Claims:We Claim:
1. A method for operating a light system (300) of a vehicle, the method comprising:
receiving, by a control unit (1) associated with the lighting system (100), a signal corresponding to speed of the vehicle, from a sensing module (3);
monitoring, by the control unit (1), variation in speed of the vehicle for a predefined time period when the speed of the vehicle received from the sensing module (3) is greater than a threshold speed value, wherein the control unit (1) is configured to compare variation in speed of the vehicle with the threshold speed value for the predefined time period; and
operating, by the control unit (1), the light system (300) between a high-beam condition and a low-beam condition, based on the monitoring.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein operating, by the control unit (1), the light system (300) from the low-beam condition to the high-beam condition, when the speed of the vehicle is greater than the threshold speed value for the predetermined time period.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein operating, by the control unit (1), the light system (300) from the high-beam condition to the low-beam condition, when in the speed of the vehicle is less than the threshold speed value for the predetermined time period.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing module (3) is associated with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) unit configured to sense speed of the vehicle corresponding to at least one of rotational output from wheels of the vehicle and rotational speed of shafts in a gearbox of the vehicle, from one or more sensors (2).

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprises actuating, by the control unit (1), at least one switching element (5), associated with the light system (300), for operating between the high-beam condition and the low-beam condition.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined time period ranges between 15seconds to 60seconds.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the threshold speed value ranges between 25kmph to 50kmph.

8. A system for operating a light system (300) of a vehicle, the system (100) comprising:
a control unit (1), communicatively coupled to the light system (300), the control unit (1) is configured to:
receive a signal corresponding to speed of the vehicle, from a sensing module (3);
monitor variation in speed of the vehicle for a predefined time period when the speed of the vehicle received from the sensing module (3) is greater than a threshold speed value, wherein the control unit (1) is configured to compare variation in speed of the vehicle with a threshold speed value for the predefined time period; and
operate, the light system (300) between a high-beam condition and a low-beam condition, based on the monitoring.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the light system (300) comprises:
one or more light sources (6), operable between the low-beam condition and the high-beam condition; and
at least one switching element (5) coupled to one or more light sources (6), the at least one switching element (5) is communicatively coupled to the control unit (1), wherein the control unit (1) is configured to actuate the at least one switching element (5), to operate the one or more light sources (6) to at least one of the high-beam condition and the low-beam condition.

10. The light system (300) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sensing module (3) is associated with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) unit configured to sense speed of the vehicle corresponding to at least one of rotational output from wheels of the vehicle and rotational speed of shafts in a gearbox of the vehicle, from one or more sensors (2).

11. The light system (300) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control unit (1) is configured to monitor speed of the vehicle, on receiving a trigger signal corresponding to ON state of the light system (300).

12. A vehicle having a system for operating light system (300) as claimed in claim 6.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure, in general, relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a light system of a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of operating the light system of the vehicle between a low-beam condition and a high-beam condition without intervention from a driver.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Generally, light systems are employed in vehicles to provide visibility for an operator [or also referred to as user or driver] in low-luminous environment. Various categories of the light systems are provided at different portions of the vehicle. For example, turn signal lights are provisioned at side section and rear section of the vehicle, while rear lights are provisioned at rear section of the vehicle, for indicating maneuvering condition of the vehicle to operators of other passing vehicles. In addition, to assist the user for observation in low-luminous environment, the vehicle may be equipped with focus lights or headlights, provisioned at front section of the vehicle.

The focus lights of the vehicle are, in general, operated by the user, based on conditions in which the vehicle is being operated. For instance, when the vehicle is being operated at low-luminous environment, then the focus lights may be operated to aid the user for recognizing and maneuvering the vehicle. Also, the conventional focus lights may be configured to illuminate [or project light] with different intensities, based on requirement. The focus lights may be operable in a low-beam condition [or with less intensity] to illuminate the surroundings that are proximal to the vehicle [such as, when the vehicle is moving at low-speed], while the focus lights may be operable in a high-beam condition to illuminate the surroundings that are distant from the vehicle [such as, when the vehicle is moving at high-speed]. However, when the focus lights are operated in the high-beam condition of the vehicle in low-speed travel regions, then such beam of the focus light may impair user of other passing vehicles that may be travelling in an opposite direction. Such impairment may cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle that may result in fatal accident.

Conventionally, efforts have been made to regulate operation of the focus lights to the high-beam condition, where operation of a switching element such as a switch or a push lever associated with the focus lights may be temporarily operated [for example, by biasing the switch element or lever by a spring], to revert the focus lights to the low-beam condition. In addition, other conventional modes have been developed where optical focal axis of the focus lights are automatically operated to the low-beam condition based on speed of the vehicle. However, in such conventional modes, the focus lights are operated to the low-beam condition as soon as speed of the vehicle drops below a predefined value, even when the operator demands such high-beam condition of the focus light in the vehicle.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the conventional arts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a method and a system as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the method and the system as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure a method for operating a light system of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes steps of receiving a signal from a sensing module, corresponding to speed of the vehicle, by a control unit associated with the lighting system. The control unit is configured to monitor variation in speed of the vehicle for a predefined time period, when the speed of the vehicle received from the sensing module is greater than a threshold speed value. Further, the control unit is configured to compare variation in speed of the vehicle with the threshold speed value for the predefined time period. The control unit is further configured to operate the light system between a high-beam condition and a low-beam condition, based on the monitoring.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes steps of operating the light system by the control unit, from the low-beam condition to the high-beam condition, when the speed of the vehicle is greater than the threshold speed value for the predetermined time period.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, operating the light system, by the control unit, from high-beam condition to the low-beam condition, when in the speed of the vehicle is lesser than the threshold speed value for the predetermined time period.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensing module is an engine management system configured to sense speed of the vehicle corresponding to at least one of rotational output from an engine and speed of wheels of the vehicle, from one or more sensors.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes step of actuating at least one switching element associated with the light system, by the control unit, for operating between the high-beam condition and the low-beam condition.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the predefined time period ranges between 15seconds to 60seconds, while the threshold speed value ranges between 25kmph to 50kmph.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for operating a light system of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a control unit, which is communicatively coupled to the light system. The control unit is configured to receive a signal corresponding to speed of the vehicle, from a sensing module. The control unit further monitors variation in speed of the vehicle for a predefined time period when the speed of the vehicle received from the sensing module is greater than a threshold speed value. The control unit is then configured to compare variation in speed of the vehicle with a threshold speed value for the predefined time period. Also, the control unit is configured to operate the switching circuit to switching the light system between a high-beam condition and a low-beam condition, based on the monitoring.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light system includes one or more light sources, which are operable between the low-beam condition and the high-beam condition. Further, at least one switching element coupled to one or more light sources, where the at least one switching element is communicatively coupled to the control unit. The control unit is configured to actuate the at least one switching element, to operate the one or more light sources to at least one of the high-beam condition and the low-beam condition.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for operating a light system of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating sequential method of operating the light system in the system of Figure 1.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the system and method illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, assembly, mechanism, system, method that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a system and method for operating a light system of a vehicle. The system includes a control unit, which is communicatively coupled to the light system. The control unit is configured to receive a signal corresponding to speed of the vehicle, from a sensing module. The control unit further monitors variation in speed of the vehicle for a predefined time period when the speed of the vehicle received from the sensing module is greater than a threshold speed value. The control unit is then configured to compare variation in speed of the vehicle with a threshold speed value for the predefined time period. Also, the control unit is configured to operate the light system between a high-beam condition and a low-beam condition, based on the monitoring. Due to such configuration, the system and the method may be configured to operate the light system in real-time, based on instantaneous cumulative speed of the vehicle, without intervention by a user.

The disclosure is described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In the figures, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. It is to be noted that, the vehicle is not illustrated in the figures for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the system and the method as disclosed in the present disclosure can be used in any vehicle including but not liming to passenger car, heavy vehicles, light duty vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles and any other vehicle.

Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a system (100) for operating a light system (300) of a vehicle [not shown in figures]. The system (100) includes a control unit (1), one or more sensors (2), a sensing module (3) and an instrument cluster (4), for operating the light system (300) of the vehicle.

The light system (300) may be associated with the vehicle for illuminating surroundings [primarily, portions in front] of the vehicle. Further, the light system (300) may be operable for illuminating portions that are proximal to the vehicle [for example, may be at a distance of about 150ft to about 300ft measured from front-most-end of the vehicle] or portions that are distal from the vehicle [for example, may be at a distance of at least 300ft measured from front-most-end of the vehicle]. For illuminating such regions, the light system (300) may be operated in different conditions, namely a low-beam condition and a-high beam condition. The light system (300) may be operated in the low-beam condition in order to focus and illuminate regions ahead and proximal to the vehicle, whereas the light system (300) may be operated in the high-beam condition in order to focus and illuminate regions ahead and distant from the vehicle.

Further referring to Figure 1, the system (100) is configured operate the light system (300) in the low-beam condition and the high-beam condition. In an embodiment, the system (100) may be configured to operate the light system (300) based on periodic cumulative speed of the vehicle. Further, the system (100) may include the sensing module (3) to determine speed of the vehicle, where the sensing module (3) may sense speed of the vehicle, upon change in condition of the light system (300) between the low-beam condition to the high-bean condition. That is, the sensing module (3) may be configured to sense speed of the vehicle, when the light system (300) is either manually or automatically operated between the low-beam condition or the high-beam condition [that is, the light system (300) is operated to ON state with either of the low-beam condition or the high-beam condition being actuated] . In addition, the sensing module (3) may also be configured to initiate sensing the speed of the vehicle upon cranking an engine [or drive motors] of the vehicle. In the illustrative embodiment, the sensing module (3) may include the one or more sensors (2) to sense speed of the vehicle. The one or more sensors (2) may be associated with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) unit of the vehicle, to determine speed of the vehicle by sensing at least one of rotational output from wheel of the vehicle and rotational speed of shafts in a gearbox of the vehicle, from one or more sensors (2)in the vehicle. Also, the one or more sensors (2) may be configured to determine speed of the vehicle based on position of a gear lever associated with a powertrain in the vehicle. The one or more sensors (2) may be configured to transmit a signal to the sensing module (3), upon sensing the speed of the vehicle. The sensing module (3) may be configured to indicate the speed of the vehicle on the instrument cluster (4) in the vehicle, by means of an indicating unit, which may be at least one of an audio unit, a visual unit and an audio-visual unit.

In an embodiment, the system (100) may further include the control unit (1) [or also referred to as an electronic control unit (1)], which may be communicatively coupled to the sensing module (3). The control unit (1) may be configured to determine speed of the vehicle, based on the signal from the sensing module (3) and when the light system (300) may be operated to ON state [that is, illumination state of the light system (300)]. Further, the control unit (1) may be configured to either directly receive the signal from the sensing module (3) or may be configured to determine speed of the vehicle from indication at the instrument cluster (4) of the vehicle. With such signal, the control unit (1) may be configured to determine instantaneous speed of the vehicle, for operating the light system (300). Additionally, the control unit (1) may be associated with a memory unit and a timer unit, where the memory unit may and the timer unit may be an integral part of the control unit (1) or may be a part of other electronic systems in the vehicle, configured to enable the control unit (1) in operating the light system (300). In continuation, the memory unit may be configured to store data pertaining to a threshold speed values of the vehicle for operating the light system (300), while the timer unit may be configured to clock a predefined time period. The control unit (1) may be configured monitor [for example, in real time] variation in speed of the vehicle [that is, change in instantaneous speed of the vehicle] received from the sensing module (3) for the predefined time period set in the timer unit. In the illustrative embodiment, the control unit (1) is configured to monitor variations in speed of the vehicle for the predefined time period, when speed of the vehicle as received from the sensing module (3) is more than [that is, greater in value] the threshold speed value set in the memory unit.

The control unit (1) may further be communicatively coupled to the light system (300), where the light system (300) is operated based on the operational signal from the control unit (1). The light system (300) may include one or more light sources (6), which may be operable between the low-beam condition and the high-beam condition. Also, the light system (300) may also include at least one switching element (5) coupled to one or more light sources (6), where the at least one switching element (5) may be including, but not limited to, a switch, an electro-mechanical latch, an electro-magnetic latch, a relay, and the like. The at least one switching element (5) may be communicatively coupled to the control unit (1), where the at least one switching element (5) may be actuated by the operation signal from the control unit (1), to operate the one or more light sources (6) to at least one of the high-beam condition and the low-beam condition. The at least one switching element (5) may be connected with the one or more light sources (6) either parallelly or in combination of parallel-series type of connection, in order to suitably operate the one or more light sources (6). In an embodiment, the one or more light sources (6) may operate between the high-beam condition and the low-beam condition by either operating multiple light sources (6) for each condition or by varying intensity and optic focal point of one of the one or more light sources (6).

In an embodiment, the control unit (1) may be a centralised control unit (1) of the vehicle or may be a dedicated control unit (1) to the system (100) associated with the centralised control unit (1) of the vehicle. The control unit (1) also be associated with other control units including, but not limited to, Transmission control unit (1), body control unit (1), and the like. The engine management system (100) having the sensing module (3) may be associated with the control unit (1), where such engine management system (100) may be either integral part of the control unit (1) or may be communicatively coupled to the control unit (1). Further, the control unit (1) may include specialized processing units such as integrated system (100) (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing units, digital signal processing units, etc. The processing unit may include a microprocessor, such as AMD Athlon, Duron or Opteron, ARM’s application, embedded or secure processors, other line of processors, and the like.

In an embodiment, the control unit (1), the sensing module (3), the one or more sensors (2) and the light system (300) may be powered by a power source [not shown in figures] associated with the vehicle. The power source may be including but not limited to, a DC battery, accommodated in the vehicle, while such components of the system (100) may also be operable by other power sources.

Referring now to Figure 2 which is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating a flow chart of a method for operating light system (300) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the method may be implemented in any vehicle including, but not limited to, passenger vehicle, commercial vehicle, mobility vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles, and the like.

The method may describe in the general context of processor executable instructions in the control unit (1). Generally, the executable instructions may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types.

The order in which the method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks may be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

At block 201, the control unit (1) may be communicatively coupled to the sensing module (3), in order to receive the signal corresponding to speed of the vehicle. The sensing module (3) may include the one or more sensors (2) to sense speed of the vehicle, when the control unit (1) may determine manual or automatic operation of the light system (300) between the low-beam condition or the high-beam condition and when the light system (300) may be in ON state. The sensing module (3) may initiate sensing the speed of the vehicle by operating the one or more sensors (2) may be associated with the Anti-lock Braking unit of the vehicle, to determine speed of the vehicle by sensing rotational output from wheel of the vehicle and/or rotational speed of shafts in a gearbox of the vehicle, from the one or more sensors (2) in the vehicle. The one or more sensors (2) may be configured to transmit the sensed signal to the sensing module (3), for communicating to the control unit (1).

At block 202, the control unit (2) may be configured to initiate monitoring speed of the vehicle upon receiving a trigger signal, corresponding to ON state of the light system (100). In an embodiment, the trigger signal may be generated upon operating at least one of a knob, a button, a lever, and any other means associated with the light system (300) for operating to the ON state. The control unit (10), upon receipt of the signal from the sensing module (3), may be configured monitor [continuously or at defined intervals] variation in speed of the vehicle for the predefined time period, when speed of the vehicle as received from the sensing module (3) is more than the threshold speed value. The predefined time period and the threshold speed value may be either directly stored in the control unit (1) or may be defined in sub-systems of the control unit (1). The control unit (1) may be configured to compare the speed of the vehicle as received from the sensing module (3), cumulatively for the predefined time period and such cumulative comparison by the control unit (1) may be performed till condition of the light system (300) is changed between the low-beam condition and the high-beam condition, as set at block 203.

Further, when the speed of the vehicle, as received from the sensing module (3), is more than the threshold speed value and such speed of the vehicle being more than the threshold speed value throughout the predefined time period, then the control unit (1) is configured to generate the operational signal for operating the light system (300) to the high-beam condition. The operation of the light system (300) to the high-beam condition may be performed when the light system (300) is initially in the low-beam condition. However, when the light system (300) in initially in the high-beam condition, then no operational signal may be generated and/or transmitted by the control unit (1). Furthermore, when the speed of the vehicle, as received from the sensing module (3), is less than the threshold speed value and such speed of the vehicle being less than the threshold speed value at any instance within the predefined time period, then the control unit (1) is configured to generate the operational signal for operating the light system (300) to the low-beam condition. The operation of the light system (300) to the low-beam condition may be performed when the light system (300) is initially in the high-beam condition. However, when the light system (300) in initially in the low-beam condition, then no operational signal may be generated and/or transmitted by the control unit (1).

In an embodiment, the predefined time period may range from 10 seconds to 15seconds or from 15seconds to 30seconds or from 15seconds to 60seconds, based on requirement in the system (100). Further, the threshold speed value may range between 20kmph to 25kmph or between 25kmph to 40kmph or between 25kmph to 50kmph.

At block 204, the control unit (1) further be communicatively coupled to the light system (300). The light system (300) may include one or more light sources (6) and at least one switching element (5) coupled to the one or more light sources (6). The at least one switching element (5) of the light system (300) may be communicatively coupled to the control unit (1), where the at least one switching element (5) may be actuated by the operation signal from the control unit (1), to operate the one or more light sources (6) to at least one of the high-beam condition and the low-beam condition.

In an embodiment, the system (100) provides a real-time operation of the light system (300), whereby eliminating possible human error in maintaining the light system (300) in the high-beam condition.

In an embodiment, as the system (100) automatically operates the light system (300) to the low-beam condition when speed of the vehicle is lesser than the threshold speed value, power consumption from the power source may be minimized.

In an embodiment, the system (100) may be retrofittable in the vehicles, as hardware modifications are minimized or eliminated.

EQUIVALENTS

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system (100) having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system (100) having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral numeral:
System 100
Control unit 1
One or more sensors 2
Sensing module 3
Instrument cluster 4
Switching element 5
Light sources 6
Light system 300
Method steps 201-204