Adaptive Automotive Lighting Using Luminance Map Feedback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automotive lighting devices struggle to dynamically adjust light patterns to account for various environmental factors, including reflections and refractions caused by climate conditions, which can affect road illumination and driver safety.

Innovation Solution

A method for operating automotive lighting devices using a matrix arrangement of light pixels that acquires image data, transforms it into a luminance map, calculates an adapted light pattern based on desired patterns, and projects it, incorporating machine learning algorithms for quick adaptation to environmental changes, including climate effects and object positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional fixed light patterns are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to environmental conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to environmental conditionsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring image data of the working zone and transforming it into a luminance map before calculating the adapted light pattern. This preliminary processing of environmental information allows the system to proactively adapt to conditions rather than reactively adjusting, resolving the contradiction by preparing adaptation data in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously acquiring image data of the working zone, transforming it into a luminance map, and using this information to calculate adapted light patterns. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables real-time adaptation to environmental conditions while managing device complexity through systematic information processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If image data acquisition and processing is performed continuously, then measurement precision of environmental conditions is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precision of environmental conditionsVSAvoiduse of energy by lighting device

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs image data acquisition and processing periodically rather than continuously, updating the luminance map and calculating adapted light patterns at specific intervals. This periodic action maintains measurement precision of environmental conditions while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by processing only the necessary portions of image data required to create an adequate luminance map for light pattern adaptation. Rather than processing all possible environmental data, it focuses on critical information needed for effective lighting adjustment, reducing computational energy requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20230347812A1Method for operating an automotive lighting device and automotive lighting device

Publication Date: 2023.11.02 VALEO VISION SA

AI summary

This invention provides a method for operating an automotive lighting device including a plurality of solid-state light sources. This method includes acquiring image data of a working zone in front of the automotive lighting device, transforming the image data into a luminance map, providing a desired light pattern, calculating an adapted light pattern which provides the desired light pattern when projected over the luminance map and projecting the adapted light pattern.