Vehicle communication lighting system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a communication lighting system of a vehicle. Pedestrians around the vehicle are detected and communication between the pedestrians and the vehicle is performed via sequentially lit lightings, thereby enabling the vehicle and the pedestrians to recognize each other, and thus ensuring safety. That is, a communication lighting system of a vehicle is provided, in which the vehicle transmits a signal that the vehicle recognizes the pedestrians by projecting light following a moving path of the pedestrians, and the pedestrians recognize that the vehicle recognizes the pedestrians.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication lighting system for a vehicle, which uses a lighting device of the vehicle to provide information to pedestrians. Background Art

[0002] Lighting devices using various light sources are applied to vehicles, and each lighting device is appropriately used according to its characteristics as well as its installation location and purpose of use.

[0003] The lighting devices include, for example, interior lights arranged inside the vehicle, and headlights, fog lights, taillights, side marker lights, license plate lights, brake lights, turn indicators, and emergency flasher lights arranged outside the vehicle.

[0004] The lighting devices arranged on the exterior of the vehicle also help to enhance the appearance of the product, so the vehicle's lighting design and lighting effects are also very important.

[0005] Typically, the primary purpose of lighting devices installed in vehicles is to radiate light toward the front, so technological development focuses on ensuring both convergence and diffusion of light. Furthermore, to improve lighting design, the shape of the lighting device's periphery is altered to enhance aesthetics, and sequential lighting is often employed.

[0006] Meanwhile, autonomous vehicles have been developed in recent years, and for safety reasons, autonomous vehicles need to communicate with pedestrians. However, when providing a separate device for communicating with pedestrians, there is a problem that the installation space of the device is limited.

[0007] The information disclosed in the background technology section of the present invention is only intended to enhance the understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be regarded as an admission or any form of suggestion that the information constitutes the prior art already known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing a communication lighting system for a vehicle (the system may also be referred to as a "vehicle communication lighting system" hereinafter) that ensures stability by communicating with external pedestrians using sequential lighting.

[0009] To achieve this purpose, a communication lighting system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes: a lighting unit, a sensor unit, and a control unit, wherein the lighting unit includes a plurality of light sources, and the plurality of light sources are arranged sequentially to divide a light irradiation area into a plurality of areas and project light to each area with different brightness; the sensor unit is configured to detect objects in a detection area around a vehicle to detect the position of the objects; the control unit is configured to control the lighting unit, receive information from the sensor unit, set the priority of objects entering the detection area, and selectively control the brightness of light to be projected onto the objects with different brightness by selectively controlling each light source of the lighting unit according to the priority of the objects moving in the detection area.

[0010] When multiple objects enter the detection area, the control unit sequentially sets each object as the nth detection object, and the control unit controls the lighting unit to perform brightness control of the light for the first detection object, and after the first detection object leaves the detection area, performs brightness control of the light for the nth object entering the detection area, and then after the nth detection object leaves the detection area, performs brightness control of the light for the n'th detection object entering the detection area, thereby sequentially performing brightness control of the light.

[0011] When the controller recognizes that an object enters the detection area via the sensor unit, the control unit sets the object that first enters the detection area as a first detection object and performs brightness control of light for the first detection object by controlling the lighting unit.

[0012] When the controller recognizes that another object enters the detection area following the first detection object, the control unit sets the other object as the second detection object, and when the first detection object is located within the detection area, the control unit does not perform brightness control of light for the second detection object.

[0013] In a state where the first detection object and the second detection object are located in the detection area, when the first detection object leaves the detection area, the control unit performs brightness control of light for the second detection object.

[0014] When the controller recognizes that another object enters the detection area after the second detection object, the control unit sets the another object as the third detection object. When the third detection object enters the detection area after the first detection object leaves the detection area, the control unit performs brightness control of the light for the third detection object.

[0015] The lighting units are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the vehicle, including a left lighting unit having a left illumination area and a right lighting unit having a right illumination area in the width direction of the vehicle, and the sensor unit detects the position of the object by dividing the detection area into multiple sub-areas including the left illumination area and the right illumination area respectively.

[0016] The detection area of ​​the sensor unit includes a first area including the left illumination area, a second area including the right illumination area, and a third area including a space between the first area and the second area.

[0017] When the controller recognizes that two or more objects have entered the first area, the control unit sets the object that first enters the first area as the first detection object, sets the object that subsequently enters the first area as the second detection object, and controls the left lighting unit to perform light brightness control following the first detection object in the left illumination area.

[0018] When the controller recognizes that the first detection object leaves the first area and enters the third area, the control unit controls each lighting unit to perform brightness control of light on the right side of the left illumination area and the left side of the right illumination area.

[0019] When the controller recognizes that the first detection object leaves the third area and enters the second area, the control unit controls the right lighting unit to perform brightness control of the light following the movement of the first detection object.

[0020] In a state where the first detection object is located in the detection area, the control unit prevents brightness control of light from being performed on other detection objects that enter the detection area.

[0021] When the third detection object enters the detection area after the first detection object leaves the second area, the control unit performs brightness control of the light for the third detection object.

[0022] When the first detection object leaves the second area, the control unit performs brightness control of light for a second detection object that enters the detection area subsequent to the first detection object.

[0023] When the first detection object leaves the first area and the second detection object is located in the first area, the control unit controls the left lighting unit to further perform brightness control of the light following the movement of the second detection object.

[0024] When the second detection object is located in the third detection area, the control unit controls each lighting unit to further perform brightness control of light on the right side of the left illumination area and on the left side of the right illumination area.

[0025] When the controller recognizes that an object has entered the first area and the second area respectively, the control unit sets the object that first enters the first area and the second area as the first detection object, sets the object that subsequently enters the first area and the second area as the second detection object, and controls the brightness of the light used for the first detection object.

[0026] The control unit performs brightness control of light for the remaining detection objects except the first detection object and the additional detection object.

[0027] The control unit sets a priority for each object entering the first area, the second area, and the third area, respectively, selects a first detection object in each area, and performs brightness control of light for each first detection object by controlling the lighting unit.

[0028] In a state where the first detection object is located in the detection area, the control unit prevents brightness control of light from being performed on other detection objects that enter the detection area.

[0029] When a specific detection object enters the first area or the second area after the first detection object leaves the first area or the second area, the control unit performs brightness control of light for the specific detection object.

[0030] The detection area of ​​the sensor unit further includes a fourth area in which an object approaching on the left side of the first area is detected, and a fifth area in which an object approaching on the right side of the second area is detected.

[0031] The vehicle communication lighting system with the above structure detects pedestrians around the vehicle and communicates with them via sequentially illuminated lighting, thereby ensuring the safety of both vehicles and pedestrians. Specifically, the vehicle projects light along the pedestrian's path, signaling that the vehicle has recognized the pedestrian. The pedestrian is then recognized by the vehicle and moves safely around the vehicle.

[0032] The methods and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages that will be apparent from or will be described in detail in the accompanying drawings and subsequent detailed descriptions incorporated herein, which together serve to explain the specific principles of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle communication lighting system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 It is shown as an example Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a lighting unit of a vehicle communication lighting system is shown;

[0035] Figure 3 and Figure 4 are schematic diagrams each showing an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle communication lighting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 5 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 are schematic diagrams respectively showing another exemplary embodiment of a vehicle communication lighting system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 9 and Figure 10 are schematic diagrams respectively showing another exemplary embodiment of a vehicle communication lighting system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 11 and Figure 12 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams respectively showing another exemplary embodiment of a vehicle communication lighting system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather present appropriately simplified representations of the various features illustrating the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as contained herein (including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes) will be determined in part by the specific intended application and use environment.

[0040] In the figures, like reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the present invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the present invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various alternative embodiments, modified embodiments, equivalent embodiments and other embodiments, which are included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0042] Hereinafter, a vehicle communication lighting system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle communication lighting system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, Figure 2 It is shown as an example Figure 1A schematic diagram of a lighting unit of a vehicle communication lighting system is shown, Figure 3 and Figure 4 are schematic diagrams each showing an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle communication lighting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 are schematic diagrams showing another exemplary embodiment of a vehicle communication lighting system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, respectively, Figure 9 and Figure 10 are schematic diagrams showing another exemplary embodiment of a vehicle communication lighting system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, respectively, Figure 11 and Figure 12 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams respectively showing another exemplary embodiment of a vehicle communication lighting system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, a vehicle communication lighting system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes: a lighting unit 10, a sensor unit 20 and a control unit 30, the lighting unit 10 including a plurality of light sources 11, the plurality of light sources 11 being arranged sequentially to divide a light irradiation area into a plurality of areas and projecting light to each area with different brightness; the sensor unit 20 being configured to detect an object in a detection area D around a vehicle to detect a position of the object; the control unit 30 being configured to control the lighting unit, receive information from the sensor unit 20, set a priority of an object entering the detection area D, and selectively control the brightness of light to be projected onto the object with different brightness by selectively controlling each light source 11 of the lighting unit according to the priority of the object moving in the detection area D.

[0045] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, various types of objects such as pedestrians or small vehicles may be detected around a vehicle.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the lighting unit 10 includes a plurality of light sources 11 arranged in a predetermined direction, and each light source 11 is configured to be individually illuminated by a control unit 30. Accordingly, the illumination area (to which light is projected by the lighting unit 10) can be divided into a plurality of zones, each of which is configured to project light at different brightnesses. The lighting unit 10 can be arranged on the vehicle's headlight side, the vehicle's taillight side, or the vehicle's side mirror or side panel side.

[0047] The sensor unit 20 may include various sensors such as LiDAR, radar, and ultrasonic sensors, and set a detection area D around the vehicle to detect the position of an object detected in the detection area D.

[0048] Position information related to objects detected by the sensor unit 20 is transmitted to the control unit 30, which prioritizes objects entering the detection area (D) and controls each light source 11 of the lighting unit 10. The control unit 30 prioritizes objects entering the detection area D and selectively controls each light source 11 of the lighting unit 10 based on the priority of objects moving within the detection area D, projecting light toward the moving objects. The controller 30 performs brightness control, projecting light at different brightness levels toward the object, and may increase the brightness of the light projected toward the object to ensure that the light can be recognized.

[0049] That is, when a pedestrian or an object enters the detection area D, the control unit 30 determines the priority according to the order of entry of the pedestrian or the object, and projects the light of the lighting unit 10 along the moving path of the pedestrian or the object according to the priority, thereby ensuring the psychological stability of the pedestrian through communication between the vehicle and the pedestrian.

[0050] When multiple objects enter the detection area D, the control unit 30 sequentially sets each object as the nth detection object, where n is an integer, and the control unit 30 is configured to: control the lighting unit 10 to perform brightness control of the light for the first detection object P; after the first detection object P leaves the detection area D, perform brightness control of the light for the nth object; then, after the nth detection object P leaves the detection area D, perform brightness control of the light for the n'th detection object P entering the detection area D, thereby sequentially performing brightness control of the light.

[0051] That is, the control unit 30 sets a priority for each detection object P according to the order in which the objects enter the detection area D, thereby sequentially performing brightness control of the light for each detection object P based on the priority. As described above, the present invention designates objects entering the detection area D as detection objects P according to their priority, and performs brightness control of the light for the detection objects P according to their priority, thereby indicating to the outside that the vehicle is identifying objects passing through the detection area D. Furthermore, the vehicle performs sequential identification of objects passing near the vehicle in order of priority from front to back, until the last object, thereby avoiding safety accidents between the objects and the vehicle.

[0052] refer to Figure 3 When it is determined via the sensor unit 20 that an object enters the detection area D, the control unit 30 sets the object that first enters the detection area D as a first detection object P1 and controls the lighting unit 10 to perform brightness control of light for the first detection object P1.

[0053] That is, the control unit 30 sets the object that first enters the detection area D as the first detection object P1 with the highest priority, and performs light brightness control so that light is projected at different brightnesses onto the first detection object P1 moving in the detection area D. Here, the light brightness control increases the brightness of the light intended for the first detection object P1 so that the light converges on the first detection object P1, thereby making it easier to identify and communicate with the object. In this way, the lighting unit 10 performs lighting of each light source 11 following the movement path of the first detection object P1, thereby clearly identifying the first detection object P1 by continuously receiving light as it moves.

[0054] At the same time, when another object is recognized to enter the detection area D after the first detection object P1, the controller 30 sets the object as the second detection object P2. That is, since multiple objects can enter the detection area D, the objects are set as the first detection object, the second detection object, ..., the nth detection object according to the order in which the objects enter the detection area D.

[0055] In the present case, the control unit 30 may perform control according to the following various embodiments.

[0056] As various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, when first detection object P1 is located within detection area D, control unit 30 does not perform brightness control of the light for second detection object P2. That is, when first detection object P1 is located within detection area D, even if second detection object P2 is identified after first detection object P1, control unit 30 does not perform brightness control of the light for second detection object P2, thereby preventing discomfort caused by the control of multiple light sources 11. Furthermore, since communication between the vehicle and the object is possible even if brightness control of the light for first detection object P1 is performed alone, brightness control of the light for first detection object P1 is performed only.

[0057] Here, when first detection object P1 and second detection object P2 are located in detection area D, control unit 30 may perform brightness control of the light for second detection object P2 when first detection object P1 leaves detection area D. That is, when first detection object P1 leaves detection area D, brightness control of the light by lighting unit 10 is not performed in detection area D, making it impossible to identify first detection object P1. Accordingly, when first detection object P1 leaves detection area D, brightness control of the light for second detection object P2 is performed, allowing the vehicle to clearly identify second detection object P2 nearby and allowing second detection object P2 to recognize that the vehicle is also identifying second detection object P2.

[0058] At the same time, if Figure 4As shown, when the third detection object P3 enters the detection area D after the first detection object P1 leaves the detection area D, the control unit 30 may perform brightness control of light for the third detection object P3.

[0059] Here, the third detection object P3 is an object that enters the detection area D after the first detection object P1 leaves the detection area D, and is simply referred to as the third detection object P3 to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The third detection object P3 refers to the detection object P that enters the detection area D after the first detection object P1 leaves the detection area.

[0060] When first detection object P1 (onto which light is currently projected at different brightnesses by lighting unit 10) leaves detection area D, brightness control of light for third detection object P3 entering detection area D is performed after first detection object P1 leaves first detection area D, thereby maintaining light control performed by lighting unit 10. In the present case, when first detection object P1 is located in detection area D, brightness control of light for second detection object P2 (which is located in detection area D together with first detection object P1) is not performed, and brightness control of light for third detection object P3 (which enters detection area D after first detection object P1 leaves detection area D) may be performed only.

[0061] As described above, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an object entering the detection area D around the vehicle is set as a detection object with priority, and the lighting unit 10 projects light to the detection object P according to the priority, so that communication can be performed so that the vehicle recognizes the object and the object recognizes the vehicle.

[0062] Below, it will be described assuming that the lighting unit 10 is arranged on the headlight side of the vehicle. This is just an example to help understand the present invention. It is not limited to this, and the lighting unit can be arranged at various positions in the vehicle.

[0063] like Figure 5 As shown, the lighting units 10 can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the left and right directions. Thus, the lighting unit 10 can include a left lighting unit 10a having a left illumination area L1 and a right lighting unit 10b having a right illumination area L2. The sensor unit 20 can detect the position of the object by dividing the detection area D into a plurality of sub-areas including the left illumination area L1 and the right illumination area L2.

[0064] Specifically, the lighting unit 10 in the headlamp at the front of the vehicle includes a left lighting unit 10a and a right lighting unit 10b. The left lighting unit 10a and the right lighting unit 10b have a left illumination area L1 and a right illumination area L2, respectively. The left illumination area L1 and the right illumination area L2 have the same area. Accordingly, the brightness of the light in the left illumination area L1 can be adjusted differently within the illumination area L by illuminating the individual light sources 11 of the left lighting unit 10a, and the brightness of the light in the right illumination area L2 can be adjusted differently within the illumination area L by illuminating the individual light sources 11 of the right lighting unit 10b.

[0065] The sensor unit 20 can divide the detection area D into multiple sub-areas and identify objects entering each sub-area. Here, the detection area D of the sensor unit 20 can be divided into a first area D1 including the left illumination area L1, a second area D2 including the right illumination area L2, and a third area D3 including the space between the first and second areas D1 and D2. In other words, the first area D1 and the left illumination area L1 are within the same range, the second area D2 and the right illumination area L2 are within the same range, and the third area D3 is the area between the first and second areas D1 and D2.

[0066] Furthermore, the detection area D of the sensor unit 20 may further include a fourth area D4 and a fifth area D5. The fourth area D4 detects objects approaching from the left side of the first area D1, and the fifth area D5 detects objects approaching from the right side of the second area D2. The fourth and fifth areas D4 and D5 are configured to pre-detect approaching objects. That is, the fourth area D4 can quickly control the light within the left illumination area L1 of the first area D1 by pre-detecting objects entering the first area D1, and the fifth area D5 can quickly control the light within the right illumination area L2 of the second area D2 by pre-detecting objects entering the second area D2. This allows for more precise prioritization of objects entering the detection area D and corresponding control of the brightness of the light from the lighting unit 10.

[0067] Regarding the above-mentioned left lighting unit 10a, right lighting unit 10b, and detection areas of the sensor unit 20, an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0068] As various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, Figure 5 As can be seen, when two or more objects are detected entering the first area D1, the control unit 30 can set the object that first enters the first area D1 as the first detection object P1, and then sequentially set the objects that subsequently enter the first area D1 as the second detection object P2. In addition, the control unit 30 can control the left lighting unit 10a to perform light brightness control in the left illumination area L1 following the first detection object P1.

[0069] Here, it is assumed that the object enters the first area D1 , but this is only for understanding the present invention, and the same control can be performed when the object enters the opposite second area D2 .

[0070] As described above, when two objects enter the first area D1, the control unit 30 determines the priority based on the order in which they enter the first area D1. That is, the object that first enters the detection area D can be set as the first detection object P1 with the first priority, and the object that enters the detection area D later can be set as the second detection object P2 with the next higher priority. In this way, detection objects can be set sequentially until the nth detection object.

[0071] As described above, when the detection object P is determined according to the priority, the control unit 30 controls the light of the lighting unit 10 for the first detection object P1 entering the first area D1. Thus, since the first detection object P1 continuously receives light while moving in the detection area D, the first detection object P1 can be clearly identified.

[0072] Thereafter, when it is recognized that the first detection object P1 leaves the first area D1 and enters the third area D3, the control unit 30 controls each lighting unit 10 to perform brightness control of light on the right side of the left illumination area L1 and the left side of the right illumination area L2.

[0073] That is to say, if Figure 6 As shown, when the first detection object P1 leaves the first area D1 or the second area D2 of the illumination area including the lighting unit and enters the third area D3, the control unit 30 controls the left lighting unit 10a and the right lighting unit 10b so as to perform brightness control of light on the right side of the left illumination area L1 and the left side of the right illumination area L2, thereby indicating that the first detection object P1 is located in the third area D3.

[0074] That is, even if the detection object P leaves the irradiation area, communication with the detection object P can be maintained by indicating that the detection object P is located between the left irradiation area L1 and the right irradiation area L2.

[0075] At the same time, when the first detection object P1 is located within the detection area D, the control unit 30 prevents execution of brightness control of the light for other detection objects that have entered the detection area D, thereby avoiding inconvenience caused by illumination by multiple light sources 11. In addition, since communication between the vehicle and the object can be performed even if only brightness control of the light for the first detection object P1 is executed, brightness control of the light for the first detection object P1 is executed only.

[0076] In this way, as Figure 7As shown, if the first detection object P1 is identified as continuously moving, leaving the third area D3 and entering the second area D2, the control unit 30 controls the right lighting unit 10b to perform light brightness control to follow the movement of the first detection object P1. Due to the given configuration, when the first detection object P1 moves and enters the second area D2, the light naturally moves to follow the movement of the first detection object P1, so that the first detection object P1 can be clearly identified.

[0077] At the same time, if Figure 8 As shown, when the third detection object P3 enters the detection area D after the first detection object P1 leaves the second area D2, the control unit 30 performs brightness control of light on the third detection object P3.

[0078] That is, when the first detection object P1 passes through the first area D1 and the third area D3 and then the second area D2, it means that the first detection object P1 has left the vicinity of the vehicle. Therefore, the brightness control of the light for the primary detection target P1 is terminated. Here, if the third detection object P3 enters the detection area D after the first detection object P1 has left the vicinity of the vehicle, there may be a lack of recognition between the vehicle and the third detection object P3. Therefore, the control unit 30 can perform brightness control of the light for the third detection object P3, allowing for clear identification of the third detection object P3.

[0079] As described above, in various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by controlling the brightness of light for a detection object P that has entered the first detection area D, it is possible to communicate information that allows the vehicle to recognize the object and the object to recognize that the vehicle has recognized the object. Furthermore, by controlling the brightness of light for additional detection objects P that enter the detection area D after the detection object that first entered the detection area D leaves the vicinity of the vehicle, recognition of the additional detection objects P is maintained, thereby ensuring stability for all detection objects P.

[0080] Meanwhile, as another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the first detection object P1 leaves the second area D2, the control unit 30 may perform brightness control of light on the second detection object P2 entering the detection area D after the first detection object P1.

[0081] When the first detection object P1 passes through the first and third areas D1 and D3 and then passes through the second area D2 to leave the vicinity of the vehicle, the controller 30 may perform brightness control of the light on the second detection object P2 entering the detection area D after the first detection object P1.

[0082] In this manner, when the light is sequentially controlled according to the priority of the detection objects P entering the detection area D, it is possible to recognize that the vehicle continuously recognizes the objects.

[0083] The sequential brightness control of the light may be selectively performed according to the distance between the first detection object P1 and the second detection object P2 or the positions of the first detection object P1 and the second detection object P2 in respective areas.

[0084] like Figure 9 As shown, when the first detection object P1 leaves the first area D1 and the second detection object P2 is located in the first area D1, the control unit 30 may control the left lighting unit 10a to further perform brightness control of light according to the movement of the second detection object P2.

[0085] That is, when the first detection object P1 is located in the first area D1, the light brightness control is performed on the first detection object P1, and the light control is not performed on the second detection object P2. When the first detection object P1 leaves the first area D1 and the second detection object P2 is located in the first area D1, the control unit 30 controls the left lighting unit 10a to perform light brightness control to follow the movement of the second detection object P2. Accordingly, the vehicle can indicate to the outside that it has recognized the second detection object P2.

[0086] Here, if Figure 10 As shown, when the second detection object P2 is located in the third area D3, the control unit 30 can control each lighting unit 10 to further perform brightness control of light on the right side of the left lighting area L1 and the left side of the right lighting area L2.

[0087] That is, when the first detection object P1 is located in the third area D3, the light brightness is controlled on the right side of the left lighting area L1 and on the left side of the right lighting area L2, thereby maintaining the recognition of the first detection object P1. Thereafter, when the first detection object P1 moves to the second area D2, the right lighting unit 10b can follow the first detection object P1 and perform light control. Furthermore, when the second detection object P2 enters the third area D3, the light brightness is controlled on the right side of the left lighting area L1 and on the left side of the right lighting area L2, thereby maintaining the recognition of the second detection object P2.

[0088] Due to the given configuration, even if the second detection object P2 leaves the first area D1 or the second area D2 and is located in the third area D3, the recognition of the second detection object P2 can be maintained so that the pedestrian can feel a sense of stability.

[0089] Hereinafter, a case where an object moves in opposite directions around a vehicle will be described.

[0090] When the controller recognizes that an object has entered the first area D1 and the second area D2 respectively, the control unit 30 can set the object that first enters the first area D1 and the second area D2 as the first detection object P1, and can set the object that subsequently enters the first area D1 and the second area D2 as the second detection object P2, and can perform light brightness control on the first detection object P1.

[0091] To help understanding of the present invention, description is made with reference to a drawing showing that an object first enters the second area D2 and another object enters the first area D1.

[0092] That is to say, if Figure 11 As shown, the control unit 30 sets the first object entering the second area D2 as the first detection object P1, and the object entering the first area D1 later as the second detection object P2. Here, light is projected onto the first detection object P1 via the right lighting unit 10b at varying brightnesses, thereby controlling the light applied to the first detection object P1 via the lighting unit 10. In this case, the brightness control increases the brightness of the light directed toward the first detection object P1, allowing for clear identification of pedestrians and enhancing communication.

[0093] In addition, the lighting unit 10 performs lighting of each light source 11 following the moving path of the first detection object P1 , thereby clearly recognizing the first detection object P1 by continuously receiving light while the first detection object P1 moves in the detection area D.

[0094] In addition, the control unit 30 controls the brightness of light for the remaining detection objects and the additional detection objects except the first detection object P1, so that the remaining detection objects including the second detection object P2 can be clearly recognized.

[0095] That is, reference Figure 12 When the first detection object P1 is located in the third area D3 and the second detection object P2 is located in the first area D1, the left lighting unit 10a controls the light to follow the movement of the second detection object P2. Simultaneously, it also controls the light on the right side of the left illumination area L1, and the right lighting unit 10b controls the light on the left side of the right illumination area L2. As described above, by controlling the light for both the first detection object P1 and the second detection object P2, it is possible to indicate to the outside that the vehicle has recognized the object, and the object can also recognize that the vehicle has recognized the object.

[0096] As another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 30 can set a priority for each object entering the first area D1, the second area D2 and the third area D3 respectively, select the first detection object P1 in each area, and perform brightness control of the light for each first detection object P1 by controlling the lighting unit 10.

[0097] As described above, by setting a priority for each area and selecting the first detection object P1 in each area, brightness control of light can be performed differently for each area.

[0098] That is, even if an object enters both first and second areas D1 and D2, the pedestrian entering first area D1 is set as the first detection object P1 in first area D1, and the pedestrian entering second area D2 is set as the first detection object P1 in second area D2. Accordingly, in the left illumination area L1 included in first area D1, light control is performed on the first detection object P1 in first area D1, and in the right illumination area L2 included in second area D2, light control is performed on the first detection object P1 in second area D2. Furthermore, if two or more objects enter first area D1, detection objects are set in the corresponding areas based on priority. This allows sequential light control of the lighting unit 10.

[0099] As another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in a state where the first detection object P1 is located within the detection area D, the control unit 30 may prevent the brightness control of light from being performed on other detection objects entering the detection area D.

[0100] That is, by performing brightness control only on the light for the first detection object P1, it is possible to prevent inconvenience caused to objects moving near the vehicle by controlling the light generated by the plurality of light sources 11. Furthermore, since communication between the object and the vehicle is possible even if brightness control is performed only on the light for the first detection object P1, brightness control is performed only on the light for the first detection object P1.

[0101] As another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a specific detection object enters first area D1 or second area D2 after first detection object P1 leaves first area D1 or second area D2, control unit 30 may control the brightness of the light for the specific detection object. Specifically, when first detection object P1 leaves detection area D, brightness control of the light for the other detection object is performed to enable the vehicle to clearly identify nearby second detection object P2, and to enable second detection object P2 to recognize that the vehicle also recognizes the object.

[0102] The vehicle communication lighting system with the above structure detects pedestrians around the vehicle and communicates with them via sequentially illuminated lighting, thereby ensuring the safety of both vehicles and pedestrians. Specifically, the vehicle projects light following the pedestrian's path, signaling that the vehicle has recognized the pedestrian. Pedestrians are then able to move safely around the vehicle by recognizing the vehicle's presence.

[0103] In addition, the term "controller" or "control unit" refers to a hardware device including a memory and a processor, which is configured to execute one or more steps interpreted as an algorithmic structure. The memory stores the algorithmic steps, and the processor executes the algorithmic steps to perform one or more processes of the method according to each exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The controller according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by a non-volatile memory and a processor, the non-volatile memory being configured to store algorithms for controlling the operation of various components of the vehicle, or data about software commands for executing the algorithms, and the processor being configured to perform the above operations using data stored in the memory. The memory and the processor can be separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor can be integrated into a single chip. The processor can be implemented as one or more processors.

[0104] The controller or control unit may be at least one microprocessor operated by a predetermined program that may include a series of commands for executing the methods according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0105] The present invention described above can also be implemented as computer-readable code on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data, which can then be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording media include hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), silicon hard disk drives (SDDs), read-only memories (ROMs), random-access memories (RAMs), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and the like, and can be implemented as carrier waves (e.g., for transmission over the Internet).

[0106] For ease of interpretation and precise definition in the appended claims, the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "upward," "downwardly," "upwardly," "downwardly," "front," "rear," "backside," "inside," "outside," "inwardly," "outwardly," "interior," "exterior," "forward," and "rearward" are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to their positions as shown in the figures. It will be further understood that the term "connected" or its derivatives refers to both direct and indirect connections.

[0107] The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention are for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed, and it is apparent that various modifications and variations are possible in light of the foregoing teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, and to enable others skilled in the art to make and use the various exemplary embodiments of the invention, as well as alternatives and modifications thereof. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A vehicle communication lighting system, comprising: a lighting unit including a plurality of light sources arranged sequentially to divide a light irradiation area into a plurality of areas and project light at a different brightness to each of the plurality of areas; a sensor configured to detect at least one object in a detection area around the vehicle to detect a position of the object, thereby providing information about the position of the object; as well as a controller electrically connected to the lighting unit and the sensor and configured to control the lighting unit, receive information from the sensor, set a priority of at least one object entering the detection area, and selectively control a brightness of light to be projected onto the object at different brightnesses by selectively controlling each of a plurality of light sources of the lighting unit according to the priority of the object moving in the detection area; wherein, when multiple objects of the at least one object enter the detection area, the controller sequentially sets each of the multiple objects as an nth detection object, where n is an integer; The controller is configured to control the lighting unit to perform brightness control of light for a first detection object among multiple objects, perform brightness control of light for an nth object among multiple objects that enters the detection area after the first detection object leaves the detection area, and then perform brightness control of light for an n'th detection object among multiple objects that enters the detection area after the nth detection object leaves the detection area, thereby sequentially performing brightness control of light.

2. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: When the controller recognizes an object among at least one object entering the detection area via the sensor, the controller is configured to set the object that first enters the detection area as a first detection object and perform brightness control of light for the first detection object by controlling the lighting unit.

3. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 2, wherein: When the controller recognizes that another object among the at least one object has entered the detection area subsequent to the first detection object, the controller is configured to set the another object as a second detection object, and when the first detection object is located within the detection area, the controller does not perform brightness control of light for the second detection object; In a state where the first detection object and the second detection object are located in the detection area, when the first detection object leaves the detection area, the controller is configured to perform brightness control of light for the second detection object.

4. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 3, wherein: When a third detection object enters the detection area after the first detection object leaves the detection area, the controller is configured to perform brightness control of light for the third detection object.

5. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: the lighting unit being formed in plural to include lighting units disposed spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the vehicle; The lighting unit includes a left lighting unit having a left illumination area and a right lighting unit having a right illumination area in a width direction of the vehicle; The sensor is configured to detect a position of at least one object by dividing a detection area into a plurality of sub-areas including a left illumination area and a right illumination area, respectively.

6. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 5, wherein: The detection area of ​​the sensor includes a first area including a left illumination area, a second area including a right illumination area, and a third area including a space between the first area and the second area.

7. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 6, wherein: When the controller recognizes that at least two of the at least one object have entered the first area, the controller is configured to set the object that first enters the first area among the at least one object as a first detection object, set the object that subsequently enters the first area among the at least one object as a second detection object, and control the left lighting unit to perform brightness control of light following the first detection object in the left illumination area.

8. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 7, wherein: When the controller recognizes that the first detection object leaves the first area and enters the third area, the controller is configured to control each of the lighting units so as to perform brightness control on the right side of the left illumination area and on the left side of the right illumination area; When the controller recognizes that the first detection object leaves the third area and enters the second area, the controller is configured to control the right lighting unit to perform brightness control following the movement of the first detection object.

9. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 7, wherein: In a state where the first detection object is located in the detection area, the controller is configured to prevent brightness control of light from being performed on other detection objects among the at least one object that enter the detection area.

10. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 8, wherein: When an additional object among the at least one object enters the detection area after the first detection object leaves the second area, the controller is configured to perform brightness control of light for the additional object.

11. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 8, wherein: When the first detection object leaves the second area, the controller is configured to perform brightness control of light for a second detection object that enters the detection area subsequent to the first detection object.

12. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 8, wherein: When the first detection object leaves the first area and the second detection object is located in the first area, the controller is configured to control the left lighting unit to further perform brightness control following the movement of the second detection object.

13. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 8, wherein: When the second detection object is located in the third area, the controller is configured to control each of the lighting units to further perform brightness control on the right side of the left illumination area and on the left side of the right illumination area.

14. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 6, wherein: When the controller recognizes that multiple objects among at least one object have entered the first area and the second area respectively, the controller is configured to set the object that first enters the first area and the second area among the objects as the first detection object, set the object that subsequently enters the first area and the second area among the objects as the second detection object, and perform brightness control of the light for the first detection object.

15. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 14, wherein: The controller is configured to perform brightness control of light for the remaining detection objects except the first detection object and the additional detection objects.

16. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 14, wherein: The controller is configured to respectively set a priority for each of the objects entering the first and second areas and the objects entering the third area, select a first detection object in each area, and perform brightness control of light for each first detection object by controlling the lighting unit.

17. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 14, wherein: In a state where the first detection object is located in the detection area, the controller is configured to prevent brightness control of the light from being performed on other detection objects that enter the detection area.

18. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 17, wherein: When a predetermined detection object enters the first area or the second area after the first detection object leaves the first area or the second area, the controller is configured to perform brightness control of light for the predetermined detection object.

19. The vehicle communication lighting system according to claim 6, wherein: The detection area of ​​the sensor further includes a fourth area in which an object approaching to the left of the first area is detected among the at least one object, and a fifth area in which an object approaching to the right of the second area is detected among the at least one object.

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