Light control apparatus and method for vehicle

• US 9,150,146 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2014
• Issued: 10/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Bae, Han Yeoung
• Primary Examiner(s): WHITE, DYLAN C
• Application Number:
  US14/286,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20150145411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 315/82, 315/77
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/143 combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/314 Ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/33 Driving situation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/337 Tunnels or bridges

Abstract

A light control apparatus for a vehicle may include: an operation unit configured to receive a selection for an auto-light function; a control unit configured to determine whether or not a light operation condition is satisfied based on position information provided from a GPS module and plural pieces of information for operating a light unit, received through a wireless communication module, and output a light operating signal according to the determination result, when the auto-light function is selected through the operation unit; and a light control unit configured to operate a light unit according to the light operating signal provided from the control unit.

Claims

1. A light control apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:

an operation unit configured to receive a driver'"'"'s selection for an auto-light function of the vehicle;

a control unit configured to determine whether or not a predetermined light operation condition is satisfied based on position information provided from a GPS module of the vehicle and further based on information about surroundings of the vehicle through a wireless communication module of the vehicle, herein the control unit is further configured to output a light operating signal according to the determination when the auto-light function is selected; and

a light control unit configured to operate a light unit of the vehicle according to the light operating signal provided from the control unit, and

a storage unit configured to store the number of the driver'"'"'s on commands for turning on the light unit and the number of the driver'"'"'s off command for turning off the light unit;

wherein the control unit is configured to compare at least one of the number of the on commands and the number of the off commands to a preset number, wherein the control unit is further configured to adjust timing for the light control unit'"'"'s operation of the light unit based on the comparison.

2. The light control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plural information about surroundings of the vehicle is collected from a telematics server through the wireless communication module, and

the control unit determines whether or not the light operation condition is satisfied based on information corresponding to a current position identified through the position information provided from the GPS module.

3. The light control apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the number of on commands for the light unit is larger than the preset number, the control unit controls the light unit to be turned on earlier and turned off later than a predetermined time.

4. The light control apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the number of off commands for the light unit is larger than the preset number, the control unit controls the light unit to be turned on later and turned off earlier than a predetermined time.

5. The light control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light control unit varies an illumination level according to the light operating signal, and operates the light unit.

6. The light control apparatus of claim 5, further comprising an illumination sensor configured to sense illumination around the vehicle,

wherein the light control unit controls the light unit by further reflecting the illumination value inputted from the illumination sensor, or the control unit further reflects the illumination value inputted from the illumination sensor when transmitting the light operating signal.

7. The light control apparatus of claim 1, wherein when a current position is not identified through the GPS module, the control unit determines that the light operation condition is satisfied.

8. A light control method for a vehicle, comprising:

receiving, by a control unit, a driver'"'"'s selection for an auto-light function of the vehicle through an operation unit;

receiving, by the control unit, position information from a GPS module of the vehicle,

receiving information about surroundings of the vehicle through a wireless communication module of the vehicle;

determining, by the control unit, whether or not a predetermined light operation condition is satisfied based on the position information and the information about surroundings of the vehicle;

transmitting, by the control unit, a light operating signal to a light control unit according to the determination; and

operating, by the light control unit, the light unit according to the light operating signal;

storing, in a storage unit, the number of the driver'"'"'s on commands for turning on the light unit and the number of the driver'"'"'s off commands for turning off the light unit;

comparing, by the control unit, at least one of the number of the on commands and the number of the off commands to a preset number; and

adjusting timing for the light control unit'"'"'s operation of the light unit based on the comparison.

9. The light control method of claim 8, wherein in the receiving of the plural information about surroundings of the vehicle,

the control unit receives information about surroundings of the vehicle, corresponding to a current position identified through the GPS module, through communication with a telematics server by the wireless communication module.

10. The light control method of claim 8, wherein when the number of on commands for the light unit is larger than the preset number, the control unit controls the light unit to be turned on earlier and turned off later than a predetermined time.

11. The light control method of claim 8, wherein when the number of off commands for the light unit is larger than the preset number, the control unit controls the light unit to be turned on later and turned off earlier than a predetermined time.

12. The light control method of claim 8, wherein when a current position is not identified through the GPS module, the control unit determines that the light operation condition is satisfied.