Vehicle Ambient Lighting Control for Context-Aware Theme Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle lighting systems lack the ability to dynamically adjust lighting based on user preferences, location, and environmental factors, resulting in a suboptimal driving or riding experience.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a computerized vehicle lighting controller that monitors inputs such as user preferences, location, and environmental data to autonomously select and generate commands for ambient lighting themes, incorporating features like a lighted headliner, smart glass, and wireless communication to provide context-aware lighting effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If vehicle lighting systems use fixed lighting colors without dynamic adjustment, then the system complexity is low, but the adaptability to different user preferences and environments is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to user preferences and environmentVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic lighting adjustment by enabling the lighting system to automatically change colors and intensities based on real-time environmental conditions, user preferences, and vehicle status. The controller continuously monitors inputs from sensors and navigation systems, then dynamically adjusts lighting parameters to adapt to changing conditions, transforming a static lighting system into a dynamic one that responds to its environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by monitoring user preferences through metadata processing, detecting environmental conditions via sensors, and using navigation system data to adjust lighting accordingly. The controller receives continuous feedback from multiple sources and automatically modifies lighting output to optimize the driving experience, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the lighting system autonomously selects themes based on multiple inputs, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of lighting theme selectionVSAvoidcontroller programming complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system performs self-service by autonomously selecting appropriate lighting themes without requiring direct user intervention. The controller automatically processes inputs from sensors, navigation systems, and metadata sources to determine and apply suitable lighting configurations. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual theme selection while providing context-appropriate lighting automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle diverse inputs including sensor data, navigation information, user preferences, and environmental conditions. By integrating multiple input processing capabilities and theme selection logic into a single controller, the system achieves universal adaptability across different operating conditions while consolidating complexity into one centralized unit rather than distributing it across multiple separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If the system integrates multiple input sources for lighting selection, then the information accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of lighting context informationVSAvoidnumber of input modules
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple input sources including sensors, navigation systems, and metadata processing modules into a unified lighting control system. The controller integrates data from these diverse sources and processes them collectively to make lighting decisions, combining the functionality of separate modules into a coordinated system that leverages the strengths of each input source while managing complexity through unified processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller serves as a universal processing unit that handles multiple types of inputs from different sources. It is designed to process sensor data, navigation information, and user preferences through a single multi-functional architecture, eliminating the need for separate dedicated processing units for each input type and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive information integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the driving or riding experience by providing personalized, context-based lighting that improves navigation, reduces distraction, and integrates with social media trends, while also providing enhanced visual and audio feedback.

Implementation Method 1

ambient lighting including a plurality of lights configured for illuminating an interior of the vehicle or an exterior of the vehicle with a selectable light color

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS12162404B2System and method for creating a vehicle lighting atmosphere
Publication Date: 2024.12.10 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • US12162404B2 patent drawing
  • US12162404B2 patent drawing
  • US12162404B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system for creating vehicle lighting atmosphere of a vehicle is provided. The system includes ambient lighting including a plurality of lights configured for illuminating an interior of the vehicle or an exterior of the vehicle with a selectable light color. The system further includes a computerized vehicle lighting controller, including programming to monitor an input useful to select an ambient lighting theme, select an ambient lighting theme based upon the input, and generate a command to control the ambient lighting based upon the ambient lighting theme.