Data processing: speech signal processing – linguistics – language – Speech signal processing – Application
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-08
2001-06-05
Hudspeth, David (Department: 2741)
Data processing: speech signal processing, linguistics, language
Speech signal processing
Application
C704S274000, C704S275000, C704S270000, C434S30700R, C340S426110, C340S479000, C349S068000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243685
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to vehicle display systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to an interactive way to communicate messages outside a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Over the years, many technologies have been developed to help occupants of motor vehicles communicate with one another. Simple signs and hand signals were used early on. Later, signal lights and displays were developed. An example of one such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,666 (the “'666 Patent”). The display device shown in the '666 Patent includes a lighted sign section similar to signs seen on city taxis and buses which, in general, acts like a small billboard. The device also includes a programmable electronic display that may display one of several pre-programmed messages. Although this device and ones like it are functional and relatively inexpensive, they are designed more for advertising than other types of communication. Thus, these types of devices can generally display only those messages that are fixed in hard-copy form or available in pre-programmed memory. They are not useful for situations where an individual in the vehicle must relay some non-programmed information, such as a call for help or a report on the present status of the vehicle or its occupants.
Of course, there are other technologies for accomplishing inter-vehicle communication. They include citizens band (CB) radio and mobile telephone. However, both of these technologies have limitations as well. First, they require both the sender and receiver of information to have compatible sender-receiver systems. Second, both sender and receiver must coordinate the transmission conduit of the information, through either transmission channel or phone number. Accordingly, these systems are viable only when both the sender and receiver have compatible equipment and have access to the same or a compatible communications infrastructure. Even today, many vehicles are not equipped with such devices, in part because obtaining such equipment and access can be expensive.
Thus, it would be desirable to have an inter-vehicle communication system that was relatively inexpensive, non-dependent on compatible sender-receiver systems and complex communications infrastructures, and able to communicate real-time information from the occupants in the vehicle to people outside the vehicle. It would also be beneficial if the system was designed for hands-free operation so that a driver of a motor vehicle could operate it without removing his or her hands from steering and other controls of the vehicle.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved inter-vehicle communication system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved inter-vehicle system that does not require the receiver to have compatible receiving equipment or rely on a predetermined transmission channel.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hands-free, vehicle-based communication system in the form of a voice-based interactive message display system that allows a sender to conveniently send messages to other nearby vehicles or pedestrians.
These and other objects are achieved in a voice-operated message display system that includes coordinated forward and rear facing light-emitting displays combined with a versatile programming mechanism which, used in combination, make it possible for one-way communication that only requires the sender to have appropriate equipment. In one embodiment of the invention, the system includes message display screens adapted to be mounted to the front and rear of a vehicle. The display screens include a matrix of light-emitting elements for the display of selected patterns of light in response to the stimulus from a controller under the direction of voice commands from a user. Following manual activation, a sequence of synthesized vocal prompts are used to determine the desired message, on which displays to display that message, and in what forms it should be displayed. The user's desires are determined by means of a voice recognition unit with a vocabulary contained in a replaceable memory module. In addition, the display system uses ambient light sensors to automatically adjust the brightness and contrast settings to improve the visibility of the displayed message.
These are just some of the features and advantages of the present invention. Many others will become apparent by reference to the detailed description of the invention taken in combination with the accompanying drawings.
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Bergman Rick C.
Welch Henry L.
Bergman Rick C.
Chawan Vijay B
Hudspeth David
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
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