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: A headlamp of a motor vehicle that uses individual light emitting diodes or LEDs to generate individual light beams, which collectively form a composite beam where some of the individual beams overlap neighboring beams because of manufacturing irregularities and form bright spots within the composite beam, which are not desirable. It is possible to de-focus the irregularities from individual beams to thereby spread out the bright spots, and reduce their intensities with another inventive goal to selectively defocus individual beams and soften the edges that apply glare to surrounding vehicles when individual beams are not adjacent individual beams or individual beams that are active and flank surrounding vehicles to be shut off.

Abstract: An auxiliary lamp for a vehicle. Ordinary headlamps are restricted by law in the intensity that they direct towards oncoming drivers. This can cause inconveniently low illumination to a side of the vehicle, such as along a line 20 or 25 degrees left of center for a left-hand driver side vehicle. An auxiliary headlamp assembly is added to provide an auxiliary beam that supplements the primary beam. The auxiliary beam increases illumination along this line, yet maintains total illumination toward oncoming drivers below allowed limits.

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: A headlamp for a vehicle. The headlamp uses individual light emitting didoes or LEDs to generate individual light beams, which collectively form a composite beam. Because of manufacturing irregularities, some of the individual beams overlap neighboring beams, and form bright spots within the composite beam, which are not desirable. It is possible to de-focus the individual beams, to thereby spread out the bright spots, and reduce their intensities. However, that de-focusing would conflict with another goal. When the vehicle follows another vehicle, some individual beams which would apply glare to the other vehicle are shut off. But it is desirable that the remaining active individual beams which flank the other vehicle have sharply defined edges. De-focusing would soften the edges. Therefore, one form of the invention selectively de-focuses individual beams only when they are not adjacent individual beams which are active.

Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle. The headlamp uses individual light emitting didoes or LEDs to generate individual light beams, which collectively form a composite beam. Because of manufacturing irregularities, some of the individual beams overlap neighboring beams, and form bright spots within the composite beam, which are not desirable. It is possible to de-focus the individual beams, to thereby spread out the bright spots, and reduce their intensities. However, that de-focusing would conflict with another goal. When the vehicle follows another vehicle, some individual beams which would apply glare to the other vehicle are shut off. But it is desirable that the remaining active individual beams which flank the other vehicle have sharply defined edges. De-focusing would soften the edges. Therefore, one form of the invention selectively de-focuses individual beams only when they are not adjacent individual beams which are active.

Abstract: A drone aircraft for personal assistance or protection. When a driver's car is located in a parking lot at night, the driver can summon a drone stored in the vehicle which flies to the driver and leads the driver to the vehicle by projecting a spot of light onto the ground. The drone makes a video recording of events occurring at this time and transmits the recording to a remote storage location.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system that projects a primary beam and that comprises a supplemental or auxiliary beam that augments the primary beam that does not exceed any regulatory maximum intensity values. In one embodiment, the lighting system utilizes a multi-lobed lens adapted to distribute light to predetermined areas of the primary beam. A combined beam is created having no portion that exceeds the regulatory maximum intensity. In one illustrative embodiment, the primary beam is a high beam and the combined beam is an augmented primary beam that does not exceed the high beam regulatory limit of 75,000 candelas.

Abstract: An auxiliary lamp for a vehicle. Ordinary headlamps are restricted by law in the intensity that they direct towards oncoming drivers. This can cause inconveniently low illumination to a side of the vehicle, such as along a line 20 or 25 degrees left of center for a left-hand driver side vehicle. An auxiliary headlamp assembly is added to provide an auxiliary beam that supplements the primary beam. The auxiliary beam increases illumination along this line, yet maintains total illumination toward oncoming drivers below allowed limits.

Abstract: A drone aircraft for personal assistance or protection. When a driver's car is located in a parking lot at night, the driver can summon a drone stored in the vehicle which flies to the driver and leads the driver to the vehicle by projecting a spot of light onto the ground. The drone makes a video recording of events occurring at this time and transmits the recording to a remote storage location.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system that projects a primary beam and that comprises a supplemental or auxiliary beam that augments the primary beam that does not exceed any regulatory maximum intensity values. In one embodiment, the lighting system utilizes a multi-lobed lens adapted to distribute light to predetermined areas of the primary beam. A combined beam is created having no portion that exceeds the regulatory maximum intensity. In one illustrative embodiment, the primary beam is a high beam and the combined beam is an augmented primary beam that does not exceed the high beam regulatory limit of 75,000 candelas.

Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle. The headlamp uses individual light emitting didoes or LEDs to generate individual light beams, which collectively form a composite beam. Because of manufacturing irregularities, some of the individual beams overlap neighboring beams, and form bright spots within the composite beam, which are not desirable. It is possible to de-focus the individual beams, to thereby spread out the bright spots, and reduce their intensities. However, that de-focusing would conflict with another goal. When the vehicle follows another vehicle, some individual beams which would apply glare to the other vehicle are shut off. But it is desirable that the remaining active individual beams which flank the other vehicle have sharply defined edges. De-focusing would soften the edges. Therefore, one form of the invention selectively de-focuses individual beams only when they are not adjacent individual beams which are active.

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: A light for a vehicle. Two or more light guides each project a sheet of light to a common projection lens, but in different directions. Each light guide is selectively actuable by the driver. The projection lens receives the sheets of light, expands them in the horizontal direction, and projects them in the same general direction as received. Thus, the driver can selectively illuminate various regions of the terrain.

Abstract: A light for a vehicle. Two or more light guides each project a sheet of light to a common projection lens, but in different directions. Each light guide is selectively actuable by the driver. The projection lens receives the sheets of light, expands them in the horizontal direction, and projects them in the same general direction as received. Thus, the driver can selectively illuminate various regions of the terrain.

Abstract: A headlamp and/or tail light assembly comprising a housing, an outer lens, a thermally conductive plastic situated in operative relationship with the outer lens and a heating element for heating the thermally conductive plastic, wherein when the heating element heats the thermally conductive plastic, heat is directed towards the outer lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing light signals in a vehicle. The same physical apparatus produces light signals of two different colors. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) of two different colors produce diverging light rays. These rays are captured by a transparent plate and conducted to an edge of the plate, which reflects and collimates the light into parallel beams. The parallel beams then reach an elongated lens running along another edge of the plate, which focuses, or de-focuses, the light and transmits it externally as a signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing light signals in a vehicle. The same physical apparatus produces light signals of two different colors. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) of two different colors produce diverging light rays. These rays are captured by a transparent plate and conducted to an edge of the plate, which reflects and collimates the light into parallel beams. The parallel beams then reach an elongated lens running along another edge of the plate, which focuses, or de-focuses, the light and transmits it externally as a signal.

Abstract: A headlamp and/or a tail light assembly having a heating element is shown. The heating element comprises a deflector that is adapted to be received on a component of the headlamp and/or tail light assembly and to direct heat towards an interior surface of a transparent cover or an outer lens in order to facilitate de-icing or condensation removal.