Vehicle with Interior Video Display for Exterior View

• US 20080211653A1
• Filed: 05/02/2007
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nanolumens Aquisition, Inc. (NanoLumens, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nanolumens Aquisition, Inc. (NanoLumens, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cope, Richard C.
• Application Number:
  US11/743,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20080211653A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/461
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/152 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1533 Flexible displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/67 Foldable or movable displays
• 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: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/223 Flexible displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/53 Movable instruments, e.g. slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/06 of controls, e.g. controls knobs
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/27 providing all-round vision, e.g. using omnidirectional cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/20 characterised by the type of display used
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/00 Photogrammetry or videogrammetry, e.g. stereogrammetry; Photographic surveying

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to vehicle display systems, vehicles comprising vehicle display systems, and methods of operating vehicles comprise vehicle display systems. In particular, the vehicle display systems comprise a detection device adapted to receive physical signals from outside the vehicle and generate data signals in response to the physical signals; a display module adapted for communication with the detection device, wherein the display module is adapted to receive the data signals from the detection device and to generate control signals in response to the data signals; and a display unit comprising at least a first flexible addressable display panel adapted for communication with the display module, wherein the first flexible display panel is adapted for mounting inside the vehicle and to receive at least some of the control signals from the display module and to generate at least a portion of the view simulating image in response to the at least some of the control signals.

Claims

1. A vehicle display system for displaying a view simulating image inside a vehicle based on physical signals from outside the vehicle, comprising:

a detection device adapted to receive physical signals from outside the vehicle and generate data signals in response to the physical signals;

a display module adapted for communication with the detection device, wherein the display module is adapted to receive the data signals from the detection device and to generate control signals in response to the data signals; and

a display unit comprising at least a first flexible addressable display panel adapted for communication with the display module, wherein the first flexible display panel is adapted for mounting inside the vehicle and to receive at least some of the control signals from the display module and to generate at least a portion of the view simulating image in response to the at least some of the control signals.

2. The vehicle display system of claim 1, wherein the first flexible addressable display panel is mounted directly on an interior surface of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle display system of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the interior surface of the vehicle is non-planar.

4. The vehicle display system of claim 1, wherein the physical signals are at least one of light, sound, heat, electromagnetic signals, electric fields, and magnetic fields.

5. The vehicle display system of claim 1, wherein the display unit comprises a plurality of flexible addressable display panels including the first flexible display panel, the plurality of flexible addressable display panels being adapted for communication with the display module and adapted for mounting inside the vehicle and to receive the control signals from the display module and to generate the view simulating image in response to the control signals.

6. The vehicle display system of claim 1, wherein:

the display module is further adapted to generate secondary control signals in response to receiving a predetermined type of data signal from the detection device; and

the flexible addressable display panel is adapted to receive the secondary control signals from the display module and to generate a secondary image in response to the secondary control signals.

7. The vehicle display system of claim 6, wherein the secondary image comprises at least one of a message and a signal.

8. The vehicle display system of claim 1, wherein:

the display module is further adapted to generate location specific secondary control signals in response to receiving predetermined types of data signals from the detection device; and

the flexible addressable display panel is further adapted to receive the location specific secondary control signals from the display module and generate a location specific secondary image in response to the location specific secondary control signals, wherein the location specific secondary image is generated on a specific location of the view simulating image.

9. The vehicle display system of claim 1, further comprising:

a user input device adapted for communication with the display module, wherein the user input device is adapted to receive input from a user and generate selection signals in response to the input from the user; and

wherein the display module is adapted to receive the selection signals from the user input device and to select an operational mode in response to the user input.

10. The vehicle display system of claim 9, wherein the operational mode changes at least one characteristic of the control signals generated in response to the data signals.

11. The vehicle display system of claim 9, wherein the user input device comprises a touch screen mounted over the flexible addressable display panel.

12. The vehicle display system of claim 1, further comprising:

a user input device adapted for communication with the display module, wherein the user input device is adapted to receive location specific input from the user and generate location specific selection signals in response to the input from the user; and

wherein the display module is further adapted to receive the location specific selection signals from the user input device and generate location specific secondary control signals in response to the location specific selection signals; and

the flexible addressable display panel is further adapted to receive the location specific secondary control signals from the display module and generate a location specific secondary image in response to the location specific secondary control signals, wherein the location specific secondary image is generated on a specific location of the view simulating image.

13. The vehicle display system of claim 1, wherein the display module is adapted to select an operational mode in response to receiving a predetermined type of data signal from the detection device.

14. The vehicle display system of claim 1, wherein the view simulating image comprises, with respect to the vehicle, an external forward facing view, an external rearward facing view, and one or more external side facing views.

15. The vehicle display system of claim 14, wherein the view simulating image further comprises, with respect to the vehicle, an external upward facing view.

16. The vehicle display system of claim 14, wherein the view simulating image further comprises, with respect to the vehicle, an external downward facing view.

17. The vehicle display system of claim 1, wherein the view simulating image comprises an external substantially panoramic view of area surrounding the vehicle.

18. A vehicle comprising a carrier and a vehicle display system for displaying a view simulating image inside a vehicle based on physical signals from outside the vehicle, the vehicle display system comprising:

a detection device adapted to receive physical signals from outside the vehicle and generate data signals in response to the physical signals;

a display module adapted for communication with the detection device, wherein the display module is adapted to receive the data signals from the detection device and generate control signals in response to the data signals; and

a display unit comprising at least a first flexible addressable display panel adapted for communication with the display module, wherein the first flexible display panel is mounted inside the vehicle and is adapted to receive at least some of the control signals from the display module and generate at least a portion of the view simulating image in response to the at least some of the control signals.

19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the first flexible addressable display panel is mounted directly on an interior surface of the vehicle.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the interior surface of the vehicle is non-planar.

21. The vehicle display system of claim 18, wherein the physical signals are at least one of light, sound, heat, electromagnetic signals, electric fields, and magnetic fields.

22. The vehicle display system of claim 18, wherein the display unit comprises a plurality of flexible addressable display panels including the first flexible display panel, the plurality of flexible addressable display panels being adapted for communication with the display module and adapted for mounting inside the vehicle and to receive the control signals from the display module and to generate the view simulating image in response to the control signals.

23. The vehicle display system of claim 18, wherein:

the display module is further adapted to generate secondary control signals in response to receiving a predetermined type of data signal from the detection device; and

the flexible addressable display panel is adapted to receive the secondary control signals from the display module and to generate a secondary image in response to the secondary control signals.

24. The vehicle display system of claim 23, wherein the secondary image comprises at least one of a message and a signal.

25. The vehicle display system of claim 18, wherein:

the display module is further adapted to generate location specific secondary control signals in response to receiving predetermined types of data signals from the detection device; and

the flexible addressable display panel is further adapted to receive the location specific secondary control signals from the display module and generate a location specific secondary image in response to the location specific secondary control signals, wherein the location specific secondary image is generated on a specific location of the view simulating image.

26. The vehicle display system of claim 18, further comprising:

a user input device adapted for communication with the display module, wherein the user input device is adapted to receive input from a user and generate selection signals in response to the input from the user; and

wherein the display module is adapted to receive the selection signals from the user input device and to select an operational mode in response to the user input.

27. The vehicle display system of claim 26, wherein the operational mode changes at least one characteristic of the control signals generated in response to the data signals

28. The vehicle display system of claim 26, wherein the user input device comprises a touch screen mounted over the flexible addressable display panel.

29. The vehicle display system of claim 26, further comprising:

a user input device adapted for communication with the display module, wherein the user input device is adapted to receive location specific input from the user and generate location specific selection signals in response to the input from the user; and

wherein the display module is further adapted to receive the location specific selection signals from the user input device and generate location specific secondary control signals in response to the location specific selection signals; and

the flexible addressable display panel is further adapted to receive the location specific secondary control signals from the display module and generate a location specific secondary image in response to the location specific secondary control signals, wherein the location specific secondary image is generated on a specific location of the view simulating image.

30. The vehicle display system of claim 18, wherein the display module is adapted to select an operational mode in response to receiving a predetermined type of data signal from the detection device.

31. The vehicle display system of claim 18, wherein the view simulating image comprises, with respect to the vehicle, an external forward facing view, an external rearward facing view, and one or more external side facing views.

32. The vehicle display system of claim 31, wherein the view simulating image further comprises, with respect to the vehicle, an external upward facing view.

33. The vehicle display system of claim 31, wherein the view simulating image further comprises, with respect to the vehicle, an external downward facing view.

34. The vehicle display system of claim 18, wherein the view simulating image comprises an external substantially panoramic view of area surrounding the vehicle.

35. A method for navigating a vehicle, comprising:

receiving physical signals from outside the vehicle with a detection device;

generating data signals with the detection device in response to the physical signals;

receiving the data signals with a display module;

generating control signals with the display module in response to the data signals;

receiving at least a portion of the control signals with a display unit comprising at least a first flexible addressable display panel mounted inside the vehicle;

generating at least a portion of a view simulating image with the flexible display panel in response to the control signals; and

navigating the vehicle in response to the view simulating image.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the first flexible addressable display panel is mounted directly on an interior surface of the vehicle.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein at least a portion of the interior surface of the vehicle is non-planar.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of receiving physical signals comprises receiving at least one of light, sound, heat, electromagnetic signals, electric fields, and magnetic fields.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the display unit comprises a plurality of flexible addressable display panels including the first flexible display panel, the plurality of flexible addressable display panels being adapted for communication with the display module and adapted for mounting inside the vehicle and to receive the control signals from the display module and to generate the view simulating image in response to the control signals.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein:

the display module is further adapted to generate secondary control signals in response to receiving a predetermined type of data signal from the detection device; and

the flexible addressable display panel is adapted to receive the secondary control signals from the display module and to generate a secondary image in response to the secondary control signals.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the secondary image comprises at least one of a message and a signal.

42. The method of claim 35, wherein:

the display module is further adapted to generate location specific secondary control signals in response to receiving predetermined types of data signals from the detection device; and

the flexible addressable display panel is further adapted to receive the location specific secondary control signals from the display module and generate a location specific secondary image in response to the location specific secondary control signals, wherein the location specific secondary image is generated on a specific location of the view simulating image.

43. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

a user input device adapted for communication with the display module, wherein the user input device is adapted to receive input from a user and generate selection signals in response to the input from the user; and

wherein the display module is adapted to receive the selection signals from the user input device and to select an operational mode in response to the user input.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the operational mode changes at least one characteristic of the control signals generated in response to the data signals

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the user input device comprises a touch screen mounted over the flexible addressable display panel.

46. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

a the user input device adapted for communication with the display module, wherein the user input device is adapted to receive location specific input from the user and generate location specific selection signals in response to the input from the user; and

wherein the display module is further adapted to receive the location specific selection signals from the user input device and generate location specific secondary control signals in response to the location specific selection signals; and

the flexible addressable display panel is further adapted to receive the location specific secondary control signals from the display module and generate a location specific secondary image in response to the location specific secondary control signals, wherein the location specific secondary image is generated on a specific location of the view simulating image.

47. The method of claim 35, wherein the display module is adapted to select an operational mode in response to receiving a predetermined type of data signal from the detection device.

48. The method of claim 35, wherein the view simulating image comprises, with respect to the vehicle, an external forward facing view, an external rearward facing view, and one or more external side facing views.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the view simulating image further comprises, with respect to the vehicle, an external upward facing view.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the view simulating image further comprises, with respect to the vehicle, an external downward facing view.

51. The method of claim 35, wherein the view simulating image comprises an external substantially panoramic view of area surrounding the vehicle.