Method for illuminating environment of motor vehicle and of additional vehicle, motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for illuminating an environment (6) in which at least one motor vehicle (1) is located, comprising at least one motor vehicle lighting device (3), by means of which a motor vehicle light distribution (8) that can be varied on the basis of a brightness dependent on a beam angle can be generated, wherein at least one additional vehicle (5) located in the environment (6) can generate an additional vehicle light distribution (10) by means of at least one additional vehicle lighting device (7), and wherein at least one piece of lighting information (24) is transmitted from the additional vehicle (5) to the motor vehicle (1) via a communication connection (23) formed between the motor vehicle (1) and the additional vehicle (5), the at least one piece of lighting information relates to an additional vehicle light distribution (10) which is currently and / or future generated and / or can be generated, an overall lighting pattern (12) in the environment (6) is determined on the basis of the lighting information (24), and the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and / or the additional vehicle light distribution (10) are / is changed, the motor vehicle lighting pattern (9) generated by means of the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and the additional vehicle lighting pattern (11) generated by means of the additional vehicle light distribution (10) form an integral lighting pattern (12).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for illuminating an environment in which at least one motor vehicle is located, the motor vehicle including at least one motor vehicle lighting device, wherein a motor vehicle light distribution that can be based on a brightness change related to a beam angle can be generated by means of the motor vehicle lighting device, and wherein at least one additional vehicle located in the environment can generate an additional vehicle light distribution by means of at least one additional vehicle lighting device. Background Art

[0002] The lighting devices in vehicles usually include headlights, taillights and / or side lights, and on the one hand are used to illuminate the environment of the corresponding vehicle for the driver, and on the other hand are used to implement information output to other road users, for example, indicating that the vehicle is currently in reverse gear via visual light or taillights (especially white lights) that implement direction indication.

[0003] In the prior art, it has been recognized that it would be advantageous to use the lighting devices of multiple vehicles simultaneously or in a complementary manner in order to achieve an overall lighting condition that is as advantageous as possible in the environment of the vehicles. In addition, it is known from the prior art that the brightness related to the beam angle in the vehicle can be adjusted according to environment-related information.

[0004] For example, DE 102012 016 782A1 discloses detecting information about the traffic conditions in the environment of a motor vehicle, for example, by means of a camera module, and detecting the light distribution in the environment of the motor vehicle through the camera module. In particular, it can also be provided that messages about this information from other road users are used through a vehicle-to-vehicle interface. Based on this, the light pattern generated by means of the headlight system of the motor vehicle is determined.

[0005] It is known from DE 102019 002 262A1 that a communication connection is established between multiple vehicles, and any one of the vehicles indicates to the corresponding other vehicle the light component to be generated in the overall light distribution. Thereby, the best lighting of the environment of these vehicles can be ensured, and in particular, double lighting is avoided.

[0006] German patent document DE 10 2018 122 240 A1 discloses a method for controlling the motor vehicle headlights of vehicles in a convoy, wherein the front vehicle detects data about the surrounding environment via a sensor system, and the data is transmitted to the rear vehicle. The lighting generated by the rear vehicle is adjusted based on this, so that the detection area of the sensor system is fully illuminated. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to implement an improved design solution for the lighting of the environment in which multiple vehicles are located.

[0008] According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a method of the type described at the beginning in the following manner: at least one lighting information related to the current and / or future generated and / or generable additional vehicle light distribution is transmitted from the additional vehicle to the motor vehicle via a communication connection formed between the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle, wherein, based on the lighting information and especially on the side of the motor vehicle, the overall lighting pattern in the environment is determined and the motor vehicle light distribution and / or the additional vehicle light distribution is changed such that the motor vehicle lighting pattern generated by means of the motor vehicle light distribution and the additional vehicle lighting pattern generated by means of the additional vehicle light distribution form an overall lighting map.

[0009] It is further provided in the method according to the present invention that, in addition to or instead of the sensor detection of environment-related data (especially image data), lighting information related to the lighting generated or to be generated by the additional vehicle (i.e., lighting information related to the current or to be generated additional vehicle light distribution) is transmitted to the motor vehicle via the communication connection. The operation of the lighting device (especially the motor vehicle lighting device) is controlled based on the lighting information. Thereby, the corresponding information - or data basis - for generating the overall lighting pattern is optimized as follows: it is no longer necessary to require relatively complex detection and processing of, for example, image data, etc., based on which information about the additional vehicle light distribution is determined, for example, via image analysis software. This advantage becomes particularly evident in the case where the lighting information is a sign (especially a standardized sign) of the additional vehicle light distribution. Then, the motor vehicle can determine details or information about the additional vehicle light distribution by retrieving the information stored in a database on the motor vehicle side, for example, and assigned to this light distribution.

[0010] The motor vehicle lighting device, and especially also the additional vehicle lighting device, can each include a light-emitting diode matrix headlamp and a control unit provided for controlling the light-emitting diode matrix headlamp. For example, the light-emitting diode matrix headlamp can be used for projecting on the surface of the environment (for example, on the lane or on the house wall). - Especially moving - animations and / or texts and / or symbols can be output via these projections. Specific front symbols, i.e., lighting areas of the headlamp having a specific predetermined geometry, can be produced via these headlamps.

[0011] The environment should be understood as the common surrounding area of the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle, which surrounding area has at least one sub-area that can be illuminated by the motor vehicle lighting device and the additional vehicle lighting device. The environment can be an intersection area or a road area, where the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle are located at the corresponding intersection or on the road.

[0012] The term "light distribution" refers to the relationship between the brightness of the light emitted by a corresponding lighting device and the associated beam angle / radiation angle of the corresponding vehicle or the corresponding lighting device. The motor vehicle or the additional vehicle or the corresponding lighting device serves as a reference system for the light distribution. For example, the light distribution can be completely described or predefined via a set of multiple triplet numbers, where the triplet numbers include a first value related to the horizontal beam angle, a second value related to the vertical beam angle, and a third value related to the associated brightness.

[0013] The term "lighting pattern" refers to the relationship between the brightness caused by the light distribution at a location in the environment and the corresponding position of that location. The position is described according to a one-way - or environment-fixed coordinate system. Thus, the environment serves as a reference system for the lighting pattern. The lighting pattern can be completely described or predefined, for example, by a set of multiple quadruplet numbers, where the quadruplet numbers include three values related to the Cartesian azimuth coordinates of the location, for example, and another value related to the associated brightness.

[0014] Regarding the communication connection, a direct communication between the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle can be provided. A so-called vehicle-to-vehicle connection can be envisaged, where information can be transmitted, for example, via radio, especially in the case of forming a WLAN. DSRC, UMTS, LTE, 5G or similar standards can also be considered. It can also be envisaged that an indirect communication connection is established between the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle, and this indirect communication is formed via a so-called Car-2-X (vehicle-to-X) connection. The communication connection can be provided for unidirectional or bidirectional data transmission.

[0015] Regarding the overall lighting pattern, it is particularly stipulated that the overall lighting pattern achieves optimal lighting of the environment from the perspective of the occupants of the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle. Thus, for example, it can be envisaged that the extension of the overall lighting pattern is greater than the respective extensions of the lighting patterns of the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle, such that these two lighting patterns advantageously complement each other accordingly.

[0016] In the method according to the invention, it can be stipulated that at least one of the light distributions is changed such that the lighting patterns of the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle that form the overall lighting pattern are independent / non-overlapping. In this embodiment, it is stipulated that there is no location in the environment that is illuminated by the lighting devices of the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle. On the one hand, this avoids double illumination of a single location in the environment and the formation of an overall brightness there that would dazzle the occupants of the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle. On the other hand, energy can be saved due to the avoidance of double illumination.

[0017] According to the invention, it can be provided that the lighting information relates to the brightness associated with the beam angle of the additional vehicle light distribution. As mentioned before, the lighting information can exist as a signature (in particular a standardized signature), and / or as a set of a plurality of triplet numbers for describing the light distribution.

[0018] Additionally or alternatively, the lighting information can relate to the extent and / or brightness distribution of the additional vehicle lighting pattern. For example, in the case of the additional vehicle, a set of the plurality of quadruple numbers described above can be determined and transmitted to the motor vehicle as lighting information.

[0019] Additionally or alternatively, according to the invention, it can be provided that in the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle, it is provided that the corresponding at least one activatable light distribution can only be generated when activation is completed. Thus, the motor vehicle lighting device and the additional vehicle lighting device are in principle designed and provided for generating at least one activatable light distribution. Furthermore, the control unit of the corresponding lighting device or the control device of the motor vehicle or the additional vehicle is provided for controlling the corresponding headlight or the corresponding lighting device for generating different light distributions and thus generating light functions, such that the activatable light distributions can only be realized when an additional reservation is completed, and the realization of these light distributions is prohibited or suppressed when the additional reservation is not made. The corresponding additional reservation is, for example, related to paying a corresponding fee. This design is generally referred to as "function on demand" (FoD).

[0020] Within the framework of this embodiment, according to the invention, it can be provided that the lighting information relates to at least one additional vehicle light distribution that is activated and / or deactivated on the side of the additional vehicle, wherein the overall lighting pattern corresponds to the additional vehicle light distribution that is activated on the side of the motor vehicle and deactivated on the side of the additional vehicle. Thus, in this embodiment, the corresponding function activation (in particular a temporary transfer) is transferred to the additional vehicle, so that its occupants can also enjoy the benefits of this activation together.

[0021] It can be envisaged that the additional vehicle light distribution is static with respect to the brightness associated with the beam angle, wherein only the motor vehicle light distribution is changed to generate the overall lighting pattern. The term "static" means that the switched-on and especially the additional vehicle lighting device operating in a specific operating mode (such as high beam, parking light, daytime running light or low beam mode) has a constant brightness for each beam angle. A corresponding example of an additional vehicle is an older model motor vehicle, through whose additional vehicle lighting device only the aforementioned lighting modes can be realized. An example of a corresponding additional vehicle can also be a bicycle, whose light distribution can only be changed by moving the handlebars, on which a bicycle lamp is fixed. If the additional vehicle light distribution is static, it will ultimately be incorporated into the overall lighting pattern "as it is".

[0022] It is conceivable that the additional vehicle light distribution can be changed in view of the brightness related to the beam angle, wherein the motor vehicle light distribution and the additional vehicle light distribution are changed to generate an overall illumination pattern. In this embodiment, the two light distributions are adjusted to generate an overall illumination pattern. The variable parameters regarding the respective light distributions are determined in particular with respect to each vehicle. It is also conceivable that the variable parameters related to the two light distributions are determined with respect to the respective vehicles and transmitted to the additional vehicle, for example, via a communication connection.

[0023] Optionally, according to the present invention, it is provided to detect at least one piece of additional vehicle information related to the manufacturer of the additional vehicle. The additional vehicle information can relate to the brand of the additional vehicle. It is also conceivable that the additional vehicle information relates to the additional vehicle technology set for the operation of the additional vehicle lighting device in terms of the additional vehicle. The additional vehicle information can relate to information on whether the additional vehicle lighting device is designed as a light-emitting diode matrix headlight or whether it includes such a light-emitting diode matrix headlight.

[0024] Regarding the additional vehicle information, it is provided that when the additional vehicle information indicates that the manufacturer of the additional vehicle is included in a predetermined manufacturer list and / or the additional vehicle technology has a predetermined minimum standard, the generation condition is met; only when the generation condition is met is the overall illumination pattern determined and the motor vehicle light distribution and / or the additional vehicle light distribution modified.

[0025] Thus, it can be checked whether the manufacturer of the additional vehicle is the same as the manufacturer of the motor vehicle, and only in this case is the method according to the present invention carried out or continued. In this case, the manufacturer list only contains a single manufacturer. The manufacturer list can also include automobile manufacturers belonging to the same group or group family as the motor vehicle. The manufacturer list is preferably stored on the motor vehicle side.

[0026] Additionally or alternatively, it can be checked whether the technical equipment of the lighting devices of the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle is the same or at least comparable. Especially since the technology related to the hardware of the lighting device is usually standardized, such a check can be carried out without much effort.

[0027] In particular, on the motor vehicle side, at least one piece of additional vehicle driving operation information can be detected, wherein the determination of the overall illumination pattern and the change of the motor vehicle light distribution and / or the additional vehicle light distribution are carried out according to the additional vehicle driving operation information. In this embodiment, the overall illumination pattern is determined according to the additional vehicle-related environment for a specific situation. The additional vehicle driving operation information can be detected or present on the additional vehicle side and transmitted to the motor vehicle via a communication connection.

[0028] Additional vehicle driving operation information can for example relate to the position or speed or acceleration or expected driving direction of the additional vehicle. The position can advantageously be used as follows for determining the overall lighting pattern, namely by excluding from lighting the area of the environment located behind the additional vehicle by means of the overall lighting pattern. The speed or rather the acceleration can advantageously be used as follows for determining the overall lighting pattern, namely the greater the speed or rather the acceleration of the additional vehicle, the greater the sub-area of the environment arranged in front of the additional vehicle that is illuminated by means of the overall lighting pattern. The expected driving direction of the additional vehicle can advantageously be used as follows for determining the overall lighting pattern, namely if the additional vehicle is about to turn or change lanes, then in addition to illuminating the road or lane on which the additional vehicle is currently located, the road or rather the lane on which the additional vehicle is about to drive is correspondingly illuminated.

[0029] Similarly, it can in particular be envisaged that at least one motor vehicle driving operation information is detected on the motor vehicle side, wherein the overall lighting pattern is determined and the motor vehicle light distribution and / or the additional vehicle light distribution are changed on the basis of the motor vehicle driving operation information. In this embodiment, the overall lighting pattern is determined according to the situation of the motor vehicle for a specific case.

[0030] Motor vehicle driving operation information can relate to the position or speed or acceleration or steering angle or navigation information or gearshift lever position or expected driving direction or ambient brightness. The aspects explained in connection with the additional vehicle driving operation information apply equally here. In particular, it is provided that the expected driving direction is determined on the basis of the steering angle and / or the navigation information, and / or that in addition to the information about the speed or rather the acceleration, the gearshift lever position which describes the gear currently engaged in the motor vehicle is used. The ambient brightness can advantageously be used as follows for determining the overall lighting pattern: the lower the ambient brightness, the higher the brightness of the overall lighting pattern. Thus, for example, the brightness generated by means of the lighting device can be increased accordingly at night, especially in the case of the absence of road lighting.

[0031] According to the invention, it can preferably be provided that the start condition is met when the relative position information determined or detected about the relative position between the additional vehicle and the motor vehicle indicates that an overall lighting pattern can be generated; only when the start condition is met is the overall lighting pattern determined and the motor vehicle light distribution and / or the additional vehicle light distribution changed. The relative position information can be detected by means of a corresponding sensor of the motor vehicle, in particular a camera or a radar sensor. Alternatively, it can be envisaged that the relative position is determined on the basis of the driving operation information relating to the positions of the individual vehicles.

[0032] Thus, for example, it can be envisaged that although a communication connection is established between the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle because they are close enough to each other, an overall lighting pattern cannot be generated, for example, when the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle are in different branch roads / forks. Specifically, it can be checked whether the environment of the motor vehicle and the environment of the additional vehicle include at least one common sub-region or are the same, and the overall lighting pattern can be generated in the common sub-region or the same environment.

[0033] Within the framework of the present invention, it can be envisaged that a release condition is satisfied when there is a release signal generated from the side of the occupants of the motor vehicle via at least one occupant interface of the motor vehicle; only when this release condition is satisfied, the overall lighting pattern is determined and the light distribution of the motor vehicle and / or the light distribution of the additional vehicle is changed. Thus, the occupants of the motor vehicle have the opportunity to choose whether they wish to execute the method according to the present invention, that is, to determine and generate the overall lighting pattern. Specifically, the occupants can decide whether they want to share the activation of their activated light distribution with the occupants of the additional vehicle. The occupant interface is an input device of the motor vehicle, in particular an input- and output device such as a touch screen.

[0034] It can be envisaged that a request message is automatically sent to the occupants of the motor vehicle via this or at least another occupant interface, and a release signal can be generated when the occupants of the motor vehicle send a request message. Specifically, it can be envisaged that, for example, when a start condition is satisfied, a notice is sent to the occupants of the motor vehicle via the occupant interface, informing them that they can share the activatable light distribution with another road user (i.e., the additional vehicle). Then, the occupants of the motor vehicle can generate a release signal by clicking a confirmation button displayed on the touch screen.

[0035] It can be stipulated that instead of automatically outputting the request message, when there is a request signal generated by the occupants of the additional vehicle, the request message is output to the occupants of the motor vehicle via the said or at least another occupant interface, and a release signal can be generated when the occupants of the motor vehicle output the request message. Thus, the information as a request signal can be output to the occupants of the additional vehicle via the corresponding occupant interface of the additional vehicle (the corresponding occupant interface can be an input- and output device such as a touch screen) in such a way that another road user, that is, the motor vehicle, is in the environment, where, for example, light functions that are not activated in the nearby vehicle can be activated accordingly. The occupants of the additional vehicle can click the corresponding request button to generate a request signal, thereby causing the request message to be output in the motor vehicle, and the passengers there can accept or reject the request message as described above.

[0036] According to a preferred provision of the present invention, at least one light function can be realized through a light distribution. In this case, it is particularly provided that the light distribution is an activatable light distribution, and by means of this light distribution, the activatable light function is correspondingly realized as FoD. The light function can be a low beam function and / or a high beam function and / or a turn signal function and / or an intersection light function and / or a lane light function and / or a lane change light function and / or a direction light function and / or a gamification function. In particular, it is also possible to provide a plurality of the aforementioned light functions, where only a part of these functions can be activated, while the other part (such as the low beam function and the high beam function) is always activated. Therefore, by means of the lighting device used within the framework of the light function, an adaptive light distribution can be generated, which not only illuminates the surrounding environment.

[0037] Therefore, for example, by means of the turn signal function, the side street where the motor vehicle or an additional vehicle is about to turn can be specifically illuminated in the area of, for example, an intersection. By means of the intersection light function, the entire area of the intersection can be illuminated according to the design of the intersection, where, for example, two roads intersect or at least another road branches off from one road. For the case where multiple lanes are provided along the currently traveled road, by means of the lane light function, individual lanes can be specifically illuminated, such as the currently traveled lane and / or the adjacent lane that the motor vehicle or an additional vehicle is about to change into. When the corresponding vehicle is about to perform a corresponding lane change, on a multi-lane road, by means of the lane change light function, an arrow is projected onto the lane. By means of the direction light function, a driving direction arrow - especially according to the information of the navigation system - is projected onto the lane, thereby providing better orientation for the occupants of the vehicle. Within the framework of the gamification function, it can be envisaged that, in particular, the projection for generating the display of the game interface of a video game is projected onto the wall and / or the ground in front of the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle via the lighting device which is a light-emitting diode matrix headlight. Thereby, the occupants can pass the time, for example, during the charging process of a motor vehicle or an additional vehicle designed as a hybrid or electric vehicle. The game control provided in this case can be carried out via the personal mobile terminal (especially a smartphone) of the occupants, such that the lighting device functions as a projector or a projection device for a video game. In addition to displaying video games, for example, it is also possible to envisage displaying movies, etc.

[0038] Within the framework of the method according to the present invention, it can also be envisaged in particular that, when implementing the method, in addition to the motor vehicle, a plurality of additional vehicles can be combined. All aspects of the method according to the present invention explained so far also apply to this case. Therefore, in particular, it can be provided that the overall lighting pattern is obtained from the motor vehicle lighting pattern and a plurality of additional vehicle lighting patterns.

[0039] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle which comprises at least one motor vehicle lighting device by means of which a motor vehicle light distribution which can be based on a brightness variation related to the beam angle can be generated. The motor vehicle according to the invention is characterized by a communication device and a control device, wherein a communication connection can be formed between the motor vehicle and at least one additional vehicle having at least one additional vehicle lighting device by means of the communication device, and at least one lighting information can be transmitted from the additional vehicle to the motor vehicle via the communication device, the at least one lighting information relating to an additional vehicle light distribution which is currently and / or in the future generated and / or can be generated by means of the additional vehicle lighting device; the control device is configured to determine an overall lighting pattern in the environment in which the motor vehicle and the additional vehicle are located according to the lighting information, and generate a control signal which can be transmitted to the motor vehicle lighting device, by means of which control signal the motor vehicle light distribution is changed such that the motor vehicle light distribution and the additional vehicle light distribution form an overall lighting pattern.

[0040] All advantages and features explained in connection with the method according to the invention can be transferred to the motor vehicle according to the invention and vice versa. Thus, within the framework of carrying out the method according to the invention, it can also be provided that at least one additional vehicle is likewise a motor vehicle according to the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Other advantages and details of the invention result from the following embodiments and from the figures. The figures schematically show:

[0042] Figure 1 a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0043] Figure 2 a top view of an intersection, in the traffic situation of which the method according to the invention is carried out according to a first embodiment and which relates to Figure 1 the motor vehicle in

[0044] Figure 3 a flow chart for illustrating a first embodiment of the method according to the invention,

[0045] Figure 4 a top view of a multi-lane road, in the traffic situation of which the method according to the invention is carried out according to a second embodiment and which relates to Figure 1 the motor vehicle in Figure 3 and the method is also carried out according to the flow chart shown in

[0046] Figure 5 symbolically shows how the lighting information is transmitted within the framework of the method explained according to Figure 3 and 4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] ​First, the first embodiment of the method according to the present invention is explained, wherein according to one embodiment, in Figure 1 the participating motor vehicle 1 according to the present invention is shown. Figure 2 An exemplary situation is shown, in which the method is shown and the details of the method are explained according to the Figure 3 flowchart shown therein. To carry out the method, the motor vehicle 1 includes a control device 2, a motor vehicle lighting device 3 that can be controlled by means of the control device 2, and a communication device 4. An additional vehicle 5 is also involved in carrying out the method, wherein the motor vehicle 1 and the additional vehicle 5 are located in a common environment 6, which is a crossroads in this example.

[0048] For the motor vehicle lighting device 3, it is provided that it is a light-emitting diode matrix headlamp, by means of which an adaptable light can be generated and emitted. The additional vehicle 5 has an additional vehicle lighting device 7, which can also be a light-emitting diode matrix headlamp, but in this example is designed as a headlamp including a plurality of bulbs, by means of which low beam and high beam can be generated.

[0049] By means of the motor vehicle lighting device 3, a motor vehicle light distribution 8 that is variable based on the brightness related to the beam angle can be generated, and by means of this motor vehicle light distribution, a motor vehicle lighting pattern 9 can be generated in the environment 6. Referring to Figure 2 , the motor vehicle lighting pattern 9 is represented by dashed and dotted-dashed shading. By means of the additional vehicle lighting device 3, an additional vehicle light distribution 10 can be generated, and by means of this additional vehicle light distribution, an additional vehicle lighting pattern 11 can be generated in the environment 6. Referring to Figure 2 , the additional vehicle lighting pattern 11 is represented by dashed lines and dashed shading, and currently low beam is implemented. The motor vehicle lighting pattern 9 and the additional vehicle lighting pattern 11 generate an overall lighting pattern 12, which is represented by solid lines in Figure 2 and will be discussed in more detail below.

[0050] Next, according to Figure 3 the steps of the first embodiment of the method according to the present invention are explained, including steps 13 to 22. Herein, the control device 2 is provided for carrying out the method steps explained below. For this purpose, the control device 2 is connected to the corresponding participating components of the motor vehicle 1.

[0051] In the first step of the method, a communication connection 23 is established between the motor vehicle 1 and the additional vehicle 5. This is especially feasible since the motor vehicle 1 and the additional vehicle 5 are adjacent to each other, i.e., at the Figure 2 shown crossroads. To form the communication connection 23, the communication device 4 of the motor vehicle 1 and another communication device (not shown in detail in the drawing) of the additional vehicle 5 are provided. The communication connection 23 is realized, for example, by means of a vehicle-to-vehicle connection, but can also be realized via an indirect connection (such as a vehicle-to-X connection).

[0052] Illumination information 24 is transmitted from the additional vehicle 5 to the motor vehicle 1 via the communication connection 23, wherein the illumination information 24 relates to the additional vehicle light distribution 10 generated currently and in the future. Specifically, the illumination information 24 relates to information on the brightness related to the beam angle of the additional vehicle light distribution 10, wherein however the illumination information can equally relate to the extension or the brightness distribution of the additional vehicle illumination pattern 11. Specifically, the illumination information 24 includes the information "low beam" together with standardized information specifying the additional vehicle light distribution 10.

[0053] In the framework of the second step 14, additional vehicle information 25 present in the additional vehicle 5 is transmitted from the additional vehicle 5 to the motor vehicle 2 via the communication connection 23. The additional vehicle information 25 relates to the manufacturer of the additional vehicle 5.

[0054] Furthermore, within the framework of the second step 14, additional vehicle driving operation information 26 is transmitted from the additional vehicle 5 to the motor vehicle 1 via the communication connection 23. The corresponding additional vehicle driving operation information 26 respectively relates to or describes the current position, current speed, current acceleration or intended driving direction of the additional vehicle 5. In order to detect the additional vehicle driving operation information 26 related to the position or the speed or the acceleration of the additional vehicle 5, it can also be provided that a sensor device (not shown in detail in the figures) of the motor vehicle 1, such as a camera and / or a radar sensor, is used. The additional vehicle driving operation information 26 related to the intended driving direction of the additional vehicle 5 indicates that the additional vehicle 5 is about to turn right. This information can be present in the additional vehicle 5 within the framework of the corresponding navigation system or be generated based on the set turn signal indicator.

[0055] In the framework of the second step 14 of the method, the motor vehicle 1 also detects motor vehicle driving operation information 27. The motor vehicle driving operation information can be present within the framework of the vehicle control device and / or the navigation system of the motor vehicle 1 and / or be detected in a sensing manner. The corresponding motor vehicle driving operation information 27 respectively relates to or describes the position, speed or acceleration of the motor vehicle 1. Furthermore, the information respectively relates to or describes the current steering angle, navigation information related to the planned driving route of the motor vehicle 1, the shift lever position related to the currently engaged gear, the intended driving direction (which can be determined, for example, based on the set flasher and / or navigation information), or the ambient brightness currently present in the environment 6.

[0056] In the third step 15 of the method, it is checked whether the start condition is met. When the start condition is not met, the method terminates in step 16. Within the framework of checking the start condition, first the relative position between the motor vehicle 1 and the additional vehicle 5 is determined based on the driving operation information 26, 27 related to the motor vehicle 1 and the additional vehicle 5. If the result shows that the vehicles 1, 5 are located in a common environment 6 which can be illuminated at least partly both by the motor vehicle lighting device 3 and by the additional vehicle lighting device 7, then the method continues in the next step 17. This is the case in the present example because the vehicles 1, 5 are located in the common environment 6, namely Figure 2 in the area of the intersection shown.

[0057] In the next step 17 of the method, the generation condition is checked. When the generation condition is not met, the method terminates in step 16. Within the framework of checking the generation condition, it is checked on the side of the motor vehicle 1 according to the additional vehicle information 26 whether the manufacturer of the additional vehicle 5 is included in a predefined list of manufacturers stored in the motor vehicle 1. Thus, the list of manufacturers includes, for example, those motor vehicle manufacturers or motor vehicle brands that belong to the same group as the motor vehicle 1. However, the list of manufacturers can also include only a single manufacturer, namely the manufacturer of the motor vehicle 1, so that the method according to the invention continues only when the vehicles 1, 5 are from the same manufacturer. This is assumed in the present embodiment, such that the generation condition is met and thus the method continues in the next step 18.

[0058] In the next step 18 of the method, information is output to the occupants of the additional vehicle 5 via an occupant interface (which can be an input- and output device, such as a touchscreen) not shown in detail in the drawing, which information indicates that in principle an overall lighting pattern 12 can be generated together with the motor vehicle 1. For this purpose, the text "It is possible to share lighting with another vehicle. Do you want to send a request?" is sent. Then, the occupants of the additional vehicle 5 can generate a corresponding request signal 28 by clicking on the corresponding request button, which request signal is transmitted to the motor vehicle 1 via the communication connection 23. If this has been done, then a request message is sent to the occupants of the motor vehicle 1 via the occupant interface 29 of the motor vehicle 1 (which can be an input- and output device, such as a touchscreen), asking him or her whether he or she wishes to generate the overall lighting pattern 12. For example, this can be done by outputting the text "Another road user suggests sharing lighting. Do you agree?" Then, the occupants of the motor vehicle 1 can generate a corresponding release signal 30 by clicking on the corresponding confirmation button.

[0059] In the context of the next step 19, the release condition is checked, and this release condition is met when there is a release signal 30 that can be generated by an occupant of the motor vehicle 1. If the release condition is not met, the method terminates in step 16. When the release condition is met, the method continues in the next step 20. Furthermore, with regard to step 18, it should be noted that this step can be set as optional, since the request to the user of the motor vehicle 1 to generate a release signal can also be made automatically and independently of the presence of the request signal 28.

[0060] In the next step 20 of the method, the motor vehicle 1 determines the overall lighting pattern 12 based on the lighting information 24 and based on the driving operation information 26, 27. This determination is made in such a way that the overall lighting pattern 12 effects lighting in the environment 6 that is advantageous and appropriate from the perspective of the occupants of both vehicles 1, 5. The situation in this regard will be explained in detail below.

[0061] Accordingly, the additional vehicle light distribution 10 is static with respect to the brightness related to the beam angle of the additional vehicle 5. That is, within the framework of the dipped beam generated by means of the additional vehicle lighting device 7, the additional vehicle light distribution 10 cannot change. This is taken into account when determining the overall lighting pattern 12.

[0062] The determination of the overall lighting pattern 12 is also made based on the additional vehicle driving operation information 26. As previously mentioned, this additional vehicle driving operation information indicates that the additional vehicle 5 is about to turn right at the intersection, and thus it is stipulated for the overall lighting pattern 12 that the road 31 that the additional vehicle 5 turns into from the road 32 and leaves the intersection is additionally illuminated. Since the additional vehicle light distribution 10 is static, this lighting is effected only by changing the motor vehicle light distribution 8. Accordingly, the static additional vehicle light distribution 10 is incorporated as such for generating the overall lighting pattern 12.

[0063] Furthermore, in conjunction with the additional vehicle driving operation information 26, it is stipulated that the greater the current speed and acceleration of the additional vehicle 5 and the closer it is to the intersection, the greater the brightness generated by the motor vehicle light distribution 8 or the motor vehicle lighting pattern 9 in the corresponding area. If, for example, the additional vehicle 5 is located directly in front of the intersection and has a high speed and / or acceleration, the additional vehicle 5 is about to turn into the road 31, and thus a correspondingly increased brightness is displayed in the area of the road 31, for example for identifying possible pedestrians etc.

[0064] In the context of step 20, the determination of the overall lighting pattern 12 is also made based on the motor vehicle driving operation information 27. Accordingly, from the current motor vehicle driving operation information 27 - that is, based on the current position, the current steering angle as well as the navigation information and information about the expected driving direction, it can be derived that Figure 2In the situation shown, motor vehicle 1 wants to turn left, i.e., also drive from road 32 into road 31. If it follows from this that motor vehicle 1 wants to continue straight ahead along road 32 through the intersection, the motor vehicle lighting pattern 9 can additionally illuminate the corresponding areas of road 32 next to and behind the additional vehicle 5. If motor vehicle 1 turns right into road 33, the motor vehicle lighting pattern 9 can also additionally illuminate road 33. Thus, the turn signal function and the intersection light function can be realized by means of the motor vehicle light distribution 8.

[0065] Regarding the determination of the overall lighting pattern 12, motor vehicle driving operation information 37 is taken into account, because the corresponding brightness is considered according to position, speed, acceleration, and gearshift lever position, similar to considering the corresponding additional vehicle driving operation information 26 in terms of brightness. Another motor vehicle driving operation information 27 relates to the current ambient brightness in the area of the environment 6, and the brightness of the overall lighting pattern 12 or the motor vehicle lighting pattern 9 depends on this additional motor vehicle driving operation information. For example, it is advantageous, for example, in the area of the environment 6 at night, when there is a lack of road lighting and thus the ambient brightness is low, to increase the brightness of the overall lighting pattern 12 generated by means of the lighting devices 3, 7.

[0066] To determine the overall lighting pattern 12, information regarding the respective intended turns of vehicles 1, 5 into road 31, which exists within the framework of the driving operation information 26, 27, is also taken into account. Thus, the overall lighting pattern 12 provides that two direction arrows 44 are projected onto the lane by means of the motor vehicle lighting pattern 9, which direction arrows indicate the intended driving directions of the respective vehicles 1, 5. Thus, the overall lighting pattern 12 realizes the so-called turn signal function.

[0067] The overall lighting pattern 12 is also determined in such a way that the motor vehicle lighting pattern 9 and the additional vehicle lighting pattern 11 are independent / non-overlapping except for the direction arrows 44. This avoids double lighting areas in the area of the environment 6, in particular saving energy and reducing glare for the occupants. The control device 2 generates the overall lighting pattern 12 such that the additional vehicle light distribution 10 is determined based on the lighting information 24. On this basis, in particular by performing a coordinate transformation from the coordinates fixed to the additional vehicle to the position-fixed coordinates, the additional vehicle lighting pattern 11 generated by means of the additional vehicle light distribution 10 is determined on the part of the control device 2, which additional vehicle lighting pattern forms part of the overall lighting pattern 12. In combination with the coordinate transformation, the driving operation information 26, 27 regarding the positions of vehicles 1, 5 is used.

[0068] In the next step of method 21, a control signal 34 is generated by means of the control device 2, and this control signal is transmitted to the motor vehicle lighting device 3, so that a corresponding motor vehicle lighting pattern 9 is generated according to the overall lighting pattern 12. In this case, the driving operation information 26, 27 is continuously updated, and accordingly the overall lighting pattern 12 is continuously updated, and a corresponding control signal 34 is generated. In connection with the generation of the control signal 34, a coordinate transformation is carried out on the control device 2 side from the position-fixed coordinates (by means of which the lighting patterns 9, 12 are described) to the coordinates fixed to the motor vehicle (by means of which the motor vehicle light distribution 8 is described) according to the determined overall lighting pattern 12 or the part of the determined overall lighting pattern 12 that represents the motor vehicle lighting pattern 9.

[0069] In the framework of the next step 22, it is checked whether the termination condition is met. This is done periodically, for example once every 0.1 seconds. The termination condition is met when the updated relative position information indicates that the vehicles 1, 5 are no longer in the same environment 6. In this case, the method terminates in step 16. If the termination condition is not met, the method continues in step 20 to re-determine the overall lighting pattern 12 taking into account the correspondingly updated information 24, 26, 27. Steps 20, 21, 22 are carried out in parallel with each other.

[0070] The following is based on Figure 4 to explain a second embodiment of the method according to the invention. For this embodiment, reference is made to Figure 1 the aspects of the motor vehicle 1 explained and reference is made to Figure 3 the method steps explained are equally applicable, unless they are specifically different as described below. Here, in particular, it can be envisaged that the features provided within the framework of the first embodiment of the method according to the invention can also be provided in the second embodiment of the method according to the invention, as long as this is reasonable and feasible, and vice versa.

[0071] Figure 4 shows a traffic situation in which the method according to the invention is carried out according to the second embodiment, where reference is again made in the following description to Figure 3 the flowchart. In Figure 4 the situation shown, the environment 6 is a three-lane road, where the motor vehicle 1 is driving in the right lane and the additional vehicle 5 is driving in the left lane in the same driving direction.

[0072] In the first step 13 of the method, a communication connection 23 is formed between the vehicles 1, 5. In the framework of the second step 14, the information 24 to 27 is detected, and if this information is available on the additional vehicle 5 side, it is transmitted to the control device 2 of the motor vehicle 1 via the communication connection 23.

[0073] Here, the lighting information 24 is related to the reference Figure 2The embodiments explained are different. Thus, in the two vehicles 1, 5 it is provided that the light distributions 8, 10 which can be activated by means of the lighting devices 3, 7 can only be generated when they have been activated beforehand. The lighting information 24 relates to or describes the following information, which light distributions 10 which can be activated are activated in the additional vehicle 5 and which additional vehicle light distributions 10 are currently generated by means of the additional vehicle lighting device 7.

[0074] To clarify this in more detail, reference is made to Figure 5 , which symbolically shows the lighting information 24. Thus, various activatable light functions 35 can be achieved by means of the activatable light distributions 8, 10. The light functions 35 include a dipped beam function 36 and a main beam function 37, which are activated independently of the respective additional bookings. A turn signal function 38, an intersection light function 39, a lane light function 40, a lane change function 41, a direction light function 42 and a gamification function 43 are provided as activatable light functions. In Figure 4 , the activatable functions 35 in the additional vehicle 5 are represented by solid-line boxes, while the non-activated light functions 35 are represented by dashed-line boxes. The light functions that are always activated, namely the dipped beam function 36 and the main beam function 37, are represented by boxes with a shaded area. It can be seen that the lane light function 40 and the lane change function 41 are not activated in the additional vehicle 5. This lighting information 24 (such as the information that the dipped beam function 36 is currently being implemented by means of the additional vehicle lighting device 7) is transmitted via the communication connection 23 to the motor vehicle 1, in which all the light functions 35 are activated.

[0075] Regarding the additional vehicle information 25, in the present embodiment it is provided that this additional vehicle information relates to or describes the additional vehicle technology provided or set by the additional vehicle 5 for operating the additional vehicle lighting device 7. The additional vehicle information 25 shows in the present example that the additional vehicle lighting device 7 is a light-emitting diode matrix headlight or includes such a headlight, and Figure 5 the specific light functions 35 shown in can in principle be implemented by means of the additional vehicle 5. When the method is further executed, the current additional vehicle information 25 causes the check of the generation conditions carried out within the framework of step 17 to be satisfied, since the additional vehicle technology provided in connection with the additional vehicle lighting device 7 has a predefined and minimum standard required for further execution of the method.

[0076] Regarding the driving operation information 26, 27, the viewpoints explained with reference to the first embodiment of the method according to the invention also apply, with reference to the corresponding description paragraphs. Specifically with regard to Figure 4 the situation shown, any one of the additional vehicle driving operation information 26 relates to or describes that the additional vehicle 5 is about to change from the left lane to the middle lane. This information is detected by means of the flashing indicator provided in the additional vehicle 5.

[0077] In connection with according to Figure 2 andFigure 3 The explanation for checking the satisfaction of the start condition within the framework of step 15 also applies to the method explained according to Figure 3 and Figure 4 the explanation.

[0078] In addition to the following explanatory content, the key points of the explanation regarding the generation of the request signal 28 and the release signal 30 in the framework of steps 18 and 19 apply analogously here. Thus, in step 18, the text "The lane light function and the lane change function can be temporarily activated upon request. Do you want to send a request to other road users?" is sent to the occupants of the additional vehicle 5 via the input- and output devices of the additional vehicle 5. Then, the occupants of the additional vehicle 5 can generate the request signal 28 by clicking the request button, and this request signal is transmitted via the communication connection 23 to the motor vehicle 1. If this has been done, a request message is sent to the occupants of the motor vehicle 1 via the occupant interface 29 regarding whether this occupant also wishes to generate the overall lighting pattern 12 or, in other words, agrees to transfer the corresponding function to the additional vehicle 5. For example, this can be achieved by outputting the text "Other road users have requested the activation of the lane light function and the lane change function for shared lighting. Do you approve the release?" Then, the occupants of the motor vehicle 1 can generate the release signal 30 by clicking the confirmation button. In the framework of the next step 19, the release condition is checked, and when there is a release signal 30, the release condition is satisfied.

[0079] During step 20, the overall lighting pattern 12 is determined as follows: In this step, the lane light function 40 and the lane change light function 41 that are activated in the motor vehicle 1 and not activated in the additional vehicle 5 are implemented. From Figure 4 it can be seen that the overall lighting pattern 12 consists of the additional vehicle lighting pattern 11 that implements the lane light function 40 and the motor vehicle lighting pattern 9 that also implements the lane light function 40. Specifically, the overall lighting pattern 12 is determined such that the right lane and part of the middle lane of the road are illuminated by the motor vehicle lighting pattern 9, and the left lane of the road is illuminated by the additional vehicle lighting pattern 11. Thereby, the lane light function 40 is implemented for both vehicles 1 and 5. The motor vehicle lighting pattern 9 also stipulates that a direction arrow 4 that projects onto the left lane and indicates the upcoming lane change direction of the additional vehicle 5 is generated. Thereby, the lane change light function 41 of the additional vehicle 5 is implemented.

[0080] The generation of the corresponding control signal 34 is carried out by the control device 2 of the motor vehicle 1, and the control signal 34 related to the additional vehicle lighting device 7 is transmitted to the additional vehicle 5 via the communication connection 23. In principle, it is also conceivable to transmit information about the overall lighting pattern 12 and / or the additional vehicle lighting pattern 11 determined by the control device 2 of the motor vehicle 1 to the control device of the additional vehicle 5 corresponding to the control device 2 and not shown in detail in the drawings via the communication connection 23 provided as a two-way connection, wherein the control signal 34 provided for the additional vehicle lighting device 7 is generated by the control device of the additional vehicle 5.

[0081] Reference Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, it is provided for the additional vehicle 5 that this additional vehicle is also designed as a motor vehicle according to the invention according to an embodiment, wherein, in traffic situations other than the illustrated traffic situation, the temporary activation of the light function 35, i.e., the light functions 42, 43 activated by the additional vehicle 5, can be carried out on other vehicles.

[0082] Another embodiment of the method according to the invention is explained supplementarily below, and no drawings are shown for this embodiment. In this embodiment, the vehicles 1, 5 explained with reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4 are provided, which are placed side by side in the respective cases and each face a surface, for example a house wall. Similar to the embodiment explained with reference to Figure 3 and 4 the lighting information 24 related to the activated light function 35 is transmitted. It is assumed here that the gamification function 43 is activated in the motor vehicle 1 and not activated in the additional vehicle 5. After all steps 13 to 19 have been completed, and in particular after all inspection conditions have been met in this case, with regard to the gamification function 43, it is provided that the overall lighting pattern 12 is generated by means of the lighting devices 3, 7, and this overall lighting pattern is projected onto the surface. The overall lighting pattern 12 implements the game interface of a video game, which can be controlled by the mobile terminals (such as smartphones) of the occupants of the vehicles 1, 5. In this case, the lighting devices 3, 7 approximately serve as projectors for the respective video games.

[0083] In addition to video games, movies etc. can also be played.

Claims

1. A method for illuminating an environment (6) in which at least one motor vehicle (1) is located, the at least one motor vehicle comprising at least one motor vehicle lighting device (3), in, A motor vehicle light distribution (8) which can be varied based on a brightness dependent on a beam angle can be generated by means of a motor vehicle lighting device (3), wherein at least one additional vehicle (5) located in an environment (6) can generate an additional vehicle light distribution (10) by means of at least one additional vehicle lighting device (7), wherein at least one lighting information (24) is transmitted from the additional vehicle (5) to the motor vehicle (1) via a communication connection (23) formed between the motor vehicle (1) and the additional vehicle (5), the at least one lighting information relating to an additional vehicle light distribution (10) currently and / or to be generated and / or to be generated, wherein an overall lighting pattern (12) in the environment (6) is determined based on the lighting information (24) and the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and / or the additional vehicle light distribution (10) is varied such that the motor vehicle lighting pattern (9) generated by means of the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and the additional vehicle lighting pattern (11) generated by means of the additional vehicle light distribution (10) form an overall lighting pattern (12), wherein - in the motor vehicle (1) and the additional vehicle (5), it is provided that at least one activatable light pattern (8, 10) can be generated in each case only when activation is completed, wherein the lighting information (24) relates to at least one additional vehicle light pattern (10) activated and / or inactivated on the part of the additional vehicle (5), wherein the overall lighting pattern (12) corresponds to the additional vehicle light pattern (10) activated on the part of the motor vehicle (1) and inactivated on the part of the additional vehicle (5), and / or - detecting at least one additional vehicle information (25), the at least one additional vehicle information relating to the manufacturer of the additional vehicle (5) or to additional vehicle technology provided in the additional vehicle (5) for the operation of the additional vehicle lighting device (7), wherein a generation condition is met when the additional vehicle information (25) indicates that the manufacturer of the additional vehicle (5) is included in a predetermined manufacturer list and / or the additional vehicle technology has a predetermined minimum standard, and only when the generation condition is met is the overall lighting pattern (12) determined and the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and / or the additional vehicle light distribution (10) changed, and / or - When there is a release signal (30) generated by an occupant of the motor vehicle (1) by means of at least one occupant interface (29) of the motor vehicle, a release condition is met, and only when this release condition is met, the overall lighting pattern (12) is determined and the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and / or the additional vehicle light distribution (10) is changed.

2. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The lighting information (24) relates to the beam angle-dependent brightness of the additional vehicle light pattern (10) and / or the extension and / or brightness distribution of the additional vehicle lighting pattern (11).

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that the additional vehicle light distribution (10) is static with respect to the brightness as a function of the beam angle, wherein only the motor vehicle light distribution (8) is changed to produce the overall lighting pattern (12), or The additional vehicle light distribution (10) is variable with respect to a brightness dependent on the beam angle, wherein the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and the additional vehicle light distribution (10) are varied to produce an overall lighting pattern (12).

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the overall lighting pattern ( 12 ) is determined and the motor vehicle light distribution ( 8 ) and / or the additional vehicle light distribution ( 10 ) is changed only when a release condition is met, It is characterized in that A request message is sent to an occupant of the motor vehicle (1) via the or at least another occupant interface (29) automatically or in response to a request signal (28) generated by an occupant of an additional vehicle (5), and a release signal (30) can be generated when the occupant of the motor vehicle (1) sends the request message.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that At least one light function (35) can be realized by means of the light distribution (8, 10), in particular by means of an activatable light distribution (8, 10), wherein the light function (35) is a low beam function (36) and / or a high beam function (37) and / or a turn signal function (38) and / or a crossing light function (39) and / or a lane light function (40) and / or a lane change light function (41) and / or a direction light function (42) and / or a gamification function (43).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that At least one additional vehicle driving operation information (26) is detected, the at least one additional vehicle driving operation information relating to the position or speed or acceleration or expected driving direction of the additional vehicle (5), wherein the overall lighting pattern (12) is determined and the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and / or the additional vehicle light distribution (10) are changed based on the additional vehicle driving operation information (26).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that At least one piece of motor vehicle driving information (27) is detected on the motor vehicle (1), the at least one piece of motor vehicle driving information relating to position or speed or acceleration or steering angle or navigation information or gear lever position or intended driving direction or ambient brightness, wherein an overall lighting pattern (12) is determined and a motor vehicle light distribution (8) and / or an additional vehicle light distribution (10) is changed based on the motor vehicle driving information (27).

8. The method according to claims 6 and 7, It is characterized in that When the determined or detected relative position information about the relative position between the additional vehicle (5) and the motor vehicle (1) indicates that an overall lighting pattern (12) can be generated, a start condition is met, and only when the start condition is met, the overall lighting pattern (12) is determined and the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and / or the additional vehicle light distribution (10) is changed.

9. A method for illuminating an environment (6), in particular according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which at least one motor vehicle (1) is located, the at least one motor vehicle comprising at least one motor vehicle lighting device (3), in, A motor vehicle light distribution (8) can be generated by means of a motor vehicle lighting device (3) which can be changed in brightness based on a beam angle, wherein the additional vehicle light distribution (10) can be generated by means of at least one additional vehicle lighting device (7) of at least one additional vehicle (5) located in an environment (6), wherein at least one lighting information (24) is transmitted from the additional vehicle (5) to the motor vehicle (1) via a communication connection (23) formed between the motor vehicle (1) and the additional vehicle (5), the at least one lighting information relating to an additional vehicle light distribution (10) currently and / or to be generated and / or to be generated, wherein an overall lighting pattern (12) in the environment (6) is determined based on the lighting information (24) and the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and / or the additional vehicle light distribution (10) is changed so that the motor vehicle lighting pattern (9) generated by means of the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and the additional vehicle lighting pattern (11) generated by means of the additional vehicle light distribution (10) form an overall lighting pattern (12), wherein at least one additional vehicle driving operation information (26) is detected, the at least one additional vehicle driving operation information The invention relates to the position or speed or acceleration or expected driving direction of an additional vehicle (5), wherein an overall lighting pattern (12) is determined and a motor vehicle light distribution (8) and / or an additional vehicle light distribution (10) is changed based on the additional vehicle driving operation information (26), wherein at least one motor vehicle driving operation information (27) is detected on the motor vehicle (1), the at least one motor vehicle driving operation information relating to the position or speed or acceleration or steering angle or navigation information or gear lever position or expected driving direction or ambient brightness, wherein an overall lighting pattern (12) is determined and a motor vehicle light distribution (8) and / or an additional vehicle light distribution (10) is changed based on the motor vehicle driving operation information (27), wherein a start condition is met when the determined or detected relative position information about the relative position between the additional vehicle (5) and the motor vehicle (1) indicates that an overall lighting pattern (12) can be generated, and only when the start condition is met is the overall lighting pattern (12) determined and a motor vehicle light distribution (8) and / or an additional vehicle light distribution (10) changed.

10. A motor vehicle, wherein include: at least one motor vehicle lighting device (3), by means of which a motor vehicle light distribution (8) can be generated which can be varied based on a brightness dependent on a beam angle; Communication device (4) by means of which a communication connection (23) can be formed between a motor vehicle (1) and at least one additional vehicle (5) having at least one additional vehicle lighting device (7), and by means of which at least one lighting information (24) can be transmitted from the additional vehicle (5) to the motor vehicle (1), the at least one lighting information relating to an additional vehicle light distribution (10) that is currently and / or in the future generated and / or can be generated by means of the additional vehicle lighting device (7); and a control device (2) that is configured to determine an overall lighting pattern (12) in the environment (6) in which the motor vehicle (1) and the additional vehicle (5) are located on the basis of the lighting information (24), and to generate a control signal (34) that can be transmitted to the motor vehicle lighting device (3), by means of which the motor vehicle light distribution (8) is changed such that the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and the additional vehicle light distribution (10) form the overall lighting pattern (12), wherein - it is stipulated in the motor vehicle (1) and the additional vehicle (5) that at least one activatable light distribution (8, 10) can only be generated respectively when activation is completed, wherein the lighting information (24) relates to at least one additional vehicle light distribution (10) that is activated and / or not activated on the part of the additional vehicle (5), and wherein the control device (2) is configured to make the overall lighting pattern (12) correspond to the additional vehicle light distribution (10) that is activated on the part of the motor vehicle (1) and not activated on the part of the additional vehicle (5), and / or - the control device (2) is configured to determine the overall lighting pattern (12) and to change the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and / or the additional vehicle light distribution (10) only when a generation condition is met, and the generation condition is met when the detected additional vehicle information (25) indicates that the manufacturer of the additional vehicle (5) is included in a predetermined manufacturer list and / or the additional vehicle technology has a predetermined minimum standard, the additional vehicle information relating to the manufacturer of the additional vehicle (5) or to the additional vehicle technology provided for the operation of the additional vehicle lighting device (7) on the part of the additional vehicle (5), and / or - the control device (2) is configured to determine the overall lighting pattern (12) and to change the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and / or the additional vehicle light distribution (10) only when a release condition is met, and the release condition is met when there is a release signal (30) generated by means of at least one occupant interface (29) of the motor vehicle on the part of an occupant of the motor vehicle (1), and / or - The control device (2) is configured to determine the overall lighting pattern (12) and change the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and / or the additional vehicle light distribution (10) based on detected additional vehicle driving operation information (26) and based on detected motor vehicle driving operation information (27), wherein the additional vehicle driving operation information relates to the position or speed or acceleration or expected driving direction of the additional vehicle (5), and the motor vehicle driving operation information relates to the position or speed or acceleration or steering angle or navigation information or gear lever position or expected driving direction or ambient brightness, wherein the control device (2) is also configured to determine the overall lighting pattern (12) and change the motor vehicle light distribution (8) and / or the additional vehicle light distribution (10) only when a start condition is met, and the start condition is met when the determined or detected relative position information about the relative position between the additional vehicle (5) and the motor vehicle (1) indicates that the overall lighting pattern (12) can be generated.

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