Method for the display-optimizing control of a motor vehicle lighting module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the display of an automobile lighting module (1), wherein the automobile lighting module (1) is configured to emit light distribution divided into individually controllable light segments (51, 53), and the automobile lighting module (1) includes a deflection unit (4) capable of visually increasing the basic resolution of the automobile lighting module (1) through at least temporary beam deflection by a deflection unit (4), and the automobile lighting module (1) is configured to receive target images (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) from a higher-level control unit (10), and these target images (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) each correspond to the light distribution and have a resolution exceeding the basic resolution of the automobile lighting module (1). The methods process the target images (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) in multiple steps to improve the light emission of the divided time-variable light distribution.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the control of a display of an automotive lighting module, wherein the automotive lighting module is configured to emit a light distribution divided into individually controllable light segments. Background Technology

[0002] Methods for controlling automotive lighting modules are known through conventional technology, and these modules can time-variably change the light emission of individual light segments of the light distribution. Through this time-variable change, the light distribution can be adjusted to suit a wide variety of driving situations. For example, it can block the lights of road users traveling ahead or oncoming vehicles, or illuminate only specific areas if necessary. By using a sufficiently large number of light segments in the light distribution, time-variable information displays can also be created in the form of animated symbols projected onto surfaces.

[0003] The resolution of the light distribution is generally limited by the resolution of the corresponding vehicle lighting module. The rate of change of the time-variable variation of light emission is also limited by predetermined interfaces.

[0004] To improve light emission, the components of the vehicle lighting modules have been modified so far by using components that enable, for example, higher resolution, improved contrast, enhanced luminosity, and a smoother display. The problem to be solved

[0005] The objective of the present invention is to provide a method for further improving the light emission of an automotive lighting module to emit divided and time-varying light distribution. means of solving the problem

[0006] The above problem is solved by two methods (the first method and an alternative method) based on the same idea.

[0007] On the one hand, the above problem is solved by a method of the type mentioned in the introduction, wherein the automotive lighting module includes a deflection unit capable of visually increasing the basic resolution of the automotive lighting module through at least temporary beam deflection by the deflection unit, and in this case, the automotive lighting module is configured to receive target images from a higher-level control unit, and these target images each correspond to a light distribution and have a resolution exceeding the basic resolution of the automotive lighting module, and this method comprises the following steps:

[0008] a) a step of receiving a target image, also referred to as an initial image, and a target image, also referred to as a subsequent image, that follows it in time;

[0009] b) a step of converting the initial image received according to step a) into a low-resolution image using a first conversion rule, wherein the low-resolution image is selected in such a way that it has the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module;

[0010] c) a step of forming an intermediate target image from the synopsis of the initial image received according to step a) and the subsequent image received according to step a);

[0011] d) a step of converting the intermediate target image formed according to step c) above into an additional low-resolution image using a second conversion rule, wherein the additional low-resolution image is selected in such a way that it has the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module;

[0012] e) a step of controlling the vehicle lighting module, wherein such control is performed by adjusting the temporary beam deflection by the deflection unit, such that the temporal sequence of the low-resolution images converted according to steps b) and d) is emitted by the vehicle lighting module, and the emission temporal sequence of the low-resolution images converted according to steps b) and d) is selected such that the low-resolution image converted according to step b) and the additional low-resolution image converted according to step d) are emitted alternately in time.

[0013] To ensure that the above method is particularly robust with respect to continuously received target images, the method may include an additional step f), in which one or more additional target images are received, and then the same number of repetitions of steps a) through e) may be performed in accordance with the following specifications: corresponding to the temporal sequence, each received target image is used in such a way that the current subsequent image received according to the preceding step a) is used as a new initial image in a new repetition of steps a) through e), and the temporally subsequent target image received according to step f) is used as a new subsequent image in a new repetition of steps a) through e).

[0014] In addition, in each iteration according to step f), the method may include an additional step a1) in time following step a), in which the presence of an enable signal is checked, and if a positive enable signal is present, steps b) through e) are continued in the iteration, and if a negative enable signal is present, step c) is omitted in the iteration of steps b) through e), and in step d), the intermediate target image may be replaced with a subsequent image received in the iteration according to step a), and it may be advantageously provided such that a positive enable signal is present when the subsequent image is different from the initial image, and a negative enable signal is present when the subsequent image is not different from the initial image.

[0015] Additionally, the one or more additional target images received according to step f) can be predictively generated from the image data of the current initial image received according to the preceding step a) and the current subsequent image received according to the preceding step a).

[0016] The method can be executed efficiently if steps c) and d) are performed simultaneously.

[0017] Preferably, in step c), the synopsis is performed by at least partially interpolating the target image content of the initial image and subsequent images.

[0018] Based on the same idea, the above problem is solved by a method of the type mentioned in the introduction, wherein the automotive lighting module includes a deflection unit capable of visually increasing the basic resolution of the automotive lighting module through at least temporary beam deflection by the deflection unit, and the automotive lighting module is configured to receive target images from a higher-level control unit, and these target images each correspond to a light distribution and have a resolution exceeding the basic resolution of the automotive lighting module, and this method comprises the following steps:

[0019] A) A step of receiving a target image, also referred to as an initial image, and a target image, also referred to as a subsequent image, that follows it in time;

[0020] B) A step of converting the initial image received according to step A) into a low-resolution intermediate image using a first conversion rule and converting it into a low-resolution intermediate image using a second conversion rule, wherein the low-resolution intermediate images are selected in such a way that they have the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module;

[0021] C) a step of converting the subsequent image received according to step A) into an additional low-resolution intermediate image using the first conversion rule and converting it into an additional low-resolution intermediate image using the second conversion rule, wherein the additional low-resolution intermediate images are selected in such a way that they have the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module;

[0022] D) a step of forming a low-resolution image from a synopsis of a low-resolution intermediate image converted using the first conversion rule according to step B) and an additional low-resolution intermediate image converted using the first conversion rule according to step C), wherein the low-resolution image is selected in such a way that it has the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module;

[0023] E) a step of forming an additional low-resolution image from a synopsis of a low-resolution intermediate image converted using the second conversion rule according to step B) and an additional low-resolution intermediate image converted using the second conversion rule according to step C), wherein the additional low-resolution image is selected in such a way that it has the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module;

[0024] F) A step of controlling the above-mentioned vehicle lighting module, wherein the control is performed by adjusting the temporary beam deflection by the deflection unit so that a time sequence of low-resolution images formed according to steps D) and E) is emitted by the above-mentioned vehicle lighting module, and the time sequence of low-resolution images formed according to steps D) and E) is selected such that the low-resolution image formed according to step D) and the additional low-resolution image formed according to step E) are emitted alternately in time.

[0025] To ensure that the above alternative method is particularly robust for continuously received target images, the above alternative method may include an additional step G), in which one or more additional target images are received, and then the same number of repetitions of steps A) through F) may be performed in the following specifications corresponding to the number of said additional target images: each received target image according to the temporal sequence is used in such a way that the current subsequent image received according to the preceding step A) is used as a new initial image in a new repetition of steps A) through F), and the temporally subsequent target image received according to step G) is used as a new subsequent image in a new repetition of steps A) through F).

[0026] In both the first method and the alternative method, the initial image is preferably different from the subsequent image in each iteration, and thus temporally variable light distribution is achieved. For example, it is necessary to limit the number of target images received per second due to predetermined interfaces. According to the present invention, temporally variable light distribution can be displayed more fluidly even when the number of target images received per second is limited. The limited number of target images received per second may be up to 60 target images per second, preferably up to 30 target images per second, and particularly preferably up to 20 target images per second.

[0027] Additionally, in each iteration according to step G), the alternative method includes an additional step A1) in time following step A), in which the presence of an activation signal is checked, and thereafter, if a positive activation signal is present, steps B) through F) are continued in the iteration, and if a negative activation signal is present, steps C) and E) are omitted in the iteration of steps B) through F), and in step F), instead of the temporal sequence of the low-resolution images, the temporal sequence of low-resolution intermediate images converted according to step B) is advantageously provided to be emitted by the vehicle lighting module by adjusting with the transient beam deflection by the deflection unit, and a positive activation signal is present when the subsequent image is different from the initial image, and a negative activation signal is present when the subsequent image is not different from the initial image.

[0028] One or more additional target images received according to step G) can be predictively generated from the image data of the current initial image received according to the preceding step A) and the current subsequent image received according to the preceding step A).

[0029] Preferably, in one or more of steps D) and E), the synopsis is generated by at least partially interpolating the image content of the low-resolution intermediate image.

[0030] In light of the present patent application, the expression “basic resolution” is understood to mean a resolution given as the sum of individually controllable light segments for light emission. For example, if light segments are arranged in two rows and two columns and are individually controllable, this corresponds to a basic resolution of 2x2, and each individually controllable light segment may also be referred to as a light pixel. The vehicle lighting module preferably has a basic resolution of at least 2x2, and is particularly preferably a high-resolution vehicle lighting module.

[0031] It is possible to increase the resolution perceived by the naked eye compared to the basic resolution through at least temporary beam deflection by a deflection unit.

[0032] The present invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with a vehicle lighting module, wherein the vehicle lighting module is configured to emit divided light, and the vehicle lighting module includes a deflection unit capable of visually increasing the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module through at least temporary beam deflection by a deflection unit, and the vehicle has means for performing at least one of the above methods. At the same time, the vehicle is configured to perform the above methods, that is, means suitable for the vehicle are provided, and these means are also correspondingly designed.

[0033] The vehicle lighting module is preferably designed for use in vehicle lighting, particularly in traffic lights or vehicle headlights. Accordingly, the vehicle lighting module may be part of the aforementioned device. Effects of the invention delete Brief explanation of the drawing

[0035] The present invention has been described in more detail below with reference to exemplary and non-limiting embodiments illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings: FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an automotive lighting module having a high-level control unit for use in connection with the present invention, and FIG. 2a schematically illustrates the basic resolution of a low-resolution image or its projection, and FIG. 2b schematically illustrates the superposition of two low-resolution images or their projections and the resolution of the target image, and FIG. 3a illustrates a time diagram of a first method comprising a series of steps implemented according to the present invention, and FIG. 3b illustrates a series of target images and low-resolution images used to form / convert or control a vehicle lighting module, and FIG. 4 illustrates a time diagram of an alternative method comprising a series of steps implemented according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a vehicle lighting module (1). This vehicle lighting module (1) is configured to emit light divided into individually controllable light segments. To this end, the vehicle lighting module (1) includes a module control unit (2), a light source (3), a deflection unit (4), and a projection unit (5). The vehicle lighting module (1) is configured to receive an image signal (Bs) from an upper-level control unit (10). The upper-level control unit (10) is configured to output the image signal (Bs).

[0037] The image signal (Bs) includes target images, each of which corresponds to a light distribution and has a resolution exceeding the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1). Various resolution situations are described in more detail in FIGS. 2a and 2b.

[0038] A wide variety of techniques for generating segmented light distributions are already known. In particular, these include surface-based modulation using LEDs (light-emitting diodes) arranged in a matrix, surface-based modulation using LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays), or surface-based modulation using DLP (Digital Light Processing) or DMDs (Digital Mirror Devices). Alternatively, ray modulation techniques—specifically scanning systems that generate freely changeable light distributions by scanning a specific area with light rays or beams of light at frequencies undetectable by the human eye—are also known. High-resolution automotive lighting modules known today already achieve a resolution with thousands of individually switchable and dimmable light segments, preferably arranged with an aspect ratio of 1:4, in which case the extension is greater horizontally.

[0039] Horizontal and vertical directions are simultaneously related to the intended installation location of the vehicle lighting module (1), and in this case, horizontal and vertical directions should be used only to indicate directions that are orthogonal to each other.

[0040] The light source (3) illustrated in FIG. 1 may include a plurality of elements. For example, the light source (3) includes a light-emitting element and a downstream surface modulator (not illustrated), such as an LCD, DMD, or DLP. Preferably, the light source (3) includes an array having two or more LEDs, in which case each LED is individually controllable. Particularly preferably, the light source (3) includes an array having 1,000 or more individually controllable LEDs arranged in an array having an aspect ratio of 1:4. Additionally, the light source (3) may include a combination of a light-emitting element, a collimator, and a light modulator, wherein the light modulator scans the collimated light of the light-emitting element in a scanned form at a frequency imperceptible to the human eye over a specific area. A light conversion element may be placed in said area. Thus, the light source (3) may be composed of a plurality of elements. For example, additional elements such as optical lenses or reflectors may be provided, but these are not illustrated for the sake of overview.

[0041] A beam of light (30) must be emitted from a light source (3), and such beam of light has at least two light segments in one or more planes perpendicular to the direction of light propagation of the beam of light (30), and said light segments may have different light intensities. Thus, the beam of light (30) corresponds to a low-resolution image in at least one plane perpendicular to the direction of light propagation of the beam of light (30).

[0042] To this end, the light source (3) receives a light control signal (31) and can emit a light flux (30) according to the light control signal (31). The light control signal (31) can represent the light flux (30) emitted by the light source (3) for this purpose.

[0043] The module control unit (2) can be configured to emit a light control signal (31). In particular, the module control unit (2) can receive an image signal (Bs) from a higher-level control unit (10), evaluate it, and output a light control signal (31) based on it.

[0044] A beam of light (30) emitted from a light source (3) is projected by a projection unit (5) toward the front of a vehicle lighting module (1) within a projection angle range (P). This causes a specific light distribution or a specific low-resolution image to be emitted by the vehicle lighting module (1). Correspondingly, a projection (50) of a specific low-resolution image occurs, and this projection (50) is projected toward the front of the vehicle lighting module (1) within a projection angle range (P). This projection unit (5) generally includes a plurality of optical elements, in particular lenses. For the sake of overview, these plurality of optical elements are not illustrated.

[0045] The projection angle range (P) is determined by the aperture of the projection unit (5). Thus, the projection angle range (P) corresponds to the maximum possible emission cone of the projection unit (5). This emission cone is related to a cone in a mathematical sense, and in this case, all its sub-variations may also be included. Sub-variations are, for example, pyramidal cones or frustums.

[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 2a, the projection (50) of the low-resolution image includes an array of light segments (51) in 5 rows and 20 columns. Thus, the illustrated basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1) includes 20x5 light segments (51). Although only 100 light segments (51) are illustrated, the light source (3) can be designed so that thousands of light segments (51) are projected or emitted by the vehicle lighting module (1) within a projection angle range (P).

[0047] The deflection unit (4) illustrated in FIG. 1 can now temporarily deflect the beam of light (30) emitted by the light source (3) and, together with it, the projection (50). Thus, the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1) can be visually increased by at least temporary beam deflection by the deflection unit (4).

[0048] Preferably, the deflection unit (4) is positioned in the beam path of the beam flux (30) between at least a portion of the light source (3) and the projection unit (5). At least a portion of the projection unit (5) means that it may be composed of a plurality of optical elements as described above, and the deflection unit (4) may be positioned between them.

[0049] The deflection unit (4) receives a deflection control signal (41) and can deflect the light beam (30) emitted from the light source (3) according to the deflection control signal (41). Accordingly, the projection (50) of the low-resolution image can also be temporarily deflected within a projection angle range (P) according to the deflection control signal (41).

[0050] The module control unit (2) can be set to emit a bias control signal (41).

[0051] The deflection unit (4) may include a glass plate (42) made of a material that is transparent to the emitted beam of light (30) from the light source (3). This glass plate may be designed as a plate with a plane arranged parallel to the light source and may be supported so as to pivot about one or more pivot axes (x) by a corresponding mechanical suspension, wherein the pivot axis (x) is preferably perpendicular to the direction of light propagation of the beam of light (30) emitted from the light source (3). For example, the deflection unit (4) may have an electromagnetic actuator that temporarily pivots the glass plate (42) about the one or more pivot axes (x) according to a deflection control signal (41). By such pivoting, the angle of incidence of the beam of light (30) on the glass plate may be temporarily changed, and accordingly, the beam of light (30) may be deflected parallel to the direction of light propagation as the light passes through the glass plate (42) according to the refraction of the light. As a result, to visually increase the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1), the beam of light (30) emitted from the light source or the projection (50) of a low-resolution image can be deflected forward of the vehicle lighting module (1). This situation is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2b.

[0052] A wide variety of possibilities for creating such a deflection unit (4) are known to those skilled in the art. For example, a prism can be conceived that changes the lateral position (in relation to the direction of light propagation of the light beam (30)) and thus deflects the light beam (30) emitted from the light source (3) or the projection (50) of a low-resolution image by refraction within a projection angle range (P). A reflective solution for the deflection unit (4) is also possible.

[0053] By deflecting the projection (50) of a low-resolution image at least temporarily within the projection angle range (P), the illuminateable angle range within the projection angle range (P) is expanded as illustrated in FIG. 2b. In particular, the deflected projection (52) and the undeflected projection (50) can be superimposed with a sufficiently fast and vibrating deflection or a sufficiently high deflection frequency of at least 60 Hz, preferably 120 Hz. This allows for the formation of a visual light segment (51v) that can visually increase the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1). Although the term superposition has been used for the sake of overview, it is clear that superposition is derived from the inertia of the human eye.

[0054] Accordingly, within the projection angle range (P), at least temporary deflection of the projection (50, 52) means displacement of the projection (50, 52) in the angle space given by the possible emission cone, i.e., the projection unit (5). The projection angle range (P) preferably has horizontal and vertical extensions, in which case the horizontal extension may be larger than the vertical extension. For example, the horizontal extension covers an angle range of 50°, and the vertical extension covers an angle range of up to 20°.

[0055] For the purposes of this specification, the unbiased projection (50) and the biased projection (52) each show a projection of a low-resolution image. These low-resolution images each correspond to the light distribution and have the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1). Thus, the unbiased projection (50) has an unbiased light segment (51), and the biased projection (52) has a biased light segment (53).

[0056] FIG. 2b illustrates the resolution of a target image light distribution (60), which corresponds to a light distribution (60) having a target number of light segments (60s). The resolution of the target image corresponds to the number of target light segments (60s) and exceeds the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1).

[0057] Compared to FIG. 2b, this resolution of the target image light distribution (60) can be achieved by the described superposition of the biased projection (52) and the unbiased projection (50) approximately within the projection angle range (P).

[0058] "Biased" and "unbiased" are merely intended to indicate relative bias toward one another, regardless of whether the bias occurs absolutely. For example, depending on the requirements, the unbiased projection (50) may also be biased by appropriate means. There must be one or more displacement angles (WT) having corresponding directions between the biased projection (52) and the unbiased projection (50).

[0059] Therefore, transient beam deflection can be described using a displacement angle (WT) having a deflection frequency and direction. Accordingly, the direction from the deflected projection (52) to the undeflected projection (50) corresponds to the direction of the transient beam deflection.

[0060] The displacement angle (WT) is measured by the displacement relative to the neutral position of the projection (50, 52) within the projection angle range (P), in which case the displacement angle (WT) at the neutral position is 0°. Preferably, the displacement angle (WT) is smaller than the largest angle dimension of a single light segment (51, 53). Particularly preferably, the displacement angle (WT) may take a value of -2° to +2°. Particularly very preferably, the displacement angle (WT) corresponds to a horizontal offset of essentially half the light segment (51, 53) and / or a vertical offset of essentially half the light segment (51, 53).

[0061] Now, this light distribution (60) of the target image generally has a specific information content (formation content) which must be represented as a superposition of a biased projection (52) and an unbiased projection (50) within a projection angle range (P). Thus, the image of the biased projection (52) and the image of the unbiased position (50) must be transformed from the target image using appropriately defined transformation rules. Thus, the projections (50, 52) correspond to different low-resolution images at various points in time emitted by the vehicle lighting module (1) in a temporal sequence. This temporal sequence of radiation is achieved by adjusting the transient beam deflection by the deflection unit (4) to obtain at least approximately the light distribution (60) of the target image through the described superposition.

[0062] Therefore, the term “adjustment” means beam deflection that is time-synchronized at least approximately by the radiation of the low-resolution image or its projection (50, 52) by the deflection unit (4).

[0063] Each target light segment (60s) and each light segment (51, 53) of the light distribution has a specific light intensity value, which can be processed in individual steps according to the first method and alternative methods. In the description of the method, the target light segment (60s) and the light segments (51, 53) are referenced for overview, but clearly represent light intensity values.

[0064] Now, Figures 3a and 3b explain the first method.

[0065] According to the first step referred to as step a), the target image (S1) is received at a time of 1 / 60th of a second, and this target image (S1) may be referred to as the initial image. Also, in this step a), the subsequent target image (S2) is received at a time of 2 / 60th of a second, and this may be referred to as the subsequent image.

[0066] The target images (S1, S2) each correspond to the light distribution and have a resolution exceeding the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1). Preferably, all target images (S1, S2) have the same resolution.

[0067] The initial image (S1) is converted into a low-resolution image (A1) in a subsequent step referred to as step b) using a first conversion rule. This low-resolution image (A1) is selected to have the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1). In this example, the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1) consists of 15x20 light segments.

[0068] In the additional step referred to as step c), an intermediate target image (i1) is formed. This is formed from the synopsis of the initial image (S1) received according to step a) and the subsequent image (S2) received according to step a).

[0069] The synopsis implies that the information content of the initial image (S1) and the subsequent image (S2) is combined to generate an intermediate target image (i1) containing the information of the initial image (S1) and the subsequent image (S2), and in this case, the intermediate target image (i1) has a resolution that exceeds the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1). Preferably, the intermediate target image (i1), the initial image (S1), and the subsequent image (S2) have the same resolution. Thus, the intermediate target image (i1) can also correspond to a light distribution having a plurality of target light segments (60s).

[0070] As described, each target image (S1, S2) or initial image (S1) and subsequent image (S2) corresponds to a light distribution having a plurality of target light segments (60s). The synopsis of the initial image (S1) and the subsequent image (S2) received according to step a) may include at least partial interpolation between the initial image (S1) and the subsequent image (S2). Thus, the synopsis may correspond to a method including an interpolation function between the light intensity value of the target light segment (60s) of the initial image (S1) and the light intensity value of the positionally identical target light segment (60s) of the subsequent image (S2), wherein the result is used for the positionally identical target light segment of the intermediate image (i1) formed according to step c). Preferably, this interpolation function is applied to all positionally identical target light segments (60s) of the initial image (S1) and the subsequent image (S2) to calculate the luminosity values ​​of all positionally identical target light segments (60s) of the intermediate image (i1). There are a wide variety of rules or methods for combining two target images (S1, S2) or the initial image (S1) and the subsequent image (S2) to form an intermediate target image (i1). A wide variety of interpolation functions may be used depending on the various requirements. The interpolation function may include an arithmetic mean.

[0071] In the context of this specification, “same location” means that each element of two images of the same resolution (target image, initial image, subsequent image, intermediate image, low-resolution image, additional low-resolution image) has the same index when these images are modeled as a matrix. Each element has an individual index and can be assigned to the target light segment (60s) in the example of the target image, and to the light segment (51) in the example of the low-resolution image.

[0072] In an additional step referred to as step d), the intermediate target image (i1) formed according to step c) is converted into an additional low-resolution image (B1). This is done using a second conversion rule. The additional low-resolution image (B1) is selected to have the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1).

[0073] At the same time, the first transformation rule and the second transformation rule are preferably different, in which case the first transformation rule and the second transformation rule may be selected according to the displacement angle (WT) and its direction or according to the temporary beam deflection by the deflection unit (4).

[0074] At the same time, the first transformation rule and the second transformation rule may be selected in such a way that the superposition of the resulting low-resolution image (A1) and additional low-resolution image (B2) or the image projections (50, 52) displaced relative to each other as shown in FIG. 2b creates an image impression that is more similar to one of the two basic target images (S1, S2) than to the individual low-resolution images (A1, B1) taken individually.

[0075] The first transformation rule may include the arithmetic mean of blocks (61) composed of 2x2 adjacent target light segments (60) of the initial image (S1), wherein the resulting arithmetic mean is used for the light segments (51) of the low-resolution image (A1). According to the exemplary first transformation rule, all light segments (51) of the low-resolution image (A1) may be generated according to this method, wherein each light segment (51) of the low-resolution image (A1) may again be generated from individual blocks (61) composed of 2x2 adjacent target light segments (60s).

[0076] The second transformation rule may also include the arithmetic mean of the blocks (63) from the intermediate target image (i1). In this example, the second transformation rule is selected according to the displacement angle (WT) and its direction or according to the transient beam deflection by the deflection unit (4). Thus, for the light segment (53) at the same location in the additional low-resolution image (B1) compared to the light segment (51) at the same location in the low-resolution image (A1), another corresponding block (63) consisting of 2x2 adjacent target light segments (60s) is used. According to the exemplary second transformation rule, all light segments (53) of the additional low-resolution image (B1) can be generated according to this method, where each light segment (53) of the additional low-resolution image (B1) is again generated from individual blocks consisting of 2x2 adjacent target light segments (60s), in which case each individual block is selected according to the transient beam deflection by the deflection unit (4).

[0077] Edge issues caused by the processing of shifted blocks can be resolved with known measures.

[0078] Both the first and second transformation rules may be applied depending on the requirements and resolution of the target images (S1, S2) or the intermediate target image (i1). There are also a wide variety of methods that can be used as alternatives to the block-by-block arithmetic mean. For example, median formation may also be applied on a block-by-block basis. The sizes of the blocks (61, 63) may vary according to the ratio of the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1) to the resolution of the corresponding target image, in which case, preferably, the size of all blocks (61, 63) is equal to the inverse of the ratio of the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1) to the resolution of the corresponding target image.

[0079] Preferably, steps c) and d) can be performed simultaneously by applying rules to the initial image (S1) received according to step a) and the subsequent image (S2) received according to step a), and the rules include a synopsis according to step c) and a second transformation rule according to step d). For example, the arithmetic mean of each 2x2 block of the initial image (S1) can be formed together with each positionally identical 2x2 block of the subsequent image (S2) to obtain an illumination intensity value for each light segment (53) of an additional low-resolution image (B1).

[0080] Next, in an additional step referred to as step e), the vehicle lighting module (1) is controlled. This control is achieved by adjusting the temporary beam deflection by the deflection unit (4) so ​​that a temporal sequence of low-resolution images (A1, B1) converted according to steps b) and d) is emitted by the vehicle lighting module (1). The temporal sequence of emission of the low-resolution images (A1, B1) converted according to steps b) and d) is selected such that the low-resolution image (A1) converted according to step b) and the additional low-resolution image (B1) converted according to step d) are emitted alternately in time.

[0081] Corresponding to the illustrated time diagram, the low-resolution image (A1) converted according to step b) and the low-resolution image (B1) converted according to step d) are emitted by the vehicle lighting module (1). Control can be performed by the corresponding output of the lighting control signal (31) by the module control unit (2) to the light source (3). A minimum time period in which there is no emission by the vehicle lighting module (1) may be provided between the emission of the low-resolution image (A1) converted according to step b) and the emission of the low-resolution image (B1) converted according to step d). The minimum time period may last up to 10 ms.

[0082] It is essential that the emission occurs in coordination with the temporary beam deflection by the deflection unit (4). Thus, as previously explained, this means that the alternating emission of low-resolution images (A1, B1) is at least roughly synchronized with the time-varying beam deflection by the deflection unit (4). Accordingly, the module control unit (2) is preferably set to emit a corresponding deflection control signal (41) to the deflection unit (4) at least almost simultaneously with the lighting control signal (31), and as a result, the temporal sequence of low-resolution images (A1, B1) converted according to steps b) and d) in coordination with the temporary beam deflection by the deflection unit (4) is emitted by the vehicle lighting module (1).

[0083] Additionally, before controlling the vehicle lighting module (1), it is possible to store the converted low-resolution images (A1, B1) in memory according to step e) and steps b) and d). The module control unit (2) may have this type of memory and may be configured to store the converted low-resolution images (A1, B1) and to retrieve them repeatedly.

[0084] Now, in the additional step referred to as step f), one or more additional target images (S3) may be received. In practice, multiple additional target images (S3, ... Sn, Sn+1) may be received. Preferably, all target images (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) have the same resolution. In particular, multiple additional target images (S3, Sn, Sn+1) may be received, for example, when time-varying light distribution is emitted in the form of an animation symbol. Each target image of the multiple additional target images (S3, Sn, Sn+1) again has a light distribution (60) having multiple target light segments (60s).

[0085] As described, target images (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) are received at regular time intervals. In this example, 60 target images are received per second. Additionally, the number of target images (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) received per second may be limited due to a predetermined interface. For example, only 30 or 20 images may be received per second. Also, the number of target images (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) received per second may vary.

[0086] Now, based on one or more additional target images (S3) received, steps a) through e) are repeated according to the following specifications:

[0087] Additionally, the received target image (S3) is utilized in such a way that the current subsequent image (S2) received according to the preceding step a) is used (i.e., received) as a new initial image (S2) in a new iteration of steps a) to e), and the temporally subsequent target image (S3) received according to step f) is used as a new subsequent image in a new iteration of steps a) to e).

[0088] In this way, a new iteration of steps a) through e) is started and executed with a new initial image (S2) and a new subsequent image (S3) according to the illustrated time diagram.

[0089] Accordingly, the same number of repetitions of steps a) through e) are performed for a number of additional target images (S3, ... Sn, Sn+1) received according to the same specifications.

[0090] The number of repetitions of steps a) through e) results in a temporal sequence of radiation of low-resolution images (A1, B1, A2, B2, ... An-1, Bn-1, An, Bn) converted in each repetition in accordance with the temporary beam deflection by the deflection unit (4), which is converted each time it is repeated according to steps b) and d).

[0091] The steps do not need to be in a specified order. Where applicable, multiple steps may start simultaneously. For example, through appropriate hardware and system design, step f) can be started before step e) is completed.

[0092] In each iteration according to step f), an additional step a1) may be provided temporally after step a), in which the presence of an activation signal is checked, and if a positive activation signal is present, steps b) through e) are continued in the iteration, and if a negative activation signal is present, step c) is skipped in the iteration of steps b) through e), and in step d), the intermediate target image (i1, i2, in-1, in) is replaced with the subsequent image (S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) received according to step a) in the iteration.

[0093] An activation signal may be provided, for example, by an upper-level control unit (10) or a module control unit (2). A positive activation signal exists when the subsequent image (S2) is different from the initial image (S1), and a negative activation signal exists when the subsequent image (S2) is not different from the initial image (S1). Accordingly, the upper-level control unit (10) or the module control unit (2) may be configured to compare the subsequent image (S2) and the initial image (S1) before step a1) in order to provide an activation signal based on this.

[0094] Preferably, the module control unit (2) is configured to check for the presence of a positive or negative activation signal.

[0095] Additionally, one or more additional target images (S3) received according to step f) may be provided to be generated predictively from the image data of the current initial image (S1) received according to the preceding step a) and the image data of the current subsequent image (S2) received according to the preceding step a).

[0096] Particularly preferably, for a plurality of additional target images (S3, Sn, Sn+1) leading to the same number of iterations of steps a) through e), each m-th target image (S3, Sn, Sn+1) is predictively generated from image data of the initial image (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) and subsequent image (S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) received according to step a) in each iteration. Here, m is a natural number greater than 1, and particularly preferably, m is a natural number between 2 and 10.

[0097] At the same time, the image data may include light intensity values ​​of at least a plurality of respective target light segments (60s) in the initial image (S1) and the subsequent image (S2). In particular, when a road user is obscured or specifically illuminated by the vehicle lighting module (1), at least a portion of the light distribution (60) of the target lighting images (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) is rendered by object data referring to each road user. Accordingly, the image data may include such object data.

[0098] The upper level control unit (10) can be configured to predictively generate one or more additional target images (S3, Sn, Sn+1) received according to step f).

[0099] The module control unit (2) may be configured to perform steps a) through f). To this end, the module control unit (2) may be configured to receive and process image signals (Bs), and based thereon, output a corresponding light control signal (31) to the light source (3) and output a corresponding deflection control signal (41) to the deflection unit (4).

[0100] The module control unit (2) may have the corresponding hardware for this purpose. For example, the module control unit (2) has a microcontroller and / or FPGA for this purpose.

[0101] FIG. 3b illustrates an example of a plurality of target images (S1, S2), an intermediate image (i1), and low-resolution images (A1, B1, A2). As indicated by the arrows, according to step b), the target image (S1) is converted into a low-resolution image (A1); according to step c), an intermediate image (i1) is formed from the synopsis of the two target images (S1 and S2); according to step d), an additional low-resolution image (B1) is converted from this intermediate image (i1); and according to step f), which is a subsequent repetition of the steps, the low-resolution image (A2) is converted from the target image (S2).

[0102] FIG. 4 illustrates a time diagram for an alternative method having a series of steps implemented according to the present invention. For better understanding, the same reference symbols as in the previous figure are used insofar as they represent fundamentally identical components. However, it is evident that slight differences may occur due to the alternative implementation. All details known in the first method may also be realized in this alternative method where applicable. For example, the transformation rules described may also be applied in this method.

[0103] The alternative method is based on the same idea as the first method, but differs in that in subsequent steps B) and C), a low-resolution intermediate image (a1, a2) is converted from the target image (S1, S2) received according to the first conversion rule using a first conversion rule, and an additional low-resolution intermediate image (b1, b2) is converted using a second conversion rule. From this, according to steps D) and E), the low-resolution image (A1) and the additional low-resolution image (B2) are formed by the synopsis of the low-resolution intermediate image (a1, b1) and the additional low-resolution intermediate image (a2, b2), respectively. Finally, similar to the first method, the vehicle lighting module (1) is controlled according to step F) in such a way that the low-resolution image (A1) is emitted alternately with the additional low-resolution image (B1) by adjusting the transient beam deflection by the deflection unit (4).

[0104] Likewise, the same additional features of the embodiments described in the drawings of the first method are applicable to these alternative methods. Therefore, they will not be discussed in detail again. It should be noted at this point that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments but is defined by the full scope of protection of the claims. Individual aspects or embodiments of the present invention may be taken or combined with one another. All reference numerals in the claims are illustrative and are intended only to make the claims easier to read, without limiting the claims.

Claims

Claim 1 A method for optimizing the display of an automotive lighting module (1), wherein the automotive lighting module (1) is configured to emit light distribution divided into individually controllable light segments (51, 53), and the automotive lighting module (1) includes a deflection unit (4) capable of visually increasing the basic resolution of the automotive lighting module (1) through at least temporary beam deflection by a deflection unit (4), and the automotive lighting module (1) is configured to receive target images (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) from a higher-level control unit (10), and the target images (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) each correspond to the light distribution and have a resolution exceeding the basic resolution of the automotive lighting module (1), and the method comprises the following steps: a) receiving a target image (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1), also referred to as an initial image, and a target image (S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1), also referred to as a subsequent image, which follows therein in time. Step; b) a step of converting an initial image (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) received according to step a) into a low-resolution image (A1, A2, An-1, An) using a first conversion rule, wherein the low-resolution image (A1, A2, An-1, An) is selected in such a way that it has the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1); c) a step of forming an intermediate target image (i1, i2, in-1, in) from the synopsis of the initial image (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) received according to step a) and the subsequent image (S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) received according to step a);d) a step of converting the intermediate target image (i1, i2, in-1, in) formed according to step c) into an additional low-resolution image (B1, B2, Bn-1, Bn) using a second conversion rule, wherein the additional low-resolution image (B1, B2, Bn-1, Bn) is selected in such a way that it has the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1); e) a step of controlling the vehicle lighting module (1), wherein such control is performed by adjusting the temporary beam deflection by the deflection unit (4) so ​​that the temporal sequence of the low-resolution images (A1, B1, A2, B2, An-1, Bn-1, An, Bn) converted according to steps b) and d) is emitted by the vehicle lighting module (1), and the emission temporal sequence of the low-resolution images (A1, B1, A2, B2, An-1, Bn-1, An, Bn) converted according to steps b) and d) is, A method for optimizing the display of an automotive lighting module (1), wherein the low-resolution images (A1, A2, An-1, An) converted according to step b) and additional low-resolution images (B1, B2, Bn-1, Bn) converted according to step d) are selected in such a manner that they are emitted alternately in time.; Claim 2 The method of claim 1 comprises an additional step f), wherein one or more additional target images (S3, Sn, Sn+1) are received, and subsequently, the same number of repetitions of steps a) through e) are performed in the following specifications corresponding to the number of additional target images: each received target image (S3, Sn, Sn+1) corresponding to the temporal sequence is used in such a way that the current subsequent image received according to the preceding step a) is used as a new initial image in a new repetition of steps a) through e), and the temporally subsequent target image received according to step f) is used as a new subsequent image in a new repetition of steps a) through e). Claim 3 In paragraph 2, the method comprises, in each iteration according to step f), an additional step a1) in time following step a), wherein in this step, the presence of an activation signal is checked, and if a positive activation signal is present, steps b) through e) are continued in the iteration, and if a negative activation signal is present, step c) is omitted in the iteration of steps b) through e), and in step d), the intermediate target image (i1, i2, in-1, in) may be replaced with a subsequent image (S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) received according to step a) in the iteration, wherein a positive activation signal is present when the subsequent image is different from the initial image, and a negative activation signal is present when the subsequent image is not different from the initial image. Claim 4 A method according to paragraph 2, wherein one or more additional target images (S3) received according to step f) are predictively generated from image data of a current initial image (S1) received according to the preceding step a) and a current subsequent image (S2) received according to the preceding step a). Claim 5 A method in which, in any one of paragraphs 1 to 4, step c) and step d) are performed simultaneously. Claim 6 In claim 1, a method in which, at step c), the synopsis is performed through at least partial interpolation of the target image content of the initial image and the subsequent image. . Claim 7 As a method for optimizing the display of an automotive lighting module (1), the automotive lighting module (1) is configured to emit light distribution divided into individually controllable light segments (51, 53), and the automotive lighting module (1) includes a deflection unit (4) capable of visually increasing the basic resolution of the automotive lighting module (1) through at least temporary beam deflection by a deflection unit (4), and the automotive lighting module (1) is configured to receive target images from a higher-level control unit (10), and these target images (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) each correspond to the light distribution and have a resolution exceeding the basic resolution of the automotive lighting module (1), and the method comprises the following steps: A) receiving a target image (S1, S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1), also referred to as an initial image, and a target image (S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1), also referred to as a subsequent image, which follows therein in time; B) the initial image (S1, A step of converting S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) into low-resolution intermediate images (a1, a2, a3, an, an+1) using a first conversion rule and converting them into low-resolution intermediate images (b1, b2, b3, bn, bn+1) using a second conversion rule, wherein the low-resolution intermediate images (a1, b1, a2, b2, a3, b3, an, bn, an+1, bn+1) are selected in such a way that they have the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1);C) a step of converting the subsequent images (S2, S3, Sn, Sn+1) received according to step A) into additional low-resolution intermediate images (a2, a3, an, an+1) using the first conversion rule and converting them into additional low-resolution intermediate images (b2, b3, bn, bn+1) using the second conversion rule, wherein the additional low-resolution intermediate images (a2, b2, a3, b3, an, bn, an+1, bn+1) are selected in such a manner that they have the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1); D) a step of forming low-resolution images (A1, A2, An-1, An) from the synopsis of the low-resolution intermediate images (a1, a2, a3, an, an+1) converted using the first conversion rule according to step B) and the additional low-resolution intermediate images (a2, a3, an, an+1) converted using the first conversion rule according to step C), wherein the low-resolution The images (A1, A2, An-1, An) are selected in such a way that they have the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1); E) a step of forming additional low-resolution images (B1, B2, Bn-1, Bn) from the synopsis of the low-resolution intermediate images (b1, b2, b3, bn, bn+1) converted using the second conversion rule according to step B) and the additional low-resolution intermediate images (b1, b2, b3, bn, bn+1) converted using the second conversion rule according to step C), wherein the additional low-resolution images (B1, B2, Bn-1, Bn) are selected in such a way that they have the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1);F) A method for controlling the vehicle lighting module (1), wherein the control is performed by adjusting the temporary beam deflection by the deflection unit (4) so ​​that a time sequence of low-resolution images (A1, B1, A2, B2, An-1, Bn-1, An, Bn) formed by the vehicle lighting module (1) according to steps D) and E) is emitted, and the time sequence of low-resolution images (A1, B1, A2, B2, An-1, Bn-1, An, Bn) formed according to steps D) and E) is selected such that the low-resolution images (A1, A2, An-1, An) formed according to step D) and the additional low-resolution images (B1, B2, Bn-1, Bn) formed according to step E) are emitted alternately in time. Claim 8 In claim 7, the method comprises an additional step G), wherein one or more additional target images (S3, Sn, Sn+1) are received, and subsequently, an equal number of repetitions of steps A) through F) are performed in the following specifications corresponding to the number of additional target images (S3, Sn, Sn+1): corresponding to the time sequence, each received target image (S3, Sn, Sn+1) is used in such a manner that the current subsequent image received according to the preceding step A) is used as a new initial image in a new repetition of steps A) through F), and the temporally subsequent target image (S3, Sn, Sn+1) received according to step G) is used as a new subsequent image in a new repetition of steps A) through F). Claim 9 In claim 8, the method comprises, in each iteration according to step G), an additional step A1) in time following step A), wherein in this step, the presence of an activation signal is checked, and if a positive activation signal is present, steps B) through F) are continued in the iteration, and if a negative activation signal is present, steps C) and E) are omitted in the iteration of steps B) through F), and in step F), instead of the temporal sequence of the low-resolution images (A1, B1, A2, B2, An-1, Bn-1, An, Bn), the temporal sequence of the low-resolution intermediate images (a1, b1, a2, b2, a3, b3, an, bn, an+1, bn+1) converted according to step B) is adjusted with the temporary beam deflection by the deflection unit (4) and emitted by the vehicle lighting module (1), wherein a positive activation signal is present when the subsequent image is different from the initial image, and a negative activation signal is present when the subsequent image is not different from the initial image. Claim 10 A method according to claim 8, wherein one or more additional target images (S3) received according to step G) are predictively generated from image data of a current initial image (S1) received according to the preceding step A) and a current subsequent image (S2) received according to the preceding step A). Claim 11 A method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein in one or more of steps D) and E), the synopsis is performed through at least partial interpolation of the image contents of the low-resolution intermediate images (a1, b1, a2, b2, a3, b3, an, bn, an+1, bn+1). Claim 12 A vehicle equipped with a vehicle lighting module (1), wherein the vehicle lighting module (1) is configured to emit divided light, and the vehicle lighting module (1) includes a deflection unit (4) capable of visually increasing the basic resolution of the vehicle lighting module (1) through at least temporary beam deflection by a deflection unit (4), and the vehicle is equipped with means for performing the method of claim 7.

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