A sound output device for installation at a vehicle is provided with a warning sound generation section configured to generate a warning sound including at least one sine wave, a background sound generation section configured to generate a volume-adjusted first background sound based on a selected sound source, a controller configured to control selection of a sound source of the first background sound based on externally-supplied selection information, and a first synthesizer section configured to combine the warning sound and the first background sound and output the combination as a first advisory sound.

A method for providing vehicle alerts includes receiving an ignition signal indicating a current status of an ignition of a vehicle and receiving a gear position signal indicating a current gear position of a transmission of the vehicle. The method also includes receiving a vehicle speed signal indicating a current vehicle speed of the vehicle and identifying a vehicle alert data file based on at least the ignition signal, the gear position signal, the vehicle speed signal. The method also includes retrieving the vehicle alert data file from a vehicle alert database and loading data associated with the vehicle alert data file into a buffer. The method also includes outputting contents of the buffer to at least one output device of the vehicle.

A taillight system including a brake light assembly, a connection assembly, a control assembly and a vehicle assembly. The brake light assembly includes a brake light having a display screen and LEDs. The connection assembly includes a connection plug that permits the brake light to be retrofitted onto existing vehicles. The brake light functions as standard brake lights do. However, the display screen and the LEDs allow for a personalized design selected by a user to be displayed and emitted by the LEDs. The design allows for the user to express their creativity and personality. The user may control the design, color and other features of the design with a remote or with a mobile device. Once the brake light is needed for standard functions of the vehicle the display screen corresponds with emitting those vehicle signals instead of the ornamental design.

A mountable automobile light fixture is configured to receive signals from a user controllable wireless controller, interpret the signals received from the user controllable wireless controller, and in response automatically control illumination of the mountable automobile light fixture, in both color and intensity. A processor of the mountable automobile light fixture is initially programmed to perform specific function(s) and/or strobe according to specific patterns. Thereafter, a user can select said specific function(s) for a scheduled and/or real-time performance. In some embodiments, the intelligent control is at least partially restricted from being reprogrammed by the user to serve other function(s), either by restricting the emission of light in at least one color and/or preventing specific strobing pattern(s).

Interior panels for an interior of a vehicle, vehicles, and methods for making interior panels for an interior of a vehicle are provided. In one example, the interior panel includes a first trim section having a first exposed surface configured to face towards the interior. A second trim section that has a second exposed surface configured to face towards the interior is disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the first trim section to define a gap. A first lighting array that includes light sources is configured to be disposed proximate the gap hidden from the interior by the second trim section. A controller is configured to be in communication with the first lighting array to independently direct each of the light sources to generate light that passes through the gap into the interior and illuminates the first exposed surface to define an illumination pattern.

Systems and methods are provided for adjusting a control of a vehicle system based on a condition of an occupant. The system includes a replaceable or upgradeable electronic skin removably coupled to an interior vehicle component. The electronic skin includes at least one sensor positioned therein, configured to monitor/obtain a biometric, physiological, or wellness condition measurement from an occupant. The system includes one or more processors and a memory communicably coupled thereto. An occupant comfort module is provided including instructions that, when executed, collect and monitor feedback from the at least one sensor; determine that the feedback exceeds a predetermined threshold; and determine an adjustment for a vehicle system based on the feedback. A control module may be provided including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the vehicle system to change at least one setting based on the adjustment determined by the occupant comfort module.

A system may have system controls that are used in controlling the system. The system may have sensors that gather information on speed, orientation, and position. The sensors may also gather information on relative speed, information on risks of a collision, and other status information and operating environment information. Control circuitry may use light-based devices to display, information on speed, relative speed, status information, custom light information or other user-selected information, or other information on status and the operating environment.

An automated headlight system for vehicles replaces the high and low beam with a continuum of beam patterns, with further variable spatial distribution of intensities and color spectrum. The digital-headlight is comprised of a controller, sensors and multiple, individually-controllable light-sources modified by optical-control elements to form narrow-beams which are then combined to create the overall headlamp beam. Utilizing real-time sensor data regarding beings, objects and vehicles in the way-ahead, as well as optional information on the driver, vehicle and environment, the logical controller dynamically adapts the headlight system's illumination so as to provide vehicle operators with optimal visibility while preventing discomfort-glare from reaching the eyes oncoming traffic or pedestrians.

Embodiments include apparatuses, methods, and systems including a computer assisted system of lighting control for a computer assisted vehicle that may adjust a lighting device of the vehicle to emit lights with different characteristics in real time depending on the environment and the surroundings of the vehicle. A computer assisted system of lighting control for a computer assisted vehicle may adjust a lighting device on the vehicle based on a driver's preference about the light for driving, a light received by a sensor on the vehicle from a non-natural light source external to the vehicle, or an instruction received by a receiver on the vehicle from a sender external to the vehicle. The computer assisted system of lighting control for a computer assisted vehicle may also transmit an information or instruction to adjust a non-natural light source external to the vehicle.

A method for controlling a vehicle that includes at least one camera and a lamp, the method including: controlling the at least one camera to capture at least one image of an area in front of the vehicle; extracting, from the at least one image, a light distribution pattern formed by the lamp in the area in front of the vehicle; and performing at least one control related to the extracted light distribution pattern, based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the extracted light distribution pattern with a reference light distribution pattern.