GB2624167A

GB2624167A - Glazing panel illumination system and vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2624167A
Application number: GB2216537.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Crawford Susan
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2022-11-07
Filing date: 2022-11-07
Publication date: 2024-05-15
Also published as: GB202216537D0

Abstract

A vehicle glazing panel illumination system (200) comprising: a vehicle-mounted illumination source (202) configured to emit light to illuminate at least an edge region of a vehicle glazing panel (210), and controllable to vary the colour of the emitted light; and a vehicle glazing panel (210) comprising a projection layer arrangement (212) configured to direct the emitted light in an outboard direction away from an interior of the vehicle, to cause the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel (210) to be illuminated, at a colour corresponding to the colour of the vehicle-mounted illumination source (202); wherein when the vehicle glazing panel (210) is observed from outside the vehicle, when in use, the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel (210) appears to be illuminated.

Description

GLAZING PANEL ILLUMINATION SYSTEM AND VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle glazing panel illumination system. Aspects of the disclosure relate to a vehicle glazing panel illumination system, a control system for a vehicle glazing panel illumination system, and a vehicle. Further aspects of the disclosure relate to a method of indicating a level of autonomy of a vehicle with a plurality of levels of autonomy, and computer software that, when executed, is arranged to perform a method of indicating a level of autonomy of a vehicle with a plurality of levels of autonomy.

BACKGROUND

Information about a vehicle or occupant, which, if known, may influence the behaviour of pedestrians and other road users, cannot necessarily be ascertained by those outside the vehicle. Such information may also not easily be ascertained by vehicle occupants.

It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated

with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a vehicle glazing panel illumination system, a control system for a vehicle glazing panel illumination system, and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle glazing panel illumination system comprising: a vehicle-mounted illumination source configured to illuminate at least an edge region of a vehicle glazing panel, and controllable to vary the colour of the emitted light; and a vehicle glazing panel comprising a projection layer arrangement configured to direct the emitted light in an outboard direction away from an interior of the vehicle, to cause the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel to be illuminated, at a colour corresponding to the variable colour of the vehicle-mounted illumination source; wherein when the vehicle glazing panel is observed from outside the vehicle, when in use, the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel appears to be illuminated.

The vehicle glazing panel illumination system advantageously provides an external human-machine interface (HMI) that is visible to pedestrians and other road users.

In some examples, the vehicle-mounted illumination source comprises at least one variable light emitting diode (LED) arrangement, the at least one variable LED arrangement configured to emit light of at least two colours.

An advantage of the variable LED arrangement is that it enables the vehicle-mounted illumination source to emit light of distinct colours, thus improving ease of interpretation of the HMI.

In some examples, the vehicle-mounted illumination source at least partially surrounds a perimeter of the vehicle glazing panel.

At least partial surrounding of the perimeter of the vehicle glazing panel by the vehicle-mounted illumination source advantageously provides more complete illumination of the vehicle glazing panel. It is therefore easier for pedestrians and other road users to see the illumination of the vehicle glazing panel, and thus a more effective HMI is provided.

In some examples, the vehicle-mounted illumination source is controllable to vary an intensity of the emitted light in dependence upon a detected level of ambient light outside the vehicle.

An advantage of controllably varying the intensity of the emitted light is the prevention of dazzling of occupants of the vehicle and/or pedestrians and other road users.

In some examples, the projection layer arrangement is further configured to direct the emitted light in an inboard direction towards the interior of the vehicle.

An advantage of directing the emitted light in an inboard direction is the provision of an internal HMI, useful to occupants of the vehicle, as well as an external HMI.

In some examples, the projection layer arrangement comprises a variable transmittance layer having a variable degree of transparency dependent on a voltage applied to the variable transmittance layer.

An advantage of the variable transmittance layer is enabling the projection layer arrangement to be switchable between a transparent state and a state in which better transmission of the coloured illumination (and therefore more effective provision of an HMI) is possible.

In some examples, the variable transmittance layer comprises polymer-dispersed liquid crystal devices.

In some examples, the projection layer arrangement is laminated between transparent exterior glazing layers.

An advantage of the transparent exterior glazing layers is improved safety of the glazing panel.

In some examples, the vehicle glazing panel illumination system comprises at least one heating layer.

An advantage of the at least one heating layer is improved functionality of the glazing panel, such as de-misting and de-icing.

In some examples, the vehicle glazing panel illumination system is provided for a vehicle with a plurality of levels of autonomy, and further comprises: a control system for associating each level of autonomy of the vehicle with a different colour of the emitted light, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system configured to: receive an input signal indicating that the level of autonomy of the vehicle has changed; in dependence on the input signal, determine a target colour of the emitted light, wherein the target colour of the emitted light corresponds to a colour associated with the changed level of autonomy of the vehicle; and output a signal to control the illumination source to change the colour of the emitted light to the target colour.

An advantage of the control system is that it provides an indication to the vehicle occupants and/or pedestrians and other road users of the level of autonomy of the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising the vehicle glazing panel illumination system described above.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of indicating a level of autonomy of a vehicle with a plurality of levels of autonomy, the vehicle comprising a vehicle-mounted illumination source configured to emit light to illuminate at least an edge region of a vehicle glazing panel, and controllable to vary the colour of the emitted light within a visible spectrum, and a vehicle glazing panel comprising a projection layer arrangement configured to direct the emitted light in an outboard direction away from an interior of the vehicle, to cause the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel to be illuminated, at a colour corresponding to the variable colour of the vehicle-mounted illumination source, wherein when the vehicle glazing panel is observed from outside the vehicle, when in use, the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel appears to be illuminated, the method comprising: receiving an input signal indicating that the level of autonomy of the vehicle has changed; in dependence on the input signal, determining a target colour of the emitted light, wherein the target colour of the emitted light corresponds to a colour associated with the changed level of autonomy of the vehicle; and output an output signal to control the illumination source to change the colour of the emitted light to the target colour.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided computer software that, when executed, is arranged to perform the method outlined above.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a vehicle glazing panel illumination system comprising: a vehicle-mounted illumination source configured to emit light to illuminate at least an edge region of a vehicle glazing panel, and controllable to vary the wavelength of the emitted light; and a vehicle glazing panel comprising a projection layer arrangement configured to direct the emitted light in an outboard direction away from an interior of the vehicle, to cause the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel to be illuminated, at a colour corresponding to the variable wavelength of the vehicle-mounted illumination source; wherein when the vehicle glazing panel is observed from outside the vehicle, when in use, the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel appears to be illuminated.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a vehicle glazing panel illumination system comprising: a vehicle-mounted illumination source configured to emit light to illuminate at least an edge region of a vehicle glazing panel, and controllable to vary the colour of the emitted light; and a vehicle glazing panel configured to direct the emitted light in an outboard direction away from an interior of the vehicle, to cause the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel to be illuminated, at a colour corresponding to the colour of the vehicle-mounted illumination source; wherein when the vehicle glazing panel is observed from outside the vehicle, when in use, the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel appears to be illuminated.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a vehicle glazing panel illumination system comprising: a vehicle-mounted illumination source configured to emit coloured light to illuminate at least an edge region of a vehicle glazing panel; and a vehicle glazing panel comprising a projection layer arrangement configured to direct the emitted light in an outboard direction away from an interior of the vehicle, to cause the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel to be illuminated, at a colour corresponding to the colour of the vehicle-mounted illumination source; wherein when the vehicle glazing panel is observed from outside the vehicle, when in use, the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel appears to be illuminated.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination that falls within the scope of the appended claims, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a vehicle; FIG. 2 illustrates an example cross-section of a vehicle glazing panel illumination system; FIGs. 3A and 3B illustrate further example cross-sections of a vehicle glazing panel illumination system; FIG. 4 illustrates a further example cross-section of a vehicle glazing panel illumination system; FIG. 5 illustrates another example cross-section of a vehicle glazing panel illumination system; FIG. 6 illustrates an example control system forming part of a vehicle glazing panel illumination system; FIG. 7 illustrates an example non-transitory computer-readable storage medium; and FIG. 8 illustrates an example method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a vehicle 1 in which embodiments of the invention can be implemented. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the vehicle 1 is a passenger vehicle, also referred to as a passenger car or as an automobile. In other examples, embodiments of the invention can be implemented for other applications, such as commercial vehicles.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view and illustrates a longitudinal x-axis between the front and rear of the vehicle 1 representing a centreline, an orthogonal lateral y-axis between left and right lateral sides of the vehicle 1, and a vertical z-axis. A forward/fore direction typically faced by a driver's seat is in the negative x-direction; rearward/aft is +x. A rightward direction as seen from the driver's seat is in the positive y-direction; leftward is -y. These are a first lateral direction and a second lateral direction.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example control system 300 configured to implement one or more aspects of the invention. The control system 300 of FIG. 6 comprises a controller 301. In other examples, the control system 300 may comprise a plurality of controllers on-board and/or off-board the vehicle 1.

The controller 301 of FIG. 6 includes at least one processor 304; and at least one memory device 306 electrically coupled to the electronic processor 304 and having instructions (e.g. a computer program 308) stored therein, the at least one memory device 306 and the instructions configured to, with the at least one processor 304, cause any one or more of the methods described herein to be performed. The processor 304 may have an interface 302 such as an electrical input/output I/O or electrical input for receiving information and interacting with external components.

FIG. 7 illustrates a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 400 comprising the instructions (computer software).

Embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 -5, provide a vehicle glazing panel illumination system 200 comprising a vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 and a vehicle glazing panel 210. The vehicle glazing panel illumination system 200 is configured such that, in use, when the vehicle glazing panel 210 is observed from outside the vehicle 1, the vehicle glazing panel 210 appears to be illuminated. This provides an external human-machine interface (HMI) so that information about the vehicle 1 may be conferred to other road users (people outside the vehicle 1, such as pedestrians and occupants of other vehicles) and/or to occupants of the vehicle 1. The HMI is a coloured illuminated glazing system where any or all of colour, opacity and illumination intensity can be adjusted.

The vehicle glazing panel illumination system 200 may be positioned such that the vehicle glazing panel 210 forms any panel of the vehicle 1 that is typically glass or other transparent material. For example, the vehicle glazing panel 210 may be a windscreen 2A, side window 28, 2C, 2D, rear window 2E, front door fixed quarter glass 2F or roof 10 of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 may comprise one or more vehicle glazing panel illumination systems 200.

FIGS. 2 -5 illustrate example cross-sections of a vehicle glazing panel illumination system 200.

The vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 is configured to emit light and is controllable to vary the colour of the emitted light. The emitted light may be a colour within the visible spectrum. The colour comprises one or more wavelengths and is a function of dominant wavelength and its purity. The vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 may be controllable to vary the colour of the emitted light to emit light of at least two different colours at least A apart, wherein A is selected such that the emitted light may change between at least two different colours that are distinguishable to occupants of the vehicle 1 and/or other road users as defined by a 1-step MacAdam ellipse on the CIE1931 colour space.

The vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 is positioned such that it illuminates at least an edge region of the vehicle glazing panel 210. The whole of the vehicle glazing panel 210 may be illuminated. As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 may be positioned such that it surrounds, or at least partially surrounds, a perimeter of the vehicle glazing panel 210. For example, the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 may be provided on a subset of edges such as one edge of the perimeter of the vehicle glazing panel 210, or two opposite edges of the perimeter of the vehicle glazing panel 210. In other embodiments, the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 may be provided on four edges of the perimeter of the vehicle glazing panel 210. The vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 may extend along part of one or more edges of the perimeter of the vehicle glazing panel 210 and/or may extend along the whole of one or more edges of the perimeter of the vehicle glazing panel 210. The emitted light is thus directed from the perimeter of the vehicle glazing panel 210 towards a middle region of the vehicle glazing panel 210.

FIGS. 3 -5 illustrate the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 positioned at least on two opposite edges of the perimeter of the vehicle glazing panel 210, but the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 may be positioned on any part of the perimeter of the vehicle glazing panel 210. For example, the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 may be provided at any one or more of A-pillar 3A, A-pillar 3B, B-pillar 4, C-pillar 5, 0-pillar 6, roof edge 7, cowl edge 8 and waistline 9. For example, the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 may be positioned at A-pillar 3A and A-pillar 3B; at A-pillar 3A and B-pillar 4; at B-pillar 4 and C-pillar 5; at C-pillar 5 and D-pillar 6; at roof edge 7 and cowl edge 8; at roof edge 7 and waistline 9; or any combination of the above.

The vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 may comprise at least one variable light-emitting diode (LED) arrangement. In alternative embodiments, the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 may comprise at least one non-variable LED arrangement. For example, the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 may comprise an LED strip that is attached around at least part of the perimeter of the vehicle glazing panel 210. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 may comprise a plurality of individual LEDs positioned along or around at least a part of the perimeter of the vehicle glazing panel 210.

The vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 may be controllable to vary the intensity of the emitted light. A variation in the intensity of the emitted light may be manually initiated, in response to an input from a user, or automatically initiated by the control system 300, in response to receiving information indicative of an ambient light level detected outside the vehicle 1. Any appropriate light sensor may be used to detect the light level outside the vehicle 1 and to provide information indicative of the light level to the controller.

In examples, the control system 300 is configured to vary the intensity of the emitted light such that, in response to receiving information indicative of a low detected light level outside the vehicle 1, the intensity of the emitted light is decreased or maintained at a relatively low level, and in response to receiving information indicative of a high detected light level outside the vehicle 1, the intensity of the emitted light is increased or maintained at a relatively high level.

This may prevent a dazzling effect from the emitted light on occupants of the vehicle 1 and/or other road users.

The vehicle glazing panel 210 comprises a projection layer arrangement 212. The projection layer arrangement 212 is configured to direct the emitted light from the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 at least in an outboard direction away from the interior of the vehicle 1. This causes at least the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel 210 to appear to be illuminated when the vehicle glazing panel 210 is observed from outside the vehicle 1. The projection layer arrangement 212 may also be configured to direct the emitted light in an inboard direction, towards an interior of the vehicle 1. This causes at least the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel 210 to appear to be illuminated when the vehicle glazing panel 210 is observed from inside the vehicle 1. At least the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel 210 may appear to be illuminated both from inside the vehicle 1 and outside the vehicle 1 at the same time. The illumination of the vehicle glazing panel 210 is at a colour corresponding to the variable colour of the light emitted by the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202.

The projection layer arrangement 212 may comprise a variable transmittance layer such as a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer. The variable transmittance layer has a degree of transparency that depends on a voltage applied to the variable transmittance layer. In a first state of the variable transmittance layer, no voltage is applied to the variable transmittance layer, and molecules of the variable transmittance layer (the liquid crystal molecules in PDLC) are in a disordered arrangement, which scatters the light passing through the layer. In the first state, the variable transmittance layer therefore appears opaque. In a second state of the variable transmittance layer, a voltage is applied to the variable transmittance layer, and molecules of the variable transmittance layer are aligned, which allows light to pass straight through the layer. In the second state, the variable transmittance layer therefore appears transparent. In additional states of the variable transmittance layer, the voltage can be adjusted to adjust the degree of transparency.

The variable transmittance layer has a lower level of transparency when in the first state than when in the second state. The level of transparency of the variable transmittance layer may be at least a minimum percentage difference higher in the first state than in the second state. The minimum percentage difference may be selected such that the change in level of transparency may be perceived by a vehicle occupant. For example, the level of transparency of the variable transmittance layer may be at least 1% lower in the first state than in the second state, or may be at least 10% lower in the first state than in the second state. The level of transparency of the variable transmittance layer may be no more than a maximum percentage difference lower in the first state than in the second state. The maximum percentage difference may be selected such that light from outside the vehicle 1 may still be perceived by the vehicle occupant. For example, the level of transparency of the variable transmittance layer may be no more than 10% lower in the first state than in the second state, or may be no more than 50% lower in the first state than in the second state, or may be no more than 70% lower in the first state than in the second state. The level of transparency may be a percentage difference lower in the first state than the second state not mentioned above.

When the variable transmittance layer is in the first state, light emitted by the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 that is incident on at least an edge region of the variable transmittance layer is scattered away from the variable transmittance layer to a greater extent than when the variable transmittance layer is in the second state. This causes at least the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel 210 to appear to be illuminated when viewed by occupants of the vehicle 1 and/or other road users when the variable transmittance layer is in the first state. The whole of the vehicle glazing panel 210 may be illuminated.

When the variable transmittance layer is in the second state, the light emitted by the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 that is incident on at least an edge region of the variable transmittance layer is scattered away from the variable transmittance layer less than when the variable transmittance layer is in the first state. The illumination of the vehicle glazing panel 210 may be less visible when viewed by occupants of the vehicle 1 and/or other road users when the variable transmittance layer is in the second state. The vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 may therefore be turned off when the variable transmittance layer is in the second state.

The above examples have described a projection layer arrangement 212 comprising an variable transmittance layer such as a PDLC layer. However, it will be appreciated that other technologies exist for varying the scattering of light, which may additionally or alternatively form part of the projection layer arrangement 212. These could be a suspended particle device (SPD), micro-blinds or other chromogenic technologies (electrochromic, photochromic, gasochromic, thermochromic) or micro-electro-mechanical systems (M EMS).

For example, the projection layer arrangement 212 may comprise one or more light guide layers configured to direct the light emitted by the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202.

The projection layer arrangement 212 may comprise a printed layer configured to limit internal reflection of the light emitted by the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202. The projection layer arrangement 212 may comprise a reflective layer configured to limit external reflection of the light emitted by the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202. Alternatively, the projection layer arrangement 212 may comprise an etched layer to further scatter the light emitted by the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202.

How much of the vehicle glazing panel 210 appears illuminated may depend on, for example: the size of the vehicle glazing panel 210; the intensity of the light emitted by the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202; the placement of the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202; and/or the number of individual light sources forming the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202.

In some implementations, where the projection layer arrangement 212 covers over most or all of the area of the vehicle glazing panel 210, only the edge region of the projection layer arrangement 212 may be illuminated by the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 and not necessarily the whole area of the projection layer arrangement 212. In this example, the width of the illuminated edge region of the vehicle glazing panel 210 is defined as the width across which the intensity of the illumination is greater than a physiological human perception threshold. The intensity of the light may continuously decay with increased distance from the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 until it is no longer perceptible to any human no matter how good their eyesight is and regardless of the specific visible light colour.

In other implementations, the projection layer arrangement 212 is smaller than the total size of the vehicle glazing panel 210, and is provided close to, or along one or more edges of the vehicle glazing panel 210. In such implementations, an edge region is defined as the size of the projection layer arrangement 212.

In one example, the projection layer arrangement 212 is a strip extending between a pair of corners of the vehicle glazing panel 210 and along an edge interconnecting said pair of corners. A long edge of the strip may be against the edge of the vehicle glazing panel 210. The strip may be elongate, having a length more than twice its width.

In another example, the shape of the projection layer arrangement 212 can be a customised shape not following the shape of the edge of the vehicle glazing panel 210. The shape of the projection layer arrangement 212 can recite a message such as a symbol or a word. The projection layer arrangement 212 would be located proximal to an edge of the vehicle glazing panel 210 than to a centre of the vehicle glazing panel 210. Therefore, the illumination only occurs at an edge region of the vehicle glazing panel 210.

Regardless of how the edge region is defined, its width (or height) can be defined as being X% of the total width (or height) of the vehicle glazing panel 210, where X is a value selected from the range 30% to 100%.

As a result of only illuminating one or more edge regions of the vehicle glazing panel 210 rather than the whole area of the vehicle glazing panel 210, a centre region of the vehicle glazing panel 210 may not be perceptibly illuminated.

The non-illuminated centre region may cover at least 20% of a total area of the vehicle glazing panel 210. The non-illuminated centre region may cover less than 70% of a total area of the vehicle glazing panel 210. For a front windscreen, the centre region may include a region around a driver's x-axis line of sight having an approximate radius of at least 15cm or at least 20cm. For a front side window, the centre region may have a similar approximate radius.

However, in a still further implementation, the whole vehicle glazing panel 210 could be illuminated including the centre region.

As shown in FIG. 4, the projection layer arrangement 212 may be laminated between two or more transparent external glazing layers 206. The transparent external glazing layers 206 may, for example, be protective layers.

As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle glazing panel illumination system 200 may additionally comprise the at least one heating layer 208. The heating layer 208 may provide for demisting and/or defrosting of the vehicle glazing panel 210, and may comprise a ClimaCoat ® layer or "Wiggle Wire" heating layer. The heating layer 208 of FIG 5 is positioned on one side of the vehicle glazing panel 210, but in examples the heating layer 208 may be positioned on either or both sides of the vehicle glazing panel 210.

The layers described above have been described separately, but these layers may be provided in any combination.

The vehicle glazing panel illumination system 200 may additionally comprise further layers not described in the above specification.

The vehicle 1 may be equipped with a driver assistance system (e.g., automated driving system (ADS), advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS)). ADAS are electronic systems that assist drivers in driving and parking functions and/or automate parts of driving tasks. ADAS systems use automated technology, such as sensors, to detect nearby obstacles or to detect hazards. ADAS systems are able to perform one or more of: longitudinal vehicle control (automated acceleration and/or automated braking); lateral vehicle control (automated steering); and process driver inputs and alert the driver to a hazard or opportunity via a human-machine interface (HMI) Examples of ADAS include: autonomous emergency braking; driver condition monitoring; traffic sign recognition; adaptive cruise control; blind spot assist; reverse crossing traffic detection; parking assistance; and autonomous driving, among others.

In at least some examples the vehicle 1 has a first level of autonomy in which the ADAS is configured to control automated manoeuvring of the vehicle 1 with a first degree of freedom and/or at a vehicle speed below a threshold. For example, the first degree of freedom may be control of the vehicle 1 in a longitudinal direction (i.e., control of acceleration only in the 'x' coordinate as shown in FIG. 1). The vehicle speed may be 20mph.

In at least some examples the vehicle 1 has a second level of autonomy in which the ADAS is configured to control automated manoeuvring of the vehicle 1 with the first degree of freedom (x, FIG. 1) and a second degree of freedom (y, FIG. 1) and/or at a vehicle speed below the threshold. For example, the second degree of freedom may be control of the vehicle 1 in a lateral direction (i.e., control of steering) In at least some examples the vehicle 1 has a third level of autonomy in which the ADAS is configured to control automated manoeuvring of the vehicle 1 with the first degree of freedom and the second degree of freedom and/or at a vehicle speed above the threshold and may include all 6 degrees of freedom considering general motion control requiring occupant signalling for example, to preview of future path of the vehicle 1 to mitigate against motion sickness for both passengers and drivers.

SAE International's J3016 defines six levels of driving automation for on-road vehicles. In certain embodiments, the levels of autonomy of the vehicle 1 correspond to one or more of the SAE levels of driving automation.

A handover process may be implemented for initiating a higher level of autonomy. For example, the handover process may move the vehicle 1 from a level of autonomy with one degree of freedom (e.g., longitudinal control) to a level of autonomy with two degrees of freedom (e.g., longitudinal control and lateral control). For example, the handover process may move the vehicle 1 from a level of autonomy with two degrees of freedom that is operable at a speed below a threshold to a level of autonomy with two degrees of freedom that is operable at a speed above a threshold. For example, the handover process may move the vehicle 1 from a level of autonomy of SAE level 2 or lower to SAE level 3.

The control system 300 may be configured to receive at least one signal indicative of a suitability of initiation of the higher level of autonomy. The received signal may be indicative of a vehicle characteristic. The received signal may be indicative of a user characteristic. The received signal may be indicative of an environment characteristic. The received signal may be from one or more sensors, or from another part of the control system 300 such as an algorithm that processes map data and/or dynamic data.

The control system 300 may be configured to output a driving mode signal to cause the vehicle 1 to initiate the higher level of autonomy. Initiating the higher level of autonomy may comprise a transition phase during which control of vehicle movement is transitioned away from the occupant to the control system 300. A duration of the transition phase may be dependent on one or more of the vehicle characteristic, the user characteristic or the environment characteristic to ensure a smooth transition.

The environment characteristic may be indicative of an environment external to the vehicle 1 and in the vicinity of the vehicle 1. The user characteristic may be indicative of a current user characteristic of the occupant of the vehicle 1 while the vehicle 1 is being driven by the occupant. The vehicle characteristic may be indicative of a current vehicle characteristic of the vehicle 1 while the vehicle 1 is being driven.

Once the transition phase is entered, control of the vehicle 1 moves away from the occupant and to the control system 300 of the vehicle 1. Once the transition phase is complete, the control system 300 controls or at least partially controls the vehicle 1 in the higher level of autonomy.

In certain circumstances, control may need to be at least partially handed back to the occupant by entering a lower level of autonomy.

The control system 300 may be configured to receive at least one further signal indicative of a requirement to initiate a lower level of autonomy. For example, the further signal may be indicative of a requirement to move the vehicle 1 from a level of autonomy with two degrees of freedom that is operable above a threshold speed to a level of autonomy with two degrees of freedom that is operable below the threshold speed. For example, the further signal may be indicative of a requirement to move the vehicle 1 from a level of autonomy with two degrees of freedom (e.g., longitudinal control and lateral control) to a level of autonomy with one degree of freedom (e.g., longitudinal control). For example, the further signal may be indicative of a requirement to move the vehicle 1 from SAE level 3 to SAE level 2 or a lower level of autonomy. The further signal may be indicative of a vehicle characteristic. The further signal may be indicative of a user characteristic. The further signal may be indicative of an environment characteristic. The further signal may be from a sensing means, or from another part of the control system 300 such as an algorithm that processes the map data and/or dynamic data.

The vehicle glazing panel illumination system 200 may serve to indicate the current level of autonomy of the vehicle 1 to other road users and/or occupants of the vehicle 1. In this use case, each level of autonomy of the vehicle 1 is associated with a colour of the light emitted by the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202. Optionally, the selection of colours may be binary. For example, the first level of autonomy may be associated with a first colour, the second level of autonomy may be associated with a second colour, and the third level of autonomy may be associated with a third colour. For example, SAE level 3 may be associated with a first colour, and levels of autonomy below SAE level 3 may be associated with a second colour. The colours may be at least A apart, wherein A is selected such that the emitted light may change between at least two different colours that are distinguishable to occupants of the vehicle 1 and/or other road users as defined by a 1-step MacAdam ellipse on the CIE1931 colour space.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method 500 for indicating a level of autonomy of the vehicle 1. The method 500 may be implemented by the control system 300 described above.

The method 500 starts at block 502, comprising receiving an input signal indicating that the level of autonomy of the vehicle 1 has changed. The input signal may be triggered automatically in dependence on the higher level of autonomy or the lower level of autonomy being initiated, or may be triggered upon satisfaction of a handover condition to a higher level of autonomy or prior to satisfaction of the handover condition. The input signal may be indicative of a commencement or completion of the transition phase.

In dependence on receiving the signal, the method moves to block 504. Block 504 of the method comprises determining a target colour of the emitted light, wherein the target colour of the emitted light corresponds to the colour associated with the changed mode of autonomy or level of autonomy of the vehicle 1.

At block 506, the method comprises outputting an output signal to control the vehicle-mounted illumination source 202 to change the colour of the emitted light to the target colour.

It is to be understood that the or each controller 301 can comprise a control unit or computational device having one or more electronic processors (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.), and may comprise a single control unit or computational device, or alternatively different functions of the or each controller 301 may be embodied in, or hosted in, different control units or computational devices. As used herein, the term "controller," "control unit," or "computational device" will be understood to include a single controller, control unit, or computational device, and a plurality of controllers, control units, or computational devices collectively operating to provide the required control functionality. A set of instructions could be provided which, when executed, cause the controller 301 to implement the control techniques described herein (including some or all of the functionality required for the method described herein). The set of instructions could be embedded in said one or more electronic processors of the controller 301; or alternatively, the set of instructions could be provided as software to be executed in the controller 301. A first controller or control unit may be implemented in software run on one or more processors. One or more other controllers or control units may be implemented in software run on one or more processors, optionally the same one or more processors as the first controller or control unit. Other arrangements are also useful.

In the example illustrated in Figure 6, the or each controller 301 comprises at least one electronic processor 304 having one or more electrical input(s) 310 for receiving one or more input signals, and one or more electrical output(s) 312 for outputting one or more output signals. The or each controller 301 further comprises at least one memory device 306 electrically coupled to the at least one electronic processor 304 and having instructions 308 stored therein. The at least one electronic processor 304 is configured to access the at least one memory device 306 and execute the instructions 308 thereon so as to receive an input signal indicating that the level of autonomy of the vehicle 1 has changed; in dependence on the input signal, determine a target colour of the emitted light, wherein the target colour of the emitted light corresponds to the colour associated with the changed level of autonomy of the vehicle 1; and output an output signal to control the illumination source to change the colour of the emitted light to the target colour.

The, or each, electronic processor 304 may comprise any suitable electronic processor (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an ASIC, etc.) that is configured to execute electronic instructions. The, or each, electronic memory device 306 may comprise any suitable memory device and may store a variety of data, information, threshold value(s), lookup tables or other data structures, and/or instructions therein or thereon. In an embodiment, the memory device 306 has information and instructions for software, firmware, programs, algorithms, scripts, applications, etc. stored therein or thereon that may govern all or part of the methodology described herein. The processor, or each, electronic processor 304 may access the memory device 306 and execute and/or use that or those instructions and information to carry out or perform some or all of the functionality and methodology describe herein.

The at least one memory device 306 may comprise a computer-readable storage medium (e.g. a non-transitory or non-transient storage medium) that may comprise any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine or electronic processors/computational devices, including, without limitation: a magnetic storage medium (e.g. floppy diskette); optical storage medium (e.g. CD-ROM); magneto optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g. EPROM and EEPROM); flash memory; or electrical or other types of medium for storing such information/instructions.

Example controllers 301 have been described comprising at least one electronic processor 304 configured to execute electronic instructions stored within at least one memory device 306, which when executed causes the electronic processor(s) 304 to carry out the method as hereinbefore described. However, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention can be realised in any suitable form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. For example, it is contemplated that the present invention is not limited to being implemented by way of programmable processing devices, and that at least some of, and in some embodiments all of, the functionality and or method steps of the present invention may equally be implemented by way of non-programmable hardware, such as by way of non-programmable ASIC, Boolean logic circuitry, etc. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

The blocks illustrated in FIG. 8 may represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer program 308. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some steps to be omitted.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vehicle glazing panel illumination system comprising: a vehicle-mounted illumination source configured to emit light to illuminate at least an edge region of a vehicle glazing panel, and controllable to vary the colour of the emitted light; and a vehicle glazing panel comprising a projection layer arrangement configured to direct the emitted light in an outboard direction away from an interior of the vehicle, to cause the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel to be illuminated, at a colour corresponding to the variable colour of the vehicle-mounted illumination source; wherein when the vehicle glazing panel is observed from outside the vehicle, when in use, the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel appears to be illuminated.
2. A vehicle glazing panel illumination system as claimed claim 1 for a vehicle with a plurality of levels of autonomy, comprising: a control system for associating each level of autonomy of the vehicle with a different colour of the emitted light, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system configured to: receive an input signal indicating that the level of autonomy of the vehicle has changed; in dependence on the input signal, determine a target colour of the emitted light, wherein the target colour of the emitted light corresponds to a colour associated with the changed level of autonomy of the vehicle; and output an output signal to control the vehicle-mounted illumination source to change the colour of the emitted light to the target colour.
3. A vehicle glazing panel illumination system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle-mounted illumination source comprises at least one variable light emitting diode arrangement, the at least one variable light emitting diode arrangement configured to emit light of at least two colours.
4. A vehicle glazing panel illumination system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle-mounted illumination source at least partially surrounds a perimeter of the vehicle glazing panel.
5. A vehicle glazing panel illumination system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle-mounted illumination source is controllable to vary an intensity of the emitted light in dependence upon a detected level of ambient light outside the vehicle.
6. A vehicle glazing panel illumination system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the projection layer arrangement is further configured to direct the emitted light in an inboard direction towards the interior of the vehicle.
7. A vehicle glazing panel illumination system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the projection layer arrangement comprises a variable transmittance layer having a variable degree of transparency dependent on a voltage applied to the variable transmittance layer.
8. A vehicle glazing panel illumination system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the projection layer arrangement comprises a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal device.
9. A vehicle glazing panel illumination system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the projection layer arrangement is laminated between transparent exterior glazing layers.
10. A vehicle glazing panel illumination system as claimed in any preceding claim, additionally comprising at least one heating layer.
11. A vehicle comprising the vehicle glazing panel illumination system of any preceding claim.
12. A method of indicating a level of autonomy of a vehicle with a plurality of levels of autonomy, the vehicle comprising a vehicle-mounted illumination source configured to emit light to illuminate at least an edge region of a vehicle glazing panel, and controllable to vary the colour of the emitted light within a visible spectrum, and a vehicle glazing panel comprising a projection layer arrangement configured to direct the emitted light in an outboard direction away from an interior of the vehicle, to cause the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel to be illuminated, at a colour corresponding to the variable colour of the vehicle-mounted illumination source, wherein when the vehicle glazing panel is observed from outside the vehicle, when in use, the edge region of the vehicle glazing panel appears to be illuminated, the method comprising: receiving an input signal indicating that the level of autonomy of the vehicle has changed; in dependence on the input signal, determining a target colour of the emitted light, wherein the target colour of the emitted light corresponds to a colour associated with the changed level of autonomy of the vehicle; and output an output signal to control the vehicle-mounted illumination source to change the colour of the emitted light to the target colour.
13. Computer software that, when executed, is arranged to perform a method according to claim 12.