Method and device for controlling a vehicle lighting system comprising an LED grid

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a vehicle lighting system (10) comprising an LED grid (11) and position lights (12, 13, 14, 15) on each side of the vehicle (10). To this end, a lighting defect in one half of the grid is detected among the two half-grids (111, 112) forming the LED grid (11). A control parameter for activating the LED grid lighting (11) is set to the off state. The lighting system is controlled according to this parameter to deactivate the LED grid (11) and activate the position lights (12, 13, 14, 15). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling a vehicle lighting system comprising an LED grid. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a vehicle lighting system, particularly, but not exclusively, a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and device for controlling the activation and deactivation of an LED array (Light-Emitting Diode) in a vehicle lighting system. The invention further relates to a method and device for assisting with vehicle driving. Technological background

[0002] Each vehicle is equipped with a lighting system consisting of a set of lights, some of which are also called headlights or projectors. The lighting system allows the vehicle to be seen by other road users thanks to the lights that signal the vehicle's presence, including position lights, daytime running lights, brake lights, and rear fog lights, and to see the environment in which the vehicle is traveling, particularly at night, thanks to the dipped headlights, main beam headlights, front fog lights, and reversing lights.

[0003] Some vehicles are equipped with a lighting system including an LED grid (from the English "LED grid") allowing for customization of the vehicle's visual appearance. From a regulatory standpoint, an LED grid is considered equivalent to a position light. The LED grid is thus divided into two parts, the first part being associated, for example, with the position light located on the left side of the vehicle and the second part being associated with the position light located on the right side of the vehicle.

[0004] When a fault occurs on one of these parts, the associated position light is automatically considered to be faulty as well, even if that position light is actually operational. This behavior stems from a common lighting system setting called "one fault, all faults" (from the English "One Fail All Fail").

[0005] Such operation poses in particular safety problems, the vehicle being deprived of the signaling of its position on one side of the vehicle via its position lights while these same position lights are operational but simply deactivated because of the defect found on the part of the LED grid associated with these position lights. Summary of the present invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0007] One object of the present invention is, for example, to improve vehicle safety.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the control of a vehicle lighting system, particularly in automobiles.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle lighting system, the lighting system comprising an LED grid, a first plurality of position lights on a first lateral side of the vehicle and a second plurality of position lights on a second lateral side of the vehicle opposite to the first lateral side, the LED grid being divided into two half-grids corresponding to a first half-grid associated with the first lateral side and a second half-grid associated with said second lateral side, the first half-grid being associated with a first position light of the first plurality and the second half-grid being associated with a second position light of the second plurality, the method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - detection of a lighting fault in the first half-grid or the second half-grid,the detection resulting in the extinguishing of either the first or second position light; - first setting of a lighting system parameter corresponding to a control parameter for the activation of the LED grid lighting to move the parameter from a first state representing activation of the LED grid to a second state representing deactivation of the LED grid, the first setting being triggered by the detection of the lighting fault; - first check of the lighting system according to the parameter when restarting a vehicle engine following the detection of the lighting fault, the first check including a deactivation of the LED grid and an activation of the first and second position lights.

[0010] Deactivating the entire LED grid via the automatic adjustment of an associated parameter when a portion of the LED grid is detected as faulty allows the association between each half-grid and its corresponding position lights to be removed. Once the LED grid is deactivated, the fault in the half-grid is no longer detected, and the associated position light is therefore no longer considered faulty, thus keeping all the vehicle's position lights active. Vehicle safety is thereby improved by maintaining the signaling of its position using the position lights on each side of the vehicle.

[0011] According to one variant, the vehicle further comprising a human-machine interface, referred to as an HMI, including means for controlling and adjusting the parameter, the method further comprises the following steps: - receiving command data from the control means, the command data being representative of an instruction to move the parameter from the second state to the first state; - second setting of the parameter according to the command data to move the parameter from the second state to the first state; - second control of the lighting system according to the parameter, the second control including an activation of the LED grid.

[0012] According to one variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - third adjustment of the parameter to move the parameter from the first state to the second state, the third adjustment being temporally subsequent to the second check; - third control of the lighting system according to the parameter, the third control including a new deactivation of the LED grid.

[0013] According to another variant, the third control of the lighting system is implemented during a new engine restart following the third setting.

[0014] According to yet another variant, the HMI corresponding to a graphic HMI displayed on a touch screen of the vehicle, the control data correspond to data representative of a touch press on a graphic object of the graphic HMI configured to adjust the parameter between the first state and the second state.

[0015] According to yet another variant, the deactivation of the LED grid of the first control corresponds to a cut-off of the power supply to the LED grid.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle lighting system, 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] Such a computer program can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or a intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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

[0024] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the particular and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 5, in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a vehicle, according to an example of embodiment particular of the present invention;

[0026] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates an LED grid and associated position lights of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting example of the present invention;

[0027] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a human-machine interface of the vehicle the [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting example of the present invention;

[0028] [Fig.4] illustrates a device configured to control a lighting system of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] [Fig. 5] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of a vehicle lighting system of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements

[0030] A method and a device for controlling a vehicle lighting system will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 5. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the following description.

[0031] The terms "first," "second" (or "firsts," "seconds"), etc., are used in this document by arbitrary convention to allow for the identification and distinction of different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0032] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle 10 according to a top view of the vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, with electric motor(s), or even a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. Vehicle 10 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle, for example a car, a truck, a bus.

[0034] The vehicle 10 advantageously incorporates a lighting system. The lighting system includes a set of lights or headlights to illuminate the area in front of the vehicle 10 and / or to signal the presence or position of the vehicle 10 to other road users.

[0035] The lighting system thus advantageously includes a set of position lights, also called parking lights, corresponding to signal lights configured so that other road users can see the vehicle 10, particularly when the brightness of the environment in which the vehicle 10 is traveling is low.

[0036] The position light assembly comprises, for example, a first plurality of position lights 12, 14 on a first lateral side of the vehicle 10, corresponding, for example, to the left side of the vehicle 10, and a second plurality of position lights 13, 15 on a second lateral side of the vehicle opposite the first lateral side, which second lateral side then corresponds to the right side of the vehicle 10, as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. The first plurality of position lights 12, 14 comprises, for example, a front (left) position light 12 and a rear (left) position light 14. Similarly, the second plurality of position lights 13, 15 comprises, for example, a front (right) position light 13 and a rear (right) position light 15. The front position lights are, for example, white, and the rear position lights are, for example, red.Each position light includes, for example, one or more light sources corresponding, for example, to an incandescent lamp. to one or more LEDs or to any type of lighting device known to a person skilled in the art.

[0037] The lighting system includes, for example, in addition, dipped headlights, main beam headlights, for example 2 dipped headlights (front left and front right), also called dipped headlights, and 2 main beam headlights (front left and front right), also called main beam headlights.

[0038] The lighting system further includes a set of light sources intended to emphasize the style of the vehicle 10, this set of light sources taking for example the form of one or more LED grids, such as the LED grid 11 arranged at the rear of the vehicle 10 according to the particular example of [Fig.1].

[0039] An LED grid such as the LED grid 11 comprises an arrangement of a plurality of LEDs, which are, for example, arranged in a multi-row and multi-column matrix, or in a single row or column of LEDs. The LEDs in the LED grid 11 are, for example, configured to emit red light. The LED grid 11 can take any shape, rectangular, oval, triangular, or even the shape of a letter, a word, a brand, or a logo.

[0040] The LED grid 11 is advantageously divided into two parts 111 and 112, namely a first part 111, for example a first half, associated with the first side and the rear position light 14 located on the first side of the vehicle 10, i.e. the left side according to the example of [Fig.1], and a second part 112, for example a second half, associated with the second side and the rear position light 15 located on the second side of the vehicle 10, i.e. the right side according to the example of [Fig.1].

[0041] Subsequently, the first part is designated first half-grid 111 and the second part is designated second half-grid 112.

[0042] The first half-grid 111 and the second half-grid 112 are, for example, contiguous or disjoint from each other. The first half-grid 111 is, for example, adjacent to the left rear position light 14, and located to the right of this left rear position light 14 when the vehicle 10 is viewed from the rear in the direction of travel of the vehicle 10, and the second half-grid 112 is, for example, adjacent to the right rear position light 15, and located to the left of this right rear position light 15.

[0043] Each half-grid of the LED grid 11 thus comprises a plurality of LEDs arranged in the form of a matrix, a line or any particular shape according to the particular arrangement of the LED grid 11.

[0044] From a regulatory point of view, the LED grid 11 is of the position light type and is considered to correspond to a position light. The first half of the grid 111 is associated with the left rear position light 14 (called the first position light 14) and the The second half-grid 112 is associated with the right rear position light 15 (called the second position light 15).

[0045] The lighting system is controlled by a computer on the vehicle's on-board network 10.

[0046] The vehicle 10 also includes, for example, a display system comprising a touchscreen interface and a control unit configured to control the display of content from a graphical HMI on the touchscreen. The control unit corresponds, for example, to the infotainment system control unit, known as the IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) control unit of the vehicle 10.

[0047] The touch screen corresponds for example to an LCD type screen (from the English "Liquid Crystal Display" or in French "Affichage à cristals liquide"), for example of type TFT (from the English "Thin-Film Transistor" or in French "Transistor en film mince"), or OLED (from the English "Organic Light-Emitting Diode" or in French "Diode électroluminescente organique").

[0048] The touchscreen is configured to display content for the driver and passengers of vehicle 10. The touchscreen is also configured to allow the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle to interact with one or more on-board systems, such as the display system, in vehicle 10 via a human-machine interface (HMI) displayed on the touchscreen. For example, the touchscreen is configured to interact with the IVI system and / or the lighting system of vehicle 10.

[0049] The vehicle display system 10 is for example connected in communication with the vehicle lighting system 10, for example the computer in charge of the display system (for example the IVI computer) is connected in communication with the computer in charge of the lighting system via one or more data buses of the vehicle 10's on-board network.

[0050] A control process for the vehicle lighting system 10 is advantageously implemented by one or more processors, for example, one or more processors of the control unit controlling the lighting system. According to particular embodiments, one or more operations of the process are implemented jointly by the lighting system control unit and by the IVI control unit.

[0051] In a first operation of the process, a lighting defect in the first half-grid 111 is detected or a lighting defect in the second half-grid 112 is detected.

[0052] A fault corresponds, for example, to a power supply fault in the first half-grid 111 and / or the second half-grid 112. According to another example, a fault corresponds to a malfunction of one or more LEDs in the first half-grid 111 or the second half-grid 112, resulting in a fault or malfunction for all the LEDs in the first half-grid 111 or the second half-grid 112, respectively. Such operation is known as "One Fail All Fail".

[0053] A fault code identifying the detected fault is for example generated by the computer controlling the lighting system and transmitted on the vehicle's on-board network 10.

[0054] The detection of the fault automatically triggers an automatic deactivation, i.e. an extinction, of the first position light 14 when the fault is detected at the level of the first half-grid 111 or of the second position light 15 when the fault is detected at the level of the second half-grid 112. Indeed, the LED grid 11 being considered as being of the position light type, a fault detected at the level of a half-grid automatically triggers the deactivation of the position light located on the side associated with that half-grid, according to the "One Fail All Fail" type operation, even if these position lights are operational and do not encounter any fault.

[0055] As a result, the LEDs on the faulty half-grille no longer illuminate while the LEDs on the other half-grille continue to illuminate, which degrades the visual appearance of the vehicle 10. In addition, the deactivation of the position light located on the side of the faulty half-grille creates a safety risk for the vehicle 10 and other road users, as the position of the vehicle 10 is only indicated on the other side.

[0056] Figure 2 illustrates an example of fault detection affecting the first half-grid 111, shown in gray. The detection of the fault affecting this first half-grid 111, considered as a position light on the first lateral side, i.e. the left side according to the example in Figure 1, leads by cascade to the assignment of a fault to the first position light 14 to which this first half-grid 111 is associated.

[0057] Assigning a fault results in the deactivation of all the faulty lights, i.e. the LEDs of the first half of the grid 111 and of the first position light 14, these LEDs and this position light then being unable to illuminate.

[0058] The second half-grid 112 and the second plurality of position lights 13, 15 associated remain activated and operational to illuminate, i.e. emit light when they are supplied with electrical energy under the control of the lighting system computer.

[0059] In a second operation of the process, a first setting of a parameter of the lighting system corresponding to a control parameter for the activation of the lighting of the LED grid 11 is automatically implemented by the computer of the lighting system following the detection of the lighting fault of the first half-grid 111 (according to the example of [Fig.2]) or of the second half-grid 112.

[0060] This first setting changes the parameter from a first state representing an activation of the LED grid 11 to a second state representing a deactivation of the LED grid 11, this first setting being triggered automatically by the detection of the lighting fault.

[0061] This parameter corresponds for example to a set of parameters of the lighting system, which are for example configurable via a graphic HMI displayed on the touch screen and / or via one or more control devices such as physical buttons or steering wheel control lever.

[0062] Other parameters include, for example: - a setting to enable or disable the automatic activation of the dipped headlights; and / or - a setting to enable or disable the automatic switching from dipped headlights to main beam headlights and vice versa.

[0063] The parameter is, for example, in its first state, i.e., in the activated state at the start of the vehicle 10, i.e., the starting of the engine of the vehicle 10, when no fault on the LED grid 11 has been detected beforehand, i.e., before the engine was switched off preceding the starting of the vehicle 10

[0064] The parameter takes for example a first value, for example the value 1, for the first state (activation of the LED grid 11) and a second value, for example the value 0, for the second state (deactivation of the LED grid 11).

[0065] When the parameter is in the first state, the LED grid 11 is activated, i.e. the first half-grid 111 and the second half-grid 112 are activated and emit light when supplied with electrical energy.

[0066] When the parameter is in the second state, the LED grid 11 is deactivated, i.e. the first half-grid 111 and the second half-grid 112 are deactivated and do not emit any light.

[0067] The activation and deactivation of the LED grid 11 are for example implemented via the control of the supply of electrical energy to the LED grid 11, the LED grid 11 being supplied when the parameter is in the first state and the LED grid 11 not being supplied when the parameter is in the second state.

[0068] In a third operation of the process, a first check of the lighting system is implemented by the lighting system computer according to the parameter, this first check being implemented when the engine of the vehicle 10 is restarted following the detection of the lighting fault and the first automatic setting of the parameter.

[0069] The parameter value (corresponding to the second state) is only taken into account at the next restart, according to regulatory constraints. the modification of the parameter is not permitted (in particular via the ad hoc control means) while vehicle 10 is in circulation.

[0070] This first check includes a deactivation of the LED grid 11 according to the parameter which was set to the second state in the previous operation.

[0071] Deactivating the LED grid 11 results in the deactivation of both half-grids 111 and 112, which are then both switched off, thus providing homogeneity in the lighting supplied by the LED grid 11.

[0072] With the LED grid 11 deactivated, a fault in the first half-grid 111 (according to the example in [Fig. 2]) or in the second half-grid 112 (according to another example) is no longer detected. Consequently, the first plurality of position lights 12, 14 and the second plurality of position lights 13, 15 are controlled to be in the activated state, i.e., all the position lights 12 to 15 can emit light when they are supplied with electrical energy.

[0073] The automatic deactivation of the LED grid 11 makes it possible to decouple the operation of the half-grids 111 and 112 from the operation of respectively the first position light 14 and the second position light 15 when a fault is detected on one and / or the other of the half-grids 111 and 112, which makes it possible to keep the position lights in the active state.

[0074] According to a particular embodiment of the process, the process further comprises additional operations as described below.

[0075] In a fourth operation of the process, control data are received from the control means of a human-machine interface, called HMI, of the vehicle 10, the control data being representative of an instruction to move the parameter from the second state to the first state.

[0076] These control data are received following an action by a user of the vehicle 10, for example following a finding by this user of the deactivation of the LED grid 11. By acting on these control means, the user attempts to reactivate the LED grid 11 by modifying the parameter configured to activate and deactivate the LED grid 11.

[0077] The control means correspond for example to a control element of the type button or lever on the steering wheel.

[0078] According to another example, the HMI is a graphic HMI whose content is displayed on the touch screen of the vehicle 10, the control or setting of the parameter being obtained by a touch interaction with the graphic HMI using the touch interface of the vehicle 10.

[0079] Fig. 3 illustrates an example of displaying graphical content from the HMI on a touch screen 30 of the vehicle 10.

[0080] The displayed graphic content corresponds, for example, to a specific page of the graphical HMI allowing a vehicle user to adjust the various parameters of the lighting system, including the LED grid lighting activation control parameter 11.

[0081] This parameter can, for example, be set or adjusted by touching a graphic object 32 adapted or configured to adjust the parameter between the first and second states. The graphic object 32 is, for example, associated with another graphic object 31 describing the parameter and the associated function.

[0082] The graphic object 32 corresponds for example to a radio button or a checkbox allowing the lighting to be activated and deactivated via the LED grid 11.

[0083] Graphic object 31 corresponds for example to a text area.

[0084] Thus, a touch press, for example short, on the radio button 32 makes it possible to switch the LED grid 11 from the first state (activated) to the second state (deactivated) or vice versa from the second state to the first state.

[0085] According to this example, the received control data corresponds to data representative of a touch press 301 on the graphic object 32. The control data representative of the touch press is received for example via one or more data buses linking the touch interface of the screen (or a computer controlling such a touch interface where applicable, for example the IVI computer) and the computer controlling the lighting system.

[0086] In a fifth operation of the process following the fourth operation, a second setting of the parameter is implemented according to the control data to move the parameter from the second state to the first state.

[0087] In a sixth operation of the process, a second control of the lighting system is implemented according to the parameter whose state was checked in the fifth operation, the second control including an activation of the LED grid 11. The first half-grid 111 being faulty, only the second half-grid 112 lights up following the reactivation of the LED grid 11.

[0088] By manually reactivating the LED grid 11 via the control means, for example the graphical interface of the HMI, the user is able to see that one of the half-grids is faulty and does not light up, for example the first half-grid 111 according to the example of [Fig.2].

[0089] According to an optional embodiment, the detection of the fault triggers the display control of an icon or indicator 33 on the touch screen 30 to indicate to the user of the vehicle 10 that a fault in the lighting system has been detected.

[0090] A display control for a witness, graphic content or any graphic object (text, pictogram, icon, etc.) includes a rendering of the graphic content or graphic object, such rendering corresponding to a set of operations performed by one or more processors on the pixels of one or more images of the graphic content to be displayed on the screen 30. For example, rendering consists of associating to a set of pixels of an image pixel data (for example color data expressed in an RGB type space (from the English "Red, Green, Blue" or in French "rouge, vert, bleu")) associated with each graphic object.

[0091] The display control of the indicator 33 thus includes the transmission of control signals to the touch screen 30 to modify the values ​​associated with the pixels of the touch screen 30 at the location intended to display the indicator 33 (or any graphic object).

[0092] In a seventh operation of the process, a third parameter setting is automatically implemented to move the parameter from the first state to the second state, the third setting being temporally subsequent to the second check of the sixth operation.

[0093] This seventh operation is for example identical to the second operation described above, the third setting being triggered by the detection of the fault of the first half-grid 111 following the manual reactivation of the LED grid 11.

[0094] In an eighth operation, a third control of the lighting system is implemented based on the new value or new state of the parameter (i.e. the second state), the third control including a further deactivation of the LED grid 11.

[0095] This eighth operation is for example identical to the third operation described above, this eighth operation being implemented for example when restarting the engine of vehicle 10 following the third setting.

[0096] In a ninth operation of the process, an operator at a garage or dealership performs a diagnostic of the vehicle 10 via a diagnostic tool connected to the vehicle 10.

[0097] The diagnostic tool identifies the fault, for example by acquiring the fault code stored in the vehicle 10 following the detection of the fault.

[0098] Replacing the defective LED grid 11 (or the first half*-LED grid 111 if the modularity of the LED grid 11 allows) corrects the fault and allows the vehicle user 10 or the operator to adjust the parameter to put it in the first state and activate the LED grid 11.

[0099] The process has been described using as an example the LED grid 11 arranged at the rear of the vehicle 10 and associated with the rear position lights 14 and 15. The same process applies to an LED grid arranged at the front of the vehicle 10 and associated with the front position lights 12 and 13.

[0100] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a device 4 configured for the control of a vehicle lighting system, for example vehicle 10, according to examples of particular and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. Device 4 corresponds, for example, to a device embedded in the vehicle 10, for example a computer.

[0101] Device 4 is, for example, configured to carry out the operations described opposite Figures 1 to 3 and / or the steps of the process described opposite [Fig. 5]. Examples of such a device 4 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 4, individually or in combination, may be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. Device 4 may be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules, or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0102] The device 4 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 40 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the process and / or for executing instructions from the software embedded in the device 4. The processor 40 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 4 further comprises at least one memory 41, 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.

[0103] The computer code of the embedded software(s), including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor, is for example stored in memory 4L

[0104] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 4 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.

[0105] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 4 includes a block 42 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 42 include one or more of the following interfaces: - Radio frequency (RF) interface, for example Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or 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").

[0106] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 4 includes a communication interface 43 which enables communication with other devices (such as other computers in the embedded system) via a communication channel 430. The communication interface 43 corresponds, for example, to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 430. The communication interface 43 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.

[0107] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 4 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 440, touch or not, one or more loudspeakers 450 and / or other peripherals 460 (projection system) via output interfaces 44, 45 and 46 respectively. According to a variant, one or more of the external devices is integrated into the device 4.

[0108] Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps in a method for controlling a vehicle lighting system, for example vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented, for example, by a device embedded in vehicle 10 or by device 4 in Figure 4.

[0109] In a first step 51, a lighting fault in the first half-grid or the second half-grid is detected, the detection resulting in the deactivation of respectively the first position lights or the second position lights.

[0110] In a second step 52, a first automatic adjustment of a parameter of the lighting system corresponding to a control parameter for the activation of the LED grid lighting is implemented to change the parameter from a first state representative of an activation of the LED grid to a second state representative of a deactivation of the LED grid, the first setting being triggered by the detection of the lighting fault.

[0111] In a third step 53, a first check of the lighting system is implemented according to the parameter during a restart of a vehicle engine following the detection of the lighting fault, the first check including a deactivation of the LED grid and an activation of the first and second position lights.

[0112] According to one variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of Figures 1 to 3 apply to the steps of the process in [Fig. 5].

[0113] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method for controlling a vehicle LED array that would include secondary steps without departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0114] The present invention also relates to a vehicle lighting system comprising device 4 of [Fig.4] as well as a vehicle, for example automobile, comprising the lighting system or device 4 of [Fig.4].

Claims

1.

2. Demands Method for controlling a vehicle lighting system (10), said lighting system comprising an LED grid (11), a first plurality of position lights (12, 14) on a first lateral side of said vehicle (10) and a second plurality of position lights (13, 15) on a second lateral side of said vehicle (10) opposite said first lateral side, said LED grid (11) being divided into two half-grids corresponding to a first half-grid (111) associated with said first lateral side and a second half-grid (112) associated with said second lateral side, said first half-grid (111) being associated with a first position light (14) of said first plurality and said second half-grid (112) being associated with a second position light (15) of said second plurality, said method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - detection (51) of a lighting defect in said first half-grid (111) or said second half-grid (112), said detection (51) resulting in the deactivation of respectively said first position lights (14) or said second position lights (15); - first setting (52) of a parameter of said lighting system corresponding to a lighting activation control parameter of said LED grid (11) to move said parameter from a first state representing an activation of said LED grid (11) to a second state representing a deactivation of said LED grid (11), said first setting being triggered by said detection of the lighting fault; - first check (53) of said lighting system according to said parameter during a restart of an engine of said vehicle (10) following said detection (51) of the lighting fault, said first check including a deactivation of said LED grid (11) and an activation of the first and second position lights. A method according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle (10) further comprises a human-machine interface, referred to as an HMI, comprising control means for adjusting said parameter, said method further comprising the following steps: - receiving control data from said control means, said control data being representative - an instruction to move said parameter from said second state to said first state; - second setting of said parameter according to said command data to move said parameter from said second state to said first state; - second control of said lighting system according to said parameter, said second control including an activation of said LED grid (11).

3. Method according to claim 2, further comprising the following steps: - third setting of said parameter to bring said parameter from said first state to said second state, said third setting being temporally subsequent to said second check; - third check of the lighting system as a function of said parameter, said third check comprising a further deactivation of said LED grid (11).

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein said third control of the lighting system is implemented during a new engine restart following said third setting.

5. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said HMI corresponds to a graphic HMI displayed on a touch screen (30) of said vehicle (10), said control data corresponds to data representing a touch press (301) on a graphic object (32) of said graphic HMI configured to adjust said parameter between said first state and said second state.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the deactivation of said LED grid (11) of said first control corresponds to a cut-off of the power supply to said LED grid (11).

7. 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 6

8. 1 d U. Computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, when such instructions are executed by at least one processor.

9. Device (4) for controlling a vehicle lighting system (10), said device (4) comprising a memory (41) associated with the

10. less one processor (40) configured for carrying out the steps of the process according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (4) according to claim 9.

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