Vehicle lighting equipment

Abstract

To provide an illumination device of a vehicle that is advantageous in terms of improvement of user convenience and commercial value.SOLUTION: When illumination intensity E measured by an illumination intensity measurement unit 12 is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold Emin and a distance ΔL detected by a user detection unit 42 is less than or equal to a first prescribed value L1, illumination light 26 is continuously radiated from a ground surface 24 around a vehicle 22 to the ground surface 24 near the user position by controlling a light source unit 14 correspondingly to an angle θ detected by the user detection unit 42. Since a radiation direction of the illumination light 26 by the light source unit 14 can be matched to the direction in which a user U approaches or separates from the vehicle 22, the illumination light 26 is properly radiated to the footing of the user U.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] There has been provided a vehicle in which a lamp for irradiating the ground is provided on a door mirror on the driver's seat side of the vehicle, and the lamp is operated in conjunction with an unlocking operation by a transmitter by a user (see Patent Document 1). Also, a transmission antenna and a lamp are installed corresponding to each of a plurality of doors of a vehicle, and a door to which a user is about to approach is identified based on a signal transmitted from a portable device to the transmission antenna, and a lamp corresponding to the door to which the user is about to approach is operated based on the identification result. There has been provided a vehicle (see Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the above prior art, for example, in a dark environment without lighting at night or the like, when a user approaches the vehicle to board, it is convenient because the user's feet can be illuminated by the illumination light of the lamp. However, in the above prior art, it only operates the lamp on the driver's seat side, or only selectively operates the lamps provided corresponding to a plurality of doors. Therefore, the irradiation direction of the illumination light by the lamp is extremely restricted with respect to the approaching direction of the user to the vehicle, and there is room for improvement in improving the convenience and commercial value of the user. This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lighting device that is advantageous in improving user convenience and product value. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To achieve the above objective, one embodiment of the present invention includes: an illuminance measuring unit for measuring the illuminance around a vehicle; a light source unit provided on the vehicle and configured to emit illumination light toward the ground around the vehicle and to control the direction of the illumination light; a user detection unit for detecting the distance from the vehicle position to the user position and the angle formed by a straight line connecting the vehicle position and the user position with respect to a virtual line extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when viewed from above; and a control unit that, when the illuminance measured by the illuminance measuring unit is below a predetermined threshold and the distance detected by the user detection unit is below a first predetermined value, controls the light source unit in accordance with the angle detected by the user detection unit to continuously emit illumination light from the ground around the vehicle toward the ground near the user position. The vehicle is equipped with a plurality of individual illumination regions that are divided along the perimeter of the vehicle and set up to continuously illuminate the ground with the illumination light in a direction away from the vehicle, and a single proximity illumination region that illuminates the entire portion of the ground close to the vehicle with the illumination light. The light source unit has a plurality of individual light sources that are provided to illuminate the illumination light toward each of the individual illumination regions corresponding to the individual illumination regions, and a proximity light source that illuminates the illumination light toward the proximity illumination region. The control unit controls the light source unit by selectively operating the plurality of individual light sources based on the angle detected by the user detection unit, and if the distance detected by the user detection unit is less than or equal to a second predetermined value which is smaller than the first predetermined value, all of the plurality of individual light sources are deactivated and the proximity light source is activated. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the light source is controlled in accordance with the angle detected by the user detection unit, thereby causing the illumination light to be continuously projected from the ground around the vehicle toward the ground near the user's position. Therefore, the direction of illumination from the light source can be aligned with the direction in which the user approaches or moves away from the vehicle, ensuring that the illumination is properly directed towards the user's feet. Therefore, users can walk comfortably with the ground under their feet illuminated by lights, which not only improves user convenience but also effectively creates a sense of hospitality by illuminating the ground under the user's feet, thus enhancing the vehicle's market value. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the vehicle lighting device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing the relationship between the vehicle, the individual illumination area, and the proximity illumination area. [Figure 3] This is a side view of the vehicle. [Figure 4] (A)-(F) are diagrams showing the relationship between the angle θ detected in response to the user and the light intensity P of the six individual light sources. [Figure 5] This is an operation flowchart for a vehicle lighting device according to an embodiment, showing the operation when a user approaches the vehicle to board it. [Figure 6] This is an operation flowchart for a vehicle lighting device according to an embodiment, showing the operation when a user exits a vehicle and moves away from it. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle's lighting system 10 is composed of an illuminance measuring unit 12, a light source unit 14, a communication unit 16, a passenger detection unit 18, and an information processing device 20. The illuminance measuring unit 12 measures the illuminance around the vehicle and is installed at an appropriate location on the vehicle.

[0009] As shown in Figure 3, the light source unit 14 is installed on the vehicle 22 and is configured to emit illumination light 26 toward the ground 24 surrounding the vehicle 22, and the direction of illumination light 26 can be controlled. In this embodiment, the light source unit 14 is located on the side sill 2204, which is below the driver's side door 2202 of the vehicle 22. In this embodiment, the light source unit 14 is positioned in approximately the same location as the side mirror 2206 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 1, the light source unit 14 is composed of a plurality of individual light sources 28 (28A-28F) and one proximity light source 30. As shown in Figure 2, multiple individual illumination regions 32 are set up to continuously illuminate the ground 24 surrounding the vehicle 22 with illumination light 26 in a direction away from the vehicle 22. In this embodiment, when viewed from above, the light source unit 14 is the center, and six individual illumination regions 32A-32F are set up, which are radially divided into 30-degree increments within a 180-degree range outward in the vehicle width direction. In Figure 2, the symbol FR indicates the front of the vehicle.

[0010] In this embodiment, when viewed from above, the angle of the imaginary line 34 that passes through the light source unit 14 and extends in the vehicle width direction is set to 0 degrees, and clockwise angles are described as positive angles, while counterclockwise angles are described as negative angles. This angle corresponds to the angle θ detected by the user detection unit 42, which will be described later, in accordance with the user U of the vehicle 22 (in this embodiment, the driver of the vehicle 22). The six individual light sources 28A-28F are arranged to emit illumination light 26 towards each of the six individual illumination areas 32A-32F, corresponding to the six individual illumination areas 32A-32F, and are composed of, for example, LEDs. In addition, while most of the illumination light 26 emitted from one individual light source 28 illuminates the individual illumination region 32 corresponding to that individual light source 28, a portion of the illumination light 26 also illuminates a portion of the individual illumination region 32 adjacent to that individual illumination region 32.

[0011] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, a single proximity illumination area 36 is set up to illuminate the entire portion of the ground 24 adjacent to the vehicle 22 with illumination light 26. In this embodiment, the proximity irradiation area 36 overlaps with the portion of the six individual irradiation areas 32A-32F that is closest to the vehicle 22. The proximity light source 30 is provided to emit illumination light 26 toward the proximity illumination area 36, ​​and is configured, for example, with LEDs, similar to the individual light sources 28. In FIG. 2, the six individual irradiation regions 32A-32F are depicted as having the same shape and size and being fan-shaped, and the proximity irradiation region 36 is depicted as being semicircular. However, the shapes of these regions 32 and 36 are not limited, and the number of individual irradiation regions 32 is arbitrary.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication unit 16 is provided in the vehicle 22 and communicates with the mobile terminal 38 held by the user U via the wireless line 40. In the present embodiment, a smartphone is used as the mobile terminal 38. Note that the identification information set in advance in the mobile terminal 38 is registered in the communication unit 16. Therefore, the communication unit 16 permits only communication via the wireless line 40 with the mobile terminal 38 in which the identification information is registered, and does not perform communication via the wireless line 40 with a mobile terminal in which the identification number is not registered. In the present embodiment, as the wireless line 40, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or UWB (ultra-wideband wireless communication) capable of detecting an angle by the AoA (Angle Of Arrival) method is used. Since the angle detection by the AoA method is well known, a specific description thereof is omitted.

[0013] The boarding detection unit 18 is provided in the vehicle 22 and detects that the user U has boarded or alighted. As the boarding detection unit 18, various conventionally known sensors such as a pressure-sensitive sensor provided in the seat cushion of the seat can be used.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 20 (computer) is connected to the illuminance measurement unit 12, the light source unit 14, the boarding detection unit 18, and the communication unit 16 via an interface, and functions as a position angle calculation unit 20A and a control unit 20B described below when the CPU executes a predetermined control program stored in the storage device.

[0015] The position angle calculation unit 20A calculates the distance ΔL from the vehicle position to the user position and the angle θ between the straight line connecting the vehicle position and the user position and a virtual line extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when viewed from above, based on the received signal from the wireless line 40 received by the communication unit 16. In this embodiment, the position angle calculation unit 20A calculates the distance ΔL based on the signal strength of the received signal received by the communication unit 16, and also calculates the angle θ using the AoA method based on the received signal received by the communication unit 16. In this embodiment, a user detection unit 42 is configured by the communication unit 16 and the position angle calculation unit 20A to detect the distance ΔL and the angle θ.

[0016] The control unit 20B controls the light source unit 14 in accordance with the angle θ detected by the user detection unit 42 when the illuminance E measured by the illuminance measurement unit 12 is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold Emin, in other words, when it is determined that it is necessary to irradiate the vehicle with illumination light 26 from the light source unit 14, and the distance ΔL detected by the user detection unit 42 is less than or equal to a first predetermined value L1, thereby causing the illumination light 26 to be continuously irradiated from the ground 24 around the vehicle 22 toward the ground 24 near the user's position. Here, the first predetermined value L1 can be set to an appropriate value, such as 20m or 30m, or it is arbitrary to set the first predetermined value L1 to be switchable to a different numerical value.

[0017] Figures 4(A)-(F) are diagrams showing the relationship between the angle θ and the light intensity P of the individual light sources 28A-28F. For example, as shown in Figure 2, if user U is located in the central part of an individual illumination area 32A in a direction in which multiple individual illumination areas 32 are arranged, and the detected angle θ of user U is 75 degrees, then as shown in Figure 4(A), the light intensity P of one individual light source 28A is controlled to 100%, and its illumination light 26 is shone toward the individual illumination area 32A. In this case, as shown in Figures 4(B)-(F), the light intensity P of the remaining five individual light sources 28B-28F is controlled to 0%.

[0018] Furthermore, if user U is located in the central part of an individual illumination area 32B in a direction in which multiple individual illumination areas 32 are arranged, and the detected angle θ of user U is 45 degrees, then, as shown in Figure 4(B), the light intensity P of one individual light source 28B is controlled to 100%, and its illumination light 26 is shone toward the individual illumination area 32B. In this case, as shown in Figures 4(A), (C)-(F), the light intensity P of the remaining five individual light sources 28A, 28C-28F is controlled to 0%.

[0019] Furthermore, if user U is located in the intermediate area between individual illumination area 32A and individual illumination area 32B in a direction in which multiple individual illumination areas 32 are arranged, and the detected angle θ of user U is 60 degrees, then, as shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), the light intensity P of one individual light source 28A is controlled to 50%, and the light intensity P of the adjacent individual light source 28B is controlled to 50%, and each illumination light 26 is directed toward both individual illumination areas 32A and 32B. In this case, as shown in Figures 4(C)-(F), the light intensity P of the remaining four individual light sources 28C-28F is controlled to 0%.

[0020] Furthermore, if user U is located in a direction in which multiple individual illumination areas 32 are arranged, closer to individual illumination area 32B than to the central part of individual illumination area 32A, and the detected angle θ of user U is 65 degrees, then, as shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), the light intensity P of one individual light source 28A is controlled to 70%, and the light intensity P of the adjacent individual light source 28B is controlled to 30%, and each illumination light 26 is directed toward both individual illumination areas 32A and 32B. In this case, as shown in Figures 4(C)-(F), the light intensity P of the remaining four individual light sources 28C-28F is controlled to 0%.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4(A)-(F), when two adjacent individual light sources 28 operate simultaneously, the light intensity P of the two individual light sources 28 changes continuously in accordance with the angle θ of the user U. Furthermore, when two adjacent individual light sources 28 operate simultaneously, the values ​​of the light intensity P of the two individual light sources 28 are controlled to change continuously so that the sum of the light intensity P of the two individual light sources 28 equals 100%. In other words, when the light intensity P of one individual light source 28 is 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, and 50%, the light intensity P of the other individual light source 28 will be 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. In this way, the light intensity P of the two individual light sources 28 is controlled so that the illuminance of the ground 24 irradiated by one individual light source 28 is the same as the illuminance of the ground 24 irradiated by two individual light sources 28.

[0022] Even if the angle θ of user U is an angle other than those described above, the control unit 20B controls the light source unit 14 in the same manner as described above, within the range of angle θ from 90 degrees to -90 degrees, and illumination light 26 is irradiated toward the individual illumination area 32 corresponding to angle θ. In other words, the control unit 20B controls the light source unit 14 by selectively operating multiple individual light sources 28 based on the angle θ detected by the user detection unit 42, so that illumination light 26 is irradiated toward each of the individual illumination areas 32 corresponding to the individual illumination areas 32. Furthermore, the selective operation of the multiple individual light sources 28 includes a first operation in which one individual light source 28 is operated to illuminate one individual illumination area 32 based on the angle θ detected by the user detection unit 42, and a second operation in which two individual light sources 28 are operated simultaneously to illuminate adjacent individual illumination areas 32 with illumination light 26, respectively, based on the angle θ detected by the user detection unit 42. Then, in the second operation, the light output of the two individual light sources 28 is controlled so that the illuminance of the ground 24 illuminated by the illumination light 26 of the two individual light sources 28 is approximately the same as the illuminance of the ground 24 illuminated by the illumination light 26 of one individual light source 28 in the first operation.

[0023] Furthermore, if the distance ΔL detected by the user detection unit 42 is less than or equal to a second predetermined value L2, which is smaller than the first predetermined value L1, the control unit 20B deactivates all of the individual light sources 28 and activates the proximity light source 30. Here, the second predetermined value L2 can be set to an appropriate value, such as 5m or 10m, or it can be set to be switchable to different numerical values ​​as is arbitrary. In other words, as shown in Figure 2, illumination light 26 is projected onto the ground 24 from the nearby light source 30 towards the nearby illumination area 36 over a wide angle. Furthermore, the control unit 20B controls the light source unit 14 based on the detection result of the boarding detection unit 18 detecting whether user U is boarding or alighting, as will be described later.

[0024] Next, referring to the flowchart in Figure 5, we will explain the actions that occur when user U approaches vehicle 22 and boards it. Furthermore, if the vehicle 22 is unoccupied, the information processing device 20 will periodically perform the following processes. First, the control unit 20B determines whether the illuminance E supplied from the illuminance measuring unit 12 is less than or equal to the threshold value Emin (step S10). If step S10 is negative, repeat step S10. If step S10 is affirmative, the control unit 20B determines whether or not the detection results for distance ΔL and angle θ have been supplied from the position angle calculation unit 20A, because the surrounding environment of the vehicle 22 is dark and requires illumination light 26. (step S12)

[0025] If step S12 is negative, communication between the mobile terminal 38 held by user U and the communication unit 16 via the wireless line 40 has not been established, so the control unit 20B repeats step S12. If step S12 is affirmative, then the above communication has been established and the detection results for distance ΔL and angle θ have been supplied. In other words, the control unit 20B determines whether the distance ΔL is less than or equal to a first predetermined value L1 (step S14). If step S14 is negative, the process returns to step S12, and the control unit 20B waits for the detection results of distance ΔL and angle θ to be supplied. If step S14 is affirmative, the control unit 20B determines whether the distance ΔL is less than or equal to a second predetermined value L2 (step S16).

[0026] If step S16 is negative, the control unit 20B selectively operates the six individual light sources 28 corresponding to the angle θ, illuminating the individual illumination area 32 with illumination light 26 from one or two of the individual light sources 28 (step S18), and then returns to step S10 to repeat the same process. If step S16 is affirmative, the control unit 20B stops the operation of the six individual light sources 28 and activates the proximity light source 30 to emit illumination light 26 from the proximity light source 30 toward the proximity illumination area 36 (step S20). Next, the control unit 20B determines whether or not user U has boarded the vehicle based on the detection result from the passenger detection unit 18 (step S22). If step S22 is negative, repeat step S22. If step S22 is affirmative, the control unit 20B stops the proximity light source 30 and deactivates it (step S24). As a result, all individual light sources 28 and the proximity light source 30 are deactivated, the illumination light 26 from the light source unit 14 is stopped, and the series of processes ends. In other words, the control unit 20B deactivates the light source unit 14 when user U is in the vehicle, thus suppressing unnecessary power consumption by the light source unit 14. Furthermore, once user U has boarded the vehicle, the control operation shown in Figure 5 will not be performed.

[0027] Next, referring to the flowchart in Figure 6, we will explain the operation when user U disembarks from vehicle 22 and moves away from vehicle 22. Furthermore, if vehicle 22 is occupied, the information processing device 20 shall periodically perform the following processes. First, the control unit 20B determines whether the illuminance E supplied from the illuminance measuring unit 12 is less than or equal to the threshold value Emin (step S50). If step S50 is negative, return to step S50. If step S50 is affirmative, the control unit 20B determines whether or not user U has disembarked based on the detection result from the passenger detection unit 18 (step S52).

[0028] If step S52 is negative, repeat step S52. If step S52 is affirmative, the control unit 20B determines whether or not the detection results of distance ΔL and angle θ have been supplied from the position angle calculation unit 20A (step S54). If step S54 is negative, the control unit 20B repeats step S54. If step S54 is affirmative, the control unit 20B determines whether the distance ΔL is less than or equal to a second predetermined value L2 (step S56). If step S56 is affirmative, the control unit 20B operates the proximity light source 30 to emit illumination light 26 from the proximity light source 30 toward the proximity illumination area 36 (step S58). Then, the process returns to step S54 and repeats steps S54, S56, and S58. Furthermore, if step S52 is affirmative, that is, if user U disembarks, the control unit 20B proceeds to the processing from step S54 onwards, thereby allowing the operation of the light source unit 14. Therefore, the light source unit 14 will not operate unless user U disembarks, and unnecessary power consumption by the light source unit 14 is suppressed.

[0029] Eventually, when user U moves away from vehicle 22, and step S56 is negated, that is, when it is determined that the distance ΔL is greater than the second predetermined value L2, the control unit 20B determines whether the distance ΔL is less than or equal to the first predetermined value L1 (step S60). If step S60 is affirmative, the control unit 20B deactivates the nearby light source 30 (step S62), selectively activates the six individual light sources 28 corresponding to the angle θ, and irradiates the individual illumination area 32 with illumination light 26 from one or two of the individual light sources 28 (step S64), and returns to step S54 to repeat the same process. Eventually, when user U moves further away from vehicle 22 and the distance ΔL becomes greater than the first predetermined value L1, thus negating step S60, the control unit 20B stops the operation of the individual light source 28 (step S66) and terminates the series of processes.

[0030] According to this embodiment, when the illuminance E measured by the illuminance measuring unit 12 is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold Emin and the distance ΔL detected by the user detection unit 42 is less than or equal to a first predetermined value L1, the light source unit 14 is controlled in accordance with the angle θ detected by the user detection unit 42 to continuously irradiate the illumination light 26 from the ground 24 surrounding the vehicle 22 toward the ground 24 near the user's position. Therefore, the direction of illumination light 26 from the light source 14 can be aligned with the direction in which user U approaches or moves away from the vehicle 22, so that the illumination light 26 is properly irradiated onto the user U's feet. Therefore, for example, in a dark environment such as at night when there is no lighting around, when user U gets on or off the vehicle, user U can walk comfortably with the ground 24 under their feet illuminated by the lighting light 26. This not only improves the convenience of user U, but also enhances the sense of hospitality given to user U by continuously shining the lighting light 26 from the ground 24 around the vehicle 22 toward the ground 24 near the user's position, thereby improving the product value of vehicle 22.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, multiple individual illumination regions 32 are set up along the perimeter of the vehicle 22, each illuminating the ground 24 with illumination light 26 in a direction away from the vehicle 22. Multiple individual light sources 28 are provided to illuminate each of these multiple individual illumination regions 32 with illumination light 26, and the multiple individual light sources 28 are selectively operated based on the angle θ detected by the user detection unit 42. Therefore, since each individual light source 28 irradiates illumination light 26 toward the individual illumination area 32, the direction of illumination light 26 from the light source unit 14 can be more accurately matched to the direction in which the user U approaches or moves away from the vehicle 22, which is advantageous in irradiating the area around the user U's feet more appropriately, thereby improving the convenience of the user U and being more advantageous in enhancing the commercial value of the vehicle 22.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the selective operation of the multiple individual light sources 28 includes a first operation in which one individual light source 28 is operated to illuminate one individual illumination area 32 based on the angle θ detected by the user detection unit 42, and a second operation in which two individual light sources 28 are operated simultaneously to illuminate adjacent individual illumination areas 32 with illumination light 26, respectively, based on the angle θ detected by the user detection unit 42. Therefore, based on the angle θ detected by the user detection unit 42, it is advantageous to accurately illuminate the user U's feet from the light source unit 14 towards the user's feet, corresponding to the user's position in the direction in which the multiple individual illumination areas 32 are arranged. This improves the convenience of the user U and is more advantageous in enhancing the commercial value of the vehicle 22.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the second operation, the light output of the two individual light sources 28 is controlled so that the illuminance of the ground 24 illuminated by the illumination light 26 of the two individual light sources 28 is approximately the same as the illuminance of the ground 24 illuminated by the illumination light 26 of one individual light source 28 in the first operation. Therefore, regardless of the user's position in the direction in which the multiple individual illumination areas 32 are arranged, the light source unit 14 is more advantageous in illuminating the user U's feet with illumination light 26 at a constant illuminance, thereby improving user U's convenience and enhancing the commercial value of the vehicle 22.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a proximity light source 30 is provided that illuminates a single proximity illumination area 36 that illuminates the entire portion of the ground 24 adjacent to the vehicle 22 with illumination light 26. The control unit 20B controls the light source unit 14 such that when the distance ΔL detected by the user detection unit 42 is less than or equal to a second predetermined value L2, which is smaller than a first predetermined value L1, all of the individual light sources 28 are deactivated and the proximity light source 30 is activated. Therefore, immediately before user U boards or alights from vehicle 22, illumination light 26 from individual light sources 28 is not emitted, and illumination light 26 is emitted from the proximity light source 30 towards the proximity illumination area 36, ​​illuminating the ground 24 over a wide area. This is advantageous for ensuring that the light source unit 14 properly illuminates the area around user U's feet with illumination light 26, thereby improving user U's convenience and enhancing the commercial value of vehicle 22.

[0035] In this embodiment, the vehicle 22 is equipped with a communication unit 16 that communicates with a mobile terminal 38 held by user U via a wireless line 40, and the user detection unit 42 is equipped with a positioning function that detects distance ΔL and angle θ based on the received signal received by the communication unit 16. Therefore, since it is possible to use a widely available mobile device 38 such as a smartphone, the lighting device 10 of the vehicle 22 can be used inexpensively and easily, improving the convenience of the user U and providing a greater advantage in increasing the commercial value of the vehicle 22.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 20B controls the light source unit 14 based on the detection result of the boarding detection unit 18 detecting whether user U is boarding or alighting. By keeping the light source unit 14 inactive when user U boards and allowing the light source unit 14 to operate when user U alights, power consumption can be suppressed when illumination light 26 by the light source unit 14 is not required, which is advantageous in saving power in the vehicle 22. In this embodiment, the case in which a pressure-sensitive sensor is used as the passenger detection unit 18 has been described. However, the control unit 20B may also be configured to detect when the strength of the signal received from the mobile terminal 38 in the communication unit 16 reaches a predetermined strength or higher, and conversely, to detect when the strength of the received signal falls below a predetermined strength, in which case the communication unit 16 and the control unit 20B will also function as a passenger boarding detection unit.

[0037] In this embodiment, we have described a case in which the light source unit 14 is equipped with multiple individual light sources 28 that irradiate illumination light 26 toward each of the multiple individual illumination regions 32, but the following modifications are also possible. In other words, although not shown in the figures, the light source unit 14 includes a movable light source capable of selectively irradiating light toward the individual irradiation areas 32, and a movable unit that selectively moves the movable light source toward the multiple individual irradiation areas 32. The control unit 20B controls the light source unit 14 by controlling the moving part based on the angle θ detected by the user detection unit 42. In these modified examples, the same effects and benefits as in the embodiment are achieved.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the illuminance E measured by the illuminance measuring unit 12 was used to determine whether or not it is necessary to irradiate with illumination light 26 from the light source unit 14. However, the amount of illumination light 26 irradiated from the light source unit 14 may be controlled based on the illuminance E measured by the illuminance measuring unit 12. Specifically, the amount of light from the illumination light 26 may be controlled to increase as the illuminance E decreases. In that case, the darker the surrounding environment of the vehicle 22, the brighter the ground 24 can be illuminated by the lighting 26, making it easier for the user U to see their feet, which is advantageous in improving convenience.

[0039] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a case where the light source unit 14 is installed at the side sill 2204 below the driver's side door 2202, the light source unit 14 can be placed anywhere as long as it can project illumination light 26 toward the ground 24 surrounding the vehicle 22. For example, the light source 14 may be installed at the side sill 2204 below the passenger side or rear passenger side door, or at the side door 2202 below the side mirror 2206. Furthermore, if the vehicle 22 has a rear gate, it may be installed at the lower part of the vehicle 22 below the rear gate or on the rear gate itself.

[0040] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes the case where a smartphone is used as the mobile terminal 38, an operation key (portable device) used in keyless entry or smart entry systems may also be used as the mobile terminal 38. In that case, the functions of the communication unit 16 of this embodiment can be added to the communication unit that performs communication for unlocking or locking via the operation key and wireless line. In this case as well, the same effects and benefits as in this embodiment are achieved. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 10. Vehicle lighting equipment 12 Illuminance measurement section 14 Light source section 16 Communications Department 18. Passenger detection unit 20 Information Processing Devices 20A Position Angle Calculation Unit 20B Control Unit 22 vehicles 2202 Side Door 2204 Side Sill 2206 Side Mirror 24 Ground 26 Illumination light 28(28A-28F) Individual light source 30 Proximity light source 32(32A-32F) Individual irradiation area 34 virtual lines 36. Proximity irradiation area 38 Mobile devices 40 Wireless connections 42 User detection unit U users

Claims

1. An illuminance measuring unit that measures the illuminance around the vehicle, A light source unit provided on the vehicle is configured to emit illumination light toward the ground surrounding the vehicle and to allow control of the direction of the illumination light, A user detection unit that detects the distance from the vehicle position to the user position and the angle formed by a straight line connecting the vehicle position and the user position with respect to a virtual line extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when viewed from above, The system includes a control unit that, when the illuminance measured by the illuminance measuring unit is below a predetermined threshold and the distance detected by the user detection unit is below a first predetermined value, controls the light source unit in accordance with the angle detected by the user detection unit to continuously irradiate the illumination light from the ground around the vehicle toward the ground near the user's position, Multiple individual illumination regions are set up along the perimeter of the vehicle, each illuminating the ground continuously with the illumination light in a direction away from the vehicle, and a single proximity illumination region is set up to illuminate the entire portion of the ground close to the vehicle with the illumination light. The light source unit comprises a plurality of individual light sources provided to irradiate the illumination light toward each of the individual irradiation areas corresponding to the individual irradiation areas, and a proximity light source that irradiates the illumination light toward the proximity irradiation area. The control unit controls the light source unit by selectively operating the plurality of individual light sources based on the angle detected by the user detection unit, and if the distance detected by the user detection unit is less than or equal to a second predetermined value which is smaller than the first predetermined value, all of the plurality of individual light sources are deactivated and the nearby light source is activated. A vehicle lighting device characterized by the following features.

2. The selective operation of the aforementioned multiple individual light sources is as follows: A first operation involves operating one individual light source that illuminates one of the individual illumination regions based on the angle detected by the user detection unit, The second operation includes simultaneously operating two individual light sources that irradiate adjacent individual illumination regions with illumination light based on the angle detected by the user detection unit, A vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a vehicle lighting device.

3. In the second operation, the light intensity of the two individual light sources is controlled such that the illuminance of the ground illuminated by the illumination light of the two individual light sources is approximately the same as the illuminance of the ground illuminated by the illumination light of one of the individual light sources in the first operation. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 2.

4. Multiple individual illumination regions are set up along the perimeter of the vehicle, which continuously illuminate the ground in a direction away from the vehicle from the ground surrounding the vehicle. The light source unit comprises a movable light source capable of selectively irradiating the illumination light toward the individual irradiation areas, and a moving unit that selectively moves the movable light source toward the plurality of individual irradiation areas. The control unit controls the light source by controlling the moving unit based on the angle detected by the user detection unit. A vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a vehicle lighting device.

5. The vehicle is equipped with a communication unit that communicates with the user's mobile terminal via a wireless network. The user detection unit includes a positioning function that detects the distance and the angle based on the received signal received by the communication unit. A vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a vehicle lighting device.

6. The system includes a passenger detection unit that detects when the user boards or alights, The control unit controls the light source unit based on the detection result of the passenger detection unit. A vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a vehicle lighting device.

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