10. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 6,
`
`wherein said first sensor is adapted to generate a
`signal that is representative of a condition
`including the pitch of the vehicle and said second
`sensor is adapted to generate a signal that is
`representative of a condition including the road
`speed of the vehicle.
`
`inclination angle in the pitching direction of the
`vehicle (so-called pitch angle) is detected in
`accordance with the detect infonnation that is
`detected by these height detection device, then the
`running condition of the vehicle can be confirmed
`to a certain degree."
`
`See claim 6 claim chart, above at page 435.
`
`See claim 6 claim cha1i, above at page 435.
`
`E.g., Page 12line 27 to page 13, line 15 "The
`remaining method iv) is a method which can judge
`the acceleration or deceleration running condition
`of the vehicle based on the information that is
`obtained by the vehicle posture detection device 2.
`Generally, as a device for detecting variations in
`the vibration of a mechanism for absorbing the
`vibration that is given to the wheels of the vehicle
`from the surface of a road or for detecting the
`height of the axle of the vehicle, there is used
`height detection device such as a height sensor or
`the like. In the present method, based on the
`information that is obtained from the height
`detection device, the time differential of the
`detected level or the absolute value thereof is
`calculated and, after then, by comparing the
`resultant value with a given reference value, it is
`possible to judge whether the vehicle is in the
`
`440
`
`Page 541 of 1228
`
`

`
`acceleration or deceleration running condition or
`not. Also, if a plurality of height detection device
`are arranged at several positions of the vehicle, for
`example, in the front and rear portions thereof
`and/or right and left portions thereof and the
`inclination angle in the pitching direction of the
`vehicle (so-called pitch angle) is detected in
`accordance with the detect information that is
`detected by these height detection device, then the
`running condition of the vehicle can be confirmed
`to a certain degree."
`
`E.g., Page 9, lines 13 to 23, "At first, the judging
`method in the acceleration or deceleration running
`condition judging device 3b will be described by
`classifying it into the following four methods: i) a
`method using the vehicle speed detection device;
`ii) a method using the acceleration or deceleration
`instruction detection device 8; iii) a method using
`the engine revolution number detection device 9;
`and iv) a method using the vehicle posture
`detection device 2."
`
`E.g., Page 9, lines 24 to 28 "Firstly, the method i)
`is a method which judges whether the vehicle is in
`the acceleration or deceleration running condition
`or not by detecting the running speed of the
`vehicle to calculate the change of the speed with
`time, that is, by calculating the acceleration of the
`vehicle."
`
`441
`
`Page 542 of 1228
`
`

`
`11. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 6,
`
`wherein said first sensor is physically separate
`from said second sensor.
`
`See claim 6 claim chart, above at page 435.
`
`See claim 6 claim chart, above at page 435.
`
`E.g., col. 4, lines 61 to 67, "Fig. 3 is a rough
`block diagram showing a control system for
`changing the lighting region in the present
`embodiment. The vehicle has a steeting angle
`sensor 21 for detecting a direction of a front
`wheel with respect to the vehicle body, i.e. a
`steering angle <p, a vehicle speed sensor 22 for
`detecting a vehicle speed v and a yaw rate sensor
`23 for detecting a yaw angular velocity (yaw
`rate) co."
`
`E.g., Figure 3
`
`E.g., page 6, line 30 to page 7, line 3, "In order for the
`vehicle posture detection device and the acceleration or
`deceleration running condition judging device to
`transmit signals to one another, they must be separate:
`"The outputs of the vehicle posture detection device 2
`are transmitted to the correction calculating device 3a
`and acceleration or deceleration running condition
`judging device 3b which cooperate together in forming
`the control device 3, and these outputs are used as
`control signals to be applied to the drive device 4 and
`are then used as instructions for correcting the
`illumination of lamp 5."
`
`E.g., Fig. 1:
`
`FIG. 1
`
`,!.',]\
`
`\'
`
`'• ·,{ ·;:~;;·:~!;~~'
`,;,, .. ..,.. .. ._ ....
`
`~~G. ~
`
`442
`
`Page 543 of 1228
`
`

`
`12. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 1,
`
`wherein said sensed conditions further include one
`or more of a rate of change of road speed of the
`vehicle, a rate of change of steering angle of the
`vehicle, a rate of change of pitch of the vehicle, or
`a rate of change of suspension height of the
`vehicle.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`E.g., Page 12 line 27 to page 13, line 15 "The
`remaining method iv) is a method which can judge
`the acceleration or deceleration running condition
`of the vehicle based on the information that is
`obtained by the vehicle posture detection device 2.
`Generally, as a device for detecting variations in
`the vibration of a mechanism for absorbing the
`vibration that is given to the wheels of the vehicle
`from the surface of a road or for detecting the
`height of the axle of the vehicle, there is used
`height detection device such as a height sensor or
`the like. In the present method, based on the
`information that is obtained from the height
`detection device, the time differential of the
`detected level or the absolute value thereof is
`calculated and, after then, by comparing the
`resultant value with a given reference value, it is
`possible to judge whether the vehicle is in the
`acceleration or deceleration running condition or
`not. Also, if a plurality of height detection device
`are arranged at several positions of the vehicle, for
`example, in the front and rear portions thereof
`and/or right and left portions thereof and the
`inclination angle in the pitching direction of the
`vehicle (so-called pitch angle) is detected in
`accordance with the detect information that is
`detected by these height detection device, then the
`
`443
`
`Page 544 of 1228
`
`

`
`13. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 12,
`
`wherein at least one of said two or more sensors
`generate a signal that is representative of the rate
`of change of road speed of the vehicle.
`
`running condition of the vehicle can be confirmed
`to a certain degree."
`
`Sec claim 12 claim chart, above at page 443.
`
`See claim 12 claim chart, above at page 443.
`
`E.g., col. 4, lines 61 to 67, "Fig. 3 is a rough block
`diagram showing a control system for changing
`the lighting region in the present embodiment. The
`vehicle has a steering angle sensor 21 for detecting
`a direction of a front wheel with respect to the
`vehicle body, i.e. a steering angle q>, a vehicle
`speed sensor 22 for detecting a vehicle speed v
`and a yaw rate sensor 23 for detecting a yaw
`angular velocity (yaw rate) w."
`
`E.g., Page 12line 27 to page 13, line 15 "The
`remaining method iv) is a method which can judge
`the acceleration or deceleration running condition
`of the vehicle based on the information that is
`obtained by the vehicle posture detection device 2.
`Generally, as a device for detecting variations in
`the vibration of a mechanism for absorbing the
`vibration that is given to the wheels of the vehicle
`from the surface of a road or for detecting the
`height of the axle of the vehicle, there is used
`height detection device such as a height sensor or
`the like. In the present method, based on the
`information that is obtained from the height
`detection device, the time differential of the
`detected level or the absolute value thereof is
`calculated and, after then, by comparing the
`resultant value with a given reference value, it is
`possible to judge whether the vehicle is in the
`acceleration or deceleration running condition or
`not. Also, if a plurality of height detection device
`are ananged at several positions of the vehicle, for
`example, in the front and rear portions thereof
`
`444
`
`Page 545 of 1228
`
`

`
`20. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 1,
`
`wherein the at least one actuator includes an
`electronically controlled mechanical actuator.
`
`and/or right and left portions thereof and the
`inclination angle in the pitching direction of the
`vehicle (so-called pitch angle) is detected in
`accordance with the detect information that is
`detected by these height detection device, then the
`running condition of the vehicle can be confirmed
`to a certain degree."
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`E.g., page 19, lines 6 to 22 "For example, when
`the actuator incorporates therein a DC (direct
`current) motor, a difference between the control
`target position (or angle) of the actuator and the
`current position (or angle) thereof is detected, and
`a pulse signal having a duty cycle corresponding
`to the detected position difference is supplied to
`the DC motor to thereby control the position of the
`actuator, as shown in Fig. 11, if the characteristic
`of the duty cycle DT with respect to the position
`difference 8xx is changed from the state of a
`relatively faster response speed shown by a broken
`line 10 to the state of a slow response speed shown
`by a solid line 11, with respect to the same
`position difference 8xx=8xxa, the duty cycle DT
`in the other running conditions of the vehicle than
`the acceleration or deceleration running condition
`
`445
`
`Page 546 of 1228
`
`

`
`22. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 1,
`
`wherein the at least one actuator includes a servo
`motor.
`
`thereof is smaller than the duty cycle in the
`acceleration or deceleration running condition of
`the vehicle, so that the drive control on the lamp 5
`by the actuator is slowed down."
`
`Sec claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`Sec claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`E.g., page 19, lines 6 to 22 "For example, when
`the actuator incorporates therein a DC (direct
`current) motor, a difference between the control
`target position (or angle) of the actuator and the
`current position (or angle) thereof is detected, and
`a pulse signal having a duty cycle corresponding
`to the detected position difference is supplied to
`the DC motor to thereby control the position of the
`actuator, as shown in Fig. 11, if the characteristic
`of the duty cycle DT with respect to the position
`difference 8xx is changed from the state of a
`relatively faster response speed shown by a broken
`line 10 to the state of a slow response speed shown
`by a solid line 11, with respect to the same
`position difference 8xx=8xxa, the duty cycle DT
`in the other running conditions of the vehicle than
`the acceleration or deceleration running condition
`thereof is smaller than the duty cycle in the
`acceleration or deceleration running condition of
`the vehicle, so that the drive control on the lamp 5
`
`446
`
`Page 547 of 1228
`
`

`
`by the actuator is slowed down."
`
`24. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 1,
`
`wherein the automatic directional control system is
`configured such that the headlight is adjustably
`mounted on the vehicle such that a directional
`orientation at which a beam oflight projects
`therefrom is capable of being adjusted relative to
`the vehicle.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`E.g., col. 4, lines 32 to 38, "The vehicle 1 ofthe
`preferred embodiment has head lights 2 for
`lighting the space in front of the vehicle installed
`such that they are swingable in rightward and
`leftward horizontal directions. FIG. 1 is a view
`showing the vehicle 1 from above and in this
`figure, the right and left head lights 2,2 are swung
`rightward so as to cause the right forward regions
`to become lighting regions 3, 3."
`
`E.g., page 16, lines 6 to 15 "The simplest method
`for changing the illumination pattern of the lamp 5
`in a vertical plane is a method which changes the
`illumination angle of the lamp 5 with respect to a
`horizontal plane by rotating the entire lamp 5
`about the rotary shaft thereof. For example, the
`right and left side surfaces of the lamp 5 are
`supported in a freely rotatable manner and the
`rotary shaft of the lamp 5 is rotated directly by a
`drive source such as a motor or the like, or, there
`is available a drive mechanism in which a member
`fixed to the lamp 5 or formed integrally with the
`lamp 5 is rotated by the drive device 4."
`
`25. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 1,
`
`wherein the automatic directional control system is
`configured such that the headlight is adjustably
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`E.g., page 16, lines 6 to 15 "The simplest method
`for changing the illumination pattern of the lamp 5
`
`447
`
`Page 548 of 1228
`
`

`
`mounted on the vehicle such that a directional
`orientation at which a beam oflight projects
`therefrom is capable ofbeing adjusted up and
`down relative to a horizontal reference position.
`
`26. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 1,
`
`wherein the automatic directional control system is
`configured such that the headlight is adjustably
`mounted on the vehicle such that a directional
`orientation at which a beam oflight projects
`therefrom is capable ofbeing adjusted left and
`right relative to a vertical reference position.
`
`in a vertical plane is a method which changes the
`illumination angle of the lamp 5 with respect to a
`horizontal plane by rotating the entire lamp 5
`about the rotary shaft thereof. For example, the
`right and left side surfaces of the lamp 5 are
`supported in a freely rotatable manner and the
`rotary shaft of the lamp 5 is rotated directly by a
`drive source such as a motor or the like, or, there
`is available a drive mechanism in which a member
`fixed to the lamp 5 or formed integrally with the
`lamp 5 is rotated by the drive device 4."
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`E.g., col. 4, lines 32 to 38, "The vehicle 1 of the
`preferred embodiment has head lights 2 for
`lighting the space in front of the vehicle installed
`such that they are swingable in rightward and
`leftward horizontal directions. FIG. 1 is a view
`showing the vehicle 1 from above and in this
`figure, the right and left head lights 2,2 are swung
`rightward so as to cause the right forward regions
`to become lighting regions 3, 3."
`
`448
`
`Page 549 of 1228
`
`

`
`28. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 1,
`
`wherein the automatic directional control system is
`configured such that the controller includes a
`nncroprocessor.
`
`29. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 1,
`
`wherein the automatic directional control system is
`configured such that the controller includes a
`programmable electronic controller.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`E.g., col. 4, lines 56 to 60, "Accordingly, the lamp
`unit 4 is swung together with the rotary shaft 5
`through an engagement between the worm gear 7
`and the wonn wheel 6 under a driving of the motor
`8. The motor 8 is controlled for its driving by a
`light distribution control ECU 1 0."
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`E.g., col. 4, lines 56 to 60, "Accordingly, the lamp
`unit 4 is swung together with the rotary shaft 5
`through an engagement between the wonn gear 7
`and the worm wheel 6 under a driving of the motor
`8. The motor 8 is controlled for its driving by a
`light distribution control ECU 1 0."
`
`37. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 1,
`
`Sec claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`wherein the automatic directional control system is
`
`E.g., Page 12 line 27 to page 13, line 15 "The
`
`449
`
`Page 550 of 1228
`
`

`
`configured such that the pitch of the vehicle is
`capable of being determined by sensing a front and
`a rear suspension height of the vehicle.
`
`remaining method iv) is a method which can judge
`the acceleration or deceleration running condition
`of the vehicle based on the information that is
`obtained by the vehicle posture detection device 2.
`Generally, as a device for detecting variations in
`the vibration of a mechanism for absorbing the
`vibration that is given to the wheels of the vehicle
`from the surface of a road or for detecting the
`height of the axle of the vehicle, there is used
`height detection device such as a height sensor or
`the like. In the present method, based on the
`infonnation that is obtained from the height
`detection device, the time differential of the
`detected level or the absolute value thereof is
`calculated and, after then, by comparing the
`resultant value with a given reference value, it is
`possible to judge whether the vehicle is in the
`acceleration or deceleration running condition or
`not. Also, if a plurality of height detection device
`are arranged at several positions of the vehicle, for
`example, in the front and rear portions thereof
`and/or right and left p01iions thereof and the
`inclination angle in the pitching direction of the
`vehicle (so-called pitch angle) is detected in
`accordance with the detect information that is
`detected by these height detection device, then the
`running condition of the vehicle can be confirmed
`to a certain degree."
`
`450
`
`Page 551 of 1228
`
`

`
`38. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 1,
`
`wherein the automatic directional control system is
`configured such that the pitch of the vehicle is
`capable of being detennined by a pitch level
`sensor.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`E.g., Page 12 line 27 to page 13, line 15 "The
`remaining method iv) is a method which can judge
`the acceleration or deceleration running condition
`of the vehicle based on the infonnation that is
`obtained by the vehicle posture detection device 2.
`Generally, as a device for detecting variations in
`the vibration of a mechanism for absorbing the
`vibration that is given to the wheels of the vehicle
`from the surface of a road or for detecting the
`height of the axle of the vehicle, there is used
`height detection device such as a height sensor or
`the like. In the present method, based on the
`information that is obtained from the height
`detection device, the time differential of the
`detected level or the absolute value thereof is
`calculated and, after then, by comparing the
`resultant value with a given reference value, it is
`possible to judge whether the vehicle is in the
`acceleration or deceleration running condition or
`not. Also, if a plurality of height detection device
`are arranged at several positions of the vehicle, for
`example, in the front and rear pmiions thereof
`and/or right and left portions thereof and the
`inclination angle in the pitching direction of the
`vehicle (so-called pitch angle) is detected in
`accordance with the detect infom1ation that is
`detected by these height detection device, then the
`running condition of the vehicle can be continued
`to a certain degree."
`
`451
`
`Page 552 of 1228
`
`

`
`41. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 1,
`
`wherein the automatic directional control system is
`configured such that the predetermined minimum
`threshold amount functions as a filter to minimize
`undesirable operation of the at least one actuator.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`E.g., page 4, lines 16 to 27, "According to the
`invention, when it is found that the vehicle is not
`in the acceleration or deceleration running
`condition, the control device controls the
`illumination direction of the lamp by fixing the
`direction of the illumination light of the lamp in a
`given direction, or by limiting the direction of the
`illumination light to a limited range, or by slowing
`down the response speed of the drive device,
`thereby being able to prevent the illumination
`direction of the lamp from being changed
`excessively and thus prevent the illumination
`direction of the lamp from being corrected
`excessively in the bad road running condition of
`the vehicle."
`
`E.g., col. 6, line 42 to col. 7, line 2, "Referring to
`FIG. 8, from changes of the steering angle <p and
`the yaw angular velocity ro of FIGS. 7 A and 7B,
`the following is understood. When the vehicle
`goes around the rightward curve, the steering
`wheel is turned to the right to have a positive
`steering angle <p at first, and the vehicle body yaws
`somewhat after the change of steering angle <p so
`that the yaw angular velocity ro increases
`following increase of the steering angle.
`
`In the meantime, the rear part of the vehicle is
`swung outside large, and therefore the driver turns
`the steering wheel to the left or in the opposite
`direction rapidly for counter-steeting to recover
`direction of the vehicle. Namely, the steering
`angle <p changes from an upward incline to a
`downward incline in FIG. 7A. However, the yaw
`angular velocity ro is maintained due to inetiia.
`
`Further, when the direction of the vehicle comes to
`show some recovery, the driver again turns the
`steering wheel to the right for going around the
`rightward curve, but he comes to carry out the
`counter-steering again soon after. Thus, the
`steering angle <p swings rightward and leftward in
`large variations.
`
`452
`
`Page 553 of 1228
`
`

`
`However, while the steering angle <p is swinging
`rightward and leftward as described above, the
`yaw angular velocity ro is maintained at a certain
`angular velocity stably in general, and at a time
`somewhat before the vehicle passes through the
`curve completely, the yaw angular velocity ro
`comes to coincide with the steering angle <p."
`E.g., Col. 7, lines 34 to 39, "Since the actual light
`distribution control is performed on the basis of
`the above-mentioned final lighting angle 8, even if
`the steering wheel is operated rapidly for the
`counter-steering and the like, change of the
`lighting region is suppressed pertinently and the
`driver is given no sense of incongruity."
`
`E.g., col. 7, lines 34 to 39, "Since the actual light
`distribution control is performed on the basis of
`the above-mentioned final lighting angle 9, even
`35 if the steering wheel is operated rapidly for the
`countersteering and the like, change of the lighting
`region is suppressed pertinently and the driver is
`given no sense of incongruity."
`
`42. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 1,
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`I See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`wherein said sensed conditions include three or
`
`E.g., col. 4, lines 61 to 67, "Fig. 3 is a rough block I E.g., Page 9, lines 13 to 23, "At first, the judging
`
`453
`
`Page 554 of 1228
`
`

`
`more of road speed, steering angle, pitch, and
`suspension height of the vehicle.
`
`diagram showing a control system for changing
`the lighting region in the present embodiment. The
`vehicle has a steering angle sensor 21 for detecting
`a direction of a front wheel with respect to the
`vehicle body, i.e. a steering angle (p, a vehicle
`speed sensor 22 for detecting a vehicle speed v
`and a yaw rate sensor 23 for detecting a yaw
`angular velocity (yaw rate) co."
`
`method in the acceleration or deceleration running
`condition judging device 3b will be described by
`classifying it into the following four methods: i) a
`method using the vehicle speed detection device;
`ii) a method using the acceleration or deceleration
`instruction detection device 8; iii) a method using
`the engine revolution number detection device 9;
`and iv) a method using the vehicle posture
`detection device 2."
`
`E.g., Page 9, lines 24 to 28 "Firstly, the method i)
`is a method which judges whether the vehicle is in
`the acceleration or deceleration running condition
`or not by detecting the nmning speed of the
`vehicle to calculate the change of the speed with
`time, that is, by calculating the acceleration of the
`vehicle."
`
`E.g., Page 12line 27 to page 13, line 15 "The
`remaining method iv) is a method which can judge
`the acceleration or deceleration running condition
`of the vehicle based on the information that is
`obtained by the vehicle posture detection device 2.
`Generally, as a device for detecting variations in
`the vibration of a mechanism for absorbing the
`vibration that is given to the wheels of the vehicle
`from the surface of a road or for detecting the
`height of the axle of the vehicle, there is used
`height detection device such as a height sensor or
`the like. ln the present method, based on the
`information that is obtained from the height
`detection device, the time differential of the
`
`454
`
`Page 555 of 1228
`
`

`
`detected level or the absolute value thereof is
`calculated and, after then, by comparing the
`resultant value with a given reference value, it is
`possible to judge whether the vehicle is in the
`acceleration or deceleration running condition or
`not. Also, if a plurality of height detection device
`arc arranged at several positions of the vehicle, for
`example, in the front and rear portions thereof
`and/or right and left portions thereof and the
`inclination angle in the pitching direction of the
`vehicle (so-called pitch angle) is detected in
`accordance with the detect information that is
`detected by these height detection device, then the
`nmning condition of the vehicle can be confirmed
`to a certain degree."
`
`E.g., page 15, line 30 to page 16, line 2 "As has
`been described above, according to the respective
`methods, it is possible to judge whether the
`vehicle is rulll1ing in the acceleration condition or
`in the deceleration condition. Also, these methods
`can be applied in various manners, for example,
`the respective methods can be used individually,
`or some of them may be combined together for the
`enhanced accuracy of the judgment."
`
`43. The automatic directional control system
`defined in claim 1,
`
`Sec claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`455
`
`Page 556 of 1228
`
`

`
`wherein said sensed conditions include all four of
`road speed, steering angle, pitch, and suspension
`height of the vehicle.
`
`E.g., col. 4, lines 61 to 67, "Fig. 3 is a rough block
`diagram showing a control system for changing
`the lighting region in the present embodiment. The
`vehicle has a steering angle sensor 21 for detecting
`a direction of a front wheel with respect to the
`vehicle body, i.e. a steering angle <p, a vehicle
`speed sensor 22 for detecting a vehicle speed v
`and a yaw rate sensor 23 for detecting a yaw
`angular velocity (yaw rate) co."
`
`E.g., Page 9, lines 13 to 23, "At first, the judging
`method in the acceleration or deceleration running
`condition judging device 3b will be described by
`classifying it into the following four methods: i) a
`method using the vehicle speed detection device;
`ii) a method using the acceleration or deceleration
`instruction detection device 8; iii) a method using
`the engine revolution number detection device 9;
`and iv) a method using the vehicle posture
`detection device 2."
`
`E.g., Page 9, lines 24 to 28 "Firstly, the method i)
`is a method which judges whether the vehicle is in
`the acceleration or deceleration running condition
`or not by detecting the running speed of the
`vehicle to calculate the change of the speed with
`time, that is, by calculating the acceleration of the
`vehicle."
`
`E.g., Page 12 line 27 to page 13, line 15 "The
`remaining method iv) is a method which can judge
`the acceleration or deceleration running condition
`of the vehicle based on the information that is
`obtained by the vehicle posture detection device 2.
`Generally, as a device for detecting variations in
`the vibration of a mechanism for absorbing the
`vibration that is given to the wheels of the vehicle
`from the surface of a road or for detecting the
`height of the axle of the vehicle, there is used
`height detection device such as a height sensor or
`the like. In the present method, based on the
`information that is obtained from the height
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`detection device, the time differential of the
`detected level or the absolute value thereof is
`calculated and, after then, by comparing the
`resultant value with a given reference value, it is
`possible to judge whether the vehicle is in the
`acceleration or deceleration running condition or
`not. Also, if a plurality of height detection device
`arc arranged at several positions of the vehicle, for
`example, in the front and rear portions thereof
`and/or right and left portions thereof and the
`inclination angle in the pitching direction of the
`vehicle (so-called pitch angle) is detected in
`accordance with the detect infom1ation that is
`detected by these height detection device, then the
`running condition of the vehicle can be confirmed
`to a certain degree."
`
`E.g., page 15, line 30 to page, 16, line 2 "As has
`been described above, according to the respective
`methods, it is possible to judge whether the
`vehicle is running in the acceleration condition or
`in the deceleration condition. Also, these methods
`can be applied in various manners, for example,
`the respective methods can be used individually,
`or some of them may be combined together for the
`enhanced accuracy of the judgment."
`
`44. The automatic directional control system
`
`See claim 1 claim chart, above at page 426.
`
`See claim 1 claim chati, above at page 426.
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`defined in claim 1,
`
`wherein said controller is configured to be
`responsive to said two or more sensor signals for
`generating at least one output signal only when
`said at least one of the two or more sensor signals
`changes by more than a predetermined minimum
`threshold amount to prevent at least one actuator
`from being operated continuously in response to
`relatively small variations in the sensed operating
`conditions.
`
`E.g., page 4, lines 16 to 27 "According to the
`invention, when it is found that the vehicle is not
`in the acceleration or deceleration running
`condition, the control device controls the
`illumination direction of the lamp by fixing the
`direction of the illumination light of the lamp in a
`given direction, or by limiting the direction of the
`illumination light to a limited range, or by slowing
`down the response speed of the drive device,
`thereby being able to prevent the illumination
`direction of the lamp from being changed
`excessively and thus prevent the illumination
`direction of the lamp from being corrected
`excessively in the bad road running condition of
`the vehicle."
`
`E.g., col. 6, line 42 to col. 7, line 2, "Referring to
`FIG. 8, from changes of the steering angle <p and
`the yaw angular velocity w of FIGS. 7 A and 7B,
`the following is understood. When the vehicle
`goes around the rightward curve, the steering
`wheel is turned to the right to have a positive
`steering angle <p at first, and the vehicle body yaws
`somewhat after the change of steering angle <p so
`that the yaw angular velocity w increases
`following increase of the steering angle.
`
`In the meantime, the rear part of the vehicle is
`swung outside large, and therefore the driver turns
`the steering wheel to the left or in the opposite
`direction rapidly for counter-steering to recover
`direction of the vehicle. Namely, the steeling
`angle <p changes from an upward incline to a
`downward incline in FIG. 7A. However, the yaw
`angular velocity w is maintained due to inertia.
`
`Further, when the direction of the vehicle comes to
`show some recovery, the driver again turns the
`steering wheel to the right for going around the
`rightward curve, but he comes to carry out the
`counter-steering again soon after. Thus, the
`steering angle <p swings rightward and leftward in
`large va1iations.
`
`However, while the steering angle <p is swinging
`rightward and leftward as described above, the
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`yaw angular velocity CD is maintained at a certain
`angular velocity stably in general, and at a time
`somewhat before the vehicle passes through the
`curve completely, the yaw angular velocity CD
`comes to coincide with the steering angle <:p."
`
`E.g., col. 7, lines 34 to 39, "Since the actual light
`distribution control is performed on the basis of
`the above-men