IP Library Granted Patent US 12,096,526
Granted Patent B2
US 12,096,526 · App. 17/634,646 · Granted Sep 17, 2024

Method for controlling a variable light distribution

Inventor: Carsten Gut (Korb, DE)
Assignee: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
H05B45/10B60Q1/1423B60Q2300/054B60Q2300/336
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,096,526
App. No.
17/634,646
Granted
Sep 17, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for controlling variable light distribution of a headlight of a vehicle involves adjusting the light distribution relative to an intersection area when the intersection area is approached. The adjustment of the light distribution is updated depending on the distance of the vehicle from the intersection area.

Claims (24)

1. A method, comprising:

determining a distance between a vehicle and an intersection area; and

controlling variable light distribution of a headlight of the vehicle by adjusting the light distribution relative to the intersection area when the vehicle approaches the intersection area,

wherein the adjustment of the light distribution is updated depending on the determined distance of the vehicle from the intersection area so that

dimming or dipping of the headlight increases as the determined distance decreases, or

a size of the light distribution decreases as the determined distance decreases.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment of the light distribution starts from a predetermined limit distance of the vehicle from the intersection area.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the headlight is a pixel headlight.

4. A method, comprising:

determining a distance between a vehicle and an intersection area; and

controlling variable light distribution of a headlight of the vehicle by adjusting the light distribution relative to the intersection area when the vehicle approaches the intersection area,

wherein the adjustment of the light distribution is updated depending on the determined distance of the vehicle from the intersection area,

wherein the headlight is a pixel headlight, and

wherein when the intersection area is a roundabout, at least a central area of the light distribution is dimmed or glare-free.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein a width or number of lanes of the road travelled on by the vehicle is also accounted for to adjust an extent of dimming or size of a dimmed area.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the headlight is a static headlight.

7. A method, comprising:

determining a distance between a vehicle and an intersection area; and

controlling variable light distribution of a headlight of the vehicle by adjusting the light distribution relative to the intersection area when the vehicle approaches the intersection area,

wherein the adjustment of the light distribution is updated depending on the determined distance of the vehicle from the intersection area,

wherein the headlight is a static headlight, and

wherein the adjustment of the light distribution involves dimming the headlight at a dimming rate that depends on the determined distance of the vehicle from the intersection area.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the dimming rate follows a relationship of 1-1/d 2 , wherein d is the determined distance of the vehicle from the intersection area.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein GPS-based Advanced Driver Assistance System Interface Specification (ADASIS) data is used to analyze the adjustment of the light distribution or the approach of the vehicle to the intersection area.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 29, 2025
From: DAIMLER AG
To: MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG
Reel/Frame 072886/0467 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 21, 2022
From: GUT, CARSTEN
To: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
Reel/Frame 060392/0008 →