Apparatus and method to visually communicate with a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9862311-B2
Application number	US-201715457583-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 13, 2017
Priority date	Nov 2, 2015
Publication date	Jan 9, 2018
Grant date	Jan 9, 2018

Abstract

A visual communication apparatus affixed to a vehicle. The visual communication apparatus includes a smart key system that detects a key fob of a user within a keyless detection zone, a projector projecting visual indications on a projecting zone lying on a ground surface of the vehicle, a sensor optically capturing gestures of the user of the vehicle, and an electrical control unit capable of actuated key elements of the vehicle. The visual indications include passive visual indications requiring no activation from the user and active visual indications requiring activations from the user. The activations are performed by gestures of the user on the active visual indications.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A visual communication apparatus of a vehicle comprising:
a projector that projects visual indications on a projecting zone on a ground surface a predetermined distance from a backside of the vehicle; and
a steering angle sensor that measures a steering angle to estimate a moving direction in which the vehicle is displaced;
wherein the visual indications include at least one arrow oriented to point in the moving direction of the vehicle based on the steering angle,
wherein the moving direction is a generally reverse moving direction of the vehicle that varies directly based on the steering angle, and
wherein the at least one arrow is continuously oriented to point in the moving direction as the moving direction changes based on the steering angle.

2. The visual communication apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the visual indication begins to indicate the reverse moving direction of the vehicle when a reverse gear is engaged.

3. The visual communication apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the visual indications vary within the projecting zone so that the at least one arrow is continuously oriented in the moving direction as the moving direction changes based on the steering angle.

Assignees

• Aisin Technical Ct America Inc

Inventors

• Kiriyama Hiroshi
• Kimura Shogo
• Kurita Mineo

Classifications

• B60Q1/22

  for reverse drive · CPC title

• B60Q2400/40

  Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle · CPC title

• G07C9/20

  involving the use of a pass · CPC title

• G07C2209/62

  Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock · CPC title

• G07C9/00698

  actuated in function of displayed informations · CPC title