Road lighting
Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed in which one or more light sources, a detector, a processor and a controller are configured such that light from the one or more light sources improves the ability of a human or automated motor vehicle driver to identify and avoid pedestrians. The one or more light sources may provide spot illumination to moving objects or pedestrians on a road surface, with the spot illumination following the moving object or pedestrians along the portion of the road surface. The one or more light sources may project images on the ground or on other surfaces. The light source may be carried by a pedestrian or on personal transport used by a pedestrian. The light sources may be stationary and provide lighting for a pedestrian street crossing.
1. A portable illumination device comprising:
at least one light source;
a detector;
a transceiver; and
a processor configured to receive signals relating to an approaching vehicle from the detector, from the transceiver, or from the detector and the transceiver and in response operate the at least one light source to provide spot illumination directed at the holder of the illumination device comprising a vertical illuminance component that follows and illuminates the holder of the illumination device, and in response operate the at least one light source to project an image on the ground providing information relating to the holder of the illumination device to the approaching vehicle.
2. The portable illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the detector detects motion.
3. The portable illumination device of claim 2 , wherein the detector comprises an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a GPS.
4. The portable illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source comprises one of a LED and a laser.
5. The portable illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the image at least partially surrounds and follows the holder.
6. The portable illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with at least one of a motor vehicle, a mobile phone, and a remote server over a network.
7. The portable illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is configured to receive a signal reporting the approach of a motor vehicle, and the processor is configured to receive a corresponding signal from the transceiver and in response operate the at least one light source to project the image on the ground in a location visible from the motor vehicle.
8. The portable illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is configured to receive the signal from the approaching motor vehicle.
9. The portable illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the image comprises an arrow that indicates the direction of the holder.
10. The portable illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the image comprises one of a traffic sign and text message visible to a vehicle driver.
11. The portable illumination device of claim 1 , wherein the image comprises one or more color.
12. The portable illumination device of claim 1 , wherein:
the transceiver is configured to receive a signal reporting the approach of a motor vehicle, and the processor is configured to receive a corresponding signal from the transceiver and in response operate the at least one light source to project the image on the ground in a location visible from the motor vehicle; and
the at least one light source comprises one of a LED and a laser.
13. The portable illumination device of claim 12 , wherein the transceiver is configured to receive the signal from the approaching motor vehicle.
14. The portable illumination device of claim 1 , wherein:
the transceiver is configured to receive a signal reporting the approach of a motor vehicle, and the processor is configured to receive a corresponding signal from the transceiver and in response operate the at least one light source to project the image on the ground in a location visible from the motor vehicle; and
the image at least partially surrounds and follows the holder.
15. The portable illumination device of claim 14 , wherein the transceiver is configured to receive the signal from the approaching motor vehicle.
16. The portable illumination device of claim 1 , wherein:
the transceiver is configured to receive a signal reporting the approach of a motor vehicle, and the processor is configured to receive a corresponding signal from the transceiver and in response operate the at least one light source to project the image on the ground in a location visible from the motor vehicle; and
the image comprises an arrow that indicates the direction of the holder.
17. The portable illumination device of claim 16 , wherein the transceiver is configured to receive the signal from the approaching motor vehicle.
18. The portable illumination device of claim 1 , wherein:
the transceiver is configured to receive a signal reporting the approach of a motor vehicle, and the processor is configured to receive a corresponding signal from the transceiver and in response operate the at least one light source to project the image on the ground in a location visible from the motor vehicle; and
the image comprises one of a traffic sign and text message.
19. The portable illumination device of claim 18 , wherein the transceiver is configured to receive the signal from the approaching motor vehicle.
20. The portable illumination device of claim 1 , wherein:
the transceiver is configured to receive a signal reporting the approach of a motor vehicle, and the processor is configured to receive a corresponding signal from the transceiver and in response operate the at least one light source to project the image on the ground in a location visible from the motor vehicle; and
the image comprises one or more color.
21. The portable illumination device of claim 20 , wherein the transceiver is configured to receive the signal from the approaching motor vehicle.