Patent Publication Number: US-2017361763-A1

Title: Projected Laser Lines/Graphics To Visually Indicate Truck Turning Path

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that project laser lines and graphics onto a road surface for indicating a turning path of a vehicle, such as a truck. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure, which is not necessarily prior art. 
     Drivers of large vehicles, such as semi-trailer trucks, can have difficulty making tight turns and gauging the clearance and path of the vehicle relative to objects, such as other vehicles, in the vicinity of the vehicle. For example, due to the height of the cab in a semi-trailer truck, the left hand drive seating position, and the distance of the turn radius, it can be difficult for the driver of a semi-trailer truck to make a right-hand turn around a corner. For example, it can be difficult for the driver of a semi-trailer truck to accurately gauge the clearance of the semi-trailer truck relative to on-coming traffic, relative to vehicles in a parallel turn lane, and relative to objects located on the corner around which the semi-trailer truck is turning. 
     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 and graphics onto a roadway. A light source projector with a positional actuator mounted on a subject vehicle 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. 
     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 turning a corner with the laser line and graphics projection system projecting laser lines on the roadway to visually indicate the truck turning path. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the subject vehicle turning a corner with the laser line and graphics projection system projecting laser lines on the roadway to visually indicate the turning path of the tractor unit and of the semi-trailer. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the subject vehicle turning a corner with the laser line and graphics projection system projecting laser lines on the roadway to visually indicate the truck turning path and projecting a graphic driving instruction. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the subject vehicle turning a corner with the laser line and graphics projection system projecting laser lines on the roadway to visually indicate the truck turning path and projecting a graphic driving instruction. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the subject vehicle turning a corner with the laser line and graphics projection system projecting laser lines on the roadway to visually indicate the truck turning path and projecting a graphic driving instruction. 
       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 steering system  20  and a controller  28  that controls the laser line and graphics projection system, as discussed 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 . 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 vehicle can also include an image sensor  50 , such as a camera, and an environmental sensor  52 , such as Lidar sensors, radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, or other sensors mounted on the front of the tractor unit  12 . 
     The image sensor  50  and the environmental sensor  52  detect information about the surroundings of the vehicle  10 , including, for example, other vehicles, lane lines, guard rails, objects in the roadway, building, pedestrians, etc. Data from the image sensor  50  and the environmental sensor  52  can be communicated to and received by the controller  28 . 
     The vehicle  10  includes a bank of light source projectors  40  on a front portion of the vehicle  10 , such as a front portion of the tractor unit  12 , with each light source projector  40  having a corresponding positional actuator  42 . In the example of  FIG. 1A , the light source projectors  40  are positioned on a lower front portion of the tractor unit  12 . Additionally or alternatively, the light source projectors  40  can be positioned at other locations on the tractor unit  12 . While a single bank of light source projectors  40  is shown in  FIG. 1 , the vehicle  10  can have multiple banks of light source projectors  40  mounted to the vehicle. For example, the vehicle  10  may have a first bank of light source projectors  40 , with corresponding positional actuators  42 , mounted on a lower driver side of the front of the vehicle  10 , such as a lower front driver side of the tractor unit  12 , and a second bank of light source projectors  40 , with corresponding positional actuators  42 , mounted on a lower passenger side of the front of the vehicle  10 , such as a lower front passenger side of the tractor unit  12 . The light source projectors  40  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  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. 
     The positional actuators  42  can adjust a directional position of the light source projectors  40  to project laser lines and graphics onto a roadway upon which the vehicle  10  is traveling. For example, the bank of light source projectors  40  on the front of the tractor unit  12  can be positioned and controlled by the controller  28  to project laser lines and graphics onto an area of the roadway in front of the tractor unit  12 . For example, one or more of the light sources in the bank of light source projectors  40  can be rapidly positioned by the corresponding positional actuator to rapidly trace an outline of a laser line and/or graphic on the roadway of the vehicle. In this way, the controller  28  can control the positional actuators  42  such that the light source projectors  40  project laser lines and graphics onto the roadway in front of the vehicle  10 . 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 a clearly defined and distinct line of light projected onto the roadway (shown, for example, as laser lines  60  and  62  in  FIGS. 2 through 6  and laser lines  64  and  66  in  FIG. 3 ). 
     The controller  28  can control the positional actuators  42  such that the light source projectors  40  project laser lines indicating a turning path of the vehicle  10 . For example, the controller  28  can receive data from the steering system  20  indicating a current steering angle based on the rotational position of the steering wheel of the vehicle  10 . In addition, the controller  28  can be preprogrammed with information about the vehicle  10 , including, for example, the dimensions of the vehicle  10 , such as the dimensions of the tractor unit  12 , and the location and size of the wheels on the vehicle  10 . The controller  28  can store the information about the vehicle  10  in a non-volatile memory. Alternatively, the vehicle information can be stored remotely, such as in an accessible server, and retrieved by the controller  28  via communication over a network, such as the Internet. Based on the current steering angle received from the steering system  20 , and the preprogrammed information about the vehicle  10 , the controller  28  can determine a turning path of the vehicle  10 . Based on the determined turning path of the vehicle  10 , the controller  28  can control the positional actuators  42  for the light source projectors  40  to project laser lines corresponding to the determined turning path of the vehicle  10 . Further, as the driver of the vehicle adjusts the steering angle by turning the steering wheel of the vehicle  10 , the controller  28  can likewise update the determined turning path of the vehicle  10  and control the positional actuators  42  for the light source projectors  40  to adjust the projected laser lines corresponding to the updated turning path of the vehicle  10 . For example, as the steering angle increases or decreases, the controller  28  can make commensurate adjustments to the determined turning path of the vehicle  10  and control the positional actuators  42  for the light source projectors to project curved laser lines that accurately correspond to the determined turning path of the vehicle  10 . 
     Further, the controller  28  can receive data from the image sensor  50  and the environmental sensor  52  about the surroundings of the vehicle  10 , including, for example, other vehicles, lane lines, guard rails, objects in the roadway, building, pedestrians, etc., as well as information about the location of the vehicle  10  from the GPS  30 , to evaluate the current determined turning path in light of the surroundings of the vehicle  10 . For example, the controller  28  can determine whether the determined turning path of the vehicle is such that the vehicle  10  will collide with another object, such as another vehicle, a guard rail, object in the roadway, building, pedestrian, etc., if it were to continue on its current turning path. As described in further detail below, in such case the controller  28  can alert the driver of the vehicle  10  by changing a color of the laser lines  60 ,  62 , and/or displaying a graphical warning display or instruction on the roadway in front of the vehicle. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the vehicle  10  is shown making a right-hand turn around a corner. As described above, based on the current steering angle received from the steering system  20  and the preprogrammed and stored information about the vehicle, the controller  28  can determine a turning path of the vehicle  10 . Further, based on the determined turning path, the controller  28  can control the positional actuators  42  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) for the light source projectors  40  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to project laser lines  60 ,  62  on the roadway of the vehicle  10  corresponding to the determined turning path of the vehicle  10 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , two projected laser lines  60 ,  62  are shown, with one projected laser line  60  corresponding to a driver-side edge or driver-side tire of the vehicle  10  and another projected laser line  62  corresponding to a passenger-side edge or a passenger-side tire of the vehicle  10 . 
     As further described above, the controller  28  can receive data from the image sensor  50  and the environmental sensor  52  about the surroundings of the vehicle  10 . In the example of  FIG. 2 , the image sensor  50  and/or the environmental sensor  52  can detect a secondary vehicle  70 . For example, based on data received from the image sensor  50  and the environmental sensor  52 , the controller  28  can determine a location of the secondary vehicle  70  relative to the vehicle  10  and relative to the current determined turning path of the vehicle  10 . Further, the controller  28  can compare the determined location of the secondary vehicle  70  with the determined turning path of the vehicle  10  and determine whether the secondary vehicle  70  is currently positioned within the current determined turning path of the vehicle  10 . If, for example, the secondary vehicle  70  is currently positioned with the current determined turning path of the vehicle, a collision between the vehicle  10  and the secondary vehicle  70  may occur if the vehicle  10  were to continue on its current turning path. In such case, the controller  28  can take action to alert the driver of the vehicle  10  and/or the driver of the secondary vehicle  70 . For example, the controller  28  can change the color of one or more of the projected laser lines  60 ,  62 . For example, the projected laser lines  60 ,  62  may appear green if there are no objects located within the determined turning path of the vehicle  10 . The controller  28  can then control the light source projectors  40  to change one or more of the laser lines  60 ,  62  to red when an object, such as the secondary vehicle  70 , is located within the determined turning path of the vehicle  10 . For example, in  FIG. 2 , the projected laser line  60  can appear in a first color, such as red, while the projected laser line  62  can appear in a second color, such as green. Alternatively, the controller  28  could control the light source projectors  40  to change both projected laser lines  60 ,  62  to the same color, such as red. Additionally or alternatively, the controller  28  could control the light source projectors  40  to flash or blink one of the projected laser lines  60 ,  62  to indicate that an object, such as the secondary vehicle  70 , is located within the turning path of the vehicle  10 . Additionally or alternatively, the controller  28  can generate an alert, such as an audible or visual alert within the cab of the tractor unit  12 . 
     In this way, the controller  28  can alert the driver of the vehicle  10  and/or the driver of the secondary vehicle  70  that the secondary vehicle  70  is located within a turning path of the vehicle  10 . For example, the driver of the vehicle  10  can view that the projected laser line  60  is overlapping the secondary vehicle and/or can view that the projected laser line  60  is a different color and/or flashing or blinking. In addition, the driver of the secondary vehicle  70  can view that a projected laser line  60  is positioned on the hood of the secondary vehicle  70  and/or that the projected laser line  60  is a different color and/or flashing or blinking. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the controller  28  can also determine a turning path of the semi-trailer  14  of the vehicle  10 . For example, the controller  28  can be preprogrammed with information about the semi-trailer  14  of the vehicle  10 , including, for example, the dimensions of the semi-trailer  14 , the location and size of the wheels on the semi-trailer  14 , and the location of the hitch connection between the semi-trailer  14  and the tractor unit  12 . The controller  28  can store the information about the semi-trailer  14  in a non-volatile memory. Alternatively, the vehicle information can be stored remotely, such as in an accessible server, and retrieved by the controller  28  via communication over a network, such as the Internet. Based on the current steering angle received from the steering system  20 , and the preprogrammed information about the semi-trailer  14 , the controller  28  can determine a turning path of the semi-trailer  14 . Based on the determined turning path of the vehicle  10 , the controller  28  can control the positional actuators  42  for the light source projectors  40  to project laser lines  64 ,  66  corresponding to the determined turning path of the semi-trailer. Further, as the driver of the vehicle adjusts the steering angle by turning the steering wheel of the vehicle  10 , the controller  28  can likewise update the determined turning path of the semi-trailer  14  and control the positional actuators  42  for the light source projectors  40  to adjust the projected laser lines  64 ,  66  corresponding to the updated turning path of the semi-trailer  14 . For example, as the steering angle increases or decreases, the controller  28  can make commensurate adjustments to the determined turning path of the vehicle  10  and control the positional actuators  42  for the light source projectors to project curved laser lines  64 ,  66  that accurately correspond to the determined turning path of the semi-trailer  14 . In this way, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the controller  28  can control the positional actuators  42  for the light source projectors  40  to project a first set of projected laser lines  60 ,  62  corresponding to a turning path of the tractor unit  12  and a second set of projected laser lines  64 ,  66  corresponding to a turning path of the semi-trailer  14 . Alternatively, the controller  28  can control the positional actuators  42  for the light source projectors  40  to project only the projected laser lines  64 ,  66  corresponding to a turning path of the semi-trailer  14 . 
     Further, as described above, the controller  28  can control the light source projectors  40  to change a color of the projected laser lines  64 ,  66  when an object, such as the secondary vehicle  70 , is located within the determined turning path of the semi-trailer  14 . Additionally or alternatively, additional light source projectors could be used to project laser lines to the side of the vehicle so that the projected laser lines corresponding to the determined turning path of the semi-trailer  14  could be seen in a rear-view or side mirror of the vehicle  10 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 to 6 , in addition to, or as an alternative to, projecting laser lines corresponding to a turning path of the vehicle  10 , the laser line and graphics projection system can project a graphical display onto the roadway in front of the vehicle  10  including instructions or warnings for the driver of the vehicle  10 . For example, with reference to  FIG. 4 , when an object, such as the secondary vehicle  70 , is located within the turning path of the vehicle  10 , the controller  28  can control the positional actuators  42  so that the light source projectors  40  project a stop sign display  68  in the roadway in front of the vehicle. In this way, the driver of the vehicle  10  can be alerted to stop the vehicle  10  before colliding with the object, such as the secondary vehicle  70 , positioned within the turning path of the vehicle  10 . Similarly, with reference to  FIG. 5 , when an object, such as the secondary vehicle  70 , is located within the turning path of the vehicle  10 , the controller  28  can control the positional actuators  42  so that the light source projectors  40  project a right arrow display  72  in the roadway in front of the vehicle. In this way, the driver of the vehicle  10  can be alerted to turn the steering wheel of the steering system  20  further to the right in order to avoid colliding with the object, such as the secondary vehicle  70 , positioned within the turning path of the vehicle  10 . Similarly, with reference to  FIG. 6 , when an object, such as the secondary vehicle  70 , is located within the turning path of the vehicle  10 , the controller  28  can control the positional actuators  42  so that the light source projectors  40  project a back arrow display  74  in the roadway in front of the vehicle. In this way, the driver of the vehicle  10  can be alerted to reverse the vehicle  10  in order to avoid colliding with the object, such as the secondary vehicle  70 , positioned within the turning path of the vehicle  10 . 
     As such, the laser line and graphics projection system can beneficially project laser lines onto a roadway in front of a vehicle  10  indicating the current turning path of the vehicle  10 . In addition, the laser line and graphics projection system can beneficially project graphical displays with instructions or warnings for a driver of a vehicle  10  onto a roadway in front of the vehicle  10  to assist the driver of the vehicle  10  in avoiding a collision with another object in or around the roadway. 
     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.