Vehicle turn signalling apparatuses with laser devices, light projection circuits, and related electromechanical actuators
First Claim
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1. A vehicle turn signaling apparatus comprising:
- a laser light device configured to project a laser light beam of visible wavelength toward a road surface adjacent to the vehicle to visibly warn other drivers where a driver of the vehicle can intend to move the vehicle;
an ambient light sensor configured to output an ambient light brightness signal indicating brightness of ambient light at a location on the vehicle; and
a turn signal laser light projection activation circuit that receives a turn signal which indicates that the driver intends to move the vehicle to the road surface adjacent to the vehicle, and is configured to respond to the turn signal by controlling the laser light device to project the laser light beam toward the road surface adjacent to the vehicle, and to control the laser light device to increase length of a visible wavelength line extending along the road surface that is created by the laser light beam responsive to the ambient light brightness signal indicating a decrease in brightness of the ambient light to decrease the brightness perceived by a driver of an adjacent vehicle, and to decrease length of the visible wavelength line extending along the road surface that is created by the projected laser light beam responsive to the ambient light brightness signal indicating an increase in brightness of the ambient light to increase brightness perceived by a driver of an adjacent vehicle.
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Abstract
A vehicle turn signaling apparatus includes a light source that is powered by a turn signal circuit of the vehicle. The light source is configured to project a low divergence visible line onto a driving lane adjacent to the vehicle in response to activation of the turn signal circuit to visibly warn other drivers where a driver of the vehicle may intend to move the vehicle.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A vehicle turn signaling apparatus comprising:
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a laser light device configured to project a laser light beam of visible wavelength toward a road surface adjacent to the vehicle to visibly warn other drivers where a driver of the vehicle can intend to move the vehicle; an ambient light sensor configured to output an ambient light brightness signal indicating brightness of ambient light at a location on the vehicle; and a turn signal laser light projection activation circuit that receives a turn signal which indicates that the driver intends to move the vehicle to the road surface adjacent to the vehicle, and is configured to respond to the turn signal by controlling the laser light device to project the laser light beam toward the road surface adjacent to the vehicle, and to control the laser light device to increase length of a visible wavelength line extending along the road surface that is created by the laser light beam responsive to the ambient light brightness signal indicating a decrease in brightness of the ambient light to decrease the brightness perceived by a driver of an adjacent vehicle, and to decrease length of the visible wavelength line extending along the road surface that is created by the projected laser light beam responsive to the ambient light brightness signal indicating an increase in brightness of the ambient light to increase brightness perceived by a driver of an adjacent vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22)
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19. A vehicle turn signaling apparatus comprising:
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a laser light device configured to project a laser light beam of visible wavelength toward a road surface adjacent to the vehicle to visibly warn other drivers where a driver of the vehicle can intend to move the vehicle; an ambient light sensor configured to output an ambient light brightness signal indicating brightness of ambient light at a location on the vehicle; a turn signal laser light projection activation circuit that receives a turn signal which indicates that the driver intends to move the vehicle to the road surface adjacent to the vehicle, and is configured to respond to the turn signal by controlling the laser light device to project the laser light beam toward the road surface adjacent to the vehicle; and an actuator that repetitively moves the laser light device that reflects the projected laser light beam along a path to create a visible wavelength line extending along the road surface, wherein the turn signal laser light projection activation circuit is further configured to control a speed at which the actuator moves the laser light device responsive to the ambient light brightness signal.
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23. A vehicle turn signaling apparatus comprising:
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a laser light device configured to project a laser light beam of visible wavelength toward a road surface adjacent to the vehicle to visibly warn other drivers where a driver of the vehicle can intend to move the vehicle; an ambient light sensor configured to output an ambient light brightness signal indicating brightness of ambient light at a location on the vehicle; a turn signal laser light projection activation circuit that receives a turn signal which indicates that the driver intends to move the vehicle to the road surface adjacent to the vehicle, and is configured to respond to the turn signal by controlling the laser light device to project the laser light beam toward the road surface adjacent to the vehicle; and an actuator that repetitively moves a mirror that reflects the projected laser light beam along a path to create a visible wavelength line extending along the road surface, wherein the turn signal laser light projection activation circuit is further configured to control a speed at which the actuator moves the mirror responsive to the ambient light brightness signal.
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Specification