• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    16 SUMMARY Method (600) and control unit (700) for assisting a driver of a vehicle (100) in observing arelevant traffic related object (120) on, or in vicinity of a road (110). The method (400)comprises: detecting (402) a traffic related object (120) ahead in the driving direction (105)of the vehicle (100); determining (403) if the detected (402) traffic related object (120) isrelevant; and directing (404) at least a segment of the vehicle headlights (140) towards thedetected (402) traffic related object (120) when said object (120) is determined to be rele- vant. (Pubi. Fig. 1)
    公开号:SE1550102A1
    申请号:SE1550102
    申请日:2015-02-02
    公开日:2016-08-03
    发明作者:Claesson André
    申请人:Scania Cv Ab；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    1 METHOD AND CONTROL UNIT FOR ILLUMINATING OBJECTS TECHNICAL FIELD This document discloses a method and a control unit. More particularly, a method and a control unit is described, for assisting a driver of a vehicle in observing a relevant traffic related object, by directing at least a segment of the vehicle headlights towards the relevant traffic related object.
    BACKGROUND 10 Vehicle drivers often have to drive their vehicles in darkness and/ or other situations with reduced visibility, such as e.g. cloudy sky in combination with heavy rain, hail, snow, blizzard, fog, smoke, pollution, or similar weather conditions.
    In such reduced visibility situations, the driver may not see relevant information such as traffic signs, road signs etc.
    The problem for the driver is not only the darkness in itself, but the lights of the vehicle are usually arranged for illuminating the drive way, not traffic signs which usually are situated on poles approximately 2-3 meters above the ground. Also, the driver may become dazzled by the headlights of a meeting vehicle driving in opposite direction. Thus when driving at night time, the eyes of the driver continuously has to adapt to the varying light conditions, which may be a problem in particular for elderly drivers, or people suffering from shortage of vitamin A. Some drivers may also suffer from nyctalopia, or night blindness, which is a condition making it difficult or impossible to see in relatively low light. It is a symptom of several eye diseases. Night blindness may exist from birth, or be caused by injury or malnutrition, and it can be described as insufficient adaptation to darkness.
    To continuously drive with the headlights on may solve the problem of being able to see traffic signs on the road side. However, other road users may be dazzled, so it is not a feasible (or legal) solution.
    As not being able to see a traffic sign, or other relevant traffic related information may affect the driving and traffic security, it would be desired to find a solution to the above described problem. 2 SUMMARY It is therefore an object of this invention to solve at least some of the above problems and improve traffic security, in particular when driving in poor visibility.
    According to a first aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a method in a vehicle, for assisting a driver of a vehicle in observing a relevant traffic related object on, or in vicinity of a road. The method comprises detecting a traffic related object ahead in the driving direction of the vehicle. Further the method comprises determining if the detected traffic related object is relevant. The method additionally comprises directing at least a segment 10 of the vehicle headlights towards the detected traffic related object when said object is determined to be relevant.
    According to a second aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a control unit in a vehicle. The control unit is configured for assisting a driver of a vehicle in observing a relevant traffic related object on, or in vicinity of a road in a reduced visibility situation. The control unit comprises a processing circuit configured for detecting a traffic related object ahead in the driving direction of the vehicle, via a sensor. The processing circuit is also configured for determining if the detected traffic related object is relevant. In addition, the processing circuit is also additionally configured for generating control signals for directing at least a segment of the vehicle headlights towards the detected traffic related object when said object is determined to be relevant.
    Thanks to the described aspects, a driver in a vehicle approaching a traffic related object such as a traffic sign, a cross walk or similar, is alerted on the traffic related object as it is illuminated by a segment of the headlights. Thus the risk of the driver not observing e.g. a traffic sign is reduced, when driving in a reduced visibility situation. Thus increased traffic security is achieved.
    Other advantages and additional novel features will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description.
    FIGURES Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1illustrates an example of a vehicle equipped with an embodiment of the in- vention; 3 Figure 2illustrates an example of a vehicle equipped with an embodiment of the in- vention; Figure 3illustrates an example of a vehicle equipped with an embodiment of the in- vention; Figure 4is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the method; Figure is an illustration depicting a system according to an embodiment.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of the invention described herein are defined as a method, a control unit and 10 a system, which may be put into practice in the embodiments described below. These embodiments may, however, be exemplified and realised in many different forms and are not to be limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these illustrative examples of embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete.
    Still other objects and features may become apparent from the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the herein disclosed embodiments, for which reference is to be made to the appended claims. Further, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale 20 and, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.
    Figure 1 illustrates a scenario with a vehicle 100 driving in a driving direction 10on a road 110, approaching a traffic related object 1such as e.g. a traffic sign. The vehicle 100 25 comprises a sensor 130, configured for detecting traffic related objects 120 in the driving direction 105 of the vehicle 100. Further, the vehicle 100 comprises headlights 140, for illuminating the road 110 ahead of the vehicle 100 in the driving direction 105. However, a segment of the headlights 140 may be directed towards the traffic sign 120, detected by the sensor 130, for illuminating it. Further, in some embodiments, the vehicle 100 may comprise a light sensor 150, for determining low light and/ or obscure light conditions, such as at night time, in twilight, in fog, or when the sun is concealed with clouds.
    The vehicle 100 may comprise a truck, a bus, a car, a motorcycle, or similar means of conveyance. 4 The headlights 140 typically comprises two projection headlights being spaced apart from each other, which are arranged in the front of the vehicle 100 at the right and left sides respectively and which each may form a headlight unit. Alternatively, the headlights 140 may comprise a plurality of projection headlights arranged in the front and/ or at the roof of the vehicle 100.
    The headlights 140 may comprise "smart" lights on the vehicle 100. This means that the front headlights 140 can be adapted and optimised dependent on the surrounding. It may for example, in some embodiments be possible to keep the high beam even if the vehicle 10 100 meets another vehicle on the road 110, without dazzle the driver of the meeting vehicle. This is realisable by turning of segments of the headlights 140. Such adaptive headlights 140 may further e.g. cast their beam in the direction of a curve and ensure better visibility and more safety during night drives on winding roads.
    The headlights 140 may thus comprise a plurality of segments, which may be directed towards an object 120, independently from each other. The headlights 140 may for example, but not necessarily comprise a plurality of Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lamp units. In other embodiments, the headlights 140 may comprise xenon lights, High-Intensity Discharge lamps (HID), Halogen Infrared Reflective (HIR) lamps, tungsten-halogen lamps and/ or tungsten lamps, or similar kinds of lamps. The headlights 140 may sometimes also be referred to as headlamps.
    Thus when the sensor 130, which may comprise a forward-facing camera in the driver area of the vehicle 100, detects the traffic related object 120 such as a traffic sign, information from additional sensors in the vehicle 100 may be collected, such as e.g. speed, steering angle and yaw (degree of rotation around the vertical axis). Based on this information, small electric motors turn at least one segment of the headlights 140 left or right (typically right), and/ or up or down (typically up) so that a part of the light beam falls on the traffic sign 120.
    In some embodiments, different segments of the headlights 140 may be directed towards different detected traffic related objects 120 simultaneously.
    Besides comprising a camera, the sensor 130 in other embodiments may comprise e.g. a stereo camera, a film camera, or similar device based on radar, infra-red light or micro waves.
    In some embodiments, the sensor 130 may comprise, or cooperate with another sensor based on laser, radar or microwaves, for determining the distance to the traffic related object 120. This information may be utilised for correctly direct the segment of the light beam towards the traffic related object 120 while driving.
    According to some embodiments, the sensor 130 may comprise camera, laser or radar sensors already existing on the vehicle 100, for other driving assistance functions. By reusing already existing equipment on the vehicle 100 also for detecting traffic signs 120 and controlling the headlights 140, a great advantage is achieved from a traffic security point of 10 view, without additional hardware costs.
    In some embodiments, the traffic related object 120 which is lit up/ flashed by the headlights 140 may comprise e.g. passengers on a bus stop shall enter the vehicle 100 (in case the vehicle 100 is a bus).
    In some embodiments, the traffic related object 120 may comprise a traffic sign which is considered in particular relevant due to an ongoing, or future traffic violation such as e.g. road load class overload, over speeding, or when there is an increased risk of an upcoming dangerous situation such as e.g. when there is a risk for a danger situation due to e.g. to high speed in oncoming curve, road crosswalk with people, vehicle higher that the oncoming viaduct, wild animals beside the road 110 ahead etc.
    Thereby, the driver's attention is directed towards the traffic related object 120 and the potential danger it represents. Thus driving at night, or in poor visibility conditions becomes safer.
    An advantage with having a light sensor 150 is that the method may be activated only when darkness and/ or poor visibility is detected, in some embodiments. Thereby energy may be saved, as the driver anyway may see the surrounding traffic related objects 120 in daylight. Alternatively, a warning sound, a spoken message, a tactile signal or a text message on a display may be emitted in any of the above described situations in some embodiments, during daylight. The light sensor 150 may comprise a photo detector.
    The optional light sensor 150 generates an output signal indicating the intensity of light by measuring the radiant energy that exists in the range of frequencies basically called "light", and which ranges in frequency from "Infra-red" to "Visible" up to "Ultraviolet" light spectrum. 6 The light sensor 150 is a passive device that convert "light energy" whether visible or in the infra-red parts of the spectrum into an electrical signal output. Light sensors 150 may sometimes also be known as "Photoelectric Devices" or "Photo Sensors" because they convert light energy (photons) into electricity (electrons). Further, the light sensor 150 may generate electricity when illuminated, such as Photo-voltaics or Photo-emissives etc. Alternatively, the light sensor 150 may change their electrical properties in some way such as Photo-resistors or Photo-conductors.
    Figure 2 illustrates an example of how the previously scenario in Figure 1 may be per-10 ceived by the driver of the vehicle 100, approaching a traffic related object 120, here represented by a pedestrian crossing and a traffic sign.
    The traffic related object 120 is detected by the sensor 130 in the vehicle 100. The sensor 130 may be based on e.g. colour based detection methods, shape based detection of traffic signs, based on machine learning, or a combination thereof.
    The identification of the road signs may be achieved by two main stages: detection, and recognition. In the detection phase, the image is pre-processed, enhanced, and segmented according to the sign properties such as colour or shape. Further, traffic signs may be categorised into e.g. danger warning signs, priority signs, prohibitory or restrictive signs, mandatory signs, special regulation signs, information, facilities, or service signs, direction, position, or indication signs and/ or additional panels. Based on the category, the traffic sign 120 may be recognised as relevant or important.
    Further, the vehicle 100 comprises a control unit 200, configured for assisting the driver of the vehicle 100 in observing a relevant traffic related object 120 on, or in vicinity of the road 110 in a reduced visibility situation. The control unit 200 retrieves sensor signals from the sensor 130 and analyse those signals in some embodiments, for estimating their relevance for the vehicle 100. Thereby, the traffic related object 120 may be categorised as important, or non-important, based on the type of vehicle 100, physical properties of the vehicle 100 such as weight or height, speed etc. Further, some types of traffic related objects 120 may always be categorised as important, such as e.g. crosswalks, when driving against the driving direction on a one way road, "Do not enter" signs, etc.
    By categorising some traffic related objects 120 as important, and also direct at least a segment of the headlights 140 only to the traffic related objects 120 categorised as impor- 7 tant, it may be assured that the driver attend the road sign, or corresponding traffic related feature.
    Thus, an advantage with illuminating not all detected traffic related objects 120, but only 5 the ones considered really relevant for the vehicle 100 and its driver reduces the risk that the driver neglects the traffic sign 120.
    In some embodiments, different segments of the headlight 140 may be directed into different directions, such that one segment is directed towards the traffic sign 120, another seg- 10 ment may be directed towards the left side of the street, where the cross walk starts and yet another segment may be directed towards the right side of the street, at the cross walk end. Thereby, pedestrians walking in darkness may be detected, also when they do not carry retroreflector (sometimes called a retroflector or cataphote).
    Figure 3 schematically illustrates a scenario, similar to the previously discussed scenario illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, but seen from an above perspective.
    At least a segment of the vehicle headlights 140 is directed towards the detected traffic related object 120. However, in this embodiment the vehicle headlights 140, or a segment 20 thereof, are flashing. Thus the driver's attention may be further directed towards the traffic sign 120. Thereby an escalation may be achieved.
    Flashing with the vehicle headlights 140 may be in particular effective when driving in dark or obscure light conditions, such as at night time, in twilight, in fog, or when the sun is con-cealed with clouds.
    Upon detecting the traffic related object 120, the driver may be attended to the approaching potential danger in some embodiments, e.g. by a text message on a screen in the driver area in the vehicle 100, an acoustic warning from a loudspeaker in the driver area of the 30 vehicle 100, a haptic signal or tactile feedback in the steering wheel, driver seat or similar.
    Further, in some embodiments when the vehicle 100 is driving with the low beam on, e.g. in bad light condition, in twilight etc., flashing may be made with the segment of the vehicle headlights 140 directed towards the detected traffic related object 120, between high beam and low beam, while the other segments of the headlights 140 directed towards the road 110 may be held constantly on low beam, in some embodiments. Thereby, the driver's attention may be caught, without dazzling or disturbing any other road user. 8 Figure 4 illustrates an example of a method 400 according to an embodiment. The flow chart in Figure 4 shows the method 400 for use in a vehicle 100 for assisting a driver of the vehicle 100 in observing a relevant traffic related object 120 on, or in vicinity of a road 110, e.g. in a reduced visibility situation, in twilight, at night, in rain, in fog, in snow or similar weather conditions.
    Such traffic related object 120 may comprise a potential vehicle stop, such as a bus stop, loading dock, driveway, garage entrance or similar in some embodiments. The traffic re-10 lated object 120 may comprise a traffic sign in some embodiments.
    In order to correctly be able to assist the driver in observing a relevant traffic related object 120, the method 400 may comprise a number of steps 401-405. However, some of these steps 401-405 may be performed solely in some alternative embodiments, like e.g. step 401 or 405. Further, the described steps 401-405 may be performed in a somewhat different chronological order than the numbering suggests. The method 400 may comprise the subsequent steps: Step 401 may be performed only in some particular embodiments. Step 401 comprises 20 detecting a reduced visibility situation by means of a light sensor 150 and activating the method 400 only when reduced visibility is detected.
    Thus the method 400 according to some embodiments may be performed only when the light detected by the light sensor 150 is lower than a threshold value. Thereby energy is saved, as enlightening the traffic related object 120 is superfluous in daylight. In some alternative embodiments, the driver may be informed by other means of the traffic related object 120, i.e. by an auditive signal, voice message, a tactile signal, a message on the display etc.
    Step 402 comprises detecting the traffic related object 120 ahead in the driving direction 105 of the vehicle 100.
    The traffic related object 120 may be detected by the sensor 130, which may comprise a front camera in the vehicle 100, which together with image interpreting logic in the control unit 200 may detect the traffic related object 120.
    Step 403 comprises determining if the detected 402 traffic related object 120 is relevant. 9 The relevance of the detected 402 traffic related object 120 may be determined by the control unit 200.
    The step of determining if the detected 402 traffic related object 120 is relevant may comprise recognising the type of the traffic sign and determining that said traffic sign is relevant when it either is identified as a particular type of traffic sign, or when the traffic sign carry information informing about an upcoming traffic violation, when compared to obtained traffic related vehicle data.
    Thus "relevant" in this context may indicate that the traffic related object 120 is relevant for the particular situation for the vehicle 100, such as e.g. enlightening a bus stop with passengers waiting in case the vehicle 100 is a bus, but not when the vehicle 100 is a motorcycle, for example.
    The mentioned particular set of traffic signs may comprise e.g. prohibition signs, crosswalk signs, speed limit signs. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the particular set of traffic signs may be configurable.
    The upcoming traffic violation may comprise over speeding when the obtained velocity of the vehicle 100 exceeds a speed limit of a detected speed limit sign, road load class overload when the weight of the vehicle 100 exceeds a road load limit of a detected road sign, an oncoming viaduct being lower than the height of the vehicle 100, or similar.
    There by the driver's attention is directed towards the upcoming traffic violation which may be potentially dangerous and accident causing. Thus a possible accident may be avoided.
    Step 404 comprises directing at least a segment of the vehicle headlights 140 towards the detected 402 traffic related object 120 when said object 120 is determined to be relevant.
    In some embodiments, escalated warnings may be added when the driver of the vehicle 100 does not react on the redirection of at least a segment of the vehicle headlights 140 towards the detected 402 traffic related object 120 when said object 120 is determined to be relevant, by adding vibrations and/ or acoustic signals for alerting the driver.
    Step 40may be performed only in some particular embodiments of the method 400. The optional step 405 may comprise flashing with at least a segment of the vehicle headlights 140 directed 404 towards the detected 402 traffic related object 120.
    Figure illustrates an embodiment of a system 500 for assisting a driver of a vehicle 100 in observing a relevant traffic related object 120 on, or in vicinity of a road 110. The system 500 may perform at least some of the previously described steps 401-405 according to the method 400 described above and illustrated in Figure 4. 10 The system 500 may comprise a control unit 200 in the vehicle 100, configured for assisting a driver of a vehicle 100 in observing a relevant traffic related object 120 on, or in vicinity of a road 110 in a reduced visibility situation. The control unit 200 comprises a processing circuit 5configured for detecting a traffic related object 120 ahead in the driving direction 105 of the vehicle 100, via a sensor 130. The processing circuit 520 is also config- ured for determining if the detected 402 traffic related object 120 is relevant. In addition, the control unit 200 is further configured for generating control signals for directing at least a segment of the vehicle headlights 140 towards the detected traffic related object 120 when said object 120 is determined to be relevant.
    In some embodiments, the processing circuit 520 may be configured to detect reduced visibility situation by receiving signals from a light sensor 150 and activating the method 400 only when reduced visibility is detected.
    In addition, in some embodiments, the processing circuit 520 may be configured for generating control signals for flashing with at least a segment of the vehicle headlights 140 directed 404 towards the detected 402 traffic related object 120.
    Such processing circuit 520 may comprise one or more instances of a processing circuit, i.e. a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a processing unit, a processing circuit, a processor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, or other processing logic that may interpret and execute instructions. The herein utilised expression "processor" may thus represent a processing circuitry comprising a plurality of processing circuits, such as, e.g., any, some or all of the ones enumerated above.
    The control unit 200 also comprises a receiving circuit 5configured for receiving a signal from the sensor 130, indicating presence of the traffic related object 120 in the vicinity of the vehicle 100, detected by the sensor 130. The receiving circuit 510 may in some em- 11 bodiments be configured for receiving signals from an optional light sensor 150 on the vehicle 100.
    Furthermore, the control unit 200 may comprise a memory 5in some embodiments. The optional memory 525 may comprise a physical device utilised to store data or programs, i.e., sequences of instructions, on a temporary or permanent basis. According to some embodiments, the memory 525 may comprise integrated circuits comprising silicon-based transistors. The memory 525 may comprise e.g. a memory card, a flash memory, a USB memory, a hard disc, or another similar volatile or non-volatile storage unit for storing data 10 such as e.g. ROM (Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable PROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), etc. in different embodiments.
    Further, the control unit 200 may comprise a signal transmitter 530. The signal transmitter 530 may be configured for transmitting a control signal to be received by one or several motors or similar directing devices for directing at least a segment of the headlights 140 towards the detected traffic related object 120.
    The system 500 additionally comprises a sensor 130, configured for detecting a traffic re- lated object 120 ahead in the driving direction 105 of the vehicle 100. Also, the system 500 comprises vehicle headlights 140 configured for directing at least a segment of the vehicle headlights 140 towards the traffic related object 120. The system 500 may in some embodiments also comprise a light sensor 150.
    However, in some alternative embodiments, the system 500 may comprise additional units for performing the method 400 according to steps 401-405.
    The above described steps 401-405 to be performed in the system 500 may be implemented through the one or more processing circuits 520 within the control unit 200, to- gether with computer program product for performing at least some of the functions of the steps 401-405. Thus a computer program product, comprising instructions for performing the steps 401-405 in the control unit 200 may perform the method 400 comprising at least some of the steps 401-405 for assisting the driver of the vehicle 100 in observing a relevant traffic related object 120 on, or in vicinity of a road 110. 12 Further, some embodiments may comprise a vehicle 100, comprising a system 500, configured for assisting the driver of the vehicle 100 in observing a relevant traffic related object 120 on, or in vicinity of a road 110, according to at least some of the steps 401-405.
    The computer program product mentioned above may be provided for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing at least some of the step 401-405 according to some embodiments when being loaded into the one or more processing circuits 520 of the control unit 200. The data carrier may be, e.g., a hard disk, a CD ROM disc, a memory stick, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device or any 10 other appropriate medium such as a disk or tape that may hold machine readable data in a non-transitory manner. The computer program product may furthermore be provided as computer program code on a server and downloaded to the control unit 200 remotely, e.g., over an Internet or an intranet connection.
    The terminology used in the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the described method 400; the control unit 200; the computer program; the system 500 and/ or the vehicle 100. Various changes, substitutions and/ or alterations may be made, without departing from invention embodiments as defined by the appended claims.
    As used herein, the term "and/ or" comprises any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The term "or" as used herein, is to be interpreted as a mathematical OR, i.e., as an inclusive disjunction; not as a mathematical exclusive OR (XOR), unless expressly stated otherwise. In addition, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are to be interpreted as "at least one", thus also possibly comprising a plurality of entities of the same kind, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "includes", "comprises", "including" and/ or "comprising", specifies the presence of stated features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/ or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, actions, integers, steps, 30 operations, elements, components, and/ or groups thereof. A single unit such as e.g. a processor may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/ distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid- state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms such as via Internet or other wired or wireless communication system. 13 14
    权利要求:
    Claims (12)
    [1] 1. A method (400) for assisting a driver of a vehicle (100) in observing a relevant traffic related object (120) on, or in vicinity of a road (110), wherein the method (400) comprises: detecting (402) a traffic related object (120) ahead in the driving direction (105) of the vehicle (100); determining (403) if the detected (402) traffic related object (120) is relevant; directing (404) at least a segment of the vehicle headlights (140) towards the detected (402) traffic related object (120) when said object (120) is determined (403) to be 10 relevant.
    [2] 2. The method (400) according to claim 1, further comprising: flashing (405) with at least a segment of the vehicle headlights (140) directed (404) towards the detected (402) traffic related object (120).
    [3] 3. The method (400) according to any of claims 1-2, wherein the traffic related object (120) comprises a traffic sign, and wherein the step of determining (403) if the detected (402) traffic related object (120) is relevant, comprises recognising the type of the traffic sign and determining that said traffic sign is relevant when it either is identified as a particu- lar type of traffic sign, or when the traffic sign carry information informing about an upcoming traffic violation, when compared to obtained traffic related vehicle data.
    [4] 4. The method (400) according to claim 3, wherein the upcoming traffic violation comprises over speeding when the obtained velocity of the vehicle exceeds a speed limit of a detected (402) speed limit sign, road load class overload when the weight of the vehicle (100) exceeds a road load limit of a detected (402) road sign, an oncoming viaduct being lower than the height of the vehicle (100), or similar.
    [5] 5. The method (400) according to any of claims 3-4, wherein the particular set of traffic signs comprises prohibition signs, crosswalk signs, speed limit signs, or wherein the particular set of traffic signs is configurable.
    [6] 6. The method (400) according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the traffic related object (120) comprises a potential vehicle stop, such as a bus stop, loading dock, driveway, garage entrance or similar.
    [7] 7. The method (400) according to any of claims 1-6, further comprising: detecting (401) a reduced visibility situation by means of a light sensor (150) and activating the method (400) only when reduced visibility is detected (401).
    [8] 8. The method (400) according to any of claims 1-7, further comprising adding esca- lated warnings when the driver of the vehicle (100) does not react on the redirection (404) of at least a segment of the vehicle headlights (140) towards the detected (402) traffic related object (120) when said object (120) is determined to be relevant, by adding vibrations and/ or acoustic signals for alerting the driver.
    [9] 9. A control unit (200), configured for assisting a driver of a vehicle (100) in observ- ing a relevant traffic related object (120) on, or in vicinity of a road (110), wherein the control unit (200) comprises: a processing circuit (520) configured for detecting a traffic related object (120) ahead in the driving direction (105) of the vehicle (100), via a sensor (130); and for deter- mining if the detected traffic related object (120) is relevant; and in addition also configured for generating control signals for directing at least a segment of the vehicle headlights (140) towards the detected traffic related object (120) when said object (120) is determined to be relevant.
    [10] 10. A computer program comprising program code for performing a method (400) ac- cording to any of claims 1-8 when the computer program is executed in a processing circuit (520) of the control unit (200), according to claim 9.
    [11] 11. A system (500) for assisting a driver of a vehicle (100) in observing a relevant traf- fic related object (120) on, or in vicinity of a road (110), according to the method (400) of claims 1-10, wherein the system (500) comprises: a sensor (130), configured for detecting a traffic related object (120) ahead in the driving direction (105) of the vehicle (100); a control unit (200) according to claim 9; and a vehicle headlights (140) configured for directing at least a segment of the vehicle headlights (140) towards the traffic related object (120).
    [12] 12. A vehicle (100) comprising a system (500) according to claim 11. 'I I Fig- A 2/ EI 11 11 sss/, 130 - 1 1 100 200
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    SE539087C2|2017-04-04|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    法律状态:
    2021-09-28| NUG| Patent has lapsed|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    SE1550102A|SE539087C2|2015-02-02|2015-02-02|Method and control unit for illuminating traffic related objects|SE1550102A| SE539087C2|2015-02-02|2015-02-02|Method and control unit for illuminating traffic related objects|
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