Light activation sequence of a vehicle

• US 10,017,107 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2016
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Aust, Frank, Wilson, Terrence Joseph, Helwig, Stephen Kenneth, Brown, David A., Schumacher, Max Anton
• Primary Examiner(s): Marc, McDieunel
• Application Number:
  US15/351,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20180134211A1
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/04 the devices being headlights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/14 having dimming means
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1423 Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/30 for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/323 on or for doors illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/054 Variable non-standard intensity, i.e. emission of various beam intensities different from standard intensities, e.g. continuous or stepped transitions of intensity
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/14 Other vehicle conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/30 Daytime running lights [DRL], e.g. circuits or arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A lighting system of a vehicle is provided herein and includes a headlamp, a taillight, and a controller configured to operate the headlamp and the taillight. The controller implements an activation sequence based on a state of a door. The activation sequence includes sequentially activating at least one of the headlamp and the taillight from inboard to outboard.

Claims

1. A lighting system of a vehicle, comprising:

a headlamp;

a taillight; and

a controller configured to operate the headlamp and the taillight, wherein the controller implements an activation sequence based on a state of a door, and wherein the activation sequence comprises fading in the headlamp and the taillight and maintaining the headlamp and the taillight at a predetermined intensity.

2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the controller senses a state of the door based on input received from a door sensor.

3. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the activation sequence further comprises fading in a deck lid light.

4. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the controller implements the light sequence when the door is unlocked.

5. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the activation sequence is implemented for a predetermined period of time.

6. The lighting system of claim 5, wherein upon expiration of the predetermined period of time, the controller implements a shut-off sequence that includes fading out the headlamp and the taillight.

7. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the controller further implements the activation sequence based upon the detection of a wireless electronic device proximate the vehicle.

8. A lighting system of a vehicle, comprising:

a headlamp;

a taillight; and

a controller configured to operate the headlamp and the taillight, wherein the controller implements an activation sequence based on a state of a door, and wherein the activation sequence comprises sequentially activating at least one of the headlamp and the taillight from inboard to outboard.

9. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the controller implements the light sequence when the door is unlocked.

10. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the activation sequence further comprises maintaining the headlamp and the taillight at a predetermined intensity.

11. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the activation sequence is implemented for a predetermined period of time, and wherein upon expiration of the predetermined period of time, the controller implements a shut-off sequence that includes sequentially deactivating at least one of the headlamp and the taillight from outboard to inboard.

12. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the activation sequence further comprises fading in a deck lid light.

13. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the headlamp comprises a daytime running light configured as a sequential light.

14. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the controller comprises a first channel electrically coupled to a front left headlamp and a rear left taillight, and second channel electrically coupled to a front right headlamp and rear right taillight.

15. A lighting method of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

sensing a state of a door;

based on the state of the door, sequentially activating at least one of a headlamp and a taillight;

maintaining the headlamp and the taillight at a predetermined intensity; and

sequentially deactivating at least one of the headlamp and the taillight from outboard to inboard upon expiration of a predetermined period of time.

16. The lighting method of claim 15, wherein the step of sensing comprises detection of the door in an unlocked state.

17. The lighting method of claim 15, further comprising fading in a puddle lamp based on the state of the door.

18. The lighting method of claim 15, wherein the step of sequentially activating is further based on a wireless electronic device being detected in proximity to the vehicle.

19. The lighting method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined period of time is adjustable.

20. The lighting method of claim 15, wherein the headlamp and the taillight are both configured as sequential lights.