# US 11,999,301 B2 · Method for aiding the manoeuvring of an automotive vehicle and automotive lighting device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,999,301 B2 - Document ID: US11999301B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/787,265 - Filed: 2020-12-21 - Published: 2023-02-16 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-20 - Assignees: Valeo Vision - Applicants: Valeo Vision - Inventors: Stefan Namyslo; Eric Martin Claude Moisy; Marine Courcier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999301B2 ## CPC - B60R 1/27: providing all-round vision, e.g. using omnidirectional cameras - B60Q 1/249: {for illuminating the field of view of a sensor or camera} - B60Q 9/00: Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 {, e.g. haptic signalling} - B60R 1/22: for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle - H04N 7/185: {from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control} - H04N 23/53: of electronic viewfinders, e.g. rotatable or detachable - H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A method for aiding the maneuvering of an automotive vehicle. The method includes the steps of projecting a light pattern towards a projection zone of the ground surface, acquiring an image of the automotive vehicle and the light pattern from an image sensor and providing the acquired image to a user of the automotive vehicle. The projection zone includes at least one of a first virtual rectangle, a second virtual rectangle and/or a third virtual rectangle, defined with respect to a rear point of the carbody, a front point of the carbody and the contact points between the wheels and the ground surface. The invention also provides an automotive lighting device for performing the steps of such a method. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Method for aiding the maneuvering of an automotive vehicle which comprises a plurality of front wheels and rear wheels in contact with a ground surface, a carbody with a body pillar and an advance direction, the method comprising the steps of: projecting at least a portion of a light pattern towards a projection zone of the ground surface; acquiring an image of the automotive vehicle and the light pattern from an image sensor; and providing the acquired image to a user of the automotive vehicle; wherein the projection zone comprises at least one of a first virtual rectangle, a second virtual rectangle and/or a third virtual rectangle, all of them being located in a projection plane defined by contact points between the wheels and the ground surface, wherein the first virtual rectangle comprises: a first side perpendicular to the advance direction, located at a distance lower than 10 cm to the rear point of the projection of the carbody on the ground surface, the rear point being defined according to the advance direction; a second side parallel to the first side, located at least 50 cm behind the first side; a third side perpendicular to the first and second sides, the prolongation of which cuts a contact point of one rear wheel; and a fourth side parallel to the third side, the prolongation of which cuts a contact point of the other rear wheel; wherein the second virtual rectangle comprising: a first side perpendicular to the advance direction, located at a distance lower than 10 cm in front of the front point of the projection of the carbody on the ground surface, the front point being defined according to the advance direction; a second side parallel to the first side, located at least 50 cm in front of the first side; a third side perpendicular to the first and second sides, the prolongation of which cuts a contact point of one front wheel; and a fourth side parallel to the third side, the prolongation of which cuts a contact point of the other front wheel; and wherein the third virtual rectangle comprising: a first side tangent to the projection of the body pillar on the ground surface; a second side parallel to the first side, located 100 cm beside the first side; a third side perpendicular to the first and second sides, the prolongation of which is in contact with the rear point of the projection of the carbody on the ground surface; and a fourth side parallel to the third side, the prolongation of which is in contact with the front point of the projection of the carbody on the ground surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: the first side of the first virtual rectangle is in contact with the rear point of the projection of the carbody on the ground surface; and the second side of the first virtual rectangle is located at least 200 cm behind the first side. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the projection zone comprises more than one of the first virtual rectangle, the second virtual rectangle and/or the third virtual rectangle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the light pattern comprises visible light. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the light pattern comprises infrared or near infrared light. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of detecting the deformation of the light pattern to identify an obstacle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the projection zone comprises more than one of the first virtual rectangle, the second virtual rectangle and/or the third virtual rectangle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the light pattern comprises visible light. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the light pattern comprises visible light. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the light pattern comprises infrared or near infrared light. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of detecting the deformation of the light pattern to identify an obstacle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of modifying the shape and/or colour and/or blinking pattern of the provided image depending on the distance between the light pattern and the obstacle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the step of providing the acquired image to a user of the automotive vehicle comprises modifying the shape and/or colour and/or blinking pattern of the provided image depending on the distance between the light pattern and the obstacle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of triggering driving assistance signals, such as sounds or visual warnings in the automotive vehicle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of triggering driving assistance signals, such as sounds or visual warnings in the automotive vehicle. ### Claim 16 Lighting device for helping in maneuvering of an automotive vehicle which comprises a plurality of front wheels and rear wheels in contact with a ground surface, a carbody with a body pillar and an advance direction, the device comprising: at least an image sensor configured to provide an image of the automotive vehicle; and at least a solid-state light source providing a light pattern according to a method comprising the steps of: projecting at least a portion of a light pattern towards a projection zone of the ground surface; acquiring an image of the automotive vehicle and the light pattern from an image sensor; and providing the acquired image to a user of the automotive vehicle; wherein the projection zone comprises at least one of a first virtual rectangle, a second virtual rectangle and/or a third virtual rectangle, all of them being located in a projection plane defined by contact points between the wheels and the ground surface, wherein the first virtual rectangle comprises: a first side perpendicular to the advance direction, located at a distance lower than 10 cm to the rear point of the projection of the carbody on the ground surface, the rear point being defined according to the advance direction; a second side parallel to the first side, located at least 50 cm behind the first side; a third side perpendicular to the first and second sides, the prolongation of which cuts a contact point of one rear wheel; and a fourth side parallel to the third side, the prolongation of which cuts a contact point of the other rear wheel; wherein the second virtual rectangle comprising: a first side perpendicular to the advance direction, located at a distance lower than 10 cm in front of the front point of the projection of the carbody on the ground surface, the front point being defined according to the advance direction; a second side parallel to the first side, located at least 50 cm in front of the first side; a third side perpendicular to the first and second sides, the prolongation of which cuts a contact point of one front wheel; and a fourth side parallel to the third side, the prolongation of which cuts a contact point of the other front wheel; and wherein the third virtual rectangle comprising: a first side tangent to the projection of the body pillar on the ground surface; a second side parallel to the first side, located 100 cm beside the first side; a third side perpendicular to the first and second sides, the prolongation of which is in contact with the rear point of the projection of the carbody on the ground surface; and a fourth side parallel to the third side, the prolongation of which is in contact with the front point of the projection of the carbody on the ground surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The lighting device of claim 16, which is independent from a headlamp, a rearlamp or a foglamp. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The lighting device of claim 17, wherein the device is located in a rockerpanel, a wheel arch, a mirror, a side repetitor, a bumper or a license plate of the automotive vehicle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The lighting device of claim 10, which is integrated in a headlamp, a rearlamp or a foglamp. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) Lighting device of claim 16, wherein the for helping in automotive vehicle maneuvering, the device comprising: at least a solid-state light source provides the light pattern according to the method wherein: the first side of the first virtual rectangle is in contact with the rear point of the projection of the carbody on the ground surface; and the second side of the first virtual rectangle is located at least 200 cm behind the first side.