14 are within the scope of the present disclosure.

The ranging sensor 16 is used to measure a distance between the vehicle 12 and objects in an environment surrounding the vehicle 12. In a first exemplary embodiment, the ranging sensor 16 includes one or more ultrasonic distance measurement sensors 24. In a second exemplary embodiment, the ranging sensor 16 includes a camera system 28. In a third exemplary embodiment, the ranging sensor 16 includes both the one or more ultrasonic distance measurement sensors 24 and the camera system 28. It should be understood that various additional types of sensors, such as, for example, LiDAR sensors, radar sensors, and/or time-of-flight sensors are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

The one or more ultrasonic distance measurement sensors 24 include a transducer and a receiver. The transducer emits ultrasonic pulses, and the receiver captures ultrasonic pulses after they have reflected off of an object. In a non-limiting example, the transducer transmits ultrasonic waves, which bounce off the object and return to the receiver. The one or more ultrasonic distance measurement sensors 24 measure the time it takes for the ultrasonic pulses to make the round trip and calculate a distance based on the speed of sound in a given medium (e.g., air). In a non-limiting example, the one or more ultrasonic distance measurement sensors 24 are affixed to an exterior door surface 26a, 26c (FIGS. 2A, 3) of one or more doors of the vehicle 12. In the scope of the present disclosure, doors of the vehicle 12 include passenger doors (e.g., driver's door, front passenger's door, rear passenger doors, and/or the like) and cargo doors (e.g., trunks, frunks, hatches, liftgates, tailgates, and/or the like). The one or more ultrasonic distance measurement sensors 24 are in electrical communication with the controller 14, as discussed above.

The camera system 28 is used to capture images and/or videos of the environment surrounding the vehicle 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the camera system 28 includes a photo and/or video camera which is positioned to view the environment surrounding the vehicle 12. In a non-limiting example, the camera system 28 includes cameras affixed inside of the vehicle 12, for example, in a headliner of the vehicle 12, having a view through a windscreen. In another non-limiting example, the camera system 28 includes cameras affixed outside of the vehicle 12, for example, on a roof of the vehicle 12, having a view of the environment in front of the vehicle 12.

In another exemplary embodiment, the camera system 28 is a surround view camera system including a plurality of cameras (also known as satellite cameras) arranged to provide a view of the environment adjacent to all sides of the vehicle 12. In a non-limiting example, the camera system 28 includes a front-facing camera (mounted, for example, in a front grille of the vehicle 12), a rear-facing camera (mounted, for example, on a rear tailgate of the vehicle 12), and two side-facing cameras (mounted, for example, under each of two side-view mirrors of the vehicle 12). In another non-limiting example, the camera system 28 further includes an additional rear-view camera mounted near a center high mounted stop lamp of the vehicle 12.

It should be understood that camera systems having additional cameras and/or additional mounting locations are within the scope of the present disclosure. It should further be understood that cameras having various sensor types including, for example, charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors, complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensors, and/or high dynamic range (HDR) sensors are within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, cameras having various lens types including, for example, wide-angle lenses and/or narrow-angle lenses are also within the scope of the present disclosure. The camera system 28 is in electrical communication with the controller 14, as discussed above.

The human-machine interface (HMI) 18 is used to provide information to an occupant of the vehicle 12. In the scope of the present disclosure, the occupant includes a driver and/or a passenger of the vehicle 12. In a first exemplary embodiment, the HMI 18 includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) array 30. In a second exemplary embodiment, the HMI 18 includes an infotainment display 32. In a third exemplary embodiment, the HMI 18 includes both the at least one LED array 30 and the infotainment display 32. It should be understood that the HMI 18 further may include additional display systems, such as, for example, a head-up display (HUD), an augmented reality head-up display (AR-HUD), and/or the like without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The at least one LED array 30 is used to provide information to the occupant of the vehicle 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one LED array 30 includes one or more LEDs operable to illuminate with a plurality of colors. In a first exemplary embodiment, the at least one LED array 30 includes a single multi-color LED operable to illuminate with a plurality of colors, including, for example, green, yellow, orange, and red. In a second exemplary embodiment, the at least one LED array 30 includes a plurality of LEDs. Each of the plurality of LEDs is operable to illuminate with one or more colors. In a non-limiting example, the at least one LED array 30 includes a first LED 34a operable to illuminate with a green color, a second LED 34b operable to illuminate with an orange color, a third LED 34c operable to illuminate with a yellow color, and a fourth LED 34d operable to illuminate with a red color. It should be understood that the number and color of LEDs in the at least one LED array 30 described above is merely exemplary in nature, and that variations in the number and/or color of LEDs are within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, it should be understood that one or more displays (e.g., LCD displays, LED displays, and/or the like) may be used in place of the at least one LED array 30 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a schematic diagram 40a of the exterior passenger door surface 26a of a passenger door of the vehicle 12 is shown. The exterior passenger door surface 26a includes an exterior passenger handle 42a and a first LED array 30a of the one or more LED arrays 30. The exterior passenger handle 42a is used to unlock and/or open the door the vehicle 12. The first LED array 30a is affixed proximally to the exterior passenger handle 42a, such that the occupant of the vehicle 12 may see which, if any, of the plurality of LEDs 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d is/are illuminated when entering the vehicle 12. In a non-limiting example, the first LED array 30a is affixed by means of an adhesive and/or screw connection to the exterior passenger door surface 26a. In another non-limiting example, the first LED array 30a is affixed within a hole or other recess of the exterior passenger door surface 26a and protected from the environment by a translucent substrate (e.g., glass, acrylic glass, and/or the like). It should be understood that any additional means for affixing the first LED array 30a to the exterior passenger door surface 26a is within the scope of the present disclosure. It should further be understood that the location and configuration of the first LED array 30a discussed above is merely exemplary in nature, and that variations in location and/or configuration are within the scope of the present disclosure. The first LED array 30a is in electrical communication with the controller 14, as discussed above.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a schematic diagram 40b of an interior passenger door surface 26b of the passenger door of the vehicle 12 is shown. The interior passenger door surface 26b includes an interior handle 42a and a second LED array 30b of the one or more LED arrays 30. The interior passenger handle 42b is used to unlock and/or open the door the vehicle 12. The second LED array 30b is affixed proximally to the interior passenger handle 42b, such that the occupant of the vehicle 12 may see which, if any, of the plurality of LEDs 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d is/are illuminated when exiting the vehicle 12. In a non-limiting example, the second LED array 30b is affixed by means of an adhesive and/or screw connection to the interior passenger door surface 26b. In another non-limiting example, the second LED array 30b is affixed within a hole or other recess of the interior passenger door surface 26b and protected by a translucent substrate (e.g., glass, acrylic glass, and/or the like). It should be understood that any additional means for affixing the second LED array 30b to the interior passenger door surface 26b is within the scope of the present disclosure. It should further be understood that the location and configuration of the second LED array 30b discussed above is merely exemplary in nature, and that variations in location and/or configuration are within the scope of the present disclosure. The second LED array 30b is in electrical communication with the controller 14, as discussed above.

Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic diagram 40c of an exterior cargo door surface 26c of a cargo door of the vehicle 12 is shown. In the scope of the present disclosure, the cargo door of the vehicle 12 includes, for example, a trunk, a frunk, a hatch, a liftgate, a tailgate, and/or the like. The exterior cargo door surface 26c includes an exterior cargo handle 42c and a third LED array 30c of the one or more LED arrays 30. The exterior cargo handle 42c is used to unlock and/or open the cargo door of the vehicle 12. The third LED array 30c is affixed proximally to the exterior cargo handle 42c, such that the occupant of the vehicle 12 may see which, if any, of the plurality of LEDs 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d is/are illuminated when opening the cargo door of the vehicle 12. In a non-limiting example, the third LED array 30c is affixed by means of an adhesive and/or screw connection to the exterior cargo door surface 26c. In another non-limiting example, the third LED array 30c is affixed within a hole or other recess of the exterior cargo door surface 26c and protected from the environment by a translucent substrate (e.g., glass, acrylic glass, and/or the like). It should be understood that any additional means for affixing the third LED array 30c to the exterior cargo door surface 26c is within the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the location and configuration of the third LED array 30c discussed above is merely exemplary in nature, and that variations in location and/or configuration are within the scope of the present disclosure. The third LED array 30c is in electrical communication with the controller 14, as discussed above. In some embodiments, a fourth LED array (not shown) may be affixed to an interior cargo door surface (not shown) of the cargo door of the vehicle 12 to provide information about clearance to occupants opening the cargo door from the inside of the vehicle 12.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the infotainment display 32 is a display located in view of the occupant (e.g., adjacent to a dashboard of the vehicle 12) and capable of displaying text, graphics and/or images. It is to be understood that HMI display systems including LCD displays, LED displays, and the like are within the scope of the present disclosure. Further exemplary embodiments where the infotainment display 32 is disposed in a rearview mirror are also within the scope of the present disclosure. In another exemplary embodiment, the infotainment display 32 includes a head-up display (HUD) configured to provide information to the occupant by projecting text, graphics, and/or images upon the windscreen of the vehicle 12. The text, graphics, and/or images are reflected by the windscreen of the vehicle 12 and are visible to the occupant without looking away from a roadway ahead of the vehicle 12. In another exemplary embodiment, the infotainment display 32 includes an augmented reality head-up display (AR-HUD). The AR-HUD is a type of HUD configured to augment the occupant's vision of the roadway ahead of the vehicle 12 by overlaying text, graphics, and/or images on physical objects in the environment surrounding the vehicle 12 within a field-of-view of the occupant. In an exemplary embodiment, the occupant may interact with the infotainment display 32 using a human-interface device (HID), including, for example, a touchscreen, an electromechanical switch, a capacitive switch, a rotary knob, and the like. It should be understood that additional systems for displaying information to the occupant of the vehicle 12 are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, a flowchart of the method 100 is shown. The method 100 begins at block 102 and proceeds to blocks 104 and 106. At block 104, the controller 14 determines one or more predetermined clearance distance thresholds 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d (FIGS. 5-8). The one or more predetermined clearance distance thresholds 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d (FIGS. 5-8) indicate how far the door of the vehicle 12 may be opened. In a non-limiting example, the distance which the door of the vehicle 12 may be opened is limited by objects in the environment surrounding the vehicle 12, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more clearance distance thresholds 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d (FIGS. 5-8) includes at least: a first clearance distance threshold 50a, a second clearance distance threshold 50b, a third clearance distance threshold 50c, and a fourth clearance distance threshold 50d. The first clearance distance threshold 50a indicates that the door of the vehicle 12 is openable to an entirety of a full opening distance. In the scope of the present disclosure, the full opening distance is a maximum distance (or opening angle) which the door is designed to open. The second clearance distance threshold 50b indicates that the door of the vehicle 12 is openable to two thirds of the full opening distance. The third clearance distance threshold 50c indicates that the door of the vehicle 12 is openable to one third of the full opening distance. The fourth clearance distance threshold 50d indicates that the door of the vehicle 12 is not openable.

In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more predetermined clearance distance thresholds 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d (FIGS. 5-8) are retrieved from the media 22 of the controller 14. In another exemplary embodiment, the one or more predetermined clearance distance thresholds 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d (FIGS. 5-8) are stored on a remote server system and retrieved using a vehicle communication system in electrical communication with the controller 14. In a non-limiting example, the one or more predetermined clearance distance thresholds 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d (FIGS. 5-8) are determined based at least in part on at least one of: one or more dimensions of the vehicle 12 (e.g., a length, a width, and a height of the vehicle 12) and one or more dimensions of one or more doors of the vehicle 12 (e.g., a door length, a door width, a door height, the full opening distance, a full opening angle, and/or the like). After block 104, the method proceeds to block 108, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

At block 106, the controller 14 uses the ranging sensor 16 to determine an available clearance distance 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d (FIGS. 5-8) between one or more doors of the vehicle 12 and an object 54 (FIGS. 5-8) in the environment surrounding the vehicle 12. In the scope of the present disclosure, the object 54 (FIGS. 5-8) includes, for example, another vehicle, a structure (e.g., a wall of a parking garage, a guardrail, a curb), a pedestrian, and/or other obstacle within an opening path of the one or more doors of the vehicle 12.

In a first exemplary embodiment, the controller 14 uses the one or more ultrasonic distance measurement sensors 24 to measure the available clearance distance 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d (FIGS. 5-8) between the one or more doors of the vehicle 12 and the object 54 (FIGS. 5-8). In a second exemplary embodiment, the controller 14 uses the camera system 28 to capture a plurality of images of the environment surrounding the vehicle 12. Using computer vision methods, the controller 14 determines the available clearance distance 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d (FIGS. 5-8) based at least in part on the plurality of images. After block 106, the method 100 proceeds to block 108.

At block 108, the controller 14 compares the available clearance distance 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d (FIGS. 5-8) determined at block 106 to the one or more predetermined clearance distance thresholds 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d (FIGS. 5-8) determined at block 104. After block 108, the method 100 proceeds to block 110.

At block 110, the controller 14 determines a location of the occupant relative to the vehicle 12. In the scope of the present disclosure, the location of the occupant relative to the vehicle 12 includes one of: inside of the vehicle 12 and outside of the vehicle 12. In an exemplary embodiment, to determine the location of the occupant relative to the vehicle 12, the controller 14 uses one or more vehicle sensors. In a non-limiting example, the one or more vehicle sensors include, for example, a seat occupancy sensor, an interior camera system, and/or the like. For example, the controller 14 may electrically communicate with the seat occupancy sensor to determine whether the occupant is currently occupying a seat of the vehicle 12. If the occupant is occupying a seat of the vehicle 12, the location of the occupant relative to the vehicle 12 is determined to be inside of the vehicle 12. In another example, the controller 14 may capture one or more images of an interior of the vehicle 12 using the interior camera system. The controller 14 subsequently uses a computer vison algorithm to search for the occupant in the one or more images. If the occupant is present in the interior of the vehicle 12 in the one or more images, the location of the occupant relative to the vehicle 12 is determined to be inside of the vehicle 12.

In another exemplary embodiment, the controller 14 uses the camera system 28 to determine the location of the occupant relative to the vehicle 12. In a non-limiting example, the controller 14 uses the camera system 28 to capture a plurality of images of the environment surrounding the vehicle 12. The controller 14 subsequently uses a computer vison algorithm to search for the occupant in the plurality of images. If the occupant is present in the environment surrounding the vehicle 12 in the plurality of images, the location of the occupant relative to the vehicle 12 is determined to be outside of the vehicle 12.

In another exemplary embodiment, the controller 14 uses a vehicle communication system to wirelessly communicate with one or more wireless mobile devices of the occupant (e.g., a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a tablet, a smartwatch, a vehicle key fob, and/or the like). Based on, for example a signal strength of communication between the vehicle communication system and the one or more wireless mobile devices, the controller 14 determines the location of the occupant relative to the vehicle 12.

It should be understood that any additional systems and/or methods for determining the location of the occupant relative to the vehicle 12 and/or occupancy status of the vehicle 12 are within the scope of the present disclosure. If the location of the occupant relative to the vehicle 12 is determined to be inside of the vehicle 12, the method 100 proceeds to blocks 112 and 114. If the location of the occupant relative to the vehicle 12 is determined to be outside of the vehicle 12, the method 100 proceeds to block 116, as will be discussed in greater detail below. In another exemplary embodiment, block 110 of the method 100 is bypassed and the method 100 proceeds directly from block 108 to blocks 112, 114, and 116.

Referring to FIG. 5, a first visual representation 60a of the vehicle 12 is shown. The first visual representation 60a depicts a first available clearance distance 52a between the vehicle 12 and the object 54 relative to the first clearance distance threshold 50a. In a non-limiting example, the first clearance distance threshold 50a is shown as a green shaded region to indicate to the occupant of the vehicle 12 that the door of the vehicle 12 is openable to the entirety of the full opening distance without collision with the object 54.

Referring to FIG. 6, a second visual representation 60b of the vehicle 12 is shown. The second visual representation 60b depicts a second available clearance distance 52b between the vehicle 12 and the object 54 relative to the second clearance distance threshold 50b. In a non-limiting example, the second clearance distance threshold 50b is shown as an orange shaded region to indicate to the occupant of the vehicle 12 that the door of the vehicle 12 is openable to two thirds of the full opening distance without collision with the object 54. Therefore, the second clearance distance threshold 50b is less than the first clearance distance threshold 50a, as shown in FIGS. 5-6.

Referring to FIG. 7, a third visual representation 60c of the vehicle 12 is shown. The third visual representation 60c depicts a third available clearance distance 52c between the vehicle 12 and the object 54 relative to the third clearance distance threshold 50c. In a non-limiting example, the third clearance distance threshold 50c is shown as a yellow shaded region to indicate to the occupant of the vehicle 12 that the door of the vehicle 12 is openable to one third of the full opening distance without collision with the object 54. Therefore, the third clearance distance threshold 50c is less than the first clearance distance threshold 50a and the second clearance distance threshold 50b, as shown in FIGS. 5-7.

Referring to FIG. 8, a fourth visual representation 60d of the vehicle 12 is shown. The fourth visual representation 60d depicts a fourth available clearance distance 52d between the vehicle 12 and the object 54 relative to the fourth clearance distance threshold 50d. In a non-limiting example, the fourth clearance distance threshold 50d is shown as a red shaded region to indicate to the occupant of the vehicle 12 that the door of the vehicle 12 is not openable without collision with the object 54. Therefore, the fourth clearance distance threshold 50d is less than the first clearance distance threshold 50a, the second clearance distance threshold 50b, and the third clearance distance threshold, as shown in FIGS. 5-8.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first visual representation 60a, the second visual representation 60b, the third visual representation 60c, and the fourth visual representation 60d are generated based at least in part on a plurality of images of the environment surrounding the vehicle 12 captured using the camera system 28. In a non-limiting example, the controller 14 stitches the plurality of images together with a graphical representation of the vehicle 12 to generate the first visual representation 60a, the second visual representation 60b, the third visual representation 60c, and the fourth visual representation 60d. In some embodiments, the first visual representation 60a, the second visual representation 60b, the third visual representation 60c, and the fourth visual representation 60d include live video feeds and/or are regularly updated, such that the occupant may observe changes in the environment surrounding the vehicle 12.

In FIGS. 5-8, the available clearance distance 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d and the one or more predetermined clearance distance thresholds 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d are depicted as the same for all doors of the vehicle 12 (i.e., passenger doors and cargo doors). It should be understood that FIGS. 5-8 are not to scale, and that the available clearance distance 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d and the one or more predetermined clearance distance thresholds 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d may vary for different doors of the vehicle based on variations in door size and opening characteristics. It should further be understood that the first visual representation 60a, the second visual representation 60b, the third visual representation 60c, and the fourth visual representation 60d are merely exemplary in nature, and that variations in design, color, style, presentation, and/or the like do not constitute a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring again to FIG. 4, at block 112, the controller 14 uses the infotainment display 32 to provide an indication of the available clearance distance 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d (FIGS. 5-8) relative to the one or more predetermined clearance distance thresholds 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d (FIGS. 5-8). In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 14 uses the infotainment display 32 to display at least one of the first visual representation 60a, the second visual representation 60b, the third visual representation 60c, and the fourth visual representation 60d based at least in part on the comparison between the available clearance distance 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d (FIGS. 5-8) and the one or more predetermined clearance distance thresholds 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d (FIGS. 5-8) performed at block 108.

If the available clearance distance 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d (FIGS. 5-8) is greater than or equal to the first clearance distance threshold 50a, the controller 14 displays the first visual representation 60a (FIG. 5) using the infotainment display 32. If the available clearance distance 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d (FIGS. 5-8) is greater than or equal to the second clearance distance threshold 50b and less than first clearance distance threshold 50a, the controller 14 displays the second visual representation 60b (FIG. 6) using the infotainment display 32