LIGHT CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE

• US 20150145411A1
• Filed: 05/23/2014
• Published: 05/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Bae, Han Yeoung
• Granted Patent: US 9,150,146 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/82
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/314 Ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/33 Driving situation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/337 Tunnels or bridges

Abstract

A light control apparatus for a vehicle may include: an operation unit configured to receive a selection for an auto-light function; a control unit configured to determine whether or not a light operation condition is satisfied based on position information provided from a GPS module and plural pieces of information for operating a light unit, received through a wireless communication module, and output a light operating signal according to the determination result, when the auto-light function is selected through the operation unit; and a light control unit configured to operate a light unit according to the light operating signal provided from the control unit.

Claims

1. A light control apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:

an operation unit configured to receive a selection for an auto-light function;

a control unit configured to determine whether or not a light operation condition is satisfied based on position information provided from a GPS module and plural pieces of information for operating a light unit, received through a wireless communication module, and output a light operating signal according to the determination result, when the auto-light function is selected through the operation unit; and

a light control unit configured to operate a light unit according to the light operating signal provided from the control unit.

2. The light control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plural pieces of information for operating the light unit are collected from a telematics server through the wireless communication module, and

the control unit determines whether or not the light operation condition is satisfied based on information corresponding to a current position identified through the position information provided from the GPS module, among the plural pieces of information for operating the light unit.

3. The light control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a storage unit configured to store information on how many times at least one of on and off commands for the light unit is inputted from the operation unit,

wherein when an auto adjust mode is selected through the operation unit, the control unit compares at least one of the number of on commands for the light unit and the number of off commands for the light unit, which are stored in the storage unit, to a preset number, and changes a control time of the light operating signal according to the comparison result.

4. The light control apparatus of claim 3, wherein when the number of on commands for the light unit is larger than the preset number, the control unit controls the light unit to be turned on earlier and turned off later than a predetermined time.

5. The light control apparatus of claim 3, wherein when the number of off commands for the light unit is larger than the preset number, the control unit controls the light unit to be turned on later and turned off earlier than a predetermined time.

6. The light control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light control unit varies an illumination level according to the light operating signal, and operates the light unit.

7. The light control apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an illumination sensor configured to sense illumination around the vehicle,

wherein the light control unit controls the light unit by further reflecting the illumination value inputted from the illumination sensor, or the control unit further reflects the illumination value inputted from the illumination sensor when transmitting the light operating signal.

8. The light control apparatus of claim 1, wherein when a current position is not identified through the GPS module, the control unit determines that the light operation condition is satisfied.

9. A light control method for a vehicle, comprising:

receiving, by a control unit, a selection for an auto-light function through an operation unit;

receiving, by the control unit, position information from a GPS module and receiving plural pieces of information for operating a light unit through a wireless communication module, when the selection for the auto-light function is inputted through the operation unit;

determining, by the control unit, whether or not a light operation condition is satisfied based on the position information and the plural pieces of information for operating the light unit;

transmitting, by the control unit, a light operating signal to a light control unit according to the determination result; and

operating, by the light control unit, the light unit according to the light operating signal.

10. The light control method of claim 9, wherein in the receiving of the plural pieces of information for operating the light unit,

the control unit receives information for operating the light unit, corresponding to a current position identified through the GPS module, among the plural pieces of information for operating the light unit which are collected through communication with a telematics server by the wireless communication module.

11. The light control method of claim 9, further comprising comparing, by the control unit, at least one of the number of on commands for the light unit and the number of off commands for the light unit, which are stored in the storage unit, to a preset number, and changing a control time of the light operating signal according to the comparison result, when an auto adjust mode is selected through the operation unit.

12. The light control method of claim 11, wherein when the number of on commands for the light unit is larger than the preset number, the control unit controls the light unit to be turned on earlier and turned off later than a predetermined time.

13. The light control method of claim 11, wherein when the number of off commands for the light unit is larger than the preset number, the control unit controls the light unit to be turned on later and turned off earlier than a predetermined time.

14. The light control method of claim 9, wherein when a current position is not identified through the GPS module, the control unit determines that the light operation condition is satisfied.