Method, control unit and system for illuminating the interior of a vehicle, as well as the vehicle comprising the system

Abstract

A method for illuminating the interior of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises generating (105) images of the vehicle's current environment using at least one camera and subdividing (110) the generated images into different segments. The method (100) further comprises calculating (115) dominant colors of the respective segments, transferring (120) the dominant colors to a predefined color space, and adjusting (125) the segment colors to create smooth transitions between the segments. The method (100) also comprises combining (130) the adjusted colors and / or transitions to generate a final lighting structure for application in the vehicle's interior, and applying (135) the final lighting structure to illuminate the vehicle's interior. Furthermore, a control unit (43), a system (40), and a vehicle (10) comprising the system (40) are provided.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a lighting method. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a method, a control unit, and a system for illuminating the interior of a vehicle, as well as a vehicle comprising the system.

[0002] Devices and methods for illuminating vehicle interiors are known. These known devices often use LEDs (light-emitting diodes) as light sources to create, for example, different color effects for interior or ambient lighting. However, the known devices and methods are very limited in their freedom of design regarding lighting.

[0003] One objective of the embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a method, a control unit and a system which make it possible to illuminate vehicle interiors in a particularly aesthetically pleasing manner.

[0004] To solve this problem, a method for illuminating the interior of a vehicle is provided, following a first aspect. The method comprises generating images of the vehicle's current surroundings using at least one camera and dividing the generated images into different segments. The at least one camera can, in particular, be a digital camera equipped with suitable software that enables the real-time processing of the captured images.

[0005] Images of the surroundings can be captured, in particular, using one or more cameras installed in and / or on the vehicle. Specifically, the images can be captured continuously at regular intervals. Dividing the generated images can involve dividing digitally captured images into individual, defined segments, allowing the different areas of an image to be analyzed separately.

[0006] The process also includes calculating the dominant colors of the respective segments, in particular for each segment. This calculation can involve averaging the color information or color parameters of all pixels within a segment.

[0007] Furthermore, the process involves transferring or mapping the dominant colors to a predefined color space. This color space can be divided into a number of color areas, particularly areas of equal size. Each calculated color can then be assigned to the nearest color area within the color space. Mapping the dominant colors to predefined color spaces reduces the complexity of color control and ensures that the colors are consistent and predictable, especially in contrast to flexible color spaces used in other systems.

[0008] The process also includes adjusting the colors of the segments to create smooth or flowing transitions between them. This adjustment can be achieved, in particular, by continuously modifying the color values ​​across multiple images or image sequences. To create a visually appealing and seamless color change with smooth transitions, the transitions between the segment colors are gently blended, resulting in uniform and harmonious dynamic lighting within the vehicle.

[0009] Furthermore, the process includes combining the adapted colors and / or transitions to create a final light structure or luminaire structure for use in the interior of the vehicle.

[0010] Furthermore, the method includes applying the final light structure to illuminate the vehicle's interior. In particular, the method may include controlling at least one controllable lighting device in the vehicle's interior in order to transfer the final light structure to the at least one lighting device.

[0011] The at least one lighting device can, in particular, be designed at least partially as a planar element, especially in the form of a light panel and / or a display device, so that the final light structure can be represented as planar lighting in the interior of the vehicle.

[0012] If the vehicle's surroundings change, for example during a journey, the image content and color palette of the captured images typically change, which can also alter the final lighting structure. The final lighting structure, and therefore the interior lighting of the vehicle, can thus be continuously adjusted to the current vehicle environment.

[0013] This method allows for the creation of largely uniform and aesthetically pleasing lighting, particularly ambient lighting, in vehicles, which automatically adapts to changes in the environment. Specifically, the method enables the lighting to be continuously and dynamically adjusted to the surroundings, resulting in a seamless and appealing lighting atmosphere inside the vehicle.

[0014] By using a predefined, discrete color space, the computational load can be reduced and consistent color reproduction ensured. In particular, image segmentation and the calculation of dominant colors in individual segments enable targeted and resource-efficient data processing, thereby optimizing computing power.

[0015] Furthermore, this technology allows for better adaptation of the lighting to the actual environmental conditions, which can lead to a more pleasant driving experience.

[0016] Dividing images into segments can include horizontal segmentation. In particular, images can be vertically segmented with a series of segments in the form of horizontal stripes. Vertical segmentation allows for the consideration of color differences and transitions that occur in the vertical direction, such as color transitions between sky and greenery or greenery and road surfaces, etc. Horizontal segments generally exhibit higher color stability than vertical segments, which can become blurred, especially due to vehicle movement.

[0017] Dividing images into segments can, in particular alternatively or additionally, include dividing the images into vertical and / or diagonal segments. Dividing images into vertical and / or diagonal segments can create different or additional visual effects.

[0018] The color space can be configured as an RGB (red-green-blue) color space with at least 10, preferably equally sized, color areas. Dividing the color space into a manageable number of equally sized color areas simplifies color assignment and reduces computing power. In some embodiments, the RGB color space comprises more than 50 or more than 100 color areas. Increasing the number of color areas allows for finer color matching.

[0019] Applying the final lighting structure can include applying it to ambient lighting, a display device, and / or another lighting device, particularly to create a further visual effect in the vehicle's interior. Applying the final lighting structure to different lighting devices in the vehicle's interior can create a variety of aesthetically pleasing visual effects.

[0020] In some embodiments, adjusting the colors of the segments involves creating smooth temporal transitions, particularly when changing the final lighting structure. Specifically, replacing one lighting structure with another can be achieved with a fade-in effect over a defined transition period. Smooth temporal transitions prevent disruptive, jerky lighting behavior in the vehicle interior.

[0021] A second aspect involves the provision of a control unit. This control unit comprises a processor, a memory unit for storing data and machine-readable instructions for the processor, and an interface. The interface is designed to receive images from at least one camera representing the vehicle's current environment and to output control signals for activating at least one lighting device to illuminate the vehicle's interior.

[0022] The memory unit contains instructions for the processor to divide the images of the vehicle's surroundings into different segments, calculate the dominant colors of the respective segments, and transfer the calculated dominant colors to a predefined color space.

[0023] The memory unit also contains instructions for the processor to adjust the colors of the segments to create smooth transitions between them and to combine the adjusted colors and / or transitions to generate a final lighting structure for use in the vehicle's interior. Furthermore, the memory unit contains instructions for the processor to output control signals for the at least one lighting device to apply the final lighting structure for illuminating the vehicle's interior. The advantages, effects, and further developments of the control unit are derived from the advantages, effects, and further developments of the method described above. Therefore, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the preceding description in this regard.

[0024] According to a third aspect, a system for illuminating the interior of a vehicle is provided. The system comprises at least one camera for capturing the vehicle's current surroundings, at least one lighting device for illuminating the vehicle's interior, and a control unit according to the second aspect for controlling the at least one lighting device.

[0025] The control unit's interface is designed to receive images representing the vehicle's current surroundings and to output control signals for activating at least one lighting device, in order to apply the final light structure determined by the control unit to illuminate the vehicle's interior. Advantages, effects, and further developments of the system result from the advantages, effects, and further developments of the method described above. To avoid repetition, reference is therefore made to the preceding description in this regard.

[0026] According to a fourth aspect, a vehicle is provided, wherein the vehicle comprises at least one interior space, and wherein at least one system according to the third aspect is implemented in the vehicle. Advantages, effects, and further developments of the vehicle result from the advantages, effects, and further developments of the procedure described above. To avoid repetition, reference is therefore made to the preceding description in this respect.

[0027] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The same reference numerals are used in the figures for identical or equivalently functioning parts. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows the image segmentation according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows the color scheme of the segments according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. Figure 4 schematically shows an application example of a method for illuminating the interior of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic block diagram of a system for illuminating the interior of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment, and Fig. Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a method for illuminating the interior of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment. In particular, it shows Fig. 1. A vehicle 10 in which a system with at least one camera 20 for capturing the vehicle's surroundings is implemented. The at least one camera 20 is configured to record a series of digital images of the vehicle 10's current surroundings. To illustrate the capture of the vehicle's surroundings by the at least one camera 20, the following is shown in Fig. 1 A schematic representation of the environment taken by means of at least one camera 20.

[0029] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows the image segmentation according to one exemplary embodiment. In particular, it shows Fig. 2 the image 30 according to Fig. 1, or the original image (left in the image), and a segmented image 31 (right in the image). The wide arrow in the middle symbolically represents the segmentation process. Segmentation can be carried out in a single segmentation step using the control unit as described in the second aspect.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, image 30 has been divided into nine horizontal segments. The number and shape of the segments can vary depending on the embodiment. In some embodiments, images are alternatively or additionally divided into vertical and / or diagonal segments.

[0031] Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows the color scheme of the segments according to an exemplary embodiment. In particular, it is intended that Fig. Figure 3 illustrates the provision of a color-reconstructed image 32, in which a color has been assigned to each segment. The broad arrow in the middle is intended to symbolize the process steps that result in the color-reconstructed image 32 from the segmented image 31.

[0032] Fig. Figure 4 schematically shows an application example of a method for illuminating the interior of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment. In particular, it shows Fig. 4 an interior 35 of a vehicle in which a system for illuminating the interior 35 is implemented.

[0033] The interior 35 includes lighting devices 36 for producing a surface illumination. The lighting devices 36 are designed as LED light panels integrated into the interior trim of the side doors. In some embodiments, LED light sources are arranged behind a partially translucent fabric layer of the interior trim, so that the interior trim can be illuminated over a large area.

[0034] The lighting devices 36 can be controlled by means of a control unit (in Fig. 4 not shown) are controlled in such a way that the color scheme of the reconstructed image 32 can be transferred to the corresponding illuminating surface of the illuminating devices 36.

[0035] Thus, the interior trim of the side doors can be made to glow in a way that blends seamlessly with the surroundings.

[0036] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic block diagram of a system for illuminating the interior of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment. The system 40 comprises at least one lighting device 36. The at least one lighting device 36 can, in particular, comprise one or more LED light panels, display devices, LED strips, and / or other light modules.

[0037] The system 40 further comprises at least one camera 20 for capturing the current environment of the vehicle 10. The at least one camera may include one or more cameras installed in and / or on the vehicle, in particular digital cameras.

[0038] System 40 also includes a control unit 43 for controlling the at least one lighting device 36, wherein the control unit 43 comprises a processor 44, a memory unit 45, and an interface 46. The control unit 43 can be configured, in particular, by storing data or machine-readable instructions in the memory unit 45. The control unit 43 can be designed as part of the at least one camera 20, as a separate unit, and / or as part of a vehicle control unit or implemented therein.

[0039] The interface 46 is designed to receive image data from the at least one camera and to output control signals for controlling the at least one lighting device 36.

[0040] The storage unit 45 contains instructions for the processor 44 to evaluate the received image data and to control the at least one lighting device 36 based on the evaluated image data. The control unit 43 can, in particular, be equipped to process the recorded images in real time.

[0041] Fig. Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a method for illuminating the interior of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment. The method 100 can be carried out in particular by means of a system 40 according to Fig. 5 will be carried out.

[0042] In process step 105, images of the vehicle's current surroundings are generated using at least one camera 20. The images can be captured essentially continuously, particularly at regular intervals, for example, every third of a second, every half second, or every second. In some embodiments, the images are captured at speed-dependent intervals. Specifically, the images can be captured at shorter intervals at higher speeds and at longer intervals at lower speeds, thereby saving computing resources.

[0043] In a further process step 110, the generated images are divided into different segments, cf. Fig. 2 above. For example, the images taken using at least one camera 20 can be divided into horizontal, vertical and / or diagonal segments.

[0044] In process step 115, the dominant colors of the respective segments are determined. In particular, the dominant colors can be determined by averaging the color parameters or color values ​​of all pixels within a segment.

[0045] In a further process step 120, the dominant colors are transferred or mapped to a predefined color space, in particular the RGB standard color space. The RGB color space can be divided into a number of color ranges, especially equally sized color ranges. Each calculated color can be assigned to the nearest color range of the RGB color space.

[0046] In process step 125, the colors of the segments are adjusted to create smooth transitions between them. Adjusting the colors, in particular, prevents harsh color and / or brightness transitions between the segments.

[0047] The adapted colors and / or transitions are combined in a process step 130 to generate a final light structure for use in the vehicle's interior. The final light structure is understood to be, in particular, the light structure or luminous pattern to be transferred to the at least one lighting device 36.

[0048] In a final process step 135, the final light structure is applied to illuminate the interior of the vehicle. In particular, the at least one lighting device 36 is controlled by the control unit 43 such that the final light structure is visually displayed in the interior of the vehicle.

[0049] The above-described process steps 105 to 130 can be repeated several times, especially at regular intervals, so that the light structures generated in the vehicle interior can dynamically adapt to the changing environment of the vehicle.

[0050] The vehicle's interior lighting, or ambient lighting, is thus linked to the vehicle's surroundings in such a way that a virtually seamless and particularly appealing lighting atmosphere can be created inside the vehicle. In particular, the method described here enables smooth and gentle transitions between colors by continuously adjusting and blending them, resulting in a pleasant and uniform light pattern within the vehicle. Due to image segmentation and the calculation of dominant colors in individual segments, targeted and resource-efficient image processing with optimized computing power is made possible.

[0051] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been shown in the preceding description, various changes and modifications can be made. The embodiments mentioned are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. Rather, the preceding description provides the person skilled in the art with a plan for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, whereby numerous changes can be made to the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of protection of the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Furthermore, according to the principles described herein, several modules or several products can also be combined to obtain additional functions. Reference symbol list 10 vehicles 20 cameras 30 images 31 segmented image 32 color-reconstructed images 35 Interior of the vehicle 36 Lighting device 40 System 43 Control unit 44 processor 45 storage units 46 Interface 100 procedures 105 Procedure step 110 Procedure step 115 Procedure step 120th process step 125 Procedure step 130 Procedure step 135 Procedure step

Claims

[1] Method for illuminating the interior of a vehicle, comprising: - Generating (105) images of the vehicle's current surroundings using at least one camera and subdividing (110) the generated images into different segments, - Calculating (115) the dominant colors of the respective segments, - Transferring (120) the dominant colors to a predefined color space, - Adjusting (125) the colors of the segments to create smooth transitions between the segments, - Combining (130) the adapted colors and / or transitions to create a final light structure for application in the vehicle's interior, and - Applying (135) the final lighting structure to illuminate the interior of the vehicle. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the subdivision (110) of the images into segments comprises subdividing the images into horizontal segments. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the subdivision (110) of the images into segments comprises subdividing the images into vertical and / or diagonal segments. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the color space is designed as an RGB color space with at least 10, in particular equally sized, color areas. [5] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein applying (135) the final light structure comprises applying the final light structure to an ambient light, a display device and / or to a further light device. [6] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustment (125) of the colors of the segments comprises generating smooth temporal transitions. [7] Control unit for lighting the interior of a vehicle, comprising: - a processor (44), - a memory unit (45) for storing data and machine-readable instructions for the processor (44), and - an interface (46), wherein the interface (26) is configured to receive images representing a current environment of the vehicle (10) from at least one camera (20) and to output control signals for controlling at least one lighting device (36) for illuminating the interior (35) of the vehicle (10), wherein the memory unit (45) contains instructions for the processor (44): - to divide the images of the vehicle's surroundings (10) into different segments, - to calculate the dominant colors of the respective segments, - to transfer the calculated dominant colors to a predefined color space, - to adjust the colors of the segments to create smooth transitions between the segments, - to combine the adapted colors and / or transitions to create a final lighting structure for application in the vehicle's interior, and - to output control signals for at least one lighting device (36) in order to apply the final lighting structure for illuminating the interior of the vehicle (10). [8] System for illuminating the interior of a vehicle, comprising: - at least one camera (20) to capture the current surroundings of the vehicle (10), - at least one lighting device (36) for illuminating the interior (35) of the vehicle (10), and - a control unit (43) according to claim 7 for controlling the at least one lighting device (36), wherein the interface (46) of the control unit (43) is configured to receive images representing data representing the current environment of the vehicle (10) and to output control signals for controlling the at least one lighting device (36) in order to apply the final light structure determined by means of the control unit (43) to illuminate the interior (35) of the vehicle (10). [9] System according to claim 8, wherein the at least one lighting device (36) comprises at least one ambient light, one display device and / or one further lighting device. [10] vehicle, wherein the vehicle (10) comprises at least one interior (35), and wherein at least one system (40) according to claim 8 or 9 for illuminating at least one interior (35) of the vehicle (10) is implemented in the vehicle (10).

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