JP2010211366A - Light source specification device, light source specification method and light source specification program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To specify with a simple configuration whether another vehicle including a source of light emitted onto the face of a driver is a succeeding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: Driver image information indicating an image including the face of the driver driving his or her own vehicle is obtained to determine whether or not the brightness of the image at a predetermined part of the face of the driver be at a predetermined value or higher. When the brightness in the image at the predetermined part of the face of the driver is determined to be at the predetermined value or higher, based on the driver image information, the brightness difference between the image at the predetermined part of the face of the driver and the image at a predetermined part to be compared with the predetermined part is obtained. If the brightness difference is above a predetermined reference value, it is determined that the source of light emitted onto the face of the driver may be included in the succeeding vehicle of his or her own vehicle. If the brightness difference is below the predetermined reference value, it is determined that the source of light emitted onto the face of the driver may be included in the oncoming vehicle of his or her own vehicle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a light source identification device, a light source identification method, and a light source identification program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various devices that determine whether or not a driver is driving a vehicle are known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a driver's face is photographed by a camera mounted in a vehicle, and the direction of the driver's line of sight is detected based on the driver's face image. Furthermore, based on the direction of the driver's line of sight, a visual field image including the center of the visual field of the driver is extracted from the image captured by the camera that captures the outside of the vehicle, and the driver's eyes are irradiated with strong light based on the luminance of the visual field image. It is detected whether or not it is in a state of being performed.

JP 2007-276766 A

In the prior art, the direction of the light source that emits light toward the driver cannot be specified with a simple configuration. That is, in the prior art, a driver and a camera for photographing outside the vehicle are required. Further, it is necessary to detect the direction of the driver's line of sight from the image of the driver's face and to specify the field of view ahead of the line of sight from the image outside the vehicle. Accordingly, the hardware configuration is complicated and the software for detecting the line of sight and analyzing the visual field is complicated. Furthermore, it is extremely difficult to accurately identify the field of view ahead of the line of sight when the drivers are different or when the driver's posture and seating position are different.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and specifies whether the other vehicle provided with the light source of light irradiated on the driver's face with a simple configuration is the following vehicle or the oncoming vehicle. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, when the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is compared with the predetermined portion. The brightness difference from the image of the predetermined comparison portion is acquired. And when the said brightness | luminance difference is larger than a predetermined reference | standard, it determines with the light source of the light irradiated to a driver | operator's face being equipped with the following vehicle of the own vehicle. Moreover, when the above-mentioned brightness | luminance difference is below a predetermined reference | standard, it determines with the light source of the light irradiated to a driver | operator's face being equipped with the oncoming vehicle of the own vehicle.

  That is, it is determined whether the vehicle including the light source is the following vehicle or the oncoming vehicle based on the luminance difference between two locations (predetermined portion and comparison portion) in the image including the driver's face. Therefore, it is possible to specify whether the direction of the light source is backward or forward based on one image. For this reason, it is possible to specify which of the following vehicle and the oncoming vehicle the other vehicle provided with the light source of light irradiated on the driver's face with a simple configuration.

  As a camera for acquiring an image, a camera for acquiring an image including a driver's face may be provided, and a camera for acquiring an image outside the vehicle is not necessary. Therefore, the present invention can be realized with simple hardware. Furthermore, in analyzing the image, it is only necessary to analyze the luminance of the predetermined portion and the comparison portion, and it is not necessary to analyze the driver's line of sight or the visual field ahead of the line of sight. Therefore, the present invention can be realized by simple software.

  Here, the driver image information acquisition unit only needs to be able to acquire driver image information indicating an image including the driver's face. That is, the direction of the light source is different depending on whether the light source is provided in the vehicle following the host vehicle or the oncoming vehicle of the host vehicle because the state of the light emitted to the driver's face is different. It suffices if an image reflecting the difference in image due to the difference can be acquired as the driver image information.

  The luminance value determination means only needs to be able to determine whether or not the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is equal to or higher than the predetermined value. That is, it is only necessary to determine whether or not the driver feels dazzling based on the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face. The predetermined value only needs to be specified in advance as the brightness that the driver feels dazzling, and may be configured such that the predetermined value varies depending on the time of day, the brightness around the vehicle, and the like.

  The luminance difference acquisition means only needs to be able to acquire the luminance difference between the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face and the image of the predetermined comparison portion. In other words, when the driver feels dazzling, a part with a small luminance change that depends on whether the vehicle equipped with the light source is a following vehicle or an oncoming vehicle is set as a predetermined part, and a part with a large luminance change is set as a comparative part. For example, the luminance difference between the predetermined portion and the comparison portion changes depending on the positional relationship between the other vehicle equipped with the light source and the host vehicle. Therefore, it can be determined whether the light source is provided in the following vehicle or the oncoming vehicle based on the luminance difference between the predetermined portion and the comparison portion.

  For example, a general vehicle is equipped with a rearview mirror. The rearview mirror guides the light emitted from the light source behind the host vehicle to the vicinity of both eyes of the driver so that the driver can visually recognize the following vehicle. Thus, the angle of the room mirror is set. On the other hand, the irradiation light from the light source in front of the host vehicle is applied to the entire face of the driver. Therefore, if an image of a portion including both eyes of the driver is a predetermined portion, the predetermined portion has high luminance regardless of whether the light source is provided in the succeeding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle. On the other hand, when a light source is present behind the host vehicle, light that is not reflected by the rearview mirror is not emitted toward the driver's face and its surroundings. Therefore, if a portion other than the predetermined portion and included in the image indicated by the driver image information is used as a comparison portion, the comparison portion has low luminance when the light source is provided in the following vehicle, and the light source is directed to the oncoming vehicle. When provided, the brightness is high and the brightness is greatly different. For this reason, it is possible to specify whether the vehicle provided with the light source is the following vehicle or the oncoming vehicle based on the luminance difference between the predetermined portion and the comparison portion. Here, although the rearview mirror has been described, the same applies to the case where the reflected light from the side mirror is guided to the driver's face, and the vehicle equipped with the light source is a subsequent vehicle or an oncoming vehicle. A configuration may be adopted in which a portion having high luminance without depending on the predetermined portion is used, and a portion whose luminance is changed depending on whether the vehicle provided with the light source is a following vehicle or an oncoming vehicle is used as the comparison portion.

  The light source specifying means determines that the light source of the light irradiated to the driver's face is provided in a vehicle following the own vehicle when the luminance difference is larger than a predetermined reference, and the luminance difference is equal to or less than the predetermined reference. In this case, it is only necessary to be able to determine that the oncoming vehicle of the host vehicle is equipped with the light source of the light irradiated to the driver's face. That is, the luminance generated depending on whether the vehicle provided with the light source is a succeeding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle and the luminance change depending on whether the vehicle provided with the light source is the following vehicle or the oncoming vehicle. It is only necessary to determine whether the light source is provided in the succeeding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle based on the luminance difference from the comparative portion having a large change.

  The luminance difference between the predetermined portion and the comparison portion may be an index indicating a difference in luminance specified for each portion, and may be a difference between representative values (average value, median value, etc.) of luminance of each portion. Alternatively, it may be luminance distribution in a portion including both the predetermined portion and the comparison portion. Moreover, the predetermined standard may be an index for evaluating the luminance difference between the predetermined part and the comparison part, and the standard is set so that it can be evaluated whether the luminance difference is large by the above-described representative value or variance. It only has to be done. For example, in the configuration in which the luminance difference is evaluated based on the difference between the representative values, the predetermined reference is a threshold value for evaluating the luminance difference, and in the configuration in which the luminance difference is evaluated based on the variance, the predetermined reference is a variance value.

  Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which transmits the instruction | indication for suppressing the quantity of the light irradiated to a driver | operator's face with respect to the following vehicle or oncoming vehicle determined to be equipped with the light source. According to this configuration, the state in which the driver of the host vehicle feels dazzling is eliminated by controlling the amount of light applied to the driver's face in the following vehicle or oncoming vehicle according to the instruction. Is done. Here, it is only necessary to be able to suppress the amount of light irradiated to the driver's face, and in the following vehicle or the oncoming vehicle, the amount of light irradiated to the driver's face by changing the light irradiation direction. May be suppressed, or the amount of light applied to the driver's face may be suppressed by reducing the light intensity.

  Furthermore, information indicating the position of the other vehicle is received from other vehicles around the own vehicle, and it is determined that the other vehicle is a subsequent vehicle or an oncoming vehicle based on the position of the other vehicle, and is close to the own vehicle. It is good also as a structure which transmits the instruction | indication for suppressing the quantity of the light irradiated to a driver | operator's face in order. Specifically, when it is determined that the light source is provided in the following vehicle, until it is determined that the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is smaller than the predetermined value based on the driver image information, An instruction for suppressing the amount of light is transmitted in order of increasing proximity to the host vehicle among the other vehicles identified as the following vehicles. Further, when it is determined that the oncoming vehicle is provided with the oncoming vehicle, the oncoming vehicle is determined until it is determined that the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is smaller than the predetermined value based on the driver image information. Among the identified other vehicles, an instruction for suppressing the amount of light is transmitted in the order closer to the own vehicle.

  That is, the closer the other vehicle is to the own vehicle, the higher the possibility that the other vehicle is provided with a light source for irradiating the driver's face. Therefore, when it is determined that the following vehicle is equipped with a light source of light applied to the driver's face, an instruction to suppress the amount of light is transmitted in order of the following vehicle in the order closer to the own vehicle. As a result, it is possible to transmit an instruction from the other vehicle to a succeeding vehicle that is highly likely to be a light source of light irradiated to the driver's face, and a light source of light irradiated to the driver's face. It is possible to suppress the amount of light that the driver feels dazzling without transmitting unnecessary instructions to other vehicles with low possibility. Similarly, when it is determined that the oncoming vehicle is equipped with a light source of light that is applied to the driver's face, an instruction to suppress the amount of light is transmitted in order from the oncoming vehicle closer to the own vehicle. . As a result, it is possible to suppress the amount of light that the driver feels dazzling without transmitting unnecessary instructions to other vehicles that are unlikely to be the light source of the light irradiated to the driver's face.

  Note that, as in the present invention, the method of identifying the light source of light radiated to the driver's face based on the luminance difference between the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face and the image of the comparison portion to be compared is performed by this process. It is also applicable as a method and program for performing the above. Further, the light source identification device, method, and program as described above may be realized as a single device or as a plurality of devices. Moreover, it may be realized using parts shared with each part provided in the vehicle, or may be realized in cooperation with each part not mounted on the vehicle, and includes various aspects. Further, some changes may be made as appropriate, such as a part of software and a part of hardware. Furthermore, the invention is also established as a recording medium for a program for controlling the light source identification device. Of course, the software recording medium may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium to be developed in the future.

It is a block diagram which shows a light source specific device. It is a flowchart which shows a light source specific process. It is a figure which shows typically the luminance difference of a predetermined part and a comparison part. It is a figure which shows typically the surrounding situation of the own vehicle.

Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Configuration of light source identification device:
(2) Light source identification processing:
(3) Other embodiments:

(1) Configuration of light source identification device:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a light source specifying device mounted on the host vehicle (C shown in FIG. 1). In the present embodiment, the light source identification device is realized by the navigation device 10. The navigation device 10 includes a control unit 20 including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and a program stored in the ROM can be executed by the control unit 20. In the present embodiment, the light source specifying program 21 can be executed as one of the programs.

  In order to identify the light source of light emitted to the driver's face by the light source identification program 21 based on the luminance difference between the image of the predetermined part of the driver's face and the image of the comparison part to be compared. A camera 40 is provided. The communication unit 41 is a circuit capable of performing inter-vehicle communication with other vehicles (such as the following vehicle 50a and the oncoming vehicle 50b) existing around the host vehicle. The control unit 20 is connected via the communication unit 41. Various information can be transmitted to other vehicles, and various information can be received from other vehicles. Since the control unit 20 executes the light source specifying program 21 to specify the light source of light irradiated on the driver's face, the light source specifying program 21 includes a driver image information acquisition unit 21a, a luminance value determination unit 21b, and the like. A luminance difference acquisition unit 21c, a light source identification unit 21d, a transmission control unit 21e, and a reception control unit 21f are provided.

  The driver image information acquisition unit 21a is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of acquiring driver image information indicating an image including the face of the driver driving the host vehicle. That is, since the state of the light irradiated on the driver's face is different between the case where the light source is provided in the following vehicle 50a of the own vehicle and the case where the light source is provided in the oncoming vehicle 50b of the own vehicle. Obtains, as driver image information, an image that reflects a difference in image due to a difference in the direction of the light source. The control unit 20 acquires the driver image information acquired by the camera 40, and delivers the driver image information to the luminance value determination unit 21b. The camera 40 may be installed either inside or outside the vehicle, and is installed from the front of the driver toward the driver's face so that the driver image information can be captured. The camera 40 may be installed on a dashboard or a room mirror, for example.

  The luminance value determination unit 21b is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of determining whether or not the luminance in an image of a predetermined portion of the driver's face is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. That is, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the driver feels dazzling based on the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face. The predetermined portion is a portion where a change in luminance that occurs depending on whether the vehicle provided with the light source is the following vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b when the driver feels dazzling, and the light source is the following vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle. 50b is a portion with high brightness regardless of which one is provided. In the present embodiment, an image of a portion including both eyes on the driver's face is used as the predetermined portion. The predetermined value to be compared with the luminance may be specified in advance as the luminance that the driver feels dazzling, and may vary according to the time of day, the brightness around the vehicle, or the like.

  When it is determined that the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the luminance difference acquisition unit 21c, based on the driver image information, the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face; This is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of acquiring a luminance difference from an image of a predetermined comparison portion to be compared with the predetermined portion. The comparison portion is a portion other than the predetermined portion, and is a portion where a luminance change that occurs depending on whether the vehicle provided with the light source is the succeeding vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b when the driver feels dazzling. That is, the comparison portion has a low luminance when the light source is provided in the following vehicle 50a, and has a high luminance when the light source is provided in the oncoming vehicle 50b. Therefore, since the luminance difference between the predetermined portion and the comparison portion changes depending on the positional relationship between the other vehicle equipped with the light source and the host vehicle, the control unit 20 is based on the luminance difference between the predetermined portion and the comparison portion. Thus, it is determined whether the light source is provided in the following vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b. In the present embodiment, the comparison portion is a portion other than the predetermined portion in the driver's face.

  The light source specifying unit 21d determines that the light source of light applied to the driver's face is provided in the succeeding vehicle 50a of the host vehicle when the luminance difference is larger than a predetermined reference, and the luminance difference is the predetermined reference. This is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize the function of determining that the oncoming vehicle 50b of the host vehicle is equipped with a light source of light irradiated on the driver's face in the following cases. That is, the control unit 20 determines the light source based on the luminance difference between the predetermined portion where the luminance change is small and the comparison portion where the luminance change is large, which occurs depending on whether the vehicle equipped with the light source is the following vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b. Is provided in the following vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b.

  The luminance difference between the predetermined portion and the comparison portion may be an index indicating the difference in luminance specified for each portion, and in this embodiment, the control unit 20 represents the representative value (average value, median value, etc.) of the luminance of each portion. The luminance difference is obtained by obtaining the difference between the two. The predetermined reference only needs to be an index for evaluating the luminance difference between the predetermined portion and the comparison portion, and the reference only needs to be set so that it can be evaluated whether or not the luminance difference is large based on the above-described representative value. . In the present embodiment, since the luminance difference is evaluated based on the difference between the representative values, the predetermined reference is a threshold value for evaluating the luminance difference.

  The transmission control unit 21e controls a function of transmitting an instruction for suppressing the amount of light applied to the driver's face to the following vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b that is determined to have a light source. This module is realized by the unit 20. That is, the control unit 20 transmits the instruction to the following vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b through the communication unit 41 by the processing of the transmission control unit 21e. When the succeeding vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b receives the instruction, the succeeding vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b performs control for suppressing the amount of light irradiated to the driver's face. As a result, the state in which the driver of the own vehicle feels dazzling is eliminated. In the present embodiment, in order to suppress the amount of light irradiated to the driver's face, the light irradiation direction is changed in the following vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b, and the amount of light irradiated to the driver's face. Is suppressed.

  The reception control unit 21f is a module that causes the control unit 20 to realize a function of receiving travel information of other vehicles from other vehicles existing around the host vehicle. That is, the control unit 20 receives the travel information of the other vehicle from the other vehicle existing around the host vehicle via the communication unit 41 by the process of the reception control unit 21f. The control unit 20 specifies the subsequent vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b provided with the light source from other vehicles based on the received travel information, and the distance between the specified subsequent vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b and the host vehicle. Is identified. The travel information includes information indicating the road on which the other vehicle is traveling, information indicating the lane in which the other vehicle is traveling, and information indicating the position of the other vehicle.

  When the light source is provided in the succeeding vehicle 50a, the control unit 20 increases the order of the following vehicle 50a from the own vehicle until it is determined that the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is smaller than the predetermined value. The above instruction is transmitted by processing of the transmission control unit 21e. In addition, when the oncoming vehicle 50b is equipped with a light source, the control unit 20 starts from the own vehicle of the oncoming vehicle 50b until it is determined that the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is smaller than the predetermined value. The above instructions are transmitted by the processing of the transmission control unit 21e in the order of closeness.

  That is, the closer the other vehicle is to the own vehicle, the higher the possibility that the other vehicle is provided with a light source for irradiating the driver's face. Therefore, when it is determined that the light source of the light applied to the driver's face is provided in the succeeding vehicle 50a, the control unit 20 determines that the following vehicle 50a does not feel dazzling. An instruction to suppress the amount of light is transmitted in the order closer to the vehicle. Similarly, when it is determined that the oncoming vehicle 50b is provided with a light source of light that is applied to the driver's face, the control unit 20 includes the oncoming vehicle 50b until the driver does not feel dazzling. An instruction to suppress the amount of light is transmitted in the order closer to the host vehicle.

  The light source specifying program 21 in the present embodiment includes the own vehicle position specifying unit 21g, and when specifying the subsequent vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b as a transmission target in the processing of the transmission control unit 21e described above, The control unit 20 refers to the current position of the host vehicle through the process of the host vehicle position specifying unit 21g. That is, the map information 30a is recorded on the recording medium 30. The map information 30a includes node data indicating nodes set on the road, link data indicating connection between nodes, and lane data indicating lanes on the road. Is used to specify the current position of the host vehicle.

  The host vehicle also includes a GPS receiver 42, a vehicle speed sensor 43, and a gyro sensor 44. The GPS receiver 42 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs a signal for calculating the current position of the host vehicle via an interface (not shown). The vehicle speed sensor 43 outputs a signal corresponding to the rotational speed of the wheels provided in the host vehicle. The gyro sensor 44 detects angular acceleration about turning in the horizontal plane of the host vehicle, and outputs a signal corresponding to the direction of the host vehicle. The control unit 20 specifies the current position of the host vehicle based on output signals from the GPS receiving unit 42, the vehicle speed sensor 43, the gyro sensor 44, and the like and the map information 30a by the processing of the host vehicle position specifying unit 21g. In addition, the control unit 20 refers to the map information 30a to identify a lane that matches the current position of the host vehicle and sets it as the traveling lane of the host vehicle. The identified current position of the host vehicle and the travel lane of the host vehicle are transferred to the transmission control unit 21e.

(2) Light source identification processing:
Next, the light source specifying process performed by the navigation device 10 in the above configuration will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the light source identification process. The light source identification process is executed according to the brightness around the host vehicle. That is, the light source specifying process is executed when the brightness around the host vehicle is below a certain value (the surrounding of the host vehicle is dark). When the light source identification process is executed, first, the control unit 20 acquires driver image information (step S100). That is, the control unit 20 acquires the driver image information via the camera 40 by the process of the driver image information acquisition unit 21a.

  Next, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (step S105). That is, the control unit 20 specifies an image of a predetermined portion of the driver's face from the driver image information by the process of the luminance value determination unit 21b, and determines whether the luminance of the image is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. It is determined whether or not the driver feels dazzling. Specifically, the feature amount of the human eye image is extracted from the driver image information, a portion having a predetermined size around it is specified as a predetermined portion, and the representative value of the specified predetermined portion is equal to or greater than a predetermined value It is determined whether or not. When the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is smaller than the predetermined value (N in Step S105), that is, when the driver does not feel dazzling, the control unit 20 ends the light source specifying process.

  When the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is equal to or higher than the predetermined value (Y in step S105), that is, when the driver feels dazzling, the control unit 20 has other vehicles around the host vehicle. It is determined whether or not to perform (step S110). Specifically, the control unit 20 transmits a signal for confirming whether or not there is another vehicle that can communicate with the host vehicle around the host vehicle by the process of the transmission control unit 21e. Send wirelessly to the surroundings. When the control unit 20 receives a signal indicating that the signal has been received from another vehicle around the host vehicle by the process of the reception control unit 21f, the control unit 20 determines that another vehicle capable of inter-vehicle communication exists in the vicinity. If the signal cannot be received, it is determined that there is no other vehicle capable of vehicle-to-vehicle communication. When there is no other vehicle capable of vehicle-to-vehicle communication in the vicinity (N in Step S110), the control unit 20 ends the light source specifying process.

  When another vehicle capable of inter-vehicle communication exists in the vicinity (Y in step S110), the control unit 20 acquires a luminance difference between the predetermined portion and the comparison portion (step S115). That is, the control unit 20 extracts the feature amount of the image of the human contour from the driver image information by the process of the luminance difference acquisition unit 21c, identifies the human contour, and determines the above-described predetermined from the image of the driver's face. A part other than the part is extracted, and a part having a predetermined size is used as a comparison part. Then, the difference between the representative luminance value of the comparison portion and the representative luminance value of the predetermined portion specified in step S105 is acquired as a luminance difference.

  Next, the control unit 20 compares the luminance difference with a predetermined reference by the processing of the light source specifying unit 21d (step S120). As a result of the comparison, when the luminance difference is larger than a predetermined reference (right in Step S120), the control unit 20 indicates that the light source of the light irradiated on the driver's face is provided in the following vehicle 50a of the own vehicle. judge. On the other hand, when the luminance difference is equal to or smaller than the predetermined reference (left of step S120), the control unit 20 determines that the oncoming vehicle 50b of the host vehicle is equipped with a light source of light irradiated on the driver's face.

  First, a case where the luminance difference is larger than a predetermined reference will be described. FIG. 3A is a diagram schematically showing the luminance of the upper body of the driver when the luminance difference is larger than a predetermined reference, where the high luminance portion is shown without hatching and the low luminance portion is hatched. Indicated by. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, a portion indicated by a one-dot chain line including both eyes 310 of the driver is a predetermined portion 305, and a portion other than the predetermined portion 305 on the driver's face and indicated by a two-dot chain line is a comparison portion 300. is there.

  The self-vehicle of this embodiment is provided with a room mirror so that the driver can visually recognize the following vehicle 50a. In order for the driver to visually recognize the following vehicle 50a, the angle of the room mirror is set so as to guide the irradiation light from the light source behind the host vehicle to the vicinity of both eyes 310 of the driver. Therefore, when there is a light source behind the host vehicle, the light reflected by the rearview mirror is applied to the predetermined portion 305 including both eyes 310 of the driver, but is not applied to other portions. That is, only the light reflected by the rearview mirror is emitted toward the predetermined portion 305 of the driver's face, but the light not reflected by the rearview mirror is not emitted toward the driver's face and its surroundings. Therefore, the predetermined portion 305 has a high luminance, the comparison portion 300 has a low luminance, and the luminance difference between the two portions increases. For this reason, the control part 20 can specify that the vehicle provided with the light source is the succeeding vehicle 50a, when the brightness | luminance difference of the predetermined part 305 and the comparison part 300 is larger than a predetermined reference | standard.

  Next, a case where the luminance difference is equal to or less than a predetermined reference will be described. FIG. 3B is a diagram schematically illustrating the luminance of the upper body of the driver when the luminance difference is equal to or less than a predetermined reference. When a light source is present in front of the host vehicle, the light emitted from the light source is applied to the entire face of the driver and its surroundings. Accordingly, the predetermined portion 305 has high luminance and the comparison portion 300 also has high luminance, and the luminance difference between the two portions becomes small. For this reason, the control part 20 can specify that the vehicle with which the light source was provided is the oncoming vehicle 50b, when the brightness | luminance difference of the predetermined part 305 and the comparison part 300 is below a predetermined reference | standard.

  Thus, in order to determine whether the vehicle including the light source is the succeeding vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b based on the luminance difference between the predetermined portion 305 and the comparison portion 300, based on the luminance difference of one image. It is possible to specify whether the direction of the light source is backward or forward. Therefore, it is possible to specify which of the following vehicle 50a and the oncoming vehicle 50b is the other vehicle provided with the light source of the light emitted to the driver's face with a simple configuration.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. When the luminance difference is larger than the predetermined reference (right in Step S120), the control unit 20 determines that the light source is provided in the succeeding vehicle 50a of the host vehicle. And the control part 20 receives the driving information of another vehicle (step S125). That is, the control unit 20 transmits an instruction to transmit the travel information of the other vehicle to the own vehicle to the other vehicle capable of inter-vehicle communication existing around the own vehicle by the process of the transmission control unit 21e. To do. The control unit 20 receives the travel information transmitted from the other vehicle by the processing of the reception control unit 21f. The control unit 20 determines whether or not the succeeding vehicle 50a can be identified from other vehicles capable of inter-vehicle communication based on the received travel information by the processing of the transmission control unit 21e (step S130).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a situation around the host vehicle when the control unit 20 acquires travel information from another vehicle. The host vehicle 400 is traveling in a lane 410 whose upward direction is the traveling direction in FIG. In addition to the host vehicle 410, preceding vehicles 411 and 412 and following vehicles 413 and 414 are traveling on the lane 410. The opposite lane 420 adjacent to the center line 430 is a traveling direction in the downward direction of FIG. Oncoming lanes 420 are oncoming vehicles 421, 422 and passing vehicles 423, 424. For ease of explanation, description will be made assuming that all the vehicles shown in FIG. 4 can communicate with the host vehicle 400.

  The travel information is configured to be able to specify the road, lane, and position of the other vehicle on which the other vehicle is traveling based on the map information 30a. In the present embodiment, the travel information includes the road on which the other vehicle is traveling. Corresponding link data, lane data indicating the lane in which the other vehicle is traveling, and position information indicating the position of the other vehicle are included. First, the control part 20 specifies the other vehicle which is drive | working the same road as the own vehicle 400 from the link data contained in the driving information of another vehicle. This is because the control unit 20 may acquire travel information from another vehicle traveling on another road at a place where a three-dimensional intersection or the like exists. Specifically, the control unit 20 acquires the current position of the host vehicle specified by the process of the host vehicle position specifying unit 21g, refers to the map information 30a, and the road where the current position exists based on the link data. Is identified. Then, the road on which the other vehicle is traveling is identified from the link data corresponding to the road on which the other vehicle is traveling, and the road on which the other vehicle is traveling matches the road on which the host vehicle is traveling. It is determined whether or not. With this process, the preceding vehicles 411 and 412, the following vehicles 413 and 414, the oncoming vehicles 421 and 422, and the passing vehicles 423 and 424 that run on the road on which the host vehicle is running are specified.

  Next, the control unit 20 specifies the other vehicle that is traveling in the same lane 410 as the traveling lane of the host vehicle 400 from the lane data included in the traveling information of the other vehicle. That is, when the lane data indicating the same lane 410 as the travel lane of the host vehicle 400 specified by the process of the host vehicle position specifying unit 21g is included in the travel information of the other vehicle, the control unit 20 It is assumed that the vehicle is a preceding vehicle 411, 412 or a following vehicle 413, 414 traveling in the same lane as the traveling lane. By this processing, the control unit 20 can exclude the vehicles (the oncoming vehicles 421 and 422 and the passing vehicles 423 and 424) traveling in the oncoming lane 420, and specify the preceding vehicles 411 and 412 and the following vehicles 413 and 414. it can.

  Finally, the control unit 20 specifies the following vehicles 413 and 414 of the host vehicle 400 from the position information included in the travel information of other vehicles. That is, the control unit 20 identifies the position of each vehicle based on the position information included in the traveling information of the preceding vehicles 411 and 412 and the following vehicles 413 and 414, and compares the position with the current position of the own vehicle 400. The front-rear relationship between the vehicle 400 and each vehicle is specified. Through the above processing, the control unit 20 identifies the following vehicles 413 and 414.

  In step S130, it is determined whether or not the subsequent vehicle 50a can be specified by the above processing, and another vehicle as the subsequent vehicle 413 or 414 is specified based on the travel information received from the other vehicle. Is determined that the subsequent vehicle 50a can be specified, and if no other vehicle is specified as the subsequent vehicles 413 and 414, it is determined that the subsequent vehicle 50a cannot be specified. If it is determined in step S130 that the subsequent vehicle 50a cannot be specified, the light source specifying process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S130 that the subsequent vehicle 50a can be specified, the control unit 20 specifies the distance between the subsequent vehicle 50a and the host vehicle (step S135). That is, the control unit 20 specifies the position of the subsequent vehicle 50a based on the position information included in the travel information of the other vehicle as the subsequent vehicle 50a by the processing of the transmission control unit 21e, and determines the position of the subsequent vehicle 50a and the position of the subsequent vehicle 50a. The distance between each succeeding vehicle 50a and the host vehicle is specified based on the current position of the vehicle. Next, the control unit 20 transmits an instruction to the subsequent vehicle 50a to be transmitted (step S140). That is, the control part 20 transmits the instruction | indication for suppressing the quantity of the light irradiated to a driver | operator's face with respect to the following vehicle 50a of transmission object by the process of the transmission control part 21e. The transmission target in the initial stage is the nearest succeeding vehicle. Thereafter, when step S150 is executed, the transmission target is sequentially changed.

  Next, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the luminance of the image of the predetermined portion is smaller than the predetermined value by the processing of the luminance value determination unit 21b (step S145). When the luminance of the image of the predetermined portion is smaller than the predetermined value (Y in step S145), the control unit 20 ends the light source specifying process. That is, since the driver of the host vehicle does not feel dazzling because the light irradiation direction is changed in the succeeding vehicle 50a that has received the above instruction, the control unit 20 ends the light source specifying process.

  When the luminance of the image of the predetermined portion is equal to or higher than the predetermined value (N in Step S145), the control unit 20 changes the instruction transmission target (S150). That is, since the driver still feels dazzling, the control unit 20 sets the next succeeding vehicle 50a among the following vehicles 50a other than the succeeding vehicle 50a that has transmitted the instruction from the own vehicle as a transmission target. Taking FIG. 4 as an example, the control unit 20 transmits an instruction to the following vehicle 413 among the following vehicles 413 and 414 at the stage of executing step S140 for the first time. Thereafter, if the situation that the driver feels dazzling is not resolved, in step S150, the control unit 20 specifies the subsequent vehicle 414 that is the second closest vehicle 50a as a transmission target. And the control part 20 performs the process of step S140, S145 again.

  Next, returning to step S120, processing when the luminance difference is equal to or smaller than a predetermined reference (left of step S120) will be described. When the luminance difference is equal to or smaller than the predetermined reference, the control unit 20 determines that the light source is provided in the oncoming vehicle 50b of the host vehicle, and receives the travel information of the other vehicle as in step S125 (step S155). Next, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the oncoming vehicle 50b can be identified from among other vehicles capable of inter-vehicle communication based on the received travel information (step S160). The determination as to whether or not the oncoming vehicle 50b can be specified is performed by a process similar to the process of determining whether or not the subsequent vehicle 50a can be specified in step S130. That is, taking FIG. 4 as an example, a vehicle traveling in the opposite lane 420 opposite to the host vehicle 400 is specified from the lane data included in the travel information of the other vehicle and the travel lane of the host vehicle. Further, the other vehicle running ahead of the host vehicle 400 is specified based on the position information of the specified vehicle and the current position of the host vehicle, and the oncoming vehicles 421 and 422 are specified.

  Next, similarly to step S135, the control unit 20 specifies the distance between the oncoming vehicle 50b and the host vehicle based on the position of the oncoming vehicle 50b and the current position of the host vehicle (step S165), and transmits the same as in step S140. An instruction is transmitted to the target oncoming vehicle 50b (step S170). Next, similarly to step S145, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the luminance of the image of the predetermined portion is smaller than the predetermined value (step S175), and when the luminance of the image of the predetermined portion is smaller than the predetermined value (step S175). In step S175 Y), the light source identification process is terminated. On the other hand, when the luminance of the image of the predetermined portion is equal to or higher than the predetermined value (N in Step S175), the control unit 20 changes the transmission target of the instruction similarly to Step S150 (Step S180). That is, the transmission target in the initial stage is the nearest oncoming vehicle, and thereafter, when step S180 is executed, the transmission target is sequentially changed. Taking FIG. 4 as an example, the control unit 20 transmits an instruction to the oncoming vehicle 422 out of the oncoming vehicles 421 and 422 when step S170 is executed first. After that, if the situation that the driver feels dazzling is not resolved, the control unit 20 identifies the oncoming vehicle 421 as a transmission target in step S180. And the control part 20 performs the process of step S170, S175 again.

  According to the above processing, when it is determined that the light source of the light applied to the driver's face is provided in the following vehicle 50a, the light applied to the driver's face from other vehicles. It is possible to exclude the oncoming vehicle 50b that is not the light source of the vehicle, and to exclude the preceding vehicle and the passing vehicle that cannot be the light source of the light irradiated to the driver's face. A vehicle that is highly likely to be a light source of light irradiated to the driver's face can transmit an instruction to the following vehicle 50a, and is less likely to be a light source of light irradiated to the driver's face. The control unit 20 can suppress the amount of light that the driver feels dazzling without transmitting unnecessary instructions to other vehicles. Similarly, even when it is determined that the oncoming vehicle 50b is provided with a light source of light that is applied to the driver's face, a vehicle that is highly likely to be a light source of light that is applied to the driver's face. It is possible to transmit an instruction to the oncoming vehicle 50b, and the light that the driver feels dazzling without transmitting an unnecessary instruction to another vehicle that is unlikely to be a light source of light irradiated to the driver's face. The control unit 20 can suppress the amount.

(3) Other embodiments:
The above embodiment is an example for carrying out the present invention, and various other embodiments can be adopted. For example, although the above-described light source identification process is executed according to the brightness around the host vehicle, the process may be executed according to time.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the driver feels dazzling based on the luminance of the image of the predetermined portion. However, in addition to the luminance, the shape of the driver's eyes is determined. The determination may be performed based on the determination. That is, when the driver feels dazzling, the amount of light irradiated to the eyes is suppressed by narrowing his eyes. Therefore, the control unit 20 analyzes the shape of the eyes from an image of a predetermined portion that is an image of a portion including both eyes of the driver, so that whether or not the driver feels dazzling is compared with the determination of only luminance. More accurate judgment can be made.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 20 specifies that the light source is provided in the succeeding vehicle 50a by the reflected light from the room mirror, but the reflected light from the side mirror is guided to the driver's face. The same applies to the case where a portion with high brightness is used as a predetermined portion without depending on whether the vehicle provided with the light source is the following vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b, and the vehicle provided with the light source is the following vehicle. The portion where the luminance changes depending on whether the vehicle is the vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b can be used as the comparison portion.

  The luminance difference between the predetermined portion and the comparison portion may be determined by luminance distribution in a portion including both the predetermined portion and the comparison portion. For example, the reference variance value is adopted as a predetermined reference to be compared with the luminance difference, and the luminance difference is evaluated by comparing the reference variance value with the variance value of the portion including both the predetermined portion and the comparison portion. It is good also as a structure.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 20 changes the light irradiation direction in the succeeding vehicle 50a or the oncoming vehicle 50b in order to suppress the amount of light irradiated to the driver's face. Although an instruction for suppressing the amount of light irradiated to the driver is transmitted, an instruction for suppressing the amount of light irradiated to the driver's face by reducing the intensity of the light may be transmitted.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Light source specific device, 20 ... Control part, 21 ... Light source specific program, 21a ... Driver image information acquisition part, 21b ... Luminance value determination part, 21c ... Luminance difference acquisition part, 21d ... Light source specific part, 21e ... Transmission control , 21f ... reception control unit, 40 ... camera, 50a ... following vehicle, 50b ... oncoming vehicle, 300 ... comparison part, 305 ... predetermined part, 310 ... both eyes, 400 ... own vehicle, 410 ... lane, 411, 412 ... preceding Vehicle, 413, 414 ... Subsequent vehicle, 420 ... Oncoming lane, 421, 422 ... Oncoming vehicle, 423, 424 ... Passing vehicle, 430 ... Center line

Claims (6)

Driver image information acquisition means for acquiring driver image information indicating an image including a face of the driver driving the host vehicle;
Luminance value determining means for determining whether the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is equal to or higher than a predetermined value;
When it is determined that the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is compared with the predetermined portion based on the driver image information A luminance difference acquisition means for acquiring a luminance difference with an image of a predetermined comparison portion to be performed;
When the brightness difference is larger than a predetermined reference, it is determined that a light source of light irradiated on the driver's face is provided in a vehicle following the host vehicle, and the brightness difference is less than a predetermined reference A light source specifying means for determining that a light source of light irradiated on the driver's face is provided in an oncoming vehicle of the host vehicle;
A light source identification device comprising: Transmission control means for transmitting an instruction for suppressing the amount of light applied to the driver's face to the succeeding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle determined to be equipped with the light source;
The light source identification device according to claim 1. Receiving control means for receiving information indicating the position of the other vehicle from other vehicles existing around the host vehicle;
The transmission control means includes
Identifying the other vehicle that is a subsequent vehicle or oncoming vehicle of the own vehicle based on the position of the other vehicle, and identifying a distance between the other vehicle identified as the following vehicle or the oncoming vehicle and the own vehicle,
When it is determined that the light source is provided in the succeeding vehicle, the subsequent operation is continued until it is determined that the brightness in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is smaller than a predetermined value based on the driver image information. Among the other vehicles identified as vehicles, the instructions are transmitted in order from the own vehicle,
When it is determined that the light source is provided in the oncoming vehicle, the vehicle is opposed until it is determined based on the driver image information that the luminance of the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is smaller than a predetermined value. Among the other vehicles identified as vehicles, the instructions are transmitted in order from the own vehicle,
The light source identification device according to claim 2. The luminance difference acquisition means sets the image of a portion including both eyes in the driver's face as the predetermined portion.
The light source identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A driver image information acquisition step of acquiring driver image information indicating an image including a face of the driver driving the host vehicle;
A luminance value determination step of determining whether or not the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is equal to or higher than a predetermined value;
When it is determined that the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is compared with the predetermined portion based on the driver image information A luminance difference acquisition step of acquiring a luminance difference with an image of a predetermined comparison portion to be performed;
When the brightness difference is larger than a predetermined reference, it is determined that a light source of light irradiated on the driver's face is provided in a vehicle following the host vehicle, and the brightness difference is less than a predetermined reference A light source specifying step for determining that a light source of light applied to the driver's face is provided in an oncoming vehicle of the host vehicle;
A light source identification method including: A driver image information acquisition function for acquiring driver image information indicating an image including a face of the driver driving the host vehicle;
A luminance value determination function for determining whether the luminance in an image of a predetermined portion of the driver's face is equal to or higher than a predetermined value;
When it is determined that the luminance in the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the image of the predetermined portion of the driver's face is compared with the predetermined portion based on the driver image information A luminance difference acquisition function for acquiring a luminance difference from an image of a predetermined comparison portion to be performed;
When the brightness difference is larger than a predetermined reference, it is determined that a light source of light irradiated on the driver's face is provided in a vehicle following the host vehicle, and the brightness difference is less than a predetermined reference A light source specifying function for determining that a light source of light irradiated on the driver's face is provided in an oncoming vehicle of the host vehicle;
A light source identification program that enables a computer to realize

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