Headlamp control to prevent glare

Abstract

A system for controlling at least one exterior vehicle light of a controlled vehicle includes an array of sensors and a control unit. The array of sensors is capable of detecting light levels in front of the controlled vehicle. The control unit is in communication with the array of sensors and the at least one exterior vehicle light and determines a distance and an angle from the at least one exterior vehicle light of the controlled vehicle to a leading vehicle. The control unit is operable to control operation of the at least one exterior vehicle light as a function of the distance and angle, based on the output from the array of sensors, and prevent the at least one exterior vehicle light from providing a disruptive glare to a driver of the leading vehicle.

1 . A vehicle exterior light control, comprising: 
 a controller configure to receive at least one image and further configured to generate at least one exterior light brightness control signal as a function of said at least one image, said controller is further configured to generate at least one exterior light aim control signal as a function of at least one second sensor.    
     
     
         2 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one second sensor is a steering wheel angle sensor.  
     
     
         3 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one second sensor is a global positioning system sensor.  
     
     
         4 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one second sensor is a Loran sensor.  
     
     
         5 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one second sensor is a pitch sensor.  
     
     
         6 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 2  wherein said at least one exterior light aim control signal is configured to effect horizontal aim.  
     
     
         7 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 5  wherein said at least one exterior light aim control signal is configured to effect vertical aim.  
     
     
         8 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one second sensor comprises a steering wheel angle sensor and a pitch sensor.  
     
     
         9 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 8  wherein said at least one exterior light aim control signal is configured to effect vertical aim and horizontal aim.  
     
     
         10 . A vehicle exterior light control, comprising: 
 a first controller configured to receive at least one image and further configured to generate at least one exterior light brightness control signal as a function of said at least one image, a second controller configured to generate at least one exterior light aim control signal as a function of at least one second sensor.    
     
     
         11 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 10  wherein said at least one second sensor is a steering wheel angle sensor.  
     
     
         12 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 10  wherein said at least one second sensor is a global positioning system sensor.  
     
     
         13 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 10  wherein said at least one second sensor is a Loran sensor.  
     
     
         14 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 10  wherein said at least one second sensor is a pitch sensor.  
     
     
         15 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 11  wherein said at least one exterior light aim control signal is configured to effect horizontal aim.  
     
     
         16 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 14  wherein said at least one exterior light aim control signal is configured to effect vertical aim.  
     
     
         17 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 10  wherein said at least one second sensor comprises a steering wheel angle sensor and a pitch sensor.  
     
     
         18 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 17  wherein said at least one exterior light aim control signal is configured to effect vertical aim and horizontal aim.  
     
     
         19 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 10  wherein said first controller is associated with a rearview mirror assembly.  
     
     
         20 . A vehicle exterior light control, comprising: 
 a controller configure to receive at least one image and further configured to generate at least one exterior light brightness control signal as a function of at least one image, said controller is further configured to generate at least one exterior light aim control signal as a function of at least one image.    
     
     
         21 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 20  wherein said at least one exterior light aim control signal is configured to effect horizontal aim.  
     
     
         22 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 20  wherein said at least one exterior light aim control signal is configured to effect vertical aim.  
     
     
         23 . A vehicle exterior light control as in  claim 20  wherein said at least one exterior light aim control signal is configured to effect vertical and horizontal aim.