Provided is a vehicle lamp unit that enables a user to perceive a detection range of a sensor. A vehicle lamp unit 1 includes: a sensor 4 mounted at a lower part of a vehicle 90; and an irradiation device 30 configured to irradiate a vehicle outer plate 95 present at a position corresponding to a detection range of the sensor 4.

Provided is a vehicle lamp unit that enables a user to perceive a detection range of a sensor. A vehicle lamp unit 1 includes: a sensor 4 mounted at a lower part of a vehicle 90; and an irradiation device 30 configured to irradiate a vehicle outer plate 95 present at a position corresponding to a detection range of the sensor 4.

A lens includes an incident surface through which outgoing light enters the lens, the incident surface being formed at a portion opposed to a light source, and an emission surface through which incident light incident on the incident surface exits from the lens. The incident surface refracts outgoing light in a direction away from an optical axis of outgoing light, along a direction orthogonal to the optical axis. The emission surface refracts incident light in a direction away from a centerline of incident light, along a direction orthogonal to the centerline.

A lens includes an incident surface through which outgoing light enters the lens, the incident surface being formed at a portion opposed to a light source, and an emission surface through which incident light incident on the incident surface exits from the lens. The incident surface refracts outgoing light in a direction away from an optical axis of outgoing light, along a direction orthogonal to the optical axis. The emission surface refracts incident light in a direction away from a centerline of incident light, along a direction orthogonal to the centerline.

One embodiment includes a display system for use on the exterior of a vehicle having a display, a vehicle speed sensor, and a processor coupled to the vehicle speed sensor. The processor is configured to implement one of three operational modes of the display system based on the speed and state of the vehicle: a first operational mode, wherein a first content, including identification and/or registration information of the vehicle is rendered on the display at a first power consumption level; a second operational mode, wherein a second content, including a message, identification and/or registration information of the vehicle, is rendered on the display; and a third operational mode, wherein content is rendered on the display at a second power consumption level less than the first power consumption level.

One embodiment includes a display system for use on the exterior of a vehicle having a display, a vehicle speed sensor, and a processor coupled to the vehicle speed sensor. The processor is configured to implement one of three operational modes of the display system based on the speed and state of the vehicle: a first operational mode, wherein a first content, including identification and/or registration information of the vehicle is rendered on the display at a first power consumption level; a second operational mode, wherein a second content, including a message, identification and/or registration information of the vehicle, is rendered on the display; and a third operational mode, wherein content is rendered on the display at a second power consumption level less than the first power consumption level.

An illuminated vehicle sign comprises a receptacle having an internal cavity with a light reflective internal surface. A cover over an end of the receptacle comprises one or more orifices opening into the internal cavity from an outside of the receptacle. The orifices are dimensioned and/or relatively arranged in accordance with one or more markings or alphanumeric characters. The orifices provide for ingress of air into the internal cavity from the outside of the receptacle and for emission of light from the internal cavity. A vent in the receptacle is positioned relative to the orifices to provide for egress of the air from the internal cavity. A light source is disposed within the receptacle to emit the light through the internal cavity and out of the orifices. An apertured screen is disposed inside of the internal cavity that is spaced apart from the cover.

An illuminated vehicle sign comprises a receptacle having an internal cavity with a light reflective internal surface. A cover over an end of the receptacle comprises one or more orifices opening into the internal cavity from an outside of the receptacle. The orifices are dimensioned and/or relatively arranged in accordance with one or more markings or alphanumeric characters. The orifices provide for ingress of air into the internal cavity from the outside of the receptacle and for emission of light from the internal cavity. A vent in the receptacle is positioned relative to the orifices to provide for egress of the air from the internal cavity. A light source is disposed within the receptacle to emit the light through the internal cavity and out of the orifices. An apertured screen is disposed inside of the internal cavity that is spaced apart from the cover.

A digital license plate includes a display system capable of showing a license number readable by camera systems even under poor external lighting conditions. A light redistribution element is positioned near the display system and a lighting system is positioned to direct light from the light redistribution element and toward the display system. In some embodiments the lighting system includes a non-visible lighting element such as can be provided by an infrared source, and the display system includes an electrophoretic or LCD display.

A digital license plate includes a display system capable of showing a license number readable by camera systems even under poor external lighting conditions. A light redistribution element is positioned near the display system and a lighting system is positioned to direct light from the light redistribution element and toward the display system. In some embodiments the lighting system includes a non-visible lighting element such as can be provided by an infrared source, and the display system includes an electrophoretic or LCD display.