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(11) | EP 4 542 537 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING UNIT AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF |
| (57) An automotive lighting unit (1) comprising an electronic mini-LED lighting device
(4) provided with a mini-LED display module comprising a first mini-LED matrix and
a second mini-LED matrix, wherein the mini-LEDs of each row of the first matrix are
electrically connected to the mini-LEDs of a respective row of the second matrix so
as to form a common mini-LED scan line therewith, and the mini-LEDs of each column
of the first matrix are arranged aligned with the mini-LEDs of a respective column
of the second matrix so as to form a column of mini-LEDs of said mini-LED display
module. A mini-LED driver sequentially activates the common scan lines, one after
the other, so as to simultaneously activate in pairs one row of mini-LEDs of the first
matrix and one row of mini-LEDs of the second matrix, and selectively activates the
columns of the first matrix and the columns of the second matrix based on the mini-LEDs
to be activated along the rows of mini-LEDs of the first matrix and second matrix
activated by said common scan line.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an automotive lighting unit provided with a light source comprising at least one mini-LED matrix display and the related operating method.
[0002] Solutions are known which comprise using in automotive lighting unit a mini-LED lighting device comprising a plurality of mini-LED matrix display modules and mini-LED control drivers, which are configured to receive input data packets encoding predefined images and control the selective and sequential activation or scanning of rows and columns of the mini-LED matrix display modules based on the data received in order to display the images.
[0003] The structures of the lighting devices in automotive lighting unit s are essentially modular and involve the juxtaposition of the mini-LED matrix displays so as to form particularly complex and large lighting surfaces.
[0004] At present, the use of mini-LED matrix display modules operating in monochrome mode and having an elongated rectangular geometric shape is widespread. In particular, the use of 16*48 mini-LED matrix display modules, i.e., having a number M=16 of scannable rows and a number N=48 of activatable columns, is particularly widespread. Other mini-LED matrix display modules, which provide elongated mini-LED architectures and arrangements such as 32x96 (M=32, N=96) monochrome, 48x144 (M=48, N=144) monochrome with 48 scan lines and 144 columns, 64x192 (M=64, N=192) monochrome with 64 scan lines and 192 columns, are also widespread.
[0005] Control drivers that can control the above-mentioned rectangular matrices with a particularly elongated shape are also well known.
[0006] The Applicant has found that the rectangular and elongated geometric shape of the above-mentioned mini-LED matrix display modules for the creation of the lighting device limits the development of particularly complex lighting surface shapes and therefore represents a critical issue for lamp designers.
[0007] For this purpose, the Applicant has found that to overcome this problem it is convenient to use mini-LED matrix display modules having a less rectangular and more square geometric shape, as the latter lends itself more easily to the composition of complex shapes. It is therefore required to have mini-LED matrix display modules with a 1:1 form factor to replace the elongated, rectangular mini-LED matrix display modules having a 1:3 form factor.
[0008] There is therefore a need to be able to manufacture an automotive lighting unit with a mini-LED matrix display provided with substantially square-shaped mini-LED matrix modules, without however disrupting the current electronic hardware architecture, i.e., maintaining the use of the drivers currently used for controlling the elongated, rectangular mini-LED matrix display modules in order to limit the costs of designing, developing and manufacturing new lamps.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an automotive lighting unit provided with a mini-LED lighting device comprising a plurality of mini-LED matrix display modules, and a method of operation of the automotive lighting unit, which are at least capable of meeting the above need.
[0010] In accordance with this object, according to the present invention, an automotive lighting unit and a method of operation of an automotive lighting unit are provided, as defined in the related independent claims, and preferably, but not necessarily, in any one of the claims dependent thereon.
[0011] The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention and form an integral part of the present specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a nonlimiting embodiment thereof, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle provided with an automotive lighting unit made according to the teachings of the present invention,
Figure 2 is an exploded view of an automotive lighting unit made according to the teachings of the present invention,
Figure 3 is an exemplary block diagram of a mini-LED electronic lighting device of the automotive lighting unit made according to the present invention,
Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d schematically show an example of the sequential activation of the mini-LEDs of a mini-LED matrix display module of the mini-LED electronic lighting device shown in Figure 3,
Figure 4 is an exemplary block diagram of a mini-LED electronic lighting device of the automotive lighting unit made according to a different embodiment of the present invention,
Figures 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d schematically show an example of the sequential activation of the mini-LEDs of a mini-LED matrix display module of the mini-LED electronic lighting device shown in Figure 4,
Figure 5 is a wiring diagram of a mini-LED matrix display module controlled by a driver according to the configuration schematically shown in Figure 3,
Figure 6 is a wiring diagram of a mini-LED matrix display module controlled by a driver according to the configuration schematically shown in Figure 4,
Figure 7 schematically shows a processing of a frame by an image processing device of the mini-LED electronic lighting device of the automotive lighting unit designed to provide the processed frame to a driver that controls a mini-LED matrix display module schematically shown in Figure 4,
Figure 8 schematically shows a processing of a frame by an image processing device of the mini-LED electronic lighting device of the lamp designed to provide the processed frame to a driver that controls a mini-LED matrix display module schematically shown in Figure 3,
Figure 9 is a flow chart of the operations implemented by the mini-LED electronic lighting device of the lamp made according to the teachings of the present invention.
[0013] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached figures in order to allow a skilled person to implement it and use it. Various modifications to the described embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the general principles described may be applied to other embodiments and applications without however departing from the protective scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but it must be given the broadest protective scope consistent with the principles and features described and claimed herein.
[0014] With reference to Figure 1, the number 100 shows a motor vehicle provided with at least one automotive lighting unit 1 made according to the teachings of the present invention (two lamps shown in Figure 1). According to the present invention, the term motor vehicle refers to a car, a truck, a coach, or the like. In the example shown, the automotive lighting unit 1 is a rear lamp of the motor vehicle 100. However, it is understood that the present invention is not to be construed as limited to a rear lamp of a motor vehicle 100, but may be applied, additionally and/or alternatively, to a front lamp (headlamp for motor vehicles) and/or a side lamp of the motor vehicle 100.
[0015] It should also be pointed out that in the following description the term automotive lighting unit 1 is intended to mean a lighting device/appliance which is configured so as to be incorporated in a motor vehicle 100 at the rear, front or side thereof.
[0016] The automotive lighting unit 1 made according to the present invention is configured so as to perform at least one or more of the following automotive lighting functions: lighting the area around the vehicle, signalling the presence, signalling the position, signalling the direction of movement of the motor vehicle.
[0017] In other words, in the following description, the term automotive lighting unit 1 shall be understood as selected from at least one of: a front lamp, a rear lamp, a side lamp, an external position lamp, a direction indicator (usually referred to as a turn signal), a brake light (usually referred to as a stop light), a fog lamp, a reversing light, a dipped-beam lamp, a lamp arranged on the front grille, a high-beam lamp, or any other type of lamp which may be fitted in a similar motor vehicle, preferably a car.
[0018] With reference to a possible exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2, the automotive lighting unit 1 can comprise, for example: a rear shell 2 preferably, but not necessarily, shaped in the shape of a cup so as to have an internal cavity. The rear shell 2 may, for example, be structured so that it can preferably, but not necessarily, be recessed, for example, within a compartment created in the vehicle body (not shown).
[0019] According to the example shown in Figure 2, the automotive lighting unit 1 may also preferably comprise one or more front lenticular bodies 3 (only one of which is shown in Figure 2). The front lenticular body 3 may be made, for example, at least partially of a transparent or semitransparent material. The front lenticular body 3 may be structured so that it can be coupled to the rear shell 2. Preferably, the front lenticular body 3 may be arranged at the mouth of the rear shell 2 so as to preferably emerge, at least partially, from the vehicle body (not shown).
[0020] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figure 2, the automotive lighting unit 1 also comprises at least one mini-LED electronic lighting device 4. The mini-LED lighting device 4 may preferably, but not necessarily, be housed within the automotive lighting unit 1, e.g., in the rear shell 2.
[0021] The mini-LED electronic lighting device 4 is conveniently arranged in the automotive lighting unit 1 so that it faces, directly or indirectly, the front lenticular body 3 to perform a lighting function and/or any automotive lighting function (at least one of the above), preferably outside the vehicle 100.
[0022] According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mini-LED electronic lighting device 4 comprises a plurality of mini-LED matrix display modules 5. The mini-LED electronic lighting device 4 further comprises an electronic control unit 6 provided with a mini-LED driver 7. The mini-LED drivers 7 are configured so as to control the mini-LED matrix display module(s) 5 as described below.
[0023] Conveniently, as shown in Figure 2, the automotive lighting unit 1 can further comprise a support body 10 that is structured to support the mini-LED matrix display modules 5, for example, in side-by-side positions, and preferably but not necessarily a mask body 12 configured to be interposed between the mini-LED electronic lighting device 4 and the lenticular body 3.
[0024] Figure 3 schematically shows a simplified embodiment of the mini-LED electronic lighting device 4, which has the purpose of increasing the understanding of the present invention. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a simplified mini-LED electronic lighting device 4 comprising a single mini-LED matrix display module 5 and a mini-LED driver 7. It is understood, however, that the present invention can be applied to configurations other than that shown in Figure 3, wherein the mini-LED electronic lighting device 4 comprises a plurality of mini-LED matrix display modules 5 and respective mini-LED drivers 7.
[0025] With reference to Figure 3, the mini-LED matrix display module 5 comprises a first mini-LED matrix 8 (at the top in Figure 3) and a second mini-LED matrix 9 (at the bottom in Figure 3). In the example shown, the first mini-LED matrix 8 comprises N rows RHi wherein the index "i" is comprised between 1 and 3 (RH1, RH2, RH3) and M columns CHi wherein "i" is comprised between 1 and 3 (CH1, CH2 and CH3). The second mini-LED matrix 9 comprises N rows RLi wherein "i" is comprised between 1 and 3 (RL1, RL2, RL3) and M columns CLi wherein "i" is comprised between 1 and 3 (CL1, CL2 and CL3).
[0026] The rows RHi of the mini-LEDs of the first mini-LED matrix 8 are electrically connected to respective rows RLi of mini-LEDs of the second mini-LED matrix 9.
[0027] In particular, each row RHi of mini-LEDs of the first mini-LED matrix 8 is electrically connected to a respective row RLi of mini-LEDs of the second mini-LED matrix 9.
[0028] In the example shown in Figure 3, the rows RHi of the first mini-LED matrix 8 and the rows RLi of the second mini-LED matrix 9 are connected in pairs according to the following connections RH1-RL1, RH2-RL2, RH3-RL3.
[0029] The rows RHi of mini-LEDs of the first mini-LED matrix 8 electrically connected to the respective rows of mini-LEDs RLi of the second mini-LED matrix 9 form therewith respective mini-LED scan lines Ki. The mini-LED scan lines Ki are connected to respective line activation terminals TKi of the driver 7 ("i" comprised between 1 and 3).
[0030] The rows of the first mini-LED matrix 8 and the second mini-LED matrix 9 are connected in pairs with each other according to the order RH1-RL1, RH2-RL2, RH3-RL3 and define respective mini-LED scan lines Ki, wherein i is comprised between 1 and 3, indicated in Figure 3 as K1, K2 and K3.
[0031] In this case, in the example shown in Figure 3, the scan line K1 comprises the mini-LED rows RH1-RL1; the scan line K2 comprises the mini-LED rows RH2-RL2; the scan line K3 comprises the mini-LED rows RH3-RL3.
[0032] In use, the activation of a scan line Ki by the mini-LED driver 7 results in simultaneous (concurrent) activation of the row RHi of the first mini-LED matrix 8 as well as of the other row RLi of the second mini-LED matrix 9.
[0033] With reference to Figure 3, the first mini-LED matrix 8 and the second mini-LED matrix 9 are also arranged side by side, in adjacent positions so as to form an overall matrix configuration of 2*N rows (N=6 rows) and M columns (M=3 columns).
[0034] In the example shown, the columns CHi of mini-LEDs of the first mini-LED matrix 8 are respectively aligned and contiguous with the columns CLi of mini-LEDs of the second mini-LED matrix 9 (underlying). This matrix configuration has the technical effect of forming a mini-LED display module 5 with an approximately unitary form factor.
[0035] In the example shown in Figure 3, the columns CHi of mini-LEDs of the first mini-LED matrix 8 are independent of and distinct from the columns CLi of the mini-LEDs of the second mini-LED matrix 9. In other words, the columns CHi of mini-LEDs of the first mini-LED matrix 8 are electrically separate from the columns CLi of the mini-LEDs of the second mini-LED matrix 9 and can be activated independently thereof.
[0036] With reference to Figure 3, the mini-LED driver 7 is configured so as to sequentially activate the scan lines Ki based on a programmed series activation order, so as to simultaneously activate in pairs the rows RHi of mini-LEDs of the first matrix 8 and the rows RLi of the second matrix 9.
[0037] The mini-LED driver 7 is further configured so that, when a scan line Ki is active, it selectively activates the columns CHi and/or CLi of mini-LEDs of the first matrix 8 and the second matrix 9 to selectively activate the mini-LEDs of the matrix along the two active rows RHi and RLi.
[0038] Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c show, in a schematic and simplified way for the sake of greater clarity of the present invention, a possible sequential activation of the scan lines Ki, i.e. of the pairs of rows RHi-RLi, and concomitantly for each active scan line Ki, the respective selective activation of the columns CHi e CLi to activate mini-LEDs 7 (indicated with an X when active) in order to display a letter on the display which in the example in Figure 3d is an "L".
[0039] It should be pointed out that the sequential activation is very fast so that it is not perceivable by the human eye as such but is perceivable as a simultaneous activation.
[0040] With reference to Figure 3a, when the mini-LED driver 7 activates the scan line K1, the rows RH1-RL1 (shown with a thick line) are activated. In addition, when the scan line K1 is active and the mini-LED driver 7 selectively activates the columns CH1 and CL1, the mini-LEDs at the row-column crossing points "RH1-CH1" and "RL1-CL1" are activated (Figure 3a).
[0041] With reference to Figure 3b, when the mini-LED driver 7 deactivates the scan line K1 and activates the subsequent scan line K2 according to the programmed activation order, the rows RH2-RL2 (shown with a thick line) are activated. When the scan line K2 is active and the mini-LED driver 7 selectively activates the columns CH1 and CL1, the mini-LEDs at the row-column crossing points "RH2-CH1" and "RL2-CL1" are activated (Figure 3b).
[0042] With reference to Figure 3c, when the mini-LED driver 7 deactivates the scan line K2 and activates the subsequent scan line K3 according to the programmed activation order, the rows RH3-RL3 (shown with a thick line) are activated. When the scan line K3 is active and the mini-LED driver 7 selectively activates the columns CH1, CL1, CL2, CL3, the mini-LEDs at the row-column crossing points "RH3-CH1", "RL3-CH1", "RL3-CH2", "RL3-CH3" are activated.
[0043] With reference to the embodiment in Figure 3, the electronic control unit 6 is provided with a processing device 11, such as a microcontroller, which can be configured so as to receive input data frame F1 encoding the data containing information relating to the image to be displayed via the mini-LED matrix display module 5. The data frame F1 corresponding to an image to be displayed may be supplied, for example, to the image processing unit 11 by a vehicle's board computer BC (shown schematically in Figure 1). The data frame F1 can be structured so that the encoded data are organized on the basis of a mini-LED matrix display module 5 having 2M rows and N columns.
[0044] The processing device 11 is configured so as to process the data frame F1 according to the position of the pairs of rows RHi-RLi forming the scan lines Ki within the first matrix 8 and the second matrix 9 and provides an output modified data frame F1E.
[0045] The modified data frame F1E then encodes the data containing information for activating the mini-LEDs so that when they are implemented by the mini-LED driver 7 they cause the latter to activate the mini-LEDs, taking into account that the scan lines Ki are not each associated with a single row of mini-LEDs extending in line one after the other in the matrix but are instead divided into a pair of rows having different positions relative to each other within the mini-LED matrix display module.
[0046] Figure 7 schematizes an example of a data frame F1, which contains the mini-LED control data encoding a predetermined image to be displayed and is supplied as input to the processing device 11. The processing device 11 processes the frame F1 intended to be displayed by the mini-LED matrix display module 5 having a 2N*M matrix and transforms it into the frame F1E having an N*2M configuration based on the position of the pairs of rows RHi-RLi of the mini-LED matrix display module shown in Figure 3. The processing device 11 then supplies the processed frame F1E to the driver 7 which controls the mini-LED matrix display module 5 based thereon.
[0047] In the example shown in Figure 7, the frame F1 is processed so that it is divided into a first part FI1 and a second part FI2 associated with the N*M configuration of the first matrix 8 and the N*M configuration of the second matrix 9, respectively, wherein the data in the first part FI1 and in the second part FI2 are sorted so as to form, on the one hand, the scan lines Ki by aligning the respective rows RHi-RLi with each other, and on the other hand, by considering the columns CHi and CLi in sequential order one after the other (CH1, CH2, CH3, CL1, CL2, CL3).
[0048] It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the architecture of the mini-LED matrix display module 5 shown in Figure 3 but may include other architectures wherein the scan lines Ki are formed by rows that have electrical connections different from those shown in Figure 3.
[0049] For example, with reference to the example shown in Figure 4, the rows RHi of the first mini-LED matrix 8 and the rows RLi of the second mini-LED matrix 9 are connected in pairs according to connections different from those of the configuration shown in Figure 3, i.e. via the following connections RH1-RL3, RH2-RL2, RH3-RL1.
[0050] Similarly to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, also in the embodiment shown in Figure 4 the rows RHi of mini-LEDs of the first mini-LED matrix 8 are electrically connected to the respective rows RLi of mini-LEDs of the second mini-LED matrix 9 and form therewith respective mini-LED scan lines Ki that are connected to the mini-LED driver 7.
[0051] In the example shown in Figure 4, the rows of the first mini-LED matrix 8 and the second mini-LED matrix 9 are connected in pairs with each other according to the order RH1-RL3, RH2-RL2, RH3-RL1 and define respective mini-LED scan lines Ki (wherein i is comprised between 1 and 3). In Figure 4, the mini-LED scan lines are indicated as K1, K2, and K3. In particular, in the example shown in Figure 4, the scan line K1 comprises the rows RH1-RL3; the scan line K2 comprises the rows RH2-RL2; the scan line K3 comprises the rows RH3-RL1.
[0052] The exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c shows a possible sequential activation of the scan lines Ki according to a configuration different from that shown in Figure 3. The pairs of rows RHi and RLi are then activated and, concomitantly for each activation of scan lines Ki, the columns CHi and CLi are selectively activated in order to activate mini-LEDs (also indicated in Figure 4 with an X) for the purpose of displaying the letter "L" during the activation sequence (Figure 4d).
[0053] In particular, with reference to Figure 4a, when the mini-LED driver 7 activates the scan line K1, the rows RH1 and RL3 (shown with a thick line) are activated. In this condition, the selective activation of the columns CH1, CL1, CL2 and CL3 results in the activation of the mini-LEDs at the points RH1-CH1, RL3-CL1, RL3-CL2, and RL3-CL3.
[0054] With reference to Figure 4b, when the scan line K1 is deactivated and the scan line K2 is activated by the mini-LED driver 7, the rows RH2-RL2 (shown with a thick line) are activated. In this case, the selective activation of the columns CH1 and CL1 results in the selective activation of the mini-LEDs at the points RH2-CH1 and RL2-CL1.
[0055] With reference to Figure 4c, when the scan line K2 is deactivated and the scan line K3 is activated by the mini-LED driver 7, the rows RH3-RL1 (shown with a thick line) are activated. In this condition, the selective activation of the columns CH1 and CL1 results in the activation of the mini-LEDs at the points RH3-CH1 and RL1-CL1. Figure 4d schematically shows the image generated by the mini-LED matrix display module based on the control sequence shown in Figures 4a-4c.
[0056] With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 8, the latter schematizes a related frame F1 which contains the mini-LED control data encoding a predetermined image to be displayed and is supplied as input to the processing device 11.
[0057] The processing device 11 processes the frame F1 and transforms it into the frame F1E based on the position of the pairs of rows RHi-RLi of the mini-LED matrix display module shown in Figure 4. In particular, the different positions of the scan lines of mini-LED matrix display modules lead to a different configuration of the frames F1E generated by the processing device 11.
[0058] With reference to Figure 5, a wiring diagram is shown as an example of a possible embodiment of the mini-LED matrix display module 5 connected to a driver 7 according to the schematic configuration shown in Figure 3.
[0059] In particular, in the example shown, the mini-LED matrix display module 5 has the first mini-LED matrix 8 and the second mini-LED matrix 9 which are arranged side by side so as to form an overall matrix configuration of 2*N rows (N=3 rows in the example shown) and M columns (M=7 columns).
[0060] In the wiring diagram shown in Figure 5, the mini-LED matrix display module 5 has electrical branches REC connecting the mini-LEDs (indicated by ML), arranged in the columns CHi of the first mini-LED matrix 8 which are respectively aligned and contiguous with the underlying electrical connecting branches REC of the mini-LEDs arranged along the columns CLi of the second mini-LED matrix 9 (underlying).
[0061] In the wiring diagram of the example in Figure 5, the electrical branches of the rows RER of the mini-LEDs ML arranged in the rows RH1, RH2 and RH3 are electrically connected to the respective electrical branches RER of the mini-LEDs arranged along the rows RL1, RL2 and RL3. The scan lines K1, K2, and K3 of the mini-LED matrix display module 5 shown in Figure 5 are electrically connected to respective scan terminals TK1, TK2, and TK3 of the driver 7. The columns CHi and CLi of the mini-LED matrix display module 5 shown in Figure 5 are electrically connected to respective column activation terminals TCHi and TCLi of the driver 7.
[0062] With reference to Figure 6, a wiring diagram is shown as an example of a possible embodiment of the mini-LED matrix display module 5 connected to a driver 7 according to the schematic configuration shown in Figure 4.
[0063] In particular, in the example shown, the mini-LED matrix display module 5 has the first mini-LED matrix 8 and the second mini-LED matrix 9 which are arranged side by side so as to form an overall matrix configuration of 2*N rows (N=3 rows in the example shown) and M columns (M=7 columns).
[0064] In the wiring diagram shown in Figure 6, the mini-LED matrix display module 5 has electrical branches REC connecting the mini-LEDs ML arranged in the columns CHi of the first mini-LED matrix 8 which are respectively aligned and contiguous with the underlying electrical connecting branches REC of the mini-LEDs ML arranged along the columns CLi of the second mini-LED matrix 9 (underlying).
[0065] In the wiring diagram of the example in Figure 6, the electrical branches of the rows RER of the mini-LEDs ML arranged in the rows RH1, RH2 and RH3 are electrically connected to the respective electrical branches RER of the mini-LEDs arranged along the rows RL3, RL2 and RL1. The scan lines K1, K2, and K3 of the mini-LED matrix display module 5 shown in Figure 6 are electrically connected to respective scan terminals TK1, TK2, and TK3 of the driver 7. The columns CHi and CLi of the mini-LED matrix display module 5 shown in Figure 6 are electrically connected to respective column activation terminals TCHi and TCLi of the driver 7.
[0066] With reference to the flow chart shown in Figure 9, the operation of the mini-LED electronic lighting device 4 will be described below.
[0067] In the initial step (block 100), the vehicle's board computer BC sends the data frame F1 to the image processing unit 11.
[0068] The image processing unit 11 processes the data frame F1 and transforms it into the data frame F1E (Block 110). In this step, the data frame F1 is modified according to the position of the pairs of rows RHi-RLi forming the scan lines Ki within the first matrix 8 and the second matrix 9 and provides an output modified data frame F1E.
[0069] The modified data frame F1E then encodes the data containing information for activating the mini-LEDs which, when implemented by the mini-LED driver 7, cause the latter to activate the mini-LEDs, taking into account that the scan lines Ki are not each associated with a single row of mini-LEDs extending in line one after the other in the matrix but are instead divided into a pair of rows having different positions relative to each other within the mini-LED matrix display module.
[0071] The driver 7 activates the scan lines Ki based on the sequential control order of the rows encoded in the data frame F1E (Block 130) and, for each scan line Ki, selectively activates the columns CHi, CLi based on the data contained in the data frame F1E (block 140).
[0072] As shown in the examples in Figures 3a-3c and 4a-4c, the activation of a scan line Ki results in the simultaneous activation of two different rows RHi-RLi of the matrix; the activation of the columns CHi-CLi results in the activation of the mini-LEDs ML at the row-column crossing points of the two activated rows.
[0073] The lamp described above is advantageous in that it allows the manufacture of mini-LED matrix modules with substantially square shapes, while maintaining the use of the drivers currently used for controlling the elongated, rectangular mini-LED matrix display modules, thus limiting the costs of designing, developing and manufacturing new lamps.
1. An automotive lighting unit (1) comprising:
an electronic mini-LED lighting device (4) provided with at least one mini-LED display module (5) comprising a first mini-LED matrix (8) and a second mini-LED matrix (9), wherein
the mini-LEDs of each row of the first matrix (8) are electrically connected to the mini-LEDs of a respective row of the second matrix (9) so as to form a common mini-LED scan line therewith, and
the mini-LEDs of each column of the first matrix (8) are arranged aligned with the mini-LEDs of a respective column of the second matrix (9) so as to form a column of mini-LEDs of said mini-LED display module,
at least one mini-LED driver (7) which is configured to:
sequentially activate the common scan lines (Ki), one after the other, so as to simultaneously activate in pairs one row of mini-LEDs of the first matrix (8) and one row of mini-LEDs of the second matrix (9), and
when a common scan line is active, selectively activate the columns of the first matrix (8) and the columns of the second matrix (9) based on the mini-LEDs to be activated along the rows of mini-LEDs of the first matrix (8) and second matrix (9) activated by said common scan line.
2. The automotive lighting unit according to claim 1, wherein
the first matrix (8) and the second matrix (9) are configured in order that each row of the first matrix (8) is connected to a corresponding row in the second matrix (9) according to an increasing order of the rows.
the first matrix (8) and the second matrix (9) are configured in order that each row of the first matrix (8) is connected to a corresponding row in the second matrix (9) according to an increasing order of the rows.
3. The automotive lighting unit according to claim 1,
wherein
the first matrix (8) and the second matrix (9) are configured in order that each row of the first matrix (8) is connected to a corresponding row in the second matrix (9) according to a decreasing reverse order of the rows.
wherein
the first matrix (8) and the second matrix (9) are configured in order that each row of the first matrix (8) is connected to a corresponding row in the second matrix (9) according to a decreasing reverse order of the rows.
4. The automotive lighting unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
said electronic mini-LED lighting device (4) comprises an image processing device
(11) which is configured to
receive an input frame (F1) encoding the data containing information relating to the image to be displayed via the mini-LED matrix display module (5),
process the data frame (F1) according to the position of the pairs of rows forming the scan lines within the first matrix (8) and the second matrix (9) in order to determine a modified data frame (F1E),
supply the modified data frame (F1E) to said mini-LED (7) .
5. The automotive lighting unit according to claim 4, wherein said mini-LED (7) is designed
to activate said scan lines and said columns of said mini-LED display module (5) based
on said modified data frame (F1E).
6. The automotive lighting unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the mini-LED display module (7) comprises a first mini-LED matrix (8) comprising N
rows and M columns of mini-LEDs, and a second mini-LED matrix (9) comprising N rows
and M columns of mini-LEDs;
said mini-LED driver (7) being configured to
said mini-LED driver (7) being configured to
selectively activate N scan lines to cause the simultaneous activation of respective different pairs of rows of said mini-LED display module (5) arranged in said first matrix (8) and in said second matrix (9),
selectively activate M column lines to cause the mini-LEDs to be activated during the activation of the rows of said scan lines.
7. A method of operation of an automotive lighting unit (1) comprising:
an electronic mini-LED lighting device (4) provided with at least one mini-LED matrix display module (5) comprising a first matrix (8) of mini-LEDs and a second matrix (9) of mini-LEDs, wherein
the mini-LEDs of each row of the first matrix (8) are electrically connected to the mini-LEDs of a respective row of the second matrix (9) so as to form a common mini-LED scan line therewith, and
the mini-LEDs of each column of the first matrix (8) are arranged aligned with the mini-LEDs of a respective column of the second matrix (9) so as to form a column of mini-LEDs of said mini-LED display module,
a mini-LED driver designed to control said mini-LED matrix display module (5)
said method comprising the steps of
sequentially activating, via said mini-LED driver (7), the common scan lines, one
after the other, so as to simultaneously activate in pairs one row of mini-LEDs of
the first matrix (8) and one row of mini-LEDs of the second matrix (9), and
when a common scan line is active, selectively activating the columns of the first
matrix (8) and the columns of the second matrix (9) based on the mini-LEDs to be activated
along the rows of mini-LEDs of the first matrix (8) and second matrix (9) activated
by said common scan line.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein
the first matrix (8) and the second matrix (9) are configured so that each row of the first matrix (8) is electrically connected to a corresponding row in the second matrix (9) according to an increasing order of the respective rows.
the first matrix (8) and the second matrix (9) are configured so that each row of the first matrix (8) is electrically connected to a corresponding row in the second matrix (9) according to an increasing order of the respective rows.
9. The method according to claim 7, wherein
the first matrix (8) and the second matrix (9) are configured so that each row of the first matrix (8) is connected to a corresponding row in the second matrix (9) according to a decreasing reverse order of the respective rows.
the first matrix (8) and the second matrix (9) are configured so that each row of the first matrix (8) is connected to a corresponding row in the second matrix (9) according to a decreasing reverse order of the respective rows.
10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein said electronic mini-LED
lighting device (4) comprises an image processing device (11);
said method comprising the steps of receiving, via said image processing device (11), an input frame (F1) encoding the data containing information relating to the image to be displayed via the mini-LED matrix display module (5),
said method comprising the steps of receiving, via said image processing device (11), an input frame (F1) encoding the data containing information relating to the image to be displayed via the mini-LED matrix display module (5),
processing, via said image processing device (11), the data frame (F1) according to the position of the pairs of rows RHi-RLi forming the scan lines within the first matrix (8) and the second matrix (9) in order to determine a modified data frame (F1E),
via said image processing device (11), supplying the modified data frame (F1E) to said mini-LED driver (7).
11. The method according to claim 10, comprising the step of: activating, via said mini-LED
driver (7), said scan lines and said columns of said mini-LED display module (5) based
on said modified data frame (F1E).
12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the mini-LED display module
(5) comprises a first mini-LED matrix (8) comprising N rows and M columns of mini-LEDs,
and a second mini-LED matrix (9) comprising N rows and M columns of mini-LEDs;
said method comprises
said method comprises
selectively activating, via said mini-LED driver (7), N scan lines to cause the simultaneous activation of respective different pairs of rows of said mini-LED display module (5) arranged in said first matrix (8) and in said second matrix (9),
selectively activating M column lines to cause the mini-LEDs to be activated during the activation of the rows of said scan lines.