IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,522,130
Granted Patent B2
US 12,522,130 · App. 18/385,224 · Granted Jan 13, 2026

Method for operating a high-resolution headlamp of a vehicle

Inventors: Markus Hoener (Bergkamen, DE); Christian Huester (Salzkotten, DE); Martin Seipel (Bad Wuennenberg, DE); Ingo Steiner (Dortmund, DE)
Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
B60Q1/143H05B47/105B60Q2300/054
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,522,130
App. No.
18/385,224
Granted
Jan 13, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for operating a high-resolution headlamp of a vehicle, the headlamp being configured to project an image into the outer region of the vehicle. At least two regions are selected in the image to be projected which have the same brightness gradients. The brightness gradients of the at least two regions are analyzed in the projection to be carried out. If, during the analysis, a difference in the brightness gradients between individual ones of the selected regions is detected in the projection to be carried out, the headlamp is controlled in such a way that the brightness gradients of the selected regions in the projection to be carried out are matched to each other.

Claims (19)

1 . A method for operating a high-resolution headlamp of a vehicle, the headlamp being configured to project an image into an outer region of the vehicle, the method comprising:

selecting at least two regions in the image to be projected which are desired to have a same brightness gradient as one another;

analyzing brightness gradients of the at least two regions; and

when a difference in the brightness gradients of the at least two regions is detected during the analysis, controlling the headlamp such that the brightness gradients of the at least two regions are matched to each other.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein, when the difference in the brightness gradients of the at least two regions is detected, at least one of the brightness gradients of the at least two regions is reduced to a value of a lowest brightness gradient of the at least two regions.

3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein, when the difference in the brightness gradients of the at least two regions is detected, multiple or all brightness gradients of the at least two regions are reduced to the value of the lowest brightness gradient of the at least two regions.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method is repeated, in that at least two other regions in the image to be projected, that are desired to have a same brightness gradient as one another, are selected.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two regions are edges of the image to be projected.

6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two regions are spaced a distance apart in the horizontal direction.

7 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two regions are spaced a distance apart in the vertical direction.

8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the analysis of the brightness gradients of the at least two regions takes place in that the projection is simulated in a control device of the headlamp.

9 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the image to be projected comprises a piece of information in the form of at least one symbol, and/or at least one letter, and/or at least one number.

10 . A high-resolution headlamp for a vehicle, the headlamp comprising:

a plurality of illuminating elements for a targeted generation of pixels of a light distribution, the headlamp being configured to project an image into an outer region of the vehicle,

wherein the headlamp is configured to carry out the method according to claim 1 .

11 . The high-resolution headlamp according to claim 10 , wherein the headlamp comprises a control device, which is configured to control the illuminating elements for the targeted generation of the pixels of the light distribution.

12 . The high-resolution headlamp according to claim 11 , wherein the control device is configured to carry out the analysis of the brightness gradients of the at least two regions.

13 . The high-resolution headlamp according to claim 10 , wherein the illuminating elements are light-emitting diodes or laser diodes, or wherein the illuminating elements are part of a solid-state LED array.

14 . The high-resolution headlamp according to claim 10 , wherein the illuminating elements are part of a digital micromirror device, an LCoS or an LC display.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2024
From: HOENER, MARKUS; HUESTER, CHRISTIAN; SEIPEL, MARTIN; STEINER, INGO
To: HELLA GMBH & CO. KGAA
Reel/Frame 068538/0329 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2021 111 021.1 · Apr 29, 2021 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTEP2022059768 · Apr 12, 2022
Related Publication 20240092250A1 · Mar 21, 2024
References Cited (15)
US 10464470B2 · Ohno · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 11435052B2 · Mimoun · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20190116345A1 · Albou et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190202336A1 · Kumar · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 20200391760A1 · Reschke · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20230311743A1 · Kanj et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
DE 102013104276A1 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
DE 102019208662A1 · 2020 [cited by examiner]
EP 3246204A1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
EP 3671015A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
FR 3055979A1 · 2018 [cited by examiner]
FR 3101694A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2018202890A2 · 2018 [cited by examiner]
WO WO2020126525A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
International Search Report dated Aug. 2, 2022 in corresponding application PCT/EP2022/059768. [cited by applicant]