Integrated flat panel display for mounting to exterior surfaces of motor vehicles

• US 20050253699A1
• Filed: 05/14/2004
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Madonia Family Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Madonia Family Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Madonia, Joseph R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,478,492 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/463
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/00 Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/10 Registration, licensing, or like devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles

Abstract

A flat panel display is integrated with and mounted to an exterior portion of a motor vehicle. The flat panel display, such as LED or plasma display, is mounted flush to an exterior portion of a vehicle body. A protective rim surrounds at least a portion of the perimeter the display. A protective layer is disposed on a viewing surface of the display. A control circuit is coupled for controlling the display. A memory device is coupled to the control circuit for storing images. An operator control panel is coupled to the control circuit for controlling operation of the display. A communication link is coupled to the control circuit for receiving images for display on the flat panel display. A sensor is coupled to the control circuit for sending a sensor signal to the control circuit and causing an image to be displayed on the flat panel display.

Claims

1. A display integrated with and mounted to an exterior portion of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a flat panel display mounted flush to an exterior portion of a vehicle body;

a control circuit coupled for controlling the flat panel display;

a memory device coupled to the control circuit for storing images; and

an operator control panel coupled to the control circuit for controlling operation of the flat panel display.

2. The display of claim 1, wherein the flat panel display is a liquid crystal display.

3. The display of claim 1, wherein the flat panel display is a plasma display.

4. The display of claim 1, where the flat panel display has sufficient resolution to display graphical images.

5. The display of claim 1, further including a protective rim around at least a portion of the perimeter the flat panel display.

6. The display of claim 1, further including a protective layer disposed on a viewing surface of the flat panel display.

7. The display of claim 1, further including a communication link coupled to the control circuit for receiving images for display on the flat panel display.

8. The display of claim 1, further including a sensor coupled to the control circuit for sending a sensor signal to the control circuit and causing an image to be displayed on the flat panel display.

9. An integrated display on an exterior portion of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a high resolution flat panel display mounted to an exterior portion of a vehicle body, wherein the flat panel display has sufficient resolution to display graphical images; and

a control circuit coupled to the flat panel display for controlling images presented on the flat panel display.

10. The integrated display of claim 9, wherein the flat panel display is a liquid crystal display.

11. The integrated display of claim 9, wherein the flat panel display is a plasma display.

12. The integrated display of claim 9, further including a memory device coupled to the control circuit for storing images.

13. The integrated display of claim 9, further including an operator control panel coupled to the control circuit for controlling operation of the flat panel display.

14. The integrated display of claim 9, further including a communication link coupled to the control circuit for receiving images for display on the flat panel display.

15. The integrated display of claim 9, further including a sensor coupled to the control circuit for sending a sensor signal to the control circuit and causing an image to be displayed on the flat panel display.

16. The integrated display of claim 9, further including a protective rim around at least a portion of the perimeter of the flat panel display.

17. The integrated display of claim 9, further including a protective layer disposed on a viewing surface of the flat panel display.

18. The integrated display of claim 9, wherein the control circuit receives command input from the flat panel display and causes vehicle control functions to be performed.

19. A flat panel display for mounting on an exterior portion of a vehicle, comprising:

a display adapted for mounted to an exterior portion of a vehicle body; and

a control circuit coupled to the display for controlling images to be presented on the display.

20. The flat panel display of claim 19, wherein the display is a liquid crystal display.

21. The flat panel display of claim 19, where the display has sufficient resolution to display graphical images.

22. The flat panel display of claim 19, further including a memory device coupled to the control circuit for storing images.

23. The flat panel display of claim 19, further including an operator control panel coupled to the control circuit for controlling operation of the display.

24. The flat panel display of claim 19, further including a communication link coupled to the control circuit for receiving images for display.

25. The flat panel display of claim 19, further including a protective rim around at least a portion of the perimeter of the display.

26. The flat panel display of claim 19, further including a protective layer disposed on a viewing surface of the display.

27. The integrated display of claim 19, wherein the control circuit receives command input from the flat panel display and causes vehicle control functions to be performed.

28. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a flat panel display mounted to an exterior portion of the motor vehicle; and

a control circuit coupled to the flat panel display for controlling images to be presented on the flat panel display.

29. The motor vehicle of claim 28, wherein the flat panel display is a liquid crystal display.

30. The motor vehicle of claim 28, where the flat panel display has sufficient resolution to display graphical images.

31. The motor vehicle of claim 28, further including a memory device coupled to the control circuit for storing images.

32. The motor vehicle of claim 28, further including an operator control panel coupled to the control circuit for controlling operation of the display.

33. The motor vehicle of claim 28, wherein the control circuit receives command input from the flat panel display and causes vehicle control functions to be performed.

34. A method of making an integrated display for mounting on an exterior portion of a motor vehicle, comprising:

providing a display adapted for mounting to an exterior portion of a vehicle body; and

providing a control circuit for coupling to the display and controlling images presented on the visual display.

35. The method of claim 34, further including providing a memory device for coupling to the control circuit for storing images.

36. The method of claim 34, further including providing an operator control panel for coupling to the control circuit for controlling operation of the display.

37. The flat panel display of claim 36, where the display has sufficient resolution to display graphical images.