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.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to a communication system for communicating from a vehicle, namely a car, truck, van or similar transport means. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Means for persons in one vehicle to communicate with persons in another vehicle or proximate thereto can be important for various reasons but such means are limited. Important reasons for such communications include advertising, emergency alerts and vehicle recovery. Currently such means for communications from a vehicle include hand gestures by a person in the vehicle, static signage or other limited means. 
     It would be advantageous to develop an efficient, dynamic means of communicating from a vehicle to persons proximate thereto. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention is 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 programming custom messages, in addition to said pre-programmed messages, into said memory means; and remote control means operable to remotely instruct said display means. 
     A method embodiment of the present invention comprises: 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; and programming said display to respond to said vehicle system being activated, engaged or utilized, wherein said display is programmed to show a message related to the activation, engagement or utilization of the vehicle system. 
     In one embodiment, messages on said display may be dynamic such that they scroll horizontally or vertically. In other embodiments, the messages may be static. Depending on the embodiment, the vehicle communication may be installed within a vehicle interior or exterior thereto. 
     As set forth in greater detail below, the vehicle communication system can be used to advertise, communicate distress, deter car thieves and alert other drivers of a drivers intent to stop or make other vehicle maneuvers. Pre-programmed or factory messages may include safety messages designed for specific problem situations (e.g., vehicle breakdown) while users are able to enter custom messages. Such custom messages may be limited by a number of words and/or messages. 
     In another embodiment, the vehicle communication system communicates with one or more vehicle systems, such as the brake system, such that the vehicle communication system may be used to communicate the intentions of the subject vehicle to vehicles or pedestrians proximate thereto. 
     Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a rear view of a vehicle with a vehicle communication system installed within a vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of a vehicle with a signal being transmitted to the vehicle communication system; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the vehicle communication system; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of the vehicle communication system with a message being displayed; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the vehicle communication system; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a bottom view of the vehicle communication system; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a housing and display cover; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the housing and a display cover assembled; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a light emitting diode array forming a display; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a louver panel operable to cool the vehicle communication system; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an upper exploded view of the vehicle communication system; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective exploded view of the vehicle communication system; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of an assembled vehicle communication system with an attachment bracket; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an installation bracket; and 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a rear view of a vehicle with a vehicle communication system linked to a controller area network of the vehicle. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates the vehicle communication system installed near a rear window of the vehicle and connected to a vehicle controller area network. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
     Initial reference is made to  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrating a vehicle communication system generally denoted by reference numeral  100 . As shown, the vehicle communication system  100  is installed in a vehicle  110  near a rear window  120 . The vehicle communication system  100  is installed on a surface adjacent a rear window  120  of the vehicle  110 .  FIG. 16  illustrates the vehicle communication system  100  installed near a rear window of the vehicle  110  and connected to a vehicle controller area network. The vehicle communication system  100  may be installed anywhere within, or on, the vehicle  110 .  FIGS. 3-12  show various mechanical components of the vehicle communication system  100  comprising at least a housing  150 , display  160  and display cover  170 . 
       FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of the housing  150  and display cover  170 .  FIG. 8  shows the housing  150  and display cover  170  in assembled arrangement. The display cover  170  may be attached to the housing  150  using adhesives, fasteners (e.g., screws, rivets, etc.) or similar means. Alternatively, the housing  150  and display cover  170  may be fabricated of appropriate tolerances so that they snap-fit together. In one embodiment, the display cover  170  is transparent and dimensioned to protect the display  160  upon full assembly of the vehicle communication system  100 . The display cover  170  may also have hue to enhance messages depicted on said display  160 . The display cover  170  may be fabricated of plexi-glass, glass, plastic or similar material while the housing  150  may be fabricated of plastic, aluminum, fiberglass or the like. 
       FIG. 9  shows the display  160  in the form of a light emitting diode panel  165 . The panel  165  may generate scrolling, static and/or flashing messages. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any display type may be utilized with the embodiments of the present invention. For example, the display  160  may be a plasma or LCD video display. The LEDs  161  forming the display  160  may be white or colored (e.g., red). The display  160  may be powered by conventional batteries, a vehicle power source and/or solar power. A controller board (not shown), including memory (not shown) and an infrared receiver (not shown), are configured to communicate with the display  160 . In one embodiment, the memory and receiver are integrated with the controller board. In another embodiment, the memory and receiver are separate devices operatively linked to the controller board. The receiver provides a means for a remote control device (not shown) to operate, instruct and/or program the display  160  remotely. Ideally, the remote control device communicates wirelessly with said controller and/or display  160 , but it can also be a wired connection. The display  160  may also incorporate a transceiver for receiving and sending signals to the remote control device or the vehicle&#39;s controller area network (CAN) for reasons described below. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the remote control device includes a display which allows messages being shown on display  160  to be shown on the remote control device. The remote control device display mimics the display  160  such that, in one example, a message scrolling across display  160  also scrolls, in substantially real time, across the remote control device display. A transceiver allows the controller and/or display  160  to communicate with the remote control device. Alternatively, the remote control device has no display but rather a series of LEDs to indicate status, proper operation or problems with the display  160 . In one embodiment, when desired by the user, the remote control device also acts a vehicle security device. In such an embodiment, the user programs a code into the remote control device using a keypad or touch screen. Failure of the user to input the code prior to starting the vehicle, or some pre-established minimum time after the vehicle is started, causes the display  160  to show “THIS VEHICLE STOLEN—PLEASE CALL POLICE” and an alarm to sound. The alarm may be the vehicle&#39;s security alarm or may be a dedicated alarm linked to the vehicle communication system  100 . The remote control device may also prompt the user, via an alarm or vibration, to enter the code such the user does not simply forget to enter the code thereby creating an unwarranted emergency situation. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the memory associated with the vehicle communication system  100  is configured with three memory banks or arrays. Each bank being associated with a different message function. Those skilled in the art will recognize that more or less than three memory banks may be utilized. In this embodiment, a first memory bank stores, for example, fifty pre-programmed safety or other messages which cannot be altered, erased or manipulated by the user. The messages disclosed above and others below are examples of such safety or other messages. Another safety message is triggered responsive to the vehicle being parked and the driver exiting the vehicle. In such a situation, the display  160  shows “BEWARE!! THIS VEHICLE IS PROTECTED WITH A STOLEN VEHICLE RECOVERY SYSTEM.” Such a message is intended to deter thieves. In reality, the vehicle may or may not have such a system, but in may instances the possibility is enough to deter a thief. 
     Second and third memory banks are reserved for custom messages created by the user and related parties. In one exemplary example, the second memory bank can be used for advertisements related to a first business while the third memory bank can be used for messages related to a second business. The messages are created by a user and stored in the second and third memory banks using a keypad on the remote control device. The remote control device may also include touch screen technology that allows the display to present an operational touchpad to the user. Alternatively, the vehicle communication system  100  may include a port (e.g., USB) which allows the user to create messages via a linked hardware device other than the remote control device (e.g., a PC or PDA). An internal software-driven filter prevents the use of vulgarity or any other inappropriate custom messages. 
     In addition to the housing  150 , display  160  and display cover  170 , the vehicle communication system  100  may include a rear cover  180  including cooling louvers  185 . The louvers  185  provide an outlet  190 , facing downward, for heat generated by the display  160  and corresponding circuitry to escape. By facing downward, dust and other debris is prevented from entering the assembled vehicle communication system  100 . A fan may also be incorporated to maintain the display  160  and circuitry at or below specification temperatures. The four components, comprising the housing  150 , display  160 , display cover  170  and rear cover  180 , are arranged as shown in  FIGS. 11-14 . As shown, fasteners, like screws  195 , can be used to assemble the four components  150 - 180  of the vehicle communication system  100 . Alternatively, adhesives may be used or the components may be fabricated to snap-fit to one another. 
     In one embodiment, the assembled vehicle communication system  100  is connected to, integrated with or otherwise incorporates a bracket member  200  configured to attach to a plate member  210  ( FIGS. 13 and 14 ). The plate member  210  connects to a subject vehicle as described in more detail below. Once the plate member  210  is attached to the vehicle, the vehicle communication system  100  is attached to the plate member  210  via bracket member  200 . Holes  215  and slots  220  in the bracket member  200  correspond to the holes  225  and slots  230  in the plate member  210  such that the position of the vehicle communication system  100  may be positioned accordingly. Attaching the bracket member  200  to the plate member  210  may be facilitated by fasteners including screws, rivets or the like. Several different configurations of the bracket member  200  and plate member  210  may be fabricated to accommodate different vehicles and locations for mounting the same. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 16 , the vehicle communication system  100  is attached interior to a vehicle near a rear window such that the display  160  faces rearward. The vehicle communication system  100  may also be attached on an exterior of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle communication system  100  may be attached to an exterior (e.g., trunk or bumper) of delivery vehicles and other commercial vehicles. Based on environmental conditions and the position of the vehicle communication system  100 , the various components of the vehicle communication system  100  can be fabricated of heat resistant and water proof parts. Alternatively, the vehicle communication system  100  may be outfitted with a protective shell or similar mechanism to protect the system  100  from environmental conditions. 
     In one embodiment, the display  160  is linked to the vehicle&#39;s braking system to alert other drivers of the subject vehicle&#39;s intention to slow. The display  160  may also be linked to the vehicle&#39;s turn signals and reverse lights. The link between the display  160  and the braking system may be accomplished via a wired connection whereby one or more wires  240  operatively connect the display  160  to the brake lights and/or brake light wiring such that the display  160  reacts to the vehicle&#39;s brakes being engaged. Responsive to the vehicle&#39;s brakes being engaged any message being displayed is interrupted and replaced by a static message—“STOPPING” or something similar. Other messages associated with vehicle intentions may comprise “TURNING” and “BACKING UP.” In such an embodiment, wires  240  from the display  160  may be concealed by passing the wires  240  through a channel  245  integrated in a bracket member  250  as shown in  FIG. 15 . The bracket member  250  includes three holes  255  for attaching it to the vehicle. The link between the brake system and display  160  may also be accomplished via a wireless connection triggered by application of the brake or illumination of the brake lights. In other words, as the brakes are applied, or as the brake light illuminates, a signal is transmitted to the infrared receiver in communication with the display  160  causing the “STOPPING” message to be displayed. A wireless connection  115  may also facilitate a display  160  change responsive to application of turn signals, engagement of reverse gear and other vehicle maneuvers. In one embodiment, the vehicle communication system  100  is linked to the vehicle&#39;s factory installed CAN. In such an embodiment, the vehicle communication system  100  is linked to each vehicle system via the CAN, including, but not limited to, lights, brakes, ignition, headlights, doors, etc., such that the vehicle communication system  100 , and more specifically, display messages, can be pre-programmed accordingly. Ideally, such communication is wireless using a transceiver or receiver associated with the vehicle communication system  100 . A wired arrangement is also conceivable. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.