Directional approach lighting

• US 10,065,555 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2016
• Issued: 09/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Abrams, Nathan Jamar, Roberts, David Randolph
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US15/259,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20180065537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 353 13, 315307, 315158, 315312, 362494, 362542, 362540
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2669 on door or boot handles lighting devices for vehicle interior on door handles B60Q3/267
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/323 on or for doors illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A lighting system of a vehicle is provided herein. A projector is coupled to a side structure of the vehicle. A sensor detects a remote device carried on a person approaching the vehicle. Based on a detected location of the remote device relative to the vehicle, the projector projects a light pattern onto a ground surface to define an illuminated path leading up to the vehicle and pointing towards the person.

Claims

1. A lighting system of a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of projectors each coupled to an associated side structure of the vehicle; and

a sensor for detecting a remote device carried on a person approaching the vehicle;

wherein based on a detected location of the remote device relative to the vehicle, the plurality of projectors are selectively operable to project a light pattern onto a ground surface to define an illuminated path leading up to the vehicle and pointing towards the person.

2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the illuminated path is substantially straight.

3. The lighting system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of projectors are selectively operable to shift the projected light pattern based on a change in the detected location of the remote device.

4. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises one or more wireless communication transceivers configured to interact with the remote device over a wireless signal.

5. The lighting system of claim 4, wherein the remote device comprises one of a portable electronic device and a passive anti-theft system (PATS) key.

6. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the associated side structure comprises a door of the vehicle.

7. A lighting system of a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of projectors each coupled to a uniquely associated door of the vehicle; and

a sensor for detecting a remote device carried on a person;

wherein based on the detected location of the remote device, the plurality of projectors are selectively operable to project a light pattern onto a ground surface to define an illuminated path leading up to a door of the vehicle and are selectively operable to shift the light pattern such that the illuminated path is aligned with a direction in which the person approaches the vehicle.

8. The lighting system of claim 7, wherein the controller activates whichever projector is associated with the door in closest proximity to the detected remote device.

9. The lighting system of claim 7, wherein the illuminated path substantially straight.

10. The lighting system of claim 7, wherein the sensor comprises one or more wireless communication transceivers configured to interact with the remote device over a wireless signal.

11. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein the remote device comprises one of a portable electronic device and a passive anti-theft system (PATS) key.

12. The lighting system of claim 7, further comprising a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to selectively operate the plurality of projectors.

13. A lighting method for a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of projectors each coupled to a uniquely associated door of the vehicle;

using a sensor to detect a location of a remote device relative to the vehicle; and

based on the detected location of the remote device, selectively activating the plurality of projectors to project a light pattern onto a ground surface to define an illuminated path leading up to the door and pointing towards a person approaching the vehicle and carrying the detected remote device.

14. The lighting method of claim 13, wherein the sensor comprises one or more wireless communication transceivers configured to interact with the remote device over a wireless signal.

15. The lighting method of claim 14, wherein the remote device comprises one of a portable electronic device and a passive anti-theft system (PATS) key.

16. The lighting method of claim 13, further comprising the step of selectively operating the plurality of projectors to shift the light pattern in response to a directional change in which the person carrying the remote device approaches the vehicle.

17. The lighting method of claim 13, wherein the illuminated path is substantially straight.