US Patent 9415754 User display providing obstacle avoidance

A visual display for use by a user for navigation and obstacle avoidance. A typical user employs the invention in operating a vehicle. The display may include a conventional video feed. A visual arch metaphor is also provided. A ranging device mounted on the vehicle collects ranging data around the vehicle. As an example, the ranging device might collect 180 degrees of ranging data extending from the vehicle's left side, across the vehicle's front, and over to the vehicle's right side. The ranging data is correlated to a predefined color scale. The ranging data is also correlated to a position on the arch metaphor.