Vehicle running light system

• US 8,061,881 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2008
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David M. Weitzel
• Original Assignee: David M. Weitzel
• Inventors: Weitzel, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHALLENBERGER, JULIE A
• Application Number:
  US12/186,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20090190366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• Field of Search: 362/540, 362542-543, 362/276
• US Class Current: 362/540
• 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. A method of illuminating a single light source of a vehicle in one of a plurality of operating modes, wherein the vehicle generates a plurality of input signals in response to a plurality of operating conditions, the method of illuminating the single light source comprising:

generating a first input signal of the plurality of input signals in response to a first vehicle operating condition of the plurality of operating conditions, wherein the first vehicle operating condition is initiated by an operator of the vehicle, wherein the first vehicle operating condition includes one of a group consisting of;

a parking light lighting operation, a turn signal lighting operation, a courtesy light lighting operation, a brake light lighting operation, and a hazard lighting operation;

generating a second input signal of the plurality of input signals in response to a second vehicle operating condition of the plurality of operating conditions, wherein the second vehicle operating condition is initiated by the operator of the vehicle, wherein the second vehicle operating condition is different than the first vehicle operating condition and is selected from the group consisting of;

a parking light lighting operation, a turn signal lighting operation, a courtesy light lighting operation, a brake light lighting operation, and a hazard lighting operation;

receiving the first input signal at a first controller port and the second input signal at a second controller port;

storing the first and second vehicle operating conditions at a lookup table in association with an output of a plurality of outputs, wherein each output of the plurality of outputs corresponds to one of a plurality of operating modes that include at least one of;

an on state, an off state, a dimming state, a brightening state, and a flashing state;

determining the output based on both of the first vehicle operating condition and the second vehicle operating condition; and

generating a control signal according to the output to illuminate the single light source in accordance with one of the plurality of operating modes.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating concurrently with the single light source and in the one of the plurality of operating modes at least one of:

a turn signal vehicle light, a parking vehicle light, a brake vehicle light, a courtesy light, a tail light, a running light, and a side turn signal vehicle light.

3. The method of claim 1, manufacturing the single light source to be 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.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying a frequency at which the single light source illuminates according to a brake actuation.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising increasing a frequency at which the single light source illuminates proportionally to a brake actuation.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying a frequency at which the single light source illuminates according to a force applied to a brake pedal.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying a brightness at which the single light source illuminates according to a force applied to a brake pedal.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising increasing a brightness at which the single light source illuminates proportionally to a force applied to a brake pedal.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes at least one of a towed vehicle, a tractor trailer and a motorcycle.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the single light source includes a light emitting diode.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating the single light source using pulse width modulation.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising illuminating the single light source to repeatedly blink on and off.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying an existing vehicle lighting system.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising associating the first vehicle operating condition with an activation of at least one of:

a vehicle light, a switch, and a sensor activated by a vehicle operator.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising manufacturing the single light source as part of an original equipment manufacturing process.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising illuminating the single light source differently for each of at least two operating modes of the plurality of operating modes.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting a circuit connection consisting of two wires to the single light source to communicate the control signal to the single light source.