See-through lighted information display

• US 7,821,388 B1
• Filed: 01/13/2009
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• 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: Burden, Kael Duaine, Booth, Kenneth C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Tai T
• Application Number:
  US12/353,035
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 340/471, 340/479, 340/463, 340/464, 340/468, 340/475, 345/55, 345/82, 345/589, 345/903, 348/742, 348/744, 348/781
• 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 light source mounted on a trunk of a vehicle and configured to project a lighted message toward a rear window of the vehicle;

a reflective surface mounted to the rear window and covering a majority of the window, wherein the reflective surface is see-through from inside the vehicle but reflects the lighted message from outside the vehicle;

a controller operatively associated with the light source and configured to control the light source to display variable lighted messages on the rear window of the vehicle.

2. The lighted vehicle display of claim 1, wherein the light source is a projector.

3. The lighted vehicle display of claim 1, wherein the light source is a laser.

4. The lighted vehicle display of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface comprises a reflective film configured to reflect only particular wavelengths of visible light.

5. The lighted vehicle display of claim 4, wherein the reflective film comprises a holographic film.

6. The lighted vehicle display of claim 1, wherein the light source further comprises a film comprising a message thereon.

7. The lighted vehicle display of claim 1, wherein the light source further comprises a Fresnel lens through which the lighted message is projected.

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

a light source mounted to a vehicle and configured to project a lighted message toward a rear window of the vehicle;

a plurality of reflective surfaces mounted to the window and covering a majority of the window, wherein the reflective surfaces are configured to reflect portions of the lighted message projected toward the rear window of the vehicle for others outside the vehicle to read the lighted message from the reflective surfaces;

a controller operatively associated with the light source and configured to control the light source to display variable lighted messages on the rear window of the vehicle.

9. The lighted vehicle display of claim 8, wherein the light source is a projector.

10. The lighted vehicle display of claim 8, wherein the light source is a laser.

11. The lighted vehicle display of claim 8, wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces comprise reflective films configured to reflect only particular wavelengths of visible light corresponding to a wavelength of light projected by the light source.

12. The lighted vehicle display of claim 11, wherein the plurality of reflective films comprise holographic films.

13. The lighted vehicle display of claim 8, wherein the light source further comprises a film comprising a message thereon.

14. The lighted vehicle display of claim 13, wherein the light source further comprises a Fresnel lens through which the lighted message is projected.