A visual communication apparatus affixed to a vehicle. The visual communication apparatus includes a smart key system that detects a key fob of a user within a keyless detection zone, a projector projecting visual indications on a projecting zone lying on a ground surface of the vehicle, a sensor optically capturing gestures of the user of the vehicle, and an electrical control unit capable of actuated key elements of the vehicle. The visual indications include passive visual indications requiring no activation from the user and active visual indications requiring activations from the user. The activations are performed by gestures of the user on the active visual indications.

An exterior mirror system for a vehicle includes exterior rearview mirror assemblies mounted at respective sides of the vehicle. The mirror assemblies include a light module and a camera. The cameras are part of a multi-camera vision system that includes a display device that is operable to display images for viewing by the vehicle driver. The indicator of the light module includes a signal light that is configured to provide light that is observable to another driver of another vehicle who is (i) approaching the vehicle from its rear and/or (ii) overtaking the vehicle in the side lane adjacent to the side of the vehicle at which mirror assembly is mounted. Actuation of the signal light provides (i) light forwardly of the vehicle so that drivers of other vehicles approaching the vehicle may observe the actuated signal light and/or (ii) light laterally with respect to the vehicle.

A badge is provided herein. The badge includes a viewable portion having indicia thereon. A viewable portion light source is configured to emit light towards the viewable portion. A feature portion light source is configured to emit light towards a feature portion. A peripheral light source is configured to emit light through a periphery of the badge. Each light source is independently controlled by a controller.

The invention relates to a method for opening a movable panel of a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps of: projection of at least one light spot (102) with which an authorized user (U) has to interact, determining if there is an intention to open the panel (100), and if so authorizing the opening of the panel (100). The step of determining if there is an intention to open the panel (100) comprises: acquiring a measurement signal of a movement performed by the user (U), filtering the signal, identifying if the movement performed by the user (U) is in a predefined correct order with at least the following steps: moving the user's part towards the light spot (102), keeping it in the light spot (102) and moving it outside the light spot (102), and determining if the movement performed by the user (U) meets a predefined specific time condition.

A lamp for a vehicle and a method therefor are provided. The lamp includes optical systems to form a beam pattern by irradiating light onto a road surface, and an assembly unit to assemble and integrate the optical systems. Each of the optical systems includes: a light source part to generate light; a condensing lens part provided on a front side of the light source part to condense and output the light input from the light source part; a shield part formed to shield a portion of the light input from the condensing lens part; and an output lens part to output the light passing the shield part to the road surface. The beam pattern includes unit pattern areas formed by the optical systems, respectively, and orientation angle of light output from each of the optical systems on to the road surface is different from one another.

A vehicle headlamp device includes headlamps, which are structured so as to be able to project or irradiate given patterns and given shapes without distortion on a given virtual surface in front of a vehicle from a left headlight and a right headlight, respectively, a camera that captures an image of the area in front of the vehicle, and a state detecting portion configured to detect distortion of the given patterns, which are projected or irradiated on an irradiated surface in front of the vehicle, relative to the given patterns projected or irradiated on the given virtual surface in front of the vehicle, based on the captured image, and also detect a state of the irradiated surface based on the distortion, and a correcting portion configured to correct a relative optical axis deviation between the left headlight and the right headlight.

A vehicle lighting assembly configured as a headlamp is provided. The vehicle lighting assembly includes a housing defining a light output window and a light source arranged to direct light through the light output window. The vehicle lighting assembly also includes a retractable cover actuatable between open and closed positions. The cover covers the light output window in the closed position to define a light image pattern for light output. The assembly also includes a retractable cover actuatable between an open position to output headlamp lighting and a closed position to output daylight running lamp lighting, wherein fewer LEDs are activated to generate the daylight running lamp lighting as compared to the headlamp lighting.

A mirror reflective element assembly for a vehicle includes an electrically variable reflectance mirror reflective element that includes front and rear substrates with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween and bounded by a perimeter seal. A perimeter layer is disposed at a second surface of the front substrate proximate a perimeter edge of the front substrate that conceals the perimeter seal from view by a driver of a vehicle. At least a portion of the mirror reflector extends from under the perimeter seal outward towards at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the rear substrate. The mirror reflective element includes a more curved outboard region and a less curved inboard region. A laser-etched demarcation may demarcate the more curved outboard region of the mirror reflective element from the less curved inboard region of the mirror reflective element.

A visual communication apparatus affixed to a vehicle. The visual communication apparatus includes a smart key system that detects a key fob of a user within a keyless detection zone, a projector projecting visual indications on a projecting zone lying on a ground surface of the vehicle, a sensor optically capturing gestures of the user of the vehicle, and an electrical control unit capable of actuated key elements of the vehicle. The visual indications include passive visual indications requiring no activation from the user and active visual indications requiring activations from the user. The activations are performed by gestures of the user on the active visual indications.

A user-position-focused vehicle lighting system comprising a hardware-based processing unit and a non-transitory computer-readable storage device having a user-position-determination module that, when executed by the processing unit, determines a vehicle user position proximate a vehicle. The storage device also includes a vehicle-lighting-identification module that, when executed by the processing unit, determines, based on the vehicle user position, which of multiple vehicle lighting features should be illuminated, yielding a presently selected lighting feature. The storage device also includes a vehicle-lighting-activation module configured to, when executed by the processing unit, send a signal to the presently selected lighting feature to illuminate the presently selected lighting feature. In various embodiments, the technology includes the storage device separate from the processing unit, and processes performed by the system.