Light distribution control device

Abstract

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a light distribution control device that is able to quickly irradiate an area that a driver wants to see without causing the driver inconvenience. This light distribution control device according to the present disclosure instructs the irradiation of an identified area among a plurality of previously set possibly dangerous areas outside an irradiation range for a passing-beam headlight, the device comprising: an area identifying unit that identifies a possibly dangerous area having a predetermined danger or greater, as the identified area, on the basis of information pertaining to the host vehicle or the conditions surrounding the host vehicle; a monitoring information receiving unit that receives monitoring information from a monitoring device that monitors the actions of the driver of the host vehicle; and an irradiation control unit that instructs the irradiation of the identified area when it is determined, on the basis of the monitoring information, that there is an indication that the driver is attempting to see the identified area.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light distribution control device that controls illumination of an area that a driver desires to see. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a technique has been disclosed for controlling the illumination direction in conjunction with the line of sight of a driver (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-96803 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the illumination direction is controlled in conjunction with the driver's line of sight, the illumination direction is constantly changing, which can be annoying to the driver. If a delay process is applied when controlling the illumination direction to prevent this annoyance, there is a problem that a delay in illumination occurs.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a light distribution control device that can quickly illuminate the area that the driver wants to see without causing the driver any inconvenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the light distribution control device disclosed herein is a light distribution control device that instructs the illumination of a specific area out of a plurality of potential danger areas preset outside the illumination range of a passing headlight, and includes an area identification unit that identifies a potential danger area that has a predetermined or greater risk as the specific area based on information related to the situation of the vehicle or the area around the vehicle, a monitoring information receiving unit that receives monitoring information from a monitoring device that monitors the behavior of the driver of the vehicle, and an illumination control unit that instructs the illumination of the specific area when it is determined based on the monitoring information that there is an indication that the driver is attempting to look at the specific area. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to quickly illuminate the area that the driver wants to see, without causing the driver any inconvenience.

[0008] The objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a light distribution control device according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a possible danger area according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining determination of a specific area according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining determination of a specific area according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining determination of a specific area according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining determination of a specific area according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining determination of a specific area according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 is a diagram for explaining a driver's line of sight movement angle and a determination threshold value according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a diagram for explaining a driver's line of sight movement angle and a determination threshold value according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a determination threshold value according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a determination threshold value according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the light distribution control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the light distribution control device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light distribution control device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the light distribution control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the light distribution control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the light distribution control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the light distribution control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the light distribution control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a light distribution control device according to the first to third embodiments. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a light distribution control device according to the first to third embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] <Embodiment 1> <1-1. Configuration> Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a light distribution control device 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the light distribution control device 1 includes an area specification unit 2, a monitoring information receiving unit 3, and an illumination control unit 4. In addition, a periphery monitoring device 5, a DMS (Driver Monitoring System) 6, a steering angle sensor 7, a direction indicator 8, a vehicle speed sensor 9, and a lighting device 10 are connected to the light distribution control device 1. It is assumed that the light distribution control device 1, the periphery monitoring device 5, the DMS 6, the steering angle sensor 7, the direction indicator 8, the vehicle speed sensor 9, and the lighting device 10 are provided in the vehicle.

[0011] The light distribution control device 1 may be constructed as a system by appropriately combining not only an in-vehicle navigation device, but also a PND (Portable Navigation Device) that can be mounted on a vehicle, a server provided outside the vehicle, etc. In this case, each function or each component of the light distribution control device 1 is distributed and arranged among the functions that construct the system.

[0012] The area identification unit 2 receives information on the situation around the vehicle from the periphery monitoring device 5, and receives information on the vehicle from the steering angle sensor 7 or the direction indicator 8. Then, based on the information on the situation around the vehicle or the vehicle, the area identification unit 2 identifies, as a specific area, a possible danger area that has a predetermined or greater risk from among a plurality of predefined possible danger areas.

[0013] The surroundings monitoring device 5 is, for example, a camera that captures the surroundings of the vehicle. The steering angle sensor 7 detects the steering angle or steering angular speed of the vehicle. The direction indicator 8 indicates the desired direction when the driver makes a right or left turn or changes lanes.

[0014] Here, the possible danger areas will be explained. As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle 11 emits the passing headlights 12 from the lighting device 10. The areas to the left, right, and ahead of the passing headlights 12 are not illuminated by the passing headlights 12, but are areas to which the driver should pay attention while driving. Such areas are set in advance as the possible danger areas 13 to 15. Information related to the set possible danger areas 13 to 15 may be held by the area identification unit 2. The area identification unit 2 identifies, as the specific area, the possible danger areas 13 to 15 that have a predetermined or higher risk, based on information related to the situation of the vehicle or the surroundings of the vehicle.

[0015] For example, when host vehicle 11 is traveling around a right curve as shown in Fig. 3, the driver of host vehicle 11 steers to the right. At this time, steering angle sensor 7 detects the steering angle or steering angular velocity according to the steering of the driver, and outputs the detected steering angle or steering angular velocity to area identification unit 2 as information related to host vehicle 11. When the steering angle or steering angular velocity received from steering angle sensor 7 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, area identification unit 2 determines that there is a predetermined or greater risk in possible danger area 14 that exists in the direction in which the driver is steering. Then, area identification unit 2 identifies possible danger area 14 where there is a predetermined or greater risk as a specified area.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 4, when the vehicle 11 moves to the right lane, the driver of the vehicle 11 operates the turn indicator 8 to indicate a rightward direction. At this time, the turn indicator 8 outputs the indicated direction (information related to the turn indicator 8 of the vehicle 11) to the area identification unit 2 as information related to the vehicle. The area identification unit 2 determines that the possible danger area 14 existing in the direction indicated by the turn indicator 8 is at least a predetermined level of danger. The area identification unit 2 then identifies the possible danger area 14 where the danger is at least a predetermined level as a specified area.

[0017] 5 to 7, when the host vehicle 11 is at an intersection, the surroundings monitoring device 5 outputs an image of the surroundings of the host vehicle, including the intersection, to the area identification unit 2 as information related to the situation around the host vehicle. The area identification unit 2 determines that there is a predetermined level of danger or more in possible danger areas 13, 14 on the left and right of the traveling direction of the host vehicle 11. Then, the area identification unit 2 identifies the possible danger areas 13, 14 where there is a predetermined level of danger or more as specific areas.

[0018] In the above, the intersection is a place where pedestrians often rush out into the road, so it is determined that the risk of possible danger areas 13 and 14 is greater than a predetermined level. However, it may also be determined that the risk of possible danger area 15 is greater than a predetermined level.

[0019] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 1, the monitoring information receiving unit 3 receives monitoring information from the DMS 6. The DMS 6 is a monitoring device that monitors the behavior of the driver of the vehicle and detects at least the driver's line of sight movement. The DMS 6 then outputs the monitoring information including the driver's line of sight movement to the monitoring information receiving unit 3.

[0020] When the illumination control unit 4 determines that there is an indication that the driver is about to look at the specific area identified by the area identifying unit 2 based on the monitoring information received by the monitoring information receiving unit 3 and the vehicle speed of the vehicle received from the vehicle speed sensor 9, it instructs the lighting device 10 to illuminate the specific area. The lighting device 10 is a lighting device different from a lighting device (headlamp) that illuminates a passing headlamp.

[0021] Here, the movement of the driver's line of sight will be described.

[0022] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the driver's line of sight movement angle and the judgment threshold θH when the vehicle speed is fast. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the driver's line of sight movement angle and the judgment threshold θL when the vehicle speed is slow. The driver's line of sight movement angle refers to the angle between the driver's front direction (the traveling direction of the vehicle) and the line of sight direction that changes according to the driver's line of sight movement. In addition, in FIGS. 8 and 9, a state in which the driver's line of sight moves to the right from a state in which the driver's line of sight faces forward is shown, but if the driver drives while facing a direction slightly shifted from the front, the line of sight movement angle may be calculated with the direction slightly shifted from the front as the origin. In addition, in FIGS. 8 and 9, the face direction and the line of sight direction are expressed to match each other for easy understanding of the explanation, but it goes without saying that there are cases in which the face direction and the line of sight direction do not match. In general, the line of sight movement from the original line of sight position is performed depending on the face direction and line of sight movement from the front of the face.

[0023] As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the judgment threshold θL when the vehicle speed is slow is larger than the judgment threshold θH when the vehicle speed is fast (θH<θL). That is, the faster the vehicle speed is, the smaller the line of sight movement is required to exceed the judgment threshold. When the driver's line of sight movement angle exceeds the judgment threshold, the illumination control unit 4 judges that it is a sign that the driver is trying to look at a specific area. Since the driver's line of sight is likely to widen when the vehicle speed is slow, it is possible to prevent the driver from erroneously judging that it is a sign that the driver is trying to look at a specific area by making the judgment threshold stricter (making the judgment threshold larger) than when the vehicle speed is fast. Note that θH and θL may be set by learning the characteristics of an individual's line of sight movement speed. Also, θH=θL may be satisfied.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 10, the determination threshold θx may be linear with respect to the vehicle speed, or may be non-linear with respect to the vehicle speed (first non-linear, second non-linear). Also, as shown in Fig. 11, the determination threshold θx may be two values, one for low speed and one for high speed.

[0025] <1-2. Operation> FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the light distribution control device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0026] In step S101, the area identification unit 2 receives information on the situation around the vehicle from the periphery monitoring device 5, and receives information on the vehicle from the steering angle sensor 7 or the direction indicator 8. Then, based on the information on the situation around the vehicle or the vehicle, the area identification unit 2 determines whether or not there is a possible danger area that poses a predetermined level of danger among a plurality of predefined possible danger areas. If there is no possible danger area that poses a predetermined level of danger, the process of step S101 is repeated, and if there is a possible danger area that poses a predetermined level of danger, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0027] In step S102, the area identification unit 2 sets a possible danger area where the risk is equal to or greater than a predetermined risk as a specific area.

[0028] In step S103, the monitoring information receiving unit 3 receives monitoring information including the driver's line of sight movement.

[0029] In step S104, the illumination control unit 4 judges whether or not the line of sight movement angle in the direction of the specific area identified by the area identification unit 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (judgment threshold) based on the monitoring information received by the monitoring information receiving unit 3 and the vehicle speed of the vehicle received from the vehicle speed sensor 9. If the line of sight movement angle in the direction of the specific area is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the illumination control unit 4 proceeds to step S105. In this case, the illumination control unit 4 judges that this is a sign that the driver is trying to look at the specific area. On the other hand, if the line of sight movement angle in the direction of the specific area is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the illumination control unit 4 returns to step S103.

[0030] In step S105, the illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 to illuminate the specific area.

[0031] In step S106, the illumination control unit 4 judges whether the driver's line of sight is in the specific area. If the driver's line of sight is in the specific area, the process returns to step S105. On the other hand, if the driver's line of sight is not in the specific area, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0032] In step S107, the illumination control unit 4 executes a turn-off process for the lighting device 10. The turn-off process may be a control for turning off the light instantly, or a control for turning off the light gradually as in a third embodiment described later.

[0033] In step S108, the illumination control unit 4 judges whether or not the lighting device 10 has been turned off. If the lighting device 10 has been turned off, the process proceeds to step S101. On the other hand, if the lighting device 10 has not been turned off, the process returns to step S106.

[0034] <1-3.Effects> In the light distribution control device 1 according to the first embodiment, when the illumination control unit 4 determines that there is an indication that the driver is about to view the specific area identified by the area identifying unit 2 based on the monitoring information received by the monitoring information receiving unit 3 and the vehicle speed of the vehicle received from the vehicle speed sensor 9, the illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 to illuminate the specific area. This makes it possible to quickly illuminate the area that the driver wants to view without causing the driver any inconvenience.

[0035] When the steering angle or steering angular speed of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the area identification unit 2 determines that the risk of a possible danger area in the steering direction is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and identifies the possible danger area as a specific area. This makes it easier for the driver to spot oncoming vehicles or bicycles while driving around a curve.

[0036] Based on information related to the turn signal 8 of the vehicle, the area identification unit 2 determines that the risk of a possible danger area in the direction indicated by the turn signal 8 is greater than a predetermined level, and identifies the possible danger area as a specific area. This makes it easier for the driver to spot pedestrians who jump out into the road when turning right or left at an intersection, and to grasp the situation in the adjacent lane when changing lanes.

[0037] When the vehicle is at an intersection, the area identification unit 2 determines that the risk of possible danger areas on the left and right of the vehicle's traveling direction is greater than a predetermined level, and identifies the possible danger areas as specific areas. This makes it easier for the driver to spot pedestrians and other people rushing out into the intersection.

[0038] <Embodiment 2> <2-1. Configuration> The configuration of the light distribution control device according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the light distribution control device 1 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment. In the following, the light distribution control device according to the second embodiment will be described as being the light distribution control device 1 shown in FIG.

[0039] <2-2. Operation> Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the light distribution control device 1 according to embodiment 2. Note that steps S202 to S204 and steps S208 to S210 in Fig. 13 correspond to steps S102 to S104 and steps S106 to S108 in Fig. 12, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here. Steps S201 and S205 to S207 will be described below.

[0040] In step S201, the area identification unit 2 receives information on the situation around the host vehicle from the periphery monitoring device 5, and receives information on the host vehicle from the steering angle sensor 7 or the direction indicator 8. The second embodiment is characterized in that the information on the situation around the host vehicle includes information on obstacles present in the traveling direction of the host vehicle. Other information received by the area identification unit 2 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0041] The area identification unit 2 judges whether or not there is a possible danger area with a predetermined or higher risk among a plurality of possible danger areas set in advance, based on information related to the situation of the vehicle or the surroundings of the vehicle. If there is no possible danger area with a predetermined or higher risk, the process of step S201 is repeated, and if there is a possible danger area with a predetermined or higher risk, the process proceeds to step S202.

[0042] 14, when an obstacle is present in the traveling direction of the vehicle, the periphery monitoring device 5 outputs the detected obstacle as information relating to the situation around the vehicle to the area identifying unit 2. When the obstacle included in the information relating to the situation around the vehicle received from the periphery monitoring device 5 is present within a possible danger area, the area identifying unit 2 determines that the risk of the possible danger area is equal to or greater than a predetermined level.

[0043] In the example of FIG. 14, a sign 16, a moving object 17, and a damaged portion 18 of the road surface are present in the traveling direction of the vehicle 11. The sign 16, the moving object 17, and the damaged portion 18 of the road surface correspond to obstacles. The area identification unit 2 determines that the possible danger area 13 in which the sign 16 and the moving object 17 exist, and the possible danger area 14 in which the damaged portion 18 of the road surface exists, each have a predetermined or higher danger possibility. That is, the area identification unit 2 identifies the possible danger areas 13 and 14 as the specific areas. Here, the sign 16 includes fixed objects such as road signs and construction signs. The moving object 17 includes pedestrians and bicycles. The damaged portion 18 of the road surface includes uneven portions caused by damage to a part of the road surface. Note that the obstacles are not limited to the sign 16, the moving object 17, and the damaged portion 18 of the road surface, but may be, for example, objects that have fallen on the road (luggage, natural objects), etc.

[0044] Returning to the description of Fig. 13, in step S205, the irradiation control unit 4 judges whether or not an obstacle is present in the specific area. If no obstacle is present in the specific area, the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if an obstacle is present in the specific area, the process proceeds to step S207.

[0045] In the example of Fig. 14, since an obstacle is present in the possible danger areas 13, 14, the process proceeds to step S207. Also, in the examples of Figs. 3 and 4, if an obstacle is present in the possible danger area 14, the process proceeds to step S207. Similarly, in the examples of Figs. 5 to 7, if an obstacle is present in the possible danger areas 13, 14, the process proceeds to step S207.

[0046] In step S206, the illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 to illuminate a specific area where no obstacles exist. At this time, the lighting device 10 performs illumination similar to that in step S105 of FIG.

[0047] In step S207, the illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 to emphasize and illuminate the specific area where an obstacle exists. That is, the illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 to highlight the manner in which the specific area where an obstacle exists is illuminated.

[0048] Emphasis illumination (illumination that makes a specific area stand out) is an illumination style that is easy for the driver to recognize, such as illuminating with increased brightness, illuminating with a different shape of illumination, illuminating animations, illuminating letters or symbols, illuminating in multiple color tones, etc.

[0049] In the operation of Fig. 13, when an obstacle exists in the specific area, the illumination control unit 4 may determine the sign that the driver is going to look at the specific area based on the line of sight movement speed instead of the line of sight movement amount, that is, the line of sight differential information. In this case, in Fig. 13, before performing the process of step S204 (process of determining the sign), it is necessary to perform the same process as step S205 (process of determining whether or not an obstacle exists in the specific area). This makes it possible to quickly determine the sign that the driver is going to look at the specific area.

[0050] <2-3.Effects> In the light distribution control device 1 according to the second embodiment, the illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 to illuminate a specific area in which an obstacle exists with emphasis. This makes it possible to make the obstacle stand out, thereby contributing to safe driving by the driver.

[0051] <Embodiment 3> <3-1. Configuration> The configuration of the light distribution control device according to the third embodiment is similar to that of the light distribution control device 1 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment. In the following, the light distribution control device according to the third embodiment will be described as being the light distribution control device 1 shown in FIG.

[0052] <3-2. Operation> Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the light distribution control device 1 according to embodiment 3. Note that steps S301 to S306, S308, S310, and S312 in Fig. 15 correspond to steps S201 to S206, S207, S208, and S210 in Fig. 13, and therefore will not be described here. Steps S307, S309, and S311 will be described below.

[0053] In step S307, the illumination control unit 4 judges whether the obstacle is a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle. If the obstacle is not a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle, the process proceeds to step S308. On the other hand, if the obstacle is a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle, the process proceeds to step S309. The judgment of whether the obstacle is a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle may be made by the illumination control unit 4 performing image processing on the video received from the periphery monitoring device 5. The illumination control unit 4 may also receive the result of the judgment made by the area identification unit 2 or the periphery monitoring device 5 by image processing on the video.

[0054] In step S309, the illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 not to illuminate the specific area (prohibit illumination). For example, as shown in Fig. 16, when an oncoming vehicle 20 is present in the possible danger area 14 and a preceding vehicle 19 is present in the possible danger area 15, the illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 not to illuminate the possible danger areas 14 and 15.

[0055] In step S311, the illumination control unit 4 executes a process of turning off the lighting device 10.

[0056] In step S306, when the illuminance of the specific area is equal to or greater than a predetermined value due to the surrounding environment such as street lights, the illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 to highlight the manner in which the specific area is illuminated or to prohibit illumination of the specific area. Examples of a method for highlighting the manner in which the specific area is illuminated include changing the color of illumination or changing the shape of illumination. In this way, by changing the illumination manner when the illuminance of the specific area is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is possible to make it easier for the driver to grasp the specific area. Furthermore, by prohibiting illumination of the specific area when the illuminance of the specific area is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, unnecessary illumination can be prevented, thereby contributing to energy saving.

[0057] Here, a description will be given of the control of turning on or off the lighting device 10 by the illumination control unit 4. The control by the illumination control unit 4 described below is also applicable to the first and second embodiments.

[0058] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the control of turning on or off the lighting device 10 by the illumination control unit 4. In Fig. 17, "illuminance" indicates the illuminance of a possible danger area set in a specific area. "Gaze determination" indicates the result of determining in step S310 whether the driver's gaze is within the possible danger area, which is a specific area. The illuminance of the possible danger area can be obtained, for example, by image processing of the video received from the periphery monitoring device 5.

[0059] 17, when the driver directs his / her gaze toward the specific area, which is the possible danger area, the illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 to quickly increase the illuminance and turn on the light (steps S306 and S308). On the other hand, when the driver's gaze moves away from the specific area, which is the possible danger area, the illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 to gradually decrease the illuminance and turn off the light (step S311).

[0060] Furthermore, when the driver looks away from the possible danger area which is a specific area and then looks back toward the possible danger area, the illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 to increase the illuminance again and illuminate the possible danger area. At this time, the illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 to turn on the light gradually brighter when the illuminance of the possible danger area which is a specific area is equal to or higher than a predetermined level (equal to or higher than the threshold shown in FIG. 18), and to turn on the light quickly brighter when the illuminance of the possible danger area which is a specific area is lower than a predetermined level (lower than the threshold shown in FIG. 19).

[0061] <3-3.Effects> In the light distribution control device 1 according to the third embodiment, when a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle is present in a specific area, the illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 not to illuminate the specific area. This makes it possible to prevent glare for the preceding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle.

[0062] The illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 to turn on the light with an increased illuminance immediately when the driver directs his / her gaze toward the specific area, and to gradually decrease the illuminance and turn off the light when the driver moves his / her gaze away from the specific area. In this way, the rapid lighting enables the driver to quickly recognize the specific area, and the gradual turning off of the light reduces the sense of discomfort felt by the driver.

[0063] When the driver looks away from the specific area and then looks back at the specific area, the illumination control unit 4 instructs the lighting device 10 to turn on the light gradually brighter if the illuminance of the specific area is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, and to turn on the light quickly brighter if the illuminance of the specific area is less than a predetermined level. In this way, if the illuminance of the specific area is visible to the driver when the light is turned on again, it can be turned on while reducing the driver's sense of discomfort.

[0064] <Hardware configuration> The functions of the area specifying unit 2, the monitoring information receiving unit 3, and the illumination control unit 4 in the light distribution control device 1 described in the first to third embodiments are realized by a processing circuit. That is, the light distribution control device 1 includes a processing circuit for specifying a possible danger area having a predetermined or higher danger as a specific area among a plurality of possible danger areas set in advance based on information related to the situation of the vehicle or the surroundings of the vehicle, receiving monitoring information including the driver's line of sight movement, and instructing the lighting device 10 to illuminate the specific area when it is determined based on the monitoring information and the vehicle speed of the vehicle that there is a sign that the driver is about to look at the specific area. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware, or may be a processor (also called a CPU, central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor)) that executes a program stored in a memory.

[0065] When the processing circuit is a dedicated hardware, the processing circuit 21 corresponds to, 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, as shown in Fig. 20. Each function of the area specifying unit 2, the monitoring information receiving unit 3, and the irradiation control unit 4 may be realized by the processing circuit 21, or each function may be realized by one processing circuit 21.

[0066] When the processing circuit 21 is the processor 22 shown in FIG. 21, the functions of the area identification unit 2, the monitoring information receiving unit 3, and the illumination control unit 4 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is written as a program and stored in the memory 23. The processor 22 realizes each function by reading and executing the program recorded in the memory 23. That is, the light distribution control device 1 includes a memory 23 for storing a program that results in the execution of a step of identifying a possible danger area having a predetermined or higher danger as a specific area among a plurality of possible danger areas set in advance based on information related to the situation of the vehicle or the surroundings of the vehicle, a step of receiving monitoring information including the driver's line of sight movement, and a step of instructing the lighting device 10 to illuminate the specific area when it is determined based on the monitoring information and the vehicle speed of the vehicle that the specific area is an indication that the driver is about to look at the specific area. It can also be said that these programs cause a computer to execute the procedures or methods of the area identification unit 2, the monitoring information receiving unit 3, and the illumination control unit 4. Here, the memory may be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or any storage medium that will be used in the future.

[0067] It should be noted that some of the functions of the area specifying unit 2, the monitoring information receiving unit 3, and the irradiation control unit 4 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the other functions may be realized by software or firmware.

[0068] Thus, the processing circuitry may implement the functions described above through hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

[0069] Within the scope of the present disclosure, the embodiments can be freely combined, and each embodiment can be modified or omitted as appropriate.

[0070] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the above description is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. It is understood that countless variations not illustrated can be envisioned. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 light distribution control device, 2 area identification unit, 3 monitoring information receiving unit, 4 irradiation control unit, 5 perimeter monitoring device, 6 DMS, 7 steering angle sensor, 8 direction indicator, 9 vehicle speed sensor, 10 lighting device, 11 vehicle, 12 passing headlight, 13 possible danger area, 14 possible danger area, 15 possible danger area, 16 sign, 17 moving object, 18 damaged portion of road surface, 19 preceding vehicle, 20 oncoming vehicle, 21 processing circuit, 22 processor, 23 memory.

Claims

1. A light distribution control device that instructs to illuminate a specific area among a plurality of possible danger areas that are preset outside the illumination range of a passing headlight, an area identification unit that identifies the possible danger area in which there is a predetermined level of danger or more as the specific area based on information related to the situation of the host vehicle or the surroundings of the host vehicle; a monitoring information receiving unit that receives monitoring information from a monitoring device that monitors an operation of a driver of the vehicle; an illumination control unit that instructs to illuminate the specific area when it is determined based on the monitoring information that there is an indication that the driver is about to look at the specific area; A light distribution control device comprising:

2. 2. The light distribution control device according to claim 1, wherein the illumination control unit determines that when the vehicle speed of the host vehicle is slow and there is a predetermined or greater indication of the driver's line of sight movement compared to when the vehicle speed is fast, this is an indication that the driver is trying to look at the specific area.

3. 2. The light distribution control device according to claim 1, wherein the area identification unit determines that the danger of the possible danger area existing in the steering direction is greater than or equal to a predetermined risk when a steering angle or a steering angular speed of the vehicle is greater than or equal to a predetermined risk.

4. The light distribution control device according to claim 1 , wherein the area identification unit determines that the danger possibility area existing in the direction indicated by a turn signal of the host vehicle is at or above a predetermined danger level based on information related to the turn signal of the host vehicle.

5. The light distribution control device according to claim 1 , wherein the area specifying unit determines that the danger potential areas existing on the left and right of the traveling direction of the host vehicle are at a predetermined level or higher when the host vehicle is at an intersection.

6. The light distribution control device according to claim 1 , wherein the illumination control unit instructs, when an obstacle is present within the specific area, to make the specific area more conspicuous in an illumination manner.

7. The light distribution control device according to claim 1 , wherein the illumination control unit determines, when an obstacle is present within the specific area, an indication that the driver is trying to look at the specific area based on differential information of a line of sight.

8. The light distribution control device according to claim 1 , wherein the illumination control unit instructs the light to be turned on quickly when illuminating the specific area, and to be turned off gradually when illumination of the specific area is completed.

9. 2. The light distribution control device according to claim 1, wherein the illumination control unit, when illuminating the specific area again after illumination of the specific area has ended, instructs the illumination control unit to turn on the specific area so as to gradually become brighter when the brightness of the specific area is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and to turn on the specific area so as to quickly become brighter when the brightness of the specific area is less than the predetermined value.

10. The light distribution control device according to claim 1 , wherein the illumination control unit issues an instruction to prohibit illumination of the specific area when another vehicle is present within the specific area.

11. The light distribution control device according to claim 1 , wherein the illumination control unit instructs, when the brightness of the specific area is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, to accentuate the illumination of the specific area or to prohibit illumination of the specific area.

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