VEHICLE MOUNTABLE DYNAMIC DISPLAY DEVICE

Abstract

A display device for a vehicle includes at least one mounting attachment for attaching the device to any component of the vehicle and includes a communication device that receives data from a couplable device and includes at least one display area for the visual output of any information.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: a mounting surface; and a display device including a deformable mounting attachment removably secured to the mounting surface, a display area configured to selectively display information, and a communication device configured to wirelessly receive information and display the information in the display area.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the display area is deformable.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the communication device is configured to wirelessly connect to a mobile device.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the mounting surface is exterior vehicle structure.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the mounting surface is interior vehicle structure.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the mounting surface is license plate holder.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the mounting attachment is a hook and loop assembly.

8. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the mounting attachment is a magnetic assembly.

9. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein mounting attachment is at least one suction cup.

10. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the display area is deformable and comprises flexible electronic paper.

11. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the display area is deformable and comprises organic thin film transistor material.

12. A method of operating a vehicle comprising: mounting a display device on a mounting surface of the vehicle by: deforming a mounting attachment to essentially match a curvature of the mounting surface; removably mounting the mounting attachment to the mounting surface; receiving information via a wireless signal by the display device; and displaying the information on a display area of the display device.

13. The method of claim 12 further including deforming the display area to essentially match the curvature of the mounting surface.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the information received and displayed is a temperature from one of at least inside and outside of the vehicle temperature.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the information receive and displayed is a short text message directed toward a second vehicle adjacent to the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the information received and displayed is a planned parking space duration when the vehicle is in a parking space.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the information received and displayed is emergency lane indication directed toward a second vehicle adjacent to the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the information received and displayed is provisional license plate number and the mounting surface is license plate holder.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the information received and displayed is information for crossing an international border when the vehicle is approaching an international border.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The invention is described in detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Although the invention is illustrated and described in detail by the preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art without departing from the protective scope of the invention.

[0019] The figures are not necessarily accurate in every detail and true to scale and can be shown enlarged or reduced to give a better overview. Therefore, functional details that are disclosed here shall not be considered to be limiting, but only as a descriptive basis that provides the person skilled in this field of technology with guidance for using the present invention in various ways.

[0020] The expression and/or that is used here, if used in a sequence of two or more elements, means that each of the mentioned elements can be used on its own, or any combination of two or more of the mentioned elements can be used. If for example a combination is described that contains the components A, B and/or C, the combination can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a display device.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a vehicle having display devices removably mounted thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] FIGS. 1 and 2 show schematically a display device 1 and attachment to an automotive vehicle 5. The display device 1 is configured for use with a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle, a trailer, a cycle, a single-axle vehicle (for example a SEGWAY) or a wheelchair. The motor vehicle can be the passenger vehicle 5 or a truck, a motor cycle or a moped.

[0024] The display device 1 includes at least one mounting attachment 2 for attaching the device 1 to a component of the vehicle 5. In the case of a motor vehicle, in particular in the case of the passenger vehicle 5, the mounting attachment 2 can be designed for attaching the device 1 to an external surface of the vehicle 5. In addition or alternatively thereto, the mounting attachment 2 can be designed for attaching the device 1 to an internal surface, i.e. a surface within the motor vehicle 5, for example to a surface of and instrument panel, to a screen, to a seat or to a trunk lid (not shown).

[0025] The mounting attachment is preferably configured for easy removal of the display device from a component of the vehicle. The mounting attachment 2 may be, for example, a surface with an adhesive area and/or a hook and loop surface, i.e. a surface with fastening hooks or a surface for fastening to fastening hooks, and/or at least one suction cup and/or at least one hook and/or a screw connection and/or a magnetic connection. In this embodiment, any combination of the mounting attachments is contemplated. The easy removal has the advantage that the display device 1 may be attached to different positions within or outside the vehicle 5 and the position may be changed over time.

[0026] The display device 1 may include at least one surface comprising deformable material. This may be material that is flexible in at least one direction. The material can be plastically or elastically deformable, for example pliable. There may be at least one surface arranged so that the shape thereof can be deformed in a direction perpendicular to the surface, in particular in a direction parallel to a normal to a surface of a region of the surface. The mounting attachment 2 and/or the display area 4 may form a surface that comprises deformable material. This has the advantage that the display device 1 can be attached to a curved surface so that the at least one surface conforms or is adapted to the curved shape. As a result, at the same time it is avoided that the display area 4 lifts off disruptively from the surface of the vehicle 5 on which it is disposed.

[0027] The deformable material may be, for example, flexibles glass and/or a material comprising graphene, and/or flexible electronic paper (e-paper) and/or organic thin film transistor material (OTFTOrganic Thin Film Transistor) and/or micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) surfaces may be used. Furthermore, organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology and/or a suitable display technology and/or projection technology may be used.

[0028] The display device 1 also includes a communication device 3 that is designed to receive data from a couplable device 10, for example from a mobile device, such as in particular a cell phone, a smartphone, a smartwatch or a tablet. The couplable device 10 can also be a device that is fixedly connected to the vehicle 5, such as for example a component of the vehicle controller 12.

[0029] Moreover, the display device 1 includes at least one display area 4 for the visual output of information. The display area 4 can be part of a display device 1 that is separate from the mounting attachment 2 and/or the communication device 3.

[0030] The display device may further include a power source 14, which may be, for example, a rechargeable battery.

[0031] The display device 1 may, for example, display a temperature within and/or outside the vehicle 5. In contrast to previously known temperature displays in a vehicle system that only display the temperature when the ignition key has been operated, the temperature within the vehicle 5 can be displayed to any person outside the vehicle 5 by means of the display device 1 even when an ignition of the vehicle 5 is off.

[0032] The display device 1 may display forwarding messages, in particular short messages, to a person in a vehicle next to the vehicle 5. The messages may for example contain information regarding the need for the next refueling, refilling liquid in the windscreen wiper system or other information.

[0033] The display device 1 may display a parking duration. More specifically, the arrival time at a parking space and the planned parking duration, for example the end of the planned parking, are displayed on the display area 4. In this case, the end of the parking time can for example be updated by means of the mobile device 10, for example extended stay in the parking space. The parking spaces that will be coming free shortly can be easily identified by those looking for a parking space.

[0034] The display device 1 may display information or signals for the rapid and efficient formation of an emergency lane and coordination of the formation of an emergency lane. In addition, intended changes of driving direction can already be displayed and transmitted before the operation of an indicator. In addition, traffic information, such as for example traffic jam information, may be displayed on the device 1 in a timely and efficient manner to other road users.

[0035] The display device 1 may be used as a provisional license plate until the creation of the final license plate. As a result, resources related to the manufacture of provisional license plates can be saved.

[0036] The display device 1 may be used to create a unique visual appearance of the vehicle 5 and to transmit advertisements, personal information, car sharing information or cycle sharing information, and to use it as an advertising space. In the context of the vehicle 5 being a truck, in particular information about the load state and/or information about available time windows for loading or unloading etc. may be displayed.

[0037] The display device 1 may facilitate the locating of one's own vehicle 5 by means of a specific display on the display area 4 in the context of parking in large parking sites.

[0038] The display device 1 may automatically display needed information when crossing national borders, such as for example different speed limits or generally different traffic laws.

[0039] Moreover, maintenance notices can be individually displayed on the display area 4 by the display device 1. Or, parking entitlements for certain parking zones or purchased vignettes or tolls paid for certain lanes may also be transmitted and displayed on the display area 4.

[0040] While certain embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims.