Abstract:
The present invention relates to a communication systems, and more specifically to a vehicular messaging display unit. The unit allows one of a plurality of messages to be displayed on at least one of the front or rear windshield to other drivers. A remote control unit is provided for customizing messages by the user in terms of content and appearance as well as for controlling the display of the messages. The display is designed so that it does not impede the safety of drivers.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a communication systems, and more specifically to a vehicular messaging display unit. The unit allows one of a plurality of messages to be displayed on at least one of the front or rear windshield to other drivers. A remote control unit is provided for customizing messages by the user in terms of content and appearance as well as for controlling the display of the messages. The display is designed so that it does not impede the safety of drivers. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Numerous other vehicular message display systems exist in the prior art. However, no vehicular message display system exists as described in the present invention. While prior art vehicular message display systems may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a communication systems, and more specifically to a vehicular messaging display unit. The unit allows one of a plurality of messages to be displayed on at least one of the front or rear windshield to other drivers. A remote control unit is provided for customizing messages by the user in terms of content and appearance as well as for controlling the display of the messages. The display is designed so that it does not impede the safety of drivers. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art. 
   Another, secondary object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system that allows communication between drivers on the road. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system that allows for communication between drivers without increasing the danger to themselves and to other drivers. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system including a message display unit and remote control unit connected to the display unit for at least one of selecting and displaying a message thereon. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system wherein the message display unit is located in the interior of the vehicle by the rear or front windshield. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system that displays a mirror image of the selected message on the message display unit when the unit is in the front windshield thereby allowing a person a vehicle ahead to be able to read the displayed message in a rearview mirror. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system whereby the system includes a plurality of pre-set messages. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system wherein a user may customize messages for display or use the pre-set messages. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system wherein the user is able to customize the appearance of the text in the message display unit. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system that includes software executable on a personal computer enabling the user to customize the message and the appearance of the message. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system including a connection wire for connecting the remote control unit with a personal computer allowing the customization of the message data to be applied and used by the system. 
   An even further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system enabling the user to manually select whether the message is shown. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system whereby the message is displayed for a predetermined amount of time. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system whereby the use of the brakes overrides the message displayed by the message display unit. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system whereby the message display unit is powered by the vehicle&#39;s battery. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system whereby the message automatically shuts off when the car is turned off. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system whereby the messages are stored by the message display unit. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system that is simple and easy to use. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular message display system that is inexpensive to manufacture and operate. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the rear of a car using the vehicular message display system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the front of a car using the vehicular message display system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of a vehicular message display system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the vehicular message display system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of a computer software screen display of the vehicular message display system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the vehicular message display system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the vehicular message display system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a flow diagram of the vehicular message display system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram of the vehicular message display system of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 10  is a flow diagram of the vehicular message display system of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the vehicular message display system of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing Figures. 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               10 
               vehicular message display system of the present invention 
             
             
               12 
               message display unit 
             
             
               14 
               user vehicle 
             
             
               16 
               front windshield user vehicle 
             
             
               18 
               back windshield user vehicle 
             
             
               20 
               other vehicle 
             
             
               22 
               front windshield other vehicle 
             
             
               24 
               back windshield other vehicle 
             
             
               26 
               user 
             
             
               28 
               other user 
             
             
               30 
               line of vision 
             
             
               32 
               user vehicle rearview mirror 
             
             
               34 
               control panel 
             
             
               36 
               message text box 
             
             
               38 
               text box directional arrow 
             
             
               40 
               group box 
             
             
               42 
               group box directional arrow 
             
             
               44 
               front display button 
             
             
               46 
               rear display button 
             
             
               48 
               scroll speed menu button 
             
             
               50 
               scroll direction menu button 
             
             
               52 
               moving method menu button 
             
             
               54 
               blinking text button 
             
             
               56 
               blinking speed menu button 
             
             
               58 
               repeat time interval button 
             
             
               60 
               text size and style menu button 
             
             
               62 
               text color menu button 
             
             
               64 
               special symbols and graphics menu button 
             
             
               66 
               save button 
             
             
               68 
               remote control 
             
             
               70 
               power button 
             
             
               72 
               1-10 button 
             
             
               74 
               11-20 button 
             
             
               76 
               remote message display 
             
             
               78 
               message selection button 
             
             
               80 
               auto-off button 
             
             
               82 
               manual button 
             
             
               84 
               power supply 
             
             
               86 
               voltage converter 
             
             
               88 
               LED display PCB 
             
             
               90 
               communication interface terminal 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 10  illustrate the vehicular message display system of the present invention which is indicated generally by the numeral  10 . 
     FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the rear of a user vehicle  14  using the vehicular message display system  10  of the present invention. Herein and throughout the figures, the user vehicle  14  is a car. However, this is for illustrative purposes only, and the system  10  may be used in any vehicle. The vehicular message display system  10  includes a message display unit  12  (MDU). Herein the MDU  12  is located in a back windshield  18  of the user vehicle  14 . However, this is for purposes of example only, and the MDU  12  can be located in other locations on the rear of a vehicle such that the MDU  12  is visible to other drivers. The MDU  12  is positioned either within or on the user vehicle  14  in a location that does not make driving unsafe for a user  26  and a driver of a second vehicle  20 . The MDU  12  may display one of a plurality of messages that are either pre-set or user-customized, as will be described hereinafter with respect to  FIGS. 5-7 . These messages alert other drivers to certain situations and/or intentions regarding the user&#39;s vehicle  14 , such as that the user vehicle  14  is being driven by a student driver, as shown herein, or whether the passengers are going to a game, for example. As an additional safety feature, when the user  26  steps on the brake, the message is removed from the MDU  12 . The system  10  is a mechanism for improving safety on roadways. The system accomplishes this goal by providing a visual alert that clearly specifies and defines an action that is being taken by a driver or an action about to be taken by a driver. The visual alert is conspicuously provided to other drivers on the road via the MDU  12 . Therefore, the increase in communication between drivers on the road that otherwise have no manner of communicating with one another provides for a more intelligent motor vehicle driving system. The greater amount of information available to users on the road will significantly reduce the amount of unexpected incidents that would, up until now, increase the risk of a motor vehicle accident. 
     FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the front of the user vehicle  14  using the vehicular message display system  10  of the present invention. Herein the MDU  12  is located in a front windshield  16  of the user vehicle  14 . The MDU  12  is situated so that the user&#39;s  26  vision of the road is not impaired. A vehicle having an MDU is able to broadcast the desired message in mirror-image form such that a user  26  in the vehicle positioned ahead thereof is able to read the message as intended. The message displayed on the MDU  12  when the MDU  12  is in the front windshield  16  is a mirror image of the desired message. This enables the driver of the second vehicle  20  to view the message in their respective rear-view mirror. Alternatively, the MDU  12  may be selectively positioned in a plurality of locations within the car such as within the dashboard, atop the dashboard and on the underside of a sun visor. These locations are described for purposes of example only and the MDU  12  may be in any position within the vehicle that allows an image representative of a message that is broadcast from a first vehicle in mirror image form to be properly read by a driver of a second vehicle that is positioned in front of the first vehicle. 
     FIG. 3  is an illustrative side view of the vehicular message display system  10  of the present invention in use. Shown herein is a user vehicle  14  having the MDU  12  positioned in front of a second vehicle  20  such that a driver  28  of the second vehicle  20  is able to view the rear end of the user vehicle  14 . The user  26  is driving the user vehicle  14  having the MDU  12  positioned in the back windshield  18  of the user vehicle  14 . The MDU  12  is visible by the driver  28  of the second vehicle  20 . Additionally, the MDU  12  is visible to any other driver of any other vehicle (not shown) that has a view of the rear end of the user vehicle  14 . The second driver  28  is able to look through a front windshield  22  of the second vehicle  20  to view the MDU  12  positioned either in or on the user vehicle  14 . The second driver  28  is able to view the message displayed on the MDU  12  and is provided with information regarding the intention and/or action of the user  26 . Upon viewing the message, the second driver  28  may act accordingly to operate the second vehicle  20  in a safe manner. 
     FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the vehicular message display system  10  of the present invention. The user vehicle  14  is positioned behind the second vehicle  20  for broadcasting a desired message to the driver  28  of the second vehicle.  FIG. 4  shows an alternate and/or supplementary position of the MDU  12  in the user vehicle  14 . The MDU  12  is positioned either on or proximate to the front windshield  16  of the user vehicle  14 . An exemplary position for the MDU  12  is on a rear side of a rearview mirror. Alternatively, the MDU  12  may be formed integral with the rearview mirror of the user vehicle  14 . This position allows the desired message to be broadcast for receipt by and display in the second driver&#39;s  28  line of vision  30 . The desired message is received for display on a mirror positioned in or on the second vehicle  20 . As shown herein, the desired message is received on a surface of the side mirror  32 . The mirror  32  transposes the broadcast message and the driver  28  of the second vehicle  20  is able to view the desired message as intended. Thus, the driver  28  of the second vehicle is property informed of the intention of the user  26  and/or action taken or to be taken by the user vehicle. 
     FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of a computer software screen display  34  of the vehicular message display system  10  of the present invention. The message display system  10  is selectively controllable by the user  26 . The control mechanism may be implemented in at least one hardware device having control instructions stored in a ROM, as a computer software application or a combination thereof. The control mechanism may be formed integral with the user vehicle  26  and connected to the MDU  12  by a plurality of known electrical connections such as conventional wiring, wireless transmission signals and connection via a communication network. The control mechanism may include a screen  34  for allowing interaction with the user  26  for setup and control of system  10  operation. Additionally, the control mechanism may be formed integral with the user vehicle as a stand alone unit or be formed as executable instructions included as part of a vehicle option. The vehicle option may include a touch-screen display unit as is commonly known in the art. 
   The screen display  34  allows the user  26  to customize the message displayed on the MDU  12 , both in terms of text of the message and the appearance. The control mechanism provides user selectable options for display on the display screen  34 , which upon selection thereof, allow a user to control and operate the system  10  of the present invention. The desired message is displayed in a message text box  36 . The user  26  may enter a new message in the message text box  36  to customize the desired message via an input keypad (not shown) or may select one of a pair of text box directional arrows  38  to scroll through the list of messages already saved in a storage device connected to the system  10 . 
   Additionally, a plurality of messages that are either input or selected by a user may be grouped together using a grouping function. The grouping function provides for successive display of a plurality of messages. A group text box  40  displays the group name associated with the message displayed in the message text box  36 . If the message displayed in the message text box  36  is not associated with a group, the group text box  40  is blank. The user  26  may use one of a pair of group box directional arrows  42  to scroll through the groups. The group text box  40  further provides an option for adding a new group title by selecting the “add group” option from the group text box  40 . Alternatively, the display screen  34  selectively initiates display of a further screen that displays at least one of the plurality of stored messages and/or the plurality of stored groups that are selectable by the user  26 . 
   The message displayed in the message text box  36  is able to be further customized by selection of other customization buttons  44 - 64 . Generally, the system defaults as having the MDU  12  broadcast or display the message in both the front and rear ends of the user vehicle thereby providing comprehensive information to all drivers on all sides thereof. The user  26  may select a front display  44  button causing the message to be displayed only when the MDU  12  positioned adjacent the front windshield  16  of the user vehicle  14 . Alternatively, if the user  26  has an MDU  12  located in each of the front  16  and back  18  windshields, selection of the front display  44  button will have the message displayed only on the MDU  12  located in the front windshield  18  of the user vehicle. The user  26  may select a rear display  46  button to have the message displayed only when the MDU  12  is positioned on a rear end or windshield  18  of the user vehicle  14 . Alternatively, if the user  26  has an MDU  12  located in each of the front  16  and back  18  windshields, selection of the rear display  46  button will have the message displayed only on the MDU  12  located in the back windshield  16  of the user vehicle. 
   The scroll function is operable by selection of the scroll speed button  48 . The scroll speed function allows the user  26  to determine the speed with which a plurality of successive messages are displayed. The selection can occur either through the use of a drop down menu or by displaying a separate linked display screen that allows the user  26  to select the speed. This manner of selection of the further customization options may be used for further customization buttons  50 - 64  which are operable to further customize the broadcast and display of the desired message. Selection of a scroll direction  50  button initiates operation of the directional scrolling option which allows the user  26  to determine the direction that the message is displayed. The directions include but are not limited to, top to bottom, bottom to top, right to left, left to right. Selection of a moving method button  52  allows the user  26  to determine how the message moves, such as in wave-like pattern for example. Selection of a blinking text button  54  initiates operation of the blinking text function which allows the user  26  to have the message blink as it is displayed. Selection of a blinking speed button  56  initiates operation of the blinking speed function and allows the user  26  to decide how fast or slow the displayed message should blink, such as 20 times per minute. Selection of a repeat time interval button  58  initiates the message repetition function and allows the user  26  to determine the frequency with which the sequence of messages is displayed. Selection of a text size and style button  60  and a text color button  62  initiates the text customization feature and allows the user  26  to choose a text size and text style for the displayed message from a plurality of sizes and styles. Selection of a special symbols and graphics button  64  allows the user  26  to accent the displayed message with a plurality of special symbols and graphics. Upon the user selection and initiation of any number of customization features, the user is able to actuate a save button  66  and save data representing the desired message, message group, and associated customization data in a memory. 
   These selections and customizations may be uploaded to a remote control  68 , described hereinafter with respect to  FIG. 6 , via a USB port or other data-transfer terminal for display in the user vehicle  14 . In an alternate embodiment, the MDU  12  includes software enabling the user  26  to make these selections and customizations directly with the MDU  12 . 
     FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the remote control  68  for use with vehicular message display system  10  of the present invention. The remote control  68  allows the selection of messages stored therein in a manner discussed above with respect to  FIG. 5 , for broadcast and display by the MDU  12  positioned within or on the user vehicle  14 . A power button  70  is located on the remote control  68  and turns the MDU  12  on or off. The power button  70  may indicate the on/off status of the MDU  12 . The remote control  68  further includes a plurality of remote control message selection buttons  78  that correspond to a plurality of remote message displays, located adjacent thereto. Each message is located in one of 20 display locations. However, only 10 messages are displayed in the remote message display  76  at a time. The remote control  68  includes a pair of toggle buttons  72  and  74  that enable the user  26  to switch between messages  1 - 10  and messages  11 - 20 . Selection of the  1 - 10  toggle button  72 , displays messages  1 - 10  in the remote message display  76 , while selection of the  11 - 20  toggle button  74 , displays messages  11 - 20  in the remote message display  76 . In an alternate embodiment, when the  1 - 10  toggle button  72  is selected, the numbers  1 - 10  adjacent to their respective message selection buttons  78 , are lit up to indicate the messages that correspond with them are available for selection. To select a message for display, the user  26  will push the message selection button  78  corresponding to the message in the remote message display  76 . Pressing the message selection button  78  will latch the button in the “on” position, causing the message and/or button to be distinguished from the other messages/buttons, to alert the user that the selected message is now being actively displayed. Pushing the active message selection button  78  a second time unlatches the button, stopping the message from being displayed. LED&#39;s may be employed in the displays. 
   The remote control  68  further includes an auto-off button  80  and a manual button  82  allowing the user  26  to determine the display-time mode. The auto-off mode is the standard setting. Selection of the auto-off button  80  causes the selected message to display on the MDU  12  for 30 seconds. This time interval is for purposes of example only, and other time intervals may be selected. After 30 seconds, the message will stop being displayed and the user  26  is alerted that the message display time has expired. The alert can include but is not limited to an audio alert or a visual alert. As described above, pressing the message selection button  78  again will unlatch it, causing the alert to stop, and allowing another message to be selected for display. This mode is intended for messages requiring occasional activation, or temporary conditions. It helps prevent the user from accidentally leaving an outdated message activated on the MDU  12 . 
   In an alternate embodiment, a new message cannot be displayed if any of the message selection buttons  78  are latched. To display the same message again, the message selection button  78  needs to be pressed twice, once to unlatch it, and a second time to latch it and re-activate the message display for another 30 seconds. 
   Selection of the manual button  82  is intended for occasional use. In the manual mode, message will continue to be displayed on the MDU  12  as long as the corresponding message selection button  78  is latched. This mode is useful for displaying messages intended for continual broadcast. To turn off a message in the manual mode, the message selection button  78  is pressed to unlatch it. 
     FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the remote control  68  of the vehicular message display system  10  of the present invention. As described above with respect to  FIG. 6 , the remote control  68  includes a power button  70  for turning the MDU  12  on and off. The messages are displayed in the remote message display  76  and the message selection buttons  78  correspond to the messages in the message display  76 . Selection of the  1 - 10  toggle button  72  allows the user  26  to choose one of messages  1 - 10  for display on the MDU  12 . Selection of the  11 - 20  toggle button  74  allows the user  26  to choose one of messages  11 - 20  for display on the MDU  12 . The MDU  12  may have pre-existing messages, which the user  26  may keep or change. These pre-existing messages include but are not limited to 1. Making U-Turn; 2. Caution Student Driver; 3. Please Stop Tailgating; 4. Slow Moving Vehicle; 5. Driving Cautiously-New to Area; 6. Looking for a Parking Space; 7. Going to the Game; 8. Move Out of the Left Lane; 9. Hang Up and Drive; and 10. OK to Pass Me. 
   The remote control  68  further includes the auto-off button  80  and the manual button  82  allowing the user to determine the display-time mode. The auto-off button  80  turns off the selected message after a predetermined amount of time. This mode is preferred because it prevents the display of an outdated message. The manual button  82  causes the message selected by latching the corresponding message selection button  78  to be displayed until the message is unselected, via the unlatching of the message selection button  78 . 
     FIG. 8  is a flow diagram of the vehicular message display system  10  of the present invention. In step S 100 , the user  26  selects the  1 - 10  toggle button  72  or the  11 - 20  toggle button  74 . Then in step S 102 , the user  26  selects the manual button  82 . In step S 104 , the user selects the message selection button  78  that corresponds to the desired message displayed in the remote message display  76 . In step S 106 , the selected message is displayed on the MDU  12 . The user  26  selects the already selected message selection button a second time in step S 108 . In step S 110 , the message is no longer displayed on the MDU  12 . 
     FIG. 9  is a block diagram of the vehicular message display system  10  of the present invention. The MDU  12  houses a voltage converter  86  and a LED display PCB  88 . A power supply  84 , including but not limited to the vehicle&#39;s battery provides the power to operate the MDU  12 . When the power supply  84  is not the appropriate form for the MDU  12 , the power supply  84  is connected to the voltage converter  86 . Additionally, when the vehicle battery is the power supply  84 , the MDU  12  turns off when the vehicle is turned off to prevent the battery from inadvertently being used. The remote control  68  transmits a signal to a communication interface terminal  90  housed within the LED Display PCB  88 . Upon receipt of the signal, the interface parses the signal to determine the data contained therein. The parsed data is the displayed on the display of the MDU thereby providing a visual representation of the data to other drivers in the manner discussed hereinabove. 
     FIG. 10  is a flow diagram of the vehicular message display system  10  of the present invention. In step S 200 , the user  26  selects the  1 - 10  toggle button  72 . Then in step S 202 , the user  26  selects the auto-off button  80 . The user  26  then selects the message selection button  78  that corresponds to the desired message displayed in the remote message display  76  in step S 204 . In step S 206 , the message is displayed on the MDU  12  for a predetermined amount of time. Then in step S 208 , the message selection button  78  alerts the user  26  that the message display time has expired and the message is no longer displayed. The alert includes but is not limited to a visual alert and an audio alert. 
   It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of devices differing from the type described above. 
   While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.