JP4811738B2 - Vehicle light source control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle light source control device, and more particularly to a vehicle that is mounted on a vehicle including a light source that emits light of a plurality of colors including at least a first color and a second color that forms a predetermined light distribution pattern and controls the light source. The present invention relates to a light source control device.

  Conventionally, a technique in which a light source that emits light of a plurality of colors is mounted on a vehicle is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

The one described in Patent Document 1 has a headlight including three bulbs that emit light of three colors of red, green, and blue, and controls each bulb according to the environment around the vehicle to control the hue. Is going to change.
JP 2006-69382 A

  However, Patent Document 1 does not consider the visual characteristics of the driver. For this reason, there is a problem that it is impossible to irradiate light more suitable for the visual characteristics of the driver, and the driver's visibility cannot be further improved.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is capable of emitting light that is more suitable for the driver's visual characteristics, and can further improve the driver's visibility. The purpose is to provide.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is a light source that emits light of a plurality of colors including at least a first color and a second color forming a predetermined light distribution pattern. A visibility measuring means for measuring the driver's visibility with respect to the light of the first color and the second color, and a driver's response to the light of the first color and the second color measured by the visibility measurement means. A determination means for determining a color of light that contributes to brightness based on the visibility and the standard visibility for the light of the first color and the second color determined in advance; and the color determined by the determination means And light source control means for controlling the light source so as to increase the output of the light.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the visibility of the driver is measured, and the color of light that contributes to brightness is determined based on the measured visibility of the driver. Control the light source to increase the color light output. Therefore, according to the present invention, light more suitable for the driver's visual characteristics can be irradiated, and the driver's visibility can be further improved.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the visibility measurement means includes a reference light source that emits light of a reference color that is visually recognized by the driver, the first color that is visually recognized by the driver, and Brightness is adjusted by the test light source that emits light of the second color, brightness adjustment means that allows the driver to adjust the brightness of the light of the first color and the second color of the test light source, and the adjustment means. A luminance value calculating means for calculating the luminance values of the light of the first color and the second color of the test light source; and the light of the first color and the second color of the test light source calculated by the luminance calculating means. Visibility calculating means for calculating a driver's visibility with respect to the light of the first color and the second color based on the brightness value and the brightness value of the reference light source is provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the brightness adjustment means adjusts the brightness of the light of the first color and the second color of the test light source to be the same as the brightness of the light of the reference light source. Thereby, this invention becomes possible [measuring a driver | operator's visibility with respect to the light of 1st color and 2nd color].

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the light source emits light of a plurality of colors including at least a first color and a second color that form a central pattern among the predetermined light distribution patterns. A central light source, and a peripheral light source that emits light of a plurality of colors including at least a first color and a second color that form a peripheral pattern of the predetermined light distribution pattern, and the visibility measuring means includes For each of the central light source and the peripheral light source, the driver's visibility with respect to the light of the first color and the second color is measured, and the determining means outputs an output for each of the central light source and the peripheral light source. The color of light to be increased is determined, and the light source control unit controls the light source so as to increase the output of light of the color determined by the determination unit for each of the central light source and the peripheral light source. It is characterized by.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the driver's visibility is measured for each light source (central light source, peripheral light source), and brightness is determined based on the measured driver's visibility and the like. The color of the contributing light is determined, and the light sources (center light source, peripheral light source) are controlled so as to increase the output of the light of the determined color. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to irradiate light suitable for the driver's visual characteristics for each light source (central light source, peripheral light source), and further improve the driver's visibility. Become.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to irradiate light more suitable for the driver's visual characteristics, and it is possible to further improve the driver's visibility.

[First Embodiment]
The light source control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicle 200 on which the light source control device 100 of the present embodiment is mounted. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a predetermined light distribution pattern formed by the lamp body 220 (light source 210) or the headlamp 230 of the vehicle 200.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the light source control device 100 of the present embodiment includes a vehicle 200 such as an automobile including a lamp body 220 including a light source 210 that emits light of a plurality of colors (for example, RGB) forming a predetermined light distribution pattern. Mounted on.

  A pair of left and right headlamps 230 (including an incandescent light bulb, a halogen lamp, or a light source such as an LED) are arranged on the front of the vehicle 200, and lamps 220 are arranged below the headlamps 230. ing.

  The lamp 220 includes a light source 210, a reflector (not shown), and the like. The light source 210 has a predetermined light distribution pattern (for example, a light distribution pattern P2 or P3 superimposed on all or a part of the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 (see FIG. 2A) for the passing beam formed by the headlamp 230 (see FIG. 2). 2 (b) or FIG. 2 (c))), and a light source such as a three-color LED that emits light of a plurality of colors (for example, RGB). The light source 210 is basically controlled so as to emit light having the same color as the light emitted from the headlamp 230 (for example, white light), but outputs light of individual colors (R, B). Are controlled individually.

  Next, the light source control device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the light source control device 100 of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the light source control device 100 is mounted on a vehicle 200 such as an automobile provided with a lamp body 220 including a light source 210 that emits light of a plurality of colors (for example, RGB) forming a predetermined light distribution pattern. It includes a visibility measuring unit 110, a color effect determining unit 120 (corresponding to a determining unit of the present invention), a light source control unit 130, and the like.

  Visibility measuring means 110 sets the light of the driver's visibility (reference color (for example, Y)) to 1 for R (corresponding to the first color of the present invention) and B (corresponding to the second color of the present invention). Color (for example, the degree to which the brightness of light of R, B) is perceived using a ratio) is measured. As shown in FIG. 3, the visibility measurement unit 110 includes a reference light source 111, a test light source 112, a brightness adjustment unit 113, a luminance value calculation unit 114, a visibility calculation unit 115, and the like.

  The reference light source 111 emits light of a standard color (for example, Y having a wavelength of 573 nm) that is visually recognized by the driver at a constant output. For example, as shown in FIG. 230 is a yellow (Y) LED or laser.

  The test light source 112 emits light of a plurality of colors (for example, R having a wavelength of 628 nm and B having a wavelength of 459 nm) to be visually recognized by the driver. For example, as illustrated in FIG. A red (R) and blue (B) two-color LED or laser provided at a position adjacent to the reference light source 111. Note that the color of the test light source 112 can be switched by operating a switch (not shown) or the like.

  The brightness adjusting means 113 is for causing the driver to adjust the brightness of the light from the test light source 112. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the brightness adjustment provided on the handle 240 in the vehicle 200 or the like. Button. As the brightness adjustment means 113, a dedicated button functioning as a brightness adjustment button may be provided in the vehicle 200, or an existing button such as a volume adjustment button provided in advance in the vehicle 200 may be used. May be used.

The brightness value calculation means 114 is for calculating the brightness values (R _b , B _b ) of the light of the test light source 112 whose brightness has been adjusted by the brightness adjustment means 113. The luminance value calculation means 114 has a memory that stores a table 116 that defines the correspondence between the output (for example, current value) of the test light source 112 and the luminance value, for example. The luminance value calculation unit 114 calculates the luminance value (R _b , B _b ) corresponding to the output (for example, current value) of the test light source 112 by referring to this table 116.

Visibility calculation means 115 is for calculating the driver's visibility (R _l , B _l ) for light of a plurality of colors (R, B). Visibility calculation means 115 divides each of the luminance values (R _b , B _b ) calculated by the luminance value calculation means 114 by the luminance value (Y _b ) of the reference light source 111, for example, so that the visibility (R _l , B _l ) is calculated.

  As will be described later, the color effect determining unit 120 mainly determines the color of light that contributes to brightness. When the color effect determination unit 120 determines the color of light that contributes to brightness, the color effect determination unit 120 sends a signal instructing an increase in light output of the determined color (R or B) to the light source control unit 130.

  When the light source control unit 130 receives a signal from the color effect determination unit 120, the light source control unit 130 controls the light source 210 so as to increase the output of light of the color (R or B) indicated by the signal.

  Next, the operation of the light source control device 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the light source control device 100.

  First, the reference light source 111 and the test light source 112 are turned on by turning on an ignition switch (not shown) of the vehicle 200 (step S10).

  Next, when the subject operates the brightness adjusting unit 113, the brightness of the light from the test light source 112 is adjusted to be the same as the brightness of the light from the reference light source 111 (step S12). This adjustment is performed for each color of R and B of the test light source 112.

The luminance value calculation means 114 calculates the luminance value (R _b , B _b ) of this light from the light of the test light source 112 whose brightness has been adjusted (step S14). For example, the luminance value calculation unit 114 acquires the output (eg, current value) of the test light source 112 whose brightness has been adjusted, and shows the correspondence between the table 116 (output (eg, current value) of the test light source 112) and the luminance value. Refer to the defined table. Thereby, the luminance value calculation means 114 calculates the luminance value (R _b , B _b ) corresponding to the acquired output (for example, current value) of the test light source 112.

Next, the visibility calculating means 115 calculates the driver's visibility (R ₁ , B ₁ ) for light of a plurality of colors (R, B) (step S16). For example, the visibility calculation unit 115 divides each luminance value (R _b , B _b ) calculated by the luminance value calculation unit 114 (step S14) by the luminance value (Y _b ) of the reference light source 111. Thereby, the visibility calculation means 115 calculates the visibility (R _l , B _l ) of the driver with respect to light of a plurality of colors (R, B).

Visibility calculation means 115 plots the calculated visibility (R _l , B _l ) as shown in FIG. 5 (step S18). FIG. 6 shows the ratio of visibility to light (R, B) of the same intensity when the brightness on the vertical axis is 1 (Log0 = 1) with respect to the reference light (Y), and the horizontal axis is the wavelength. to a coordinate system, a total of four people driver each luminosity (R _{l, B l)} a plot of the A_type～d_type. Note that a curve drawn with a dotted line in FIG. 6 is a standard visibility curve (also referred to as standard visibility sensitivity correction) indicating the standard visibility of brightness with respect to wavelength.

Next, the color effect determination unit 120 converts the visibility (R _l , B _l ) plotted as shown in FIG. 6 into a standard visibility curve (that is, standard visibility for predetermined R and B lights). The ratio (R _r , B _r ) is calculated by dividing by the sensitivity R _s , B _s ) (step S20).

The color effect determining means 120 plots the calculated ratio (R _r , B _r ) as shown in FIG. 7 (step S20). FIG. 7 is a graph in which ratios (R _r , B _r ) of a total of four drivers a_type to d_type are plotted on a coordinate system in which the vertical axis is sensitivity and the horizontal axis is wavelength.

Next, the color effect determination means 120 determines whether or not the ratio (R _r or B _r ) is greater than the standard sensitivity 1 (Log0 = 1) (step S22). When both of the ratios (R _r , B _r ) are smaller than the standard sensitivity 1 (Log0 = 1) (step S22: No), there is no color of light that contributes to brightness (that is, color tone) Since there is no effect), the processing after step S24 is not performed.

Referring to FIG. 7, for the drivers of a_type to d_type, the ratio (R _r or B _r ) is all greater than the standard sensitivity 1 (Log0 = 1). In this case (step S22: Yes), the color effect determination unit 120 further determines whether or not the ratio (R _r and B _r ) exceeds the threshold value T (step S24). In the present embodiment including step S24, the threshold value T is a value within a predetermined range including the ratio (Rr and Br) of 1 (Log0) (for example, a range of Log0 to Log0.25). I just need it. That is, in the present invention, the threshold value T may be Log0 = 1.

Referring to FIG. 7, the ratio (R _r and B _r ) exceeds the threshold value T for the a_type driver. In this case (step S24: Yes), it can be said that both R and B contribute to the brightness. Therefore, the color effect determining means 120 further determines the ratio Rr> to determine which output of R or B is increased. It is determined whether the ratio Br is satisfied (step S26).

  If ratio Rr> ratio Br (step S26: Rr> Br), it can be said that R contributes to brightness rather than B, and therefore the color effect determining means 120 controls the light source for a signal instructing to increase the output of R. The data is sent to the means 130 (step S28). On the other hand, if ratio Rr <ratio Br (step S26: Rr> Br), it can be said that B contributes to brightness rather than R, so the color effect determination means 120 outputs a signal instructing an increase in the output of B. It sends to the light source control means 130 (step S30).

  Referring to FIG. 7, the ratio Rr <ratio Br for the a_type driver. In this case (step S26: Rr <Br), for an a_type driver, it can be said that B contributes to brightness rather than R. Therefore, the color effect determining means 120 outputs a signal instructing to increase the output of B as a light source. The data is sent to the control means 130 (step S30). When the ratio Rr = ratio Br (step S26: Rr = Br), the color effect determining unit 120 does not send a signal instructing to increase the output of either R or B to the light source control unit 130 (step S32). .

On the other hand, if only one of the ratios (R _r or B _r ) exceeds the threshold T in step S24 (step S24: No, step S34: Yes), in this case, the threshold T is exceeded. Since it can be said that R or B present contributes to brightness, the color effect determination means 120 sends a signal instructing an increase in the output of R or B exceeding the threshold T to the light source control means 130 (step S36). ).

Referring to FIG. 7, for the driver of B_TYPE, only the ratio B _r exceeds the threshold value T. In this case (step S24: No, step S34: Yes), for the driver of b_type, it can be said that B exceeding the threshold value T contributes to brightness, so the color effect determining means 120 outputs B. A signal for instructing increase is sent to the light source control means 130.

Similarly, referring to FIG. 7, for the c_type driver, only the ratio R _r exceeds the threshold value T. In this case (step S24: No, step S34: Yes), for the c_type driver, it can be said that R exceeding the threshold value T contributes to the brightness, so the color effect determination means 120 outputs the R. A signal for instructing increase is sent to the light source control means 130.

On the other hand, if none of the ratios (R _r or B _r ) exceeds the threshold value T (step S24: No, step S34: No), it can be said that none of R and B contributes to brightness. (In other words, since there is almost no color effect), a signal instructing to increase the output of either R or B is not sent to the light source control means 130 (step S38).

Referring to FIG. 7, for the d_type driver, none of the ratios (R _r or B _r ) exceeds the threshold value T. In this case (step S24: No, step S34: No), for the d_type driver, it can be said that neither R nor B contributes to the brightness (that is, there is almost no color effect). The effect determination unit 120 does not send a signal instructing to increase the output of either R or B to the light source control unit 130 (step S38).

  When the light source control unit 130 receives a signal for instructing an increase in output from the color effect determination unit 120, the light source control unit 130 controls the light source 210 so as to increase the output of light of the color (R or B) indicated by the signal ( Step S36). Alternatively, the light source control means 130 is instructed by the signal by controlling the light source 210 so as to decrease the output of light of a color (GB or RG) other than the color (R or B) instructed by the signal. The output of the selected color (R or B) is relatively increased.

  Thereby, the lamp body 220 (light source 210) is overlaid on all or part of a predetermined light distribution pattern (for example, the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 for the passing beam formed by the headlamp 230 (see FIG. 2A)). A light distribution pattern P2 or P3 (see FIG. 2B or 2C)) is formed.

  As described above, according to the light source control device 100 of the present embodiment, the driver's visibility is measured (steps S10 to S16), and brightness is determined based on the measured driver's visibility and the like. The color of the contributing light is determined (steps S18 to S36), and the light source is controlled to increase the light output of the determined color (step S40). Therefore, according to the light source control device 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to irradiate light more suitable for the driver's visual characteristics (visibility), and it is possible to further improve the driver's visibility.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a front view of a vehicle 200 on which the light source control device 100 of the second embodiment is mounted. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the reference light source 111 and the test light source 112 of the second embodiment.

  Compared with the first embodiment, the present embodiment is such that a lamp body 220 including a light source 210 is further disposed at the front center of the vehicle 200 as shown in FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. A total of three light sources 111 and test light sources 112 are provided for peripheral (left peripheral) visibility measurement, central visual sensitivity measurement, and peripheral (right peripheral) visual sensitivity measurement, a reference light source for central visibility measurement While paying attention to 111, the brightness of the light of the total three test light sources 112 for the peripheral (left peripheral) visibility measurement, the central visibility measurement, and the peripheral (right periphery) visibility measurement is adjusted. Light that contributes to brightness for each light source 210 based on a point that is adjusted to be the same as the brightness of light (that is, a point at which visibility is measured for each light source 210), the driver's measured visibility, etc. Point to determine the color (step Similar to 18～S36), and, for each light source 210, the determined controls the light source 210 to increase the output of light color (similar to step S40) point is different. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Thereby, each lamp body 220 (light source 210) is superimposed on all or part of a predetermined light distribution pattern (for example, the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 for the passing beam formed by the headlamp 230 (see FIG. 2A)). The light distribution pattern P2 or P3 (see FIG. 2B or FIG. 2C)) is formed.

  As described above, according to the light source control device 100 of the present embodiment, for each light source 210 (for peripheral (left side periphery) visibility measurement, for central visibility measurement, for peripheral (right side periphery) visibility measurement), The driver's visibility is measured, the light color contributing to the brightness is determined for each light source 210 based on the measured driver's visibility, and the light output of the determined color is increased. Each light source 210 is controlled so that Therefore, according to the light source control device 100 of the present embodiment, each light source 210 can be irradiated with light that is more suitable for the driver's visual characteristics, and the driver's visibility can be further improved.

  Next, a modified example will be described.

  In each of the above embodiments, the light source 210 has been described as being provided in the lamp body 220 disposed below the headlamp 230, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the light source 210 may be provided in the headlamp 230.

  In each of the above embodiments, the light source 210 has been described as being a three-color LED, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the light source 210 may be a light source such as three bulbs that emit light of three colors of red, green, and blue.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the reference light source 111 has been described so as to emit the light of the base color (Y) with a constant output, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reference light source 111 may emit light of a standard color (G or the like) with a constant output.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the reference light source 111 is Y having a wavelength of 573 nm, the test light source 112 is R having a wavelength of 628 nm, and B having a wavelength of 459 nm. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reference light source 111 and the test light source 112 may be Y, R, and B of other wavelengths.

  In the above embodiments, the reference light source 111 and the test light source 112 are described as LEDs, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, you may make it display the image corresponding to each of the reference light source 111 and the test light source 112 on the display provided in the vehicle 200. FIG.

  The above embodiment is merely an example in all respects. The present invention is not construed as being limited to these descriptions. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

It is a front view of the vehicle 200 by which the light source control apparatus 100 of 1st Embodiment is mounted. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a predetermined light distribution pattern formed by a lamp body 220 (light source 210) or a headlamp 230 of a vehicle 200. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the light source control apparatus 100 of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the reference light source 111 and the test light source 112 of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the light source control apparatus 100 of 1st Embodiment. When the brightness on the vertical axis is 1 (Log0 = 1) with respect to the reference light (Y), the ratio of the visibility to light (R, B) of the same intensity, the horizontal axis is the coordinate system , A_type to d_type are graphs in which the visibility (R ₁ , B ₁ ) of each of the four drivers in total is plotted. It is a graph in which the ratio (R _r , B _r ) of each of a total of four drivers a_type to d_type is plotted on a coordinate system in which the vertical axis is sensitivity and the horizontal axis is wavelength. It is a front view of the vehicle 200 by which the light source control apparatus 100 of 2nd Embodiment is mounted. It is a figure for demonstrating the reference light source 111 and the test light source 112 of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Light source control apparatus, 110 ... Visibility measuring means, 111 ... Reference light source, 112 ... Test light source, 113 ... Adjustment means, 114 ... Luminance value calculation means, 115 ... Visibility calculation means, 116 ... Table, 120 ... Effect determination Means, 130 ... light source control means, 200 ... vehicle, 210 ... light source, 220 ... lamp, 220 ... lamp, 230 ... headlight, 230 ... instrument panel, 240 ... handle,

Claims (3)

In a vehicle light source control device that controls a light source for a vehicle that emits light of a plurality of colors including at least a first color and a second color forming a predetermined light distribution pattern,
Visibility measuring means for measuring a driver's visibility with respect to the light of the first color and the second color;
Based on the visibility of the driver with respect to the light of the first color and the second color measured by the visibility measuring means, and the standard visibility for the light of the first color and the second color determined in advance, A determining means for determining a color of light that contributes to brightness;
Light source control means for controlling the light source to increase the light output of the color determined by the determination means;
A vehicle light source control device comprising: The visibility measuring means includes
A reference light source that emits light of a standard color to be visually recognized by the driver;
A test light source that emits light of the first color and the second color to be visually recognized by a driver;
Brightness adjustment means for allowing a driver to adjust the brightness of the light of the first color and the second color of the test light source;
Brightness value calculating means for calculating brightness values of the light of the first color and the second color of the test light source whose brightness is adjusted by the adjusting means;
The driver for the light of the first color and the second color based on the luminance value of the light of the first color and the second color of the test light source calculated by the luminance calculation means and the luminance value of the reference light source. Visibility calculating means for calculating the visibility of
The vehicle light source control device according to claim 1, comprising: The light source forms a central light source that emits light of a plurality of colors including at least a first color and a second color that forms a central pattern of the predetermined light distribution pattern, and a peripheral pattern of the predetermined light distribution pattern. A peripheral light source that emits light of a plurality of colors including at least a first color and a second color,
The visibility measuring means measures a driver's visibility with respect to the light of the first color and the second color for each of the central light source and the peripheral light source,
The determining means determines the color of light for increasing the output for each of the central light source and the peripheral light source,
The light source control means controls the light source so as to increase the output of light of the color determined by the determination means for each of the central light source and the peripheral light source. Vehicle light source control device.

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