Rear trunk button localization for end user

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10059257-B2
Application number	US-201615138969-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 26, 2016
Priority date	Apr 26, 2016
Publication date	Aug 28, 2018
Grant date	Aug 28, 2018

Abstract

A system for identifying a location of an external vehicle feature on approach by a user of the vehicle is disclosed, comprising (1) a vehicle including a steering system, a drive system, a brake system, a processor, and memory; (2) a control module coupled to the processor and configured to receive a wireless communication from a mobile device indicative of a user's proximity to the vehicle; and (3) a brake module coupled to the control module and configured to illuminate a lighting device on receipt of the wireless communication to identify a location of the vehicle feature.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle, comprising:
a steering system;
a drive system;
a brake system including a brake light and a brake pedal, the brake light including LEDs;
a processor;
memory;
a control module coupled to the processor and configured to receive a wireless communication from a mobile device indicative of a user's proximity to the vehicle;
a brake module coupled to the control module and configured to partially illuminate the LEDs of the brake light in proximity to an external vehicle feature on receipt of the wireless communication to assist a user approaching the vehicle to identify a location of the external vehicle feature; and
a second brake module coupled to the control module and configured to illuminate all of the LEDs upon activation of the brake pedal.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the external vehicle feature is a trunk lid release button.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is a key fob.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the brake module is configured to illuminate one or more of the LEDs in a pattern or in a sequence.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the brake module is configured to illuminate one or more of the LEDs while not illuminating other of the LEDs of the brake light.

6. A vehicle, comprising:
a brake light including LEDs;
a brake pedal;
a body control module to receive an indication of user proximity to the vehicle;
a brake control module coupled to the body control module to partially illuminate the LEDs upon indication receipt to assist in locating a vehicle feature; and
a second brake control module coupled to the body control module to illuminate all of the LEDs on activation of the brake pedal.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the vehicle feature is a trunk lid release button.

8. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the indication of user proximity includes a wireless communication from a mobile device and the mobile device is a key fob.

9. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the indication of user proximity includes a wireless communication from a mobile device and the mobile device is a vehicle remote control.

10. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the brake control module is configured to illuminate one or more of the LEDs in a pattern or in a sequence.

11. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the one or more of the LEDs comprise a plurality of colors.

12. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the brake control module is configured to illuminate one or more of the LEDs in proximity to the feature while not illuminating other of the LEDs of the brake light.

13. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the brake control module is configured to illuminate one or more of the LEDs in proximity to the vehicle feature in a pattern or in a sequence while not illuminating other of the LEDs of the brake light on receipt of a wireless communication from a mobile device indicative of the user's proximity to the vehicle.

14. A vehicle, comprising:
a controller to receive a wireless communication from a mobile device indicative of a user's proximity to a vehicle;
a brake controller coupled to the controller to illuminate one or more LEDs of a brake light proximate to an external vehicle feature on receipt of the wireless communication to enable a user approaching the vehicle to identify a location of the vehicle feature; and
a second brake controller coupled to the controller to illuminate all of the LEDs of the brake light on receipt of an indication of activation of a vehicle brake pedal.

15. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle feature is a trunk lid release button, and the brake module is configured to illuminate one or more of the LEDs in a pattern or in a sequence in proximity to the trunk release button.

16. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein, to partially illuminate the LEDs, the brake control module is configured to illuminate one or more of the LEDs proximate to the vehicle feature and not illuminate another one or more of the LEDs.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Delgado Gerardo Brigido
• Luna Olvera Ricardo David

Classifications

• B60Q2900/30

  Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions · CPC title

• B60Q2400/20

  Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp · CPC title

• B60Q1/30 Primary

  for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces · CPC title

• B60Q1/2696 Primary

  Mounting of devices using LEDs · CPC title

• B60Q1/2607 Primary

  comprising at least two indicating lamps · CPC title