Vehicle running light system
First Claim
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1. A vehicle running light system configured to be coupled to a vehicle having a vehicle lighting system operable to light a plurality of vehicle function lights on the vehicle in response to a plurality of operating modes, the vehicle running light system comprising:
- a plurality of running lights coupled to the vehicle;
a controller in electrical communication with the vehicle lighting system and the plurality of running lights;
the controller configured to receive multiple input signals corresponding to a plurality of operating modes and to generate a plurality of control signals each for selectively initiating activation of at least one of the plurality of running lights in accordance with at least two of the plurality of operating modes of the vehicle lighting system, the control signals generated in response to an input signal generated from the vehicle lighting system and associated with an activation of a vehicle function light; and
a circuit connection configured to communicate the control signals from the controller to the plurality of running lights,wherein a brightness of the plurality of running lights is adjusted in response to the input signal generated from the vehicle lighting system by using pulse width modulation, andwherein the controller is further configured to access a look-up table matching the input signal from the vehicle lighting system to an operating mode of the plurality of running lights, andwherein the plurality of operating modes is selected from a group consisting of;
parking, turn signal, courtesy, brake, headlight, and four-way hazard lighting operations and combinations thereof.
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Abstract
A running light is activated in response to a number of command signals that correspond to the activation of one or more vehicle lights. For example, the running light may blink when an associated turn signal blinks, may dimly illuminate when a parking light is on, and may shine brightly when a brake light is on.
25 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A vehicle running light system configured to be coupled to a vehicle having a vehicle lighting system operable to light a plurality of vehicle function lights on the vehicle in response to a plurality of operating modes, the vehicle running light system comprising:
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a plurality of running lights coupled to the vehicle; a controller in electrical communication with the vehicle lighting system and the plurality of running lights; the controller configured to receive multiple input signals corresponding to a plurality of operating modes and to generate a plurality of control signals each for selectively initiating activation of at least one of the plurality of running lights in accordance with at least two of the plurality of operating modes of the vehicle lighting system, the control signals generated in response to an input signal generated from the vehicle lighting system and associated with an activation of a vehicle function light; and a circuit connection configured to communicate the control signals from the controller to the plurality of running lights, wherein a brightness of the plurality of running lights is adjusted in response to the input signal generated from the vehicle lighting system by using pulse width modulation, and wherein the controller is further configured to access a look-up table matching the input signal from the vehicle lighting system to an operating mode of the plurality of running lights, and wherein the plurality of operating modes is selected from a group consisting of;
parking, turn signal, courtesy, brake, headlight, and four-way hazard lighting operations and combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 19, 20)
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8. A method of operating a plurality of running lights configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes and that is responsive to a plurality of control signals, the method comprising:
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generating at least two signals by a vehicle lighting system operable to light a plurality of vehicle function lights on the vehicle in response to a plurality of operating modes selected from a group consisting of;
parking, running, turn signal, courtesy, brake, headlight, four-way hazard lighting operations, and combinations thereof;electrically communicating multiple input signals to a controller for the plurality of running lights; accessing a look-up table by the controller to match the signals from the vehicle lighting system to a corresponding operating mode of the plurality of operating modes of the plurality of running lights; generating a control signal associated with at least two of the corresponding operating modes; and activating at least one of the plurality of running lights using the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 21)
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13. A vehicle running light system configured to be coupled to a tow vehicle being towed by a vehicle having a vehicle lighting system operable to light a plurality of vehicle function lights on the vehicle in response to a plurality of operating modes, the vehicle running light system comprising:
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a plurality of running lights coupled to the tow vehicle; a controller on the tow vehicle in electrical communication with the vehicle lighting system through a harness and the plurality of running lights; the controller configured to receive multiple input signals corresponding to a plurality of operating modes and to generate a plurality of control signals each for selectively initiating activation of at least one of the plurality of running lights in accordance with at least two of the plurality of operating modes of the vehicle lighting system, the control signals generated in response to an input signal generated from the vehicle lighting system and associated with an activation of a vehicle function light; and a circuit connection configured to communicate the control signals from the controller to the plurality of running lights, wherein a brightness of the plurality of running lights is adjusted in response to the input signal generated from the vehicle lighting system by using pulse width modulation, and wherein the controller is further configured to access a look-up table matching the input signal from the vehicle lighting system to an operating mode of the plurality of running lights, and wherein the plurality of operating modes is selected from a group consisting of;
parking, turn signal, courtesy, brake, headlight, and four-way hazard lighting operations and combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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18. A vehicle running light system configured to be coupled to a vehicle having a vehicle lighting system operable to light a plurality of vehicle function lights on the vehicle in response to a plurality of operating modes, the vehicle running light system comprising:
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a plurality of running lights coupled to the vehicle; a controller in electrical communication with the vehicle lighting system and the plurality of lights, the controller including a programming port configured to receive software upgrades into the controller; the controller configured to generate a plurality of control signals each for selectively initiating activation of at least one of the plurality of running lights in accordance with at least two of the plurality of operating modes of the vehicle lighting system, the control signals generated in response to an input signal generated from the vehicle lighting system and associated with an activation of a vehicle function light; and a circuit connection configured to communicate the control signals from the controller to the plurality of running lights, wherein a brightness of the plurality of running lights is adjusted in response to the input signal generated from the vehicle lighting system by using pulse width modulation, and wherein the controller is further configured to access a look-up table matching the input signal from the vehicle lighting system to an operating mode of the plurality of running lights, and wherein the plurality of operating modes is selected from a group consisting of;
parking, turn signal, courtesy, brake, headlight, and four-way hazard lighting operations and combinations thereof.
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Specification