Patent Publication Number: US-2023164896-A1

Title: Lamp, method for operating the same, vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0163543, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Nov. 24, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a lamp, a method for operating the same, and a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In general, a headlamp of a vehicle is used to ensure a stable front view at night or in a tunnel, a fog condition, or a rain condition, in which a surrounding environment is dark. 
     Recently, as the use of a high-resolution light emitting device (LED) is enlarged, the high-resolution LED has been employed even for the headlamp of the vehicle. Accordingly, a technology and an application have been developed to project an image onto a road surface or a specific object by using the headlamp of the vehicle. 
     When the image is projected onto the road surface or the specific object from the headlamp of the vehicle, the projected image may be distorted depending on the road surface or the specific object. In addition, when the image is projected onto the road surface or the specific object from the headlamp of the vehicle, the projected image may be distorted, depending on the arrangement form of the vehicle. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art while advantages achieved by the prior art are maintained intact. 
     An aspect of the present disclosure provides a lamp and a method for operating the same, capable of compensating for the distortion of an image displayed on an object. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a lamp and a method for operating the same, capable of compensating for the distortion of an image displayed on an object, by correcting the image. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a lamp and a method for operating the same, capable of compensating for the distortion of an image displayed on an object by correcting a projection angle onto the object. 
     The technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned problems, and any other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood from the following description by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a lamp may include a sensor to sense a distance to an object in front of a vehicle, a display to display an image, and a controller to compensate for distortion of the image displayed on the object, based on the distance to the object. 
     According to an embodiment, the controller may calculate an angle formed between the vehicle and the object, based on the distance to the object. 
     According to an embodiment, the controller may correct the image, based on the angle. 
     According to an embodiment, the controller may correct the image to be in a trapezoid shape, based on the angle. 
     According to an embodiment, the controller may correct the image based on the angle, such that the image is displayed on the object in a rectangular shape. 
     According to an embodiment, a driver to rotate the display may be further included. 
     According to an embodiment, the controller may control the driver such that the display projects the image onto the object perpendicularly to the object. 
     According to an embodiment, the controller may control the driver such that the display projects the image onto the object perpendicularly to the object, when the angle is equal to or less than the radius of rotation of the driver. 
     According to an embodiment, the controller may correct the image based on the angle, when the angle exceeds the radius of rotation of the driver. 
     According to an embodiment, the driver may rotate the display outward of the vehicle. 
     According to an embodiment, the sensor may include a distance sensor or a camera. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for operating a lamp may include sensing a distance to an object in front of a vehicle, compensating for distortion of an image displayed on the object, based on the distance to the object, and displaying the image. 
     According to an embodiment, the compensating for distortion of the image displayed on the object, based on the distance to the object may include calculating an angle formed between the vehicle and the object, based on the distance to the object. 
     According to an embodiment, the compensating for distortion of the image displayed on the object, based on the distance to the object may further include correcting the image based on the angle. 
     According to an embodiment, the compensating for distortion of the image displayed on the object, based on the distance to the object may further include performing a control operation, such that the image is projected onto the object, perpendicularly to the object. 
     According to an embodiment, the compensating for distortion of the image displayed on the object, based on the distance to the object may further include comparing between the angle and a radius of rotation of the driver, and correcting the image or controlling the driver, based on the comparison result. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle may include a first lamp, which includes a first sensor to sense a first distance to an object in front of the vehicle, a first display to display an image, and a first controller to compensate for the distortion of the image displayed on the object, based on the first distance, and a second lamp which includes a second sensor to sense a second distance to the object, a second display to display the image, and a second controller to compensate for the distortion of the image displayed on the object based on the second distance. 
     According to an embodiment, only one of the first lamp and the second lamp may display the image based on the first distance and the second distance. 
     According to an embodiment, the first controller or the second controller may calculate an angle formed between the object and the vehicle, based on the first distance and the second distance. 
     According to an embodiment, the first lamp may further include a first driver to rotate the first lamp, and the second lamp may further include a second driver to rotate the second lamp. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram illustrating a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a view illustrating that a vehicle projects an image, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  3  and  4    are views illustrating that a vehicle calculates an angle between the vehicle and an object, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a block diagram illustrating a lamp, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a view illustrating that a lamp corrects an image, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    is a view illustrating that a lamp adjusts a protection angle of an image, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a lamp, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  9    is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a lamp, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. In adding the reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the identical or equivalent component is designated by the identical numeral even when they are displayed on other drawings. Further, in describing the embodiment of the present disclosure, a detailed description of well-known features or functions will be ruled out in order not to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure. 
     In addition, in the following description of components according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terms ‘first’, ‘second’, ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘(a)’, and ‘(b)’ may be used. These terms are merely intended to distinguish one component from another component, and the terms do not limit the nature, sequence or order of the constituent components. In addition, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Such terms as those defined in a generally used dictionary are to be interpreted as having meanings equal to the contextual meanings in the relevant field of art, and are not to be interpreted as having ideal or excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined as having such in the present application. 
       FIG.  1    is a block diagram illustrating a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle  1000  may include a first lamp  100  and a second lamp  200 . For example, the first lamp  100  may be a left lamp of the vehicle  1000 , and the second lamp  200  may be a right lamp of the vehicle  1000 . For another example, the first lamp  100  may be a right lamp of the vehicle  1000 , and the second lamp  200  may be a left lamp of the vehicle  1000 . 
     The first lamp  100  may include a first sensor  110 , a first display  120 , and a first controller  130 . According to an embodiment, the first lamp  100  may further include a first driver  140 . 
     The first sensor  110  may sense a distance (a first distance) to an object in front of the vehicle  1000 . For example, the object may include a wall in front of the vehicle  1000 . For another example, the first sensor  110  may include a distance sensor or a camera. 
     The first display  120  may display an image. For example, the first display  120  may be controlled by the first controller  130 . 
     The first controller  130  may compensate for the distortion of the image, based on the distance (the first distance) sensed by the first sensor  110 . For example, the first controller  130  may compensate for the distortion of the image by correcting the image, based on the first distance. 
     The first driver  140  may rotate the first lamp  100 . For example, the first driver  140  may be controlled by the first controller  130 . 
     The second lamp  200  may include a second sensor  210 , a second display  220 , and a second controller  230 . According to an embodiment, the second lamp  200  may further include a second driver  240 . 
     The second sensor  210  may sense a distance (a second distance) to an object in front of the vehicle  1000 . For example, the object may include a wall in front of the vehicle  1000 . For another example, the second sensor  210  may include a distance sensor or a camera. 
     The second display  220  may display an image. For example, the second display  220  may be controlled by the second controller  230 . 
     The second controller  230  may compensate for the distortion of the image, based on the distance (the second distance) sensed by the second sensor  210 . For example, the second controller  230  may compensate for the distortion of the image by correcting the image, based on the second distance. 
     The second driver  240  may rotate the second lamp  200 . For example, the second driver  240  may be controlled by the second controller  230 . 
     According to an embodiment, the first lamp  100  may communicate with the second lamp  200 . For example, the first controller  130  and the second controller  230  may compare the first distance and the second distance to each other. In this case, only one of the first lamp  100  and the second lamp  200  may display the image, based on the first distance and the second distance. For example, when the first distance is less than or equal to the second distance, the first lamp  100  may display an image. For another example, when the first distance exceeds the second distance, the second lamp  200  may display an image. 
     According to an embodiment, the vehicle  1000  may further include a sensor outside the first lamp  100  and the second lamp  200 . For example, the external sensor may include an ADAS sensor such as LI DAR. As another example, an external sensor may sense a 360-degree omnidirectional direction of the vehicle  1000 . According to an embodiment, the external sensor may sense the inclination of the projection surface, the inclination with respect to the wall, and the inclination of the front and rear sides of the vehicle body. For example, an external sensor may measure the distance to the left and right sides of the wall, respectively, and transmit the corresponding information to other devices inside the vehicle  1000  (eg, the first lamp  100  or the second lamp  200 ), other devices inside the vehicle  1000  may calculate the angles inclined to the left and right with the wall. 
       FIG.  2    is a view illustrating that a vehicle projects an image, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the first lamp  100  or the second lamp  200  of the vehicle  1000  may project the image to an object  10  in front of the vehicle  1000 . Although  FIG.  2    illustrates that the first lamp  100  projects the image onto the object  10 , the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the vehicle  1000  may simultaneously project images by the first lamp  100  and the second lamp  200 , or may project the image only by the second lamp  200 . 
     The first lamp  100  and the second lamp  200  may communicate with each other and may determine one of the first lamp  100  and the second lamp  200  to project an image. For example, the vehicle  1000  may determine a lamp, which is closer to the object  10 , of the first lamp  100  or the second lamp  200  to project the image. 
     According to an embodiment, when the distance between the first lamp  100  and the object  10  is equal to the distance between the second lamp  200  and the object  10 , the vehicle  1000  may determine that the first lamp  100  projects the image. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the vehicle  1000  may determine the second lamp  200  to project an image, or determine the first lamp  100  and the second lamp  200  to simultaneously project images. According to an embodiment, controllers (e.g., the first controller  130  and the second controller  230  of  FIG.  1   ) included in the first lamp  100  and the second lamp  200  may communicate with each other to determine a lamp to project an image. 
       FIGS.  3  and  4    are views illustrating that a vehicle calculates an angle formed between the vehicle and an object, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the first lamp  100  included in the vehicle  1000  may sense a distance ‘d 1 ’ to the object  20 . In addition, the second lamp  200  included in the vehicle  1000  may sense a distance ‘d 2 ’ to the object  20 . 
     The controller (e.g., the first controller  130  of  FIG.  1   ) included in the first lamp  100  and the controller (e.g., the second controller  230  of  FIG.  1   ) included in the second lamp  200  may communicate with each other to obtain the first distance ‘d 1 ’ and the second distance ‘d 2 ’. In addition, the controller (e.g., the first controller  130  of  FIG.  1   ) included in the first lamp  100  and the controller (e.g., the second controller  230  of  FIG.  1   ) included in the second lamp  200  may calculate an angle ‘θ’ formed between the object  20  and the vehicle  1000 . 
     In  FIG.  3   , since the second distance ‘d 2 ’ is greater than the first distance ‘d 1 ’, the first lamp  100  or the second lamp  200  may calculate a value ‘d 2 −d 1 ’ obtained by subtracting the first distance ‘d 1 ’ from the second distance ‘d 2 ’, and may calculate the angle ‘θ’ formed between the vehicle  1000  and the object  20  through a trigonometrical function, based on the distance between the first lamp  100  and the second lamp  200 . In this case, since the value ‘d 2 −d 1 ’ is a positive value, the angle ‘θ’ represents a positive value. 
     In  FIG.  4   , the first lamp  100  or the second lamp  200  may calculate a value ‘d 2 −d 1 ’ obtained by subtracting the first distance ‘d 1 ’ from the second distance ‘d 2 ’, and may calculate the angle ‘θ’ formed between the vehicle  1000  and the object  30  through a trigonometrical function, based on the distance between the first lamp  100  and the second lamp  200 . In this case, since the value ‘d 2 −d 1 ’ is a negative value, the angle ‘θ’ represents a negative value. 
       FIG.  5    is a block diagram illustrating a lamp, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a lamp  300  may include a sensor  310 , a display  320 , and a controller  330 . According to an embodiment, the lamp  300  may further include a driver  340 . According to an embodiment, the lamp  300  may be substantially the same as the first lamp  100  or the second lamp  200  of  FIG.  1   . In other words, the sensor  310  may be substantially the same as the first sensor  110  or the second sensor  210 , and the display  320  may be substantially the same as the first display  120  or the second display  220 . In addition, the controller  330  may be substantially the same as the first controller  130  or the second controller  230 , and the driver  340  may be substantially the same as the first driver  140  or the second driver  240 . 
     The sensor  310  may sense a distance to an object in front of the vehicle. For example, the object may include a wall surface. For another example, the sensor  310  may include a distance sensor or a camera. For another example, the distance sensor may include at least one of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor, a radar sensor, an infrared ray (IR) sensor, or a time of flight (ToF) sensor. The sensor  310  may transmit the sensed distance information to the controller  330 . 
     The display  320  may display an image. For example, the display  320  may include a high-resolution LED. For example, the display  320  may be controlled by the controller  330 . For another example, the image may include an image processed by the controller  330 . 
     The controller  330  may compensate for the distortion of the image displayed on the object, based on the distance sensed by the sensor  310 . For example, the controller  330  may compensate for the distortion of the image by correcting the image. 
     The controller  330  may calculate an angle formed between the vehicle and the object, based on the distance to the object. For example, the controller  330  may calculate the angle formed between the vehicle and the object, through the method as illustrated in  FIG.  3    or  FIG.  4   . 
     The controller  330  may correct the image, based on the calculated angle. For example, the controller  330  may correct the image to be in a trapezoidal shape, based on the angle. According to an embodiment, the controller  330  may correct the image, based on the angle, such that the image is displayed on the object in a rectangular shape. 
       FIG.  6    is a view illustrating that a lamp corrects an image, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lamp  300  illustrated in  FIG.  6    may be substantially the same as the lamp  300  of  FIG.  5   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , the lamp  300  may calculate an angle ‘θ’ formed between the vehicle and an object  40 , based on a distance ‘d’ between the vehicle and the object  40 . For example, the controller  330  included in the lamp  300  may calculate the angle ‘θ’ formed between the vehicle and the object  40 . 
     The controller  330  may calculate an area  50 , on which an image is displayed, based on the angle ‘θ’ formed between the vehicle and the object  40 . For example, the area  50 , on which the image is displayed, may be calculated through a function ‘H(θ)’, based on the angle ‘θ’ formed between the vehicle and the object  40 . 
     The controller  330  may correct the image, based on the shape of the area  50  in which the image is displayed. For example, the controller  330  may correct the image to be in the same shape as the shape of the area  50  in which the image is displayed. For another example, when the image is displayed on the area  50 , the controller  330  may correct the image to be displayed in a rectangular shape. For another example, the controller  330  may correct the image to be in a trapezoidal shape, based on the angle ‘θ’ or the function ‘H(θ)’. 
     According to an embodiment, the controller  330  may display the corrected image on the object  40  through the display  320 , and may display the image without distortion. 
     Referring back to  FIG.  5   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lamp  300  may further include the driver  340 . For example, the driver  340  may rotate the display  320 . 
     The controller  330  may control the driver  340 . For example, the controller  330  may control the driver  340  such that the display  320  projects an image onto the object, perpendicularly to the object. 
     The controller  330  may obtain a radius of rotation of the driver  340  in advance. The controller  330  may compare the radius of rotation of the driver  340  with the angle formed between the vehicle and the object. For example, when the angle formed between the vehicle and the object is less than or equal to the radius of rotation of the driver  340 , the controller  330  may control the driver  340 , such that the display  320  projects the image onto the object, perpendicularly to the object. For another example, when the angle between the vehicle and the object exceeds the radius of rotation of the driver  340 , the controller  330  may correct the image, based on the angle and may control the display  320  to output the corrected image. 
     According to an embodiment, the driver  340  may rotate the display  320  outward of the vehicle. For example, when the driver  340  rotates the display  320  inward of the vehicle, the diver  340  may collide with another device inside the vehicle. Accordingly, the diver  340  may rotate the display  320  outward of the vehicle. In other words, when the driver  340  needs to rotate the display  320  inward of the vehicle, such that the display  320  projects the image onto the object, perpendicularly to the object, the controller  330  may perform a control operation of correcting the image and outputting the image through the display  320 , without controlling with the driver  340 . 
       FIG.  7    is a view illustrating that a lamp adjusts a protection angle of an image, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lamp  300  illustrated in  FIG.  7    may be substantially the same as the lamp  300  illustrated  FIG.  5   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller  330  included in the lamp  300  may calculate the angle formed between the vehicle and the object  60 , and may control the driver  340 , based on the calculated angle ‘θ’, such that the display  320  projects the image onto the object  60 , perpendicularly to the object  60 . 
     According to an embodiment, the driver  340  may rotate the display  320  outward of the vehicle (in the direction illustrated in  FIG.  7   ). For example, when the driver  340  needs to rotate the display  320  inward of the vehicle, such that the display  320  projects the image onto the object, perpendicularly to the object, the controller  330  may perform a control operation of correcting the image and outputting the image through the display  320 , without controlling with the driver  340 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lamp  300  may compensate for the distortion of the image displayed on the object, based on the distance to the object. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lamp  300  may compensate for the distortion of the image displayed on the object, by correcting the image. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lamp  300  may compensate for the distortion of the image displayed on the object, by adjusting the projection angle of the image. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lamp  300  may compensate for the distortion of the image displayed on the object by determining whether to correct the image, or whether to rotate the lamp, based on the radius of rotation of the lamp. 
       FIG.  8    is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a lamp, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The operations illustrated in  FIG.  8    may be performed through the lamp  300  of  FIG.  5   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for operating the lamp  300  may include sensing a distance to an object in front of a vehicle (S 110 ), compensating for distortion of the image displayed on the object, based on the distance to the object (S 120 ), and display the image (S 130 ). 
     In the sensing of the distance to the object in front of the vehicle (S 110 ), the sensor  310  may sense the distance to the object in front of the vehicle. For example, the sensor  310  may include at least one of a LIDAR sensor, a radar sensor, an IR sensor, or a ToF sensor. 
     In the compensating for the distortion of the image displayed on the object, based on the distance to the object (S 120 ), the controller  330  may compensate for the distortion of the image displayed on the object, based on the distance to the object. For example, the controller  330  may compensate for the distortion of the image, which is displayed on the object, by correcting the image, based on the distance to the object. For another example, the controller  330  may compensate for the distortion of the image displayed on the object, by controlling the driver  340 , based on the distance to the object to rotate the display  320 . 
     In the displaying of the image (S 130 ), the display  320  may display the image. For example, the display  320  may display the corrected image through the controller  330 . For another example, when the driver  340  rotates the display  320 , the display  320  may output the image without correcting the image. According to an embodiment, when the image is corrected through the controller  330 , or when the display  320  projects the image onto the object, perpendicularly to the object through the driver  340 , the display  320  may display the image, which is not distorted, on the object. 
       FIG.  9    is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a lamp, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for operating the lamp  300  may include calculating an angle formed between a vehicle and an object, based on the distance to the object (S 210 ), comparing the angle with the radius of rotation of the driver (S 220 ), correcting an image, based on the angle (S 230 ), and performing a control operation such that the image is projected onto the object, perpendicularly to the object (S 240 ). According to an embodiment, S 210  to S 240  may include S 120  of  FIG.  8   . 
     In the calculating of the angle formed between the vehicle and the object, based on the distance to the object (S 210 ), the controller  330  may calculate the angle between the vehicle and the object, based on the distance to the object. For example, the controller  330  may calculate the angle formed between the vehicle and the object, through the method as illustrated in  FIG.  3    or  FIG.  4   . 
     In the comparing of the angle with the radius of rotation of the driver (S 220 ), the controller  330  may compare the calculated angle with the radius of rotation of the driver  340 . For example, the controller  330  may obtain the radius of rotation of the driver  340  in advance. For another example, the controller  330  may perform S 230  or S 240 , based on the comparison result between the calculated angle and the radius of rotation of the driver  340 . 
     When the calculated angle exceeds the radius of rotation of the driver  340 , the controller  330  may correct the image, based on the calculated angle, in the correcting of the image, based on the angle (S 230 ). For example, the controller  330  may correct the image to be in a trapezoidal shape, based on the angle. According to an embodiment, the controller  330  may correct the image, based on the angle, such that the image is displayed on the object in a rectangular shape. 
     When the calculated angle is equal to or less than the radius of rotation of the driver  340 , the controller  330  may control the driver  340  such that the image is projected onto the object, perpendicularly to the object, in the performing of the control operation such that the image is projected onto the object, perpendicularly to the object (S 240 ). For example, the driver  340  may rotate the display  320  such that the display  320  projects the image onto the object, perpendicularly to the object. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the method of operating the lamp  300 , the radius of rotation of the driver  340  may be compared with the angle between the vehicle and the object. The image may be corrected or whether the display  320  is rotated may be determined, based on the comparison result. 
     As described above, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the lamp and the method for operating the same, the distortion of the image displayed on the object may be compensated for, based on the distance to the object. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the lamp and the method for operating the same, the distortion of the image displayed on the object may be compensated for by correcting the image. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the lamp and the method for operating the same, the distortion of the image displayed on the object may be compensated for by adjusting a projection angle to the image. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the lamp and the method for operating the same, the distortion of the image displayed on the object may be compensated for, by determining whether to correct the image, or whether to rotate the lamp, based on the radius of rotation of the lamp. 
     Besides, a variety of effects directly or indirectly understood through the disclosure may be provided. 
     Hereinabove, although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but may be variously modified and altered by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure claimed in the following claims. 
     Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure are provided to explain the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, but not to limit them, so that the spirit and scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments. The scope of the present disclosure should be construed on the basis of the accompanying claims, and all the technical ideas within the scope equivalent to the claims should be included in the scope of the present disclosure.