US 11,694,493 B2
Systems for lighting animation to display vehicle condition
Gregory M. Castillo, Windsor (CA)
Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Feb. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/176,696.
Prior Publication US 2022/0262178 A1, Aug. 18, 2022
Int. Cl. G07C 5/08 (2006.01); F21S 41/663 (2018.01); B60Q 1/48 (2006.01); B60Q 1/50 (2006.01)
CPC G07C 5/0825 (2013.01) [B60Q 1/48 (2013.01); B60Q 1/50 (2013.01); F21S 41/663 (2018.01); B60Q 2400/50 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method to utilize an animation feature of a vehicle lighting member, comprising:
receiving, by a controller, sensor data indicative of a vehicle condition, wherein the sensor data includes one or more of data regarding a trailer hitch attachment and a trailer hitch connection;
determining, by the controller, a vehicle condition type from the sensor data;
generating, by the controller, a control signal to control the animation feature of the vehicle lighting member based on the vehicle condition type; and
controlling, by the controller, the animation feature of the vehicle lighting member to visually illustrate the vehicle condition type, wherein the animation feature is external to the vehicle.