Abstract:
A system and method for signaling, marketing, and advertising alternative fuel-based vehicles that easily installs into new or pre-existing alternative fuel-based vehicles. In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises an electronic control unit (“ECU”) installed in the vehicle, which determines whether an internal combustion engine or alternative power source powers the vehicle. The system further comprises a driver display and in-car display both of which are connected to the ECU. The ECU monitors the power status of the vehicle and illuminates vehicle displays and transmits a signal to illuminate exterior advertising displays when the vehicle is operating on the alternative power source or in a fuel-efficient mode.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/365,416 filed Jul. 19, 2010. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to systems and methods for controlling and illuminating signage. In particular, the invention relates to illuminating signage and lighting on the exterior of an alternative fuel-based vehicle, and on advertising displays. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As oil and other petroleum resources are depleted and become scarcer around the world, the cost of conventional petroleum-based automotive fuels such as gasoline and diesel will continue to rise. With the rise of conventional automotive fuel costs and the desire to limit, reduce, or eliminate air pollution from automobiles and emissions of so-called “greenhouse gases,” the development and sales of electric, hybrid, and other alternative fuel-based vehicles such as liquid natural gas, bio-fuel, hydrogen cars and trucks have increased as well. The term “hybrid” vehicle is commonly used to refer to a hybrid electric-petroleum powered vehicle, with an electric motor powered by electric batteries and an internal combustion engine powered by gasoline, diesel, bio-fuel, or a variety of other fuels. However, the number and percentage of electric, hybrid, and other alternative fuel-powered cars on the road are still small compared to conventional gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles. The cost to develop and manufacture electric, hybrid, or alternative fuel-powered vehicles are typically higher than for comparable conventional gasoline or diesel power vehicles. As a result, these higher costs have contributed to inhibiting sales of electric, hybrid, and other alternative fuel-powered vehicles. 
     In virtually every city or metropolitan area, traffic congestion on the roads and highways is a fact of life. When drivers, passengers, and their vehicles are caught in traffic congestion, this usually creates significant tension and frustration on the part of millions of drivers and passengers every day. The anxiety of traffic congestion is heightened and feels more emphatically inescapable during rush hours, not to mention road construction or an unanticipated road-clogging accident. Such feelings of tension, anxiety, and stress while ensnared in slow-moving traffic are exacerbated even further with the realization that money used for expensive conventional gasoline or diesel is literally being burned up and completely wasted, day after day, sitting at a standstill or in slow-moving traffic. 
     Therefore, it is desirable to have a system and method for signaling, marketing, and advertising alternative fuel-based vehicles for others to readily identify the uses and economic benefits of operating an alternative fuel-based vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor hereby discloses a system and method for signaling, marketing, and advertising alternative fuel-based vehicles. The system easily installs into newly manufactured and previously existing alternative fuel-based vehicles. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises an electronic control unit installed in an alternative fuel-based vehicle, which is connected to at least one sensor connected to the transmission. The transmission is connected to an internal combustion engine and an alternative power source, either one of which drives the wheels of the vehicle. The system further comprises a driver display and in-car display which are both connected to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit monitors the power status of the vehicle and illuminates displays on the vehicle and transmits a signal to illuminate exterior advertising displays when the vehicle is operating on the alternative power source. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosed embodiments will be disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like pieces in different drawings carry the same number. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic of a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic of a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , vehicle  100  has internal combustion power source  103  and alternative power source  104 , both of which are connected to transmission  105 . Transmission  105  is connected to wheels  101  and  102 . Sensors  201  and  202  are connected to internal combustion power source  103  and alternative power source  104 , respectively, to detect their respective engagement statuses. Electronic control unit  200  is connected to internal combustion power source  103 , alternative power source  104 , sensors  201  and  202 , and vehicle battery  106 . 
     Electronic control unit  200  is further connected to driver display  203  and in-vehicle display  204 . Displays  205  are connected to electronic control unit  200  and are attached to the vehicle in a position to be viewed from the exterior. Transmitter  206  is connected to electronic control unit  200 . Antenna  207  is connected to transmitter  206 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, electronic control unit  200  is a computer having a microprocessor known in the art and internal memory containing programming to evaluate the operation of vehicle  100 . In-vehicle display  204  is preferably an LCD screen having a diagonal screen size dimension of five inches (5″). Driver display  203  is a backlit indicator light known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, displays  205  are LED displays. However, any form of lighting or illuminated lettering or signage appearing in any location on the vehicle, such as, but not limited to, embedded signage in the rear window glass, side windows, bumper areas, or at any other sites on the vehicular body, designed to communicate to others that vehicle  100  is currently running in a fuel-free or fuel-efficient mode of operation. Displays  205  can contain a multitude of messages. For example, displays  205  can be illuminated messages including, but not limited to, “Running Green” or can illuminate pre-installed lettering or emblems on the vehicle. For example, illuminating or backlighting (for example green backlighting) the “Hybrid” emblem or a vehicle manufacturer&#39;s logo or a green-lit plant leaf design logo. 
     In a preferred embodiment, internal combustion power source  103  is a gasoline, diesel, or bio-fuel powered engine. Alternative power source  104  is an electric motor, hydrogen fuel cell, natural gas-powered engine or solar powered engine. Transmission  105  is a transmission on a hybrid or alternative fuel-based vehicle known in the art. Sensors  201  and  202  are MagCanica Polarized Bank Type II torque sensors. Transmitter  206  is a wireless multiple in and multiple out (“MIMO”) cellular transmitter known in the art. Antenna  207  is an antenna suitable for MIMO cellular transmission known in the art. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , vehicle  100  has antenna  207 . Vehicle  125  has antenna  207 . Vehicle  150  has antenna  207 . Vehicle  175  has antenna  207 . Vehicles  100 ,  125 ,  150  and  175  each have in-vehicle display  204  displaying message  208 . Antennae  207  are in wireless connection with antenna  303 , which is connected to receiver  302 . Receiver  302  is in electronic connection with controller  304 . The wireless connection between the vehicles and receiver  302  may be over a direct wireless radio communication link or through an indirect wireless communication link via the Internet using radio base stations in a cellular mobile phone network and an Internet connection to controller  304 . Controller  304  creates and controls display  301  on billboard  300 , which is based on power status data received from vehicles  100 ,  125 ,  150 , and  175 . Vehicles  100 ,  125 ,  150  and  175  each transmit their respective alternative power status to antenna  303  to transmit their respective status to billboard  300  through receiver  302  and controller  304 . The statuses are then used to create and display message  301 . Further, each vehicle&#39;s alternative power status is shown in in-vehicle display  204  as message  208 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, in-vehicle display  204  displays message  208 , such as “Ten other cars around you are green vehicles saving money and the environment.” Other similar messages may be displayed as well. Message  301  on billboard  300  displays messages about vehicles in the local area (or a larger geographic region, such as city, state, country, continent or global). For example, “There are ten green vehicles on the road right now. Are you one of them?” Additional advertising messages may be displayed along with message  301  about alternative fuel-based vehicles nearby. 
     In a preferred embodiment, billboard  300  is a Daktronics digital billboard. Antenna  303  is an antenna suitable for MIMO cellular transmission known in the art. Receiver  302  is a wireless MIMO cellular receiver known in the art connected to a personal computer having a microprocessor and internal memory having programming to count the number vehicles in the fuel-efficient mode. Receiver  302  is connected through the Internet to controller  304 . Controller  304  is the Daktronics Visiconn® display management system. 
     In use, referring to  FIG. 3 , electronic control unit  200  performs the following steps. At start position  401 , electronic control unit  200  first evaluates the operation of alternative power source  104  and internal combustion power source  103  at step  402 . At step  403 , electronic control unit  200  then determines whether alternative power source  104  is engaged, on, or providing power or torque to transmission  105 . If alternative power source  104  is engaged, on, or providing power or torque to transmission  105 , electronic control unit  200  determines whether alternative power source  104  is providing power to transmission  105  in an amount greater than a pre-determined amount chosen or set by a user or vehicle manufacturer at step  407 . If alternative power source  104  is providing power to transmission  105  in an amount greater than the pre-determined amount chosen or set by a user or manufacturer, then a signal is sent to displays  205  and billboard  300  through transmitter  206 , antenna  207 , receiver  302 , and controller  304  to show that vehicle  100  is operating in a fuel-efficient mode at step  406 . If alternative power source  104  is not providing power to transmission  105  in an amount greater than the pre-determined amount, then electronic control unit  200  restarts the evaluation at step  401 . 
     If alternative power source  104  is not engaged, on, or providing power or torque to transmission  105 , then electronic control unit  200  determines whether internal combustion power source  103  is engaged, on, or providing power or torque to transmission  105  at step  404 . If not, then electronic control unit  200  restarts the evaluation at step  401 . If internal combustion power source  103  is engaged, on, or providing power or torque to transmission  105 , then electronic control unit  200  evaluates whether internal combustion power source  103  is operating in a reduced capacity mode at step  405 . If not, then electronic control unit  200  restarts the evaluation at step  401 . If internal combustion power source  103  is operating in the reduced capacity mode, then a signal is sent to displays  205  and billboard  300  through transmitter  206 , antenna  207 , receiver  302 , and controller  304  to show vehicle  100  is operating in a fuel-efficient mode at step  406 . 
     At step  407 , a pre-determined amount may be any chosen power amount a user or manufacturer desires for alternative power source  104  to overcome. For example, if alternative power source  104  is providing 0.1%, 1%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%, or any amount in between 0% and 100% of the propulsion power for vehicle  100 . 
     At step  405 , internal combustion power source  103  is operating in a reduced capacity if, for example, internal combustion power source  103  is operating on less than all available engine cylinders. 
     At step  406 , the displays to which the signal is sent to illuminate are displays  205  located on the vehicle, inside the vehicle, or on an exterior display, such as billboard  300 . 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the embodiments disclosed and remain within the inventive concept. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover changes within the scope and spirit of the claims.