Assistance method for a lighting control system of a motor vehicle, lighting control system, computer program product and computer-readable medium

Abstract

Assistance method for a light control system of a motor vehicle, comprising a light control for controlling a lighting unit of the motor vehicle for illuminating an area surrounding the motor vehicle, a portable unit, at least one communication interface, and an evaluation unit for evaluating signals from the portable unit received via the communication interface, wherein the lighting unit can be controlled in a first assistance function by means of the light control and depending on the evaluation of the signals received from the portable unit such that at least one light beam of the lighting unit can be positioned depending on the position of the portable unit, which method comprises the following steps: - Manual or automatic activation of the first assistance function, - Control of the lighting unit by means of the light control in such a way that the light beam of the lighting unit is automatically guided to the portable unit when the first assistance function is switched on, depending on the movement trajectory of the portable unit, characterized in that - that the first assistance function can be switched off manually and / or automatically, whereby the lighting control system automatically switches on a second assistance function when the first assistance function is switched off.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an assistance method for a light control system of a motor vehicle, a light control system for carrying out an assistance method according to the preamble of claim 6, a computer program product and a computer-readable medium.

[0002] Such assistance methods for a lighting control system of a motor vehicle, lighting control systems for their implementation, computer program products and computer-readable media are already known from the state of the art in numerous embodiments.

[0003] For example, DE 10 2012 224 465 A1 discloses a lighting control system for a motor vehicle, comprising a lighting control system for controlling a lighting unit of the motor vehicle to illuminate the surroundings of the motor vehicle, a portable unit, at least one communication interface, and an evaluation unit for evaluating signals from the portable unit received via the communication interface. The lighting unit is controlled by continuously pressing a control button of the portable unit such that a light beam of the lighting unit can be positioned depending on the position of the portable unit.

[0004] See also DE 100 34 379 A1, DE 103 38 756 A1 and DE 10 2009 048 493 A1.

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

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of enabling assistance of a user of the portable unit that is better adapted to the requirements of the individual case by means of a light control for a lighting unit of a motor vehicle.

[0007] This object is achieved by an assistance method having the features of claim 1, a light control system for carrying out an assistance method having the features of claim 6, a computer program product having the features of claim 9, and a computer-readable medium having the features of claim 10. The subclaims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.

[0008] A key advantage of the invention lies in the fact that, depending on the requirements of the individual case, not only advantageous illumination of, for example, the immediate surroundings of the portable unit and thus of a user of the portable unit is enabled. The at least one light beam of the lighting unit is automatically tracked to the portable unit and thus to the user, i.e. the wearer of the portable unit. Due to this dynamic orientation of the at least one light beam of the lighting unit, the user of the portable unit, for example the driver of the motor vehicle, is optimally supported by the motor vehicle's lighting unit even when moving around the motor vehicle. The activation of the first assistance function can also depend on additional vehicle-related and / or environmental conditions.

[0009] The phrase "the light beam of the lighting unit automatically tracks the portable unit, or can be tracked, depending on the portable unit's movement trajectory," as well as the term "light beam," are to be understood in a general sense. Tracking therefore does not simply mean following the light beam, but encompasses any type of alignment of the light beam of the lighting unit depending on the portable unit's movement trajectory.

[0010] The light beam can therefore also be directed in front of or to the side of the portable unit, and thus in front of or to the side of the user of the portable unit. The term "light beam" also includes light bundles composed of individual light beams and complete light distributions generated by the vehicle's lighting unit.

[0011] In addition, the assistance method according to the invention provides that the first assistance function can be deactivated manually and / or automatically, with the lighting control system automatically activating a second assistance function when the first assistance function is deactivated. This enables the second assistance function to be activated without any further operating steps. Activation of the second assistance function can also be dependent on additional vehicle-related and / or environmental conditions.

[0012] The same applies to the lighting control system according to the invention, according to which the first assistance function can be switched off manually and / or automatically, whereby when the first assistance function is switched off, a second assistance function can be switched on automatically.

[0013] A particularly advantageous development of the assistance method according to the invention provides that, when the second assistance function is activated, the light beam of the lighting unit is automatically moved depending on an actuation of the portable unit that occurs after the second assistance function is activated. In this way, it is possible to remotely control the at least one light beam of the lighting unit using the portable unit independently of the movement trajectory of the portable unit and thus independently of the movement trajectory of the user wearing the portable unit.

[0014] The same applies to an advantageous development of the light control system according to the invention, according to which, when the second assistance function is switched on, the light beam of the lighting unit can be moved automatically as a function of an actuation of the portable unit occurring after the second assistance function is switched on.

[0015] Another particularly advantageous development of the assistance method according to the invention provides that the light beam of the lighting unit is guided along the portable unit when the first assistance function is activated and / or moved when the second assistance function is activated in such a way that a wearer of the portable unit is not dazzled. This ensures that the wearer of the portable unit, i.e., its user, is not hindered by the first and / or second assistance function.

[0016] In principle, the signal exchange between the portable unit and the at least one communication interface can be freely selected in terms of type and function within wide, suitable limits. Advantageously, the signal exchange between the portable unit and the at least one communication interface occurs automatically. The signal exchange therefore does not need to be initiated or maintained by a user action. It is particularly advantageous if the signal exchange is designed as a passive signal exchange.

[0017] An advantageous development of the aforementioned embodiment provides that the signal exchange from the at least one communication interface to the portable unit and / or the signal exchange from the portable unit to the at least one communication interface takes place based on magnetic field technology or based on acoustic signals. Such technologies are often already present in existing systems; for example, magnetic field technology is generally implemented in motor vehicle access systems, and acoustic systems are commonly found in mobile entertainment electronics devices, such as smartphones or the like.

[0018] A further advantageous development of the lighting control system according to the invention provides that the portable unit is designed as a UID and the lighting unit is designed as at least one headlight and / or at least one side headlight and / or at least one reversing light of the motor vehicle. In this way, the use of existing components and assemblies for the lighting control system according to the invention is further improved. The abbreviation "UID" stands for user identification device, i.e. a device by means of which a user authorized to use the motor vehicle can be identified. The portable unit designed as a UID thus ensures that the user of the portable unit is authorized, for example, to make settings on the motor vehicle.

[0019] In the following, the assistance method according to the invention, the light control system according to the invention for carrying out the assistance method as well as a corresponding computer program product and a computer-readable medium on which the computer program product is stored are explained in more detail.

[0020] The lighting control system of the present exemplary embodiment comprises a lighting controller for controlling a lighting unit of a motor vehicle, designed as a pair of headlights, for illuminating the surroundings of the motor vehicle, a portable unit designed as a UID, a communication interface, and an evaluation unit for evaluating signals from the UID received via the communication interface. The lighting controller, the communication interface, and the evaluation unit are integrated in the motor vehicle. The headlights of the motor vehicle can be controlled by means of the lighting controller and depending on the evaluation of the signals received by the portable unit such that a light beam designed as an overall light distribution of the headlights can be positioned depending on the position of the UID.The two headlights each have a matrix of a plurality of individual light sources with front optics, by means of which the overall light distribution of the headlights can be generated in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

[0021] Furthermore, the motor vehicle has an access system by means of which the doors of the motor vehicle can be unlocked and locked using the UID in a manner known to those skilled in the art. The access system is designed as a so-called passive access system, in which the user only needs to carry the UID with them to unlock or lock the doors of the motor vehicle. The user therefore does not have to actively activate the UID to unlock or lock the doors of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the motor vehicle has, among other things, several LF antennas which, when cyclically energized, each generate a magnetic field in the vicinity of the motor vehicle, which can be measured using a 3D receiving coil of the UID. Depending on this measurement, the UID generates a signal that can be received by the communication interface of the motor vehicle and forwarded to the evaluation unit.

[0022] When a user, such as the driver of a motor vehicle, uses the UID, a check is first performed automatically, in a manner known to those skilled in the art, to determine whether the UID corresponds to the motor vehicle. Once this has been done and the UID has been identified as belonging to the motor vehicle, the assistance method according to the invention explained below can be executed.

[0023] If the UID is located in the area outside the motor vehicle, this is detected by the lighting control system. The lighting control system then automatically activates a first assistance function. The user does not need to press a button on the UID to start the first assistance function. When the first assistance function is activated, both headlights are switched on and controlled by the motor vehicle's lighting control system in such a way that the overall light distribution of the headlights automatically tracks the UID depending on the movement trajectory of the UID. In the present exemplary embodiment, the overall light distribution is tracked when the UID, and thus the user wearing the UID, approaches the motor vehicle from the front or diagonally from the front, in such a way that the overall light distribution illuminates the ground in front of the user.

[0024] If the UID and thus the user moves forward or diagonally forward from the vehicle, the overall light distribution is tracked in such a way that the overall light distribution illuminates the user from behind. In the latter case, the ground in front of the user moving away from the vehicle is also illuminated. If the UID and thus the user moves transversely in front of the vehicle, the tracking is such that the overall light distribution illuminates the ground between the vehicle and the user. In all three of the aforementioned cases, the overall light distribution permanently follows the UID and thus the user; the overall light distribution is continuously tracked. The headlights are controlled in such a way that the wearer of the UID, i.e. the user of the UID, is not dazzled.

[0025] For the above-described tracking of the overall light distribution of the two headlights, the majority of LF antennas of the vehicle's access system are cyclically energized, causing each LF antenna to generate a magnetic field in the vicinity of the vehicle. These magnetic fields are measured using the UID's 3D receiver coil. Based on this measurement, the UID generates a signal that is transmitted wirelessly to the vehicle's communication interface, received by the interface, and forwarded to the vehicle's evaluation unit.

[0026] Depending on whether the evaluation in the evaluation unit detects that the UID and thus the user of the motor vehicle is located in the front area of ​​the motor vehicle, i.e. in the effective range of the two headlights, the light control of the light control system controls the two headlights in such a way that the overall light distribution of the headlights explained above is achieved.

[0027] However, it is also conceivable to control only individual light sources in the matrix of light sources with attachment lenses for both or just one of the two headlights. If, for example, the UID and thus the user are located diagonally to the left in front of the vehicle, it is possible that only at least one light source of the left headlight is switched on. Analogously, it is possible that only at least one light source of the right headlight is switched on if the UID and thus the user are located diagonally to the right in front of the vehicle. In contrast, if the UID and thus the user are located more centrally in front of the vehicle, at least one light source of each of the two headlights could be switched on.Of course, it is conceivable that, instead of switching on one or more light sources in at least one of the two headlights, other suitable measures known to those skilled in the art could be taken to illuminate the surroundings in the desired manner. As an example, reference should be made here to the various possibilities that arise from the use of at least one lens attachment for the respective headlight.

[0028] In the present exemplary embodiment, the invention further provides that the first assistance function can be deactivated manually or automatically, with the lighting control system automatically activating a second assistance function when the first assistance function is deactivated. For example, it is conceivable for the first assistance function to be deactivated manually by actuating an operating button on the UID. The actuation can be designed such that the user of the UID presses the operating button three times in quick succession. As soon as the first assistance function has been deactivated in this way, the second assistance function is automatically activated. The user therefore does not have to perform any additional operating steps.The second assistance function is designed in such a way that when the second assistance function is switched on, the overall light distribution of the headlights can be moved automatically depending on an actuation of the portable unit that occurs after the second assistance function is switched on.

[0029] For example, the user of the UID can manually control the overall light distribution of the headlights using the lighting control system in such a way that the headlights serve as a type of construction light to illuminate a work area in front of the vehicle, i.e. diagonally in front of or centrally in front of the headlights.

[0030] To operate the UID for remote control of the headlights, when the second assistance function is activated, the user of the UID can manually control the overall light distribution of the headlights by changing the position of the UID. To do this, in the present exemplary embodiment, the user continuously presses the UID control button and pivots the UID by hand around one of the UID's three axes, namely the longitudinal axis, the transverse axis, or the vertical axis. The positional changes of the UID caused in this way are recorded by an acceleration sensor integrated in the UID, evaluated in the UID, transmitted to the communication interface of the motor vehicle in the manner explained above, evaluated in the motor vehicle's evaluation unit, and used to control the headlights by means of the light control.

[0031] To facilitate the above-described operation of the UID even for inexperienced users, appropriate information, such as pictograms or the like, can be arranged on the UID in a manner known to those skilled in the art. This also ensures that the UID user aligns it correctly relative to the motor vehicle, for example, holding it the right way up in their hand.

[0032] If the user swivels the UID around its longitudinal axis, for example to the left, the user directs the overall light distribution of the two headlights to the left. Swiveling the UID around its longitudinal axis to the right directs the overall light distribution of the two headlights to the right. If the user swivels the UID around its transverse axis, for example forwards and downwards, the user directs the overall light distribution of the two headlights downwards. Swiveling the UID around its transverse axis, for example forwards and upwards, the user directs the overall light distribution of the two headlights upwards. If the user swivels the UID around its vertical axis, for example to the left, the user focuses the overall light distribution of the two headlights, while swiveling the UID around its vertical axis to the right widens the overall light distribution of the two headlights.Of course, it is also conceivable that the UID is pivoted around the respective axes not successively, but simultaneously around at least two of the UID's axes. Once the user has adjusted the overall light distribution as desired in the aforementioned manner, the user releases the UID's control button. The adjustment process is complete, and the overall light distribution remains as set—static, independent of the UID's movement trajectory and thus the movement of the UID's user.

[0033] As with the first assistance function, the second assistance function can also be designed to reduce glare for the user. For example, by excluding the immediate vicinity of the UID and thus the user from the overall light distribution in a manner known to those skilled in the art, meaning that the position of the UID and thus the user of the UID are not directly illuminated by the headlights. This extension of the second assistance function would thus again realize a dynamic overall light distribution of the vehicle's headlights.

[0034] If the user presses the UID's control button three times in quick succession, the second assistance function is manually deactivated and the first assistance function is automatically activated. The further procedure is as explained above.

[0035] In addition, a computer program product can be provided that includes commands that cause the lighting control system to execute the method steps of the assistance method.

[0036] Furthermore, a computer-readable medium may be provided on which the computer program product is stored.

[0037] The invention is not limited to the present exemplary embodiment. For example, the first assistance function can also be manually activated and / or automatically deactivated. Furthermore, the second assistance function can be configured differently in terms of type and function depending on the application. The second assistance function can also be manually activated and / or automatically deactivated. The lighting unit can also be other exterior lighting of the motor vehicle, such as side lights or reversing lights. These can also be configured in combination as a lighting unit according to the invention.

[0038] For example, a lighting unit having two headlights, two side lights (one on each side of the vehicle), and at least one reversing light would make it possible for the light beam of the lighting unit to automatically track the portable unit within a 360° area around the vehicle when the first assistance function is activated, depending on the movement trajectory of the portable unit. Similarly, it would also be conceivable for the light beam of the lighting unit to be automatically moved within a 360° area around the vehicle when the second assistance function is activated, depending on the activation of the portable unit. Furthermore, the lighting unit can also be designed as an additional headlight, integrated or attached, or as other exterior lighting of the vehicle.

[0039] The light beam can be designed not only as an overall light distribution of the respective lighting unit used. For example, it is also conceivable that only individual light sources of the lighting unit, with or without auxiliary optics, are used and controlled for the first assistance function and / or the second assistance function. Instead of the individual light sources, it is possible to control the respective auxiliary optics for light sources with at least one auxiliary optic.

[0040] The wearable unit can also be configured in a variety of ways, depending on the application, in terms of type and function. For example, instead of a wearable unit configured as a UID, a wearable unit configured as a smartphone or similar device could be used.

[0041] Furthermore, it is conceivable that multiple portable units are located in the vicinity of the motor vehicle simultaneously, for example, if multiple users, each with a portable unit, are moving around the vicinity of the motor vehicle. The explanations for a single portable unit configured as a UID based on the present exemplary embodiment apply in such a case to each of the plurality of portable units, regardless of whether they are configured as UIDs. The plurality of portable units can also be different types of portable units, for example, two UIDs and a smartphone.

[0042] In addition to the magnetic field technology used in the exemplary embodiment for signal exchange between the portable unit and the at least one communication interface of the motor vehicle, other suitable technologies known to those skilled in the art are also conceivable. Examples include the use of acoustic signals, so-called UWB technology, BTLE technology, or GPS technology. A combination of different signal transmission technologies is also possible, for example, when multiple portable units of different types or with different signal transmission technologies are used.

Claims

[1] Assistance method for a lighting control system of a motor vehicle, comprising a lighting control for controlling a lighting unit of the motor vehicle for illuminating an environment of the motor vehicle, a portable unit, at least one communication interface and an evaluation unit for evaluating signals received by the portable unit via the communication interface, wherein in a first assistance function the lighting unit can be controlled by means of the lighting control and depending on the evaluation of the signals received by the portable unit in such a way that at least one light beam of the lighting unit can be positioned depending on the position of the portable unit, comprising the following method steps: - Manual or automatic activation of the first assistance function, - Control of the lighting unit by means of the light control, such that the light beam of the lighting unit, when the first assistance function is switched on, automatically follows the portable unit depending on the movement trajectory of the portable unit, characterized by , - that the first assistance function can be switched off manually and / or automatically, whereby the light control system automatically switches on a second assistance function when the first assistance function is switched off. [2] Assistance method according to claim 1, characterized by , that when the second assistance function is switched on, the light beam of the lighting unit is automatically moved depending on whether the portable unit is activated after the second assistance function has been switched on. [3] Assistance method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that when the first assistance function is switched on, the light beam of the lighting unit is guided along the portable unit in such a way and / or when the second assistance function is switched on, is moved in such a way that a wearer of the portable unit is not dazzled. [4] Assistance method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the signal exchange between the portable unit and the at least one communication interface occurs automatically. [5] Assistance method according to claim 4, characterized by that the signal exchange from the at least one communication interface to the portable unit and / or the signal exchange from the portable unit to the at least one communication interface is based on magnetic field technology or on acoustic signals. [6] Light control system for carrying out an assistance method according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a light control for controlling a lighting unit of a motor vehicle for illuminating the area around the motor vehicle, a portable unit, at least one communication interface and an evaluation unit for evaluating signals received by the portable unit via the communication interface, wherein the lighting unit in a first assistance function can be controlled by means of the light control and depending on the evaluation of the signals received by the portable unit in such a way that a light beam of the lighting unit can be positioned depending on the position of the portable unit,and wherein the first assistance function can be switched on manually and / or automatically, and the light beam of the lighting unit, when the first assistance function is switched on, can automatically track the portable unit depending on the movement trajectory of the portable unit, characterized by , that the first assistance function can be switched off manually and / or automatically, whereby if the first assistance function is switched off, a second assistance function can be switched on automatically. [7] Light control system according to claim 6, characterized by , that when the second assistance function is switched on, the light beam of the lighting unit can be moved automatically depending on whether the portable unit is activated after the second assistance function has been switched on. [8] Light control system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized bythat the portable unit is designed as a UID and the lighting unit as at least one front headlight and / or at least one side headlight and / or at least one reversing light of the motor vehicle. [9] Computer program product comprising commands that cause the light control system according to one of claims 6 to 8 to execute the process steps of the assistance method according to one of claims 1 to 5. [10] Computer-readable medium on which the computer program product according to claim 9 is stored.