| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 362466000 | Computer controlled | 88 |
| 20080205072 | Motor Vehicle Low-Beam Headlight System - The invention relates to a low-beam headlight system for at least two motor vehicles, comprising a first illuminating device on a first vehicle and a second illuminating device on a second vehicle, each of the devices being provided with main road illuminating means. The first device furthermore comprises additional illuminating means directed laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of said first vehicle emitting in a predetermined wavelength band, and the second device comprises an electronic road viewing equipment able to capture and retrieve an image of said road when it is illuminated in said predetermined wavelength band by said lateral illuminating means. The system furthermore comprises means of reducing the dazzling of said second vehicle when the additional illuminating means are activated and/or detected by the second device. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080225535 | HEADLAMP HAVING SELECTABLE BEAM - A headlamp having a selectable beam is provided. The headlamp having the selectable beam is configured such that a low beam and a high beam are selectable, and the headlamp includes a first lamp section which forms a low-beam light distribution pattern if the low beam is selected; a second lamp section which forms a high-beam light distribution pattern if the high beam is selected; and a control unit which controls the second lamp section based on an inclination angle of a body on which the headlamp is mounted. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080239735 | Method and apparatus for controlling swivel angle of on-vehicle headlight - In the vehicle lighting control apparatus and method, it is determined that the user's steering wheel is returned from a steering angle existing in a saturated steering angle region toward a neutral steering angle region at a given speed or more. If such a steering condition is found, a swivel angle is calculated based on a swivel-angle control characteristic showing a monotonic decrease in the swivel angle when the steering angle decreases from the steering angle existing in the saturated steering angle range to a third preset angle. The third preset angle is an angle from which the swivel angle decreasing from the steering angle existing in the saturated steering range becomes zero. This calculated swivel angle is used to control the swivel angle of light irradiated from on-vehicle headlights. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080298077 | VEHICULAR HEADLAMP - A vehicular headlamp includes a light source for illuminating light from the vehicular headlamp in an illumination direction; a swivel mechanism capable of changing the illumination direction horizontally rightward and leftward; a leveling mechanism capable of changing the illumination direction vertically upward and downward; and electronic control unit capable of controlling the swivel mechanism and the leveling mechanism so as to change the illumination direction toward an oncoming vehicle lane side during linear travel of a vehicle. A method of illumination control for a vehicular headlamp includes illuminating light from the vehicular headlamp in an illumination direction; and changing the illumination direction toward an oncoming vehicle lane side during linear travel of a vehicle. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090034276 | OPTICAL SCATTERING OF LIGHT BEAM - A system for controlling the optical scattering of a light beam in a vehicle comprises a light source, a reflector, a lens, and a headlamp controller. The light source is adapted to generate the light beam. The reflector is positioned about the light source to reflect the light beam. The lens is positioned a distance away from the light source and adapted to receive the light beam from the light source and the reflector and to project the light beam from the vehicle. The headlamp controller is operably coupled to a kinematic sensing device that detects motion characteristics of the vehicle and generates a kinematic signals. The headlamp controller is configured to linearly adjust the distance between the light source and the lens in response to the kinematic signals. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090046474 | VEHICULAR HEADLAMP - A vehicular headlamp includes at least one a light source irradiating visible light and a lens allowing the visible light from the light source to pass through to forward of a vehicle. The light source and the lens are mounted in a rotating element. Alternatively, the vehicular headlamp includes at least one a light source irradiating visible light, and a mirror mounted on a rotating element and arranged to reflect the visible light from the at least one light source to forward of a vehicle. The vehicular headlamp also includes a scanning actuator for reciprocatingly rotating the rotating element so as to form a light distribution pattern forward of the vehicle and a light distribution control portion for controlling the scanning actuator such that a portion of the light distribution pattern is relatively bright. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090059608 | LAMP SYSTEM AND LAMP DEFLECTION CONTROL METHOD - A lamp system is provided. The lamp system includes a deflection angle calculating section configured to calculate a deflection angle of an irradiation direction of a lamp based on a steering angle of a steering wheel of a vehicle and a speed of the vehicle, a swivel control section configured to control the irradiation direction in accordance with the calculated deflection angle, a filter section configured to change an output response of a change of the speed of the vehicle to be input to the deflection angle calculating section, and a filter control section configured to compare the calculated deflection angle with a reference value and to control the filter section to change the output response in accordance with a result of the comparison. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090086497 | SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING LIGHT QUANTITY OF HEADLIGHT - In a system for controlling a headlight of a vehicle to be controlled, a dazzling level determiner determines a parameter value of a dazzling level of a driver of an other vehicle ahead of the controlled vehicle based on information associated with a relative positional relationship between the controlled vehicle and the other vehicle. The dazzling level represents a possibility that the driver of the other vehicle feels dazzling to light irradiated from the headlight of the controlled vehicle. A light-quantity adjuster adjusts a quantity of light to be irradiated from the headlight of the controlled vehicle based on the determined parameter value of the dazzling level. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090122565 | Vehicle exterior lighting system - A system for varying the output of an exterior light of a vehicle having a source of power further includes an exterior vehicle light operatively connected to the source power and a controller for controlling the exterior vehicle light. The controller is coupled between the exterior vehicle light and the source of power and generates a plurality of power output signals to the exterior vehicle light, wherein each of the plurality of power output signals defines a light effect. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090231866 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP APPARATUS - A vehicle headlamp apparatus is provided. The vehicle headlamp apparatus includes a lamp unit, a first additional lamp unit which forms a first light distribution pattern, a second additional lamp unit which forms a second light distribution pattern overlapping with the first light distribution pattern, and a controller. The first light distribution pattern includes at least one first partial region, and the first additional lamp unit adjusts a luminous intensity of a light to be irradiated toward the first partial region. The second light distribution pattern includes at least one second partial region which partially overlaps with the first partial region, and the second additional lamp unit adjusts a luminous intensity of a light to be irradiated toward the second partial region. The controller controls the first additional lamp unit and the second additional lamp unit to adjust the luminous intensity of the partial regions. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090231867 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A vehicle headlamp is provided. The vehicle headlamp includes a light source which is configured to form an additional light distribution pattern which is formed above a cut-off line of a low-beam mode light distribution pattern; a vehicle detection device which is configured to detect a presence of a front running vehicle; a road position detection device which is configured to detect an existing area of a road ahead; and a control unit. The control unit acquires information from the vehicle detection device and the road position detection device and, when the existing area includes a non-detectable area which is outside of a detectable area of the vehicle detection device, controls the light source to reduce an illuminance of the additional light distribution pattern. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090257238 | AUTOMATIC ILLUMINATING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MOTOR VEHICLES - The present invention relates to an automatic illuminating apparatus for motor vehicles. The apparatus includes an illumination device for emitting light beams, comprising a first light emitting member for emitting light beams in daytime and a controlling device electrically connected with the illumination device. The controlling device includes a sensor for sensing whether the vehicle is in motion, a time recording module for recording current time, a memory for storing an illumination period of the first light emitting member, a processor for analyzing whether the current time is in the illumination period which is electrically connected with the time recording module, the memory and the processor, and a controlling module for controlling the first light emitting member emitting light beams based on an analyzed result from the processor. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090323366 | AUTO LIGHTING SYSTEM - An auto lighting system that performs lighting control that corresponds to the driver's visual perception is provided. An auto lighting system | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100014302 | LIGHT CONTROL APPARATUS AND RECORDING MEDIUM - The present invention provides, as one aspect, a light control apparatus for controlling directions of optical axes of headlights mounted in a vehicle. The apparatus includes a position detecting section that detects positions of the headlights with respect to a road surface, an optical axis direction calculating section that calculates the directions of the optical axes of the headlights, individually, so that the optical axes are directed to illumination targets positioned at predetermined distances from the positions of the headlights detected by the position detecting section, a leveling control section that controls the directions of the optical axes of the headlights in the vertical direction, individually, and a leveling output section that outputs a control command based on a calculation result of the optical axis direction calculating section to the leveling control section. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100091505 | AUTOMATIC LEVELING DEVICE AND AUTOMATIC LEVELING METHOD - An automatic leveling device and automatic leveling method for being able to reduce an error caused by a hysteresis characteristic of an actuator are provided. A control ECU obtains vehicle height values from a front height sensor and a rear height sensor, computes a vehicle height difference from the vehicle height values, and a stroke amount to be corrected of an actuator | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100157614 | SWITCHING PROCEDURE OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE HEADLIGHT LIGHTING MODE - An automatic headlight switching procedure for motor vehicles, designed to emit a beam of light from one lighting mode to another lighting mode. The process features the steps of when the headlights are in a first lighting mode, detecting the backscatter of the headlight beam onto a phenomenon of visibility disturbance; increasing the lighting range of the headlight beam in relation to a maximum authorized range in accordance with the detected backscatter; and switching the headlights to a second lighting mode when the backscatter is below a first determined threshold. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100188864 | Method and Apparatus for Vehicle With Adaptive Lighting System - In one embodiment, an adaptive external vehicle lighting system includes a vehicle communication network, a memory including program instructions for generating a model of a vehicle and the environment outside of the vehicle, identifying an object of interest based upon the generated model, analyzing rendering criteria associated with the identified object of interest, and rendering object of interest data based upon the analysis, a processor operably connected to the vehicle communication network and to the memory for executing the program instructions, and at least one rendering system operably connected to the processor through the vehicle communication network for rendering the object of interest data using an associated external lighting system of the vehicle. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100208478 | AUTOMOTIVE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM AND ADAPTIVE AUTOMOTIVE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM WITH INSTANT CONTROL AND COMPENSATION - An automotive headlight system and an adaptive automotive headlight system with instant compensation control are provided. The automotive headlight system includes a light source, a total internal reflection prism, a digital reflecting element, a freeform lens, and a multi-curve-reflector. The total internal reflection prism is used for redirecting and reflecting light beams from the light source. The digital reflecting element is controlled to switch to a plurality of states with regard to reflected light beams from the total internal reflection prism then compensation patterns will be promptly given during different states. The freeform lens is used for controlling directions of the light beams from the digital reflecting element. The multi-curve-reflector has a plurality of radii of curvature for reflecting the light beams from the freeform lens. As the automotive headlight system merely uses optical refractive and reflecting elements so that the number of components and cost is greatly reduced as compared with the prior art. Furthermore, the most important is that this invention proposes a new design and instant and personalized compensation solution to reduce more driver's risks. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100214791 | AUTOMATIC HEADLAMP CONTROL SYSTEM - A vehicle headlamp control system includes an imaging sensor and a control. The control processes data from the imaging sensor and generates at least one control output. Selection of a high beam state and a low beam state for a vehicle headlamp is responsive to the control output, and is determined responsive to a detection of an object of interest. The control is responsive to a signal indicative of a vehicle speed of the controlled vehicle, and inhibits adjustment of the vehicle headlamp from a low beam state to a high beam state when the vehicle speed is below a threshold speed level. The control is responsive to data indicative of a vehicle trajectory of the controlled vehicle, and inhibits adjustment of the vehicle headlamp from a low beam state to a high beam state when a radius of curvature of the vehicle trajectory is below a threshold value. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100277935 | VEHICLE MONITORING CAMERA AND VEHICLE MONITORING CAMERA SYSTEM - A monitoring camera for a vehicle acquires images of a distant area, a vicinity area and a near area in front or rear of the vehicle. The monitoring camera can include an imaging element and an image forming lens comprising multiple lenses each having a different focal length. Each image of an object passing through a different one of the lenses is formed on a corresponding different region of an imaging surface of the imaging element. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100309674 | Vehicular tilt-sensing method and automatic headlight leveling system using the same - The present invention discloses a vehicular tilt-sensing method and an automatic headlight leveling system using the same. The method of the present invention comprises steps: using an image capture device to capture an image of the road and obtain at least one instantaneous lane marking line from the image; extending the instantaneous lane marking lines afar to obtain an instantaneous vanishing point; establishing an instantaneous horizontal line passing through the instantaneous vanishing point; calculating from the image the displacement between a datum horizontal line and the instantaneous horizontal line; and calculating the tilt angle with the displacement and the focal length of the image; using the tilt angle to generate a control signal to control level adjusting controllers to adjust headlights, whereby the headlights can provide optimized illumination to enhance night driving safety on a rugged road or in the case that the vehicle is unevenly loaded. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20110032717 | Light control device for vehicles - A light control device for vehicles that controls a light axis direction of a headlight in the vehicle has an inclination acquisition means that acquires a detection result of an inclination of the vehicle, and a light axis direction changing means that changes a direction of the light axis by a response modified by a predetermined filter, so that the light axis directions of the headlights approaches an angle beforehand set to align it with the road surface according to the acquired inclination of the vehicle. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110063860 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP SYSTEM - A vehicle headlamp system includes a headlamp having multiple control devices and an ECU. Each of the control devices controls a light irradiation condition of the headlamp. The ECU stores vehicle constants, error code information and initialization information corresponding to different types of vehicle, and controls the control devices. When a vehicle type is changed, the ECU selects at least one of the vehicle constants corresponding to the changed vehicle type, clears the stored error code information and the initialization information after selecting the at least one of the vehicle constants, stores initialization information corresponding to the changed vehicle type, and initializes the control devices. The ECU recognizes dependencies between the control devices and, if the control devices include a first control device that is independent, executes normal control by the first control device directly after initializing the first control device. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110063861 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR ADJUSTING A HEADLIGHT ASSOCIATED WITH A VEHICLE, BASED ON A DISTANCE OF AN OBJECT FROM THE VEHICLE - A system, method, and computer program product are provided for adjusting a headlight associated with a vehicle, based on a distance of an object from the vehicle. In operation, a signal is transmitted from a transmitter positioned on a vehicle. Further, a reflected signal is received from an object positioned in front of the vehicle. Additionally, a distance of the object from the vehicle is determined. Still yet, at least one headlight associated with the vehicle is adjusted based on the determined distance. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110075435 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE HEADLAMP - A system and method for controlling a vehicle headlamp, the headlamp being equipped with an automatic switching unit between high beam and low beam lighting modes and with a bending light function (DBL). The method comprises a step of making the bending light function (DBL) change from a first active state to a second state for detecting a combination of conditions comprising an active state of the automatic switching unit between high beam and low beam lighting modes and an active state of the high beam lighting mode. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110216548 | Vehicle Lighting System - An illumination controller comprise at least one sensor configured to sense position and motion of an operator of a banking vehicle, an illumination adjustment actuator, and a controller configured to determine angular velocity and/or linear acceleration, and banking angle of the vehicle from the sensed position and motion signals. The controller controls the illumination adjustment actuator to direct the illumination in anticipation of and during a turn. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110235349 | VEHICLE LIGHT AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING LIGHT DISTRIBUTION - A vehicle light can form a synthetic light distribution pattern with an area where a surrounding vehicle exists being made darker than an area(s) surrounding that area. The synthetic light distribution pattern can allow a sufficient illumination range and a center light intensity required for a running beam to be compatible. The vehicle light can also form a light distribution pattern with only an area where a farther surrounding vehicle exists is made dark. The vehicle light can form the light distribution pattern by overlaying a plurality of first nearby illumination areas, a plurality of first farther illumination areas, a plurality of second nearby illumination areas, and a plurality of second farther illumination areas with the respective illumination areas being divided in a horizontal direction and individually controlled in terms of light intensity so that respective vertical division lines of the illumination areas appear in predetermined order in the horizontal direction. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110280026 | Automatic Headlamp Control - An automatic headlamp control system for a vehicle which has an image sensor having a forward field of view that captures image data of a scene forward of the vehicle. The image processor processes the image data and detects objects of interest. A controller is responsive to the image processing to control a beam illumination state of the headlamps of the equipped vehicle. The controller is operable to detect at least a partial blocking condition at the image sensor and is operable to limit switching to a different beam illumination state in response to a signal indicative of an outside temperature at the equipped vehicle being below a threshold temperature level. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110292668 | ADAPTIVE FORWARD LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An adaptive forward lighting system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The imaging sensor includes a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements, and monitors a scene forward of the direction of travel of the vehicle. The control processes image data from the imaging sensor. Adjustment between a first beam pattern and a second beam pattern of a headlamp of the vehicle is responsive, at least in part, to the processing of the image data. The control may receive vehicle data via a vehicle communication bus, and may adjust between a first beam pattern and a second beam pattern of a headlamp of the vehicle responsive, at least in part, to the vehicle data. The control may process image data to determine, at least in part, a presence, location or characteristic of an object of interest in the forward field of view of the imaging sensor. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20120044708 | PREDICTIVE ADAPTIVE FRONT LIGHTING FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE - The present invention relates to a method for operating a predictive adaptive front lighting for a vehicle with headlamps and a controller. The method includes the steps of receiving a vehicle position; identifying a map location of the vehicle; determining a most likely path of the vehicle based on the map location; locating a target point on the most likely path of the vehicle; adaptively changing a distance between the vehicle and the target point; calculating a desired swivel angle for the vehicle headlamps based on the most likely path of the vehicle; and swiveling the headlamps according to the desired swivel angle. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120155098 | VEHICLE LAMP CONTROL APPARATUS - A vehicle lamp control apparatus is provided with: a receiving portion for receiving output values of an acceleration sensor; a control portion for deriving a variation in an inclination angle of a vehicle based on the output values of the acceleration sensor and generating a control signal for instructing an optical axis adjustment of a vehicle lamp; and a transmitting portion for transmitting the control signal to an optical axis adjusting portion of the vehicle lamp. The control portion is configured to detect an error factor of the output values occurring in the acceleration sensor based on the output values of the acceleration sensor and to correct an optical axis position of the vehicle lamp. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120268958 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR VEHICLE LAMP AND VEHICLE LAMP SYSTEM - A control device ( | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120294020 | CONTROL APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE LAMP AND VEHICLE LAMP SYSTEM - A control apparatus for a vehicle lamp includes a receiver to receive an acceleration signal indicative of an acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor, and a controller to derive an inclination angle of a vehicle relative to a horizontal plane from the acceleration signal. While the vehicle is stopped and if a change in the acceleration exceeds a threshold, the controller outputs an adjustment signal indicative of an instruction to adjust an optical axis of the vehicle lamp in accordance with a difference in the inclination angle before and after the change in the acceleration. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20130051041 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING A LIGHT EMISSION OF AT LEAST ONE HEADLIGHT OF A VEHICLE - A method for adjusting a light emission of at least one headlight of a vehicle includes: a step for detecting an unstable travel condition of the vehicle defined as having a direction of a longitudinal axis of the vehicle differing by more than a tolerance range from a direction of motion of the vehicle; a step for providing a control signal for changing the light emission of the headlight of the vehicle in response to the detected unstable driving condition, the control signal being developed to effect a change in the light radiation characteristic of the at least one headlight of the vehicle, for adjusting the light emission. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130051042 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A LIGHT EMISSION OF A HEADLIGHT OF A VEHICLE - A method for controlling a light emission of at least one headlight of a vehicle includes: reading in at least one danger warning signal from a receiving device, the at least one danger warning signal indicating a danger position; | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130128599 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING HEAD LAMP OF VEHICLE - An apparatus and a method for controlling a head lamp of a vehicle are disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more processors configured to: determine whether at least one of a low beam and a high beam is turned on; select at least one of a plurality of pieces of control information for controlling an illumination pattern according to the determination result; and control the illumination pattern according to the selected control information. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130135881 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING HEADLAMP - Disclosed herein is an apparatus and a method for controlling a headlamp, and more particularly, an apparatus and a method for controlling a headlamp to perform a flashing function more efficiently while a vehicle is being driven. The apparatus includes, a rotating shield including a first shield protrusion portion which includes a plurality of protrusions formed in a direction of a rotation axis of a rotatable body and a second shield protrusion portion disposed on a side of the first shield protrusion portion; a sensor detecting a light distribution pattern of a vehicle based on a rotation angle of the rotating shield; and a rotating unit rotating the rotating shield at a predetermined angle toward the first or second shield protrusion portion, which forms the detected light distribution pattern, in order to perform a flashing function. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130148368 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A LIGHT EMISSION FROM A HEADLIGHT OF A VEHICLE - A method for controlling a light emission from at least one headlight of a vehicle combines lane information with respect to a course of a road and position information with regard to at least one other vehicle located in the course of the road, in order to ascertain an envelope area not to be illuminated around the at least one other vehicle. The method also includes setting, based on the envelope area, a safety distance between (i) light able to be emitted by the at least one headlight of the vehicle, and (ii) the at least one other vehicle, in order to control the light emission. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130155704 | VEHICLE LIGHT DISTRIBUTION CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD - A vehicle light distribution control apparatus includes a camera configured to capture a scene in a forward direction of the vehicle; a lighting apparatus configured to illuminate a forward direction of the vehicle with illumination light; and a controller configured to detect an image portion in an image captured by the camera as an object estimated as another vehicle when the image portion meets a predetermined criterion, and control a light distribution of the illumination light based on a detection result, wherein if the controller detects the object estimated as another vehicle within an illumination region of the illumination light, it limits the illumination region of the illumination light such that the object estimated as another vehicle is not illuminated by the illumination light, and then if it does not detect an object estimated as another vehicle within a non-illumination region of the illumination light due to the limitation, it restricts a cancellation of the limitation of the illumination region of the illumination light until a predetermined cancellation criteria is met. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130182448 | PROCEDURE AND STEERING MECHANISM TO CONTROL MAIN HEADLIGHTS WITH ADJUSTABLE VERTICAL CUT-OFF LINE TO REDUCE THE GLARE OF OBJECTS - A control device for vehicle headlights with adjustable light distributions and with an adjustable vertical cut-offline in at least one light distribution,
| 07-18-2013 |
| 20130201705 | DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR DETERMINING CONTROL PARAMETERS TO ADJUST THE LIGHT DISTRIBUTION OF A RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND A LEFT HEADLIGHT WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A CURVE - A device for determining control parameters to adjust the light distribution of a vehicle headlight when driving through a curve, from a first or second angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the first angle determined from first information,
| 08-08-2013 |
| 20130242582 | DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a control. The control processes image data captured by the imaging sensor to determine the presence of an object of interest in the scene monitored by the imaging sensor. The control adjusts a vehicle accessory and/or headlamp of the vehicle at least in part responsive to determination of the presence of the object of interest in the monitored scene. The control receives vehicle data via a communication bus of the vehicle, with the vehicle data including at least one of (i) vehicle speed data and (ii) vehicle trajectory data. At least in part responsive to receiving vehicle data, the control inhibits adjustment of the vehicle accessory from a first state to a second state. The control is operable to process captured image data to determine the presence of lane markers in the monitored scene. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130279186 | LIGHT DISTRIBUTION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE HEADLAMP - A control unit | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130286672 | CAMERA-BASED HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT - A method for the adjustment of at least one light device, particularly of a motor vehicle, wherein the light device serves to generate a first light distribution, wherein the first light distribution has a bright/dark boundary (which has defined coordinates on a measurement wall when the light device is optimally adjusted. According to the invention, for this purpose, the camera detects at least one feature of the bright/dark boundary on an arbitrary measurement wall, and the light device is adjusted according to the detected feature. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130335984 | Method and Device for Operating a Headlamp for a Motor Vehicle - A method for operating a headlamp for a motor vehicle, which can be operated in at least two illumination states, comprises: detecting at least one influencing variable, which can influence a future change of mode of the headlamp from one of the illumination states to another of the illumination states; detecting a time profile of the influencing variable; detecting a control signal that is intended to cause a change of mode of the headlamp from a current illumination state to another of the illumination states; and controlling the mode of the headlamp depending on the control signal, wherein the change of mode of the headlamp is delayed depending on the time profile of the influencing variable. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20130343071 | LIGHT DISTRIBUTION CONTROLLER - A light distribution controller includes a pedestrian detection unit, a determination unit, and an illumination controller. The pedestrian detection unit detects a pedestrian in a predetermined area ahead of a vehicle on the basis of an image captured by an infrared camera. The determination unit determines whether a driver notices the pedestrian when the pedestrian detection unit has detected the pedestrian in the predetermined area, on the basis of whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. The illumination controller causes the headlight to be lit with a light distribution pattern without a restriction on illumination of the pedestrian until the determination unit determines that the driver notices the pedestrian, and causes the headlight to be lit with a light distribution pattern having a restriction on illumination of a body member including at least the eyes of the pedestrian after the determination unit determines that the driver notices the pedestrian. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140003070 | VEHICLE HEADLIGHT | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140016334 | HEADLIGHT SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE - A headlight system is provided for a motor vehicle and includes, but is not limited to at least one light source and beam-forming apparatus for generating the main light beam with an essentially horizontal cut-off line and a marker light beam within a limited azimuth angle range above the cut-off line of the main light beam. The beam-forming apparatus are switchable between at least two stationary states that differ from each other in the progression of an upper cut-off line of the marker light beam. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140016335 | LAMP UNIT AND LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A lamp unit may be provided that includes: a first substrate; a second substrate disposed on the first substrate; and a plurality of light sources disposed on the second substrate, wherein at least two light source arrays are provided, in each of which a plurality of the light sources are disposed in a row, and wherein at least a first light source array and a second light source array among the light source arrays are individually driven. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140056012 | LAMP CONTROL SYSTEM AND CONTROL DEVICE - A lamp control system includes: a lamp configured to form a light distribution pattern ahead of a vehicle using a non-illumination region forming unit, wherein the light distribution pattern includes a non-illumination region, and the illumination region includes at least one longitudinal cutoff line; a detector configured to detect a front vehicle in front of the vehicle; an information acquiring unit configured to acquire a displacement direction and a displacement speed of the front vehicle; and a light distribution controller configured to control the light distribution pattern using the non-illumination region forming unit such that the front vehicle is positioned in the non-illumination region. When the front vehicle is approaching the longitudinal cutoff line, the light distribution controller controls the light distribution pattern based on the displacement direction and the displacement speed to increase an interval between the longitudinal cutoff line and the front vehicle. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140071702 | METHOD AND CONTROL UNIT FOR INFLUENCING A LIGHTING SCENE AHEAD OF A VEHICLE - A method for influencing a lighting scene ahead of a vehicle is described, the method including a step of reading in information regarding a position of at least one recognized object and regarding a class of the recognized object. Furthermore, the method includes a step of assigning a lighting area, related to the position of the object, having a lighting intensity related to the class of the object for the lighting area. The method also includes a step of adapting the lighting scene, taking into account the lighting area and the associated lighting intensity. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140177243 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING HEAD LAMP OF VEHICLE - An apparatus and a method for controlling a head lamp of a vehicle. In particular, road information is analyzed which is collected in the vicinity of the vehicle through a sensor to identify a road state. Additionally, information relating a rear vehicle positioned behind the vehicle from the information collected in the vicinity of the vehicle or information obtained through communication between vehicles is analyzed to determine a driving situation of the rear vehicle. Based on this information, a head lamp setting unit sets a control length and a control width of the head lamp based on the road state and the driving situation of the rear vehicle. As a result, a head lamp driving unit drives the head lamp based on the set control length and control width of the head lamp. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140218947 | TRAVELING DIRECTION ASSISTANCE GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - A traveling direction assistance guidance system mounted on a vehicle which compromising at least a light source, a sensing module for sensing the vehicle traveling direction and a light control apparatus. Based on the vehicle traveling direction sensed by the sensing module and other external control signals, the light control apparatus adjusts the light beams of the light source as the light beams associated with the vehicle traveling directions. When the vehicle travels straight, the light beam is adjusted as a straight line guide light beam. When the vehicle turns, the light beam is adjusted as a curved guide light beam, and the direction and curve of the guide light beams changes over the rotational angle of the steering wheel. Hence, allows the driver to know the expected traveling trajectories when the vehicle is traveling straight or turning, and thus effectively protecting the driving safety. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140247613 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE LIGHTING RANGE OF A VEHICLE HEADLAMP - A method for adjusting the lighting range of a headlamp in a motor vehicle, is performed with the following steps. A first coordinateis acquired that corresponds to a position of the motor vehicle. At least one image of a camera connected with the motor vehicle is evaluated so as to acquire a second coordinate that corresponds to the position of an object on a roadway in the zone ahead of the motor vehicle. A reference angle is calculated for the motor vehicle from the first coordinate, the second coordinate and a height of the camera over the roadway. The lighting range of the headlamp is adjusted based on the reference angle. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140286025 | VEHICLE HEADLIGHT CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD, AND VEHICLE HEADLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM - An absolute pitch is outputted from an inclination sensor. A gradient related quantity is outputted from a gradient related quantity detection sensor for detecting a gradient related quantity that can specify a gradient of a road surface. The absolute pitch angle and the gradient related quantity are acquired by a vehicle headlight control apparatus. Based on the absolute pitch angle and the gradient related quantity, a pitch angle of a vehicle with respect to a road surface is calculated by the vehicle headlight control apparatus. Based on the pitch angle, an optical axis direction of the head lamp is controlled by the vehicle headlight control apparatus. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140301094 | METHOD, CONTROL UNIT, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR SETTING A RANGE OF A HEADLIGHT OF A VEHICLE - A method for setting a headlight range of a headlight of a vehicle. The method includes a step of provision a signal which represents a pitch angle of the vehicle and a step of changing the headlight range of the headlight in response to the provided signal. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140334168 | Method and control unit for activating at least one headlight of a vehicle using a traffic density - A method for activating at least one headlight of a vehicle has: a step of ascertaining a traffic density from an item of information about road users in the surroundings of the vehicle; a step of determining a control parameter for controlling an emission characteristic of the headlight using the ascertained traffic density; and a step of providing the control command for controlling an emission characteristic of the headlight using the control parameter. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20140347872 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RECOGNIZING AN ILLUMINATED ROADWAY AHEAD OF A VEHICLE - A method for recognizing an illuminated roadway ahead of a vehicle, having a step of recognizing a first light object as a first roadway illumination unit. The method also includes a step of ascertaining a distance covered by the vehicle. The method also includes a step of recognizing a second light object as a second roadway illumination unit. The method also includes a step of providing a signal when the first roadway illumination unit and the second illumination unit have been recognized. The signal is provided using the distance covered, the signal representing a recognition of an illuminated roadway ahead of a vehicle. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140369058 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR GROUPING ILLUMINATION UNITS - A method is described for ascertaining a group of at least two adjacently situated illumination units during the travel of a vehicle. The method includes a step of recognizing at least one first illumination unit and at least one second illumination unit in a detection range of a sensor and recognizing a subsequent departure of the first illumination unit from the detection range of the sensor. The method also includes a step of detecting a distance and/or a time which the vehicle travels after a departure of the first illumination unit from the detection range of the sensor up to a departure of the second illumination unit from the detection range of the sensor. | 12-18-2014 |
| 20150009694 | VEHICLE HEADLAMP, VEHICLE HEADLAMP SYSTEM - To provide a technique capable of achieving AFS control without using mechanical means. A vehicle headlamp for forming a low beam that illuminates a relatively lower region of a space in front of a vehicle, including a first light source apparatus for forming a first irradiating light, a second light source apparatus for forming a second irradiating light with a width in the up-down direction that is smaller than that of the first irradiating light on an upper end side of the first irradiating light, and a lens that projects the light emitted from the first light source apparatus and the second light source apparatus, respectively, wherein the second light source apparatus includes a first light-emitting device array that extends in a first direction, and the first light-emitting device array includes a plurality of light-emitting devices capable of being individually turned on and off, arranged along the first direction. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150009695 | Lighting Device for Headlights with a Phase Modulator - There is provided a lighting device arranged to produce a controllable light beam for illuminating a scene. The device comprises an addressable spatial light modulator arranged to provide a selectable phase delay distribution to a beam of incident light. The device further comprises Fourier optics arranged to receive phase-modulated light from the spatial light modulator and form a light distribution. The device further comprises projection optics arranged to project the light distribution to form a pattern of illumination as said controllable light beam. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150023032 | CURRENT CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR AUTOMOTIVE LAMP - A current controlling apparatus for an automotive lamp is provided that adjusts a current applied to the automotive lamp that uses laser light as a light source to adjust the intensity of the laser light. The automotive lamp includes a light source that generates laser light and a phosphor excited by the generated laser light to generate light of a predetermined color. A minor is configured to transmit therethrough a first portion of the generated laser light while reflecting a second portion of the generated laser light. A light receiver is configured to receive reflected laser light from the minor and output an output signal based on an intensity of the received laser light. In addition, a controller is configured to detect an intensity of the generated laser light based on the output signal and adjust a current applied to the light source based on results of the detection. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150055357 | HEADLIGHT CONTROLLER AND VEHICLE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM - A headlight controller and a vehicle headlight system including an ADB and AFS can include a headlight controller and an optical unit. The headlight controller can include a system controller and a camera photographing vehicles located in a travelling direction of a subject vehicle, and the system controller can be configured to output a control signal to provide favorable light distribution patterns by using image data output from the camera in accordance with traffic conditions. The optical unit can be configured to emit beam lights using lights emitted from a first and second light-emitting device via a projector lens so that the beam lights can be used as a high/low beam without movable parts. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can include providing vehicle headlight systems that can form various favorable light distribution patterns by utilizing the characteristics of the controller and the optical unit in accordance with the traffic conditions. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150062935 | ABSOLUTE ACCELERATION SENSOR FOR USE WITHIN MOVING VEHICLES - A communication system for a vehicle comprises a mechanism for sensing a change in speed of the vehicle and a control device for sending a signal to a headlight activation circuit to modulate the vehicle's headlights based upon the change in speed. In particular, a headlight of the vehicle is able to be modulated as the vehicle reduces speed and/or is decelerating as it approaches an intersection. Additionally, the headlight of the vehicle is able to be modulated as the vehicle accelerates from a stopped position or reaches a certain traveling speed. The headlight activation circuit is able to modulate the headlight between an on position and an off position or modulate the headlight between a high beam position and a low beam position. Consequently, the vehicle is better seen as it approaches likely congestion areas such as intersections and slowing or stopped traffic and attempts to enter traffic. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150062936 | ABSOLUTE ACCELERATION SENSOR FOR USE WITHIN MOVING VEHICLES - A communication system for a vehicle comprises a mechanism for sensing a change in speed of the vehicle and a control device for sending a signal to a headlight activation circuit to modulate the vehicle's headlights based upon the change in speed. In particular, a headlight of the vehicle is able to be modulated as the vehicle reduces speed and/or is decelerating as it approaches an intersection. Additionally, the headlight of the vehicle is able to be modulated as the vehicle accelerates from a stopped position or reaches a certain traveling speed. The headlight activation circuit is able to modulate the headlight between an on position and an off position or modulate the headlight between a high beam position and a low beam position. Consequently, the vehicle is better seen as it approaches likely congestion areas such as intersections and slowing or stopped traffic and attempts to enter traffic. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150062937 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING LIGHT DISTRIBUTION OF VEHICLE HEADLIGHT - A light distribution control apparatus for the headlights of a vehicle acquires positional information of a forward vehicle from a forward position sensor detects a turn angle of the own vehicle after a time point at which the forward position sensor detects conditions ahead of the own vehicle, based on signals acquired from a behavior sensor that detects the behavior of the own vehicle corrects the positional information of the forward vehicle based on the detected turn angle, and controls the light distribution of the headlights of the own vehicle based on the corrected positional information of the forward vehicle. The light distribution control apparatus is capable of reducing tracking delays in light distribution. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150092431 | HEADLAMPS FOR A VEHICLE - A headlamp for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle is disclosed. The headlamp includes a first light source designed to illuminate a central area with a first light spectrum, and a second light source designed to illuminate an edge area with a second light spectrum. The light spectrum of the first light source differs from the light spectrum of the second light source. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150124466 | VEHICLE HEADLIGHT - A vehicle headlight including a common light distribution unit and a variable light distribution unit and a headlight system including the headlight can form a common light distribution pattern and a variable light distribution pattern using the common and the variable light distribution units. The variable distribution unit can include a light source, a phosphor panel, a mirror reflecting/scanning light emitted from the light source onto the phosphor panel and a projector lens projecting the scanning light adjacent the common light distribution pattern. The headlight system can include a front sensor detecting a surrounding condition, and can control the common and the variable light distribution units to form an optimum light distribution pattern in accordance with surrounding conditions. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide a headlight system including a headlight that can form an optimum light distribution pattern in accordance with surrounding conditions and can have a simple structure. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150138787 | Headlamp Control System - One object of the present invention is to provide a headlight control system. The headlight control system is configured to be used with a headlight of a vehicle. The headlight control system includes a first light sensor, a microcontroller, a first driving motor, a power module and an optical lens module. The optical lens module is disposed in front of the headlight in order to receive illumination of the headlight. The microcontroller is electrically connected to the first light source sensor and configured to receive a signal transmitted by the first light sensor. The first driving motor is electrically connected to the microcontroller. The first driving motor is configured to follow an instruction from the microcontroller to drive a first driving mechanism. The first driving mechanism is configured to adjust the optical lens module upon being driven by the first driving motor. The power module is electrically connected to the microcontroller and the headlight. The power module is configured to follow an instruction from the microcontroller to supply the power to the headlight. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150146441 | VEHICLE LAMP CONTROL APPARATUS - A vehicle lamp control apparatus includes a receiver, a storage, a correction section, and an adjustment instruction section. The receiver receives output values of an acceleration sensor. The storage stores information indicating an ideal positional relationship between sensor-side axes and vehicle-side axes. The correction section plots the output values, obtained during running of a vehicle, on coordinates in which acceleration in a vehicle longitudinal direction is set to a first axis and acceleration in a vehicle lateral/vertical direction is set to a second axis, derives a straight line from plotted points, calculates displacements of the sensor-side and vehicle-side axes from the ideal positional relationship, using an inclination of the straight line, and corrects the information. The adjustment instruction section derives a tilt angle of the vehicle from current acceleration using the corrected information, and generates a control signal to instruct adjustment of an optical axis of a vehicle lamp. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150291081 | IRRADIATION APPARATUS - An irradiation apparatus includes a shielded object detecting unit, an illumination setting unit, an irradiating device, and an illumination controlling unit. The shielded object detecting unit detects a shielded object. Glare is allowable to the shielded object at an upper limit of illumination brightness or less. A driver can visually recognize the shielded object at an lower limit of the illumination brightness or more. The illumination setting unit sets the illumination brightness based on the upper limit and the lower limit of the illumination brightness. The illumination controlling unit controls the irradiating device such that light is emitted in a predetermined irradiation pattern in which a first part of the shielded object is illuminated at the illumination brightness set by the illumination setting unit and a second part of the shielded object is illuminated at a higher illumination brightness than that of the first part. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150307018 | ILLUMINATION CONTROL SYSTEM - In the event that a predetermined illuminance is obtained by illuminating a certain area with light of a first light quantity, an illumination control system illuminates the area with light of a second light quantity which is larger than the first light quantity at a period, and at periods which follow the period, the illumination control system illuminates the area with light of a third light quantity of light which is smaller than the first light quantity. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150308645 | TILT SENSOR HOUSING CASE AND VEHICLE LAMP SYSTEM - A tilt sensor housing case includes a main body part including a housing space and an opening portion and a lid part configured to close the opening portion. The lid part has a first engaging portion extending along an outer surface of the main body part. The main body part has a second engaging portion on the outer surface corresponding to the first engaging portion. The lid part is mounted to the main body part by a snap-fit coupling using the elasticity of the lid part and locked to the main body part by the engagement of the first and second engaging portions. The main body part has a first protrusion and a second protrusion that are positioned to sandwich the first engaging portion between them, and each of the first and second protrusions protrudes at least up to the same height as the first engaging portion. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150336500 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A CORNERING LIGHT AND LIGHTING DEVICE - The invention relates to a method for controlling a predictive cornering light with at least one headlight with a pivoting means for the controlled pivoting of the headlight, wherein a monitoring device is provided, which monitors the roadway and/or lane in front of the vehicle, and a control unit is provided, which, on the basis of the data of the monitoring device, drives the pivoting means for setting the headlight for illuminating the roadway and/or lane. The invention also relates to a lighting device in this regard. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150367772 | EXTERIOR LIGHT SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A vehicle lighting system is provided herein and includes light-producing assemblies, each coupled to a body portion of a vehicle. At least one light-sensing device is included for sensing ambient light levels. A controller is configured to selectively activate each of the light-producing assemblies at a variable intensity as a function of a sensed ambient light level and/or a determined direction of the ambient light. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20160003439 | METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR TESTING A LIGHTING DRIVING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM - The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for checking a lighting driving assistance system of vehicles. In this case, a vehicle is positioned in front of a body and a light of the vehicle is aimed at this body. Brightness distributions are obtained by adjusting the light in the horizontal and vertical directions in a plurality of angular positions and are recorded by an image capture unit. The recorded brightness distributions are used to calculate the distance and angular offset as well as the position of the body and actual values of the angular positions. These actual values are compared with preset desired values, and recommended settings for minimizing a difference between desired and actual values are output. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160033102 | ILLUMINATION SYSTEM - An illumination system includes: a light irradiation unit that projects light toward a predetermined illumination area; an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of the illumination area; an object detecting unit that detects a shading object based on image information of the illumination area, acquired by the image acquisition unit; an information generating unit that generates the control information for setting each of the plurality of reflecting mirrors to an on state or an off state such that a plurality of irradiation patterns are alternately irradiated, each of the plurality of irradiation patterns having different arrangement of the dark pixels and the light pixels from each other; and an irradiation control unit that controls the light irradiation unit based on the generated control information. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160090025 | VEHICLE HEADLIGHT DEVICE - A vehicle headlight device includes a variable light distribution mechanism that is able to change an illuminating area of light emitted ahead of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle headlight device from at least one light source, and is able to illuminate part of the illuminating area at a higher intensity than other parts, a direct field of vision estimator that estimates a direct field of vision on which a vehicle operator is assumed to keep his/her eyes within an area ahead of the vehicle; and a light distribution controller that sets the illuminating area so as to contain the direct field of vision estimated by the direct field of vision estimator, and controls the variable light distribution mechanism to illuminate an area corresponding to the direct field of vision at a higher intensity than a periphery of the area. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160152173 | DYNAMIC MEANS OF ILLUMINATING A FIELD OF VISION | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160152174 | ILLUMINATING DEVICE, ILLUMINATING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND MEDIUM | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160176335 | LIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE OF VEHICLE HEADLAMP AND VEHICLE HEADLAMP SYSTEM | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160185276 | Vehicle lamp - A vehicle lamp includes a first light source that emits light of a first brightness, a second light source that emits light of a second brightness higher than the first brightness, an actuator that changes the direction of light emitted from the first light source and the second light source, and an ADB control device that controls the light output of the second light source and the actuator so as to be associated with each other in accordance with a driving condition of a vehicle. | 06-30-2016 |
| 20160185278 | VEHICLE FOG LAMP SET - A vehicle fog lamp set adopted for use on a vehicle includes a left fog lamp module, a right fog lamp module and a control drive module. The left fog lamp module includes a left fog lamp substrate, a left main fog lamp unit located in the center of the left fog lamp substrate and a left side fog lamp unit. The right fog lamp module includes a right fog lamp substrate, a right main fog lamp unit located in the center of the right fog lamp substrate and a right side fog lamp unit. The control drive module includes a central control unit and a turning detection unit to detect turning of the vehicle and activate the left side fog lamp unit and the right side fog lamp unit to reduce visual blind spots. | 06-30-2016 |
| 20160193956 | Method and control unit for setting a characteristic of a light emission of at least one headlight of a vehicle | 07-07-2016 |
| 20160250964 | VEHICLE HEADLIGHT CONTROL DEVICE | 09-01-2016 |
| 20160377251 | HEADLAMP FOR VEHICLE - A headlamp, for a vehicle, that includes an interface unit configured to receive information about an object external to the vehicle, at least one light source configured to generate light, and a transparent display configured to allow at least a portion of the light to pass through the transparent display. The headlamp also includes a processor configured to control the transparent display to darken one area of the transparent display to block transmission of the light through the area of the transparent display, the area of the transparent display being less than an entirety of the transparent display is disclosed. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20180022266 | VEHICLE HEADLIGHT DEVICE AND VEHICLE | 01-25-2018 |
| 20190143885 | AIMING ADJUSTMENT METHOD FOR VEHICLE HEADLAMP, AIMING ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR VEHICLE HEADLAMP AND VEHICLE HEADLAMP | 05-16-2019 |
