Method for operating a lighting device of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for operating a lighting device (2) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising the steps: - Determining operational situation information (11) concerning animals (10) and / or plants (9) and / or road users (7, 8), whose presence in the vehicle environment of the motor vehicle (1) is predicted by a forecasting algorithm (18), wherein the forecasting algorithm (18) evaluates at least one of the following as input data: a current date, a current time, an ambient brightness, an outside temperature, digital map data (20) in conjunction with navigation data and / or position information describing the position of the motor vehicle (1), detected road signs (16), information on sensor-detected objects, communication data, - Controlling the lighting device (2) depending on the operating situation information (11) such that different spectral distributions of the light emitted by the lighting device (2) result for at least two different operating situation information (11).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a lighting device of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle.

[0002] LEDs are now typically used as light sources in vehicle lighting systems, such as headlights and taillights. Red LEDs can be used for taillights and white LEDs for headlights. Xenon and halogen light sources are also widely used in the automotive sector. The spectral distribution of the light emitted by the respective lighting system is determined by the chosen light source and remains largely unchanged during operation.

[0003] The German patent application DE 10 2010 043 171 A1 proposes adjusting the color temperature of emitted light depending on the vehicle's speed by varying the relative emitted light intensities of several LEDs. This implements an information function for the lighting device, in addition to its basic illumination function, to provide information to other road users.

[0004] Regarding the influence of the emitted light on the surroundings, it is known to adjust the emitted light distribution using automatic high beam assistants when oncoming or preceding vehicles are detected.

[0005] The publication DE 10 2012 015 753 A1 discloses an interior lighting device with adjustable luminous color, whereby different luminous colors signal a risk of collision.

[0006] The publication DE 10 2008 059 418 A1 relates to ambient lighting in the interior of a commercial vehicle, wherein a control device is provided for monitoring a driving condition and controls the light source depending on a corresponding sensor signal.

[0007] The publication DE 102 32 797 A1 relates to a method for increasing the vigilance of a driver of a vehicle, whereby the driver is exposed to electromagnetic radiation, in particular blue light, depending on his level of attention.

[0008] Further information on the operation of motor vehicle lights can be found, for example, in the publications DE 101 34 594 A1, DE 10 2006 041 857 A1, DE 10 2008 008 880 A1, DE 10 2012 002 226 A1, DE 10 2013 001 258 A1, DE 10 2014 013 165 A1, DE 10 2014 015 791 A1, DE 10 2008 008 884 A1 and DE 10 2016 006 847 A1. Publication DE 10 2012 103 161 A1 concerns an optoelectronic semiconductor component.

[0009] The invention is based on the objective of providing an improved method for operating a lighting device of a motor vehicle, in which, in particular, the effects of the emitted light on living beings in the vehicle environment are better taken into account.

[0010] The problem is solved according to the invention by a method of the type mentioned at the outset, which comprises the following steps: - Determining operational situation information concerning animals and / or plants and / or road users, whose presence in the vehicle's vicinity is predicted by a forecasting algorithm, wherein the forecasting algorithm evaluates at least one of the following as input data: a current date, a current time, ambient brightness, an outside temperature, digital map data in conjunction with navigation data and / or position information describing the vehicle's position, detected road signs, information on sensor-detected objects, communication data, - Controlling the lighting device depending on the operating situation information in such a way that different spectral distributions of the light emitted by the lighting device result for at least two different operating situation information.

[0011] The operational situation information can optionally also relate to animals and / or plants and / or road users that are present in the vehicle's surroundings, and / or to the driver's condition.

[0012] The invention is based on the idea of ​​taking into account the influence of the emitted light spectrum on flora and fauna, specifically on animals in the vicinity of the vehicle and, more broadly, on humans, including the driver and other road users. It is well known from other fields that different spectral components of light have different effects on living organisms. For example, the color temperature or blue component of light can affect the attention and sleep cycles of humans and, consequently, also of animals. In plants, different metabolic processes can occur depending on the lighting, with lighting having a particular effect on photosynthesis. The method according to the invention thus allows for an optimal balance between optimal visibility of objects and generating high levels of attention for the driver and other road users.This should be achieved with consideration for other road users and with the least possible impact on animals and plants in the vehicle's surroundings.

[0013] The spectral distribution of the emitted light can be varied continuously or quasi-continuously, i.e., in a very large number of steps, or at least in at least three, five, or ten steps, depending on the operating situation information. The operating situation information can, in particular, comprise several sub-information components that, for example, form a vector, with the individual sub-information components relating to different of the aforementioned factors.

[0014] The lighting system can be controlled such that the beam intensity, luminous intensity, color temperature, and / or the position of the maximum of the spectral distribution vary by a maximum of 10%, 5%, or 2%, respectively, when the operating situation changes. In other words, the perceived light level for the driver and / or other road users should remain approximately the same, at least within the visible spectrum. Specifically, changes in the spectral distribution can occur exclusively or primarily within the visible spectrum, i.e., within the wavelength range between 380 nm and 780 nm. Alternatively or additionally, a change in intensity in a specific, for example, relatively narrow, spectral range can be at least partially compensated for by increases in intensity in adjacent spectral ranges.

[0015] Radiant intensity describes the power emitted into a specific solid angle. Luminous intensity additionally incorporates a photometric weighting, meaning it corresponds to the brightness perceived by humans. The described limits for radiant intensity, luminous intensity, color temperature, and / or the position of the maximum of the spectral distribution can apply to the entire emitted light cone, but at least to 50% or 75% of the solid angle into which the light is emitted.

[0016] At least one environmental sensor of the motor vehicle can capture sensor data relating to the vehicle's environment, after which a classification algorithm assigns a respective classification information to objects recognized in the sensor data, whereby the operating situation information is determined depending on the determined classification information.

[0017] Environmental sensors can include, for example, a camera (which can also be a 3D camera, such as a time-of-flight camera, or a night vision or infrared camera), and / or a laser scanner, and / or another sensor, particularly one capable of imaging. Data from multiple identical or different environmental sensors can also be provided and fused.

[0018] In the simplest case, animals, plants, and / or road users present in the vicinity of a motor vehicle can be directly identified by classifying them as such. Approaches to classifying these objects based on image data or other sensor data are well-known and will not be discussed in detail here. For example, recognition can be based on scale-invariant feature extraction or a machine learning-trained algorithm can be used.

[0019] In addition to or as an alternative to this direct use of the classified objects, it is also possible for recognized objects or their classification to serve as input for the prediction algorithm. For example, based on the classification of objects in the vehicle's surroundings, a classification of the vehicle's surroundings can be performed, allowing distinctions to be made between, for example, an inner-city journey and a journey in a rural area, and / or between driving through a forest, fields, open spaces, or villages or towns. Inner-city areas can be identified, for example, by classifying surrounding objects as houses and / or by recognizing other characteristic features. Rural areas, forests, fields, and similar environments can be identified, for example, by classifying known plants or other objects, such as tractors or barns.

[0020] The classification of the vehicle's surroundings can be used, especially in conjunction with additional information such as the vehicle's geographical position, the time, the outside temperature, etc., to predict animal activity, for example.

[0021] The forecasting algorithm evaluates at least one of the following as input data: a current date, a current time, ambient brightness, an outside temperature, digital map data in conjunction with navigation data and / or position information describing the position of the vehicle, recorded road signs, information on sensor-detected objects, communication data.

[0022] Digital map data, combined with navigation data or the vehicle's position, can be used, for example, to determine the vehicle's proximity to wooded areas, bodies of water, towns, or cities. Additionally or alternatively, a road classification can be determined based on this map data, which can also be considered in the forecast. Alternatively or additionally, the map data can also directly include information on the spatial distribution of flora and fauna, or plants and animals. For example, areas with endangered or particularly light-sensitive animals can be marked.

[0023] As explained above, information about objects detected by sensors can be used, in particular, within the framework of a classification algorithm.

[0024] Communication data can be obtained, for example, from a backend operated by the vehicle manufacturer or another server, such as via the internet, and can include digital map data or other descriptions of the surrounding environment. Alternatively and additionally, communication data from vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-infrastructure communication can be used, for example, to provide additional sensor data or processing results based on this data, or to receive information about plants or animals in the vicinity from local sources, such as specially installed transmitters.

[0025] Operating situation information, or partial information thereof, relating to the driver's state can be determined, for example, by evaluating image data from an interior camera and / or operator inputs, particularly changes in steering angle. Additionally or alternatively, the time of day, ambient brightness, and / or the elapsed driving time since the start of the current journey, which can influence the driver's state, can be evaluated. Inferences about the driver's state can also be drawn from the selected driving mode, such as whether a comfort or sport mode is chosen. Approaches to determining a driver's state, especially their attention and / or alertness, are well-known in the art and will therefore not be explained in detail here.

[0026] The control of the lighting device can depend on at least one of the following pieces of information: Information regarding a light source of the lighting device, a terminal state, a vehicle speed, a steering angle, a temperature of the light source, an operating state of the lighting device, a position of an operating device of the lighting device, a setting of a headlight range control, a selected driving mode, a current date, a current time, an ambient brightness, an outside temperature, digital map data in conjunction with navigation data and / or position information describing the position of the vehicle, detected road signs, information on sensor-detected objects, communication data.

[0027] The dependence of the control of the lighting device on parts of the aforementioned quantities can be an indirect dependence via the dependence of the operating situation information on these quantities.

[0028] Information regarding the light source, particularly its type or operating time, can be evaluated. These factors influence the potentially achievable spectral distributions.

[0029] A terminal state refers to which terminals of the vehicle's electrical system are connected to a power source, particularly a battery. With conventional ignition switches, the terminal state depends on the position of the ignition switch and whether the ignition is active. Vehicles without an ignition switch, or electronically driven vehicles, also have corresponding operating states between which the vehicle can switch depending on certain parameters.

[0030] The operating state of the lighting device can be understood to include, in particular, an active lighting function, for example, its use as high beam, low beam or similar, but also a state of cornering light or object highlighting.

[0031] The position of a control element can be, for example, the position of a light switch or slider. The control element can, for example, allow a selection between parking lights and low beams and / or the activation of automatic lighting, or different positions can select different functions.

[0032] The lighting device can be an external light, in particular a headlight or a taillight, of the motor vehicle.

[0033] The lighting device used can comprise several separately controlled light sources that emit light with different spectral distributions, wherein the relative intensity of the light emitted by each light source is changed depending on the operating situation information in order to change the spectral distribution of the light emitted by the lighting device. In particular, the change in intensity of one of the light sources can be compensated by a change in intensity of at least one other light source, so that an overall radiant intensity or luminous intensity results, as already explained above.

[0034] The intensity of individual light sources can be controlled by appropriate means, for example, by reducing the voltage for classic incandescent bulbs or varying the pulse width of a control voltage for LEDs. For instance, with RGB LEDs, the individual color components can be varied independently to adjust the spectral distribution of the emitted light. However, other combinations of light sources are also possible, each capable of emitting essentially monochromatic light or other distinct spectra.

[0035] The light from one or more light sources of the lighting device can be emitted through a color filter that absorbs different components of the light emitted by the light source in different spectral ranges. Depending on the operating conditions, the absorption of the color filter is controlled, or the color filter is moved or changed by an actuator to alter the spectral distribution of the light emitted by the lighting device. The absorption of the color filter can be controlled electrically, for example, by applying voltages. An LCD panel, for instance, can be used. However, it is also possible to change the absorption behavior of certain materials, for example, by mechanically tensioning them, which can be implemented by actuators.

[0036] In particular, a series connection of several controlled color filters can be used, each adjustable between strong and weak absorption in a specific spectral range. Alternatively, an actuator can be used to change color filters, for example, filter foils in the light arrow, or a color filter, for example, a filter foil, can exhibit locally different absorption behavior and be moved in a direction that changes the absorption behavior.

[0037] The spectrum of light from one or more light sources in a lighting device can depend on the temperature of the respective light source. A temperature control element in the lighting device is controlled based on operating information to determine the temperature of the light source and thus the spectrum of the light emitted by the light source. For example, a heating wire or a Peltier element can be used as the temperature control element. It is known, for instance, that the spectrum emitted by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) depends on the temperature, and unlike a conventional incandescent bulb, such a spectral change does not necessarily lead to a change in intensity.Alternatively or additionally, other parameters may also be relevant to adjust the spectrum of the emitted light, for example an operating voltage, a control pattern of the pulse widths used in LED control, a pressure on the light source, which can be generated by an actuator, etc.

[0038] In addition to the method according to the invention, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a lighting device and a control device for controlling the lighting device, wherein the control device is configured to carry out the method according to the invention. The features for the design of the lighting device or the motor vehicle mentioned in the explanation of the method according to the invention, with the advantages mentioned therein, can also be transferred to the motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0039] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments and the drawings. These schematically illustrate: Fig. 1 An embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention in a driving situation in which an embodiment of the method according to the invention is implemented, Fig. 2 a flowchart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention, and Fig. 3-5 Detailed views of lighting devices that can be used in exemplary embodiments of the motor vehicle or the method according to the invention.

[0040] Fig. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 with a lighting device 2 and a control device 3 for controlling the lighting device 2 in a driving situation in which the lighting device 2 is to be controlled. The method implemented by the control device 3 for controlling the lighting device 2 is described below with additional reference to the one in Fig. The flowchart shown in section 2 was discussed.

[0041] In the driving situation shown, the motor vehicle 1 is moving along the road 4, as indicated by arrow 5. The spectral distribution of the light emitted by the lighting device 2, which in this example is a headlight, is to be adjusted in order to achieve, on the one hand, optimal attention and environmental perception for the driver 6 and the other road users 7, 8, and on the other hand, to minimize the impact on the environment, in particular on the plants 9 and animals 10 in the vicinity of the vehicle.

[0042] To make this possible, steps S1 to S7 of the in Fig. In the flowchart shown in Figure 2, an operating situation information 11 is first determined, which concerns animals 10, plants 9, and road users 7, 8 actually or presumably present in the vehicle's vicinity, as well as the driver's state 6. Depending on this operating situation information 11, in step S8 the vehicle's lighting system 2 is controlled such that different spectral distributions of the light emitted by the lighting system result for different operating situation information 11. Possibilities for emitting light with different spectral distributions will be discussed later with reference to the Fig. 3-5 will be discussed.

[0043] To determine the operating situation information 11, in step S1 sensor data 12 relating to the vehicle environment of the motor vehicle 1 is first recorded by an environment sensor 13 of the motor vehicle, in the example by a camera.

[0044] In step S2, a classification algorithm 14 assigns classification information 15 to each of the objects detected in the sensor data 12, such as road users 7, 8, plants 9, animals 10, road signs 16, and buildings 17. This classification can be relatively broad, distinguishing, for example, only between plants, animals, road users, and other objects. Alternatively, however, it can also differentiate between various types of animals 10, plants 9, and / or road users 7, 8.

[0045] The resulting classification information 15 can be directly considered as part of the operational situation information 11, since it describes animals 10, plants 9, and road users 7, 8 present in the vehicle's vicinity. However, animals 10 in the vehicle's vicinity can only be detected directly from sensor data relatively rarely, even if they are present, because they may be obscured, for example, by plants 9. Therefore, a prediction algorithm 18 is used to predict the presence of animals 10, plants 9, and / or road users 7, 8 in the vehicle's vicinity.

[0046] To enable this, additional information 19 is first determined in step S3. A large number of additional information items 19, which can be taken into account when determining the operating situation information or controlling the lighting device, have already been discussed in the general part of the description, so only individual examples will be discussed below.

[0047] For example, additional data 19 such as digital map data 20, which may originate from a navigation device 21 of the motor vehicle 1, may be used, which together with position information that may be provided by a positioning system 22 of the motor vehicle 1, for example by a GPS sensor, may be used to identify, for example, forests, bodies of water, places and the like located in the vicinity of the motor vehicle 1.

[0048] Furthermore, communication data can be received via a communication device, for example from the other road user 7, in order to provide further additional information 19. Additional information 19 can also include, for example, a time of day or a date, e.g., to take into account that animals may be more or less active at different times and times of the year.

[0049] In step S4, the previously detected objects and their classification information 15, as well as the additional information 19, are jointly evaluated by the prediction algorithm 18 to predict the presence of animals 10, plants 9, and road users 7, 8 in the vehicle's vicinity. The prediction algorithm 18 can be based on empirical data. In the simplest case, a lookup table can be used that assigns specific probabilities for the presence of certain plants 9, animals 10, and / or road users 7, 8 in the vehicle's vicinity to combinations of different value ranges of the input data. However, a mathematical relationship is preferably used, which can be determined, for example, by a regression analysis based on relevant empirical data, or a machine learning method can be used to train the prediction algorithm 18.

[0050] As already mentioned, the driver's state can also be taken into account when illuminating the vehicle's surroundings. Therefore, in step S5, driver sensor data 25 relating to driver 6 are recorded, for example, via an interior camera 24 and / or by recording steering movements or similar. The driver sensor data 25, together with parts of the additional information 19, which in this case may relate to, for example, the time, ambient brightness, driving time since the start of the journey, and similar information, are used in step S6 to determine the driver's state 26, which can describe, in particular, the degree of attention or alertness of driver 6.

[0051] The information obtained in steps S1-S4 regarding animals 10, plants 9, and / or road users 7, 8 actually or likely to be present in the vehicle's vicinity, as well as the information about the driver's condition 26 obtained in step S6, are combined in step S7 to form the operating situation information 11. The operating situation information 11 can, for example, include the various pieces of information as separate values. However, it is particularly preferred that the aforementioned quantities are combined into a single numerical value, which can, for example, correlate with a desired proportion of blue light in the emitted spectrum.

[0052] Based on this operating situation information 11, control information 27 for the lighting device is determined in step S8 and used by the control unit 3 to control the lighting device 2. Additional information 19 can also be taken into account, for example, the type of light sources used in the lighting device and / or information regarding their state of aging.

[0053] Fig. Figure 3 shows a detailed view of a possible implementation of the lighting device 2. Here, the lighting device 2 comprises several separately controlled light sources 28, 29, 30, each emitting light with different spectral distributions. For example, the light sources 28, 29, 30 could be a red, a green, and a blue LED, respectively. By specifying appropriate control signals via the control device 3, for example, by specifying different pulse widths for the operating voltages of the three light sources 28, 29, 30, the relative brightness of the light sources 28, 29, 30, and thus the overall resulting spectral distribution, can be adjusted.

[0054] In an alternative embodiment of the lighting device 2, which is in Fig. As schematically shown in Figure 4, the light from the light source 31 is emitted through two controllable color filters 33 and 34, as schematically indicated by arrow 32. The color filters 33 and 34 each attenuate different spectral ranges, the degree of attenuation being preset by a corresponding control signal from the control unit 3. Alternatively, instead of electronically controlling the color filters 33 and 34, it would also be possible to actuate them into or out of the beam path, or to use color filters that exhibit different absorption strengths or spectrally different absorptions in different ranges and to actuate these shifts.

[0055] Another alternative design of the lighting device 2 is in Fig.Figure 5 shows that the spectrum of the light from the light source 36 depends on the temperature of the light source 36, which is set by the control unit via the temperature control element 35. The temperature control element 35 can be, for example, a heating wire mesh or a Peltier element.

Claims

[1] Method for operating a lighting device (2) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising the steps: - Determining operational situation information (11) concerning animals (10) and / or plants (9) and / or road users (7, 8), whose presence in the vehicle environment of the motor vehicle (1) is predicted by a forecasting algorithm (18), wherein the forecasting algorithm (18) evaluates at least one of the following as input data: a current date, a current time, an ambient brightness, an outside temperature, digital map data (20) in conjunction with navigation data and / or position information describing the position of the motor vehicle (1), detected road signs (16), information on sensor-detected objects, communication data, - Controlling the lighting device (2) depending on the operating situation information (11) such that different spectral distributions of the light emitted by the lighting device (2) result for at least two different operating situation information (11). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the control of the lighting device (2) is such that the radiant intensity and / or the luminous intensity and / or the colour temperature and / or the position of the maximum of the spectral distribution varies by a maximum of 10% or by a maximum of 5% or by a maximum of 2% when the operating situation information (11) changes. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that sensor data (12) relating to the vehicle environment (1) are acquired by at least one environmental sensor (13) of the motor vehicle (1), after which a classification information (15) is assigned to the objects recognized in the sensor data (12) by a classification algorithm (14), whereby the operating situation information (11) is determined depending on the determined classification information (15). [4] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the operational situation information (11) additionally concerns, on the one hand, animals (10) and / or plants (9) and / or road users (7, 8) that are present in the vehicle environment of the motor vehicle (1), and / or, on the other hand, a driver condition (26) of the driver (6) of the motor vehicle (1). [5] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the control of the lighting device (2) depends on at least one of the following pieces of information: information relating to a light source (28 - 31, 36) of the lighting device (2), a terminal state, a vehicle speed, a steering angle, a temperature of the light source (28 - 31, 36), an operating state of the lighting device (2), a position of an operating device of the lighting device (2), a setting of a headlight range control, a selected driving mode, a current date, a current time, an ambient brightness, an outside temperature, digital map data (20) in conjunction with navigation data and / or position information describing the position of the motor vehicle (1), detected road signs (16), information on sensor-detected objects, communication data. [6] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the lighting device (2) is an external light, in particular a headlight or a rear light, of the motor vehicle (1). [7] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the lighting device (2) used comprises several separately controlled light sources (28 - 30) which emit light with different spectral distributions, wherein the relative intensity of the light emitted by the individual light sources (28 - 30) is changed depending on the operating situation information (11) in order to change the spectral distribution of the light emitted by the lighting device (2). [8] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the light of or at least one light source (31) of the lighting device is emitted through a color filter (33, 34) which absorbs different light components in different spectral ranges of the light emitted by the light source (31), wherein, depending on the operating situation information (11), the absorption of the color filter (33, 34) is controlled or the color filter (33, 34) is actuated to shift or change the spectral distribution of the light emitted by the lighting device (2). [9] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the spectrum of the light of the or at least one light source (36) of the lighting device (2) depends on the temperature of the respective light source (36), wherein a temperature control element (35) of the lighting device (2) is controlled depending on the operating situation information (11) in order to specify the temperature of the light source (26) and thus the spectrum of the light emitted by the light source (36). [10] Motor vehicle comprising a lighting device (2) and a control device (3) for controlling the lighting device (2), characterized by , that the control device (3) is set up to carry out the procedure according to one of the preceding claims.

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