Vehicle communication system and method of use

• US 7,952,489 B1
• Filed: 01/31/2008
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rising Phoenix Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Rising Phoenix Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Paterno, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): Previl; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/023,982
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.4, 340/815, 340/45, 340/815.49, 340/990, 340/989, 340/994, 340/995.1, 340/426.13, 340/426.14, 340/426.32, 340/475, 340/468, 340/479
• US Class Current: 340/815.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• 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

Abstract

Described is a vehicle communication system. The system includes a display installed in, or on, a first vehicle such that the display is viewable by persons in other vehicles or pedestrians proximate the first vehicle. The display is communicatively linked to one or more vehicle systems or a vehicle controller area network whereby based on activation, engagement or utilization of a vehicle system, the display automatically displays a message associated with the activation, engagement or activation of the vehicle system. For example, if a driver of the vehicle applies the brakes, a “STOPPING” message is displayed. Messages may be pre-programmed into the system or custom created and entered by a user. The display may also be used to advertise, alert passersby to an emergency or otherwise communicate with persons in other vehicles or pedestrians.

Claims

1. A vehicle communication system comprising:

a housing;

attachment means operable to attach said housing to a vehicle;

display means supported by said housing;

a controller in communication with said display means;

a processor in communication with said controller and/or said display means;

memory means pre-programmed with one or more messages for displaying on said display means;

program means for allowing a user to program custom messages, in addition to said pre-programmed messages, into said memory means;

remote control means operable to remotely instruct said display means; and

wherein said processor;

(i) interrupts and stops display of custom messages in lieu of pre-programmed messages responsive to information obtained from said vehicle'"'"'s brake system, turn signal system or gear system and (ii) restarts display of said custom message at a conclusion of said information from said vehicle'"'"'s brake system, turn signal system or gear system.

2. The vehicle communication system of claim 1, wherein said remote control device includes a display for showing information as it is shown on said display means.

3. The vehicle communication system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured such that said controller communicates with a vehicle'"'"'s controller area network.

4. The vehicle communication system of claim 3, wherein said display means is configured to automatically display messages based on information obtained from said controller area network.

5. The vehicle communication system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured such that said controller communicates with at least one of the following:

a vehicle'"'"'s brake system, turn signal system or gear system.

6. The vehicle communication system of claim 5, wherein said display means is configured to automatically display messages based on information obtained from said vehicle'"'"'s brake system, turn signal system or gear system.

7. The vehicle communication system of claim 1, further comprising a louver panel operable to allow heat from said display means to be dissipated.

8. The vehicle communication system of claim 1, wherein said memory means is configured with multiple memory banks, each memory bank dedicated to a different message function.

9. The vehicle communication system of claim 8, wherein at least one memory bank is dedicated to pre-programmed messages and at least one other memory bank is dedicated to custom messages.

10. The vehicle communication system of claim 1, wherein said remote control means is programmed to store a user code which triggers a vehicle alarm in the event the code is not entered via the remote control means before the vehicle is started or a pre-established duration thereafter.

11. A vehicle communication system comprising:

a housing;

a bracket system operable to attach said housing to a vehicle;

a display system comprising a light emitting diode array, controller, processor and memory, said controller configured to receive information from one or more vehicle systems and instruct said light emitting diode array to display a message corresponding to the information received from said one or more vehicle systems;

said memory pre-programmed with one or more messages for displaying on said display system;

a remote control device having a monitor, said remote control device operable to allow a user to program custom messages, in addition to said pre-programmed messages, into said memory and display on said monitor in substantially real-time and a same manner viewable messages corresponding to the messages being shown on said light emitting diode array and;

wherein said processor interrupts and stops display of custom messages in lieu of pre-programmed messages responsive to information obtained from said vehicle'"'"'s brake system, turn signal system or gear system and (ii) restarts display of said custom message at a conclusion of said information from said vehicle'"'"'s brake system, turn signal system or gear system.

12. The vehicle communication system of claim 11, wherein said system is configured with said controller communicating with a vehicle'"'"'s controller area network.

13. The vehicle communication system of claim 12, wherein said light emitting diode array is configured to automatically display messages based on information obtained from said controller area network.

14. The vehicle communication system of claim 11, wherein said system is configured with said controller communicating with at least one of the following:

a vehicle'"'"'s brake system, turn signal system or gear system.

15. The vehicle communication system of claim 14, wherein said display means is configured to automatically display messages based on information obtained from said vehicle'"'"'s brake system, turn signal system or gear system.

16. The vehicle communication system of claim 11, wherein said memory means is configured with multiple memory banks, each memory bank dedicated to a different message function.

17. The vehicle communication system of claim 16, wherein at least one memory bank is dedicated to pre-programmed messages and at least one other memory bank is dedicated to custom messages.

18. The vehicle communication system of claim 11, wherein said remote control means is programmed to store a user code which triggers a vehicle alarm in the event the code is not entered via the remote control means before the vehicle is started or a pre-established duration thereafter.

19. A method of communicating from a first vehicle comprising:

positioning a display in said first vehicle such that said display is viewable by other vehicles proximate said first vehicle;

communicatively linking said display to at least one vehicle system;

pre-programming messages into one or more memory locations for presentation on said display responsive to said vehicle system being activated, engaged or utilized, wherein said display is pre-programmed to show a message related to the activation, engagement or utilization of the vehicle system;

providing means for allowing a user to program custom messages into said one or more memory locations and;

interrupting and stopping display of custom messages in lieu of pre-programmed messages responsive to information obtained from said vehicle'"'"'s brake system, turn signal system or gear system and (ii) restarting display of said custom message at a conclusion of said information from said vehicle'"'"'s brake system, turn signal system or gear system.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising storing pre-programmed messages in memory in communication with said display.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising configuring memory to accept and store custom messages therein.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising communicatively linking said display to a controller area network of the vehicle.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising configuring a remote control device to communicate with said display such that said remote control device may be used to create custom messages to be shown on said display.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising configuring a remote control device to communicate with said display such that a display screen on said remote control device shows messages as said messages appear on said display.