WO2024163076A1

WO2024163076A1 - Systems with light plate assemblies

Info

Publication number: WO2024163076A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/084412
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yanhui XIE; Yu P Sun; Yong Seok Choi; Rong Liu; Tao ZHAN; Xiaofeng Tang; Syed Tauseen Aqeel SHAH; Clarisse MAZUIR; Morteza Amoorezaei; Ziruo Hong
Original assignee: Apple Inc.
Priority date: 2023-02-01
Filing date: 2023-12-15
Publication date: 2024-08-08

Abstract

A system may have one or more light plate assemblies (28) that are formed at an exterior or in an interior. The light plate assemblies (28) may provide illumination. Additionally or alternatively, the light plate assemblies (28) may display information, text, symbols, or other content, such as in response to changes in operating conditions of the system. The light plate assemblies (28) are non-rectangular light plate assemblies (28), such as oval or circular light plate assemblies (28). Light-emitting components, such as light-emitting diodes (32) are mounted on a front surface of the light plate assemblies (28), while driver circuitry is mounted on a rear surface of the light plate assemblies (28). The light plate assemblies (28) may be split into sub-panels (30) of light-emitting diodes (32) that may be independently driven by the driver circuitry and may be synchronized.

Description

Systems With Light Plate Assemblies

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/482,658, filed February 1, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Field

[0001] This relates generally to systems, and, more particularly, systems that have light plate assemblies.

Background

[0002] Systems may have lights, such as internal and/or external lights. These lights may be provided with sources of illumination such as light-emitting diodes or lamps.

Summary

[0003] A system, such as a vehicle, may have one or more light plate assemblies that are formed at an exterior or in an interior of the vehicle. The light plate assemblies may provide illumination and may function as a headlight, taillight, or interior ambient light. Additionally or alternatively, the light plate assemblies may display information, text, symbols, or other content, such as in response to changes in operating conditions of the system.

[0004] The light plate assemblies may be non-rectangular light plate assemblies, such as oval or circular light plate assemblies, or may be rectangular light plate assemblies with rounded comers. Light-emitting components, such as light-emitting diodes (e.g., microLEDs) may be mounted on a front surface of the light plate assemblies, while driver circuitry may be mounted on a rear surface of the light plate assemblies. The light plate assemblies may be split into sub-panels of light-emitting diodes that may be independently driven by the driver circuitry and may be synchronized to ensure that uniform content is displayed across the light plate assemblies.

[0005] Multiple light plate assemblies may be used together to form a combined display.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] FIG. 1 is a top view of an illustrative vehicle with displays in various locations in accordance with some embodiments. [0007] FIG. 2 is a front view of an illustrative non-rectangular light plate assembly in accordance with some embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 3A is a front view of an illustrative circular light plate assembly in accordance with some embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 3B is a front view of an illustrative rectangular light plate assembly with rounded comers in accordance with some embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a front view of a rear surface of an illustrative circular light plate assembly having driver circuits mounted to a substrate in accordance with some embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a front view of an illustrative display formed from a plurality of light plate assemblies in accordance with some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 6 is an illustrative timing diagram that may be used to drive sub-panels of a light plate assembly in accordance with some embodiments.

Detailed Description

[0013] A system such as a vehicle or other system may have components that emit light such as headlights, taillights, and other lights. Headlights may be used to provide headlight illumination to illuminate a roadway. The headlight illumination may allow vehicle occupants to view the roadway at night and in other low ambient lighting conditions such as at dawn or dusk, when weather reduces ambient light, or when a vehicle is traveling through a dark tunnel. Headlight illumination may also be used to assist autonomous driving systems. Taillights may be used to signal braking of a vehicle and running status of the vehicle, and other lights may be incorporated to communicate the upcoming actions of the vehicle, such as turning, or may be incorporated into an interior of the vehicle. Headlights, taillights, or other lights may also be used to display information to people outside of the vehicle, such as movement of the vehicle, status of the vehicle, or planned movement of the vehicle.

[0014] In an illustrative arrangement, a vehicle may include a light plate assembly to provide illumination and/or to display information regarding the status of the vehicle. In particular, the light plate assembly may have a non-rectangular shape (e.g., may be mounted on a non-rectangular substrate) and may have multiple sub-panels of light-emitting diodes on a first surface. Driver circuitry may be formed on an opposing second surface of the light plate assembly, and each driver may correspond to a respective one of the light-emitting diode sub-panels. In other words, each driver may drive one of the sub-panels. The drivers may be synchronized to provide illumination and/or display content using the light plate assembly.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional top view of an illustrative vehicle that may include a light plate assembly. In the example of FIG. 1, vehicle 10 is the type of vehicle that may carry passengers (e.g., an automobile, truck, or other automotive vehicle). However, vehicle 10 may be a robot (e.g., an autonomous robot) or another vehicle for transporting objects without transporting passengers, if desired.

[0016] Vehicle 10 may be manually driven (e.g., by a human driver), may be operated via remote control, and/or may be autonomously operated (e.g., by an autonomous vehicle driving system implemented using the control circuitry, sensors, and other components of vehicle 10). If desired, a vehicle driving system (e.g., a computer-assisted driving system that is also optionally used to support fully autonomous driving) may be used to provide vehicle driving assistance functions while vehicle 10 is being driven under manual control. [0017] Vehicle 10 may include a body such as body 18. Body 18 may include vehicle structures such as body panels formed from metal and/or other materials, may include doors, a hood, a trunk, fenders, a chassis to which wheels are mounted, a roof, etc. Windows 16 may be formed in doors on the sides S of vehicle body 18, or in other desired portions of vehicle 10, such as on a roof of vehicle 10. Windshield 12 may be formed at front F, and backlite 14 (also referred to as rear window 14 herein) may be formed at rear R of vehicle 10, if desired. Windows 16, windshield 12, rear window 14, doors in body 18, and other portions of body 18 may separate interior region 11 of vehicle 10 from the exterior environment that is surrounding vehicle 10 (exterior region 13).

[0018] Vehicle 10 may have seating such as seats 24 in interior region 11. Seats 24 may include bucket seats, bench seats, and/or other seats on which vehicle occupants may sit. These seats may include forward-facing seats and/or rear-facing seats. The configuration of FIG. 1 in which interior region 11 of vehicle 10 contains one or more rearward-facing bucket seats and/or bench seats and one or more forward-facing bucket seats and/or bench seats is illustrative.

[0019] Vehicle 10 may be provided with one or more input-output components 26. Components 26 may include displays, speakers, interior and exterior lights, actuators for adjusting the position and motion of structures in vehicle 10, and input devices that gather user input. The input devices may include proximity sensors, touch sensors, force sensors, butons, etc. Sensors may also be used in vehicle 10 to make measurements on environmental conditions (e.g., ambient light levels, temperatures, etc.). In some configurations, input-output components 26 may contain wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may include ultrawideband (UWB) circuitry, near-field communications circuitry, Bluetooth® circuitry, wireless local area network circuitry, and/or other wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may be used to detect nearby devices (e.g., wireless key fobs, portable electronic devices such as wristwatches and cellular telephones emiting UWB signals and/or other short-range wireless signals, etc.). As an example, wireless circuitry may be used to detect the presence of a nearby electronic device and vehicle 10 may, in response, use an actuator to unlock a door in vehicle 10.

[0020] During operation, user input may be used to operate vehicle 10. Input-output components 26 of vehicle 10 may include butons, sensors, steering components (e.g., a steering wheel and steering system), pedals (e.g., an accelerator and brake pedal), and/or other components that serve as controllers for gathering user input to adjust vehicle operations. These input devices may be used for receiving user steering commands, for receiving user navigation commands for an autonomous driving system, for receiving user input to adjust lighting, media playback, heating and air-conditioning, for receiving input to open and close doors (and windows), for receiving input to lock and unlock doors (and windows), for receiving input to otherwise control doors and/or windows, for receiving input to control other vehicle operations, and for receiving other user input. In an illustrative configuration, vehicle 10 includes sensor circuitry (e.g., a touch sensor, force sensor, proximity sensor, and/or other sensor(s)) to receive commands from users (e.g., vehicle occupants, users approaching vehicle 10 from the outside, etc.). The sensor circuitry may, as an example, include sensors that allow a user to supply user input that directs one or more electrically adjustable actuators to move a door from a stowed to a deployed position, to open and/or close the door, to lock/unlock the door, to open and/or close a window, etc.

[0021] Components 26 may include control circuitry and input-output devices. Control circuitry and/or input-output devices in components 26 may be configured to operate vehicle systems such as the steering and propulsion system based on user input, to operate vehicle systems such as the steering and propulsion system autonomously in connection with running an autonomous driving application, to run a navigation application (e.g., an application for displaying maps on a display), to run software for controlling vehicle climate control devices, lighting, media playback, window movement, door operations, seating position devices, and/or to support the operation of other vehicle functions. The control circuitry and/or inputoutput devices (sensor circuitry, other input-output components, etc.) may include processing circuitry and storage and may be configured to perform operations in vehicle 10 using hardware (e.g., dedicated hardware or circuitry), firmware and/or software. Software code for performing operations in vehicle 10 and other data is stored on non-transitory computer readable storage media (e.g., tangible computer readable storage media) in the control circuitry. Remote storage and other remote-control circuitry (e.g., circuitry on remote servers, etc.) may also be used in storing the software code. The software code may sometimes be referred to as software, data, program instructions, computer instructions, instructions, or code. The non-transitory computer readable storage media may include nonvolatile memory such as non-volatile random-access memory, one or more hard drives (e.g., magnetic drives or solid-state drives), one or more removable flash drives or other removable media, or other storage. Software stored on the non-transitory computer readable storage media may be executed on the processing circuitry of components 26 and/or the processing circuitry of remote hardware such as processors associated with one or more remote servers that communicate with components 26 over wired and/or wireless communications links. The processing circuitry may include application-specific integrated circuits with processing circuitry, one or more microprocessors, a central processing unit (CPU) or other processing circuitry.

[0022] The input-output components (input-output devices) of components 26 may include displays, sensors, buttons (e.g., sensors based on movable button members that press against switches), light-emitting diodes and other light-emitting devices for providing interior and/or exterior lighting, haptic devices, speakers, door locks, actuators for moving portions of doors, windows, and/or other components, and/or other devices such as input devices for gathering environmental measurements, information on vehicle operations, and/or user input. The sensors in components 26 may include ambient light sensors, touch sensors, force sensors, proximity sensors (e.g., optical proximity sensors and/or capacitive proximity sensors based on self-capacitance sensors and/or mutual capacitance sensor circuitry), optical sensors such as cameras operating at visible, infrared, and/or ultraviolet wavelengths (e.g., fisheye cameras and/or other cameras), capacitive sensors, resistive sensors, ultrasonic sensors (e.g., ultrasonic distance sensors), microphones, three-dimensional and/or two-dimensional images sensors, radio-frequency sensors such as radar sensors, lidar (light detection and ranging) sensors, door open/close sensors, seat pressure sensors and other vehicle occupant sensors, window sensors, position sensors for monitoring location, orientation, and movement, speedometers, satellite positioning system sensors, and/or other sensors. Output devices in components 26 may be used to provide vehicle occupants and others with haptic output (e.g., force feedback, vibrations, etc.), audio output, visual output (e.g., displayed content, light, etc.), and/or other suitable output. Components 26 may be mounted in interior region 11 and/or an exterior region outside of body 18 and/or may, if desired, be attached to and/or mounted to other portions of body 18.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, vehicle 10 may include one or more light sources 28 at front F, at rear R, or at sides S of body 18. Light sources 28 may be, for example, light plate assemblies that include light-emitting diodes that provide illumination and/or display content (e.g., images, text, patterns). Light sources 28 may be formed from openings in body 18, may be mounted on an exterior surface of body 18, or may otherwise be coupled to body 18. [0024] In embodiments in which light sources 28 are located at front F of vehicle 10, light sources 28 may form headlights and/or displays that display information at the exterior of the vehicle 10. In embodiments in which light sources 28 are located at rear R of vehicle 10, light sources 28 may form taillights and/or displays that display information at the exterior of the vehicle 10. In embodiments in which light sources 28 are located at side(s) S of vehicle 10, light sources 28 may displays that display information at the exterior of the vehicle 10 and/or lights that provide illumination at the exterior of vehicle 10.

[0025] The information displayed by light source(s) 28 when the light sources are used as displays may reflect the operating status of vehicle 10 and/or may be used to inform a viewer of the displays of upcoming movements by or actions of vehicle 10. For example, a controller in vehicle 10 (e.g., part of components 26) may determine information regarding the operating state of vehicle 10 and may control the displays based on that information. In other words, light source(s) 28 may display information regarding the intent of a driver of vehicle 10 or of vehicle 10 itself if driven in an autonomous mode.

[0026] For example, light source(s) 28 may display text, symbols, images, patterns, or other information to indicate that vehicle 10 is turning, is about to turn, is changing speed, or needs assistance (e.g., may function as hazard lights). Additionally or alternatively, light source(s) 28 may display information regarding the position of vehicle 10, an upcoming lane change of vehicle 10, the route that vehicle 10 is taking, etc. These examples are merely illustrative of the types of information that light source(s) 28 may display, and, in general, light source(s) 28 may display any relevant information.

[0027] Although FIG. 1 shows light source(s) 28 at the exterior of vehicle 10, one or more light source(s) may be formed in the interior of vehicle 10, if desired. For example, light source(s) 28 formed in the interior of vehicle 10 may provide illumination and/or may display information for a driver or passenger of vehicle 10.

[0028] Regardless of where light source(s) 28 are formed on vehicle 10, each light source 28 may be a light plate assembly or may be formed from light plate assemblies. Although light sources 28 have been described as forming headlights, taillights, and/or displays that display information, this is merely illustrative. In some embodiments, vehicle 10 may have headlights (e.g., two headlights, one on a driver side of front F and one on a passenger side of front F) on an exterior of body 10 at front F, taillights (e.g., two taillights, one on a driver side of rear R and one on a passenger side of rear R), and additional light source(s) 28 coupled to an exterior of body 10. In these embodiments, the additional light source(s) 28 may display information or provide illumination that is separate from the headlights and taillights of vehicle 10.

[0029] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to include non-rectangular light plate assemblies or light plate assemblies with rounded comers in vehicle 10. An illustrative example of a non-rectangular light plate assembly is shown in FIG. 2

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, light plate assembly 28 may be an oval light plate assembly. In other words, light plate assembly 28 may include oval substrate 31. Due to its non- rectangular shape, it may be difficult to mount light-emitting diodes (or other desired lightemitting components) on oval substrate 31 and to drive the light-emitting diodes in a synchronized manner.

[0031] In the example of FIG. 2, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 32 may be formed in an array across front surface 27 of substrate 31. For example, light plate assembly 28 may include at least 5000 LEDs, at least 7000 LEDs, at least 10,000 LEDs, at least 50,000 LEDs, at least 75,000 LEDs, or other suitable number of LEDs. LEDs 32 may be conventional LEDs or microLEDs.

[0032] To accommodate and drive the LEDs, substrate 31 may be divided into sub-panels 30 of LEDs 32. Each sub-panel 30 may be independently driven by driver circuitry, for example. In the illustrative example of FIG. 2, light plate assembly 28 may include 12 subpanels 30. In general, however, light plate assembly 28 may include any suitable number of sub-panels 30, such as 6 sub-panels or 24 sub-panels. The number of sub-panels may depend on the number of LEDs 32 and size of substrate 31.

[0033] Substrate 31 may be a printed circuit board or other desired substrate. For example, LEDs 32 may be mounted on substrate 31 and coupled to lines printed on substrate 31. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, substrate 31 may be any desired substrate, and LEDs 32 may be interconnected in any desired manner.

[0034] Scan lines 34 may be used to drive each sub-panel 30. In particular, each scan line 34 may correspond to a single horizontal row of sub-panels 30 and drive the LEDs 32 within those sub-panels (e.g., an uppermost scan line 34 may drive the two sub-panels 30 in the top row of sub-panels). Moreover, scan lines 34 may drive sub-panels 30 in a synchronized manner, ensuring cohesive images, text, or other content across light plate assembly 28, as well as smooth displaying and transitioning of that content. Due to scan lines 34 being shared between sub-panels 30 in a horizontal row, scan lines 34 may vertically synchronize sub-panels 30. However, the relationship of scan lines 34 to sub-panels 30 in FIG. 2 is merely illustrative. If desired, each sub-panel 30 may be driven by a dedicated scan line 34, scan lines 34 may be shared by more than two sub-panels 30, or more than one scan line 34 may be used for each sub-panel 30. In general, any desired number of scan lines 34 may be incorporated into light plate assembly 28.

[0035] Although light plate assembly 28 has been described as including LEDs 32, any desired light-emitting component may be used in light plate assembly 28. For example, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), liquid crystal pixels, or other desired light sources may be used.

[0036] Moreover, although FIG. 2 shows an oval light plate assembly (e.g., an oval substrate 31 on which light-emitting components are mounted), this is merely illustrative. In general, light plate assembly 28 may have any desired shape, such as a square shape, triangular shape, or hexagonal shape. Other illustrative embodiments in which light plate assembly 28 has non-rectangular shapes are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3 A, light plate assembly 28 may have a circular shape. In other words, light plate assembly 28 may be a circular light plate assembly formed on circular substrate 31. In the example of FIG. 3B, light plate assembly 28 may have a rectangular shape with rounded comers (e.g., may be formed on a rectangular substrate 31 with rounded comers). In general, light plate assembly 28 may have any desired shape (e.g., a triangular or square shape) with rounded corners, or may have any other desired shape.

[0038] As in the example of FIG. 2, light plate assemblies 28 of FIGS. 3 A and 3B may have sub-panels 30 of LEDs or other light-emitting components. Although not shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, scan lines (e.g., scan lines 34 of FIG. 2) may be included to drive the LEDs in each sub-panel 30.

[0039] Regardless of the shape of light plate assembly 28, it may be desirable to use a rear surface of light plate assembly 28 (e.g., a rear side of substrate 31) to mount driver circuitry that drives LEDs 32 on the front surface of light plate assembly 28. An illustrative example of a light plate assembly having rear-mounted driver circuitry is shown in FIG. 4.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, driver circuits 36 (also referred to as drivers 36 or driver circuitry herein) may be mounted on rear surface 33 of substrate 31. Driver circuits 36 may be, for example, integrated circuit chips that control LEDs 32 on front surface 27. Including driver circuits 36 on rear surface 33 may be an efficient use of space within light plate assembly 28, allowing for easier mounting on a non-rectangular substrate.

[0041] In the example of FIG. 4, light plate assembly 28 includes 12 drivers. In particular, each driver 36 may correspond with a respective one of sub-panels 30 (indicated by the dashed lines of FIG. 4). Therefore, light plate assembly 28 may include 12 drivers, 6 drivers, 36 drivers, or any other suitable number of drivers. For example, each driver 36 may be coupled to the LEDs of its respective sub-panel 30 through vias through substrate 31, through interconnects that wrap around an edge of substrate 31 , or otherwise be connected to LEDs 32. In some embodiments, driver circuits 36 may be coupled to scan lines 34 (FIG. 2).

[0042] In operation, drivers 36 may be controlled by (e.g., may receive signals from) a controller in vehicle 10, such as the controller in components 26 (FIG. 1). For example, the controller may monitor operating conditions of vehicle 10 and may control drivers 36 based on the operating conditions. Drivers 36 may in turn drive LEDs 32 to display text, information, images, symbols, patterns, or other content on light plate assembly 28.

[0043] If desired, driver circuits 36 (or other circuitry on rear surface 33 of substrate 31) may monitor the temperature of light plate assembly 28. In particular, temperature sensor circuitry may be included (e.g., within drivers 36 or otherwise on rear surface 33 of substrate 31) to take measurements of light plate assembly 28 and monitor light plate assembly 28 for degradation. For example, by monitoring for hot spots and/or cool spots of light plate assembly 28, it may be determined that portions of light plate assembly 28 should be driven with more or less voltage (e.g., to make those portions brighter or less bright). If desired, driver circuits 36 may receive the temperature measurements directly and make adjustments to the voltage used to drive LEDs 32. Alternatively, a controller in vehicle 10 may receive the temperature measurements and may send signals to driver circuits 36 to adjust the voltage used to drive LEDs 32. In this way, the output of light plate assembly 28 may be made uniform.

[0044] Although FIG. 4 shows a one-to-one relationship between drivers 36 and sub-panels 30, this is merely illustrative. In general, light plate assembly 28 may include any desired number of drivers 36, and drivers 36 may be shared between sub-panels or each sub-panel may have multiple drivers 36.

[0045] The examples of FIGS. 1-3 show single light plate assemblies 28 that may be used to provide illumination and/or to display information or content. If desired, however, multiple light plate assemblies 28 may be used to form a larger display/illumination source. An illustrative example of a display formed form multiple light plate assemblies is shown in FIG. 5.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, display 38 may include an array of light plate assemblies 28. In the example of FIG. 5, display 38 may include an array of circular light plate assemblies 28. In general, however, display 38 may include light plate assemblies of any desired shape(s). [0047] When multiple light plate assemblies 28 are used in a single display 38, the outputs of light plate assemblies 28 may be synchronized to ensure that uniform, continuous content is displayed across display 38.

[0048] Although FIG. 5 shows an oval display 38, this is merely illustrative. In general, display 38 may have any desired shape, such as a circular shape.

[0049] Regardless of whether light plate assembly 28 is incorporated into a larger display or is used individually, the sub-panels in light plate assembly 28 may be synchronized to ensure that the content displayed on light plate assembly 28 is provided in an efficient, uniform manner. An illustrative example of a timing diagram that may be used to drive the subpanels of light plate assembly 28 is a synchronized manner is shown in FIG. 6.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 6, timing diagram 40 may be used for driving each sub-panel in a light plate assembly (e.g., driving each sub-panel 30 with drivers 36 in light plate assembly 28). In particular, each sub-panel may be driven simultaneously, as indicated by sub-periods 42 and segments 44 occurring at the same time for each sub-panel.

[0051] Timing diagram 40 may provide the timing used over one frame, which will vary based on the frame rate of light plate assembly 28. In an illustrative example, each sub-panel may have a frame rate of 60 Hz, and each frame may be displayed for approximately 16.7 milliseconds. In this example, 64 sub-periods 42 may be included in each frame. In general, however, each sub-panel may be driven with any desired frame rate, such as 30 Hz or 120 Hz.

[0052] As shown in the example of FIG. 6, there may be 16 segments 44 in each sub-period 42. Each segment 44 may have 48 channels 46 that are driven simultaneously. By driving the segments 44 of each sub-panel at the same time, the content displayed on the light plate assembly may be synchronized.

[0053] Although each sub-panel is shown as having 48 channels 46, as shown in FIG. 6, sub-panel #2 may have channels 48 driven at a 50% pulse-width modulation (PWM), while channels 46 of sub-panel #1 may be driven at a 100% PWM. In other words, sub-panel #1 may be driven at full brightness for the entire segment 44, while sub-panel #2 may be driven at full brightness for the first half (or other first portion) of segment 44 and at half brightness for the second half (or other second portion) of segment 44. Although not shown in FIG. 6, various segments 44 of different sub-panels may be driven at 100%, 50%, or other desired PWM (e.g., in an alternating fashion) to display content more efficiently while maintaining sufficient brightness for a viewer of the light plate assembly. Control circuitry in vehicle 10 may send signals to drive circuitry (e.g., drive circuitry 36) of the light plate assembly to synchronize the sub-panels and ensure that uniform content is displayed across the light plate assembly. Alternatively, drive circuitry 36 may synchronize the sub-panels directly.

[0054] Although each sub-period 42 has been described as having 16 segments 44, and each segment 44 has been described as having 48 channels 46, these segments and channels are merely illustrative. In general, any suitable number of segments and channels may be used for each sub-panel.

[0055] In accordance with an embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes a body, a light plate assembly coupled to the body, the light plate assembly is non-rectangular and has a first side and an opposing second side, and the light plate assembly includes a plurality of light-emitting components on the first side and driver circuitry on the second side and a controller configured to activate the driver circuitry based on an operating condition of the vehicle.

[0056] In accordance with another embodiment, the light plate assembly is a circular light plate assembly.

[0057] In accordance with another embodiment, the plurality of light-emitting components includes light-emitting diodes arranged in sub-panels across the light-plate assembly.

[0058] In accordance with another embodiment, the driver circuitry includes a plurality of driver circuits, and each driver circuit of the plurality of driver circuits drives a respective one of the sub-panels of the light-emitting diodes.

[0059] In accordance with another embodiment, the driver circuitry is configured to drive the sub-panels synchronously.

[0060] In accordance with another embodiment, the controller is configured to activate the driver circuitry based on a location of the vehicle, a direction of travel of the vehicle, or an upcoming action of the vehicle.

[0061] In accordance with another embodiment, the light-emitting diodes are configured to display an image, symbol, text, or pattern based on the operating condition of the vehicle. [0062] In accordance with another embodiment, the vehicle includes temperature sensing circuitry on the second side, the driver circuitry is configured to adjust the light-emitting diodes based on signals from the temperature sensing circuitry.

[0063] In accordance with another embodiment, the plurality of light-emitting components includes at least 7,000 light-emitting diodes arranged in 12 sub-panels, and the plurality of driver circuits includes 12 driver circuits.

[0064] In accordance with another embodiment, the light plate assembly includes a substrate, the plurality of light-emitting components and the driver circuitry are mounted on the substrate, and the substrate is selected from the group consisting of: an oval substrate, a circular substrate, and a rectangular substrate with rounded comers.

[0065] In accordance with an embodiment, a light plate assembly is provided that includes a substrate having a front side and an opposing rear side, a plurality of light-emitting diodes on the front side, the plurality of light-emitting diodes is arranged in groups of sub-panels and a plurality of driver circuits on the rear side, each driver circuit of the plurality of driver circuits drives a respective one of the sub-panels. [0066] In accordance with another embodiment, the plurality of light-emitting diodes includes at least 7,000 light-emitting diodes.

[0067] In accordance with another embodiment, the plurality of light-emitting diodes includes at least 75,000 light-emitting diodes.

[0068] In accordance with another embodiment, the plurality of light-emitting diodes is arranged in 12 sub-panels and the plurality of driver circuits includes 12 driver circuits.

[0069] In accordance with another embodiment, the light plate assembly includes temperature sensing circuitry on the rear side of the substrate, the plurality of driver circuits is configured to adjust the plurality of light-emitting diodes based on signals from the temperature sensing circuitry.

[0070] In accordance with another embodiment, the substrate is a non-rectangular substrate. [0071] In accordance with another embodiment, the substrate is a circular substrate.

[0072] In accordance with another embodiment, the driver circuits are configured to synchronize the sub-panels of the light-emitting diodes.

[0073] In accordance with another embodiment, the driver circuits are configured to drive the sub-panels of the light-emitting diodes to form patterns, objects, shapes, emojis, text, or images.

[0074] In accordance with an embodiment, a vehicle having an interior and an exterior is provided that includes a body that separates the interior from the exterior, a light plate assembly coupled to the body at the exterior, the light plate assembly includes a substrate having a first side and an opposing second side, sub-panels of light-emitting diodes on the first side and driver circuits on the second side, each driver circuit drives a respective one of the sub-panels of the light-emitting diodes and a controller configured to adjust the driver circuitry based on an operating condition of the vehicle.

[0075] In accordance with another embodiment, the vehicle includes lights coupled to the body at the exterior.

[0076] In accordance with another embodiment, the body has a front and a rear, and the lights include headlights at the front of the body.

[0077] In accordance with another embodiment, the body has a front and a rear, and the lights include taillights at the rear of the body.

[0078] The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.

Claims

Claims What is Claimed is:

1. A vehicle, comprising: a body; a light plate assembly coupled to the body, wherein the light plate assembly is non-rectangular and has a first side and an opposing second side, and wherein the light plate assembly comprises a plurality of light-emitting components on the first side and driver circuitry on the second side; and a controller configured to activate the driver circuitry based on an operating condition of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the light plate assembly is a circular light plate assembly.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the plurality of light-emitting components comprises light-emitting diodes arranged in sub-panels across the light-plate assembly.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the driver circuitry comprises a plurality of driver circuits, and wherein each driver circuit of the plurality of driver circuits drives a respective one of the sub-panels of the light-emitting diodes.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the driver circuitry is configured to drive the sub-panels synchronously.

6. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to activate the driver circuitry based on a location of the vehicle, a direction of travel of the vehicle, or an upcoming action of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the light-emitting diodes are configured to display an image, symbol, text, or pattern based on the operating condition of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, further comprising: temperature sensing circuitry on the second side, wherein the driver circuitry is configured to adjust the light-emitting diodes based on signals from the temperature sensing circuitry.

9. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the plurality of light-emitting components comprises at least 7,000 light-emitting diodes arranged in 12 sub-panels, and wherein the plurality of driver circuits comprises 12 driver circuits.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the light plate assembly comprises a substrate, wherein the plurality of light-emitting components and the driver circuitry are mounted on the substrate, and wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of: an oval substrate, a circular substrate, and a rectangular substrate with rounded corners.

11. A light plate assembly, comprising: a substrate having a front side and an opposing rear side; a plurality of light-emitting diodes on the front side, wherein the plurality of light-emitting diodes is arranged in groups of sub-panels; and a plurality of driver circuits on the rear side, wherein each driver circuit of the plurality of driver circuits drives a respective one of the sub-panels.

12. The light plate assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of lightemitting diodes includes at least 7,000 light-emitting diodes.

13. The light plate assembly of claim 12, wherein the plurality of lightemitting diodes includes at least 75,000 light-emitting diodes.

14. The light plate assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of lightemitting diodes is arranged in 12 sub-panels and wherein the plurality of driver circuits includes 12 driver circuits.

15. The light plate assembly of claim 11, further comprising: temperature sensing circuitry on the rear side of the substrate, wherein the plurality of driver circuits is configured to adjust the plurality of light-emitting diodes based on signals from the temperature sensing circuitry.

16. The light plate assembly of 11 , wherein the substrate is a non- rectangular substrate.

17. The light plate assembly of claim 16, wherein the substrate is a circular substrate.

18. The light plate assembly of claim 11 , wherein the driver circuits are configured to synchronize the sub-panels of the light-emitting diodes.

19. The light plate assembly of claim 11, wherein the driver circuits are configured to drive the sub-panels of the light-emitting diodes to form patterns, objects, shapes, emojis, text, or images.

20. A vehicle having an interior and an exterior, comprising: a body that separates the interior from the exterior; a light plate assembly coupled to the body at the exterior, wherein the light plate assembly comprises: a substrate having a first side and an opposing second side; sub-panels of light-emitting diodes on the first side; and driver circuits on the second side, wherein each driver circuit drives a respective one of the sub-panels of the light-emitting diodes; and a controller configured to adjust the driver circuitry based on an operating condition of the vehicle.

21. The vehicle of claim 20, further comprising: lights coupled to the body at the exterior.

22. The vehicle of claim 21 , wherein the body has a front and a rear, and wherein the lights comprise headlights at the front of the body.

23. The vehicle of claim 22, wherein the body has a front and a rear, and wherein the lights comprise taillights at the rear of the body.