Vehicle Running Light System

• US 20090190366A1
• Filed: 08/05/2008
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David M. Weitzel
• Original Assignee: David M. Weitzel
• Inventors: Weitzel, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,061,881 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/473
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/323 on or for doors illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/325 on or for running boards or steps

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.

Claims

1-21. -21. (canceled)

22. A vehicle lighting system, comprising:

a light source configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes including at least two of parking, turn signal, courtesy, brake, and hazard lighting operations;

a controller configured to generate a plurality of control signals each for illuminating the light source in accordance with one of the plurality of operating modes; and

a circuit connection consisting of two wires connected to the light source and configured to communicate the plurality of control signals to the light source.

23. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22 further comprising at least one of:

a turn signal vehicle light, a parking vehicle light, a brake vehicle light, a tail light, a running light, and a side turn signal vehicle light, configured to operate in the one of the plurality of operating modes concurrently with the running light.

24. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein the light source comprises at least one of:

a light on a front side of the vehicle, a light on a rear side of the vehicle, a side mirror light, a marker light, a trailer light, a high-mounted light, a rearview mirror light and a side signal vehicle light.

25. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein the circuit connection includes a communication path configured to communicate the plurality of control signals to the light source, wherein the communication path consists of two wires.

26. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein a first of the two wires includes a positive polarity wire and a second includes a ground wire.

27. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein the operating mode including the brake lighting operation includes modifying a frequency at which the light source illuminates according to a brake actuation.

28. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein the operating mode including the brake lighting operation includes increasing a frequency at which the light source illuminates proportionally to a brake actuation.

29. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein the light source comprises a brake signal vehicle light configured to operate in the one of the plurality of operating modes, wherein the operating mode includes modifying a frequency at which the light source illuminates according to a force applied to a brake pedal.

30. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein the operating mode including the brake lighting operation includes modifying a brightness at which the light source illuminates according to a force applied to a brake pedal.

31. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein the operating mode including the brake lighting operation includes increasing a brightness at which the light source illuminates proportionally to a force applied to a brake pedal.

32. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein the light source comprises a brake signal vehicle light, wherein the operating mode includes modifying a brightness at which the light source illuminates according to a force applied to a light source.

33. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein the light source is positioned on at least one of a towed vehicle, a tractor trailer and a motorcycle.

34. The vehicle running light system of claim 22, wherein the light source includes a light emitting diode.

35. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein the light source is activated using pulse width modulation.

36. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein the light source is configured to blink on and off repeatedly.

37. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to modify an existing vehicle lighting system.

38. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein the controller generates the control signal in response to an input signal associated with an activation of at least one of a vehicle light, a switch, or a sensor activated by a vehicle operator.

39. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, further comprising a memory accessible to the controller and configured to store a plurality of input signal parameters in association with a plurality of control parameters, wherein each of the plurality of control parameters is associated with at least one of the plurality of operating modes.

40. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein the light source is manufactured as part of an original equipment manufacturing process.

41. The vehicle lighting system of claim 22, wherein the light source is configured to illuminate differently for each of at least two operating modes of the plurality of operating modes.