# US 10,871,265 B2 · Vehicular headlamp system with a photochromic lens > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,871,265 B2 - Document ID: US10871265B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/702,750 - Filed: 2019-12-04 - Published: 2020-04-09 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2017-04-21 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Connor I. Robinson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871265B2 ## CPC - F21S 41/64: by changing their light transmissivity, e.g. by liquid crystal or electrochromic devices - B60Q 1/0023: {the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera} - B60Q 1/085: {due to special conditions, e.g. adverse weather, type of road, badly illuminated road signs or potential dangers (B60Q1/10, B60Q1/12, B60Q1/1423 take precedence)} - B60Q 1/143: {combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers} - F21S 41/285: {Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S41/24 - F21S41/2805} - F21S 41/43: characterised by the shape thereof - F21S 41/657: by moving light sources - B60Q 2300/42: oncoming vehicle - B60Q 2300/45: Special conditions, e.g. pedestrians, road signs or potential dangers - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL ## Abstract A headlamp system for a vehicle is provided that includes: a headlamp comprising a photochromic lens, a primary light source for transmitting a headlamp pattern through the lens and a secondary light source; an imaging sensor; and a controller that directs the secondary light source to darken a portion of the lens in response to an object exterior to the vehicle sensed by the sensor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lamp system for a vehicle, comprising: a vehicular lamp comprising a photochromic lens, a primary light source for transmitting a light pattern through the lens and a plurality of secondary light sources; an imaging sensor; and a controller that aims the secondary light sources to darken a portion of the lens in response to an object exterior to the vehicle sensed by the sensor, wherein the photochromic lens is configured to darken upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the secondary light sources are laser light sources configured to transmit ultraviolet light. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the photochromic lens comprises an inner lens, the inner lens comprising a photochromic element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the photochromic lens comprises an outer lens, the outer lens comprising an ultraviolet light shielding element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the light pattern is a high beam headlamp pattern. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the object sensed by the sensor is a pedestrian, an oncoming vehicle, other traffic or an animal located within the light pattern. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the secondary light sources are located adjacent to one another in a bank configuration. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the secondary light sources are spaced apart from one another within the vehicular lamp. ### Claim 8 A lamp system for a vehicle, comprising: a vehicular lamp comprising a photochromic lens, a primary light source for transmitting a light pattern through the lens and a plurality of movable secondary light sources; an imaging sensor; and a controller that individually aims each of the secondary light sources to darken a different portion of the photochromic lens in response to an object exterior to the vehicle sensed by the sensor, wherein the photochromic lens is configured to darken upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the secondary light sources are laser light sources configured to transmit ultraviolet light. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the photochromic lens comprises an inner lens, the inner lens comprising a photochromic element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the photochromic lens comprises an outer lens, the outer lens comprising an ultraviolet light shielding element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the light pattern is a high beam headlamp pattern. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the object sensed by the sensor is a pedestrian, an oncoming vehicle, other traffic or an animal located within the light pattern. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the secondary light sources are located adjacent to one another in a bank configuration. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the secondary light sources are spaced apart from one another within the vehicular lamp. ### Claim 15 A lamp system, comprising: a lamp comprising a photochromic lens, a primary light source for transmitting a light pattern through the lens and a plurality of movable secondary light sources; an imaging sensor; and a controller that aims the secondary light sources to darken a portion of the lens in response to an object exterior to the lamp sensed by the sensor, wherein the photochromic lens is configured to darken upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the secondary light sources are laser light sources configured to transmit ultraviolet light. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system according to claim 15, wherein the photochromic lens comprises an inner lens, the inner lens comprising a photochromic element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system according to claim 15, wherein the photochromic lens comprises an outer lens, the outer lens comprising an ultraviolet light shielding element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system according to claim 15, wherein the object sensed by the sensor is a person located within the light pattern. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The system according to claim 15, wherein the secondary light sources are located adjacent to one another in a bank configuration. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The system according to claim 15, wherein the secondary light sources are spaced apart from one another within the lamp.