Headlight device for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle and method for operating a headlight device

Abstract

The invention relates to a headlight device (5) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a headlight (2, 3) having a first light module (6) and a second light module (7) for outputting a light image in an illumination region divided into illumination elements, the light modules (6, 7) are each designed to project different partial images (26, 27) of the light image and each have at least one light source device (12, 13) and a control unit (9, 10) which is designed to actuate the respective light source device (12, 13) to switch the image to the respective current partial image (26, 27) after the partial images (26, 27) are completely received, the control unit (9) of the first light module (6) has a first interface (14) for receiving a complete image data set (24) comprising two partial images (26, 27) from a control unit (4) of the motor vehicle (1), and the control unit (9) of the first light module (6) is connected to a receiving interface (16) of the control unit (10) of the second light module (7) via a second interface (15) and a link (11), the control unit (9) of the first light module (6) has a segmentation device (19) for segmenting out partial images (26, 27) in such a way that the partial image (26) for the second light module (7) is forwarded to the control unit (10) of the second light module (7) via the second interface (15) and the link (11) and the partial image (27) for the first light module (6) is prepared in the first light module (6) for output, the headlight device (5) has a synchronizing device (40), which is arranged only in one of the control units (9, 10), for synchronizing the outputs of the light modules (6, 7) for the respective partial images (26, 27).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a headlight device for a motor vehicle, having a headlight with a first light module and a second light module for outputting a light image in a lighting area divided up into lighting elements, wherein the light modules are each designed to project a different partial image of the light image and each have at least one light source device and a control unit, wherein the control units are designed to switch the image to the respective current partial image after complete reception of the partial image. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle and a method for operating a headlight device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In order to improve the lighting function of a motor vehicle, various possibilities have been proposed in the prior art, in particular for achieving different light distributions by means of a single headlight. In this context, in known concepts, a lighting area can be divided up into a plurality of lighting elements, which can be illuminated in a manner that can be controlled independently of one another. For this purpose, not only special light-emitting components, such as LED matrices, but also special optical devices, such as micro-mirror matrices, can be used. For example, for a headlight, the concept of a digital matrix lamp is known. In the prior art, it has also been proposed to control the illumination intensity of different lighting elements.

[0003] In this context, the light distribution that is produced by means of the individual lighting elements being controlled in different ways can also be understood as a light image, wherein the lighting elements represent so-called image elements / image units of the light image. Analogously to this concept, for example in the case of the use of LED matrices as light-emitting components and / or micro-mirror arrays, individual LEDs or micro-mirrors are also generally understood as "pixels".

[0004] For light modules of this type, which are capable of producing light images of this type, it is known to provide the intended light distribution actually as a light image for the control. This means that a respective light image data set, in particular, for example, a video frame, i.e. a continuous light image stream, contains control parameters for each lighting element, for example a current intensity and / or a PWM value for each individual LED and / or a color channel of the respective LED. The processing of the light image, i.e. the image data set, in this way allows the use of the prior art, formats and standards known from video transmission also in a headlight of a motor vehicle. It has been proposed, for example, that in a motor vehicle control, for example a headlight control, which generates a video or an image, a light image data set for a light module of a headlight is generated and transmitted to a control unit of the light module, for example by means of a fast multimedia transmission protocol. In order to avoid an update line by line, but rather an update of the light image by picture, control units of this type are often designed to buffer the light image data and to carry out an image switch only when a new light image data set is completely available.

[0005] In order to improve flexibility, lighting performance and practicability for the driver of a motor vehicle, it has been proposed to equip each headlight with a plurality, for example two, high-resolution light modules. These light modules can illuminate sub-areas of the headlight lighting area, possibly at least partially overlapping. It has been proposed here to provide separate video transmission lines from the controller to the control units of the respective light modules of the headlight. Since each of the light modules illuminates a sub-area of the lighting area, the light image is divided into partial images, the respective partial image data sets (which contain the steering information for the respective covered lighting area) are determined and sent to the respective light module. At this point, however, the video transmission lines from the controller to the control units of the light modules require more complex and possibly expensive wiring. Furthermore, especially in the case of different numbers of light-emitting elements covered by the light modules, synchronization problems can occur, since the two partial images of the light image cannot be output completely simultaneously. It should be noted in this regard that the control units of the light modules are mostly designed as simply as possible and mainly receive and buffer the light image data sets (in the case of a plurality of light modules, the partial image data sets) in order to be able to carry out an image change immediately upon receipt of the respective complete light image data set or partial image data set. For example, the control units can be simple, in particular dedicated, chips, for example ASICs. However, these control units are generally not intended to be overly complex.

[0006] EP 3 741 617 A1 relates to a design of a vehicle light, in which a first light source image of a first light source and a second light source image of a second light source are contained in a light distribution pattern, the first light source and the second light source having a projection system assigned. The light sources can be, for example, LED matrices. The two light sources are jointly steered by a light control circuit.

[0007] DE 10 2018 130 512 A1 relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle, which has a first light module and a second light module, which each comprise a light source and an optical unit. A common steering unit steers the first light module and the second light module. Depending on the design of the steering signals output by the steering unit, the light source elements of the light source can be operated with maximum power in the on state or with reduced power, or can be operated with minimum power in the off state.

[0008] DE 10 2015 012 808 A1 discloses a method for operating a device having at least one lighting device for a motor vehicle, wherein a detection device detects at least one object information of an object in the motor vehicle's surroundings, and a control device generates at least one control signal from the at least one object information. At least one lighting device of the motor vehicle is controlled in accordance with the at least one control signal, wherein the control signal is transmitted to the lighting device in an encoded form and is decoded at the lighting device.

[0009] US 2019 / 0197934 A1 describes a segmented lighting device for a motor vehicle. A plurality of light modules, which can emit a segmented light beam, are controlled by a common control processor having a unique video output interface. Here, it is also possible to project different contours by each light module. This reduces the number of connections required between the control unit and the plurality of light modules, thereby reducing the complexity of the system and its manufacturing costs.

[0010] EP 3 106 346 B1 relates to an automatic actuator for adjusting the light distribution of a lighting device of a motor vehicle for changing the light distribution. The actuator comprises a drive device for moving a provided light-changing component and a control unit for the drive device, which is designed to adjust the light distribution of the lighting device depending on the driving state. SUMMARY

[0011] It is an object of the present application to enable an improved, as far as possible time-synchronous, light image output by simple means in the case of the use of a plurality of light modules.

[0012] To achieve this object, in a headlight device of the type mentioned at the outset, according to the application it is provided that:

[0013] the control unit of the first light module has a first interface for receiving a complete image data set comprising two partial images from a controller of the motor vehicle,

[0014] the control unit of the first light module is connected via a second interface and a link to a receiving interface of the control unit of the second light module,

[0015] the control unit of the first light module has a splitting device for splitting out the partial images, such that the partial image for the second light module is forwarded to the control unit of the second light module via the second interface and the link, and the partial image for the first light module is prepared in the first light module for output,

[0016] wherein the headlight device has synchronization means in only one of the control units for synchronizing the output of the respective partial images by the light modules.

[0017] In particular, it can be provided in particular:

[0018] - the control unit in which the image switch is first ready after receipt of its current partial image has a synchronization means for delaying the image switch for synchronizing the output of the partial images by the light modules, or

[0019] - if the control unit of the second light module is first ready for the image switch without delay forwarding of the partial image for the second light module, the control unit of the first light module has a synchronization means for delaying the forwarding for synchronizing the output of the partial images by the light modules.

[0020] It should be noted here that the control unit which is first ready for the image switch after receipt of its current partial image is a feature of the headlight arrangement, i.e. in particular depends on the specific design and possibly also on the selection of the first light module of the two light modules. As will be explained in more detail, it is preferred here in principle that the control unit of the first light module is the control unit which is first ready for the image switch, because in this way only the modifications proposed here have to be carried out in the control unit of the first light module; then advantageously no changes to the control unit of the second light module are necessary.

[0021] According to the application, therefore, firstly a modified architecture of a headlight arrangement is proposed in such a way that the complete image data set transmitted by the controller is split in the first light module, which forwards the relevant content, i.e. the partial image data set describing the partial image for the second light module, to the second light module via the link between the first light module and the second light module. For this purpose a splitting device is provided, which can be provided for example as a circuit part in the control unit of the first light module. Since the control unit can be designed for example as a chip, e.g. an ASIC, as is generally known in the prior art, the splitting device can for example comprise a part of the circuit of such a chip, wherein for example a parameter configuration specifically for the headlight or motor vehicle can be carried out by means of at least one splitting parameter stored in a register of the control unit of the first light module. The controller is generally a controller for generating and / or processing video and / or images, in particular a headlight controller.

[0022] Since the light modules form part of a common headlight, i.e. in particular it can be provided that the first light module and the second light module form a light-emitting piece designed as a left or right headlight, the link between the control unit of the first light module and the control unit of the second light module can be kept simple, in particular since only a short distance has to be bridged. It is also provided that the link has a smaller data transmission bandwidth than the transmission connection between the controller and the first interface. In this regard, the first light module, in particular the control unit of the first light module, can have a buffer memory for compensating for the slower transmission speed of the link compared to the transmission connection. For example, the data transmission rate of the transmission connection can be 10 to 20 megabytes per second, while the data transmission rate of the link can be 0.1 to 10 megabytes per second. For example, the data transmission bandwidth of the transmission connection can be 2 to 10 times the data transmission bandwidth of the link.

[0023] It can be provided, in particular, that the second interface and the receiving interface are UART interfaces and / or LVDS interfaces, and / or the transmission connection is a GMSL connection (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link). According to the GMSL protocol, one or more color channels can be directed to the light modules via RGB. The overall connection between the control units can be a VUART connection. The implementation of an LVDS path (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) is particularly simple and provides a sufficiently high data transmission bandwidth. A GMSL connection is particularly suitable for the transmission connection. GMSL is a gigabit point-to-point connection for the automotive sector. As a cable for the transmission connection, for example, a coaxial cable and / or a shielded twisted pair cable can be used. Thus, a serial transmission can be provided not only for the transmission connection but also for the link.

[0024] In general, depending on the size of the partial image data sets containing the partial images and the data transmission bandwidth, the control unit of one of the light modules can be ready to switch to a new current partial image earlier than the control unit of the other light module. In order to project both partial images on the ground, for example the road, in front of the motor vehicle synchronously by the headlight, two basic solutions are conceivable for achieving the at least substantially simultaneous switching by means of a delay.

[0025] In the first variant, the light module which is first ready for the image switch has to wait until at least the corresponding image content has arrived in the other light module, in particular also the image switch is ready. In this context, a special synchronization mechanism is proposed, in which the synchronization means have to be present only in one of the two light modules, namely only in the light module which has to wait. In the other variant, if the control unit of the second light module is first ready for the image switch with the forwarding of the partial image for the second light module without delay, the control unit of the first light module has synchronization means for delaying this forwarding for synchronizing the output of the corresponding partial images by the light modules. In this way, even if the second light module is faster ready, any modification, i.e. the provision of the splitting means and the synchronization means, can be limited to the control unit of the first light module only, in that only the forwarding has to be delayed.

[0026] For example, in both variants, the delay by the synchronization means can be such that the deviation of the image switch is kept less than 5 ms, in particular less than 4 ms. Since the synchronization is performed on one side / one aspect only, which means that no exchange between the control units is necessary, a simple modification of one of the control units is already fully sufficient and advantageously a complexification of the control units can be avoided. Overall, by the present application a simplified architecture can be provided which allows a simple synchronization which provides a comfortable experience while outputting the light image for the observer.

[0027] In a less preferred specific embodiment it can be provided that the control unit of the second light module is first ready for the image switch, wherein the synchronization means are delay means with a preset delay time which at least substantially corresponds to the remaining duration until the control unit of the first light module is ready for the image switch. Thus, in this case the delay means are implemented in the control unit of the second light module so that both control units can be simply modified. Here, the delay time can in particular correspond to a determined time difference between the respective image switch readiness, for example empirically. In the case of the use of the second light module and thus of the control unit of the second light module, this delay time can also be parameterized in different configurations, in particular by means of a synchronization parameter which can be stored in a register of the control unit of the second light module.

[0028] In a relatively preferred design, the second variant is used in this case. It can then be provided that the synchronization means for delaying the forwarding are delay means with a preset delay time such that the image switches of both control units are at least substantially ready at the same time. As before, the modification can then preferably be limited to the control unit of the first light module, even if the delay occurs here.

[0029] But within the scope of the application it is particularly preferred that the control unit of the first light module is first prepared for the image switch, which is always possible by correspondingly selecting the first light module in the light module. It is then particularly advantageous that only the control unit of the first light module has to be modified in such a way that the control unit is supplemented with a dividing device, if necessary with an associated buffer memory, and a synchronization device. In order to implement the synchronization device of the control unit of the first light module in particular, two different solutions are conceivable here.

[0030] It can be provided in one aspect that the synchronization device is a delay device which has a preset delay time which at least substantially corresponds to the duration of time remaining until the control unit of the second light module is ready for the image switch. Here, the delay time can correspond, for example, to the (remaining) transmission time for the partial image or partial image data set of the second light module. In this way, it is ensured that all relevant image content has reached the second light module before the image switch is carried out in the first light module. But in a particularly expedient refinement, the delay time can also take into account the processing time of the control unit of the second light module until it is ready for the image switch, in order to achieve a more precise synchronization.

[0031] In one preferred alternative to the design of the synchronization device of the control unit of the first light module, the synchronization device can comprise a trigger unit which monitors in the first light module: "the transmission of the partial image of the second light module to the second light module has ended" as a trigger event. It is conceivable in principle here that the trigger event directly triggers the image switch. But it is preferred that the synchronization device comprises, in addition to the trigger unit, a delay device for the image switch which can be activated by the trigger event, the preset delay time of which corresponds to the processing time of the control unit of the second light module until it is ready for the image switch. Thus, in the case of the use of the trigger unit, the information present in the control unit of the first light module is used, namely the moment at which the forwarding of the partial image of the second light module ends, so that time fluctuations which can occur at this time can be taken into account. If the processing time of the control unit of the second light module is additionally taken into account, a high-precision synchronization can still be achieved by the synchronization device only on one of the control units.

[0032] Suitably, the first light module can be assigned a greater number of illumination regions than the second light module, in particular the resolution of the first light module can be higher than the resolution of the second light module. In this way, the partial image data sets for the partial images of the second light module are smaller than the partial image data sets for the partial images of the first light module, in particular the number of illumination elements involved in the first partial images can be at least twice, for example at least three times, the number of illumination elements involved in the second partial images. In this way, in particular, it is taken into account that the data transmission bandwidth of the link can be smaller than the transmission connection of the controller, since the amount of data to be forwarded can be kept to a minimum. In this regard, in particular in the case of a control unit of the first light module also having synchronization means, the second light module can be understood as being in the form of a slave module, which can be designed significantly more simply than the first light module.

[0033] The headlight arrangement can also comprise a controller, which is set up to transmit the partial images for the second light module first in each complete image data set. In this way, the forwarding can be started immediately in the first light module, in particular in the case of the use of a buffer memory, since in the design of the application the design of the link is as simple as possible, i.e. the amount of data required for the partial images of the second light module is less than the amount of data required for the partial images of the first light module, but the time required for the forwarding of the partial images of the second light module can also be longer than the time for receiving and buffering the partial images of the first light module, i.e. the length of time required for the image change for the partial images of the first light module to be ready. Therefore, the partial images for the second light module are transmitted before the partial images for the first light module, so that the time is optimized and the delay required on the first light module is minimized.

[0034] Similar to storing the synchronization parameters, e.g. a preset delay time, in the registers of the respective control unit, it can generally be provided within the scope of the present application to store at least one segmentation parameter for parameterizing the segmentation device in the registers of the control unit of the first light module. It can specifically be provided, for example, that in the case of transmitting a partial image within a pixel matrix of a predefined size, the segmentation parameter describes at least the column and row of the partial image for the second light module in the pixel matrix. The pixel matrix thus provides a frame in which the partial image can be accommodated. This can be a standardized RGB frame as a pixel matrix, for example. Such an RGB frame generally has a specific overall entry (pixel) size in which a smaller first size partial image for the first light module, for example, can be arranged / ordered. The partial image of the second light module having a second smaller size can also be arranged in a fixed position in the pixel matrix, in particular in front of or above the partial image for the first light module, accordingly. In summary, the segmentation matrix obtains at least the following information as a segmentation parameter, namely the start and end position of the partial image for the second light module in the pixel matrix. In the above-described example, the partial image for the second light module can extend from (0, 0), for example, to a position according to the second size. The empty parts of the pixel matrix not filled by the partial image can be filled with zeros or other values, in particular with values that make it clear to the control unit of the first light module that no partial image content is contained.

[0035] The use of such a standardized pixel matrix not only allows the use of video transmission protocols and other video transmission mechanisms to manipulate the headlight, but also allows natural pauses to be set between the reception of partial images, thus avoiding, for example, that a new, updated partial image is already received in the course of a delay due to synchronization. Furthermore, it is possible to parameterize the control units for different specific light source devices, e.g. LED matrices, in such a way that the respective segmentation parameters are written into the registers of the control unit of the first light module. In this way, simple operation is achieved.

[0036] Suitably, a checksum can be assigned to each partial image in the complete image data set. Each partial image can have its own CRC, for example. In this way, it is achieved that in both control units of the light module, it is checked for the respective partial image whether its transmission was correct. This can be taken into account, for example, when defining the segmentation parameters.

[0037] Generally, the motor vehicle headlight can comprise further light-emitting pieces in addition to the first light module and the second light module. Here, reference is made to the motor vehicle headlight as an example in the present description, but applications in other headlights are also conceivable. In this context, the light modules can be understood as projection devices, since these light modules generate partial images and in turn light images as light patterns from partial image data for individual illumination elements, in particular on the illuminated ground in the illumination area. Furthermore, the partial illumination areas of the first light module and the second light module can also at least partially overlap, for example in the case where one light module is to project additional information onto the light carpet of the other light module.

[0038] It should also be noted at this point that the control unit can also have further and / or expanded interfaces, for example for receiving information about the illumination intensity of the headlight or generally about the headlight operation. Such further interfaces can also be used to power the light sources of the light source device, for example the LEDs in the LED matrix. The logic elements can also be powered via these interfaces.

[0039] The application relates to a motor vehicle in addition to the headlight device, which has at least two headlight devices according to the application, wherein the headlight is designed in particular as a right-hand front headlight and a left-hand front headlight. Thus, each of the two headlamps has a first light module and a second light module. Here, the headlight can use a common controller as a source of the complete image data set. All embodiments relating to the headlight device according to the application can be transferred analogously to the motor vehicle according to the application, so that the advantages already described above can also be achieved by the motor vehicle according to the application.

[0040] Finally, the application also relates to a method for operating a headlight device in a motor vehicle, wherein the headlight device has a headlight, which has a first light module and a second light module for outputting a light image in an illumination area divided into illumination elements, wherein the light modules are each designed to project a different partial image of the light image and each have at least one light source device and a control unit, wherein the control unit is designed to switch the image to the respective current partial image after complete reception of the partial image. The method is distinguished in that

[0041] - the control unit of the first light module receives a complete image data set comprising two partial images from a controller of the motor vehicle by means of a first interface,

[0042] - the control unit of the first light module splits out the partial images by means of a splitting device, wherein

[0043] - the partial image for the second light module is forwarded to a receiving interface of the control unit of the second light module by means of a second interface and a link,

[0044] - the partial images for the first light module are prepared in the first light module for output,

[0045] - wherein the output of the light modules to the respective partial images is synchronized in one of the control units by means of the synchronization means.

[0046] It can be specified in particular that:

[0047] - the image switch in the control unit which is first ready for the image switch after receiving its current partial image is delayed by means of the synchronization means for synchronizing the output of the light modules to the respective partial images, or

[0048] - if the control unit of the second light module is first ready for the image switch in the case of forwarding the partial images for the second light module without delay, the control unit of the first light module delays the forwarding by means of the synchronization means for synchronizing the output of the light modules to the respective partial images.

[0049] All embodiments relating to the headlight arrangement according to the invention and the motor vehicle according to the invention are also similarly applicable to the method according to the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0050] Further advantages and details of the present invention are given from the following described embodiments and by the drawings. Among others:

[0051] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a motor vehicle according to the invention is shown,

[0052] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a headlight arrangement according to the invention is shown,

[0053] Figure 3 The structure of a control unit of a light module of a headlight arrangement is shown schematically,

[0054] Figure 4 The structure of a complete image data set is shown schematically, and

[0055] Figure 5 A diagram explaining the time flow at the operation of a headlight arrangement is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Figure 1A schematic diagram of a motor vehicle 1 according to the application is shown. The motor vehicle 1 has a left headlight 2 and a right headlight 3 (front headlight) which are designed to emit digital matrix light. This means that the illumination area of the headlight is divided into a plurality of illumination elements, the illumination of which can be controlled independently, so that a light image can be said to be generated. The light image, i.e. which illumination element should be illuminated with which brightness (and, if necessary, with which color) is preset by a controller 4 (here a headlight controller). Here, two headlight arrangements are formed in the motor vehicle 1, which each comprise a controller 4 and one of the headlights 2, 3.

[0057] To this end, Figure 2 The structure of such a headlight arrangement 5 is shown more precisely. It can be seen that each headlight 2, 3 has a first light module 6 and a second light module 7, wherein only the first light module 6 is connected directly to the controller 4 via a transmission connection 8. However, the light modules 6, 7, more precisely their control units 9, 10, are connected to one another via a link 11. In the present case, the light source arrangements 12, 13, which are operated by the control units 9, 10, each have an LED matrix (not shown), in which one of the LEDs is assigned to each illumination element covered by the light module 6, 7. Here, the light modules 6, 7 each cover a part of the illumination area, wherein embodiments are also conceivable in which at least one of the light modules 6, 7 covers the entire illumination area. The light modules thus each project a partial image of the entire light image. The complete image data set containing the two partial images for the current light image to be output is first transmitted from the controller 4 to the control unit 9 of the first light module 6 via the transmission connection 8, which control unit forwards the partial image for the second light module 7 to the second light module 7, more precisely to the control unit 10 of the second light module, via the link 11 by means of a splitting device (which will be explained in more detail). The two control units 9, 10 are designed, as is known in the art, to buffer the partial image for the respective light module 6, 7 in a preparation step, so that after the partial image has been prepared for output, the image can be switched to a completely new, currently completely buffered partial image immediately. In other words, the preparation comprises storing the partial image in a buffer memory.

[0058] In the present case, the control units 9, 10 are provided as chips, in particular ASICs. In Figure 3 The functional structure of the control units 9, 10 is shown more precisely in

[0059] The control unit 9 of the first light module 6 accordingly has a first interface 14, which is connected to the transmission connection 8 and via which the complete image data set is received. The transmission connection 8 is in this case a long-range high-speed video transmission connection 8 via which the complete image data set is transmitted serially, for example in GMSL format (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link). The data transmission bandwidth of the transmission connection 8 is in this case significantly higher than the data transmission bandwidth of the (also significantly shorter) link 11 between the second interface 15 of the control unit 9 and the receiving interface 16 of the control unit 10. The link 11 is implemented as an LVDS connection, so that the second interface 15 is designed as an LVDS transmitter and the receiving interface 16 is designed as an LVDS receiver. A VUART is used as the transmission format in this case.

[0060] A deserializer 17 is connected after the first interface 14, which in this case converts the serial GMSL data stream into a video RGB8 data stream, which is forwarded to a splitting device 19 designed as part of a chip 18. The splitting device 19 is parameterized by means of splitting parameters in a register 20 of the chip 18 in such a way that the partial image for the second light module 6 can be forwarded to a transmission device 21 (which in this case comprises a buffer memory) and from there to the control unit 10. In contrast, the partial image for the first light module 6 is fed by means of the splitting device 19 to a preparation device 22 (which also typically comprises a buffer memory) at which the partial image is prepared for output. The chip 23 of the control unit 10 of the second light module 7 has a corresponding preparation device 22. However, in addition to this, the preparation device is not changed compared to the transmission structure of the headlight device 5 shown in Figure 2

[0061] In this case, the first light module 6 has a higher resolution than the second light module 7, which means that the partial image for the first light module 6 relates to a greater number of lighting elements than the partial image for the second light module 7. Furthermore, the partial image for the second light module 7 is transmitted first in the complete image data set.

[0062] In this regard, Figure 4 ​The complete image data set 24 is shown as a possible design of a pixel matrix 25 (RGB frame) having a total entry (pixel) size in this case. For the part that should be transmitted first, the entries are occupied by a partial image 26 for the second light module 7, and for the part that should be transmitted later, the entries are occupied by a partial image 27 for the first light module 6. The remaining area 28 is filled, for example with zeros. For example, the partial image 26 can have a first size that is smaller than the total size, and the partial image 27 has a second size that is smaller than the total size. The first size and the second size are different from one another, wherein the partial image 27 is larger than the partial image 26, which indicates a different number of correspondingly controlled lighting elements. A checksum (CRC) is assigned to each partial image 26, 27.

[0063] Despite the measures taken (first transmission of the partial image 26, which comprises a smaller amount of image data than the partial image 27), a time difference can arise in the case of a ready image change in the control units 9, 10, wherein the control unit 9 is ready for the image change earlier due to the lower data transmission bandwidth of the link 11.

[0064] This is illustrated in more detail by the diagram in Figure 5 . Figure 5 The time flow during operation of the headlight arrangement 5 is shown by different arrows. Here, the arrow 29 shows the time period for receiving the partial image 26. The corresponding arrow 30 indicates the time period for storing the partial image 26 in the buffer memory of the transmission device 21 after the division by the division device 19. Similarly, the arrow 31 illustrates the reception of the image 27 for the first light module 6. The arrow 32 illustrates the caching of the image 27. After a processing time, which is described by the arrow 33, the control unit 9 is ready for the image change at the time 34.

[0065] However, the arrow 35 illustrates the duration for forwarding the partial image 26 to the control unit 10 via the link 11. It can be seen that the transmission ends only at the time 36 after the time 34. Of course, there is also a corresponding processing time (indicated by the arrow 37) for the preparation / caching in the control unit 10, until the image change is ready at the time 38. A time difference 39 (asynchronous) arises as a result.

[0066] For this reason, as shown in Figure 3 , the control unit 9 has a synchronization device 40 for delaying the image change in the first light module 6 until the image change in the second light module 7 is ready at the time 38.

[0067] While in other embodiments a simple delay device with a preset delay time, which is derived as the sum of the partial delay time 41 and the partial delay time 42, can in principle also be envisaged for this purpose, Figure 3 The preferred design variant shows a combination of the trigger unit 43 with a delay device 44. Here, it is assumed that the transmission to the second light module 7 is positively known in the control unit 9 when it is completed (time point 36), so that this time point can be used as the trigger event 45 (cf. again Figure 5 ). The delay device 44 has a delay time 42 (which can again be parameterized by means of the register 20) which corresponds to the processing time (arrow 37).

[0068] It should finally also be mentioned that in a less preferred embodiment it can also be envisaged that the control unit 10 of the second light module 7 is ready for the image switch earlier than the control unit 9 of the first light module 6. The synchronization device 40 can then be provided in the control unit 10, in particular as a delay device.

[0069] However, preferably, for the case in which the control unit 10 of the second light module 7 is ready for the image switch earlier in the case of direct forwarding, the synchronization device 40 is still provided in the control unit 9 of the first light module 6, but in which the synchronization device does not delay the image switch, but rather delays the forwarding of the partial image 26 for the second light module 7 from the buffer memory 21. In a specific embodiment, the synchronization device 50 in this case contains only one delay unit, the preset forwarding delay time of which can be determined empirically and / or by calculation (in particular on the basis of the specific design) in such a way that, by means of the delay of the forwarding, both control units 9, 10 can carry out the image switch at the same time.

Claims

1. A headlight arrangement (5) for a motor vehicle (1), the headlight arrangement having a headlight (2, 3) with a first light module (6) and a second light module (7) for outputting a light image in an illumination region divided up into illumination elements, wherein, The light modules (6, 7) are each designed to project a different partial image (26, 27) of a light image and each have at least one light source device (12, 13) and a control unit (9, 10), wherein the control units (9, 10) are designed to operate the respective light source device (12, 13) to switch the image to the respective current partial image (26, 27) after complete reception of the partial image (26, 27), characterized in that - the control unit (9) of the first light module (6) has a first interface (14) for receiving a complete image data set (24) comprising two partial images (26, 27) from a controller (4) of the motor vehicle (1), - the control unit (9) of the first light module (6) is connected via a second interface (15) and a link (11) to a receiving interface (16) of the control unit (10) of the second light module (7), - the control unit (9) of the first light module (6) has a splitting device (19) for splitting out the partial images (26, 27) such that the partial image (26) for the second light module (7) is forwarded via the second interface (15) and the link (11) to the control unit (10) of the second light module (7) and the partial image (27) for the first light module (6) is prepared in the first light module (6) for output, - wherein the headlight device (5) has a synchronization device (40) provided only in one of the control units (9, 10) for synchronizing the light modules (6, 7) for outputting the respective partial image (26, 27).

2. The headlamp arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that The data transmission bandwidth of the link (11) is smaller than the data transmission bandwidth of the transmission connection (8) between the controller (4) and the first interface (14).

3. The headlight device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - only the control unit of the control units (9, 10) which first prepares the image switch after receiving its current partial image (26, 27) has a synchronization device (40) for delaying the image switch for synchronizing the light modules (6, 7) for outputting the respective partial image (26, 27), or - if the control unit (10) of the second light module (7) first prepares the image switch in the case of forwarding the partial image (26) for the second light module (7) without delay, the control unit (9) of the first light module (6) has a synchronization device (40) for delaying the forwarding for synchronizing the light modules (6, 7) for outputting the respective partial image (26, 27).

4. The headlamp arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that If the control unit (10) of the second light module (7) first prepares the image switch, the synchronization device (40) is a delay device which has a preset delay time which at least substantially corresponds to the duration remaining until the control unit (9) of the first light module (6) is ready for the image switch. If the control unit (10) of the second light module (7) first prepares the image switch, the synchronization device (40) is a delay device which has a preset delay time which at least substantially corresponds to the duration remaining until the control unit (9) of the first light module (6) is ready for the image switch.

5. The headlamp arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that The synchronization means (40) for delaying the image switching are a delay device having a preset delay time such that the image switching of both control units (9, 10) is ready at least substantially simultaneously.

6. The headlamp arrangement of claim 3, wherein If the control unit (9) of the first light module (6) is first ready for the image switching, - the synchronization means (40) of the control unit (9) of the first light module (6) are a delay device having a preset delay time which at least substantially corresponds to the remaining duration until the control unit (10) of the second light module (7) is ready for the image switching, or - the synchronization means (40) of the control unit (9) of the first light module (6) comprise a trigger unit (43) which monitors in the first light module (6) the end of the transmission of the partial image (26) of the second light module (7) to the second light module (7) as a trigger event (45).

7. The headlamp arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that The synchronization means (40) comprise, in addition to the trigger unit (43), a delay device (44) for the image switching which can be activated by the trigger event (45), the preset delay time (42) of the delay device corresponding to the processing time of the control unit (10) of the second light module (7) until the readiness for the image switching is reached.

8. The headlamp arrangement according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that The first light module (6) is assigned a greater number of illumination regions than the second light module (7), in particular the resolution of the first light module (6) is higher than that of the second light module (7).

9. The headlamp arrangement according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that The headlight device further comprises a controller (4) which is set up to transmit the partial image (27) for the second light module (7) first in each complete image data group (24).

10. The headlamp arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least one segmentation parameter for parameterizing the segmentation device (19) is stored in a register (20) of the control unit (9) of the first light module (6).

11. The headlamp arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that The at least one segmentation parameter describes at least the columns and rows of the partial image (26) of the second light module (7) in the pixel matrix (25) when the partial image (26, 27) is transmitted within a pixel matrix (25) of a predetermined size.

12. The headlamp arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Each partial image (26, 27) in the complete image data group (24) is assigned its own checksum.

13. The headlamp arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first light module (6) and the second light module (7) form a headlight (2, 3) which is designed as a left headlight (2) or a right headlight (3).

14. A motor vehicle (1) having at least two headlight devices (5) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular the headlamps of the headlight devices being designed as a right headlight (2) and a left headlight (3).

14. A motor vehicle (1) having at least two headlight devices (5) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular the headlamps of the headlight devices being designed as a right headlight (2) and a left headlight (3).

15. A method for operating a headlight arrangement (5) in a motor vehicle (1), wherein The headlight device (5) has a headlight (2, 3) with a first light module (6) and a second light module (7) for outputting a light image in a lighting area divided up into lighting elements, wherein the light modules (6, 7) are each designed to project a different partial image (26, 27) of the light image and each have at least one light source device (12, 13) and a control unit (9, 10), wherein the control units (9, 10) after complete reception of the partial image (26, 27) operate the respective light source device (12, 13) to switch the image to the respective current partial image (26, 27), characterized in that - the control unit (9) of the first light module (6) receives a complete image data set (24) comprising two partial images (26, 27) from a controller (4) of the motor vehicle (1) by means of a first interface (14), - the control unit (9) of the first light module (6) splits out the partial images (26, 27) by means of a splitting device (19), wherein - the partial image (26) for the second light module (6, 7) is forwarded by means of a second interface (15) and a link (11) to a receiving interface (16) of the control unit (10) of the second light module (7), - the partial image (27) for the first light module (6) is prepared in the first light module (6) for output, - wherein the output of the light modules (6, 7) to the respective partial image (26, 27) is synchronized by means of synchronization means only in one of the control units (9, 10).

Images