US 12,240,483 B2
Systems and methods to increase driver awareness of exterior occurrences
Alexander L. Paradis, Ann Arbor, MI (US); and Frank A. Richards, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Assigned to TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., Plano, TX (US)
Filed by TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., Plano, TX (US)
Filed on Sep. 22, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/473,159.
Application 18/473,159 is a continuation of application No. 17/576,823, filed on Jan. 14, 2022, granted, now 11,794,772.
Prior Publication US 2024/0010222 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B60W 50/16 (2020.01); B60W 40/08 (2012.01); B60W 50/14 (2020.01)
CPC B60W 50/16 (2013.01) [B60W 40/08 (2013.01); B60W 2050/143 (2013.01); B60W 2050/146 (2013.01); B60W 2420/403 (2013.01); B60W 2420/54 (2013.01); B60W 2540/225 (2020.02)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle system comprising:
an internal media device configured to present a media signal to an occupant of the vehicle;
one or more processors communicatively coupled to an external visual sensor and an internal visual sensor;
a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to:
obtain from the external visual sensor, an occurrence of an external visual input generated outside the vehicle;
obtain from the internal visual sensor, an internal awareness of the external visual input;
broadcast an indication of the external visual input to the occupant of the vehicle via the internal media device based on a determination that a brightness of the internal awareness falls below a brightness threshold; and
reduce an intensity of an internal source of light while broadcasting the indication to the occupant.