Method and system for vehicle mounted infrared wavelength information displays for traffic camera viewers

• US 7,872,572 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2008
• Issued: 01/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Hoots, Harry L. III, Harrington, Nathan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US12/212,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20100066563A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 340/468, 340/815.45, 340/815.5, 340/815.52, 340/815.53, 340/425.5, 340/472, 405/91, 405/90, 405/88, 405/92, 362/493, 362/812, 362/487, 345/39, 345/53, 701/117, 705/14.4, 705/14.62, 705/14.63
• US Class Current: 340/468
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0265 Vehicular advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0266 based on the position of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/048 Advertisement panels on sides, front or back of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes

Abstract

Systems and methods for vehicle mounted infrared wavelength information displays for traffic camera viewers are disclosed. A method includes obtaining vehicle positioning data associated with at least one vehicle and, based upon the vehicle positioning data, selectively emitting infrared wavelength light from a set of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged on exterior surfaces of the at least one vehicle.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

obtaining vehicle positioning data associated with at least one vehicle; and

based upon the vehicle positioning data, selectively emitting infrared wavelength light from a set of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged on exterior surfaces of the at least one vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle positioning data comprises a geographic location of the at least one vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the vehicle positioning data further comprises a heading and a velocity of the at least one vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively emitting comprises determining the set.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the determining the set is based upon the vehicle positioning data, LED position data, LED range data, and camera position data.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the camera position data includes geographic location and viewing angle of at least one traffic camera.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the LED position data, the LED range data, and the camera position data are stored in memory that is accessible by a controller that performs the determining.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one vehicle comprises at least two vehicles, and

the plurality of LEDs are arranged on exterior surfaces of the at least two vehicles.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the set of the plurality of LEDs comprises:

a first group of LEDs arranged on a first one of the at least two vehicles, and

a second group of LEDs arranged on a second one of the at least two vehicles.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining updated vehicle positioning data associated with the at least one vehicle; and

based upon the updated vehicle positioning data, selectively emitting infrared wavelength light from a another set of the plurality of LEDs.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the set defines a first message, and

the another set defines a second message different from the first message.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the set defines a message arranged at a first scale, and

the another set defines the message arranged at a second scale different from the first scale.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein a service provider at least one of creates, maintains, deploys and supports a computer infrastructure that performs at least one of the steps of claim 1.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the steps of claim 1 are provided by a service provider under a subscription and/or fee agreement and/or based on advertising content to one or more third parties.

15. A method, comprising:

providing a computer infrastructure that operates to;

determine a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to activate, wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged on at least one vehicle; and

cause the plurality of LEDs to emit infrared wavelength light to display a message that is detectable by traffic cameras.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the determining is based on:

vehicle positioning data associated with the at least one vehicle;

LED position data;

LED range data; and

camera position data.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein a service provider at least one of creates, maintains, deploys and supports the computer infrastructure.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the computer infrastructure comprises hardware and software.

19. A system, comprising:

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged on at least one exterior surface of at least one vehicle; and

a controller that selectively activates a first set of the plurality of LEDs to display a first message based upon;

initial vehicle positioning data associated with the at least one vehicle;

LED position data;

LED range data; and

camera position data.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the controller selectively activates a second set of the plurality of LEDs to display a second message based upon:

updated vehicle positioning data associated with the at least one vehicle;

the LED position data;

the LED range data; and

the camera position data.