APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASCERTAINING INFORMATION VIA REFLECTION OF BOTH VISIBLE AND NON-VISIBLE WAVELENGTH LIGHT FROM A SURFACE
An apparatus for assisting with determination of a surface condition of a road adjacent a vehicle, via both visible and non-visible wavelength light, is described. A housing enclosure includes a light-permeable lens. A visible wavelength light source for directing visible light through the housing enclosure and out through the light-permeable lens onto a surface of the road is provided. An non-visible wavelength light source for directing non-visible light through the housing enclosure and out through the light-permeable lens onto a surface of the road is provided. A light receiver is provided for receiving a return light signal of at least one of visible and non-visible light reflected from the of the road and responsively producing a received-light signal. A method of at least partially detecting a surface condition of a road adjacent a vehicle is also provided.
1 . An apparatus for ascertaining information via reflection of both visible and non-visible wavelength light from a surface, the apparatus comprising:
a housing enclosure including a light-permeable lens;
a visible wavelength light source for directing visible light through the housing enclosure and out through the light-permeable lens onto the surface;
an non-visible wavelength light source for directing non-visible light through the housing enclosure and out through the light-permeable lens onto the surface; and
a light receiver for receiving a return light signal of at least one of visible and non-visible light reflected from the surface and responsively producing a received-light signal.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the non-visible wavelength light is infrared.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the visible wavelength light source is a laser.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the visible wavelength light source is at least one light-emitting diode.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the non-visible wavelength light source is a laser.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the non-visible wavelength light source is at least one light-emitting diode.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing enclosure is a vehicle external light assembly.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the housing enclosure is a vehicle headlight assembly.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the visible wavelength light source is a modulated electromagnetic source.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the visible wavelength light source is an unmodulated electromagnetic source.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the non-visible wavelength light source is a modulated electromagnetic source.
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the non-visible wavelength light source is an unmodulated electromagnetic source.
13 . An apparatus for assisting with determination of a surface condition of a road adjacent a vehicle, via both visible and non-visible wavelength light, including the apparatus of claim 1 .
14 . A driver assist system including the apparatus of claim 13 , including a controller for receiving the received-light signal and responsively producing a road surface evaluation signal;
wherein the road surface evaluation signal is provided to at least one of a user, a driver assist system, and an autonomous driving system.
15 . A method of at least partially detecting a surface condition of a road adjacent a vehicle, via both visible and non-visible wavelength light, the method comprising:
providing an apparatus including a housing enclosure including a light-permeable lens; a visible wavelength light source, an non-visible wavelength light source, and a light receiver;
with the visible wavelength light source, directing visible light through the housing enclosure and out through the light-permeable lens onto a surface of the road;
with the non-visible wavelength light source, directing non-visible light through the housing enclosure and out through the light-permeable lens onto the surface of the road; and
receiving a return light signal of at least one of visible and non-visible light reflected from the surface of the road with the light receiver and responsively producing a received-light signal.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the non-visible wavelength light is infrared.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein each of the visible wavelength light source and the non-visible wavelength light source is at least one of a laser and at least one light-emitting diode.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein directing visible light through the housing enclosure and out through the light-permeable lens onto a surface of the road includes modulating the visible wavelength light.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein directing non-visible light through the housing enclosure and out through the light-permeable lens onto a surface of the road includes modulating the non-visible wavelength light.
20 . The method of claim 15 , including
receiving the received-light signal and responsively producing a road surface evaluation signal; and
providing the road surface evaluation signal to at least one of a user, a driver assist system, and an autonomous driving system.