Method for projecting light inside a vehicle, automotive light projector, and automotive light assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for projecting light in the interior of a motor vehicle (10). The method comprises the following steps: sending data about the lighting conditions of the interior of the motor vehicle (10) to the light projector (1); using the data to modify some projection parameters of a light pattern (3); and projecting the light pattern (3). The present invention also provides a motor vehicle light projector (1) and a motor vehicle projection assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of vehicle lighting devices for projecting light in a vehicle interior. Background Art

[0002] Today's motor vehicles offer new features for the vehicle's occupants, from information to entertainment systems. Some of these features could be provided by interior light projectors, but incorporating such devices into the vehicle interior may not be immediately feasible. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a solution to these problems by means of a method for projecting light in the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps:

[0004] - providing a light projector in the interior of the motor vehicle;

[0005] - sending data about the lighting conditions of the interior of the motor vehicle to the light projector;

[0006] - using said data to modify some projection parameters of the light pattern; and

[0007] - projecting said light pattern.

[0008] The method allows the use of a light projector in the interior of a motor vehicle which is able to compensate for the influence of some additional light which may further be provided by some elements of the vehicle itself or by any other light source which may reach the interior of said vehicle.

[0009] In some specific embodiments, the projection parameter is at least one of a maximum illumination intensity, an average illumination intensity, a minimum illumination intensity, or a shape of the light pattern.

[0010] By modifying one of these parameters, the resulting projected light pattern is adapted to the additional illumination provided by any light sources reaching the interior of the vehicle so that it has the correct shape and intensity distribution to be seen even in the presence of interfering lighting from these light sources.

[0011] In some specific embodiments, the data is sent from a vehicle control unit to the light projector via a CAN bus.

[0012] The CAN (Controlled Area Network) bus is suitable for use in motor vehicles to provide good communication between control units.

[0013] In some specific embodiments, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0014] - before the step of sending data to the light projector, the method comprises a step of sensing ambient light;

[0015] - the data sent to the light projector comprises environmental data related to the ambient light.

[0016] In this way, the method can also be applied to lighting disturbances caused by ambient light.The resulting projected light pattern can be adapted to internal and external lighting disturbances.

[0017] In some specific embodiments, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0018] - before the step of sending data to the light projector, the method comprises the step of acquiring light data regarding the operation of auxiliary lighting elements included in the vehicle;

[0019] - the data sent to the light projector include data related to the operation of the auxiliary lighting element.

[0020] In this way, the method can also be applied to lighting disturbances caused by the vehicle's interior auxiliary lights.

[0021] In some specific embodiments, the method further comprises the step of checking, by the projector control unit, the availability of new data.

[0022] Thus, the light projector may always be ready to modify the light pattern due to information received from the external device.

[0023] In some specific embodiments, the light pattern includes light pixels, and the step of modifying the projection parameters affects the light intensity of at least one of the pixels.

[0024] The light pixel arrangement allows the light projector to provide accurate adjustment.

[0025] In a second inventive aspect, the present invention provides a motor vehicle light projector comprising a projector control unit and a plurality of light sources, the projector control unit being configured to perform the steps of the method according to the first inventive aspect.

[0026] The automotive light projector is capable of adapting to lighting disturbances caused by interior lighting elements of a vehicle.

[0027] In some specific embodiments, the light sources are solid-state light sources arranged in a matrix arrangement.

[0028] The term "solid-state" refers to light emitted by solid-state electroluminescent materials, which use semiconductors to convert electricity into light. Compared to incandescent lighting, solid-state lighting produces visible light with reduced heat generation and lower energy consumption. Compared to fragile glass tubes / bulbs and thin filaments, the generally smaller mass of solid-state electronic lighting devices provides greater resistance to shock and vibration. They also eliminate filament evaporation, potentially increasing the life span of the lighting device. Some examples of these types of lighting include semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), or polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) as the illumination source, rather than electrical filaments, plasma, or gas.

[0029] In a third inventive aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle projection assembly comprising:

[0030] - a motor vehicle light projector according to the preceding inventive aspect;

[0031] -Vehicle control unit; and

[0032] - a communication element configured to transmit data between the vehicle control unit and the light projector.

[0033] In some specific embodiments, the communication element is a CAN bus.

[0034] In some specific embodiments, the automotive projection assembly further includes a camera configured to sense ambient light intensity and transmit the ambient data to the light projector.

[0035] In some specific embodiments, the automotive projection assembly further includes a communication port configured to send and / or receive information via a communication protocol, such as WPAN, WLAN, WMAN, or WWAN.

[0036] Such a communication port, which may be included in the light projector or external to the light projector (e.g. associated with a communication port of the vehicle), is suitable for providing new data about the element to be used in the method according to the invention, or for updating or providing any other information that may be useful in carrying out such a method.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted according to common practice in the art. It will be further understood that commonly used terms are to be interpreted according to common practice in the relevant art, rather than in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless explicitly defined as such herein.

[0038] In this document, the term "include" and its derivatives (such as "comprises", etc.) should not be understood as exclusive, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that the described and defined content may include other elements, steps, etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] To complete the description and to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a set of drawings is provided. The drawings form an integral part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. They should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present invention, but merely as examples of how the present invention may be implemented. The drawings include the following:

[0040] [ Figure 1 ] shows a motor vehicle comprising a motor vehicle projection assembly according to the invention.

[0041] [ Figure 2 ] shows some steps of the method according to the present invention.

[0042] [ Figure 3 ] show some other steps of the method according to the present invention.

[0043] Elements of the example embodiments are consistently referred to throughout the drawings and detailed description by like reference numerals where appropriate:

[0044] 1 Light Projector

[0045] 2 auxiliary interior lights

[0046] 3 customized light patterns

[0047] 31 customizable light pattern areas

[0048] 4 Vehicle Control Unit

[0049] 5 CAN bus

[0050] 6 Projector control unit

[0051] 7 LED

[0052] 8. Camera

[0053] 10 Motor Vehicles

[0054] 11 Dashboard

[0055] 12 Area of the instrument panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to embody and practice the systems and processes described herein.It is important to understand that the embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and that they should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0057] Accordingly, although the embodiments may be modified in various ways and may take various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. No limitation to the specific forms disclosed is intended. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims are intended to be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description, where appropriate.

[0058] Figure 1 A motor vehicle 10 is shown including a motor vehicle projection assembly according to the present invention.

[0059] The vehicle projection assembly includes a vehicle light projector 1, a vehicle control unit 4, and a CAN bus 5 configured to transmit data between the vehicle control unit 4 and the light projector 1. The assembly also includes a camera 8 configured to sense ambient light intensity and send ambient data to the light projector 1.

[0060] The light projector 1 includes a projector control unit 6 and a plurality of LEDs 7. The projector control unit 6 receives data via the CAN bus 5.

[0061] The motor vehicle 10 further comprises auxiliary interior lights 2 which are configured to emit light towards the area of the instrument panel 11. These interior lights 2 can be switched on or off according to the needs of the user. The state of these interior lights 2 is recorded by the vehicle control unit 4.

[0062] Figure 2 The following shows a scenario in which the method according to the present invention occurs.

[0063] The interior light 2 is switched on and some of its light is projected onto the dashboard 11 of the motor vehicle, creating an area 12 having a different light intensity than the rest of the dashboard.

[0064] The status of the interior lights is recorded by the vehicle control unit so that when the light projector is requested to provide a light pattern, the vehicle control unit sends information about the operation of the interior lights so that the projector control unit uses this information to create the customized light pattern.

[0065] Figure 3 The customized light pattern 3 is shown, wherein a specific area 31 of the light pattern 3 has a higher light intensity to compensate for the influence of interior lights, which illuminate the area of the instrument panel where the area 31 of the light pattern 3 is to be projected.

[0066] Thus, despite the presence of interfering lighting from the vehicle's interior lights, the resulting projected light pattern will still be viewed by the user with the same intensity.

[0067] Figure 1 Also shown is a camera 8 present in the projection assembly of the motor vehicle. This camera 8 is used to sense the ambient light in the dashboard. After acquiring this data, it is sent to the projector control unit so that this ambient data is taken into account when defining the light intensity of the pixels of the light pattern to be projected.

[0068] In any case, the system connects to the manufacturer's server via a communication protocol such as GPRS through a communication port in order to send and receive updates regarding new features to be included in the method.

Claims

1. A method for projecting light on the interior of a motor vehicle (10), the method comprising the following steps: - providing a light projector (1) in the interior of the motor vehicle (10); - sending data about the lighting conditions of the interior of the motor vehicle (10) to the light projector (1); - using said data to modify some projection parameters of the light pattern (3); as well as - projecting said light pattern (3); wherein the projection parameter is at least one of the maximum illumination intensity, average illumination intensity, minimum illumination intensity or shape of the light pattern (3), The light pattern (3) comprises light pixels, and the step of modifying the projection parameters affects the light intensity of at least one of the pixels.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The data is sent from the vehicle control unit (4) to the light projector via the CAN bus (5).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: - before the step of sending data to said light projector, said method comprises a step of sensing ambient light; - said data sent to said light projector comprises ambient data relating to said ambient light.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: - before the step of sending data to the light projector, the method comprises the step of acquiring light data regarding the operation of an auxiliary lighting element (2) included in the vehicle; - the data sent to the light projector include data related to the operation of the auxiliary lighting element (2).

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step of checking the availability of new data by the projector control unit (6).

6. A motor vehicle light projector (1), comprising a projector control unit (6) and a plurality of light sources (7), the projector control unit (6) being configured to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The motor vehicle light projector (1) according to claim 6, wherein: The light sources (7) are solid-state light sources arranged in a matrix arrangement.

8. A motor vehicle projection assembly comprising: - A motor vehicle light projector (1) according to claim 6 or 7; - Vehicle control unit (4); and - a communication element (5) configured to transmit data between the vehicle control unit and the light projector.

9. The vehicle projection assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The communication element (5) is a CAN bus.

10. The automotive projection assembly according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a camera (8) configured to sense ambient light intensity and send ambient data to the light projector (1).

11. The automotive projection assembly of claim 8 or 9, further comprising a communication port configured to send and / or receive information via a communication protocol, the communication protocol being WPAN, WLAN, WMAN, or WWAN.

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