DE102006003646A1 - Method for adaptation of light transmitted from illuminating device in vehicle, involves determining driver activity in automatic manner - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves determining a driver activity in an automatic manner. The driver activity is evaluated, further information is acquired and an automatic adaptation of the illumination device (2) takes place depending upon an evaluation of the information and depending upon the evaluation of the driver activity. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) an illuminating device in a vehicle (2) a control unit for controlling an illuminating device in a vehicle (3) a computer program executable on a computer particularly for control unit for controlling an illuminating device in a vehicle (4) a storage element for a control unit.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for adapting the illumination device in a vehicle emitted light.

The Invention also relates to a lighting device in a vehicle, wherein the light emitted by the illumination device is adaptable is.

The The invention further relates to a control device for controlling a lighting device in a vehicle and a computer program running on a computing device, in particular on a control unit for controlling a lighting device in a vehicle, is executable.

Around to increase active safety in the operation of a vehicle It is known, lighting devices with variable light distribution provide an adaptation of a light distribution to a current Situation allows. Defined light distributions, for example, by certain statutory regulations or international standards (ECE, FMVSS) are given as dipped beam, high beam or fog light designated.

to increase the road illumination during cornering or while a turn it is also known, a switchable or provide movable cornering light. In particular, it is known a so-called AFS headlight system (AFS = Adaptive Frontlighting System), by means of which an optimized light distribution can be generated, for example, a city light, motorway light or to realize bad weather light. For example, an AFS headlight system also provide, when driving over Dome or by sinking or when cornering the sent out Light the road or to adapt to traffic or environmental conditions.

such Lighting devices are activated automatically, for example to rule out a wrong operation by the driver, the otherwise it could lead to dazzling oncoming traffic and a strain the driver with additional Requirements and decision-making tasks. At a Such lighting device, it is also known, current to capture prevailing visibility conditions and the lighting device to control so that the light distribution generated the visual conditions, adapted to the traffic conditions or environmental conditions.

to Determining such a current by the driver's visual process detectable condition, it is particularly known to provide a camera and automatically evaluate an image generated by the camera to to close the current conditions.

The However, known systems for automatic adaptation are very expensive to realize. For example, the evaluation of the camera image requires to determine the current condition a very complex pattern recognition process.

Around using the known systems to achieve a reliable adaptation, have to Furthermore, a variety of different sensors may be present, so that their signals can be evaluated and combined in such a way that a reliable one automatic adaptation possible is. this leads to often to that one possible in principle Improvement regarding the adaptive behavior of a lighting device due poor value for money is not realized.

It is therefore an object of the present invention, an automatic Adaptation of a lighting device to allow or to support, by means of which an improved adaptation accuracy is achieved and still cheap is feasible.

The Task is characterized by a method of the type mentioned by solved, that a driver activity is determined, at least one further information is detected and depending from an evaluation of the at least one further information and dependent on from an evaluation of the driver's activity an automatic adaptation the lighting device takes place.

By the determination of a driver's activity is a particularly situation-appropriate Adaptation of the lighting device possible as a current behavior the driver is determined and evaluated, in addition - in particular when detecting a rather short-term driver activity - another Information, for example, a current state of the environment describes, takes into account becomes. Further information may be a given weather condition, for example, a temperature or brightness. By the Inclusion of driver activity becomes a personal one needs the current driver particularly adapted adaptation of the lighting device allows.

Preferably, the at least one further information describes a previous driver activity or the time span between the driver activity and a previous driver activity. This can be particularly well recognized, for example, whether the driver wants an adaptation of the lighting device, but with the by the driver controllable means no satisfactory adaptation is possible. For example, it may be provided that an activation and deactivation of a component of the illumination device results in a specific adaptation if the activation and deactivation takes place within a predefinable time span.

advantageously, becomes dependent from the evaluation of driver activity and / or depending on from the evaluation of the further information to a visual problem the driver closed and depending on the visual problem the adaptation of the illumination device automatically performed such that achieved an at least partial compensation of the visual problem becomes.

It Consequently, not only is an automatic adaptation to general Optimization considerations, but rather tries to recognize the driver's current vision problem and this through a specific adaptation of the lighting device as possible good to compensate. This captures one or more driver activities if applicable, one or more additional information is collected and the visual problem in dependence calculated from an evaluation of all this information, where In particular, the environmental conditions are determined such that one hand, as possible optimal compensation of the visual problem is achieved, however, on the other hand not inadmissible Control of the lighting device takes place and example would lead to a dazzling oncoming traffic.

• – ein Aktivieren und/oder Deaktivieren einer Komponente der Beleuchtungseinrichtung,
• – ein Aktivieren und/oder Deaktivieren des Scheibenwischers,
• – ein Aktivieren und/oder Deaktivieren einer Scheibenwaschanlage,
• – eine Aktivierung und/oder Deaktivierung einer Innenraumbeleuchtung,
• – eine Betätigung eines Fahrpedals,
• – eine Betätigung einer Einrichtung des Fahrzeugs zur Steuerung einer Fahrgeschwindigkeit, einer Fahrtrichtung, einer Antriebsleistung oder einer Kraftübertragung,
• – ein Aktivieren und/oder Deaktivieren von Signaleinrichtungen,
• – ein Aktivieren und/oder Deaktivieren von Abblendeinrichtungen,
• – ein Aktivieren und/oder Deaktivieren einer Bremse

erfasst.Preferably, to determine the driver's activity

• Activating and / or deactivating a component of the illumination device,
• Activating and / or deactivating the windshield wiper,
• Activating and / or deactivating a windscreen washer system,
• An activation and / or deactivation of an interior lighting,
• - an operation of an accelerator pedal,
• An actuation of a device of the vehicle for controlling a driving speed, a direction of travel, a drive power or a power transmission,
• Activating and / or deactivating signaling devices,
• Activating and / or deactivating dimming devices,
• - Activating and / or deactivating a brake

detected.

such Sizes are particularly suitable to describe a driver's activity and a visual problem of the driver.

Especially can activating and / or deactivating the low beam, high beam, fog lamp or an auxiliary headlamp. Dependent on a recorded time course of activating or deactivating one or more of these components of the lighting device can then be closed particularly well to a driver's vision problem be done and a suitable adaptation of the lighting device.

For example can activate and then deactivate a high beam be recorded. As an additional external property Hereby, the time duration between activation is recorded and deactivating the high beam passes. Will the high beam now activated by the driver and, for example, within deactivated again ten seconds, it can be concluded that the driver though an increased Light intensity wishes, this However, for example, because of an oncoming pedestrian due the risk of glare can not remain activated. An automatic For example, in this case, adaptation can provide that of the illumination device emitted light distribution increased light intensity in the vicinity and additionally as far as possible increased Illumination of the roadway in the long-distance area takes place.

Becomes in addition For example, by means of suitable sensors the compliance of a Detected vehicle, it can be an increased light intensity at close range and a increase the illumination of the road in the far range only on the right Side, so that no dazzling of the oncoming Vehicle results.

Further For example, you can enable and disable it afterwards the fog lights by the driver, while at the same time a windscreen wiper is activated, an indication of a bad weather condition give the driver to compensate by activating the fog lights tried. Because of the adverse effect of the fog lights For example, the driver has disabled this again. An automatic Adaptation of the illumination device can then take place to that on the one hand an increased Brightness is achieved in the far field of the light distribution, However, these emitted with a reduction of further above the cut-off line luminous intensity is connected, so a disturbing Reflection of the light rays by the rain and thus a glare the driver is avoided.

One Activating and deactivating different components of the lighting device followed from or in connection with an activation of the brake or a other device that reduces the speed of the Vehicle causes, for example, may indicate that the Driver a visual problem by means of the predetermined switching devices can not compensate and therefore makes a reduction in speed. By means of the method according to the invention can then, in particular taking into account further external properties, an optimization of the light distribution generated by the lighting device be achieved by improved illumination of the near range.

advantageously, For the adaptation of the illumination device, a limiting light, a parking light, a dipped beam, a high beam, a cornering light, a fog light, a city light, a motorway light, a bad weather light, a daytime running light, an infrared light and / or an additional light activated and / or disabled. In particular, by an addition of such Components of the lighting device generated light distributions can achieve a flexible adaptation of the lighting device become. An infrared light can be part of an infrared light system, for example be that as well a camera for capturing an image, for example, in front of or behind the vehicle has.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the inventive method a current driving situation is recorded. An adaptation takes place additionally dependent on from an evaluation of the current driving situation. An actual Driving situation here can be on the one hand a state of the vehicle itself and on the other hand describe a state of the surrounding traffic.

advantageously, describes a current driving situation entering a curve, passing through a curve, extending out of a curve, a Braking, a distance to a vehicle in front, a Driving in a convoy, a traffic density, an overtaking or the accommodation of a vehicle.

such Properties are particularly well suited to a current driving situation to describe and can for example, by existing sensors or by additional Sensors are detected. Retracting, passing through and extending from a curve, for example, by means of a lateral acceleration sensor be recorded. Such sensors are often used to realize a so-called ESP (Electronic Stability Program) used and are thus already present in the vehicle.

A Combination of a current driving situation with a driver's activity and one or more information allows a particularly sensitive Adaptation of the illumination device, because of the variety of recorded sizes one particularly accurate recognition of the overall situation and thus one possibly present visual problem on the one hand and the possible or allowed compensation options possible is, so that the visual problem in the context of the possibilities possible well can be compensated.

advantageously, describes the at least one other piece of information about humidity, a temperature, a type of precipitation, a precipitation, a Season, a time of day or an ambient brightness. through Such information can be particularly good in addition to a visual problem getting closed. Furthermore, can such information frequently be detected without complex sensors.

through the method of the invention it is therefore possible by the automatic detection of a plurality of preferably existing information, such as sensor values, GPS signals, Times and temperatures, in conjunction with the facing of or more specific driver activities a visual problem especially accurately grasp any conditions that one or more Light distribution does not allow to recognize and within the framework a particularly well adapted light distribution of the illumination device to achieve and thus a possible Visual problem is good to compensate.

The Task is also by a lighting device of the above Sort of solved by the lighting device comprises means for carrying out the inventive method.

The Task is especially by a control unit of the above solved by the type mentioned, that the controller Means for carrying out the inventive method having.

Of particular importance is the realization of this invention in the form of a computer program. In this case, the computer program is executable on at least one computing device or a control device for controlling a lighting device in a motor vehicle and programmed for carrying out the method according to the invention. In particular, parts of the computer program can run on different computing devices or on different control devices in the vehicle for carrying out the method according to the invention. The invention is thus by the Implemented computer program so that this computer program in the same way represents the invention as the method to whose execution the computer program is programmed. The computer program is preferably stored on a memory element. A memory element may, in particular, be a random access memory, a read-only memory, a flash memory, a hard disk, a CD, a DVD or a memory area assigned to the computing device or the control unit.

Further Features, applications and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments the invention. In the drawing show:

1 a schematic representation of a lighting device in a vehicle and

2 a schematic block diagram of functional components of the inventive method.

In 1 is schematized a vehicle 1 represented, which is a lighting device 2 having. The lighting device 2 includes a controller 3 for controlling the light distribution of headlamps 4 , The headlights 4 For example, they may be designed as high beam headlights, low beam headlights, fog lights, auxiliary headlights and / or cornering lights. The headlights 4 can be configured in particular as so-called single-function headlights, by means of which a plurality of different light distributions can be realized with suitable control.

In 2 Function blocks are shown as they can be implemented in a realization of the method according to the invention.

In a function block F1, a driver activity is detected. Such a driver activity, for example, a probeweises activation of the lighting device 2 , For example, a brief operation of the high beam or the fog light be.

through a functional unit F2 is at least one further information detected. The further information can be, for example, the history to be in a time. In particular, the further information can also a property of the environment, such as a brightness, a Outside temperature, the signal of a rain sensor or the signal of an acceleration sensor be.

In a functional unit F3 are the in the functional units F1 and evaluated F2 values. In particular, this will be related values. For example, the Time duration can be determined between different driver activities and in dependence of the length the duration of a particular visual problem. In particular, by means of further information, the most accurate possible Determination of the visual problem.

By means of the illumination device according to the invention 2 may be the time period between the activation and deactivation of a high-beam function of the illumination device 2 , in particular the headlight 4 by the driver of the control unit 3 be recorded. For example, if the time is between 10 and 30 seconds, this may be a tentative activation of the lighting device 2 be considered. From that the lighting device 2 Once again, it can be inferred that a prevailing visual problem is due to activation of the illumination device 2 could not be eliminated.

In general, in particular by information regarding the type of activated and deactivated function of the lighting device 2 on the one hand and other information, such as a current speed, the distance to a vehicle ahead, weather conditions and / or a time of day on the one hand determines a concrete present visual problem closer and on the other hand a particularly good adaptation of the lighting device 2 be achieved in that a removal or at least reducing the visual problem is achieved.

In a functional unit F4, an adaptation signal is generated, by means of which an activation of the headlights 4 is possible that by means of the headlights 4 a light distribution is achieved, which allows the intended elimination or reduction of the visual problem.

In a functional unit F5 then the actual control of the headlights 4 with the adaptation signal generated by the control unit in the functional unit F4 3 ,

The means of in 2 illustrated functional blocks feasible method, for example, in the control unit 3 implemented and executed.

Of course, it is conceivable that the inventive method is carried out on one or more other computing or control devices. For example, it is possible that the functional units F1, F2 and F3 are performed on a separate computing device and an output signal is generated, the control unit 3 to is guided and this then causes the control of the functional device F2.

Claims (15)

Method for adapting the illumination device ( 2 ) in a vehicle ( 1 ) emitted light, characterized in that automatically a driver activity is determined, the driver activity is evaluated, at least one further information is detected and depending on an evaluation of the at least one further information and depending on an evaluation of the driver activity, an automatic adaptation of the illumination device ( 2 ) he follows. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that depending on the evaluation of the driving activity and / or the at least one further information on a vision problem of the driver is concluded and depending on the visual problem, the adaptation of the illumination device ( 2 ) takes place in such a way that at least partial compensation of the visual problem is achieved. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized that the at least one further information is a previous one Driver activity or the time span between the driver's activity and a previous one driver activity describes. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for determining the driver activity - activating and / or deactivating a component of the illumination device ( 2 ), Activating and / or deactivating a windshield wiper, activating and / or deactivating a windscreen washer, activating and / or deactivating an interior lighting, actuation of an accelerator pedal, actuation of a device of the vehicle for controlling a driving speed, a direction of travel, a drive power or a power transmission, - activating and / or deactivating signaling devices, - activating and / or deactivating dimming devices and / or - activating and / or deactivating a brake is detected. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the adaptation of the illumination device ( 2 ) a limiting light, a parking light, a dipped beam, a high beam, a cornering light, a fog light, a daytime running light, an infrared light, an additional light and / or an observation device is activated and / or deactivated. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the at least one further information a describes current driving situation. Method according to Claim 6, characterized that the current driving situation is a retraction into a curve, a Driving through a curve, an extension out of a curve, a braking process, a Driving speed, driving in a convoy, a distance to a vehicle in front, a passing process and / or a Responsiveness of a vehicle describes. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the at least one further information a Humidity, a temperature, a type of precipitation, a precipitation, a Season, a time of day and / or ambient brightness describes. Lighting device ( 2 ) in a vehicle ( 1 ), that of the lighting device ( 2 ) is adaptable, characterized in that the illumination device ( 2 ) Means for determining a driver activity of the driver, means for evaluating the driver activity, means for detecting at least one further information, means for evaluating the at least one further information and means for automatically adapting the illumination device ( 2 ) as a function of the evaluation of the driver activity and the evaluation of the at least one further information. Lighting device ( 2 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the illumination device ( 2 ) Comprises means for carrying out a method according to one of claims 2 to 7. Control unit ( 3 ) for controlling a lighting device ( 2 ) in a vehicle ( 1 ), characterized in that the control unit ( 3 ) Means for determining a driver activity and at least one further information are assigned and the control unit ( 3 ) Means for evaluating the driver activity, means for evaluating the at least one further information and means for automatically adapting the illumination device ( 2 ) as a function of the evaluation of the driver activity and the evaluation of the at least one further information. Control unit ( 3 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that the control unit ( 3 ) Comprises means for carrying out a method according to one of claims 2 to 7. Computer program that is stored on a computing device, in particular on a control device ( 3 ) for controlling a lighting device ( 2 ) in a vehicle ( 1 ), is executable, characterized in that a method according to one of claims 1 to 8 is executed when the computer program runs on the computing device. Computer program according to claim 13, characterized that the computer program on a Read Only Memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a digital versatile Disc (DVD) or a compact disc (CD) is stored. Memory element for a control device ( 3 ), characterized in that stored on the memory element is a computer program which is programmed for use in a method according to one of claims 1 to 8.