Vehicle Color Estimation System

Abstract

To provide a vehicle color estimation system capable of estimating the color of a completed vehicle taking into account a vehicle production process.SOLUTION: A vehicle color estimation system 1 includes a calculation unit 3 that displays a predicted image of a vehicle Mm selected by a user on a display unit 16. The calculation unit calculates a delivery time according to a production plan for the vehicle, selects a paint to be used on the basis of an input value corresponding to the vehicle color of the vehicle, calculates a time condition and an environmental condition under which the paint is produced on the basis of the past production condition of the vehicle, calculates a first color shade of a coating film on the vehicle to be painted using the paint under the time condition and the environmental condition, calculates a delivery condition according to the delivery environment of a delivery lot at the delivery time when a vehicle having a coating film of the first color shade is to be provided to a user, calculates a second color shade of the coating film based on the delivery conditions, calculates a third color shade for reproducing the second color shade of the vehicle color displayed on the display unit, and generates a predicted image P of the vehicle having a vehicle color adjusted to the third color shade.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle color estimation system that estimates the color tone of a vehicle at the time of delivery. [Background technology]

[0002] Devices such as scanners and printers use index values ​​such as RGB values ​​and CMYK values ​​to indicate color hues. Patent Document 1 describes a color estimation device that estimates the color hues of a target area including a partial area of ​​a printed document based on RGB data obtained by scanning the color hues of that partial area. The technology described in Patent Document 1 makes it possible to adjust data related to color hues handled between devices and handle the adjusted color hues. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-106658 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The color tone of a vehicle may vary depending on production conditions such as the time of year and the equipment. The technology described in Patent Document 1 estimates the color tone of a printed matter based on differences in color tone that depend on the device, but does not estimate the color tone of a product taking into account the production conditions of the product.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle color estimation system that can estimate the color tone of a completed vehicle by taking into account the vehicle production process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle color estimation system that includes a calculation unit that displays a predicted image of a vehicle selected by a user on a display unit, wherein the calculation unit calculates a delivery date according to a production plan for the vehicle, selects a paint to be used based on input values ​​corresponding to the vehicle color of the vehicle, calculates the timing and environmental conditions under which the paint is produced based on past production conditions of the vehicle, calculates a first color shade of a paint film on the vehicle to be painted using the paint under the timing and environmental conditions, calculates delivery conditions according to the delivery environment of a delivery lot at the delivery date when the vehicle having the paint film of the first color will be provided to the user, calculates a second color shade of the paint film based on the delivery conditions, calculates a third color shade to reproduce the second color shade of the vehicle color displayed on the display unit, and generates the predicted image of the vehicle having the vehicle color adjusted to the third color shade. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the color tone of a completed vehicle can be estimated taking into account the vehicle production process. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle color estimation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a predicted image generated by a calculation unit. [Figure 3] 3 is a flowchart showing a process flow of a vehicle color estimation method executed in the vehicle color estimation system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1, the vehicle color estimation system 1 is composed of a vehicle color estimation device 2 connected to a network W, a terminal device 10 that is operated by a user, and a plurality of measurement units Sn (n: natural number) that measure the color tone of a vehicle Mm (m: natural number). The vehicle color estimation device 2 is configured to estimate the vehicle color of a vehicle M that is produced at a vehicle factory 30 and delivered to a vehicle dealer 40 based on vehicle data such as the model and color desired by the user, and to generate a predicted image that reproduces the vehicle color tone.

[0010] The vehicle dealer 40 is provided with a delivery yard 42 for delivering the vehicle M3 to the user after production is completed. The vehicle dealer 40 is provided with a terminal device 10 that is operated by the user. The terminal device 10 is an information processing terminal device connected to the network W. The terminal device 10 is configured by a personal computer or the like.

[0011] The terminal device 10 provides the user with a predicted image that simulates the vehicle Mm to be delivered in the future, based on the user's operation. The terminal device 10 may be an information processing terminal device that can be connected to the network W, such as a smartphone or personal computer owned by the user. The terminal device 10 includes, for example, an input unit 14 that accepts input operations from the user, a display unit 16 that displays a predicted image of the vehicle Mm that is generated based on input data, and a control unit 12 that controls the display unit 16.

[0012] The input unit 14 is composed of a device such as a keyboard that serves as a user interface for accepting information input operations by the user. The user operates the input unit 14 to input information about the desired vehicle Mm. The input unit 14 may be composed of a display unit 16 that is composed of a touch panel. The user selects specifications related to the vehicle Mm that they plan to purchase, such as the model, vehicle color, and optional equipment. The user inputs information about the selected vehicle Mm based on operations on the input unit 14. The control unit 12 communicates with the vehicle color estimation device 2 via the network W. The control unit 12 transmits input data including information about the vehicle Mm to the vehicle color estimation device 2.

[0013] The vehicle color estimation device 2 calculates the vehicle color hue of the vehicle Mm at the time of delivery based on input data as described below, and generates a predicted image of the vehicle Mm at the time of delivery. The control unit 12 acquires the predicted image from the vehicle color estimation device 2 and displays it on the display unit 16, which is configured with a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

[0014] The vehicle color estimation device 2 acquires measurement data obtained by measuring the vehicle color of the vehicle Mm from a plurality of measurement units Sn via a network W. The plurality of measurement units Sn are provided, for example, in one or more vehicle factories 30 that produce the vehicle Mm and one or more vehicle dealers 40 to which the completed vehicle Mm is delivered.

[0015] The vehicle factory 30 is provided with, for example, a paint booth 32 having equipment for painting the vehicle Mm, and a production line 36 having equipment for assembling the vehicle Mm. The paint booth 32 is provided with, for example, a paint robot 35 for painting the vehicle Mm. For example, the vehicle Mm is brought into the paint booth 32 in the form of a pre-treated body-in-white before vehicle parts are attached.

[0016] The painting robot 35 is equipped with, for example, a robot arm that holds a spray gun that sprays paint. The painting robot 35 is controlled using the robot arm so that it can spray paint in any direction and at any speed. The painting method used may be spray painting, in which liquid paint is sprayed, or powder painting, in which powder paint is sprayed and then baked. Alternatively, electrocoating, in which the vehicle Mm is immersed in paint, may be used.

[0017] One or more painting robots 35 may be provided. The painting booth 32 may be a facility in which an operator paints using a spray gun. The painting booth 32 may include not only the painting robot 35 that sprays paint, but also equipment for immersing the vehicle Mm in paint to perform electrodeposition painting and equipment for baking powder coating. The painting robot 35 applies a primer coat to the vehicle Mm using a primer paint, applies a base coat on top of the primer coat using a color-matched paint, and applies a top coat on top of the base coat using a transparent top coat. If the vehicle color is metallic, the top coat may be a colored transparent paint. The number of painting processes described above may be increased or decreased depending on the vehicle color of the vehicle Mm. The painting robot 35 applies each layer of paint a predetermined number of times depending on the vehicle color.

[0018] The painting booth 32 is provided with a color matching section 33 that produces paint having a hue of the vehicle body color. The color matching section 33 is provided with paint having a plurality of primary colors. The color matching section 33 mixes paint having each primary color to produce paint having any desired hue. Any paint, such as a liquid or powder, that can be applied to the vehicle Mm may be used. The color matching section 33 may be provided in a location other than the vehicle factory 30, or may be a factory that supplies the vehicle factory 30 with the mixed paint.

[0019] A color code corresponding to the set hue is assigned to each vehicle body color. The color matching unit 33 matches paint having each primary color to a predetermined ratio based on the data of the color code of the vehicle body color to generate paint having a hue of multiple vehicle body colors. The color matching unit 33 selects paint to be used in the painting process based on the input value of the color code selected by the user. The color matching unit 33 supplies the selected paint to the painting robot 35. The painting robot 35 paints the vehicle Mm with paint having the vehicle body color. The painted vehicle Mm is measured by a measurement unit S1 provided in the painting booth 32.

[0020] The measurement unit S1 is equipped with various sensors capable of acquiring data that affect painting, including production conditions, seasonal conditions, environmental conditions, and robot conditions of the vehicle Mm, such as the date and time, temperature, humidity, paint properties, surface temperature of the body of the vehicle Mm, paint discharge amount of the painting robot 35, and shaping air flow rate during painting. The measurement unit S1 is equipped with a color measurement sensor that can measure the color of a specific portion of the vehicle Mm to be painted with the mixed paint and measure the first color tone of the paint film.

[0021] When the vehicle Mm is brought into the painting booth 32, the measurement unit S1 acquires information that identifies the vehicle Mm, such as the vehicle's identification number and model, based on markings on the vehicle body, as well as information related to the current date and time. Based on measurements in the painting booth 32, the measurement unit S1 acquires various data related to the paint production conditions, the timing conditions, environmental conditions, and robot conditions for the paint use in the painting process of the vehicle Mm, as well as measurement data related to the color tone of the vehicle Mm after painting.

[0022] The measurement unit S1 acquires data related to the properties and paint condition of the vehicle factory 30, such as the identification information of the vehicle factory 30, the lot number of the paint after color matching, the lot number of the base paint, the lot number of the top coat paint, the ratio of the primary color paint, the type of paint, the viscosity of the paint, the concentration of the paint, the type of dilution solution, and the number of coats of each layer of paint. The measurement unit S1 acquires data related to the environmental conditions of the paint booth 32 during painting, such as the temperature, humidity, and vehicle body temperature of the paint booth 32. The measurement unit S1 acquires data related to the robot conditions, such as the type of painting method, the amount of paint discharged during painting, and the shaping air flow rate.

[0023] The measurement unit S1 measures multiple predetermined portions of the vehicle Mn painted with the toned paint and acquires data related to the color tone of the paint film. The measurement unit S1 acquires the color tone data of the paint film, for example, using a sensor capable of measuring the Lab color scale, which quantifies color tone based on lightness L, hue a, and saturation b. The measurement unit S1 quantifies information on the lightness, hue, and saturation of the color tone of the paint film of the vehicle Mm after the toned paint has actually been applied based on the measurement. The measurement unit S1 outputs the measurement data to the vehicle color estimation device 2 via the network W at a predetermined timing. After being painted in the paint booth 32, the vehicle Mm is placed on the production line 36. The production line 36 is provided with a measurement unit S2 that measures various data during the manufacturing process of the vehicle Mm.

[0024] The production line 36 is provided with equipment that attaches vehicle parts to the vehicle Mm while the vehicle Mm is moving. The measurement unit S2 acquires data on production conditions such as the date and time the vehicle Mm passes through each piece of equipment, the details of the work process, and the body color of the vehicle Mm. After the vehicle Mm has passed through all the equipment on the production line 36, it undergoes a rigorous quality inspection as a completed vehicle. In the quality inspection process, the paint condition of the vehicle Mm is inspected. In the quality inspection process, the measurement unit S2 measures the color tone of the paint film on the vehicle Mm.

[0025] The measurement unit S2 measures a specific portion of the vehicle Mm. The measurement unit S2 acquires data on the color tone of the paint film, for example, using a sensor capable of measuring RGB values ​​that digitize the color tone of the paint film based on the three primary colors of light: red (R), green (G), and blue (B). The measurement unit S2 digitizes the color tone of the paint film of the vehicle Mm whose assembly has been completed based on the measurement, based on the RGB values. The measurement unit S2 outputs the measurement data to the vehicle color estimation device 2 via the network W at a predetermined timing. The completed vehicle Mm is delivered from the production line 36 to a vehicle dealer 40.

[0026] The vehicle dealer 40 is provided with a delivery site 42 for delivering the vehicle Mm to the user. The delivery site 42 is provided with a storage space for storing the vehicle Mm. The storage space of the delivery site 42 is provided with lighting equipment, windows, etc. that irradiate the vehicle Mm with light. The user receives the completed vehicle Mm at the delivery site 42. The delivery site 42 is provided with a measurement unit S3 that acquires data related to the vehicle Mm before delivery to the user. The measurement unit S3 acquires data related to conditions corresponding to the delivery site 42, such as identification information of the vehicle dealer 40, the delivery date and time when the vehicle Mm is delivered, and the delivery date and time when the vehicle Mm is delivered to the user.

[0027] The measurement unit S3 acquires data obtained by measuring the hue of the body color of the vehicle Mm at the delivery site 42. The measurement unit S3 acquires the data on the hue of the paint film, for example, using a sensor that can measure the hue of the paint film based on RGB values. Based on the measurement, the measurement unit S3 quantifies the hue of the paint film of the vehicle Mm in the delivery environment of the delivery site 42 based on RGB values. In the delivery environment, conditions related to the hue of the body color change based on the direction of light, wavelength of light, illuminance of light, etc., which are determined by conditions such as lighting conditions, window position, vehicle display position, wall and floor color, and delivery date and time. The measurement unit S3 outputs the measurement data to the vehicle color estimation device 2 via the network W at a predetermined timing.

[0028] The vehicle color estimation device 2 is configured to generate a predicted image of the completed vehicle Mm based on the collected measurement data. It is composed of a calculation unit 3 that generates a predicted image of the vehicle selected by the user, and a storage unit 4 that stores information necessary for the calculation processing of the calculation unit 3.

[0029] The storage unit 4 is configured with a non-transitory storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory that can store data and programs required for the arithmetic processing of the arithmetic unit 3. The storage unit 4 may be built into the vehicle color estimation device 2 or may be configured with an externally connectable storage medium. The storage unit 4 may be provided in a server device connected via the network W.

[0030] The calculation unit 3 generates a predicted image of the completed vehicle Mm based on, for example, input values ​​related to the vehicle Mm selected by the user. The predicted image reproduces the hue of the body color of the vehicle Mm at the time of delivery at the delivery site 42. The calculation unit 3 acquires measurement data from the storage unit 4 at a predetermined timing. The storage unit 4 stores, at a predetermined timing, measurement data of the vehicle M1 measured in the paint booth 32, measurement data of the vehicle M2 measured on the production line 36, and measurement data of the vehicle M3 measured at the delivery site 42, and accumulates past measurement data.

[0031] The calculation unit 3 is configured to perform machine learning based on deep learning using the accumulated measurement data, thereby improving the calculation accuracy for calculating the color tone of the vehicle Mm at the time of delivery. The calculation unit 3 calculates a production plan for the vehicle Mm that the user plans to purchase, based on the input values ​​input to the input unit 14, the first measurement data acquired from the measurement unit S1, the second measurement data acquired from the measurement unit S2, and the third measurement data acquired from the measurement unit S3. The calculation unit 3 calculates the period from the start of production of the vehicle Mm to the delivery date in accordance with the production plan. The calculation unit 3 calculates the time when each production process will be performed.

[0032] The calculation unit 3 selects the paint to be used when the painting booth 32 is in operation based on input values ​​corresponding to the vehicle color of the vehicle Mm. The calculation unit 3 selects a color code for the vehicle color based on the input values, and selects the hue of the paint to be produced. The calculation unit 3 calculates the timing conditions and environmental conditions for producing the paint based on measurement data related to past production conditions of the vehicle Mm.

[0033] The calculation unit 3 calculates a first color shade of the paint film of the vehicle Mm that is painted using the paint under the calculated season and environmental conditions. The calculation unit 3 calculates the first color shade of the paint film of the vehicle Mm based on, for example, RGB values. The first color shade is calculated taking into account differences in the color shade of the paint film that change based on individual differences in the painting booth 32, the season of use, and the environmental conditions.

[0034] The calculation unit 3 calculates delivery conditions according to the delivery environment of the delivery lot at the time when the vehicle Mm having the calculated first color paint film will be delivered to the user. The calculation unit 3 calculates delivery conditions based on the delivery environment, such as the direction of light, wavelength of light, and illuminance of light, which affect the color tone of the vehicle body color, based on conditions such as lighting conditions, window positions, vehicle display position, wall and floor colors, and delivery date and time.

[0035] The calculation unit 3 calculates a second color tone of the paint film of the vehicle Mm at the delivery site 42 based on the calculated delivery conditions. The calculation unit 3 calculates the second color tone of the paint film of the vehicle Mm based on, for example, RGB values. The second color tone is calculated taking into account differences in the appearance of the color tone of the paint film, which changes based on individual differences in the delivery site 42, the time of use, and environmental conditions.

[0036] The calculation unit 3 calculates a third color shade to reproduce the second color shade of the vehicle color to be displayed on the display unit 16. The third color shade is calculated taking into account differences in how the color shade of the displayed image of the paint film appears, which varies based on individual differences such as the type and size of the display unit. The calculation unit 3 generates a predicted image of the vehicle Mm having a vehicle color adjusted to the calculated third color shade. The predicted image includes a predicted image of the vehicle Mm to be delivered at the delivery yard 42 based on two-dimensional data and three-dimensional data. The predicted image of the vehicle Mm simulates the vehicle color selected by the user. The calculation unit 3 transmits the generated predicted image to the terminal device 10. The control unit 12 causes the display unit 16 to display the predicted image.

[0037] 2 shows an example of a predicted image P generated by the control unit 12. The predicted image P shows an image of the vehicle M selected by the user. The image of the vehicle M reproduces the vehicle color selected by the user. Based on the predicted image P displayed on the display unit 16, the user can appreciate the vehicle color of the vehicle Mm to be delivered at the delivery yard 42 in a state that is close to the actual visual image.

[0038] 3 shows the flow of processing of the vehicle color estimation method executed in the vehicle color estimation system 1. The processing of the vehicle color estimation method is executed by a calculation unit 3 mounted on the vehicle color estimation device 2. A computer program stored in the storage unit 4 causes the calculation unit 3 to execute each process. The calculation unit 3 calculates the delivery time of the vehicle Mm in accordance with the vehicle production plan based on input values ​​of the vehicle Mm and vehicle color input by the user (step S100). The calculation unit 3 selects a paint to be used based on the input values ​​corresponding to the vehicle color of the vehicle Mm (step S102).

[0039] The calculation unit 3 calculates the time conditions and environmental conditions under which the paint is produced based on the past production conditions of the vehicle Mm (step S104). The calculation unit 3 calculates a first color tone of the paint film of the vehicle Mm to be painted using the paint under the calculated time conditions and environmental conditions (step S106). The calculation unit 3 calculates the delivery conditions according to the delivery environment of the delivery lot at the time when the vehicle Mm having the paint film of the first color tone will be delivered to the user (step S108). The calculation unit 3 calculates a second color tone of the paint film based on the delivery conditions (step S110). The calculation unit 3 calculates a third color tone for reproducing the second color tone of the vehicle color to be displayed on the display unit 16 (step S112). The calculation unit 3 generates a predicted image of the vehicle Mm having the vehicle color adjusted to the third color tone, and displays the predicted image on the display unit 16 (step S114).

[0040] As described above, the vehicle color estimation system 1 can display on the display unit 16 a predicted image P of the vehicle Mm adjusted to the vehicle color hue at the time of delivery based on the input values ​​of the type of vehicle Mm and vehicle color entered by the user on the terminal device 10.

[0041] At least a part or all of the above-described calculation unit 3 and control unit 12 are realized by a hardware processor such as at least one CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software). [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 vehicle color estimation system, 2 vehicle color estimation device, 3 calculation unit, 4 memory unit, 10 terminal device, 12 control unit, 14 input unit, 16 display unit, 30 vehicle factory, 32 painting booth, 33 color matching unit, 35 painting robot, 36 production line, 40 vehicle dealer, 42 delivery yard, Mn vehicle, P predicted image, S1 measurement unit, S2 measurement unit, S3 measurement unit,

Claims

[Claim 1] a calculation unit that displays a predicted image of a vehicle selected by a user on a display unit; The calculation unit Calculating a delivery time according to a production plan for the vehicle; selecting a paint to be used based on input values ​​corresponding to a vehicle color of said vehicle; Calculating the time and environmental conditions under which the paint is produced based on past production conditions of the vehicle; calculating a first color shade of a paint film of the vehicle that is painted using the paint under the seasonal conditions and the environmental conditions; calculating delivery conditions according to the delivery environment of a delivery lot at the delivery time when the vehicle having the paint film of the first color tone will be delivered to the user; calculating a second color shade of the coating film based on the vehicle delivery conditions; calculating a third color tone for reproducing the second color tone of the vehicle color displayed on the display unit; generating the predicted image of the vehicle with the vehicle color adjusted to the third tint; Vehicle color estimation system.

Images