US 12,304,310 B2
Controlling graphics projector brightness
Manoj Sharma, Troy, MI (US); Thomas A. Seder, Fraser, MI (US); Joseph F. Szczerba, Grand Blanc, MI (US); and John P. Weiss, Shelby Township, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on May 22, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/321,082.
Prior Publication US 2024/0391316 A1, Nov. 28, 2024
Int. Cl. B60K 35/00 (2024.01)
CPC B60K 35/00 (2013.01) [B60K 2360/25 (2024.01); B60K 2360/332 (2024.01); B60K 2360/334 (2024.01); B60K 2360/349 (2024.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
16. A system for controlling a brightness of a graphics projector for a vehicle, the system comprising:
an ambient light sensor;
a graphics projector comprising:
a plurality of light source modules, wherein each of the plurality of light source modules further comprises:
a light-emitting diode (LED) array configured to produce a first source light;
an optical filter in optical communication with the LED array, wherein the optical filter is configured to receive the first source light and transmit a filtered light; and
a focusing lens in optical communication with the optical filter, wherein the focusing lens is configured to receive the filtered light and transmit a narrow-beam light;
an optical collimator in optical communication with the plurality of light source modules, wherein the optical collimator is configured to receive the narrow-beam light and transmit a collimated light;
an optoelectrical mirror in optical communication with the optical collimator, wherein the optoelectrical mirror is in electrical communication with the controller, and wherein the optoelectrical mirror is configured to direct the collimated light; and
an optical waveguide in optical communication with the plurality of light source modules and the optical collimator, wherein the optical waveguide is configured to transmit the narrow-beam light from each of the plurality of light source modules to the optical collimator; and
a controller in electrical communication with the ambient light sensor and the graphics projector, wherein the controller is programmed to:
determine an ambient light level using the ambient light sensor;
determine a projector brightness offset value based at least in part on the ambient light level; and
project a graphic using the graphics projector based at least in part on the projector brightness offset value.