Control of a light module to interact with a person outside a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle light module comprising a light source with a plurality of individually controllable light elements to project a pixelated light beam, the method comprising the following steps:- detection (301) of a person in an environment outside the motor vehicle;- determination (302) of a light pattern to be projected into the external environment;- control (303) of the light module to form the light pattern in the projected pixelated light beam; in which the light pattern comprises at least one interactive light element and in which the method further comprises the following steps:- determination (305) of an interaction between the person and an interactive light element from among said at least one interactive light element of the light pattern;- implementation (306-308) of a specific action depending on the interactive light element for which the interaction with the person is determined. FIG. 3;

Description

Title of the invention: Control of a light module to interact with a person outside a vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of controlling a lighting module of a motor vehicle. More specifically, the invention concerns a method and a control module for a lighting module of a motor vehicle, for interacting with a person outside the motor vehicle.

[0002] Motor vehicles are equipped with several light modules, in particular to perform lighting and / or signaling functions.

[0003] Certain light modules can perform lighting functions by projecting a pixelated light beam, obtained from a light source comprising a plurality of individually activatable light elements. This allows for greater precision in the functions performed, as well as a greater diversity of achievable functions.

[0004] For example, adaptive lighting is permitted by varying the lighting power applied to different areas of the scene facing the vehicle. Other applications allow the projection of an animation, for example in a passenger welcome scenario for the vehicle.

[0005] However, it is not currently possible to interact with a person located outside the vehicle using such vehicle light modules.

[0006] It follows that the use of a light module projecting a pixelated light beam is for the moment limited to lighting or animation functions, but without the possibility of interaction.

[0007] The present invention improves the situation.

[0008] A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for controlling a light module for a motor vehicle, the light module comprising a light source, said light source comprising a plurality of individually controllable light elements and the light module being capable of projecting a pixelated light beam by controlling the light elements of the source, the method comprising the following steps: - detection of a person in an environment outside the motor vehicle; - determination of a light pattern to be projected into the external environment; - control of the light module to form the light pattern in the projected pixelated light beam; in which the light pattern includes at least one interactive light element and in which the method further comprises the following steps: - determination of an interaction between the person and an interactive light element from said at least one interactive light element of the light pattern; - implementation of a specific action based on the interactive light element for which the interaction with the person is determined. Thus, the invention allows a motor vehicle to interact with a person outside the vehicle by controlling the projected pixelated light beam to form a light pattern comprising one or more interactive light elements. The vehicle then implements an action based on the detected interaction of the person with an interactive light element. The functionalities associated with the use of light modules in a vehicle are therefore significantly enhanced.

[0009] According to some embodiments, the determination of the light pattern to be projected can be a function of a position of said person detected.

[0010] Thus, the accuracy associated with determining the projected light pattern is improved. Furthermore, the interaction of the detected person with the interactive light element of the light pattern is facilitated.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the detection of the person in the external environment may follow the acquisition of at least one piece of data relating to the presence of a person in the environment of the vehicle.

[0012] Thus, a high reactivity in the detection of the person, and therefore in the projection of the light pattern, is permitted according to these embodiments.

[0013] In addition, at least one piece of data relating to the presence of the person in the environment of the vehicle may include one or more of the following data: - one or more images acquired by a camera of the motor vehicle; - an image processed by an image processing module and / or a result of image processing applied by the image processing module; - a signal received from a vehicle communication interface; and / or - information captured by a vehicle sensor.

[0014] Thus, such data can be acquired from sensors or modules fitted to most current motor vehicles. The invention can therefore be implemented without the addition of extra sensors, which would be costly and bulky, particularly in a confined space such as a motor vehicle.

[0015] According to embodiments, the determination of the interaction between the person and the interactive light element can follow obtaining at least one descriptive data of a relative position between the detected person and the projected light pattern.

[0016] Such data can be captured by a sensor or camera on the vehicle, which allows real-time detection of user interaction, thus improving responsiveness in implementing the action.

[0017] In addition, at least one descriptive data point of the relative position may include one or more of the following data points: - one or more images acquired by a vehicle camera; and / or - an image processed by a vehicle image processing module and / or a result of image processing applied by the image processing module.

[0018] Thus, such data can be acquired from sensors or modules fitted to most current motor vehicles. The invention can therefore be implemented without the addition of extra sensors, which would be costly and bulky, particularly in a confined space such as a motor vehicle.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the action implemented may include a modification of the light pattern by controlling the light module to form the modified light pattern in the projected pixelated light beam.

[0020] Thus, the projected light pattern can evolve dynamically according to the interactions of the person outside the vehicle. This makes it possible to implement a dynamic interactive service, such as a scenario for welcoming a vehicle user, for example.

[0021] In addition, the modification of the light pattern may include: - a change in the shape and / or color of the interactive light element for which the interaction with the person is determined; - a removal of the interactive light element for which the interaction with the person is determined.

[0022] Thus, the person interacting with the light pattern has visual feedback indicating that their interactions are being taken into account by the vehicle, which reinforces the precision associated with the interactive service.

[0023] Alternatively, the action implemented may include adapting a vehicle driving parameter according to the interactive light element for which the interaction with the person is determined.

[0024] Thus, the interaction of the person outside the vehicle can be used to adapt a driving parameter of the vehicle, which strengthens the safety associated with driving the vehicle, particularly in the case where the motor vehicle is driven autonomously.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the light pattern may include several interactive light elements.

[0026] Thus, a wide variety of interactive services can be implemented from the invention.

[0027] In addition, the light pattern may include a projected light element indicating a question, and N interactive light elements corresponding to respective answers, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0028] Such an embodiment makes it possible to establish interactive communication between the vehicle and the person located outside the vehicle.

[0029] A second aspect of the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to the first aspect of the invention, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

[0030] A third aspect of the invention relates to a control module for a motor vehicle lighting module, the lighting module comprising a light source, said light source comprising a plurality of individually controllable light elements, and the lighting module being capable of projecting a pixelated light beam by controlling the light elements of the source, the control module comprising a processor configured to: - detect a person in an environment outside the motor vehicle; - determine a light pattern to be projected into the external environment; - control the light module to form the light pattern in the projected pixelated light beam. The light pattern includes at least one interactive light element, and the processor is further configured to: - determine an interaction between the person and an interactive light element from said at least one interactive light element of the light pattern; - to implement a specific action based on the interactive light element for which the interaction with the person is determined.

[0031] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0032] [Fig.1] illustrates a vehicle according to embodiments of the invention;

[0033] [Fig.2] illustrates a light module of a vehicle according to embodiments of the invention;

[0034] [Fig.3] illustrates a method of controlling a light module of a vehicle to interact with a person outside the vehicle, according to embodiments of the invention;

[0035] [Fig.4] illustrates a projection of a first light pattern in a pixelated light beam to interact with a person outside the vehicle, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0036] [Fig.5] illustrates a projection of a second light pattern in a pixelated light beam to interact with a person outside the vehicle, according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0037] [Fig.6] illustrates a control module of a light module according to embodiments of the invention.

[0038] The description focuses on the characteristics that distinguish the module and the method from those known in the state of the art.

[0039] Fig. 1 illustrates a vehicle 100 according to embodiments of the invention.

[0040] The vehicle 100 according to the invention comprises at least one light module 120 including a matrix light source capable of forming a pixelated light beam projected outwards from the vehicle, for example onto the ground outside the vehicle.

[0041] In the example shown in [Fig. 1], the light module 120 can be integrated into a lighting device 110 such as a front headlight of the vehicle. The lighting device 110 can thus comprise at least one lighting module, in addition to the light module 120, capable of performing at least one lighting function, such as a low beam function, also called LB for “Low Beam”, and / or a high beam function, also called HB for “High Beam”.

[0042] Thus, in the example shown, the lighting device 110 in which the light module 120 is integrated can be the right front headlight or the left front headlight. Alternatively, a first light module 120 is arranged in the right front headlight and a second light module 120 is arranged in the left front headlight of the vehicle 100.

[0043] In an unrepresented variant, the light module 120 is not integrated into a front projector, but can be integrated into a rear light, a rearview mirror, a vehicle body element, a bumper, or any other external component of the vehicle 100.

[0044] The vehicle 100 according to the invention further comprises at least one camera 140 including a sensor capable of acquiring an image, or a series of images, of the scene into which the light module 120 is capable of projecting the pixelated light beam. Thus, when the light module 120 is mounted in the front headlight of the vehicle 100, the light module 120 projects the pixelated light beam into a scene facing the vehicle: in this case, the camera 140 is arranged in the vehicle 100 so as to acquire an image, or a series of images, representative of the scene facing the vehicle. For example, as illustrated in [Fig. 1], the camera 140 can be arranged in a central position at the top of the windshield of the vehicle 100.

[0045] More generally, the camera 140 is capable of acquiring an image of a scene in which the light module is capable of projecting the pixelated light beam.

[0046] The vehicle 100 further comprises a control device 130 capable of sending control signals to the light module 120, depending on the images acquired by the camera 140. As indicated below, the control device 130 may be suitable for implementing the method according to the invention illustrated with reference to [Fig.3].

[0047] Optionally, the vehicle 100 may include an image processing module 150 for images from the camera 140, capable of applying at least one image processing to the images captured by the camera 140, before transmitting the processed images to the control device 130 and / or the result of the processing to the control device 130. In this case, the control device 130 can determine the control signals of the light module 120 based on the images directly from the camera 140 and / or the processed images or the processing results from the processing module 150. Alternatively, the image processing module 150 is not a separate module and can be integrated as an internal module within the camera 140 or as an internal module within the control device 130.

[0048] In certain embodiments described below, the image processing module 150 is capable of detecting a person outside the vehicle and / or capable of determining a relative position of the person with respect to a projected light pattern.

[0049] The control device 130 may be a centralized vehicle control device, called a “Body Controller,” capable of implementing a plurality of vehicle functions, including the function of controlling the light module 120 to interact with a user outside the vehicle. Alternatively, the control device 130 is dedicated solely to generating control signals to operate the light module 120 to interact with a user outside the vehicle.

[0050] Fig. 2 illustrates the structure of a light module 120 with a matrix light source 200, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0051] The light module 120 comprises: - a control unit 201, also called a pilot unit or “driver” in English, of the matrix light source 200; - the matrix light source 200; - a projection optic 202 of the light from the matrix light source 200 to project a pixelated light beam outwards from the vehicle, in particular to project the pixelated light beam onto the ground in an environment of the vehicle 100. No restrictions are attached to the projection optic, which may include any set of optical elements.

[0052] The matrix light source 200 comprises a plurality of light elements 210 that can be individually controlled by the control unit 201. The control unit 201 can thus individually control the light elements 210, and can thus control a pattern projected in the pixelated light beam by activating certain light elements 210 and deactivating other light elements 210.

[0053] There is no restriction on the number of light elements 210 in the matrix light source 200. Preferably, the matrix light source 200 is a high-definition light source, that is, one capable of projecting a light beam comprising more than one hundred pixels, preferably more than 1000 pixels. The matrix light source 200 can project a light beam comprising more than 10,000 pixels according to embodiments of the invention.

[0054] The luminous elements 210 can be electroluminescent.

[0055] For example, each light element 210 can be a light-emitting diode of the LED type, for “Light Emitting Diode” in English, the plurality of LEDs forming a matrix network of LEDs.

[0056] According to some embodiments, the matrix light source 200 can be monolithic. A so-called "monolithic" source can have a particularly high density of light elements 210, making it especially attractive for a wide range of applications. A monolithic source involves a plurality of submillimeter-sized electroluminescent semiconductor elements 210, directly epitaxially bonded to a common substrate, the substrate generally being made of silicon.Unlike conventional LED arrays, where each individual light-emitting element is a uniquely produced electronic component mounted on a substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB), a monolithic LED source is considered a single electronic component. During its production, multiple areas of light-emitting semiconductor junctions are generated on a common substrate, forming an array. This manufacturing technique allows for the creation of closely spaced areas of light-emitting elements, each acting as a single light-emitting element. The gaps between these elements can be submillimeter in size. One advantage of this manufacturing technique is the high pixel density that can be achieved on a single substrate.

[0057] The individual light elements can be individually controlled by the control unit 201, which is capable of receiving control signals from the control device 201, in particular in the form of a digital image. Individual control can include controlling the power supply provided to the individual light element by pulse-width modulation, or PWM. The control unit 201 can, for example, be an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), which It has the advantage of being very compact, and can be integrated into the monolithic light source.

[0058] Alternatively, the matrix light source 210 comprises a light source and a micromirror matrix, each micromirror thus forming a light element 210 by reflecting the light rays from the light source. The micromirror matrix 210 is also called DMD for Digital Micromirror Devices, and the micromirrors 210 can be individually activated to reflect the light from the light source towards the projection optics 202, thus forming a pixelated light beam, the pattern of which is controllable by controlling the micromirrors 210.

[0059] Figure 3 shows the steps of a method for controlling the light module 120, to interact with a person located outside the vehicle 100, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0060] The method for controlling the light module 120 is implemented by a control module which can be: - the control device 130 capable of transmitting control signals to the light module 120, so that the control unit 201 controls the matrix source 200 according to the control signals; - the control unit 201 capable of controlling the matrix source 200. In this embodiment, the control device 130 does not transmit control signals to the light module 120, and the light module determines a light pattern to be projected according to the images acquired by the camera 140 and / or according to the outputs of the analysis module 150. Thus, in this embodiment, the control device 130 is optional. For illustrative purposes, it is assumed in the following that at least some of the steps in the process are implemented by the control device 130.

[0061] At a step 300, the control module obtains at least one piece of data relating to the presence of a user in a vehicle environment.

[0062] The at least one piece of data relating to a user's presence may include one or more of the following data: - one or more images acquired by camera 140; - an image processed by processing module 150 and / or a result of processing from processing module 150. The processed image could, for example, be a distance image, in which each pixel indicates a distance to an object corresponding to that pixel. There are no restrictions on how the distance image is determined by processing module 150, as image processing methods are well-known. The result of processing from processing module 150 could, for example, indicate whether or not a user is present in the vehicle environment, and may further include user identification and / or user position data; - a signal received from a vehicle communication interface, not shown in [Fig.1], for example a signal received from a vehicle user key following user input on the key (pressing a button on the key, for example to unlock the vehicle); - information captured by another sensor on the vehicle, for example a proximity sensor, a radar or a lidar.

[0063] Thus, preferably, at least one piece of data relating to the presence of the person indicates: - whether or not a person is detected in the vicinity of the vehicle; - optionally, location data of the detected person; - optionally, identification of the detected person.

[0064] At a step 301, the control module checks whether at least one activation condition of the control of the light module 120 is verified, according to at least one data relating to the presence of the person obtained at step 300.

[0065] If each activation condition is met, then the process proceeds to step 302. Otherwise, if at least one activation condition is not met, the process returns to step 300 until at least one new piece of data relating to the presence of the person is received.

[0066] At least one activation condition includes at least one condition on the presence of the person in the vehicle's environment. Thus, if no person is present in the vehicle's environment, at least one activation condition is not met and the process returns to step 300.

[0067] Another activation condition may be, in certain embodiments, that the identification of the detected person corresponds to a user or owner of the vehicle 100.

[0068] Alternatively, another activation condition may be that the detected person is located at the edge of a road on which the vehicle 100 is traveling. To check such a condition, the analysis module 150 can determine a relative position between the road and the detected user in a scene facing the vehicle, from the images captured by the camera 140, and can transmit the relative position between the road and the detected person to the control module.

[0069] The vehicle's environment can be defined by a set of positions outside the vehicle, for example, a set of positions located less than M meters from the vehicle. In some embodiments, M may be equal to 20 or 30 meters. In other embodiments, M may be on the order of several hundred meters, for example, 200 or 300 meters.

[0070] As explained previously, in the case where each activation condition is verified in step 301, the process proceeds to step 302.

[0071] In step 302, the control module determines a light pattern to be projected. The light pattern to be projected can be predetermined, or can be determined according to the position of the detected person, as illustrated in particular with reference to Figures 4 and 5 described below.

[0072] At a step 303, the control module commands the matrix light source 200 according to the determined light pattern, so as to form the light pattern in the pixelated beam projected by the light module 120. When the control module is the control device 130, the step 303 includes the transmission of control signals indicating the determined light pattern, to the control unit 201.

[0073] The light pattern is thus projected into the pixelated light beam, for example onto the ground in the environment of the vehicle.

[0074] Figure 4 illustrates a projection of a first motif in a beam of light. pixelated to interact with a person 410 outside the vehicle, according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0075] In the first embodiment, the person 410 is detected (during step 301) near a road 420 on which the vehicle 100 is traveling, in front of the vehicle 100. In this embodiment, the environment of the vehicle can be defined by positions distant from the vehicle, for example more than 50 meters from the vehicle, but less than several hundred meters, so that the person is detectable, in particular from images from the camera 140.

[0076] In the first embodiment, a first light pattern 400 is projected by at least one light module arranged in at least one lighting device by the right front lighting device 110.1 and the left front lighting device 110.2 of the vehicle 100. By way of illustration in the example of [Fig.4], the light module projecting the first light pattern 400 is integrated into the right front lighting device 110.2 of the vehicle 100.

[0077] The first light pattern 400 can be projected into an area near the person 410 (for example at a distance of less than 5 meters from the person 410), so as to allow an interaction between the person 410 and the first projected light pattern 400.

[0078] The first light pattern 400 may include a projected light element 401 displaying information for the attention of the person 410. The information may, for example, be a question to ask the person 400 whether or not they wish to cross the road 420.

[0079] The first light pattern 400 further comprises at least one interactive light element. The first light pattern 400 may in particular comprise N interactive light elements, N being greater than or equal to 2. In the example of [Fig. 4], the first light pattern 400 comprises a first interactive light element 402.1 and a second interactive light element 402.2.

[0080] In some embodiments, each of the N interactive light elements corresponds to an answer to a question displayed by the projected light element 4Ol. For example, the first interactive light element 4Ol2.1 can display a “yes” answer (indicating that person 410 wants to cross road 420) and a “no” answer (indicating that person 410 does not want to cross road 420).

[0081] No restriction is attached to the number of interactive light elements included in the first light pattern 400.

[0082] According to the invention, the person 410 can interact with an interactive light element from among the first interactive light element 402.1 and the second interactive light element 402.2, and such interaction can be detected by the control module, as described below. Following detection of the interaction, the control module can implement an action dependent on the detected interaction.

[0083] Thus, the first embodiment can be implemented during a period of driving of the vehicle 100.

[0084] Figure 5 illustrates a projection of a second light pattern 500 into a pixelated light beam to interact with a person 510 outside the vehicle 100, according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0085] The second light pattern 500 can be projected by a light module integrated into the right front lighting device 110.1 or into the left front lighting device 110.2. As in [Fig.4], [Fig.5] illustrates an example in which the light module is integrated into the right front lighting device 110.1.

[0086] In the second embodiment, the person 510 can be a user of the vehicle 100, for example the owner of the vehicle. In this second embodiment, the owner can be detected at step 301 by the identification included in the data obtained at step 300, which can be a signal from the vehicle user's key and / or which can be an image processing result from the image processing module 150 indicating that the vehicle user is identified, at a given position, in images acquired by the camera 140 (the image processing module 150 can implement for this purpose a facial recognition algorithm for the vehicle user 100).

[0087] Thus, in the second embodiment, the vehicle environment corresponds to a set of positions at a distance of less than M meters, M being between 10 meters and 30 meters, for example equal to 20 meters.

[0088] The second light pattern 500 according to the second embodiment may include at least one interactive light element. For example, as shown in [Fig. 5], the second light pattern 500 may include a plurality of interactive light elements 501.1 to 501.4. However, there is no restriction on the number of interactive light elements in the second light pattern 500.

[0089] As shown in [Fig.5], the interactive light elements can be identical and can form a path between the person 510 outside the vehicle 100, and the vehicle 100. The user 510 can thus interact sequentially with each of the interactive light elements 501.1 to 501.4, starting with the interactive light element closest to the user 510, namely the interactive light element 501.4.

[0090] Thus, the second embodiment can be implemented during a period of vehicle parking 100.

[0091] Referring again to [Fig.3], at a step 304, the control module obtains at least one descriptive data point of a relative position between the detected person and the projected light pattern.

[0092] The at least one descriptive data point may include one or more of the following data points: - one or more images acquired by camera 140; and / or - an image processed by the image processing module 150 and / or a processing result from the image processing module 150. The processed image could, for example, be a distance image. The processing result from the image processing module 150 could, for example, indicate whether the previously detected person interacted with an interactive light element of the projected light pattern. The image processing module 150 can detect such an interaction by applying a machine learning model capable of receiving an input image and determining whether the person touched an interactive light element projected onto the ground. Alternatively, such a model is used by the control module, which applies the model in a step 305 described below, upon receiving the camera images in step 304.

[0093] At step 305, the control module determines whether the person has interacted with an interactive element of the projected light pattern, and, if so, determines which interactive element the person has interacted with. For example, the person interacts with a given interactive light element by touching (for example with their foot) an area on the ground into which the given interactive element is projected.

[0094] No restrictions are attached to the way in which such an interaction is detected by the control module. For example, the interaction may be detected by detecting a touch on an area of ​​the floor onto which an interactive light element is projected. For this purpose, the control module may implement an algorithm touch detection from a series of images acquired at step 304 by camera 140. An example of a touch detection algorithm applicable to a series of images is described for example in the paper “Virtual Touch Sensor Using a Depth Camera” by Dong-seok Lee and Soon-kak Kwon, Sensors (Basel), February 2019, 19(4):885.

[0095] According to this document, a depth image can be obtained (for example, directly from the camera 140 when the camera 140 is a depth camera, or from the processing module 150 capable of determining a depth image from an RGB image). A touchable area of ​​the image is then defined: in the invention, a portion of the image is thus associated with each projected interactive light element. It can then be verified that the depth of an object used for touching (“touch object”, for example, a person's foot) passes through a depth initially defined for each portion of the image associated with a projected interactive light element. The invention is, however, in no way limited to touch detection based on depth images. Alternatively, an interaction detection algorithm based on RGB images can be provided.

[0096] In the event of no interaction between the detected person and at least one interactive light element of the projected light pattern, the method can return to step 303, or to step 300 if at least one descriptive data of the relative position between the detected person and the projected light pattern indicates that the detected person is moving away from the projected light pattern, or if at least one descriptive data of the relative position between the user and the projected light pattern indicates that the person is no longer detected (for example when the person has moved out of the camera's field of vision).

[0097] If the control module determines that the detected person has interacted with an interactive light element, the process proceeds to a step 306 of implementing at least one action depending on the interactive light element for which an interaction with the detected person is determined.

[0098] Two examples of action are described below, with reference to the two embodiments described in Figures 4 and 5. However, other actions can be implemented within the framework of the invention, by the control module, depending on the interactive light element for which an interaction with the detected person is determined.

[0099] In the first embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4], the control module can determine at step 305 whether the person has interacted with the first interactive light element 402.1 or with the second interactive light element 402.2, for example by walking on an area corresponding to one or the other of the interactive light elements 402.1 and 402.2.

[0100] Depending on the interactive light element with which the person 410 has interacted, the control module (which in the first embodiment is preferably a centralized control device 130 for the vehicle 100) can adapt a driving parameter of the vehicle 100, for example, to accelerate, decelerate, or maintain a speed of the vehicle 100. For example, when the person 410 has touched the first interactive light element 402.1 to indicate their intention to cross the road 420, the control device 130 can reduce the speed of the vehicle 100, or display a message to the driver indicating to reduce the vehicle's speed, at a stage 307. Conversely, when the person 410 has touched the second interactive light element 402.2 to indicate that it does not intend to cross Route 410, the control device 130 may maintain or accelerate the speed, or may indicate to the driver that the speed may be maintained or increased, at step 307.

[0101] In the second embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 5], the control module (which may be the control device 130 or the control unit 201) can determine at a first iteration of step 305 that the person 510 (the user of the vehicle 100) has interacted with the interactive light element 501.4 closest to them (for example, by walking in an area in which the interactive light element 501.4 is projected). According to the second embodiment, the control module can, at a step 308, modify the interactive light element 501.4 with which the person 510 has interacted, leaving unchanged the interactive light element(s) with which the person has not interacted. Thus, the control module commands the light module 120 to modify the interactive light element 501.4 in the projected light pattern 500.

[0102] Such a modification of the interactive light element 501.4 may be: - a change in the color and / or shape of the interactive light element 501.4; - removal of the interactive light element 501.4. Following step 308 of modifying the light pattern 500, the process returns to step 304, and the control module obtains at least one descriptive data point of a relative position between the detected user and the light pattern 500 modified during the previous step 308. Thus, at a new iteration of step 305, the control module can determine whether the person 510 has interacted with another interactive light element other than the interactive light element 501.4 with which the person 510 interacted during the first iteration.

[0103] For example, the control module can determine that person 510 has interacted with the interactive light element 501.3 that is closest to the interactive light element 501.4 with which person 510 previously interacted. In a subsequent iteration of step 308, the control module can thus modify the light pattern 500 so as to change the shape and / or color of the interactive light element 501.3 or so as to remove the interactive light element 501.3.

[0104] Thus, an interactive journey can be created between vehicle 100 and person 510, with a dynamic evolution depending on the interactions with person 510. Such an interactive journey can be a welcome scenario for vehicle 100, or “welcome scenario” in English.

[0105] More generally (in all embodiments of the invention), the control module implements an action in step 306 based on an interactive light element with which the detected person interacts. Such an action may be, for example, a modification or maintenance of a vehicle parameter and / or a modification of the light pattern projected by the light module 120.

[0106] Figure 6 illustrates the structure of a control module 600 according to embodiments of the invention.

[0107] As described previously, the control module 600 can be the control unit 201, the control device 130 or can be integrated into the control device 130.

[0108] The control module 600 includes a processor 601 configured to communicate unidirectionally or bidirectionally, via one or more buses or via a direct wired connection, with a memory 602 such as a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), or any other type of memory (Flash, EEPROM, etc.). Alternatively, the memory 602 comprises several memories of the aforementioned types.

[0109] The memory 602 is capable of storing, permanently or temporarily, at least some of the data used and / or resulting from the implementation of the steps of the process according to the invention illustrated with reference to [Fig.3].

[0110] The processor 601 is capable of executing instructions, stored in memory 602, for the implementation of steps 300 to 308 described above. Alternatively, the processor 601 can be replaced by a microcontroller designed and configured to perform steps 300 to 308 described above.

[0111] The control module 600 includes a first interface 603 capable of obtaining data during steps 300 and 304 described above, in particular from the camera 140 and / or from the image processing module 150.

[0112] The control module 600 includes a second interface 604 capable of communicating: - with the light module 120 to transmit the control signals during steps 303 and 308, when the light module 120 is the control device 130 or is integrated into the control device 130; - with matrix source 200 to control the display of the light pattern in the projected pixelated light beam, at steps 303 to 308, when light module 120 is control unit 130.

[0113] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of example; it extends to other variants.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for controlling a light module (120) for a motor vehicle (100), the light module comprising a light source (200), said light source comprising a plurality of individually controllable light elements (210), and the light module being capable of projecting a pixelated light beam by controlling the light elements of the source, the method comprising the following steps: - detecting (301) a person (410; 510) in an environment outside the motor vehicle; - determining (302) a light pattern (400; 500) to be projected into the external environment; - controlling (303) the light module to form the light pattern in the projected pixelated light beam; wherein the light pattern comprises at least one interactive light element (402.1; 402.2; 501.1-501).4) and wherein the process further comprises the following steps: - determination (305) of an interaction between the person and an interactive light element from among said at least one interactive light element of the light pattern; - implementation (306-308) of a determined action depending on the interactive light element for which the interaction with the person is determined.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the determination (302) of the light pattern (400; 500) to be projected is a function of a detected position of said person.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection (301) of the person (410; 510) in the external environment follows the acquisition (300) of at least one data point relating to the presence of a person in the environment of the vehicle (100).

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein at least one data point relating to the presence of the person (410; 510) in the environment of the vehicle (100) comprises one or more of the following data points: - one or more images acquired by a camera (140) of the motor vehicle; - an image processed by an image processing module (150) and / or a result of image processing applied by the image processing module; - a signal received from a vehicle communication interface; and / or - information captured by a vehicle sensor.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the determination of the interaction between the person (410; 510) and the interactive light element (402.1; 402.2; 501.1-501.4) follows the obtaining (304) of at least one descriptive data of a relative position between the detected person and the projected light pattern.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein at least one descriptive data of the relative position comprises one or more of the following data: - one or more images acquired by a camera (140) of the vehicle (100); and / or - an image processed by an image processing module (150) of the vehicle and / or a result of an image processing applied by the image processing module.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the action carried out comprises a modification (307) of the light pattern (400; 500) by controlling the light module (120) to form the modified light pattern in the projected pixelated light beam.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the modification (307) of the light pattern (400; 500) comprises: - a modification of a shape and / or a color of the interactive light element for which the interaction with the person is determined; - a deletion of the interactive light element for which the interaction with the person is determined.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the action implemented includes adapting (308) a driving parameter of the vehicle (100) as a function of the interactive light element (402.1; 402.2; 501.1-501.4) for which the interaction with the person (410; 510) is determined.

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light pattern (400; 500) comprises several interactive light elements (402.1; 402.2; 501.1-501.4).

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the light pattern (400; 500) comprises a projected light element (401) indicating a question, and N interactive light elements corresponding to respective answers, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2.

12. Computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor (601).

13. Control module (130; 201) of a light module (120) for a motor vehicle (100), the light module comprising a light source (200), said light source comprising a plurality of individually controllable light elements (210) and the light module being capable of projecting a pixelated light beam by controlling the light elements of the source, the control module comprising a processor (601) configured to: - detect a person in an environment outside the motor vehicle; - determine a light pattern to be projected into the outside environment; - control the light module to form the light pattern in the projected pixelated light beam;in which the light pattern includes at least one interactive light element and in which the processor is further configured to: - determine an interaction between the person and an interactive light element from among said at least one interactive light element of the light pattern; - implement a specific action based on the interactive light element for which the interaction with the person is determined.

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