US5896010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for controlling lighting in an illuminating indicating device
Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1997-06-30
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Granted: 1999-04-20
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Expires: 2017-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A system for providing one-step dimming of indicator lights in an illuminating indicating device while allowing adjustable control of the general illumination of the device. The system includes a first current drain (176) coupled to an indicator light source (32-42) for drawing a first current through the indicator light source. A second current drain (186), controlled by control circuitry (198), couples to the indicator light source (32-42) for selectively drawing additional current through the indicator light source (32-42). In a preferred embodiment, the first current drain (176) couples to the second current drain (186) to regulate the additional current draw by the second current drain (186). Preferably, the control circuitry (198) is responsive to an illumination signal to prevent the additional current draw during a low ambient light condition. For general illumination of the indicator device (10), an illumination light source (56-60) responsive to the illumination signal may also be included.
Inventors
- 👤 Matthew Mark Mikolajczak
- 👤 Stephen James Newton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:13
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/2603; B60Q3/00; B60Q3/10; B60Q3/14; B60Q3/16; B60Q3/18; B60K; B60K2360/00; B60K2360/20; B60K2360/33; B60K2360/349
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A system for controlling the intensity of lighting devices in an automatic transmission gear selector indicator in an automotive vehicle wherein said gear selector contains background illumination devices and selectable indicator illumination devices said system comprising: an illumination signal generator that is activated to provide a controllably variable illumination signal having at least three different values to said background illumination devices, within said gear selector indicator, to energize and responsively control the intensity of such background illumination devices over a predetermined range in accordance with the value of said variable illumination signal; and indicator illumination control means connected to said signal generator for responding to the presence or absence of said illumination signal and controlling the level of intensity of selected ones of said indicator illumination devices within said gear selector to a first predetermined and relatively high level when said illumination signal is absent and to a second predetermined and relatively lower level when said illumination signal is present.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
A system for controlling the intensity of lighting devices in an automatic transmission gear selector indicator in an automotive vehicle wherein said gear selector contains background illumination devices and selectable indicator illumination devices said system comprising: an illumination signal generator that is activated to provide a controllably variable illumination signal having at least three different values to said background illumination devices, within said gear selector indicator, to energize and responsively control the intensity of such background illumination devices over a predetermined range in accordance with the value of said variable illumination signal; and indicator illumination control means connected to said signal generator for responding to the presence or absence of said illumination signal and controlling the level of intensity of selected ones of said indicator illumination devices within said gear selector to a first predetermined and relatively high level when said illumination signal is absent and to a second predetermined and relatively lower level when said illumination signal is present.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
129 words
A system for controlling the intensity of lighting devices as in claim 1, wherein said indicator illumination control means includes a first current drain coupled to said indicator illumination devices for drawing a first current through said selected ones of said indicator illumination devices; and a second current drain coupled to said indicator illumination devices and being switchably controlled to a first state in which said second drain draws additional current through said selected ones of said indicator illumination devices and a second state in which said second drain does not draw additional current through said selected ones of said indicator illumination devices; and means for switching said second current drain to said first and second states in response to the respective presence or absence of said illumination signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system for controlling the intensity of lighting devices as in claim 1, wherein said first and second predetermined intensity levels of such selected indicator illumination devices are perceptibly dominant over the range of intensities of such background illumination devices.
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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) | 2002-04-19 | 2002-10-19 | 2003-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-19 | 2006-10-19 | 2007-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-19 | 2010-10-19 | 2011-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |