US5136209A — Vehicle light, windshield wiper control system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 200 words

An automatic system for controlling the turning on of vehicle headlights when any of the following switch combinations are turned on: a) ignition, windshield wiper, light sensor; b) ignition, and windshield wiper; c) ignition and light sensor; and keeping them on as long as any of such switch combinations are on, comprising manual on-off switches for the ignition and windshield wiper and a condition responsive switch for the light sensor, a multistage digital logic circuit having a first stage which comprises a plurality of gates coupled to the outputs of said switches, at least one additional stage of gates connected to the outputs of said first stage of gates, a first relay circuit, an electronic relay switch, said relay switch having means for connecting said headlights to power supply means, said first relay circuit being alternately connectable to actuating means for said relay switch which governs the connection of said headlights to said power supply means, said power supply means connected to said first relay circuit, and control means for said first relay circuit, said multistage digital logic circuit connecting the outputs of said ignition, windshield wiper and light sensor switches to the control means for said first relay circuit.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 200 words

An automatic system for controlling the turning on of vehicle headlights when any of the following switch combinations are turned on: a) ignition, windshield wiper, light sensor; b) ignition, and windshield wiper; c) ignition and light sensor; and keeping them on as long as any of such switch combinations are on, comprising manual on-off switches for the ignition and windshield wiper and a condition responsive switch for the light sensor, a multistage digital logic circuit having a first stage which comprises a plurality of gates coupled to the outputs of said switches, at least one additional stage of gates connected to the outputs of said first stage of gates, a first relay circuit, an electronic relay switch, said relay switch having means for connecting said headlights to power supply means, said first relay circuit being alternately connectable to actuating means for said relay switch which governs the connection of said headlights to said power supply means, said power supply means connected to said first relay circuit, and control means for said first relay circuit, said multistage digital logic circuit connecting the outputs of said ignition, windshield wiper and light sensor switches to the control means for said first relay circuit.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 34 words

The invention of claim 1, and opto-isolator semi-conductor means between the ignition, windshield wiper and light sensor switches and the relay circuit which isolates the input voltages from the outputs of the semi-conductor means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 51 words

The invention of claim 1, in which time delay means it interposed between the ignition switch and the logic circuitry to protect the logic means from transient voltages and to maintain a high level of voltage for a limited time after the logic circuitry of the ignition switch is turned off.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 35 words

The invention of claim 1, in which time delay means is interposed between the windshield wiper switch and the logic means so that the windshield wipers will appear to be continuously on during intermittent operation.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 59 words

The invention of claim 1, and a moisture sensor switch, said system controlling the turning on of the vehicle headlights when any of the following additional switch combinations are turned on: a) ignition, windshield wiper, light sensor and moisture sensor; b) ignition, windshield wiper, and moisture sensor; c) ignition, light sensor and moisture sensor; d) ignition and moisture sensor.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

The invention of claim 1, in which the relay switch is a solid state switch.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 28 words

The invention of claim 1, in which the relay switch is a solid state switch and in which the control means is a triac metal oxide semiconductor (TMOS).

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 27 words

The invention of claim 1, in which the relay switch is a solid state switch and in which the control means is a gate turnoff switch (GTO).

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 36 words

The invention of claim 1, in which said logic circuitry comprises a plurality of first logic circuit means connected in parallel, said first logic circuit means producing a first signal output to said first relay circuit.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention of claim 9, in which a plurality of first signal outputs are operative in series to activate said first relay circuit.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention of claim 9, in which a plurality of first signal outputs are operative in parallel to activate said first relay circuit.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 94 words

The invention of claim 5, and a second relay circuit, said second relay circuit being alternately connectable to said activating means for said relay switch, said power supply means connected to said second relay circuit, control means for said second relay circuit, said logic circuitry connecting the outputs of said ignition, windshield wiper and light sensor switches to the control means for said second relay circuit, said second relay circuit operating to turn the headlights off when any of the following are turned off: a) ignition; b) windshield wiper, light sensor and moisture sensor.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention of claim 12, in which a plurality of second signal outputs are operative in series to activate said second relay circuit.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 198 words

An automatic system for controlling the turning on of vehicle windshield wipers when any of the following switch combinations are turned on: a) ignition, light sensor and moisture sensor; b) ignition and moisture sensor; and keeping them on as long as any of such switch combinations are on, comprising manual on-off switches for the ignition and condition responsive switches for the light sensor and moisture sensor, a multistage digital logic circuit having a first stage which comprises a plurality of gates coupled to the outputs of said switches, at least one additional stage of gates connected to the outputs of said first stage of gates, a first relay circuit, an electronic relay switch, said relay switch having means for connecting said windshield wipers to power supply means, said first relay circuit being alternately connectable to actuating means for said relay switch which governs the connection of said windshield wipers to said power supply means, said power supply means connected to said first relay circuit, and control means for said first relay circuit, said multistage digital logic circuit connecting the outputs of said ignition, light sensor and moisture sensor switches to the control means for said first relay circuit.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 198 words

An automatic system for controlling the turning on of vehicle windshield wipers when any of the following switch combinations are turned on: a) ignition, light sensor and moisture sensor; b) ignition and moisture sensor; and keeping them on as long as any of such switch combinations are on, comprising manual on-off switches for the ignition and condition responsive switches for the light sensor and moisture sensor, a multistage digital logic circuit having a first stage which comprises a plurality of gates coupled to the outputs of said switches, at least one additional stage of gates connected to the outputs of said first stage of gates, a first relay circuit, an electronic relay switch, said relay switch having means for connecting said windshield wipers to power supply means, said first relay circuit being alternately connectable to actuating means for said relay switch which governs the connection of said windshield wipers to said power supply means, said power supply means connected to said first relay circuit, and control means for said first relay circuit, said multistage digital logic circuit connecting the outputs of said ignition, light sensor and moisture sensor switches to the control means for said first relay circuit.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 34 words

The invention of claim 14, and opto-isolator semi-conductor means between the ignition, light sensor and moisture sensor switches and the relay circuit which isolates the input voltages from the outputs of the semi-conductor means.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 51 words

The invention of claim 14, in which time delay mean sis interposed between the ignition switches and the logic circuitry to protect the logic means from transient voltages and to maintain a high level of voltage for a limited time after the logic circuitry of the ignition switch is turned off.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 15 words

The invention of claim 14, in which the relay switch is a solid state switch.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 28 words

The invention of claim 14, in which the relay switch is a solid state switch and in which the control means is a triac metal oxide semiconductor (TMOS).

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 27 words

The invention of claim 14, in which the relay switch is a solid state switch and in which the control means is a gate turnoff switch (GTO).

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention of claim 14, in which a plurality of first signal outputs are operative in series to activate said first relay circuit.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention of claim 14, in which a plurality of first signal outputs are operative in parallel to activate said first relay circuit.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 126 words

The invention of claim 14, said vehicle having a manual windshield wiper switch, and a second relay circuit, said second relay circuit being alternately connectable to said activating means for said relay switch, said power supply means connected to said second relay circuit, control means for said second relay circuit, said logic circuitry having first means connecting the outputs of said ignition, windshield wiper, light sensor and moisture sensor switches to the control means for said second relay circuit, said logic circuitry having auxiliary means connecting the outputs of said ignition and said windshield wiper switch to said control means for said second relay circuit, said auxiliary means, bypassing said first connecting means to permit turning off of said windshield wipers by said windshield wiper switch.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 207 words

An automatic system for controlling the turning on of vehicle headlights when any of the following switch combinations are turned on: a) ignition, windshield wiper, light sensor; b) ignition, and windshield wiper; c) ignition and light sensor; and keeping them on as long as any of such switch combinations are on, comprising manual on-off switches for the ignition and windshield wiper and a condition responsive switch for the light sensor, a multistage digital logic circuit having a first stage which comprises a plurality of gates coupled to the outputs of said switches, at least one additional stage of gates connected to the outputs of said first stage of gates, a first relay circuit, an electronic relay switch, said relay switch having means for connecting said headlights to power supply means, said first relay circuit being alternately connectable to actuating means for said relay switch which governs the connection of said headlights to said power supply means; said power supply means connected to said first relay circuit, and control means for said first relay circuit, said multistage digital logic circuit connecting the outputs of said ignition, windshield wiper and light sensor switches to the control means for said first relay circuit, said control means including pulse generator means.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 207 words

An automatic system for controlling the turning on of vehicle headlights when any of the following switch combinations are turned on: a) ignition, windshield wiper, light sensor; b) ignition, and windshield wiper; c) ignition and light sensor; and keeping them on as long as any of such switch combinations are on, comprising manual on-off switches for the ignition and windshield wiper and a condition responsive switch for the light sensor, a multistage digital logic circuit having a first stage which comprises a plurality of gates coupled to the outputs of said switches, at least one additional stage of gates connected to the outputs of said first stage of gates, a first relay circuit, an electronic relay switch, said relay switch having means for connecting said headlights to power supply means, said first relay circuit being alternately connectable to actuating means for said relay switch which governs the connection of said headlights to said power supply means; said power supply means connected to said first relay circuit, and control means for said first relay circuit, said multistage digital logic circuit connecting the outputs of said ignition, windshield wiper and light sensor switches to the control means for said first relay circuit, said control means including pulse generator means.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 34 words

The invention of claim 23, and opto-isolator semi-conductor means between the ignition, windshield wiper and light sensor switches and the relay circuit which isolates the input voltages from the outputs of the semi-conductor means.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 51 words

The invention of claim 23, in which time delay means is interposed between the ignition switch and the logic circuitry to protect the logic means from transient voltages and to maintain a high level of voltage for a limited time after the logic circuitry of the ignition switch is turned off.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 35 words

The invention of claim 23, in which time delay means is interposed between the windshield wiper switch and the logic means so that the windshield wipers will appear to be continuously on during intermittent operation.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 59 words

The invention of claim 23, and a moisture sensor switch, said system controlling the turning on of the vehicle headlights when any of the following additional switch combinations are turned on: a) ignition, windshield wiper, light sensor and moisture sensor; b) ignition, windshield wiper, and moisture sensor; c) ignition, light sensor and moisture sensor; d) ignition and moisture sensor.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 15 words

The invention of claim 23, in which the relay switch is a solid state switch.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 36 words

The invention of claim 23, in which said logic circuitry comprises a plurality of first logic circuit means connected in parallel, said first logic circuit means producing a first signal output to said first relay circuit.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention of claim 19, in which a plurality of first signal outputs are operative in series to activate said first relay circuit.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention of claim 19, in which a plurality of first signal outputs are operative in parallel to activate said first relay circuit.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 94 words

The invention of claim 22, and a second relay circuit, said second relay circuit being alternately connectable to said activating means for said relay switch, said power supply means connected to said second relay circuit, control means for said second relay circuit, said logic circuitry connecting the outputs of said ignition, windshield wiper and light sensor switches to the control means for said second relay circuit, said second relay circuit operating to turn the headlights off when any of the following are turned off: a) ignition; b) windshield wiper, light sensor and moisture sensor.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 58 words

The invention of claim 32, in which said logic circuitry comprises a plurality of first and a plurality of second logic circuit means, each connected in parallel, said first logic circuit means producing a first signal output to said first relay circuit and said second logic circuit means producing a second signal output to said second relay circuit.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention of claim 32, in which a plurality of second signal outputs are operative in series to activate said second relay circuit.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 188 words

An automatic system for controlling the turning on of vehicle headlights when any of the following switch combinations are turned on: a) ignition, windshield wiper, light sensor; b) ignition, and windshield wiper; c) ignition and light sensor; and keeping them on as long as any of such switch combinations are on, comprising manual on-off switches for the ignition and windshield wiper and a condition responsive switch for the light sensor, a multistage digital logic circuit having a first stage which comprises a plurality of gates coupled to the outputs of said switches, at least one additional stage of gates connected to the outputs of said first stage of gates, a first relay circuit, an electronic relay switch, said relay switch means having means for connecting said headlights to power supply means, said power supply means connected to said first relay circuit, and control means for said first relay circuit, said multistage digital logic circuit connecting the outputs of said ignition, windshield wiper and light sensor switches to the control means for said first relay circuit, in which the relay switch means is a solid state gate turnoff switch.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 188 words

An automatic system for controlling the turning on of vehicle headlights when any of the following switch combinations are turned on: a) ignition, windshield wiper, light sensor; b) ignition, and windshield wiper; c) ignition and light sensor; and keeping them on as long as any of such switch combinations are on, comprising manual on-off switches for the ignition and windshield wiper and a condition responsive switch for the light sensor, a multistage digital logic circuit having a first stage which comprises a plurality of gates coupled to the outputs of said switches, at least one additional stage of gates connected to the outputs of said first stage of gates, a first relay circuit, an electronic relay switch, said relay switch means having means for connecting said headlights to power supply means, said power supply means connected to said first relay circuit, and control means for said first relay circuit, said multistage digital logic circuit connecting the outputs of said ignition, windshield wiper and light sensor switches to the control means for said first relay circuit, in which the relay switch means is a solid state gate turnoff switch.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 34 words

The inventions of claim 35, and opto-isolator semi-conductor means between the ignition, windshield wiper and light sensor switches and the relay circuit which isolates the input voltages from the outputs of the semi-conductor means.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 51 words

The invention of claim 35, in which time delay means is interposed between the ignition switch and the logic circuitry to protect the logic means from transient voltages and to maintain a high level of voltage for a limited time after the logic circuitry of the ignition switch is turned off.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 34 words

The invention of claim 35, in which time delay means is interposed between the windshield wiper switch and the logic means so that the windshield will appear to be continuously on during intermittent operation.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 59 words

The invention of claim 35, and a moisture sensor switch, said system controlling the turning on of the vehicle headlights when any of the following additional switch combinations are turned on: a) ignition, windshield wiper, light sensor and moisture sensor; b) ignition, windshield wiper, and moisture sensor; c) ignition, light sensor and moisture sensor; d) ignition and moisture sensor.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 36 words

The invention of claim 35, in which said logic circuitry comprises a plurality of first logic circuit means connected in parallel, said first logic circuit means producing a first signal output to said first relay circuit.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention of claim 40, in which a plurality of first signal outputs are operative in parallel to activate said first relay circuit.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 95 words

The invention of claim 39, and a second relay circuit, said second relay circuit being alternately connectable to said activating means for said relay switch means, said power supply means connected to said second relay circuit, control means for said second relay circuit, said logic circuitry connecting the outputs of said ignition, windshield wiper and light sensor switches to the control means for said second relay circuit said second relay circuit operating to turn the headlights off when any of the following are turned off: a) ignition; b) windshield wiper, light sensor and moisture sensor.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 58 words

The invention of claim 42, in which said logic circuitry comprises a plurality of first and a plurality of second logic circuit means, each connected in parallel, said first logic circuit means producing a first signal output to said first relay circuit and said second logic circuit means producing a second signal output to said second relay circuit.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention of claim 35, in which the relay switch means has means for connecting the parking lights to said power supply means.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 23 words

The invention of claim 39, in which the relay switch means has means for connecting the parking lights to said power supply means.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 45 words

The invention of claim 42, in which the relay switch means has means for connecting the parking lights to said power supply means, and in which said second relay circuit operates to turn off the parking lights when it operates to turn off the headlights.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 31 words

The invention of claim 44, in which the relay switch means has a first section connecting the headlights and a second section connecting the parking lights to said power supply means.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention of claim 44, in which the relay switch means has a common means connecting the headlights and parking lights to said power supply means.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 31 words

The invention of claim 45, in which the relay switch means has a first section connecting the headlights and a second section connecting the parking lights to said power supply means.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention of claim 45, in which the relay switch means has a common means connecting the headlights and parking lights to said power supply means.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 31 words

The invention of claim 46, in which the relay switch means has a first section connecting the headlights and a second section connecting the parking lights to said power supply means.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention of claim 46, in which the relay switch means has a common means connecting the headlights and parking lights to said power supply means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-08-04	1996-02-03	1996-08-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-08-04	2000-02-03	2000-08-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-08-04	2004-02-03	2004-08-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Vehicle light, windshield wiper control system

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