Method and device for lighting equipment of motor vehicles
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102023116773
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-02
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
Prior ArtKnown exterior lighting systems have many functions. These are realized by developing software into microprocessors distributed over the individual components of the light system. This distributed software development is complex, time consuming and error prone.Automotive lighting equipment suppliers adapt new or existing lighting modules or whole headlights that are physically present for customer presentations such as TechDas. The effort is very high in this case, since a new overall system, which consists of specific hardware and software, has to be created each time, and the respective light hardware has to be operated as required for the respective customer presentation. These systems thus produced can be adapted to new tasks or presentation requirements with little or only disproportionately great effort.Disclosure of the InventionOne aspect of the description relates to the following subject matter: A method comprising: determining, as a function of a virtual replica, in particular 3D replica, of at least one light-animated lighting device of a motor vehicle, at least one basic animation which comprises an animation-graphic representation of the virtual replica of the at least one light-animated lighting device of the motor vehicle from at least one perspective, in particular a plurality of perspectives; Determining, as a function of the at least one basic animation, a digital mapping, wherein the digital mapping is configured to map pixels of at least one data frame to be provided, in particular of a plurality of data frames, onto virtual light-emitting surfaces of the replica of the at least one light-animated illumination device, wherein the virtual light-emitting surfaces represent light-control channels of the replica of the at least one light-animated illumination device.The development of dynamic functions for the illumination of motor vehicles is simplified by the determination of the digital mapping, in that the dynamic functions are initially realized by the light designer with the aid of proprietary video or animation software. From the resulting virtual simulation of the at least one lighting device or of the motor vehicle having a plurality of lighting devices, the basic animation is then generated. The digital mapping is then determined from the basic animation, which mapping forms the basis for the further development of the at least one lighting device. This also allows the development of the light functions already at a point in time at which no real light modules are available during the development of the vehicle. This first makes parallelization of component and function development possible.Low-code or code-free toolcaines for the development of lighting devices and lighting functions can thus be created. Adaptation of existing lighting functions, implementation of new lighting functions and expansion of the light system by further components with less effort are made possible.An advantageous example is distinguished in that the method further comprises: providing a user interface, via which a digital twin is presented for the user, and via which a guided selection by the user of at least one of a plurality of first animations for the individually animatable light surfaces of the digital twin of the light-animated lighting device is provided.The digital twin approach allows the light designer to create first animations that deviate from the basic animation and to assess the overall impression of the vehicle when playing back the first animation(s). In cooperation with the hardware developer and other development participants, design decisions can thus be made rapidly and the project advanced in the direction of realization.An advantageous example is characterized in that the method comprises: ascertaining a first animation for the light areas of the digital twin selected by a user or by software; and displaying, by means of the user interface, the digital twin whose virtual light areas are animated according to the selected first animation as a function of the digital mapping.Advantageously, in this way, the appearance of the at least one lighting device in the context of the motor vehicle, which is likewise represented by the digital twin, can be assessed by the light designer. It is thus possible to determine in a simple manner even before an actual hardware implementation whether the design-technical requirements are met and the overall impression of the vehicle with the planned light-animated lighting device is voiced. Iterations that would otherwise result from multiple prototyping can thus be prevented or at least reduced.The function development can advantageously take place directly by vehicle designers and / or lighting experts. No further functional development by software experts is necessary. The development effort per function can be substantially reduced. The generation of equipment variations or special models, which are configured during the sale of a vehicle or can be later loadable, is also substantially simplified, provided that the vehicle manufacturer has implemented a corresponding over-the-air update possibility for the vehicles.An advantageous example is distinguished in that the method further comprises: comparing at least two data frames of the basic animation that are different from one another, in particular with respect to surfaces that are fixed relative to the lighting device and that comprise a color and / or brightness difference; and identifying, as a function of the comparison, the virtual lighting surfaces of the at least one virtual replica of the at least one light-animated lighting device as individually controllable light channels or control channels.Advantageously, the virtual light areas can thus be identified in a simple manner from the basic animation in which the motor vehicle preferably does not move to the selected perspective and stored for further processing.An advantageous example is characterized in that the method comprises: determining, as a function of the determined digital mapping and the at least one basic animation, a transformed basic animation, the at least one data frame of which can be converted into further data frames, in particular by means of the determined digital mapping, in such a way that it can be displayed to a user by means of the digital twin.Thus, the animation of the virtual lighting device contained in the original virtual replica can be reused at a later development time and can also be played back on the series version of the at least one lighting device.An advantageous example is characterized in that the method comprises: determining, as a function of the determined digital mapping and the at least one basic animation, a transformed basic animation whose data frames can be converted into further data frames in particular by means of the determined digital mapping in such a way that they can be displayed to a user by means of the digital twin.Advantageously, the animations on a test vehicle can thus be tested. Furthermore, it is also possible to equip series vehicles with the at least one animation. The simplification of the creation and selection of animations reduces development times and development costs. At the same time, the design freedom for the light designers is increased.Following the function development, the developed functions, i.e. the animations or still images, and for associated configuration and activation conditions are downloaded to the control device in the vehicle in the form of the first animation.An advantageous example is characterized in that the method comprises: determining, as a function of a hardware mapping associated with the physical representation of the at least one lighting device and as a function of the stored animation, control signals for the controllable light sources of the physical representation of the lighting device of the motor vehicle; operating the physical at least one lighting device as a function of the determined control signals.The sequences or animations to be played on the digital twin and the at least one lighting device are not programmed by software experts and stored in the various microprocessors of the lighting system, but at least a first animation of the lighting function is produced and transmitted into a central ECU / a central control unit. For example, one pixel of the first animation can represent a brightness value or color value of each individual light source. The software integrated in the control device for playing the animations with the previously developed dynamic functions then dynamically controls the controllable light sources of the system. The corresponding software is developed once by software experts. The dynamic functions downloaded by means of animations are not software and therefore have to be evaluated and validated only at the function level.An advantageous example is distinguished in that the method comprises: providing or ascertaining at least one first data frame, in particular a plurality of first data frames of a first animation, for a plurality of virtual light surfaces of a digital twin of at least one lighting device for a motor vehicle; ascertaining at least one second data frame, in particular a plurality of second data frames of a second animation, as a function of the at least one first data frame and a digital mapping assigned to the digital twin of the lighting device; ascertaining a plurality of data which determine the appearance of the virtual light surfaces, as a function of the at least one second data frame, in particular as a function of the plurality of second data frames of the second animation; and displaying, by means of a user interface, the plurality of virtual light surfaces of the digital twin of at least one lighting device as a function of the ascertained data.A further aspect of the description relates to the following subject matter: A device comprising at least one processor, at least one data memory and at least one user interface, wherein the device having the at least one processor, the at least one data memory and the at least one user interface is configured to carry out at least the following steps: providing or ascertaining at least one first data frame, in particular a plurality of first data frames of a first animation, for a plurality of virtual light surfaces of a digital twin of at least one lighting device for a motor vehicle; ascertaining at least one second data frame, in particular a plurality of second data frames of a second animation, as a function of the at least one first data frame and a digital mapping assigned to the digital twin of the lighting device; determining a plurality of signals, which determine the appearance of the virtual light-emitting surfaces, as a function of the at least one second data frame, in particular as a function of the plurality of second data frames of the second animation; and displaying, by means of a user interface, the plurality of virtual light-emitting surfaces of the digital twin of at least one lighting device as a function of the determined signals.A further aspect of the description relates to the following subject matter: A method comprising: providing or ascertaining at least one first data frame, in particular a plurality of first data frames of a first animation, for a plurality of light sources of an illumination device for a motor vehicle that can be controlled for light emission; ascertaining at least one second data frame, in particular a plurality of second data frames of a second animation, as a function of the at least one first data frame and a hardware mapping; ascertaining a plurality of control signals for the light sources that can be controlled for light emission as a function of the at least one second data frame, in particular as a function of the plurality of second data frames of the second animation; and operating the light sources of the at least one illumination device that can be controlled for light emission as a function of the control signals ascertained.A simple interface is created by the hardware mapping in order to provide control animations more independently of the respective hardware structure of the lighting device of the motor vehicle. Advantageously, control animations can thus be created essentially independently of the underlying hardware context. Even driving animations originating from the initial phase of the 3D construction of the vehicle can be used. This results in degrees of design freedom and a simplification of the generation of the activation animations. Previously necessary expenses for programming the animations are dispensed with and the development process of the lighting device and thus of the entire motor vehicle is significantly shortened.The sequences or animations to be played on the digital twin and the at least one lighting device are not programmed by software experts and stored in the various microprocessors of the lighting system, but at least a first animation of the lighting function is produced and transmitted into a central ECU / a central control unit. For example, one pixel of the first animation can represent a brightness value or color value of each individual light source. The software integrated in the control device for playing the animations with the previously developed dynamic functions then dynamically controls the controllable light sources of the system. The corresponding software is developed once by software experts. The dynamic functions downloaded by means of animations are not software and therefore have to be evaluated and validated only at the function level.The sequences or animations to be played on the at least one lighting device do not therefore necessarily have to be stored in a control device arranged close to the at least one lighting device, but the at least one second data frame is transmitted, which contains information for operating the at least one lighting device. Of course, it is also conceivable for test purposes to keep the at least one first data frame in a control device close to the at least one illumination device.The proposed method therefore makes it possible to realize and adapt an adaptation of the presentation, change of the lighting behavior and the implementation of further light modules with less effort.An advantageous example is characterized in that the at least one second data frame comprises a plurality of items of information associated with the control channels, for example brightness values, color values, current values or voltage values, wherein one or more of the plurality of controllable light sources are assigned to a control channel, wherein the hardware mapping images individual pixels or a plurality of pixels of the at least one first data frame, in particular of the plurality of first data frames, onto one of the plurality of control channels.Advantageously, the intermediate abstraction of the control channels creates a possibility of controlling individually or jointly controllable light sources in a simplified manner in the method.An advantageous example is characterized in that, when the control signals are ascertained, the information items of the second data frames associated with the control channels are converted into the control signals.An advantageous example is distinguished in that a first control device arranged at a distance from the at least one lighting device provides or determines the at least one first data frame, in particular a plurality of first data frames of a first animation, wherein the first control device determines the at least one second data frame, in particular the plurality of second data frames of the second animation, and sends it in the direction of at least one second control device arranged close to or at the at least one lighting device, wherein the at least one second control device receives the at least one second data frame, in particular the plurality of second data frames, and determines the plurality of control signals for the light sources that can be controlled for light emission, and wherein the second control device operates the plurality of light sources on the basis of the control signals.The second control device can thus be configured to be less complex, whereby the costs for the individual lighting devices are reduced.An advantageous example is distinguished in that the method comprises: providing or ascertaining at least one further first data frame, in particular a plurality of further first data frames of a further first animation, for a further plurality of light sources of a further lighting device for the motor vehicle that can be controlled for light emission; ascertaining at least one further second data frame, in particular a further plurality of further second data frames of a further second animation, as a function of the at least one further first data frame and a further hardware mapping; ascertaining a plurality of further control signals for the further light sources that can be controlled for light emission as a function of the at least one further second data frame, in particular as a function of the further plurality of the further second data frames of the further second animation; and operating the further light sources of the at least one further lighting devices that can be controlled for light emission as a function of the ascertained further control signals.Advantageously, the first animations necessary for the plurality of lighting devices can be stored or generated centrally on the first control unit. Furthermore, the second control units can be configured to be less complex, which reduces the costs for the lighting device.This communication structure of the control units and the division of the method between the control units make it possible for the first control unit to be of rather complex configuration and to centralize the second data frames. On the other hand, the proposed structure enables the second control device to have the lowest possible complexity and, if possible, to have a simple driver structure for operating the light sources assigned to the second control device or the lighting device.An advantageous example is characterized in that the method comprises: ascertaining at least one additional second data frame, in particular a plurality of additional second data frames of an additional second animation, as a function of the at least one first data frame and as a function of the hardware mapping associated with the one lighting device and with an additional lighting device; ascertaining a plurality of additional control signals for additional light sources of the additional lighting device that can be controlled for light emission as a function of the at least one additional second data frame, in particular as a function of the plurality of additional second data frames of the additional second animation; and operating the additional light sources of the at least one additional lighting device that can be controlled for light emission as a function of the ascertained additional control signals.Advantageously, illumination devices that can be controlled separately from one another, i.e. the at least one illumination device and the at least one additional illumination device, can thus be operated as a function of the first animation. This not only means a reduced effort in the production of animations and the provision of the lighting devices. A further advantage comprises that the use of a common mapping takes into account the spatial separation and thus the arrangement of the lighting devices on the motor vehicle. The animation played back is then perceived as "from a cast" by the observer even when lighting devices are spatially separated from one another, since the human observer logically supplements a region of the body or of the interior of the motor vehicle which is not affected by the animation to the effect that this region appears "covered" to the observer.An advantageous example is distinguished in that the method comprises: ascertaining at least one third data frame, in particular a plurality of third data frames of a third animation, as a function of the at least one first data frame and a digital mapping assigned to a digital twin of the lighting device; ascertaining a plurality of data which determine the appearance of virtual light areas of the digital twin of the lighting device, as a function of the at least one third data frame, in particular as a function of the plurality of third data frames of the third animation; and displaying, by means of a user interface, the plurality of virtual light areas of the digital twin of the at least one lighting device as a function of the ascertained data.This advantageously creates a simple possibility for OEMs to present the illumination system provided. Even in the case of measurements or other presentations, the user interface, together with the physically present at least one lighting device, offers simple access for the interested technical audience.A further aspect of the description relates to a system comprising: at least one terminal device, which comprises at least one processor, at least one data memory, at least one user interface, and at least one communication interface for communication with at least one control device, the at least one control device, which comprises at least one processor, at least one data memory, the at least one communication interface for communication with at least one terminal device, and at least one communication interface for communication with at least one lighting device or with a further control device assigned to the lighting device, and the at least one lighting device; wherein the system with the terminal device, the at least one control device and the at least one lighting device is configured in such a way as to carry out the following steps: providing or ascertaining at least one first data frame, in particular a plurality of first data frames of a first animation, for a plurality of light sources of the at least one lighting device that can be controlled for light emission; determining at least one second data frame.In the drawing, the following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a development process in a schematic block diagram; FIG. 2 shows differences of the proposed development process compared to a development process according to the prior art in two schematic block diagrams; FIG. 3 shows steps for representing a digital twin in a schematic flow diagram; FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram of a determination of virtual luminous surfaces for digital twin; FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing steps for preparing the representation of the digital interconnects; FIG. 6 shows an appearance of a user interface with a representation of a digital twin of a motor vehicle; FIG. 7 shows a method for operating a physical system comprising the at least one physical lighting device; FIG. 8 shows a division of the functions described in FIG. 7 into different control units; FIG. 9 shows an operation of a further illumination device parallel to the illumination device; FIG. 10 shows an operation of the digital twin parallel to the at least one physically present illumination device; FIG. 11 shows the conversion of first data frames into second data frames by means of a hardware mapping; and FIG. 12 shows a control device and a terminal in a schematic block diagram.FIG. 1 shows, by way of example, in a schematic block diagram, various phases of the development or demonstration of a physical system 100 which comprises at least one lighting device 110 for a motor vehicle. The measures explained individually may differ from the individual actual implementation. The development process as persons involves at least one hardware developer HE and at least one light designer LD. For better understanding, the schematic block diagram shown is divided into a hardware layer HW with hardware components and a software layer SW with software components.A first phase 1000 relates to the idea finding and an age specification of the system. In particular, the first phase 1000 is explained below.A light designer, which is assigned to the OEM, for example, creates a virtual 3D replica N of the motor vehicle by means of a software component 1104 in step 1102. The at least one software component 1104 is typically OEM-specific and can basically be any software or software collection for creating 3D models. The light designer interacts with the software component 1104 until he has reached a first specification of the lighting device 110 from his point of view and the animation of the lighting device 110 associated therewith. A switch is then made to step 1106.The virtual 3D replica comprises at least one virtual, light-animated lighting device connected to the virtual motor vehicle, such as a flasher, an animated grille, an animated decorative strip in the interior of the motor vehicle, an animated daytime running light, an animated load stand display in the interior or exterior space, an animated tail lamp, an animated contour light, an animated ground projection, an animated logo of the motor vehicle manufacturer, an animated communication display. Of course, still further types of lighting devices for motor vehicles are conceivable, in particular also large-area lighting devices covering part of the vehicle body or part of the interior.Subsequently, a determination 1106 takes place, wherein, as a function of the virtual replica N, in particular the 3D replica, of at least one light-animated lighting device 110 of a motor vehicle, at least one basic animation B is determined, which comprises an animation-graphic representation of the virtual replica N of the at least one light-animated lighting device 110 of the motor vehicle from at least one perspective, in particular a plurality of perspectives.Software component 1104 may include an export function, as shown, that performs determination 1106. Alternatively, the determination 1106 can also be carried out separately by a software component which is separate from the software component 1104 and is based on the animated virtual replica N. Ascertainment 1106 includes a standardized decomposition of the animation of virtual replica N of the at least one lighting device 110 into the at least one basic animation B. For example, at least one 2D animation is generated from a perspective. In another example, six 2D animations are generated from six different perspectives. For this, a front perspective, two side perspectives, a rear perspective, a top perspective and a bottom perspective are used.The method comprises ascertaining 1200, as a function of the at least one basic animation B, a digital mapping Md, wherein the digital mapping Md maps pixels of at least one data frame Fa, in particular of a plurality of data frames Fa, onto virtual light surfaces of the replica N of the at least one light-animated lighting device 110, wherein the virtual light surfaces represent light control channels of the replica N of the at least one light-animated lighting device 110.In step 1200, legal requirements for the emitted light distribution which is assigned to a respective one of the virtual light surfaces can already be taken into account. Within the scope of ascertainment 1200, the legal requirements are taken into account in that, for example, emitted maximum luminances, light intensities at the respective assigned emission angle are not exceeded. This check in step 1200 can be carried out, for example, automatically by software specifications. The parameters determined by software specifications become part of the digital mapping Md.The digital mapping Md comprises a two-dimensional pixel grid G which is aligned fixedly with the luminous surfaces of the digital twin TWN of the at least one light-animated lighting device 110. The two-dimensional pixel grid is thus aligned with the representation of the light-animated illumination device 110. For this purpose, the digital mapping Md comprises alignment information or the alignment of the pixel grid with respect to the representation of the light-animated illumination device 110 is permanently predefined or follows a predefined alignment scheme.A digital twin TWN of the motor vehicle is ascertained 1300 as a function of the virtual replica N and the digital mapping Md.Subsequently, by providing 1400 a user interface, an interaction with the digital twin is made possible. The digital twin TWN is displayed for the user via the user interface. A guided selection by the user of at least one of a plurality of control animations for the individually animated light surfaces of the digital twin TWN of the light animated lighting device 110 is provided via the user interface.The light designer interacts with the user interface provided by the step / software component 1400 to test and optimize different animations with the digital twin TWN in step 1500.In one example, the method comprises: ascertaining 1302, as a function of the ascertained digital mapping Md and the at least one basic animation B, a transformed basic animation B, the data frames of which can be converted into further data frames in particular by means of the ascertained digital mapping Md in such a way that they can be displayed to a user by means of the digital twin TWN.The method further comprises: storing at least one animation Bt; Aa, in particular an animation selected by a user when providing 1400 the user interface, comprising a plurality of first data frames Fa, on a storage unit of a physical control unit 120 a, 130 bfor a physical representation of the at least one lighting device 110.The aforementioned storage of the at least one animation Bt, Aa can be effected, for example, as part of the provision 2200 of the system 100 aby the hardware developer HE.A second phase 2000 relates to an agile realization and validation and an agile integration of the system 100. The third phase 3000 relates to the deployment of the system 100, i.e. to the implementation of the system 100 in series. In the following, reference is made in particular to the second phase 2000.The hardware developer HE of the lighting device or of an associated light module creates the hardware mapping in step 2100. For this purpose, the interconnection and the installation location of the partially or wholly individually actuatable light sources in the at least one light module or the illumination device must be known to the hardware developer HE in order to determine the hardware mapping Mh.In order to realize the light functions as an animation that can be played on the at least one lighting device, the following information is used, for example: the light functions themselves, in the present case as the at least one first animation Aa; at least one triggering condition associated with the light function; at least one configuration comprising at least the one hardware mapping Mh, wherein the hardware mapping Mh comprises the assignment of "pixels" in the animations Aa to real light sources or light channels of the at least one lighting device.In steps 2100 and 3100, legal requirements for the emitted light distribution, which is assigned to a respective light module 110 a, 110 b, are taken into account, for example. The legal requirements relate to regulations for light distributions in the area of motor vehicles, which regulations are released by the respective legislator. Within the scope of the ascertainment 2100, 3100, the legal requirements are taken into account in that the responsible at least one hardware developer HE ensures, by setting hardware parameters such as maximum currents / voltages, that, for example, emitted maximum luminances, light intensities, etc. are not exceeded at the respective assigned emission angle. Compliance with legal requirements is validated in an attempt. These determined hardware parameters become part of the hardware mapping Mh.In a step 2400, a software component is provided which comprises the digital twin TWN and by means of which different animations are played back in parallel on both the digital twin TWN and on the physically present system 110 a. In an example of step 2400, the digital twin TWN is omitted and control of the physically present system 110 ais performed without the representation of the digital twin TWN.Before the release of the software component / step 2400, the hardware developer HE develops the at least one lighting device 110 ain the step 2100 and provides it together with a hardware configuration HK comprising the hardware mapping Mh. The software component 2400 can play different animations on the system 100 or the respective lighting device 110 a, 110 bby means of the hardware mapping Mh.The present digital mapping Md supports the hardware designer in determining the hardware mapping Mh, since the light channels are already identified in the digital mapping Md. Thus, the hardware mapping Mh can be determined on the basis of the digital mapping Md, the arrangement of the respective light sources in the at least one physical lighting device and in the assignment of the light sources to a respective light channel or control channel.The physical system 110a for demonstration or development purposes, but also the final series system, can be designed differently. In a first example of the system 110 a, a control device 120 ais directly assigned to the illumination device 110 a, which control device receives the second data frames Fb, in particular of a second animation Ab. In a second example of the system 110 a, a control unit 120 barranged close to the lighting unit 110 bis assigned to the lighting unit 110 band a higher-order control unit 130 btransmits the second data frames to the control unit 120 b.By selecting the animation format for the second animation Ab, both still and moving images can be transmitted to the modules or the at least one lighting device.The at least one second data frame Fb contains not only moving images, but the image information transported with the at least one second data frame Fb can be interpreted as a multiplicity of current operating information by the receiving control device, such as: which LEDs are to be switched on at which point in time, which color they are to assume or how they are to be dimmed; current and / or voltage specifications; dynamics; image repetition rate, identification for identification; synchronization data, etc.In one example, the method comprises: ascertaining 2100, as a function of a hardware mapping Mh associated with the physical representation of the at least one lighting device 110 and as a function of the stored animation Aa, control signals for the controllable light sources of the physical lighting device 110 of the motor vehicle; operating the physical at least one lighting device 110 as a function of the ascertained control signals.In third phase 3000, first animations Aa selected in step 2400 and at least one hardware mapping Hw associated with the first animation are played to central control unit 130 c, for example. During operation, the control device 130 ccontrols the control device 120 cto play back the animations on the at least one lighting device 110 c. The provision 3100 of the system 100 cby the at least one hardware developer HE can be effected analogously to step 2100.FIG. 2 shows a comparison between the prior art SdT and the development process proposed here. Starting from an idea 4 for the at least one illumination device, a specification 6 is developed in the prior art. Starting from specification 6, the supplier Z performs parallel steps of design 8, programming 10 and validation 12 before the OEM brings the at least one lighting device with the steps of integration 14 and deployment 16 into the series vehicle. This process lasts between 12 and 24 months.In contrast, it is proposed that based on Idea 2, OEM and suppliers cooperate closely. Proceeding from concept 2, an agile specification 20 can be carried out, on the basis of which an agile realization and validation 22 and an agile integration 24 are carried out. A deployment 26 is simplified by the proposed methods, since many data, in particular first animations, configurations and mappings contained therein, can be reused from the development process. In particular, first animations Aa can be created subsequently and played onto the series vehicle.FIG. 3 shows a schematic flow diagram which explains the animation graphic representation of the digital twin TWN from FIG. 1 in more detail. Providing 1400 the user interface comprises, for example: ascertaining 1416 an animation Aa selected by a user or by software for the light areas of the digital twin TWN; and displaying 1418, by means of the user interface, the digital twin TWN, the virtual light areas of which are animated according to the selected drive animation Aa and depending on the digital mapping Md.FIG. 4 shows, in a schematic flow diagram, the determination of the virtual illuminated areas for the digital twin TWN from FIG. 1 The generation 1200 of the digital mapping Md comprises, for example: comparing 1426 at least two mutually different data frames of the basic animation B, in particular areas which are fixed to the virtual illumination device and which comprise a color and / or brightness difference; and identifying 1428 as individually controllable light channels or control channels as a function of the comparison, of the virtual illuminated areas of the at least one virtual replica N of the at least one light-animated illumination device 110.Of course, wall and floor projections can also be recognized in this manner and played back as projection animation together or independently of the light surfaces assigned to the illumination device.FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram for preparing the representation of the digital twin. In step 1400 of FIG. 1, the method comprises: providing or ascertaining 1410 at least one first data frame Fa, in particular a plurality of first data frames Fa# 1, Fa#n of a first animation Aa, for a plurality of virtual light surfaces of a digital twin TWN of at least one lighting device 110 for a motor vehicle; ascertaining 1420 at least one second data frame Fb, in particular a plurality of second data frames Fb# 1, Fb#n of a second animation Ab, as a function of the at least one first data frame Fa and a digital mapping Md assigned to the digital twin TWN of the lighting device 110; determining 1430 a plurality m of data S, which determine the appearance of the virtual light areas, as a function of the at least one second data frame Fb, in particular as a function of the plurality of second data frames Fb, of the second animation Ab; and displaying 1440, by means of a user interface 600, the plurality of virtual light areas of the digital twin TWN of at least one lighting device 110 das a function of the determined data S. Data storage units 510, 520 perform the at least one animation Aa and the digital mapping Md.For better understanding, the first and second data frames are also partially used with the same reference numerals in the subsequent figures, wherein the respective data frames and animations differ in particular on account of the mapping used.FIG. 6 shows, by way of example, an appearance of the representation of a user interface for selecting and representing different first animations Aa#1..Aa#n After selection of the at least one first animation Aa in the left selection window, it is possible, via a further dialogue, not shown, to play the selected at least one first animation Aa on the right side by means of the digital twin TWN of the motor vehicle and in particular of the at least one lighting device 110 d, in the present case a tail light. The tail light comprises different light functions such as a turn signal, brake light, tail light, which can be realized in different light modules. Accordingly, the different light functions or light modules "mini LED display", "turn indicator", "tail" and "stop" are equipped with different animations, conditions and digital mappings. Further examples of lighting devices include: a lighting device 110 ethat generates a static logo on the rear window; lighting devices 110 fand 110 gthat generate static wall projections 112 f, 112 g; a lighting device 110 hthat generates a static or animated ground projection 112 h.FIG. 7 shows, by way of example, a method for operating the physical system 100 comprising the at least one physical lighting device 100. The method comprises, for example: providing or ascertaining 2410 at least one first data frame Fa, in particular a plurality of first data frames Fa#1, Fa#nof a first animation Aa, for a plurality of light sources L#1, L#nof a lighting device for a motor vehicle that can be controlled for light emission.The light sources L# 1, L#n of the at least one illumination device 110 may be arranged in a line-like manner or over a surface. The light sources L# 1, L# nmay be arranged regularly or irregularly over the surface. The light sources L# 1, L# nmay be embodied as semiconductor light sources, for example.The method comprises ascertaining 2420 at least one second data frame Fb, in particular a plurality of second data frames Fb# 1, Fb#n of a second animation Ab, as a function of the at least one first data frame Fa and a hardware mapping Mh.The method further comprises ascertaining 2430 a plurality of control signals AS for the light sources L# 1, L# nthat can be controlled for light emission as a function of the at least one second data frame Fb, in particular as a function of the plurality of second data frames Fb of the second animation Ab.The light sources L# 1, L#n of the at least one lighting device 110 that can be controlled for light emission are operated 2440 as a function of the control signals AS determined.Data storage units 710, 720 maintain the at least one animation Aa and the hardware mapping Mh.The at least one second data frame Fb comprises a plurality of items of information associated with the control channels, for example brightness values, color values, current values or voltage values, wherein one or more of the plurality of controllable light sources L# 1, L#n is assigned to a respective one of the control channels, and wherein the hardware mapping Mh maps individual or more pixels of the at least one first data frame Fa, in particular of the plurality of first data frames Fa# 1, Fa#n, to one of the plurality of control channels.When ascertaining 2430 the control signals AS, the information associated with the control channels is converted into the control signals AS.FIG. 7 does not explain how at least one further illumination device can be operated independently of the illumination device 110. The corresponding method comprises providing or ascertaining 2410 at least one further first data frame Fz, in particular a plurality of further first data frames of a further first animation, for a further plurality of light sources of a further lighting device for the motor vehicle that can be controlled for light emission. The method comprises ascertaining 2420 at least one further second data frame, in particular a further plurality of further second data frames of a further second animation, as a function of the at least one further first data frame and a further hardware mapping. The method comprises ascertaining 2430 a plurality of further control signals for the further light sources that can be controlled for light emission as a function of the at least one further second data frame, in particular as a function of the further plurality of the further second data frames of the further second animation. The method comprises operating 2440 the further light sources of the at least one further lighting devices that can be controlled for light emission as a function of the determined further control signals.The functions are distributed over at least two control units. Alternatively, the functions described can also be realized on a single control device or distributed to other control devices in a manner different from that described.FIG. 8 shows an exemplary division of the functions described in FIG. 7 into different control units.A first control device 130 barranged remotely from the at least one lighting device 110 provides or ascertains 2410 the at least one first data frame Fa, in particular a plurality of first data frames Fa# 1, Fa#nof the first animation Aa, wherein the first control device 130 bdetermines the at least one second data frame Fb, in particular the plurality of second data frames Fb# 1, Fb#nof the second animation Ab, and transmits it in the direction of at least one second control device 120 barranged close to or at the at least one lighting device 100, wherein the at least one second control device 120 breceptors the at least one second data frame Fb, in particular the plurality of second data frames Fb# 1, Fb#n, and ascertains the plurality of drive signals AS for the light sources L# 1, L#nthat can be driven for light emission, and wherein the second control device 120 boperates the plurality of light sources L# 1, L# nin dependence on the drive signals AS.The first animation Aa or a plurality of first animations Aa is stored on the first control unit 130 b. This approach makes it possible to provide one or more central units for storing the drive animations and for coordinating the assigned lighting devices.The technical transmission of the at least one second data frame Fb to the at least one lighting device or a corresponding light module can take place via various bus systems and data protocols, for example via CAN-FD, LIN, Ethernet, LVDS and others.The central ECU in the sense of the first control unit 130 bis, in one example, a so-called light domain controller or a general domain controller, but other hardware solutions are also conceivable. The respective configuration files and dynamic functions are stored in the memory of the central ECU, can be directly changed or adapted and can be transmitted to the respective light modules. The respective dynamic functions implemented in animations are stored in the central ECU, but can also be adapted or influenced from laptop or tablet during the tuning.FIG. 9 shows, by way of example, how a further illumination device 110 zcan be operated jointly with the illumination device 110 bdepending on at least one common first data frame Fa. The method comprises determining 2420 zof at least one additional second data frame Fz, in particular a plurality of additional second data frames Fz# 1, Fz#nof an additional second animation Az, as a function of the at least one first data frame Fa and as a function of the hardware mapping Mh associated with the one lighting device 110 band with an additional lighting device 110 z. A plurality of additional control signals ASz for additional light sources Lz# 1, Lz# qof the additional lighting device 110 zthat can be controlled for light emission is then ascertained 2430 zdepending on the at least one additional second data frame Fz, in particular as a function of the plurality of additional second data frames Fz# 1, Fz# nof the additional second animation Az. The additional light sources Lz#1, Lz#q of the at least one additional lighting device 110 zthat can be controlled for light emission are operated 2440 zdepending on the determined additional control signals ASz.FIG. 10 shows how the physically present at least one lighting device 110 is operated in parallel with the digital twin. For this purpose, the method comprises ascertaining 2820 at least one third data frame Fx, in particular a plurality of third data frames Fx# 1, Fx#r of a third animation Ax, as a function of the at least one first data frame Fa and a digital mapping Md assigned to a digital twin TWN of the lighting device 110. The method further comprises ascertaining 2830 a plurality of data Sxwhich determine the appearance of virtual light surfaces of the digital twin TWN of the lighting device 110, as a function of the at least one third data frame Fb, in particular as a function of the plurality of third data frames Fx# 1, Fx# rof the third animation Ax.Subsequently, a display 2840 is carried out by means of the user interface 600 and the plurality of virtual light surfaces of the digital twin TWN of the at least one lighting device 110 as a function of the ascertained data Sx.The display of the user interface 600, in particular of the digital twin TWN, and the playback of the desired animation on the at least one lighting device are synchronized in such a way that no noticeable difference between the animation of the digital twin TWN and the animation of the at least one physically present lighting device is visible to the human eye.For example, the user interface 600 comprises a web server-based interface, explained below in FIG. 12, which is accessible via WLAN and via which a user can control the at least one first animations via web page. An event layer tracks the user's inputs on the web page and initiates corresponding commands. For example, digital buttons and rotary controls can be provided for directly influencing the animation displayed on the at least one lighting device.FIG. 11 shows, by way of example, the conversion of the first data frames Fa into the second data frames Fb by means of the hardware mapping Mh. The first animation Aa includes the plurality of first data frames Fa# 1 to Fa# n. The first animation Aa includes chevron-like shapes running outward from the image center. In the present case, the hardware mapping Mh is provided for 75 individually actuatable light sources arranged regularly and in a grid. Accordingly, a respective light channel or activation channel is assigned to a single individually activatable light source.The hardware mapping Mh shown is very simple for reasons of understanding. Of course, other more complex hardware mappings Mhmay also have light sources arranged irregularly, and a plurality of light sources may be assigned to one light channel or control channel.Furthermore, the hardware mapping Mh shown comprises, stored in black, light channels or control channels that cannot be controlled or do not exist. No calculations are preferably carried out for these non-controllable light channels. In the determined second data frame Fb, either a zero value can be transmitted or no value at all is transmitted in order to save transmission capacity.The first data frames Fa are scaled to the aspect ratio of the hardware mapping Mh as necessary to be subsequently converted into the second data frames Fb.For each existing control channel in hardware mapping Mh, pixel or pixels Pa#1#2 are selected and information Ib#1#2 for control channel 2 is ascertained on the basis of the information stored there in first data frame Fa#1.The second data frame Fb#1 shown by way of example additionally also comprises information from a hardware configuration, for example an address of the assigned control unit in the form of a CAN ID.FIG. 12 shows a schematic block diagram of the control unit 120 a, which is directly assigned to the lighting device 110 ain FIG. 1, and a block diagram of a terminal device 8000 in the sense of a laptop, tablet or smartphone for controlling the lighting device 110 a. A video layer 9010 prepares the at least one first data frame for the at least one lighting device and is characterized by a dashed frame. Layers 9020, 9030 above video layer 9010 provide the interface to the user. A layer 9020 web server creates the window for the user, who can connect to any WLAN-enabled device within the meaning of the terminal 8000. The underlying event and control plane 9030 enables the interaction and is designed, for example, as a Javascript framework.Layers 9040, 9050, 9060 below video layer 9010 interface to the prototype or presentation model of the at least one lighting device. From below, the communication layer 9060 (in this case CAN(FD)) defines the structure of the data stream to the prototype. Layer 9050 above includes hardware drivers in software for the prototype LED driver ICs. The configuration layer 9040 carries out the assignment of the animation pixels to the light channels or control channels of the lighting device. Finally, the database stores all animations, configurations including hardware mapping, and user and project configurations.The terminal 8000 comprises a presentation layer 8020 which is designed as a web browser by way of example. The presentation layer 8020 interacts with the user interface presentation layer 9020. An event and control plane 8030 interacts with layer 9030 to forward the user's interactions with the web browser to controller 120a.The levels 9020, 9030, 8020, and 8030 distributed to the controller 120a and the terminal 8000 provide the user interface 600 of FIG. 6.In one example, a separate second animation is sent to each light module of the at least one lighting device, depending on the triggering condition. In a further example, it is possible that the same second animation is sent to a plurality or all of the modules of one or more lighting devices.By first transmitting the second animations to the plurality of lighting devices or plurality of light modules, a high temporal synchronism can be achieved during playback. The playback then takes place in response to a common start signal, which is coordinated by layer 9040 or layer 9050, for example.The animations may be stopped or played back via the user interface 600. A flexible adaptation of the playback speed is possible by means of the user interface 600. For demonstration purposes, a limp home function that is dialable via the user interface 600 is implementable. The emergency function comprises, for example, simple first animations tested with the lighting devices of the presentation environment and associated configurations comprising the respective hardware mapping, which replace the running animations and mappings in the case of the selection of the emergency operation.Geometric alignment of the modules is possible by transmitting still test images as second data frames.The operating parameters such as number of LEDs, brightness, temporal sequence and many more can be defined independently for each combination of first animation and light module or lighting device.The technical format of the video may be of different resolution, such as 8-bit, animated PNG, or others. In one example, RGB channels are also usable.The transmission of the second data frames in the direction of the light module can take place via Ethernet, LAN, WLAN or the like. Communication via CAN, CAN-FD or comparable protocols allows the feedback of information to the central control unit, such as diagnostic information.
Claims
A method comprising: determining (1106), as a function of a virtual replica (N), in particular 3D replica, at least one light-animated lighting device (110) of a motor vehicle, at least one basic animation (B) which comprises an animation-graphic representation of the virtual replica (N) of the at least one light-animated lighting device (110) of the motor vehicle from at least one perspective, in particular a plurality of perspectives; Determining (1200), as a function of the at least one basic animation (B), a digital mapping (Md), wherein the digital mapping (Md) is configured to map pixels of at least one data frame (Fa), in particular of a plurality of data frames (Fa), onto virtual light areas of the replica (N) of the at least one light-animated lighting device (110), wherein the virtual light areas represent light control channels of the replica (N) of the at least one light-animated lighting device (110).The method according to claim 1, comprising: determining (1300) a digital twin (TWN) of the motor vehicle depending on the virtual replica (N) and the digital mapping (Md); providing (1400) a user interface via which the digital twin (TWN) is presented to the user and via which a guided selection by the user is provided at least one of a plurality of animations comprising the at least one data frame (Fa) for the individually animatable light surfaces of the digital twin (TWN) of the light-animated lighting device (110).The method of claim 2, wherein providing (1400) the user interface comprises: determining (1410), by a user or by software, an animation (Aa) for the light areas of the digital twin (TWN); and displaying (1412), by the user interface, the digital twin (TWN) whose virtual light areas are animated according to the selected animation (Aa) and depending on the digital mapping (Md).The method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein generating (1200) the digital mapping (Md) comprises: comparing (1420) at least two mutually different data frames of the basic animation (B), in particular surfaces which are fixed to the lighting device and which comprise a color and / or brightness difference; identifying (1420) as individually controllable control channels depending on the comparison the virtual lighting surfaces of the at least one virtual replica (N) of the at least one light-animated lighting device (110).The method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: determining (1302), depending on the determined digital mapping (Md) and the at least one basic animation (B), a transformed basic animation (Bt), the data frames of which can be converted into further data frames in particular by means of the determined digital mapping (Md) in such a way that they can be displayed to a user by means of the digital twin (TWN).The method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: storing at least one animation (Bt; Aa), in particular an animation selected by a user when providing (1400) the user interface, comprising a plurality of first data frames (Fa) on a storage unit of a physical control unit (120a, 130b) for a physical representation of the at least one lighting device (110).The method according to the preceding claim, comprising: determining (2100), as a function of a hardware mapping (Mh) associated with the physical representation of the at least one lighting device (110) and as a function of the stored animation (Aa), control signals for the controllable light sources of the physical lighting device (110) of the motor vehicle; operating the physical representation of the at least one lighting device (110) as a function of the determined control signals.An apparatus having means configured to perform at least the following: ascertaining (1106), as a function of a virtual replica (N), in particular 3D replica, of at least one light-animated lighting device (110) of a motor vehicle, at least one basic animation (B), which comprises an animation graphic representation of the virtual replica (N) of the at least one light-animated lighting device (110) of the motor vehicle from at least one perspective, in particular a plurality of perspectives; Determining (1200), as a function of the at least one basic animation (B), a digital mapping (Md), wherein the digital mapping (Md) is configured to map pixels of at least one data frame (Fa), in particular of a plurality of data frames (Fa), onto virtual light areas of the replica (N) of the at least one light-animated lighting device (110), wherein the virtual light areas represent light control channels of the replica (N) of the at least one light-animated lighting device (110).The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the means are configured to perform the steps of any one of claims 2 to 7.The apparatus of claim 8 or 9, wherein the means comprises: at least one processor; and at least one storage medium comprising computer program code; wherein the at least one storage unit and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, effect the function of the apparatus.A storage medium on which a computer program is stored, which is configured to carry out the following steps: ascertaining (1106), as a function of a virtual replica (N), in particular 3D replica, of at least one light-animated lighting device (110) of a motor vehicle, at least one basic animation (B), which comprises an animation-graphic representation of the virtual replica (N) of the at least one light-animated lighting device (110) of the motor vehicle from at least one perspective, in particular a plurality of perspectives; Determining (1200), as a function of the at least one basic animation (B), a digital mapping (Md), wherein the digital mapping (Md) is configured to map pixels of at least one data frame (Fa), in particular of a plurality of data frames (Fa), onto virtual light areas of the replica (N) of the at least one light-animated lighting device (110), wherein the virtual light areas represent light control channels of the replica (N) of the at least one light-animated lighting device (110).A method comprising: providing or ascertaining (1410) at least one first data frame (Fa), in particular a plurality of first data frames (Fa#1, Fa#n) of a first animation (Aa), for a plurality of virtual light surfaces of a digital twin (TWN) of at least one lighting device (110) for a motor vehicle; ascertaining (1420) at least one second data frame (Fb), in particular a plurality of second data frames (Fb#1, Fb#n) of a second animation (Ab), as a function of the at least one first data frame (Fa) and a digital mapping (Md) assigned to the digital twin (TWN) of the lighting device (110); determining (1430) a plurality (m) of data (S) which determine the appearance of the virtual light areas as a function of the at least one second data frame (Fb), in particular as a function of the plurality of second data frames (Fb) of the second animation (Ab); and displaying (1440), by means of a user interface (600), the plurality of virtual light areas of the digital twin (TWN) of at least one lighting device (110d) as a function of the determined data (S).The method according to claim 8, wherein the digital mapping (Md) comprises a two-dimensional pixel grid (G) that is firmly aligned with the luminous surfaces of the digital twin (TWN) of the at least one light-animated lighting device (110).An apparatus comprising means configured to at least perform the following: providing or ascertaining (1410) at least one first data frame (Fa), in particular a plurality of first data frames (Fa#1, Fa#n) of a first animation (Aa), for a plurality of virtual light surfaces of a digital twin (TWN) of at least one lighting device (110) for a motor vehicle; ascertaining (1420) at least one second data frame (Fb), in particular a plurality of second data frames (Fb#1, Fb#n) of a second animation (Ab), as a function of the at least one first data frame (Fa) and a digital mapping (Md) assigned to the digital twin (TWN) of the lighting device (110); determining (1430) a plurality (m) of signals (S) which determine the appearance of the virtual light areas as a function of the at least one second data frame (Fb), in particular as a function of the plurality of second data frames (Fb) of the second animation (Ab); and displaying (1440), by means of a user interface (600), the plurality of virtual light areas of the digital twin (TWN) of at least one lighting device (110d) as a function of the determined signals (S).The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the means are configured to perform the steps of claim 8.The apparatus of claim 14 or 15, wherein the means comprises: at least one processor; and at least one storage medium comprising computer program code; wherein the at least one storage unit and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, effect the function of the apparatus.Use of the method according to one of claims 1 to 7, the device according to one of claims 8 to 10, the storage medium according to claim 11, the method according to claim 12 or 13, or the device according to one of claims 14 to 16.