Vehicle Light Distribution Controller for Pedestrian Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light distribution controllers for vehicles often either dazzle pedestrians or reduce the time pedestrians are illuminated, making it difficult for drivers to recognize them, and do not effectively manage illumination for both pedestrians and drivers.
Innovation Solution
A light distribution controller system that includes a headlight, image capture unit, pedestrian detection unit, determination unit, and illumination controller, which adjusts light distribution patterns based on driver awareness of pedestrians, ensuring adequate illumination for both pedestrians and drivers by maintaining full illumination until the driver is aware of the pedestrian and then restricting it to prevent dazzling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the headlight illuminates the pedestrian immediately upon detection, then the pedestrian is protected from dazzling, but the driver has insufficient time to recognize the pedestrian
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary illumination without restriction when a pedestrian is detected, ensuring the driver has adequate time to recognize the pedestrian before any light distribution changes occur. This preliminary action phase prioritizes driver awareness over pedestrian protection from dazzling.
Solution Approach 2:
The light distribution pattern dynamically transitions from an unrestricted state (during driver recognition phase) to a restricted state (after driver awareness is confirmed). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the illumination strategy based on the driver's recognition status rather than applying a static restriction immediately upon pedestrian detection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the headlight restricts illumination of the pedestrian immediately upon detection, then the pedestrian is protected from dazzling, but the driver cannot recognize the pedestrian due to reduced illumination time
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains full illumination as a preliminary action during the driver recognition phase, ensuring the driver receives complete visual information about the pedestrian before any illumination restrictions are applied that might affect visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the driver's operational responses to determine when the driver has become aware of the pedestrian. Based on this feedback, the illumination pattern transitions from unrestricted to restricted, ensuring that restrictions are only applied after the driver has sufficient information about the pedestrian's presence.
3Loss of information
If the headlight maintains full illumination continuously, then the driver can always recognize pedestrians, but the pedestrian receives unnecessary dazzling illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system dynamically adjusts between full and restricted light distribution patterns based on the driver's awareness status. Full illumination is maintained during the recognition phase for optimal visibility, then transitions to restricted illumination after driver awareness is confirmed, eliminating unnecessary dazzling while preserving visibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor driver awareness and adjusts the illumination pattern accordingly. When the driver is determined to be unaware of the pedestrian, full illumination is maintained for visibility. When awareness is confirmed through operational feedback, the system switches to restricted illumination to prevent dazzling, thus adapting to actual information needs rather than using a continuous fixed pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
A light distribution controller includes a pedestrian detection unit, a determination unit, and an illumination controller. The pedestrian detection unit detects a pedestrian in a predetermined area ahead of a vehicle on the basis of an image captured by an infrared camera. The determination unit determines whether a driver notices the pedestrian when the pedestrian detection unit has detected the pedestrian in the predetermined area, on the basis of whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. The illumination controller causes the headlight to be lit with a light distribution pattern without a restriction on illumination of the pedestrian until the determination unit determines that the driver notices the pedestrian, and causes the headlight to be lit with a light distribution pattern having a restriction on illumination of a body member including at least the eyes of the pedestrian after the determination unit determines that the driver notices the pedestrian.