JP2003180664A - Flicker measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a flicker measuring device which is hardly affected by external light and can measure a flicker value without changing its posture. In a flicker measuring device, a base 1
And a light-shielding tube 4 and a built-in position measuring device 7 disposed on the base 1. The direction and height of the subject A with respect to both eyes can be adjusted by information from the position measuring device 7. A light emitting section main body 3; an adjusting device 8 provided on the light emitting section main body 3 for adjusting the direction and height of the light emitting section main body 3 with respect to a subject A; a central light source 5 and an ambient light provided on the light emitting section main body 3 A light source 6 and a computer 10 having a display unit 12 connected to the light emitting unit main body 3 are provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a structure in which a control unit and a light emitting unit can be separated and combined, and a flicker value for determining fatigue, which is an index of the activity level of the cerebrum, is measured at a measurement location (indoor / outdoor and day / night). ) The present invention relates to a flicker measuring device for measuring without being restricted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a technique in such a field,
For example, a flicker tester including an eyepiece section and a display section has been used.

Here, the flicker tester is provided with a light emitting element in a cylindrical case so that the blinking cycle can be changed.
This is a device for diagnosing the degree of fatigue including the visual system by gazing at the light emitting element that blinks from the case opening and obtaining the boundary value (flicker value) of the blinking cycle when the blinking light appears as continuous light.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of such a conventional flicker tester.

As shown in this figure, the flicker tester sends information obtained from a cylindrical eyepiece 101 having an eyepiece hood 102 and an eyepiece body 103 to a display section 105 via a lead wire 104. Then, the flicker value can be measured quickly and accurately. Here, the eyepiece 101 is small and lightweight (for example, see JP 2001-218756 A).

[0006]

However, in the conventional flicker tester, it is necessary to look through the eyepiece with the eyepiece, and the measurement cannot be performed unless the working posture, for example, the driving posture of the vehicle is changed, which is bothersome. However, there was a problem that it was easily affected by outside light.

In view of the above situation, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flicker measuring device that is not easily affected by outside light and can measure a flicker value without changing the posture during work. .

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides [1] a flicker measuring device, which has a base and a light-shielding cylinder, and which is used for position measurement on the base. With a built-in device, the light emitting unit body that can adjust the direction and height of the subject's eyes with information from this position measurement device,
An adjusting device provided in the light emitting unit body for adjusting the orientation and height of the light emitting unit body with respect to the subject, a central light source and a peripheral light source provided in the light emitting unit body, and connected to the light emitting unit body And a computer having a display portion.

[2] In the flicker measuring device described in [1], the central light source includes a central light adjusting device that changes the magnitude of the central light.

[3] The flicker measuring device described in [2] is characterized in that the central light adjusting device includes a central light adjusting device that changes the size of the central light according to the viewing distance.

[4] In the flicker measuring device described in [2], the central light adjusting device selects and sets a card having openings having different diameters in the optical path of the central light source to set the size of the central light. It is characterized by changing.

[5] In the flicker measurement device described in [1] above, the light-shielding cylinder can be detached from the light-emitting body.

[6] In the flicker measurement device described in [1], the computer having the display section is installed outside the light emitting section main body and the base.

[7] In the flicker measurement device described in [1] above, a computer having the display unit and the information processing device main body is mounted on the light emitting unit main body and the base.

[8] In the flicker measuring device described in [1] above, the base and the light emitting unit main body are arranged near a driver's seat of a vehicle.

[0016]

[9] In the flicker measurement device according to the above [1], the base and the light emitting unit main body are arranged so as to correspond to a chair for seating a subject.

[10] In the flicker measurement device described in [1] above, the base, the light emitting unit main body, and the computer are portable.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flicker measuring device showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the flicker measuring device.

As shown in these drawings, a light emitting unit main body 3 and a light emitting unit main body 3 are provided on a base 1 which is set on a fixing unit (not shown) by a suction cup or the like (a fixing device may be used). The light emitting unit main body 3 has a detachable light-shielding cylinder 4 protruding forward from the light emitting unit main body 3, and a central light source 5 and an ambient light source 6 for making the brightness around the central light constant. I have it.

Further, 7 is a position measuring device for measuring the position of the subject A, which optically measures the distance to both pupils of the subject A. Further, it is provided with a direction / height adjusting device 8 for automatically adjusting the height H and the direction θ of the light emitting unit body 3 with respect to both eyes of the subject A by obtaining information from the position measuring device 7. .

Here, the direction of the subject A is detected by measuring the positions of both eyes of the subject A with an optical distance sensor (pupil sensor) through the light-shielding cylinder 4, and the direction θ is detected. It is possible to obtain the height H of the light emitting unit body 3 that matches both eyes of the subject A in a constant state, and automatically set the light emitting unit body 3 at the position of the optimum orientation and height of the light emitting unit body 3. it can. That is, the light emitting unit main body 3 has a swing function, and the face of the subject A and the central light can be faced to each other directly in front. Therefore, the subject A is a chair (for example, a driver's seat of a simulated vehicle).
When seated in B, the orientation and height of the light emitting unit body 3 having the light-shielding cylinder 4 can be automatically adjusted so as to adapt to both eyes of the subject (driver) A.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a seating sensor, which can detect when the subject A sits on the chair B and automatically drive the flicker measuring device.

Since the ambient light sources 6 are provided at four locations,
The brightness around the central light is kept uniform.

Numeral 15 is an operation button for the subject A
When the device can be put on standby, the flicker measuring device can be manually driven by operating the operation button 15.

In the above embodiment, the direction and height of the light emitting unit body 3 are automatically adjusted according to the information from the position measuring device 7. However, instead of this, the subject A is the base 1 The remote controller 16 may be connected to the orientation / height adjusting device 8 connected via the, and the orientation / height of the light emitting unit body 3 may be manually adjusted by operating the remote controller 16.

Further, a personal computer 10 having an information processing apparatus main body 11 and a display unit 12 is connected to the base 1, and the display unit 12 displays the flicker value quickly and accurately, and The degree of fatigue of the subject A can be displayed.

The magnitude of the central light from the central light source 5 can be freely changed according to the distance information in the position information of the subject A with respect to both eyes of the light emitting unit body 3.

The system configuration of the flicker measuring device and its operation flow will be described in detail below.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of a flicker measuring device showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the flicker measuring device.

(1) First, when the subject A sits on the chair B, the operation of the seat sensor 9 activates the system of this flicker measuring device (step S1).

(2) Next, the position measuring device 7 measures distance information (here, the direction and height) (step S).
2).

(3) Next, based on the distance information (here, direction / height), information processing is performed by the information processing apparatus main body 11, and the direction / height adjusting device 8 is driven to shield light. The direction and height of the light emitting unit body 3 with the cylinder 4 are adjusted (step S3).

(4) Next, the central light source 5 and the peripheral light source 6
And are turned on (step S4).

(5) Next, information processing is performed by the information processing device main body 11 based on the distance information between the two eyes of the subject A and the light emitting part main body 3 by the position measuring device 7, and the central light intensity control device 13 is used. Thus, the size (diameter) of the central light of the central light source 5 is adjusted (step S5).

(6) Next, the flicker is measured by the operation of the blinking controller 14 of the central light source 5 (step S).
6).

(7) Next, the information processing apparatus main body 11 processes the flicker measurement information, and the display unit 12
The degree of fatigue of the subject A is displayed on (step S7).

According to the present invention, since it is configured as described above, it is less affected by external light as compared with the conventional flicker tester, and the size of the central light can be changed according to the viewing distance.

Further, as compared with the conventional cylindrical flicker tester, it is not necessary to have the light emitting cylinder for each measurement and to look inside the cylinder, so that the fatigue level can be measured smoothly without changing the working posture. be able to.

Furthermore, since it is not necessary to move the flicker measuring device for the measurement, it is possible to concentrate on the measurement and it is not necessary to contact the eye, which is hygienic.

Since the magnitude of the central light from the central light source 5 is freely changed according to the distance information in the position information with respect to both eyes of the subject A with respect to the light emitting unit main body 3, the brightness around the central light is changed. Because it is kept constant, accurate flicker measurements can be obtained indoors and out, day and night.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an apparatus for adjusting the size (diameter) of the central light of the above-mentioned central light source. In this figure, the central light source 5 has a plurality of light source elements 5A, 5B, 5C. Therefore, depending on the distance, only the light source element 5A is turned on,
Lighting of the light source elements 5A and 5B, light source elements 5A, 5B and 5C
It is possible to change the size (diameter) of the central light, such as lighting of.

Next, an application example of the flicker measuring device described above will be described.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example in which such a flicker measuring device is arranged near the driver's seat. Here, 21 is a driver's seat, 22 is an operation control device, and 23 is a window, and the flicker measuring device of the present invention is arranged on the front left side thereof.

With this configuration, the light emitting unit body 3 is set in advance, and the flicker is measured by operating the operation button 15 without actually changing the driving posture, and the degree of fatigue on the display unit 12 is measured. Can be displayed by an image or the like.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the flicker measuring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is installed in a measuring room in a service area of a highway. For example, as in an automatic photography room using coins, a curtain. Measurement room 31 divided by 32
Is installed, and when driving on a highway at midnight,
The flicker can be measured and the facial expression showing the degree of fatigue can be displayed on the large display unit 12 in a close-up manner.

In this case, it is desirable to display the degree of fatigue after the card or the like in which the data of the subject is stored in the memory or the like is loaded into the information processing device in advance.

Since the control unit and the light emitting unit can be separated by a connecting line (the light emitting unit can be attached to, for example, a tripod as a base), the light emitting unit can be placed in front of the subject by using an extension cord. Since the control unit can be placed in the hands of the experimenter, it can be used for experiments and investigations.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a flicker measuring device showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the central light adjusting device is provided with an insertion slit 17 in the light emitting body 3 and an opening 19 set in the optical path of the central light source 5 through the insertion slit 17.
A card 18 having a is inserted so that the diameter of the central light can be set. That is, a plurality of cards having different aperture diameters are prepared, the plurality of cards are selected, and the diameter of the central light that matches the condition at the time of measurement is adjusted.

Therefore, instead of the automatic adjustment of the central light source of the first embodiment, the central light can be adjusted by the above-mentioned manual operation. Once set, if the subject's fatigue level is to be measured under the same conditions thereafter, the adjustment of the central light can be fixed.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a flicker measuring device showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the first and second embodiments, the computer 10 having the display unit 12 and the information processing apparatus main body 11 is installed outside the base 1 of the light emitting unit main body 3, but in this embodiment, the display unit 12 is installed. The computer 10 having the information processing apparatus main body 11 is mounted on the light emitting unit main body 3 and the base 1.

With this structure, the flicker measuring device can be made more compact.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the spirit of the present invention, which are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[0058]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(A) Since it is not easily affected by outside light, and it is not necessary to look into the inside of the cylinder by holding the cylinder of the light emitting section each time of measurement,
It is possible to smoothly measure the fatigue level without changing the posture during work.

(B) Since it is not necessary to move the flicker measuring device for the measurement, it is possible to concentrate on the measurement, and it is not necessary to bring the eyepiece into view, which is sanitary.

(C) Since the brightness around the central light is kept constant, correct flicker measurement values can be obtained both indoors and outdoors and day and night.

(D) By installing the flicker measuring device at a desired position, it is possible to perform an appropriate flicker measurement and measure the fatigue level.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flicker measuring device showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a flicker measuring device showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of a flicker measurement device showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the flicker measurement device showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an apparatus for adjusting the size (diameter) of the central light of the central light source showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which the flicker measuring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is arranged near a driver's seat.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the flicker measurement device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is installed in a measurement room in a service area of an expressway.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a flicker measuring device showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a flicker measuring device showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a conventional flicker tester.

[Explanation of symbols]

A subject B chair 1 base Biaxial body 3 Light emitting unit body 4 Light-shielding cylinder 5 Center light source 5A, 5B, 5C Multiple light source elements 6 Ambient light source 7 Position measuring device 8 orientation / height adjustment device 9 Seating sensor 10 personal computer 11 Information processing device body 12 Display 13 Central light intensity control device 14 Central light source flashing control device 15 operation buttons 16 remote control 17 slits 18 cards 19 opening 21 Driver's seat 22 Operation control device 23 windows 31 measurement room 32 curtains

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Naoki Mizukami             38-8, Hikarimachi, Kokubunji, Tokyo 38 Foundation             Corporate Railway Technical Research Institute (72) Inventor Tetsuo Kuramata             38-8, Hikarimachi, Kokubunji, Tokyo 38 Foundation             Corporate Railway Technical Research Institute F-term (reference) 4C038 PP01 PQ04 PR02

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A base having (a) a base and (b) a light-shielding cylinder, and a built-in position measuring device arranged on the base, and the information from the position measuring device is used for both eyes of a subject. A light emitting unit body whose direction and height can be adjusted; (c) an adjusting device which is provided in the light emitting unit body and which adjusts the direction and height of the light emitting unit body with respect to the subject; and (d) the light emitting unit body. A flicker measuring device comprising: a central light source, a peripheral light source, and (e) a computer having a display unit, which is connected to the light emitting unit body. 2. The flicker measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the central light source includes a central light adjusting device that changes the magnitude of the central light. 3. The flicker measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the central light adjusting device changes the size of the central light according to the viewing distance. 4. The flicker measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the central light adjusting device changes the size of the central light by selecting and setting cards having openings having different diameters in the optical path of the central light source. A flicker measuring device characterized in that 5. The flicker measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the light-shielding cylinder is removable from the light emitting unit main body. 6. The flicker measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the computer having the display unit is installed outside the light emitting unit main body and the base. 7. The flicker measuring device according to claim 1, wherein a computer having the display unit and the information processing device body is mounted on the light emitting unit body and a base. 8. The flicker measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the base and the light emitting unit main body are arranged near a driver's seat of a vehicle. 9. The flicker measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the base and the light emitting unit main body are arranged so as to correspond to a subject sitting chair. 10. The flicker measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the base, the light emitting unit main body, and the computer are portable.