EXTERIOR LIGHT CONTROL OF A POLICE VEHICLE

Abstract

Police vehicle (100), comprising: wireless chassis nodes (108) arranged on a chassis of the police vehicle (100); wireless light bar nodes (110) arranged on a light bar (102) of the police vehicle (100); a large number of spotlights (116) on the light bar (102); and a light control unit (112) containing a processor (310) to: to track the position of portable wireless nodes (128) assigned to a police officer; and to illuminate an area around the police officer using selected spotlights (116) from the multitude of spotlights (116).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to police vehicles and, more particularly, to an exterior light control of a police vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] Police vehicles contain spotlights to illuminate an area around the vehicle. An officer often manually adjusts the spotlights to provide light in a desired location. If the officer wishes to illuminate a different area, they return to the vehicle and adjust the spotlight.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to illuminate an area around the police officer automatically and with greater accuracy than in the prior art, even when the police officer changes position. This object is achieved by a police vehicle according to claim 1, a method according to claim 8, and a tangible computer-readable medium according to claim 15. Advantageous developments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

[0004] US 2014 / 0 354 423 A1 provides a police vehicle comprising: a wireless vehicle node; a wireless light bar node disposed on a light bar of the police vehicle; a plurality of headlights on the light bar; and a light control unit including a processor to: track a position of a portable wireless node associated with a police officer; and illuminate an area around the police officer using selected headlights from the plurality of headlights. SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure summarizes aspects of the embodiments that should not be used to limit the claims. Other implementations are contemplated according to the techniques described herein, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after examining the following drawings and detailed description, and these implementations are intended to be within the scope of the present application.

[0006] Embodiments are disclosed for an exterior light control system of a police vehicle. An exemplary police vehicle includes first beacons disposed on a chassis of the police vehicle, second beacons disposed on a light bar of the police vehicle, and a plurality of headlights on the light bar. The exemplary police vehicle also includes a light control unit that detects a position of portable nodes associated with an officer. Furthermore, the light control unit illuminates the area around the officer using selected headlights from the plurality of headlights.

[0007] An example method includes receiving signal strength values ​​from portable nodes associated with an officer from at least one of the beacons located on a chassis of the police vehicle or second beacons located on a light bar of the police vehicle. The example method also includes detecting a position of the portable nodes. Furthermore, the example method includes illuminating the area around the officer using some of a plurality of spotlights located on the light bar.

[0008] A tangible computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed, cause a police vehicle to receive signal strength values ​​from portable nodes associated with an officer from at least one of first beacons disposed on a chassis of the police vehicle or second beacons disposed on a light bar of the police vehicle. The instructions, when executed, also cause the police vehicle to detect a distance of the portable nodes. The instructions, when executed, also cause the police vehicle to illuminate the area around the officer using some of a plurality of spotlights disposed on the light bar based on the location of the portable nodes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to embodiments illustrated in the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and related elements may be omitted or, in some instances, proportions may be exaggerated in order to emphasize and clearly illustrate the novel features described herein. Furthermore, as is known in the art, system components may be arranged in various ways. Furthermore, throughout the drawings, like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the different views. Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B and Fig. 1C illustrate a police vehicle operated in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an example LED-based headlight of the police vehicle from Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B and Fig. 1C. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the electrical components of the police vehicle of Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B and Fig. 1C. Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the headlights of the vehicle of Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B and Fig. 1C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0010] While the invention may be embodied in various forms, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be described below, it being understood that the present disclosure is to be considered as illustrative of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated herein.

[0011] A light control unit monitors the position of one or more police officers. The police vehicle contains wireless nodes installed on the chassis and light bar. The wireless nodes incorporate a directional antenna to create overlapping detection zones around the police vehicle. The police officer(s) wear wireless nodes (e.g., on a belt, on a vest, etc.). The light control unit determines the position of the police officers based on received signal strength indicators (RSSI) and / or received transmit (RX) strengths between the police vehicle's wireless nodes and the wireless nodes worn by the officers. The position of the officer(s) is estimated via trilateration. As used herein, the term "trilateration" is defined as the process of determining positions of points (e.g., the wireless nodes, etc.) by measuring distances using the geometry of circles, spheres, or triangles.The police support unit determines (A) a distance between the police vehicle and the police officer and (B) a position of the police officer relative to the police vehicle.

[0012] Based on the officer's position, the light control unit controls the spotlights on the light bar. By selecting different spotlights, the light control unit can illuminate different areas around the police vehicle. As the officer moves, the light control unit activates different spotlights to maintain the illumination on the officer. The spotlights may contain an array of high-intensity light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that can be powered to control the intensity of the illumination and / or the vertical angle of the illumination.For example, a first group of LEDs in the headlight may be angled to illuminate an area above a horizontal plane, a second group of LEDs in the headlight may be angled to illuminate an area at a horizontal plane, and a third group of LEDs in the headlight may be angled to illuminate an area below a horizontal plane. The wireless nodes are communicatively coupled to a light control unit. The officer may use the light control unit to (a) widen and narrow the illuminated area, (b) increase or decrease the intensity of the illumination, and / or (c) change the vertical angle of the illumination.

[0013] Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B and Fig. 1A-1C illustrate a police vehicle 100 operated according to the teachings of the present disclosure. The police vehicle 100 may be any suitable vehicle type (e.g., a passenger car, a truck, a delivery truck, a tactical vehicle, etc.). The police vehicle 100 may be a standard gasoline-powered vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, and / or any vehicle type with another type of propulsion. The police vehicle 100 includes mobility-related parts, such as a powertrain with an engine, a transmission, a suspension, a driveshaft, and / or wheels, etc. The police vehicle 100 may be non-autonomous or semi-autonomous. In the illustrated example, the police vehicle 100 includes a light bar 102, a light sensor 104, a battery controller 106, wireless chassis nodes 108, wireless light bar nodes 110, and a light control unit 112.

[0014] In the illustrated example, the light bar 102 includes rotating beacons of various colors, such as red and blue, fixed lights, LED-based lights, and / or a siren, etc. The light bar 102 includes the wireless light bar nodes 110 (sometimes referred to as "light bar beacons"). In the illustrated example, the light bar 102 includes a power module 114 and headlights 116. The power module 114 is electrically connected to a battery 117 of the police vehicle 100 via a vehicle power bus. In some examples, the power module 114 includes an additional battery that is charged when the engine of the police vehicle 100 is running. The power module 114 regulates the power of and provides power to LEDs of the headlights 116. The power module 114 is communicatively coupled to the light control unit 112.The power control module 114 receives commands as to which headlights 116 and / or which LEDs in the headlights 116 should be provided with power. As described in connection with the following. Fig. As discussed in Figure 2, the headlights 116 include an LED array that can be used to control the intensity of the light produced by the respective headlight 116 and the horizontal angle of the light. The headlights 116 are arranged in a ring around the light bar 102 to illuminate around the police vehicle 100. The headlights 116 are angled to point in different directions around the police vehicle 100.

[0015] The light sensor 104 measures ambient light near the police vehicle 100. The light sensor 104 may, for example, be embedded in the dashboard or integrated into the rearview mirror. In some examples, the light control unit 112 controls the intensity of the headlights 116 based on the ambient light measured by the light sensor 104. For example, the light control unit 112 may increase the intensity of the headlight(s) 116 when the ambient light brightness decreases.

[0016] The battery control device 106 monitors and controls the charging and discharging of the battery 117 of the police vehicle 100. The battery control device 106 provides information about the condition of the battery 117, such as battery cell voltages, current supplied by the battery, and / or the temperature of the battery, etc. In addition, the battery control device 106 determines when (a) the current output from, for example, the alternator is insufficient to drive the auxiliary systems (e.g., the HVAC system, the communication systems, power steering and braking systems, the internal and external lighting systems, the headlights 116, etc.) and charge the battery 117, and (b) the charge of the battery 117 does not meet (e.g., is less than) a threshold charge value. The threshold charge value is a charge value above which the battery 117 is capable of providing the current for a cold start of the police vehicle 100.

[0017] The wireless vehicle chassis nodes 108 (sometimes referred to as "chassis beacons") are disposed on the chassis of the police vehicle 100. In the illustrated example, the chassis beacons 108 are disposed on a front driver-side corner 118, a front passenger-side corner 120, a rear driver-side corner 122, and a rear passenger-side corner 124. The chassis beacons 108 and the lightbar beacons 110 include hardware and firmware to implement a short-range wireless network, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The BLE protocol is set forth in Volume 6 of the Bluetooth Specification 4.0 (and subsequent amendments), maintained by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. In some examples, the beacons 108 and 110 include a multidirectional antenna. Alternatively or additionally, in some examples, the beacons 108 and 110 include directional antennas.

[0018] As in Fig. 1B, the beacons 108 and 110 create a detection zone 126 around the police vehicle 100. The size of the detection zone 126 is determined by the ranges of the beacons 108 and 110. For example, the range for BLE-based beacons 108 and 110 with a multidirectional antenna may be 10 meters (33 feet), and the range for BLE-based beacons 108 and 110 with a directional antenna may be 50 meters (164 feet). Police officers wear one or more wearable wireless nodes 128 from a piece of clothing 130 (e.g., a belt, vest, etc.). In some examples, the wearable wireless nodes 128 include an identifier (e.g., an alphanumeric value) that identifies a particular police officer associated with the piece of clothing 130. The garment 130 also includes a headlight control device 132 which (i) facilitates the police officer's control of the headlights 116 and (ii) sends messages (e.g.an alarm, a buzzer, a loudspeaker, etc.) to provide audible and / or haptic feedback to the police officer.

[0019] Messages exchanged between portable wireless nodes 128 and beacons 108 and 110 include the RSSI and / or RX between portable wireless nodes 128 and beacons 108 and 110. The RSSI and RX values ​​measure the open path signal strength detected by one of the portable wireless nodes 128 from the corresponding beacons 108 and 110. The RSSI is measured as a percentage of the signal strength, the values ​​of which (e.g., 0-100, 0-137, etc.) are determined by a manufacturer of hardware used to implement beacons 108 and 110. Generally, a higher RSSI means that portable wireless node 120 is closer to the corresponding beacons 108 and 110. The RX values ​​are measured in decibel milliwatts (dBm).For example, if the portable wireless nodes 128 are one meter (3.28 feet) away, the RX value may be -60 dBm, and if the portable wireless nodes 128 are two meters (6.56 feet) away, the RX value may be -66 dBm. The RSSI / RX values ​​are used to determine the distance between the portable wireless nodes 128 and the particular beacon 108 and 110. In the illustrated example, the beacons 108 and 110 determine up to four distance measurements corresponding to the four portable wireless nodes 128. In some examples, when the two or more beacons 108 and 110 detect the portable wireless nodes 128, the position of the corresponding officer relative to the police vehicle 100 may be determined.

[0020] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1C, the light control unit 112 detects the position of the officer(s) and illuminates a relatively constant area around the officer(s). The light control unit 112 is communicatively coupled to the light sensor 104, the battery controller 106, the beacons 108 and 110, and the power module 114. The light control unit 112 receives the RSSI / RX measurements from the beacons 108 and 110. Based on (a) the beacons 108 and 110 detected by the portable wireless nodes 128 and (b) the RSSI / RX measurements associated with the portable wireless nodes 128, the light control unit 112 determines (i) the distances of the respective police officer(s) from the police vehicle 100 and / or (ii) the position of the police officer(s) relative to the police vehicle 100. The headlights 116 are configured to illuminate an area 134.In the illustrated example, adjacent headlights 116 are configured such that a portion 136 of the corresponding areas 134 overlaps. The light control unit 112 activates (via the power control module 114) one or more of the headlights to illuminate the area around the officer. In some examples, the number of illuminated headlights 116 can be controlled using the headlight control device 132 of the garment 130. As the officer associated with the garment 130 moves, the light control unit 112 activates and deactivates headlights 116 so that the illuminated area follows the officer.In some examples, the light control unit 112 illuminates a relatively constant area around the officer by decreasing the intensity of the corresponding headlight(s) when the officer is close to the police vehicle 100 and increasing the intensity of the corresponding headlight(s) when the officer is relatively farther from the police vehicle 100.

[0021] In some examples, the light control unit 112 activates a plurality of the headlights 116 at a lower intensity to create a wide field of light when the officer (e.g., the associated garment 130) is relatively close to the police vehicle 100. In such examples, as the officer (e.g., the associated garment 130) moves farther from the police vehicle 100, the light control unit 112 (a) deactivates some of the plurality of headlights 116 and (b) increases the intensity of the activated headlights 116 to create a narrower field of light with a higher intensity. For example, if the officer (e.g., the associated garment 130) is one meter from the police vehicle 100, the light control unit 112 may activate four headlights 116 at a low intensity centered on the officer. If the officer (e.g.,As a further example, when the associated item of clothing 130 is five meters away from the police vehicle 100, the light control unit 112 deactivates two of the headlights 116 and increases the intensity of the remaining two headlights 116 to a medium intensity.

[0022] The headlight control device 132 is communicatively coupled to one or more of the beacons 108 and 110. The headlight control device 132 receives messages from the light control unit 112, and the light control unit 112 receives commands from the headlight control device 132. In some examples, the headlight control device 132 includes an ambient light sensor. In such examples, the headlight control device 132 sends messages to the light control unit 112 that include the ambient light values ​​at the officer's position as measured by the ambient light sensor. The headlight control device 132 facilitates the officer to increase the width of the light field around the officer (e.g., by activating additional headlights 116). The headlight control device 132 facilitates the officer to decrease the width of the light field around the officer (e.g., by deactivating headlights 116).Headlight control device 132 facilitates the officer to increase and decrease the intensity of the light field around the officer (e.g., by changing the number of activated LEDs within the activated headlights 116). In some examples, headlight control device 132 facilitates the officer, via an analog controller, in translating the light beam along a desired direction. Headlight control device 132 facilitates the officer to change the angle of headlights 116 to control the horizontal orientation and / or height of the light field. For example, if police vehicle 100 is parked at the top of an embankment, the officer can use headlight control device 132 to control the light field created by headlights 116 to be lower than the horizontal plane.

[0023] Additionally, in some examples, the light control unit 112 warns the officer via the headlight control device 132 when (a) the battery 117 of the police vehicle 100 has a low charge and / or (b) the temperature of the LEDs of the headlight(s) exceeds an actuation threshold. In some examples, the headlight control device 132 includes a strobe function. In such examples, the strobe function illuminates a bright light from the headlights 116 for a period of time (e.g., 100 milliseconds, etc.) to distract and / or temporarily blind. In such examples, the strobe function is activated by a button press on the headlight control device 132 that has a 2-second delay. Additionally, in such examples, the light control unit 112 is configured to provide a warning to other officers (e.g.,appropriate clothing 130) near the police vehicle 110 before the flash occurs.

[0024] Fig. 2 is an exemplary LED-based headlight 116 of the police vehicle 110 from Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B and Fig. 1C. In the illustrated example, the headlight 116 includes a housing 200 and LED assemblies 202. The housing 200 is attached to the light bar 102. The LED assemblies 202 are electrically coupled to the power module 114. In the illustrated example, the LED assemblies 202 are arranged in an upper row 204, a middle row 206, and a lower row 208. The rows 204-208 include a plurality of LED assemblies 202 to facilitate the light control unit 112 in activating or deactivating the LED assemblies 202 in any one of the rows 204-208 to control the intensity of the light field at the appropriate angle from the horizontal plane 210. The LED arrays 202 of the rows 204-208 are directed at different angles (e.g., θT, θB) with respect to the horizontal plane 210 to facilitate the headlight 116 in changing the height of the generated light field.In some examples, the LED arrays 202 of the upper row 204 are angled (e.g., at θT) to illuminate areas at a greater height than the height of the police vehicle 100. In some examples, the middle row 206 of the LED arrays 202 is directed toward the horizontal plane 210. In some examples, the LED arrays 208 of the lower row 202 are angled (e.g., at θB) to illuminate areas located below the police vehicle 100. For example, the lower row 208 of the LED arrays 202 may be angled to illuminate an area lower than the police vehicle 100 when the police vehicle 100 is on top of an embankment. The LED arrays 202 are structured such that the light from the LED arrays 202 in the corresponding row 204-208 is directed to the same point.In some examples, (i) a low intensity setting of the headlight 116 includes one LED array 202 that is activated, (ii) a medium intensity setting of the headlight 116 includes two LED arrays 202 that are activated, and (iii) a high intensity setting of the headlight 116 includes three LED arrays 202 that are activated.

[0025] The LED arrays 202 include one or more LEDs 212, a reflective housing 210, optics 216, and a heat sink 218. The LED(s) 212 are high-power LEDs (e.g., LEDs producing 1000 lumens, 2000 lumens, or 3000 lumens, etc.). The reflective housing 214 and optics 216 focus the light generated by the LED(s) 212 (e.g., via total internal reflection) to narrow the light field generated by the LED(s) 212. For example, the reflective housing 214 and optics 216 can focus the light generated by the LED(s) 212 to 60 degrees. The heat sink 218 is coupled to the LED(s) 212 to dissipate heat generated by the LED(s).

[0026] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the electrical components 300 of the police vehicle 100 of Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B and Fig. 1C. In the illustrated example, electrical components 300 include beacons 108 and 110, power control module 114, body control module 302, sensors 304, electronic control units (ECUs) 306, and vehicle data bus 308.

[0027] The body control module 302 controls various subsystems of the police vehicle 100. The body control module 302 may, for example, control power windows, power locks, an engine immobilizer, and / or power mirrors, etc. The body control module 302 includes circuitry to, for example, control relays (e.g., to control windshield washer fluid, etc.), drive brushed direct current (DC) motors (e.g., to control power seats, power locks, power windows, wipers, etc.), control stepper motors, and / or control LEDs. In the illustrated example, the body control module 302 includes the light control unit 112. Alternatively, in some examples, the light control unit 112 is an ECU 306 separate from the body control module 302.

[0028] In the illustrated example, the light control unit 112 includes a processor or controller 310 and a memory 312. The processor or controller 310 may be any suitable processing device or group of processing devices, such as, but not limited to: a microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable integrated circuit, one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The memory 312 may be volatile memory (e.g., RAM, which may include non-volatile RAM, magnetic RAM, ferroelectric RAM, and any other suitable forms); non-volatile memory (e.g., disk storage, flash memory, EPROMs, EEPROMs, memristor-based non-volatile solid-state memory, etc.), immutable memory (e.g., EPROMs), read-only memory, or high-capacity storage devices (e.g.,a hard disk, a solid state drive, etc.). In some examples, memory 312 includes multiple types of memory, including volatile memory and non-volatile memory.

[0029] Memory 312 is a computer-readable medium upon which one or more sets of instructions, such as software for performing the methods of the present disclosure, may be embedded. The instructions may embody one or more of the methods or logic described herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions may reside entirely or at least partially within any one or more of memory 312, the computer-readable medium, and / or within processor 310 during execution of the instructions.

[0030] The terms "non-transitory computer-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" are understood to include a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database and / or associated caches and servers, that store one or more sets of instructions. The terms "non-transitory computer-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" also include any tangible medium that can store, encode, or carry a set of instructions for execution by a processor, or that can cause a system to perform one or more of the methods or processes disclosed herein. As used herein, the term "computer-readable medium" is expressly defined to include any type of computer-readable storage device and / or storage disk and excludes propagating signals.

[0031] Sensors 304 may be arranged in and around police vehicle 100 in any suitable manner. Sensors 304 may include one or more cameras, sonar, radar, lidar, ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors, or infrared devices configured to measure characteristics around the exterior of police vehicle 100. Additionally, some sensors 304 may be mounted within the passenger compartment of police vehicle 100 or within the body of police vehicle 100 (such as the engine compartment, wheel wells, etc.) to measure characteristics inside police vehicle 100. Such sensors 304 may include, for example, speedometers, odometers, speedometers, pitch and yaw sensors, wheel speed sensors, microphones, tire pressure sensors, and biometric sensors, etc. In the illustrated example, sensors 304 include light sensor 104.

[0032] The ECUs 306 monitor and control the subsystems of the police vehicle 100. The ECUs 306 communicate and exchange information via a vehicle data bus (e.g., the vehicle data bus 308). In addition, the ECUs 306 may communicate properties (such as the status of the ECU 306, sensor readings, control status, error and diagnostic codes, etc.) to other ECUs and / or receive requests from other ECUs 306. Some police vehicles 100 may have seventy or more ECUs 306 located at various locations around the police vehicle 100, communicatively coupled via the vehicle data bus 308. The ECUs 306 are discrete electronics assemblies that include their own circuitry (such as integrated circuits, microprocessors, memory, etc.) and firmware, sensors, activators, and / or mounting hardware. In the illustrated example, the ECUs 306 include the battery controller 106.

[0033] In the illustrated example, vehicle data bus 308 includes one or more data buses wired throughout police vehicle 100. Vehicle data bus 308 communicatively couples ECUs 306, sensors 304, power module 114, beacons 108 and 110, and light control unit 112. In some examples, vehicle data bus 308 is implemented according to the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus protocol as defined by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 11898-1. Alternatively or additionally, in some examples, vehicle data bus 308 may include a Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) bus or a CAN flexible data (CAN-FD) bus (ISO 11898-7).

[0034] Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the headlights 116 based on the position of the portable wireless nodes 128 relative to the police vehicle 100. At block 402, the light control unit 112 first detects the position of the officer associated with the portable wireless node 128 via the beacons 108 and 110. At block 404, the light control unit 112 selects one or more of the headlights 116 for activation based on the position of the officer associated with the portable wireless node 128.

[0035] In block 406, the light control unit 112 selects an intensity for the headlight(s) 116 selected in block 404. The intensity of the headlight(s) 116 is based on (a) the relative distance of the officer associated with the portable wireless node 128 from the police vehicle 100, (b) the measurements from the light sensor 104, and / or the input from the headlight controller 132 associated with the officer. For example, if the officer associated with the portable wireless node 128 is relatively close to the police vehicle 100, the light control unit 112 may select a lower intensity. The light control unit 112 controls the intensity of the light by activating different numbers of LED arrays 202 in one of the rows 204-208 via the power control module 114.For low intensity, for example, the light control unit 112 may activate the LEDs 212 in one of the LED arrays 202 in the middle row 206. In block 408, the light control unit 112 selects the angle(s) at which the light field is to be generated. The light control unit 112 selects the angle(s) by activating the LED arrays 202 in one or more rows 204-208 of the headlight 116.

[0036] In block 410, the lighting control unit 112 determines whether the charge margin for the battery 117 satisfies a threshold value. The lighting control unit 112 receives the status of the battery from the battery controller 106. The charge margin of the battery 117 satisfies the threshold value if (a) the current alternator output is sufficient to power the load of the police vehicle 100, drive the auxiliary systems, and charge the battery, and (b) the charge of the battery 117 satisfies (e.g., is greater than or equal to) the set charge threshold value to prevent the battery 117 from losing charge and preventing the police vehicle 100 from cold-starting. If the charge margin of the battery 117 satisfies the threshold value, the method returns to block 402. Otherwise, if the charge margin of the battery 117 does not satisfy the threshold value, the method continues to block 412.

[0037] In block 412, the light control unit 112 sends an alert to the portable wireless node(s) 128 via the beacons 108 and 112 to inform the officer that the charge margin of the battery 117 of the police vehicle 100 is low. In block 414, the light control unit 112 manages the power consumed by the headlight(s) 116 selected in block 404. In some examples, the light control unit 112 decreases the intensity of the headlight(s) 116 and / or decreases the number of activated headlights 116. The method then returns to block 402.

[0038] The flow chart from Fig. 4 is a method that may be implemented by machine-readable instructions comprising one or more programs that, when executed by a processor (such as processor 310 of Fig. 3) cause the police vehicle 100 to switch the light control unit 112 from Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B, Fig. 1C and Fig. 3. Even if the exemplary program(s) are implemented with reference to the Fig. 4, many other methods for implementing the exemplary lighting control unit 112 may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed and / or some of the described blocks may be changed, omitted, or combined.

[0039] In the present patent application, the use of the disjunctive mood is intended to include the subjunctive mood. The use of definite or indefinite articles is not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to "the" object or "an" object is also intended to refer to a possible plurality of such objects. Furthermore, the conjunction "or" may be used to convey features that are present simultaneously, rather than mutually exclusive alternatives. In other words, the conjunction "or" should be understood to include "and / or." The terms "contains," "containing," and "contain" are inclusive and have the same scope as "comprises," "comprising," and "comprising," respectively.

[0040] The embodiments described above, and in particular any "preferred" embodiments, are possible examples of implementations and are presented only for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiment(s) described above without departing from the spirit and principles of the techniques described herein. All modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure and protected by the following claims.

Claims

[1] Police vehicle (100), comprising: wireless chassis nodes (108) arranged on a chassis of the police vehicle (100); wireless light bar nodes (110) arranged on a light bar (102) of the police vehicle (100); a plurality of headlights (116) on the light bar (102); and a light control unit (112) including a processor (310) for: track a position of portable wireless nodes (128) associated with a police officer; and to illuminate an area around the police officer using selected spotlights (116) from the plurality of spotlights (116). [2] The police vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the light control unit (112) is to obtain signal strength values ​​between the portable wireless nodes (128) and at least one of the wireless chassis nodes (108) or the wireless light bar node (110) to track the position of the portable wireless nodes (128) associated with the police officer. [3] Police vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the light control unit (112): to select some of the plurality of headlights (116) based on the position of the police officer relative to the police vehicle (100); and to select an intensity of the headlights (116). [4] The police vehicle (100) of claim 3, wherein the selected intensity of the headlights (116) is based on a distance between the police officer and the police vehicle (100). [5] The police vehicle (100) of claim 3, wherein the light control unit (112) is to select a number of the plurality of headlights (116) based on a distance between the police officer and the police vehicle (100). [6] The police vehicle (100) of claim 3, wherein the light control unit (112) is to change LEDs (212) within the selected headlights (116) of the plurality of headlights (116) in response to a command from a headlight control device associated with the portable wireless nodes (128) to change a horizontal angle at which the selected headlights (116) of the plurality of headlights (116) project light. [7] Police vehicle (100) according to claim 1, including: Monitoring a charge margin of a battery (117) of the police vehicle (100); and in response to the charge margin not meeting a charge threshold, sending a warning to the police officer via the portable wireless nodes (128). [8] Method of a police vehicle (100), comprising: Receiving signal strength values ​​from a police officer-associated portable wireless node (128) from at least two of at least one wireless chassis node (108) disposed on a chassis of the police vehicle (100) and / or at least one wireless lightbar node (110) disposed on a lightbar (102) of the police vehicle (100); Tracking a position of the portable wireless nodes (128) with a processor (310) and Illuminating the area around the police officer using some of a plurality of spotlights (116) arranged on the light bar (102). [9] The method of claim 8, wherein the light control unit (112): to select some of the plurality of headlights (116) based on the position of the police officer relative to the police vehicle (100); and to select an intensity of the headlights (116). [10] The method of claim 9, wherein the selected intensity of the headlights (116) is based on a distance between the police officer and the police vehicle (100). [11] The method of claim 9, wherein the light control unit (112) is to select a number of the plurality of headlights (116) based on a distance between the police officer and the police vehicle (100). [12] The method of claim 9, wherein the light control unit (112) is to change LEDs (212) within the selected headlights (116) of the plurality of headlights (116) in response to a command from a headlight control device associated with the portable wireless nodes (128) to change a horizontal angle at which the selected headlights (116) of the plurality of headlights (116) project light. [13] A method according to claim 8, including: Monitoring a charge margin of a battery (117) of the police vehicle (100); and in response to the charge margin not meeting a charge threshold, sending a warning to the police officer via the portable wireless nodes (128). [14] A method according to claim 8, including: Monitoring a charge margin of a battery (117) of the police vehicle (100); and in response to the charge margin not meeting a charge threshold, managing the power consumption of some of a plurality of headlights (116). [15] Tangible computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed, cause a police vehicle (100): Receives signal strength values ​​from a police officer-associated portable wireless node (128) from at least two of at least one wireless chassis node (108) disposed on a chassis of the police vehicle (100) and / or a wireless light bar node (110) disposed on a light bar (102) of the police vehicle (100); a distance of the portable wireless nodes (128) is tracked and illuminates the area around the officer using some of a plurality of spotlights (116) arranged on the light bar (102) based on the tracked distance of the portable wireless nodes (128).

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