Integrated flat panel display for mounting to exterior surfaces of motor vehicles

• US 7,478,492 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2004
• Issued: 01/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Madonia Family Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Madonia Family Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Madonia, Joseph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Awad; Amr
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIS, RANDAL L
• Application Number:
  US10/845,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20050253699A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,712 Days
• Field of Search: 340/463, 340/425.5, 405/90, 405/91, 405/93
• US Class Current: 40/591
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• 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: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/00 Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/10 Registration, licensing, or like devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles

Abstract

A flat panel display is integrated with and mounted to an exterior portion of a motor vehicle. The flat panel display, such as LED or plasma display, is mounted flush to an exterior portion of a vehicle body. A protective rim surrounds at least a portion of the perimeter the display. A protective layer is disposed on a viewing surface of the display. A control circuit is coupled for controlling the display. A memory device is coupled to the control circuit for storing images. An operator control panel is coupled to the control circuit for controlling operation of the display. A communication link is coupled to the control circuit for receiving images for display on the flat panel display. A sensor is coupled to the control circuit for sending a sensor signal to the control circuit and causing an image to be displayed on the flat panel display.

Claims

1. A display integrated with and mounted to an exterior portion of a first motor vehicle, comprising:

a flat panel display mounted flush to an exterior portion of a vehicle body and within a cutout portion of the exterior portion of the vehicle body, the flat panel display having at least 1024 by 768 pixels to display graphics and including an LCD, plasma, or active matrix display;

a protective rim surrounding a perimeter of the flat panel display and extending outward from the flat panel display, the protective rim including a rubber or polymer material;

a protective layer disposed on a viewing surface of the flat panel display, the protective layer including Plexiglass;

a control circuit coupled for controlling the flat panel display, the control circuit including,

(a) programmable logic with an identifier code matched to the first motor vehicle for theft deterrence, the programmable logic being configured to disable the flat panel display if the identifier code does not match to the first motor vehicle,

(b) a memory coupled to the programmable logic for storing graphical images, and

(c) a two-way communication port coupled to the programmable logic for sending and receiving signals, the two-way communication port being configured to receive information from a compact disc (CD) player and a personal computer (PC);

a wireless communication link coupled to the two-way communication port for sending and receiving the signals, the wireless communication link being configured to receive signals generated by a public service notification system, the signals including public service bulletins and emergency alerts;

a first sensor mounted to the first motor vehicle for detecting proximity of a second motor vehicle with respect to the first motor vehicle, the first sensor sending a first warning signal to the control circuit and causing an image corresponding to the first warning signal to be retrieved from the memory and displayed on the flat panel display when a distance between the first and second motor vehicles is less than a predetermined threshold, the image on the flat panel display being accentuated to warn the second motor vehicle, the accentuation including animation of the image;

a second sensor mounted to the first motor vehicle for sensing a power failure of an engine of the first motor vehicle, the second sensor sending a second warning signal to the control circuit and causing an image corresponding to the second warning signal to be retrieved from the memory and displayed on the flat panel display to notify the second motor vehicle of the power failure of the engine of the first motor vehicle, the image on the flat panel display being accentuated to warn the second motor vehicle, the accentuation including animation of the image; and

an operator control panel mounted to the dashboard, steering column, or center console of the first motor vehicle and coupled to the control circuit for controlling operation of the flat panel display and including a user interface for causing the control circuit to retrieve image or video data from a CD player or a PC connected to the two-way communication port, specifying the display duration of an image stored in the memory, searching within a plurality of images stored in the memory, and enabling and disabling the wireless communication link and first and second sensors.