This relates generally to automatic adaptive headlight control for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a headlight capable of dynamic and automatic adjustment responsive to one or more detected conditions.
Vehicles, especially automobiles, increasingly include various sensors for detecting and gathering information about the vehicles' surroundings. Autonomous vehicles can use such information for performing autonomous driving operations. However, existing autonomous driving solutions are limited in their ability to comprehensively and effectively address and optimize for various conditions encountered by the vehicles in their surroundings.
Examples of the disclosure are directed to automatic adaptive headlight control for a vehicle. The system can detect one or more conditions, such as presence of a nearby object and/or poor visibility. The headlight can account for the one or more conditions by dynamically and automatically adjusting the total intensity of light output from the headlight, creating one or more different patterns of intensity of light, emitting different colors of light, or a combination thereof.
In the following description of examples, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which it is shown by way of illustration specific examples that can be practiced. It is to be understood that other examples can be used and structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosed examples.
Some vehicles, such as automobiles, may include various sensors for detecting and gathering information about the vehicles' surroundings. Autonomous vehicles can use such information for performing autonomous driving operations. However, existing autonomous driving solutions are limited in their ability to comprehensively and effectively address and optimize for various conditions encountered by the vehicles in their surroundings.
Examples of the disclosure are directed to automatic adaptive headlight control. The system can detect one or more conditions, such as the presence of a nearby object and/or poor visibility. The headlight can account for the one or more conditions by dynamically and/or automatically adjusting the total intensity of light output from the headlight, creating different patterns of intensity of light, emitting different colors of light, or a combination thereof.
In some examples, manual adjustment of the intensity of the headbeams may be cumbersome, ineffective, or both. The user may forget to switch the headbeams, or the levels of intensity may limit the user's visibility. Automatic adaptive headlights 102 can alleviate some or all of these limitations, which vehicle 100 can include. Headlights 102 can be capable of sensing the presence of one or more objects, such as vehicle 140, and automatically adjusting the overall intensity, shape, and/or size of the projected head beam 104 emitted from headbeams 102. In some examples, sensing the presence of one or more objects can include sensing visible light emitted from the object. In some examples, sensing the presence of one or more objects can include sensing the object using other detection means (e.g., infrared emissions or color contrast). While the examples of the disclosure will be described in the context of headlights 102 being capable of sensing various conditions in the surroundings of vehicle 100 (e.g., the presence of one or more objects, such as vehicle 140), it is understood that in some examples, vehicle 100, using additional or alternative sensors outside of headlights 102, can sense the various conditions in the surroundings of the vehicle. For example, vehicle 100 can utilize one or more sensors (e.g., LIDAR, radar, ultrasonic sensors, cameras, etc.) it uses for other purposes (e.g., autonomous driving operations) to control the operation of headlights 102, as described herein.
In some examples, headlight 202 can be coupled to one or more processors configured for receiving the generated signal from sensors 208 (step 254 of process 250). In response to the generated signal, the one or more processors can be configured for adjusting one or more signals applied to one or more of the plurality of light emitters 206 (step 256 of process 250). The one or more adjusted signals can be applied to plurality of light emitters 206 (step 258 of process 250). Plurality of light emitters 206 can emit light with one or more intensities based on the one or more adjusted signals (step 260 of process 250). In some examples, the process can be repeated after a predetermined time interval (step 262 of process 250). In some examples, sensors 208 can be configured to continually determine whether one or more objects are present, and the one or more signals applied to plurality of light emitters 206 may not be adjusted unless sensors 208 detect a change in sensed information. In some examples, sensors 208 can determine the velocity of the oncoming object and can adjust the intensity of light emitted by the headlights based on the velocity. For example, sensors 208 can determine that an oncoming vehicle is approaching and can gradually decrease the intensity of light as the oncoming vehicle gets closer and closer.
For example, plurality of light sensors 208 can detect lights from oncoming traffic and can generate a signal in response to the detected lights. The processor can be configured to adjust the current(s) applied to light emitters 206 based on the generated signal (e.g., lower the applied current to dim/lower the intensity of the light from light emitters 206 to prevent glare). Sensing and adjusting can be automatic and/or dynamic.
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In some examples, plurality of light emitters 206 can be an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs). In response to one or more signals generated by sensors 208, the intensity of light emitted by one or more of the plurality of light emitters 206 can be individually adjusted (e.g., light emitters in a certain portion of headlight 202 can emit more light than light emitters in a different portion of the headlight, depending on the adjusted signals determined by the one or more processors at 256). Adjusting the intensity can include adjusting the applied current to the LEDs and/or using pulse-width modulation methods. In some examples, the adjusted intensities can include a plurality of discrete levels of intensities. In some examples, the adjusted intensity can be included in a continuum of intensities and can be related to the information detected by sensors 208. The headlight can adjust the intensity at any location or section within the headlight. For example, if the object is located closer to the center of the headlight, the center plurality of light emitters can be adjusted. In some examples, if the object is located closer to the center of the front of the vehicle (i.e., inner edges of the headlight), the plurality of light emitters located near the inner edges can be adjusted. Various circumstances in which headlight 202 can be adjusted, and the manners of such adjustments, will be described in more detail later.
In some examples, headlight 302 can be coupled to one or more processors configured for receiving the generated signal from sensors 308 (step 354 of process 350). In response to the generated signal, the one or more processors can determine the one or more adjusted signals applied to backlight 312 (step 356 of process 350), the one or more adjusted signals applied to the pair of electrodes coupled to liquid crystal element 310 (step 358 of process 350), or both. In some examples, liquid crystal element 310, backlight 312, or both can include a plurality of sections. Signals to one or more of the plurality of sections can be adjusted. In some examples, the plurality of sections can form a matrix of rows and columns. Light can exit liquid crystal element 310 with one or more intensities based on the one or more adjusted signals (step 360 of process 350). In some examples, the process can be repeated after a predetermined time interval (step 362 of process 350). In some examples, sensors 308 can be configured to continually determine whether one or more objects are present and the one or more signals applied to plurality of light emitters may not be adjusted unless sensors 308 detect a change in information. Various circumstances in which headlight 302 can be adjusted, and the manners of such adjustments, will be described in more detail later.
In some examples, the intensity of the light can be adjusted by activating one or more of the plurality of light emitters and deactivating others of the plurality of light emitters.
In some examples, the plurality of light emitters or liquid crystal element can form any type of pattern. For example, one or more sections can be dimmed, while one or more sections can be illuminated.
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In some examples, the sensors can be configured to detect one or more objects and can reconfigure the headlight pattern and/or one or more light intensities to notify or warn the object of the approaching vehicle. In some examples, the headlights can be configured to provide the warning in one or more areas/sections, while continuing normal operation in other areas/sections. For example, the headlights can be configured with low (or mid) intensity light in areas where the oncoming car is located to prevent glare, but high intensity light in other areas to direct the oncoming car to an alternative route. In some examples, the headlights can be configured to emit high intensity light at one or more objects, such as a deer, to alert the object of the vehicle's presence (or to alert the driver of the object's presence), but low (or mid) intensity light in other areas to ensure the driver has good visibility. In some examples, notifying or warning the object can include an audible alert (e.g., activating the vehicle's horn). In some examples, the sensors can be configured to detect one or more objects and can reconfigure the head beam pattern and/or one or more light intensities to prevent a sudden shock to the object (e.g., pedestrian or deer). For example, the headlight can be configured with a gradient intensity pattern (e.g., high intensity light towards the center of the vehicle and low intensity light towards the sides of the vehicle) such that the object can realize that the vehicle is approaching (with the high intensity light), while also being able to discern the shape and location of the body of the vehicle (with the low intensity light). In some examples, the sensors can be configured to detect one or more sections of poor visibility (e.g., brightness lower than a brightness threshold in one or more sections of the vehicle's surroundings) and can reconfigure the headlight pattern and/or one or more light intensities to enhance the user's visibility of those one or more sections (e.g., the headlights can be configured to increase the illumination of those one or more sections).
In some examples, the sensors can be configured to detect the reflections of a vehicle's own light emission from the headlight. The headlights can reconfigure the head beam pattern and/or one or more light intensities to reduce the intensity of emitted light by one or more sections of the headlight that are causing the reflections, to prevent obstruction of the driver's view by reflections of its own vehicle's headlights. For example, a vehicle's headlights may be reflecting off a metal building. The reflections of the vehicle's headlights may be sensed by the sensors. The headlights may then reduce the intensity of one or more sensors and/or change one or more patterns of the headlights.
In some examples, the one or more sections of the headlight can dynamically alter the wavelengths (e.g., colors) of light generated by those sections. For example, the headlight can be divided into a plurality of sections, such that each section can emit independent wavelengths (e.g., colors) of light, whether the same or different from other sections. For example, human eyes can be more sensitive to yellow light. Thus, the plurality of light emitters that are located closer to the driver's side of the oncoming car can be configured to emit yellow light and illuminate the oncoming car with the yellow light to draw the driver's attention to the oncoming car. Other sections of the headlight can continue to emit white (or near white) light. In some examples, colors of light emitted in one or more sections can be based on visibility. In some examples, colors of light emitted in one or more sections can be based on warning or alerting one or more objects (e.g., red light in areas where the object is located). In some examples, colors of light emitted in one or more sections can be used for steering (e.g., red light in areas of the road that the driver should avoid, such as a patch of ice, and green light in other areas of the road).
Vehicle control system 500 can include an on-board computer 510 that is coupled to the cameras 506, sensors 507, GPS receiver 508, and headlights 504, and that is capable of receiving the image data from the cameras and/or outputs from the sensors 507, the GPS receiver 508 and the headlights 504. The on-board computer 510 can be capable of controlling operation and/or programming the headlights 504 as described in this disclosure. On-board computer 510 can include storage 512, memory 516, and a processor 514. Processor 514 can perform any of the methods described in this disclosure, including those described with reference to
In some examples, the vehicle control system 500 can be connected to (e.g., via controller 520) one or more actuator systems 530 in the vehicle and one or more indicator systems 540 in the vehicle. The one or more actuator systems 530 can include, but are not limited to, a motor 531 or engine 532, battery system 533, transmission gearing 534, suspension setup 535, brakes 536, steering system 537 and door system 538. The vehicle control system 500 can control, via controller 520, one or more of these actuator systems 530 during vehicle operation; for example, to open or close one or more of the doors of the vehicle using the door actuator system 538, to control the vehicle during autonomous driving or parking operations using the motor 531 or engine 532, battery system 533, transmission gearing 534, suspension setup 535, brakes 536 and/or steering system 537, etc. The one or more indicator systems 540 can include, but are not limited to, one or more speakers 541 in the vehicle (e.g., as part of an entertainment system in the vehicle), one or more lights 542 in the vehicle, one or more displays 543 in the vehicle (e.g., as part of a control or entertainment system in the vehicle) and one or more tactile actuators 544 in the vehicle (e.g., as part of a steering wheel or seat in the vehicle). The vehicle control system 500 can control, via controller 520, one or more of these indicator systems 540 to provide indications to a user of the vehicle of the operation or programming of headlights 504 controlled by the on-board computer 510 (e.g., to alert the user that programming of the headlights is complete).
A system is disclosed. The system can comprise: a plurality of light emitters included in a headlight of a vehicle, the plurality of light emitters configured for emitting light, wherein each light emitter is capable of being independently controlled; one or more sensors configured for detecting a condition in the vehicle's surroundings; and a processor coupled to the plurality of light emitters and the one or more light sensors, the processor configured to: transmit one or more first signals to the plurality of light emitters, the one or more first signals associated with one or more intensities of the plurality of light emitters, receive one or more second signals from the one or more sensors, the one or more second signals including information associated with detected location, velocity, or both, and dynamically adjust the one or more intensities and the one or more first signals based on the one or more second signals. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the plurality of light emitters comprises an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs). Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the one or more sensors are included in the headlight. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the one or more sensors are included in a component external to the headlight. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the plurality of light emitters include a plurality of first light emitters and a plurality of second light emitters, the plurality of first light emitters interleaved with the plurality of second light emitters, wherein the processor is further configured to: activate the plurality of first light emitters, and deactivate the plurality of second light emitters. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the plurality of first light emitters interleaved with the plurality of second light emitters forms a checkerboard pattern. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the plurality of first light emitters emits white or near white light and at least one of the plurality of emitters emits yellow light. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, dynamically adjusting the one or more intensities includes gradually increasing the intensity as the one or more sensors detects another vehicle approaching. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, dynamically adjusting the one or more intensities includes creating a gradient intensity pattern in response to a presence of an object, the gradient intensity pattern including high intensity light emitted towards locations of the object and low intensity light emitted in other locations.
A system is disclosed. The system can comprise: a backlight included in a headlight of a vehicle, the backlight configured to emit light; a liquid crystal element included in the headlight, coupled to a plurality of electrodes, and configured to allow light emitted from the backlight to transmit through, wherein an amount of light allowed to transmit through is based on a voltage difference applied to the plurality of electrodes; one or more sensors configured to detect a condition in the vehicle's surroundings; and a processor coupled to the backlight, the liquid crystal element, and the one or more sensors, the processor configured to: transmit one or more first signals to the backlight, the liquid crystal element, or both, the one or more first signals associated with one or more intensities of light emitted by the system, receive one or more second signals from the one or more sensors, the one or more second signals including information associated with detected location, velocity, or both, and dynamically adjust the one or more first signals based on the one or more second signals. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the one or more sensors are included in the headlight. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the one or more first signals are transmitted to the backlight and include one or more currents to control an intensity of light emitted by the backlight. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the one or more first signals are transmitted to the plurality of electrodes included in the liquid crystal element and include one or more voltage values to control an intensity of light allowed to transmit through the liquid crystal element.
A method is disclosed. The method can comprise: applying one or more currents or voltages to one or more optical elements, the one or more currents or voltages associated with one or more intensities of light emitted by a headlight included in a vehicle, detecting information using one or more sensors, the information associated with a detected condition in the vehicle's surroundings, and dynamically adjust the one or more currents or voltages based on the one or more second signals. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the condition includes a presence of a nearby object based on a contrast or infrared emissions. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, applying the one or more currents or voltages to the one or more optical elements includes applying the one or more currents to a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or one or more sections of a backlight or one or more voltages to a plurality of electrodes included in a liquid crystal element. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, applying one or more currents or voltages to the one or more optical elements includes: applying one or more first currents or voltages to a first one or more optical elements, and applying one or more second currents or voltages to a second one or more optical elements, the one or more second currents or voltages different than the one or more first currents or voltages. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, applying one or more currents or voltages to the one or more optical elements includes: modulating the one or more currents at a duty cycle, the duty cycle associated with the intensities of light emitted by the headlight. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the method further comprises: activating a horn in response to the detected condition, wherein the detected condition includes a presence of a nearby object. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the detected condition includes a visibility, the method further comprises: determining whether the visibility is less than a pre-determined threshold, wherein dynamically adjusting the one or more currents or voltages is further based on the visibility.
Although examples of this disclosure have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of examples of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/345,616, filed Jun. 3, 2016, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62345616 | Jun 2016 | US |