BACKGROUND

Vehicles have a number of lights for signaling and warning. However, it is difficult for a vehicle occupant to both actuate the lights of a vehicle and monitor that the lights actually have illuminated. For example, a vehicle occupant cannot both actuate the brakes of the vehicle using the brake pedal and stand behind the vehicle to see the brake light illuminate. Furthermore, when vehicles are coupled together, the lights of the first vehicle can be extended to a second vehicle by electrically connecting the first vehicle to the second vehicle. For example, when a brake light of the first vehicle is illuminated, a brake light of the second vehicle, corresponding to the brake light of the first vehicle may also be illuminated. However, it is difficult to verify that the electrical connection between the first vehicle and the second vehicle has been properly made from inside the first vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to one aspect, a computer-implemented method for performing a remote vehicle light check is provided. The method includes detecting a lighting check signal at a host vehicle having a plurality of lights. The lighting check signal is received from a trigger device. The method also includes triggering a light sequence in response to the lighting check signal being detected. The light sequence causes one or more lights of the plurality of lights to be activated. The method further includes activating the one or more lights based on the light sequence. The method also includes pausing the activation of the one or more lights by a predetermined delay before continuing the activation of the one or more lights.

According to another aspect, a system for a remote vehicle light check of associated with a host vehicle is provided. The system includes a receiving module, a trigger module, a delay module, and a light system. The receiving module detects a lighting check signal at the host vehicle. The receiving module also identifies a first set of lights associated with the host vehicle and a second set of lights associated with a coupled device electrically connected to the host vehicle. The trigger module triggers a light sequence in response to the lighting check signal being detected. The light sequence causes one or more lights of the second set of lights to be activated. The light system activates the one or more lights of the second set of lights based on the light sequence. The delay module pauses the activation of the one or more lights of the second set of lights.

According to a further aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method. The method includes detecting a lighting check signal at a host vehicle. The lighting check signal is received from a trigger device. The method also includes identifying a first set of lights associated with the host vehicle and a second set of lights associated with a coupled device electrically connected to the host vehicle.

The method further includes triggering a light sequence in response to the lighting check signal being detected. The method includes activating the one or more lights of the second set of lights based on the light sequence. The method also includes pausing the activation of the one or more lights of the second set of lights.

