Method for controlling high beam on a vehicle

Abstract

Method (1) for controlling the high beam on a vehicle (2), wherein the high beam is controlled depending on the illumination of a road (3), characterized in that a lane marking (4) of a roadway is detected, wherein a conclusion is drawn about the lighting situation of the environment based on the length of the detected lane marking, and the high beam is activated when a target length is undershot.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for controlling high beams on a vehicle.

[0002] High beams are always activated when driving on an unlit road. This can be the case both within and outside of built-up areas. In particular, high beams are used on a vehicle when it is outside of towns and cities. If the high beams are to be activated automatically, this is usually done via visual detection. The prior art includes a method of using visual detection of streetlights to determine whether the vehicle is in a built-up or outside of a built-up area.

[0003] A disadvantage of this system is that it detects streetlights themselves, but not their status. This means, in particular, that the detection cannot guarantee whether the streetlights are actually illuminated or not. Furthermore, it cannot be determined whether the streetlights are actually illuminating the road. Consequently, the actual lighting situation cannot be reliably verified, which can lead to the vehicle's high beams being activated incorrectly.

[0004] This is particularly problematic when the vehicle is within a built-up area. In well-lit built-up areas, high beams must be deactivated and, according to traffic regulations, may only be switched on when the road is no longer actively lit.

[0005] US Patent 9,527,429 B2 describes a method for controlling the front lighting of a vehicle. This allows the front lighting itself to be controlled, but independently of any lighting situation involving high beams. Furthermore, German Patent DE 10 2016 012 701 A1 discloses a method for controlling the light distribution of a vehicle's headlights, whereby the light distribution is determined based on map data from the vehicle's navigation system. Finally, German Patent DE 10 2011 006 550 A1 discloses a method for switching on a vehicle's high beam, comprising a step of receiving high beam information via an interface, where the high beam information indicates a possibility for glare-free operation of the high beam.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling high beams on a vehicle that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, the challenge lies in recognizing whether a road is actually illuminated or not.

[0007] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method with the features in claim 1, and in particular in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] At the heart of the inventive method is the detection of a lane marking. The length of the detected lane marking is used to infer the ambient lighting conditions, and if the length falls below a certain threshold, the high beam is activated. This allows the actual road lighting conditions to be taken into account, rather than solely relying on the presence of streetlights, and in particular, regardless of their condition. By detecting the lane marking, the ambient lighting level can be determined. If a particularly long lane marking is detected, the ambient lighting conditions appear to be sufficient, thus eliminating the need for high beams. If the detected lane marking is relatively short, i.e., the lane marking is only visible in a smaller area in front of the vehicle, the ambient lighting conditions appear to be insufficient.Therefore, the high beam can be activated in such an environment.

[0009] The system is designed to control the high beams on a vehicle, adjusting them based on the ambient light level. By taking the actual brightness of the surroundings into account, the high beams are reliably activated only outside of built-up areas.

[0010] Lane marking detection can be performed using cameras already installed on the vehicle. Specifically, cameras can be used that capture lane markings to the right and left of the vehicle. In this case, only the lane marking on the right side of the vehicle can be examined. In a further configuration, multiple lane markings across the entire roadway can be examined, including markings in the opposite lane or center line.

[0011] Preferably, the target length can be less than 60 m. Such a length has proven to be a limiting factor for determining the ambient illumination level. Therefore, if a lane marking less than 60 m long is detected, the vehicle can be informed that the high beams can be activated. This can be done automatically.

[0012] According to a highly advantageous further development of the idea, it can be provided that the target length is measured from the vehicle. Consequently, the distance between the ego-vehicle and the maximum distance to the detected lane marking can be measured.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the target length can be measured in the direction of vehicle movement on the road. In particular, the road's course and GPS data can be incorporated. Especially in situations involving intersections or branching roads, this ensures a reliable prediction and an accurate assignment of the lane marking to the actual lane.

[0014] Another advantageous embodiment can provide for the high beam to be deactivated based on the detection of streetlights. If the lane marking is already illuminated by the high beam, it is visible within a range of, for example, 150 m in front of the vehicle. Deactivating the high beam solely by detecting the length of a lane marking is therefore less reliable than deactivation based on the detection of streetlights.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, it may be provided that the sensitivity of the detection of the lane marking can be adjusted depending on whether the road is wet or dry, thereby optimizing the process.

[0016] According to a highly advantageous further development of this idea, the collected data can be stored in a cloud and made available to other vehicles. The range detection of the driving lane can be stored in the cloud. In particular, this can be combined with the storage of a time and / or weather conditions, such as rain / dry / wet.

[0017] Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention also result from the exemplary embodiment, which is described in more detail below with reference to the figure.

[0018] This shows: Fig. 1. An embodiment of the method applied to a vehicle.

[0019] In the presentation of the Fig. Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of Method 1. Method 1 is designed for controlling the high beam on a vehicle 2, whereby the high beam can be controlled depending on the illumination of a road 3. In the depicted situation, the vehicle 2 is traveling along the road 3 in the right-hand lane. Using sensors, in particular cameras already installed on the vehicle, the visible lane marking in front of the vehicle can be detected. The length of the detected lane marking allows conclusions to be drawn about the illumination situation of the area surrounding the vehicle 2. If the length of the detected lane marking falls below a target length, the high beam is activated.

[0020] The target length is represented by the two arrows. The target length is preferably the distance between the ego vehicle 2 and the furthest visible lane marking. This distance depends on the street lighting. In particular, distances of less than 60 m indicate that the road 3 is not lit or not sufficiently lit. Distances greater than 60 m can only be measured, for example, if the road is actively illuminated. Consequently, the limit for the target length can be set at 60 m.

[0021] The method according to the invention provides a robust detection of an illuminated road, which offers advantages over the mere detection of streetlights.

Claims

[1] Method (1) for controlling the high beam on a vehicle (2), wherein the high beam is controlled depending on the lighting of a road (3), characterized by , that a lane marking (4) of a roadway is detected, whereby a conclusion is drawn about the lighting situation of the surroundings based on the length of the detected lane marking, and the high beam is activated if a target length is undershot. [2] Method (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the target length is less than 60 m. [3] Method (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the target length is measured from the vehicle (2). [4] Method (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by that the target length is measured in the direction of vehicle movement on the road. [5] Method (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the high beam is deactivated based on the detection of streetlights. [6] Method (1) according to claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the sensitivity of the detection of the lane marking (4) is adjustable depending on whether the road is wet or dry (3). [7] Method (1) according to claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the collected data is stored in a cloud and made available to other vehicles.

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