Vehicle lighting apparatus and method

• US 7,188,983 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2004
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chromasafe Corporation
• Original Assignee: Matthew Dunn
• Inventors: Dunn, Matthew W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke; Renee
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee; Gunyoung T.
• Application Number:
  US10/751,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20050146889A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• Field of Search: 362/545, 362/542, 362/540, 362/477, 362/231, 362/293, 362/543, 362/544, 362/230, 340/815.45, 340/463, 340/468
• US Class Current: 362/543
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/04 the devices being headlights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/16 illuminating the way asymmetrically
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/18 being additional front lights bracket mounted headlights B60Q1/0483
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/054 Variable non-standard intensity, i.e. emission of various beam intensities different from standard intensities, e.g. continuous or stepped transitions of intensity
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/00 Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps reversing lights F21S43/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/125 Coloured light
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/153 arranged in a matrix
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/162 Incandescent light sources, e.g. filament or halogen lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/28 Cover glass
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/285 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S41/24 - F21S41/2805
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/321 the reflector being a surface of revolution or a planar surface, e.g. truncated
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/365 successively reflecting the light
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/40 characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/43 characterised by the shape thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A vehicle includes a first light source to project light outwardly from a vehicle. The light projected from the first light source is perceptibly dominant in a lower-frequency portion of a visible spectrum. The vehicle also includes a second light source to project light outwardly from the vehicle. The light projected from the second light source is perceptibly dominant in a higher-frequency portion of the visible spectrum.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a first headlight having a first light source to project light outwardly from the vehicle, wherein the light projected from the first headlight is perceptibly dominant in a lower-frequency portion of a visible spectrum; and

a second headlight having a second light source to project light outwardly from the vehicle, wherein the light projected from the second headlight is perceptibly dominant in a higher-frequency portion of the visible spectrum, wherein the first headlight and the second headlight project light to simultaneously illuminate an area with perceptibly different-frequencies of light from different perspectives,

wherein each of the first headlight and the second headlight provides a substantially homogeneous light beam, and

wherein the first headlight is physically different than the second headlight.

2. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein the first light source also projects light outside the visible spectrum.

3. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein the light projected from the first light source and the second light source illuminates an area proximate to the vehicle.

4. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein the light projected from the first light source and the second light source assists an operator of the vehicle in viewing an area ahead of the vehicle.

5. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein the first light source and the second light source project light in a continuous manner.

6. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein the first light source and the second light source are separated by approximately the width of the vehicle.

7. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein, as the vehicle travels in a forward direction, the first light source is positioned towards the center of the road with respect to the second light source.

8. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 further comprising a third light source to project light outwardly from the vehicle, wherein the third light source projects light having wavelengths across a majority of the visible spectrum.

9. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein the first light source is a bulb.

10. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein the first light source is a bulb with an associated lens disposed adjacent the bulb, wherein light that passes through the associated lens is perceptibly dominant in the lower-frequency portion of the visible spectrum.

11. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein the first light source is a bulb with an associated coating disposed on at least a portion of the bulb, wherein light that passes through the associated coating is perceptibly dominant in the lower-frequency portion of the visible spectrum.

12. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein the first light source has an associated lens disposed adjacent the headlight.

13. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein the first light source includes a plurality of light emitting devices in close proximity to one another.

14. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein the first light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs).

15. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein the vehicle is an automobile.

16. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein the first light source and the second light source project light substantially in the direction of primary movement of the vehicle.

17. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein the first light source and the second light source are substantially the same distance from a surface on which the vehicle is located.

18. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein the first light source and the second light source project light outwardly from a common side of the vehicle.

19. A vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein light is projected from the first source substantially parallel to light projected from the second light source.

20. A vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein the first light source comprises a light bulb, and the second light source comprises a light bulb containing a different type, amount, and/or pressure of gas than the light bulb of the first light source.

62. A vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein the first light source projects light of a perceptibly salmon pink color, and the second light source projects light of a perceptibly aquamarine color.

21. A vehicle comprising:

a first headlight having a first light source that projects light outwardly from the vehicle, wherein the light projected from the first headlight is measurably dominant in a low-frequency portion of a visible spectrum; and

a second headlight having a second light source that projects light outwardly from the vehicle, wherein the light projected from the second headlight is measurably dominant in a high-frequency portion of the visible spectrum, wherein the first headlight and the second headlight project light to simultaneously illuminate an area with measurably different-frequencies of light from different perspectives,

wherein each of the first headlight and the second headlight provides a substantially homogeneous light beam, and

wherein the first light source and the second light source are separated by approximately the width of the vehicle.

22. A vehicle as recited in claim 21 wherein the light projected from the first headlight and the second headlight illuminate an area proximate the vehicle.

23. A vehicle as recited in claim 21 wherein the first headlight and the second headlight are separated by approximately the width of the vehicle.

24. A vehicle as recited in claim 21 wherein the first light source is a bulb.

25. A vehicle as recited in claim 21 wherein the first headlight includes a bulb with an associated lens disposed adjacent the bulb, and wherein light that passes through the associated lens is measurably dominant in the low-frequency portion of a visible spectrum.

26. A vehicle as recited in claim 21 wherein the first headlight includes a bulb with an associated coating disposed on at least a portion of the bulb, and wherein light that passes through the associated coating is measurably dominant in the low-frequency portion of a visible spectrum.

27. A vehicle as recited in claim 21 wherein the first light source and the second light source are substantially the same distance from a surface on which the vehicle is located.

28. A vehicle as recited in claim 21 wherein the first light source and the second light source project light outwardly from a common side of the vehicle.

29. A vehicle comprising:

a first headlight comprising a first light source to project light outwardly from the vehicle, wherein the majority of the light projected from the first headlight in the visible spectrum contains wavelengths less than 550 nanometers; and

a second headlight comprising a second light source spaced apart from the first light source, the second headlight to project light outwardly from the vehicle, wherein the majority of the light projected from the second headlight in the visible spectrum contains wavelengths greater than 550 nanometers, and wherein the first headlight and the second headlight project light to simultaneously illuminate an area with different-frequencies of light from different perspectives,

wherein each of the first headlight and the second headlight provides a substantially homogeneous light beam, and

wherein the first light source and the second light source are separated by approximately the width of the vehicle.

30. A vehicle as recited in claim 29 wherein the light projected from the first light source and the second light source illuminates an area ahead of the vehicle.

31. A vehicle as recited in claim 29 wherein when the vehicle is positioned on a road, the second light source is located toward the middle of the road with respect to the first light source.

32. A vehicle as recited in claim 29 wherein the first light source includes a lens disposed adjacent a light emitting device, and wherein the lens filters out a majority of the light from the light emitting device having wavelengths less than 400 nanometers.

33. A vehicle as recited in claim 29 wherein the first light source includes a lens disposed adjacent a light emitting device, and wherein the lens filters out a majority of the light from the light emitting device having wavelengths greater than 550 nanometers.

34. A vehicle as recited in claim 29 wherein the second light source includes a lens disposed adjacent a light emitting device, and wherein the lens filters out a majority of the light from the light emitting device having wavelengths less than 550 nanometers.

35. A vehicle as recited in claim 29 wherein the second light source includes a lens disposed adjacent a light emitting device, and wherein the lens filters out a majority of the light from the light emitting device having wavelengths greater than 700 nanometers.

36. A vehicle as recited in claim 29 wherein the first light source is positioned proximate a first side of the vehicle and the second light source is positioned proximate an opposite side of the vehicle.

37. A vehicle comprising:

a first headlight comprising a first light source to project light outwardly from a first side of the vehicle; and

a second headlight comprising a second light source spaced apart from the first light source, the second headlight to project light outwardly from the first side of the vehicle, wherein the second headlight projects light measurably in a blue portion of a visible spectrum, wherein the first and second headlights assist a vehicle operator in viewing an area proximate the vehicle,

wherein the first headlight and the second headlight are substantially the same distance from a surface on which the vehicle is located,

wherein the first headlight and the second headlight are physically different,

wherein each of the first headlight and the second headlight provides a substantially homogeneous light beam, and

wherein the first headlight and the second headlight project light to simultaneously illuminate an area with measurably different-frequencies of light from different perspectives.

38. A vehicle as recited in claim 37 wherein the first light source projects light measurably in a red portion of the visible spectrum.

39. A vehicle as recited in claim 37 wherein the second light source includes a lens disposed adjacent a light emitting device, and wherein the lens filters out a majority of the light from the light emitting device having wavelengths outside the blue portion of the visible spectrum.

40. A vehicle comprising:

a first headlight comprising a first light source to project light outwardly from a first side of the vehicle; and

a second headlight comprising a second light source spaced apart from the first light source by approximately the width of the vehicle, the second headlight to project light outwardly from the first side of the vehicle, wherein the second headlight projects light perceptibly in a red portion of a visible spectrum, and wherein the first and second headlights assist a vehicle operator in viewing an area proximate the vehicle,

wherein the first light source and the second light source are substantially the same distance from a surface on which the vehicle is located,

wherein each of the first headlight and the second headlight provides a substantially homogeneous light beam, and

wherein the first light source and the second light source project light to simultaneously illuminate an area with perceptibly different-frequencies of light from different perspectives.

41. A vehicle as recited in claim 40 wherein the first light source projects light perceptibly in a blue portion of the visible spectrum.

42. A vehicle as recited in claim 40 wherein the second light source includes a lens disposed adjacent a light emitting device, and wherein the lens filters out a majority of the light from the light emitting device having wavelengths outside the red portion of the visible spectrum.

43. A vehicle comprising:

a first headlight comprising a first light source to project light outwardly from the vehicle;

a first lens positioned such that a significant portion of the light projected from the first light source passes through the first lens, wherein the light passing through the first lens in the visible spectrum is dominant in a high-frequency portion of the visible spectrum;

a second headlight comprising a second light source to project light outwardly from the vehicle, wherein the first headlight and the second headlight project light simultaneously; and

a second lens positioned such that a significant portion of the light projected from the second light source passes through the second lens, wherein the light passing through the second lens in the visible spectrum is dominant in a low-frequency portion of the visible spectrum,

wherein light passing through the first and second lenses simultaneously illuminate an area with different-frequencies of light from different perspectives,

wherein the first light source and the second light source are separated by approximately the width of the vehicle, and

wherein each of the first and second headlights provides a substantially homogeneous light beam.

44. A vehicle as recited in claim 43 wherein the first lens is detachable from the first light source.

45. A vehicle as recited in claim 43 wherein the second lens is detachable from the second light source.

46. A vehicle as recited in claim 43 wherein the first headlight having a reflector, and wherein the lens covers an opening in the headlight reflector.

47. A vehicle as recited in claim 43 wherein the second headlight having a reflector, and wherein the second lens covers an opening in the headlight reflector.

48. A vehicle as recited in claim 43 wherein the light passing through the first lens and the light passing through the second lens illuminates an area proximate the vehicle.

49. A vehicle as recited in claim 43 wherein the first headlight and the second headlight project light in a continuous manner.

50. A vehicle as recited in claim 43 wherein the first light source is a light bulb.

51. A vehicle as recited in claim 43 wherein the first light source is a plurality of light emitting devices.

52. A vehicle comprising:

a first headlight comprising a first plurality of light emitting devices to project light outwardly from a vehicle, wherein the first headlight projects light dominant in a red portion of a visible spectrum; and

a second headlight comprising a second plurality of light emitting devices spaced apart from the first plurality of light emitting devices, the second headlight to project light outwardly from the vehicle, wherein the second headlight projects light dominant in a blue portion of the visible spectrum, wherein light projected from the first headlight is substantially parallel to light projected from the second headlight, and wherein the first headlight and the second headlight project light to simultaneously illuminate an area with different-frequencies of light from different perspectives,

wherein the first headlight and the second headlight are physically different, and

wherein each of the first and second headlights provides a substantially homogeneous light beam.

53. A vehicle as recited in claim 52 wherein each of the first plurality of light emitting devices are light emitting diodes.

54. A vehicle as recited in claim 52 wherein each of the second plurality of light emitting devices are light emitting diodes.

55. A vehicle comprising:

a first headlight comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to project light outwardly from a vehicle, wherein the first headlight projects light dominant in a higher-frequency portion of a visible spectrum; and

a second headlight comprising a plurality of LEDs spaced apart from the first plurality of LEDs, the second headlight to project light outwardly from the vehicle, wherein the second headlight projects light dominant in a lower-frequency portion of the visible spectrum, and wherein the first headlight and the second headlight project light to simultaneously illuminate an area with different-frequencies of light from different perspectives,

wherein the first headlight is physically different than the second headlight, and

wherein each of the first and second headlights provides a substantially homogeneous light beam.

56. A vehicle as recited in claim 55 wherein a first LED in the first plurality of LEDs emits light having a first dominant wavelength and wherein a second LED in the first plurality of LEDs emits light having a second dominant wavelength.

57. A method illuminating an area adjacent a vehicle, the method comprising:

projecting a first beam of light outwardly from a first headlight of the vehicle, wherein the first beam of light is measurably dominant in a first portion of a visible spectrum; and

projecting a second beam of light outwardly from a second headlight of the vehicle which is separated from the first headlight by approximately the width of the vehicle, wherein the second beam of light is measurably dominant in a second portion of the visible spectrum, and wherein the first beam of light and the second beam of light are projected simultaneously and substantially parallel to one another to illuminate an area with measurably different-frequencies of light from different perspectives, and

wherein each of the first beam of light and the second beam of light is substantially homogeneous.

58. A method as recited in claim 57 wherein the first beam is projected in response to activation of a first light emitting device and the second beam is projected in response to activation of a second light emitting device.

59. A method as recited in claim 57 wherein the first beam and the second beam are projected in a continuous manner.

60. A method as recited in claim 57 wherein the first beam and the second beam assist a vehicle operator in viewing the area adjacent the vehicle.

61. A method as recited in claim 57 wherein the first beam and the second beam are projected from opposite sides of the vehicle.