THERMAL IMAGE-BASED COLOR-ADAPTIVE SPOTLIGHTING

Abstract

A lighting system (18) for a vehicle (14) includes a sensor (12, 16) configured to detect at least one property of an environment to be illuminated by the lighting system. The lighting system (18) also includes a lighting assembly (20A, 20B, 29) configured to illuminate the environment. The lighting system is configured to adjust the light output of the lighting assembly (20A, 20B, 29) based on at least one property of the environment in order to improve the visible luminance of the environment.

Description

AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to lighting for motor vehicles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to lighting for passenger vehicles, for example cars and trucks, which is adaptive based on a detected property in order to improve the visibility of the surroundings. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A vehicle can be equipped with one or more sensors, such as cameras and / or thermal sensors, to detect objects or living beings. A vehicle can also be equipped with a lighting system to illuminate its surroundings. However, with conventional solutions, it may not be possible to adjust the light output of the lighting system based on a detected characteristic to improve visible luminance. SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure provides a lighting system for a vehicle. The lighting system includes a sensor configured to detect at least one property of an environment to be illuminated by the lighting system. The lighting system also includes a lighting assembly configured to illuminate the environment. The lighting system is configured to adjust the light output of the lighting assembly based on at least one property of the environment in order to improve the visible luminance of the environment.

[0004] The present disclosure also provides a method for operating a vehicle lighting system. The method includes: detecting at least one property of an environment to be illuminated by the lighting system using a sensor; illuminating the environment using a lighting assembly; and adjusting the light output of the lighting assembly based on the at least one property of the environment and to improve the visible luminance of the environment.

[0005] These and other aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in the following detailed description of the embodiments, the accompanying claims and the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Further details, features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the associated drawings. Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle with a vision system that includes a camera and a low-resolution thermal sensor, according to one aspect of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a vehicle with a lighting system according to one aspect of the present disclosure; and Fig. Figure 3 shows a flowchart listing the steps of a method for operating a lighting system for a vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] With reference to the drawings, the present invention is described in detail with regard to the following embodiments.

[0008] An object of the invention of the present disclosure is to provide a lighting system for a vehicle and a method for operating a lighting system for a vehicle that is configured to detect and modify lighting to improve the visibility of an object or living being, for example, a pedestrian, a cyclist, or an animal. The term "object / being" is used herein to denote an object, entity, or living being that is to be detected and illuminated by the system and method of the present disclosure. The system and method of the present disclosure can detect an object / being at night and direct a spotlight onto the object / being to illuminate the object / being and / or a zone around the object / being.Thus, the lighting system and the method of the present disclosure can improve the visibility of an object / being on the vehicle's path, so that a driver can recognize the object / being more easily and quickly, thereby improving safety.

[0009] A sensor can detect properties of the environment, such as the thermal or reflective properties of the object / being, and adjust the light output of the point source. For example, the system and method of this disclosure can change the temperature or color output of an existing light source to improve the visibility of the detected object / being. In one example, the light output can be adjusted so that different road surfaces have a similar luminance. The lighting system of this disclosure can adjust the light output to achieve maximum light reflection from an object / living being. For example, the lighting system can select a color spectrum that is absorbed least by the object or living being.The lighting system and method of the present disclosure can thereby provide improved local illumination of the ground on which the object / being is located or moving, and / or provide improved illumination of the object / being itself by ensuring that a maximum amount of light is reflected from it.

[0010] A vehicle vision system and / or driver assistance system and / or object detection system and / or warning system is used to capture images from outside the vehicle and can process the captured image data to display images and detect objects on or near the vehicle and along the vehicle's predicted path, for example, to assist a driver when maneuvering the vehicle in reverse. The vision system includes an image processor or image processing system that can receive image data from one or more cameras and provide output to a display device to show images representing the captured image data.Optionally, the vision system can provide a top view, a bird's-eye view, or a 360° view display and can provide a displayed image representing the vehicle in question, the displayed image optionally being adapted to correspond at least partially to the actual vehicle in question.

[0011] Now, with reference to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments shown therein, a vehicle camera system or vision system 10 has a forward-facing camera 12 which can be installed on the inside of the windshield 14a of a vehicle 14, for example a car, truck, bus or van ( Fig. 1) Such a camera system can be used for a variety of functions such as object detection, lane keeping, and high beam control. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle camera system or module is configured to face forward and is mounted on the vehicle 14, providing a view through the windshield and forward from the vehicle. The vision system 10 includes, or is connected to, a heat sensor 16, which is mounted on a front section of the vehicle, for example, on the vehicle's bumper or the like, and faces forward from the vehicle to detect the presence of "hotspots" in front of the vehicle. The vision system includes a controller with a processor that processes a low-resolution output from the heat sensor to determine if there are any hotspots in front of the vehicle that might indicate a pedestrian or animal in front of the vehicle.In response to the detection of such a hotspot, the system can control a forward-facing light on the vehicle (for example, a headlight or spotlight) to illuminate the detected hotspot area. The processor then processes the image data captured by the forward-facing (higher-resolution) camera 12 (for example, a black-and-white, monochrome, or color camera) to determine whether the detected hotspot indicates a pedestrian, animal, or similar object in front of the vehicle. Based on this determination, the system can generate a warning for the driver (for example, a visual, audible, or haptic warning) or control the vehicle's braking or steering system to avoid a collision with the detected pedestrian or animal.

[0012] Optionally, the camera can be connected to a multi-camera vision system of the vehicle, and the forward-facing camera and several external cameras (for example, a rear-facing camera at the rear of the vehicle and a side / rear-facing camera on each side of the vehicle) can capture image data of regions outside the vehicle, the camera having a lens for focusing images on or at an imaging array or image plane or image transmitter of the camera. The vision system includes a controller or electronic control unit (ECU) or processor that is operable to process the image data captured by the cameras and can provide the displayed images on a display device for viewing by the vehicle's driver.Data transmission or signal communication from the camera to the ECU can include any suitable data or communication connection, for example a vehicle network bus or the like of the vehicle equipped with it.

[0013] In some applications of vehicle vision systems, such as pedestrian detection, it may be desirable to integrate a high-resolution thermal imaging camera to enable improved night vision detection of pedestrians and animals. Such "focus-beam" systems are typically very expensive because they use high-resolution thermal imaging cameras for all night vision pedestrian and animal detection.

[0014] The vision system of the present disclosure utilizes the extended range of a thermal sensor 16 to locate presumed “hotspots” (regions in the sensor’s field of view where a detected concentrated area or an object with an elevated temperature above a threshold is located), which may be pedestrians or animals. It then directs “spotlights” onto the detected hotspot and uses a standard high-resolution CMOS imager to detect the full characteristics of the actual object. The thermal sensor 16 can be a low-resolution device, the resolution of which is significantly lower than that of the forward-facing camera 12.Additionally or alternatively, a "hotspot" can include regions within the sensor's field of view where a lidar or radar echo, a flash lidar time-of-flight (TOF) image layer, or glare from the shortwave infrared (SWIR) range in the night sky is present on an object or similar. The hotspot is thus determined by detecting a region within the low-resolution sensor's detection area where there is a concentration of electromagnetic radiation above a threshold. For example, the low-resolution sensor can detect a hotspot where it detects a region with luminous intensity, heat intensity, or infrared radiation above a threshold.

[0015] Thermal sensors (usually bolometer-based) are inherently very expensive, but at lower resolutions (such as a thermal sensor with a sensor array of only about 80 × 30 pixels or so), the cost drops significantly because the yield increases exponentially and the amount of silicon for the readout circuitry and expensive materials, as well as the associated processing of the thermal sensors, is reduced (more chips per wafer). Furthermore, the expensive optics (usually germanium lenses) are smaller (due to the smaller, lower-resolution sensor array), which also reduces costs and the footprint required for assembly.

[0016] Since heat sensors also have to be mounted in the front area (for example on the bumper) of the vehicle (such heat sensors cannot detect through the windshield), they will probably have to be replaced even after minor frontal collisions or impacts, which is very expensive for the owner / insurance company.

[0017] The thermal sensor of the vision system of the present disclosure may include a low-resolution sensor having a low-resolution pixel array (for example, less than or equal to approximately 480 pixels, or less than or equal to approximately 240 pixels, or less than or equal to approximately 100 pixels). The thermal sensor may be sensitive to wavelengths in the far-infrared (FIR) range, for example, between about 6 and 12 micrometers.

[0018] To reliably detect a pedestrian, for example, it's beneficial if approximately 10 to 20 pixels (such as a subarray of about 4 × 4 pixels or similar) of the sensor capture the object or have its field of view focused on it. To achieve this at a greater distance in front of the vehicle than is illuminated by its low beams, for example, more than about 60 meters, a fairly high resolution thermal imaging system is required, and this is precisely why the costs are so high.

[0019] By limiting detection (by the low-resolution thermal sensor) to a single "hotspot" without further detection or identification of the object, only a few pixels are required for the initial identification. Once the hotspot has been identified, a focused beam of visible light (or near-infrared (NIR) or infrared (IR) light) is directed at the hotspot (or the general region where the hotspot is detected) to perform further or improved image processing of the image data captured by the forward-facing, higher-resolution camera. This allows for further characterization of the object's nature and potentially its likely path (and the probability that the object poses a hazard to, or could be endangered by, the vehicle being driven).

[0020] Depending on the result of the detection and identification of the object and the predicted path of the vehicle and the identified object, the system can then generate a warning (acoustic / visual / haptic).

[0021] The present disclosure thus provides a vehicle vision system comprising a forward-facing camera (for example, on the vehicle's windshield) and a low-resolution heat sensor (for example, on the vehicle's bumper or the like). The system processes the outputs from the low-resolution heat sensor to identify hotspots in front of the vehicle and, in response to the identification of such a hotspot, controls a vehicle light so that the illumination is directed onto the identified hotspot area. Furthermore, by processing the image data captured by the higher-resolution forward-facing camera, the system determines the type of hotspot and whether its presence constitutes a hazardous situation.For example, the system can control the vehicle's headlights to direct more intense illumination onto the identified hotspot area, such as by switching the headlights to high beam mode or by adjusting the direction of the main axis of the light beams emitted by the headlights. If the illumination in the identified hotspot area is sufficient, the system further identifies, characterizes, or identifies the hotspot area by processing the image data captured by the higher-resolution, forward-facing camera to determine whether it represents a pedestrian, animal, or similar object that may be in or moving into the vehicle's path.

[0022] Optionally, the low-resolution sensor can include a sensor that operates in or is sensitive to the short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrum (for example, between approximately 1 and 1.8 micrometers wavelength), thus capturing useful nighttime glare in the sky to determine the presence of objects before a CMOS camera can detect them. Optionally, the low-resolution sensor can also include a sensor that is sensitive to the mid-infrared (MIR) spectral band or corresponding wavelengths (for example, between approximately 2 and 6 micrometers wavelength).

[0023] The low-resolution sensor can also incorporate a different sensor technology (more expensive per pixel / data point), such as a FLASH ladar or lidar, or the like. The system of the present disclosure can apply the same principle to a low-quality, low-resolution radar (to enable, for example, early detection of "hotspots"), which could also include vulnerable road users and animals (VRUs). This would also mean that the supplementary sensor system with "low resolution, but long range and low light" does not always need to be installed outside the vehicle cabin. Such external placement of the supplementary sensor is only necessary for the FIR thermal sensor, which cannot detect through the windshield.For the other optional types of low-resolution, long-range, low-light sensors, the sensors can be installed inside the vehicle cabin (to detect through the vehicle's windscreen and in front of the vehicle) or outside the vehicle cabin (for example, on a front section of the vehicle).

[0024] The system can utilize aspects of the vision systems described in U.S. patent application no. 2016 / 0119527 and / or U.S. patents nos. 8,764,256; 8,013,780; 7,914,187; 7,720,580 and / or 6,485,081 and / or U.S. publication no. 2010 / 0020170. The camera or image sensor can comprise any suitable camera or sensor. Optionally, the camera may include a “smart camera” which incorporates the imaging sensor array and associated switching logic and image processing switching logic, as well as electrical connections and the like, as part of a camera module, for example by utilizing aspects of the vision systems described in International Publications No. WO 2013 / 081984 and / or WO 2013 / 081985.

[0025] The system includes an image processor that can be operated to process the image data captured by the camera(s), for example, to detect objects, other vehicles, pedestrians, or the like within the field of view of one or more of the cameras. For example, the image processor may include an EyeQ2 or EyeQ3 image processing chip available from Mobileye Vision Technologies Ltd. of Jerusalem, Israel, and may include object recognition software (such as the types described in U.S. Patents Nos. 7,855,755; 7,720,580 and / or 7,038,577) and can analyze image data to detect vehicles and / or other objects.In response to such image processing, and when an object or another vehicle is detected, the system can generate a warning to the driver of the vehicle and / or create an overlay on the displayed image to highlight or enhance the display of the detected object or vehicle, so that the driver becomes more aware of the detected object or vehicle or the dangerous situation during a driving maneuver of the equipped vehicle.

[0026] The vehicle can include one or more sensors of any type, for example, imaging sensors, radar sensors, LiDAR sensors, LADAR sensors, ultrasonic sensors, or the like. The imaging sensor or camera can acquire image data for image processing and can include any suitable camera or sensor device, such as a two-dimensional array of a plurality of photosensor elements arranged in at least 640 columns and 480 rows (at least a 640×480 image array, such as a megapixel imaging array or the like), with a lens that focuses images onto respective sections of the array. The photosensor array can include a plurality of photosensor elements arranged in a photosensor array with rows and columns. Preferably, the imaging array has at least 300,000 photosensor elements or pixels, more preferably at least 500.The image sensor array comprises 000 photosensor elements or pixels, and preferably at least 1 million photosensor elements or pixels. Preferably, the forward-facing camera includes a high-resolution camera with at least approximately 1 million photosensor elements or pixels. The image array can capture color image data, for example, via spectral filtering on the array, such as an RGB filter (red, green, and blue), a red / red complement filter, an RCC filter (red, clear, clear), or the like. The logic and control circuitry of the image sensor can operate in any known manner, and the image processing and algorithmic processing can include any suitable means for processing the images and / or image data.

[0027] For example, the vision system and / or the processing and / or the camera and / or the switching logic can utilize aspects that are addressed in U.S. Patents Nos. 8,694,224; 7,005,974; 5,760,962; 5,877,897; 5,796,094; 5,949,331; 6,222,447; 6,302,545; 6,396,397; 6,498,620; 6,523,964; 6,611,202; 6,201,642; 6,690,268; 6,717,610; 6,757,109; 6,802,617; 6,806,452; 6,822,563; 6,891,563; 6,946,978; 7,859,565; 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 6,636,258; 7,145,519; 7,161,616; 7,230,640; 7,248,283; 7,295,229; 7,301,466; 7,592,928; 7,881,496; 7,720,580; 7,038,577; 6,882,287; 5,929,786 and / or 5,786,772 are described. The system can communicate with other communication systems via any suitable means, for example by using aspects of the systems described in International Publications No. WO / 2010 / 144900; WO 2013 / 043661 and / or WO 2013 / 081985 and / or in US Publication No. US-2012-0062743.

[0028] The camera module and the circuit chip or circuit board, as well as the imaging sensor, can be implemented and operated in conjunction with various vehicle vision-based systems and / or can be operated using the principles of other such vehicle systems, for example, a vehicle headlight control system, for example, the type disclosed in U.S. Patents Nos. 5,796,094; 6,097,023; 6,320,176; 6,559,435; 6,831,261; 7,004,606; 7,339,149 and / or 7,526,103, a rain sensor, for example, the types disclosed in jointly transferred U.S. Patents Nos. 6,353,392; 6,313,454; 6,320,176 and / or 7,480,149, a vehicle vision system, for example a forward-, side-, or rear-facing vehicle vision system, which is disclosed in U.S. patents no.5,550,677; 5,670,935; 5,760,962; 5,877,897; 5,949,331; 6,222,447; 6,302,545; 6,396,397; 6,498,620; 6,523,964; 6,611,202; 6,201,642; 6,690,268; 6,717,610; 6,757,109; 6,802,617; 6,806,452; 6,822,563; 6,891,563; 6,946,978 and / or 7,859,565, a trailer hitch assist or towing control system as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,005,974, a rear or side imaging system, for example for a lane change assist system or lane departure warning system or for a blind spot or object detection system, for example imaging or detection systems of the types disclosed in U.S. Patents Nos. 7,881,496; 7,720,580; 7,038,577; 5,929,786 and / or 5,786,772, a video device for cabin monitoring and / or videotelephone function as disclosed in U.S. Patents Nos. 5,760,962; 5,877,897; 6,690,268 and / or 7,370,983 and / or the US filing with publication number.2006 / 0050018, a traffic sign recognition system, a system for determining a distance to a vehicle or object moving ahead or following, such as a system that uses the principles disclosed in US patents Nos. 6,396,397 and / or 7,123,168, and / or the like.

[0029] Optionally, the vision system may include a display for showing images captured by one or more of the imaging sensors so that the driver can view them while operating the vehicle normally. Optionally, the vision system may include, for example, a video display device installed on or in the vehicle's interior rearview mirror assembly, for example, by utilizing aspects of the video mirror display systems described in U.S. Patents Nos. 6,690,268 and / or 9,264,672. The video mirror display may include any suitable devices and systems and may optionally utilize aspects of the display systems described in U.S. Patents Nos.7,370,983; 7,329,013; 7,308,341; 7,289,037; 7,249,860; 7,004,593; 4,546,551; 5,699,044; 4,953,305; 5,576,687; 5,632,092; 5,677,851; 5,708,410; 5,737,226; 5,802,727; 5,878,370; 6,087,953; 6,173,508; 6,222,460; 6,513,252 and / or 6,642,851 and / or the European patent application published on October 11, 2000 under publication no. EP 0 1043566, and / or the US publication no. US-2006-0061008.Optionally, the video mirror display screen or video mirror display device can be operated to display images captured by a reversing camera of the vehicle during a reversing maneuver (for example, in response to the vehicle's gear lever being moved into the reverse gear position or the like) to assist the driver in reversing the vehicle, and can optionally be operated to display the compass direction or direction sign or symbol when the vehicle is not performing a reversing maneuver, for example, when the vehicle is being driven forward on a road (for example, by using aspects of the display system described in International Publication No. WO 2012 / 051500).

[0030] Optionally, the vision system (using the forward-facing camera and a rear-facing camera, as well as other cameras with external fields of view installed on the vehicle) can be part of a top-down or bird's-eye view system of the vehicle or a 360° view of the vehicle, or provide such a display, for example by using aspects of the vision systems described in International Publications No. WO 2010 / 099416; WO 2011 / 028686; WO 2012 / 075250; WO 2013 / 019795; WO 2012 / 075250; WO 2012 / 145822; WO 2013 / 081985; WO 2013 / 086249 and / or WO 2013 / 109869.

[0031] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a vehicle 14 with a lighting system 18 according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The vehicle 14 may be a motor vehicle, such as a passenger car or a truck. However, the headlight assembly of the present disclosure may also be applicable to other types of vehicles, such as commercial vehicles, buses, trains, etc. The vehicle 14 with the lighting system 18 of the present disclosure may also be referred to as an ego vehicle or subject vehicle. The lighting system 18 includes a left headlight assembly 20a and a right headlight assembly 20b. The individual headlight assemblies 20a, 20b may be similar or identical to each other.In some embodiments, the headlight assemblies 20a, 20b may include similar or identical internal components and different external components, such as a housing configured to fit into the structure on the corresponding side of the vehicle 14.

[0032] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, each of the headlight assemblies 20a, 20b includes a low-beam frontal light source 22, a point-beam light source (matrix light source) 24, and an adaptive high-beam light source (ADB light source) 26. The frontal light source 22 can also be referred to as the base light source or frontal base light source and can include one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), although other types of light sources can also be used, for example, one or more halogen lamps and / or a high-intensity discharge (HID) light source. In some embodiments, the point-beam light source 24 can include at least 20,000 pixel light sources, which can be individually controllable. For example, the point-beam light source 24 can include 248 columns and 82 rows of micro-LEDs, providing a total of 20,336 micro-LEDs, each forming a pixel light source.Each pixel light source can incorporate an LED element, although other types of light-emitting devices can also be used. Each pixel light source can have a pixel size of 0.04 mm and a resolution of 0.1° x 0.1°. However, the pixel light sources can have different pixel sizes and / or different resolutions.

[0033] Each of the headlight assemblies 20a, 20b also includes a first lens 32 aligned with the low-beam frontal light source 22 to project its light outwards in front of the vehicle 14. Each of the headlight assemblies 20a, 20b also includes a second lens 34 aligned with the spot-beam light source 24 to project its light outwards in front of the vehicle 14. Each of the headlight assemblies 20a, 20b also includes a third lens 36 aligned with the ADB light source 26 to project its light outwards in front of the vehicle 14. In some embodiments, the headlight assemblies 20a, 20b may include a conventional high-beam light source instead of the ADB light source 26. In some embodiments, two or more of the lenses 32, 34, 36 may be combined.For example, a common lens assembly 32, 36 can function as both a first lens 32 and a third lens 36 to project light from both the low beam frontal light source 22 and the ADB light source 26.

[0034] Each of the headlight assemblies 20a, 20b includes a controller 40 that communicates with the first light source 24 and the second light source 28. The controller 40 can also be referred to as an intelligent headlight lighting driver or intelligent headlight LED driver. The controller 40 can be configured to control light patterns generated by one or more of the light sources 22, 24, 26. The controller 40 can provide signals to control the brightness level of each of the pixel light sources. For example, the controller 40 can control the brightness levels of each of the pixel light sources using on / off signals and pulse-width modulation (PWM) switching.

[0035] The controller 40 includes a processor 42, which is coupled to a storage memory 44. The storage memory 44 includes an instruction memory 46, which stores instructions, such as program code, for execution by the processor 42. The storage memory 44 also includes a data memory 48 for storing data for use by the processor 42.

[0036] The vehicle 14 also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 41, such as a body control module, which is in functional communication with the controllers 40 of each of the headlight assemblies 20a, 20b and is configured to communicate one or more signals for controlling the operation of the headlight assemblies. For example, the ECU 41 can instruct the headlight assemblies 20a, 20b to operate in high beam mode or low beam mode. The ECU 41 can provide the controllers 40 with additional messages or commands, such as specifying particular regions to be illuminated with a certain temperature, color, and / or intensity to enhance the visibility of a detected object and / or to otherwise visually signal the detected object.

[0037] The in Fig. The lighting system 18 shown also includes an auxiliary light source 29 located outside the headlight assemblies 20a, 20b. For the sake of simplicity, only one such auxiliary light source 29 is shown. However, the lighting system 18 can include any number of auxiliary light sources 29. The auxiliary light source 29 can include a fog light and / or another light source that can be controlled by the ECU 41. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the auxiliary light sources 29 can be powered and / or controlled by a controller 40 of a corresponding headlight assemblies 20a, 20b.

[0038] As shown, the forward-facing camera 12 and the thermal sensor 16 of the vision system 10 are each functionally connected to the ECU 41. The ECU 41 can be programmed or otherwise configured to use data from the vision system 10 relating to a detected object or living being and to cause the lighting system 18 to increase the visible luminance of the object or living being and / or a region or surface around the detected object or living being. For example, the ECU 41 can command one or more of the light sources 22, 24, 26, 29 to change the color, temperature, and / or intensity of the light directed at the detected object or living being or at a region or surface around the detected object or living being.In one example, the lighting system 18 can cause the detected object or living being to be highlighted by a spotlight effect or by increasing the illumination of the detected object or living being or of a region of the ground or road that is adjacent to or leading towards the detected object or living being.

[0039] A procedure 100 for operating a vehicle's lighting system is shown in the flowchart of Fig. 3 shown. The process 100 can be carried out by the illumination system 18 of the present disclosure. As becomes clear in light of the disclosure, the sequence of operations within the process is not limited to that shown in Fig. The sequential execution illustrated in point 3 is limited, but can be carried out in one or more different sequences depending on applicability and in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0040] Method 100 includes the detection, in step 102 and by means of a sensor, of at least one property of an environment to be illuminated by the lighting system. For example, the forward-facing camera 12 and / or the thermal sensor 16 can detect one or more properties of the environment, such as temperature, the presence of an object or living being, and / or the reflective properties of the object or living being.

[0041] In some embodiments, the sensor can include a thermal sensor, and the detection of the at least one property of the environment includes the detection of a hotspot region with elevated temperature by the thermal sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one property of the environment can include an object or a living being, and the light output of the lighting assembly can be adjusted to increase the visible luminance of the object or living being. In some embodiments, the at least one property of the environment can include an object or a living being, and the light output of the lighting assembly can be adjusted to improve the illumination of a road or other area around the object or living being.In some embodiments, the sensor may include a camera, and the detection of the at least one property of the environment includes the detection of an object or living being by the camera. In some embodiments, the at least one property may include a reflective property of an object or living being, and the adjustment of the light output of the lighting assembly includes adjusting at least one temperature or color of the light output based on the reflective property of the object and to increase the perceived brightness of the object or living being.

[0042] Method 100 also includes illuminating the surroundings, in step 104, by means of a lighting assembly. For example, the lighting system 18 can operate one or more of the light sources 22, 24, 26, 29 so that they are illuminated during the normal operation of the vehicle 14, for example, while driving at night.

[0043] Procedure 100, in step 106, also includes adjusting the light output of the lighting assembly based on at least one property of the environment and to improve the visible luminance of the environment. For example, the ECU 41 can command one or more of the light sources 22, 24, 26, 29 to change the color, temperature, and / or intensity of the light directed at the detected object or living being, or at a region or surface around the detected object or living being.

[0044] In some embodiments, adjusting the light output of the lighting assembly may include adjusting at least one of the following: a temperature or a color output of the light output based on at least one property of the environment. In some embodiments, adjusting the light output of the lighting assembly to improve the visible luminance of the object or living being further includes increasing an intensity of the light directed at the object or living being. In some embodiments, adjusting the light output of the lighting assembly includes adjusting a light output from at least one headlight assembly. In some embodiments, adjusting the light output of the lighting assembly includes adjusting a light output from an auxiliary light source that is not located within a headlight assembly.

[0045] The system, methods, and / or processes described above, as well as their steps, can be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination of hardware and software suitable for a particular application. The hardware can include a general-purpose computer and / or a dedicated data processing device, or a specific aspect or component of a dedicated data processing device. The processes can be implemented in one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded microcontrollers, programmable digital signal processors, or other programmable devices, together with internal and / or external memory.The processes can also, or alternatively, be embodied in an application-specific integrated circuit, a programmable gate array, programmable array logic, or any other device or combination of devices that can be configured to process electronic signals. It is further understood that one or more of the processes can be implemented as computer-executable code capable of being run on a machine-readable medium.

[0046] The computer-executable code can be created using a structured programming language such as C, an object-oriented programming language such as C++, or any other higher- or lower-level programming language (including assembly languages, hardware description languages, and database programming languages ​​and technologies) that can be stored, compiled, or interpreted to be executed on any of the aforementioned devices, as well as on heterogeneous combinations of processor architectures or combinations of different hardware and software, or on any other machine capable of executing program instructions.

[0047] Thus, in one aspect, each of the above-described methods and combinations thereof can be embodied in computer-executable code if that code performs the steps thereof on one or more computing devices. In another aspect, the methods can be embodied in systems that perform the steps thereof and can be distributed across devices of various kinds, or the entire operation can be integrated into a single device or other hardware specifically designed for this purpose. In yet another aspect, the means for performing the steps associated with the processes described above can include the hardware and / or software described above. All such permutations and combinations are intended to fall within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0048] The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not restricted to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable and may be used in a selected embodiment, even if they are not specifically shown or described. These may also be varied in a variety of ways. Such variations are not to be considered a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are to be included within the scope of protection of the disclosure. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2016 / 0119527

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[0030]

Claims

Lighting system (18) for a vehicle (14), comprising: a sensor (12, 16) configured to detect at least one property of an environment to be illuminated by the lighting system (18), and a lighting assembly (20A, 20B, 29) configured to illuminate the environment, wherein the lighting system (18) is configured to adapt a light output of the lighting assembly (20A, 20B, 29) based on the at least one property of the environment in order to improve a visible luminance of the environment, wherein the adaptation of the light output of the lighting assembly (20A, 20B, 29) includes the adaptation of a temperature and / or a color output of the light output based on at least one property of the environment. Lighting system (18) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (12, 16) comprises a heat sensor (16) and wherein the detection of the at least one property of the environment comprises the detection of a hotspot region with increased temperature by the heat sensor (16). Lighting system (18) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor (12, 16) comprises a camera (12) and wherein the detection of the at least one property of the environment comprises the detection of an object or a living being by the camera (12). Lighting system (18) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one property of the environment comprises an object or a living being and wherein the light output of the luminaire assembly (20A, 20B, 29) is adjusted to increase the visible luminance of the object or living being, and wherein adjusting the light output of the luminaire assembly (20A, 20B, 29) to improve the visible luminance of the object or living being further comprises increasing an intensity of the light directed at the object or living being. Lighting system (18) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one property of the environment comprises an object or a living being and wherein the light output of the lighting assembly (20A, 20B, 29) is adjusted to increase the illumination of a street or other area around the object or living being; and / or wherein the at least one property comprises a reflective property of an object or living being and wherein adjusting the light output of the lighting assembly (20A, 20B, 29) comprises adjusting the temperature and / or color of the light output based on the reflective property of the object and to increase a perceived brightness of the object or living being;and / or the luminaire assembly (20A, 20B, 29) comprises at least one headlight assembly (20A, 20B) and wherein adjusting the light output of the luminaire assembly (20A, 20B, 29) comprises adjusting a light output of the at least one headlight assembly (20A, 20B); and / or wherein the luminaire assembly (20A, 20B, 29) comprises at least one auxiliary light source (29) that is not located within a headlight assembly (20A, 20B) and wherein adjusting the light output of the luminaire assembly (20A, 20B, 29) comprises adjusting a light output of the auxiliary light source (29). Method for operating a lighting system (18) of a vehicle (14), comprising: detecting by means of a sensor (12, 16) at least one property of an environment to be illuminated by the lighting system (18); illuminating the environment by means of a lighting assembly (20A, 20B, 29); and adjusting a light output of the lighting assembly (20A, 20B, 29) based on the at least one property of the environment and to improve a visible luminance of the environment, wherein the adjustment of the light output of the lighting assembly (20A, 20B, 29) includes adjusting a temperature and / or color output of the light output based on at least one property of the environment. Method according to claim 6, wherein the sensor (12, 16) comprises a heat sensor (16) and wherein the detection of the at least one property of the environment comprises the detection of a hotspot region with increased temperature by the heat sensor (16). A method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the sensor (12, 16) comprises a camera (12) and wherein the detection of the at least one property of the environment comprises the detection of an object or a living being by the camera (12); and / or wherein the at least one property of the environment comprises an object or a living being and wherein the light output of the luminaire assembly (20A, 20B, 29) is adjusted to increase the visible luminance of the object or living being; and / or wherein adjusting the light output of the luminaire assembly (20A, 20B, 29) to improve the visible luminance of the object or living being further comprises increasing an intensity of the light directed at the object or living being. Method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the at least one property of the environment comprises an object or a living being and wherein the light output of the luminaire assembly (20A, 20B, 29) is adapted to improve the illumination of a street or other area around the object or living being. Method according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the at least one property comprises a reflective property of an object or a living being, and wherein the adjustment of the light output of the luminaire assembly (20A, 20B, 29) comprises adjusting the temperature and / or the color of the light output based on the reflective property of the object and to increase a perceived brightness of the object or the living being.

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