Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems – Special application – Vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-14
2001-09-11
Vu, David (Department: 2821)
Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
Special application
Vehicle
C315S157000, C315S158000, C315S159000, C307S010800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06288492
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a system for controlling the headlamps of a vehicle, and more particularly, a system for adjusting the amount of ambient light which automatically actuates the headlamps of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many modern vehicles include a safety feature which automatically actuates the headlamps of the vehicle if the vehicle is being operated at twilight or nighttime and the level of intensity of ambient light becomes too low. As the level of ambient light intensity decreases with the setting of the sun, a light sensor determines the level of intensity of the ambient light and communicates that level to a system which determines if that level is below a predetermined value. If the level of ambient light intensity is below that predetermined value, the system automatically actuates the headlamps of the vehicle.
A conventional system for adjusting the predetermined value for the automatic actuation of the headlamps of the vehicle includes a slide potentiometer with an OFF detent mounted on a vehicle dashboard. The conventional system occupies considerable space on the dashboard and provides inaccurate feedback to the vehicle occupant for determining what level of ambient light will actuate the headlamps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a system for controlling the turning on of vehicle headlamps of a vehicle having a dome light which is adjustable to provide a variable dome light intensity. The system includes a sensor, a memory, a comparator, and a circuit. The sensor senses the intensity of ambient light and provides a first signal indicative of the intensity of the ambient light. The memory stores a light value corresponding to the intensity of the dome light. The comparator receives the first signal and compares the intensity of the ambient light with the stored light value. The comparator provides an output second signal when the first signal indicates that the ambient light is at or below the stored light value. The circuit turns on the vehicle headlamps when the circuit receives the output second signal.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4376909 (1983-03-01), Tagami et al.
patent: 4933729 (1990-06-01), Soejima et al.
patent: 5214495 (1993-05-01), Kitanishi
patent: 5281895 (1994-01-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 5291038 (1994-03-01), Hanamoto et al.
patent: 5436472 (1995-07-01), Ogawa
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Inc.
Vu David
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