Abstract: An interior lighting system for an automotive vehicle include a first light in a first zone a second light in a second zone, and a controller illuminating the lights in a sequence including a first welcome stage, a second welcome stage, and ambient stage, and a farewell stage. The stages are defined by an operating cycle of the vehicle as determined by conditions such as vehicle entry system status, door open/closed status, and ignition status. The colors and intensities of the lights varies throughout the stages to provide both adequate task illumination and attractive lighting to provide sophisticated vehicle interior illumination that is well harmonized with the various Stages of occupant ingress and egress.

Abstract: A first LED emits visible light of an emission color such that with respect to a CIE(1976)L*u*v* color space chromaticity diagram, the chromaticity is exterior to a prescribed white light region wherein the absolute value of a deviation duv from the blackbody radiation locus is at most 0.02 and the color temperature is within a range of from 2,500K to 10,000K, and the deviation duv from the blackbody radiation locus is larger than 0.02, and a second LED emits visible light of an emission color such that with respect to the above chromaticity diagram, the chromaticity is exterior to the prescribed white light region, and the deviation duv from the blackbody radiation locus is smaller than ?0.02.

Abstract: A light source turn-on/off controller includes an input section of a turn-on/off timing signal, a PWM signal generating section for generating a pulse signal responding to a rise or a fall of the timing signal, a duty cycle of the pulse signal changing so as to simulate a rise or a fall of emission in turn-on or turn-off of a filament, an emission control section for controlling an emitting section responding to the pulse signal from the PWM signal generating section, and a storage section for storing a control data table for duty cycle control by the PWM signal generating section. The control data table includes a rise table to be referred to in the rise of emission and a fall table to be referred to in the fall of emission, and each of the rise table and the fall table indicates association between elapsed time from the rise or the fall of the timing signal and the duty cycle of the pulse signal, and a relationship between the tables indicates that they cannot be superposed on each other.

Abstract: An anti-collision aircraft light comprises at least one LED and a control unit for operating the at least one LED in a pulsed manner. In this anti-collision aircraft light, the control unit comprises an ambient temperature sensor for sensing the ambient temperature and an adjustable current control for setting an LED operating current depending on the sensed ambient temperature. The control unit further includes a light intensity sensor for sensing the intensity of the light emitted from the at least one LED, an integrator connected to the light sensor for integrating the sensed light intensity, and a comparator for comparing the integrated light intensity to a threshold value. The operating current for the at least one LED is interrupted as soon as the integrated light intensity is equal to the threshold value.

Abstract: Vehicle indicator lights, such as run-brake lights and/or side running lights, are converted to run-turn-brake indicator lights. A run-turn-brake converter is connected to vehicle-supplied run, brake, left turn, and right turn signal leads, the run-turn-brake converter producing left and right run-turn-brake signals. Existing vehicle wiring is reconfigured by disconnecting a first lead wire from the low-intensity input of a first three-terminal brake-run light socket, disconnecting a second lead wire from the low-intensity input terminal of a second three-terminal brake-run light socket, disconnecting a third lead wire from the high-intensity input terminal of the second three-terminal brake-run light socket, and connecting the second lead wire to the high-intensity input terminal of the second three-terminal brake-run light socket. The left and right run-turn-brake signals are connected to the sockets via the second lead wire and via a fourth lead wire, respectively.

Abstract: An illumination controlling device for a vehicle includes a controlling portion to change a luminance phase of a meter based on operation of an operating portion and to maintain a luminance phase of a lighting while the lighting is extinguished. The controlling portion changes the luminance phase of the meter based on the operation of the operating portion and changes the luminance phase of the lighting to correspond to the luminance phase of the meter if the operating portion is operated in a state that the luminance phase is different between the meter and the lighting while the lighting is illuminated.

Abstract: A bi-color license plate frame, for surrounding a license plate of a vehicle, comprises a rectangular body comprising an aperture that is adapted to show a license plate, and a wall defining a hollow frame space inside the wall, a plurality of light-emitting elements contained in the frame space, and a controller that is electrically connected to the light-emitting elements and that controls the light intensity of the light-emitting elements according to the braking status of the vehicle. The wall of the rectangular body is translucent to the light of the light-emitting elements, and comprises a light diffusion layer, whereby surface illumination is provided when the light-emitting elements are turned on. Bi-color may include metal look and color emitted by the light-emitting elements, or red or black color of the light-diffusion layer and color emitted by the light-emitting elements.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp include san LED package as a light source. The LED package includes a first series element section having a plurality of LED elements connected in series with each other, a second series element section having at least one LED element, the number of which is smaller than the number of LED elements of the firs series element section, a first anode electrode provided on an anode side of the first series element section, a first cathode electrode provided on a cathode side of the first series element section, a second anode electrode provided on an anode side of the second series element section, and a second cathode electrode provided on a cathode side of the second series element section.

Abstract: A motor vehicle light providing easily identifiable and interpretable signals for other road users includes in its interior a light guide which is configured to receive at least a part of a light from a light source, distributes the received light along a light exit face and scatters the distributed light toward the light exit face. The light source is composed of light-emitting diodes which are switched on sequentially and/or which are first supplied with different electrical power levels, whereafter their brightness is matched by controlling the power levels. When the motor vehicle light is switched on, the increase in brightness then appears to be continuous to an observer.

Abstract: A lighting device of a vehicle is provided. The lighting device comprises a light fitting, which comprises a first and a second light source with different color locations. Furthermore, the lighting device has a first sensing module, which senses the actual value of the color location of the light fitting. In addition, the lighting device comprises a set value generator module which presets a set value for the color location of the light fitting, and a control module which reduces the difference between set value and actual value by means of an actuator module. Here, the set value of the color location of the light fitting is dependent on a driving situation of the vehicle or a personalized driving setting.

Abstract: A circuit for actuating a lighting module, comprising at least two semiconductor light-emitting elements (D1, D2) which are connected in series in a first operating mode; wherein, in the event of a predetermined threshold value for an operating voltage (101) being undershot, a second operating mode is detectable (102); and wherein, in the second operating mode, the at least two semiconductor light-emitting elements (D1, D2) are alternately actuable

Abstract: Lighting elements composed of thermoplastic molding compositions comprising A) from 10 to 99.9% by weight of at least one thermoplastic polyester, B) from 0.1 to 50% by weight of at least one terpolymer, obtainable from b1) at least one vinylaromatic monomer, b2) at least one C1-C4-alkyl (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylonitrile, and b3) from 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the components b1) to b3), of at least one monomer which comprises an ?,?-unsaturated anhydride, and C) from 0 to 60% by weight of other additives, where the total of the percentages by weight of components A) to C) is 100%.

Abstract: A rail vehicle emergency lighting system for a rail vehicle includes a main lighting system with light emitting diodes. When a main lighting power supply is active, the light emitting diodes of the main lighting system are lit with a main lighting intensity. When the main lighting power supply fails, the light emitting diodes of the main lighting system are lit with an emergency lighting intensity. The emergency lighting intensity is reduced compared to the main lighting intensity.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting control system and method are provided. The vehicle lighting control system includes a light module with light carrier positions for receipt of individual light sources. A lighting controller coupled with the light module is configured to identify a light source type associated with the individual light sources occupying light carrier positions of the light module. A power source coupled with the lighting controller provides power to the individual light sources in accordance with the type of light source identified. The individual light sources are removable from the light module and may be replaced by other light sources of a different type. The lighting controller is adapted to be reconfigured such that the different type of light source associated with the other light sources is identified and power is provided to the other light sources in accordance with the different light source type identified.

Abstract: A discharge lamp unit constitutes circuit components including self-heating components that radiate the heat, i.e., a circuit board and a DC/DC transformer, and a heat radiation member. The heat radiation member made of metal is arranged in a portion between the self-heating components and the other components, so as to cover at least a portion of the self-heating component. In the discharge lamp unit, the heat produced by the self-heating components can be absorbed by the heat radiation member before the conducting heat reaches the circuit components other than the self-heat components. As a result, the heat produced by the self-heating components can be effectively radiated away.

Abstract: A speed change control system for industrial vehicle, includes: a speed ratio detecting unit that detects a speed ratio of speeds of an input shaft and of an output shaft of a torque converter; speed changer for operating based on the torque converter speed ratio that shifts up or down a speed stage of a transmission in response to the detected speed ratio; a braking detection unit that detects an operation of a braking device for traveling; and a downshift limit unit that permits a downshift to a 1st speed by the speed changer when a non-operation of the braking device is detected by the braking detection unit and limits a lowest speed stage upon downshift by the speed changer to a 2nd speed when an operation of the braking device is detected.

Abstract: An organic EL lighting device for a vehicle is provided, which includes an organic EL lighting portion provided in a matrix form on a ceiling of the vehicle, an organic EL touch portion provided on the organic EL lighting portion, an organic EL detection portion for detecting a position in which the organic EL touch portion is touched, an organic EL determination portion for determining a lighting area of the organic EL lighting portion based on the position detected by the organic EL detection portion, and an organic EL driving portion for lighting the lighting area of the organic EL lighting portion determined by the organic EL determination portion.

Abstract: A method for controlling an aircraft having a plurality of LEDs, light so as to emit a desired light intensity includes the steps of providing a reference LED located within or outside of the aircraft light, providing thermal conditions resulting in a thermal stress for the reference LED similar to the maximum thermal stress, and observing the reference LED by means of an optical sensor for monitoring the optical aging behavior of the reference LED throughout its lifetime. The desired light intensity of the aircraft light is achieved by controlling the plurality of LEDs in accordance with the monitored aging behavior of the reference LED.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrical module and a method for illuminating a HID lamp on a vehicle, and in particular an off-road recreational vehicle. The electrical module and the method involve a capacitor and a voltage delay mechanism. The capacitor may be charged during the operation of the vehicle or when the operator wishes to illuminate the HID lamp. The voltage delay mechanism comprises a charge-actuated switch and a breakdown voltage means for preventing the supply of current to the HID lamp until the capacitor is charged to a voltage sufficient to illuminate the HID lamp. The voltage delay mechanism also comprises a power-actuated latch relay for maintaining the charge-actuated switch in a position that bypasses the breakdown voltage device, so that the HID lamp remains illuminated even after the voltage has decreased to the operating requirements of the HID lamp.

Abstract: A rail cap assembly comprises a rail cap having a first and second opposed ends separated by a length, wherein the rail cap has a top and first and second sidewalls that together form an inner surface extending from the first end to the second end. Openings are spaced along the length of the rail cap. A lighting system is at least partially disposed within the inner surface and comprising a plurality of lighting elements. Each lighting element is secured within a respective opening. The lighting elements are electrically interconnected through connective wiring. The rail cap assembly may be installed one at least one bedrail of a pickup truck.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a control and an imager having a lens and a CMOS photosensor array. The imager is disposed at an interior portion of a vehicle and views exterior of the vehicle through a windshield of the vehicle and forward of the vehicle. The control includes an image processor for processing image data captured by the photosensor array. The image processor processes captured image data to detect an object viewed by said imager. The photosensor array may be operable at a plurality of exposure periods that include a first exposure period and a second exposure period, with the time period of exposure of the first exposure period being longer than the time period of exposure of the second exposure period. The imager may be disposed in a module attached at the windshield of the vehicle.

Abstract: A power supply route for a light source includes a first route that closes when a microcomputer is operated and a second route that opens when the microcomputer is operated. When the microcomputer stops operating, the power supply route of the light source is automatically switched from the first route to the second route. When the microcomputer is operated and a position lamp switch is turned on, current is supplied to the light source through the first route. When the microcomputer stops operating and the position lamp switch is turned on, current is supplied to the light source through the second route.

Abstract: A headlamp in an automobile, which is rotatable about a yaw axis when negotiating a bend, has a controller for controlling the rotary movement. In order to improve the illumination of a roadway lying in front of an automobile, the controller may take into account a driving profile.

Abstract: A transit vehicle lighting system has a plurality of LED-based lighting fixtures for providing interior illumination. A control network comprises a plurality of slave nodes for controlling the LED-based lighting fixtures, and a master node for controlling the slave nodes. The master node may be connected to the slave nodes by a combined power/communication bus in a daisy chain fashion. The slave node may include a power regulator and a controller for providing a target current command to the power regulator, and may adjust the target current based upon temperature measurements or a recorded age of the LEDs. An optical sensor may provide automatic dimming. A reduced number of LEDs may be used in an emergency mode. The lighting fixture may include a ceiling panel fixture and a riser panel attachable by way of a hinge mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a towed vehicle electrical connector that operably routes onboard battery power within the vehicle to exterior lighting when disconnected from a towing vehicle and when ambient light conditions drop below a given threshold. The device comprises an electrical module connectable to a trailer lead vehicle electrical connector, wherein the module includes an electrical circuit to route onboard battery power into a relay and through the exterior lights and to ground. The relay is controlled by a light sensitive switch, which monitors ambient light and allows the battery to energize the trailer exterior lights. The device provides a trailer user with a twilight lighting system, which illuminates an area about the vehicle for increased security and low light visibility.

Abstract: A power on-demand steering angle sensor coupled to a steering wheel and a controller comprising a switch, coupled to the sensor and the controller. The switch is activated upon motion of the steering wheel or steering shaft. The switch, when closed, connects a power supply, such as a vehicle battery, to the sensor and the controller so that a new steering angle may be sensed and stored. After a predetermined period of time, the controller sends a signal to open the switch and disconnect the power supply.

Abstract: An instrument arrangement for a motor vehicle is provided. The instrument arrangement has an instrument, an instrument lighting for lighting the instrument, and an on-board computer. The on-board computer is configured to make available a settings menu, in which the brightness of the instrument lighting can be set, and at least one further different menu, in which another function can be set.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a light dimming module is disclosed. The light dimming module has a dimming engine coupled to a digital input interface and an output interface. The dimming engine is configured to provide a N-segment piecewise linear exponential digital control signal, and the output interface is configured to control the intensity of a light source.

Abstract: If a state to be informed occurs during an on-state of an ignition switch of a vehicle, a first and a second switching transistor are turned on by a control signal of a signal line, and an indicator lamp is lighted by power from a meter power supply. In addition, a third and a fourth switching transistor are turned on by a sub control signal of the signal line during an off-state of the ignition switch, and the indicator lamp is lighted by power from a continuous power supply.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided that has a passenger compartment, a hatchback, which is mounted so it is pivotable on the passenger compartment, external lighting having taillights, which are fastened on the hatchback, and additional taillights, which are concealed when the hatchback is closed and are visible from outside the motor vehicle when the hatchback is open.

Abstract: To provide both a photodetecting element and a photodetecting device which can prevent generating of a plurality of current paths, and can detect with stability and high sensitivity regardless of a surface state instability of an optical absorption layer. The photodetecting element includes an optically transparent substrate, an optical absorption layer, an electrode, an electrode, an adhesive layer, an insulating film, and a package. The optical absorption layer is formed on the optically transparent substrate, and a part of each the electrodes is embedded in the optical absorption layer. The photodetecting unit is bonded junction down with the adhesive layer on the package. The optical absorption layer absorbs light of a specified wavelength selectively to be converted into an electric signal. The light to be measured is irradiated from a back side surface of the optically transparent substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control (7) of the lighting of an elevator car (3) as well as to a method for controlling the lighting of an elevator car. The lighting of an elevator car according to the invention is controlled at least partly on the basis of information about a change in the speed of the elevator car.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes: a light source; a lamp housing that accommodates the light source inside; and a power receiving section that is provided so as to be integral with the lamp housing and is configured to receive electric power wirelessly to supply the electric power to the light source. A power supply device that supplies electric power from a battery mounted on a vehicle to a lamp disposed in the vehicle includes a power transmission section that is provided in the vehicle and configured to transmit the electric power of the battery; and a power receiving section that is provided so as to be integral with the lamp and configured to receive the electric power from the power transmission section. The power transmission section and the power receiving section are disposed to be opposed to each other and electrically coupled by electromagnetic induction.

Abstract: An electrical control circuit for a lighting and/or signaling module handling at least two functions from one and the same network of light sources of LED type. The function selection is handled by one or more input signals on the monitoring unit. If a branch or section connected to a defective LED fails, the monitoring unit can either deactivate all the branches or sections, or keep the remaining branches or sections active, and do so according to the function that is present. One or more functions can thus be compared to the single-section type despite the presence of a number of sections when the monitoring unit is configured to deactivate all the sections if one of the sections fails.

Abstract: The present invention includes a light source 10 and a socket 11. The light source 10 includes a base plate 3, light emitting chips 41 to 44 for a semiconductor-type light source, resistors 51, 52, diodes 53, 54 and wiring 6. The socket 11 includes an insulating member 7, a radiating member 8 and feed members 91 to 93. The light source 10 is attached to the socket 11. The base plate 3 is attached to the radiating member 8. Such a structure of the present invention can be implemented in reduced size and with an enhanced heat radiation effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automotive turn signal lamp and a method for controlling the same, and more particularly, to an automotive turn signal lamp allowing other drivers or pedestrians to easily detect a change in the traveling direction of a vehicle or a turning direction of a vehicle at an intersection even where it is difficult to see the turn signal lamp, and a method for controlling the same. The automotive turn signal lamp includes a detection unit which detects a change in a traveling direction of a vehicle, and a control unit which operates a turn signal lamp to irradiate light of a road pattern indicating the traveling direction to be changed.

Abstract: A light source turn-on/off controller includes an input section of a turn-on/off timing signal, a PWM signal generating section for generating a pulse signal responding to a rise or a fall of the timing signal, a duty cycle of the pulse signal changing so as to simulate a rise or a fall of emission in turn-on or turn-off of a filament, an emission control section for controlling an emitting section responding to the pulse signal from the PWM signal generating section, and a storage section for storing a control data table for duty cycle control by the PWM signal generating section. The control data table includes a rise table to be referred to in the rise of emission and a fall table to be referred to in the fall of emission, and each of the rise table and the fall table indicates association between elapsed time from the rise or the fall of the timing signal and the duty cycle of the pulse signal, and a relationship between the tables indicates that they cannot be superposed on each other.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus (12) for use with a vehicle (10) includes a lighting system (14) and a controller (16). The lighting system (14) includes at least three light engines (18). The controller (16) is configured to simultaneously illuminate at least two of the light engines (18) while simultaneously not illuminating at least one of the light engines (18) upon activation of the illumination apparatus. The controller (16) is further configured to alternate which of the light engines (18) are not illuminated and which two of the light engines (18) are simultaneously illuminated such that at least two light engines (18) are simultaneously illuminated during the entire illumination sequence. As such, at least two light engines (18) are illuminated upon activation of the illumination apparatus (12).

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing adequate lighting and sighting for a bicycle are disclosed. A lighting system that includes an illumination ring configured to be coupled to a wheel is also disclosed. The illumination ring is configured to simultaneously project light forward and to the side of a front wheel and to project light rearward of and to the side of a rear wheel. The illumination ring may be mounted to or integrated with the bicycle wheel. Methods of controlling light sources on the illumination ring are also disclosed.

Abstract: An LED lighting system is provided for connection to a variable power source providing input power, the LED lighting system having at least one power analyzing and processing circuitry connecting to the variable power source, and being configured to identify one or more characteristics of the input power, where the characteristics are selected from amplitude, frequency and pulse width of the input power, compare one or more of the characteristics of the input power to preset control criteria either in hardware or software or both to yield a comparison result, and then control the current control circuitry according to the comparison result.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp lighting control device includes: a current control unit which is of a non-insulation type and supplies a supply current to a semiconductor light source; an abnormality detecting unit which detects abnormality of a positive-electrode-side output based on at least one of a power supply voltage or a supply voltage supplied to the semiconductor light source, and outputs signal indicating the abnormality; and a bypass unit which bypasses the supply current supplied from the current control unit in accordance with the signal indicating the abnormality.

Abstract: A light bar system for a vehicle compartment includes a circuit board having a plurality of capacitive-type, user-activated switches, an electrical power source coupled to the circuit board, a light emitting diode (LED) coupled to the circuit board, and a light bar affixed to the circuit board. The user-activated switches are coupled to a vehicle accessory to control the level of operation of the vehicle accessory. The most recently actuated one of the user-actuated switches is detected by the circuit board and the circuit board provides a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to the LED with a duty cycle of the PWM signal based on the most recently actuated switch. A higher duty cycle PWM signal corresponds to a higher setting of the accessory.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted load controller is characterized by including: a power terminal connected to a power line through a fuse; load connecting portions to which loads having vehicle-mounted light sources are connected; switches which are provided corresponding to the load connecting portions and which control states of power supply from the power line connected to the power terminal to the light sources connected to the load connecting portions; and a control unit which controls the switches in response to inputted control signals. The vehicle-mounted load controller is characterized in that the multiple load connecting portions to which the multiple light sources for different uses are respectively connected are electrically connected to the power terminal, and that each of the switches stops the supply of power from the power line to the light source connected to the corresponding load connecting portion when the magnitude of current flowing through the light source reaches or exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A vehicle signal light assembly includes: at least one color mixing light source; a support element configured to support the at least one color mixing light source on a vehicle as a signal light; and a controller configured to selectively drive each color mixing light source to generate light of a selected visually perceived color based on a received control signal. In some such embodiments, each color mixing light source of the vehicle signal light assembly comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of at least two constituent colors. In some such embodiments, the controller is configured to operate each color mixing light source of the vehicle signal light assembly using time domain multiplexing (TDM) to generate the light of the selected visually perceived color. In some such embodiments, the vehicle signal light assembly comprises a taillight assembly. In some of the embodiments, the vehicle light assembly comprises an ambient or auxiliary lighting, or a dashboard lighting assembly.

Abstract: An LED-based lighting unit for retrofitting a fluorescent light fixture in a transit vehicle has a concave frame or structure conforming to the shape of the fluorescent lighting fixture cavity, connector pins on either end of the frame for secure attachment to sockets of the fluorescent fixture, a plurality of LED modules for illuminating an area of a transit vehicle, a power adapter for receiving and converting an input power supply signal, and a diffusive lens cover. The frame may have rear fins or other features for facilitating dissipation of heat generated by the LEDs. A controller adjusts the intensity of the LEDs based on a reading from a temperature sensor and on a manual brightness setting. The change in light output may be accomplished by reducing a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated (PWM) waveform supplying the LEDs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to color generation in an indoor or outdoor lighting device, and more particularly to a control method which provides spatially consistent color control of a lighting device designed for use in, e.g., spatially extended premises or environments containing obstacles, and thus including multiple light sensors to allow efficient control. Color consistency is achieved by an arrangement where light of one or more of the light sources impinges on more than one light sensor. If constructional detector features, such as filter characteristics, coincide, then these sensors should in principle, after the appropriate processing, report identical color points of the light source under consideration. Indeed, color is a path-independent property of light, and this is the basis for a mutual calibration scheme of the detectors according to the invention.

Abstract: A vehicle dome and reading light assembly for a vehicle includes a lighting device assembled to the interior of the vehicle and capable of generating plural light colors. A first switch is actuatable to cause the lighting device to generate a first color light and a first light intensity to serve as a dome lamp. A second switch is actuatable to cause the lighting device to generate a second color light at a second light intensity to serve as a map or reading lamp.

Abstract: A method of improving visibility for a person viewing an environment through a window includes detecting a light condition in the environment and, in responses to nature of the detected light condition, activating an illumination system adjacent an edge of the window to direct light into the window. The light is of the proper intensity and a wavelength to improve visibility of the environment as viewed through the window. The light condition may be detected by an environmental sensor and the illumination system activated based on signals generated by the environmental sensor.

Abstract: A license plate assembly includes a frame receiving a conventional license plate and at least one blanking flash generator arranged to generate a blanking flash at the license plate in response to a monitoring flash from an external monitoring device. The monitoring device is designed to take an image of the license plate and the blanking flash is obscuring the license plate to prevent or interfere with the taking of the image.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting arrangement comprising a luminous device, a luminous device driver circuit, a sensor and a nonvolatile memory, wherein the luminous device driver circuit is designed to drive the luminous device during luminous device driving such that the luminous device emits light, wherein the sensor is designed to detect a sensor state of the luminous device, and wherein the vehicle lighting arrangement is designed to read in a sensor state of the luminous device detected by the sensor and to write the read-in sensor state to the nonvolatile memory.