Vehicle lamp assembly generating animated image and method

Abstract

A vehicle puddle lamp assembly is provided and includes a plurality of light projectors located on a vehicle and configured to illuminate different lighted image patterns on a ground surface adjacent to the vehicle. The vehicle puddle lamp assembly also includes a controller for sequentially activating the plurality of light projectors to generate an animated lighted image on the ground surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle lamp assembly comprising:
 a light projector device located on a vehicle and configured to illuminate different lighted image patterns on a surface adjacent to the vehicle; and   a controller controlling the light projector device to sequentially illuminate the different lighted image patterns to generate an animated lighted image on the surface.   
     
     
         2 . The lamp assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the light projector device comprises a plurality of light projectors and the controller sequentially activates the plurality of light projectors. 
     
     
         3 . The lamp assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the controller turns the plurality of light projectors on and off one projector at a time. 
     
     
         4 . The lamp assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the controller turns one of the light projectors on for a time period in the range of 50 to 500 milliseconds. 
     
     
         5 . The lamp assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of light projectors comprises first, second and third projectors, each comprising a light source and a filter operatively coupled to the light source for generating the image pattern. 
     
     
         6 . The lamp assembly of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of light projectors comprises a light source and a filter comprising an image pattern located in front of the light source. 
     
     
         7 . The lamp assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the light projector device is located in a vehicle exterior side view mirror for generating lighted image patterns on a ground surface adjacent to a vehicle door. 
     
     
         8 . The lamp assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the controller activates the light projector device in response to a control signal and further deactivates the light projector device when an occupant is sensed opening a door of the vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The lamp assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a proximity sensor for sensing distance of an occupant relative to the vehicle, wherein the controller further controls intensity of the light illuminated by the light projector device based on the sensed distance. 
     
     
         10 . The lamp assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a proximity sensor for sensing distance of an occupant relative to the vehicle, wherein the controller further controls a speed at which the animated image changes based on the sensed distance. 
     
     
         11 . A method of generating an animated lighted image with a vehicle lamp assembly, comprising:
 receiving a signal to activate a vehicle lamp; and   controlling a light projector device to sequentially illuminate different light patterns on a surface adjacent to the vehicle to generate an animated lighted image.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of sensing an occupant in contact with the vehicle and deactivating the light projector device when the occupant is sensed. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of controlling the light projector device comprises turning a plurality of light projectors on and off one projector at a time. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of controlling the light projector device comprises turning one of the light projectors on for a time period in the range of 50 to 500 milliseconds. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the light projector device comprises first, second, and third light projectors, each comprising a light source and a filter operatively coupled to the light source for generating the image pattern. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the light projector device is located on a vehicle exterior side view mirror for generating lighted image patterns on a ground surface adjacent to a vehicle door. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of receiving a signal comprises receiving a vehicle door open signal generated by a key fob. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of determining a distance of an occupant relative to the vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of controlling intensity of light illuminated by the light projector device based on the sensed distance. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of adjusting speed at which the animated image changes based on the sensed distance.