102. After the process of step ST102, the irradiation control device 100 determines whether or not the lane on which the vehicle 1 is traveling is connected to another road by the connection part C1, based on the information on the lane on which the vehicle 1 is traveling acquired by the roadway information acquisition part 110 (step ST1002).

[0084] In the processing of step ST1002, if the lane on which the vehicle 1 is traveling is connected to another roadway by a connection part C1 (YES in step ST1002), the irradiation control device 100 performs processing of step ST103, and if the result of the processing of step ST103 is YES, the irradiation device 40 irradiates the connection part C1 in a first manner (step ST104).

[0085] In the process of step ST1002, if the lane on which the vehicle 1 is traveling is not connected to another roadway by the connection part C1 (NO in step ST1002), the irradiation control device 100 returns the process to step ST100. In this process, the irradiation control unit 140 restricts the irradiation device 40 from being in the first mode and the second mode when the roadway S1 on which the vehicle 1 is traveling has multiple lanes and the lane on which the vehicle 1 is traveling is not connected to the roadway S2. In other words, the irradiation control unit 140 prohibits the irradiation device 40 from being in the first mode and the second mode when the roadway S1 on which the vehicle 1 is traveling has multiple lanes and the lane on which the vehicle 1 is traveling is not connected to the roadway S2.

[0086] Fig. 21 shows a state in which the lane on which the vehicle 1 is traveling is not connected to another roadway by a connection part C1. As shown in Fig. 21, when the vehicle 1 is traveling on lane S12, which is a lane on the opposite side of roadway S2, of roadway S1 having lanes S11 and S12 heading in the same direction, there is one lane S11 between the lane S12 on which the vehicle 1 is traveling and the roadway S2, so the lane S12 and the roadway S2 are not directly connected.

[0087] In such a case, the importance of alerting the driver to the roadway S2 and the junction C1 between the roadways S1 and S2 is low. In such a case, the illumination control device 100 restricts the illumination device 40 from illuminating the range where the importance of alerting the driver is low by not performing the process of illuminating the junction C1 in the first mode, thereby suppressing the driver from feeling annoyed and the passengers of other vehicles and pedestrians from feeling glare.

[0088] The roadway information acquisition unit 110 may be configured to acquire information on the number of lanes between the lane on which the vehicle 1 is traveling and the roadway S2 related to the connection part C1, and the illumination control unit 140 may be configured to control the illumination device 40 according to the number. For example, even if the lane on which the vehicle 1 is traveling and the roadway S2 are not directly connected, if the number of lanes between the lane on which the vehicle 1 is traveling and the roadway S2 is within a predetermined number (for example, one), the illumination control unit 140 may control the illumination device 40 to illuminate the connection part C1 in the first mode.

[0089] Embodiment 7 Next, an irradiation control device 100 according to a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 22 and Fig. 23. The irradiation control device 100 according to the seventh embodiment differs from the irradiation control device 100 according to the sixth embodiment in the process of causing the irradiation device 40 to irradiate in the first mode, but other processes and configurations are similar. The same reference numerals are used to denote the same processes and configurations as those in the sixth embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0090] Fig. 22 is a flow chart showing the process performed by the irradiation control device 100 according to the seventh embodiment, and Fig. 23 is a plan view showing a state in which the vehicle 1 according to the seventh embodiment is traveling on a roadway S1. In the process of step ST102, if the connection part C1 between the roadway S1 and the roadway S2 is located ahead in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1 and exists within a predetermined first distance (YES in step ST102), the irradiation control device 100 according to the seventh embodiment performs the process of step ST103. In the process of step ST103, if the distance L from the vehicle 1 to the connection part C1 is equal to or shorter than a predetermined second distance (YES in step ST103), the irradiation control device 100 performs the process of step ST1002. In the process of step ST1002, if the lane on which the vehicle 1 is traveling is connected to another roadway by the connection part C1 (YES in step ST1002), the irradiation control device 100 performs the process of step ST104. In the processing of step ST1002, if the lane in which the vehicle 1 is traveling is not connected to another road by the connection part C1 (NO in step ST1002), the irradiation control device 100 of embodiment 7 acquires driver information (step ST105a) and determines whether the driver's gaze direction is directed toward the road S2 (step ST1003).

[0091] In the process of step ST1003, if the driver's gaze direction is not toward the roadway S2 (NO in step ST1003), the irradiation control device 100 judges whether the vehicle 1 has passed through the connection part C1 by the irradiation control unit 140 (step ST108a). In the process of step ST108a, if the vehicle 1 has not passed through the connection part C1 (NO in step ST108a), the irradiation control device 100 returns the process to step ST105a. In this way, the irradiation control unit 140 restricts the irradiation device 40 from being in the first mode and the second mode when the roadway S1 on which the vehicle 1 is traveling has multiple lanes, the lane on which the vehicle 1 is traveling is not connected to the roadway S2, and the driver's gaze direction is not toward the roadway S2. In other words, when the roadway S1 on which the vehicle 1 is traveling has multiple lanes, the lane on which the vehicle 1 is traveling is not connected to the roadway S2, and the driver's gaze direction is not toward the roadway S2, the illumination control unit 140 prohibits the illumination device 40 from being in the first mode or the second mode. In this way, the illumination control device 100 determines that the driver has little interest in the roadway S2 based on the fact that the driver's gaze direction is not toward the roadway S2, and prohibits the illumination device 40 in the first mode from illuminating the connection portion C1.

[0092] In the process of step ST1003, if the driver's gaze direction is toward the roadway S2 (YES in step ST1003), the irradiation control device 100 outputs a control signal to control the irradiation device 40 to be in the first mode of irradiating the connection part C1 by the irradiation control unit 140 (step ST1005). After the process of step ST1005, the irradiation control device 100 performs the process of step ST108a. In the process of step ST108a, if the vehicle 1 has passed through the connection part C1 (YES in step ST108a), the irradiation control device 100 performs the process of step ST109.

[0093] Fig. 23 shows a state in which the lane on which the vehicle 1 is traveling is not connected to another roadway by a connection part C1. As shown in Fig. 23, when the vehicle 1 is traveling on lane S12, which is a lane on the opposite side of the roadway S2, of the roadway S1 having lanes S11 and S12 heading in the same direction, there is one lane S11 between the lane S12 on which the vehicle 1 is traveling and the roadway S2, so the lane S12 and the roadway S2 are not directly connected.

[0094] As described above, in such a case, it is less important to alert the driver to the roadway S2 and the connection part C1 between the roadways S1 and S2. However, even if the lane S12 and the roadway S2 are not directly connected, when the driver turns his / her gaze direction to the roadway S2, the driver is likely to pay attention to the roadway S2. The illumination control unit 140 according to the seventh embodiment controls the illumination device 40 to illuminate the connection part C1 in the first mode when the driver turns his / her gaze direction to the roadway S2, even if the lane S12 and the roadway S2 are not directly connected. In other words, when the virtual line V2 along the driver's gaze direction D3 and the roadway S2 overlap in a plan view, the illumination control unit 140 controls the illumination device 40 to illuminate the connection part C1 in the first mode. After performing the process of step ST1005, the illumination control device 100 performs the process of step ST108.

[0095] As described above, in the irradiation control device 100 according to the seventh embodiment, even if the lane in which the vehicle is traveling is not directly connected to another roadway S2, the irradiation control unit 140 controls the irradiation device 40 to irradiate the connection part C1 in the first mode based on the driver's gaze direction being directed toward the roadway S2. As a result, the irradiation control device 100 according to the seventh embodiment can improve visibility by irradiating the connection part C1 with another roadway based on the driver's attention being directed thereto, regardless of the lane in which the vehicle is traveling.

[0096] In addition, the present disclosure allows free combinations of the respective embodiments, or modifications of any of the components of the respective embodiments, or omission of any of the components of the respective embodiments. [Industrial Applicability]

[0097] The illumination control device and the illumination control method according to the present disclosure can be used, for example, to control an illumination device to improve visibility of a road when a vehicle traveling on the road illuminates the road with an illumination device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1 vehicle (own vehicle), 3 driver, 40 illumination device, 100 illumination control device, 110 roadway information acquisition unit, 130 gaze direction acquisition unit (gaze direction acquisition unit), 140 illumination control unit (speed information acquisition unit), A1, A11, A12 parts, C1 connection unit, D1, D2, D3, D21, D22 gaze direction (gaze direction), H2, H21, H22 illumination range (range), L distance, S1 roadway (first roadway), S2 roadway (second roadway), S11 lane, S12 lane, V1, V11, V12 virtual lines.

Claims

1. a roadway information acquisition unit that acquires information about the roadway, including information about the distance from the vehicle to a junction between a first roadway on which the vehicle is traveling and a second roadway that intersects with the first roadway and connects to a boundary on one side of the first roadway, and information about the shape of the second roadway; a gaze direction acquisition unit for acquiring information regarding a gaze direction of a driver of the vehicle; and an illumination control unit that controls an illumination device of the vehicle to be in a first mode in which the connection portion is illuminated based on a distance from the vehicle to the connection portion, and when the illumination device is in the first mode and the driver's line of sight is directed toward the second road, controls the illumination device to be in a second mode in which at least a portion where a virtual line along the driver's line of sight and the second road overlap in a plan view. An irradiation control device comprising:

2. The first aspect is an aspect in which at least an area in front of the vehicle and the connection part are simultaneously irradiated, and the second aspect is an aspect in which at least an area in front of the vehicle and an area where a virtual line along the driver's line of sight and the second roadway overlap in a plan view are simultaneously irradiated.

2. The irradiation control device according to claim 1 .

3. the roadway information acquisition unit acquires map information and location information indicating a location of the vehicle; Based on the acquired map information and the acquired position information, information regarding the roadway is acquired.

2. The irradiation control device according to claim 1 .

4. The illumination control unit controls the illumination device to be in the first mode when the connection portion is located forward of the host vehicle and the distance from the host vehicle to the connection portion is equal to or shorter than a predetermined distance.

2. The irradiation control device according to claim 1 .

5. The illumination control unit controls the illumination device so that, when the illumination device is in the first mode, the illumination device has a lower luminance than when the illumination device is in the second mode.

2. The irradiation control device according to claim 1 .

6. the roadway information acquisition unit acquires information indicating which of the plurality of lanes the host vehicle is traveling on when the first roadway has a plurality of lanes; The illumination control unit restricts the illumination device from being in the second mode when the first road has a plurality of lanes and the lane on which the host vehicle is traveling is not connected to the second road.

2. The irradiation control device according to claim 1 .

7. The illumination control unit restricts the illumination device from being in the first mode when the first road has a plurality of lanes and the lane on which the host vehicle is traveling is not connected to the second road.

6. The irradiation control device according to claim 5.

8. When the first road has a plurality of lanes and the lane on which the host vehicle is traveling is not connected to the second road, the illumination control unit controls the illumination device to be in the first mode based on a distance from the host vehicle to the connecting portion and a fact that the driver's line of sight is directed toward the second road.

7. The irradiation control device according to claim 6.

9. The illumination control unit controls the illumination device so that, when the second road is a road that merges into the first road, a wider range is illuminated in the second mode than when the second road is a road that branches off from the first road.

2. The irradiation control device according to claim 1 .

10. a speed information acquisition unit that acquires speed information related to a speed of the host vehicle; The illumination control unit controls the illumination device to be in the first mode based on a distance from the host vehicle to the connection unit and a speed of the host vehicle.

2. The irradiation control device according to claim 1 .

11. An illumination control method for controlling an illumination device of a vehicle, the method being performed by an apparatus including a roadway information acquisition unit, a line of sight direction acquisition unit, and an illumination control unit, the method comprising: The roadway information acquisition unit acquires information about the roadway, including information about a distance from the vehicle to a junction between a first roadway on which the vehicle is traveling and a second roadway that intersects with the first roadway and connects to a boundary on one side of the first roadway, and information about a shape of the second roadway; a step of the gaze direction acquisition unit acquiring information regarding a gaze direction of a driver of the vehicle; a step of controlling the illumination device to illuminate the connection portion in a first mode based on a distance from the vehicle to the connection portion by the illumination control unit; and a step of controlling the illumination device to be in a second mode in which, when the illumination device is in the first mode and the driver's line of sight is directed toward the second road, at least a portion where a virtual line along the driver's line of sight and the second road overlap in a plan view is illuminated by the illumination control unit. The irradiation control method according to claim 1,

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