Multi-color illumination devices that can be used in various indicator-related or ambient lighting applications, particularly for vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, the multi-color illumination device includes a light guide having a first end and a second end, a first light source located adjacent the first end of the light guide, and a second light source located adjacent the second end of the light guide. The multi-color illumination device is configured for attachment to a controller configured to illuminate the first light source, the second light source, or both the first light source and the second light source in accordance with one or more operation parameters to provide a status indication.

An automotive light guide that displays subsurface engraved indicia to create an optical branding feature or another illuminated design element. In one implementation, the light guide has a body with a primary viewing outer side and a plurality of microablation sites located within the body. From a first viewing angle with respect to the primary viewing outer side, the plurality of microablation sites are configured to appear in a first indicia pattern, and from a second viewing angle, the plurality of microablation sites are configured to appear in a second indicia pattern. In another implementation, the light guide has a body with a planar engraving outer side and a rounded primary viewing outer side. The plurality of microablation sites are etched through the planar engraving side and are viewable as an indicia pattern through the rounded primary viewing outer side.

A vehicle lighting system for a vehicle a light guide and a light dispensing device configured to receive light from a light source via the light guide and emit the light into an interior of the vehicle. A first end of the light guide is coupled to the light source and a second end of the light guide is coupled to the light dispensing device. The light dispensing device includes a textile configured to dispense the light from the light guide to an interior of the vehicle and a reflector configured to reflect the light within the light dispensing device that is received from the light guide towards the textile.

A lighting device for illuminating the vehicle interior of a motor vehicle is provided. The motor vehicle includes a plurality of light sources for illuminating the vehicle interior and a control device that can be used to actuate the plurality of light sources independently of one another. The motor vehicle further has an operator control device connected to the control device and includes segments and operator control elements that can be used to actuate the light sources independently of one another by a user. A display unit displays at least a partial image of the vehicle interior that can be illuminated or is illuminated by the controllable light sources.

An in-cabin lighting device has: a lighting section that emits light within a vehicle cabin, and that is configured to arbitrarily change a color of emitted light; a color detecting portion that detects a color of an detection target in a detection region that is set within the vehicle cabin; and a control section that changes the color of light emitted by the lighting section to the color detected by the color detecting portion.

Lighting device indicating a configuration state of a seat of a motor vehicle, the lighting device being arranged to illuminate at least one part of the seat as a function of at least one datum relating to the configuration state of this at least one part of a seat relative to a configuration instruction for a given user.

A system for detecting a surrounding condition relative to a body is provided. The system comprises a light-emitter, a sensor for detecting the surrounding condition, and a controller for changing a state of the light-emitter when the sensor detects a change of a condition at a position forward of the body. This system forcibly changes the state of at least one of a plurality of lighting devices (change from an unlit state to a lighting state or a blinking state, change in the emission color, or change in the luminance) installed inside the moving body, if an object to which attention must be paid during traveling of the moving body is detected in the surroundings of the moving body.

A system for detecting a surrounding condition relative to a body is provided. The system comprises a light-emitter, a sensor for detecting the surrounding condition, and a controller for changing a state of the light-emitter when the sensor detects a change of a condition at a position forward of the body. This system forcibly changes the state of at least one of a plurality of lighting devices (change from an unlit state to a lighting state or a blinking state, change in the emission color, or change in the luminance) installed inside the moving body, if an object to which attention must be paid during traveling of the moving body is detected in the surroundings of the moving body.

This system for detecting the surrounding conditions of a moving body forcibly changes the state of at least one of a plurality of lighting devices (change from an unlit state to a lighting state or a blinking state, change in the emission color, or change in the luminance) installed inside the moving body, if an object to which attention must be paid during traveling of the moving body is detected in the surroundings of the moving body.

A lighting device for illuminating the vehicle interior of a motor vehicle is provided. The motor vehicle includes a plurality of light sources for illuminating the vehicle interior and a control device that can be used to actuate the plurality of light sources independently of one another. The motor vehicle further has an operator control device connected to the control device and includes segments and operator control elements that can be used to actuate the light sources independently of one another by a user. A display unit displays at least a partial image of the vehicle interior that can be illuminated or is illuminated by the controllable light sources.