Device, method, computer program product and computer-readable medium for visually informing a driver of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A device for a motor vehicle (2) for visually informing a driver of the motor vehicle (2) and / or another road user (6), comprising at least one object sensor (4) for detecting an object (6) in the vehicle surroundings of the motor vehicle (2), comprising a controller (8) for assessing the relevance of the object (6), and comprising at least one headlight (10) for outputting at least one light projection (12) onto a projection surface (14) present in the vehicle surroundings depending on the relevance assessment, wherein the headlight (10) has a plurality of first light sources that can be individually controlled by means of the controller (8) to generate the light projection (12), characterized in that at least one of the first light sources of the headlight (10) has a horizontal and / or vertical beam angle of less than or equal to 0.1°, preferably less than or equal to 0.05°, particularly preferably less than or equal to 0.015°.wherein the at least one object sensor (4) comprises a weather sensor.,

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle for visually informing a driver of the motor vehicle and / or another road user according to the preamble of claim 1, a method for visually informing a driver of a motor vehicle and / or another road user according to the preamble of claim 8, a computer program product and a computer-readable medium.

[0002] Such devices, methods, computer program products and computer-readable media are already known from the prior art in numerous embodiments.

[0003] For example, DE 20 2010 006 097 U1 discloses a light module for a motor vehicle headlight with several separately controllable light-emitting diodes for generating a marker light in order to provide additional spatial illumination of an object in front of the motor vehicle, for example, detected by a camera. For this purpose, the technical solution known therefrom provides that the marking area comprises an illuminated marking area on a measuring screen arranged at a distance in front of the headlight, which has an extension of only a few degrees in the horizontal and vertical directions. For this purpose, one or more of the LEDs cover a horizontal angular range of approximately 1° and a vertical angular range of approximately 4°.

[0004] In addition, it is known, for example from DE 10 2008 058 386 A1, not to illuminate a detected object directly for the purpose of hazard marking, but to project a flashing and / or constant light pointer onto the roadway.

[0005] This is where the present invention comes in.

[0006] DE 10 2014 000 935 A1 discloses a device having the features of the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, DE 10 2014 000 935 A1 discloses a method having the features of the preamble of claim 8. DE 10 2008 061 747 A1, DE 10 2011 081 396 A1, and DE 10 2010 034 853 A1 disclose further prior art.

[0007] The present invention is based on the object of being able to visually communicate more complex information to the driver of a motor vehicle and / or another road user depending on an object detected by an object sensor.

[0008] This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1, a method having the features of claim 8, a computer program product having the features of claim 12, and a computer-readable medium having the features of claim 13. The subclaims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.

[0009] A key advantage of the teaching of the invention lies in the fact that the information visually conveyed to the driver of a motor vehicle is better adaptable to the complexity of possible traffic situations. It is often not sufficient to simply illuminate an object detected in the vehicle's surroundings to convey a traffic situation to the driver and / or other road users. The information recipient, i.e., the driver and / or other road users, often requires more detailed information. Furthermore, the invention enables flexible application of the generated light projection, thus opening up a wide range of possible applications in a wide variety of traffic situations.

[0010] In principle, the type, shape, dimensions, and projection surface of the light projection that can be generated can be freely selected within wide, suitable limits. Advantageously, the majority of first light sources are designed and controllable to emit colored light in such a way that the generated light projection has a colored appearance. This makes it easier to attract the attention of the information recipient, i.e., the driver and / or other road users. Furthermore, a significant portion of the information can be conveyed through colored light projection. Furthermore, through constant practice in everyday life, potential information recipients are accustomed to receiving information using a color code. Examples include traffic lights, which are used for traffic control.

[0011] A particularly advantageous development of the aforementioned embodiment provides that the plurality of first light sources can be controlled in such a way that, when the first light sources are switched on, they simultaneously generate the light projection and a low beam and / or high beam, wherein the overall visual impression of the first light sources has an essentially white appearance to the human eye. This ensures, on the one hand, that legal requirements are met despite the generation of a colored light projection. It is therefore possible, on the one hand, to generate any desired and technically feasible colored light projection and, at the same time, to achieve an overall white impression for a viewer of the first light sources. On the other hand, this prevents other road users from being undesirably distracted by an unfamiliar visual appearance of the motor vehicle.

[0012] A supplementary or alternative embodiment provides that the headlight has, in addition to the first light sources, at least one second light source for generating a low beam and / or a high beam, and the overall visual impression of the first light sources and the at least one second light source in a switched-on state of the first light sources and the at least one second light source has an appearance that is essentially white to the human eye.

[0013] A particularly advantageous development of the aforementioned embodiment provides that the at least one second light source of the headlight has a horizontal and / or vertical beam angle of greater than 1°, in particular greater than 5°. This reduces the design effort and thus the manufacturing costs. The at least one second light source for generating a low beam and / or high beam does not require such a high resolution as is the case according to the invention, at least for individual first light sources.

[0014] In principle, the first light sources and the at least one second light source can be freely selected in terms of type, dimensions, shape, arrangement, and material within wide, suitable limits. Advantageously, the first light sources are LEDs and / or the at least one second light source is an LED, or the first and / or second light sources comprise at least one LED. LEDs, i.e., light-emitting diodes, require little space and thus enable a small beam angle and thus high resolution. LEDs also include LEDs with attachment lenses or the like.

[0015] The term "light source" therefore encompasses not only the light-generating element, for example the LED as such, but also a light module having at least one light-generating element and at least one light-directing element, wherein the at least one light-directing element is assigned to the at least one light-generating element and directs the light emitted by the light-generating element in a predetermined direction. The light module can have one or more LEDs as the light-generating element / light-generating elements with at least one upstream optical system as the light-directing element, for example an LCD element (liquid crystal display) or a micromirror arrangement. The upstream optical system can be assigned to one or more LEDs of the light module. The term light source is therefore to be interpreted broadly.Accordingly, other suitable light-generating elements and light-directing elements known to the person skilled in the art are also conceivable; for example, light-generating elements designed as lasers and light-directing elements interacting therewith.

[0016] The same applies to the term "beam angle," which should also be interpreted broadly, namely analogously to the term "light source," which encompasses both a light-generating element as such and a light module comprising at least one light-generating element and at least one light-directing element. Thus, the term "beam angle" refers not only to the beam angle of a light-generating element as such, but also to the beam angle of a light module.

[0017] Another advantageous development of the device according to the invention provides that the first light sources are designed as a structural unit of the headlight. In this way, the plurality of first light sources can be prefabricated and thus obtained from suppliers.

[0018] In principle, the at least one object sensor of the device according to the invention can be freely selected in terms of type, dimensions, material, and arrangement within wide, suitable limits. For example, cameras, including infrared cameras and stereo cameras, GPS sensors, radar, lidar, laser sensors, and ultrasonic sensors are possible. It is also conceivable to advantageously combine object sensors based on different functionalities. Sensors already present in the motor vehicle and intended for other functionalities can also simultaneously serve as an object sensor according to the invention. According to the invention, the at least one object sensor comprises a weather sensor. This allows, in addition to the detection of objects, such as objects, people, animals, roads, structures, and the like, the weather conditions, for example, snow, rain, fog, ice, or a wet road surface, to be sensed and used to generate the light projection.The terms "object" and "object sensor" are to be interpreted broadly in this context. For example, navigation devices, with or without reception and analysis of the current traffic situation, or other devices that receive the current traffic situation, such as RDS (Radio Data System), TMC (Traffic Message Channel), or similar devices, can also be considered object sensors. This also applies to appropriately designed apps that can be used on smartphones.

[0019] Analogous to the device according to the invention, an advantageous further development of the method according to the invention provides that the light projection is designed as a colored light projection of a predetermined light color.

[0020] Another advantageous development of the method according to the invention provides for the light projection to be designed to vary over time. In this way, it is possible, on the one hand, to direct the attention of the information recipient, i.e., the driver and / or another road user, to the light projection. On the other hand, further information, such as the urgency of a reaction from the information recipient or the distance to an object, can also be transmitted. For example, the light projection could be generated depending on a time-varying distance between the motor vehicle and the detected object. The closer the motor vehicle and the object approach, the faster the light projection, or at least part of it, is switched on and off.The flashing frequency of at least part of the light projection is therefore dependent, for example, on the relative distance between the motor vehicle and the object detected by the object sensor and classified as relevant by the control system.

[0021] A particularly advantageous development of the method according to the invention provides that the rear vehicle environment is detected by means of at least one object sensor, and the light projection is projected by means of the headlight onto a projection surface located in front of the motor vehicle in the vehicle environment. This allows traffic conditions present or changing in the rear vehicle environment and important for the driver and / or other road users to be brought to the attention of the respective information recipient as a light projection by means of a headlight designed as a headlight, i.e., projected straight or diagonally forward.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below using the attached, roughly schematic drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 a first embodiment of the invention in the form of a parking aid for forward parking in a plan view, Fig. 2 a second embodiment of the invention in the form of a parking aid for reversing in a plan view, Fig. 3 a third embodiment of the invention in the form of a navigation aid in a plan view, Fig. 4a a fourth embodiment of the invention in the form of a passage assistance in a perspective front view, Fig. 4b the fourth embodiment of the invention in a further perspective front view, Fig. 5a a sixth embodiment of the invention in the form of a lane change assistant in a plan view, Fig. 5b the sixth embodiment of the invention in a further plan view, Fig. 6 a seventh embodiment of the invention in the form of a priority control assistant in a plan view and Fig. 7 an eighth embodiment of the invention in the form of information to other road users in a plan view.

[0023] The device according to the invention, the method according to the invention, the computer program according to the invention, and the computer program product according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Identical or equivalent components are provided with the same reference numerals. The following exemplary embodiments are explained solely based on the differences from the preceding exemplary embodiments. Otherwise, the exemplary embodiments correspond. The inventive design with an object sensor comprising a weather sensor is described in connection with a ninth exemplary embodiment, which is not illustrated in the figures.

[0024] In Fig. 1 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of the invention in the form of a parking aid for forward parking a motor vehicle 2. The device according to the invention for a motor vehicle 2 for providing visual information to a driver of the motor vehicle 2 has a plurality of ultrasonic sensors distributed over the body as object sensors 4 for detecting an object 6, for example in the form of a garage wall of a garage, in the vehicle surroundings of the motor vehicle 2. The ultrasonic sensors 4 are connected in a signal-transmitting manner to a controller 8 for evaluating the relevance of the detected object 6. The same applies to two headlights 10 designed as main headlights for outputting at least one light projection 12 onto a projection surface 14 present in front of the motor vehicle 2 in the vehicle surroundings, depending on the relevance evaluation. The projection surface 14 here is the garage wall 6 of a garage located in front of the motor vehicle 2.The light projections 12 are delineated here by a dashed line for clarity. To generate the light projections 12, each of the headlights 10 has a plurality of first light sources designed as LEDs, which can be individually controlled by the controller 8. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first light sources (not shown) are designed as a structural unit, namely a module, which is integrated into the respective headlight 10 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. The light projections 12 of the first exemplary embodiment comprise the light sources shown in FIG. Fig. 1, namely an arrow in the image plane pointing upwards and an arrow in the image plane pointing to the right, as well as the numbers "50" and "30" associated with the aforementioned arrows, each associated with the representation of the unit of measurement "cm". Furthermore, Fig. 1 an arrow 16 is shown, which indicates the direction of travel of the motor vehicle 2 in the Fig. 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the motor vehicle 2 parks forwards into the garage and, in doing so, illuminates the garage walls 6 with the two headlights 10. As the motor vehicle 2 approaches the garage walls 6, these come into the detection range of the ultrasonic sensors 4. The controller 8 stores a setting as to whether a light projection 12 is to be generated at a distance of less than or equal to an object, in this case the garage walls 6. In the present exemplary embodiment, it is stored, for example, that when the motor vehicle 2 approaches an object 6 located in front of the motor vehicle 2 and detectable by the ultrasonic sensors 4 at a distance of 50 cm, the left arrow is output in conjunction with the distance information "50 cm".The same applies when approaching an object 6 located to the right of motor vehicle 2 and detectable by ultrasonic sensors 4 at a distance of 30 cm, whereupon the right arrow is output in conjunction with the distance information "30 cm". Comparable light projections are stored in the controller 8 for an approach of motor vehicle 2 to an object located to the left of motor vehicle 2 and detectable by ultrasonic sensors 4. Accordingly, the driver of motor vehicle 2 is ergonomically informed of the remaining distance to the respective object throughout the entire parking process, namely from the moment the ultrasonic sensors 4 can detect an object. The output of the distance as a numerical value with a unit of measurement is valuable information for the driver. The same applies to the direction indication provided by the arrows.To display such detailed and complex information via light projection 12, the first light sources of both headlights 10 have a horizontal and / or vertical beam angle of less than or equal to 0.1°, preferably less than or equal to 0.05°, particularly preferably less than or equal to 0.015°. Furthermore, the light projection 12 is designed to vary over time in order to indicate the change in the distance of the motor vehicle 2 from the respective object 6 during the parking process.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the invention in the form of a parking aid for reversing a motor vehicle 2. In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the motor vehicle 2 is reversing into a garage. The object sensors 4, which are designed as ultrasonic sensors and distributed along the body, are arranged here in the rear region of the body and thus monitor the rear area of ​​the vehicle for the presence of objects detectable by the ultrasonic sensors 4, for example garage walls 6. Objects 6 detected in this way are evaluated in the controller 8 as explained above, and depending on this relevance evaluation, a light projection 12 is projected onto the projection surface 14 designed as the roadway, analogous to the first exemplary embodiment, by two headlights 10 designed as main headlights.To enable the driver to assign the visual information provided by the light projection 12 to the rear area of ​​the motor vehicle 2, the light projection 12 of the second exemplary embodiment includes additional information. In the present exemplary embodiment, this is a dotted frame in the light projection 12, which indicates to the driver that the direction and value information refers to the rear area of ​​the motor vehicle 2. Otherwise, the second exemplary embodiment corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention in the form of a navigation aid. For this purpose, a motor vehicle 2 has an object sensor configured as a navigation device with a GPS receiver. Thanks to the navigation device, the location of the motor vehicle 2 relative to the vehicle's surroundings is known. The location of a destination address, for example, a building with a specific house number on a specific street, is also stored in the navigation device in a manner known to those skilled in the art.If the destination address, i.e., object 6, is identified as being in the vehicle's surroundings by a controller, the controller controls two headlights of motor vehicle 2, designed as main headlights, in such a way that first light sources integrated in the two main headlights project the house number corresponding to the destination address onto a projection surface 14 designed as a sidewalk, depending on the relevance assessment in the controller, i.e., the identification of the destination address. The object sensor, the controller, the main headlights, and the first light sources are shown in . Fig. 3 is not shown. If the exact destination address is not known and the driver has therefore only entered the street name into the navigation device 4, in the present embodiment all house numbers "1", "3" and "5" belonging to the street are projected onto the sidewalk 14 arranged in front of the houses; see Fig. 3. The individual house number is projected in the immediate vicinity of the corresponding house. Alternatively or in addition, it is also conceivable for the street name to be projected at the beginning and end of the street entered into the navigation device onto the projection surface designed as a roadway. It is also possible for this navigation aid to be manually switched on and off. In principle, however, any other suitable projection surface present in the vehicle's surroundings in front of or to the side of motor vehicle 2, for example, the house itself or a car parked in front of it, or the like, is also conceivable.

[0027] A fourth embodiment is based on the Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b. Particularly in the case of motor vehicles designed as trucks and vehicle combinations, the problem of the possibility of passing under bridges and the like arises. According to the fourth exemplary embodiment, it is therefore provided to detect such obstacles in a timely manner using an object sensor designed as a camera, a lidar, and / or a radar. A combination of at least one of the above-mentioned object sensors with an object sensor designed as a navigation device would also be conceivable. The object detected in this way, for example, an underpass of a bridge 6, is evaluated in a control system with regard to the existing clearance height.If the result of this relevance assessment is that the motor vehicle can pass through the underpass safely, the control system of the motor vehicle activates the first light sources integrated in the two headlights of the motor vehicle designed as main headlights in such a way that arrows 12 pointing in the direction of travel are projected onto the detected object, i.e. the bridge 6 bordering the underpass; see . Fig. 4a. If the result of the relevance assessment in the control system is that the motor vehicle cannot pass through the underpass, transverse crosses 12 are projected onto the bridge 6 to make it clear to the driver that the underpass of bridge 6 does not have sufficient clearance for the motor vehicle to pass through. See Fig. 4b. In addition to or as an alternative to the arrows 12 and the crosses 12, the light projections can also be colored depending on the relevance assessment in the motor vehicle control system. For example, the arrows could also appear in green and the transverse crosses could also appear in red. A possible alternative would be to illuminate the bridge in color instead of the arrows and crosses; i.e., the bridge would be illuminated in green instead of the arrows and the bridge would be illuminated in red instead of the transverse crosses. The first light sources of the motor vehicle would be controlled accordingly by the motor vehicle control system. It is also conceivable that, for example, the arrows and transverse crosses or any other desired shape could be cut out of the light distribution of the first light sources intended for a low beam and / or a high beam.The areas in which the arrows and transverse crosses are intended to appear would therefore not be illuminated by the low beam and / or high beam of the first light sources. The vehicle data required for this, in particular the height of the vehicle and / or a trailer or the like, can be manually entered into the control system in advance. It is also conceivable to store the required vehicle data in the control system as standard. The vehicle, the object sensor, the control system, the main headlights, and the first light sources are included in the . Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b not shown.

[0028] A fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention is designed in the form of a visual aid for the driver of a motor vehicle and is explained below without reference to a figure. Delineator posts, including delineator posts at entrances and exits, road signs and the like are often difficult to see, especially in adverse weather conditions, and particularly at night. To remedy this, the fifth exemplary embodiment provides for the detection of such objects in the vehicle environment in front of and to the side of the motor vehicle using at least one suitable object sensor, for example a GPS sensor and / or a camera, and for the object detected in this way to be subjected to a relevance assessment in a control system of the motor vehicle. For example, whether the detected object is an object for which a specific light projection should take place using two headlights designed as headlights.For example, objects that have been assessed as delineators at an entrance or exit could be illuminated with a light projection with an orange appearance. Instead of a colored light projection, the detected delineator could also be illuminated with a pattern, such as a hatching or similar. Furthermore, dynamic illumination, i.e. illumination that changes over time, is also possible to increase the driver's attention to the illuminated object. For example, the hatching mentioned above could be designed as a "running" hatching. By alternately illuminating individual sections of the hatching, the driver gets the impression that the hatching is moving. Any combination of color, pattern, and temporal variation of the light projection is also conceivable.

[0029] Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b shows a sixth exemplary embodiment of the invention in the form of a lane change assistant. Similar to the second exemplary embodiment, an object sensor is used here with its detection range directed toward the rear of a motor vehicle 2. The object sensor is designed as a lidar sensor, a radar sensor, or a camera and detects the lateral, rear surroundings of the vehicle. As soon as an object 6, designed as a foreign vehicle, is detected by the object sensor, it is evaluated in a control system of the motor vehicle 2.If the relevance assessment determines that the other vehicle 6 represents a potential hazard for a desired lane change, the controller activates first light sources of at least one of the headlights of the motor vehicle 2, designed as a main headlight, such that a light projection 12 is projected onto a projection surface 14 designed as a roadway laterally in front of the motor vehicle 2, namely on the side of the other vehicle 6. For example, the light projection 12 could be designed as a solid red line on the line separating the lane of the motor vehicle 2 and the lane of the other vehicle 6; see . Fig. 5a. An alternative light projection 12 is shown in Fig. 5b, in which red bars are projected onto the lane of the other vehicle 6. Both embodiments of light projections 12 clearly indicate to the driver of the motor vehicle 2 the potential danger in the event of a lane change. The light projection 12 can be projected continuously. However, it is also conceivable that the light projection 12 is only generated when the driver of the motor vehicle 2 announces the lane change, for example, by activating the indicator. In addition to or as a further alternative to the two light projections 12 mentioned, an increase in the light intensity in the area of ​​the light projection, either permanently or temporally variable, would also be conceivable. The object sensor, the control system, the main headlights and the first light sources are in the Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b not shown.

[0030] A seventh embodiment of the invention in the form of a priority assistant is described below with reference to Fig. 6. On roads without appropriate signage or traffic lights, for example, in residential areas or the like, the right-of-way rule "right before left" applies; a different right-of-way rule applies to play streets. In such traffic areas, the driver of a motor vehicle 2 is therefore increasingly dependent on their own judgment and overview, since there is no support from signs or traffic lights. The invention according to the seventh exemplary embodiment provides a remedy here and supports the driver of the motor vehicle 2, which is particularly advantageous in confusing traffic conditions or poor visibility, for example, in rain, fog, or at night.By means of an object sensor designed as a navigation device with a GPS sensor (not shown), the position of the motor vehicle 2 in the traffic space being traveled through, i.e. the position of the motor vehicle 2 in relation to the road being traveled on by the motor vehicle 2 and in relation to roads adjacent to the road being traveled on, is determined. In a control system of the motor vehicle 2 (not shown), this information is subjected to a relevance assessment. For example, to the effect that only the roads in the vehicle's surroundings adjacent to the road being traveled on are used to control first light sources of two headlights of the motor vehicle 2 designed as main headlights. The main headlights and the first light sources integrated therein are shown in . Fig. 6 is also not shown. This relevance assessment can, for example, be carried out depending on a range achievable with a light projection generated by the first light sources and visually perceivable by the driver, approximately 60 m. If an object 6, i.e. an intersection of the road on which motor vehicle 2 is traveling and another road, has been recognized as relevant by the control system, the control system controls the first light sources in such a way that a light projection 12 corresponding to the respectively valid right-of-way rule is projected onto the projection surface 14 designed as a roadway. In order to make the assignment clear and unambiguous for the driver of motor vehicle 2, the light projection 12 is placed directly in front of the road crossing the road. Fig. 6, different traffic situations are shown simultaneously. In the image plane of Fig. 6 below, a road of equal priority joins the road used by motor vehicle 2 on the right. Accordingly, the light projection 12 for this traffic situation is designed as a red bar that runs across the roadway. In the traffic situation shown in the image plane directly above, a play street crosses the road used by motor vehicle 2. Accordingly, the light projection 12 is designed as three green arrows that point in the direction of travel of motor vehicle 2. If motor vehicle 2 were located on the subordinate play street, as in the image plane of Fig. 6 on the right, for example, a light projection 12 designed as two red crosses would be projected onto the roadway 14. In the traffic situation shown in the image plane at the top, a road flows from the left onto the road traveled by motor vehicle 2; this is therefore a secondary road. The driver of motor vehicle 2 does not have to pay attention to anything here; accordingly, for example, no light projection takes place. The aforementioned activations of the first light sources by the controller are to be understood purely as examples. As in the other exemplary embodiments of the invention, the respective light projection can be freely selected within wide suitable limits. For example, a colored appearance of the aforementioned light projections 12 is not absolutely necessary. A light projection with a white appearance is also conceivable.The same applies to masking out the shapes appearing on the road from the light distribution of a low beam and / or high beam generated by the first light sources. If, unlike in the present embodiment, the road being traveled on is signposted, an object sensor embodied as a camera can also be used to detect the signs or the like. Even if no information on the right-of-way rule is available for the specific traffic situation, the control system could activate the first light sources in such a way that, for example, a warning message is projected onto the road. In addition to or as an alternative to pictograms or simple geometric shapes, the light projection can also include text.

[0031] The light projections of the aforementioned embodiments are designed and configured to inform the driver of the motor vehicle equipped with the invention. As will be explained below with reference to Fig. 7, information can also be provided to other road users by means of the invention. Fig. The eighth embodiment shown in Figure 7 helps the driver of a motor vehicle 2 and other road users 6 present in the vehicle's surroundings to recognize potentially dangerous situations between the motor vehicle 2 and the other road user 6, so that no accident occurs. In the image plane of Fig. 7 below shows a traffic situation in which the motor vehicle 2 is driving on a road with a cycle path on the right side and an object 6 trained as a cyclist with a bicycle on the cycle path. Fig. 7, only the bicycle of object 6 is shown. The cyclist of object 6 is detected by an object sensor designed as a combination of a camera and a GPS sensor. In a control system of motor vehicle 2, the camera and GPS sensor data are used to evaluate whether the current traffic situation, i.e. motor vehicle 2 with its current and expected future direction of movement, object 6 with its current and expected future direction of movement, the relative position of motor vehicle 2 and object 6 to each other, as well as the further course of the road and cycle path, could lead to a dangerous situation. The first light sources, which are integrated into a headlight, the headlight, the object sensor and the control system, are in Fig. 7 is not shown. In the present case, vehicle 2 and object 6 are moving in the image plane of Fig. 7 upwards, whereby the driver of the motor vehicle 2 has activated the right indicator because he wants to turn into the right side street, a possible dangerous situation has been detected by the control system. The control system controls the first light sources of the motor vehicle 2 in such a way that a light projection 12 in the form of a red exclamation mark 12 is projected onto the projection surface 14 designed as a cycle path, directly in front of the transition from the cycle path 14 to the right side street. In order to draw the attention of the cyclist of the object 6 even more strongly to the exclamation mark 12 and thus to the dangerous situation, it would also be conceivable for the red exclamation mark to flash, i.e. the light projection 12 is switched on and off at a certain frequency by the control system. In the image plane of Fig.7 above shows another traffic situation. The motor vehicle 2 is driving on the road. To the right of the road, an object 6 designed as a pedestrian is moving towards the road. The pedestrian 6 is detected by the object sensor. The control system evaluates the camera data, with the pedestrian 6 approaching the road being classified as relevant. The control system then controls the first light sources in such a way that they project a light projection 12 designed as a white bar onto the projection surface 14 designed as the roadway. The pedestrian 6 is thus clearly shown that they can cross the roadway 14 safely. The driver of the motor vehicle 2 can see the desire of the pedestrian 6 to cross the roadway 14 through the light projection 12.An alternative design could provide for a zebra crossing with white bars in the vehicle's vicinity to be illuminated depending on the vehicle's driving status. For example, the white bars of the zebra crossing could be illuminated red using the first light sources when the vehicle is moving. If the vehicle then stops to allow the pedestrian to cross the street, the white bars could be illuminated green.

[0032] The inventive design with an object sensor that includes a weather sensor is explained in more detail below with reference to a ninth exemplary embodiment. The ninth exemplary embodiment of the invention provides that the at least one object sensor includes a weather sensor. The ninth exemplary embodiment is not illustrated. The object sensor can be designed as a combination of sensors with different functionalities, so that on the one hand the weather and on the other hand objects such as items, people, animals or the like can be detected. As already explained in the above exemplary embodiments, difficult visibility conditions, for example caused by bad weather such as fog, rain, snow or the like, represent a major challenge for the driver of a motor vehicle when it comes to assessing the specific traffic situation and acting accordingly.A key challenge here is to guide the motor vehicle safely on the roadway, and in particular safely within the boundaries of its own lane. The usual orientation aids provided for this purpose, such as delineators, guardrails, and road markings, are ineffective or only insufficiently effective due to the poor visibility caused by the weather. In order to be able to adapt the light projection according to the invention even better to the specific weather conditions and thus visibility conditions, the at least one object sensor of the present exemplary embodiment therefore comprises a weather sensor.If, on the one hand, poor visibility conditions are detected by the weather sensor and, on the other hand, objects in the form of delineators, guardrails, or road markings are detected by the object sensor, a control system of the motor vehicle, after a relevance assessment has been carried out, for example, that the detected objects belong to the roadway or lane traveled by the motor vehicle, activates first light sources of two headlights designed as main headlights in such a way that the first light sources project a predetermined light projection onto the object depending on the detected object, i.e. illuminate the object accordingly. See in particular the fifth exemplary embodiment. For example, the delineators, guardrails, or road markings could be illuminated in white or color. Different colors could also be used for different objects.In addition or alternatively, it would be conceivable for guidance lines for the motor vehicle to be projected onto the roadway, by means of which the driver can identify the further course of the roadway.

[0033] The invention is not limited to the present exemplary embodiments. For example, it is conceivable that the first light sources are designed and used solely to generate the light projection according to the invention, i.e., they do not additionally serve to generate the low beam and / or the high beam. It is also possible that, in addition to the first light sources, at least one second light source is provided to generate the low beam and / or the high beam.

[0034] Regardless of whether the low beam and / or high beam is / are generated only by the first light sources or additionally by at least one second light source or solely by at least one second light source, the first light sources and / or the at least one second light source can also be controlled by means of the controller in such a way that, when the first light sources or the first light sources and the at least one second light source are switched on, the overall visual impression of the first light sources or the first light sources and the at least one second light source has a substantially white appearance to the human eye, although the light projection has at least partially a colored appearance.

[0035] The at least one headlight does not have to be designed as a front headlight, in particular not as a main headlight. For example, the headlight can also be designed as an additional headlight. It is also not absolutely necessary for the first light sources to be integrated into, for example, two main headlights of the motor vehicle. The first light sources could also be integrated into only one of the main headlights.

[0036] The light projection according to the invention does not necessarily have to be switched on simultaneously with the low beam and / or high beam. For example, it would be conceivable for only the light projection according to the invention to be switched on during the day. Existing legal regulations must be observed in this case; for example, the motor vehicle's headlights may only have a white appearance to the front. Accordingly, in such a case, the generated light projection to the front during the day would also only have a white appearance.Since the overall impression of the respective headlight is important in this regard, a light projection with a colored appearance would also be possible at night, since the overall optical impression of the headlight is formed by the totality of the switched-on first light sources and - if present - by the at least one switched-on second light source for generating a low beam and / or high beam.

[0037] If at least one object sensor is designed as a navigation device with reception and evaluation of the current traffic situation, or as another device that receives the current traffic situation, such as RDS, TMC, a smartphone with a corresponding app, or the like, the light projection according to the invention can be generated alternatively or additionally, for example, depending on current hazardous situations and / or known accident blackspots. Therefore, it is not a matter of simply repeating warnings or information already posted on the road in the form of a light projection. By incorporating the current traffic situation, the light projection according to the invention becomes more relevant for the driver of the motor vehicle. The driver is accordingly more sensitized to the light projection.

[0038] If at least one object sensor is designed and configured to detect a vehicle ahead, a minimum distance from the vehicle ahead required for emergency braking can be determined in a motor vehicle control system, alternatively or additionally, and a light projection can be generated in the motor vehicle control system based on a comparison of the required minimum distance with the actual distance between the motor vehicle and the vehicle ahead. To determine the minimum distance from the vehicle ahead, a motor vehicle control system can, for example, evaluate one or more of the following parameters: the vehicle speed of the motor vehicle and / or the vehicle ahead, the braking force of the motor vehicle, the road conditions and / or weather conditions, and the reaction time of the driver of the motor vehicle.A light projection depending on the above comparison could, for example, only occur after a predetermined period of time after the required minimum distance is first exceeded. In this way, the driver of the motor vehicle is not confronted with a light projection even if the required minimum distance is briefly exceeded. Furthermore, this effectively prevents the light projection from constantly switching on and off. The light projection can be permanent or dynamic, i.e., changeable over time. With a permanent light projection, for example, a bar could be permanently projected across the lane occupied by the motor vehicle onto the roadway in front of the motor vehicle at the point where the closest vehicle ahead should at least be while the motor vehicle is driving.The term "permanent" should be interpreted broadly in this context, since the light projection also changes depending on the movement of the motor vehicle and the vehicle directly ahead. The permanent light projection is therefore a permanent light projection that appears to the driver of the motor vehicle. The vehicle directly ahead should therefore not be positioned between the motor vehicle and the bar projected onto the roadway. If this is the case, i.e. if the distance between the motor vehicle and the vehicle directly ahead is smaller than the required minimum distance, in addition to the bar, another light projection could be projected onto the roadway, for example directly in front of the motor vehicle, to warn the driver of the motor vehicle. It is also conceivable that the light projection as a whole changes over time.For example, the light projection of the bar of the previous embodiment could depend on whether the required minimum distance is exceeded or not met. If the required minimum distance is not met, the bar could be designed with a higher light intensity and / or as a red bar. If the required minimum distance is exceeded, in contrast, the bar could be designed with a lower light intensity and / or as a green bar. The light projection, for example of the bar, can also assume any technically feasible intermediate state between low and high light intensity and / or in a colored appearance or the like, in order to constantly inform the driver of the motor vehicle about the change in the actual distance of the motor vehicle to the vehicle driving directly in front of it compared to the required minimum distance.

[0039] The term "motor vehicle" is not limited to passenger cars or trucks. Rather, "motor vehicle" refers to all types of motor-driven vehicles, with "motor-driven" being interpreted broadly, thus encompassing not only internal combustion engines but also all modern types of drive systems and combinations of drive systems. List of reference symbols 2 motor vehicles 4 Object sensor 6 Object 8 Control of the motor vehicle 2 10 Headlights of motor vehicle 2, designed as main headlights 12 Light projection 14 Projection screen 16 Direction of travel of the motor vehicle 2

Claims

[1] Device for a motor vehicle (2) for visually informing a driver of the motor vehicle (2) and / or another road user (6), with at least one object sensor (4) for detecting an object (6) in the vehicle surroundings of the motor vehicle (2), with a controller (8) for assessing the relevance of the object (6) and with at least one headlight (10) for outputting at least one light projection (12) onto a projection surface (14) present in the vehicle surroundings depending on the relevance assessment, wherein the headlight (10) has a plurality of first light sources that can be individually controlled by means of the controller (8) for generating the light projection (12), characterized bythat at least one of the first light sources of the headlight (10) has a horizontal and / or vertical beam angle of less than or equal to 0.1°, preferably less than or equal to 0.05°, particularly preferably less than or equal to 0.015°, wherein the at least one object sensor (4) comprises a weather sensor. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the plurality of first light sources are designed and controllable to emit colored light in such a way that the generated light projection (12) has a colored appearance. [3] Device according to claim 2, characterized by that the plurality of first light sources can be controlled in such a way as to simultaneously generate the light projection (12) and a low beam and / or high beam when the first light sources are switched on, wherein the overall visual impression of the first light sources has an essentially white appearance to the human eye. [4] Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the headlight (10) has, in addition to the first light sources, at least one second light source for generating a low beam and / or a high beam, and the overall visual impression of the first light sources and the at least one second light source in a switched-on state of the first light sources and the at least one second light source has an appearance that is essentially white to the human eye. [5] Device according to claim 4, characterized by that the at least one second light source of the headlight (10) has a horizontal and / or vertical beam angle of greater than 1°, in particular greater than 5°. [6] Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the first light sources and / or the at least one second light source are / is designed as LEDs or have / has at least one LED. [7] Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the first light sources are designed as a structural unit of the headlight (10). [8] Method for visually informing a driver of a motor vehicle (2) and / or another road user (6), comprising the following method steps: - detecting an object (6) in the vehicle environment by means of at least one object sensor (4) of the motor vehicle (2), - relevance assessment of the object (6) by means of a control (8) of the motor vehicle (2), - output of at least one light projection (12) by means of at least one headlight (10) onto a projection surface (14) present in the vehicle environment as a function of the relevance assessment, wherein the headlight (10) has a plurality of first light sources which can be individually controlled by means of the controller (8) to generate the light projection (12), characterized by , that - the light projection (12) is formed at least partially by light from at least one of the first light sources of the headlight (10) with a horizontal and / or vertical beam angle of less than or equal to 0.1°, preferably less than or equal to 0.05°, particularly preferably less than or equal to 0.015°, - the at least one object sensor (4) comprises a weather sensor. [9] Method according to claim 8, characterized by that the light projection (12) is designed as a colored light projection (12) of a predetermined light color. [10] Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that the light projection (12) is designed to be temporally variable. [11] Method according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized bythat the rear vehicle environment is detected by means of the at least one object sensor (4) and the light projection (12) is projected by means of the headlight (10) onto a projection surface (14) present in the vehicle environment in front of the motor vehicle (2). [12] A computer program product comprising instructions causing the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 to carry out the method steps of the method according to any one of claims 8 to 11. [13] A computer-readable medium on which the computer program product according to claim 12 is stored.

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