Lighting control device, lighting control method, and program

Abstract

A lighting control device (100) comprises: a traffic participant information acquisition unit (110) which acquires traffic participant information pertaining to a traffic participant that is present in a region in the traveling direction of a moving body; and an illumination condition output unit (130) which, when the region in the traveling direction of the moving body is to be illuminated, outputs, on the basis of the traffic participant information, illumination conditions for setting, as a light-blocking region, a region including a traveling-direction moving body that is another moving body present in the traveling direction of the moving body, wherein, when there is an attention-requiring object, which is an object requiring attention, around the light-blocking region in addition to the traveling-direction moving body, the illumination condition output unit outputs, on the basis of the traffic participant information, illumination conditions for changing an illumination state in a range pertaining to the attention-requiring object from an illumination state in other illumination ranges.

Description

Light control device, light control method, and program

[0001] The disclosed technology relates to a lighting control technology for controlling lighting devices that irradiate visible light in the traveling direction of a moving object.

[0002] Some lighting devices have a glare-free function that blocks light from the area where the vehicle ahead is located in order to suppress glare, which is a situation in which the driver of the vehicle ahead is dazzled by the light emitted from the light irradiated onto vehicles ahead, such as oncoming vehicles and preceding vehicles. The vehicle headlamp (corresponding to the above-mentioned "lighting device") in Patent Document 1 has multiple optical modules, and if the object detected by the forward monitoring system is an oncoming vehicle, it turns off the optical module that is illuminating the position of the oncoming vehicle, and if the object is a pedestrian, it turns on the optical module that is illuminating the position of the pedestrian. This blocks light from the area where the oncoming vehicle is located.

[0003] JP 2010-095205 A

[0004] However, with conventional technology, when an object is present around the light-blocking area, there is a problem in that even if light continues to be shone on the object, the timing at which the occupant looks at the object may be delayed.

[0005] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problem, and aims to enable assistance to occupants in making it easier to focus on an object when an object that should be focused on is present around a shaded area.

[0006] The light control device disclosed herein comprises a traffic participant information acquisition unit that acquires traffic participant information, which is information about traffic participants present in the area in the direction of travel of a moving body; and an illumination condition output unit that, when illuminating light into the area in the direction of travel of the moving body, outputs illumination conditions, based on the traffic participant information, for making an area including a moving body in the direction of travel, another moving body present in the direction of travel of the moving body, into a shaded area, and is characterized in that, based on the traffic participant information, when there is an object requiring attention that is an object that should be watched in addition to the moving body in the direction of travel around the shaded area, the illumination condition output unit outputs illumination conditions for changing the area related to the object requiring attention into an illumination state different from other illumination areas.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, when an object that should be gazed at is present around a light-blocking area, it is possible to assist an occupant in gazing at the object more easily.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a basic configuration of a light control device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between a moving object in a traveling direction, a shaded area, a shaded margin (shade margin range), a shaded margin width, and a periphery of the shaded area according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a light control system 1 (1A) including a light control device 100 (100A) according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by the light control system 1 (1A) according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for realizing the functions of the light control device 100 (100A) according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a light control system 1 (1B) including a light control device 100 (100B) according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a light device 310 based on the output of the light control device 100 (100B) according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for realizing a first function of the light control device 100 (100B) according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for realizing a second function of the light control device 100 (100B) according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a light control system 1 (1C) including a light control device 100 (100C) according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a diagram explaining the operation of a lighting device 310 based on the output of the light control device 100 (100C) according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of the light control system 1 (1C) according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for realizing the function of the light control device 100 (100C) according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of a process for realizing the function of the light control device 100 (100C) according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a light control system 1 (1D) including a light control device 100 (100D) according to embodiment 4 of the present disclosure. Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a light device 310 based on the output of the light control device 100 (100D) according to embodiment 4 of the present disclosure.FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for realizing the functions of the light control device 100 (100D) according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a light control system 1 (1E) including a light control device 100 (100E) according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a lighting device 310 based on the output of the light control device 100 (100E) according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for realizing the functions of the light control device 100 (100E) according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a light control system 1 (1F) including a light control device 100 (100F) according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a lighting device 310 based on the output of the light control device 100 (100F) according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for realizing the functions of the light control device 100 (100F) according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 24 is a flowchart showing a first example of detailed processing for realizing the functions of the light control device 100 (100F) according to embodiment 6 of the present disclosure. Fig. 25 is a flowchart showing a second example of detailed processing for realizing the functions of the light control device 100 (100F) according to embodiment 6 of the present disclosure. Fig. 26 is a diagram showing a first example of a hardware configuration for realizing the functions according to the configuration of the present disclosure. Fig. 27 is a diagram showing a second example of a hardware configuration for realizing the functions according to the configuration of the present disclosure.

[0009] In order to explain the present disclosure in more detail, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Embodiment 1. In embodiment 1, a basic form of the present disclosure will be described. An example configuration of a light control device according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example basic configuration of a light control device 100 according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between a traveling direction moving object, a shading area, a shading margin (shading margin range), a shading margin width, and the periphery of the shading area according to the present disclosure. The light control device 100 controls a light device that emits light in the traveling direction of a moving object. The light control device 100 controls the light device so that the range of the traveling direction moving object present in the traveling direction within the light emission area (illumination area) becomes the shading area (see "traveling direction moving object 1000" and "shading area 1100" in FIG. 2). When an object that should be watched (object to be watched) is present around the shading area, the light control device 100 changes the illumination state in the vicinity of the object to be watched within the periphery of the shading area (see "periphery 1200 of the shading area" in FIG. 2). For example, when a pedestrian is detected in the peripheral area of ​​the shaded area, the light control device 100 sets the peripheral area of ​​the shaded area near the pedestrian to a different illumination state from the other areas. The light control device 100 shown in Figure 1 is configured to include a traffic participant information acquisition unit 110 and an illumination condition output unit 130.

[0011] The traffic participant information acquisition unit 110 acquires traffic participant information. The traffic participant information is information about traffic participants present in the moving object's travel direction area. A "moving object" is a moving object equipped with a lighting device controlled by the light control device of the present disclosure. In the present disclosure, a "moving object" is also referred to as a "host moving object," "host vehicle," or "host car." A "travel direction area" is the area in the moving object's travel direction. Specifically, a "travel direction area" refers to the area seen when the moving object's travel direction is viewed from the position of the lighting device of the "moving object" as a reference, or the area located on the traveling direction side of a vertical plane of the moving object's current position as a reference. If the moving object is a vehicle, for example, the area in front of the vehicle. A "traffic participant" refers to an object related to traffic. A "traffic participant" is, for example, an attribute on the road, such as a passenger car, a large vehicle, a bicycle, a motorcycle, a pedestrian, or a road structure. "Traffic participant information" is information about a "traffic participant," and in the present disclosure, it is particularly information about other "traffic participants" present in the traveling direction area when the "moving object" is used as a reference. The "traffic participant information" is composed of information such as the type of traffic participant, the reliability of the type, location information, width, depth, height, relative speed, and relative acceleration. The "traffic participant information" can utilize information output from ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems), for example.

[0012] The illumination condition output unit 130 outputs illumination conditions using traffic participant information. When illuminating a region in the traveling direction of a moving object with light, the illumination condition output unit 130 outputs illumination conditions that make a region including a moving object in the traveling direction, which is another moving object present in the traveling direction, a shading region, based on the traffic participant information. When a target object that requires attention, which is an object that should be watched, is present around the shading region in addition to the moving object in the traveling direction, the illumination condition output unit 130 outputs illumination conditions that change the illumination state of the region related to the target object to a different illumination state from that of the other illumination regions, based on the traffic participant information.

[0013] The "illumination area" is an area onto which light is irradiated, for example, an area where an object that should be focused on by the occupant of the moving body exists among objects present in the moving direction area of ​​the moving body. The "shading area" is an area of ​​the illumination area, which is an area onto which light is irradiated, that is shaded so as not to be irradiated when light is irradiated, and is an area that includes a shading margin (shading margin range). The "shading margin" (shading margin range) is a width that adds a margin to the periphery of the actual area of ​​the moving body in the moving direction, and is set by adding the shading margin width to the actual area of ​​the moving body in the moving direction. The "moving body in the moving direction" is another moving body present in the moving direction of the moving body. The moving body in the moving direction is, for example, a moving vehicle in the moving direction that is present in the moving direction of the host vehicle (moving body). The "object to be watched" is an object that should be watched by the occupant in addition to the moving body in the moving direction. If the moving body is a vehicle, and the moving body in the moving direction is a moving vehicle, the object to be watched includes a pedestrian. The "range related to the object to be watched" is a range set based on the object to be watched, and includes a range that is likely to include the object to be watched around the shading area. The "illumination state" includes brightness, whether or not it blinks, the blinking pattern, brightness and whether or not it blinks, or brightness and the blinking pattern. The "illumination conditions" indicate the conditions for changing from the current illumination state to a target illumination state. The illumination conditions include, for example, the illumination range, the shading range, the illumination brightness, and the illumination and shading time.

[0014] The illumination conditions are output as illumination condition information indicating the illumination conditions. The illumination condition information includes an illumination area and an illumination state. The illumination area is an area illuminated by visible light from the lighting device. The illumination state includes brightness, whether or not to flash, the flashing pattern, brightness and whether or not to flash, or brightness and the flashing pattern. The illumination condition information may also include a shading area. The shading area indicates an area of ​​the illumination area that is shaded. The shading area is an area that includes a shading margin. The shading margin (shading margin range) is a range that is wider than the range of the moving object in the traveling direction, taking into account sensor error. The shading area that includes the shading margin range may be an area obtained by adding a preset shading margin width to the range of the moving object in the traveling direction based on the traffic participant information. The shading margin width is a width that is wider than the range of the moving object in the traveling direction, taking into account sensor error.

[0015] In addition to the above components, the light control device 100 also includes a control unit (not shown), a memory unit (not shown), and a communication unit (not shown). The control unit (not shown) controls the entire light control device 100 and each of its components. For example, the control unit (not shown) starts up the light control device 100 in response to an external command. The control unit (not shown) also controls the state of the light control device 100 (operating state = startup, shutdown, sleep, etc.). The memory unit (not shown) stores various data used by the light control device 100. For example, the memory unit (not shown) stores output (output data) from each component of the light control device 100 and outputs data requested by each component to the requesting component. The communication unit (not shown) communicates with external devices. For example, communication is performed between the light control device 100 and a peripheral device (e.g., a device mounted on a mobile object). For example, if the light control device 100 and the device mounted on a mobile object are not connected by wire, the communication unit (not shown) has a function of communicating between the light control device 100 and the device mounted on a mobile object. The communication unit (not shown) has a function of communicating with a server device, which is an external device. The control unit (not shown), the storage unit (not shown), and the communication unit (not shown) also have the same functions in the embodiments described below.

[0016] 2, further details will be given regarding the illumination area, shading area, and the periphery of the shading area of ​​the lighting device controlled based on the output of the light control device. When the light control device 100 is emitting visible light via the lighting device toward an area in the direction of travel of a moving object and a moving object 1000 is present in the direction of travel of the moving object, the light control device 100 sets a shading area 1100 by adding a shading margin width (arrow) to the area of ​​the moving object 1000 in the direction of travel, and irradiates visible light while shading the shading area 1100. Furthermore, when an object requiring attention (not shown) is present in the periphery 1200 of the shading area, the light control device 100 changes the illumination state of the area related to the object requiring attention so that it is illuminated differently from the illumination state of the other illumination areas.

[0017] Next, a description will be given of an example of processing by the light control device 100. For example, the light control device 100 shown in Fig. 1 starts the following processing when a light control start condition is satisfied, such as when a light is to be started by a light device or when a light has already been started.

[0018] The light control device 100 executes a traffic participant information acquisition process. In the traffic participant information acquisition process, the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110 of the light control device 100 acquires traffic participant information, which is information about traffic participants present in the travel direction area of ​​the moving object. The traffic participant information acquisition unit 110 acquires the traffic participant information from, for example, an external source of the light control device 100. The traffic participant information acquisition unit 110 outputs the traffic participant information to the illumination condition output unit 130.

[0019] The light control device 100 executes an illumination condition output process. In the illumination condition output process, the illumination condition output unit 130 of the light control device 100 acquires the traffic participant information output by the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110. When illuminating a region in the traveling direction of a moving object with light, the illumination condition output unit 130 outputs, based on the traffic participant information, illumination conditions for making a region including a moving object in the traveling direction, which is another moving object present in the traveling direction of the moving object, a shaded region. Furthermore, at this time, if a watch-required object that is an object that should be watched in addition to the moving object in the traveling direction is present around the shaded region, the illumination condition output unit 130 outputs, based on the traffic participant information, illumination conditions for changing the illumination state of the region related to the watch-required object to a different illumination state from that of the other illumination regions.

[0020] The light control device 100 then proceeds to an end determination process. In the end determination process, a control unit (not shown) of the light control device 100 determines whether to end the processing of the light control device 100. The control unit (not shown) determines whether to end the processing of the light control device 100 in accordance with an external end command or an execution program. If the control unit (not shown) determines that the loop processing of the light control device 100 should not be ended, the light control device 100 returns to the traffic participant information acquisition process and continues processing. If the control unit (not shown) determines that the processing of the light control device 100 should be ended, the light control device 100 ends processing.

[0021] Next, a configuration example of a light control system including the light control device of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a light control system 1 (1A) including a light control device 100 (100A) according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The light control system 1 (1A) is implemented or mounted on a mobile body. The mobile body is a means of transportation for carrying occupants, and is, for example, a passenger vehicle such as a compact car or a large car (hereinafter also simply referred to as a "vehicle"). The light control system 1A shown in FIG. 3 is configured to include the light control device 100A, an information source device 200, and an output device 300.

[0022] The light control device 100A has the same configuration as the light control device 100 already described. The light control device 100A includes a traffic participant information acquisition unit 110A and an illumination condition output unit 130A. The traffic participant information acquisition unit 110A corresponds to the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110 already described. The illumination condition output unit 130A corresponds to the illumination condition output unit 130 already described.

[0023] The information source device 200 outputs information to the light control device 100A to be used in the processing of the light control device 100A. The information source device 200 includes a traveling direction sensor 210. The traveling direction sensor 210 is communicatively connected to the light control device 100A. The traveling direction sensor 210 detects traffic participants in the traveling direction area of ​​the mobile object, and outputs traffic participant information related to the traffic participants. The traveling direction sensor 210 is, for example, a forward sensor provided ahead, which is the normal traveling direction of the mobile object.

[0024] The output device 300 receives information output by the light control device 100A and executes processing. The output device 300 is configured to include a lighting device 310. The lighting device 310 is communicably connected to the light control device 100A. The lighting device 310 is mounted on a moving object and irradiates visible light in an area in the moving direction of the moving object. The lighting device 310 receives information output by the light control device 100A and irradiates visible light. If the moving object is a vehicle, the lighting device 310 is, for example, a vehicular headlamp or a divided illumination headlamp. A divided illumination headlamp is a lighting device that is composed of multiple light sources and is capable of controlling the illumination conditions for each light source.

[0025] Next, an example of processing by the light control system 1A will be described. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the light control system 1A according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing shown in Fig. 4 includes a light control method by a light control device according to the present disclosure. For example, the light control system 1A shown in Fig. 3 starts the processing shown in Fig. 4 when a light control start condition according to the present disclosure is satisfied, such as when a lighting device mounted on a mobile object starts a light or has started a light.

[0026] The light control system 1A then executes a traveling direction measurement process (step ST1100). The traveling direction sensor 210 of the light control system 1A detects other traffic participants present in the traveling direction area of ​​the moving object, and outputs traffic participant information to the light control device 100A.

[0027] The light control system 1A then executes a light control process (step ST1200). In the light control process, the light control device 100 (100A) of the light control system 1A acquires traffic participant information output by the travel direction sensor 210. When the light control device 100 (100A) is about to irradiate visible light via the lighting device 310 or is already irradiating visible light, and a moving object is present in the travel direction, the light control device 100 (100A) outputs illumination condition information indicating illumination conditions for making an area including the moving object in the travel direction a shaded area based on the traffic participant information. Furthermore, when a target object is present around the shaded area, the light control device 100 (100A) outputs illumination condition information indicating illumination conditions for making the illumination state of the area of ​​the visible light illumination area where the target object is present different from that of the other illuminated areas, based on the traffic participant information. The lighting device 310 irradiates visible light based on the illumination condition information.

[0028] The light control system 1A then executes an end determination process (step ST1900). In the end determination process, a control unit (not shown) of the light control system 1A determines whether to end the processing of the light control system 1A. The control unit (not shown) determines whether to end the processing of the light control system 1A in accordance with an external end command or an execution program. The light control system 1A determines to end the processing, for example, when the lighting device 310 has finished emitting visible light or when the power source of the mobile object has stopped. If the control unit (not shown) determines not to end the processing of the light control system 1A, the process returns to step ST1100 and continues. If the control unit (not shown) determines to end the processing of the light control system 1A, the light control system 1A ends the processing.

[0029] Next, a detailed example of the processing of the light control device 100A will be described. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for realizing the functions of the light control device 100 (100A) according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing shown in Fig. 5 shows an example of a light control method by the light control device of the present disclosure. For example, the light control device 100A shown in Fig. 3 starts the processing shown in Fig. 5 when a light control start condition is satisfied, such as when the lighting device 310 mounted on the moving body is to start lighting toward a region in the direction of travel, or when lighting is being performed toward a region in the direction of travel.

[0030] The light control device 100A then executes a traffic participant information acquisition process (step ST1210). In the traffic participant information acquisition process, the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110A of the light control device 100A acquires traffic participant information, which is information about traffic participants present in the travel direction area of ​​the moving object. The traffic participant information acquisition unit 110A acquires the traffic participant information from the travel direction sensor 210. If the travel direction sensor 210 outputs a sensor signal, the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110A calculates information about the traffic participants from the sensor signal to acquire the traffic participant information. The traffic participant information acquisition unit 110A outputs the traffic participant information to the illumination condition output unit 130A.

[0031] The light control device 100A then executes an illumination condition output process (step ST1220). In the illumination condition output process, the illumination condition output unit 130A of the light control device 100A acquires the traffic participant information output from the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110A. When illuminating a region in the traveling direction of a moving object with light, the illumination condition output unit 130A outputs illumination conditions based on the traffic participant information to make a region including a moving object in the traveling direction, which is another moving object in the traveling direction of the moving object, a shaded region. If a target object that requires attention is present around the shaded region in addition to the moving object in the traveling direction, the illumination condition output unit 130A outputs illumination conditions based on the traffic participant information to change the illumination state of the region related to the target object to a different illumination state from the other illumination regions. The illumination condition output unit 130A uses the traffic participant information to determine whether a target object that requires attention is present around the shaded region in addition to the moving object in the traveling direction. When a target object that should be watched, other than the moving object in the traveling direction, is present around the shading area, the illumination condition output unit 130A calculates a range for the target object based on the traffic participant information.The illumination condition output unit 130A determines illumination conditions that change the illumination state of the target object to a different illumination state from other illumination ranges based on preset illumination conditions or illumination conditions calculated using the traffic participant information.The illumination condition output unit 130A outputs illumination condition information indicating the illumination conditions.

[0032] The light control device 100A executes an illumination control process (step ST1230) for controlling the light device 310 by outputting illumination condition information to the light device 310. In response to the illumination condition information output in the illumination control process, the light device 310 emits light in accordance with the illumination conditions indicated in the illumination condition information. If the illumination condition information includes information indicating a light-blocked area, the light device 310 does not emit light onto the light-blocked area. If the illumination condition information includes information indicating a range related to an object requiring attention, the light device 310 emits visible light toward the range related to the object requiring attention.

[0033] The light control device 100A then executes an end determination process (step ST1240). In the end determination process, a control unit (not shown) of the light control device 100A determines whether to end the processing of the light control device 100A. The control unit (not shown) determines whether to end the processing of the light control device 100A, for example, in accordance with an external end command or an execution program. If the control unit (not shown) determines not to end the processing of the light control device 100A, the process proceeds to step ST1210, and the process is repeated from step ST1210. If the control unit (not shown) determines to end the processing of the light control device 100A, the light control device 100A ends the processing.

[0034] The lighting control device 100, 100A configured as described above can, for example, when the moving body in the direction of travel is a vehicle ahead, prevent glare from being cast on the vehicle ahead, while alerting the driver (passenger) around the shading area (around the shading region) of the vehicle ahead to the presence of a pedestrian (object to be watched).

[0035] This embodiment provides an example of the following configuration: a light control device including: a traffic participant information acquisition unit that acquires traffic participant information, which is information about traffic participants present in an area in the traveling direction of a moving body; and an illumination condition output unit that, when illuminating the area in the traveling direction of the moving body, outputs illumination conditions, based on the traffic participant information, for making an area including a forward moving body, which is a moving body present in the traveling direction of the moving body, a shaded area, where, based on the traffic participant information, the illumination condition output unit outputs illumination conditions for changing an illumination state of an area related to the object to be watched, which is an object that should be watched, to a different illumination state from other illumination areas, when a target object that should be watched is present in the area in the traveling direction of the moving body in addition to the forward moving body, is present around the shaded area. This makes it possible to provide a light control device that can assist an occupant in easily watching an object when an object that should be watched is present around the shaded area.

[0036] This embodiment discloses an exemplary embodiment having the following configuration: a light control method including: a step in which a traffic participant information acquisition unit of a light control device acquires traffic participant information, which is information about traffic participants present in a region in the direction of travel of a moving object; and an illumination condition output step in which an illumination condition output unit of the light control device outputs, based on the traffic participant information, illumination conditions for making a region including a moving object in the direction of travel of the moving object a shaded region when illuminating the region in the direction of travel of the moving object, which is another moving object present in the direction of travel of the moving object, a shaded region, based on the traffic participant information, wherein the illumination condition output unit outputs, based on the traffic participant information, illumination conditions for changing an illumination state of an area related to the object to be watched to a different illumination state from other illumination areas when a target object that should be watched is present in addition to the moving object in the direction of travel around the shaded region. This advantageously provides a light control method that enables a vehicle occupant to more easily watch an object when the target object is present around the shaded region.

[0037] This embodiment discloses an example configuration as follows: A program for causing a computer to operate as a light control device, comprising: a traffic participant information acquisition unit that acquires traffic participant information, which is information about traffic participants present in an area in the traveling direction of a moving object; and an illumination condition output unit that outputs, based on the traffic participant information, illumination conditions for making an area including a moving object in the traveling direction of the moving object a shaded area when illuminating light into the area in the traveling direction of the moving object, which is another moving object present in the traveling direction of the moving object, a shaded area, based on the traffic participant information, wherein the illumination condition output unit outputs, based on the traffic participant information, illumination conditions for changing an illumination state of an area related to the object to be watched, which is an object that should be watched, to a different illumination state from other illumination areas, when a target object that should be watched is present around the shaded area in addition to the moving object in the traveling direction. This has the effect of providing a program that enables a vehicle occupant to more easily watch an object when the target object is present around the shaded area.

[0038] This embodiment further discloses an exemplary embodiment having the following configuration: a light control device characterized in that the moving body is a vehicle, the forward moving body is a forward vehicle that is present in the forward direction of the moving body, and the object to be watched is a pedestrian. This provides an advantageous effect of providing a light control device that blocks light from other vehicles present in an area in the forward direction, thereby reducing glare, and that, when a pedestrian is present around the blocked area, can assist an occupant of the vehicle to pay attention to the pedestrian. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides an advantageous effect similar to the advantageous effect by applying the above configuration to a light control system, the light control method, or the program.

[0039] Embodiment 2. In embodiment 2, a more detailed configuration example of the configuration according to embodiment 1 will be described. Specifically, the light control device according to embodiment 2 is an example of a configuration that changes the illumination state, such as the brightness of the irradiated light or the blinking of the irradiated light. In embodiment 2, among the components according to embodiment 2, components that are similar to the components according to embodiment 1 already described are given the same names and similar reference numerals (with some modifications), and duplicated descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0040] An example configuration of a light control device and a light control system including the device according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a light control system 1 (1B) including a light control device 100 (100B) according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. The light control system 1B shown in Fig. 6 is configured to include an information source device 200, a light control device 100B, and an output device 300.

[0041] The information source device 200 is similar to the information source device 200 already described, and includes a traveling direction sensor 210 .

[0042] The output device 300 has the same configuration as the output device 300 already described, and includes a lighting device 310 .

[0043] The light control device 100B controls the light device 310 to change the illumination state, such as the brightness of visible light, or the illumination state, such as the blinking of visible light. The light control device 100B shown in Fig. 6 is configured to include a traffic participant information acquisition unit 110 (110B), an illumination condition output unit 130 (130B), and an illumination control unit 190 (190B). The traffic participant information acquisition unit 110B has the function of acquiring traffic participant information, similar to the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110 already described.

[0044] The illumination condition output unit 130B calculates illumination conditions using the traffic participant information and outputs the illumination conditions. When a shading area is set and a target object that needs to be watched, other than the moving object in the traveling direction, is present around the shading area, the illumination condition output unit 130B outputs illumination conditions that change the illumination state of the area related to the target object to a different illumination state from that of the other illumination areas, based on the traffic participant information.

[0045] The illumination state changed by the illumination condition output unit 130B is, for example, the brightness of light for an area related to a target object. In this case, when a target object is present around the shading area, the illumination condition output unit 130B outputs illumination conditions that change the brightness, which is the illumination state of light for the area related to the target object. The illumination condition output unit 130B has, for example, an illumination condition calculation unit 140B shown in FIG. 6. The illumination condition calculation unit 140B calculates illumination conditions that change the brightness, which is the illumination state of light for the area related to the target object, using traffic participant information. The illumination condition calculation unit 140B calculates illumination conditions that change the brightness, which is the illumination state of light for the area related to the target object, from the illumination area that is the area around the shading area where visible light is irradiated, for example, a pedestrian area indicated in the traffic participant information, to a brightness different from the brightness of other illumination areas. Specifically, the brightness of the pedestrian area is increased above the brightness of other illumination areas. In this configuration example, the illumination condition calculation unit 140B can also be expressed as a brightness calculation unit.

[0046] Alternatively, the illumination state changed by the illumination condition output unit 130B may be, for example, blinking of light in an area related to a target object. In this case, when a target object is present around the light-blocking area, the illumination condition output unit 130B outputs illumination conditions that change the illumination state to blinking the light in the area related to the target object. The illumination condition output unit 130B includes, for example, an illumination condition calculation unit 140B shown in FIG. 6 . The illumination condition calculation unit 140B calculates illumination conditions that change the illumination state to blinking the light in the area related to the target object using traffic participant information. The illumination condition calculation unit 140B calculates illumination conditions that change the illumination state to blinking the light in the area related to the target object, for example, blinking the area of ​​a pedestrian indicated in the traffic participant information, among the illumination areas that are illuminated with visible light around the light-blocking area. In this case, the illumination condition calculation unit 140B may calculate illumination conditions that blink a preset blinking pattern, or may calculate illumination conditions that change the blinking pattern depending on the distance to the pedestrian (target object). Specifically, the illumination condition calculation unit 140B calculates an illumination condition that changes the blinking pattern so that the blinking speed increases as the distance to the pedestrian decreases. This allows the range of the object to be focused on to be illuminated so that it stands out more as the distance to the object to be focused on decreases. In this configuration example, the illumination condition calculation unit 140B can also be expressed as a blinking determination unit.

[0047] The illumination control unit 190B outputs a control signal in accordance with the illumination conditions. The illumination control unit 190B outputs a control signal to the lighting device 310 in accordance with the illumination conditions output by the illumination condition output unit 130B. The illumination control unit 190B issues a command for lighting information of the lighting device to emit light in accordance with the illumination conditions, using the control signal. The illumination control unit 190B may be configured to be included inside the lighting device 310.

[0048] The processing of a light control device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a light device 310 based on the output of a light control device 100 (100B) according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. When a forward moving object 2000 is present in the direction of travel of a moving object while emitting visible light via the light device 310 toward the moving object's direction of travel, the light control device 100B adds a shading margin width (see the arrow in FIG. 2 ) to the area of ​​the forward moving object 2000 to set a shading area 2100, and irradiates visible light while shading the shading area 2100. Furthermore, when a pedestrian 2300 (an example of an object requiring attention) is present in a periphery 2200 of the shading area, the light control device 100 changes the illumination state of the area related to the pedestrian 2300 so that it is different from the illumination state of the other illumination areas. In the example configuration described above, for example, when visible light is being irradiated onto the periphery 2200 of the light-shielded area, if a pedestrian 2300 is present within the periphery 2200 of the light-shielded area, the area of ​​the pedestrian 2300 is determined to be the illumination range 2400 of the object requiring attention, and the brightness of the illumination range 2400 is increased. Alternatively, the illumination range 2400 is caused to blink. Next, the processing for such control will be described.

[0049] In this description, the moving object and the moving object in the forward direction are assumed to be vehicles, and the object requiring attention is assumed to be a pedestrian. First, the light control device 100B initializes the entire device. After initialization, the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110B acquires traffic participant information from the forward sensor (travel direction sensor 210). The illumination condition output unit 130B calculates the shaded area (shaded region) based on the traffic participant information acquired by the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110B. When a traffic participant of a type set as a shaded target, such as a passenger car, a large vehicle, or a motorcycle, is detected, the shaded area (shaded region) is calculated based on the position information, width, height, and depth of the traffic participant. The direction of the shaded area (shaded region) is calculated based on the depth position and left / right position relative to the vehicle (moving object), and the width of the shaded area (shaded region) is calculated based on the width, height, and depth. In addition, a shaded margin width may be set and added to the calculation of the shaded area (shaded region). The shaded margin width is a width that allows for a wider shaded area to take into account errors in the forward sensor. Sensor errors can cause the direction of shading to shift or the shading area to become narrow, potentially causing glare to the driver of the vehicle ahead. By adding a shading margin width to the shading area to take sensor errors into account, it is possible to take measures against glare that take sensor errors into account.

[0050] When the illumination condition output unit 130B detects a traffic participant of a type set as a pedestrian (object requiring attention), it compares the position of the traffic participant with the shaded area (shaded region). If the pedestrian is within the set threshold (if an object requiring attention is present around the shaded region), it determines that a pedestrian has been detected around the shaded region, and calculates illumination conditions that set the area around the pedestrian (the area related to the object requiring attention) to a different illumination state from other areas (other illumination areas). The size of the area around the pedestrian (the area related to the object requiring attention) may be determined using a preset value or calculated from the pedestrian's width and height. Examples of illumination conditions that set the area different from other areas (other illumination areas) include increasing brightness or flashing. When increasing brightness, a preset value may be used, or the brightness may be changed depending on the ambient brightness of the camera image acquired from the forward sensor. For example, the brightness around the pedestrian may be increased in a dark environment to make it easier to see. The area around the pedestrian may be darkened and the area around the pedestrian may be brighter than the area around the pedestrian, or this may be applied only when the ambient brightness is bright. The brightness may be changed depending on the distance to the pedestrian. If the pedestrian is farther away, the brightness may be increased so that the light can be seen even at a distance. When flashing, the light may be flashed at a preset interval or range, or the flashing range or width may be changed depending on the distance to the pedestrian. If the pedestrian is closer, the flashing may be made faster to make the driver more aware of the pedestrian.

[0051] The illumination control unit 190B issues a lighting command to the divided illumination headlamp (lighting device 310) based on the illumination conditions calculated by the illumination condition output unit 130B. The lighting device 310 lights up in accordance with the illumination conditions based on the lighting command from the illumination control unit 190B.

[0052] Next, processing by a light control device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described using a flowchart. A first processing example of the light control device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for implementing a first function of the light control device 100 (100B) according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing shown in FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a light control method by the light control device according to the present disclosure. In FIG. 8, the description will be given assuming that the object to be watched is a pedestrian, the moving body in the traveling direction is a preceding vehicle, and the illumination condition calculation unit 140 functions as a brightness calculation unit. For example, the light control device 100B starts the processing shown in FIG. 8 when the lighting device 310 is to start or is performing lighting and a light blocking area is set for the preceding vehicle (an example of a moving body in the traveling direction).

[0053] The illumination condition output unit 130B of the light control device 100B then executes a pedestrian detection determination process (step ST2210). In the pedestrian detection determination process, the illumination condition calculation unit 140B of the illumination condition output unit 130B acquires traffic participant information and uses the traffic participant information to determine whether a pedestrian is present around the shaded area. If the illumination condition calculation unit 140B determines that a pedestrian is not present around the shaded area ("NO" in step ST2210), the illumination condition calculation unit 140B proceeds to an end determination process (step ST2240).

[0054] When the illumination condition output unit 130B of the light control device 100B determines that a pedestrian has been detected in the pedestrian detection determination process ("YES" in step ST2210), the illumination condition output unit 130B then executes an illumination range calculation and brightness determination process (step ST2220). In this process, the illumination condition calculation unit 140B of the illumination condition output unit 130B uses the traffic participant information to calculate an illumination range that includes the pedestrian indicated in the traffic participant information. Furthermore, the illumination condition calculation unit 140B of the illumination condition output unit 130B calculates and determines a brightness according to the distance using the distance to the pedestrian indicated in the traffic participant information. Note that the illumination condition calculation unit 140B may determine a preset brightness.

[0055] The illumination condition output unit 130B of the light control device 100B then executes an illumination condition calculation process (step ST2230). The illumination condition calculation unit 140B of the illumination condition output unit 130B converts the illumination conditions, including the illumination range and brightness, into illumination condition information and outputs it to the illumination control unit 190B. The illumination condition output unit 130B of the light control device 100B proceeds to an end determination process (step ST2240).

[0056] If the light control device 100B determines that no pedestrians are present around the shaded area ("NO" in step ST2210) and executes the process of step ST2230, the light control device 100B then executes an end determination process (step ST2240). In the end determination process, a control unit (not shown) of the light control device 100B determines whether to end the process of the light control device 100B. The control unit (not shown) determines whether to end the process of the light control device 100B, for example, in accordance with an external end command or an execution program. If the control unit (not shown) determines not to end the process of the light control device 100B ("NO" in step ST2240), the light control device 100B proceeds to the process of step ST2210 and repeats the process from step ST2210. If the control unit (not shown) determines to end the process of the light control device 100B ("YES" in step ST2240), the light control device 100B ends the process.

[0057] Next, a second processing example of the light control device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for implementing a second function of the light control device 100 (100B) according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing illustrated in FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a light control method by the light control device according to the present disclosure. In FIG. 9, the description will be given assuming that the object to be watched is a pedestrian and the moving body in the traveling direction is a preceding vehicle. For example, the light control device 100B starts the processing illustrated in FIG. 9 when the lighting device 310 is to start lighting or is performing lighting, and a light blocking area is set for the preceding vehicle (an example of a moving body in the traveling direction).

[0058] The illumination condition output unit 130B of the light control device 100B then executes a pedestrian detection determination process (step ST2310). In the pedestrian detection determination process, the illumination condition calculation unit 140B of the illumination condition output unit 130B acquires traffic participant information and determines whether a pedestrian is present around the shaded area using the traffic participant information. If the illumination condition calculation unit 140B determines that a pedestrian is not present around the shaded area ("NO" in step ST2310), the illumination condition calculation unit 140B proceeds to an end determination process (step ST2340).

[0059] When the illumination condition output unit 130B of the light control device 100B determines that a pedestrian has been detected in the pedestrian detection determination process ("YES" in step ST2310), the illumination condition output unit 130B then executes an illumination range calculation and blinking pattern determination process (step ST2320). In this process, the illumination condition calculation unit 140B of the illumination condition output unit 130B uses the traffic participant information to calculate an illumination range that includes the pedestrian indicated in the traffic participant information. Furthermore, the illumination condition calculation unit 140B of the illumination condition output unit 130B determines a blinking pattern according to the distance to the pedestrian indicated in the traffic participant information. For example, the illumination condition calculation unit 140B determines a pattern in which the blinking speed increases as the distance decreases. Note that the illumination condition calculation unit 140B may determine a preset blinking pattern.

[0060] The illumination condition output unit 130B of the light control device 100B then executes illumination condition calculation processing (step ST2330). The illumination condition calculation unit 140B of the illumination condition output unit 130B converts the illumination conditions, including the illumination range and blinking pattern, into illumination condition information and outputs it to the illumination control unit 190B. The illumination condition output unit 130B of the light control device 100B proceeds to end determination processing (step ST2340).

[0061] If the light control device 100B determines that no pedestrians are present around the light-blocking area ("NO" in step ST2310) and executes the process of step ST2330, the light control device 100B then executes an end determination process (step ST2340). In the end determination process, a control unit (not shown) of the light control device 100B determines whether to end the process of the light control device 100B. The control unit (not shown) determines whether to end the process of the light control device 100B, for example, in accordance with an external end command or an execution program. If the control unit (not shown) determines not to end the process of the light control device 100B ("NO" in step ST2340), the light control device 100B proceeds to the process of step ST2310 and repeats the process from step ST2310. If the control unit (not shown) determines to end the process of the light control device 100B ("YES" in step ST2340), the light control device 100B ends the process.

[0062] According to this embodiment, it is possible to output illumination conditions in which the peripheral portion of the shaded area near a pedestrian is brighter than the other portions. This makes it possible to alert the driver (an example of a passenger) to the presence of a pedestrian (an example of an object requiring attention) by making the peripheral portion of the shaded area of ​​the vehicle ahead relative to the vehicle itself more noticeable than the other projection areas, while preventing glare to the vehicle ahead (an example of a moving object in the traveling direction). Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to output illumination conditions in which the peripheral portion of the shaded area near the pedestrian is flashed. This makes it possible to alert the driver to the presence of a pedestrian by making the peripheral portion of the shaded area of ​​the vehicle ahead relative to the vehicle itself more noticeable than the other projection areas, while preventing glare to the vehicle ahead.

[0063] This embodiment further discloses an exemplary embodiment having the following configuration: A light control device, wherein the illumination state changed by the illumination condition output unit is the brightness of light for an area related to the object to be watched. This provides an advantageous effect of providing a light control device that, when an object to be watched is present around a shaded area, can help an occupant to more easily watch the object by changing the brightness of light for the object. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides the same advantageous effect as the above by applying the above configuration to a light control system, the light control method, or the program.

[0064] This embodiment further discloses an exemplary embodiment having the following configuration: A light control device, wherein the illumination state changed by the illumination condition output unit is a flashing of light in an area related to the object to be watched. This provides an advantageous effect of providing a light control device that, when an object to be watched is present around a shaded area, can assist an occupant in watching the object more easily by flashing light on the object. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides an advantageous effect similar to the advantageous effect by applying the above configuration to a light control system, the light control method, or the program.

[0065] This embodiment further discloses an exemplary embodiment having the following configuration: A light control device further comprising: an illumination control unit that outputs to a light device a control signal instructing the illumination conditions output by the illumination condition output unit. This provides an advantageous effect of providing a light control device that can prompt an occupant of a moving body to notice an object requiring attention if the occupant has overlooked it. Furthermore, by applying the above configuration to a light control system, the above light control method, or the above program, the present disclosure provides an advantageous effect similar to the above. Furthermore, the configuration of the present disclosure can be applied to all embodiments following this embodiment, and provides an advantageous effect similar to the above.

[0066] Embodiment 3. In embodiment 3, a form is described in which it is considered whether an occupant can visually recognize an object requiring attention. In embodiment 3, among the components according to embodiment 3, components similar to those according to embodiment 1 or embodiment 2 already described are given the same names and similar reference numerals (with some modifications), and duplicated descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0067] An example configuration of a light control device and a light control system including the device according to embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a light control system 1 (1C) including a light control device 100 (100C) according to embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. The light control system 1C shown in Fig. 10 is configured to include an information source device 200, a light control device 100C, and an output device 300.

[0068] The information source device 200 outputs information used in the processing of the light control device 100C to the light control device 100C. The information source device 200 shown in Figure 10 is configured to include a traveling direction sensor 210 and an in-vehicle sensor 220.

[0069] The following describes a case where the traveling direction sensor 210 is a forward sensor. The forward sensor is a sensor for acquiring traffic participant information. The forward sensor is, for example, an outward-facing camera, a millimeter wave, or a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). The forward sensor outputs the traffic participant information to the light control device 100C.

[0070] The in-vehicle sensor 220 outputs occupant information including information about the line of sight of occupants in the vehicle. The in-vehicle sensor 220 includes, for example, an interior-facing camera. The interior-facing camera is a camera located inside the vehicle. It captures images of occupants including the driver. The interior-facing camera includes a visible light camera and an infrared camera. In this case, the occupant information is a captured image of the occupants including the driver. The occupant information may be the line of sight of the driver (occupant), the facial direction of the driver (occupant), or the line of sight and facial direction of the driver (occupant), calculated from the captured image. When the in-vehicle sensor 220 outputs a captured image, the light control device 100C calculates the line of sight of the driver (occupant), the facial direction of the driver (occupant), or the line of sight and facial direction of the driver (occupant) from the captured image. Alternatively, the in-vehicle sensor 220 may utilize the functions of, for example, a DMS (Driver Monitoring System). The in-vehicle sensor 220 is communicably connected to the light control device 100C.

[0071] Furthermore, the traveling direction sensor 210 and the vehicle interior sensor 220 may transmit information collected in an ECU to the light control device 100C instead of transmitting information directly to the light control device 100C. The ECU is a control unit that controls various operations of the vehicle. The ECU is connected to the light control device 100C by a wire harness (not shown), and is capable of freely communicating with the light control device 100C using a communication method based on the CAN (Controller Area Network) standard.

[0072] The output device 300, like the output device 300 already described, includes a lighting device 310. The lighting device 310 is communicably connected to the light control device 100C. A divided-illumination headlamp will be described below when the lighting device 310 is a divided-illumination headlamp. The divided-illumination headlamp is a lamp that divides and changes its extinguishing state based on lighting information included in a control signal from the light control device 100C. The divided-illumination headlamp is, for example, a collection of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). LEDs are more energy-efficient than halogen lamps and allow for precise light distribution control of brightness, color, and projection range. For example, directional light distribution can be achieved by turning on only some of the LEDs in the lamp rather than all of them. Furthermore, various colors can be output by adjusting and combining the brightness of each RGB color. Furthermore, MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) (MEMS laser lighting) can manipulate and reflect laser light irradiated onto a MEMS mirror at high speed, enabling light distribution control in various forms. Furthermore, light distribution control that combines these is also possible, and the light control device 100 of the present disclosure is effective for all headlights that divide illumination in this way.

[0073] The light control device 100C further controls the light 310, taking into consideration whether the occupant can see the attention-requiring object. The light control device 100C shown in Fig. 10 is configured to include a traffic participant information acquisition unit 110 (110C), an occupant information acquisition unit 120 (120C), an illumination condition output unit 130 (130C), and an illumination control unit 190 (190C). The traffic participant information acquisition unit 110C acquires traffic participant information in the same way as the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110 already described.

[0074] The occupant information acquisition unit 120C acquires occupant information. The occupant information acquired by the occupant information acquisition unit 120C includes information about the line of sight of the occupant in the moving body. Specifically, the information about the line of sight of the occupant is, for example, the line of sight of the occupant, the facial direction of the occupant, or the line of sight of the occupant and the facial direction of the occupant. When the occupant information is information about the line of sight of the driver, the occupant information acquisition unit 120C can also be expressed as a driver information acquisition unit, and the occupant information can also be expressed as driver information.

[0075] The illumination condition output unit 130C calculates illumination conditions by taking into consideration the line of sight of the occupant, using the occupant information in addition to the traffic participant information already described. For example, when the illumination condition output unit 130C determines that the occupant is viewing an object requiring attention, using the traffic participant information and the occupant information, it calculates illumination conditions that change the illumination state of the range related to the object requiring attention and the illumination range other than the range to the same illumination state. The illumination condition output unit 130C shown in FIG. 10 is configured to include an illumination condition calculation unit 140 (140C) and a visibility determination unit 150 (150C).

[0076] The visual identification determination unit 150C determines whether the occupant is visually identifying the object to be watched, based on the occupant information and the traffic participant information. Specifically, for example, the visual identification determination unit 150C determines whether the occupant is visually identifying the object to be watched as follows: The visual identification determination unit 150C calculates an estimated gaze direction using the occupant information. The estimated gaze direction is the occupant's gaze direction, the occupant's facial direction, or the occupant's gaze direction estimated from the occupant's gaze and the occupant's facial direction. The visual identification determination unit 150C determines whether the object to be watched is visually identified, using the estimated gaze direction and the traffic participant information. The visual identification determination unit 150C identifies the object to be watched using the traffic participant information and acquires information about the object to be watched. If information about the object to be watched has been acquired by another component, the visual identification determination unit 150C may use the acquired information. The visual confirmation determination unit 150C determines that the occupant has visually confirmed the object to be watched if the time during which the estimated gaze direction overlaps with the direction in which the object to be watched is greater than a visual confirmation time threshold. The time during which the estimated gaze direction overlaps with the direction in which the object to be watched is may be a continuous time or an accumulated time. The visual confirmation time threshold is set and stored in advance. The visual confirmation determination unit 150C outputs visual confirmation determination result information indicating the determination result.

[0077] The illumination condition calculation unit 140C outputs illumination condition information indicating illumination conditions based on the traffic participant information and occupant information. Furthermore, the illumination condition calculation unit 140C uses the visibility determination result by the visibility determination unit 150C to output illumination condition information according to the visibility determination result. Specifically, when it is determined that the occupant is viewing the attention-requiring object, the illumination condition calculation unit 140C calculates illumination conditions that make the illumination state of the area related to the attention-requiring object and the illumination area other than the area the same illumination state. When the occupant is not viewing the attention-requiring object, the illumination condition calculation unit 140C calculates illumination conditions that change the illumination state of the area related to the attention-requiring object to a different illumination state from that of the other illumination areas. The illumination condition calculation unit 140C outputs illumination condition information indicating the calculated illumination conditions.

[0078] Similar to the irradiation control unit 190 already described, the irradiation control unit 190C outputs a control signal in accordance with the irradiation conditions indicated in the irradiation condition information output from the irradiation condition output unit 130C (the irradiation condition calculation unit 140C of the irradiation condition output unit 130C).

[0079] Next, an image of the processing of a light control device and a light control system including the light control device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a light device 310 based on the output of a light control device 100 (100C) according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 illustrates a host vehicle (an example of a moving body) 3000, a vehicle in the traveling direction (an example of a moving body in the traveling direction) 3100, a shaded area 3200, a pedestrian (an example of an object requiring attention) 3300, a driver (an example of a passenger) 3400, and an estimated viewing direction 3410. In FIG. 11 , the host vehicle (an example of a moving body) 3000 and the vehicle in the traveling direction (an example of a moving body in the traveling direction) 3100 are both traveling. The host vehicle 3000 is irradiating light to a traveling direction area using a lighting device, and because a vehicle in the traveling direction (an example of a moving body in the traveling direction) 3100 is present in the traveling direction, a shaded area 3200 is set to block light. In this situation, when the light control device 100 detects the presence of a pedestrian (an example of an object requiring attention) 3300 in the area in the traveling direction, the previously described embodiment changes the illumination state of the light for the area related to the pedestrian. However, the light control device 100C according to this embodiment uses information about the line of sight of the driver (an example of an occupant) 3400 of the vehicle 3000 to determine whether the driver 3400 is visually recognizing the pedestrian 3300, and if it determines that the driver 3400 is visually recognizing the pedestrian, sets the illumination state of the area related to the pedestrian 3300 and the illumination state of the other illumination areas to the same illumination state. That is, the light control device 100C calculates the illumination conditions based on the driver's line of sight and facial direction included in the driver information (occupant information) acquired by the occupant information acquisition unit 120C. Specifically, the light control device 100C determines that the driver is aware of the pedestrian within a specified time period and within a specified area relative to the pedestrian's position, and sets the illumination conditions for the area near the pedestrian to the same illumination conditions for other areas.

[0080] Next, a processing example of the light control system 1 (1C) will be described. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the light control system 1 (1C) according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the light control system 1C starts the processing shown in Fig. 12 when a light control start condition is satisfied, such as when the lighting device 310 is to start lighting, or when lighting has already been started.

[0081] The light control system 1C then performs a traveling direction measurement and a mobile object interior measurement process (step ST3100). The traveling direction sensor 210 in the information source device 200 of the light control system 1C performs traveling direction measurement. The traveling direction sensor 210 outputs traffic participant information. The mobile object sensor 220 in the information source device 200 of the light control system 1C performs a traveling object interior measurement. The mobile object sensor 220 outputs occupant information.

[0082] The light control system 1C then executes a light control process (step ST3200). The light control device 100 (100C) in the light control system 1C outputs illumination condition information indicating illumination conditions based on the traffic participant information and occupant information. The lighting device 310 in the light control system 1C illuminates the area in the traveling direction of the moving object in accordance with a light command based on the illumination conditions indicated in the illumination condition information.

[0083] The light control system 1C then executes an end determination process (step ST3900). In the end determination process, a control unit (not shown) of the light control system 1C determines whether to end the processing of the light control device 100C. The control unit (not shown) determines whether to end the processing of the light control system 1C, for example, in accordance with an external end command or an execution program. If the control unit (not shown) determines not to end the processing of the light control system 1C ("NO" in step ST3900), the process proceeds to step ST3100, and the process is repeated from step ST3100. If the control unit (not shown) determines to end the processing of the light control system 1C ("YES" in step ST3900), the light control system 1C ends the processing.

[0084] Next, an example of the processing of the light control device 100 (100C) will be described. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for realizing the functions of the light control device 100 (100C) according to embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. The processing shown in Fig. 13 shows an example of a light control method by the light control device of the present disclosure. For example, the light control device 100C shown in Fig. 10 starts the processing shown in Fig. 13 when a light control start condition is satisfied, such as when the lighting device 310 mounted on the moving body is to start lighting toward a region in the direction of travel, or when lighting is being performed toward a region in the direction of travel.

[0085] The light control device 100C then executes a traffic participant information acquisition process (step ST3210). In the traffic participant information acquisition process, the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110C of the light control device 100C acquires traffic participant information, which is information about traffic participants present in the travel direction area of ​​the moving object. The traffic participant information acquisition unit 110C acquires the traffic participant information from the travel direction sensor 210. If the travel direction sensor 210 outputs a sensor signal, the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110A calculates information about the traffic participants from the sensor signal and acquires the traffic participant information. The traffic participant information acquisition unit 110C outputs the traffic participant information to the illumination condition output unit 130C.

[0086] The light control device 100C then executes an occupant information acquisition process (step ST3220). In the occupant information acquisition process, the occupant information acquisition unit 120C of the light control device 100C acquires occupant information output from the in-vehicle sensor 220 in the information source device 200. Alternatively, the occupant information acquisition unit 120C calculates information about the occupant's line of sight based on the sensor signal output from the in-vehicle sensor 220, and acquires occupant information including information about the occupant's line of sight. The occupant information acquisition unit 120C outputs the occupant information to the illumination condition output unit 130C.

[0087] The light control device 100C then executes illumination condition output processing (step ST3230). In the illumination condition output processing, the illumination condition output unit 130C of the light control device 100C acquires traffic participant information output from the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110A. The illumination condition output unit 130C of the light control device 100C also acquires occupant information output from the occupant information acquisition unit 120C. When the illumination condition output unit 130C determines, using the traffic participant information and the occupant information, that the occupant is viewing the attention-requiring object, it calculates illumination conditions that change the illumination state of the range related to the attention-requiring object and the illumination range other than that range to the same illumination state.

[0088] The light control device 100C then executes an illumination control process (step ST3240). In the illumination control process, the illumination control unit 190C of the light control device 100C outputs a control signal that instructs the lighting device 310 to illuminate in accordance with the illumination conditions indicated in the illumination condition information output from the illumination condition output unit 130C (the illumination condition calculation unit 140C of the illumination condition output unit 130C).

[0089] The light control device 100C then executes an end determination process (step ST3250). In the end determination process, a control unit (not shown) of the light control device 100C determines whether to end the processing of the light control device 100C. The control unit (not shown) determines whether to end the processing of the light control device 100C, for example, in accordance with an external end command or an execution program. If the control unit (not shown) determines not to end the processing of the light control device 100C ("NO" in step ST3250), the process proceeds to step ST3210, and repeats the processing from step ST3210. If the control unit (not shown) determines to end the loop processing of the light control device 100C ("YES" in step ST3250), the light control device 100C ends the processing.

[0090] Here, a detailed example of the illumination condition output process in the illumination condition output unit 130C will be described. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the process for realizing the functions of the light control device 100 (100C) according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. The process shown in Fig. 14 is included in the light control method by the light control device of the present disclosure. For example, the light control device 100C shown in Fig. 10 starts the process shown in Fig. 14 when the lighting device 310 mounted on the moving body is about to start lighting toward a region in the direction of travel or when the lighting device 310 is performing lighting toward a region in the direction of travel, and when a light-blocking region is being set and is about to be blocked or a light-blocking region is being set and is being blocked.

[0091] The illumination condition output unit 130C of the light control device 100C then executes a traffic participant information acquisition and occupant information acquisition determination process (step ST3310). In this process, the visibility determination unit 150C of the illumination condition output unit 130C determines whether traffic participant information and occupant information have been acquired. If the visibility determination unit 150C has not acquired the traffic participant information output from the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110C and the occupant information output from the occupant information acquisition unit 120C ("NO" in step ST3310), the process proceeds to an end determination process (step ST3360).

[0092] When the visibility determination unit 150C acquires traffic participant information from the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110C and occupant information from the occupant information acquisition unit 120C ("YES" in step ST3310), the illumination condition output unit 130C of the light control device 100C then executes an estimated gaze direction calculation process (step ST3320). In the estimated gaze direction calculation process, the visibility determination unit 150C of the illumination condition output unit 130C calculates an estimated gaze direction using the occupant information. The visibility determination unit 150C calculates the estimated gaze direction from the occupant's gaze, the occupant's facial direction, or the occupant's gaze and the occupant's facial direction indicated in the occupant information.

[0093] The illumination condition output unit 130C of the light control device 100C then executes a visibility determination process (step ST3330). In the visibility determination process, the visibility determination unit 150C of the light control device 100C determines whether the occupant has visually recognized the object to be watched, using the estimated gaze direction and traffic participant information. The visibility determination unit 150C identifies the object to be watched using the traffic participant information and acquires information about the object to be watched. If information about the object to be watched has been acquired by another component, the visibility determination unit 150C may use the acquired information. If the time during which the estimated gaze direction overlaps with the direction in which the object to be watched is greater than a visibility time threshold, the visibility determination unit 150C determines that the occupant has visually recognized the object to be watched (step ST3330 "YES"). If the time during which the estimated line-of-sight direction overlaps with the direction in which the object to be watched is not greater than the viewing time threshold, the viewing determination unit 150C determines that the occupant is not watching the object to be watched ("NO" in step ST3330). The viewing determination unit 150C outputs viewing determination result information indicating the determination result to the illumination condition calculation unit 140C.

[0094] When the illumination condition output unit 130C of the light control device 100C determines that the occupant has visually recognized the object to be watched ("YES" in step ST3330), the illumination condition output unit 130C then executes a visual recognition illumination condition calculation process (step ST3340). In the visual recognition illumination condition calculation process, the illumination condition calculation unit 140C of the illumination condition output unit 130C acquires visual recognition determination result information indicating that the occupant has visually recognized the object to be watched by the visual recognition determination unit 150C. When it is determined that the occupant has visually recognized the object to be watched, the illumination condition calculation unit 140C calculates illumination conditions that make the illumination state of the range related to the object to be watched and the illumination state of the illumination range other than the range related to the object to be watched the same.

[0095] When the illumination condition output unit 130C of the light control device 100C determines that the occupant does not visually recognize the attention-requiring object ("NO" in step ST3330), the illumination condition output unit 130C then executes a process for calculating unvisible illumination conditions (step ST3350). In the process for calculating unvisible illumination conditions, the illumination condition calculation unit 140C of the illumination condition output unit 130C acquires visibility determination result information indicating that the occupant does not visually recognize the attention-requiring object from the visibility determination unit 150C. When it is determined that the occupant does not visually recognize the attention-requiring object, the illumination condition calculation unit 140C calculates illumination conditions that change the illumination state of the area related to the attention-requiring object to a state different from that of other illumination areas, as in the embodiment already described. The illumination condition calculation unit 140C outputs illumination condition information indicating the illumination conditions to the illumination control unit 190C.

[0096] The illumination condition output unit 130C of the light control device 100C executes the visible illumination condition calculation process (step ST3340) or the non-visual illumination condition calculation process (step ST3350) and outputs the illumination condition information to the illumination control unit 190C. Then, the output unit 130C executes the termination determination process (step ST3360). In the termination determination process, a control unit (not shown) of the light control device 100C determines whether to terminate the processing of the light control device 100C. The control unit (not shown) determines whether to terminate the processing of the light control device 100C, for example, in accordance with an external termination command or an execution program. If the control unit (not shown) determines not to terminate the processing of the light control device 100C, the process proceeds to step ST3310, and the process is repeated from step ST3310. If the control unit (not shown) determines to terminate the processing of the light control device 100C, the light control device 100C terminates the processing.

[0097] With the configuration of this embodiment, for example, it is possible to output illumination conditions taking into consideration driver information including the driver's line of sight and facial direction based on image data from a camera facing the interior of the vehicle. As a result, when it is highly likely that the driver has noticed a pedestrian, it is possible to avoid interfering with the driver's driving. Furthermore, with the configuration of this embodiment, for example, when it is determined based on the driver information that the driver has been viewing a pedestrian for a predetermined period of time or more, it is possible to make the illumination conditions for the area around the pedestrian in the surrounding area of ​​the shading area the same as the illumination conditions for the other areas. As a result, when it is highly likely that the driver has noticed the pedestrian, it is possible to avoid interfering with the driver's driving by not changing the illumination conditions.

[0098] The present embodiment further discloses an exemplary embodiment having the following configuration: A light control device further including an occupant information acquisition unit that acquires occupant information including information about the line of sight of an occupant in the moving body, wherein the illumination condition output unit further uses the occupant information to calculate illumination conditions taking into account the line of sight of the occupant. This provides an advantageous effect of providing a light control device that, when an object to be gazed at is present around a shaded area, can assist the occupant in gazing at the object, for example, by taking into account whether the occupant is gazing at the object. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides an advantageous effect similar to the advantageous effect by applying the above configuration to a light control system, the light control method, or the program.

[0099] This embodiment further discloses an exemplary embodiment having the following configuration: A light control device characterized in that, when it is determined that the occupant is viewing the attention-required object using the traffic participant information and the occupant information, the illumination condition output unit calculates illumination conditions that change the illumination state of the area related to the attention-required object and other illumination areas to the same illumination state. This further provides an effect of providing a light control device that, for example, when the occupant is gazing at an object, sets the illumination state to the same as the normal illumination state, thereby preventing unnecessary stimulation to the occupant. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides the same effect as the above by applying the above configuration to a light control system, the light control method, or the program.

[0100] Embodiment 4. In embodiment 4, a form is described in which light is irradiated early when the light-shielded region becomes irradiable. In embodiment 4, among the components according to embodiment 4, components similar to those according to embodiment 1, embodiment 2, or embodiment 3 already described are given the same names and similar reference numerals (with some modifications), and duplicated descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0101] An example configuration of a light control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure and a light control system including the device will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a light control system 1 (1D) including a light control device 100 (100D) according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The light control system 1D illustrated in FIG. 15 includes an information source device 200, a light control device 100D, and an output device 300. The light control system 1D has a configuration in which the light control device 100C already described is replaced with the light control device 100D. The information source device 200 includes a traveling direction sensor 210 and an in-vehicle sensor 220. The traveling direction sensor 210 has the same configuration as the traveling direction sensor 210 already described. The in-vehicle sensor 220 has the same configuration as the in-vehicle sensor 220 already described. The output device 300 includes a light device 310, similar to the output device 300 already described.

[0102] The light control device 100D controls the light 310 so that the light is irradiated as soon as possible when the light-blocked area becomes irradiable. The light control device 100D shown in Fig. 15 includes a traffic participant information acquisition unit 110 (110D), an occupant information acquisition unit 120 (120D), an illumination condition output unit 130 (130D), and an illumination control unit 190 (190D).

[0103] The transport participant information acquisition unit 110D acquires transport participant information in the same manner as the transport participant information acquisition units 110 (110A, 110B, 110C) already described.

[0104] The occupant information acquisition unit 120D acquires occupant information in the same manner as the occupant information acquisition unit 120 (120C) already described.

[0105] The illumination condition output unit 130D has the following functions in addition to the functions of the illumination condition output unit 130 (130A, 130B, 130C) already described. The illumination condition output unit 130D calculates a required shading time during which shading should be continued using the speed of the object moving in the traveling direction, and outputs illumination conditions for changing the shading state from the shading state to the illuminating state in the shading area when the required shading time has elapsed. The illumination condition output unit 130D shown in FIG. 15 is configured to include an illumination condition calculation unit 140 (140D), a visibility determination unit 150 (150D), and a first illumination adjustment unit 160 (160D).

[0106] The visual identification determination unit 150D is configured in the same manner as the visual identification determination unit 150 (150C) already described.

[0107] The first illumination adjustment unit 160D calculates the required shading time during which shading should continue using the speed of the moving object in the traveling direction, and performs adjustments such as continuing shading of the shading area or ending shading depending on whether the required shading time has elapsed. Specifically, the first illumination adjustment unit 160D has, for example, the following functions: The first illumination adjustment unit 160D acquires the speed of the moving object in the traveling direction based on traffic participant information. The first illumination adjustment unit 160D calculates the relative speed of the moving object in the traveling direction relative to the speed of the moving object that is the vehicle itself, using the speed of the moving object in the traveling direction. The first illumination adjustment unit 160D calculates the required shading time during which shading should continue based on the relative speed and the irradiation distance. The first illumination adjustment unit 160D determines whether the required shading time during which shading should continue has elapsed, and outputs the determination result as adjustment determination result information.

[0108] The irradiation condition calculation unit 140D has the following functions in addition to the functions of the irradiation condition calculation unit 140 (140A, 140B, 140C) already described: The irradiation condition calculation unit 140D outputs, according to the determination result by the first irradiation adjustment unit 160D, irradiation conditions for changing the light-blocking state in the light-blocking region to an irradiated state, or irradiation conditions for maintaining the light-blocking state in the light-blocking region.

[0109] The irradiation control unit 190D, like the irradiation control unit 190 already described, outputs a control signal in accordance with the irradiation conditions indicated in the irradiation condition information output from the irradiation condition output unit 130D (the irradiation condition calculation unit 140D of the irradiation condition output unit 130D).

[0110] Here, an overview of the processing of a light control device according to embodiment 4 of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a light device 310 based on the output of a light control device 100 (100D) according to embodiment 4 of the present disclosure. FIG. 16 illustrates a host vehicle 4000 (an example of a moving body), a speed (low speed) 4010, a speed (high speed) 4020, an irradiatable distance 4030, a light-blocking region 4040, illuminated light 4050, a traveling direction vehicle 4100 (an example of a traveling direction moving body), and illuminated light 4200. In FIG. 16 , the host vehicle 4000 (an example of a moving body) and the traveling direction vehicle 4100 (an example of a traveling direction moving body) are both in a traveling state. The speed (low speed) 4010 of the host vehicle 4000 is slower than the speed (high speed) 4020 of the traveling direction vehicle 4100 (an example of a traveling direction moving body). Therefore, the distance between the host vehicle 4000 and the vehicle 4100 in the traveling direction changes over time from a short distance to a long distance, as shown in the left diagram to the right diagram, and then exceeds the irradiation distance 4030. When the distance is short, the illumination light 4050 is irradiated while blocking the shading area 4040, as configured in the embodiment already described. The light control device 100D calculates the time until the irradiation distance 4030 is exceeded as the shading required time, and changes to the illumination state as soon as the shading required time has elapsed. That is, the light control device 100D calculates the time (shading required time) required to form a shading area (shading area 4040) corresponding to the vehicle in the traveling direction based on the speed of the vehicle in the traveling direction (an example of a moving body in the traveling direction) obtained from the traffic participant information, and changes from the shading state to the illumination state after the required time has elapsed. In this way, the light control device 100D can shorten the shading state when a pedestrian is near a shaded area or when the driver is unaware of the pedestrian, thereby helping the driver to quickly spot a pedestrian hiding in the shadow of an oncoming vehicle.

[0111] Next, an example of processing by a light control device according to embodiment 4 of the present disclosure will be described. Here, the description of the processing by the light control device 100 already described will be omitted, and an example of processing specific to the light control device 100D will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of processing that realizes the functions of the light control device 100 (100D) according to embodiment 4 of the present disclosure. The processing shown in FIG. 17 is included in the light control method by the light control device according to the present disclosure. For example, the illumination condition output unit 130D of the light control device 100D shown in FIG. 15 starts the processing shown in FIG. 17 when the lighting device 310 mounted on the moving body is about to start lighting toward a region in the direction of travel or when the lighting device 310 is performing lighting toward a region in the direction of travel, and when a shaded region is being set and is about to be shaded, or a shaded region is being set and is shaded.

[0112] The illumination condition output unit 130D of the light control device 100D executes a speed acquisition process (step ST4210). In the speed acquisition process, the first illumination adjustment unit 160D of the illumination condition output unit 130D acquires the speed of the object moving in the traveling direction based on the traffic participant information acquired by the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110D. The first illumination adjustment unit 160D calculates a required shading time during which shading should continue using the speed of the object moving in the traveling direction, and performs adjustments such as continuing shading of the shading area or ending shading depending on whether the required shading time has elapsed. The first illumination adjustment unit 160D determines whether the required shading time during which shading should continue has elapsed, and outputs the determination result as adjustment determination result information.

[0113] The illumination condition output unit 130D of the light control device 100D executes a required illumination time calculation process (step ST4220). In the required illumination time calculation process, the first illumination adjustment unit 160D of the illumination condition output unit 130D calculates the relative speed of the moving object in the traveling direction relative to the speed of the moving object that is the vehicle itself, using the speed of the moving object in the traveling direction. Based on the relative speed and the illumination-enabled distance, the first illumination adjustment unit 160D calculates the required shading time for which shading should continue.

[0114] The illumination condition output unit 130D of the light control device 100D executes a process for determining whether the required illumination time has elapsed (step ST4230). In the process for determining whether the required illumination time has elapsed, the first illumination adjustment unit 160D of the illumination condition output unit 130D calculates the required illumination time for which illumination should be continued using the speed of the object moving in the traveling direction, and starts timing. The first illumination adjustment unit 160D determines whether the measured time has elapsed the required illumination time.

[0115] If the irradiation condition output unit 130D determines that the required light blocking time has not elapsed ("NO" in step ST4230), the first irradiation adjustment unit 160D of the irradiation condition output unit 130D executes a light blocking continuation process (step ST4240).

[0116] When the illumination condition output unit 130D of the light control device 100D determines that the light blocking required time has elapsed ("YES" in step ST4230), it executes an illumination process (step ST4250). In the illumination process, the first illumination adjustment unit 160D of the illumination condition output unit 130D adjusts the light blocking state of the light-blocked area to change it to an illuminated state. The first illumination adjustment unit 160D outputs first illumination adjustment information indicating the adjustment content to the illumination condition calculation unit 140D. After executing the process of step ST4250, the illumination condition output unit 130D of the light control device 100D ends the process.

[0117] The configuration of this embodiment calculates the time required to form a shaded area (shaded region) corresponding to the preceding vehicle based on the speed of the preceding vehicle (an example of a moving body in the traveling direction) obtained from traffic participant information, and switches from the shaded state to the illuminated state after the required time has elapsed. This shortens the shaded state, making it possible to quickly discover pedestrians hiding in the shadow of the preceding vehicle.

[0118] This embodiment further discloses an exemplary embodiment having the following configuration: a light control device, wherein the illumination condition output unit calculates a required shading time during which shading should continue using the speed of the moving body in the traveling direction, and outputs illumination conditions for changing the shading state from a shading state to an illuminated state in the shading area when the required shading time has elapsed. This further advantageously provides a light control device that can illuminate the shading area early at a point when the shading would no longer be lit by the moving body in the traveling direction, for example, when the relative speed of the moving body in the traveling direction is fast. Furthermore, the present disclosure can achieve the same advantageous effect as the advantageous effect by applying the above configuration to a light control system, the light control method, or the program.

[0119] Embodiment 5. In embodiment 5, when an object to be watched is present in the light-blocking area, an embodiment is described in which the object to be watched is irradiated early. In embodiment 5, among the components according to embodiment 5, components similar to the components according to embodiment 1, embodiment 2, embodiment 3, or embodiment 4 already described are given the same names and similar reference numerals (partially modified reference numerals), and duplicated descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0120] An example configuration of a light control device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure and a light control system including the device will be described. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a light control system 1 (1E) including a light control device 100 (100E) according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. In the fifth embodiment, among the components according to the fifth embodiment, components similar to those according to the embodiments already described are given the same names and similar reference numerals (with some modifications), and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate. The light control system 1E shown in FIG. 18 includes an information source device 200, a light control device 100E, and an output device 300. The light control system 1E has a configuration in which the already described light control device 100D is replaced by the light control device 100E.

[0121] The information source device 200 is configured to include a traveling direction sensor 210 and an in-vehicle sensor 220. The traveling direction sensor 210 is configured in the same manner as the traveling direction sensor 210 already described. The in-vehicle sensor 220 is configured in the same manner as the in-vehicle sensor 220 already described.

[0122] The output device 300 has the same configuration as the output device 300 already described, and includes a lighting device 310 .

[0123] The light control device 100E controls the light device so that, when an object requiring attention is present in a light-blocking area, the light device 100E illuminates the object requiring attention early. The light control device 100E shown in Fig. 18 includes a traffic participant information acquisition unit 110 (110E), an occupant information acquisition unit 120 (120E), an illumination condition output unit 130 (130E), and an illumination control unit 190 (190E).

[0124] The transport participant information acquisition unit 110E has the same configuration as the transport participant information acquisition unit 110 (110A, 110B, 110C, 110D) already described, and acquires transport participant information.

[0125] The occupant information acquisition unit 120E acquires occupant information in the same manner as the occupant information acquisition unit 120 (120C, 120D) already described.

[0126] The illumination condition output unit 130E has the following functions in addition to the functions of the illumination condition output unit 130 (130A, 130B, 130C, 130D) already described. When the illumination condition output unit 130E determines, using traffic participant information, that an object requiring attention is present in the shaded area, it outputs illumination conditions that change the illumination state in an area surrounding the shaded area adjacent to the area in which it is determined that the object requiring attention is present to a different illumination state. The illumination condition output unit 130E calculates a required shade time during which shade should be continued using the speed of the moving object in the traveling direction, and when the required shade time has elapsed, outputs illumination conditions that change the illumination state in the shaded area from the shaded state to an illuminated state. When an object requiring attention is present in the shaded area, it uses traffic participant information to output illumination conditions that change the illumination state in an area surrounding the shaded area adjacent to the area in which the object requiring attention is present to a different illumination state. The irradiation condition output unit 130E includes an irradiation condition calculation unit 140 (140E), a visibility determination unit 150 (150E), a first irradiation adjustment unit 160 (160E), and a second irradiation adjustment unit 170 (170E).

[0127] The visual identification determination unit 150E is configured similarly to the visual identification determination unit 150 (150C, 150D) already described.

[0128] Similar to the first irradiation adjustment unit 160 (160D) already described, the first irradiation adjustment unit 160E calculates the required shading time during which shading should be continued using the speed of the moving body in the direction of travel, and when the required shading time has elapsed, changes the shading state in the shading area from the shading state to the irradiated state.

[0129] When an object requiring attention is present in the light-blocking area, the second illumination adjustment unit 170E changes the illumination state in the area surrounding the light-blocking area adjacent to the area in which it is determined that an object requiring attention is present to a different illumination state.

[0130] For example, when it is determined that an object requiring attention is present in the shaded area using the traffic participant information, the second illumination adjustment unit 170E changes the illumination state in a range adjacent to the range in which it is determined that the object requiring attention is present, within the periphery of the shaded area, to a different illumination state. Specifically, the second illumination adjustment unit 170E outputs a second illumination adjustment signal that adjusts the illumination conditions so as to change the illumination state in a range adjacent to the range in which the object requiring attention is present, within the periphery of the shaded area, to a different illumination state.

[0131] When the illumination condition calculation unit 140E receives the second illumination adjustment signal, the illumination condition calculation unit 140E calculates illumination conditions that change the illumination state in the range adjacent to the range in which it is determined that the caution object exists to a different illumination state. The illumination condition calculation unit 140E outputs illumination condition information that indicates the illumination conditions.

[0132] The illumination control unit 190E is configured in the same manner as the illumination control units 190 (190B, 190C, 190D) already described, and outputs a control signal to issue a lighting command to the lighting device 310 based on the illumination conditions output by the illumination condition calculation unit 140E.

[0133] Here, an image of the processing of the light control device according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light device 310 based on the output of the light control device 100 (100E) according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19 illustrates a vehicle 5100 (an example of a moving body in the traveling direction), a shaded area 5200, a shaded boundary range 5300, a pedestrian 5400 (an example of an object requiring attention), a periphery 5500 of the shaded area, and an illumination area 5600. FIG. 19 illustrates an image of a scene viewed from the traveling direction area of ​​a moving body, which is the host vehicle, and shows a state that has changed over time from the state shown on the left to the state shown on the right. In FIG. 19, it is assumed that the distance between the moving body, which is the host vehicle, and the vehicle 5100 in the traveling direction is constant. A vehicle 5100 is present in the direction of travel of the moving object, which is the host vehicle. As in the previously described embodiments, the light control device 100E sets a shaded area 5200, shades the shaded area 5200, and irradiates visible light onto a periphery 5500 of the shaded area 5200. In this situation, when the light control device 100E detects a pedestrian 5400 (object to be watched) within the shaded margin range of the shaded area 5200, the light control device 100E outputs an illumination condition that changes the illumination state of a range (illumination range 5600) adjacent to the range within the periphery 5500 of the shaded area where the pedestrian 5400 (object to be watched) is determined to be present to an illumination state (brightness or blinking in the previously described embodiments) different from that of the other illumination ranges. This makes it possible to change the illumination state of the range where the pedestrian 5400 (object to be watched) is likely to be visible, making the pedestrian 5400 (object to be watched) more noticeable, just before or approximately at the same time as the pedestrian 5400 (object to be watched) becomes visible within the periphery 5500 of the shaded area. When the light control device 100E detects a pedestrian within a predetermined range of the shaded area (shaded region 5200) within a predetermined time period based on the driver information (an example of passenger information) and traffic participant information, the light control device 100E adjusts the illumination conditions in the vicinity of the pedestrian (illumination range 5600) within the periphery of the shaded area (periphery 5500 of the shaded area). This shortens the shaded state when a pedestrian is near the shaded area or when the driver is unaware of the pedestrian, making it easier for the driver to quickly find a pedestrian hiding in the shadow of a preceding or oncoming vehicle.

[0134] Next, a processing example of the light control device according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Here, the description of the processing of the light control device 100 already described will be omitted, and a processing example specific to the light control device 100E will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of processing that realizes the functions of the light control device 100 (100E) according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing shown in FIG. 20 is an example of a light control method by the light control device according to the present disclosure. For example, the illumination condition output unit 130E of the light control device 100E shown in FIG. 18 starts the processing shown in FIG. 20 when the lighting device 310 mounted on the moving body is about to start lighting toward a region in the direction of travel or when the lighting device 310 is performing lighting toward a region in the direction of travel, and when a shaded region is being set and light is being blocked or a shaded region is being set and light is being blocked.

[0135] The illumination condition output unit 130E of the light control device 100E then executes a shaded area pedestrian determination process (step ST5210). In the shaded area pedestrian determination process, the second illumination adjustment unit 170E of the illumination condition output unit 130E determines whether an object requiring attention is present in the shaded area using the traffic participant information. The second illumination adjustment unit 170E acquires the traffic participant information output by the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110E and detects the object requiring attention using the traffic participant information acquisition. The second illumination adjustment unit 170E determines whether an object requiring attention is present in the shaded area by comparing the range in which the object requiring attention is present with the shaded area. If the second illumination adjustment unit 170E determines that an object requiring attention is not present in the shaded area (step ST5210 "NO"), the illumination condition output unit 130E proceeds to an end determination process (step ST5240).

[0136] If the second illumination adjustment unit 170E determines that an object to be watched is present in the light-blocking area ("YES" in step ST5210), the illumination condition output unit 130E of the light control device 100E executes an illumination range calculation process (step ST5220). In the illumination range calculation process, the second illumination adjustment unit 170E of the illumination condition output unit 130E calculates a range adjacent to the range in which the object to be watched is present, and sets this range as an illumination range in which the illumination state is to be changed. The illumination state to be changed is set to brightness, flashing, or brightness and flashing, as in the embodiment already described.

[0137] The illumination condition output unit 130E of the light control device 100E then executes a process of irradiating the illumination area (step ST5230). In this process, the second illumination adjustment unit 170E of the illumination condition output unit 130E outputs second illumination adjustment information including the set illumination area and illumination state to the illumination condition calculation unit 140E. Upon receiving the second illumination adjustment information, the illumination condition calculation unit 140E generates illumination condition information indicating illumination conditions based on the second illumination adjustment information and outputs the generated illumination condition information to the illumination control unit 190. Next, the illumination control unit 190E outputs a control signal, which causes the lighting device 310 to irradiate visible light into an area around the shading area adjacent to the area where the attention-requiring object is located, in accordance with the control signal, so that the illumination state is different from that of the other illumination areas.

[0138] After executing the process of illuminating the illumination area (step ST5230), or if there is no pedestrian in the shaded area (step ST5210 "NO"), the illumination condition output unit 130E of the light control device 100E then executes an end determination process (step ST5240). In the end determination process, a control unit (not shown) of the light control device 100E determines whether to end the processing of the light control device 100E. The control unit (not shown) determines whether to end the processing of the light control device 100E, for example, in accordance with an external end command or an execution program. If the control unit (not shown) determines not to end the processing of the light control device 100E (step ST5240 "NO"), the process proceeds to step ST5210 and repeats the process from step ST5210. If the control unit (not shown) determines to end the processing of the light control device 100E (step ST5240 "YES"), the light control device 100E ends the processing.

[0139] For example, when a pedestrian (an example of an object requiring attention) is detected in a shaded area based on driver information and traffic participant information, the above configuration adjusts the illumination conditions around the pedestrian in the surrounding area of ​​the shaded area. This shortens the shaded state when a pedestrian is detected, making it easier for the driver to quickly find the pedestrian hiding in the shadow of an oncoming vehicle.

[0140] This embodiment further discloses an exemplary embodiment having the following configuration: The light control device is characterized in that, when the object to be watched is present in the shaded area, the illumination condition output unit uses the traffic participant information to output illumination conditions that change the illumination state in an area around the shaded area adjacent to the area where the object to be watched is determined to be present to an illumination state different from the illumination state in other illumination areas. This further provides an effect of providing a light control device that can shade objects moving in the direction of travel and can change illumination to occur early when there is a possibility that an object to be watched will be present around the shaded area. Furthermore, the present disclosure achieves the same effect as the above by applying the above configuration to a light control system, the light control method, or the program.

[0141] This embodiment further discloses an exemplary embodiment having the following configuration: the illumination condition output unit calculates a required shading time during which shading should continue using the speed of the moving body in the traveling direction, and outputs illumination conditions for changing the shading state in the shading area from a shading state to an illuminating state when the required shading time has elapsed, and if the object to be watched is present in the shading area, outputs illumination conditions for changing the illumination state in an area around the shading area adjacent to the area where the object to be watched is present, to an illumination state different from that in other shading areas, using the traffic participant information. This provides an advantageous effect of providing a light control device that can, for example, when the relative speed of the moving body in the traveling direction is fast, illuminate the light early at a time when the light will no longer be lit by the moving body in the traveling direction, and can change the illumination state to illuminate early when there is a possibility that an object to be watched will be present around the shading area. Furthermore, the present disclosure achieves the same advantageous effect as the above by applying the above configuration to a light control system, the light control method, or the program.

[0142] Embodiment 6. In embodiment 6, an embodiment in which the light-blocking region is adjustable will be described. In embodiment 6, among the components according to embodiment 6, components similar to those according to embodiment 1, embodiment 2, embodiment 3, embodiment 4, or embodiment 5 already described will be given the same names and similar reference numerals (with some modifications), and duplicated descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0143] A configuration example of a light control device according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure and a light control system including the device will be described. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a light control system 1F including a light control device 100 (100F) according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. The light control system 1F illustrated in FIG. 21 includes an information source device 200, a light control device 100F, and an output device 300. The light control system 1F has a configuration in which the light control device 100E already described is replaced with the light control device 100F. The information source device 200 includes a traveling direction sensor 210 and an in-vehicle sensor 220. The traveling direction sensor 210 has the same configuration as the traveling direction sensor 210 already described. The in-vehicle sensor 220 has the same configuration as the in-vehicle sensor 220 already described. The output device 300 includes a light device 310, similar to the output device 300 already described.

[0144] The light control device 100 (100F) further adjusts the light-blocking area. The light control device 100F shown in Fig. 21 includes a traffic participant information acquisition unit 110 (110F), an occupant information acquisition unit 120 (120F), an illumination condition output unit 130 (130F), and an illumination control unit 190 (190F).

[0145] The transport participant information acquisition unit 110F acquires transport participant information in the same manner as the transport participant information acquisition units 110 (110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, and 110E) already described.

[0146] The occupant information acquisition unit 120F acquires occupant information in the same manner as the occupant information acquisition units 120 (120C, 120D, 120E) already described.

[0147] The illumination condition output unit 130F has the following functions in addition to the functions of the illumination condition output units 130 (130A, 130B, 130C, 130D, 130E) already described: The illumination condition output unit 130F adjusts the shaded area based on the traffic participant information and outputs illumination conditions for shading the adjusted shaded area.

[0148] For example, based on traffic participant information, if an object requiring attention is present in the shading area boundary range, which is the range that includes the boundary of the shading area, the illumination condition output unit 130F adjusts the shading margin width, which is the margin in the shading area, to be smaller, and outputs illumination conditions that will shade the shading area after the adjustment.

[0149] For example, the illumination condition output unit 130F calculates the distance between the moving object and the moving object in the forward direction based on the traffic participant information, adjusts a shading margin width, which is a margin in the shading area, according to the distance between the moving object and the moving object in the forward direction, and outputs illumination conditions for shading the adjusted shading area. The shading margin width is a margin in the shading area relative to the range of the moving object in the forward direction, and can be expressed, for example, as the distance between the outer edge of the shading area and the outer edge of the moving object in the forward direction. An initial value of the shading margin width is set and stored in advance. The shading area is calculated by adding the shading margin width to the area of ​​the detected moving object in the forward direction. The illumination condition output unit 130F shown in FIG. 21 includes an illumination condition calculation unit 140 (140F), a visibility determination unit 150 (150F), a first illumination adjustment unit 160 (160F), a second illumination adjustment unit 170 (170E), and a shading area adjustment unit 180 (180F).

[0150] The visual identification determination unit 150F is configured in the same manner as the visual identification determination units 150 (150C, 150D, 150E) already described.

[0151] The first irradiation adjustment unit 160F is configured similarly to the first irradiation adjustment unit 160 (160D, 160E) already described.

[0152] The second irradiation adjustment unit 170F is configured similarly to the second irradiation adjustment unit 170 (170D, 170E) already described.

[0153] The shaded area adjustment unit 180F adjusts the shaded area based on the traffic participant information. If a required-attention object is present in a shaded area boundary range, which is a range including the boundary of the shaded area, based on the traffic participant information, the shaded area adjustment unit 180F adjusts the shaded margin width, which is the margin of the shaded area, to be smaller. The shaded area adjustment unit 180F calculates the distance between the moving object and a moving object in the traveling direction based on the traffic participant information, and adjusts the shaded margin width, which is the margin of the shaded area, according to the distance between the moving object and the moving object in the traveling direction. The shaded area adjustment unit 180F outputs shaded area adjustment information including information about the shaded area after adjusting the shaded margin width. The "shaded area boundary range" includes the boundary between the shaded area and its periphery, the inner edge of the shaded area, and the outer edge of the shaded area. The inner edge of the shaded area may be within a predetermined range from the boundary between the shaded area and its periphery within the shaded margin range. The outer edge of the light-shielding area may be within a predetermined range from the boundary between the light-shielding area and the periphery of the light-shielding area to the periphery of the light-shielding area.

[0154] The irradiation condition calculation unit 140F has the following functions in addition to the functions of the irradiation condition calculation unit 140 (140B, 140C, 140D, 140E) already described. The irradiation condition calculation unit 140F calculates irradiation conditions so as to change the irradiation state of the adjusted light-shielded area adjusted by the light-shielded area adjustment unit 180F. When the irradiation condition calculation unit 140F receives light-shielded area adjustment information output by the light-shielded area adjustment unit 180F, it calculates irradiation conditions so as to achieve an irradiation state in which visible light is irradiated while shading the adjusted light-shielded area indicated in the light-shielded area adjustment information, and outputs irradiation condition information indicating the irradiation conditions.

[0155] The illumination control unit 190F is configured in the same manner as the illumination control units 190 (190B, 190C, 190D, 190E) already described, and outputs a control signal to issue a lighting command to the lighting device 310 based on the illumination conditions output by the illumination condition calculation unit 140F.

[0156] Here, an overview of the processing of a light control device according to embodiment 6 of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a light device 310 based on the output of a light control device 100 (100F) according to embodiment 6 of the present disclosure. FIG. 22 illustrates a vehicle 6100 (an example of a moving body in the direction of travel), a shaded area (before adjustment) 6200, a shaded area (after adjustment) 6210, surroundings (surroundings of the shaded area) 6300, and a pedestrian (an example of an object requiring attention) 6400. FIG. 22 illustrates an image of a scene viewed from the moving body, which is the host vehicle, in the direction of travel, and shows a state that has changed over time from the state shown on the left to the state shown on the right. The moving body, which is the host vehicle, has a vehicle 6100 in the direction of travel in the direction of travel. As in the previously described embodiments, the light control device 100F sets a shaded area 6200, shades the shaded area 6200, and irradiates visible light onto a periphery 6300 of the shaded area 6200. In this situation, when the light control device 100F detects a pedestrian 6400 in the periphery 6300 of the shaded area 6200, it adjusts the shaded area so that the shade margin width of the shaded area is smaller than when the pedestrian 6400 is not detected (shading margin width a of the shaded area 6200 → shade margin width b of the shaded area 6210 in FIG. 22 ). Also, in this situation, when the distance between the host vehicle and the traveling direction vehicle 6100 changes from a long distance to a short distance, the light control device 100F changes the shade margin width of the shaded area in accordance with the distance. The light control device 100F adjusts the shaded area so that the shade margin width when the distance is short is smaller than the shade margin width when the distance is long (shading margin width a of the shaded area 6200 → shade margin width b of the shaded area 6210 in FIG. 22 ). Although the above two situations are described together in the explanation, the adjustment of the shaded area according to the above two situations may be provided as separate functions. That is, when a pedestrian is detected, the light control device 100F calculates illumination conditions that narrow the margin width of the shaded area for the preceding vehicle compared to when no pedestrian is detected. The light control device 100F assists the driver in making it easier for the driver to see the pedestrian. The light control device 100F also narrows the margin width of the shaded area based on the distance from the host vehicle to the preceding vehicle or pedestrian.As the preceding vehicle approaches, the sensor error becomes smaller, so glare is less likely to occur even if the margin width is narrowed. Furthermore, as the distance to the preceding vehicle becomes closer, the system uses more of the divided illumination areas of the divided illumination headlights used for the preceding vehicle, making fine adjustments possible. Furthermore, since there is a risk of a collision between pedestrians and the vehicle if they are nearby, the system calculates illumination conditions to make pedestrians as easy to see as possible.

[0157] Next, an example of processing by a light control device according to embodiment 6 of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for implementing the functions of the light control device 100 (100F) according to embodiment 6 of the present disclosure. The processing illustrated in FIG. 23 is an example of a light control method by the light control device according to the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the description will be given assuming that the moving body in the traveling direction is a preceding moving body and the object to be watched is a pedestrian. For example, the illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F shown in FIG. 21 starts the processing illustrated in FIG. 23 when the lighting device 310 mounted on the moving body is about to start lighting toward the traveling direction area or is lighting toward the traveling direction area, and when a shaded area is being set and is about to be shaded or a shaded area is being set and is shaded.

[0158] The illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F then executes a traffic participant information acquisition process (step ST6210). In the traffic participant information acquisition process, the shading area adjustment unit 180F of the illumination condition output unit 130F acquires the traffic participant information output from the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110F.

[0159] The illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F then executes a process of determining whether a pedestrian is present in the boundary range of the shaded area, or a process of determining whether a preceding moving object is present in the area in the direction of travel (step ST6220).

[0160] In this process, when the light-shielded area adjustment unit 180F of the illumination condition output unit 130F performs a process of determining whether a pedestrian is present, it detects pedestrians from among the objects to be watched included in the traffic participant information based on the traffic participant information, compares the range for each pedestrian with the shaded area, and determines whether a pedestrian is present in the shaded area boundary range. If the shaded area adjustment unit 180F determines that a pedestrian is not present in the shaded area boundary range ("NO" in step ST6220), it proceeds to the end determination process (step ST6240). If the shaded area adjustment unit 180F determines that a pedestrian is present in the shaded area boundary range ("YES" in step ST6220), it proceeds to the shaded area adjustment process (step ST6230).

[0161] In this process, when the shading area adjustment unit 180F of the illumination condition output unit 130F performs a process of determining whether a preceding moving object exists in the traveling direction, the shading area adjustment unit 180F detects the preceding moving object included in the traffic participant information based on the traffic participant information, and, for example, compares the traveling direction of the vehicle (moving object) with the range of the preceding moving object (moving object in the traveling direction) and determines whether the preceding moving object exists in the traveling direction using the degree of overlap. If the shading area adjustment unit 180F determines that a preceding moving object does not exist in the traveling direction (step ST6220 "NO"), it proceeds to an end determination process (step ST6240). If the shading area adjustment unit 180F determines that a preceding moving object exists in the traveling direction area (step ST6220 "YES"), it calculates the distance to the preceding moving object and proceeds to the shading area adjustment process (step ST6230).

[0162] The illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F then executes a shaded area adjustment process (step ST6230). In the shaded area adjustment process, when a pedestrian is present in the shaded area boundary range, the shaded area adjustment unit 180F of the illumination condition output unit 130F adjusts the shaded area so that the shaded margin width is smaller than when a pedestrian is not present in the shaded area boundary range. When the shaded area adjustment unit 180F determines that a preceding moving object is present in the traveling direction area (step ST6220 "YES"), it changes the shaded margin width according to the distance to the preceding moving object, adjusting the shaded area so that the shaded area corresponds to the distance to the preceding moving object. The shaded area adjustment unit 180F outputs shaded area adjustment information including information about the shaded area after adjusting the shaded margin width to the illumination condition calculation unit 140F. When the irradiation condition calculation unit 140F receives the light-blocked area adjustment information, it calculates the irradiation conditions for changing the light-blocked area indicated in the light-blocked area adjustment information, and outputs irradiation condition information indicating the irradiation conditions to the irradiation control unit 190F.

[0163] If the illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F determines that no preceding moving object is present in the travel direction area (step ST6220 "NO"), or after executing the shaded area adjustment process (step ST6230), the illumination condition output unit 130F then executes an end determination process (step ST6240). In the end determination process, a control unit (not shown) of the light control device 100F determines whether to end the processing of the light control device 100F. The control unit (not shown) determines whether to end the processing of the light control device 100F, for example, in accordance with an external end command or an execution program. If the control unit (not shown) determines not to end the processing of the light control device 100F, the process proceeds to step ST6210 and repeats the processing from step ST6210. If the control unit (not shown) determines to end the processing of the light control device 100F, the light control device 100F ends the processing.

[0164] Next, a first detailed example of the processing of the light control device according to embodiment 6 of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 24 is a flowchart showing a first detailed example of the processing for realizing the functions of the light control device 100 (100F) according to embodiment 6 of the present disclosure. The processing shown in Fig. 24 is an example of a light control method by the light control device according to the present disclosure. For example, the illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F shown in Fig. 21 starts the processing shown in Fig. 24 when the lighting device 310 mounted on the moving body is about to start lighting toward a region in the direction of travel or when the lighting device 310 is executing lighting toward a region in the direction of travel, and when a light-blocking region is being set and is about to be blocked or a light-blocking region is being set and is being blocked.

[0165] The illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F then executes a traffic participant information acquisition process (step ST6310). In the traffic participant information acquisition process, the shading area adjustment unit 180F of the illumination condition output unit 130F acquires traffic participant information in the same manner as in step ST6210 already described.

[0166] The illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F then executes a process (step ST6320) to determine whether a pedestrian is present in the shaded area boundary range. In this process, the shaded area adjustment unit 180F of the illumination condition output unit 130F detects pedestrians from among the objects to be watched included in the traffic participant information based on the traffic participant information, compares the range for each pedestrian with the shaded area, and determines whether a pedestrian is present in the shaded area boundary range. If the shaded area adjustment unit 180F determines that a pedestrian is not present in the shaded area boundary range ("NO" in step ST6320), it proceeds to an end determination process (step ST6350). If the shaded area adjustment unit 180F determines that a pedestrian is present in the shaded area boundary range ("YES" in step ST6320), it proceeds to a shaded margin width calculation process (step ST6330).

[0167] When the illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F determines that a pedestrian is present in the boundary range of the shaded area ("YES" in step ST6320), the illumination condition output unit 130F then executes a shaded margin width calculation process (step ST6330). In the shaded margin width calculation process, when a pedestrian is present in the boundary range of the shaded area, the shaded area adjustment unit 180F of the illumination condition output unit 130F calculates the shaded margin width using, for example, pre-stored adjustment parameters. The adjustment parameters are parameters for reducing the value of the shaded margin width.

[0168] The illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F then executes a shaded area adjustment process (step ST6340). In the shaded area adjustment process, the shaded area adjustment unit 180F of the illumination condition output unit 130F adjusts the shaded area using the adjusted shaded margin width, and outputs shaded area adjustment information indicative of the adjusted shaded area to the illumination condition calculation unit 140F of the illumination condition output unit 130F. The illumination condition calculation unit 140F calculates illumination conditions for changing the shaded area indicated in the shaded area adjustment information, and outputs illumination condition information indicative of the illumination conditions to the illumination control unit 190F.

[0169] After executing the shading area adjustment process (step ST6340), or if there is no pedestrian in the shading area boundary range (step ST6320 "NO"), the illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F then executes the termination determination process (step ST6350). The termination determination process (step ST6350) is the same as the termination determination process (step ST6240) already described.

[0170] Next, a second detailed example of the processing of the light control device according to embodiment 6 of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 25 is a flowchart showing a second detailed example of the processing for realizing the functions of the light control device 100 (100F) according to embodiment 6 of the present disclosure. The processing shown in Fig. 25 is an example of a light control method by the light control device according to the present disclosure. For example, the illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F shown in Fig. 21 starts the processing shown in Fig. 25 when the lighting device 310 mounted on the moving body is about to start lighting toward a region in the direction of travel or when the lighting device 310 is executing lighting toward a region in the direction of travel, and when a light-blocking region is being set and is about to be blocked or a light-blocking region is being set and is being blocked.

[0171] The illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F then executes a traffic participant information acquisition process (step ST6410). In the traffic participant information acquisition process, the shading area adjustment unit 180F of the illumination condition output unit 130F acquires traffic participant information in the same manner as in step ST6210 already described.

[0172] The illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F then executes a process of determining whether a preceding moving object is present in the traveling direction (step ST6420). In this process, the shading area adjustment unit 180F of the illumination condition output unit 130F detects the preceding moving object included in the traffic participant information based on the traffic participant information, and, for example, compares the traveling direction of the vehicle (moving object) with the range of the preceding moving object and determines whether the preceding moving object is present in the traveling direction using the degree of overlap. If the shading area adjustment unit 180F determines that a preceding moving object is not present in the traveling direction (step ST6420 "NO"), it proceeds to an end determination process (step ST6450). If the shading area adjustment unit 180F determines that a preceding moving object is present in the traveling direction area (step ST6420 "YES"), it proceeds to an inter-moving object distance calculation process (step ST6430).

[0173] The illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F then executes a moving object distance calculation process (step ST6430). In the moving object distance calculation process, the shading area adjustment unit 180F of the illumination condition output unit 130F calculates the distance from the host vehicle (moving object) to the preceding moving object using the traffic participant information.

[0174] The illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F then executes a shaded area adjustment process (step ST6440). In the shaded area adjustment process, the shaded area adjustment unit 180F of the illumination condition output unit 130F calculates a shaded area margin width according to the distance to the preceding moving object. The calculation method may be, for example, a method using table data correlating distance with shaded area margin width, but may also be a calculation method using a mathematical formula, and is not limited thereto. The shaded area margin width is set to decrease as the distance to the moving object in the traveling direction decreases. The shaded area adjustment unit 180F calculates the adjusted shaded area using the shaded area margin width and outputs shaded area adjustment information indicating the adjusted shaded area to the illumination condition calculation unit 140F of the illumination condition output unit 130F. The illumination condition calculation unit 140F calculates illumination conditions to change the shaded area indicated in the shaded area adjustment information and outputs illumination condition information indicating the illumination conditions to the illumination control unit 190F.

[0175] After executing the light blocking area adjustment process (step ST6440), or if there is no preceding moving object in the traveling direction (step ST6420 "NO"), the illumination condition output unit 130F of the light control device 100F then executes the end determination process (step ST6450). The end determination process (step ST6450) is the same as the end determination process (step ST6240) already described.

[0176] In this embodiment, the sensor error decreases as the distance to the moving object in the traveling direction decreases, and therefore the margin width (shading margin width) in the shaded area (shading region) can be narrowed. In a configuration such as this embodiment, for example, when the traffic participant information acquisition unit detects a pedestrian, the illumination condition calculation unit calculates illumination conditions that narrow the margin width of the shaded area of ​​the preceding vehicle compared to when the pedestrian is not detected. This can help the user more easily see the object to be watched at the boundary between the shaded area and the periphery of the shaded area. Furthermore, in a configuration such as this embodiment, for example, when the traffic participant information acquisition unit detects a preceding vehicle, the illumination condition calculation unit calculates the illumination conditions for the width of the shaded area of ​​the preceding vehicle using the margin width based on the distance from the vehicle. This can help the user more easily see the object to be watched at the boundary between the shaded area and the periphery of the shaded area.

[0177] This embodiment further discloses an exemplary embodiment having the following configuration: a light control device, wherein the illumination condition output unit adjusts the shaded area based on the traffic participant information and outputs illumination conditions for shading the adjusted shaded area. This provides an advantageous effect of providing a light control device that makes it possible to adjust the shaded area. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides an advantageous effect similar to the advantageous effect by applying the above configuration to a light control system, the light control method, or the program.

[0178] This embodiment further discloses an exemplary embodiment having the following configuration: The light control device is characterized in that, when the object to be watched is present in a shaded area boundary range that includes the boundary of the shaded area, the illumination condition output unit adjusts, based on the traffic participant information, a shade margin width that is an allowance in the shaded area so as to be smaller, and outputs illumination conditions for shading the adjusted shaded area. This further advantageously enables the present disclosure to provide a light control device that can assist occupants in making it easier to see an object that should be watched when it is present near the boundary of the shaded area. Furthermore, the present disclosure achieves the same advantageous effects as those described above by applying the above configuration to a light control system, the light control method, or the program.

[0179] This embodiment further discloses an exemplary embodiment having the following configuration: the lighting control device, wherein the illumination condition output unit calculates the distance between the moving body and the moving body in the forward direction based on the traffic participant information, adjusts a shade margin width, which is a margin in the shaded area, according to the distance between the moving body and the moving body in the forward direction, and outputs illumination conditions for shading the adjusted shaded area. This provides an advantageous effect of providing a lighting control device that, for example, when the distance between the moving body and the moving body in the forward direction decreases from a long distance, improves the accuracy of the shaded area, thereby reducing the margin in the shaded area. Therefore, when an object that should be observed near the boundary of the shaded area is present, it is possible to assist the occupant in easily recognizing the object. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides an advantageous effect similar to the advantageous effect by applying the above configuration to a lighting control system, the above lighting control method, or the above program.

[0180] This embodiment further discloses the following exemplary configuration: The lighting control device is characterized in that, when the object to be watched is present in a shaded area boundary range, which is a range including the boundary of the shaded area, based on the traffic participant information, the lighting condition output unit adjusts a shade margin width, which is a margin in the shaded area, to be smaller and outputs lighting conditions for shading the shaded area after the adjustment; and calculates a distance between the moving body and a moving body in the traveling direction based on the traffic participant information, adjusts the shade margin width, which is a margin in the shaded area, according to the distance between the moving body and the moving body in the traveling direction, and outputs lighting conditions for shading the shaded area after the adjustment. This provides an advantageous effect of providing a lighting control device that can assist a vehicle occupant in more easily recognizing an object that requires attention near the boundary of a shaded area when such an object is present. Furthermore, the present disclosure achieves the same advantageous effect as described above by applying the above configuration to a lighting control system, the lighting control method, or the program.

[0181] Here, a hardware configuration for realizing the functions of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 26 is a diagram showing a first example of a hardware configuration for realizing the functions of the configuration of the present disclosure. Fig. 27 is a diagram showing a second example of a hardware configuration for realizing the functions of the configuration of the present disclosure. Each of the light control devices 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, and 100F of the present disclosure is realized by hardware such as that shown in Fig. 26 or Fig. 27.

[0182] As shown in FIG. 26 , each of the light control devices 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, and 100F includes, for example, a processor 10001, a memory 10002, an input / output interface 10003, and a communication circuit 10004. The processor 10001 and the memory 10002 are installed in, for example, a computer. Each function of the present disclosure is 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 10002. That is, the memory 10002 stores the computer, traffic participant information acquisition units 110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, 110F, occupant information acquisition units 120 (120C, 120D, 120E, 120F), irradiation condition output units 130, 130A, 130B, 130C, 130D, 130E, 130F, irradiation condition calculation units 140 (140B, 140C, 140D, 140E, 140F), a visibility determination unit 150 (150C, 150D, 150E, 150F), a first irradiation adjustment unit 160 (160D, 160E, 160F), a second irradiation adjustment unit 170 (170E, 170F), a light-blocking region adjustment unit 180 (180F), an irradiation control unit 190 (190B, 190C, 190D, 190E, 190F), and a program for functioning as a control unit not shown are stored. The processor 10001 reads and executes the programs stored in the memory 10002, whereby the traffic participant information acquisition units 110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, 110F, the occupant information acquisition units 120 (120C, 120D, 120E, 120F), the illumination condition output units 130, 130A, 130B, 130C, 130D, 130E, 130F, the illumination condition calculation unit 140 (14 The functions of the illumination control unit 190 (190B, 190C, 190D, 190E, 190F), the visibility determination unit 150 (150C, 150D, 150E, 150F), the first illumination adjustment unit 160 (160D, 160E, 160F), the second illumination adjustment unit 170 (170E, 170F), the light-blocking region adjustment unit 180 (180F), the illumination control unit 190 (190B, 190C, 190D, 190E, 190F), and a control unit not shown are realized.The program causes a computer to execute the procedures or methods of the above-mentioned components. Furthermore, the memory 10002 or another memory (not shown) implements a storage unit (not shown). Furthermore, the communication circuit 10004 implements a communication unit (not shown).

[0183] The processor 10001 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The memory 10002 may be a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or flash memory, or a magnetic disk such as a hard disk or flexible disk, or an optical disk such as a CD (Compact Disc) or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a magneto-optical disk. The processor 10001 and the memory 10002 or the communication circuit 10004 are connected in a state capable of transmitting data to each other. The processor 10001, memory 10002, and communication circuit 10004 are connected via an input / output interface 10003 so as to be capable of transmitting data to and from other hardware.

[0184] Alternatively, in the light control devices 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, 100F, the traffic participant information acquisition units 110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, 110F, the occupant information acquisition units 120 (120C, 120D, 120E, 120F), the illumination condition output units 130, 130A, 130B, 130C, 130D, 130E, 130F, and the illumination condition calculation units 140 (140B, 140C, 140D, 140F ... The functions of the first illumination adjustment unit 160 (160D, 160E, 160F), the second illumination adjustment unit 170 (170E, 170F), the light-blocking area adjustment unit 180 (180F), the illumination control unit 190 (190B, 190C, 190D, 190E, 190F), and a control unit (not shown) may be realized by a dedicated processing circuit 20001, as shown in FIG. 27 .

[0185] The processing circuit 20001 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a SoC (System-on-a-Chip), or a system LSI (Large-Scale Integration). Alternatively, it may be a combination of these. Furthermore, a storage unit (not shown) is realized by the memory 20002 or another memory (not shown). The memory 20002 may be a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or flash memory, or a magnetic disk such as a hard disk or flexible disk, or an optical disk such as a CD (Compact Disc) or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a magneto-optical disk. The communication circuit 20004 implements a communication unit (not shown). The processing circuit 20001 and the memory 20002 or the communication circuit 20004 are connected in a state where they can transmit data to each other. In addition, the processing circuit 20001, the memory 20002, and the communication circuit 20004 are connected in a state where they can transmit data to other hardware via the input / output interface 20003.In addition, in the light control devices 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, and 100F, the traffic participant information acquisition units 110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, and 110F, the occupant information acquisition units 120 (120C, 120D, 120E, and 120F), the illumination condition output units 130, 130A, 130B, 130C, 130D, 130E, and 130F, the illumination condition calculation units 140 (140B, 140C, 140D, and 140F), and the like. The functions of the first illumination adjustment unit 160 (160D, 160E, 140F), the visibility determination unit 150 (150C, 150D, 150E, 150F), the first illumination adjustment unit 160 (160D, 160E, 160F), the second illumination adjustment unit 170 (170E, 170F), the shading area adjustment unit 180 (180F), the illumination control unit 190 (190B, 190C, 190D, 190E, 190F), and a control unit (not shown) may be realized by separate processing circuits, or may be realized collectively by a processing circuit.

[0186] Or, in the light control device 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, 100F, the traffic participant information acquisition unit 110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, 110F, the occupant information acquisition unit 120 (120C, 120D, 120E, 120F), the illumination condition output unit 130, 130A, 130B, 130C, 130D, 130E, 130F, the illumination condition calculation unit 140 (140B, 140C, 140D, 140E, 140F), the visibility determination unit 150 (150C, 150D, 150E, 150F), first irradiation adjustment unit 160 (160D, 160E, 160F), second irradiation adjustment unit 170 (170E, 170F), light-blocking region adjustment unit 180 (180F), irradiation control unit 190 (190B, 190C, 190D, 190E, 190F), and a control unit (not shown), some of the functions may be realized by the processor 10001 and memory 10002, and the remaining functions may be realized by the processing circuit 20001. In this way, each of the functions of the above components can be realized by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

[0187] It should be noted that, within the scope of this disclosure, the embodiments may be freely combined, any component of each embodiment may be modified, or any component of each embodiment may be omitted.

[0188] The present disclosure is suitable for use in, for example, a lighting control device that controls the lighting devices of a moving body, because it can assist occupants in focusing on an object that should be focused on around a shaded area when the object is present.

[0189] 1 (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F) Lighting control system, 100 (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, 100F) Lighting control device, 110 (110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, 110F) Traffic participant information acquisition unit, 120 (120C, 110D, 110E, 110F) Occupant information acquisition unit, 130 (130A, 130B, 130C, 130D, 130E, 130F) Illumination condition output unit, 140 (140B, 140C, 140D, 140E, 140F) Illumination condition calculation unit, 150 (150C, 150D, 150E, 150F) Visibility determination unit, 160 (160D, 160E, 160F) First irradiation adjustment unit, 170 (170E, 170F) Second irradiation adjustment unit, 180 (180F) Light-blocking region adjustment unit, 190 (190B, 190C, 190D, 190E,190F) Illumination control unit, 200 Information source device, 210 Travel direction sensor, 220 In-vehicle sensor, 300 Output device, 310 Lighting device, 1000 Travel direction vehicle (an example of a traveling direction moving body), 1100 Shaded area, 1110 Shaded margin (shaded margin range), 1200 Surroundings (surroundings of the shaded area), 2000 Travel direction vehicle (an example of a traveling direction moving body), 2100 Shaded area, 2200 Surroundings (surroundings of the shaded area), 2300 Pedestrian (an example of an object to be watched), 2400 Illumination range, 3000 Host vehicle (an example of a moving body), 3100 Travel direction vehicle (an example of a traveling direction moving body), 3200 Shaded area, 3300 Pedestrian (an example of an object to be watched), 3400 Driver (an example of a passenger), 3410 Estimated viewing direction, 4000 Host vehicle (an example of a moving body), 4010 Speed ​​(low speed), 4020 Speed ​​(high speed), 4030 Illuminable distance, 4040 Shaded area, 4050 Illuminated light, 4100 Vehicle in the direction of travel (an example of a moving object in the direction of travel), 4200 Illuminated light, 5100 Vehicle in the direction of travel (an example of a moving object in the direction of travel), 5200 Shaded area, 5300 Shaded boundary range, 5400 Pedestrian (an example of an object to be watched), 5500 Surroundings (surroundings of the shaded area), 5600 Illumination range, 6100 Vehicle in the direction of travel (an example of a moving object in the direction of travel), 6200 Shaded area (before adjustment), 6210 Shaded area (after adjustment), 6300 Surroundings (surroundings of the shaded area), 6400 Pedestrian (an example of an object to be watched), 10001 Processor, 10002 Memory, 10003 Input / output interface, 10004 Communication circuit, 20001 Processing circuit, 20002 Memory, 20003 Input / output interface, 20004 Communication circuit.

Claims

1. A light control device comprising: a traffic participant information acquisition unit that acquires traffic participant information, which is information about traffic participants present in the area in the direction of travel of a moving body; and an illumination condition output unit that, when illuminating light into the area in the direction of travel of the moving body, outputs illumination conditions, based on the traffic participant information, that make an area including a moving body in the direction of travel, another moving body present in the direction of travel of the moving body, a shaded area; wherein, based on the traffic participant information, when there is an object that requires attention, other than the moving body in the direction of travel, around the shaded area, the illumination condition output unit outputs illumination conditions that change the area related to the object to an illumination state different from other illumination areas.

2. The light control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the moving body is a vehicle, the moving body in the forward direction is a forward-moving vehicle that is another vehicle present in the forward direction of the moving body, and the object to be watched is a pedestrian.

3. A light control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the illumination state changed by the illumination condition output unit is the brightness of light for an area related to the object to be watched.

4. A light control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the illumination state changed by the illumination condition output unit is blinking of light in an area related to the object to be watched.

5. A lighting control device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an illumination control unit that outputs a control signal to the lighting device that instructs the illumination conditions output by the illumination condition output unit.

6. A light control device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising an occupant information acquisition unit that acquires occupant information including information regarding the line of sight of the occupant in the moving body, and wherein the illumination condition output unit further uses the occupant information to calculate illumination conditions taking into account the line of sight of the occupant.

7. The light control device according to claim 6, characterized in that, when it is determined that the occupant is viewing the object to be watched using the traffic participant information and the occupant information, the illumination condition output unit calculates illumination conditions that change the illumination state of the area related to the object to be watched and other illumination areas to the same illumination state.

8. A light control device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the illumination condition output unit calculates a required shading time during which shading should be continued using the speed of the moving body in the traveling direction, and outputs an illumination condition that changes the shading state in the shading area from a shading state to an illumination state when the required shading time has elapsed.

9. A light control device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that, when the object to be watched is present in the shaded area, the illumination condition output unit uses the traffic participant information to output illumination conditions that change the illumination state in an area surrounding the shaded area adjacent to the area where it is determined that the object to be watched is present to an illumination state different from the illumination state in other illumination areas.

10. A light control device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the illumination condition output unit calculates a required shading time during which shading should be continued using the speed of the moving body in the traveling direction, and when the required shading time has elapsed, outputs illumination conditions that change the shading state in the shading area from a shading state to an illumination state, and when the object to be watched is present in the shading area, outputs illumination conditions that change the illumination state in a range around the shading area adjacent to the range where the object to be watched is present, using the traffic participant information, to an illumination state different from that in other illumination ranges.

11. A light control device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the illumination condition output unit adjusts the shaded area based on the traffic participant information and outputs illumination conditions for shading the adjusted shaded area.

12. A light control device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that, when the object to be watched is present in a shaded area boundary range that includes the boundary of the shaded area based on the traffic participant information, the illumination condition output unit adjusts the shaded margin width, which is the extra space in the shaded area, to be smaller, and outputs illumination conditions that will shade the adjusted shaded area.

13. A light control device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the illumination condition output unit calculates the distance between the moving body and the moving body in the direction of travel based on the traffic participant information, adjusts a shading margin width, which is an allowance in the shading area, according to the distance between the moving body and the moving body in the direction of travel, and outputs illumination conditions that will shade the shading area after the adjustment.

14. A light control device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the illumination condition output unit: if the object to be watched is present in a shaded area boundary range, which is a range including the boundary of the shaded area, based on the traffic participant information, adjusts the shade margin width, which is the margin in the shaded area, to be smaller and outputs illumination conditions for shading the shaded area after the adjustment; and: calculates the distance between the moving body and the moving body in the traveling direction based on the traffic participant information, adjusts the shade margin width, which is the margin in the shaded area, in accordance with the distance between the moving body and the moving body in the traveling direction, and outputs illumination conditions for shading the shaded area after the adjustment.

15. A light control method comprising: a step in which a traffic participant information acquisition unit of a light control device acquires traffic participant information, which is information about traffic participants present in an area in the direction of travel of a moving object; and an illumination condition output step in which an illumination condition output unit of the light control device outputs, based on the traffic participant information, illumination conditions that, when illuminating light into the area in the direction of travel of the moving object, make an area including a moving object in the direction of travel, which is another moving object present in the direction of travel of the moving object, a shaded area, wherein, based on the traffic participant information, the illumination condition output unit outputs illumination conditions that change the area related to the object to an illumination state different from other illumination areas when there is, around the shaded area, a target object that should be watched in addition to the moving object in the direction of travel.

16. A program for causing a computer to operate as a light control device, comprising: a traffic participant information acquisition unit that acquires traffic participant information, which is information about traffic participants present in the area in the direction of travel of a moving object; and an illumination condition output unit that, when illuminating light into the area in the direction of travel of the moving object, outputs illumination conditions, based on the traffic participant information, for making an area including a moving object in the direction of travel, another moving object present in the direction of travel of the moving object, into a shaded area, wherein the illumination condition output unit outputs illumination conditions, based on the traffic participant information, for changing the area related to the object to an illumination state different from that of other illumination areas, when there is an object that should be watched, other than the moving object in the direction of travel, around the shaded area.

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