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DE-102024132586-A1 - Method for controlling a lighting system of a motor vehicle

DE102024132586A1DE 102024132586 A1DE102024132586 A1DE 102024132586A1DE-102024132586-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a lighting system (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising the following steps: - Determining the direction of a user's gaze; - Determining the direction in which the light signal should be emitted, taking into account the direction of view; - Receiving a user signal to emit a light signal using the lighting system (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7); and - Emission of the light signal in the direction, wherein the emission is triggered by the reception of the user signal, wherein the emission is carried out using the light system (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7); characterized in that the light signal is emitted depending on the frequency of a change in the viewing direction and/or on the type of reception of the user signal.

Inventors

  • Michael Weidner

Assignees

  • DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241108

Claims (10)

  1. A method for controlling a lighting system (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising the following steps: - determining a user's direction of gaze; - determining a direction in which the light signal is to be emitted, taking into account the direction of gaze; - receiving a user signal to emit a light signal using the lighting system (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7); and - emitting the light signal in the direction, wherein the emission is triggered by the reception of the user signal, wherein the emission is carried out using the lighting system (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7); characterized in that the light signal is emitted depending on the frequency of a change in the direction of gaze and/or on a type of reception of the user signal.
  2. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that , when determining the direction of gaze, an object is identified which lies in the direction of gaze from the user, taking into account, when emitting the light signal, the frequency and duration of the gaze directed towards the object.
  3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the user signal is received by actuating an actuating element, wherein the type of reception is a type of actuating the actuating element.
  4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a frequency of the light signal, a brightness of the light signal, a duration of the light signal, a dimming of the light signal, a color or several colors of the light signal, a change in the color or colors of the light signal during emission and/or a number and/or a type of light sources used in the lighting system for emission of the light signal depends on the frequency of changes in the viewing direction and/or on the type of reception of the user signal.
  5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light signal comprises a projection of information.
  6. Method according to the previous claim, characterized in that the information comprises a symbol and/or character.
  7. Method according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the information is projected onto a ground surface or onto a surface of an object.
  8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that light sources (2; 3; 4; 6; 7) of the lighting system (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7) are used for the emission of the light signal, which are also used for another purpose during the operation of the motor vehicle.
  9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that light sources (5) of the lighting system (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7) are used for the emission of the light signal, which are used exclusively for the method.
  10. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a lighting system (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7) and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to perform a method according to one of the preceding claims.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a lighting system of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. It is a known technique to transmit information to other road users via a vehicle's lighting system. For example, the so-called "headlight flash" can be used to warn other road users of an overtaking maneuver or a hazard outside of built-up areas. The headlight flash involves briefly increasing the brightness of the vehicle's headlights. Out of WO 2020/043554 A1 A warning system for a motor vehicle is known. The warning system comprises a detection device for recording the driver's activity and a signaling device for emitting a signal depending on the detected driver activity. The detection device is designed to record the driver's gaze direction. The signaling device is designed to emit a signal to the vehicle's surroundings that depends on the detected driver's gaze direction. In contrast, the present invention is based on the objective of creating an improved method and a motor vehicle suitable for carrying out such a method. This problem is solved by a method according to claim 1 and by a motor vehicle according to claim 10. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. The procedure involves determining a user's gaze direction. This can be done, for example, using a camera that captures the user's head and/or eye movements. This can also be done with multiple cameras. The user's gaze direction can also be determined by considering the vehicle's mirrors. For example, the gaze direction may be backward if the user is looking in an interior or exterior mirror of the vehicle, even though the user's gaze is actually directed diagonally forward. Taking into account the direction of view, a direction is determined in which the light signal should be emitted. This could be, for example, one of the four directions "front," "back," "left," and "right." It is also possible to determine a more precise direction. For instance, the direction could be the direction in which a specific object or road user is positioned. A user signal is received to trigger the transmission of a light signal using the lighting system. This user signal can be received by a user input device. The user input device could, for example, be a lever that the user can operate to generate and transmit the user signal. The determination of the viewing direction and the direction can occur before or after the user signal is received. Receiving a user signal triggers the emission of a light signal in the direction of the signal. This emission is achieved using the lighting system. The light signal is emitted depending on the frequency of changes in gaze direction and/or the type of user signal reception. For example, the light signal can be particularly conspicuous if the gaze direction changes frequently. Frequent changes in gaze direction can indicate nervousness or anxiety, making it advantageous to use the light signal as a warning signal. In this case, a conspicuous light signal is especially desirable. Furthermore, the type of user signal reception can also indicate nervousness or anxiety. For instance, if an actuating element such as a lever is used to receive the user signal, particularly rapid or forceful actuation can also trigger a particularly conspicuous light signal. In this way, a warning of danger can be especially effective. The dependence of the light signal on the frequency of changes in gaze direction and/or on the manner in which the user signal is received is therefore advantageous in order to transmit more information through the light signal. The nature of the light signal can reflect the user's emotions. For example, if the user only wants to give a brief indication to another road user, they will not frequently change their gaze direction, as they might only look at the other road user once or twice. Furthermore, they will emit the user signal in a relatively relaxed and calm manner. Therefore, they will use any operating element, such as a lever, as a user signal, operating it slowly and smoothly. In this case, a relatively inconspicuous light signal can be emitted, which other road users may perceive but not interpret as an indication of danger. According to one embodiment of the invention, when determining the direction of gaze, an object located in the user's line of sight can be identified. Mirrors, particularly those of a motor vehicle, can also be taken into account. When the light signal is emitted, the frequency and duration of the gaze directed at the object can then be considered. For example, if the user looks at the object particularly frequently and/or for a particularly long time, this indicates that they are nervous and/or afraid of or about this object. If the object is, for example, another motor vehicle, it can be advantageous to warn the other vehicle of a potential danger. For instance, if the user brakes sharply and the vehicle behind them needs to