IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,233,772
Granted Patent B2
US 12,233,772 · App. 17/949,426 · Granted Feb 25, 2025

Vehicle limited-use system control using geo-fencing

Inventors: Keith Weston (Canton, MI); Brendan F. Diamond (Grosse Pointe, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
B60Q1/1423B60Q1/24H04W4/40B60Q2300/05B60Q2300/30
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,233,772
App. No.
17/949,426
Granted
Feb 25, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle includes a vehicle feature predesignated as limited-use and may determine that a conditional parameter for enabling the vehicle feature has been met, based at least on a present vehicle state. The vehicle engages the vehicle feature responsive to the present vehicle state meeting the conditional use parameter and monitors changes to the present vehicle state. Also, the vehicle automatically controls the feature in accordance with changes to the present vehicle state, to adaptively control the vehicle feature reactive to the changes to the present vehicle state relative to the conditional use parameter.

Claims (27)

1. A vehicle comprising:

a lighting system predesignated as limited-use; and

one or more processors configured to:

determine that an aiming of the lighting system is directed towards an interior of a bounded area predefined as suitable for use of the lighting system;

engage the lighting system responsive to the determination that the aiming is directed towards the interior of the bounded area;

monitor changes to the aiming of the lighting system; and

automatically control the lighting system relative to changes in the aiming of the lighting system indicating whether the lighting system is directed towards the interior of the bounded area or towards an exterior region outside the bounded area.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the automatic control of the lighting system includes terminating usage of the lighting system when the monitored change to the aiming of the lighting system indicates that the lighting system is directed towards the exterior region outside the bounded area.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the determination that the aiming of the lighting system is directed towards the interior of the bounded area includes consideration of projected distances of light resulting from engagement of the lighting system, exiting the vehicle lighting system and in a direction of the aiming.

4. A method comprising:

determining that a vehicle location is within a virtual boundary defining an area where a use-limited advanced vehicle lighting system is permitted for use, based on information associated with the area;

enabling usage of the vehicle lighting system responsive to determining that the location is within the virtual boundary;

tracking the vehicle location while a vehicle travels within the area; and

responsive to the vehicle location changing to outside the virtual boundary, disabling the vehicle lighting system;

monitoring an aiming of the vehicle lighting system while the vehicle travels within the area; and

automatically changing at least one of light output, aiming or a light pattern associated with the vehicle lighting system, to diminish illumination outside of the area, responsive to the monitored aiming of the vehicle lighting system indicating that light from the vehicle lighting system is aimed outside of the area.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the automatic change is further responsive to a determination that the light from the vehicle lighting system that is aimed outside of the area will also produce illumination above a predefined threshold outside of the area.

6. A vehicle comprising:

a lighting system predesignated as limited-use; and

one or more processors configured to:

determine that a vehicle location is within a virtual boundary defining an area where a use-limited advanced vehicle lighting system is permitted for use, based on information associated with the area;

enable usage of the vehicle lighting system responsive to determining that the location is within the virtual boundary;

track the vehicle location while a vehicle travels within the area;

responsive to the vehicle location changing to outside the virtual boundary, disable the vehicle lighting system;

monitor an aiming of the vehicle lighting system while the vehicle travels within the area; and

automatically change at least one of light output, aiming or a light pattern associated with the vehicle lighting system, to diminish illumination outside of the area, responsive to the monitored aiming of the vehicle lighting system indicating that light from the vehicle lighting system is aimed outside of the area.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the automatic change is further responsive to a determination that the light from the vehicle lighting system that is aimed outside of the area will also produce illumination above a predefined threshold outside of the area.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2022
From: WESTON, KEITH; DIAMOND, BRENDAN F.
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 061166/0416 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240092249A1 · Mar 21, 2024
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