Vehicular closure opening device using a micro-lens array at closure panel

A vehicular closure panel opening system, the vehicular closure panel opening system comprising:

• a closure panel handle assembly configured to mount at a closure panel of a vehicle equipped with the vehicular closure panel opening system, wherein the closure panel handle assembly comprises a projection device, and wherein the closure panel comprises a door of the vehicle;
• a sensor disposed at or near the closure panel of the vehicle;
• wherein, with the closure panel handle assembly mounted at the closure panel, the projection device is at the closure panel of the vehicle and the projection device is electrically operable to emit light outward away from the closure panel of the vehicle;
• wherein light emitted by the projection device projects a three-dimensional (3D) hologram at a handle region of an outer surface of the closure panel and viewable by a user exterior of the vehicle, and wherein, with the 3D hologram projected at the handle region of the outer surface of the closure panel, the 3D hologram is at least partially outboard of the closure panel and exterior of the vehicle;
• wherein the projection device is electrically operated to emit light responsive to a passive keyfob detection system of the vehicle indicating presence of an authorized keyfob at or near the vehicle;
• an electronic control unit (ECU) comprising electronic circuitry and associated software, wherein the electronic circuitry comprises a data processor for processing sensor data captured by the sensor;
• wherein, with the 3D hologram projected at the handle region of the outer surface of the closure panel, the sensor is operable to sense objects at the handle region of the outer surface of the closure panel, and wherein the sensor captures sensor data;
• wherein the vehicular closure panel opening system, with the 3D hologram projected at the handle region of the outer surface of the closure panel and based on processing at the ECU of captured sensor data, determines presence of a user's hand at or near the projected 3D hologram;
• wherein the vehicular closure panel opening system, responsive to determining presence of the user's hand at or near the projected 3D hologram, actuates a latch mechanism of the closure panel to release the latch mechanism and allow the closure panel to move from a closed position toward an open position;
• and
• wherein the vehicular closure panel opening system, with the latch mechanism of the closure panel released and responsive to determining continued presence of the user's hand at or near the projected 3D hologram, operates an actuator to move the closure panel from the closed position toward the open position.

A vehicular closure panel opening system, the vehicular closure panel opening system comprising:

• a closure panel handle assembly configured to mount at a closure panel of a vehicle equipped with the vehicular closure panel opening system, wherein the closure panel handle assembly comprises a projection device, and wherein the closure panel comprises a door of the vehicle;
• a sensor disposed at or near the closure panel of the vehicle;
• wherein, with the closure panel handle assembly mounted at the closure panel, the projection device is at the closure panel of the vehicle and the projection device is electrically operable to emit light outward away from the closure panel of the vehicle;
• wherein light emitted by the projection device projects a three-dimensional (3D) hologram at a handle region of an outer surface of the closure panel and viewable by a user exterior of the vehicle, and wherein the projected 3D hologram comprises a representation of a vehicular door handle, and wherein, with the 3D hologram projected at the handle region of the outer surface of the closure panel, the 3D hologram is at least partially outboard of the closure panel and exterior of the vehicle;
• an electronic control unit (ECU) comprising electronic circuitry and associated software, wherein the electronic circuitry comprises a data processor for processing sensor data captured by the sensor;
• wherein, with the 3D hologram projected at the handle region of the outer surface of the closure panel, the sensor is operable to sense objects at the handle region of the outer surface of the closure panel, and wherein the sensor captures sensor data representative of light from the projected 3D hologram and reflected from objects at the handle region;
• wherein the vehicular closure panel opening system, with the 3D hologram projected at the handle region of the outer surface of the closure panel and based on processing at the ECU of captured sensor data, determines presence of a user's hand at or near the projected 3D hologram;
• wherein the vehicular closure panel opening system, with the 3D hologram projected at the handle region of the outer surface of the closure panel and based on processing at the ECU of captured sensor data, determines movement of the user's hand relative to the projected 3D hologram;
• and
• wherein the vehicular closure panel opening system, responsive to determining presence of the user's hand at or near the projected 3D hologram, and responsive to determining a predefined movement of the user's hand relative to the projected 3D hologram, actuates a latch mechanism of the closure panel to release the latch mechanism and allow the closure panel to move from a closed position toward an open position.