System for controlling the exterior lighting system of an Ego vehicle

Abstract

System (1,1a) for controlling a vehicle exterior lighting system (2) of an ego vehicle comprising a sensor system (3) for acquiring environmental data and for detecting vehicles and their vehicle position and vehicle direction in relation to the ego vehicle from the acquired environmental data, a control unit (6) which is configured to control the vehicle exterior lighting system (2) by means of control data, and the vehicle exterior lighting system (2), wherein the vehicle exterior lighting system (2) is connected to the control unit (6) for receiving control data, the control unit (6) is designed to analyze the need for vehicle exterior lighting and / or the required intensity of the vehicle exterior lighting from the environmental data, taking into account the detected vehicle position and the detected vehicle direction of detected vehicles, and to generate control data based on the detected need for vehicle exterior lighting and / or the required intensity of the vehicle exterior lighting, so that impairment and / or glare from the vehicle exterior lighting of the drivers of the detected vehicles is reduced or avoided. characterized by the fact that the sensor system (3) comprises at least a front camera (5) and a rear camera (4), and wherein the vehicle exterior lighting system (2) has brake lights and the control unit (6) has a dimming function (10), and wherein the control unit (6) is further configured to generate control data when a following vehicle is detected by the rear camera (4), so that a dimmed brake light with low intensity can be produced by the dimming function (10), and the control unit (6) is designed to generate the control data, which initially causes a reduced brake light when switched on, only when the following vehicle has a predetermined maximum distance to the Ego vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for controlling a vehicle exterior lighting system of an ego vehicle comprising a sensor system for acquiring environmental data and for recognizing vehicles and their vehicle position and vehicle direction in relation to the ego vehicle from the acquired environmental data, a control unit which is configured to control the vehicle exterior lighting system by means of control data, and the vehicle exterior lighting system, wherein the vehicle exterior lighting system is connected to the control unit for receiving control data.

[0002] Apart from the rule that high beams must be switched off when there is oncoming traffic, there are no further regulations.

[0003] Existing systems for controlling a vehicle's exterior lighting system optimize only the vehicle itself for better illumination / visibility of the driver.

[0004] DE 10 2010 006 636 A1 discloses a light switching method for the automatic control of the light output, in particular the low beam, of a vehicle by means of a light assistant, wherein, after the automatic brightness-dependent activation of the light output, at least one further decision parameter is taken into account in addition to the brightness during the subsequent automatic deactivation.

[0005] DE 10 2015 207 543 A1 discloses a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle, wherein the driver assistance system comprises at least one vehicle camera for capturing the vehicle environment and a control device with an image data processing unit, which is provided for evaluating the image data supplied by the vehicle camera for the detection of objects along a road traveled by the motor vehicle, wherein the control device controls at least one vehicle headlight of the motor vehicle depending on the detected objects and their respective object priorities to illuminate the vehicle environment.

[0006] DE 10 128 995A1 discloses a method for the automatic control of lighting devices, in particular of a motor vehicle, wherein the brightness in a specific direction is detected by at least one direction sensor which sends direction signals to a control device, wherein the control device switches on the lighting devices after a minimum time has elapsed, which begins when the direction signals exceed or fall below a switch-on threshold and remain above or below the switch-on threshold for the entire minimum time.

[0007] DE 10 2015 213 333 A1 discloses a method for the automatic control of headlights of a motor vehicle with the following steps: detecting an overtaking motor vehicle, controlling at least one headlight of the own motor vehicle depending on a relative position of the overtaking motor vehicle to the own motor vehicle, such that a light cone from the at least one headlight illuminates the lane of the overtaking motor vehicle.

[0008] DE 10 2014 204 791 A1 discloses a method for automatically controlling the headlights of a vehicle with the following steps: receiving an object detection signal from a sensor system for detecting overtaking vehicles, and adjusting the light cone of at least one headlight of the vehicle depending on the received object detection signal in such a way that the risk of dazzling a driver of an overtaking vehicle by the light cone of the at least one headlight is reduced.

[0009] DE 10 2019 005 674 A1 discloses a method for controlling a variable light distribution of a headlight of a vehicle, wherein when approaching an intersection area the light distribution is adapted to this, wherein the adaptation of the light distribution is tracked to the intersection area depending on the distance of the vehicle.

[0010] DE 10 2007 058 536 A1 discloses a method for reducing the brightness output of a light source of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, wherein the distance to objects located outside the vehicle is determined by means of a sensor, wherein the brightness output of an already activated light source is reduced depending on the determined distance.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved system for controlling a vehicle exterior lighting system which reduces or avoids glare or irritation of other vehicles.

[0012] The problem is solved by a system for controlling a vehicle exterior lighting system with the features according to claim 1.

[0013] The dependent claims list further advantageous measures which can be combined arbitrarily to achieve further advantages.

[0014] The task is solved by a system for controlling the exterior lighting system of an ego vehicle, comprising a sensor system for acquiring environmental data and for detecting vehicles and their vehicle position and direction in relation to the ego vehicle from the acquired environmental data. a control unit which is designed to control the vehicle's exterior lighting system using control data, and the vehicle exterior lighting system, wherein the vehicle exterior lighting system is connected to the control unit for receiving control data, wherein The control unit is designed to analyze the need for vehicle exterior lighting and / or the required intensity of the vehicle exterior lighting from the environmental data, taking into account the detected vehicle position and the detected vehicle direction of detected vehicles, and to generate control data based on the detected need for vehicle exterior lighting and / or the required intensity of the vehicle exterior lighting, so that impairment and / or glare from the vehicle exterior lighting of the drivers of the detected vehicles is reduced or avoided, and wherein the sensor system includes at least one front camera and one rear camera, and wherein the vehicle's exterior lighting system includes brake lights and the control unit has a dimming function, and wherein the control unit is further configured to generate control data when a following vehicle is detected by the rear camera, so that a dimmed brake light with low intensity can be produced by the dimming function, and wherein the control unit is designed to generate the control data, which initially causes a reduced brake light when switched on, only when the following vehicle has a predetermined maximum distance to the Ego vehicle.

[0015] The sensor system can include multiple sensors for generating environmental data and one or more evaluation systems for detecting vehicles by extracting information from the environmental data.

[0016] Vehicles can be cars, trucks, or motorcycles, but also tractors and motorhomes, etc.

[0017] The term "vehicle exterior lighting system" generally refers to the vehicle's lighting equipment necessary to ensure that the driver is visible and can see sufficiently in twilight, darkness, or poor weather conditions. This includes, for example, front lights / headlights such as low beams, high beams, etc., and rear lights such as brake lights and taillights.

[0018] The vehicles have a vehicle position and direction, which are specified in relation to the ego-vehicle, i.e., within the ego-coordinate system. The sensor system includes at least one front camera and one rear camera. The sensor system may also include at least one parking sensor.

[0019] These allow for particularly good acquisition of environmental data. Furthermore, lidar and radar sensors can be integrated.

[0020] Furthermore, the vehicle's exterior lighting system has brake lights and the control unit has a dimming function, the control unit being further designed to generate control data when a following vehicle is detected by the at least one parking sensor or by the rear camera, so that a dimmed brake light with low intensity can be produced by the dimming function.

[0021] Furthermore, the control unit is designed to generate the control data, which initially causes a dimmed brake light when switched on, only when the following vehicle maintains a predefined maximum distance to the Ego vehicle. This maximum distance is a distance that must not be exceeded.

[0022] This prevents the driver of the following vehicle from being blinded.

[0023] The invention recognizes the need for vehicle exterior lighting and / or the required intensity of the vehicle exterior lighting from environmental data, taking into account the detected vehicle position and direction of travel of the detected vehicles. This means that a traffic situation is essentially recognized, and the need for vehicle exterior lighting and / or the required intensity of the vehicle exterior lighting is determined based on the recognized traffic situation.

[0024] For example, the brake light of the ego vehicle at night, such as at a traffic light, can be very bright and dazzling for the following vehicle and its driver, potentially leading to impaired visibility for the driver of the following vehicle when the light turns green. Furthermore, the control data is generated based on the detected need for vehicle exterior lighting and / or the required intensity of that lighting, thus reducing or preventing impairment and / or glare for the drivers of detected vehicles.

[0025] The system according to the invention avoids traffic situations which, due to prior art vehicle exterior lighting, could lead to misinterpretations or glare / impairment of other drivers / road users. The system analyzes traffic situations with regard to the necessity and required intensity of the vehicle's exterior lighting and optimizes it accordingly, reducing or preventing impairment and / or glare for drivers of detected vehicles.

[0026] This leads to increased road safety resulting from intelligent control or the intelligent system.

[0027] Furthermore, improved interpretation of the Ego vehicle's exterior lighting system by other vehicles / road users contributes to better traffic flow. For example, a following vehicle or its driver will no longer interpret the activation of a taillight as braking. Such a misinterpretation could lead to a sudden (full) braking maneuver by the following vehicle, resulting in a dangerous traffic situation.

[0028] In a further embodiment, the sensor system is configured to extract the vehicle position and direction of at least one preceding, oncoming, and / or following vehicle from the environmental data, wherein the control unit is configured to generate the control data depending on the vehicle position and direction of the at least one detected preceding, oncoming, and / or following vehicle. This data can be easily extracted from the environmental data.

[0029] Additionally, vehicles approaching from the side or waiting, for example in a traffic circle / roundabout or intersection, can also be detected.

[0030] In this training scenario, the vehicle's exterior lighting system includes at least front and rear lights, with the control unit designed for independent control of the front and rear lights. This allows for the avoidance or reduction of impairment to the drivers of detected vehicles by independently controlling the front and rear lights depending on the vehicle's position and direction.

[0031] Thus, for example, when the low beam headlights and taillights are switched on, only the taillights can be dimmed, i.e., switched on at a low intensity, if a following vehicle is detected. This increases the safety of the driver by dimming only the necessary elements; the front lights are not dimmed.

[0032] In further development, the vehicle's exterior lighting system additionally features a side marker light, the control unit being designed for independent control of the side marker light, so that the avoidance or reduction of impairment to the drivers of the detected vehicles can be achieved through the independent control of at least one side marker light depending on the vehicle position and the vehicle direction.

[0033] Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to receive navigation data from a navigation system, wherein the control unit is configured to generate control data based on the need for vehicle exterior lighting and / or the required intensity of the vehicle exterior lighting from the environmental data, taking the navigation data into account.

[0034] In a further training, the control unit is trained to prevent the automated switching on of the vehicle's exterior lighting when a multi-lane road underpass or tunnel is detected in advance based on the navigation data, if the vehicle's exterior lighting is only needed to pass through the multi-lane road underpass or tunnel, and the length of the multi-lane road underpass or tunnel detected by the navigation data is below a predetermined number of meters.

[0035] If the control unit detects that the ego vehicle intends to pass under a multi-lane underpass or a short multi-lane tunnel, it can generate control data that prevents the vehicle's exterior lighting system from activating or ignores a signal from an existing light sensor. This prevents the driver of a following vehicle from misinterpreting a brief and unnecessary activation of the low beams and taillights as sudden braking.

[0036] In a further development, the vehicle's exterior lighting system additionally features cornering lights. The control unit is designed to detect an upcoming roundabout from the navigation data, and is further configured to prevent the cornering lights from activating automatically if at least one vehicle traveling in the direction of travel is within close proximity to the roundabout entrance and the roundabout has a radius below a predefined threshold. Thus, if, for example, a navigation system indicates that a tight roundabout with a radius below a certain threshold is to be negotiated, the cornering lights will not activate if the surrounding data indicates that, for example, a vehicle is stopped at or immediately before the next roundabout entrance.

[0037] This ensures that if only following vehicles are present at a large distance from the ego vehicle, the brake light is switched on at full strength / without attenuation and is also seen by these vehicles or their drivers.

[0038] In further development, the vehicle's exterior lighting system has taillights and the control unit has a dimming function, the control unit being further designed to generate control data when a following vehicle is detected by the rear camera, which regulates a dimming of the taillights when switched on, so that initially weakened taillights can be produced when switched on, which can be regulated to a final light intensity after switching on.

[0039] This can improve road safety, for example by preventing the following vehicle from braking abruptly. Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to generate the control data that activates the dimmed taillights only when the following vehicle maintains a predefined maximum distance from the ego vehicle.

[0040] This prevents the driver of the following vehicle from mistakenly interpreting an emergency stop by the Ego vehicle. Once activated, the control unit can continuously adjust the taillights to a final brightness level.

[0041] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying figures. These schematically illustrate: Fig. 1: a first embodiment of a system according to the invention, Fig. 2: a second embodiment of a system according to the invention.

[0042] Fig. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the system 1 according to the invention for controlling a vehicle exterior lighting system 2 of an Ego vehicle. The system 1 according to the invention comprises a sensor system 3. This includes, for example, a rear camera 4 and a front camera 5.

[0043] The system can also include multiple lidar and radar sensors. Sensor system 3 captures the environmental data of the ego vehicle. From this environmental data, sensor system 3, or a connected or integrated evaluation unit, detects or extracts the other vehicles and their position and direction in relation to the ego vehicle.

[0044] Furthermore, the system 1 includes a control unit 6, which is connected to the sensor system 3 via communication technology, and which is designed to control the vehicle's external lighting system 2 by transmitting control data.

[0045] Furthermore, system 1 includes or is connected to a navigation system 8, which is connected to the control unit 6 via communication technology.

[0046] Furthermore, the control unit 6 is designed to analyze the necessity of vehicle exterior lighting and / or the required intensity of the vehicle exterior lighting from the environmental data, taking into account the detected vehicle position and the detected vehicle direction of detected vehicles.

[0047] The vehicle's exterior lighting can include dipped beam, main beam, parking light, cornering light, fog lights, etc., as well as two red taillights and two red brake lights.

[0048] A light sensor 9 may also be present, which signals the control unit 6 to switch on the vehicle's exterior lighting based on the detected brightness.

[0049] Furthermore, the control unit 6 generates control data based on the detected need for vehicle exterior lighting and / or the required intensity of the vehicle exterior lighting, so that impairment and / or glare from the vehicle exterior lighting of the drivers of the detected vehicles is reduced or avoided.

[0050] For example, if the control unit 6 recognizes from the navigation data that the Ego vehicle is passing under a small tunnel or a multi-lane motorway bridge where sufficient light conditions still prevail, the signal from the existing light sensor 9 can be ignored by the control unit 2, or control data can be generated that prevents the vehicle's exterior lighting system 2 from being switched on if the potential use of the vehicle's exterior lighting is only a few seconds.

[0051] This prevents the driver of a following vehicle from getting the impression that the ego vehicle is braking. This avoids a sudden braking maneuver caused by the driver of the following vehicle being startled. Thus, unnecessary and dangerous traffic situations are prevented.

[0052] For example, if the control unit 6 detects a narrow roundabout from the navigation data, the control unit 6 can prevent the automatic activation of the cornering lights if at least one vehicle in the direction of travel is stopped at or approaching the roundabout entrance.

[0053] The vehicle waiting or approaching the roundabout entrance is detected from the surrounding data.

[0054] A tight roundabout is one with a radius below a predefined threshold. For example, the right headlight does not switch on abruptly when entering the roundabout. This prevents waiting vehicles from misinterpreting it as a turn, thus avoiding unnecessary and dangerous traffic situations. This system also features a parking sensor 7, which is, for example, part of sensor system 3.

[0055] Furthermore, the control unit 6 has a dimming function 10.

[0056] The control unit 6 can therefore generate control data when a following vehicle is detected by the rear camera 4, so that a dimmed brake light with low intensity can be produced by the dimming function 10.

[0057] Fig.Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the system 1a according to the invention. This additionally has a parking sensor 7, which is, for example, present in the sensor system 3.

[0058] Furthermore, the control unit 6 has the dimming function 10.

[0059] The control unit 6 can therefore generate control data when a following vehicle is detected by the parking sensor 7, so that a dimmed brake light with low intensity can be produced by the dimming function 10.

[0060] The control data, which initially results in a dimmed brake light when activated, is only generated if the following vehicle maintains a predefined maximum distance from the ego vehicle. This maximum distance is a distance that must not be exceeded. Thus, for example, the brake light can be automatically dimmed when the ego vehicle is stationary or when a following vehicle is detected.

[0061] This prevents the driver of the following vehicle from being blinded.

[0062] For example, if the control unit 6 or the sensor system 3 detects from the environmental data that a following vehicle is present, the control unit 6 can use the dimming function 10 to generate control data that dims the taillights when switched on, so that the taillights illuminate with reduced brightness. This prevents following traffic from mistakenly interpreting an emergency stop by the Ego vehicle. After being switched on, the control unit 6 can continuously adjust the taillights to a final brightness level.

[0063] Furthermore, the control data that causes the taillights to have reduced light intensity can, for example, only be generated if the following vehicle has a predefined maximum distance to the Ego vehicle.

[0064] The system 1,1a according to the invention adapts the vehicle's exterior lighting system 2 with regard to potential impairment of other drivers / vehicles.

[0065] Furthermore, a better interpretation of the vehicle's exterior lighting system 2 by other vehicles / road users contributes to a better traffic flow and thus helps to avoid dangerous traffic situations.

[0066] Such considerate intelligent control of the vehicle's exterior lighting system 2 by a system 1,1a according to the invention thus results in increased road safety. Reference symbol list: 1.1a System 2 Vehicle exterior lighting system 3 Sensor system 4 Rear camera 5 Front camera 6 Control unit 7 parking sensors 8 Navigation system 9 Light sensor 10 dimming functions

Claims

[1] System (1,1a) for controlling a vehicle exterior lighting system (2) of an ego vehicle comprising a sensor system (3) for acquiring environmental data and for detecting vehicles and their vehicle position and vehicle direction in relation to the ego vehicle from the acquired environmental data, a control unit (6) which is configured to control the vehicle exterior lighting system (2) by means of control data, and the vehicle exterior lighting system (2), wherein the vehicle exterior lighting system (2) is connected to the control unit (6) for receiving control data, the control unit (6) is designed to analyze the need for vehicle exterior lighting and / or the required intensity of the vehicle exterior lighting from the environmental data, taking into account the detected vehicle position and the detected vehicle direction of detected vehicles, and to generate control data based on the detected need for vehicle exterior lighting and / or the required intensity of the vehicle exterior lighting, so that impairment and / or glare from the vehicle exterior lighting of the drivers of the detected vehicles is reduced or avoided. characterized by the fact that the sensor system (3) comprises at least a front camera (5) and a rear camera (4), and wherein the vehicle exterior lighting system (2) has brake lights and the control unit (6) has a dimming function (10), and wherein the control unit (6) is further configured to generate control data when a following vehicle is detected by the rear camera (4), so that a dimmed brake light with low intensity can be produced by the dimming function (10), and the control unit (6) is designed to generate the control data, which initially causes a reduced brake light when switched on, only when the following vehicle has a predetermined maximum distance to the Ego vehicle. [2] System (1,1a) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the sensor system (3) is configured to extract the vehicle position and vehicle direction of at least one preceding and / or at least one oncoming and / or at least one following vehicle from the environmental data, wherein the control unit (6) is configured to generate the control data depending on the vehicle position and vehicle direction of the at least one detected preceding and / or oncoming and / or following vehicle. [3] System (1,1a) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vehicle exterior lighting system (2) has at least a front light and a rear light and wherein the control unit (6) is designed for independent control of the front light and the rear light. [4] System (1,1a) according to claim 3, characterized by, that the vehicle exterior lighting system (2) has a side marker light, wherein the control unit (6) is designed for independent control of the side marker light. [5] System (1,1a) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control unit (6) is designed to receive navigation data from a navigation system, and the control unit (6) is designed to generate control data based on the need for vehicle exterior lighting and / or the required intensity of vehicle exterior lighting from the environmental data, taking into account the navigation data. [6] System (1, 1a) according to claim 5, characterized by, that the control unit (6) is designed to prevent the vehicle's exterior lighting from being automatically switched on when a multi-lane road underpass or tunnel is detected from the navigation data, if the vehicle's exterior lighting is only needed to pass through the multi-lane road underpass or tunnel, wherein the multi-lane road underpass or tunnel has a length detected by the navigation data of less than a predetermined number of meters. [7] System (1,1a) according to one of the preceding claims 5 or 6, characterized by, that the vehicle exterior lighting system (2) additionally has a cornering light, wherein the control unit (6) is designed to detect a preceding roundabout from the navigation data, and wherein the control unit (6) is further designed to prevent the cornering light from being switched on automatically if at least one vehicle present in the direction of travel is at least close to the entrance of the roundabout and the roundabout has a radius below a predetermined threshold value. [8] System (1,1a) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the vehicle exterior lighting system (2) has taillights and the control unit (6) has a dimming function (10), wherein the control unit (6) is further configured to generate control data when a following vehicle is detected by the rear camera (4), which regulates a dimming of the taillights when switched on, so that taillights with reduced light intensity can be generated when switched on, which can be regulated to a final light intensity after switching on. [9] System (1,1a) according to claim 8, characterized by , that the control unit (6) is designed to generate the control data that cause the taillights to dim only when the following vehicle maintains a predetermined maximum distance to the Ego vehicle.

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