Control of vehicle exterior lighting for light animations after powertrain stop

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for governing external lighting ensured by lighting functions of a means of transport comprising a powertrain and a lockable / unlockable access governing mechanism. The method comprises steps (10-110) in which, in the event of the powertrain being stopped, a first light emission animation phase with a selected first duration is triggered by at least one lighting function, and, in the event of the access governing mechanism being locked, a second light emission animation phase with a selected second duration is triggered by at least one lighting function. In the event of being locked before the end of this first light emission animation phase, a third light emission animation phase with a selected third duration is triggered by at least one lighting function after the second light emission animation phase.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention claims priority to French application 2100789, filed on January 28, 2021, the contents of which (text, drawings and claims) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a vehicle that ensures at least one external lighting function, and more specifically to the control of such external lighting. Background Technology

[0003] In the following text, the external lighting refers to both lighting functions dedicated to road lighting (e.g., low beam lighting or high beam lighting) and lighting functions dedicated to signals (e.g., parking lights, daytime running lights (or DRLs ("Daytime running Light (or Lamp)", i.e., luminous signals that automatically illuminate when a vehicle is in operation during the day)), illuminated sign lighting, or turn signal (or flashing signal) lighting).

[0004] Some vehicles (typically motorized) ensure at least one external lighting function and include a powertrain (capable of moving the vehicle), at least one lockable / unlockable (optionally centralized) access control mechanism, and a control device responsible for controlling the external lighting after the vehicle's powertrain stops. This is particularly true of the vehicles described in patent documents FR3074743B1, EP3383142B1, and DE102016206275A1.

[0005] In some cases, the control device is more specifically responsible for: triggering a first illumination animation phase with a selected first duration, performed by at least one external lighting function, when the vehicle's powertrain is stopped; and triggering a second illumination animation phase with a selected second duration, performed by at least one external lighting function, when the vehicle's access control mechanism is locked. For example, the first illumination animation phase can be implemented using parking light and / or low beam headlight functions, and the second illumination animation phase can be implemented using turn signal lights.

[0006] Here, the term “illumination animation phase” is understood as a phase during which, after a specific event is triggered by the user (e.g., the locking of one or more doors or windows), at least one illumination function of the vehicle operates continuously or discontinuously and / or according to a so-called scrolling pattern and / or according to a constant or variable (e.g., decreasing) intensity, accompanied by at least one variation.

[0007] With known control devices, when the access control mechanism locks down during the first glowing animation phase, the first glowing animation phase is interrupted and replaced by a second glowing animation phase (as associated with the lock). In this scenario, the duration of the glowing animation sequence may be significantly shorter than the first duration of the first glowing animation phase, which could potentially confuse (or even hinder) the user of the vehicle, as the user is accustomed to that first duration of the glowing animation. This hindrance or confusion may be exacerbated when the user selects the first duration from among several durations offered by their vehicle's configuration menu.

[0008] Furthermore, in some vehicles equipped with external lighting functions ensured by matrix light sources, the first luminous animation phase may be terminated by a final sub-phase in which different matrix elements of the light source operate according to a predetermined period, the predetermined period being used to define the luminous signature or style effect and / or enhance the external lighting technology of the vehicle. However, when this final sub-phase is missing or interrupted due to the initiation of the second luminous animation phase, the luminous signature or style effect and / or the enhancement of the external lighting technology are at least partially lost.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore particularly to remedy all or part of the above-mentioned defects. Summary of the Invention

[0010] To this end, the present invention provides a control device, which, on the one hand, controls external lighting ensured by at least one lighting function of a vehicle, the vehicle including a powertrain (capable of moving the vehicle) and at least one lockable / unlockable access control mechanism, and on the other hand, the control device includes at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one processor and the at least one memory being configured to perform the following operations: triggering a first light-emitting animation phase with a selected first duration performed by at least one lighting function when the powertrain is stopped, and triggering a second light-emitting animation phase with a selected second duration performed by at least one lighting function when the access control mechanism is locked.

[0011] The control device is characterized in that its processor and memory are configured to perform the following operations: if the access control mechanism is locked before the end of the first luminous animation phase, triggering a third luminous animation phase with a selected third duration by at least one lighting function after the second luminous animation phase.

[0012] As a result of the present invention, the third luminous animation phase can at least partially compensate for or optionally replace the end of the first luminous animation phase, which enables the sending of luminous signatures or style effects and / or enhances the external lighting technology of the vehicle, and also enables the duration of the luminous animation sequence to be similar to the first duration of the first luminous animation phase.

[0013] The control device according to the invention may include other features that can be used alone or in combination, in particular:

[0014] - The processor and memory of the control device are configured to perform the following operations: if the access control mechanism is locked before the end of the first glowing animation stage, determine the remaining duration before the end, and when the determined remaining duration is greater than the sum of the second duration and the third duration, determine an increase in the second duration and / or the third duration to obtain a new sum of the second duration and the third duration, the new sum being equal to the remaining duration;

[0015] - In the presence of the aforementioned alternative implementation, the processor and the memory may be configured to perform the following operations: determine an increase in either the second duration or only the third duration;

[0016] - The processor and memory of the control device are configured to perform the following operations: trigger the implementation of the third luminous animation stage using at least one lighting function that is different from the lighting function used for each of the second luminous animation stages;

[0017] -The processor and memory of the control device are configured to perform the following operations: triggering the second luminous animation phase to be implemented with at least one lighting function that is different from the lighting function used for the first luminous animation phase;

[0018] - The processor and memory of the control device are configured to perform the following operations: triggering the first illumination animation stage using the parking light illumination function and / or the low beam illumination function, the second illumination animation stage using the turn signal illumination function and / or the parking light illumination function, and the third illumination animation stage using the parking light illumination function and / or the low beam illumination function.

[0019] The present invention also provides an optionally mobile type of transport vehicle that ensures at least one external lighting illumination function and includes a powertrain (capable of moving the transport vehicle), at least one lockable / unlockable access control mechanism, and control devices of the type described above.

[0020] The present invention also provides a method, in one aspect, for allowing control over external lighting ensured by at least one lighting function of a vehicle, the vehicle including a powertrain (capable of moving the vehicle) and at least one lockable / unlockable access control mechanism, and in another aspect, the method includes the steps of, in the event that the powertrain is stopped, triggering a first luminous animation phase of a selected first duration performed by at least one lighting function, and, in the event that the access control mechanism is locked, triggering a second luminous animation phase of a selected second duration performed by at least one lighting function.

[0021] The control method is characterized in that, in the step of the control method, if the access control authority is locked before the end of the first luminous animation phase, a third luminous animation phase with a selected third duration is triggered after the second luminous animation phase, performed by at least one lighting function.

[0022] The present invention also provides a computer program product comprising a set of instructions, which, when executed by a processing unit, enable the implementation of a control method of the type described above in a vehicle (which includes a powertrain (capable of moving the vehicle) and at least one lockable / unlockable access control mechanism and ensures at least one external lighting function) to control the external lighting after the powertrain has stopped. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] - Figure 1 An embodiment of a computer, including an embodiment of a control device according to the invention, is illustrated schematically and functionally.

[0025] - Figure 2 An example algorithm for implementing the control method according to the present invention is illustrated schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention is particularly intended to provide a control device (DC) and an associated control method for allowing control of external lighting ensured by at least one lighting function of a vehicle after the powertrain has stopped, the vehicle further comprising the powertrain (capable of moving the vehicle) and at least one lockable / unlockable access control mechanism.

[0027] When the vehicle is in a dimly lit environment, and therefore when a portion of the optical unit ensuring the external lighting is operational, this control over the external lighting is preferably ensured. However, permanent control (independent of external brightness) may be considered.

[0028] Note that the term "external lighting illumination function" can be understood as both a lighting function specifically for road lighting (such as low beam illumination function or high beam illumination function) and a lighting function specifically for signals (such as parking light illumination function, daytime running light (or DRL) illumination function, illuminated sign illumination function, or turn signal (or flashing signal light) illumination function).

[0029] At least one light source of at least one optical unit participates in the external illumination function of the present invention. Each light source may, for example, include at least one electroluminescent diode (which is, for example, of a conventional type (or LED (“Light-Emitting Diode”)) or an organic type (or OLED (“Organic Light-Emitting Diode”)) or at least one laser diode or at least one light bulb. Alternatively, at least one light source may be of a matrix type. In this case, the at least one light source includes sub-light sources, which may be controlled independently of each other or controlled in groups of at least two.

[0030] In the following text, by way of non-limiting example, the control device DC is considered to be used on motorized vehicles (e.g., automobiles). However, the invention is not limited to this application. In fact, the control device DC according to the invention can be equipped on any type of vehicle (land, sea (or river) or air) that is equipped with at least one external lighting function, a powertrain (capable of moving the vehicle), and at least one lockable / unlockable (optionally centralized) access control mechanism.

[0031] The powertrain includes at least one (thermal or non-thermal) engine responsible for generating driving force in the transmission system of the vehicle, and thus can be in operation or permanently (or non-temporarily) stopped (or disconnected) by means of an ignition key (or flip) and / or action on a dedicated control component. Additionally, the access control mechanism here is capable of controlling access to the interior of the vehicle (the access control mechanism, for example, involves a centralized closing system for closing doors and windows). Furthermore, each external lighting function is ensured by at least one optical unit of the vehicle (headlights or taillights), and the optical unit may optionally ensure at least two external lighting functions.

[0032] exist Figure 1The diagram above schematically illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of a control device DC according to the invention. As shown, the control device DC according to the invention includes at least one processor PR (e.g., a digital signal processor (or DSP) and at least one memory MD). The processor PR and the memory MD are preferably part of a computer CA, which can therefore be implemented as a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or circuit elements (or "hardware") and software modules (or "software"). The computer CA can be dedicated to the control of the external lighting according to the invention, or it can ensure at least one other function in the vehicle besides the aforementioned control function.

[0033] The memory MD is a random access memory for storing instructions that are used by the processor PR to implement at least a portion of the control methods described below (and thus ensure the functionality of the processor).

[0034] A processor PR may include integrated (or printed) circuitry, or multiple integrated (or printed) circuits connected via wired or wireless connections. Integrated (or printed) circuitry is understood as any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation.

[0035] The processor PR and memory MD (and therefore its computer CA) are configured to perform the following operations: triggering a first illumination animation phase of a selected first duration by at least one external lighting function of the vehicle when the vehicle's powertrain is stopped; and triggering a second illumination animation phase of a selected second duration by at least one external lighting function of the vehicle when the vehicle's access control authority is locked. In other words, the first illumination animation phase is triggered when the control device DC is notified of the powertrain's stoppage, and the second illumination animation phase is triggered when the control device DC is notified of the access control authority's lockout. If the lockout occurs during the first illumination animation phase, the first illumination animation phase is interrupted and replaced by the second illumination animation phase before it ends.

[0036] In order to prevent the interruption of the first glow animation phase from "causing loss", the processor PR and memory MD (and therefore its computer CA) are configured to perform the following operation: if the access control authority locks the device before the end of the first glow animation phase, trigger a third glow animation phase with a selected third duration after the second glow animation phase, performed by at least one external lighting function of the vehicle.

[0037] Therefore, the third glowing animation phase can at least partially compensate for or optionally replace the end of the first glowing animation phase. This enables the delivery of glowing signatures or style effects and / or enhances the external lighting technology of the vehicle. Moreover, this allows the duration of the glowing animation phase sequence to be similar to the first duration of the first glowing animation phase, and thus does not disturb or hinder the users of the vehicle (who are accustomed to the first duration of the glowing animation).

[0038] Each luminous animation phase (triggered by the user's action) can take any form, as long as the luminous animation phase includes at least one variation (e.g., a change in light intensity or a variation of one or more sub-light sources used in the light sources participating in the external lighting function of the vehicle). Thus, the luminous animation phase can involve a phase during which at least one lighting function of the vehicle operates continuously or discontinuously and / or according to a so-called scrolling pattern and / or according to a constant or variable (e.g., decreasing) intensity. When the light source includes sub-light sources (which are controlled independently of each other or in groups of at least two), the light source can ensure matrix-style external lighting (and therefore luminous animation). Such sub-light sources can be, for example, conventional electroluminescent diodes (or LEDs) or organic electroluminescent diodes (or OLEDs).

[0039] For example, the processor PR and memory MD (and therefore its computer CA) may be configured to perform the following operation: if the access control authority locks before the end of the first glowing animation phase, determine the remaining duration before that end. When the determined remaining duration is greater than the sum of the second duration and the third duration, the processor PR and memory MD (and therefore its computer CA) then determine an increase in the second duration and / or the third duration to obtain a new sum of the second duration and the third duration, which is equal to the determined remaining duration.

[0040] This alternative implementation advantageously allows the sequence duration of the (interrupted) first, second, and third light-emitting animation phases to be substantially the same as the first duration of the first light-emitting animation phase. Thus, it neither disturbs nor hinders the user of the vehicle (who is accustomed to the first duration of the light-emitting animation).

[0041] In the latter alternative implementation, the processor PR and memory MD (and therefore its computer CA) may be configured to perform the following operation: determine only the increase in the second duration. In a variant, the processor and memory may be configured to perform the following operation: determine only the increase in the third duration. However, in another variant, the processor and memory may be configured to perform the following operation: determine both the increase in the second duration and a supplementary increase in the third duration.

[0042] Note that the processor PR and memory MD (and therefore its computer CA) can be configured to perform the following operation: trigger the implementation of the third glow animation stage with at least one lighting function that is different from the lighting functions used for the second glow animation stage. However, this is not mandatory. In fact, the same lighting function can be used for both the second and third glow animation stages, which have easily distinguishable glow animations.

[0043] It is also noted that the processor PR and memory MD (and therefore its computer CA) can be configured to perform the following operation: trigger the implementation of the second glow animation stage with at least one lighting function that is different from the lighting functions used for each of the first glow animation stages. However, this is not mandatory. In fact, the same lighting function can be used for both the first and second glow animation stages, which have easily distinguishable glow animations.

[0044] As further mentioned above, each external lighting function involved in this invention can be dedicated to road lighting or signaling. Thus, each external lighting function involved in this invention can be, for example, a low beam lighting function, a high beam lighting function, a parking light lighting function, a turn signal (or flashing signal) lighting function, an illuminated sign lighting function, or a daytime running light lighting function.

[0045] As a non-limiting example, it is thought that the processor PR and memory MD (and therefore its computer CA) can be configured to perform the following operations: trigger the implementation of the first illumination animation phase with the parking light illumination function and / or the low beam illumination function, implement the second illumination animation phase with the turn signal illumination function and / or the parking light illumination function, and implement the third illumination animation phase with the parking light illumination function and / or the low beam illumination function. This is only an illustrative example, as many possibilities exist.

[0046] It is also noted that the first duration of at least the first glowing animation phase can be optionally selected by the user of the vehicle from a plurality of durations provided by the configuration menu of their vehicle. As a purely illustrative example, the user may select a first duration of 15s, 30s, or 60s.

[0047] The second and third glowing animation stages preferably (before the addition) have fixed second and third durations, respectively. For example, the second duration (before the addition) could be 5 seconds, and the third duration (before the addition) could be 3 seconds. However, it is conceivable that the user of the vehicle can select the second duration and / or the third duration from multiple durations via the vehicle's configuration menu.

[0048] It was also noted that, such as Figure 1 As shown in the above non-limiting description, the computer CS may also include (as a supplement to the computer's random access memory MD and processor PR) a mass storage MM, which is particularly used for storing intermediate data involved in the first, second, and third durations and all their calculations and processing. Additionally, the computer CS may include an input interface IE, which is used to receive at least information indicating the stopping of the powertrain and the locking of the access control mechanism, for use in calculations or processing optionally after the data has been shaped and / or demodulated and / or amplified by means of a digital signal processor PR' in a manner known per se. Furthermore, the monitoring computer CS may also include an output interface IS, which is particularly used (especially to each optical unit (ensuring the external lighting illumination function involved in the invention) to send messages and commands or controls).

[0049] As further described above, the present invention can also be viewed as a control method, on the one hand, for allowing control of external lighting ensured by at least one lighting function of a vehicle after the powertrain has stopped, the vehicle including the powertrain (capable of moving the vehicle) and at least one lockable / unlockable access control mechanism, and on the other hand, the control method can be at least partially implemented by the control device DC described above. The functionality provided by the implementation of the control method according to the invention is the same as that provided by the control device DC shown above; only combinations of functionality provided by the method are shown below.

[0050] The control method includes steps 10-110, wherein, when the powertrain of the vehicle stops, a first light-emitting animation phase with a selected first duration is triggered by at least one lighting function; and, when the access control mechanism of the vehicle is locked, a second light-emitting animation phase with a selected second duration is triggered by at least one lighting function; and, when the lock begins before the end of the first light-emitting animation phase, a third light-emitting animation phase with a selected third duration is triggered after the second light-emitting animation phase.

[0051] exist Figure 2 The above schematically illustrates an example algorithm for implementing the control method according to the invention. For example, the algorithm begins when the powertrain is in operation and when the vehicle is in a dimly lit environment while the portion of its optical unit that ensures the external illumination is in operation.

[0052] The algorithm includes sub-step 10, wherein (device DC) is notified to stop the powertrain.

[0053] Then, in sub-step 20, (device DC) triggers a first luminous animation phase with a selected first duration performed by at least one lighting function.

[0054] Then, in sub-step 30, (device DC) repeatedly determines whether the access control authority has been locked.

[0055] In the affirmative (locked) case, in sub-step 40, (device DC) determines whether the remaining duration before the end of the first duration of the first glow animation phase is greater than the sum of the respective (initially selected) second and third durations of the second glow animation phase and the third glow animation phase.

[0056] In the affirmative case, in sub-step 50, (device DC) for example determines an increase in the second duration to obtain a new sum of the second duration and the third duration, which is equal to the remaining duration determined in sub-step 40.

[0057] Then, in sub-step 60, (device DC) triggers the second luminous animation phase to be performed by at least one lighting function for a duration equal to the new (increased) second duration.

[0058] Then, in sub-step 70, exactly after the end of the second luminous animation phase, (device DC) triggers the third luminous animation phase to be implemented by at least one lighting function for a selected third duration. The algorithm then terminates.

[0059] Conversely, when the remaining duration before the end of the first duration in sub-step 40 is less than the sum of the (initially selected) second and third durations, then in sub-step 80, (device DC) triggers the second luminous animation phase to be implemented by at least one lighting function during the selected (unadded) second duration.

[0060] Then, in sub-step 90, exactly after the end of the second luminous animation phase, (device DC) triggers the third luminous animation phase to be implemented by at least one lighting function for a selected third duration. The algorithm then terminates.

[0061] Now, when the access control authority is not locked at the end of sub-step 30, in sub-step 100, the first glowing animation phase terminates at the end of the selected first duration without interruption.

[0062] Then, in sub-step 110, if the lock is indicated by a signal, (device DC) triggers the second luminous animation phase to be implemented by at least one lighting function for a selected (unextended) second duration. The algorithm then terminates without implementing the third luminous animation phase.

[0063] It should be noted that one or more sub-steps of steps 10-110 of the control method may be executed by different components. Thus, the control method may be implemented by multiple digital signal processors, random access memory, mass storage, input interfaces, and output interfaces.

[0064] It is also noted that the present invention provides a computer program product (or computer program) comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by a processing unit of the electronic circuit (or hardware) type (e.g., a processor PR), are capable of implementing the control method described above to control external lighting ensured by at least one external lighting function of the vehicle after the powertrain has stopped, the vehicle further comprising (capable of moving the vehicle) the powertrain and at least one lockable / unlockable access control mechanism.

Claims

1. A control device (DC) for controlling external lighting ensured by at least one lighting function of a vehicle, the vehicle including a powertrain and at least one lockable / unlockable access control mechanism, the control device (DC) including at least one processor (PR) and at least one memory (MD), the at least one processor and the at least one memory configured to perform the following operations: when the powertrain is stopped, triggering a first illumination animation phase of a selected first duration performed by the at least one lighting function; and when the access control mechanism is locked, triggering a second illumination animation phase of a selected second duration performed by the at least one lighting function, wherein... When the lock occurs during the first luminous animation phase, the first luminous animation phase is interrupted and replaced by the second luminous animation phase before it ends, characterized in that the processor (PR) and the memory (MD) are configured to perform the following operations: when the access control authority locks before the end of the first luminous animation phase, a third luminous animation phase with a selected third duration is triggered after the second luminous animation phase by at least one lighting function.

2. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processor (PR) and the memory (MD) are configured to perform the following operations: when the access control authority locks before the end of the first glowing animation phase, determine the remaining duration before the end, and when the determined remaining duration is greater than the sum of the second duration and the third duration, determine an increase in the second duration and / or the third duration to obtain a new sum of the second duration and the third duration, the new sum being equal to the remaining duration.

3. The control device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The processor (PR) and the memory (MD) are configured to perform the following operation: determine only the increase of the second duration.

4. The control device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The processor (PR) and the memory (MD) are configured to perform the following operation: determine only the increase of the third duration.

5. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The processor (PR) and the memory (MD) are configured to perform the following operation: trigger the implementation of the third luminous animation stage with at least one lighting function that is different from the lighting function used for the second luminous animation stage.

6. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The processor (PR) and the memory (MD) are configured to perform the following operations: trigger the implementation of the second luminous animation stage using at least one lighting function that is different from the lighting function used for the first luminous animation stage.

7. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The processor (PR) and the memory (MD) are configured to perform the following operations: triggering i) the first illumination animation phase using the parking light illumination function and / or the low beam illumination function, ii) the second illumination animation phase using the turn signal illumination function and / or the parking light illumination function, and iii) the third illumination animation phase using the parking light illumination function and / or the low beam illumination function.

8. A means of transport comprising a powertrain and at least one lockable / unlockable access control mechanism, and ensuring at least one external lighting illumination function, characterized in that, The means of transport also includes a control device (DC) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. A method for controlling external lighting ensured by at least one lighting function of a vehicle, the vehicle including a powertrain and at least one lockable / unlockable access control mechanism, the method comprising steps (10-110), wherein, When the powertrain stops, a first illumination animation phase with a selected first duration, performed by at least one illumination function, is triggered; and when the access control mechanism is locked, a second illumination animation phase with a selected second duration, performed by at least one illumination function, is triggered, wherein when the lock occurs during the first illumination animation phase, the first illumination animation phase is interrupted and replaced by the second illumination animation phase before it ends, characterized in that, in step (10-110), when the access control mechanism is locked before the end of the first illumination animation phase, a third illumination animation phase with a selected third duration, performed by at least one illumination function, is triggered after the second illumination animation phase.

10. A computer program product comprising a set of instructions, which, when executed by a processing unit, enable the control method of claim 9 to control the external lighting after the powertrain has stopped in a vehicle including a powertrain and at least one lockable / unlockable access control mechanism and ensuring at least one external lighting illumination function.

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