Segmented Vehicle Lighting Visualizes Friend Positions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face distraction while driving due to the need to check their mobile phones for friends' positions on social networks, as existing motor vehicle lighting systems are primarily designed for aesthetic purposes and not for conveying information about nearby friends.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle with linear lighting means divided into segments, controlled by a device that determines direction and position information from communication devices, allowing for selective activation and configuration of lighting segments to visualize friends' positions without diverting the driver's attention, using RGB-LEDs and ambient brightness sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If drivers check mobile phones for friends' positions on social networks, then they obtain information about friends' locations, but driver attention is diverted from the road
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (control device with lighting means) that mediates between the social network information source and the driver. Instead of directly viewing mobile phone screens, drivers receive processed location information through the vehicle's lighting system, which presents information in a driver-friendly format without requiring attention diversion to handheld devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical interaction of holding and viewing a mobile phone with an optical information presentation system. The lighting means (LEDs, display elements) substitute for the mobile phone screen, transforming tactile-visual phone interaction into an optical field-based information delivery system that integrates with the vehicle's existing lighting infrastructure
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lighting systems are used for both ambient illumination and information visualization, then system versatility is improved, but lighting control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the vehicle's existing lighting means to serve dual purposes: traditional ambient illumination and new information visualization functions. The same lighting components (LEDs, display elements distributed along vehicle contours) are controlled to provide both aesthetic lighting and functional information presentation about friends' positions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the lighting system into multiple independently controllable segments or zones along the vehicle's contours. This segmentation allows different portions of the lighting means to display different information or perform different functions simultaneously, enabling complex information visualization while maintaining modular control that manages system complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables passengers to receive information about friends' positions without being distracted from driving, utilizing conventional lighting systems for both ambient illumination and social network-related information visualization.
Implementation Method 1
using RGB-LEDs
Implementation Method 2
ambient brightness sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle is disclosed that includes at least one linear lighting means for directly and/or indirectly lighting a vehicle interior. A position-sensing unit senses ego information describing a position and an orientation of the motor vehicle. A control device determines, from location information describing the position of a person, and from the ego information, direction information describing a direction of the person in relation to the motor vehicle (1), selects, in accordance with the direction information, a sub-group of lighting segments that includes at least one lighting segment to be activated, and activates the lighting segment belonging to the sub-group in accordance with a configuration, which specifies the lighting brightness and/or the lighting color of the lighting segment, and which visualizes the position of the person.