Vehicle with road surface image rendering functionality

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12208728-B2
Application number	US-202418431697-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 2, 2024
Priority date	Feb 14, 2023
Publication date	Jan 28, 2025
Grant date	Jan 28, 2025

Abstract

A vehicle with road surface image rendering functionality includes: a light projection member configured to perform light projection for road surface image rendering toward a road surface in front of the vehicle; a controller configured to control the light projection by the light projection member; and a detection device configured to perform detection of a state where the light projection member is performing the light projection. The controller is configured to: cause the light projection member to perform the light projection; determine, based on the detection by the detection device, whether the light projection member is suitable for the light projection; when the light projection member is suitable for the light projection, start the light projection from the light projection member; and, when the light projection member is unsuitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering, prohibit the light projection by the light projection member.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A vehicle with road surface image rendering functionality, the vehicle comprising:
a light projection member configured to perform light projection for road surface image rendering toward a road surface in front of the vehicle;
a controller configured to control the light projection for the road surface image rendering by the light projection member; and
a detection device configured to perform detection of a state in which the light projection member is performing the light projection,
wherein the controller is configured to
cause the light projection member to perform the light projection for the road surface image rendering,
determine, based on the detection by the detection device, whether the light projection member is in a state suitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering,
when the light projection member is suitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering, start the light projection for road surface image rendering from the light projection member, and
when the light projection member is unsuitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering, prohibit the light projection for the road surface image rendering by the light projection member.

2. The vehicle with the road surface image rendering functionality according to claim 1 , further comprising
an operating member configured to be operated by an occupant of the vehicle to enable the vehicle to travel,
wherein the controller is configured to
when the operating member has been operated, determine whether the light projection member is in a state suitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering.

3. The vehicle with the road surface image rendering functionality according to claim 2 , wherein
the detection device is a vehicle exterior camera configured to detect a road surface image rendered by the light projection of the light projection member, and
the controller is configured to
when the operating member has been operated, cause the light projection member to perform the light projection for the road surface image rendering, and
by evaluating the road surface image included in an image captured by the vehicle exterior camera, determine whether the light projection member is in the state suitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering.

4. The vehicle with the road surface image rendering functionality according to claim 1 , wherein
the detection device is a vehicle exterior camera configured to detect a road surface image rendered by the light projection of the light projection member, and
the controller is configured to
when the operating member has been operated, cause the light projection member to perform the light projection for the road surface image rendering, and
by evaluating the road surface image included in an image captured by the vehicle exterior camera, determine whether the light projection member is in a state suitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering.

5. The vehicle with the road surface image rendering functionality according to claim 4 , wherein
the light projection member is provided in a headlamp module,
the vehicle further comprises a cleaning device configured to clean an outer surface of the headlamp module, and
the controller is configured to
upon determining that the light projection member is unsuitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering when the light projection member performs the light projection for a first time, activate the cleaning device, and
cause the cleaned light projection member to perform the light projection again, and, based on the detection by the detection device, determine whether the cleaned light projection member is in the state suitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering.

6. The vehicle with the road surface image rendering functionality according to claim 5 , wherein
the detection device is a current sensor configured to detect a current value of the light projection member when the light projection member performs the light projection, and
the controller is configured to
when the operating member has been operated, cause the light projection member to perform the light projection for the road surface image rendering, and
by evaluating the current value detected by the current sensor, determine whether the light projection member is in the state suitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering.

7. The vehicle with the road surface image rendering functionality according to claim 4 , wherein
the light projection member is provided in a headlamp module,
the vehicle further comprises a cleaning device configured to clean an outer surface of the headlamp module, and
the controller is configured to
upon determining that the light projection member is unsuitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering when the light projection member performs the light projection for a first time, activate the cleaning device, and
cause the cleaned light projection member to perform the light projection again, and, based on the detection by the detection device, determine whether the cleaned light projection member is in the state suitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering.

8. The vehicle with the road surface image rendering functionality according to claim 7 , wherein
the detection device is a current sensor configured to detect a current value of the light projection member when the light projection member performs the light projection, and
the controller is configured to
when the operating member has been operated, cause the light projection member to perform the light projection for the road surface image rendering, and
by evaluating the current value detected by the current sensor, determine whether the light projection member is in the state suitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering.

9. A vehicle with the road surface image rendering functionality, the vehicle comprising:
a light projection member including a light source and configured to perform light projection for road surface image rendering toward a road surface in front of the vehicle;
circuitry configured to control the light projection for the road surface image rendering by the light projection member; and
a detection device including a sensor and configured to perform detection of a state in which the light projection member is projecting light,
wherein the circuitry is configured to
cause the light projection member to perform the light projection for the road surface image rendering,
determine, based on the detection by the detection device, whether the light projection member is in a state suitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering,
when the light projection member is suitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering, start the light projection for the road surface image rendering from the light projection member, and
when the light projection member is unsuitable for the light projection for the road surface image rendering, prohibit light projection for road surface image rendering by the light projection member.

Assignees

• Subaru Corp

Inventors

• Yamasaki Kentarou
• Kinoshita Makoto

Classifications

• B60S1/566

  including wiping devices (B60S1/563, B60S1/583 take precedence) · CPC title

• G06V20/588

  Recognition of the road, e.g. of lane markings; Recognition of the vehicle driving pattern in relation to the road · CPC title

• B60Q2400/50

  Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body · CPC title

• B60Q1/50 Primary

  for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking · CPC title

• B60Q1/08

  automatically · CPC title