WO2016110959A1 - Optical device - Google Patents

Abstract

Conventional optical devices are unable to achieve proper dimming in which colors of incident light are taken into consideration. For example, the conventional optical devices cannot distinguish sunlight during the day, the glow of a sunset, and other ambient light from each other in order to provide proper dimming. Therefore, the present invention provides an optical device which achieves proper dimming in which the colors of a light source are taken into consideration. A first aspect of the present invention provides an optical device provided with: a dimming unit enabling transmissivity to be changed; a first light reception unit which receives light of a first wavelength to output a first signal according to the quantity of light and receives light of a second wavelength to output a second signal according to the quantity of light, the second wavelength being different from the first wavelength; and a control unit which controls the transmissivity of the dimming unit on the basis of the first and second signals.

Description

Optical device

The present invention relates to an optical device.

Optical devices such as light-control glasses that can change the transmittance with liquid crystal or the like are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-48-98844 [Patent Document 2] JP-A-9-179075

However, the conventional optical device cannot realize appropriate light control in consideration of the color of incident light. For example, in a conventional optical device, it is not possible to provide appropriate dimming by distinguishing sunlight during the day, sunset light, and other environmental light.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the dimming unit capable of changing the transmittance, and receiving the light of the first wavelength and outputting the first signal corresponding to the light quantity, the second wavelength different from the first wavelength An optical apparatus comprising: a first light receiving unit that receives light and outputs a second signal corresponding to the amount of light; and a control unit that controls the transmittance of the light control unit based on the first signal and the second signal. provide.

Note that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the features of the present invention. In addition, a sub-combination of these feature groups can also be an invention.

It is a whole block diagram of the optical apparatus 110 of this embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the light control part 16 of this embodiment. It is a block diagram of the control system of the optical apparatus 110 of this embodiment. 3 is a block diagram showing a first light receiving unit 20. FIG. The light control part 16 controlled to the non-light control state is shown. The light control part 16 controlled to the 1st light control state is shown. The light control part 16 controlled to the 2nd light control state is shown. An example of control of the light control part 16 based on the light quantity and the color by the main control part 54 is shown. It is a figure explaining the position and color of the sun. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the position of the sun, illuminance, and color. The modification of the light control part 16 of a 1st light control state is shown. Another modification of the light control part 16 of a 1st light control state is shown. The modification of the light control part 16 of a 2nd light control state is shown. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the liquid-crystal member, and the time until stabilization of the transmittance | permeability. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the duty ratio and the transmittance of the light control unit 16. 5 is a flowchart of processing by the optical device 110. The modification which the optical apparatus 110 has a some light-receiving part is shown. The modification which the optical apparatus 110 has a some light-receiving part is shown. The modification which the optical apparatus 110 has a some light-receiving part is shown. An example of control based on the light amount and color by the main control unit 54 is shown. The modification of the optical apparatus 110 in which the light control part 16 has three area | regions is shown. The example of the 1st light control state of the light control part 16 in this modification is shown. A modification in which the optical device 110 estimates the incident direction of light with a single light receiving unit will be described. An example of the operation of a plurality of divided transparent areas is shown. An example of control based on the light amount, color, and incident angle by the main control unit 54 is shown. 9 shows a flowchart of a modification of processing by the optical device 110. 9 shows a flowchart of a modification of processing by the optical device 110. An example of a change from the non-dimming state to the first dimming state by the optical device 110 is shown. The example of the change from the non-dimming state by the optical apparatus 110 to a 2nd dimming state is shown. The example of the change from the 1st light control state by the optical apparatus 110 to a non-light control state is shown. It is a graph of the experimental result which measured the transmittance | permeability, the average light quantity, and the time change of the detected light quantity.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solving means of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the optical device 110. As shown in FIG. 1, an example of the optical device 110 is eyeglasses. The optical device 110 may be a front portion of a helmet or a vehicle. As shown by arrows in FIG. 1, the top, bottom, left, and right front and rear directions of the optical device 110 when viewed from the user wearing the optical device 110 are the top, bottom, left and right front and rear directions of the optical device 110.

The optical device 110 includes a frame body 12, a power supply unit 14, a pair of left and right light control units 16, a proximity sensor 18, a first light receiving unit 20, and a control unit 22.

The frame 12 holds a power supply unit 14, a pair of light control units 16, a proximity sensor 18, a first light receiving unit 20, and a control unit 22. The frame 12 has a pair of left and right arm portions 24, 24 and a frame main body portion 26. The front end portions of the pair of arm portions 24 are respectively connected to the left and right end portions of the frame main body portion 26. The rear end portion of the arm portion 24 is put on the user's ear. Thereby, the frame main body part 26 is disposed in front of the user's eyes together with the pair of light control parts 16. The frame main body portion 26 supports the pair of light control portions 16.

The power supply unit 14 is controlled by the control unit 22 to apply a voltage to the pair of light control units 16, the proximity sensor 18, the first light receiving unit 20, and the control unit 22. An example of the power supply unit 14 is a rechargeable secondary battery. An example of the secondary battery is a lithium battery or a nickel battery. The power supply unit 14 may be a primary battery.

The pair of light control sections 16 are held by the frame body section 26 and provided in front of the user's left eye and right eye. The pair of dimming units 16 can change the transmittance of light incident from the outside according to the voltage output from the power supply unit 14 and adjusted and applied by the control unit 22. The light control part 16 may have the 1st area | region 62 and the 2nd area | region 64 which can each change the transmittance | permeability independently. For example, the light control unit 16 includes a first region 62 that includes the central portion of the light control unit 16 but does not include at least a part of the end, and a second region 64 that includes at least a part of the end of the light control unit 16. May be included.

As an example, the light control unit 16 includes a first region 62 including a center and a lower portion (including a lower end portion) and a second region 64 including an upper portion (including an upper end portion) as shown in FIG. Have. Instead, the light control unit 16 includes a first region 62 corresponding to the central portion of the light control unit 16 where the user's line of sight concentrates, and a second region 64 surrounding the outer periphery of the first region 62. Also good. In such a case, the user's line of sight is likely to concentrate on the first area 62, but the user's line of sight is less likely to be concentrated on the second area 64.

The proximity sensor 18 is disposed on the rear surface of the central portion of the frame main body 26, that is, on the user side, and detects that the user has attached the optical device 110. The proximity sensor 18 is connected to the control unit 22. The proximity sensor 18 detects the presence / absence of an object behind the frame body 26 and outputs information about the presence / absence to the control unit 22. Therefore, when the optical device 110 is attached to the user, the proximity sensor 18 detects that the user is present behind the frame body 26 and sends a presence signal, which is an example of information regarding presence / absence, to the control unit 22. Output.

An example of the proximity sensor 18 is a light emitting element that outputs light such as infrared rays backward, and a light receiving element that receives light such as infrared rays output from the light emitting elements and converts the light into electrical signals. Therefore, the light output from the light emitting element is reflected by the user or the like wearing the optical device 110 and received by the light receiving element. In this case, the proximity sensor 18 detects the presence of the user and outputs a presence signal.

The first light receiving unit 20 is disposed on the front surface of the central portion of the frame main body 26, that is, on the incident side, and detects light incident on the optical device 110. The first light receiving unit 20 is connected to the control unit 22. The 1st light-receiving part 20 is provided toward the front. In addition, the front includes not only a straight front where the inclination from the horizontal direction and the vertical direction is 0 °, but also a direction inclined in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. The first light receiving unit 20 detects the amount of light from the outside incident from the front, and outputs a signal indicating the detected amount of light to the control unit 22. Details of the first light receiving unit 20 will be described later.

The control unit 22 is provided at the center of the frame main body 26 and controls the operation of the optical device 110. The control unit 22 may be connected to the light control unit 16 by a flexible wiring. The control unit 22 governs overall control of the optical device 110. Details of the control unit 22 will be described later.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the light control unit 16. When the optical device 110 is worn by the user, the front is outside. Accordingly, the light from the outside travels from the front or the direction inclined in the vertical direction to the rear as indicated by the arrow A1. Further, when the user wears the optical device 110, the user becomes a position behind the light control unit 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light control unit 16 includes an incident side polarizing plate 30, an incident side substrate 32, an incident side transparent electrode 34, an incident side alignment film 36, a liquid crystal member 38, and an output side alignment film 40. And an output side transparent electrode 42, an output side substrate 44, and an output side polarizing plate 46.

The incident side polarizing plate 30 is disposed on the most incident side of the light control unit 16. The incident side polarizing plate 30 covers the entire surface on the outgoing side of the incident side substrate 32. The incident-side polarizing plate 30 has a transmission axis that is inclined counterclockwise from the horizontal direction when viewed from the emission side, as indicated by an arrow A2. An example of the inclination angle of the transmission axis of the incident side polarizing plate 30 is 45 ° clockwise from the vertical direction when viewed from the output side. The incident side polarizing plate 30 emits light incident from the outside, for example, non-polarized natural light as linearly polarized light having a polarization direction parallel to the transmission axis.

The incident side substrate 32 is disposed on the exit side of the incident side polarizing plate 30. The incident side substrate 32 is made of an insulating material capable of transmitting light such as optically isotropic glass. The incident side substrate 32 holds the incident side polarizing plate 30, the incident side transparent electrode 34, and the incident side alignment film 36.

The incident side transparent electrode 34 is formed over the entire surface on the exit side of the incident side substrate 32. The incident-side transparent electrode 34 is made of a material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) that has conductivity and can transmit light. The incident-side transparent electrode 34 includes a divided electrode 162 corresponding to the first region 62 and a divided electrode 160 corresponding to the second region 64.

The incident-side alignment film 36 is formed over the entire surface on the exit side of the incident-side transparent electrode 34. The incident-side alignment film 36 has a rubbing direction on the lower left side when viewed from the emission side, as indicated by an arrow A3. An example of the rubbing direction of the incident-side alignment film 36 is a direction inclined by 45 ° from the horizontal direction to the lower left when viewed from the output side. The rubbing direction of the incident side alignment film 36 is parallel to the transmission axis of the incident side polarizing plate 30. The incident side alignment film 36 aligns the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal member 38 along the rubbing direction.

The liquid crystal member 38 is provided on the emission side, that is, on the user side of the incident side alignment film 36 and the incident side polarizing plate 30. An example of the material constituting the liquid crystal member 38 is positive nematic liquid crystal. Linearly polarized light having a polarization direction parallel to the transmission axis of the incident side polarizing plate 30 is incident on the liquid crystal member 38. In a state where no voltage is applied, the liquid crystal member 38 rotates the polarization direction of the incident linearly polarized light by 90 °. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied, the liquid crystal member 38 emits the incident linearly polarized light with its polarization direction rotated by less than 90 ° or without rotating.

The emission side alignment film 40 is provided over the entire emission side surface of the liquid crystal member 38. In other words, the emission side alignment film 40 is provided on the user side with respect to the liquid crystal member 38. Accordingly, the liquid crystal member 38 is disposed between the incident side alignment film 36 and the emission side alignment film 40. The exit-side alignment film 40 has an upper left rubbing direction as seen from the exit side, as indicated by an arrow A4. In other words, the rubbing direction of the exit-side alignment film 40 is the same left direction in the horizontal direction as the rubbing direction of the incident-side alignment film 36, and is a different upward direction in the vertical direction. An example of the rubbing direction of the emitting side alignment film 40 is a direction inclined 45 ° from the horizontal direction to the upper left side when viewed from the emitting side. The rubbing direction of the emission side alignment film 40 is orthogonal to the rubbing direction of the incident side alignment film 36. The exit side alignment film 40 aligns the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal member 38 along the rubbing direction. As a result, the liquid crystal member 38 is in a twisted nematic mode.

The exit-side transparent electrode 42 is provided over the entire exit-side surface of the exit-side alignment film 40. The incident side transparent electrode 34 and the emission side transparent electrode 42 are provided to face each other. Accordingly, the liquid crystal member 38 is provided between the incident side transparent electrode 34 and the emission side transparent electrode 42. The incident-side transparent electrode 34 and the emission-side transparent electrode 42 apply a voltage at substantially the same potential over the entire surface of the liquid crystal member 38. The exit side transparent electrode 42 may be made of the same material as the entrance side transparent electrode. Instead of dividing the incident side transparent electrode 34, the emission side transparent electrode 42 may be divided to have a plurality of divided electrodes.

The exit side substrate 44 is disposed on the exit side of the exit side surface of the exit side transparent electrode 42. The exit side substrate 44 may be made of the same material as the entrance side substrate 32. The emission side substrate 44 holds the emission side alignment film 40, the emission side transparent electrode 42, and the emission side polarizing plate 46. The incident side substrate 32 and the emission side substrate 44 seal the liquid crystal member 38.

The exit side polarizing plate 46 covers the entire exit side surface of the exit side substrate 44. The exit side polarizing plate 46 is disposed on the most exit side of the light control unit 16. The output side polarizing plate 46 has a transmission axis inclined clockwise from the horizontal direction when viewed from the output side, as indicated by an arrow A5. An example of the inclination angle of the transmission axis of the output side polarizing plate 46 is 45 ° counterclockwise from the vertical direction when viewed from the output side. Therefore, the transmission axis of the exit side polarizing plate 46 is parallel to the rubbing direction of the exit side alignment film 40. Further, the output side polarizing plate 46 has a transmission axis orthogonal to the transmission axis of the incident side polarizing plate 30. Linearly polarized light modulated by the liquid crystal member 38 enters the output-side polarizing plate 46 and emits linearly polarized light having a polarization direction parallel to the transmission axis.

The light control unit 16 has such a configuration, so that non-polarized incident light is converted into linearly polarized light by the incident-side polarizing plate 30, and linearly polarized light is modulated by the liquid crystal member 38. The light that has passed through the output side polarizing plate 46 is output as output light. For example, the liquid crystal member 38 rotates the incident linearly polarized light by 90 degrees in a state where no voltage is applied, and outputs linearly polarized light whose rotation angle gradually decreases as the voltage is gradually applied. The incident linearly polarized light is output without being rotated. Thereby, the light control part 16 will be in a permeation | transmission state at the time of a voltage non-application, and changes to a non-transmission state gradually according to the applied amount of a voltage.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control system of the optical device 110. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 22 includes a charging unit 50, a liquid crystal driving unit 52, a main control unit 54 that is an example of a voltage control unit, and a storage unit 56.

The charging unit 50 connects the power supply unit 14 and an external power supply. The charging unit 50 controls the start and stop of charging of the power supply unit 14 based on an instruction from the control unit 22. The charging unit 50 outputs information on the state of charge of the power supply unit 14 to the main control unit 54.

The liquid crystal driving unit 52 receives power from the power supply unit 14. The liquid crystal driving unit 52 applies a voltage to the liquid crystal member 38 via the incident side transparent electrode 34 and the emission side transparent electrode 42. The liquid crystal driving unit 52 includes an operational amplifier and an analog switch.

An example of the main control unit 54 is a microcomputer. The main control unit 54 controls the optical device 110 via the charging unit 50, the liquid crystal driving unit 52, and the storage unit 56.

The main control unit 54 controls the voltage applied to the dimming unit 16 via the liquid crystal driving unit 52. As a specific example, the main control unit 54 controls the voltage applied to the dimming unit 16 via the incident-side transparent electrode 34 and the emission-side transparent electrode 42 in a state where the presence signal is input from the proximity sensor 18. Thus, the light control of the light control unit 16 is controlled. The main control unit 54 does not apply a voltage to the dimming unit 16 and does not control the dimming of the dimming unit 16 when no presence signal is input from the proximity sensor 18. In other words, the main control unit 54 turns on the optical device 110 when the presence signal is input, and turns off the optical device 110 when the presence signal is not input. Further, the main control unit 54 switches the power-on state and the off-state of the optical device 110 based on the state of charge of the power supply unit 14 acquired from the charging unit 50.

In the ON state, the main control unit 54 controls the voltage applied to the liquid crystal member 38 of the light control unit 16 based on the signal acquired from the first light receiving unit 20, thereby changing the light control state of the light control unit 16. Control. As a specific example, the main control unit 54 controls the voltage applied to the liquid crystal member 38 by periodically switching between a high voltage and a low voltage. An example of the high voltage is 3V, and an example of the low voltage is 0V. Note that the main control unit 54 alternately applies +3 V and −3 V every cycle when a high voltage is applied. The main control unit 54 switches between a high voltage and a low voltage at a frequency between 600 Hz. Here, the main control unit 54 synchronizes the voltages applied to the left and right light control units 16.

The main control unit 54 controls the transmittance of the light control unit 16 according to the duty ratio of the high voltage. The duty ratio of the high voltage here is a ratio of the time for applying the high voltage to one cycle, that is, the sum of the time for applying the low voltage and the time for applying the high voltage. In the following description, when the duty ratio is simply described, the duty ratio means a high voltage duty ratio. The main control unit 54 controls the voltage so that the transmittance of the light control unit 16 does not become “0”, that is, does not completely block light. More preferably, the main control unit 54 controls the voltage so that the transmittance of the light control unit 16 is 8% or more.

Furthermore, the main control unit 54 switches the voltage applied to the dimming unit 16 according to the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the dimming unit 16 and switches the transmittance of the dimming unit 16. For example, the main controller 54 decreases the transmittance of the first region 62 / second region 64 by increasing the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the divided electrode 160 / divided electrode 162, thereby dividing the divided electrode 160 / divided electrode 162. The transmittance of the first region 62 / second region 64 is increased by lowering the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the first region 62.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the first light receiving unit 20. Each of the first light receiving units 20 receives light in a specific wavelength range and outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of received light. For example, the first light receiving unit 20 receives light having a first wavelength and outputs a first signal corresponding to the amount of light, receives light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and second corresponding to the amount of light. Output a signal. The first light receiving unit 20 may include one or a plurality of light receiving sensors. For example, the first light receiving unit 20 supplies the control unit 22 with the light amount and color information of the incident light by supplying the control unit 22 with a signal indicating the amount of light received from each of the plurality of light receiving sensors. It's okay. For example, as shown in the figure, the first light receiving unit 20 receives the light of the first wavelength and outputs the first signal according to the light amount, and the light of the second wavelength different from the first wavelength. A second light receiving sensor 204 that receives the light and outputs a second signal corresponding to the amount of light; and a third light that receives light having a first wavelength and a third wavelength different from the second wavelength and outputs a third signal corresponding to the amount of light. A light receiving sensor 206 is included.

As an example, the first light receiving unit 20 may be an RGB color sensor, and the first light receiving sensor 202 receives light in the vicinity of a red wavelength (for example, 620 nm) and outputs a first signal, and the second light receiving sensor. 204 receives light in the vicinity of a wavelength (for example, 540 nm) that becomes green and outputs a second signal, and the third light receiving sensor 206 receives light in the vicinity of a wavelength (for example, 460 nm) that becomes blue and receives a third signal. May be output. As another example, the first light receiving unit 20 may include a first light receiving sensor that receives red light and a second light receiving sensor that receives all visible light.

Specifically, the first light receiving unit 20 may be a photodiode with a color filter. In this case, each light receiving sensor such as the first light receiving sensor 202 receives light of each color transmitted through each pixel of the color filter. To do. The first light receiving unit 20 may be a photodiode with a diffraction grating. In this case, each light receiving sensor such as the first light receiving sensor 202 receives light of each color dispersed by the diffraction grating. Alternatively, the first light receiving unit 20 may be a photodiode with a color changer. In this case, the first light receiving unit 20 may have one light receiving sensor, and the color wheel is arranged in front of the light receiving sensor. By rotating, the light receiving sensor may receive light of different colors (wavelengths) in time division, and the light reception sensor may output the first signal, the second signal, and the like in time division. Each light receiving sensor such as the first light receiving sensor 202 outputs an analog electric signal corresponding to the amount of received light of each color as the first signal and the second signal. Instead, each light receiving sensor may convert an analog electric signal corresponding to the amount of received light of each color into a digital signal (such as an electric signal or an optical signal) and output it. An example of the amount of light may be illuminance [unit: lux (= lx)]. In the description of the present embodiment, a case where the first light receiving unit 20 includes a plurality of light receiving sensors will be described as an example.

5, 6, and 7 are diagrams for explaining a plurality of dimming states of the dimming unit 16. The main control unit 54 receives signals from the plurality of light receiving sensors of the first light receiving unit 20, calculates the amount and color of incident light, and switches the light control unit 16 between the plurality of light control states. For example, the main control unit 54 performs dimming based on the first signal, the second signal, and / or the third signal received from the first light receiving sensor 202, the second light receiving sensor 204, and / or the third light receiving sensor 206. The transmittance of the unit 16 is controlled to switch the light control unit 16 to the non-light control state, the first light control state, or the second light control state.

FIG. 5 shows the dimming unit 16 controlled to the non-dimming state. For example, the main control unit 54 compares the calculated amount and color of incident light with the reference stored in the storage unit 56. The main control unit 54 does not apply a voltage to the liquid crystal member 38 of the light control unit 16 when determining that the light amount and color of the incident light satisfy a predetermined standard. As a result, the liquid crystal member 38 rotates the linearly polarized light incident in the entire region by 90 ° and emits it. As a result, the light control unit 16 enters the non-light control state shown in FIG. The state shown in FIG. 5 is a state where the transmittance of the light control unit 16 is the largest. In other words, the optical device 110 is a normally white mode in which the transmittance is maximized when no voltage is applied. In the present specification, the term “transmittance” may refer to, for example, the transmittance for light incident from the vertical direction on the surface of the light control unit 16. Instead, the “transmittance” is a straight line that connects each region of the light control unit 16 from the position of the eye of the person using the optical device 110 that is spectacles (for example, the position of the user's eye assumed in design). May refer to the transmittance for light incident along the. For example, the transmittance of the first region of the light control unit 16 may be the transmittance of light along a line connecting the center of the first region and the human eye.

FIG. 6 shows the dimming unit 16 controlled to the first dimming state. The main control unit 54 independently controls the transmittance of the first region 62 and the second region 64 of the light control unit 16 in the first light control state. For example, the main control unit 54 makes the transmittance of the second region 64 at the end lower than the first region 62 at the center of the light control unit 16 in the vertical direction. As an example, when the main control unit 54 determines that the light amount and color of the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 satisfy a predetermined standard, only the divided electrode 162 of the dimming unit 16 has a predetermined first. A high voltage and a low voltage are periodically applied at a duty ratio of 1. As a result, the second region 64 located at the upper end of the light control unit 16 emits a part or all of the incident linearly polarized light by rotating it less than 90 °. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, only the upper part of the light control unit 16 is in a non-transparent state or a non-transparent state. Thereby, the optical device 110 effectively dimmes strong light (for example, sunlight) from above the field of view in a first dimming state like a ridge.

In the first dimming state shown in FIG. 6, at least the transmittance of the second region 64 is lower than the transmittance of the dimming unit 16 shown in FIG. On the other hand, the main control unit 54 does not apply a voltage to the divided electrodes 160, and the first region 62 of the light control unit 16 is in the normally white mode as in FIG. The main control unit 54 may reduce the transmittance of the lower end and / or the left and right ends of the dimming unit 16 by providing the divided electrodes at the lower end and / or the left and right ends of the dimming unit 16.

FIG. 7 shows the dimming unit 16 controlled to the second dimming state. In the second dimming state, the main control unit 54 controls the dimming unit 16 so that the difference in transmittance between the first region 62 at the center and the second region 64 at the end is smaller than in the first dimming state. Control. For example, the main control unit 54 controls the dimming unit 16 so that the difference in transmittance between the first region 62 and the second region 64 becomes zero in the second dimming state.

As an example, when the main control unit 54 determines that the light amount and color of the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 satisfy a predetermined standard, the main control unit 54 applies the first electrode to the divided electrode 160 and the divided electrode 162 of the dimming unit 16. A high voltage and a low voltage are periodically applied at a predetermined second duty ratio smaller than the duty ratio. Thereby, the light control part 16 rotates and emits a part or all of the incident linearly polarized light by less than 90 ° in the entire region. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the dimmer 16 is entirely translucent. Thereby, in the second light control state, the optical device 110 effectively reduces light from the entire field of view (for example, sunlight reflected on a white wall) like a normal sunglasses. In the state illustrated in FIG. 7, the transmittance of the first region 62 and the second region 64 is lower than the transmittance of the light control unit 16 illustrated in FIG. 5 and higher than the transmittance of the second region 64 illustrated in FIG. 6. State.

FIG. 8 shows an example of control of the light control unit 16 based on the light amount and color by the main control unit 54. Based on a table stored in advance in the storage unit 56, the main control unit 54 receives information on the light amount and color of light incident from the first light receiving unit 20, and determines whether the light amount and color meet predetermined criteria. And the dimming unit 16 may be switched between the non-dimming state, the first dimming state, and the second dimming state based on the determination result.

For example, first, the main control unit 54 calculates the amount of light received by the first light receiving unit 20 from the average intensity of signals received from the plurality of light receiving sensors of the first light receiving unit 20, and based on the light amount. Then, it is determined whether or not the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is brighter than a predetermined illuminance standard. As an example, the main control unit 54 determines whether the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is brighter than the first threshold Th1, or the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is greater than the second threshold Th2 that is smaller than the first threshold Th1. It is determined whether it is bright or the brightness of the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is less than the second threshold Th2.

Next, the main control unit 54 calculates color information of light received by the first light receiving unit 20 from ratios of signal intensities from the plurality of light receiving sensors of the first light receiving unit 20, and based on the color information. Then, it is determined whether the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is red above a predetermined color reference. A specific determination method of the main control unit 54 will be described later.

The main control unit 54 determines that the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is brighter than the first threshold Th1 ((a) and (d) in FIG. 8), and the first light receiving unit 20 When the received light is determined to be brighter than a first threshold Th2 smaller than the first threshold Th1 and brighter than a predetermined reference and red ((b) in FIG. 8), the dimmer 16 is controlled to the first dimming state. To do. Thereby, the main control unit 54 determines that the sunlight is directly incident on the user's eyes when the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is very bright ((a) and (b)). The glare of the user can be reduced by forming a bowl-shaped light-shielding region in the second region at the end of the light control unit 16 where sunlight is likely to pass. Further, the main control unit 54 determines that the sunset is incident when the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is brighter and more red to some extent, and forms a similar light shielding region in the light control unit 16, The glare of the user can be reduced.

When the main control unit 54 determines that the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is brighter than the second threshold Th2, which is smaller than the first threshold Th1, but is not red above a predetermined reference ((e in FIG. 8) )), The light control unit 16 is controlled to the second light control state. Accordingly, when the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is brighter than a certain level and is not red (e), the main control unit 54 receives reflected sunlight (for example, light that is irregularly reflected by white walls). It can be determined that the light is incident on the optical device 110, and a thin light-shielding region can be formed in the entire light control unit 16, thereby reducing the glare of the user.

Next, an example of a method for setting the light amount threshold will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the position and color of the sun. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship among the sun position, illuminance, and color.

As shown in FIG. 9, the position of the sun in a state where the sun is directly above the user is assumed to be Su1. The positions where the sun gradually sinks to the west as time passes are assumed to be positions Su2 to Su5, respectively. At the positions Su3 and Su4, the sun is in the western day and is reddish compared to Su1 and Su2. At the position Su5, the sun is sinking below the horizon LH or the horizon LH, but the west direction is bright.

As shown in FIG. 10, at these positions Su1 to Su5, the amount of light detected by the first light receiving unit 20 increases while the sun moves from position Su1 to position Su3, and the sun moves from position Su3 to position Su5. Decreases while moving to. Therefore, the first threshold value Th1 of the light amount is set so that the transmittance of the light control unit 16 is lowered from the position Su2 to the position Su3 where the direct sunlight is strong and the light amount is large. Actually, the difference in the light amount between Su1 and Su3 is about 50 times, but in FIG. 10, the difference in the light amount at each sun position Su1 to Su5 is shown smaller than the actual for convenience of explanation.

Further, from the position Su1 to the position Su5, the color of light received by the first light receiving unit 20 gradually becomes reddish while the sun moves from the position Su1 to the position Su5. Accordingly, the second threshold value Th2 and the color reference are set so that the transmittance of the light control unit 16 is lowered in the sunset Su4, which is not so strong but the incident angle is low and is easily disturbed by human eyes. The

FIG. 11 shows a modification of the light control unit 16 in the first light control state. The main control unit 54 may vary the transmittance of the first region 62 of the dimming unit 16 in the first dimming state. For example, when the light amount is larger than a predetermined reference, the main control unit 54 has a higher transmittance than the second region 64 in the first region 62 in the first dimming state as shown in FIG. The semi-transmission state may have a lower transmittance than the non-dimming state, and the first region 62 may have the same transmission state as the non-dimming state as shown in FIG.

As an example, when the main control unit 54 determines that it corresponds to the table (a), (b), or (d) of FIG. 8 based on the signals from the plurality of light receiving sensors, the main control unit 54 controls the first dimming unit 16. Control to the state. Here, in the first dimming state, the main control unit 54 places the first region 62 in a state where the transmittance is lower (for example, the semi-transmissive state in FIG. 11A) in order to further reduce glare. As described above, the transmittance of the light control unit 16 may be controlled. The main control unit 54 controls the first region 62 to be in a semi-transmissive state in the cases of FIGS. 8A and 8D, and controls not to be in a semi-transmissive state in the case of FIG. 8B. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from seeing the surrounding situation in a situation where a strong sunset is incident and the scenery other than the sunset is dark.

The main control unit 54 receives light from the first light receiving unit 20 based on signals from a plurality of light receiving sensors (for example, the first signal, the second signal, the third signal, or a combination of two or more thereof). When it is determined that the light is more red than a predetermined color reference and the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 has a brightness lower than a predetermined illuminance reference Th1 (for example, in the case of FIG. 8B) ), In the first dimming state, the transmittance of the dimming unit 16 may be controlled so that the first region 62 has a higher transmittance (for example, the transmitting state in FIG. 11B). .

Accordingly, for example, in an environment where the sun of Su3 in FIG. 10 is present, there is a high possibility that not only the sun but also the surrounding scenery is dazzling. The transmittance of the area 62 can also be slightly reduced, reducing the glare of the user. On the other hand, in the environment where the sun of Su4 in FIG. 10 is present, the state is closer to dusk as compared to the environment where the sun of Su3 is present. Therefore, the optical device 110 has the first region 62 in the first dimming state. It is possible to allow the user to fully observe scenery other than the sun without reducing the transmittance.

FIG. 12 shows another modification of the light control unit 16 in the first light control state. The main control unit 54 may change the transmittance of the second region 64 in addition to / instead of changing the transmittance of the first region 62 of the dimming unit 16 in the first dimming state. For example, when the light amount is larger than a predetermined reference, the main control unit 54 may set the second region 64 in the first dimming state to a low transmittance state as shown in FIG. If it is less than the reference, the second region 64 may not be in the transmissive state as shown in FIG.

As an example, the main control unit 54 is in a state where the second region 64 has a lower transmittance in the first dimming state when it corresponds to FIG. 8A and / or FIG. 8D (FIG. 12A). Thus, in the case corresponding to FIG. 8B, the transmittance of the light control unit 16 may be controlled so that the second region 64 has a higher transmittance (FIG. 12B). Thereby, the optical device 110 can adjust the dimming action of the bowl-shaped light shielding region in the first dimming state according to the glare of the light source.

FIG. 13 shows a modification of the light control unit 16 in the second light control state. The main control unit 54 may switch the transmittance of the dimming unit 16 to a plurality of levels in the second dimming state. For example, in the second dimming state, the main control unit 54 may control the transmittance of the dimming unit 16 to a plurality of subdivided levels according to the light amount.

As an example, when the main control unit 54 determines that the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 corresponds to FIG. 8E based on the first signal, the second signal, and the like, the first threshold Th1> third. A third threshold value Th1.1 that satisfies threshold value Th1.1> second threshold value Th2 is set, and it is determined whether the received light amount LA satisfies Th2 ≦ LA <Th1.1 or Th1.1 ≦ LA <Th1. To do. When the main control unit 54 determines that Th2 ≦ LA <Th1.1 is satisfied, the transmittance of the light control unit 16 is set to a relatively high first level as illustrated in FIG. When it is determined that LA <Th1 is satisfied, the transmittance of the light control unit 16 is set to a relatively low second level as shown in FIG. Thereby, the main control part 54 can make the suitable dimming effect | action of the suitable light control part 16 according to the light quantity of incident light to an appropriate grade also in a 2nd light control state.

Further, when the main control unit 54 controls the dimming unit 16 at a plurality of transmittance levels in the second dimming state, the main control unit 54 changes the transmittance of the dimming unit 16 from a certain level to another level. After switching to the level, the threshold value for returning the transmittance from another level to the original level again may be given more margin than the first threshold value used first.

For example, first, in the second dimming state, the main control unit 54 sets the third threshold Th1.1 that satisfies the first threshold Th1> the third threshold Th1.1> the second threshold Th2. When the main control unit 54 determines that the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 has become brighter than the third threshold Th1.1, the main control unit 54 transmits the transmittance of the light control unit 16 from the first level to the first level. Switch to the second level where the rate is low. Thereafter, in the second dimming state, the main control unit 54 has a fourth threshold value Th1.2 that is smaller than the third threshold value Th1.1 that satisfies the third threshold value Th1.1> the fourth threshold value Th1.2> the second threshold value Th2. And the transmittance of the light control unit 16 may be switched from the second level to the first level when it is determined that the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 has become darker than the fourth threshold Th1.2.

As a result, the main control unit 54 does not easily return the transmittance level to the original level even if the light amount returns to the original level after once switching the transmittance level of the dimming unit 16 in the second dimming state. This prevents a phenomenon in which the dimming state is switched one after another in the vicinity of the light amount threshold value. Therefore, the optical device 110 can improve the visibility of the user.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal member 38 via the divided electrode 160 and the time until the transmittance is stabilized. The example shown in FIG. 14 is a case where the liquid crystal member 38 is set to a super twist nematic mode. As shown in FIG. 14, the transmittance of the light control unit 16 becomes a substantially maximum value and is saturated when the voltage is switched from a high voltage to a low voltage.

As shown in FIG. 14, when the transmittance of the light control unit 16 changes from the minimum value to the maximum value, the time required for the transmittance to stabilize after switching from the high voltage to the low voltage is about 7 ms. It is. Here, the time required for stabilization of the transmittance is the time from when the transmittance of the light control unit 16 is at the minimum value until the voltage is switched to the maximum value. Since one cycle of 60 Hz is 16.67 ms, the time during which a low voltage is applied during one cycle is 8.33 ms. When the transmittance changes from the minimum value to the maximum value, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal member 38 return from the linear arrangement state to the twisted state from the incident side along the emission side.

On the other hand, when the transmittance of the light control unit 16 changes from the maximum value to the minimum value, the time required for the transmittance to stabilize after switching from the low voltage to the high voltage is about 300 μs. Therefore, the time until the transmittance increases and stabilizes is longer than the time until the transmittance decreases and stabilizes. When the transmittance changes from the maximum value to the minimum value, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal member 38 change from the twisted state along the exit side from the incident side to the linearly arranged state.

The main control unit 54 needs a little processing time to process the signal after receiving the signal indicating the increase in the light amount from the first light receiving unit 20 and to output a signal for controlling the light control unit 16. However, the main controller 54 detects the increase in the amount of light from the first light receiving unit 20 based on the first signal and / or the second signal, etc. The state or the second dimming state is controlled to reduce the transmittance of the dimming unit 16. Details of the change time of the light control state of the light control unit 16 will be described later. As a result, the optical device 110 can provide appropriate light control to the user before the time when a person feels uncomfortable with the dazzling light has elapsed.

In the twisted nematic mode, when the transmittance of the dimmer 16 changes from the minimum value to the maximum value, the time required for the transmittance to stabilize after switching from the high voltage to the low voltage is about 5 ms. It is. However, in the twisted nematic mode, it takes 1 ms for the transmittance to start changing after switching from a high voltage to a low voltage. In the twisted nematic mode, when the transmittance of the light control unit 16 changes from the maximum value to the minimum value, the time required for the transmittance to stabilize after switching from the low voltage to the high voltage is about 300 μs. .

The main controller 54 applies a high voltage at 600 Hz, for example, as shown in the lower part of FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the main control unit 54 determines the time required for stabilization when the transmittance of the dimmer 16 changes from the minimum value to the maximum value by switching the voltage, and the dimmer 16 When the transmittance changes from the maximum value to the minimum value by switching the voltage, the high voltage and the low voltage are switched in a cycle shorter than the sum of the time required for stabilization. More specifically, the main control unit 54 sets the high voltage at a cycle shorter than the time required for stabilization when the transmittance of the dimming unit 16 is changed from the minimum value to the maximum value by switching the voltage. Switching between low voltage. Here, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 14, a plurality of duty ratios exist in one cycle. As described above, the plurality of duty ratios are related to the transmittance of the light control unit 16. A specific example of this relationship will be described.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing the relationship between the duty ratio and the transmittance of the light control unit 16. The lower graph of FIG. 15 shows the waveform of the voltage applied to the dimmer 16. In the lower graph of FIG. 15, the period from each voltage waveform VL1 to voltage waveform VL5 is the same. In each of the voltage waveforms VL1 to VL5, the high voltage values are the same and the low voltage values are the same. In the order of the voltage waveform VL1 to the voltage waveform VL5, the duty ratio of the high voltage gradually decreases. The transmittance waveform WA1 to the transmittance waveform WA5 in the upper graph of FIG. 15 are graphs of the forward transmittance of the dimming unit 16 to which the voltage waveform VL5 is applied, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 15, the transmittance of the light control unit 16 is shorter than the time until the liquid crystal member 38 stabilizes the period of the applied voltage, and therefore, a part of the transmittance between the maximum value and the minimum value. Amplitude in region. Furthermore, the duty ratio of the high voltage is related to the transmittance. Specifically, as the duty ratio increases as in the voltage waveform VL1 or the like, the high voltage time becomes longer. Therefore, since the time during which the transmittance is high is shortened, the integrated transmittance obtained by integrating the transmittance with time is low. On the other hand, when the duty ratio is low as in the voltage waveform VL5, the low voltage time is lengthened. Accordingly, since the time during which the transmittance is high is prolonged, the integrated transmittance is increased. In the present embodiment, the main control unit 54 gives one of the voltage waveforms VL1 to VL5 to the divided electrodes, or does not apply a voltage, so that the transmittance of each region of the light control unit 16 is increased. By switching, each light control state of the light control unit 16 is realized.

In the optical device 110, the main control unit 54 switches the high voltage and the low voltage at a cycle shorter than the time during which the liquid crystal member 38 is stabilized, and applies it to the light control unit 16. Thereby, the optical device 110 can amplify the transmittance of the light control unit 16 in a partial region between the maximum value and the minimum value. As a result, the user sees the outside in a state where the light amount is amplified at a constant value, and thus the optical device 110 can reduce flicker.

In the optical device 110, the main control unit 54 switches between a high voltage and a low voltage at a cycle that is extremely shorter than the blinking cycle of a traffic light or the like. Thereby, the optical apparatus 110 can suppress that the time when light hardly reaches eyes of a user continues. As a result, the optical device 110 can further suppress flicker.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of processing by the optical device 110.

First, the main control unit 54 determines whether or not the proximity sensor 18 has detected a user in S10. When the main control unit 54 cannot detect the user (S10: No), the main control unit 54 is in a standby state until it is determined that the proximity sensor 18 has detected the user. When the main control unit 54 detects the user according to the user wearing the glasses-type optical device 110 or the like (S10: Yes), the proximity sensor 18 sends a presence signal indicating that the user has been detected to the main control unit. To 54.

Next, in S12, the main control unit 54 resets the detection time t for determining whether it is necessary to detect the light amount to “0”.

Next, in S14, the main control unit 54 determines whether or not the detection time t is equal to or longer than the detection cycle P0 for detecting the light amount. The main control unit 54 is in a standby state until the detection time t becomes equal to or longer than the detection cycle P0 (S14: No). If the main control unit 54 determines that the detection time t is equal to or greater than the detection cycle P0 (S14: Yes), the process proceeds to S16.

In S16, the main control unit 54 acquires information on the amount of light received from the plurality of light receiving sensors of the first light receiving unit 20.

Next, in S18, the main control unit 54 determines whether or not the light amount detected by the first light receiving unit 20 is greater than or equal to the second threshold Th2 based on the acquired information regarding the light amount. For example, the main control unit 54 determines whether or not the average amount of light received by the plurality of light receiving sensors is equal to or greater than the second threshold Th2. As an example, the main control unit 54 includes a first signal from the first light receiving sensor 202, a second signal from the second light receiving sensor 204, and a third signal from the third light receiving sensor 206 (or a part thereof, for example, It is determined whether the amount of light corresponding to the average value of the signal intensity of the first signal and the second signal is brighter than the second threshold Th2 that is smaller than the first threshold Th1 or less than the second threshold Th2. Here, when the first to third signals are digital signals, the main control unit 54 may use the value of the light quantity indicated by the digital signals instead of the signal intensity of the signals from the plurality of light receiving sensors.

If the main control unit 54 determines that the light amount is less than the second threshold Th2 (S18: No), the process proceeds to S20, and if the light amount is determined to be greater than or equal to the second threshold Th2 (S18: Yes), the process proceeds to S22.

In S20, the main control unit 54 controls the light control unit 16 to the non-light control state, and advances the process to S30.

In S22, the main control unit 54 determines whether or not the amount of light detected by the first light receiving unit 20 is greater than or equal to the first threshold Th1, which is larger than the second threshold Th2, based on the acquired information on the amount of light. To do. For example, the main control unit 54 determines whether or not the average light amount received by the plurality of light receiving sensors is equal to or greater than the first threshold Th1. If the main control unit 54 determines that the light amount is less than the first threshold Th1 (S22: No), the process proceeds to S24. If the main control unit 54 determines that the light amount is greater than or equal to the first threshold Th1 (S22: Yes), the process proceeds to S26.

In S24, the main control unit 54 determines whether or not the red color of the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference based on the acquired information regarding the light amount. For example, the main control unit 54 uses the intensity of the first signal from the first light receiving sensor 202 that receives red light, the intensity of the signal from the other light receiving sensor (for example, the intensity of one of the second signal and the third signal, Alternatively, a ratio to the sum of these intensities) is used as color information, and it is determined whether the ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. That is, the main control unit 54 determines that the incident light is red when the ratio of the R signal in the RGB signals from the plurality of light receiving sensors is larger than a certain value.

Instead, for example, the main control unit 54 changes the color of light received by the first light receiving unit 20 based on the intensity of signals from a plurality of light receiving sensors that are RGB color sensors, such as an xy chromaticity diagram. A space in which received light is converted into coordinates in space and red is displayed on the color space (as an example, it is predetermined from (x, y) = (0.52, 0.41) on the xy chromaticity diagram) If it is included in a space within a distance, it may be determined that the color is red above a predetermined reference. In S24, the main control unit 54 advances the process to S26 if the light red is determined to be greater than or equal to a predetermined reference, and advances the process to S28 otherwise.

In S26, the main control unit 54 controls the dimming unit 16 to the first dimming state, and advances the process to S30. For example, the main control unit 54 may control the dimming unit 16 to the first dimming state by the method described with reference to FIGS. 6, 11, and 12.

In S28, the main control unit 54 controls the dimming unit 16 to the second dimming state, and advances the process to S30. For example, the main control unit 54 may control the dimming unit 16 to the second dimming state by the method described with reference to FIGS.

In S30, the main control unit 54 acquires a presence signal from the proximity sensor 18 and determines whether or not the proximity sensor 18 detects a user. For example, when the presence signal is detected from the proximity sensor 18, the main control unit 54 returns the process to S <b> 12 and ends the process when the presence signal is not detected from the proximity sensor 18.

As described above, according to the optical device 110, the main control unit 54 controls the dimming state of the dimming unit 16 according to the light amount and color of the light received by the first light receiving unit 20. Thereby, the optical device 110 can provide a user with appropriate light control corresponding to different external light environments. In particular, in the optical device 110, the main control unit 54 determines that there is a high possibility that sunlight is directly incident on the user's eyes when the amount of light is very large or when the amount of light is greater than a certain level and red light is incident. Then, the dimming unit 16 is set to the first dimming state. Accordingly, the optical device 110 can appropriately shield light from, for example, the sun during the daytime and the sun at dusk.

FIGS. 17, 18, 19 and 20 show modifications in which the optical device 110 has a plurality of light receiving portions. In this modification, the optical device 110 includes a first light receiving unit 20a, a second light receiving unit 20b, and a mask 280 as shown in FIG. The optical device 110 may further include third and subsequent light receiving units.

The first light receiving unit 20a may be the same as the first light receiving unit 20 already described. The second light receiving unit 20b receives light from a direction different from that of the first light receiving unit 20a, and outputs at least a fourth signal corresponding to the received light amount. For example, the second light receiving unit 20b may include a single light receiving sensor that receives the entire wavelength range of visible light, and may output a fourth signal corresponding to the amount of light received by the single light receiving sensor. Instead, the second light receiving unit 20b outputs the fourth to sixth signals corresponding to the received light amounts of the three colors of RGB from the plurality of light receiving sensors, similarly to the first light receiving unit 20 described in FIG. A color sensor may be used. When the second light receiving unit 20b is a color sensor, the first light receiving unit 20a may or may not be a color sensor.

The mask 280 has an opening 282 and is provided on the incident side of the first light receiving unit 20a and the second light receiving unit 20b. The mask 280 may be disposed at the center of the front surface of the frame main body 26. The mask 280 allows light in the horizontal direction out of the light from the outside to pass through the opening 282 and shields light other than in the horizontal direction. The mask 280 is a frame-shaped member, for example. Alternatively, the mask 280 may be realized by a liquid crystal element.

As shown in FIG. 18, light incident from the horizontal direction (which may include a direction shifted upward from the horizontal direction by a predetermined angle) passes through the mask 280 and passes through the first light receiving unit 20 a and the second light receiving unit 20 a. It is incident on both of the light receiving portions 20b. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, a part of the light incident obliquely upward with respect to the horizontal is shielded by the mask 280, and a part of the light passes through the mask 280 and enters the second light receiving unit 20b. Thereby, in the state shown in FIG. 19, strong light is incident only on the second light receiving unit 20b.

Thus, the amount of light received by the first light receiving unit 20a and the second light receiving unit 20b for the same light source varies depending on the incident angle of the incident light. In this modification, the main control unit 54 estimates the angle of incident light based on the first signal, the second signal, the third signal, the fourth signal, and the like, and sets the amount, color, and angle of the incident light. Accordingly, the transmittance of the light control unit 16 is controlled.

FIG. 20 shows an example of control based on the light amount and color by the main control unit 54 of the present modification. The main control unit 54 receives a signal indicating the amount of incident light from the first light receiving unit 20a and the second light receiving unit 20b, determines the amount, color, and angle of the incident light, and these amounts of light are determined in advance. It is determined whether or not the specified standard is satisfied, and the dimming unit 16 is switched between the non-dimming state, the first dimming state, and the second dimming state based on the determination result.

For example, first, the main control unit 54 calculates the amount of light received by the first light receiving unit 20a from the average of the signal intensities received from one or more light receiving sensors of the first light receiving unit 20a, and the light amount Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the light received by the first light receiving unit 20a is brighter than a predetermined illuminance standard. As an example, the main control unit 54 determines whether the light received by the first light receiving unit 20a is brighter than the first threshold Th1, or the light received by the first light receiving unit 20a is equal to or higher than the second threshold Th2 smaller than the first threshold Th1. It is determined whether the light is bright or the brightness of the light received by the first light receiving unit 20a is less than the second threshold Th2. Similarly, the main control unit 54 calculates the light amount of the light received by the second light receiving unit 20b from the average of the signal intensities received from the one or more light receiving sensors of the second light receiving unit 20b, and sets the light amount. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the light received by the second light receiving unit 20b is brighter than a predetermined illuminance standard.

Next, the main control unit 54 determines the light received by the first light receiving unit 20a and the like from the ratio of the signal intensity received from one or more light receiving sensors of the first light receiving unit 20a and / or the second light receiving unit 20b. Color information is calculated. For example, the main control unit 54 acquires the signal intensity of the light receiving sensor of the same color from the first light receiving unit 20a and the second light receiving unit 20b, and averages them to obtain the signal intensity for each RBG averaged between the light receiving units. And color information may be calculated from the averaged signal strength for each RBG. In addition, for example, the main control unit 54 may calculate a color information by receiving a signal related to the light amount from one of the signals received from the first light receiving unit 20a and the second light receiving unit 20b having a large received light amount. Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, even when light is incident from an oblique direction and light is incident on substantially only one of the first light receiving unit 20a and the second light receiving unit 20b, the color of the incident light is further increased. It can be calculated accurately. Based on the calculated color information, the main control unit 54 determines whether or not the light received by the first light receiving unit 20a and the like is red above a predetermined color reference.

As an example, the main control unit 54 determines that the light received by the first light receiving unit 20a is brighter than the first threshold Th1, and the light received by the second light receiving unit 20b is brighter than the first threshold Th1 (FIG. 20 ( a)), the light control unit 16 is controlled to the first light control state. Thereby, the main control unit 54 controls the dimming unit according to the fact that very strong light is incident in the horizontal direction (or the direction including the direction shifted upward from the horizontal direction by a predetermined angle). 16 can be set to the first dimming state. That is, in such a case, the main control unit 54 determines that the sunlight is directly incident on the user's eyes, and in the end region where the sunlight is likely to pass through the dimming unit 16. It is possible to reduce glare of the user by forming a bowl-shaped light shielding region.

Further, the main control unit 54 determines that the light received by the first light receiving unit 20a is brighter than the first threshold Th1, and the brightness of the light received by the second light receiving unit 20b is less than the first threshold Th1 (FIG. 20). (D) and (g)), and the light received by the second light receiving unit 20b is brighter than the first threshold Th1, and the brightness of the light received by the first light receiving unit 20a is determined to be less than the first threshold Th1. In FIG. 20B and FIG. 20C, the light control unit 16 is controlled to the second light control state. Thereby, the main control part 54 can make the light control part 16 into a 2nd light control state according to the very strong light having entered from the diagonal direction with respect to the horizontal. That is, in such a case, the main control unit is assumed that the sunlight does not directly enter the user's eyes, but the light irregularly reflected on the surface of the building, the surface of the light control unit 16, etc. is dazzling the user's eyes. As a result, it is possible to reduce the glare of the user by forming a thin light-shielding region in the entire light control unit 16. Instead, the main control unit 54 determines the second when the light received by the first light receiving unit 20a is equal to or greater than the first threshold Th1 (FIGS. 20A, 20D, and 20G). Regardless of the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 20b, the light control unit 16 may be in the first light control state.

Further, the main control unit 54 determines that the brightness of the light received by the first light receiving unit 20a is less than the first threshold Th1 and the second threshold Th2, and the brightness of the light received by the second light receiving unit 20b is the first threshold Th1. When it is determined that the value is less than or equal to the second threshold Th2 (FIG. 20E), the dimming unit 16 is controlled to the first dimming state or the second dimming state according to the color of the received light. When the main control unit 54 determines that the color of the received light is red above a predetermined reference, the main control unit 54 controls the dimming unit 16 to the first dimming state, and the color of the received light exceeds the predetermined reference. When it is determined that the light is not red, the light control unit 16 is controlled to the second light control state.

As a result, the main control unit 54 determines that the sunset is incident when the light received by the first light receiving unit 20a and the like is brighter than a certain level and is red, so that the light adjusting unit 16 has a bowl-shaped light shielding region. This can reduce the glare of the user. On the other hand, when the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is brighter than a certain level and is not red, the main control unit 54 determines that slightly strong ambient light is incident, and the light control unit 16 is thinned. The light-shielding area can be formed to reduce the glare of the user.

In other cases (FIGS. 20 (f), (h), and (i)), the main control unit 54 may place the dimming unit 16 in the non-dimming state, but instead, the second dimming state. It is good.

21 and 22 show a modification of the optical device 110 in which the light control unit 16 has three regions. In this modification, as illustrated, the optical device 110 includes a pair of light control units 16 each having a first region 62, a second region 64, and a third region 66 that can change the transmittance independently. Prepare. For example, the dimming unit 16 is located at the lowermost end of the dimming unit 16 as illustrated, and includes a first region 62 including the central portion of the dimming unit 16, and a second region 64 located above the first region 62. And a third region 66 provided at the upper end of the light control unit 16 and above the second region 64.

FIG. 22 shows an example of the first dimming state of the dimming unit 16 in this modification. In this modification, the main control unit 54 may further control the dimming unit 16 to a plurality of different dimming states in the first dimming state according to the light amount, the color, and the like. For example, the main control unit 54 performs the semi-transmission state or the non-transmission state in which only the third region 66 is relatively low as shown in FIG. The transmission state may be controlled. Further, the main control unit 54 places the third area 66 in addition to the second area 64 as shown in FIG. 22B under the condition that the amount of light is relatively small in the first dimming state. The semi-transmission state may be controlled such that the transmittance is higher than that of the third region 66.

23, 24, and 25 show modifications in which the optical device 110 estimates the incident direction of light with a single light receiving unit. As shown in FIG. 23, in this modification, the optical device 110 includes a plurality of divided transmission regions 272a, 272b, and 272c on the front surface of the first light receiving unit 20. The plurality of divided transmission regions 272a, 272b, and 272c may be disposed, for example, in the center of the front surface of the frame body 26, and the main control unit 54 can independently control the transmission / light shielding state. It may be an element. When detecting the amount of light, the main control unit 54 may open at least one of the plurality of divided transmission regions 272a to 272c and close the remaining one, for example.

FIG. 24 shows an example of the operation of a plurality of divided transparent areas. The main control unit 54 switches one of the plurality of divided transmission regions 272a to 272c that are in the open state in a time division manner. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the main control unit 54 first opens only the divided transmission region 272a among the plurality of divided transmission regions 272a to 272c and closes the rest. Thereby, the 1st light-receiving part 20 receives only the light which injected from the big angle with respect to the horizontal direction. Next, the main control unit 54 opens only the divided transmission region 272b among the plurality of divided transmission regions 272a to 272c and closes the rest. Thereby, the 1st light-receiving part 20 receives the light which injected from the medium angle with respect to the horizontal direction. Next, the main control unit 54 opens only the divided transmission region 272c among the plurality of divided transmission regions 272a to 272c and closes the rest. Thereby, the 1st light-receiving part 20 receives the light which injected from the substantially horizontal direction.

The main control unit 54 receives a signal relating to the light amount from the first light receiving unit 20 while sequentially opening any one of the plurality of divided transmission regions 272a to 272c in this way. The main control unit 54 specifies the light amount from the signal relating to the light amount, and specifies the divided transmission regions 272a to 272c in the open state when the largest light amount is detected. Thereby, the main controller 54 roughly estimates the incident angle of the incident light from the outside. For example, when the main control unit 54 determines that the amount of light when the divided transmission region 272a is open is the largest, the main control unit 54 identifies an angle (for example, 45 ° or more) that is greatly inclined upward from the front as the incident angle of light. The main control unit 54 applies a voltage to the dimming unit 16 so as to switch the dimming state of the dimming unit 16 according to the light amount, color, and incident angle of the light received by the first light receiving unit 20.

FIG. 25 shows an example of control based on the amount of light, the color, and the incident angle by the main control unit 54 in this modification. For example, the main control unit 54 may execute the control of FIG. 25 in the optical device according to FIGS. The main control unit 54 receives the signal of the amount of light incident from the first light receiving unit 20, identifies the amount of light, color, and incident angle of the incident light from the received signal, and whether these satisfy predetermined criteria The dimming unit 16 is switched between the non-dimming state, the first dimming state, and the second dimming state based on the determination result.

For example, the main control unit 54 determines whether or not the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is brighter than a predetermined illuminance reference by a method similar to the method described in FIG. 8, and the received light is determined in advance. It is judged whether or not it is red above the specified color standard.

Next, the main control unit 54 determines whether the incident angle of the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is a low angle, a medium angle, or a high angle. For example, the main control unit 54 determines that the incident angle is a high angle when it determines that the amount of light when the divided transmission region 272a is open is the largest, and determines that the amount of light when the divided transmission region 272b is open is the maximum. Then, it is determined that the incident angle is a medium angle, and when it is determined that the amount of light when the divided transmission region 272c is open is the largest, the incident angle is determined to be a low angle.

When the main control unit 54 determines that the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is brighter than the first threshold Th1 at a low angle (FIG. 25A), the main control unit 54 is set to the first dimming state. Control. Thereby, the main control part 54 can make the light control part 16 into a 1st light control state according to the very strong light having entered from the low angle direction near a horizontal direction. For example, the main control unit 54 may set the second region 64 and the third region 66 in the opaque state in FIGS. 21 and 22. That is, in such a case, the main control unit 54 determines that the sunlight is directly incident on the user's eyes, and the light control unit 16 has a high possibility that the sunlight will pass. It is possible to reduce the glare of the user as much as possible by forming a bowl-shaped light shielding region in the second region 64 as well as the three regions 66.

Further, when the main control unit 54 determines that the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is brighter than the first threshold Th1 at a medium angle (FIG. 25 (d)), the main control unit 54 is set to the first dimming state. Control. Thereby, the main control part 54 can make the light control part 16 into a 1st light control state according to very strong light having entered from the medium angle direction comparatively close to a horizontal direction. Here, for example, the main control unit 54 may set only the third region 66 in the opaque state in FIGS. 21 and 22. That is, in this case, unlike the case of FIG. 25A at a low angle, the second region 64 is set in a transmission state (or a semi-transmission state). Accordingly, it is possible to make the user visually recognize a landscape or the like at a medium angle or less while blocking bright light from a high angle as compared with the case of FIG.

When the main control unit 54 determines that the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is at a high angle and is brighter than the first threshold Th1 (FIG. 25 (g)), the main control unit 54 sets the second light control unit 16 to the second level. Control to dimming state. Thereby, the main control part 54 can make the light control part 16 into a 2nd light control state according to the strong light more than fixed being incident in the diagonal direction. That is, in such a case, the main control unit 54 determines that the sunlight does not directly enter the user's eyes but the environment is too bright, and forms a thin light-shielding region in the entire dimming unit 16, so that the user The glare can be reduced.

The main control unit 54 determines that the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is at a low angle and brighter than the first threshold Th1 and the second threshold Th2 (FIG. 25 (b)), or When it is determined that the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 has a medium angle and is brighter than the first threshold Th1 and the second threshold Th2 (FIG. 25 (e)), dimming according to the color of the received light The unit 16 is controlled to the first dimming state or the second dimming state. When the main control unit 54 determines that the color of the received light is red above a predetermined reference, the main control unit 54 controls the dimming unit 16 to the first dimming state, and the color of the received light exceeds the predetermined reference. When it is determined that the light is not red, the light control unit 16 is controlled to the second light control state.

As a result, the main control unit 54 determines that the sunset is incident when the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is brighter than a certain level and is red, and the main control unit 54 has a saddle shape in the second region 64 of the light control unit 16. Thus, the user's glare can be reduced. On the other hand, when the light received by the first light receiving unit 20 is brighter than a certain level and is not red, the main control unit 54 determines that slightly strong ambient light is incident, and the light control unit 16 is thinned. The light-shielding area can be formed to reduce the glare of the user.

Here, when the light received in FIG. 25B is red and in the first dimming state, the main control unit 54 controls the dimming unit 16 in FIGS. 21 and 22 in the same manner as the control in FIG. The second region 64 and the third region 66 may be impermeable. In addition, when the light received in FIG. 25E is red and in the first dimming state, the main control unit 54 performs the control of the dimming unit 16 in FIGS. 21 and 22 as in the control of FIG. Only the third region 66 may be in a non-transmissive state, and the second region 64 may be in a transmissive state (or a semi-transmissive state).

In other cases (FIGS. 25 (c), (f), (h) and (i)), the main control unit 54 may place the dimming unit 16 in a non-dimming state. It is good also as a 2 light control state.

FIGS. 26 and 27 are flowcharts of modified examples of processing by the optical device 110. FIG. In this modification, the light control part 16 has the 1st area | region 62 and the 2nd area | region 64, and the main control part 54 controls the speed which switches a some light control state.

First, the main control unit 54 determines whether or not the proximity sensor 18 has detected a user in S110 shown in FIG. When the main control unit 54 cannot detect the user (S110: No), the main control unit 54 is in a standby state until it is determined that the proximity sensor 18 has detected the user. When the main control unit 54 detects the user in response to the user wearing the glasses-type optical device 110 (S110: Yes), the proximity sensor 18 sends a presence signal indicating that the user has been detected to the main control unit. To 54.

Next, in S112, the main control unit 54 resets the detection time t and the drive time t1 for determining whether or not it is necessary to detect the light amount to “0”.

Next, in S114, the main control unit 54 determines whether or not the detection time t is equal to or longer than the detection cycle P0 for detecting the light amount. The main control unit 54 is in a standby state until the detection time t becomes equal to or longer than the detection cycle P0 (S114: No). If the main control unit 54 determines that the detection time t is equal to or longer than the detection cycle P0 (S114: Yes), the process proceeds to S116.

In S116, the main control unit 54 acquires information regarding the amount of light received from the first light receiving unit 20 or the like. The main control unit 54 calculates the light amount from the acquired information regarding the light amount, and calculates an averaged light amount AL that is a weighted moving average of the light amount based on the following equation. Note that the averaged light quantity may be obtained by a simple moving average or an exponential moving average. Further, the main control unit 54 acquires the color of the received light from the information regarding the amount of light from the first light receiving unit 20 and the incident angle of the received light as necessary.

Next, in S118, the main control unit 54 determines the dimming state of the dimming unit 16 based on the averaged light amount and the like. For example, the main control unit 54 sets the averaged light amount AL as the light amount LA, and controls the light control state of the light control unit 16 based on the method described in FIG. 8, FIG. 20, or FIG. 25 and the processing in S18 to S28 in FIG. May be determined.

Next, in S120, the main control unit 54 acquires the target transmittance TTr of the dimming unit 16 according to the determined dimming state according to the target transmittance table stored in the storage unit 56. For example, the main control unit 54 acquires the target transmittance TTr1-1 of the first region 62 and the target transmittance TTr1-2 of the second region 64 in response to the determination of the dimming state to the first dimming state. Then, the target transmittance TTr2 of the first region 62 and the second region 64 is acquired in response to the light control state being determined to be the second light control state. When implementing the form described in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13, the main control unit 54 may acquire the target transmittance further subdivided for each averaged light amount in each dimming state.

Next, in S122, the main control unit 54 calculates a transmittance change amount ΔTr per unit time for each region of the light control unit 16 based on the target transmittance TTr and the current transmittance PTr (S122). . The transmittance change amount ΔTr is calculated by the following equation. Note that q is a predetermined number. The larger q is, the smaller the transmittance change amount ΔTr is, and the change in transmittance can be smoothed. Accordingly, the main control unit 54 calculates, for example, the transmittance change amount ΔTr1 for the first region 62 and the transmittance change amount ΔTr2 for the second region 64. The main control unit 54 may specify the current transmittance PTr from the duty ratio of the currently applied voltage.
ΔTr = (TTr−PTr) / q

The main control unit 54 may use a different value q for each dimming state to be changed. For example, the main control unit 54 reduces the value of q when changing to the first dimming state (for example, q = 1), and increases the value of q when changing to the second dimming state (for example, q = 10).

Next, in S124, the main control unit 54 sets the detection time t to “0”.

Next, in S126 shown in FIG. 27, the main control unit 54 determines whether or not the driving time t1 is equal to or longer than the driving cycle P1, which is the cycle for driving the dimming unit 16. The main control unit 54 is in a standby state until the driving time t1 becomes equal to or longer than the driving cycle P1 (S126: No). If the main control unit 54 determines that the drive time t1 is equal to or greater than the drive cycle P1 (S126: Yes), the process proceeds to S128. The driving cycle P1 may be shorter than the detection cycle P0.

In S128, the main control unit 54 determines whether the target transmittance TTr is equal to the current current transmittance PTr for each region of the light control unit 16, and determines whether or not the transmittance needs to be switched. When the target transmittance TTr is equal to the current current transmittance PTr in all the areas of the light control unit 16 (or the difference between the two is less than a predetermined threshold value), the main control unit 54 advances the process to S136. If not, the process proceeds to S130.

In S <b> 130, the main control unit 54 determines the current transmittance PTr and the transmittance change amount for a region in which the target transmittance TTr and the current current transmittance PTr are determined not to be equal among the plurality of regions of the dimming unit 16. The sum with ΔTr is calculated.

Next, in S132, the main control unit 54 determines that the transmittance is the current transmittance PTr and the transmittance change with respect to the area of the light control unit 16 in which the sum of the current transmittance PTr and the transmittance change amount ΔTr is calculated. The transmittance is switched by changing the duty ratio of the voltage so as to be the sum of the amount ΔTr. Thereby, the main control unit 54 controls the dimming state for each area of the dimming unit 16.

Next, in S134, the main control unit 54 sets the drive time t1 to “0”.

Next, in S136, the main control unit 54 acquires a presence signal from the proximity sensor 18 and determines whether or not the proximity sensor 18 has detected a user. For example, the main control unit 54 returns the process to S114 when the presence signal is detected from the proximity sensor 18 (A in FIGS. 26 and 27), and performs the process when the presence signal is not detected from the proximity sensor 18. finish.

Here, in the processing of S130 and S132 of FIG. 27, the main control unit 54, in the second dimming state, based on the change rate of the magnitude of the received light amount indicated by the first signal, the second signal, etc. The change rate of the transmittance of the light control unit 16 may be controlled. For example, the main control unit 54 calculates ΔTr in the process of S122 when the current light amount received from the first light receiving unit 20 or the like dissociates more than a predetermined reference with respect to the averaged light amount AL calculated in S116. In this case, the value of q may be reduced by a predetermined value or a value corresponding to the degree of dissociation. As described above, the optical device 110 changes the transmittance of the light control unit 16 in accordance with the speed of change of the external light. For example, when the light control unit 16 moves from the room to the outdoors, the light control unit 16 quickly Therefore, when the brightness changes slowly, the degree of shading is changed slowly so that natural dimming can be provided to the user.

28 and 29 show examples of changes from the non-dimming state by the optical device 110 to the first dimming state and the second dimming state. The main control unit 54 changes the change speed between when the dimming unit 16 is changed from the non-dimming state to the first dimming state and when the dimming state is changed from the non-dimming state to the second dimming state. May be. For example, as shown in FIG. 28, the main control unit 54 may complete the change from the non-dimming state to the first dimming state in a short time (for example, 0.2 seconds). For example, as shown in FIG. 29, the main control unit 54 may complete the change from the non-dimming state to the second dimming state in a relatively long time (for example, 1.5 seconds).

That is, the main control unit 54 switches the dimming unit to the second dimming state over a longer time than the time for switching to the first dimming state. In the scene to switch to the first dimming state, intense external light is directly incident on the eye and prompt light blocking is desired. On the other hand, in the scene to switch to the second dimming state, the intensity of the external light is kept at a certain level so that the light is quickly blocked. It is not cumbersome for the user to switch the dimming state more slowly than to perform. According to the optical device 110 of the present modification, dimming that is comfortable for the user can be provided according to the situation.

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 30, the main control unit 54 changes the dimming unit 16 from the non-dimming state to the first dimming state and from the first dimming state to the non-dimming state. The rate of change may be different depending on the case. For example, as shown in FIG. 30, the main control unit 54 changes the time (for example, 1.5 seconds) for changing from the first dimming state to the non-dimming state from the non-dimming state to the first dimming state. You may make it longer than the time (for example, 0.2 second) to make. In the scene to switch to the first dimming state, intense external light is directly incident on the eye and prompt light shielding is desired. On the other hand, in the scene to switch from the first dimming state to the non-dimming state, the external light is weak and thus prompt light shielding. It is not cumbersome for the user to switch the dimming state more slowly than to perform. According to the optical device 110 of the present modification, dimming that is comfortable for the user can be provided according to the situation. The main control unit 54 may similarly provide a difference in the change time when the dimming unit 16 is changed between the first dimming state and the second dimming state.

Further, in addition to / instead of varying the change rate between the dimming states, the optical device 110 may vary the measurement time / number of times of the light amount for transitioning to the dimming state. For example, the main control unit 54 sequentially acquires signals regarding the amount of light including the first signal and the second signal, and acquires the first signal and the second signal that are referred to for switching to the first dimming state. Alternatively, the number of acquisitions of the first signal and the second signal referred to for switching to the second dimming state may be increased.

Specifically, when determining the dimming state in S118 of FIG. 26, the main control unit 54 determines the dimming state of the dimming unit 16 by comparing the averaged light amount AL only once with the illuminance reference in S118. Instead, the processes of S114 to S118 are repeated (that is, after S118, the detection time t = 0 and the process is returned to S114), and the average light amount AL is adjusted based on the result of comparison with the illuminance reference a plurality of times. Determine the light state. Here, dimming is performed when the main control unit 54 determines that the dimming state should be changed to the first dimming state continuously for a first predetermined number of times (for example, twice) during the repetition. The state is determined to be the first dimming state, and the process proceeds to S120, and the dimming state should be changed to the second dimming state continuously for a second number of times (for example, four times) greater than the first number of times. If it is determined that the dimming state is to be the second dimming state, the process may proceed to S120.

FIG. 31 is a graph of experimental results obtained by measuring the transmittance, the averaged light amount, and the change over time of the detected light amount. The graph shown in FIG. 31 performs control of the dimming unit 16 (for example, switching between the non-dimming state and the first or second dimming state) in the processing according to FIGS. 26 and 27 under the following conditions. Is the result. One scale on the horizontal axis shown in FIG. 31 is ½ of the cycle for calculating the averaged light quantity.
(1) Maximum value of detected light amount: 14000 lux,
(2) Minimum value of detected light amount: 3000 lux,
(3) Change in light quantity: 11000 lux / 200 ms,
(4) Maximum transmittance of the light control unit 16: 40%,
(5) Minimum value of transmittance of the light control section 16: 9%,
(6) Detection period of the first light receiving unit 20: 50 ms,
(7) Number of detections of averaged light quantity m: 10,
(8) q: 30 when calculating the transmittance change amount ΔTr.

31. The maximum value 14000 lux of the light amount (= illuminance) shown in FIG. 31 substantially corresponds to the amount of sunlight in the daytime, and the minimum value of 3000 lux of light amount corresponds to the amount of light in the shade in the daytime. The unit time 200 ms for calculating the change in the amount of light is about the same as the blink of the human eye. In response to such an environmental change in the amount of light, the transmittance of the light control unit 16 starts to change within 100 ms when the change in the amount of light starts, and after about 1 s, the transmittance is close to (current transmittance PTr + ΔTr). To reach. Thereafter, the optical device 110 slowly changes the transmittance of the light control unit 16. In this experiment, the optical device 110 can reduce the user's uncomfortable feeling by changing the transmittance change of the light control unit 16 more slowly than when changing the transmittance sharply with respect to the change in the light amount. In addition, the optical device 110 can sufficiently function to remove glare from a sudden change in light quantity.

Here, we explain the results of an experiment in which changes in the pupil were observed by applying a spotlight to the human eye. In the experiment, 30 adolescents with good visual acuity or correct visual acuity without ophthalmic diseases other than mild refractive error (previous far vision 1.2 or more, near vision 1.0 or more) were used as subjects. When the spotlight (tungsten lamp: Pro-light, manufactured by Lowel) is turned on, the ambient illuminance is 20000 lx (assuming sunlight) near the viewpoint position, and the ambient illuminance without the spotlight is 300 lx near the viewpoint position. . The illuminance was measured using an illuminometer T10 (Minolta, Co, Ltd.). The spotlight is set to continue irradiation for 1 second after the measurement is started, 0.05 seconds after the spotlight starts to irradiate the light shielding lens (corresponding to the light control unit 16), 0.1 seconds later, 0. After 2 seconds, 0.3 seconds, and 0.5 seconds, the light from the spotlight to both eyes of the subject was set to be shielded. The transmittance of the light shielding lens was set to 1% (corresponding to the first light control state). The subject's right eye was used for measurement and analysis, and a 15-minute break was set between each measurement. Meditester VOG-L (manufactured by Panasonic Corporation) is used as a pupil response measuring instrument, and a clear image of the eyeball is taken with a 400,000-pixel infrared CCD camera, and the pupil reaction amount (miosis amount) of the subject before and after the start of irradiation Was measured. A light-shielding lens was installed in front of the pupil reaction measuring instrument.

Table 1 shows the experimental results. The “pupil diameter before light response” in the table indicates the average pupil diameter of subjects before spotlight irradiation, and the “light response (minimum reduction) pupil diameter” indicates the minimum pupil diameter of subjects after spotlight irradiation. “Pupil diameter response amount” indicates a difference between “a pupil diameter before light reaction” and “a light reaction (minimum reduction) pupil diameter”. As shown in the table, when the light shielding start time is 0.05 seconds and 0.1 seconds, the pupil diameter response amount is about 1.2 to 1.3 mm, and the change of the pupil is relatively small. Therefore, it is considered that the degree to which the subject feels glare is relatively small. On the other hand, when the light shielding start time is 0.2 seconds or more, the pupil diameter reaction amount increases to about 1.9 to 2.1 mm. Therefore, it is considered that the degree to which the subject feels glare has increased. In the subject's awareness, it was also confirmed that the glare of the spotlight was reduced at 0.05 seconds and 0.1 seconds compared to the case where the spotlight was 0.2 seconds or more. From the experimental results, the change from the non-dimming state to the first / second dimming state (particularly, the change to the first dimming state) by the dimming unit 16 is less than 0.2 seconds (for example, 0.05 to 0.00). It is shown that it is preferable to run in the range of 1 second.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

The execution order of each process such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, the description, and the drawings is particularly “before” or “prior”. It should be noted that they can be implemented in any order unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process. Regarding the operation flow in the claims, the description, and the drawings, even if it is described using “first”, “next”, etc. for the sake of convenience, it means that it is essential to carry out in this order. is not.

12 frame body, 14 power supply section, 16 dimming section, 18 proximity sensor, 20 first light receiving section, 20a first light receiving section, 20b second light receiving section, 22 control section, 24 arm section, 26 frame main body section, 30 incident Side polarizing plate, 32 incident side substrate, 34 incident side transparent electrode, 36 incident side alignment film, 38 liquid crystal member, 40 output side alignment film, 42 output side transparent electrode, 44 output side substrate, 46 output side polarizing plate, 50 charge Part, 52 liquid crystal drive part, 54 main control part, 56 storage part, 62 1st area, 64 2nd area, 66 3rd area, 110 optical device, 160 divided electrode, 162 divided electrode 202 first light receiving sensor, 204 second light receiving sensor, 206 third light receiving sensor, 272 divided transmissive region 280 masks, 282 opening

Claims (11)

1. A dimmer that can change the transmittance,
   A first light receiving unit that receives light of a first wavelength and outputs a first signal corresponding to the amount of light; receives light of a second wavelength different from the first wavelength; and outputs a second signal corresponding to the amount of light; ,
   A control unit for controlling the transmittance of the dimming unit based on the first signal and the second signal;
   An optical device comprising:
2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit decreases the transmittance of the light control unit in less than 0.2 seconds after detecting an increase in light quantity based on the first signal or the second signal.
3. In the vertical direction, the control unit includes a first dimming state in which the transmittance of at least a part of the end portion is lower than that of the central portion of the dimming unit, and the central portion and the end of the first dimming state. The dimming part can be switched to the second dimming state where the difference in transmittance between the parts is small,
   The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches the dimming unit to the first dimming state or the second dimming state based on the first signal and the second signal.
4. Based on the first signal and the second signal, the control unit determines whether or not the light received by the first light receiving unit is red above a predetermined color reference, and the first light receiving unit receives the light. 4. The optical apparatus according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether or not the light is brighter than a predetermined illuminance standard, and switching is performed between the first dimming state and the second dimming state based on the determination result.
5. When the control unit determines that the light received by the first light receiving unit is brighter than a first threshold, and the light received by the first light receiving unit is brighter than a second threshold smaller than the first threshold, When it is determined that the red color is higher than a predetermined reference, the dimming unit is switched to the first dimming state.
   The optical device according to claim 4.
6. A second light receiving unit that receives light from a different direction from the first light receiving unit and outputs a third signal corresponding to the received light amount;
   The control unit controls the transmittance of the dimming unit based on the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal.
   The optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
7. The controller is
   In the second dimming state, when it is determined that the light received by the first light receiving unit is brighter than a third threshold based on the first signal and the second signal, the transmittance of the dimming unit is set to the first Switch from level to second level, which has lower transmission than the first level,
   Thereafter, when it is determined that the light received by the first light receiving unit is darker than a fourth threshold value that is smaller than a third threshold value, the transmittance of the dimming unit is switched from the second level to the first level.
   The optical device according to claim 3.
8. The control unit controls the change rate of the transmittance of the dimming unit based on the change rate of the magnitudes of the first signal and the second signal in the second dimming state.
   The optical device according to claim 7.
9. The controller is
   Sequentially acquiring the first signal and the second signal;
   Acquisition of the first signal and the second signal referred to switch to the second dimming state rather than the number of acquisition times of the first signal and the second signal referred to switch to the first dimming state More times,
   The optical device according to claim 3.
10. The light control unit has a first region and a second region, each of which can independently change the transmittance,
    The first region includes the central portion of the light control unit but does not include the end portion,
    The controller independently controls the transmittance of the first region and the second region in the first dimming state;
    The optical device according to claim 3.
11. The control unit, in the first dimming state,
    Based on the first signal and the second signal, the light received by the first light receiving unit is red above a predetermined color reference, and the light received by the first light receiving unit is a predetermined illuminance reference. If it is judged that the brightness is less than
    Based on the first signal and the second signal, the light received by the first light receiving unit is not red above a predetermined color reference, and the light received by the first light receiving unit is predetermined illuminance. Compared to the case where it is brighter than the standard,
    Controlling the transmittance of the dimmer so as to increase the transmittance of the first region;
    The optical device according to claim 10.

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