Abstract: A light masking system for a vehicle includes: a printed circuit board (PCB); at least one infrared (IR) light source disposed on a first surface of the PCB and configured to emit a first predetermined wavelength range of light; at least one masking light source disposed on the first surface of the PCB proximal to the IR light source and configured to emit a second predetermined wavelength range of light, wherein a portion of the emitted first predetermined wavelength range of light of the IR light source includes visible light; and the emitted second predetermined wavelength range of light of the at least one masking light source masks the emitted visible light from the first predetermined wavelength range of the at least one IR light source.

Abstract: A thin aspect lighting system and method are shown. The system and method include at least one module having a reflector that is generally elliptical in one cross-section and generally parabolic in another cross-section. Each module is adapted to generate at least one of a flat beam pattern, a high beam pattern or a low beam pattern, such as a low beam pattern with a kink or elbow. Also shown is a headlamp assembly having a plurality of modules that generate the same or a different light beam pattern. Manipulation and variation of facets and/or positions of various components, such as at least one light source, have been found to provide improved characteristics in one or more of the light beam patterns.

Abstract: Bezel apparatus for use with vehicle lamps are disclosed. A disclosed bezel for a vehicle lamp includes a skeleton defining a portion of the bezel. The skeleton is configured to provide structural integrity to the bezel. The bezel also includes a film configured to cover the skeleton. The film comprises a first side configured to contact the skeleton and a second side opposite to the first side and including a visual design. The bezel also includes a coupling mechanism configured to couple the film to the skeleton to provide a completed bezel.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for an automotive lamp are provided. The apparatus includes a housing made of plastic having an impact groove formed on a surface of the housing, wherein the impact groove is designed as a function of a depth, a width, a desired force, a cross section, and a profile to cause a designed rupture upon application of an applied force.

Abstract: An IR illuminator used during the operation of autonomous vehicles, which provides improvement in the performance of cameras used in the vehicle at night time. An optical design of an outer lens of the IR illuminator is selected so that the outer lens forms a beam pattern for the output light from the IR light source, and also acts as a light guide for light emitted from a secondary visible light source, which is located in the same module as the IR light source, and which may be positioned on the same or a different printed circuit board as the IR light source. The material of outer lens is opalescent including scattering bodies. The optical design of the outer lens allows for improved field of view of the IR illuminator.

Abstract: An IR illuminator for providing infrared light for a digital camera having a camera lens with a camera field of view, including at least two mounting substrates arranged adjacent to the digital camera, at least one LED mounted to each of the mounting substrates for radiating the infrared light, and a free form cover lens positioned to cover the at least one LED. The shape of the free form cover lens is such that an emission pattern of light radiation is emitted without entering into the camera lens. Two IR illuminators adjacent to the camera are tilted at an angle from the camera optical direction. The shape of the free form cover lens may be elliptical or toric.

Abstract: A compact digital camera and infrared (IR) illuminator apparatus, including IR illuminators arranged adjacent to the digital camera. The digital camera has a camera lens and each IR illuminator includes IR LEDs. A single cover lens is positioned to cover the at least one IR LED and the camera lens. A region of the single cover lens that covers the IR LEDs blocks visible light and a region of the single cover lens that covers the camera lens is a neutral lens that transmits visible light. The single cover lens is a two-shot molded lens or a three-shot molded lens.

Abstract: To determine spatial orientation of a vehicle, a set of illuminators is mechanically coupled to the vehicle so as to emit light toward a roadway. A set of sensors is mechanically coupled to the vehicle to receive the emitted light as reflected from the roadway. A timer determines times of flight between emission of the light by the set of illuminators and reception of the reflected light by the set of sensors. A processor determines the spatial orientation of the vehicle from a difference in the times of flight.

Abstract: In an automotive lighting apparatus lighting components generate respective light fields. The lighting components are aligned one with the others such that the light fields combine in a lighting profile having cutoff regions meeting a predetermined cutoff criterion. An actuator is mechanically coupled to a corresponding one of the lighting components to aim that lighting component in a direction other than that in which the lighting component was aligned. A control component operate the actuator to aim the lighting component in the direction other than that in which the lighting component was aligned so that the light fields of the lighting components combine in another lighting profile having cutoff regions meeting another cutoff criterion.

Abstract: A compact digital camera and infrared (IR) illuminator apparatus, including IR illuminators arranged adjacent to the digital camera. The digital camera has a camera lens and each IR illuminator includes IR LEDs. A single cover lens is positioned to cover the at least one IR LED and the camera lens. A region of the single cover lens that covers the IR LEDs blocks visible light and a region of the single cover lens that covers the camera lens is a neutral lens that transmits visible light. The single cover lens is a two-shot molded lens or a three-shot molded lens.

Abstract: Bezel apparatus for use with vehicle lamps are disclosed. A disclosed bezel for a vehicle lamp includes a skeleton defining a portion of the bezel. The skeleton is configured to provide structural integrity to the bezel. The bezel also includes a film configured to cover the skeleton. The film comprises a first side configured to contact the skeleton and a second side opposite to the first side and including a visual design. The bezel also includes a coupling mechanism configured to couple the film to the skeleton to provide a completed bezel.

Abstract: In an automotive lighting apparatus lighting components generate respective light fields. The lighting components are aligned one with the others such that the light fields combine in a lighting profile having cutoff regions meeting a predetermined cutoff criterion. An actuator is mechanically coupled to a corresponding one of the lighting components to aim that lighting component in a direction other than that in which the lighting component was aligned. A control component operate the actuator to aim the lighting component in the direction other than that in which the lighting component was aligned so that the light fields of the lighting components combine in another lighting profile having cutoff regions meeting another cutoff criterion.

Abstract: A fiber panel, a light module, and a method for transmitting light using the fiber panel are provided. The fiber panel includes a plurality of optical fibers; and wherein each of the optical fibers have at least one base surface, and the fibers being arranged such that the at least one base surface of each optical fiber have a common orientation with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for an automotive lamp are provided. The apparatus includes a housing made of plastic having an impact groove formed on a surface of the housing, wherein the impact groove is designed as a function of a depth, a width, a desired force, a cross section, and a profile to cause a designed rupture upon application of an applied force.

Abstract: A headlamp assembly includes a low beam assembly configured to generate a low beam distribution. The low beam assembly includes a first low beam solid state light source module having a first laser solid state light source optically configured to emit a first luminous intensity distribution and a second laser solid state light source optically configured to emit a second luminous intensity distribution, and a second low beam solid state light source module having a solid state light source optically configured to emit a third luminous intensity distribution which at least partially overlaps at least one of the first and second luminous intensity distributions. The headlamp assembly also has a high beam assembly configured to generate a high beam distribution.

Abstract: Bezel apparatus for use with vehicle lamps are disclosed. A disclosed bezel for a vehicle lamp includes a skeleton defining a portion of the bezel. The skeleton is configured to provide structural integrity to the bezel. The bezel also includes a film configured to cover the skeleton. The film comprises a first side configured to contact the skeleton and a second side opposite to the first side and including a visual design. The bezel also includes a coupling mechanism configured to couple the film to the skeleton to provide a completed bezel.

Abstract: A lighting system for an autonomous vehicle includes one or more optical fiber panels or optical signaling system positioned about a perimeter of the autonomous vehicle; and processing circuitry configured to activate the one or more optical fiber panels or the optical signaling system in a predetermined illumination in response to a status of the autonomous vehicle, wherein the status includes one or more of a time of day, a number of passengers occupied within the autonomous vehicle, and an alert status during operation of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A headlamp assembly, an optical system and a method for generating a hybrid luminous intensity are provided. The headlamp includes a low beam assembly and a high beam assembly. The low beam assembly is configured to generate a low beam distribution. The low beam assembly includes a plurality of low beam modules including at least one high luminance source optically configured to emit a first luminous intensity distribution and at least one light source optically configured to emit a second luminous intensity distribution. The high beam assembly includes one or more high beam modules.

Abstract: A light module, a light panel, and a method for transmitting light are provided. The light module includes a light source configured to generate a light and a fiber panel optically coupled to the light source. The fiber panel includes a plurality of optical fibers. The plurality of optical fibers are configured to define two illumination regions such that a controlled light is output from the two illumination regions in diametrically opposite directions.

Abstract: A headlamp assembly includes a low beam assembly configured to generate a low beam distribution. The low beam assembly includes a first low beam solid state light source module having a first laser solid state light source optically configured to emit a first luminous intensity distribution and a second laser solid state light source optically configured to emit a second luminous intensity distribution, and a second low beam solid state light source module having a solid state light source optically configured to emit a third luminous intensity distribution which at least partially overlaps at least one of the first and second luminous intensity distributions. The headlamp assembly also has a high beam assembly configured to generate a high beam distribution.