WO2016016050A1 - Method for operating a light function of motor-vehicle headlamps and motor vehicle having a display device and an operating element for operating the light function of the motor-vehicle headlamps - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a light function of headlamps of a motor vehicle, said motor vehicle having a display device and an operating element (22), which is separate from the display device and which is associated exclusively with the light function, wherein a plurality of different setting possibilities (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) is associated with the light function. An approach of the user toward the operating element (22) and/or a touch of the operating element (22) by the user is sensed and, when an approach or touch is sensed, a display (10) associated with the light function is displayed on the display device, wherein in accordance with at least one predetermined criterion (v_G; H_GU; H_GO), it is determined which of the setting possibilities (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) of the light function currently can be permissibly activated. Then at least the setting possibilities of the light function that currently can be permissibly activated are displayed in the associated display (10).

Description

 Method for operating a light function of motor vehicle headlights and motor vehicle with a display device and an operating element for operating the light function of the motor vehicle headlights

DESCRIPTION:

The invention is based on a method for operating a light function of headlights of a motor vehicle with a display device and a separate from the display device, exclusively the light function associated control element, wherein the light function is associated with a plurality of different settings. Furthermore, the invention is based on a motor vehicle having a display device and a control element, which is assigned exclusively to a light function of the motor vehicle and is separate from the display device, for operating the light function of headlights of the motor vehicle, wherein the light function is assigned a plurality of setting options.

Today's light switches in motor vehicles for operating the headlight light are usually designed as a rotary switch with several locking positions or as a button module with multiple buttons. Some vehicles also control the light function via a rotary switch integrated in a steering column lever with several turning functions. The switches have several positions or functions or settings, such as parking light left, parking light right, light-off, automatic light, parking light, driving light. Furthermore, as a rule, two buttons or positions for the fog front light and the fog tail light are used. Such configurations of light switches are therefore very complex in their functional scope and therefore relatively unclear to use. In addition, the range of functions of a motor vehicle is constantly increasing, which is why operating options must also be provided for the many-figure functions. This requires, on the one hand, a large number of individual operating elements in the motor vehicle or, for example, the operation of many functions via a display, very complex and unclear function menus. For example, US 2007/0168089 A1 describes an operating system with a display unit centrally arranged in the motor vehicle and with a central operating element assigned to the display unit, such as a touchpad. In addition, the control system includes further separate manually operable bare controls, each of which a function is permanently assigned. These further operating elements each comprise a proximity sensor. If an approach to an operating element is detected, a display is displayed on the display unit, which displays the function permanently assigned to the operating element and, in addition, further functions not assigned to the operating element. The central operating element can then be used to operate the functions, such as settings for the air conditioning or seat settings. By approaching an operating element, a function menu which includes the function associated with the operating element can thus be quickly opened. However, since as many different vehicle functions as possible can be operated in this way, a large number of control elements is required. This in turn makes the operation very confusing and also increases the likelihood of confusion. However, especially when operating light functions as clear and simple operation is not only desirable in terms of ease of use, but also safety-relevant, since, for example, an inadvertent turning off the lights while driving in the dark can have fatal consequences.

Furthermore, DE 2008 016 172 A1 describes a method for operating a motor vehicle with a touch screen. When approaching the touch screen and simultaneous voice command input, a corresponding to the voice command input screen is displayed on the touch screen. Subsequently, the operating mask can be operated by touching the touchscreen. For example, a control mask for controlling the exterior lighting, such as dipped beam, parking light, tunnel light, or the like. are displayed. The driver can then control the exterior illumination setting of the motor vehicle by touching the touch screen in the area of corresponding control elements of the displayed operating mask shown on the display. Although the number of operating elements is reduced in this way, it is instead necessary to know the corresponding voice command for each function to be operated, which makes the operation, in particular of many different functions, relatively complex. Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for operating a light function of headlights of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle, which allow the simplest possible and clear Liehe operation of the light function of the headlights.

This object is achieved by a method and a motor vehicle according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

In the method according to the invention for operating a light function of headlights of a motor vehicle, having a display device and a control element which is separate from the display device and exclusively assigned to the light function, the light function is assigned a plurality of different setting options. These various adjustment options can represent, for example, the functions driving light, parking light, light-off and / or automatic light. In the method according to the invention, an approach of the user, e.g. sensed with his finger, to the control element and / or a touch of the control element by the user and displayed at the detected approach or touch on the display device associated with the light function display. In this case, it is further determined which of the setting options of the light function can currently be activated according to at least one predetermined criterion. In the assigned display, at least the currently permissible setting options of the light function are displayed.

The invention offers many advantages in light control. On the one hand, a light operation is made possible with only a single control element associated with the light function. The design of the necessary operations for operator control operations can, as explained in more detail later, are made particularly simple and thus clear. This is due in particular to the fact that the operator action is visually displayed by the display on the display device, and thus is very easy and clear to grasp for a user. In addition, upon detection of an approach or touch, the entirety of currently permissible activatable setting options of the light function is displayed. The user thus sees through a single operating action which setting options of the light function can be selected, and thus does not have to navigate in a complicated way through a complex menu structure of a display device. An additional operating action for selecting a menu item "light function" is thus also eliminated, however, it is particularly advantageous to determine which setting options can currently be activated, which makes it possible to block an activation of setting options determined as currently not permissible and thus Thus, erroneous operations and mix-ups, which can entail enormous security risks, such as the switching off of the driving light when driving in the dark, can advantageously be avoided In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the setting options are displayed in the associated display in such a way that the permissible setting options can be activated Optically distinctive of not permissible activatable setting options are displayed. Preference is given to setting options which are determined as being currently not permissible activated and which can not be selected and, in particular, can not be activated.

In this way, a user all the setting options associated with the light function, whether currently allowed or not displayed, which further improves clarity. In addition, it is advantageously informed by the different visual identification of the currently activatable and non-activatable settings about the possibilities currently available settings. The display of all settings with different optical identification has the advantage that a user can be displayed at a glance that the setting that he wants to activate, is currently not available. If, for example, when driving in the dark, the setting option "light off" as currently not allowed activatable setting option, the driver can the setting option "light-off" as currently not allowed activatable setting option can be identified. In addition to the fact that in this way operating errors and mix-ups that pose a high security risk can be ruled out from the outset, a driver can also immediately recognize which setting options are available, which are currently selectable and which are not. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the settings are alternatively displayed in the associated display that not allowable activatable settings are not displayed, ie only the set as allowable activated adjustable settings of the light function are displayed, this embodiment has several advantages. On the one hand, this ensures that a user can not even consider the activation of ascertainable setting options that can not be activated. This makes it possible for a user to be expressed in a particularly clear and easily comprehensible manner which options are available to him. On the other hand, the non-display of set as not permitted activated and thus also not activatable settings leads to a space savings on the display surface of the display device, which can thus be effectively used to display other information in an optimized manner, and further, this leads to an increased Clarity of the display of the setting options, which in turn makes the operation of the light function for the driver much easier, faster and thus safer.

It is also particularly advantageous if the display is displayed in the driver-side half of the front region of the interior of the motor vehicle, in particular in a different area from a center console and / or on a display device located in the center console different display device, preferably for example in the instrument cluster of the motor vehicle and / or in a head-up display and / or on a freely programmable display in the instrument cluster area and / or a driver-side, separate display and / or in a specially provided for the display of the light function display in the vehicle center, eg in the center console. Under an instrument cluster is generally a display area for speed display and / or speed display and / or to display more information of the motor vehicle to understand, regardless of whether this display is realized by mechanical or semi-mechanical pointer instruments or also only via a freely programmable display. By means of this embodiment of the invention, the setting options of the light function can advantageously be displayed directly in the field of vision of the driver, in contrast to, for example, a display on a central display device in the center console. On the other hand, the instrument cluster is usually not used to operate other functions of the motor vehicle, but other functions via a central display and control device in the motor vehicle served. The display of the light function in the instrument cluster or in a head-up display or on a separate, specially provided for light function display display has thus a higher priority, which makes the operation of the light function particularly clear. Also, the driver does not have to turn his eyes away from the road while driving or not for very long, which makes the operation of the light function even safer.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one predetermined criterion provides a condition for an ambient brightness of the motor vehicle and / or a speed of the motor vehicle and / or an activation state of the motor of the motor vehicle and / or an activation state of an ignition of the motor vehicle and / or an opening state of a Door of the motor vehicle. The ambient brightness can be detected for example by means of brightness sensors of the motor vehicle. If a currently detected ambient brightness falls below a predetermined brightness limit value, for example, the setting option "light-off", which thus causes the driving light to be switched off, is displayed as an adjustment facility that can not currently be activated by visual recognition, such as faded or gray, in particular at least insofar If, for example, a speed greater than the predetermined limit value is detected, the setting option "parking light" can also be displayed in a similar manner as a setting option that can not currently be activated. These parameters ambient brightness and vehicle speed can be determined permanently or with each detected approach or touch of the control element currently and the display of the setting options of the light function can be adjusted depending on the detected parameters. The parameters opening state of a door, whether the motor is switched on or off, and whether the ignition is switched on or off, can be detected by means of sensors and optionally drawn as further criteria for determining the current permissibility of the setting options to implement an even better and situational assessment of the current permissibility of activating the setting options. This can thus advantageously, as soon as the driver expresses an operation request by approaching or touching, always the currently selectable settings options of the light function are displayed together with the non-selectable and identified. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is determined which of the adjustment options is currently activated, wherein the display device correspondingly optically identifies the currently activated setting option in the display associated with the light function, in particular in such a way that the representation of the currently activated setting option of the representations of the currently not activated setting options. This also indicates to a user which of the setting options is currently activated. The user is thus advantageously provided with comprehensive information about the light function of the headlight. It can also be provided that the currently activated adjustment option of the light function is permanently displayed during operation of the motor vehicle, in particular even without the user having to previously approach or touch the control element. Only when an approach or touch of the control element is detected, then also the other settings are displayed. As a result, the driver, the display, especially in the instrument cluster, the currently activating setting possibility of the light function is always present. In addition, the complexity of the display can be kept as low as possible, since the further setting options are only displayed when the approach or touch is detected and not permanently. It can also be provided that a permanent display of the currently activated adjustment option is not provided by the display device, but is displayed to the user by a corresponding display on the control element itself. As a result, space can advantageously be saved on the display device, which can be made available to the display of further information. The display of the currently activated setting option can also be provided both by a display on the operating element and on the display device, so that a particularly clear information about the currently activated adjustment option for the user is given by this redundancy.

In a further advantageous refinement of the invention, when the display is assigned to the light function and when a control of the operating element is detected by the user, the currently activated setting option is deactivated and one of the setting options determined to be permissible activated is activated. The user can thus change the currently activated setting of the light function in a particularly simple manner, eg by pressing the operating element. Along with this, zugt also the display of the display, ie if one of the other adjustment option is activated, this activated setting option is then visually identified as the currently activated setting accordingly. Since the user can thus easily see on the display device which setting option he has currently activated, the operating element can also be made significantly simpler and clearer. In particular, for example, to change the adjustment of the light function in another always the same operator action, such as pressing the control element, be provided, so that the operating nelement does not have to be moved to a specific position to select a specific setting. As a result, the complexity of the operator action can be reduced to a minimum. Also symbols for the Lichteinstellmöglichkeiten are no longer with a specific switch position of several switch positions, such as a turntable, correlated, which allows more freedom in the arrangement of optional additional symbols on or next to the control and thus a much clearer arrangement of these symbols allows.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least the currently permissible activatable, and optionally also the currently not permissible activated, setting options are displayed in a predetermined order when displaying the light function associated with the detecting the actuation of the operating element by the user in the predetermined order the following setting option is activated on the currently activated setting option. For example, all setting options in a row or in a column can be displayed consecutively. The currently activated setting option is marked accordingly, as well as the currently selectable setting options and the currently not selectable setting options. By pressing the control element then the selectable settings in the order given can be changed, in particular cyclically, ie at the end of the sequence is started again at the beginning of the order when pressed again. In this way it is possible to always provide the same operating action for switching through or for switching between the selectable setting options, which makes the operation of the light function particularly simple, intuitive and clear. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a deactivation of the current setting possibility and activation of a permissible activatable setting option, when a different from a touch and / or approach operation of the operating element is detected, and in particular at least one of the currently activated setting different setting option is activatable. The latter condition ensures that only setting options determined to be activatable can actually be activated and not determined as not permissible, which ensures that safety-threatening operating errors are ruled out. The fact that the user's operation for switching between the setting options is an operation different from a touch and / or approach has the particularly great advantage that the user can more easily switch between a control action for triggering the display and the operating action for actually activating or deactivating one Setting option of the light function can differ. This also reduces the risk of incorrect operation. In this case, it is particularly advantageous that the operating action represents a pressing of the operating element. The control element can be configured as a simple pushbutton or touch switch with a proximity or touch sensor or as a control element with a touch-sensitive user interface, in particular as a touch pad, which additionally has a sensor to order between touching the surface, in particular with a force below a predetermined limit, and a pressure of the surface, in particular with a force above the predetermined limit to distinguish. With a press of the operating element, a spatial offset in the direction of action of force can be accompanied, or even only the pressing can be detected without an associated spatial offset of the operating element. It can also be provided that the display of the light function is displayed when an approach is detected and the change of an adjustment is effected when a touch of the operating element is detected. On the other hand, designing the operating action for switching as pressing has the particularly great advantage that pressing must be carried out more actively or deliberately by a user than simply touching. Thus, no unwanted change of adjustment can be effected so only by accidental touching the control. The motor vehicle according to the invention has a display device and a control element, which is assigned exclusively to a light function of the motor vehicle and is separate from the display device, for operating the light function of headlights of the motor vehicle, wherein the light function is assigned a plurality of different setting options. In this case, the operating element is designed to detect an approach of the user to the operating element and / or a touch of the operating element by the user, wherein the display device is adapted to display a light function associated with the display due to a detected approach or touch of the operating element. In addition, the motor vehicle is designed to determine which of the adjustment options of the light function according to at least one predetermined criterion are currently activated, the display device is further designed to display at least the currently permissible activatable settings, and in particular to indicate all settings of the light function such in that the setting options determined by the motor vehicle as the currently permissible activatable are displayed visually different from setting options that can not be activated. In this case, the display device is preferably arranged in the field of vision of a driver located on a driver's seat, for example in the center console, and in particular configured as a display device provided only for displaying the light function, or arranged for example in the driver-side half of the front region of the interior of the motor vehicle, in particular in a different area from a center console, preferably arranged eg in the instrument cluster of the motor vehicle and / or as part of the instrument cluster and / or head-up display and / or as a freely programmable display in the instrument cluster and / or as a driver side , separate display formed. The features mentioned for the method according to the invention and its features, combinations of features and their advantages apply in the same way for the motor vehicle according to the invention. Furthermore, the method features mentioned in connection with the method according to the invention and its embodiments enable the further development of the motor vehicle according to the invention by further objective features.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments. tion forms and with reference to the drawings, wherein identical or functionally identical elements are provided with identical reference numerals. 1 is a schematic representation of a light-function display of a

 Display device in an initial state, in particular without prior detection of a touch or approach to a light function associated control element, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a light-function display of a

 Display device in a further initial state, according to an embodiment of the invention; 3 is a schematic representation of the display after detected approach or contact of the operating element in the dark and at a speed greater than a predetermined limit, as well as the illustration of the change of setting by pressing the operating element, according to an embodiment of the invention.

4 is a schematic representation of the display after detected approach or contact of the control element at dusk and at a speed greater than the predetermined limit, as well as illustrating the change of setting by pressing the control, according to an embodiment of the invention.

5 is a schematic representation of the display after detected Approaching or touching the control element in a bright vehicle environment and at a speed greater than the predetermined limit, as well as illustrating the change of setting by pressing the control, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the display after detected approach or contact of the control element in the dark and at a speed less than the predetermined limit, as well as the illustration of the change of setting by pressing the operating element, according to an embodiment of the invention; and a schematic representation of an operating unit with the light function associated control element according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show schematic representations of light-function displays 10 of a display device in a motor vehicle according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. The motor vehicle comprises the display device, e.g. with a display, which can be arranged in particular in the instrument cluster and / or can be configured as a separate driver-side display device and / or as a head-up display and / or as a display in the center console. The display device may be provided specifically for displaying the light function of the motor vehicle headlights, or other information other than the light function may be displayed on the display device, such as e.g. a tachometer display, a tachometer display, the tank level, etc .. The illustration in the figures then show in particular one of the light function associated section of the display 10 shown in the instrument cluster or the head-up display 10th

Furthermore, the motor vehicle comprises an operating element 22 assigned to the light function (see FIG. 7), in particular a push-button switch or a touch pad with an approach and / or touch sensor, so that an approach of the user to the operating element 22 or a touch of the user Operating element 22, in particular capacitive, can be detected. Furthermore, the push-button or the touch pad can also be pressed by pressing as another additional operating action.

The light function is associated with a plurality of setting options 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, in particular the adjustment options for automatic light 12a, during the activation of which an automatic switching on or off of the driving light, eg as a function of the ambient brightness H of the motor vehicle, is effected, driving light 12b Parking light 12c, and light-off 12d, when activated, the headlight is turned off. In this case, even more settings can be provided, such as parking lights on the left and parking light rightens, etc .. Light functions such as fog front lights and rear fog lights are preferred by separate buttons and / or switches realized, which may be located in the vicinity of the control element 22. Optionally, the fog front light and the rear fog light can also be shown as setting options of the light function in the display 10. The respective adjustment options 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d are now characterized by corresponding symbols, in particular the automatic light 12a by "AUTO", light off 12d by "0", and driving light 12b and parking light 12c respectively by the corresponding headlight symbol or Parking light symbol. 1 now shows the light function display 10 in an initial state of the light function, in which the light automatic 10a is activated in this example. Due to the automatic light 12a, the driving light 12b of the motor vehicle is also automatically switched on, which is why, in addition to the symbol of the automatic light 12a, the symbol of the driving light 12b is also shown. The currently activated adjustment of the light function can optionally be permanently displayed by the display 10 in the instrument cluster, ie even without prior detection of a touch or approach to the light function associated with the control element 22. It can also be provided that no display 10 relating to the light function is shown as long as no approach or contact of the control element 22 is detected, so that the illustrations in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are only illustrative. The remaining symbols are not displayed in the initial state, ie without an approach of the user to the operating element 22 being detected or without touching the operating element 22.

Fig. 2 shows another example of an initial state. In this case, the driving light 12b is currently activated and the driving light symbol can optionally be permanently displayed in the instrument cluster or in the head-up display, i. at least during operation of the motor vehicle or at least when the ignition is not switched off. The driving light 12b was activated manually by the user and not by the, in particular not activated, automatic light 12a, which is why only the driving light symbol and not the automatic light symbol is displayed.

In the following, different situations with regard to ambient brightness H and vehicle speed v and the resulting displays 10 and a change of position will be considered. FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the display 10 after detected approach or contact of the operating element 22 in the dark, ie at an ambient brightness H which is smaller than a predetermined lower brightness limit HUG, and at a speed v greater than a predetermined speed limit v _G. Furthermore, the change of adjustment 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d by pressing the control element 22, shown here by an arrow illustrated. In this example, an initial state according to FIG. 1 was assumed, in which the automatic light device 12a is activated and this is greater than the predetermined speed limit value v due to the fact that the ambient brightness H is less than the predetermined lower brightness limit HUG and the vehicle speed v _G , the headlight 12b has turned on. As described with reference to FIG. 1, this currently activated setting possibility 12a and 12b can optionally be permanently displayed, and as long as the user does not approach or touch the operating element 22, the other setting options 12c and 12d are not displayed. In FIG. 3, the user has now approached or touched the operating element 22, which was detected by the proximity or touch sensor of the operating element 22. Thereupon, in the display 10, either all setting options 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the light function are displayed, or the setting options that are currently activatable are permissible.

When this display 10 is provided, a distinction is currently made between the three cases of currently activated setting option, setting option that can currently be activated and setting option that can not currently be activated in the display by means of a suitable, corresponding, different optical identification and / or displaying and not displaying. In order to make this possible, the motor vehicle previously checks the current permissibility of the activation of the setting possibilities 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d according to predetermined criteria. In this example, these criteria represent conditions for the ambient brightness H and the vehicle speed v. In particular, these criteria generally determine the following: The parking light 12c is determined to be activated as currently permitted and, in particular, activation of the parking light 12c is only possible when the vehicle speed v is less than or equal to a predetermined speed limit v _G , eg 10 km / h. Furthermore, it is stipulated that the light-off setting option 12d is determined to be activatable only as currently permissible and in particular also an activation of the light-off setting option 12d, ie a switching off of the driving light, is only possible if at least one of the conditions is met that the ambient brightness H is greater than a predetermined lower brightness limit HUG or the speed v is less than a predetermined threshold v _G , ie only with sufficient ambient brightness H or at standstill of the motor vehicle or at low speeds, regardless of the ambient brightness H. Furthermore, it is specified that the adjustment option for automatic light 12a and the adjustment option for driving light 12b always represent allowable current setting options, in particular independently of the ambient brightness H and the vehicle speed v. In this case, even more criteria that are not explained in more detail, may be provided. For example, further criteria may be linked to whether the motor of the motor vehicle is activated or switched off, whether the ignition of the motor vehicle is switched on or off and / or whether a vehicle door is open or closed.

Thus, the motor vehicle detects, for example by means of sensors, the current ambient brightness H and the current vehicle speed v, and possibly the said other states of engine, ignition and / or door. This detection can in particular be permanent or continuous, and not only when an approach and / or touch of the control element 22 is detected. In this example, the vehicle speed v is now greater than a predetermined limit value v _G , eg 10 km / h, and it is dark, ie the detected ambient brightness H is below a lower brightness limit HUG- Then the motor vehicle determines which setting possibilities 12a, 12b , 12c, 12d are currently allowed to be activated. Since it is dark and at the same time the speed v is greater than the speed limit value v _G , the light-off setting option 12d is determined to be not permitted to be activated. Furthermore, since the speed v is greater than the speed limit value v _G , the parking light 12c is also determined as an adjustment option that can not currently be activated. In contrast, the automatic light 12a and the headlight 12b are determined as currently allowable activatable adjustment options or are given as such, as they are always allowed to be activated. The setting options that can currently be activated are now also the already activated setting options. The display of the automatic light 12a and 12b of the driving light is accordingly indicated in the display 10 as a currently activated setting, for example, color, with strong saturated color, intense bright, larger, with framing, or similar. The setting options parking light 12c and light-off 12d, which are determined as not currently activatable, can be set On the other hand, they are either presented differently, eg faded, fainter, colorless, gray, smaller or, not shown at all. Based on this display, the user can easily see which setting options, namely parking light 12c and light-off 12d, are currently not available, which is currently activated, namely automatic light 12a with the headlights 12b on and which are currently allowed to be activated, namely the currently activated Automatic light 12a with the headlights 12b on, as well as only (manual) headlights 12b. By pressing the operating element 22, the user can now change from the automatic light-emitting device 12a to the manual driving light 12b, as shown in the display 10 of the lower image of FIG. Pressing it again would switch back to the automatic light-emitting device 12a and continue cycling, provided that the conditions for the speed v and brightness H remain satisfied. Has the user so by pressing the control element 22 to the desired adjustment of the light function, such as here on manual headlights 12b, changed, which is then also activated, and is eg for a predetermined period of time no operation and touch or approach to the Detected control element 22, the display 10 changes back to the initial state, which now corresponds to the display 10 shown in FIG. 2 due to the activation of the manual driving light 12b.

FIG. 4 shows a further scenario, namely a schematic illustration of the display 10 after detected approach to or contact with the operating element 22 at twilight, ie at an ambient brightness H between the lower brightness limit HUG and an upper brightness limit Hoc and at a speed v greater than the predetermined limit v _G , as well as the illustration of the change of adjustment by pressing the control element 22.

The initial state here is again that shown in FIG. When the user approaches and / or touches the operating element 22, a display 10 according to the upper image in FIG. 4 is provided. Since the vehicle speed v is greater than the predetermined limit value v _G , it is determined by the motor vehicle that the parking light 12c represents a currently not allowable activatable adjustment option. According to FIG. 3, the parking light 12c is correspondingly optically marked as currently not permissible, such as again gray, colorless, or, again, not shown in the display 10. Since the ambient brightness H in this example now exceeds the lower brightness limit HUG, determined the motor vehicle according to the criteria described above, the adjustment light-off 12d as currently permissible activatable adjustment option. The display thus shows "OFF" visually distinguishing from currently not permissible activatable setting possibilities, if they are even shown, eg stronger, with a more saturated color or the like. Again, the automatic light 12a with activated headlight 12b represents the currently activated setting possibility. the symbol "AUTO" as well as the driving light symbol is also displayed correspondingly and different from the other setting options, eg in a different color, eg red, larger, with a frame, or similar.

Through this display 10, the user now recognizes at a glance that the automatic light 12a and through this the driving light 12b are currently activated, that it is possible to switch off the driving light by the currently permissible light-off setting option 12d, and that the activation of the Stielight 12c is currently not permitted. If the user now presses the actuating element, then the current setting possibility changes to the setting option which is currently activatable in the given and illustrated sequence. Pressing the user is again illustrated by arrows. Thus, if the user first presses once, then the currently activated adjustment option light automatic 12a changes to the setting option manual driving light 12b. In the display 10 then only the driving light symbol is displayed as the currently activated setting option. The symbol of the automatic light 12a changes its visual appearance and is displayed as a currently permissible activatable setting option. The symbol "OFF" remains unchanged and the symbol Sidelight also remains unchanged in its representation, if this is represented, and is otherwise still not represented.

If the user presses again, the currently activated setting of manual driving light 12b changes to light-off 12d and the driving light is switched off. The parking light symbol, if represented, is thereby skipped, since the parking light 12c is currently not allowed to be activated. Thus, "OFF" is now identified as currently activated setting option, the symbols "AUTO" and the driving light symbol are visually marked as allowable activatable setting options and the parking light symbol remains as currently not allowed activated marked or is not displayed. If pressed again, the display as well as the function cyclically repeat, ie light automatic 12a, manual headlight 12b, light-off 12d, etc .. If the user has then selected a setting, and actuated, touches or approaches the user for a predetermined period of time not the control element 22, then the changes Display 10 such that only the currently activated setting is displayed and all other settings and their icons are hidden and will be shown again on renewed approach to the control element 22 or touch the control element 22. 5 shows a schematic representation of the display 10 after detected approach to or contact of the operating element 22 in a bright vehicle environment, ie at an ambient brightness H that is greater than the upper predetermined brightness limit H ₀ G, and at a speed v greater than that predetermined limit value v _G , as well as the illustration of the change of adjustment by pressing the control element 22, according to an embodiment of the invention. Initially, the automatic light device 12a is activated again, but now the ambient brightness H is greater than the upper brightness limit value H ₀ G, which is why the driving light 12b is not switched on by the automatic light-emitting device 12a. Therefore, only the symbol "AUTO" is indicated as a currently activated setting option According to the above-explained criteria, the setting options driving light 12b and light-emitting 12d are currently allowed activatable setting options and marked as such and furthermore the setting option parking light 12c no currently permissible activatable setting possibility If the user then presses the actuating element, the currently activated setting option of automatic light switch 12a to manual driving light 12b changes and the driving light is switched on on light off 12d and the driving light is turned off, etc ..

FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of the display 10 after detected approach to or contact with the operating element 22 in the dark, ie the ambient brightness H is again smaller than the lower brightness limit HUG, and at a speed v smaller than the predetermined limit v _G , As well as the illustration of the change of adjustment by pressing the control element 22, according to an embodiment of the invention. Initially, in turn, the automatic light 12a is activated, and since it is dark, is also due to the automatic light 12a Driving light activated 12b and therefore "AUTO" and the driving light icon shown as a currently activated settings. Further, the parking lights now 12c shown as currently permitted activatable adjustment, since the vehicle speed v is less than the predetermined threshold v _G. Also, the light-off Adjustment option 12d shown as currently allowable activatable setting option, especially although it is dark because the vehicle speed v is now smaller than the predetermined limit v _G. By pressing the control element 22, the user can now again between the setting options in the predetermined order, as shown change, again symbolized each arrow pressing the control element 22.

Furthermore, it is possible for a setting option currently determined to be activatable according to the criteria to be selected by the user, such as light-off, but subsequently, eg after a certain time or travel time, to be fulfilled by the user Ambient brightness H or vehicle speed v changed conditions, for example, it is dark or the motor vehicle drives through a tunnel. Then it can be provided that a currently activated setting option, which is then determined as not longer activatable, automatically, ie without the intervention of the user, disabled and a currently determined as permissible setting option, preferably the automatic light 12a, is activated. The same applies to the parking light. If this is switched on, for example, when the vehicle is at a standstill and then the vehicle drives off and exceeds the predetermined speed limit value v _G , the parking light 12b can be switched off automatically and the automatic light device 12a can be activated. This also makes it possible to ensure in a particularly advantageous manner that a required switching on of the driving light can not be forgotten. 7 shows a schematic representation of an operating unit 20 with the operating element 22 assigned to the light function, in particular for activating or deactivating setting options such as driving light 12b, parking light 12c, automatic light 12a and light-off setting option 12d. In this case, two further separate control elements 24 and 26 for activating or deactivating the fog light and the rear fog lamp are arranged next to this control element 22, each having a symbol for the fog light 24a and a symbol for the rear fog light 26a, and in each case an associated light indicator 24b or 26b, which lights up when the fog light or the rear fog light is activated and in the non-activated the fog light level or rear fog light is not lit. The controls 24 and 26 for the fog light and the rear fog light can be configured as any controls, for example, as a simple button or pushbutton or also as touch-sensitive controls. The light functions fog light and rear fog light are preferably activated and deactivated only by pressing these respective controls 24 and 26, which increases the clarity of the display 10 of the display device provided for the other adjustment options 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the light function. The operating element 22 for the other setting options 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the light function is, as already described, configured as an approach-sensitive and / or touch-sensitive operating element with a print function.

In addition to this control element 22, there are now three further displays 28a, 28b, 28c, in particular for the setting options of the automatic light device 12a, the driving light 12b and the parking light 12c. Currently activated setting options of the light functions 12a, 12b, 12c can thus also be indicated by a corresponding optical identification of these three respective displays 28a, 28b, 28c. These displays 28a, 28b, 28c can continue to have the symbol associated with the setting 12a, 12b, 12c and e.g. a respective, arranged next to this, with an LED illuminable, separate area, which only lights when the respective adjustment option 12a, 12b, 12c is activated. These displays can also be designed such that the symbols themselves are illuminable or light up or a background of the symbols lights up when the respective setting option 12a, 12b, 12c is activated. The displays 28a, 28b, 28c may also be in the form of a display and upon a respective activation of a particular adjustment 12a, 12b, 12c by a different representation, e.g. with a different color and / or brighter.

Furthermore, the operating unit 20 may additionally have a permanently activated search illumination, so that all operating elements 22, 24, 26 and / or symbols and / or the three separate displays 28a, 28b, 28c are always visible even in the dark. The display mode of currently activated setting options 12a, 12b, 12c then additionally sets itself optically apart from this search illumination. Optionally, a further display for the light-off setting possibility can be provided. However, this can also be dispensed with, since if none of these three displays 28a, 28b, 28c the assigned setting option 12a, 12b, 12c as currently activated makes recognizable, a user is simultaneously already mediated that the light is turned off and thus the light-off adjustment option 12d is activated. By means of this operating unit 20 with the additional displays 28a, 28b, 28c of the setting possibilities 12a, 12b, 12c thus additionally contributes to the particularly simple detection and recognition of currently activated light settings. Since this operating unit 20 makes it possible to permanently display currently activated setting options 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, a permanent display in the display 10 of the setting possibilities 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d in the additional display device dispenses with the clarity-promoting manner become.

Overall, a method for operating the light function and a corresponding motor vehicle are provided, which allow a particularly simple, clear and very safe operation of the light function.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1 . Method for operating a light function of headlamps of a motor vehicle with a display device and a control element (22), which is separate from the pointing device and exclusively assigned to the light function, wherein the light function is assigned a plurality of different setting options (12a, 2b, 12c, 12d),  characterized in that  an approach of the user to the operating element (22) and / or a touch of the operating element (22) is detected by the user and when the touch is detected on the display device, a display (10) associated with the light function is displayed, wherein it is determined which of the adjustment options (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) of the light function according to at least one predetermined Criterion (v _G ; H _G u; H _G o) are currently allowed to be activated, and in the associated display (10) at least the currently permissible activatable setting options of the light function are displayed. 2. The method according to claim 1,  characterized in that  in the associated display (10) the setting options (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) are displayed such that the permissible activatable adjustment options are optically distinctive displayed by not permissible activatable settings. 3. The method according to claim 1,  characterized in that  in the associated display (10) the setting options (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d) are displayed in such a way that activatable not allowed Setting options are not displayed. 4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,  characterized in that the at least one predetermined criterion (v _G ; H _GU ; H _G0 ) represents a condition to an ambient brightness (H) of the motor vehicle and / or a speed (v) of the motor vehicle and / or an activation state of the motor of the motor vehicle and / or one Activation state of an ignition of the motor vehicle and / or an opening state of a door of the motor vehicle represents. Method according to one of the preceding claims,  characterized in that  it is determined which of the setting options (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) is currently activated, and the display device in the light function associated display (10), the currently activated setting optically identifies. Method according to one of the preceding claims,  characterized in that  when display of the light function assigned display (10) and upon detection of an actuation of the control element (22) by the user, the currently activated setting option is disabled and one of the set as allowable activated setting options is activated. Method according to claim 5,  characterized in that  when displaying the display associated with the light function (10), at least the currently permissible activatable setting options are displayed in a predetermined order, wherein when detecting the operation of the operating element (22) by the user following in the predetermined order to the currently activated setting as permissible activated adjustment option is activated. Method according to one of the preceding claims,  characterized in that  Deactivation of the current setting possibility and activation of a permissible activatable setting possibility takes place when a different operation of a touch and / or approach of the operating element (22) is detected, and in particular at least one of the currently activated setting different setting option is activated activated. 9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the currently set adjustment is permanently displayed during operation of the motor vehicle. Motor vehicle with a display device and an exclusively a light function of the motor vehicle associated, separate from the display control (22) for operation of the light function of headlights of the motor vehicle, wherein the light function is associated with a plurality of different settings (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) . characterized in that the operating element (22) is designed to detect an approach of the user to the operating element (22) and / or a touch of the operating element (22) by the user, wherein the display device is designed, on the basis of a detected approach to the or Touching the control element (22) to display an indicator (10) associated with the light function, wherein the motor vehicle is designed to determine which of the adjustment options (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) of the light function are currently activatable according to at least one predetermined criterion, wherein the display device is adapted to provide the display (10) associated with the light function such that at least the currently permissible activatable setting options of the light function are displayed.