Patent ID: 12233775

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings such that those skilled in the art may easily put the invention into practice. The invention may be embodied in various forms and is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which are described below. For the purpose of clear description of the invention, parts which are not described are omitted and like parts in the specification are referenced by like reference numerals.

In the entire specification, when it is mentioned that an element is “connected” to another element, this phrase includes a case in which both elements are “directly connected to each other” and a case in which both elements are “indirectly connected to each other” with still another element interposed therebetween.

In the entire specification, when it is mentioned that an element is located “on” another element, this phrase includes a case in which an element comes in contact with another element and a case in which still another element is present between both elements.

In the entire specification, when it is mentioned that an element “includes” another element, this means that the element may further include still another element without excluding still another element unless oppositely described. Terms, “about”, “substantially”, and the like indicating degrees, which are used in the entire specification when manufacturing errors and material-allowable errors specific to the mentioned meaning are given, are used to prevent an unconscientious infringer from improperly using the disclosed details. Terms such as “step of doing” or “step of” indicating degrees, which are used in the entire specification do not mean “step for”.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and the content to be described below. However, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein and may be embodied in other forms. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, an operating method of a vehicle lighting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG.1is a view illustrating a vehicle that outputs light for displaying a visual image with a lighting device.

Referring toFIG.1, the operating method of a vehicle lighting device includes an observation operation S100, a selecting operation S200, and a control operation S300.

First, the observation operation S100will be described.

The observation operation S100is an operation in which information on a driving environment of the vehicle is observed with the observation unit.

For example, an observation unit configured to include a camera, a radar, a lidar, and an ultrasonic sensor may observe information on a driving environment of a vehicle, and the observed information may include lanes, other vehicles, pedestrians, traffic signals, roads, structures, landmarks, animals, and the like.

Next, the selecting operation S200will be described.

The selecting operation S200is an operation in which a controller receives information observed by the observation unit, and selects image data regarding a visual image based on the received information.

The controller may include a conventional computer or the like, and may store a plurality of image data.

FIG.3is a view illustrating examples of visual images according to image data stored in a controller.

For example, referring toFIG.3, the controller may store image data corresponding to various cases, such as a case in which the vehicle is traveling on an icy road, a case in which a crosswalk is located in a direction in which the vehicle is traveling, and each image data may be output as light for displaying a visual image by the light output unit.

In this case, the light output unit may be a lighting device of a vehicle, such as a head lamp.

When the controller receives information on a driving environment of the vehicle observed by the observation unit, the controller selects image data corresponding to the driving environment from among the stored image data.

Next, the control operation S300will be described.

The control operation S300is an operation in which the controller controls the light output unit to output light for displaying a visual image based on the image data.

FIG.4is a flowchart illustrating the control operation ofFIG.2.

Referring toFIG.4, the control operation S300includes a sorting operation S310, a determining operation S320, a setting operation S330, and an adjusting operation S340.

The sorting operation S310is an operation in which the controller sorts a target (hereinafter referred to as a target) as a reference for recognizing light.

FIG.5is a view illustrating that a visual image is output as light according to a target serving as a reference for recognizing light.

For example, as shown inFIG.5A, the controller may sort the driver as a target so that the light output unit outputs light for displaying a visual image based on the driver.

Meanwhile, when at least one pedestrian is located within a predetermined distance from the vehicle, the controller may sort the pedestrian as a target so that the light output unit outputs light for displaying a visual image based on the pedestrian, instead of the driver, as shown inFIG.5B.

FIG.6is a flowchart illustrating the sorting operation ofFIG.4.

Referring toFIG.6, the sorting operation S310may include a classification operation S311and a choosing operation S312.

The classification operation S311is an operation in which the controller classifies a plurality of pedestrians according to priority when the plurality of pedestrians are located adjacent to the vehicle.

FIG.7is a view illustrating that a visual image is output as light based on a group including a larger number of a plurality of pedestrians.

For example, as shown inFIG.7, when a plurality of pedestrians form a plurality of groups, the controller may give priority to a group including a larger number of a plurality of pedestrians, so that the light output unit may output light for displaying a visual image based on the pedestrians having priority.

FIG.8is a view illustrating that a visual image is output as light based on a group including the elderly and weak.

For another example, as shown inFIG.8, when the plurality of groups includes the same number of a plurality of pedestrians, the controller may give priority to a group including the elderly and weak, so that the light output unit may output light for displaying a visual image based on pedestrians including the elderly and weak.

The choosing operation S312is an operation in which the controller selects the highest priority pedestrian having the highest priority among a plurality of pedestrians classified according to the priority.

For example, as shown inFIG.7, when priority is given to a group including a larger number of a plurality of pedestrians, any one of the plurality of pedestrians included in the group belonging to the highest priority may be determined as the highest priority pedestrian in the choosing operation S312.

In another example, as shown inFIG.8, when priority is given to the group including the elderly and weak, the elderly and weak may be determined as the highest priority pedestrian in the choosing operation S312.

The determining operation S320is an operation in which the controller determines a direction in which a target looks at the light after the target is sorted in the sorting operation S310.

The setting operation S330is an operation in which a vanishing point is set at a point spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the target selected in the sorting operation S310in a direction in which the target will look at the light.

The adjusting operation S340is an operation in which the light output unit is adjusted so that the visual image is projected in perspective from the target toward the vanishing point.

Meanwhile, in the control operation S300, the controller may control the light output unit so that the visual image is rotated by a predetermined angle to be displayed according to the direction in which the visual image is projected in perspective.

FIG.9is a view illustrating a visual image is rotated by a predetermined angle to be displayed according to a direction in which the visual image is projected in perspective.

For example, as shown inFIG.9, the visual image output by the light output unit may be rotated by a predetermined angle to be displayed according to the perspective projection direction thereof.

In addition, when the visual image is projected in perspective in the control operation S300, the controller may control the light output unit so that a visual image displayed at a short distance is displayed to be brighter than a visual image displayed at a distance.

FIG.10is a view illustrating that a visual image displayed at a short distance is projected in perspective to be displayed to be brighter than a visual image displayed at a long distance.

For example, as shown inFIG.10, when a visual image is projected in perspective on a pedestrian, the controller may control the light output unit so that a visual image displayed at a short distance from the pedestrian is displayed to be brighter than a visual image displayed at a long distance from the pedestrian.

Hereinafter, an operating method of a vehicle lighting device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG.11is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of a vehicle lighting device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG.11, an operating method of a vehicle lighting device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an observation operation S1000, a selecting operation S2000, an input operation S3000, and a control operation S4000.

First, the observation operation S1000will be described.

The observation operation S1000is an operation of observing information on a driving environment of a vehicle.

Since the observation operation S1000has the same configuration as that of the observation operation S100described above, a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the selecting operation S2000will be described.

The selecting operation S2000is an operation in which the controller receives information on a driving environment of a vehicle and selects image data regarding a visual image based on the received information.

Since the selecting operation S2000has the same configuration as that of the selecting operation S200described above, a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the input operation S3000will be described.

The input operation S3000is an operation in which the controller receives direction information regarding a direction in which a visual image is to be projected in perspective.

Specifically, when a driver or the like presses or operates a multi-function switch, a button key, or the like, the controller may receive information on a direction in which a visual image is to be projected in perspective.

The information on the direction in which the visual image is to be projected in perspective may include information on a target as a reference for recognizing light, a direction in which the target will look at the light, a location of a vanishing point, and the like.

Next, the control operation S4000will be described.

The control operation S4000is an operation in which the controller controls the light output unit to project in perspective light for displaying a visual image to be output based on the image data and direction information.

Specifically, in the control operation S4000, the controller may control the light output unit so that the visual image corresponding to the image data selected in the selecting operation S2000is projected in perspective and output as light according to the direction information input in the input operation S3000.

Meanwhile, in the control operation S4000of the operating method of the vehicle lighting device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the controller may control the light output unit so that the visual image is rotated by a predetermined angle to be output according to the perspective projection direction of the visual image, and the controller may control the light output unit so that a visual image displayed at a short distance is displayed to be brighter than a visual image displayed at a long distance when the visual image is projected in perspective.

Hereinafter, a vehicle lighting device using the operating method of the vehicle lighting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The vehicle lighting device includes an observation module, a selecting module, and a control module.

First, the observation module will be described.

The observation module observes information on a driving environment of a vehicle by an observation unit.

For example, an observation unit configured to include a camera, a radar, a lidar, and an ultrasonic sensor may observe information on a driving environment of a vehicle, and the observed information may include lanes, other vehicles, pedestrians, traffic signals, roads, structures, landmarks, animals, and the like.

Next, the selecting module will be described.

The selecting module allows the controller to receive the information observed by the observation unit and select image data regarding the visual image based on the received information.

The controller may include a conventional computer or the like, and may store a plurality of image data.

The controller may store image data corresponding to various cases, such as a case in which the vehicle is traveling on an icy road, a case in which a crosswalk is located in a direction in which the vehicle is traveling, and each image data may be output as light for displaying a visual image by the light output unit.

In this case, the light output unit may be a lighting device of a vehicle, such as a head lamp.

When the controller receives information on a driving environment of the vehicle observed by the observation unit, the controller selects image data corresponding to the driving environment from among the stored image data.

Next, the control module will be described.

The control module allows the controller to control the light output unit so that the light output unit outputs light for displaying a visual image based on the image data.

Such a control module includes a sorting module, a determining module, a setting module, and an adjusting module.

The sorting module allows the controller to sort a target (hereinafter referred to as a target) as a reference for recognizing light.

For example, the controller may sort the driver so that the light output unit outputs light for displaying a visual image based on the driver.

Meanwhile, when at least one pedestrian is located within a predetermined distance from the vehicle, the controller may sort the pedestrian as a target so that the light output unit outputs light for displaying a visual image based on the pedestrian, instead of the driver.

The sorting module may include a classification module and a choosing module.

The classification module allows the controller to classify a plurality of pedestrians according to priority when the plurality of pedestrians is located to be adjacent to the vehicle.

For example, when a plurality of pedestrians form a plurality of groups, the controller may give priority to a group including a larger number of a plurality of pedestrians, so that the light output unit may output light for displaying a visual image based on the pedestrians having priority.

For another example, when the plurality of groups includes the same number of a plurality of pedestrians, the controller may give priority to a group including the elderly and weak, so that the light output unit may output light for displaying a visual image based on pedestrians including the elderly and weak.

The choosing module allows the controller to select the highest priority pedestrian having the highest priority among a plurality of pedestrians classified according to the priority.

For example, when priority is given to a group including a larger number of a plurality of pedestrians, the choosing module may determine any one of the plurality of pedestrians included in the group belonging to the highest priority as the highest priority pedestrian.

As another example, when priority is given to the group including the elderly and weak, the choosing module may determine the elderly and weak as the highest priority pedestrian.

The determining module allows the controller to determine a direction in which a target will look at light after the target is sorted by the sorting module.

The setting module sets a vanishing point at a point spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the target sorted by the sorting module in a direction in which the target will look at the light.

The adjusting module adjusts the light output unit so that the visual image is projected in perspective from the target toward the vanishing point.

Meanwhile, in the control module, the controller may control the light output unit so that the visual image is rotated by a predetermined angle to be displayed according to the perspective projection direction of the visual image.

For example, the visual image output by the light output unit may be rotated by a predetermined angle to be displayed according to the perspective projection direction thereof.

In addition, in the control module, when the visual image is projected from the perspective in the control module, the controller may control the light output unit so that a visual image displayed at a short distance is displayed to be brighter than a visual image displayed at a long distance.

For example, when a visual image is projected in perspective for the pedestrian, the controller may control the light output unit so that a visual image displayed at a short distance from the pedestrian is displayed to be brighter than a visual image displayed at a long distance from the pedestrian.

As such, in the operating method of the vehicle lighting device according to the present invention, since the controller selects image data based on information on the driving environment of the vehicle and the light output unit outputs light for displaying a visual image based on the selected image data, an effect of providing various information to the target may be provided.

In addition, since the controller sorts a target as a reference for recognizing light, and controls the light output unit to output light for displaying a visual image based on the sorted target, information provided by the visual image may be effectively transmitted to the target.

In addition, since the controller controls the light output unit to output light for displaying a visual image to the target having the highest priority, the information provided by the visual image may be more efficiently utilized by the elderly and weak or the like.

The above description of the illustrative exemplary embodiments is provided for the purpose of illustration, and it would be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without changing technical conception and essential features of the illustrative exemplary embodiments. Thus, it is clear that the above-described illustrative exemplary embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and do not limit the present disclosure. For example, each component described to be of a single type may be implemented in a distributed manner. Likewise, components described to be distributed may be implemented in a combined manner.

The scope of the inventive concept is defined by the following claims and their equivalents rather than by the detailed description of the illustrative exemplary embodiments. It shall be understood that all modifications and exemplary embodiments conceived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents are included in the scope of the inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF MAIN ELEMENTS

S100: observation operationS200: selecting operationS300: control operation