Method and control unit for adjusting a characteristic of a light emission of at least one headlight of a vehicle

Abstract

Method (400) for adjusting a characteristic of a light emission of at least one headlight (232) of a vehicle (130), wherein the method (400) comprises the following steps: Determine (410) whether a foreign vehicle (140) is, from the perspective of the vehicle (130), concealed or uncovered by at least one concealment object (120); and Changing (420) a characteristic of the light emission from an initial characteristic to a target characteristic when the foreign vehicle (140) is uncovered for longer than a definable waiting time, wherein in step (420) of the change the light emission is reduced.

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for adjusting a characteristic of a light emission of at least one headlight of a vehicle, to a corresponding control unit and to a corresponding computer program.

[0002] High-beam assist systems can adapt the light distribution to the ambient conditions. A typical high-beam assist system, such as HMA (High Beam Assist), can automatically switch between low and high beams, while adaptive systems can dynamically adjust the light distribution to the traffic situation. Adaptive systems include, for example, AHC (Adaptive High Beam Control) or aCOL (Adaptive Cut-Off Line), or aHDG (Adaptive Cut-Off Line), which can raise the cut-off line of a headlight, similar to headlight range control, to the point where other road users are just barely not dazzled. The CHC (Continuous High Beam Control) or vCOL (Vertical Cut-Off Line) system can generate a light distribution similar to high beams, creating a shared shadow corridor around road users (or groups of road users) to selectively dim them.The so-called matrix beam or pixel light can create separate shadow corridors for multiple road users. Furthermore, it is possible to activate specific static light distributions, such as city lights, motorway lights, or rural road lights, based on environmental information.

[0003] DE 10 2008 025 457 A1 relates to a method for controlling the light output of a vehicle, wherein a classification of the traffic situation type of the traffic situation in which the vehicle is located is carried out, and wherein at least one front headlight of the vehicle is controlled depending on the determined traffic situation type. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] Against this background, the approach presented here comprises a method for adjusting the light emission characteristics of at least one headlight of a vehicle, a control unit that uses this method, and finally a corresponding computer program according to the main claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the respective dependent claims and the following description.

[0005] According to embodiments of the present invention, the transition from an initial light emission characteristic of vehicle headlights can be delayed when obscuring objects, such as plants at the roadside or the like, are present and located in the optical path to another vehicle. In other words, the light emission can be adjusted such that, depending on the environment, particularly in the presence of light vegetation, the headlights do not dim immediately when another vehicle is detected. Thus, an initial light emission distribution, such as a high beam, partial high beam, or intermediate beam distribution, can be maintained for a longer period when a visible other vehicle is obscured by an area with obscuring objects, such as light vegetation, or is driving in an area with vegetation.In other words, a slower dimming response to approaching foreign vehicles can be implemented if there are obscuring objects, such as vegetation.

[0006] Advantageously, according to embodiments of the present invention, for example, the visibility provided by vehicle headlights can be improved in environments with obstructions, particularly those located at the roadside. Specifically, information or a signal regarding the presence of obstructions, lateral obstructions, or vegetation can be used to shift or modify the design of a high-beam assist system from a comfort optimization to a visibility optimization. Thus, an advantageous balance can be achieved between optimizing for a low number of changes in light distributions or stable system behavior and optimizing visibility, for example, in wooded areas or areas with lateral vegetation where the presence of wildlife or objects, e.g.,A fallen branch, which is more common on roads than on highways, for example, can provide the driver with a wide field of vision, such as through the use of high beams, allowing them to react to obstacles in time. This prevents the headlights from immediately dimming as soon as another vehicle is even partially or briefly visible due to obstructions or vegetation, thus avoiding the driver experiencing reduced high beam visibility and impaired visibility due to the debounce time. With minimal effort, it's possible to extend the headlight setting strategy or operating mode to accommodate different environmental conditions, including obstructions such as vegetation, and to incorporate vehicle filtering based on obstruction information.If the light output is adjusted in a visibility-optimized mode, it can be ensured that an actual dimming process only takes place when a foreign vehicle is visible for longer than the waiting time and, for example, additionally or alternatively, a distance to the vehicle is less than a certain threshold.

[0007] A method for adjusting a characteristic of the light emission of at least one headlight of a vehicle is presented, wherein the method comprises the following steps: Determine whether a foreign vehicle, viewed from the vehicle's perspective, is concealed or uncovered by at least one obscuring object; and Changing a characteristic of the light emission from an initial characteristic to a target characteristic when the other vehicle is uncovered for longer than a definable waiting period.

[0008] The vehicle can be a road-bound vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle such as a passenger car, truck, motorcycle, commercial vehicle, or the like. The vehicle and the other vehicle can be located on a shared section of a road or on adjacent sections of a road or two adjacent roads. The light emission characteristic, hereinafter also referred to simply as light emission, can represent a light distribution, light intensity distribution, or the like. In the modification step, the initial characteristic can be abandoned or switched off, and the target characteristic can be set, whereby different light distributions can be assigned to the initial characteristic and the target characteristic. According to the invention, the light emission is reduced in the modification step.The at least one obscuration object can be a vegetation object, in particular a bush, a tree, or the like. Multiple obscuration objects can, for example, represent a forest or a wooded area. The at least one obscuration object can be positioned along a road on which the vehicle and, additionally or alternatively, the other vehicle are located. The definable waiting time can be defined or redefined in a single definition step, depending on at least one piece of environmental information regarding the vehicle's surroundings.

[0009] The initial beam pattern can represent a high beam pattern, a partial high beam pattern, or an intermediate pattern. Thus, the initial beam pattern can represent a high beam. Alternatively, the initial beam pattern, in the form of a partial high beam pattern or an intermediate pattern, can represent a light output that is lower than that associated with a high beam. This is advantageous, for example, if a vehicle is already passing on the left, and this area is therefore already masked. If another vehicle then appears on the right behind bushes, strictly speaking, it is not necessary to dim the beam from the high beam pattern, but rather from an intermediate light distribution. Such an intermediate light distribution can be understood as a partial high beam pattern or an intermediate pattern.Similarly, the target characteristic can represent a low beam characteristic, a partial high beam characteristic, an intermediate characteristic, or another intermediate characteristic. Thus, the target characteristic can represent a low beam or a light emission exceeding that of a low beam.

[0010] Therefore, in adaptive systems, such as adaptive high-beam assist systems like AHC or CHC, the described approach can be implemented as an alternative to full high-beam distribution, depending on the design and traffic situation. This might be the case, for example, if the adaptive high-beam assist system has set a partial high-beam distribution due to a passing vehicle and a partially obscured vehicle appears in the still glare-prone area.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the modification step can be performed if, additionally or alternatively, a minimum distance between the vehicle and the other vehicle is not maintained. This minimum distance can be a safety distance or threshold value, the breach of which represents an unacceptability of the initial characteristic. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that, during visibility optimization, the avoidance of glare for other road users can be improved.

[0012] The method can also include a step of maintaining the initial characteristic or changing the characteristic from the target characteristic back to the initial characteristic if the other vehicle is obscured or is uncovered for a shorter period than the waiting time. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that, by avoiding unnecessary and / or premature dimming, the visibility for the driver of the vehicle can be improved.

[0013] The step of maintaining or changing the position can be performed if, additionally or alternatively, a minimum distance between the vehicle and the other vehicle is exceeded. Such a design offers the advantage that, despite taking into account the glare for other road users, the visibility range in particular can be optimized.

[0014] According to one embodiment, in the changing step, the light emission characteristic can first be changed from the high beam characteristic to the partial high beam characteristic when the other vehicle is unobstructed, and subsequently from the partial high beam characteristic to the low beam characteristic when the other vehicle remains unobstructed for longer than the waiting period. The partial high beam characteristic can represent a light emission characteristic between the initial characteristic and the target characteristic. In particular, the partial high beam characteristic can include dimmed areas of the light distribution relative to the initial characteristic. If the vehicle has a device for dimming at least one headlight, then, while the other vehicle is visible, the at least one headlight can be dimmed, at least partially.This can occur abruptly or gradually, with the emitted luminous flux of at least one headlight being reduced over the waiting period. With adaptive lighting systems, it may be possible to dim only those segments where the other vehicle is visible. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that adjusting the partial high beam characteristic or dimming minimizes disruptive changes in the light distribution for the driver, thus increasing comfort. Furthermore, the amount of light in front of the vehicle can be higher than with the low beam characteristic, improving visibility. Additionally, with the partial high beam characteristic, glare for the driver of the other vehicle is less than with the high beam characteristic.

[0015] In the determination step, occlusion information read in by a position detection device and, additionally or alternatively, by an environment detection device of the vehicle can also be used. This occlusion information can represent the position, trajectory, and, additionally or alternatively, the distance of at least one obscuring object relative to a roadway, the vehicle, and, additionally or alternatively, another vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the occlusion information can represent the optical density of at least one obscuring object. The occlusion information can represent a vegetation signal or similar and can be determined, for example, from image data from a vehicle camera, navigation data, or similar sources. Using a vehicle camera, such as a stereo camera, lateral occlusions at the edge of a roadway can be detected or measured.In particular, the obstruction information can represent a simple vegetation signal, which can be provided, for example, by a position detection device when the vehicle is located within a forest. Such a simple vegetation signal can merely represent a positional indication of an area around the roadway as containing obstructions, without any further details about the path or similar information. This implementation offers the advantage of saving computing resources, especially when the vehicle's trajectory is disregarded. With such a resource-saving approach, the waiting time, and thus the maximum glare duration, can be limited more significantly than when comparing the signal to the vehicle's trajectory, for example, to a maximum of half a second or another suitable value to limit glare for other drivers.Taking into account occlusion information, which for example only contains position data, can be implemented with minimal effort.

[0016] Furthermore, in the determination step, a trajectory and, additionally or alternatively, a route of the vehicle can be taken into account. Such an embodiment offers the advantage of improving visibility and further reducing glare for other road users.

[0017] Obstruction information, or a signal indicating vegetation cover or lateral obstruction, can specify the position, path, lateral offset, optical density, and additionally or alternatively other properties of at least one obstruction object. This obstruction information can be generated, for example, from navigation data and additionally or alternatively from data from other environmental sensors. For instance, obstruction information might represent lateral obstruction in an area parallel to the vehicle's trajectory. This information or signal can be used in the system to identify situations requiring increased visibility, such as in a dark forest with a risk of wildlife crossings. If the obstruction information represents sparse vegetation or low optical density in this area, then a foreign vehicle might be intermittently detected through the vegetation, appearing visible or obscured.In such a situation, executing this procedure can delay the dimming of vehicle headlights, as the other vehicle may be intermittently obscured. This can improve visibility, range, and light distribution for the driver. In certain steps of the procedure, the optical density of at least one obscuring object can be taken into account based on the obscuration information. If the optical density is above a certain threshold, the initial characteristic can be maintained, at least for the waiting period. Alternatively or additionally, depending on the level of detail in the obscuration information, the mere presence of obscuring objects may be sufficient to execute certain steps of the procedure effectively.

[0018] The approach presented here further creates a control unit that is configured to perform, control, or implement the steps of a variant of the method presented here in appropriate devices. This embodiment of the invention in the form of a control unit also allows the problem underlying the invention to be solved quickly and efficiently.

[0019] In this context, a control unit can be understood as an electrical device that processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals accordingly. The control unit can have an interface, which can be implemented in hardware and / or software. In the case of a hardware-based interface, the interfaces can, for example, be part of a so-called system ASIC, which incorporates various functions of the control unit. However, it is also possible that the interfaces are separate integrated circuits or at least partially comprised of discrete components. In the case of a software-based interface, the interfaces can be software modules that are, for example, present on a microcontroller alongside other software modules.

[0020] Also advantageous is a computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory and is used to carry out, implement and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above, in particular if the program product or program is executed on a computer or device.

[0021] This allows for a favorable balance between the interdependent objectives of visibility, glare, and comfort. Rapid changes in light distribution can disturb the driver, which is why a delay in switching can be implemented. In adaptive systems, this could mean, for example, low-pass filtering of an output signal or a slow controller design. For customer acceptance and evaluation of a high-beam assist system, not only smooth dynamics play a role—for example, avoiding discomfort caused by flicker or abrupt changes—but also visibility, such as avoiding discomfort caused by reduced stimulation or insufficient visibility. Visibility is essential for driving a vehicle and also influences the driver's perception of comfort. The term glare can refer to dazzling other road users.Glare experienced by the driver of a vehicle or self-driving car can manifest in various forms and components: Physiological glare, caused by a phenomenon known as veiling luminance, can reduce the contrast of a perceived image and thus the actual recognition distance or visibility range. Psychological glare can cause discomfort for the person affected, but it does not affect visual acuity, as physiological glare does. Physiological glare (also known as "disability glare") can, however, affect visual acuity. Physiological glare and psychological glare (also known as "discomfort glare") can, for example, occur simultaneously.

[0022] High-beam assist systems can use environmental information, such as continuous street lighting in a city or physical barriers like on a highway, as well as the current traffic situation, such as vehicles ahead or oncoming traffic, to adapt their system behavior. In adaptive systems capable of generating quasi-continuous light distributions, a short waiting time typically indicates a small controller time constant and thus a fast, dynamic response, while a longer waiting time typically indicates a large controller time constant and thus a slower, more deliberate response.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally to time measurement or consideration of a waiting period, the light output can be appropriately adjusted when another vehicle falls within a definable distance of the vehicle. Such an implementation can, for example, be permanently active and independent of the surroundings. In principle, with such an implementation, at least one headlight can remain on high beam as long as the other vehicle is not yet continuously visible for the waiting period, and additionally or alternatively, if the other vehicle is further away than a defined distance from the vehicle.

[0024] The approach presented here is explained in more detail below using the attached drawings as examples. These show: Fig. 1. A schematic representation of a traffic situation; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a vehicle with a device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a vehicle with a device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a traffic situation; Fig. 4 a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 5 a flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] In the following description of favorable embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and acting similarly, without repeating these elements.

[0026] For the sake of simplicity and readability, the following examples describe implementations, some focusing on classic high-beam assist systems, although their application is also intended for adaptive systems, resulting in a change in system dynamics. In adaptive systems, a short waiting time corresponds to fast system behavior, meaning, for example, that a target light distribution or characteristic is reached more quickly. Conversely, a long waiting time corresponds to slower, more sluggish system behavior, meaning that a target light distribution or characteristic is reached later or more slowly.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a traffic situation 100. A number of obscuration objects 120 in the form of vegetation, bushes, or trees are arranged along the edge of a road 110. The road 110 is shown in a curved section. The obscuration objects 120 are arranged along a radially inward-pointing edge of the road 110.

[0028] On road 110 there is an Ego vehicle, hereinafter referred to as vehicle 130, and another vehicle, hereinafter referred to as stranger vehicle 140. Vehicle 130 and stranger vehicle 140 are depicted in a state where they are moving towards each other in different lanes of road 110.

[0029] In other words, vehicle 130 is driving on road 110, along the edge of which grow bushes representing obscuration objects 120. The optical density of the bushes is low enough that the other vehicle 140 is intermittently visible to vehicle 130. For example, the obscuration objects 120 are plants without leaves or with few leaves, perhaps due to the time of year.

[0030] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 130 with a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 130 is, for example, the vehicle from Fig. 1. According to the Fig. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2, and due to the illustrations, only one headlight 232 (e.g., of two headlights), a vehicle camera 234 or a first environmental sensor, and a position detection device 236 or a navigation device or a second environmental sensor are shown as examples of the vehicle 130. Furthermore, the vehicle 130 has a control unit 250 or an adjustment device.

[0031] The vehicle camera 234 is configured to provide image data of the vehicle 130's surroundings as a first sensor signal A. This first sensor signal A represents, for example, a known other vehicle and, additionally or alternatively, at least one obscuring object in the vicinity of the vehicle 130. The position detection device 236, or the environmental sensor, is configured to provide environmental data of the vehicle 130's surroundings as a second sensor signal B. This second sensor signal B represents, for example, map data from a navigation database, which may contain obscuring information regarding at least one obscuring object in the vicinity of the vehicle 130. The headlight 232 is configured to receive a control signal C. This control signal C is suitable for influencing the light output of the headlight 232.

[0032] The control unit 250 is designed to adjust the light output of the headlight 232 or headlights, in particular the front headlights, of the vehicle 130. This is done in accordance with the [document / reference] in [document / reference]. Fig. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2, the control unit 250 is configured to read the first sensor signal A from an interface to the vehicle camera 234 and the second sensor signal B from an interface to the position detection device 236 or the environment sensor. Furthermore, the control unit 250 is configured to generate the control signal C using the sensor signals A and B and to output it to an interface to the headlight 232.

[0033] The control unit 250 has a determination device 252 and a modification device 254. Even if it is in Fig. If the representation is different in 2, the control unit 250 can optionally be part of another, for example superior or subordinate, control unit of the vehicle 130 or be connected to such another control unit in a data transmission capacity.

[0034] The destination device 252 is in accordance with the in Fig. The embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2 is configured to receive sensor signals A and B. The determination device 252 is also configured to determine, or to perform a determination, whether a foreign vehicle, viewed from the perspective of vehicle 130, is concealed or uncovered by at least one obscuring object. The determination device is configured to use the sensor signals A and B. Furthermore, the determination device 252 is configured to output a result signal indicating the outcome of the determination.

[0035] The modification device 254 is configured to change the light emission from an output characteristic to a target characteristic when the other vehicle remains uncovered for longer than a definable waiting period. In particular, the modification device 254 is configured to change the light emission depending on the result signal from the detection device 252. For this purpose, the modification device 254 is configured to read the result signal. Additionally or alternatively, the modification device 254 is configured to generate the control signal C.

[0036] According to the described approach, it is not necessary for the procedure to start from a high beam distribution. It is also possible to start from a partial high beam distribution, for example, if another vehicle appears from behind bushes after a passing situation (partial high beam or intermediate characteristic). This means that both the initial characteristic, also called the start characteristic, and the target characteristic, also called the target beam characteristic, can be intermediate light distributions, with the target beam characteristic typically exhibiting less glare and / or providing a shorter visibility range than the initial light distribution.

[0037] Depending on the specific design and situation, the initial characteristic can be a high beam characteristic, a partial high beam characteristic, or an intermediate characteristic. Similarly, the target characteristic can be a low beam characteristic, the partial high beam characteristic, the intermediate characteristic, or another intermediate characteristic.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the light emission can thus be changed from the high beam characteristic to the low beam characteristic. According to another embodiment, the light emission can be changed from the high beam characteristic to a characteristic intermediate between the high beam and low beam characteristics. According to yet another embodiment, the light emission can be changed from the characteristic intermediate between the high beam and low beam characteristics to the low beam characteristic. In general terms, the light emission can be changed from any arbitrarily definable first light characteristic to any arbitrarily definable second light characteristic.

[0039] Optionally, the control unit 250 also includes a maintenance or adjustment device 256. The maintenance or adjustment device 256 is designed to maintain or adjust an output characteristic of the light emission when the other vehicle is obscured or is uncovered for a shorter period than the waiting time. In particular, the maintenance or adjustment device 256 is designed to maintain or adjust the light emission depending on the result signal from the detection device 252. For this purpose, the maintenance or adjustment device 256 is designed to read the result signal. Additionally or alternatively, the maintenance or adjustment device 256 is designed to generate the control signal C.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the modifying device 254 is designed to change the light emission from the output characteristic to the target characteristic if, additionally or alternatively, a limit distance between the vehicle 130 and the other vehicle is not reached. Optionally, the maintenance or adjustment device 256 is designed to maintain or adjust the output characteristic of the light emission if, additionally or alternatively, a limit distance between the vehicle and the other vehicle is exceeded.

[0041] Optionally, the changing device 254 is designed to change the light emission directly from the initial characteristic to an intermediate characteristic when the other vehicle is uncovered, and subsequently to change the light emission, for example, to the low beam characteristic when the other vehicle is uncovered for longer than the waiting time.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the determination device 252 is configured to use occlusion information read from the vehicle camera 254, the position detection device 256, and / or optionally an environment detection device of the vehicle 130. The first sensor signal A and, additionally or alternatively, the second sensor signal B contain the occlusion information. The occlusion information represents a position, a path, and additionally or alternatively a distance of the at least one occlusion object relative to a roadway, the vehicle 130, and additionally or alternatively a third vehicle, as well as an optical density of the at least one occlusion object. Optionally, the determination device 252 is configured to also take into account a trajectory or route of the vehicle 130.

[0043] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 130 with a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention in a traffic situation 300. Here, the traffic situation 300 is similar to that in Fig. 1. Traffic situation shown. In Fig. Figure 3 shows a road 110 in a curved section. Along one edge of the road 110 are a plurality of cover objects 120 in the form of vegetation or growth of bushes or trees. The cover objects 120 are located along a radially inward-facing edge of the road 110.

[0044] Vehicle 130 and another vehicle, or unrelated vehicle 140, are shown moving on road 110. Vehicle 130 and the unrelated vehicle 140 are depicted moving towards each other in different lanes of road 110. Vehicle 130 is the vehicle from Fig. 2. Thus, vehicle 130 has the control unit 250 or the device for adjusting the light emission of at least one headlight of vehicle 130.

[0045] Furthermore, in Fig. Figure 3 shows a tangent 301 from vehicle 130 to the course of the obscuring objects 120 in the direction of the other vehicle 140. At an intersection of tangent 301 with road 110, facing away from vehicle 130, a point of maximum visibility 302 from vehicle 130 is shown for illustration. A radially inward-pointing side of tangent 301, relative to a curve radius of road 110, represents an obscuring area 303. The obscuring area 303 is an area that is obscured by the obscuring objects 120 as viewed from vehicle 130. A connecting line or line of sight 304 between vehicle 130 and the other vehicle 140 extends at least partially within the obscuring area 303.

[0046] In other words, the maximum visibility range 302 results from occlusion information or a vegetation signal, for example, from the tangent 301 to the course of the occlusion objects 120. The in Fig. The obscuration area 303 shown to the right of tangent 301 is obscured by the obscuration objects 120 or by vegetation, while a visible area is located to the left of tangent 301. With regard to the line of sight 304 to the foreign vehicle 140, it is apparent that the latter is located outside a maximally visible area or that it is at least partially obscured by the obscuration objects or by vegetation that is optically thin.

[0047] The control unit in vehicle 130 is designed to use the potential temporary visibility or obscuration of the other vehicle 140 to adjust the light output when the presence of the obscuring objects 120 is known. If the other vehicle 140 is at least partially or intermittently obscured from the perspective of vehicle 130, the headlights of vehicle 130, even with the high beam setting, are generally also partially or intermittently obscured, or only briefly or intermittently visible, to a driver of the other vehicle 140. If the other vehicle 140 is visible even though it should be obscured by the obscuring objects 120, the control unit waits for a certain period. If, during this waiting period, the other vehicle 140 is closer than a defined distance or distance threshold to vehicle 130, the control unit of vehicle 130 is designed to dim or brighten the headlights.The light emission is adjusted away from its initial characteristic to prevent glare for the driver of the other vehicle 140. If, after the waiting period has elapsed, the other vehicle 140 is still visible and was visible for the entire waiting period, the control unit of vehicle 130 is also configured to dim its headlights or adjust the light emission away from its initial characteristic to limit glare to an acceptable or harmless level. If the other vehicle 140 is obscured again during the waiting period, the waiting timer is reset or stopped. Thus, in the case of intermittent obscuration, the other vehicle 140 is ignored with regard to the light emission of vehicle 130, meaning that the control unit waits before deviating from the initial characteristic when the other vehicle 140 is temporarily visible.

[0048] Fig. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Method 400 is a method for adjusting the light emission of at least one headlight of a vehicle. Method 400 is used in conjunction with a vehicle or a control unit from one of the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3. executable to advantageously adjust the light emission of at least one headlight of the vehicle.

[0049] Method 400 includes a step 410 for determining whether a foreign vehicle, viewed from the vehicle's perspective, is obscured or uncovered by at least one obscuring object. In a subsequent step 420 for modification, the light emission is changed from an initial characteristic to a target characteristic if the foreign vehicle remains uncovered for longer than a definable waiting period.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the method 400 also includes a step 430 of maintaining or adjusting an output characteristic of the light emission, which can be performed alternatively with respect to step 420 of changing, when the foreign vehicle is obscured or is uncovered for a shorter period than the waiting time.

[0051] Fig. Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a process 500 for adjusting or controlling the light emission of at least one headlight of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 500 is related to the method described in Figure 5. Fig. 4 as well as with a vehicle or control unit from one of the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 executable.

[0052] After process 500 is started, block 502 receives obstruction information or a vegetation signal. In block 504, which is connected in parallel with respect to the process, a foreign vehicle is detected. In block 510, which follows blocks 502 and 504, it is determined whether the foreign vehicle is obscured or partially obscured by at least one obstruction object or vegetation.

[0053] If block 510 determines that the foreign vehicle is not obscured or partially obscured by at least one obstruction or vegetation, then in block 512 the light emission is adjusted so that, for example, a target characteristic is immediately achieved. Afterwards, process 500 ends or begins again.

[0054] If block 510 determines that the foreign vehicle is obscured or partially obscured by at least one obstruction or vegetation, a waiting time measurement is started in block 514. In block 516 following block 514, process 500 waits. In a subsequent block 518, a check is performed to determine whether the foreign vehicle is still visible.

[0055] If the check in block 518 shows that the other vehicle is still visible, then in block 520 the headlights are exited from their initial setting and, for example, dimmed, or a target or intermediate setting is selected. Afterwards, process 500 ends or begins again.

[0056] If the check in block 518 reveals that the other vehicle is no longer visible, or that the other vehicle is obscured or has been obscured again, the timing is stopped or restarted in block 530, and an initial light emission characteristic is maintained, or at least one headlight remains on high beam. Process 500 then ends or begins again.

[0057] The embodiments described and shown in the figures are only examples. Different embodiments can be combined completely or with respect to individual features. An embodiment can also be supplemented by features from another embodiment. Furthermore, the process steps presented here can be repeated and carried out in a different order than described.

[0058] If an embodiment includes an “and / or” connection between a first feature and a second feature, this is to be read as meaning that the embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature, and according to another embodiment either only the first feature or only the second feature.

Claims

[1] Method (400) for adjusting a characteristic of a light emission of at least one headlight (232) of a vehicle (130), wherein the method (400) comprises the following steps: Determine (410) whether a foreign vehicle (140) is, from the perspective of the vehicle (130), concealed or uncovered by at least one concealment object (120); and Changing (420) a characteristic of the light emission from an initial characteristic to a target characteristic when the foreign vehicle (140) is uncovered for longer than a definable waiting time, wherein in step (420) of the change the light emission is reduced. [2] Method (400) according to claim 1, wherein the output characteristic represents a high beam characteristic, a partial high beam characteristic or an intermediate characteristic and the target characteristic represents a low beam characteristic, the partial high beam characteristic, the intermediate characteristic or a further intermediate characteristic. [3] Method (400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the step (420) of changing is carried out when, additionally or alternatively, a limit distance between the vehicle (130) and the foreign vehicle (140) is not exceeded. [4] Method (400) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a step (430) of maintaining the initial characteristic or changing the characteristic from the target characteristic to the initial characteristic when the foreign vehicle (140) is concealed or is uncovered for a shorter time than the waiting period. [5] Method (400) according to claim 4, wherein the step (430) of maintaining or changing is performed when, additionally or alternatively, a limit distance between the vehicle (130) and the foreign vehicle (140) is exceeded. [6] Method (400) according to claim 2, wherein in step (420) of changing the light emission characteristic is first changed from the high beam characteristic to the partial high beam characteristic when the other vehicle (140) is uncovered and subsequently changed from the partial high beam characteristic to the low beam characteristic when the other vehicle (140) is uncovered for longer than the waiting time. [7] Method (400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step (410) of determining, occlusion information read in by a position detection device (236) and / or an environment detection device (234) of the vehicle (130) is used, wherein the occlusion information represents a position, a path and / or a distance of the at least one occlusion object (120) relative to a roadway (110) and / or the vehicle (130) and / or the other vehicle (140) and / or represents an optical density of the at least one occlusion object (120). [8] Method (400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step (410) of determining a trajectory and / or a route of the vehicle (130) is taken into account. [9] Control unit (250) for adjusting a characteristic of a light emission of at least one headlight (232) of a vehicle (130), which is configured to perform all steps of a method (400) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Computer program configured to perform all steps of a method (400) according to any one of the preceding claims. [11] Machine-readable storage medium with a computer program stored thereon according to claim 10.

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