Patent Publication Number: US-2017361767-A1

Title: Laser Projected Lines To Indicate While Driving In Semi-Truck Blind Spots

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that project laser lines for indicating that a secondary vehicle is located in a blind spot of a subject vehicle, such as a semi-truck. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure, which is not necessarily prior art. 
     Blind spot monitoring systems are used to sense secondary vehicles located in a blind spot of a subject vehicle and to alert the driver of the subject vehicle that the secondary vehicle is located in the subject vehicle&#39;s blind spot. While such blind spot monitoring systems alert the driver of the subject vehicle to the existence of the secondary vehicle located in the subject vehicle&#39;s blind spot, such systems do not alert the driver of the secondary vehicle and are subject to improvement. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     The present teachings include systems and methods for projecting laser lines onto a roadway. Light source projectors with positional actuators are mounted on a subject vehicle. A controller controls the light source projectors and the positional actuators to project at least one laser line on a roadway upon which the subject vehicle is traveling. A location of the at least one laser line corresponds to at least one blind spot alert area of the subject vehicle. 
     The present teachings also include systems and methods for projecting a graphical display with a warning symbol onto a side of a subject vehicle. 
     The present teachings also include systems and methods for controlling warning lights mounted to a side of a vehicle. A first plurality of warning lights and a second plurality of warning lights are mounted to a side of the subject vehicle. A blind spot monitoring system with a blind spot sensor monitors the at least one blind spot alert area and detects when a secondary vehicle enters the at least one blind spot alert area. A controller is in communication with the blind spot monitoring system. The controller controls the first and second plurality of warning lights, determines a location of the secondary vehicle within the at least one blind spot alert area, and illuminates one of the first and second plurality of warning lights corresponding to the location of the secondary vehicle within the at least one blind spot alert area. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of select embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a subject vehicle with a laser line and graphics projection system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the subject vehicle with the laser line and graphics projection system projecting laser lines on the roadway to visually indicate a blind spot of the subject vehicle. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the subject vehicle with the laser line and graphics projection system projecting laser lines on the roadway to visually indicate the blind spot of the subject vehicle and projecting a graphical warning sign onto a side of the subject vehicle. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a subject vehicle with a laser line and graphics projection system and with warning lights on a side of the subject vehicle. 
         FIG. 5  is an overhead view illustrating blind spot areas of the subject vehicle. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a vehicle  10  including a laser line and graphics projection system is illustrated. Although the vehicle  10  is illustrated as a semi-trailer truck in  FIG. 1 , the present teachings apply to any other suitable vehicle, such as an automobile, sport utility vehicle (SUV), a mass transit vehicle (such as a bus), or a military vehicle, as examples. In the example of  FIG. 1 , the vehicle  10  includes a tractor unit  12  and a semi-trailer  14  that is coupled to and towed by the tractor unit  12 . 
     The vehicle  10  includes a controller  28  that controls the laser line and graphics projection system, as described in further detail below. The vehicle  10  can also include a global positioning system (GPS)  30  that detects or determines a current location of the vehicle  10 . The vehicle  10  can also include a blind spot monitoring (BSM) system  32  and a blind spot sensor  50  that detects when secondary vehicles are located within a blind spot of the vehicle  10 . The BSM system  32  alerts a driver of the vehicle  10  when secondary vehicles are located within the blind spot of the vehicle  10 . In this application, including the definitions below, the terms “controller,” “module,” and “system” may refer to, be part of, or include circuits or circuitry that may include processor hardware (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code and memory hardware (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor hardware. The code is configured to provide the features of the controller, modules, and systems described herein. In addition, in this application the terms “module” or “controller” may be replaced with the term “circuit.” 
     The blind spot sensor  50  is a sensor configured to identify objects, such as other vehicles, in a blind spot alert area of the subject vehicle  10 . With reference to  FIG. 5 , three blind spot alert areas of the subject vehicle  10  are shown. The blind spot alert areas include, for example, a passenger side blind spot alert area  110 , a rear blind spot alert area  112 , and a driver side blind spot alert area  114 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , due to the left hand driver position of the subject vehicle, the passenger side blind spot alert area  110  is larger than the driver side blind spot area  112 . 
     With reference again to  FIG. 1 , the blind spot sensor  50  can include any suitable sensor, such as a radar, Lidar, camera, ultrasonic, or other suitable sensor for detecting objects in a blind spot alert area of the subject vehicle  10 . While a single blind spot sensor  50  is shown in  FIG. 1 , additional blind spot sensors  50  can be used and positioned around the vehicle. For example, the blind spot sensors  50  can be mounted near a side view mirror of the vehicle  10  on both the driver side and the passenger side and/or at any other suitable position on the tractor unit  12  of the vehicle  10 . Additionally, blind spot sensors  50  can be mounted on the sides of the semi-trailer  14  and/or on a rear side of the semi-trailer  14 . Data from the blind spot sensors  50  can be communicated to and received by the BSM system  32  and/or by the controller  28 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the vehicle  10  includes a first bank of light source projectors  40  mounted on a top portion of the vehicle  10 , such as, for example, a top portion of the tractor unit  12 , with each light source projector  40  having a corresponding positional actuator  42 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , the light source projectors  40  are positioned on an upper portion of a passenger side of the tractor unit  12 . In addition, a second bank of light source projectors, with corresponding positional actuators, can also be positioned on an upper portion of a driver side of the tractor unit  12 . Additionally or alternatively, the light source projectors  40  can be positioned at other locations on the tractor unit  12 . The vehicle  10  can also include a third bank of light source projectors  60  mounted, for example, on an upper portion of the passenger side of the semi-trailer  14  of the vehicle  10 , with each light source projector  60  having a corresponding positional actuator  62 . In addition, a fourth bank of light source projectors, with corresponding positional actuators, can also be positioned on an upper portion of the driver side of the semi-trailer  14  of the vehicle. In the example of  FIG. 1 , the light source projectors  60  are positioned on an upper portion of a side of the semi-trailer  14 . Additionally or alternatively, the light source projectors  60  can be positioned at other locations on the semi-trailer  14  or on the tractor unit  12 . As used herein, the laser line and graphics projection system includes, for example, the controller  28 , the light source projectors  40 ,  60 , and the corresponding positional actuators  42 ,  62 . 
     The light source projectors  40 ,  60  can include a suitable light source, such as a laser diode emitting a laser beam of visible light. Additionally or alternatively, the light source projectors  40 ,  60  can include other light emitting diodes (LEDs), or other light sources, such as incandescent light sources, halogen light sources, xenon light sources, light bulbs, or other suitable light sources configured to produce a suitable beam of light that can be focused and directionally projected onto the roadway of the vehicle  10 , onto a secondary vehicle, and/or onto a side of the vehicle  10 , as discussed in further detail below. 
     The positional actuators  42 ,  62  are controlled by the controller  28  and can adjust a directional position of the light source projectors  40 ,  60  to project laser lines and graphics onto a roadway upon which the vehicle  10  is traveling, onto a secondary vehicle located in a blind spot of the vehicle  10 , and/or onto a side of the vehicle  10 , such as a side of the semi-trailer  14  of the vehicle  10 . The controller  28  can communicate with the positional actuators  62  and light source projectors  60  located on the semi-trailer  14  through an electrical communication bus  48  between the tractor unit  12  and the semi-trailer  14 . The controller  28  can control one or more of the light sources in the banks of light source projectors  40 ,  60  by rapidly positioning the corresponding positional actuators to rapidly trace an outline of a laser line and/or graphic on the roadway of the vehicle, on a secondary vehicle, and/or on the side of the vehicle  10 . In this way, the controller  28  can control the positional actuators  42  such that the light source projectors  40  project laser lines and graphics, as discussed in further detail below. The term laser lines, as used in the context of the laser lines projected by the light source projectors  40  onto the roadway, refer to clearly defined and distinct lines of light projected onto the roadway (shown, for example, as projected laser lines  70  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). 
     The controller  28  can control the positional actuators  42  such that the light source projectors  40  project laser lines indicating a blind spot of the vehicle  10 . In addition, the controller  28  can control the positional actuators  62  such that the light source projectors  60  project a graphic onto the side of the vehicle  10 , such as a side of the semi-trailer  14  of the vehicle  10 . For example, the controller  28  can receive data from the BSM system  32  indicating that one or more of the blind spot sensors  50  are detecting a secondary vehicle located in a blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10 . The controller  28 , for example, can then monitor a length of time that the secondary vehicle remains located in the blind spot alert area of the vehicle and then take appropriate action to control the positional actuators  42 ,  62  and light source projectors  40 ,  60  to alert the driver of the secondary vehicle. For example, the controller  28  can change a color of the laser lines  70  projected onto the roadway of the vehicle and/or onto the secondary vehicle by the light source projectors  40 . Additionally or alternatively, the controller  28  can project a warning sign or message onto a side of the vehicle  10 , such as a side of the semi-trailer  14  of the vehicle  10 , alerting the driver of the secondary vehicle that the secondary vehicle is located in the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10 . 
     While the vehicle is traveling on the roadway, the controller  28  can control the light source projectors  40  and the positional actuators  42  to project laser lines  70  on the roadway corresponding to one or more blind spot alert areas of the vehicle  10 , using a first color (e.g., blue or green) for the projected laser lines  70 . In one example, the controller  28  can control the light source projectors  40  and the positional actuators  42  to project laser lines  70  on the roadway corresponding to one or more blind spot alert areas of the vehicle  10  at all times while the vehicle  10  is traveling on the roadway. Alternatively, the controller  28  may control the light source projectors  40  and the positional actuators  42  to project the laser lines  70  on the roadway only when a secondary vehicle is detected in or near one of the blind spot alert areas of the vehicle  10 . Alternatively the controller  28  may control the light source projectors  40  and the positional actuators  42  to project the laser lines  70  on the roadway when a secondary vehicle has been detected in a blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  within a predetermined amount of time (e.g., within the last ten or fifteen minutes). In such case, if a secondary vehicle has not been detected within a blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  within the predetermined amount of time, the controller  28  may turn off the light source projectors  40 . 
     When a secondary vehicle is detected by one of the blind spot sensors  50 , the BSM system  32  can notify the controller  28  that a secondary vehicle (e.g., secondary vehicle  72  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) has been detected in a blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10 . The controller  28  may then communicate with the BSM system  32  to monitor a length of time that the secondary vehicle  72  remains within the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10 . When the length of time that the secondary vehicle  72  remains within the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  exceeds a first predetermined time threshold, such as thirty seconds or one minute, the controller  28  may then control the light source projectors  40  to change a color of the laser lines  70  to a second color (e.g., yellow). In addition, when the length of time that the secondary vehicle  72  remains within the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  exceeds a second predetermined time threshold, such as one minute and thirty seconds or two minutes, the controller  28  may then control the light source projectors  40  to change a color of the laser lines  70  to a third color (e.g., red). In this way, the controller  28  can control the light source projectors  40  to change a color of the laser lines from a first color (e.g., blue or green) to a second color (e.g., yellow) and then to a third color (e.g., red) depending on the amount of time that the secondary vehicle remains within the blind spot of the vehicle  10 . In this way, a driver of the secondary vehicle  72  can be alerted that the secondary vehicle  72  has been located within the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  for too long of a time and can be prompted to move the secondary vehicle  72  outside of the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the secondary vehicle  72  is shown traveling in a blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the light source projectors  40  project laser lines  70  onto the roadway upon which the vehicle  10  and the secondary vehicle  72  are traveling. As further shown in  FIG. 2 , the light source projectors  40  project one of the laser lines  70  onto a portion of the hood of the secondary vehicle  72 . In this way, the driver of the secondary vehicle  72  can observe the laser line  70  projected across the hood of the secondary vehicle  72  and be alerted that the secondary vehicle  72  is traveling in the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10 . As described above, the projected laser line  70  may initially be projected using a first color (e.g., blue or green). Once the secondary vehicle  72  has remained in the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  for longer than a first predetermined time threshold, the controller  28  may control the light source projectors  40  to change the color of the laser lines  70  to a second color (e.g., yellow). In this way, the driver of the secondary vehicle  72  can be alerted that the secondary vehicle  72  has remained in the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  for an extended period of time and can be prompted to move the secondary vehicle  72  outside of the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10 . 
     As further described above, once the secondary vehicle  72  has remained in the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  for longer than a second predetermined time threshold, the controller  28  may control the light source projectors  40  to change the color of the laser lines  70  to a third color (e.g., red). In this way, the driver of the secondary vehicle  72  can be alerted that the secondary vehicle  72  has remained in the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  for an additional extended period of time and can be prompted to move the secondary vehicle  72  outside of the blind spot alert area of the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the controller  28  can control the light source projectors  40  to flash or blink the laser lines  70  to alert the driver of the secondary vehicle  72  that the secondary vehicle is traveling in and/or has remained within the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the additional bank of light source projectors  60  are shown mounted to an upper side of the semi-trailer  14 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the bank of light source projectors  60  can be mounted within a housing  73  configured such that the bank of light source projectors  60  is angled downward to project laser light graphics onto the side of the vehicle  10  (e.g., the side of the semi-trailer  14 ). The positional actuators  62  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) for the light source projectors  60  can be housed within an interior of the housing  73 . While the additional bank of light source projectors  60  are shown mounted to the upper side of the semi-trailer  14 , the additional bank of light source projectors  60  could alternatively be mounted to an upper portion of the tractor unit  12  and angled towards the semi-trailer  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the controller  28  can control the additional bank of light source projectors  60  and associated positional actuators  62  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to project a graphical warning display onto a side of the vehicle  10  (e.g., the side of the semi-trailer  14 ). For example, when one of the blind spot sensors  50  detects that the secondary vehicle has remained within the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  for longer than a predetermined time threshold, the controller  28  can control the additional bank of light source projectors  60  and associated positional actuators  62  to project the graphical warning display onto the side of the vehicle  10  (e.g., the side of the semi-trailer  14 ). While the graphical warning display shown in  FIG. 2  appears as a triangular shaped display, other graphical warning symbols or words can alternatively be used. In addition, instead of using the additional bank of light source projectors  60 , a light-up sign mounted to the side of the vehicle  10  and illuminated with LEDs or other suitable light sources could alternatively be used. In this way, additional graphical indicia can be displayed to the driver of the secondary vehicle  72  alerting the driver that the secondary vehicle  72  has remained in the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  for an extended period of time. Additionally or alternatively, the controller  28  can control the additional light source projectors  60  to blink or flash when the secondary vehicle  72  has remained in the blind spot of the vehicle  10  for an additional extended period of time. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , in addition to the laser line and graphics projection system described above, the vehicle  10  can also be configured with warning lights  100  along a side of the vehicle  10 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the semi-trailer  14  of the vehicle  10  can be configured with warning lights  100  mounted to a side of the semi-trailer  14  of the vehicle  10 . The warning lights can include LEDs, or other light sources, such as incandescent light sources, halogen light sources, xenon light sources, light bulbs, or other suitable light sources. The warning lights  100  are controlled by the controller  28  via communication through the electrical communication bus  48 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the warning lights  100  can be divided into warning light groups  103 ,  105 ,  107 , with each warning light group corresponding to a section  102 ,  104 ,  106  of the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10 . For example, warning light group  103  corresponds to section  102  of the blind spot of the vehicle  10 , warning light group  105  corresponds to section  104  of the blind spot of the vehicle  10 , and warning light group  107  corresponds to section  106  of the blind spot of the vehicle  10 . 
     The controller  28  can receive a location of a secondary vehicle  72  located within the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  and determine which section  102 ,  104 ,  106  of the blind spot alert area the secondary vehicle  72  is located within. The controller  28  can then control the warning lights  100  such that when the secondary vehicle enters a particular section  102 ,  104 ,  106  of the blind spot alert area, the corresponding warning lights  100  in the corresponding warning light group  103 ,  105 ,  107  are illuminated. Alternatively, the controller  28  can determine a length of time that a secondary vehicle  72  has remained within a particular section  102 ,  104 ,  106  of the blind spot of the vehicle  10  and illuminate the warning lights  100  for the corresponding warning light group  103 ,  105 ,  107  once the secondary vehicle  72  has remained within the particular section  102 ,  104 ,  106  for longer than a predetermined period of time. 
     While three warning light groups  103 ,  105 ,  107  are shown in  FIG. 4 , additional or fewer warning light groups can be used. Further, the controller  28  can alternatively select individual warning lights  100  for illumination based on a location of the secondary vehicle  72  within the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10 . For example, the controller  28  can receive a location of the secondary vehicle  72  within the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  and select a group of warning lights  100  that correspond to the location of the secondary vehicle  72  within the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10 . 
     In this way, the warning lights  100  can alert the driver of the secondary vehicle  72  that the secondary vehicle  72  has remained in the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10 , including a particular section or location within the blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10 , for an extended period of time. 
     The controller  28  may use location and map information received from the GPS  30  to adjust operation of the laser line and graphics projection system. For example, based on location and map information received from the GPS  30 , the controller  28  may determine that a detected object within a blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  is located in another area and not likely to collide with the vehicle  10 . For example, the controller  28  may determine that the detected object is located within a separate lane of a divided highway or on an exit lane. In such case, the controller  28  may disable the laser line and graphics projection system and/or disable the warning lights  100 . 
     As such, the laser line and graphics projection system of the present disclosure can beneficially project laser lines  70  (as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) to alert a driver of a secondary vehicle  72  that the secondary vehicle  72  is or has been traveling in a blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  for an extended period of time and can prompt the driver to move the secondary vehicle  72  out of the blind spot alert area of the vehicle. Additionally, the laser line and graphics projection system of the present disclosure can beneficially project a graphical warning display onto a side onto a side of the vehicle (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) to alert a driver of a secondary vehicle  72  that the secondary vehicle  72  is or has been traveling in a blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  for an extended period of time and can prompt the driver to move the secondary vehicle  72  out of the blind spot alert area of the vehicle. Additionally, the system of the present disclosure can also beneficially illuminate warning lights  100  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) to alert a driver of a secondary vehicle  72  that the secondary vehicle  72  is or has been traveling in a blind spot alert area of the vehicle  10  for an extended period of time and can prompt the driver to move the secondary vehicle  72  out of the blind spot alert area of the vehicle. 
     Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
     The terminology used is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
     When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.