Vehicle automatic exterior light control

Abstract

A system and method of automatically controlling vehicle exterior lights including an image sensor and a controller to generate headlamp control signals.

1 . A vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control, comprising: 
 an image sensor having an array of pixels; and    a controller configured to receive at least a portion of at least one image acquired by said image sensor and to receive at least one vehicle input, wherein said controller is further configured to generate at least one vehicle automatic exterior light control signal and an exterior light status indicator signal as a function of said at least a portion of at least one image and of said at least one vehicle input.    
   
   
       2 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 1  wherein said at least one vehicle input is a speed input.  
   
   
       3 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 2  wherein said at least one vehicle input is a compass sensor.  
   
   
       4 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 2  wherein said at least one vehicle input is an auto on/off switch.  
   
   
       5 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 2  wherein said at least one vehicle input is a manual dimmer switch.  
   
   
       6 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 2  wherein said at least one vehicle input is acquired over a vehicle bus.  
   
   
       7 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 1  wherein said at least one vehicle input is a light sensor.  
   
   
       8 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 1  wherein said controller further comprises at least one output.  
   
   
       9 . A vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control, comprising: 
 an image sensor having an array of pixels; and    a controller comprising at least one output, said controller is configured to receive at least a portion of at least one image acquired by said image sensor, wherein said controller is configured to control said at least one output and to generate an exterior light status indicator signal as a function of said at least a portion of at least one image.    
   
   
       10 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 9  said controller further comprising at least one vehicle input.  
   
   
       11 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 10  wherein said at least one input is a speed input.  
   
   
       12 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 10  wherein said at least one input is a manual user input switch.  
   
   
       13 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 9  wherein said at least one output is configured to control at least one exterior light.  
   
   
       14 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 13  wherein said at least one output is configured to control at least one EC element.  
   
   
       15 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 9  wherein said at least one output is configured to control at least one headlamp.  
   
   
       16 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 15  wherein said at least one output is configured to control at least one fog lamp.  
   
   
       17 . A vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control, comprising: 
 an image sensor having an array of pixels; and    a controller comprising at least one output, said controller is configured to receive at least a portion of at least one image acquired by said image sensor, wherein said output and an exterior light status indicator signal is a function of said at least a portion of at least one image, wherein said controller is further configured to receive at least one vehicle input.    
   
   
       18 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 17  wherein said at least one input is a speed input.  
   
   
       19 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 17  wherein said at least one input is a compass sensor.  
   
   
       20 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 17  wherein said at least one output is configured to control at least one EC element.  
   
   
       21 . The vehicle automatic vehicle exterior light control of  claim 17  wherein said at least one output is configured to control at least on exterior light.