System and method for controlling a sample skin lighting device for a vehicle

Abstract

Method for controlling a pattern skin lighting device for a vehicle, the method comprising: Generating a large number of random numbers using a controller; Accumulating a multitude of continuous on-times for each lighting cell in an arrangement of lighting cells that form the pattern skin lighting device for the vehicle; Select, by the controller, as a turn-on lighting target cell, from lighting cells with an accumulative value of the number of continuous turn-on times, which is a predetermined reference value or less, from among the lighting cells that correspond to the generated random number; and Switching on, by the controller, a light emission element of the selected switch-on lighting target cell, wherein the lighting cell with the accumulative value of the number of continuous on-times exceeding the reference value is excluded from the on-lighting target cell among the lighting cells corresponding to the generated random number, and wherein the accumulative value of the number of continuous on-times of the lighting cell excluded from the on-lighting target cell is preset to zero.

Description

BACKGROUND Area of ​​Revelation

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lighting technology, and in particular to a system and a method for controlling a pattern skin lighting device for a vehicle. Description of the related technique

[0002] Currently, some vehicle lights are designed to create a more differentiated lighting pattern than conventional ones by arranging multiple light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), on a single light-emitting surface. Lighting devices described above, on the other hand, have a fixed lighting output pattern, consisting of switching a single light source, such as an LED, on and off.

[0003] In the development of autonomous vehicles, different spaces within the vehicle will be able to be actively and variably connected and controlled, and various functions, connection methods, and the like will need to be designed for this purpose. Different lighting devices installed to generate light within a vehicle can achieve more diverse lighting output patterns, which helps to meet such requirements.

[0004] The aforementioned statements, described as the technical background, are merely intended to aid in understanding the technical background of the present disclosure and are not meant to imply that the present disclosure lies within the scope of related technology already known to a person skilled in the art.

[0005] Document DE 10 2017 105 131 A1 is known, which discloses a method for operating an optoelectronic component which has a plurality of pixels and a plurality of temperature sensors, wherein the pixels are each configured to emit light and wherein the temperature sensors are in thermally conductive connection with the pixels, comprising steps for detecting temperature values ​​supplied by the temperature sensors and for controlling the pixels depending on the detected temperature values.

[0006] Document DE 10 2016 207 725 A1 shows a lighting device which has one or more multi-color LED units, each with adjustable color position and adjustable brightness.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 10 2016 109 530 A1 is known. This patent describes a motor vehicle headlight comprising a light source, a polarizing beam splitter in the beam path of the light source, which divides the light coming from the light source into two differently polarized partial beam paths, a first liquid crystal aperture, a first polarizing filter and a first lens in the first partial beam path, and a second liquid crystal aperture, a second polarizing filter and a second lens in the second partial beam path. The first lens in the first partial beam path has a different focal length f1 than the second lens in the second partial beam path. DEPICTION

[0008] The present disclosure provides a system and a method for operating a pattern skin lighting device for a vehicle, which can actively implement more diverse lighting output forms in order to generate a lighting pattern image of a design that is aesthetically elegant for the vehicle and can furthermore express various messages.

[0009] A method for controlling a pattern skin illumination device comprises the features according to claim 1.

[0010] The controller can be configured to generate a number of random numbers within a predetermined range such that this number is less than the total number of illumination cells of the sample skin illumination device. The controller can be configured to set the reference value within a range of natural numbers greater than 1. The method further includes, by means of the controller, controlling a cell cover of the selected target illumination cell. In particular, the controller can be configured to control the light-emitting element and the cell cover of the selected target illumination cell during a predetermined reference time, and all steps from the generation of the random number can be repeated.

[0011] The lighting cell with the accumulated value of the number of continuous on-times that exceeds the reference value, among the lighting cells corresponding to the generated random number, can be excluded from the target lighting cell, and the accumulated value of the number of continuous on-times of the lighting cell that is excluded from the target lighting cell can be preset or initialized to zero.

[0012] Furthermore, a method for controlling a pattern skin lighting device for a vehicle according to claim 6 is provided.

[0013] The method can further include, by the controller, the control of the cell covers of the lighting cells in a column, which requires the control of the cell covers under the lighting cells in which the light-emitting elements have been switched on. The controller can be configured to disable the control of the cell covers of the lighting cells in column N, which is a column of lighting cells that switch on the new light-emitting elements. The controller can be configured to specify a predetermined cell cover designation factor and to control cell covers of lighting cells in column M, which is a column obtained by subtracting exactly as many as the cell cover designation factor from column N, which is the column of newly switched-on lighting cells.

[0014] The controller can be configured to repeatedly switch on the light-emitting elements of the lighting cells that form the N column, increasing N by one each time, until MAX is reached, which is a predefined maximum value. If N is greater than MAX, the columns remaining in the switched-on state can be configured to switch off sequentially from the previously switched-on column at a predefined switch-off interval.

[0015] The present disclosure can actively implement more diverse lighting output forms outside the vehicle body, thereby forming the lighting pattern image of the design, which improves the appearance of the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The above and further tasks, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will become clearer from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a representation showing a sample skin lighting device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a representation that shows a cross-sectional structure of the lighting cell, which is the sample skin lighting device made of Fig. 1 forms, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a representation that shows a state in which a cell coverage of each lighting cell is visible at different viewing angles of the Fig. 1 was rotated according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a representation that shows a cross-sectional structure of the lighting cell of the state of Fig. 3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 5 is a flowchart representing a first embodiment of a method for controlling the pattern skin lighting device for the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 6 is a representation illustrating a state in which the pattern skin lighting device for the vehicle displays a STAR-CLOUD image according to an embodiment of the Fig. 5 has implemented; Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the pattern skin lighting device for the vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a representation showing a scene from a scenario set for the sample skin lighting device for the vehicle to create a situation in which a pedestrian walks near the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the pattern skin lighting device for the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. 10 is a diagram that shows an operational example from Fig. 9 illustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE REVELATION

[0017] It is noted that the terms "vehicle" and "vehicle-" or other similar terms used herein encompass motor vehicles in general, such as passenger cars including SUVs, buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft and the like, and hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other vehicles powered by alternative fuels (i.e. fuels derived from sources other than petroleum). When used herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that has two or more power sources, for example, vehicles that run on both gasoline and electricity.

[0018] Although one embodiment is described as using a plurality of units to perform the exemplary process, it should be noted that the exemplary processes can also be performed by one or a plurality of modules. Furthermore, it should be noted that the term controller refers to a hardware device comprising memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store the modules, and the processor is specifically configured to execute these modules to perform one or more processes, which are described in more detail below.

[0019] Furthermore, the control logic of the present disclosure can be implemented as a non-volatile, computer-readable storage medium on a computer-readable medium comprising executable program instructions that are executed by a processor, a controller / control unit, or the like. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, flash drives, smart cards, and optical data storage devices. The computer-readable storage medium can also be distributed in network-connected computer systems, such that the computer-readable medium is stored and executed in a distributed manner, for example, by a telematics server or a controller area network (CAN).

[0020] The technology used herein serves only to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. When used herein, the singular forms "a" and "the" are to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be noted that the terms "have / comprise" and / or "having / comprising," when used in this document, indicate the presence of the aforementioned features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of the aforementioned features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. When used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.

[0021] Unless otherwise specified or evident from the context, the term "approximately" is understood to mean within a normal technical tolerance range, for example, within 2 standard deviations from the mean. "Approximately" may be understood to mean within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise specified, all values ​​given are modified by the term "approximately".

[0022] With reference to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4. A pattern skin lighting device 100 for a vehicle, to which the present disclosure can be applied, is a configuration in which lighting cells 1, designed as described below, can be arranged in a plane and form a regular pattern. Each of the lighting cells 1 can have a light-emitting element 3; a cell pocket 5 surrounding the light-emitting element 3; a cell cover 7 surrounding the light-emitting element 3 inside the cell pocket 5 and rotatably mounted with respect to the cell pocket 5; and an actuator 9 configured to rotate the cell cover 7 with respect to the cell pocket 5.

[0023] In other words, each of the lighting cells 1, which constitute the pattern skin lighting device 100 according to the present disclosure, can be configured such that the light beams generated by the light emission element 3, which is installed inside the cell pocket 5, can be varied by adjusting the light emission element 3, and the outwardly expressed lighting state can be varied according to the rotation state of the cell cover 7, and can be configured to adjust the light beam emission state of each of the lighting cells 1 separately, thereby realizing the lighting state of a so-called STAR CLOUD image. A lighting state can also be varied in any desired way, thereby forming the lighting pattern image of the embodiment, which provides an improved aesthetic appearance of the vehicle.For example, the STAR CLOUD image refers to an image where local bright and dark areas are likely to blend together, such as a space nebula. Light emission element 3 can be configured as an LED or similar device.

[0024] The cell cover 7 can be installed to be rotatable relative to the cell pocket 5 within a predetermined range. A cell hinge 11 can be connected to the interior of the cell cover 7 to be rotatable relative to it, and the cell hinge 11 can be installed to be linearly displaceable within a predetermined range in one direction from the cell pocket 5 towards the cell cover 7. Accordingly, the cell hinge 11 can set a position of the cell cover 7 relative to the cell pocket 5 in a state where the cell cover 7 can be rotated relative to the cell pocket 5.

[0025] Accordingly, a predefined range in which the cell joint 11 is linearly displaceable in the cell pocket 5 can be adjusted to the level necessary to set the relative position of the cell cover 7 with respect to the cell pocket 5 for each lighting cell, in order to ensure smoother rotation of the cell cover 7 as described above. For example, in Fig. 2 the end section of the side of the cell pocket 5 of the cell joint 11 or the like shall have a stop projection, not shown, or a similar element for the cell joint 11 to limit a span which is linearly displaceable with respect to the cell pocket 5.

[0026] The cell cover 7 is rotated by means of a pivot point connected to the cell hinge 11, allowing it to rotate relative to the cell pocket 5. The predetermined range within which the cell cover 7 can rotate relative to the cell pocket 5 can be adjusted by an angle-limiting projection 7-1 extending from within the cell cover 7 towards the cell hinge 11. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the cell cover 7 can be installed to allow the light rays from the light-emitting element 3 to pass only through a gap between a side-end section of the cell cover 7 (for example, a first side-end section) and the cell pocket 5. In other words, the light rays generated by the light-emitting element 3 can be emitted directly outwards by the cell pocket 5 and the cell cover 7, which surround the light-emitting element 3 as shown, and can be emitted outwards only through the gap formed between the cell pocket 5 and the cell cover 7, as described above.

[0027] The cell pocket 5 can have a first mirror 13 that allows the light rays to propagate from the light-emitting element 3 to the gap between the cell cover 7 and the cell pocket 5, where they are reflected and directed outside the illumination cell 1. The cell cover 7 can further have a second mirror 15 that allows the light rays reflected by the first mirror 13 to be reflected again and directed outside the illumination cell 1. The outer surface of the cell cover 7 can be formed in such a way that at least two or more planes meet or intersect at a uniform angle.

[0028] In Fig. 2. The outer surface of the cell cover 7 can be formed in such a way that two or more planes meet at a uniform angle at a position adjacent to the axis of rotation of the cell cover 7, and the second mirror 15 can be arranged on the surface of the plane adjacent to the gap containing the cell pocket 5, between two planes outside the cell cover 7. Accordingly, the illumination pattern exposed outside the illumination cell 1 can be varied by adjusting the brightness of the light-emitting element 3 inside the illumination cell 1, but different illumination states can be formed, which are continuously varied by continuously or continuously changing the amounts and angles of the light rays reflected by the first mirror 13 and the second mirror 15 based on the rotation angle of the cell cover 7.can be continuously adjusted, and provide the graduated lighting effect outside the cell cover 7.

[0029] This shows Fig. 1. A state in which the appearance of each cell cover 7 has been formed in a rhombus shape, and the cell cover 7 has been installed to be rotatable along one of the longest diagonals of the rhombus. Meanwhile, the actuator 9 may be configured to include an electromagnet installed to vary a magnetic force acting between the cell cover 7 and the cell pocket 5.

[0030] The electromagnets can be arranged on both the cell cover 7 and the cell pocket 5 to adjust the rotation angle of the cell cover 7 relative to the cell pocket 5 by adjusting the strengths and directions of the magnetic force of the two electromagnets. Alternatively, only one side (e.g., a first side) of the cell cover 7 and the cell pocket 5 can have the electromagnet, and a permanent magnet capable of responding to the magnetic force of the electromagnet can be provided on the opposite side (e.g., a second side) to adjust the electromagnet on the first side, thus adjusting the rotation angle of the cell cover 7. The actuator 9 can also have various devices for generating the linear displacement or rotational displacement to generate the rotation angle of the cell cover 7 relative to the cell pocket 5.

[0031] As described above, in the pattern skin lighting device 100 for the vehicle, to which the present disclosure can be applied, each lighting cell 1, which is set up as described above, can be installed outside the vehicle body and arranged in a plane, forming a regular pattern as described above, and each can individually control the entirety of the lighting cells arranged as described above in a controller, and thereby change different lighting patterns on the exterior of the vehicle body in real time.

[0032] Fig. Figure 5 is a representation showing an embodiment for the operation of the pattern skin lighting device for the vehicle as described above in the present disclosure, and the method may include generating (S10) a plurality of random numbers by a controller; accumulating (S20) a plurality of continuous switch-on times for each lighting cell in the arrangement of lighting cells that form the pattern skin lighting device for the vehicle; selecting (S30) by the controller, as a switch-on lighting target cell, from among the lighting cells corresponding to the generated random number, with an accumulator value of the number of continuous switch-on times that is a predetermined reference value or less.In other words, the present embodiment allows the controller to randomly illuminate the respective lighting cells arranged in the pattern skin illumination device by means of the generated random number, thereby creating the STAR CLOUD image, like the stars shining in the night sky.

[0033] This shows Fig. 6. A scene that generates the STAR CLOUD image as described above, and the illuminated section can be randomly changed over time. The controller can be configured to generate a number of random numbers that is less than the total number of illumination cells of the pattern skin illumination device within a predetermined range. In other words, if the total number of illumination cells of the pattern skin illumination device is, for example, 50, the number of random numbers generated at step S10 of the Fig. The random number generated by the controller can be 5, 10, 20, or similar, less than 50. Furthermore, if, for example, a unique number is assigned to the entire lighting cell, successively from 1 to 50, the range of the generated random number can be limited to 1 to 50, so that the random number described above can refer to each individual lighting cell.

[0034] Accordingly, if the random number is generated by the controller as described above, accumulating the number of continuous on-times for each lighting cell increases the number of continuous on-times for that lighting cell by one, corresponding to the generated random number. The controller can then be configured to select the corresponding lighting cell as the target lighting cell to turn on if the number of continuous on-times thus increased is equal to or less than the reference value. This selection is made by comparing the increased number of continuous on-times to the reference value, and thus to turn on that lighting cell.

[0035] If the number of continuous on-times of a fifth lighting cell is 2, the number of continuous on-times of a seventh lighting cell is 1, and the number of continuous on-times of a thirteenth lighting cell is 0, accumulated to the present. If the random numbers were generated as 5, 7, 13, the number of continuous on-times of the fifth lighting cell is 3, the number of continuous on-times of the seventh lighting cell is 2, and the number of continuous on-times of the thirteenth lighting cell is 1.

[0036] Furthermore, if the reference value is set to 2, the seventh and thirteenth lighting cells have a number of continuous on-times less than the reference value of 2, and are selected as the target lighting cells to be switched on in this cycle. However, since the fifth lighting cell has 3 continuous on-times, which is greater than the reference value of 2, the fifth lighting cell can be excluded from the target lighting cells. The controller can be configured to set the reference value within a range of a natural number greater than 1, and can be configured to set the reference value such that the corresponding lighting cell can be switched on repeatedly within a range of at least one time.

[0037] As described above, among the lighting cells corresponding to the generated random number, those lighting cells whose accumulated value of continuous on-times exceeds the reference value can be excluded from the on-lighting target cell, and the accumulated value of the number of continuous on-times of the lighting cell excluded from the on-lighting target cell can be initialized to zero.

[0038] However, the present embodiment can further include controlling, by the controller, the cell cover of the selected turn-on illumination target cell (S50). By controlling the cell cover of the illumination cell, which has been turned on as described above, it may be possible to more closely approximate the appearance in which the starlight is likely to appear. The controller can be configured to operate the light-emitting element and the cell cover of the selected turn-on illumination target cell during a predetermined reference time and to repeatedly perform all steps from the generation of the random number.

[0039] The reference time can be a period to maintain a state in which the illumination cell was switched on, and can be conveniently selected within a few seconds. The controller can further be configured to vary the reference time in each cycle. The controller can also generate the STAR CLOUD image during a predetermined generation time, such as approximately 30 seconds, 1 minute, or 5 minutes, repeating the steps described above, and can be configured to gradually decrease the number of illumination cells to be switched on, thereby ending the generation of the STAR CLOUD image.

[0040] Accordingly, if the controller intends to stop generating the STAR CLOUD image, the controller can be configured to exclude from the target illumination cell any illumination cell whose accumulated number of continuous on-times exceeds the reference value. It can also omit the initialization of the accumulated number of continuous on-times of the illumination cell excluded from the target illumination cell to zero, thereby reducing the number of illumination cells to be switched on and ultimately achieving a completely off state. Furthermore, the controller can ultimately achieve a completely off state by progressively decreasing the number of illumination cells that were switched on as described above, through a progressive decrease in the number of random numbers generated during the random number generation process.

[0041] Fig. Figure 7 shows a second embodiment for controlling the pattern skin lighting device for the vehicle according to the present disclosure, and the method may include determining (S100), by the controller, a mode for controlling the pattern skin lighting device for the vehicle according to a vehicle operating state and a vehicle environment situation; selecting (S110), by the controller, scenario data for a mode corresponding to the determined mode for controlling the pattern skin lighting device; and operating (S120), by the controller, a light emission element from each lighting cell of the pattern skin lighting device based on the selected scenario data.

[0042] In other words, the present embodiment configures the scenario data, which is capable of realizing the sequence of a series of lighting states to be generated by the vehicle's pattern skin lighting device for each mode, and the method may include the selection, by the controller, of the scenario data that is determined to be suitable for a mode according to the current situation, which is embedded in a separate storage device or controller, whereby the vehicle's pattern skin lighting device is operated according to the selected scenario data.

[0043] The vehicle operating state can include at least an idle state, a turn signal operating state, a warning switch state, a charging state, and a vehicle off switch operating state. In other words, the controller can be configured to determine whether the vehicle is in an idle state, using the operating mode such as an accelerator pedal or the vehicle's engine, and to determine the mode based on the vehicle operating state, such as an idle mode, a turn signal operating mode, a warning mode, a charging mode, a vehicle off mode, or the like, by sensing whether a driver has operated a turn signal switch, whether the driver has operated a warning switch, whether the vehicle is charging, and whether the driver has operated a vehicle start switch.

[0044] The vehicle environment situation can also include a situation where, in response to the detection that a user is approaching the vehicle from outside, a greeting function must be implemented, and / or a situation where a pedestrian is walking near or around the vehicle (for example, within a predetermined distance around the vehicle). In other words, the controller can be configured to determine a greeting mode by sensing the user's approach with a SmartKey or a key fob of the vehicle, and to determine a pedestrian guidance mode by sensing a pedestrian walking near the vehicle with a camera or other imaging device.Naturally, the controller can be configured to determine the greeting mode by detecting the user's approach with a smartphone, other near field communication (NFC) device, or the like, owned by the user other than the SmartKey, and to determine the pedestrian guidance mode by sensing the pedestrian walking near the vehicle through various sensors, such as an ultrasonic sensor, rather than the camera.

[0045] Scenario data for each mode can be designed in a way that expresses intuition, beauty, and luxury. For example, it shows Fig. 8. A scene of a scenario where the pattern skin lighting device for the vehicle is configured according to the pedestrian guidance mode, which can be configured as the scenario where the illuminated section moves step by step and continuously along the pedestrian's direction of movement, as described above. Here, the controller can be configured to operate the cell coverage of each lighting cell of the pattern skin lighting device together according to the selected scenario data, thereby achieving a more elegant and aesthetically pleasing lighting pattern (for example, improving the lighting aesthetics).

[0046] Fig. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of a method for operating the pattern skin lighting device for the vehicle according to the present disclosure, and the method may include switching on, by the controller, the light emission element of the lighting cells forming a predetermined N-column in the arrangement of lighting cells forming the pattern skin lighting device for the vehicle (S200), and repeating, by the controller, incrementing N by one each time a predetermined switch-on interval elapses, and switching on the light emission element of the lighting cells forming the N-columns (S210).

[0047] In other words, the present embodiment can create a scenario similar to the pedestrian guidance mode described above. For example, if the arrangement of the lighting cells has a number of columns that increases from left to right, it may be possible to implement a stepwise and sequential switching-on process, starting with the leftmost columns and progressing to the rightmost columns. In other words, if the leftmost column is designated as the first column and N starts at 1, the rightmost columns can be switched on stepwise and sequentially, starting with the leftmost column, each time the switching-on interval elapses.

[0048] Accordingly, the switch-on interval is the time it takes for the adjacent column to be switched on after the current column is switched on, and can be varied appropriately by the controller, for example, to approximately 0.5 seconds, 1 second, or the like. The controller can be configured to specify a predetermined number of simultaneous switches-ons and to switch off columns according to the number N of simultaneous switches-offs, thus ensuring a state in which as many columns as the number of simultaneous switches are switched on at the same time (S230).

[0049] Fig. Figure 10 shows an example of the operation of the present embodiment each time N is incremented by one, and can produce the appearance where, since the number of simultaneous switching-on columns is 5 when switching on from the first column, the first column is switched off as the off column when a sixth column is switched on, and thus the second to sixth columns can be switched on, and then in a next cycle the third to seventh columns can be switched on. Thus, a state is provided in which a total of only five continuous columns have been switched on, and this state moves stepwise from left to right over time.

[0050] The controller can be configured to ignore a case where the calculated "off" column becomes a negative value. Furthermore, if the controller sets the number of simultaneous "on" columns to MAX, where MAX represents the total number of columns to be set, it is possible that all columns will be switched on sequentially without any column being switched off, until the last column switched on has essentially been switched on (for example, to a maximum).

[0051] The present embodiment can further enable the controller to control the cell cover of the lighting cells of the column, which requires the control of the cell cover under the lighting cells in which the light-emitting elements have been switched on (S220). The controller can be configured to link the control of the cell cover of the lighting cells to an N-column, which is a column of lighting cells that switch on new light-emitting elements.

[0052] In other words, the controller can be configured to select a predefined cell coverage label factor and control the cell coverage of lighting cells in an M-column, which is a column obtained by subtracting exactly as many cell coverage label factors from the N-column, which is the column of newly switched-on lighting cells. For example, when operating according to Fig. 10 then, when switching on from the first column to the left, then when the third column is switched on, the cell coverage designation factor becomes 2, and thus the M column becomes 1 and thus the cell coverage of the first column can be controlled or operated.

[0053] The cell coverage designation factor can be varied arbitrarily by the controller, thereby producing a variety of effects. Furthermore, even if the M-column is calculated as described above, whether the controller controls the cell coverage can be determined by determining whether the cell coverage requires operation. The controller can be configured to repeatedly switch on the light-emitting element of the illumination cells forming the N-column, incrementing N by one (S200) until the MAX is reached, which is the predefined maximum value. For example, in the example of the Fig. 10. The MAX is set to 20, and a total of 20 columns can be set.

[0054] If N is greater than MAX, the columns that remain in the switched-on state can be switched off sequentially from the previously switched-on column at predefined switch-off intervals (S240). In other words, in the example, the Fig.10, where N equals 20, which is the MAX value, and thus the leftmost column can be switched on, up to the twentieth. The number of simultaneous switches is 5, and thus the first to the fifteenth column can be switched off. If the sixteenth to nineteenth columns are switched on together, the columns can be switched off individually by calculating the switch-off column, increasing N by one at each switch-off interval, and thus repeating until all the columns are switched off sequentially. Naturally, the switch-off interval can be set to the same value as the switch-on interval, so that the remaining columns are switched off at the same rate as the one that was previously switched off, and the switch-off interval can be set to a shorter time for faster switching.

[0055] Although a specific embodiment of the present disclosure has been shown and described, a person skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure can be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure provided by the following claims.

Claims

[1] Method for controlling a pattern skin lighting device for a vehicle, the method comprising: Generating a large number of random numbers using a controller; Accumulating a multitude of continuous on-times for each lighting cell in an arrangement of lighting cells that form the pattern skin lighting device for the vehicle; Select, by the controller, as a turn-on lighting target cell, from lighting cells with an accumulative value of the number of continuous turn-on times, which is a predetermined reference value or less, from among the lighting cells that correspond to the generated random number; and Switching on, by the controller, a light emission element of the selected switch-on lighting target cell, wherein the lighting cell with the accumulative value of the number of continuous on-times exceeding the reference value is excluded from the on-lighting target cell among the lighting cells corresponding to the generated random number, and wherein the accumulative value of the number of continuous on-times of the lighting cell excluded from the on-lighting target cell is preset to zero. [2] The method of claim 1, further comprising: Generating, by the controller, a number of random numbers that is smaller than the total number of illumination cells of the sample skin illumination device, within a given numerical range. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: Setting, by the controller, the reference value within a range of a natural number greater than 1. [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Drive, by the controller, a cell cover of the selected switch-on lighting target cell. [5] The method of claim 4, further comprising: Operation, by the controller, of the light emission element and the cell cover of the selected switch-on illumination target cell only during a specified reference time, where all steps from the generation of the random number are repeated. [6] Method for controlling a pattern skin lighting device for a vehicle, comprising: Switching on, by a controller, of light-emitting elements of lighting cells forming a predetermined N-column, in the arrangement of lighting cells that form the pattern skin lighting device for the vehicle; and Repeat, by the controller, the process of increasing N by one each time a predetermined switch-on interval elapses, and switching on the light-emitting elements of the lighting cells that form the N columns, furthermore comprehensive: Determine, via the controller, the predetermined number of simultaneous power-ons; and The controller switches off columns corresponding to the number N of simultaneous switches on, in order to ensure a state where as many columns as the number of simultaneous switches have been switched on at the same time. [7] Method according to claim 6, further comprising: Control, by the controller, the cell covers of the lighting cells of a column, which requires the control of the cell covers under the lighting cells where the light emission elements have been switched on. [8] Method according to claim 7, wherein the controller blocks the control of the cell covers of the lighting cells to the N column, which is a column of the lighting cells that switches on the new light emission elements. [9] The method of claim 8, further comprising: Setting, by the controller, a predetermined cell coverage labeling factor; and Actuation, by the controller, of cell covers of lighting cells of an M-column, which is a column which is obtained by subtracting exactly as much as the cell cover designation factor from the N-column, which is the column of newly switched-on lighting cells. [10] Method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the controller repeatedly switches on the light emission elements of the lighting cells forming the N column, increasing N by one, until a predetermined maximum value is reached, and wherein, if N is greater than the predetermined maximum, the columns remaining in the switched-on state are configured to be switched off successively by the previously switched-on column at a predetermined switch-off interval.

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