Method for the dynamic control of a vehicle's lighting system, computer component, computer program and lighting system for implementing the method

The dynamic control of vehicle lighting systems using a trained control unit and semiconductor light sources optimizes energy use and safety by adapting to weather and traffic conditions, addressing regulatory compliance and visual comfort.

FR3149669A1Inactive Publication Date: 2024-12-13VALEO VISION SA
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2023010171
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-09-26
Publication Date
2024-12-13
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing vehicle lighting systems face challenges in optimizing energy consumption while adhering to regulatory requirements and improving visual comfort and user safety, particularly in varying weather and traffic conditions.

Method used

A method for dynamic control of vehicle lighting systems using a control unit trained to recognize environmental conditions, adjusting lighting configurations based on weather and traffic conditions through machine learning, and employing a matrix arrangement of semiconductor light sources for adaptive lighting.

Benefits of technology

The method reduces energy consumption by dynamically adjusting lighting configurations to meet regulatory standards and enhance user safety, minimizing unnecessary light intensity and pollution, while maintaining visibility.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a method, a computer component, a computer program, and a lighting system for the dynamic control of a vehicle's lighting, controlled by a control unit (2) to provide a plurality of lighting configurations for said system (1), and, furthermore, at least one sensor (3) for acquiring data on the vehicle's external environment. The method comprises prior training of the control unit (2) to detect vehicle movement and to discriminate between weather conditions favorable and unfavorable to driving, in order to control said lighting system by providing modified lighting configurations when said vehicle is traveling in weather conditions favorable to driving and in conditions unfavorable to driving. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1
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Description

Title of the invention: Method for the dynamic control of a vehicle lighting system, computer component, computer program and lighting system for implementing the method

[0001] The present invention is related to the field of lighting and / or signaling devices for motor vehicles, in particular automobiles, and more particularly to the management of energy consumption by these devices.

[0002] Indeed, a recurring problem in the field of lighting devices concerns energy consumption, and the technologies of these devices are evolving to limit energy consumption and increase their lifespan. In addition to these solutions relating to the devices themselves, the problem of managing vehicle lighting to limit energy consumption persists. In fact, regulations in force in different countries around the world impose various parameters for vehicle lighting, such as size, arrangement, range, width, etc. For example, Regulation No. 48 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) provides uniform requirements for vehicle type approval with regard to the installation of lighting and signaling devices.In general, regulations aim to ensure the safety and proper functioning of lighting devices. Certain parameters, such as range, width, and intensity, are defined to guarantee good visibility of the vehicle from the outside and good visibility for occupants of the vehicle's surroundings. However, visibility conditions vary widely while driving, depending on natural factors like the time of day and weather, as well as environmental factors such as street lighting (especially in urban areas), traffic density, and so on. Consequently, regulations often result in lighting levels exceeding what is necessary for the safety of road users, due to the combined effect of lights from various vehicles and / or their surroundings.Thus, saving energy for vehicle lighting while complying with regulations remains a problem in the field.

[0003] On the other hand, car manufacturers are increasingly adopting digital lighting systems for mid-range and high-end products. These digital lighting systems generally include semiconductor light sources, the operation of which can involve high energy consumption. Furthermore, temperature control in these components is a very sensitive aspect, and This is generally achieved by derating, which means reducing the current supplying the light source so that the output flux and operating temperature decrease accordingly. The performance of light sources must therefore be significantly oversized to cope with these overheating issues, allowing operating values ​​to be reduced while still remaining within acceptable limits.

[0004] These questions are even more important in the case of new electric vehicles, where energy saving is crucial, as it has a direct impact on the vehicle's range and therefore on CO2 emission values.

[0005] Finally, in some cases, it is useful to be able to improve visual comfort if the environment allows it, in order to increase user safety by limiting light pollution in their fields of vision.

[0006] The present invention therefore aims to provide solutions for managing vehicle lighting and optimizing the energy consumption of the lighting system of these vehicles while respecting regulations, and even improving visual comfort and user safety.

[0007] This objective is achieved by a method for the dynamic control of a vehicle lighting system, said system comprising, on the one hand, a plurality of lighting devices controlled by a control unit to provide a plurality of lighting configurations of said system and, on the other hand, at least one sensor for acquiring data on the external environment of the vehicle, the method comprising: Prior learning of the control unit to recognize weather conditions outside the vehicle from data provided by at least one sensor during a preliminary training phase, and then deciding whether a rain-case lighting function should be activated or deactivated based on a comparison between the data provided by said sensor of the system and said learned weather conditions, said process being characterized in that it comprises prior learning, by the control unit, of meteorological conditions by recognizing data on the external environment of the vehicle, in order to discriminate characteristics of situations of said vehicle in circulation without rain or snow or fog from situations of said vehicle in circulation in rain or snow or fog, then the implementation of the following steps by the control unit, when said vehicle is in circulation with a first lighting configuration, called initial, of said system: - Acquisition of data from at least one sensor configured to determine weather conditions - Discrimination, based on said acquisitions and learning, between a situation where said vehicle is currently in circulation under weather conditions favorable for driving and a situation where said vehicle is currently in circulation under weather conditions unfavorable for driving, - Control of said lighting system to provide at least a second lighting configuration, modified from the initial configuration in a lighting shape or signature and / or lighting intensity.

[0008] According to another feature, said control of said lighting system to provide the second also includes control of at least one other lighting device to supplement or replace those modified, in particular if the modification consists of switching off one of said devices.

[0009] According to another feature, at least one of the automotive lighting devices has a matrix arrangement of luminous pixels in rows and columns.

[0010] According to another feature, the steps implemented by the control unit when the vehicle is in motion are carried out periodically with a period of less than 1 second, and in particular less than 0.5 seconds.

[0011] According to another feature, the learning by the control unit involves the use of a computer machine learning algorithm.

[0012] According to another feature, data on the external environment of the vehicle acquired by at least one optical sensor with a video processor configured to determine weather conditions.

[0013] According to another feature, the data on the external environment of the vehicle acquired by at least one memory of a vehicle management system, the memory configured to record an operating state or stop state of the car's windshield wipers.

[0014] According to another feature, the memory is configured to record an operating speed of the windshield wipers.

[0015] Another objective of the present application is to propose a computer element that makes it possible to overcome at least partially the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0016] This goal is achieved by a computer element comprising means for implementing the steps of a process according to various embodiments of the invention.

[0017] Another objective of the present application is to propose a computer program that makes it possible to overcome at least partially the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0018] This goal is achieved by a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a control unit, cause the control unit to execute the steps of a process according to various embodiments of the invention.

[0019] Another objective of the present application is to propose a vehicle lighting system that at least partially overcomes the drawbacks of art prior.

[0020] This objective is achieved by a vehicle lighting system comprising: - a plurality of lighting devices; - a plurality of sensors configured to provide certain external data; and - a control unit to carry out the steps of the process according to various embodiments of the invention.

[0021] According to another feature, at least one of the lighting devices comprises a matrix arrangement of semiconductor light sources.

[0022] According to another feature, the matrix arrangement comprises at least 2000 semiconductor light sources.

[0023] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of various embodiments, made with reference to the accompanying drawings. Indeed, to supplement the description and to allow for a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. These drawings illustrate one embodiment of the invention and form an integral part of the description, which should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely as an example of how the invention can be implemented. The drawings include the following figures:

[0024] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] represents a car in which a system according to an embodiment of the present invention is deployed, the car driving in weather conditions favorable to driving, illustrating a first lighting configuration;

[0025] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a car in which a system according to a mode of The implementation of the present invention is demonstrated with the car driving in weather conditions unfavorable to driving, illustrating a second lighting configuration; and

[0026] [Fig.3] Fig.3 schematically represents a system in which a mode of implementation of the present invention can be deployed.

[0027] The present invention relates to a method for the dynamic control of a vehicle lighting system (1), as well as a computer element, a computer program, and a lighting system for implementing the method. Thus, this application describes a method for the dynamic control of a vehicle lighting system (1), as well as a computer element, a computer program, and a lighting system for implementing the method. This application refers to a control unit that controls the lighting but is also trained through at least one learning cycle and performs calculations, comparisons, etc. Those skilled in the art will understand that there may be several control units for the different tasks, cooperating to implement the method. The invention is a single unit performing all the tasks. Furthermore, it is readily understood by those skilled in the art, from the nature of the tasks performed, that such a unit will generally include at least one instruction-executing processor, and that various forms of implementation are possible. Therefore, it is unnecessary to provide details on the types of hardware that may be used or are currently employed. The drawings shown on the figure pages are provided solely as examples and in a highly schematic manner, so that those skilled in the art can imagine all sorts of variations based on the content of this application.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this document shall be interpreted in accordance with industry usage, particularly in the field of motor vehicle lighting and signaling, especially for automobiles. For example, the terms "range," "width," and "intensity" are commonly used and may be interpreted to also cover other terms used to define light beams (in particular by vertical and horizontal angles or focal lengths). Similarly, other terms such as "field of vision" (often expressed in degrees) may be used without any particular limitation in this application.It is also understood that terms in common usage should be interpreted as being customary in the art concerned and not in an idealized or overly formal sense, and should not be interpreted restrictively unless expressly defined as such in this document.

[0029] In the present application, as is generally accepted in the field of patent applications, the terms "includes", "comprises" and "includes" and their derivatives (such as "comprising", "comprising", etc.) should not be understood in an exclusionary sense, that is to say, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include other elements, steps, etc.

[0030] In this application, the terms "lighting system" and "lighting device" refer to both the lighting itself and the signaling, including in particular: devices that illuminate the vehicle's surroundings, - either to be able to see, such as dipped headlights (LB, according to Anglo-Saxon terminology "low beam") or main beam headlights (HB, according to Anglo-Saxon terminology "high beam") even if the latter are generally prohibited under certain conditions, particularly in built-up areas, - either to be seen, such as position lights (PL, depending on the ter (Anglo-Saxon terminology "position light"), rear position lights (RPL, according to Anglo-Saxon terminology "rear position light") or daytime running lights (DRL, according to Anglo-Saxon terminology "day running light") but also the devices which allow a driver's actions to be signaled to other road users, such as stop lights (SL, according to the Anglo-Saxon terminology "stop light"), direction indicator lights (turn signals or TI, according to the Anglo-Saxon terminology "tum indicator") or hazard lights (W, according to the Anglo-Saxon terminology "warning").

[0031] In general, the present invention aims to save energy consumed for vehicle lighting depending on whether they are operating in weather conditions that are favorable or unfavorable for driving, for example, depending on whether it is raining, foggy, or snowing. Indeed, in weather conditions that are unfavorable for driving, drivers tend to slow down. In this case, there is less need for high-intensity daytime running lights. The goal is therefore to optimize the various types of lighting and signaling that are actually necessary on vehicles to ensure user safety. Thus, vehicle lighting generally does not require as much energy as it currently consumes under these conditions. The present invention therefore proposes to address this shortcoming by providing adaptive lighting solutions for vehicles.

[0032] The lighting system (1) therefore comprises a plurality of lighting (or signaling) devices (5) which may be of the type of the examples (PL, LB, HB, DRL, SL, TI, W) provided above, which are neither exhaustive nor limiting. In general, the system will also be considered to include the control (or command) unit (2) which allows the system (1) to be operated and the process to be implemented. Each device (6) may include one or more light source(s) (6) depending on the type of lighting (incandescent bulbs or light-emitting diodes (LEDs), for example).

[0033] Certain embodiments of the invention therefore relate to a method for the dynamic control of a vehicle lighting system (1), said system (1) comprising, on the one hand, a plurality of lighting devices (PL, LB, HB, DRL, SL, TI, W) controlled by a control unit (2) to provide a plurality of lighting configurations of said system (1) and, on the other hand, at least one sensor (3) for the acquisition of data on the external environment of the vehicle.

[0034] In general, the method includes prior learning of the control unit (2) to recognize agglomeration characteristics from data provided by at least one sensor during a prior training phase, and then deciding whether an agglomeration lighting function should be activated or deactivated based on the comparison between the data provided by said sensor (3) of the system (1) with these learned urban characteristics. Thus, the vehicle's control unit, which manages the lighting system, is able to recognize that the vehicle is driving in an urban area and dynamically adapt the lighting if the feature is activated. It should be noted that the various features and the resulting lighting configurations can, of course, be subject to driver authorization, for example, through prior configuration on the dashboard or by requiring confirmation when the control unit detects suitable conditions for activating the features.

[0035] Generally, and in various embodiments, the learning processes of the control unit (2) involve the use of a machine learning algorithm, for example, using neural networks, classifiers, etc. This machine learning algorithm can be used both for designing the light patterns of the case and / or for classifying each situation in a predefined use case. Each of the two options follows its own machine learning algorithm. Once the corresponding results are validated, the values ​​of the control unit are used for the corresponding steps of the method of the invention.On the other hand, to monitor the traffic conditions and circumstances in which the vehicle is located, the steps implemented by the control unit (2) when the vehicle is in motion are preferably carried out periodically with a period of less than 1 second, and in particular less than 0.5 seconds.

[0036] In various embodiments, the data on the external environment of the vehicle acquired by at least one sensor (3) includes at least two types of data from among the lighting devices (PL, LB, HB, DRL, SL, TI, W) currently active on said vehicle, the external light intensity, the number of cars around and the distance to them, the current speed of the vehicle or the presence and color of traffic lights, the positioning coordinates and the surrounding road signs.

[0037] Similarly, in various embodiments, the plurality of sensors (3) includes at least one of an external light sensor, an activation sensor for said lighting devices (PL, LB, HB, DRL, SL, TI, W), at least one camera, a geo-positioning sensor, a radar, a lidar or infrared sensors.

[0038] Preferably, the method also includes prior learning by the control unit (2) of traffic conditions by recognizing characteristics of vehicles or obstacles, moving or stationary, around the vehicle equipped with said system (1), in order to discriminate between characteristics of situations of said vehicle in free-flowing traffic and situations of said vehicle in congested traffic. Thanks to this learning, the control unit can then monitor The system learns about the vehicle's environment while it is in motion to offer various lighting configurations. Indeed, a vehicle in motion generally has a lighting configuration (preferably compliant with regulations) that depends on driving conditions and circumstances and involves activating various system components. This learning process is considered "pre-learning" before the system is activated while the vehicle is in motion, but it should be noted that this learning can be performed either before the control unit is installed on the vehicle or after installation so that the learning takes place under real-world conditions.

[0039] In some embodiments, the control unit undergoes two training processes. Both training processes include machine learning steps, where the control unit is trained with training data provided by the plurality of sensors.

[0040] The first training process concerns the design of different lighting patterns of embodiment, each associated with a plurality of data values. This first training process comprises: - Training the control unit to design a light pattern of embodiments in response to a set of training data - testing the control unit by comparing the chosen light pattern with the expected optimal results.

[0041] Different use cases are defined, and the optimal lighting pattern is found for each use case, thanks to the algorithm mentioned above.

[0042] The second training process concerns the classification of a situation within a predefined use case. This second training process includes - training the control unit to classify a situation within a predefined use case using a set of training data - a test of the control unit by comparing the chosen predefined case with the expected optimal results.

[0043] In this embodiment, different situations are set up, each with different data obtained by the sensors. The control unit is trained to identify which use case best corresponds to the situation.

[0044] Once the two training processes are completed, the control unit is installed in a vehicle to perform the lighting control of the lighting system. However, as mentioned elsewhere in this application, prior training or learning can be carried out after installation on said vehicle, and it will then constitute learning under real-world conditions. Validation of the learning will then be performed by an action (by an automatic supervisor and / or a user supervising the operation) on the control unit, either on-site or remotely.

[0045] The operation of this lighting system would then be to provide a pattern preliminary lighting, depending on the lighting functionality chosen by the vehicle user.

[0046] In certain embodiments, during the use of said vehicle equipped to implement the present invention, every 0.2 seconds, for example, the lighting system control unit receives data from a plurality of sensors. This data includes external vehicle data (active lighting functionality, ambient light intensity, number of cars around and distance from them, current vehicle speed, and the presence and color of traffic lights, etc.). Through its training / learning process, the control unit will classify the environment into a use case and associate a lighting pattern with this situation. The lighting system then projects the new light pattern, which provides adequate illumination with minimal energy consumption. This process is repeated, for example, every 0.2 seconds.It should be noted that the term "lighting pattern" is used in this application with the same meaning as the term "lighting configuration" and that it is not limited to a pattern in the strict sense and therefore does not necessarily imply a variation in photometry.

[0047] Thus, the present invention provides for the implementation of the following steps by the control unit (2), when said vehicle is in circulation with a first lighting configuration, referred to as the initial configuration, of said system (1): - Calculation of a distance and / or a time that separates said vehicle from another vehicle or obstacle, then comparison of this distance and / or this time with at least one threshold value recorded in the control unit (2),

[0048] Acquisition of data from at least one sensor configured to determine weather conditions

[0049] Discrimination, based on said acquisitions and learning, between a situation where said vehicle is currently in circulation in weather conditions favorable to driving and a situation where said vehicle is currently in circulation in weather conditions unfavorable to driving,

[0050] Control of said lighting system (1) to provide at least a second lighting configuration, modified from the initial configuration in a lighting shape or signature and / or lighting intensity.

[0051] It should be noted that to determine the weather conditions the control unit can use image recognition from an on-board camera or it can use a rain sensor or it can detect whether the windshield wipers are on or not and if so at what speed they rotate.

[0052] In certain embodiments, said control of said lighting system (1) to provide the second or third lighting configuration also includes a Control of at least one other lighting device to supplement or replace the modified ones, particularly if the modification involves switching off one of said devices. Indeed, especially to continue meeting regulatory criteria concerning vehicle visibility (its dimensions in particular) and / or the lighting of the vehicle's surroundings, it is possible to combine the use of various types of devices while reducing energy consumption. Thus, it is possible to reduce the intensity or switch off one of the lights and switch on another, possibly with a limited intensity as well. For example, daytime running lights can replace dipped headlights, possibly supplemented by parking lights. Numerous configurations are therefore possible thanks to the implementation of the present invention.

[0053] In certain embodiments, at least one of the automotive lighting devices (PL, LB, HB, DRL, SL, TI, W) comprises a matrix arrangement of luminous pixels (2) in rows and columns. In some specific cases, the matrix includes at least 2000 solid-state light sources. A matrix arrangement is a typical example of this method. The rows can be grouped into projected distance intervals, and each column in each group represents an angle interval. This angle value depends on the resolution of the matrix, which is generally between 0.01° per column and 0.5° per column. This control of the rows and columns allows independent control of the angle and range, in addition to the intensity, and enables the management of several light sources simultaneously. In some of these embodiments, following one of these reductions, some rows or columns are dimmed relative to the initial light intensity.Indeed, modern lighting devices often incorporate "solid-state" light sources, and this invention allows us to take advantage of these types of devices, which notably enable photometric adaptation. The term "solid-state" refers to the light emitted by solid-state electroluminescence, which uses semiconductors to convert electricity into light. Compared to incandescent lighting, solid-state lighting creates visible light with reduced heat production and less energy dissipation. The generally low mass of a solid-state electronic lighting device offers greater resistance to shock and vibration than brittle glass tubes / bulbs and long, thin filament wires. They also eliminate filament evaporation, which can increase the lifespan of the lighting device.Some examples of these types of lighting include semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), or polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) as light sources rather than electric filaments, plasma, or gas. This process aims to find the optimal light pattern at [a specific point]. projected by a lighting device. Predetermined use cases are defined, and a corresponding light pattern is projected when the process identifies that the vehicle is in one of the predefined use cases. An optimal lighting pattern is thus found without excessive computational cost, since there are a reasonable number of predefined use cases.

[0054] Thus, in certain embodiments, said control of said lighting system (1) to provide the second lighting configuration includes photometry control of at least one of said devices. Indeed, the various devices emit a light beam specific to them and which has a particular shape, defined by the photometry. The invention provides for modifying this photometry in certain cases. For example, dipped headlights having a beam illuminating a symmetrical area close to the vehicle (called the "fiat") and an asymmetrical area further away. The invention provides, for example, for retaining only the "fiat" area when driving in city traffic. In another example, for daytime running lights, it is possible to retain only the illumination necessary to indicate the vehicle's dimensions.Modifying photometry thus makes it possible to preserve user safety while saving energy by eliminating unnecessary portions of light beams in certain circumstances.

[0055] It is understood that the present invention proposes a method for adaptively managing or controlling vehicle lighting according to traffic conditions. This method involves the use of a control unit (2) having computing resources and connected to sensors (3) to control the vehicle's lighting system (1). Such computing resources are known per se and can be implemented by a computer element. Thus, some embodiments also relate to a computer element comprising means for implementing the steps of a method according to the invention. Similarly, it is known that such computer means for implementing such a method generally require a computer program unless analog programming is envisaged.Thus, some embodiments relate to a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a control unit (2), cause the control unit to execute the steps of a process according to the invention. Finally, since the invention is intended to be mounted on a vehicle, some embodiments relate to a vehicle lighting system (1) comprising: . - a plurality of lighting devices (PL, LB, HB, DRL, SL, TI, W); - a plurality of sensors (3) configured to provide certain external data; and a control unit (2) to carry out the steps of the process according to the invention.

[0056] As mentioned above in this application, in certain embodiments of such a system, at least one of the devices (PL, LB, HB, DRL, SL, TI, W) lighting comprises a matrix arrangement of semiconductor light sources (2). In some of these embodiments, the matrix arrangement comprises at least 2000 semiconductor light sources (2).

[0057] This application describes various technical features and advantages with reference to the figures and / or various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the technical features of a given embodiment can in fact be combined with features of another embodiment unless the contrary is explicitly stated, or it is obvious that such features are incompatible, or that the combination does not provide a solution to at least one of the technical problems mentioned in this application. Furthermore, the technical features described in a given embodiment can be isolated from the other features of that embodiment unless the contrary is explicitly stated.

[0058] Detailed list of references in the figures: 1 lighting system 2 control units 3 sensors 4. processor 5. Lighting device 6. Light sources.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for the dynamic control of a lighting system (1) of a vehicle, said system (1) comprising, on the one hand, a plurality of lighting devices (PL, LB, HB, DRL, SL, TI, W) controlled by a control unit (2) to provide a plurality of lighting configurations of said system (1) and, on the other hand, at least one sensor (3) for the acquisition of data on the external environment of the vehicle, the method comprising: A pre-learning of the control unit (2) to recognize weather conditions outside the vehicle from the data provided by at least one sensor during a pre-training phase, then decide whether a rain lighting functionality must be activated or deactivated on the basis of the comparison between the data provided by said sensor (3) of the system (1) with said learned weather conditions, said method being characterized in that it comprises a pre-learning, by the control unit (2), of weather conditions by recognizing the data on the environment outside the vehicle, in order to discriminate characteristics of situations of said vehicle in circulation without rain or snow or fog from situations of said vehicle in circulation in rain or snow or fog, then the implementation of the following steps by the control unit (2),when said vehicle is in circulation with a first lighting configuration, called initial, of said system (1):, - Data acquisition from at least one sensor configured to determine weather conditions - Discrimination, based on said acquisitions and learning, between a situation where said vehicle is currently in circulation in weather conditions favorable to driving and a situation where said vehicle is currently in circulation in weather conditions unfavorable to driving, - Controlling said lighting system (1) to provide at least a second lighting configuration, modified from the initial configuration in a lighting shape or signature and / or lighting intensity.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said controlling said lighting system (1) to provide the second also comprises a check of at least one other lighting device to supplement or replace those modified, in particular if the modification consists of turning off one of said devices.

3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the automotive lighting devices (PL, LB, HB, DRL, SL, TI, W) comprises a matrix arrangement of luminous pixels (2) in rows and columns.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the steps implemented by the control unit (2) when the vehicle is in circulation are carried out periodically with a period of less than 1 second, and in particular less than 0.5 seconds.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the learning by the control unit (2) comprises the use of a computer-assisted automatic learning algorithm.

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data on the external environment of the vehicle acquired by at least one optical sensor (3) with a video processor configured to determine the weather conditions.

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the data on the external environment of the vehicle acquired by at least one memory of a vehicle management system, the memory configured to record an operating state or stopping state of the windshield wipers of the car.

8. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein the memory is configured to record an operating speed of the windshield wipers.

9. Computer element comprising means for implementing the steps of a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a control unit (2), cause the control unit to execute the steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. Vehicle lighting system (1) comprising: - a plurality of lighting devices (PL, LB, HB, DRL, SL, TI, W) - a plurality of sensors (3) configured to provide certain external data; and - a control unit (2) for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. System (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one of the lighting devices (PL, LB, HB, DRL, SL, TI, W) comprises a matrix arrangement of semiconductor light sources (2).

13. System (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the matrix arrangement comprises at least 2000 semiconductor light sources (2).

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