Automatic Lighting System with Adaptive Alignment Function
First Claim
1. An automatic lighting system for a vehicle, said automatic lighting system comprising:
- a gaze detection device operable to determine a gaze direction of a driver or driving instructor of a vehicle;
an illumination source directed generally forwardly with respect to a direction of travel of the vehicle, said illumination source having an adjustable principal axis of illumination; and
a control operable to adjust said principal axis of illumination of said illumination source in response to an output of said gaze detection device, said control adjusting said principal axis of illumination of said illumination source to direct illumination toward an area where the driver or driving instructor of the vehicle is looking.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic lighting system for a vehicle includes a detection device, an illumination source and a control. The illumination source is directed generally forwardly with respect to a direction of travel of the vehicle, and has an adjustable principal axis of illumination. The detection device may be operable to determine a gaze direction of a driver or driving instructor of a vehicle or may detect a sign or other object of interest, such as a deer or pedestrian or the like, generally forwardly and sidewardly of the vehicle. The control is operable to adjust the principal axis of illumination of the illumination source in response to an output of the detection device so as to provide enhanced illumination at areas sideward and forward of the vehicle.
83 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An automatic lighting system for a vehicle, said automatic lighting system comprising:
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a gaze detection device operable to determine a gaze direction of a driver or driving instructor of a vehicle; an illumination source directed generally forwardly with respect to a direction of travel of the vehicle, said illumination source having an adjustable principal axis of illumination; and a control operable to adjust said principal axis of illumination of said illumination source in response to an output of said gaze detection device, said control adjusting said principal axis of illumination of said illumination source to direct illumination toward an area where the driver or driving instructor of the vehicle is looking. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An automatic lighting system for a vehicle, said automatic lighting system comprising:
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an imaging device for capturing images, said imaging device having a field of view directed generally forwardly with respect to a direction of travel of the vehicle; a control operable to process image data to determine if an object of interest is present generally forwardly and sidewardly of the vehicle as the vehicle travels along a road; an illumination source directed generally forwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle; and wherein said control is operable to adjust said illumination source in response to a detection of an object of interest generally forwardly and sidewardly of the vehicle, said control adjusting said illumination source to direct illumination toward an area encompassing the detected object of interest when the object of interest is detected. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An automatic lighting system for a vehicle, said automatic lighting system comprising:
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a gaze detection device operable to determine a gaze direction of a driver or driving instructor of a vehicle, wherein said gaze detection device comprises an imaging device for capturing images, said imaging device having a field of view directed generally toward the head of a driver or driving instructor of the vehicle, wherein an image processing device processes image data to determine the gaze direction of the driver or driving instructor of the vehicle; an illumination source directed generally forwardly with respect to a direction of travel of the vehicle, said illumination source having an adjustable principal axis of illumination; and a control operable to adjust said principal axis of illumination of said illumination source in response to an output of said gaze detection device, said control adjusting said principal axis of illumination of said illumination source to direct illumination toward an area where the driver or driving instructor of the vehicle is looking, wherein said area is generally forwardly and sidewardly of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification