Method for creating a lighting atmosphere in a motor vehicle's interior based on its environment.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for creating ambient lighting in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising a first step (A) of capturing an image of the environment outside the vehicle using at least one image capture unit, the first step (A) being followed by a second step (B) of transforming, by a transformation unit, the image captured in the first step (A) to extract at least one visual element from the captured image, the second step (B) being followed by a third step (C) of displaying each visual element on at least one display unit capable of emitting light using a screen or at least one light-emitting diode in order to generate ambient lighting in the passenger compartment. (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Method for creating a lighting atmosphere in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle according to its environment.

[0001] The technical field relates to the processes of creating a luminous atmosphere in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, the devices enabling the implementation of such a process and the vehicles equipped with such devices.

[0002] Manufacturers take great care to improve passenger comfort in their vehicles. Furthermore, for car manufacturers, the quality of finish and aesthetic appeal of their vehicles are essential to differentiate themselves from other brands.

[0003] In this context, modern vehicles are equipped with numerous lighting elements which, in addition to the safety functions for which they are designed, allow for the creation of recognizable light signatures. Thus, inside such a vehicle, it is common to find lighting elements such as LED strips to highlight certain shapes or decorative features in the passenger compartment. Sometimes, the screens available in the passenger compartment, for example designed to display navigation and / or vehicle information, are used to contribute to the ambient lighting in the passenger compartment.

[0004] When the ambient lighting is adaptable, it generally requires action from the driver or a passenger to be modified. Such an action, when performed by the driver while driving, can be dangerous.

[0005] Furthermore, no known solution allows for the creation of a lighting atmosphere based on the external context, other than taking into account the external brightness to adapt the intensity of the lighting.

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the problems described above. In this technical context, one objective of the present invention is to provide a solution for automatically adapting the ambient lighting to increase visual comfort without dazzling the driver.

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a method for creating a lighting atmosphere in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising a first step consisting of capturing an image of the environment outside the vehicle using at least one image capture unit, the first step being followed by a second step consisting of transforming, by a transformation unit, the image captured in the first step to extract at least one visual element of the captured image, the second step being followed by a third step consisting of displaying each visual element on at least one rendering unit capable of diffusing light using a screen or at least one light-emitting diode in order to generate a luminous atmosphere in the passenger compartment.

[0008] The invention further relates to a device comprising at least one capture unit, at least one transformation unit and at least one restitution unit designed to respectively implement a first, a second and a third stage of a process according to the invention to implement the process in order to create a luminous atmosphere.

[0009] The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one device according to the invention.

[0010] Thus, a method according to the invention makes it possible to create a lighting ambiance in a vehicle's interior and offers an adaptive, immersive atmosphere that meets safety requirements regarding driver distraction. The lighting ambiance created by the method according to the invention automatically adapts to the environment in which the vehicle according to the invention is moving. Implementing the method according to the invention is simple using a device according to the invention.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, each visual element is a color.

[0012] According to one possibility, the first step is preceded by a step consisting of selecting an area of ​​the vehicle's environment to be captured.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the second step comprises an operation aimed at modifying the saturation, brightness and / or contrast factor of the captured image.

[0014] Advantageously, the second step includes an operation of blurring the captured image.

[0015] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] represents a schematic view of the steps in a process of creation of a lighting atmosphere according to the invention.

[0017] A method according to the invention makes it possible to create a luminous atmosphere in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

[0018] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the method according to the invention comprises a first step A of capturing an image of the environment outside the vehicle using at least one image capture unit. The capture unit includes, for example, a camera or a set of cameras mounted on the vehicle according to the invention and oriented so as to observe the environment outside the vehicle. Advantageously, the first step is preceded by a step of selecting an area of ​​the vehicle's environment to be captured. For example, such a step selects an area located at the front of the vehicle according to the invention, more particularly an area located on the side opposite the driver; indeed, such an area is very dynamic and is representative of what the vehicle's passengers might see of the landscape. Alternatively, the area of ​​the environment is located in the lower part of the image captured in the first step A when it originates from a capture unit located at the level of a door panel.

[0019] The first step A of the process is followed by a second step B consisting of performing a transformation, by a transformation unit, of the image captured in the first step A in order to extract at least one visual element from the captured image. According to one possibility, each visual element is a color.

[0020] The transformation unit includes, for example, a microprocessor specialized in image processing.

[0021] Advantageously, the second step B includes an operation to modify the saturation, brightness, and / or contrast factor of the captured image. Further advantageously, the second step includes an operation to blur the captured image.

[0022] In the method according to the invention, the second step B is followed by a third step C consisting of displaying each visual element on at least one display unit capable of diffusing light by means of a screen or at least one light-emitting diode, in order to generate ambient lighting in the passenger compartment. For example, the display unit comprises at least one strip of light-emitting diodes, capable of displaying the visual elements, designed to be arranged in the dashboard and / or in the door of the vehicle according to the invention.

[0023] In order to implement the process according to the invention, a device according to the invention then comprises at least one capture unit, at least one transformation unit and at least one restitution unit designed to respectively implement a first A, a second B and a third C step of a process according to the invention, to implement the process in order to create a luminous atmosphere.

[0024] Thus, a method according to the invention makes it possible to create a luminous atmosphere in a vehicle's interior and offers an adaptive immersive environment that meets the safety requirements regarding driver distraction. The implementation of the method according to the invention is simple using a device according to the invention. Finally, the implementation of the method according to the invention allows the driver and / or passengers to better perceive the vehicle's environment and improves driver alertness.

[0025] The invention is not limited to the method of implementing a process for creating a luminous atmosphere described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments can be devised by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope and scope of the present invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for creating a lighting ambiance in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprising a first step (A) of capturing an image of the environment outside the vehicle using at least one image capture unit, the first step (A) being followed by a second step (B) of transforming, by a transformation unit, the image captured in the first step (A) to extract at least one visual element from the captured image, the second step (B) being followed by a third step (C) of displaying said visual element on at least one display unit capable of emitting light using a screen or at least one light-emitting diode in order to generate a lighting ambiance in the passenger compartment,characterized in that at least one visual element is a color and that the first step (A) is preceded by a step consisting of selecting an area of ​​the vehicle's environment to be captured and that the second step (B) comprises: an operation aimed at modifying the saturation, brightness and / or contrast factor of the captured image; an operation of blurring the captured image.

2. Device comprising at least one capture unit, at least one transformation unit and at least one restitution unit designed to respectively implement a first (A), a second (B) and a third (C) step of a process according to claim 1 to implement the process in order to create a luminous atmosphere.

3. Motor vehicle comprising at least one device according to claim 2.

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