JPH09139289A - Quantity-of-light adjusting device and quantity-of-light adjusting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a linear relation between adjusting quantity and quantity of light by setting the adjusting quantity for adjusting the quantity of light, outputting a power proportional to a specified function on the basis of the set adjusting quantity, and reducing the inclination of the function according to the increase in adjusting quantity. SOLUTION: A remote controller 61 transmits an input signal to a receiving device 62. A regenerating device 86 regenerates the voice signal and dimming data recorded on a CD-ROM. A microcomputer(MC) 64 adjusts the luminance of each lamp 84 on the basis of the data from the regenerating device 86 and the receiving device 62, and also transmits a prescribed control command to the regenerating device 86 to control it. A memory 66 stores the offset luminance data of each lamp 84 and also stores the processing command and calculation data for the processing by the MC 64. A lamp driving device 75 amplifies the power of the electric signal from a digital dimming curve circuit 71. Lamps 81-83 convert the electric signal to color of red R, green G, or blue B, respectively.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light amount adjusting device and a light amount adjusting method, and more particularly to a light amount adjusting device and a light amount adjusting method in which a linear relationship is established between a visual sense light amount and an adjustment amount.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Changes in the physical intensity of light, sound, pressure, etc. do not necessarily match changes in the subjective intensity of these stimuli that humans perceive through sensory organs. Therefore, it is desirable to consider not only physical characteristics but also subjective characteristics when designing a device that outputs these.

For example, in a light control device for adjusting the intensity of light such as a light source, even if the physical intensity of the output light is linearly increased, the subjective intensity of light perceived by humans (hereinafter referred to as visual sense) Light intensity) does not increase linearly. The characteristic required of the light control device is that the adjustment amount for adjusting the light amount and the visual sense light amount felt by the user who recognizes the light have a linear relationship. Therefore, when designing the light control device, it is necessary to determine the light control characteristics so that the visual sense light amount and the adjustment amount have a linear relationship.

It is known that a certain law works between the physical intensity of the stimulus and the subjective intensity. less than,
An equation representing the relationship between the physical intensity of light and the amount of visual perception light will be described.

Between the physical intensity M of light and the minimum amount of change (threshold value) ΔM at which the change can be sensed when M is changed, the Weber's law (Webe
r's Law) is known to pass. ΔM / M = constant (1) That is, the ratio between the light intensity M and the threshold ΔM at that time is M
It is constant regardless of the value of. In other words, the threshold value increases when the light intensity is high, and conversely, the threshold value decreases when the light intensity is low.

Next, from the Weber's law, a relational expression between the physical intensity M of light and the visual sense light amount S is derived.
Assuming that when the physical intensity of light changes by ΔM, the amount of visual perception light changes by ΔS, the following equation is obtained. ΔS = k (ΔM / M) (2) Here, k is a constant. This can be expressed as a differential equation as follows. dS = k (dM / M) (3) By integrating both sides of this equation, S = k · log _e M + c = k (log M / log e) + c = K · log M + c. ··· (4) Here, log is a common logarithm with a base of 10. Further, c is an integration constant. This formula gives the physical intensity of light M
And the visual light intensity S between Feffinel's law (Fechne
r's Law). As this equation shows, the amount of visual light is proportional to the logarithm of the physical intensity of light.

FIG. 10 is a graph of the equation (4). The horizontal axis 12 represents the logarithmic value (log M) of the physical intensity M of light at the base 10, and the vertical axis represents the visual light amount S.
Is represented. At this time, the equation (4) is expressed as a straight line 13 having an inclination of K.

FIG. 11 shows that according to Feffinel's law,
6 shows a graph in which the physical intensity of light changes with time. The horizontal axis 24 of this graph is time t. The vertical axis 25 is the logarithmic value lo whose base is 10 of the physical intensity M of light.
g M (corresponding to the dynamic range) is shown. In this graph, the value of M is set so that log M = 0 becomes the maximum value.

In this figure, for example, when the light is changed based on the straight line 21, at time t = 0 [sec], M
= 10 ⁻⁴ (log M = −4) of physical intensity is output. Then, the intensity increases with the passage of time, and at t = 1 [sec], M = 10 ⁰ = 1 (log
The light of intensity M = 0) is output.

The horizontal axis 24 in this figure is time t, but by substituting it for the adjustment amount Q, the relationship between the adjustment amount Q and the physical intensity M of light can be obtained. If these straight lines are used, the dimming characteristic based on Feffinel's law can be realized. At this time, the points P _{11 to} P ₁₅ , P _{21 to} P ₂₅ , P _{31 to} P ₃₅ on the straight lines 21 to 23 are
An example of a point used as a representative value of each straight line when performing the stepwise light amount adjustment is shown. That is, five points are arranged on each straight line, and by using these points, it is possible to adjust the light amount in five stages.

[0011]

However, the equation (1) used as a premise for deriving the equation (4) showing the relationship between the visual sensation light quantity and the physical intensity of light has a very small value of M. It is known that it does not hold for cases or very large cases (for example, the document "George A. Miller," Psycho
logy ", pp.106,1962", "" Basics of Color Engineering ", p.
p.155 ”). As a result, for example, based on the dimming characteristic of the straight line 21 in FIG. 11, when the light intensity is changed with time, the visual sensation light amount should change at a constant rate with time. As compared with the case where the physical intensity of light is small, there is a problem in that the case where the intensity is high is felt to be changing greatly.

It is known that the dynamic range of the physical intensity of light perceivable by humans is very wide.
Therefore, in a light control device having a large adjustable light amount range so as to be able to deal with this wide dynamic range, the range is deviated from the range where Expression (1) is satisfied. There is a problem in that the linear relationship between the amount and the amount of visual sense is not established.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and is for linearizing the relationship between the visual sense light amount and the adjustment amount.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light quantity adjusting device, wherein a setting means for setting an adjustment quantity Q for adjusting the light quantity and a function A ^{f (} based on the adjustment quantity Q set by the setting means are set. ^{Q) In} a light quantity adjusting device provided with an output means for outputting power proportional to (A> 1), the function f (Q) is characterized in that its slope df / dQ decreases as Q increases. And

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a light amount adjusting method sets an adjustment amount Q for adjusting the light amount, and based on the obtained adjustment amount Q, an electric power proportional to a function A ^{f (Q)} (A> 1) is set. In the output light amount adjusting method, the function f (Q) has a slope df /
dQ is characterized by decreasing with increasing Q.

In the light quantity adjusting device according to the first aspect, the setting means sets the adjustment quantity Q for adjusting the light quantity, and based on the adjustment quantity Q set by the setting means, the function A ^{f (Q)}
In the light quantity adjusting device in which the output means outputs electric power proportional to (A> 1), the function f (Q) has a slope df / dQ.
, But decreases as Q increases.

In the light quantity adjusting method according to the fourth aspect, an adjustment quantity Q for adjusting the light quantity is set, and the power proportional to the function A ^{f (Q)} (A> 1) is set based on the obtained adjustment quantity Q. In the light amount adjusting method for outputting the function f (Q), the slope df / dQ of the function f (Q) decreases as Q increases.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the present specification, first, a dimming characteristic, which is one embodiment of the present invention, in which a linear relationship (proportional relationship) is established between a visual sense light amount and an adjustment amount will be described. continue,
An example of a light control device using this light control characteristic will be described.

It should be noted that, in the present specification, unless otherwise specified, the adjustment amount and the input value have the same meaning.

A curve 53 in FIG. 1 shows a dimming characteristic (dimming curve) which is an embodiment of the present invention. In this graph, the horizontal axis 51 represents the time t or the adjustment amount Q. The vertical axis 52 is the logarithmic value lo of the physical intensity M of light.
g M is shown. In addition, points P _{51 to} P ₅₅ are
Adjustment amount (or time) is 0, 0.2, respectively
The points on the graph when they are 5, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 are shown. The straight line 54 is the curve 53 and t =
It touches at 1.

This curve 53 is expressed by the following equation. log M = 2 (2-t) (t-1) (5) If the adjustment amount Q is used instead of the time t, it can be expressed by the following equation. log M = 2 (2-Q) (Q-1) ... (6)

Here, paying attention to the equation (6) and transforming this equation with respect to M, the following is obtained. M = 10 ^{2 (2-Q) (Q-1)} ... (7) Here, if f (Q) = 2 (2-Q) (Q-1) is set,
Expression (7) is expressed as follows. M = 10 ^{f (Q)} ... (8)

By the way, the slope df / dQ of this f (Q)
Is as follows: df / dQ = -2 (2Q-3) (9) When the respective inclinations when Q = 0 and Q = 1 are obtained, the following is obtained. df / dQ = 6 (Q = 0) ... (10) df / dQ = 2 (Q = 1) ... (11) That is, as Q increases, the slope monotonously decreases.

Using the curve represented by the equation (7) as the dimming characteristic, when the logarithmic value log M of the physical intensity of light is small, the change (slope) of log M with respect to the adjustment amount Q is large, As the light intensity increases, Q
The change of log M with respect to is small. When such a dimming characteristic is used, even if the dynamic range (range of change of M) is large (especially when the physical intensity of light is small), the relationship between the adjustment amount and the visual sense light amount is linear. Become.

When the general equations of the equations (5) and (6) are obtained, the following is obtained. _{log M = (- N 2 +} (N 2 -N 1) t) (t-1) ···· (12) log M = (- N 2 + (N 2 -N 1) Q) (Q-1 ) (13) Here, N ₁ indicates the coordinates at which the straight line 54 that contacts the curve 53 at t = 1 (or Q = 1) contacts the vertical axis.
N ₂ is log M at t = 0 (or Q = 0)
Is the value of

In the above description, f in equation (8)
(Q) is a quadratic function. However, f (Q) is
It is not limited to only the quadratic function, but the slope df / dQ
Is a function that decreases with an increase in Q in the dimming range.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a light control device to which the present invention is applied. In this device, the brightness of each of the three lamps of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) is
The dimming is performed based on the dimming data reproduced by the reproducing device (setting means). This dimming data is
It is recorded together with an audio signal on a recording medium (not shown). The average brightness (offset brightness) of each lamp can be adjusted by a remote controller.

Remote controller 61 (setting means)
The input from the operator is converted into, for example, an infrared signal and transmitted to the receiving device 62. The receiver 62 is adapted to receive the infrared signal transmitted by the remote controller 61.

The reproducing device 86 is composed of, for example, a CD drive device, an MD drive device, etc.
The sound signal and the dimming data recorded on a disc such as a ROM or MD-DATA are reproduced. Further, the speaker 88 is adapted to convert the audio signal supplied from the reproduction device 86 into audio and output the audio.

The microcomputer 64 includes a reproducing device 8
6 and the data supplied from the receiving device 62, the brightness of the lamp is adjusted, and a predetermined control command is sent to the reproducing device 86 to perform the control. The memory 66 stores the current offset brightness data of each lamp, and also stores the microcomputer 64.
When performing processing, the processing command and the calculation data are stored. Digital dimming curve circuit 71
The (output means) is adapted to convert the luminance data of the lamp supplied from the microcomputer 64 into a corresponding electric signal.

Further, the lamp driving device 75 (output means)
Is designed to amplify the electric power of the electric signal supplied from the digital dimming curve circuit 71. The lamps 81 to 83 convert an electric signal into red (R), green (G), or blue (B) light, respectively, and are configured by, for example, an incandescent light bulb, a light emitting diode (LED), or the like. . Further, the diffuser 84 includes the lamps 81 to 8
The light emitted from 3 is mixed appropriately and diffused.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the keys arranged on the remote controller 61. R key 9
The 1, G key 92, and B key 93 are keys for designating the lamp for which the offset brightness is adjusted. That is, the R key 91 specifies the lamp 81, the G key 92 specifies the lamp 82, and the B key 93 specifies the lamp 83. The UP key 94 is operated when increasing the offset brightness. The DOWN key 95 is operated to decrease the offset brightness. Also, the play key 96
This is for starting the reproduction of the reproduction device 86.

Next, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

Playback key 96 of the remote controller 61
When is operated, the operation signal is input to the microcomputer 64 via the receiving device 62. At this time, the microcomputer 64 controls the reproducing device 86 to start reproducing the recording medium. When reproduction of the recording medium is started in the reproduction device 86, the audio signal of the reproduction signal is supplied to the speaker 88 and the dimming data is supplied to the microcomputer 64.

The microcomputer 64 first reads the current offset luminance data of the three lamps stored in the memory 66. Next, the current offset luminance data is added to the dimming data supplied from the reproducing device 86. Then, the brightness data obtained as a result is supplied to the digital dimming curve circuit 71 through the signal lines 67 to 69.

The digital dimming curve circuit 71 converts the luminance data for each lamp supplied from the microcomputer 64 into a corresponding electric signal and supplies it to the lamp driving device 75 via the signal lines 72 to 74. To do. The lamp driving device 75 amplifies the electric power of the electric signal supplied from the digital dimming curve circuit 71, and
6 to the signal line 78, lamps 81 to 83
Power and turn on those lamps. The light generated by the lamps 81 to 83 is transmitted to the diffuser 84.
The colors are mixed appropriately. The light changes corresponding to the dimming data. As a result, the user can enjoy the change in light and music, which can be called "Koraku".

Next, the operation of changing the offset brightness of the lamp by the remote controller 61 will be described.

When the operator operates any of the R key 91, G key 92 or B key 93 of the remote controller 61, the lamp for which the offset brightness is adjusted is selected. And the UP key 9
By operating the No. 4 or DOWN key 95, the offset brightness of the lamp selected as the adjustment target can be adjusted.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining a process for adjusting the offset brightness of the lamp by the remote controller 61.

When this processing is executed, step S11
At, the microcomputer 64 determines whether any one of the R key 91, the G key 92, and the B key 93 of the remote controller 61 is pressed. If it is determined that the key has not been pressed (NO), the process returns to step S11, and the same processing is repeated until the key is pressed. If it is determined that the button has been pressed (YES), the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the microcomputer 64 reads the current offset brightness data of the lamp corresponding to the pressed key from the memory 66. Then, in step S13, the UP key 94 or DOW
It is determined which of the N keys 95 has been pressed.
When it is determined that the UP key 94 has been pressed (1), the process proceeds to step S15, the number of times the UP key 94 is pressed is added to the current offset luminance data, and the process proceeds to step S17.
If it is determined that the DOWN key 95 has been pressed (2), the process proceeds to step S16, the number of times the DOWN key 95 is pressed is subtracted from the current offset luminance data, and the process proceeds to step S17.

Step S17 is a process performed when the data obtained as a result of the arithmetic operation overflows or underflows. If overflow has occurred (offset brightness data> 1023), the offset brightness data is reset to 1023, and underflow has occurred (offset brightness data <0).
In this case, the offset brightness data is reset to 0. Succeedingly, in a step S18, the offset luminance data is stored in the memory 66. Then, the dimming data supplied from the reproducing device 86 is added to the offset luminance data to generate luminance data (step S19). In addition,
At this time, the overflow and underflow processes are performed again if necessary. Further, the obtained brightness data is output to the digital dimming curve circuit 71 (step S2
0), the process ends (end).

The above processing will be described with a concrete example. Now, when the operator presses the R key 91 of the remote controller 61, the microcomputer 64 detects that the R key 91 is pressed (step S11). Then, the current offset luminance data of the lamp 81 corresponding to the R key 91 is read from the memory 66 (step S1).
2). Then, when the operator presses the UP key 94, for example,
The value of the number of times the UP key 94 is pressed is added to the current offset brightness data (step S15). Then, overflow processing is performed as necessary (step S1).
7) The offset luminance data obtained as a result of the calculation is stored in the memory 66 (step S18). Furthermore, the dimming data supplied from the reproducing device 86 and the offset luminance data are added, and if necessary, overflow and underflow processing is performed on this data, and the lamp R8
The brightness data of 1 is generated (step S19). Then, the obtained luminance data is output to the digital dimming curve circuit 71 via the signal line 67 (step S20), and the process is ended (END).

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the digital dimming curve circuit 71 shown in FIG. This block diagram shows a lamp 81 of the digital dimming curve circuit 71.
Shows only the blocks for. That is, the signal line 67 and the signal line 72 in the figure correspond to the signal line 67 and the signal line 72 in FIG. 2, respectively.

In this figure, the counter 101 counts the number of pulses of the pulse signal supplied from the signal line 112, and outputs the value as 10-bit data. Also, this counter 101
Are reset by a reset signal (supplied from the microcomputer 64 via the signal line 102).

PROM (Programmable Read Only Memor
y) 104 stores the dimming curve as 10-bit data. Further, the clock generator 108 generates a reference clock signal (16 MHz), and the counter 10
6 and the D flip-flop 111.

The counter 106 reads the 10-bit data supplied from the PROM 104, and counts down this data in synchronization with the clock signal supplied from the clock generator 108. Then, a pulse signal is output when the count value becomes "0".

The D flip-flop 111 is a counter 1
The pulse signal output from 06 is delayed by one clock and then output. Also, the amplitude comparison device 113
Compares the brightness data supplied via the signal line 67 with the output signal of the counter 101 supplied via the signal line 103 to generate a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal.

The PWM is the width of the pulse (Widt).
This is a modulation method that controls the output power by changing h).

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the data of the dimming curve stored in the PROM 104. In this graph, the horizontal axis 131 indicates the PROM 1 via the signal line 103.
04 represents the data supplied to 04, which corresponds to the adjustment amount Q. The vertical axis 132 indicates the amplitude comparison device 113.
It represents the time t of the pulse width of the PWM signal outputted from the PWM signal, which corresponds to the physical intensity M of the light. When the formula (7) is used as the dimming curve, the curve 133 is represented by the following formula. t = 10 ^{g (-N2 + (N2-N1) hQ) (hQ-1) + i} ... (13) However, g, h, and i are constants. These values are appropriately set according to the voltage of the pulse signal to be output, the frequency of the clock, and the like.

Further, T ₀ , T ₁ , T ₃ , ... Show the increment of the pulse width when the input data is increased by "1". For example, when the input data is “0”, the width t of the output pulse is T ₀ , and when the input data increases by 1 and becomes “1”, the time width t of the output pulse is t. Is a value t (t = T _{0) obtained} by adding T ₁ to T ₀ described above.
+ T ₁ ). These data T _i (0 ≦ i ≦ 102
3) and the data D stored in the PROM 104
_The following relationship holds between _i (0 ≦ i ≦ 1023). T _i = D _i × T _clock (0 ≦ i ≦ 1023) (14) where T _clock is a clock cycle (= 1/16 MHz)
It is.

Here, the range of the input data in the curve 133 of FIG. 6 is, for example, 0 to 1 if it is 10 bits.
The range is 023. The width of the output pulse is
The range is from 0 to the cycle of the reset signal 102. That is, the minimum value is 0 and the maximum value is (T ₀ + T ₁ + T ₂ + ...
.. + T ₁₀₂₃ ) (≤reset cycle).

When the vertical axis of FIG. 6 is expressed in logarithm, the graph shown in FIG. 7 is obtained. In this figure, a straight line 144 represents the conventional dimming characteristic. Further, the curve 143 represents the dimming characteristic relating to the present invention. In the conventional dimming characteristic, the logarithmic value of the lamp brightness (proportional to the logarithmic value of the pulse width) and the input data are in a proportional relationship. However, in the dimming characteristic relating to the present invention, the slope of the dimming characteristic (change in luminance with respect to change in adjustment amount) becomes gentler as the luminance increases. As a result, the visual sensation light amount can be smoothly changed in accordance with the dimming data.

In FIG. 7 (FIG. 6), scaling is performed corresponding to the characteristic curve of FIG. That is, in FIG. 7, a PW having a pulse width t corresponding to Q = 1023
When the M signal is applied to the lamp, the light intensity of the lamp is set to the intensity when Q = 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the light intensity when Q = 0 is set similarly. There is. This is because the constant g,
This is equivalent to setting h and i to predetermined values.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining the signals of the main part of the block diagram of FIG. The signals shown in this figure will be briefly described below. Next, the operation of the block diagram of FIG. 5 will be described using this timing chart.

FIG. 8A shows a clock (pulse) signal supplied from the clock generator 108. In addition, the PROM output signal (FIG. 8B) is
4 represents the 10-bit data (D _{0 to} D ₁₀₂₃ ) output by No. 4. Counter 106 output signal (Fig. 8 (C))
Is a pulse signal that the counter 106 outputs at the end of the countdown. D flip-flop output signal (see FIG. 8)
(D) is a pulse signal output from the D flip-flop 111.

The reset signal (FIG. 8 (E)) is 1/12
This signal is "L" in a cycle of 0 [sec], and when this signal is in the "L" state, the counter 101 is reset. In addition, the counter 101 output signal (see FIG.
(F) is 10-bit data (0 to 102) output as a result of counting the pulse number of the output signal of the D flip-flop 111 (FIG. 8D) by the counter 101.
3). The PWM signal (FIG. 8 (G)) is a signal output from the amplitude comparison device 113. Finally, in Figure 8
(H) is a cycle (1/1
20 seconds).

Next, based on this timing chart,
The operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

The counter 101 is a D flip-flop 1
The number of pulses of the 11 output signals (FIG. 8D) is counted. Then, the count number is supplied as 10-bit data (FIG. 8F) to the amplitude comparator 113 and the PROM 104 via the signal line 103.

The PROM 104 stores the data of the dimming curve (D _{0 to} D ₁₀₂₃ ; stored at the address designated by the 10-bit data supplied from the counter 101).
FIG. 8B shows the counter 106 through the signal line 105.
To supply. The counter 106 is synchronized with the LOAD signal (D flip-flop output signal (FIG. 8D)) supplied via the signal line 112, and the dimming curve data (PROM
The output signal (Fig. 8 (B)) is read. Then, when the pulse of the clock supplied from the clock generator 108 arrives, the read data of the dimming curve is counted down. As a result of the countdown, when the data becomes “0”, a pulse indicating the end of the countdown is output via the signal line 107 to the D flip-flop 1
11 is supplied.

The D flip-flop 111 is the counter 1
The pulse signal (FIG. 8 (C)) supplied from H.06 is delayed by one clock by the clock signal (FIG. 8 (A)), and the delayed signal (FIG. 8 (D)) is counted by the counter 10
1 and the counter 106. Counter 101
As described above, the PROM 104 counts up the number of pulses supplied from the D flip-flop 111.
And 10-bit data to the amplitude comparator 113.

The amplitude comparator 113 sets the output signal to "H" (FIG. 8 (G)) when the data supplied from the counter 101 becomes "0" (reset). Then, the data supplied from the counter 101 (FIG. 8 (F)) is compared with the brightness data supplied from the microcomputer 64 of FIG. 2, and when the values of these two data become equal, the output is " L "(Fig. 8
(G)). This signal is a PWM signal
It is supplied to the lamp driving device 75 via the signal line 72. The operation described above is 1/120 [sec]
Is repeated as one cycle (FIG. 8 (H)).

Next, the operation of the digital dimming curve circuit 71 will be specifically described by taking as an example the case where the brightness data supplied from the microcomputer 64 is "10".

When the reset signal changes to the "L" state, the counter 101 is reset. At this time, since the output of the counter 101 becomes "0", the amplitude comparator 113 sets the output (Fig. 8 (G)) to the "H" state as described above.

After the reset occurs, the circuit operation is repeated, and when the D flip-flop 111 outputs the ninth pulse signal (FIG. 8 (D)), the counter 101 causes the pulse count number "9" ( FIG. 8F is output. The PROM 104 supplied with the data “9” outputs the data D ₉ (FIG. 8B) stored at the address “9”.

The counter 106 includes the D flip-flop 1
11 pulse of the LOAD signal (see FIG. 8).
When (D)) arrives, this data is read and the countdown of the clock (FIG. 8A) is started. Then, when the countdown is completed (the count value becomes “0”), a pulse (FIG. 8C) is output, indicating that the countdown is completed.

The D flip-flop 111 delays this pulse (FIG. 8C) by one clock and outputs the pulse (FIG. 8C).
(D)) is output. The counter 101 counts this pulse and outputs data (count value) “10” (FIG. 8 (F)) indicating that the tenth pulse has arrived.

The amplitude comparator 113 uses this data "1".
It is detected that 0 "and the brightness data supplied from the microcomputer 64 are equal, and the output signal (PWM) is set to the" L "state (FIG. 8 (G)). It is held until the reset signal is input again in the cycle.

By the above operation, the PW for one cycle is
The M signal (FIG. 8 (G)) is generated. And this PW
The M signal is amplified by the lamp driving device 75 up to electric power capable of driving the lamp, and is supplied to the lamp 81.

In the above, only the block corresponding to the lamp 81 is shown. In order to dimm the other lamps, the counter 101, PROM 104, counter 106, clock generator 108, and D flip-flop 111 of this block are used as a common block, and the amplitude comparison device 113 dedicated to each lamp is added to this common block. It may be newly added. That is, the amplitude comparison device 113 dedicated to each lamp is newly connected to the signal line 103, and the signal lines 68 and 69 for luminance data and the output signal lines 73 and 74 are connected to the microcomputer 64 and the lamp driving device 7, respectively.
Connect to 5.

In this case, each amplitude comparing device 113 is supplied with the brightness data for each lamp from the microcomputer 64. Then, when the signal output from the counter 101 and the respective brightness data become equal, each amplitude comparison device 113 sets the output (PWM) signal to the “L” state.

According to the above light control device, it is possible to make the relationship between the visual sense light amount and the adjustment amount linear.

Further, according to this device, the amplitude comparison device 1
It is possible to dimming a plurality of lamps by simply adding 13.

In the present embodiment, the dimming curve including the quadratic function of the equation (13) is used, but the same effect can be obtained by using another function whose inclination decreases as the adjustment amount Q increases. Can be obtained.

Further, in this embodiment, M =
A curve of 10 ^{f (Q)} (equation (8)) was used. However, it goes without saying that, for example, in M = A ^{f (Q)} , a predetermined constant satisfying the condition of A> 1 may be arbitrarily selected as the value of A.

Furthermore, the dimming curve does not have to be a sampled value of a continuous curve as shown in the graph of FIG. 6, and even if a sampled value of a discontinuous dimming characteristic is used as shown in FIG. 9, for example. Good. In the case of this graph, T _{0 to} T ₃ are average values of T _{0 to} T ₃ in the continuous curve of FIG. 6 and are equal to each other (T ₀ = T ₁ = T ₂ = T ₃ = T _{0 of} FIG. 6). or average value of T _3). Therefore, the PROM 104 representing these times
It becomes possible to unify the data D _{0 to} D _{3 of the above} into one data. In this case, the amount of data registered in the PROM 104 can be reduced to 1/4. However, if the amount of data is extremely reduced, flicker may occur when adjusting the lamp.To avoid this, set the maximum discontinuous width below the eye detection limit. Is desirable.

Finally, in the present embodiment, the offset luminance data is added to the dimming data supplied from the reproducing device 86 to dimm the lamp. However, the offset brightness data may be directly supplied to the digital dimming curve circuit 71 as brightness data. In this case, the brightness of the lamp can be manually controlled by operating the remote controller 61. That is, the present invention can be used as a pure dimming device for manually adjusting the light quantity of a lamp. Further, it goes without saying that the light control target may be a light emitting device such as an LED or a fluorescent lamp, or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube).

[0079]

According to the light quantity adjusting device and the light quantity adjusting method described in claim 4, the adjustment quantity Q for adjusting the light quantity is set, and the function A is set based on the set adjustment quantity Q. Output power proportional to ^{f (Q)} (A> 1),
In addition, since the slope df / dQ of the function f (Q) decreases with the increase of Q, the adjustment amount and the visual sense light amount can have a linear relationship.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a dimming curve according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a light control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating keys arranged on a remote controller.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the embodiment of FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing details of the digital dimming curve circuit of FIG. 2. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating data of a dimming curve stored in the PROM of FIG.

7 is a diagram in which the dimming curve of FIG. 6 is plotted again in a coordinate system in which the vertical axis is the logarithmic value of the pulse width.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of the main parts of the embodiment of FIG.

9 is a diagram illustrating another data of the dimming curve stored in the PROM of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating Feffinel's law.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional dimming curve.

[Explanation of symbols]

 61 Remote Controller 62 Receiving Device 64 Microcomputer 66 Memory 71 Digital Dimming Curve Circuit (Output Means) 75 Lamp Driving Circuit (Output Means) 81 to 83 Lamp 86 Reproducing Device (Setting Means) 88 Speakers 101, 106 Counter 104 PROM 108 Clock Generation circuit 111 D flip-flop 113 Amplitude comparison device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Setting means for setting an adjustment amount Q for adjusting a light quantity, and electric power proportional to a function A ^{f (Q)} (A> 1) is output based on the adjustment amount Q set by the setting means. A light amount adjusting device comprising an output means, wherein the function f (Q) has a slope df / dQ that decreases with an increase in Q. 2. The light quantity adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the function f (Q) is a quadratic function of Q. 3. The light amount adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment amount Q is recorded on a recording medium together with an audio signal. 4. An adjustment amount Q for adjusting the amount of light is set, and a function A ^{f (Q)} (A> ⁾ is set based on the set adjustment amount Q.
1) A light quantity adjusting method for outputting electric power proportional to 1), wherein the function f (Q) has a gradient df / dQ that decreases with an increase in Q.