A method for illuminating pedestrian crossings that cross roads, lighting equipment and vehicles for implementing said method.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method (1) of illuminating a pedestrian crossing (3) that crosses a road (2), wherein an autonomously controllable and / or manually controllable vehicle (4) traveling on the road (2) moves toward the pedestrian crossing (3). Essentially, as the vehicle (4) approaches the pedestrian crossing (3), a road user (5) attempting to cross the road (2) is detected by a sensor, and in response to the detection of the road user (5) by the vehicle (4), as soon as the vehicle (4) stops before the pedestrian crossing (3), a light image (6) is projected onto the road (2) so that the pedestrian crossing (3) is at least partially illuminated by the vehicle (4) for the road user (5). Furthermore, the present invention relates to an illumination device (14) configured to carry out the proposed method (1), and an autonomously controllable and / or manually controllable vehicle (4) equipped with such an illumination device (14) or configured to carry out the proposed method (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for illuminating a crosswalk that crosses a road. The present invention particularly relates to an illumination device for implementing the method according to the present invention, and further particularly to an autonomously controllable and / or manually controllable vehicle that has the above illumination device or is configured to implement the method according to the present invention.

Background Art

[0002] A method for visualizing a crosswalk that crosses a road is known from Patent Document 1 for road users attempting to cross the road. After a vehicle detects the corresponding road user by a sensor, an image is projected onto the road in the form of zebra stripes via the vehicle's pixel headlight or the like, and the projecting vehicle communicates with another vehicle traveling on the road, so that it is possible to guide the road user to cross the road safely.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem of the present invention is to provide a method by which a road user can be guided to cross the road safely, which is improved or at least different from other embodiments compared to the prior art.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In the present invention, this problem is particularly solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description. This invention is based on the general idea that if a vehicle moving towards a crosswalk first detects road users using a sensor, notifies the road users of the successful detection, and illuminates the crosswalk as soon as the vehicle stops before it, road users who use the crosswalk to cross the road can be safely guided across the road.

[0006] For this purpose, a method has been proposed for illuminating a crosswalk across a road, wherein an autonomously controllable and / or manually controllable vehicle traveling on the road moves toward the crosswalk. The vehicle is configured to use its sensor equipment to detect road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, who are attempting to cross the road via the crosswalk. This may mean, in particular, that the vehicle is configured to, on the one hand, detect the corresponding road user as such (e.g., based on physical characteristics) and / or to detect the road user's movement path (e.g., movement trajectory curve), possibly to identify the road user's intention and future movement path, and / or, on the other hand, to detect the features of the crosswalk across the road (e.g., parallel white lines, traffic signs and the like). The sensor equipment can be implemented by general, particularly commercially available, vehicle sensor equipment. What is important to the present invention is that, while the vehicle is approaching the crosswalk, i.e., when the vehicle is moving toward the crosswalk at a predetermined speed in the direction of travel, the vehicle detects road users attempting to cross the road via the crosswalk using its sensors. Furthermore, the method according to the present invention is configured such that, in response to the detection of road users, the vehicle projects a light image onto the road for road users while approaching a crosswalk, and especially only when the vehicle is approaching a crosswalk. In addition, as soon as the vehicle stops before the crosswalk, the vehicle illuminates the crosswalk at least partially for road users.

[0007] The proposed method can significantly improve the safety of road users at crosswalks. This is based on the fact that a vehicle moving towards a crosswalk can use the aforementioned light image to inform detected road users at the crosswalk that the vehicle has successfully detected pedestrians, even before the actual crossing occurs. This provides road users with a reassuring confirmation that the vehicle is functioning properly, responding appropriately to road users, and, for example, beginning to slow down. When a vehicle stops before a crosswalk, the crosswalk is at least partially illuminated by the vehicle, allowing road users to cross the road comfortably and safely from vehicles, especially at dusk or at night, and at crosswalks without lighting.

[0008] Purposefully, the light image may be configured to inform the road user as a confirmation signal that the vehicle has successfully detected the road user. In other words, preferably, the light image provided is configured so that the road user can directly, and in some cases intuitively, understand that the road user has been detected by the vehicle or the vehicle's sensor device. This allows road users, who are more vulnerable to traffic than vehicles, to be confident that the autonomously controlled vehicle will slow down and stop before the crosswalk. This measure can also contribute to improving the acceptability of autonomously controlled vehicles in particular, as the light image can also be provided to road users as a control option for confidence in the precise functioning of the autonomously controlled vehicle.

[0009] More preferably, if the vehicle is manually controlled, the light image is configured to display the manually controlled movement of the vehicle as a warning signal to road users. It is purposeful if the light image functioning as a warning signal is provided until the manually controlled vehicle falls below a predetermined limit speed. The limit speed may be, for example, walking speed or other vehicle speed controllable by road users. Alternatively, the light image functioning as a warning signal can be displayed until the manually controlled vehicle stops before a crosswalk. The light image functioning as a warning signal is configured to be directly and, in some cases intuitively understandable to road users as a warning or instruction that they may only cross the crosswalk when the vehicle is stopped.

[0010] Purposefully, the system is configured to turn off the light image as soon as a vehicle stops before a crosswalk. This visualizes to road users that the vehicle has come to a complete stop before the crosswalk and that road users can safely cross the crosswalk with respect to the vehicle. In principle, it is possible to keep the light image on even when the vehicle is stopped, for example, to achieve better lighting around the crosswalk and / or the vehicle and / or the area around the crosswalk.

[0011] Furthermore, for the sake of purpose, the light image is formed by light-shape elements. For the sake of purpose, the light-shape elements are two-dimensional light projections projected onto the road. The light-shape elements are preferably formed separately, but can also transition into each other and, so to speak, merge with each other. Preferably, the light-shape elements are generated by pixel headlights. The light-forming elements can be modified in terms of intensity and brightness. In particular, the light-forming elements can be configured to flash.

[0012] Suitable optical shape elements can be purposefully formed as circular, elliptical, or oblong optical shape elements, and / or linear optical shape elements. Preferably, the circular, elliptical, or oblong optical shape elements and / or linear optical shape elements together generate a single optical image that is detected as a confirmation signal by road users. Furthermore, in addition to, or instead of, circular, elliptical, oblong, and / or linear optical shape elements, it is conceivable that optical shape elements be formed as letters or warning signs. Such optical shape elements can be interpreted as warning signals particularly easily, quickly, and sometimes intuitively by road users.

[0013] Furthermore, for practical purposes, one circular, elliptical, or oblong optical element is formed on each of the opposing sides of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction. In addition, two linear optical elements can be formed in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel, aligned parallel to the direction of travel, and / or spaced apart in a direction transverse to the direction of travel, with a predetermined interval determined by the shape of the vehicle or the shape of the crosswalk. This interval may, for example, correspond to half the width of the road or half the length of the crosswalk.

[0014] Purposefully, circular, elliptical, or oblong light-shaped elements are projected onto the road from the vehicle's cornering lights or from at least one laser or LED-based light module of the vehicle. Linear light-shaped elements can also be configured to be projected onto the road from the vehicle's headlights and / or from laser or LED-based light modules of the vehicle. This makes it possible to provide light images or light-shaped elements relatively inexpensively, and in some cases using normal lighting in the vehicle.

[0015] Furthermore, for practical purposes, at least partial illumination of the pedestrian crossing is realized using the headlights of a vehicle and / or at least one laser or LED-based optical module of a vehicle for emitting light. Pedestrian crossings can be illuminated relatively easily using the headlights of a vehicle and / or laser or LED-based optical modules. The illuminated surface portion of the pedestrian crossing can be shaped, for example, rectangular, circular, elliptical, or oblong.

[0016] Purposefully, the surface portion of the pedestrian crossing located in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel is illuminated. Purposefully, the surface portion of the pedestrian crossing may have an area equivalent to half of the total area of ​​the pedestrian crossing, or at least half of the total area of ​​the pedestrian crossing.

[0017] Another fundamental idea of ​​the present invention is to provide a lighting device capable of implementing the above-described method for a vehicle configured for autonomous and / or manual control. For this purpose, a lighting device is proposed that is configured for autonomous and / or manually controllable vehicles and comprises a headlight for emitting light and / or at least one laser or LED-based light module for emitting light. Purposefully, these components of the lighting device are configured to project a light image onto the road and at least partially illuminate a crosswalk. The lighting device also comprises a control device configured to implement the proposed method. This provides an inexpensive and simple device capable of implementing the above-described method.

[0018] Another fundamental idea of ​​the present invention is to provide an advantageous vehicle equipped with the above-described lighting device or configured to implement the proposed method. To this end, an autonomously controllable and / or manually controllable vehicle is proposed having a lighting device of the type described above or configured to implement the proposed method. This provides an advantageous vehicle that communicates with detected road users to improve road user safety when approaching a crosswalk, in order to inform road users of its sensor detection, and that at least partially illuminates the crosswalk for road users when stopped at the crosswalk.

[0019] In summary, purposefully, the present invention relates to a method for illuminating a pedestrian crossing over a road, wherein an autonomously controllable and / or manually controllable vehicle traveling on the road moves toward the pedestrian crossing. Essentially, as the vehicle approaches the pedestrian crossing, a sensor detects road users who intend to cross the road, and in response to the vehicle's detection of road users, as soon as the vehicle stops before the pedestrian crossing, a light image is projected onto the road so that the pedestrian crossing is at least partially illuminated by the vehicle for road users. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an illumination device configured to carry out the proposed method, and to an autonomously controllable and / or manually controllable vehicle equipped with such an illumination device or configured to carry out the proposed method.

[0020] Other important features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, drawings, and the description of relevant figures based on the drawings.

[0021] The features described above, and the features further described below, should be understood to be usable not only in the combinations shown, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and described in detail below, where the same reference numerals represent the same, similar, or functionally identical parts.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a plan view showing a very simplified part of a road having a crosswalk, and the vehicle implements the method according to the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] In FIG. 1, a part of a two-lane road 2 is shown in a very simplified symbolic plan view, and a crosswalk indicated by the reference numeral 3 extends across the two-lane road. The corresponding crosswalk 3 is formed by pavement markings in the form of parallel white bars, which are also known as zebra stripes in colloquial language. Here, an exemplary road user 5, who is a pedestrian and is located beside the crosswalk 3, is shown in a traffic situation where the user is attempting to use the crosswalk 3 to cross the road 2 more safely. At the same time, a vehicle 4 indicated by a box is moving towards the crosswalk 3 in the driving direction 12. The vehicle 4 is merely exemplary and is configured to be autonomously controllable and / or manually controllable, and includes a sensor device (not shown) for detecting the road user 5 and a lighting device 14, which is also not shown in detail and is merely indicated by a box. The lighting device includes a headlight for emitting light and / or a cornering light for emitting light and / or at least one laser or LED-based light module for emitting light, and a control device for implementing the following method 1.

[0025] To improve the safety of road users 5 when using the pedestrian crossing 3, and in particular to enhance the acceptability of an autonomously controlled vehicle 4, the present invention proposes a method 1 for illuminating a pedestrian crossing 3 that crosses a road 2. In method 1, the vehicle 4 is configured to use sensors to detect road users attempting to cross the road 2 via the pedestrian crossing 3 as it approaches the pedestrian crossing 3. In response to the detection of road users 5, the vehicle 4 projects a light image 6 onto the road 2 for road users 5 while it is approaching the pedestrian crossing 3, and only when it is in close proximity. At this time, the light image 6 is formed by a plurality of separate light shape elements 8,9, and the light shape elements as a whole display to the road user 5 as a confirmation signal that the vehicle 4 has successfully detected the road user 5. For illustrative purposes only, two first light shape elements 8, which are circular, elliptical, or oblong, are formed on both sides of the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 4, and these first light shape elements are indicated in Figure 1 by two simple dashed ellipses. Furthermore, in the forward direction of travel 12 of the vehicle 4, two linear second optical shape elements 9, each symbolized by two simple dashed ellipses in Figure 1, are formed. The two second optical shape elements 9 are oriented parallel to the direction of travel and are spaced apart from each other laterally with respect to the direction of travel 12, with this spacing roughly corresponding to the width of the vehicle 4 or the lane width of the road 4.

[0026] According to proposed Method 1, the provided light image 6 is further provided continuously / permanently while the vehicle 4 approaches the crosswalk 3 and is turned off as soon as the vehicle 4 stops before the crosswalk 3. In order to enable road users 5 to safely cross the road 4 relative to the vehicle 4, Method 1 further proposes that as soon as the vehicle 4 stops before the crosswalk 3, the crosswalk 3 is at least partially illuminated by the vehicle 4 for road users 5 so that road users 5 can better detect the crosswalk 3 and, in some cases, the area around the crosswalk 3. In Figure 1, merely illustratively, a portion of the surface 13 of the crosswalk 3 located directly in front of the vehicle 4 in the direction of travel 12 is illuminated. The portion of the surface 13, merely illustratively, has an area equivalent to about half of the total area of ​​the crosswalk 3. Needless to say, in this method, it is possible for the vehicle 4 to illuminate not only the suggested portion 13 of the crosswalk 3, but also, in some cases, a smaller portion of the crosswalk 3, or a larger portion of the crosswalk 3, or the entire area of ​​the crosswalk 3.

Claims

1. A method (1) for illuminating a pedestrian crossing (3) that crosses a road (2), - In the method described above, an autonomously controllable and / or manually controllable vehicle (4) traveling on the road (2) moves toward a pedestrian crossing (3), and the vehicle (4) is configured to use its sensor device to detect road users (5) who are about to cross the road (2) via the pedestrian crossing (3), - While the vehicle (4) is approaching the pedestrian crossing (3), a road user (5) attempting to cross the road (2) via the pedestrian crossing (3) is detected by the vehicle's sensors. - In response to the detection of the road user (5), while the vehicle is approaching the pedestrian crossing (3), a light image (6) is projected onto the road (2) by the vehicle (4) for the road user (5), The method (1), characterized in that as soon as the vehicle (4) stops in front of the pedestrian crossing (3), the pedestrian crossing (3) is at least partially illuminated by the vehicle (4) for the benefit of road users (5).

2. The method according to claim 1 (1), characterized in that the optical image (6) is configured to notify the road user (5) of the successful detection of the road user (5) by the vehicle (4).

3. - The method according to claim 1 or 2 (1), characterized in that, in the case of a manually controlled vehicle (4), the light image (6) is configured to inform the road user (5) of the fact that the vehicle (4) is being manually controlled as a warning signal.

4. - The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 (1), characterized in that the light image (6) is turned off as soon as the vehicle (4) stops in front of the pedestrian crossing (3).

5. - The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the light image (6) is formed by light shape elements (8, 9).

6. - The method according to claim 5 (1), characterized in that the light shape elements (8, 9) are formed as circular, elliptical, or oblong light shape elements (8) and / or linear light shape elements (9), and are formed to change in intensity or to blink.

7. - A single circular, elliptical, or oblong first optical element (8) is formed on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (4), - The method (1) of claim 6, characterized in that two linear second optical shape elements (9) are formed in front of the vehicle (4) in the direction of travel (12) and are aligned parallel to the direction of travel, and / or have a predetermined interval between them in a direction crossing the direction of travel (12) by the shape of the vehicle (4) or the shape of the pedestrian crossing.

8. - The first optical shape element (8) is projected onto the road (2) from the cornering lights of the vehicle (4) for emitting light or from at least one laser or LED-based optical module of the vehicle (4) for emitting light, and / or - The method (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the second optical shape element (9) is projected onto the road (2) from the headlights of the vehicle (4) for emitting light or from at least one laser or LED-based optical module of the vehicle (4) for emitting light.

9. - The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 (1), characterized in that at least partial illumination of the pedestrian crossing (3) is achieved using the headlights of the vehicle (4) for emitting light and / or at least one laser or LED-based optical module of the vehicle (4) for emitting light.

10. - The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 (1), characterized in that the surface portion (13) of the pedestrian crossing (3) located in front of the vehicle (4) in the direction of travel (12) is illuminated.

11. A lighting device (14) for an autonomously controllable and / or manually controllable vehicle (4), - comprising a headlight and / or cornering light and / or at least one laser or LED-based optical module for emitting light, configured to project a light image (6) onto the road (2) to illuminate the pedestrian crossing (3), - The lighting device (14) comprises a control device configured to carry out the method (1) described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. An autonomously controllable and / or manually controllable vehicle (4) having a lighting device (14) as described in claim 11, or configured to carry out the method (1) described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

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