Vehicle Lighting Animation for Condition Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle lighting systems are limited in communicating complex vehicle conditions such as loading conditions and load distribution, primarily relying on static indicators rather than dynamic animations to convey information to drivers, pedestrians, and other vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a controller to receive sensor data on vehicle conditions and generate control signals to animate vehicle lighting members, such as tail lamps and headlamps, by adjusting intensity and pattern to visually represent conditions like vehicle load, trailer hitch connections, and parking status, using individual lighting elements to indicate the condition type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If static indicators are used to communicate vehicle conditions, then the system complexity is low, but the information communication effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming static lighting indicators into dynamic animated lighting sequences. The controller animates lighting elements to sequentially illuminate and transition through different patterns, enabling the communication of complex vehicle conditions such as loading status, trailer attachment, and parking state through time-based visual animations rather than static indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the vehicle lighting system into multiple individually controllable lighting elements within lighting members. Each lighting element can be independently controlled to perform specific animation sequences, allowing different portions of the lighting system to convey different vehicle condition information simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor data parameters are processed to determine various vehicle condition types, then the measurement precision of vehicle conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing a single controller that performs multiple functions: receiving data from various sensors, determining different vehicle condition types (loading condition, trailer hitch status, parking state), and controlling animation sequences for different lighting members. This consolidates what could be multiple separate systems into one universal controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges sensor data processing and lighting control functions into a single integrated controller system. The controller combines inputs from multiple sensors and consolidates the logic for determining various vehicle conditions and generating corresponding animation sequences, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
3Loss of information
If animated lighting sequences are used to communicate vehicle conditions, then the visual communication clarity is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using animated lighting sequences that illuminate and transition through different patterns over time. Rather than continuously illuminating all lighting elements at maximum intensity, the system uses periodic animation sequences that activate specific lighting elements in sequence, maintaining visual communication clarity while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous full illumination.
Data Source
AI summary
A method to utilize an animation feature of a vehicle lighting member includes receiving, by a controller, sensor data indicative of a vehicle condition, determining a vehicle condition type from the sensor data, generating a control signal to control the animation feature of the vehicle lighting member based on the vehicle condition type, and controlling the animation feature of the vehicle lighting member to visually illustrate the vehicle condition type.