Systems and methods of vehicular communication

• US 9,947,221 B1
• Filed: 02/12/2017
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2017
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Mazzola
• Original Assignee: Robert Mazzola
• Inventors: Mazzola, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Nwugo, Ojiako
• Application Number:
  US15/430,533
• Time in Patent Office: 429 Days
• Field of Search: 340902, 340903, 34099513, 701113, 701117
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/178 Warnings
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/179 Distances to obstacles or vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• 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 1/507 specific to autonomous vehicles
• 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: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096791 where the origin of the information is another vehicle

Abstract

Vehicular communication systems and methods are disclosed, including one or more media devices. A host device inside a vehicle is coupled to a media device that is adaptable to being mounted to the vehicle. The media device includes a display configured to display a default image. The host device is configured to receive data associated with a predefined direction of the vehicle from vehicle operation sensors on the vehicle and receive traffic data from one or more application servers. In response to the data, the host device determines a vehicle status and transmits media content to be presented on the display, including at least one road sign. The host device is further configured to establish a link with a second media device including a display and transmit instructions to project the media content.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a host device inside a vehicle coupled to a media device, the media device adaptable to being mounted to the vehicle and including a display within a housing;

the host device being configured to;

receive data associated with a predefined direction of the vehicle from one or more vehicle operation sensors coupled to the vehicle;

receive traffic data from one or more application servers over a network;

identify a first traffic object in the predefined direction of the vehicle;

determine the vehicle status based on the data about the predefined direction of the vehicle and the traffic data; and

transmit media content to be presented on the display to a second traffic object different from the vehicle associated with the determined vehicle status, the media content including a first image comprising at least one road sign.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the host device is coupled to the media device via a wireless link.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the host device includes a second display, and the host device is further configured to present second media on the second display corresponding to the determined vehicle status, including a second image comprising the at least one road sign.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the host device is further configured to project an audible warning corresponding to the at least one road sign through speakers of the vehicle.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the vehicle status corresponds to a parking mode, and the first image comprises at least one parking road sign.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the media device is mounted on a rear portion of the vehicle.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the host device is further configured to establish a communication link with a second host device inside a second vehicle.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the host device is further configured to transmit instructions to project the media content on a second host device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the host device is further configured to transmit instructions to project the media content on a second media device mounted on a second vehicle.

10. A method comprising:

receiving, by a host device inside a vehicle coupled to a media device, data associated with a predefined direction of the vehicle from one or more vehicle operation sensors coupled to the vehicle;

receiving traffic data from one or more application servers over a network;

identifying a first traffic object in the predefined direction of the vehicle;

determining the vehicle status based on the data about the predefined direction of the vehicle and the traffic data; and

transmitting media content to be presented on the display to a second traffic object different from the vehicle associated with the determined vehicle status, the media content including a first image comprising at least one road sign.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising projecting an audible warning corresponding to the at least one road sign through speakers of the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the media device is mounted to the outside of the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the mounted media device is mounted to a rear outer portion of the vehicle by one or more fasteners.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising transmitting instructions to project the media content on a second host device.

15. The method of 11, further comprising projecting the media on an augmented reality windshield within the vehicle.

16. A system, comprising:

a host device inside a vehicle;

a media device mounted to the vehicle and including a display within a housing, the media device being configured to;

receive data associated with a predefined direction of the vehicle from one or more vehicle operation sensors coupled to the vehicle;

receive traffic data from one or more application servers over a network;

identify a first traffic object in the predefined direction of the vehicle;

determine the vehicle status based on the data about the predefined direction of the vehicle and the traffic data; and

transmit media content to be presented on the display to a second traffic object different from the vehicle associated with the determined vehicle status, the media content including a first image comprising at least one road sign.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the host device includes a second display and is configured to display the media on the second display.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the display is configured to display a default image different from the first image.

19. The display system of claim 16, wherein the media device has a flexible, 3-D shape.