Abstract: A panel includes at least one icon area (8), the area (8) being illuminated by a light source (10) placed under the ornament panel, the ornament panel (1) including a translucent skin (2) forming the outer surface (6) of the ornament panel and a substrate layer (4) placed against the skin (2), the substrate layer (4) including an opening (14) placed at least between the light source (10) and the icon area (8). A light-transmitting material (18) is placed in at least part of the opening (14), the material (18) being placed in a translucent substrate element (20) placed in the opening (14) between the material (18) and the light source (10).

Abstract: A transmission indicator apparatus for a vehicle, may include a light source disposed on an upper surface of a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and electrically configured in a circuit; a housing for housing the light source and the PCB therein; and a light guide sheet disposed at the front of the light source to deliver light of the light source to a character part therethrough, wherein the light source is integrated into the PCB.

Abstract: An ambient light control module and method of operating an ambient light control module selectively actuates light modules to provide a desired light color and intensity. The disclosed ambient light control module selectively actuates light modules that are controllable to provide desired colors. The light control module produces uniform signals across the several light modules such that each separate light module will emit the same color. The disclosed example light control module includes a microcontroller with a plurality of output channels including output compare channels and pulse width modulated channels. The output channels are matched to a common clock so that a uniform signal is emitted from any channel to provide the desired uniformity between lighting modules.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method provides a plurality of graphics. The method backlights the graphics by using reflected light and/or blocking direct light. The method also highlights one of the graphics by using direct light that overpowers the backlighting of the one of the graphics.

Abstract: A projection gear knob is assembled on an end portion of a car gear lever. A projection lamp, a projection film are accommodated and a transparent push-button is assembled in the gear knob, such that interesting, ornate, or beautiful projection film pattern is irradiated on inner top of the car. The projection lamp is freely switched by an outer light-transmissive push-button, so as to increase interest and beauty in the decoration of the car.

Abstract: A signal assembly mountable to an exterior of a vehicle is configured with a light-generating unit operable to emit a visually perceptible signal, and with a sound-generating unit operable to generate a sound signal. The light and sound generating units are coupled to one another to form a unitary assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination system for displays, especially in vehicles, comprising a base (3) on which at least a first light source (4) is provided to emit light, a cover (6), which is provided at a distance from the base (3) on the side of the base with the first light source (4) and has a visible side (9), at least one light guide (7), which is disposed in such a way that light emitted by the first light source (4) can be launched into the light guide and which extends through the cover (6) up to the visible side (9), whereby the light guide (7) and the cover (6) consist of two different materials and the light guide is formed integrally with the cover. The present invention also relates to a corresponding cover assembly, which is formed from the cover (6) as the cover element and the light guide (7).

Abstract: A light guide for a transmission shifter assembly includes a light member having a top light transmitting surface, and a reflective bottom surface. The light member also includes first and second ends, as well as first and second sides. At least one light emitting diode is integrally formed with the light member. The light emitting diode produces light for backlighting the transmission shifter assembly.

Abstract: A back up alarm system for a vehicle including a sensor for generating a vehicle motion status signal with a vehicle reverse gear engaged. The vehicle motion status signal includes a base electrical signal when the vehicle is stationary and the vehicle motion status signal includes a threshold electrical signal when the vehicle is moving in a reverse direction. A controller is operatively connected to the sensor and receives the vehicle motion status signal from the sensor. The controller activates a first alarm in response to the base electrical signal including at least one of an audible warning signal and a visual warning signal. In response to the threshold electrical signal, the controller activates a second alarm including at least one of an audible warning signal and a visual warning signal.

Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle has at least two light sources, a primary light source for general illuminating or marking purposes and a secondary light source, namely a plasma lamp, for creating exciting and appealing lighting effects.

Abstract: A vehicle accessory color-changing illumination assembly includes a control box, a plurality of vehicle accessories and a plurality of light sources. The control box is provided with a control button and a control circuit. Each of the vehicle accessories is assembled on a vehicle body and includes a transparent casing. The light sources are respectively mounted inside the vehicle accessories. The control circuit of the control box is electrically connected to control circuits of the light sources to control simultaneous color changes of the light sources. The vehicle accessories include a external right and left rearview mirrors, a liquid jet nozzle, a gear lever and a interior rearview mirror that simultaneously change their color under the control of the control box to increase warning performance and therefore driving safety. Additionally, it also improves the pleasure of driving.

Abstract: Illumination of a portion of a vehicle interior is provided by an interior rearview mirror assembly incorporating a solid-state light source comprising a light emitting diode (LED) which emits light generally downwardly from the assembly. In one form of the invention, the mirror case of the rearview mirror assembly includes at least one of an opening, a light conduit, and a fiberoptic element through which the LED emits light. In another form, the LED preferably has a luminous intensity of at least 500 mcd when operated at a forward current of 20 mA. The LED preferably has a dominant wavelength of at least about 530 nm. The light emitted by the LED may be selected from green, orange, yellow, amber, reddish-orange, red and blue. The vehicle interior portion may include at least one of a shift lever console and a floor console.

Abstract: A kit for retrofittedly illuminating transmission shifter knobs. The kit comprises a retrofit knob cavity cover to replace a preexisting knob cavity cover for a knob cavity of a knob body made by a particular entity connected to a transmission shifter. The retrofit cover has a lens aperture and a switch aperture. A lens has a transparent portion disposed within the lens aperture. An illuminating mean is positioned to be disposed within the knob cavity when the knob cavity cover is replaced by the retrofit knob cavity cover. A portion of the illuminating means extends within an illuminating well illuminating the lens when activated. A switching means having a portion extending into the switch aperture activates the illuminating mean. A battery receiving structure is positioned to be disposed within the knob cavity when the knob cavity cover is replaced by the retrofit knob cavity cover.

Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle has at least two light sources, a primary light source for general illuminating or marking purposes and a secondary light source, namely a plasma lamp, for creating exciting and appealing lighting effects.

Abstract: A lighting system (10) for displays, in particular in motor vehicles, comprises: a support (12), at least one first lighting device (14) for a spot-like illumination, which is mounted on the support (12), a planar second lighting device (16) which is arranged on the support (12) and has at least one cut-out (17) or one transparent area, in which or below which the at least one first lighting system (14) is placed, and a transparent cover (18), which is arranged spaced from the support (12) on the side of the support with the first and second lighting devices (14, 16), and which has at least one symbol (20) to be illuminated from behind by the first lighting device (14).

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system includes a sensor to detect a first set of conditions and a second set of conditions. The vehicle lighting system also includes a light emitting source. The light emitting source is operable to illuminate selectively between a first lighting characteristic and a second lighting characteristic. The light emitting source is adapted to be actuated at the first lighting characteristic in response to a first signal operatively generated by the sensor indicating the first set of conditions. The light emitting source is also adapted to be actuated at the second lighting characteristic in response to a second signal operatively generated by the sensor indicating the second set of conditions.

Abstract: A multi-spectral uniform light source provides a single light source for a variety of applications. The gas or gases inside the light source may be exchanged for another gas or gases depending on the desired application and need for a particular wavelength of emitted light.

Abstract: Illumination of a target location of a vehicle interior is provided by an interior rearview mirror assembly incorporating a solid-state light source which emits light generally downwardly from the assembly. The solid-state light source comprises a non-incandescent light source, preferably selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode, a fluorescent light source, an electroluminescent light source and a laser light. Also, the solid-state light source preferably operates at a forward current of less than about 100 mA and has a cross-sectional area less than about 4 square centimeters. The target location may include at least one of a shift lever console and a floor console.

Abstract: A display device for displaying transmission selected speeds and ratios is provided. In order to create a display device in which the space requirement for the display is reduced, it is proposed to use as the display elements the scale elements such as scale numbers or divisional lines of a display instrument. In preferred embodiments, the display instrument is a tachometer.

Abstract: A Illuminated Display for Transportation Equipment Shift assembly with super thin, flexible, colorful, Electro-luminescent Elements may selected from Organic type or Non-Organic type connected with circuit for predetermined light function to offer a illuminated display to driver for safety concern.

Abstract: A device for motor vehicles is proposed which comprises a pictograph which is disposed in an at least partially transparent device part, can be optically highlighted by light beams and is produced by means of a process of influencing the material of the device part in a mechanical manner. In order to form three-dimensional pictographs in any color, the pictograph is produced in the material of an originally homogenous component of the device part and the pictograph is allocated a light coupling-in site, which is located on a lateral region of the component, in such a manner that the pictograph is at least partially captured and illuminated accordingly by the light beam bundle which is coupled via said light coupling-in site into the component.

Abstract: A manual operating apparatus for an automatic transmission is structured such that a first shift line (L1) and a second shift line (L2) corresponding to a shift direction of a shift lever (2) are disposed side by side and that the shift lever (2) can move to the first shift line (L1) and to the second shift line (L2) with respect to each other. In the manual operating apparatus for an automatic transmission, when the shift lever (2) is positioned in the first shift line (L1), a portion along the first shift line L1 is lighted up, and when the shift lever (2) is positioned in the second shift line (L2), a portion along the second shift line (L2) is lighted up.

Abstract: Novel gear shift knob flashes randomly utilizing a battery, motion responsive switch, a timing and illumination circuit.