Abstract:
The present invention features a graphical message display system for vehicles. A visual display system having an array of light sources adapted for textual, graphical message displays. This system has three major components: the visual display device, and interfacing module, and a power adapter. The visual display device is capable of displaying alphanumerical and/or graphical messages in a stationary, flashing, or scrolling manner. The display device is comprised of an array of light sources in conjunction with microlenses emitting radiation in visual spectrum. The visual display device is adapted to fit into windows and/or windshields of vehicles for a wide variety of lighted signage applications.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a lighted display apparatus and, more particularly, to a lighted graphical display apparatus for use in automotive applications.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART  
         [0002]    The prior art is replete with devices employing light emitting devices. U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,115, to Parker, et. al, issaued Jun. 27, 2000, for Light Emitting Panel Assemblies for Use in Automotive Applications and the Like teaches of such a device. Herein, a flexible lighted assembly is disclosed for use in automobiles such as brake lights or such.  
           [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,350, issued on Mar. 7, 1995, to Beeson, et. al, for a Backlighting Apparatus Employing an Array of Microprisms teaches of a slab waveguide device that accepts light rays generated by a light source and transmits the light rays via total internal reflection. An array of microlenses are positioned to accept the light exiting from the microlenses in a substantially perpendicular manner for enhanced lighting.  
           [0004]    Parker, et al. issued on Jun. 27, 2000, as U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,838, discloses Light Emitting Panel Assemblies. This patent teaches of increasing the efficiency of light entering an exit panel for emitting light. A plurality of panel assemblies including light emitting surfaces along the length of the panel members are used. A uniform light output distribution is thus produced with a pattern of light void of deformities.  
           [0005]    In the U.S. patent to Fisher (U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,186), issued Apr. 17, 2001, the disclosure is directed to an illuminated display assembly having a transparent sheet of material and a light source and an array of lights arranged so as to distribute light from the light source. This apparatus is designed to increase light intensity issuing from a display particularly in the region remote from the light source.  
           [0006]    The U.S. patent to Ryan, Jr., et, al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,727) issued on Jun. 12, 2001, teaches of a low loss optic lens apparatus having a plurality of light sources such as LED&#39;s mounted to a board capable of being electrically connected to a power source. A lens is attached to the board in a spaced apart relationship. A plurality of cells are combined into an array, arranged into a housing for forming lighted displays.  
           [0007]    None of these patents either teaches or suggests a display system having an array of light sources adapted for graphical message displays for automobile usage. As will be seen in greater detail hereinafter, the present invention involves a system having a means for programming specific messages to be displayed on a display means consisting of an array of lights. The messages can be displayed in various modes including flashing, scrolling or stationary lettering to gain attention of an on-looker.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention features a graphical message display system for vehicles. A visual display system is disclosed having an array of light sources adapted for textual, graphical message displays. This system has three major components: the visual display device, an interfacing module, and a power adapter. The visual display device is capable of displaying alphanumerical and/or graphical messages in a stationary, flashing, or scrolling manner. The display device is comprised of an array of light sources in conjunction with microlenses emitting radiation in visual spectrum. The visual display device is adapted to fit into windows and/or windshields of vehicles for a wide variety of lighted signage applications.  
           [0009]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a graphical messaging display system for use in automobiles.  
           [0010]    It is another object of the invention to provide a visual message display system adapted for textual and/or graphical messaging for vehicles.  
           [0011]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a graphical messaging display system that may be programmed on site to display messages for on-lookers.  
           [0012]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a graphical messaging display system for automobiles capable of message displays in a stationary, flashing or scrolling manner.  
           [0013]    It is an additional object of the invention to provide a graphical messaging display system for vehicles that is portable and economical.  
           [0014]    It is a still further object of the invention to provide a graphical messaging display system for vehicles employing an array of visible light sources for providing messages.  
           [0015]    These and other objects, features and advantages will be more apparent from a study of the enclosed text and the appended drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when taken in conjunction with the detail description thereof and in which:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the components of the vehicle graphical message display system.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is an environmental view of the vehicle graphical message display system.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 shows a side view of the coherent light source as connected to an electrical circuit board in accordance with the present invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]    This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).  
         [0021]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 3 , there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the Vehicle Graphical Messaging Display System (VGMDS)  10  of the present invention. The VGMDS  10  comprises at least three major components of operation. These components are the visual display device (VDD)  100 , the interface module (IM)  200  and means for connecting to power, the power adapter  250 .  
         [0022]    The VDD  100  comprises an array  110  of light assemblies  109  that forms the visual platform for the means of display. For purposes of illustration and simplicity for this disclosure only, light emitting diodes (LEDs) will be understood herein as the preferred light source  112  of the light assemblies  109 . Each LED  112  has a central axis of light emission, and the LEDs  112  are preferably oriented with their central axes generally parallel. Alternatively, LCDs, LCIDs, incandescent bulbs, cathode ray tubes, fluorescent light, electroluminescent light, lasers (or other coherent light sources), or other light sources known to those skilled in the art can be used or adapted for use with the present invention. It is to be understood that a greater or lesser number of LEDs  112  may be used.  
         [0023]    The light sources  112  are mounted to an electrical circuit board  125  with an adhesive or by other mounting methods known to those skilled in the art and electrically connected to a power source (not shown) such as an automobile battery, a photovoltaic cell, a generator, or the like by way of power adapter  250  having a 12/24 volt converter therein. As shown in FIG. 3, the board  125  is preferably a conventional circuit board with electric conductors embedded in the surface of the board  125  so that each light source  112  may be electrically connected thereto and all the light sources  112  on one board  125  may thus be electrically interconnected for coincidental operation.  
         [0024]    Optionally, the light sources  112  and/or their wiring may extend through apertures defined in the board  125  for independent electrical connection to the power source so that each light source  112  may be individually operated. It should be noted that other arrangements may be suitably employed, such as electrically interconnecting the light sources  112  by conventional wiring. In such an arrangement, the board  125  may be made of a plastic, metal, ceramic, composite, or other material known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0025]    Provided on each light source is a microlens  114  optically affixed thereto. The microlens  114  may be preferably molded from a polycarbonate or acrylic material. Optionally, the microlens  114  may be made of a thermoplastic resin or other material and fabricated by other methods known to those skilled in the art. The microlens  114  may be generally transparent or have a tint or other light filter for producing a visible color as may be desired in a given application.  
         [0026]    The microlens  114 , in conjunction with the light source  112 , are preferably oriented in a generally perpendicular arrangement relative to board  125 . The microlens  114  is preferably rigidly attached to the light source  112  via non-lossy bonding agents, resins, etc., or other mounting mechanisms known to those skilled in the art and selected to generally prevent movement of the microlens  114  relative to the light source  112  and to not interfere with light emminating therefrom. The board  125  and arrangement of light source  112  are preferably generally rectangular so that the resulting visual display device (VDD)  100  has a generally rectangular shape. Optionally, the VDD  100  may have a triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or other regular or irregular shape known to those skilled in the art for retrofitting into windows of particular makes of automobiles.  
         [0027]    The thickness of the microlenses  114  are selected to achieve a generally maximum intensity of the light source  112  and a generally minimum optic loss. The convex lens thickness and curvature are selected based on the desired index of refraction for the microlens  114 .  
         [0028]    The aperture diameter D is selected to allow high intensity light rays to be transmitted through a convexed microlens  114  without suffering optical losses that reduce the light intensity. The farther the convex microlens  114  extends in length L (lens thickness) from the light source  112 , the greater must be the aperture diameter D. Generally, the aperture diameter D is preferably sufficiently large to allow lights rays of about a median magnitude of intensity and greater to pass through, based on a given lens/LED ratio spacing. Also, the aperture diameter D is preferably sufficiently small to prevent or discourage the intrusion and accumulation of insects, dirt, moisture, and other undesirable contaminants which reduce light transmission efficiency. In the preferred embodiment, the aperture diameter D, the lens thickness L, and the lens/LED spacing ratio are preferably approximately the same.  
         [0029]    The plurality of light assemblies  109  (comprised of light source  112  coupled to microlens  114 ) may be formed together into the array  110  by various ways. Preferably, the circuit board  125  may be provided having female electrical plug receptacles for receiving male electrical plug prongs extending from the board  125  and electrically connected to the light assemblies  109  for a modular arrangement wherein light assemblies  109  may simply and easily be plugged and unplugged from the board  125  for replacements, and the like.  
         [0030]    Alternatively, the light assemblies  109  may be mounted to the board  125  via electrical connector  116  within the housing  120  and formed as fasteners such as brackets, screws, or other fasteners (not shown) known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0031]    A generally transparent thin cover  118  may be provided over the array  110  of light assemblies  109  and attached to the housing  120  for preventing the ingress of moisture, dirt, insects, and other undesired intrusions while imparting only minor, if any, optical losses to the light rays transmitted therethrough. Also, the housing  120  may be provided with a series of openings  119  for drainage of any moisture that intrudes into the array  110 .  
         [0032]    The interface module (IM)  200  is preferably attached to the VDD  100  via known electrical connectors such as a wire  105 . Optionally, the IM  200  may be provided at a remote location. The IM  200  is electrically connected to the array  110  communicating electrical control signals via chip  220  to allow the controlled energization of light assemblies  109  as desired to provide a lighted message pattern. These patterns may include textual messaging relaying distress and the need for help, traffication signals common to vehicle operation, or any other messages relevant to driving. These messages may be preprogrammed into the IM  200  by an operator before installing the VGMDS  10  into a vehicle  500 .  
         [0033]    For operation of the VGMDS  10 , the light assemblies  109  are combined into the array  110 , electrically connected to the IM  200 , and enclosed within the housing  120  to form an illuminating graphical or textual sign or signal  50  for vehicles  500 , as shown in FIG. 2. As described hereinabove, all the components are either commercially available or are capable of being easily manufactured from readily available materials. The number, size, shape, and lens tint of the light assemblies  109  may be selected for any desired application. The light assemblies  109  of the array  110  are preferably generally uniform in shape and size and may be easily combined in the array  110  to form an illuminated signage with VDD  100  for any of a wide variety of lighting applications such as those described herein.  
         [0034]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit a particular operating requirements and environment will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute a departure from the true spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0035]    Accordingly, there are a number of advantages provided by the present invention. The light assemblies  109  are highly efficient in redistributing and focussing light rays so that a low intensity light source may be used to achieve the same light intensity as a higher intensity light source and/or the same intensity light may be produced using fewer light sources to achieve a smaller lens system. Each microlens  114  has a convex portion that provides the advantage of receiving light rays which may be directed in an undesired direction and redirecting these light rays by refraction in a desired direction. Additionally, each lens has an aperture defined therein that provides the advantage of transmitting lights rays therethrough that are directed in a desired direction without refraction and with minimal or no optical losses.  
         [0036]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequent appended claims.