JP2008081074A - Headlamp control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent dazzlement from being caused by headlamps independently of the travelling environment. <P>SOLUTION: The headlamp control system consists of headlamps, a digital video camera and a control circuit. The headlamp comprises a swing mechanism for tilting the optical axis. The control circuit starts to take a photograph with the digital video camera when a dazzle preventing lighting mode is set. A dynamic image obtained by the digital video camera is inputted to the control circuit. The control circuit inputs the obtained dynamic image to a pattern recognition section. The pattern recognition section detects the head of a walker from the dynamic image by recognizing patterns. When the head of the walker is detected, the control circuit tilts the optical axis of the headlamps so that the head of the walker is not irradiated with the light of the headlamps. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a headlamp control system that controls a headlamp that illuminates the front of a vehicle.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in headlights provided in automobiles, motorcycles, and the like, high brightness has been achieved in order to improve driver visibility during night driving. However, although the high-intensity headlight works significantly for the driver of the host vehicle, it may dazzle the driver or pedestrian of the oncoming vehicle and cause a traffic accident.

For this reason, in the vehicular lamp device described in Patent Document 1, the traveling environment is detected by various sensors and the like. This prevents dazzling of drivers and pedestrians of oncoming vehicles.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-175478

  However, since the vehicular lamp device described in Patent Document 1 performs headlight irradiation control according to the traveling environment, for example, when passing a pedestrian on a road with a small amount of traffic, it is not necessarily dazzling. It is not always possible to prevent it.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a headlamp control system that can surely prevent dazzling without being influenced by a traveling environment or the like.

  In order to solve the above problems, a headlamp control system according to the present invention performs pattern recognition of a headlamp that illuminates the front of a vehicle, a camera that captures the front of the vehicle, and an image acquired by the camera. A pattern recognizing unit for detecting a head of a person or an animal from the image, and controlling the headlamp so as to reduce the amount of light applied to the head when the pattern recognizing unit detects the head. And a control means for performing a dazzling prevention process.

  The headlamp is provided with a swing mechanism for tilting the optical axis by swinging the light source, and the control means drives the swing mechanism to tilt the optical axis of the headlamp, thereby It is preferable to reduce the amount of light irradiated to the head.

  Further, the headlamp is configured as a pair of left and right on the vehicle, and the control means determines the position of the head based on the recognition result of the pattern recognition means, and the head is within the irradiation range of right and left. It is preferable to tilt only the optical axis on the side including the portion.

  Further, the headlamp is provided with a plurality of light sources, and the control means dims the light source corresponding to the position of the head based on the recognition result of the pattern recognition means, thereby You may make it reduce the light quantity irradiated to.

  Preferably, the pattern recognition means further detects eyes from the head, and the control means does not perform the dazzling prevention process when the eyes are not detected by the pattern recognition means.

  It is further preferable to provide a switching unit that switches between a dazzling prevention illumination mode in which the dazzling prevention process is performed by the control unit and a normal lighting mode in which the dazzling prevention process is not performed by the control unit.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the control means controls the headlamp so as to reduce the amount of light irradiated to each of the heads when a plurality of the heads are detected simultaneously by the pattern recognition means.

  In addition, it is preferable that the vehicle is an automobile, and the headlight includes a right headlight disposed on the right side of the automobile and a left headlight disposed on the left side.

  In the headlamp control system of the present invention, the head of a person or an animal is detected based on an image acquired by the camera, and the headlamp is controlled so as to reduce the amount of light irradiated to the detected head. Therefore, dazzling can be surely prevented regardless of the driving environment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a headlamp control system 10 mounted on an automobile (vehicle) 2. The headlamp control system 10 includes a headlamp 12 that illuminates the front of the automobile 2, a digital video camera (camera) 14 that photographs the front of the automobile 2, and a control circuit (control means) that comprehensively controls each unit. 16. The headlamp control system 10 has a dazzling prevention lighting mode for preventing dazzling of a pedestrian by the headlamp 12 and a normal lighting mode for preventing dazzling prevention.

  The headlamp 12 includes a right headlight 12R disposed on the right side of the automobile 2 when viewed from the driver, and a left headlight 12L disposed on the left side. Each of these headlights 12R and 12L is connected to the control circuit 16 via wiring, and the control circuit 16 switches on / off. Each headlight 12R, 12L may be of any type, such as a halogen type, a xenon type, or an HID type. The headlights 12R and 12L may be used as so-called low beams or may be used as high beams.

  The digital video camera 14 is connected to the control circuit 16 via wiring, and outputs the acquired digital moving image to the control circuit 16. The digital video camera 14 is used to detect a pedestrian in the dazzling prevention lighting mode. As the digital video camera 14, a known camera having a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, or the like may be used. The digital video camera 14 may be arranged at an arbitrary position where the front of the automobile 2 can be photographed. However, in consideration of protection from raindrops, dust, and the like, it is preferably disposed in the boarding space of the automobile 2 such as on a dashboard.

  The control circuit 16 is configured by, for example, a ROM or CPU that records various programs. The control circuit 16 may be incorporated in a known control device such as an ECU (Engine Control Unit) that controls the engine of the automobile 2, for example.

  The control circuit 16 is provided with a pattern recognition unit (pattern recognition means) 18 that performs pattern recognition of a moving image acquired by the digital video camera 14 and detects a pedestrian from the moving image. Moreover, if the pattern recognition part 18 detects a pedestrian, it will further detect the head of the pedestrian and the eyes contained in the head. For example, the control circuit 16 determines that the pedestrian is facing the automobile 2 when two eyes are detected, and determines that the pedestrian is facing sideways when one eye is detected. When the eyes are not detected, it is determined that the pedestrian is facing the same traveling direction as the automobile 2 (turning his back to the automobile 2). Thus, the control circuit 16 determines the direction of the pedestrian according to the eye detection status by the pattern recognition unit 18.

  The control circuit 16 is connected to a light switch 20 and an illumination mode changeover switch (switching means) 22. The light switch 20 instructs the control circuit 16 to turn on / off the headlamp 12. The illumination mode switch 22 instructs the control circuit 16 to switch between the normal illumination mode and the dazzling prevention illumination mode. Each of these switches 20 and 22 is disposed at a position where the driver can easily operate, for example, around the steering wheel or the center console.

  FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the right headlight 12R. The configuration of the left headlight 12L is the same as that of the right headlight 12R, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The right headlight 12R includes a bulb 30 that is a light source, a reflecting mirror 32 that holds the bulb 30, a lens 34 that converges the irradiation light of the bulb 30, and a substantially cylindrical outer case 36 that covers these parts. And a transparent cover 38 that closes the front surface of the outer case 36. The right headlight 12R is attached to the automobile 2 by, for example, bolting to a frame in the engine room via a flange integrally formed with the outer case 36.

  The valve 30 is connected to the control circuit 16 via a harness or the like, and emits light in response to a voltage applied from the control circuit 16. The bulb 30 is appropriately selected according to the type of the headlamp 12, such as a halogen bulb or a xenon bulb. The reflecting mirror body 32 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that widens the opening from the rear end toward the front end. A bulb 30 is attached to the rear end of the reflecting mirror body 32. On the other hand, a lens 34 is attached to the front end of the reflecting mirror body 32. In addition, a plating process for reflecting light is performed on the inner side of the reflecting mirror body 32. Thereby, the reflecting mirror body 32 allows the irradiation light from the bulb 30 to enter the lens 34 without waste.

  An upper portion of the outer case 36 is formed with a section 36a projecting inward. The section 36a is provided with a cylindrical pin 36b. On the other hand, a section 32a projecting outward is formed on the upper front end of the reflecting mirror 32. The section 32 a is formed with a circular opening, and this opening is fitted with the pin 36 b of the outer case 36. Thereby, each part of the bulb 30, the reflecting mirror 32, and the lens 34 is held by the outer case 36 so as to be swingable about the pin 36b.

  A motor 40 is provided below the outer case 36. The motor 40 is connected to the control circuit 16 and rotates the rotating shaft in accordance with a drive signal from the control circuit 16. As the motor 40, it is preferable to use a motor that can easily control the rotation amount, such as a servo motor or a stepping motor. A ball screw 42 is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 40. A moving body 44 is assembled to the ball screw 42. The moving body 44 has a nut portion corresponding to the diameter of the ball screw 42 and the screw pitch, and the nut portion is engaged with the ball screw 42.

  Further, the moving body 44 is formed with a section protruding in a plate shape. A columnar pin 44a is provided in the section. The pin 44 a is engaged with an opening of a section 32 b that protrudes outward from the lower front end of the reflecting mirror body 32. When the ball screw 42 rotates as the motor 40 rotates, the moving body 44 whose rotation is restricted by this engagement slides in the front-rear direction according to the rotation amount and screw pitch. When the moving body 44 slides, the section 32b is pushed by the engagement with the pin 44a, and the parts of the bulb 30, the reflecting mirror body 32, and the lens 34 swing around the pin 36b. In addition, in order to allow rocking | fluctuation of the reflecting mirror body 32 etc., the opening of the section | slice 32b is formed in the shape of a long hole.

  Thus, when the control circuit 16 transmits the drive signal and rotates the motor 40, each part of the reflecting mirror body 32 and the lens 34 swings, and the optical axis of the headlight 12 tilts in the vertical direction. That is, each part of the reflecting mirror body 32, the outer case 36, the motor 40, the ball screw 42, and the moving body 44 constitutes the swing mechanism described in the claims. Note that the swing mechanism is not limited to the above, and may be any configuration as long as the optical axis of the headlamp 12 can be tilted.

  The control circuit 16 transmits a drive signal to the motor 40 in response to the pattern recognition unit 18 detecting a pedestrian when in the dazzling prevention illumination mode. And the dazzling prevention process which prevents the dazzling of the pedestrian by the headlight 12 is performed by inclining the optical axis of the headlight 12 so that irradiation light may not enter into a pedestrian's eyes.

  Next, the operation of the headlamp control system 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The driver operates the light switch 20 as necessary, such as traveling at night or traveling in a tunnel, and instructs the headlamp 12 to turn on. When the driver is instructed to turn on the headlamp 12, the control circuit 16 applies a voltage to the left and right valves 30 to turn on the headlamp 12. Further, the control circuit 16 turns on the headlamp 12 and confirms the state of the illumination mode switch 22 to determine whether or not the set illumination mode is the dazzling prevention illumination mode.

  The control circuit 16 that has determined that the normal illumination mode is set does not perform the dazzling prevention process and keeps the optical axis constant until the headlamp 12 is turned off or the setting of the dazzling prevention illumination mode is instructed. The headlamp 12 is kept lit while being kept.

  On the other hand, the control circuit 16 that has determined that the dazzling prevention illumination mode is set starts photographing by the digital video camera 14. The moving image acquired by the digital video camera 14 is input to the control circuit 16 and further input to the pattern recognition unit 18 inside the control circuit 16. The pattern recognition unit 18 performs pattern recognition of the input moving image and detects a pedestrian from the moving image. Moreover, the pattern recognition part 18 which detected the pedestrian detects the pedestrian's head and the eyes contained in the head.

  When a pedestrian is detected by the pattern recognition unit 18, the control circuit 16 first determines the direction of the pedestrian as described above according to the eye detection state. When the pedestrian is facing the same direction as the traveling direction of the automobile 2, the pedestrian is not dazzled by the irradiation light of the headlight 12. For this reason, the control circuit 16 that has determined that the pedestrian is facing the same direction as the traveling direction of the automobile 2 does not prevent dazzling. If the optical axis of the headlight 12 is tilted, the irradiation range is narrowed and the visibility of the driver is lowered. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the visibility of the driver by avoiding such unnecessary dazzling prevention.

  On the other hand, the control circuit 16 that has determined that the pedestrian is facing the facing direction or the lateral direction of the automobile 2 is based on the recognition result of the pattern recognition unit 18, and the pedestrian's head is the irradiation range IR of the right headlight 12R. Or whether it is included in the irradiation range IL of the left headlight 12L (see FIG. 4). For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, it is assumed that the pedestrian's head is within the irradiation range IL of the left headlight 12L. The control circuit 16 that has determined that the head is within the irradiation range IL transmits a drive signal to the motor 40 of the left headlight 12L to tilt the optical axis of the left headlight 12L downward, as shown in FIG. Next, the head of the pedestrian is removed from the irradiation range IL.

  Thereby, since the light quantity irradiated to a pedestrian's head reduces, a pedestrian's dazzling can be prevented. Moreover, since a pedestrian is detected by pattern recognition based on the moving image acquired by the digital video camera 14, dazzling can be surely prevented regardless of the driving environment. At this time, the tilt of the optical axis may be tilted as much as the head deviates from the irradiation range, and the tilt amount to prevent dazzling is determined in advance, regardless of the position of the head. The amount may be tilted.

  The control circuit 16 that tilts the optical axis of the left headlight 12L tilts the optical axis of the left headlight 12L until the pattern recognition unit 18 confirms the passage of a pedestrian (until it disappears from the field of view of the video camera 14). Leave. Then, when the passage is confirmed, a drive signal is transmitted to the motor 40 again, and the inclination of the optical axis of the left headlight 12L is restored.

  Thereafter, the control circuit 16 repeats the above processing until the driver gives an instruction to turn off the headlamp 12 via the light switch 20. Note that the processing of the right headlight 12R is the same as the processing of the left headlight 12L, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, the control circuit 16 stops applying the voltage to each bulb 30 and turns off the headlamp 12 in response to an instruction from the driver to turn off the headlamp 12 via the light switch 20. At the same time, the photographing of the digital video camera 14 is stopped.

  In the above embodiment, it is determined only whether the pedestrian's head is included in the irradiation range IR of the right headlight 12R or the irradiation range IL of the left headlight 12L. For example, when a pedestrian is in the vicinity of the center, it can be considered that the irradiation range covers both irradiation ranges IR and IL. In such a case, both optical axes may be tilted to prevent dazzling. Further, both optical axes may be always tilted without determining which of the irradiation ranges IR and IL the head is located on. However, if the dazzling prevention is performed only on one of the left and right sides as described above, the other is normally irradiated, which is suitable for suppressing a decrease in driver visibility.

  In the above embodiment, the optical axis is tilted downward, but the tilt direction of the optical axis is not limited to this, and may be tilted upward. For example, when the pedestrian is a child, it may be faster to tilt upward. In this way, the tilt direction may be determined in an arbitrary direction up and down according to the detected position of the head. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the headlights 12R and 12L are configured so that the optical axis is tilted only in the vertical direction. However, the headlights 12R and 12L may be tilted in an arbitrary direction such as left and right or diagonally. .

  In the above embodiment, an example in which only one pedestrian is present has been described. However, when a plurality of pedestrians are detected at the same time, a headlamp is used so that the amount of light irradiated to the head of each pedestrian is reduced. Twelve optical axes may be tilted.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the headlamp 60 according to the second embodiment. Note that the same functions and configurations as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. FIG. 5 assumes that the headlamp 60 is viewed from the front direction of the automobile 2.

  The headlamp 60 includes a right headlight 60R disposed on the right side of the automobile 2 as viewed from the driver and a left headlight 60L disposed on the left side as in the above embodiment. Each headlight 60R, 60L is provided with a plurality of light sources 62 arranged side by side. For each of these light sources 62, for example, a well-known halogen bulb, xenon bulb, high-brightness LED, or the like can be used.

  Each light source 62 is connected to the control circuit 16 via wiring or the like. The control circuit 16 independently controls lighting / extinction of each light source 62 by individually switching the voltage applied to each light source 62, for example. Moreover, the control circuit 16 adjusts the light quantity of each light source 62 by increasing / decreasing the voltage value applied to each light source 62, for example.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the driver instructs to turn on the headlamp 60 via the light switch 20, the control circuit 16 applies a voltage to each light source 62 to turn on the headlamp 60. In addition, the control circuit 16 turns on the headlamp 60 and confirms the state of the illumination mode changeover switch 22 to determine whether or not the set illumination mode is the dazzling prevention illumination mode.

  The control circuit 16 that has determined that the normal illumination mode is set does not perform the dazzling prevention process, and turns off the light of each light source 62 until the headlamp 60 is turned off or the setting of the dazzling prevention illumination mode is instructed. The headlamp 60 is kept lit while being kept constant.

  On the other hand, the control circuit 16 that has determined that the dazzling prevention lighting mode has been set starts shooting by the digital video camera 14 to detect a pedestrian and determine the direction of the pedestrian, as in the above embodiment. . Here, the control circuit 16 that has determined that the pedestrian is facing the facing direction or the lateral direction of the automobile 2 uses the light source 62 corresponding to the position of the pedestrian's head based on the recognition result of the pattern recognition unit 18. It will fade out. When a plurality of pedestrians are detected at the same time, the light sources 62 corresponding to the positions of the heads may be dimmed. Further, dimming of the light source 62 may be such that the amount of light is reduced to the extent that it is not dazzling, or it may be turned off completely.

  As described above, even if the headlamp 60 is provided with a plurality of light sources 62 and the light source 62 corresponding to the position of the head is dimmed, the amount of light applied to the head of the pedestrian is reduced. As with the form, dazzling of pedestrians can be reliably prevented.

  In each of the above embodiments, the pattern recognition unit 18 detects eyes to determine the direction of the pedestrian. However, regardless of the direction of the pedestrian, it is always dazzling according to the detection of the head. Prevention processing may be performed.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the detection object is set as the pedestrian, it does not restrict to this, For example, persons, such as a driver of an oncoming vehicle and a driver of a bicycle, are detected, and the glare of these persons is prevented. You may do it. Furthermore, it is not limited to a person, but the head of the animal may be detected to prevent the animal from being dazzled.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the visible light digital video camera 14 provided with a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, or the like is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an infrared camera with high nighttime visibility. May be used. The number of digital video cameras 14 is not limited to one, and a plurality of digital video cameras 14 may be provided. At this time, stereo shooting may be performed so that the orientation of the pedestrian and the distance to the pedestrian can be accurately grasped.

  In each of the above embodiments, a pair of left and right headlights are shown as the headlamps, but the number of headlights may be one or three or more. Further, without being limited to the headlight, for example, a fog lamp or a cornering lamp may be applied as the headlamp.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the example in which the headlight control system 10 is applied to the automobile 2 has been shown. However, the headlight control system 10 is not limited to this and is applied to any other vehicle such as a motorcycle or a train. May be.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a headlamp control system schematically. It is sectional drawing of the vertical direction which shows the structure of a right side headlight roughly. It is a flowchart which shows roughly operation | movement of a headlamp control system. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example which prevents dazzling by inclining an optical axis. It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the structure of the headlamp which provided the several light source. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of preventing a dazzle with a several light source.

Explanation of symbols

2 Automobile (vehicle)
10 headlamp control system 12, 60 headlamp 12R, 60R right headlight 12L, 60L left headlight 14 digital video camera (camera)
16 Control circuit (control means)
18 Pattern recognition unit (pattern recognition means)
22 Illumination mode switch (switching means)
30 bulb (light source)
32 Reflecting mirror body 36 Outer case 40 Motor 42 Ball screw 44 Moving body 62 Light source

Claims (8)

A headlamp that illuminates the front of the vehicle;
A camera for photographing the front of the vehicle;
Pattern recognition means for performing pattern recognition of an image acquired by the camera and detecting a human or animal head from the image;
Control means for performing a dazzling prevention process for controlling the headlamp so as to reduce the amount of light applied to the head when the pattern recognition means detects the head. Lighting control system. The headlamp is provided with a swing mechanism that swings the light source and tilts the optical axis,
The headlamp control system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit reduces the amount of light applied to the head by driving the swing mechanism to tilt the optical axis of the headlamp. . The headlamp is composed of a pair of left and right on the vehicle,
The control means determines the position of the head based on the recognition result of the pattern recognition means, and tilts only the optical axis on the side where the head is included in the irradiation range of right and left. Item 3. The headlamp control system according to Item 2. The headlamp is provided with a plurality of light sources,
The said control means reduces the light quantity irradiated to the said head by dimming the said light source corresponding to the position of the said head based on the recognition result of the said pattern recognition means. The headlight control system according to 1. The pattern recognition means further detects eyes from the head;
The headlamp control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control means does not perform the dazzling prevention process when the eyes are not detected by the pattern recognition means. .   The switching means for switching between a dazzling prevention illumination mode in which the dazzling prevention processing by the control means is performed and a normal lighting mode in which the dazzling prevention processing by the control means is not performed is provided. The headlamp control system according to claim 1.   The said control means controls the said headlamp so that the light quantity irradiated to each of each said head may be reduced when the said head recognition is simultaneously detected by the said pattern recognition means. Item 7. The headlamp control system according to any one of Items 1 to 6. The vehicle is an automobile;
The headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the headlamp includes a right headlight disposed on a right side of the automobile and a left headlight disposed on a left side. Light control system.

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