Electronic display system

• US 20060213100A1
• Filed: 12/21/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Keith H. Mccann
• Original Assignee: Keith H. Mccann
• Inventors: McCann, Keith H.
• Application Number:
  US11/312,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20060213100A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/591
• 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: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles

Abstract

The electronic display system displays advertisements, traffic and weather information on a display panel mounted to the license plate support of an automobile or any vehicle when the vehicle is moving beneath a predetermined threshold speed. The display can be mounted elsewhere, for example, anywhere on the rear or sides of a larger vehicle such as a van, bus or truck, where it will be readily seen. Once the vehicle exceeds the predetermined threshold speed, the display changes, showing vehicle license plate information, such as the license plate number, State of registration, etc. The electronic display system includes a programmable electronic display, driven by a display driver, and an electronic control module that allows information to be sent to and shown on the electronic display. The electronic control module is coupled to a speedometer, a tachometer, or a sensor that determines the rate at which the drive shaft rotates, which allows the control module to determine whether the threshold speed has been reached.

Claims

1. An electronic display system for use with a vehicle, comprising:

electronic display means for displaying information, the display means being adapted for mounting on a vehicle;

an electronic control module connected to the display means; and

means for detecting a predetermined threshold speed of the vehicle, the means for detecting the threshold speed being electrically connected to the electronic control module;

wherein the electronic display means displays vehicle registration information when the predetermined threshold speed is exceeded, and programmed content information when vehicle speed is less than the threshold speed.

2. An electronic display system for use with a vehicle, comprising:

a programmable electronic display having an adaptation for mounting on a vehicle;

an electronic control module having a connection to the programmable electronic display;

the electronic control module further alternatively having a connection to a tachometer, a speedometer, and a sensor wherein the control module has the capability to determine whether a predetermined threshold speed has been reached;

the sensor having a connection to a driveshaft of the vehicle to determine a rate at which the driveshaft rotates;

vehicle registration and programmed content information available for transmission of the information to the display;

wherein alternatively, the programmable electronic display displays the vehicle registration information when the predetermined threshold speed is exceeded, and the programmed content information when vehicle speed is less than the threshold speed.

3. The electronic display system according to claim 2, wherein the electronic control module connection to the programmable electronic display further comprises a connection to a display driver so that an output signal for displaying an image can be sent by the electronic control module to the display driver for displaying the image on the electronic display.

4. The electronic display system according to claim 3, wherein the display driver is integral with the electronic control module.

5. The electronic display system according to claim 2, wherein the connection to the tachometer comprises a tachometer coupling to the driveshaft instead of a crankshaft.

6. The electronic display system according to claim 3, wherein the connection to the display driver further comprises a connection of the electronic control module to a transmitter/receiver.

7. The electronic display system according to claim 6, wherein the display driver may be coupled to a receiver.

8. The electronic display system according to claim 7, further comprising:

the capability of sending control signals wirelessly by the transmitter/receiver to the receiver, wherein the wireless transmission of information is provided.

9. The electronic display system according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle registration information includes a vehicle license plate number, a jurisdiction in which the vehicle is registered, and any other vehicle identity information necessary for compliance with traffic laws and regulations.

10. The electronic display system according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle registration information is stored within the electronic control module.

11. The electronic display system according to claim 2, wherein the capability to determine whether a threshold speed has been reached further comprises having the capability to ascertain the speed of the vehicle.

12. The electronic display system according to claim 2, wherein the programmed content information is stored within the electronic control module.

13. The electronic display system according to claim 2, wherein the programmed content information is made available from a wireless source.

14. The electronic display system according to claim 2, wherein the programmed content information may include commercials, news, weather, traffic, and public service.

15. The electronic display system according to claim 14, wherein the programmed content information may include preprogrammed advertisements, weather, traffic information loaded into the electronic control module.

16. The electronic display system according to claim 15, wherein the preprogrammed weather, traffic information may be transmitted to the transmitter/receiver for storage and forwarding to the receiver.

17. The electronic display system according to claim 15, wherein the weather, traffic information is sent directly in real-time to the receiver from an outside agency.

18. The electronic display system according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined threshold speed is a speed at which it is apparent that the vehicle is moving in traffic congestion.

19. The electronic display system according to claim 2, wherein the system is powered using the vehicle'"'"'s existing power system.

20. An electronic display system for use with a vehicle, comprising:

electronic display means for displaying information, the display means being adapted for mounting on a vehicle;

an electronic control module connected to the display means; and

means for detecting a predetermined threshold speed of the vehicle, the means for detecting the threshold speed being electrically connected to the electronic control module;

wherein the electronic display means displays a first message when vehicle speed is less than the threshold speed, and a second message when vehicle speed is greater than the predetermined threshold speed.