US 12,012,033 B2
Systems and methods for improving backup lighting visibility
Alexander L Paradis, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Frank A. Richards, Ann Arbor, MI (US); David N Osborne, Saline, MI (US); Stuart R Wuerthele, Saline, MI (US); John P. Jaaska, Plymouth, MI (US); and Clinton Williams, Victoria (AU)
Assigned to Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US); and Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, (JP)
Filed by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US)
Filed on May 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/827,303.
Prior Publication US 2023/0382294 A1, Nov. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. B60Q 1/22 (2006.01); B60Q 1/26 (2006.01)
CPC B60Q 1/22 (2013.01) [B60Q 1/2696 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A backup light system for use in a vehicle, the system comprising:
a backup light configured to generate light;
a sensor configured to detect data corresponding to a vehicle condition; and
an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the backup light and the sensor, and configured to:
determine the vehicle condition based on the detected data;
activate the backup light to
generate the light in an illumination pattern over a predetermined time duration that is less than or equal to a time it takes an incandescent bulb to reach a steady burning state based on the vehicle condition, the illumination pattern including:
two or more periods of light at a first intensity, and
at least one period of light at a predetermined intensity that is lower than the first intensity between the two or more periods of light at the first intensity to increase awareness of the vehicle to a surrounding environment, and
control the backup light to generate the light at the predetermined intensity upon lapse of the predetermined time duration for the remainder of the vehicle condition.