GB2449713A

GB2449713A - Rear mounted vehicle display system displaying advertisements and vehicle speed

Info

Publication number: GB2449713A
Application number: GB0710590A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jacob Rosner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-01
Filing date: 2007-06-01
Publication date: 2008-12-03
Also published as: GB0710590D0

Abstract

A display system comprises a display 2 mounted at the rear 11 of a vehicle 1, a sensor for sensing whether the vehicle 1 is moving or at rest, a sensor (31) for measuring the vehicle's velocity, a digital memory (33) for storing advertising information therein and a controller (32). The controller (32) will automatically present on the display 2 either the measured vehicle velocity or the advertising information stored in the memory (33). The display 2 is preferably illuminated to allow it to be read at night or in the dark, and may be solar powered. The display system may also receive wireless signals regarding adverts to be displayed from remote locations such as at traffic lights.

Description

Vehicle Display The invention relates to an illuminated display means

for displaying a vehicle's speed and advertisements, and especially to a display installed at the rear of a vehicle.

Today, drivers often do not know, or are not aware of, the actual velocity of their vehicle.

The driver might not pay attention to the indication of the speedometer.

Moreover, the reading of the speedometer is not always accurate. Hence, drivers might inadvertently accelerate, to increase the speed of the vehicle and even to exceed the allowed limit, thus posing a danger to others as well as to themselves.

It may be highly desirable for drivers to know the speed of the vehicle ahead (in front of them), thus allowing them to be aware of their own speed relatively to other vehicle. Such knowledge may help them to be more careful while driving, for example when making such decisions as whether to pass another vehicle.

The driver's awareness of the current speed of his/her vehicle may be enhanced, thus preventing him/her from dangerously passing other vehicles and exceeding the speed limit.

In prior art, vehicles sometimes carry various printed advertisements.

This is usually carried out by using fixed signs with glued ads.

These ads may distract a driver's attention.

A goal of the current invention is to present an answer to both demands: presenting information regarding the speed of the vehicle ahead, thus allowing drivers to know the speed of the vehicle ahead of them, and presenting various advertising messages to other vehicles, when the vehicle is at rest.

Brief description of the invention

According to current invention a system is provided, which is capable of displaying the speed of the current vehicle and advertisements to the following vehicle. The velocity may be displayed through the rear window of the vehicle, on an appropriate display.

According to another aspect of the current invention, when the vehicle is not moving, advertisements are presented in lieu of the velocity display.

Advertising information to be displayed may be received from a remote location, using SMS messages or by remote control from a remote computer.

According to current invention, advertisements can be displayed, even when the vehicle is parking, or when the engine is off, by using solar cells so as not to deplete the vehicle's battery.

Description of the drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a vehicle with rear display mounted thereon.

Fig. 2 details a block diagram of the system.

Fig. 3 details a system configuration for supplying electrical power to the system.

Detailed description of the invention

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 illustrates a vehicle 1 with a rear display 2 mounted thereon.

Display means 2 may be installed at the rear window 11 of the vehicle 1.

The display 2 may be illuminated. This can be implemented using a flat plasma screen, an array of LEDs or any other type of illuminated display.

The display may be attached to the rear window 11 of the vehicle. The display can also be installed on another internal part of the vehicle, near the rear window. Alternately, the display may be installed in another part at the rear of the vehicle.

Other display means can be optionally installed on the vehicle's dashboard, to allow the driver to see what is displayed on display means 2.

The driver can thus verify what is actually being displayed at any given time, in real time.

An additional benefit of the display can be achieved when the system is installed in heavy trucks or vehicles, public and police vehicles -because of their responsibility and the importance for them to drive under speed limitations. Such a display may allow others to watch and notice the speed of these vehicles, and report on traffic violations.

The device can be installed in police cars, government vehicles and other public services vehicles, displaying warning messages for drivers not to pass the speed limit, and allowing others to monitor their speed. Other drivers may thus be warned that, if they will pass the vehicle ahead, this may result in their being fined for exceeding the legal speed limit.

Police cars can check the speed of vehicles passing the police car, relative to the speed of the police car, using existing devices. Police cars may collect data regarding over-speeding events, which will eventually end up in a speeding fine for the driver. Over-speeding may result in a license cancellation. In addition, it can be easier for police cars or others to monitor the speed of public vehicles, trucks, etc., thus preventing them from over-speeding.

Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the system. Vehicle's wheels 1k are monitored by speed sensor means 31, which translates the data into electrical/electronic speed values. The speed value is sent to a controller 32. The controller may also receive data from advertisements memory 33.

Switching between displaying the advertisement from the memory and the speed of the vehicle is performed by the controller 32.

The controller 32 checks whether the vehicle is moving or not, and causes the required type of information to be automatically displayed: If the vehicle is moving, then the vehicle's velocity is displayed; if the vehicle stops, advertisements are presented.

Such a display switching prevents other drivers from being distracted while driving by the advertisements. As the display switching is performed automatically, it does not burden the car's driver.

The speed of the vehicle may be monitored by an independent sensor means or gauge, which will help decide whether the car is stopped, such as using a mercury-based movement sensor to decide when the vehicle is stopped and it is to display ads. The device may be connected to the brake lights, so that when the car is stopped and the brake lights are operated for more than a predefined time period, the display will present ads.

The memory can be loaded with advertising information by the driver or by the vehicle's owner. The memory may hold various types of advertisements loaded by the car's owner or from a third party, which can be displayed to other drivers on display 2, when the car is at rest or is moving slowly.

The ads may include, for example, such messages as: Keep your distance! Turn lights ON This car is for sale Flat for sale Domestic items/products for sale Fanployment-related ads, employment opportunities Advertisements may include SMS messages received from advertising companies, including information on pubs or other recreation places and buying places at locations close to the present location of the vehicle.

The messages from advertising firms may be received as SMS messages or by other wireless means.

When the driver presses an Alarm button, a "Help" message may be displayed, allowing the driver to ask for help, when he/she has been kidnapped for

example.

The messages and advertisements can be displayed as the vehicle is stopped, such as on a red light, when the vehicle is parking, etc. This will prevent distracting other drivers' attention while driving, and will present this information when the cars are not moving.

There are three basic embodiments of the invention: 1. It displays the vehicle velocity all the time. It may be turned off when the vehicle is parked and/or the motor is turned off.

2. It displays only advertisements. Such a display may be only activated where it is legal.

3. It displays the vehicle velocity or advertisements, with automatic switching between the two according to predefined criteria. Such criteria may include, for example: A. When the vehicle is moving, it displays the velocity; when it stops, it displays advertisements.

B. When the vehicle velocity is above a predefined value (threshold), displays the velocity; when below that value, it displays advertisements.

C. When the vehicle is parked and/or the motor is turned off, it displays advertisements.

A novel power supply allows these messages to be also displayed when the vehicle is parked or the engine is turned off.

Fig. 3 illustrates a configuration of supplying means for the system. Supply means 34 provide the required energy for operating the system.

This can be implemented, in a preferred embodiment, as a voltage supply, which is connected to the electric system of the vehicle 35, or optionally to solar cells means 36, installed in the vehicle.

In this embodiment, when the vehicle is parked and even after the engine was turned off, the display system can still be active using solar cells means. In addition, separate electric energy storage means may be included, which can be used when the vehicle is parked.

A special button may be activated in an emergency, to display an emergency message, such as "Help!" A data card containing advertisements can be supplied by advertising companies or advertisers, together with the device.

In this way, the device may be used for prolonged periods of time, such as months or even years. The car's owner may earn payments/rewards from the advertisers in return for displaying their ads. Such rewards may include fuel coupons, lottery tickets, free vehicle maintenance, concert tickets, discounts for buying products, last minute flight deals, etc. The award amounts can be calculated according to the time periods and conditions in which the device was operated, similar to the method of computing the fee paid to cellular operators for using a cellular phone.

Drivers installing the device may be similarly rewarded by insurance agencies, by the Ministry of Transportation or by others, for contributing to the safety of driving their vehicle.

External means, near the vehicle, may be used to activate the device. For example, electronic wireless means at intersections may be connected to traffic lights to operate the device wirelessly when there is a red light, to display advertisements.

In one embodiment, the system only includes the velocity display means. In another embodiment, it may only include the advertising means.

It will be recognized that the foregoing is but one example of an apparatus and method within the scope of the present invention and that various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the

disclosure set forth hereinbefore.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A display system comprising display means mounted at the rear of a vehicle, sensor means for sensing whether the vehicle is moving or at rest, sensor means for measuring a vehicle's velocity, digital memory means for storing advertising information therein and controller means for presenting on the display means either the measured vehicle velocity when the vehicle is moving or the advertising information stored in the memory means when the vehicle is at rest.
2. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the display means is illuminated to allow its reading at night or in the dark.
3. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the system is connected to the vehicle's electrical power source for providing electrical energy to the display system.
4. The display system according to claim 1, further including solar energy means for powering the system when the engine is turned off.
5. The display system according to claim 1, further including a second display means mounted on the vehicle s dashboard and presenting the same information as that presented on the rear display.
6. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the display means comprise a plasma display, a LEDs display or an illuminated LCD display.
7. The display system according to claim 1. further including an emergency button connected to the controller, and wherein an emergency sign is displayed subsequent to pressing the emergency button.
8. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the memory means is loaded with advertising information from a remote location using SMS messages or under remote control from a remote computer.
9. The display system according to claim 1, further including external means, near the vehicle, for activating the display to display ads.
10. The display system according to claim 9. wherein the external means include electronic wireless means located at intersections.
11. The display system according to claim 9, wherein the external means include electronic wireless means mounted at traffic lights means.
12. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the movement sensor means include an independent sensor means or gauge or a mercury-based movement sensor.
13. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the movement sensor means use existing means in the vehicle.
14. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the existing means in the vehicle include the vehicle's velocity sensor.
15. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the existing means in the vehicle include the brake lights.
16. A display System comprising display means mounted at the rear of a vehicle, sensor means for measuring a vehicle's velocity, digital memory means for storing advertising information therein and controller means for presenting on the display means either the measured vehicle velocity, when the vehicle velocity is above a predefined threshold, or the advertising information stored in the memory means, when the velocity is below the threshold.
17. A display system comprising display means mounted at the rear of a vehicle, sensor means for measuring a vehicle's velocity and controller means for presenting on the display means the measured vehicle velocity.
18. A display system comprising display means mounted at the rear of a vehicle, sensor means for measuring a vehicle's velocity. digital memory means for storing advertising information therein and controller means for presenting on the display means the advertising information when the velocity is below a predefined threshold.
19. The display system according to claim 18, wherein the threshold is set so as to display the information when the vehicle is not moving.
20. A display system comprising display means mounted at the rear of a vehicle, sensor means for sensing whether the vehicle is moving or at rest, digital memory means for storing advertising information therein and controller means for presenting on the display means the advertising information stored in the memory means when the vehicle is at rest.
21. The display system according to claim 16, 17, 18 or 20, wherein the display means is illuminated to allow its reading at night or in the dark.
22. The display system according to claim 16, 17, 18 or 20, wherein the system is connected to the vehicle's electrical power source for providing electrical energy to the display system.
23. The display system according to claim 16, 17, 18 or 20. further including solar energy means for powering the system when the engine is turned off.
24. The display system according to claim 16, 17, 18 or 20, further including a second display means mounted on the vehicle s dashboard and presenting the same information as that presented on the rear display.
25. The display system according to claim 16, 17, 18 or 20, wherein the display means comprise a plasma display, a LEDs display or an illuminated LCD display.