# US 2008/0186701 A1 · Projector and image pickup apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0186701 A1 - Document ID: US20080186701A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/068,022 - Filed: 2008-01-31 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-02 - Assignees: Denso Corporation - Inventors: Takuhiro Omi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080186701A1 ## CPC - B60Q 3/72: for preventing the driver from being dazzled - G06V 10/141: Control of illumination - G06V 10/143: Sensing or illuminating at different wavelengths - G06V 20/59: inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions - G06V 40/19: Sensors therefor - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING ## Abstract Light generated at a specific wavelength corresponding to a particular color or color range that is distracting or disruptive to a driver during a normal operation is blocked through an inexpensive construction without blocking light in a required range of wavelengths. A projector is constructed such that a plurality of LEDs are arranged in an array configuration. The LEDs can include a tinge of red reduction LED and near-infrared LEDs. The projector can be installed in a vehicle and disposed in proximity to the camera. In some embodiments, the projector can be controlled by a control circuit to be turned on in conjunction with the shutter of a camera. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A projector comprising: a first plurality of light sources of a first wavelength; and a second light source of a second wavelength, wherein the first wavelength and the second wavelength are different; wherein the first plurality of light sources and the second light source are disposed in a vehicle compartment in such positions that light of the first wavelength and light of the second wavelength projected therefrom forming a color mixture before reaching an observer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of light sources includes light emitting diodes (LED) and the second light source includes a light emitter other than an LED. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, wherein the first wavelength includes visible red light. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of light sources and the second light source are disposed in an instrument panel of a vehicle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, further comprising a reflecting member disposed in the in a light path of any of the first plurality of light sources and the second light source. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, further comprising: a control means for controlling an amount of light emitted through the first plurality of light sources and the second light source. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The projector according to claim 6, wherein the control means controls the amount of light emitted through the first plurality of light sources and the second light source based on an outside light illuminance. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The projector according to claim 6, wherein the control means controls the amount of light emitted through the first plurality of light sources and the second light source based on an ambient temperature. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The projector according to claim 6, wherein the control means controls the amount of light emitted through the first plurality of light sources and the second light source based on a systematic change in the projector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The projector according to claim 6, wherein the control means controls the amount of light emitted through the first plurality of light sources and the second light source on a light source-by-light source basis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The projector of claim 10, wherein the control means controls the amount of light emitted through the first plurality of light sources and the second light source based on the condition of a driver on a light source-by-light source basis to thereby adjust the color mixture. ### Claim 12 A projector projecting light of a first wavelength and a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, the projector disposed in a vehicle compartment in such a position that a first wavelength and a second wavelength form a color mixture before reaching an observer, the projector comprising: a first plurality of light sources projecting light of the first wavelength and a second light source projecting light of the second wavelength; and a control means for controlling the amount of light emitted through the first plurality of light sources and the second light source on a light source-by-light source basis, wherein the first wavelength includes a visible near-infrared wavelength, and wherein the control means controls the amounts of the currents such an output power of the second light source at startup is higher than the first plurality of light sources. ### Claim 13 A projector projecting light of a first wavelength and a second wavelength different from the first wavelength such that the first wavelength and the second wavelength form a color mixture before reaching an observer, the projector comprising: a plurality of light sources disposed in a vehicle compartment projecting the light of the first wavelength and the second wavelength forming the color mixture; and a control means for controlling the amount of light emitted through the plurality of light sources on a light source-by-light source basis, wherein the first wavelength includes visible near-infrared wavelength and the second wavelength is set to a predetermined output level higher than an output level of the first wavelength at startup, and wherein the controlling means controls the amount of light emitted through ones of the plurality of light sources associated with the second wavelength based to the predetermined output level. ### Claim 14 A projector projecting light of a first wavelength and a second wavelength different from the first wavelength such that the first wavelength and the second wavelength form a color mixture before reaching an observer, the projector comprising: a plurality of light sources disposed in a vehicle compartment projecting the light of the first wavelength and the second wavelength forming the color mixture; and a control means for controlling amount of light emitted through the plurality of light sources on a light source-by-light source basis, wherein the first wavelength includes visible near-infrared wavelength, and wherein the control means controls the amount of light emitted through ones of the plurality of light sources associated with the second wavelength so as to increase after startup. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The projector of according to claim 14, comprising: an input means to input an amount of change in the amounts of the amount of light emitted through the plurality of light sources on a light source-by-light source basis, wherein the control means adjusts the amounts of the amount of light emitted based on the amount of change input by the input means. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The projector according to claim 15, further comprising: a camera for capturing at least a portion of the projected light reflected by a face of a driver of the vehicle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The projector according to claim 15, further comprising: a camera for capturing at least a portion of the projected light reflected by a face of a driver of the vehicle, wherein the control means controls the amount of light emitted so as to turn on and off the plurality of light sources synchronous with a shutter of the camera.