Titre: Method for performing dynamic self-levelling of an automotive lighting device and automotive lighting arrangement

[0001 ] This invention is related to the field of automotive lighting devices, and more particularly, to the improvement of safety considerations in these devices.

[0002] Automotive lighting market can be considered one of the most competitive ones and new lighting functionalities are constantly required.

[0003] Some lighting modules are required to provide more than one different functionality. To achieve this aim, there are many options in the market which combine the low beam and the high beam functionalities.

[0004] Current devices need to provide levelling and aiming features so that the beam is well adjusted and glaring is prevented. Further, a good adjustment of the beam is also required for a good operation of smart functionalities.

[0005] Current solutions involve mechanical sensors to sense the inclination of the vehicle and then adjust the inclination of the lighting device to compensate it.

[0006] The invention provides an alternative solution for this problem by a method for performing dynamic self-levelling of an automotive lighting device, the method comprising the steps of

- providing the lighting device configured to emit a light pattern with a horizontal angle;

- providing a plurality of sensors, each one being configured to produce training data and a control unit configured to receive the training data;

- train the control unit to create prediction rules for the horizontal angle as a function of the sensor data;

- receiving real sensor data from the sensors;

- comparing the real sensor data with the prediction rules to predict the horizontal angle of the lighting device, thus resulting a biasing value; and - correcting the light pattern of the automotive lighting device depending on the biasing value.

[0007] This method reduces the latency in the response of the control unit which is in charge of levelling the light pattern of the lighting device. Due to the intelligent training of the control unit, the method of the system anticipates the orientation of the light pattern and is able to perform a dynamic self-levelling and achieve a correct aiming, thus compensating for static loads and dynamic loads affecting the headlamp to maintain a certain reference.

[0008] In some particular embodiments, the light pattern is a high beam light pattern, a low beam light pattern or a spot light pattern.

[0009] These type of projections are very common in current lighting devices, and may be used with the method of the invention.

[0010] In some particular embodiments, the plurality of sensors comprises at least a gyroscope, a camera and an accelerometer.

[001 1] These sensors provide the control unit with valuable data which fits with the training.

[0012] In some particular embodiments, the camera is an infrared camera. This helps the control unit to receive accurate data even in low visibility conditions.

[0013] In some particular embodiments, the plurality of sensors comprises at least one of a brake sensor, an accelerator sensor and a steering sensor.

[0014] These sensors, which provide information of the driver’s actions, are also very valuable for the control unit to anticipate the effect of the driving on the vehicle’s behaviour.

[0015] In some particular embodiments, the step of training the control unit comprises the sub-steps of

- providing the training data, which comprises a temporal succession of data from different sensors;

- making the control unit calculate a first estimated value of the horizontal angle, based on the training data; - test the first estimated value of the horizontal angle with a real value of horizontal angle;

- perform variations in the temporal succession of one of the sensors and repeat the step of calculating an estimated value and testing the estimated value.

[0016] This way of training the control unit is useful since provides the control unit with the ability to foresee the angle of the light pattern in an improved way.

[0017] In some particular embodiments, the step of training the control unit comprises the use of a machine learning algorithm.

[0018] Once the corresponding results are validated, the values of the control unit are used to the corresponding steps of the method of the invention.

[0019] In some particular embodiments, wherein the step of correcting the light pattern comprises modifying the position of the lighting device.

[0020] This is a typical way of correcting the pattern, by tilting the lighting device to operated on the horizontal angle directly.

[0021 ] In some particular embodiments, the step of correcting the light pattern comprises modifying the luminous intensity of the lighting device.

[0022] This is an alternative way of adapting the light pattern, especially when the lighting device comprises a matrix arrangement of light pixels. Some of the light pixels may be dimmed or turned off to simulate the effect of tilting the lighting device.

[0023] In a further inventive aspect, the invention provides a data processing element comprising means for carrying out the steps of a method according to the first inventive aspect and a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a control unit, cause the control unit to carry out the steps of a method according to the first inventive aspect.

[0024] In a further inventive aspect, the invention provides an automotive lighting device comprising:

- an automotive lighting device; - a gyroscope, a camera and an accelerometer, each one being configured to acquire sensor data; and

- a control unit configured to receive the sensor data and to perform the steps of the method according to the first inventive aspect.

[0025] In some particular embodiments, the light source arrangement is a matrix arrangement comprising at least 2000 solid-state light sources.

[0026] The term "solid state" refers to light emitted by solid-state electroluminescence, which uses semiconductors to convert electricity into light. Compared to incandescent lighting, solid state lighting creates visible light with reduced heat generation and less energy dissipation. The typically small mass of a solid-state electronic lighting device provides for greater resistance to shock and vibration compared to brittle glass tubes/bulbs and long, thin filament wires. They also eliminate filament evaporation, potentially increasing the lifespan of the illumination device. Some examples of these types of lighting comprise semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), or polymer light-emitting diodes (PLED) as sources of illumination rather than electrical filaments, plasma or gas.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0028] In this text, the term “comprises” and its derivations (such as “comprising”, etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc.

[0029] To complete the description and in order to provide for a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. Said drawings form an integral part of the description and illustrate an embodiment of the invention, which should not be interpreted as restricting the scope of the invention, but just as an example of how the invention can be carried out. The drawings comprise the following figures:

[0030] [Fig 1 ] shows a general perspective view of an automotive lighting device according to the invention.

[0031 ] [Fig 2a] to [Fig 2c] show the direction of the light pattern in different situations, wherein the horizontal angle ha of the light pattern may vary

[0032] Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate:

[0033] 1 Headlamp

[0034] 2 LED

[0035] 3 Control unit

[0036] 4 Gyroscope

[0037] 5 Camera

[0038] 6 Accelerometer

[0039] 100 Automotive vehicle

[0040] The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0041 ] Accordingly, while embodiment can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate. [0042] Figure 1 shows a general perspective view of an automotive lighting device according to the invention.

[0043] This headlamp 1 is installed in an automotive vehicle 100 and comprises

- a matrix arrangement of LEDs 2, intended to provide a light pattern;

- a control unit 3 to perform a control of the operation of the LEDs 2; and

- a gyroscope 4, a camera 5 and an accelerometer 6, each one being configured to acquire sensor data.

[0044] Although not represented in this figure, the system also comprises a brake sensor, an accelerator sensor and a steering sensor.

[0045] This matrix configuration is a high-resolution module, having a resolution greater than 2000 pixels. However, no restriction is attached to the technology used for producing the projection modules.

[0046] Figures 2a to 2c show the direction of the light pattern in different situations, wherein the horizontal angle ha of the light pattern may vary.

[0047] Figure 2a shows the standard projection of the light pattern when the vehicle is idle. Figure 2b shows a deviation in the horizontal angle when the vehicle undergoes a sudden acceleration and Figure 2c shows a deviation in the horizontal angle when the vehicle undergoes a sudden brake.

[0048] These figures show are mere examples of different situations where the horizontal angle of the light pattern may suffer variations, which may cause glaring (if the light pattern tilts upwards) or visual discomfort (if the light pattern tilts downwards).

[0049] The control unit, previously to its installation in the automotive headlamp, has undergone a training process, which comprise some machine learning steps, where the control unit is trained with training data provided by the plurality of sensors.

[0050] The first training process is concerning the identification of the position of a reference portion. This training process comprises providing the training data, which comprises a temporal succession of data from different sensors; - making the control unit calculate a first estimated value of the horizontal angle, based on the training data;

- test the first estimated value of the horizontal angle with a real value of horizontal angle;

- perform variations in the temporal succession of one of the sensors and repeat the step of calculating an estimated value and testing the estimated value.

[0051 ] Once the training processes is finished, prediction rules are created and the control unit is installed in an automotive vehicle 100 of Figure 1 , to perform the luminous control of the headlamp 10. In any event, these training and testing processes could also be performed during the operation of the control unit, instead of previously to their installation.

[0052] When the control unit 3 is installed in the vehicle, it is used to predict and act on the light pattern according to the following steps

- receiving real sensor data from the sensors;

- comparing the real sensor data with the prediction rules to predict the horizontal angle of the lighting device, thus resulting a biasing value; and

- correcting the light pattern of the automotive lighting device depending on the biasing value.

[0053] When the control unit detects the biasing value, in the particular embodiment of this figure, since the light module comprises a matrix arrangement of light pixels, the step of correcting the light pattern comprises modifying the luminous intensity of the lighting device: some of the light pixels may be dimmed or turned off to simulate the effect of tilting the lighting device.