Method for illuminating a pedestrian crossing over a road, lighting device for its execution, and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method (1) for illuminating a pedestrian crossing (3) leading over a road (2), wherein a vehicle (4) driving on the road (2), which can be controlled autonomously and / or manually, moves towards the pedestrian crossing (3). It is essential that, during the approach of the vehicle (4) to the pedestrian crossing (3), a road user (5) intending to cross the road (2) is sensorially detected by the vehicle (4), wherein, in response to the detection of the road user (5), a light image (6) is projected onto the road (2) by the vehicle (4), and, as soon as the vehicle (4) has stopped in front of the pedestrian crossing (3), the pedestrian crossing (3) is illuminated by the vehicle (4) at least partially for the road user (5).The invention further relates to a lighting device (14) equipped for carrying out the proposed method (1) and to an autonomously and / or manually controllable vehicle (4) which has such a lighting device (14) or is equipped for carrying out the proposed method (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for illuminating a pedestrian crossing over a road. The invention relates in particular to a lighting device for carrying out the method according to the invention, and further in particular to an autonomously and / or manually controllable vehicle that has said lighting device or that is equipped to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0002] German patent DE 10 2018 008 213 A1 discloses a method for visualizing a pedestrian crossing over a road for a road user wishing to cross the road. After a vehicle has detected a road user using its sensors, an image in the form of a zebra crossing is projected onto the road via the vehicle's pixel headlights or similar devices. The projecting vehicle communicates with other vehicles on the road so that the road user can be guided safely across the road.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide an improved or at least a different embodiment of a method by which a road user can be safely guided across a road.

[0004] In the present invention, this problem is solved in particular by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description.

[0005] The invention is based on the general consideration that a road user who wishes to use a pedestrian crossing to cross a road can be guided safely across the road if a vehicle moving towards the pedestrian crossing at the same time first detects the road user using sensors, then informs the road user about the successful detection and then, as soon as the vehicle has stopped in front of the pedestrian crossing, illuminates the pedestrian crossing.

[0006] This proposal proposes a method for illuminating a pedestrian crossing over a road, in which an autonomously and / or manually controlled vehicle traveling on the road approaches the pedestrian crossing. The vehicle is equipped to detect road users intending to cross the road at the pedestrian crossing, such as pedestrians or cyclists, using its sensors. This can specifically mean that the vehicle is equipped to recognize a road user as such (e.g., based on physical characteristics) and / or their movement pattern (e.g., a trajectory), and potentially determine their intentions and future movement, and / or to recognize features of the pedestrian crossing itself (e.g., parallel white bars, traffic signs, and the like).The sensor device can be implemented using a conventional, and in particular commercially available, sensor device for vehicles. Essential to the invention is that the vehicle, while approaching the pedestrian crossing—that is, when the vehicle is moving towards the pedestrian crossing at a given speed in a given direction—sensorially detects a road user intending to cross the road using the pedestrian crossing. The method according to the invention further provides that, in response to the detection of the road user, the vehicle, particularly exclusively during its approach to the pedestrian crossing, projects a light image onto the road for the road user. Furthermore, it is provided that, as soon as the vehicle has stopped in front of the pedestrian crossing, the vehicle illuminates at least a section of the pedestrian crossing for the road user.

[0007] The proposed procedure can significantly improve the safety of road users at pedestrian crossings. This is because, even before the actual crossing, the vehicle approaching a pedestrian crossing signals to the detected pedestrian, using the aforementioned photograph, that the vehicle has successfully detected the pedestrian. This provides the road user with reassurance that the vehicle is functioning correctly and will react appropriately, for example, by initiating a deceleration.Then, when the vehicle has stopped in front of the pedestrian crossing, the pedestrian crossing is illuminated, at least in sections, by means of the vehicle, which, especially at dusk or at night and at pedestrian crossings without lighting equipment, allows road users to cross the road comfortably and safely with regard to the vehicle.

[0008] It may be advantageous to configure the image displayed to signal to the road user that the vehicle has successfully detected them. In other words, the image is preferably designed so that the road user immediately and, if necessary, intuitively understands it as confirmation that they have been detected by the vehicle or its sensor system. This allows the road user, who is more vulnerable than the vehicle, to be confident that the vehicle, especially an autonomous one, will slow down and stop before the pedestrian crossing. This measure can significantly increase the acceptance of autonomous vehicles, as the image can also serve as a way for road users to verify the correct functioning of the autonomous vehicle.

[0009] Furthermore, it is advisable that, in the case of a manually controlled vehicle, the warning light display be configured to signal to road users that the vehicle is being driven manually. It is advantageous for this warning light display to remain on until the manually controlled vehicle falls below a predetermined speed limit. This speed limit could be, for example, walking speed or another speed that the road user can control. Alternatively, the warning light display could remain on until the manually controlled vehicle has come to a complete stop before the pedestrian crossing. The warning light display is specifically configured so that it is immediately and, if necessary, intuitively understood by road users as a warning or indication that the pedestrian crossing should only be crossed once the vehicle has come to a complete stop.

[0010] It is advisable that the light display be switched off as soon as the vehicle has stopped before the pedestrian crossing. This visualizes to road users that the vehicle has come to a complete stop before the pedestrian crossing and that the pedestrian crossing can be safely crossed in relation to the vehicle. In principle, the light display could also remain switched on when the vehicle has stopped, for example, to provide even better illumination of the pedestrian crossing and / or the area surrounding the vehicle and / or the pedestrian crossing.

[0011] It is further advantageous that the light pattern is formed by light shape elements. Advantageously, these light shape elements are two-dimensional light projections projected onto the road. The light shape elements are preferably designed separately, but they can also merge into one another. Preferably, the light shape elements are generated by pixel headlights. The intensity and brightness of the light shape elements can be varied. In particular, they can also be designed to flash.

[0012] The corresponding light shape elements can advantageously be designed as circular, elliptical, or oval light shape elements and / or as linear light shape elements. Preferably, the circular, elliptical, or oval light shape elements and / or the linear light shape elements together produce a light pattern that is recognized by road users as a confirmation signal. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the light shape elements, in addition to or as an alternative to circular, elliptical, oval, and / or linear light shape elements, are designed as lettering or warning signs. Such light shape elements can be interpreted by road users particularly easily, quickly, and, if necessary, intuitively as a warning signal.

[0013] It is further advantageous to provide for a single circular, elliptical, or oval-shaped light element on each of the vehicle's opposite longitudinal sides. Additionally, it may be provided that two linear light elements are formed in front of the vehicle in one direction of travel, aligned parallel to the direction of travel and / or separated by a distance perpendicular to the direction of travel, the distance being determined by features of the vehicle or the pedestrian crossing. This distance could, for example, correspond to half the road width or half the length of the pedestrian crossing.

[0014] Advantageously, the circular, elliptical, or oval light shape elements are projected onto the road by the vehicle's cornering lights or by at least one laser or LED-based light module. Furthermore, the linear light shape elements can be projected onto the road by a headlight and / or by a laser or LED-based light module. This allows the light pattern and / or light shape elements to be provided relatively cost-effectively and, if necessary, using standard vehicle lighting.

[0015] It is further advantageous that the pedestrian crossing be illuminated, at least in sections, by the vehicle's headlights and / or by at least one laser or LED-based light module. Using the vehicle's headlights and / or the laser or LED-based light module, the pedestrian crossing can be illuminated relatively easily. An illuminated section of the pedestrian crossing can, for example, be rectangular, circular, elliptical, or oval-shaped.

[0016] It is advantageous to illuminate a section of the pedestrian crossing located in front of the vehicle in one direction of travel. This section of the pedestrian crossing may advantageously have an area equal to half the total area of ​​the pedestrian crossing or at least half the total area of ​​the pedestrian crossing.

[0017] A further fundamental concept of the invention is to provide a lighting device for a vehicle equipped for autonomous and / or manual control, by means of which the method described above can be carried out. For this purpose, a lighting device is proposed that is equipped for an autonomously and / or manually controllable vehicle and comprises: a headlight for emitting light and / or cornering lights for emitting light and / or at least one laser or LED-based light module for emitting light. These components of the lighting device are advantageously configured to project a light image onto a road and to illuminate a pedestrian crossing, at least in sections. The lighting device also comprises a control unit configured to carry out the proposed method.This provides a cost-effective and simple device by means of which the above-described method can be carried out.

[0018] A further fundamental aspect of the invention is to provide an advantageous vehicle that is either equipped with said lighting device or configured to carry out the proposed method. For this purpose, an autonomously and / or manually controllable vehicle is proposed that has a lighting device of the type described above or is configured to carry out the proposed method. This provides an advantageous vehicle that, to improve the safety of road users when approaching a pedestrian crossing, communicates with a detected road user in order to inform the latter of its sensor detection, and, when stopped at the pedestrian crossing, illuminates the crossing for the road user, at least partially.

[0019] In summary, the invention advantageously relates to a method for illuminating a pedestrian crossing over a road, wherein a vehicle driving on the road, which can be controlled autonomously and / or manually, approaches the pedestrian crossing. It is essential that, as the vehicle approaches the pedestrian crossing, a road user intending to cross the road is detected by the vehicle's sensors, and in response to the detection of the road user, a light image is projected onto the road by the vehicle. Once the vehicle has stopped in front of the pedestrian crossing, the pedestrian crossing is illuminated by the vehicle, at least partially, for the road user.The invention further relates to a lighting device equipped for carrying out the proposed method and to an autonomously and / or manually controllable vehicle that has such a lighting device or is equipped for carrying out the proposed method.

[0020] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawing and the associated description of the figures based on the drawing.

[0021] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0023] This schematically illustrates: Fig. 1 in a highly simplified top view a section of a road with a pedestrian crossing, wherein a vehicle performs the method according to the invention.

[0024] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a highly simplified, purely symbolic top view of a section of a two-lane road 2, over which a pedestrian crossing, designated as number 3, leads. Such pedestrian crossings 3 are formed by road markings in the form of parallel, white bars, which are therefore also commonly known as zebra crossings. The figure depicts a current traffic situation in which a road user 5, for example a pedestrian, is located to the side of the pedestrian crossing 3 and wishes to use it to safely cross the road 2. Simultaneously, a vehicle 4, indicated by a box, is moving towards the pedestrian crossing 3 in a direction 12.The vehicle 4 is designed to be autonomous and / or manually controllable for purely exemplary purposes and has a sensor device 5 (not illustrated) for detecting road users and a lighting device 14 (also not illustrated in detail, but merely indicated by a box), which includes headlights for emitting light and / or turning lights for emitting light and / or at least a laser or LED-based light module for emitting light, as well as a control device for carrying out the method 1 presented below.

[0025] To improve the safety of road users 5 when using the pedestrian crossing 3 and to increase the acceptance of vehicles 4, particularly autonomous vehicles, the invention proposes a method 1 for illuminating the pedestrian crossing 3 over the road 2. Method 1 provides that the vehicle 4, as it approaches the pedestrian crossing 3, uses sensors to detect road users 5 intending to cross the road 2 via the pedestrian crossing 3. In response to the detection of road user 5, the vehicle 4 projects a light image 6 onto the road 2 for road user 5, specifically during and only during its approach to the pedestrian crossing 3.The light pattern 6 is formed by several separate light shape elements 8, 9, which together signal to the road user 5, as a confirmation signal, that the vehicle 4 has successfully detected the road user 5. By way of example, it is provided that two first, circular, elliptical, or oval-shaped light shape elements 8 are formed on opposite longitudinal sides of the vehicle 4; these are in . Fig. 1 each indicated by two simple dashed ellipses. Furthermore, it is provided that in the direction of travel 12 in front of the vehicle 4 two second, linear light shape elements 9 are formed, which in Fig. 1 are again each symbolized by two simple dashed ellipses. The two second light shape elements 9 are aligned parallel to the direction of travel and have a distance between them perpendicular to the direction of travel 12 that corresponds approximately to the width of the vehicle 4 or one lane width of the road 4.

[0026] According to the proposed procedure 1, the provided light image 6 is further provided continuously / permanently while the vehicle 4 approaches the pedestrian crossing 3 and is switched off as soon as the vehicle 4 has stopped in front of the pedestrian crossing 3. In order to enable road user 5 to cross the road 4 safely with respect to the vehicle 4, the procedure 1 further proposes that, as soon as the vehicle 4 has stopped in front of the pedestrian crossing 3, the pedestrian crossing 3 is illuminated by the vehicle 4, at least in sections, for road user 5, so that road user 5 can better see the pedestrian crossing 3 and, if necessary, its surroundings. Fig.Figure 1 is purely illustrative in that a section 13 of the pedestrian crossing 3, located directly in front of the vehicle 4 in the direction of travel 12, is illuminated. This section 13, purely for illustrative purposes, has an area approximately half the total area of ​​the pedestrian crossing 3. It is understood that, within the scope of the procedure, not only the indicated section 13 of the pedestrian crossing 3, but possibly a smaller section, a larger section, or even the entire surface of the pedestrian crossing 3 could be illuminated by the vehicle 4. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2018 008 213 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Method (1) for illuminating a pedestrian crossing (3) leading over a road (2), - wherein a vehicle (4) traveling on the road (2) and being autonomously and / or manually controllable moves towards the pedestrian crossing (3) and is designed to detect a road user (5) wishing to cross the road (2) by means of the pedestrian crossing (3) using a sensor device of the vehicle (4), characterized by , that - a road user (5) wishing to cross the road (2) by means of the pedestrian crossing (3) is detected by the vehicle (4) as it approaches the pedestrian crossing (3), - wherein, in response to the detection of the road user (5), a light image (6) is projected onto the road (2) for the road user (5) by the vehicle (4) as it approaches the pedestrian crossing (3), and - wherein the pedestrian crossing (3) is illuminated by the vehicle (4) for the road user (5) at least in sections as soon as the vehicle (4) has stopped in front of the pedestrian crossing (3). [2] Method (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that - the light image (6) is configured in such a way that it signals to the road user (5) as a confirmation signal that the road user (5) has been successfully recognized by the vehicle (4). [3] Method (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that - in the case of a manually controlled vehicle (4), the light image (6) is configured in such a way that it signals to the road user (5) as a warning signal that the vehicle (4) is being driven manually. [4] Method (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the light image (6) is switched off as soon as the vehicle (4) has stopped in front of the pedestrian crossing (3). [5] Method (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the light image (6) is formed by light-shaping elements (8,9). [6] Method (1) according to claim 5, characterized by , that - the light-shaping elements (8, 9) are formed as circular, elliptical or oval-shaped light-shaping elements (8) and / or linear light-shaping elements (9), are varied in their intensity or are designed to flash. [7] Method (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , that - a single first circular, elliptical or oval light-shaping element (8) is formed on opposite longitudinal sides of the vehicle (4), - in a direction of travel (12) in front of the vehicle (4), two second, linear light-shaping elements (9) are formed, which are aligned parallel to the direction of travel and / or which have a distance between them transversely to the direction of travel (12) which is predetermined by features of the vehicle (4) or features of the pedestrian crossing (3). [8] Method (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by , that - the first light-shaping elements (8) are projected onto the road (2) by cornering lights of the vehicle (4) for emitting light or by at least one laser- or LED-based light module of the vehicle (4) for emitting light, and / or - the second light shaping elements (9) are projected onto the road (2) by headlights of the vehicle (4) for emitting light and / or by at least one laser or LED-based light module of the vehicle (4) for emitting light. [9] Method (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the at least partial illumination of the pedestrian crossing (3) is realized by means of headlights of the vehicle (4) for emitting light and / or by at least one laser or LED-based light module of the vehicle (4) for emitting light. [10] Method (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - a section (13) of the pedestrian crossing (3) lying in front of the vehicle (4) in a direction of travel (12) is illuminated. [11] Lighting device (14) for an autonomously and / or manually controllable vehicle (4), - comprising headlights for emitting light and / or cornering lights for emitting light and / or at least one laser or LED-based light module for emitting light, which are configured to project a light image (6) onto a road (2) and to illuminate a pedestrian crossing (3), - a control device which is arranged to carry out the method (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10. [12] Autonomously and / or manually controllable vehicle (4) having a lighting device (14) according to claim 11 or being arranged to carry out the method (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10.

Images