DE102015206953B4 - Device and method for adapting an operating mode of an ambient light strip of a means of locomotion - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for adapting an operating mode of an ambient light strip (2a, 2b) of a means of transport (10) comprising the steps: - sensory detection (100) of an approach of a hand (8) of a user (13) to a predefined area within the means of transport (10) ) and in response - adapting (200) the operating mode of the ambient light strip (2a, 2b) - evaluating (500) an image recorded by means of an optical sensor (9) of the means of transport (10) and depending on a color, in particular a color distribution , within the image adjustment (600) of one or more colors of a light poured out by means of the ambient light bar (2a, 2b), characterized in that the adjustment (600) of several colors of a light poured out by means of the ambient light bar (2a, 2b) Light takes place through a different color of two ambient light strips (2a, 2b) arranged one above the other.

Description

State of the art

The present invention relates to a device and a method for adapting an operating mode of an ambient light strip of a means of locomotion. In particular, the present invention relates to gesture-based interaction with the ambient light strip and sensor-based harmonization of ambient light with its surroundings.

In the context of the present invention, “ambient light” is understood to be a light source which, in particular, ensures a pleasant atmosphere in means of transport. The objective of ambient light is therefore fundamentally different from that of other light sources, which are either primarily intended to illuminate the interior or to highlight functional elements. When it is switched on, the ambient light shines flat in the door decor or door insert. In response to a user input, the brightness and / or the ambient light color can be adjusted.

DE 10 2010 018 336 A1 discloses a lighting system with an ambient light strip provided in the door insert and in the dashboard. In response to predefined signals from a user, the light signals emitted by the ambient light strips are adapted to match and / or complement one another. The signals can be based, for example, on an opening or closing movement of a vehicle door in order to trigger a welcome or goodbye light. Multi-colored chases are also proposed in this context.

DE 10 2006 012 606 A1 discloses an interior trim of a vehicle with a planar light source. In response to a hand approaching an area of the interior trim containing the light source, a dimmer function is activated. Individual areas of the luminous element layer or the entire luminous element layer can be actuated here.

DE 10 2009 013 942 A1 discloses a vehicle seat with a lighting device, in which an approach by a user leads to a color change of an ambient light. Specifically, capacitive switches are provided to adapt the control of RGB LEDs in response to user interaction.

DE 10 2013 211 867 A1 discloses a lighting device with a plurality of electrically conductive, capacitive surfaces for controlling the switched-on state, the intensity and / or the color of at least one of the lighting means. By moving along the capacitive elements, the lighting means can be controlled for switching on and / or off, for brightness control and for color control.

DE 10 2011 009 229 A1 discloses gesture control for different elements of a vehicle. In particular, a reading light can be switched on or off by a wiping movement of the occupant's hand along a lamp shell.

It is an object of the present invention to increase the user comfort when using an ambient light strip and to better utilize the technical potential of ambient light strips, whereby inconsistent color combinations between the ambient light strip and its surroundings are to be avoided.

Disclosure of the invention

The object identified above is achieved by a method according to the invention for adapting an operating mode of an ambient light strip of a means of locomotion. The ambient light strip can have a substantially linear or strip-shaped extension and be set up to emit discreet light signals. This does not rule out that the ambient light strip can emit considerable light output, which can be designed by the user in particular in a comparatively large color space. To adapt the operating mode of the ambient light strip, the hand of a user is first sensed in a predefined area in which the hand of the user is categorized as "approximated". An “approach” of the user's hand is understood in the parlance of the present invention to mean that the hand enters an area monitored by sensors, which in particular excludes contact with a functional element and in particular with the ambient light strip itself. The approach of the user's hand therefore preferably ends with contact between the hand and that element to which the detection area spanned by sensors is assigned. This does not rule out that gestures in contact with the ambient light strip or an operating element in the door of the means of transport can also be evaluated within the scope of the method according to the invention in order to adapt the operating mode of the ambient light strip. The predefined area can in particular identify a predefined distance from the ambient light strip. Alternatively or additionally, the predefined area can be assigned to a functional element, which in particular is arranged in the door of the vehicle. If the hand is detected by sensors in one of the predefined areas, the operating mode of the ambient light or the ambient light strip is adapted in a predefined manner in response to this. Instead of having to search for and operate predefined operating elements in the dark to adapt the operating mode of the ambient light strip, the method enables the operating mode to be conveniently and intuitively adapted in different ways, as will be explained below with reference to preferred embodiments.

The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

The ambient light strip can be arranged, for example, in a door (also “door interior trim”) and / or in a dashboard and / or in a center console of the means of locomotion. At these positions they are in the user's direct field of vision and can be used to visually design the appearance of the vehicle interior. In addition, operating elements are usually arranged at the aforementioned positions, which for the user of the means of locomotion have an increased degree of relevance compared to other surface areas (without the possibility of interaction). The relationship between the operating elements and the method according to the invention will be discussed separately below.

The operating mode of the ambient light strip can take place in different ways, whereby the following examples are to be understood in combination with one another or separately. The light intensity (“brightness”) can be increased or decreased by adapting the operating mode according to the invention. The light color can be changed by adjusting the operating mode. In particular, a continuous change in the color design and / or a simple and intuitive color selection for the ambient light strip can be achieved in the manner of a gradual or continuous color change. By means of separately controllable illuminants within the ambient light strip, a color gradient can also be achieved over the area of the ambient light. Brightness gradients, which can also include switched-off lighting means, can vary a position of a light distribution. In this way, for example, a so-called “running light” can be generated. As an alternative or in addition, an extension of a light distribution can be adapted, as a result of which, for example, a wide light strip is adapted to a narrow light strip. The length of the light pattern / light strip can be adapted accordingly in a second dimension. Depending on the user's requirements, an ambient light adapted to a current operating status / purpose can thus be implemented.

Preferably, in the course of the approach and / or after the approach has taken place, a predefined gesture of the user can be detected and the operating mode of the ambient light strip can be adapted in a predefined manner in response to the gesture. The gesture can include, for example, a predefined position and / or relative movement of the fingers of a hand of a user, which are resolved by sensors and reported to an evaluation unit. A large number of different control commands for adapting the operating mode can thus be generated beyond a mere approximation.

The predefined gesture can include, for example, a multi-finger gesture in which two or more fingers of the user's hand assume a predefined position and / or perform a predefined movement. In this way, control commands for changing a two-dimensional extension of a light signal of the ambient light strip can be generated intuitively.

In the area of gesture operation, a finger-apart gesture (also known as a “spread” gesture) and a finger-to-one another gesture (also known as a “pinch” gesture) have proven to be particularly good, which are used to adapt a two-dimensional (horizontal or vertical) extension and / or can be used to dim the light signal.

In the context of the method according to the invention, an optical sensor records the surroundings of the means of transport and / or an area in the interior of the means of transport in order to trigger an adaptation of the operating mode of the ambient light strip as a function of the sensor signal. For example, when driving "through the countryside", the color distribution can include a blue sky or a green canopy of leaves on an avenue in an upper area and the green meadows or yellow rapeseed fields or, in the case of an avenue, the brown tree trunks in a lower area. Accordingly, an indoor camera can detect a predominant color of the user's clothing above and below a belt line and feed it to an evaluation unit. Correspondingly, the evaluation unit can illuminate an upper ambient light strip in a color determined in the sensor image above and illuminate a lower ambient light strip in accordance with a color arranged below in the sensor image. In this way, inconsistent color combinations between the ambient light strip and its surroundings are avoided and the user benevolently acknowledges that the means of transport reacts in a visually appealing way to its interior and / or its exterior.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a device for adapting an operating mode of an ambient light strip of a means of locomotion is proposed, which comprises a detection device (eg a proximity sensor and in particular a sensor unit for evaluating user gestures). An evaluation unit in the manner of a programmable processor can be provided as a separate control device or as a shared computing performance on a control device also provided in the means of locomotion, in order to control an ambient light strip in the manner according to the invention. For this purpose, the detection device is set up to detect an approach of a hand of a user to a predefined area within the means of locomotion. The evaluation unit is set up, in response to a signal from the detection device, to adapt the operating mode of the ambient light strip in accordance with the method according to the invention.

As a further feature, the device according to the invention comprises an optical sensor device which is set up to detect the surroundings of the means of transport and / or an occupant of the means of transport and to carry out a method as has been described in detail in connection with the first-mentioned aspect of the invention.

In general, the device according to the invention is set up to implement the features, feature combinations and the advantages resulting therefrom in accordance with the method according to the invention, which is why reference is made to the above statements to avoid repetition.

The ambient light bar can generally be designed as an LED array or an LED matrix. The LEDs are set up to be controlled optionally by the evaluation unit. Alternatively, it is proposed to use screen technology in the manner of a matrix display (e.g. on an LCD basis) in order to implement the ambient light bar (s) according to the present invention.

Of course, the ambient light strip proposed according to the invention can have a respective transparent input element in the manner of a touch-sensitive surface in order to resolve user gestures and to send corresponding signals to an evaluation unit.

One possible mode of operation of the device is to detect a movement of a user in the direction of an operating element (e.g. a door opener, a door pull handle, a window lifter, a mirror adjustment switch, etc.) using sensors and an optical “collection” of the ambient light strip to animate poured out light in such an area, which is closest to the respective control element. For example, a flatly poured out light of the ambient light strip can be dimmed in all areas remote from the control element, so that a kind of running light results for the poured out ambient light, just as if the light were being attracted to the control element. Since control elements such as door openers and switching units often have their own light sources as part of an ambient light system, a corresponding light source can quote the color and / or intensity of the ambient light collected and thus ensure that the control element is particularly clearly identified.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a computer program product (e.g. a data memory) is proposed on which instructions are stored which enable a programmable processor of an evaluation unit to carry out the steps of a method according to the first-mentioned aspect of the invention. The computer program product can be designed as a CD, DVD, Blue-Ray disc, flash memory, hard disk, RAM / ROM, cache, etc.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a signal sequence is proposed which represents instructions which enable a programmable processor to carry out the steps of a method according to the first-mentioned aspect of the invention. In this way, the information technology provision of the instructions is also placed under protection in the event that the storage means required for this are outside the scope of the attached claims.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a means of locomotion (e.g. a car, a transporter, a truck, an aircraft and / or a watercraft) is proposed which comprises a device according to the second-mentioned aspect of the invention.

In this way, the operator of the means of locomotion can communicate with a system for ambient lighting while the means of locomotion is being guided, without having to search in a hierarchical menu structure of a user interface. As stated above, individual advantages of the invention are also carried out automatically by the device, as a result of which the user is relieved and can devote himself more intensively to the performance of his driving task.

Figure list

• 1 eine Übersicht über Komponenten eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäß ausgestalteten Fortbewegungsmittels mit einem Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
• 2 eine Detailansicht zu ausgewählten Komponenten eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
• 3 eine Darstellung einer homogen erleuchteten Ambiente-Lichtleiste einer Türinnenverkleidung;
• 4 eine Anwenderannäherung an ein Bedienelement der in 3 dargestellten Türinnenverkleidung;
• 5 eine Ausführung eines Bedienschrittes zur Anpassung einer Betriebsart einer Ambiente-Lichtleiste;
• 6 eine alternative Ausführung eines Bedienschrittes zur Anpassung der Betriebsart einer Ambiente-Lichtleiste;
• 7 eine alternative Ausführung eines Bedienschrittes zur Anpassung einer Erstreckung eines von einer Ambiente-Lichtleiste ausgeschütteten Lichtmusters;
• 8 das Ergebnis einer sensorisch erfassten Farbverteilung im Innenraum des Fortbewegungsmittels; und
• 9 ein Flussdiagramm veranschaulichend Schritte eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Anpassung einer Betriebsart einer Ambiente-Lichtleiste eines Fortbewegungsmittels.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings is:

• 1 an overview of components of an embodiment of a means of locomotion configured according to the invention with an embodiment of a device according to the invention;
• 2 a detailed view of selected components of an embodiment of a device according to the invention;
• 3rd a representation of a homogeneously illuminated ambient light strip of a door inner panel;
• 4th a user approach to a control element of the in 3rd shown inside door trim;
• 5 an execution of an operating step for adapting an operating mode of an ambient light strip;
• 6th an alternative embodiment of an operating step for adapting the operating mode of an ambient light strip;
• 7th an alternative embodiment of an operating step for adapting an extension of a light pattern poured out by an ambient light strip;
• 8th the result of a color distribution detected by sensors in the interior of the means of transport; and
• 9 a flowchart illustrating steps of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention for adapting an operating mode of an ambient light strip of a means of locomotion.

Embodiments of the invention

1 shows a car 10 as a means of transportation in which a device 1 for adapting an operating mode of an ambient light strip 2a , 2 B is provided. An evaluation unit 3rd is for this purpose in terms of information technology with two upper ambient light strips 2a in the dashboard or in a side door and with a lower ambient light strip 2 B connected in the side door. Basic settings for setting up the device according to the invention can also be made using the evaluation unit 3rd IT-connected touch screen 5 be made. A data memory is used to hold ready computer program code and references for predefined user gestures 4th information technology to the evaluation unit 3rd connected.

2 shows selected elements of an alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention 1 . The evaluation unit is for this purpose 3rd both with an upper ambient light strip 2a as well as with a lower ambient light bar 2 B connected in terms of information technology. Below the upper ambient light bar 2a is a proximity sensor 6th arranged and set up, the user approaches the upper ambient light bar 2a and to the lower ambient light strip 2 B to dissolve and the evaluation unit 3rd Report to. A camera is used to capture the interior 9 provided as an optical sensor of a detection device. It is set up to at least partially record the user's clothing and the evaluation unit 3rd Report to. In response to receiving the sensor image, the evaluation unit 3rd Determine a predominant color of the user's clothing above the belt line or below the belt line and control commands for the corresponding coloring of the ambient light strips 2a , 2 B send.

The ambient light strips 2a , 2 B In response to receiving the control signals, they can trigger an immediate switchover of the emitted light color in all areas or a gradual filling from a preferred direction (horizontal and / or vertical) with a light color adapted to the sensor signals.

3rd shows a door lining 20th , which is an ambient light bar 2a having. The ambient light strip 2a is illuminated over a large area with blue light. There is a door opener in its extension towards the front of the vehicle 7th arranged as a control element, which is currently not illuminated.

4th shows an approach of a hand 8th of a user in a predefined area in front of the door opener 7th . In response to a sensory detection of the approach, areas of the ambient light strip facing the rear of the vehicle are turned 2a darkened and the door opener 7th facing areas are brightly lit so that the light from the ambient light bar 2a is optically contracted or gathered in the direction of arrow P. The door opener 7th is also itself according to the blue ambient light bar 2a flooded by a (not shown) illuminant.

5 shows a multi-finger gesture of one hand 8th of a user on a touch-sensitive surface of an ambient light bar 2a . The thumb and forefinger of the hand 8th are in the direction of two arrows P in contact with the touch-sensitive surface merged to reduce a brightness of the emitted light.

6th shows an adjustment of the light of an ambient light strip 2a which exclusively at its lower edge between the positions of the hand 8th of a user lights up green. The limits of the linear light distribution can be defined by swiping in a horizontal direction.

7th shows a vertical limitation of the ambient light strip 2a poured out light through two positions of one hand 8th of a user, which is guided in the vertical direction, a respective upper limit and a lower limit of the ambient light bar 2a Define emitted light. By hand 8th in 7th do not attack the foremost and the rearmost border of the light pattern, but interact with the light pattern in a central area, the horizontal extension of the light pattern remains unaffected by the user interaction.

8th shows an illustration of an interior door panel 20th with two ambient light strips 2a , 2 B and a picture of a user 13th what a blue t-shirt 12th and pink pants 11 wearing. The color combination of clothes 11 , 12th of the user 13th is detected by a sensor (not shown) and according to the invention for adapting the ambient light strips 2a , 2 B as well as from the door opener 7th The light emitted is used to the effect that the elements arranged in an upper area 2a , 7th according to the color of the t-shirt 12th shine blue, while the lower ambient light bar 2 B according to the color of the pants 11 shines pink.

9 shows steps of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention for adapting an operating mode of an ambient light strip of a means of locomotion. In step 100 an approach of a hand of a user to a predefined area within the means of locomotion is detected by sensors and in response to this in step 200 adapted the operating mode of the ambient light bar. For example, a position of a size approximation can be optically highlighted or a corona can be generated around the position of the size approximation in order to make clear to the user the possibility of an interaction by approximation or gestures with the ambient light bar. In step 300 a predefined gesture is detected under contact with a touch-sensitive surface of the ambient light strip and, in response to this, the operating mode of the ambient light strip in step 400 adjusted again. For example, a two-finger gesture can adjust an intensity of the light poured out by the ambient light strip and / or cause a color change in the ambient light. In step 500 an image is recorded and evaluated by means of an optical sensor of the means of locomotion. Depending on a color distribution within the sensor image, step 600 the ambient light is adapted in such a way that different colors are set for ambient light strips arranged one above the other, which correspond to an upper or a lower area in the sensor image.

The ambient light strips of the present invention can be optically black and provided with a high-gloss surface, so that they only represent a black surface when switched off. An LED matrix can be arranged behind the high-gloss decoration and, in particular, ensure that the door decoration is illuminated over a large area. Since the LEDs of the matrix can be controlled individually, any light pattern can be generated and dynamic color gradients can be implemented. A running light effect can thus be generated in response to a recognized approach of the user's hand. Possible interactions with a touch-sensitive surface of the ambient light bar can be a tap on the ambient light bar or an area on which a line of light is displayed, in response to which a change in the color of the light emitted takes place. By tapping and holding the ambient light bar, the light emitted can be changed in brightness ("dimming"). By double-tapping the ambient light bar, you can switch between an activated and a deactivated operating state. A light pattern displayed on the ambient light bar can be shifted with one or two fingers. By “grasping” and “pulling” predefined border areas of a displayed light pattern, the respectively detected border of the light pattern can be shifted and changes in shape can be made to a large extent in response to the user's request. If an optical sensor is used to detect the color schemes of a user's clothing, the predominant color component can be determined in the case of differently colored items of clothing and used to adapt the ambient light in a corresponding area.

Even if the aspects according to the invention and advantageous embodiments have been described in detail with reference to the embodiments explained in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, modifications and combinations of features of the embodiments shown are possible for the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention, the scope of which is protected by the appended claims are defined.

Claims (11)

Method for adapting an operating mode of an ambient light strip (2a, 2b) of a means of transport (10) comprising the steps: - sensory detection (100) of an approach of a hand (8) of a user (13) to a predefined area within the means of transport (10) ) and in response - adjusting (200) the operating mode of the ambient light strip (2a, 2b) - evaluating (500) an image recorded by means of an optical sensor (9) of the means of locomotion (10) and depending on a color, in particular a color distribution , within the image - adjustment (600) of one or more colors of a light poured out by means of the ambient light bar (2a, 2b), characterized in that the adjustment (600) of several colors of a light poured out by means of the ambient light bar (2a, 2b) Light takes place through a different color of two ambient light strips (2a, 2b) arranged one above the other. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the predefined area is defined by a certain spatial proximity - to the ambient light strip (2a, 2b) and / or - Is predefined to a control element (6) within the means of locomotion (10) without contact with the ambient light strip (2a, 2b) or the control element (6). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ambient light strip (2a, 2b) in - a door and / or - a dashboard and / or - A center console of the means of locomotion (10) is arranged. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adaptation of the operating mode is a modification - a light intensity and / or - a light color and / or - a color gradient and / or - a position and / or - An extension of a light pattern poured out by means of the ambient light strip (2a, 2b). A method according to any preceding claim further comprising the steps - Detecting (300) a predefined gesture, and responding to it - Adapting (400) the operating mode of the ambient light strip (2a, 2b). Procedure according to Claim 5 , wherein the predefined gesture is a multi-finger gesture, in particular a finger-apart gesture or a fingers towards each other gesture. Device for adapting an operating mode of an ambient light strip (2) of a means of locomotion (10) comprising - a detection device (6), - an ambient light strip (2a, 2b), and - an evaluation unit (3), wherein - the detection device (6 ) is set up to detect an approach of a hand (8) of a user (13) to a predefined area within the means of locomotion (10) and - the evaluation unit (3) is set up to respond to the operating mode of the ambient light strip (2a, 2b) to adapt, further comprising - an optical sensor device (9) which is set up - to detect the surroundings of the means of transport (10) and / or - an occupant (13) of the means of transport (10) and a method according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th to execute. Device according to Claim 7 wherein - the ambient light strip (2a, 2b) comprises an LED array, in particular an LED matrix, the LEDs of which are set up to be controlled optionally by the evaluation unit (3). Computer program product comprising instructions which, if you are on an evaluation unit (3) of a device (1) according to one of the Claims 7 to 8th are executed, cause the processor (8) to carry out the steps of a method according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th perform. Signal sequence representing instructions which, when you click on an evaluation unit (3) of a device (1) according to one of the Claims 7 to 8th are executed, cause the processor (8) to carry out the steps of a method according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th perform. Means of locomotion comprising a device (1) according to one of the Claims 7 to 8th .

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