Abstract:
A vehicle interior lighting system for enabling a driver to control the intensity and color of interior lighting is presented. The system includes a controller that controls the color and intensity of interior lighting, a selector control that switches color and intensity controls to various groups of interior lights (such as instrument lights, indicator light), a color that controls light color and an intensity control that controls light intensity. In practice the controller is a microcontroller, the lights are tri-color light emitting diodes, the selector control is a multi-position switch, and the color and intensity controls are potentiometers.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This utility patent application is a continuation of the provisional patent application filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on May 29, 2012 and referenced by No. 61/689,030. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to vehicle interior lighting systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to adjustable intensity, adjustable color vehicle interior lighting systems. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In the prior art, almost all vehicle interior lighting was viewed primarily as functional. This much light needed in this area that much in that area and instrumentation needed backlighting to be visible at night. Most vehicle cabs were equipped with dome and map lights for cab visibility, door lights for safe entry and exit, backlit instrument panels and controls, and maybe a lit vanity mirror and glove box. All purely functional, almost always from incandescent bulbs, almost always white, and except for instrument backlighting, most did not have adjustable intensity. 
         [0004]    While the forgoing prior art vehicle interior lighting scheme was useful and effective for their functional purposes, the achieved lighting effects were seldom attractive. Over the last couple of years LED&#39;s (Light-Emitting Diodes) have made significant inroads into motor vehicle lighting systems. While initially the new LED lighting was for headlights and tail lights, LED&#39;s gradually found their way into vehicle interior lighting. New vehicles now use LED&#39;s rather extensively for passenger compartment general lighting, instrumentation lighting and warning lights. 
         [0005]    LED&#39;s typically last longer than the vehicles they are installed in. Thus bulb replacement may become a thing of the past. In addition, LED&#39;s have reduced power consumption, which enables smaller, and thus cheaper, power wiring. The lower power consumption enables redirection of available electrical power to other devices and applications that are becoming increasingly common in today&#39;s motor vehicles. 
         [0006]    However, many people find that LED&#39;s produce light that is too bright, harsh, and generally unappealing. Bright lights of LED&#39;s are particularly troublesome at night. While driving at night the use of bright compartment interior lighting either by a passenger or driver creates discomfort and poor night vision for the driver because of the reflection of the bright light from the windshield into the driver&#39;s eyes. This creates a dangerous condition, particularly during emergencies. 
         [0007]    Therefore, vehicles having aesthetically improved interior lighting would be beneficial. Particularly useful would be LED vehicle interior lighting that can be adjusted in both intensity and color. Ideally such LED vehicle interior lighting would enable aesthetically attractive lighting schemes at relatively low cost and with easy driver adjustability. Preferably such LED vehicle interior lighting would provide numerous colors and would have highly configurable lighting intensities, and would improve driver safety by reducing excessive light reflections while driving at night. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The principles of the present invention provide for vehicles having aesthetically improved interior lighting. Those principles specifically provide for LED vehicle interior lighting that can be adjusted in both intensity and color. Such LED vehicle interior lighting enables aesthetically attractive lighting schemes at relatively low cost and with easy driver adjustability. The LED vehicle interior lighting provides numerous colors and is highly configurable in lighting intensities. 
         [0009]    A vehicle interior lighting system in accord with the present invention includes a controller, a selector control that applies a user adjustable selector input to the controller, a color control that applies a user adjustable color input to the controller, and an intensity control that applies a user adjustable intensity input to the controller. The vehicle interior lighting system further includes an instrument cluster having instrument illumination devices emitting light with a color and intensity, and an array of indicators having indicator illumination devices emitting light with a color and intensity. The controller controls the color of the instrument illumination devices based on a color input, the color of the indicator illumination devices based on a color input, the intensity of the instrument illumination devices based on an intensity input, and the intensity of the indicator illumination devices based on an intensity input. 
         [0010]    Beneficially, the vehicle interior lighting system also includes compartment interior illumination devices emitting light having a color and intensity, where the controller controls the intensity based on an intensity input, and the color based on a color input. In practice the instrument illumination devices, the indicator illumination devices, and the compartment interior illumination devices are light-emitting diodes, preferably tri-color light-emitting diodes. 
         [0011]    Usefully the color control is a potentiometer, the intensity control is a potentiometer, and the controller includes an Analog to Digital converter for digitizing the intensity and color inputs. Preferably the selector control is a multiple position switch. When in a first position the instrument illumination devices, the indicator illumination devices, and the compartment interior illumination devices are off. When in a second position the controller sets the intensity and color of the instrument illumination devices. When in a third position the controller sets the intensity and color of the indicator illumination devices. When in a fourth position the controller sets the intensity and color of the compartment interior illumination devices. When in a fifth and final position the controller sets the intensity and color of the instrument illumination devices, the indicator illumination devices; and the compartment interior illumination devices on an even and consistent manner. 
         [0012]    Preferably the controller is a microcontroller, the vehicle interior lighting system includes a programming input port for receiving an operating program, and the microcontroller is a flash programmable microcontroller. 
         [0013]    In practice the vehicle interior lighting system may include a first control device for turning the instrument illumination devices on/off, a second control device for turning the indicator illumination devices on/off, and a third control device for turning the compartment interior illumination devices on/off. The vehicle interior lighting system may also include a vehicle operation control device for selectively applying external electrical power to the vehicle interior lighting system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a variable color and variable intensity vehicle interior lighting system  10  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and installed in a motor vehicle passenger compartment  15 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an electrical block diagram depicting major components of the interior lighting system  10  shown in  FIG. 1 ; and, 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an electrical schematic of the major components of the interior lighting system  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , specifically including a multi-color LED driving circuit. 
         DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
         [0000]    
         
           
             
                 10  lighting system 
                 15  passenger compartment 
                 20  driver&#39;s seat 
                 25  steering wheel 
                 30  instrument cluster 
                 35  control device 
                 40  instrument cluster illumination device 
                 45  LED indicator light 
                 50  interior light 
                 55  five-position selector control switch 
                 60  color adjustment potentiometer 
                 65  intensity adjustment potentiometer 
                 70  dashboard surface 
                 75  vehicle electrical system 
                 80  overcurrent protective device 
                 85  vehicle operation control device 
                 90  main control module 
                 95  first multi-color LED driving circuit 
                 100  second multi-color LED driving circuit 
                 105  third multi-color LED driving circuit 
                 110  tricolor LED 
                 115  first voltage drop resistor 
                 120  first control device 
                 125  second control device 
                 130  third control device 
                 135  driving circuit 
                 140  microcontroller 
                 145  quartz oscillator 
                 150  voltage regulator 
                 155  second voltage drop resistor 
                 160  interface connector 
                 165  output transistor 
                 170  four-wire output connection 
             
           
         
       
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0051]    The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 , and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
         [0052]    The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
         [0053]    The preferred embodiment for carrying out the principles of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . Referring now specifically to  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment is a motor vehicle multiple color lighting system having variable intensity, referred to herein after simply as a lighting system  10 .  FIG. 1  shows the lighting system  10  installed in a motor vehicle passenger compartment  15 . The passenger compartment  15  includes well known devices such as a driver&#39;s seat  20 , a steering wheel  25 , an instrument cluster  30 , and vehicle control devices  35  such as a gas pedal and a brake. 
         [0054]    The instrument cluster  30  includes multiple illumination devices  40 , multiple LED indicator lights  45 , and multiple passenger compartment interior lights  50 . The instrument cluster  30  includes all of the lighting devices typically seen within a motor vehicle passenger compartment  15  during night driving. The lighting system  10  enables driver control of the color and intensity level of the instrument cluster illumination devices  40 , the LED indicator lights  45  and the passenger compartment interior lights  50 , either together (they all change at the same time) or independently (only one (1) group of lights is adjusted). To that end the motor vehicle passenger compartment  15  includes a five-position selector control switch  55 , a color adjustment potentiometer  60 , and an intensity adjustment potentiometer  65 , all of which are preferably located on a dashboard  70 . The operations of the five-position selector control switch  55 , the color adjustment potentiometer  60 , and the intensity adjustment potentiometer  65  is described in more detail subsequently. 
         [0055]      FIG. 2  presents an electrical block diagram of the major components of the lighting system  10 . Electrical power for the lighting system  10  is provided by a vehicle electrical system  75  (such as a battery). The lighting system  10  is protected by an overcurrent protective device  80  such as a fuse. Electrical power passing through the fuse  80  is switched by a vehicle operation control device  85  such as an ignition circuit or a relay. The switched power is applied to a main control module  90 , to a first multi-color LED driving circuit  95 , to a second multi-color LED driving circuit  100 , and to a third multi-color LED driving circuit  105 . 
         [0056]    The main control module  90  senses the positions of the five-position selector control switch  55 , the color adjustment potentiometer  60 , and the intensity adjustment potentiometer  65 . The five-position selector control switch  55  has five (5) positions. The first position is OFF, the second position selects the first multi-color LED driving circuit  95  which provides lighting for the instrument cluster illumination devices  40  (see  FIG. 1 ) for color and intensity adjustments. The third position selects the second multi-color LED driving circuit  100  which provides lighting for the LED indicator lights  45  (again see  FIG. 1 ) for color and intensity adjustments. The fourth position selects the third multi-color LED driving circuit  105  which provides lighting for the passenger compartment interior lights  50  (once again see  FIG. 1 ) for color and intensity adjustments. The fifth position selects all three (3) of the multi-color LED driving circuits  95 ,  100 , and  105  for simultaneous color and intensity adjustments. The fifth position controls all three (3) at the same time while positions two (2) through four (4) control individual multi-color LED driving circuits  95 ,  100 , and  105 . 
         [0057]    In position two (2) through five (5) of the five-position selector control switch  55  the respective resistances of the color adjustment potentiometer  60  and the intensity adjustment potentiometer  65  are read by the main control module  90 . The main control module  90  then selectively (based on the position of the five-position selector control switch  55 ) applies signals that are representative of those resistances to the first multi-color LED driving circuit  95 , to the second multi-color LED driving circuit  100 , and/or the third multi-color LED driving circuit  105 . Those signals are preferably determined by a microcontroller  140  within the main control module  90  as explained subsequently. However, applicable logic might be provided by any number of other types of devices such as discrete logic, a RAM or EPROM, a programmable logic controller, or the like, all of which are well known in the art. 
         [0058]    The output of the first multi-color LED driving circuit  95  is applied to tricolor RGB LED&#39;s  110  through first resistors  115 . While  FIG. 2  shows only three (3) tricolor RGB LED&#39;s  110 , the actual number may be much higher, envisioned as being up to a hundred (100), by continuing the parallel connection scheme depicted in  FIG. 2 . The actual number of tricolor RGB LED&#39;s  110  associated with the first multi-color LED driving circuit  95  is not a limiting factor of the present invention as different applications may use different numbers. Illumination control is provided by a first control device  120 , for example a logic circuit, relay contacts or the like. When open, the first control device  120  deactivates the tricolor RGB LED&#39;s  110  connected to it, thus extinguishing the instrument cluster illumination devices  40  (see  FIG. 1 ). For example, during day time driving, when the headlights turned off, or the like. When closed, such as at night, the tricolor RGB LED&#39;s  110  connected to the first control device  120  are lit. 
         [0059]    The output of the second multi-color LED driving circuit  100  is passed to tricolor RGB LED&#39;s  110  through resistors  115 . While  FIG. 2  shows only three (3) tricolor RGB LED&#39;s  110  associated with the second multi-color LED driving circuit  100 , the actual number may be much higher, envisioned as being up to a hundred (100), by continuing the parallel connection scheme as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Illumination control is provided by a second control device  125 , for example a logic circuit, relay contacts or the like. When open, the second control devices  125  deactivates the tricolor RGB LED&#39;s  110  connected to it, thus extinguishing the LED indicator lights or switches light (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). Again, this may occur during daytime driving, or when the headlights are off, or the like. The second multi-color LED driving circuit  100  controls the color and brightness of the LED indicator lights  45 , such as on/off radio/CD switch, car fog switch, door lock and unlock switches, door handles lights, release lever light of the glove box, window switches, A/C switch, max/min heater switch, and associated other switches, handles, or release levers. 
         [0060]    The output of the third multi-color LED driving circuit  105  is passed to tricolor RGB LED&#39;s  110  through resistors  115 . While  FIG. 2  depicts only three (3) tricolor (RGB) LED&#39;s  110  associated with the third multi-color LED driving circuit  105 , the actual quantity can be much more, envisioned up to a hundred (100), by continuing the parallel connection scheme shown in  FIG. 2 . As such the actual number of tricolor RGB LED&#39;s  110  associated with the third multi-color LED driving circuit  105  is not intended to be a limiting factor of the present invention. Illumination control is provided by a third control device  130  such as door pin switch, a trunk pin switch, a dash-mounted control switch, or the like. This enables both automatic and manual control of the passenger compartment interior lights  50  which may be located at various positions within the motor vehicle passenger compartment  15 . For example, to aid in entry, egress or simple illumination of interior surfaces (see  FIG. 1 ). Therefore, the output of the third multi-color LED driving circuit  105  controls the color and brightness of the car interior lights  50 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 3  presents an electrical schematic diagram depicting the preferred embodiment components used in the first multi-color LED driving circuit  95 , the second multi-color LED driving circuit  100 , and the third multi-color LED driving circuit  105 . Except for the actual number of lights, the construction, features, and operation for the first multi-color LED driving circuit  95 , the second multi-color LED driving circuit  100 , and the third multi-color LED driving circuit  105  are identical. Thus a generic driving circuit  135  is shown with the understanding this each of the multi-color LED driving circuits  95 ,  100 , and  105  will have a similar driving circuit  135 . 
         [0062]    The driving circuit  135  incorporates a microcontroller  140  as the main controlling component of the lighting system  10 . It is envisioned that the microcontroller  140  would be a CMOS FLASH-based 8-bit microcontroller in a forty (40) pin package, for example, a PIC16F887 or equivalent. Key features of the microcontroller  140  include two hundred fifty-six (256) bytes of EEPROM data memory, two (2) comparators, fourteen (14) channels of 10-bit Analog-to-Digital (A/D) converter, a synchronous serial port, and an Enhanced Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART). It should be noted that many other types of microcontrollers could be used and thus the use of the specifically named microcontroller  140  is not a limiting factor of the present invention. However, the PIC16F887 is widely available, widely used, low cost, well-supported by its manufacturer, and has a small number of op-codes which makes programming relatively easy. 
         [0063]    In the driving circuit  135  microcontroller  140  timing is supplied by a quartz oscillator  145 . Power is supplied by a voltage regulator  150 . Resistors  155  are included to control current levels as required. The microcontroller  140  runs in accord with a customized program which may be written in the C programming language. The customized program controls the microcontroller  140  to change the color of the tricolor RGB LED&#39;s  110  (see  FIG. 2 ) with up to two hundred fifty-five (255) different colors. Programming is downloaded to the microcontroller  140  using an interface connector  160 . A series of output transistors  165  produce a four-wire output connection  170  which connects to the tricolor RGB LED&#39;s  110  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0064]    The color is governed by the color adjustment potentiometer  60  while the intensity is controlled by the adjustment potentiometer  65  reference  FIG. 1 ). To that end the resistances of the color adjustment potentiometer  60  and the adjustment potentiometer  65  are digitized such as by use of built-in A/D converters. The digitized results are then applied, possibly after further processing, to the tricolor RGB LED&#39;s  110  via the four-wire output connection  170 . 
         [0065]    It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and while only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
         [0066]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the lighting system  10  would be constructed in general accordance with  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 3 . It is also envisioned that the teachings of the lighting system  10  would be adapted as standard or optional equipment on new motor vehicles. However, the lighting system  10  could also be adapted into an aftermarket kit for an existing motor vehicle. It should also be noted that the lighting system  10  could be utilized on all types of motor vehicles including automobiles, trucks, vans, SUV&#39;s, buses, boats, motorcycles, and planes. 
         [0067]    After installation of the lighting system  10  in accordance with  FIGS. 1-3  would be ready for operation. Prior to use, a driver in the motor vehicle passenger compartment  15  would program the desired color and intensity of the instrument cluster illumination devices  40 , the LED indicator lights  45 , and the passenger compartment interior lights  50  either independently or together. To program independently, the driver would place the five-position selector control switch  55  in the second position to adjust the lighting for the instrument cluster illumination devices  40 . That enables the driver to adjust the color adjustment potentiometer  60  and the intensity adjustment potentiometer  65  to the desired levels for the instrument cluster illumination devices  40 . 
         [0068]    Next, the driver would place the five-position selector control switch  55  in the third position and adjust the lighting for the LED indicator lights  45 . That enables the driver to adjust the color adjustment potentiometer  60  and the intensity adjustment potentiometer  65  to the desired levels for the LED indicator lights  45 . 
         [0069]    Then the driver places the five-position selector control switch  55  in the fourth position to adjust the lighting for the passenger compartment interior lights  50 . That enables the driver to adjust the color adjustment potentiometer  60  and the intensity adjustment potentiometer  65  to the desired levels for the passenger compartment interior lights  50 . 
         [0070]    The foregoing enables independent light and illumination levels for the instrument cluster illumination devices  40 , the LED indicator light  45 , and the passenger compartment interior lights  50 . 
         [0071]    Should the same colors and intensity levels be desired for all lighting circuits, the driver would place the five-position selector control switch  55  to the fifth position. That enables the color adjustment potentiometer  60  and intensity adjustment potentiometer  65  to control the intensity for all lighting circuits at once. 
         [0072]    During actual operation of a motor vehicle equipped with the lighting system  10  the operation of the instrument cluster illumination devices  40 , the LED indicator lights  45 , and the passenger compartment interior lights  50  will continue in an automatic and transparent manner as directed by the first control device  120 , the second control devices  125 , and the third control device  130 . Should operation of any lighting circuit be desired or caused, the driver is rewarded with illumination at his desired intensity and with his preferred color. 
         [0073]    It should be understood by those knowledgeable in the art that the teachings of the invention may be incorporated into multiple configurations such as, but not limited to: a multi-color flashlight, a multi-color stand light or tall lamp stand, a multiple mode status indicator, an ambient lighting system, and the like. 
         [0074]    The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.