# US 10,118,537 B2 · Image projection apparatus

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- Number: US 10,118,537 B2
- Document ID: US10118537B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/565,231
- Filed: 2016-03-31
- Published: 2018-03-01
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2015-04-10
- Assignees: Maxell, Ltd.
- Applicants: Maxell, Ltd.
- Inventors: Yasuhiko Kunii; Toshinori Sugiyama; Takuya Shimizu
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118537B2

## CPC

- B60Q 1/0023: {the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera}
- B60Q 1/143: {combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers}
- B60Q 1/26: the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
- B60Q 1/38: using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps
- B60Q 1/50: for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
- B60Q 1/503: {using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text}
- G01B 11/30: for measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces
- G01S 17/04: Systems determining the presence of a target
- G03B 17/54: with projector
- G03B 21/00: Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor (devices for changing pictures G03B23/00)
- G03B 21/26: Projecting separately subsidiary matter simultaneously with main image
- G03B 29/00: Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects (combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03)
- G08G 1/09623: {Systems involving the acquisition of information from passive traffic signs by means mounted on the vehicle (G08G1/0967 takes precedence)}
- G08G 1/096716: {where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control}
- G08G 1/096725: {where the received information generates an automatic action on the vehicle control}
- G08G 1/096791: {where the origin of the information is another vehicle}
- G08G 1/163: {involving continuous checking}
- G08G 1/167: {Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection}
- H04N 5/74: Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
- H04N 9/3185: {Geometric adjustment, e.g. keystone or convergence (optical or mechanical adjustment of convergence H04N9/317; using scanning means H04N3/22; optical or mechanical adjustments of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14)}
- H04N 9/3188: {Scale or resolution adjustment (scaling in general G06T3/40; resolution modifying circuits for displays in general G09G5/391)}
- H04N 9/3194: {including sensor feedback}
- B60Q 1/34: for indicating change of drive direction (B60Q1/22 takes precedence)
- B60Q 2300/112: Vehicle speed
- B60Q 2300/122: Steering angle
- B60Q 2300/142: Turn signal actuation
- B60Q 2300/144: Rearward ratio actuation
- B60Q 2300/314: Ambient light
- B60Q 2300/32: Road surface or travel path
- B60Q 2300/47: Direct command from other road users, i.e. the command for switching or changing the beam is sent by other vehicles or road devices
- B60Q 2400/50: Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
- G08G 1/005: including pedestrian guidance indicator
- G08G 1/165: {for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees}
- B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D)
- G08G: TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS (guiding railway traffic, ensuring the safety of railway traffic B61L; arrangement of road signs or traffic signals E01F9/00; radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91, G01S15/88, G01S17/88; {radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for anti-collision purposes G01S13/93, G01S15/93, G01S17/93})
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

An image projection apparatus that can be attached to a vehicle and can be effectively utilized for acquisition of road surface condition information, detection of a hidden vehicle, and the like is provided. The image projection apparatus that projects an image includes: an acquisition unit that acquires information related to a vehicle; an image projection unit that projects an image based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit; and imaging means that acquires an image outside the vehicle, the image projection unit projects light in a wavelength band centered on a wavelength of 1.4 μm, and the imaging means provides the information related to the vehicle by imaging an image projected based on the light in the wavelength band centered on the wavelength of 1.4 μm.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image projection system for projecting an image on a road surface from a vehicle,
comprising:
a controller configured to connect at least one of a sensor or communication circuitry and to input a signal including information related to the vehicle from the at least one of the sensor or the communication circuitry;
an image projection apparatus that comprises:
a light source configured to irradiate light;
a light modulator configured to modulate the light from the light source based on the information related to the vehicle input by the controller and generate an information image; and
a projection optical system configured to project the information image generated by the light modulator on a road surface; and
a camera configured to image an outside of the vehicle,
wherein the light source is further configured to irradiate light including predetermined wavelength light for sensing, the light modulator is further configured to modulate the light including predetermined wavelength light for sensing and generate a sensing image, and projection optical system is further configured to project the sensing image generated by the light modulator on the road surface,
wherein the camera is further configured to image the sensing image on the road surface which is projected by the image projection apparatus, and
wherein the controller is further configured to:
calculate or detect a road surface condition or a presence of another vehicle from the sensing image on the road surface which is imaged by the camera; and
control the image projection apparatus to change the information image based on the detected road surface condition or the presence of another vehicle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image projection apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the predetermined wavelength light for sensing is light of a wavelength of 1.4 μm.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The image projection system according to claim 1,
wherein the light modulator is a transmissive liquid crystal panel, reflective liquid crystal panel, or a digital micromirror device.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The image projection system according to claim 1,
wherein the light source is a high pressure mercury lamp, a xenon lamp, a LED light source, or a laser light source.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The image projection system according to claim 1,
wherein the controller is further configured to control the information image to compensate for the road surface condition.