JP7615967B2 - Vehicle indicator light control device, control method and program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a control device for a vehicle indicator light, and a control method and program for the same.

Patent document 1 discloses a technology for notifying drivers of surrounding vehicles of a slowdown in the vehicle's speed. As shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the document, the grouped lighting elements can be illuminated in a converging or diverging manner.

Special Publication No. 2020-526455

The inventors of the present application have newly discovered that, among the various signals generated in a vehicle, the horn signal is not being used to control the illumination of vehicle lights.

A control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control device that controls the lighting of a light-emitting part of a vehicle lamp to realize at least one lighting display, and is configured to light the light-emitting part in a predetermined lighting mode in response to a warning signal transmitted from a vehicle on which the vehicle lamp is mounted.

In some embodiments, the control device is configured to switch the predetermined illumination mode to another illumination mode depending on the duration of the horn signal.

In some embodiments, the control device is configured to switch the predetermined illumination mode to another illumination mode in response to a switching signal indicating that the duration of the horn signal exceeds a threshold.

In some embodiments, the control device is configured to turn on the light emitting unit in the predetermined lighting mode when the horn signal is received while a stop signal indicating that the vehicle is stopped is being received.

In some embodiments, the control device is configured to switch, upon receiving the horn signal, from controlling the illumination of the light-emitting unit in a precedence illumination mode based on a precedence signal to controlling the illumination of the light-emitting unit in the predetermined illumination mode.

In some embodiments, the preceding signal is at least one of a turn signal, an autonomous driving signal, or a human or surrounding object detection signal.

In some embodiments, the control device is configured to switch the predetermined lighting mode to another lighting mode depending on the number of times the horn signal is received. The number of times the horn signal is received may be determined at a determination timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the input of the first horn signal.

In some embodiments, the horn signal is generated by the driver of the vehicle pressing a horn switch to sound the horn. In some embodiments, the horn signal is generated (e.g., by a vehicle system) in response to an impact detection signal.

In some embodiments, in the predetermined lighting mode, the light-emitting unit lights up in a predetermined color, or the light-emitting unit flashes, or multiple light-emitting regions in the light-emitting unit light up in a predetermined sequence, or a matrix of light-emitting elements in the light-emitting unit lights up for an animation display. The light-emitting unit may include multiple light-emitting regions that can light up in a single or different colors.

A control method for a vehicle indicator lamp according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for controlling the lighting of a light-emitting part of a vehicle lamp to realize at least one lighting display, and lights up the light-emitting part in a predetermined lighting mode in synchronization with the generation of a warning signal in a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lamp. A computer program for causing a computer to execute the above-mentioned control method is also disclosed. The computer program may be stored in a non-transitory recording medium (such as a semiconductor memory, an optical disk, or a magnetic tape).

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to realize lighting control of vehicle lamps in response to a horn signal.

1 is a schematic front view showing a front portion of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a schematic rear view showing a rear portion of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which a light emitting portion is provided as a matrix of light emitting elements. FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic system diagram of an indicator light according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 2 is a schematic system diagram of a lighting control unit. FIG. 5 is a schematic time chart showing lighting control of the light-emitting unit by the control unit. 5 is a schematic time chart showing lighting control in which the control unit controls the color of the light-emitting unit. 5 is a schematic flowchart showing lighting control of the light-emitting unit by the control unit. FIG. 11 is a schematic system diagram of a lighting control unit according to another embodiment. 5 is a schematic time chart showing the lighting control of the light-emitting unit by the control unit when a turn signal and a horn signal are received in succession. 11 is a schematic time chart showing the lighting control of the light-emitting unit by the control unit when an automatic driving signal and a warning signal are received consecutively. 5 is a schematic time chart showing the lighting control of the light-emitting unit by the control unit when a human or surrounding object detection signal and a horn signal are received in succession. 5 is a schematic flowchart showing lighting control of the light-emitting unit by the control unit. FIG. 13 is a schematic system diagram of a lighting control unit according to yet another embodiment. 6 is a schematic time chart showing that the lighting mode is switched depending on the number of times of the horn signal. 5 is a schematic flowchart showing lighting control of the light-emitting unit by the control unit. 6 is a schematic time chart showing how a warning signal is generated in response to an impact detection signal and how a control unit controls the lighting of a light-emitting unit.

Non-limiting embodiments and features of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art can combine the various embodiments and/or features without excessive explanation, and can also understand the synergistic effects of such combinations. In principle, overlapping explanations between embodiments will be omitted. The reference drawings are primarily intended to describe the invention, and are simplified for the convenience of drawing. Each feature is not only effective for the control device disclosed in this specification, but is understood as a universal feature that is also applicable to various other control devices not disclosed in this specification.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle 1 is provided with left and right headlights 2 at the front and left and right lamps 3 at the rear as vehicle lighting fixtures. Furthermore, a pair of indicator lights 4 are provided in addition to the headlights 2. Similarly, a pair of indicator lights 9 are provided in addition to the left and right lamps 3. The headlights 2 are capable of projecting low beams and high beams, and also include turn lamps that flash in response to turn signals (and may also include other types of lamps). The configuration of the headlights 2 is known in the art, and a detailed description will be omitted.

The indicator light 4 is provided in the grill section of the vehicle 1, and therefore can also be called a grill light. The vehicle 1 is not limited to a gasoline-powered vehicle, and may be an electric vehicle, and therefore the grill section does not need to be ventilated. The position and range of the grill section and the grill light are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1.

The lamps 3 may include turn lamps that flash in synchronization with the turn signals of the vehicle 1, brake lamps that flash in synchronization with the braking system of the vehicle 1, and other types of lamps. The indicator lamps 9 may include movable lamps, some of which are provided on the rear door (e.g., hatchback door) of the vehicle 1, and fixed lamps, the remainder of which are provided on the body of the vehicle 1 adjacent to the door. The positions and ranges of the indicator lamps 4, 9 are not limited to those shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The indicator light 4 at the front of the vehicle 1 has one or more light-emitting units 5, 6 that include multiple light-emitting areas. The light-emitting areas 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d of the light-emitting unit 5 and the light-emitting areas 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d of the light-emitting unit 6 are arranged along the vehicle width direction. Similarly, the indicator light 9 at the rear of the vehicle 1 has one or more light-emitting units 7, 8 that include one or more light-emitting areas. The light-emitting areas 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d of the light-emitting unit 7 and the light-emitting areas 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d of the light-emitting unit 8 are arranged along the vehicle width direction.

In each of the light-emitting regions 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d, multiple light-emitting elements are arranged in the vertical direction. In each of the light-emitting regions 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d, multiple light-emitting elements are arranged in the vehicle width direction. The light-emitting elements provided in the light-emitting regions are, for example, semiconductor light-emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) or LDs (Laser Diodes) or other types of light-emitting elements. Each light-emitting region or light-emitting section may include optical elements such as lenses, transparent windows, reflectors, etc. in addition to the light-emitting elements. The light emitted from the light-emitting elements is emitted outside the vehicle via the optical elements.

The light-emitting units 5, 6, 7, and 8 are not limited to a linear arrangement of light-emitting areas or light-emitting elements, but may include a matrix of light-emitting elements, as can be seen from FIG. 3. Increasing the number of light-emitting elements allows for more complex or advanced lighting displays. For example, animation displays (in a simple example, an animation in which a specific lighting pattern (e.g., an arrow lighting pattern) moves from the center of the vehicle width to the outside in the vehicle width direction) are also possible. The directionality of the animation can be changed as appropriate.

In this embodiment, as will be understood from the description below, the light-emitting units 5, 6, 7, and 8 are controlled to be turned on in a predetermined lighting mode in response to a horn signal transmitted from the vehicle side (e.g., the vehicle system) on which the vehicle lamp is mounted. The horn signal generated in the vehicle can be utilized to control the vehicle lamp. The lamp to be controlled can be provided at any position, such as the front, rear, or side of the vehicle 1, and should not be limited to the position and range shown in the figure. The vehicle system, its subsystem, or transmission path can be utilized to transmit the horn signal from the vehicle side to the vehicle lamp. The vehicle system and its subsystem transmit the horn signal generated by the horn switch to the control unit of the vehicle lamp. The transmission path transmits the horn signal generated by the horn switch to the control unit of the vehicle lamp. The transmission path is either a wired or wireless transmission path, or a combination of these. The vehicle system includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that is responsible for various controls in the vehicle 1. The vehicle system and its subsystem also include one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units).

The details of the indicator light 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 4, but the indicator light 4 can be configured in a similar manner. As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of indicator lights 9 are provided on the left and right. Each indicator light 9 has a light-emitting unit 7 (or 8), a control unit 91, and an optional filter switching unit 94. The light-emitting elements 7e, 7f, 7g, and 7h of the light-emitting unit 7 are connected in parallel between the power supply potential and the ground potential. When the switch SW is on, a current flows through each light-emitting element, and the light emitting element emits a luminous flux. The light emitted from the light-emitting element propagates to the rear of the vehicle 1 with or without passing through other optical elements (e.g., reflectors), and can reach the eyes of the driver of the vehicle following the vehicle 1. The same applies to the light-emitting elements 8e, 8f, 8g, and 8h of the light-emitting unit 8.

The control unit 91 controls the lighting of the light-emitting unit 7 (or 8) to realize at least one lighting display, and is specifically configured to light the light-emitting unit 7 (or 8) in a predetermined lighting mode in response to the above-mentioned horn signal. This makes it possible to present a lighting display that is visible to drivers of other vehicles or pedestrians around the vehicle in addition to the horn sound, thereby calling attention and promoting communication. Note that the control unit 91 does not need to be built into the indicator light, and can be provided as a control device independent of the indicator light.

The horn signal is an output signal of a horn button provided on the vehicle 1 or a signal generated based thereon, and instructs the operation of a horn (which may also be called a horn device). For example, when the driver presses the horn button, an H-level horn signal is transmitted to the horn directly or via another element (e.g., an ECU, a CPU, etc.), which activates the horn and sounds the horn. When the driver releases the horn button, the horn signal becomes L-level and the horn stops operating. In some cases, the control unit 91 receives the horn signal from the vehicle system. The horn signal is transmitted via a communication bus that communicatively connects the vehicle system and the indicator light control unit 91.

Optionally, the control unit 91 receives a speed signal, a turn signal, an automatic driving signal, a human or surrounding object detection signal, and an impact detection signal. The speed signal is a signal indicating the speed of the vehicle 1, and is transmitted, for example, from a speed sensor or a speed calculation unit provided on the vehicle 1 or the indicator light 9. The speed calculation unit calculates and outputs the traveling speed of the vehicle based on the rotation speed of the front or rear wheels of the vehicle 1. The turn signal is transmitted from the direction indicator of the vehicle 1. The automatic driving signal is transmitted, for example, from an automatic driving switch or an ECU of the vehicle 1, and indicates that the vehicle 1 is operating in automatic driving mode. The human or surrounding object detection signal is transmitted, for example, from a human or surrounding object detection device, and indicates that there is a human or object around the vehicle. A human recognition camera can be used as the surrounding object detection device. When a human is captured in the image acquired by the camera, the human is recognized and a detection signal is output. The impact detection signal is transmitted, for example, from an impact detection device of the vehicle 1, and indicates that an impact has been applied to the vehicle 1. The human or surrounding object detection signal and/or the impact detection signal can be transmitted to the control unit 91 via or without the vehicle's ECU.

The horn is sounded for various purposes under various circumstances. For example, the horn is sounded to alert the driver of another vehicle in order to avoid a collision or contact with the other vehicle. The horn is sounded according to road signs on mountain roads with poor visibility. Regardless of whether it is restricted by law, the horn may also be sounded to communicate with the driver of another vehicle (to greet or express gratitude). Therefore, the horn is sounded regardless of whether the vehicle 1 is moving or stopped. Furthermore, the number and length of the horn sound vary, and it may be sounded only once, multiple times in succession, shortly, or longly. It is advisable to configure the control unit 91 taking into account such characteristics of the horn, and this point will be explained more specifically in the following explanation.

The control unit 91 may include a lighting control unit 92 and a driving unit 93. The lighting control unit 92 may include a CPU and a memory. The program stored in the memory is executed by the CPU to realize the desired control. In other words, the lighting control unit 92 is a functional unit that is realized when the program is executed by the CPU. The driving unit 93 is composed of a digital circuit, an analog circuit, or a combination of these, and supplies a driving signal (e.g., a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal) to the switch SW to light the light-emitting element.

Based on a command input from the lighting control unit 92, the driving unit 93 can turn on the switch SW so that the light-emitting elements specified by the command are turned on, or can turn on the switch SW so that the light-emitting elements are turned on in the order specified by the command. The driving unit 93 supplies a driving signal to the switch SW to turn it on, and the light-emitting element associated with that switch SW is turned on. Note that, depending on the circuit configuration, it is also possible to turn on the LED in synchronization with the switch SW being turned off. When the switch SW is on, a luminous flux is emitted from the LED and the light-emitting area is turned on. The driving unit 93 can supply a PWM signal to the switch SW, which can also adjust the brightness of the light-emitting area.

When changing the color of the light-emitting unit, a filter switching unit 94 can be provided to switch the color filter through which the light emitted from the light-emitting element passes. The filter switching unit 94 has, for example, a filter plate provided with a blue color filter and a red color filter, and the filter plate is slid and moved in response to a command from the control unit 91. This allows red light or blue light to be selectively projected. In addition to this method, light-emitting elements of different colors can be provided in each light-emitting region and selectively driven. For example, each light-emitting unit or light-emitting region includes a white LED and a specific color LED (for example, a red LED and a blue LED) connected in parallel to each other, and the lighting state of the LED can be controlled by turning the switch SW on and off. For example, when the light-emitting region is to be lit in red, the control unit 91 selectively drives the red LED. When the light-emitting region is to be lit in blue, the control unit 91 selectively drives the blue LED.

When changing the lighting pattern in the light-emitting section (light-emitting area or lighting order of light-emitting elements), setting information previously stored in a table in memory can be utilized. For example, the lighting control section 92 (e.g., its CPU) accesses the setting information in the table in memory and provides a command based on this to the driving section 93. The setting information includes information specifying the lighting order of the light-emitting elements. The driving section 93 can therefore light the light-emitting elements so as to obtain a predetermined lighting pattern based on the setting information. For this purpose, the driving section 93 can include a buffer memory that temporarily holds the identification numbers of the light-emitting elements arranged in lighting order.

5, the lighting control unit 92 includes a mode control unit 51, a timer unit 52, and a comparison unit 53. The mode control unit 51 generates a mode signal (first mode signal) in response to the horn signal, and switches the mode signal to another mode signal (second mode signal) in response to the duration of the horn signal. The timer unit 52 measures the elapsed time from the rising edge of the horn signal to determine the duration of the horn signal. The comparison unit 53 compares the output value (indicating the measured time) of the timer unit with a threshold value. A long duration of the horn signal means that there is a high possibility that the horn is sounded for purposes other than communication such as greetings or thanks. Therefore, in such a case, by switching the first mode signal to the second mode signal, it becomes possible to light up the light-emitting unit in a manner more suitable for the situation in which the horn is sounded. The mode control unit and the timer unit may be functional units that are embodied by executing a program by the CPU.

Referring to FIG. 6, at time t1, the mode control unit 51 outputs a first mode signal in response to the rising edge of the horn signal. At the same time, the mode control unit 51 instructs the timer unit 52 to start measuring. At time t2, the comparison unit 53 outputs a switching signal indicating that the output value of the timer unit (indicating the measured time) has exceeded a threshold value (i.e., indicating that the duration of the horn signal has exceeded the threshold value). In response to this switching signal, the mode control unit 51 switches from the first mode signal to the second mode signal. At time t3, the mode control unit 51 stops outputting the mode signal in response to the falling edge of the horn signal.

The light-emitting units 7 and 8 are illuminated in the first and second lighting modes in response to the first and second mode signals. The first and second lighting modes have visible differences in one or more of the lighting color, lighting pattern, blinking speed, and lighting direction, and by switching from the first lighting mode to the second lighting mode, it is possible to light the light-emitting units in a way that is more suited to a situation in which the horn is sounding for a long time. For reference, in FIG. 7, the lighting color of the light-emitting units 7 and 8 changes from blue to red at time t2. It is also possible to change the color from yellow to red or green to red. It is also possible to display different animations in the first and second lighting modes using a matrix of light-emitting elements.

In FIG. 6, the light-emitting units 7 and 8 are turned off when no horn signal is input, but this is not necessarily the case. Also, in FIG. 6, when a horn signal is received while a stop signal indicating that the vehicle is stopped (the above-mentioned speed signal indicating zero speed) is being received, the light-emitting units are turned on in a specified lighting mode in response to the horn signal, but receiving a stop signal does not have to be a prerequisite, and similar lighting control can be performed while the vehicle is traveling. Different lighting control can also be performed depending on the traveling speed of the vehicle.

To add a bit more about changing the color of the light-emitting units, when the first mode signal is input from the mode control unit 51, the filter switching unit 94 sets the blue filter to a predetermined position so that the light emitted from the light-emitting element is emitted outside the vehicle through the blue filter. When the second mode signal is input from the mode control unit 51, the filter switching unit 94 sets the red filter to a predetermined position so that the light emitted from the light-emitting element is emitted outside the vehicle through the red filter. If the blue filter and the red filter are provided on the same filter plate, the light emission color of the light-emitting units 7 and 8 can be switched by sliding the filter plate.

When a filter is not used, the drive unit 93 can selectively drive different light-emitting elements in response to the first and second mode signals from the mode control unit 51. For example, when the first mode signal is input, the drive unit 93 selectively drives a blue LED (e.g., a combination of a white LED and a blue filter). When the second mode signal is input, the drive unit 93 selectively drives a red LED (e.g., a combination of a white LED and a red filter).

Regarding the lighting pattern of the light-emitting unit, for example, the first lighting pattern according to the first mode signal is constant lighting (continuous lighting), and the second lighting pattern according to the second mode signal is flashing. A form in which the flashing speed of the light-emitting unit increases as the horn gets longer is also envisioned. A form in which the direction of sequential lighting changes as the horn gets longer is also envisioned. Different animations can also be displayed in a matrix of light-emitting elements according to the first and second mode signals. Different animations include different rendering speeds of the same pattern.

Figure 8 is a flowchart related to the above-mentioned control. First, when the control unit 91 receives a horn signal (S1), it outputs a first mode signal, causing the light-emitting units 7 and 8 to light up in the first lighting mode (S2). When the duration of the horn signal becomes longer than the threshold (S3), the control unit 91 outputs a second mode signal, causing the light-emitting units 7 and 8 to light up in the second lighting mode (S4). During the period when the duration of the horn signal is less than the threshold, the control unit 91 outputs the first mode signal, causing the light-emitting units 7 and 8 to continue to light up in the first lighting mode (S6).

As shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that a precedence signal is input to the lighting control unit 92 (simply, the mode control unit 51) in addition to the horn signal. When the precedence signal and the horn signal are input in this order, the lighting control unit 92 switches the lighting control of the light-emitting unit from a precedence lighting mode based on the precedence signal (hereinafter referred to as the precedence lighting mode) to a lighting mode corresponding to the horn signal (hereinafter referred to as the horn lighting mode). The horn lighting mode takes precedence over the precedence lighting mode, and it becomes possible to light the light-emitting unit in synchronization with the horn. The precedence signal is at least one of a turn signal, an automatic driving signal, and a human or surrounding object detection signal, and each signal will be explained separately below. Of course, similar switching control is also possible when two or more precedence signals are input.

Figure 10 shows a time chart when the preceding signal is a turn signal. At time t1, the control unit 91 sequentially starts lighting the light-emitting unit 7 (and/or light-emitting unit 8) in response to the input of the turn signal from the vehicle system. Specifically, the mode control unit 51 outputs a turn lighting mode signal in response to the turn signal. The turn lighting mode signal is, for example, a sequential lighting mode signal, and the drive unit 93 starts lighting the light-emitting areas 7a to 7d (light-emitting elements 7e to 7h) in sequence. At time t5, the control unit 91 lights the light-emitting unit 7 (and/or light-emitting unit 8) in a different lighting mode in response to the rising edge of the horn signal. Specifically, the mode control unit 51 switches from the turn lighting mode signal to the horn lighting mode signal in response to the rising edge of the horn signal. In response to this horn lighting mode signal, the drive unit 93 blinks the light-emitting areas 7a to 7d (light-emitting elements 7e to 7h). Note that the switch from sequential lighting to blinking is merely a non-limiting example. A matrix of light emitting elements (e.g., an LED matrix) can be used to switch from a first animation display to a second animation display.

Figure 11 shows a time chart when the preceding signal is an automatic driving signal. At time t1, the control unit 91 starts dim lighting of the light emitting unit 7 (and/or the light emitting unit 8) in response to the input of the automatic driving signal from the vehicle system. Specifically, the mode control unit 51 outputs an automatic driving lighting mode signal in response to the automatic driving signal. In response to this automatic driving lighting mode signal, the drive unit 93 outputs a driving signal with a low duty ratio, and in response to this, the light emitting areas 7a to 7d (light emitting elements 7e to 7h) are dimly lit. At time t2, the control unit 91 lights up the light emitting unit 7 (and/or the light emitting unit 8) in a different lighting mode in response to the rising edge of the horn signal. Specifically, the mode control unit 51 switches from the automatic driving lighting mode signal to the horn lighting mode signal in response to the rising edge of the horn signal. In response to this horn lighting mode signal, the drive unit 93 blinks the light emitting areas 7a to 7d (light emitting elements 7e to 7h). Note that in the horn lighting mode, a driving signal with a higher duty ratio is output from the drive unit 93.

Figure 12 shows a time chart when the preceding signal is a human or surrounding object detection signal. Note that here, it is assumed that the light-emitting unit 7 is the target of lighting control and has an LED matrix. At time t1, the control unit 91 lights up the light-emitting unit 7 in animation mode in response to the input of the human or surrounding object detection signal from the surrounding object detection device. Specifically, the mode control unit 51 outputs an animation mode signal in response to the human or surrounding object detection signal. In response to this animation mode signal, the drive unit 93 drives the LED matrix to display the animation. At time t2, the control unit 91 lights up the light-emitting unit 7 in a different lighting mode in response to the rising edge of the horn signal. Specifically, the mode control unit 51 switches from the animation mode signal to the horn lighting mode signal in response to the rising edge of the horn signal. In response to this horn lighting mode signal, the drive unit 93 blinks the LED matrix. Of course, it is also possible to display different animations in response to the horn lighting mode signal.

Figure 13 is a flowchart relating to the above-mentioned control. It differs from Figure 8 in that the advance signal is received before the horn signal is received (S1), the light-emitting unit is turned on in advance lighting mode (S2), and in response to the reception of the horn signal (S3), the advance lighting mode is switched to the first lighting mode (S4).

A further alternative embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 14 to 16. In this embodiment, the control unit 91 is configured to switch a predetermined lighting mode to another lighting mode depending on the number of horn signals (e.g., a signal related to or indicating the number of horn signals). This allows the light-emitting unit to be lit in different lighting modes depending on the number of horn signals. For example, when the horn is sounded once briefly, the light-emitting unit lights up in a light horn mode with a positive meaning such as a greeting or gratitude, and when the horn is sounded three or more times briefly, the light-emitting unit lights up in a heavy horn mode with a warning meaning. The number of horn signals can be determined at a determination timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the input of the first horn signal, but is not limited to this, and the lighting mode can also be changed depending on an increase in the number of horn signals.

As shown in FIG. 14, the lighting control unit 92 has a count unit 54 that determines the number of times the horn signal is generated. The mode control unit 51 outputs a mode signal according to the count value of the count unit 54 at a determination timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the input of the first horn signal. The determination timing can be determined by the mode control unit 51 or the count unit 54 by referring to a timer or counting a reference clock.

In the case shown in FIG. 15(a), a horn signal is generated three times in a predetermined period between time t1 and time t2. The mode control unit 51 outputs a start mode signal in response to the input of the first horn signal at time t1, and outputs a heavy horn mode signal in response to the count value of the count unit 54 at time t2. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the mode control unit stops outputting the heavy horn mode signal. In the case shown in FIG. 15(b), a horn signal is generated once in a predetermined period between time t1 and time t2 (for example, the same as the time period between time t1 and time t2 in FIG. 15(a)). The mode control unit 51 outputs a start mode signal in response to the input of the first horn signal at time t1, and outputs a light horn mode signal in response to the count value of the count unit 54 at time t2. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the mode control unit stops outputting the light horn mode signal.

Figure 16 is a flowchart relating to the above-mentioned control. First, when the control unit 91 receives a warning signal (S1), it outputs a start mode signal and the light-emitting unit lights up in the start mode (S2). When the number of warning signals in a specified period of time is equal to or greater than a threshold value (S3), the control unit 91 outputs a heavy warning mode signal and the light-emitting unit lights up in the heavy warning mode (S4). If the number of warning signals in a specified period of time is less than the threshold value, the control unit 91 outputs a light warning mode signal and the light-emitting unit lights up in the light warning mode (S6). The lighting in the light warning mode may be the same as the lighting in the start mode.

In the start mode, the light-emitting unit lights up in a divergent sequential manner from the center of the vehicle toward the outside of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. In the heavy horn mode, the light-emitting unit lights up in a flashing manner, for example. In the light horn mode, the light-emitting unit lights up in a convergent sequential manner from the outside of the vehicle toward the center of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, for example.

In the above explanation, it is assumed that the horn signal is generated when the driver of vehicle 1 presses the horn switch to sound the horn, but this is not necessarily the case. In the case shown in FIG. 17, the system of vehicle 1 (e.g., CPU or ECU) generates the horn signal in synchronization with the impact detection signal to sound the horn. In other words, the horn signal is not generated when the driver of vehicle 1 presses the horn switch to sound the horn, but is generated by the system of vehicle 1 in response to the impact detection signal. Even in such a case, the control unit 91 can generate a visual warning by turning on the light-emitting unit in a predetermined mode in response to the horn signal.

In light of the above disclosure, those skilled in the art can make various modifications to each embodiment and each feature. The control unit 91 can also be configured with a logic circuit that blinks any or all of the light-emitting units 5, 6, 7, and 8 in response to a horn signal. The number of light-emitting units controlled to light by the control unit 91 is not limited to one. The control unit 91 can also control the lighting of different light-emitting units provided at different positions on the vehicle (e.g., in the same or different or consecutive manners).

1: vehicle 3: lamp 4: indicator light 5: light emitting unit 6: light emitting unit 7: light emitting unit 8: light emitting unit 9: indicator light

Claims (11)

A control device that controls lighting of a light-emitting unit of a vehicle lamp to realize at least one lighting display, the control device being configured to light the light-emitting unit in a predetermined lighting mode in response to a warning signal transmitted from a vehicle on which the vehicle lamp is mounted ,
A control device for a vehicle indicator light configured to switch the predetermined lighting mode to another lighting mode depending on the number of times the horn signal is received . 2. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the number of times the warning horn signal is received is determined at a determination timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the input of a first warning horn signal. 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to turn on the light emitting unit in the predetermined lighting mode when the horn signal is received while the vehicle is receiving a stop signal indicating that the vehicle is stopped. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when the warning signal is received, the control device is configured to switch from lighting control of the light-emitting unit in a precedence lighting mode based on a precedence signal to lighting control of the light-emitting unit in the specified lighting mode. The control device according to claim 4 , wherein the preceding signal is at least one of a turn signal, an automatic driving signal, and a human or surrounding object detection signal. 6. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the horn signal is generated when a driver of the vehicle presses a horn switch to sound the horn. 6. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the warning signal is generated in response to an impact detection signal. A control device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the specified lighting mode, the light-emitting unit lights up in a specified color, or the light-emitting unit flashes, or multiple light-emitting areas in the light-emitting unit light up in a specified sequence, or a matrix of light-emitting elements in the light-emitting unit lights up for animation display. 9. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the light emitting portion includes a plurality of light emitting areas that can be illuminated in a single color or in different colors. A control method for controlling lighting of a light-emitting unit of a vehicle lamp to realize at least one lighting display, the method comprising: lighting the light-emitting unit in a predetermined lighting mode in synchronization with generation of a warning signal in a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lamp ;
The method for controlling a vehicle indicator light includes switching the predetermined lighting mode to another lighting mode depending on the number of times the horn signal is received . A computer program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 10 .