Method and system for controlling vehicle headlights are provided. The method includes: controlling headlights of a first vehicle based on position and heading direction information of vehicles in the vicinity of the first vehicle received over a vehicle to vehicle communications network. The system includes: a communication device, and a processing device configured to control headlights of a first vehicle based on position and heading direction information of vehicles in the vicinity of the first vehicle received by the communication device over a vehicle to vehicle communications network. The vehicle headlights control method and system are precise and smooth.

A process for producing an adaptive light pattern that is produced by at least one vehicle headlight (SW1, SW2) in a vehicle (2) that can be steered by a vehicle driver (3), the at least one vehicle headlight (SW1, SW2) having at least one adaptive means of illumination (BM1, BM2), wherein at least one camera (5) detects the direction (BR) in which the vehicle driver is looking, at least one computing unit (6) evaluates the information obtained in this way and produces, on the basis of this information, control signals and transmits the control signals to the at least one vehicle headlight (SW1, SW2) with the at least one adaptive means of illumination (BM1, BM2), and wherein the at least one adaptive means of illumination (BM1, BM2) is controlled, on the basis of the control signals for targeted illumination of an area (BR1) lying in the direction (BR) in which the vehicle driver (3) is looking.

Various systems and methods are presented regarding utilizing technology onboard a first vehicle to mitigate road traffic accidents involving a second vehicle where the driver is affected by glare. Glare can be due to sunlight or headlight beams incident upon a driver's face. Glare can impede a driver's vision and ability to resolve a road or objects ahead. The first vehicle can detect the driver of the second vehicle may be impeded by glare, whereby, in response thereto, the first vehicle can (i) autonomously adjust operation of the first vehicle to reduce likelihood of involvement in accident with the second vehicle, (ii) can communicate with the second vehicle to beneficially affect operation of the second vehicle, and/or (iii) alert other entities using the road to presence of the first vehicle or second vehicle.

An illuminating device coupled with sensors or an image acquisition device and a logical controller allows illumination intensity and spectrum to be varied according to changing user needs. The system provides illumination to areas according to the principles of correct lighting practice for the optimal performance of visual tasks in the most efficient, cost effective manner. Aspects of the invention include: lighting fixtures which adapt to ambient lighting, movement, visual tasks being performed, and environmental and personal conditions affecting illumination requirements at any given instant. Lighting fixtures having spatial distribution of spectrum and intensity, providing both background room lighting, and task lighting.

A system for controlling an auxiliary vehicle light is described, whereby a wearable controller that may be worn on a user's head or coupled to an article of clothing located on a user's head is useful for transmitting a position and orientation of a user's head to an auxiliary vehicle light located on a surface of a vehicle. The auxiliary vehicle light may include a pivotable body capable of panning, tilting, or rolling. The wearable controller includes sensors to determine an orientation and angular displacement of a user's head. Both the auxiliary vehicle light and the wearable controller includes transceivers for wirelessly communicating with each other.

A vehicle headlight device includes a variable light distribution mechanism that is able to change an illuminating area of light emitted ahead of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle headlight device from at least one light source, and is able to illuminate part of the illuminating area at a higher intensity than other parts, a direct field of vision estimator that estimates a direct field of vision on which a vehicle operator is assumed to keep his/her eyes within an area ahead of the vehicle; and a light distribution controller that sets the illuminating area so as to contain the direct field of vision estimated by the direct field of vision estimator, and controls the variable light distribution mechanism to illuminate an area corresponding to the direct field of vision at a higher intensity than a periphery of the area.

A dual output headlight system includes a projection system having a laser light source to emit incoherent light. The projection system also has a partitioned display surface including a headlight display section and a selectively active augmented display section. The partitioned display surface is positioned in a first path of the incoherent light from the laser light source and to generate a display output. The dual output headlight system also includes an optical splitter positioned in a second path of the display output to split the display output into a headlight illumination output and a graphical output.

A motor vehicle includes a headlamp configured to project an adjustable light beam; a plurality of cameras positioned at different locations in the motor vehicle and oriented to capture a head of a driver; a controller in data communication with the cameras to determine at least one region of attention of the driver from data captured by the cameras, and adaptively control the light beam of the headlamp based on the region of attention of the driver.

An active or dynamic light control system is adapted for aftermarket retrofitting to vehicles. The system includes a directional sensor configured to sense direction of the vehicle. A control unit is operatively connected to the directional sensor to receive the direction of the vehicle from the directional sensor. A light pod is operatively connected to the control unit. The light pod includes an illumination element configured to provide light. The light pod is configured to change direction of the light from the illumination element in response to a signal received from the control unit based at least in part on the direction of the vehicle sensed by the direction sensor.

A headlamp device for a vehicle is provided to generate a light beam having a directed spotlight having an illumination direction and a spotlight distribution, and an orientation light having a broader orientation light distribution than the spotlight. The illumination direction of the spotlight is adjustable horizontally and vertically and the spotlight distribution may be at least partly suppressed to avoid dazzling other road users.