WO2017139740A1

WO2017139740A1 - Self-contained indicator assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2017139740A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/017625
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Greszler; Kevin FRIEDMAN; Vedang KOTHARI
Original assignee: Lumitex, Inc.
Priority date: 2016-02-11
Filing date: 2017-02-13
Publication date: 2017-08-17

Abstract

A self-contained indicator assembly (10) including an illumination assembly, a proximity sensor, circuitry (16), and a power source are all contained within a housing. The components are also electrically isolated from external electrical sources. The circuitry controls emission of light by the illumination assembly based on the output of the proximity sensor.

Description

SELF-CONTAINED INDICATOR ASSEMBLY

Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of Application No. 62/294,059 filed on February 11 , 2016. Which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an indicator assembly, and in particular to a self-contained indicator assembly powered independently with integrated electronics.

Background

Lighting indicators and accent lights in vehicles provide drivers with information, enhanced safety, and add decorative properties to vehicles. Typical lighting indicators utilize external components (e.g., power supplies, light sources, processors, sensors, etc.) in order to control light output.

Summary of Invention

The requirement for external connections to lighting indicators requires either aftermarket modifications to a vehicle or for vehicle manufacturers to pre- wire the cars for connection to such indicators. Also, the requirement for external components allows the ingress of dust, moisture, and other

environmental contaminants that may decrease the life expectancy of the lighting indicators.

The present disclosure provides a self-contained indicator assembly including an illumination assembly, a proximity sensor, circuitry, and a power source all contained within a housing and electrically isolated from external electrical sources.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a self- contained indicator assembly including an illumination assembly, a proximity sensor, circuitry, a power source, and a housing. The illumination assembly includes at least one light emitting diode having a light emitting portion. Upon activation, the at least one light emitting diode is configured to emit light having at least one wavelength via the light emitting portion. The illumination assembly also includes a light guide configured to propagate light (e.g., via total internal reflection). The light guide includes: a light emitting surface, a proximal end optically coupled to the at least one light emitting diode, a distal end, and an optical pattern. The light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode is received at the proximal end. The optical pattern is configured to cause light propagated by the light guide to be emitted from the light emitting surface. The proximity sensor is configured to sense at least one environmental variable and output a signal corresponding to the sensed at least one environmental variable. The circuitry is configured to control emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode based on the output of the proximity sensor. The power source is for supplying power to the circuitry and the at least one light emitting diode. The housing contains the illumination assembly, power source, proximity sensor, and circuitry, wherein the power source is electrically isolated from electrical sources outside the housing.

Alternatively or additionally, the illumination assembly and proximity sensor are separate layers and the illumination assembly layer is located directly above or below the proximity sensor layer.

Alternatively or additionally, the proximity sensor includes a capacitive sensor.

Alternatively or additionally, the light guide is at least one of a clad flat fiber light guide, parallel optical fibers, braided optical fibers, or woven optical fibers.

Alternatively or additionally, the light guide includes a cladding

surrounding a core and the optical pattern comprises variations in the cladding of the light guide.

Alternatively or additionally, the variations in the cladding directs the propagating light towards the light emitting surface such that at least a portion of the directed propagating light is output from the light guide.

Alternatively or additionally, the indicator assembly may include a diffusion layer adjacent the light emitting surface. The diffusion layer is configured to diffuse the light emitted from the light emitting surface. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one light emitting diode includes a first light emitting diode and a second light emitting diode and the first light emitting diode is configured to output light having a different wavelength than light emitted by the second light emitting diode.

Alternatively or additionally, the power source comprises a power storage unit for storing electrical power and a power generator configured to generate electricity.

Alternatively or additionally, the power generator comprises a piezoelectric generator, a thermovoltaic generator, or a solar generator.

Alternatively or additionally, an interior surface of the housing includes a reflective coating configured to reflect the light output by the light guide.

Alternatively or additionally, the housing is electrically isolated from external electrical sources.

Alternatively or additionally, the indicator assembly also include a plate overlying the illumination assembly, the plate including an aperture therethrough, wherein the aperture of the plate is positioned such that at least a portion of the light emitted by the light guide passes through the aperture.

Alternatively or additionally, the aperture is configured to convey information.

Alternatively or additionally, the plate includes a filter configured to shift a wavelength of the light emitted by the light emitting surface.

Alternatively or additionally, the housing is sealed against environmental egress of dust and liquids.

Alternatively or additionally, the power source is removably connected to other components of the self-contained indicator assembly, such that the power source is replaceable.

Alternatively or additionally, the circuitry is configured to adjust at least one property of the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode in response to the sensed at least one environmental variable.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one environmental variable include at least one of a state of a door as open or closed, acceleration of the self-contained indicator assembly, a velocity of the self-contained indicator assembly, properties of sound waves received by the self-contained indicator assembly.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one property of the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode includes at least one of starting or stopping emission of light, wavelength, duration of emission, or intensity.

Alternatively or additionally, the circuitry is configured to activate the at least one light emitting diode to emit light when the sensed at least one environmental variable satisfies a predetermined criterion.

Alternatively or additionally, the circuitry is configured to deactivate the at least one light emitting diode such that the at least one light emitting diode does not emit light when the sensed at least one environmental variable returns to a preset baseline value.

Alternatively or additionally, the circuitry is configured to stop the emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode after a set time has expired following the at least one light emitting diode beginning to emit light.

Alternatively or additionally, the circuitry controls the at least one light emitting diode to cause lighting effects comprising at least one of color-changing effects or pulsed light emissions.

Alternatively or additionally, the circuitry is configured to toggle emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode in response to the proximity sensor detecting a first movement gesture.

Alternatively or additionally, the circuitry is configured to adjust a property of the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode in response to detecting a second movement gesture.

Alternatively or additionally, the circuitry is configured to: store as events in a non-transitory computer readable medium the at least one environmental variable detected by the proximity sensor and a time the at least one

environmental variable was detected, analyze the stored events in order to determine user habits, and adjust control of the emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode based on the determined user habits.

Alternatively or additionally, analyzing the stored events includes determining a frequency of specific events detected by the proximity sensor and, based on the frequency of the specific events, adjust a parameter of the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode.

Alternatively or additionally, the adjusted parameter comprises a duration of emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode.

Alternatively or additionally, the indicator assembly additionally including a wireless communication interface communicatively coupled to the circuitry. The wireless communication interface configured to communicate with and receive parameters from a device located outside the housing. The circuitry is configured to adjust the control of the at least one light emitting diode based on the received parameters.

Alternatively or additionally, the outside device include at least one of an audio output device or a component of a vehicle.

Alternatively or additionally, the wireless communication interface communicates with the outside device via Bluetooth, WI-FI, radiofrequency, or infrared.

Alternatively or additionally, a vehicle may include a substrate and the self-contained indicator assembly. The self-contained indicator assembly is secured to the substrate and the substrate is located on a location of the vehicle selected from the group consisting of an instrument panel, kick plate, tailgate, rear fascia, deck lid, window, roll bar, hood, grille, door, engine cover, PRNDL, Steering Wheel, cup holder, glove compartment, dome light, under dash.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of controlling a self-contained indicator assembly including a proximity sensor and a light emitting diode. The method includes sensing with the proximity sensor at least one environmental variable, outputting a signal corresponding to the sensed at least one environmental variable, and controlling emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode based on the output of the proximity sensor. The controlling of the emission of light includes: activating the at least one light emitting diode to emit light when the sensed at least one environmental variable satisfies a predetermined criterion, deactivating the at least one light emitting diode such that the light emitting diode does not emit light when the sensed at least one environmental variable returns to a preset baseline value, and adjusting at least one property of light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode in response to the sensed at least one environmental variable.

The foregoing and other features of the invention are hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these embodiments being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 A is an exploded view of a self-contained indicator assembly.

FIGS. 1 B-1 F are exemplary embodiments of the self-contained indicator assembly.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the illumination assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 2B and 2C are side views of illumination assemblies.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting a method for controlling the self-contained indicator assembly.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting an alternative method for controlling the self-contained indicator assembly.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting an additional method for controlling the self-contained indicator assembly.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting a further method for controlling the self- contained indicator assembly.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present disclosure provides a self-contained indicator assembly including an illumination assembly, a proximity sensor, circuitry, and a power source that are all contained within a housing. The components are also electrically isolated from electrical sources outside the housing. The circuitry controls emission of light by the illumination assembly based on the output of the proximity sensor.

Turning to FIGS. 1 A and 2, a self-contained indicator assembly 10 including an illumination assembly 12, proximity sensor 14, circuitry 16, power source 18, and housing 20 are shown. The illumination assembly 12 includes at least one light emitting diode 22 and a light guide 24. The light guide 24 is configured to propagate light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode 22. An optical pattern 29 of the light guide causes the light propagated by the light guide to be emitted from a light emitting surface 26 of the light guide 24. The proximity sensor 14 senses at least one environmental variable and outputs the sensed at least one variable to the circuitry 16. The circuitry 16 controls emission of light by the illumination assembly 12 based on the output of the proximity sensor 14.

Exemplary embodiments of the self-contained indicator assembly 10 are shown in FIGS. 1 B-1 F. In FIG. 1 B, the self-contained indicator assembly 10 is shown as a lit badge on the front of a clothing article. In FIG. 1 C, the self- contained indicator assembly 10 is shown as an illuminated side trim 10a on a car. In FIG. 1 D, the self-contained indicator assembly 10 is shown as a headlight 10b on a car. In FIG. 1 E, the self-contained indicator assembly 10 is shown as a taillight 10d and a rear lit logo 10e on a car. In FIG. 1 F, the self- contained indicator assembly 10 is shown as part of a dash display 10e, a center panel 10f, and glove box illumination 10g. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the self-contained indicator assembly 10 may be used for illumination in any suitable application. For example, the self-contained indicator assembly 10 may be used as illumination on a door sill of a car.

As described above, the illumination assembly 12 includes at least one light emitting diode 22 and a light guide 24. The at least one light emitting diode 22 has a light emitting portion 28. Upon activation, the at least one light emitting diode 22 is configured to emit light having at least one wavelength via the light emitting portion 28. The light emitting portion 28 may comprise a surface of the at least one light emitting diode 22 adjacent and facing a side surface

perpendicular to the light emitting surface 26 of the light guide 24. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the at least one light emitting diode 22 is not limited to illuminating a single side of the light guide 24. For example, when the at least one light emitting diode 22 comprises multiple light emitting diodes, the light emitting diodes 22 may be located at separate locations along the light guide 24. Additionally, the light emitting portion 28 is not limited to being adjacent a side surface located perpendicular to the light emitting surface 26. For example, the light emitting portion 28 may be located along the light emitting surface 26 or a surface parallel to the light emitting surface 26.

The at least one light emitting diode 22 may include a first light emitting diode and a second light emitting diode. The first light emitting diode may be configured to output light having a different wavelength than light emitted by the second light emitting diode. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the at least one light emitting diode 22 may comprise multiple light emitting diodes, where each light emitting diode emits a different wavelength of light. In this way, by controlling the emission of light by the light emitting diodes, it is possible to control and vary the color of light emitted by the at least one light emitting diodes 22.

As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the present disclosure is not limited to the use of light emitting diodes, but may include alternative or additional light sources including laser source(s), incandescent source(s), fluorescent source(s), or any other suitable source of light.

The light guide 24 is configured to propagate light (e.g., via total internal reflection). The light guide 24 includes a light emitting surface 26, a proximal end 30, a distal end 32, and an optical pattern 29. The proximal end 30 may be optically coupled to the at least one light emitting diode 22, such that the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode 22 is received at the proximal end 30. The light received by the proximal end 30 of the light guide 24 is propagated (e.g., via total internal reflection) from the proximal end 30 towards a distal end 32 of the light guide 24. The optical pattern 29 is configured to cause light propagated by the light guide 24 to be emitted from the light emitting surface 26.

The light guide 24 may include a core surrounded by and in contact with a cladding. The cladding may include one or more layers of materials of lower refractive index than the core. The cladding causes light to be confined to the core of the fiber by total internal reflection at the boundary between the cladding and the core. The optical pattern 29 may comprise variations and/or disruptions in the cladding adjacent the light emitting surface. For example, the optical pattern 29 may include lensing features through the cladding layer. The optical pattern 29 may be formed in the cladding through chemical etching, laser etching, or using any suitable technique for causing variations in the cladding layer. The optical pattern 29 may alternatively comprise variations in an index of refraction of the light guide 24.

Alternatively, the light guide 24 may not be cladded. For example,, the light guide 24 may comprise PMMA, a PC film, or any other suitable non-cladded structure for propagating light.

The optical pattern 29 may direct the propagating light towards the light emitting surface 26 such that at least a portion of the directed propagating light is output from the light guide 24.

The optical pattern 29 may be formed by roughening, marring, abrading, etching, grit blasting or thermally deforming the light guide 24. For example, the light guide 24 may be passed between rollers that are roughened or serrated or covered with a diamond coating or grit sandpaper or other suitable abrasive material to provide an abrasive surface thereon for disrupting (e.g., marring or abrading) the light emitting surface 26 of the light guide 24 during passage between the rollers with the rollers pressing against the light guide 24 in a single inline process. The rollers may be heated or unheated. The other roller may be hard or have a deformable cover as desired. The size, depth, density and/or location of the optical pattern 29 may be varied as desired to cause propagated light to be emitted from the light emitting surface 26 in a uniform or non-uniform pattern as desired.

Alternatively or additionally, the optical pattern 29 may be formed by light extracting elements configured to extract light from the light guide. The light extracting elements may be located between the light emitting surface 26 and another surface located parallel to the light emitting surface. The light extracting elements may be configured to extract light such that light output by the light emitting surface 26 has a defined intensity profile (e.g., a uniform intensity profile) and/or a defined light ray angle distribution. The light extracting elements may be shaped to extract light in a direction towards the light emitting surface 26.

As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the light guide 24 may comprise a clad flat fiber light guide, parallel optical fibers, braided optical fibers, woven optical fibers, or any other suitable structure for propagating light. As described above, the propagation of light by total internal reflection may be facilitated by the light guide 24 being formed of a core and cladding surrounding at least a portion of the core, the core having a different index of refraction than the primary member.

Turning to FIG. 2B, the illumination assembly 12 may further include a diffusion layer 49 adjacent the light emitting surface 26. The diffusion layer 49 is configured to diffuse the light emitted from the light emitting surface 26. The diffusion layer 49 may diffuse the light such that the light emitted by the light emitting surface 26 has a more uniform intensity with the diffusion layer present than if the diffusion layer 49 is not present.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, a reflector 52 may also be integrated on a surface of the light guide 24 that is opposite the light emitting surface 26. The reflector 52 may be configured to reflect back into the light guide 24 light that exits the light guide 24 at a surface other than the light emitting surface 26.

Components of the indicator assembly 10 may also be integrated into the reflector 52. For example, the proximity sensor 14 and conductive traces 54 may be bonded (e.g., printed) to a back surface of the reflector 52. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the components integrated into the reflector 52 are not limited to the proximity sensor 14 and conductive traces 54, but may include any of the components of the indicator assembly 10 alone or in combination with other components.

As an example, electrical power may be supplied to the at least one light emitting diode 22 by conductive traces 54 that are bonded directly to the reflector 52. The electrically conductive traces 54 may include pads and additional electrical components to which electrical power is supplied. For example, electrical power may be provided via a plug-in connector interface on an edge of the light guide 24 (e.g., for connection by means of a standard cable connector to a power source 18). This enables electrical power to be supplied not only to the light emitting diodes 22, but also to other electrical components (e.g., switches) bonded to the reflector 52.

The conductive traces 54 may also provide a means of creating current limiting resistance to the at least one light emitting diode 22. In one example, the circuitry 16 to each of the at least one light emitting diode 22 are equalized utilizing balancing resistors thereby allowing uniform electrical power distribution to each of the at least one light emitting diode 22 and providing uniform illumination from each of the at least one light emitting diode 22. In another example, the conductive traces 54 are varied to provide variable resistance, increasing brightness of the at least one light emitting diodes 22 in selected areas of the light guide 24.

As described above and with further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 A, the indicator assembly 10 includes a proximity sensor 14 configured to sense at least one environmental variable and output a signal corresponding to the sensed at least one environmental variable. The proximity sensor 14 may comprise a capacitive sensor, a light sensor, an accelerometer, or any other suitable sensor. For example, the proximity sensor 14 may comprise a capacitive sensor positioned to detect the opening and closing of a door of a vehicle.

The at least one environmental variable sensed by the proximity sensor

14 may comprise at least one of a state of a door as open or closed,

acceleration, velocity, properties of received sound waves, properties of received light, or any other environment variable.

The illumination assembly 12 and proximity sensor 14 may be formed as part of the same layer (as shown in in FIGS. 1 and 2) or as separate layers. For example, the illumination assembly 12 layer may be located directly above the proximity sensor layer 14. Alternatively, the illumination assembly 12 layer may be located directly below the proximity sensor layer 14.

As described above, the indicator assembly 10 includes circuitry 16 configured to control emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode 22 based on the output of the proximity sensor 14. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the circuitry 16 may have various implementations. For example, the circuitry 16 may include any suitable device, such as a processor, digital signal processor (DSP), Application Specific Instruction Set Processor (ASIP), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), programmable circuit, integrated circuit, memory and I/O circuits, an application specific integrated circuit, microcontroller, complex programmable logic device, other programmable circuits, or the like. The circuitry 16 may also include a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM or Flash memory), or any other suitable medium.

Instructions for performing the method described below may be stored in the non-transitory computer readable medium and executed by the circuitry.

The circuitry 16 may be configured to adjust at least one property of the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode 22 in response to the sensed at least one environmental variable. The at least one property of the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode 22 may comprise at least one of starting or stopping emission of light, wavelength, duration of emission, intensity, or any other suitable property. For example, the circuitry 16 may be configured to activate the at least one light emitting diode 22 to emit light when the sensed at least one environmental variable satisfies a predetermined criterion.

Alternatively or additionally, the circuitry 16 may be configured to deactivate the at least one light emitting diode 22 such that the at least one light emitting diode 22 does not emit light when the sensed at least one environmental variable returns to a preset baseline value. In another example, the circuitry 16 is configured to stop the emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode 22 after a set time has expired following the at least one light emitting diode 22 beginning to emit light.

In another example, the circuitry 16 controls the at least one light emitting diode 22 to cause lighting effects including at least one of color-changing effects or pulsed light emissions. In still another example, the circuitry 16 is configured to toggle emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode 22 in response to the proximity sensor 14 detecting a first movement gesture. The circuitry 16 is configured to adjust a property of the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode 22 in response to detecting a second movement gesture. The movement gestures may comprise movement of any suitable object, e.g., a door, a user's hand, etc. in a predetermined pattern.

The circuitry 16 may also be configured to store as events in a non- transitory computer readable medium 34 the at least one environmental variable detected by the proximity sensor 14 and a time the at least one environmental variable was detected by the proximity sensor 14. The circuitry 16 may analyze the stored events in order to determine user habits. For example, analyzing the stored events by the circuitry 16 may include determining a frequency of specific events detected by the proximity sensor 14 and, based on the frequency of the specific events, adjusting a parameter of the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode 22. The specific events may include the frequency with which a door is opened and/or closed, the duration of time the door remains open, etc.

The circuitry 16 may also adjust control of the emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode 22 based on the determined user habits. For example, the adjusted parameter may include a duration of emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode 22, the rate at which an intensity of light emission by the at least one light emitting diode 22 is increased and/or decreased, etc.

The indicator assembly 10 may also include a wireless communication interface 36 communicatively coupled to the circuitry 16. The wireless

communication interface 36 is configured to communicate with and receive parameters from a device located outside the housing 20. The circuitry 16 may be configured to adjust the control of the at least one light emitting diode 22 based on the received parameters. The outside device may include an audio output device (e.g., an audio receiver, a smart phone, an MP3 player, etc.), a component of a vehicle (e.g., a controller having access to vehicle sensors), or any other suitable device capable of sending parameters to the indicator assembly 10.

The wireless communication interface 36 may communicate with the outside device via Bluetooth, WI-FI, radiofrequency, infrared, or via any suitable communication protocol. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the wireless communication interface 36 may comprise a wireless network adaptor, or any suitable device that provides an interface between the outside device and the indicator assembly 10. The wireless communication interface 36 may be communicatively coupled to the computer readable medium 34, such that the wireless communication interface 36 is able to send data stored on the computer readable medium 34 and store received data on the computer readable medium 34. The wireless communication interface 36 may also be communicatively coupled to the circuitry 16 such that the circuitry 16 is able to control operation of the wireless communication interface 36. The wireless communication interface 36, computer readable medium 34, and circuitry 16 may be communicatively coupled through a system bus, mother board, or using any other suitable manner as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The indicator assembly 10 may also include a wired connection to charge the power source 18, program the circuitry 16, etc. The wired connection may be a USB connection, an HDMI connection, a mini-USB connection, a mini- HDMI connection, or any other suitable connection for interfacing with the indicator assembly 10 to recharge the power source 18 or program the circuitry 16.

With additional reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A, the indicator assembly 10 additionally includes a power source 18 for supplying power to the circuitry 16 and the at least one light emitting diode 22. The power source 18 may include a power storage unit 40 for storing electrical power and a power generator 42 configured to generate electricity. For example, the power storage unit 40 may include a battery, a capacitor, and/or any device capable of storing and providing electricity. The power generator 42 may include a piezoelectric generator, a thermovoltaic generator, a solar generator, or any other suitable device capable of generating electricity.

The power source 18 may be removably connected to other components of the self-contained indicator assembly 10, such that the power source 18 is replaceable. For example, the power source 18 may form an electrical connection with at least one of the illumination assembly 12, proximity sensor 14, and circuitry 16 via contact pads. That is, the power source 18 may include electrical contacts on an outside surface of the power source 18. The housing 20 may include a receptacle for receiving the power source 18. The receptacle may include electrical contacts positioned such that, when the power source 18 is positioned in the receptacle, the electrical contacts of the power source 18 form an electrical connection with the electrical contacts of the receptacle. Upon opening the housing 20, the power source 18 may be removed from the receptacle and replaced with another power source 18. In this way, the lifespan of the indicator assembly 10 may be increased by replacing a power source 18 with another power source including more electrical energy than the removed power source.

With further reference to FIG. 2A, the proximity sensor 14, the power source, the non-transitory computer readable medium 34, the wireless

communication interface 36, the power storage unit 40, and the power generator 42 are shown schematically using dotted lines. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the position of the components is not limited by the representation of the components in FIG. 2A.

As described above, the indicator assembly 10 includes a housing 20 containing the illumination assembly 12, power source 18, proximity sensor 14, and circuitry 16. The power source 18 is electrically isolated from electrical sources outside the housing. The illumination assembly 12, proximity sensor 14, and circuitry 16 may also be isolated from electrical sources outside the housing. The housing 20 may also be electrically isolated from external electrical sources.

The housing 20 may be formed from two or more components. For example, the housing 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed from a first component 20a and a second component 20b. The components forming the housing 20 may be sealed together to prevent foreign objects from entering the housing 20. For example, the housing 20 may be sealed against environmental egress of dust and liquids. In this way, the housing 20 protects the other elements of the indicator assembly 10 from damage, improving the expected life span and reliability of the indicator assembly 10.

An interior surface of the housing 20 may include a reflective coating configured to reflect the light output by the illumination assembly 12.

As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the housing 20 may be formed of any suitable material. For example, the housing 20 may be formed from plastic, rubber, metal, or a combination thereof. The housing 20 may also be sealed to prevent the ingress of foreign objects using any suitable method. For example, the housing 20 may be formed from two components that snap together to form a seal preventing the ingress of foreign objects. In another example, the housing 20 may be formed such that a junction between the two components forming the housing 20 is covered by another material, forming a seal to prevent the ingress of foreign objects.

The housing 20 may include a plate 46 overlying the illumination assembly 12. The plate 46 may include an aperture 48 therethrough. The aperture 48 of the plate 46 may be positioned such that at least a portion of the light emitted by the light guide 24 passes through the aperture 48.

The aperture 48 may be configured to convey information. For example, the light passing through the aperture 48 may be patterned to convey information regarding an environmental variable sensed by the proximity sensor 14. In one example, the emission of light may convey that a door of a vehicle is open or not properly closed. In another example, the color of light passing through the aperture 48 may convey an information regarding a velocity of acceleration of the indicator assembly 10.

The plate 46 may be composed of a different material than the housing 20. For example, the plate 46 may be metal, while the housing 20 may be predominately plastic. The plate 46 may be received by an opening 50 in the housing 20. The plate 46 may be fixed to the housing 20 in any suitable means. The aperture 48 of the plate 46 may be formed of a transparent material (e.g., glass or plastic).

The plate 46 may include a filter configured to attenuate a portion of the light emitted by the light emitting surface 26. For example, the filter may comprise a bandpass, low pass, or high pass filter. The filter may be configured to attenuate a portion of the spectrum of light emitted by the light emitting surface 26, causing a perceived shift in the wavelength of light emitted by the light emitting surface 26.

The filter may also attenuate a portion of the light received by the proximity sensor 14. That is, when the proximity sensor 14 is configured to detected received light, the filter may be configured to shift the spectrum of the light detected by the proximity sensor 14. For example, the filter may be a low pass filter configured to attenuate longer wavelengths (e.g., red light). In this way, the filter may attenuate morning sunlight containing larger red component as compared to whiter mid-day sunlight. In this example, the proximity sensor 15 may detect mid-day sunlight, but the filter may attenuate the morning sunlight.

Alternatively or additionally, the plate 46 may include a brightness enhancing film 51 . The brightness enhancing film 51 may cause an actual or perceived increase in brightness of light emitted by the light emitting surface 26. For example, the brightness enhancing film 51 may be shaped to reflect and refract light to recycle diffuse light emitted by the light emitting surface 26. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the brightness enhancing 51 film may use any suitable technique (e.g., collimation) to increase the brightness of the light emitted by the light emitting surface 26.

Turning again to FIG. 2B and 2C, the indicator assembly 10 may include more than one light guide 24a, 24b. For example, two light guides 24a, 24b may receive light from one or more light emitting diodes 22 and emit light towards the plate 46. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, each of the light guides 24a, 24b may receive light from the same light emitting diodes 22 or from different light emitting diodes 22. In FIG. 2B, the two light guides 24a, 24b receive light from two different light emitting diodes 22a, 22b. Each light guide 24a, 24b may emit a different color of light (i.e., a different wavelength of light) and/or each light guide 24a, 24b may emit light at different time intervals. For example, the first light emitting diode 22a may emit blue light and the second light emitting diode 22b may emit red light. The light emitting diodes 22a, 22b may also be illuminated by the light emitting diodes 22a, 22b such that the light emitted by the indicator assembly 10 alternates between red light and blue light.

With continued reference to FIG. 2C, two light guides 24a, 24b receive light from different light emitting diodes 22a, 22b. However, in FIG. 2C, the light guides 24a, 24b do not overlap, but are laid next to one another. Using this arrangement of the light guides 24a, 24b, the lighting assembly 10 may illuminate one portion of the plate 46 with one color of light and another portion of the plate 46 with another color of light. As an example, FIG. 2C may be used to illuminate a no smoking sign. The first light guide 24a may emit white light and the light emitting portion 28 located adjacent the first light guide 24a may be located such that a steady image of a cigarette is shown with white light. The second light guide 24b may emit red light and the light emitting portion 28 located adjacent the second light guide 24b may be located such that a blinking image of a circle with a slash through it is shown. In this way, by using different combinations of light guides 24 and light emitting diodes 22, it is possible to vary the light emitted at different portions of the plate 46.

As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, any combination of light guides 24, light emitting diodes 22, light color, and light emission timing may be used.

The indicator assembly 10 may be included as part of a vehicle. The vehicle may additionally include a substrate and the indicator assembly 10 may be secured to the substrate. The substrate may be located on a location of the vehicle selected from the group consisting of an instrument panel, kick plate, tailgate, rear fascia, deck lid, window, roll bar, hood, grille, door, engine cover, PRNDL, gear shift, Steering Wheel, cup holder, glove compartment, dome light, under dash, or any other suitable location.

With reference to FIG. 3, a block diagram depicting a method 100 for controlling a self-contained indicator assembly 10 including a proximity sensor 14 and a light emitting diode 22 is shown. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, all or part of the method 100 may be performed by the circuitry 16. The method 100 may be stored as computer readable instructions (e.g., an executable computer program) in the non-transitory computer readable medium 34.

In process block 102, the proximity sensor 14 senses at least one environmental variable. In process block 104, a signal corresponding to the sensed at least one environmental variable is output by the proximity sensor 14. The signal may be received by the circuitry 16. In process block 106, emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode 22 is controlled based on the output of the proximity sensor 14.

In decision block 108, a determination is made regarding whether the sensed at least one environmental variable satisfies a predetermined criterion. If the sensed at least one environmental variable satisfies a predetermined criterion, then in process block 110 the at least one light emitting diode 22 is activated to emit light. The predetermined criterion may be the sensed at least one environment variable exceeding a predetermined threshold, falling below a predetermined threshold, reaching a level between two predetermined

thresholds, etc. If the sensed at least one environmental variable does not satisfy a predetermined criterion in decision block 108 or following process block 110, a determination is made in decision block 112 whether the sensed at least one environmental variable returns to a preset baseline value. If the sensed at least one environmental variable returns to a preset baseline value, then in process block 114 the at least one light emitting diode 122 is deactivated such that the at least one light emitting diode 22 does not emit light.

If the sensed at least one environmental variable does not return to a preset baseline value in decision block 112 or following deactivation of the at least one light emitting diode 22 in process block 114, then processing moves to decision block 116. In decision block 116, a determination is made to determine whether the sensed at least one environmental variable satisfy a preset criterion. If the at least one environmental variable satisfies a preset criterion, then in process block 118 at least one property of light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode 22 is adjusted in response to the sensed at least one

environmental variable.

If the at least one environmental variable does not satisfy a preset criterion in decision block 116 or following process block 118, processing returns to process block 102.

Turning to FIG. 4, a block diagram depicting another method 130 for controlling a self-contained indicator assembly 10 including a proximity sensor 14 and a light emitting diode 22 is shown. Again, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, all or part of the method 130 may be performed by the circuitry 16. The method 130 may be stored as computer readable instructions (e.g., an executable computer program) in the non-transitory computer readable medium 34.

In process block 132, the proximity sensor 14 senses at least one environmental variable. The signal corresponding to the sensed at least one environmental variable may be output by the proximity sensor 14 and received by the circuitry 16. In decision block 134, a determination is made regarding whether a change in the at least one sensed environmental variable is detected. If a change is not detected in decision block 134, then processing returns to process block 132. If a change is detected in decision block 134, then

processing moves to decision block 136, where a determination is made regarding whether the detected change indicates that a door is opening. If the detected change indicates the door is opening, then the method 130 moves to process block 138. If the detected change does not indicate that the door is opening, then the method 130 moves to decision block 138.

In process block 138, the at least one light emitting diode 22 are activated to emit light. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, activing the at least one light emitting diode 22 may comprise activating one or more of the at least one light emitting diode 22. For example, if the at least one light emitting diode includes five separate light emitting diodes, then activating the five light emitting diodes may comprise activating one or more of the light emitting diodes simultaneously and/or at separate times. Following activating the at least one light emitting diode 22 in process block 138, a determination is made in decision block 140 regarding whether a time has expired. The timer may be started upon the at least one light emitting diode 22 being activated. The timer may be determined to expire once the timer reaches a given duration of time. The duration of time associated by the timer may be predetermined based on a default value. Alternatively, the duration of time may be based on user habits.

If the timer has not yet expired in decision block 140, then processing moves to decision block 141. In decision block 139 a determination is made regarding whether the detected change indicates that the door is closing and/or closed. If the change does not indicate that the door is closing, then the method 130 returns to decision block 140. Alternatively, if the change indicates that the door is closing or has already closed, then the method 130 moves to process block 142. Once the timer has expired (i.e., the at least one light emitting diode 22 has been activated for longer than a given duration of time), then method 130 moves to process block 142.

Returning to decision block 136, if the detected change does not indicate that the door is opening, then the method moves to decision block 138. In decision block 139. In decision block 139 a determination is made regarding whether the detected change indicates that the door is closing and/or closed. If the change does not indicate that the door is closing, then the method 130 returns to process block 132. Alternatively, if the change indicates that the door is closing or has already closed, then the method 130 moves to process block 142.

In process block 142, the at least one light emitting diode 22 is

deactivated. Following deactivation of the at least one light emitting diode 22 the method 130 moves to process block 142. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, deactivating the at least one light emitting diode 122 may comprise stopping emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode 122 over varying durations of time. For example, deactivating the at least one light emitting diode 122 may include activating a switch to cut power from the at least one light emitting diode 122. Alternatively, in another example, deactivating the at least one light emitting diode 122 may include decreasing the intensity of light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode 122 from an activated level of intensity to a deactivated intensity (i.e., no emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode 122). For example, the at least one light emitting diode 122 may be transitioned from a maximum intensity of emitted light to no emission of light over a period of 5 seconds (or over any given duration of time). The decrease in intensity of light may be linearly, exponential, or following any suitable pattern. Similarly, activating the at least one light emitting diode 22 may include both immediately ramping up the intensity of light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode 22 or gradually increasing the intensity of light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode 22.

Turning to FIG. 5, a block diagram depicting another method 150 for controlling a self-contained indicator assembly 10 including a proximity sensor 14 and a light emitting diode 22 is shown. Again, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, all or part of the method 150 may be performed by the circuitry 16. The method 150 may be stored as computer readable instructions (e.g., an executable computer program) in the non-transitory computer readable medium 34.

In process block 152, the proximity sensor 14 senses at least one environmental variable. The signal corresponding to the sensed at least one environmental variable may be output by the proximity sensor 14 and received by the circuitry 16. In decision block 154, a determination is made regarding whether a change in the at least one sensed environmental variable is detected. If a change is not detected in decision block 154, then processing returns to process block 152. If a change is detected in decision block 154, then

processing moves to process block 156. In process block 156, the change in sensed at least one environmental variable and a current time are stored as an event. The event may be stored in the non-transitory computer readable medium 34. In process block 158, the stored events are analyzed to determine user habits. Analyzing the stored events to determine user habits may not occur after the storing of each new event. Rather, the analysis may be performed at predetermined times, after a given number of new events have been recorded, or using any suitable criteria. In process block 160, control of the emission of light is adjusted based on the determined user habits. Following process block 160, processing returns to process block 152.

One example of the method 150 in Figure 5 is shown in Figure 6 as method 170. Method 170 begins with process block 158 and 160 of Figure 5. Following process block 160, the method 170 moves to three decision blocks 172, 174, 176.

In decision block 172, the determination is made regarding whether a door remains open for long period of time. The duration of time that a door remains open may be detected by the proximity sensor 14. A "long period of time" may be defined as a period of time greater than 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, or any other suitable duration of time.

In decision block 174, a determination is made regarding whether the door is opened and closed frequently. The frequency at which a door is opened and closed may be detected by the proximity sensor 14. "Frequently" may be defined as the door opening and closing a given number of times within a preset duration of time. For example, "frequently" may refer to the door being opened and closed more than 5 times an hour, 10 times an hour, or 20 times an hour.

In decision block 176, a determination is made regarding whether the door is opened and closed consecutively within a short time period. A "short time" period may be defined as the door being opened and closed within 3 seconds, 5 seconds, 8 seconds, or any other suitable duration of time.

Following each of the three decision blocks 172, 174, 176, if the determination was negative (i.e., no), then processing moves to process block 178. In process block 178, the duration of time that the at least one light emitting diode 22 emits light after the is door opened is maintained (i.e., does not change).

Following each of the three decision blocks 172, 174, 176, if the determination was positive (i.e., yes), then processing moves to process block 180. In process block 180, the duration of time that the at least one light emitting diode 22 emits light after the door is opened is decreased.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. In particular, with regard to the various functions performed by the above-described components, the terms used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the desired component (e.g., that is

functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed component which performs the function of the herein disclosed exemplary embodiment of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one embodiment, such feature may be combined with one or more other features as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1 . A self-contained indicator assembly comprising:

an illumination assembly comprising:

at least one light emitting diode having a light emitting portion, wherein upon activation the at least one light emitting diode is configured to emit light having at least one wavelength via the light emitting portion;

a light guide configured to propagate light, the light guide including: a light emitting surface;

a distal end;

a proximal end optically coupled to the at least one light emitting diode, wherein the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode is received at the proximal end and propagated from the proximal end towards the distal end of the light guide;

an optical pattern configured to cause light propagated by the light guide to be emitted from the light emitting surface;

a proximity sensor configured to sense at least one environmental variable and output a signal corresponding to the sensed at least one

environmental variable;

circuitry configured to control emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode based on the output of the proximity sensor;

a power source for supplying power to the circuitry and the at least one light emitting diode; and

a housing containing the illumination assembly, power source, proximity sensor, and circuitry, wherein the power source is electrically isolated from electrical sources outside the housing.

2. The self-contained indicator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the illumination assembly and proximity sensor comprise separate layers and the illumination assembly layer is located directly above or below the proximity sensor layer, preferably wherein the proximity sensor includes a capacitive sensor.

3. The self-contained indicator assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein:

the light guide comprises at least one of a clad flat fiber light guide, parallel optical fibers, braided optical fibers, or woven optical fibers; and/or

the light guide includes a cladding surrounding a core and the optical pattern comprises variations in the cladding of the light guide, preferably wherein the variations in the cladding directs the propagating light towards the light emitting surface such that at least a portion of the directed propagating light is output from the light guide.

4. The self-contained indicator assembly of any of the preceding claims, further comprising:

a diffusion layer adjacent the light emitting surface, wherein the diffusion layer is configured to diffuse the light emitted from the light emitting surface; and/or

a plate overlying the illumination assembly, the plate including an aperture therethrough, wherein the aperture of the plate is positioned such that at least a portion of the light emitted by the light guide passes through the aperture, preferably wherein the aperture is configured to convey information and/or the plate includes at least one of a filter configured to shift a wavelength of the light emitted by the light emitting surface or a brightness enhancing film.

5. The self-contained indicator assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein:

the at least one light emitting diode comprises a first light emitting diode and a second light emitting diode and the first light emitting diode is configured to output light having a different wavelength than light emitted by the second light emitting diode; and/or

the power source comprises a power storage unit for storing electrical power and a power generator configured to generate electricity; and/or

the power generator comprises a piezoelectric generator, a thermovoltaic generator, or a solar generator; and/or an interior surface of the housing includes a reflective coating configured to reflect the light output by the light guide; and/or

the housing is electrically isolated from external electrical sources.

6. The self-contained indicator assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein:

the housing is sealed against environmental egress of dust and liquids; and/or

the power source is removably connected to other components of the self- contained indicator assembly, such that the power source is replaceable; and/or the circuitry is configured to adjust at least one property of the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode in response to the sensed at least one environmental variable.

7. The self-contained indicator assembly of claim 6, wherein:

the at least one environmental variable comprise at least one of a state of a door as open or closed, acceleration of the self-contained indicator assembly, a velocity of the self-contained indicator assembly, properties of sound waves received by the self-contained indicator assembly; and/or

the at least one property of the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode comprises at least one of starting or stopping emission of light, wavelength, duration of emission, or intensity.

8. The self-contained indicator assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein:

the circuitry is configured to activate the at least one light emitting diode to emit light when the sensed at least one environmental variable satisfies a predetermined criterion; and/or

the circuitry is configured to deactivate the at least one light emitting diode such that the at least one light emitting diode does not emit light when the sensed at least one environmental variable returns to a preset baseline value; and/or the circuitry is configured to stop the emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode after a set time has expired following the at least one light emitting diode beginning to emit light; and/or

the circuitry controls the at least one light emitting diode to cause lighting effects comprising at least one of color-changing effects or pulsed light emissions; and/or

the circuitry is configured to toggle emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode in response to the proximity sensor detecting a first movement gesture; and/or

the circuitry is configured to adjust a property of the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode in response to detecting a second movement gesture.

9. The self-contained indicator assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the circuitry is configured to:

store as events in a non-transitory computer readable medium the at least one environmental variable detected by the proximity sensor and a time the at least one environmental variable was detected;

analyze the stored events in order to determine user habits; and adjust control of the emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode based on the determined user habits.

10. The self-contained indicator assembly of claim 9, wherein analyzing the stored events comprises determining a frequency of specific events detected by the proximity sensor and, based on the frequency of the specific events, adjust a parameter of the light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode, preferably wherein the adjusted parameter comprises a duration of emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode.

11 . The self-contained indicator assembly of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a wireless communication interface communicatively coupled to the circuitry, wherein: the wireless communication interface configured to communicate with and receive parameters from a device located outside the housing;

the circuitry is configured to adjust the control of the at least one light emitting diode based on the received parameters.

12. The self-contained indicator assembly of claim 11 , wherein:

the outside device comprises at least one of an audio output device or a component of a vehicle; and/or

the wireless communication interface communicates with the outside device via Bluetooth, WI-FI, radiofrequency, or infrared.

13. The self-contained indicator assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide is configured to propagate light via total internal reflection.

14. A vehicle including a substrate and the self-contained indicator assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the self-contained indicator assembly is secured to the substrate and the substrate is located on a location of the vehicle selected from the group consisting of an instrument panel, kick plate, tailgate, rear fascia, deck lid, window, roll bar, hood, grille, door, engine cover, PRNDL, Steering Wheel, cup holder, glove compartment, dome light, under dash.

15. A method of controlling a self-contained indicator assembly including a proximity sensor and a light emitting diode, the method comprising: sensing with the proximity sensor at least one environmental variable; outputting a signal corresponding to the sensed at least one

environmental variable;

controlling emission of light by the at least one light emitting diode based on the output of the proximity sensor, wherein the controlling of the em ission of light comprises:

activating the at least one light emitting diode to emit light when the sensed at least one environmental variable satisfies a predetermined criterion; deactivating the at least one light emitting diode such that the light emitting diode does not emit light when the sensed at least one environmental variable returns to a preset baseline value; and

adjusting at least one property of light emitted by the at least one light emitting diode in response to the sensed at least one environmental variable.