Method and device for providing light incidence information

Abstract

Method (100) for providing light incidence information, wherein the method (100) comprises determining (101) light incidence information by means of at least one respective sensor (11) of a plurality of vehicles, and creating (102) a light incidence map based on the light incidence information, characterized in that manual behavior of at least one occupant of the vehicle is taken into account (103) within the scope of creating (102) the light incidence map.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a device for providing light incident information according to the independent claims.

[0002] Methods for operating navigation devices are known from the prior art, such as those described in DE 10 2017 202 496 A1, in which brightness values ​​are recorded by means of a brightness detection device and can be transmitted to a computing unit. Consequently, for example, the probability of glare can be taken into account when evaluating calculated routes.

[0003] CN 105644320 A also describes a method for adjusting a sun visor to avoid glare situations, while US 2022 / 0114988 A1 discloses a method for displaying augmented reality when the driver is glared.

[0004] DE 10 2022 200 137 A1 relates to a method for providing information for a solar forecast using at least one vehicle, comprising at least the following steps: a) acquiring sensor data using at least one sensor of a vehicle, wherein the sensor data are suitable for determining information for a solar forecast, b) acquiring position data using at least one position sensor of the vehicle and assigning position information and time information to the sensor data and / or to information determined using the sensor data for the solar forecast, c) providing the sensor data and / or information determined using the sensor data for the solar forecast, together with the assigned position information and time information, to at least one other vehicle or a higher-level administrative body.

[0005] JP 2007 – 76 452 A shows a control unit 34 of an anti-glare processing device. The control unit assumes an incidence zone into which direct sunlight enters, in accordance with information obtained from a navigation device regarding the current position and the vehicle's direction, speed, map data, data on shadowing objects on the map, orbital data of the sun, etc. This control unit then activates an anti-glare device, such as a sun visor or a transparent liquid crystal panel, as a light shield, depending on the incidence zone and the vehicle's current position, switching it to a light-shielding state. Furthermore, it switches the anti-glare device to a non-light-shielding state after the light has passed through the incidence zone.

[0006] US Patent 2021 O 396 533 A1 discloses mechanisms for using navigation routes to avoid or minimize sun glare along the navigation route. Some embodiments first estimate the likelihood of experiencing sun glare while navigating between a starting point and a destination. If sun glare is likely, the navigation route is calculated using sun glare as part of a cost function. If glare is not likely, the navigation route is calculated without considering sun glare. Real-time feedback on sun glare can be received from one user device and used in calculating sun glare for another user device. In some embodiments, a trained machine learning model can be used as part of the sun glare calculation.Other embodiments include digital assistants that use sun glare information to recommend actions and / or perform actions on behalf of a user.

[0007] DE 103 38 764 A1 relates to a system for determining the sun's position in a vehicle. The system comprises means for determining the vehicle's position, means for determining the position of the sun relative to the vehicle using the determined position data of the vehicle, wherein the determined position of the sun relative to the vehicle is transferable to a device intended for determining the need to assist the driver of the vehicle by activating a device for improving visibility in the vehicle. The device for improving visibility in the vehicle comprises means for emitting laser light with a wavelength outside the visible spectrum into a predetermined solid angle range, a camera for observing the solid angle range into which the laser light is emitted, and a display device in the interior of the vehicle for displaying the camera images.

[0008] However, current technology does not offer an efficient and advantageous way to provide light incidence information to the largest possible group of users.

[0009] The present invention is based on the objective of providing light incidence information efficiently and clearly. This objective is achieved by a method for providing light incidence information, which includes determining light incidence information using at least one sensor from a plurality of vehicles. In other words, each of the plurality of vehicles has at least one sensor configured to determine light incidence information. A light incidence map is then created based on this light incidence information.

[0010] The light incidence map is a spatial representation of the light incidence information for a multitude of vehicles. Specifically, this information includes light intensity and / or direction at the location of each vehicle, preferably also at the time of each recording, based on the sensor. In particular, each piece of light incidence information can be assigned a location and time based on the GPS data of the corresponding vehicle. Thus, each piece of light incidence information can be stamped with both a time and a location. The light incidence map can spatially represent the light incidence information, and the timestamp can be included for each displayed piece of light incidence information within the map. Therefore, both the positions and times of the light incidence information can be collected within the light incidence map.In other words, the map is aggregated by combining the light incidence data from numerous vehicles, taking into account the corresponding time and location stamps. The light incidence map can thus be understood as an information map. The light incidence information can be aggregated and stored from a large number of vehicles to create a map that covers at least one urban area, up to and including a national and / or international map.

[0011] As part of this process, additional information from at least one other data source regarding weather data and / or the position of the sun may be collected. This additional information is therefore not based on a single sensor from the numerous vehicles and thus does not represent a snapshot in time, but may, for example, include statistical information on weather data and / or the position of the sun, as well as predictive assessments in this regard. These additional data sources may primarily be external data sources, such as an online database and / or an online weather service. This data source may include, for example, temperature maps, precipitation maps, wind maps, etc.

[0012] In particular, a confidence level can be assigned to each value, and thus to each piece of light incidence information in the light incidence map. This confidence level can be assigned based on additional information from at least one other data source. Information from these additional data sources is especially useful for validating the light incidence information from the sensors and / or for determining and / or influencing the assigned confidence level. For example, a measured glare effect can be assigned a higher confidence level, meaning it can be valid for a longer period, when the sun is high in the sky and the weather is cloudless, than when the weather is partly cloudy, as constantly changing conditions are to be expected in the latter case. The assigned confidence level can therefore influence the length of time the light incidence information remains in the light incidence map, in other words, how long it is stored.Light intensity data whose validity period has expired can, for example, be deleted and / or updated if possible. Conversely, light intensity data from vehicle sensors can also be provided to other data sources to, for example, improve statistical data with the recorded light intensity values. A resulting light intensity map can then also be made available as an additional, usable map within a relevant weather service, such as an online weather service.

[0013] The direction of light is understood as the direction of incidence of light. This can be determined, in particular, based on the position of the sensor on a vehicle and the direction of travel. In particular, each vehicle can have multiple sensors, and especially when using several sensors, the direction of incidence of light can be determined by considering their arrangement, particularly their directional characteristics, and the direction of travel.

[0014] Additional information from the data sources described above can also be used to supplement the determination of the light direction at the location of the respective vehicle if this could not be determined based on the recorded sensor data. Conversely, if the light direction has been determined based on the sensor data, it can be validated using the additional information from the other data sources.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment, the method includes providing the light incidence map as sub-information within a navigation chart. The light incidence map can thus be provided as a so-called layer within a navigation chart.

[0016] The procedure can further include retrieving light incidence information from the light incidence map by means of at least one user, e.g., a means of transport such as a vehicle, or a building. A user, therefore, does not refer to a person, e.g., a driver of a vehicle, but rather to the facility in which a person can be located.

[0017] The retrieved light incidence information can then be used to control a shading device, a mirror, and / or the user's air conditioning system by regulating the control accordingly. For example, the tint of a controllable surface element, such as a window, can be changed. Thus, the transparency of at least one area of ​​a window can be deliberately altered based on the retrieved light incidence information to prevent glare for at least one occupant. Furthermore, mirrors, such as auto-dimming mirrors or the air conditioning system, can be deliberately controlled. With regard to the auto-dimming mirror, the primary goal is also to prevent glare for an occupant, especially the driver. Shading devices include, in particular, blinds and shades.While the primary goal is to proactively prevent glare for the driver, thereby increasing both safety and comfort, secondary goals can also be achieved, such as comfortably shading other passengers, possibly specifically targeting small children. Furthermore, the air conditioning system can be deliberately programmed to counteract temperature fluctuations caused by solar radiation in advance, either during or even before they occur. This is a significant advantage over current systems that only react to an already elevated interior temperature.

[0018] The term "at least one sensor" in a vehicle can refer to, in particular, a camera and / or a LiDAR and / or a radar sensor. Specifically, it includes a brightness sensor that can directly measure light intensity. Light intensity can also be determined from brightness values ​​obtained from other sensor data, such as camera data.

[0019] Furthermore, each vehicle can include multiple sensors that determine light incidence information.

[0020] When determining light incidence data, a manual reaction from a vehicle occupant is taken into account. This can be registered, for example, by a sensor such as an interior camera. If, for instance, the driver lowers a sun visor, this indicates a corresponding increase in light, and this information can be considered when collecting light incidence data.

[0021] In particular, each vehicle can transmit the measured light incidence information to a higher-level evaluation unit, primarily a backend. This higher-level evaluation unit can be cloud-based. It can be configured as a computing device, such as a server. It can thus be a central evaluation unit. Alternatively, the data aggregation can be distributed across local evaluation units in the participating vehicles instead of a central unit. Furthermore, both local and a higher-level evaluation unit can be present.

[0022] In particular, the light incidence data on the light incidence map can be updated. An update can be performed especially when more recent light incidence data is available for a specific location. Specifically, the light incidence information on the map can be compared with more recent data, and an update can be triggered only if there is a minimum deviation. This comparison can, for example, take place in a local evaluation unit within the vehicle, so that the current light incidence data is only transmitted to a higher-level evaluation unit when a deviation is detected. This allows for data reduction without compromising functionality.

[0023] In particular, the light incidence information in the light incidence map can be divided into area zones. For example, only light incidence information for upcoming road segments can be provided to avoid transmitting unnecessary data. The upcoming road segment can be determined, for instance, from navigation settings, and light incidence information can then be used accordingly. A user's at least one shading device can be controlled proactively, primarily based on the anticipated road segment, to specifically prevent glare and / or overheating of the vehicle's interior. Similarly, the vehicle's exterior lights can be controlled to improve the vehicle's visibility when driving into the headlights.

[0024] In particular, the light incidence information is provided wirelessly by the higher-level evaluation unit. Preferably, the light incidence information is not transmitted from other vehicles via Car2X. Furthermore, the vehicle can query whether relevant light incidence information is present in an upcoming section of the route. If this is not the case, no light incidence information can be transmitted, thus ensuring that the data transmission by the higher-level evaluation unit is particularly data-efficient.

[0025] Since light incidence information is taken into account via the vehicles' sensors, newer vehicles, which may have higher-quality sensors, for example, can have a greater impact on the map data than others. By providing the light incidence information as a light incidence map, which is also available to vehicles with lower-quality sensors or no sensors at all, it can be ensured that these vehicles also have access to high-quality light incidence information without having to rely on their own sensors.

[0026] In particular, compared to controlling the corresponding functions for preventing interior heating or glare for vehicle occupants based on current sensor data from the respective user or via Car2X from other vehicles, this approach offers the advantage that the aggregated light incidence map exhibits significantly higher data quality due to optimized aggregation of data from a large number of vehicles. A further advantage is that vehicles do not need their own sensors or Car2X communication capabilities. This allows for cost savings on expensive hardware, both in terms of sensor data acquisition and vehicle software, and enables the division of vehicles into data collectors and data users. Furthermore, the data can also be classified as public commons content, allowing such information to be made available by government agencies.

[0027] In a further aspect, the invention comprises a device for providing light incidence information, wherein this device includes at least one sensor for each plurality of vehicles for determining light incidence information. Furthermore, the device includes an evaluation unit for creating a light incidence map based on the light incidence information. The evaluation unit is configured, in particular, as a higher-level evaluation unit, either centrally or distributed across the different vehicles. In particular, the device is configured for carrying out a method described above.

[0028] They show, in purely schematic form: Fig. 1. A process diagram of a method for providing light incident information; and Fig. 2 a device for providing information about incident light.

[0029] Fig. Figure 1 describes a method 100 for providing light incidence information, wherein the method 100 comprises determining 101 light incidence information based on the sensors of a large number of vehicles. Each vehicle has at least one sensor. A light incidence map is created based on the light incidence information 102. Here, in particular, the manual behavior of at least one occupant of the vehicle, especially the driver, can be taken into account 103. Furthermore, additional information from other data sources can be considered when creating the light incidence map 104. Confidences can be assigned to the light incidence information on the light incidence map 105. Here, too, information from other data sources can be taken into account 106.

[0030] The generated light incidence map can be saved as sub-information of a navigation map 107 and made available 109. Furthermore, light incidence information can be updated 108, for example based on more current values ​​or on the basis of further information from other data sources.

[0031] Furthermore, the procedure advantageously includes retrieving 110 light incidence information from the light incidence map. A query 111 can be made beforehand to determine whether light incidence information is available for an upcoming section of the route. In particular, only a portion of the light incidence information from the light incidence map can be retrieved based on an upcoming section of a vehicle's route 112. Furthermore, the light incidence information from the light incidence map is used to control a shading device and / or a mirror and / or an air conditioning system of the vehicle 113.

[0032] Fig. Figure 2 shows a device 10 for providing light incidence information, which on one side comprises sensors 11 for acquiring the light incidence information. It further comprises an evaluation unit 12, which is configured for creating a light incidence map, assigning confidence levels, and storing and providing the light incidence information from the light incidence map. For this purpose, the device 10 can have various interfaces 13, which are shown purely as examples. Furthermore, one interface 13 can also be configured for retrieving additional information from other data sources. Reference symbol list 100 methods for providing light incidence information 101 Determining light incidence information using at least one sensor from a large number of vehicles 102 Creating a light incidence map based on the light incidence information. 103 Consideration of manual behavior of at least one occupant of the vehicle 104 Consideration of further information from other data sources 105 Assigning confidence levels to light incidence information on the light incidence map 106 Consideration of further information from other data sources 107 Storage of the light incidence map as sub-information of navigation information 108 Updating Light Incidence Information 109 Providing the light incidence map as sub-information of a navigation map 110 Retrieving light incidence information from the light incidence map 111 Inquiry as to whether light incidence information is available for an upcoming section of track 112 Retrieving only a part of the light incidence map based on a preceding section of a route 113 Control of a shading device and / or a mirror and / or an air conditioning system of a user based on the light incidence map 10 Device for providing light incidence information 11 sensors 12 evaluation units 13 Interface

Claims

[1] Method (100) for providing light incident information, wherein the method (100) comprises determining (101) light incident information by means of at least one respective sensor (11) of a plurality of vehicles, and creating (102) a light incident map based on the light incident information, characterized by , that in the preparation (102) of the light incidence map, manual behavior of at least one occupant of the vehicle is taken into account (103). [2] Method (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the light incidence information includes light intensity and / or light direction at the location of the respective vehicle. [3] Method (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the light incidence map represents a spatial representation of the light incidence information of the multitude of vehicles. [4] Method (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that in the preparation (102) of the light incidence map, further information from at least one additional data source relating to weather data and / or the position of the sun shall be taken into account. [5] Method (100) according to claim 4, characterized by that the additional data source is an online database and / or an online weather service. [6] Method (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the procedure (100) includes an assignment (105) of confidences to light incidence information on the light incidence map. [7] Method (100) according to claim 6, characterized by , that as part of the allocation (105) further information from at least one other data source is taken into account (106). [8] Method (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the procedure (100) includes providing (109) the light incidence map as sub-information of a navigation chart. [9] Method (100) according to claim 8, characterized by , that the procedure (100) includes a retrieval (110) of light incidence information from the light incidence map by at least one user. [10] Method (100) according to claim 9, characterized by , that the user first requests whether light incidence information is available on the light incidence map for an upcoming section of the route (111). [11] Method (100) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by , that the procedure (100) includes retrieving (112) only a part of the light incidence map based on an upcoming section of a user's route. [12] Method (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by , that the method (100) includes a control (113) of a shading device and / or a mirror and / or an air conditioning system of the user based on light incidence information from the light incidence map. [13] Device (10) for providing light incident information, characterized by , that the device (10) comprises at least one sensor (11) of a plurality of vehicles for determining light incidence information, wherein the device (10) further comprises an evaluation unit (12) for creating a light incidence map based on the light incidence information, wherein the device (10) is configured to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 12.

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