Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for controlling an automotive room lamp

US5831389A · kind A · utility

23Cited by
2References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 22, 1996
Grant dateNov 3, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 22, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60Q3/80
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling an au room lamp are provided, in which the room lamp is lit up when the ignition key is extracted from the ignition switch with an automotive door being closed, to thereby provide convenience for the driver and the passengers to get out of a car. A control unit (1) detects the on/off states of the ignition switch (2), a door switch (3) and an ignition key insertion/extraction detecting switch (4). If it is judged that the ignition key is extracted from the ignition switch with the door closed, the control unit turns on the room lamp (5) at a second luminance which is lower than a first luminance provided when the room lamp is on with the door being open, keeps the luminance of the room lamp for a predetermined time, and then turns off the room lamp.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.