Motor vehicle and method for operating a lighting device of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle (1) comprising a lighting device (2) comprising several light sources (4) and a control device (8) for illuminating a lighting area (15) that completely covers the surroundings of the motor vehicle (1) in the circumferential direction and can be illuminated simultaneously, wherein the lighting area (15) is divided into lighting segments (16, 16a-f) that can be controlled independently for illumination by means of the control device (8) within the framework of at least one, in particular assistive, lighting function of a vehicle system (9), characterized in that the lighting area (15) of the lighting device (2) has at least two successive lighting segments (16, 16a-f) in a distance direction from the motor vehicle (1), wherein the lighting area (15) is divided in a matrix-like manner into successive lighting segments (16, 16a-f) in the circumferential and distance direction, wherein each lighting segment covers a predefined circumferential and distance area.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle having an illumination device comprising a plurality of light sources and a control device for illuminating a simultaneously illuminated illumination area that completely covers the surroundings of the motor vehicle in the circumferential direction. The illumination area is divided into illumination segments that can be independently controlled for illumination by means of the control device within the framework of at least one, in particular assisting, lighting function of a vehicle system. The invention also relates to a method for operating an illumination device of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Lighting devices for motor vehicles that fulfill a purpose, particularly in accordance with legal requirements, have long been known. These include, for example, headlights, direction indicators, taillights, brake lights, and the like. Recently, however, lighting devices designed to illuminate areas beneath and / or near the vehicle have also become more popular, for example as part of assistive lighting functions. Such lighting devices often serve to highlight the vehicle, so their functionality is limited to flashing, pulsing, color changes, or continuous illumination, for example. Neon tubes and / or LED strips can be used as light sources, particularly when used to tune a vehicle.

[0003] Some approaches have already been disclosed in the prior art for using such a "near-field light" to implement communicating and / or assistive lighting functions. DE 10 2017 101 420 A1 relates to a luminescent vehicle molding. A lighting device is disclosed that extends partially around a motor vehicle along the perimeter of a body panel. The lighting device comprises at least one light source, wherein the light from the light source is projected such that an area near the vehicle is illuminated. This allows an area near a vehicle to be illuminated, and the lighting can be controlled to provide improved lighting for one or more camera or driver assistance systems of the vehicle.

[0004] DE 10 2018 206 040 A1 relates to a method for communication between a motor vehicle and a road user. Communication occurs in such a way that the road user is informed of a planned maneuver of the motor vehicle or an impending door opening of the motor vehicle and / or that the motor vehicle has recognized the other road user. In the method, at least one optically visible appearance is generated on a drivable surface and / or on the motor vehicle itself. The optically visible appearance can comprise a fully illuminated light segment, wherein the optically visible appearance can be formed on at least one display or light-generating device extending longitudinally or almost circumferentially around the motor vehicle.A comparable disclosure can also be found in DE 10 2018 206 042 A1, in which the optically visible appearance for an intended change of lanes by the motor vehicle is described.

[0005] EP 1 916 153 A2 relates to a method for displaying information, in which at least one projection object is generated at a projection location outside a motor vehicle using projection means provided on the motor vehicle. At least one generated projection object marks at least one expected future location of the motor vehicle, for example, a parking space, at least over a large area.

[0006] DE 11 2017 007 499 T5 relates to a display device that allows a person to perceive the behavior of a vehicle without generating noise, even if the person is not paying attention to the vehicle. To this end, the display device comprises an estimation unit that estimates the behavior of a vehicle, an illumination unit that illuminates a projection pattern on a ground surrounding the vehicle, and a control unit that controls the illumination unit. Specifically, four pattern illumination units, which may utilize projection lamps or lasers, may be used. The pattern may be a graphic pattern of any shape, a pattern of characters, or a pattern of a combination of a graphic pattern and a pattern of characters.

[0007] US 9 359 009 B2 relates to object detection during parking of a vehicle, wherein a virtual map is generated regarding surrounding objects and an output is provided based on the virtual map indicating a risk of the parking process. An exemplary user display device in a human-machine interface of a vehicle includes a vehicle representation and indicators relating to areas. Hazard areas can be displayed on a conventional screen via the user display device.

[0008] DE 11 2014 006 870 T5 discloses a communication of the vehicle's direction of travel to persons outside the vehicle by means of a road surface lighting device using specific illumination patterns.

[0009] US 2017 / 0 210 282 A1 describes an external laser emitter for an opening door area that emits a fixed and direct laser light line downwards to the ground adjacent to the vehicle. The laser light line indicates the area where the door is opening and combines functions associated with other signal indicator devices, sensors, and door opening commands.

[0010] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a motor vehicle which is improved, in particular with regard to the usefulness for assistive lighting functions.

[0011] To achieve this object, the invention provides a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 5.

[0012] According to the invention, the illumination area is divided in a matrix-like manner into illumination segments that follow one another in the circumferential and distance directions, with each segment covering a predefined circumferential and distance range. Nevertheless, as will be explained below, a segmentation of an illumination device relating to the immediate area around the motor vehicle that is present solely in the distance direction, i.e., a direction away from the motor vehicle, can also be advantageously used, in particular for assistive lighting functions of a vehicle system. In this context, it should also be generally noted that the control device can also be at least partially part of the vehicle system, whereby the vehicle system is, of course, part of the motor vehicle.

[0013] According to the invention, a distance-dependent segmented illumination of the surroundings near the vehicle is proposed, which enables the implementation of a series of assistive, communicative and / or staging lighting functions. This results in a particularly high degree of flexibility and variety by starting from an illumination device with several light sources, which define an illumination area that completely covers the surroundings near the vehicle in the circumferential direction and can be illuminated simultaneously. This contrasts, for example, with a pure projection means limited to a local segment. The illumination segments can be controlled independently by the control device, which means that for each illumination segment, a decision can be made in the control device individually as to whether it should be illuminated or not in a current situation.In this way, many different illumination patterns can be generated in order to provide, as described, a wide variety of assistive lighting functions, in particular those that benefit from segmentation in the distance direction, as will be explained in more detail below. The circumferential direction is to be understood as the direction encircling the motor vehicle, for example following a, in particular smoothed, envelope of the external shape of the motor vehicle. The distance direction can, for example, be at least substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction and, like the circumferential direction, is of course to be defined locally in each case. The distance direction can, for example, be perpendicular to the, in particular smoothed, envelope of the motor vehicle.Due to local, angled spacing directions, it is also possible to have angle-segment-like segments, in particular segments that widen outwards, in particular in the case of a matrix-like, preferred division of the illumination area.

[0014] The individual, independently controllable illumination segments can be implemented using different technologies and approaches, as are generally known in the prior art. Illumination segments can each be defined by the arrangement of at least one light source assigned to them and / or the, in particular at least partially controllable, adjustment of at least one optical component assigned to (or associated with) the light source assigned to the illumination segment. In other words, the segmentation of the illumination area is implemented by the arrangement of the light sources and / or the adjustment of at least one optical component assigned to (or associated with) the at least one light source and / or the control of the light sources and / or the at least one optical component by the control device.Optical components can include, for example, lenses, apertures, in particular matrix-like micro-aperture arrangements, light guides, and the like. A single illumination segment can also be assigned multiple light sources and / or optical components; conversely, with appropriate control, it is also conceivable to assign a single light source and / or optical component to multiple illumination segments. In general, illumination segments can partially, but not completely, overlap, particularly in edge regions. It can be advantageous, but not absolutely necessary, for illumination segments to be as sharply defined as possible, particularly along their edges, for example, with sharp boundaries in the manner of a projection.

[0015] The illumination segments can then particularly advantageously be directly adjacent to one another. The at least one light source assigned to an illumination segment and / or the at least one assigned (or associated) optical component can, in particular, form a projector for projecting a defined, in particular sharply defined, light area onto the background surrounding the motor vehicle, wherein the light area then corresponds to the illumination segment.

[0016] The illumination device is particularly advantageous for illuminating a close area of ​​the surroundings around the motor vehicle and ideally begins as close to the motor vehicle as possible or even underneath the motor vehicle. In concrete terms, it can be provided, for example, that the illumination area has a distance extension from the motor vehicle in the distance direction starting at 0 to 0.2 meters and / or ending at 0.5 to 3.5 meters. In principle, it is conceivable to define a fixed distance interval around the motor vehicle, but due to the common geometries of motor vehicles it will be more common if the start value and end value of the covered distance interval vary locally in the circumferential direction, for example within the stated ranges for the start value and / or the end value. A distance-dependent segmentation of the peripheral area close to the vehicle with a functional reference is essential.A range of approximately 0 centimeters (or less, that is, starting under the vehicle) up to 3 meters around your own vehicle is sufficient to display many useful lighting functions.

[0017] As already mentioned, the illumination device provided according to the invention is intended to provide complete, all-round illumination of the area close to the vehicle, particularly the area immediately adjacent to the vehicle.

[0018] The illumination device therefore differs significantly from other lighting devices of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can typically additionally comprise these. This means that, in particular, in addition to the illumination device, the motor vehicle can comprise at least one headlight device and / or a direction indicator device and / or a rear light device and / or a reversing light and / or a brake light device and / or a license plate light and / or a position light device. The motor vehicle can also additionally comprise interior lighting devices for illuminating an interior of the motor vehicle.

[0019] In summary, this results in a distance-dependent segmentation of the illumination area, i.e., in the distance direction, which allows for a variety of new assistive and / or communicating lighting functions, for example, with regard to distance-related intensities, dynamic highlighting of directions, or local illumination of objects. In particular, in addition to segmentation in the circumferential direction, the spatial resolution is further refined. Circumferential segmentation, which can also be referred to as angle-dependent segmentation, enables, for example, the targeted highlighting of objects, the addressing of objects in specific directions, or more flexible dynamic control of staging.

[0020] Generally speaking, the number and specific characteristics of the illumination segments can be individually designed to meet the functional requirements of the respective lighting functions. This ranges from consecutive light rings around the vehicle in the direction of distance to a high-resolution projection field, particularly defining individual pixels as illumination segments, in part of the illumination area or even the entire illumination area.

[0021] By coupling with the assisting and / or communicating lighting functions of the at least one vehicle system, ambient lighting is ultimately used to provide a visually appealing implementation of the at least one particularly assisting and / or communicating lighting function.

[0022] Possible lighting functions are described in more detail below and include, for example, an environmentally sensitive, adaptive intensity variation, an approach light, a coming home function, an anti-theft warning, a distance recommendation regarding another road user, a reminder light, an animated or static direction indicator, ambient lighting when following, highlighting of danger spots, various indications, including for communication with other road users, in particular for notification that pedestrians have been detected and / or the vehicle is about to move off, a charging completion indicator, a charging start indicator, a charging point lighting, a charge level indicator, a leaving home function, an emergency light, a panic mode indicator, a puddle light, a manoeuvring light, a lateral distance indicator, a reversing light, a lane merging assistant, a synthetic cornering light,particularly with regard to reversing, a trajectory projection, support for incomplete street lighting, a priority light, an animated hazard warning light, a door opening light and markings of the motor vehicle as an obstacle adapted to the situation (sidelight or parking light).

[0023] The light sources can comprise at least one LED and / or at least one laser light source and / or at least one projector. A projector as a light source can also include at least one optical component. The light sources can preferably be installed at least partially in at least one sill and / or a front apron and / or a rear apron and / or an underbody and / or at least one bumper and / or in at least one wheel arch and / or in a spoiler and / or in a radiator grille. Integration into the underbody, sills, wheel arch, spoiler and / or front and rear apron is particularly preferred according to the invention.In this way, a generally preferred installation of the light sources close to the ground in the motor vehicle is enabled, which particularly advantageously allows the illumination area to begin at least partially as close as possible to and / or even underneath the motor vehicle, thus enabling the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle to be illuminated as completely as possible. In principle, a different installation of the light sources close to the ground in the motor vehicle is also conceivable, but preference should generally be given to arranging the light sources in the lower third of the motor vehicle, in particular in the lower 20% of the motor vehicle. Other conceivable installation locations for the light sources, which are arranged higher up but have nevertheless proven advantageous for illuminating the immediate area around the motor vehicle, are also conceivable.It can also be provided that at least some of the light sources are installed in at least one exterior mirror of the motor vehicle and / or in a tailgate of the motor vehicle and / or at least one A-pillar and / or at least one B-pillar and / or at least one C-pillar and / or at least one door of the motor vehicle.

[0024] Particularly advantageously, the illumination device can be designed to illuminate at least some of the illumination segments with different light intensities and / or light colors. In particular, the light sources and / or the optical components are designed to controllably provide different light intensities (brightnesses) and / or light colors for at least some of the illumination segments, with the control device being designed to independently control these illumination segments with respect to the light intensity and / or light color. In this way, a further variety of expression possibilities is added by the illumination device, which once again provides significantly greater flexibility and variation options, since different illumination segments can be illuminated with different, preferably continuously dimmable, brightnesses and / or light colors.In addition to the preferred continuous dimmability of the illumination segments, for example, via pulse-width modulation of the light source, the use of fixed, stepped light intensities can of course also be considered. To realize different light colors, in addition to appropriate optical components, such as color filters, LED arrangements can also be used with particular advantage. These can, for example, each contain an LED for green light, red light, and blue light, so that different light colors can be achieved through appropriate control.

[0025] Generally speaking, the control device is designed, depending on a request from the lighting function, in particular an assisting and / or communicating one, for segment-related control of the illumination device to implement the lighting function. Specifically, for example, input information from the lighting function can be evaluated to determine illumination information, wherein the control device is designed to control the illumination device, in particular its light sources and optionally optical components, according to the illumination information, for example by means of control information derived from the illumination information. For this purpose, the control device, in a specific embodiment, can have an evaluation unit for determining the illumination information and a control unit for controlling the illumination device according to the illumination information.These can be implemented accordingly by hardware and / or software components, wherein the hardware components of the control device can comprise, for example, at least one processor and / or at least one storage means in which software components can also be stored. In particular, the evaluation unit and the control unit can be implemented at least partially to form a lighting algorithm that is responsible for the functional logic of the subfunctions, reads in required interface information, in particular as input information, and ultimately signals the required control of the light sources and, if applicable, optical components. The interfaces of the lighting algorithm implementing at least one lighting function to other software and / or hardware modules of the motor vehicle can be dependent on the lighting function and / or can be expanded as needed.Input information for determining the illumination information, particularly for the evaluation unit, can particularly advantageously include sensor data from at least one environmental sensor of the motor vehicle, so that the lighting function can ultimately respond to specific physical and technical conditions in the environment of the motor vehicle, particularly in the illumination area, or the current driving situation or general operating situation can be taken into account in the lighting function. Environmental sensors can include, for example, cameras, radar sensors, lidar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and the like.Other useful input data includes ego data describing the current operating status of the vehicle. Furthermore, input information for various lighting functions is also conceivable that goes beyond this mere description of the current operating situation of the vehicle using sensor data and / or operating data (ego data), for example, personalization information describing a driver's request. Such personalization information can also be taken into account downstream of the determination of the illumination information during control, for example, when determining control information.

[0026] Possible input information for the at least one lighting function can include, for example, a current speed of the motor vehicle, a terminal state, object information on surrounding objects (existence, class, position, etc.), predictive route data, predicted or planned driving maneuvers, the ambient brightness, the amount of rain, the position of a light sensing module, the operating state of a charging device for a high-voltage electrical battery of the motor vehicle, information on currently imminent dangers, the operating state of doors of the motor vehicle, seat occupancy information, direction indicator information, parking light information, information from an anti-theft alarm system, information from a built-in emergency call system, panic mode information, an active driving profile, an active user profile, the position of a gear selector lever and / or the steering angle.

[0027] The control device can be connected via at least one bus system of the motor vehicle to a plurality of components of the illumination device to be controlled, in particular to the light sources and / or at least one controllable optical component and / or illumination modules comprising at least one light source and / or at least one controllable optical component. For example, an illumination module can be provided for each illumination segment, which can then be controlled independently. The control of the light sources and / or optical components and / or illumination modules is then expediently carried out via the vehicle's own bus systems, for example a LIN bus, a CAN bus, a CAN-FD bus, and / or an in-vehicle Ethernet.

[0028] Particularly advantageously, the control device can be designed within the scope of the lighting function for distance-related illumination and / or highlighting of an environmental object and / or for the, in particular dynamic, display of an environmental direction directed in particular away from the motor vehicle or towards the motor vehicle by differently controlling at least two illumination segments offset from one another in the distance direction and / or for the display of additional information to be displayed in the distance direction by illuminated intervals of the illumination area. Thus, segmentation in the distance direction enables, on the one hand, the highlighting and / or illumination of environmental objects, for example by selecting a specific distance range to be illuminated in the distance direction, which range includes the environmental object and / or is immediately adjacent to it.Of course, when illuminating and / or highlighting environmental objects, a combination with segmentation in the circumferential direction is particularly suitable, in particular a matrix-like segmentation in the distance direction and circumferential direction. The term "environmental object" is to be understood broadly within the scope of the present invention, in particular as an environmental object generally having a position and / or extent in an environmental model of the motor vehicle, which can be both a physically existing environmental object and a virtual environmental object, for example a distinguished, defined environmental region, in particular a surface section.However, segmentation in the distance direction also allows for a significantly improved representation of environmental directions emanating from the vehicle. For example, different light intensities and / or light colors can follow one another in the distance direction and / or even temporal dynamics can be used, such as a type of running light from inside to outside or outside to inside. This allows a direction toward the vehicle and a direction away from the vehicle to be visualized as environmental directions, especially when segmentation in the circumferential direction is not provided. However, a combination with segmentation in the circumferential direction is also preferred here.

[0029] Finally, segmentation in the distance direction and advantageously also in the circumferential direction can also be used to output additional information, in particular communication information. In principle, it is also sufficient here to provide only segmentation in the distance direction, for example in the form of light rings around the motor vehicle, since then, for example, a parameter can be displayed as additional information by a corresponding number of illuminated, and thus switched-on, illumination segments, in particular emanating from the motor vehicle itself. Of course, complex additional information, including text, symbols and the like, is also conceivable, particularly with matrix-like segmentation in the circumferential and distance directions. Segmentation in the distance direction also proves particularly advantageous here.

[0030] In addition to the motor vehicle, the present invention also relates to a method for operating an illumination device of a motor vehicle according to the present invention within the framework of the lighting function of the vehicle system, comprising the following steps: - Evaluation of input information of the lighting function, in particular comprising sensor data from at least one environmental sensor of the motor vehicle, to determine illumination information which describes at least one environmental object to be illuminated and / or highlighted and / or at least one environmental direction to be displayed and additional information to be displayed by illuminated intervals of the illumination area in the distance direction, - Controlling the illumination device according to the illumination information for illuminating and / or highlighting the at least one surrounding object and / or for displaying the at least one surrounding direction and for displaying the additional information, wherein the additional information comprises image information to be projected onto the background of the environment and resolved according to the segmentation of the illumination area of ​​the illumination device.

[0031] All statements regarding the motor vehicle according to the invention can be transferred analogously to the method according to the invention, so that the advantages already mentioned can also be obtained with this method.

[0032] As already explained, the term "environmental object" is to be understood broadly and abstractly, in particular as a designated environmental area. However, the environmental object can also be a physically existing, tangible environmental object. A direction of the environment can preferably be a direction defined by a straight line, particularly horizontally; however, broader or more generally defined directions such as "away from the motor vehicle" or "toward the motor vehicle" are also conceivable.

[0033] Specifically, it can be provided that control information describing a spatial and / or temporal illumination pattern is determined for control according to the illumination information. Such control information can, for example, describe which illumination segment of the illumination area is to be operated and how, in particular whether it is to be illuminated or not and / or with which light intensity and / or which light color it is to be illuminated. Temporally dynamic courses of the respective illumination parameters of an illumination pattern are also conceivable, for example light intensity courses, light color courses and / or defined time periods in which an illumination segment is to be illuminated.should not be illuminated, after it has been shown that such temporally dynamic illumination of the vehicle's surroundings can convey information and assistance in a particularly lasting, memorable, and intuitive manner. Therefore, in this context, it is particularly advantageous if the illumination pattern includes spatially and / or temporally varying light intensities and / or light colors.

[0034] In advantageous developments, the illumination pattern can be retrieved at least partially from a database of predefined illumination patterns, in particular depending on the illumination information. Thus, illumination patterns assigned to specific illumination information, which may be at least partially further parameterized, in particular based on the illumination information itself, can already be pre-stored in a database and, when corresponding illumination information is available, retrieved from this database in order to determine the control information based thereon. In this way, illumination patterns do not necessarily have to be newly determined, in particular completely, from the illumination information, but can be at least partially pre-calculated and specified.

[0035] In a particularly expedient development of the present invention, it can be provided that the illumination pattern is determined at least partially based on personalization information provided by a user. This means that the user, for example a driver of the motor vehicle, can be provided with the option of personalizing lighting functions, for example by providing specific patterns, colors, light intensities and the like for specific circumstances, for example lighting functions and / or illumination information. This is particularly useful, for example, with regard to lighting functions such as a "coming home" function and / or a "leaving home" function, in which assistive lighting support is to be provided when approaching and / or moving away from the motor vehicle, which can then be selected in a personalized manner, so to speak.

[0036] To illuminate and / or highlight the at least one surrounding object, it can be provided that the illumination segments containing it are illuminated brighter and / or in a different light color than an object surrounding the surrounding object. Of course, other approaches are also conceivable here, for example, such that if the other illumination segments are not currently operating, only the illumination segments containing and / or surrounding the surrounding object are operated. Highlighting an surrounding object can also be conceivable in principle in such a way that the illumination segments containing precisely the surrounding object are not illuminated.

[0037] To display the at least one surrounding direction, it can be provided that successive illumination segments in the surrounding direction are illuminated differently from one another and / or in a temporally dynamic sequence and / or differently from adjacent illumination segments in the circumferential direction and / or distance direction. For example, successive segments in the surrounding direction can be located based on the illumination information and operated accordingly differently from surrounding illumination segments or variably over time, in particular from one another. This creates a particularly intuitive communication of directions to a passenger of the motor vehicle, for example a driver, and / or a person in the vicinity of the motor vehicle.

[0038] In specific embodiments of the present invention, it can be provided, for example, that a puddle and / or a cyclist, in particular a distance recommendation being displayed as additional information, and / or a hazard area and / or a pedestrian and / or a charging device for an energy storage device and / or tank of the motor vehicle and / or a clear area characterizing a lateral distance to be kept clear and / or a dark area illuminated by a street light below a brightness threshold and / or a surrounding area located between the own motor vehicle and a motor vehicle traveling immediately ahead and / or following behind, in particular when following behind, and / or an obstacle and / or a surrounding area located between the obstacle and the motor vehicle, in particular during a parking and / or maneuvering maneuver, are used as the surrounding object.

[0039] In a specific example, an approach light function, which can be used, for example, during maneuvering and / or parking, can illuminate the area between an obstacle and the vehicle more effectively using the illumination segments of the lighting system to assist the driver. In this context, a general parking or maneuvering light function is also conceivable, which highlights and / or illuminates the obstacles themselves as surrounding objects. This naturally applies analogously to other hazards and / or other road users.

[0040] In a further example, a distance light function is also conceivable, by means of which a distance recommendation to another road user, in particular a two-wheeled vehicle such as a cyclist and / or a scooter, can be displayed. In such an embodiment, for example when overtaking a two-wheeled vehicle, not only is the two-wheeled vehicle itself illuminated or highlighted in order to be clearly visible to the driver of the motor vehicle, but additional information can also be output by means of the illumination device, indicating the recommended distance to the two-wheeled vehicle, for example as a distance range highlighted in a different light color and / or by means of a symbol with sufficiently high spatial resolution through the illumination segments.Particularly advantageously, the distance recommendation can be visualized using the illumination device to indicate the position of two-wheelers ahead, in particular bicycles and / or scooters, in order to enable safe overtaking, which is particularly useful in urban areas and / or on country roads. This can also simultaneously serve to highlight the corresponding surrounding object, since the distance recommendation at least partially encompasses it. In another form of such a distance recommendation function, it can also be provided that, as already indicated, a minimum distance is displayed via the illumination device during the overtaking maneuver, for example as an illumination area projecting towards the two-wheeler, in order to protect the vehicle's occupants and the two-wheeler rider from risks.

[0041] In another example, a following-the-vehicle lighting function using the illumination system is also conceivable. For example, when following a vehicle, it may be useful to reduce the range of conventional illumination, such as headlights, and / or even switch it off entirely, and to add or switch on the illumination provided by the illumination system. This can improve awareness of one's own position while simultaneously saving energy.

[0042] Another example of a lighting function can also be called a "hazard spotlight." If a potential hazard, such as an impassable obstacle, is detected, particularly based on sensor data, the corresponding surrounding object is highlighted at its position, making it immediately apparent to the driver.

[0043] Furthermore, a puddle light function is also conceivable. For example, to make puddles in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle more easily visible to occupants when exiting, these can be highlighted by illuminating segments of the ambient lighting that encompass the puddle as an object. This can be seen as an extension of, or possibly even as a replacement for, a door light.

[0044] In a particularly advantageous example, the motor vehicle can also be used to support or supplement street lighting. For this purpose, it can be provided that dark areas in the illumination area that are not sufficiently illuminated by the street lighting are detected as surrounding objects, and the illumination device is controlled accordingly to additionally illuminate these areas. The motor vehicle can therefore function as part of the street lighting, for example when parked or left standing, but also in city traffic, and uses the illumination device to additionally illuminate areas near the vehicle that are too dark, i.e. dark areas. If this support function is active, it also marks the vehicle's own vehicle when parked as a potential obstacle (sidelight or parking light / obstacle lighting).

[0045] Surrounding areas that are moving with the vehicle can also be defined as surrounding objects, for example, those that indicate a desired lateral distance from the driver's own vehicle. This provides useful information not only for the driver of their own vehicle, but also for other road users, who can orient themselves based on the illumination of such a surrounding area, in particular choosing not to enter it.

[0046] However, objects that need to be found can also be highlighted using the illumination device, for example charging stations, petrol pumps or other charging devices, in order to make them more visible and therefore usable for the driver.

[0047] With regard to the surrounding direction, an advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the surrounding direction is used as an approach direction of a dynamic surrounding object and / or a current direction of travel of the own motor vehicle and / or a direction indicator direction to be displayed on the motor vehicle in addition to a direction indicator and described by a direction indicator signal and / or a desired direction of movement supplied in particular by a navigation system and / or a driver assistance system and / or a direction to an surrounding object located outside the illumination area.

[0048] To help the driver better assess the traffic situation, it is conceivable, for example, to display the directions of travel of other road users and / or the driver's own vehicle as ambient directions. In particular, ambient directions can also refer to surrounding objects located outside the illumination range of the illumination system, such as obstacles and / or other road users, in order to indicate their presence and simultaneously provide an indication of their position.

[0049] It is also particularly useful to display target directions as part of at least one lighting function, for example, a navigation light function. These do not necessarily have to be the target directions of movement of the vehicle to reach a navigation destination; rather, it can also be particularly advantageous to indicate the direction of a navigation destination that is not entirely accessible by the vehicle, allowing the driver, as a pedestrian, to choose the correct direction when leaving the vehicle.

[0050] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a direction indicator (blinker) installed on the motor vehicle can also be supplemented with particularly advantageous animation by a direction indicator light function. For example, starting from the position of the direction indicator as a further lighting device of the motor vehicle, after it has flashed, the flashing process can be continued, so to speak, via the subsequent illumination segments in the corresponding direction, which follow one another in the direction of distance, in order to significantly improve the perceptibility of the direction indicator process and thus also increase the safety of the driver's own motor vehicle. Other embodiments are of course also conceivable, in which, for example, the entire side area next to the motor vehicle flashes or illuminates in the direction in which the direction indicator signal is given.a direction indicator animation is displayed on this side of the motor vehicle.

[0051] With regard to the additional information, a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention provides that it comprises a parameter which is displayed via an extent of an illuminated interval in the distance direction and / or a speed of a dynamic illumination and / or via a light color and / or a light color gradient in the distance direction. For example, depending on the value of the parameter, it is conceivable to activate a certain number of illumination segments in the distance direction or to illuminate them in a certain light color and / or light intensity. It is also conceivable to display a numerical value via a speed of a particularly distance-related dynamic illumination, since, for example, with increasing value, a faster running light or the like can be used, in particular away from the motor vehicle or towards the motor vehicle due to the distance segmentation.Color scales can of course also be used to display the value of a parameter.

[0052] With regard to the additional information, it is provided that the additional information comprises image information to be projected onto the background of the surroundings and resolved according to the matrix-like segmentation. Particularly when a high resolution is selected, for example, when illumination segments with a maximum extension of less than 50 cm, preferably less than 20 cm, are implemented, image information, such as symbols, letters / text, numbers, arrows, pictograms, and the like, can also be output as additional information by means of the illumination device and its segments, ultimately at any desired location around the motor vehicle, whereby a large number of such image information items can also be output simultaneously on different sides of the motor vehicle.

[0053] In a specific embodiment, the additional information can be used as warning information, in particular regarding a theft attempt and / or a detected pedestrian and / or an impending departure of the motor vehicle, and / or reminder information regarding an action to be carried out on the motor vehicle and / or charging information relating to a charging process and / or refueling process, in particular charging information comprising a charge level and / or fill level as parameters and / or charging information indicating a start of charging and / or a completion of charging, and / or emergency information, in particular an extended hazard warning light and / or a panic light, and / or a future planned and / or recommended trajectory of the motor vehicle, in particular for implementing a lane merging assistant or lane change assistant.

[0054] The illumination device and its operation according to the invention can therefore, for example, provide an anti-theft warning and / or a warning of danger, so that, for example, in addition to a known acoustic anti-theft warning, an optical, visual anti-theft warning can also be provided in the illumination area, which can also particularly advantageously make the actions of a thief who is still active particularly easy to recognize. In this context, the ambient lighting implemented according to the invention can also signal the direction of detected pedestrians, for example in automated driving mode using a vehicle system designed for fully automatic guidance of the motor vehicle. This can be achieved, for example, by the angle-dependent switching on, dimming and / or color change of illumination segments in order to convey to the pedestrian that the motor vehicle, in particular a fully automated one, has recognized the pedestrian.The vehicle's restart can also be signaled to other road users in this way, for example by pulsing twice across the entire illumination area.

[0055] Another example is a reminder light function, where the type and in particular the location of an illumination pattern can ultimately provide an indication of an action to be carried out on the motor vehicle, for example a window of the motor vehicle that still needs to be closed, an object that remains in the motor vehicle and the like.

[0056] A particularly advantageous embodiment results from the use of charging information related to a charging process and / or refueling process. In this case, a charging process relates in particular to a motor vehicle equipped with an electric motor with an associated high-voltage battery that can be charged externally. Such a charging and / or similar fuel-related refueling function can output various additional information and also relate to ambient directions and / or ambient objects, for example, as already mentioned, the illumination of an ambient direction to a charging device, in particular a charging station, and / or fuel pump or the illumination / highlighting thereof. In particular, when the motor vehicle is located at a charging device or fuel pump, ambient lighting can be implemented via the illumination device in order to illuminate dark environments suitable for a charging and / or refueling process.However, it is particularly advantageous to visualize the start, progress, and completion of a charging process by dimming, changing colors, and / or activating illuminated segments. For example, the charge level of a high-voltage battery of the motor vehicle can be included as a parameter in the additional information, so that, for example, the charging progress can be displayed in the manner of a bar chart in the entire surroundings of the motor vehicle, in particular over the entire circumference of the motor vehicle. For example, as is known from other charging processes with other devices, when the charge level is low, initially only at least one illuminated segment close to the motor vehicle is illuminated. As the charge level increases, neighboring illuminated segments spaced further outwards are added. The start or end of the charging process can be signaled, for example, by flashing this charge level indicator.Of course, designs are also conceivable in which a corresponding display is implemented using light colors or a light color gradient and / or different brightnesses (light intensities). This provides complete support and information during a charging or refueling process.

[0057] In another example, the illumination device can also be used to implement emergency information, in particular an extended hazard warning light and / or a panic light. Such emergency information can, for example, indicate an active emergency call from a vehicle's own emergency call system, but can also generally indicate an active hazard warning or an active panic mode. In particular, varying the intensity and / or changing the color of the ambient light in the illumination area can raise awareness of the respective situation, particularly among other road users.

[0058] Further additional information that can be advantageously output, particularly with a matrix-segmented illumination area, relates to a planned and / or recommended trajectory of the motor vehicle. This is particularly useful in the context of a maneuvering light function, since, for example, the trajectory can be visualized during maneuvering using active illumination segments. With regard to the maneuvering light, it should also be noted that general support can also be provided, for example, activation of rear illumination segments of the illumination device when reversing and / or implementation of lighting with a focus opposite to the steering direction in the front area of ​​the motor vehicle, which facilitates obstacle detection when reversing (inverse cornering light), and / or the like.

[0059] A lane change assistant can also particularly advantageously utilize the illumination system, for example, to better display a recommended lane change trajectory. A lane merging assistant is also particularly useful, as it can prompt other road users to zip up (merge in front of the driver's own vehicle) at the end of lanes, for example, by displaying animated illumination segments on the side and / or front of the vehicle in the direction of travel. A right-of-way signaling light function can also be implemented within the scope of the present invention, for example, by displaying a comparable animation at the front of the vehicle indicating that right-of-way has been granted (allowing traffic to pass).

[0060] The illumination device can be used particularly expediently, in particular additionally, to implement further, fundamentally already known functionalities, i.e., lighting functions. For example, the illumination device can be operated additionally to implement an orientation light function, in particular after arrival or before departure and / or to illuminate a door area, and / or a maneuvering light function, as already described, in particular a reversing light and / or a cornering light, to be used particularly when the motor vehicle is reversing. Orientation light functions, in particular so-called "coming home" or "leaving home" functions, can be implemented in an improved manner with the illumination device according to the invention.For example, a user can use personalization information to customize animations and / or general illumination patterns of such an orientation light function, which can then be saved in an individual user profile and accessed again. Of course, the user profile in particular can also be saved in the aforementioned database.

[0061] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can further be provided that the light intensity of the illuminated illumination segments is selected depending on input information describing the ambient brightness. In other words, according to the present invention, the illumination device can be provided with an adaptive, environmentally sensitive intensity variation, whereby, in particular, whenever the ambient brightness falls below a parameterizable threshold, the ambient lighting can be dimmed to a lower level, thus a lower light intensity, if necessary, taking into account additional boundary conditions. Such active dimming promotes perception in darker environments and avoids glare.For example, at least one look-up table can be provided in which a dimming level is assigned to specific values ​​of the ambient brightness, in particular below the configurable threshold. If the boundary conditions for active dimming are no longer met, in particular if the ambient brightness rises above the configurable threshold, the light intensity is increased to the higher level.

[0062] Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle according to the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic diagram of an illumination module, Fig. 3 the motor vehicle with a surrounding illumination area, Fig. 4 a first example of illumination situation, Fig. 5 a second exemplary illumination situation, Fig. 6 a third exemplary illumination situation, Fig. 7 a fourth exemplary illumination situation, and Fig. 8 a fifth exemplary illumination situation.

[0063] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention. The motor vehicle 1 has an illumination device 2, in this case in addition to other lighting devices such as headlights, taillights, direction indicators, reversing lights, brake lights, license plate lights and the like. The illumination device has illumination modules 3 installed on the outer circumference of the motor vehicle close to the ground, which, as shown in Fig. 2, at least one light source 4 and optionally at least one optical component 5. The light sources 4 can be, for example, light-emitting diodes or light-emitting diode arrangements, for example a light-emitting diode arrangement which comprises at least one red, one green and one blue light-emitting diode and is thus capable of emitting light of different colors when appropriately controlled. Optical components can be lenses, diaphragms, filters and the like. In particular, it is conceivable for an illumination module to have at least one light source 4 and optionally at least one optical component 5 in order to form a projection device which makes it possible to illuminate at least one essentially sharply defined light area in the surroundings of the motor vehicle 1, which area can form an illumination segment, as will be explained in more detail below.Furthermore, control for different light intensities can be achieved, for example by pulse width modulation.

[0064] Returning to Fig. 1, the ground-level installation of the illumination modules 3, including the light sources 4 and the optional optical components 5, is achieved by installing the illumination modules 3 in the two side sills 6, the front apron 7, and the rear apron 8. Illumination modules can also be installed in bumpers and / or the underbody of the motor vehicle 1.

[0065] The operation of the illumination modules 3 is controlled by a control device 8 of the illumination device 2, via which various lighting functions of a vehicle system 9, to which the control device 8 also belongs, can be implemented. To receive suitable input information for the lighting functions, the control device 8 is connected, for example via a bus system of the motor vehicle 1, to environmental sensors 10 of the motor vehicle 1 and to other vehicle systems 11. The motor vehicle 1 also has an input device 12, via which personalization information regarding the illumination device 2 or the lighting functions can be received from a user.

[0066] To implement various lighting functions, the control device 8 has an evaluation unit 13 in which illumination information can be determined, which contains information about the desired illumination result. This illumination information is converted in a control unit 14 into control signals for the illumination modules 3, thus the light sources 4 and optionally the optical components 5. The control can be carried out via at least one bus system of the motor vehicle, for example, a LIN bus and / or a CAN bus.

[0067] Due to the arrangement and design of the illumination modules 3 and their control options, the illumination device 2, as shown in Fig. 3, a simultaneously illuminated illumination area 15 covering the entire surroundings of the motor vehicle 1 in the circumferential direction, which is divided into independently controllable illumination segments 16, indicated here at least schematically, which follow one another both in the circumferential direction and in the direction of distance from the motor vehicle 1. Overall, one can say that the maximum possible illumination area 15 is divided into the illumination segments 16 in a matrix-like manner, wherein in Fig. 3, for better visualization, a relatively coarse resolution with large illumination segments 16 is shown; however, a finer resolution in the circumferential direction and / or distance direction is also possible, for example, down to the centimeter range, particularly with edge lengths of less than 20 cm. While the illumination areas 16 can partially overlap, a design of the illumination device 2 for the sharpest possible delimitation of the illumination segments 16 is preferred.

[0068] In the present exemplary embodiment, the illumination range extends at every position along the circumference from a starting value, which can be from 0 to 0.2 m, to an end value, which can be 2.5 to 3.5 m, in particular up to 3 m, starting from the motor vehicle 1. This means that the illumination device 2 relates in particular to the close range around the motor vehicle 1, in particular as close to it as possible or possibly even starting below the motor vehicle 1. Accordingly, other exemplary embodiments are also conceivable in which the illumination range 15 basically begins at least directly at the motor vehicle 1.

[0069] Segmentation in both the circumferential and distance directions can be advantageously utilized by various lighting functions in different ways. In particular, surrounding objects described by the illumination information can be illuminated and / or highlighted, surrounding directions can be displayed, and / or additional information, particularly communication information, can be displayed.

[0070] Fig. Figure 4 shows one possibility for highlighting an ambient object 17. It is evident that those illumination segments 16a are illuminated or illuminated in a manner distinguishable from surrounding illumination segments 16, such that the ambient object 17 is illuminated or highlighted accordingly. It should also be noted at this point that the design of the illumination device 2 is generally such that different light intensities (brightnesses) and different light colors can be selected for the illumination segments 16, wherein the light intensities can also be achieved, in particular, in the form of continuous dimming, for example, using a pulse-width modulation method.

[0071] Other variants for highlighting an ambient object 17 are also conceivable, for example by distinguishable illumination of illumination segments 16 surrounding the ambient object 17 or the like.

[0072] Furthermore, the term "environmental object" is to be understood broadly here, since, for example, distinct environmental areas, such as clearly defined horizontal surfaces, can also constitute environmental objects, in addition to physical environmental objects. Environmental objects can be detected, in particular, by evaluating sensor data from at least one environmental sensor 10, which can accordingly serve as input information.

[0073] Fig. Figure 5 shows one possibility for displaying an ambient direction 18. Illumination segments 16b located in the ambient direction 18 are not only controlled differently from neighboring illumination segments 16, but also differently from one another in order to make the highlighting particularly intuitive. Specifically, successive illumination segments 16b in the ambient direction 18 are illuminated both differently from one another and in a temporally dynamic sequence. For example, a brightly illuminated illumination segment 16b can traverse the sequence of illumination segments 16b starting from the motor vehicle 1 in order to display the ambient direction 18, in particular as away from the motor vehicle.

[0074] In the lighting situation of the Fig. 6, additional information, in this case a parameter, is to be displayed. For this purpose, starting from the motor vehicle 1 in the distance direction, illumination segments 16c, 16d are illuminated according to the value of the parameter, wherein, particularly in the case of a parameter that changes over time, the outermost illumination segments 16d, which ultimately correspond to the value range that the value of the parameter currently has, can be displayed flashing in order to reflect this temporal change. A preferred example, which will be explained in more detail below, is the state of charge of a high-voltage battery of the motor vehicle 1 during a charging process. The permanently or uniformly illuminated inner segments 16c indicate that the charging process has already been completed, while the flashing segment 16d indicates the current charging process and indicates the state of charge range in which the charging process is currently taking place.Of course, other ways of representing a parameter as additional information in general are also conceivable, in addition to the extent of an illuminated interval in the distance direction shown here. For example, it is conceivable to use a speed of the temporal dynamics of the illumination, a light color, a light color gradient, or the like to represent the parameter using segmentation.

[0075] Fig. Figure 7 illustrates a possible use of the illumination device 2 for a dynamic direction indicator function. It is assumed there that the motor vehicle has at least one direction indicator 21 (turn signal) as an additional lighting device. The flashing of this turn signal can be continued in the flashing direction 19 by means of the illumination segments 16e arranged consecutively in the distance direction, after the illumination of the direction indicator 21 is followed continuously by the illumination segments 16e from the motor vehicle 1, which more clearly and intuitively reflects the intention of the driver of the motor vehicle 1.

[0076] Fig. Finally, Figure 8 shows a possible use of the illumination device 2 in a lane change assistant or a lane merging assistant. The illumination segments 16f indicate to other road users, through their illumination or highlighted illumination, in a temporally dynamic or spatial sense, that the motor vehicle 1 now intends to change lanes according to arrow 20. In particular, in combination with further additional information, in particular symbols, traffic can thus be organized around the motor vehicle 1, for example, to achieve a zipper procedure during a lane merging.

[0077] Within the scope of the exemplary embodiment presented here, a multitude of additional lighting functions are possible, which will be mentioned at least briefly below. For example, an approach light function can be implemented. Whenever the motor vehicle approaches an obstacle during a parking maneuver, the area surrounding the obstacle can be more brightly illuminated by illumination segments 16 of the ambient lighting. The obstacle itself can, of course, also be highlighted, as described. If the obstacle lies outside the illumination area 15, the surrounding area surrounding the obstacle can be illuminated.

[0078] Emergency information or a warning regarding an attempted theft can also be output via the lighting device 2. Thus, in the case of an active theft warning, an active emergency call from an internal emergency call system of the motor vehicle 1, or an active panic mode, this can be communicated to other road users by varying the light intensity and / or the light color, particularly in all illumination segments 16.

[0079] In a further preferred lighting function, a distance recommendation for two-wheelers, in particular cyclists and / or scooters, or a corresponding overtaking warning can be implemented. In urban areas and on country roads, a distance recommendation can be implemented around the position of preceding two-wheelers or scooters by illuminating the illumination segments 16 surrounding the corresponding surrounding object accordingly, for example, highlighting them or operating them as a general rule. The number of illuminated illumination segments then ultimately provides a distance recommendation that is visualized. This can enable safe overtaking. In another embodiment, the illumination device 2 can also display a minimum distance to the overtaking vehicle in order to protect the vehicle occupants and the vehicle being overtaken from risks.

[0080] Another conceivable lighting function concerns following vehicles, where the range of conventional illumination, for example, from headlights, is reduced and the ambient lighting of the illumination device 2 can be switched on. This serves to raise awareness of one's own position while simultaneously saving energy.

[0081] Generally speaking, for example in a “danger spot” lighting function, potential hazards can be highlighted and made more visible through illumination, for example obstacles that cannot be driven over as surrounding objects.

[0082] As additional information, lighting functions that are particularly useful for fully automatic operation of the motor vehicle in a vehicle system 11 designed for fully automatic guidance of the motor vehicle can, for example, display or highlight the ambient direction 18 in the direction of detected pedestrians to inform pedestrians that they have been detected. A restart of the motor vehicle 1 can be indicated, for example, by two pulsations across the entire illumination area 15.

[0083] A particularly advantageous embodiment results from an assisting light function for a refueling process or, with particular advantage, for a charging process, in which a high-voltage battery of the motor vehicle 1, from which an electric motor of the motor vehicle 1 is powered, is charged, which usually takes a somewhat longer period of time. The illumination device 2 not only allows the appropriate charging device, for example a charging station, to be adequately illuminated, but can also implement a charging start indicator, a charging state indicator, and a charging completion indicator, as with regard to the Fig. 6 has already been partially described. The start, progress, and completion of a charging process can be visualized accordingly by light intensity variations, light color changes, and / or activation of illumination segments 16.

[0084] A further advantageous lighting function is provided by a "puddle light." This allows passengers to identify puddles in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle 1 when exiting the vehicle, as these are highlighted by individual illumination segments 16 of the illumination device 2.

[0085] In addition to the already mentioned Fig. 8, it may also be expedient in other cases to display the future travel trajectory of the motor vehicle 1 as additional information by means of the illumination segments 16, for example during shunting operations.

[0086] The illumination device 2 can also be used, with particular advantage, to support street lighting. For example, dark areas can be located as an environmental object 17, which can then be specifically illuminated to supplement the street lighting. In principle, it is also possible to support the street lighting by fully operating the entire illumination area 15. In both variants, the driver's own vehicle, whether parked or in city traffic, functions as additional street lighting and illuminates areas close to the vehicle accordingly. The active function also identifies the driver's own vehicle as a potential obstacle when parked.

[0087] Conveniently, the control device 8 is also designed to implement an adaptive, environmentally sensitive intensity variation with respect to the illumination device 2. Specifically, if the ambient brightness, for example, as measured by a corresponding ambient brightness sensor, falls below a configurable threshold, the ambient lighting can be dimmed by the illumination device 2, since it is easier to detect in the dark. Other boundary conditions can also be taken into account. As soon as the ambient brightness rises above the configurable threshold again, the active dimming is terminated.

[0088] As already explained, the use of personalization information allows for the individualization of at least some of the lighting functions provided by the vehicle system 9 or the control device 8. This is particularly useful for assistive functions that also have a staging character. For example, a "coming home" / "leaving home" function can also be provided, for which the user can define and save their own illumination patterns, possibly also of a temporally dynamic nature, using the input device 12. This can of course also be enabled for other lighting functions, for example the charging light function.

[0089] The illumination device 2 can also be used particularly advantageously during maneuvering and the like. For example, it is possible to activate the rear illumination segments 16 when reversing, while in the front area of ​​the vehicle, the illumination by the illumination device 2 is directed opposite to the steering direction, allowing obstacles to be more easily perceived when reversing.

[0090] For the specific control of the illumination modules 3, the illumination information from the evaluation unit 13 can be used in the control unit 14 to determine control information that describes an illumination pattern. The illumination pattern can, in particular, describe spatial and / or temporal differences in the illumination of different illumination segments 16. Since predefined illumination patterns can be provided for some lighting functions, which can optionally be further parameterized depending on the illumination information, it is expedient to provide a database of predefined illumination patterns within the motor vehicle 1, in particular in the control device 8, using corresponding control information, which can be retrieved depending on the illumination information.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (1), comprising an illumination device (2) comprising a plurality of light sources (4) and a control device (8) for illuminating an illumination area (15) which completely covers the surroundings of the motor vehicle (1) in the circumferential direction and can be illuminated simultaneously, wherein the illumination area (15) is divided into illumination segments (16, 16a-f) which can be controlled independently for illumination by means of the control device (8) within the framework of at least one, in particular assisting, lighting function of a vehicle system (9), characterized by in that the illumination area (15) of the illumination device (2) has at least two successive illumination segments (16, 16a-f) in a distance direction from the motor vehicle (1), wherein the illumination area (15) is divided in a matrix-like manner into illumination segments (16, 16a-f) which follow one another in the circumferential direction and the distance direction, wherein each illumination segment covers a predefined circumferential and distance range. [2] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the illumination area (15) has a distance extension from the motor vehicle (1) in the distance direction starting at 0 to 0.2 m and / or ending at 2.5 to 3.5 m. [3] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the light sources (4) comprise at least one LED and / or at least one laser light source and / or at least one projector and / or the light sources (4) are at least partially installed in at least one sill (6) and / or a front apron (7a) and / or a rear apron (7b) and / or an underbody and / or at least one bumper and / or in at least one wheel arch and / or in a spoiler and / or in a radiator grille and / or in at least one exterior mirror and / or in at least one door and / or at least one tailgate and / or that the illumination device (2) is designed to illuminate at least some of the illumination segments (16, 16a-f) in different light intensities and / or light colors. [4] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the control device (8) is designed, within the scope of the lighting function, for distance-related illumination and / or highlighting of an environmental object (17) and / or for dynamic display of an environmental direction (18) directed in particular away from the motor vehicle (1) or towards the motor vehicle (1) by differently controlling at least two illumination segments (16, 16a-f) offset from one another in the distance direction and / or additional information to be displayed in the distance direction by illuminated intervals of the illumination area (15). [5] Method for operating an illumination device (2) of a motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims within the scope of the lighting function of the vehicle system (9), comprising the following steps: - Evaluation of input information of the lighting function, in particular sensor data of at least one environmental sensor (10) of the motor vehicle (1), to determine illumination information which describes at least one environmental object (17) to be illuminated and / or highlighted and / or at least one environmental direction (18) to be displayed and additional information to be displayed in the distance direction by illuminated intervals of the illumination area (15), - Controlling the illumination device (2) according to the illumination information for illuminating and / or highlighting the at least one surrounding object (17) and / or displaying the at least one surrounding direction (18) and for displaying the additional information, wherein the additional information comprises image information to be projected onto the background of the environment and resolved according to the segmentation of the illumination area (15) of the illumination device (2). [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized bythat for the control according to the illumination information, control information describing a spatial and / or temporal illumination pattern is determined. [7] Method according to claim 6, characterized by that the illumination pattern comprises spatially and / or temporally varying light intensities and / or light colors and / or is retrieved at least partially from a database of predefined illumination patterns, in particular depending on the illumination information, and / or that the illumination pattern is determined at least partially based on personalization information provided by a user. [8] Method according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized byin that, in order to illuminate and / or highlight the at least one surrounding object (17), illumination segments (16, 16a-f) containing the object are illuminated brighter and / or in a different light color than an object surrounding the surrounding object (17), and / or in that, in order to display the at least one surrounding direction (18), successive illumination segments (16, 16a-f) in the surrounding direction (18) are illuminated differently from one another and / or in a temporally dynamic sequence and / or from illumination segments (16, 16a-f) adjacent in the circumferential direction and / or in the distance direction. [9] Method according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized bythat a puddle and / or a cyclist, wherein in particular a distance recommendation is additionally displayed as additional information, and / or a danger point and / or a pedestrian and / or a charging device for an energy storage device and / or tank of the motor vehicle (1) and / or a clear area characterizing a lateral distance to be kept clear and / or a dark area illuminated by a street light below a brightness threshold and / or an environmental area located between the own motor vehicle (1) and a motor vehicle (1) traveling immediately ahead and / or following behind, in particular when following behind, and / or an obstacle and / or an environmental area located between the obstacle and the motor vehicle (1), in particular during a parking and / or maneuvering maneuver. [10] Method according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized bythat an approach direction of a dynamic surrounding object (17) and / or a current direction of travel of the own motor vehicle (1) and / or a direction indicator direction to be displayed in addition to a direction indicator on the motor vehicle (1) and described by a direction indicator signal and / or a desired direction of movement supplied in particular by a navigation system and / or a driver assistance system and / or a direction to an surrounding object (17) located outside the illumination area (15) is used as the surrounding direction (18). [11] Method according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized by that the additional information comprises a parameter which is displayed via an extension of an illuminated interval in the distance direction and / or a speed of a dynamic of the illumination and / or via a light colour and / or a light colour gradient in the distance direction. [12] Method according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized by that warning information, in particular regarding a theft attempt and / or a detected pedestrian and / or an impending departure of the motor vehicle (1), and / or reminder information regarding an action to be carried out on the motor vehicle (1) and / or charging information related to a charging process and / or refueling process, in particular charging information comprising a charging and / or filling state as a parameter and / or charging information indicating a charging start and / or charging completion, and / or emergency information, in particular an extended hazard warning light and / or a panic light, and / or a future planned and / or recommended trajectory of the motor vehicle (1), in particular for implementing a lane merging assistant or lane change assistant, is used as the additional information. [13] Method according to one of claims 5 to 12, characterized by that the illumination device (2) is operated additionally to realize an orientation light function, in particular after arrival or before departure and / or to illuminate a door area, and / or a manoeuvring light function, in particular a reversing light and / or a cornering light to be used in particular when the motor vehicle (1) is reversing. [14] Method according to one of claims 5 to 13, characterized by that the light intensity of the illuminated illumination segments (16, 16a-f) is selected as a function of input information describing the ambient brightness.

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