BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to communications systems and methods, and more specifically, to a digital vehicle display system that places transparent liquid crystal displays (LCD), transparent light emitting diode (LED) displays, transparent organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, or transparent LED-embedded glass displays on window surfaces, from the interior or the exterior, of any vehicle such as automobiles, airplanes, trains, ships, and the like, (“Vehicular Mobility Platforms”) in private, commercial, public safety, and military capacity, so that messages and imagery in informative (public-safety), instructive (public-service), and commercial nature are displayed by them but do not block the visibility through the windows.

[0002] Similarly, non-transparent LCDs, non-transparent LEDs, non-transparent OLEDs, or non-transparent LED-embedded glass displays are attached to non-window surfaces of a vehicle to communicate messages from the vehicle.

2. Description of Related Art

[0003] Communication systems are well known in the art and are effective means to share ideas, concepts, entertainment, and other material between two parties. Common communication systems include telephones and computers that allow for verbal thoughts or messages from one person to be converted to electronic signals and then sent through a wire or network to another person who is able to listen to or read the thought or message expressed by the first person.

[0004] Common communication systems also include advertisements or imagery that are placed where they will be seen by people as they move by. The advertisements could be instructive or commercial in nature.

[0005] One of the problems frequently associated with common communication systems is their limited use. For example, a telephone requires that the first person know the number, address, or extension of a second person they want to communicate with. Without this number no communication is possible. When in a crowd, on a road, or in other situations where communication is desired but unable to be established between two parties, they are left with no remedy to communicate.

[0006] Currently, communication systems include displays that are able to be attached to surfaces or stand-alone. These displays are non-transparent or opaque. These displays when attached to a window on a building or a vehicle vision or sight through the window is reduced or eliminated completely.

[0007] Additionally, spaces such as windows where communications could be placed are not able to be utilized as it would restrict the purpose of the window, that is to allow light through or to be looked through.

[0008] Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of communication systems, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital vehicle display system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the control module of the system of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the content management system of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of displaying communicative information from a vehicle; and

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are alternative embodiments of the system of FIG. 1 .

[0010] While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer’s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0012] The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional communication systems. Specifically, the present invention enables indirect communication between two parties on roads and in other crowded places where direct communication is limited. Additionally, the invention allows for the use of windows in visual communication without restriction to the vision therethrough in one direction. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0013] The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

[0014] The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

[0015] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a digital vehicle display system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system 101 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional communication systems.

[0016] In the contemplated embodiment, system 101 includes a vehicle 103 such as an automobile, train, boat, or the like with a first window 105 having a first display 107 attached thereto and visible from the outside surface 109 of the vehicle 103. The system also includes a second window 1 1 1 with a second display 1 13 attached thereto and visible from the outside surface 109 of the vehicle 103. A control module 115 is in digital communication with the displays.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2 the control module 1 15 is further depicted and includes a content management system (CMS) 203 in digital communication with a portal 205 that is operated by a computing device 207 such as a cellular telephone, tablet, or PC. The portal 205 allows a user or other source of content to transmit communication content to a display 209 such as the first display 107 or the second display 1 13. The communication content from the portal 205 passes through the content management system 203 and then on to the display 209.

[0018] It is contemplated that the displays 209 are partially, if not completely transparent when seen from inside the vehicle 103. This allows the driver or others therein to utilize the windows for their primary purpose.

[0019] The content management system (CMS) 203 is depicted in FIG. 3 and includes a central processing unit (CPU) 301 that processes data from the portal 205, a router 303 protected by a virtual private network (VPN) firewall, and a video processor 305. Data is moved to and from the CMS 203 via a transmitter 307. The transmitter 307 could be a 4G LTE cellular antenna, 5G cellular antenna, or the like. It is contemplated that the transmitter 307 has a real-time bi-directional feedback protocol that collects environmental data, systems-condition data (i.e. self-diagnostics), and data analytics of the content from the displays 305 and alters the content from the portal 205 dependent thereon. The data transmitted through the transmitter 307 is protected by digital encryption standards. The transmitter 307 allows for content data to be sent to the displays from any location.

[0020] In use, content is sourced by a user through the portal 205, the CMS 203 then transfers content to the first display 107 and the second display 1 13 where the content is seen by people that are outside of the vehicle 103. The CMS 203 monitors the performance of the displays and the content. The CMS 203 alters the content on direction from the portal 205 or based upon criteria programmed within the CMS 203.

[0021] It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is that the CMS 203 contains pre-programmed data, accepts real-time updates to the content or pre-programmed data from a remote location, and monitors the reception of the content through data analytics in real-time to improve the effectiveness of the content. Further, the CMS 203 self-diagnoses any discrepancies in the display of the content or function of the displays in real-time to ensure their proper function.

[0022] Additionally, the displays 209 do not block vision or sight from inside the vehicle 103 to the outside thereof.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 4 a method of displaying communicative information from a vehicle is depicted. Method 401 includes preparing visual content and uploading it to a portal such as a CMS platform 403, allowing a content management system to transmit select content to a display from the portal 405, the CMS monitoring the performance of the display and the consumption of the content 407, and the CMS altering the content 409.

[0024] It is contemplated that the CMS platform is integrated with contracted social media digital advertising platforms as well as e-commerce marketplace advertising platforms so that digital advertisements are auto-populated and auto-rendered on the displays of the system 101 , via cloud-based and dedicated communication portals between the CMS and the other platforms, as an added digital-advertising service for commercial benefit.

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 alternative placements or embodiments of the system are depicted. Embodiment 501 includes a truck 507 or van with a rear window 505 through which the driver sees what is behind them. A display 503 is attached thereto but does not eliminate the view through the rear window 505. Embodiment 601 is an SUV 607 with a rear window 605 with a display 603 attached thereto and also includes a second display 61 1 attached to a side window or panel 609. Embodiment 701 is a bus 707 or larger vehicle with displays 703 attached in the windows 705 thereof. The displays 703 do not obstruct the view from the bus 707. Embodiment 801 is a delivery van 803, that has a solid side and rear surface with no windows, with a display 805 that is attached to the outside surface 81 1 of a solid side wall 807 and extends to a door 809. A solid rear wall could also have the display 805 attached thereto.

[0026] The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.