# US 11,077,788 B2 · Method for controlling and switching operational modes of an additional lamp for a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,788 B2 - Document ID: US11077788B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/808,583 - Filed: 2020-03-04 - Published: 2020-09-17 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2019-03-11 - Applicants: Mei-Hui Huang - Inventors: Mei-Hui Huang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077788B2 ## CPC - B60Q 1/44: for indicating braking action {or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal} - B60Q 1/0011: {with light guides for distributing the light between several lighting or signalling devices} - B60Q 1/2603: {Attenuation of the light according to ambient luminiosity, e.g. for braking or direction indicating lamps} - B60Q 1/2615: {mounted on the vehicle body, e.g. with magnets} - B60Q 1/46: for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights {or hazard lights} - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL ## Abstract A method for controlling and switching operational modes of an additional lamp for a vehicle includes confirming a pre-set operating mode of the additional lamp. The additional lamp is switched from the pre-set operating mode to another operating mode only when a continuous first signal and intermittent plural second signals come from the vehicle. When the brake is operating and the additional lamp is in a non-flickering mode, the additional lamp generates non-flickering light. When the brake is operating and the additional lamp is in the flickering mode, the additional lamp generates flickering light. The additional lamp is turned off when the braking operation stops. When the braking operation continues and the additional lamp is in the flickering mode, the additional lamp keeps outputting flickering light. When the braking operation continues and the additional lamp is in the non-flickering mode, the additional lamp keeps outputting non-flickering light. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for controlling and switching operational modes of an additional lamp for a vehicle, comprising: confirming a pre-set operating mode of the additional lamp, with the pre-set operating mode being a non-flickering mode or a flickering mode; determining whether to switch the pre-set operating mode of the additional lamp to another operating mode, wherein the additional lamp is switched from the pre-set operating mode to the another operating mode when a continuous first signal and intermittent plural second signals come from the vehicle, and wherein the additional lamp remains in the pre-set operating mode when no continuous first signal and no intermittent plural second signals come from the vehicle; carrying out a braking operation, wherein when the brake is operating and the additional lamp is in the non-flickering mode, the additional lamp generates non-flickering light, and wherein when the brake is operating and the additional lamp is in the flickering mode, the additional lamp generates flickering light; and identifying whether the braking operation continues, wherein the additional lamp is turned off when the braking operation stops, wherein when the braking operation continues and the additional lamp is in the flickering mode, the additional lamp keeps outputting flickering light, and wherein when the braking operation continues and the additional lamp is in the non-flickering mode, the additional lamp keeps outputting non-flickering light. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intermittent plural second signals includes receiving two second signals within 3 seconds. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first signal is a braking signal, wherein the second signal is a signal for turning on a position lamp or a headlamp of the vehicle, and wherein the intermittent plural second signals includes receiving three second signals within 3 seconds. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein when a headlamp of the vehicle is turned on, turned off, and turned on again within 3 seconds while the brake is being pressed, the additional lamp is switched from the flickering mode to the non-flickering mode or switched from the non-flickering mode to the flickering mode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein when the headlamp is turned on, turned off, and turned on again within 3 seconds while the brake is being pressed, the additional lamp is switched from the flickering mode to the non-flickering mode or switched from the non-flickering mode to the flickering mode. ### Claim 6 A method for controlling and switching operational modes of an additional lamp for a vehicle, comprising: identifying whether a position lamp of the vehicle is in an on state, wherein the additional lamp outputs light when the position lamp is on, and wherein the additional lamp does not output light when the position lamp is off; confirming a pre-set operating mode of the additional lamp, with the pre-set operating mode being a non-flickering mode or a flickering mode; determining whether to switch the pre-set operating mode of the additional lamp to another operating mode, wherein the additional lamp is switched from the pre-set operating mode to the another operating mode when a continuous first signal and intermittent plural second signals come from the vehicle, and wherein the additional lamp remains in the pre-set operating mode when no continuous first signal and no intermittent plural second signals come from the vehicle; identifying whether a braking operation is running, wherein when the braking operation is running, the position lamp is off, and the additional lamp is in the non-flickering mode, the additional lamp generates non-flickering light, wherein when the braking operation is running, the position lamp is on, and the additional lamp is in the flickering mode, the additional lamp generates flickering light, wherein when the braking operation is not running and the position lamp is off, the additional lamp remains in an off state regardless of the operating mode of the additional lamp, and wherein when the braking operation is not running and the position lamp is on, the additional lamp is turned on and does not flicker regardless of the operating mode of the additional lamp; and identifying whether the braking operation continues, wherein when the braking operation continues, the position lamp is off, and the additional lamp is in the non-flickering mode, the additional lamp keeps outputting non-flickering light, wherein when the braking operation continues, the position lamp is off, and the additional lamp is in the flickering mode, the additional lamp keeps outputting flickering light, wherein when the braking operation is not running and the position lamp is off, the additional lamp is turned off regardless of the operating mode of the additional lamp, and wherein when the braking operation is not running and the position lamp is on, the additional lamp remains in an on state without flickering regardless of the operating mode of the additional lamp. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the intermittent plural second signals includes receiving two second signals within 3 seconds. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first signal is a braking signal, wherein the second signal is a signal for turning on a position lamp or a headlamp of the vehicle, and wherein the intermittent plural second signals includes receiving three second signals within 3 seconds. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein when a headlamp of the vehicle is turned on, turned off, and turned on again within 3 seconds while the brake is being pressed, the additional lamp is switched from the flickering mode to the non-flickering mode or switched from the non-flickering mode to the flickering mode. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein when the headlamp is turned on, turned off, and turned on again within 3 seconds while the brake is being pressed, the additional lamp is switched from the flickering mode to the non-flickering mode or switched from the non-flickering mode to the flickering mode.