Luminance management for vehicle environment

Abstract

The invention provides brightness management for a vehicle environment. A brightness management system for a vehicle includes a network providing wireless communication for a vehicle environment; a mobile device in the vehicle environment and including a first light detector for detecting a first light level at a first location of the mobile device; at least one vehicle display coupled with the vehicle and having at least one brightness level; and a control circuit communicatively coupled with the mobile device and the at least one vehicle display via the network. The control circuit is configured to: detect the first position of the mobile device in the vehicle; receiving an indication of the first light level from the mobile device; and transmitting a signal to adjust the at least one brightness level of the at least one vehicle display based on the first position and the first light level.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to brightness management for vehicle environments, and more particularly to personalized brightness control of vehicle displays based on sensed lighting conditions. Background Art

[0002] The lighting conditions of the vehicle are typically detected by a sunlight sensor which is usually placed near the front of the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a brightness management system for a vehicle includes: a network that provides wireless communication for a vehicle environment; a mobile device in the vehicle environment and including a first light detector for detecting a first light level at a first position of the mobile device; at least one vehicle display that is coupled to the vehicle and has at least one brightness level; and a control circuit that is communicatively coupled to the mobile device and the at least one vehicle display via the network. The control circuit is configured to: detect the first position of the mobile device in the vehicle; receive an indication of the first light level from the mobile device; and transmit a signal to adjust the at least one brightness level of the at least one vehicle display based on the first position and the first light level.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0005] - a second light detector that detects a second light level at a second location in the vehicle environment, wherein the control circuit includes a light mapping module that compares the first light level to the second light level to estimate a lighting gradient of the vehicle environment;

[0006] - the control circuit is further configured to receive an indication of a usage status of the mobile device, wherein the signal for adjusting the at least one brightness level is further based on the usage status of the mobile device;

[0007] - the light mapping module is configured to adjust the estimate of the lighting gradient in response to the usage state;

[0008] - at least one vehicle display includes a first vehicle display in a first passenger area of ​​the vehicle and a second vehicle display in a second passenger area of ​​the vehicle, wherein the at least one brightness level includes a first brightness level and a second brightness level, the first brightness level and the second brightness level being adjustable in response to the lighting gradient;

[0009] - a first vehicle display coupled to a seat assembly, the seat assembly being configured to move the first vehicle display between the first passenger area and another area, wherein moving the first vehicle display between the first passenger area and the another area causes adjustment of the first brightness level;

[0010] - the adjustment of the first brightness level to the further zone is based on a light intensity difference between the first passenger zone and the further zone;

[0011] - a seat position sensor that detects a position of the seat assembly, wherein the control circuit is in communication with the seat position sensor and the signal for adjusting the at least one brightness level is further based on the position;

[0012] - an imaging system monitoring the vehicle environment and configured to detect glare on a first portion of the at least one vehicle display, wherein the signal is further based on the glare on the first portion of the at least one vehicle display; and

[0013] -At least one brightness level includes a first brightness level for the first portion of a single vehicle display and a second brightness level for a second portion of the single vehicle display separate from the first portion, wherein the signal for adjusting the at least one brightness level includes instructions for adjusting the first brightness level and adjusting the second brightness level independently of the adjustment of the first brightness level.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a brightness management system for a vehicle includes: a network that provides wireless communication for a vehicle environment; a mobile device in the vehicle environment and including a first light detector for detecting a first light level at a first position of the mobile device; a second light detector that detects a second light level at a second position in the vehicle environment; at least one vehicle display that is coupled to the vehicle and has at least one brightness level; and a control circuit that is communicatively coupled to the mobile device, the at least one vehicle display, and the second light detector via the network. The control circuit is configured to: detect the first position of the mobile device in the vehicle; receive an indication of the first light level from the mobile device; compare the first light level with the second light level via a light mapping module to estimate a lighting gradient of the vehicle environment; and transmit a signal to adjust the at least one brightness level of the at least one vehicle display based on the lighting gradient.

[0015] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0016] - the control circuit is further configured to receive an indication of a usage status of the mobile device, wherein the signal for adjusting the at least one brightness level is further based on the usage status of the mobile device;

[0017] - the light mapping module is configured to adjust the estimate of the lighting gradient in response to the usage state;

[0018] - at least one vehicle display includes a first vehicle display in a first passenger area of ​​the vehicle and a second vehicle display in a second passenger area of ​​the vehicle, wherein the at least one brightness level includes a first brightness level and a second brightness level, the first brightness level and the second brightness level being adjustable in response to the lighting gradient;

[0019] - a first vehicle display coupled to a seat assembly, the seat assembly being configured to move the first vehicle display between the first passenger area and another area, wherein moving the first vehicle display between the first passenger area and the another area causes adjustment of the first brightness level;

[0020] - the adjustment of the first brightness level to the further zone is based on a light intensity difference between the first passenger zone and the further zone; and

[0021] - a seat position sensor detecting a position of the seat assembly, wherein the control circuit is in communication with the seat position sensor and the signal for adjusting the at least one brightness level is further based on the position.

[0022] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a brightness management system for a vehicle includes: a network that provides wireless communication for a vehicle environment; a mobile device that is in the vehicle environment and includes a first light detector for detecting a first light level at a first position of the mobile device; at least one vehicle display that is coupled to the vehicle and has at least one brightness level; and a control circuit that is communicatively coupled to the mobile device and the at least one vehicle display via the network. The control circuit is configured to: detect the first position of the mobile device in the vehicle; receive an indication of the first light level from the mobile device; receive an indication of a usage status of the mobile device; and transmit a signal to adjust the at least one brightness level of the at least one vehicle display based on the first position, the first light level, and the usage status of the mobile device.

[0023] Embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0024] an imaging system that detects a second light level at a second location in the vehicle environment, wherein the control circuit includes a light mapping module that compares the first light level to the second light level to estimate a lighting gradient of the vehicle environment; and

[0025] - the at least one vehicle display comprises a first vehicle display in a first passenger area of ​​the vehicle and a second vehicle display in a second passenger area of ​​the vehicle, wherein the at least one brightness level comprises a first brightness level and a second brightness level, the first brightness level and the second brightness level being adjustable in response to the lighting gradient;

[0026] These and other features, advantages and objectives of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by referring to the following description, claims and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the attached picture:

[0028] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of a brightness management system for a vehicle environment according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 2 is a top plan view of a vehicle showing an interior seating assembly of the vehicle incorporating a vehicle display for a brightness management system to adjust for a vehicle environment;

[0030] Figure 3 is a front plan view of an exemplary display having glare over a portion of the display and demonstrating local brightness control of a vehicle display; and

[0031] Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the interior of a vehicle showing movement of a vehicle display between two areas of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not drawn to scale, and certain parts are enlarged relative to other parts for the purpose of emphasis and understanding.

[0033] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure, which may be implemented in various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily detailed designs; some schematic diagrams may be enlarged or minimized to show functional overviews. Therefore, the specific structural details and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to adopt the present disclosure in different ways.

[0034] For the purpose of the description herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and their derivatives shall refer to the Figure 1 The concepts of orientation in the drawings are presented in detail. However, it should be understood that the concepts can assume various alternative orientations unless expressly specified to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, unless the claims expressly state otherwise, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0035] The embodiments of the present illustrations reside primarily in a combination of method steps and apparatus components related to brightness management for a vehicle environment. Accordingly, apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, and only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown so as not to obscure the present disclosure with details that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Furthermore, like reference numerals in the specification and drawings represent like elements.

[0036] As used herein, the term "and / or" when used with a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed items may be employed alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may contain: A alone; B alone; C alone; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0037] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, etc. are used singly to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusions, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements, but may also include other elements that are not expressly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprises ..." does not, in the absence of more constraints, preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0038] As used herein, the term "about" means that the amount, size, formula, parameter and other quantities and characteristics are not exact, nor need to be exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller as needed to reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement errors, etc. and other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe the endpoints of a value or range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or endpoint involved. Regardless of whether the endpoints of a numerical value or range in this specification are described as "about", the endpoints of the numerical value or range are intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about". It should also be understood that the endpoints of each in the range are significant in relation to and independently of the other endpoint.

[0039] As used herein, the terms "substantially," "substantially," and variations thereof are intended to indicate that the feature being described is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to indicate a planar or approximately planar surface. Additionally, "substantially" is intended to mean that two values ​​are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may indicate that values ​​are within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0040] Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, as used herein, the terms "the," "a," or "an" mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one." Thus, for example, reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0041] Overall reference Figures 1 to 4, a system for managing brightness conditions is generally shown at 10 and is applied to a vehicle environment 12. Generally, the brightness management system 10 detects lighting conditions in the vehicle environment 12 via a lighting detection system 14, and controls the brightness of one or more vehicle displays 18 via a brightness control system 16 of the brightness management system 10. The brightness management system 10 can provide enhanced control of multiple vehicle displays 18 by mapping the lighting conditions to one or more zones 20 in an interior 22 of a vehicle 24 and detecting or predicting the lighting distribution in the interior 22 to control the brightness of individual displays in the various zones 20. The brightness management system 10 can also provide personalized brightness control of individual displays by detecting glare 26 on the vehicle display 18 and adjusting the brightness of the vehicle display 18 in response to detecting the glare 26. As will be further described herein, such adjustments to individual vehicle displays 18 can include brightness control of specific portions of the individual displays to present a balanced picture within the display.

[0042] Now more specifically refer to Figure 1 , the brightness management system 10 can utilize a lighting detection system 14 to detect lighting conditions within the vehicle environment 12 using multiple light detectors. For example, the lighting detection system 14 includes a vision system 30, a mobile device 32, a seat position sensor 34, a global positioning system (GPS 36), and an ambient light sensor 38. The lighting detection system 14 can also or alternatively access or communicate with a system for controlling an exterior headlamp 40 or an interior lighting system of the vehicle 24. For example, the state of the exterior headlamp 40 and / or the interior lighting system 42 can be detected via communication with the control circuit of the brightness management system 10. As will be further described herein, any combination of these light detectors can be utilized to map the lighting conditions of the vehicle environment 12 (such as the interior 22 of the vehicle 24).

[0043] The vehicle network 44 is provided to allow wireless and / or wired communications between devices on the vehicle network 44 of the brightness management system 10. For example, the lighting detection system 14 can communicate with the brightness control system 16 via the vehicle network 44. It is contemplated that various devices on the lighting detection system 14 and various devices on the brightness control system 16 can be equipped with separate communication modules to allow the devices of the lighting detection system 14 to communicate directly with the devices of the brightness control system 16. For example, the mobile device 32 of the lighting detection system 14 can be a smartphone, tablet computer, or other mobile device 32 equipped with wireless communication technology used by the user 64 in the vehicle 24. Therefore, wireless and / or wired communications can be connected to some or all devices on the brightness management system 10.

[0044] It is contemplated that the vehicle network 44 may employ any wired or wireless communication protocol, such as Bluetooth low energy, TCP / IP, USB, or any other wired or wireless communication protocol. For example, the vehicle network 44 may be a local network in which each device has an assigned IP address. In another example, the vehicle network 44 includes multiple communication protocols, such as IP addresses for certain devices. and for other devices equipped with TCP / IP Other devices may be hardwired via a control area network (CAN) bus and employ serial communications. For example, the vehicle human machine interface (HMI 46) may be hardwired into the structure of the vehicle 24, such as the seat assembly ( Figures 2 to 4 ). Similarly, a heads-up display (HUD 48) and / or a radio display 50 may be hardwired into a vehicle network 44 within the structure of the vehicle 24. The brightness control system 16 may also include one or more mirrors 52 and / or an entertainment display 54 coupled to the vehicle 24, which may communicate wired or wirelessly with the vehicle network 44. Thus, the vehicle network 44 may generally refer to any network that uses electrical communications using radio frequency (RF), serial communications, etc. to provide signals between communication devices in the vehicle environment 12.

[0045] Typically, various devices on the lighting detection system 14 are used to sense lighting conditions in different parts of the vehicle environment 12, such as the zone 20 of the interior 22 and / or the area outside the vehicle 24, and based on the lighting conditions, the brightness control system 16 is configured to transmit signals to the devices on the brightness control system 16 to adjust the brightness levels of these devices. Therefore, the circuits on the vehicle network 44 can be referred to as control circuits and include any number of processors that are configured to execute instructions stored in one or more memories accessible by the processors that cause the control circuits to evaluate or detect lighting conditions within the vehicle environment 12 and generate outputs in response to the lighting conditions. As will be described below, the outputs can be brightness adjustments of one or more of the displays.

[0046] Still reference Figure 1, the lighting detection system 14 may include an illumination mapping module 56 that maps illumination values ​​to the zones 20 of the vehicle 24 based on the locations of the light detectors in the vehicle environment 12. The illumination mapping module 56 may be a processor or a set of instructions within the processor, such as a routine or subroutine, that when executed causes the light detection system to generate a map 58 or distribution of light values ​​corresponding to the illumination within the vehicle environment 12. For example, sunlight or other external light 68 sources (e.g., street lights, advertisements, etc.) may cause one side of the vehicle 24 to be illuminated with high intensity, while the other side of the vehicle 24 is relatively dark. Thus, a map 58 representing dark and bright portions 80a to 80d of the vehicle environment 12 may be generated by the illumination mapping module 56 to allow the brightness control system 16 to control various displays based on the light distribution in the vehicle environment 12. The illumination mapping module 56 may also have a corresponding memory that stores pre-programmed sizes, configurations, or orientations of objects in the vehicle 24, such as the seat assembly 47, the center console, the passenger compartment, the storage compartment, or any other part of the vehicle 24. For example, the illumination mapping module 56 may store information indicating the body style of the vehicle 24 (e.g., a truck, a 6-passenger or 7-passenger van, etc.). Accordingly, a gradient of illumination values ​​corresponding to various zones 20 within the vehicle 24 mapped according to the body style or configuration of the interior 22 of the vehicle 24 may be generated by the illumination mapping module 56.

[0047] Still reference Figure 1 , one or more antennas 60 may be included in the control circuit to provide wireless communication capabilities to the vehicle network 44. For example, the antenna 60 may be configured to process low-frequency or high-frequency RF signals to provide wireless communication between any of the devices on the lighting detection system 14 and / or the brightness control system 16. As previously described, one or more of the devices may have a wired connection, while the other devices may have a wireless connection. In either example, both types of devices are on the public vehicle network 44. For example, by providing wireless communication to the mobile device 32, the brightness management system 10 can track the usage status of one or more of the mobile devices 32 (e.g., active contact with the phone via interaction with the phone's touch screen, a specific software application running on the phone, etc.). For example, one or more processors of the control circuit may poll or scan the vehicle network 44 to detect an active usage status or an inactive usage status. Thus, the brightness management system 10 can utilize the usage status to selectively control the use of the mobile device 32 ( Figure 4 ) is taken into account in the calculation of the lighting gradient. By way of example and not limitation, if user 64 ( Figure 4) If the mobile device 32 is used in an area of ​​the vehicle 24, the light level of the mobile device 32 may be used to calculate the lighting conditions of the area, while if the mobile device 32 is not in use, the light level of the mobile device 32 may not be used to calculate the lighting conditions. Thus, the control circuitry may selectively use the light conditions detected by the mobile device 32 based on whether the mobile device 32 is in use. In this way, a more accurate representation of the lighting gradient may be estimated.

[0048] The usage status can be used in conjunction with or as an alternative to the image and / or video data captured by the vision system 30 to improve the detection of the usage status. For example, interaction with the screen of the phone can indicate the usage status of the mobile device 32, and the lack of interaction with the screen of the phone can indicate that the mobile device 32 is not used or is used to a limited extent. However, in some examples, passive use of the mobile device 32 can be detected by comparing the usage status polled on the vehicle network 44 with images and / or videos representing the actual use of the phone. For example, if the user 64 is watching a video on the mobile device 32, but is not actively interacting with the touch screen, the control circuit can prioritize the detection of the usage status by the vision system 30 over the detection of the usage status based on the information transmitted through the vehicle network 44. For example, one or more cameras of the vision system 30 can capture images or videos of the interior 22 and thus detect passengers and phone use in the vehicle 24. Therefore, in this example, the usage status bit can be set to high even though the usage status bit on the vehicle network 44 is low.

[0049] Reference now Figure 2, a plurality of zones 20 are mapped by the brightness management system 10 for controlling the brightness of displays in one or more of the plurality of zones 20 in the vehicle 24. The plurality of zones 20 include a first zone 20a, a second zone 20b, a third zone 20c, a fourth zone 20d, a fifth zone 20e, a sixth zone 20f, and a seventh zone 20g. Each of the plurality of zones 20 corresponds to a seating position of an occupant of the vehicle 24, but it is contemplated that any number of zones 20 may be mapped by the brightness management system 10 and may or may not correspond to a seating position of an occupant, as previously described. For example, another zone corresponding to a center console may be provided between the first zone 20a and the second zone 20b. The mapping of the plurality of zones 20 may be pre-programmed in one or more processors of the control circuit, or may be determined based on manual input at one or more of the displays (e.g., at the HMI 46). In some examples, a seat sensor is provided in the seat assembly 47 to detect the seating configuration of the vehicle 24 and the seating angle or position, or in addition to the seating angle or position. The seating configuration is communicated to the brightness management system 10 to allow the brightness management system 10 to construct the plurality of zones 20 accordingly. It is contemplated that the plurality of zones 20, although shown as a two-dimensional covering, are three-dimensional, having a height, a width, and a length. The zones 20 may be any three-dimensional shape, such as a cylinder, a rectangular prism, a sphere, or any regular or irregular shape.

[0050] Continue to refer Figure 2 , the mirrors 52 may include a rearview mirror 52a, a side mirror 52b, a HUD 48, an HMI 46, and a plurality of entertainment displays 54. For example, and as will be described in Figure 4 As shown in , one or more of the plurality of entertainment displays 54 may be disposed within the rear portion of one or more of the seat assemblies 47 to present images / video to the occupants behind the given seat assembly. One or more of the plurality of entertainment displays 54 may alternatively or additionally be a drop-down display or another mounted vehicle display 18.

[0051] Because light can enter the vehicle 24 from areas outside the vehicle 24 from any number of angles and at any number of intensities, the brightness management system 10 is configured to individually adjust the brightness of the vehicle displays 18 on a vehicle display 18 to vehicle display 18 basis. Thus, the light level of each zone can be used to construct a lighting gradient, and therefore determine the brightness conditions of each vehicle display 18. For example, the vision system 30 can include one or more cameras (e.g., an imaging system) directed toward the interior 22 of the vehicle 24, and can capture images and / or video data showing glare 26, shadows, or other lighting conditions on the passengers and / or the vehicle displays 18. Additionally or alternatively, the lighting conditions detected by the mobile device 32 can be transmitted within or to the lighting detection system 14 via the vehicle network 44 to allow the lighting detection system 14 to estimate the lighting gradient of the interior 22.

[0052] It is contemplated that the GPS 36 allows the lighting detection system 14 to estimate or compensate for the location of external lighting sources, such as the sun or the absence of the sun. For example, urban / rural driving may be determined by the lighting detection system 14 based on the GPS 36 coordinates in conjunction with time information indicating night or day, and thus may allow the brightness management system 10 to provide a more accurate estimate of the lighting conditions in the vehicle 24.

[0053] In application Figure 2 In one example, external light 68 is projected toward the vehicle 24 from the right front direction of the vehicle at a low angle of incidence relative to the ground. The light intensity measured by any of the devices on the lighting detection system 14 may vary throughout the interior 22 based on the light intensity, the angle of entry, and / or the direction of light entry. For example, the first and second zones may have relatively high lux values ​​or lighting estimates representing luminosity compared to the remaining third zone 20c, fourth zone 20d, fifth zone 20e, sixth zone 20f, and seventh zone 20g. In addition, the third zone 20c may have a lower lux value than the fourth zone 20d. Therefore, since the light is absorbed / blocked by an object (e.g., seat assembly 47) between the fifth zone 20e and the sixth zone 20f as well as the external light 68, shadows may be formed in, for example, the third zone 20c and the fifth zone 20e and the sixth zone 20f.

[0054] Still reference Figure 2 It is contemplated that one or more of the seat assemblies 47 can be adjusted between adjacent zones 20. For example, the front passenger seat 70 can be adjusted between the second zone 20b and the fourth zone 20d by moving forward or rearward. More specifically, the exemplary vehicle display 72 disposed in the front passenger seat 70 can be adjusted between the second zone 20b and the fourth zone 20d. Figure 4, with reference to a pair of seat assemblies 47. The seat position sensor 34 of the light detection system can be used to detect the position of the front passenger seat 70, and therefore the position of the exemplary vehicle display 72 within the front passenger seat 70, to compensate for the lighting conditions associated with the different zones 20. For example, Figure 2 The front passenger seat 70 in the vehicle can be moved backward to move the exemplary vehicle display 72 from the second zone 20b to the fourth zone 20d. Because the lighting gradient may cause a change in lighting conditions between the second zone 20b and the fourth zone 20d, the brightness management system 10 can control the exemplary vehicle display 72 on the front passenger seat 70 to be brighter or dimmer, depending on which of the second zone 20b and the fourth zone 20d the vehicle display 18 of the front passenger seat 70 is in.

[0055] Referring now to 3, an exemplary glare 26 detected by the visual system 30 covers an exemplary vehicle display 72. In this example, the lighting conditions result in a bright portion 74 and a dark portion 76 of the vehicle display 18. In the illustrated example, the exemplary vehicle display 72 has a backlight controller 78 that controls the brightness conditions of the exemplary vehicle display 72. Although in some examples the backlight controller 78 can control one backlight of the entire exemplary vehicle display 72, in this example, the backlight controller 78 can control a local portion 80a to 80d of the backlight controller 78 to illuminate some portions 80a to 80d of the display with a greater intensity than other portions 80a to 80d of the display. In the illustrated example, eight backlight modules 82 are provided along the periphery of the exemplary vehicle display 72 for controlling local brightness conditions. The backlight controller 78 can include any number of processors and memories storing instructions. When the processor of the backlight controller 78 executes the instructions, the backlight controller 78 transmits a signal to the backlight module 82 to selectively illuminate portions 80a to 80d of the vehicle display 18.

[0056] Backlight controller 78 is included in brightness control system 16 and transmits signals to selectively illuminate different portions 80a to 80d of exemplary vehicle display 72 in response to instructions received by brightness control system 16. For example, vision system 30 may be configured to receive a plurality of backlights from a plurality of backlights. Figure 270. In response to detecting the glare 26, the lighting detection system 14 transmits an indication of the lighting condition to the brightness control system 16, which transmits instructions corresponding to the location of the glare 26 to the backlight controller 78 of the exemplary vehicle display 72 to adjust the control of the brightness of one or more of the portions 80a to 80d of the exemplary vehicle display 72. In this example, the glare 26 covers approximately half (e.g., the left half) of the exemplary vehicle display 72. Therefore, the backlight controller 78 can transmit a signal to the backlight module 82 to illuminate the first portion 80a and the third portion 80c of the exemplary vehicle display 72 with a greater intensity than the second portion 80b and the fourth portion 80d of the exemplary vehicle display 72. It is contemplated that any number of the portions 80a to 80d of the exemplary vehicle display 72 can be controlled by the backlight controller 78. For example, individual light emitting diodes (LEDs), OLEDs, LCD displays, or any other type of display can be controlled by the backlight controller 78 based on the level of individual brightness control allowed by the exemplary vehicle display 72. In this way, personalized brightness control of the vehicle display 18 may be provided based on the lighting conditions detected by the lighting detection system 14 .

[0057] It is conceivable that, although Figure 3 The glare 26 shown in FIG. 1 is based on an image from a vision system 30 , but lighting conditions detected by a mobile device 32 may alternatively or additionally be used to provide personalized control of brightness. For example, a high intensity lux value detected by a mobile device 32 in a zone 20 that is the same as or adjacent to a given vehicle display 18 may result in an increase or decrease in the local brightness level of the area of ​​the vehicle display 18 .

[0058] Reference now Figure 4, an example of a mobile display moving between adjacent zones 20 is shown by tilting the first seat assembly relative to the second seat assembly 86. In the example shown, the brightness management system 10 is configured to control the brightness control system 16 to change the brightness condition of the exemplary vehicle display 72. The dividing line 88 showing the division between the second zone 20b and the fourth zone 20d indicates that when the second seat assembly 86 is slid and / or tilted, the vehicle display 18 moves from the second zone 20b to the fourth zone 20d. The movement of the first seat assembly can be detected by the seat sensor in the seat assembly and allows the lighting detection system 14 to estimate that the lighting condition of the exemplary vehicle display 72 is different from the lighting condition when the second seat assembly 86 is not tilted or slid backward to place the vehicle display 18 in the fourth zone 20d. In this example, the light detected by the mobile device 32 can be used to map the lux value of the fourth zone 20d to a different lux value from the second zone 20b. For example, light entering the vehicle 24 can illuminate the fourth zone 20d with a greater intensity than the second zone 20b. Additionally or alternatively, the manually adjustable brightness level of the mobile device 32 can be monitored and detected on the vehicle network 44 to indicate that the fourth zone 20d has a weak or strong lighting condition. For example, the user 64 can manually adjust the screen brightness of the mobile display to high in response to the increased lighting condition, or manually adjust the screen brightness of the mobile display to low in response to the reduced lighting condition. Therefore, these manual adjustments can be detected by the lighting detection system 14 and used to generate the lighting gradient. In some examples, the lighting gradient has been generated, and the manual adjustment adjusts the lighting gradient in response to the manual interaction with the brightness control of the mobile device 32. Therefore, the use state of the mobile device 32 and the manual adjustment state of the brightness condition can be monitored by the vehicle network 44. Alternatively or in addition, the visual system 30 can detect the brightness setting of the mobile device 32. In this way, in addition to the lighting condition detected by the mobile device 32, the lighting detection system 14 can also modify or enhance the estimation of the lighting gradient in response to the brightness condition of the mobile device 32.

[0059] Still reference Figure 4 , and as an example, the user 64 in the second zone 20b can adjust the first seat assembly rearward to move the exemplary vehicle display 72 from the second zone 20b to the fourth zone 20d. In response, the brightness control system 16 can adjust the brightness condition of the exemplary vehicle display 72 in response to the exemplary vehicle display 72 moving from the second zone 20b to the fourth zone 20d. The brightness condition can be adjusted based on an image and / or video of the lighting condition of the fourth zone 20d, the ambient lighting condition of the fourth zone 20d, the reading from the light sensor 62 of the mobile device 32, and / or the brightness condition of the screen / backlight of the mobile device 32.

[0060] It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made to the aforementioned structures without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it will be further understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the appended claims unless the claims explicitly state otherwise by their language.

[0061] According to the present invention, a brightness management system for a vehicle is provided, which has: a network, which provides wireless communication for a vehicle environment; a mobile device, which is in the vehicle environment and includes a first light detector for detecting a first light level at a first position of the mobile device; at least one vehicle display, which is connected to the vehicle and has at least one brightness level; and a control circuit, which is communicatively coupled to the mobile device and the at least one vehicle display via the network, wherein the control circuit is configured to: detect the first position of the mobile device in the vehicle; receive an indication of the first light level from the mobile device; and transmit a signal to adjust the at least one brightness level of the at least one vehicle display based on the first position and the first light level.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the present invention is also characterized by: a second light detector, which detects a second light level at a second location in the vehicle environment, wherein the control circuit includes a lighting mapping module, which compares the first light level with the second light level to estimate the lighting gradient of the vehicle environment.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the control circuit is further configured to receive an indication of a usage status of the mobile device, wherein the signal for adjusting the at least one brightness level is further based on the usage status of the mobile device.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the light mapping module is configured to adjust the estimate of the lighting gradient in response to the usage state.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the at least one vehicle display includes a first vehicle display in a first passenger area of ​​the vehicle and a second vehicle display in a second passenger area of ​​the vehicle, wherein the at least one brightness level includes a first brightness level and a second brightness level, and the first brightness level and the second brightness level are adjustable in response to the lighting gradient.

[0066] According to an embodiment, a first vehicle display is coupled to a seating assembly configured to move the first vehicle display between the first passenger area and another area, wherein moving the first vehicle display between the first passenger area and the another area causes adjustment of the first brightness level.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the adjustment of the first brightness level to the further zone is based on a light intensity difference between the first passenger zone and the further zone.

[0068] According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a seat position sensor that detects a position of the seat assembly, wherein the control circuit is in communication with the seat position sensor and the signal for adjusting the at least one brightness level is further based on the position.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the present invention is also characterized by: an imaging system that monitors the vehicle environment and is configured to detect glare on a first portion of the at least one vehicle display, wherein the signal is further based on the glare on the first portion of the at least one vehicle display.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the at least one brightness level includes a first brightness level for the first portion of a single vehicle display and a second brightness level for a second portion of the single vehicle display separate from the first portion, wherein the signal for adjusting the at least one brightness level includes instructions for adjusting the first brightness level and adjusting the second brightness level independently of the adjustment of the first brightness level.

[0071] According to the present invention, a brightness management system for a vehicle is provided, which has: a network, which provides wireless communication for a vehicle environment; a mobile device, which is in the vehicle environment and includes a first light detector for detecting a first light level at a first position of the mobile device; a second light detector, which detects a second light level at a second position in the vehicle environment; at least one vehicle display, which is connected to the vehicle and has at least one brightness level; and a control circuit, which is communicatively coupled to the mobile device, the at least one vehicle display and the second light detector via the network, wherein the control circuit is configured to: detect the first position of the mobile device in the vehicle; receive an indication of the first light level from the mobile device; compare the first light level with the second light level via a light mapping module to estimate a lighting gradient of the vehicle environment; and transmit a signal to adjust the at least one brightness level of the at least one vehicle display based on the lighting gradient.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the control circuit is further configured to receive an indication of a usage status of the mobile device, wherein the signal for adjusting the at least one brightness level is further based on the usage status of the mobile device.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the light mapping module is configured to adjust the estimate of the lighting gradient in response to the usage state.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the at least one vehicle display includes a first vehicle display in a first passenger area of ​​the vehicle and a second vehicle display in a second passenger area of ​​the vehicle, wherein the at least one brightness level includes a first brightness level and a second brightness level, and the first brightness level and the second brightness level are adjustable in response to the lighting gradient.

[0075] According to an embodiment, a first vehicle display is coupled to a seating assembly configured to move the first vehicle display between the first passenger area and another area, wherein moving the first vehicle display between the first passenger area and the another area causes adjustment of the first brightness level.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the adjustment of the first brightness level to the further zone is based on a light intensity difference between the first passenger zone and the further zone.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a seat position sensor that detects a position of the seat assembly, wherein the control circuit is in communication with the seat position sensor and the signal for adjusting the at least one brightness level is further based on the position.

[0078] According to the present invention, a brightness management system for a vehicle is provided, which has: a network, which provides wireless communication for a vehicle environment; a mobile device, which is in the vehicle environment and includes a first light detector for detecting a first light level at a first position of the mobile device; at least one vehicle display, which is connected to the vehicle and has at least one brightness level; and a control circuit, which is communicatively coupled to the mobile device and the at least one vehicle display via the network, wherein the control circuit is configured to: detect the first position of the mobile device in the vehicle; receive an indication of the first light level from the mobile device; receive an indication of a usage status of the mobile device; and transmit a signal to adjust the at least one brightness level of the at least one vehicle display based on the first position, the first light level, and the usage status of the mobile device.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the present invention is also characterized by: an imaging system that detects a second light level at a second location in the vehicle environment, wherein the control circuit includes a lighting mapping module that compares the first light level with the second light level to estimate the lighting gradient of the vehicle environment.

[0080] According to an embodiment, the at least one vehicle display includes a first vehicle display in a first passenger area of ​​the vehicle and a second vehicle display in a second passenger area of ​​the vehicle, wherein the at least one brightness level includes a first brightness level and a second brightness level, and the first brightness level and the second brightness level are adjustable in response to the lighting gradient.

Claims

1. A brightness management system for a vehicle, comprising: a network providing wireless communications for a vehicle environment; a mobile device in the vehicle environment and comprising a first light detector for detecting a first light level at a first position of the mobile device; at least one vehicle display coupled to the vehicle and having at least one brightness level; as well as a control circuit communicatively coupled to the mobile device and the at least one vehicle display via the network, wherein the control circuit is configured to: detecting the first position of the mobile device in the vehicle; receiving an indication of the first light level from the mobile device; and A signal is transmitted to adjust the at least one brightness level of the at least one vehicle display based on the first position and the first light level.

2. The brightness management system according to claim 1, further comprising: A second light detector detects a second light level at a second location in the vehicle environment, wherein the control circuit includes a light mapping module that compares the first light level to the second light level to estimate a lighting gradient of the vehicle environment.

3. The brightness management system of claim 2, wherein the control circuit is further configured to receive an indication of a usage status of the mobile device, wherein the signal for adjusting the at least one brightness level is further based on the usage status of the mobile device. 4 . The brightness management system of claim 3 , wherein the light mapping module is configured to adjust the estimate of the lighting gradient in response to the usage status.

5. The brightness management system of claim 2, wherein the at least one vehicle display comprises a first vehicle display in a first passenger area of ​​the vehicle and a second vehicle display in a second passenger area of ​​the vehicle, wherein the at least one brightness level comprises a first brightness level and a second brightness level, the first brightness level and the second brightness level being adjustable in response to the lighting gradient.

6. The brightness management system of claim 5, wherein a first vehicle display is coupled to a seat assembly, the seat assembly being configured to move the first vehicle display between the first passenger area and another area, wherein moving the first vehicle display between the first passenger area and the another area causes adjustment of the first brightness level.

7. The brightness management system of claim 6, wherein the adjustment of the first brightness level to the another zone is based on a light intensity difference between the first passenger zone and the another zone.

8. The brightness management system according to claim 6, further comprising: A seat position sensor detects a position of the seat assembly, wherein the control circuit is in communication with the seat position sensor and the signal for adjusting the at least one brightness level is further based on the position.

9. The brightness management system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: An imaging system monitors the vehicle environment and is configured to detect glare on a first portion of the at least one vehicle display, wherein the signal is further based on the glare on the first portion of the at least one vehicle display.

10. A brightness management system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one brightness level includes a first brightness level for the first portion of a single vehicle display and a second brightness level for a second portion of the single vehicle display separate from the first portion, and wherein the signal for adjusting the at least one brightness level includes instructions for adjusting the first brightness level and adjusting the second brightness level independently of the adjustment of the first brightness level.

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