Abstract: A surface light source device having a local dimming function and an LCD unit using the device can include a light guide having a top surface including a plurality of linear convexes and a bottom surface including a plurality of dots. The device can also include a reflective sheet located adjacent the bottom surface, a prism sheet located adjacent the top surface, a diffusing sheet located adjacent the prism sheet, and a pair of LED light sources located adjacent both light incident surfaces of the light guide and divided into a plurality of groups. Each light emitted from the groups can be configured to be emitted independently from a respective one of local domains on a light-emitting surface of the device. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter can provide a surface light source device having a local dimming function with a simple structure as with a conventional edge light type device.

Abstract: A surface light source device having a local dimming function and an LCD unit using the device can include a light guide having a top surface including a plurality of linear convexes and a bottom surface including a plurality of dots. The device can also include a reflective sheet located adjacent the bottom surface, a prism sheet located adjacent the top surface, a diffusing sheet located adjacent the prism sheet, and a pair of LED light sources located adjacent both light incident surfaces of the light guide and divided into a plurality of groups. Each light emitted from the groups can be configured to be emitted independently from a respective one of local domains on a light-emitting surface of the device. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter can provide a surface light source device having a local dimming function with a simple structure as with a conventional edge light type device.

Abstract: The invention provides parts ordering system with which parts manufacturers can optimize the inventory and easily establish production schedules. The parts ordering system comprises a database for storing predicted required amount of parts received from a plurality of purchasers; a computer programmed to calculate predicted amount of orders of the parts within a predetermined period based on said predicted required amount, and to calculate fixed amount of orders of the parts in response to receiving fixed required amount from the purchasers; and communication means for sending to the suppliers, via communication network, data on the orders of a first delivery time when said fixed amount of orders is less than said predicted amount of orders and sending to the suppliers, via communication network, data on the orders of a second delivery time when said fixed amount of orders exceeds said predicted amount of orders, wherein said second delivery time is longer than said first delivery time.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a cutout portion formed at the lower part of a reflective mirror corresponding to a part of the light beam reflected from the reflective mirror and shaded by a shading plate, a first reflective plane consisting of a left-hand reflective plane half and a right-hand reflective plane half for allowing a large part of the light beam emitted directly from the light source to converge in the vertical direction, and a second reflective plane disposed behind the first reflective plane with a vertical attitude for allowing a large part of the light beam reflected from the first reflective plane to be reflected again at the second reflective plane to converge in the vertical direction, to improve a light beam utilizing rate of a light source and light irradiating performances of a projector type lighting device, and moreover, increase a light irradiating intensity of the lighting device.

Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle having a lengthwise direction, includes a front lens; a housing having a plurality of mounting bosses for mounting the housing to the vehicle and a lens fitting groove for mounting the front lens to the housing, the mounting bosses and the lens fitting groove extending in a direction in which the housing is removed from a mold and which is substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise direction when the housing is installed on the vehicle, and a lamp body encased in a chamber formed by the front lens and the housing.

Abstract: A four lamp type headlamp in which two headlamp units each having two lighting fixtures are symmetrically arranged on left and right front end sides of a vehicle such that distribution light of running (high) beams and distribution light of pass-each-other (low) beam can be switched with each other. One of the two lighting fixtures in each headlamp unit is a projector type fixture and is formed to be switchable between the distribution light of the pass-each-other beams and the running beams. The other lighting fixture in each headlamp unit is always lit and forms a portion of the pass-each-other beams. During driving with the running beams, one lighting fixture in each headlamp unit provides the running beams while the other lighting fixture in each headlamp unit remains in an "ON" state (lit). When driving with the pass-each-other beams, distribution light for the pass-each-other beams is provided by light from the four lighting fixtures.

Abstract: To correct variation of a property of light orientation induced by inclination of a vehicle body during a cornering operation, a projector type cornering head lamp including an inclination sensor further includes correcting means. When the correcting means is mechanically constructed, it comprises a pair of opening portions formed on a light shielding plate, shutters for closing the opening portions therewith and solenoids for pulling the shutter downwardly in response to an output from the inclination sensor. When the correcting means is electrically constructed, it is constituted by a circular liquid crystal element preferably comprising a supertwistnematic liquid crystal and serving also as a light shielding plate.

Abstract: A headlamp provided with correcting means for correcting a light distribution characteristic which is caused by an inclination of a vehicle body with respect to a road surface. An outer lens section fixed to the vehicle body is provided forwardly of a lamp body section of the projector type which is pivoted around an optical axis so as to maintain the light distribution characteristic horizontal in response to the inclination of the vehicle body, and the outer lens section has a lens cut formed thereon for diffusing a variation component of passing light to a turning direction when the car body is inclined for turning.

Abstract: To correct variation of a property of light orientation induced by inclination of a vehicle body during a cornering operation, a projector type cornering head lamp including an inclination sensor further includes correcting means. When the correcting means is mechanically constructed, it comprises a pair of opening portions formed on a light shielding plate, shutters for closing the opening portions therewith and solenoids for pulling the shutter downwardly in response to an output from the inclination sensor. When the correcting means is electrically constructed, it is constituted by a circular liquid crystal element preferably comprising a supertwistnematic liquid crystal and serving also as a light shielding plate.

Abstract: A head lamp unit includes two lighting fixtures, each of which includes a running beam filament and a passing beam filament, for selectively producing a running light beam and a passing light beam. The light distribution characteristic of the passing light beam of one of the lighting fixtures is arranged to be symmetrical to the left and right, whereas the light distribution characteristic of the passing light beam of the other lighting fixture is arranged to be asymmetrical to the left and right, to thereby provide an improved passing light beam.