Method for operating a device for changing the color of external surfaces of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for operating a device for changing the color of exterior surfaces of a motor vehicle (1). The device comprises: - an actively controllable, optically modifiable coating (11), wherein the outer surfaces of the motor vehicle (1) are at least partially provided with the coating (11), - a control device (12), wherein the control device (12) is configured to control the optically modifiable coating (11), wherein by controlling the optically modifiable coating (11) a colouring of the outer surfaces of the motor vehicle (1) can be changed, wherein the control device (12) is configured to adjust a colouring of the optically modifiable coating based on a colour value received by the control device (12) as an input variable.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a device for changing the coloring of external surfaces of a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle.

[0002] Techniques are known in the prior art that allow for the active and reversible modification of surface appearances, for example, to achieve a color change. For instance, there are so-called "paramagnetic paints" that change color when an electrical voltage is applied. Similarly, so-called e-paper (electronic paper) is known in the prior art; its appearance, such as color or contrast, can be altered by applying an electrical voltage.E-paper, for example in the form of a film, can comprise a multitude of microcapsules containing particles of a first particle type and particles of a second particle type, wherein the particles of the first particle type can differ in color and charge from those of the second particle type, wherein by applying an electrical voltage the arrangement of the particles in the microcapsule can be changed and thereby a color change or contrast change can be effected.

[0003] In principle, it is also known from the prior art to use such techniques in motor vehicles. For example, DE 10 2015 205 082 A1 discloses a motor vehicle that has the features of the preamble of claim 1. It is provided that the motor vehicle comprises a control device having an output and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control an outer coating of the vehicle via the output based on a user-specific profile and based on driving information.

[0004] German patent application DE 10 2020 133 839 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with a design element for changing the appearance of the motor vehicle. This design element includes an e-paper display device.

[0005] DE 10 2018 005 461 A1 discloses a device for controlling interior lighting for a vehicle and a method for controlling interior lighting for a vehicle.

[0006] DE 10 2016 014 711 A1, DE 10 2019 212 607 A1 and DE 10 2017 206 611 A1 reveal further state of the art.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a method that simplifies for the user of the motor vehicle the individual customization of the appearance of the exterior surfaces of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a motor vehicle suitable for the method.

[0008] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. The dependent claims relate to advantageous further developments.

[0009] The method according to the invention is a method for operating a device for changing the color of the exterior surfaces of a motor vehicle. The device has an actively controllable, optically changeable coating, wherein the exterior surfaces of the motor vehicle are at least partially provided with the coating. Furthermore, the device has a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the optically changeable coating, and the color of the exterior surfaces of the motor vehicle can be changed by controlling the optically changeable coating. The control unit is configured to adjust the color of the optically changeable coating based on a color value received by the control unit as an input.

[0010] The procedure includes at least the following procedural steps: - Providing a camera system, wherein the camera system has a color-sensitive camera for capturing a camera image, wherein the camera system is configured to determine a color value in an area of ​​the captured camera image, - Capturing a camera image using the color-sensitive camera of the camera system, - Determining the color value of the captured camera image or a part of the camera image using the camera system, - Transmitting the color value determined by the camera system to the control unit as an input for the control unit, - Adjusting the color of the optically changeable coating by controlling the optically changeable coating based on the color value transmitted by the camera system.

[0011] This design allows users to easily customize the exterior color of their vehicle. All that's required is to capture a camera image and determine the color value of a specific area using the camera system. Such camera system functions are typically implemented via software. Determining the color value of an area using software is straightforward and a well-established technique. Image processing software functions for determining the color value of one or more pixels are known as "eyedropper functions" or "color picker functions."

[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the camera system is provided to be part of a mobile device. The mobile device can be, for example, a mobile phone, in particular a smartphone, a handheld camera, or a tablet computer.

[0013] It is considered particularly advantageous if the mobile device is configured to wirelessly transmit the determined color value to the control unit, and the control unit is configured to receive the color value transmitted by the mobile device as its input. The wireless communication link between the control unit and the mobile device can be, for example, a wireless LAN connection (often referred to as WLAN or WiFi), a Bluetooth connection, or an NFC connection.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the camera system is provided to be an integral part of the motor vehicle. In this case, the camera system is in particular permanently attached to or within the motor vehicle.

[0015] In principle, it is conceivable that the camera is an external camera of the vehicle.

[0016] It is considered particularly advantageous, however, if the camera in the camera system is an interior camera of the vehicle. The interior camera can, for example, be directed towards the driver's area, so that the image captured by the camera is a recording of the driver or at least a part of the driver's area. In this respect, such a design allows, especially automatically, the color scheme of the vehicle's exterior surfaces to be adjusted based on the color of the driver's clothing.

[0017] It is considered particularly advantageous if the color of the optically changeable coating is adjusted in such a way that the adjusted color of the optically changeable coating corresponds to the color value transmitted by the camera system. With such a design, the color of the exterior surfaces of the vehicle that are coated takes on the color that corresponds to the transmitted color value.

[0018] It is considered particularly advantageous if the optically changeable coating is an electrically controllable coating.

[0019] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the optically changeable coating is a film. The advantages of a film lie especially in its simple and cost-effective production, and its high flexibility in application, control, and replacement.

[0020] However, it is also conceivable that the coating is a layer of lacquer.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment, the optically modifiable coating comprises at least first particles and second particles, wherein the arrangement of the first and second particles within the coating can be changed by controlling the optically modifiable coating to alter the coating's outer color. The position and arrangement of the particles, and thus the optical appearance of the coating, particularly its color, can be changed, for example, by an electric field. The electric field can be provided, for example, by electrodes controlled by the control device. Preferably, the color of the first particles differs from the color of the second particles. The first particles can, for example, be red, and the second particles can be green.It is quite conceivable that the optically changeable coating comprises further particles or particle types with additional colors. Preferably, the coating has at least three different particle types, which differ in color. For example, the coating has first particles with a blue color, second particles with a green color, and third particles with a blue color. This allows an RGB color scheme to be achieved.

[0022] It is considered particularly advantageous to modify the optical appearance of the coating using electrophoresis. The advantage lies in the relatively low energy consumption required to change the color. Furthermore, when modifying the optical appearance via electrophoresis, especially the change in the outer color, it is possible to design the modification in such a way that electrical energy is required to effect a change in the state of the outer color, but no electrical energy, or only a significantly lower amount, is required to maintain the existing state.

[0023] The motor vehicle according to the invention has a device for changing the color of the exterior surfaces of the motor vehicle. The device comprises: - an actively controllable, optically modifiable coating, wherein the outer surfaces are at least partially coated, - a control device, wherein the control device is configured to control the optically modifiable coating, wherein by controlling the optically modifiable coating a colour of the external surfaces of the motor vehicle can be changed, wherein the control device is configured to adjust a colour of the optically modifiable coating based on a colour value received by the control device as an input variable.

[0024] The motor vehicle according to the invention is particularly suitable for carrying out the methods according to the invention.

[0025] The descriptions of the method according to the invention and its advantages and advantageous further developments apply accordingly to the motor vehicle according to the invention and vice versa.

[0026] It is considered particularly advantageous if the motor vehicle has a camera system, wherein the camera system has a color-sensitive camera for recording a camera image, wherein the camera system is configured to determine a color value in an area of ​​the recorded camera image, and is configured to transmit the color value determined by means of the camera system to the control unit as an input variable for the control unit.

[0027] The following figures explain the invention in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, without being limited to these. They show: Fig. 1. Process steps of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 a motor vehicle and a mobile terminal for carrying out the procedure in a schematic representation, Fig. 3. A device for changing the color scheme of exterior surfaces of a motor vehicle in a schematic representation, Fig. 4 A color-changing film applied to an external surface of the motor vehicle in a schematic representation.

[0028] The Fig. Figure 1 shows process steps of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention, which enables a simple adaptation of the external appearance of a motor vehicle 1.

[0029] In a first procedural step 301, the motor vehicle 1 and a camera system 20 are provided.

[0030] The motor vehicle 1 has a device 10 for changing the color of external surfaces of the motor vehicle 1. The device 10, which is located in the Fig. Figure 3, shown schematically, comprises an actively controllable, optically changeable coating 11. In this case, the coating 11 is a film that is adhered to the exterior surfaces of the motor vehicle 1. Accordingly, the exterior surfaces of the motor vehicle 1 are at least partially covered with the coating 11. The device 10 also includes a control unit 12. The control unit 12 is configured to control the optically changeable coating 11. By controlling the optically changeable coating 11, the color of the exterior surfaces of the motor vehicle 1 can be changed in accordance with the change in the optically changeable coating 11. For this purpose, the control unit 12 is configured to adjust the color of the optically changeable coating 11 based on a color value received by the control unit 12 as an input.

[0031] The provided camera system 20 includes a color-sensitive camera 21. The color-sensitive camera 21 is configured to capture a camera image 22. Furthermore, the camera system 20 is configured to determine a color value in a region of the camera image 22. The camera system 20 is, in this case, a component of a mobile device, namely a smartphone.

[0032] In a second process step 302, a camera image 22 is recorded with the color-sensitive camera 21.

[0033] In a third process step 303, a color value is determined in a sub-area of ​​the camera image 22 selected by the user of the mobile device using the camera system 20.

[0034] The Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows the camera system 20, the camera image 22 captured with the color-sensitive camera 21, and the determination of the color value in a sub-area of ​​the captured camera image 22. The process of determining the color value is shown in the Fig. 2 schematically represented by the illustration of a color pipette 23. Furthermore, in the Fig. 2. The motor vehicle 1 is shown schematically. One longitudinal direction of the vehicle is shown in the Fig. 2 is indicated by the arrow X and a vehicle transverse direction is in the Fig. 2 indicated by the arrow Y.

[0035] In a fourth process step 304, the color value determined by the camera system 20 is transmitted to the control unit 12. This transmitted color value forms the input for the control unit 12. The transmission of the color value from the camera system 20 to the control unit 12 takes place via a wireless communication connection, e.g., via Bluetooth.

[0036] In a fifth process step 305, the color of the optically modifiable coating 11 is adjusted by controlling the optically modifiable coating 11 by means of the control unit 12. The control of the optically modifiable coating 11 by the control unit 12 is based on the color value transmitted by the camera system 20.

[0037] In carrying out the procedure, it is conceivable that a person takes a camera image 22 of their clothing, then determines a color value of the clothing based on the camera image 22 and transmits this color value to the control unit 12. The color of the optically changeable coating 11 can then be adjusted such that the adjusted color of the optically changeable coating 11 corresponds to the color value transmitted by the camera system 20. In other words, if the person is wearing, for example, a blue garment, the optically changeable coating 11 is adjusted so that it also appears blue to an external observer, with a color value that corresponds to the color value of the garment. The motor vehicle 1 then essentially takes on the color of the clothing.

[0038] The control of the coating 11 by means of the control device 4 is achieved by activating two electrodes 118, 119 of the coating 11, thereby altering the electric field between the electrodes 118, 119. This change in the electric field alters the arrangement or position of different types of particles 111, 112, 113, 114, which differ in their color. This, in turn, changes the color and thus the color value of the coating 11 as perceived by an external observer.

Claims

[1] Method for operating a device (10) for changing the colour of external surfaces of a motor vehicle (1), wherein the device (10) comprises: - an actively controllable, optically modifiable coating (11), wherein the outer surfaces of the motor vehicle (1) are at least partially provided with the coating (11), - a control device (12), wherein the control device (12) is configured to control the optically modifiable coating (11), wherein by controlling the optically modifiable coating (11) a coloring of the external surfaces of the motor vehicle (1) can be changed, wherein the control device (12) is configured to adjust a coloring of the optically modifiable coating based on a color value received by the control device (12) as an input variable, the procedure comprises the following steps: - Providing a camera system (20) wherein the camera system (20) has a color-sensitive camera (21) for recording a camera image (22), wherein the camera system (20) is configured to determine a color value in an area of ​​the recorded camera image (22), - Capturing a camera image (22) using the color-sensitive camera (21) of the camera system (20), - Determining the color value of the recorded camera image (22) or a part of the camera image (22) using the camera system (20), - Transmitting the color value determined by the camera system (20) to the control unit (12) as an input for the control unit (12), - Adjusting the color of the optically modifiable coating (11) by controlling the optically modifiable coating (11) based on the color value transmitted by the camera system (20). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the camera system (20) is part of a mobile terminal. [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein the mobile terminal is configured to wirelessly transmit the determined color value to the control unit (12), and the control unit (12) is configured to receive the color value transmitted by the mobile terminal as the input variable. [4] Method according to claim 1, wherein the camera system (20) is a component of the motor vehicle (1). [5] Method according to claim 4, wherein the camera (21) of the camera system (20) is an interior camera of the motor vehicle (1). [6] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the adjustment of the color of the optically modifiable coating (11) is carried out such that the adjusted color of the optically modifiable coating (11) corresponds to the color value transmitted by the camera system (20). [7] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the optically modifiable coating (11) is a film. [8] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the optically modifiable coating (11) comprises at least first particles (111) and second particles (112), wherein by controlling the optically modifiable coating (11) an arrangement of the first particles (111) and the second particles (112) in the coating (11) can be changed to change the colouring of the outer surfaces. [9] Motor vehicle (1), wherein the motor vehicle (1) has a device (10) for changing the colour of external surfaces of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the device (10) has: - an actively controllable, optically modifiable coating (11), wherein the outer surfaces are at least partially provided with the coating (11), - a control device (12), wherein the control device (12) is configured to control the optically modifiable coating (11), wherein by controlling the optically modifiable coating (11) a colour of the external surfaces of the motor vehicle (1) can be changed, wherein the control device (12) is configured to adjust a colour of the optically modifiable coating (11) based on a colour value received by the control device (12) as an input variable. [10] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 9, wherein the motor vehicle (1) has a camera system (20), wherein the camera system (20) has a color-sensitive camera (21) for recording a camera image (22), wherein the camera system (20) is configured to determine a color value in an area of ​​the recorded camera image (22), and is configured to transmit the color value determined by means of the camera system (20) to the control unit (12) as an input variable for the control unit (12).

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