WO2020099368A1 - Control unit for controlling a vehicle interior lighting - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a control unit (10) for controlling a vehicle interior lighting, with an interface (12) to at least one sensor (14; 16; 18) in the vehicle interior, an evaluation unit (11) for evaluating sensor data, and an interface (20) to a lighting system (22) of the vehicle interior, the evaluation unit (11) being configured to receive and evaluate occupant-related sensor data and, based on the evaluated sensor data, to determine an adapted light setting of the lighting of the vehicle interior and to transmit to the lighting system (22) a corresponding control command by means of the interface (20) to the lighting system (22).

Description

 Control unit for controlling a vehicle interior lighting

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a control unit for controlling a vehicle interior lighting and a method for controlling a lighting system in a vehicle interior.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Interior lights for vehicles are known. It is also known to automatically switch the interior lighting on or off.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the invention has for its object a control unit for controlling vehicle interior lighting, which enables an automatized and appropriate light setting.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a control unit for controlling a vehicle interior lighting with the features of patent claim 1 and / or by a method for controlling a lighting system in a vehicle interior with the features of patent claim 14.

Accordingly, it is provided:

- A control unit for controlling vehicle interior lighting with an interface to at least one sensor in a vehicle interior, an evaluation unit for evaluating sensor data and an interface to a lighting system of the vehicle interior, the evaluation unit being set up to receive and evaluate occupant-related sensor data and on the basis of the evaluated Sensor data to determine an adapted light setting for lighting the vehicle interior and to transmit a corresponding control command by means of the interface to the lighting system to the lighting system; such as

- A method for controlling a lighting system in a vehicle interior with the following steps: detecting and evaluating occupant-related sensor data; Determining suitable lighting of the vehicle interior on the basis of the evaluated occupant-related sensor data; Passing a corresponding control command, which is directed to the appropriate lighting, to the lighting system.

Vehicles in the sense of this patent application are motor-driven land vehicles. The interior of a vehicle comprises the interior of a body. This includes in particular an occupant compartment and a trunk.

The term lighting describes the generation of light with the help of an artificial light source and the following visualization of objects that do not shine themselves. Illuminants are, for example, LEDs. A lighting system can comprise a plurality of lighting means as well as a control of the lighting means. A light setting includes, for example, a brightness or a color value of one or more lighting means of a lighting system. The time it takes to reach a light setting can vary. Accordingly, a light setting can change slowly or quickly.

A dynamic of usage activities relates to the speed with which usage activities are carried out or a speed with which usage activities change.

Pets are animals that are bred by humans for their benefit or pleasure. Pets are, for example, dogs, cats or guinea pigs. Autonomous operation is the operation of devices, e.g. vehicles or mobile robots, without human intervention. In the case of vehicles, “autonomous operation” means that, in addition to specifying a start or a destination, no human intervention is required.

An interface is a device between at least two functional units on which an exchange of logical quantities, e.g. Data, or physical quantities, e.g. electrical signals, either unidirectional or bidirectional. The exchange can be analog or digital. The exchange can also be wired or wireless.

A control unit is an electronic module for control or regulation. Control units are used in the automotive sector in all conceivable electronic areas, as well as for controlling machines, systems and other technical processes.

A sensor, also referred to as a detector, (measurement or measurement) sensor or (measurement) sensor, is a technical component that has certain physical, chemical properties or conditions, e.g. B. temperature, humidity, pressure, speed, brightness, acceleration, pH value, ionic strength, electro rochemical potential and / or the material nature of its environment can be recorded qualitatively or quantitatively. These variables are recorded by means of physical or chemical effects and converted into a further processable electrical signal as sensor data. An image sensor is a device for taking two-dimensional images from light by electrical or mechanical means. Occupant-related sensor data is sensor data that contains information about an occupant of a vehicle, e.g. an activity or an identity of the occupant.

An infrared sensor is used to detect infrared radiation. Infrared radiation (IR radiation for short, also called infrared radiation) refers to electromagnetic waves in the spectra range between visible light and longer-wave terahertz radiation. As infrared, the spectral range between 10 ^-3 m and 7.8x10 ⁷ m, which means a frequency range from 3x10 ¹¹ Hz to approx.

4x10 corresponds to ¹⁴ Hz (300 GHz to 400 THz).

Electrical or electronic devices are, for example, electrically adjustable seats, radios or other vehicle electronics. A sensor for a state of electrical or electronic devices can be aimed at determining an operating state of an electronic device. A sensor for detecting a seat setting is also a sensor for a state of an electrical or electronic device, namely a vehicle seat.

An evaluation unit is a device that evaluates incoming information and outputs a result resulting from this evaluation. Electronic circuits such as central processor units or graphics processors are evaluation units.

As a light sensor, photodetector, optical detector or optoelectronic sensor, electronic components are referred to which convert light into an electrical signal or show an electrical resistance dependent on the incident radiation. The term light not only refers to visible light, but also to invisible infrared light and ultraviolet radiation.

Seat occupancy is occupancy of vehicle seats by human occupants. Seat-related lighting is lighting that specifically (not) illuminates seats.

Gestures are human movements of parts of the body and are used for interpersonal communication, communication between a person and a machine, or for religious purposes. In principle, every posture and body movement can represent a gesture, such as hand or head gestures. Gesture-related lighting is lighting that is matched to a lighting scenario identified by gestures. Gesture recognition is the automatic recognition of gestures performed by humans using a computing unit. Drivers are people who drive vehicles. In traffic law, one therefore speaks of the driver. In addition to operating the steering, driving the corresponding vehicle also includes that of the drive, the brake and, depending on the equipment, other components. Passengers are people who are not involved in driving the vehicle. In an autonomously controllable vehicle, it is conceivable for a person to switch between a driver role if the vehicle is not controlled autonomously and a passenger role if the vehicle is controlled autonomously.

A driver assistance system is a control device that supports a driver when driving or that autonomously controls a vehicle. Lane departure warning systems, parking aids and collision warning systems are examples of driver assistance systems.

A warning is the prediction of possible future damage, which could still be prevented or alleviated. A warning draws attention to an impending danger. A warning signal can contain, for example, a light signal or a sound signal.

Computer program products typically include a sequence of instructions that cause the hardware, when the program is loaded, to perform a specific procedure that leads to a specific result.

An artificial neural network (KNN, English artificial neural network - ANN) is in particular a network of networked artificial neurons simulated in a computer program. The artificial neurons are typically arranged on different layers. The artificial neural network usually comprises an input layer and an output layer, the neuron output of which is the only one of the artificial neural network that is visible. Layers lying between the input layer and the output layer are typically referred to as hidden layers. Typically, architecture is first or topology of an artificial neural network and then trained in a training phase for a specific task or for multiple tasks in a training phase.

The term “topology of a KNN” encompasses all aspects of the structure of a KNN. This includes, for example, the number of neurons of the KNN, the distribution of the neurons among the individual layers of the KNN, the number of layers of a KNN, the networking of the neurons and the weighting of the networking.

The training of the artificial neural network typically includes a change in the weight of a connection between two artificial neurons of the artificial neural network. The weight contains information on the strength of the consideration of an input of a neuron. The training of the artificial neural network can also develop new connections between artificial neurons, delete existing connections between artificial neurons, adapt

Thresholds of the artificial neurons and / or adding or deleting artificial neurons.

An example of an artificial neural network is a flat artificial neural network (shallow neural network), which often contains only a single hidden layer between the input layer and the output layer and is therefore relatively easy to train. Another example is a deep neural network, which contains several interleaved hidden layers of artificial neurons between the input layer and the output layer. The deep artificial neural network enables improved recognition of patterns and complex relationships.

For example, the artificial neural network can be a single-layer or multi-layer feedforward network or a recurrent network. Feedfor- Ward networks have neurons that are only fed forward, ie a neuron is fed exclusively from higher layers.

A recurrent network has bidirectionally connected neurons, i.e. a neuron is also fed by deeper layers. This means that information from an earlier run can be taken into account when the KNN is run through later, creating a memory.

An input means is an interface between a user and a technical device. An input means can e.g. be designed as a button, touchpad, camera, voice input means or the like. A contactlessly controllable input means is e.g. a speech input device or a gesture recognition.

The basic idea of the invention is to evaluate data from interior sensors of a vehicle with regard to a lighting requirement. The evaluation takes place in such a way that e.g. Activities of a user and framework conditions are identified. Based on the identified activities, framework conditions or the like, the selection and setting of an appropriate lighting scenario takes place.

Advantageous refinements and developments result from the further subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the sensor is a

Infrared sensor, sensor for the state of electrical or electronic devices, image sensor and / or designed as a light sensor.

Infrared sensors can be used, for example, to determine how many occupants are in a vehicle interior and where the occupants are in the vehicle interior. With this information the Illuminate the vehicle interior in a particularly energy-efficient manner, since areas in the interior in which no occupant is present are not illuminated.

Infrared sensors are advantageous because infrared light is not perceived by the human eye. Thus, infrared light does not blind or disturb human occupants. Furthermore, the image data of an infrared camera are not disturbed by visible light either, so that overexposure cannot occur due to visible light.

On the basis of status reports from electrical or electronic devices, activities that are carried out with the aid of devices in the vehicle can be identified particularly easily. For example, it can be seen when a vehicle seat is placed in a sleeping position. It can also be seen which entertainment devices, for example

TVs that are currently active. This makes it possible to determine whether an occupant is watching TV.

Image sensors can be used to identify which person is currently in the vehicle interior. This enables the

automated and person-specific setting of a

Lighting scenarios.

Light sensors can be used, for example, to determine whether occupants are currently using other electronic devices that do not belong to the vehicle. These include, for example, cell phones, laptops and the like.

Due to the identified activities or uses of the

An appropriate lighting scenario can be selected in the vehicle interior. Accordingly, it can be provided that a

Vehicle interior is minimally illuminated when an occupant's sleeping position has been detected. It can further be provided that the light is dimmed during a television activity. According to a preferred development of the invention, the evaluation unit is set up based on the sensor data to occupy the seat

Detect vehicle interior and a corresponding control command for a seat-related lighting of the vehicle interior to the

Communicate lighting system. The seat allocation can be

for example using existing sensors in vehicle seats. These sensors in vehicle seats are often designed as weight sensors.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the evaluation unit is set up to recognize gestures by occupants of the vehicle and to transmit a control command for gesture-related lighting of the vehicle interior to the lighting system based on the recognized gestures. Movement sequences, such as getting in and out of the vehicle, steering or controlling a vehicle and the like, can thus also be identified by vehicle occupants. An appropriate lighting scenario for the vehicle interior can thus be determined.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the evaluation unit has an artificial neural network which ensures that the evaluation unit can be remembered. This means that the

Realize evaluation unit. This also enables a person-specific selection of an appropriate lighting scenario.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the evaluation unit has an interface to an autonomous vehicle control. It is useful if the evaluation unit is set up between one

Distinguish driver role and a passenger role of an occupant and use this to transmit a control command to the lighting system. Thus, for example, based on a status message, the autonomous

Vehicle controls recognize whether an autonomous control function of a vehicle is active or whether the vehicle is being controlled by human beings.

Accordingly, it can be provided that interior lighting of the vehicle is switched off when the vehicle is controlled by humans. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the evaluation unit is set up to receive warnings from a driver assistance system and a control command for a

Warning light signal to be transmitted to the lighting system. An occupant or a driver of the vehicle can thus be warned of an impending danger with a warning light signal.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the control unit has an input means by means of which the lighting system can be controlled without contact for an occupant. Thus, a user of the

Lighting system is not distracted from a possible search for a button or other manual input means. Operation by

Touch often distracts a driver, especially while driving, and is therefore a safety risk.

It is expedient if the input means is designed as a voice input means and / or as a gesture recognition. Such input means are particularly easy to use and require only a small amount of mental resources from a driver.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the control command comprises a light setting into which the lighting unit is to be brought, and a duration for reaching the light setting. It can thus be provided, for example, that a light setting in the vehicle interior changes particularly dynamically, that is to say quickly, or that a light setting changes slowly. This means that various situation-dependent needs can be taken into account. For example, it is advantageous if the

Light settings change slowly from a sleeping scenario to full lighting of the vehicle interior, so that the eyes of the occupants can get used to the increased lighting.

It is also expedient if the evaluation unit is set up to recognize a dynamic of usage activities in the vehicle interior and adjust the duration for reaching a light setting to the dynamics. Accordingly, it can be provided that a light setting changes quickly when the evaluation unit detects that occupants are moving quickly.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the evaluation unit is set up to evaluate sensor data with regard to pets present in the vehicle interior and to use this to send a control command to the

Communicate lighting system. Thus, it is possible to have appropriate

Sparely illuminate areas of a vehicle interior in which pets reside or illuminate with a certain wavelength, because

Pets are often irritated by driving in a vehicle anyway. This can have a calming effect on the pets.

The computer program product according to an embodiment of the invention carries out the steps of a method according to the preceding description if the computer program product runs on a computer, in particular an in-vehicle computer. When the program in question is used on a computer, the computer program product produces an effect, namely the setting of an appropriate lighting scenario which is adapted to the activities of occupants of the vehicle interior.

CONTENTS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments given in the schematic figures of the drawings. It shows:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the

 Invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the

Invention; The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of the forms of execution of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in connection with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned arise with respect to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale with respect to one another.

In the figures of the drawings, elements, features and components which are the same, have the same function and have the same effect - unless otherwise stated - are each provided with the same reference symbols.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a control unit 10 with an evaluation unit 11, an interface 12 to a plurality of sensors 14, 16, 18 and an interface 20 to an illumination system 22.

In FIG. 1, sensor 14 is designed as a light sensor. The light sensor is directed to detect light sources, in particular light sources not belonging to the vehicle, such as mobile phones or laptops. The sensor 16 is designed as a sensor system with a large number of cameras. The cameras are set up to capture occupants in the vehicle interior. The sensor 18 includes all electrical and electronic devices in the interior of the vehicle, which transmit a status message about the operation of the device to the control unit 10.

The evaluation unit 11 is set up to evaluate data that have been recorded by the sensors 14, 16, 18. Accordingly, the evaluation unit 11 evaluates data from the light sensor in such a way that light sources are identified in the vehicle interior and an activity of an occupant in the vehicle interior is recognized on the basis of the identified light sources. The evaluation unit 11 evaluates data from the cameras of the sensor 16 to determine how many people and at what location they are in the vehicle interior. hold. Furthermore, the data of the cameras are evaluated with regard to the identification of certain people who may already be known to the control unit 10. The evaluation unit 11 evaluates data from electrical or electronic devices in the vehicle interior. It can thus be seen which electrical or electronic devices are used in the vehicle interior by occupants and how the devices are operated. Accordingly, it can be provided that a television set in the vehicle interior transmits data relating to a played movie. It can also be provided that vehicle seats transmit a position of the backrest to the evaluation unit 11. It is thus apparent to the evaluation unit 11 that occupants are watching TV or are in a reclined position.

The evaluation unit 11 evaluates the identified activities of the occupants and uses this to select a suitable lighting scenario. An assignment between activities and a suitable lighting scenario can be specified in the form of a multidimensional list. In addition to identified activities, other influencing factors for a suitable lighting scenario can be determined, for example a specific person or a time of day.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a method for controlling an illumination system in a vehicle interior. In step S1, occupant-related sensor data are recorded and evaluated. By doing

In step S2, suitable lighting of the vehicle interior is determined on the basis of the evaluated occupant-related sensor data. In step S3, a corresponding control command, which is aimed at the suitable lighting, is transferred to the lighting system. Reference sign

10 control unit

 11 evaluation unit

 12 interface

 14 sensor

 16 sensor

 18 sensor

 20 interface

 22 lighting system

S1 -S3 process steps

Claims

Claims 1 . Control unit (10) for controlling vehicle interior lighting with an interface (12) to at least one sensor (14; 16; 18) in a vehicle interior, an evaluation unit (11) for evaluating sensor data and an interface (20) to a lighting system (22) of the vehicle interior, where the evaluation unit (1 1) is set up to receive and evaluate occupant-related sensor data and to determine an adapted light setting for illuminating the vehicle interior on the basis of the evaluated sensor data and a corresponding control command by means of the interface (20) to the vehicle lighting system (22) to be transmitted to the lighting system (22). 2. Control unit (10) according to claim 1, which an interface (12) to an infrared sensor, an interface (12) to a sensor (18) for a state of electrical or electronic devices, an interface (12) to an image sensor (16) and / or an interface (12) to a light sensor (14). 3. Control unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the Auswer teeinheit (1 1) is set up to recognize a seat occupancy of the vehicle interior based on the sensor data and a corresponding control command for a seat-related lighting of the vehicle interior to the lighting system (22) to transfer. 4. Control unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation te unit (1 1) is set up to recognize gestures of occupants of the vehicle and based on the recognized gestures a control command for a gesture-related lighting device of the vehicle interior to the lighting system ( 22) to be transmitted. 5. Control unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the Auswer teeinheit (1 1) has an artificial neural network, which ensures a memory ability of the evaluation unit (1 1). 6. Control unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation te unit (1 1) has an interface (12) to an autonomous vehicle control. 7. Control unit (10) according to claim 6, wherein the evaluation unit (1 1) is set up to distinguish between a driver role and a passenger role of an occupant and to transmit a control command to the lighting system (22) on the basis thereof. 8. Control unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation te unit (1 1) is set up to receive warnings from a driver assistance system and to transmit a control command for a warning light signal to the lighting system (22). 9. Control unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which has an input means by means of which the lighting system (22) can be controlled without contact for an occupant. 10. Control unit (10) according to claim 9, wherein the input means is designed as a voice input and / or as a gesture recognition. 1 1. Control unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit has a light setting for the lighting unit and a duration for reaching the light setting. 12. Control unit (10) according to claim 1 1, wherein the evaluation unit (1 1) is set up to recognize a dynamic of activities in the vehicle interior and to adapt the duration for reaching the light setting to the dynamic. 13. Control unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation unit (11) is set up to evaluate sensor data with regard to pets present in the vehicle interior and to transmit a control command to the lighting system (22) on the basis thereof. 14. A method for controlling a lighting system in a vehicle interior, comprising the following steps: - Acquisition and evaluation (S1) of occupant-related sensor data;  - Determining (S2) suitable lighting of the vehicle interior based on the evaluated occupant-related sensor data;  - Transfer (S3) a corresponding control command, which is directed to the appropriate lighting, to the lighting system (22). 15. Computer program product with program code means to carry out the method according to claim 14.