METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING MOTOR VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for adjusting a motor vehicle headlight of a motor vehicle headlight system for a first motor vehicle during its operation by means of feedback in the form of electromagnetic signals provided by a feedback system in a second motor vehicle.

[0002] Incorrect adjustment of a motor vehicle headlight refers to settings in which the headlight illuminates areas in front of it that should not be illuminated. Such an incorrect adjustment can, under certain conditions, lead to dazzling of road users who are in the area of ​​the incorrectly adjusted headlight. Especially with so-called ADB systems (ADB for Adaptive Drive Beam)Such incorrect adjustment should be avoided, since in the case of an incorrectly adjusted masking scenario, i.e. if windows in the light distribution in which oncoming and / or preceding vehicles are located are not masked out precisely, this can lead to dazzling of the drivers of these vehicles.

[0003] In the following, the terms "adjustments," "misadjustment," and "default settings" are used in relation to motor vehicle headlights. Typically, these refer to specific adjustment parameters used by the control unit of the motor vehicle headlight system to adjust the motor vehicle headlight so that a light distribution corresponding to the parameterization is emitted. These parameters can include the following: height, width, brightness in specific areas or points of the light distribution, dimensions of segments, and the degree of their overlap if the light distribution is segmented. This list of parameters is, of course, not exhaustive. Other parameters may also be included in the settings of a motor vehicle headlight. These parameters can, for example, be stored in the control unit.

[0004] In the context of the present invention, the information about a misadjustment causing glare is often referred to simply as information or glare information or misadjustment information.

[0005] The electromagnetic signals can use wavelength ranges of light, particularly visible light (400 nm to 800 nm), or radio. For example, the electromagnetic signals can be light pulses of a predetermined duration.

[0006] In the context of the present invention, the aforementioned misadjustment of at least one motor vehicle headlight causing glare refers to the glare of another road user, preferably a driver of an oncoming motor vehicle.

[0007] Methods for adjusting motor vehicle headlight systems or their motor vehicle headlights are known from the prior art.

[0008] However, modern automotive headlight systems are plagued by a problem in that various external influences (temperature, aging, etc.) can severely distort the light distribution, making it impossible to meet legal requirements or customer requirements. Drivers often fail to recognize such incorrect headlight adjustments, which is why headlight readjustment is usually performed very rarely, perhaps once a year, and involves considerable effort. The problem of misalignment is even more pronounced in the aforementioned ADB systems, as a new source of error, in addition to incorrect height adjustment, a "horizontal misalignment" occurs.In ADB systems / motor vehicle headlights, this problem is currently addressed by presetting quite large distances when masking out other road users in order to reliably rule out errors and any resulting glare, which results in a significant loss of performance compared to the basic optical design.

[0009] DE 10 2008 031159 A1, DE 10 2012 200048 A1, EP 2 119 592 A1 and DE 10 2012 023126 A1 disclose methods for adjusting a motor vehicle headlight from the prior art.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art. This object is achieved by the method mentioned at the outset, wherein * the motor vehicle headlight system comprises a control device, at least one motor vehicle headlight assigned to the control device and detection means assigned to the control device and is configured to generate a light distribution of at least one predetermined type, which light distribution can be dynamically modified to a modified light distribution by adjusting the at least one motor vehicle headlight by means of the control device, wherein the detection means are configured to detect the electromagnetic signals, which electromagnetic signals contain data relevant for adjusting the motor vehicle headlight system, wherein the data contain information about an incorrect adjustment of the at least one motor vehicle headlight causing glare, and the control device is configured to evaluate the electromagnetic signals with regard to the data and to extract the information from the data, wherein 。the feedback system for calculating and outputting the electromagnetic signal comprises: * a detection device, a computing unit and a transmission device - with regard to the motor vehicle headlight system - are provided externally and are configured to generate the feedback on the light distribution, wherein the detection device is configured to detect at least a part of the dynamically modifiable light distribution of at least one predetermined type;the computing unit is configured to identify areas in the detected part of the light distribution in which glare is present, to assign to the identified areas information about an incorrect adjustment of the at least one motor vehicle headlight causing glare, and to represent the information in the form of the data relevant for adjusting the at least one motor vehicle headlight, and the transmission device is configured to generate the electromagnetic signals according to the data and to send the electromagnetic signals in a predetermined direction, which method comprises the following steps: Step K1: Detecting at least part of the light distribution by means of the detection device;Step K2: Identifying areas in the detected part of the light distribution in which glare is present, wherein illuminance values ​​in the detected part of the light distribution are determined and the determined illuminance values ​​are then compared with a predetermined threshold value, Step K3: Assigning to the identified areas information about a misalignment of the at least one motor vehicle headlight causing glare, wherein the computing unit for assigning assigns to each illuminance value that exceeds the corresponding threshold value a pair of a luminous intensity value and a spatial direction corresponding to the luminous intensity value, in which the at least one motor vehicle headlight emits a quantity of light causing glare, wherein this pair forms the information about a misalignment causing glare;Step K4: Representing the information in the form of data relevant for adjusting the at least one motor vehicle headlight; Step K5: Generating the electromagnetic signals according to the data and transmitting the electromagnetic signals toward the at least one motor vehicle headlight system by means of the transmission device; Step K6: Detecting the electromagnetic signals using the detection means; Step K7: Evaluating the electromagnetic signals with regard to data relevant for adjustment contained therein and extracting the information about the misadjustment of the at least one motor vehicle headlight causing glare from the data by means of the control device;Step K8: Adjusting the motor vehicle headlight system by means of the control device to modify the light distribution based on the extracted information in order to generate the modified light distribution, wherein the adjustment of the motor vehicle headlight system is carried out by adjusting the at least one motor vehicle headlight by means of the control device according to the evaluated data and the information extracted from the data, wherein the amount of light emitted in the spatial directions is reduced by a predetermined value in order to obtain the modified light distribution.

[0011] With reference to the prior art documents mentioned in the introduction to the description, no feedback system of a second motor vehicle is disclosed, which is designed to provide electromagnetic signals on the basis of which the first, own motor vehicle modifies the light distribution.

[0012] For example, the glare information can consist only of the aforementioned spatial directions or of pairs, where a first element of each pair can be a message about existing glare in digital form, such as "Glare YES / NO," and a second element of each pair can be a corresponding spatial direction. In this case, it can also be provided that the inventive method is repeated several times, thus reducing the emitted light quantity in several iterations. If the aforementioned predetermined value is not large enough to avoid glare, the motor vehicle headlight system will continue to receive electromagnetic signals. It should be noted at this point that the modified light distribution can have an additional dark area (due to the reduction in the light quantity) or can be shifted with respect to the unmodified light distribution.

[0013] It may be useful if the misadjustment information includes: at least one radiation direction in which at least one radiation direction of the at least one motor vehicle headlight dazzles, an actual value of the luminous intensity emitted by the motor vehicle headlight in this radiation direction, which is assigned to this at least one radiation direction, and a target value of the luminous intensity, which is assigned to this at least one radiation direction, wherein the adjustment of the motor vehicle headlight system is carried out until the actual value no longer exceeds the target value.

[0014] Furthermore, it may be advantageous if a horizontal and / or vertical extent of the light distribution is / is reduced due to the adjustment of the motor vehicle headlight system by the control device.

[0015] Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that due to the adjustment of the motor vehicle headlight system by the control device, the light distribution is shifted horizontally and / or vertically.

[0016] Especially in ADB motor vehicle headlight systems, it can be advantageous if a horizontal and / or vertical extent of a blanking area within the dynamically modifiable light distribution is / is changed when adjusting the motor vehicle headlight system.

[0017] ADB motor vehicle headlight systems are generally understood to be motor vehicle headlight systems that can generate dynamically modifiable (during system operation), for example, segmented light distributions. Such ADB motor vehicle headlight systems are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0018] It can advantageously be provided that the adjustment can be carried out by reducing a light intensity emitted in at least one direction (spatial direction / radiation direction), wherein the reduction is carried out by changing at least one, preferably horizontal, radiation angle of the at least one motor vehicle headlight.

[0019] This involves changing the orientation of the light distribution (main beam direction), preferably horizontally, relative to a basic direction. The basic direction refers to the original orientation of the light distribution, which exhibits the aforementioned misalignment causing glare and needs to be corrected. The beam angle can be made smaller or larger, depending on the specific situation.

[0020] It may be useful if basic settings are stored on the control device, according to which basic settings the light distribution is generated when the motor vehicle headlight system is put into operation, wherein the control device generates modified settings on the basis of these basic settings and the extracted information about the incorrect setting causing glare and adjusts the motor vehicle headlight system according to these modified settings so that the modified, preferably non-glaring, light distribution is generated.

[0021] It should be noted that with such basic settings, the automotive headlight system produces a light distribution with the basic direction mentioned above.

[0022] In addition, it can be provided that the control device stores the modified settings (internally or externally - e.g. on-board computer or similar) and that machine learning software is installed on the control device, which is programmed to decide, based on the basic settings and the modified settings, to replace at least part of the basic settings with a corresponding part of the settings or to leave the basic settings unchanged.

[0023] It can advantageously be provided that the motor vehicle headlight system comprises a computer program or a computer-readable, preferably portable, storage medium, wherein the computer program is preferably stored on the control device or the control device comprises the computer-readable storage medium and the method is carried out by the control device.

[0024] It may be useful to set threshold values ​​around 1 lux. In automotive lighting, illuminance values ​​are typically referenced to the values ​​measured on a screen positioned approximately 25 m away, perpendicular to the main beam direction of the vehicle headlight. The 1 lx value measured on this screen corresponds to a luminous intensity (the amount of light emitted by the vehicle headlight) of approximately 625 candelas (cd).

[0025] It may also be advantageous to calculate beam direction corrections from the spatial directions, which can provide some information about a misalignment causing glare. The beam direction corrections can range from approximately 0.1° to approximately 2.5°.

[0026] This can be useful, for example, in a situation where a misalignment occurs in a motor vehicle headlight system of the aforementioned ADB type, particularly if the misalignment affects the size and / or position of a blanking area. The beam direction corrections can enable fine adjustment of the ADB motor vehicle headlight system. For example, a blanking area may be slightly shifted from its prescribed position (by approximately 0.1° to approximately 2.5°) and / or slightly wider and / or higher (approximately 0.1° to approximately 1°) than it should be.

[0027] Beam direction corrections can be calculated based on the detected portion of the light distribution, for example, if a glaring segment of width β is detected. This width β is transmitted with signals 5 to the vehicle headlight, which then adjusts its settings such that the original aperture angle α 0 (default setting) is reduced to aperture angle α and the width of the glaring segment is reduced to 0. It should be noted here that a simple photodiode may be sufficient to detect a glaring segment of width β if the light distribution is a segmented high beam distribution or an ADB light distribution.

[0028] For example, the computing unit can be configured to determine illuminance values ​​in the detected part of the light distribution and to compare the illuminance values ​​with corresponding predetermined threshold values. This can be particularly advantageous if the detection device comprises a device and / or software suitable for recording luminance distributions.

[0029] According to the invention, the computing unit assigns to each illuminance value that exceeds the corresponding threshold value, preferably with statistical relevance, a pair of a luminous intensity value and a spatial direction corresponding to the luminous intensity value, these pairs forming the information about a misalignment causing glare. In order to assign a spatial direction, it may be expedient if the detection device comprises, for example, spatially resolving photodiodes or spatially resolving cameras. However, normal (non-spatially resolving) photodiodes may also be used if the photodiodes are arranged at locations on the motor vehicle whose positions are known to the computing unit (see, for example, Figures 2 or 7 ).

[0030] In addition, the feedback system may comprise such a computer program or such a computer-readable storage medium, wherein preferably the computer program is stored on the computing unit or the computing unit comprises the computer-readable storage medium.

[0031] In a motor vehicle with at least one feedback system, it may be expedient if the detection device is arranged on at least one longitudinal side of the motor vehicle, preferably in at least one motor vehicle headlight and / or in at least one exterior mirror and / or a rearview mirror.

[0032] It may be expedient if the detection device is designed as a plurality, preferably four, of light sensors, in particular photodiodes.

[0033] It can advantageously be provided that the detection device is arranged on an outer circumferential contour (for example on the side and top) of the motor vehicle, which outer circumferential contour lies in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle.

[0034] The invention, including further advantages, is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing. Fig. 1 an automotive headlight system and a feedback system in a lighting engineering laboratory; Fig. 2 two motor vehicles passing each other, each with a motor vehicle headlight and feedback system; Fig. 3 a method for adjusting a motor vehicle headlight system; Fig. 4 a method for providing electromagnetic signals; Fig. 5 a method for adjusting one of the motor vehicle headlight systems of the Figure 2 ; Fig. 6a and 6boriginal and modified high beam distribution, and Fig. 7 a motor vehicle with photodiodes arranged on the exterior and rear-view mirrors.

[0035] In the following figures, unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols denote the same features.

[0036] First, Figure 1 This schematically shows a possible situation in which a motor vehicle headlight system 1 is adjusted during its operation. The motor vehicle headlight system 1 can correspond to the motor vehicle headlight system. The motor vehicle headlight system 1 comprises a control device 2, a motor vehicle headlight 3 assigned to the control device 2 and detection means 20 assigned to the control device 2.

[0037] The motor vehicle headlight system 1 can be used, for example, in a lighting technology laboratory, in a production hall or assembly line or in a car repair shop (for example in a state installed in a motor vehicle (in Figure 1 not shown)) and produces a light distribution 4, 6 of at least one specified type. In a lighting technology laboratory, the light distribution 4, 6 is projected onto a measuring screen 8, which is typically positioned approximately 25 meters away, perpendicular to the optical axis of the motor vehicle headlight 3. The measuring screen 8 is an example of a detection device.

[0038] The light distribution 4 can be dynamically adjusted to a modified light distribution 6, i.e., modified during operation, by adjusting the motor vehicle headlight 3 using the control device 2. It is understood that the modified light distribution 6 can be projected onto the measuring screen 8 in the lighting technology laboratory in the same way as the original, unmodified light distribution 4.

[0039] The detection means 20 are configured to detect external electromagnetic signals 5 with respect to the motor vehicle headlight system 1. The external electromagnetic signals 5 are provided / generated by a feedback system 7 and contain data 50 relevant for adjusting the motor vehicle headlight system 1 or the motor vehicle headlight 3 of the motor vehicle headlight system 1. The data 50, in turn, contain information about an incorrect adjustment of the motor vehicle headlight 3 that could cause glare.

[0040] The above-mentioned measuring screen 8 is an example of a detection device that forms part of the feedback system 7 and detects at least part of the (original or modified) light distribution 4, 6 generated by the motor vehicle headlight 3. In this specific example, the entire dynamically modifiable light distribution 4, 6 is detected. It is understood that the detection device (here measuring screen 8) is generally capable of detecting not only the original light distribution 4 and the modified light distribution 6, but also of (continuously) monitoring the entire process of changing the original light distribution 4. An example of a detection device will be shown later (see Figure 2 ), which has several light sensors 80,for example, photodiodes and / or cameras, in particular spatially resolving photodiodes and / or cameras. The (spatially resolving) photodiodes can only measure the light distributions 4, 6 at specific points. Continuous monitoring of the change / modification of the original light distribution 4 is also possible in this case.

[0041] The feedback system 7 also includes a computing unit 9. The computing unit 9 determines illuminance values ​​for the detected part of the light distribution 4, 6 or for the entire light distribution 4, 6 and compares them with corresponding predefined threshold values. These threshold values ​​can be taken from legal regulations, for example, and vary depending on the beam direction. Such relationships are well known to those skilled in the art. An example of this is the "Passing Beam Photometric Requirements" from ECE-R 123. In an area where, for example, the face of a driver of an oncoming motor vehicle is located, the illumination should not exceed 1 lux – 1 lux is therefore an example of such a threshold value.As already mentioned, the value of 1 lx measured on the measuring screen 8 corresponds approximately to a luminous intensity value (amount of light emitted by the motor vehicle headlight 3) of approximately 625 candelas (cd). It is understood that the invention is not limited to illuminance values. Other photometric quantities suitable for determining glare can, of course, be used.

[0042] The generation of the external electromagnetic signals 5 will be discussed later. At this stage, it is assumed that the external electromagnetic signals 5 are present, are detected by the detection means 20, and contain data 50 relevant for adjusting the motor vehicle headlight system 1, wherein the data 50 contains information about a glare-causing misadjustment of at least one motor vehicle headlight 3.

[0043] The control device 2 is configured to evaluate the detected signals 5 with respect to the data 50 and to extract the information from the data 50.

[0044] To adjust the motor vehicle headlight system 1 or the motor vehicle headlight 3, the following steps are now carried out, as a flow chart in Figure 3 The steps shown are carried out.

[0045] In a first step - step J1 - the external electromagnetic signals 5 are detected by means of the detection means 20. In a second step - step J2 - the external electromagnetic signals 5 are evaluated with regard to the data 50 contained therein which are relevant for the adjustment, and the information about the incorrect adjustment of the motor vehicle headlight 3 causing the glare is extracted from the data 50 by means of the control device 2.

[0046] In a third step - step J3 - the motor vehicle headlight system 1 is adjusted by means of the control device 2 according to the extracted information in order to modify the light distribution 4 to the modified light distribution 6.

[0047] The aforementioned information may, for example, include spatial directions in which the at least one motor vehicle headlight 3 glares, and in step J3, the amount of light emitted in the spatial directions is reduced by a predetermined value in order to obtain the modified light distribution 6. These spatial directions may, for example, be determined based on positions of the aforementioned light sensors 80 (see Figure 7). For example, the information may consist only of the aforementioned spatial directions or of pairs, wherein a first element of each pair may be a message about existing glare in digital form, such as "Glare YES / NO", and a second element of each pair may be an associated spatial direction, which spatial direction may be determined, for example, by the position of the glared photodiode 80 (for example, left exterior mirror in Figure 7). In this case, it can also be provided that the method is repeated several times and the amount of emitted light is reduced step by step (in several iterations). If the aforementioned predetermined / preprogrammed value by which the amount of light is to be reduced is not large enough to avoid glare, the motor vehicle headlight system will continue to receive electromagnetic signals because, for example, one of the photodiodes is still being glared. A person skilled in the art understands glare from a photodiode to mean a situation in which the photodiode threshold value is exceeded, which photodiode threshold value corresponds to glare. At this point, it should be noted that the modified light distribution may have an additional dark area (due to the reduction in the amount of light) or may be shifted with respect to the unmodified light distribution.

[0048] Furthermore, it can be provided that the information about the incorrect adjustment of the motor vehicle headlight 3 causing glare comprises at least one radiation direction, which can be represented, for example, as a solid angle α, β, in which at least one radiation direction α, β of the at least one motor vehicle headlight 3 glares, one of the actual values ​​of the luminous intensity emitted by the motor vehicle headlight 3 in this radiation direction α, β, assigned to this at least one radiation direction α, β, and one of the target values ​​of the luminous intensity assigned to this at least one radiation direction α, β. In this case, the adjustment of the motor vehicle headlight system 1 or of the motor vehicle headlight 3 of the motor vehicle headlight system 1 is carried out until the actual value no longer exceeds the target value of the luminous intensity emitted in the corresponding radiation direction α, β.This process can also be performed step by step, so that the steps are repeated several times. In . Figure 1For example, it can be seen that the motor vehicle headlight 3 originally emits a light cone with an aperture angle α 0 . A projection of the light cone onto the measuring screen is the (unmodified) light distribution 4. The feedback system 7 now detects that the aperture angle α 0 is too large, which means that the light distribution 4 is, for example, too wide, or that the motor vehicle headlight 3 emits too much light in directions encompassed by a solid angle β. Too much means that the specified threshold value is preferably exceeded with statistical relevance. This exceeding is statistically relevant, for example, if the threshold value is exceeded continuously over a period of approximately 125 ms.The feedback system 7 reports this exceedance, preferably the statistically relevant exceedance, using the aforementioned electromagnetic signals 5 to the motor vehicle headlight system 1 (see below), which receives the signals 5, evaluates them, and extracts the information on how the light distribution 4 should be modified. The control device 2 then controls the motor vehicle headlight 3 according to this information. In the example according to . Figure 1 the control device 2 can, for example, control the motor vehicle headlight 3 in such a way that the motor vehicle headlight no longer emits any light in the radiation directions encompassed by the solid angle β - the light cone is shrunk - or emits less light so that the threshold values ​​corresponding to these radiation directions are no longer exceeded.

[0049] It is therefore quite conceivable that due to the adjustment of the motor vehicle headlight system 1 by the control device 2, a horizontal and / or vertical extent of the light distribution 4 can be reduced or shifted horizontally and / or vertically.

[0050] In general, the adjustment in step J3 can be carried out by reducing a light intensity emitted in at least one direction, wherein the reduction is carried out by changing at least one, preferably horizontal, beam angle / solid angle α, β of the at least one motor vehicle headlight 3.

[0051] This involves changing the orientation of the light distribution (main beam direction), preferably horizontally, relative to its original orientation. To facilitate understanding, it is assumed that the original light distribution causing glare is incorrectly adjusted. The beam angle / solid angle can be made smaller or larger, depending on the specific situation.

[0052] It can further be provided that basic settings are stored on the control device 2, according to which basic settings the (unmodified) light distribution 4 is generated when the motor vehicle headlight system is started up, wherein the control device 2 generates modified settings based on these basic settings and the information extracted in step J2 about the glare-causing information and adjusts the motor vehicle headlight system 1 in step J3 according to these modified settings so that the modified, preferably non-glaring light distribution is generated. An example of such basic settings is the aperture angle α 0 of the beam cone / light cone that is emitted when the motor vehicle headlight 3 is started up.

[0053] It may be useful if the control device 2 stores the modified settings (internally or externally - e.g. on an on-board computer or similar) and if machine learning software is installed on the control device 2, which software is programmed to decide, based on the basic settings and the modified settings, to replace at least part of the basic settings with a corresponding part of the settings or to leave the basic settings unchanged.

[0054] Such software can be useful, for example, if the motor vehicle headlight system 1 already installed in a motor vehicle is frequently notified (for example, five to ten times within a trip or within a specified time, preferably within a day or a week, or within a specified number of kilometers driven) that the motor vehicle headlight 3 is emitting too much light in one and the same solid angle, for example, β. After a change to the basic settings, the motor vehicle headlight 3 is operated in such a way that, from the outset, it emits, for example, a light cone with a reduced aperture angle α (α = α 0 - β).

[0055] For the purpose of executing the method, the control device 2 can comprise a computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program is stored and executable. The computer program comprises instructions that execute the described method when the computer program is executed.

[0056] An example of a method for providing the aforementioned electromagnetic signals 5 will now be described. The method is carried out by means of the aforementioned feedback system 7 according to the following steps (see Figure 4 ). In a first step - step B1 - the detection device, for example a measuring screen 8 ( Figure 1 ) or at least one light sensor 80, for example at least one camera and / or at least one photodiode ( Figures 1 and 2) detects at least a portion of the light distribution 4, 6 emitted by the motor vehicle headlight 3. A portion of the light distribution can mean both a continuous area, for example, a segment of the light distribution, as well as isolated points of the light distribution. It is understood that the detection device 8, 80 is not limited to a specific form of light distribution. The detection device 8, 80 is configured to detect both the unmodified light distribution 4 and the modified light distribution 6. As already mentioned, the detection device can also detect all "intermediate light distributions" emitted by the motor vehicle headlight 3 during the modification of the unmodified light distribution 4 to the modified light distribution 6.

[0057] In a second step - step B2 - areas in the detected part of the light distribution 4 in which glare is present are identified.

[0058] Furthermore, the computing unit 9 assigned to the detection device 8, 80 is configured to perform a third step—step B3—and a fourth step—step B4. In step B3, information about a glare-causing misadjustment of at least one motor vehicle headlight 3 is assigned to the identified areas. For example, the information can consist only of the aforementioned spatial directions or of pairs, wherein a first element of each pair can be a message about existing glare in digital form, such as "Glare YES / NO," and a second element of each pair can be an associated spatial direction. It is expedient if the positions of the aforementioned areas of the light distribution are known to the computing unit 9.

[0059] The detection device 8, 80 can also be configured to measure a luminance distribution corresponding to a light distribution generated by the motor vehicle headlight system 1. It can be useful if, in step B2, illuminance values ​​in the detected part of the light distribution 4 are determined and compared with corresponding predetermined threshold values ​​(e.g., 1 lux), and in step B3, each illuminance value that exceeds the corresponding threshold value, preferably with statistical relevance, is assigned a pair of a luminous intensity value and a spatial direction corresponding to the luminous intensity value, these pairs forming the information about an incorrect setting causing glare.

[0060] In step B4, the information is represented in the form of the data 50 relevant for adjusting the at least one external motor vehicle headlight 3 that has been put into operation.

[0061] In a fifth step - step B5 - the electromagnetic signals 5 are generated according to these data 50 and sent in the direction of the motor vehicle headlight 3. To carry out step B5, the feedback system 7 has a transmission device configured for this purpose. 10 The detection device 8, 80, the computing unit 9, and the transmission device 10 are connected to each other for the purpose of mutual information exchange.

[0062] For the example described above, in which the unmodified light distribution 4 is a light cone / radiation cone that is too wide open, the feedback to the motor vehicle headlight system 1 can be to reduce the aperture angle α 0 of the light cone. For this purpose, it is conceivable that radiation direction corrections / light cone corrections α, β are calculated from the spatial directions corresponding to the determined luminous intensity values, which radiation direction corrections β form part of the information about an incorrect adjustment causing glare. The radiation direction corrections β are transmitted to the motor vehicle headlight system 1 as described above, after which the unmodified light distribution 4 is modified into the modified light distribution 6, which is designed as a light cone with an aperture angle α = α 0 - β.

[0063] Figures 6a and 6bshow that the beam direction corrections β can also be implemented as a shift of the light cone. Figure 6a shows a high beam distribution 4, which is formed as a superposition of a low beam distribution A and a partial high beam distribution F. The modified light distribution 6 is also a high beam distribution, which is formed as a superposition of a low beam distribution A and a modified partial light distribution F', in this case shifted by an angle β. Figures 6a and 6b A general lesson can be drawn that the beam direction corrections are not only corrections of the opening angle of a light cone.

[0064] The beam direction corrections can be calculated based on the detected part of the light distribution, if, for example, a dazzling segment of a width d β is detected at the edge of the light distribution 4 (see Figure 1). This width d β can, for example, first be converted into an aperture angle β and then transmitted to the motor vehicle headlight system 1 with the signals 5 or also reported directly (without conversion) to the motor vehicle headlight system 1. The control device 2 then initiates a change in the settings of the motor vehicle headlight 3 so that the original aperture angle α 0 (default setting) is reduced to aperture angle α and the width of the dazzling segment is reduced to 0. In the case of a segmented light distribution, the corresponding segment can simply be dimmed or hidden. The person skilled in the art will understand that the term width can be measured in degrees relative to a segment of a light distribution, as is common in the field of lighting technology. Furthermore, it is clear that the beam direction corrections can also affect parts of the light distribution 4 that are not located at the edge of the light distribution 4. Figure 7 shows an example in which an inner segment of the light distribution 4 should be masked out or, if already masked out, corrected.

[0065] Examples of the above-described feedback systems 7 for providing the electromagnetic signals 5, which contain the data 50 relevant for adjusting at least the external (with respect to the feedback system 7) motor vehicle headlight 3 in operation, are shown on the Figures 1 and 2 shown. Figure 2shows a total of two such feedback systems 3, each installed in a motor vehicle. As already mentioned, the data 50 contains information about a glare-causing misadjustment of at least one motor vehicle headlight 3. The feedback system 7 comprises a detection device 8, 80 configured to detect at least a portion of a light distribution 4, 6 generated by the at least one motor vehicle headlight 3; a computing unit 9 configured to identify areas in the detected portion of the light distribution 4 in which glare is present, to assign to the identified areas information about a glare-causing misadjustment of at least one motor vehicle headlight 3, and to represent the information in the form of the data 50 relevant for adjusting the at least one external, operational motor vehicle headlight 3.Furthermore, the feedback system 7 comprises a transmission device 10 configured to generate the electromagnetic signals 5 according to the data 50 and to transmit the electromagnetic signals 5 in a predetermined direction, wherein the detection device 8, 80, the computing unit 9, and the transmission device 10 are interconnected. Generating the electromagnetic signals 5 according to the data 50 means generating the electromagnetic signals 5 such that the data 50 is contained in the electromagnetic signals 5. For example, the data 50 can be written into the electromagnetic signals 5 by means of coding. The motor vehicle headlight system 1 can read this data 50 from the electromagnetic signals 5.

[0066] As already mentioned, the computing unit 9 can also be configured to determine the illuminance values ​​in the detected part of the light distribution 4 and to compare the illuminance values ​​with predetermined threshold values ​​corresponding thereto and to assign to each illuminance value that exceeds the corresponding threshold value a pair of a luminous intensity value and a spatial direction corresponding to the luminous intensity value, these pairs forming the information about a misadjustment causing glare.

[0067] In addition, the feedback system 7 can comprise a computer program with instructions that, when executed by the feedback system 7, cause the computer program to execute steps of the method described above for providing the electromagnetic signals 5. The computer program can be stored, for example, on a preferably portable computer-readable storage medium that can be connected to the computing unit 9 or directly on the computing unit 9.

[0068] Referring to Figures 2 and 5 A method is now described which is based on the above-described method for reporting (electromagnetic signals) the undesired deviations (glare) in the light distribution to a motor vehicle headlight system 1 and for adjusting the motor vehicle headlight 3 based on this feedback. Figure 5 The process shown as a block diagram can be used in Figure 2schematically shown situation and is used, for example, to adjust a first motor vehicle 100 arranged motor vehicle headlight system 1 during its operation by means of feedback in the form of electromagnetic signals 5, which are transmitted by means of a 200 arranged feedback system 7. The feedback is generally generated in response to a (dazzling) light distribution generated by (both) motor vehicle headlights 3. Those skilled in the art will understand that the feedback system 7 or another, for example, identical feedback system 7 can be arranged in the first motor vehicle 100, and the motor vehicle headlight system 1 to be adjusted can be arranged in the second motor vehicle 200. Preferably, both motor vehicles 100, 200 are equipped with both a suitable motor vehicle headlight system 1 and a corresponding feedback system 7.

[0069] As described above, the motor vehicle headlight system 1 comprises the control device 2. In addition, two motor vehicle headlights 3 are assigned to the control device 2. Furthermore, the motor vehicle headlight system 1 comprises detection means 20, which are assigned to the control device 2 and are configured to generate a light distribution 4, for example a high beam distribution or a dynamically modifiable ADB light distribution, which can be dynamically modified by adjusting the motor vehicle headlights 3 by means of the control device 2, and the feedback is provided on the generated light distribution 4 (glare caused by the light distribution 4). It is understood that if the steps of the method are repeated because the modified light distribution 6 still causes glare, the feedback is provided on the modified light distribution 6.The detection means 20 are configured to detect the feedback in the form of electromagnetic signals 5, wherein the electromagnetic signals 5 contain data 50 relevant for adjusting the motor vehicle headlight system 1 or the motor vehicle headlights 3 of the motor vehicle headlight system 1, and the data 50, in turn, contains information about a misadjustment of the motor vehicle headlight 3 that causes glare. The control device 2 is configured to evaluate the feedback (the electromagnetic signals 5) with regard to this data 50 and to extract the information from the data 50. The feedback system 7 comprises, as already mentioned, the detection device in the form of a plurality of light sensors 80, the computing unit 9, and the transmission device 10, which, for example, has a plurality of transmitter / transmitter antennas.

[0070] The detection device 8, 80 is configured to detect at least a portion of the dynamically modifiable light distribution 4 (for example, an ADB high-beam distribution) of at least one predetermined type. The computing unit 9, which is connected to the detection device 8, 80 for information exchange, receives detected data from the detection device 8, 80, such as at least a portion of the light distribution 4 in the form of a distribution of illuminance values ​​or a light intensity distribution or individual illuminance values ​​with associated spatial directions.The computing unit 9 is configured to compare the at least one part of the light distribution 4 with a part of a desired light distribution corresponding to the at least one part, in order to determine the deviations between the at least one part of the light distribution 4 and the corresponding part of the desired light distribution, and to represent these deviations in the form of data 50 containing information about an incorrect adjustment causing glare and relevant for adjusting the at least one motor vehicle headlight 3. The deviations can, for example, be deviations from the above-mentioned threshold values ​​of the illuminance.

[0071] The transmission device 10 is configured to generate the electromagnetic signals 5 according to the data 50, for example depending on the determined deviations, and to transmit these electromagnetic signals 5 in the direction of the motor vehicle headlight system 1 of the first motor vehicle 100.

[0072] In a first step of the method - in step K1 - at least part of the light distribution 4 is detected by means of the detection device.

[0073] In a second step—step K2—the computing unit 9 identifies areas in the detected part of the light distribution 4 where glare is present. In step K30, the computing unit 9 assigns to the identified areas information about an incorrect adjustment of the at least one motor vehicle headlight 3 that causes glare.

[0074] Figure 5shows an example in which step K2 has sub-steps K20 and K21 and the assignment of information about a glare-causing incorrect setting to the identified areas is carried out in step K3 according to step K30. In step K20, the computing unit 9 determines illuminance values ​​based on the at least one detected part of the light distribution 4. Subsequently - in step K21 - the determined illuminance values ​​are compared with corresponding predetermined threshold values. Depending on the situation, the illuminance threshold values ​​can be different. If, for example, the light distribution 4 includes areas not intended for illumination - blanking areas - the threshold values ​​can be approximately 1 lux. It is also conceivable to adapt the threshold values ​​to glare values ​​known to a person skilled in the art. The glare values ​​include those values ​​for illuminance, light intensity, etc.to understand the threshold at which glare, such as physiological or psychological glare, occurs. If the illuminance value exceeds the threshold, preferably with statistical significance, proceed to a fourth step – step K30. Otherwise, the next illuminance value is selected and analyzed as described above.

[0075] In step K30, the computing unit 9 assigns to each illuminance value that exceeds the corresponding threshold value a pair of values ​​calculated from the determined / measured illuminance values, which pair contains a luminous intensity value and a spatial direction (radiation direction) corresponding to the luminous intensity value. Based on these values, the control device 2 of the motor vehicle headlight system 1 can control the motor vehicle headlights 3 such that the corresponding illuminance value is reduced and no longer exceeds the corresponding threshold value. These pairs preferably form the information about a glare-causing misalignment of the motor vehicle headlights 3. It is also conceivable to add desired / specified luminous intensity values ​​to the information about a glare-causing misalignment of the motor vehicle headlights 3 in addition to the pairs.In this case, the motor vehicle headlight system 1 receives not only the actually emitted luminous intensity values ​​calculated from the measured illuminance values ​​(actual values) but also the luminous intensity values ​​that its motor vehicle headlights 3 have to emit (target values).

[0076] In a fifth step - step K4 - the information is represented in the form of the data 50 relevant for adjusting the at least one motor vehicle headlight 3, such as, for example, desired light intensity values ​​and corresponding beam directions or a position of a segment (for example in the case of segmented high beam distributions or ADB light distributions) that is to be dimmed and / or faded out.

[0077] In a sixth step—step K5—the electromagnetic signals 5 are generated according to the data 50 by means of the transmission device 10. This means that the electromagnetic signals 5 serve as information carriers for transmitting the data 50. The electromagnetic signals 5 are then transmitted in the direction of the motor vehicle headlight system 1 of the first motor vehicle 100. For this purpose, the transmission device 10 can, for example, have directional antennas or the like.

[0078] After the feedback system 7 of the second motor vehicle 200 has sent the electromagnetic signals 5 in the direction of the first motor vehicle 100, these are detected in a seventh step - step K6 - using the detection means 20 of the motor vehicle headlight system 1 of the first motor vehicle 100.

[0079] In an eighth step - step K7 - the electromagnetic signals 5 are evaluated with regard to the data 50 contained therein relevant for adjustment, wherein the information about the misadjustment of at least one motor vehicle headlight 3 causing the glare is subsequently extracted from the data 50. This is done by means of the control device 2 in the first motor vehicle 100. This results in, for example, the pairs described above being obtained. Based on these pairs, the control device 2 obtains the radiation direction and the luminous intensity value actually emitted in this radiation direction. From this information, the control device 2 can determine the luminous intensity to be emitted in this radiation direction - the luminous intensity target value. As already mentioned, the luminous intensity target values ​​can also be calculated by the computing unit 9 of the feedback system 7 and sent along with the electromagnetic signals 5.If the motor vehicle headlights 3 have, for example, semiconductor-based light sources, preferably LED light sources, the emitted light intensity can be reduced by reducing the current through the light sources - dimming.

[0080] In an eighth step - step K8 - the motor vehicle headlight system 1 or the motor vehicle headlights 3 of the motor vehicle headlight system 1 are adjusted by means of the control device 2.

[0081] Based on the extracted information, the control device 2 modifies the original light distribution 4 to generate the modified light distribution 6, and adjusts the motor vehicle headlights 3 according to the evaluated data 50 and the information extracted from the data 50 such that the modified light distribution 6 does not have any illuminance values ​​that exceed the threshold values. This can be achieved, for example, as described above, by reducing the emitted luminous intensity in spatial directions extracted from the data 50 until the desired luminous intensity values ​​are preferably reached.

[0082] It is understood that the method described above can be carried out on both sides between two motor vehicles. As already mentioned, if both oncoming motor vehicles, such as the first motor vehicle 100 and the second motor vehicle 200, have both a motor vehicle headlight system 1 and a feedback system 7, both motor vehicle headlight systems 1 or all four motor vehicle headlights 3 can be adjusted. This is Figure 2 clearly deducible. Incorrect adjustment of the corresponding motor vehicle headlights 3 is reported both from the first motor vehicle 100 to the second motor vehicle 200 and from the second motor vehicle 200 to the first motor vehicle 100 (see electromagnetic signals 5, which propagate in opposite directions).

[0083] The above-described exchange of information contained in signals 5 during the process took place between two motor vehicles 100 and 200. This information exchange can occur, for example, within the framework of car-to-car communication. Car-to-X scenarios are also conceivable in which the motor vehicle headlight system 1 with motor vehicle headlights 3 to be adjusted is arranged in a motor vehicle 100, 200, and the feedback system 7 is designed as part of an infrastructure facility, for example, a traffic light or traffic control system.

[0084] Figures 2 and 7 show that the detection device is arranged on at least one longitudinal side of the corresponding motor vehicle 100, 200, preferably in at least one motor vehicle headlight 3 and / or in at least one exterior mirror 101, 102and / or an (interior) rearview mirror 103. The detection device can be designed as a plurality, preferably four, of light sensors 80 (see Figure 7 The light sensors can be implemented, for example, as photodiodes, particularly spatially resolving photodiodes, or as cameras. Cameras that are spatially resolving and / or suitable for recording luminance distributions are particularly advantageous.

[0085] Furthermore, it can be provided that the detection device is arranged on an outer circumferential contour of the motor vehicle 100, 200, which outer circumferential contour lies in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle 100, 200.

[0086] Furthermore, it may be expedient to arrange the detection device, preferably light sensors, in particular the photodiodes 80 in such a way that they define the outer circumferential contour, wherein an area limited by the outer circumferential contour should remain glare-free, in particular not illuminated (see Figure 7 This limited area defines a segment to be masked out if the generated light distribution is, for example, a segmented high beam distribution or ADB light distribution. If the light sensors 80 are arranged at certain, predetermined positions on the motor vehicle, these positions can be used to determine the radiation directions described above from which glare emanates.

[0087] As already mentioned, the methods can be repeated iteratively (implemented in the form of a loop). The motor vehicle headlight system 1, for example, an ADB system, then receives the electromagnetic signals 5 over a period of time that preferably corresponds to the time during which motor vehicles 100 and 200 pass each other, for example, over several seconds. These signals can contain information about incorrect adjustment in digital form – "glare YES / NO" signals – (plus the radiation direction from which the glare is coming). In response to the aforementioned signals 5, the motor vehicle headlight system 1, which has been "basically adjusted," for example, via the camera, can "feel its way" to the optimal blanking geometry without significant computational effort, whereby optimal light intensity values ​​are achieved iteratively. Ideally, this adjustment occurs so quickly that the very short glare flashes that occur are not perceived as disturbing by the driver of vehicle A.

[0088] Furthermore, by evaluating the signals and extracting the information from the data 50, the motor vehicle headlight system 1 can check and optimize its calibration / basic setting (assignment between light pixels with radiation characteristics and a light distribution measured, for example, by a camera).

[0089] The present invention also enables a scenario in which a motor vehicle leaves the factory without its headlights being adjusted, i.e., without any pre-adjustments. Instead of a complicated and often inaccurate adjustment, a motor vehicle can, as part of a quality assurance process, travel a route upon leaving the assembly line, which is provided with the above-described feedback systems 7 (as shown in Figure 7). This allows the vehicle to find a suitable basic setting when leaving the factory and thus automatically corrects any installation inaccuracies in its headlights and / or between the headlights and the body / camera. For example, Figure 7 It can be seen that the feedback system 7 enables the creation of correctly positioned and / or shaped cut-off lines HD1, HD2 of a low-beam distribution from an originally arbitrarily set cut-off line HD0. Furthermore, a feedback system 7 allows the setting of blanking areas. Figure 7 shows that a probable position of the head 81 of a driver of an oncoming motor vehicle is set. The position of the head 81 can be determined, for example, using additional reference sensors 82which are provided in the detection device. Alternatively, the detection device can provide additional light sensors, for example photodiodes (not shown), which are arranged to delimit the aforementioned blanking area.

[0090] The reference numerals in the claims and in the description serve only to improve the understanding of the present application and should in no way be considered as a limitation of the subject matter of the present invention.

[0091] The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. For example, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of the invention have been grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This manner of disclosure should not be construed to reflect an intent that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects are found in fewer than all features of a single embodiment described above. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0092] Furthermore, although the description of the invention includes the description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g., within the ability and knowledge of those skilled in the art, after understanding the present disclosure.

Claims

1. Method for adjusting a motor vehicle headlamp (3) of a motor vehicle headlamp system (1) for a first motor vehicle (100) during its operation with the aid of feedback in the form of electromagnetic signals (5) provided by a feedback system (7) in a second motor vehicle (200), wherein * the motor vehicle headlamp system (1) comprises a control device (2), at least one motor vehicle headlamp (3) assigned to the control device (2) and detection means (20) assigned to the control device (2) and is set up to generate a light distribution (4) of at least one predetermined type, which light distribution (4) can be dynamically modified to form a modified light distribution (6) by adjusting the at least one motor vehicle headlamp (3) by means of the control device (2), wherein - the detection means (20) are set up for detecting the electromagnetic signals (5), which electromagnetic signals (5) contain data (50) relevant for adjusting the motor vehicle headlamp system (1), the data (50) containing information about a misadjustment of the at least one motor vehicle headlamp (3) causing glare, and - the control device (2) is set up for evaluating the electromagnetic signals (5) with regard to the data (50) and for extracting the information from the data (50), wherein the feedback system (7) for calculating and outputting the electromagnetic signal (5) comprises: * a detection device (8, 80), a computing unit (9) and a transmission device (10) - with respect to the motor vehicle headlamp system (1) - are provided externally and are set up to generate the feedback on the light distribution (4), wherein - the detection device (8, 80) is set up to detect at least part of the dynamically modifiable light distribution (4) of at least one predetermined type; - the computing unit (9) is arranged to identify areas in the detected part of the light distribution (4) in which glare is present, to assign to the identified areas information about a misadjustment of the at least one motor vehicle headlamp (3) causing glare, and to represent the information in the form of the data (50) relevant for adjusting the at least one motor vehicle headlamp (3), and - the transmission device (10) is arranged to generate the electromagnetic signals (5) in accordance with the data (50) and to transmit the electromagnetic signals (5) in a predetermined direction, which method comprises the following steps: Step K1: detecting the at least one part of the light distribution (4) by means of the detection device (8, 80); Step K2: identifying areas in the detected part of the light distribution (4) in which glare is present, illuminance values being determined in the detected part of the light distribution and the illuminance values determined subsequently being compared with a predetermined threshold value, Step K3: assigning to the identified areas information about a glare-causing misalignment of the at least one motor vehicle headlamp (3), the computing unit for assigning to each illuminance value which exceeds the threshold value corresponding thereto a pair of a luminous intensity value and a spatial direction, corresponding to the luminous intensity value, in which the at least one motor vehicle headlamp (3) emits a glare-causing amount of light, this pair forming the information about a glare-causing misalignment; Step K4: Representing the information in the form of the data (50) relevant for adjusting the at least one motor vehicle headlamp (3); Step K5: Generating the electromagnetic signals (5) in accordance with the data (50) and transmitting the electromagnetic signals (5) in the direction of the at least one motor vehicle headlamp system (1) by means of the transmission device (10); Step K6: Detecting the electromagnetic signals (5) by means of the detection means (20); Step K7: evaluating the electromagnetic signals (5) with regard to data (50) contained therein which is relevant for the adjustment and extracting the information about the misadjustment of the at least one motor vehicle headlamp (3) causing glare from the data (50) by means of the control device (2); Step K8: adjusting the motor vehicle headlamp system (1) by means of the control means (2) to modify the light distribution (4) based on the extracted information to produce the modified light distribution (6), wherein the motor vehicle headlamp system (1) is adjusted by adjusting the at least one motor vehicle headlamp (3) by means of the control device (2) in accordance with the evaluated data (50) and the information extracted from the data, wherein the amount of light emitted in the spatial directions is reduced by a predetermined value in order to obtain the modified light distribution (6).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the information about a misadjustment causing glare comprises - at least one emission direction (α, β) in which at least one emission direction (α, β) of the at least one motor vehicle headlamp (3) dazzles, - an actual value of the luminous intensity emitted by the motor vehicle headlamp (3) in this beam direction (α, β), which is assigned to this at least one beam direction (α, β), and - a target value of the luminous intensity associated with this at least one emission direction (α, β), the motor vehicle headlamp system (1) being adjusted until the actual value no longer exceeds the target value.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a horizontal and / or a vertical extension of the light distribution (4) is reduced as a result of the adjustment of the motor vehicle headlamp system (1) by the control device (2).

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light distribution (4) is shifted horizontally and / or vertically as a result of the adjustment of the motor vehicle headlamp system (1) by the control device (2).

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the adjustment is carried out by reducing a luminous intensity emitted in at least one direction, the reduction being carried out by changing at least one, preferably horizontal, beam angle of the at least one motor vehicle headlamp.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that basic settings are stored on the control device (2), according to which basic settings the light distribution (4) is generated when the motor vehicle headlamp system is put into operation, the control device (2) generating modified settings on the basis of these basic settings and the extracted information about the incorrect setting causing glare and adjusting the motor vehicle headlamp system (1) according to these modified settings so that the modified light distribution (6) is generated.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the control device (2) stores the modified settings and machine learning software is installed on the control device (2), which is programmed to decide, on the basis of the basic settings and the modified settings, to replace at least some of the basic settings with a corresponding part of the settings or to leave the basic settings unchanged.