Projected Light Signals for Autonomous Vehicles

Compact automotive high and low beam projection lighting assembly with improved shape and light dispersion. The assembly uses a collimating lens followed by a micro lens array with a focusing lens, light shielding interlayer, and projection lens in sequence. The micro lens array allows a compact size compared to conventional lenses. The light shielding interlayer on the focal plane of the projection lens reduces dispersion by blocking light rays that diverge too much. This improves the shape and uniformity of the light beam.

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Welcome light for vehicles with dynamic projection capability. The light uses a configuration of LEDs, lenses, film, and projection lenses to project customized light patterns. The LEDs emit light that is condensed by lenses and passes through a grid and patterned film. This light with pattern information is then projected using dedicated lenses. The light pattern is created by splicing the projected beams from each LED. The control module can independently turn on/off the LEDs to dynamically project different patterns.

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A non-tilted dynamic projection system for vehicles that provides large, dynamic projection patterns without tilting the lamp. The system uses multiple non-tilted projection channels with multiple micromirror arrays (MLAs) and lenses to create a composite pattern. This allows projecting a larger image without tilting the lamp, as each channel contributes to the overall projection. The composite pattern is formed by synchronously driving the MLAs in each channel. This enables dynamic projections without the need for lens tilting or multiple MLA units. The system also uses multiple lenses in each channel for aberration correction to improve image quality.

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A lighting device for vehicles that allows flexible positioning of the light source relative to the projection optics. The light source is arranged on one side of the inner focus of the projection optics at a distance from it, instead of directly at the inner focus. Transfer optics between the light source and inner focus image the source to the correct position. This allows moving the light source further away from the inner focus, enabling more compact lighting devices. The transfer optics map the light source to the inner focus location in the projected image.

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Projection module for switchable patterns in projection devices like car headlights. The module has a rotating structure with multiple fixed pattern units. A driving mechanism rotates the structure to select and present different patterns. The patterns are projected by passing light through them using fixed components like condensers and imagers. This allows customizable projection effects by switching between the embedded patterns. The rotating structure with fixed patterns replaces a single fixed pattern component.

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Sequential projection signal lamp for vehicles that can produce smooth sequential lighting images on the road using a two-layer projection lens setup. The lamp has a light source with multiple LEDs, shields, and lenses to collimate and converge the light. The two-layer projection setup allows better collimation and correction than a single-layer lens. The LEDs can be static or changing, and the overlapping projections from adjacent changing LEDs create a smooth sequential image. The lamp projects a clear, collimated road image with higher LED efficiency compared to single-layer lenses.

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Semi-dynamic projection device for automobiles that improves pattern consistency, reduces cost, and increases compactness compared to prior multi-lens designs. The device uses a single collimating lens and patterned film instead of multiple independent lenses. This eliminates lens assembly and alignment issues, reduces size, and allows more compact module design. The film's pattern is projected by collimating the light and controlling the light source. A single lens and collimating optics provide consistent projection without needing multiple independent lenses.

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A compact, inexpensive device for drawing images on road surfaces using light projection. The device has multiple light sources, a mask with corresponding windows, partitions between the light sources, and a common projection lens. Each light source illuminates a window on the mask, which projects the graphic onto the road through the lens. By individually activating the light sources, different graphics can be projected to draw a variety of images on the road.

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A method for projecting high-precision patterns using a matrix light source in automotive headlights. The method involves filtering the light intensity parameters for each pixel in a projected image. The filtering takes into account the contribution of each pixel's light source to neighboring pixels due to crosstalk. This accounts for the matrix light source's non-homogeneous response. The filtered parameters are sent to the lighting unit to control the light sources.

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Dynamic projection turn signal for cars that projects images onto the road to improve visibility and safety. The turn signal has a lens assembly with an image projected onto it using light from a circuit. This projected image is then visible on the road through the lens. The projection can be seen by pedestrians and other drivers to provide additional warning when the car is turning. The projection is enabled by connecting an external power source when the car is started.

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A dynamic and customizable car lighting system that enables projection of dynamic and static patterns onto the road using pixelated LED lights. The system has a main control module to receive lighting commands, an image processor to convert the commands into pixel patterns, and a power supply. The pixelated LED lights can be adjusted individually to display dynamic patterns. The image processor compensates for angle distortion to ensure accurate projection at any headlight angle. The main control module receives commands through the vehicle bus and stores patterns. This allows features like voice commands to trigger specific patterns.

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Automotive light module with integrated projector and scattering screen for dual function lighting and communication. The module contains a micro projector with light source and projection optics. The projection screen element is partially transparent and scatters light. When the module is activated, the projector displays an image on the screen. Viewed from the front, the screen shows the projected image while viewed from the back, the screen appears lit. This allows the module to simultaneously function as a headlight and display device. The projector can project branding or symbols on the scattering screen for visible branding. The scattering screen protects the projector and hides it from view.

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Compact projection device for vehicles that can project images of different brightness onto a surface in a visible manner. The device has a light source, scanner, and control unit. The light source emits a beam along an axis. The scanner scans the beam across the surface. The control unit generates images by varying light properties during a first projection using patterned scanning, then deferred projection with vector scanning or stationary beam. This allows projecting dark/bright images separately.

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System for projecting multiple light beams from a vehicle to improve safety and visibility. It has separate devices for generating a functional light beam like a headlight and another device for projecting patterns on the ground. The pattern projector uses a dioptric optical element to shape the light and create patterns like grids or lines on the ground near the vehicle. This allows distinct functional lighting and dynamic ground projections for improved safety and communication.

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A projection system for vehicles that allows simultaneous projection of multiple images without needing multiple projection devices. The system uses a deflection module with multiple reflecting mirrors to steer the projection beam to different positions. This allows multiple images to be projected simultaneously from a single DLP-PGU projection system, reducing size, weight, cost, and power consumption compared to using multiple separate projectors. The deflection module can be designed based on application needs to steer the projection beam to different positions.

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A projection system for vehicles that allows more complex and customizable light patterns compared to a single lamp. The system uses multiple projection lamps, each projecting a sub-pattern. The sub-patterns are combined to form a larger pattern. This allows more complex and dynamic patterns with adjacent borders compared to a single lamp. The lamps can have separate optical units and light sources, and can be connected in parallel or series. A controller changes parameters like content, size, brightness, and position for the dynamic lamps based on user input.

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Projection lamp for vehicles with dynamic patterns that has a simple structure, high light utilization, small size, and low cost compared to DLP-based systems. The lamp uses multiple light sources, lens guides, and a film to project dynamic patterns. The light sources project through corresponding lens guides onto the film at the focal plane of a projection assembly. The film carries sub-patterns that are spliced together by the projection assembly to create dynamic patterns when the lights are sequentially turned on. This allows dynamic patterns to be shown by individually controlling the lights.

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Vehicle projection system that projects sequential images onto the road to indicate vehicle direction. The system has multiple light sources that project individual images in a specific order. The images are started simultaneously, peak simultaneously, and end simultaneously after a predetermined period. This synchronized timing creates a visual effect of flowing images. The images are projected using a lens system with separate light shielding areas for each light source. The controller coordinates the light sources and images timing.

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Vehicle lamp with sequentially lit light emitters that can both illuminate the road and project road outlines. The lamp has a light source and lens assembly. The lens has a projection section to emit a drawing pattern towards the road surface, and a surrounding section to emit normal light. Multiple lamps are arranged across the width of the vehicle. They are sequentially turned on to create a flowing light effect while projecting alternating drawing patterns at different distances to simulate road edges.

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Dynamic projection system for vehicles with uniform illumination and large projection range. The system uses multiple groups of individually controllable light sources, light guide modules, and an image generating element. The light guide modules transmit light from the sources to project images. This allows dynamic projection effects like flickering, brightness gradients, and sequential turning on/off. The light guide shapes match the image areas. It enables uniform illumination and large projection range compared to microlens or lens-based systems.

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