Thermographic color adaptive spot lighting

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses color adaptive spot lighting for thermography. A lighting system for a vehicle includes a sensor configured to detect at least one characteristic of an environment to be illuminated by the lighting system. The lighting system also includes a light assembly configured to illuminate the environment. The lighting system is configured to adjust a light output of the light assembly based on the at least one characteristic of the environment to enhance the visible illuminance of the environment.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This U.S. utility patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 727,733, filed December 4, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to lighting for motor vehicles. More specifically, this disclosure relates to lighting for passenger vehicles (such as cars and trucks) that is adaptive based on sensed characteristics to enhance the visibility of the environment. Background Technology

[0004] Vehicles may be equipped with one or more sensors, such as cameras and / or thermal sensors for detecting objects or living organisms. Vehicles may also be equipped with lighting systems to illuminate the environment. However, conventional solutions may not adjust the light output of the lighting system to enhance visibility based on the characteristics of the sensed light. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a lighting system for a vehicle. The lighting system includes a sensor configured to detect at least one characteristic of the environment to be illuminated by the lighting system. The lighting system also includes a lamp assembly configured to illuminate the environment. The lighting system is configured to adjust the light output of the lamp assembly based on at least one characteristic of the environment to enhance the visibility of the environment.

[0006] This disclosure also provides a method for operating a lighting system for a vehicle. The method includes: detecting at least one characteristic of an environment to be illuminated by the lighting system via a sensor; illuminating the environment via a lamp assembly; and adjusting the light output of the lamp assembly based on at least one characteristic of the environment to enhance the visibility of the environment.

[0007] These and other aspects of this disclosure are disclosed in the following detailed description of embodiments, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Further details, features, and advantages of the design of this invention arise from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the associated drawings.

[0009] Figure 1 A perspective view of a vehicle with a vision system according to an aspect of this disclosure is shown, the vision system including a camera device and a low-resolution thermal sensor;

[0010] Figure 2 A schematic block diagram of a vehicle with a lighting system according to aspects of this disclosure is shown; and

[0011] Figure 3 A flowchart is shown illustrating the steps in a method for operating a lighting system for a vehicle, which lists aspects of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0012] The invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following embodiments.

[0013] The purpose of this invention is to provide a lighting system for a vehicle and a method for operating such a system, configured to detect and modify illumination to enhance the visibility of objects or organisms (e.g., pedestrians, cyclists, or animals). The term "object / organism" is used herein to refer to any object, entity, or organism detected and illuminated by the systems and methods of this disclosure. The systems and methods of this disclosure can detect objects / organisms at night and direct spotlights toward the object / organism to illuminate the object / organism and / or the area surrounding it. Therefore, the lighting systems and methods of this disclosure can improve the visibility of objects / organisms in the vehicle's path, thereby helping the driver to see the objects / organisms more easily and quickly, and thus improving safety.

[0014] Sensors can detect environmental characteristics, such as the thermal or reflective properties of an object / organism, and adjust the light output of a spotlight. For example, the systems and methods of this disclosure can alter the temperature or color output of existing lighting to enhance the visibility of detected objects / organisms. In one example, the light output can be adjusted to provide similar illuminance to different road surfaces. The lighting systems of this disclosure can adjust the light output to provide maximum reflectivity of light leaving the object / organism. For example, the lighting system can select a color spectrum that is least absorbed by the object or organism. The lighting systems and methods of this disclosure can therefore provide enhanced local illumination of the ground where the object / organism is located or traveling, and / or enhanced illumination of the object / organism itself by ensuring the maximum amount of light reflected from it.

[0015] A vehicle vision system and / or driver assistance system and / or object detection system and / or warning system operates to capture images of the exterior of the vehicle and can process the captured image data to display images and detect objects at or near the vehicle and in the vehicle's predicted path, for example, to assist the driver in maneuvering the vehicle in a rearward direction. The vision system includes an image processor or image processing system operable to receive image data from one or more camera devices and provide output to a display device to display an image representing the captured image data. Optionally, the vision system can provide a top-down or bird's-eye view or surround view display and can provide an image representing the subject vehicle, and optionally, the displayed image is customized to at least partially correspond to the actual subject vehicle.

[0016] Referring now to the accompanying drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, the vehicle camera system or vision system 10 has a forward-looking camera 12, which can be mounted on the inside of the windshield 14A of the vehicle 14 (e.g., a car, truck, bus, or van). Figure 1 Such camera systems can be used for various functions, such as object detection, lane keeping, and high beam control. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle camera system or module is configured to be attached to vehicle 14 in a forward-facing manner to have a field of view through the windshield and in front of the vehicle. The vision system 10 includes or is associated with a thermal sensor 16, which is positioned at the front portion of the vehicle, such as the vehicle bumper, and observes the area in front of the vehicle to determine the presence of a "hot spot." The vision system includes a controller with a processor that processes the output of the low-resolution thermal sensor to determine whether a hot spot exists in front of the vehicle, which may indicate a pedestrian or animal in front of the vehicle. In response to the determination of such a hot spot, the system can control the vehicle's front lights (e.g., headlights or spotlights) to illuminate the determined hot spot area, whereby the processor processes image data captured by the forward-looking (higher resolution) camera 12 (e.g., a black-and-white camera, a monochrome camera, or a color camera) to determine whether the detected hot spot indicates a pedestrian or animal in front of the vehicle. In response to such a determination, the system can generate an alert to the driver (such as a visual or auditory alert or a tactile alert), or it can control the vehicle's braking or steering systems to avoid a collision with the determined pedestrian or animal.

[0017] Optionally, the camera device can be associated with a multi-camera vision system of the vehicle, and a forward-looking camera and multiple external observation cameras (e.g., a rear-view camera at the rear of the vehicle and side / rear-view cameras on the corresponding sides of the vehicle) can capture image data of the external areas of the vehicle, wherein the camera device has lenses for focusing images onto or on the imaging array, imaging plane, or imager of the camera device. The vision system includes a controller or electronic control unit (ECU) or processor operable to process the image data captured by the camera device and can provide the displayed images at a display device for the driver of the vehicle to view. Data transmission or signal communication from the camera device to the ECU can include any suitable data or communication link, such as the vehicle network bus of the equipped vehicle.

[0018] In some applications of vehicle vision systems (such as for pedestrian detection), it may be desirable to include high-resolution thermal imagers to provide enhanced night vision detection of pedestrians and animals. Such “focused beam” systems are typically very expensive because they use high-resolution thermal imagers for full night vision detection of pedestrians and animals.

[0019] The vision system of this disclosure uses a long-range thermal sensor 16 to identify suspicious “hot spots” (areas in the sensor’s field of view where there is a concentrated area or object with an elevated temperature above a threshold level) that may potentially be pedestrians or animals. A “spotlight” is then directed toward the identified hot spot, and a standard high-resolution CMOS imager is used to detect the full characteristics of the actual object. The thermal sensor 16 may be a low-resolution device with a resolution significantly smaller than that of the forward-looking camera 12. Alternatively, a “hot spot” may include areas in the sensor’s field of view where lidar or radar echoes, flash lidar time-of-flight (TOF) image slices, or short-wave infrared (SWIR) night sky glare are present on the object. Therefore, hot spots are identified by detecting areas in the sensing field of the low-resolution sensor where there is a concentration of electromagnetic radiation above a threshold level. For example, the low-resolution sensor may identify a hot spot where it senses an area where the light level, heat level, or infrared radiation level is above a threshold level.

[0020] Thermal sensors (typically based on calorimeters) are inherently very expensive, but costs decrease significantly as resolution decreases (e.g., thermal sensors with sensing arrays of only about 80×30 pixels or around 80×30 pixels) because production volumes increase exponentially and the amount of silicon used for readout circuitry and expensive materials, as well as the associated processing of thermal sensors, decreases (more dies per wafer). Additionally, the size of expensive optics (typically germanium lenses) decreases (due to smaller, lower-resolution sensing arrays), and costs and installation space requirements also decrease.

[0021] Furthermore, since thermal sensors must be installed in the front area of ​​the vehicle (such as the bumper) (where such thermal sensors cannot detect through the glass windshield), even a minor frontal accident or collision may require the replacement of the thermal sensor, which can be very costly for car owners / insurance companies.

[0022] The thermal sensor of the vision system disclosed herein may include a low-resolution sensor having a low-resolution pixel array (e.g., less than or equal to about 480 pixels, or less than or equal to about 240 pixels or about 240 pixels, or less than or equal to about 100 pixels or about 100 pixels). The thermal sensor may be sensitive to far-infrared (FIR) wavelengths, for example, between about 6 micrometers and 12 micrometers.

[0023] For active and reliable detection, such as of pedestrians, it is useful to have approximately 10 to 20 pixels of the sensor (e.g., a subarray of approximately 4×4 pixels, etc.) observe or cover the field of view on the object. To perform this operation at a distance in front of a vehicle that is greater than the distance illuminated by the vehicle's low beam headlights (e.g., greater than approximately 60 meters or around 60 meters), a fairly high resolution from the thermal imaging system is required, which is why the cost is so prohibitive.

[0024] By limiting detection (via a low-resolution thermal sensor) to only “hot spots” without further detection or object identification, only a few pixels are needed for initial determination. Once a hot spot is identified, a beam of focused visible light (or near-infrared (NIR) or infrared (IR) light) is aimed at the hot spot (or the general area where the hot spot was detected) to perform further or enhanced image processing on the image data captured by the forward-looking higher-resolution camera to further characterize the type of object and its possible predicted path (and the likelihood that the object may pose a hazard to a driving vehicle or that the driving vehicle may make the object dangerous).

[0025] The system can then generate warnings (audio / visual / tactile) based on the results of object detection and determination, as well as the predicted paths of the vehicle and the determined objects.

[0026] This disclosure therefore provides a vehicle vision system having a forward-facing camera (e.g., at the vehicle's windshield) and a low-resolution thermal sensor (e.g., at the vehicle's bumper, etc.). The system processes the output of the low-resolution thermal sensor to determine hot spots in front of the vehicle, and in response to the determination of such hot spots, controls the vehicle's lights to direct illumination toward the determined hot spot area. Further processing of image data captured by the higher-resolution forward-facing camera further determines what the determined hot spot is and whether its presence constitutes a hazard. For example, the system can control the vehicle's headlights to direct greater illumination toward the determined hot spot area, for example, by switching the headlights to high beam mode or by controlling the direction of the main axis of the beam emitted by the headlights. When sufficient illumination is present at the determined hot spot area, image processing of the image data captured by the higher-resolution forward-facing camera further determines, characterizes, or identifies the hot spot area to determine whether it represents a pedestrian or animal that may be in or moving into the vehicle's path.

[0027] Optionally, the low-resolution sensor may include a sensor that operates or is sensitive in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectral range (e.g., wavelengths between approximately 1 micrometer and 1.8 micrometers), and thus can pick up useful nighttime glare from the sky to determine the presence of an object before a CMOS camera can detect it. Optionally, the low-resolution sensor may include a sensor sensitive in the mid-infrared (MIR) spectral band or wavelength (e.g., wavelengths between approximately 2 micrometers and 6 micrometers).

[0028] Low-resolution sensors can also include different sensor technologies (more expensive per pixel / data point), such as, for example, flash lidar or lidar. The system of this disclosure can be applied to low-quality, low-resolution radar (e.g., for providing early detection of “hot spots”) that may include vulnerable road users and animals (VRUs). This also means that complementary sensor systems that are “low-resolution, but long-range and low-light” do not always have to be mounted outside the vehicle compartment. Such external positioning of complementary sensors is only necessary for FIR thermal sensors that cannot sense through the windshield. For other alternative types of low-resolution, long-range, and low-light sensors, the sensor can be positioned inside the vehicle compartment (so that it can sense through the vehicle’s windshield and the front of the vehicle) or outside the vehicle compartment (e.g., at the front portion of the vehicle).

[0029] This system may utilize aspects of the vision systems described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0119527 and / or U.S. Patent Nos. 8,764,256; 8,013,780; 7,914,187; 7,720,580 and / or 6,485,081 and / or U.S. Publication No. 2010 / 0020170, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The camera device or image sensor may include any suitable camera device or sensor. Optionally, the camera device may include a “smart camera device” comprising an imaging sensor array and associated circuitry, as well as image processing circuitry and electrical connectors, etc., as part of a camera device module, for example by utilizing aspects of the vision systems described in International Publication Nos. WO 2013 / 081984 and / or WO 2013 / 081985, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0030] The system includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by one or more camera devices, for example, to detect objects or other vehicles or pedestrians in the field of view of one or more camera devices. For example, the image processor may include an EyeQ2 or EyeQ3 image processing chip available from Mobileye Vision Technologies Ltd. of Jerusalem, Israel, and may include object detection software (e.g., of the type described in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,855,755; 7,720,580 and / or 7,038,577, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety), and may analyze the image data to detect vehicles and / or other objects. In response to such image processing, and upon detection of an object or other vehicle, the system may generate an alert to the driver of the vehicle and / or may generate an overlay on the displayed image to highlight or enhance the display of the detected object or vehicle, thereby increasing the driver's awareness of the detected object or vehicle or hazardous situation during driving maneuvers of the equipped vehicle.

[0031] The vehicle may include one or more sensors of any type, such as imaging sensors, radar sensors, lidar sensors, or ultrasonic sensors. The imaging sensor or camera device can capture image data for image processing and may include any suitable camera device or sensing device, such as, for example, a two-dimensional array (at least 640×480 imaging array, such as a megapixel imaging array, etc.) of multiple photoelectric sensor elements arranged in at least 640 columns and 480 rows, wherein corresponding lenses focus the image onto corresponding portions of the array. The photoelectric sensor array may include multiple photoelectric sensor elements arranged in a photoelectric sensor array having rows and columns. Preferably, the imaging array has at least 300,000 photoelectric sensor elements or pixels, more preferably at least 500,000 photoelectric sensor elements or pixels, and even more preferably at least one million photoelectric sensor elements or pixels. Preferably, the forward-looking camera device includes a high-resolution camera device having at least approximately one million photoelectric sensor elements or pixels. Imaging arrays can capture color image data, for example, via spectral filtering at the array, such as via RGB (red, green, and blue) filters or via red / red complementary color filters or via RCC (red, clear, and transparent) filters, etc. The logic and control circuitry of the imaging sensor can operate in any known manner, and image processing and algorithmic processing can include any suitable means for processing images and / or image data.

[0032] For example, vision systems and / or processing and / or imaging devices and / or circuitry can utilize aspects described in the following U.S. Patent Nos.: 8,694,224; 7,005,974; 5,760,962; 5,877,897; 5,796,094; 5,949,331; 6,222,447; 6,302,545; 6,396,397; 6,498,620; 6,523,964; 6,611,202; 6,201,642; 6,690,268; 6,717,610; 6,757,109; 6,802,617; 6,806,45 2; 6,822,563; 6,891,563; 6,946,978; 7,859,565; 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 6,636,258; 7,145,519; 7,161,616; 7,230,640; 7,248,283; 7,295,229; 7,301,466; 7,592,928; 7,881,496; 7,720,580; 7,038,577; 6,882,287; 5,929,786 and / or 5,786,772, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The system can communicate with other communication systems by any suitable means, for example by utilizing aspects of the system described in International Publication Nos. WO / 2010 / 144900; WO 2013 / 043661 and / or WO 2013 / 081985 and / or U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0062743, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0033] Camera modules and circuit chips or boards, as well as imaging sensors, can be implemented and operated in conjunction with various vehicle vision-based systems, and / or can operate using the principles of other vehicle systems, such as vehicle headlight control systems (e.g., of the type disclosed in the following U.S. Patent Nos.: 5,796,094; 6,097,023; 6,320,176; 6,559,435; 6,831,261; 7,004,606; 7,339,149 and / or 7,526,103, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety), rain sensors (e.g., in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Nos. 6,353,392; 6,313,454; ... The types disclosed in 320,176 and / or 7,480,149, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, vehicle vision systems (e.g., forward, lateral, or rearward vehicle vision systems utilizing the principles disclosed in the following U.S. Patent Numbers: 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 5,760,962; 5,877,897; 5,949,331; 6,222,447; 6,302,545; 6,396,397; 6,498,620; 6,523,964; 6,611,202; 6,201,642; 6,690,268; 6,717,610; 6,757,109; 6,802,617). U.S. Patents 6,806,452; 6,822,563; 6,891,563; 6,946,978 and / or 7,859,565, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety; trailer hitch-up or trailer inspection systems (e.g., of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,005,974, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety); reversing or side imaging systems (e.g., for lane change assist or lane departure warning systems or for blind spot or object detection systems, such as imaging or detection systems of the type disclosed in U.S. Patents 7,881,496; 7,720,580; 7,038,577; 5,929,786 and / or 5,786,772). Systems, the aforementioned U.S. patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, video equipment for in-cabin monitoring and / or video telephony functions (e.g., video equipment disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,760,962; 5,877,897; 6,690,268 and / or 7,370,983 and / or U.S. Application Publication No. 2006 / 0050018, the aforementioned U.S. patents and U.S. application publications being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety), traffic sign recognition systems, systems for determining distances to leading or trailing vehicles or objects (e.g., systems utilizing the principles disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,396,397 and / or 7,123,168, the aforementioned U.S. patents being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety), etc.

[0034] Optionally, the vision system may include a display for displaying images captured by one or more imaging sensors for viewing by the driver of the vehicle during normal operation of the vehicle. Optionally, for example, the vision system may include a video display device disposed at or within an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle, such as by utilizing aspects of the video mirror display systems described in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,690,268 and / or 9,264,672, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The video mirror display may include any suitable device and system, and may optionally utilize elements of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,370,983; 7,329,013; 7,308,341; 7,289,037; 7,249,860; 7,004,593; 4,546,551; 5,699,044; 4,953,305; 5,576,687. The entirety of the aforementioned U.S. patents, European patent applications and U.S. publications are incorporated herein by reference. (The references provided are: 5,632,092; 5,677,851; 5,708,410; 5,737,226; 5,802,727; 5,878,370; 6,087,953; 6,173,508; 6,222,460; 6,513,252 and / or 6,642,851 and / or European patent application publication EP 0 1043566 published on October 11, 2000 and / or U.S. publication US-2006-0061008.) Optionally, the video mirror display or device may be operable to display images captured by the vehicle's rearview camera during reversing maneuvers (e.g., in response to the vehicle's gear actuator being placed in reverse), to assist the driver in reversing the vehicle, and optionally, when the vehicle is not reversing, such as when the vehicle is being driven along a road in the forward direction, the video mirror display or device may be operable to display compass heading or directional heading characters or icons (e.g., by utilizing aspects of the display system described in International Publication No. WO 2012 / 051500, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

[0035] Optionally, the vision system (utilizing forward-facing and rearward-facing cameras and other cameras with external fields of view located at the vehicle) may be part of a top-down or bird's-eye view system for the vehicle or a surround view system at the vehicle, or may provide a display of a top-down or bird's-eye view system for the vehicle or a surround view system at the vehicle, for example by utilizing aspects of the vision system described in the following international publications: WO 2010 / 099416; WO 2011 / 028686; WO2012 / 075250; WO 2013 / 019795; WO 2012 / 075250; WO 2012 / 145822; WO 2013 / 081985; WO2013 / 086249 and / or WO 2013 / 109869, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0036] Figure 2 A schematic block diagram of a vehicle 14 having a lighting system 18 according to aspects of this disclosure is shown. Vehicle 14 may be a motor vehicle, such as a bus or truck. However, the headlight assembly of this disclosure can be applied to other types of vehicles, such as commercial trucks, buses, trains, etc. The vehicle 14 with the lighting system 18 of this disclosure may also be referred to as a self-contained vehicle or a main vehicle. The lighting system 18 includes a left headlight assembly 20A and a right headlight assembly 20B. Each of the headlight assemblies 20A and 20B may be similar to or identical to each other. In some embodiments, the headlight assemblies 20A and 20B may include similar or identical internal components and different external components, such as housings configured to fit within a structure on the corresponding side of the vehicle 14.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, each of the headlight assemblies 20A and 20B includes a low beam foreground light source 22, a point beam light source 24, and an adaptive high beam (ADB) light source 26. The foreground light source 22 may also be referred to as a base light source or foreground base light source and may include one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs); however, other types of light sources may be used, such as one or more halogen bulbs and / or high-intensity discharge (HID) light sources. In some embodiments, the point beam light source 24 may include at least 20,000 pixel light sources, which may be individually controllable. For example, the point beam light source 24 may include 248 columns and 82 rows of micro-LEDs to provide a total of 20,336 micro-LEDs, each forming a pixel light source. Each of the pixel light sources may include an LED element; however, other types of light-emitting devices may be used for the pixel light source. Each of the pixel light sources may have a pixel size of 0.04 mm and a resolution of 0.1 × 0.1. However, pixel light sources may have different pixel sizes and / or different resolutions.

[0038] Each of the headlight assemblies 20A and 20B further includes a first lens 32 aligned with a low beam foreground light source 22 to project light from the low beam foreground light source 22 outwards toward the front of the vehicle 14. Each of the headlight assemblies 20A and 20B further includes a second lens 34 aligned with a point beam light source 24 to project light from the point beam light source 24 outwards toward the front of the vehicle 14. Each of the headlight assemblies 20A and 20B further includes a third lens 36 aligned with an ADB light source 26 to project light from the ADB light source 26 outwards toward the front of the vehicle 14. In some embodiments, the headlight assemblies 20A and 20B may include conventional high beam light sources instead of the ADB light source 26. In some embodiments, two or more of the lenses 32, 34, and 36 may be combined. For example, the shared lens assemblies 32 and 36 can be used as both the first lens 32 and the third lens 36 to project light from both the near-light foreground light source 22 and the ADB light source 26.

[0039] Each of the headlight assemblies 20A and 20B includes a controller 40 that communicates with each of the first light source 24 and the second light source 28. The controller 40 may also be referred to as a headlight intelligent lighting driver or a headlight intelligent LED driver. The controller 40 can be configured to control the pattern of light generated by one or more of the light sources 22, 24, and 26. The controller 40 can provide signals to control the brightness level of each of the pixel light sources. For example, the controller 40 can use on / off signals and pulse width modulation (PWM) switching to control the brightness level of each of the pixel light sources.

[0040] The controller 40 includes a processor 42 coupled to a storage device memory 44. The storage device memory 44 includes an instruction storage device 46 for storing instructions (e.g., program code executed by the processor 42). The storage device memory 44 also includes a data storage device 48 for storing data used by the processor 42.

[0041] Vehicle 14 also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 41, such as a body control module, which functionally communicates with the controller 40 of each of the headlight assemblies 20A, 20B and is configured to transmit one or more signals to control the operation of the headlight assemblies. For example, ECU 41 may instruct the headlight assemblies 20A, 20B to operate in high beam or low beam mode. ECU 41 may provide additional messages or commands to controller 40, such as illuminating specific areas with a given temperature, color, and / or intensity, to enhance the visibility of detected objects and / or otherwise visually signal the detected objects.

[0042] Figure 1The lighting system 18 shown also includes auxiliary light sources 29 located outside the headlight assemblies 20A, 20B. For simplicity, only one such auxiliary light source 29 is shown. However, the lighting system 18 may include any number of auxiliary light sources 29. The auxiliary light sources 29 may include fog lights and / or other light sources that can be controlled by the ECU 41. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the auxiliary light sources 29 may be powered and / or controlled by the controller 40 of a corresponding one of the headlight assemblies 20A, 20B.

[0043] As shown, the forward-facing camera 12 and thermal sensor 16 of the vision system 10 each functionally communicate with the ECU 41. The ECU 41 can be programmed or otherwise configured to use data from the vision system 10 regarding the sensed object or organism and to cause the lighting system 18 to enhance the visibility of the object or organism and / or the area or surface surrounding it. For example, the ECU 41 can command one or more of the light sources 22, 24, 26, 29 to change the color, temperature, and / or intensity of light directed toward the sensed object or organism or toward the area or surface surrounding it. In one example, the lighting system 18 can highlight the sensed object or organism through a spotlight effect or by increasing illumination of the ground or road area adjacent to or leading to the sensed object or organism.

[0044] Figure 3 The flowchart illustrates a method 100 for operating a vehicle's lighting system. This method 100 can be performed by the lighting system 18 of this disclosure. As will be understood from this disclosure, the sequence of operations within this method is not limited to... Figure 3 The execution may be performed in one or more different orders, as applicable and in accordance with this disclosure, rather than in the order shown.

[0045] Method 100 includes detecting at step 102 at at least one characteristic of the environment to be illuminated by the lighting system using a sensor. For example, the forward-looking camera 12 and / or the thermal sensor 16 may detect one or more characteristics of the environment, such as temperature, the presence of an object or living organism, and / or the reflective properties of the object or living organism.

[0046] In some embodiments, the sensor may include a thermal sensor, and detecting at least one characteristic of the environment includes detecting hotspot areas with elevated temperatures via the thermal sensor. In some embodiments, at least one characteristic of the environment may include an object or a living organism, and the light output of the lighting assembly may be adjusted to enhance the visible illumination of the object or organism. In some embodiments, at least one characteristic of the environment may include an object or a living organism, and the light output of the lighting assembly may be adjusted to enhance the illumination of roads or other areas surrounding the object or organism. In some embodiments, the sensor may include a camera device, and detecting at least one characteristic of the environment includes detecting an object or a living organism via the camera device. In some embodiments, the at least one characteristic may include the reflectivity of the object or organism, and adjusting the light output of the lighting assembly includes adjusting at least one of the temperature or color of the light output based on the reflectivity of the object, and to increase the perceived brightness of the object or organism.

[0047] Method 100 also includes illuminating the environment at step 104 via a lamp assembly. For example, the lighting system 18 may operate one or more of light sources 22, 24, 26, 29 to be illuminated during normal operation of the vehicle 14, such as when driving at night.

[0048] Method 100 further includes adjusting the light output of the lamp assembly at step 106 based on at least one characteristic of the environment to enhance the visibility of the environment. For example, ECU 41 may command one or more of the light sources 22, 24, 26, 29 to change the color, temperature, and / or intensity of the light oriented toward the sensed object or organism or toward an area or surface surrounding the sensed object or organism.

[0049] In some embodiments, adjusting the light output of the lamp assembly may include adjusting at least one of the temperature or color output of the light output based on at least one characteristic of the environment. In some embodiments, adjusting the light output of the lamp assembly to enhance the visibility of an object or organism also includes increasing the intensity of light directed toward the object or organism. In some embodiments, adjusting the light output of the lamp assembly includes adjusting the light output of at least one headlight assembly. In some embodiments, adjusting the light output of the lamp assembly includes adjusting the light output of an auxiliary light source not located within the headlight assembly.

[0050] The systems, methods, and / or processes and their steps described above can be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination of hardware and software suitable for a particular application. Hardware may include general-purpose computers and / or special-purpose computing devices, or specific aspects or components of a particular computing device. These processes may be implemented in one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded microcontrollers, programmable digital signal processors, or other programmable devices, as well as internal and / or external memory. These processes may also be implemented, or alternatively, in application-specific integrated circuits, programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, or any other device or combination of devices that can be configured to process electronic signals. It should also be understood that one or more of the processes may be implemented as computer-executable code executable on a machine-readable medium.

[0051] Computer-executable code can be created using structured programming languages ​​such as C, object-oriented programming languages ​​such as C++, or any other high- or low-level programming languages ​​(including assembly languages, hardware description languages, and database programming languages ​​and techniques). This computer-executable code can be stored, compiled, or interpreted to run on one of the following: the aforementioned devices and heterogeneous combinations of processor-processor architectures or combinations of different hardware and software, or any other machine capable of executing program instructions.

[0052] Therefore, in one aspect, each of the methods and combinations thereof described above can be implemented as computer-executable code, and the steps of the methods and combinations thereof are performed when the computer-executable code is executed on one or more computing devices. In another aspect, these methods can be implemented in a system that performs their steps and can be distributed across devices in various ways, or all functions may be integrated into a dedicated, stand-alone device or other hardware. In yet another aspect, the means for performing the steps associated with the above-described processes may include any of the hardware and / or software described above. All such permutations and combinations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0053] The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of this disclosure. Elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment; however, where applicable, elements or features of a particular embodiment are interchangeable and can be used in chosen embodiments, even if not specifically shown or described. Elements or features of that particular embodiment can also be varied in many ways. Such variations should not be considered a departure from this disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A lighting system (18) for a vehicle (14), comprising: Sensors (12, 16) are configured to detect at least one characteristic of the environment to be illuminated by the lighting system (18); as well as Lamp assemblies (20A, 20B, 29) are configured to illuminate the environment, wherein the lighting system (18) is configured to adjust the light output of the lamp assemblies (20A, 20B, 29) based on at least one characteristic of the environment to enhance the visibility of the environment. The adjustment of the light output of the lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29) includes: adjusting at least one of the temperature or color output of the light output based on at least one characteristic of the environment.

2. The lighting system (18) according to claim 1, wherein, The sensors (12, 16) include a thermal sensor (16), and wherein detecting at least one characteristic of the environment includes detecting a hot spot area with an elevated temperature by means of the thermal sensor (16).

3. The lighting system (18) according to claim 1, wherein, The sensors (12, 16) include a camera device (12), and wherein detecting at least one characteristic of the environment includes detecting an object or organism by means of the camera device (12).

4. The lighting system (18) according to claim 1, wherein, At least one characteristic of the environment includes an object or organism, and wherein the light output of the lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29) is adjusted to enhance the visibility of the object or organism. Adjusting the light output of the lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29) to enhance the visibility of the object or the organism also includes increasing the intensity of the light directed toward the object or the organism.

5. The lighting system (18) according to claim 1, wherein, At least one characteristic of the environment includes an object or a living organism, and wherein the light output of the lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29) is adjusted to enhance the illumination of the road or other area surrounding the object or the living organism.

6. The lighting system (18) according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one characteristic includes the reflective properties of the object or organism, and The adjustment of the light output of the lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29) includes: adjusting at least one of the temperature or color of the light output based on the reflectivity of the object, in order to increase the perceived brightness of the object or the organism.

7. The lighting system (18) according to claim 1, wherein, The lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29) includes at least one headlight assembly (20A, 20B), and wherein adjusting the light output of the lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29) includes adjusting the light output of the at least one headlight assembly (20A, 20B).

8. The lighting system (18) according to claim 1, wherein, The lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29) includes at least one auxiliary light source (29) not located within the headlight assembly (20A, 20B), and wherein adjusting the light output of the lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29) includes adjusting the light output of the auxiliary light source (29).

9. A method for operating a lighting system (18) of a vehicle (14), comprising: At least one characteristic of the environment to be illuminated by the lighting system (18) is detected by sensors (12, 16); The environment is illuminated by the lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29); as well as The light output of the lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29) is adjusted based on at least one characteristic of the environment to enhance the visibility of the environment, wherein adjusting the light output of the lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29) includes adjusting at least one of the temperature or color output of the light output based on at least one characteristic of the environment.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The sensors (12, 16) include a thermal sensor (16), and wherein detecting at least one characteristic of the environment includes detecting a hot spot area with an elevated temperature by means of the thermal sensor (16).

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The sensors (12, 16) include a camera device (12), and wherein detecting at least one characteristic of the environment includes detecting an object or organism by means of the camera device (12).

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein, At least one characteristic of the environment includes an object or a living organism, and wherein the light output of the lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29) is adjusted to enhance the visibility of the object or the living organism.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, Adjusting the light output of the lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29) to enhance the visibility of the object or the organism further includes increasing the intensity of the light directed toward the object or the organism.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein, At least one characteristic of the environment includes an object or a living organism, and wherein the light output of the lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29) is adjusted to enhance the illumination of the road or other area surrounding the object or the living organism.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The at least one characteristic includes the reflective properties of the object or organism, and The adjustment of the light output of the lamp assembly (20A, 20B, 29) includes: adjusting at least one of the temperature or color of the light output based on the reflectivity of the object, in order to increase the perceived brightness of the object or the organism.

Images