PARKING SIGNALING SYSTEM

• US 20150127222A1
• Filed: 11/05/2014
• Published: 05/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cindita Cunningham, Frazier Cunningham III
• Original Assignee: Frazier Cunningham III
• Inventors: Cunningham, Frazier III, Cunningham, Cindita
• Granted Patent: US 9,333,908 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/41
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/172 Driving mode indication
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/5915 Inter vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/215 characterised by the combination of multiple visual outputs, e.g. combined instruments with analogue meters and additional displays
• 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 35/85 Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/488 for indicating intention to park
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/10 Retrofit arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/40 Several lamps activated in sequence, e.g. sweep effect, progressive activation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/006 indicating risk of collision between vehicles or with pedestrians
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/027 Parking aids, e.g. instruction means
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/143 inside the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/147 where the parking area is within an open public zone, e.g. city centre
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 event-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/168 Driving aids for parking, e.g. acoustic or visual feedback on parking space

Abstract

A system is disclosed to communicate in vehicular traffic an intention of a driver of a vehicle to execute a parallel parking maneuver. The system includes a display generating a signal to indicate to other drivers the intention to execute the parallel parking maneuver to either a left side of the vehicle or a right side of the vehicle. The signal is distinct from and in addition to a turn signal for the vehicle indicating an intended left turn or right turn.

Claims

1. A system operated within a vehicle to indicate an intention of a driver of the vehicle to execute a parallel parking maneuver, the system comprising:

a display generating a signal to indicate to other drivers the intention to execute the parallel parking maneuver to either a left side of the vehicle or a right side of the vehicle;

wherein the signal is distinct from a turn signal for the vehicle indicating an intended left turn or right turn.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal to indicate to other drivers the intention to execute the parallel parking maneuver comprises an arrow pointing to the left side of the vehicle and an arrow pointing to the right side of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the signal to indicate to other drivers the intention to execute the parallel parking maneuver further comprises a parking mode indication.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the parking mode indication comprises one of a display indicating the word parallel, a display indicating the word parking, and a display indicating the letter P.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the signal to indicate to other drivers the intention to execute the parallel parking maneuver further comprises a white light configured to display an intention to operate the vehicle in reverse prior to the vehicle actually being placed into a reverse gear.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein a top portion of an arrowhead of each of the arrows can be lit separately from a bottom portion of the arrowhead.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the arrows are displayed upon a light bar.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the light bar is in wireless communication with a control device operated by the driver.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal to indicate to other drivers the intention to execute the parallel parking maneuver comprises an arrow pointing to the left side and forward of the vehicle, an arrow pointing to the left side and rearward of the vehicle, an arrow pointing to the right side and forward of the vehicle, and an arrow pointing to the right side and rearward of the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 1, further including an audio message provided to warn pedestrians proximate to the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a sensor monitoring locations of the pedestrians;

and

wherein providing the audio message is based upon the locations of the pedestrians.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising vehicle sensors configured to locate an open parking space.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a control module configured to warn the driver if the open parking space is not wide enough for the parallel parking maneuver based upon data from the vehicle sensors.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a control module configured to automatically signal to an open parking space based upon data from the vehicle sensor.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a camera capturing images of the driver;

and

wherein the control module is configured to automatically signal to the open parking space further based upon the images.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal is integrated into a turn signal device.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal is integrated into a headlamp device.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the display is further configured to display a light displaying a braking function for the vehicle.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the display comprises a matrix of individually operable lights.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the display is configured to display a textual message communicating the intention of the driver to execute the parallel parking maneuver.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising a laser emitter configured to display a pattern upon an intended parking space.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor monitoring a steering angle of the vehicle; and

a computerized processor controlling the display generating the signal, wherein the signal is generated based upon the steering angle.

23. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor monitoring parking spaces proximate to the vehicle; and

a computerized processor monitoring an orientation of the vehicle in relation to the parking spaces and controlling the display generating the signal based upon the monitored orientation.

24. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor monitoring a parking space proximate to the vehicle; and

a computerized processor monitoring the sensor and indicating whether the parking space is large enough for the vehicle to park within.

25. A system operated within a vehicle to indicate an intention of a driver of the vehicle to execute a parallel parking maneuver, the system comprising:

a light bar display generating a signal to indicate to other drivers the intention to execute the parallel parking maneuver to one of the left side and forward of the vehicle, to the left side and rearward of the vehicle, to the right side and forward of the vehicle, and to the right side and rearward of the vehicle;

wherein the signal is distinct from a turn signal for the vehicle indicating an intended left turn or right turn.