US5149187A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lighting system for use in vehicle cabin
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1991-09-18
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Granted: 1992-09-22
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Expires: 2011-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A lighting system for use in a vehicle cabin comprises a plurality of first lamps which are arranged between a roof and a plane including an eye point of a seat occupant for illuminating predetermined surfaces, and at least one second lamp for illuminating a floor. Luminance levels of the predetermined surfaces are controlled by, for example, an illuminance measuring apparatus, a luminance measuring apparatus, and a lighting controller.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshio Matsuno
- 👤 Hitoshi Matsui
- 👤 Izumi Okamura
- 👤 Teruaki Shigeta
- 👤 Yoshinori Tanabe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:08
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q3/00; B60Q3/80; B60Q3/20; B60Q3/217; B60Q2500/00; B60Q2500/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A lighting system for use in a cabin of a vehicle, the vehicle having a roof, a floor, a door and a seat occupant, the lighting system comprising: a plurality of first lamps arranged between the roof and a plane including an eye point of the seat occupant, said plurality of first lamps illuminating predetermined surfaces; at least one second lamp so constructed and arranged as to illuminate the floor; and first means for allowing said predetermined surfaces to obtain predetermined luminance levels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A lighting system for use in a cabin of a vehicle, the vehicle having a roof, a floor, a door and a seat occupant, the lighting system comprising: a plurality of first lamps arranged between the roof and a plane including an eye point of the seat occupant, said plurality of first lamps illuminating predetermined surfaces; at least one second lamp so constructed and arranged as to illuminate the floor; and first means for allowing said predetermined surfaces to obtain predetermined luminance levels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of first lamps are mounted to the roof at peripheral portions thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of first lamps are arranged in the vicinity of the roof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of first lamps include a seat lamp and a reading lamp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first means include an illuminance measuring apparatus, a luminance measuring apparatus, and a lighting controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined surfaces include a visual work surface, a first surrounding surface, and a second surrounding surface, each being exposed by said reading lamp, said seat lamp, and said at least one second lamp.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of first lamps include a ceiling lamp.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first means include front and rear pillar trims.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined surfaces include peripheral portions and center portions of the roof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of first lamps include an audio lamp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A lighting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first means include a decorated member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
158 words
A lighting system for use in a cabin of a vehicle, the vehicle having a roof, a floor, a seat and a seat occupant, the lighting system comprising: a plurality of seat lamps arranged between the roof and a plane including an eye point of the seat occupant, said plurality of first lamps illuminating predetermined surfaces; a plurality of reading lamps arranged in the vicinity of said plurality of seat lamps; at least one second lamp so constructed and arranged as to illuminate the floor; and means for measuring an illuminance of said seat and generating an illuminance indicative signal indicative of said illuminance measured; means for measuring a luminance of said predetermined surfaces and generating a luminance indicative signal indicative of said luminance measured; and means for controlling said plurality of seat lamps, said plurality of reading lamps, and said at least one foot lamp in response to said illuminance indicative signal and said luminance indicative signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
158 words
A lighting system for use in a cabin of a vehicle, the vehicle having a roof, a floor, a seat and a seat occupant, the lighting system comprising: a plurality of seat lamps arranged between the roof and a plane including an eye point of the seat occupant, said plurality of first lamps illuminating predetermined surfaces; a plurality of reading lamps arranged in the vicinity of said plurality of seat lamps; at least one second lamp so constructed and arranged as to illuminate the floor; and means for measuring an illuminance of said seat and generating an illuminance indicative signal indicative of said illuminance measured; means for measuring a luminance of said predetermined surfaces and generating a luminance indicative signal indicative of said luminance measured; and means for controlling said plurality of seat lamps, said plurality of reading lamps, and said at least one foot lamp in response to said illuminance indicative signal and said luminance indicative signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
97 words
A lighting system for use in a cabin of a vehicle, the vehicle having a roof, a floor, a door, a seat cushion and a seat occupant, the lighting system comprising: a plurality of ceiling lamps arranged between the roof and a plane including an eye point of the seat occupant; at least one second lamp arranged between the seat cushion and the floor; a plurality of third lamps supported to the door; and means for defining illumination ranges of said plurality of ceiling lamps, said at least one second lamp, and said plurality of third lamps.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
97 words
A lighting system for use in a cabin of a vehicle, the vehicle having a roof, a floor, a door, a seat cushion and a seat occupant, the lighting system comprising: a plurality of ceiling lamps arranged between the roof and a plane including an eye point of the seat occupant; at least one second lamp arranged between the seat cushion and the floor; a plurality of third lamps supported to the door; and means for defining illumination ranges of said plurality of ceiling lamps, said at least one second lamp, and said plurality of third lamps.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A lighting system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said defining means include front and rear pillar trims.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A lighting system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said defining means include a cover.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A lighting system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said defining means include an inside handle escutcheon.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-22 | 1996-03-23 | 1996-09-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-22 | 2000-03-23 | 2000-09-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-22 | 2004-03-23 | 2004-09-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |