Vehicle communication lamp

Abstract

A vehicle communication lamp (20A) equipped with a light source unit (21A) which includes one or more light sources, and a lighting control unit (22) for controlling the light source unit (21A) so as to turn the light source unit (21A) on while changing the brightness of the light source unit (21A).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication lamp for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp in which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged along the curved surface of a light-transmitting cover curved in a three-dimensional direction.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Nowadays, gratitude is sometimes conveyed by turning on or blinking a turn signal lamp to traffic participants such as other vehicles that have given way. However, even when trying to convey gratitude or the like by turning on or blinking an existing turn signal lamp or the like, if the communication lamp suddenly turns on or blinks, the traffic participant may be surprised by the sudden turning on or blinking of the communication lamp. For this reason, when trying to convey gratitude or the like by turning on or blinking an existing turn signal lamp or the like, the traffic participant may not be able to perceive that gratitude or the like has been expressed.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle communication lamp that allows traffic participants to reliably perceive predetermined information such as gratitude.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] A vehicle communication lamp according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a light source unit including at least one light source; The system includes a lighting control unit that controls the light source unit, which lights up the light source unit while changing the brightness of the light source unit.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the lighting control unit illuminates the light source unit while changing its brightness. Since traffic participants are not startled by the illumination of such vehicle communication lamps, the above configuration of communication lamps ensures that predetermined information, such as expressions of gratitude, can be reliably conveyed to traffic participants.

[0008] Furthermore, a vehicle communication lamp according to one aspect of this disclosure is A vehicle communication lamp that is either a turn signal lamp, a brake lamp, or a backup lamp, A light source unit including at least one light source, It includes a lighting control unit that controls the light source unit, The lighting control unit can control the light source unit in a first lighting mode for performing the intended function of one of the turn signal lamps, brake lamps, or backup lamps, and in a second lighting mode different from the first lighting mode. In the first lighting mode and the second lighting mode, at least one of the way the light source unit lights up and the way it turns off is different.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the lighting control unit can control the light source unit in a first lighting mode that enables the turn signal lamp, brake lamp, or backup lamp to perform its intended function, and in a second lighting mode that is different from the first lighting mode. Furthermore, at least one of the ways in which the light source unit lights up or turns off differs between the first lighting mode and the second lighting mode. Therefore, when light is emitted from the light source unit in the second lighting mode, predetermined information such as an expression of gratitude can be reliably conveyed to traffic participants. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle communication lamp that can reliably convey predetermined information, such as an expression of gratitude, to traffic participants. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the vehicle system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an example of a vehicle communication lamp. [Figure 4] Figure 4 illustrates the changes in the lighting state of the light source unit. [Figure 5] Figure 5 illustrates the changes in the lighting state of the light source unit. [Figure 6] Figure 6 illustrates the changes in the lighting state of the light source unit. [Figure 7] Figure 7 illustrates the changes in the lighting state of the light source unit. [Figure 8] Figure 8 illustrates the changes in the lighting state of the light source unit. [Figure 9] Figure 9 illustrates the changes in the lighting state of the light source unit. [Figure 10] Figure 10 illustrates the changes in the lighting state of the light source unit. [Figure 11] Figure 11 illustrates a vehicle communication lamp in the off state. [Figure 12] Figure 12 illustrates a vehicle communication lamp in an illuminated state. [Figure 13] Figure 13 illustrates a vehicle communication lamp in an illuminated state. [Figure 14] Figure 14 illustrates a vehicle communication lamp in an illuminated state. [Figure 15] Figure 15 illustrates a vehicle communication lamp in a fully illuminated state. [Figure 16] Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating a change in the lighting state of a light source unit. [Figure 17] Fig. 17 is a diagram illustrating a change in the lighting state of a light source unit. [Figure 18] Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating a change in the lighting state of a light source unit. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as the present embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. The dimensions of each member shown in the drawings may differ from the actual dimensions of each member for convenience of explanation.

[0013] In the description of the present embodiment, the terms "left-right direction", "up-down direction", and "front-rear direction" may be appropriately referred to for convenience of explanation. These directions are relative directions set for the vehicle 1 shown in Fig. 1. Here, the "left-right direction" is a direction including the left direction and the right direction, and is also the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 1. The "up-down direction" is a direction including the up direction and the down direction. The "front-rear direction" is a direction including the front direction and the rear direction. The front-rear direction is a direction orthogonal to the left-right direction and the up-down direction. In Fig. 1, reference symbol U shown in the figure indicates the up direction. Reference symbol D indicates the down direction. Reference symbol F indicates the front direction. Reference symbol B indicates the rear direction. Reference symbol L indicates the left direction. Reference symbol R indicates the right direction.

[0014] (First Embodiment) First, the vehicle system 2 according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle 1 equipped with the vehicle system 2 (see Fig. 2). Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the vehicle system 2. The vehicle 1 is, for example, an automobile that can travel in a manual driving mode and / or an automatic driving mode.

[0015] As illustrated in Figure 2, the vehicle system 2 includes a vehicle control unit 3, a thank you switch 4, a sensor 5, a camera 6, a radar 7, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 8, a GPS (Global Positioning System) 9, a wireless communication unit 10, a storage device 11, a steering actuator 12, a steering device 13, a brake actuator 14, a brake device 15, an accelerator actuator 16, an accelerator device 17, an environmental information acquisition unit 18, and a vehicle communication lamp 20. The vehicle communication lamp 20 includes a light source unit 21 and a lighting control unit 22.

[0016] The vehicle control unit 3 is configured to control the driving of the vehicle 1. The vehicle control unit 3 is composed of, for example, at least one electronic control unit (ECU). The electronic control unit includes a computer system (e.g., SoC (System on a Chip)) including one or more processors and one or more memories, and an electronic circuit composed of active elements such as transistors and passive elements. The processor includes, for example, at least one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and TPU (Tensor Processing Unit). The CPU may be composed of multiple CPU cores. The GPU may be composed of multiple GPU cores. The memory includes ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM may store a vehicle control program. For example, the vehicle control program may include an artificial intelligence (AI) program for autonomous driving. The RAM may temporarily store the vehicle control program, vehicle control data, and / or surrounding environment information indicating the surrounding environment of the vehicle. The processor may be configured to load a specified program from various vehicle control programs stored in ROM onto RAM and execute various processes in cooperation with RAM. Furthermore, the computer system may consist of non-von Neumann computers such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) or FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays). In addition, the computer system may consist of a combination of von Neumann computers and non-von Neumann computers.

[0017] The Thank You Switch 4 is a switch that is pressed when you want to express gratitude to other traffic participants (other vehicles, pedestrians, etc.). For example, when a user presses the Thank You Switch 4 to express gratitude to other traffic participants, an emotion expression signal is generated. The user is, for example, the driver or occupants of vehicle 1. The generated emotion expression signal is transmitted to the vehicle control unit 3.

[0018] The emotion expression signal is a signal that indicates the transmission of emotional information, such as gratitude, to traffic participants. In this embodiment, the emotion expression signal is a signal for switching the operating mode of the light source unit 21 from a normal operating mode (an example of a first lighting mode) in which the light source unit 21 is kept lit without changing its appearance, to an emotion expression mode (an example of a second lighting mode) that is different from the normal operating mode. In the normal operating mode and the emotion expression mode, at least one of the ways in which the light source unit 21 lights up and turns off is different. The normal operating mode is, for example, a mode for performing the original function of one of the turn signal lamps, brake lamps, or backup lamps. It is preferable that this thank you switch 4 is a different switch from the so-called hazard switch. Since the situations in which one wants to press the hazard switch and the situations in which one wants to express gratitude are different, it is preferable that these switches be provided separately.

[0019] Sensor 5 includes at least one of an acceleration sensor, a velocity sensor, and a gyroscope sensor. Sensor 5 is configured to detect the driving state of vehicle 1 and output driving state information to vehicle control unit 3. Sensor 5 may further include a seating sensor to detect whether the driver is sitting in the driver's seat, a face orientation sensor to detect the direction of the driver's face, an external weather sensor to detect external weather conditions, and a human presence sensor to detect whether there are people inside the vehicle.

[0020] Camera 6 is a camera that includes an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary MOS). Camera 6 detects ambient environment information that indicates the surrounding environment of vehicle 1 and transmits said ambient environment information to vehicle control unit 3.

[0021] Radar 7 includes at least one of a millimeter-wave radar, a microwave radar, and a LiDAR unit. For example, the LiDAR unit detects surrounding environment information based on point cloud data representing the surrounding environment of vehicle 1 and transmits said surrounding environment information to vehicle control unit 3.

[0022] The HMI8 consists of an input unit that receives input operations from the driver and an output unit that outputs vehicle 1 driving information to the driver. The input unit includes a steering wheel, accelerator pedal, brake pedal, and a driving mode selector switch for switching the driving mode of vehicle 1. The output unit is a display device (e.g., HUD) that displays various driving information. The HUD is configured to display vehicle 1 driving information on the front windshield 60 (see Figure 1). The GPS9 is configured to acquire the current location information of vehicle 1 and output the acquired current location information to the vehicle control unit 3.

[0023] The wireless communication unit 10 is configured to receive information about other vehicles in the vicinity of vehicle 1 (e.g., driving information, etc.) from other vehicles and to transmit information about vehicle 1 (e.g., driving information, etc.) to other vehicles (vehicle-to-vehicle communication). The wireless communication unit 10 is also configured to receive infrastructure information from infrastructure equipment such as traffic lights and marker lights and to transmit vehicle 1's driving information to the infrastructure equipment (vehicle-to-infrastructure communication). The wireless communication unit 10 is also configured to receive information about pedestrians from portable electronic devices (smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, etc.) carried by pedestrians and to transmit vehicle 1's own driving information to the portable electronic devices (vehicle-to-pedestrian communication). Vehicle 1 may communicate directly with other vehicles, infrastructure equipment, or portable electronic devices in ad-hoc mode, or it may communicate via an access point. Furthermore, vehicle 1 may communicate with other vehicles, infrastructure equipment, or portable electronic devices via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0024] The storage device 11 is an external storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage device 11 may store two-dimensional or three-dimensional map information and / or vehicle control programs. For example, the three-dimensional map information may consist of point cloud data. The storage device 11 is configured to output map information and vehicle control programs to the vehicle control unit 3 in response to requests from the vehicle control unit 3. The map information and vehicle control programs may be updated via a communication network with the wireless communication unit 10.

[0025] When vehicle 1 is driving in autonomous driving mode, the vehicle control unit 3 automatically generates at least one of the following: a steering control signal, an accelerator control signal, and a brake control signal, based on driving state information, surrounding environment information, current location information, map information, etc. The steering actuator 12 is configured to receive a steering control signal from the vehicle control unit 3 and control the steering device 13 based on the received steering control signal. The brake actuator 14 is configured to receive a brake control signal from the vehicle control unit 3 and control the brake device 15 based on the received brake control signal. The accelerator actuator 16 is configured to receive an accelerator control signal from the vehicle control unit 3 and control the accelerator device 17 based on the received accelerator control signal.

[0026] The driving modes consist of an automatic driving mode and a manual driving mode. The automatic driving mode consists of a fully automatic driving mode, an advanced driver assistance mode, and a driver assistance mode. In fully automatic driving mode, the vehicle system 2 automatically performs all driving controls, including steering, braking, and acceleration, and the driver is not in a position to drive vehicle 1. In advanced driver assistance mode, the vehicle system 2 automatically performs all driving controls, including steering, braking, and acceleration, and the driver is in a position to drive vehicle 1 but does not drive vehicle 1. In driver assistance mode, the vehicle system 2 automatically performs some of the driving controls, including steering, braking, and acceleration, and the driver drives vehicle 1 with the assistance of the vehicle system 2. On the other hand, in manual driving mode, the vehicle system 2 does not automatically perform driving controls, and the driver drives vehicle 1 without the assistance of the vehicle system 2.

[0027] Furthermore, the driving mode of vehicle 1 may be switched by operating a driving mode selector switch. In this case, the vehicle control unit 3 switches the driving mode of vehicle 1 among four driving modes (fully automated driving mode, advanced driver assistance mode, driver assistance mode, and manual driving mode) in response to the driver's operation on the driving mode selector switch. Alternatively, the driving mode of vehicle 1 may be automatically switched based on information about sections where the autonomous vehicle can drive, sections where the autonomous vehicle is prohibited from driving, or information about external weather conditions. In this case, the vehicle control unit 3 switches the driving mode of vehicle 1 based on this information. In addition, the driving mode of vehicle 1 may be automatically switched using a seat sensor, a face orientation sensor, etc. In this case, the vehicle control unit 3 switches the driving mode of vehicle 1 based on the output signals from the seat sensor and the face orientation sensor.

[0028] On the other hand, when vehicle 1 is running in manual driving mode, the vehicle control unit 3 generates steering control signals, accelerator control signals, and brake control signals according to the driver's manual operations on the accelerator pedal, brake pedal, and steering wheel. Thus, in manual driving mode, the steering control signals, accelerator control signals, and brake control signals are generated by the driver's manual operations, and the driving of vehicle 1 is controlled by the driver.

[0029] The environmental information acquisition unit 18 acquires environmental information from an external device 30. The external device 30 is, for example, a smartphone carried by the user, or an information terminal device such as a car navigation system installed in the vehicle 1. Environmental information includes, for example, user mood information regarding the user's mood, weather information regarding the weather around the vehicle 1, and in-vehicle environment information regarding the environment inside the vehicle. In-vehicle environment information includes in-vehicle temperature information regarding the temperature inside the vehicle, in-vehicle humidity information regarding the humidity inside the vehicle, and in-vehicle music information regarding the music playing inside the vehicle. The environmental information acquisition unit 18 transmits the environmental information acquired from the external device 30 to the lighting control unit 22 via the vehicle control unit 3.

[0030] The vehicle communication lamp 20 is a lamp that transmits predetermined information, such as an expression of gratitude, to traffic participants by switching on and off. Examples of vehicle communication lamps 20 include turn signal lamps, brake lamps, and backup lamps. The vehicle communication lamp 20 can be illuminated by flashing light with a wavelength of 500 nm or more and an x ​​value of 0.6 or less on the xy chromaticity diagram, which expresses gratitude. As will be detailed in the sensory test described later, light with a wavelength of 500 nm or more and an x ​​value of 0.6 or less on the xy chromaticity diagram can be perceived by traffic participants as a warm color that evokes a warm feeling of gratitude without conveying strong emotions such as warnings.

[0031] As illustrated in Figure 1, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the turn signal lamp functions as a vehicle communication lamp 20. The vehicle 1 is equipped with a left front communication lamp 20L and a right front communication lamp 20R as the vehicle communication lamp 20. The left front communication lamp 20L is located inside the lamp chamber of the left headlamp 200L. However, the left front communication lamp 20L may be provided separately from the left headlamp 200L. Furthermore, the left front communication lamp 20L may be located on the roof 100A of the vehicle 1 or on the bumper of the vehicle 1.

[0032] The right front communication lamp 20R is located within the lamp housing of the right headlamp 200R. However, the right front communication lamp 20R may be provided separately from the right headlamp 200R. Furthermore, the right front communication lamp 20R may be located on the roof 100A of the vehicle 1, or on the bumper of the vehicle 1.

[0033] Returning to Figure 2, the light source unit 21 and lighting control unit 22 provided in the vehicle communication lamp 20 will be described. The light source unit 21 may be composed of LED (Light Emitting Diode) elements or LD (Laser Diode) elements. In this embodiment, the light source unit 21 includes a multicolor light source capable of emitting light of multiple colors. A multicolor light source is a light source having two or more different emission hues. The brightness of the light source unit 21 is proportional to the magnitude of the current flowing through the light sources included in the light source unit 21. Therefore, the larger the current flowing through the light sources included in the light source unit 21, the brighter the light source unit 21 is. The light source unit 21 may have at least a first light source that emits a first light, and a second light source that emits a second light of a different color from the color of the first light.

[0034] In this embodiment, the multicolor light source is a so-called RGB light source. The light source unit 21 includes, for example, a plurality of LEDs that emit RGB (red, green, blue) tricolor light, and a lens for emitting the light emitted by the LEDs to the outside of the vehicle 1. The lens may be configured, for example, as a condenser lens that projects the light emitted by the LEDs as a parallel luminous beam. The light source unit 21 can emit light of any color, but in this embodiment, it emits light such as amber, pink, green, and yellow. Amber is a color that corresponds to the chromaticity range of the region consisting of the long wavelength region of yellow and the short wavelength region of yellow-red in JIS standard Z8110, and the region between the yellow region and the short wavelength region of yellow-red in JIS standard Z9101 for safety colors.

[0035] The lighting control unit 22 may be composed of the same processor and memory as the vehicle control unit 3. The lighting control unit 22 controls the operation of the light source unit 21. For example, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that it turns on and off at predetermined time intervals. The predetermined time interval is set between 500 milliseconds and 5000 milliseconds. It is particularly preferable that the predetermined time interval be set between 1000 milliseconds and 2000 milliseconds. In the normal operation mode, the time required for the light source unit 21 to transition from the off state to the fully on state is within 200 milliseconds. The fully on state refers to the state when the light source unit 21 is at its brightest. On the other hand, the time required for the light source unit 21 to transition from the off state to the fully on state in the emotion expression mode will be described later.

[0036] The lighting control unit 22 receives the emotion expression signal generated when the thank you switch 4 is pressed, via the vehicle control unit 3. Upon receiving the emotion expression signal, the lighting control unit 22 lights up the light source unit 21 in emotion expression mode. In other words, the lighting control unit 22 lights up the light source unit 21 when it receives a signal (emotion expression signal) that transmits emotional information to traffic participants.

[0037] The lighting control unit 22 can control the light source unit 21 to change the color of the light emitted from it over time. The lighting control unit 22 can also control the light source unit 21 to change its brightness over time. For example, the lighting control unit 22 changes the brightness of the light source unit 21 by changing the current value flowing through the light source contained in the light source unit 21. In normal operation mode, the lighting control unit 22 can also control the light source unit 21 to emit light of a color corresponding to environmental information acquired from an external device 30 that is communicably connected to the vehicle communication lamp 20.

[0038] (First embodiment of the first embodiment) A first embodiment of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. As illustrated in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the light source unit 21 has one light source 210. As described above, the light source 210 is an RGB light source. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user of vehicle 1 presses the thank you switch 4 to express gratitude to traffic participants in the vicinity of vehicle 1.

[0039] As illustrated in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the colors of light emitted from the light source unit 21 are red and green. The ratio of red light to green light emitted from the light source unit 21 changes over time. In the graph illustrated in Figure 4, the horizontal axis (the axis extending horizontally in Figure 4) represents time, and the vertical axis (the axis extending vertically in Figure 4) represents the brightness of the light source unit 21.

[0040] When the user of vehicle 1 presses the thank you switch 4, an emotion expression signal is generated and transmitted to the vehicle control unit 3. The vehicle control unit 3 transmits the received emotion expression signal to the lighting control unit 22. Based on the received emotion expression signal, the lighting control unit 22 switches the light source unit 21 from normal operation mode to emotion expression mode. In emotion expression mode, the light source unit 21 repeatedly turns on and off at a predetermined cycle. In this embodiment, the predetermined cycle is 1000 milliseconds.

[0041] As illustrated in Figure 4, light is emitted from the light source unit 21 between time t0 and time t1. Time t0 is the time when the user of vehicle 1 presses the thank you switch 4. Time t1 is 1000 milliseconds after time t0.

[0042] At time t0, the light emitted from the light source unit 21 contains red light and green light, and the brightness of the red light and the brightness of the green light are the same. Therefore, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 at time t0 is yellow.

[0043] Between time t0 and time t1, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that the brightness of the red light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21 remains constant. On the other hand, between time t0 and time t1, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that the green light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually becomes brighter as time passes. As a result, the light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually changes from yellow to green (yellow-green) as time passes. In this specification, green includes not only pure green but also green-based colors such as yellow-green. Furthermore, the light source unit 21 gradually becomes brighter as time passes.

[0044] At time t1, the light source unit 21 is in a fully illuminated state. The state transitions of the light source unit 21 after time t1 are the same as the state transitions of the light source unit 21 from time t0 to time t1.

[0045] The vehicle communication lamp 20 with the above configuration can emit light to the outside while changing the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 over time. Existing vehicle lamps such as brake lights and turn signal lamps do not change the color of the light. On the other hand, with the vehicle communication lamp 20 the color of the light changes, so traffic participants immediately notice that the vehicle communication lamp 20 is lit with an intention different from that of illuminating brake lights or turn signal lamps. Therefore, with the vehicle communication lamp 20, predetermined information such as an expression of gratitude can be reliably conveyed to traffic participants.

[0046] Furthermore, with the vehicle communication lamp 20 according to the above configuration, the brightness of the light source unit 21 changes over time. Therefore, traffic participants are more likely to notice that the vehicle communication lamp 20 is illuminated with an intention different from that of illuminating brake lights or turn signals. Consequently, the vehicle communication lamp 20 can reliably convey predetermined information, such as an expression of gratitude, to traffic participants.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the vehicle communication lamp 20 with the above configuration, one cycle of on / off of the light source unit 21 is a time interval between 500 milliseconds and 5000 milliseconds (1000 milliseconds in this embodiment). This time interval is appropriate as the on / off interval for the vehicle communication lamp 20. Therefore, the vehicle communication lamp 20 can convey predetermined information such as thanks without causing discomfort to traffic participants.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the vehicle communication lamp 20 with the above configuration, the light source unit 21 emits green (yellow-green) light, which is an effective color for conveying predetermined information such as thanks to traffic participants. Therefore, the vehicle communication lamp 20 ensures that predetermined information such as thanks is reliably conveyed to traffic participants.

[0049] Furthermore, with the vehicle communication lamp 20 according to the above configuration, the lighting control unit 22 can control the light source unit 21 in a normal operation mode and an emotion expression mode in which it operates in response to an emotion expression signal, which is an input signal from the user. In the emotion expression mode, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 changes over time. In other words, with the vehicle communication lamp 20, in emotion expression mode, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 changes over time. Therefore, with the vehicle communication lamp 20 according to the above configuration, traffic participants will immediately notice that the vehicle communication lamp 20 is lit with an intention different from that of illuminating brake lights or turn signal lamps. For this reason, the vehicle communication lamp 20 makes it easier to reliably convey predetermined information, such as gratitude, to traffic participants.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the vehicle communication lamp 20 with the above configuration, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 to emit light of a color corresponding to the environmental information acquired from the external device 30 during normal operation mode. Therefore, the vehicle communication lamp 20 can emit appropriate light from the light source unit 21 according to the environmental information.

[0051] (Second embodiment of the first embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and parts that overlap in explanation will be omitted as appropriate. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment of the first embodiment in how the lighting state of the light source unit 21 changes. In this embodiment as well, it is assumed that the user of vehicle 1 pressed the thank you switch 4 at time t10 to express gratitude to traffic participants near vehicle 1.

[0052] As illustrated in Figure 5, the light source unit 21 is lit from time t10 to time t15. At time t10, the R light source, which emits red light, is fully lit. At time t10, the red light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21 is brighter than the green light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21. Therefore, at time t10, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 is amber.

[0053] Between time t10 and time t12, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that the red light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually dims. On the other hand, between time t10 and time t12, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that the green light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually brightens. At time t11, the brightness of the red light and the brightness of the green light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21 are equal. Therefore, at time t11, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 is yellow. Also, between time t11 and time t12, the light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually changes from yellow to green (yellow-green). Note that at time t12, the G light source emitting green light is in a fully lit state.

[0054] Between time t12 and time t13, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that both the red and green light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually dim. Therefore, between time t12 and time t13, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 is green (yellow-green). At time t13, the light emitted from the light source unit 21 no longer contains red light. Therefore, at time t13, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 is green.

[0055] Between time t13 and time t14, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that the red light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually becomes brighter. On the other hand, between time t13 and time t14, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that the green light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually becomes dimmer. As a result, between time t13 and time t14, the light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually changes from green to yellow. At time t14, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 is yellow.

[0056] Between time t14 and time t15, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that both the red and green light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually dim. As a result, the light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually dims. Then, at time t15, the light source unit 21 is turned off.

[0057] Between time t15 and time t16, the light source unit 21 remains off. The state transitions of the light source unit 21 after time t16 are the same as the state transitions of the light source unit 21 from time t10 to time t16.

[0058] In this embodiment as well, the vehicle communication lamp 20 according to the above configuration can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment of the first embodiment.

[0059] Furthermore, according to the vehicle communication lamp 20 with the above configuration, the light source unit 21 emits amber and green (yellow-green) light, which are effective colors for conveying predetermined information such as thanks to traffic participants. Therefore, the vehicle communication lamp 20 can reliably convey predetermined information such as thanks to traffic participants.

[0060] (Third embodiment of the first embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and parts that overlap in explanation will be omitted as appropriate. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment of the second embodiment in how the lighting state of the light source unit 21 changes. In this embodiment as well, it is assumed that the user of vehicle 1 pressed the thank you switch 4 at time t20 to express gratitude to traffic participants near vehicle 1.

[0061] As illustrated in Figure 6, the light source unit 21 is lit from time t20 to time t22. At time t20, the R light source, which emits red light, is fully lit. At time t20, the red light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21 is brighter than the green light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21. Therefore, at time t20, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 is amber.

[0062] Between time t20 and time t22, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that the red light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually dims over time. On the other hand, between time t20 and time t22, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that the brightness of the green light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21 does not change. As a result, at time t21, the brightness of the red light and the brightness of the green light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21 become equal. Therefore, as time t20 approaches time t21, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 changes from amber to yellow.

[0063] Between time t21 and time t22, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 changes from yellow to green. At time t22, the light source unit 21 is turned off.

[0064] Between time t22 and time t23, the light source unit 21 remains off. The state transitions of the light source unit 21 after time t23 are the same as the state transitions of the light source unit 21 from time t20 to time t23.

[0065] In this embodiment as well, the vehicle communication lamp 20 according to the above configuration can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment of the first embodiment.

[0066] (Fourth embodiment of the first embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and parts that overlap in explanation will be omitted as appropriate. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment of the first embodiment in that the light emitted from the light source unit 21 includes three colors (red, green, and blue), the time of one cycle is 2000 milliseconds, and the way in which the lighting state of the light source unit 21 changes is different. In this embodiment as well, it is assumed that the user of vehicle 1 pressed the thank you switch 4 at time t30 to express gratitude to traffic participants near vehicle 1.

[0067] As illustrated in Figure 7, the light source unit 21 is lit from time t30 to time t34. At time t30, the light emitted from the light source unit 21 includes red and green light, but does not include blue light.

[0068] Between time t30 and time t31, the brightness of the red and green light emitted from the light source unit 21 does not change. Also, between time t30 and time t31, the light emitted from the light source unit 21 does not contain blue light. Therefore, between time t30 and time t31, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 is yellow. Note that between time t30 and time t31, the R light source that emits red light and the G light source that emits green light are in a fully illuminated state.

[0069] Between time t31 and time t32, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that the red and green light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually dims over time. On the other hand, between time t31 and time t32, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that the blue light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually brightens over time. Therefore, between time t31 and time t32, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 changes from yellow to white. At time t32, light source B, which emits blue light, is in a fully illuminated state.

[0070] Between time t32 and time t33, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that the red, green, and blue light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually dims as time progresses. Therefore, between time t32 and time t33, the light source unit 21 gradually dims as time progresses. Note that at time t33, the light emitted from the light source unit 21 does not contain blue light. Therefore, at time t33, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 is yellow.

[0071] Between time t33 and time t34, the brightness of the red and green light emitted from the light source unit 21 gradually decreases as time progresses. Note that the light emitted from the light source unit 21 between time t33 and time t34 does not contain blue light. Therefore, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21 between time t33 and time t34 is yellow. Also, between time t33 and time t34, the light source unit 21 gradually dims as time progresses. At time t34, the light source unit 21 is turned off.

[0072] Between time t34 and time t35, the light source unit 21 remains off. The state transitions of the light source unit 21 after time t35 are the same as the state transitions of the light source unit 21 from time t30 to time t35.

[0073] In this embodiment as well, the vehicle communication lamp 20 according to the above configuration can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment of the first embodiment.

[0074] (Fifth embodiment of the first embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 8. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and parts that overlap in explanation will be omitted as appropriate. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment of the first embodiment in that the light source unit 21 is configured to emit pink light when fully lit (for example, in an RGB light source, the R light source is configured to contain slightly more than the G and B light sources), and the way in which the lighting state of the light source unit 21 changes is different. In this embodiment as well, it is assumed that the user of vehicle 1 pressed the thank you switch 4 at time t40 to express gratitude to traffic participants near vehicle 1.

[0075] As illustrated in Figure 8, the light source unit 21 is off between time t40 and time t41. Therefore, the brightness of the light source unit 21 does not change between time t40 and time t41. The light source unit 21 is on between time t41 and time t42. Furthermore, the light source unit 21 is fully lit between time t41 and time t42. Therefore, the brightness of the light source unit 21 does not change between time t41 and time t42.

[0076] Between time t41 and time t42, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that pink light is emitted from it. At time t42, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that it is turned off. The state transitions of the light source unit 21 after time t42 are the same as the state transitions of the light source unit 21 from time t40 to time t42.

[0077] (Sensory evaluation) Now, let me explain why the light source unit 21 is configured to emit pink light in this embodiment. The inventors conducted sensory tests on the color of light that drivers, pedestrians, etc., are likely to feel warm emotions about. The sensory tests involved examining the light emitted from the light source unit 21, and determining what wavelengths and x and y values ​​in the xy chromaticity diagram are likely to evoke warm emotions in people.

[0078] The sensory test confirmed that light with a wavelength of 500 nm or higher evokes a warm feeling of gratitude. Furthermore, while a larger x in the xy chromaticity diagram results in a stronger reddish tint, the sensory test found that when x is greater than 0.6, people perceive a strong sense of warning. Conversely, when x is 0.6 or less, people perceive it as a warm color without strong emotional connotations. Additionally, when x is 0.6 or less, it is easier to recognize that the intention is different from that of existing brake lights or turn signals. Based on these results, the inventors realized that light with a wavelength of 500 nm or higher and an x ​​of 0.6 or less in the xy chromaticity diagram can reliably convey gratitude to traffic participants.

[0079] According to the vehicle communication lamp 20 with the above configuration, the average value of the wavelength of pink light, based on the wavelength of pink light and the intensity of light at that wavelength, is 500 nm or more, thus evoking a warm feeling of gratitude in the minds of traffic participants. Furthermore, according to the vehicle communication lamp 20 with the above configuration, x in the xy chromaticity diagram is 0.6 or less, so it can also be perceived by traffic participants as a warm color. Moreover, because x in the xy chromaticity diagram is 0.6 or less, the vehicle communication lamp 20 can make traffic participants understand that its intention is different from that of existing brake lights or turn signal lamps. For this reason, the vehicle communication lamp 20 can reliably convey gratitude to traffic participants.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the vehicle communication lamp 20 with the above configuration, the light source unit 21 emits pink light, which is an effective color for conveying predetermined information such as gratitude to traffic participants. Therefore, the vehicle communication lamp 20 can reliably convey predetermined information such as gratitude to traffic participants.

[0081] (Sixth embodiment of the first embodiment) Next, the sixth embodiment of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 9. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the fifth embodiment of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and parts that overlap in explanation will be omitted as appropriate. This embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment of the first embodiment in that the time of one cycle is 2000 milliseconds and the way in which the lighting state of the light source unit 21 changes is different. In this embodiment as well, the light source unit 21 emits pink light. In this embodiment as well, it is assumed that the user of vehicle 1 pressed the thank you switch 4 at time t50 to express gratitude to traffic participants near vehicle 1.

[0082] As illustrated in Figure 9, the light source unit 21 gradually brightens between time t50 and time t51. Furthermore, between time t50 and time t51, the increase in the current flowing through the light source in the light source unit 21 per unit time gradually increases as time progresses.

[0083] At time t51, the light source unit 21 is fully lit. Between time t51 and time t52, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so that it is turned off. The state transitions of the light source unit 21 after time t52 are the same as the state transitions of the light source unit 21 from time t50 to time t52.

[0084] In this embodiment as well, the vehicle communication lamp 20 according to the above configuration can achieve the same effects as the fifth embodiment of the first embodiment.

[0085] (First embodiment of the second embodiment) Next, the first embodiment of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 15. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and parts that overlap in description will be omitted as appropriate. The vehicle communication lamp 20A according to the second embodiment differs from the vehicle communication lamp 20 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a light source unit 21A (see Figures 11 to 15) instead of a light source unit 21. As illustrated in Figures 11 to 15, the light source unit 21A includes four light sources 211A to 214A. The light sources 211A to 214A are, for example, RGB light sources. In this embodiment, amber-colored light is emitted from the light sources 211A to 214A. Therefore, amber-colored light is emitted from the light source unit 21A. The lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21A so that the number of lit light sources increases over time. The lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21A so that the brightness of the light source unit 21A changes over time.

[0086] In the graph illustrated in Figure 10, the horizontal axis (the axis extending horizontally in Figure 10) represents time, and the vertical axis (the axis extending vertically in Figure 10) represents the brightness of the light source unit 21A. In this embodiment as well, it is assumed that the user of vehicle 1 pressed the thank you switch 4 at time t60 to express gratitude to traffic participants near vehicle 1. In this embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, when the user of vehicle 1 presses the thank you switch 4, the lighting control unit 22 switches the light source unit 21A from normal operation mode to emotion expression mode based on the received emotion expression signal. In this embodiment, one cycle is the time from time t60 to time t69. The time from time t60 to time t69 is 2000 milliseconds.

[0087] Next, the transitions in the lighting state of the light source unit 21A will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 15. As illustrated in Figure 10, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21A so that the light emitted from the light source unit 21A becomes progressively brighter over time. In this embodiment, the light emitted from the light source unit 21A continues to become progressively brighter. The brightness of the light source unit 21A changes progressively, alternating between a state where the brightness of the light source unit 21A does not change and a state where the brightness of the light source unit 21A changes. In this embodiment, the current flowing through the light source unit 21A increases approximately every 400 milliseconds. However, the time interval between increases in the current flowing through the light source unit 21A and subsequent increases in the current flowing through the light source unit 21A is not limited to approximately 400 milliseconds. For example, the current flowing through the light source unit 21A may increase approximately every 333 milliseconds. In this case, the light source unit 21A includes five light sources. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the increase in the current value flowing through the light source unit 21A is constant, but it does not have to be constant.

[0088] As illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, between time t60 and time t61, the light source unit 21A is in the off state. In other words, as illustrated in Figure 11, between time t60 and time t61, no light is emitted from any of the light sources 211A to 214A of the light source unit 21A.

[0089] As illustrated in Figures 10 and 12, between time t61 and time t63, only light source 211A among the light sources 211A to 214A of the light source unit 21A is lit. Therefore, between time t61 and time t63, the lighting state of the light source unit 21A is as illustrated in Figure 12.

[0090] As illustrated in Figure 10, between time t61 and time t62, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21A so that the light emitted from the light source unit 21A becomes progressively brighter over time. Furthermore, between time t62 and time t63, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21A so that the brightness of the light emitted from the light source unit 21A does not change.

[0091] As illustrated in Figures 10 and 13, between time t63 and time t65, light sources 211A to 212A of the light sources 211A to 214A of the light source unit 21A are illuminated. Therefore, between time t63 and time t65, the illumination state of the light source unit 21A is as illustrated in Figure 13.

[0092] As illustrated in Figure 10, between time t63 and time t64, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21A so that the light emitted from the light source unit 21A gradually increases in brightness over time. Furthermore, between time t64 and time t65, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21A so that the brightness of the light emitted from the light source unit 21A does not change.

[0093] As illustrated in Figures 10 and 14, between time t65 and time t67, light sources 211A to 213A of the light sources 211A to 214A of the light source unit 21A are illuminated. Therefore, between time t65 and time t67, the illumination state of the light source unit 21A is as illustrated in Figure 14.

[0094] As illustrated in Figure 10, between time t65 and time t66, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21A so that the light emitted from the light source unit 21A gradually increases in brightness as time progresses. Furthermore, between time t66 and time t67, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21A so that the brightness of the light emitted from the light source unit 21A does not change.

[0095] As illustrated in Figures 10 and 15, between time t67 and time t69, all light sources 211A to 214A of the light source unit 21A are illuminated. Therefore, between time t67 and time t69, the illumination state of the light source unit 21A is as illustrated in Figure 15.

[0096] As illustrated in Figure 10, between time t67 and time t68, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21A so that the light emitted from the light source unit 21A gradually increases in brightness over time. Furthermore, between time t68 and time t69, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21A so that the brightness of the light emitted from the light source unit 21A does not change. Therefore, between time t68 and time t69, the lighting state of the light source unit 21A is fully lit. Note that in the emotion expression mode, the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from the off state to the fully lit state (i.e., the time from time t60 to time t68) is approximately 1700 milliseconds.

[0097] At time t69, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21A so that it turns off. The state transitions of the light source unit 21A after time t69 are the same as the state transitions of the light source unit 21A from time t60 to time t69.

[0098] According to the above configuration of the vehicle communication lamp 20A, the light source unit 21A is illuminated while changing its brightness. Since traffic participants are not surprised by the illumination of such a vehicle communication lamp 20A, the vehicle communication lamp 20A can reliably convey predetermined information such as gratitude to traffic participants.

[0099] Furthermore, with the vehicle communication lamp 20A according to the above configuration, the lighting control unit 22 illuminates the light source unit 21A in either the normal operation mode or the emotion expression mode. Also, since the way the light source unit 21A illuminates differs between the normal operation mode and the emotion expression mode, if the light source unit 21A illuminates in the emotion expression mode, which is different from the normal operation mode, traffic participants can easily recognize that an expression of gratitude or the like has been conveyed. Therefore, the vehicle communication lamp 20A can reliably convey predetermined information such as an expression of gratitude to traffic participants.

[0100] Furthermore, with the vehicle communication lamp 20A according to the above configuration, the light source unit 21A lights up when an emotion expression signal, which is a signal that transmits emotional information, is input. Therefore, the vehicle communication lamp 20A can reliably convey predetermined information, such as gratitude, to traffic participants.

[0101] Furthermore, with the vehicle communication lamp 20A according to the above configuration, the brightness of the light source unit 21A changes in stages, so traffic participants can easily recognize that predetermined information such as an expression of gratitude has been conveyed.

[0102] Furthermore, with the vehicle communication lamp 20A according to the above configuration, the brightness of the light source unit 21A changes in stages, alternating between a state where the brightness of the light source unit 21A does not change and a state where the brightness of the light source unit 21A changes. Therefore, traffic participants are not surprised by the illumination of such a vehicle communication lamp 20A. Consequently, traffic participants can easily recognize that predetermined information, such as an expression of gratitude, has been conveyed.

[0103] Furthermore, with the vehicle communication lamp 20A according to the above configuration, the light emitted from the light source unit 21A gradually increases in brightness, so traffic participants can easily recognize that predetermined information, such as an expression of gratitude, has been conveyed.

[0104] Furthermore, according to the vehicle communication lamp 20A with the above configuration, one cycle of on / off of the light source unit is a time interval between 500 milliseconds and 5000 milliseconds (2000 milliseconds in this embodiment). This time interval is appropriate as the on / off interval for the vehicle communication lamp. Therefore, the vehicle communication lamp 20A can convey predetermined information such as thanks without causing discomfort to traffic participants.

[0105] Furthermore, with the vehicle communication lamp 20A configured as described above, the lighting control unit 22 can control the light source unit 21A in a normal operating mode for performing the original function of one of the turn signal lamps, brake lamps, or backup lamps, and in an emotion expression mode that is different from the normal operating mode. In addition, the way the light source unit 21A lights up is different in the normal operating mode and the emotion expression mode. Therefore, with the vehicle communication lamp 20A, when light is emitted from the light source unit 21A in emotion expression mode, predetermined information such as gratitude can be reliably conveyed to traffic participants.

[0106] Furthermore, with the vehicle communication lamp 20A according to the above configuration, the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from the off state to the fully lit state in the normal operation mode is shorter than the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from the off state to the fully lit state in the emotion expression mode. Therefore, to traffic participants, the transition of the lighting state in the emotion expression mode appears to change more gradually than the transition of the lighting state in the normal operation mode. As a result, when light is emitted from the light source unit 21A in the emotion expression mode, traffic participants can reliably perceive predetermined information such as gratitude.

[0107] (Second embodiment of the second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 16. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment of the second embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and parts that overlap in explanation will be omitted as appropriate. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment of the second embodiment in that the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21A is green (yellow-green), the time of one cycle is 1000 milliseconds, and the way in which the lighting state of the light source unit 21A changes is different. In this embodiment, the light source unit 21A includes one or more light sources. These light sources are, for example, RGB light sources. In this embodiment as well, the user of vehicle 1 presses the thank you switch 4 at time t70 to express gratitude to traffic participants near vehicle 1.

[0108] As illustrated in Figure 16, at time t70, the light source unit 21A is off. Between time t70 and time t71, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21A so that the green and red light emitted from the light source unit 21A gradually brighten over time. The increase in brightness of the green light emitted from the light source unit 21A per unit time is greater than the increase in brightness of the red light emitted from the light source unit 21A per unit time. Therefore, between time t70 and time t71, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21A is green (yellow-green). At time t71, the light source unit 21A is fully lit. Therefore, the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from off to fully lit in the emotion expression mode is 500 milliseconds.

[0109] Between time t71 and time t72, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21A so that the green and red light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21A gradually dim over time. The decrease in the brightness of the green light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21A per unit time is greater than the decrease in the brightness of the red light contained in the light emitted from the light source unit 21A per unit time. Between time t71 and time t72, the color of the light emitted from the light source unit 21A is green (yellow-green).

[0110] At time t72, the light source unit 21A turns off. The state transitions of the light source unit 21A after time t72 are the same as the state transitions of the light source unit 21A from time t70 to time t72.

[0111] In this embodiment as well, the vehicle communication lamp 20A according to the above configuration can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment of the second embodiment.

[0112] Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be freely modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, numerical values, form, number, placement location, etc. of each component in the embodiments described above are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve this disclosure.

[0113] In the embodiments described above, the way in which the light sources 21 and 21A light up differs between the normal operation mode and the emotion expression mode, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the way in which the light sources 21 and 21A turn off, or the way in which the light sources 21 and 21A light up and the way in which they turn off, may differ between the normal operation mode and the emotion expression mode.

[0114] In the first embodiment described above, the light source unit 21 has one light source 210, but it may also have, for example, a first light source that emits a first light (light source 210 drawn with a solid line in Figure 3) and a second light source that emits a second light of a different color from the first light (light source 211 drawn with a dashed line in Figure 3). In this case, the lighting control unit 22 controls the light source unit 21 so as to change the brightness of at least one of the first light source (light source 210) and the second light source (light source 211) over time, thereby realizing the above-described change in lighting state. With this configuration, since the brightness of at least one of the first light source (light source 210) that emits a first light and the second light source (light source 211) that emits a second light changes over time, traffic participants can easily notice that the vehicle communication lamp 20 is lit with an intention other than the intention to light up brake lights or turn signal lamps. Therefore, such a vehicle communication lamp 20 can reliably convey predetermined information, such as an expression of gratitude, to traffic participants.

[0115] In the first to fourth embodiments of the first embodiment described above, the light source unit 21 emits amber, green (yellow-green), and yellow light, but it may also emit pink light, for example.

[0116] In the first embodiment of the second embodiment described above, the light source unit 21A includes four light sources 211A to 214A, but it is sufficient to include one or more light sources. In other words, the number of light sources included in the light source unit 21A is not limited to four.

[0117] In the first embodiment of the second embodiment described above, the light source unit 21A is off at time t60 and becomes brighter as time passes, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the light source unit 21A may be fully lit at time t60, and the light emitted from the light source unit 21A may become dimmer as time passes.

[0118] In the second embodiment described above, the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from the off state to the fully lit state in the normal operation mode is shorter than the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from the off state to the fully lit state in the emotion expression mode, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from the fully lit state to the off state in the normal operation mode may be shorter than the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from the fully lit state to the off state in the emotion expression mode. Even in this case, the transition of the lighting state in the emotion expression mode appears to traffic participants as a more gradual change than the transition of the lighting state in the normal operation mode. Therefore, even in this case, when light is emitted from the light source unit 21A in the emotion expression mode, traffic participants can reliably perceive predetermined information such as gratitude.

[0119] In the second embodiment described above, the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from the off state to the fully lit state in the normal operation mode is shorter than the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from the off state to the fully lit state in the emotion expression mode, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from the fully lit state to the off state in the normal operation mode may be shorter than the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from the fully lit state to the off state in the emotion expression mode. Furthermore, the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from the off state to the fully lit state in the normal operation mode may be shorter than the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from the off state to the fully lit state in the emotion expression mode, and the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from the fully lit state to the off state in the normal operation mode may be shorter than the time required for the light source unit 21A to transition from the fully lit state to the off state in the emotion expression mode. Even in these cases, the transition of the lighting state in the emotion expression mode appears to traffic participants as a more gradual change than the transition of the lighting state in the normal operation mode. Therefore, even in these cases, when light is emitted from the light source unit 21A in the emotion expression mode, traffic participants can reliably perceive predetermined information such as gratitude.

[0120] In the first embodiment of the second embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 10, the amount of change per unit time in the brightness of the light source unit 21A is constant when the brightness of the light source unit 21A is changing, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. As illustrated in Figure 17, when the brightness of the light source unit 21A is changing, the amount of change per unit time in the brightness of the light source unit 21A at the start of the change in brightness of the light source unit 21A may be less than the amount of change per unit time in the brightness of the light source unit 21A at times other than the start of the change. Furthermore, not limited to the example shown in Figure 17, when the brightness of the light source unit 21A is changing, the amount of change per unit time in the brightness of the light source unit 21A at the end of the change in brightness of the light source unit 21A may be less than the amount of change per unit time in the brightness of the light source unit 21A at times other than the end of the change. In these cases, traffic participants will not be surprised by the illumination of such a vehicle communication lamp 20A. Therefore, traffic participants can easily recognize that predetermined information, such as an expression of gratitude, has been conveyed.

[0121] In the first embodiment of the second embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 10, the amount of change per unit time in the brightness of the light source unit 21A is constant when the brightness of the light source unit 21A is changing, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as illustrated in Figure 18, when the brightness of the light source unit 21A is changing, the way in which the brightness of the light source unit 21A changes between time t61 and time t62 may be different from the way in which the brightness of the light source unit 21A changes at other times (e.g., between time t63 and time t64).

[0122] As explained above, the following matters are disclosed in this specification: (1) A light source unit including at least one light source, A vehicle communication lamp comprising: a lighting control unit that controls the light source unit and illuminates the light source unit while changing the brightness of the light source unit. (2) The lighting control unit lights up the light source unit in the first lighting mode or a second lighting mode different from the first lighting mode. The vehicle communication lamp according to claim 1, wherein the way the light source unit lights up is different in the first lighting mode and the second lighting mode. (3) The vehicle communication lamp according to (1) or (2), wherein the lighting control unit lights up the light source unit when a signal for transmitting emotional information to traffic participants is input. (4) The vehicle communication lamp according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the lighting control unit controls the light source unit to change the brightness of the light source unit in steps. (5) The vehicle communication lamp according to (4), wherein the brightness of the light source unit changes in steps, with alternating states of no change in brightness of the light source unit and states of change in brightness of the light source unit. (6) In a state in which the brightness of the light source unit is changing, the amount of change per unit time of the brightness of the light source unit at the start of the change in brightness of the light source unit or at the end of the change in brightness of the light source unit is less than the amount of change per unit time of the brightness of the light source unit at times other than the start of the change and the end of the change, as described in (5). (7) The lighting control unit controls the light source unit so that the light emitted from the light source unit continues to become progressively brighter, as described in any one of (1) to (6). (8) The lighting control unit controls the light source unit so that the light source unit is turned on and off at predetermined time intervals. The vehicle communication lamp according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the predetermined time interval is between 500 milliseconds and 5000 milliseconds. (9) A vehicle communication lamp which is a turn signal lamp, a brake lamp, or a backup lamp, A light source unit including at least one light source, It includes a lighting control unit that controls the light source unit, The lighting control unit can control the light source unit in a first lighting mode for performing the intended function of one of the turn signal lamps, brake lamps, or backup lamps, and in a second lighting mode different from the first lighting mode. A vehicle communication lamp in which at least one of the way the light source unit lights up and the way it turns off is different between the first lighting mode and the second lighting mode. (10) The time required to transition from the off state to the fully lit state in the first lighting mode is shorter than the time required to transition from the off state to the fully lit state in the second lighting mode. and / or, The vehicle communication lamp according to (9), wherein the time required to transition from a fully illuminated state to an off state in the first lighting mode is shorter than the time required to transition from a fully illuminated state to an off state in the second lighting mode.

[0123] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-013306 filed on January 31, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A light source unit including at least one light source, The system includes a lighting control unit that controls the light source unit, which lights up the light source unit while changing the brightness of the light source unit, The lighting control unit lights up the light source unit when it receives an emotional expression signal that conveys emotional information expressing gratitude to traffic participants. The lighting control unit controls the light source unit so that the brightness of the light source unit changes in steps, with alternating states of no change in brightness and states of change in brightness of the light source unit. A vehicle communication lamp in which, when the brightness of the light source unit is changing, the amount of change per unit time of the brightness of the light source unit at the start of the change in brightness of the light source unit or at the end of the change in brightness of the light source unit is less than the amount of change per unit time of the brightness of the light source unit at times other than the start of the change and the end of the change.

2. The lighting control unit lights up the light source unit in a first lighting mode or a second lighting mode different from the first lighting mode. The vehicle communication lamp according to claim 1, wherein the way the light source unit lights up is different in the first lighting mode and the second lighting mode.

3. The vehicle communication lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the emotion expression signal is input based on the vehicle user pressing a thank you switch, which is separate from the hazard switch.

4. The lighting control unit controls the light source unit so that the light source unit is turned on and off at predetermined time intervals. The vehicle communication lamp according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the predetermined time interval is between 500 milliseconds and 5000 milliseconds.

5. A vehicle communication lamp that is either a turn signal lamp, a brake lamp, or a backup lamp, A light source unit including at least one light source, It includes a lighting control unit that controls the light source unit, The lighting control unit can control the light source unit in a first lighting mode for performing the intended function of one of the turn signal lamps, brake lamps, or backup lamps, and in a second lighting mode different from the first lighting mode. In the first lighting mode and the second lighting mode, at least one of the way the light source unit lights up and the way it turns off is different. When the lighting control unit receives an emotional expression signal that conveys emotional information expressing gratitude to traffic participants, it lights up the light source unit in the second lighting mode. The time required to transition from the off state to the fully lit state in the first lighting mode is shorter than the time required to transition from the off state to the fully lit state in the second lighting mode. and / or, A vehicle communication lamp, wherein the time required to transition from a fully illuminated state to an off state in the first lighting mode is shorter than the time required to transition from a fully illuminated state to an off state in the second lighting mode.

Images