WO2001036870A1 - Vehicle instrument and interior lighting systems - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for illuminating groups of light conducting members (80) arranged in specific patterns (84) or arrays (86a-86e, 88a-88e) in fixed colors or varying images and displays of vehicles operating system information, warnings, interior and exterior lighting, and exterior warning devices. The illumintation is controlled through an LED fiber optic coupling system (82) which is operable in response to either automatic vehicle illumination requests or manual selection by the operator for controlling color and brightness of the illuminated pattern or array of optical fibers, as well as timing, i.e. on/off sequencing, of the same optical fiber arrays (86a-86e, 88a-88e).

Description

VEHICLE INSTRUMENT AND INTERIOR LIGHTING SYSTEMS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention deals with the use of color varying optical fiber systems for use in vehicles to indicate vehicle system parameters, warnings and similar information, and to illuminate specific areas of the vehicle For ease of explanation the vehicle which will be referred to is a multi-passenger automobile, but it should be understood that other land mobile vehicles could adopt and incorporate the invention for the same purposes

For as long as the automobile has been in existence, now approximately one century, the gauges and monitoring devices of engine performance and condition, fuel reserves, and the like, have been illuminated in the hours of darkness using incandescent lamps The various gauges and monitoring devices were either illuminated from the side or the back of the dial or face plate, or indirectly lit by a reflecting ring surrounding the face plate or dial also using an incandescent lamp In more recent years, other control indicators, knobs, back plates with system control information, etc have also needed to be illuminated in the hours of darkness in order for the vehicle operator to be able to locate the appropriate control and change the control setting as required for the operation of the vehicle Some of these control settings are gear shift positions, heating, ventilating and air conditioning controls, exterior rearview mirror settings, door lock and window operating switches and audio sound systems Indicating gauges and monitoring devices are also necessary to be illuminated and among those devices are speed fuel, temperature, oil pressure and time measuring devices In very recent times other monitoring devices have been illuminated such as directional indicators (compass points), travel elapsed time measuring devices average fuel consumption, number of miles traveled since last replenishing fuel, approximate number of gallons of fuel remaining from last replenishment of fuel based upon average fuel consumption, and approximate distance to be traveled until fuel is entirely used All of these indicator devices, are powered by either incandescent lamps or light emitting diodes (LEDs) which require placement on hard mounting surfaces so that the illuminated indicators, whether analog or digital in form, are properly viewable and readable by the vehicle operator

As automobiles progressed from their early forms, there appears to be a greater need to illuminate the interior of these vehicles with a number of lighting systems being used over the years The great majority of these systems were powered by incandescent lamps with system control switches either available for actuation by the operator, or by an occupant of the vehicle for the illumination of the space immediately surrounding that occupant For the most part, the interior lighting systems interrupted the ability of the operator of the vehicle to clearly view the exterior surroundings of the vehicle due to the increased light intensity within the vehicle against a darker background outside the vehicle This resulted in an impairment in the visual acuity of the operator and the operator's ability to see much beyond the windows surrounding the vehicle occupant space Even with the advent of illumination dimming systems, or controlled lighting systems, where the initial illumination was at a lower level than could be reached by switching the control to a higher illumination setting, there still existed an interruption in the visual acuity of the operator in seeing out of the vehicle in darkness hours with one or more interior illumination lamps in operation As in the case of illuminating the automobile instrument panel, i e gauges and measuring devices, the interior light illumination system required a rigid mounting surface, usually the roof or side supports of the vehicle, or in later years on the vehicle doors

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to eliminate the need for rigid support surfaces for the illumination devices so that the arrangement, size and physical placement of the vehicle system monitor indicators is no longer limited to a fixed position or fixed physical arrangement

It is a further object of the present invention to increase the ability of the operator to view monitored changes in vehicle system performance by adding color to the variety of vehicle monitoring indicators, where such color is changeable or variable depending upon vehicle and vehicle system operating conditions

It is a further object of the present invention to introduce color changeable decorative panels, which are incorporated into the vehicle dashboard, roof liner and door panels, and which may also be used (in certain locations) to illuminate specific areas of the interior or exterior of the vehicle The vehicle interior is considered to be the passenger compartment, the storage compartment or trunk (usually at the rear of the vehicle) and the engine compartment

It is still a further object of the present invention to use fiber optic technology to color various areas of the internal surfaces of the vehicle, and to be able to change that color as environmental conditions warrant, or as desired by the vehicle operator

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide more easily readable and discernable illuminated indicators for monitoring vehicle and vehicle system operating conditions, and to readily display such indicators directly or by reflection in the front wind screen

Other objects will appear hereinafter SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes both the apparatus, and the method, for providing groups of optical fibers arranged in specific patterns or arrays for the illumination of fixed color or color varying images and displays of vehicle operating system information, warnings, interior and exterior lighting, warning devices and color changeable decorative panels Also described is a control and LED fiber optic coupling system which is operable in response to either automatic vehicle illumination requests or manual selection by the operator for controlling color and brightness of the illuminated pattern or array of optical fibers, as well as timing, i e on/off sequencing, of the same optical fiber arrays The invention may be described as an apparatus for producing an informational display which contains one or more pre-determined illuminated patterns within a defined area utilizing one or more groups of optical fibers in a vehicle such as a multi-passenger automobile This apparatus is comprised of a plurality of fiber optic bundles, each of said bundles containing one or more groups of optical fibers and having first ends for receiving illumination and second ends for displaying said illumination across the defined area in one or more of the pre-determined patterns A plurality of light sources are arranged in juxtaposition against a corresponding number of fiber optic bundles to provide controlled illumination to the first ends The second ends of the one or more groups of optical fibers are mounted to and through a planar surface within said defined area in one or more of the pre-determined patterns representative of gauges or other monitoring devices commonly present in vehicles To illuminate the various pre-determined patterns, a controller for synchronized control of the illumination of the one or more pre-determined patterns in response to signals from vehicle system monitoring devices, causes the instantaneous illumination of corresponding pre-determined patterns for the display of vehicle operating parameters and vehicle operating warnings in accordance with pre-set colors and lighting intensities The lighting intensities are controlled either automatically in accordance with lighting conditions exterior to the vehicle or by the vehicle operator manually to achieve desired operator light intensities The pre-set colors for the one or more illuminated patterns of the informational display are changeable to other pre-set colors in response to changing vehicle operating parameters

The invention includes the illumination of certain specific informational displays One such informational display of a vehicle system monitoring device is a destination directional tracking system which is comprised of a plurality of directional arrows for indicating continuous travel direction of the vehicle to a selected destination and being illuminatable in response to signals derived from a global positioning system The directional arrows are color changeable from one pre-set color to another pre-set color to indicate approach and arrival of the vehicle to the destination This apparatus may also include a directional indicator for indicating compass direction which is also color changeable from one pre-set color to another pre-set color to indicate approach and arrival of the vehicle to the destination The invention further includes the capability to position a certain pre-selected number of pre-determined patterns in a thin, flexible backplane support and position the array of predetermined patterns in proximity to a surface from which the illuminated patterns may be reflected for viewing by the vehicle operator In this instance the informational display is created in mirror image and positioned so that illumination of the pre-determined patterns of the informational display cause a reflection in a window opposite the array of pre-determined patterns for view by the vehicle operator

In a second embodiment of the invention an apparatus for illuminating one or more predetermined patterns within a defined area of a vehicle is described which is comprised of one or more light conducting means having one or more light receptors for receiving illumination and one or more light transmitters for displaying said illumination across the defined area in one or more pre-determined patterns A plurality of light sources are arranged in juxtaposition against a corresponding number of the one or more light conducting means, for providing illumination to said one or more light receptors The one or more light transmitters of the one or more light conducting means are arrayed along a planar surface within said defined area in one or more pre-determined patterns A controller for actuating synchronized control of the illumination of the one or more pre-determined patterns in response to controls operable by occupants of the vehicle causes the illumination of the pre-determined patterns in accordance with pre-set colors and lighting intensities The light conducting means may be one or more groups of fiber optic bundles which are arrayed in a side-by-side relationship with light conducted through each of the optical fibers (in the groups of fiber optic bundles) permitted to be reflected outward along a portion of the surface area of each optical fiber from which a reflective coating has been removed A light diffusing means for overlaying and protecting the one or more groups of fiber optic bundles produces a more uniform light dispersion The light conducting means may also be a plastic having the characteristics to be molded or contoured to a particular shape and dimension and to conduct light uniformly throughout its expanse from light sources arrayed along one or more edges and to reflect said light outward across one major face with a reflective surface opposite its major face through which light is directed from the reflective surface The lighting intensities for this embodiment of the invention are controlled automatically in accordance with lighting conditions exterior to the vehicle The pre-determined patterns are controlled by the occupants manually to illuminate desired ones of said pre-determined patterns for interior illumination of the vehicle in one or more pre-set colors and at selected lighting intensities One or more of the pre-determined patterns are relocatable within and without said vehicle to provide illumination of areas adjacent to said vehicle and to provide illuminated warnings to other vehicles

A third embodiment of the invention is also described as an apparatus for illuminating one or more pre-determined patterns within a defined area of a vehicle comprising one or more light conducting means having one or more light receptors for receiving illumination and one or more light transmitters for displaying said illumination across the defined area in said one or more pre-determined patterns A plurality of light sources are arranged in juxtaposition against a corresponding number of the one or more light conducting means for providing illumination to said one or more light receptors One or more light transmitters of said one or more light conducting means are arrayed along a planar surface within said defined area in one or more pre-determined patterns A controller for synchronized control of the illumination of said one or more pre-determined patterns in response to automatic vehicle controls causes the illumination in accordance with pre-set colors and lighting intensities

The said light conducting means may be one or more groups of fiber optic bundles which are arrayed in a side-by-side relationship with light conducted through each of said optical fibers (in the groups of fiber optic bundles) permitted to be reflected outward along a portion of the surface area of the optical fiber from which a reflective coating has been removed A light diffusing means for overlaying and protecting the one or more groups of fiber optic bundles produces a more uniform light dispersion The light conducting means may also be a plastic having the characteristics to be molded or contoured to a particular shape and dimension and to conduct light uniformly throughout its expanse from light sources arrayed along one or more edges and to reflect said light outward across one major face with the plastic having a reflective surface opposite its major face through which light is directed from the reflective surface The lighting intensities are controlled automatically in accordance with lighting conditions exterior to the vehicle. Automatically actuated pre-determined patterns are illuminated in response to door lock setting and releasing and door openings and closings with one or more of the pre-determined patterns providing illumination of areas adjacent to said vehicle and to provide illuminated warnings to other vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

Fig. 1 is a first embodiment of a front view of a dashboard of a vehicle showing instrument and system monitor devices and control arrays configured for illumination using optical fibers and with a fiber optic colored decorative covering extending over the remainder of the dash panel of the vehicle.

Fig. 1a is an enlargement of a section of the dashboard of a vehicle with a fiber optic colored decorative covering extending over the dashboard of the vehicle showing individual optical fiber physical relationships.

Fig. 2 is a second embodiment of a dashboard of a vehicle showing instrument and system monitor device and control arrays with a fiber optic colored decorative covering extending over the remainder of the dash panel of a vehicle.

Fig. 3 is a third embodiment of a front view of a dashboard of a vehicle showing instrument and system monitor devices and control arrays configured for illumination using optical fibers and with a fiber optic colored decorative covering extending over the remainder of the dash panel of the vehicle. Fig 4 is a plan view of a steering wheel of a vehicle showing the incorporation of fiber optic indicators displaying measurements for visual output of certain vehicle systems

Fig 5 is a enlarged view of one scheme of the instrument and system monitoring device array of a vehicle incorporating optical fibers as the means for providing the illuminated indications of system monitored values for the vehicle

Fig 6 is an example of a land mobile vehicle, i e automobile, which incorporates the various embodiments of the present invention

Fig 7 is a perspective view looking upward toward the roof liner of the vehicle of Fig 6 taken along Line 7-7 showing several segments of optical fiber illumination panels arrayed across the roof liner

Fig 8 is a perspective view of a display of a number of vehicle system measurement devices reflectively produced across the front wind screen of the vehicle

Fig 9 is a rear view of the vehicle showing a right side door and trunk lid in the open position with patterns of optical fibers arrayed across the interior of both door and trunk lid Fig 10 is a front view of the vehicle showing the hood in the open position with patterns of optical fibers arrayed across the interior of the hood

Fig 11 is a diagrammatic representation of the switch/control and controller/coupler optical fiber illumination control for use with the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the invention The description is not intended in a limiting sense, and is made solely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention The various features and advantages of the present invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings

Referring now to the drawings in detail, where like numerals refer to like parts or elements, there is shown in Fig 1 , a dashboard instrument and control panel 10 on which there is mounted a number of gauges and vehicle system operating monitoring devices, vehicle system controls, information systems and a cover member 12 containing optical fiber elements which will be described in more detail below

The principal instrument gauge cluster 14 is mounted in front of the operator (and behind the steering wheel) which is comprised of, for example, a speedometer an engine revolutions gauge, a clock and fuel and temperature gauges To the left of the gauge cluster 14 are controls for external lighting generally designated as 16 This grouping of controls may also include an interior lighting control and external side mirror controls To the right of the gauge cluster 14, and below the upper portion of the dashboard, one can usually find heating, ventilating and air conditioning controls 18 and audio systems controls 20 Above these controls 18, 20 can be mounted additional warning and/or indicator lights 22 for indicating to the operator warnings and/or vehicle system operations Also consistent with current automobile design are a number of outlet ports associated with the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system and a storage compartment in front of the front passenger seat

The uniqueness of the present invention is its ability to be mounted onto or become part of the dashboard The cover member 12 is capable of being laid over and permanently affixed to the dashboard covering those portions which are currently formed from vinyl-like plastics and having a textured surface The plastic cover is manufactured in a particular color to match the interior color selected by the owner of the vehicle In connection with the present invention a series of optical fibers arrayed in a side-by-side relationship are mounted and stretched laterally across the dashboard with the intention to cover either a significant portion, or all, of the dashboard presently comprised of the vinyl-like plastic covering.

With reference to Fig. 1A, the optical fibers 24 are arrayed in a side-by-side relationship with the sides of each of the fibers touching the next fiber so that there is no space between them. The fibers are secured to an underlying flexible support member (not shown) which is conformable to the surface to which the cover member 12 is affixed. The optical fibers 24 may be of any geometric cross-sectional shape but are preferred to be either rectangular or square. Each of the optical fibers 24 is arranged so that their sidewalls touch, and are further arranged such that they are illuminated from their respective ends. In the particular instance of the optical fiber array in the cover member 12 of Figs. 1 and 1A, these optical fibers are clad over less than 100% of the outside surface area such that illumination by light emitting diodes at their ends will cause the side lighting of the unclad portions of the outside surface area of the fibers. In this instance, the unclad surface area of the optical fibers 24 faces outward, away from the dashboard, so that any viewable color which can be created by the mixture of colored light emitting diodes is capable of being displayed across the entire cover member 12. Preventing the optical fibers 24 from being disturbed is a diffuser 27 which overlies the optical fibers 24 along their entire length. The diffuser 27 is either translucent or transparent and acts to shield the optical fibers 24 from displacement or other harm and is intended to be part of the cover member 12. Instead of utilizing optical fibers, a flexible backplane and a diffuser, the cover member 12 may also be a pre-formed acrylic-like plastic incorporating one or more optical channels resembling optical fibers and be contoured to overlay the dashboard/instrument and control panel 10. The pre-formed optical channel cover member 12 may assume any pre-determined and/or desired color, pattern of colors or design or pattern selected by the operator or manufacturer of the vehicle. Thus, the cover member 12, in the configuration of a single semi-rigid acrylic-like plastic member, contoured and/or molded to fit over the dashboard and illuminated by LED's at appropriate ends of the optical channels, will be substitutable for the originally described cover member 12. Further, certain viewable segments of the cover member 12 may be colored differently then other segments so as to offer different, blendable color schemes and designs or decorative schemes as part of the interior surface area of the vehicle.

Alternatively to the side illumination optical fibers 24 described in connection with Figs.

1 and 1A, the cover member 112 overlying dashboard, instrument and control panel 110 of Fig.

2 is configured to include an array of optical fiber ends 126 affixed through or embedded in cover member 112. The optical fiber ends 126 are attached to the cover member 112 in accordance with the general teachings of U.S. Patent 5,881 ,206 [Schwar and Wainwright] such that a bead of fixative is incorporated on the exterior of the cover member 112 at each fiber optic implantation site such that the fixative becomes a diffusing lens which disperses the light passing through the optical fiber across a wider area. As in the case of the first embodiment described in connection with Fig. 1 , this second embodiment is capable of being illuminated in a variety of colors depending upon the attachment to one or more colored LEDs at the free end of the optical fibers 124. A diffusing shield may also overlie the ends 126 of the optical fibers 124 to prevent disturbing the array of fibers and to provide an aesthetically pleasing surface. Also, as in the case of the first embodiment, the dashboard, instrument and control panel 110, includes gauge cluster 114, external lighting control panel 116, heating, ventilating and air conditioning controls 118, audio systems controls 120 and additional warning/indicator lights 122.

The optical fibers 124 which have their respective ends 126 implanted into the cover member 112 may be described as having a geometric cross section in the shape of a circle with a core of a light conducting polymer e g polymethyl methacrylate, with the core being clad by a fluo nated polymer The fluonnated polymer reflects light which attempts to exit the core back into the core material so that the light is carried to the opposite end of the optical fiber from the end exposed to the illumination source Such would be the same for the materials used for the optical fibers described above in connection with Figs 1 and 1A with the clad portion material being a fluonnated polymer and the core material being a polymer similar in physical characteristics to the named polymer described above In the case of the flat sided optical fibers, the clad portion would reflect the light back within the core so that the light would escape only from the unclad portions or from the ends In the case of the contoured, pre- formed acrylic cover member, the back side is formed with a reflective layer or has a reflective layer added to the back side, for reflecting light from the side-fixed LED's.

The present invention not only extends to the providing of a specific color to the dashboard, which color may be changeable depending upon environmental conditions or selection or choice of the operator or manufacturer of the vehicle, but also extends to the illumination of the various gauges and indicators used in operating and controlling the vehicle Figs 1 , 2 and 3 show slightly different variations of the placement of gauges and indicators, as well as controls for certain specialized apparatus, i e heating, ventilating and air conditioning controls and audio systems controls, with the addition of an information system for indicating the position of the vehicle relative to a destination location operable in conjunction with the Global Positioning Satellite System

The destination directional tracking system 30, 130, 230 operates by showing the operator the continuous path to a particular destination by indicating the direction to that destination based upon the physical position of the vehicle as compared to the destination location The destination directional tracking system 30, 130, 230 displays illuminated arrows showing the direction in which the operator must proceed in order to reach the desired destination Thus forward right and left arrows and a reverse arrow are displayed to indicate forward right or left turnings for continued motion of the vehicle or the reverse arrow to indicate that the vehicle has passed the destination location The arrow indicators are illuminated through the use of optical fibers in either an outline pattern or a contiguous pattern showing the entire arrow shape The description of the illumination will continue in more detail below with reference to Fig 4 As to the placement of the destination directional tracking system 30, 130, 230, it can be placed in a viewable position between the operator and the front seat passenger on the dashboard 10, it can be placed higher on the dashboard for reflection in the first wind screen it can be placed on a downward extension of the control console between the operator and the front seat passenger, or it can be placed on the steering column in the middle of the steering wheel 228

Now with reference to Fig 4, the destination directional tracking system 230 is shown having arrows pointing in each of the directions front, right, left and back, where each arrow is shown as being illuminatable along its outline by dotted lines representative of optical fiber ends Of course, the arrows may be illuminatable across the entire contiguous shape of the arrows 232 Centrally disposed between the arrows is a compass directional indicator 234 which is capable of indicating or displaying the compass direction in which the vehicle is moving Further, with regard to the destination directional tracking system 230, the compass directional indicator is color changeable from green to yellow to red as the destination location is approached by the vehicle The change of color of the display of the direction indicator 234 can be accomplished automatically with the destination directional tracking system 230 by varying the control signal to a multi-color LED capable of producing the three colors described as a correlated function to distance from the destination location Alternatively, three fixed color LED's could be used to accomplish the same result

The compass directional indicator 234 may be illuminated to show the letter character or characters representing the direction with that colored light being variable from green to yellow to red as the vehicle approaches its destination location Another method of illuminating the compass directional indicator 234 in connection with the destination directional tracking system 230 is for the letter character or characters to be illuminated in a white light with the background shape (in this case a circle) being illuminated in the color particular to the estimated distance of the vehicle from the destination location In this instance the compass directional indicator 234 will be illuminated in a color different from the color illuminating those characters showing compass direction The destination directional tracking system panel 230 on the steering wheel 228 may also contain additional information displays such as temperature display 236 and clock time or elapsed time display 238 For the temperature and time displays 236, 238, the numeric characters will be formed from the ends of optical fibers represented by the dotted lines The color and intensity of these displays, 232 - 238 can be preset, or variable depending upon operating conditions for the vehicle

Referring now to Fig 5, the main instrument panel gauge cluster 14 is shown including a number of gauges and indicators usually found in an automobile It is to be understood that the inclusion of certain gauges and indicators is not indicative of all such monitoring devices which could be included, nor is the precise arrangement of the monitoring devices determinative of the invention To describe the example provided as the instrument gauge cluster 14, to the left of center appears the representation of a combination speed and distance measuring gauge 42, i e a combination speedometer and odometer, both shown in dotted lines to represent the ends of an array of groups of optical fibers For the speedometer each of the graduated speed markings are illuminated uniformly when the vehicle is operating The centrally located pointer 46 is shown in a representative position only for the reason that the analog representation of the arrow indicator will be repeated across the face of the dial for each "tick" of the graduated speed markings which are spaced at 5mph apart The appropriate speed indicating arrow 46 corresponding to the speed of the vehicle will be illuminated in accordance with the decoding of the vehicle speed information received from existing measuring devices on the vehicle wheels or drive tram The odometer 48 displays a series of only four numbers in order that the dotted lines can be seen to indicate the ends of the array of the groups of optical fibers The numbers shown in Fig 5 are representative of a space within which all numerals from 0 - 9 can be illuminated so that a total mileage can be viewed It is possible to switch sources of information by changing from the vehicle mileage counter to a trip mileage counter The odometer display 48 will operate in conjunction with existing measuring devices for producing the numeric readings from information received from vehicle wheels or drive trains Farther to the left are two gauges for fuel and temperature shown in a combined display

50 The temperature symbol 52 is illuminatable using a group of optical fibers arrayed in a pattern viewable as a "thermometer" This group of optical fibers may have a fixed color and vary in intensity depending upon environmental conditions i e brighter in daylight and less bright in darkness The group of optical fibers representing the temperature symbol may also by color variable to visually show and indicate a warning when engine coolant temperatures are above the normal operating range Thus the temperature symbol 52 can vary from green or blue when coolant temperatures are normal to yellow and then to red when temperatures exceed normal operating temperatures The "tick" marks 54 showing gradations of temperature are illuminated at all times and the temperature indication pointer 56 is representative of a number of groups of optical fibers which comprise the complete display The temperature indication pointer is repeated for each gradient point which is to be display i e all, or less than all, but only a single group of optical fibers is shown for ease of viewability It is to be understood that multiple groups of optical fibers, each having the identical pattern comprise the series of temperature indication pointers shown by use of a single, representative pointer 56

As part of the combined display 50, there is also a fuel symbol 58 which, like the temperature symbol 52, is comprised of the ends of a group of optical fibers and is illuminated in like fashion The fuel symbol 58 may have a fixed color and vary in intensity depending upon environmental conditions, i e brighter in daylight and less bright in darkness The group of optical fibers representing the fuel symbol 58 may also by color variable to visually show and indicate a warning when the fuel reserves of the vehicle reach certain predetermined levels, e g fuel tank half full, one-quarter full, one-eighth full, empty Thus, the fuel symbol 58 can vary from green or blue when fuel reserves are high to yellow, and then to red, when fuel reserves approach depletion The "tick" marks 60 showing gradations of fuel reserve levels are illuminated at all times and the fuel level indication pointer 62 is representative of a number of groups of optical fibers which comprise the complete display The fuel level indication pointer 62 is repeated for each gradient point which is to be displayed, i e all, or less than all, but only a single group of optical fibers is shown for ease of viewability It is to be understood that multiple groups of optical fibers, each having the identical pattern, comprise the series of fuel level indication pointers shown by use of a single, representative pointer 62

To the right side of the cluster 14 is shown an RPM gauge 64 having gradient markings 66 and an indicator arrow 68 which are configured and operate in a fashion similar to the speedometer 42 The gauge is displayed in dotted lines to represent the ends of an array of groups of optical fibers with each of the graduated engine revolution markings 66 illuminated uniformly when the vehicle is operating The centrally located pointer 68 is shown in a representative position only for the reason that the analog representation of the arrow indicator will be repeated across the face of the dial for each "tick" of the graduated engine revolution markings which are spaced at 250 revolutions apart The appropriate engine revolution indicating arrow 68 corresponding to the revolutions per minute of the engine of the vehicle will be illuminated in accordance with the decoding of the rpm information received from existing measuring devices on the vehicle engine or drive train The precise arrangement of the rpm gradients is only exemplary and other arrangements are possible Further, the gradient marking may be color variant as the rpm levels of the vehicle reach a more critical operating level which may damage the engine The gradient markings, which can be displayed in white or a cool color, green or blue, at low rpm levels, can change to yellow, orange and then red at higher rpm levels Another coloring scheme possible is to display the gradient markings 66 in a fixed color scheme with the lower rpm levels (up to 3500 rpms) are displayed in a cooler color, e g green or blue, mid-range rpm levels (3500 - 5500 rpms) displayed as yellow at the lower end and orange at the upper end, and upper range rpm levels (above 5500 rpms) displayed as red Combined with this color scheme, the rpm indicator pointer 68 would change color as the pointer registered in each of the rpm ranges If at idle, at approximately 800 rpm, the color would be green or blue, if at cruising speed, at approximately 2200 rpm, the color would continue to be green of blue, if at an abrupt acceleration, with an approximate rpm of 4000, the color would change to yellow or orange, in this manner the pointer 68, a larger viewable object, would display the color for the operator indicative of the rpm level, with the color being indicative of normal (or out-of-normal) operating ranges Farther to the right on the cluster 14 there could be a number of warning indicators or other gauges or vehicle systems monitoring devices In Fig 5, however there is shown a clockface 70 displaying a time using a digital numeric display This time measuring device 70 may variably show the present time elapsed time of the present trip, elapsed time since last fuel replenishment, etc The clock 70 is comprised of arrays of groups of optical fibers which are configured to represent the numbers 0 - 9 in each of four respective spaces across the front of the clock The numeric characters 72 and the separator character 74 will be formed from the ends of optical fibers represented by the dotted lines and are connected to a clock driver, or similar controller from which timing pulses can be derived for setting and displaying the desired clock function The color and intensity of the display can be preset or vary depending upon operating conditions for the vehicle There may also be an additional information displayed, e g am, pm, hr, mm sec, etc to the right of the numeric display

Referring now to Figs 6 - 10, there is shown in Fig 6 a multi-passenger automobile 76 which has all of the usual features of an automobile for containing and transporting multiple passengers The automobile 76 has a body, wheels, doors, front, side and rear windows, a roof, a hood, a trunk and trunk lid among others The automobile also has a dashboard instrument and control panel 10 across the interior front of the passenger compartment as described above Along the interior of the roof panel as shown in Fig 7 a series of segmented optical fiber arrays 80 can be mounted Each array can be independently controlled by a controller 82 which is programmed to operate an LED/optical fiber coupler 84 for controlling the illumination intensity and color of each array independently or collectively The controller 82 may also be responsive to external controls such as from one or more switches for controlling interior lighting in the vehicle e g the lighting controls 16 on the instrument/control panel 10, or from independent locations adjacent occupant locations in the vehicle The controller 82 is representative of one or a plurality of controllers which are operable to illuminate the various segments of the fiber optic arrays in the roof liner of the vehicle

The optical fibers are implanted into a flexible fabric as described in U S Patent 5,881 ,206 [Schwar and Wamwright], which description is included herein by reference, with separate groups of the fibers arrayed across predetermined sections of the fabric and being grouped together to be controlled as a group in a fashion similarly to the optical fibers utilized to illuminated the dashboard panel 10 In this instance, not only will it be possible to illuminate the roof panel with a color the same or complimentary to the dashboard color, but it will also be possible to illuminate a segment, or a portion of a segment, of an array of optical fibers to provide interior light to one or more passenger spaces The controller 82 can be utilized to control a number of couplers 84 such that all of the roof panel segments can be controlled by a single controller 82 In one method of control, the entire roof panel, comprised of a plurality of arrays of optical fibers, can be illuminated in a single color, or in commingled colors, including commingled colored designs to create a decorative pattern These various arrays, in the predetermined patterning of colors, can also be intensity controlled to accommodate the brightness of daylight by increasing illumination intensity or the dimness of darkness by decreasing illumination intensity Further, the controller may respond to signals calling for spot lighting with white light for reading from one or more occupant locations by illuminating one or more segments of the roof panel, i e one or more segments of the arrays of optical fibers For example, the vehicle operator may require the operator's position to be illuminated A signal from a switch within reach of the operator would be passed to the controller 82 to illuminate either or both of the segment 86a, 86b which are directly overhead of the operator For general interior lighting fiber optic arrays 86b - 86d and 88b - 88d could be illuminated which would provide light to the central portion of the passenger compartment In the event that a rear seat passenger wanted to examine something and required a light to do so, fiber optic arrays 88d 88e could be illuminated by sending the corresponding signal to controller 82 for energizing the coupler 84 to provide white light through the desired segments of the arrays In this way the controller 82 would be responsive to signals from switches located near a passenger to illuminate one or more portions of the overhead fiber optic arrays 80, and to control the intensity of that illumination

A pre-determined arrangement for the coloration of the illumination, i e white or colored light, can be included in the control signal to the controller 82 so that not only can the appropriate coupler 84 be energized, but the controller 82 will also instruct the coupler 84 to color the overhead array with the desired color and intensity Since color and intensity of light within the passenger space of a vehicle are very dependent upon external conditions, i e daylight vs darkness, the color and illumination intensity level should be preselected so that the operator's visual acuity is not impaired when the interior lighting is energized Arrays of optical fibers for interior illumination could also be placed along the roof supports in the side panels and in the doors as discussed further below

With reference to Figs 6 and 8, there is shown a projected display of certain information from the instrument cluster 14 in the front windscreen 90 These projections are similar to, and contain the same information as the gauges and information displays described in connection with Fig 5, but with a slight alteration from analog to digital presentation From left to right, the projected display contains the fuel symbol 56 the temperature symbol 52 a digital numeric speedometer 92, the compass directional indicator 34 the clock 38 and an external temperature display 94 Each of these displays is created from a separate array of optical fibers mounted to a semi-rigid backplane 96 in specific patterns to portray the desired symbols and graphical or numeric information The backplane 96 is mounted onto the top of the dashboard 10, facing the front windscreen 90 with each of the displays (56, 52, 92, 34, 38 and 94) positioned in a series of predetermined locations in a reverse mirror image so that the projected images (156, 152, 192, 134, 138 and 194) are displayed (projected) on the front windscreen 90 in their usual orientation for reading by the operator The various arrays of optical fibers may be either of a fixed color with varying light intensity or varying color with varying light intensity The light intensity is dependent upon the exterior lighting conditions, and the preference of the operator to a lesser extent However, the color variance is more pre- determined as described below

Starting with the fuel symbol 56, 156 and its accompanying fuel bar graph 57, 157, the fuel symbol 56, 156 may have its own color, different from the fuel bar graph 57, 157, and change only when fuel reserves reach a predetermined low level as, for example, less than five (5) gallons remaining The fuel bar graph 57, 157 starts at full height and will reduce in height according to information received from the fuel sensor in the fuel tank As the fuel bar graph 57, 157 reduces in height, the color of the illuminated bar graph will change as the values reach one-quarter full, one-eighth full, and only x gallons remaining from an easily readable color, e g green or blue, to orange and red for indicating a change in fuel reserves and a warning that little fuel remains Similarly, the fuel symbol 56, 156 may change color in a corresponding manner since the fuel bar graph 57, 157 is decreasing in its display area Of course, other displays are possible and the foregoing are only some of the many possible displays which can be projected.

The next indicator display is the engine temperature display with the temperature symbol 52, 152 and the temperature bar graph 53, 153 In this instance one possible display is with both temperature symbol 52, 152 and the temperature bar graph 53 153 illuminated in the same color and as the temperature rises, that color will change from a cool color, e g green or blue, to orange and then red to indicate a problem and a warning of engine overheating or coolant leakage Since the temperature bar graph 53 153 does not decrease in size, but increases as a temperature rise is sensed, the problem of shifting a color warning to the adjacent symbol, as in the case of the fuel display, will not occur

Having described two possible fluid indicator display systems indicating engine performance, the remaining informational display systems can be described as follows The speedometer 92 192 is a digital numeric display of the sensed speed received from the vehicle speed sensing systems associated with the vehicle The "mph/kph" selection is intended to be made at the selection switch associated with the principal speedometer display 42 on the gauge cluster 14 and only one of these indicators will be displayed The "mph/kph" display does not exhibit the dotted lines indicating the ends of the optical fibers due to the smallness of the letter characters, but these indicators are intended to be formed and displayed in like fashion

The remaining digital displays, the compass directional indicator display 34, 134 the clock display 38, 138, and the outside temperature display 94, 194, are each formed in overlying patterns of letter or number characters for each space in which a letter or number is to be represented to indicate direction of motion of the vehicle or time in hours and minutes or temperature with a narrower space in which symbol characters are formed from groups of optical fibers to display an hour/minute symbol separator character or the degree symbol character, with the additional possible indication of measurement scale either an F for Fahrenheit or C for Centigrade temperature scale These displays are arrayed to the right of the vehicle fluid displays but this arrangement is not necessary with other arrangements contemplated; the addition of other displays or the omission of some of the displays shown in Fig. 8.

It is also contemplated, as part of the present invention, to project the illuminated images of the various information displays and gauges in a more compact rectangle where the projected images of the displays appear one atop the other. It is also possible to produce the projected images in a variety of colors so that the operator can easily discern one display for another. It is possible to display any of the projected images, as well as any of the illuminated displays on the instrument cluster 14 (or any of the control systems 16 - 20 and the warning indicators 22) in any color from red to violet, and even white, or any combination therebetween requiring a mixture of the basic hues red, green and blue. The projected images of the displays, and the displays themselves, should be presented in colors which are viewable by the operator of the vehicle depending upon the external environment, i.e. bright daylight, cloudy daylight, and darkness, and should be presented in a color scheme whereby the operator can easily differentiate between one projected image display and another in all lighting circumstances.

With reference to Figs. 9 and 10, there is shown a triangularly shaped array of concentrically grouped patterns of optical fibers such that each may be independently controlled by their respective controller/coupler systems. In regard to Fig. 9, the automobile 76 is shown from a rear view with the trunk lid 98 in a raised position. Mounted on the interior of the trunk lid 98 is a triangularly shaped array of concentrically grouped patterns of optical fibers 100 comprised of an interior triangle 102 and an exterior triangle 104, but any geometric pattern or shape can be used. Both the interior and exterior triangles 102, 104 are formed from a pattern of optical fiber ends which are affixed to a semi-rigid flexible backplane and mounted to the inside of the trunk lid so that the optical fiber ends project outward and rearward of the vehicle when the trunk lid is raised The interior and exterior triangles 102, 104 are controlled through the cooperation of controller 182 and coupler 184, which are similar in function to the controller and coupler 82, 84 discussed above The coupler 184 is comprised of a number of LEDs which have their respective outputs coupled to the opposite ends of the optical fibers which are affixed into the triangularly shaped array 100 The coupler 184, and its respective LEDs, are controlled by the controller 182 based upon a selection of which triangle 102, 104, and intensity of illumination is desired

For the purpose of illuminating the trunk space, one or both of the triangles 102, 104 may be illuminated at one of several light intensities Thus, the exterior triangle 102 may be energized by the controller 182 at a medium brightness or light intensity level so that all of the optical fibers in the triangle 102 are illuminated in a white light If greater illumination or brightness is required because of darkness or other low light condition, the interior triangle 104 may also be illuminated, and both triangles 102, 104 increase to their highest level of illumination. The triangularly shaped array 100 is shown mounted to the interior of the trunk lid 98 at a central position, but the present invention contemplates the ability to remove and remount the array 100 to other locations within the trunk space as desired by the vehicle operator This can be done either by magnetic attachment of the backplane of the array 100, or by the use of hook and loop fastening devices which are placed at various locations around the trunk space and cooperate with the backplane of the array 100 by attachment

An alternative use of the trunk lid mounted triangularly shaped array 100 is for such array of optical fibers to serve as an illuminated warning signal which can be described as follows The interior and exterior triangles 102, 104 are coupled in the same fashion to coupler 184, but the controller is configured differently In this instance, the controller 182 is configured to alternately illuminate the interior and exterior triangles 102, 104 with a slight time delay in between each illumination so that a strobe-like effect occurs The visual appearance of the (strobing) of the concentrically arranged patterns causes the visual effect of expansion and shrinkage of the triangular shape Further, the colors displayed by the illumination of triangles 102, 104 can be such that the strobe-like illumination achieves the maximum distance for another vehicle operator approaching from the rear to see and detect a flashing warning sign appearing to the front of the approaching vehicle The triangles 102, 104, in the warning light mode, would be switched on at maximum brightness and would continually repeat the flashing sequence described above The timing of the sequence for strobing the LEDs and coupled optical fibers of triangles 102, 104 can be increased or decreased depending upon the ambient light, with the strobing in darkness preferred to have an extended "On Time" so that the illuminated image of the triangular shape is displayed for increased time The preferred colors for illumination are red and white light, but other colors could be selected with the controller 182 causing the color change, or a color variance in the sequence between illumination of the interior and exterior triangles Another alternative illumination pattern may be to illuminate both triangles 102, 104 simultaneously, change the color of one triangle while the other triangle's color remains fixed, and de-energize the light sources for a short period before repeating the sequence

As in the case of the trunk space illumination array, the illuminatable warning device is removable and remountable to the exterior of the rear or side of the vehicle using magnetic components mounted to the backplane of the array 100 In this manner, the illuminatable array 100 can be positioned on the rear or the side of the vehicle 76 at any position which will be easily observable by an approaching vehicle In the temporary remountable mode, the controller 182 and coupler 184 will require a portable power source, e g a battery pack which can be contained with the physical packaging of the controller 182 by either including a long life battery or by accommodating the insertion of any standard alkaline battery available to the general public

With reference to Fig 10 the triangularly shaped array 100 can also be positioned in the engine compartment space on the interior of the hood 106 The triangularly shaped array

100 functions in exactly the same manner as described with regard to the trunk lid 98 when mounted under the hood 106, both as a space illuminating device and as a warning device which is permanently mounted, or temporarily remounted elsewhere on the vehicle 76

Referring back to Fig 9, the door 108 of the automobile 76 can also contain both illuminatable panels and illuminatable warning devices comprised of optical fibers, which arrays of optical fibers can be interchangeable as to purpose The illuminatable panels comprised of groups of optical fibers 186, 188 are similar in purpose and function to that described above for the roof panel segments 80 Each of the door side panels 186, 188 can be illuminated to present a design or pattern of groups of optical fibers in related or different color schemes as described in connection with the roof panels 80, as well as the optical fibers associated with the cover member 12 In this manner, it is possible to provide an array of optical fibers 186, 188 having a design or pattern which compliments the interior coloring of the vehicle, and to have one or both of these arrays also provide white light illumination for the passenger nearest the door 108 when the controller is so instructed by energizing a cooperating switch This construction of optical fiber arrays 186, 188 for the door 108 is possible for each of the other doors, as well as for rear doors or hatches of vans sport utility vehicles and the like

The fiber optic grouping or array 188 may also be extended (or segmented) around the bottom interior edge of door 108 so that a segment 188a, which faces mostly downward from the bottom of the door 108, is illuminatable when the door 108 is opened to provide light to the area into which the vehicle occupant is about to step This illumination can be caused separately from the mam segment 188 illumination or simultaneously with that illumination Also part of the exterior illumination of the area immediately adjacent the door 108 is the fiber optic grouping of the array 188b positioned on the rear facing panel of the door 108 which is able to focus its illumination in a pattern extending farther outward than the other panels 188 188a It is preferred that this illumination occur only during low levels of exterior light such as in darkness hours or in parking garages and with a medium to high intensity white light Of course, other light levels and colors can be preset into the controller/coupler system for controlling the door panels 186, 188, 188a Also considered as part of the door illumination and warning light system described above, are two optic fiber arrays mounted to the rear facing panel door which provide rearward warning of the opening of the automobile door 108 These optical fiber arrays 107,109 are arranged one atop the other along the rear facing panel of the door 108 such that as the door opens, the arrays are energized and illuminate the optical fibers across the entire array in one or more pre-selected colors The stacked optical fiber arrays 107, 109 may be illuminated to provide changing color, white, yellow, then red either separately, or simultaneously, or provide a continuing white array and a changeable color array either above or below In addition, another possible method of control can be to strobe the array which is illuminated in a white color and to allow another illuminated array to vary its color from yellow to red as the door opened wider The controller/coupler system for these fiber optic array panels 107, 109 will be configured in a similar manner to those described above and are intended to be automatically triggered by the manual operation of the automobile door 76

Referring now to Fig 11 a diagrammatic representation of the control scheme for selectively illuminating certain groups of optical fibers in pre-determined patterns or arrays is shown The controller 82 (being representative of any of the controllers referenced above) is connected by wiring to any a number of activating switches or controls which are under the operator's control, e g 40a, 40b, to the numerous vehicle sensor and monitoring devices, e g 40c - 40n, and to 40z which is the automatically operable vehicle illumination circuit which is energized for illumination of dashboard and roof panel lighting and interior lighting, all of which have been pre-selected or pre-determined by the operator or manufacturer of the vehicle Each of the switches or controls 40 are connected through appropriate cabling 81 to the control inputs of controller 82 The output of controller 82 is more easily understood as forming an encoded data channel 83 which sends pre-selected signaling over separate wires or encoded signaling over a databus to a series of couplers 84a, 84b The couplers although two in number, are representative of many such couplers which could exist throughout the fiber optic illumination system of the present invention In this instance, coupler 84a, upon receipt of the encoded signal (or separate wire signal) from the controller 82 will energize a selected one or more of the LED devices denoted as part of the LED fiber optic couplers 85a in order to illuminate the selected array or pattern in the appropriate color and intensity The LED devices contemplated for use with the present invention are responsive to voltage level and signal frequency for the controlling of both color and brightness Thus, the encoded signal from the controller 82 is interpreted by the coupler 84a to specifically energize one or more LED devices in the series of LED devices connected to that coupler so that the appropriate illumination of the desired array of optical fibers (indicated at the output of LED fiber optic couplers 85a) are energized In the same fashion, the coupler 84b receives encoded information over the databus 83 and converts that information into signals for controlling one or more of the LED devices housed within LED fiber optic couplers 85b to energize the selected ones of the patterns or arrays of optical fibers emanating from the couplers 85b In accordance with this description, each of the aforementioned displays of vehicle status, vehicle system information, internal or external lighting which utilize groups of optical fibers in a particular pattern or array are controlled and properly energized in response to automatic or selectable switches or controls. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as being illustrative and not restrictive, with the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing detailed description, as indicating the scope of the invention as well as all modifications which may fall within a range of equivalency which are also intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

It is claimed:

1. Apparatus for producing an informational display having one or more predetermined illuminated patterns within a defined area utilizing one or more groups of optical fibers in a vehicle comprising: a. a plurality of fiber optic bundles, each of said bundles containing one or more groups of optical fibers and having first ends for receiving illumination and second ends for displaying said illumination across the defined area in said one or more pre-determined patterns; b. a plurality of light sources arranged in juxtaposition against a corresponding number of said plurality of fiber optic bundles for providing illumination to said first ends; c. said second ends of said one or more groups of optical fibers being mounted to and through a planar surface within said defined area in said one or more predetermined patterns; and d. a controller for synchronized control of the illumination of said one or more pre-determined patterns in response to signals from vehicle system monitoring devices for the display of vehicle operating parameters and vehicle operating warnings in accordance with pre-set colors and lighting intensities.

2. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein said lighting intensities are controlled automatically in accordance with lighting conditions exterior to the vehicle.

3. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein said lighting intensities are controlled by the operator manually to achieve desired operator intensities.

4. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein said pre-set colors for said one or more illuminated patterns of the informational display being changeable to other pre-set colors in response to changing vehicle operating parameters.

5. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein one of said vehicle system monitoring devices being a destination directional tracking system further comprises a plurality of directional arrows for indicating continuous travel direction of said vehicle to a selected destination and being illuminatable in response to signals derived from a global positioning system, said directional arrows being color changeable from one pre-set color to another preset color to indicate approach and arrival of the vehicle to the destination. 6. The apparatus according to Claim 5, further comprising a directional indicator means for indicating compass direction and being color changeable from one pre-set color to another pre-set color to indicate approach and arrival of the vehicle to the destination.

7. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein said informational display is created in mirror image and positioned so that illumination of the pre-determined patterns of the informational display cause a reflection in a window opposite the array of pre-determined patterns for view by the vehicle operator.

8. Apparatus for illuminating one or more pre-determined patterns within a defined area of a vehicle comprising: a. one or more light conducting means having one or more light receptors for receiving illumination and one or more light transmitters for displaying said illumination across the defined area in said one or more pre-determined patterns; b. a plurality of light sources arranged in juxtaposition against a corresponding number of said one or more light conducting means for providing illumination to said one or more light receptors; c. said one or more light transmitters of said one or more light conducting means being arrayed along a planar surface within said defined area in said one or more predetermined patterns; and d. a controller for synchronized control of the illumination of said one or more pre-determined patterns in response to controls operable by occupants of the vehicle in accordance with pre-set colors and lighting intensities.

9. The apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said light conducting means being one or more groups of fiber optic bundles.

10. The apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein said groups of fiber optic bundles are arrayed in a side-by-side relationship with light conducted through each of said optical fibers in the groups of fiber optic bundles permitted to be reflected outward along a portion of the surface area of the optical fiber from which a reflective coating has been removed.

11. The apparatus according to Claim 9, further comprising a light diffusing means for overlaying and protecting the one or more groups of fiber optic bundles. 12. The apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said light conducting means being a plastic having the characteristics to be molded or contoured to a particular shape and dimension and to conduct light uniformly throughout its expanse from light sources arrayed along one or more edges and to reflect said light outward across one major face.

13. The apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein said molded or contoured plastic having a reflective surface opposite its major face through which light is directed from the reflective surface.

14. The apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said lighting intensities are controlled automatically in accordance with lighting conditions exterior to the vehicle. 15 The apparatus according to Claim 8 wherein said pre-determined patterns are controlled by the occupants manually to illuminate desired ones of said pre-determined patterns for interior illumination of the vehicle in one or more pre-set colors and at selected lighting intensities 16 The apparatus according to Claim 15 further comprising one or more predetermined patterns being relocatable within and without said vehicle to provide illumination of areas adjacent to said vehicle and to provide illuminated warnings to other vehicles

17 Apparatus for illuminating one or more pre-determined patterns within a defined area of a vehicle comprising a one or more light conducting means having one or more light receptors for receiving illumination and one or more light transmitters for displaying said illumination across the defined area in said one or more pre-determined patterns, b a plurality of light sources arranged in juxtaposition against a corresponding number of said one or more light conducting means for providing illumination to said one or more light receptors c said one or more light transmitters of said one or more light conducting means being arrayed along a planar surface within said defined area in said one or more predetermined patterns, and d a controller for synchronized control of the illumination of said one or more pre-determined patterns in response to automatic vehicle controls in accordance with pre-set colors and lighting intensities

18 The apparatus according to Claim 17 wherein said light conducting means being one or more groups of fiber optic bundles

19. The apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein said groups of fiber optic bundles are arrayed in a side-by-side relationship with light conducted through each of said optical fibers in the groups of fiber optic bundles permitted to be reflected outward along a portion of the surface area of the optical fiber from which a reflective coating has been removed. 20. The apparatus according to Claim 18, further comprising a light diffusing means for overlaying and protecting the one or more groups of fiber optic bundles.

21. The apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein said light conducting means being a plastic having the characteristics to be molded or contoured to a particular shape and dimension and to conduct light uniformly throughout its expanse from light sources arrayed along one or more edges and to reflect said light outward across one major face.

22. The apparatus according to Claim 21 , wherein said molded or contoured plastic having a reflective surface opposite its major face through which light is directed from the reflective surface.

23. The apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein said lighting intensities are controlled automatically in accordance with lighting conditions exterior to the vehicle.

24. The apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein said automatically actuated predetermined patterns are illuminated in response to door lock setting and releasing and door openings and closings.

25. The apparatus according to Claim 24, further comprising one or more pre- determined patterns to provide illumination of areas adjacent to said vehicle and to provide illuminated warnings to other vehicles.

26. A method for illuminating one or more pre-determined patterns within a defined area of a vehicle comprising: a. providing one or more light conducting means having one or more light receptors for receiving illumination and one or more light transmitters for displaying said illumination across the defined area in said one or more pre-determined patterns; b. providing a plurality of light sources and arranging said plurality of light sources in juxtaposition against a corresponding number of said one or more light conducting means for providing illumination to said one or more light receptors; c. arranging said one or more light transmitters of said one or more light conducting means in an array along a planar surface within said defined area in said one or more pre-determined patterns; and d. synchronously controlling the illumination of said one or more predetermined patterns in response to signals from vehicle system monitoring devices and automatic and manual vehicle controls in accordance with pre-set colors and lighting intensities.