Vehicle headlight system, display control method for vehicle headlight system, and display control program for vehicle headlight system

Abstract

To provide a vehicular headlamp system, a display control method for a vehicular headlamp system, and a display control program for a vehicular headlamp system which enable a user to accurately understand a light distribution control state.SOLUTION: A lamp ECU 14 can control light distribution of a headlamp 12, on the basis of a detection result by a camera unit 22. A display control device 30 determines whether or not an AHS is in an active state, and controls a display mode of a display device 32 so as to show the determination result, and in addition, so as to show a light distribution control state by the lamp ECU 14 when the AHS is in the active state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle headlight system, a display control method for a vehicle headlight system, and a display control program for a vehicle headlight system. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses technology related to a vehicle display device that notifies occupants of changes in the operating status of vehicle functions, and cites as an example of a vehicle function a function that automatically turns on or off the headlights depending on the illuminance outside the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-93406 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Although not described in Patent Document 1, in recent years, vehicle headlight systems that can detect targets ahead of the vehicle and control the light distribution of the headlights based on the detection results have become widespread.

[0005] However, with the state displays provided by current vehicle headlamp systems, it is not necessarily easy for the user to accurately grasp the current state of light distribution control.

[0006] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlight system, a display control method for a vehicle headlight system, and a display control program for a vehicle headlight system that allow a user to accurately grasp the light distribution control status. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle headlamp system of the present invention as set forth in claim 1 includes a headlamp that irradiates light ahead of the vehicle, a target object detection unit that detects a target object present ahead of the vehicle, an illumination control unit that can control the light distribution of the headlamp based on the detection result by the target object detection unit, an operation state determination unit that determines whether the illumination control unit is in an operation state, a display unit that is provided in the cabin of the vehicle, and a display unit that displays the determination result of the operation state determination unit. Whether the irradiation control unit is in an operating state or not and a display control unit that controls the display mode of the display unit to indicate, when the illumination control unit is in an operating state, a light distribution control state by the illumination control unit.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the headlights irradiate light ahead of the vehicle, and the target object detection unit detects targets present ahead of the vehicle. The illumination control unit is capable of controlling the light distribution of the headlights based on the detection result by the target object detection unit, and the operation state determination unit determines whether the illumination control unit is in an operation state. Furthermore, the display mode of the display unit provided in the vehicle interior is controlled by the display control unit. Specifically, the display control unit determines whether the illumination control unit is in an operation state based on the determination result of the operation state determination unit. Whether the irradiation control unit is in operation The display mode of the display unit is controlled to show "ON" when the illumination control unit is in operation, and further to show the light distribution control state by the illumination control unit when the illumination control unit is in operation. This allows the user to accurately know whether the illumination control unit is in operation, and further to accurately know the light distribution control state by the illumination control unit when the illumination control unit is in operation.

[0009] The vehicle headlight system of the present invention described in claim 2 is configured as described in claim 1, wherein the illumination control unit controls the light distribution of the headlights so that light is reduced in an illumination area where the target object is present when it is determined that the amount of light received from the headlights should be reduced, and the display control unit controls to change the display mode of the display unit depending on whether the illumination control unit is controlling the light distribution of the headlights so that light is reduced in an illumination area where the target object is present.

[0010] It should be noted that the "dimming" described in claim 2 refers to reducing the amount of light irradiation, and includes reducing the amount of light irradiation to zero (the same applies throughout this specification).

[0011] According to the above configuration, when the illumination control unit determines that the target detected by the target detection unit is a target for which the amount of light received from the headlights should be reduced, the illumination control unit controls the light distribution of the headlights to dim the illumination area where the target is located. Here, the display control unit controls to change the display mode of the display unit depending on whether the illumination control unit is controlling the light distribution of the headlights to dim the illumination area where the target is located, so that the user can accurately grasp whether dimming is being performed on the illumination area where the target is located.

[0012] The vehicle headlight system of the present invention described in claim 3 is configured as described in claim 2, wherein when the illumination control unit controls the light distribution of the headlights so that dimming is performed on an illumination area where the target object is present, the display control unit controls the display mode of the display unit to show the dimmed area or to show an area where light is illuminated by the headlights but not dimmed.

[0013] According to the above configuration, when the illumination control unit controls the light distribution of the headlights so as to dim the illumination area where the target object is present, the display control unit controls the display mode of the display unit so as to show the dimmed area or the area illuminated by the headlights but not dimmed, thereby allowing the user to accurately grasp the dimmed area.

[0014] The display control method for a vehicle headlamp system of the present invention as set forth in claim 4 is a vehicle headlamp system including a headlamp that irradiates light ahead of the vehicle, a target object detection unit that detects a target object present ahead of the vehicle, an illumination control unit that can control light distribution of the headlamp based on a detection result by the target object detection unit, and a display unit provided in a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the method comprising: determining whether the illumination control unit is in an operating state; Whether the irradiation control unit is in an operating state or not and, when the illumination control unit is in an operating state, controlling the display mode of the display unit to indicate the light distribution control state by the illumination control unit. Therefore, similar to the invention of claim 1, the user can accurately know whether the illumination control unit is in an operating state, and further, when the illumination control unit is in an operating state, the user can accurately know the light distribution control state by the illumination control unit.

[0015] A display control program for a vehicle headlamp system of the present invention as set forth in claim 5 is a display control program for a vehicle headlamp system including a headlamp that irradiates light ahead of the vehicle, a target object detection unit that detects a target object present ahead of the vehicle, an irradiation control unit that can control the light distribution of the headlamp based on a detection result by the target object detection unit, and a display unit provided in a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the display control program being configured to cause a computer included in the vehicle headlamp system to determine whether the irradiation control unit is in an operating state and to display a result of the determination. Whether the irradiation control unit is in an operating state or not and, if the illumination control unit is in an operating state, controlling the display mode of the display unit to indicate the light distribution control state by the illumination control unit. Therefore, when the computer executes the display control program for the vehicle headlamp system according to the invention recited in claim 5, the display control method for the vehicle headlamp system recited in claim 4 is implemented by the computer, and similarly to the inventions recited in claims 1 and 4, the user can accurately know whether the illumination control unit is in an operating state, and further, if the illumination control unit is in an operating state, the user can accurately know the light distribution control state by the illumination control unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, the present invention has the excellent effect of enabling a user to accurately grasp the light distribution control state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle headlamp system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a display control device. [Figure 3] Fig. 3(A) is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a lamp ECU, and Fig. 3(B) is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a display control device. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a display control process of a vehicle headlamp system. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display using an indicator. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display using an MID. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle headlight system 10 according to this embodiment. The vehicle headlight system 10 is configured to include the functional configuration of a known adaptive high beam system (AHS). The adaptive high beam system (hereinafter abbreviated as "AHS") is a system that controls the light distribution of high beams so as not to cause glare to other vehicles ahead. Since the AHS is known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The vehicle headlight system 10 includes headlamps 12 as headlights, a lamp ECU 14, a switch unit 20, a camera unit 22 as a target detection unit, an illuminance sensor 24, a vehicle speed sensor 26, a display control device 30, and a display device 32 as a display unit. In the following description, a vehicle equipped with the vehicle headlight system 10 will be referred to as the "host vehicle."

[0020] The headlamps 12 are arranged at the front end of the vehicle and are configured to project light ahead of the vehicle, and include high beam lamps 12H and low beam lamps 12L. Although the high beam lamps 12H and low beam lamps 12L are each shown as a single block in FIG. 1, the high beam lamps 12H and low beam lamps 12L are arranged on the left and right sides of the front end of the vehicle, respectively. Each of the left and right high beam lamps 12H includes multiple light sources and is configured to be compatible with AHS.

[0021] The lamp ECU 14 is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the headlamps 12. The lamp ECU 14 is connected to the headlamps 12, the switch unit 20, the camera unit 22, the illuminance sensor 24, the vehicle speed sensor 26, and the display control device 30. The lamp ECU 14 is configured to realize light distribution control of a known AHS based on information from the switch unit 20, the camera unit 22, the illuminance sensor 24, and the vehicle speed sensor 26. The AHS also includes a function to automatically switch between lighting the low beam lamps 12L and the high beam lamps 12H.

[0022] The switch unit 20 includes, for example, a lamp switch for switching the headlamps 12 on and off, and an AHS switch for switching the AHS on and off. Each switch in the switch unit 20 can be operated by the driver.

[0023] The camera unit 22 includes a camera (also referred to as an "imaging device") 22A and a camera ECU 22B connected to the camera 22A. The camera 22A has a lens and an imaging element, is positioned so as to capture an image of the area ahead of the vehicle, and captures an image of the area ahead of the vehicle. The camera ECU 22B detects targets present ahead of the vehicle based on image information output from the camera 22A. The camera ECU 22B is connected to the lamp ECU 14 and transmits information about the detected targets to the lamp ECU 14. Note that the camera ECU 22B is connected to various sensors, such as a millimeter-wave radar and a LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging / Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging), not shown, in addition to the camera 22A, for example, and has a function of detecting the situation ahead of the vehicle based on information acquired from the various sensors including the camera 22A.

[0024] The illuminance sensor 24 detects the illuminance ahead of the host vehicle and transmits information about the detected illuminance to the lamp ECU 14. The vehicle speed sensor 26 detects the speed of the host vehicle and transmits information about the detected vehicle speed to the lamp ECU 14.

[0025] The display control device 30 is a computer connected to the display device 32 and capable of controlling the display device 32. The display device 32 can also be understood as a notification device (or notification equipment), and the display control device 30 can also be understood as a notification control device. Control of the display device 32 by the display control device 30 will be described later. The display device 32 is provided in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, more specifically, on the instrument panel opposite the driver's seat, and is visible to the occupants of the vehicle. The display device 32 includes an indicator (also called a "telltale") 32A provided on a meter display, and an MID (Multi Information Display) 32B.

[0026] The indicator 32A includes multiple small light sources and is capable of switching display modes. As shown in FIGS. 5(A) to 5(D), the indicator 32A displays information about the operating state of the AHS and the light distribution state of the headlamp 12. The display mode shown in FIG. 5(A) indicates a state in which the AHS is inactive and the high beam lamp 12H is manually turned on. The display mode shown in FIG. 5(B) indicates a state in which the AHS is active and the low beam lamp 12L is turned on (in other words, a state in which the high beam lamp 12H is not turned on). The display mode shown in FIG. 5(C) indicates a state in which the AHS is active and the high beam lamp 12H is illuminating a portion of the vehicle with dimmed light. The display mode shown in FIG. 5(D) indicates a state in which the AHS is active and the high beam lamp 12H is illuminating all of the vehicle's illuminable areas.

[0027] Furthermore, MID 32B shown in Fig. 1 displays information on the illumination range (illumination position information) of the headlamps 12, for example, in the manners shown in Figs. 6(A) to 6(H). The portion marked with reference numeral 33 in the figures is an image of the front end of the vehicle. Furthermore, in the display manners shown in Figs. 6(B) to 6(H), the portions indicated by dots are an image of the illuminated area. The display manner shown in Fig. 6(A) indicates a state in which the headlamps 12 are off, and the display manner shown in Fig. 6(B) indicates a state in which only the low beam lamps 12L are on. The display mode shown in Fig. 6(C) indicates a state in which the high beam lamp 12H is illuminating only the right edge region, the display mode shown in Fig. 6(D) indicates a state in which the high beam lamp 12H is illuminating only the right region near the center, the display mode shown in Fig. 6(E) indicates a state in which the high beam lamp 12H is illuminating only the central region, and the display mode shown in Fig. 6(F) indicates a state in which the high beam lamp 12H is illuminating only the left region near the center. Furthermore, the display mode shown in Fig. 6(G) indicates an example of a state in which the high beam lamp 12H is illuminating the entire illuminable region, and the display mode shown in Fig. 6(H) indicates an example of a state in which the high beam lamp 12H is illuminating a portion of the region with dimmed light.

[0028] 6(H), the area between the two illuminated areas 34A and 34B indicated by dots is a dimmed area. In other words, the two illuminated areas 34A and 34B indicated by dots are areas illuminated by the high beam lamp 12H and are not dimmed.

[0029] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the display control device 30. The display control device 30 is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 30A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 30C, a storage 30D, a communication interface (abbreviated as "communication I / F" in FIG. 2) 30E, and an input / output interface (abbreviated as "input / output I / F" in FIG. 2) 30F. The CPU 30A, ROM 30B, RAM 30C, storage 30D, communication interface 30E, and input / output interface 30F are connected to each other via a bus 30Z so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0030] The CPU 30A is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each component. That is, the CPU 30A reads programs from the ROM 30B or the storage 30D and executes the programs using the RAM 30C as a work area. The CPU 30A controls the above components and performs various arithmetic operations in accordance with the programs recorded in the ROM 30B or the storage 30D.

[0031] The ROM 30B stores various programs and various data. The RAM 30C temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 30D is configured with a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various programs and various data. In this embodiment, the ROM 30B or the storage 30D stores a display control program for controlling the display device 32, image data to be displayed on the display device 32, and the like.

[0032] The communication interface 30E is an interface for communicating with other devices such as a mobile terminal (not shown), etc. For this communication, a wireless communication standard such as 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is used.

[0033] The input / output interface 30F is an interface for communicating with various devices mounted on the vehicle. The lamp ECU 14, the switch unit 20, the camera unit 22, the illuminance sensor 24, the vehicle speed sensor 26, and the display device 32 shown in FIG. 1 are connected to the ECU 30 of this embodiment via the input / output interface 30F.

[0034] The lamp ECU 14 and the camera ECU 22B described above are also configured to include, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. In the lamp ECU 14 and the camera ECU 22B, the CPU reads a program from the ROM or the storage, and executes the program using the RAM as a working area to perform respective control.

[0035] Fig. 3(A) is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the lamp ECU 14. As shown in Fig. 3(A), the lamp ECU 14 has an illumination control unit 141 as a functional configuration.

[0036] The illumination control unit 141 is realized by the CPU in the lamp ECU 14 reading and executing an illumination control program stored in the ROM or storage. The illumination control unit 141 is capable of controlling the light distribution of the headlamp 12 based on the detection results of the camera unit 22. In this embodiment, when the illumination control unit 141 determines that the target detected by the camera unit 22 is a target for which the amount of light received from the headlamp 12 should be reduced, the illumination control unit 141 controls the light distribution of the high beam lamp 12H of the headlamp 12 so that the light is reduced in the illumination area where the target exists.

[0037] To provide a further explanation of dimming, in this embodiment, as an example, a plurality of movable light-blocking members (not shown) are provided on the front side of the high beam lamp 12H of the headlamp 12 shown in FIG. 1 , and the light emitted from the high beam lamp 12H can be blocked by operating the light-blocking members. The operation of each of the light-blocking members is controlled by the lamp ECU 14. That is, in this embodiment, the dimming of the illuminated area where the target object is present is, for example, achieved by reducing the amount of light irradiated to zero, and the dimming is achieved by blocking the light using the light-blocking members. Note that the dimming of the illuminated area where the target object is present may also be achieved, for example, by reducing the amount of power supplied to a specific light source among the multiple light sources of the high beam lamp 12H to zero.

[0038] Fig. 3(B) is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the display control device 30. As shown in Fig. 3(B), the display control device 30 has, as its functional configuration, an operating state determination unit 301 and a display control unit 302. Each functional configuration is realized by the CPU 30A shown in Fig. 2 in the display control device 30 reading and executing a display control program stored in the ROM 30B or storage 30D.

[0039] The operating state determination unit 301 shown in Fig. 3(B) determines whether the irradiation control unit 141 (see Fig. 3(A)) is in an operating state. In other words, the operating state determination unit 301 determines whether the AHS is in an operating state.

[0040] The display control unit 302 controls the display mode of the display device 32 to indicate the determination result of the operation state determination unit 301, and further to indicate the light distribution control state by the illumination control unit 141 when the illumination control unit 141 (see FIG. 3(A)) is in an operation state. When the display control unit 302 controls the display mode of the display device 32 to indicate the determination result of the operation state determination unit 301, the display control device 30 determines which parts of the multiple light sources of the indicator 32A to turn on and which parts to turn off. The display control device 30 acquires the light distribution control state by the illumination control unit 141 (see FIG. 3(A)) from the lamp ECU 14.

[0041] In addition, in the embodiment, the display control unit 302 controls the display device 32 to change the display mode depending on whether the illumination control unit 141 (see FIG. 3(A)) is controlling the light distribution of the high beam lamps 12H of the headlamps 12 so as to dim the illumination area where the target object is present. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the illumination control unit 141 (see FIG. 3(A)) is controlling the light distribution of the high beam lamps 12H of the headlamps 12 so as to dim the illumination area where the target object is present, the display control unit 302 controls the display mode of the display device 32 so as to show the area where light is irradiated by the high beam lamps 12H of the headlamps 12 and where the dimming is not performed.

[0042] Next, we will explain the operation of the vehicle headlamp system 10. As mentioned above, the method of controlling the headlamp 12 by the lamp ECU 14 can be applied to known techniques, so we will not explain it here. Instead, we will explain the display control method of the vehicle headlamp system 10.

[0043] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of display control processing by display control device 30. CPU 30A reads a display control program from ROM 30B or storage 30D, expands it into RAM 30C, and executes it, thereby performing display control processing by display control device 30. As an example, when an ignition switch (not shown) is turned on, execution of the display control processing shown in FIG. 4 is started.

[0044] The CPU 30A determines whether the AHS is in an active state (step S101). The AHS is in an active state when there are no abnormalities in the camera unit 22 and the illuminance sensor 24, the AHS switch in the switch unit 20 is turned on, and the lamp switch is set to a predetermined state such as AUTO. The CPU 30A determines whether there are no abnormalities in the camera unit 22 and the illuminance sensor 24, and determines whether the switch unit 20 is set to the above state, thereby determining whether the AHS is in an active state.

[0045] If the AHS is not in an operating state (step S101: N), the CPU 30A controls the display device 32 to display a state indicating that the AHS is not in an operating state, specifically, to display the indicator 32A in the state shown in FIG. 5(A) (step S102), and proceeds to the processing of step S108 shown in FIG. 4.

[0046] On the other hand, if the determination in step S101 is affirmative (in other words, if the AHS is in an activated state (step S101: Y)), the CPU 30A determines whether or not illumination by the high beam lamp 12H (high beam illumination) is being performed (step S103).

[0047] If the high beam lamp 12H is not irradiating the vehicle (step S103: N), the CPU 30A controls the display device 32 to display a state indicating that the low beam lamp 12L is irradiating the vehicle (low beam irradiation) (step S104). In step S104, the CPU 30A controls the display device 32 to display the indicator 32A in the state shown in FIG. 5(B), and controls the display device 32 to display the indicator 32B in the state shown in FIG. 6(B). After executing the process of step S104 shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 30A proceeds to the process of step S108.

[0048] On the other hand, if step S103 is judged to be positive (in other words, if the high beam lamp 12H is irradiating the area (step S103: Y)), the CPU 30A judges whether or not a portion of the area irradiated by the high beam lamp 12H is dimmed (step S105).

[0049] If the area illuminated by the high beam lamps 12H is not dimmed in part (step S105: N), the CPU 30A controls the display device 32 to display a state indicating that the area illuminated by the high beam lamps 12H is not dimmed in part (so-called full high beam state) (step S106). In step S106, the CPU 30A controls the display device 32 so that the indicator 32A displays in the state shown in Fig. 5(D) and so that the MID 32B displays in the state shown in Fig. 6(G). After executing the process of step S106 shown in Fig. 4, the CPU 30A proceeds to the process of step S108.

[0050] On the other hand, if the determination in step S105 is affirmative (if a portion of the area illuminated by the high beam lamps 12H is dimmed (step S105: Y)), the CPU 30A controls the display device 32 to display a display mode indicating that a portion of the area illuminated by the high beam lamps 12H is dimmed (here, a so-called shaded high beam state) (step S107). In step S107, the CPU 30A controls the display device 32 to display the indicator 32A in the display mode shown in FIG. 5(C), and controls the display of the display device 32 to display the indicator 32B in a display mode that allows the dimmed area to be identified, as shown in FIG. 6(H) as an example. After executing the process of step S107 shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 30A proceeds to the process of step S108.

[0051] In step S108, the CPU 30A determines whether driving of the host vehicle has ended, for example, based on whether the ignition switch of the host vehicle has been turned off. If it is determined that driving of the host vehicle has not ended (step S108: N), the CPU 30A repeats the processing from step S101. If it is determined that driving of the host vehicle has ended (step S108: Y), the CPU 30A ends the display control processing shown in FIG.

[0052] As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can accurately grasp the light distribution control state. Therefore, the user can correctly understand whether the vehicle headlamp system 10 is appropriately controlling the light distribution so as not to cause glare to other vehicles. As a result, the user can take appropriate action based on such correct understanding.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the display control unit 302 shown in Fig. 3(B) controls the display mode of the display device 32 to show the area illuminated by the high beam lamps 12H of the headlamps 12 and not dimmed when the illumination control unit 141 (see Fig. 3(A)) controls the light distribution of the high beam lamps 12H of the headlamps 12 so as to dim the illumination area where the target object is present. However, as a modification of the above embodiment, the display control unit 302 may control the display mode of the display device 32 to show the dimmed area when the illumination control unit 141 controls the light distribution of the high beam lamps 12H of the headlamps 12 so as to dim the illumination area where the target object is present. To further explain using Fig. 6(D), for example, when the dimmed area is a right-side area near the center of the illumination area of ​​the high beam lamps 12H, the display control unit 302 may cause the MID 32B to display as shown in Fig. 6(D). In this case, a statement may also be displayed to clearly indicate that the areas indicated by the dots are areas where light has been reduced.

[0054] In addition, in the above embodiment, the lamp ECU 14 shown in FIG. 1 is capable of executing control to dim a portion of the area in the light distribution control of the high beam lamp 12H of the headlamp 12. However, as a modification of the above embodiment, the lamp ECU may be capable of executing control to increase the light in a portion of the area in the light distribution control of the high beam lamp (12H) of the headlamp (12).

[0055] In the above embodiment, the dimming of the illumination area where the target object is present is performed by reducing the amount of light irradiated onto that area to zero, but the amount of light irradiated onto that area may be reduced but not to zero. Such a modification can be realized, for example, by reducing the amount of power supplied to a specific light source among the multiple light sources of the high beam lamp (12H) but not to zero.

[0056] In addition, in the above embodiment, the lamp ECU 14 is capable of controlling the light distribution of the high beam lamp 12H, but as a modified example, the lamp ECU may be capable of controlling the light distribution of the high beam lamp (12H) and also of controlling the light distribution of the low beam lamp (12L).

[0057] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the display control device 30 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3(B) controls the display mode using the indicator 32A shown in Figures 5(A) to 5(D) and controls the display mode using the MID 32B shown in Figures 6(A) to 6(H). However, as a variation of the above embodiment, the display control device may, for example, control the display mode using the indicator (32A (see Figures 5(A) to 5(D))) but not control the display mode using the MID (32B (see Figures 6(A) to 6(H))).

[0058] In addition, in the above embodiment, the indicator 32A and the MID 32B constituting the display device 32 are used as the display unit, but the display unit may be another display unit such as a head-up display, a car navigation screen, or the like.

[0059] The vehicle headlamp system 10 according to the above embodiment can also be applied to vehicles capable of autonomous driving.

[0060] In addition, various processors other than a CPU may execute the processes executed by the CPU 30A shown in FIG. 2 after reading software (programs) in the above embodiment. Examples of processors in this case include programmable logic devices (PLDs) such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), whose circuit configuration can be changed after fabrication, and dedicated electrical circuits such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), which are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to execute specific processes. Each process may be executed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (e.g., multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). The hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor devices.

[0061] The display control program described in the above embodiment may be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The program may also be downloaded from an external device via a network.

[0062] The above-described embodiment and the above-described modifications can be implemented in appropriate combinations.

[0063] The above describes one example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modified forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10. Vehicle headlamp system 12 Headlamp 22 Camera unit (target detection unit) 30 Display control device (computer) 32 Display device (display section) 34A, 34B Illuminated area (area illuminated by headlights and not dimmed) 141 Irradiation control unit 301 Operation status determination unit 302 Display control unit

Claims

1. a headlight that irradiates light to a front side of the vehicle; a target detection unit that detects a target present ahead of the host vehicle; an illumination control unit capable of controlling the light distribution of the headlights based on a detection result by the target object detection unit; an operating state determination unit that determines whether the irradiation control unit is in an operating state; a display unit provided in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; a display control unit that controls the display mode of the display unit to indicate whether the illumination control unit is in an operating state, which is the determination result of the operation state determination unit, and to indicate a light distribution control state by the illumination control unit when the illumination control unit is in an operating state; and A vehicle headlamp system comprising:

2. the illumination control unit controls the light distribution of the headlights so that light is reduced in an illumination area where the target exists when it is determined that the target is an object for which an amount of light received from the headlights should be reduced; 2. The vehicle headlight system according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit controls the display unit to change a display mode depending on whether the illumination control unit controls the light distribution of the headlights so as to dim an illumination area where the target object is present.

3. 3. The vehicle headlight system according to claim 2, wherein, when the illumination control unit controls the light distribution of the headlights so as to dim an illumination area where the target object is present, the display control unit controls the display mode of the display unit to show the dimmed area or to show an area where light is illuminated by the headlights but not dimmed.

4. a headlight that irradiates light to the front of the vehicle; a target detection unit that detects a target present ahead of the host vehicle; an illumination control unit capable of controlling the light distribution of the headlights based on a detection result by the target object detection unit; a display unit provided in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; In a vehicle headlamp system comprising: determining whether the illumination control unit is in an operating state, and controlling a display mode of the display unit to indicate whether the illumination control unit is in an operating state, which is the determination result, and further to indicate a light distribution control state by the illumination control unit when the illumination control unit is in an operating state.

5. a headlight that irradiates light to a front side of the vehicle; a target detection unit that detects a target present ahead of the host vehicle; an illumination control unit capable of controlling the light distribution of the headlights based on a detection result by the target object detection unit; a display unit provided in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; A computer included in a vehicle headlamp system comprising: a display control program for a vehicle headlamp system that causes the display unit to perform processing including determining whether or not the illumination control unit is in an operating state, and controlling the display mode of the display unit to indicate the determination result of whether or not the illumination control unit is in an operating state, and further to indicate the light distribution control state of the illumination control unit when the illumination control unit is in an operating state.

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