Smart External Display for Vehicles

• US 20160363991A1
• Filed: 06/08/2016
• Published: 12/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karma Automotive LLC (Wanxiang Group Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Karma Automotive LLC (Wanxiang Group Corporation)
• Inventors: Stefanov, Nikola Kostov, Schlecht, Fairuz Jane
• Granted Patent: US 10,802,575 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/148 Instrument input by voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/151 Instrument output devices for configurable output
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/165 Videos and animations
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/169 Remaining operating distance or charge
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/186 Displaying information according to relevancy
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/48 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/55 Remote control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/566 Mobile devices displaying vehicle information
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/573 Mobile devices controlling vehicle functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/586 Wired data transfers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/589 Wireless data transfers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/5899 Internet
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/5911 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/592 Data transfer involving external databases
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/595 Data transfer involving internal databases
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/741 Instruments adapted for user detection
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/797 at the vehicle exterior
• 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 35/20 : Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 : Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 : characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 : Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 : Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/65 : Instruments specially adapted for specific vehicle types or users, e.g. for left- or right-hand drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 : Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/81 : for controlling displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/85 : Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/023 : for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 : based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 : for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 : for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0266 : based on the position of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2027/001 : Comprising a presence or proximity detector
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/048 : Advertisement panels on sides, front or back of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/005 : Signs associated with a sensor

Abstract

There is provided a vehicle comprising a body having an exterior, an external display screen visible on the exterior of the body, a proximity sensor, a non-transitory memory storing an executable code and a vehicle information database including vehicle information, and a hardware processor executing the executable code to detect, using the proximity sensor, an individual within a proximity of the vehicle, activate the external display screen in response to detecting the individual within the proximity of the vehicle, display, on the external display screen, the vehicle information from the vehicle information database stored in the memory, in response to detecting the individual within the proximity of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a body having an exterior;

an external display screen visible on the exterior of the body;

a proximity sensor;

a non-transitory memory storing an executable code and a vehicle information database including vehicle information; and

a hardware processor executing the executable code to;

detect, using the proximity sensor, an individual within a proximity of the vehicle;

activate the external display screen in response to detecting the individual within the proximity of the vehicle;

display, on the external display screen, the vehicle information from the vehicle information database stored in the memory, in response to detecting the individual within the proximity of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein, to detect the individual within the proximity of the vehicle, the hardware processor further executes the executable code to:

transmit, using the proximity sensor, a proximity detection signal;

receive, using the proximity sensor, a return signal in response to the proximity detection signal; and

determine the individual is within the proximity of the vehicle based on the return signal.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the detecting the individual within the proximity of the vehicle is based on detecting a key within the proximity of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the hardware processor further executes the executable code to:

receive a user input from an input device; and

display one or more items of vehicle information on the external display screen based on the user input.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the user input is one of a touch-screen input and a voice input.

6. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the hardware processor further executes the executable code to:

execute a vehicle operation in response to the input signal including at least one of turning the vehicle on, turning the vehicle off, adjusting a window position of one or more windows of the vehicle, and lock or unlock one or more doors of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein displaying the one or more items of vehicle information includes displaying at least one of a graphic, a video, and a status indicator on the external display screen.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the hardware processor further executes the executable code to:

receive a location information signal;

determine a location of the vehicle based on the location information signal;

identify a nearby business based on the location of the vehicle;

display an advertisement for the nearby business on the external display screen.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the location information signal is one of a global position system (GPS) signal and a cellular signal.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle information includes at least one of a branding video, a brand logo, a battery charge statue, and a greeting message.

11. A method for use by a vehicle including a body having an exterior, an external display screen visible on the exterior of the body, a non-transitory memory, a proximity sensor and a hardware processor, the method comprising:

detect, using the proximity sensor, an individual within a proximity of the vehicle;

activating, using the hardware processor, the external display screen in response to detecting the individual within the proximity of the vehicle;

displaying, on the external display screen, the vehicle information from the vehicle information database stored in the memory, in response to detecting the individual within the proximity of the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein to detect the individual within the proximity of the vehicle, the method further comprises:

transmitting, using the proximity sensor, a proximity detection signal;

receiving, using the proximity sensor, a return signal in response to the proximity detection signal; and

determining, using the hardware processor, the individual is within the proximity of the vehicle based on the return signal.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the detecting the individual within the proximity of the vehicle is based on detecting a key within the proximity of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving, using the hardware processor, a user input from an input device; and

displaying, using the hardware processor, one or more items of vehicle information on the external display screen based on the user input.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the user input is one of a touch-screen input and a voice input.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

executing, using the hardware processor, a vehicle operation in response to the input signal including at least one of turning the vehicle on, turning the vehicle off, adjusting a window position of one or more windows of the vehicle, and lock or unlock one or more doors of the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein displaying the one or more items of vehicle information includes displaying at least one of a graphic, a video, and a status indicator on the external display screen.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving, using the hardware processor, a location information signal;

determining, using the hardware processor, a location of the vehicle based on the location information signal;

identifying, using the hardware processor, a nearby business based on the location of the vehicle;

display an advertisement for the nearby business on the external display screen.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the location information signal is one of a global position system (GPS) signal and a cellular signal.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the vehicle information includes at least one of a branding video, a brand logo, a battery charge statue, and a greeting message.