AUTONOMOUS DELIVERY VEHICLE WITH EXTERNAL SCANNING SYSTEM

Abstract

Vehicle, including: a storage compartment configured to hold a package for delivery; a side mirror arrangement comprising an image-forming device and a puddle light designed to illuminate an area within a field of view of the image-forming device; and a controller programmed to do the following: Receiving data that represents a code associated with the delivery, to power the puddle light to illuminate the area and display information to an intended receiver, including a scan area indicator and an indication that a scan was successful, and / or to illuminate the area in response to the vehicle arriving at a delivery location, and to unlock the storage compartment in response to the image generation device recognizing the image encoding data matching the code.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates to autonomous vehicles configured to deliver packages without a human driver. The vehicle includes systems for securing the packages from unauthorized persons and providing access to the packages for intended recipients. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] The delivery of goods, such as packages, groceries, and the like, to homes and businesses is now commonplace. Typically, a person manually drives a vehicle to the recipient's home or business and hands the goods over to a receiving location, such as the front door. The advent of autonomous vehicles is leading to the possibility of autonomous delivery vehicles that do not require a human driver. Autonomous delivery vehicles without a human driver may require systems that allow recipients to access their deliveries while protecting them from theft.

[0003] DE 10 2014 004 673 A1 describes a vehicle comprising: a storage compartment configured to receive a package for delivery; an imaging device on the vehicle body; and a controller programmed to receive data representing a code associated with the delivery and unlock the storage compartment in response to the imaging device detecting the image coding data matching the code. The imaging device may be a camera of the motor vehicle, for example, a rearview camera.DE 10 2014 004 673 A1 further describes a vehicle comprising: a body including a storage compartment for receiving a package; a scanning assembly connected to the body and including an imaging device configured to read a barcode displayed by a remote device; and a controller programmed to receive an access code for the storage compartment from a remote server, and unlock the storage compartment in response to the imaging device detecting a barcode displayed by the remote device that matches the access code.

[0004] DE 10 2016 202 039 A1 shows a puddle light in combination with an image forming device provided in a side mirror assembly, wherein the puddle light illuminates an area in a field of view of the image forming device.

[0005] Further relevant prior art can be found in US 10 420 189 B2 and DE 10 2014 011 806 A1. SUMMARY

[0006] The invention provides vehicles according to claims 1, 12 and 17. Advantageous developments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

[0007] Accordingly, a vehicle includes a storage compartment configured to receive a package for delivery and a side mirror assembly. The side mirror assembly includes an imaging device and a puddle light configured to illuminate an area within a field of view of the imaging device. A vehicle controller is programmed to receive data representing a code associated with the delivery, energize the puddle light to illuminate the area, and unlock the storage compartment in response to the imaging device capturing image coding data matching the code.

[0008] According to another embodiment, a vehicle includes a body with a storage compartment configured to receive an object for delivery. The storage compartment has an electronically controlled lock. A vehicle scanning assembly is disposed on an exterior surface of the body and includes an imaging device configured to read image coding data and a light source configured to illuminate an area within a field of view of the imaging device.A controller is programmed to receive data representing a code associated with the delivery, energize the light source to display a message related to the delivery in response to a remote device of an intended recipient of the delivery being within a threshold distance of the vehicle, and unlock the lock in response to the imaging device detecting image coding data displayed by the remote device that matches the code, allowing the intended recipient to access the object in the storage compartment.

[0009] According to yet another embodiment, a vehicle includes a body having a storage compartment for receiving a package and a scanning assembly connected to the body and including an imaging device configured to read a barcode displayed by a remote device. A controller is programmed to receive an access code for the storage compartment from a remote server and to unlock the storage compartment in response to the imaging device detecting a barcode displayed by the remote device that matches the access code. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example autonomous delivery vehicle. Fig. Figure 2 shows an example vehicle computing system and a remote network. Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a side mirror assembly of a vehicle. Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic view of a puddle lamp and an image generated by the puddle lamp. Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic view of a scanner assembly and a door panel with photoluminescent materials. Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic view of another scanner assembly and a door panel with photoluminescent materials. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a scanner assembly. Fig. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm for operating aspects of the autonomous delivery vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Where appropriate, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or reduced to show details of particular components. Accordingly, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0011] With reference to Fig. 1 includes a vehicle 20, such as an autonomous delivery vehicle, a body structure 22 having a front end 24 and a rear end 26. One or more actuators, e.g., an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, or both, may be disposed in an engine compartment generally located at the front end 24. A storage system 28 may be disposed near the rear end 26 and includes a plurality of storage compartments 30 for receiving items for delivery, such as packages, groceries, and the like.

[0012] Each storage compartment 30 may include a cavity for receiving one or more objects and a lockable door 32 that selectively opens and closes the cavity to secure the object(s) therein. The door 32 may be secured by a lock 34 to prevent unauthorized users from accessing objects within the cavity. The lock 34 is electronically controllable and can be unlocked by the vehicle. For example, the lock 34 may include an electromagnet that actuates the lock to the unlocked position in response to an electrical signal from a controller of the vehicle. The door 32 may be configured to automatically open in response to the lock 34 being unlocked, or the door 32 may include a latch (not shown) that secures the door in the closed position until a person manually opens the door 34.

[0013] The vehicle 20 may include artificial intelligence capable of driving the vehicle autonomously on public roads. The vehicle 20 may include sensors, radar, lidar, and cameras that allow the vehicle to view the area around the vehicle to navigate autonomously. The vehicle 20 may further include a GPS module for receiving road data, map data, and directions, including delivery routes. The vehicle 20 is capable of using these systems to drive the vehicle 20 autonomously to various destinations, allowing goods to be delivered to homes or businesses without the use of a human driver.

[0014] Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary block structure for a vehicle-based computing system (VCS) 40 for the vehicle 20. The VCS 40 may include one or more controllers, such as controller 42, that controls at least a portion of the operation of the vehicle-based computing system. The controller 42 provided in the vehicle enables the processing of instructions and operations within the vehicle. The controller 42 includes a processor 44 connected to both non-persistent memory 46 and persistent memory 48. In this exemplary embodiment, the non-persistent memory is random access memory (RAM), and the persistent memory is a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory.Computer-readable storage devices or media may be implemented using any of a variety of known storage devices, such as PROM (programmable read-only memory), EPROM (electronic PROM), EEPROM (electronic erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electronic, magnetic, optical, or combination storage devices capable of storing data, some of which may be executable instructions used by the controller to control the vehicle. It should therefore be understood that the controller 42 and one or more other controllers may be collectively referred to as a "controller" that controls various devices in response to signals from various sensors to control functions of the vehicle. Any reference in the claims to "a controller" refers to one or more controllers.Although not shown, numerous vehicle components and auxiliary components that communicate with the VCS may utilize a vehicle network (such as a CAN bus) to transfer data to and from the VCS (or components thereof). The controller 42 communicates with various sensors and actuators via an input / output (I / O) interface, which may be implemented as a single integrated interface that provides various raw data or signal conditioning, processing, and / or conversion, short circuit protection, and the like. Alternatively, one or more dedicated hardware or firmware chips may be used to condition and process certain signals before they are provided to the processor.

[0015] Control logic or functions performed by controller 42 may be illustrated in one or more figures by flowcharts or similar diagrams. These figures provide representative control strategies and / or representative control logic that may be implemented using one or more processing strategies, such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multi-tasking, multi-threading, and the like. Thus, various illustrated steps or functions may be performed in the illustrated order, in parallel, or in some cases omitted. Although not always explicitly illustrated, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more of the illustrated steps or functions may be performed repeatedly, depending on the particular processing strategy employed.Likewise, the processing order is not necessarily required to achieve the features and advantages described herein, but is instead intended to facilitate illustration and description. The control logic may be implemented primarily in software executed by a microprocessor-based vehicle controller, such as controller 42. Of course, depending on the particular application, the control logic may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware in one or more controllers. If implemented in software, the control logic may be provided in one or more computer-readable storage devices or media having stored thereon data representing code or instructions executed by a computer to control the vehicle or its subsystems.

[0016] The vehicle 20 is configured to communicate with a network 50, which enables the vehicle 20 to send and receive data to and from one or more remote servers 52. For example, the vehicle may include an onboard modem 54 with an antenna 56 to communicate data between the processor 44 and the network 50. In some embodiments, the modem 54 may establish communication with a cellular tower 58 for communicating with the network 50. As a non-limiting example, the modem 54 may be a USB cellular modem, and the communication may be a cellular communication. In some embodiments, the tower 58 may be a Wi-Fi access point. The processor 44 may be connected to a vehicle-based wireless router 60, for example, using a Wi-Fi transceiver 62.This allows the processor 44 to connect to remote networks within the range of the local router 60.

[0017] A remote device 64 (such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a PDA, or the like) may be used to communicate with the network 50 via a cellular network including a tower 58 or via a WiFi connection. Using the network 50, the remote device 64 may communicate with one or more remote servers 52. This allows data to be communicated between the remote device 64 and the remote servers 52. For example, the remote device 64 may download / upload information from / to the remote server 52 associated with a delivery. This is described in more detail below.

[0018] The vehicle 20 may include multiple Bluetooth low energy (BLE) devices 66. BLE is a wireless technology designed to provide communication of data between devices such as the vehicle 20 and the remote device 64. Compared to Bluetooth, BLE provides communication of smaller amounts of data with reduced power consumption. The vehicle may communicate with the remote device 20 via the BLE devices 66, the radio module 60, and / or the modem 54. The controller 42 may be configured to determine a strength of a wireless signal between the BLE devices 66 and the remote device 64 and calculate a distance between the BLE devices 66 and the remote device 64. For example, the controller 42 may determine the location of the remote device 64 relative to the vehicle 20 using trilateration based on the signal strength.Approximation and triangulation techniques could also be used to determine the location of the remote device 64 relative to the vehicle 20.

[0019] The controller 42 is in electronic communication with the storage system 28 so that one or more of the locks 34 can be automatically unlocked by the controller 42 when an intended recipient of the delivery provides the vehicle with sufficient information to verify their identity. Sufficient information may be an access code. The access code may be provided to the user in the form of a machine-readable barcode, such as a 1-D barcode (UPC) or a 2-D barcode (QR code). For example, the remote device 64 may receive a barcode from a remote server 52 associated with the delivery via a text message. The barcode is a graphical representation of an access code used to open one or more of the storage compartments 30 on the delivery vehicle 20.The vehicle 20 may include a scanner system 70 configured to read barcodes from the remote device 64 or a conventional medium such as paper or cardboard. The scanner system 70 is in electronic communication with the processor 44. The controller 42 contains machine-readable instructions stored in memory 46, 48 for decoding the barcode and comparing the decoded barcode with a database of access codes corresponding to the storage compartments 30. The database of access codes may be stored locally within the vehicle or stored at a remote location accessible by the vehicle via the network 50.If the controller 42 detects that the scanned barcode matches the access code of one or more of the storage compartments 30, the controller 42 unlocks one or more of the storage compartments 30, allowing the intended recipient to remove their package from the vehicle 20.

[0020] With reference to Fig. 3, in one embodiment, the scanner assembly 70 is disposed within a side mirror assembly 72 of the vehicle 20. The vehicle 20 may include a single scanner assembly 70 disposed in one of the side mirrors, or may include a scanner assembly in both side mirrors, allowing the user to approach the delivery vehicle 20 from either side. The side mirror assembly 72 includes a housing 74 that may be mounted on a door 76 of the vehicle. The housing 74 includes a floor portion 78 and a mirror 80.

[0021] The scanner assembly 70 may include a light source and an imaging device configured to read barcodes. In one embodiment, the light source is a puddle light 82. The puddle light 82 may be provided at the bottom portion 78 near an outer end of the housing 74. The puddle light 82 is directed to illuminate the area below the side mirror assembly 72, including the door panel 86. The imaging device may be a camera 84 disposed at the bottom portion 78 of the housing 74. The camera 84 may include electronic components disposed within the housing 74 and a lens 88 located outside the housing 74. The camera 84 may be directed to have a field of view generally below the mirror assembly 72 that is within an area illuminated by the puddle light 82 when the light is on.The camera 84 can serve a dual purpose, serving not only as a barcode scanner but also to capture video or images for the vehicle's vision system. Alternatively, the imaging device can be a dedicated scanner for reading barcodes.

[0022] The puddle light 82 can be used to communicate information to the intended recipient once the vehicle 20 arrives at the delivery location. In one embodiment, the puddle light 82 simply emits white light to notify the intended recipient that the vehicle 20 is the delivery vehicle and to illuminate the area under the camera 84. In other embodiments, the puddle light 82 can be configured to illuminate the area in different colors or to generate text messages to communicate delivery-associated instructions to the intended recipient. The colors can include a red light to indicate the scan area and a green light to indicate that the scan was successful. Text messages can include messages such as "SCAN HERE" to indicate the scan location to the intended recipient and "SCAN SUCCESS" to indicate that the scan was accepted.The light / text can be projected onto the ground or a vehicle body panel, such as panel 86. These are merely illustrative examples, and this application is not limited to specific text messages or color combinations.

[0023] With reference to Fig. 4, in one embodiment, the puddle lamp 82 includes a plurality of light projectors 90, such as the three illustrated light projectors 90A-90C. The light projectors 90 may be arranged in a linear array and oriented to illuminate the same general area below the side mirror assembly 72. Each of the light projectors 90 includes a housing 92, a light source 94, and an image filter 96. The light source 94 may be light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The light projectors 90 are configured to display different images. This may be achieved through the use of different image filters. The image filter 96a of the light projector 90a is configured to display a text message providing instructions to the intended recipient. This may include where to scan the remote device, such as the displayed message 100 "SCAN HERE."The image filter 96b of the light projector 90b is configured to display a text message informing the intended recipient that the barcode has been accepted, such as a "SCAN ACCEPTED" message. The image filter 96c of the light projector 90c is blank to simply transmit the light generated by the light source 94c. The light projector 90c can be used in conjunction with or unconjunction with scanning operations when the puddle lamp 82 is operating.

[0024] A circuit board 98 can control the operation of each of the light projectors 90. The circuit board 98 can communicate with the controller 42 via the VCS 40. The circuit board 98 is programmed to illuminate one of the light projectors 90 at a time to illuminate the desired area. As the intended recipient approaches the vehicle to scan the remote device, the circuit board 98 can energize the light projector 90a to illuminate the SCAN HERE image pattern 100 on the floor or on an exterior part of the vehicle, such as the door 76. The circuit board 98 can energize other light projectors to illuminate different images or no images in other situations.

[0025] In another embodiment, the puddle light 82 may be configured to emit different wavelengths of light to illuminate the area below the side mirror assembly 72 in different colors. This may be accomplished by providing multiple light projectors with different filters for transmitting different wavelengths of light, or by configuring the light sources themselves to emit light at different wavelengths; for example, different LEDs could be used in the light projectors.

[0026] The scanner assembly 70 may cooperate with photoluminescent structures disposed on the vehicle to generate visual indicators associated with the delivery. For example, the photoluminescent structures may be configured to display different colors and / or text messages for the intended recipient. The photoluminescent structures may be disposed on a body panel of the vehicle, such as an exterior door panel. The photoluminescent structures may be embedded in the paint of the exterior panel or affixed to a sticker or decal attached to the exterior panel by a non-removable connection, such as an adhesive, or by a removable connection, such as a magnet.

[0027] The photoluminescent structures may include a substrate, e.g., the vehicle body, an energy conversion layer disposed over the substrate, a stability layer disposed over the energy conversion layer, and an outer protective layer. Some of these layers are optional. The energy conversion layer may include one or more photoluminescent materials exhibiting energy conversion properties with phosphorescent or fluorescent characteristics. The photoluminescent materials may be excited upon receiving incoming light of a specific wavelength, causing the light to undergo a conversion process. Following the principle of down-conversion, the incoming light is converted into a longer-wavelength radiated light, which is emitted by the photoluminescent structure.Conversely, according to the principle of down-conversion, the incoming light is converted into a shorter-wavelength emitted light, which is emitted by the photoluminescent structure. When multiple different wavelengths of light are emitted simultaneously from the photoluminescent structure, the wavelengths of light can mix to produce multicolored light. The light emitted by the light source, such as the puddle lamp 82, is called the incoming light, and the light emitted by the photoluminescent structure is called the outgoing light.

[0028] The photoluminescent materials may include organic or inorganic fluorescent dyes, e.g., rylenes, xanthenes, porphyrins, and phthalocyanines, and / or phosphors. These different photoluminescent materials respond to different wavelengths of incoming light to produce different colors of emitted light. For example, green light can be generated by projecting blue light onto XXXXX, and red light can be generated by projecting ultraviolet light onto a phosphor such as Y2O2S:Eu.

[0029] The photoluminescent materials can be evenly scattered within an area to produce a generally uniform luminescence in that area. For example, two different photoluminescent materials can be evenly distributed on the door panel beneath the side mirror assembly, allowing that area to be illuminated as a first color, e.g., red, before the scan is accepted, and a second color, e.g., green, in response to the scan being accepted. Alternatively, the photoluminescent materials can be arranged to form a text message, such as SCAN HERE or SCAN ACCEPTED.

[0030] With reference to Fig. 5, the vehicle 20 may include a door panel 102 with a first photoluminescent material 104 and a second photoluminescent material 106 embedded in the paint 108. The first photoluminescent material 104 is configured to luminesce red light in response to the puddle light 82 projecting a first wavelength of light onto the door panel 102. The second photoluminescent material 106 is configured to luminesce green visible light in response to the puddle lamp 82 projecting a second wavelength of light onto the door panel 102. The first and second photoluminescent materials 104 and 106 are distributed in a region 110 of the door panel 102, causing that region of the panel 102 to luminesce when the photoluminescent material is energized.The controller 42 is programmed to selectively command the puddle lamp 82 to project the first and second wavelengths of light onto the door panel 102 to produce visible indicators, e.g., different light colors, for the intended recipient, such as where to scan and whether the scan was successful. Alternatively, the first and second photoluminescent materials 104 and 106 may be disposed on a decal affixed to the door rather than being embedded in the paint.

[0031] With reference to Fig. 6, the vehicle 20 may include a door panel 112 with a first photoluminescent material 114 arranged to generate a first text message, e.g., SCAN HERE, and a second photoluminescent material 116 arranged to generate a second text message, e.g., SCAN ACCEPTED. These two text messages may be arranged side by side or may be superimposed. The photoluminescent materials 114 and 116 may be embedded in the paint 118 of the door panel 112 or may be arranged on a decal. Alternatively, the area surrounding the letters may include the photoluminescent material to generate the text message, rather than the letters being the photoluminescent material. The concepts of Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 can be combined to form another embodiment that includes both different color indicators and text messages.

[0032] With reference to Fig. 7, in some embodiments, the vehicle 20 may be operated only autonomously, i.e., the vehicle does not include controls to enable manual operation of the vehicle. In this type of vehicle, side mirrors are not included because they are not required for computer-controlled driving. In a fully autonomous vehicle without manual operation, the side mirrors may be replaced with cameras. In one embodiment, the vehicle 20 includes a camera assembly 120 disposed on an exterior surface of the vehicle body, such as at a location where side mirrors are typically placed. The camera assembly 20 may include a housing 122 supporting the camera 124 and a light source 126. The camera 124 may be a fisheye camera with a large viewing window. The camera 124 and the light source 126 may be disposed at a bottom portion 128 of the camera assembly 120.The light source 126 may be directed to illuminate an area within a field of view of the camera 124. In addition to forming a portion of the vision system, the camera 124 may be configured to read barcodes, allowing the camera 124 to be used as a scanner for verification authorization during deliveries. The side mirror assembly 72 described above may replace the camera assembly 120 in any of the embodiments described above.

[0033] The vehicle 20 can be used to deliver many different types of goods, such as packages, groceries, and the like. The vehicle 20 can be operated directly by the manufacturer of the goods, e.g., a pizza delivery service, or by a third party, e.g., a courier. These operators may be referred to as a "company." The company may provide a mobile application that can be downloaded to a remote device. Using the mobile application, a person can place an order for delivery and specify the delivery address. The mobile application can determine the nearest main transit point and send the order there. Once the order is completed, the order is loaded into one or more storage compartments 30 of the autonomous delivery vehicle 20.This delivery may be provided with an access code that allows access to the storage compartments containing the delivery. The lock 34 of the storage compartments 30 can be opened electronically if the correct access code is provided to the vehicle.

[0034] Once an access code has been assigned to the delivery, the mobile application can provide a barcode to the remote device, allowing the intended recipient to unlock the storage compartment(s) and retrieve their delivery. The barcode can also be sent to the remote device via text message. The mobile application can be configured to notify the intended recipient when the vehicle arrives and can provide an estimated time of arrival. In one embodiment, the mobile application can include a dynamically updated map showing the current location of the delivery vehicle and the estimated time of arrival. Once the vehicle arrives, the intended recipient can retrieve their package by presenting the barcode to the scanning system located on the exterior of the vehicle to unlock the storage compartment(s).The person can then remove the package from the unlocked storage compartment.

[0035] With reference to Fig.Figure 8 illustrates a flowchart 150 of a process for delivering packages using an autonomous vehicle, according to one embodiment. Prior to the vehicle's departure, the vehicle's storage compartments are loaded with packages for delivery. Each of these packages may be associated with an access code assigned to that storage compartment for that delivery and that recipient. The addresses for each recipient of that delivery cycle are compiled, and a pre-planned route may be generated. In step 152, the vehicle controller receives the route data, which may be used by the navigation module in conjunction with another system of the vehicle to autonomously drive the vehicle to the various stops. In step 154, the vehicle controller receives the access codes for unlocking the storage requests.Once the route is en route, the controller periodically determines whether the vehicle has arrived at one of the delivery locations, as shown by step 156.

[0036] Once the vehicle arrives at a delivery location, control continues to step 158 and determines whether the remote device associated with that delivery is within a threshold distance from the vehicle. The threshold distance may be 5 to 50 feet from the vehicle. The proximity of the person to the vehicle may be determined by monitoring a wireless signal between the person's remote device and one or more devices of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle may include a plurality of BLE devices wirelessly connected to the remote device. Triangulation or trilateration using these signal strengths may be used to determine the location of the remote device relative to the vehicle.

[0037] The controller may be programmed to power the scanner system's light source in response to the intended recipient being near the vehicle, as shown in step 160. As discussed above, the light source may simply illuminate an area with white light, or the vehicle may be configured to communicate a message associated with the delivery in step 160. The message may be visible colors, text, audio, or combinations thereof.

[0038] Once the light source is energized at step 160, the vehicle waits for a correct barcode. The camera is configured to detect when a remote device is within a field of view of the imaging device and, in response to one being present, scans the barcode displayed on the remote device's screen at step 162. The image captured by the imaging device is sent to the controller, which decodes the barcode and determines if the scanned barcode matches the previously received access code for the storage compartments for this shipment. If so, the controller commands the locks on those storage compartments to open at step 166, allowing the intended recipient to retrieve the packages from those storage compartments. Once the objects have been removed by the intended recipient, the vehicle proceeds to the next stop at step 168.

[0039] If the scanned barcode does not match any of the stored codes, control proceeds to step 170 and determines if the scanning time has expired. If so, control proceeds to step 172, and this delivery is aborted. Scanning may be timed out if a predetermined time has expired or if a predefined number of possible scans is exceeded. If the scanning period has not expired in step 170, control returns to step 162, and the imaging device rescans the barcode on the remote device. If this scan is successful, control proceeds to step 166, and the storage compartment(s) are unlocked.

[0040] Although exemplary embodiments are described above, these embodiments are not intended to describe all possible forms of the invention. The terms used in the description are terms of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

Claims

[1] Vehicle comprising: a storage compartment configured to receive a package for delivery; a side mirror assembly including an imaging device and a puddle light configured to illuminate an area within a field of view of the imaging device; and a controller programmed to: to receive data representing a code associated with the delivery, to energize the puddle light to illuminate the area and display information to an intended recipient, including a scan area indication and an indication that a scan was successful, and / or to illuminate the area in response to the vehicle arriving at a delivery location, and to unlock the storage compartment in response to the imaging device detecting the image coding data matching the code. [2] The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller is further programmed to continue energizing the puddle light in response to the intended recipient of the delivery being within a threshold distance of the vehicle. [3] The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the puddle light includes a light source and an image filter located in front of the light source configured to generate a text message associated with the delivery. [4] The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the text message includes at least one of the words SCAN and HERE. [5] The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the puddle light is configured to emit at least two different colors of visible light, and the controller is further programmed to (i) energize the puddle light to illuminate the area in a first of the colors in response to the intended recipient of the delivery being within a threshold distance of the vehicle, and (ii) energize the puddle light to illuminate the area in a second of the colors in response to the imager detecting a barcode matching the code. [6] The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a body including the side mirror assembly, the storage compartment, and a door panel, the door panel supporting a photoluminescent structure configured to emit luminescence in response to excitation by the puddle light. [7] The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the luminescence includes a text message. [8] The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the photoluminescent structure includes a first photoluminescent material configured to emit a first luminescence and a second photoluminescent material configured to emit a second luminescence distinguishable by the human eye from the first luminescence, and the controller is further programmed to (i) command the puddle light to emit a first wavelength of light to generate the first luminescence from the photoluminescent structure in response to the intended recipient of the delivery being within a threshold distance from the vehicle, and (ii) command the puddle light to emit a second wavelength of light to generate the second luminescence from the photoluminescent structure in response to the imaging device capturing the image containing data consistent with the code. [9] The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the first luminescence is a first color of visible light and the second luminescence is a second color of visible light. [10] The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the first luminescence includes a first text message and the second luminescence includes a second text message. [11] The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle further includes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices configured to communicate with a remote device of the intended recipient, and wherein the controller is further programmed to energize the puddle light in response to the remote device being detected within a threshold distance of the vehicle based on a signal strength between the remote device and at least one of the BLE devices. [12] Vehicle comprising: a body having a storage compartment configured to receive an object for delivery and having an electronically controlled lock; a scanning arrangement arranged on an outer surface of the body and including an image generating device configured to read image coding data, and a light source configured to illuminate an area in a field of view of the imaging device; and a controller programmed to: to receive data representing a code associated with the delivery, energize the light source to display a message relating to the delivery in response to a remote device of an intended recipient of the delivery being within a threshold distance of the vehicle, and to unlock the lock in response to the imaging device detecting the image coding data displayed by the remote device that matches the code, allowing the intended recipient to access the object in the storage compartment. [13] The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising a side mirror assembly carried by the body, the scanning assembly being disposed in the side mirror assembly. [14] The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the light source is a puddle light and the imaging device is a camera. [15] The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the message includes text providing an instruction associated with the delivery. [16] The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising a paint-embedded photoluminescent material applied to a region of the body that is illuminated by the light source when energized, and wherein the message is displayed by luminescence from the photoluminescent material in response to the light source emitting light at a frequency that excites the photoluminescent material. [17] Vehicle comprising: a body including a storage compartment for receiving a package; a scanning assembly connected to the body and including an imaging device configured to read a barcode displayed by a remote device; and a controller programmed to: to receive an access code for the storage compartment from a remote server, and unlock the storage compartment in response to the imaging device detecting a barcode displayed by the remote device that matches the access code, wherein the scanning assembly further includes a light source, and wherein the controller is further programmed, in response to the remote device being within a threshold distance from the vehicle, to energize the light source to illuminate an area in a field of view of the imaging device. [18] The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the scanning assembly further includes an image filter located in front of the light source and configured to generate a text message providing instructions associated with retrieving the package delivery. [19] The vehicle of claim 17, further comprising a side mirror assembly carried by the body, the scanning assembly being disposed in the side mirror assembly.

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