Title of Invention

A VEHICLE WITH A DEVICE FOR VISUAL SIGNALING UNDER CONDITIONS OF POOR VISIBILITY

Abstract A Vehicle (1) provided with a device for visual signaling under conditions of poor visibility, said device comprising an emitter (3) directed to the rear of the Vehicle (1) for the emission of a laser beam (9), characterized in that the rear emitter (3) comprises means for generating signaling designs (11) for projection, by the laser beam, to the rear of the vehicle.
Full Text FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for visual signaling suitable for a
moving vehicle.
It will find its application particularly in the field of automotive vehicle equipment
for safety and signaling.
It is applicable to all moving vehicles such as buses, or else boats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Automotive vehicles at present comprise more and more equipment to improve safety.
During foggy weather, in particular, it has already been proposed to offer to the following vehicle, from an equipped vehicle, information as to the distance separating the vehicle in front. For this purpose, there is known from WO-A-9520502 a device permitting a vehicle moving among other vehicles to transmit a signal to immediately following vehicles. This device uses a visible laser beam emitted from the device and directed in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the equipped vehicle.
The laser beam is permanently directed such that the distance between the equipped vehicle and the point of impact of said beam on the roadway corresponds approximately to the safety distance that the immediately following vehicle should maintain. This device is particularly usable during intense rainfall or in foggy weather.
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"This device offers distance information useful to the following vehicle. However it
does not give complete satisfaction.
In particular, such a device furnishes no explicit information to the following
vehicle, particularly in the case of an accident, in the case of an emergency
stopping simply to warn it of the use of a luminous point that can be seen on the
roadway.
Moreover, this device is of interest only to the following vehicle and the vehicle
with which it is equipped benefits from no information.
As a result, this device is of limited application and forms only very rudimentary
information to a following vehicle.
It has also been proposed to supply information to a vehicle particularly as to the
traffic on the road or as to possible accidents, from the dashboard of the vehicle
thus equipped. Its driver could thus have access to various travel information or
to data of the GPS type. However, such systems require substantial modification
of the vehicle which can be made only at the time of construction of the vehicle.
It is thus difficult to retrofit vehicles.
Moreover, such systems require display screens on the dashboard and onboard
electronic devices that are relatively heavy and which increase the cost of such
techniques.
US patent US 5,580,140 discloses a method and apparatus for projecting images, advertisements and the like to passengers of moving vehicles. A projector is placed on the vehicle and it projects an image on the walls of a train tunnel, clouds near an airplane, etc. as the vehicle moves. A technique is provided for correcting distortion caused by the positional changes between the vehicle and the projection surface.
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OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to propose a device adaptable to a vehicle, particularly an automotive vehicle, moving on a roadway for visual signaling under conditions of poor visibility.
Another object of the invention is to propose a visual signaling device which can offer to the following vehicle visual information particularly in rainy or foggy weather.
A still another object of the invention is to propose a device which offers a wide range of application as to traffic information and permits warning the following vehicle for example of an accident, a fog bank to come, or else a malfunction in the vehicle which precedes it.
A further object of the invention is to propose a device which is capable of projecting signals forwardly of the vehicle, particularly an informational design. This design could be identical to that projected rearwardly or be different particularly to give traffic information to the driver of the vehicle thus equipped.
An yet another object of the invention is to propose a device which provides visible information predetermined by external control (for example provided by a roadway information transmission organism) or by detection of modification of the condition of the road or of the vehicle (for example detection of rainy weather, the triggering of an alarm of the vehicle, or of an airbag).
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A still further object of the invention is to propose a vehicle, particularly an automotive vehicle provided with a visual signaling device which assist the driver of the vehicle in driving during foggy weather or rainy weather or generally speaking during poor visibility.
A still another object of the invention is to propose a device capable of using marking strips on the ground in front of the vehicle and projecting onto them a laser beam which can sweep all the strip.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the description which follows, which gives the preferred embodiment of the invention but which is in no way thus limiting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a visual signaling device suitable for a moving vehicle, comprising a rear emitter for the emission of a laser beam to the rear of the vehicle, characterized by the fact that the rear emitter comprises means for generation of designs for projection by the laser beam of a signaling design to the rear of the vehicle.
This device could be present according to modifications introduced hereafter:
- it comprises control means for the activation of the rear emitter for its
conditional operation.
- it comprises a front emitter for emitting a laser beam forwardly of the
vehicle, said front emitter comprising means for generating designs for
projection, by a laser beam, of a signaling design forwardiy of the ehicle.
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It comprises control means for the activation of the front emitter for its
conditional operation.
the control means are connected to one or several detectors, for activation
during detection of a change in condition of the vehicle or of
meteorological conditions.
the control means are connected to a receiver for an external control
signal, for activation during reception of the external control signal.
the means for generating designs are adapted to form a design from
among several selected ones and the control means are adapted to
address different controls to the emitter according to the nature of the
design to be projected.
It is on a moving vehicle on a street, and it comprises at least one camera
seeing a region in front of the vehicle in which are located marking strips
on the ground, that are either central or lateral in the normal position of
movement of the vehicle, video processing means for computing the
position of the marking strips on the ground relative to the vehicle, and
means for rotating the front emitter with controlled motorization to
position the point of impact of the laser beam toward the marking strips
on the ground.
The rotation means are actuated such that the point of impact of the beam
sweeps the surface of the marking strip on the targeted ground.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood from the accompanying drawings, which comprises:
- Figure 1 showing a first embodiment of the invention with projection of
designs rearwardly of the vehicle.
- Figure 2 which shows a projection of designs by laser beam forwardly of
the vehicle.
- Figure 3 which shows a preferred embodiment of the invention in which
the designs projected by the laser beam are controlled by an external
control signal.
- Figure 4 which shows another modified embodiment of the invention in
which a laser beam is projected forwardly of the vehicle and strikes the
marking strips on the ground to guide driving by the user.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
As described in WO-A-9520502, it is possible to provide an automotive vehicle with a laser emitter for the projection of a laser beam rearwardly of the vehicle. According to this reference, the laser beam is of small dimension to provide an impact point on the roadway at a predetermined distance from the emitting vehicle. This apparatus however provides only information as to its impact on the roadway.
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According to the invention, and as shown in Figure 1, the signaling device comprises a rear emitter of current design adapted to emit a laser beam rearwardly of the vehicle.
Contrary to the present state of the art as in WO-A-9520502, the emitted beam permits the formation of a design corresponding to a predetermined visible signal rearwardly of the vehicle and in space.
To do this, the rear emitter 3 with which the vehicle 1 is provided, comprises means for generating designs.
Preferably, these design generation means are integrated into the emitter according to known techniques for the projection of designs with a laser emitter. Such apparatus is currently used in the field of luminous effects for spectacles.
For safety reasons, there will preferably be used a low power laser emitter and for example of Class 2.
Preferably, the generated design is emitted rearwardly of the vehicle 1 and is not projected continuously. To this end, the device will preferably comprise control means for the actuation of the rear emitter 3 for its conditional operation.
Preferably, the device comprises similarly but for the front of the vehicle 1. A front emitter 2 for the emission of laser beam 8 forwardly of the vehicle 1.
Similarly, the front emitter 2 comprises means for generation of designs to produce a design 10 forwardly of the vehicle.
Again in a manner similar to the rear emitter 3, the front emitter 2 is coupled to control means which permit its actuation in a conditional manner.
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By way of preferred example, this conditional operation is carried out by detection of a change of
condition of the vehicle (for example by triggering the alarm, rotation of the contact key, release of an airbag). The operation can also be conditioned in a complementary or independent manner by changes in weather conditions. To this end, detectors will be positioned on the vehicle to detect strong rainfall or else foggy weather.
It is also possible to control the activation of the front emitter 2 and of the rear emitter 3 by an external control signal 14 as shown in Figure 3. There, the vehicle 1 is provided with reception means for a control signal 14. These means include particularly an antenna 12 and an onboard receiver in the vehicle.
Preferably, the control signal 14 is a Hertzian signal particularly by satellite transmission emitted from a traffic information service center and transmitted to the vehicle 1 by transmission terminals 13 positioned along the edge of the road.
It will be seen that it is possible to actuate the emission of a laser beam 9 to the rear of the vehicle, and if desired a laser beam 8 to the front of the vehicle 1, under multiple conditions of actuation.
It is also possible to vary the identity of the design 11, 10 to be projected, according to the nature of the control.
By way of example, a detector detecting strong rainfall could generate a design rearwardly of the vehicle constituted by a danger warning panel - such as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Again by way of example, the triggering of a detector connected to the alarm of the vehicle 1 could generate a
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design to the rear and if desired to the front of the vehicle 1, constituting information signaling that the vehicle is stolen.
Again by way of example, the triggering of the airbags could disclose that the vehicle has undergone an accident and a design 10, 11 corresponding to information as to the driver and the passengers could be supplied (identity of the persons, blood group, ...) .
Referring to Figure 4, it will be seen that the device according to the invention can be provided with a camera 16 coupled with video processing means (not shown).
As shown, the camera 16 is oriented forwardly of the vehicle 1 to target a zone on the roadway 6 corresponding to the zone in which the marking strips on the ground 15 are conventionally found in the normal driving position.
It could be a matter of marking strips on the center of the ground or to the side.
With the camera 16 and video processing means, there is calculated within the vehicle 1 the position of the marking strips 15 on the ground relative to the vehicle 1.
Consequently, the laser beam 8 is oriented such that it will strike the roadway 6 at the marking strips 15 on the ground. The selective orientation of the emitter 2 could be operated by controlled motorization rotation means. It could be a matter of an electric motor which could control the rotation of the emitter about a vertical axis, and if desired about a horizontal axis if it is desired to modify the distance of impact of the front laser beam 8 relative to the vehicle 1.
Preferably, the motorization is controlled such that the beam 8 (which is thus of small width) sweeps the
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surface of the targeted marking strip, and this laterally and possibly longitudinally.
A laser emitter 2 of the color white will be preferred in this application.
It is to be noted that, by association of the vehicle thus equipped of the present device with an assembly of transmission terminals 13 connected by radio to a traffic information transmission center, there is formed a unitary system for transmission of information to a large number of vehicles.
It will also be noted that the device according to the invention can be on a vehicle already- on the market without it being necessary that it be provided to be incorporated at the time of construction of the vehicle.
For reasons of simplicity, the figures refer to an emitter 2 and a camera on the roof 4 of the vehicle.
In practice, the emitter 2 will ordinarily be located lower down, for example at the level of the grille of the radiator.
Similarly, the camera or cameras will be integrated into the optical blocks of headlights (on one side of the vehicle or on both sides, according to the desired manner of embodiment).
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REFERENCES
1. Vehicle
2. Front emitter
3. Rear emitter
4. Roof
5. Rear lens
6. Pavement
7. Roadway
8. Front laser beam
9. Rear laser beam
10. Front design
11. Rear design
12. Antenna
13. Transmission terminal
14. Control signal
15. Ground marking
16. Camera
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We Claim:
1. A Vehicle (1) provided with a device for visual signaling under conditions
of poor visibility, said device comprising an emitter (3) directed to the rear
of the Vehicle (1) for the emission of a laser beam (9), characterized in
that:
the rear emitter (3) comprises means for generating signaling designs (11) for projection, by the laser beam, to the rear of the vehicle.
2. The Vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device comprises control
means for the actuation of the rear emitter (3) for its conditional
operation.
3. The Vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the device comprises a
front emitter (2) for emitting a laser beam (8) forwardly of the vehicle (1),
said front emitter (2) comprises means for generating signaling designs
for the projection, by the laser beam.
4. The Vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the device comprises control
means for the actuation of the front emitter (2) for its conditional
operation.
5. The Vehicle as claimed in claim 2 or 4, wherein the control means are
connected to one or several detectors, for actuation upon detection of a
change of condition of the vehicle or of weather conditions.
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6. The Vehicle as claimed in claim 2,4 or 5, wherein the control means are
connected to a receiver (14) of an external control signal, for actuation
upon reception of the external control signal.
7. The Vehicle as claimed in claim 2,4,5 or 6, wherein the means for
generating signaling designs are adapted to form a design from among
several choices and wherein the control means are adapted to address
different controls to the emitter according to the nature of the adapted
design to be projected.
8. The Vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the device comprises:
at least one camera (16) observing a region to the front of the
vehicle (1) in which are located marking strips (15) on the ground
either centrally or laterally in the normal driving position of the
vehicle,
video processing means for computing the position of the marking
strips (15) on the ground relative to the vehicle (1).
motorized means for controlled rotating of the front emitter (2) to
position the impact point of the laser beam toward the marking
strips (15) on the ground.
9. The Vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rotating means are
actuated such that the point of impact of the beam sweeps the surface of
the targeted marking strip (15) on the ground.
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10. A method for visual signaling rearwardly of a vehicle moving under conditions of poor visibility, comprising the steps of:
providing a vehicle with a device comprising an emitter clirected for emission of a laser beam rearwardly of the vehicle, the emitter comprising means for generating designs for projection, by the laser beam, of signaling designs to the rear of the vehicle; and
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activating the emitter to project the signaling designs.
A Vehicle (1) provided with a device for visual signaling under conditions of poor visibility, said device comprising an emitter (3) directed to the rear of the Vehicle (1) for the emission of a laser beam (9), characterized in that the rear emitter (3) comprises means for generating signaling designs (11) for projection, by the laser beam, to the rear of the vehicle.

Documents:

00591-kolnp-2003 abstract.pdf

00591-kolnp-2003 claims.pdf

00591-kolnp-2003 correspondence.pdf

00591-kolnp-2003 description(complete).pdf

00591-kolnp-2003 drawings.pdf

00591-kolnp-2003 form-1.pdf

00591-kolnp-2003 form-18.pdf

00591-kolnp-2003 form-2.pdf

00591-kolnp-2003 form-3.pdf

00591-kolnp-2003 form-5.pdf

00591-kolnp-2003 letters patent.pdf

00591-kolnp-2003 p.a.pdf

00591-kolnp-2003 priority document others.pdf

00591-kolnp-2003 priority document.pdf

00591-kolnp-2003 reply f.e.r.pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-abstract.pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-claims.pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-correspondence.pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-description (complete).pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-drawings.pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-form 1.pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-form 18.pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-form 2.pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-form 3.pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-form 5.pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-letter patent.pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-pa.pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-priority document.pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-specification.pdf

591-kolnp-2003-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf


Patent Number 212726
Indian Patent Application Number 591/KOLNP/2003
PG Journal Number 50/2007
Publication Date 14-Dec-2007
Grant Date 12-Dec-2007
Date of Filing 08-May-2003
Name of Patentee ASTRONGROUP TECHNOLOGIES S.A.
Applicant Address 18 RUE DE 1'EAU, L 1449 LUXEMBOURG,.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 BLEINER THOMAS 51-61 AVENUE DES DIABLES BLEUS, F-06360, EXE,
PCT International Classification Number B60Q1/52
PCT International Application Number PCT/FR01/03324
PCT International Filing date 2001-10-26
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 00/14914 2000-11-09 France