System for controlling a light assembly of a vehicle

Abstract

A system for controlling a light assembly of a vehicle comprising an array of light sources adapted to perform at least one lighting or turning function of the vehicle is described, comprising: a user interface computer environment for light configuration of the light assembly arranged to obtain from a user a lighting shape of the array of light sources associated with a predetermined lighting or turning function of the light assembly; processing and control means on board the vehicle adapted to select a number of light sources for the array that perform or approximate the implementation of the obtained lighting shape; and a drive unit for the array of light sources adapted to control the activation of the number of light sources selected to perform the predetermined lighting or light signaling function.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle, more particularly to a light assembly of a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for controlling a light assembly or lights of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. [Background technology]

[0002] The term "light assembly" refers interchangeably to either a headlight assembly or a taillight assembly adapted to generate a light beam for illumination and / or direction indication. A headlight assembly generally consists of low and high beam headlamps, position lights or DRLs (daytime running lights), and at least one turn indicator. A taillight assembly generally consists of a tail light, a brake light, and at least one turn indicator.

[0003] In the past, the lighting and direction functions of a vehicle were performed by a single lamp or a few lamps, using the effects of reflectors and lenses to direct and collimate the light beam. Over the years, the miniaturization of lamps and associated power supplies and their replacement with light guides and LEDs have freed the light assemblies from their circular or rectangular shapes, allowing more design freedom that automakers are leveraging to personalize the light assemblies' integration into the vehicle body and the lighting shape perceived by an outside observer.

[0004] Currently, it is known to obtain the lighting or direction function of a vehicle by an array of light sources arranged in a given area of ​​the light assembly and limited in shape by design effect, and also known to design several lighting shapes to obtain the respective integrated lighting or direction function in the whole area of ​​the light assembly. One embodiment is an exemplary tail light assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1, which includes a C-shaped lighting shape 12 (or an inverted C-shape in a symmetrically opposed assembly) for performing the tail lighting function, a rectangular lighting shape 14 inserted in the inner space of the C-shape 12 for performing the brake signal function, and an underlying linear segment lighting shape 16 for performing the turn signal function, possibly with lighting animation, i.e. sequential lighting of the light sources from one end of the segment to the other. Each lighting area or line is obtained by illuminating a respective plurality of light sources arranged in a single or parallel row (one of which is given the reference number L by way of example) belonging to a functionally different sector of the light assembly.

[0005] In a light assembly including an array of light sources adapted to perform at least one lighting or turning function for a vehicle, it is desirable to be able to enhance the possibilities of creating lighting shapes for performing the respective lighting or turning function. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a light assembly that provides increased possibilities for creating lighting shapes associated with a given lighting or direction function of the light assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a system for controlling a light assembly of a vehicle having the features recited in claim 1.

[0008] Particular embodiments are the subject matter of dependent claims, the content of which is understood to be an integral part of this description.

[0009] In summary, the invention is based on the principle of implementing a vehicle light assembly by means of an array of light sources, the attribution to specific lighting or turning functions of the vehicle being programmable by the user so as to offer complete freedom in defining the lighting shape for each lighting or turning function.

[0010] Advantageously, the invention has a preferred application in the context of customizing the shape and size of taillights, and more generally of lights generally intended for a directional function (e.g. brake lights and rear turn signal lights), not only on the outside of the vehicle but also inside the vehicle (e.g. interior lights). The customization of the shape and size of headlamps and lights generally intended for a lighting function is not excluded, although they must meet the technical requirement of correctly illuminating the road ahead of the vehicle in all driving conditions.

[0011] A user can draw a desired lighting shape for the illumination of the light assembly on their personal device, such as a tablet or smartphone, and the system covered by the present invention, via a software application local or remote to the vehicle, can recognize the permitted shapes and, if so, communicate the lighting shape to be reproduced to the drive unit of the light assembly, for example, via a short-range wireless communication protocol (Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, etc.).

[0012] Thus, the invention allows the experience of using one's own vehicle, or a temporarily rented vehicle, to be enhanced and personalized in terms of the aesthetics (shape and dimensions) of the vehicle's visible features, and can be further enhanced by sharing one's lighting shape designs with other users, for example through a software platform where one can make them available and exchange ideas and suggestions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exemplary representation of a vehicle light assembly including an array of prior art light sources as previously described. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system that is the subject of the present invention; [Figure 3a] FIG. 3a is a design and embodiment of the illumination shape of the light assembly according to the present invention. [Figure 3a] FIG. 3b is a design and embodiment of the illumination shape of the light assembly according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for constructing a light assembly in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, given purely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] In FIG. 2, a vehicle light assembly including an array of light sources is indicated by reference numeral 10, and a system for controlling the light assembly comprises a setting unit which may be integrated into an infotainment system installed in the vehicle or which may be external to the vehicle and accessible from suitable user interface and communication devices, and a control unit (indicated by the dashed area in the figure) installed in the vehicle.

[0016] The light sources are preferably monochromatic or multi-color (RGB) LEDs, each of which can advantageously be controlled individually. The array of LEDs can be arranged on a flat or curved surface and can match the aesthetics (ribs, profile) of the light assembly.

[0017] The setting unit comprises light configuration means 20 of the light assembly arranged to obtain from a user a desired lighting shape of the light source array, which is associated with a given lighting or turning function of the light assembly. The control unit is mounted on the vehicle and coupled to the light assembly, and comprises processing and control means 22 adapted to receive data indicative of the lighting shape desired by the user and to select a plurality of light sources of the array, and driving means 24 for controlling the array of light sources adapted to control the operation of the plurality of light sources selected to perform the given lighting or turning function.

[0018] Currently. In a preferred embodiment, the configuration means of the setting section comprises a user interface computer environment 20, advantageously implemented as an application present on the user's personal mobile communication device, arranged to set a preferred lighting shape of the light source array of the lighting assembly and to transmit remotely data representative of said lighting shape to the processing and control means 22. Said setting can be done, for example, by drawing freehand directly on an area of ​​the screen of the device via a stylus or other writing means, in a guided manner via a combination of preset geometric shapes, or by retrieving a previously traced design image via a communication network.

[0019] 3a and 3b respectively show the design of an illumination shape S of a vehicle tail light assembly on the screen D of a user's personal mobile communication device M, which the user interface computer environment APP runs for this purpose as its realization S' on the actual light assembly 10 of the vehicle V. In order not to overload the drawings, light sources are not shown in the figures, but it must be understood that they are present in the same way as shown by way of example in the embodiment of FIG.

[0020] Programmable area A is a user modifiable design defined on the entire area of ​​the light assembly and displayed on the screen within a contour limited to the geometric shape of the light assembly. If the user designs a single lighting or directional feature (e.g. tail light lighting shape), the entire programmable area can be used, if the user designs multiple lighting or directional features (e.g. tail light and turn signal lighting shapes), the available area of ​​each feature is displayed to the user subject to regulatory restrictions on the relationship between said areas.

[0021] Advantageously, the user interface computer environment is arranged to set multiple light shapes for the array of light sources associated with a given lighting or directional function of the light assembly, and to associate each of them with a corresponding selection condition, including at least one of time, location, and driving conditions. In this way, the user has the option to create variable light shapes for the same function depending on the time of day and the road, for example, differentiating light shapes for daytime vs. nighttime driving, city vs. highway driving, etc. This allows for pre-planning which light shapes to automatically adopt from the multiple light shapes stored in the storage device.

[0022] Equally advantageously, the computing environment is arranged to proactively compare the acquired illumination shapes of the light source array with predefined geometric features and evaluate their conformity to predefined standardized homologation features for the relevant illumination or orientation function, or to compare them in advance, possibly within a predefined similarity degree by known image comparison algorithms, with a collection of illumination shapes that are not permitted because they are protected by third party exclusive rights. If the illumination shape corresponds to an impermissible illumination shape, the illumination shape is rejected.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment, the comparison of the desired lighting configuration with the collection of unacceptable lighting configurations may be performed on-board the vehicle, in which case the processing and control means 22 is arranged to compare an arrangement of a number of selected light sources activated to obtain a given lighting or turning function with the collection of unacceptable lighting configurations. If the lighting configuration corresponds to an unacceptable lighting configuration, the lighting configuration is rejected.

[0024] In the lighting assembly, the array of light sources comprises corresponding areas according to the sub-arrays of light sources intended for a respective lighting or steering function, and in one embodiment the computing environment is arranged to compare the obtained lighting shape with the available lighting area of ​​the sub-array intended for the lighting or steering function associated with said lighting shape, the obtained lighting shape being rejected if it is not entirely configured within said available lighting area.

[0025] Alternatively, if the obtained illumination shape is not completely configured within the available illumination area, the processing and control means 22 is adapted to select a number of light sources of a sub-array of said array intended for illumination or direction related to the illumination shape, the illumination of which is adapted to implement or approximate the implementation of said illumination shape or to reject the illumination shape input by the user.

[0026] The driving means 24 are adapted to control the on / off state, the light intensity level and / or color, as well as the on / off frequency, of the plurality of light sources selected to perform a given lighting or direction function. This allows advantageously using the same subarray of the array of light sources for different signaling functions, such as tail lights and brake lights, where the brake lights operate at a higher luminosity than the tail lights, or tail lights and direction indicators, where the direction indicators operate at a different color than the tail lights. In an improved embodiment, if it is desired to create an animation effect of the lighting of the plurality of light sources (e.g. light sources belonging to a subarray of the array of light sources selected for the signaling function of direction indicators), the driving means are adapted to intermittently control the switching on and off of the plurality of selected light sources at intermittent time intervals shorter than the retinal duration. Anti-aliasing techniques can be employed to improve the perception of the continuity of the contours of the lighting shape.

[0027] With reference to FIG. 4, a possible flow diagram of a process for constructing a light assembly in accordance with the present invention is illustrated.

[0028] In step 100, a user accesses a given computer environment on the user's mobile communication device M, such as an application APP of the automobile manufacturer of the user's vehicle, and selects the lighting or turning function that the user wishes to design, and possibly selects the light assembly on which the design will be based, between the headlight assembly and the taillight assembly (or other vehicle lighting device or assembly), and between a right, left or center light assembly.

[0029] In step 110, via the application, the user draws the desired lighting shape or imports an image previously drawn in the environment or in another environment. In step 120, the application compares the drawn lighting shape with predefined size, shape and light intensity constraints according to, for example, ECE, SAE, CCC regulations, as well as shapes that are not permitted for other reasons, including shapes protected by third party exclusive rights. If the drawn lighting shape is rejected because it is not permitted, in step 130 the application generates an explanatory error message and the process restarts from step 100. On the other hand, if the drawn lighting shape is acceptable, the application transmits its representative data (in a known format) in step 140 to the processing and control means 22 of the lighting assembly via a short-range wireless transmission protocol.

[0030] The processing and control means 22 processes the image in a next step 150 by defining its actual contour in comparison with the array of light sources constituting the light assembly and selects a number of light sources of the array in step 160. The processing and control means are configured to implement a predetermined image processing algorithm adapted to optimize the set illumination shape (contour curve of the set illumination shape) in order to make it possible to implement it with the available light sources (which essentially represent the image forming pixels). In step 160, the processing and control means 22 further decides which of the individual light sources to activate and deactivate for the desired lighting or direction function depending on the set illumination shape and on the relative color and illumination intensity as well as on and off switching frequency in order to control the driving means 24 in a corresponding manner.

[0031] It should be noted that the embodiments proposed for the present invention in the above discussion are purely by way of non-limiting examples of the present invention. Those skilled in the art could easily implement the present invention in different embodiments without departing from the principles described herein and thus encompassed by this patent.

[0032] This is particularly useful with regard to the possible application of the invention in the case of a light assembly, the overall illumination area of ​​which is not continuous but is formed by adjacent areas, such as, for example, an area integrated into the body of the vehicle and an area integrated into the rear hatch of the trunk.

[0033] Naturally, without prejudice to the principles of the invention, the details of manufacture and the embodiments can vary greatly compared to those described and illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A system for controlling a light assembly of a vehicle, comprising a light assembly including an array of light sources adapted to perform at least one lighting or turning function of the vehicle, said array of light sources comprising sub-arrays of light sources each intended for a lighting or turning function; Furthermore, light configuration means of a light assembly arranged to obtain from a user an illumination shape of the array of light sources associated with a given illumination or direction function of the light assembly; - processing and control means mounted on the vehicle and coupled to said light assembly and adapted to receive data indicative of said illumination shape and to select a plurality of light sources of said array, the illumination of which implements or approximates said illumination shape; - drive means adapted to control the array of light sources and to control the activation of a number of light sources selected to perform said predetermined lighting or direction function; Preparation, The light configuration means includes a user interface computer environment arranged to set the illumination shape of the light source array within a programmable area defined within the overall area of ​​the light assembly, and to remotely transmit the data representing the illumination shape to the processing and control means. The system is characterized in that the user interface computer environment is arranged to compare the acquired illumination shape within a programmable area defined within the overall area of ​​the light assembly with predefined size, shape and light intensity constraints and an available illumination area of ​​the subarray intended for a lighting or direction function associated with the illumination shape, and to reject the illumination shape if it is not completely configured within the available illumination area.

2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface computer environment is arranged to set a plurality of illumination shapes of the light source array in association with a given illumination or direction function of the light assembly and to associate each of them with a corresponding selection condition.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the selection criteria include at least one of time, location, and driving conditions.

4. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface computer environment is arranged to compare the captured illumination shape of the array of light sources to a collection of impermissible illumination shapes including illumination shapes that do not conform to homologation characteristics of a predetermined standardized shape for an associated lighting or signaling function, and the processing and control is arranged to reject the captured illumination shape if it corresponds to an impermissible illumination shape.

5. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing and control means is arranged to compare an arrangement of the plurality of selected light sources activated to obtain the predetermined lighting or direction function with a set of unacceptable lighting arrangements including lighting arrangements that do not conform to predetermined standardized shape homologation characteristics for the associated lighting or direction function, and the processing and control is arranged to reject the lighting arrangement if it corresponds to an unacceptable lighting arrangement.

6. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface computer environment is implemented as an application residing on a personal mobile communications device.

7. 7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processing and control means is adapted to select a number of light sources of the sub-arrays of the array intended for a lighting or directing function related to the illumination shape, thereby implementing or approximating the illumination shape.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light source is a monochromatic LED.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light source is a multi-color LED.

10. 10. A system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the processing and control means is adapted to control the light intensity levels of a plurality of light sources selected to perform the predetermined lighting or direction function.

11. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the driving means is adapted to control the colours of a plurality of light sources selected to perform the predetermined lighting or direction function.

12. 10. A system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the processing and control means is adapted to intermittently control the switching on and off of selected light sources at intermittent time intervals smaller than a retinal duration.

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