Speed dependent vehicle courtesy lamp control for an automobile
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for controlling the operation of a courtesy lamp for illuminating an interior of a motor vehicle, comprising:
- position sensing means for generating a door ajar signal responsive to said door being ajar;
speed sensing means for generating a speed signal responsive to the speed of said vehicle; and
control means coupled to said position sensing means and to said speed sensing means for controlling illumination of said courtesy lamp in response to said door ajar signal and said speed signal, wherein said control means activates said courtesy lamp when said door is ajar and said speed signal is less than a first speed threshold and wherein said control means deactivates said courtesy lamp when said door is ajar and said speed signal is greater than a second speed threshold, said second speed threshold being greater than said first speed threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interior lamp control using a microprocessor to monitor the ignition switch, door ajar switches, and vehicle speed deactivates the interior lamp if vehicle speed exceeds a speed threshold even though the state of the input switches otherwise indicates that the interior lamp should be illuminated. The lamp will not again illuminate until after the speed decreases below a lower speed threshold.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for controlling the operation of a courtesy lamp for illuminating an interior of a motor vehicle, comprising:
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position sensing means for generating a door ajar signal responsive to said door being ajar; speed sensing means for generating a speed signal responsive to the speed of said vehicle; and control means coupled to said position sensing means and to said speed sensing means for controlling illumination of said courtesy lamp in response to said door ajar signal and said speed signal, wherein said control means activates said courtesy lamp when said door is ajar and said speed signal is less than a first speed threshold and wherein said control means deactivates said courtesy lamp when said door is ajar and said speed signal is greater than a second speed threshold, said second speed threshold being greater than said first speed threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for controlling a courtesy lamp for illuminating an interior of a motor vehicle having at least one door, comprising the steps of:
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generating a door ajar signal indicative of the position of said door; generating a speed signal indicative of vehicle speed; and controlling illumination of said courtesy lamp in response to said speed signal and said door ajar signal such that said courtesy lamp is activated when said door is ajar and said speed signal is less than a first speed threshold and wherein said courtesy lamp is deactivated when said door is ajar and said speed signal is greater than a second speed threshold, said second speed threshold being greater than said first speed threshold. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for controlling a courtesy lamp for illuminating an interior of a motor vehicle having at least one door, comprising the steps of:
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sensing whether said door is ajar; sensing vehicle speed; turning on said courtesy lamp in response to said door being ajar while said vehicle speed is less than a first speed threshold; and turning off said courtesy lamp in response to said vehicle speed being greater than a second speed threshold in spite of said door being ajar, said second speed threshold being greater than said first speed threshold. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification