GB2440566A

GB2440566A - Vechicle message display

Info

Publication number: GB2440566A
Application number: GB0615230A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Mcmahon; Graham Rennie; Andrew Sherriff
Original assignee: INCORPORATING COURTESY Ltd
Current assignee: INCORPORATING COURTESY Ltd
Priority date: 2006-08-01
Filing date: 2006-08-01
Publication date: 2008-02-06
Also published as: GB0615230D0

Abstract

A vehicle display apparatus comprises a visual display means 5 and "thank you" light to encourage mutual respect between road users, and a means 10 for controlling the visual display means 5. The visual display means 5 and the means 10 for controlling the visual display means 5 may communicate via a wireless communications link.

Description

* 2440566

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO VEHICLE LIGHTING

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to vehicle lighting. In particular, the present invention relates to an illuminatable device or safety device to encourage mutual respect and courtesy to or between road users. The invention also relates to an associated vehicle and method. The invention is conveniently known by the Applicant as a "Courtesy Recognition Sign".

Background to Invent ion

As roads become more congested, drivers become more frustrated. It would be advantageous to have a system that encourages mutual respect and courtesy between road users, e.g. drivers.

Currently, road users may indicate a variety of messages to other road users by an assortment of means, such as flashing of headlights, hazard warning lights, hand signals and use of horns. However, the message intended by such signals is often confusing or unclear and in many cases can be dangerous or misleading.

It is an object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate or at least mitigate one or more disadvantages in the prior art.

It is a further object of at least one embodiment o.at least one aspect of the present invention to seek tOill a need in the art.

It is a further object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a display device for use in a vehicle that seeks to improve courtesy between drivers.

Suitunary of Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle display apparatus comprising a visual display means and a means for controlling the visual display means.

It is envisaged that, in use, a driver of a first vehicle having the display apparatus will use such when a driver of a second vehicle allows the first vehicle right of way, e.g. when pulling in after overtaking or when entering a road, e.g. from a junction or roundabout or on-ramp.

The visual display means may be arrangable to be visible from the rear of a vehicle.

The visual display means may be arranged to display text or non-textual shapes or symbols or a combination of both upon activation via the means for controlling the visual display means. The text may read "Thanks" or "Thank You". The non-textual shapes may represent an affirmative symbol such as a tick, a "flat palm" or a "thumbs up" motif. In one preferred embodiment, the non-textual shape is a tick. This has the advantage of being an easily recognisable shape that is associated with appreciation, thus allowing the message to be conveyed quickly and simply and with little distraction to other motorists.

The visual display means may be arranged to selectively display only one image. Consistent use of only one image allows the image and what it represents to be instantly recognised and thus minimise the distraction of other drivers.

The visual display means may be arranged to emit only one of generally red or generally green or generally blue light. In one preferred embodiment the light is generally blue. In another most preferred embodiment, the light is generally red.

The visual display means may comprise at least one and preferably a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) . The visual display means may include multiple LED's arranged to form the text and/or non-textual shapes. The use of LED's is advantageous over conventional filament technology in that LED's use less power for comparable output light intensities. This further allows more flexibility in the selection and durability of the power source for the display. The use of OLED's offers the advantage of allowing production of a distributed source rather than a collection of point sources.

The visual display means may comprise a flexible display member, e.g. a flexible OLED display; such a flexible display member may be formed from a polymeric substrate.

A flexible display member allows for a thin flexible display than can be conformed and easily affixed to a curved car windscreen or window, e.g. a rear window. The visual display means may also comprise a backlit LCD.

At least part of the visual display means may be arranged to be or revert to be substantially transparent or translucent when not activated. This assists in maintaining rear vision from the vehicle. This may be achieved through the use of OLEDs having a substantially transparent substrate, active component layers and electrodes.

The visual display means may be further adapted to be transfiective such that light is reflected from the text and/or non-textual shapes and/or symbols when activated.

The text and/or non-textual shapes and/or symbols may be both illuminated and reflective when activated. The transfiective display may be an OLED transfiective display. This arrangement preferably allows ambient light, e.g. daylight or sunlight to be reflected by the text and/or non-textual shapes and/or symbols when activated during daytime, enhancing the visibility of the visual display means in sunlight.

The visual display means, when not adapted to be transflective, may be provided with a shield disposed above the lighting means or located in a recess in a housing to shield the display from incident light such as daylight or sunlight. The visual display means may be provided with a light spreader or light spreading material.

The visual display means may be side or edge-lit, having a substantially transparent or translucent screen having a display face substantially perpendicular to side edges, incorporating a pattern in the shape of text and/or non-textual shapes and/or symbols, wherein the pattern is adapted to produce interference, diffraction or blocking of light incident from the side edges of the screen such that the pattern is displayed on the display face of the screen. Side lighting may be provided by LED'S to minimise power consumption.

The means for controlling the visual display means may be separate from the visual display means. The means for controlling the visual display means may communicate with the visual display means via a wireless link, preferably a radio frequency link. The wireless link may be a low-power, short-range link having an effective range at least equivalent to the length of the vehicle to which it is mounted, typically less than of the order of lOm and preferably less than 5m. The output power may be in the range of +2 to -lGdBm. The communications over the wireless link may be coded communications. The coded communications may use one of Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK), Phase Shift Keying (PSK) or a form of frequency modulation such as Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency based coding.

The wireless link may be operated using a radio frequency peripheral interface controller (rfPIC), preferably a rf PlC having an integrated central processing unit (CPU), which may be programmable and may have memory such as flash memory and/or erasable/programmable read only memory (EPROM) and/or static random access memory (SRAM) This allows for tailoring of the wireless link and programming of operational and/or security features.

The frequency of the wireless communications may be in the range of 250 to 480MHz, 868-870MHz, 915MHz or 2.4 to 2.5GHz but is preferably between 310 and 480MHz.

In an alternate embodiment, the wireless link may be a radio frequency link using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.

The visual display means and means for controlling the visual display means may be arranged such that operation of the means for controlling causes the visual display means to illuminate (activate) for a predetermined period of time, preferably for less than 10 seconds. This allows the visual display means to be illuminated for an optimal time for conveying the message only to the intended recipient and minimises the steps required to operate the visual display means. Alternatively, the visual display means only illuminates while the means for controlling the visual display means are operated, e.g. depressed. The means for controlling may be operable by a switch, e.g. a push button switch. The switch may be biased to an off position, such as to only operate when depressed. Additionally or alternatively, the means for controlling the visual display means may include a microphone and voice processor and be operable using a voice command.

When illuminated, the visual display means is preferably static. In another embodiment, the visual display means may flash.

The visual display means and/or the means for controlling the visual display means may be powered by at least one battery. In one preferred embodiment, the visual display means is powered by one battery means and the means for controlling is powered by another battery means. The battery or batteries may be a primary or secondary battery or batteries. Preferable primary batteries are silver-zinc or alkaline or lithium primary batteries or the like. Use of primary batteries generally allows for lower manufacture and supply costs. Preferable secondary batteries are lithium or nickel metal hydride batteries or the like. Additionally or alternately, the visual display means and/or the means for controlling the visual display means may be arranged to draw power from the vehicle battery or alternator. This may be achieved by connection to a power socket, e.g. a cigarette lighter socket, or by direct wiring into the vehicle wiring loom.

For example, the control means may be provided on a plug for inserting in a power socket in the vehicle, e.g. on or near the fascia. For example also, the display device may be connectable to a power socket e.g. in the boot or trunk of the vehicle.

The control means may be adapted for mounting in or in the vicinity of the steering wheel or dashboard.

The vehicle display apparatus may be adapted to allow retrofitting thereof to a vehicle. Alternately or additionally, the vehicle display apparatus may be adapted to be fitted during manufacture of the vehicle.

The visual display means may be arranged to be located at.

or near the bottom, e.g. the bottom edge, of the rear window of the vehicle.

The visual display means may be removably mounted to a stand. The stand may be attached to or mounted with respect to a parcel shelf, ledge or window, e.g. a rear window of the vehicle. The stand may include means for tilting and/or rotating and/or moving the visual display unit. In this way, the position of the visual display S unit may be adjusted such that the display is visible from outside, e.g. behind, the vehicle.

The visual display means may be adapted to be mounted to the outside of a vehicle. A protective cover may be provided. The protective cover may be provided with locking means to prevent access to the visual display unit and means for mounting the visual display unit from outside of the vehicle when the locking means are locked.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a visual display means for use in the vehicle display apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a means for controlling a visual display means of the vehicle display apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle having a vehicle display apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention and/or a visual display means according to the second aspect of the present invention and/or a means for controlling the visual display means according to the third aspect of the present invention.

The vehicle may comprise an automotive vehicle, e.g. a car/automobile, lorry, van, bus, tram car, motorcycle or the like.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a method for encouraging mutual respect and courtesy between road users by acknowledging courteous driving through use of the vehicle display apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention and/or the visual, display means of the second aspect of the present invention and/or the means for controlling the visual display means of the third aspect of the present invention.

Brief Description of Drawings

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are: Figure 1: a schematic diagram of a vehicle display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2: a means for controlling a visual display means of the visual display apparatus of Figure 1, the control means being mounted to a dashboard of a vehicle; Figure 3: a vehicle having the vehicle display apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4: a radio frequency peripheral interface controller (rfPIC) for use in the vehicle display apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 5: a front view of an alternative visual display means of the vehicle display apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 6: a side view of the alternative visual display means of the vehicle display apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 7: a rear windscreen of the vehicle of Figure 3 having the vehicle display apparatus in non-illuminated mode; Figure 8: the rear windscreen of the vehicle of figure 3 having the vehicle display apparatus in an illuminated mode; Figure 9: the rear windscreen of the vehicle of Figure 3 having a further alternative vehicle display apparatus in illuminated mode; Figure lOa: a side view of a further alternative, edge-lit, visual display means of the visual display apparatus of Figure 1; Figure lOb: a front view of the edge-lit visual display means of Figure l0a of the visual display apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 11: a mounting for a visual display means of the visual display apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 12: a housing for a visual display means of the visual display apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 13: a yet further alternative visual display means of the visual display apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 14: a still further visual display means of the visual display apparatus of Figure 1 mounted to the outside of a vehicle and provided with a protective cover.

Detailed Description of Drawings

Figures 1 and 2 show a vehicle display apparatus, generally designated 1, having a visual display means 5a and a means 10 for controlling the visual display means 5a. The visual display means 5a and the means 10 for controlling the visual display means 5a communicate via communications link 15.

The means 10 for controlling the visual display means 5 has a button switch 25, a power source 30 and controlling communications means 35 for communicating with the visual display means 5. The means 10 for controlling the visual display means 5 is typically adapted to be mounted to a vehicle dashboard or in the vicinity of or on a steering wheel for easy operation by a driver of the vehicle, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The button switch 25 is operable to activate the controlling communications means 35 to send an activation signal to the visual display means 5.

In an alternative embodiment, the means 10 for controlling the visual display means 5 optionally or additionally has a voice activation means including a microphone and a voice processor. The voice activation means is adapted to receive a voice command to activate the controlling communications means in similar fashion to the button switch 25. The microphone is adapted to collect sound from the vicinity of the driver and may incorporate techniques to minimise background sound such as using a directional microphone pointed at the driver, providing the microphone with means for mounting the microphone close to the drivers mouth or providing it with baffles to dampen out sound coming from areas other than a drivers area. The voice processor is adapted to analyse the signal from the microphone and to recognise sound patterns according to a predefined activation The power source 30 may be a battery or a means of drawing power from the vehicle battery or alternator, e.g. by wiring into the vehicles wiring loom or plugging into a cigarette lighter socket in the vehicle.

Batteries included in the power source would depend on the arrangement of the power source, but may include button cells such as silver-zinc button cells, AA or AAA primary or secondary cells.

The controlling communications means 35 is a radio frequency peripheral interface controller (rf PlC) 35 having an integrated programmable Cpu 40, memory 45 such as FLASH and/or EPROM and/or SRAM memory and a radio frequency transmitter 50. The rfPIC 35 is programmed with a code for activating the visual display means 5a, which is stored in the memory 45. Use of an activation code allows the means for controlling 10 and the visual display means 5a to be paired, thereby preventing operation of one users visual display means 5a by another users means for controlling 10. The rf PlC 35 is further programmed to encrypt the code. An example of a suitable encryption is private key encryption, in which both the controlling communications means and visual display unit are provided with an encryption key for encoding and decoding the signal. The rfPIC 35 is then programmed to send the code using Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK), Phase Shift Keying (PSK) or a form of frequency modulation such as Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency based coding via the radio frequency transmitter 50 to the visual display means 5.

Transmitting the signal in this way prevents spurious activation from other radio frequency signals. Combined coding and encryption may be used to uniquely and securely link visual display means 5 with means 10 for controlling the visual display means 5.

The amplitude-shift keying system used in one embodiment is on-off keying, which can represent binary codes by rapidly modulating a signal on and off. This embodiment allows for a low cost communications link 15. In light of the low power operation and interference due to car electronics and metallic structures, this is a preferred embodiment. In another embodiment, the amplitude shift keying is multi-level encoding, which uses multiple steps in the amplitude, with each step being assigned to a differing number. In this way the data transmission rate may be increased but at the expense of cost and signal to noise ratio required.

In another embodiment, a phase shift keying system is adapted to use a sinusoidal carrier wave and encode data as either corresponding to absolute values of phase or to changes in phase of the carrier wave. In order to increase accuracy of the system, a reference signal may also be provided which can be compared to the carrier wave to determine the phase or phase shift of the carrier wave.

In a further embodiment, a frequency modulation system is adapted to encode a data signal using the data signal to shift the frequency of a carrier signal, such as a sinusoidal signal, between differing values, with each frequency value being used to represent a different number.

Upon activation via the button 25 or the voice activation means, the rfPIC 35 encrypts and transmits the activation code to the visual display means 5 over the communications link 15. The visual display means 5 is arranged such that it will not activate unless the correct code is received.

The communications link 15 is a wireless radio frequency link. In a preferred embodiment, the frequency lies between 310 to 480 MHz to allow for an optimised transmission range and to allow the use of lower cost components. In further embodiments, the frequency of the radio frequency signal lies within one of the following ranges: 250 -480 MHz, 868 -870 MHz, 915 MHz or 2.4 -2.5 GHz.

The communications link 15 consists of the transmitter 50 (incorporated into the rf PlC 35) for sending signals from the controlling means 10 to a receiver 55 connected to the visual display means 5a. To minimise interference and power requirements, the power of the signal sent via the communications link 15 is selected to correspond to the separation of the controlling means 10 and the visual display means 5, and the signal path. For example, in a car, the range of the communications link 15 can be selected to be less than 5m. In another example, for a lorry or large van, which may have a greater length and also screens or other such barriers between the controlling means 10 and the visual display means 5, the power will have to be increased to compensate and the effective range of the communications link 15 can be selected to be approximately equivalent to the length of the vehicle to which it is mounted, for example, less than lOm. This may be achieved by operating the transmitter 50 at a power output between +2 to -l6dBm.

The communications link is suitable for installation at manufacture or retrofit. For installation at manufacture, the communications link could be incorporated into the vehicle's wiring loom.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5 to 9, the visual display means 5a-5c has lighting means 60, a power supply 65, a means 70 for attaching the visual display means 5 to a windscreen 75 of a car and the receiver 55 for communicating with the means 10 for controlling the visual display means 5.

Figure 3 shows the visual display apparatus 1 mounted in a vehicle, with the means for controlling 10 and visual display means 5 being physically separated. Here, the visual display means 5 is mounted at, or adjacent to, the bottom edge of a rear windscreen 75 or window of the vehicle.

Figure 7 shows the rear of a vehicle having the visual display apparatus 5b mounted at or adjacent the bottom edge of the rear windscreen 75. The visual display apparatus 5b is shown in the non-illuminated condition.

Figure 8 shows the rear of a vehicle having one embodiment of the visual display apparatus 5b mounted at or adjacent the bottom of the rear windscreen 75. The visual display apparatus 5b is shown in an illuminated condition to thereby display only a non-textual shape, in this embodiment, a tick.

Figure 9 shows the rear of a vehicle having one embodiment of the visual display apparatus 5c mounted at or adjacent the bottom edge of the rear windscreen 75.

The visual display apparatus 5c is shown in an illuminated condition to thereby display only text, in this embodiment, "Thank You".

The receiver 55 is arranged to receive wireless communications via communications link 15 from the means for controlling the visual display means 5a-5c. The receiver 55, upon receiving an appropriately coded signal from the controlling means, is further arranged to activate a timed switch, allowing power to be supplied from power source 65 to the lighting means 60 to cause the lighting means 60 to become illuminated. The timed switch allows lighting means 60 to be statically illuminated for a predetermined period. The period that the lighting means 60 is illuminated for is greater than the minimum time required for the sign to be observed and understood by the intended recipient and long enough to meet any applicable regulatory requirements as to minimum illumination time but short enough such that the intended recipient of the sign is not confused and battery power supplies are not wasted, typically such a period is is less than 10 seconds, e.g. around 6 to 7 seconds. In one embodiment, the power to the lighting means 60 is rapidly pulsed on and off in order to provide flashing illumination.

The lighting means 60 are operable to be either in an illuminated (on) and non-illuminated (of f) condition.

The lighting means 60 are arranged to form a shape to be displayed, as shown in Figure 5, thereby maximising the possible light output by minimising the layers through which the light from the lighting means 60 must travel.

In an alternate embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the lighting means 60 are located behind a diffuser or light spreader 80 and an opaque mask 85 having a shaped transparent or cut-out section 90 to allow the light from the lighting means 60 to pass through the mask 85. In this way, the visual display means 5c is operable to selectively display a single illuminated shape defined by the transparent or cut-out sections 90 of the mask 85.

In a further embodiment, as shown in Figures l0a and lob, the visual display means Sd has a display screen 95 adapted to be side-lit by the lighting means 60 (preferably LED's) . The display screen 95 is *substantially transparent or translucent and incorporates a pattern 100 arranged to result in interference, scattering or blocking of light 105 from the lighting means 60 incident from the side of the display screen 95.

In this, way, activation of the lighting means 60 allows the pattern 100 to be displayed. The display screen 95 is preferentially an acrylic screen 95, to provide the necessary transparency and robustness.

In one embodiment, the lighting means 60 are LED's 62.

The use of LED's 62 allows the use of less power than conventional filament lighting means of equivalent brightness. In a further embodiment, the LED's 62 are red LED's or the visual display means 5a-Sd is provided with a filter layer such that the light emitted from the LED's 62 appears red. Use of LED's 62, especially when used with one of the embodiments of Figures 5 or 6, allows for production of a simple, low cost and convenient apparatus to be produced. A low cost greatly increases the potential uptake of the apparatus 1 and increases the distribution options, for example, distributed by vehicle insurance companies with new policies, e.g. for retrofit to vehicles.

In another embodiment, the lighting means 60b is an OLED matrix on a flexible substrate. The use of OLED's leads to a lighting means 60b that uses less power than an equivalent filament based system. The use of OLED's leads to the further advantage of allowing a distributed source or a pixelated matrix, making it particularly advantageous in forming easily readable shapes and text.

In addition, using OLED's based on a flexible substrate allows a non-bulky, flexible visual display means 5 to be produced. This allows the visual display means 5 to be conformable and thus easily mountable on a curved windscreen or window 75. The OLED matrices may be constructed to be substantially transparent or translucent when in the non-illuminated (off) state.

This may be achieved through appropriate selection of component materials such as polyimide, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene terepthalate (PET) or polyethylene napthalate (PEN) (or glass for non flexible visual display means 5) for the substrate and/or indium tin oxide (ITO) for electrodes and contacts. This minimises the visual obstruction caused when the visual display means 5 is mounted in the window 75 of a vehicle.

The visual display means 5 are powered by a power source 65. Both the visual display means 5 and the means for controlling the visual display means 10 may or may not share a common power source 30, 65. This may be a battery supply internal to the visual display means 5, an external dedicated battery unit or a connection into the vehicles power supply (e.g. battery and/or alternator) via the wiring loom or the cigarette lighter. If the power source 65 (and/or the power source 30 for the means for controlling 10) is an external dedicated battery unit, the battery unit may be stored in the boot/trunk of the vehicle. If batteries are used, rechargeable lithium batteries or nickel metal hydride batteries are preferable as they provide a high volumetric energy density, allowing a long duration of use between charges. The power source 65 is selected with consideration the display means

and the application. For example, a visual display unit arranged to spell out the word "thank you" using LED's would require approximately sixty four LED'S.

If the visual display means 5 is lit for five seconds per activation, then sixty activations per week would drain a battery pack of four "c-cells" rated at 3500mA1-irs in six and a half weeks. Thus, for example, if the vehicle display apparatus 1 is intended for use by delivery van drivers who drive for relatively long time periods and would likely often have use for the apparatus 1, it is advantageous to wire the apparatus to the vehicle battery or wiring loom. Commercial users and vehicle manufacturers are also more likely to be agreeable to the task of hard wiring in the device. However, for apparatus intended for general consumers, it is likely that using readily available standard batteries, wither primary or secondary would be preferred as a simpler option requiring less installation.

The means 70 for attaching the visual display means 5a-5c to a windscreen 75 of a car may be suckers for attaching to the windscreen 75, an adhesive fixing, mechanical attachment means such as clips or hooks or shaping of the visual display means 5a-5c such that it is securely fixable into a reciprocating cavity in the bodywork or fittings of the vehicle. Preferential use of suckers allows for production of an easy to fit, low cost apparatus. The means for attaching 70 are selected to allow for after sales retrofitting and/or factory fitting as required. The unit may be adapted for mounting inside or outside of the vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 11, the visual display means 5 may be movable and/or rotatable relative to the means for attaching 70 to allow for attachment of the visual display means 5 to surfaces such as rear windscreens 75 that may come disposed in a wide range of angles. This allows the visual display device to be arranged to be more visible to drivers behind and not lie at a highly oblique angle, such that the visual display means 5 cannot be read. The movement and/or rotation of the visual display means 5 may be brought about through the use of an arm 110 having hinges and/or pivots and/or gimbals (all generally indicated 115) and/or resiliently flexible members 120 to connect the means for attaching 70 to the visual display means 5. To accommodate the movement, flat, flexible cables 125 or coiled cables 125 are used to link the visual display means 5 with any non-incorporated components, such as batteries, access to the vehicle wiring loom, communications link receivers 55, etc. As shown in Figure 12, the visual display means 5 is further recessed into a housing 130 or provided with a shade 135 to reduce the incidence of ambient light, e.g. daylight / sunlight, onto the visual display means 5.

This prevents the illuminated and non-illuminated sections of the visual display means 5 becoming difficult to differentiate due to reflected or scattered sunlight.

In an alternate embodiment, as shown in Fig. 13, the visual display means S may be arranged to be transflective, such that when in the illuminated (on) configuration the displayed pattern is reflective such that the pattern is enhanced by reflected sunlight, rather than diminished but when the visual display means is in the non-illuminated (off) configuration, light reflected from the reflective layer is blocked. One option for doing this is to provide a display having an electrically polarisable material 140 disposed between a polarisation layer 145 and a reflective backplate 150.

The polarisation of the polarizable layer 140 may be electrically altered to selectively change the polarization of light by the electrically polarisable material to allow or not allow transmission of incident light 155 reflected from the reflection layer 150 back out through the polarisation layer 145. This may be achieved by means known in the art using LCD or OLED technologies. Another option is to provide an electrochromiC layer to selectively block light from a reflective layer by changing between transparent and opaque upon the application of an electrical signal.

For embodiments where the display unit is adapted to be mounted to the outside of vehicles, for example, for mounting to vans or lorries not having a clear or transparent rear window, the visual display means 5d and access to the means 70 for attaching it to the vehicle are encased below a lockable transparent cover 160, as shown in Fig. 14. The cover 160 is provided with locking means 165 for securing the cover. The lockable cover 160 may be any transparent or translucent material having the required strength and moulding properties such as polycarbonate. Access to the components contained below the cover 160 is achieved by unlocking the locking means and removing (or opening if hinged) the cover 160.

The visual display means 5d and the ver are securely attached to the vehicle using secure means for attaching 70, such as bolts.

In a further mounting embodiment, the visual display means 5d may be incorporated into the bodywork or mouldings of the vehicle. Power is then supplied via attachment to the wiring loom of the vehicle. The communications means between the visual display means 5d and the means for controlling 10 the visual display means 5d is by cable connection.

A skilled person will appreciate that variations of the disclosed arrangements are possible without departing from the invention. For example, whilst examples are given of the visual display means showing only text 5a or only a non-textual shape 5b, it will be appreciated that the displayed shape may be a combination of both. In addition, although in the specific embodiments describe a displayed non-textual shape that is a tick, the non-textual shape may be any shape such as a flat palm or a thumbs up motif. Further, although the example is given of the visual display means 5a-5c being arranged to emit red light, the visual display means Sd may emit any colour of light, such as green or blue. In embodiments in which the power supplies 30, 40 are battery based, the batteries may be primary batteries, such as alkaline or lithium primary or secondary batteries. Specific examples have been provided wherein the lighting means S 60b are LED's 62 or OLED's, however, the lighting means 60b may be other lighting means known in the art such as tungsten filament lighting means. Additionally, the communications link 15 has been described as being a wireless RF link, however one skilled in the art will appreciate that other communications links such as cables may be used. Although the illumination of the visual display means 5a-5c has been described as being operated by a timed switch, the switching of the visual display means 5a-5c between a lit and unlit state may be performed by a user via the control panel 10.

Accordingly, the above description of the specific

embodiment is made by way of example only and not for the purposes of limitation. It will also be clear to the skilled person that minor modifications may be made without significant changes to the operation described.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A vehicle display apparatus comprising a visual display means and a means for controlling the visual display means.

2. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means for controlling the visual display means is communicable with the visual display means via a wireless communications link.

3. The vehicle display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the wireless communications link is a radio frequency link.

4. The vehicle display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the wireless communications link is adapted to operate at one of 250 to 480MHz, 868-870MHz, 915MHz or
2.4 to 2.5GHz.

5. The vehicle display apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the wireless communications link is adapted to operate between 310 and 480MHz.

6. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of claims 2-5, wherein the wireless communications link is adapted to have a power output in the range of +2 to -l6dBrn.

7. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of claims 2-6, wherein the wireless communications link is adapted to encode, transmit and decode signals using amplitude shift keying.

8. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of claims 2-6, wherein the wireless communications link is adapted to encode, transmit and decode signals using frequency modulation.

9. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of claims 2-6, wherein the wireless communications link is adapted to encode, transmit and decode signals using phase shift keying.

10. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means for controlling the visual display means is adapted to send an access code to the visual display means in order to activate the visual display means.

11. The vehicle display apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the access code is encrypted.

12. The vehicle display apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the access code is encrypted using private key encryption.

13. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of claims 2-12, wherein the wireless communications are carried out using a radio frequency peripheral interface controller (rfPIC) 14. The vehicle display apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the rfPIC is provided with an integrated processor, memory and radio frequency transmitter such that it is programmable.

15. The vehicle display apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the visual display means is flexible.

16. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the visual display apparatus is substantially transparent or translucent when not activated.

17. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the visual display means is adapted to display a pattern when activated and to reflect incident ambient light from the pattern.

18. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the visual display means comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED).

19. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the visual display means comprises an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display.

20. The vehicle display apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the visual display is formed on a polymeric substrate.

21. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the visual display is formed on a substrate of polyethylene imide or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene napthalate (PEN).

22. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the visual display means comprises a substantially transparent or translucent screen member having a display face substantially perpendicular to at least one side edge, means for diffracting and/or scattering and/or blocking light arranged into a pattern, and lighting means, adapted to illuminate the screen through a side edge of the screen in order to display the pattern on the display face.

23. The vehicle display apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the screen is composed predominantly of an acrylic based polymer.

24. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means for controlling the visual display means is provided with a microphone and voice processor such that the means for controlling the visual display means may be operated using a voice command.

25. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the visual display means is mountable rotatably and/or tiltably on a mounting.

26. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the visual display means and/or means for controlling the visual display means are powered from a vehicle battery, such as a starting lighting ignition (SLI) battery.

27. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means for controlling the visual display means are adapted to draw power via a cigarette lighter socket in the vehicle.

28. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means for controlling the visual display means are mounted in or on a dashboard or steering wheel of the vehicle.

29. The vehicle display apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the visual display means is adapted to be mounted, such as recess mounted, to the outside of a vehicle by a mounting means and is optionally provided with a protective cover adapted to be lockable or sealable to prevent access to the visual display means from the outside of the vehicle.

30. A visual display means adapted for use in the vehicle display apparatus of any of the preceding claims.

31. A means for controlling a visual display means adapted for use in the vehicle display apparatus of any of the preceding claims.

32. A vehicle having the vehicle display apparatus of any of claims 1 to 29 and/or the visual display means of claim 30 and/or the means for controlling the visual display means of claim 31.

33. A vehicle as claimed in claim 32, wherein the vehicle is a car/automobile, lorry, van, bus, tram car or motorcycle.

34. A method for encouraging mutual respect and courtesy to road users by acknowledging courteous driving through the use of the vehicle display apparatus of any of claims 1 to 29 and/or the visual display means of claim 30 and/or the means for controlling the visual display means of claim 31.

35. A vehicle display apparatus as hereinbefore described in the description and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

36. A visual display means as hereinbefore described in the description and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

37. A means for controlling a visual display means as hereinbefore described in the description and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

38. A vehicle having a vehicle display apparatus and/or visual display means and/or means for controlling a visual display means as hereinbefore described in the description and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

39. A method for encouraging mutual respect and courtesy to road users by acknowledging courteous driving through the use of a vehicle display apparatus and/or visual display means and/or means for controlling a visual display means as hereinbefore described in the description and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.