Vehicle light control method and vehicle using the same

Abstract

To provide a vehicle light control method which can control a vehicle light of a vehicle flexibly.SOLUTION: A vehicle light control method includes the following steps: a step in which a specific electronic device is scanned through a wireless network by a processing unit of a vehicle; a step in which a vehicle light of the vehicle is turned on when the vehicle detects the specific electronic device and is connected to the specific electronic device; and a step in which the vehicle light of the vehicle is turned off when the vehicle is disconnected from the specific electronic device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle light control method and a vehicle using the same, and more particularly to a smart control method and a vehicle using the same that can control vehicle lights in response to a signal received from a specific electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the continuous advancement of information technology, vehicles are becoming increasingly smart. Apart from their basic function of transportation, automobiles are continuously developed and improved by various industries to be safer and have more peripheral applications and functions.

[0003] Meanwhile, as the world becomes more environmentally conscious and electric vehicle technology advances, traditional vehicles that burn fossil fuels as a power source are being replaced by electric vehicles that use electricity. The transition from traditional vehicles to electric vehicles is an important goal for the automotive industry, and this transition will also popularize electric vehicles in society. Generally, electric vehicles are equipped with significantly more electronic components / devices than traditional vehicles, and these additional electronic components / devices can be configured to connect to users' mobile devices and provide more personalized applications and functions, enriching the user experience in electric vehicles.

[0004] For example, some vehicles are equipped with a feature that delays the automatic switching off of the vehicle's lights after the vehicle is parked. When a vehicle user turns off the engine, the vehicle's lights remain on for a certain period of time, providing light for the user's safety and convenience even when the user parks the vehicle in a dark environment. However, currently, vehicles can only keep the lights on for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time for keeping the lights on is inflexible and does not take into consideration the various needs of users in different situations.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle control method and system for use in a vehicle. In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, a specific electronic device is first detected via a wireless network. When the specific electronic device is detected, the vehicle's locking elements are unlocked. Conversely, when the specific electronic device is not detected, the vehicle's locking elements are locked. Patent Document 1 does not mention anything about an optical control method. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Taiwan Patent Application Publication No. 202435633 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to overcome the above drawbacks, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle light control method and a vehicle thereof. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle light control method is applied to a vehicle.

[0009] First, the vehicle's processing unit scans for a specific electronic device via the wireless network. When the specific electronic device is detected and connected to the vehicle via the wireless network, the vehicle's vehicle lights are turned on. When the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device is cut off, the vehicle's vehicle lights are turned off.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle includes a vehicle light, a network connection unit, and a processing unit. The network connection unit is connected to a wireless network. Through the network connection unit, the processing unit scans for a specific electronic device via the wireless network. When the specific electronic device is detected and connected to the vehicle via the wireless network, the processing unit switches on the vehicle light of the vehicle, and when the connection between the specific electronic device and the vehicle is disconnected, the processing unit switches off the vehicle light of the vehicle.

[0011] In one embodiment, the vehicle light control method includes switching on the vehicle light for a predetermined time if the specific electronic device is detected and connected to the vehicle via the wireless network, and turning off the vehicle light if the specific electronic device disconnects from the vehicle within the predetermined time.

[0012] In some embodiments, the vehicle light control method includes determining whether an ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on or off, and turning on vehicle lights if the vehicle ignition switch is turned off and if a particular electronic device is detected and connected to the vehicle through a wireless network.

[0013] In one embodiment, the vehicle light control method includes switching on the vehicle lights for a predetermined time when the ignition switch of the vehicle is switched off and when the specific electronic device is detected and connected to the vehicle via the wireless network.

[0014] In some embodiments, a vehicle light control method includes determining whether a particular electronic device is still connected to the vehicle via a wireless network after a predetermined time has elapsed, and if the particular electronic device is still connected to the vehicle via the wireless network after the predetermined time, maintaining the vehicle light on until the particular electronic device disconnects from the vehicle.

[0015] The above-described vehicle light control method is programmed as a sequence of code, and when the sequence of code is loaded and compiled by an apparatus, said apparatus is considered a device that executes the vehicle light control method of the present invention.

[0016] To better demonstrate the objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, please refer to the following embodiments of the present invention using detailed descriptions and figures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a vehicle of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a vehicle of the present invention connecting to specific electronic devices. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the vehicle light control method of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another embodiment of the vehicle light control method of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another embodiment of the vehicle light control method of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another embodiment of the vehicle light control method of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a vehicle embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Vehicle 100 may be of any model or type. In some embodiments, vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle, such as an electric scooter or an electric car.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1 , vehicle 100 includes vehicular lights 110, a network connection unit 120, an ignition switch 130, and a processing unit 140. Vehicle lights 110 are mounted on vehicle 100. In some embodiments, vehicle lights 110 are headlights of vehicle 100. In other embodiments, vehicle lights 110 may be any other lights on the vehicle, such as indicator lights, daytime running lights (DRLs), brake lights, or reversing lights. Network connection 120 connects to a network so that vehicle 100 can communicate with the network. In some embodiments, the network may be a wired network, a telecommunications network, or a wireless network such as a Wi-Fi network or a Bluetooth network. Ignition switch 130 is configured to control whether the vehicle is switched on. Processing unit 140 controls both the hardware and software of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1 , processing unit 140 is electrically connected to vehicle lights 110, network connection unit 120, and ignition switch 130. Furthermore, the processing unit 140 is configured to execute the vehicle light control method of the present invention. The vehicle light control method of the present invention will now be described.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a vehicle embodiment of the present invention connecting to specific electronic devices.

[0022] 2, vehicle 210 is connected to specific electronic device 230 via network 220. Note that specific electronic device 230 may be any electronic device that can connect to a network. For example, specific electronic device 230 may be a mobile device, a beacon, or a wireless key. Network 220 may be a wired network, a telecommunications network, or a wireless network such as a Wi-Fi network or a Bluetooth® network.

[0023] 3, which shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a vehicle light control method of the present invention, the vehicle light control method of the present invention is executed by a processing unit of a vehicle to control the vehicle light of the vehicle.

[0024] The vehicle light control method includes the following steps: Step S310: Scan for a specific electronic device via a wireless network; Step S320: Determine whether the vehicle detects the specific electronic device and is connected to the specific electronic device, and if the vehicle does not detect the specific electronic device or is not connected to the specific electronic device, execute step S310; That is, if the vehicle has not detected the specific electronic device or if the specific electronic device is not connected to the vehicle, the processing unit of the vehicle executes step S310; Step S330: when the vehicle detects and connects to the specific electronic device, turn on the vehicle light; Step S340: Determine whether the vehicle is disconnected from the specific electronic device, and if the vehicle is connected to the specific electronic device, execute S310; Step S350: Switch off the vehicle lights of the vehicle when the vehicle is disconnected from a specific electronic device.

[0025] First, as shown in step S310, the specific electronic device is scanned over a wireless network. Note that in some embodiments, the wireless network may be a Wi-Fi network or a Bluetooth network. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the specific electronic device may pre-establish a connection with the processing unit or the network connection unit, thereby allowing the vehicle to obtain identification data for connecting to the specific electronic device in advance. In some embodiments, the specific electronic device may be a mobile device such as a smart device, a beacon, or a wireless key. If the specific electronic device is not detected (corresponding to NO in step S320), the process returns to step S310. If the specific electronic device is detected and connected to the vehicle (corresponding to YES in step S320), the vehicle's vehicle lights are turned on, as shown in step S330. Note that the vehicle lights may be mounted on the vehicle. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the vehicle lights may be the vehicle's headlights. In some embodiments, the vehicle lights may be any lights on the vehicle, such as headlights, indicator lights, daytime running lights (DRLs), brake lights, or reversing lights. Furthermore, as shown in step S340, it is determined whether the connection between the specific electronic device and the vehicle has been disconnected. If the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device has not been disconnected (corresponding to NO in step S340), the process returns to step S310. If the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device has been disconnected (corresponding to YES in step S340), the vehicle lights of the vehicle are turned off as shown in step S350.

[0026] 4, which shows a flowchart of another embodiment of the vehicle light control method of the present invention, which is executed by a processing unit of a vehicle to control the vehicle lights of the vehicle.

[0027] The vehicle light control method includes the following steps: Step S410: Scan for a specific electronic device via a wireless network; Step S420: Determine whether the vehicle detects the specific electronic device and is connected to the specific electronic device, and if the vehicle has not detected the specific electronic device or is not connected to the specific electronic device, execute step S410; That is, if the vehicle does not detect the specific electronic device, or if the specific electronic device is not connected to the vehicle, the processing unit of the vehicle executes step S410; Step S430: if the vehicle detects the specific electronic device and the vehicle is connected to the specific electronic device, turn on the vehicle light of the vehicle for a predetermined time; Step S440: Determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, execute step S460; Step S450: if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed, determine whether the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device has been disconnected within the predetermined time, and if the vehicle is still connected to the specific electronic device within the predetermined time, execute step S440; In other words, if it is determined that the connection between the specific electronic device and the vehicle has not been disconnected within a predetermined time, the processing unit of the vehicle executes step S440; Step S460: If the connection between the vehicle and a specific electronic device is disconnected within a predetermined time, turn off the vehicle light of the vehicle; In other words, if it determines that a particular electronic device has become disconnected from the vehicle within a predetermined period of time, the vehicle's processing unit will turn off the vehicle's lights.

[0028] First, as shown in step S410, the specific electronic device is scanned through a wireless network. Similarly, in some embodiments, the wireless network may be a Wi-Fi network or a Bluetooth network. Similarly, in some embodiments, the specific electronic device may pre-establish a connection with the processing unit or the network connection unit, thus allowing the vehicle to pre-obtain identification data for connecting to the specific electronic device. In some embodiments, the specific electronic device may be a mobile device such as a smart device, a beacon, or a wireless key. If the specific electronic device is not detected (corresponding to NO in step S420), the process returns to step S410. If the specific electronic device is detected and connected to the vehicle (corresponding to "YES" in step S420), the vehicle's vehicle lights are turned on for a predetermined time, such as two minutes, as shown in step S430. Note that the vehicle lights may be mounted on the vehicle. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the vehicle lights may be the vehicle's headlights. In some embodiments, the vehicle lights may be any lights on the vehicle, such as headlights, indicator lights, daytime running lights (DRLs), brake lights, or reversing lights. Furthermore, as shown in step S440, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If the predetermined time has elapsed (corresponding to YES in step S440), the vehicle's vehicle lights are turned off as shown in step S460. If the predetermined time has not yet elapsed (corresponding to NO in step S440), it is determined whether the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device has been disconnected within the predetermined time as shown in step S450. If the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device has not been disconnected within the predetermined time (corresponding to NO in step S450), the process returns to step S440 and executes the steps. If the vehicle has been disconnected from the specific electronic device within the predetermined time (corresponding to YES in step S450), the vehicle's vehicle lights are turned off as shown in step S460. In this embodiment, if the connection between the specific electronic device and the vehicle is disconnected within the predetermined time, the vehicle's lights are turned off prior to the end of the predetermined time.

[0029] 5, which shows a flowchart of another embodiment of the vehicle light control method of the present invention, which is executed by a processing unit of a vehicle to control the vehicle light of the vehicle.

[0030] The vehicle light control method includes the following steps: Step S510: Scan for a specific electronic device via a wireless network; Step S520: Determine whether the vehicle detects the specific electronic device and is connected to the specific electronic device, and if the vehicle does not detect the specific electronic device or is not connected to the specific electronic device, execute step S510; That is, if the vehicle has not detected the specific electronic device or if the specific electronic device is not connected to the vehicle, the processing unit of the vehicle executes step S510; Step S530: When the vehicle detects the specific electronic device and the vehicle is connected to the specific electronic device, turn on the vehicle light of the vehicle for a predetermined time; Step S540: Determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed; Step S550: if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed, determine whether the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device has been disconnected within the predetermined time, and if the vehicle is still connected to the specific electronic device within the predetermined time, execute step S540; In other words, if it is determined that the connection between the specific electronic device and the vehicle has not been disconnected within a predetermined time, the processing unit of the vehicle executes step S540; Step S560: If the connection between the vehicle and a specific electronic device is disconnected within a predetermined time, turn off the vehicle light of the vehicle; In other words, when it determines that a particular electronic device has become disconnected from the vehicle within a predetermined time, the processing unit of the vehicle turns off the vehicle lights; Step S570: If a predetermined time has elapsed, determine whether the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device has been disconnected; if the predetermined time has elapsed and the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device has been disconnected, execute step S560; Step S580: When the predetermined time has elapsed and the vehicle is still connected to the specific electronic device, keep the vehicle lights on and execute step S570.

[0031] First, scan for a specific electronic device via a wireless network, as shown in step S510. Similarly, in some embodiments, the wireless network may be a Wi-Fi network or a Bluetooth network.

[0032] Similarly, in some embodiments, the specific electronic device may pre-establish a connection with the processing unit or network connection unit, thereby allowing the vehicle to obtain identification data for connecting to the specific electronic device in advance. In some embodiments, the specific electronic device may be a mobile device such as a smart device, a beacon, or a wireless key. If the specific electronic device is not detected (corresponding to NO in step S520), the process returns to step S510. If the specific electronic device is detected and connected to the vehicle (corresponding to YES in step S520), the vehicle's vehicle lights are switched on for a predetermined time, for example, two minutes, as shown in step S530. Note that the vehicle lights may be configured to be mounted on the vehicle.

[0033] Further, in some embodiments, the vehicle lights may be headlights of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle lights may be any lights on the vehicle, such as headlights, indicator lights, daytime running lights (DRLs), brake lights, or reversing lights. Further, as shown in step S540, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If the predetermined time has not yet elapsed (corresponding to NO in step S540), it is determined whether the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device has been disconnected within the predetermined time, as shown in step S550. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (corresponding to NO in step S550), execution returns to step S540. If the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device has been disconnected within the predetermined time (corresponding to YES in step S550), the vehicle lights are turned off, as shown in step S560. Once the predetermined time has elapsed (corresponding to YES in step S540), it is determined whether the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device has been disconnected, as shown in step S570. If the vehicle has not yet been disconnected from the particular electronic device (corresponding to NO in step S570), the vehicle lights are kept on for a longer period, as shown in step S580, and the process then returns to step S570.

[0034] When the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device is disconnected (corresponding to YES in step S570), the vehicle lights are turned off as shown in step S560. In this embodiment, even if the predetermined time has elapsed, if the vehicle is still connected to the specific electronic device, the vehicle lights will continue to be turned on until the connection between the specific electronic device and the vehicle is disconnected.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6 , the vehicle light control method includes the following steps: Step S610: Determine whether the ignition switch of the vehicle has been turned off. If the ignition switch of the vehicle is still on and has not been turned off, do not execute step S620; Step S620: If the vehicle ignition switch is turned off, execute the remainder of the vehicle light control method by starting to scan for specific electronic devices through the wireless network.

[0036] As described above, the ignition switch is configured to control whether the vehicle is switched on. In some embodiments, the processing unit that starts the vehicle executes the vehicle light control method of the present invention only when the ignition switch is switched off. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of another embodiment of the vehicle light control method of the present invention. The vehicle light control method of the present invention is executed by a processing unit of the vehicle to control the vehicle lights of the vehicle. First, as shown in step S610, it is determined whether the ignition switch of the vehicle is switched off. If the ignition switch is not switched off (corresponding to NO in step S610), the execution of the steps ends. If the ignition switch is switched off (corresponding to YES in step S610), the vehicle light control method of the present invention is executed, as shown in step S620, and therefore the above-mentioned steps S310 to S350, steps S410 to S460, or steps S510 to S580 are executed.

[0037] In other words, when the ignition switch is turned on, the vehicle is accordingly turned on by the ignition switch. The vehicle light control method of the present invention is executed by a processing unit of the vehicle to control the vehicle lights of the vehicle. When the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off, by executing step S620, the processing unit of the vehicle starts to execute the above-mentioned steps S310 to S350, steps S410 to S460, or steps S510 to S580.

[0038] As described above, the vehicle light control method of the present invention and the vehicle implementing the vehicle light control method of the present invention use signals from specific electronic devices to intelligently control the vehicle lights, more specifically, to flexibly control the vehicle lights to meet the user's needs in different situations. By flexibly controlling the length of time the vehicle lights should be turned on after the vehicle is parked (the ignition switch is turned off), the vehicle lights can be kept on for longer than the predetermined time for the user, thereby allowing the user to enjoy the convenience of appropriate lighting for a longer period of time. Note that the present invention always turns off the vehicle lights as needed, such as when the connection with the vehicle is lost, thereby saving energy in the vehicle.

[0039] The vehicle light control method is partially or in any particular embodiment programmed as a sequence of codes. The sequence of codes can be stored on a hard medium, such as a floppy disk, a compact disk, a hard drive, or any other type of machine-readable (computer-readable) storage medium. The sequence of codes can also exist in any form of a computer program product. When the sequence of codes is loaded and compiled by an apparatus, the apparatus becomes a device that executes the vehicle light control method of the present invention. The sequence of codes can also be transported, for example, by wire or cable, optical fiber, or any other form of transport medium. When executed by a conventional processing unit such as a processor, the sequence of codes can create a sequence of the aforementioned steps that transforms the hardware to perform specialized functions with a specific purpose. In other words, by applying the sequence of codes to a vehicle capable of executing the vehicle light control method and connecting it to specific electronic devices, the vehicle can be upgraded by the present invention to become smarter in controlling vehicle lights, and thus equipped with specialized functions with the specific purpose of improving the user experience when controlling vehicle lights.

[0040] The above description discloses preferred embodiments of the present invention, but these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains should be able to make fine adjustments and refinements without departing from the spirit of the present invention and without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention encompasses what is claimed for the present invention as included in the subsequent parts of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 100 - vehicle; 110 - vehicle lights; 120 - Network Connection Unit; 130 - ignition switch; 140 - processing unit; 210 - vehicle; 220 - Network; 230 - Certain electronic devices; S310, S320, S330, S340, S350 - steps; S410, S420, S430, S440, S450, S460 - steps; S510, S520, S530, S540, S550, S560, S570, S580 - steps; S610, S620 - Steps.

Claims

1. 1. A vehicle light control method executed by and applied to a vehicle, comprising: a processing unit of the vehicle scanning for specific electronic devices over a wireless network; When the vehicle detects the specific electronic device via the wireless network and is connected to the specific electronic device, switching on vehicle lights of the vehicle, and when the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device is disconnected, switching off vehicle lights of the vehicle. A vehicle light control method comprising:

2. 2. The vehicle light control method according to claim 1, turning on vehicle lights for a predetermined time when the vehicle detects the specific electronic device and is connected to the specific electronic device, and turning off vehicle lights for a predetermined time when the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device is disconnected within the predetermined time; The vehicle light control method further comprises:

3. 2. The vehicle light control method according to claim 1, determining whether the vehicle ignition switch is turned off; When an ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off, the vehicle detects the specific electronic device, and if connected to the specific electronic device, turns on the vehicle lights. The vehicle light control method further comprises:

4. 4. The vehicle light control method according to claim 3, and switching on vehicle lights of the vehicle for a predetermined time when an ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off and the vehicle detects and connects to the specific electronic device. The vehicle light control method further comprises:

5. 5. The vehicle light control method according to claim 4, determining whether the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device has been disconnected if the predetermined time has elapsed; If the predetermined time has elapsed and the vehicle is still connected to the particular electronic device, keeping the vehicle lights on until the particular electronic device is disconnected from the vehicle. The vehicle light control method further comprises:

6. A vehicle, Vehicle lights and a network connection unit configured to connect to a wireless network; a processing unit connected to the vehicle light and the network connection unit, and configured to connect to a specific electronic device via the network connection unit and the wireless network; When the specific electronic device is detected and the specific electronic device is connected to the vehicle via a wireless network, the processing unit turns on the vehicle lights, and when the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device is disconnected, the processing unit turns off the vehicle lights.

7. 7. A vehicle according to claim 6, When the specific electronic device is detected and the specific electronic device is connected to the vehicle via the wireless network, the vehicle lights of the vehicle are switched on by the processing unit for a predetermined time, and when the connection between the vehicle and the specific electronic device is disconnected within the predetermined time, the vehicle lights of the vehicle are switched off by the processing unit.

8. 7. The vehicle of claim 6, further comprising an ignition switch connected to the processing unit and configured to switch on the vehicle; The processing unit determines whether the ignition switch of the vehicle is off, and if the ignition switch of the vehicle is off, the specific electronic device is detected, and the specific electronic device is connected to the vehicle via the wireless network, the processing unit switches on the vehicle lights of the vehicle.

9. 9. A vehicle according to claim 8, A vehicle characterized in that, when the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off, the specific electronic device is detected, and the specific electronic device is connected to the vehicle via the wireless network, the processing unit turns on the vehicle lights of the vehicle for a predetermined period of time.

10. 10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein, when the processing unit determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, the processing unit further determines whether the connection with the specific electronic device has been disconnected, and if the specific electronic device is still connected to the vehicle via the wireless network after the predetermined time has elapsed, the processing unit keeps the vehicle lights on until the connection between the specific electronic device and the vehicle is disconnected.

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