IP Law Daily, PATENT NEWS: Maker of headlights turns “brights” onto Hyundai’s infringement, (Jul 6, 2015)

By Peter Reap, J.D., LL.M.

Adaptive Headlamp Technologies, Inc., has filed suit in the federal district court in Wilmington, Delaware, accusing automaker Hyundai of infringing its patent for headlights that adjust themselves based on the angle and position of the vehicle on the road.

According to the complaint, Adaptive asserts U.S. Patent No. 7,241,034 (“the ’034 patent”), entitled “Automatic Directional Control System for Vehicle Headlights” and issued on July 10, 2007. The patent discloses an “automatic directional control system for a vehicle headlight, comprising: two or more sensors that are each adapted to generate a signal that is representative of at least one of a plurality of sensed conditions of a vehicle such that two or more sensor signals are generated, said sensed conditions including at least a steering angle and a pitch of the vehicle.”

Hyundai has been and is now directly infringing and/or inducing infringement by others, and/or contributing to the infringement by others of the ’034 patent, Adaptive claims. Hyundai’s infringements include making and/or selling at least Hyundai’s Genesis and Equus model vehicles. These automobiles offer packages that include adaptive, self-leveling headlights whose positions automatically change due to changes in steering angle and pitch of the vehicle after a threshold minimum is passed.

Adaptive seeks damages, including treble damages for willful infringement and the award of costs and attorney fees.

The complaint in Adaptive Headlamp Technologies, Inc. v. Hyundai Motor America, Case No. 1:15-cv-00563-UNA, was filed July 1, 2015.

Attorneys: David W. deBruin (The deBruin Firm LLC) for Adaptive Headlamp Technologies, Inc.

Companies: Adaptive Headlamp Technologies, Inc.; Hyundai Motor America

News: Patent DelawareNews