Projected laser lines/graphics to visually indicate truck turning path

• US 9,845,043 B1
• Filed: 06/15/2016
• Issued: 12/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2016
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: Webb, Gareth, Arceo, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Sweeney, Brian P
• Application Number:
  US15/183,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20170361763A1
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 701 41
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/177 Augmented reality
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/178 Warnings
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/188 Displaying information using colour changes
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/333 Lasers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• 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 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• 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: B60Q 1/484 for showing outline of vehicle
• 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: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/408 Radar; Laser, e.g. lidar
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/54 Audio sensitive means, e.g. ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0098 Details of control systems ensuring comfort, safety or stability not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/145 Haulage vehicles, trailing trucks
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A system and method are provided and include a light source projector with a positional actuator mounted on a subject vehicle that projects laser lines on a roadway upon which the subject vehicle is traveling. A controller receives steering angle data from a steering system of the subject vehicle, the steering angle data corresponding to a steering angle of the subject vehicle. The controller determines a turning path of the subject vehicle based on the steering angle data and controls the positional actuator to project the laser lines on the roadway to correspond to the determined turning path of the subject vehicle.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

at least one light source projector with at least one positional actuator mounted on a subject vehicle that projects at least one laser line on a roadway upon which the subject vehicle is traveling;

a controller that receives steering angle data from a steering system of the subject vehicle, the steering angle data corresponding to a steering angle of the subject vehicle; and

at least one sensor that senses an object located in a surrounding area of the vehicle;

wherein the controller is configured to determine a turning path of the subject vehicle based on the steering angle data, to determine a location of the object, to determine whether the object is located in the turning path of the subject vehicle based on the determined turning path and the determined location of the object, and to control the at least one positional actuator to project the at least one laser line on the roadway to correspond to the determined turning path of the subject vehicle and to project an arrow on the roadway in front of the subject vehicle, the arrow graphically indicating a direction to steer the subject vehicle to avoid colliding with the object.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one laser line includes a first laser line corresponding to a driver side of the vehicle and a second laser line corresponding to a passenger side of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller generates an alert in response to determining that the object is located within the determined turning path of the subject vehicle.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the alert includes changing a color of the at least one laser line projected on the roadway.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the alert includes at least one of blinking or flashing the at least one laser line projected on the roadway.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one of a camera, a Lidar sensor, a radar sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the subject vehicle includes a tractor unit and a semi-trailer and the controller determines the turning path of the subject vehicle based on a turning path of the tractor unit.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller determines a turning path of the semi-trailer and wherein the at least one laser line includes a first set of laser lines corresponding to the turning path of the tractor unit and a second set of laser lines corresponding to the turning path of the semi-trailer.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source projector includes a laser diode.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one laser line includes two laser lines indicating the determined turning path of the subject vehicle and wherein the arrow is projected on the roadway between the two laser lines.

11. A method comprising:

projecting, with at least one light source projector having at least one positional actuator mounted on a subject vehicle, at least one laser line on a roadway upon which the subject vehicle is traveling;

receiving, with a controller, steering angle data from a steering system of the subject vehicle, the steering angle data corresponding to a steering angle of the subject vehicle;

determining, with the controller, a turning path of the subject vehicle based on the steering angle data;

sensing, with at least one sensor, an object located in a surrounding area of the vehicle;

determining, with the controller, a location of the object and whether the object is located within the determined turning path of the subject vehicle based on the determined turning path and the determined location of the object; and

controlling, with the controller, the at least one positional actuator to project the at least one laser line on the roadway to correspond to the determined turning path of the subject vehicle and to project an arrow on the roadway in front of the subject vehicle, the arrow graphically indicating a direction to steer the subject vehicle to avoid colliding with the object.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one laser line includes a first laser line corresponding to a driver side of the vehicle and a second laser line corresponding to a passenger side of the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

generating, with the controller, an alert in response to determining that the object is located within the determined turning path of the subject vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein generating the alert includes changing a color of the at least one laser line projected on the roadway.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein generating the alert includes at least one of blinking or flashing the at least one laser line projected on the roadway.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one of a camera, a Lidar sensor, a radar sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the subject vehicle includes a tractor unit and a semi-trailer, the method further comprising determining, with the controller, the turning path of the subject vehicle based on a turning path of the tractor unit.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising determining, with the controller, a turning path of the semi-trailer, wherein the at least one laser line includes a first set of laser lines corresponding to the turning path of the tractor unit and a second set of laser lines corresponding to the turning path of the semi-trailer.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one light source projector includes a laser diode.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one laser line includes two laser lines indicating the determined turning path of the subject vehicle and wherein the arrow is projected on the roadway between the two laser lines.