VISUALISATION AID FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a visualisation aid for indicating to a driver of a vehicle a projected location of a front wheel (90A, 90B) of the vehicle on a ground surface, the visualisation aid including an indicator (10A, 10B), wherein: the indicator is positionable in the line of sight (5A, 5B) of the driver looking out of the vehicle at the ground surface, the indicator is positionable at or above a boundary (140) of the vehicle in the light of sight, and the line of sight (5A, 5B) beyond the boundary of the vehicle intersects with an imaginary vertical plane (7A, 7B) extending forward from the front wheel of the vehicle (90A, 90B).

Claims

1. A visualisation aid for indicating to a driver of a vehicle a projected location of a front wheel of the vehicle on a ground surface, the visualisation aid including an indicator, wherein the indicator is positionable in the line of sight of the driver looking out of the vehicle at the ground surface, the indicator is positionable adjacent a boundary of the vehicle in the line of sight, and the line of sight beyond the boundary of the vehicle intersects with an imaginary vertical plane extending forward from the front wheel of the vehicle, wherein the visualisation aid is adapted to indicate to the driver a projected vehicle wheel path comprising an extended section of ground surface that the vehicle front wheel is likely to traverse, and wherein indication of the vehicle wheel path is provided by the orientation of the indicator against the ground surface.

2. The visualisation aid according to claim 1, wherein the width of the imaginary vertical plane is defined by the width of the front wheel.

3. The visualisation aid according to claim 1, wherein a target position for the indicator is determined by having reference to one or more, or any combination of, factors including the following: driver height; the shape or configuration of the boundary of the vehicle which is visible to the driver; driver seat height; angle of inclination of the backrest of the driver seat; driver perspective bias; vehicle dimensions; vehicle wheel size; vehicle front wheel orientation; steering wheel orientation; ground surface inclination; other properties of the ground surface; and/or the relative location of the wheel to the driver.

4. The visualisation aid according to claim 3, wherein the visualisation aid includes means for the indicator to be automatically positioned at or close to the target position by applying one or more of the factors to position the indicator.

5. The visualisation aid according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is automatically adjustable in response to contemporaneous driving parameters including any one or more of, or any combination of, the following parameters: the position of the driver's eyes; vehicle speed or acceleration; the position of the driver's seat; driving conditions; ground surface inclination; other properties of the ground surface; front wheel orientation; and/or steering wheel orientation.

6. The visualisation aid according to claim 1, wherein the visualisation aid includes one or more of, or a combination of, the following sensors for providing sensor data: a driver eye location sensor; a vehicle speedometer or accelerometer; a steering wheel orientation sensor; a front wheel orientation sensor; a seat height and/or back rest inclination sensor; and/or a sensor for detection of a hazardous object on the ground or surface; and means for receiving sensor data from one or more of, or a combination of the sensors.

7. The visualisation aid according to claim 1, wherein the visualisation aid includes a sensor for sensing driving conditions including properties of the ground surface or other driving conditions for which the visualisation aid is adapted to assist the driver; the visualisation aid further being adapted to be automatically activated or deactivated in response to, or automatically adapt its position and/or visual form to, said sensed driving conditions.

8. The visualisation aid according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is configured such that the driver is able to view the ground surface through and/or around the indicator.

9. The visualisation aid according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is adapted to indicate to the driver a change in an orientation of the front wheel and/or the projected wheel location by a corresponding change in the orientation of the indicator as viewed by the driver.

10. The visualisation aid according to claim 1, wherein the visualisation aid is adapted to indicate to the driver a projected vehicle wheel path comprising an extended section of ground surface that the vehicle front wheel is likely to traverse.

11. The visualisation aid according to claim 1, wherein indication of the vehicle wheel path is provided by enabling the driver to extrapolate the vehicle wheel path based on the orientation of the indicator against the ground surface.

12. The visualisation aid according to claim 1, wherein the visualisation aid is able to be retrofit to an existing vehicle.

13. The visualisation aid according to claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises an indicator body.

14. The visualisation aid according to claim 13, wherein the indicator body is positionable forward of a front windscreen of the vehicle.

15. The visualisation aid according to claim 13, wherein the visualisation aid includes a connector for connecting the indicator body to the vehicle.

16. The visualisation aid according to claim 15, wherein the connector includes a thin elongate element.

17. The visualisation aid according to claim 15, wherein the connector is collapsible.

18. The visualisation aid according to claim 15, wherein the indicator body is movable from an operative position to an inoperative position.

19. The visualisation aid according to claim 18, wherein when the indicator body is in the operative position, the connector is substantially perpendicular to the ground or other surface.

20. The visualisation aid according to claim 15, wherein the connector and/or indicator body is able to rotate, pivot or otherwise move relative to the vehicle.

21. The visualisation aid according to claim 13, wherein the indicator body includes an open central section through which the ground or other surface is viewable by the driver, the open section being flanked or surrounded by a peripheral portion.

22. The visualisation aid according to claim 21, wherein the peripheral portion includes one or more elements consisting of one or more, or any combination of, the following: a ‘V’ shaped element; an ‘O’ shaped element; an arrow shaped element; and/or a frusto-conical shaped element.

23. The visualisation aid according to claim 21, wherein the peripheral portion is rounded and axially symmetric.

24. The visualisation aid according to claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises an indicator display.

25. The visualisation aid according to claim 24, wherein the indicator display comprises an image on a screen such that the indicator display appears on the screen at or near the intersection of the screen and the line of sight of the driver.

26. The visualisation aid according to claim 24, wherein the indicator display comprises an image on a front windscreen of the vehicle.

27. The visualisation aid according to claim 24, wherein the indicator display comprises an image on a screen that is mountable to the interior of the vehicle.

28. The visualisation aid according to claim 25, wherein a projected vehicle wheel path able to be indicated to the driver by displaying the wheel path on the screen, the displayed wheel path comprising an image indicating an extended section of ground surface that the vehicle front wheel is likely to traverse.

29. The visualisation aid according to claim 24, wherein the indicator display is displayable on or near a dashboard of the vehicle.

30. The visualisation aid according to claim 24, wherein the indicator display, or a part of the indicator display, is translucent.

31. The visualisation aid according to claim 25, wherein the visualisation aid includes an integrated car heads up display unit.

32. The visualisation aid according to claim 1, wherein the projected location of the front wheel is indicated to the driver solely by the position of the indicator.

33. The visualisation aid according to claim 1, wherein the visualisation aid includes a first and a second indicator for indicating to the driver the projected location of a first front wheel of the vehicle, and the projected location of a second front wheel of the vehicle, respectively.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0145] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing representing the difference between perceived and actual wheel location.

[0146] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a visualisation aid according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0147] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a visualisation aid according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0148] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a visualisation aid according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0149] FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of a visualisation aid according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0150] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing illustrating an implementation of the first preferred embodiment of the visualisation aid.

[0151] FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing illustrating an implementation of a visualisation aid according to fifth preferred embodiment of the invention and comprising an indicator display, in a first driving scenario.

[0152] FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing illustrating an implementation of the visualisation aid according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention and comprising an indicator display, in a second driving scenario.

[0153] FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing of a visualisation aid according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0154] FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing of a visualisation aid according to an eighth preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0155] FIG. 11 is a schematic drawing of a visualisation aid according to a ninth preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0156] The structure, principle and operation of the described visualisation aid is provided below, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0157] FIG. 1 illustrates the perspective bias that a right side driver of a vehicle experiences. In the vehicle 60 on the left, there are shown two actual vehicle wheel paths 65 that extend in vertically in line with the location of the left and right wheels of the vehicle (not visible). In this scenario, it is assumed that the vehicle wheels are aligned such that each of the cars 65, 70 would travel in a straight line.

[0158] In the vehicle 70 on the right, the two vehicle wheel paths 75 indicate the driver perceived wheel path. The two perceived wheel paths 75 are separated by a distance, Y, whereas the two actual wheel paths 65 are separated by a distance X, where X is greater than Y. It will be apparent that the left wheel path of the perceived vehicle wheel paths 75 is closer to the centre of the vehicle compared to the left wheel path of the actual vehicle wheel paths 65, and for the reasons set out earlier in this specification, this can create a number of problems.

[0159] FIGS. 2 to 5 depict visualisation aids 10, 11, 12 and 13, each visualisation aid for assisting a driver of a vehicle by indicating to the driver the location and/or orientation of a wheel of the vehicle. Each of the visualisation aids 10, 11, 12, 13 include a respective peripheral portion 40, 41, 42, 43.

[0160] FIG. 2 depicts visualisation aid 10, the visualisation aid including an indicator 20 comprising a tubular section in the shape of an “0” and a connector 30 comprising a rod for indirectly connecting the indicator 20 to the vehicle. The indicator 20 includes an open central section (flanked by peripheral portion 40) through which ground or other surface is viewable by the driver.

[0161] FIG. 3 depicts visualisation aid 11, the visualisation aid including an indicator 21 comprising a “V” shaped element and a connector 31 comprising a rod for indirectly connecting the indicator 21 to the vehicle. The indicator 22 includes an open central section (flanked by peripheral portion 42) through which ground or other surface is viewable by the driver. The indicator 21 includes an arrow marking 45 to assist in the indication of the vehicle wheel path to the driver. The interior of the “V” shaped segment (excluding he arrow), is transparent such that the peripheral portion 42 forms a boundary through which the driver may view the ground or other surface.

[0162] FIG. 4 depicts visualisation aid 12, the visualisation aid including an indicator 22 comprising a frusto conical thin tubular section and a connector 32 comprising a rod for indirectly connecting the indicator 22 to the vehicle. The indicator 22 includes an open central section (flanked by peripheral portion 42) through which ground or other surface is viewable by the driver.

[0163] With reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, each of the visualisation aids 10, 11, 12, 13 may be manually positioned at or close to a target position where each of indicators 20, 21, 22, 23 is located a little distance above the boundary of the vehicle (not shown) that is visible to the driver in use. The driver may therefore observe the ground surface around the indicator 20, 21, 22, 23 to assist in determining the vehicle wheel path.

[0164] Each of the indicators 20, 21, 22 are able to rotate relative to the connector by rotation means (not shown) located with the bodies of the respective connectors and indicators, wherein rotation of indicator is response to rotation of the vehicle steering wheel, to provide a visual indication to the driver of the orientation of the vehicle wheel.

[0165] The visualisation aid represented in FIG. 5 includes an automatically telescoping connector 33, the connector being responsive to sensors in the vehicle that sense the eyeline of the driver including by reference to the driver seat position or driver height, and raise and lower the telescoping portions of the connector 33 accordingly so that the indicator 23 remains at or close to the target position. The indicator 23 is rounded and axially symmetric, and includes an LED light which when activated (e.g. in certain driving conditions such as wet weather) provides a stronger contrast to the background viewed by the driver. The LED light is powered by the vehicle battery. The strength of the LED light source can be adjusted based on driver preference and/or driving conditions.

[0166] FIG. 5 also includes a spring attachment 51 for attaching the connector 33 to the fixing means 53 for fixing the visualisation aid 13 to the vehicle. The spring attachment 51 provides for increased resilience of the visualisation aid 13 as it permits pivoting of the connector relative to the fixing means (e.g. to absorb any forces which impact the connector 33 or indicator 13 and thereby minimise damage to those components). Fixing means 53 includes wrap around hooks 58 that fix the visualisation aid 13 to a vehicle via a section of the bull bar 59 of the vehicle.

[0167] The fixing means 50 and 52 of FIGS. 2 and 4 operate similarly to the wrap around hooks of FIG. 5. The fixing means 56 of FIG. 3 are staples having a semi-circular section which snugly fits around the circular section of the connectors 31. The staples are able to be driven into the vehicle chassis (not shown) for securely fixing the visualisation aid 11 to the vehicle.

[0168] The indicators 20, 21, 22, 23 are each positionable forward of a front windscreen of a vehicle (not shown in FIGS. 2 to 5) and in the line of sight of the driver looking at a ground or other surface through the front windscreen of the vehicle.

[0169] FIGS. 6 to 11 depict visualisation aids as described herein in connection with illustrative but non-limiting preferred embodiments for a particular application (i.e. a car).

[0170] FIG. 6 shows the interior of a vehicle travelling in a straight line (represented by the straight arrow 130). The left and right wheels of the vehicle 90A, 90B are depicted in the location that they would be if they were visible from directly above (i.e. though the components of the vehicle). The indicators 10A and 10B of the visualisations aid are located near the boundary of the vehicle in the driver's lines of sight 5A, 5B that intersect with the vertical planes 7A, 7B extending from wheels 90A, 90B, beyond the boundary of the vehicle 140 (Note: depending on the preferences or characteristics of the driver and/or the form of the vehicle, the boundary of the vehicle 140 visible to the driver may be an interior part of the vehicle, such as the dash board, see FIG. 9).

[0171] The indicators 10A, 10B indicate to the driver the projected location of each of the front wheels 90A, 90B respectively on the ground surface (not shown) visible to the driver through the windscreen 190. In particular, the projected location of the front wheels 90A, 90B is the intersection of the respective lines of sight 5A, 5B with the respective vertical planes 7A, 7B.

[0172] Indicators 10A and 10B are located frontwards of the windscreen 190 of the vehicle, and in the line of sight of the driver looking out of the front windscreen.

[0173] Visualisation aid indicators 10A, 10B are located such that that there is a small gap between the indicators and the boundary 140 defined by the car bonnet, as well as a gap through the central part of the indicators 10A, 10B, through which the ground surface (and in particular the projected wheel location) is visible.

[0174] With reference to each of FIGS. 6 to 10, the width of the imaginary vertical planes 7A, 7B, 70A, 70B, 170A, 170B are defined by the width of the front wheels 90A, 90B.

[0175] FIG. 7 depicts the interior of a vehicle travelling in a straight line (represented by the straight arrow 130). The left and right wheels of the vehicle 90A, 90B are depicted in the location that they would be if they were visible from above (i.e. though the components of the vehicle). Indicator images 100A and 100B are displayed on the windscreen 190 of the vehicle, and sit in a location which is above the wheels 90A, 90B (i.e. generally higher than, not directly above), and above the boundary of the vehicle 140. The indicators indicate to the driver the projected location of each of the front wheels 90A, 90B respectively on the ground surface (not shown) visible to the driver through the windscreen 190.

[0176] The indicators 100A, 100B are respectively positioned in the lines of sight 50A, 50B of the driver looking out of the vehicle at the ground surface (not shown), at and above the boundary 140 of the vehicle in that light of sight. Those parts of the lines of sight 50A, 50B beyond the boundary 140 of the vehicle intersect, respectively, with the imaginary vertical planes 70A, 70B extending forward from the respective front wheels 90A, 90B of the vehicle.

[0177] The indicators 100A, 100B are translucent elements having the shape of straight arrows that overlay onto the ground surface the projected wheel path which the vehicle is likely to travel on the basis that the vehicle continues in a straight line (the visualisation aid in this embodiment is responsive to a steering wheel sensor, not shown).

[0178] The straight line orientation of the arrows comprising indicators 100A, 100B also indicates to the driver the orientation of the vehicle wheels 90A, 90B.

[0179] The indicators 100A, 100B are projected along projection lines 110A, 1108 from the visualisation aid module 120 located on the dashboard of the vehicle. Given the projected images comprising the indicators 100A, 100B are located on the front windscreen 190, their location is more centrally located from the central perspective provided in FIG. 7 than the plane extending from front wheels 90A, 90B. The driver is situated towards the front left of the left-hand drive vehicle depicted in FIG. 7, and so the lines of sight 50A, 50B of the driver looking at the ground surface will accordingly intersect the windscreen 190 in a more central location than they would appear from the driver's perspective (form the driver's perspective they would appear near the intersection of the lines of sight 50A, 50B with the vertical planes 70A, 70B, respectively).

[0180] The visually projectable indicator 100B (in particular) is adapted to provide the driver an indication of the projected location of the vehicle 90B wheel that counteracts perspective bias of the driver due to sitting towards the left side of the vehicle.

[0181] The visualisation aid module 120 provide means for the indicators 100A, 100B to be automatically projected onto or near a target position on the windscreen 190 by applying the following factors to display them at a location that enables indication of the projected vehicle wheel location and wheel travel path to the driver: driver height; the shape and configuration of the boundary of the vehicle that is visible to the driver; driver seat height; angle of inclination of the backrest of the driver seat; driver perspective bias; vehicle dimensions; vehicle wheel size; ground surface inclination; vehicle front wheel orientation; steering wheel orientation; ground surface inclination; other properties of the ground surface; and/or the relative location of the wheel to the driver. Additionally, the location and visual form of the indicators 100A, 100B changes depending on said factors (e.g. the orientation of steering wheel—see FIG. 8).

[0182] Turning to FIG. 8, this schematic illustrates the interior of a vehicle turning to the right (represented by the right hand arrow 131). The left and right wheels of the vehicle 90A, 90B are depicted in the location that they would be if they were visible from directly above. Indicators 101A and 101B are displayed on the windscreen of the vehicle, and sit above (i.e. higher than, but not directly above) the wheels 90A, 90B. The indicators 101A, 1018 indicate to the driver the projected location of each of the front wheels 90A, 90B respectively on the ground surface (not shown) visible to the driver through the windscreen 190.

[0183] The indicators 101A, 1018 are translucent elements having the shape of right hand arrows that overlay onto the ground surface the projected wheel travel path which is the vehicle is likely to travel on the basis that is continues in a turning direction (note that the shape of the arrows indicating the travel path is exaggerated in FIG. 8 for illustrative purposes, in practice the indicators indicating travel path would include more gradually curved lines).

[0184] The indicators 101A, 101B are positioned in the lines of sight 50A, 50B respectively of the driver looking out of the vehicle at the ground surface (not shown), at and above the boundary 140 of the vehicle in that light of sight. Those parts of the lines of sight 50A, 50B beyond the boundary 140 of the vehicle intersect, respectively, with the imaginary vertical planes 70A, 70B extending forward from the respective front wheels 90A, 90B of the vehicle.

[0185] The indicators 101A, 101B are projected along projection lines 110A, 110B from the visualisation aid module 120 (partially visible in FIG. 10), which is connected to the rear vision mirror 150.

[0186] The indicators 101A, 101B are adapted to indicate to the driver the projected vehicle wheel path that will be taken if the driver steers the vehicle to perform a turn. The indicators 101A, 101B are adapted to adjust as the steering wheel is turned to assist in the indication of the vehicle wheel path to the driver.

[0187] In relation to the implementation of both FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the location and/or visual form of each of the displayed indicators 100A, 101A, 100B, 101B is adapted to respond to contemporaneous driving parameters including the following: the position of the driver's eyes; vehicle speed or acceleration; the position of the driver's seat; driving conditions; front wheel orientation; properties of the ground surface (e.g. inclination of the ground surface relative to the vehicle); driving conditions (e.g. such the presence or absence of an obstacle on the road or change in uniformity in the driving surface sensed by the visualisation aid); and steering wheel orientation.

[0188] The visualisation aid represented in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes the following optional sensors (not shown) for providing sensor data: driver eye location sensor (integrated into the module 120 beside the rear view mirror 150); vehicle speedometer or accelerometer; steering wheel orientation sensor; seat height and/or back rest inclination sensor; a sensor for detecting a hazardous object on the ground or surface; front wheel orientation sensor; and a sensor for detection of a surface or other driving condition for which the visualisation aid is adapted to assist the driver.

[0189] The visualisation aid module 120 also includes means for receiving sensor data from the sensors (e.g. for the vehicle speedometer and accelerometer the visualisation aid connects to the vehicle on board diagnostics port using a standardised digital communication method (e.g. applying the OBD-II or EOBD standard) to receive sensor data.

[0190] The visualisation aid module 120 includes a processing device for processing sensor data corresponding to contemporaneous driving parameters to determine the movement and/or position of the visually projectable indicator in response to the contemporaneous driving parameters. The visualisation aid is adapted to automatically activate or deactivate visually projectable indicators 100A, 101A, 100B, 101B in response to, or automatically adapt the location and/or visual form of the indicators to, sensed driving conditions.

[0191] The visualisation aid module 120 is adapted to be retrofit to an existing vehicle by attachment to the dashboard (see FIG. 7) or rear view mirror 150 (see FIG. 8) of the vehicle. The retrofit visualisation module 120 is removably attachable to the dashboard or rear view mirror 150 of the vehicle.

[0192] The visualisation aid illustrated in FIG. 9 comprises display screens 160A, 160B able to be activated to indicate the projected wheel location of each of the front wheels 90A, 90B, respectively, of the vehicle to the driver (not shown). Each display screen 160A, 160B comprises a clear screen impregnated (from the left side of the screen the right side) with LED display indicators, and the specific LED indicators 161A, 161B (shaped in a rectangular approximating that of a wheel) activated on each respective screen indicate the projected wheel location for each front wheel 90A, 90B, respectively. Alternative embodiments of the display or display indicators (not shown) may comprise elements for display on an LCD or other screen.

[0193] The display screens 160A, 160B are located on a part of the peripheral (visible boundary) part of dashboard as viewed by the seated driver, such that they are visible to the driver looking frontwards out of the windscreen 190 of the vehicle at a ground surface. The ground surface (not shown) is, in the arrangement depicted in FIG. 9, beyond (and visible by the driver through) the transparent display screens 160A, 160B.

[0194] The display indicators 161A, 161B are positioned in the lines of sight 150A, 150B respectively of the driver looking out of the vehicle at the ground surface (not shown), at the boundary 140 of the vehicle in that light of sight. Those parts of the lines of sight 150A, 150B beyond the boundary 140 of the vehicle intersect, respectively, with the imaginary vertical planes 170A, 170B that extend forward from the respective front wheels 90A, 90B of the vehicle, and thereby (i.e. via the arrangement providing said intersection point) indicate the projected wheel location of each respective front wheel.

[0195] Each activated display indicator 161A, 161B occupies a target position which is dependent on factors, which can influence how the display indicators are arranged and/or when the display indicator is activated, and influence the size and/or shape of the display indicators, the factors including: driver height, the shape of the external vehicle boundary (or internal boundary such as the dashboard) that is visible to the driver; driver seat height and seat inclination; driver perspective bias; driver eye position; vehicle wheel size and the relative location of the wheel to the driver.

[0196] The visualisation aid comprising the display elements 160A, 160B is automatically adjustable (in that the activated display element may change) in response to parameters including the position of the driver's eyes (e.g. where the driver is leaning to the left or to the right); the position of the driver's seat; driving conditions (e.g. the visualisation aid can normally be deactivated and automatically activate only in response to certain driving conditions such as during sensed roadworks or other scenarios where awareness of the front wheel location is more important); and/or steering wheel orientation. The visualisation aid includes sensors to sense one or more of the foregoing parameters, and the sensors include a driver eye location sensor; a steering wheel orientation sensor; a seat height and/or back rest inclination sensor; a sensor for detection of a hazardous object on the ground or surface; a sensor for sensing driving conditions including a surface condition for which the visualisation aid is adapted to assist the driver and (none of which are depicted in the Figures).

[0197] The location of the display elements 161A, 161B being in the line of sight of the driver looking at a road surface (just above the external boundary of the dashboard of the vehicle) assists the driver to identify a projected wheel path that the wheel is likely to traverse (as the driver with the assistance of the indicators 161A, 161B is able to more accurately determine the projected location of each front wheel and thereby determine the vehicle wheel path on the road surface), although no projected or additional visual means more directly indicating that path on the road surface itself is provided in this embodiment of the invention (cf. FIG. 10).

[0198] FIG. 10 depicts a visualisation aid including an indicator comprising a display 200B that is projected onto the windscreen 190 of the vehicle, where the vehicle is travelling straight ahead (represented by the straight arrow 130). Unlike the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, the visualisation aid indicates the location of just one front wheel 90B to the driver of the vehicle: the front right wheel, from the perspective of the driver. The display image 200B is displayed using a projector (not shown) hidden from view behind the rear view mirror 150 of the vehicle. The projector comprises a laser that projects focussed light in the form of the display 200B onto the windscreen 190; however, it may alternatively comprise other components commonly applied in heads up display devices which are known to the skilled addressee.

[0199] As was the case for FIG. 9, in FIG. 10 the display indicator 200B is positioned in the line of sight 150B of the driver looking out of the vehicle at the ground surface (not shown), at, and extending upwardly from, the boundary 140 of the vehicle in that light of sight. That part of the line of sight 150B beyond the boundary 140 of the vehicle intersects with the imaginary vertical plane 170B that extends forward from the front wheel 90B of the vehicle.

[0200] The display image 200B (also referred to as an indicator), being on the inner surface of the windscreen and in (or near) the line of sight between the driver and a ground surface, is directly visible to the driver looking frontwards out of the windscreen 190 of the vehicle at the ground surface. The display image 200B is translucent such that the ground surface may be seen through the display image 200B.

[0201] As was the case for the visualisation aid embodiment in depicted in FIG. 9, the display image 200B occupies a target position which is dependent on a number of factors as set out above, where each factor can influence how the projected display is arranged (e.g. the location of the indicator image 200B on the windscreen, depending on driver height or eye position) and/or the form of the projected display. Similarly, the factors can influence the size and/or orientation of the imaginary vertical plane 170B (e.g. plane width changing due to wheel width, and plane orientation changing in accordance with front wheel orientation or steering wheel orientation).

[0202] The visualisation aid of FIG. 10 comprising the display image 200B is, in an analogous manner to the display elements of FIG. 9, automatically adjustable in response to parameters set out above regarding the display indicators 161A, 161B (e.g. in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, the arrangement and/or form of the display image 200B depends on the steering wheel orientation).

[0203] The illustrative non-limiting embodiment of the visualisation aid of FIG. 10 further includes sensors as set out above with respect to FIG. 9 (including for automatic activation or deactivation), and a processor.

[0204] The location of the display image 200B being in the line of sight of the road surface of the driver (above the external boundary 140 comprising the bonnet of the vehicle) assists in indicating to the driver the projected wheel path that the wheel 90B is likely to traverse.

[0205] The visualisation aid of FIG. 10 is further able to directly indicate to the driver the vehicle wheel path 230 comprising a section of ground or other surface that the vehicle front wheel is likely to traverse: the shape of the indicator image 200B (and consequently the projected wheel path 230) adjusts to the orientation of the steering wheel, among other factors/parameters, such that the driver is provided a dynamically adjusting projected wheel path 230 on the ground surface. The display image 200B is transparent such that the driver is provided a substantially unimpeded view of the ground surface through the indicator 200B, which means the driver can see safely see the road surface through the indicator.

[0206] The indicator comprising the projected display image 200B is further adapted to indicate to the driver a change in the orientation of the front wheel 90B by a corresponding change in the orientation of the indicator as viewed by the driver.

[0207] FIG. 11 depicts a further non-limiting embodiment of the invention. The visualisation aid comprises two indicator bodies 210A, 210B, each indicator body comprising a “V” shaped indicator including an open central section through which the ground or other surface is viewable by the driver, the open section being flanked or surrounded by a peripheral portion comprising the “V” shaped element. The visualisation aid further includes collapsible connectors 211A, 211B comprising a thin elongate element (only the upper part of which is shown), connected to a front bar of the vehicle by fixing means (not shown).

[0208] The indicator bodies 210A, 210B are positioned forward of the front windscreen 190 of the vehicle, and are able to rotate relative to the vehicle on the vertical axis in which the elongate element of the connector 211A, 211B is positioned. When the connector 211A, 211B is activated, it extends upwardly from the deactivated (collapsed) position to raise the indicator body 210A, 210B to be visible to the driver in a seated position, just above the peripheral part 140 (also referred to as the boundary) of the vehicle that is visible to the driver (i.e. a peripheral part of the front bonnet). In the activated position, the indicator bodies 210A, 210B each indicate the projected wheel location of each of the front wheels 90A, 90B of the vehicle to the driver.

[0209] The indicator bodies 210A, 210B are positioned in the lines of sight 150A, 150B respectively of the driver looking out of the vehicle at the ground surface (not shown), at the boundary 140 of the vehicle in that light of sight. Those parts of the lines of sight 150A, 150B beyond the boundary 140 of the vehicle intersect, respectively, with the imaginary vertical planes 170A, 170B that extend forward from the respective front wheels 90A, 90B of the vehicle.

[0210] The indicator bodies 210A, 210B are positioned to be directly visible to the seated driver looking frontwards out of the windscreen 190, towards a ground surface located in the line of sight of the driver adjacent to the indicator body. Where the driver is looking frontwards more towards the centre of the windscreen 190, the indicators 210A, 210B remain peripherally visible to the driver, and thereby not distracting to the driver looking frontwards towards the centre of the windscreen. The ground surface (not shown) is, in the arrangement depicted in FIG. 11, beyond the indicator bodies 210A, 210B and visible just around those bodies (the elevated view of the dashboard comprising FIG. 11 makes the front bonnet of the vehicle appear more visible than it would be, in effect, from the perspective of the driver the subject of FIG. 11).

[0211] Each activated indicator body 210A, 210B occupies a target position which is dependent on factors such as those listed above, which can influence how the indicator body 210A, 210B is arranged and/or when it is activated, such factors also being able to influence the size and/or orientation imaginary vertical plane 170A, 170B. For example, driver eye position (itself influenced by driver height, or whether the driver is leaning to the left or the right) may change the target position by moving it higher or lower, to the left or to the right.

[0212] The visualisation aid including the indicator bodies 210A, 210B is automatically adjustable (in that the body orientation and/or position may change) in response to the parameters referred to above, and in particular those parameters referred to with respect to FIGS. 9 and 10. For example, in response to said parameters, the indicator body 210A, 210B may raise higher or lower (i.e. by extending the collapsible connector higher or lower) or rotate relative to the vehicle (i.e. such that the part of body visible to the driver in an original seated position is maintained during movement of the driver eye position). In a further embodiment (not shown) the visualisation aid may include translation means to translate the position of the connectors 211A, 211B and the bodies 210A, 210B to the left or to the right along the bar (e.g. bulbar) of the vehicle to which the visualisation aid is connected (e.g. the fixing means, not shown, may include rails along which the connectors 211A, 211B may translate to the left or the right, in response to the parameters).

[0213] The visualisation aid of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11 further includes sensors described above in relation to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0214] The position of the indicator bodies 210A, 210B being near to the line of sight of the driver looking at a road surface (just above the external boundary of the bonnet of the vehicle, 140) assists the driver to identify a wheel path that the wheel is likely to traverse. In particular, the driver with the assistance of the indicators 210A, 210B is able to more accurately determine the projected location of each front wheel and thereby extrapolate the vehicle wheel path on the road surface.

[0215] The visualisation aid embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11 each comprises an indicator (i.e. LED indicators in FIG. 9, display image in FIG. 10, and the indicator bodies in FIG. 11), sensors and a processing device for receiving sensed parameters and to communicate and control the indicator (e.g. to activate or deactivate the indicator, and particularly regarding the indicator display of FIGS. 9 and 10, to change the location or form of the indicator display). The visualisation aids are able to be retrofit to an existing vehicle (e.g. the display screens, projector and/or indicator bodies include wireless communication means for communicating with the processing device adapted for retrofitting, and the processing device and sensors are able to be installed, by providers of aftermarket vehicle accessories and the like, or by the user directly).

GENERAL STATEMENTS

[0216] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0217] It will be understood by the skilled addressee that indicating the projected wheel location comprises indicating the projected wheel location without providing to the driver a view of (e.g. via a mirror or the like), or any vision of (e.g. via a camera or the like), the wheel itself.

[0218] Throughout the specification and claims, the word “comprise” and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word “comprise” and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features, that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[0219] In the present specification, terms such as “part”, “component”, “means”, “section”, “segment”, or “module” may refer to singular or plural items and are terms intended to refer to a set of properties, functions or characteristics performed by one or more items having one or more parts. It is envisaged that where a “part”, “component”, “means”, “section”, “segment”, or “module” or similar term is described as consisting of a single item, then a functionally equivalent object consisting of multiple items is considered to fall within the scope of the term; and similarly, where a “part”, “component”, “means”, “section”, “segment”, or “module” or similar term is described as consisting of multiple items, a functionally equivalent object consisting of a single item is considered to fall within the scope of the term. The intended interpretation of such terms described in this paragraph should apply unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[0220] The term “connected” or a similar term, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A connected to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Connected”, or a similar term, may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

[0221] The dimensions provided in relation to the illustrative visualisation aid are not intended to be prescriptive of all visualisation aids falling within the scope of the invention. The dimensions are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed otherwise.

[0222] The mere disclosure of a product element in the specification should not be construed as being essential to the invention claimed herein, except where it is either expressly stated to be so or expressly recited in a claim.

[0223] The terms in the claims have the broadest scope of meaning they would have been given by a person of ordinary skill in the art as of the relevant date.

[0224] The terms “a” and “an” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0225] Neither the title nor any abstract of the present application should be taken as limiting in any way the scope of the claimed invention.

[0226] Where the preamble of a claim recites a purpose, benefit or possible use of the claimed invention, it does not limit the claimed invention to having only that purpose, benefit or possible use.