JP2007320457A - Automatic light system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic light system capable of reflecting preference of each driver in lighting/turning-off timing when lighting is slowly or rapidly changed. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic light system 1 is provided with an illuminance detecting means 300 for detecting illuminance of outside of a vehicle; a lighting system for lighting outside of the vehicle; a certification means 200 for certifying a driver; an individual storing part 101 for storing lighting/turning-off timing of the lighting system with respect to each driver associated with the illuminance; a control device 100 for lighting/turning off the lighting system based on the illuminance detected by the illuminance detecting means 300 and the timing stored in the individual storing part 101; and input means 600, 800 for inputting timing adjustment information when the lighting system is lit/turned off by the control device 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an autolight device that automatically turns on and off according to the illuminance outside the vehicle, and more particularly to an autolight device that can be turned on and off by reflecting the preference of each driver.

  The auto light device that automatically controls turning on and off the vehicle headlights and taillights according to the illuminance outside the vehicle reduces the burden of turning on and off by the driver, prevents delays in lighting at dusk, Forgetting to turn off after passing can be prevented. However, if only the illuminance is detected and the light on / off control is performed, there are inconveniences such as turning on only after passing under a bridge, or turning off every night under a street light.

  In view of this, an auto light device has been proposed in which a delay circuit is provided and lighting is prohibited when the illuminance change is abrupt (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such an auto light device, even if the illuminance changes abruptly, the preset delay time does not light up, so that it is possible to prevent lighting control such as passing from being performed.

  By the way, since the timing of the automatic lighting control according to the illuminance varies depending on the driver's preference, it is preferable that the illuminance and the lighting timing can be changed by the driver. Then, it is difficult for the user to easily change this relationship.

As an autolight device that can change the timing of turning on and off, an autolight device that records the timing of turning on and off for each user has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2). The automatic light device described in Patent Document 2 inserts a unique IC card for each user, and the manual operation timing is recorded on the IC card in association with the detection values of various sensors. It is possible to control lighting on and off for each driver at the recorded timing.
JP-A-2-306837 JP-A-5-278518

  However, the auto light device described in Patent Document 2 is configured to shift to the manual mode and record the light on / off when a manual operation is performed while the light on / off control is automatically performed. In such a configuration, it is possible to learn when turning on manually before automatic lighting in automatic lighting control, but if you want to turn on later than automatic lighting, the driver already likes It is difficult to determine the lighting timing. If already turned on automatically, the user often keeps it on, and if the user turns off the automatically turned on lighting for learning and forces the user to turn it on manually, the user feels bothered End up.

  On the contrary, in the automatic light device of Patent Document 2, learning is possible when turning off manually before automatic turning off in automatic turning off control, but when turning off later than automatic turning off, it is already turned off. The operation of turning off the self cannot be recorded.

  In addition, for example, when the illuminance is suddenly increased or decreased in a short period of time and the on / off control is performed like passing, the control for turning on / off is already completed, so that the operation for prohibiting the passing is recorded by the manual operation. It is difficult.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic light device that can reflect the preference of each driver in the timing of turning on and off when the illumination changes slowly or rapidly.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention relates to an illuminance detection means for detecting illuminance outside the vehicle, an illumination device that illuminates the exterior of the vehicle, an authentication means for authenticating the driver, and a timing for turning on and off the illumination device in association with the illuminance. An individual storage unit stored for each driver, a control unit that turns on and off the lighting device based on the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means and the timing stored in the individual storage unit, and the lighting device is turned on and off by the control unit And an input means (for example, decision making SW, voice recognition device) for inputting timing adjustment information.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when illumination intensity fluctuates, the automatic light apparatus which can reflect the preference for every driver | operator in the timing of turning on / off can be provided.

  It is possible to provide an automatic light device that can reflect the preference of each driver in the timing of turning on and off when the lighting changes slowly or rapidly.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a block diagram of an auto light device. FIG. 1A shows a case in which each device and sensor constituting the auto light device 1 are connected by a dedicated line, and FIG. 1B shows a case in which they are connected by a body LAN such as a CAN (Controller Area Network). Show. Either configuration may be used, and the operation of each device and sensor is the same.

  The auto light device 1 is controlled by the control device 100. The control device 100 is a microcomputer in which a CPU, RAM, ROM, NV-RAM (Non Volatile RAM), a communication unit, and the like are connected by a bus. The on / off control described below is realized by the CPU executing the program stored in the memory.

  The NV-RAM or HDD of the control device 100 is provided with a personal storage unit 101. For each vehicle user (driver in this case), personal authentication information for authenticating the driver, user name and avatar. And the control information of the lighting device including the timing of turning on / off the auto light device 1 are stored.

  The illuminometer 300 is an integrated optical sensor for conlight, detects the illuminance around the vehicle with a scanner unit, performs arithmetic processing in the sensor, converts it into a signal, and outputs it. For example, it has a photoelectric conversion element such as a photodiode and outputs a voltage corresponding to the illuminance of light. The illuminance meter 300 is disposed at a position where light from the outside such as the upper part of the instrument panel or the rear dashboard reaches.

  Based on the detection value of the illuminometer 300, the control device 100 determines whether the illuminance change is moderate or rapid. The control device 100 differentiates the illuminance detected over time with respect to time, and determines that it has entered and exited the shadow of the building when the change speed is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. When the illuminance changes abruptly, the control device 100 prohibits turning on or off for a short time, so that the control device 100 controls turning on and off after the delay time elapses.

  The smart system 200 is a key system that enables the door to be locked / unlocked by communicating with the smart key 201 without manual locking / unlocking operation. In addition, a lock / unlock button is provided, and a wireless lock control function is provided in which an identification code is transmitted by a button operation and the door is locked / unlocked.

  The smart system 200 forms a detection area for the smart key 201 by transmitting a request signal, and the smart key 201 entering the detection area transmits a response signal in response to the request signal. When the identification code included in the response signal matches the identification code registered in the smart system 200, the door is allowed to be unlocked / locked.

  The detection area outside the passenger compartment is formed, for example, within a range of 1 to 2 m from the driver's door, the passenger's door, and the back door. A person carrying the smart key 201 enters this detection area and touches the touch key of the door knob while parking. And the door is unlocked.

  The detection area in the passenger compartment is formed for each of the driver seat, front passenger seat, rear seat right, rear seat left when a predetermined condition (for example, opening / closing of a door, etc.) is established. It is determined whether 201 exists. When the smart key 201 is not present in the passenger compartment but outside the passenger compartment, the door can be locked. Moreover, the function of the smart system 200 can be stopped by a predetermined operation, and the person who does not carry the smart key 201 is prevented from being trapped.

  Since there are a plurality of smart keys 201 and each is assigned a different identification code, each smart key 201 can be specified. If the individual storage unit 101 is stored in association with the identification code of each smart key 201, the individual storage unit 101 of the driver can be specified by authenticating the smart key 201.

  A door opening / closing detection SW (switch) 700 is a courtesy switch for detecting opening / closing of each door such as a driver's seat door. As described above, the detection area may be formed in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door.

  The vehicle width lamp left, the vehicle width lamp right, the headlight left, the headlight right, the taillight left, and the taillight right (sometimes simply referred to as a lighting device) connected to the control device 100 are used to operate the light SW 500. To turn off the light. The light SW 500 is operated by rotating a rotary switch so that the selection line 501 is aligned with the display marks 502 to 505. In a state where the selection line 501 is aligned with the display mark 505, any illumination is turned off. When the selection line 501 is aligned with the display mark 504, the vehicle width lamp left, the vehicle width lamp right, the tail lamp left, and the tail lamp right light up. When the selection line 501 is aligned with the display mark 503, the left headlight and the right headlight are lit. When the selection line 501 is aligned with the display mark 502, an auto mode in which lighting on / off is automatically controlled according to the illuminance is set. In the auto mode, the lighting on / off control is automatically performed, and when the lighting on / off timing is not adjusted, the timing to turn on / off is learned.

  A push-type determination SW 600 is provided at the end of the light SW 500, and is used to input the driver's intention to the control device 100, such as the turning-on / off timing desired by the driver.

  The driver's will may be input by voice input. A microphone is connected to the voice recognition device 800, and voice generated by the driver is converted into an electric signal by the microphone and output to the voice recognition device 800. The electrical signal is subjected to processing such as Fourier transform and is extracted as a feature quantity effective for speech recognition. The speech recognition apparatus 800 includes an acoustic model database in which probabilities that feature sounds and phonetic symbols (phonemes) correspond to each other, and a dictionary of words that define utterance contents based on vocabulary, grammar, language statistics, and the like. Referring to the phoneme string that most closely matches the input feature quantity such as a word used in the car, and outputs it as a recognition result. The recognized word is converted into a predetermined signal according to the word and output to the control device 100.

  The display 400 is a liquid crystal, organic EL, HUD (Head Up Display), or the like, and displays a message or an image output from the control device 100. Also, the speaker may be linked to the display 400 to read out the displayed message, call attention, or output a description of the displayed image. The display device 400 is also used for displaying a map of a car navigation system and outputting from a television or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) player.

  A vehicle equipped with the autolight device 1 is equipped with a car navigation system, and the current position of the vehicle can be obtained by detecting the current position of the vehicle by GPS (Global Positioning System).

[Identification of driver]
First, the identification of the driver will be described. In the autolight device 1 according to the present embodiment, the user seated in the driver's seat is specified in order to be turned on or off at an appropriate timing for each driver, the timing is adjusted and stored for each driver, and on / off control is performed. . Appropriate timing is the driver's preferred timing that will be turned on and off when the driver manually operates.

  FIG. 2 shows a state transition diagram until the autolight device 1 identifies the driver. In the initial state, the vehicle is parked, and the driver is authenticated and specified until the engine is started.

  The smart system 200 forms a detection area outside the vehicle compartment and waits until a person carrying the smart key 201 enters the detection area (S11). When the smart key 201 transmits a response signal in response to the request signal of the smart system 200, the smart system 200 determines whether or not the identification code included in the response signal matches the identification code registered in the smart system 200. Then, it enters a state of waiting for the door to be unlocked (S12). Note that if the smart key 201 is no longer detected while waiting for unlocking, the process returns to the waiting state of step S11.

  When the user touches the touch key of the door knob while waiting for the door to be unlocked, the door is unlocked and waits until the door is actually opened (S13).

  Next, when the door is opened, the door is detected to be closed (S14). In order for the smart system 200 to detect that the user is seated in the driver's seat, whether the smart key 201 is in the driver's seat, that is, whether the smart key 201 detected in the detection area outside the passenger compartment has entered the passenger compartment. Is determined (S15).

  For this reason, when the door is closed, the smart system 200 forms a detection area in the space of the driver's seat, and when the smart key 201 is detected, the smart system 200 determines whether the identification code is a smart key outside the passenger compartment. When the smart key 201 is detected in the driver's seat, the user information of the user registered with the identification code of the smart key 201 is extracted from the individual storage unit 101.

  The driver user information is preferably displayed on the display 400. FIG. 3A shows an example of user information displayed on the display 400. In FIG. 3A, “Smart key with identification code xxx has been detected. Mr. XX, Hello” is displayed. “Mr. XX” is a form of user information, and is associated with the identification code of the detected smart key 201.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the identified driver's nickname, face photo, avatar (own person in the computer to which the driver's profile is input) or agent (male or female synthesized by the computer) (The operation may be guided to the driver by artificial intelligence). The driver identified by displaying the image or the like can be visually confirmed.

  By the way, when the driver carries a plurality of smart keys 201, a plurality of identification codes are detected from the driver's seat. For example, in addition to the normal smart key 201, a wristwatch type smart key or a mobile phone type smart key is carried. In such a case, the driver may be able to select which smart key to designate, or the smart key 201 may be selected with a predetermined priority. FIG. 3C shows an example of a plurality of smart keys 201 displayed for selection. In FIG. 3C, the normal smart key 201 and the wristwatch-type smart key 201 are displayed while rotating, and one of them is alternately surrounded by a frame, and “Please press the decision SW to select”. It is displayed. By recognizing such a display, the driver can select a desired smart key 201. Moreover, either can be selected by voice.

  When the driver is specified by the smart key 201, the vehicle waits for the engine to start (S16). If the driver's seat door is opened, the vehicle waits for the door to close in step S14.

  When the driver is specified, the control device 100 extracts control information corresponding to the detected identification code of the smart key 201 from the individual storage unit 101. When the engine is started and the selection line 501 of the light SW 500 is set to “Auto”, the lighting device is controlled to be turned on and off based on the specified driver control information.

  The driver may be specified based on biometric authentication information such as a face, fingerprint, iris, vein arrangement, and the like. In the case of authentication by face, a photographing camera for photographing an image including the driver's face is provided, and when the closing of the driver's seat door is detected, the driver's face is photographed. The control device 100 takes a geometrical relationship between feature points such as pupils, nose, eyes, eyes, and mouth edges from a face image in which a face is photographed, or the whole face as a shade pattern, A vector developed as a feature is compared with a feature stored in advance. Since the parameters of the image are represented by a certain point in the feature space, the control device 100 obtains the distance between the input pattern and each driver pattern stored in advance and obtains the closest distribution within a predetermined distance. The person of the corresponding parameter is authenticated as a driver.

[Initial lighting on / off control]
The on / off control in the initial state in which the on / off timing is not adjusted for each driver will be described. The timing for turning on and off is a. Headlights, b. Each of the vehicle width light + tail light is controlled separately. FIG. 4A is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the illuminance in the initial state and the turn-on / off timing. In FIG. 4A, the illuminance increases toward the right, and an upper limit value ah and a lower limit value al for the headlamp and an upper limit value bh and a lower limit value bl for the vehicle width lamp + tail lamp are set in association with the illuminance.

  In the daytime, when the illuminance outside the vehicle detected by the illuminometer 300 becomes darker and reaches the lower limit value bl, the vehicle width light + tail light is turned on, and when the lower limit value al is reached, the headlight is automatically turned on. Further, at night, the illuminance outside the vehicle detected by the illuminometer 300 gradually becomes brighter and the headlamp is turned off when the upper limit value ah is reached, and the vehicle width light and taillight are automatically turned off when the upper and lower values bh are reached.

  The autolight device 1 can adjust the timing of turning on and off the headlamp between the lower limit value al and the upper limit value ah with respect to the initial state of turning on and off. Although the timing of turning on and off the vehicle width light + taillight can be adjusted in the same manner, the driver's preference is not so diverse with respect to the timing of turning on and off the vehicle width light + taillight. A description will be given of turning on and off. Note that the upper limit value bh and the lower limit value bl may be the same for the vehicle width light + tail light.

  In addition, a delay time is provided at the timing of turning on and off. Even if the illuminance falls below the lower limit value al for a time shorter than the delay time, the control device 100 does not turn on the headlamp, and even if the illuminance falls below the lower limit value bl for a time shorter than the delay time, Do not light the vehicle width light + tail light. As a result, when the illuminance decreases for a short period of time, such as when passing under a bridge during the daytime, it is prevented from turning on instantaneously. Further, even if the illuminance exceeds the upper limit value ah for a time shorter than the delay time, the control device 100 does not turn off the headlamp, and even if the illuminance exceeds the upper limit value bh for a time shorter than the delay time, the control device 100 Do not turn off the vehicle width light + tail light. As a result, when the illuminance increases only for a short time such as when passing under a streetlight at night, it is prevented that the light is turned off instantaneously.

  The delay time may be the same at the time of lighting and at the time of turning off, or different delay times may be referred to. The auto light device 1 can adjust the delay time in the initial state within a predetermined range.

  In FIG. 4A, lighting is controlled based on the illuminance regardless of the weather. However, the illuminance felt by the driver's eyes is different on a sunny day when it is lightly cloudy, rainy or foggy. For this reason, it is more preferable that the lighting control information as shown in FIG. 4A is provided according to the weather condition. The weather condition can be determined by an in-vehicle clock, a rain sensor, an illuminometer 300, navigation information, or the like.

[Adjustment of lighting timing when illuminance decreases slowly]
Next, the adjustment of the lighting timing when the illuminance gradually decreases will be described. FIG. 5 shows a state transition diagram of the auto light device 1 that performs lighting control according to illuminance.

  The auto light device 1 controls lighting during engine start. The control device 100 repeats the determination of whether or not the illuminance has become smaller than the upper limit value ah based on the detection value of the illuminometer 300 (S21).

  When the illuminance becomes smaller than the upper limit value ah (Yes in S21), the control device 100 determines whether or not the control information has been adjusted (S22). Since the control information can be adjusted for each driver, the control device 100 determines whether or not the driver's control information has been adjusted. For example, a flag is set in the adjusted control information, and the control device 100 determines with reference to the presence or absence of the flag. When it has been adjusted (Yes in S22), the control device 100 performs lighting control based on the adjusted determination value (S23).

  When the adjustment has not been completed (No in S22), the control device 100 displays a message requesting input of the driver's preferred lighting timing on the display 400 (S24). FIG. 6A shows an example of a message displayed on the display 400. The driver reads the message “Please press the decision SW when you feel it is dark.” If you feel it is dark enough to turn on the headlamp, the driver presses the decision SW 600. It is preferable to output a message by voice so that the driver can adjust the timing smoothly, and to display an illustration of the decision making SW 600 on the display 400 so that the position of the decision making SW 600 can be understood. Instead of the decision making SW 600, the driver may be prompted to make a utterance such as “lighting on” and the like, and decision making may be inputted by voice.

  After displaying such a message, the control device 100 determines whether or not the decision making SW is pressed (S25). When the determination SW is pressed (Yes in S25), the control device 100 displays that the adjustment of the lighting timing is completed and sets a flag indicating the completion of adjustment in the control information (S28).

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the lower limit value al is adjusted to the “lower limit value after adjustment”. The lower limit after adjustment is stored in the individual storage unit 101 as control information.

  Note that the control device 100 captures and stores the front side of the vehicle, the road surface, the traffic lights, and the like before and after the decision making SW 600 is pressed. By taking an image, it is possible to confirm later how much the driver has adjusted the lighting so that the headlamp is lit. Further, the control device 100 stores the detection value of the illuminometer 300 at the time when the determination SW 600 is pressed. Thereby, the illumination intensity which a headlamp lights can be confirmed numerically. Furthermore, an image from when the illuminance becomes smaller than the upper limit value ah until the decision making SW 600 is pressed may be stored.

  As will be described later, the adjustment contents of the lighting timing can be confirmed later, but it is possible to display that the adjustment has been completed and display the adjusted lighting timing.

  When the determination SW is not pressed (No in S25), the control device 100 determines whether or not the illuminance is smaller than the lower limit value al (S26), and when the illuminance is smaller than the lower limit value al (Yes in S26). The control device 100 turns on the headlamp (S27). That is, even when the driver does not feel that the outside of the vehicle is dark forever or forgets to press the decision SW, the headlamp is turned on if the illuminance is lower than the lower limit al.

  The control device 100 deletes the message requesting the decision making SW, but may further display “the lighting timing of the headlamps has not been adjusted”.

  With the above processing, when the illuminance gradually decreases, the lighting timing of the headlamp can be adjusted according to the driver's preference.

[Adjustment of turn-off timing when illuminance increases slowly]
The adjustment of the turn-off timing when the illuminance increases gradually will be described. If the illuminance increases slowly, the headlamp is already lit.

  The auto light device 1 is controlled to be turned off during engine startup. The control device 100 repeats the determination of whether or not the illuminance has become larger than the lower limit value al based on the detection value of the illuminometer 300 (S31).

  When the illuminance is greater than the lower limit al (Yes in S31), the control device 100 determines whether or not the control information has been adjusted (S32). Since the control information can be adjusted for each driver, the control device 100 determines whether or not the driver's control information has been adjusted. For example, a flag is set in the adjusted control information, and the control device 100 determines with reference to the presence or absence of the flag. When it has been adjusted (Yes in S32), the control device 100 performs lighting control based on the adjusted determination value (S33).

  When the adjustment has not been completed (No in S32), the control device 100 causes the display 400 to display a message requesting input of the driver's favorite turn-off timing (S34). FIG. 6B shows an example of a message displayed on the display 400. The driver reads the message “Please press the decision SW when you feel that the light is not needed.” And presses the decision SW 600 when it feels dark to turn off the headlamp. It is preferable to output a message by voice so that the driver can adjust the timing smoothly, and to display an illustration of the decision making SW 600 on the display 400 so that the position of the decision making SW 600 can be known.

  After displaying such a message, the control device 100 determines whether or not the decision making SW is pressed (S35). When the determination SW is pressed (Yes in S35), the control device 100 displays that the adjustment of the turn-off timing is completed, and sets a flag indicating the completion of adjustment in the control information (S38).

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4B, the upper limit value ah is adjusted to the “upper limit value after adjustment”. The adjusted upper limit value is stored in the individual storage unit 101 as control information.

  Note that the control device 100 captures and stores the outside of the vehicle such as a road surface or a traffic light when the determination SW 600 is pressed. By taking an image, it is possible to later confirm how much the driver has adjusted to turn off the headlamps. Further, the control device 100 stores the detection value of the illuminometer 300 at the time when the determination SW 600 is pressed. Thereby, the illuminance at which the headlamp is turned off can be confirmed numerically. Further, an image from when the illuminance becomes larger than the lower limit al until the decision making SW 600 is pressed may be stored.

  As will be described later, the adjustment contents of the lighting timing can be confirmed later, but it is possible to display that the adjustment has been completed and to display these adjustment contents.

  Instead of the determination SW 600, the driver may be prompted to utter a predetermined “light extinction” or the like, and the determination may be input by voice.

  When the determination SW 600 is not pressed (No in S35), the control device 100 determines whether or not the illuminance is greater than the upper limit value ah (S36), and when the illuminance is greater than the upper limit value ah (Yes in S36). The control device 100 turns off the headlamp (S37). That is, even if the driver does not feel that the light is not needed forever or forgets to press the decision SW, the headlamp is turned off if the illuminance exceeds the upper limit value ah, thus preventing the headlamp from being forgotten to be turned off. it can.

  The control device 100 deletes the message requesting the decision making SW 600, but may further display “the headlight extinguishing timing was not adjusted”.

  With the above processing, when the illuminance increases gently, the timing for turning off the headlamp can be adjusted according to the driver's preference.

[Adjustment of turning on / off timing when illuminance changes suddenly]
The adjustment of the lighting / lighting timing when the illuminance changes abruptly will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the illuminance that changes rapidly with time. When the illuminance changes abruptly, when entering the tunnel or the like and decreasing as shown in FIG. 7A, it may increase out of the tunnel or the like as shown in FIG. 7B.

  In addition, the control device 100 waits for the delay time tD to elapse after the illuminance changes abruptly in order to avoid instantaneous turning on and off when the illuminance decreases for a short time as shown in FIG. 7C. Turn the headlight on or off. Even if the delay time tD is set, the autolight device 1 according to the present embodiment allows the driver to adjust the delay time tD according to his / her preference when instantaneous lighting and extinction occur. To do.

  FIG. 8 shows a state transition diagram in the case of adjusting the turning-on / off timing when the illuminance changes rapidly. First, the control device 100 repeats the determination of whether or not the illuminance has changed abruptly based on the detection value of the illuminometer 300 (S41). The change may be decreasing or increasing.

  When the illuminance changes abruptly (Yes in S41), the control device 100 determines whether or not the delay time tD has elapsed (S42), and whether or not to continue the state in which the illuminance has changed even after the delay time tD has elapsed. Is determined (S43). This determination can be omitted when the illuminometer 300 is set not to detect an instantaneous decrease or increase in illuminance.

  If the illuminance remains changed even after the delay time tD has elapsed (Yes in S43), the control device 100 turns the headlamp on or off (S44). And the control apparatus 100 displays the message which requests | requires the input of a driver | operator's favorite lighting-off timing on the display 400 (S45).

  FIG. 6C shows an example of a message displayed on the display 400. The message is, for example, “Do you want to delay turning on the light?” Or “Do you want to delay turning off the light?”. When the delay time tD is short, the headlamps are turned on and off instantaneously due to a short-time change in illuminance (in step S44, only the lighting or extinguishing is controlled, but none of the original illuminance is extinguished or lit) The driver presses down the decision making SW 600 (S46). Note that the number of times the decision making SW 600 is pressed may be requested in accordance with the adjustment amount of the delay time tD (the degree of delay).

  When the determination SW 600 is pressed (Yes in S46), the control device 100 sets the delay time tD to be longer by a predetermined time and displays that it has been adjusted longer (S47). The adjusted delay time tD is stored in the individual storage unit 101 as control information.

  In response to the message as shown in FIG. 6C, if the vehicle has actually entered the tunnel or the like and the lighting of the headlamp is at an appropriate timing, the driver does not press the decision making SW 600 (No in S46). ). In this case, the control device 100 does not adjust the delay time tD longer.

  However, when the delay time tD is set longer than the driver's preference, it takes a long time from entering the tunnel until the headlamp is turned on, so the driver may desire adjustment. is there. For this reason, when the determination SW 600 is not pressed for a predetermined time (No in S46), a message requesting input of the driver's favorite turning-on / off timing is displayed on the display 400 (S48).

  In this case, since it is desired to shorten the delay time tD, the message in step S48 is, for example, “Do you want to turn on the light earlier?” Or “Do you want to turn off the light earlier?”. It should be noted that the number of times the decision making SW 600 is pressed may be requested according to the adjustment amount of the delay time tD (the degree to be accelerated).

  Instead of the decision making SW 600, the driver may be prompted to speak a voice that responds to a message (for example, “fasten”, “slow down”, etc.), and decision making may be input by voice.

  When the determination SW 600 is pressed (Yes in S46), the control device 100 sets the delay time tD to be shorter by a predetermined time and displays that it has been adjusted shorter (S47).

  The above returns to the original state (during engine start), but if the illuminance change is short, the illuminance changes abruptly again, so the headlamp is in its original state (if it is off, it is off and on) If it is, it returns to the lighting state). In this case, nothing is displayed so as not to confuse the driver.

  In FIG. 8, inquiries are made with separate messages for increasing and decreasing the delay time tD. However, in step S45, the decision SW "Please press down." Is displayed, and it is possible to adjust the timing in both the direction of delaying and delaying the delay time tD with one message. For such input, the speech recognition apparatus 800 is preferable.

  Since the delay time tD can be adjusted in this way, the headlamp does not turn on or off for a rapid fluctuation in illuminance for a short time, and the delay time tD elapses when entering or exiting the tunnel. Since the headlamp is automatically turned on or off later, stable lighting control can be realized.

  In some mountainous areas, there are continuous tunnels. The headlamp is turned off because a certain level of illuminance is secured between successive tunnels, but the headlamp is turned on because it immediately enters the next tunnel. For this reason, in continuous tunnels, lighting and extinguishing are repeated even when the delay time tD is appropriately set. Some drivers do not care about repeated lighting and extinction, but some drivers do not like it, and repeated lighting and extinguishing of the headlamp also affects the lamp life. Therefore, when tunnels exist continuously, it is preferable that the setting can be made so as not to turn off even if the illuminance exceeds the upper limit value ah. The presence of a continuous tunnel may be detected from the car navigation system, or may be determined as a continuous tunnel when a predetermined number of times of lighting and lighting are turned off within a predetermined time.

  When entering the continuous tunnel, the control device 100 displays the message “Do you want to prohibit turning off at the exit of the tunnel?” And asks the driver's preference. Lights continuously until it passes.

  Therefore, it is possible to perform the lighting control according to the driver's preference not only for individual tunnels but also for continuous tunnels.

[When adjusting the timing of dimming indoors based on the lighting timing of the vehicle width light + tail light]
Next, a description will be given of a case where the indoor nighttime dimming timing is adjusted based on the lighting timing of the vehicle width light + tail light. When the vehicle width light + tail light is turned on, it may be set so that nighttime indoor dimming is performed in conjunction with this. However, if the light is dimmed at the same time as the lighting of the vehicle width light + tail light, the display on the display 400 (navigation screen or the like) may be difficult to see. Therefore, it is preferable that the nighttime dimming timing in the room can be adjusted and adjusted even when the illuminance for turning on the vehicle width lamp and the taillight is obtained.

  FIG. 9 shows a state transition diagram in which the indoor nighttime dimming timing is adjusted based on the lighting timing of the vehicle width lamp + tail lamp.

  The auto light device 1 controls lighting during engine start. The control device 100 repeats the determination of whether or not the illuminance has become smaller than the lower limit value bl based on the detection value of the illuminometer 300 (S51).

  When the illuminance becomes smaller than the lower limit bl (Yes in S51), the control device 100 determines whether or not the nighttime dimming control information has been adjusted (S52). Since the control information can be adjusted for each driver, the control device 100 determines whether or not the driver's control information has been adjusted.

  When it has been adjusted (Yes in S52), the control device 100 dims at night based on the adjusted determination value (S58).

  If it has not been adjusted (No in S52), the control device 100 turns on the vehicle width light + tail light (S53). In conjunction with this, it will be dimmed at night.

  Next, the control device 100 causes the display device 400 to display a message for requesting the driver to input whether or not to adjust the nighttime dimming timing (S54). The message is, for example, “Do you want to delay the timing of dimming at night?”. When it is difficult for the driver to see the display 400 because the timing of dimming at night is early, the driver presses the decision determination SW 600.

  Instead of the decision making SW 600, the driver may be prompted to speak a voice that responds with a message (for example, “delay” etc.), and the decision making may be inputted by voice.

  After displaying such a message, the control device 100 determines whether or not the decision making SW is pressed (S55). When the determination SW is pressed (Yes in S55), the control device 100 once cancels the dimming, and again starts the night dimming after a predetermined time has elapsed (S56). By this processing, nighttime dimming can be delayed without interlocking with the vehicle width light + tail light. In addition, the driver may confirm the intention.

  The control device 100 displays that the adjustment of the nighttime dimming timing has been completed, and sets a flag indicating the completion of adjustment in the nighttime dimming control information (S57). The adjusted nighttime dimming timing is stored in the individual storage unit 101 as control information.

  Since some drivers prefer to dimm at night earlier than the lighting of the vehicle width light + tail light, it is preferable to enable adjustment to advance the timing of night light dimming. In this case, the message of step S54 is “Press the decision SW once to delay the nighttime dimming timing and twice to accelerate the nighttime dimming”.

  With the above processing, the timing for starting nighttime dimming can be adjusted according to the driver's preference even when indoor nighttime dimming is simultaneously performed in conjunction with the vehicle width light + taillight.

[Display of adjusted lighting timing]
It is preferable that the driver can confirm the adjustment contents when the headlights are turned on and off, the delay time tD, and the nighttime dimming timing are adjusted. The contents can be erased and returned to the initial state.

  FIG. 10 shows a state transition diagram when the adjusted lighting / extinguishing timing is displayed. When the determination SW 600 is pressed during engine start (S61), the adjusted lighting is turned on unless the headlight lighting timing, delay time tD, and nighttime dimming timing described above are adjustable. The timing can be displayed.

  Since the driver's vehicle operation may be delayed when the vehicle is traveling, the control device 100 determines whether or not the vehicle is traveling (S62), and does not display when the vehicle is traveling.

  When the vehicle is not running, the control device 100 displays the adjustment contents of the headlamp turn-on / off timing, the delay time tD, and the nighttime dimming timing (S63). FIG. 11 shows an example of the adjusted lighting on / off timing displayed on the display 400.

  FIG. 11A shows an example of the lighting / lighting timing displayed by characters. In FIG. 11A, “DISPLAY lighting timing [35%], headlight lighting timing [50%]” is displayed based on when the vehicle width lamp is lit. DISPLAY is the display 400. This percentage display indicates how much less illuminance is adjusted to the lighting timing, assuming that the illuminance at which the vehicle width light + tail light is turned on is 100%. That is, when it becomes 35% darker than the illuminance for turning on the vehicle width light + tail light, the night light is reduced, and when it becomes 50% darker, the headlight is turned on. Similarly, the timing for turning off the headlamp is also displayed. For the delay time tD, the delay time tD may be displayed as it is in seconds or the like.

  Further, since it is difficult to understand numerically, it may be displayed in a graph. In FIG. 11B, the horizontal axis indicates the brightness axis, and the lighting timings of the vehicle width lamp, the DISPLAY, and the headlamp are displayed at positions corresponding to the brightness. In such a display, the relationship between the lighting timing of the vehicle width lamp, the DISPLAY, and the headlamp can be recognized at a glance. Also, if a bar indicating brightness is displayed and gradation is added to the brightness of the bar, the driver can easily imagine the actual brightness.

  Moreover, you may display an actual photograph in order to improve visibility more. By displaying pictures of the front of the vehicle before and after turning on the vehicle width light, DISPLAY and headlight, it is possible to visually check the darkness outside the vehicle before lighting and how much the lighting has changed the brightness. I can confirm.

  When the driver recognizes such adjustment contents and wants to make adjustment again, the driver cancels the flag indicating that the adjustment has been completed. Thereby, the timing of turning on / off can be adjusted again. Moreover, the numerical value of the percentage display of Fig.11 (a) may be input directly, or the lighting timing of a vehicle width lamp, a DISPLAY, and a headlamp may be changed on the bar of FIG.11 (b).

  As described above, the autolight device 1 according to the present embodiment detects a case where the illuminance outside the vehicle changes gently and a case where the illuminance changes abruptly, and illuminates at appropriate timing for each driver in each state. The lighting timing of the device can be adjusted. Moreover, when it is dimmed at night in conjunction with the vehicle width light + tail light, the timing of the night dimming can be adjusted according to the preference of each driver. Since the timing of turning on and off after adjustment is visually displayed, the driver can easily grasp the timing of turning on and off after adjustment.

It is an example of a block diagram of an auto light device. It is a state transition diagram until a driver | operator is specified. It is an example of the user information displayed on a display. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the relationship between the illumination intensity of an initial state, and a lighting timing. It is a state transition diagram of an autolight device that controls turning on and off according to illuminance. It is a figure which shows an example of the message displayed on a display. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the illumination intensity which changes rapidly with respect to time, and delay time. It is a state transition diagram in the case of adjusting the lighting timing when the illuminance changes rapidly. It is a state transition diagram which adjusts the timing of indoor nighttime dimming based on lighting timing of a vehicle width light + taillight. It is a state transition diagram in case adjustment contents are displayed. It is a figure which shows an example of the content of adjustment displayed on the display.

Explanation of symbols

1 Auto Light Device 100 Control Device 200 Smart System 201 Smart Key 300 Illuminance Meter 400 Display 500 Light SW
600 Decision SW
700 Door open / close detection SW
800 Voice recognition device

Claims (4)

Illuminance detection means for detecting illuminance outside the vehicle;
A lighting device for illuminating the outside of the vehicle;
An authentication means for authenticating the driver;
A storage unit for each person that stores the timing of turning on and off the lighting device for each driver in association with the illuminance,
A control device for turning on and off the lighting device based on the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means and the timing stored in the individual storage unit;
Input means for inputting the timing adjustment information when the lighting device is turned on and off by the control device;
An auto light device comprising: When the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means changes slowly, the adjustment information is information that delays or accelerates the lighting device to turn on and off with respect to the illuminance.
The auto light device according to claim 1. When the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means changes abruptly, the adjustment information is information for adjusting a delay time that delays turning on and off of the lighting device.
The auto light device according to claim 1. 4. The auto light device according to claim 1, further comprising a display device that displays the timing of turning on and off adjusted by the adjustment information.

Images