Abstract: A method of operating an automotive vehicle headlight system switchable between a high-beam state and a low-beam state. The system operates in an automatic mode in which switching between the states is directed based upon signals from a sensor for detecting traffic conditions. The sensor may be a light sensor for detecting the headlights of oncoming vehicles. The vehicle driver may switch the system away from the automatically-determined state to an operator-selected state, and when this occurs the system operates in a manual mode in which switching is not based upon the sensor signals. The system returns to the automatic mode when the automatically-determined state matches the manually-selected state. The system may also return to the automatic mode if there are no further manual actuations by the driver during a selected time interval.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system that provides a modular arrangement for power and signal distribution in a motor vehicle includes a power distribution circuit board connected to a power supply and to at least one electrical load, switch and control circuit boards electrically connected with the power distribution board via fuses or circuit breakers, and signal distribution devices mounted on the switch and control boards for transmitting control signals between the switch and control boards. The power distribution board includes switching devices for electrically coupling the power supply to the electrical load, the control board has a processor for controlling the operation of the switching devices based on signals received via an external connector.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system in which power distribution and signal distribution functions for a motor vehicle are combined within a single casing, which can be assembled before installation in the vehicle. The casing houses a power distribution board, a signal distribution board, and at least two cards (a switch card and a control card) electrically coupled between the power and signal distribution boards. The power distribution board includes a pair of connectors aligned with suitable openings in the casing for electrically coupling to the battery and electrical loads, and the signal distribution board includes a connector aligned with a suitable opening in the casing for electrically coupling to remote circuits which send and receive electrical signals. The control card carries control circuitry, and the switch card carries switches that are electrically activated by the control circuitry of the control card to the battery to selected electrical loads.