JP2007328964A - Display illumination control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display illumination control device capable of eliminating a problem that it is too bright for a driver by changing the control range of illumination. <P>SOLUTION: The display illumination control device is provided with an information input means to input information of display environment, a dimming judgement circuit part 3 to restrict the range of illumination control within a narrow range, an adjustment part 2 to carry out adjusting input within a control range changed by the dimming judgement circuit part 3, and a meter illumination part 1 which controls brightness of illumination according to the control range changed by the dimming judgement circuit part 3 and the adjusting input within the control range changed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of a display illumination control device that adjusts illumination of an on-vehicle display device in multiple stages.

Conventionally, the dimming stage number setting data is written in the dimming stage number setting unit composed of a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as EEPROM, and the dimming characteristics set in advance for each dimming stage number are registered in the dimming characteristic storage unit. Keep it. Then, the dimming rate setting unit, based on the dimming step number set by the dimming step number setting unit and the dimming characteristics stored in the dimming characteristic storage unit, (Duty ratio of PWM drive) is set. The light source driver controls the power supplied to the light source based on the dimming rate (or duty ratio) supplied from the dimming stage setting unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-19226 (page 2-14, full view)

  However, in the conventional display illumination control device, the number of dimming steps can be changed using a non-volatile memory such as EEPROM, but partial dimming in consideration of time zone, weather and the like cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to control the display lighting that can eliminate the problem of being too bright for the driver by changing the control range of the lighting. To provide an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in a display illumination control apparatus that adjusts the brightness of the illumination of a vehicle-mounted display unit in multiple stages, information input means for inputting information on the display environment, and information on the display environment Control range changing means for limiting the range of illumination control to a narrow range, adjustment input means for performing adjustment input within the control range changed by the control range changing means, and control range changed by the control range changing means And control means for controlling the brightness of the illumination according to an adjustment input within the changed control range.

  Therefore, in this invention, the problem that it is too bright for a driver | operator can be eliminated by changing the control range of illumination.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment for realizing the display illumination control device of the present invention will be described based on Example 1 corresponding to the first and second aspects of the invention.

First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of the display illumination control apparatus according to the first embodiment.
The display illumination control apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a meter illumination unit 1 (corresponding to a control unit), an adjustment unit 2 (corresponding to an adjustment input unit), a dimming determination circuit unit 3 (corresponding to a control range changing unit), The light switch 4, the time device 5 (corresponding to information input means), the calendar device 6 (corresponding to information input means), and the in-vehicle network 7 (corresponding to information input means) are the main components.

The meter illuminating unit 1 is an illuminating unit that makes a driver look bright by irradiating each meter and the like arranged on the meter panel with light from the inside.
The adjustment unit 2 is an input unit that is arranged on a part of the meter panel and adjusts the brightness of illumination of the meter illumination unit 1.

The dimming determination circuit unit 3 performs determination processing based on conditions, and performs control output to the meter illumination unit 1.
The light switch 4 outputs an on / off input result of the vehicle headlight to the dimming determination circuit unit 3.

The time device 5 detects the current time, morning and afternoon information, and outputs the detected information to the dimming determination circuit unit 3.
The calendar device 6 detects the date and outputs the season determination information and the like to the dimming determination circuit unit 3.
The in-vehicle network 7 obtains current weather information and the like via the network, and outputs it to the dimming determination circuit unit 3.

Next, the operation will be described.
[Setting range judgment processing]
(a) Overall Process FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the setting range determination process executed by the dimming determination circuit unit 3 of the display illumination control apparatus of the first embodiment. Each step will be described below.

  In step S1, the process is started.

  In step S2, it is determined whether or not the light switch 4 is on. If the light switch 4 is on, the process proceeds to the night mode in step S4. If it is off, the process proceeds to the day mode in step S3.

(b) Daytime mode FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the daytime mode in step S3 of the setting range determination process executed by the dimming determination circuit unit 3 of the display illumination control apparatus of the first embodiment. Will be described.

  In step S31, daytime mode processing is started.

  In step S32, it is determined whether it is spring or autumn, that is, April to June or October to December, and if applicable, the process proceeds to step S33, and if not applicable, that is, summer or winter, the process proceeds to step S37. move on.

  In step S33, it is determined whether it is after 9:30 pm. If it is after 9:30 pm, the process proceeds to step S34, and if it is before 9:30 pm, the process proceeds to step S36.

  In step S34, it is determined whether it is before 4:30 am. If it is before 4:30 am, the process proceeds to step S35, and if it is later than 4:30 am, the process proceeds to step S36.

  In step S35, a daytime control range signal is output.

  In step S36, a morning and evening control range signal is output.

  In step S37, it is determined whether it is summer, that is, July to September. If it is applicable, the process proceeds to step S38, and if not applicable, that is, if it is winter, the process proceeds to step S42.

  In step S38, it is determined whether it is after 9 pm. If it is after 9 pm, the process proceeds to step S41, and if before 9 pm, the process proceeds to step S41.

  In step S39, it is determined whether or not it is before 5 am. If it is before 5 am, the process proceeds to step S40, and if it is after 5 am, the process proceeds to step S41.

  In step S40, a daytime control range signal is output.

  In step S41, a morning and evening control range signal is output.

  In step S42, the process proceeds to step S43, assuming that it is winter, that is, January to March.

  In step S43, it is determined whether it is after 10 pm. If it is after 10 pm, the process proceeds to step S44, and if before 10 pm, the process proceeds to step S46.

  In step S44, it is determined whether it is before 4 am. If it is before 4 am, the process proceeds to step S45, and if it is after 4 am, the process proceeds to step S46.

  In step S45, a daytime control range signal is output.

  In step S46, morning and evening control range signals are output.

(c) Night Mode FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the daytime mode in step S3 of the setting range determination process executed by the dimming determination circuit unit 3 of the display illumination control device of the first embodiment. Will be described.

  In step S51, the night mode process is started.

  In step S52, it is determined whether it is spring or autumn, that is, April to June or October to December, and if applicable, the process proceeds to step S53, and if not applicable, that is, summer or winter, the process proceeds to step S57. move on.

  In step S53, it is determined whether it is after 6 pm. If it is after 6 pm, the process proceeds to step S54, and if it is before 6 pm, the process proceeds to step S56.

  In step S54, it is determined whether it is before 6 am. If it is before 6 am, the process proceeds to step S55, and if it is after 6 am, the process proceeds to step S56.

  In step S55, a night control range signal is output.

  In step S56, morning and evening control range signals are output.

  In step S57, it is determined whether it is summer, that is, from July to September, and if applicable, the process proceeds to step S58, and if not applicable, that is, if it is winter, the process proceeds to step S62.

  In step S58, it is determined whether or not it is after 6:30 pm. If it is after 6:30 pm, the process proceeds to step S59, and if it is before 6:30 pm, the process proceeds to step S61.

  In step S59, it is determined whether or not it is before 5:30 am. If it is before 5:30 am, the process proceeds to step S60, and if it is after 5:30 am, the process proceeds to step S61.

  In step S60, a night control range signal is output.

  In step S61, a morning and evening control range signal is output.

  In step S62, the process proceeds to step S63 assuming that it is winter, that is, January to March.

  In step S63, it is determined whether it is after 5 pm. If it is after 5 pm, the process proceeds to step S64, and if before 5 pm, the process proceeds to step S66.

  In step S64, it is determined whether or not it is before 6:30 am. If it is before 6:30 am, the process proceeds to step S65, and if it is after 6:30 am, the process proceeds to step S66.

  In step S65, a night control range signal is output.

  In step S66, the morning and evening control range signal is output.

[Control range change effect]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of changing the display range of the first embodiment.
(a) Change to Daytime Mode and Night Mode In the display illumination control device of the first embodiment, the dimming determination circuit unit 3 switches between the daytime mode and the nighttime mode by turning on / off the light switch 4.
In daytime mode and night mode, 0% to 100% of lighting control total range 8a is set to 0% to 50% as night mode, and 50% to 100% is set as day mode. By dividing, the brightness of the meter-displayed illumination can be adjusted between 0% and 100% in day and night.
Further, in the daytime mode, as shown in FIG. 5, a daytime control range 8b and a morning and evening control range 8c are set.
In the night mode, as shown in FIG. 5, a night control range 8e and a morning and evening control range 8d are set.

(b) Change by season and time In the display illumination control device of the first embodiment, the dimming determination circuit unit 3 detects the season and time from information obtained from the time device 5 and the calendar device 6, and the daytime mode or the nighttime mode. Are further changed to the daytime control range 8b, the morning and evening control ranges 8c and 8d, and the night control range 8e.
In this way, by performing adjustment within the set range, first, the resolution becomes finer with respect to the entire illumination control range 8a, and finer adjustment control can be performed. Furthermore, it becomes the control range according to the time and time, and it can be adjusted within the adjustment range in which the meter display is not too bright or too dark.

  In other words, according to the steps S32, S37, S42 in the daytime mode and the steps S52, S57, S62 in the nighttime mode, the seasons are divided according to the current month, thereby the daytime control range in the subsequent steps. 8b, morning and evening control ranges 8c and 8d, and night control range 8e are determined in detail according to the season. Therefore, the control range will be changed according to the season and time, and the control range can be changed according to the time of daylight irradiation change in the season, making the meter display brighter. Adjustment can be made within an adjustment range that is neither too dark nor too dark.

(c) Change due to weather FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of change due to weather in the display range of the first embodiment.
Further, in the display illumination control device of the first embodiment, weather information obtained from the in-vehicle network 7 is obtained, and the cloudy and rain control range 8g is set to a narrow control range with respect to the clear control range 8f. Also, for example, 100% is set when it is clear, 90% when it is cloudy, and 80% when it is raining. In this case, the maximum brightness is limited.
In this way, by changing the control range depending on the weather, it is possible to make an adjustment range corresponding to the brightness of the surrounding environment that changes depending on the weather condition.
As described above, in the display illumination control apparatus according to the first embodiment, the illumination control range of the meter display is changed depending on the season, time, and weather. Therefore, it is possible to provide appropriate brightness for the situation with a very easy operation. .

When the illumination control range is changed, the adjustment unit 2 causes the adjustment unit 2 to make a transition to the center position of the control range after the transition, regardless of the adjustment position. In this transition, the control range is switched instantaneously, but the control position is shifted slowly to the center position of the control range after the transition.
As a result, the control range can be switched so as not to give the user a sense of incongruity, and even if the user does not make adjustments with the adjustment unit 2, the lighting control is good for the season, time, and weather. It will be adjusted automatically.

Next, the effect will be described.
In the display illumination control apparatus according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) In a display illumination control device that adjusts the brightness of the illumination of the in-vehicle display unit in multiple stages, the information input means for inputting the information of the display environment and the range of the illumination control are narrowed according to the information of the display environment The dimming determination circuit unit 3 limited to the range, the adjustment unit 2 that performs adjustment input within the control range changed by the dimming determination circuit unit 3, the control range changed by the dimming determination circuit unit 3, and the changed Since the meter illumination unit 1 that controls the brightness of the illumination according to the adjustment input within the control range is provided, the problem of being too bright for the driver can be eliminated by changing the control range of the illumination. it can.

  (2) The information input means inputs the current time from the time device 5 as display environment information, and the dimming determination circuit unit 3 limits the range of illumination control from the current time to a narrow range. Thus, the lighting control range can be automatically changed so that the display does not become too bright or too dark, and the display can have a brightness more desirable for the driver.

  (3) The information input means inputs the current month and day from the calendar device 6 as seasonal display environment information, and the dimming determination circuit unit 3 limits the range of lighting control from the current season to a narrow range. Depending on the season, the lighting control range can be automatically changed so that the display does not become too bright or too dark, and a display with a brightness more desirable for the driver can be achieved.

  (4) The information input means inputs the current weather from the in-vehicle network 7 as display environment information, and the dimming determination circuit unit 3 limits the range of lighting control from the current weather to a narrow range. Thus, the lighting control range can be automatically changed so that the display does not become too bright or too dark, and the display can have a brightness more desirable for the driver.

  (5) When the control range is changed, the dimming determination circuit unit 3 slowly shifts the control position to the center of the changed control range regardless of the input state by the adjustment unit 2, so that the display is bright. The control range of the lighting can be automatically changed so as not to be too dark or too dark, and a display with a brightness more desirable for the driver can be achieved.

  As described above, the display illumination control device of the present invention has been described based on the first embodiment. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the invention according to each claim of the claims is described. Design changes and additions are allowed without departing from the gist.

It is a system block diagram of the display illumination control apparatus of Example 1. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the setting range determination process performed in the light reduction determination circuit part 3 of the display illumination control apparatus of Example 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the daytime mode of step S3 of the setting range determination process performed in the light reduction determination circuit part 3 of the display illumination control apparatus of Example 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the daytime mode of step S3 of the setting range determination process performed in the light reduction determination circuit part 3 of the display illumination control apparatus of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a change in display range according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the change by the weather of the display range of Example 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Meter illumination part 2 Adjustment part 3 Dimming judgment circuit part 4 Light switch 5 Time apparatus 6 Calendar apparatus 7 In-vehicle network 8a Lighting control whole range 8b Daytime control range 8c Morning, direction control range 8d Morning, evening control range 8e Night control range 8f Control range 8g Rain control range

Claims (5)

In the display illumination control device that adjusts the brightness of the illumination of the in-vehicle display unit in multiple stages,
Information input means for inputting display environment information;
Control range changing means for limiting the range of lighting control to a narrow range according to the information of the display environment,
Adjustment input means for performing adjustment input within the control range changed by the control range change means;
Control means for controlling the brightness of the illumination according to the control range changed by the control range change means and the adjustment input within the changed control range;
Comprising
A display illumination control device characterized by that. The display illumination control device according to claim 1,
The information input means inputs the current time as display environment information,
The control range changing means limits the range of lighting control from a current time to a narrow range.
A display illumination control device characterized by that. In the display illumination control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The information input means inputs the current date as seasonal display environment information,
The control range changing means limits the range of lighting control from the current season to a narrow range,
A display illumination control device characterized by that. In the display illumination control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The information input means inputs the current weather as display environment information,
The control range changing means limits the range of lighting control from the current weather to a narrow range,
A display illumination control device characterized by that. In the display illumination control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When the control range is changed, the control range changing unit slowly shifts the control position to the center of the changed control range regardless of the input state by the adjustment input unit.
A display illumination control device characterized by that.

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