Abstract:
An automobile communication system is provided for communicating with others by displaying operator selected or input messages on a display mounted in the rear window of a vehicle. The operator may select messages on a keypad or by voice commands received by a microphone mounted in the vehicle. The system may include predetermined messages and may be programmed to include additional messages for display.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to communication devices and, more particularly, to display for use in an automobile for communicating or signaling the driver of another vehicle.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Various systems have been proposed to display a message in a vehicle to be read by the driver of another vehicle. Typically, these systems include a static back-lit display in the rear window which is illuminated when the brake peddle is depressed or at the option of the driver. Other units allow the driver to select from a limited number of messages to be displayed or input a message, via a keyboard, into the system. To display the message, the driver&#39;s attention may be directed away from the road, possibly creating a dangerous situation. Additionally, it would be helpful to provide a message to other vehicles as to changes of direction or forewarn of road conditions up ahead.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention provides a sectioned scrolling message on a display which is mounted in the rear window of a vehicle. The system includes a microphone for receiving voice commands and messages from the driver, a processor for processing inputs from the microphone and from a keypad and for formatting messages for output and presentation on the display.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the display system of the present invention.  
         [0005]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the keypad of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0006]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the microphone harness of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0007]      FIG. 4  is a partial enlarged view of the display of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0008]      FIG. 5  is a partial view of the display shown mounted in the rear window of a vehicle.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0009]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the communication system of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral  10 . Communication system  10  includes a controller  12 , a microphone harness  14 , a microprocessor  16  and a display  18 . The microprocessor  16  may include a separate housing  20  or may be located in display housing  22 .  
         [0010]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , controller  12  includes an illuminated display  30 , a voice/manual switch  32  and an illuminated keypad  34 . Illuminated display  30  may be a standard back-lit LCD display with two or three lines of text, for example. Illuminated display  30  displays the current message, if any, on display  18 .  
         [0011]     Voice/manual switch  32  allows the user to toggle between voice mode where input is received from the microphone  14  and manual mode where input is received from the keypad  34 . Voice/manual switch  32  may also include a third position (not shown) associated with a programming mode or a separate switch (not shown) may also be used. In a programming mode the user may associate a word or short command with a longer message. For example, the user may associate saying “LL” with the message “Left Lane”. Using a keyboard or other input device known in the art, the user may expand the array of messages pre-programmed into the unit. The user may then record a short-hand command associated with the message to display the message.  
         [0012]     Messages such as “LEFT TURN,” “RIGHT TURN,” “FLAT TIRE,” “LEFT LANE”, “RIGHT LANE,” “ENGINE TROUBLE,” “ROAD SERVICE,” “TRANSMISSION TROUBLE,” “FREEWAY EXIT,” “ACCIDENT AHEAD,” “THANK YOU,” and “DEBRIS IN ROAD” may be pre-programmed into the controller  16 , for example.  
         [0013]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , microphone harness  14  includes a microphone  40  mounted in a housing  42  and an adjustable steering column belt  44 . The microphone harness  14  fits over the steering column (not shown) of a vehicle and is held in place by the adjustable steering column belt  44 , with the microphone  40  directed toward the driver (not shown). In this position, the driver may simply speak commands which are received by the microphone  40 , without directing his or her attention away from the road. This is particularly important when there is an accident, or road construction or debris in the road, and all of the driver&#39;s attention should be focused on operating the vehicle and not directed toward the message unit  10  or keypad  12 .  
         [0014]     Microphone  40  is connected to the controller  16 . Input from the microphone  40  in the form of voice commands is interpreted by the controller  16  to display the associated message on display  18 .  
         [0015]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 4  and  5 , display  18  in housing  22  is mounted on the rear deck  50  of a vehicle  52  and visible through the rear window  54 . Display  18  may be divided into three sections  56 ,  58  and  60 . In some vehicles a center brake light  62  may obscure the center section  58  of display  18 . In this installation the center section  58  of display  18  is inactive and messages scrolling across the display  18  would simply scroll from section  56  to section  60 , skipping section  58 . In another embodiment, the rear brake light  62  may be removed and display section  58  may serve a dual purpose of a rear brake light when the brake pedal is depressed, and a display for messages when the brake pedal is not depressed.  
         [0016]     Display  18  includes an array of LEDs  70  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The controller  16  may include a display driver or a display driver may be included in the display housing  22  and interfaced with the controller  16  to provide a scrolling message on display  18 .  
         [0017]     In operation, the driver may be driving along a street or a highway. If the driver is going to change from the right lane to the left lane the driver says “left lane”. The microphone  40  transmits the signal to the controller  16  which outputs a control signal to the display driver. The display driver formats the message and the message “LEFT LANE” is displayed on display  18 . The message may scroll across the display  18 . Another message such as “PLEASE” or “THANK YOU” may follow any of the messages. The messages may repeat a predetermined number of times or may repeat for a predetermined period of time.