Method for dynamically controlling a lighting system of a vehicle, computing element, computer program and lighting system for implementing the method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method, a computing element, a computer program and a lighting system (1) for dynamically controlling a lighting of a so-called enhanced vehicle, the system (1) comprising a plurality of lighting devices (5) which are controlled by a control unit (2) to provide a plurality of lighting configurations of the system (1), as well as to at least one sensor (3) for acquiring so-called driving data, the method comprising prior training of the control unit (2) to detect the presence of another vehicle in the field of view of the driver of the enhanced vehicle and to estimate the size of this other vehicle and / or the height of the eyes of the driver of this other vehicle, prior training to determine whether the lighting of the enhanced vehicle is correctly oriented with respect to the road, in particular its elevation change, and prior training to recognise whether another detected vehicle is driving in front of the enhanced vehicle in the same lane or in another lane and if another detected vehicle is driving in a lane in the opposite direction to that of the enhanced vehicle; then when the vehicle is driving on a roadway, controlling the lighting system (1) by the control unit (2) in order to adapt the light beams of at least one of the lighting devices (5) of the enhanced vehicle according to the road, the presence of another vehicle and its distance and / or its height with respect to the enhanced vehicle.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Method for dynamically controlling a vehicle lighting system, computer element, computer program and lighting system for implementing the method

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of lighting and / or signaling devices for motor vehicles, in particular automobiles, and more particularly to the management of energy consumption by these devices and to the problem of dazzling users by the lighting devices of other vehicles.

[0002] Indeed, a recurring problem in the field of lighting devices concerns energy consumption and the technologies of these devices are evolving to limit their energy consumption and increase their lifespan. In addition to these solutions relating to the devices themselves, there remains a problem of vehicle lighting management to limit energy consumption. Indeed, the regulations in force in different countries around the world impose various parameters for vehicle lighting, such as sizes, arrangements, ranges, width, etc. For example, Regulation No. 48 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) provides uniform requirements for the approval of vehicles with regard to the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices.In general, the regulations aim to ensure the safety and ignition of lighting devices, and some of their parameters, such as their ranges, widths and intensities, are defined to ensure good visibility of the vehicle from the outside and good visibility of users inside the vehicle's surroundings. However, in traffic, visibility conditions vary widely depending on natural factors such as time or weather, but also on environmental factors such as public lighting (particularly in built-up areas), the density of vehicles traveling, etc. Thus, the regulations lead to lighting being most often greater than what is necessary for the safety of users in traffic, due to the accumulation of lighting from various vehicles and / or their surroundings.Thus, saving energy for vehicle lighting while complying with regulations remains a problem in the field.

[0003] On the other hand, a recurring problem concerns glare between users, particularly when two vehicles are crossing, either because their lighting systems are poorly adjusted or poorly adapted, or because of circumstances such as uneven roads or varying vehicle heights.

[0004] Furthermore, car manufacturers are increasingly adopting digital lighting devices for mid- and high-end products. These digital lighting devices generally include solid-state light sources, the operation of which can involve high energy consumption. In addition, the con- Temperature control in these elements is a very sensitive aspect, and is usually done by derating, which means that the value of the current that powers the light source is reduced so that the output flux and the operating temperature decrease accordingly. The performance of the light sources must therefore be greatly oversized to deal with these overheating problems, so that the operating values ​​can be reduced while maintaining acceptable values.

[0005] These questions are even more important in the case of new electric vehicles, where energy saving is crucial, as it has a direct impact on the vehicle's range and therefore on CO2 emission values.

[0006] Finally, in certain cases, it is useful to be able to improve visual comfort if the environment allows it, in order to increase user safety by limiting visual light pollution in their fields of vision, in particular by reducing the risk of glare between users.

[0007] The present invention therefore aims to provide solutions for managing vehicle lighting and optimizing the energy consumption of the lighting system of these vehicles while complying with regulations, or even improving visual comfort and user safety. An additional technical problem concerns a more precise and dynamic adaptation of the lighting according to traffic conditions and in particular other users.

[0008] This aim is achieved by a method for the dynamic control of a lighting system of a vehicle, said improved, said system comprising, on the one hand, a plurality of lighting devices controlled by a control unit to provide a plurality of lighting configurations of said system and, on the other hand, at least one sensor for the acquisition of data, called traffic data, relating to the traffic of the vehicle and the traffic conditions of the vehicle, the method comprising: - prior training of the control unit to detect the presence of another vehicle in the field of vision of the driver of said improved vehicle and estimate the size of this other vehicle and / or the eye height of the driver of this other vehicle, - prior learning to determine whether the lighting of said improved vehicle is correctly oriented in relation to the road, in particular its gradient, said method being characterized in that it comprises - prior learning to recognize whether another detected vehicle is traveling in front of said improved vehicle on the same lane or on another lane and whether another detected vehicle is traveling on a lane in the opposite direction to that of said improved vehicle, then when said vehicle is traveling on a roadway, the control unit implements the following analysis and control steps: - acquisition of traffic data from at least one sensor of the system to detect at least one other vehicle in front of said improved vehicle and calculation of the distance separating this other vehicle from said improved vehicle, - estimation of the size of this other vehicle and / or the eye height of the driver of this other vehicle, from said calculated distance and prior learning, - estimation of the relevance of the orientation of the lighting of said improved vehicle in relation to the road - determination of the lane and direction of travel of this other detected vehicle, then - control of said lighting system by the control unit to provide a lighting configuration adapted to the situation by defining the light beams of at least one of the lighting devices of said improved vehicle as a function of the road, the direction of travel of at least one other vehicle and its distance and / or height relative to said improved vehicle.

[0009] According to another feature, said analysis steps use a luminance map established from the data measured by at least one sensor. Figure 3 represents an illustrative and non-limiting example of such a luminance map developed from image data from a camera.

[0010] According to another feature, said estimation of the size of said other vehicle and / or the eye height of the driver of this other vehicle, from said calculated distance and prior learning, uses recognition of the distribution of the lighting devices of this other vehicle, related to the distance from this vehicle.

[0011] According to another feature, said estimation of the relevance of the orientation of the lighting of said improved vehicle relative to the road uses the learning data and the measurement of the distance between said improved vehicle and a light pattern projected on the ground by at least one of its lighting devices.

[0012] According to another feature, said determination of the lane and direction of travel of said other detected vehicle uses an estimation of the position and relative speed of this other vehicle in relation to said improved vehicle.

[0013] According to another feature, said control of said lighting system by the control unit to provide a suitable lighting configuration comprises a reduction in the intensity and / or the width and / or the range of at least one of the lighting devices.

[0014] According to another feature, said control of said lighting system to provide said adapted lighting configuration comprises a control of the photometry of at least one of said devices.

[0015] According to another feature, said estimates of distance and / or direction of travel include a calculation of a time before collision and a comparison of this time with a threshold, for example two seconds.

[0016] According to another feature, following the activation of said adapted lighting configuration, the control unit implements steps of: - Monitoring the presence and distance separating said improved vehicle from the other detected vehicle, to determine whether the latter has been crossed, overtaken or has moved away, then Controlling said lighting system to modify said adapted lighting configuration according to the absence or change in distance separating said improved vehicle from the other detected vehicle; - Monitoring the appearance of an additional vehicle in front of said improved vehicle to repeat the steps of the method and provide a new lighting configuration adapted to the presence of an additional vehicle.

[0017] According to another feature, the control unit monitors the steering angle of said improved vehicle and / or the activation of the direction indicator lights to determine whether a turning or overtaking maneuver is initiated and, if so, provide a new lighting configuration adapted to said maneuver.

[0018] According to another feature, said new lighting configuration adapted to said maneuver includes dynamic lighting control, the parameters of which are determined as a function of the steering angle of said vehicle as it maneuvers.

[0019] According to another feature, at least one of the automotive lighting devices comprises a matrix arrangement of luminous pixels in rows and columns.

[0020] According to another feature, in said adapted lighting configuration, certain rows or columns are switched off compared to the initial light intensity.

[0021] According to another feature, the steps implemented by the control unit when the vehicle is in circulation are carried out periodically with a period of less than 1 second, and in particular less than 0.5 seconds.

[0022] According to another feature, the learning by the control unit involves the use of a computer-based automatic learning algorithm.

[0023] According to another feature, the vehicle traffic data acquired by at least one sensor comprises at least two types of data among the lighting devices currently active on said vehicle, the exterior light intensity, the number of cars around and the distance from them, the current speed of the vehicle or the presence and color of traffic lights, the positioning coordinates and the surrounding road signs.

[0024] According to another feature, the plurality of sensors comprises at least one of an external light sensor, an activation sensor of said lighting devices, at least one camera, a geo-positioning sensor, a radar, a lidar or infrared sensors.

[0025] Another aim of the present application is to propose a computer element making it possible to at least partially overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0026] This aim is achieved by a computer element comprising means for implementing the steps of a method according to various embodiments of the invention, in cooperation with at least one sensor (3) for the acquisition of traffic data.

[0027] Another aim of the present application is to propose a computer program making it possible to at least partially overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0028] This object is achieved by a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a control unit, cause the control unit to execute the steps of a method according to various embodiments of the invention, in cooperation with at least one sensor (3) for the acquisition of traffic data.

[0029] Another aim of the present application is to propose a vehicle lighting system making it possible to at least partially overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0030] This goal is achieved by a vehicle lighting system comprising: - a plurality of lighting devices; - a plurality of sensors configured to provide certain traffic data; and - a control unit for carrying out the steps of the method according to various embodiments of the invention.

[0031] According to another feature, at least one of the lighting devices comprises a matrix arrangement of semiconductor light sources.

[0032] According to another feature, the matrix arrangement includes at least 2000 semiconductor light sources.

[0033] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent upon reading the description of various embodiments below, given with reference to the appended drawings. Indeed, to complete the description and to allow a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. These drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention and form an integral part of the description, which should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention, but simply as an example of how the invention can be implemented. The drawings include the following figures: [Fig 1] Figure 1 represents a schematic view of a system according to various embodiments of the invention; [Fig 2] Figure 2 represents a schematic view of a method according to various embodiments of the invention; [Fig 3] Figure 3 represents a photo of a scene in night traffic conditions and (below) a luminance map of the same scene; [Fig 4] Figure 4 shows examples of lighting intensities (normal or “dim”) and lighting ranges (“range”) in various situations in night-time traffic conditions;

[0034] The present invention relates to a method for the dynamic control of a lighting system (1) of a vehicle, as well as a computer element, a computer program and a lighting system for implementing the method. The present application refers to a control unit which controls the lighting but also which is trained during at least one learning process and which performs calculations, comparisons, etc. Those skilled in the art will of course understand that it may be several control units for the different tasks and cooperating to implement the invention or a single unit performing all the tasks. In addition, those skilled in the art will naturally understand, by the nature of the tasks performed, that such a unit will generally comprise at least one processor executing instructions and that various forms of implementation are possible and that it is therefore not necessary to provide details on the types of hardware that can be used or used.The drawings presented on the figure pages are provided solely as an example and in a very schematic manner, so that the person skilled in the art will be able to imagine any type of variants from the content of this application.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this document must be interpreted in accordance with professional practice, particularly in the field of lighting and signaling of motor vehicles, particularly automobiles. For example, the terms "range", "width" and intensity (corresponding to the Anglo-Saxon term "intensity") are commonly used and may be interpreted in a way that also covers the other terms used to define light beams (in particular by vertical and horizontal angles or by focal lengths). The definition and adaptation of the beam according to the traffic conditions encountered in the present application will therefore impact at least one of these parameters and the person skilled in the art will be able to assess which parameters to adapt to limit glare in the areas of interest, while meeting the requirements of the legislation in this area. Indeed, it is possible to reduce the range and / or the width or even the projection zone when the lighting devices allow the beam to be turned.In particular, this control of the lighting system (1) by the control unit (2) to provide a lighting configuration adapted to the situation by defining the light beams of at least one of the lighting devices (5) of said improved vehicle, said definition comprising at least one of the following adaptations:. - an adaptation of the range and / or intensity of the beam depending on the distance from the other vehicle, - an adaptation of the width and / or shape of the beam depending on the direction of travel of the other vehicle, - an adaptation of the beam orientation according to the road profile.

[0036] Likewise, other terms such as "field of vision" (corresponding to the Anglo-Saxon term "field of vision", often expressed in degrees) may be used without implying any particular limitation in the present application. It is also understood that terms in common use must be interpreted as being customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense and must not be interpreted in a limiting manner, unless they are expressly defined as such in this document.

[0037] In the present application, as generally accepted in the field of patent applications, the terms "comprises", "comprises" and "includes" as well as their derivatives (such as "comprising", "comprising", etc.) are not to be understood in an exclusive sense, that is to say, these terms are not to be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include other elements, steps, etc.

[0038] The terms "lighting system" and "lighting device" are understood in this application to mean both the lighting itself and the signaling, including in particular: devices which make it possible to illuminate the vehicle's surroundings, - either to be able to see, such as low beam headlights (LB) or high beam headlights (HB) even if the latter are generally prohibited in certain conditions, particularly in built-up areas, - either to be seen, such as position lights (PL, according to the Anglo-Saxon terminology "position light"), rear position lights (RPL, according to the Anglo-Saxon terminology "rear position light") or daytime running lights (DRL, according to the Anglo-Saxon terminology "day running light") but also devices which make it possible to signal the actions of a driver to other users, such as stop lights (SL, according to the Anglo-Saxon terminology "stop light"), direction indicator lights (turn indicators or TI, according to the Anglo-Saxon terminology "turn indicator") or hazard lights (W, according to the Anglo-Saxon terminology "warning").

[0039] The lighting system (1) therefore comprises a plurality of lighting (or signaling) devices (5) which may be of the type of examples (PL, LB, HB, DRL, SL, TI, W) provided above, which are neither exhaustive nor limiting. In general, it will be considered that the system also comprises the control (or command) unit (2) which makes it possible to control the system (1) and implement the method. Each device may comprise one or more light source(s) (6) depending on the type of lighting (incandescent bulbs or light-emitting diode (LED), for example).

[0040] The term "road" in this application refers to the profile of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling, including in particular its gradient, its curvature and its surface condition. Indeed, the adaptation will have to be different if one is going uphill, downhill, on the flat or in a hollow or even at the top of a hill, but also if the vehicle is in a straight line or on a bend, and even depending on the direction of the bend (due to the position of a driver in the vehicle in particular).

[0041] In general, the present invention aims to save the energy consumed for vehicle lighting, mainly when they are traveling at night, outside built-up areas. Indeed, in such conditions, dipped headlights and main beam headlights are necessary but constitute a high energy consumption and often present a significant inconvenience for other users crossed or followed. Thus, vehicle lighting does not generally require as much energy as they currently consume in these conditions and the adaptation of the light beams can be adapted to limit the glare of other users. The present invention therefore proposes to overcome these drawbacks by providing adaptive lighting solutions for vehicles.

[0042] Certain embodiments of the invention therefore relate to a method for the dynamic control of a vehicle lighting system (1), said improved method, said system (1) comprising, on the one hand, a plurality of lighting devices (5) controlled by a control unit (2) to provide a plurality of lighting configurations of said system (1) and, on the other hand, at least one sensor (3) for the acquisition of data, called traffic data, relating to the circulation of said vehicle, such as for example the speed, the position, the steering angle, but also on the traffic conditions (therefore the external environment of the vehicle), such as for example the ambient brightness, the weather conditions, the distance or relative distance of other vehicles, etc. Such traffic data may be numerous and involve a plurality of sensors of different types and the person skilled in the art will be able to assess the most relevant according to the data to be collected.The following information will therefore be cited as a non-limiting example, which is generally the most relevant for achieving the aims of the invention: - information on the speed, or even acceleration, of said vehicle (for example by its speed sensor or by a gyroscope) - information on the steering wheel angle (by a sensor in the steering wheel or by a gyroscope, for example from the ESP system); - information on the slope of the road on which the said vehicle is traveling (for example by a level sensor or by the gyroscope) in particular to recognize mountain roads; - information on the distance to vehicles or obstacles (measurable by various sensors, lasers or cameras); - information on the relative speed of other vehicles (e.g. using the vehicle speed sensor and integrated time distance information) - information on the vehicle's position (geolocation for example, via GPS) - information on surrounding light conditions (for example measurable by illuminance and / or luminance sensors often already present on certain vehicles).

[0043] In this description, the vehicle equipped with the system and implementing the invention is called "improved vehicle" (or sometimes simply "said vehicle") solely to distinguish it from the other vehicles described crossed or followed by said improved vehicle (these other vehicles being called "other" or "additional" in this application), but it is clear that this does not imply any disparagement with respect to the other systems, nor any limitation whatsoever, in particular on the fact that the invention is implemented in only one or more of these described vehicles.

[0044] In general, the process involves: - prior training of the control unit (2) to detect the presence of another vehicle in the field of vision of the driver of said improved vehicle and estimate the size of this other vehicle and / or the eye height of the driver of this other vehicle, - prior training to determine whether the lighting of said improved vehicle is correctly oriented in relation to the road, in particular its gradient, Preferably, the control unit will also benefit from prior training of the control unit (2) to recognize built-up area characteristics from the data provided by at least one sensor during a prior training phase, then decide whether an off-urban lighting functionality should be activated or deactivated based on the comparison between the data provided by said sensor (3) of the system (1) with said learned built-up area characteristics.

[0045] Thus, the control unit present in the vehicle to control the lighting system is capable of recognizing the fact that the vehicle is traveling outside built-up areas and dynamically adapting the lighting if the functionality is activated. However, the activation of the appropriate lights on roads outside built-up areas is already known and such learning is not essential. It should be noted that the various functionalities and the lighting configurations that result from their activation can of course be subject to authorization by the driver, for example by a prior configuration on his dashboard or an agreement to be validated when the control unit detects the appropriate conditions for the activation of the functionalities.

[0046] In some embodiments, the height of the other vehicle relative to the vehicle improved is estimated by combining the estimation of the size of the other vehicle with the measurement of the distance separating it from the improved vehicle and taking into account the profile of the road, i.e. its gradient and / or its curvature and / or its surface condition (for example, very reflective in the rain in reduced light), possibly using an average position of the driver in a vehicle of a given size (higher in a truck than in a car). The information on the height of the improved vehicle is also usable since it is known, as is the height of the lighting devices present on said improved vehicle.

[0047] Generally speaking and in various embodiments, the learnings by the control unit (2) comprise the use of a machine learning algorithm, for example by neural networks, classifiers, etc. This machine learning algorithm can be used both for the design of the light patterns of the case and / or for the classification of each situation in a predefined use case. Each of the two options follows its own machine learning algorithm. Once the corresponding results are validated, the values ​​of the control unit are used for the corresponding steps of the method of the invention.On the other hand, to monitor the traffic conditions and circumstances in which the vehicle is located, the steps implemented by the control unit (2) when the vehicle is in circulation are preferably carried out periodically with a period of less than 1 second, and in particular less than 0.5 seconds.

[0048] In various embodiments, the vehicle traffic data acquired by at least one sensor (3) comprises at least two types of data among the lighting devices (5) currently active on said vehicle, the exterior light intensity, the number of cars around and the distance from them, the current speed of the vehicle or the presence and color of traffic lights, the positioning coordinates and the surrounding road signs.

[0049] Likewise, in various embodiments, the plurality of sensors (3) comprises at least one of an external light sensor, an activation sensor of said lighting devices (5), at least one camera, a geo-positioning sensor, a radar, a lidar or infrared sensors.

[0050] Preferably, the method also comprises prior learning to recognize whether another detected vehicle is traveling in front of said improved vehicle on the same lane or on another lane and whether another detected vehicle is traveling on a lane in the opposite direction to that of said improved vehicle. Thanks to the learning, the control unit is trained to then be able to monitor the environment of the vehicle when it is in circulation and propose various lighting configurations. Indeed, the vehicle in circulation generally has a lighting configuration, preferably in accordance with the regulations) which depends on the conditions and circumstances of circulation and involves the switching on of various devices of the system. The learning is called "preliminary" because it precedes the steps of the process which are implemented during the circulation of the vehicle (acquisition, calculation, detection, comparison, etc.), but it should be noted that this learning can either be carried out before the installation of the control unit on the vehicle, or be carried out after this installation so that the learning is carried out in real conditions. Recognition of the other vehicle's lane makes it possible to adapt the light beam differently depending on whether the other vehicle is traveling on the same lane or on an adjacent lane. Indeed, the driver of a vehicle in front of the improved vehicle will be less dazzled and in different positions than the driver of a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction on an adjacent lane.

[0051] In some embodiments, the control unit undergoes two training processes. Both training processes include machine learning steps, where the control unit is trained with training data provided by the plurality of sensors.

[0052] The first training process involves designing different embodiment light patterns, each associated with a plurality of data values. This first training process includes: - training the control unit to design a light pattern of embodiments in response to a set of training data - testing the control unit by comparing the chosen light pattern with the expected optimal results.

[0053] Different use cases are defined, and the optimal light pattern is found for each use case using the algorithm mentioned above.

[0054] The second training process involves classifying a situation into a predefined use case. This second training process includes - training the control unit to classify a situation into a predefined use case with a training data set - a test of the control unit by comparing the chosen predefined case with the expected optimal results.

[0055] In this embodiment, different situations are set up, each with different data obtained by the sensors. The control unit is trained to identify which of the use cases best matches the situation.

[0056] Once both training processes are completed, the control unit is installed in a vehicle, to perform the light control of the lighting system. However, as mentioned elsewhere in this application, the training or prior learning can be done after installation on said vehicle and it will then be learning in real conditions. The validation of the learning will then be carried out by an action (by an automatic supervisor and / or a user supervising the operation) on the control unit, either on site or remotely.

[0057] The operation of this lighting system would then be to provide a preliminary light pattern, depending on the lighting functionality chosen by the vehicle user.

[0058] In some embodiments, when using said vehicle equipped to implement the present invention, every 0.2 seconds for example, the control unit of the lighting system receives data from the plurality of sensors. This data includes external (or "traffic") data of the vehicle (active lighting functionality, exterior light intensity, number of cars around and distance to them, current vehicle speed or presence and color of traffic lights, etc.). Through its training / learning, the control unit will classify the environment into a use case and associate a lighting pattern with this situation. The lighting system then projects the new light pattern, which provides adequate illumination with minimal energy consumption. This process is for example repeated every 0.2 seconds. It should be noted that the term "light pattern" is used in the present application with the same meaning as the term "lighting configuration" and is not limiting of a pattern in the literal sense and therefore does not necessarily imply a variation in photometry.

[0059] Thus, following the learning by the control unit of the different circumstances in which it must propose or provide a particular lighting configuration, the present invention provides for the implementation of the following analysis and control steps by the control unit (2), when said vehicle is in circulation with a first lighting configuration, called initial, of said system (1): - acquisition of data from at least one sensor (3) of the system (1) for detecting at least one other vehicle in front of said improved vehicle and calculation of the distance which separates this other vehicle from said improved vehicle, - estimation of the size of this other vehicle and / or the eye height of the driver of this other vehicle, from said calculated distance and prior learning, - estimation of the relevance of the orientation of the lighting of said improved vehicle in relation to the road - determination of the lane and direction of travel of this other detected vehicle, then - control of said lighting system (1) by the control unit (2) to provide a lighting configuration adapted to the situation by defining the light beams of at least one of the lighting devices (5) of said improved vehicle as a function of the road, the direction of travel of at least one other vehicle and its distance and / or its height relative to said improved vehicle.

[0060] Estimating the relevance is generally essential to meet the regulations since the lighting must be sufficient in a certain number of areas around the vehicle and it is not allowed to deviate to other areas because these parameters have been established to guarantee the safety of users. In certain embodiments, said analysis steps use a luminance map established from the data measured by at least one sensor (3). Figure 3 represents an illustrative and non-limiting example of such a luminance map developed from image data from a camera.

[0061] In certain embodiments, said estimation of the size of said other vehicle and / or the eye height of the driver of this other vehicle, from said calculated distance and prior learning, uses recognition of the distribution of the lighting devices of this other vehicle, related to the distance with this vehicle.

[0062] In some embodiments, said estimation of the relevance of the orientation of the lighting of said improved vehicle relative to the road uses the learning data and the measurement of the distance between said improved vehicle and a light pattern projected on the ground by at least one of its lighting devices (5).

[0063] In some embodiments, said determination of the lane and direction of travel of said other detected vehicle uses an estimation of the position and relative speed of this other vehicle with respect to said improved vehicle.

[0064] In some embodiments, said control of said lighting system (1) by the control unit (2) to provide a suitable lighting configuration comprises a reduction in the intensity and / or the width and / or the range of at least one of the lighting devices (5). Figure 4 represents an illustrative and non-limiting example of variation of the intensity (“dim” for English “dimming”) and the range (“range” in English), with various parameters depending on the presence or absence of another vehicle followed and / or crossed by said improved vehicle.

[0065] By reducing the lighting width, substantial savings can be achieved while maintaining satisfactory visibility for smooth traffic flow in built-up areas. In particular, in the case of LED lighting devices (5), it is possible to simply obtain light lines (vertical or horizontal) which are generally sufficient to meet regulatory requirements and it is possible to vary the shape of the beams (photometry). On the other hand, by reducing the range and / or the lighting intensity, even more substantial savings can be achieved while improving the visual comfort of users, in particular for powerful lights such as main beams (HB), but also for dipped beams (LB) and / or daytime running lights (DRL).

[0066] It should be noted that for the detection of traffic outside built-up areas the control unit can use image recognition from an on-board camera to identify buildings and for example measure their density after learning, but it can also use the geo-positioning signal to determine whether the vehicle is in a city or not and other possibilities are therefore conceivable, so that these examples are not limiting.

[0067] Likewise, it will be noted that for the detection of other vehicles, the control unit preferably uses image recognition and size measurements, but these examples are not limiting either and the control unit can also, in addition or as an alternative, use various sensors to determine the proximity of other vehicles (possibly by combining this distance with image recognition making it possible to identify that they are indeed vehicles and not any obstacles) or even information transmitted remotely, for example between vehicles equipped with compatible systems.In some embodiments, the estimation of the distance (and / or the speed, in particular the relative speed) includes a calculation of a time before collision and a comparison of this time with various thresholds and may include monitoring of the evolution of this time to calculate relative speeds in order to determine the crossing or overtaking of the vehicles.

[0068] In some embodiments, said adapted lighting configuration involves a control of several lighting devices in a combined manner, to supplement or replace the various usable beams. Indeed, in particular to continue to meet the regulatory criteria concerning the visibility of the vehicle (its size in particular) and / or the lighting of the vehicle's environment, it is possible to combine the use of the various types of devices while reducing energy consumption. Thus, it is possible to reduce the intensity use or turn off one of the lights and turn on another, possibly with limited intensity as well. Many configurations are therefore possible thanks to the implementation of the present invention.

[0069] In some embodiments, at least one of the automotive lighting devices (5) comprises a matrix arrangement of light pixels (2) in rows and columns. In some particular cases, the matrix comprises at least 2000 solid-state light sources. A matrix arrangement is a typical example of this method. The rows may be grouped into projected distance intervals and each column in each group represents an angle interval. This angle value depends on the resolution of the matrix, which is generally between 0.01° per column and 0.5° per column. This control of the rows and columns allows for independent control of the angle and range, in addition to the intensity, and allows for multiple light sources to be managed simultaneously. In some of these embodiments, following one of said reductions, some rows or columns are turned off compared to the initial light intensity.Indeed, modern lighting devices often include "solid state" light sources, and the invention takes advantage of this type of device, which notably allows for adaptation of photometry. The term "solid state" refers to the light emitted by solid-state electroluminescence, which uses semiconductors to convert electricity into light. Compared to incandescent lighting, solid-state lighting creates visible light with reduced heat production and less power dissipation. The generally low mass of a solid-state electronic lighting device provides greater resistance to shock and vibration than brittle glass tubes / bulbs and long wires with thin filaments. They also eliminate filament evaporation, which can increase the lifespan of the lighting device.Some examples of these lighting types include semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), or polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) as lighting sources rather than electric filaments, plasma, or gas. This method aims to find the optimal light pattern to be projected by a lighting device. Predetermined use cases are defined, and a corresponding light pattern is projected when the method identifies that the vehicle is in one of the predefined use cases. An optimal lighting pattern is therefore found without excessive computational cost, since there are a reasonable number of predefined use cases.

[0070] Thus, in certain embodiments, to provide said adapted lighting configuration, said control of said lighting system (1) by the control unit comprises a control of the photometry of at least one of said devices. Indeed, the various devices emit a light beam which is specific to them and which has a particular shape, defined by photometry. The invention provides for modifying this photometry in certain cases. For example, dipped headlights have a beam illuminating a symmetrical zone close to the vehicle (called "fiat" in English) and an asymmetrical zone further away. The invention provides, for example, for keeping only the "fiat" when driving in a city in congested traffic. In another example, for daytime running lights, it is possible to keep only the lighting necessary to indicate the size of the vehicle. For high beams, it is possible to limit the lighting over the entire field of vision, but by limiting it more strongly on the oncoming lane while maintaining a greater intensity and / or range on the traffic lane of said improved vehicle (or its verges).The modification of photometry thus makes it possible to preserve the safety of users while improving their visual comfort and saving energy by removing portions of light beams that are unnecessary in certain circumstances.

[0071] Particularly advantageously, certain embodiments provide that, when the method has been implemented to provide said adapted lighting configuration, the control unit (2) continues the implementation of the adaptive method by: - Monitoring the presence and distance separating said improved vehicle from the other detected vehicle, to determine whether the latter has been crossed, overtaken or has moved away, then Controlling said lighting system (1) to modify said adapted lighting configuration according to the absence or change in distance separating said improved vehicle from the other detected vehicle; - Monitoring the appearance of an additional vehicle in front of said improved vehicle to repeat the steps of the method and provide a new lighting configuration adapted to the presence of an additional vehicle.

[0072] In certain embodiments, the control unit (2) monitors the steering angle of said improved vehicle and / or the activation of the direction indicator lights to determine whether a turning or overtaking maneuver is initiated and, if so, provide a new lighting configuration adapted to said maneuver. Preferably, in these embodiments, said new lighting configuration adapted to said maneuver comprises dynamic lighting control, the parameters of which are determined as a function of the steering angle of said vehicle as it maneuvers. Thus, depending on the angle taken by said improved vehicle, the lighting is adapted in intensity and / or width and / or range and / or shape (photometry) and / or orientation, while taking into account the position and trajectory of other vehicles.

[0073] Thus, when the control unit detects that the driver of the vehicle wishes to initiate a maneuver while the lighting has been modified, the control unit dynamically adapts the lighting to the driver's behavior. The invention therefore allows the lighting to remain permanently adapted to the traffic conditions which inevitably change, but also to the driver's maneuvers.

[0074] It is understood that the present invention provides a method for adaptive management or control of vehicle lighting depending on traffic conditions. This method involves the use of a control unit (2) having computing resources and connected to sensors (3) to control the vehicle lighting system (1). Such resources calculation are known per se and can be implemented by a computer element. Thus, certain embodiments also relate to a computer element comprising means for implementing the steps of a method according to the invention. Similarly, it is known that such computer means for implementing such a method generally require a computer program unless analog programming is envisaged. Thus, certain embodiments relate to a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a control unit (2), cause the control unit to execute the steps of a method according to the invention. Finally, as the invention is intended to be installed on a vehicle, certain embodiments relate to a vehicle lighting system (1) comprising: - a plurality of lighting devices (5); - a plurality of sensors (3) configured to provide certain traffic data (intrinsic and / or external); and - a control unit (2) for carrying out the steps of the method according to the invention.

[0075] As mentioned above in the present application, in some embodiments of such a system, at least one of the lighting devices (5) comprises a matrix arrangement of solid-state light sources (2). In some of these embodiments, the matrix arrangement comprises at least 2000 solid-state light sources (2).

[0076] The present application describes various technical features and advantages with reference to the figures and / or to various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the technical features of a given embodiment may in fact be combined with features of another embodiment unless the opposite is explicitly mentioned or it is obvious that these features are incompatible or that the combination does not provide a solution to at least one of the technical problems mentioned in the present application. Furthermore, the technical features described in a given embodiment may be isolated from the other features of this embodiment unless the opposite is explicitly mentioned.

[0077] Detailed list of references in the figures: 1 lighting system 2 control unit 3 sensor 5 lighting (and / or signaling) device

Claims

Claims

1. Method for the dynamic control of a vehicle lighting system (1), said improved system (1), said system (1) comprising, on the one hand, a plurality of lighting devices (5) controlled by a control unit (2) to provide a plurality of lighting configurations of said system (1) and, on the other hand, at least one sensor (3) for the acquisition of data, called traffic data, relating to the traffic of the vehicle and its traffic conditions, the method comprising: - prior training of the control unit (2) to detect the presence of another vehicle in the field of vision of the driver of said improved vehicle and estimate the size of this other vehicle and / or the eye height of the driver of this other vehicle, - prior learning to determine whether the lighting of said improved vehicle is correctly oriented in relation to the road, in particular its gradient, said method being characterized in that it comprises - prior learning to recognize whether another detected vehicle is traveling in front of said improved vehicle on the same lane or on another lane and whether another detected vehicle is traveling on a lane in the opposite direction to that of said improved vehicle, then when said vehicle is traveling on a roadway, the control unit (2) implements the following analysis and control steps: - acquisition of traffic data from at least one sensor (3) of the system (1) for detecting at least one other vehicle in front of said improved vehicle and calculation of the distance separating this other vehicle from said improved vehicle, - estimation of the size of this other vehicle and / or the eye height of the driver of this other vehicle, from said calculated distance and prior learning, - estimation of the relevance of the orientation of the lighting of said improved vehicle in relation to the road - determination of the lane and direction of travel of this other detected vehicle, then - control of said lighting system (1) by the control unit (2) to provide a lighting configuration adapted to the situation by defining the light beams of at least one of the lighting devices (5) of said improved vehicle as a function of the road, the direction of travel of at least one other vehicle and its distance and / or its height relative to said improved vehicle.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said analyzing steps use a luminance map established from the data measured by at least one sensor (3).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which said estimation of the size of said other vehicle and / or the eye height of the driver of this other vehicle, from said calculated distance and from the prior learning, uses recognition of the distribution of the lighting devices of this other vehicle, related to the distance from this vehicle.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which said estimation of the relevance of the orientation of the lighting of said improved vehicle relative to the road uses the learning data and the measurement of the distance between said improved vehicle and a light pattern projected on the ground by at least one of its lighting devices (5).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which said determination of the lane and direction of travel of said other detected vehicle uses an estimation of the position and relative speed of this other vehicle with respect to said improved vehicle.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said control of said lighting system (1) by the control unit (2) to provide a suitable lighting configuration comprises a reduction in the intensity and / or the width and / or the range of at least one of the lighting devices (5).

7. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said controlling said lighting system (1) to provide said adapted lighting configuration comprises controlling the photometry of at least one of said devices.

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said estimates of distance and / or direction of travel include a calculation of a time before collision and a comparison of this time with a threshold, for example two seconds.

9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, following the activation of said adapted lighting configuration, the control unit (2) implements steps of: - Monitoring the presence and distance separating said improved vehicle from the other detected vehicle, to determine whether the latter has been crossed, overtaken or has moved away, then Controlling said lighting system (1) to modify said adapted lighting configuration according to the absence or change in distance separating said improved vehicle from the other detected vehicle; - Monitoring the appearance of an additional vehicle in front of said improved vehicle to repeat the steps of the method and provide a new lighting configuration adapted to the presence of an additional vehicle.

10. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the control unit (2) monitors the steering angle of said improved vehicle and / or the activation of the direction indicator lights to determine whether a turning or overtaking maneuver is initiated and, if so, provide a new lighting configuration adapted to said maneuver.

11. Method according to claim 9, in which said new lighting configuration adapted to said maneuver comprises dynamic lighting control, the parameters of which are determined as a function of the steering angle of said vehicle as it maneuvers.

12. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the automotive lighting devices (5) comprises a matrix arrangement of light pixels (2) in rows and columns.

13. A method according to claim 7, wherein in said adapted lighting configuration, certain rows or columns are extinguished relative to the initial light intensity.

14. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the steps implemented by the control unit (2) when the vehicle is in circulation are carried out periodically with a period of less than 1 second, and in particular less than 0.5 seconds.

15. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the learning by the control unit (2) comprises the use of a computer-assisted automatic learning algorithm.

16. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle traffic data acquired by at least one sensor (3) comprises at least two types of data among the lighting devices (5) currently active on said vehicle, the exterior light intensity, the number of cars around and the distance from them, the current speed of the vehicle or the presence and color of traffic lights, the positioning coordinates and the surrounding road signs.

17. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of sensors (3) comprises at least one of an external light sensor, an activation sensor of said lighting devices (5), at least one camera, a geo-positioning sensor, a radar, a lidar or infrared sensors.

18. Computer element comprising means for implementing the steps of a method according to any one of the preceding claims, in cooperation with at least one sensor (3) for the acquisition of traffic data.

19. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a control unit (2), cause the control unit to execute the steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, in cooperation with at least one sensor (3) for acquiring traffic data.

20. Vehicle lighting system (1) comprising: - a plurality of lighting devices (5); - a plurality of sensors (3) configured to provide certain traffic data, relating to the traffic of the vehicle and its traffic conditions; and - a control unit (2) for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

21. System (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one of the lighting devices (5) comprises a matrix arrangement of semiconductor light sources (2).

22. System (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the matrix arrangement comprises at least 2000 semiconductor light sources (2).

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