# US 9,751,454 B2 · Control of vehicle exterior lights based on vehicle location and/or planned route information

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,751,454 B2
- Document ID: US9751454B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/010,082
- Filed: 2016-01-29
- Published: 2017-08-03
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2016-01-29
- Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
- Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
- Inventors: Jeffrey E. Pierfelice
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751454B2

## CPC

- B60Q 1/1423: {Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic}
- B60Q 1/0023: {the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera}
- B60Q 1/08: automatically
- 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 1/346: {with automatic actuation}
- 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 1/525: {automatically indicating risk of collision between vehicles in traffic or with pedestrians, e.g. after risk assessment using the vehicle sensor data}
- B60Q 2300/056: Special anti-blinding beams, e.g. a standard beam is chopped or moved in order not to blind
- B60Q 2300/312: Adverse weather
- B60Q 2300/32: Road surface or travel path
- B60Q 2300/337: Tunnels or bridges
- B60Q 2300/41: preceding vehicle
- B60Q 2300/42: oncoming vehicle
- B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A computing device for a vehicle exterior light control system is described. The computing device includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to automatically operate vehicle headlights responsive to a location of the vehicle.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A computing device for a vehicle exterior light control system, the computing device comprising one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to automatically operate vehicle headlights responsive to a location of the vehicle in or approaching an area of undulating or rolling terrain where a distance between adjacent peaks is below a predetermined minimum threshold.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The computing device of claim 1 wherein the relatively lower-visibility radius terrain area is a curved section of a two-way road extending around a forested area.

### Claim 3

A computing device for a vehicle exterior light control system, the computing device comprising one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to automatically operate vehicle headlights responsive to a location of the vehicle in a location including a curved section of a two-way road extending around a base of a mountain or hill.

### Claim 4

A computing device for a vehicle exterior light control system, the computing device comprising one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:
enable a user to designate a location as a relatively lower-visibility radius terrain area, and
automatically operate vehicle headlights responsive to a presence of the vehicle in the location.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A vehicle including a computing device in accordance with claim 1.

### Claim 6

A computing device configured for controlling exterior lights on a vehicle, the computing device comprising one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to enable a user to designate a location as a “light operating location” in which one or more exterior vehicle lights are automatically operated responsive to a presence of the vehicle in the light operating location.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The computing device of claim 6 wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to enable the user to delete a previously designated “light operating location”.

### Claim 8

A computing device configured for controlling exterior lights on a vehicle, the computing device comprising one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to enable the user to designate a set of coordinates which are all located inside a parking structure as a “light operating location” in which one or more exterior vehicle lights are automatically operated responsive to a presence of the vehicle in the light operating location.

### Claim 9

A method of controlling vehicle exterior lights comprising the steps of:
receiving a user-designation of a location as a “light operating location” in which one or more exterior vehicle lights are automatically operated responsive to a presence of the vehicle in the light operating location; and
automatically operating one or more exterior vehicle lights responsive to a presence of the vehicle in the user-designated light operating location.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The computing device of claim 6 wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to enable the user to designate a selected stretch of road as a “headlight operating location”.

### Claim 11 (depends on 6)

The computing device of claim 6 wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to enable the user to designate a location as a “hazard light operating location”.

### Claim 12 (depends on 6)

A vehicle including a computing device in accordance with claim 6.