System and method for controlling headlights on a vehicle in response to wiper operation
US8400284B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 2010 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 11, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60Q2300/312
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for controlling headlights on a vehicle includes detecting for a wiper switch state for a wiper switch on a vehicle, detecting wiper operations, incrementing a counter value by x until the counter value reaches a headlight ON threshold, counting toward a time threshold, decrementing the counter value by x until the counter value reaches a headlight OFF threshold value, and changing a state of the headlights based on the counter value reaching one of the headlight ON threshold and the headlight OFF threshold. Incrementing the counter value by x can occur in response to each detected wiper operation. Counting toward the time threshold can occur in response to detecting a wiper switch OFF state. Decrementing the counter value by x can occur in response to each instance of the time threshold elapsing with no change from the wiper switch OFF state. A plurality of intermediate counter values can be found between the headlight ON threshold and the headlight OFF threshold. A control system is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.