System for enhancing the visibility of a ground surface adjacent to a land vehicle

• US 10,284,822 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2016
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JVIS-USA LLC
• Original Assignee: JVIS-USA LLC
• Inventors: Murar, Jason T., Preisler, Darius J., Syrowik, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Negron, Daniell L
• Application Number:
  US15/271,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20170237945A1
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/178 Warnings
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/56 using mobile devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/589 Wireless data transfers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/741 Instruments adapted for user detection
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/777 on or in sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/797 at the vehicle exterior
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/65 Instruments specially adapted for specific vehicle types or users, e.g. for left- or right-hand drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/85 Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data
• 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 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2102/40 the light being emitted to facilitate access to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00984 : fob
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 : for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A system for enhancing the visibility of a ground surface adjacent to a land vehicle is provided. The system includes a mobile communication device, a hand-held communication device and control logic coupled to the mobile device and operative to determine if the hand-held device is an authorized device. An imaging assembly is supported on the vehicle to obtain an image of the ground surface. An image processor processes the image to detect an obstacle located on the ground surface. The control logic is operative to generate a display command signal. A display device is responsive to the signal to display in real time the detected obstacle or a welcome mat onto or adjacent the vehicle for enhanced viewing by an approaching pedestrian when the pedestrian carrying the authorized device is located within a predetermined range of the mobile device.

Claims

1. A system for displaying an image of a ground surface condition adjacent a land vehicle, the system comprising:

a mobile communication device supported on the vehicle for movement therewith;

a hand-held communication device operative to produce a signal containing identification data which identifies the hand-held device wherein the mobile device is operative to receive the signal and remove the identification data from the signal;

control logic coupled to the mobile device and operative to determine if the hand-held device is an authorized hand-held device based on the identification data;

an imaging assembly supported on the vehicle to obtain an image of the ground;

an image processor to process the image to detect the condition on the ground surface, the control logic being operative to generate a display command signal; and

a display device responsive to the display command signal to display an actual image of the detected condition onto or adjacent the vehicle above the ground surface for viewing by an approaching pedestrian when the pedestrian carrying the authorized hand-held device is located within a predetermined range of the mobile device.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the imaging assembly includes a source of light to illuminate the ground surface adjacent to the vehicle to obtain reflected light energy.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display device displays the image of the detected ground condition onto an exterior side surface of the vehicle.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display device is a light-field or holographic display device and wherein the displayed ground condition or mat is a computer-generated image floating outside and adjacent the vehicle.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hand-held communication device comprises a key fob.

6. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the imaging assembly includes an image sensor to detect the reflected light energy.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the imaging assembly includes an image sensor to capture an infrared image of the ground surface condition.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the imaging assembly is supported on a side view mirror assembly mounted on an exterior of the vehicle.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mirror assembly is mounted on an exterior side surface of a door of the vehicle.

10. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mirror assembly includes a housing and wherein the imaging assembly is supported within the housing.

11. A system for displaying an image of a ground surface condition adjacent a land vehicle, the system comprising:

a mobile communication device supported on the vehicle for movement therewith;

a hand-held communication device operative to produce a signal containing identification data which identifies the hand-held device wherein the mobile device is operative to receive the signal and remove the identification data from the signal;

control logic coupled to the mobile device and operative to determine if the hand-held device is an authorized hand-held device based on the identification data;

an imaging assembly supported on the vehicle to obtain an image of the ground surface condition;

an image processor operative to process the image to detect the condition on the ground surface, the control logic being operative to generate a display command signal; and

a display device operative to, responsive to the display command signal, display an actual image of the detected condition onto the vehicle above the ground surface for viewing of the detected condition by an approaching pedestrian when the pedestrian carrying the authorized hand-held device is located within a predetermined range of the mobile device.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the imaging assembly includes a source of light to illuminate the ground surface to obtain reflected light energy.

13. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the display device displays the detected ground surface condition onto an exterior side surface of the vehicle.

14. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the display device is a light-field or holographic display device and wherein the displayed ground surface condition is a computer-generated image floating outside and adjacent the vehicle.

15. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the hand-held communication device comprises a key fob.

16. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the imaging assembly includes an image sensor to detect the reflected light energy.

17. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the imaging assembly includes an image sensor to capture an infrared image of the ground surface condition.

18. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the imaging assembly is supported on a side view mirror assembly mounted on an exterior of the vehicle.

19. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the mirror assembly is mounted on an exterior side surface of a door of the vehicle.

20. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the mirror assembly includes a housing and wherein the imaging assembly is supported within the housing.

21. A system for displaying an image of a ground surface condition adjacent a land vehicle, the system comprising:

a mobile communication device supported on the vehicle for movement therewith;

a hand-held communication device operative to produce a signal containing identification data which identifies the hand-held device wherein the mobile device is operative to receive the signal and remove the identification data from the signal;

control logic coupled to the mobile device and operative to determine if the hand-held device is an authorized hand-held device based on the identification data;

an imaging assembly supported on the vehicle to obtain an image of the ground surface condition;

an image processor to process the image to detect the condition on the ground surface, the control logic being operative to generate a display command signal; and

a display device operative to, responsive to the display command signal, display an actual image of the detected condition onto the vehicle above the ground surface for viewing of the detected condition in the presence of any detected condition or display an actual image of a welcome mat onto or adjacent the vehicle in the absence of any detected condition, the display being performed above the ground surface for viewing by an approaching pedestrian when the pedestrian carrying the authorized hand-held device is located within the predetermined range.