Headlight control device

Abstract

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a headlight control device that can simultaneously lessen dazzle for drivers of other vehicles and ensure a clear field of vision for the driver of the host vehicle. A headlight control device according to the present disclosure comprises: an occupant monitoring information reception unit that receives occupant monitoring information for monitoring occupants of other vehicles present around the host vehicle; a dazzle degree calculation unit that calculates the degree to which the occupants of the other vehicle experience dazzle on the basis of the occupant monitoring information; a dimming control unit that, when the degree of dazzle is equal to or greater than a predetermined dazzle degree, controls the dimming range of the headlight of the host vehicle, or the dimming range and the degree of reduction in brightness of the dimming range; and a headlight control unit that controls the headlight of the host vehicle on the basis of instructions from the dimming control unit.

Description

Headlamp control device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a headlamp control device that controls the headlamp of a vehicle.

[0002] A conventional technique has been disclosed in which a driver of a vehicle ahead of the own vehicle determines the degree of dazzle, which indicates the degree to which the driver perceives the illumination of the headlights of the own vehicle as dazzling, and reduces the light intensity of the headlights of the own vehicle when the determined dazzle degree is equal to or greater than a preset dazzle threshold (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 also discloses a technique in which the driver of the own vehicle determines whether the headlights of a vehicle behind the own vehicle are dazzling, and notifies the vehicle behind of the determination result.

[0003] Patent No. 4458141

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the degree of dazzle for the driver of the vehicle ahead is determined using the distance between the vehicle ahead and the subject vehicle. In this case, the degree of dazzle for the driver of the vehicle ahead is an estimated value based on the distance between the vehicles ahead, which is an inaccurate value.

[0005] In addition, in Patent Document 1, when determining whether the driver of a vehicle is dazzled by the headlights of a following vehicle, the degree of dazzle is estimated based on the amount of light that is reflected from the rearview mirror of the vehicle and illuminates the face of the driver of the vehicle. However, this estimation method is only useful for estimating the degree of dazzle caused by the headlights of a following vehicle, and has the problem that it cannot estimate the degree of dazzle caused by the headlights of an oncoming vehicle.

[0006] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 describes that the light is reduced when the level of dazzle exceeds a threshold value, but the amount of light reduction is based on an index (the vehicle speed) that is unrelated to the actual level of dazzle, which poses the problem of not eliminating the dazzle.

[0007] As described above, conventional systems have not adequately reduced the glare of drivers of other vehicles. Furthermore, conventional systems uniformly dim the headlights of other vehicles, but some drivers of other vehicles may not perceive the headlights of the vehicle as dazzling, and dimming the headlights of other vehicles may not be necessary. Since uniformly dimming the headlights narrows the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle, dimming the headlights only in the necessary range is also useful from the perspective of ensuring the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a headlight control device that can simultaneously reduce glare for drivers of other vehicles and ensure the field of vision for the driver of the own vehicle.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the headlight control device according to the present disclosure includes an occupant monitoring information receiving unit that receives occupant monitoring information that monitors occupants of other vehicles around the host vehicle, a dazzle level calculation unit that calculates the level of dazzle for occupants of other vehicles based on the occupant monitoring information, a dimming control unit that controls the dimming range of the headlights of the host vehicle, or the dimming range and the degree of reduction in brightness within the dimming range, when the dazzle level is equal to or higher than a predetermined dazzle level, and a headlight control unit that controls the headlights of the host vehicle based on instructions from the dimming control unit.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to simultaneously suppress dazzle for drivers of other vehicles and ensure the field of vision for the driver of the own vehicle.

[0011] The objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration including a headlamp control device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a function of the headlamp control device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the headlamp control device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of dimming control according to embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of dimming control according to embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining dimming according to embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of dimming control according to embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining dimming control according to examples 1 and 2. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining dimming control according to example 3. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining dimming control according to example 4. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a headlamp control device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a headlamp control device according to embodiment 1.

[0013] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration including a headlamp control device 1 according to embodiment 1. The headlamp control device 1, a communication device 2, a vehicle detection device 3, a high definition locator (HDL) 4, a position detection device 5, and a headlamp 6 are provided on the host vehicle.

[0014] The communication device 2 communicates with other vehicles around the vehicle. Specifically, the communication device 2 receives from the other vehicles occupant monitoring information for monitoring occupants of the other vehicles, as well as information such as the position and speed of the other vehicles. The occupant monitoring information may be information detected by a driver monitoring system (DMS) installed in the other vehicles, for example.

[0015] The other vehicle detection device 3 detects the relative position, distance, direction, etc. of other vehicles with respect to the host vehicle. Examples of the other vehicle detection device 3 include a camera and a radar.

[0016] The HDL 4 has map information and detects the position of the vehicle.

[0017] The position detection device 5 detects the position of the vehicle itself and the positions of other vehicles based on information such as the position and speed of other vehicles received by the communication device 2, information such as the relative position, distance, and direction of other vehicles detected by the other vehicle detection device 3, the position of the vehicle itself detected by HDL 4, and map information held by HDL 4.

[0018] The headlamp control device 1 controls the dimming range of the headlamp 6, or the dimming range and the degree of reduction in brightness within the dimming range, based on the occupant monitoring information received by the communication device 2 and the positions of the vehicle itself and other vehicles detected by the position detection device 5. Details of the headlamp control device 1 will be described later.

[0019] The headlights 6 emit light ahead of the vehicle under the control of the headlight control device 1 .

[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the headlamp control device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0021] The headlamp control device 1 includes an occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10, a dazzle level calculation unit 11, a dimming control unit 12, an illumination range data storage unit 13, and a headlamp control unit 14.

[0022] The occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10 receives occupant monitoring information from other vehicles around the vehicle via the communication device 2. The occupant monitoring information includes information required for the dazzle level calculation unit 11 to calculate the dazzle level and information on the face or eye positions of occupants of the other vehicles.

[0023] Examples of information required for the dazzle level calculation unit 11 to calculate the dazzle level include information indicating that the occupant of the other vehicle has begun to behave or express expressions that suggest they are dazzled, and information indicating that the pupils of the occupant's eyes have become smaller than a predetermined value.

[0024] The position of the face or eyes of the occupant of the other vehicle may be a road surface reference position, or may be a position that takes into account information on the seat position of the occupant depending on the vehicle type. In this case, the headlamp control device 1 is equipped with an other vehicle information receiving unit (not shown) that receives other vehicle information including at least the seat position in the other vehicle. By taking into account the seat position information, it is possible to more accurately determine the position of the occupant of the other vehicle.

[0025] The dazzle level calculation unit 11 calculates the dazzle level of the occupants of the other vehicle based on the occupant monitoring information received by the occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10. The dazzle level of the occupants of the other vehicle refers to the degree to which the drivers of the other vehicles around the subject vehicle perceive the illumination of the headlights 6 as dazzling.

[0026] The illumination range data storage unit 13 stores the illumination range of the headlights 6 as illumination range data.

[0027] When the dazzle level calculated by the dazzle level calculation unit 11 is equal to or higher than a predetermined dazzle level, the dimming control unit 12 controls the dimming range of the headlights 6, or the dimming range and the degree of reduction in brightness within the dimming range, based on the positions of the subject vehicle and the other vehicle detected by the position detection device 5, the information on the face or eye position of the occupant of the other vehicle contained in the occupant monitoring information received by the occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10, and the illumination range data stored in the illumination range data storage unit 13.

[0028] The headlamp control unit 14 controls the illumination range and brightness of the headlamp 6 based on instructions from the dimming control unit 12 .

[0029] <Operation> FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the headlamp control device 1.

[0030] In step S10, the occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10 receives occupant monitoring information from other vehicles present around the subject vehicle via the communication device 2.

[0031] In step S11 , the dazzle level calculation unit 11 calculates the dazzle level of the occupant of the other vehicle based on the occupant monitoring information received by the occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10 .

[0032] In step S12, the dazzle level calculation unit 11 determines whether the dazzle level of the occupant of the other vehicle calculated in step S11 is equal to or greater than a first threshold (a predetermined dazzle level). The first threshold may be a dazzle level at which the occupant of the other vehicle feels dazzled, or a dazzle level lower than that. If the dazzle level of the occupant of the other vehicle is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if the dazzle level of the occupant of the other vehicle is not equal to or greater than the first threshold, the process proceeds to step S17.

[0033] In step S13, the dimming control unit 12 determines whether or not the other vehicle is present within the illumination range of the subject vehicle based on the positions of the subject vehicle and the other vehicle detected by the position detection device 5 and the illumination range data stored in the illumination range data storage unit 13. If the other vehicle is present within the illumination range of the subject vehicle, the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, if the other vehicle is not present within the illumination range of the subject vehicle, the illumination of the headlights 6 is not causing dazzle to the driver of the other vehicle, and therefore the operation shown in FIG. 3 is terminated.

[0034] In step S14, the dimming control unit 12 determines the dimming value of the headlights 6 based on the dazzle level of the occupants of the other vehicle calculated by the dazzle level calculation unit 11 in step S11, the positions of the subject vehicle and the other vehicle detected by the position detection device 5, and the illumination range data stored in the illumination range data storage unit 13.

[0035] For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the dimming control unit 12 determines a dimming value that gradually reduces the light depending on the degree of dazzle to the occupants of the other vehicle. Specifically, the dimming control unit 12 determines a dimming value that reduces the light more quickly when the degree of dazzle to the occupants of the other vehicle is high compared to when the degree is low. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 5, the dimming control unit 12 determines a dimming value that gradually reduces the light depending on the distance (inter-vehicle distance) between the host vehicle and the other vehicle. Specifically, the dimming control unit 12 determines a dimming value that gradually reduces the light depending on the distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle (inter-vehicle distance). Specifically, the dimming control unit 12 determines a dimming value that reduces the light more quickly when the distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle is close compared to when the distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle is far.

[0036] The dimming control unit 12 may determine the dimming value based on both the degree of dazzle to the occupants of the other vehicle and the distance between the vehicle and the other vehicle, or may determine the dimming value based on either the degree of dazzle to the occupants of the other vehicle or the distance between the vehicle and the other vehicle. The dimming control unit 12 may dim the headlights linearly as shown in Figures 4 and 5, or may dim the headlights nonlinearly. Furthermore, the dimming control unit 12 may instantly turn off the headlights 6 instead of determining a dimming value that gradually reduces the brightness of the headlights 6 as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0037] In step S15, the dimming control unit 12 determines the dimming range for dimming the illumination of the headlights 6 based on the information on the face or eye position of the occupant of the other vehicle contained in the occupant monitoring information received by the occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10, the position of the vehicle itself and the position of the other vehicle detected by the position detection device 5, and the illumination range data stored in the illumination range data storage unit 13.

[0038] For example, the dimming control unit 12 determines the dimming range as shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, the hatched area corresponds to the dimming range. The dimming range includes the heads (at least the facial areas) of the occupants of the other vehicle, and is narrower than the area of ​​the other vehicle. The dimming range may include not only the head of the driver of the other vehicle, but also the head of the passenger seat occupant of the other vehicle.

[0039] In step S16, the headlamp control unit 14 controls the headlamp 6 to dim the illumination in the dimming range based on the dimming value and dimming range determined by the dimming control unit 12. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7 , the headlamp control unit 14 dims the illumination of the headlamp 6 based on an instruction from the dimming control unit 12 until the dazzle level of the occupant of the other vehicle becomes equal to or less than the second threshold. After processing in step S16, the process returns to step S10. Note that while Fig. 7 shows a case where the illumination in the dimming range is gradually dimmed, the illumination in the dimming range may also be turned off instantaneously.

[0040] In step S17, the dazzle calculation unit 11 determines whether the dazzle level for the occupant of the other vehicle calculated in step S11 is equal to or less than a second threshold. The second threshold is a value smaller than the first threshold, and is a dazzle level at which the occupant of the other vehicle does not feel dazzled. If the dazzle level for the occupant of the other vehicle is equal to or less than the second threshold, the process proceeds to step S18. On the other hand, if the dazzle level for the occupant of the other vehicle is not equal to or less than the second threshold, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0041] In this way, the dimming control unit 12 feedback controls the dimming control of the headlights 6 (repeats the processing from step S10 to step S17) until the level of dazzle for the occupants of the other vehicle decreases to a predetermined level (below the second threshold).

[0042] In step S18, the dimming control unit 12 determines whether or not the current period is the dimming period shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, the dimming period begins when the dazzle level of the occupant of the other vehicle falls below the second threshold. If the current period is the dimming period, the process proceeds to step S19. On the other hand, if the current period is not the dimming period, the occupant of the other vehicle is not dazzled, and the illumination of the headlights 6 is not being dimmed, so the operation in Fig. 3 is terminated.

[0043] In step S19, the dimming control unit 12 determines whether the other vehicle is moving away from the host vehicle based on the positions of the host vehicle and the other vehicle detected by the position detection device 5. If the other vehicle is moving away from the host vehicle, the process proceeds to step S20. On the other hand, if the other vehicle is not moving away from the host vehicle, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0044] In step S20, the dimming control unit 12 determines that it is not necessary to dim the illumination of the headlights 6, and immediately cancels the dimming process. As a result, the brightness of the illumination of the headlights 6 returns to its original level (before the dimming process). The degree to which the brightness of the illumination of the headlights 6 is returned to its original level (degree of brightness increase) is greater than the second degree of brightness increase in step S25, which will be described later.

[0045] In step S21, the dimming control unit 12 determines whether or not it is within the first time period shown in Fig. 7. The first time period is a predetermined time period that has elapsed since the dazzle level of the occupant of the other vehicle became equal to or lower than the second threshold. If it is within the first time period, the process proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, if it is not within the first time period, the process proceeds to step S23.

[0046] In step S22, the dimming control unit 12 performs control to maintain the luminance of the illumination of the headlight 6. After the processing of step S22, the process returns to step S10.

[0047] In step S23, the dimming control unit 12 determines whether or not the current time is within the second time period shown in Fig. 7. The second time period is a predetermined time period that has elapsed since the first time period. If the current time is within the second time period, the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, if the current time is not within the second time period, the process proceeds to step S25.

[0048] In step S24, the dimming control unit 12 executes a first dimming process. Specifically, the dimming control unit 12 controls the headlights 6 to gradually increase the luminance (by a first dimming degree) within the second time period, as shown in Fig. 7. After the process of step S24, the process returns to step S10.

[0049] In step S25, the dimming control unit 12 executes a second dimming process. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, the dimming control unit 12 controls the headlights 6 to gradually increase the brightness (by a second dimming degree) after the second time period has elapsed until the other vehicle starts to move away from the subject vehicle. The second dimming degree is greater than the first dimming degree.

[0050] <Effects> As described above, according to the first embodiment, when another vehicle is present within the illumination range of the headlights 6 of the own vehicle and an occupant of the other vehicle is dazzled, the illumination of the headlights 6 is dimmed only in the range corresponding to the occupant of the other vehicle. This makes it possible to both reduce dazzle for the driver of the other vehicle and ensure the field of view of the driver of the own vehicle.

[0051] Examples In the following Examples 1 to 4, examples of use of the headlamp control device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0052] 8 , in Example 1, a situation is assumed in which a second other vehicle is traveling ahead of the host vehicle in the same lane as the host vehicle, and a first other vehicle and a third other vehicle are traveling in lanes opposite the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling. The host vehicle has its headlights 6 turned on.

[0053] The first other vehicle transmits the occupant monitoring information to the subject vehicle, the second other vehicle, and the third other vehicle that are present around the subject vehicle. The headlamp control device 1 provided in the subject vehicle receives the occupant monitoring information transmitted by the first other vehicle.

[0054] Next, the headlamp control device 1 calculates the degree of dazzle of the occupant of the first other vehicle based on the received occupant monitoring information and determines that the degree of dazzle of the occupant of the first other vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined degree of dazzle (first threshold value).

[0055] Next, the headlamp control device 1 determines that a first other vehicle is present within the illumination range of the headlamp 6 .

[0056] Next, the headlamp control device 1 executes a process for dimming the illumination of the headlamp 6 for the first other vehicle. Specifically, the headlamp control device 1 gradually dims the illumination of the headlamp 6 until the dazzle level of the occupant of the first other vehicle falls below a predetermined dazzle level (second threshold value). This makes it possible to dim the illumination of the headlamp 6 only in the necessary range (the range corresponding to the occupant of the first vehicle).

[0057] Second Embodiment In a second embodiment, the same situation as in the first embodiment is assumed (see FIG. 8).

[0058] The first other vehicle transmits the occupant monitoring information to the subject vehicle, the second other vehicle, and the third other vehicle that are present around the subject vehicle. The headlamp control device 1 provided in the subject vehicle receives the occupant monitoring information transmitted by the first other vehicle.

[0059] Next, the headlamp control device 1 calculates the degree of dazzle of the occupant of the first other vehicle based on the received occupant monitoring information and determines that the degree of dazzle of the occupant of the first other vehicle is not greater than a predetermined degree of dazzle (first threshold value).

[0060] In this case, the headlamp control device 1 does not dim the headlamp 6 of the host vehicle because the occupant of the first other vehicle does not find the illumination of the headlamp 6 of the host vehicle dazzling. This allows the host vehicle to travel safely without unnecessary dimming.

[0061] 9 , in Example 3, a situation is assumed in which a second other vehicle is traveling ahead of the host vehicle in the same lane as the host vehicle, and a first other vehicle and a third other vehicle are traveling in lanes opposite the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling. The host vehicle has its headlights 6 turned on.

[0062] The third other vehicle transmits the occupant monitoring information to the subject vehicle, the first other vehicle, and the second other vehicle that are present around the subject vehicle. The headlamp control device 1 provided in the subject vehicle receives the occupant monitoring information transmitted by the third other vehicle.

[0063] Next, the headlamp control device 1 calculates the degree of dazzle of the occupant of the third other vehicle based on the received occupant monitoring information and determines that the degree of dazzle of the occupant of the third other vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined dazzle degree (first threshold value).

[0064] Next, the headlamp control device 1 determines that the third other vehicle does not exist within the illumination range of the headlamp 6. In other words, the illumination from the headlamp 6 of the host vehicle does not reach the third other vehicle.

[0065] Since the cause of the dazzling of the occupant of the third other vehicle is not the illumination of the headlights 6 of the subject vehicle, the headlight control device 1 does not dim the illumination of the headlights 6. This allows the subject vehicle to travel safely without unnecessary dimming.

[0066] For example, if the situations in the first and third embodiments occur simultaneously, the headlamp control device 1 executes a process for dimming the illumination of the headlamp 6 for the first other vehicle.

[0067] 10 , in Example 4, a situation is assumed in which a second other vehicle is traveling ahead of the host vehicle in the same lane as the host vehicle, and a first other vehicle and a third other vehicle are traveling in lanes opposite the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling. The host vehicle has its headlights 6 turned on.

[0068] The second other vehicle transmits the occupant monitoring information to the host vehicle, the first other vehicle, and the third other vehicle that are present around the host vehicle. The headlamp control device 1 provided in the host vehicle receives the occupant monitoring information transmitted by the second other vehicle.

[0069] Next, the headlamp control device 1 calculates the degree of dazzle of the occupant of the second other vehicle based on the received occupant monitoring information and determines that the degree of dazzle of the occupant of the second other vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined dazzle degree (first threshold value).

[0070] Next, the headlamp control device 1 determines that a second other vehicle is present within the illumination range of the headlamp 6 .

[0071] Next, the headlamp control device 1 executes a process for dimming the illumination of the headlamp 6 for the second other vehicle. At this time, the headlamp control device 1 gradually dims the illumination of the headlamp 6 until the dazzle level of the occupants of the second other vehicle becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined dazzle level (second threshold value). Note that the headlamp control device 1 may also dim the illumination of an area including the second other vehicle.

[0072] This makes it possible to dim the illumination of the headlights 6 only in the necessary range (the range corresponding to the occupants of the second vehicle or the range corresponding to the second vehicle).

[0073] For example, if the situations in the first and fourth embodiments occur simultaneously, the headlamp control device 1 executes the dimming process for the headlamp 6 of each of the first other vehicle and the second other vehicle.

[0074] <Hardware Configuration> The functions of the occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10, the glare calculation unit 11, the dimming control unit 12, and the headlamp control unit 14 in the headlamp control device 1 described in the first embodiment are realized by a processing circuit. That is, the headlamp control device 1 includes a processing circuit for receiving occupant monitoring information, calculating the glare level of an occupant of another vehicle, controlling the dimming range or ranges and the degree of reduction in brightness of the headlamp 6 of the subject vehicle, and controlling the headlamp 6. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware, or may be a processor (also referred to as a CPU, central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor)) that executes a program stored in a memory.

[0075] 11 , the processing circuit 20 may be, 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 thereof. The functions of the occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10, the dazzle level calculation unit 11, the dimming control unit 12, and the headlamp control unit 14 may be realized by the processing circuit 20 individually, or all of the functions may be realized by a single processing circuit 20.

[0076] When the processing circuit 20 is the processor 30 shown in FIG. 12 , the functions of the occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10, the dazzle calculation unit 11, the dimming control unit 12, and the headlamp control unit 14 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 31. The processor 30 realizes each function by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 31. That is, the headlamp control device 1 includes the memory 31 for storing programs that result in the execution of steps of receiving occupant monitoring information, calculating the dazzle level of an occupant of another vehicle, controlling the dimming range or dimming range and the degree of brightness reduction of the headlamp 6 of the subject vehicle, and controlling the headlamp 6. It can also be said that these programs cause a computer to execute the procedures or methods of the occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10, the dazzle calculation unit 11, the dimming control unit 12, and the headlamp control unit 14. 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.

[0077] In addition, with regard to the functions of the occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10, the dazzle calculation unit 11, the dimming control unit 12, and the headlight control unit 14, some functions may be realized by dedicated hardware, and other functions may be realized by software or firmware.

[0078] Thus, the processing circuitry can implement each of the above-described functions through hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0079] Furthermore, within the scope of the present disclosure, the embodiments may be modified or omitted as appropriate.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 1 Headlamp control device, 2 Communication device, 3 Other vehicle detection device, 4 HDL, 5 Position detection device, 6 Headlamp, 10 Occupant monitoring information receiving unit, 11 Glare level calculation unit, 12 Dimming control unit, 13 Illumination range data storage unit, 14 Headlamp control unit, 20 Processing circuit, 30 Processor, 31 Memory.

Claims

1. An on-vehicle headlamp control device comprising: an occupant monitoring information receiving unit that receives occupant monitoring information for monitoring an occupant of another vehicle existing around the host vehicle; a glare level calculating unit that calculates a glare level of the occupant of the other vehicle based on the occupant monitoring information; a dimming control unit that controls a dimming range of a headlamp of the host vehicle, or the dimming range and a degree of reduction in brightness of the dimming range when the glare level is equal to or higher than a predetermined glare level; and a headlamp control unit that controls the headlamp of the host vehicle based on an instruction from the dimming control unit.

2. The on-vehicle headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the dimming control unit sets a range that includes the head of the occupant of the other vehicle whose glare level is equal to or higher than the predetermined glare level and is narrower than the other vehicle as the dimming range.

3. The on-vehicle headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the dimming control unit performs feedback control on the dimming control of the headlamp of the host vehicle until the glare level decreases to the predetermined glare level.

4. The on-vehicle headlamp control device according to claim 3, wherein the dimming control unit gradually dims the illumination of the headlamp of the host vehicle until the glare level decreases to the second threshold value.

5. The on-vehicle headlamp control device according to claim 4, wherein the dimming control unit dims the light faster when the glare level is high than when it is low, or when the distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle is close than when it is far.

6. The on-vehicle headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the dimming control unit gradually releases the dimming control of the headlamp of the host vehicle after the glare level decreases to the predetermined glare level and a predetermined first time has elapsed.

7. The on-vehicle headlamp control device according to claim 6, wherein the dimming control unit releases the dimming control of the headlamp of the host vehicle faster after a predetermined second time longer than the first time has elapsed than before the second time has elapsed.

8. The on-vehicle headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the dimming control unit releases the dimming control of the headlamp of the host vehicle faster when the glare level decreases to the predetermined glare level and the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle increases than when the inter-vehicle distance does not increase.

9. The on-vehicle headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined glare level is a glare level smaller than a glare level at which an occupant of the other vehicle reacts.

10. The headlight control device according to claim 1, wherein when the dazzle level is equal to or higher than a predetermined dazzle level, the dimming control unit performs dimming control of the headlight of the host vehicle earlier when the dazzle level is high than when it is low.

11. The headlight control device according to claim 1, wherein the occupant of the other vehicle is the occupant in the driver's seat and the passenger seat of the other vehicle.

12. The headlight control device according to claim 2, further comprising an other vehicle information receiving unit that receives other vehicle information including at least the seat position in the other vehicle, wherein the dimming control unit determines the dimming range based on the occupant monitoring information and the other vehicle information.

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