An automobile headlamp apparatus comprising a direct current driven discharge lamp surrounded by a concave main mirror which confronts a concave spheroidal sub mirror. The main mirror has a first focus point located substantially at a center of a discharge gap of the discharge lamp between the cathode and anode thereof, while the sub mirror has first and second focus points and an opening therein around the optical axis of the sub mirror. The first and second focus points of the sub mirror are arranged to be substantially on the tips of the cathode and anode of the discharge lamp, respectively. A convex lens may be included to condense the light from the main mirror, wherein the main mirror has a second focus point at a focus point of the convex lens. A shade forming a favorable illumination pattern may be included. In one embodiment, a diagonal mirror is inserted between the main mirror and the convex lens to bend the light from the discharge lamp. An optical light guide may be provided between the diagonal mirror and the convex lens, and/or the discharge tube may be attached to a completed assembly of the main mirror and sub-mirror.

A compact optical assembly includes a tight bend region that effectively propagates light from a source to an end use while maximizing beam lumens, improving color mixing, and minimizing complexity. A first nonimaging optical component increases the angular distribution of light from the source to an input end of the bend region having a light fiber with a first cross-sectional dimension. A second nonimaging optical component receives light from the bend region and decreases the angular distribution. A light conductor that interconnects the light source to the first nonimaging optical component has a cross-sectional dimension in the plane of the bend region greater than that of the light fiber and, likewise, a second conductor receiving light from the second nonimaging optical component has a cross-sectional dimension in the plane of the bend region greater than the light fiber.

Systems and methods for high efficiency illuminators are described. An illuminator includes an elliptical reflector defining a first focal point, a second focal point, a first focal plane and a second focal plane, the first focal point and the second focal point defining a principle axis; an output coupler optically coupled to the elliptical reflector, the output coupler including a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first proximal end defining an output coupler axis that is substantially coaxial with the principle axis; and a hollow conical reflector optically coupled to the output coupler, the hollow conical reflector including a first end defining an first aperture and a second end defining a second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture defining a hollow conical reflector axis, the hollow conical reflector being positioned such that i) the hollow conical reflector axis is substantially coaxial with the principle axis and ii) a plane defined by the input aperture is substantially coincident with the second focal point, the second end of the hollow conical reflector being mechanically connected to the proximal end of the output coupler. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the efficiency of coupling between the light source and the coupler is substantially improved, albeit through an opening formed between the conical and spherical reflectors that is of smaller diameter than that of the coupler.

A light bar for a vehicle including a body, a light source, a plurality of optical fibers extending within the body, and a housing for directing light from the light source to the plurality of optical fibers. The optical fibers have one end generally facing the light source and another end facing outwardly at the body. The housing is positioned within the body. The light source is stationary and non-rotatable relative to the body. The housing is rotatable relative to the light source. The housing has at least one aperture formed therein. The light source directs light through the aperture to at least one of the plurality of optical fibers. A reflective surface is formed within the housing generally opposite the aperture so as to focus light toward the aperture. A motor is connected to the housing and is positioned within the body. A power supply is electrically connected to the light source and to the motor.

An interactive elliptical arc control system and method are disclosed. Three control points are provided--a center control point and two foci control points--that a user can interactively manipulate in order to specify and change the elliptical parameters involved. The center control point can control the radius of the ellipse in the x direction, while keeping constant the ratio of the radius of the ellipse in the y direction to the radius of the ellipse in the x direction. The center control point can also control the relationship of the sweep flag to the large arc flag involved. The two foci control points can control the ratio of the radius of the ellipse in the y direction to the radius of the ellipse in the x direction, the angle from the x-axis of the coordinate system to the x-axis of the ellipse, and the value of the sweep flag.