WO2025115119A1 - Headlight control device - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

Headlamp control device

This disclosure relates to a headlamp control device that controls the headlamp of a vehicle.

　Conventionally, a technology has been disclosed that determines the degree of glare, which indicates the degree to which the driver of a vehicle ahead of the vehicle perceives the illumination of the vehicle's headlights as dazzling, and reduces the amount of light from the vehicle's headlights if the determined degree of glare is equal to or exceeds a preset glare threshold (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 also discloses a technology that determines whether the driver of the vehicle is dazzled by the headlights of a rear vehicle and notifies the rear vehicle of the determination result.

Patent No. 4458141

In Patent Document 1, the degree of dazzle for the driver of the vehicle ahead is determined using the distance between the vehicle ahead and the vehicle itself. In this case, the degree of dazzle for the driver of the vehicle ahead is an estimated value based on the distance between the vehicles, and therefore has the problem of being inaccurate.

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

Furthermore, Patent Document 1 describes that the light is reduced when the level of dazzle reaches or exceeds a threshold, but the amount of light reduction is based on an index (the vehicle speed) that is unrelated to the actual level of dazzle, so there is an issue that the dazzle is not eliminated.

As such, conventional methods have not adequately suppressed glare for drivers of other vehicles. Furthermore, conventional methods have uniformly dimmed the headlight illumination of other vehicles, but some drivers of other vehicles may not find the headlight illumination of the vehicle's own vehicle dazzling, and dimming the illumination of other vehicles may not always be necessary. Dimming the headlight illumination of the vehicle's own vehicle narrows the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle, so dimming the headlight illumination only in the necessary range is also useful from the perspective of ensuring the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle.

This disclosure has been made to solve these problems, and aims to provide a headlamp control device that can simultaneously reduce glare for drivers of other vehicles and ensure a clear field of vision for the driver of the vehicle itself.

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

This disclosure makes it possible to simultaneously reduce dazzle for drivers of other vehicles and ensure a clear field of vision for the driver of one's own vehicle.

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

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration including a headlamp control device according to a first embodiment; 2 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of a headlamp control device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the headlamp control device according to the first embodiment. 4 is a graph showing an example of dimming control according to the first embodiment. 4 is a graph showing an example of dimming control according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining light reduction according to the first embodiment. 4 is a graph showing an example of dimming control according to the first embodiment. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining dimming control according to the first and second embodiments. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining dimming control according to a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining dimming control according to a fourth embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the headlamp control device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the headlamp control device according to the first embodiment; FIG.

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

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

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

HDL4 has map information and detects the vehicle's position.

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

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

The headlights 6 emit light ahead of the vehicle according to the control of the headlight control device 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the headlamp control device 1.

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

The occupant monitoring information receiver 10 receives occupant monitoring information from other vehicles around the vehicle via the communication device 2. The occupant monitoring information includes information required for the dazzle level calculator 11 to calculate the dazzle level, and information on the face or eye positions of the occupants of the other vehicles.

The information required for the dazzle level calculation unit 11 to calculate the dazzle level includes, for example, information indicating that the occupant of the other vehicle has begun to behave or express an expression that suggests they are dazzled, and information indicating that the pupils of the eyes of the occupant of the other vehicle have become smaller than a predetermined value.

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

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

The lighting range data storage unit 13 stores the lighting range of the headlights 6 as lighting range data.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the dimming control unit 12 determines a dimming value that gradually reduces the light depending on the degree of dazzle for the occupants of the other vehicle. Specifically, the dimming control unit 12 determines a dimming value that reduces the light faster when the degree of dazzle for the occupants of the other vehicle is high compared to when it is low. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the dimming control unit 12 determines a dimming value that gradually reduces the light depending on the distance (inter-vehicle distance) between the host vehicle and the other vehicle. Specifically ... reduces the light faster when the distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle is close compared to when it is far.

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

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

For example, the dimming control unit 12 determines the dimming range as shown in FIG. 6. Note that in FIG. 6, the area with diagonal hatching corresponds to the dimming range. The dimming range includes the heads (at least the facial areas) of the occupants of the other vehicle, and is narrower than the other vehicle. Note that the dimming range may include not only the head of the driver of the other vehicle, but also the head of the passenger in the passenger seat of the other vehicle.

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

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

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

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

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

In step S20, the dimming control unit 12 determines that it is not necessary to dim the illumination of the headlights 6, and immediately cancels the dimming process. This causes the brightness of the illumination of the headlights 6 to return to its original state (before the dimming process). The degree to which the brightness of the illumination of the headlights 6 is returned to its original state (degree of brightness increase) is greater than the second degree of brightness increase in step S25 described below.

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

In step S22, the dimming control unit 12 performs control to maintain the brightness of the illumination of the headlights 6. After processing in step S22, the process returns to step S10.

In step S23, the dimming control unit 12 determines whether or not it is within the second time shown in FIG. 7. The second time is a predetermined time that has elapsed after the first time. If it is within the second time, the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, if it is not within the second time, the process proceeds to step S25.

In step S24, the dimming control unit 12 executes a first dimming process. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the dimming control unit 12 controls the luminance of the headlight 6 to be gradually increased (increased by a first degree of dimming) within the second time period. After the process of step S24, the process returns to step S10.

In step S25, the dimming control unit 12 executes a second dimming process. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the dimming control unit 12 controls the luminance of the headlights 6 to be gradually increased (increased by a second degree of dimming) after the second time period until the other vehicle starts to move away from the vehicle. The second degree of dimming is greater than the first degree of dimming.

＜Effects＞
As described above, according to the first embodiment, when another vehicle is present within the illumination range of the headlights 6 of the vehicle and the occupants of the other vehicle are dazzled, the illumination of the headlights 6 is dimmed only in the range corresponding to the occupants of the other vehicle. This makes it possible to simultaneously suppress dazzle for the driver of the other vehicle and ensure the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle.

<Example>
In the following Examples 1 to 4, examples of use of the headlamp control device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

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

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

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

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

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

Example 2
In the second embodiment, a situation similar to that in the first embodiment is assumed (see FIG. 8).

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

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

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

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

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

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

Next, the headlamp control device 1 determines that the third other vehicle is not present within the illumination range of the headlamp 6. In other words, the illumination from the headlamp 6 of the vehicle does not reach the third other vehicle.

The headlamp control device 1 does not dim the headlamp 6 of the vehicle itself because the cause of the dazzlement of the occupant of the third other vehicle is not the illumination of the headlamp 6. This allows the vehicle itself to travel safely without unnecessary dimming.

For example, if the situations in Example 1 and Example 3 occur simultaneously, the headlamp control device 1 executes a process to dim the illumination of the headlamp 6 for the first other vehicle.

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

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

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

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

Next, the headlamp control device 1 executes a process for dimming the illumination of the headlamp 6 for the second other vehicle. At this time, the headlamp control device 1 gradually dims the illumination of the headlamp 6 until the dazzle level of the occupants of the second other vehicle falls below a predetermined dazzle level (second threshold value). Note that the headlamp control device 1 may also dim the illumination of an area that includes the second other vehicle.

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

For example, if the situations in Example 1 and Example 4 occur simultaneously, the headlamp control device 1 executes a process to dim the illumination of the headlamp 6 for each of the first other vehicle and the second vehicle.

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

When the processing circuit is dedicated hardware, as shown in FIG. 11, the processing circuit 20 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination of these. Each function of the occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10, the glare calculation unit 11, the dimming control unit 12, and the headlamp control unit 14 may be realized by the processing circuit 20 individually, or each function may be realized together by a single processing circuit 20.

When the processing circuit 20 is the processor 30 shown in FIG. 12, the functions of the occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10, the dazzle calculation unit 11, the dimming control unit 12, and the headlamp control unit 14 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is written as a program and stored in the memory 31. The processor 30 realizes each function by reading and executing the program recorded in the memory 31. That is, the headlamp control device 1 has a memory 31 for storing a program that results in the execution of the steps of receiving occupant monitoring information, calculating the dazzle level of the occupant of the other vehicle, controlling the dimming range or dimming range and the degree of reduction in brightness of the headlamp 6 of the subject vehicle, and controlling the headlamp 6. It can also be said that these programs cause a computer to execute the procedures or methods of the occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10, the dazzle calculation unit 11, the dimming control unit 12, and the headlamp control unit 14. Here, memory may be, for example, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc., or any storage medium that will be used in the future.

It should be noted that some of the functions of the occupant monitoring information receiving unit 10, the dazzle calculation unit 11, the dimming control unit 12, and the headlamp control unit 14 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and other functions may be realized by software or firmware.

In this way, the processing circuitry can realize each of the above-mentioned functions through hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

In addition, within the scope of this disclosure, the embodiments may be modified or omitted as appropriate.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the above description is illustrative in all respects and is not limiting. It is understood that countless variations not illustrated can be envisioned.

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

Claims (12)

an occupant monitoring information receiving unit that receives occupant monitoring information for monitoring occupants of other vehicles present around the host vehicle;
a dazzle degree calculation unit that calculates a dazzle degree of the occupant of the other vehicle based on the occupant monitoring information;
a dimming control unit that controls a dimming range of a headlamp of the vehicle, or the dimming range and a degree of reduction in brightness of the dimming range when the dazzle level is equal to or higher than a predetermined dazzle level;
a headlamp control unit that controls a headlamp of the host vehicle based on an instruction from the dimming control unit;
A headlamp control device comprising: The headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the dimming control unit sets the dimming range to an area that includes the head of an occupant of the other vehicle whose dazzle level is equal to or greater than a predetermined dazzle level, and is narrower than the other vehicle. The headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the dimming control unit feedback controls the dimming control of the headlamp of the host vehicle until the dazzle level decreases to a predetermined dazzle level. The headlamp control device according to claim 3, wherein the dimming control unit gradually dims the illumination of the headlamp of the host vehicle until the dazzle level falls to the second threshold value. The headlamp control device according to claim 4, wherein the dimming control unit dims the light faster when the degree of dazzle is high compared to when the degree of dazzle is low, or when the distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle is close compared to when the distance is far. The headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the dimming control unit gradually releases the dimming control of the headlamp of the host vehicle after the dazzle level has decreased to a predetermined dazzle level and a first predetermined time has elapsed. The headlamp control device according to claim 6, wherein the dimming control unit cancels the dimming control of the headlamp of the host vehicle after a predetermined second time period that is longer than the first time period has elapsed, compared to before the second time period has elapsed. The headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the dimming control unit cancels the dimming control of the headlamp of the host vehicle earlier when the dazzle level decreases to a predetermined dazzle level and the vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle increases than when the vehicle-to-vehicle distance does not increase. The headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined level of dazzle is lower than the level of dazzle to which the occupants of the other vehicle react. The headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the dimming control unit performs dimming control of the headlamp of the host vehicle more quickly when the degree of dazzle is greater than or equal to a predetermined degree of dazzle than when the degree of dazzle is smaller. The headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the occupants of the other vehicle are an occupant in the driver's seat and an occupant in the passenger seat of the other vehicle. an other-vehicle information receiving unit that receives other-vehicle information including at least a seat position in the other vehicle;
The headlamp control device according to claim 2 , wherein the dimming control unit determines the dimming range based on the occupant monitoring information and the other vehicle information.

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