Abstract: A method and apparatus for an adaptable vehicle light fixture is provided to activate varying light distribution patterns based upon preconfigured operation of trigger and/or power wires. One or more trigger and/or power wires connected to one or more vehicle light fixtures are preconfigured through wired and/or wireless programming to generate specified light distribution patterns that are responsive to the preconfigurations during manual operation. Wireless preconfiguration includes the use of a handheld magnetic device or smartphone. Wired preconfiguration includes the use of a vehicle-based controller area network (CAN) bus. Any preconfigured operation may be changed at any time by the user by programmably changing the preconfiguration.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for an adaptable vehicle light fixture is provided to activate directional illumination aspects of the light fixture based upon sensed characteristics of the vehicle. The vehicle may automatically sense its position, speed, acceleration, heading and angular velocity and may command the light fixture to emit symmetric and/or asymmetric beam patterns based upon the sensed vehicle characteristics. Directional light incident upon the light fixture may also be detected to allow intensity control thereby reducing glare to oncoming traffic. A vehicle light fixture may be pre-configured with lenses and wirelessly programmed for manual and/or automatic operation that is responsive to the pre-configuration. A plurality of vehicles with light fixtures mounted thereon comprise a network of light fixtures that are manually or adaptively controlled as a group.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 5, 2020
Date of Patent:
March 8, 2022
Assignee:
Nacho LED LLC
Inventors:
Stephen P. Adams, Arthur A. Wilkes, Jay B. Norrish, James V. Rhodes, Johnathan J. Heiner, Brent R. Perkins