Abstract: An illumination module for a vehicle includes first, second and third LEDs, and first, second and third masks aligned in with respective ones of the first, second and third LEDs. Light emitted by the first LED that passes through the first mask is a first color and light emitted by the second LED that passes through the second mask is a second color and light emitted by the third LED that passes through the third mask is a third color. When the LEDs are electrically powered to emit light, light emitted by the LEDs passes through the respective masks to project first, second and third projected images at a ground area adjacent the vehicle, each projected image having the respective color. The projected images overlap at the ground area and, combined, establish a multi-color logo or indicia at the ground area adjacent the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular illumination system includes an illumination module disposed at an exterior portion of a vehicle. The illumination module includes a reconfigurable display element and a light source operable to emit light. When the light source is operated, light emitted by the light source passes through the reconfigurable display element and the illumination module projects an icon established by the reconfigurable display element. The reconfigurable display element is reconfigurable to form the icon responsive to one of (i) a user selection of an icon and (ii) programming of the reconfigurable display element for an icon. When the light source is operated, light emitted by the light source passes through the reconfigurable display element and the illumination module projects the icon of the reconfigurable display element onto a surface exterior of the equipped vehicle.

Abstract: A system for extending and retracting a handle of a door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes a door handle assembly, a control operable to control operation of a motor of an electrically operable actuator of the handle assembly, and a sensing system operable to detect an authorized user. The sensing system, responsive to detecting an authorized user, determines a motion vector of the detected authorized user. The sensing system determines whether the motion vector is indicative of the detected authorized user approaching the door of the vehicle. Responsive to determination that the detected authorized user is approaching the door of the vehicle, the control unlocks the door handle assembly and controls operation of the motor to move a handle portion from a recessed position to a partially extended position so as to be graspable by the user.

Abstract: A vehicular sensing device for a vehicular function control system includes a plurality of sensors and at least one illumination source operable to backlight a plurality of icons at a cover element, each icon of the plurality of icons representative of a respective vehicle function. With the vehicular sensing device disposed at a vehicle, and with the at least one illumination source activated to backlight the plurality of icons, the backlit icons are viewable at an exterior portion of the vehicle, and each sensor of the plurality of sensors has a respective field of sensing associated with a respective icon of the plurality of icons. Responsive to sensing by one of the sensors of proximity or movement of a user in the field of sensing of that sensor, a controller generates an output to control the vehicle function that is represented by the respective backlit icon associated with that sensor.

Abstract: A vehicular ground illumination light module includes at least one light emitting diode and a freeform optic disposed in front of the emitting diode. The vehicular ground illumination light module, when disposed at a side of a vehicle, and when the light emitting diode is electrically powered so as to emit light through the freeform optic, illuminates a ground region at that side of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region includes an illuminated side ground region at least partially along the side of the vehicle and an illuminated rearward ground region rearward of a rearmost portion of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region is at least in part within the fields of view of a sideward-viewing side camera and a rearward-viewing rear backup camera disposed at the vehicle. A portion of the illuminated side ground region is illuminated with a luminance of at least 10 lux.

Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head and a mounting base configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle. The mirror head includes a mirror casing and a reflective element. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a turn signal indicator. The turn signal indicator, with the mounting base of the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the side of the vehicle, and responsive to actuation by a driver of the vehicle of a turn signal of the vehicle, projects a turn signal icon onto the ground proximate the side of the vehicle. The turn signal indicator may be disposed at a lower region of the mirror casing and may intermittently project a direction-indicating icon or shape onto the ground, with the direction-indicating shape indicating a direction away from the side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly includes a base portion configured to mount at a handle region of a vehicle door of a vehicle, a handle portion movable relative to the base portion, and an illumination module disposed in the handle portion. The illumination module includes a housing and an electronic circuit assembly having a light emitting diode (LED) and a circuit board with a user actuatable input disposed at a side thereof. The illumination module includes a light pipe in the housing and at least partially along the handle portion and having a light receiving end at the LED. The LED is actuated responsive at least in part to actuation by the user of the user actuatable input. Light emitted by the LED, when actuated, is received at the light receiving end of the light pipe, whereby the light pipe provides illumination at least partially along the handle portion.

Abstract: An illumination system for a vehicular tailgate includes a tailgate bracket at the tailgate of the vehicle, an illumination device pivotally mounted at the tailgate bracket, and a weighted arm pivotally mounted at the tailgate bracket. The weighted arm has a pivot end and a weighted end opposite the pivot end. Pivotal movement of the weighted arm about the pivot end imparts pivotal movement of the illumination device. As the tailgate of the vehicle pivots between its raised position and its lowered position, the weighted arm imparts pivotal movement of the illumination device due to gravitational force at the weighted end of the weighted arm, such that light emitted by the illumination device illuminates the same ground region. The illumination device may project an icon and part of a light-transmitting element through which the emitted light passes may magnify the projected icon when the tailgate is in the lowered position.

Abstract: An exterior door handle assembly for a vehicle door includes a base portion disposed at a door handle region and a handle portion including a base end, a swing end, and a grasping portion disposed between the base end and the swing end. A connector has a first end pivotally connected to the base end of the handle portion and a second end movably coupled with the swing end of the handle portion. The first and second ends of the connector are pivotally attached at respective connecting links that are pivotally attached at the base portion. An actuator operates to engage a portion of a first connecting link to impart pivotal movement of the first connecting link to move the handle portion between a recessed position and a deployed position. When the handle portion is deployed, the handle portion is manually movable to actuate or release a door latch.

Abstract: A vehicle function control system includes a sensing and projecting module disposed at an exterior portion of the vehicle and having an illumination source operable to project a plurality of icons onto a ground area at or near the vehicle or an exterior surface of the vehicle, with each of the projected icons being representative of a respective vehicle function. The module includes a sensing device operable to sense the presence of a user at or near one of the projected icons and, responsive to the sensing of the presence of the user, the system determines which of the projected icons is being selected by the user. A control is responsive to an output of the sensing device and, responsive to determination of the user at or near a selected particular projected icon, the control controls a function of the vehicle associated with the selected particular projected icon.

Abstract: A door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes a handle portion pivotally mounted at the handle region of the vehicle door. The handle portion is disposed at a pocket region of the handle region. A pocket lighting module includes at least one light emitting diode operable to emit light to illuminate the pocket region. The pocket lighting module is operable to emit different colors of light responsive to different triggers.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head and a light module disposed at a mirror casing. A blind zone indicator light emitting diode and a turn signal indicator light emitting diode are disposed at a single circuit board and are operable to emit light for a blind zone indicator and a turn signal indicator, respectively. The blind zone indicator and the turn signal indicator are disposed along a forward and sideward portion of the mirror casing, where the turn signal indicator is viewable and the blind zone indicator is not viewable along the forward and sideward portion of the mirror casing. When the blind zone indicator light emitting diode is operated and when the exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached at the side of the vehicle, the blind zone alert is viewable by the driver of the vehicle outboard of the mirror reflective element.

Abstract: An illumination module for a vehicle includes first, second and third LEDs, and first, second and third masks aligned in with respective ones of the first, second and third LEDs. Light emitted by the first LED that passes through the first mask is a first color and light emitted by the second LED that passes through the second mask is a second color and light emitted by the third LED that passes through the third mask is a third color. When the LEDs are electrically powered to emit light, light emitted by the LEDs passes through the respective masks to project first, second and third projected images at a ground area adjacent the vehicle, each projected image having the respective color. The projected images overlap at the ground area and, combined, establish a multi-color logo or indicia at the ground area adjacent the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly includes a base portion configured to mount at a handle region of a vehicle door of a vehicle, a handle portion movable relative to the base portion, and an illumination module disposed in the handle portion. The illumination module includes a housing and an electronic circuit assembly having a light emitting diode (LED) and a circuit board with a user actuatable input disposed at a side thereof. The illumination module includes a light pipe in the housing and at least partially along the handle portion and having a light receiving end at the LED. The LED is actuated responsive at least in part to actuation by the user of the user actuatable input. Light emitted by the LED, when actuated, is received at the light receiving end of the light pipe, whereby the light pipe provides illumination at least partially along the handle portion.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly having a mounting portion mountable at a side of a vehicle and a mirror head portion pivotally adjustable relative to the mounting portion. The mirror assembly includes an actuator operable to impart pivotal movement of the mirror head portion relative to the mounting portion to adjust the mirror head portion relative to the side of the vehicle at which the mounting portion is mounted. The actuator includes a first motor and a second motor that are operable in tandem to cooperatively rotatably drive a gear to cause the mirror head portion to pivot relative to the mounting portion. Operation of the first motor is synchronized with operation of the second motor.

Abstract: A method for unlocking a door for an authorized user of a vehicle via a door unlocking system of the vehicle includes providing a control at the vehicle, providing a near field communication device at the vehicle, and wirelessly communicating, via the near field communication device of the vehicle, with a near field communication-enabled smartphone when the smartphone is within a threshold distance from the vehicle. Responsive to the near field communication device of the vehicle communicating with the smartphone, it is determined whether or not the smartphone is an authorized device. The smartphone is authenticated as an authorized device for communication with the near field communication device of the equipped vehicle. Responsive to the smartphone being authenticated as an authorized device, the locking mechanism is actuated, at least in part via the control, to unlock the vehicle door for the user of the authorized device.

Abstract: A door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes a handle portion pivotally mounted at the handle region of the vehicle door. The handle portion is disposed at a pocket region of the handle region. A pocket lighting module includes at least one light emitting diode operable to emit light to illuminate the pocket region. The pocket lighting module is operable to emit different colors of light responsive to different triggers.

Abstract: An illuminated dental mirror includes an elongated body that has a handle portion and a tip portion. A light source is disposed within the elongated body and is operable to emit light longitudinally along the elongated body to a deflector disposed at an interior chamber of the tip portion. The deflector is configured to redirect light laterally out of the tip portion of the elongated body. A disposable mirror head is removably attached over the tip portion. The mirror head includes a base portion and a mirror portion. The base portion of the mirror head has a translucent material configured to transmit the light redirected by the deflector to a desired area outside the mirror head. The mirror portion that extends at an angle from the base portion and comprises a mirror that is configured for a user to view the desired area illuminated by the light source.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for mounting at an exterior portion of a vehicle includes a mounting arm configured for attachment at the vehicle, a mirror head disposed at an end of the mounting arm and movable relative to the mounting arm, and an electrically operated actuator operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting arm. The mirror head includes a mirror reflective element that, when the actuator is electrically operated, moves in tandem with the mirror head. The actuator, with the mounting arm attached at the exterior portion of the vehicle, and when the actuator is electrically operated, moves the mirror head relative to the mounting arm to vertically and horizontally adjust a rearward field of view of a driver of the vehicle who is viewing the mirror reflective element.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for mounting at an exterior portion of a vehicle includes a mounting arm configured for attachment at the vehicle, a mirror head disposed at an outboard end of the mounting arm and movable relative to the mounting arm, and an actuator operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting arm. The mirror head includes a mirror casing and a frameless mirror reflective element fixedly attached at the mirror casing, with no part of the mirror casing disposed over the front surface of the mirror reflective element. The actuator is operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting arm to vertically and horizontally adjust a rearward field of view of the driver of the vehicle who is viewing the mirror reflective element with the exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at the vehicle.