Vehicle wheelchair loading

Abstract

The present disclosure provides "Vehicle Wheelchair Loading". A system for a vehicle includes: a LIDAR sensor that can be attached to the vehicle; and a gated ground lighting that is fixed relative to the LIDAR sensor and is oriented to project light downward beside the vehicle. A computer can communicate with the LIDAR sensor and the gated ground lighting and is programmed to actuate the gated ground lighting in response to receiving data generated by the LIDAR sensor indicating that a user is within a threshold distance of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle loading, and more particularly to loading a wheelchair into a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] A dedicated space for a wheelchair in a vehicle is typically installed using a modified portion of the vehicle. The modified portion can be a loading device for carrying the wheelchair and / or allowing the wheelchair to enter the vehicle. Types of loading devices include deployable ramps, lift platforms, etc. The loading device is typically installed behind a side door (such as a sliding door) or behind a rear lift gate of a van. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A system for a vehicle includes: a LIDAR sensor that can be attached to the vehicle; and a door-controlled ground lighting lamp that is fixed relative to the LIDAR sensor and is oriented to project light downward beside the vehicle.

[0004] The LIDAR sensor can be attached to the A-pillar of the vehicle.

[0005] The door-controlled ground lighting lamp can be attached to the LIDAR sensor. The door-controlled ground lighting lamp can be disposed below the LIDAR sensor.

[0006] The system can include a computer that communicates with the LIDAR sensor and the door-controlled ground lighting lamp, and the computer can be programmed to: in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that a user is within a threshold distance of the vehicle, actuate the door-controlled ground lighting lamp. The light projection can be a first light projection, and the computer can be programmed to: in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that the user is within the threshold distance of the vehicle, actuate the door-controlled ground lighting lamp to project the first light projection, and then in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that the user is at a designated position relative to the vehicle, actuate the door-controlled ground lighting lamp to project a second light projection. The first light projection and the second light projection can have at least one of different shapes and different colors.

[0007] The computer can be programmed to: in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that the user is at a designated position relative to the vehicle, actuate the vehicle door to open.

[0008] The light projection can be a first light projection, and the computer can be programmed to: in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that the user is within the threshold distance from the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting to project the first light projection, and then in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that an obstacle is in a specified area relative to the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting to project a second light projection.

[0009] A system for a vehicle includes: a sensor; a gated ground lighting that is fixed relative to the sensor and is oriented to project light downward beside the vehicle; and a computer that communicates with the sensor and the gated ground lighting and is programmed to actuate the gated ground lighting in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that a user is within a threshold distance from the vehicle.

[0010] The light projection can be a first light projection, and the computer can be programmed to: in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that the user is within the threshold distance from the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting to project the first light projection, and then in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that the user is at a specified position relative to the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting to project a second light projection. The first light projection and the second light projection can have at least one of different shapes and different colors.

[0011] The computer can be programmed to: in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that the user is at a specified position relative to the vehicle, actuate the vehicle door to open.

[0012] The light projection can be a first light projection, and the computer can be programmed to: in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that the user is within the threshold distance from the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting to project the first light projection, and then in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that an obstacle is in a specified area relative to the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting to project a second light projection.

[0013] The system can include a plurality of Bluetooth Low Energy sensors including the sensor. The computer can be programmed to triangulate the position of the user based on data generated by the Bluetooth Low Energy sensors.

[0014] The system can include the vehicle, the vehicle including a body, a plurality of doors, the sensor, the door - controlled ground lighting, and the computer, and the door - controlled ground lighting can be attached to the body and spaced apart from the doors. The door - controlled ground lighting can be oriented to project the light beside one of the doors. Description of the Drawings

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle with the doors closed and the loading device retracted.

[0016] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective view of the vehicle with one door open and the loading device extended.

[0017] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a top view of the vehicle with the door - controlled ground lighting projecting a first light projection.

[0018] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a top view of the vehicle with the door - controlled ground lighting projecting a second light projection.

[0019] Figure 5 is Figure 1 a top view of the vehicle with the door - controlled ground lighting projecting a third light projection.

[0020] Figure 6 is Figure 1 a top view of the vehicle with the door - controlled ground lighting projecting a fourth light projection.

[0021] Figure 7 is Figure 1 a block diagram of the control system of the vehicle.

[0022] Figure 8 is an exemplary process flowchart for loading a user into Figure 1 the vehicle. Detailed Description

[0023] As Figure 1 shown, the system 31 of the vehicle 30 includes: a sensor 60, which can be attached to the vehicle 30; and a door - controlled ground lighting 64, which is fixed relative to the sensor 60 and is oriented to project lights 70, 74, 76, 80 downward beside the vehicle 30. The computer 54 can communicate with the sensor 60 and the door - controlled ground lighting 64, and is programmed to actuate the door - controlled ground lighting 64 in response to receiving data generated by the sensor 60 indicating that a user is within a threshold distance of the vehicle 30.

[0024] System 31 provides an automated and easy-to-understand way for a user in wheelchair 52 to enter vehicle 30. Sensor 60 and door-controlled ground lighting 64 are combined to actuate door-controlled ground lighting 64 based on the user's position and the steps of loading wheelchair 52 into vehicle 30. System 31 tracks the user and operates loading device 50, and illuminates door-controlled ground lighting 64 based on the user's position. Door-controlled ground lighting 64 can be actuated to illuminate, thereby providing light projections 70, 74, 76, 80 as shown in Figures 3 to 6 to communicate with the user about the steps of the wheelchair loading operation. Based on the illumination of door-controlled ground lighting 64, the user can enter vehicle 30 with less assistance and greater independence.

[0025] Referring Figure 1 , vehicle 30 includes body 32. Vehicle 30 can have an integral structure, where the frame and body 32 of vehicle 30 are a single component, as shown. Alternatively, vehicle 30 can have a body-frame separated structure, where the frame supports body 32, and body 32 is a component separate from the frame. The frame and body 32 can be formed of any suitable material such as steel, aluminum, etc.

[0026] Body 32 supports a plurality of doors 34, 36, 38. Doors 34, 36, 38 can be arranged on both sides and / or the rear of vehicle 30, and can include front door 34 and rear doors 36, 38. Doors 34, 36, 38 (e.g., rear doors 36, 38) can include at least one accessible door 36, behind which is loading device 50 for wheelchair 52 (described below) and non-accessible door 38. Doors 34, 36, 38 can be conventional doors hinged at the front edge of the door, which swing horizontally away from body 32. Some of doors 34, 36, 38 can be sliding doors, which are mounted on tracks close to body 32 of vehicle 30 and slide horizontally along the tracks. Accessible door 36 can be drivably movable relative to body 32, such as by including an electric motor (not shown). Vehicle 30 can include more or fewer doors 34 to 38 than shown.

[0027] The body 32 of vehicle 30 can include A-pillar 40, B-pillar 42, C-pillar 44, D-pillar 46 and roof rail 48. A-pillar 40 can extend between the windshield and front door 34. B-pillar 42 can extend between front door 34 and rear doors 36, 38. C-pillar 44 can extend between rear doors 36, 38 and the rear end of vehicle 30. If vehicle 30 is, for example, a van (as shown), SUV, crossover or station wagon, D-pillar 46 extends vertically at the rear corner of vehicle 30. Roof rail 48 extends along the top of doors 34, 36, 38 from A-pillar 40 to B-pillar 42, to C-pillar 44, and then to D-pillar 46.

[0028] Reference Figure 2 , the loading device 50 can be fixed relative to the vehicle body 32 and is disposed inside and adjacent to the accessible door 36. The loading device 50 can be closer to the accessible door 36 than to any other doors 34, 38. The loading device 50 can be any mechanism for carrying and / or allowing a wheelchair 52 to enter the vehicle 30. For example, as is known, the loading device 50 can be a deployable ramp, a lift platform, etc.

[0029] Reference Figure 7 , the vehicle 30 includes a computer 54. The computer 54 is a microprocessor-based computer. The computer 54 includes a processor, a memory, etc. The memory of the computer 54 includes a memory for storing instructions executable by the processor and for electronically storing data and / or databases.

[0030] The computer 54 can transmit and receive data through a communication network 56 (such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, Ethernet, WiFi, Local Interconnect Network (LIN), On-Board Diagnostic Connector (OBD-II)) and / or through any other wired or wireless communication network. The computer 54 can communicate with the accessible door 36, the loading device 50, the transceiver 58, the sensor 60, a plurality of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) sensors 62, the door ground lighting 64 and other components through the communication network 56.

[0031] The transceiver 58 is connected to the communication network 56. The transceiver 58 can be adapted to wirelessly transmit signals through any suitable wireless communication protocol (such as WiFi, IEEE 802.11a / b / g, other RF (radio frequency) communications, etc.). The transceiver 58 can be adapted to communicate with a remote server (i.e., a server different from and spaced apart from the vehicle 30). The remote server can be located outside the vehicle 30. For example, the remote server can be associated with other vehicles (e.g., (Vehicle-to-Vehicle) V2V communication), with infrastructure components (e.g., (Vehicle-to-Infrastructure) V2I communication through Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC), etc.), with an emergency responder, and with a mobile device 66 associated with the owner or user of the vehicle 30. The transceiver 58 can be a single device or can include separate transmitter and receiver.

[0032] Reference Figure 1, the sensor arm 68 extends from the vehicle body 32 and supports the sensor 60. For example, the sensor arm 68 can extend from the A-pillar 40. The sensor 60 can be attached to the vehicle 30 (e.g., the A-pillar 40) via the sensor arm 68. Alternatively, the sensor arm 68 can be attached to the roof rail above the doors 34, 36, 38, attached to the D-pillar 46, or attached to any other location on the vehicle body 32 that does not move when the doors 34, 36, 38 are opened and closed. The sensor arm 68 can have a tubular or other hollow shape, that is, a cavity can extend through the sensor arm 68. The cavity can allow wires, tubes, etc. to pass through the sensor arm 68 while being isolated from the external environment.

[0033] The sensor 60 can be designed to detect features of the external world; for example, the sensor 60 can be a radar sensor, a laser scanning rangefinder, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device, or an image processing sensor (such as a camera). In one example, the sensor 60 is a LIDAR device. The LIDAR device detects the distance to an object by emitting laser pulses at a specific wavelength and measuring the transit time for the pulses to travel to the object and return.

[0034] The vehicle 30 includes a plurality of BLE sensors 62. Each BLE sensor 62 emits a signal that can be detected by the mobile device 66. The signal can include the position of the BLE sensor 62 relative to the vehicle body 32 of the vehicle 30. The mobile device 66 can roughly estimate the distance to the BLE sensor 62 by measuring the signal strength of the signal from the BLE sensor 62. Using the position of the BLE sensor 62 and the approximate distance to the BLE sensor 62, the mobile device 66 can determine its position relative to the vehicle 30 using known triangulation techniques, and the mobile device 66 can send this position to the computer 54 via the transceiver 58. Triangulation can be performed in two horizontal dimensions. Alternatively, the mobile device 66 can transmit the signal strength or the approximate distance to the BLE sensor 62 to the computer 54 via the transceiver 58, and then, the computer 54 can perform triangulation on the position of the mobile device 66 relative to the vehicle 30.

[0035] The BLE sensors 62 are fixed relative to the vehicle body 32 and are horizontally spaced apart from each other relative to the vehicle body 32. The BLE sensors 62 are spaced far enough apart to provide different signal strengths to the mobile device 66 from different BLE sensors 62, which allows for more precise triangulation.

[0036] The door-controlled ground lighting lamp 64 is fixed relative to the vehicle body 32, and the door-controlled ground lighting lamp 64 is fixed relative to the sensor 60. The door-controlled ground lighting lamp 64 is directly or indirectly attached to the vehicle body 32. For example, the door-controlled ground lighting lamp 64 can be attached to the sensor 60, and the door-controlled ground lighting lamp 64 can be disposed below the sensor 60, that is, on the surface of the sensor 60 facing downward relative to the vehicle body 32. The door-controlled ground lighting lamp 64 is spaced apart from the vehicle doors 34, 36, 38 and remains in a fixed position relative to the vehicle body 32 when the vehicle doors 34, 36, 38 move.

[0037] For the purposes of the present disclosure, a "door-controlled ground lighting lamp" is a lamp that is oriented to illuminate the ground beside the vehicle 30. The door-controlled ground lighting lamp 64 can be any lighting system suitable for illuminating the road surface beside the vehicle 30, including tungsten filament lamps, halogen lamps, high-intensity gas discharge (HID) such as xenon, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), lasers, and the like. The door-controlled ground lighting lamp 64 can switch between projecting 70, 74, 76, 80 different shapes and / or different colors of light onto the ground. For example, the door-controlled ground lighting lamp 64 can include a plurality of bulbs, and illuminating different arrangements of the bulbs results in different shapes of light projections 70, 74, 76, 80 projected onto the ground by the door-controlled ground lighting lamp 64. As another example, the door-controlled ground lighting lamp 64 can include a plurality of templates, and passing light through the corresponding templates will project different shapes of light projections 70, 74, 76, 80 onto the ground. As yet another example, the door-controlled ground lighting lamp 64 can include a single template and a plurality of different-colored bulbs behind the template, and illuminating different bulbs will project the same-shaped light projections 70, 74, 76, 80 of different colors onto the ground.

[0038] The door-controlled ground lighting lamp 64 is oriented to project 70, 74, 76, 80 light downward beside the vehicle 30. For example, the door-controlled ground lighting lamp 64 can be positioned and oriented to project 70, 74, 76, 80 light beside the accessible vehicle door 36. Whether the accessible vehicle door 36 is open or closed, the door-controlled ground lighting lamp 64 can be positioned to project 70, 74, 76, 80 light onto the ground.

[0039] Figure 8 is a process flow diagram showing an exemplary process 800 for loading a user into the vehicle 30. The memory of the computer 54 generally stores executable instructions for performing the steps of the process 800.

[0040] Process 800 begins at block 805, where computer 54 receives data generated by sensors 60 and / or BLE sensors 62. This data allows computer 54 to determine the two-dimensional horizontal position of the user (i.e., localization). For example, computer 54 may receive data from sensors 60 and perform a conventional object recognition algorithm on the data to identify an object (e.g., the user in wheelchair 52) and the distance from sensors 60 to the object (e.g., wheelchair 52). Data representing the user in the wheelchair in various orientations may be stored as baseline data in the memory of computer 54 for comparison with data received from sensors 60. As another example, computer 54 may receive the position of the user's mobile device 66 from mobile device 66 via transceiver 58, which is determined by mobile device 66 using signals from BLE sensors 62, as described above. As another example, computer 54 may receive the signal strength or approximate distance to each BLE sensor 62 from mobile device 66 via transceiver 58, as described above.

[0041] Next, at decision block 810, computer 54 determines whether the data generated by sensors 60 or BLE sensors 62 indicates that the user is within a threshold distance of vehicle 30. The position determined at block 805 is compared with the position of vehicle 30. The threshold distance may be selected such that the user is close enough to be positioned to enter vehicle 30 immediately when the loading device 50 is deployed. If the user is not within the threshold distance, process 800 returns to block 805 to continue receiving data until the user is within the threshold distance.

[0042] If the user is within the threshold distance, then next, at block 815, computer 54 actuates the door ground lighting 64 to project a first light projection 70 onto the ground in front of the accessible vehicle door 36. (The adjectives "first", "second", "third", and "fourth" are used as identifiers throughout this document and are not intended to denote importance or order.) The first light projection 70 may be selected to communicate with the user to move to a designated position 72. For example, as Figure 3 shown, the first light projection 70 may be two lines forming a right angle; if the user positions wheelchair 52 within the angle, then wheelchair 52 is in the designated position 72. The first light projection 70 may be a first color (e.g., red) to indicate that the user should not cross the first light projection 70 to get closer to vehicle 30.

[0043] Next, at block 820, computer 54 receives data generated by sensors 60 and / or by BLE sensors 62, as described above with respect to block 805.

[0044] Next, in decision block 825, computer 54 determines whether the user is located at a designated location 72 relative to vehicle 30 based on the received data. The location of the user determined in block 820 is compared with the location of vehicle 30 to determine the relative location of the user. If the user is not located at the designated location 72, process 800 returns to block 805 to continue receiving data until the user is within a threshold distance and then at the designated location 72.

[0045] If the user is located at the designated location 72, then next, in block 830, computer 54 actuates the door-controlled ground illumination light 64 to project a second light projection 74 onto the ground in front of the accessible vehicle door 36. The second light projection 74 has at least one of a different shape and a different color from the first light projection 70. The second light projection 74 can be selected to communicate with the user to have the user wait while the accessible vehicle door 36 is opened and the loading device 50 is deployed. For example, as Figure 4 shown, the second light projection 74 can be two lines forming a right angle around the designated location 72, which indicates to the user to stay at the designated location 72. The second light projection 74 can be a second color (e.g., yellow) to indicate to the user that they should wait.

[0046] Next, in block 835, computer 54 actuates the accessible vehicle door 36 of vehicle 30 to open.

[0047] Next, in block 840, computer 54 actuates the loading device 50 to deploy. For example, the loading device 50 can extend the ramp of the loading device 50 outward, or can rotate the platform of the loading device 50 to be flat and lower the platform to the ground.

[0048] Next, in block 845, computer 54 actuates the door-controlled ground illumination light 64 to project a third light projection 76 onto the ground in front of the accessible vehicle door 36. The third light projection 76 has at least one of a different shape and a different color from each of the first light projection 70 and the second light projection 74. The third light projection 76 can be selected to communicate with the user to have the user enter vehicle 30, for example, by rolling up the ramp or moving onto the platform of the loading device 50. For example, as Figure 5 shown, the third light projection 76 can be an arrow pointing to the accessible vehicle door 36, which indicates to the user to move towards vehicle 30. The third light projection 76 can be a third color (e.g., green) to indicate to the user that they can proceed.

[0049] Next, in block 850, computer 54 receives data generated by sensor 60 and / or by BLE sensor 62, as described above with respect to block 805.

[0050] Next, in decision block 855, computer 54 determines whether an obstacle is in a specified area 78 relative to vehicle 30 based on data received from sensor 60. The specified area 78 can be selected as an area where an object may interfere with closing the vehicle door or retracting the loading device 50. For example, computer 54 can receive data from sensor 60 and perform a known object detection algorithm on the data to detect any objects within the specified area 78. If there is no obstacle in the specified area 78, process 800 proceeds to block 865.

[0051] If an obstacle is in the specified area 78, then next, in block 860, computer 54 actuates the door-controlled ground lighting 64 to project a fourth light projection 80 onto the ground in front of the accessible vehicle door 36. The fourth light projection 80 has at least one of a different shape and a different color from each of the first light projection 70, the second light projection 74, and the third light projection 76. The fourth light projection 80 can be selected to communicate with a user or another nearby person (who may be the obstacle) to cause them to avoid the specified area 78. For example, as Figure 6 shown, the fourth light projection 80 can be a circular backslash symbol that indicates to the user or other person to avoid the specified area 78. The fourth light projection 80 can be, for example, red to indicate danger.

[0052] If there is no obstacle in the specified area 78, then after decision block 855, in block 865, computer 54 actuates the loading device 50 to retract. The loading device 50 can reverse the operations performed in block 840, e.g., retract the ramp of the loading device 50 inward or raise the platform of the loading device 50 and rotate the platform to a vertical position.

[0053] Next, in block 870, computer 54 actuates the accessible vehicle door 36 of vehicle 30 to close. After block 870, process 800 ends.

[0054] Generally, the described computing system and / or device can employ any of several computer operating systems, including but not limited to Ford versions and / or variants of applications, AppLink / Smart Device Link middleware, Microsoft operating systems, Microsoft operating systems, Unix operating systems (e.g., distributed by Oracle Corporation of Redwood Shores, California provided by an operating system, such as the AIX UNIX operating system distributed by International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) of Armonk, New York, the Linux operating system, the Mac OS X and iOS operating systems distributed by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, California, the BlackBerry OS distributed by BlackBerry Limited of Waterloo, Canada, and the Android operating system or QNX software system developed by Google Inc. and the Open Handset Alliance A CAR infotainment platform. Examples of computing devices include, but are not limited to, in-vehicle vehicle computers, computer workstations, servers, desktop computers, notebooks, laptop computers, or handheld computers or some other computing systems and / or devices.

[0055] Computing devices generally include computer-executable instructions, which can be executed by one or more computing devices such as those listed above. The computer-executable instructions can be compiled or interpreted by computer programs created using various programming languages and / or technologies, which alone or in combination include, but are not limited to: Java TM , C, C++, Matlab, Simulink, Stateflow, Visual Basic, Java Script, Perl, HTML, etc. Some of these applications can be compiled and executed on virtual machines (such as Java virtual machines, Dalvik virtual machines, etc.). Generally speaking, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, for example, from a memory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes these instructions, thereby performing one or more processes, including one or more processes described herein. A variety of computer-readable media can be used to store and transmit such instructions and other data. Files in a computing device are usually a collection of data stored on a computer-readable medium (such as a storage medium, random access memory, etc.).

[0056] A computer-readable medium (also referred to as a processor-readable medium) includes any non-transitory (e.g., tangible) medium that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that can be read by a computer (e.g., by a processor of a computer). Such media can take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media can include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other permanent storage. Volatile media can include, for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) that typically constitutes main memory. Such instructions can be transmitted by one or more transmission media, including coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupling to a processor of an electronic control unit (ECU). Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tape, any other magnetic media, compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), any other optical media, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical media with hole patterns, random access memory (RAM), programmable read only memory (PROM), electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), flash-electrically erasable programmable read only memory (FLASH-EEPROM), any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

[0057] A database, data warehouse, or other data repository described herein can include various mechanisms for storing, accessing, and retrieving various data, including hierarchical databases, a set of files in a file system, application databases in a proprietary format, a relational database management system (RDBMS), and the like. Each such data repository is typically included in a computing device employing a computer operating system (such as one of those mentioned above) and can be accessed in various ways via a network. A file system can be accessed via a computer operating system and can include files stored in various formats. In addition to languages for creating, storing, editing, and executing stored procedures (such as the procedural language / structured query language (PL / SQL) language mentioned above), an RDBMS typically also employs the structured query language (SQL).

[0058] In some examples, system elements can be implemented as computer-readable instructions (e.g., software) on one or more computing devices (e.g., servers, personal computers, etc.) that are stored on a computer-readable medium associated therewith (e.g., a disk, a memory, etc.). A computer program product can include such instructions stored on a computer-readable medium for implementing the functions described herein.

[0059] In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like elements. Additionally, some or all of these elements may be varied. With regard to the media, processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring in accordance with a certain sequenced order, such processes may be practiced by performing the described steps in an order other than that described herein. It should further be understood that certain steps may be performed simultaneously, other steps may be added, or certain steps described herein may be omitted. In other words, the description of the processes herein is provided to illustrate certain embodiments and should in no way be construed as limiting the claims.

[0060] Accordingly, it should be understood that the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the present invention should not be determined with reference to the above description, but rather should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that the field of endeavor discussed herein will evolve in the future, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In summary, it should be understood that the present invention is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the appended claims.

[0061] All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art, unless an explicit contrary indication is made herein. Specifically, the use of singular articles such as "a", "the", "said", etc. should be construed as reciting one or more of the indicated elements, unless a claim recites an explicit contrary limitation.

[0062] The present disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it should be understood that the terms used are of a descriptive rather than a limiting nature. In view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible, and the present disclosure may be practiced in a manner different from that specifically described.

[0063] According to the present invention, there is provided a system for a vehicle, the system for the vehicle having: a LIDAR sensor that is attachable to the vehicle; and a gated ground lighting unit that is fixed relative to the LIDAR sensor and is oriented to project light downward beside the vehicle.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the LIDAR sensor is attachable to an A-pillar of the vehicle.

[0065] According to one embodiment, a further feature of the above invention is that the gated ground lighting unit is attachable to the LIDAR sensor.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the gated ground lighting is disposed below the LIDAR sensor.

[0067] According to one embodiment, a further feature of the above invention is a computer in communication with the LIDAR sensor and the gated ground lighting, the computer being programmed to: actuate the gated ground lighting in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that a user is within a threshold distance of the vehicle.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the light projection is a first light projection, and the computer is programmed to: actuate the gated ground lighting to project the first light projection in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that the user is within the threshold distance of the vehicle, and then actuate the gated ground lighting to project a second light projection in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that the user is at a designated position relative to the vehicle.

[0069] According to one embodiment, at least one of the first light projection and the second light projection has a different shape and a different color.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the computer is programmed to: actuate the vehicle door to open in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that the user is at a designated position relative to the vehicle.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the light projection is a first light projection, and the computer is programmed to: actuate the gated ground lighting to project the first light projection in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that the user is within the threshold distance of the vehicle, and then actuate the gated ground lighting to project a second light projection in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that an obstacle is in a designated area relative to the vehicle.

[0072] According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle system having: a sensor; a gated ground lighting fixed relative to the sensor and oriented to project light downward beside the vehicle; and a computer in communication with the sensor and the gated ground lighting and programmed to actuate the gated ground lighting in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that a user is within a threshold distance of the vehicle.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the light projection is a first light projection, and the computer is programmed to: in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that the user is within the threshold distance from the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting to project the first light projection, and then in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that the user is at a specified position relative to the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting to project a second light projection.

[0074] According to one embodiment, at least one of the first light projection and the second light projection has a different shape and a different color.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the computer is programmed to: in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that the user is at a specified position relative to the vehicle, actuate the vehicle door to open.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the light projection is a first light projection, and the computer is programmed to: in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that the user is within the threshold distance from the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting to project the first light projection, and then in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that an obstacle is in a specified area relative to the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting to project a second light projection.

[0077] According to one embodiment, a further feature of the above invention is a plurality of Bluetooth Low Energy sensors including the sensor.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the computer is programmed to triangulate the position of the user based on data generated by the Bluetooth Low Energy sensors.

[0079] According to one embodiment, a further feature of the above invention is the vehicle, which includes a vehicle body, a plurality of vehicle doors, the sensor, the gated ground lighting, and the computer, wherein the gated ground lighting is attached to the vehicle body and spaced apart from the vehicle doors.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the gated ground lighting is oriented to project the light projection beside one of the vehicle doors.

Claims

1. A system for a vehicle, the system comprising: A LIDAR sensor that can be attached to the vehicle; A gated ground lighting lamp that is fixed relative to the LIDAR sensor and is oriented to project light downward beside the vehicle; And A computer in communication with the LIDAR sensor and the gated ground lighting lamp, the computer being programmed to: in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that a user is within a threshold distance from the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting lamp to project a first light projection, and then in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that the user is at a specified position relative to the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting lamp to project a second light projection.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the LIDAR sensor can be attached to the A-pillar of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the gated ground lighting lamp is attached to the LIDAR sensor and is disposed below the LIDAR sensor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first light projection and the second light projection has a different shape and a different color.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is programmed to: in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that the user is at a specified position relative to the vehicle, actuate the vehicle door to open.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is programmed to: in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that a user is within the threshold distance from the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting lamp to project the first light projection, and then in response to receiving data from the LIDAR sensor indicating that an obstacle is in a specified area relative to the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting lamp to project a second light projection.

7. A system for a vehicle, the system comprising: A sensor; A gated ground lighting lamp that is fixed relative to the sensor and is oriented to project light downward beside the vehicle; And A computer in communication with the sensor and the gated ground lighting lamp, and programmed to: in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that a user is within a threshold distance from the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting lamp to project a first light projection, and then in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that the user is at a specified position relative to the vehicle, actuate the gated ground lighting lamp to project a second light projection.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the computer is programmed to: in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that the user is at a specified position relative to the vehicle, actuate the vehicle door to open.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the computer is programmed to: in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that the user is within the threshold distance from the vehicle, actuate the gated ground illumination light to project the first light projection, and then in response to receiving data generated by the sensor indicating that an obstacle is in a specified area relative to the vehicle, actuate the gated ground illumination light to project a second light projection.

10. The system of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of Bluetooth Low Energy sensors including the sensor, wherein the computer is programmed to triangulate the position of the user based on data generated by the Bluetooth Low Energy sensors.

11. The system of any one of claims 7 - 10, further comprising the vehicle, the vehicle including a body, a plurality of vehicle doors, the sensor, the gated ground illumination light, and the computer, wherein the gated ground illumination light is attached to the body and spaced apart from the vehicle doors.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the gated ground illumination light is oriented to project the light projection beside one of the vehicle doors.

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