Method and device for controlling the light intensity of rear signal lights of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling the rear signal lights of a first vehicle (10). For this purpose, data representing an area (101) at the rear of the first vehicle (10) are received from one or more on-board sensors. The light intensity level of the rear signal light(s) is controlled according to the data obtained, the control including a reduction in light intensity when the data analysis reveals that no vehicle is detected behind the first vehicle, or when the data analysis reveals that a second vehicle (11) detected behind the first vehicle (10) is located at a lateral distance from the first vehicle (10) greater than a predetermined threshold. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling the light intensity of rear signal lights of a vehicle technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a set of rear signal lights of a vehicle, particularly an electric vehicle. The present invention also relates to a method and device for controlling the luminous intensity of one or more rear signal lights of a vehicle, for example, rear position lights. The present invention further relates to a method and device for controlling the electrical consumption of a vehicle, particularly an electric vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Modern vehicles incorporate a significant number of parts and components whose operation requires electrical energy. The electrical energy powering these parts and other components is supplied by one or more batteries. High electricity consumption by these parts and other components necessitates more frequent battery recharging, which reduces its lifespan.

[0003] The electrical energy requirements are, of course, even greater for electric vehicles whose electric motor is powered by a traction battery. One of the limitations of electric vehicles concerns their range, which depends on the capacity of the traction battery and the electric vehicle's electrical energy requirements to power the motor and all other components operating on the electrical energy supplied by the battery. High electrical energy consumption leads to a reduction in the electric vehicle's range.

[0004] Summary of the present invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to reduce the electrical energy consumption of a vehicle.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a set of rear signal lights of a first vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: - receiving representative data of a part of the environment of the first vehicle located behind the first vehicle from at least one object detection sensor on board the first vehicle; - control of the light intensity of the entire rear signal light assembly based on the data, the control including: • a reduction in light intensity when no vehicle is detected behind the first vehicle in the area of ​​the environment defined by the data; or • a reduction in light intensity when a distance value representing a lateral distance between the first vehicle and a second vehicle detected behind the first vehicle exceeds a determined threshold value, the distance value being determined from the data.

[0008] Reducing the brightness of the rear signal lights when no vehicle is detected behind the first vehicle, or when a second vehicle behind the first vehicle is at a lateral distance from the first vehicle greater than a certain threshold (indicating, for example, a lane change), reduces the electrical consumption of the rear signal lights and therefore of the vehicle, while ensuring the safety of the first vehicle. Indeed, in these two scenarios, no vehicle is directly behind the first vehicle, and maintaining a high level of rear visibility of the first vehicle is not required.

[0009] According to one variant, the control of the light intensity includes a control of the intensity of an electric current supplying the rear signal lights, the reduction of the light intensity being achieved by reducing the intensity of the electric current.

[0010] According to another variant, the reduction of the light intensity is controlled to go from a first determined light intensity value to a second determined light intensity value lower than the first determined light intensity value.

[0011] According to an additional variant, the second determined luminous intensity value is equal to 4 cd.

[0012] According to yet another variant, at least one object detection sensor belongs to an object detection sensor set comprising: - a radar; - a camera; and - a LIDAR.

[0013] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device for a set of rear signal lights of a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for the implementation of the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0014] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0015] According to one variant, the vehicle corresponds to an electric vehicle.

[0016] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which includes instructions adapted for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0017] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or an intermediate form between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0018] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0019] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can include a storage means, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit-type ROM, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk drive.

[0020] On the other hand, this recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or radio frequency, by self-directing laser beam, or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention can, in particular, be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0021] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the process in question. Brief description of the figures

[0022] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 4, in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a first vehicle followed by a second vehicle, according to a first particular and non-limiting example of the present invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates the first vehicle of the [Fig.1] followed by a second vehicle, according to a second particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a device configured to control a set of rear signal lights of the first vehicle of the [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] [Fig.4] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of a rear signal light assembly of the first vehicle of the [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Description of examples of implementation

[0028] A method and device for controlling a set of rear signal lights of a vehicle will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 4. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description that follows.

[0029] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the control of one or more rear signal lights (for example, the rear position lights) of a first vehicle includes the reception, from one or more on-board object detection sensors of the first vehicle (for example, one or more radars, Lidar and / or cameras), of data representative of a part of the environment located behind the first vehicle (according to the direction of travel of the first vehicle).

[0030] The light intensity level of the rear signal light(s) is controlled according to the data obtained, the control comprising: - a reduction in light intensity when data analysis reveals that no vehicle is detected behind the first vehicle; or - a reduction in light intensity when data analysis reveals that a second vehicle detected behind the first vehicle is at a lateral distance from the first vehicle that is greater than a determined threshold (which indicates that the second vehicle is travelling in a different traffic lane than the first vehicle, or that a traffic lane change is in progress).

[0031] The rear signaling light assembly advantageously includes the rear position lights of the first vehicle. In one embodiment, the rear signaling light assembly further includes the rear turn signals and / or the rear marker lights.

[0032] Reducing the light intensity thus makes it possible to reduce the electrical consumption of the first vehicle, which for example has the effect of increasing the range of the first vehicle when one of its motors is powered by a traction battery.

[0033] Indeed, it has been observed that the electrical energy required to power the rear LED (Light-Emitting Diode) signal lights of a vehicle currently in operation is a significant contributor to the vehicle's overall energy consumption (on the order of 160 Wh on average). In fact, many manufacturers set the luminous intensity of vehicle rear signal lights to a level (SI) higher than the minimum level (S0) required by regulations, in order to provide maximum safety by making the vehicle as visible as possible, at the expense of the vehicle's electrical consumption.

[0034] Reducing the light intensity of the traffic lights when no second vehicle is traveling directly behind the first vehicle thus makes it possible to reduce the electrical energy consumption of the first vehicle while maintaining a sufficient level of safety and visibility of the first vehicle.

[0035] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an environment 1 in which a first vehicle 10 evolves, according to a first particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Fig. 1 illustrates a first vehicle 10, for example a motor vehicle, carrying one or more sensors configured to detect the presence of objects in the environment 1, for example a road environment 1, of the first vehicle 10, in particular at the rear of the first vehicle 10 according to the direction of travel of the first vehicle 10. According to other examples, the first vehicle 10 corresponds to a coach, a bus, a truck, a utility vehicle or a motorcycle, that is to say a motorized land vehicle.

[0037] According to a particular embodiment, the first vehicle 10 corresponds to an electric vehicle, that is to say, a vehicle operating solely on electrical energy, or to a so-called hybrid vehicle, operating on electrical energy (to power one or more electric motors) and on fossil fuels (to power an internal combustion engine). An electric vehicle is equipped with one or more traction batteries to store electrical energy in order to power the electric motor(s).

[0038] According to the example in [Fig.1], the first vehicle 10 travels on a section of road with two traffic lanes 1001, 1002. The first vehicle 10 travels for example on the right traffic lane 1001, the two traffic lanes 1001 and 1002 being in the same direction of travel.

[0039] Of course, the environment 1 in which the first vehicle 10 travels is not limited to the example in [Fig. 1] but extends to any environment, for example an environment including two-way traffic roads, expressways, highways and / or urban roads, etc.

[0040] The first vehicle 10 carries, for example, one or more of the following sensors: - one or more millimeter wave radars arranged on the first vehicle 10, for example at the front, at the rear, on each front / rear corner of the vehicle; each radar is adapted to emit electromagnetic waves and to receive the echoes of these waves returned by one or more objects (for example a second vehicle 11 located behind the first vehicle 10 according to the example in [Fig. 1]), in order to detect obstacles and their distances from the first vehicle 10;and / or - one or more LIDAR(s) (Light Detection and Ranging), a LIDAR sensor corresponding to an optoelectronic system composed of a laser emitter, a receiver comprising a light collector (to collect the portion of the light radiation emitted by the emitter and reflected by any object located in the path of the light rays emitted by the emitter) and a photodetector which transforms the collected light into an electrical signal; a LIDAR sensor thus makes it possible to detect the presence of objects (for example the second vehicle 11) located in the emitted light beam and to measure the distance between the sensor and each detected object; and / or - one or more cameras (associated or not with a depth sensor) for the acquisition of one or more images of the environment around the first vehicle 10 located in the field of vision of the camera(s).

[0041] The data obtained from this or these sensors vary depending on the type of sensor. In the case of a radar or a LiDAR, the data corresponds, for example, to distance data between points on the detected object and the sensor. Each detected object is thus represented by a point cloud (each point corresponding to a point on the object receiving the radiation emitted by the sensor and reflecting at least part of this radiation), the point cloud representing the envelope (or part of the envelope) of the detected object as seen by the sensor and ultimately by the vehicle 10 carrying the sensor. In the case of a video camera, the data corresponds to data associated with each pixel of the acquired image(s), for example, grayscale values ​​coded on, for example, 8, 10, 12 or more bits for each color channel, for example RGB (Red, Green, Blue).This data allows, for example, the determination of the successive positions taken by an object moving in the environment 1, for example the second vehicle 11, and the deduction of one or more pieces of information such as the longitudinal distance (along the longitudinal axis X of an orthonormal frame associated with the first vehicle 10 for example) and / or the lateral distance (along the transverse axis of the orthonormal frame) between the first vehicle 10 and the second vehicle 11. This data, in particular that obtained from a camera, also allows the determination of lines on the ground to, for example, participate in the. determining whether the second vehicle 11 and the first vehicle 10 belong to the same traffic lane, for example.

[0042] The data acquired by the on-board sensor(s) feed, for example, one or more driver assistance systems, called AD AS (from the English "Advanced Driver-Assistance System" or in French "Système d'aide à la conduite avancé"), on-board in the first vehicle 10. Such an AD AS system is configured to assist, or even replace, the driver of the first vehicle 10 in controlling the first vehicle 10 on its journey.

[0043] The first vehicle 10 advantageously carries one or more of the sensors listed above arranged to acquire data on the part 101 of the environment 1 located behind the first vehicle 10 according to the direction of travel of the first vehicle 10. This or these sensors thus cover an area 101 following the first vehicle 10 as the first vehicle 10 moves.

[0044] The sensor(s) responsible for monitoring zone 101, for example to detect the presence of object(s) (another vehicle, for example) in this zone, include, for example: - one or more radars, for example, mounted on the rear bumper of the first vehicle 10; and / or - a LIDAR mounted on the rear of the first vehicle 10 facing area 101; and / or - one or more cameras, for example the reversing camera, one or more cameras of a 360° vision system (for example arranged on the exterior mirrors), a high windshield camera arranged in the passenger compartment of the first vehicle at the level of the rear window and having in its field of vision at least part of zone 101.

[0045] According to the example in [Fig.1], the second vehicle 11 is outside the area 101 covered by the object detection sensor(s) of the first vehicle 10. The second vehicle 11 is therefore not detected by the sensor(s) because it is located at a longitudinal distance from the first vehicle which is greater than the maximum detection range, denoted 'D' (for example equal to 70, 100, 150 or 200 m) of the object detection sensor(s) of the first vehicle 10.

[0046] According to the example in [Fig.1], no vehicle is detected in area 101 and it is therefore considered that no vehicle is following the first vehicle 10 in environment 1.

[0047] When a second vehicle is detected in zone 101, the first vehicle 10 determines the longitudinal distance between the first vehicle 10 and this second vehicle, based on data obtained from the object detection sensor(s) of the first vehicle 10, for example at regular intervals (e.g. every 100, 200, 500 ms). Such an analysis of the distance makes it possible to anticipate an exit of the second vehicle from zone 101, when this longitudinal distance increases regularly, for example when the relative speed of the first vehicle with respect to the second vehicle increases (for example when the first vehicle accelerates and / or when the second vehicle slows down and / or stops).

[0048] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the first vehicle 10 in environment 1, according to a second particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] According to the example in [Fig.2], the second vehicle 11 is detected in the area 101 which corresponds to the area covered by the object detection sensor(s) of the first vehicle 10. According to this example, the second vehicle 11 being detected as being present in the area 101, the second vehicle 11 is considered to be located behind the first vehicle 10.

[0050] According to this example, the second vehicle 11 is located at a lateral distance, denoted 'd', from the first vehicle 10. The lateral distance 'd' is along the transverse axis Y of the frame associated with the first vehicle 10, that is to say an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the first vehicle 10.

[0051] When this lateral distance 'd' exceeds (or is greater than) a threshold distance value (for example, equal to or approximately equal to half a lane width, for example, equal to 1.5 or 1.7 m, or within a range of distances between half a lane width and a lane width, for example, equal to 2, 2.5, or 3 m), then the first vehicle 10 and the second vehicle 11 are considered not to be traveling in the same lane. According to the example in [Fig. 2], the first vehicle 10 is traveling in lane 1001 and the second vehicle 11 in lane 1002, which is adjacent to lane 1001.

[0052] A change of lane of the second vehicle 11 with respect to the first vehicle 10 is detected by measuring the lateral distance between the two vehicles, for example at regular intervals (for example every 100, 200, 500 ms), as soon as a second vehicle 11 is detected behind the first vehicle 10.

[0053] When the lateral distance 'd' exceeds the determined threshold value, then it is considered that there is a change of lane of one vehicle with respect to the other (that is to say either the second vehicle changes lane and goes from lane 1001 to 1002 while the first vehicle 10 remains in its lane, or conversely it is the first vehicle 10 that changes lane of traffic while the second vehicle 11 remains in its lane).

[0054] The lateral distance 'd' is advantageously determined by the first vehicle 10 from the data obtained from the on-board object detection sensor(s) covering the area 101.

[0055] This lateral distance 'd' is, for example, determined by considering a first reference point of the first vehicle 10 (for example, the midpoint of the rear axle) and a second reference point of the second vehicle 11 (for example, a point on the outer envelope representing the second vehicle 11 and formed from a set of points obtained from the object detection sensor(s)). The second reference point corresponds, for example, to the point representing the front right or left corner of the second vehicle, or to the midpoint of a segment whose endpoints correspond to the front left and right corners.

[0056] According to another example, the lateral distance 'd' is determined by considering the lane marking line delimiting the two traffic lanes 1001 and 1002. Such a lane marking line is detected, for example, by the first vehicle 10 based on data obtained from a camera mounted in the first vehicle 10, for example, by a lane marking detection system, for example, coupled with a SALC (Semi-Automatic Lane Change) system. Image processing is applied to the images obtained from the camera(s) of the lane marking detection system to determine the presence of lane marking lines and to classify these lines into different categories, for example, to determine whether the lane marking lines correspond to edge lines or center lines.An example of image processing for detecting lines on the ground is described in document WO2017194890A1.

[0057] The lateral distance between the first vehicle 10 and the ground marking line is determined by image processing and the lateral distance between the second vehicle 11 and the ground marking line is determined using the data representing the second vehicle 11 obtained from the object detection sensor(s) of the first vehicle 11. The lateral distance 'd' is obtained by summing the two lateral distances.

[0058] A process for controlling a set of rear signal lights of the first vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by the first vehicle 10. The process is implemented, for example, by one or more devices embedded in the first vehicle 10, for example by one or more processors of one or more computers.

[0059] The computer implementing the process corresponds to one of the computers in the embedded system of the first vehicle 10. This computer corresponds, for example, to a VSM (Vehicle Supervisor Module) type computer, also sometimes called a BSI (Built-in Systems Interface) computer. Such a computer is connected to the other computers and / or embedded sensors of the first vehicle 10 via one or more data buses. These computers and sensors form the on-board system of the first vehicle 10 and form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for the implementation of various services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle in the control of the first vehicle 10, for example by automatically controlling the light intensity of the rear signal lights of the first vehicle 10. The computers communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a CAN data bus (from the English "Controller Area Network" or in French "Réseau de contrôlers"), CAN FD (from the English "Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate" or in French "Réseau de contrôlers à débit de données flexible"), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (according to the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0060] In a first operation of the process, data representative of a part 101 of the environment 1 of the first vehicle 10, which part 101 is located behind the first vehicle 10, are received from one or more object detection sensors on board the first vehicle 10. This or these sensors correspond for example to one or more radars, a LIDAR and / or a camera.

[0061] The data is received for example by the computer in charge of the process directly from the sensor(s) or from one or more computers controlling this or these sensors.

[0062] The data are for example representative of the presence or absence of a second vehicle 11 in the area 101 behind the first vehicle 10.

[0063] When a second vehicle 11 is detected in the area 101, a longitudinal distance and a lateral distance between the first vehicle 10 and the second vehicle 11 are determined, for example regularly from the detection of the second vehicle 11 in the area 101.

[0064] In a second operation, the luminous intensity of the rear signal lights of the first vehicle 10 is controlled according to the data obtained in the first operation.

[0065] Advantageously, the control includes: - a reduction in light intensity when no vehicle is detected behind the first vehicle 10 in zone 101, i.e., when the data obtained is representative of the absence of detection of a second vehicle in zone 101; or - a reduction in light intensity when a distance value representing a lateral distance between the first vehicle 10 and the second vehicle 11 detected exceeds a predetermined threshold value (the threshold value being equal to half the width of a traffic lane or slightly greater than half the width of a lane (for example, half the width of a traffic lane multiplied by a coefficient equal to 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3).

[0066] According to one embodiment, a reduction in light intensity is implemented when a second vehicle 11 is detected in zone 101 and the longitudinal distance between the first vehicle 10 and the second vehicle 11 increases over time (for example, when the speed of the first vehicle 10 is greater than the speed of the second vehicle 11, for example, when the second vehicle 11 is traveling slower, or when the second vehicle 11 stops or is stationary). According to this embodiment, the reduction in light intensity is implemented, for example, before the second vehicle 11 leaves zone 101 (i.e., before the longitudinal distance between the first vehicle 10 and the second vehicle 11 exceeds the range 'D' of the sensors of the first vehicle 10), in order to anticipate the exit of the second vehicle 11 from zone 101.

[0067] The control includes, for example, a reduction in light intensity from a first current intensity value (for example, equal to 10, 12 or 14 candelas (cd)) to reach a second determined intensity value (corresponding, for example, to a parameter stored in memory or to a parameter adjustable by the driver or an operator from a human-machine interface provided for this purpose).

[0068] The second determined luminous intensity value is, for example, equal to 4 cd. According to other examples, the second luminous intensity value is equal to 5, 6, or 8 cd. The second determined luminous intensity value is advantageously greater than or equal to a determined minimum value corresponding, for example, to a regulatory or legal threshold valid in the country in which the first vehicle 10 is operating.

[0069] The reduction of the light intensity is advantageously achieved by controlling the intensity (in amperes) of the electric current supplying the rear signal lights, for example by controlling the intensity to go from a first intensity of the electric current to a second intensity determined and lower than the first intensity of the electric current.

[0070] According to one variant, the reduction in light intensity is achieved by controlling the supply voltage of the rear signal lights of the first vehicle 10.

[0071] When the rear signal lights are controlled at the second light intensity value and a second vehicle is detected in zone 101 (for example because it is approaching the first vehicle 10 from the rear), the light intensity is then controlled to be increased to the first light intensity value for example.

[0072] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a device 3 configured to control a set of rear signal lights of a vehicle, for example the first vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Device 3 corresponds, for example, to a device embedded in the first vehicle 10, for example a computer.

[0073] Device 3 is, for example, configured to carry out the operations described opposite Figures 1 and 2 and / or the steps of the process described opposite [Fig. 4]. Examples of such a device 3 include, but are not limited to, embedded electronic equipment such as a vehicle's on-board computer, an electronic control unit such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop computer. The elements of device 3, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. Device 3 can be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules, or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0074] The device 3 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 30 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the process and / or for executing instructions from the software embedded in the device 3. The processor 30 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 3 further comprises at least one memory 31, for example, volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and / or includes a memory storage device that may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0075] The computer code of the embedded software(s) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on memory 31.

[0076] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 3 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (Telematic Control Unit), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0077] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 3 includes a block 32 of interface elements for communicating with external devices, for example, a remote server or the cloud, other nodes of the ad hoc network. The interface elements of the block 32 include one or more of the following interfaces: - radio frequency (RF) interface, for example of the Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or of the Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced; - USB interface (from the English "Universal Serial Bus" or "Universal Serial Bus" in French); - HDMI interface (from the English "High Definition Multimedia Interface", or "High Definition Multimedia Interface" in French); - LIN interface (from the English "Local Interconnect Network", or in French "Réseau interconnecté local").

[0078] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 3 includes a communication interface 33 which enables communication with other devices (such as other computers in the embedded system) via a communication channel 330. The communication interface 33 corresponds, for example, to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 330. The communication interface 33 corresponds, for example, to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by ISO 17458) or Ethernet (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3) type.

[0079] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 3 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers, and / or other peripherals (projection system) via respective output interfaces. In one variant, one or more of the external devices is integrated into the device 3.

[0080] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps in a method for controlling a set of rear signal lights of a vehicle, for example the first vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented, for example, by a device mounted in the first vehicle 10 or by the device 3 of Figure 3.

[0081] In a first step 41, data representative of a part of an environment of the first vehicle located behind the first vehicle are received or obtained from at least one object detection sensor on board the first vehicle.

[0082] In a second step 42, the luminous intensity of the rear signal lights is controlled according to the data, the control comprising: • a reduction in light intensity when no vehicle is detected behind the first vehicle in the area of ​​the environment defined by the data; or • a reduction in light intensity when a distance value representing a lateral distance between the first vehicle and a second vehicle detected behind the first vehicle exceeds a determined threshold value, the distance value being determined from the data.

[0083] According to one variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to [Fig.1] apply to the steps of the process in [Fig.4].

[0084] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a vehicle signaling method that would include secondary steps without falling outside the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0085] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-powered vehicle, comprising the device 3 of [Fig.3].

Claims

Demands

1. Method for controlling a set of rear signal lights of a first vehicle (10), said method comprising the following steps: - receiving (41) data representative of a part (101) of an environment of said first vehicle (10) located behind said first vehicle from at least one object detection sensor mounted in said first vehicle (10);- control (42) of a luminous intensity of illumination of said rear signal lights according to said data, said control including a reduction of said luminous intensity when a distance value representing a lateral distance between said first vehicle (10) and a second vehicle (11) detected behind said first vehicle (10) exceeds a determined threshold value, said distance value being determined from said data, said reduction of luminous intensity being controlled to go from a first determined luminous intensity value to a second determined luminous intensity value lower than said first determined luminous intensity value, the second determined luminous intensity value being greater than or equal to a determined minimum value corresponding to a regulatory threshold.;

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said light intensity control comprises a control of the intensity of an electric current supplying said set of rear signal lights, said reduction of light intensity being achieved by reducing said intensity of the electric current.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second determined luminous intensity value is equal to 4 cd.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one object detection sensor belongs to an object detection sensor assembly comprising: - a radar; - a camera; and - a LIDAR.

5. A computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of the claims previous ones, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

6. A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the process according to any one of claims 1 to 4

7. 1 d H-. Device (3) for controlling a set of rear signal lights of a vehicle, said device (3) comprising a memory (31) associated with at least one processor (30) configured for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8.

9. Vehicle (10) comprising device (3) according to claim 7. Vehicle (10) according to claim 8, said vehicle (10) corresponding to an electric vehicle.

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