Abstract: A light bar is provided and includes an elongated carrier having a surface extending along the carrier. Capacitive sensors are spaced along the carrier and positioned below the surface. Light sources are included for illuminating the surface, each associated with at least one capacitive sensor and positioned proximate thereto. A controller is included for detecting capacitive changes in the capacitive sensors, wherein when the controller detects a capacitive change in a capacitive sensor, the controller alters an illumination state of a light source associated therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system including a computer programmed to determine that a vehicle is traveling in a wrong-way direction. Upon such determination, the computer is programmed to actuate a light of the vehicle to provide a user-detectable pattern external to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of preventing unintended actions associated with an input device accessible from an exterior of a vehicle includes the steps of: (a) monitoring a state of switches associated with keys of said keypad; (b) identifying an action associated with the state of said switches associated with said keys of said keypad; (c) determining a state of at least one component of the vehicle other than said keypad; and (d) precluding the action associated with the state of said switches associated with said keys of said keypad based on the determined state of said at least one component of the vehicle. In one embodiment, a processor associated with the keypad performs the steps of monitoring, identifying, determining, and precluding and the action may be locking a closure member of the vehicle.

Abstract: A glove is provided that includes a body configured to engage a hand and a plurality of finger sheaths configured to cover fingers of the hand. The glove also has an electrically conductive ink disposed at least at the tip of at least one of the finger sheaths to interact with a proximity sensor, such as a capacitive sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a side mirror positioned on an A-pillar. A light assembly is coupled with a bottom surface of the side mirror. The light assembly is configured to illuminate a plurality of photoluminescent structures located within an interior and on an exterior of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a door off configuration.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle keypad assembly includes, among other things a virtual button having a first area and a second area, a first phosphor between the first area and a light source, and a different, second phosphor between the second area and the light source. An exemplary vehicle keypad illumination method includes, among other things, selectively illuminating a first area of a keypad in one of a plurality of different colors while illuminating a different, second area of the keypad in a single color.

Abstract: A lighting system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a controller in communication with at least one light source and an occupancy sensor. The controller is configured to control an activation emission output from the light source configured to charge a persistent luminescent portion. The controller is further configured to detect an occupancy of the vehicle and charge the luminescent portion by periodically outputting the activation emission. The controller determines the periodicity of the output based on the occupancy.

Abstract: An illuminated storage assembly disposed within a vehicle is provided herein. The illuminated storage assembly includes a housing defining a storage compartment laterally extending into an instrument panel. A cover is operably coupled to the housing to support the cover between open and closed positions. A light source is disposed within the illuminated storage assembly and is configured to illuminate a feature of the illuminated storage assembly based on the position of the cover.

Abstract: A vehicle puddle lamp assembly is provided that includes a plurality of light projectors located on a vehicle and configured to illuminate different lighted image patterns on a ground surface adjacent to the vehicle. The vehicle puddle lamp assembly includes a controller for sequentially activating the plurality of light projectors to generate an animated lighted image on the ground surface. The animated image moves in a location based on a door position.

Abstract: A door retention system includes a housing defining a slot configured to accept the insertion of a door. The slot is deep enough to position a majority of the door within the slot. A sensor is positioned within the slot and configured to detect the presence of the door within the housing.

Abstract: An illuminated emblem assembly that includes a power source; a light-producing assembly that is coupled to the power source, supported by a backing member and comprises a plurality of light-emitting diode sources; a chromatic layer comprising an emblem shape over the light-producing assembly, wherein the shape is visible under ambient lighting; and a polycarbonate sealing structure over the chromatic layer that seals the backing member, the light-producing assembly, and the chromatic layer. Further, the sealing structure can comprise a design feature. In addition, the plurality of light-emitting diode sources can be dispersed in the light-producing assembly. The light-emitting diode sources can also be micro-sized elements comprising gallium nitride that are arranged on a positive electrode layer in the form of an ink.

Abstract: A glove is provided that includes a body configured to engage a hand and a plurality of finger sheaths configured to cover fingers of the hand. The glove also has an electrically conductive ink disposed at least at the tip of at least one of the finger sheaths to interact with a proximity sensor, such as a capacitive sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly is provided herein. The mirror assembly includes a housing. A first light source is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with a first light output window disposed on an inboard portion of the housing. A second light source is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with a second light output window disposed on a bottom portion of the housing. A third light source is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with a third light output window disposed on an outboard portion of the housing.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel illumination assembly includes a light source located on the body of a vehicle near the wheel well and oriented to direct light onto a wheel assembly having a tire. A tire pressure indicator detects tire pressure of the tire. The light source illuminates the wheel assembly with a desired color to indicate a tire pressure status based on the detected tire pressure. A photoluminescent material is located on the wheel assembly and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light assembly.

Abstract: A lighting assembly including a circuit is disclosed. The circuit is configured to be disposed in a panel defining a cavity forming an opening. The circuit includes a light source in communication with a controller and an exposed conductive portion conductively connected to an isolation terminal. The exposed conductive portion is oriented proximate the opening and provides a path for an electrical discharge to protect the light source from the electrical discharge.

Abstract: A lighting system is provided herein. The lighting system includes a number of lights and a portable electronic device carried by a vehicle occupant. A controller is in communication with a sensing system and configured to detect a cabin location of the electronic device, assign a seating area to the electronic device, and operate only the lights associated with the seating area based on information indicative of an impending departure of the vehicle occupant from the vehicle.

Abstract: A wiper assembly includes a wiper arm, a wiper blade carried on the wiper arm and a light source provided between the wiper arm and the raised wiper blade. The wiper assembly may also include a heating element and a controller to control operation of the light source and the heating element.

Abstract: An instrument panel storage system is provided for a motor vehicle. That storage system includes an instrument panel having a storage cavity defining a first docking station and a removable storage bin held in the cavity at the first docking station. Further the storage system includes one or more remote docking stations that allow the removable storage bin to be positioned at different locations within the motor vehicle as desired by the vehicle occupants.

Abstract: An apparatus for directing lighting and airflow to a vehicle cabin is provided. The apparatus comprises a light for generating ultraviolet light. A duct is provided for supplying airflow to the portion of the vehicle cabin and for receiving the ultraviolet light. At least a portion of the duct includes a functional modification adapted for interacting with the ultraviolet light for regulating an environmental condition of the portion of the vehicle cabin. The functional modification may provide luminescence, photocatalytic oxidation, or both.

Abstract: A vehicle light system is provided herein. The light system includes a first light source disposed on a first side of a substrate. A second light source is disposed on a second side of the substrate. An overmold material is disposed on the first and second light sources. The overmold material has a reflective portion and a lens portion. An adhesive layer is configured to couple the overmold material to a vehicle window. The first light source emits light towards the reflective portion and the second light source emits light towards the window.