Electronic display panels for automobiles
First Claim
1. A display unit system for displaying messages, the display unit system comprising:
- display panels configured to display messages provided by a computing device, wherein the messages include a set of advertising messages including location-based messages, and the display panels are mounted on top of a vehicle and face oppositely from each other so that the messages can be readily seen when the vehicle goes around;
a power management unit configured to automatically stop the vehicle energizing the display unit in an event that the vehicle stops for a predefined period;
a Global Positioning System (GPS) determining a location of the vehicle,wherein the computing device, coupled to the GPS, communicates wirelessly with a base station to receive at least some of the messages in accordance with the location of the vehicle; and
two display plates facing oppositely from each other and integrated orthogonally with the display panels for displaying a default message in a normal condition and activated to display a predetermined message where the default message was displayed when the driver deems it necessary to draw attention from others.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for displaying messages on top of a vehicle are disclosed. Although useful in many other areas, the techniques are particularly suitable for taxicab. According to one aspect of these techniques, a display unit is mounted on top of a vehicle. The display unit includes at least two display panels facing outward respectively. The display unit is controlled by a computing device to display various messages. In one embodiment, the vehicle is provided a Global Positioning System (GPS) that determines a location of the vehicle. Coupled to the GPS, the computing device sends the location information of the vehicle to a base station and receives returned information from the base station in accordance with the location information. The returned information, at least some of which are location based, is locally processed for suitable display on the display panels.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A display unit system for displaying messages, the display unit system comprising:
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display panels configured to display messages provided by a computing device, wherein the messages include a set of advertising messages including location-based messages, and the display panels are mounted on top of a vehicle and face oppositely from each other so that the messages can be readily seen when the vehicle goes around; a power management unit configured to automatically stop the vehicle energizing the display unit in an event that the vehicle stops for a predefined period; a Global Positioning System (GPS) determining a location of the vehicle, wherein the computing device, coupled to the GPS, communicates wirelessly with a base station to receive at least some of the messages in accordance with the location of the vehicle; and two display plates facing oppositely from each other and integrated orthogonally with the display panels for displaying a default message in a normal condition and activated to display a predetermined message where the default message was displayed when the driver deems it necessary to draw attention from others. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for displaying messages, the system comprising:
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providing a vehicle; providing a Global Positioning System (GPS) in the vehicle; mounting a display unit on top of the vehicle, the display unit having display panels facing oppositely from each other configured to display messages provided by a controller that communicates wirelessly with a base station, the controller configured to display in the display unit the messages, wherein the messages include a set of advertising messages and location-based messages, at least some of the messages are provided from a storage device controlled by the controller, and wherein the controller causes the display unit to be brighter when in day time and less bright when in night time; energizing the display unit from the vehicle, wherein the Global Positioning System (GPS) determines a location of the vehicle, and the controller, coupled to the GPS, communicates wirelessly with a base station to receive at least some of the messages in accordance with the location of the vehicle, said energizing the display unit from the vehicle suspends whenever the vehicle stops for a predefined period; and providing two display plates facing oppositely from each other and integrated with the display unit for displaying a default message in a normal condition and activated to display a predetermined message where the default message was displayed when the driver deems it necessary to draw attention from others, wherein the display plates are attached orthogonally to the display panels in the display unit. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification