Abstract:
The invention relates to a vehicle computer system. The vehicle computer system gathers data from a safety sensor to determine whether the proper safety conditions are present for the vehicle operator to interact with the vehicle computer system. A safety controller receives safety condition data gathered from the safety sensor and instructs the display manager to disable the display of information to the vehicle operator during unsafe operating conditions. The vehicle computer system advantageously employs a transparent display screen to provide greater field of vision of the vehicle operator than could be provided by a traditional display screen.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATION 
     This application hereby claims the benefit of pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/715,990 for a “Vehicle Computer System with Transparent Display” (filed Oct. 19, 2012 at the United States Patent and Trademark Office), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosure relates generally to computer systems, and, more specifically, to a vehicle computer system having a transparent display. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Computer devices have contributed greatly to creating workplace efficiency across all industries. The relatively recent surge in advancements in mobile computing technology have proven especially useful to businesses, particularly those having a mobile workforce. While mobile computing devices do have distinct advantages, they also present unique safety challenges not present in a traditional desktop computing environment. For instance, the near-universal use of mobile computing devices like smartphones has resulted in an increased number of automobile accidents caused by drivers distracted by the use of such devices. Other types of computer devices used in a mobile setting can present similar safety hazards. For instance, computer navigation systems in automobiles may distract a driver from attending to the road. In the industrial setting, heavy equipment and industrial vehicle operators may become distracted by display readouts from computer devices located in the vehicle that are intended to assist the worker in his or her task. For example, a forklift may be equipped with a computer device that assists in the dispatching of the forklift to the proper pickup location within a warehouse. An unsafe operating condition may be created, however, if the forklift operator is distracted by this display of information while attempting to operate the forklift. Additionally, the computer equipment itself tends to inhibit a vehicle operator&#39;s field of vision, thereby increasing the likelihood of collisions with objects that are obstructed from view. 
     Screen blanking technology has previously been implemented to ameliorate the risks associated with the display of information on computer devices within a vehicle. This technology generally disables the display of information on these devices when it is unsafe for the operator of the vehicle to view the information, such as when the vehicle is in motion. While this technology is generally effective at preventing the display of distracting information during specified periods, it does not address the problem of the computer display screen&#39;s obstruction of the operator&#39;s field of vision even when not displaying information. 
     What is needed is a computer system suitable for use in a vehicle that provides less obstruction to the vehicle operator&#39;s field of vision. In particular, a computer system is needed that has a display screen large enough to display information in an easy-to-read fashion, thereby avoiding undue visual strain on the vehicle operator, while not obstructing the view of the vehicle operator in a manner that would create an unsafe operating environment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present invention embraces a vehicle computer system with a transparent display. 
     In another aspect, the present invention embraces a vehicle computer system with a transparent display that provides greater operator visibility than a traditional LCD display screen. 
     In another aspect, the present invention embraces a vehicle computer system with a transparent display that automatically disables the display screen when it is not safe to display information to the operator. 
     In another aspect, the present invention embraces a vehicle computer system with a transparent display screen that also serves as a vehicle window. 
     In another aspect, the present invention embraces a vehicle computer system with a transparent display screen that is larger and easier to read than a traditional LCD display screen. 
     In another aspect, the present invention embraces a vehicle having a vehicle computer system with a transparent display mounted thereto that provides for greater operator visibility than a traditional LCD screen. 
     In another aspect, the present invention embraces a vehicle computer system having a transparent display screen that can implement augmented reality technology. 
     The foregoing, as well as other objectives and advantages of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further specified within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram illustrating the components of an exemplary vehicle computer system according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary computer-equipped vehicle according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary computer-equipped vehicle according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosure relates to a vehicle computer system. In one aspect, the invention embraces a vehicle computer system having a transparent display. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle computer system according to the present invention has associated with it a central processing unit, a mass storage device, an operating system stored on the mass storage device and executed by the central processing unit, a system memory, an input apparatus for receiving input from user (i.e., an operator or vehicle operator), a transparent display device, a safety sensor, a display manager adapted to control the display of information on the transparent display device, a safety controller adapted to instruct the display manager to modify the display of information on the transparent display device based on safety condition data received from a safety sensor, and a network interface. Typically, the components of the vehicle computer system are operably connected by a system bus. 
     Typical vehicles employing the vehicle computer system will be industrial vehicles (e.g., forklifts, cargo cranes), but the disclosure equally embraces non-industrial vehicles (e.g., automobiles, mass-transit vehicles (e.g., buses, trains)). References in the disclosure and in the drawings to particular types of vehicles are not intended to limit the disclosure in any way to particular vehicles. Rather, the term vehicle is used in its broadest meaning. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram illustrating the components of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle computer system  10 . A computer  20  includes a mass storage device  40  for storing an operating system  45  and application programs  55 . The mass storage device  40  may store other types of information. The operating system  45  is software that controls the overall operation of the vehicle computer system  10 , including process scheduling and management, process protection, and memory management. Examples of a suitable operating system include, without limitation, WINDOWS® 7 and WINDOWS® EMBEDDED COMPACT (i.e., WINDOWS® CE) from MICROSOFT® CORPORATION of Redmond, Wash., and the LINUX® open source operating system. Typically, the operating system  45  is loaded by booting the computer  20  and is executed directly by the central processing unit  25 . An application program  55  is an executable software program designed to help the vehicle operator perform specific tasks. The application programs  55  may load automatically upon execution of the operating system  45  or in response to a command input from the vehicle operator. A main memory  30  provides for storage of instructions and data directly accessible by the central processing unit  25 . Main memory  30  may include random-access memory  32  (RAM) and read-only memory  34  (ROM). The ROM  34  may permanently store firmware or a basic input/output system (BIOS), which provide the first instructions to the computer  10  when it boots up. The RAM  32  typically serves as temporary and immediately accessible storage for the operating system  45  and application programs  55 . 
     The mass storage device  40  may be any of the various types of computer components capable of storing large amounts of data in a persisting (i.e., non-volatile) and machine-readable manner. Typically, the mass storage device  40  will be a hard disk drive. Alternatively, the mass storage device  40  may be a solid state drive, optical drive, or other component with similar storage capabilities. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the mass storage device  40  also stores a display manager  50 . The display manager  50  controls the output of images to the transparent display device  70  for viewing by the vehicle operator, typically based upon instructions received from the operating system  45 .  FIG. 1  depicts the display manager  50  as being a distinct computer program from the operating system  45 , but one skilled in the art will appreciate that the display manager  50  may in an alternative embodiment be integrated with the operating system  45 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , a safety controller  60  is also stored on the mass storage device  40 . The safety controller  60  receives input from the safety sensor  65 , and provides instructions to the display manager  50  based on that input as will be described below in detail.  FIG. 1  depicts the safety controller  60  as being integrated into the display manager  50 . In an alternative embodiment, the safety controller  60  may be discrete from the display manager  50  while still providing instructions to the display manager  50  based upon input received from the safety sensor  65 . 
     An exemplary embodiment of the vehicle computer system  10  according to the present invention also includes a network interface  80 . The network interface  80  is logically connected to a communications network  85 , thereby enabling the computer  20  to communicate with communications network  85 . The communications network  85  may be any collection of computers or communication devices interconnected by communication channels. The communication channels may be wired or wireless. Examples of such communication networks include, without limitation, local area networks, the Internet, and cellular networks. The connection to the communications network  85  allows the computer  20  to communicate with other network nodes. For example, a central dispatcher could send instructions (e.g., a delivery schedule) from a scheduling server to the vehicle operator via the communications network  85 . 
     The vehicle operator interfaces with the vehicle computer system  10  via an input apparatus  75 . The input apparatus  75  allows the vehicle operator to initiate and interact with application programs  55  and the operating system  45 . The type of input apparatus  75  employed by the vehicle computer system  10  will generally depend upon the input requirements of the application programs  55  (e.g., whether they require data input or simply menu selection). Examples of a suitable input apparatus  75  include, without limitation, a keyboard, a mouse, a light pen, a microphone, a touchpad or a touchscreen. An input apparatus  75  may include a plurality of input devices (e.g., a mouse and a keyboard). Where data input is required, a keyboard would typically be the preferred input apparatus  75 . Where touchscreen input is desirable, the input apparatus  75  may be integrated with the transparent display device  70 . 
     A safety sensor  65  is employed to detect safety conditions and transmit data regarding the safety conditions (i.e., safety condition data) to the computer  20 . More particularly, the safety sensor  65  communicates safety condition data to the safety controller  60 . Examples of types of safety sensors  65  that may be employed, without limitation, are motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers, global positioning satellite receiver devices, speedometers, motion detectors, cameras, etc.), tactile sensors, position sensors, and seat-belt sensors.  FIG. 1  depicts the use of a single safety sensor  65 , but a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a plurality of safety sensors  65  may be employed, including safety sensors  65  of different types (e.g., a motion sensor and a seat-belt sensor). Safety conditions include any data used by the safety controller  60  in determining whether to instruct the display manager  50  to start or stop the display of information on the transparent display device  70 . Examples of such safety conditions may include, without limitation, vehicle movement, vehicle speed, engagement of the vehicle transmission (i.e., the vehicle transmission is not in the neutral or park position), engagement of the parking brake, and engine status (e.g., running). The safety sensor  65  may or may not be located remotely from the computer  20 . The connection between the safety sensor  65  and the system bus  35  may be wired or wireless. The safety controller  60  may also be configured to instruct the display manager  50  to display only certain types of information under certain safety conditions. For example, the safety controller  60  may instruct that only a digital clock graphic taking up a small portion of the viewable area of the transparent display device  70  can be displayed while the vehicle is in motion, thereby allowing for the vehicle operator to know the time while preventing the display of distracting material. 
     Information is presented to the vehicle operator on a transparent display device  70 . Unlike traditional cathode ray tube (CRT) displays or traditional liquid crystal displays (LCDs) that have opaque viewing screens, a transparent display device  70  has a transparent viewing screen. Traditional LCD monitors, for example, require back light units (BLUs) to illuminate liquid crystals to create a viewable image. This configuration results in a device that is opaque. In contrast, a transparent display device  70  does not require a back light unit. Instead, the transparent display device  70  uses ambient light as its light source. Consequently, a transparent display device  70  is able to display images on a viewing screen that is transparent. A non-limiting example of a suitable transparent display device  70  would be the display portion of the NL22B transparent LCD screen offered by SAMSUNG®. 
     The central processing unit  25 , main memory  30 , mass storage device  40 , network interface  80 , transparent display device  70 , input apparatus  75  and safety sensor  65  are all operably connected to a system bus  35 . The system bus  35  is adapted to transmit data communications between components of the vehicle computer system  10  (e.g., between the central processing unit  25  and the network interface  80 ). 
     The vehicle computer system  10  according to the present invention may be configured to disable the display of information on the transparent display device  70  under certain safety conditions. For example, a motion sensing safety sensor  65  may detect when the vehicle  110  is moving, transmit that safety condition to the safety controller  60 , which may be configured to disable the display of information on the transparent display device  70  when the safety condition of vehicle movement is detected. Upon receiving notification from the safety sensor  65  that the safety condition (e.g., vehicle movement) is present, the safety controller communicates to the display manager  50  that the display of information on the transparent display device  70  should be disabled (i.e., that the transparent display device  70  should have a blank screen) or that the display of information otherwise be modified. In response to the instructions received from the safety controller  60 , the display manager  50  then disables the display of information on the transparent display device  70 . In this illustrative example, the vehicle operator is prevented from viewing information on the transparent display device  70  during the presence of a safety condition (vehicle motion, in this instance) where it is not safe to interact with the vehicle computer system  10 . Similarly, and by way of further illustration, the safety controller  60  could be configured to instruct the display manager  50  to disable the display of information on the transparent display device  70  when a safety sensor  65  detects that the parking brake is not engaged. Alternatively, the safety controller  60  could be configured to instruct the display manager  50  to disable the display of information on the transparent display device  70  when one safety sensor  65  (e.g., a speedometer) detects that the vehicle speed has exceeded a specified limit and another safety sensor  65  detects that the seatbelt is not engaged. Typically, the safety controller  60  will not instruct the display manager  50  to enable the display of information on the transparent display device  70  until the safety sensor  65  detects that the safety conditions are within defined parameters that are acceptable for the use of the vehicle computer system  10 . For example, the safety controller  60  may be configured to instruct the display manager  50  to enable the display of information on the transparent display device  70  only when the parking brake is engaged. 
     During the presence of safety conditions that are not conducive to safe interaction with the vehicle computer system  10 , the disabling (or modification) of the display of information to the transparent display device  70  enhances vehicle operator safety in at least the following respects. First, it prevents the vehicle operator from being distracted by the presence of information on the transparent display device  70  and from acting upon the concomitant temptation to interact with the vehicle computer system  10 . Second, the employment of a transparent display device  70  provides for a less obstructed field of vision for the vehicle operator, who can see through substantially the entire display screen of the transparent display device  70  when the display of information is disabled, than traditional display screens with display blanking technology. With a less obstructed field of vision, the vehicle operator is more likely to visually see obstacles and other conditions which could affect the safe operation of the vehicle  110 . 
     An advantage of the vehicle computer system  10  according to the present invention is that it allows for the use of larger displays than would be possible with systems employing display screens with traditional CRT or LCD technology. Because those traditional display screens are opaque—both when active and when disabled—they must be kept relatively small so that the vehicle operator&#39;s field of vision is not obstructed any more than is necessary. As a result, many CRT and traditional LCD-based systems employ display screens that are capable of displaying very limited amounts of information. Moreover, the relatively small display screens can be difficult for the vehicle operator to read. Because the transparent display device  70  does not significantly obstruct the vehicle operator&#39;s field of vision when the display of information is disabled, the vehicle computer system  10  according to the present invention can use substantially larger displays capable of displaying more information that is easier to read. Furthermore, in alternative exemplary embodiments where the input apparatus  75  is integrated with the transparent display device  70  (e.g., a touchscreen display), the larger screen allows for easier input entry by the vehicle operator. More specifically, the vehicle operator may more easily make input selections because touching a menu item, for example, on a larger touchscreen is easier than doing so on a smaller touchscreen or, in some instances, a smaller keyboard. 
     In another aspect, the disclosure embraces a computer-equipped vehicle  120 . As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the computer-equipped vehicle  120  comprises a vehicle  110 , a vehicle computer system  10  comprising a central processing unit  25 , a main memory  30 , a mass storage device  40 , an operating system  45  stored on the mass storage device and executed by the central processing unit, an application program  55 , an input apparatus  75  for receiving input from a user, a transparent display device  70 , a safety sensor  65 , a display manager  50  adapted to control the display of information on the transparent display device  70 , and a safety controller  60  adapted to instruct the display manager  50  to modify the display of information on the transparent display device  70  based on safety condition data received from the safety sensor  65 . The computer-equipped vehicle further comprises a mounting means (not pictured) for mounting the vehicle computer system  10  to the vehicle  110 . The mounting means may be any means suitable for fixably or removably mounting the vehicle computer system  10  to the vehicle  110 . A non-exclusive example of a suitable mounting means would be a mounting bracket.  FIG. 2  depicts a computer-equipped vehicle  120  in a state where information is being displayed on the transparent display device  70 .  FIG. 3  illustrates how the transparent display screen  70  becomes substantially transparent when the display of information is disabled by the display manager  50 . 
     A computer-equipped vehicle  120  according to the present invention enjoys the safety and usability benefits afforded by the vehicle computer system  10 , and, in particular, by the employment of a transparent display device  70  and a safety controller  60 . Additionally, a computer-equipped vehicle  120  is better suited to implement software solutions employing augmented reality (AR) technology, including such software solutions as building information modeling (BIM). As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, augmented reality technology enables a computer system to overlay real-time images of the real-world environment with information relevant to elements depicted in those images. By way of example relating to the present invention, a computer-equipped vehicle  120  in the nature of a cargo crane could be configured to overlay the real-world view of cargo containers seen through the transparent display device  70  with information pertaining to individual cargo containers. More specifically, the cargo crane vehicle operator could look through the transparent display device  70  and see real-world cargo containers overlaid with graphical and textual information indicating, for example, the identity and location of the container to load next, cargo container contents, and/or destination information. By way of further example, a computer-equipped vehicle  120  in the nature of a forklift could be configured to receive GPS and/or RFID information and use that information to display an augmented reality environment on the transparent display device  70 . More specifically, the augmented reality environment could overlay the real-world environment viewed through the transparent display device  70  with graphical and/or textual data regarding the location of warehoused items to be picked up and the best route to reach their location. 
     In the specification and figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.