Abstract: A flexible, sheet-like, multi-layered lighting assembly for applying to a surface. The lighting assembly includes an on-board power source for powering the lighting assembly. The lighting assembly includes a sheet-like electroluminescent light source that is activated by power from the power source, and when activated, emits light. The power source may include a flexible thin sheet-like battery, a wireless power receiver, or a combination thereof. The wireless power receiver may receive power from a power signal generated by a wireless power transmitter; and may operate to directly power the electroluminescent light source, or may recharge the battery. The lighting assembly includes outer and inner polymer layers for protecting the other layers of the lighting assembly, and an adhesive layer on the inner polymer layer for adhering the lighting assembly to a surface.

Abstract: A system including a light source that provides visual indications to a user of a reserved multiple-passenger vehicle. The light source operates when the user comes within a predetermined distance from the vehicle to thereby identify the vehicle as the one that was reserved by the user. The light source emits light that also specifies a predetermined seat, from among the plurality of seats, to be occupied by the user; specifies a predetermined door from among a plurality of doors by which the user should enter the vehicle to reach the predetermined seat; and specifies a predetermined path, among a plurality of paths by which the user is to travel from the exterior of the vehicle or from the predetermined door, to the predetermined seat.

Abstract: A flexible, sheet-like, multi-layered lighting assembly for applying to a surface. The lighting assembly includes an on-board power source for powering the lighting assembly. The lighting assembly includes a sheet-like electroluminescent light source that is activated by power from the power source, and when activated, emits light. The power source may include a flexible thin sheet-like battery, a wireless power receiver, or a combination thereof. The wireless power receiver may receive power from a power signal generated by a wireless power transmitter; and may operate to directly power the electroluminescent light source, or may recharge the battery. The lighting assembly includes outer and inner polymer layers for protecting the other layers of the lighting assembly, and an adhesive layer on the inner polymer layer for adhering the lighting assembly to a surface.

Abstract: An illuminable vehicle component and a method for illuminating a vehicle component includes a vehicle component including an A-surface, a photoluminescent or electroluminescent light source covering the A-surface, a pigmented layer coving the photoluminescent or electroluminescent light source, and an optional optically clear top coat covering the pigmented layer. When the photoluminescent or electroluminescent light source is not activated and is not emitting light, the pigmented layer has an opaque appearance. When the photoluminescent or electroluminescent light source is activated to emit light, light emitted from the photoluminescent or electroluminescent light source is transmitted through the pigmented layer and the optional optically clear top coat such that the illuminable vehicle component has an illuminated appearance and the component is illuminated.

Abstract: A vehicle head up display system includes a transparent window assembly and an ultraviolet or infrared light source. The light source is used to irradiate transparent photovoltaic converters in the window assembly so that the photovoltaic converters produce an electric current. The electric current is transmitted to electrochromic pixels in the window assembly and actuates the electrochromic pixels in the window assembly to switch between having a transparent appearance and having an opaque appearance. Visual contrast between transparent pixels and opaque pixels provide indicia on the window assembly. The indicia can be removed from the window assembly by actuating the opaque pixels to have the transparent appearance by a subsequent application of electric current exceeding the threshold voltage. An electronic control unit can be including in the system for controlling operation of the light source.

Abstract: An electroluminescent light source included as a sheet-like structure as part of headliner in a vehicle. The electroluminescent light source is arranged under an outer layer of fabric, as well as under a layer of foam and a layer of nonwoven textile material. The electroluminescent light source lacks a dedicated housing for containing the electroluminescent light source, which allows for the headliner to maintain a flat and uniform surface that is undisturbed by the inclusion of the electroluminescent light source. When the electroluminescent light source is activated, the emitted light has sufficient brightness to shine through the various layers of the headliner to illuminate the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electroluminescent light source included as a sheet-like structure as part of headliner in a vehicle. The electroluminescent light source is arranged under an outer layer of fabric, as well as under a layer of foam and a layer of nonwoven textile material. The electroluminescent light source lacks a dedicated housing for containing the electroluminescent light source, which allows for the headliner to maintain a flat and uniform surface that is undisturbed by the inclusion of the electroluminescent light source. When the electroluminescent light source is activated, the emitted light has sufficient brightness to shine through the various layers of the headliner to illuminate the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electroluminescent assembly for a vehicle storage compartment and a method for installing the same on a vehicle storage compartment includes a transparent panel and a door, each at least partially defining the storage compartment. Light emitted by the electroluminescent assembly illuminates the interior of the storage compartment, and is also transmitted through the transparent panel to thereby illuminate a portion of the vehicle that is at an exterior of the storage compartment.

Abstract: An electroluminescent assembly on a vehicle A-pillar and a method for installing the same on a vehicle A-pillar includes a panel positioned over an interior surface of the A-pillar, the panel including a plurality of facets extending along a length of the panel. The electroluminescent assembly covers the three facets. The portion of the electroluminescent assembly that covers a middle facet provides real-time visual indicators to an occupant of the vehicle based on signals derived from a vehicle electronic system. The portion of the electroluminescent assembly that covers the other two facets provide illumination to an interior and exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: An illuminable vehicle component and a method for illuminating a vehicle component includes a vehicle component including an A-surface, a photoluminescent or electroluminescent light source covering the A-surface, a pigmented layer coving the photoluminescent or electroluminescent light source, and an optional optically clear top coat covering the pigmented layer. When the photoluminescent or electroluminescent light source is not activated and is not emitting light, the pigmented layer has an opaque appearance. When the photoluminescent or electroluminescent light source is activated to emit light, light emitted from the photoluminescent or electroluminescent light source is transmitted through the pigmented layer and the optional optically clear top coat such that the illuminable vehicle component has an illuminated appearance and the component is illuminated.

Abstract: An electroluminescent assembly for a vehicle storage compartment and a method for installing the same on a vehicle storage compartment includes a transparent panel and a door, each at least partially defining the storage compartment. Light emitted by the electroluminescent assembly illuminates the interior of the storage compartment, and is also transmitted through the transparent panel to thereby illuminate a portion of the vehicle that is at an exterior of the storage compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle head up display system includes a transparent window assembly and an ultraviolet or infrared light source. The light source is used to irradiate transparent photovoltaic converters in the window assembly so that the photovoltaic converters produce an electric current. The electric current is transmitted to electrochromic pixels in the window assembly and actuates the electrochromic pixels in the window assembly to switch between having a transparent appearance and having an opaque appearance. Visual contrast between transparent pixels and opaque pixels provide indicia on the window assembly. The indicia can be removed from the window assembly by actuating the opaque pixels to have the transparent appearance by a subsequent application of electric current exceeding the threshold voltage. An electronic control unit can be including in the system for controlling operation of the light source.

Abstract: An electroluminescent vehicle emblem and a method for illuminating a vehicle emblem includes a base layer, a cover layer, and an electroluminescent light source, which can be one or two electroluminescent assemblies. When the electroluminescent light source is not activated, the cover layer has an opaque appearance. When the electroluminescent light source is activated, light emitted from the electroluminescent light source is transmitted through the cover layer and emitted from a front of the vehicle emblem. Light is also emitted from a back of the vehicle emblem that is opposite from the front of the vehicle emblem to provide back lighting to the vehicle emblem.

Abstract: An electroluminescent assembly for a vehicle storage compartment and a method for installing the same on a vehicle storage compartment includes a transparent panel and a door, each at least partially defining the storage compartment. Light emitted by the electroluminescent assembly illuminates the interior of the storage compartment, and is also transmitted through the transparent panel to thereby illuminate a portion of the vehicle that is at an exterior of the storage compartment.

Abstract: A luminescent feature on a vehicle and a method for installing the same on a vehicle includes a transparent window panel positioned on the vehicle, a conductive material extending along at least a portion of a perimeter of the window panel and at least one electroluminescent pigment strip. The window panel has an interior surface and an exterior surface. Each at least one electroluminescent pigment strip has a first end portion in electrical contact with the conductive material at a first location along the perimeter of the window panel and a second end portion in electrical contact with the conductive material at a second location on the perimeter of the window panel that is spaced apart from the first location.

Abstract: An electroluminescent assembly on a vehicle A-pillar and a method for installing the same on a vehicle A-pillar includes a panel positioned over an interior surface of the A-pillar, the panel including a plurality of facets extending along a length of the panel. The electroluminescent assembly covers the three facets. The portion of the electroluminescent assembly that covers a middle facet provides real-time visual indicators to an occupant of the vehicle based on signals derived from a vehicle electronic system. The portion of the electroluminescent assembly that covers the other two facets provide illumination to an interior and exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electroluminescent assembly for a vehicle storage compartment and a method for installing the same on a vehicle storage compartment includes a transparent panel and a door, each at least partially defining the storage compartment. Light emitted by the electroluminescent assembly illuminates the interior of the storage compartment, and is also transmitted through the transparent panel to thereby illuminate a portion of the vehicle that is at an exterior of the storage compartment.

Abstract: An electroluminescent vehicle emblem and a method for illuminating a vehicle emblem includes a base layer, a cover layer, and an electroluminescent light source, which can be one or two electroluminescent assemblies. When the electroluminescent light source is not activated, the cover layer has an opaque appearance. When the electroluminescent light source is activated, light emitted from the electroluminescent light source is transmitted through the cover layer and emitted from a front of the vehicle emblem. Light is also emitted from a back of the vehicle emblem that is opposite from the front of the vehicle emblem to provide back lighting to the vehicle emblem.

Abstract: A luminescent feature on a vehicle and a method for installing the same on a vehicle includes a transparent window panel positioned on the vehicle, a conductive material extending along at least a portion of a perimeter of the window panel and at least one electroluminescent pigment strip. The window panel has an interior surface and an exterior surface. Each at least one electroluminescent pigment strip has a first end portion in electrical contact with the conductive material at a first location along the perimeter of the window panel and a second end portion in electrical contact with the conductive material at a second location on the perimeter of the window panel that is spaced apart from the first location.