Adaptive vehicle communication controlled lighting system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle safety system comprising:
- at least one light source;
at least one beam-forming assembly optically coupled to said at least one light source;
at least one emitter optically coupled to said at least one beam-forming assembly;
at least one object detection sensor operable to detect at least one object and generate at least one object detection signal;
a controller coupled to said at least one beam-forming assembly and said at least one object detection sensor; and
a memory coupled to said controller and operable to store a plurality of selectable beam patterns;
wherein said controller is operable to select at least one beam pattern from said selectable beam patterns stored in said memory and accordingly control at least one said beam-forming assembly so as to configure light received from at least one said light source for emission via at least one said emitter to thereby produce at least one beam illumination pattern for enhancing visibility of a roadway;
wherein said controller is operable to select at least one other beam pattern from said selectable beam patterns in response to at least one said object detection signal so as to change at least one said beam illumination pattern emitted from at least one said emitter; and
wherein said controller is operable to change at least one said beam illumination pattern emitted from at least one said emitter in response to at least one said object detection signal by adjusting at least one beam illumination parameter selected from the group consisting of beam amplitude, beam location, beam focus, beam angle, and beam shape.
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Abstract
A vehicle safety system (10) includes a light source (32). A beam-forming assembly (34) is optically coupled to the light source (32). An object detection sensor (16) detects an object and generates an object detection signal. A controller (18) is coupled to the beam-forming assembly (34) and the object detection sensor (16). The controller (18) adjusts illumination output of the vehicle safety system (10) in response to the object detection signal.
238 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A vehicle safety system comprising:
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at least one light source; at least one beam-forming assembly optically coupled to said at least one light source; at least one emitter optically coupled to said at least one beam-forming assembly; at least one object detection sensor operable to detect at least one object and generate at least one object detection signal; a controller coupled to said at least one beam-forming assembly and said at least one object detection sensor; and a memory coupled to said controller and operable to store a plurality of selectable beam patterns; wherein said controller is operable to select at least one beam pattern from said selectable beam patterns stored in said memory and accordingly control at least one said beam-forming assembly so as to configure light received from at least one said light source for emission via at least one said emitter to thereby produce at least one beam illumination pattern for enhancing visibility of a roadway; wherein said controller is operable to select at least one other beam pattern from said selectable beam patterns in response to at least one said object detection signal so as to change at least one said beam illumination pattern emitted from at least one said emitter; and wherein said controller is operable to change at least one said beam illumination pattern emitted from at least one said emitter in response to at least one said object detection signal by adjusting at least one beam illumination parameter selected from the group consisting of beam amplitude, beam location, beam focus, beam angle, and beam shape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A headlight system for a vehicle, said headlight system comprising:
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at least one light source; at least one beam-forming assembly optically coupled to said at least one light source; at least one emitter optically coupled to said at least one beam-forming assembly; a transmitter operable to generate a first communication signal; a receiver operable to receive a second communication signal that is generated by an object external to said vehicle and in response to said first communication signal; and a controller coupled to said at least one beam-forming assembly, said transmitter, and said receiver; wherein said controller is operable to control at least one said beam-forming assembly so as to configure light received from at least one said light source for emission via at least one said emitter to thereby produce at least one beam illumination pattern for enhancing visibility of a roadway; wherein each said beam illumination pattern has associated beam illumination parameters including beam angle, beam focus, beam amplitude, beam position, and beam shape; and wherein said controller is operable to change at least one said beam illumination pattern in response to said second communication signal by adjusting at least one of said beam illumination parameters.
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18. A method of operating a headlight system on a vehicle for adaptively illuminating a roadway to enhance visibility, said method comprising the steps of:
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controlling said headlight system to selectively produce a beam illumination pattern that illuminates said roadway; detecting at least one communication signal generated from at least one object that is external to said vehicle; controlling said headlight system, in response to and in accordance with each said communication signal, to selectively produce an alternative beam illumination pattern that illuminates said roadway; and controlling said headlight system, in response to and in accordance with each said communication signal, to selectively alter its beam illumination pattern by adjusting at least one beam illumination parameter selected from the group consisting of beam angle, beam focus, beam amplitude, beam position, and beam shape.
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Specification