Vehicle lamp system, its control method, lamp control program, and vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lamp system which allows a driver of a vehicle to easily recognize a pedestrian, and prevents the pedestrian from feeling glare even if it is rainy.SOLUTION: A vehicular lamp system has a driver for turning on / off or dimming a part of a projection range of light of a lamp unit. In the projection range of the light of the lamp unit, a first projection range where light is directly projected to the head of a pedestrian, and a second projection range where the projected light is regularly reflected on a road surface and reaches the body excluding the head of the pedestrian are determined. A segment corresponding to the first projection range is turned off or dimmed, and prescribed highlighting light is projected from a segment corresponding to the second projection range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lamp system for vehicles, and more particularly to a headlamp system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) technology has been used to detect the position of oncoming vehicles and partially dim the headlights to prevent the light from shining into the drivers of oncoming vehicles. This prevents drivers of oncoming vehicles from being dazzled.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses a headlight control device that, when a pedestrian is near the vehicle, projects a linear illumination pattern from the vehicle toward the pedestrian onto the road surface between the vehicle and the pedestrian, and a point-shaped illumination pattern at the pedestrian's feet, thereby enabling the pedestrian to recognize the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-122755 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, when a linear illumination pattern is projected onto the road surface from a vehicle toward a pedestrian, even if the direction of illumination is controlled so that it does not directly hit the pedestrian's face, the reflected light from the road surface may hit the pedestrian's face, causing glare (dazzling light) to the pedestrian.

[0006] Furthermore, since pedestrians walk on either the shoulder or sidewalk of the road on which the vehicle is traveling, when a linear pattern is projected from both sides of the vehicle's headlights, the light from one of the headlights will cross in front of the vehicle. Therefore, when it is raining, some of the light that crosses in front of the vehicle is reflected by raindrops falling in front of the vehicle, creating a light screen in front of the vehicle, which can impair the driver's forward visibility.

[0007] Furthermore, if a vehicle shines light from both of its headlights towards a pedestrian, the light beams from both headlights will intersect near the pedestrian. Because the driver searches for the intersection of the light paths, it can be difficult to instantly determine the pedestrian's position.

[0008] The objective of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp system that makes it easier for vehicle drivers to recognize pedestrians and reduces glare for pedestrians, even in rainy weather. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a vehicle lamp system comprising a lamp unit that projects light over a predetermined range, a driver that turns the projection range of the lamp unit on and off or dims it in predetermined units, and a control unit that controls the driver. The control unit turns off or dims a first projection range of the lamp unit's light projection range that directly projects light onto the head of a pedestrian, and projects a predetermined enhanced light from the lamp unit to a second projection range where the projected light is specularly reflected from the road surface and reaches the body of the pedestrian excluding their head. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the enhanced light is specularly reflected from the road surface and reaches the pedestrian's body except for their head, making it easier for the vehicle driver to recognize the pedestrian and less likely for the pedestrian to feel glare. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1]Block diagram of a ramp system 100 and vehicle 200 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] (a) A diagram showing the projection range (segments) of the matrix-arranged LEDs 13 of the left headlamp 10 of the lamp system 100 of Embodiment 1; (b) A diagram showing the projection range (segments) of the matrix-arranged LEDs 23 of the right headlamp 20; (c) A diagram showing the combined projection range (segments) of the left and right headlamps 10 and 20. [Figure 3] This figure shows the relationship between the projection range 31-35 of the headlamp 20 on the side closest to the pedestrian 50, as viewed from the side of the vehicle 200 of Embodiment 1, and the pedestrian 50. [Figure 4] A flowchart illustrating the operation of the lamp system 100 of Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates how to determine the position (critical point) T where specularly reflected light from the road surface in Embodiment 1 strikes the neck of the pedestrian 50. [Figure 6] (a) A diagram showing the projection range (segments) of the matrix-arranged LEDs 13 of the left headlamp 10 of the lamp system 100 of Embodiment 2; (b) A diagram showing the projection range (segments) of the matrix-arranged LEDs 23 of the right headlamp 20; (c) A diagram showing the combined projection range (segments) of the left and right headlamps 10 and 20. [Figure 7] This figure shows the relationship between the projection range 31-35 of the headlamp 20 on the side closest to the pedestrian 50, as viewed from the side of the vehicle 200 of Embodiment 2, and the pedestrian 50. [Figure 8] (a) A diagram showing the projection range (segments) of the matrix-arranged LEDs 13 of the left headlamp 10 of the lamp system 100 of Embodiment 3, (b) A diagram showing the projection range (segments) of the matrix-arranged LEDs 23 of the right headlamp 20, and (c) A diagram showing the combined projection range (segments) of the left and right headlamps 10 and 20. [Figure 9] This figure shows the relationship between the projection range 31-35 of the headlamp 20 on the side closest to the pedestrian 50, as viewed from the side of the vehicle 200 of Embodiment 3, and the pedestrian 50. [Figure 10](a) Diagram showing the projection range (segment) of the LEDs 13 arranged in a matrix in the left headlamp 10 of the lamp system 100 according to Embodiment 4, (b) diagram showing the projection range (segment) of the LEDs 23 arranged in a matrix in the right headlamp 20, (c) diagram showing the combined projection range (segment) of the left and right headlamps 10, 20.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] <<<Embodiment 1>>> The lamp system 100 for a vehicle according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the lamp system 100. FIGS. 2(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the projection ranges of the LEDs 13 and 23 arranged in a matrix in the left and right headlamps 10 and 20, and FIG. 2(c) shows a state where the projection ranges of the left and right headlamps 10 and 20 overlap. FIG. 3 is a view of the projection ranges of the left and right headlamps 10 and 20 as seen from the side of the vehicle 200.

[0014] The lamp system 100 is a headlamp system for a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1 for its configuration, the lamp system 100 includes a left headlamp 10 and a right headlamp 20, and a lamp ECU (electronic control unit) 30 that controls them.

[0015] The left headlamp 10 comprises a headlamp unit 11 and an LED driver 12. The headlamp unit 11 is equipped with multiple LEDs (light-emitting elements) 13 arranged in a matrix in both vertical and horizontal directions. The light from the multiple LEDs 13 is projected onto a predetermined area in front of the vehicle by an optical lens (not shown), as shown in Figure 2(a). The LED driver 12 individually controls the matrix-arranged LEDs 13 in predetermined units, and can turn the light projection range of the headlamp unit 11 on or off or dim / increase the brightness in segments of a predetermined size. The LED driver 12 may control the LEDs 13 individually or in groups of multiple LEDs 13, as long as the light projection range can be controlled in predetermined segment units. In this embodiment, as an example, the LED driver 12 controls each LED 13 one by one, and is configured to turn on or off or dim / increase the brightness of each approximately rectangular segment onto which the light of each LED 13 is projected.

[0016] Similarly, the right-side headlamp 20 includes a headlamp unit 21 and an LED driver 22. Within the headlamp unit 21, multiple LEDs 23 are arranged in a matrix in both vertical and horizontal directions. The LED driver 22 can, for example, individually control multiple LEDs 23, and as shown in Figure 2(b), it can turn on or off or dim / increase the brightness of each approximately rectangular segment onto which the light of each LED 23 is projected.

[0017] The lamp ECU 30 controls the LED drivers 12 and 22. As a result, the lamp ECU 30 controls the projection range of the light from the headlamp unit 21 of the left and right headlamps 10 and 20, specifically the headlamp on the side closer to the pedestrian 50 (the right headlamp 20 in Figure 2), as follows: That is, as shown in Figures 2(b) and 3, it turns off or dims the segments of the first projection range 31 that directly projects light onto the head 50a of the pedestrian 50, and the third projection range 32 where the projected light is specularly reflected off the road surface 130 and reaches the head 50a of the pedestrian 50. Furthermore, the lamp ECU 30 projects a predetermined enhanced light onto the second projection range 33 where the projected light is specularly reflected off the road surface 130 and reaches the body 50b of the pedestrian 50, excluding the head 50a.

[0018] This reduces the amount of light hitting the head 50a of the pedestrian 50, thereby reducing glare (dazzling light) for the pedestrian. At the same time, the enhanced light reflected from the road surface 130 is projected onto the body 50b of the pedestrian 50, increasing the brightness of the pedestrian's body 50b for the driver and making it easier to see.

[0019] The lamp ECU 30 turns off or dims the fourth projection range 34 of the headlamp unit 11 of the headlamp furthest from the pedestrian 50 (the left headlamp 10 in Figure 2), which directly projects light onto the pedestrian 50.

[0020] This prevents the lights from the left and right headlights 10 and 20 from intersecting, making it easier for the driver to determine the position of the pedestrian 50. Furthermore, since the light from the headlight furthest from the pedestrian 50 does not cross in front of the vehicle, it prevents the phenomenon in which raindrops reflect light and form a light curtain in the driver's field of vision during heavy rain. Therefore, the driver's forward visibility can be improved even in rainy weather.

[0021] The lamp ECU 30 is connected to sensors 40 of the vehicle 200, including an on-board camera, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), millimeter-wave radar, raindrop recognition device, wiper switch, etc., and receives the output of sensors 40. Based on the received output of sensors 40, the lamp ECU 30 controls the LED drivers 12 and 22. Specifically, based on the position information and size of pedestrians 50 detected by sensors 40, it determines the fourth projection range 34 from the first projection range 31, and turns off, dims, or brightens the LEDs 13 and 23. This enables the vehicle's lamp system 100 to provide an additional function to the adaptive driving beam (ADB).

[0022] The headlamp units 11 and 21 can be any type that can turn the light projection area on and off or dim / increase the light in segments of a predetermined size, and are not limited to a configuration that controls LEDs 13 and 23 arranged in a matrix. Possible applications include LED segment type ADB systems that turn LEDs arranged only horizontally on and off and project them vertically using a lens, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) headlamp systems that use LEDs as a light source and turn the light passage ON / OFF for each area using liquid crystal elements to form a light distribution, systems that scan the light from a laser light source with MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) mirrors and project it with an optical lens to form a light distribution, and systems that use a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) with a large number of movable micro-mirrors to project the light from an LED light source and form a light distribution.

[0023] <<Embodiment 1>> The operation of the vehicle lamp system of Embodiment 1 will be described below.

[0024] In Embodiment 1, light is not directly projected onto the head 50a of the pedestrian 50, nor onto the body 50b, but rather controlled so that the enhanced light reflected from the road surface 130 hits the body 50b.

[0025] The control operation of the lamp ECU30 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 4.

[0026] The lamp ECU 30 is composed of a computer or similar device equipped with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and memory. The processor reads and executes a program stored in memory to realize the functions of the lamp ECU 30. It is also possible to configure part or all of the lamp ECU 30 using hardware. For example, the circuit design can be carried out to realize the functions of the lamp ECU 30 using a custom IC such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a programmable IC such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0027] (Step 101) First, the lamp ECU 30 acquires images from the on-board camera, which is one of the sensors 40 of the vehicle 200.

[0028] (Step 102) The lamp ECU 30 determines that it is nighttime if the brightness of the image captured in step 101 is below a predetermined value. Alternatively, the lamp ECU 30 may determine whether it is nighttime based on the time.

[0029] (Step 103) If the lamp ECU 30 determines in step 102 that it is nighttime, it instructs the LED drivers 12 and 22 to turn on the headlamp units 11 and 21.

[0030] (Step 104) The LED drivers 12 and 22 supply power to all the LEDs 13 and 23 of the headlamp units 11 and 21, causing the LEDs 13 and 23 to light up.

[0031] (Step 105) The lamp ECU 30 captures and processes images from the in-vehicle camera and determines whether the image contains a pedestrian 50.

[0032] (Step 106) If an oncoming vehicle 2 is present, the lamp ECU 30 detects the position of the pedestrian 50 relative to the vehicle 200 from the image captured from the on-board camera. Specifically, it detects the distance dp and direction of the pedestrian 50 relative to the vehicle 200, the position of the head 50a (the top of the head 50a and the position of the neck), the position of the pedestrian 50's feet (the bottom of the body 50b), and the width of the body 50b. For example, the positions of the top of the head 50a and the feet can be detected by extracting the top and bottom pixels of the pedestrian 50 through image processing. The width of the body can be detected by extracting pixels of the pedestrian in the left-right direction through image processing. The position of the neck can be calculated by calculating the height from the position of the top of the head 50a and the position of the road surface 130, and multiplying the height by a predetermined coefficient. Alternatively, the pedestrian's outline can be extracted through image processing, and the position of the neck can be detected from the outline shape.

[0033] (Step 107) The lamp ECU 30 identifies a fourth projection range 34, which is the sum of a first projection range 31 that directly projects light onto the head 50a (the top of the head 50a and the neck) of the pedestrian 50 detected in step 106, and a fifth projection range 35 that directly projects light onto the body 50b. Furthermore, the lamp ECU 30 identifies segments in the left and right headlamp units 11 and 21, respectively, that project light across the width of the body within the fourth projection range 34, and instructs the LED drivers 12 and 22 to turn off or dim the LEDs 13 and 23 corresponding to these segments.

[0034] As a result, as shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the light from the lamp system does not directly shine on the head 50a and body 50b of the pedestrian 50, thus preventing glare from being experienced by the pedestrian 50.

[0035] (Step 108) Next, the lamp ECU 30 receives the output of whether the wiper switch is on or off among the sensors 40, and / or the output of a raindrop recognition device that recognizes whether there are raindrops on the windshield. When the wiper switch is on or when the raindrop recognition device detects raindrops on the windshield, the lamp ECU 30 determines that the road surface is wet. If the road surface is not wet, it returns to step 105.

[0036] (Step 109) When the lamp ECU 30 determines in step 108 that the road surface is wet, the lamp ECU 30 determines the height h p from the road surface to the pedestrian's neck, and the distance d p between the host vehicle 200 and the pedestrian 50, and the height h HL of the headlamps 10 and 20 from the road surface obtained in advance. As shown in FIG. 5, the distance d T from the host vehicle to the position (critical point) T on the road surface where the light projected from the headlamp 20 closer to the pedestrian 50 is specularly reflected on the road surface 130 and reaches the pedestrian's neck is calculated.

[0037] The lamp ECU 30 sets the range from the calculated position T to the feet of the pedestrian 50 as a second projection range 33 where the projected light is specularly reflected on the road surface and reaches the body 50b excluding the head 50a of the pedestrian 50. Also, the lamp ECU 30 sets the range from the calculated position T to the host vehicle 200 as a third projection range 32 where the projected light is specularly reflected on the road surface and reaches the head of the pedestrian.

[0038] As a specific method for calculating the distance d T of the position T, first, the lamp ECU 30 calculates the angle θ CP at which the light emitted from the headlamp 20 is specularly reflected on the road surface and reaches the position of the neck by the following formula (1). Further, the distance d CP of the position T is calculated from the angle θ T by formula (2). θ CP = tan-1((h HL + h p ) / d P ) ···(1) dT =h HL / tanθ CP ...(2)

[0039] (Step 110) The lamp ECU 30 instructs the headlamp 20 on the side closer to the pedestrian 50 to project a predetermined accent light from the segment corresponding to the second projection range 33. For example, it may emit light from the LED 23 that is stronger in intensity than the normal projection light or light with a different wavelength than the normal projection light as the accent light. As a result, the light projected into the second projection range 33 is specularly reflected off the road surface 130 and reaches the body 50b of the pedestrian 50, excluding the head 50a.

[0040] At the same time, the lamp ECU 30 turns off or dims the segment of the headlamp 20 on the side closer to the pedestrian 50 that corresponds to the third projection range 32. This prevents the light projected from the headlamp 20 from reflecting off the road surface 130 and reaching the head 50a of the pedestrian 50, causing glare.

[0041] Furthermore, the lamp ECU 30 simultaneously turns off or dims the sixth projection range 36 segment of the headlamp 10 on the side furthest from the pedestrian 50, from the feet of the pedestrian 50 to the headlamp 10. This further suppresses the light projected from the headlamp 10 from crossing in front of the vehicle 200 and being reflected by raindrops to form a light curtain.

[0042] (Step 111) The lamp ECU 30 again captures and processes images from the on-board camera to determine if there is a pedestrian 50. If there is a pedestrian, it returns to step 108 and repeats steps 108-110. If there is no pedestrian 50 (has passed by), it proceeds to step 112.

[0043] (Step 112) The lamp ECU 30 determines whether it is still nighttime, as in step 102. If it is still nighttime, it returns to step 105 and repeats steps 105-111. If it is no longer nighttime (dawn has broken), it proceeds to step 113.

[0044] (Step 113) The lamp ECU 30 instructs the LED drivers 12 and 22 to turn off the headlights. The LED drivers 12 and 13 turn off the entire headlamp unit 11 and 12.

[0045] As described above, according to Embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 2(b), the first projection range 31 that directly projects light onto the head 50a of the pedestrian 50, and the third projection range 32 segment where the projected light is specularly reflected off the road surface 130 and reaches the head 50a of the pedestrian 50 can be turned off or dimmed. Furthermore, the lamp ECU 30 can project a predetermined enhanced light from the second projection range 33 segment where the projected light is specularly reflected off the road surface 130 and reaches the body 50b of the pedestrian 50 excluding the head 50a.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2(a), the lamp ECU 30 turns off or dims the segments of the light projection range of the headlamp 10, which is furthest from the pedestrian 50, that correspond to the fourth projection range 34 that directly projects light onto the pedestrian 50, and the sixth projection range 36 that extends from the feet of the pedestrian 50 to the headlamp 10, among the left and right headlamps 10 and 20.

[0047] As a result, as shown in Figure 2(c), the amount of light hitting the head 50a of the pedestrian 50 can be reduced, thereby reducing glare (dazzling light) for the pedestrian. At the same time, the enhanced light reflected from the road surface 130 is projected onto the body 50b of the pedestrian 50, increasing the brightness of the pedestrian's body 50b for the driver and making it easier to see.

[0048] Furthermore, the lights from the left and right headlights 10 and 20 no longer intersect, making it easier for the driver to determine the position of the pedestrian 50. Also, since the light from the headlight 10 furthest from the pedestrian 50 does not cross in front of the vehicle, it prevents the phenomenon in which raindrops reflect light and form a light curtain in the driver's field of vision during heavy rain. Therefore, the driver's forward view can be made clearer even in rainy weather.

[0049] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, light is not projected directly onto the head 50a of the pedestrian 50, nor onto the body 50b. Instead, the system is controlled so that the enhanced light reflected from the road surface 130 hits the body 50b, resulting in a high level of glare prevention for the pedestrian 50.

[0050] <<<Embodiment 2>>> The lamp system 100 of Embodiment 2 will now be described.

[0051] In the lamp system 100 of Embodiment 2, as shown in Figures 6(b)-(c) and 7, the headlamp 20 on the side closer to the pedestrian 50 emits enhanced light not only from the second projection range 33 but also from a segment corresponding to a fifth projection range 35 that directly projects light onto the part of the pedestrian 50's body 50b from the neck down.

[0052] Furthermore, the headlamp 10 on the side furthest from the pedestrian 50 projects light at normal intensity, without turning it off or dimming, onto the fifth projection range 35 that directly projects light onto the part of the pedestrian 50's body 50b below the neck, as shown in Figure 6(a).

[0053] This allows the part of the pedestrian's body 50b from the neck down to the pedestrian to be highlighted and brightened, making the pedestrian's position easier to see.

[0054] Such operation can be achieved in step 110 of Figure 4 in Embodiment 1 by illuminating the headlamp 20 on the side closer to the pedestrian 50 with enhanced light from the segment of the fifth projection range 35 in addition to the second projection range 33, and by lighting up the segment of the headlamp 10 on the side further away that corresponds to the fifth projection range 35.

[0055] Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as in Embodiment 1, so their description will be omitted.

[0056] <<<Embodiment 3>>> The lamp system 100 of Embodiment 3 will now be described.

[0057] In the lamp system 100 of Embodiment 3, as shown in Figures 8(a) to (c) and Figure 9, both the left and right headlamps 10 and 20 normally illuminate the segments corresponding to the third projection range 32 on the vehicle 200 side from position T.

[0058] This has the advantage of ensuring that the driver can maintain visibility in the area directly in front of their vehicle. Furthermore, the light projected onto the third projection range 32 is reflected off the wet road surface 130 and directed towards the head 50a or above the pedestrian 50. However, the third projection range 32 is the range closest to the vehicle 200, and therefore the furthest from the pedestrian 50. In addition, the reflected light from the wet road surface 130 is easily diffused and is normal illumination rather than enhanced illumination. For this reason, the glare on the pedestrian 50 is not strong.

[0059] The operation of Embodiment 3 can be achieved by keeping the third projection range 32 of the headlamps 10 and 20 illuminated normally, without turning them off or dimming them, as shown in step 110 of Figure 4 of Embodiment 1.

[0060] Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as in Embodiment 1, so their description will be omitted.

[0061] It is also possible to apply the configuration of Embodiment 3, in which the third projection range 32 is not turned off or dimmed, to the lamp system of Embodiment 2.

[0062] <<<Embodiment 4>>> The lamp system of Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to Figure 10.

[0063] In Embodiment 4, the projection range to be turned off or dimmed and the projection range to be illuminated with accent light are the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0064] However, the light distribution pattern of the left headlamp 10 shown in Figure 10(a) and the light distribution pattern of the right headlamp 20 shown in Figure 10(b) are projected so that only the central areas overlap, resulting in a configuration that illuminates a wide area in the left-right direction with the headlights, as shown in Figure 10(c).

[0065] Therefore, as shown in Figure 10(a), in the left headlamp 10, the segment corresponding to the projection area that is turned off or dimmed is shifted to the right, while in the right headlamp 20 shown in Figure 10(b), the segment that is turned off or dimmed and the segment that emits accent light are shifted to the left.

[0066] Thus, even when the light distribution patterns of the left and right headlights overlap only partially to generate the overall light distribution pattern, the same effects as in Embodiment 1 can be mitigated by adjusting the off position of the left and right headlights according to the position of the oncoming vehicle.

[0067] In previous embodiments, the headlamp unit 11 uses multiple LEDs (light-emitting elements) 13 arranged in a matrix in both vertical and horizontal directions, projecting light onto a predetermined area in front of the vehicle using an optical lens (not shown). The LED driver 12 individually controls the matrix-arranged LEDs 13 in predetermined units, turning the light projection range of the headlamp unit 11 on and off or dimming / increasing it in segments of a predetermined size. However, there are also optical systems that can seamlessly switch on and off or dim / increase the desired projection range (without segment divisions) by rotating a mirror, such as a MEMS mirror, in two dimensions (for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-081831). The optical system comprises a light source (blue laser or blue LED), a MEMS mirror, a wavelength conversion layer, and a projection lens. The light from the light source is focused and emitted onto the MEMS mirror, which moves two-dimensionally to scan vertically and horizontally, reflecting the light onto the wavelength conversion layer. The entire rectangular yellow-emitting wavelength conversion layer is scanned in a meandering manner, and yellow light is emitted where the laser strikes. The blue and yellow light from the laser mix to produce white light, which is projected toward the projection lens, either focused or diffused, and illuminated in front of the vehicle. Although the optical system is different, the control described in Embodiments 1 to 4 can be performed. However, the method of illuminating pedestrians in step 110 differs from Embodiments 1 to 4 in that the light source is turned on for the projection area that is to be illuminated. The projection area that is to be turned off or dimmed can be achieved by turning off or dimming the blue laser light that is scanning the portion of the wavelength conversion layer corresponding to that projection area. In the case of an optical system using a MEMS mirror, the unit called a segment is eliminated. In other words, depending on the optical system, the projection range may be divided into segments, or it may be a single seamless unit without segment divisions.

[0068] <<<Application to Products>>> The lamp system of this embodiment can be used in automotive headlamps. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10. Left headlight 11 Headlamp Unit 12 LED drivers 13 LED 20 Right-side headlight 21 Headlamp Unit 22 LED drivers 23 LED 30 Lamp ECU 31 First projection range 32 Third projection range 33 Second projection range 34. Fourth projection range 35. Fifth projection range 36. Sixth projection range 40 sensors 50 pedestrians 50a head 50b body 100 Lamp System 130 Road surface 200 vehicles

Claims

1. A lamp unit that projects light over a predetermined range, a driver that turns on or off or dims a portion of the projection range of the light from the lamp unit, and a control unit that controls the driver, The control unit, The process involves turning off or dimming the first projection range of the lamp unit that directly projects light onto the pedestrian's head, and projecting a predetermined enhanced light onto the second projection range where the projected light is specularly reflected from the road surface and reaches the pedestrian's body excluding their head. A vehicle lamp system characterized by performing a process to turn off or dim the light in a third projection area where the projected light is specularly reflected from the road surface and reaches the head of the pedestrian.

2. A lamp unit that projects light over a predetermined range, a driver that turns on or off or dims a portion of the projection range of the light from the lamp unit, and a control unit that controls the driver, The control unit, The process involves turning off or dimming the first projection range of the lamp unit that directly projects light onto the pedestrian's head, and projecting a predetermined enhanced light onto the second projection range where the projected light is specularly reflected from the road surface and reaches the pedestrian's body excluding their head. A vehicle lamp system characterized by determining whether the road surface is wet, and only when it is determined that the road surface is wet, performing a process of projecting the enhanced light into the second projection range.

3. A lamp unit that projects light over a predetermined range, a driver that turns on or off or dims a portion of the projection range of the light from the lamp unit, and a control unit that controls the driver, The control unit, The process involves turning off or dimming the first projection range of the lamp unit that directly projects light onto the pedestrian's head, and projecting a predetermined enhanced light onto the second projection range where the projected light is specularly reflected from the road surface and reaches the pedestrian's body excluding their head. A vehicle lamp system characterized by performing a process to normally illuminate a third projection area in which the projected light is specularly reflected from the road surface and reaches the head of the pedestrian.

4. A vehicle lamp system according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 3, wherein the control unit processes images of the pedestrian taken from the vehicle to determine the first projection range and the second projection range.

5. A vehicle ramp system according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 3, wherein the control unit processes an image of the pedestrian taken from the vehicle to determine the height hp from the road surface to the pedestrian's neck and the distance dp between the vehicle and the pedestrian. A vehicle lamp system characterized by calculating the position T on the road surface where light projected from the lamp unit is specularly reflected from the road surface and illuminates the pedestrian's neck, based on the height hp and the distance dp, and defining the range from the calculated position T to the pedestrian's feet as the second projection range.

6. A lamp system for a vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the range from position T to the vehicle itself is defined as the third projection range.

7. A vehicle lamp system according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 3, wherein the lamp unit includes light-emitting elements arranged in a matrix in the vertical and horizontal directions, The vehicle lamp system is characterized in that the driver turns the light-emitting elements on and off or dims them as a unit.

8. A vehicle lamp system according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the control unit determines whether the road surface is wet, and projects the enhanced light into the second projection range only when it determines that the road surface is wet.

9. A vehicle lamp system according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 3, wherein the lamp units are a pair and are arranged apart in the left-right direction with respect to the central axis of the vehicle, The control unit, The process involves determining a first projection range that directly projects light onto the head of the pedestrian, a fifth projection range that directly projects light onto the body of the pedestrian excluding the head, and a fourth projection range which is the sum of the first projection range and the fifth projection range. A vehicle lamp system characterized by performing a process to turn off or dim the fourth projection range of the lamp unit that is furthest from the pedestrian, within the projection range of the lamp unit that directly projects light onto the pedestrian.

10. A vehicle lamp system according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 3, wherein the lamp units are a pair and are arranged apart in the left-right direction with respect to the central axis of the vehicle, The control unit causes the lamp unit closer to the pedestrian to project the enhanced light not only in the second projection range but also in a fifth projection range in which the projected light directly reaches the pedestrian's body excluding the head, and the lamp unit further away from the pedestrian projects the enhanced light in the fifth projection range at an intensity not brighter than the enhanced light.

11. A method for controlling a lamp, comprising a lamp unit that projects light over a predetermined range, and a driver that turns on or turns off or dims a portion of the projection range of the light from the lamp unit over a predetermined size, The steps include determining a first projection range within the light projection range of the lamp unit that directly projects light onto the pedestrian's head, and a second projection range in which the projected light is specularly reflected from the road surface and reaches the pedestrian's body excluding their head. The steps include turning off or dimming the first projection area and projecting a predetermined enhancement light from the second projection area. The step includes determining whether the road surface is wet, A method for controlling a vehicle lamp system, characterized in that the step of projecting a predetermined enhancement light is performed only when it is determined that the road surface is wet, and the enhancement light is projected into the second projection range.

12. A computer, The steps include determining a first projection range within the projection range of the lamp unit where light is directly projected onto the pedestrian's head, and a second projection range where the projected light is specularly reflected from the road surface and reaches the pedestrian's body excluding their head, The steps include turning off or dimming the first projection range of the lamp unit, and projecting a predetermined accent light from the second projection range. The procedure involves performing the step of determining whether the road surface is wet or not. The step of projecting the predetermined enhancement light is to project the enhancement light onto the second projection range only when it is determined that the road surface is wet. Lamp control program.

13. A vehicle equipped with the lamp system according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 3.

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