See-through lighted information display

• US 7,477,140 B1
• Filed: 10/25/2007
• Issued: 01/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kael Duaine Burden, Kenneth C. Booth
• Original Assignee: Kael Duaine Burden, Kenneth C. Booth
• Inventors: Booth, Kenneth C., Burden, Kael Duaine
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Tai T
• Application Number:
  US11/924,534
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 340/471, 340/479, 340/464, 340/468, 340/475, 340/463, 345/55, 345/82, 345/903
• US Class Current: 340/471
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/268 on windscreens or windows B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/5037 the display content changing automatically, e.g. depending on traffic situation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/509 specific to unauthorised use, e.g. for indicating stolen vehicles or infringements of traffic rules
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/544 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle occupants, e.g. for indicating disabled occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/545 for indicating other traffic conditions, e.g. fog, heavy traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/547 for issuing requests to other traffic participants; for confirming to other traffic participants they can proceed, e.g. they can overtake
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/903 Modular display

Abstract

Embodiments for lighted see-through displays include a plurality of light elements positioned thereon at select points arranged to convey information. The light elements may be selectively lit to provide fixed or moving information, or may even be programmed to change or even display like a marquee or even a television. Particular embodiments of the invention employ a lightweight, flexible substrate to support the light elements. Other embodiments employ one or more comparatively rigid substrates supporting rows of light elements. Particular applications for the lighted sign embodiments include display in vehicle windows such as police vehicle windows, construction and utility vehicle windows, and school bus and public transportation windows. Global Positioning System and radio signal receiver components allow for regional display of pertinent information in particular embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A lighted vehicle display for a vehicle window, the display comprising:

a plurality of display pixels mounted with substantially even row spacing on each of a plurality of printed circuit boards, the plurality of display pixels throughout a display area of the display mounted in a window of a vehicle, wherein the display area fills a majority of the window; and

a controller operatively associated with each of the display pixels and configured to control each of the display pixels separately from the other display pixels to display variable information in the window of the vehicle;

wherein the display area is see-through for approximately 25% or more of the display area such that a line of sight through the display from a driver'"'"'s seat in the vehicle to outside the window of the vehicle.

2. The lighted vehicle display of claim 1, wherein the display area is see-through for approximately 50% or more of the display area.

3. The lighted vehicle display of claim 1, wherein the display area is see-through for approximately 75% or more of the display area.

4. The lighted vehicle display of claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises a manual interface comprising a display.

5. The lighted vehicle display of claim 1, wherein the display pixels comprise at least one of light emitting diodes and fiber optic segments.

6. The lighted vehicle display of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit boards extend across a majority of the length of the display area in a plurality of horizontal rows.

7. The lighted vehicle display of claim 6, further comprising at least one signal bus electrically coupled to an end of the plurality of horizontal rows.

8. The lighted vehicle display of claim 7, wherein the horizontal rows are further pivotally coupled to the at least one signal bus so that a viewing angle for one or more of the horizontal rows is adjustable.

9. The lighted vehicle display of claim 6, wherein the horizontal rows are mounted to a frame adjacent an angled window at an angle with respect to the vehicle window such that the light elements shine through the window substantially parallel with the ground but positionally follow the angle of the window.

10. The lighted vehicle display of claim 1, wherein each display pixel comprises at least two light elements.

11. The lighted vehicle display of claim 1, wherein the plurality of printed circuit boards are spaced at approximately 1 inch intervals and each display pixel comprises a 3 millimeter color LED.

12. The lighted vehicle display of claim 1, wherein the plurality of printed circuit boards are spaced at approximately 1 inch intervals, each display pixel comprises a 5 millimeter color LED.

13. A lighted vehicle display for a vehicle window, the display comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes coupled to each of at least seven horizontal rows of printed circuit boards in a display area, the display area bounded by a frame mounted adjacent to and substantially parallel with a window of a vehicle, wherein the display area fills a majority of the window; and

a controller operatively associated with each of the light emitting diodes and configured to control each of the light emitting diodes separately from the other light emitting diodes to display variable information in the window of the vehicle;

wherein the display area is see-through for approximately 25% or more of the display area such that a line of sight through the display from a driver'"'"'s seat in the vehicle to outside the window of the vehicle.

14. The lighted vehicle display of claim 13, wherein the horizontal rows are mounted at an angle with respect to the frame such that the light emitting diodes shine through the window substantially parallel with the ground.

15. The lighted vehicle display of claim 13, wherein the display area is see-through for approximately 50% or more of the display area.

16. The lighted vehicle display of claim 13, wherein the display area is see-through for approximately 75% or more of the display area.

17. The lighted vehicle display of claim 13 wherein the printed circuit boards extend across a majority of the length of the display area.

18. The lighted vehicle display of claim 13, further comprising at least one signal bus electrically coupled to an end of each of the seven horizontal rows.

19. The lighted vehicle display of claim 13, wherein the horizontal rows are further pivotally coupled to the at least one signal bus so that a viewing angle for one or more of the horizontal rows is adjustable.

20. The lighted vehicle display of claim 13, wherein the horizontal rows are mounted to a frame adjacent an angled window at an angle with respect to the vehicle window such that the light elements shine through the window substantially parallel with the ground but positionally follow the angle of the window.