Systems and methods for IR readable transmissive and reflective displays are disclosed that do not suffer from a mirror-like appearance or undesirable dimming of the display due to sequential stacks of polarizers. The disclosed systems and methods use available IR LEDs in addition to, or in place of, visible light LEDs. An illuminator or integrator, which is a lightguide, is designed to maintain the polarization state of the light. The display can use a regular visible light, front polarizer and hence does not suffer from brightness reduction caused by an IR capable polarizer.

The invention relates to a method, performed by a control device (10), for controlling a vehicle lighting device (100), the vehicle lighting device (100) includes the control device (10); and at least one electronic display unit (20) arranged at one end (12, 14) of a vehicle (1), wherein the control device (10) is arranged to control the at least one display unit (20) to show various types of vehicle lights (22). The method includes: collecting (s101) data relating to the vehicle surroundings; and controlling (s102) the at least one display unit (20) to adapt at least one vehicle light (22) based on the collected data.

A method for providing accident parameters to a person outside a vehicle after an accident includes ascertaining a first accident parameter that is representative of the severity and/or a consequence severity using a control unit of the vehicle, and determining a display device of the vehicle that can display the first accident parameter following the accident. The first accident parameter is provided on the determined display, and a second accident parameter that is representative of the severity and/or the accident consequence severity is ascertained. The method also includes receiving a release signal for the second accident parameter from the person outside the vehicle following the accident involving the vehicle, and verifying the release signal for the second accident parameter using the control unit of the vehicle. The second accident parameter is provided on the determined display if the release signal was successfully verified by the control unit of the vehicle.

One embodiment includes a display system for use on the exterior of a vehicle having a display, a vehicle speed sensor, and a processor coupled to the vehicle speed sensor. The processor is configured to implement one of three operational modes of the display system based on the speed and state of the vehicle: a first operational mode, wherein a first content, including identification and/or registration information of the vehicle is rendered on the display at a first power consumption level; a second operational mode, wherein a second content, including a message, identification and/or registration information of the vehicle, is rendered on the display; and a third operational mode, wherein content is rendered on the display at a second power consumption level less than the first power consumption level.

An on-board signage system includes one or more vehicles, a display device installed in each of the vehicles, and a signage controller, in which the signage controller is configured to function as a post collecting unit that collects a post content item uploaded to an SNS site, a post analyzing unit which extracts a location relating to the post content item as a relevant location, a post database that stores post-related information obtained from the post content item in association with the relevant location, and a selector that selects at least one of a travel route of the vehicle and an image to be assigned to the vehicle, based on information stored in the post database, and transmits the selected travel route or image to the vehicle.

A school bus stop arm and drive unit therefor are disclosed. The stop an includes a stop sign and a drive unit for moving the stop sign between a retracted position and a deployed position. The drive unit comprises a motor operably coupled to the stop sign, one or more position sensors operable to detect the presence of the stop sign, and a controller for controlling operation of the motor. The controller configured to, monitor one or more operating characteristics of the motor for conditions indicative of an obstruction to movement of the stop sign, monitor the position sensor for a confirmation signal indicative of the presence of the stop sign in the deployed or retracted position, and based on the conditions indicative of an obstruction and the confirmation signal, determine if the stop sign has reached one of the deployed and retracted positions or is being obstructed.

An image projection apparatus that can be attached to a vehicle and can be effectively utilized for acquisition of road surface condition information, detection of a hidden vehicle, and the like is provided. The image projection apparatus that projects an image includes: an acquisition unit that acquires information related to a vehicle; an image projection unit that projects an image based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit; and imaging means that acquires an image outside the vehicle, the image projection unit projects light in a wavelength band centered on a wavelength of 1.4 μm and the imaging means provides the information related to the vehicle by imaging an image projected based on the light in the wavelength band centered on the wavelength of 1.4 μm.

A digital license plate includes a display system capable of showing a license number readable by camera systems even under poor external lighting conditions. A light redistribution element is positioned near the display system and a lighting system is positioned to direct light from the light redistribution element and toward the display system. In some embodiments the lighting system includes a non-visible lighting element such as can be provided by an infrared source, and the display system includes an electrophoretic or LCD display.

A system for communicating a driving mode of an autonomous vehicle (AV) comprises the AV, a control device, and a notification device. The control device defines a threshold region around the AV. The control device receives sensor data from sensors of the AV. The control device detects presence of a vehicle from the sensor data. The control device determines a distance between the vehicle and the AV. The control device determines that the vehicle is within the threshold region based on determining that the distance between the vehicle and the AV is within the threshold region. While the AV is operating in the autonomous mode, the control device triggers the notification device to notify the vehicle that the AV is operating in the autonomous mode, where notifying that the AV is operating in the autonomous mode comprises presenting a visual notification and/or communicating a data message to other vehicles.

A system includes at least one light pipe, at least one light source disposed at least partially within an interior of the system, a lens substantially enclosing the interior, the at least one light pipe, and the at least one light source, the lens having a continuous transparent or translucent coating on the outer surface, with the at least one light source receiving electrical power from the electrical power source, the continuous transparent or translucent coating being at least partially permeable to at least some light which is emitted by the at least one light source and passed through the lens, and at least one mask located between the at least one light pipe and the lens, a plurality of small contact areas being provided on the outside or inside of the light pipe or on the mask.