GB2626261A

GB2626261A - Control system for a vehicle lighting system

Info

Publication number: GB2626261A
Application number: GB2403372.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: English Charlie
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-22
Filing date: 2021-10-22
Publication date: 2024-07-17
Also published as: GB202403372D0

Abstract

A control system 14 for a vehicle 10, the control system 14 comprising one or more controller, the control system 14 configured to control, when the vehicle is in use by a user, a lighting system comprising a seat belt buckle light 40 configured to illuminate a portion of a seat belt buckle 42 associated with a vehicle seat 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 32c, the control system 14 being arranged to receive a vehicle condition signal indicative of a speed of the vehicle, and to control the operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light dependent on a characteristic of the condition signal. There may be further vehicle conditions including door state, buckle state and a time condition.

Description

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the control of a lighting system configured to illuminate a portion of a seatbelt buckle. Aspects of the invention relate to a control system, a vehicle, a method and computer software.

BACKGROUND

Seat belts, or safety restraints, are generally required in passenger vehicles to secure occupants against harmful movement that may result during a collision or a sudden manoeuvre. Seat belts typically comprise a webbed fabric belt which is secured around the vehicle occupant via a buckle arrangement. The buckle arrangement usually comprises a metal tab, or tongue, which is inserted into and held in place by a latch until a release button is depressed. In many such arrangements, the metal tab must be inserted into the latch the correct way around in order to achieve secure fastening.

Therefore, when it is dark inside the vehicle, a vehicle occupant may find it difficult to locate the latch and easily insert the metal tab so as to fasten their seatbelt. Similarly, it can be difficult to locate the release button when attempting to unfasten the seatbelt. Whilst it is known in the prior art to provide illumination inside the vehicle cabin which can assist with visibility of seatbelts, such systems are crude and are not tailored to operate in the circumstances when illumination is most needed.

Furthermore, many modern vehicles include automated reminder systems which remind the driver to fasten their seatbelt when in the vehicle with the ignition on. Such reminder systems are also known to respond to pressure sensors under the passenger seats to remind any passengers present to also fasten their seatbelts. Typically, these automated reminder systems provide a light on the vehicle dashboard and / or an audible signal which alert(s) the driver that an occupant is unbelted. However, these reminder systems are reactive and do not activate until a seat is occupied and the vehicle is moving. They also do not necessarily indicate which vehicle occupant is unbelted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a control system, a vehicle, a method, and computer software as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control system for a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controller, the control system configured to control, when the vehicle is in use by a user, a lighting system comprising a seat belt buckle light configured to illuminate a portion of a seat belt buckle associated with a vehicle seat, the control system being arranged to receive a first vehicle condition signal indicative of a first condition of the vehicle; and control the operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light dependent on a characteristic of the first vehicle condition signal; wherein the first vehicle condition signal is a signal indicative of vehicle speed.

The control system may be arranged to receive a second vehicle condition signal indicative of whether a user is entering or exiting the vehicle; and control an operating state of the seat belt buckle light dependent on the second vehicle condition signal.

The vehicle being in use may be taken to mean that a user intends to use the vehicle by entering the vehicle, whether they are approaching the vehicle, in close proximity to the vehicle, or actually accessing the vehicle through an opening of the vehicle, or that a user is currently occupying a vehicle.

The operating state of the seat belt light may be an ON or OFF state of the seat belt light, or alternatively may be one of several lighting states of variable intensity between ON (full illumination) and OFF (no illumination) states The second vehicle condition signal may include, for example, an indication that a door associated with the vehicle seat is unlocked by a user.

Alternatively, or in addition, the second vehicle condition signal may include an indication that the door is opened by a user.

The one or more controllers may collectively comprise at least one electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving the first user command; and at least one memory device electrically coupled to the at least one electronic processor and having instructions stored therein; wherein the at least one electronic processor is configured to access the at least one memory device and execute the instructions thereon so as to receive a second vehicle condition signal indicative of whether a user is entering or exiting the vehicle; and control an operating state of the seat belt buckle light dependent on the second vehicle condition signal.

The controller may be configured to receive a third vehicle condition signal and control an operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light in dependence on the third vehicle condition signal. Control of the seat belt buckle light in this way includes maintaining a state of the seat belt buckle light in its current state.

The third condition signal may be a latch state of the seat belt buckle.

Alternatively, the third condition signal may be a proximity signal to indicate that the user is close to the vehicle.

The controller may be configured to control the state of the at least one seat belt buckle light from a first state to a second state dependent on the second vehicle condition signal and control the state of the at least one seat belt buckle light from the second state to the first state dependent on the characteristic of the third vehicle condition signal.

For example, in one scenario (i) the seat belt buckle light is illuminated as the user enters the vehicle (second condition signal) and (ii) the seat belt buckle light is unilluminated after the vehicle moves away (third condition signal) (and optionally the seat belt buckle is latched).

By way of example, the controller may be configured to receive a time signal indicative of the time for which the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined minimum speed with the latch condition of the seat belt buckle indicating the seat belt buckle is latched, and control the operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light from the second state to the first state dependent on the time signal.

The controller may be configured such that, where the door has an access state to indicate an access condition of the door, the controller configured to receive a time signal indicative of the time for which the access state of the door remains in the same access condition with the latch condition of the seat belt buckle indicating the seat belt buckle is latched, and control the operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light dependent on the time signal.

The access condition of the vehicle door may be, for example, the door being opened physically or key activation to unlock the door ready for entry.

For example, the seat belt buckle light may be illuminated as the user enters the vehicle (second condition signal) and is change to unilluminated when the door is closed and remains closed for more than a predetermined time period, e.g. 30 seconds.

In another example, the seat belt buckle light is illuminated as the user opens the door for exit from the vehicle (second condition signal) and (ii) the seat belt buckle is changed to unilluminated when the door remains open for more than a predetermined time period ( e.g. 30 seconds) which shows the user is exiting.

The configured may be configured to receive an override signal in the event of a vehicle emergency condition (for example an airbag deployment or another impact indicator) and to control the operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light to move to an ON state in response to the override signal.

The controller may be configured to control a lighting system comprising a plurality of seat belt buckle lights, each configured to illuminate a part of a respective seat belt buckle of one of a plurality of seats arranged in a row within the vehicle.

In one embodiment, controlling the at least one seat belt buckle light dependent on the second vehicle condition signal may comprise activating all of the plurality of seat belt buckle lights to of the row to an ON or OFF state approximately simultaneously.

The controller may be configured to receive a second vehicle condition signal having a characteristic indicative of a door of the vehicle being accessed (e.g. opening or unlocking), and change the operating state of the seat belt buckle light only of a seat belt buckle associated with the door of the vehicle being accessed.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising a lighting system including at least one seat belt buckle light configured to illuminate a part of a seat belt buckle of a vehicle seat, the vehicle comprising the controller as set out in the previous aspect.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling a lighting system of a seat belt buckle light configured to illuminate a portion of a seat belt buckle associated with a vehicle seat, the method comprising receiving a first vehicle condition signal indicative of a first condition of the vehicle; and controlling the operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light dependent on a characteristic of the first vehicle condition signal; wherein the first vehicle condition signal is a signal indicative of vehicle speed.

The method may also comprise receiving a second vehicle condition signal indicative of whether a user is entering or exiting the vehicle; and controlling an operating state of the seat belt buckle light dependent on the second vehicle condition signal.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided computer software that, when executed, is arranged to perform any one or more of the methods described herein. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by one or more electronic processors, causes the one or more electronic processors to carry out the method according to a preceding aspect.

It will be appreciated that preferred and or optional features of the first aspect of the invention may be incorporated alone or in appropriate combination in any other aspects of the invention also.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle with which the seat belt illumination system of the invention may be used; Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of the control system for the seat belt illumination system of the vehicle in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a plan view of vehicle cabin to illustrate the seating arrangement in the vehicle in Figure 1, including the seat belts of the seating arrangement; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a light forming part of the seat belt illumination system of the invention; Figure 5 is a flow diagram to illustrate the logic steps of a main control logic sequence of a method of controlling the seat belt illumination system of the invention, Figure 6 is a flow diagram to illustrate the logic steps of a first control logic sub-branch of the method in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a flow diagram to illustrate the logic steps of a second control logic sub-branch of the method in Figure 5; and Figure 8 is a flow diagram to illustrate the logic steps of an override in a vehicle emergency condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a vehicle 10 in the form of a car which includes a seat belt illumination system or lighting system of an embodiment of the present invention. The seat belt illumination system includes a control system, represented schematically as item 14, comprising one or more controllers 16. The one or more controllers 16 may be located in any position within the vehicle 10 and it will be appreciated that the position shown in Figure 1 is illustrative only.

Referring to Figure 2, the one or more controllers 16 of the control system 14 comprise at least one electronic processor 18 having an electrical input 20 for receiving user commands and / or automatic commands; and at least one memory device 22 electrically coupled to the at least one electronic processor 18 and having instructions stored therein; wherein the at least one electronic processor 18 is configured to access the at least one memory device 22 and execute the instructions thereon so as to generate output control signals 24 to operate the seat belt buckle illumination system appropriately, as described in further detail below.

It is to be understood that the or each controller 16 can comprise a control unit or computational device having one or more electronic processors (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.), and may comprise a single control unit or computational device, or alternatively different functions of the or each controller may be embodied in, or hosted in, different control units or computational devices. As used herein, the term "controller," "control unit," or "computational device" will be understood to include a single controller, control unit, or computational device, and a plurality of controllers, control units, or computational devices collectively operating to provide the required control functionality. A set of instructions could be provided which, when executed, cause the or each controller to implement the control techniques described herein (including some or all of the functionality required for the method described herein).

The set of instructions could be embedded in said one or more electronic processors of the controller(s); or alternatively, the set of instructions could be provided as software to be executed in the controller(s). A first controller or control unit may be implemented in software run on one or more processors. One or more other controllers or control units may be implemented in software run on one or more processors, optionally the same one or more processors as the first controller or control unit. Other arrangements are also useful.

The or each electronic processor 18 may comprise any suitable electronic processor (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an ASIC, etc.) that is configured to execute electronic instructions. The or each electronic memory device 22 may comprise any suitable memory device and may store a variety of data, information, limit value(s), lookup tables or other data structures, and/or instructions therein or thereon. In an embodiment, the memory device 22 has information and instructions for software, firmware, programs, algorithms, scripts, applications, etc. stored therein or thereon that may govern all or part of the methodology described herein. The or each electronic processor 18 may access the memory device 22 and execute and/or use that or those instructions and information to carry out or perform some or all of the functionality and methodology describe herein.

The at least one memory device 22 may comprise a computer-readable storage medium (e.g. a non-transitory or non-transient storage medium) that may comprise any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine or electronic processors/computational devices, including, without limitation: a magnetic storage medium (e.g. floppy diskette); optical storage medium (e.g. CD-ROM); magneto optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g. EPROM and EEPROM); flash memory; or electrical or other types of medium for storing such information/instructions.

Referring to Figure 3, inside the vehicle cabin 12 there is provided a first seat arrangement, referred to generally as 30, and a second seat arrangement, referred to generally as 32. The first seat arrangement 30 takes the form of a first row of two front seats 30a, 30b located in a relatively forward position in the vehicle. The first row of front seats includes a driver's seat 30a on the right-hand side of the vehicle and a passenger's front seat 30b on the left-hand side of the vehicle. In other configurations the driver's seat may be on the left-hand side of the vehicle as opposed to the right. The second seat arrangement 32 takes the form of a second row of three rear seats 32a, 32b, 32c located in a relatively rearward position of the vehicle. In other configurations the second seat arrangement may comprise more or fewer than three seats.

The vehicle is also provided with a door arrangement 34 through which a user can enter or exit the vehicle 10 and access the seats 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 32c. The door arrangement 34 takes the form of four doors 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, with one positioned at each end of each row of seats 30, 32. In other words, the door arrangement 34 comprises right and left front doors 34a, 34b, and right and left rear doors 34c, 34d.

Accordingly, the user can access the first seat arrangement 30 via the front doors 34a, 34b, and more specifically, the user can access the driver's seat 30a via the front left door 34b and the passenger front seat 30b via the front right door 34a. Similarly, the rear seat arrangement 32 can be accessed via the rear doors 32c, 32d. In this way, each seat 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 32c is associated with a door 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the door arrangement 34 may only comprise the two front doors 34a, 34b, with the rear seat arrangement 32 being accessible via these doors 34a, 34b by temporarily folding or moving one or both of the seats 30a, 30b in the front seat arrangement 30.

In Figure 3, the position of the seat belt buckle and a corresponding seat belt buckle light is shown schematically for the first seat arrangement 30 only, although it will be appreciated that seat belt buckles and seat belt buckle lights are also provided for the second seat arrangement 32. The right-hand seat 30a of the first seat arrangement 30a is provided with a seat buckle 40a and a seat belt buckle light 42a, and the left-hand seat 30b of the first seat arrangement 30b is provided with a seat buckle 40b and a seat belt buckle light 40b.

An example of a light 40 of the seat belt illumination system is shown in Figure 4 and is described further below. The seat belt illumination system comprises at least one light 40, such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), configured to illuminate a portion of a seat belt buckle 42 associated with a vehicle seat 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 32c. It should be appreciated that each vehicle seat 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 32c may be associated with one or more seat belt buckles 42 and that each seat belt buckle 42 may be illuminated by one or more light 40. Accordingly, all such lights 40 may be included within the lighting system.

Referring now to Figure 4, a seat belt buckle 42 of a seat belt arrangement comprises an opening 44 formed in one end of a main casing 46. The opening 44 is configured to receive a corresponding metal tab or tongue (not shown) of the seat belt arrangement in direction, D. The opening 44 comprises a latch configured to secure the metal tab within the opening 44 until a release button 48 is depressed. When the metal tab is latched within the opening 44, the seat belt arrangement (and thus the buckle 42) is in a fastened or latched configuration.

In the example shown, the release button 48 is adjacent the opening 44 so that, together, the opening 44 and the release button 48 form a perimeter 50 which is symmetric about a lateral axis, Al, and asymmetric about a longitudinal axis, Az.

A light 40 of the lighting system is associated with the buckle 42 and is configured to illuminate a portion of the buckle 42. The illuminable portion is shaped to indicate the location and orientation of the opening 44 and the release button 48. As shown, the illuminable portion is defined by two bands 52a, 52b each offset from and extending partially around the perimeter 50 formed by the opening 44 and the adjacent release button 48. Specifically, each band 52a, 52b is angled around a corner of the perimeter 50 where the release button 48 and the opening 44 adjoin. In this way, the bands 52a, 52b of the illuminable portion indicate the position of the release button 48 relative to the opening 44.

Accordingly, when illuminated, the light 40 advantageously assists the user in accurately locating both the opening 44 and the button 48 of the buckle 42. As such, the user can quickly identify the position and orientation of the opening 44 so that they may correctly insert the metal tab, and thereby fasten their seatbelt, on the first try. Similarly, the user can easily locate the release button 48 so that they may quickly unfasten their seatbelt when necessary.

As mentioned above, the lighting system comprises a control system 14 which executes instructions or control logic to control the operation of the lighting system. That is to say, the status, or operating state of the light 40 (i.e. whether the light is ON or OFF) is determined by output control signals received from the processor 18 of the control system 14. For the purposes of this description, the term 'control' may refer to both maintaining and/or changing the status of the light 40.

The input 20 of the or each controller 16 is configured to receive data from one or more sources, such as from one or more sensors associated with the vehicle. Specifically, the input 20 is configured to receive one or more signals which relate to a condition of the vehicle -i.e. a vehicle condition signal. Generally, vehicle condition signals include signals which indicate whether a user is likely to imminently enter or exit the vehicle. In general, this shall be referred to as whether the user is entering or exiting the vehicle. The indication of such signals depends on whether a user is inside or outside of the vehicle. Seat sensors, proximity sensors and/or logged vehicle operating data corresponding to historic operation of the vehicle may be used to determine whether or not a user occupies a seat within the vehicle. Vehicle condition signals may also include signals indicative of an access condition of a door of the vehicle 10; signals indicative of a latch condition of a seat belt buckle 42; and signals indicative of the vehicle speed. Accordingly, the vehicle 10 may comprise one or more sensors configured to send such input signals to the or each controller 16, such as lock sensors, door position sensors, accelerometers and seat loading sensors The access condition of a door of the vehicle 10 refers to the current door state and whether there are any restrictions preventing the user from passing through the door to enter or exit the vehicle 10. Specifically, the access condition is defined by whether the door is locked or unlocked and/or whether the door is open or closed. Accordingly, the one or more sensors comprise a sensor associated with the door that is configured to send one or more signals to the controller 16 indicative of the door state. Door state signals, or vehicle condition signals indicative of an access condition of a door, may be continuously transmitted or may be transmitted only when the door state changes. Locking / unlocking the door and opening / closing the door may be initiated automatically or by a user from inside or outside of the vehicle via a button, remote key or other known means.

The latch condition of the seat belt buckle 42 refers to the current buckle state and whether the buckle 42 is fastened or unfastened. That is to say, the latch condition is defined by the position of the metal tab relative to the opening 44 of the buckle 42. As described above, when the metal tab is secured within the opening 44, the buckle 42 is in a latched configuration or state. Accordingly, the one or more sensors comprise a sensor, associated with the buckle 42, that is configured to send one or more signals to the controller 16 indicative of the buckle state -i.e. whether the buckle 42 is latched or unlatched. Buckle state signals, or vehicle condition signals indicative of a latch condition of a buckle 42, may be continuously transmitted or may be transmitted only when the buckle state changes.

Furthermore, the one or more sensors may comprise a sensor, such as a wheel speed sensor, configured to detect the travelling speed of the vehicle 10 (i.e. a speed condition). Such a sensor is configured to send a signal to the controller 16 when the vehicle 10 reaches a predetermined minimum vehicle speed. The predetermined minimum vehicle speed is preferably around 10mph, or approximately 16kph.

As mentioned, the controller 16 is configured to send control signals to the light 40 dependent on receipt of one or more vehicle condition signals. Accordingly, the light 40 may be turned ON or OFF depending on seat occupancy, the state of the vehicle door, the state of the buckle, and / or the speed of the vehicle. The controller 16 is also configured to measure and / or determine the time that passes once a vehicle condition signal is received at the input 20. Accordingly, the status of the light 40 may also depend on how long the state of seat occupancy, the vehicle door, buckle and/or the speed of the vehicle 10 remain unchanged.

Figures 5 to 7 illustrate an embodiment of the control logic 58 performed by the controller 16 for controlling the status of the light 40. The default status 60 of the light 40 is OFF so that the portion of the seat belt buckle remains unilluminated unless latching or unlatching of the buckle is required. Figure 5 illustrates a simplified logic flow diagram according to an embodiment of the invention in which the ongoing status 62 of the light 40 depends on receipt of a second vehicle condition signal 64 indicative that either entry or exit to or from the vehicle 10 is required.

If the controller 16 determines that entry to the vehicle 10 is required (i.e. the second vehicle condition signal 64 is indicative that entry to the vehicle 10 is required) then the controller 16 subsequently performs instructions according to a first control logic branch 66, shown in more detail in Figure 6. Alternatively, if the controller 16 determines that exit from the vehicle 10 is required 0.e. the second vehicle condition signal 64 is indicative that exit from the vehicle 10 is required) then the controller 16 subsequently performs instructions according to a second control logic branch 68, shown in more detail in Figure 7.

According to the first control logic branch 66 shown in Figure 6, the second vehicle condition signal 64 includes a signal indicative of an access condition of the vehicle 10 and, more specifically, a signal indicative of whether the door is opened or closed. If the second vehicle condition signal 64 is received by the controller 16, then the ongoing status 68 of the light depends on indications provided by further third and first vehicle condition signals 70, 72 received by the controller 16.

The third vehicle condition signal 70 includes a signal indicative of a latch condition of the vehicle 10 and, more specifically, a signal indicative of whether the buckle 42 associated with the door is latched or unlatched. The first vehicle condition signal 72 includes a signal indicative of the time that has passed since receipt of the second vehicle condition signal.

More specifically, the first vehicle condition signal indicates whether a predetermined minimum time period, preferably 30 seconds, has passed since receipt of the second vehicle condition signal.

Regardless of whether the second vehicle condition signal indicates that the door is open or closed, if the third vehicle condition signal indicates that the buckle is latched, then the controller maintains the light in the OFF state 60, as shown by return loop 74.

Further, if the second vehicle condition signal 64 indicates that the door is open, the third vehicle condition signal 70 indicates that the buckle 42 is unlatched, and the first vehicle condition signal 72 indicates that the door has been open for more than the predetermined minimum time period, then the controller 16 maintains the light 40 in the default OFF state 60, as shown by return loop 76.

Similarly, if the second vehicle condition signal 64 indicates that the door is closed, the third vehicle condition signal 70 indicates that the buckle 42 is unlatched, and the first vehicle condition signal 72 indicates that the door has been closed for more than the predetermined minimum time period, then the controller 16 maintains the light 40 in the default OFF state 60, as shown by return loop 76.

However, if the second vehicle condition signal 64 indicates that the door is open, the third vehicle condition signal 70 indicates that the buckle 42 is unlatched, and the first vehicle condition signal 72 indicates that the door has been open for less than the predetermined minimum time period, then the controller 16 sends a control signal to the light 40 which instructs the light 40 to switch to the ON state and thereby illuminate the portion of the seat belt buckle 42. That means to say, the ongoing status 62 of the light 40 is ON.

Similarly, if the second vehicle condition signal 64 indicates that the door is closed, the third vehicle condition 70 signal indicates that the buckle 42 is unlatched, and the first vehicle condition signal 72 indicates that the door has been closed for less than the predetermined minimum time period, then then the controller 16 sends a control signal to the light 40 which instructs the light 40 to switch to the ON state and thereby illuminate the portion of the seat belt buckle 42. That means to say, the ongoing status 62 of the light 40 is ON.

Turning now to the second control logic branch 68 shown in Figure 7, the second condition signal 64 includes a signal indicative of an access condition of the vehicle 10 and, more specifically, a signal indicative of whether the door is opened or closed. If the second vehicle condition signal 64 is received by the controller 16, then the ongoing status of the light 40 depends on indications provided by further third and first vehicle condition signals 70, 72 received by the controller 16.

As in the first control logic branch 66, the third vehicle condition signal 70 includes a signal indicative of a latch condition of the vehicle 10 and, more specifically, a signal indicative of whether the buckle 42 associated with the door is latched or unlatched. The first vehicle condition signal 72 includes a signal indicative of the time that has passed since receipt of the second vehicle condition signal 64. More specifically, the first vehicle condition signal 72 indicates whether a predetermined minimum time period, preferably 30 seconds, has passed since receipt of the second vehicle condition signal 64.

According to the second control logic loop 68, regardless of whether the second vehicle condition signal 64 indicates that the door is open or closed, if the third vehicle condition signal 70 indicates that the buckle 42 is unlatched, then the controller 16 maintains the light in the default OFF state 60, as shown by return loop 80.

Further, if the second vehicle condition signal 64 indicates that the door is open, the third vehicle condition signal 70 indicates that the buckle 42 is latched, and the first vehicle condition signal 72 indicates that the door has been open for more than the predetermined minimum time period or closed for more than the predetermined minimum time period, then the controller 16 maintains the light in the default OFF state 60, as shown by return loop 82.

However, if the second vehicle condition signal 64 indicates that the door is open, the third vehicle condition signal 70 indicates that the buckle 42 is latched, and the first vehicle condition signal 72 indicates that the door has been open for less than the predetermined minimum time period, then then the controller 16 sends a control signal to the light 40 which instructs the light 40 to switch to the ON state and thereby illuminate the portion of the seat belt buckle. That means to say, the ongoing status 62 of the light 40 is ON.

If the second vehicle condition signal 64 indicates that the door is closed, the third vehicle condition signal 70 indicates that the buckle 42 is latched, and the first vehicle condition signal 72 indicates that the door has been closed for less than the predetermined minimum time period, then then the ongoing status 60 of the light 40 depends on receipt of a fourth vehicle condition signal 84 which indicates that vehicle transmission is in 'park' mode. If such a fourth vehicle condition signal 84 is received, then the controller 16 sends a control signal to the light 40 which instructs the light to switch to the ON state and thereby illuminate the portion of the seat belt buckle. That means to say, the ongoing status 62 of the light 40 is ON. Otherwise, the controller 16 maintains the light in the default OFF state 60, as shown by the return loop 86.

As shown by return arrow 78 in Figure 5, the ongoing status 62 of the light 40 is temporary and subject to change depending upon further receipt of first, second, third and fourth vehicle condition signals 72, 64, 70, 84. That means to say, the controller continuously responds to signals to determine the ongoing status 62 of the light 40 according to the described control logic 58.

By virtue of the control logic 58 described above, each light 40 of the lighting system illuminates in circumstances where a user needs to either fasten or unfasten their seat belt according to the condition of the vehicle 10. For example, in a scenario where the user approaches the vehicle 10 and opens the door, the lights 40 of the buckles 42 associated with the door illuminate so that the user can quickly identify unlatched buckles 42. However, if the door remains open for more than 30 seconds, the lights of the buckles 42 turn off. In this way, the light of a buckle does not remain on if the passage of the predetermined minimum time period indicates that the user does not, in fact, intend to fasten the buckle.

Many other scenarios are applicable and encompassed by the control logic 58.

The control system 16 may be further configured to monitor and store data associated with use of the vehicle 10 and thereby determine trends indicative of the circumstances in which a user fastens or unfastens a buckle 42. The control system 16 may then use such trends to determine indications of vehicle condition signals that must be received in order for each light 40 to turn on. For example, if historic data indicates that the buckles 42 associated with the second seat arrangement are never fastened, regardless of occupancy, then the first control logic branch 66 may be manually or automatically updated such that the associated lights never turn to the ON state during an entry scenario. This functionality advantageously prevents undesired visual reminders and thereby improves the premium experience for the vehicle user.

The control logic may be adapted to apply to each seat 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 32c and/or vehicle door 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d independently by monitoring the condition of signals associated with a specific seat 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 32c and / or associated door 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d (e.g. occupancy signal, door access), or alternatively the condition of any one seat 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 32c or the vehicle 10 may influence the control of all seat belt buckle lights 40 within the cabin 12. For example, seat belt buckle lights 40 associated with one row of seats 30 may be controlled together dependent on an access state of the door 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d of any one door 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d associated with that row 30, 32 (whether a user is entering or exiting that row).

Turning now to Figure 8, the controller 16 is further configured to receive an override signal 90 in the event of a vehicle emergency condition. A vehicle emergency condition may be defined by the detection of an emergency stop, airbag deployment or other form of impact indicator. Upon receipt of an emergency override signal 90, the controller 16 sends a control signal to the light 40 which instructs the light to switch to the ON state and thereby illuminate the portion of the seat belt buckle. That is to say, the ongoing status 62 of the light 40 is ON.

By virtue of the emergency override function of the controller 16, each light of the lighting system illuminates in the event of a vehicle emergency condition, irrespective of receipt of any other vehicle condition signals 64, 70, 72, 84. Accordingly, the release buttons 48 of each seat belt buckle can be quickly and easily located by the vehicle occupants, or by emergency personnel, so that expedient exit or removal from the vehicle may be achieved. Referring back to Figure 5, it can be seen that this check is made at the start of the control logic 58.

For purposes of this disclosure, it is to be understood that the controller(s) described herein can each comprise a control unit or computational device having one or more electronic processors. A vehicle and/or a system thereof may comprise a single control unit or electronic controller or alternatively different functions of the controller(s) may be embodied in, or hosted in, different control units or controllers. A set of instructions could be provided which, when executed, cause said controller(s) or control unit(s) to implement the control techniques described herein (including the described method(s)). The set of instructions may be embedded in one or more electronic processors, or alternatively, the set of instructions could be provided as software to be executed by one or more electronic processor(s). For example, a first controller may be implemented in software run on one or more electronic processors, and one or more other controllers may also be implemented in software run on one or more electronic processors, optionally the same one or more processors as the first controller. It will be appreciated, however, that other arrangements are also useful, and therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to any particular arrangement. In any event, the set of instructions described above may be embedded in a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) that may comprise any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine or electronic processors/computational device, including, without limitation: a magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette); optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM); magneto optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM); flash memory; or electrical or other types of medium for storing such information/instructions.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

The blocks illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8 may represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer program. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some steps to be omitted.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the invention may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Additional aspects and embodiments are disclosed in the following numbered clauses: 1. A control system for a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controller, the control system configured to control, when the vehicle is in use by a user, a lighting system comprising a seat belt buckle light configured to illuminate a portion of a seat belt buckle associated with a vehicle seat, the control system being arranged to: receive a first vehicle condition signal indicative of whether a user is entering or exiting the vehicle; and control an operating state of the seat belt buckle light dependent on the first vehicle condition signal.

2. The control system as defined in clause 1, wherein the first vehicle condition signal includes an indication that a door associated with the vehicle seat is unlocked by a user.

3. The control system as defined in clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the first vehicle condition signal includes an indication that the door is opened by a user. 20 4. The control system as defined in clause 2 or clause 3, the control system configured to: receive a second vehicle condition signal; and control an operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light in dependence on the second vehicle condition signal.

5. The control system as defined in clause 4, wherein the second vehicle condition signal is a signal indicative of a latch condition of the seat belt buckle.

6. The control system as defined in clause 5, configured to control the state of the at least one seat belt buckle light from a first state to a second state dependent on the first vehicle condition signal and control the state of the at least one seat belt buckle light from the second state to the first state dependent on the characteristic of the second vehicle condition signal.

7. The control system as defined in clause 4 or clause 5, configured to receive a third condition signal indicative of a third condition of the vehicle, and control the operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light dependent on a characteristic of the third condition signal.

8. The control system as defined in clause 7, wherein the third vehicle condition signal is a signal indicative of vehicle speed.

9. The control system as defined in clause 8 when dependent on clause 5, configured to: receive a time signal indicative of the time for which the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined minimum speed with the latch condition of the seat belt buckle indicating the seat belt buckle is latched, and control the operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light from the second state to the first state dependent on the time signal.

10. The control system as defined in clause 5, or any of clauses 6 to 9 when dependent on clause 5, wherein the door has an access state to indicate an access condition of the door, the controller configured to: receive a time signal indicative of the time for which the access state of the door remains in the same access condition with the latch condition of the seat belt buckle indicating the seat belt buckle is latched, and control the operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light dependent on the time signal.

11. The control system as defined in any of clauses 1 to 10, configured to receive an override signal in the event of a vehicle emergency condition and to control the operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light to move to an ON state in response to the override signal.

12. The control system as defined in any of clauses 1 to 11, configured to control a lighting system comprising a plurality of seat belt buckle lights, each configured to illuminate a part of a respective seat belt buckle of one of a plurality of seats arranged in a row within the vehicle.

13. The control system as defined in clause 12, wherein controlling the at least one seat belt buckle light dependent on the first vehicle condition signal comprises activating all of the plurality of seat belt buckle lights of the row to an ON or OFF state.

14. The control system as defined in clause 13, configured to: receive a first vehicle condition signal having a characteristic indicative of a door of the vehicle being accessed, and change the operating state of the seat belt buckle light only of a seat belt buckle associated with the door of the vehicle being accessed.

15. A vehicle comprising a lighting system including at least one seat belt buckle light configured to illuminate a part of a seat belt buckle of a vehicle seat, the vehicle comprising the control system as defined in any of clauses 1 to 14.

16. A method of controlling a lighting system of a seat belt buckle light configured to illuminate a portion of a seat belt buckle associated with a vehicle seat, the method 20 comprising: receiving a first vehicle condition signal indicative of whether a user is entering or exiting the vehicle; and controlling an operating state of the seat belt buckle light dependent on the first vehicle condition signal.

17. Computer software that, when executed, is arranged to perform a method according to clause 16.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A control system for a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controller, the control system configured to control, when the vehicle is in use by a user, a lighting system comprising a seat belt buckle light configured to illuminate a portion of a seat belt buckle associated with a vehicle seat, the control system being arranged to: receive a first vehicle condition signal indicative of a first condition of the vehicle; and control the operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light dependent on a characteristic of the first vehicle condition signal; wherein the first vehicle condition signal is a signal indicative of vehicle speed.
2. The control system as claimed in claim 1, the control system being arranged to: receive a second vehicle condition signal indicative of whether a user is entering or exiting the vehicle; and control an operating state of the seat belt buckle light dependent on the second vehicle condition signal.
3. The control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second vehicle condition signal includes an indication that a door associated with the vehicle seat is unlocked by a user.
4. The control system as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the second vehicle condition signal includes an indication that the door is opened by a user.
5. The control system as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, the control system configured to: receive a third vehicle condition signal; and control an operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light in dependence on the third vehicle condition signal.
6. The control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the third vehicle condition signal is a signal indicative of a latch condition of the seat belt buckle.
7. The control system as claimed in claim 6, configured to control the state of the at least one seat belt buckle light from a first state to a second state dependent on the second vehicle condition signal and control the state of the at least one seat belt buckle light from the second state to the first state dependent on the characteristic of the third vehicle condition signal.
8. The control system as claimed in any preceding claim, configured to: receive a time signal indicative of the time for which the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined minimum speed with the latch condition of the seat belt buckle indicating the seat belt buckle is latched, and control the operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light from the second state to the first state dependent on the time signal.
9. The control system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the door has an access state to indicate an access condition of the door, the controller configured to: receive a time signal indicative of the time for which the access state of the door remains in the same access condition with the latch condition of the seat belt buckle indicating the seat belt buckle is latched, and control the operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light dependent on the time signal.
10. The control system as claimed in any preceding claim, configured to receive an override signal in the event of a vehicle emergency condition and to control the operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light to move to an ON state in response to the override signal.
11. The control system as claimed in any preceding claim, configured to control a lighting system comprising a plurality of seat belt buckle lights, each configured to illuminate a part of a respective seat belt buckle of one of a plurality of seats arranged in a row within the vehicle.
12. The control system as claimed in claim 11, wherein controlling the at least one seat belt buckle light dependent on the second vehicle condition signal comprises activating all of the plurality of seat belt buckle lights of the row to an ON or OFF state.
13. The control system as claimed in claim 12, configured to: receive a second vehicle condition signal having a characteristic indicative of a door of the vehicle being accessed, and change the operating state of the seat belt buckle light only of a seat belt buckle associated with the door of the vehicle being accessed.
14. A vehicle comprising a lighting system including at least one seat belt buckle light configured to illuminate a part of a seat belt buckle of a vehicle seat, the vehicle comprising the control system as claimed in any preceding claim.
15. A method of controlling a lighting system of a seat belt buckle light configured to illuminate a portion of a seat belt buckle associated with a vehicle seat, the method comprising: receiving a first vehicle condition signal indicative of a first condition of the vehicle; and controlling the operating state of the at least one seat belt buckle light dependent on a characteristic of the first vehicle condition signal; wherein the first vehicle condition signal is a signal indicative of vehicle speed.
16. Computer software that, when executed, is arranged to perform a method according to claim 15.