Procedure for controlling the light width of a motor vehicle

• US 20070047244A1
• Filed: 08/23/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Eberhardt, Stefan
• Granted Patent: US 7,447,581 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/464
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/085 due to special conditions, e.g. adverse weather, type of road, badly illuminated road signs or potential dangers B60Q1/10, B60Q1/12, B60Q1/1423 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/10 due to vehicle inclination, e.g. due to load distribution
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/056 Special anti-blinding beams, e.g. a standard beam is chopped or moved in order not to blind
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/41 preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/42 oncoming vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/584 of vehicle lights or traffic lights

Abstract

In a method for traffic dependent light width adjustment of light width for headlights in a motor vehicle, at least two image capturing units are provided whose pictures are forwarded to a control unit for evaluation. A control unit for controlling the light width of the headlights is provided, and on the basis of the captured pictures of both image capturing units a classification of the light sources outside of the vehicle is conducted. A distinction is made between oncoming, standing, and distancing light sources. With this classification the light width of the headlights is adjusted.

Claims

1. A method for traffic dependent adjustment of light width for headlights in a motor vehicle, said method comprising:

providing at least two image capturing units;

forwarding images from the imaging units to a control unit for evaluation;

said control unit controlling at least one of light width of the headlights and the form of the lighting;

based on captured images from both image capturing units, classifying light sources outside of the vehicle; and

based on said classification adapting at least one of light width regulation and shape of lighting of the headlights; and

controlling the headlights accordingly.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

traffic dependent light width adjustment is conducted only if the following conditions are satisfied, i) the presence of images of at least two image capturing units, ii) environmental lighting is below a presettable environmental lighting and iii) vehicle speed is below a presettable value; and

when said conditions are not satisfied, a dynamic light width regulation is performed which takes into account only other parameters that are available in the vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

a captured light source is differentiated as between public lighting, reflectors, mirrors, unknown lighting, headlights, and back lights; and

headlights, back lights, and unknown light sources are a relevant light source for the traffic dependent light width adjustment.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein according to the recognition of several light sources, the headlights are adjusted to a lowest permissible light source.