LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR MOVING VEHICLES

Abstract

A lighting system for a vehicle comprising an audio module for sound output, a light source module with at least one light source for image output, and a control module for controlling the output of the light source module and the audio module based on image data and control signals received from the vehicle. Based on the image data and control signals, the control module transmits a video signal and an audio signal synchronized with the video signal to control the output of the light source module and the audio module, respectively.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting system for a moving vehicle, in particular a lighting system provided in a moving vehicle and connected with a sound. Description of the state of the art

[0002] VESS stands for Virtual Engine Sound System and is a system designed to solve the problem that pedestrians and nearby vehicles often have difficulty detecting environmentally friendly vehicles like electric vehicles due to their low noise levels. VESS emits artificially generated sounds when the vehicle is in motion, thus helping those around it to recognize its approach.

[0003] In 2022, a regulation was enacted concerning the display of road surface information, which includes four symbols designed to warn drivers. Specifically, the symbols convey meanings such as warning of slippery road surfaces, collision warning, warning of driving in the wrong direction, and warning of leaving the lane.

[0004] However, with conventional communication lights, it can be difficult for pedestrians to communicate effectively using only visual information. A comparison of the information processing capacity of the sensory organs shows that sight and hearing are the dominant senses, accounting for approximately 83% and 11% respectively. Therefore, there is a need for a communication light that can improve information transmission by simultaneously emitting an audio signal synchronized with the video signal emitted by a conventional communication light.

[0005] Furthermore, conventional communication lighting control systems only implement a video signal interface. Therefore, to output audio synchronously with the video, a technology is required that can control both video and audio solely via the video signal. State of the art documents

[0006] (Patent document 1) Korean patent publication no. 10-2021-0105611 (“Vehicle and control method therefor”, publication date: August 27, 2021) SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention was developed to solve the problems mentioned above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting system for a moving vehicle that can emit a sound. This object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Preferred aspects are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] To solve the aforementioned problems, a lighting system for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention comprises an audio module configured to output sound, a light source module comprising at least one light source and configured to output an image, and a control module configured to control the output of the light source module and the audio module based on image data and control signals received from the vehicle. The control module is configured to transmit a video signal and an audio signal synchronized with the video signal, based on the image data and control signals, in order to control the output of the light source module and the audio module, respectively.

[0009] Additionally, the control module may include a deserializer configured to receive the serialized image data, convert the serialized image data into parallel data, and generate a pixel clock (PCLK), a horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC), and a vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC) for the parallel data based on the control signals; and a processor configured to receive the pixel clock (PCLK), the horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC), and the vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC) from the deserializer, detect a start and end of the image data, and transmit the video and audio signals based on the detection.

[0010] Additionally, the processor can be configured to detect the beginning and end of the image data based on a variation pattern of the horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC) and the vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC).

[0011] Furthermore, the processor can be configured to pre-store time information of the horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC) and the vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC) and to detect the termination of the image data transmission based on the fact that no additional signal change is detected at a predetermined time.

[0012] Furthermore, the deserializer can be configured to generate a lock signal (LOCK) at the start of the pixel clock input (PCLK) to the processor, and the processor can be configured to start receiving the image data when the lock signal (LOCK) transitions to a high state (H).

[0013] Furthermore, the deserializer can be configured to generate an interrupt signal when the lock signal (LOCK) transitions to the high state (H), causing the processor to begin receiving the image data.

[0014] Furthermore, the processor can be configured to output a specific audio content as the audio signal, with the specific audio content being selected based on a clock frequency of the video signal.

[0015] Furthermore, the processor can be configured to output a white or black frame as the video signal for an initially predetermined number of frames.

[0016] The lighting system may further include a communication line connecting an output port for the image data and the processor, the processor being configured to select a specific audio content based on index information (INDEX) received via the communication line and output the selected content as the audio signal.

[0017] Furthermore, the processor can be configured to receive volume or sensor information related to audio via the communication line and to modify externally displayed volume status information based on the received volume or sensor information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting system for a moving vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a timing diagram showing the audio signal output in the lighting system. Fig. 1 shows; Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting system for a moving vehicle according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an output image according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In order to explain the present invention, the advantages of its operation and the objectives achieved through its implementation, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained and described below with reference to them.

[0019] The terms used in this application are intended solely to describe certain embodiments and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. Singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, in this application, terms such as "have" or "with" are intended to denote the presence of the features, numbers, steps, processes, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the description, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, processes, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0020] In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of known configurations or functions may be omitted in order not to obscure the subject matter of the invention.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting system for a moving vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a timing diagram showing the audio signal output in the lighting system of Fig. 1 shows.

[0022] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a lighting system 1000 for a moving vehicle according to the present invention can comprise an audio module 100, a light source module 200 and a control module 300.

[0023] First, the audio module 100 can receive an audio signal from the control module 300 and output sound. In this case, the audio module 100 can include a diaphragm and receive audio through vibration.

[0024] The light source module 200 can receive a video signal from the control module 300 and output an image. The light source module 200 can include at least one light source and generate a beam using that light source.

[0025] The control module 300 can control the outputs of the light source module 200 and the audio module 100 based on image data from the lighting system. Specifically, the control module 300 can output a video signal and an audio signal based on the image data and control signals received from a vehicle control unit 1 and control the outputs of the light source module 200 and the audio module 100 accordingly. In this case, the video signal and audio signal output by the control module 300 can be configured as shown in Fig. 2 will be shown synchronized.

[0026] The following section describes in detail methods for controlling the audio signal using various embodiments. First embodiment

[0027] According to a first embodiment, the control module 300 can control the audio signal synchronously with a video signal based on a video clock signal.

[0028] In particular, the control module 300 can include a deserializer 310 and a processor 320.

[0029] The Deserializer 310 can receive serialized video data from the vehicle controller 1 and convert the data into parallel data. Furthermore, the Deserializer 310 can receive control signals from the vehicle controller 1 and generate a pixel clock (PLCK), a horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC), and a vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC) for the parallel data.

[0030] Here, the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC indicates the beginning of each horizontal line in the video signal, so that the display can recognize the end of the current line and move on to the next one.

[0031] The vertical synchronization signal VSYNC indicates the start of a new frame in the video signal and is used to synchronize the display for that frame.

[0032] The 320 processor can receive the PLCK pixel clock, the HSYNC horizontal synchronization signal, and the VSYNC vertical synchronization signal from the 310 deserializer and use the HSYNC and VSYNC signals to detect the beginning and end of the video data. Based on this detection, the 320 processor can transmit the video and audio signals.

[0033] In this case, the Processor 320 can detect the beginning and end of the video data based on the variation patterns of the HSYNC and VSYNC signals. Specifically, the Processor 320 can detect the beginning and end of a new frame based on rising or falling transitions of the vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC) and prepare to read and store data at specific pixel positions by tracking the beginning and end of each line within a frame using the horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC).

[0034] Since the 320 processor is preconfigured with information about the horizontal and vertical synchronization signals HSYNC and VSYNC, it can, in particular, determine that the transmission of video data is complete if no further signals are input at a predetermined time. For this purpose, time information for the horizontal and vertical synchronization signals HSYNC and VSYNC can be pre-stored.

[0035] The deserializer 310 can generate a LOCK signal, indicating a stable receive state, when the pixel clock PLCK is fed into the processor 320. When the LOCK signal transitions to a high state (H), the processor 320 can begin receiving the video data. Alternatively, the deserializer 310 can also generate an interrupt signal when the LOCK signal transitions to a high state (H), causing the processor 320 to begin receiving the video data. Second embodiment

[0036] According to a second embodiment, the control module 300 can select the content of the audio signal based on the video clock signal.

[0037] In particular, when synchronizing the audio signal using the clock information from the video signal, the audio output can vary depending on the clock frequency. More precisely, the Processor 320 can output a specific audio content, selected according to the clock frequency of the video signal, as the audio signal. For example, if the horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC) is 100 Hz, the audio content can be INDEX1; if HSYNC is 200 Hz, the audio content can be INDEX2; if HSYNC is 300 Hz, the audio content can be INDEX3; and if HSYNC is 400 Hz, the audio content can be INDEX4. In this case, the Processor 320 can output a white or black frame as the video signal during an initial predetermined frame period to allow confirmation of the clock information. Third embodiment

[0038] Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting system for a moving vehicle according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] According to a third embodiment, the processor 320 can identify the audio content via a separate communication line.

[0040] In particular, the lighting system 1000 can be used for a moving vehicle according to the present invention, as shown in Fig. 3 shown, and also include a communication line L.

[0041] The communication line L can connect the vehicle control unit 1 and the processor 320, and the processor 320 can receive control signals via the communication line L and, based on the contained index information (INDEX), select the appropriate audio content that is output as an audio signal. Fourth embodiment

[0042] Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an output image according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] According to a fourth embodiment, the processor can output 320 audio volume level images.

[0044] In particular, the 320 processor, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, volume information or sensor information relating to audio is received from the vehicle control unit 1 via a communication line L connected between the vehicle control unit 1 and the processor 320, and the status information of the externally displayed volume is changed on this basis.

[0045] More precisely, the 320 processor can overlay a volume frame VI previously stored in the main frame MI of the video signal and output the video signal. If the video signal contains a black and white image, processing the volume frame VI with a single line can cause it to be obscured by the main frame MI, making it difficult to detect the current volume level. Therefore, the 320 processor can process the outer edge of the volume frame with a double border or more and overlay it with the main frame to output the video signal.

[0046] According to various embodiments of the present invention, as described above, the lighting system for a moving vehicle is able to output not only images but also sound independently of each other from the communication light, thereby improving the information recognition capability of pedestrians and drivers. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 Vehicle control 1000 lighting system for a moving vehicle 100 Audio module 200 light source module 300 control module 310 Deserializers 320 processor L Communications Management

Claims

[1] Lighting system for a vehicle, wherein the system comprises: an audio module configured to output sound, a light source module that includes at least one light source and is configured to output an image, and a control module configured to control the output of the light source module and the audio module based on image data and control signals received from the vehicle, wherein the control module is configured to transmit a video signal and an audio signal synchronized with the video signal based on the image data and the control signals in order to control the output of the light source module and the audio module, respectively. [2] Lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the control module comprises: a deserializer configured to receive the serialized image data, convert the serialized image data into parallel data, and generate a pixel clock (PCLK), a horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC), and a vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC) for the parallel data based on the control signals, and a processor configured to receive the pixel clock (PCLK), horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC) and vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC) from the deserializer, detect a start and end of the image data and transmit the video and audio signals based on the detection. [3] Lighting system according to claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to detect the beginning and end of the image data based on a variation pattern of the horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC) and the vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC). [4] Lighting system according to claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to prestore time information of the horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC) and the vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC) and to detect the termination of the transmission of the image data on the basis that no additional signal change is detected at a predetermined time. [5] Lighting system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the deserializer is configured to generate a lock signal (LOCK) at the start of the input of the pixel clock (PCLK) to the processor, and the processor is configured to start receiving the image data when the lock signal (LOCK) transitions to a high state (H). [6] Lighting system according to claim 5, wherein the deserializer is configured to generate an interrupt signal when the lock signal (LOCK) transitions to the high state (H), causing the processor to begin receiving the image data. [7] Lighting system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the processor is configured to output a specific audio content as the audio signal, wherein the specific audio content is selected on the basis of a clock frequency of the video signal. [8] Lighting system according to claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to output a white or black frame as the video signal for an initially predetermined number of frames. [9] Lighting system according to any one of claims 2 to 8, further comprising a communication line connecting an output port for the image data and the processor, wherein the processor is configured to select a specific audio content based on index information (INDEX) received via the communication line and output the selected content as the audio signal. [10] Lighting system according to claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to receive volume information or sensor information relating to audio via the communication line and to change the externally displayed volume status information based on the received volume information or sensor information.

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