Abstract:
A headlight adapter and an interior lighting adapter provide remote control operation of a filament in a headlight and of an interior light of a vehicle, respectively. The remote control of the headlight allows the use of a multifilament headlight which can replace a normal headlight and provide such additional lighting as fog lights and emergency flashing headlights. The remote control interior lighting adapter allows a person approaching a vehicle to turn on an interior light, such as a dome light, without unlocking the doors of the vehicle before entering the vehicle. The headlight adapter, with an additional wire carrying a constant battery voltage to the headlight adapter, provides temporary light from the headlights for security and convenience when a driver is approaching or leaving the vehicle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to vehicle lighting, both external and internal and, more specifically, to remote control of vehicle lighting. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A driver approaching his or her vehicle and seeing one or more unknown persons near the vehicle may have fear for his or her personal safety and for damage to the vehicle. At present many vehicles, especially cars, have remote entry systems which also provide protection of the vehicle and its contents by enabling the vehicle&#39;s horn or a siren, and turning on the headlights when a door is opened before the door monitoring system is disabled. Such systems generally have a panic button on the remote control so that a driver approaching the car who is apprehensive can turn on the security system by remote control. 
     However, a driver with such a remote control may not want to turn on the security system of the car because the noise and lights may disturb innocent bystanders and may draw attention to the car and themselves. Consequently, such a driver may still be apprehensive but reluctant to use the panic button on the remote control. 
     Some of the more expensive present day vehicles have headlights which stay on for a preselected time after the lights are turned off to assist a person in the vehicle to find his or her way from their vehicles to their destination, such as a residence, and to provide additional security during their walk. However, persons driving other vehicles which do not have the headlight delay feature may want such assistance and additional security when leaving the vehicle. 
     Similarly, some present day vehicles have fog lights from the factory while others do not. Some people want fog lights but cannot afford the cost and installation fee for adding fog lights. In addition, some people, such as police, fire and medical personnel, would want relatively inexpensive flashing red and blue headlights to alert others that an emergency vehicle is approaching. 
     Therefore, it can be appreciated that after market equipment which provides some security and comfort to a driver approaching a vehicle without turning on the vehicle&#39;s security system is highly desirable. In addition, it can be appreciated that after market equipment which provides a timed delayed headlight feature and which is relatively inexpensive to have installed is desirable. It can also be appreciated that after market equipment which provides fog lights which are relatively inexpensive to have installed is desirable. Similarly, it can be appreciated that after market equipment which is relatively inexpensive to have installed that provides a flashing red and blue colored headlight beam is desirable. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect the present invention generally provides a vehicle lighting control system having a headlight with a headlight filament section containing a filament. A headlight adapter coupled to the headlight filament section has a first connector configured to connect to a second connector attached to the vehicle&#39;s wiring harness. The headlight adapter additionally has a current enabling device coupled between the headlight filament section and the second connector such that the enabling of the current enabling device illuminates the filament when a voltage within a predetermined voltage range is applied to a receiver in the headlight adapter. The receiver is coupled to the current enabling device for receiving a control signal and enabling the current enabling device upon receipt thereof. The vehicle lighting system further includes a transmitter for transmitting the control signal. 
     In a further aspect the present invention generally provides a method for controlling a vehicle lighting system. A first control signal is transmitted from a transmitter that is received at a first receiver in a headlight adapter, the headlight adapter coupled between a vehicle&#39;s wiring harness and a filament in a headlight of the vehicle. Forming a connection or interrupting a connection between the filament and the wiring harness to thereby turn on or turn off, respectively, the filament in said headlight. 
     In a still further aspect of the present invention generally provides a lighting control system for an interior light of a vehicle. An interior light control adapter unit has an interior lighting adapter for receiving a control signal, a current enabling device wired in parallel with an on and off switch for the interior light of the vehicle and a receiving unit within the interior lighting adapter coupled to the relay for turning on or turning off the relay. The lighting control system also includes a transmitter for transmitting the control signal. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus which provides some security and comfort to a driver approaching a vehicle without having to turn on the vehicle&#39;s horn or siren. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus which provides some security and comfort to a driver approaching a vehicle without having to unlock the doors of the vehicle. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide after market equipment which provides a timed delayed headlight feature which is relatively inexpensive to have installed. 
     Still another object, of the present invention, is to provide after market fog lights which are relatively inexpensive to have installed. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide after market equipment which is relatively inexpensive to have installed and which provides a flashing red and blue colored headlight beam. 
     In addition to the above-described objects and advantages of the present invention, various other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the same and related arts from the following more detailed description on the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing, figures, and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a front section of a vehicle according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic diagram showing a headlight which is used in the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention showing a headlight which may be used in the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a schematic diagram of a variation of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2D  is a schematic diagram of another variation of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2E  is a schematic diagram showing two headlights which can be used in the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an alternative embodiment of the headlight filament section of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the present invention which can be used in the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a schematic diagram of another alternative of the present invention which can be used in the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic diagram showing another variation of a headlight which can be used in the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a schematic diagram showing still another variation of a headlight which can be used in the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a schematic diagram showing still another alteration of a headlight which can be used in the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6B  is a schematic diagram showing another additional variation of a headlight which can be used in the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view layout of the filaments of the headlights of  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  3 ,  4 A,  4 B,  5 A,  5 B,  6 A and  6 B; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of the interior light of  FIG. 1  and the switches for controlling the interior light; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are side views of a remote control unit for the headlights of  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  3 ,  4 A,  4 B,  5 A,  5 B,  6 A and  6 B which are mounted inside the vehicle; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of a portable remote control unit for the headlights of  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  6 A and  6 B and the circuit shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of a second embodiment of a portable remote control unit for the headlights of  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  6 A and  6 B and the circuit shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     It will be appreciated that for purposes of clarity and where deemed appropriate, that the various elements in the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to better show the features of the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Prior to proceeding to a much more detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures for the sake of clarity and understanding of the invention. 
     Turning now to the drawing,  FIG. 1  shows a side view of a front portion of a vehicle  10 . The vehicle has a headlight  12  and an interior light  14  which are controlled, in part, by the lighting control system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2A  is a schematic diagram, shown generally as  16 , of the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. Also shown in  FIG. 2A  is a portion of the vehicle&#39;s wiring harness, an electrical cable  20 , and attached thereto is one of the vehicle&#39;s headlight sockets  22 . The easily replaceable portion  24  of the headlight  16  of the present invention is configured to connect to the socket  22  in the same manner as a present day headlight. The easily replaceable portion  24  of the headlight  16  consists of an headlight adapter  26  and a headlight filament section  28 . The headlight adapter  26  includes a receiver  30  that contains a RF receiver  32  with an antenna  34  attached thereto. Included in the receiver  30  is a relay controller  36  for controlling three current enabling devices, which, in the presently preferred embodiment, are relays  40 ,  42  and  68 . Relay  40  is a normally closed relay while relays  42  and  68  are normally open relays. The headlight adapter  26  receives the high beam voltage at connection  48  of the socket  22 , the low beam voltage at connection  50 , and has a common or chassis ground connection  52 . 
     The high beam voltage at connection  48  is connected to an input of the receiver  30  and is passed through the headlight adapter  26  to one end of a first filament  54 , the other end of which is coupled to the common connection  52  through the headlight adapter  26 . The low beam voltage at connection  50  is connected to an input of the receiver  30 . A supply voltage output of the receiver  30  is connected to a node  38  which is also connected to a first contact of relays  40 ,  42  and  68 . The other contact of relay  40  is coupled to one end of a second filament  56 , the other end of which is coupled to the common connection  52 . The other contact of relay  42  is coupled to one end of a third filament  58 , the other end of which is coupled to the common connection  52 . The other contact of relay  68  is coupled to the input of a flasher module  74 . 
     The flasher module  74  has two outputs, the first output coupled to a fourth filament  76 , the other end of which is coupled to the common connection  52 , and the second output of the flasher module  74  is coupled to a fifth filament  78 , the other end of which is coupled to the common connection  52 . In the presently preferred embodiment filament  54  is a white high beam filament and filaments  56 ,  58 ,  76  and  78  are white low beam filaments. The low beam voltage at connection  50  and the high beam voltage at connection  48  are both at battery voltage when energized. The difference between high beam brightness and low beam brightness being the different resistances of the low beam and high beam filaments. Filament  58  is used with a colored lens to provide a fog light color, filament  76  is used with a colored lens to provide a red color and filament  78  is used with a colored lens to provide a blue color. 
     The filaments  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  76  and  78  can be of various types such as tungsten, halogen or a strobe light. 
     The chassis ground at connection  52  is also connected to the receiver  30 . 
     In operation, the high beam voltage at connection  48  is passed directly to the first or high beam filament  54 . The voltage at the low beam voltage at connection  50  of the socket  22  is coupled through the receiver  30 , then through node  38  and relay  40  to the second or low beam filament  56  when none of the relays  40 ,  42  or  68  are energized, and thus the high and low beam operates the same, from a driver&#39;s point of view, as in present day headlights. 
     The receiver  30  receives the battery voltage from either the high beam voltage at connection  48  or the low beam voltage at connection  50 . The receiver  30 , in turn, selectively provides the battery voltage from either connection  48  or  50  to node  38 . The receiver  30  operates relays  40 ,  42  and  68  only when the voltage from the high beam voltage at connection  48  or the low beam voltage at connection  50  is a voltage that is higher than the voltage used for daylight running lights. If the headlights are to provide high beams only (i.e., the battery voltage is applied to filament  54  only and no signal is received at the antenna  34  which would cause any of the other four filaments  56 ,  58 ,  76  and  78  to be illuminated), the node  38  would then be at chassis ground. If any of the four filaments  56 ,  58 ,  76 , and  78  are to have the battery voltage applied to them, then node  38  is at the battery voltage whether the high beam or low beam is selected by the driver. 
     The flasher module  74  operates when relay  68  is closed. The flasher module  74  causes filaments  76  and  78  to alternately flash on and off. In the presently preferred embodiment the two filaments  76  and  78  are synchronized by the flashing module  74  so that while one filament is on, the other filament is off. 
       FIG. 2B  shows a headlight  86  that is the headlight  16  of  FIG. 2A  with an additional signal wire  82  from the electrical cable  20  to a receiver  31  in headlight adapter  87  and with the RF receiver  32  and antenna  34  removed. This embodiment is used when there is a wired connection between the headlight  86  and a remote control unit such as the remote control unit  106  shown in  FIG. 9B . The signal wire  82  carries the selection information from the remote control unit  106  which, in  FIG. 2A , was transmitted between an antenna  198  of the remote control unit  186  of  FIG. 9A  and the headlight  16 . 
       FIG. 2C  is a schematic diagram of a headlight  65  that is an alternative to the headlight  16  of  FIG. 2A  that provides a flashing alternating red and white light.  FIG. 2C  shows the filament section  28  and a headlight adapter  62  that are both contained within an easily replaceable portion  64  of headlight  65 . The headlight adapter  62  contains four relays  40 ,  42 ,  68  and  72 . Normally open relay  68  is connected between the high beam voltage at connection  48  and the input of the flasher module  74 . The normally closed relay  72  couples the high beam voltage at connection  48  to the high beam filament  54  when it is closed. Relay  72  is open only when the flasher module  74  is enabled. A first output of the flasher module  74  is coupled to filament  76  that provides a red beam in the headlight  65 . A second output of the flasher module  74  is connected at a point between the relay  72  and the filament  54 . When a flashing alternating red and white beam is chosen, the relay  72  is opened, and the flasher module  74  receives battery voltage from the high beam voltage at connection  48  through relay  68 . 
       FIG. 2D , which shows a headlight  73  is the same as the headlight  16  of  FIG. 2C  except that the second output of the flasher module  74 , contained in the headlight adapter  63  is connected to filament  78  that provides the blue light. 
     In the embodiments of  FIGS. 2C and 2D  the white beam is the high beam. However, the headlight adapters  62  of  FIGS. 2C and 2D  could easily be adapted to provide a low beam white light by connecting relay  68  to node  38  and moving the second output of the flasher module  74  to a point between relay  40  and filament  56 . 
     The term “battery voltage” as used herein means the approximate voltage at the positive terminal of the battery, and includes battery voltages which are less than the battery voltage by, for example, a diode voltage drop. 
     The receiver  30  and the relay controller  36  in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 C and  2 D respond to a plurality of predetermined signals received at the antenna  34 . For example, a first predetermined signal might cause relay  42  to close, thus illuminating filament  58 . Shown in the table below are various headlight illumination options with their associated predetermined signals, high beam or low beam selection by the driver and the states of the relays  40 ,  42 ,  68  and  72 . 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Pre- 
                 High 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 deter- 
                 or 
               
               
                 Illumination 
                 mined 
                 Low 
                 Relay 
                 Relay 
                 Relay 
                 Relay 
                 Relay 
               
               
                 Option 
                 Signal 
                 Beam 
                 40 
                 42 
                 68 
                 72 
                 144 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 -1- 
                 (none) 
                 High 
                 Open 
                 Open 
                 Open 
                 NA or 
                 NA or 
               
               
                 High Beam Only 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Closed 
                 Open 
               
               
                 -2- 
                 (none) 
                 Low 
                 Closed 
                 Open 
                 Open 
                 NA or 
                 NA or 
               
               
                 Low Beam Only 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Open or 
                 Open or 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Closed 
                 Closed 
               
               
                 -3- 
                 1 st   
                 Low 
                 Open 
                 Closed 
                 Open 
                 NA or 
                 NA or 
               
               
                 Fog Light 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Open or 
                 Open 
               
               
                 only 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Closed 
               
               
                 -4- 
                 2 nd   
                 Low 
                 Closed 
                 Closed 
                 Open 
                 NA or 
                 AA or 
               
               
                 Fog Light with 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Open or 
                 Open 
               
               
                 Low Beam 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Closed 
               
               
                 -5- 
                 3 rd   
                 High 
                 Open 
                 Open 
                 Closed 
                 NA 
                 NA or 
               
               
                 Alternating Red 
                   
                 or 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Open 
               
               
                 and Blue 
                   
                 Low 
               
               
                 Headlight Only 
               
               
                 -6- 
                 4 th   
                 High 
                 Open 
                 Open 
                 Closed 
                 NA 
                 NA or 
               
               
                 Alternating Red 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Open 
               
               
                 and Blue 
               
               
                 Headlight with 
               
               
                 High Beam 
               
               
                 -7- 
                 4 th   
                 Low 
                 Closed 
                 Open 
                 Closed 
                 NA 
                 NA or 
               
               
                 Alternating Red 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Open 
               
               
                 and Blue 
               
               
                 Headlight with 
               
               
                 Low Beam 
               
               
                 -8- 
                 3 rd   
                 High 
                 Open 
                 Open 
                 Closed 
                 Closed 
                 NA or 
               
               
                 Alternating 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Open 
               
               
                 Red and White 
               
               
                 High Beam 
               
               
                 -9- 
                 3 rd   
                 High 
                 Open 
                 Open 
                 Closed 
                 Closed 
                 NA or 
               
               
                 Alternating 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Openb 
               
               
                 Blue and White 
               
               
                 High Beam 
               
               
                 -10- 
                 5 th   
                 NA 
                 Open 
                 Opn 
                 Open 
                 NA 
                 Closed 
               
               
                 Headlight off 
               
               
                 Portable Remote 
               
               
                 Control 
               
               
                 Transmitting 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Illumination Options  1 – 4  are applicable to all of the Figures except  FIG. 3 ; Illumination Options  5 – 7  are applicable to all of the Figures except  FIGS. 3 ,  2 C and  2 D; Illumination Options  8  and  9  are applicable to  FIGS. 2E ,  5 A,  5 B,  6 A and  6 B. NA means not applicable since the relay is not present or the headlights are off for the particular illumination option selected. 
     In the table above the third predetermined signal is transmitted to select red and blue flashing lights, red and clear flashing lights and blue and clear flashing lights since the output connections of the flasher module  74  determine which of these three options are applicable. 
     Some of the possible configurations of the predetermined signals, high and low beam selections and relays  40 ,  42 ,  68 ,  70  and  72  may not be legal in the United States. Any illegal configurations, such as using a high beam with a fog light, can be prevented by the use of control logic  80  in the receivers  30  and  31 . The control logic  80  monitors the control signals received by the receivers  30  and  31  and the receivers shown in  FIGS. 2E ,  4 A,  4 B,  5 A,  5 B,  6 A and  6 B, and disables changes in the relays which would cause any illegal or unwanted configuration. 
     It will be appreciated that there are a wide variety of configurations when choosing how many filaments and which colors can be used for the various filaments. In addition, the number of flasher modules and the number of filaments that each flasher module is connected to also provide wide variations which can be made to the embodiments of  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C,  2 D,  2 E,  4 A,  4 B,  5 A,  5 B,  6 A and  6 B all of which are within the scope of the present invention. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2E , if the preferred embodiment of the present invention is installed by an automobile manufacturer, then only one of the headlight adapters, such as the headlight adapter  87  shown in  FIG. 2B , would be needed for both headlights.  FIG. 2E  is a schematic diagram of two headlights, a left headlight  88  and a right headlight  90 , each containing a filament section  28  and each filament section  28  connected to either a left headlight socket  92  or a right headlight socket  94 . The left and right headlight sockets  92  and  94  are connected to a dashboard connector  96 , which, in turn, is connected to a remote control unit  98 , all generally designated as  100 . A modified headlight adapter  102  is contained within the remote control unit  98  along with a decoder and transmitter circuit  104 . An antenna  105 , for receiving a transmission from the portable remote control shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , is connected the decoder and transmitter circuit  104 . The remote control unit  98  is similar to the remote control unit  106  shown in  FIG. 9B . The modified headlight adapter  102  is the same as headlight adapter  87  of  FIG. 2B  except that the receiver  31  is not present, but rather is contained within the decoder and transmitter circuit  104 . The decoder and transmitter circuit  104  also has circuitry to decode the switch positions and pushbutton status of a switch  108  and a pushbutton  110  as shown in  FIG. 9B . 
     In operation the decoder and transmitter electronics  104  receives battery voltage and chassis ground on lines  112  and  114 , respectively. The decoder and transmitter electronics  104  decodes the switch  108  and pushbutton  110  status and generates the relay control signals through a cable  115  to the relays in the headlight adapter  102 . The headlight adapter  102  receives the high beam voltage on line  118 , the low beam voltage on line  120  and the common voltage for the headlights on line  122 . The output signals from the headlight adapter  102  are connected to the dashboard connector  96  over lines  124 . The dashboard connector passes the signals present on lines  124  to six nodes  125  where the signals are sent to both headlight connectors  92  and  94  which, in turn, pass the signals to the left and right headlight filament sections  28 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of an alternative configuration of the headlight filament section  28  of  FIG. 2A . In  FIG. 3 , in the headlight filament section  127 , each of the filaments  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  76  and  78  are in individual bulbs as indicated by the ovals  84 . In this embodiment of the present invention a burned out filament can be replaced by replacing a single bulb thus enabling a relatively inexpensive repair of the headlight. 
       FIG. 4A  is a schematic diagram, shown generally as  126 , of another embodiment of the present invention together with a portion of the vehicle&#39;s electrical cable  20  and the vehicle&#39;s headlight socket  22 . The embodiment of  FIG. 4A  differs from the embodiment of  FIG. 2A  in that the easily replaceable portion  130  of the headlight  126  is only the headlight filament section  28 , with the headlight adapter  26  mounted solidly to the vehicle. The advantage to this embodiment is that the headlight filament section  28  can be replaced when one of the filaments  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  76  and  78  burns out without changing the headlight adapter  26 . 
     The headlight  128  of  FIG. 4B , analogous to the headlight  86  of  FIG. 2B , is the headlight  126  of  FIG. 4A  with the additional wire  82  added from the electrical cable  20  to the receiver  31  in headlight adapter  87  with the RF receiver  32  and antenna  34  removed. 
       FIG. 5A  is a schematic diagram, shown generally as  134 , of another embodiment of the present invention together with a portion of the vehicle&#39;s electrical cable  20  and the vehicle&#39;s headlight socket  22 . The headlight  134  of  FIG. 5A  is the headlight  16  of  FIG. 2A  except that the easily replaceable portion  135  of  FIG. 5A  contains a headlight adapter  140  modified by the addition of an extra wire  142  from the vehicle&#39;s electrical cable  20  which provides constant battery voltage, and by the addition of another relay  144 . The battery voltage from wire  142  is routed to the receiver  33  and to a first contact of the relay  144 , the other contact of relay  144  is connected to a point between relay  40  and filament  56 . 
       FIG. 5B , which shows a headlight  136  analogous to headlight  86  of  FIG. 2B , is the headlight  134  of  FIG. 5A  except that the easily replaceable portion  137  receives the additional wire  82  added from the electrical cable  20  to the receiver  35  in headlight adapter  146 . The RF receiver  32  and the antenna  34  remain to receive signals from a portable remote control unit such as shown in either  FIG. 10  or  FIG. 11 . 
     In operation the receivers  33  and  35  of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , respectively, upon receiving a predetermined signal from a remote control unit such as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , close relay  144  to illuminate filament  56 , the low beam filament, whether the vehicle ignition switch is on or off and whether the normal headlight control switch is on or off. The battery voltage on wire  142  provides the constant power to the receiver  30 . 
       FIG. 6A  is a schematic diagram, shown generally as  148 , of still another embodiment of the present invention together with a portion of the vehicle&#39;s electrical cable  20  and the vehicle&#39;s headlight socket  22 .  FIG. 6A  combines the headlight adapter  140  of  FIG. 5A  with the easily replaceable portion  130  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
       FIG. 6B , which shows a headlight  150  analogous to headlight  136  of  FIG. 5B , is the headlight  148  of  FIG. 6A  with the additional wire  82  added from the electrical cable  20  to the receiver  35  in headlight adapter  146 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of a layout of the filaments  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  76  and  78 , generally shown as  152 . Filaments  58 ,  76  and  78  are surrounded by enclosures  154 ,  156  and  158 , respectively, each with a colored front portion. Enclosure  154  has a yellow or fog light colored front portion, enclosure  156  has a red colored front portion and enclosure  158  has a blue colored front portion. Also, the enclosures  154 ,  156  and  158  may not be hermetically sealed, or may be hermetically sealed in which case filaments  54  and  56  would advantageously also have hermetically sealed enclosures  160  and  162 , respectively, with clear fronts so that only the enclosures need be oxygen free, allowing relatively easy replacement of individual filaments or of the filaments together with their enclosures. 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram, shown generally as  164 , of an interior light bulb  166  of the dome light  14  and the switching circuitry  168  for controlling the on and off state of the bulb  166 . The switching circuitry  168  includes an interior lighting adapter  170 . The battery voltage is received at input terminal  172  and coupled through a conventional interior light on-off switch  174  to one end of the filament in the bulb  166 , the other end of the filament being connected to chassis ground. Placed in parallel with the switch  174  is a normally open relay  176 . The relay  176  is controlled by a relay controller  178  located inside the receiver  180 . The receiver  180  also contains a RF receiver  182  that is connected to an antenna  184 . 
     In operation, when the relay  176  is open, the switch  174  controls the on and off operation of the bulb  166 . When a predetermined signal is received by the antenna  184  and passed to the receiver  180 , relay  176  is closed, and switch  174  does not then control the bulb  166 . Thus the bulb  166  can be turned on (if not already turned on by the switch  174  ) by the transmission of the predetermined signal when it is received by the antenna  184 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention the bulb  166  is turned off when a second predetermined signal is received by the antenna  184  (provided that switch  174  is open). 
       FIG. 9A  is a side view of a remote control unit, generally shown as  186 , for the headlights of  FIGS. 2A ,  2 C,  2 D,  2 E,  4 A,  5 A and  6 A. The remote control unit  186  is mounted inside the vehicle using screws or Velcro® or any other appropriate attachment device. The remote control unit  186  includes, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a push-on push-off switch  190 , and a three position rotary switch  192 . The push button switch  190  is used to enable or disable the flashing headlights, and the rotary switch is used to select the normal headlights, the fog lights only or the fog lights with the low beam headlights. A transmitter  194  containing a RF transmitter  196  having an antenna  198  attached thereto are located within the remote control unit  186  for transmitting the appropriate predetermined signals, depending on the status of the switches  190  and  192 , to the antennas of the headlight adapters of  FIGS. 2A ,  2 C,  2 D,  2 E,  4 A,  5 A and  6 A. 
       FIG. 9B  shows a remote control unit  106  that is the remote control unit  186  of  FIG. 9A  with the additional wire  82  from the transmitter  96  which may be routed through the electrical cable  20  to the headlights of  FIGS. 2B ,  4 B,  5 B and  6 B. The RF transmitter  196  and antenna  198  of  FIG. 9A  are not needed in  FIG. 9B . 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of a portable remote control unit, generally shown as  202 , for illuminating, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the low beam filaments  56  of headlights  126 ,  128 ,  134 , and  136  of  FIGS. 2B ,  4 B,  5 B and  6 B, respectively, and the interior light bulb  166  of  FIG. 8 . The remote control unit  202  can be removed from the vehicle like present day remote door lock controllers. In fact, the remote control unit  202  could be incorporated into the original manufacture&#39;s remote controller. The remote control unit  202  has a push-on, push-off switch  204  and a push-on, push-off switch  206 , in the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, for turning on the interior light bulb  166  and for turning on the low beam filaments  56  of the headlights  126 ,  128 ,  134 , and  136 . In an alternate embodiment switches  204  and  206  would be momentary push button switches, and the receiver  33  of  FIGS. 5A and 6A , receiver  35  of  FIGS. 5B and 6B  and receiver  180  of  FIG. 8  would have built in timers to turn off the interior light bulb  166  of  FIG. 8  (if switch  174  is open), and turn off the low beam of  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  6 A and  6 B (if relay  40  is open or the headlight switch in the vehicle is off). Alternatively, the remote controller unit  202  could have a built-in timer that would send a turn off predetermined signal at the end of the time period of the timer. The control unit  202  also contains a transmitter  208  that contains a RF transmitter  210  with an antenna  212  attached thereto for transmitting the appropriate predetermined signals, depending on the status of the switches  204  and  206 . 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a portable remote control unit  202  of  FIG. 10 , generally shown as  214 . The remote control unit  214  is the same as the remote control unit  202  of  FIG. 10  except for the type of switches used. The portable remote control unit  214  has four momentary push button switches  216 ,  218 ,  220  and  222 . These switches are coupled to the transmitter  208 . These switches are used to enable turning on and turning off the interior light bulb  166  of  FIG. 8  (if switch  174  is open), and turning on and turning off the low beam of  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  6 A and  6 B (if relay  40  is open or the headlight switch in the vehicle is off). 
     The circuitry shown in  FIG. 8  and the remote control units shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  provide additional security for a driver approaching his or her vehicle by turning on an interior light, such as a dome light, before reaching the vehicle. The driver can then see if someone is in the vehicle without disturbing other people in the area and bringing attention to himself or herself. Also the circuitry of  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  6 A and  6 B allows a driver approaching or leaving a vehicle to turn on the low beam headlight to provide additional light to and from the vehicle. 
     Although the invention has been described in part by making detailed reference to a certain specific embodiment, such detail is intended to be, and will be understood to be, instructional rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many variations may be made on the structure and mode of operation without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the teachings contained herein.