Granted Patent B2

US 8,710,744 · App. 13/695,997 · Granted Apr 29, 2014

Abstract

Claims (33)

1. Automotive lighting system including

a signal emitting device to be installed in a lamp socket connected to a lighting connection of a vehicle, said signal emitting device emitting a radio signal depending on electrical power supplied to said lighting connection,

and a lighting module to be connected to an electrical power supply ( 28 ) of said vehicle, said lighting module comprising at least a receiver for said radio signal, and a control unit for controlling a vehicle front light source,

where said control unit is disposed to operate said vehicle front light source in a first mode if said radio signal is received in said receiver, and to operate said light source in a second mode if said radio signal is not received in said receiver.

2. Automotive lighting system according to claim 1 , where

said vehicle front light source is driven in said second mode to emit a higher luminous flux than in said first mode.

3. Automotive lighting system according to claim 2 , where

said vehicle front light source is driven in said first mode in a pulsed manner with a time average duty cycle lower than that in said second mode.

4. Automotive lighting system according to claim 1 , where

said signal is continuously emitted as long as electrical power is supplied to said lighting connection.

5. Automotive lighting system according to claim 1 , where

said signal emitting device is disposed to be installed in said socket instead of a lamp.

6. Automotive lighting system according to claim 4 , where

said signal emitting device is installed in a lamp socket of a position light of the vehicle,

and said light source operating in said second mode is arranged at the front of said vehicle as a daytime running light.

7. Automotive lighting system according to claim 1 , where

said signal emitting device is releasably received in said lamp socket in a screw connection, bayonet connection or plug connection.

8. Automotive lighting system according to claim 1 , where

said signal emitting device comprises a signal generator for generating a coded signal;

and said receiver comprises a decoder for decoding said coded signal.

9. Signal emitting device for use in a system according to claim 1 , said device comprising

a releasable electrical connection for fitting in electrical contacts of a vehicle lamp socket,

and a transmitter for emitting a signal if electrical power is supplied to said contacts.

10. Signal emitting device according to claim 9 , where

a voltage regulator is provided for regulating a voltage applied to said contacts.

11. Lighting module for use in a system according to claim 1 , said lighting module comprising

a receiver for a radio signal,

a control unit,

and a light source disposed to be arranged as a front light of a vehicle,

where said control unit is disposed to drive said light source in a first mode if a predetermined radio signal is received in said receiver, and to drive said light source in a second mode if said signal is not received in said receiver.

12. Method of installing a light source in a vehicle, by

replacing a lamp received in a lamp socket connected to a lighting connection of a vehicle by a signal emitting device, said signal emitting device emitting a radio signal depending on electrical power supplied to said lighting connection,

installing and connecting to an electrical power supply of said vehicle a lighting module, disposed to operate a vehicle front light source in a first mode if said signal is received, and to operate said vehicle front light source in a second mode if said signal is not received.

Assignments (8)