Lighting Circuits Patents (Class 307/10.8)
  • Patent number: 10257917
    Abstract: The power supply device comprises a supply transistor commanded by a command signal and providing electric power to a lighting module, and a driving means configured to selectively generate, depending on an instruction signal representative of the structure of said at least one lighting module, a first command signal able to command the supply transistor into an ohmic regime, a second command signal able to command the supply transistor into a pulse width modulation regime involving an alternation of ohmic regimes and blocked regimes, and a third command signal able to command the supply transistor into a saturated regime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS, STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics Application GmbH
    Inventors: Philippe Sirito-Olivier, Giovanni Luca Torrisi, Manuel Gaertner, Fritz Burkhardt
  • Patent number: 10244605
    Abstract: A battery powered LED light source is described for illuminating the inside of a dark enclosure when the enclosure is opened in an environment with ambient illumination. Drive circuitry adapted to the LED light source turns on the LEDs when levels of ambient light above a threshold are detected, which may occur if the light source is placed in a dark enclosure that is opened in a lit room. After being opened, the drive circuitry periodically strobes off the LED light source to take ambient light measurements without the contribution of its own LED light for determining if the enclosure has been closed and the LED light source should again be shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ELLENBY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Aaron H. Dobbins
  • Patent number: 10231310
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a module for operating at least one lighting means, preferably at least one LED, said module having at least one electrically insulating barrier that separates a primary side, which can be supplied from a mains voltage, from a secondary side of the module, from which secondary side preferably the at least one LED can be supplied. On the secondary side are arranged a control circuit and a passive circuit which is connected to a single input of the control circuit and has at least two resistors, at least one of which is connected in series to a capacitor, the input being selectively connectable via a switch of the control circuit, and the control circuit being designed to detect at least two measurement signals at the input after switching of the switch depending on the degree of loading of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Tridonic GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Günter Marent, Christoph Vonach
  • Patent number: 10212767
    Abstract: A constant current driver circuit is provided for a vehicle light assembly having a plurality of light strings arranged in parallel with each other. Each light string in the plurality of light strings includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) electrically coupled in series with an LED driver. The driver circuit includes a bias circuit, a voltage regulator circuit and a sense circuit. The bias circuit is electrically coupled to each LED driver at a common node and, in absence of a trigger signal, operates to supply a bias voltage to each LED driver. The voltage regulator circuit is electrically coupled to the common node and regulates the bias voltage supplied by the bias circuit. The sense circuit is configured to detect on/off state of the voltage regulator and, in response to detecting an off state for the voltage regulator, provides a trigger signal to the bias circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOSYSTEMS AMERICA INC.
    Inventor: Richard J. Walters
  • Patent number: 10202070
    Abstract: The vehicle backup flashing device is electrically connected in to the electrical system of the automobile such that the vehicle backup flashing device will initiate operation when the transmission of the automobile is placed in a setting to allow the automobile to travel in the reverse direction. Upon initiation, the vehicle backup flashing device periodically illuminates and extinguishes the each of the plurality of brakes lights associated with the automobile. The vehicle backup flashing device further generates an audible sound. The vehicle backup flashing device is designed such that the operation of the brakes of the automobile will override the operation of the vehicle backup flashing device in a manner consistent with FMVSS regulation. The vehicle backup flashing device comprises a timing circuit and a diode. The timing circuit and the diode, are electrically interconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Inventor: Louis Bellew
  • Patent number: 10190742
    Abstract: An illuminating vehicle window assembly includes a glass panel, a metallic layer secured to the glass panel, and a light source for illuminating the glass panel to produce an auxiliary brake light within the glass panel. Another exemplary illuminating vehicle window assembly includes a glass panel including a frit area, an optics device formed on the frit area, and a light source for illuminating the glass panel to produce an auxiliary brake light within the glass panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Chad Hoover, Christopher Charles Hunt, Doug H. Randlett
  • Patent number: 10182482
    Abstract: A lamp kit, preferably a headlamp kit, for the installation in a motor vehicle, comprising at least two headlamps (1, 11), preferably two front headlamps, wherein the lamp kit comprises at least two light sources (3, 13) for installation in one each of the two lamps (1, 11), wherein each of the two light sources (3, 13) can emit light in at least one first or one second wavelength, wherein the first of the at least two multicolored light sources (13) is or can be connected to a first control unit (14) for controlling the wavelength of the light emitted by the first light source, wherein the first control unit is or can be connected to a first receiving unit for receiving a wirelessly transmitted signal, and the second of the at least two multicolored light sources (3) is or can be connected to a second control unit (4) for controlling the wavelength of the light emitted by the second light source, wherein the second control unit (4) is or can be connected to a second receiving unit for receiving a wirel
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: CUSTOM LIGHTS UG
    Inventor: Hanno Michael Schultheis
  • Patent number: 10168532
    Abstract: There are provided right and left side-rearward cameras, an inside camera to detect a driver's eyeball position, main HUDs comprising projectors to form virtual images by projecting image information picked up by the cameras to reflecting mirrors and drive portions to adjust positions of the virtual images, and a ECU to control the projectors and the drive portions. The controller is configured to perform the process of calculating a distance between the eyeball position and a normal virtual-image display position which is located at a front end and an end portion, in a vehicle width direction, of a bonnet, and controlling the main HUDs such that a normal main view v1 is displayed at the normal virtual-image display position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiichi Ito, Shigeyuki Mori, Hidenobu Nakashima
  • Patent number: 10160410
    Abstract: A power supply system for an electrified vehicle according to an exemplar aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a primary power source and an auxiliary power source configured to selectively supply power in place of or in addition to the primary power source. At least one electrical connector is configured to connect the auxiliary power source to the power supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jesse D. L. Brunais, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • Patent number: 10155468
    Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system may operate with a controller that is electrically connectable to a vehicle's electric plug. The controller may have a microprocessor that is programmed to perform at least one of these functions: (A) prevent a front facing auxiliary turn signal light from going into an ON condition when a brake on the vehicle has been activated; (B) operate auxiliary turn signal lights into alternating ON and OFF conditions that match the simultaneous ON and OFF conditions of the vehicle's turn signals; and, (C) prevent the vehicle's electronic control unit from detecting that the controller is electrically connected to the electric plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Meyer Products, LLC
    Inventor: Louis Orazem
  • Patent number: 10136498
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lighting arrangement having a control input for a control variable and having a luminaire as a multicolored luminaire having an input interface for a color variable and a brightness variable contains a control unit having an output interface for the color variable and the brightness variable, wherein the control unit assigns a brightness value and a color value to a received control value on the basis of a mapping rule. The present invention is further directed to a vehicle containing such a lighting device and a method for converting a vehicle having a light control infrastructure for connecting luminaires to a control output for a single control variable involves such a lighting device being connected to the control output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: DIEHL AEROSPACE GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk-Achim Schevardo, Marc Renz, Stefan Dobler
  • Patent number: 10136495
    Abstract: A LED security light includes a power supply unit further comprising a first power source and a second power source, a light sensing unit, a motion sensor unit, a loading and power control unit, a time setting unit and a light-emitting unit. The motion sensor is activated at dusk and is deactivated at dawn. When the first power source is used and when a motion intrusion is detected by the motion sensor, the LED security light generate a first level illumination for a short time duration. When the second power source is connected and when a motion intrusion is detected by the motion sensor, the LED security light generate a second level illumination for a short time duration. The time setting unit is for setting the time duration of the first level illumination or the second level illumination. The first power source is a solar power while the second power source is a backup battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventor: Chia-Teh Chen
  • Patent number: 10093232
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a trailer having a plurality of light emitting diode devices includes a master control unit attached to an outside surface of the trailer. The master control unit includes a solar panel, a GPS receiver module, a cellular data transceiver module for communicating with a central tracking computer via a cellular data network interfaced to the Internet, and a local wireless network master transceiver module in wireless communication with a plurality of wireless sensors and a light out detection system. A microcontroller is provided for controlling the local wireless network master transceiver module to periodically obtain sensor data from the wireless sensors and light out detection system, and for controlling the cellular data transceiver module to transmit the location and the sensor data to the central tracking computer for storage in the tracking database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Truck-lite Co., LLC
    Inventors: Scott Troutman, Roger Elmer, Brett Jackson
  • Patent number: 10081297
    Abstract: A variable brake light system that is within a vehicle with a brake pedal and includes a static brake light, multiple variable brake lights, and a control system. The control system is configured to turn on the static brake light when the brake pedal is activated. The control system is configured to change a display of the multiple variable brake lights according to an amount of activation of the brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: CALSONIC KANSEI NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Yelda, Ahmet Kucukkomurler
  • Patent number: 10065563
    Abstract: A light failure detection system for use in a vehicle having a plurality of light emitting diode lighting devices includes a plurality of voltage level monitoring circuits and plurality of current monitoring circuits for measuring the voltage and current draw of a plurality of lighting circuits. A voltage drop circuit enabling the plurality of voltage level monitoring circuits and the plurality of current monitoring circuits to measure current and voltage at an adjusted input voltage is also provided. The system a learn mode for monitoring the lighting circuits with the plurality of voltage level monitoring circuits and the plurality of current monitoring circuits to determine threshold voltage and current levels for the lighting circuits. An adjusted threshold current, based on a voltage sensitivity and a sensed temperature, is calculated and a fault is indicated when a measured current is above or below the adjusted threshold current by a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Truck-lite Co. LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Cornelius, Scott Troutman
  • Patent number: 10000157
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a first indicator light associated with a first function or a first state of the vehicle (e.g., a brake light), and circuitry coupled to the first indicator light. The circuitry is configured to cause the first indicator light to emit light when the vehicle is performing the first function or is operating in the first state, and detect an amount of light incident on the first indicator light. Thus, the indicator light can be used to detect incoming light to perform various vehicle functions (e.g., automatically dimming mirrors based on the incoming light) without the need for a dedicated light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: FARADAY&FUTURE INC.
    Inventor: Evan Roger Fischer
  • Patent number: 9967939
    Abstract: A thermal foldback control circuit electrically connected to a light emitting diode (LED) driver. The thermal foldback control circuit includes a voltage divider and a shunt regulator. The voltage divider includes a first resistor component, a second resistor component in a series-type configuration with the first resistor component, and an output. The first resistor component has a first resistance and the second resistor component has a second resistance that varies in response to a temperature at a reference point. The output is configured to output a reference voltage based on the first resistance and the second resistance. The shunt regulator is in a parallel-type configuration with the voltage divider and is configured to receive the reference voltage and control a driver output of the LED driver based on the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael W. Bandel, Ray M. Lazalier
  • Patent number: 9949341
    Abstract: The VEHICLE LIGHT CONTROLLER APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS include circuits for coupling lighting systems of a vehicle to controls for the windshield wipers. For example, when a vehicle operator engages the windshield wipers, vehicle lighting systems such as the headlights, tail lights, side markers, tag lights, and/or the like may be automatically engaged as well, without further user action. In some embodiments, the disclosed electronic circuitry may be configured as a kit suitable for retrofitting an existing vehicle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: Barrie R. Briggs
  • Patent number: 9862303
    Abstract: The present invention provides a headlamp capable of producing different light beams and fitted with a dynamic control mechanism for controlling the brightness minimizing light interference in all situations. The lamp comprises a light source with LED-type diodes; means for controlling the brightness and/or the geometry of the light beam; capturing means for generating an electrical signal representative of the reflected light intensity of the area illuminated by said light beam onto an illuminated object; and a control unit for generating control signals from the information generated by said capture system. The lamp has capturing means includes a focal system having a variable field under control of the control unit. Preferably, the capturing means includes at least two sensors with fixed focal length or, alternatively, a single sensor may be combined with a single controllable focal system electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Zedel
    Inventors: Christophe Nogha Mbai, Philippe Berrel
  • Patent number: 9840189
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and/or an apparatus of a foldable-reinstallable wireless warning system for transporting oversize loads. The system includes a transmitter unit, a towing receiver unit, a foldable banner, a battery enclosure, and a set of surface mounted lights. The transmitter unit is configured to transmit an encoded signal. The towing receiver unit is separate from the transmitter unit and is configured to receive and communicate the encoded signal to a radio receiver. The foldable banner has an oversize load warning message printed thereupon. The battery enclosure and the set of surface mounted lights are stitched onto the foldable banner. The radio receiver, a lithium-ion battery and a strobe light controller are housed in the battery enclosure. The set of surface mounted lights includes stop tail turn lights, strobe lights and D.O.T. lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: TOWMATE, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Anderson
  • Patent number: 9793887
    Abstract: A compact solid state relay (7) is provided. Solid state devices (74, 75), such as Triacs or Thyristors are used to implement the relay functionality. The device is at least partially enclosed in a housing that has pins for mounting on an electronics board. A number of “U” shaped jumpers (72) or other jumpers or wires are provided in the housing to act as heat sinks. A subminiature fan (70) is positioned to create an air flow over the heat sinks and dissipate heat from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: ZONIT STRUCTURED SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Chapel, William Pachoud
  • Patent number: 9789822
    Abstract: A mirror controller unit is disclosed herein for controlling an associated auxiliary vehicle warning device. In one embodiment, the mirror controller unit includes a set of selectors located on at least one edge of a mirror body. The mirror controller unit includes a reflective mirror surface. An auxiliary vehicle warning device that is physically attached to a surface of a vehicle may be connected via wires to the mirror controller unit and operated by the set of selectors disposed on the mirror controller unit. In another embodiment, a mirror controller unit is disclosed with an integrated touch screen for performing control functions on an associated auxiliary vehicle warning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Feniex Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Hamza Deyaf
  • Patent number: 9758086
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp control device (1) includes: an artificial light determination unit (82) which, on the basis of an image of the surroundings of a vehicle C captured by a camera (11) mounted on the vehicle C, determines whether or not the vehicle C is located in an artificial light environment, i.e., an environment illuminated by artificial light which is light provided by artificial illumination; and a lamp controller (81) which, on the basis of the result of determination by the artificial light determination unit (82), controls turning on or turning off of a lamp (12) which outputs an illumination light to the outside of the vehicle C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko Adachi
  • Patent number: 9725125
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle which turns while a vehicle body is banked to a first side in a vehicle width direction around a predetermined angular displacement center, comprises a head lamp which irradiates a head lamp irradiation region set to be forward relative to the vehicle body; a first auxiliary lamp which irradiates a first auxiliary lamp irradiation region set to be forward relative to the head lamp irradiation region, in a region which is inward with respect to a turning direction; and a second auxiliary lamp which irradiates a second auxiliary lamp irradiation region set to be forward relative to the first auxiliary lamp irradiation region, in the region which is inward with respect to the turning direction, wherein a distance between the second auxiliary lamp and the angular displacement center is less than a distance between the first auxiliary lamp and the angular displacement center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taro Iwamoto, Mikio Domoto
  • Patent number: 9713979
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp apparatus includes: a headlamp that illuminates ahead of a vehicle; light distribution pattern switching means for switching light distribution pattern of the headlamp between a plurality of light distribution patterns which include, at least, a high beam and a low beam; detecting means for detecting a forward vehicle present in front of the vehicle; controlling means for controlling the light distribution pattern switching means based on a detection result of the detecting means; and turning radius acquiring means for acquiring a turning radius of the own vehicle during running. Moreover, when the turning radius of the own vehicle acquired by the turning radius acquiring means is less than a predetermined value, the controlling means inhibits the switching of the light distribution pattern of the headlamp to a higher side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Imaeda, Hajime Kasai, Kiyotaka Mochizuki, Tatsuya Takagaki
  • Patent number: 9713217
    Abstract: A brightness control circuit for a DC-powered LED light uses a PWM generator. The LED brightness is a function of the duty cycle of a drive signal to a transistor connected in series with the LED. In several embodiments the duty cycle signal generated by the PWM is controlled by at least one momentary SPST switch, or, in one alternative, by first and second SPST switches operable in a make-before-break sequence in a voltage divider circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Bayco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bijan Bayat, James Conner
  • Patent number: 9688281
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a method for autocompleting an in-vehicle operation that includes monitoring sensors for sensor data. The method includes determining an occurrence of an initial vehicle operation performed by a user based on the sensor data. The method includes determining a vehicle task from a digitally stored dataset based on the initial vehicle operation. The method includes determining a next vehicle operation to autocomplete based on the vehicle task. The method includes autocompleting the next vehicle operation. The method includes determining whether the vehicle task is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Rahul Parundekar
  • Patent number: 9688193
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling a lamp in a vehicle capable of recognizing turn on/off of the lamp in the vehicle when a driver or a passenger enters or exits the vehicle and improving sensitivity quality of the driver or the passenger by entering a breathing mode in which a lamp in the vehicle is repeatedly brightened and darkened at a specific period when the driver or the passenger enters or exits the vehicle and changing a period of a luminance of the lamp in proportion to a speed of the vehicle are provided. The system for controlling a lamp in a vehicle includes: a lamp controlling unit configured to receive a door opening signal or a door closing signal of the vehicle or receive a start on or off signal of the vehicle and to change a mode of the lamp into a standby mode, a breathing mode, or an operating mode; and a lamp configured to be driven by the lamp controlling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hui Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 9663030
    Abstract: A vehicle-interlocked terminal lighting control system includes an integrated lighting control interlocking setting unit configured to determine whether to perform integrated lighting control between vehicle interior lighting and terminal lighting. A lighting setting initialization unit is configured to generate an illuminance mapping table defining a mapping relationship between vehicle illuminance level information and terminal illuminance level information. A lighting controller is configured to perform the integrated lighting control using an illuminance value of the vehicle interior lighting and the illuminance mapping table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Kyung Ro Lee
  • Patent number: 9656594
    Abstract: Speed of a vehicle is acquired from a speed detecting device, and then a beam switching threshold, according to the acquired speed, of an irradiation direction of a headlight is initially set. When the number of appearance (i.e. frequency of appearance) of a light source in a predetermined time detected by a light source detection means have become the beam switching threshold or more, the headlight is switched to a low beam. When a predetermined time (beam switching prohibition time Tp) has been passed after the irradiation direction of a headlight was switched to the low beam, the irradiation direction of the headlight is switched to a high beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Imaeda
  • Patent number: 9655288
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a heat-dissipating base, a first printed wiring board assembly, and a second printed wiring board assembly. The first printed wiring board assembly is disposed on the heat-dissipating base. The first printed wiring board assembly includes a first printed wiring board and at least one first electronic component. The first electronic component is disposed on the first printed wiring board, such that the first printed wiring board assembly has a raised portion and a concave portion relative to the raised portion. The second printed wiring board assembly is at least partially disposed in the concave portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pei-Ai You, Xing-Xian Lu, Gang Liu, Jin-Fa Zhang
  • Patent number: 9648686
    Abstract: An LED lamp is placed in service on an automotive vehicle to enhance nighttime visual ability or anywhere where increased lighting is needed. The LED lamp utilizes a multi-stage power and control design, where the LED drive current is managed by an LED constant current controller that is coupled to a microprocessor that commands the intensity value of an LED array. The microprocessor manages the light intensity of the LED array using well known pulse-width modulation control methods. The microprocessor measures the voltage of the DC power source and to detect when DC power is removed. Once this detection has occurred, the microprocessor signals the LED current controller to change the current operational mode being delivered to the LED array to the next available operational mode, or alternatively, to the next appropriate operational mode to be used as determined by software stored within the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: JST Performance, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Adams, James Rhodes
  • Patent number: 9639410
    Abstract: In a case in which a malfunction occurs in a control processor which operates according to a predetermined program, a load-control backup signal generation circuit supplies a backup control signal to a switch of a load connected to an output of the control processor. The load-control backup signal generation circuit includes: a watchdog input terminal to which a watchdog signal periodically output from the control processor is input; a pulse count unit which counts a clock pulse generated with a constant period and which controls a count state of the clock pulse according to a signal input to the watchdog input terminal; and a signal selection unit which selects, from a plurality of options, a predetermined condition for causing a backup signal output unit to generate the backup control signal, based on a count output signal of a plurality of bits output from the pulse count unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Wataru
  • Patent number: 9630620
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a single manipulandum that selects at least one of first to n-th modes in which ON/OFF states of mutually related functions are set, or a function OFF as an operation support function of a vehicle. An operation support controller selects a transition order according to the current mode when the current state is any one of the first to n-th modes, and sequentially selects each one of the first to n-th modes other than the current mode, and the function OFF based on the selected transition order, each time an operation of the manipulandum is detected. The n is a natural number of 2 or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tasuku Maruyama, Masatoshi Hoshina
  • Patent number: 9615431
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus for a motor vehicle includes a daytime running light device, a low-beam, high-beam, or low- and high-beam light device, and a drive device operable to drive an illumination level of the daytime running light device. With the low-beam and/or high-beam light device switched off, the drive device drives the daytime running light device so as to have a first illumination level. With the low-beam and/or high beam light device switched on, the drive device drives the daytime running light device so as to have a second illumination level. With the low-beam and/or high-beam light device switched on and with poor weather conditions, the drive device drives the daytime running light device so as to have a third illumination level. The second illumination level is less than or equal to the first illumination level. The third illumination level is less than the second illumination level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Peter Heimpel
  • Patent number: 9592801
    Abstract: A parking brake system includes an engine oil pressure switch normally controlling the activation of a parking brake. The controller is actuated to temporally ignore a communication from the engine oil pressure switch so that the brake may be released even when the engine is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ausco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Dennis, Edward L. Chandler
  • Patent number: 9589464
    Abstract: A method is provided for alerting a driver of a vehicle of an unsafe exterior lighting status. The method includes receiving, at a first vehicle, information sufficient to detect a presence of a second vehicle. Once a vehicle is detected, the method continues to identify a direction of travel of the second vehicle with respect to the first vehicle. The method includes measuring a level of ambient light, and determining the level of ambient light is below a threshold level. The method further identifies any presence of functioning exterior lighting of the second vehicle by detecting a light color and light intensity. When an unsafe exterior lighting status is determined, the method includes alerting a driver of the second vehicle using a vehicle-to-vehicle communication signal. The signal includes a notification suggesting usage of at least one of headlights, parking lights, and hazard lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Rovik, Eric R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9586522
    Abstract: An electronics device is configured for installation in the brake light circuitry of a vehicle braking system. The electronics device is particularly configured to provide a flashing or pulsing appearance for a brake light, such as an automobile CHMSL. The pulsing is accomplished in a precise manner and that provides additional operational safety features than standard automotive brake lights. The electronics device is configured to avoid over-triggering of the pulsating lights due to multiple application of the automobile's brakes in a short time frame. The electronics device is further configured to function correctly even if the automobile is equipped with sophisticated computer systems that analyze the brake light circuitry, and is configured to avoid detection as a problem by the vehicle's diagnostic systems. At the same time, the electronics device will still allow the vehicle's diagnostic scans to detect any actual problems with the brake light system without hindrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Kinetech LLC
    Inventors: Mark Olson, Todd Utley, David Seal
  • Patent number: 9566901
    Abstract: Side marker lighting systems, methods of providing side marker lighting, and vehicles including the same are disclosed. A side marker lighting system includes a light emitting module having a plurality of light emitting diodes, a sensor module, and a master controller having instructions to receive data from the sensor module, where the data is indicative of a vehicle located in the vicinity of the side marker lighting system, determine that the vehicle is moving toward the system at an angle, determine location coordinates of the vehicle with respect to the system, determine a direction of light based on the location coordinates of the vehicle such that the direction of light is aimed at the vehicle, and direct the light emitting module to selectively activate the light emitting diodes such that the light emitting diodes produce a collective beam that corresponds to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventor: Brian L. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 9563493
    Abstract: In a case in which a malfunction occurs in a control processor which operates according to a predetermined program, a load-control backup signal generation circuit supplies a backup control signal to a switch of a load connected to an output of the control processor. The load-control backup signal generation circuit includes: a watchdog input terminal to which a watchdog signal periodically output from the control processor is input; a pulse count unit which counts a clock pulse generated with a constant period and which controls a count state of the clock pulse according to a signal input to the watchdog input terminal; and a backup signal output unit which generates the backup control signal when a count output of the pulse count unit satisfies a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Wataru
  • Patent number: 9539994
    Abstract: A method for operating an electromechanical vehicle brake system is provided. The method comprises determining that an activation condition has been met, building an initial portion of the pre-charge pressure in the brake system, applying the initial portion of the pre-charge pressure to at least one wheel brake, building a secondary portion of the pre-charge pressure in the brake system, and adjusting the secondary portion of the pre-charge pressure to an expected braking pressure. Adjusting the secondary portion of the pre-charge pressure may include reducing the secondary portion of the pre-charge pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Svensson, Tim Jurkiw
  • Patent number: 9531157
    Abstract: A lighting circuit is configured to turn on or off a semiconductor light source in accordance with a turning-on/off instruction signal. The lighting circuit includes a pulse input determining circuit and a drive circuit. The pulse input determining circuit receives the turning-on/off instruction signal which is in pulse form in commanding turning-on and which is at a constant level in commanding turning-off. The pulse input determining circuit determines whether or not the turning-on/off instruction signal is in a turn-on state in which the turning-on/off instruction signal is in pulse form. The pulse input determining circuit generates a determination signal which is asserted if the turning-on/off instruction signal is in pulse form. The drive circuit supplies the semiconductor light source with a drive current if the determination signal is asserted. The drive circuit does not supply the semiconductor light source with the drive current if the determination signal is negated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Toshihiko Kurebayashi
  • Patent number: 9517722
    Abstract: A vehicle interior device includes a first illumination unit configured to illuminate a first region of a passenger compartment of a vehicle, a second illumination unit configured to illuminate a second region in a rear part of the vehicle more rearward than the first region and being disposed in the upper part of the passenger compartment, a third illumination unit configured to illuminate a third region in a low part of the vehicle lower than the first region and being disposed in the front part of the passenger compartment, a fourth illumination unit configured to illuminate a fourth region in the rear part and in the low part, and a controller programmed to differentiate at least one of an intensity of the first illumination unit relative to the fourth illumination unit and an intensity of the second illumination unit relative to the third illumination intensity unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhito Ito, Tooru Furukawa, Masahiro Utsugi, Ryuji Kondou, Kiyoshi Ochiai
  • Patent number: 9494289
    Abstract: A coupling member has a first driven portion and an output shaft to be coupled to a lamp unit, and is rotatable in the horizontal direction about the shaft center of the output shaft. A driven member has a second driven portion and a follower portion, and is rotatable relative to the coupling member. An acting portion is engaged with the follower portion. A first driving unit is engaged with the first driven portion to rotate the coupling member relative to the driven member. A second driving unit is engaged with the second driven portion to rotate the driven member relative to the coupling member. When the second driving unit rotates the driven member, the acting portion engaged with the follower portion causes the rotation center to move, and the coupling member is moved together with the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tajima, Shigeru Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 9446708
    Abstract: A distribution pattern of the vehicle headlight is transitioned according to a vehicle speed, between three light distribution patterns. The patterns are a normal mode corresponding to a light distribution variable control state, an OFF mode corresponding to a low-beam state, and a residential mode corresponding to a high-beam light distribution that does not give a glare to pedestrians. It is determined whether or not a detected vehicle speed is within a predetermined range that enables transition of the light distribution pattern to the residential mode, and it is determined whether or not an immediately-preceding execution state of the light distribution pattern has been the normal mode. Transition between modes of the light distribution pattern is prohibited when a detected vehicle speed is determined to be within a predetermined range, and the immediately-preceding execution state is determined to have been the normal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hajime Kasai
  • Patent number: 9409510
    Abstract: An automatic tractor/trailer tracking system (ATTS) that functions in combination with a power connector and an electronic circuit. The power connector has a hinged cover which can be positioned in either a closed vertical position or in an open horizontal position. The electronic circuit interfaces with the hinged cover such that when the cover is placed in an open position the attached electronic circuit is enabled. The enabled electronic circuit produces asset a set of trailer status signals that are sent by a wireless means to a remote receiver where the signals are reviewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventor: Scott Feagan
  • Patent number: 9414451
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a constant-current circuit, a smoothing capacitor, a bypass circuit, a detection unit, and a bypass control unit. The constant-current circuit supplies a constant current to a plurality of solid-state light-emitting elements connected in series. The smoothing capacitor is connected between output terminals of the constant-current circuit. The bypass circuit is connected in parallel to one or more of the plurality of solid-state light-emitting elements. The detection unit detects whether the one or more solid-state light-emitting elements are open-circuited. When the detection unit detects that at least one of the one or more solid-state light-emitting elements is open-circuited, the bypass control unit discharges the smoothing capacitor during a discharge period to then bypass the one or more solid-state light-emitting elements through the bypass circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Seki, Takeshi Kamoi, Daisuke Yamahara
  • Patent number: 9393899
    Abstract: An illumination system for motor vehicles, which contains both parking/daytime running lights of one color and turn signal lights of another color. The invention detects whether parking lights are being displayed and, if so, flashes a parking light alternately with its adjacent turn signal light, rather than constantly illuminating the parking light while flashing the adjacent turn signal light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin Francis Warner, Oscar Geronimo Longoria Merino, Paul Richard De Stefano, Jessica Lee Ellis
  • Patent number: 9381853
    Abstract: A control system and method for an automated lighting feature of a vehicle is provided. In particular, a controller receives position data; determines whether the vehicle is within or is entering a particular tunnel from the position data; senses by a sensor, a sensed illumination level of a particular section in the tunnel; receives data related to a reference tunnel illumination level of the particular section in the tunnel; compares the sensed illumination level with the reference tunnel illumination level; and changes a reference light illumination level for turning on/off a light when the difference between the sensed illumination level and the reference tunnel illumination level is a particular value or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yongseok Jeong
  • Patent number: 9365152
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle lamp control apparatus including a receiver and a controller. The receive receives an output value of an inclination sensor and a signal output from at least one of a foot brake sensor, a parking brake sensor and a shift position sensor. A total angle which is an inclination angle of a vehicle with respect to a horizontal plane can be derived from the output value of the inclination sensor. The controller adjusts an optical axis angle of a vehicle lamp using the output value of the inclination sensor. The controller outputs an adjustment signal to adjust the optical axis angle of the vehicle lamp in response to change in the total amount when the vehicle is static, except for non-static load change caused by changeover in at least one of a foot brake, a parking brake and a shift position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Kasaba, Masashi Yamazaki, Atsushi Toda