GB2612080A

GB2612080A - Vehicle light control

Info

Publication number: GB2612080A
Application number: GB2115126.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ashan Wickramasinghe Shammika; Sanchez Funez Irene
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-21
Filing date: 2021-10-21
Publication date: 2023-04-26
Also published as: GB202115126D0

Abstract

A control system for a vehicle (10), the control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the control system is configured to: receive a signal indicative of activation of a side camera (14) of the vehicle (10) positioned on a first side (16) of the vehicle (10); and activate a vehicle light (18) configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment (20) adjacent to the first side (16) of the vehicle (10) in dependence on the received signal. The light system may be activated based on direction, a manoeuvre or by user input and may be activated/deactivated based on the speed of the vehicle. The light may be placed adjacent to the camera and within a door mirror or the vehicle.

Description

VEHICLE LIGHT CONTROL

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to vehicle light control. In particular, but not exclusively it relates to vehicle light control in dependence on activation of a side camera of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Some vehicles comprise one or more lights configured to illuminate the external environment adjacent to one or more sides of a vehicle.

However, such lights of a vehicle may not be used effectively or efficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a control system for a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the control system is configured to: receive a signal indicative of activation of a side camera of the vehicle positioned on a first side of the vehicle; and activate a vehicle light configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment adjacent to the first side of the vehicle in dependence on the received signal.

An advantage is efficient and effective use of a vehicle light configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment adjacent to a vehicle.

An advantage is enhanced operation of a side camera of a vehicle.

In some examples, the control system is configured to receive the signal indicative of activation of the side camera of the vehicle in dependence on one or more of: a rearward vehicle travel direction being selected; the vehicle is to perform a side manoeuvre; at least one user input being received to activate the side camera of the vehicle.

In some examples, the control system is configured to maintain activation of the vehicle light while an output of the side camera of the vehicle is in use. An advantage is that the vehicle light will illuminate the external environment while the side camera of the vehicle is in use.

In some examples, the control system is configured to maintain activation of vehicle light until a vehicle forward speed limit is reached. An advantage is that the vehicle light will remain active while a vehicle is manoeuvring.

In some examples, the vehicle light is located adjacent to the side camera of the vehicle.

In some examples, the vehicle light is located in a door mirror of the vehicle.

In some examples, the control system is configured to: receive a signal indicative of activation of a further side camera positioned on a second, different side of the vehicle; and activate a second, different vehicle light configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment adjacent to the second, different side of the vehicle in dependence on the received signal indicative of activation of the further side camera.

In some examples, the side camera is configured to image at least a portion of the external environment that the vehicle light is configured to illuminate.

In some examples, the vehicle light is configured to improve object detection using the side camera. An advantage is enhanced manual and/or automatic object detection.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising a control system as described herein and at least one vehicle light.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling a vehicle light, comprising: receiving a signal indicative of activation of a side camera of a vehicle positioned on a first side of the vehicle; and activating a vehicle light configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment adjacent to the first side of the vehicle in dependence on the received signal.

In some examples, the signal indicative of activation of the side camera of the vehicle is received in dependence on one or more of: a rearward vehicle travel direction being selected; the vehicle is to perform a side manoeuvre; at least one user input being received to activate the side camera of the vehicle.

In some examples, the method comprises maintaining activation of the vehicle light while an output of the side camera of the vehicle is in use.

In some examples, the method comprises maintaining activation of the vehicle light until a vehicle forward speed limit is reached.

In some examples, the method comprises: receiving a signal indicative of activation of a further side camera positioned on a second, different side of the vehicle; and activating a second, different vehicle light configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment adjacent to the second, different side of the vehicle in dependence on the received signal indicative of activation of the further side camera.

In some examples, the vehicle light is configured to improve object detection using the side camera.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided computer software that, when executed, is arranged to perform at least a part of any one or more of the methods described herein.

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a control system for a vehicle, a vehicle, a method of controlling a vehicle light and computer software as claimed in the appended claims.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided computer software that, when executed, is arranged to perform any one or more of the methods described herein.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause performance of any one or more of the methods described herein.

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; FIGS. 2A, 2B illustrate an example of a control system and of a non-transitory computer readable storage medium; FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a method; FIG. 4 illustrates an example of use of a vehicle light; FIG. 5 illustrates an example of illumination by vehicle lights; and FIG. 6 illustrates an example of illumination by a vehicle light.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a vehicle 10 in which embodiments of the invention can be implemented. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the vehicle 10 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 10 representing a centreline, an orthogonal lateral y-axis between left and right lateral sides of the vehicle 10, and a vertical z-axis. A forward direction typically faced by a driver's seat is in the positive x-direction; rearward 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.

The vehicle 10 can be any suitable type of vehicle for example a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), an electric vehicle (EV) and/or a vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine (ICE).

The vehicle 10 comprises a plurality of systems including a control system 208, a side camera 14, a vehicle light 18 and one or more human machine interfaces.

Consequently, FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 10 comprising a control system 208 as described herein and at least one vehicle light 18.

The human machine interface(s) of the vehicle comprise one or more controls, usable by a driver and/or another user of the vehicle 10, including one or more interfaces allowing the driver, and/or another user of the vehicle 10, to input information and/or make one or more selections and/or to control one or more systems of the vehicle 10.

The control system 208 is configured to implement any one or more of the methods described herein.

The side camera 14 and vehicle light 18 are located on a first side 16 of the vehicle 10 and the vehicle light 18 is configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment 20 adjacent to the first side 16 of the vehicle 10.

As used herein, adjacent can be considered to comprise and/or mean proximate and/or next to and/or near and/or close to and/or neighbouring.

In examples, the external environment can be considered the environment external to the vehicle 10.

In the example of FIG. 1, the first side 16 of the vehicle 10 is the right lateral side of the vehicle 10.

In examples, a vehicle light 18 can be considered a side light, a manoeuvring light, a generally downward pointing light located on a side of a vehicle 10, and/or a light located on a vehicle 10 configured to illuminate an area proximate and/or adjacent to a side of the vehicle 10.

In examples, the vehicle light 18 can be located at any suitable position on the vehicle 10. For example, the vehicle light 18 can be located in a door mirror 22 of a vehicle 10. In examples a door mirror 22 can be considered a wing mirror.

See, for example, FIGs 1 and 4 which illustrate examples in which a vehicle light 18 is located in a door mirror 22 of a vehicle 10.

Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a side of a vehicle 10 comprising a vehicle light 18. In the example of FIG. 4, the side of the vehicle 10 is the lateral right side of the vehicle 10, as referred to in relation to FIG. 1, and can be considered a first side 16 of the vehicle 10.

In the example of FIG. 4, the vehicle 10 comprises a door mirror 22 comprising a light 18 which can be considered a vehicle light 18 and/or side light and/or manoeuvring light.

As illustrated in the example of FIG. 4, the vehicle light 18 is configured/arranged to direct light 32 to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment 20 adjacent to the first side 16 of the vehicle 10.

In examples, the external environment 20 adjacent to the first side 16 of the vehicle 10 can be considered a portion of the external environment 20 located to the side 16 of the vehicle 10 and extending away from the vehicle 10.

With reference to FIG. 1, the portion of the external environment 20 can be a portion of the external environment 20 extending along the x-axis at and/or near the side 16 of the vehicle 10 and extending along the y-axis away from the vehicle 10.

In examples, the portion of the external environment 20 adjacent to the first side 16 of the vehicle 10 can start substantially at and/or in line with the first side 16 of the vehicle 10.

In examples, there can be a gap between the first side 16 of the vehicle 10 and the portion of the external environment 20 adjacent to the first side 16 of the vehicle 10.

In some examples, the external environment 20 adjacent to the first side 16 of the vehicle 10 can be considered to comprise a portion of the external environment 20 between the front and rear wheels of the vehicle 10.

In some examples, the external environment 20 adjacent to the first side 16 of the vehicle 10 can be considered a portion of the external environment 20 located to the side of the vehicle through which the vehicle 10 may move during manoeuvring of the vehicle 10 and/or that could affect manoeuvring of the vehicle 10, and/or that could contain one or more objects that may interact with the vehicle 10 during manoeuvring of the vehicle 10.

In examples, the portion of the external environment 20 adjacent to the first side 16 of the vehicle 10 comprises a portion of the ground adjacent to the first side 16 of the vehicle 10.

In some examples, the portion of the external environment 20 can be considered to be proximate and/or next to and/or near and/or close to and/or neighbouring the first side 16 of the vehicle 10.

In examples, the portion of the external environment 20 adjacent to the first side 16 of the vehicle can have any suitable size and/or shape.

In the example of FIG. 4, the vehicle 10 comprises a side camera 14 also located in the door mirror 22 of the vehicle 10.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates portions of the external environment 20, 30 adjacent to first and second sides 16, 26 of a vehicle 10 illuminated by first and second vehicle lights 18, 28 respectively.

With reference to FIG. 1, the first and second sides 16, 26 of the vehicle 10 are the lateral left and right sides of the vehicle 10.

The example of FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an overhead view of a vehicle 10 having two shaded areas to the sides illustrating portions of the external environment 20, 30 that are, in this example, illuminated by vehicle lights 18, 28 of the vehicle 10.

In the example of FIG. 5, the portions of the external environment 20, 30 are substantially rectangular in shape. However, the portions of the external environment 20, 30 can have any suitable shape.

In examples, the portions of the external environment 20, 30 can have substantially the same or different shapes and/or sizes.

In the example of FIG. 5, the portions of the external environment 20, 30 have a width w extending from the sides 16, 26 of the vehicle 10.

In examples, any suitable width can be used. In the examples of FIG. 5, a width of 1.6 metres for the portions of the external environment 20, 30 can be used.

In examples, the vehicle lights 16, 28 can be configured to illuminate the sides of the vehicle 10 to an area in which the front illumination of the vehicle reaches and/or to an area in which the rear illumination of the vehicle 10 reaches.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a portion of the external environment 20 adjacent to the first side 16 of a vehicle 10 illuminated by a vehicle light 18 of a vehicle 10.

In the example of FIG. 6, a view from the rear of the vehicle 10 along the x axis of FIG. 1 is illustrated.

In the example of FIG. 6, vehicle light 18 is configured and/or arranged to illuminate 1.6 metres of the ground away from the first side 16 of the vehicle and to illuminate up to 750 millimetres at a distance of 600 millimetres from the vehicle 10.

In examples, a vehicle light 18 can comprise any suitable light emitting element or elements.

For example, a vehicle light 18 can comprise one or more of one or more light emitting diodes, one or more incandescent bulbs, one or more halogen compact fluorescent lamps and so on.

In examples, the vehicle light 18 can be single colour or multicolour.

In examples, the vehicle 10 can comprise any suitable number of vehicle lights 18 in any suitable location and/or arrangement.

For example, the vehicle 10 can comprise a vehicle light 18 on a first side 16 of vehicle 10 and a further vehicle light 28 on a second, different side 26 of the vehicle 10.

See, for example, FIG. 5.

In examples, a side camera 14 of the vehicle can be considered a manoeuvring camera, a camera located on a side of a vehicle 10, and/or a camera located on a vehicle 10 configured to image and/or view an area proximate and/or adjacent to a side of the vehicle 10.

In examples, the side camera 14 can be located at any suitable position on the vehicle 10.

For example, the side camera 14 can be located in a door mirror 22 of a vehicle 10.

In some examples, the side camera is configured to image and/or view the external environment to the side of the vehicle 10.

In examples any suitable camera can be used.

FIG. 2A illustrates how the control system 208 may be implemented. The control system 208 of FIG. 2A illustrates a controller 200. In other examples, the control system 208 may comprise a plurality of controllers 200 onboard and/or offboard the vehicle 10.

In examples any suitable control system 208 can be used.

The controller 200 of FIG. 2A includes at least one processor 202; and at least one memory device 204 electrically coupled to the electronic processor 202 and having instructions 206 (for example a computer program) stored therein, the at least one memory device 204 and the instructions 206 configured to, with the at least one processor 202, cause any one or more of the methods described herein to be performed.

FIG. 2A therefore illustrates a control system 208, wherein the one or more electronic controllers 200 collectively comprise: at least one electronic processor 202 having an electrical input for receiving information associated with rear spoiler downlight control and; at least one electronic memory device 204 electrically coupled to the at least one electronic processor 202 and having instructions 206 stored therein; and wherein the at least one electronic processor 202 is configured to access the at least one memory device 204 and execute the instructions thereon so as to cause the control system 208 to perform and/or cause performance of any one or more of the methods described herein.

Also illustrated in FIG. 2A are one or more vehicle systems 226.

In examples, the vehicle system(s) 226 can comprise any suitable vehicle system(s).

For example, the vehicle system(s) 226 can comprise any suitable vehicle system(s) 226 from which the control system 208 can receive, directly or indirectly, one or more signals 12, for example indicative of activation of a side camera 14 of the vehicle 10, and/or to which the control system 208 can transmit, directly or indirectly, one or more signals 18.

In examples, the one or more vehicle systems 226 comprise one or more systems involved in control of a vehicle light 18.

In examples, the one or more vehicle systems 226 comprise one or more systems involved in activation of a vehicle light 18 and a side camera 14 of the vehicle 10.

In examples, the one or more vehicle systems 226 comprise one or more sensors, and/or one or more systems from which sensor information can be received by the control system 208. For example, one or more systems configured to sense ambient conditions exterior to the vehicle 10.

In examples, one or more cameras of the vehicle 10 can be considered to be and/or comprise one or more sensors of the vehicle 10.

In some examples, the one or more vehicle systems 226 also comprise one or more human machine interfaces. In the illustrated example, the one or more human machine interfaces comprise one or more interfaces allowing a driver and/or user of the vehicle 10 to control one or more features, such as activation of a side camera 14 of the vehicle 10.

FIG. 2B illustrates a non-transitory computer readable storage medium 218 comprising the instructions 206 (computer software).

Accordingly, FIG. 2B illustrates a non-transitory computer readable medium 218 comprising computer readable instructions 206 that, when executed by a processor 202, cause performance of at least the method of one or more of FIG. 3 and/or as described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a method 300. The method 300 can be considered a method 300 of controlling one or more vehicle lights 18 of a vehicle 10.

In some examples, the method 300 can be considered a method 300 of controlling one or more manoeuvring lights 18 of a vehicle 10.

In examples, the method 300 is performed by the control system 208 of FIGS 2A, 2B.

That is, in examples, the control system 208 described herein comprises and/or provides means for performing the method 300. However, any suitable means may be used to perform the method 300.

In examples, the method 300 can be considered a computer implemented method 300 for a vehicle 10.

One or more of the features discussed in relation to FIG. 3 can be found in one or more of the other figures.

At block 302 the method 300 comprises receiving a signal 12 indicative of activation of a side camera 14 of the vehicle 10 positioned on a first side 16 of the vehicle 10.

In examples, any suitable signal 12 comprising any suitable information indicative of activation of a side camera 14 of the vehicle 10 positioned on a first side 16 of the vehicle 10 can be used.

In some examples, the signal 12 is received from one or more vehicle systems 226. See, for

example, FIG. 2A.

Accordingly, in examples, receiving the signal 12 indicative of activation of the side camera 14 of vehicle 10 comprises receiving one or more signals 12 from one or more vehicle systems 226. See, for example, FIG. 2A.

In examples, signal 12 can be received upon and/or in response to and/or in dependence on activation of the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10.

Accordingly, in examples, it can be considered that the signal 12 is received to inform the control system 208 that the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10 positioned on a first side 16 of the vehicle 10 has been activated.

In some examples, the signal 12 can be configured to activate the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10. For example, the signal 12 can comprise information to cause activation of the side camera 14.

Accordingly, in examples, it can be considered that the signal 12 is received to cause the control system 208 to activate the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10.

In examples, the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10 can be activated for any suitable reason or reasons.

Accordingly, in examples, the control system 208 is configured to receive the signal 12 indicative of activation of the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10 in dependence on activation of the side camera 14 for any suitable reason or reasons.

In examples, the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10 can be manually or automatically activated.

In some examples, the control system 208 is configured to receive the signal 12 indicative of activation of the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10 in dependence on one or more of: a rearward vehicle travel direction being selected, the vehicle 10 is to perform a side manoeuvre, at least one user input being received to activate the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10.

Accordingly in examples, the signal 12 can be indicative of a rearward vehicle travel direction being selected, that the vehicle 10 is to perform a side manoeuvre and/or that at least one user input has been received to activate the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10.

In some examples, vehicle travel direction selection can be considered a selection of a vehicle configuration to enable the vehicle 10 to travel in a forward or reverse direction.

In examples, a rearward vehicle travel direction can be considered a rearward direction of travel selection, a rearward vehicle gear selection, a rearward vehicle operating mode selection, and/or reverse selection and so on.

In examples, a rearward vehicle travel direction can be considered selection of a reverse gear. In some examples, a rearward vehicle travel direction can be considered selection of direction of rotation of one or more electric motors of the vehicle 10.

In examples, selecting a rearward vehicle travel direction comprises receiving one or more inputs made via a driver, or other user, of the vehicle 10 using one or more human machine interfaces of the vehicle 10.

However, in some examples, selecting a rearward vehicle travel direction does not comprise receiving one or more inputs made by a driver, or other user, of the vehicle 10, for example some, but not necessarily all, examples involving one or more advance driver assistance systems (ADAS) functions.

In examples, any suitable side manoeuvres of the vehicle 10 can be used. In examples, a side manoeuvre of the vehicle can be considered a manoeuvre of the vehicle 10 during which one or more objects are proximate the side or sides of the vehicle 10 and which the vehicle 10 is to avoid contact with during the manoeuvre.

In examples, a side manoeuvre can be considered a manoeuvre during which extra visibility provided by a vehicle light 18 or lights configured to illuminate a side or sides of the vehicle 10 can assist in manual and/or automatic object detection.

For example, when a vehicle 10 is reversing around a corner can be considered a side manoeuvre as a kerb can be present that the vehicle 10 is to avoid contact with during the manoeuvre.

Similarly, when a vehicle 10 is reversing or pulling forward into a parking space with other vehicles in adjacent spaces, this can be considered a side manoeuvre as the other vehicles are present to the sides of the vehicle 10 and are to be avoided during the manoeuvre.

In examples, side manoeuvres of the vehicle 10 can comprise manual and/or automated ADAS controlled parallel parking, and/or reverse parking and so on.

In examples, any suitable user input(s) to activate the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10 received in any suitable way can be used.

For example, at least one user input can be received via a human machine interface of the vehicle 10 and/or via a personal and/or mobile device of a user of the vehicle, such as a driver of the vehicle 10.

At block 304, method 300 comprises activating a vehicle light 18 configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment 20 adjacent to the first side 16 of the vehicle 10 in dependence on the received signal 12.

Consequently, FIG. 3 illustrates a method of controlling a vehicle light 18, comprising: receiving a signal 12 indicative of activation of a side camera 14 of the vehicle 10 positioned on a first side 16 of the vehicle 10; and activating a vehicle light 18 configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment 20 adjacent to the first side 16 of the vehicle 10 in dependence on the received signal 12.

Accordingly, in examples, the vehicle light 18 can be considered to be activated in dependence on, and/or in response to, and/or based, at least in part, on activation of the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10 positioned on the first side 16 of the vehicle 10.

That is, in examples the activation of the side camera 14 of vehicle 10 can be considered to trigger activation of the vehicle light 18 configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment 20 adjacent to the first side 16 of the vehicle 10.

In examples, activation of the vehicle light 18 can be maintained for any suitable duration and/or until fulfilment of any suitable deactivation condition or conditions.

In some examples, activation of the vehicle light 18 is maintained while an output of the side camera 14 of vehicle 10 is in use.

That is, in some examples, activation of vehicle light 18 is maintained while the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10 is active. This allows, for example, the vehicle light 18 to illuminate the at least a portion of the external environment 20 adjacent to the first side 16 of the vehicle 10 while the side camera 14 positioned on the first side 16 of the vehicle 10 is in use.

In some examples, activation of the vehicle light 16 is maintained until a vehicle forward speed limit is reached.

Accordingly, in some examples, activation of the vehicle light 18 is maintained until the vehicle 10 has reached a predetermined speed in a forward direction.

This allows, for example, the vehicle light 18 to be maintained until the vehicle 10 has finished completing one or more manoeuvres.

For example, the vehicle 10 can be placed in a reverse vehicle travel direction configuration and the side camera 14 of the vehicle activated along with the vehicle light 18.

Once the reverse manoeuvre has been completed, a forward vehicle travel direction can be selected and the vehicle light 18 maintained in an active state until the forward vehicle speed has reached a predetermined speed limit.

In examples, any suitable speed limit can be used. For example, a speed limit in the range of 10km/h to 20km/h can be used. In examples, a speed limit in the range of 12km/hr to 18km/h can be used. In examples, a speed limit of 15 km/h can be used.

In examples, the vehicle light 18 can be located in any suitable position on the vehicle 10 to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment 20 adjacent to the first side 16 of the vehicle 10.

In some examples, the vehicle light 10 is located adjacent to the side camera 18 of the vehicle 10.

In examples, the vehicle light 18 can be considered to be located with and/or next to the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10.

In some examples, the vehicle light 18 is located in a same housing as the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10. That is, in examples, the vehicle light 18 and the side camera 14 can share a housing.

In some examples, the vehicle light 18 and the side camera 14 of a vehicle are located in a door mirror 22 of the vehicle 10. See, for example, FIG. 4.

Accordingly, in some examples, the vehicle light 18 is located in a door mirror 22 of the vehicle 10.

In examples, the side camera 14 can be located and/or configured to provide images for any suitable purpose or purposes.

In some examples, the side camera 14 is configured to image at least a portion of the external environment that the vehicle light 18 is configured to illuminate.

That is, in some examples, the vehicle light 18 is configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment 20 that the side camera 14 is configured to image.

Accordingly, in examples, it can be considered that the field of view of the side camera 18 comprises at least at portion of the external environment 20 illuminated by the vehicle light 18.

This allows, for example, the images produced by the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10 to be improved and/or enhanced by the light provided by the vehicle light 18.

For example, in dark ambient light conditions, the vehicle light 18 provides light to allow the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10 to operate efficiently and effectively.

In some examples, the vehicle light 18 is configured to improve object detection using the side camera 14.

In examples, object detection can be manual and/or automatic. For example, object detection can be by a driver, or other user, of the vehicle 10 viewing images produced by the side camera 14 and/or via automated object detection using image analysis, for example, of the images produced by the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10.

This allows, for example, objects and/or terrain that may damage and/or hinder progress of the vehicle 10 to be seen and avoided.

In some examples, the vehicle 10 comprises a plurality of side cameras. For example, the vehicle 10 can comprise a side camera 14 on a first side 16 of the vehicle 10 and a further side camera 24 on a second, different side 2 of the vehicle 10. See, for example, FIG. 5 In examples, the side camera 14 and a further side camera 24 can operate in a coordinated manner.

In some examples the vehicle 10 can comprise a first vehicle light 18 and a second, different vehicle light 28 configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment 30 adjacent to the second, different side 26 of the vehicle 10. See, for example, FIG. 5.

Accordingly, in examples, method 300 comprises receiving a signal indicative of activation of a further side camera 24 positioned on a second, different side 26 of the vehicle 10, and activating a second, different vehicle light 28 configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment 30 adjacent to the second, different side 26 of the vehicle 10 in dependence on the received signal indicative of activation of the further side camera 24.

In examples, the further side camera 24 can be and/or can function as described in relation to the side camera 14.

In examples, the second, different vehicle light 28 can be and/or can function as described in relation to the vehicle light 18.

In examples, the signal indicative of activation of a further side camera 14 can be and/or can function as described in relation to the signal 12 indicative of activation of the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10.

In some examples, the signal indicative of activation of the further side camera 24 can be comprised and/or included with the signal 12 and/or can be the same signal 12.

Accordingly, in some examples, the side camera 14 and the further side camera 24 can be activated in dependence on, and/or in response to, and/or based, at least in part, on receiving the signal 12.

In some examples, the vehicle light 18 and the second, different vehicle light 28 can be operated in coordination with each other. For example, the vehicle light 18 and second vehicle light 28 can be activated and deactivated with each other.

Examples of the disclosure are advantageous and provide one or more technical benefits.

For example, activation of a vehicle light 18 in dependence on receiving a signal indicative of activation of a side camera 14 of the vehicle 10 allows, for example, a driver of the vehicle to more clearly see images/video provided via the side camera 14 of the vehicle 10, and therefore be aware of, objects that may need to be avoided during manoeuvring of the vehicle.

Furthermore, control of a vehicle light 18 in this way allows for improved object detection via a side camera 14 during one or more automated vehicle manoeuvres.

As used herein "for" should be considered to also include "configured or arranged to". For example, "a control system for' should be considered to also include "a control system configured or arranged to".

For purposes of this disclosure, it is to be understood that the controller(s) described herein can each comprise a control unit or computational device having one or more electronic processors. A vehicle and/or a system thereof may comprise a single control unit or electronic controller or alternatively different functions of the controller(s) may be embodied in, or hosted in, different control units or controllers. A set of instructions could be provided which, when executed, cause said controller(s) or control unit(s) to implement the control techniques described herein (including the described method(s)). The set of instructions may be embedded in one or more electronic processors, or alternatively, the set of instructions could be provided as software to be executed by one or more electronic processor(s). For example, a first controller may be implemented in software run on one or more electronic processors, and one or more other controllers may also be implemented in software run on one or more electronic processors, optionally the same one or more processors as the first controller. It will be appreciated, however, that other arrangements are also useful, and therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to any particular arrangement.

In any event, the set of instructions described above may be embedded in a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) that may comprise any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine or electronic processors/computational device, 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.

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 the FIG. 3 may represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer program 206. 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 endeavoring 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 control system for a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the control system is configured to: receive a signal indicative of activation of a side camera of the vehicle positioned on a first side of the vehicle; and activate a vehicle light configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment adjacent to the first side of the vehicle in dependence on the received signal.
2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to receive the signal indicative of activation of the side camera of the vehicle in dependence on one or more of: a rearward vehicle travel direction being selected; the vehicle is to perform a side manoeuvre; at least one user input being received to activate the side camera of the vehicle.
3. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein the control system is configured to maintain activation of the vehicle light while an output of the side camera of the vehicle is in use.
4. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein the control system is configured to maintain activation of vehicle light until a vehicle forward speed limit is reached.
5. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle light is located adjacent to the side camera of the vehicle.
6. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle light is located in a door mirror of the vehicle.
7. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein the control system is configured to: receive a signal indicative of activation of a further side camera positioned on a second, different side of the vehicle; and activate a second, different vehicle light configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment adjacent to the second, different side of the vehicle in dependence on the received signal indicative of activation of the further side camera.
8. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein the side camera is configured to image at least a portion of the external environment that the vehicle light is configured to illuminate.
9. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle light is configured to improve object detection using the side camera.
10. A vehicle comprising a control system as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 9 and at least one vehicle light.
11. A method of controlling a vehicle light, comprising: receiving a signal indicative of activation of a side camera of a vehicle positioned on a first side of the vehicle; and activating a vehicle light configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment adjacent to the first side of the vehicle in dependence on the received signal.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the signal indicative of activation of the side camera of the vehicle is received in dependence on one or more of: a rearward vehicle travel direction being selected; the vehicle is to perform a side manoeuvre; at least one user input being received to activate the side camera of the vehicle.
13. The method of claim 11 or 12, comprising maintaining activation of the vehicle light while an output of the side camera of the vehicle is in use.
14. The method of any of claims 11 to 13, comprising maintaining activation of the vehicle light until a vehicle forward speed limit is reached.
15. The method of any of claims 11 to 14, comprising: receiving a signal indicative of activation of a further side camera positioned on a second, different side of the vehicle; and activating a second, different vehicle light configured to illuminate at least a portion of the external environment adjacent to the second, different side of the vehicle in dependence on the received signal indicative of activation of the further side camera.
16. The method of any of claims 7 to 15, wherein the side camera is configured to image at least a portion of the external environment that the vehicle light is configured to illuminate.
17. The method of any of claims 7 to 16, wherein the vehicle light is configured to improve object detection using the side camera.
18. Computer software that, when executed, is arranged to perform a method according to at least one of claims 7 to 17.