Patent Publication Number: US-8531285-B2

Title: Vehicle turn signaling apparatus that projects a low divergence line onto an adjacent driving lane

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to vehicle lighting, and more particularly to apparatuses for signaling vehicle turns. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The development of vehicle turn signals made driving significantly safer. National governments responded by mandating that all road vehicles include standardized turn signal lighting on the front and rear vehicle surfaces. However, turn signals are not always effective at warning other drivers. 
     The high occurrence of essentially identical signaling has resulted in many drivers becoming essential blind thereto. The location of the turn signals on a vehicle body is also signaling occurring in the peripheral vision of drivers in adjacent lanes, and the signaling may be visually blocked by front and side window pillars that support the vehicle roof structure. Moreover, when turn signals are observed by other drivers, they sometimes do not trigger a conscious reaction in some driving situations. Some manufacturers have attempted to address some limitations of existing turn signaling lighting by adding turn signal lighting to side view mirrors. However, such additional lighting still doesn&#39;t adequately address these and other limitations of existing turn signal lighting. 
     Consequently, there continues to be a tremendous need for further innovation in vehicle turn signal lighting that can address at least some of these known limitations while providing an aesthetically pleasing feature that will be sought by consumers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     As explained above, the effectiveness of conventional turn signal lighting is limited by its appearance in the peripheral vision of drivers in adjacent roadway lanes and commonality. Various embodiments of the present invention may overcome these and other limitations by configuring a vehicle so that turn signal lighting is projected onto an adjacent lane to the vehicle. The visual effectiveness and aesthetics of the turn signal lighting is dramatically enhanced by using one or more light sources that are configured to project a low divergence visible line that provides a well defined attention grabbing pattern on an adjacent lane 
     Some embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle turn signaling apparatus that 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 an adjacent driving lane to the vehicle in response to activation of the turn signal circuit to visibly warn other drivers where a driver of the vehicle can intend to move the vehicle. 
     Apparatuses according to other embodiments of the invention will be or become apparent to one of skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and Detailed Description. It is intended that all such additional apparatus be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate certain embodiments of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a vehicle that includes a turn signal circuit that is configured in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention to project a low divergence visible line onto an adjacent driving lane to visibly warn other drivers where the driver may change lanes; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a vehicle that includes a turn signal circuit that is configured in accordance with some other embodiments of the present invention to project more complex low divergence visible lines and/or symbols onto an adjacent driving line to visibly warn other drivers where the driver may change lanes; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a vehicle that includes a turn signal circuit that is configured in accordance with some other embodiments of the present invention to project patterns of low divergence visible lines that may be controlled to dynamically sweep along the adjacent driving lane to visibly warn other drivers where the driver may change lanes; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a vehicle that includes a turn signal circuit that is configured in accordance with some other embodiments of the present invention to project patterns of low divergence visible lines that may be controlled to dynamically sweep across the adjacent driving lane to visibly warn other drivers where the driver may change lanes; 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  are top views of a vehicle that includes a plurality of light sources that are spaced part along each side of the vehicle to project patterns of low divergence visible lines in accordance with some other embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  are top views of a vehicle that includes a plurality of light sources that are spaced part along each side of the vehicle to project other patterns of low divergence visible lines in accordance with some other embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram of a vehicle turn signaling apparatus that may be configured to project a plurality of low divergence visible lines onto an adjacent driving lane, such as the projected line patterns of one or more of  FIGS. 1-8 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram of another vehicle turn signaling apparatus that may be configured to project a plurality of low divergence visible lines onto an adjacent driving lane, such as the projected line patterns of one or more of  FIGS. 1-8 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram of another vehicle turn signaling apparatus that may be configured to project a continuously scanned low divergence visible line or a plurality of discrete low divergence visible lines onto an adjacent driving lane, such as the projected line patterns of one or more of  FIGS. 1-8 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram of another vehicle turn signaling apparatus that may be configured to project a continuously scanned low divergence visible line or a plurality of discrete low divergence visible lines onto an adjacent driving lane, such as the projected line patterns of one or more of  FIGS. 1-8 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, 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. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
     As explained above, the effectiveness of conventional turn signal lighting is limited by its appearance in the peripheral vision of drivers in adjacent roadway lanes and commonality. Various embodiments of the present invention may overcome these and other limitations by configuring a vehicle so that turn signal lighting is projected onto an adjacent lane to the vehicle. The visual effectiveness and aesthetics of the turn signal lighting is dramatically enhanced by using one or more light sources that are configured to project a low divergence visible line that provides a well defined attention grabbing pattern on an adjacent lane. 
     Accordingly, in some embodiments, 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 that is adjacent to the vehicle in response to activation of the turn signal circuit so as to visibly warn other drivers where a driver of the vehicle is intending to move the vehicle. 
     As used herein, the term “line” includes linear and non-linear continuous and segmented (i.e., dashed) areas on a road surface that are defined by illumination from a light source. Although various lines have been illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8  as being solid (continuous) for ease of illustration, one or more of them may instead be segmented (i.e., dashed). Various turn signaling circuitry (e.g., the various circuit embodiments described herein) may be configured to generate the lines so that they may be flashed on and off to increase their attention grabbing capability and/or aesthetics of the lines projected onto the adjacent roadway lane. 
     When the lines are segmented/dashed, individual segments along a line may be sequentially illuminated to extend the line from a defined starting point to a spaced apart ending point over a time period that is selected to increase the likelihood that the signaling is noticed by an adjacent driver and/or to further increase the aesthetics of the signaling (e.g., a time period of between 0.1 sec to 1 sec). The rate of flashing of individual entire lines and/or line segments projected onto an adjacent lane may be selected to be faster (e.g., at least 1.5 times faster) than the flashing rate of other turn signal lighting on the vehicle to increase the likelihood that the signaling is noticed by an adjacent driver (who may have become less observant of slow flashing conventional turn signaling lighting) and/or to further increase the aesthetics of the signaling. 
     In some embodiments, as segments along the line are illuminated, the turn signaling circuitry (e.g., various embodiments described herein) may be configured to maintain those segments illuminated until all segments along the line are illuminated and after which all of those segments are then turned off before the process is repeated, or vice versa all segments along a line may cycle on and then be sequentially cycled off until all segments are turned off before the process is repeated. Illuminating more segments can increase the observability of the projected lines during daylight hours. In some other embodiments, an alternating pattern of illuminated and non-illuminated segments of a line may sequentially move across a line to visually create an illusion that the pattern is moving toward/away the vehicle and/or in the direction of travel/opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle. In some other embodiments, the line segments may be logically grouped into two or more groups, and the turn signaling circuitry may be configured to cycle through illuminating/non-illuminating different sequential groups of line segments while the other groups of line segments remain non-illuminated/illuminated. 
     The flashing rate of entire lines and/or line segments may be decreased during daylight hours and increased during nighttime house, and/or the number of line segments that are simultaneously illuminated may be increased during daylight hours and decreased during nighttime hours to control the luminosity of the projected signaling and, thereby, the observability of the projected lighting dependent upon the sensed or expected ambient lighting. Thus, in some embodiments, the turn signaling circuitry may include an ambient light sensor that is configured to sense the ambient lighting and/or a time of day clock the is used to predict the expected ambient lighting, where the output of the sensor and/or clock is used by the circuitry (e.g., a sequencer circuit or other circuit) to regulate the flashing rate and/or number of segments along a line that are simultaneously illuminated. 
     The term “low divergence” refers to the beam divergence of light that is projected from the light source and, relatedly, the change in thickness of the line that is projected onto the adjacent roadway lane with distance from the light source. In some embodiments the light source includes a laser device that generates a coherent wavelength beam that can be focused (such as by a single lens) to project a relatively constant width line at a typical distance from the light source on a vehicle in one lane to a distant point in an adjacent driving lane. An example distance may, for example, be about 15 feet for a 12 foot driving lane when the light source is located an additional 3 feet away in an adjacent lane. 
     In some other embodiments, the light source includes a light emitting diode that outputs a majority of its light within a relatively narrow frequency range that can be sufficiently focused using one or more lenses to project at least a majority of its light output power (intensity) within a low divergent pathway that forms a low divergent width line at the typical distance from the light source on a vehicle in one lane to a distant point in an adjacent driving lane. 
     For example, in some exemplary embodiments, a low divergence line may be projected by a laser light source and/or a light emitting diode light source by focusing a majority of its light output power from the narrow beam width exiting the light source (e.g., less than about 0.5 inches, or more preferable less than about 3/16th inches, or even more preferable less than about 1/16th inches) into a line that increases in width less than about a six inches as it extends across at least a majority of the roadway driving lane (e.g., a 12 foot width lane) that is adjacent to the vehicle in which the light source is embodied. Because the illuminated portion of the adjacent lane may also be illuminated by the Sun, street lighting, and/or the headlights of another vehicle that is following in the same lane or in the adjacent lane to the vehicle, it can be important to increase the intensity of the line that is projected onto the adjacent lane by focusing at a least a majority of the light output power of the light source into a much more narrowly divergent line. Through testing it has been determined that projecting the light beam into a line that increases in width less than about 1 inch from the beam at the light source to at a point about halfway across an adjacent roadway lane (e.g., 6 feet for a 12 foot width lane) may enable the light beam to viewable by another nearby driver while that part of the lane is also illuminated by a more distant headlight on a trailing vehicle. Moreover, through further testing it has been it has been determined that projecting the light beam into a line that increases in width less than about ¼ inch from the beam at the light source to a point about halfway across an adjacent roadway lane may enable the light beam to viewable by another nearby driver while the lane is also illuminated by a rising/setting Sun. Moreover, through further testing it has been determined that projecting the light beam into a line that increases in width less than about ⅛ inch from the beam at the light source to a point about halfway across an adjacent roadway lane may enable the light beam to be viewable by another nearby driver while the lane is also illuminated by the Sun shining through moderate cloud cover. It will be appreciated that a higher intensity light source will increase the viewability of the projected line by another nearby driver and can enable the line that is projected onto an adjacent roadway to be viewable by an adjacent driver during fully sunshine. 
     As will be explained below, a plurality of vehicle turn signaling apparatuses may be connected to a vehicle to project a plurality of lines that may form a static or dynamically changing pattern onto a driving lane that is adjacent to the vehicle. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments, but, instead, covers all configurations within the claims appended hereto and all equivalents thereto. 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of two automotive vehicles  100  and  150  that are located in adjacent driving roadway lanes. The invention is not limited to use in automobiles, because it may be incorporated into motorcycles and other types of vehicles to provide improved vehicle turn signaling. The vehicle  100  includes four light sources  110   a - d  that are located at different corner regions of the vehicle  100 . For example, light sources  110   b  and  100   d  may be connected to opposite sides of a front bumper of the vehicle  100  and light sources  100   a  and  100   c  may be connected to opposite sides of a rear bumper of the vehicle  100 .  FIG. 1  further illustrates a pair of low divergence visible lines  120   a  and  120   b  that are projected by the light sources  110   a  and  100   b  onto the adjacent driving lane in response to a driver activating a turn signal circuit to warn another driver of vehicle  150  of the driver&#39;s intention to change lanes in that direction. The other light sources  110   c  and  110   d  can similarly project a pair of low divergence visible lines onto an opposite driving lane that is adjacent to those light sources in response to driver activating the turn signal circuit to signal the driver&#39;s intention to change lines in that direction. 
       FIG. 2  is another top view of the vehicles  100  and  150 , but where vehicle  100  is configured to project more complex lines and/or symbols onto adjacent driving lanes. The vehicle  100  includes four light sources  210   a - d  that are located at exemplary corner regions of the vehicle  100 . One or both of the light sources on a same side of the vehicle  100  can be configured to project more complex low divergence visible lines, such as the illustrated bracket-shaped lines  220   a - 200   b , and/or to project another visible symbol, such the arrow symbol  230 , onto the adjacent lane in response to a driver activating a turn signal circuit to warn another driver of vehicle  150  of the driver&#39;s intention to change lanes in that direction. 
     For example, light source  210   a  may be configured to project the low divergence bracket-shaped line  220   a  onto the adjacent lane by passing the light beam from the light source  210   a  through corresponding shaped bracket shaped filter element(s). The light source  210   b  may be similarly configured to project the low divergence bracket-shaped line  220   b  onto the adjacent lane. The combination of light sources  210   a - b  and/or one or more other light sources may be configured to project the arrow symbol  230 . The light sources  210   c  and  210   d  can similarly project the same or different low divergence lines and/or shapes as projected by light sources  210   a - b  onto another driving lane that is adjacent to those light sources in response to the driver activating the turn signal circuit to signal the driver&#39;s intention to change lines in that direction. 
       FIG. 3  is another top view of the vehicles  100  and  150 , where vehicle  100  is configured to project another pattern of lines that may be controlled to dynamically sweep along the adjacent driving lane. The vehicle  100  includes four light sources  310   a - d  that are located at different exemplary corner regions of the vehicle  100 . One or both of the light sources on a same side of the vehicle  100  can be configured to project a plurality of spaced apart low divergence lines, such as the illustrated line patterns  320   a  and  320   b , that extend at least partially across, and may extend entirely across, the adjacent lane in response to a driver activating a turn signal circuit to warn another driver of vehicle  150  of the driver&#39;s intention to change lanes in that direction. All of the lines within each pattern  320   a  and  320   b  may be illuminated at the same time or they may be illuminated one at a time to provide a sequence of lines that appear to repetitively angularly sweep forward (e.g., in the direction of travel of vehicle  150 ) and/or backward (e.g., opposite to the direction of travel of vehicle  150 ) along the adjacent lane, such as illustrated by the bidirectional arrow&#39;s  330   a  and  330   b.    
     Accordingly, the projected line pattern in the adjacent lane may repetitively sweep forward and backwards. Alternatively or additionally, the light sources  310   a - d  may be turned on and off to cause the projected light pattern to flash. The rate of flashing may be higher than the rate of flashing of other turn signal lighting on the vehicle  100  to be further distinctive and grab the attention of other drivers and/or to provide improved and desirable aesthetics. Moreover, the rate of flashing may be configured to change over time so as to be substantially aperiodic, which may be further attention grabbing in contrast to the relatively slow periodic flashing that drivers are accustomed to seeing on conventional turn signal lighting. 
     The other light sources  310   c  and  310   d  can be configured to project similar patterns of lines  320   a  and  320   b  as projected by light sources  310   a - b  onto an opposite driving lane that is adjacent to those light sources in response to driver activating the turn signal circuit to signal the driver&#39;s intention to change lines in that direction. 
       FIG. 4  is another top view of the vehicles  100  and  150 , but where vehicle  100  is configured to project another pattern of lines that may be controlled to dynamically sweep across the adjacent driving lane. The vehicle  100  includes four light sources  410   a - d  that are located at different corner regions of the vehicle  100 . In contrast to the light sources  310   a - d  of  FIG. 3 , the present light sources  410   a - d  are configured to project a plurality of spaced apart low divergence lines, such as the illustrated line patterns  420   a  and  420   b , that extend along the adjacent lane (in the direction of travel of the vehicle  100 ) in response to a driver activating a turn signal circuit to warn of the driver&#39;s intention to change lanes in that direction. All of the lines within each pattern  420   a  and  420   b  may be illuminated at the same time or they may be illuminated one at a time to provide a sequence of lines that appear to tentatively sweep away from and/or toward the vehicle  100 , such as illustrated by the bidirectional arrow&#39;s extending through the patterns  420   a  and  420   b.    
     Accordingly, the projected line pattern in the adjacent lane may repetitively sweep away from and/or toward the vehicle  100 . Alternatively or additionally, the light sources  410   a - d  may be turned on and off to cause the projected light pattern to flash. The rate of flashing may be higher than the rate of flashing of other turn signal lighting on the vehicle  100  to be further distinctive and grab the attention of other drivers and/or to provide improved and desirable aesthetics. Moreover, the rate of flashing may be configured to change over time so as to be substantially aperiodic, which may be further attention grabbing in contrast to the relatively slow periodic flashing that drivers are accustomed to seeing on conventional turn signal lighting. 
     The other light sources  410   c  and  410   d  can be configured to project similar patterns of lines  420   a  and  420   b  as projected by light sources  410   a - b  onto an opposite driving lane that is adjacent to those light sources in response to driver activating the turn signal circuit to signal the driver&#39;s intention to change lines in that direction. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are top views of another vehicle  500  that includes a plurality of light sources  510  that are spaced apart along opposite sides of the vehicle  500 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the exemplary vehicle  500  may include 17 light sources  510  that are spaced apart along each side of the vehicle, although any plural number of the light sources  510  may be used. The light sources  510  may be at least partially disposed within a bottom portion of the vehicle body, such in a bottom portion of the front and rear bumpers and below door openings that provide access to a passenger compartment of the vehicle  500 . Alternatively or additionally, the light sources  510  may be at least partially disposed within running boards that extend along and are connected to a lower portion (e.g., underside frame) of the vehicle  500 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , each of the light sources  510  may be configured to project a low divergence line that extends at least partially across the adjacent lane. Accordingly, the light sources  510  can collectively project a plurality of low divergence lines that form a pattern  520  that extend away from the vehicle  500 . All of the light sources  510  on the same side of vehicle may be simultaneously activated to project all of the lines within the pattern  520  in response to a driver activating the turn signal circuit to signal a driver&#39;s intention to change lanes in that direction. Alternatively, the light sources  510  may be sequentially activated to provide a sequence of lines that appear to repetitively sweep forward (e.g., in the direction of travel of vehicle  500 ) and/or backward (e.g., opposite to the direction of travel of vehicle  500 ) along the adjacent lane, such as illustrated by the bidirectional arrow  522 . More than one of the light sources  510  on the same side of the vehicle may be simultaneously activated to provide more than one sequence of lines that appear to sweep forward and/or backward in the pattern  520 , such as by providing one sequence of lines that appear to sweep from the front to the back of the pattern  520  while simultaneously providing another sequence of lines that appear to sweep from the back to the front of the pattern  520 . 
     Accordingly, the projected line pattern in the adjacent lane may repetitively sweep in various defined directions. Alternatively or additionally, the light sources  510  may be turned on and off to cause the projected light pattern to flash. The rate of flashing may be higher than the rate of flashing of other turn signal lighting on the vehicle  500  to be further distinctive and grab the attention of other drivers and/or to provide improved and desirable aesthetics. Moreover, the rate of flashing may be configured to change over time so as to be substantially aperiodic, which may be further attention grabbing in contrast to the relatively slow periodic flashing that drivers are accustomed to seeing on conventional turn signal lighting. 
     The light sources  510  on the opposite side of vehicle  500  can be configured to project a similar pattern  520  of low divergence lines onto a driving lane that is adjacent to those light sources in response to driver activating the turn signal circuit to signal the driver&#39;s intention to change lines in that direction. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 6 , in some other embodiments each of the light sources  510  may be configured to project a low divergence line that extends along the adjacent lane (in the direction of travel of the vehicle  500 ). Accordingly, the light sources  510  can collectively project a plurality of low divergence lines to form another pattern  540  of lines that extends parallel to or at a defined angle from the vehicle  500  and are spaced apart in a direction away from the vehicle  500 . 
     All of the light sources  510  on the same side of vehicle may be simultaneously activated to project all of the lines within the pattern  540  in response to a driver activating the turn signal circuit signal a driver&#39;s intention to change lanes in that direction. Alternatively, the light sources  510  may be sequentially activated to provide a sequence of lines that appear to sweep away from and/or toward the vehicle  500  (e.g., back and forth away and toward the vehicle  500 ), such as illustrated by the bidirectional arrow  542 . More than one of the light sources  510  on the same side of the vehicle may be simultaneously activated to provide more than one sequence of lines that appear to sweep away and/or toward the vehicle  500 , such as by providing one sequence of lines that appear to sweep away from the vehicle  500  while simultaneously providing another sequence of lines that appear to sweep toward the vehicle  500 . The light sources  510  on the opposite side of vehicle  500  can be configured to project a similar pattern of lines  540  onto an driving lane that is adjacent to those light sources in response to driver activating the turn signal circuit to signal the driver&#39;s intention to change lines in that direction. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are top views of another vehicle  700  that includes a plurality of light sources  710  that are spaced apart along opposite sides of the vehicle  700 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , the exemplary vehicle  700  may include seven light sources  710  that are spaced apart along an upper surface of each side of the vehicle, although any plural number of the light sources  710  may be used. The light sources  710  may be at least partially disposed within a roof rack on the vehicle  700  and angled downward to collectively project a continuous or segmented low divergence line to project a plurality of low divergence lines onto the adjacent driving lane. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , each of the light sources  710  may be configured to project a low divergence line that extends at least partially across the adjacent lane. Accordingly, the light sources  710  can collectively project a plurality of lines that form a pattern  720  that extend away from the vehicle  700 . All of the light sources  710  on the same side of vehicle may be simultaneously activated to project all of the lines within the pattern  720  in response to a driver activating the turn signal circuit signal a driver&#39;s intention to change lanes in that direction. Alternatively, the light sources  710  may be sequentially activated to provide a sequence of lines that appear to repetitively sweep forward (e.g., in the direction of travel of vehicle  700 ) and/or backward (e.g., opposite to the direction of travel of vehicle  700 ) along the adjacent lane, such as illustrated by the bidirectional arrow  722 . 
     More than one of the light sources  710  on the same side of the vehicle may be simultaneously activated to provide more than one sequence of lines that appear to sweep forward and/or backward in the pattern  720  at the same time, such as by providing one sequence of lines that appear to sweep from the front to the back of the pattern  720  while simultaneously providing another sequence of lines that appear to sweep from the back to the front of the pattern  720 . The light sources  710  on the opposite side of vehicle  700  can be configured to project a similar pattern of lines  720  onto an driving lane that is adjacent to those light sources in response to driver activating the turn signal circuit to signal the driver&#39;s intention to change lines in that direction. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the light sources  710  may be turned on and off to cause the projected light pattern to flash. The rate of flashing may be higher than the rate of flashing of other turn signal lighting on the vehicle  700  to be further distinctive and grab the attention of other drivers and/or to provide improved and desirable aesthetics. Moreover, the rate of flashing may be configured to change over time so as to be substantially aperiodic, which may be further attention grabbing in contrast to the relatively slow periodic flashing that drivers are accustomed to seeing on conventional turn signal lighting. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 8 , in some other embodiments each of the light sources  710  may be configured to project a line that extends along the adjacent lane (in the direction of travel of the vehicle  700 ). Accordingly, the light sources  710  can collectively project a plurality of lines to form another pattern  740  of lines that extends parallel to or at a defined angle from the vehicle  700  and are spaced apart in a direction away from the vehicle  700 . All of the light sources  710  on the same side of vehicle may be simultaneously activated to project all of the lines within the pattern  740  in response to a driver activating the turn signal circuit signal a driver&#39;s intention to change lanes in that direction. Alternatively, the light sources  710  may be sequentially activated to provide a sequence of lines that appear to repetitively sweep away from and/or toward the vehicle  700  (e.g., back and forth away and toward the vehicle  700 ), such as illustrated by the bidirectional arrow  742 . More than one of the light sources  710  on the same side of the vehicle may be simultaneously activated to provide more than one sequence of lines that appear to sweep away and/or toward the vehicle  700 , such as by providing one sequence of lines that appear to sweep away from the vehicle  700  while simultaneously providing another sequence of lines that appear to sweep toward the vehicle  700 . The light sources  710  on the opposite side of vehicle  700  can be configured to project a similar pattern of lines  740  onto an driving lane that is adjacent to those light sources in response to driver activating the turn signal circuit to signal the driver&#39;s intention to change lines in that direction. 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram of an exemplary vehicle turn signaling apparatus  900  that may be configured to project a plurality of low divergence visible lines onto an adjacent driving lane in accordance with the embodiments of one or more of  FIGS. 1-8 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , the vehicle turn signaling apparatus  900  includes a first plurality of light sources  910  and a second plurality of light sources  920  their mounted on another support structure  922 . Each of the light sources  910  and  920  may include a coherent light laser device that is configured to project a low divergence visible line (e.g., line  914 ) onto an adjacent driving lane. In some other embodiments, some or all of the light sources  910   920  may each include a light emitting diode device is configured to project a low divergence visible line onto an adjacent driving lane. 
     To form the exemplary line patterns  320   a - b  in  FIG. 3  on an adjacent lane, the first plurality of light sources  910  may be spaced apart and connected at different light beam output angles to a first support structure  912 . Similarly, the second plurality of light sources  920  may be spaced apart and connected at different light beam output angles to a second support structure  922 . The relative angle and spacing between the light sources  910  on the first support structure  912  and between the light sources  920  on the second support structure  922  are selected to provide desired corresponding angle and length of the individual low divergence lines projected by each of the light sources  910  and  920  on the adjacent roadway lane. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the light sources  910  and  920  may be spaced further apart along the same or opposite sides of the vehicle to project lines that form all or a portion of the line pattern  520  of  FIG. 6  and/or pattern  720  of  FIG. 8 . The light sources  910  and  920  may be spaced apart in a vertical direction on their respective support structures  912  and  922  with varying light beam output angles therebetween to project lines that form all or a portion of the exemplary line pattern  420   a - b  of  FIG. 4 , pattern  540  of  FIG. 6 , and/or pattern  740  of  FIG. 8 . 
     A sequencer circuit  930  may be included that is configured to sequentially power on and then off individual ones of the light sources  910  to project a sequence of lines that form all or a portion of the pattern  320   a - b  of  FIG. 3 , pattern  420   a - b  of  FIG. 4 , pattern  520  of  FIG. 6 , pattern  540  of  FIG. 6 , pattern  720  of  FIG. 8 , and/or pattern  740  of  FIG. 8 . Similarly, another sequencer circuit  940  may be included that is configured to sequentially power on and then off individual ones of the light sources  920  to project a sequence of lines that form all or a portion of the pattern  320   a - b  of  FIG. 3 , pattern  420   a - b  of  FIG. 4 , pattern  520  of  FIG. 6 , pattern  540  of  FIG. 6 , pattern  720  of  FIG. 8 , and/or pattern  740  of  FIG. 8 . Another sequencer circuit  950  may control the sequencer circuits  930  and  940  to synchronize the sequential pattern generated by the light sources  910  to the sequential pattern generated by the light sources  920 . 
     In some embodiments, the light sources  910  and  920  may be synchronously controlled to project low divergence visible lines that appear to angularly sweep in opposite horizontal directions relative to each other along the respective portions of the adjacent driving lane (e.g., individual ones of the light sources  910  are sequentially activated to angularly sweep in a forward direction while individual ones of the light sources  920  are sequentially activated to angularly sweep in a reverse direction or vice versa). Alternatively, the light sources  910  and  920  may be synchronously controlled to project low divergence visible lines that appear to angularly sweep in the same horizontal direction along the respective portions of the adjacent driving lane (e.g., individual ones of the light sources  910  and light sources  920  are sequentially activated to angularly sweep in a forward direction and/or to angularly sweep in a reverse direction). 
     Alternatively or additionally, the sequencer circuits may be configured to flash on and off all of the light sources  910  and  920 . The rate of flashing may be higher than the rate of flashing of other turn signal lighting mounted on the vehicle to be further distinctive and grab the attention of other drivers and/or to provide improved and desirable aesthetics. Moreover, the rate of flashing may be configured to change over time so as to be substantially aperiodic, which may be further attention grabbing in contrast to the relatively slow periodic flashing that drivers are accustomed to seeing on conventional turn signal lighting. In some embodiments, the flashing frequency of the light sources may be controlled to change over time to further increase the attention grabbing and/or desirable aesthetics of the projected pattern. For example, the light sources may be flashed periodically at a first frequency for a first duration, then flashed periodically at a second frequency for a second duration, and so on according to one or more defined frequency and duration timelines. 
     In some other embodiments, the light sources  910  and  920  may be synchronously controlled to project low divergence visible lines that appear to repetitively sweep away and/or toward the vehicle in opposite directions (e.g., individual ones of the light sources  910  are sequentially activated to sweep away from the vehicle while individual ones of the light sources  920  are activated to sweep toward the vehicle, and/or vice versa). Alternatively, the light sources  910  and  920  may be synchronously controlled to project low divergence visible lines that appear to angularly sweep away and/or toward the vehicle in the same direction at the same time (e.g., individual ones of the light sources  910  and light sources  920  are sequentially activated to angularly sweep away from the vehicle and/or to angularly sweep toward the vehicle). 
     Although three sequencer circuits  930 ,  940 , and  950  have been illustrated in  FIG. 9  for ease of explanation, the circuit is not limited thereto because one or more of the sequencer circuits may be combined into a single circuit (e.g, a single circuit board/circuit package) or their functionality may be distributed in any number of discrete circuits. 
     The sequencer circuits  930 ,  940 , and/or  950  may be activated by a driver moving a turn signal stick  960 , which may be similar to a conventional turn signal stick that is typically located on a left side of a steering wheel column of an automobile and/or a switch mechanism that is located on a left handlebar of a motorcycle. The turn signal stick  960  may be moved upward from a non-active position  960   a  to a first upward position  960   b  to activate a turn signal light circuit  970  that flashes a first set of conventional turn signal lights on a first side of vehicle. In some embodiments, the turn signal stick  960  may be moved further upward to a second upward position  960   c  to activate a light projection circuit  980  that causes one or more light sources on the first side of the vehicle to project low divergence visible line(s) on the adjacent driving lane to visibly warn other drivers that the driver of the vehicle may be intending to change lanes in that direction, and which may be carried out while continuing to flash the first set of conventional turn signal lights which were activated in the first upward position  960   b . For example, the light projection circuit  980  may trigger the light sequencer circuits  930  and  950  to cause the light sources  910 , connected to the first side of the vehicle, to project low divergence lines therefrom onto the adjacent driving lane. The light projection circuit  980 , the turn signal light circuit  970 , and the sequencer circuits  930 ,  940 , and  950  may be collectively referred to as a turn signal circuit in accordance with some embodiments. 
     Similarly, the turn signal stick  960  may be moved downward from the non-active position  960   a  to a first downward position  960   d  to activate the turn signal light circuit  970  to flash a second set of conventional turn signal lights on a second side of vehicle. In some embodiments, the turn signal stick  960  may be moved further downward to a second downward position  960   e  to trigger the light projection circuit  980  to cause one or more light sources on the second side of the vehicle to project low divergence visible line(s) on the adjacent driving lane to visibly warn other drivers that the driver of the vehicle may be intending to change lanes in that direction, and which may be carried out while continuing to flash the first set of conventional turn signal lights which were activated in the first downward position  960   d . For example, the light projection circuit  980  may trigger the light sequencer circuits  940  and  950  to cause the light sources  920 , connected to the second side of the vehicle, to project low divergence lines therefrom onto the adjacent driving lane. 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram of another exemplary vehicle turn signaling apparatus  1000  that may be configured to project a plurality of low divergence visible lines onto an adjacent driving lane in accordance with the embodiments of one or more of  FIGS. 1-8  and/or other embodiments. The apparatus  1000  of  FIG. 10  differs from the apparatus  900  of  FIG. 9  in the configuration of the light sources  910  and  920 . In  FIG. 10 , the light sources  910  are spaced apart in a vertical direction on a support structure  1012  and the light sources  920  are spaced apart in a vertical direction on another support structure  1022 . Spacing the individual light sources  910  and  920  in the vertical direction may simplify creation of the line patterns that are spaced apart across an adjacent lane, such as the exemplary patterns of  420   a - b  of  FIG. 4 , pattern  540  of  FIG. 6 , and pattern  740  of  FIG. 8 . The elements of  FIG. 10  having the same numbering as elements in  FIG. 9  may operate in the same/similar manner as described above. 
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram of another exemplary vehicle turn signaling apparatus  1100  that may be configured to project a plurality of low divergence visible lines onto an adjacent driving lane in accordance with the embodiments of one or more of  FIGS. 1-8  and/or other embodiments. The apparatus  1100  of  FIG. 11  includes a light source  1100  that is configured to project a low divergence beam onto a mirror  1110  that is angularly rotated (e.g., back and forth or spinning complete revolutions) by an actuator (e.g., motor)  1112 . An actuator control circuit  1120  controls movement of the actuator  1112  to move the mirror  1110  in a manner that reflects the low divergence beam from the light source  1100  onto an adjacent roadway lane to scan one or more lines that form one or more of the lines/patterns described above with regard to  FIGS. 1-8  and/or other patterns. 
     The mirror  1110  may be rotated horizontally, vertically, and/or a combination thereof to reflect the light beam from the light source  1100  at different angles to generate the line patterns of  FIGS. 1-8  and/or other patterns. The light projection activation circuit  980  may regulate power to the light source  1100  responsive to movement of the turn signal stick  960   a  as described above to project a continuously scanned low divergence visible line on the adjacent lane. The activation circuit  980  may cycle the power on and off (e.g., regulate a power duty cycle) to the light source  1100  to cause a plurality of discrete spaced apart lines to be scanned onto the adjacent lane. For example, the mirror  1110  may be rotated back and forth horizontally while cycling power to light source  1100  on and off to generate the line patterns  320   a - b  of  FIG. 3 . In contrast, the mirror  1110  may be rotated back and forth vertically while cycling power to light source  1100  on and off to generate the line patterns  420   a - b  of  FIG. 4 . Accordingly, various line patterns may thereby be generated using less light sources that what may be needed when the light sources are configured to each project a stationary light beam onto the adjacent lane. 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram of another exemplary vehicle turn signaling apparatus  1200  that may be configured to project a plurality of low divergence visible lines onto an adjacent driving lane in accordance with the embodiments of one or more of  FIGS. 1-8  and/or other embodiments. The apparatus  1200  of  FIG. 12  includes a light source  1200  that is configured to project a low divergence beam onto an adjacent roadway lane. In contrast to the apparatus  1100  of  FIG. 11 , the light source  1200  is connected to be angularly rotated by an actuator (e.g., motor)  1210 . An actuator control circuit  1220  controls movement of the actuator  1210  to move the light source  1200  so as to scan the low divergence beam and form one or more of the lines/patterns described above with regard to  FIGS. 1-8  and/or other patterns. 
     The light source  1200  may be rotated horizontally, vertically, and/or a combination thereof to project the light beam from the light source  1100  at different angles to generate the line patterns of  FIGS. 1-8  and/or other patterns. The light projection activation circuit  980  may regulate power to the light source  1200  responsive to movement of the turn signal stick  960   a  as described above to project a continuously scanned low divergence visible line on the adjacent lane. The activation circuit  980  may cycle the power on and off (e.g., regulate a power duty cycle) to the light source  1200  to cause a plurality of spaced apart discrete lines to be scanned onto the adjacent lane. For example, the light source  1200  may be rotated back and forth horizontally while cycling its power on and off to generate the line patterns  320   a - b  of  FIG. 3 . In contrast, the light source  1200  may be rotated back and forth vertically while its power is cycled on and off to generate the line patterns  420   a - b  of  FIG. 4 . Accordingly, various line patterns may be generated using less light sources that what may be needed when the light sources are configured to each project a stationary light beam onto the adjacent lane. 
     As explained above, the lines in  FIGS. 1-8  have been illustrated as being solid (continuous), however other embodiment of the invention are not limited thereto. For example, one or more of the illustrated lines that are projected on an adjacent lane may be segmented (dashed) by passing the respective light beam through a filter having segmented openings across the illuminated area, by angularly scanning the light beam while cycling the power on and off to the light source, and/or by forming the projected line from a plurality of light sources that project non-overlapping line segments on the adjacent lane. 
     In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.