AU2015101101B4 - Vehicle sign - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle sign includes a display, a battery, a microcontroller and a blue tooth module. The system is wirelessly activated and the system may also log the time 5 and dates it is switched on for record purposes and communicate these wirelessly to a portable electronic device such as an i-pad or i-phone. This arrangement makes it possible to easily activate the sign to display that the car is in the control of a learner (L) driver or a holder of a provisional (P) licence.

Description

1 VEHICLE SIGN This invention relates to an illuminated sign particularly for use in or on vehicles to display the status of the driver. 5 Background to the invention This invention address the problem of avoiding changing P and L plates it is proposed to have an illuminated sign that is visible only when the device is switched on as when a learner or P plate driver is in charge of the vehicle. 10 USA patent 7665870 discloses an illuminated safety sign for Trucks. USA patent applications 2014/0053437 and 2014/0059904 disclose illuminated vehicle signs that are switchable and are able to selectively illuminate parts of the panel. Chinese patent 1530259 discloses an electronic, intelligent number plate with 15 antitheft features. These proposals require modification of the vehicle and are not easy to implement retrospectively. It is an object of this invention to ameliorate the difficulties associated with the prior art. 20 Brief description of the invention To this end the present invention provides a vehicle sign adapted to be fitted to a vehicle which includes a display panel, a battery, a microcontroller and a wireless communication module in which the microcontroller is programmed to be switched 25 on wirelessly and to display pre-programmed indicia. The system is preferably operated from a portable computing device such as mobile smart phone. This arrangement makes it possible to easily activate the sign to display that the car is in the control of a learner (L) driver or a holder of a provisional (P) licence. The two different colour P plates may be displayed. 30 The E-plates of this invention are a new style of L and P plates for learner drivers. The need has been recognized for a more convenient, more permanent and more visible plate system.

2 The sign of this invention may include an LED screen or a roll display, a battery, a microcontroller and a blue tooth module. The device may be wirelessly activated and may also log the time and dates it is switched on for record purposes and communicate these wirelessly to a portable electronic device such as an i-pad or i 5 phone. The device may also be secured to the vehicle by a releasable lock. The software and Bluetooth module allows the micro controller to receive data from a Bluetooth device and depending on what data is received it changes the plate sign. Preferably E-Plate system will; 1. be visible in the dark (illuminate in the dark) 10 2. be visible during the day 3. when switched off it doesn't not display any sign of the P or L plates 4. shows the speed limit of the plate on a computing device 5. be switched on and off from inside the car from the computing device 6. does not require hard wiring 15 7. is able to record, store and retrieve a log of hours and km's driven for the L and P plate drivers on the computing device 8. instalment of the display may be semi-permanent and may be mounted next to the vehicle number plate and uses the same screws or attachment 20 9. is able to meet the regulations in different states, by a setting in the software on the computing device 10. The panel Is sealed from dust and weather 11. The display is Is UV stable 25 Detailed description of the invention A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which : Figure 1 illustrates the endless display belt; Figure 2 is an assembly view of the display case; 30 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the major components of the display case. The components of the device are listed in table 1.

3 Table 1: Part: Specification Battery 5V 1000mAh 2A (maximum current draw) Microcontroller 16MHz (AVR Atmega 328) Bluetooth Module 10m receiver Scrolling display An endless belt with 3 display panels (yellow L, red Pand green P) and one blank panel . Holes or transparent portions mark the limits of each panel A set of rollers 14, 15 driven by drive gear 17 and a third roller 16 below the display area. An electric motor for the drive roller mounted on bracket 18 Light sensors 20 aligned to register with the limit holes on the panels to sense when a panel is in the display position The endless display belt 22 as shown in figure 1 is joined at is ends and the signs 5 are displayed between rollers 14 and 16 and the rear of endless display belt passes over roller 15. The display case 10 as shown in figure 2 has a cover 11 that has an opening corresponding to the area of each display portion of the endless belt 22. The roller rollers 14, 15 and 16 are mounted on bearings 13. The drive gear 17 is 10 mounted on bearing 12 . The electric motor for the drive gear 17 is mounted on bracket 18. The circuit board carrying the battery microcontroller and blue tooth module is mounted beside bracket 18 and between rollers 14 and 15.

4 The correct positioning of the display is determined by signals from the light sensors 20 mounted above roller 16. The edges of the endless belt 22 pass between a light source and sensor at position 20. When light is received by a sensor ( because of a hole or transparency in the edge of the belt 22) it marks the boundary of a sign and 5 the motor is stopped. The micro controller is programmed to receive instructions to switch the sign on and display one of a set of indicia such as an L or P on the appropriate or designated colour background. The controller is preferably a blue tooth transmitter similar to a garage door control 10 with 4 buttons to scroll the display to the selected display or to have no display. A software application is provided that is suitable for use on a cellular phone , smart phone or portable computing device. The user opens the application and selects the indicia to be illuminated. The software will enable the illumination to be shown in day time or night time mode. The user may select that the illumination time be clocked 15 and recorded. As part of the record keeping function the application is programmed to record the date and the time at commencement and conclusion of the trip. This enables a historical record to be maintained in a format required for L plate drivers to show their driving record. 20 From the above it can be seen that this invention provides a unique and easy to use display sign that is capable of being produced at low cost. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this invention may be implemented in embodiments other than those described without departing from the core teachings of this invention. 25

Claims (4)

1. A vehicle sign adapted to be fitted to a vehicle which includes an endless belt with three display panels arranged to pass over a set of rollers so that one of the display panels is displayed between two of said rollers, a battery, a 5 microcontroller and a wireless communication module in which the microcontroller is programmed to be switched on wirelessly and to display a selected one of said three display panels.

2. A vehicle sign as claimed in claim 1 in which the wireless communication 10 module is a blue tooth module.

3. A vehicle sign as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the micro controller is activated by a portable computing device. 15

4. A vehicle sign as claimed in claim 3 in which the micro controller or the portable computing device is also programmed to log the time and dates it is switched on and off for record purposes and to store the data.