Vehicle multi-purpose light kit

Abstract

A system and methods for temporary lighting include the provision of a light unit including: a flexible connector attachable to multiple positions on a vehicle body, including positions on one or more of a vehicle front, rear and side; lights for multiple light functions, including two or more of headlight, taillight, turn signal, and brake light functions; a light unit transceiver for wirelessly receiving light status signals; and a light unit controller for setting the lights according to the light status signals received by the light unit transceiver.

Description

VEHICLE MULTI-PURPOSE LIGHT KITFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of portable and emergency lighting, particularly for vehicle applications.BACKGROUND

[0002] Temporary lighting fixtures for vehicles such as cars and trucks are common in several situations. For example, when vehicles are towing objects such as other vehicles, trailers, or non-road equipment (such as boats), temporary lighting may be affixed to the rear of objects being towed to indicate their presence at night to drivers approaching from behind. In such cases, it’s common to also connect lighting controls to the lighting fixtures, to synchronize the temporary fixtures with the rear lighting of the towing vehicle.

[0003] Another common situation for temporary lighting is in the case of vehicles that need to temporarily provide emergency vehicle light signaling, such as police cars that do not have permanent alert beacons. For such vehicles, temporary beacons, often with strobe capability, may be affixed to the body of the vehicle, typically by magnetic mounting to a vehicle roof.

[0004] Additional scenarios requiring temporary lighting may arise warranting additional lighting solutions. Greater flexibility of temporary vehicle lighting solutions could provide greater utility for more applications.SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for temporary lighting for multiple applications.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] For a better understanding of various embodiments of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference is made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. Structural details of the invention are shown to provide a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description, taken with the drawings, making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. In the figures:

[0007] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a system for temporary vehicle lighting, including an add-on light kit, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0008] Figs. 2A-2C are schematic illustrations of a light unit of the light kit, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0009] Figs. 3-4 are schematic illustrations of the light unit configured as a temporary taillight and a temporary headlight, respectively, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0010] Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of the light unit including an adjustable angle bracket, according to embodiments of the present invention; and

[0011] Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of the light unit configured as a temporary towed vehicle / trailer light.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for temporary lighting. People frequently have a need for temporary lighting in a variety of road situations, particularly in the case of emergencies occurring at night, additional vehicle lighting may be needed both for stationary vehicle hazard lights and for vehicle operation lighting, i.e., to serve as vehicle lights that may include: headlights, taillights, brake lights,and / or turn signal lights (including turn signals positioned on the side of the car). Below are a few scenarios in which temporary lighting could be beneficial.

[0013] Vehicle Damage: If any of the vehicle's lights are damaged due to an accident or malfunction, temporary lighting affixed to the vehicle could provide a stopgap solution until repairs can be made.

[0014] Off-road Conditions: Off-road or adventure vehicles often require additional lighting for safe navigation in unlit or poorly lit terrain. Temporary lighting could provide an enhanced fi

[0015] The present invention is a light kit that can be configured to meet multiple temporary lighting needs, including those described above. The light kit provides convenient and compact packaging of multiple individual light functions that can be operated separately.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a system 20 for temporary vehicle lighting, including a light kit 22. The light kit typically is applied to provide a temporary lighting solution. The light kit 22 may include an add-on light unit 24, that is, a light unit that is typically affixed to a vehicle temporarily. The light unit includes one or more lights 26 that can provide multiple light functions, including two or more of headlight, taillight, turn signal, and brake light functions. The light unit also includes a light unit controller 30 having a transceiver for wirelessly receiving light status signals, for example, by wireless standards such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other communication protocols known in the art. The light unit controller 30 is also configured to implement instructions in controller memory including setting the lights according to light status signals received wirelessly. The light status signal is typically an on-off status, designating in real time whether one or more designated functions of the light unit are to be on or off. Typically, the light unit is designated and positioned as either a headlight or a taillight, where the light unit can simultaneously provide turn signal and / or a brake light functions, according to the light status received.

[0017] As described further hereinbelow, the light unit 24 may also include a flexible magnetic side for temporarily affixing the light in multiple locations, where such locations correspond to the type of light function to be performed. Without the flexible positioning of the light and the ability to receive real-time signals for light functions such as braking and turn signaling, the light unit would not be able to perform multiple functions.

[0018] The light unit 24 may receive light status signals from a wireless bus monitor 40, which includes a processor and is also referred to herein as a wireless controller. The wireless bus monitor 40 may include a bus connector 42, typically configured to connect to a bus socket 50 of a vehicle. By means of the bus connector, the wireless bus monitor monitors one or more network buses 52 of a vehicle, such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, and thereby determine the status of relevant light functions. The bus connector 42 may be, for example, an OBD2 connector conforming to a bus socket 50 that is a vehicle’s OBD2 port, that is, a having dimensions and pin-out that are standard on most vehicles, as defined in the international standard, ISO 15765, incorporating herein by reference. The OBD2 port is typically present near or under a vehicle dashboard. Pins 54 monitored by the wireless bus monitor 30 connect to the network bus 52. Signals are typically transmitted on the network bus as digital packets (e.g., with “high” and “low” signals on one or more wires), which the wireless bus monitor identifies and transforms to on-off light signals transmitted to the light unit.

[0019] The wireless bus monitor may also communicate wirelessly with a user interface, such as a mobile device having an application 60 (e.g., a mobile app) by which a user (e.g., a vehicle operator) can control aspects of operation of the wireless bus monitor and / or the light unit. For example, through a user interface of the application, a user may configure a set of light functions that a light unit is to perform, and the configuration may be transmitted from the user’s device to the wireless bus monitor, which then monitors the network bus forthe status of each light function specified by the user configuration. When status signals relevant for the user-set configuration are identified on the network bus by the wireless bus monitor, the wireless bus monitor then transmits the corresponding on / off status to the light unit. The application 60 may also send instructions to the light unit, such as signals to test the light unit operation or to ignore signals not specified by the user configuration. Security communication protocols may be provided to ensure that the communications are not susceptible to cyberattack.

[0020] Additionally, the wireless bus monitor may also send real-time status updates to the application of the user device. Updates may include both status of lights that should be on or off, as well as updates regarding permanent vehicle lights that are not working and therefore need the light unit as a temporary substitute until the malfunctioning permanent lights are repaired. In alternative embodiments, the wireless bus monitor may send status updates to the light unit by way of the application 60, that is, the wireless bus monitor communicates only with the user interface, which in turn communicates status updates to the light unit.

[0021] The network bus 52 typically carries signals from bus controllers, such as a one or more light switch bus controllers 70 and one or more light fixture bus controllers 72. Light switches 80 of a typical vehicle, which trigger light status on / off signals, may include: headlight / taillight switch, turn signal (“blinkers”) switch; brakes (which brakes operated); high beam switch, parking lights (when parking brake operated), and daylight running light switch. Alternatively, functions of the wireless bus monitor, of wirelessly transmitting light function status signals to the light unit, may be incorporated directly into the one or more light switch bus controllers 72, or any other vehicle computer with bus access. In a further alternative embodiment, the wireless transmission of light function status may be provided by light sensors positioned on operating lights of the vehicle (e.g., front, right turn signalsensor signaling turn signal status for right, rear replacement light unit, and rear, left brake signal sensor signaling brake signal status for right, rear replacement light unit).

[0022] The light fixture bus controller 72 monitors the bus for signals set by the bus controllers 70 and may operate responsively respective lights 90 of the vehicle. The light fixture bus controller may also determine faults in these lights, which it may also transmit over the bus. (The switches and lights indicated in the figure are merely exemplary and not meant to be limiting.)

[0023] Figs. 2A-2C are schematic illustrations of the light unit 24 of the light kit 22, according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2A, strip lighting 110 (which may be a subset of the lights 26 described above), may be built into the top side 112 of each light unit. The strip lighting may be a set of LEDs (e.g., a row of 10 LEDs) or other energy efficient lighting. In typical configurations, the strip lighting 110 may provide vehicle rear or side lighting, such as rear lighting to replace taillights, rear brake lights and / or turn signals.

[0024] At the front side 120 of the light unit, beacon lights 122 may be positioned (also a subset of lights 26). These may be beacon LEDs, which can be switched on to provide front-facing light for example for headlight replacement.

[0025] At the sides 134 of the light unit, reflectors 136 may be positioned, typically colored white or red to provide additional warning indicators for approaching vehicles. There may also be magnets 152 at the front side 120, for further attachment flexibility, including an option of attaching one light unit to another, as described further below.

[0026] Fig. 2B is a transparent schematic illustration of the light unit 24 showing internal elements of the light unit. Fig 2B also shows an option of opening two parts of the light unit at a hinge 154. In this configuration, three light units opened at their hinges (to 60 degrees) can be joined as an emergency roadside triangle, or used for other roadside applications, forwhich the strip lighting may include lights that are colored to suit these applications, such as red and / or amber colored lights.

[0027] The internal elements of the light unit may include, as shown, the controller 30, described above, which has a processor for controlling the light unit lights, such as the spot and strip lighting. The controller may also include a wireless transceiver 162 for sending and receiving signals as described above. Wireless communication may be implemented by Bluetooth protocols, or by other wireless technologies known in the art. Also shown in the light unit is a battery 164, typically rechargeable.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2C, at the bottom side 170 of the light unit, there are typically magnets 172 (or other means, such as Velcro) for attaching the light unit to a vehicle. As indicated, the magnets 172 may be configured as pads integrated into a flexible material of a flexible connector 174, such that the positions of the magnets can conform to a vehicle surface that is not flat, such as a curved surface. This feature is important for securely affixing the light unit to a vehicle, given that the light unit is intended for multiple positions on multiple types of vehicles, including both cars and trucks. Due to the flexibility of the flexible connector 174, a better level of adhesion between a light unit and a vehicle surface can be achieved, because the flexible connector can better conform to various vehicle surfaces than if the magnetic surface had a fixed shape. The advantage of a flexible connector also applies when other adhesive methods are employed, such as double sided tape, Velcro, or clips.

[0029] When the flexible connector is affixed to a vehicle surface and the strip lighting 110 faces outwards, the light unit can serve, for example, as a temporary taillight. Also shown is a power switch 176 of the light unit.

[0030] Fig. 3 is schematic illustrations of a taillight configuration 300, whereby the light unit 24 is affixed to the rear of a vehicle, typically near a taillight that has stopped working (for example, due to an accident). As described above, a wireless bus monitor (or “wirelesscontroller”) determines, from a network bus of the vehicle, the status of each of the taillight functions that should be operated (e.g., taillight, brakes, turn signal), and transmits light status signals to the light unit in real time while the vehicle is operated.

[0031] Similarly, Fig. 4 is schematic illustrations of a headlight configuration 400, whereby the light unit 24 is affixed to the front of a vehicle, typically near a headlight that has stopped working. Note that the light unit 24 is shown affixed to the car body with headlight beacon lights (“spot lights”) facing forward. The position shown is to the side of the vehicle, where the temporary light may also serve as a side light for turn signals and / or brake signals, depending on the light status signal received. Note that the light unit may also serve as a temporary replacement light beacon for a motorcycle headlight. The wireless bus monitor transmits light status signals to the light unit in real time while the vehicle is operated.

[0032] Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of an alternative headlight configuration 500 in which the light unit 24 includes an adjustable angle bracket 502, by which the light unit is affixed to a vehicle. Adjustable angle bracket 502 may be attached by a hinge to the body of the light unit. A flexible connector, as shown in Fig. 2C on the bottom of the light unit (e.g., flexible magnetic connector 174), may also be integrated at the bottom of the adjustable bracket 502. The adjustable bracket allows a user to affix the headlights on a convenient surface of a vehicle, while adjusting the angle of the light unit, to ensure that the light points away from on-coming traffic (e.g., downwards), so as not to cause glare for oncoming drivers. As described above, the light unit receives light status signals indicating the headlight functions that should be operated (e.g., headlight, turn signal), receiving the signals in real time, while the vehicle is operated.

[0033] Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration showing the light unit 24 positioned in a towed vehicle / trailer light configuration 600. As for the case of rear light functions, describedabove, the light unit is controlled wirelessly by signals generated by a wireless bus monitor, connected to a network bus of the vehicle.

[0034] Table of References in Figures

[0035] It is to be understood that the various embodiments of the invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of theembodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0036] EXAMPLES

[0037] Examples of the present invention may include the following configurations of systems and methods for temporary lighting, particularly for emergency situations.

[0038] Example 1 is a system for temporary vehicle lighting comprising a light unit 24 that includes: a flexible magnetic connector 174, conformable to surfaces at multiple positions on a vehicle body, including positions on one or more of a vehicle front, rear and side; one or more lights 26 serving multiple light functions, including two or more of headlight, taillight, turn signal, and brake light functions; and a light unit controller 30 having a transceiver for wirelessly receiving light status signals and memory with instructions that when executed implement steps including setting the one or more lights 26 according to the light status signals received wirelessly.

[0039] Example 2 includes the features of example 1, and the light unit further comprises a top side comprising strip lighting 110.

[0040] Example 3 includes features of examples 1 or 2, and the light unit further comprises a front-end comprising spot lighting 122.

[0041] Example 4 includes the features of some or all of the above example, and the light unit further comprises an adjustable bracket 502 for setting a headlight angle.

[0042] Example 5 includes the features of some or all of the above example, and the flexible connector comprises a flexible strip 174 having two or more magnetic pads 172 for conforming to curvature of a vehicle surface.

[0043] Example 6 includes the features of some or all of the above examples, and further includes a wireless bus monitor 40 having a wireless controller transceiver and a connector42 to a signaling bus 52 of a vehicle, and further having a processer configured with instructions to perform steps of: receiving bus signals from the signaling bus; identifying from the bus signals at least one lighting signal indicative of light status of at least one of the multiple light functions; and wirelessly transmitting a light status signal indicative of the light status, wherein the light unit controller receives the light status signal and accordingly sets the lights in real time to indicate the received light status signal.

[0044] Example 7 includes the features of example 6, and the wireless bus monitor is further configured to receive wirelessly from a user computing device application an indication of a type of light function to control.

[0045] Example 8 includes features of examples 6 or 7, and the light unit transceiver is configured to receive the light signal status as a wireless signal directly from the wireless bus monitor.

[0046] Example 7 includes features of any of examples 6 through 8, and the wireless bus monitor is further configured to transmit the light status signal to a user computing device configured to wirelessly forward the signal to the light unit, and the light unit transceiver is configured to receive the light signal status from the user computing device.

[0047] Example 10 includes features of any of examples 6 through 9, and the connector of the wireless bus monitor is an OBD2 connector connectable to an OBD2 socket of a vehicle, and wherein the signaling bus is a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus with wires accessible on pins of the OBD2 socket.

[0048] Example 11 is a method for temporary vehicle lighting comprising providing a light unit 24 including: a flexible magnetic connector 174 attachable to multiple positions on a vehicle body, including positions on one or more of a vehicle front, rear and side; one or more lights for multiple light functions, including two or more of headlight, taillight, turn signal, and brake light functions; a light unit transceiver for wirelessly receiving light statussignals; and a light unit controller for setting the lights according to the light status signals received by the light unit transceiver.

[0049] Further method examples include the above method and any of the following steps, alone or in combination: providing the light unit with a top side including strip lighting (example 12); providing the light unit with a front end including spot lighting (example 13); providing the light unit with an adjustable bracket for setting a headlight angle (example 14); and providing the flexible connector with two or more magnetic pads for conforming to a curvature of a vehicle surface (example 15).

[0050] An example 16 of a method of the present invention includes steps of any of the above method examples, and, in addition, providing a wireless bus monitor having a wireless controller transceiver and a connector to a signaling bus of a vehicle, and implementing by the wireless bus monitor steps of: receiving bus signals from the signaling bus; identifying from the bus signals at least one lighting signal indicative of light status of at least one of the multiple light functions; and wirelessly transmitting a light status signal indicative of the light status, wherein the light unit controller receives the light status signal and accordingly sets the lights in real time to indicate the received light status signal.

[0051] An example 17 of a method of the present invention includes steps of example 16, and, in addition, includes configuring the wireless bus monitor to receive wirelessly from a user computing device an indication of a type of light function to control.

[0052] An example 18 of a method of the present invention includes steps of examples 16 or 17, and, in addition, includes configuring the light unit transceiver to receive the light signal status directly from the wireless bus monitor.

[0053] An example 19 of a method of the present invention includes steps of any of examples 16-18, and, in addition, includes configuring the wireless bus monitor to transmitthe light status signal to a user computing device, and comprising configuring the light unit transceiver to receive the light signal status from the user computing device.

[0054] An example 20 of a method of the present invention includes steps of any of examples 16-19, and, in addition, includes providing the connector of the wireless bus monitor as an OBD2 connector connectable to an OBD2 socket of a vehicle, wherein the signaling bus is a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus with wires accessible on pins of theOBD2 socket.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for temporary vehicle lighting comprising a light unit comprising: a flexible magnetic connector conformable to multiple positions on a vehicle body, including positions on one or more of a vehicle front, rear and side; one or more lights for multiple light functions, including two or more of headlight, taillight, turn signal, and brake light functions; and a light unit controller having a transceiver for wirelessly receiving light status signals and memory with instructions that when executed implement steps including setting the one or more lights according to the light status signals received wirelessly.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the light unit further comprises a top side comprising strip lighting.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light unit further comprises a front end comprising spot lighting.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the light unit further comprises an adjustable bracket for setting a headlight angle.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible magnetic connector comprises a flexible strip having two or more magnetic pads for conforming to curvature of a vehicle surface.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a wireless bus monitor having a wireless controller transceiver and a connector to a signaling bus of a vehicle, and further having a processer configured with instructions to perform steps of: receiving bus signals from the signaling bus; identifying from the bus signals at least one lighting signal indicative of light status of at least one of the multiple light functions; andwirelessly transmitting a light status signal indicative of the light status, wherein the light unit controller receives the light status signal and accordingly sets the lights in real time to indicate the received light status signal.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the wireless bus monitor is further configured to receive wirelessly from a user computing device application an indication of a type of light function to control.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the light unit transceiver is configured to receive the light signal status directly from the wireless bus monitor.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the wireless bus monitor is further configured to transmit the light status signal to a user computing device, and wherein the light unit transceiver is configured to receive the light signal status from the user computing device.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the connector of the wireless bus monitor is an OBD2 connector connectable to an OBD2 socket of a vehicle, and wherein the signaling bus is a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus with wires accessible on pins of the OBD2 socket.

11. A method for temporary vehicle lighting comprising providing a light unit, wherein the light unit has: a flexible magnetic connector attachable to multiple positions on a vehicle body, including positions on one or more of a vehicle front, rear and side; one or more lights for multiple light functions, including two or more of headlight, taillight, turn signal, and brake light functions; a light unit transceiver for wirelessly receiving light status signals; and a light unit controller for setting the lights according to the light status signals received by the light unit transceiver.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing the light unit with a top side including strip lighting.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing the light unit with a front end including spot lighting.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing the light unit with an adjustable bracket for setting a headlight angle.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing the flexible magnetic connector with two or more magnetic pads on a flexible strip for conforming to a curvature of a vehicle surface.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a wireless bus monitor having a wireless controller transceiver and a connector to a signaling bus of a vehicle, and implementing by the wireless bus monitor steps of: receiving bus signals from the signaling bus; identifying from the bus signals at least one lighting signal indicative of light status of at least one of the multiple light functions and wirelessly transmitting a light status signal indicative of the light status, wherein the light unit controller receives the light status signal and accordingly sets the lights in real time to indicate the received light status signal.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising configuring the wireless bus monitor to receive wirelessly from a user computing device an indication of a type of light function to control.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising configuring the light unit transceiver to receive the light signal status directly from the wireless bus monitor.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising configuring the wireless bus monitor to transmit the light status signal to a user computing device, and comprising configuring the light unit transceiver to receive the light signal status from the user computing device.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the connector of the wireless bus monitor is an OBD2 connector connectable to an OBD2 socket of a vehicle, and wherein the signaling bus is a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus with wires accessible on pins of the OBD2 socket.

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