Illuminated makeup mirror set and method of controlling light source

An illuminated makeup mirror set includes: a mirror unit; a surface light source for illumination with adjustable color and adjustable brightness; a memory unit in which illumination conditions corresponding to a plurality of scenes are stored; a detection unit for detecting the color and brightness of ambient light at an installation position of the makeup mirror set; a selection unit for selecting one of the plurality of scenes according to an input operation; an acquisition unit for acquiring, from the memory unit, illumination conditions corresponding to the scene selected through the selection unit; and an adjustment unit for adjusting the color and brightness of the surface light source according to the color and brightness of the ambient light detected by the detection unit and the illumination conditions acquired by the acquisition unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an illuminated makeup mirror set including a mirror unit and a light source for illumination and to a method of controlling the light source.

BACKGROUND ART

When makeup (including hair styling) is put on a model or actress, illumination is necessary to clearly reflect the process of the makeup in a mirror. One known illumination light fixture is a so-called Hollywood light fixture including a plurality of light sources arranged in a row. An illuminated makeup mirror set including a makeup mirror and Hollywood light fixtures disposed on opposite sides of the makeup mirror has been commercially available as a makeup case. In these Hollywood light fixtures, the light sources used are generally incandescent lamps, which are point light sources.

In addition, an illuminated makeup mirror set including a makeup mirror and a lighting fixture with variable illumination characteristics is known (Patent Document 1). In the illuminated makeup mirror set in Patent Document 1, data of the illumination characteristics of illumination light for a scene selected by the user is acquired from a possible scene illumination database pre-stored in a memory unit. Then a control signal for illumination with the acquired illumination characteristics is supplied to the lighting fixture, and the lighting fixture provides illumination according to the control signal.

CITATION LIST

Patent Documents

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

In the conventional illuminated makeup mirror set, the illumination characteristics of illumination light are changed according to a pre-assumed scene to produce the conditions for applying makeup. However, since the presence of surrounding ambient light is not taken into consideration, the optimal illumination conditions for the situation are not always obtained. Particularly, since the ambient light changes according to time and the installation position of the illuminated makeup mirror set, the influence of the ambient light cannot be ignored.

One example of problems to be solved by the present invention is the above-described drawback, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an illuminated makeup mirror set capable of producing illumination conditions optimal for a scene in consideration of the influence of ambient light and to provide a method of controlling a light source.

Means to Solve the Problem

An illuminated makeup mirror set in an invention according to claim1comprises: a surface light source for illumination with adjustable color and adjustable brightness; a memory unit in which illumination conditions corresponding to a plurality of scenes are stored; a detection unit for detecting color and brightness of ambient light at an installation position of the makeup mirror set; a selection unit for selecting one of the plurality of scenes according to an input operation; an acquisition unit for acquiring, from the memory unit, the illumination conditions corresponding to the scene selected through the selection unit; and an adjustment unit for adjusting the color and brightness of the surface light source according to the color and brightness of the ambient light detected by the detection unit and the illumination conditions acquired by the acquisition unit.

A method of controlling a light source in an illuminated makeup mirror set in an invention according to claim6is a light-source controlling method for a makeup mirror set including a mirror and a surface light source for illumination with adjustable color and adjustable brightness, the method comprising: a detection step of detecting color and brightness of ambient light at an installation position of the makeup mirror set; a selection step of selecting one scene from the plurality of scenes according to an input operation; an acquisition step of acquiring, from illumination conditions corresponding to a plurality of scenes and stored in the memory unit, the illumination conditions corresponding the scene selected through the selection unit; and an adjustment step of adjusting the color and brightness of the surface light source according to the color and brightness of the ambient light detected in the detection step and the illumination conditions acquired in the acquisition step.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the illuminated makeup mirror set and the light-source controlling method for an illuminated makeup mirror set, one scene is selected from a plurality of scenes according to an input operation, and the color and brightness of ambient light at the installation position of the makeup mirror set are detected. The color and brightness of the surface light source are adjusted according to the detected color and brightness of the ambient light and the illumination conditions corresponding to the selected scene and acquired from the memory unit. Therefore, illumination conditions optimal for the selected scene can be produced in consideration of the influence of ambient light.

EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will next be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1shows an illuminated makeup mirror set. This makeup mirror set includes a mirror unit11, left and right side plates12and13, and a support14. The mirror unit11includes a rectangular mirror21and a flat plate22affixed to the rear face of the mirror21. The flat plate22is formed from a resin, wood, or a metal and may have the same size as the mirror21or may be slightly larger than the mirror21. The left side plate12is connected to the left edge of the mirror unit11such that the angle therebetween is freely adjustable, and the right side plate13is connected to the right edge of the mirror unit11such that the angle therebetween is freely adjustable. A hinge mechanism15is formed between the mirror unit11and each of the side plates12and13, as shown inFIG. 2, and the hinge mechanisms15allow the above connection angles to be freely adjustable. Each of these angles can be adjusted within the range of from an angle at which the mirror unit11and one of the side plates12and13are substantially flush with each other to an angle at which the one of the side plates12and13is folded with respect to the mirror unit11.

The vertical length of each of the side plates12and13is the same as the vertical length of the mirror unit11, but the horizontal length of each of the side plates12and13is equal to or less than ½ of the horizontal length of the mirror unit11.

Four organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panels (surface light sources)25ato25dand four organic EL panels26ato26dare vertically arranged on and attached to the surfaces of the side plates12and13, respectively. The organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26dare identical and have a square shape of, for example, 13 cm×13 cm.

The support14includes an elliptical flat base14aand a strut14b, and the strut14bis vertically connected to the base14a. The strut14bof the support14is detachably connected to the mirror unit11to support the mirror unit11including the side plates12and13. For example, a connection hole (not shown) is formed in a lower portion of the mirror unit11. The top portion of the strut14bis inserted into the connection hole, and the support14is thereby connected to the mirror unit11.

In the makeup mirror set inFIG. 1having the above-described configuration, the user such as a makeup artist operates each of the side plates12and13with their joints to the mirror unit11(the hinge mechanisms15) serving as rotation axes to thereby adjust the angles between the mirror unit11and each of the side plates12and13. More specifically, the angles between the mirror unit11and each of the side plates12and13can be adjusted such that an image of a makeup subject such as a model that is reflected in the mirror surface of the mirror21is preferably illuminated with light emitted from the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26don the side plates12and13.

The side plates12and13can respectively be folded as shown inFIG. 3with the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26ddisposed thereon. In the folded state, the side plates12and13are not in contact with each other. Since the thickness of the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26dis small, the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26ddo not come into pressure contact with the mirror21.

The support14can be detached from the mirror unit11to separate the support14from the mirror unit11and the side plates12and13. Then the side plates12and13can be folded with respect to the mirror unit11as described above, whereby the makeup mirror set can be easily conveyed.

Next, a description will be given of the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26din the makeup mirror set inFIG. 1and their driving system.

Each of the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26dis a full-color illumination light-emitting panel, and stripe-shaped organic EL elements50R,50G, and50B with emission colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) are formed on a glass substrate51, as shown inFIG. 4. InFIG. 4, a cross section in a direction orthogonal to the straight stripes is shown.

Each of the organic EL elements50R,50G, and50B has a structure in which an anode52, a hole injection layer53, a hole transport layer54, an RGB light-emitting layer55R,55G, or55B, an electron transport layer56, and a cathode57are stacked in that order. The organic EL elements50R,50G, and50B are partitioned by banks58. Bus lines59are formed on the anodes52of the respective organic EL elements50R,50G, and50B, and the anodes52are energized through the bus lines59. Each anode52is formed of, for example, an ITO film formed by sputtering and having a thickness of 70 nm. Each hole injection layer53is formed of CuPc and has a thickness of 20 nm. Each hole transport layer54is formed of NPB and has a thickness of 20 nm. Each R (red) light-emitting layer55R is formed of CPB as a host material and Ir(phq)2tpy as a dopant. Each G (green) light-emitting layer55G is formed of CPB as a host material and Ir(ppy)3as a dopant, and each B (blue) light-emitting layer55B is formed of PAND as a host material and DPAVBi as a dopant. The thicknesses of the RGB light-emitting layers55R,55G, and55B are 40 nm. Each electron transport layer56is formed of CsxMoOx-doped NBphen and has a thickness of 30 nm. Each cathode57is formed of an Al film having a thickness of 70 to 100 nm. The internal structure of each of the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26dis only an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

The makeup mirror set inFIG. 1further includes a driving unit for driving the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26d. As shown inFIG. 5, the driving unit includes an AC-DC converter61, a controller62, a memory63, an operation unit64, and a light-receiving unit65. The AC-DC converter61converts alternating voltage to direct voltage and outputs the direct voltage. The output voltage from the AC-DC converter61is supplied as direct current power to the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26dand the controller62. The controller62is operated by the output voltage from the AC-DC convertor61as a power source and includes, for example, a CPU. The controller62controls the driving current for each of the RGB organic EL elements50R,50G, and50B in the respective organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26dto thereby control light emission (emission color and brightness) of each of the organic EL panels independently.

The memory63, the operation unit64, and the light-receiving unit65are further connected to the controller62. Programs and data necessary for the control by the controller62are stored in the memory63. The operation unit64is provided as a wired or wireless remote controller.

The operation unit64includes a power button70and scene buttons75ato75e, as shown inFIG. 6. After the user operates the power button70in the operation unit64to turn the power on, the operation unit64serves as a selection unit in which one of the scene buttons75ato75ecan be operated.

Illumination conditions, including color and brightness (luminosity), for a plurality of scenes are pre-stored as date in the memory63(a storage unit). Examples of the scenes include an office, a hotel lounge, a dinner party, a fashion show, and an outdoor location. RGB driving voltage values corresponding to optimal emission color and brightness for each of the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26dare stored as data in the memory63. The number of the scene buttons75ato75eprovided is the same as the number of the plurality of scenes stored as data in the memory63.

The light-receiving unit65and the controller62form a detection unit for detecting the color and brightness of ambient light at the installation position of the makeup mirror set. The light-receiving unit65is attached to, for example, one of the mirror unit11and the side plates12and13(the light-receiving unit65is attached to the side plate12inFIG. 1) and detects, as ambient light, a video image (e.g., a white screen image) in the place (a room) in which the makeup mirror set is installed. The light-receiving unit65is, for example, a color camera and outputs an RGB video signal representing the ambient light. The video signal of the ambient light detected by the light-receiving unit65is supplied to the controller62. The controller62performs image analysis using the video signal of the ambient light obtained when the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26dare not driven to thereby determine the color and brightness (luminosity) of the ambient light. For example, the respective average RGB values are computed using the RGB values of all the pixels in the video signal, and color and brightness are computed on the basis of the respective average RGB values and used as the color and brightness of the ambient light. The controller62serves as an acquisition unit and an adjustment unit, drives the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26don the basis of the differences between the color and brightness of the ambient light and the color and brightness corresponding to a selected scene, and adjusts the emission color and brightness of each of the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26d.

When the user presses one of the scene buttons75ato75e, the controller62reads, from the memory63, the color and brightness, i.e., illumination condition data, for the scene corresponding to the operated scene button, as shown inFIG. 7(step S1). Then the controller62determines the color and brightness of the ambient light as described above using the video signal of the ambient light supplied from the light-receiving unit65(step S2). Then the differences between the color and brightness of the ambient light and the color and brightness read from the memory63(the difference in color and the difference in brightness) are computed (step S3). The controller62determines the color and brightness for driving the scene corresponding to the scene button for each of the organic EL panels such that each of the differences in color and brightness is cancelled (step S4). Then the controller62determines RGB driving current values corresponding to the driving color and brightness for each of the organic EL panels by reading the RGB driving current values from the memory63(step S5). Then the controller62supplies driving currents to the respective RGB organic EL elements50R,50G, and50B of red, green and blue emission in each of the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26daccording to the read RGB driving current values for the organic EL panels (step S6). When these steps S1to S6are executed, the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26dare turned on, and the makeup subject whose image is reflected in the mirror surface of the mirror21is illuminated.

Therefore, the influence of the ambient light can be eliminated from the illumination for the scene corresponding to the selected scene button, and the illumination conditions optimal for the scene can be produced.

The pressing of one of the scene buttons75ato75ein the operation unit64corresponds to a selection step, and step S1in the controller62corresponds to an acquisition step. Step S2corresponds to a detection step, and steps S3to S6correspond to an adjustment step.

In the embodiment described above, the color and brightness of the ambient light are directly detected. However, the color and brightness of a subject image of the makeup subject reflected in the mirror surface of the mirror21under the ambient light may be detected.

When the color and brightness of the makeup subject are detected as described above, the light-receiving unit65captures the image of (the face or skin of) the makeup subject reflected in the mirror surface of the mirror21under the ambient light and outputs the video signal of the obtained image. The color and brightness (luminosity), i.e., illumination conditions, that the makeup subject receives corresponding to each of the plurality of scenes are pre-stored as data in the memory63.

As shown inFIG. 8, the controller62reads, from the memory63, the color and brightness that the makeup subject receives in the scene corresponding to the operated scene button when the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26dare turned on (step S11). The controller62determines the color and brightness of the makeup subject using the video signal of the makeup subject supplied from the light-receiving unit65(step S12) and then computes the differences between the color and brightness of the makeup subject and the color and brightness read from the memory63(the difference in color and the difference in brightness) (step S13). The controller62determines the color and brightness for driving the scene corresponding to the scene button for each of the organic EL panels such that the differences in color and brightness are cancelled (step S14). Then the controller62determines RGB driving current values corresponding to the driving color and brightness for each of the organic EL panels by reading the RGB driving current values from the memory63(step S15). Then the controller62supplies driving currents to the RGB emission organic EL elements50R,50G, and50B in the organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26daccording to the read RGB driving current values for the organic EL panels (step S16). Steps S14to S16are the same as steps S4to S6inFIG. 6.

Therefore, also when the color and brightness of the makeup subject are detected, the influence of the ambient light can be eliminated from the illumination for the scene corresponding to the selected scene button, and the illumination conditions optimal for the scene can be produced for the makeup subject in consideration of the color of the skin, e.g., sunburned skin, of the makeup subject.

FIG. 9shows an illuminated makeup mirror set including single surface light sources each having a light-emitting surface divided into a plurality of regions driven independently. For example, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the plurality of organic EL panels25ato25dand26ato26dare attached to the side plates12and13. However, as shown inFIG. 9, single elongated organic EL panels25and26may be attached to the side plates12and13. In the illuminated makeup mirror set inFIG. 9, the light-emitting surface of each of the organic EL panels25and26is divided into a plurality of regions, e.g., four regions28ato28dor29ato29d, as shown by dotted lines inFIG. 9. The controller drives each of these regions according to the input operation by the user from the operation unit in the same manner as in the driving of each panel in the above-described embodiment, and the emission color and brightness of each region are adjusted according to the scene.

In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the surface light sources are disposed on the left and right sides of the mirror surface of the mirror unit. However, another surface light source may be disposed above the mirror surface. For example, as shown inFIG. 10, in the makeup mirror set further including the surface light source disposed above the mirror surface, the left and right side plates12and13are connected to the mirror unit11such that the angles therebetween are freely adjustable. An upper plate17is connected to the upper portion of the mirror unit11such that the angle therebetween is freely adjustable, and three organic EL panels (surface light sources)27ato27care horizontally arranged and attached to the upper plate17.

REFERENCE NUMERALS