Method for managing at least one ambient lighting device in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

Abstract

Title: Method for managing at least one ambient lighting device in a motor vehicle interior. This method comprises receiving or detecting data relating to the vehicle's position coordinates, a date and time of day, determining the sun's hour angle and sunrise and sunset times, and distributing a plurality of lighting colors according to the sun's hour angle and / or sunrise and sunset times. No figure is provided for the abstract.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for managing at least one ambient lighting device in a motor vehicle interior. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a method for managing at least one ambient lighting device in a motor vehicle interior. The invention also relates to a system capable of executing such a method. The invention also relates to a computer program product for implementing the steps of the method according to the invention. State of the prior art

[0002] In the automotive industry, it is known to configure the ambiance of the interior cabin of the vehicle in order to optimize user comfort. Systems for managing lighting devices fitted to the passenger compartment of the vehicle allow a user to select and adjust the color of lighting emitted by lighting devices fitted to the passenger compartment, in particular ambient lighting devices. The color of the lighting is then selected from a palette of predefined colors. A disadvantage of such management systems lies in the fact that the selected lighting may be poorly suited to the external environment. Also, such systems may lack transitions between distinct lighting colors or have transitions that lack fluidity.

[0003] Other systems for managing the lighting devices fitted to the passenger compartment of the vehicle make it possible to dynamically adjust the color of the lighting emitted by the lighting devices according to the time, that is to say according to the circadian rhythm, in particular by offering lighting with cold tones during the day and warm tones at night. A disadvantage of such management systems lies in the fact that they are not representative of the reality of the lighting of the external environment and may be poorly adapted to it. In particular, they do not take into account the variations in the lighting of the external environment depending on the location, and, consequently, the importance of such variations over the year. Consequently, transitions between distinct lighting colors may be poorly adapted because they are too rapid or abrupt. Presentation of the invention

[0004] The present invention falls within this context and aims to propose a method for managing at least one lighting device equipping a vehicle interior, in particular at least one ambient lighting device, remedying the above drawbacks in order to optimize user comfort. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention relates to a method for managing at least one lighting device of a vehicle interior comprising: - a step of receiving or detecting data relating to the vehicle's position coordinates, particularly a longitude and a latitude, by means of a location means and data relating to a date and time of a current day; - a step of determining an hourly angle of the Sun using the data received or detected; - a step of determining a sunrise and sunset time based on the calculated hour angle; - a step of distributing a plurality of lighting colors each associated with an index, a first subset of lighting colors being distributed over a day phase and / or a second subset of lighting colors being distributed over a night phase, said phases being determined as a function of the hour angle of the Sun and / or the times of sunrise and sunset.

[0006] The hour angle can be defined based on the latitude of the vehicle and a declination of the Sun.

[0007] Sunrise and sunset times can be set based on the hour angle of the Sun, the vehicle's longitude, and the equation of time.

[0008] The management method may further comprise a step of determining a current day type from among a current day of the polar day type, comprising only one day phase, of the polar night type, comprising only one night phase and a conventional current day comprising a day phase and a night phase, the step of determining the rising and setting time being executed only when it is detected that the current day is of the conventional current day type.

[0009] The step of distributing the lighting colors may comprise a sub-step of determining a duration of the day phase and / or a duration of the night phase, the distribution of the lighting colors being carried out in a uniform or non-uniform manner for the day phase and / or the night phase depending on the duration of the phase considered and the indexes of the lighting colors.

[0010] In particular, the method may comprise a sub-step of calculating a duration of application of at least one lighting color of the first subset and / or of the second subset as a function of the duration of the day phase and / or the duration of the night phase and a sub-step of comparing said duration of application with a predefined minimum application time threshold. The method may then comprise a sub-step of adjusting the distribution of the colors when it is detected that the duration of application is strictly less than the minimum application time threshold.

[0011] The invention also relates to a method for controlling lighting in a vehicle interior comprising, initially, the steps of the management method of the invention and: - a step of selecting a lighting color to be applied according to the time, the time of rising or setting and according to the index specific to the lighting color; and - a step of applying the selected lighting color by controlling the at least one lighting device.

[0012] The invention also relates to a system for controlling lighting in a vehicle interior, the system comprising hardware and / or software elements implementing the management method and / or the control method according to the invention, the hardware elements comprising at least one data processing unit, a means for locating the vehicle, at least one lighting device and a module for controlling said lighting device.

[0013] The invention extends to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a lighting control system according to the invention.

[0014] The invention may further extend to a computer program product comprising program code instructions recorded on a computer-readable medium for implementing the steps of the management method and / or the control method according to the invention when said program operates on a computer. Alternatively, the computer program product is downloadable from a communications network and / or recorded on a data medium readable by a computer and / or executable by a computer.

[0015] The invention further relates to a data recording medium, readable by a computer, on which is recorded a computer program according to the invention comprising program code instructions for implementing the management and / or control method according to the invention.

[0016] The present invention finally relates to a signal of a data medium, carrying the computer program product as set out previously. Presentation of figures

[0017] Other details, characteristics and advantages will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given below, for informational and non-limiting purposes, in relation to the various exemplary embodiments illustrated in the following figures:

[0018] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of one embodiment of a vehicle lighting management system equipped within a vehicle.

[0019] [Fig.2] is a general flowchart of an example of execution of a method of management and a method of controlling vehicle lighting.

[0020] [Fig. 3] is a flowchart detailing an example of execution of the methods according to the invention.

[0021] [Fig.4] is a flowchart detailing examples of variants of execution of the methods according to the invention. Detailed description

[0022] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates an embodiment of a control system 1 for lighting, in particular ambient lighting, of a vehicle interior 2. In particular, the control system 1 is capable of controlling one or more lighting devices 3 equipping the vehicle 2, particularly a vehicle interior 2. The lighting devices 3 considered may in particular be lighting devices 3 specifically intended for implementing a defined ambiance within the vehicle interior 2, for example by lighting architectural elements of the vehicle 2. The control system 1 may be equipped in any type of vehicle 2, in particular in motor vehicles 2, for example private vehicles 2, utility vehicles, or public transport vehicles such as buses, trains or other.

[0023] The control system 1 comprises hardware and / or software elements capable of implementing a method 100 for managing the lighting of the vehicle 2 and a method 200 for controlling the lighting of the vehicle 2 according to the invention, further defined below. The hardware elements comprise at least one data processing unit 4, a means 5 for locating the vehicle 2, at least one lighting device 3 and a control module 6 for said lighting device 3.

[0024] The processing unit 4 comprises at least one computer comprising hardware and software resources, more precisely at least one processor, or microprocessor, cooperating with one or more memory elements included in the control system 1 or equipped in the vehicle 2. The memory element is a storage space constituting a recording medium readable by a computer or by the computer of the processing unit 4 and which comprises instructions which, when executed by the computer or the computer, lead the latter to implement the methods according to the invention. The computer is thus able to execute instructions for the implementation of a computer program.

[0025] The location means 5 may in particular allow the location of the vehicle 2. It integrates, for example, a system for locating the vehicle 2 and / or a map of the road infrastructure. In particular, the location of the vehicle 2 may be provided by a GPS type system, from the English acronym “Global Positioning System”. Alternatively or in addition, the location means 5 may be a location system embedded in the vehicle 2. The location means 5 is capable of receiving and transmitting, in particular to the processing unit 4, data relating to the position of the vehicle 2 such as GPS coordinates including a longitude and a latitude of the vehicle 2. The location means 5 may, furthermore, optionally be configured to receive and transmit data relating to a date and a time of a current day. Here, the term "current day" means a day of the calendar year corresponding to a time interval which separates a moment from its next day at the same time.

[0026] Optionally, the control system 1 may comprise a communication module 7 configured to receive data from a database or from one or more connected devices, such as a mobile phone, a connected watch or other, via a low-frequency or high-frequency wireless link. This may, for example, be a wireless link based on “cellular”, “Wi-Fi” and / or “Bluetooth” technologies. As further explained below, the communication module 7 may be implemented in order to extract data relating to the position coordinates of the vehicle 2 and / or relating to the date and time of the current day.

[0027] The control module 6 is configured to control the at least one lighting device 3. It is in particular capable of changing the lighting color according to instructions communicated by the processing unit 4. Optionally, the control module 6 can be configured to control at least one other action of the at least one lighting device 3, such as switching on, switching off, adjusting the intensity or any other parameter specific to the lighting device 3 in question. Advantageously, the control module 6 can be configured so as to control a plurality of lighting devices 3 simultaneously or successively.

[0028] Figures 2 to 4 illustrate examples and variants of execution of a method 100 for managing at least one lighting device 3, in particular ambient lighting, of a vehicle interior 2. The invention also relates to a method 200 for controlling the at least one lighting device 3. Such methods can also be considered as being methods of operating the control system 1 described previously or as a method of operating the motor vehicle 2 equipped with such a control system 1.

[0029] The management method comprises a step of receiving or detecting E1 data relating to position coordinates of the vehicle 2 and relating to a date and time of a current day of the year.

[0030] The data relating to the position coordinates of the vehicle 2 relate in particular to the longitude and latitude of the vehicle 2. These data can be received by the location means 5. Additionally or alternatively, these data can be received via the communication module 7 for example in order to confirm the data received by the location means 5.

[0031] The data relating to the date and time of the current day of the year may be received by the location means 5 and / or via the communication module 7. The data relating to the date may be transmitted directly in the form of a rank jx on the scale of the year, also referred to as the date or day number. Optionally, the reception or detection step E1 may comprise a sub-step of converting data relating to the date into a rank jx by the processing unit 4. The data relating to the time may in particular take into account a time zone, also defined as a function of the position coordinates, and a predefined time difference relating to a season, as conventionally observed in summer or winter.

[0032] The processing unit 4 then executes a step E2 of determining an hour angle Ho of the Sun by means of the received or detected data. According to a particular exemplary embodiment, the hour angle Ho can be defined by calculating the declination Decx of the Sun.

[0033] The declination of the Sun, in a known manner, can be defined according to:

[0034] (i) DeCx = sin-1 [ (), 39774sin (L, )]

[0035] Where Ls corresponds to the true longitude of the Sun, defined according to:

[0036] (2) L5 = 280 + 1.91364 sin(M) +0.1997 sin(2M) +0.9856^

[0037] And

[0038] (3) 356.7187 +0.9856 x (4-1)

[0039] Where:

[0040] jx corresponds to the rank of the current day of the year;

[0041] M corresponds to the average anomaly.

[0042] The processing unit 4 is then able to determine the hour angle Ho of the Sun when its edge is on the horizon according to: -0.01454-sin (Decx) xsin (Lat) cos(D«\)xcos(Lat)

[0044] Where

[0045] Lat corresponds to the latitude of the position of vehicle 2;

[0046] Decx corresponds to the declination of the Sun as defined above.

[0047] The method then comprises a step E3 of determining a sunrise time HL and a sunset time Hc of the Sun as a function of the calculated hour angle Ho. The processing unit 4 calculates the sunrise time HL, also referred to as the UTC sunrise time, and the sunset time Hc, also referred to as the UTC sunset time, according to:

[0048] (5) Hl= 12 - Ho + ET + Ton

[0049] (6) Hc = 12 + Ho + ET + Ton (4) cqs(Ho) =

[0050] Where Ho is the hour angle Ho of the Sun as defined above;

[0051] Lon corresponds to the longitude of the vehicle's position;

[0052] ET corresponds to the equation of time.

[0053] The equation of time, in a known manner, can in particular be defined according to:

[0054] (1 ) ET = 4[ 1.91364sin( M) + 0.1997sin( 2M ) - 2.46513sin( 2L) + 0.05303sin(4L,)]

[0055] The Equation of Time corrects for the fact that the Sun passing across the sky accelerates and slows down relative to an average time due to the tilt of the Earth's rotation axis and its elliptical orbit around the Sun.

[0056] The management method 100 then comprises a step E4 of distributing a plurality of lighting colors Cx. Each lighting color Cx is associated with an index kx which is specific to it. The term “index” means an identifier specific to a lighting color Cx. The index kx is also representative of an order, or rank, of a lighting color Cx considered on the scale of the plurality of lighting colors or of a subset of lighting colors considered. The index kx is in the form of an integer between 1 and n, n corresponding to the total number of lighting colors Cx included in the plurality of lighting colors. The kx index can be previously associated with a predefined color depending on the position of the color considered on a reference system such as an RGB space, a CIE1931 trichromatic space, an L*a*b space, a color wheel or any other suitable color space allowing the color to be defined unequivocally.The color can thus be defined and characterized relative to one or more reference frames. Note that, in a known manner, it is possible to move from one reference frame to another via known existing conversion matrices.

[0057] A first subset of lighting colors selected from the plurality of lighting colors Cx is intended to be distributed over a day phase PI and / or a second subset of lighting colors is intended to be distributed over a night phase P2 of the current day. The day phase PI corresponds to a period for which the Sun is up, in particular between a sunrise and a following sunset. Conversely, a night phase P2 corresponds to a period for which the Sun is down, in particular between a sunset and a following sunrise. Said phases are in particular determined as a function of the hour angle Ho of the Sun and / or the sunrise and sunset times, as further explained below.The plurality of lighting colors Cx, in particular included in the first subset and the second subset, can be previously selected by the manufacturer from a palette of colors available in a defined color space. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of lighting colors Cx can be modified or defined by a user of the vehicle 2.

[0058] According to a particular example of execution, the step E4 of distributing the colors lighting Cx may optionally comprise a sub-step E41 for determining a duration of the day phase PI and / or the night phase P2. The duration of the day phase Djour is determined by the processing unit 4 by subtracting the bedtime Hc from the wake-up time HL. The duration of the night phase Dnuit is determined by the processing unit 4 by subtracting the wake-up time HL from the bedtime Hc or by subtracting the duration of the day phase Djour from the duration of a current day, i.e. 24 hours.

[0059] A sub-step E43 of calculating the distribution of the lighting colors Cx can then be carried out, for the day phase PI and / or the night phase P2. Such a sub-step is, preferably at least carried out as a function of the duration of the phase considered and the indexes kx of the lighting colors Cx.

[0060] For example, the lighting colors Cxi of the first subset may be distributed uniformly over the duration of the day phase Djour and / or the lighting colors Cx2 of the second subset may be distributed uniformly over the duration of the night phase Dnuit. Here, the term “uniform” means that each lighting color is implemented by the at least one lighting device 3 for an application duration Dapp equal to the scale of the phase considered.

[0061] According to an alternative, the lighting colors Cxi of the first subset may be distributed non-uniformly over the duration of the day phase Djour and / or the lighting colors Cx2 of the second subset may be distributed non-uniformly over the duration of the night phase Dnuit. For example, the distribution may be adapted according to the zenith or nadir of the Sun, or according to its rising or setting, as further explained below. For example, such a distribution may be carried out via a table.

[0062] As indicated previously, the index kx is also representative of an order, or rank, of a lighting color considered on the scale of the plurality of lighting colors Cx or of a subset of lighting colors Cxi or Cx2 considered. The day phase PI and / or night phase P2 of each current day can thus be divided into a succession of periods having an application duration Dapp that is equal or not depending on the execution mode of the method implemented. The distribution step E4 then makes it possible to associate a lighting color Cx having a defined index kx with a specific period of a phase considered.

[0063] Also, according to an exemplary embodiment, the lighting colors Cxi of the first subset can be distributed so as to present a succession of colors of increasing index kx over the duration of the day phase Djour and / or the lighting colors Cx2 of the second subset can be distributed so as to present a succession of colors of increasing index kx over the duration of the night phase Dnuit.

[0064] For example, in a non-limiting manner, for a plurality of lighting colors Cx comprising a total of 48 distinct colors, 24 colors of index kx ranging from 1 to 24 may be included in the first subset and 24 colors of index kx ranging from 25 to 48 may be included in the second subset, the lighting colors Cx of each subset being distributed and organized in an increasing manner. Thus, by way of example, a lighting color of index kx=4 will be the fourth lighting color of the day phase PI, implemented during the fourth period of the day phase PI, and a lighting color of index kx=26 will be the second lighting color of the night phase P2, associated with the second period of the night phase P2.

[0065] For example, the lighting colors Cx of the first subset may have cool tones, while the lighting colors Cx of the second subset may have warm tones.

[0066] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a particular example of execution of the method according to the invention in which the management method 100 may optionally further comprise a step E5 of determining a current day type from among a current day of the polar day type, of the polar night type or a so-called “classic” current day. Such a step may, for example, be executed prior to the distribution step E4, or even, preferably, prior to the step E3 of determining a sunrise and sunset time. A current day of the “polar day” type is understood to mean a current day comprising only a day phase PI, that is to say a current day during which the Sun does not set, also known as the “midnight sun” or “midnight sun” in English.This phenomenon occurs around the summer solstice, i.e. around June in the northern hemisphere and December in the southern hemisphere, at high latitudes beyond the Arctic and Antarctic circles. Conversely, "polar night" is defined as a normal day comprising only a P2 night phase, i.e. a normal day during which the Sun does not rise. This phenomenon occurs particularly in the northernmost and southernmost regions of the Earth, i.e. at the level of the polar circles. Finally, "classical normal day" is defined as a normal day comprising a PI day phase and a P2 night phase.

[0067] The current day type is determined based on the hour angle Ho of the Sun as follows: - If cos(Ho) > 1, the current day is of the polar night type; - If cos(Ho) < -1, the current day is of the polar day type; and - If cos(Ho) e [-1 ; 1], the current day is of the classic current day type.

[0068] Thus, for the particular example cited earlier, in which the distribution of the lighting colors Cx is carried out on the basis of a first subset and a second subset of colors each comprising 24 lighting colors Cx, the distribution can be carried out as follows depending on the current day type detected: - in the case of a current day of the polar night type, the duration of the night phase Dnuit is 24 hours and the lighting colors Cx2 of index kx 25 to 48 included in the second subset are distributed over the duration of the night phase Dnuit, in particular so as to change every hour in the case of a uniform distribution; - in the case of a current day of the polar day type, the duration of the day phase Djour is 24 hours and the lighting colors Cxi of index kx 1 to 24 included in the first subset are distributed over the duration of the day phase Djour, in particular so as to change every hour in the case of a uniform distribution; - in the case of a current day of the classic type, as explained above, the lighting colors Cxi and Cx2 of the first subset and of the second subset are respectively distributed over the day phase PI and the night phase P2 according to their durations, for example according to a uniform distribution.

[0069] The management method 100 can advantageously be optimized so that at least some of the steps are executed conditionally depending on the type of day of the current day. In particular, the step E3 of determining the time of rising H1 and setting Hc can be executed only when it is detected that the current day is of the conventional current day type, as illustrated in [Fig. 3] or 4. In other words, the step of determining the time of rising HL and setting Hc is not executed when it is detected that the current day is of the polar day or polar night type.

[0070] [Fig.4] illustrates as a particular, optional example of execution of the method according to the invention advantageously making it possible to optimize the transition between distinct lighting colors Cx as a function of an application duration Dapp thereof. The method then comprises, following the sub-step E41 of determining the duration of the day phase PI and / or the night phase P2, a sub-step E42 of calculating an application duration Dapp of at least one lighting color of the first subset and / or the second subset.

[0071] For example, for a uniform distribution, the application duration Dapp of a lighting color is calculated by dividing the duration of the day phase Djour or the night phase Dnuit respectively by a number of lighting colors of the first subset nPb, i.e., of the day phase PI, or a number of lighting colors of the second subset nP2, i.e., of the night phase P2. It is thus possible to define an application duration Dapp Pi of a lighting color during the day phase PI and / or an application duration Dapp P2 of a lighting color during the night phase P2. The application durations of each lighting color are thus dependent on the sunrise HL and sunset Hc times as well as the date and position of the vehicle 2, in particular its latitude.

[0072] Alternatively, in the case of a non-uniform distribution, it may be envisaged to execute longer application durations Dapp when the Sun is at the zenith or nadir or, conversely, when it rises or sets. The application duration Dapp can then, for example, be determined via a table which, for each index kx specific to a lighting color and associated with a period of a phase considered, also associates a coefficient Ax, defining a relative weight of the different periods, and by extension index kx, of the phase considered. A larger coefficient Ax is thus associated with a longer application duration and vice versa. The sum of coefficients Axi specific to the day phase PI is then equal to 1 and the sum of coefficients Ax2 specific to the night phase P2 is also equal to 1.The application duration Dapp can then be predetermined as indicated above with reference to a uniform distribution, then modulated by the coefficients AX1 and Ax2 in order to determine the application duration actually programmed.

[0073] The method may then comprise a sub-step E44 of comparing said application duration Dapp with a predefined minimum application time threshold Smin app. The minimum application time threshold Smin app corresponds to an application duration Dapp below which the transition between distinct lighting colors Cx may be deemed too rapid and uncomfortable for a user. For example, the minimum application time threshold Smin app may be of the order of 1 minute, or even 30 seconds or 10 seconds. Such a principle makes it possible in particular to avoid a transition and / or a sequence of lighting colors Cx that is too rapid in situations having a very short day phase PI or night phase P2, for example less than one hour.

[0074] Alternatively, such a principle can be applied mutatis mutandis to the duration of the day phase Dday and / or to the duration of the night phase Dnight, a minimum threshold of duration of day phase Sminday and / or a minimum threshold of duration of night phase Sminnight can then respectively be applied, for example of the order of 1 hour or 30 minutes.

[0075] The method then comprises a sub-step E45 of adjusting the distribution of the colors when it is detected that the application duration Dapp of a lighting color is strictly less than the minimum application threshold Smin app.

[0076] For example, in order to allow a more suitable transition, the adjustment sub-step E45 can implement: - increasing the application duration Dapp of all or part of the lighting colors of the first subset Cxi and / or of the second subset Cx2 so that it is greater than or equal to the minimum application threshold; and / or - the deletion of at least part of the lighting colors of the first subset Cxi and / or of the second subset Cx2.

[0077] The sub-steps E42 of calculating an application duration Dapp of at least one lighting color, of comparing E44 and of adjusting E45 can be carried out before and / or simultaneously with the sub-step of calculating the distribution E43.

[0078] The distribution of the lighting colors Cx specific to the first subset and / or to the second subset can then be adjusted to take into account such a modification of the available lighting colors Cx and / or of their duration of application Dapp

[0079] The invention also relates to a method 200 for controlling lighting, in particular ambient lighting, of a vehicle interior 2. The control method 200 initially comprises the steps of the management method 100 as set out above. The control method 200 then comprises a step E20 of selecting a lighting color Cx to be applied as a function of the time and the distribution of the lighting colors Cx previously carried out, that is to say as a function of the rising time HL or the bedtime Hc and as a function of the index kx specific to the lighting color.

[0080] To this end, the method firstly comprises a sub-step E21 of determination, by the processing unit 4, of the phase of the current day in progress by evaluating a difference existing between the time hx at a defined instant t, for example received via the location means 5 and / or the communication module 7, and the time of getting up HL on the one hand. The processing unit 4 similarly calculates the difference between the time and the time of going to bed Hc.

[0081] Different cases can then be defined: - a first case: If (hx - HL) > 0 and (hx - Hc) < 0 then the current phase is the day phase PI; - a second case: If (hx - HL) < 0 and (hx - Hc) < 0 then the current phase is the night phase P2 preceding sunrise of the current day; - a third case: If (hx - HL) > 0 and (hx - Hc) > 0 then the current phase is the night phase P2 following sunset of the current day.

[0082] For example, for a uniform distribution of the kx indices as explained above, the kx index of the lighting color can then be determined as a function of the phase of the current day and the time hx.

[0083] If the current phase is the first case, corresponding to the day phase PI, the index kx is defined as follows:

[0084] (8K + 1

[0085] If the current phase is the second case, corresponding to the night phase P2 preceding sunrise of the current day, the index kx is defined as follows: 100861

[0087] If the current phase is the third case, corresponding to the night phase P2 following sunset, the index kx is defined as follows: 100881 (æ)^=[S] + 1 + ^

[0089] Where:

[0090] hx is the hour of the current day;

[0091] Hl is the previously calculated rising time;

[0092] Hc is the previously calculated bedtime;

[0093] Dapp_pi is the duration of application of a color of the day phase PI;

[0094] Dapp_p2 is the duration of application of a color of the night phase P2;

[0095] nPi is the number of lighting colors of the day phase PI.

[0096] The processing unit 4 is thus able to determine the lighting color to be applied. On the basis of the result obtained, the processing unit 4 transmits an order to the control module 6 which then executes a step E22 of applying the lighting color Cx selected by controlling the at least one lighting device 3.

[0097] The present invention thus proposes a management method and a control method for at least one lighting device of a motor vehicle interior allowing a more suitable distribution of the lighting colors of the interior as a function of the environment outside the vehicle, and more particularly as a function of the ascent and declination cycle of the Sun. The methods according to the invention are advantageously adapted to the variations of such a cycle conventionally observed as a function of the time of year or the geographical position of the vehicle 2. They thus allow refined management of the lighting of the interior optimizing the comfort of the user. In addition, the methods according to the invention are implemented by hardware elements conventionally equipping vehicles, so that they can be integrated into vehicles at low or lower cost.

[0098] The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration and to any technically operative combination of such means insofar as they ultimately fulfill the functionalities described and illustrated in the present document.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for managing (100) at least one lighting device (3) of a vehicle interior (2) characterized in that it comprises: - a step of receiving or detecting (El) data relating to position coordinates of the vehicle (2), including at least one longitude and one latitude, by means of a location means (5) and data relating to a date and a time of a current day; - a step of determining (E2) an hour angle (Ho) of the Sun by means of the received or detected data; - a step of determining (E3) a time of sunrise (HL) and sunset (Hc) of the Sun as a function of the calculated hour angle (Ho);- a step of distributing (E4) a plurality of lighting colors (C x) each associated with an index (kx), a first subset of lighting colors (Cxi) being distributed over a day phase (PI) and / or a second subset of lighting colors (Cx2) being distributed over a night phase (P2), said phases being determined as a function of the hour angle (Ho) of the Sun and / or the sunrise and sunset times; characterized in that it further comprises a step of determining (E5) a current day type from among a current day of the polar day type, comprising only a day phase (PI), of the polar night type, comprising only a night phase (P2) and a conventional current day comprising a day phase (PI) and a night phase (P2), and in that the step of determining the sunrise (HL) and sunset (Hc) time is only executed when it is detected that the current day is of the conventional current day type.;

2. Management method (100) according to the preceding claim, in which the hour angle (Ho) is defined as a function of the latitude (Lat) of the vehicle and a declination (Decx) of the Sun.

3. Management method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sunrise time (HL) and the sunset time (Hc) are defined as a function of the hour angle (Ho) of the Sun, the longitude (Lon) of the vehicle (2) and the equation of time (ET).

4. Management method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the step of distributing (E4) the lighting colors (Cx) comprises a sub-step of determining (E41) a duration of the day phase (Dday) and / or a duration of the night phase (Dnight), the distribution of the lighting colors (Cx) being carried out in a manner uniform or non-uniform for the day phase (PI) and / or the night phase (P2) depending on the duration of the phase considered and the indexes (kx) of the lighting colors (Cx).

5. Management method (100) according to the preceding claim, comprising a sub-step of calculating (E42) an application duration (Dapp) of at least one lighting color of the first subset and / or of the second subset as a function of the duration of the day phase (D day) and / or the duration of the night phase (D night) and a sub-step of comparing (E44) said application duration (Dapp) with a predefined minimum application time threshold (Smin app), the method comprising a sub-step of adjusting (E45) the color distribution when it is detected that the application duration (Dapp) is strictly less than the minimum application time threshold (Smin app

6. )■ Method for controlling (200) lighting of a vehicle interior (2) comprising, in a first step, the steps of the management method (100) according to one of the preceding claims and: - a step of selecting (E20) a lighting color to be applied as a function of the time, the sunrise time (HL) or sunset time (Hc) and as a function of the index (kx) specific to the lighting color; and - a step of applying (E22) the lighting color selected by controlling the at least one lighting device (3).

7. Control system (1) for lighting a vehicle interior (2), the system comprising hardware and / or software elements implementing the control method according to the preceding claim, the hardware elements comprising at least one data processing unit (4), a means (5) for locating the vehicle (2), at least one lighting device (3) and a control module (6) for said lighting device (3).

8. Vehicle (2), in particular motor vehicle (2), comprising a lighting control system (1) according to the preceding claim.

9. Computer program product comprising program code instructions recorded on a computer-readable medium for implementing the steps of the management method according to one of claims 1 to 5 and / or of the control method according to claim 6 when said program operates on a computer.

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