Method and device for controlling the brightness of a display function and / or a signal function of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for controlling the brightness of a display function and / or a signal function of a motor vehicle (1), characterized by the following method steps: the time of day is determined, the position of the sun at the location of the motor vehicle (1) is determined, the orientation of the motor vehicle (1) relative to the position of the sun is determined, from the determined data the illuminance at the location of a display device (2) and / or signal light device (4) arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle (1) is calculated, depending on the calculated illuminance the brightness of a display function of the display device (2) and / or a signal function of the signal light device (4) is set.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the brightness of a display function and / or a signal function of a motor vehicle.

[0002] A method and a device of the aforementioned type are known from EP 3 346 313 A1. The method described therein comprises the following steps: predicting whether the lighting environment of a road to be traveled on will change in the direction of travel of a vehicle, and adjusting the vehicle's lighting in a timely manner if the prediction is positive, using a lighting adjustment device in the vehicle, in order to achieve the background lighting requested by an AR-enabled device in the vehicle. The method and the device enable the AR-enabled device to provide a better display effect in the vehicle.The predictive step can include the following: predicting that the lighting environment of the road to be traveled will become dark when the navigation data of the route indicates that the vehicle will enter a tunnel, or when online weather information indicates that the vehicle will enter a thunderstorm zone.

[0003] The device described in EP 3 346 313 A1 relates to a display function inside a motor vehicle. Display devices on the exterior of the vehicle, such as displays on the front of the vehicle, will in the future not only fulfill design aspects but also perform functional tasks such as communication between the vehicle and other road users. It is of particular importance that the displayed content is legible at all times. Symbols or other characters must have sufficient contrast with the background to be reliably recognized. Therefore, the brightness of the display must be regulated according to the ambient light level to achieve the necessary contrast while simultaneously avoiding glare in the dark. This brightness adjustment could be achieved via a brightness sensor integrated into the display.However, this brightness sensor would have to be procured, installed and calibrated, which is comparatively expensive.

[0004] The problem underlying the present invention is therefore to provide a method of the type mentioned at the outset and to create a device of the type mentioned at the outset which, without providing an additional brightness sensor arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle, enables the adjustment of the brightness of a display device and / or a signal light device, in particular enables the adjustment of the brightness of a display device and / or a signal light device to be simpler and / or more cost-effective.

[0005] According to the invention, this is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a device having the features of claim 7. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0006] According to claim 1, the method is characterized by the following process steps: - the time of day is determined, - the position of the sun at the location of the motor vehicle is determined, - the orientation of the motor vehicle relative to the position of the sun is determined, - The illuminance at the location of a display device and / or signal light device arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle is calculated from the data obtained. - Depending on the calculated illuminance, the brightness of a display function of the display device and / or a signal function of the signal light device is adjusted.

[0007] This enables adaptive brightness control, which, without the need for an external brightness sensor, can adjust the brightness of a display and / or signal light device mounted on the exterior of the vehicle. The process features implement the function of a virtual brightness sensor, which can be used to control a variety of vehicle functions, particularly virtually all brightness control functions of lighting equipment on the vehicle. The data from the virtual brightness sensor can also be used and / or stored as information for other vehicle functions.

[0008] It may be possible to determine the weather at the vehicle's location, in particular by retrieving relevant data from the internet, whereby the determined weather conditions are taken into account when calculating the illuminance at the location of the display device and / or signal light device mounted on the exterior of the vehicle. The weather data can be used to determine whether there is cloud cover or clear skies at the current time, so that the brightness can be adjusted accordingly.

[0009] It is possible to read data from a brightness sensor, taking this data into account when calculating the illuminance at the location of the display and / or signal light device on the exterior of the vehicle. Brightness sensors installed on or in vehicles are typically used to regulate the brightness of the vehicle's internal instruments and to automatically switch on and off the lighting functions. Data can also be read from such existing brightness sensors and used to calculate the illuminance at the location of the display and / or signal light device.

[0010] It may be provided that data is received from at least one other road user, whereby the data received from this at least one other road user is taken into account when calculating the illuminance at the location of the display device and / or signal light device mounted on the outside of the motor vehicle. The data used for calculating the illuminance at the location of the display device and / or signal light device may also be transmitted to other road users.

[0011] It is possible that, depending on the calculated illuminance, the brightness of the display function of a display that serves as a display device or is part of the display device is adjusted.

[0012] Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that, depending on the calculated illuminance, the brightness of the signal function of a brake light or daytime running light, which serve as a signal light device or are part of the signal light device, is adjusted.

[0013] According to claim 7, the device comprises - a device for determining geographical data at the location of the motor vehicle, in particular a GPS system, - a clock to determine the time of day, - a display device and / or a signal light device that is and / or is located on the outside of the motor vehicle, - a control device for controlling the display device and / or the signal light device, wherein the device is configured to carry out a method according to the invention.

[0014] The device for determining geographical data at the location of the motor vehicle, the clock, the display device and / or the signal light device may be standard parts installed in or on the motor vehicle.

[0015] The device, in particular the control device, may be configured to determine the position of the sun at the vehicle's location and the vehicle's orientation relative to the sun from the determined geographical data. Furthermore, the device may calculate the illuminance at the location of a display device and / or signal light device mounted on the vehicle's exterior from this data and adjust the brightness of a display function and / or signal function of the signal light device based on the calculated illuminance. This enables the device to adapt the brightness of a display device and / or signal light device mounted on the vehicle's exterior to the ambient brightness.

[0016] The device may include an internet access unit capable of determining the weather at the vehicle's location, and may be configured to take this weather information into account when calculating the illuminance at the location of the display and / or signal light device mounted on the vehicle's exterior. The internet access unit may also be a standard component installed in the vehicle.

[0017] The device may include a brightness sensor, and the device is configured to take into account data read from the brightness sensor when calculating the illuminance at the location of the display device and / or signal light device arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle. The brightness sensor may also be a standard component installed in the motor vehicle, for example, for controlling the brightness of the vehicle's internal instruments and / or for automatically switching the lighting functions.

[0018] The display device may be designed as a display or may include a display, with the display being arranged in particular at the front or rear of the motor vehicle.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, the signal light device may be designed as a brake light or as a daytime running light, or the signal light device may include a brake light and / or a daytime running light.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. This drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic sketch of a motor vehicle with a device according to the invention.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 with a display 2 mounted on its rear, extending across the entire rear of the vehicle 1. The display can transmit information to road users driving behind the vehicle 1. In the illustrated embodiment, symbols 3 on the display indicate a potentially imminent braking maneuver.

[0022] Instead of a display, for example a light strip, an illuminated decorative strip or a light band or an LED array or a projector can also be provided as a display device 2.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, a display device 2, in particular a display, may be arranged at the front of the motor vehicle 1. Such a display can transmit information to road users located in front of the motor vehicle 1. For example, information can be displayed for pedestrians, requesting them to cross the roadway in front of the motor vehicle 1.

[0024] At the in Fig.The motor vehicle 1 depicted in Figure 1 is equipped with two signal light devices 4, each of which includes a brake light or implements the signal light function of a brake light. The motor vehicle 1 also includes further signal light devices not shown, which, for example, include daytime running lights or implement the signal light function of daytime running lights.

[0025] The device according to the invention comprises, in addition to the display device 2 and / or the signal light device 4, a device (not shown) for determining geographical data at the location of the motor vehicle 1, which is in particular designed as a GPS system. The device according to the invention further comprises a clock (not shown) for determining the time of day, and a control device (not shown) for controlling the display device 2 and / or the signal light device 4.

[0026] The device is configured to carry out a method according to the invention. The control device determines the time of day from data provided by the clock. Furthermore, the control device determines the position of the sun at the location of the vehicle 1 and the orientation of the vehicle 1 relative to the position of the sun from data output by the device for determining geographical data at the location of the vehicle 1. In determining the position of the sun at the location of the vehicle 1, the position of the vehicle is also determined. In determining the orientation of the vehicle 1, data from a navigation system, for example, can be used to infer the orientation of the vehicle 1 from its direction of travel, such as towards or away from the sun.

[0027] Furthermore, the control device calculates the illuminance at the location of the display device 2 and / or the signal light device 4 from the determined data. The control device also controls the display device 2 and / or the signal light device 4 in such a way that, depending on the calculated illuminance, the brightness of a display function of the display device 2 and / or a signal function of the signal light device 4 is adjusted.

[0028] The device can be used, in particular, for virtually all brightness control of lighting equipment on motor vehicles. For example, the device can also be used for brightness control of ground projections. Reference symbol list 1 motor vehicle 2 Display device 3 Symbol on a display serving as a display device 4 Signal light device 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] EP 3 346 313 A1 [0002, 0003]

Claims

[1] Method for controlling the brightness of a display function and / or a signal function of a motor vehicle (1), characterized by the following procedural steps: - the time of day is determined, - the position of the sun at the location of the motor vehicle (1) is determined, - the orientation of the motor vehicle (1) relative to the position of the sun is determined, - the illuminance at the location of a display device (2) and / or signal light device (4) arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle (1) is calculated from the determined data, - Depending on the calculated illuminance, the brightness of a display function of the display device (2) and / or a signal function of the signal light device (4) is adjusted. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by, that the weather at the location of the motor vehicle (1) is determined, in particular by retrieving relevant data from the Internet, taking into account the determined weather when calculating the illuminance at the location of the display device (2) and / or signal light device (4) arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle (1). [3] Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that a brightness sensor is read out, whereby data read out from the brightness sensor are taken into account when calculating the illuminance at the location of the display device (2) and / or signal light device (4) arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle (1). [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that data from at least one other road user is received, whereby the data received from the at least one other road user is taken into account when calculating the illuminance at the location of the display device (2) and / or signal light device (4) arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle (1). [5] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that depending on the calculated illuminance, the brightness of the display function of a display which serves as a display device (2) or is part of the display device (2) is adjusted. [6] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that depending on the calculated illuminance, the brightness of the signal function of a brake light or daytime running light is adjusted, which serve as a signal light device (4) or are part of the signal light device (4). [7] Device for controlling the brightness of a display function and / or a signal function of a motor vehicle (1), comprising - a device for determining geographical data at the location of the motor vehicle, in particular a GPS system, - a clock to determine the time of day, - a display device (2) and / or a signal light device (4) arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle (1) and / or are, - a control device for controlling the display device (2) and / or the signal light device (4), wherein the device is configured to perform a method according to one of claims 1 to 6. [8] Device according to claim 7, characterized by, that the device, in particular the control device, is designed to determine the position of the sun at the location of the motor vehicle (1) and the orientation of the motor vehicle (1) relative to the position of the sun from the determined geographical data at the location of the motor vehicle (1), and to calculate the illuminance at the location of a display device (2) and / or signal light device (4) arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle (1) from the determined data and to adjust the brightness of a display function of the display device (2) and / or a signal function of the signal light device (4) depending on the calculated illuminance. [9] Device according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized by, that the device includes a device for using the Internet which is suitable for determining the weather at the location of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the device is configured to take the determined weather into account when calculating the illuminance at the location of the display device (2) and / or signal light device (4) arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle (1). [10] Device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by , that the device comprises a brightness sensor, wherein the device is configured to take into account data read from the brightness sensor when calculating the illuminance at the location of the display device (2) and / or signal light device (4) arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle (1). [11] Device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized bythat the display device (2) is designed as a display or that the display device (2) includes a display, the display being arranged in particular at the front or at the rear of the motor vehicle (1). [12] Device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized by , that the signal light device (4) is designed as a brake light or as a daytime running light or that the signal light device (4) includes a brake light and / or a daytime running light.

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