motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle comprising a lighting device (2) for illuminating an area with a luminous area (17), a control device (7) for controlling the lighting device (2) to change the luminous area, and a detection device (9) for recording the environment, wherein an image (12) of the environment recorded by the detection device (9) can be displayed on a display device (11) provided in the motor vehicle (1) and user-defined route information for a future movement path (15) which a user (16) follows after leaving the motor vehicle (1) can be defined via the display device (11), wherein the control device (7) is configured to control the lighting device (2) depending on the route information.

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a lighting device for illuminating an ambient area with a lighting area, a control device for controlling the lighting device to change the lighting area, and a detection device for recording the environment. Modern motor vehicles offer the option of illuminating the area around the vehicle via a lighting system to facilitate the way to a user who wishes to exit the vehicle or has already exited, for example, to their front door. An example of this can be found in DE 11 2017 001 383 B4. This document describes a motor vehicle in which a lighting system illuminates the path between the vehicle and a destination located some distance from the vehicle. A detection device monitors the vehicle's surroundings and tracks the user's movement, allowing the lighting system to adjust accordingly, so that the illuminated area follows the user's path.When exiting or after exiting the vehicle, only a relatively small area is illuminated, as the system relies solely on tracking based on the user's actual direction of movement, and consequently, a corresponding path-specific, more extensive illumination is not possible. A motor vehicle in which the path from a distant position to the vehicle is similarly illuminated by tracking the lighting area based on the user's path is described in US 10391929 B1 or US 2023 0191985 A1. The invention is based on the problem of specifying a motor vehicle that is improved in comparison. To solve the problem, the invention provides that in a motor vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset, an image of the surroundings captured by the detection device can be displayed on a display device provided in the vehicle, and user-side route information for a future movement path, which the user follows after leaving the motor vehicle, can be defined via the display device, wherein the control device for controlling the lighting device is set up depending on the route information. The vehicle according to the invention enables the user to define their future path of movement within the vehicle, even before exiting it. This allows for specific, path-related illumination of the surrounding area, and consequently, a larger, path-specific area can be illuminated before or immediately upon exiting the vehicle. For this purpose, a sensor captures an image of the vehicle's surroundings and displays it on a screen. The user can then define a future path of movement using this image of the surroundings, with the sensor determining the corresponding path information.The user can therefore precisely define the path they wish to follow after exiting the vehicle to reach their destination. The destination may already be shown in the surrounding image, such as a front door, or it may not be shown, but the user can still define at least the initial part of the route. The lighting system can then be controlled by its control unit based on the determined path information, so that at least part of the future path can be illuminated either before or immediately upon exiting the vehicle.The user can therefore see a considerable section of the path or the entire path already illuminated in the best possible way, so that he can recognize any danger spots, puddles or other uncertainties as best as possible, or basically follow his path with corresponding safety. It is conceivable that if the target is already visible in the surrounding image, for example the front door, the entire movement path is illuminated by the lighting device, thus creating a corresponding illuminated area in the form of a light band that illuminates the entire movement path in the best possible way. The display unit itself is preferably a touchscreen, with the path information being directly inputtable via the touchscreen. The user, when the surroundings are displayed on the touchscreen, can, for example, define a line by moving their finger across the screen, thus defining the path of movement. The detection unit, or its associated processing unit (which can also be part of the lighting control unit), is then able to determine the corresponding path information based on this path defined via the touchscreen. This information includes position data relative to the vehicle and thus the location of the lighting. The control unit can then adjust the lighting accordingly, directing the light precisely to the position defined by the path information, thereby aligning the illuminated area.Inputting the movement path via the touchscreen is particularly simple and intuitive, whereby the user can be shown, for example, a vertical top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings, or a perspective view, whereby the user can also change the display of the environment image if necessary, i.e., rotate or tilt the displayed environment image, and similar actions, preferably again through direct interaction with or via the touchscreen. A further development of the invention provides that, after the user leaves the vehicle, position information about the user can be acquired via the detection device, and the control devices can be configured to control the lighting system based on this position information. According to this further development, the system according to the invention can also include tracking, meaning that the illuminated area, ultimately the emitted light cone, "moves" with the moving user, thus successively changing its position and illuminating the path of movement further and further away from the vehicle. Therefore, it is not necessarily the case that the entire defined path of movement is always illuminated, which is sometimes not required, but only a sufficiently long section of the path that is adequate for safe movement, which is easily possible since the entire path of movement is known.As the user moves further away from the vehicle, the illuminated, long section of the path moves along with them, so that the user can always see a relatively long, well-lit section of the path in front of them in the best possible way. The detection device can be configured to capture the entire vehicle's surroundings in a 360° view, with the entire area around the vehicle displayed on the screen. The displayed image shows the vehicle, for example, in the center, as well as the surrounding area on all sides. This allows the user to define a path of movement in any direction starting from the vehicle. For example, they can define a path of movement along which they move directly away from the vehicle from the exit side, such as the driver's side. Alternatively, they can define a path of movement along which they move away from the vehicle to the opposite side, for example, exiting on the driver's side, walking around the front or rear of the vehicle, and then moving away to the other side.The image display can be adjusted so that, for example, at the beginning of the input, only the vehicle and its immediate surroundings are initially displayed. When the user begins marking their path and it is clear in which direction they are moving away from the vehicle, the image of the surroundings can be adjusted accordingly, and a more distant area in the direction of movement can be displayed, for example, by shifting the image or changing the scale, or similar means. The lighting system can be any type of lighting device or light source, and can also include any number of lighting devices or light sources. It is conceivable that the lighting system includes at least one headlight. Modern headlights, for example, are designed as matrix LED units that can be controlled via the control unit so that the emitted light or light beam can be varied across a wide range. However, it is also conceivable to use a taillight as a lighting device; it, like a headlight, can emit white light and can also be designed as a matrix LED unit to allow for the corresponding variability of the beam direction.However, other lighting devices, possibly specifically arranged, such as side lights, additional light projectors, and similar devices, can also be used and integrated into the system. It is, of course, preferable to integrate a sufficient number of lighting devices or units to illuminate the entire surrounding area of ​​the vehicle, including areas close to the vehicle, as effectively as possible. For example, the two front headlights, a side light on each side, and one or two rear lights, such as light projectors, can be used if the rear lights do not allow for sufficient load variation. A further embodiment of the invention provides that the user located in the vicinity of the motor vehicle can be detected via the detection device or a further detection device, and that return information can be determined based on this detection. The control device is configured to control the lighting device based on the previously detected path information when return information is available. While the definition of the movement path via the display device in the motor vehicle and the exiting and moving away from the motor vehicle have been described above, this embodiment of the invention also makes it possible to illuminate the movement path taken by the user as effectively as possible when the user returns to the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the user's approach or return is detected, whereby corresponding return information is determined via the detection device or a further detection device by detecting the user approaching the vehicle.The control system now illuminates the path previously chosen when exiting the vehicle, based on the relevant path information, and accordingly illuminates the path ahead of the user, who in this case is still further away. As the user approaches, the path continues to be illuminated as effectively as possible, and the illuminated area can be adjusted as the user's position is continuously tracked. This means that when the user is further away, the illuminated area is initially positioned away from the vehicle and does not extend to it, and is then adjusted accordingly. Of course, it is also possible to create an illuminated area or band of light extending directly from the user to the vehicle. To detect an approaching user in the vicinity, the detection device can detect a radio key carried by the user, as is the case, for example, with modern locking systems. In the vehicle according to the invention, detection occurs even when the user is still a considerable distance from the vehicle, and the lighting is activated. Alternatively, the detection device can also detect a return signal sent by the user via a transmitter carried by the vehicle. The user approaching the vehicle, for example, presses a button on the radio key, which sends a signal that is detected by a receiver in the vehicle and interpreted as a return signal. The lighting is then immediately activated via the control units. The button could, for example, also be the door unlock button. Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawings. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a display device with a displayed image of the surroundings and a marked path of movement, Figure 3 shows the situation shown in the image of the surroundings according to Figure 2 immediately after leaving the motor vehicle and illumination of the path of movement, Figure 4 shows the situation shown in the image of the surroundings according to Figure 2 immediately after leaving the motor vehicle and illumination of the path of movement according to a second variant, and Figure 5 shows a situation with the same surroundings, but upon the user's return to the motor vehicle. Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, comprising a lighting device 2 with several lighting units 3, which in this example are front headlights 4, rear lights 5, and side lights 6 or light projectors arranged on each side. The lighting units 3 are arranged or integrated into the system such that they can illuminate a limited cone of light for illuminating a user's future path of travel with a lighting area on each side or at each position, viewed through 360° around the motor vehicle 1. The lighting device 2 further comprises a control device 7, which controls the individual lighting units 3. It communicates with a display device 8, on which an image of the surroundings, depicting the 360° environment around the vehicle 1, including the vehicle 1 itself, for example in a top-down view, can be displayed. A corresponding detection device 9 is provided for capturing such an image, comprising several image capture devices 10, for example, corresponding cameras, which can capture corresponding images of the surroundings in both light and darkness. The image capture devices 10 are positioned appropriately on or around the vehicle 1 so that a 360° image of the surroundings can be captured. In the example shown, they communicate with the control device 7, which is simultaneously configured to determine the image to be displayed based on the individual images from the image capture devices 10.that the control unit 7 is not only part of the lighting unit 2, but also part of the detection unit 9. It would also be conceivable, of course, that the detection unit 9 has a separate control unit for image acquisition that communicates with the control unit 7. Fig. 2 shows the display device 8, which is a touchscreen 11. The user, for example, activates the driver assistance system, which enables path lighting as described below, via the touchscreen 11 in a corresponding operating menu. The detection device 9 then captures or determines the corresponding 360° image of the surroundings. Such a determined image 12, showing both the vehicle 1 and the 360° surroundings of the vehicle 1, is displayed on the touchscreen 11. In this example, part of a building 13 with a front door 14 is shown next to the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 is parked and is shown in the center of the image 12. If the user of vehicle 1 wishes to leave the vehicle 1 and walk to the front door 14, it is desirable that the corresponding path be adequately illuminated so that the user can see any obstacles and the like as clearly as possible. To this end, the user can now mark or draw a path 15 directly on the touchscreen 11 with a finger, stylus, or similar device by simply moving their finger or stylus across the surface of the touchscreen. The movement is recorded and displayed as a line showing the potential path of the user from vehicle 1 to the front door 14. In the example shown, this path is slightly curved. Let us assume that this path is ten meters or more, meaning that a certain distance must be covered.The control unit 7 is now able to determine the corresponding path information based on this drawn movement path 15, i.e., ultimately position data that define how this movement path 15 runs relative to the stationary vehicle 1. Based on this path information, the intended path that the user wants to walk from the vehicle 1 to the front door 14 can therefore be determined digitally with absolute precision. The control device 7 is further equipped to use this determined path information to control the lighting device 2 or the lighting unit 3 or units 3 that are required to specifically illuminate the desired movement path 15, i.e. to project a lighting area, e.g. in the form of a band of light, onto the surface that follows the drawn movement path 15. An example of this is shown in Fig. 3, which depicts the real-world environment as it forms the basis of Figure 12. The figure again shows the motor vehicle 1 and the building 13 with its front door 14. Also shown is the vehicle's lighting system 2 with the two headlights 4, the taillights 5, and the two sidelights 6. A user 16, who has just exited the motor vehicle 1, is also depicted. The control unit 7 now controls, for example, the left headlight 4 and the left sidelight 6, which are assigned to this side of the vehicle, so that they either connect to each other or emit overlapping cones of light directed in such a way as to illuminate the originally drawn path of movement 15 with a correspondingly wide illuminated area 17, here in the form of a band of light. This illuminated area 17, or rather,In the example shown, this band of light extends directly from the vehicle 1 to the front door 14, which is possible if the distance between the two is such that it can be illuminated by a single, continuous lighting area. The user 16 then walks along the path 15, indicated here by the arrow, "on" the illuminated area 17, i.e., the band of light; thus, he follows the drawn path 15 from the vehicle 1 to the front door 14. Once user 16 has reached the front door, the lighting can be switched off again. This situation can be detected, for example, by the control unit 7 continuously tracking the user's position based on an image of the surroundings acquired by the detection unit 9. This allows the control unit to determine the user's position relative to the vehicle 1 and their destination, i.e., the front door 14. Once it is detected that the user has reached their destination, the lighting can be switched off again, possibly after a predefined holding time of, for example, 30 seconds. Fig. 4 shows the same environmental situation as Fig. 3, but it is assumed that the distance from the vehicle 1 to the front door 14 is longer. Again, the control unit 7 is assumed to control the left front headlight 4 and the left side light 6, so that these in turn illuminate a lighting area 17, i.e., a band of light, which illuminates at least part of the path of movement 15 as defined above according to Fig. 2, and which is directly adjacent to the vehicle 1. The user 16 has just gotten out of the vehicle 1, is "on" the lighting area 17, and begins to walk along the path of movement 15.However, its current position is continuously recorded, allowing the increasing distance from the vehicle 1 to be continuously determined. This position recording, as already described, is based on an image analysis of the surrounding images continuously captured by the detection device 9. As the user 16's position and thus distance from the vehicle 1 changes, the illuminated area 17, i.e., the light band, is continuously adjusted; that is, it shifts along the previously defined movement path 15, so that the illuminated area 17 essentially "moves along," as indicated by arrow P. Accordingly, only a portion of the entire movement path 15 is illuminated, but this portion continuously follows the actual movement path 15 of the user 16. To make it easier for user 16 to return to vehicle 1, the "return route" can also be illuminated accordingly. This option is shown in Fig. 5. The motor vehicle 1, see Fig. 1, has a receiver 18 that can detect a corresponding signal indicating the impending return of the user 16 to the motor vehicle 1. In the environment shown in Fig. 5, which corresponds to the situations shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the user 16 is just leaving the building 13, having stepped out of the front door 14. In the example shown, the user is carrying a key fob 19 with a corresponding transponder, the signal of which is detected by the receiver 18. Alternatively, the key fob 19 can also be equipped with a button for directly transmitting a signal that constitutes the return information, which signal is detected by the receiver 18. This signal could also be a door opening signal.Subsequently, the control unit 7, based on the path information previously defined for the path from the vehicle 1 to the front door 14 (as shown in Fig. 2), controls the lighting unit 2. This results in a clearly defined illuminated area 17, or light band, being projected onto the ground precisely along the previously defined path 15, which the user 16 can follow. Of course, it is also possible, as described in Fig. 4, to display only a shorter illuminated area 17, which, likewise, continuously tracks the user 16's position, i.e., "moves" along with them.

Claims

Motor vehicle comprising a lighting device (2) for illuminating an ambient area with a luminous area (17), a control device (7) controlling the lighting device (2) to change the luminous area, and a detection device (9) for recording the environment, characterized in that an image (12) of the environment recorded via the detection device (9) can be output on a display device (11) provided in the motor vehicle (1) and user-side path information for a future movement path (15), which a user (16) follows after leaving the motor vehicle (1), can be defined via the display device (11), wherein the control device (7) is configured to control the lighting device (2) depending on the path information. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the display device (8) is a touchscreen (11) and the route information can be entered directly via the touchscreen (11). Motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, after leaving the motor vehicle (1), position information about the user (16) can be acquired via the detection device (9) and the control device (7) is additionally configured to control the lighting device (7) depending on the position information. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device (9) is designed to detect the environment around the entire motor vehicle (1) in a 360° manner and the entire environment around the motor vehicle (1) can be displayed on the display device (8). Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting device (2) comprises at least one front headlight (4) and / or at least one rear light (5) and / or at least one side light (6). Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the user (16) located in the vicinity of the motor vehicle (1) can be detected via the or a further detection device (9) and return information can be determined based on the detection, wherein the control device (7) is set up to control the lighting device (2) depending on the previously detected route information when return information is available. Motor vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the detection device (9) is configured to detect a radio key (19) carried by the user (16) or a return signal given via a transmitter carried by the user (16).

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