Navigation system for highlighting target location of destination by infrared light

Abstract

The present invention relates to a navigation system for a vehicle, which highlights a target location as part of a destination, the navigation system comprising: a point light source device which generates an infrared light beam to form an infrared point light source; the infrared camera is used for capturing infrared image data; a display; and one or more controllers in electronic communication with the point light source device, the infrared camera, and the display. In response to determining that the vehicle is approaching the destination, the one or more controllers calculate a target angle indicating a location at which the point light source device directs the infrared beam to form an infrared point light source on the target location. The one or more controllers receive infrared image data of a target location of the destination captured by the one or more infrared cameras and instruct the display to display the infrared image data captured by the one or more infrared cameras.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a navigation system for a vehicle which highlights a target location as a part of a destination through infrared light. Background Art

[0002] A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a constellation of satellites that broadcast positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) data on a global or regional scale. Drivers can rely on GNSS systems to provide directions to locations such as a home, an office building, a commercial location such as a store, or an event venue such as a stadium. Drivers can provide a street address or location coordinates, such as Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) or Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates, that indicate the specific location of the destination. The GNSS can then direct the driver to the location associated with the street address.

[0003] Street addresses can sometimes be problematic because a single street address may have multiple destinations, making it difficult for the driver to determine the exact intended location of the final destination. Specifically, for example, a street address representing an industrial building may include multiple compartment doors for picking up and dropping off packages, or a stadium with multiple entrances. As another example, when delivering or picking up a package, there may be multiple locations where the package can be found, such as doorways, mailboxes, drop boxes, etc., which can create multiple options for the delivery person. Additionally, commercial rideshare drivers or taxi drivers may find it difficult to find the person they are trying to pick up in crowded venues. It can also be difficult to verify the identity of the individual requesting a rideshare as well as the rideshare driver, beyond the rideshare driver's name and vehicle license plate.

[0004] Therefore, while vehicle navigation systems achieve their intended purpose, there remains a need in the art for an improved method to assist a driver in highlighting specific locations as part of a destination. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to several aspects, a navigation system for a vehicle is disclosed that highlights a target location as part of a destination. The navigation system includes a point light source device that generates an infrared beam to form an infrared point light source, one or more infrared cameras that capture infrared image data of the target location representing the destination, a display that presents the image on a screen, and one or more controllers that electronically communicate with the point light source device, the infrared camera, and the display. The one or more controllers execute instructions to determine that the vehicle is approaching the destination, and in response to determining that the vehicle is approaching the destination, calculate a target angle that indicates the position of the point light source device to guide the infrared beam to form an infrared point light source on the target location. The one or more controllers receive infrared image data of the target location of the destination captured by one or more infrared cameras, wherein the infrared image data includes the infrared point light source, and instruct the display to display the infrared image data captured by the one or more infrared cameras.

[0006] In one aspect, the navigation system further includes a user input device in electronic communication with the one or more controllers, wherein the user input device receives user input generated by an occupant of the vehicle.

[0007] In another aspect, the user input indicates a destination, and wherein the one or more controllers determine a target location for the destination.

[0008] In yet another aspect, one or more controllers determine an exact location of a target location of a destination based on a description of the destination and image data representing the destination captured by one or more visible light cameras.

[0009] In one aspect, the navigation system further comprises one or more visible light cameras in electronic communication with the one or more controllers, wherein the one or more visible light cameras capture image data representing a target location of the destination, and wherein the one or more controllers determine an exact location of the target location of the destination based on the image data representing the destination captured by the one or more visible light cameras.

[0010] In another aspect, the user input device is one of the following: a touch screen, a keyboard, or an audio receiver for capturing voice commands issued by a vehicle occupant.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the target angle represents an angle measured between the vehicle's direction of travel and a target location of a destination.

[0012] In one aspect, a vehicle heading angle is measured between the vehicle's direction of travel and north, a true bearing is measured between north and a target location, and the target angle represents the difference between the true bearing and the vehicle heading angle.

[0013] In another aspect, the navigation system further includes a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) in electronic communication with the one or more controllers, wherein the GNSS provides position data.

[0014] On the other hand, one or more controllers execute instructions to continuously monitor position data provided by the GNSS to determine the vehicle's current location, compare the vehicle's current location to the destination, and in response to determining whether the vehicle's current location is within a threshold distance from the destination, the one or more controllers determine that the vehicle is approaching the destination.

[0015] In one aspect, the point light source device is one of the following devices: a motorized pivotable infrared point light source, a fixed position matrix point light source including a plurality of infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs), and a laser radar (LiDAR).

[0016] In another aspect, a destination is represented by one of: a street address and location coordinates.

[0017] In yet another aspect, one or more controllers communicate wirelessly with a personal electronic device associated with a vehicle occupant.

[0018] In one aspect, the target location of the destination is displayed on a display of the personal electronic device.

[0019] On the other hand, a method for highlighting a target location of a destination by a vehicle navigation system through an infrared point light source is disclosed. The method includes determining, by one or more controllers, that the vehicle is approaching the destination. The method includes calculating a target angle in response to determining that the vehicle is approaching the destination, the target angle indicating the position of the point light source device to guide the infrared light beam to form an infrared point light source on the target location. The method includes receiving, by one or more controllers, infrared image data of the target location of the destination captured by one or more infrared cameras, wherein the infrared image data includes the infrared point light source. The method includes instructing, by one or more controllers, a display to display the infrared image data captured by one or more infrared cameras.

[0020] On the other hand, a navigation system for a vehicle is disclosed, which highlights a target location as part of a destination. The navigation system includes a point light source device that generates an infrared beam to form an infrared point light source, one or more infrared cameras that capture infrared image data of the target location representing the destination, a display that presents an image on a screen, and one or more controllers that communicate electronically with the point light source device, the infrared camera, and the display. One or more controllers execute instructions to determine that the vehicle is approaching the destination. In response to determining that the vehicle is approaching the destination, one or more controllers calculate a target angle, which indicates the position of the point light source device to guide the infrared beam to form an infrared point light source on the target location, wherein the target angle represents the angle measured between the vehicle's driving direction and the target location of the destination. One or more controllers receive infrared image data of the target location of the destination captured by one or more infrared cameras, wherein the infrared image data includes an infrared point light source. Finally, one or more controllers instruct the display to display the infrared image data captured by one or more infrared cameras.

[0021] In another aspect, the navigation system further includes a user input device in electronic communication with the one or more controllers, wherein the user input device receives user input generated by a vehicle occupant.

[0022] In yet another aspect, the user input indicates a destination, and wherein the one or more controllers determine a target location for the destination.

[0023] In one aspect, one or more controllers determine an exact location of a target location of a destination based on a description of the destination and image data representing the destination captured by one or more visible light cameras.

[0024] On the other hand, the navigation system also includes one or more visible light cameras in electronic communication with the one or more controllers, wherein the one or more visible light cameras capture image data representing a target location of the destination, and wherein the one or more controllers determine the exact location of the target location of the destination based on the image data representing the destination captured by the one or more visible light cameras.

[0025] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0027] Figure 1is a schematic diagram of a vehicle including the disclosed navigation system including one or more controllers in electronic communication with a point light source device, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), an infrared camera, and a display according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] Figure 2A An embodiment of a target location as part of a destination is shown according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein the target location is a cubicle door of an industrial building;

[0029] Figure 2B Another embodiment of a target location as part of a destination according to an exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein the target location is a specific location of an individual standing outside of an event venue;

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a target angle according to an exemplary embodiment, the target angle indicating a position at which a point light source device directs an infrared light beam to form an infrared point light source on a target location;

[0031] Figure 4 A personal electronic device displaying an infrared point light source according to an exemplary embodiment is shown; and

[0032] Figure 5 A flow chart of a method for highlighting a target location of a destination by using an infrared point light source according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 , a schematic diagram of an exemplary navigation system 10 for a vehicle 12 is shown. It should be understood that the vehicle 12 can be any type of vehicle, such as, but not limited to, a car, a truck, a sport utility vehicle, a van, or an RV. The navigation system 10 includes one or more controllers 20 in electronic communication with a point light source device 22, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) 24 for providing location data, an infrared camera 26, a visible light camera 28, a user input device 30, and a display 32. In one embodiment, the one or more controllers 20 of the navigation system 10 and a personal electronic device 34 associated with an occupant of the vehicle 12 are in wireless communication. The personal electronic device 34 represents any type of electronic device that is designed to be portable and carried by an occupant of the vehicle 12, such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. The personal electronic device 34 includes a display 36 for presenting images and graphics to the occupant of the vehicle 12. It should be understood that the visible light camera 28 is optional and can be omitted in an embodiment.

[0035] Point light source device 22 represents a device that generates an infrared beam to produce an infrared point light source 50 that illuminates a surface. Point light source device 22 is any type of device that generates an infrared beam to produce an infrared point light source 50, such as a motorized pivotable infrared point light source, a fixed position matrix point light source including a plurality of infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs) (and a laser radar. Infrared camera 26 captures infrared image data representing the environment around vehicle 12, while visible light camera 28 captures image data representing the environment around vehicle 12. User input device 30 represents any device for receiving user input generated by an occupant of vehicle 12, such as a touch screen, a keyboard, or an audio receiver that captures voice commands spoken by the occupant. Display 32 is any device that presents an image on a screen, such as an LED display.

[0036] The one or more controllers 20 receive input indicating a destination for the vehicle 12. In one embodiment, an occupant of the vehicle 12 enters the destination into the navigation system 10 via a user input device 30, where the destination is represented by a street address or location coordinates, such as Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) or Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates. In another embodiment, the one or more controllers 20 receive the destination via a personal electronic device 34. For example, in one embodiment, the vehicle 12 is a rideshare vehicle that receives the destination via a rideshare application installed on the occupant's smartphone.

[0037] As described below, the navigation system 10 instructs the point light source device 22 to shine the infrared point light source 50 on a target location that is part of the destination. The target location represents the exact location of the destination that the occupant of the vehicle 12 wants to reach. For example, if the occupant is delivering a package to an industrial building, the target location may be a compartment door 60 (e.g., a door 62) of the industrial building 62 for picking up and placing packages. Figure 2A As another example, if the rider is a rideshare driver picking up an individual at a stadium after a baseball game, the destination location is a specific location of the individual 64 located outside of the event venue 66 (e.g., Figure 2B ). In this example, the destination location is communicated to one or more controllers 20 via a ride-sharing application. By way of example only, in another embodiment, the occupants of the vehicle are delivering a package to a residence, and the destination location is a mailbox or doorstep of the residence.

[0038] Infrared camera 26 is positioned to capture infrared image data of a target location representative of the destination, wherein the infrared image data is displayed on display 32 and visible to occupants of vehicle 12. Figure 4 As shown and explained below, in an embodiment, the target location of the destination is also shown on the display 36 of the personal electronic device 34. Figure 1 , 2AAs shown in FIG. 2B , the infrared point light source 50 becomes part of the infrared image data captured by the infrared camera 26. Specifically, as Figure 2A and 2B As shown, the infrared point light source 50 is easily visible to the occupants of the vehicle 12. It should be understood that infrared light is used rather than visible light to highlight the target destination, because visible light may distract or annoy others near the destination. In addition, because infrared light is used, the navigation system 10 can also be used in low visibility conditions, such as night, dusk, smoke, haze and fog, etc.

[0039] Continue to refer Figure 1 , the user input device 30 receives a user input indicating the destination, wherein the destination is received by the one or more controllers 20. In one embodiment, the user input also includes a target location as part of the destination. However, it should be understood that in embodiments, the target location is not included as part of the user input, but instead, the target location is determined by the one or more controllers 20, which will be described below.

[0040] Reference Figure 1 As the vehicle 12 travels toward the destination, the one or more controllers 20 continuously monitor the location data provided by the GNSS 24 to determine the current location of the vehicle 12. In response to determining that the vehicle 12 is within a threshold distance from the current location to the destination, the one or more controllers 20 determine that the vehicle 12 is approaching the destination. The threshold distance indicates that the vehicle 12 is sufficiently close to the destination indicated by the user input to illuminate the infrared point light source 50 on the target location at the destination. In one embodiment, the threshold distance is approximately 100 meters.

[0041] In one embodiment, in response to determining that the vehicle 12 is within a threshold distance from the destination, one or more controllers 20 determine a target location for the destination. Specifically, if the target location is not provided as part of the user input provided by the occupant, the one or more controllers 20 may determine the target location based on a description of the destination and image data captured by one or more visible light cameras 28. One or more visible light cameras 28 are positioned to capture image data representing the target location of the destination. For example, if the destination is a residence, a commercial building, a park, or an event venue, the description of the destination indicates the type of building or area that is the destination. The description of the destination also indicates a task associated with the destination. For example, if the occupant is a delivery driver, the task is to deliver a package. The one or more controllers 20 determine potential target locations based on the description of the destination. For example, if the description of the destination indicates a residence and the task associated with the destination is to deliver a package, potential target locations will include the doorway, mailbox, and front steps of the residence.

[0042] The one or more controllers 20 analyze the image data of the destination based on one or more object recognition algorithms to detect features representing potential target locations of the destination. The one or more controllers 20 then select one or more potential target locations as target locations. In one embodiment, the one or more controllers 20 may instruct the display 32 of the vehicle 12 to display the potential target locations to the occupant, wherein the occupant selects the target location via the user input device 30.

[0043] In embodiments where the target location is known, in response to determining that the vehicle 12 is within a threshold distance from the destination, in one embodiment, the one or more controllers 20 determine the exact location of the target location for the destination. The exact location of the target location for the destination is expressed in coordinate form (e.g., latitude and longitude coordinates) and is determined based on map data and infrared image data representing the environment surrounding the vehicle 12 captured by one or more infrared cameras 26. It should be understood that while the one or more controllers 20 execute one or more object detection algorithms to determine the target location based on the infrared image data, in embodiments, image data captured by one or more visible light cameras 28 may also be used to determine the exact location of the target location to improve accuracy.

[0044] Once the exact location of the target point of the destination is calculated, the one or more controllers 20 calculate the target angle θ, such as Figure 3 The target angle θ indicates the position where the point light source device 22 guides the infrared light beam to form an infrared point light source 50 (such as Figure 2A and Figure 2B ). The target angle θ represents the angle measured between the direction of travel D of the vehicle 12 and the target point T of the destination. Figure 3 As shown, a vehicle heading angle δ is measured between the travel direction D of the vehicle 12 and north N, and a true heading angle β is measured between north and a target location T. The target angle θ represents the difference between the true heading angle β and the vehicle heading angle δ.

[0045] Reference Figure 1-3 , one or more controllers 20 then instruct the point light source device 22 to direct the infrared beam to the target location T (eg, Figure 3 As shown) to generate an infrared point light source 50 (as Figure 2A and 2B As shown). It should be understood that since the infrared point light source 50 is infrared light, the infrared point light source 50 is invisible to humans. One or more infrared cameras 26 capture infrared image data of the target location at the destination. Then, one or more controllers 20 instruct the display 32 to display the infrared image data to the occupants of the vehicle 12. Figure 2A and2B , the occupant can clearly see the target location of the destination on the display 32. However, as described above, individuals in the environment surrounding the vehicle 12 will not be distracted by the light generated by the point light source device 22 because the light beam generating the infrared point light source 50 is in the infrared spectrum.

[0046] Figure 4 is a diagram of a display 36 of a personal electronic device. The target location of the destination is displayed on the display 36 of the personal electronic device 34. Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the occupant may exit the vehicle 12 and walk toward the destination, using the display 36 of the personal electronic device 34 as a guide. In an embodiment, arrows 70 may be used to indicate the direction of the destination to the occupant.

[0047] Figure 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 500 for highlighting a target location of a destination by the navigation system 10 through the infrared point light source 50. Figure 1 and Figure 5 , method 500 may begin at block 502. In block 502, one or more controllers 20 receive input indicating a destination and a description of a target location as part of the destination. As described above, user input is received by user input device 30. Then, method 500 may proceed to decision block 504.

[0048] In decision block 504, the one or more controllers 20 continue to monitor the GNSS 24 to determine the current location of the vehicle 12 until it is determined that the current location of the vehicle 12 is within a threshold distance from the destination. In response to determining that the current location of the vehicle 12 is within the threshold distance from the destination, the one or more controllers 20 determine that the vehicle 12 is approaching the destination, and the method then proceeds to block 506.

[0049] In response to determining that vehicle 12 is approaching the destination, one or more controllers 20 determine the exact location of the target location at the destination in block 506. As described above, the exact location of the target location at the destination is expressed in coordinate form and is determined based on map data and infrared image data representing the surrounding environment of vehicle 12 captured by one or more infrared cameras 26. As described above, image data captured by one or more visible light cameras 28 may also be used. Method 500 may then proceed to block 508.

[0050] In block 508, one or more controllers 20 calculate a target angle θ ( Figure 3 ), where the target angle θ indicates the position where the point light source device 22 guides the infrared light beam to form an infrared point light source 50 (such as Figure 2A and2B Then, the method 500 may proceed to block 510 .

[0051] In block 510, one or more controllers 20 instruct the point light source device 22 to direct the infrared beam to the target location T (eg, Figure 3 As shown) to generate an infrared point light source 50 (as Figure 2A and 2B The method 500 may then proceed to block 512 .

[0052] At block 512 , one or more controllers 20 receive infrared image data of a target location at the destination captured by one or more infrared cameras 26 , wherein the infrared image data includes infrared point light sources 50 . Method 500 may then proceed to block 514 .

[0053] In block 514, one or more controllers 20 instruct display 32 to display the infrared image data to an occupant of vehicle 12. Method 500 may then terminate.

[0054] Generally referring to the accompanying drawings, the disclosed navigation system provides various technical effects and benefits. Specifically, the disclosed navigation system provides a method for guiding a vehicle occupant to a specific target location as part of a destination. The vehicle occupant can easily see the infrared point light source on the display of an infotainment device or on the display of the occupant's personal electronic device (e.g., a smartphone). Therefore, the occupant can clearly and quickly determine the target location of the destination. It should be understood that because the point light source device produces infrared light, the navigation system can significantly improve the occupant's ability to locate the target location in low light conditions.

[0055] A controller may refer to an electronic circuit, a combinatorial logic circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code, or a combination of some or all of them, or a part of the above electronic circuit, combinatorial logic circuit, field programmable gate array (FPGA), such as in a system on a chip. In addition, the controller may be a microprocessor-based controller, such as a computer having at least one processor, memory (RAM and / or ROM), and associated input and output buses. The processor may operate under the control of an operating system residing in the memory. The operating system may manage computer resources so that computer program code embodied as one or more computer software applications (e.g., applications residing in the memory) may have instructions executed by the processor. In an alternative embodiment, the processor may execute the application directly, in which case the operating system may be omitted.

[0056] The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature, and variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. These variations should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A navigation system for a vehicle, which highlights a target location as part of a destination, the navigation system comprising: a point light source device, which generates an infrared light beam to form an infrared point light source; one or more infrared cameras that capture infrared image data of the target location representative of the destination; a display, which presents images on a screen; as well as one or more controllers in electronic communication with the point light source device, the infrared camera, and the display, wherein the one or more controllers execute instructions to: determining that the vehicle is approaching the destination; responsive to determining that the vehicle is approaching the destination, calculating a target angle indicating a position at which the point light source device directs the infrared light beam to form the infrared point light source at the target location; receiving the infrared image data of the target location at the destination captured by the one or more infrared cameras, the infrared image data including the infrared point light source; and The display is instructed to display the infrared image data captured by the one or more infrared cameras.

2. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein: Also included is a user input device in electronic communication with the one or more controllers, wherein the user input device receives user input generated by an occupant of the vehicle.

3. The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein: The user input indicates the destination, and wherein the one or more controllers determine the target location of the destination.

4. The navigation system according to claim 3, wherein: The one or more controllers determine an exact location of the target location of the destination based on the description of the destination and the image data representing the destination captured by the one or more visible light cameras.

5. The navigation system according to claim 4, wherein: Also included are the one or more visible light cameras in electronic communication with the one or more controllers, wherein the one or more visible light cameras capture image data representing the target location of the destination, and wherein the one or more controllers determine the exact location of the target location of the destination based on the image data representing the destination captured by the one or more visible light cameras.

6. The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein: The user input device is one of the following: a touch screen, a keyboard, or an audio receiver that captures voice commands issued by the vehicle occupant.

7. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein: The target angle represents an angle measured between the traveling direction of the vehicle and the target point of the destination.

8. The navigation system according to claim 7, wherein: A vehicle heading angle between the driving direction of the vehicle and the north is measured, and a true azimuth angle between the north and the target location is measured, wherein the target angle represents a difference between the true azimuth angle and the vehicle heading angle.

9. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein: Also included is a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) in electronic communication with the one or more controllers, wherein the GNSS provides location data.

10. The navigation system according to claim 9, wherein: The one or more controllers execute instructions to: continuously monitoring the location data provided by the GNSS to determine the current location of the vehicle; comparing the current location of the vehicle to the destination; as well as In response to determining that the current location of the vehicle is within a threshold distance from the destination, it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the destination.

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