# US 10,766,403 B1 · Vehicle headlamp lighting strategy

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- Number: US 10,766,403 B1
- Document ID: US10766403B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 16/793,781
- Filed: 2020-02-18
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2020-02-18
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Inventors: Patrick Minjeur; Michael K. Larsen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766403B1

## CPC

- B60Q 1/143: {combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers}
- B60Q 1/0023: {the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera}
- F21S 41/141: Light emitting diodes [LED]
- G06V 20/56: exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
- G06V 20/584: {of vehicle lights or traffic lights}
- B60Q 2300/056: Special anti-blinding beams, e.g. a standard beam is chopped or moved in order not to blind
- F21S 41/153: arranged in a matrix
- G06V 2201/08: Detecting or categorising vehicles
- H05B 45/10: Controlling the intensity of the light
- H05B 47/125: by using cameras
- Y02B 20/40: Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
- B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING
- H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS

## Abstract

A method includes generating a first beam pattern via a headlamp assembly arranged on a motor vehicle and detecting, via a camera, an object in the first light beam pattern. The method additionally includes receiving, via an electronic controller, a signal from the camera indicative of the object, identifying the object as another motor vehicle, and determining a distance between the headlamp assembly and the other vehicle. The method also includes determining a first amount of glare the first beam pattern generates to the other vehicle at the determined distance and identifying when the first amount of glare exceeds target glare. The method further includes identifying a second beam pattern corresponding to a second amount of glare that is below the target glare and switching the headlamp assembly from generating the first beam pattern to generating the second light beam pattern.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of operating a headlamp assembly arranged on a first motor vehicle, the method comprising:
generating, via the headlamp assembly, a first beam pattern;
detecting, via a camera, an object in the first beam pattern;
receiving, via an electronic controller, a signal from the camera indicative of the detected object and identifying the detected object as a second motor vehicle;
determining, via the electronic controller, a distance between the headlamp assembly and the second motor vehicle using the signal from the camera;
determining, via the electronic controller, a first amount of glare the first beam pattern generates to the second motor vehicle at the determined distance, and identifying when the first amount of glare exceeds a target glare;
identifying, via the electronic controller, a second beam pattern corresponding to a second amount of glare that is below the target glare; and
regulating the headlamp assembly, via the electronic controller, to switch from generating the first beam pattern to generating the second beam pattern.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the headlamp assembly includes a first segment array configured to generate an additive first section of the first beam pattern, a second segment array configured to generate an additive second section of the first beam pattern, and a third segment array configured to generate a third section of the first beam pattern, and wherein the entirety of the first segment array, second segment array, and third segment array is configured to generate a light output defining a high beam of the headlamp assembly.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein regulating the headlamp assembly to switch from the first beam pattern to the second beam pattern includes turning off a portion of at least one of the first and second segment arrays.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein the headlamp assembly additionally includes a fourth segment array configured to generate a light output defining a low beam of the headlamp assembly.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method according to claim 4, further comprising maintaining the fourth segment array in an activated state when either the first beam pattern or the second beam pattern is generated.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein regulating the headlamp assembly to switch from the first beam pattern to the second beam pattern includes turning off the third segment array.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method according to claim 6, wherein the first segment array, the second segment array, and the third segment array are arranged in a module, and the third segment array is arranged horizontally between the first segment array and the second segment array, such that turning off the third segment array generates a shadow in the second beam pattern.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method according to claim 7, wherein determining the first amount of glare the first beam pattern generates to the second motor vehicle includes determining a width of the second motor vehicle, and wherein determining the second beam pattern includes determining a size of the shadow required in the second beam pattern.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The method according to claim 6, wherein regulating the headlamp assembly to switch from the first beam pattern to the second beam pattern additionally includes progressively dimming at least one of the first and second segment arrays.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method according to claim 9, wherein each of the first, second, and third segment arrays includes a light-emitting diode (LED), and wherein progressively dimming at least one of the first and second segment arrays includes progressively dimming the respective LED.

### Claim 11

A motor vehicle comprising:
a headlamp assembly configured to provide illumination ahead of the motor vehicle;
a camera configured to detect a view of a terrain; and
an electronic controller in communication with the headlamp assembly and the camera and configured to:
regulate the headlamp assembly to generate a first beam pattern;
receive a signal from the camera indicative of a detected object and identify the detected object as another motor vehicle detected in the first beam pattern;
determine a distance between the headlamp assembly and the other motor vehicle using the signal from the camera;
determine a first amount of glare the first beam pattern generates to the other motor vehicle at the determined distance, and identify when the first amount of glare exceeds a target glare;
identify a second beam pattern corresponding to a second amount of glare that is below the target glare; and
regulate the headlamp assembly to switch from generating the first beam pattern to generating the second beam pattern.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The motor vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the headlamp assembly includes a first segment array configured to generate an additive first section of the first beam pattern, a second segment array configured to generate an additive second section of the first beam pattern, and a third segment array configured to generate a third section of the first beam pattern, and wherein the entirety of the first segment array, second segment array, and third segment array is configured to generate a light output defining a high beam of the headlamp assembly.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The motor vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the electronic controller is configured to regulate the headlamp assembly to switch from the first beam pattern to the second beam pattern via turning off a portion of at least one of the first and second segment arrays.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The motor vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the headlamp assembly additionally includes a fourth segment array configured to generate a light output defining a low beam of the headlamp assembly.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The motor vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the electronic controller is configured to maintain the fourth segment array in an activated state when either the first beam pattern or the second beam pattern is generated.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The motor vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the electronic controller is configured to regulate the headlamp assembly to switch from the first beam pattern to the second beam pattern via turning off the third segment array.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The motor vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the first segment array, the second segment array, and the third segment array are arranged in a module, and the third segment array is arranged horizontally between the first segment array and the second segment array, such that turning off the third segment array generates a shadow in the second beam pattern.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The motor vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the electronic controller is configured to determine the first amount of glare the first beam pattern generates to the other motor vehicle via determining a width of the other motor vehicle, and wherein the electronic controller is configured to determine the second beam pattern via determining a size of the shadow required in the second beam pattern.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The motor vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the electronic controller is configured to regulate the headlamp assembly to switch from the first beam pattern to the second beam pattern via progressively dimming at least one of the first and second segment arrays.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The motor vehicle according to claim 19, wherein each of the first, second, and third segment arrays includes a light-emitting diode (LED), and wherein the electronic controller is configured to progressively dim at least one of the first and second segment arrays via progressively dimming the respective LED.