Systems, Methods and Apparatuses for Enhanced Warning Using Laser Diodes for Commercial Vehicle Applications

• US 20190315270A1
• Filed: 04/16/2019
• Published: 10/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2018
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Xuan Bach Ly
• Original Assignee: Xuan Bach Ly
• Inventors: Ly, Xuan Bach
• Application Number:
  US16/384,998
• Publication Number:
  US 20190315270A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 1/30 for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/307 mounted on loading platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/324 for signalling that a door is open or intended to be opened
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/13 characterised by the type of light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/27 Attachment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30252 Vehicle exterior; Vicinity of vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/70 Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras camera calibration G06T7/80
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/12 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/125 by using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods to project lighting in a physical space adjacent to a vehicle are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, to decorate a physical target. The apparatus can further include a light source and/or a lens system optically coupled to the light source, wherein, in operation the lens system is adapted to focus or disperse the lighting to illuminate the physical space based on at least one of a position of the physical space relative to the commercial vehicle and an area of the physical space. In general, the light source can include a semiconductor lighting emitting device.

Claims

1. An apparatus to project lighting in a physical space adjacent to a commercial vehicle, the apparatus, comprising:

a light source;

a lens system optically coupled to the light source, wherein, in operation the lens system is adapted to focus or disperse the lighting to illuminate the physical space based on at least one of a position of the physical space relative to the commercial vehicle and an area of the physical space;

wherein, in operation, the light source is able to generate the lighting for projection in the physical space adjacent to the commercial vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the light source includes a semiconductor lighting emitting device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein,

the semiconductor lighting emitting device includes one or more of, at least one light emitting diode, at least one laser diodes, and a combination of one or more light emitting diodes and one or more laser diodes.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising,

a light sensor coupled to the light source;

wherein, the light sensor activates the light source when ambient light or available light is below a threshold.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the lens system comprises one or more concave lens or one or more convex lens.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the lens system comprises an array of lenses having any combination of concave lens and convex lens.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising,

a device controller operably coupled to one or more of the light source and the lens system;

wherein, the device controller further comprises a network interface, the network interface being able to receive or transmit data to facilitate operation of the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising, a housing unit to enclose one or more of the light source and the lens system.

9. The apparatus of claim 8,

wherein, the housing unit further encloses a light sensor coupled to the light source;

further wherein, the light sensor activates the light source when ambient light or available light is below a threshold.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising,

an adjustable arm attached to the housing unit;

wherein, the adjustable arm is configured to adjust one or more of an angle and position of the lighting projected in the physical space.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising, a power source electrically coupled to the light source.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein, the power source is adapted to be coupled to an internal power source of commercial vehicle.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising, an electrical trigger coupled to the power source to manually control operation of the apparatus;

wherein, the electrical trigger is configured to be coupled to an interior lighting system of the commercial vehicle.

14. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising,

an electrical trigger coupled to the light sensor;

wherein, the electrical trigger is activated responsive to the light sensor sensing ambient light or available light is below a threshold.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising,

an imaging unit coupled to the housing unit;

wherein, the imaging unit is arranged to image a rear side of the commercial vehicle to provide visibility of the rear side of the commercial vehicle to an operator of the commercial vehicle;

wherein, the imaging unit is further arranged to image physical spaces surrounding the commercial vehicle to determine that the physical space among the physical spaces is potentially in a danger zone.

16. A method to indicate a physical zone of potential hazard in a vicinity of a vehicle, the method, comprising:

identifying or determining that the physical zone proximal to the vehicle of potential hazard due to its proximity to or position relative to the commercial vehicle;

activating a light source, wherein, upon activation, the light source generates a warning light to indicate the physical zone of potential hazard.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising,

imaging the vicinity of the vehicle to identify the physical zone of potential hazard;

wherein, the light source is activated in response to one or more of, detecting opening of a door or a curtain of the vehicle and detecting that ambient light is below a threshold level;

wherein, the potential danger arises from loading or unloading activity to or from the vehicle.

18. A vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle chassis;

an internal power source in the vehicle chassis;

a warning light unit coupled to the vehicle chassis, the warning light unit having;

a light source to generate a warning light;

a lens system optically coupled to the light source, wherein, in operation the lens system is adapted to focus or disperse the lighting to illuminate a physical space based on at least one of a position of the physical space relative to the vehicle and an area of the physical space;

wherein, in operation, the light source is able to generate the warning light for projection in the physical space in a vicinity of the vehicle

19. The vehicle of claim 18, further comprising:

an adjustable arm coupled to the warning light unit and the vehicle chassis;

wherein, in operation, the adjustable arm is configured to adjust an angle or position of the warning light projected in the physical space;

wherein, the warning light unit unit further comprises;

a power source;

wherein, the power source is electrically coupled to the internal power source of the vehicle.

20. The vehicle of claim 18, further comprising:

a vehicle door integrated with the vehicle chassis;

wherein, the warning light unit further comprises;

a trigger coupled to the vehicle door;

wherein, in operation, the trigger is activated responsive to detection of opening of the vehicle door.