Abstract:
An automotive lighting system for a vehicle includes a taillight disposed at a vehicle equipped with an external object detection system. The taillight includes a housing that contains a light source that is operable to illuminate at least rearward of the equipped vehicle. The external object detection system includes a LIDAR sensor that is disposed in the housing of the taillight. The LIDAR sensor is operable to emit optical signals at least rearward of the equipped vehicle, where optical signals reflected back to the LIDAR sensor are processed by an electronic control unit of the external object detection system. Processing of reflected optical signals by the electronic control unit detects an object present exterior of the equipped vehicle. Also, processing by the electronic control unit may include use of 3D imaging techniques to generate a 3D image of the object present exterior of the equipped vehicle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/554,808, filed Nov. 26, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,784,839, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention is related to an automotive lighting device and a vehicle having the same, and in particular, to an automotive lighting device including at least one optical sensor and a vehicle having the same. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Recently, vehicle technology has undergone significant changes in automotive electronics. Many assistant systems, for example, Lane-Departure-Warning, Collision-Avoidance-System, Brake-Assistants, and Traffic-Sign-Recognition, are provided to assist the driver to recognize potential hazards while driving or maneuvering a vehicle. In general, an assistant system of a vehicle requires sensors to provide the external surrounding information of the vehicle. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The invention is directed to an automotive lighting device of a vehicle which integrates at least one sensor inside for detecting the surrounding of the vehicle. The invention is further directed to a vehicle using such an automotive lighting device. 
         [0005]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, an automotive lighting device with external obstacle detection includes a housing and at least one optical sensor disposed in the housing. The at least one optical sensor is configured to emit an optical signal and generating a data signal in response to a received reflected optical signal. 
         [0006]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle with external obstacle detection includes a plurality of automotive lighting devices installed surrounding on a body of the vehicle. Each of the automotive lighting devices comprises a housing and at least one optical sensor disposed in the housing. The at least one optical sensor is configured to emit an optical signal and generating a data signal in response to a received reflected optical signal. The data signal includes information of an area external to the vehicle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows an automotive lighting device installed on a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows the potential locations for disposing the optical sensor in the automotive lighting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  shows a schematic diagram of the automotive lighting device including an optical sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  shows a schematic diagram of the automotive lighting device including a plurality of optical sensors according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  shows a block diagram of the vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  shows a block diagram of the vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5A  shows a schematic view of lightening areas of the automotive lighting devices, when the optical sensors of the automotive lighting devices do not detect an obstacle according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5B  shows a schematic view of lightening areas of the automotive lighting devices, when the optical sensors of the automotive lighting devices detect an obstacle according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic diagram illustrating the vehicle moving in reverse according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7A  shows a detection coverage of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7B  shows a detection coverage of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7C  shows a detection coverage of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8A  shows a top view of detection coverage of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8B  shows a side view of detection coverage of the vehicle of  FIG. 8A  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Below, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings so as to be easily realized by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art. The inventive concept may be embodied in various forms without being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Descriptions of well-known parts are omitted for clarity, and like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  shows an automotive lighting device  100  installed on a vehicle  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the automotive lighting device  100  includes a headlight of the vehicle  10 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the automotive lighting device  100  includes a tail light. In some embodiments, the automotive lighting device  100  includes a fog light. In other embodiments, the automotive lighting device  100  includes a daytime running light. In other embodiments, the automotive lighting device  100  includes an indicator. In still other embodiments, the automotive lighting device  100  includes a mirror mounted indicator. 
         [0024]    The automotive lighting device  100  comprises a housing  102  and at least one optical sensor  104  disposed in the housing  102 . The housing  102  has a transparent surface that allows light to pass through. The at least one optical sensor  104  is configured to emit an optical signal and generating a data signal in response to a received reflected optical signal. In some embodiments, the at least one optical sensor  104  includes a light detection and ranging sensor, for example a LIDAR. The at least one optical sensor  104  can be disposed on a reflecting mirror RM of the automotive lighting device  100 , wherein the reflecting mirror RM is configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source LS of the automotive lighting device  100 . 
         [0025]    Moreover, in some embodiments, a detection angle of the at least one optical sensor  104  includes below approximately 120° horizontally and vertically. In other embodiments, a detection angle of the at least one optical sensor  104  includes above approximately 120° horizontally and vertically. In still other embodiments, a detection angle of the at least one optical sensor  104 ″ includes approximately from 0° to 180° horizontally and vertically. 
         [0026]    It is understood that the location/number of the optical sensor  104  shown in  FIG. 1  is for illustrating purposes, not for restriction purposes, since the present invention may be implemented in many different ways in accordance with practical needs as long as the optical path of the optical signal emitted from the optical sensor remains unobstructed. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a location for disposing the optical sensor  104  in the automotive lighting device  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the automotive lighting device  100  comprises a first part R 1  for headlight illumination and a second part R 2  for indicator illumination. The location of the optical sensor  104  is possible everywhere as long as the optical path of the optical signal (e.g. laser beam) remains unobstructed. As shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, there are two locations for disposing the optical sensor  104 . In this embodiment, one location is at the upper side of the reflecting mirror (RM) of the first part R 1  and the other one is at the lower right side of RM of the second part R 2 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the at least one optical sensor  104  can be disposed in other locations of the automotive lighting device  100  as long as the optical path of the optical signal emitted from the optical sensor  104  remains unobstructed. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3A  shows a schematic diagram of the automotive lighting device including an optical sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3A , in some embodiments, there is only one optical sensor  104  disposed in the housing  102  of the automotive lighting device  100 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3B  shows a schematic diagram of the automotive lighting device including a plurality of optical sensors according to one embodiment of the present invention. In another one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3B , two optical sensors  104 A and  104 B are installed in the housing  102 ′ of an automotive lighting device  100 ′. In this embodiment, the automotive lighting device  100 ′ comprises a first part R 1 ′ for headlight illumination and a second part R 2 ′ for indicator illumination, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The optical sensor  104 A is disposed at the upper side of the reflecting mirror RM′ of the first part R 1 ′ whereas the optical sensor  104 B is disposed at the lower right side of the reflecting mirror RM′ of the second part R 2 ′. The optical sensors  104 A and  104 B emit optical signals and generating data signals in response to received reflected optical signals. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4A  shows a block diagram of the vehicle  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle  10  includes a plurality of automotive lighting devices  100 , a first control unit  110  and a second control unit  120 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , the plurality of automotive lighting devices  100  respectively includes at least one optical sensor  104 . 
         [0031]    The at least one optical sensor  104  such as a LIDAR is configured to emit optical signals and generate data signals in response to received reflected optical signals. 
         [0032]    The first control unit  110  coupled to the plurality of automotive lighting devices  100  is configured to control the at least one optical sensor  104  in response to the data signal coming from the at least one optical sensor  104 . In some embodiments, the first control unit  110  includes a control circuit of a mirror sensor. In some embodiments, the first control unit  110  includes a control circuit of a laser sensor. 
         [0033]    The second control unit  120  is respectively coupled to the first control unit  110  and the automotive lighting device  100 . The second control unit  120 , in some embodiments, includes, for example, a body control unit (BCU) of the vehicle  10 . In some embodiments, the first control unit  110  communicates with the second control unit  120  via an interface. Moreover, the interface includes, for example, Internet Information Services (IIS), Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format (SPDIF), common controller area network (CAN), local interconnect network (LIN) and all kinds of suitable communication interface. 
         [0034]    The second control unit  120  is configured to determine whether an obstacle exists by analyzing the data signal coming from the at least one optical sensor  104 . Moreover, the second control unit  120  adjusts brightness, light beam directions and focus of the automotive lighting device  100  in response to the data signal. In some embodiments, the second control unit  120  delivers an alert message when a distance between the vehicle and a detected obstacle is shorter than a threshold value. The threshold value includes approximately, for example, 50 meters. 
         [0035]    Furthermore, in some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 4A , the second control unit  120  may provide the 2D/3D information, for example, position, size and distance, of the detected obstacle in response to the data signal to the driver. In some embodiments, the second control unit  120  may use 3D imaging technique to generate a 3D image of the detected obstacle to the driver. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, the at least one optical sensor  104  communicates with other components (e.g., the light source LS shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the automotive lighting device  100  via a common controller area network (CAN) bus. In other embodiments, the at least one optical sensor  104  communicates with other components of the automotive lighting device  100  via a local interconnect network (LIN) bus. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4B  shows a block diagram of the vehicle  10 ′ according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4B , the vehicle  10 ′ is similar to the vehicle  10  of  FIG. 4A  but includes a control unit  41 . In this embodiment, the control unit  41  is coupled to the plurality of automotive lighting devices  100 . The control unit  41  is configured to control the at least one optical sensor  104  in response to the data signal coming from the at least one optical sensor  104 , and determine whether an obstacle exists by analyzing the data signal coming from the at least one optical sensor  104 . 
         [0038]    Moreover, brightness, light beam directions and focus of the automotive lighting device  100  are adjusted, in response to the data signal, by the control unit  41 . Furthermore, the control unit  41  delivers an alert message when a distance between the vehicle and a detected obstacle is shorter than a threshold value. The threshold value includes approximately, for example, 50 meters. 
         [0039]    In this embodiment, since the lighting device  100  and the at least optical sensor  104  are coupled to the control unit  41 , there is one node needed in communicating with other components via a network of the vehicle  10 ′. 
         [0040]    Furthermore, in some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 4B , the control unit  41  may provide the 2D/3D information, for example, position, size and distance, of the detected obstacle in response to the data signal to the driver. For example, the control unit  41  may use 3D imaging technique to generate a 3D image of the detected obstacle to the driver. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5A  shows a schematic view of lightening areas LA of the automotive lighting devices  100 , when the optical sensors  104  of the automotive lighting devices  100  do not detect an obstacle according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5A , when the optical sensors  104  do not detect an obstacle, the brightness of the automotive lighting devices  100  will be maintained at a first value and a coverage distance of the lightening areas LA is a distance DL. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5B  shows a schematic view of lightening areas LA′ of the automotive lighting devices, when the optical sensors of the automotive lighting devices detect an obstacle according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5B , when the optical sensors  104  of the automotive lighting devices  100  detect an obstacle  51  in front of the vehicle  10 , the second control unit  120  of the vehicle  10  may raise up the brightness of the automotive lighting devices  100  to enhance the illumination towards the detected obstacle  51 . Therefore, the brightness of the automotive lighting devices  100  may be raised up to a second value and a distance of the lightening areas LA′ may extend to a distance DL′. In this embodiment, the distance DL′ is longer than the distance DL. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic diagram illustrating the vehicle  10  moving in reverse. As shown in  FIG. 6 , an obstacle  61  is on a moving path of the vehicle  10 . In this embodiment, the automotive lighting device  100 ′ includes a tail light of the vehicle  10 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the vehicle  10  moving in reverse towards the obstacle  61 , a distance between the automotive lighting device  100 ′ and the obstacle  61  is gradually shorted. Therefore, in order to detect the distance, at least one optical sensor is disposed in the automotive lighting device  100 ′. The at least one optical sensor emits an optical signal towards the obstacle  61  and generate a data signal in response to a received reflected optical signal. The received reflected optical signal is generated in response the optical signal. 
         [0044]    Moreover, the data signal includes information of the distance between the automotive lighting device  100 ′ and the obstacle  61 . When the distance is shorter than a threshold value T, determined by the second control unit  120  of the vehicle  10 , the second control unit  120  may deliver an alert message to remind the driver to stop the vehicle  10 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 7A  shows a detection coverage DC 1  of the vehicle  10  of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 7A , in this embodiment, the at least one automotive lighting device  100  includes a headlight of the vehicle  10 . The automotive lighting device  100  includes at least one optical sensor  104  for detecting the space in front of the vehicle  10 . In some embodiments, a horizontal detection angle θ 1  of the at least one optical sensor  104  includes below approximately 120°. In some embodiments, a vertical detection angle θ 2  of the at least one optical sensor  104  includes below approximately 120°. 
         [0046]    The distance coverage DL″ of the at least one optical sensor  104  includes approximately, for example, 50 meters. Therefore, in this embodiment, the optical sensor  104  emits an optical signal toward a detection coverage DC 1 . When an obstacle  71  is detected in the detection coverage DC 1 , a reflected optical signal is received by the at least one optical sensor  104  and a data signal is generated in response to the received reflected optical signal. Moreover, the driving assistant functions of the vehicle  10  will be activated to ensure safety of the driver and the passengers. 
         [0047]      FIG. 7B  shows a detection coverage DC 2  of a vehicle  10 ′ according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 7B , the vehicle  10 ′ is similar to the vehicle  10  of  FIG. 7A  but a horizontal detection angle θ 3  of at least one optical sensor  104 ′ of the at least one automotive lighting device  100  includes above approximately 120°. In some embodiments, a vertical detection angle θ 4  of at least one optical sensor  104 ′ includes above approximately 120°. 
         [0048]      FIG. 7C  shows a detection coverage DC 3  of a vehicle  10 ″ according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 7C , the vehicle  10 ″ is similar to the vehicle  10  of  FIG. 7A  but a horizontal detection angle θ 5  of at least one optical sensor  104 ″ of the at least one automotive lighting device  100  includes approximately from 0° to 120°. In some embodiments, a vertical detection angle θ 6  of the at least one optical sensor  104 ″ includes approximately from 0° to 120°. 
         [0049]      FIG. 8A  shows a top view of detection coverage of a vehicle  80  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 8A , a plurality of automotive lighting devices is installed on a body of the vehicle  80 . The plurality of automotive lighting devices, in this embodiment, includes headlights  800 A and  800 B, tail lights  800 C and  800 D and mirror mounted indicators  800 E and  800 F. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 8A, 87  indicates a horizontal detection angle of an optical sensor of an automotive lighting device  800 E,  88  indicates a horizontal detection angle of an optical sensor of an automotive lighting device  800 B, and  89  indicates a horizontal detection angle of an optical sensor of an automotive lighting device  800 D. In this embodiment, the horizontal detection angle θ 7  is below approximately 120°. The horizontal detection angle θ 8  is above approximately 120°. The horizontal detection angle  89  is below approximately 120°. 
         [0051]      FIG. 8B  shows a side view of detection coverage of the vehicle  80  of  FIG. 8A  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 8B, 810  indicates a vertical detection angle of an optical sensor of an automotive lighting device  800 F,  811  indicates a vertical detection angle of an optical sensor of an automotive lighting device  800 B, and  812  indicates a vertical detection angle of an optical sensor of an automotive lighting device  800 D. In this embodiment, the vertical detection angle θ 10  is above approximately 120°. The vertical detection angle θ 11  is above approximately 120°. The vertical detection angle θ 12  is below approximately 120°. 
         [0052]    Therefore, with an appropriate arrangement of the optical sensors, for example, each of the automotive lighting devices  800 A to  800 F including at least one optical sensor, the automotive lighting devices  800 A- 800 F are capable of providing 360° detection mechanism to the vehicle  80 . Therefore, the automotive lighting devices installed on the vehicle  80  are capable of providing surrounding detection to the vehicle  80 . 
         [0053]    In summary, the present invention discloses at least one optical sensor integrated into an automotive lighting device. The optical sensor is configured to emit an optical signal and generate a data signal in response to a received reflected optical signal. Therefore, when a plurality of the automotive lighting devices is installed surrounding on a body of a vehicle, the automotive lighting devices are able to provide surrounding detection for the vehicle. Moreover, when an obstacle appears in coverage of the automotive lighting devices, a safety mechanism of the vehicle is activated for ensuring the safety of a driver and passengers in the vehicle. Moreover, the safety mechanism includes stopping the vehicle which ensures the safety of the pedestrians. 
         [0054]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the invention being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.