Methods and systems for controlling external visual indicators for vehicles
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorMark J. Person
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for controlling operation of an external visual indicator includes the steps of determining whether a second vehicle is approaching the first vehicle, and modifying the external visual indicator if the second vehicle is approaching the first vehicle.
Claims20
A method of controlling operation of an external visual indicator for a first vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining whether a second vehicle is approaching the first vehicle;
- determining a frequency of other vehicles approaching the first vehicle over a time period;
- and
- modifying the external visual indicator if the second vehicle is approaching the first vehicle and the frequency is less than a predetermined threshold.
A program product for controlling operation of an external visual indicator for a first vehicle, the program product comprising:
- a program configured to at least facilitate:
- determining whether a second vehicle is approaching the first vehicle;
- determining a frequency of other vehicles approaching the first vehicle over a time period;
- and
- modifying the external visual indicator if the second vehicle is approaching the first vehicle;
- and the frequency is less than a predetermined threshold;
- and
- a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing the program.
A system for controlling operation of an external visual indicator for a first vehicle, the system comprising:
- program product comprising:
- a detection unit configured to at least facilitate obtaining:
- information regarding the first vehicle and a second vehicle;
- and
- additional information as to additional vehicles approaching the first vehicle over a time period;
- and
- a controller configured to be coupled to the detection unit and to the external visual indicator, the controller configured to at least facilitate:
- determining, based at least in part on the information, whether the second vehicle is approaching the first vehicle;
- determining, based at least in part on the additional information, a frequency of other vehicles approaching the first vehicle over the time period;
- and
- modifying the external visual indicator if the second vehicle is approaching the first vehicle and the frequency is less than a predetermined threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.