Gentex illuminator assembly patent
In the second quarter of 1998 they introduced an auto-dimming mirror with map lamps utilizing LEDs. The patent below relates to that, their first generation technology:
U.S. #5,803,579, issued 09/08/93 to Turnbull et al.,
Illuminator assembly incorporating light emitting diodes
patents.ibm.com
In the BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION, there's an extensive discussion of color constancy. These guys know a thing or two about color perception. They also cover the ongoing evolution of white light sources for illumination in automobiles.
From the DETAILED DESCRIPTION, where they discuss an assembly made from LED chips:
When a plurality of LEDs is so mounted, the result is a "chip-on-board" LED array which in its entirety can then be incorporated into other assemblies as a subcomponent. Individual LED chips suitable for the present invention are available from Hewlett Packard, Showa Denko, Stanley, and Cree Research, to name just a few.
Of course, the second generation may be completely different...
WT, Pollock fan |
