Motor vehicle display apparatus

• US 6,140,934 A
• Filed: 12/27/1999
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Peter Ar-Fu Lam
• Original Assignee: Peter Ar-Fu Lam
• Inventors: Lam, Peter Ar-Fu
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US09/472,569
• Time in Patent Office: 309 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.4, 340/425.5, 340/473, 340/815.46, 340/815.54, 340/469, 340/438, 362/276, 362/84, 362/20, 362/488, 362/388, 362/806, 362/808
• US Class Current: 340/815.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/5035 electronic displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/88 Means for plugging to the electrical power supply of the vehicle, e.g. by using cigarette lighter sockets
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/04 characterised by the provision of a light source housing portion adjustably fixed to the remainder of the device
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/00 Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/12 by detecting audible sound
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

Display apparatus (300) is configured to be plugged into the cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle. Display unit (305) is configured to provide a gentle display mode to enhance the driving pleasure at night. In case of emergency, switch 323 triggers the display unit to provide high intensity blinking warning light. The display unit (305) can also be configured to provide various graphic, message or data information.

Claims

1. A display apparatus useful in combination with a vehicle comprising:

power plug dimensioned to plug into the cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle and to receive power from said vehicle;

light transducer configured to provide a high light intensity encoded emergency signal for requesting help;

said light transducer is further configured to be operative to provide said encoded emergency signal when said power plug is removed from the cigarette lighter socket of the vehicle; and

,

said emergency signal is available only when the power plug removend from said cigarette lighter socket.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a display panel to provide a lower light intensity decorative or information display;

data storage means providing data to be displayed onto said display panel; and

controller means to control graphic or data to be displayed on said display panel in accordance to the program data stored in said data storage means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said light transducer locates next to said display panel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said encoded emergency signal is represented by a predefined pulsing pattern of light.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said display panel is an integral part of said power plug.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said display panel is configured to pivot against said power plug to define the viewing angle of said display panel.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said display panel and said power plug are foldable to convert said apparatus into a pocket size apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 comprising the following operation modes:

(a) decorative mode;

(b) lighting and/or warning mode; and

(c) encoded pulsing mode to indicate emergency help requested.

9. A display apparatus useful in combination with a vehicle comprising:

power plug dimensioned to plug into the cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle and to receive power from said vehicle and

a display panel supported by said power plug to provide a low light intensity decorative graphics and/or information display;

data storage means to store data to be displayed onto said display panel; and

controller means to control graphic or data to be displayed on said display panel in accordance to the digital data stored in said data storage means.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further configured to provide a higher light intensity warning mode.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a light transducer to provide said higher intensity warning mode wherein said light transducer locates next to said display panel.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said higher light intensity warning mode is encoded with a predefined pulsing pattern of light to ask for help.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said display panel is a dot matrix display.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said display panel is configured to pivot against said power plug to define the viewing angle of said display panel.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said display panel and said power plug are foldable to convert said apparatus into a pocket size transportable apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the data or program stored in said memory storage means is downloaded from an external data source.

17. The apparatus of claim 9 further including a display orientation mode switch to define the orientation of the graphic or message display.

18. A display apparatus useful in combination with a vehicle comprising:

power plug dimensioned to plug into the cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle and to receive power from said vehicle and

a display panel supported by said power plug to provide a decorative graphics and/or information display;

wherein said display panel is configured to pivot against said power plug to define the viewing angle of said display panel.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said display panel and said power plug are foldable to convert said apparatus into a pocket size envelop.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 comprising light transducer located on said display panel to provide high light intensity warning signal.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 further configured to provide a lower light intensity decorative mode.

22. The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising:

data storage means to store data to be displayed on said display panel; and

controller means to control graphic or data to be displayed on said display panel in accordance to the digital program data stored in said data storage means.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the data or program stored in said memory storage means is downloaded from an external data source.