Vehicle and lighting system with direct brightness selection

Abstract

In order to provide a lighting system which is easy and intuitive to operate and enables the precise setting of a desired brightness, a lighting system (100) is proposed, comprising a lighting element (10) which can be operated at different brightness levels, wherein at least two input field positions (12) of an input field (11) of the lighting system (100) are each assigned a brightness level of the lighting element (10), so that when the input field (11) is actuated at the respective input field position (12), the lighting element (10) can be operated at the brightness level assigned to the respective input field position (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lighting system and a vehicle comprising such a lighting system.

[0002] To change the brightness of known lighting elements, a long press on an input element moves along a dimming curve in one direction. As soon as the button is released, this brightness is fixed. A lighting element of this type is known, for example, from TW M645626 U. Other systems for adjusting the brightness of a lighting element are known from WO 2023 / 202983 A1 and US Pat. No. 9,434,300 B2.

[0003] DE 10 2018 108 278 A1 discloses a lighting device with a light source arrangement comprising a plurality of semiconductor-based light sources in the form of light-emitting diodes, which are collimated such that they each emit light in differently directed light cones, such that adjacent light cones overlap. The lighting device has an adjusting device for emitting an adjusting signal for adjusting the illumination direction and a control circuit connected to the adjusting device. Intermediate stages can be set with the adjusting device, at which intermediate stages the light-emitting diodes of adjacent and overlapping light cones can be operated jointly by the control circuit and at varying light intensities such that the center of gravity of the light field generated by the light-emitting diodes lies between the centers of gravity of adjacent light cones at the intermediate stages.

[0004] From JP 2019 081 479 A, a vehicle lighting device is known, comprising: a printed wiring formed on an interior material covering a roof of a vehicle and connected to a power source of the vehicle; and a light source attached to an inner surface of the interior material of the vehicle cabin and connected to the printed wiring. The vehicle lighting device further includes a capacitive touch switch part, and the touch switch part may have a printed electrode layer formed on the interior material.

[0005] From DE 10 2016 005 255 B4 a device for controlling the interior lighting of a vehicle is known, wherein the interior lighting has an array of several light sources for generating interior lighting and / or reading lighting, comprising: a control unit with which the light sources of the array for generating the interior lighting and / or reading lighting can be individually controlled, and an input unit connectable to the control unit, wherein the input unit has a touch-sensitive screen for inputting a current set of control information for the control unit, and wherein the input unit is configured such that a state can be selected for a user from predetermined states of the vehicle or from predetermined states of an environment of the vehicle and can be assigned to the current set of control information.

[0006] FR 2 570 037 A1 discloses a multifunctional sound and touch control unit for motor vehicles, combining a voice and touch control system with a visual information projection system. Above the screen used to display information selected by voice or touch control is the touch-sensitive selection and control screen, which concentrates several functions—namely, information from various sources and vehicle control—in a small area.

[0007] US 2009 / 0231167 A1 discloses a light source adjustment and control switching device comprising a control circuit and a capacitive touchpad mounted on the surface of a lamp and connected to the control circuit. The capacitive touchpad has a plurality of sensing elements and is electrically connected to a touch sensor of the control circuit. When a user touches the capacitive touchpad with a finger, a capacitance is generated on the capacitive touchpad, and the plurality of sensing elements can detect the position of the finger and generate a corresponding capacitive variable magnitude signal. After the touch sensor receives the signal, a microprocessor of the control circuit immediately controls the on / off switch, brightness, and color for a connected lighting device.

[0008] If the user now changes the total brightness of the light element from a starting brightness of 30% to 20%, the user must first increase the light element along the dimming curve to 100% and then dim it from there to 20% without removing their finger from the input element. If they accidentally release their finger before reaching 20%, they must press again, and the dimming curve will first increase and then decrease.

[0009] Furthermore, depending on the dimming speed, there is a time delay between the user's perception of brightness and the release of the input element. This, in turn, leads to the user missing the desired target brightness.

[0010] The invention is based on the object of providing a lighting system which is simple and intuitive to operate and enables the precise adjustment of a desired brightness.

[0011] This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

[0012] The lighting system according to the invention advantageously enables the direct setting of a desired brightness, since it is not necessary to first follow a dimming curve to achieve a desired brightness value. Instead, a desired brightness level can be selected directly by selecting the input field at the corresponding input field position. Furthermore, the application is intuitive for the user, since they can make the input position-dependently and immediately receive the desired brightness level. Furthermore, the control of the lighting system can advantageously be designed simply, since only a limited number of brightness values, each assigned to a brightness level, need to be stored.

[0013] When the user presses the input field at one of the input field positions, they select the exact desired brightness without having to perform a dimming process beforehand. This also eliminates the time delay between visual perception and the fixing of the brightness value by aborting the dimming process.

[0014] The number of brightness values or brightness levels can preferably be determined depending on user requirements. In particular, a total brightness range of 0% to 100% of the lighting element is divided into the desired number of brightness levels. Providing just two brightness levels, for example, 50% and 100%, or three brightness levels, for example, 30%, 50%, and 100%, may be sufficient to provide a user with sufficient adjustment options, since the human eye can only roughly distinguish the changed brightness depending on the illuminated area or ambient brightness. However, more than three brightness levels, for example, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more, can also be provided.

[0015] In some embodiments, however, a finer adjustment option is also conceivable, allowing the user to make essentially continuous adjustments. In this case, the input positions are arranged in a continuous or contiguous manner.

[0016] The input and thus the selection of the brightness level is carried out in particular by touching or pressing the input field at the respective input field position.

[0017] According to the invention, the lighting system therefore preferably comprises more than two input field positions, in particular three, four, five, six, seven, or eight, each with associated brightness levels, wherein the input field positions are arranged in a line or a circle. The linear or circular arrangement advantageously visualizes the entire available brightness range for the user, allowing them to intuitively select the desired brightness.

[0018] Preferably, the brightness assigned to a respective brightness level increases from a first input field position to a second input field position. This allows the user to intuitively estimate the location of the desired brightness level.

[0019] Preferably, the brightness increase from the first end-side input field position to the second end-side input field position is linear or non-linear. This particularly helps the user to set the desired brightness.

[0020] Preferably, the brightness level of the first end-side input field position corresponds to a 0% brightness of the lighting element, and / or the brightness level of the second end-side input field position corresponds to a 100% brightness of the lighting element. Preferably, it can be provided that setting the 0% brightness corresponds to switching off the lighting system. This particularly advantageously simplifies operation, and the lighting system can have a simplified structure, since no separate control element for switching on and off is required.

[0021] Preferably, the input field positions are evenly spaced. This also helps the user adjust the desired brightness.

[0022] Preferably, the input field is formed by a touch-sensitive sensor field. When the sensor field is touched at a specific position, a signal is transmitted to a controller of the lighting system. Based on the position on the sensor field from which the signal originates, the controller can determine a stored brightness value and control the lighting element with the corresponding brightness value.

[0023] Preferably, the sensor field is formed by a single sensor element, and the input field positions are distributed across the sensor element. The input positions are, in particular, distributed continuously or discretely across the sensor element. For example, the input positions can be distributed linearly across the sensor element, with the brightness increasing along the linear distribution.

[0024] Alternatively, the sensor field can be formed by a plurality of separate sensor elements, each sensor element corresponding to an input field position. The arrangement of the input positions can be analogous to the previously described embodiment, with the difference that the sensor element is implemented on the hardware side by several individual sensor elements. In this case, the input field is not formed as a single surface, but as a plurality of separate, distributed input field elements.

[0025] Preferably, the input field is formed by a plurality of input elements, in particular a button, switch, or pushbutton. The input elements are advantageously particularly easy and intuitive for a user to operate.

[0026] Preferably, the brightness levels at the individual input field positions or at the individual sensor elements can be set as follows in relation to an overall brightness of the light element: - Input field position / sensor element 1 = 0% brightness (off) - Input field position / sensor element 2 = 25% brightness - Input field position / sensor element 3 = 50% brightness - Input field position / sensor element 4 = 75% brightness - Input field position / sensor element 5 = 100% brightness

[0027] According to the invention, the luminous element is arranged above the input field, so that a user input can be activated by touching the luminous element, such that an input in the form of an input touch and / or an input force can be transmitted to the input field. This advantageously achieves a compact design. In particular, the input field is covered by the luminous element. The luminous element is preferably flat.

[0028] Furthermore, the luminous element can be arranged below the input field or next to the luminous element. For example, the input field can be strip-shaped and arranged next to or on the luminous element.

[0029] It is also conceivable for the lighting element and the input field to be arranged remotely from each other. For example, the lighting element can be installed on a ceiling or as under-cabinet lighting in a recreational vehicle or an interior, and the input field can be arranged in a remote, more easily accessible location.

[0030] Preferably, the input field extends substantially over the entire luminous element.

[0031] The lighting system preferably comprises a control element for switching the lighting system on and off. Preferably, the control element can form a separate input element, or the control element can represent an input position of the input field, in particular an end-side input field position. In the latter case, the control element for switching the lighting system on and off does not represent a separate input element, but rather forms, in particular, an input position with the brightness level 0%.

[0032] Preferably, the last selected brightness level can be saved when the lighting system is switched off, and the lighting element can be operated at the last selected brightness level when switched on. This can increase user-friendliness by using a brightness setting that may be preferred by the user as the default value.

[0033] The object of the invention is further achieved by a vehicle having at least one lighting system with the aforementioned features. The vehicle can, in particular, be a camping vehicle.

[0034] Furthermore, the lighting system can be arranged in a rail vehicle, an aircraft, on a piece of furniture or a wall light, or can be designed as a single light.

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a sectional view through a lighting system according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 a sectional view through a lighting system according to a second embodiment, and Fig. 3 a vehicle having a lighting system.

[0036] Fig. Figure 1 shows a lighting system 100 according to a first embodiment. The lighting system 100 comprises a lighting element 10, which can be operated at different brightness levels. To select a desired brightness level, an input field 11 is provided, which can be configured in the manner shown in Fig. 1, is arranged below the luminous element 10. The input field 11 is formed by the surface of a one-piece sensor element 13. Points on the input field 11 are input field positions 12 via which an input can be made by a user.

[0037] Each of the input field positions 12 is assigned a brightness level, which is implemented in the light element 10 when the respective input field position 12 is activated. Fig. 1, only three input field positions 12 are shown as examples. However, further input field positions 12 are provided, in particular along the extension of the input field 11 from left to right, with a brightness assigned to the brightness levels increasing from left to right. In particular, a left, first end input field position corresponds to 0% brightness, and a right, second end input field position corresponds to 100% brightness relative to a maximum brightness that can be implemented by the lighting element. By setting the 0% brightness, the lighting system 100 can also be switched off and by setting any brightness value greater than 0%, it can be switched on. For this purpose, the sensor element 13 is designed, in particular, as a linear sensor element, which outputs different sensor values at different positions in a linear relationship.

[0038] Furthermore, the lighting system 100 includes a controller 16, which receives the sensor values of the sensor element 13 and assigns them to the corresponding brightness levels. If a brightness level is desired by an input at the corresponding input field position, the controller 16 sends a corresponding control signal to the lighting element 10, so that the lighting element 10 is operated at the brightness corresponding to the brightness levels.

[0039] Fig. 2 shows a lighting system 100 according to a second embodiment. Fig. The embodiment shown in Figure 2 differs from that shown in Fig. 1 by the design of the sensor element. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the sensor element and thus the input field 11 is formed by a plurality of separate sensor elements 14.

[0040] The sensor elements 14 are spatially distributed and thus form the input field 11. Each of the sensor elements 14 forms an input field position 12, wherein an input to the sensor element 14 or the input field position 12 selects a brightness level, which is implemented via the controller 16 and the lighting element 10. The sensor elements 14 are arranged along a line, wherein the brightness assigned to the respective brightness levels increases from one end of the line to the other end.

[0041] Furthermore, the lighting system 100 comprises a control element 16, which can be an on / off switch.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows a vehicle 200 having at least one or more lighting systems 100. The lighting system 100 can be configured according to the Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 shown embodiments. List of reference symbols 100 lighting system 200 vehicles 10 light elements 11 Input field 12 Input field position 13 one-piece sensor element 14 separate sensor elements 15 Control element 16 Control

Claims

[1] Lighting system (100), comprising a lighting element (10) which can be operated at different brightness levels, wherein at least two input field positions (12) of an input field (11) of the lighting system (100) are each assigned a brightness level of the lighting element (10), so that when the input field (11) is actuated at the respective input field position (12), the lighting element (10) can be operated with the brightness level assigned to the respective input field position (12), wherein more than two input field positions (12), in particular three, four, five, six, seven or eight input field positions (12), each with assigned brightness levels, wherein the input field positions (12) are arranged along a line or a circle, characterized bythat the luminous element (10) is arranged above the input field (11) so that an input from a user can be actuated by touching the luminous element (10), such that an input in the form of an input touch and / or an input force can be transmitted to the input field (11). [2] The lighting system (100) of claim 1, wherein the brightness associated with a respective brightness level increases from a first end input field position (12) toward a second end input field position (12). [3] The lighting system (100) of claim 2, wherein the increase in brightness from the first end input field position (12) to the second end input field position (12) is linear or non-linear. [4] Lighting system (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the brightness level of the first end input field position (12) corresponds to a 0% brightness of the lighting element and / or wherein the brightness level of the second end input field position (12) corresponds to a 100% brightness of the lighting element (10). [5] Lighting system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input field positions (12) are evenly spaced from one another. [6] Lighting system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input field (11) is formed by a touch-sensitive sensor field (13, 14a-g). [7] Lighting system (100) according to claim 6, wherein the sensor field is formed by a single sensor element (13) and the input field positions (12) are arranged distributed on the sensor element (13). [8] The lighting system (100) of claim 6, wherein the sensor array is formed by a plurality of separate sensor elements (14a-g), each sensor element (14a-g) corresponding to an input array position (12). [9] Lighting system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input field (11) is formed by a plurality of input elements, in particular a button, switch or push-button switch. [10] Lighting system (100) according to claim 9, wherein the input field (11) extends substantially over the entire lighting element (10). [11] Lighting system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an operating element (15) for switching the lighting system (100) on and off. [12] Lighting system (100) according to claim 11, wherein when the lighting system (100) is switched off, the last selected brightness level can be stored and the lighting element (10) can be operated with the last selected brightness level when switched on. [13] Vehicle (200) comprising a lighting system (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

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