GB2283350A

GB2283350A - Vehicle paging display system

Info

Publication number: GB2283350A
Application number: GB9421461A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael J Suman
Original assignee: Prince Corp USA
Current assignee: Johnson Controls Interiors Technology Corp
Priority date: 1993-10-28
Filing date: 1994-10-25
Publication date: 1995-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2014-10-25
Also published as: GB9421461D0; GB2283350B; DE4438666A1; JPH07291035A; JP3094267B2

Description

is 2283350

VEHICLE PAGING DISPLAY SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to paging message displays and more particularly to a paging message display system for a vehicle which displays a paging message in a location such that is readily visible to the vehicle driver.

Paging message displays are well known which visually display a paging message. The message may include a telephone number and/or a message for the paged party. Mr displays are typically integrated into a battery powered, portable pager and are implemented using a liquid crystal display (LCD) device which draws relatively small currents. Although these paging message displays effwAvely convey information to the paged party, the LCD device must be oriented in a plane generally orthogonal t6the reader's line of sight. These devices are particularly difficult to read in low ambient light conditions or from distances exceeding arms length due to a low display character luminescence.

Although this limited visibility of pager LCD devices does not significantly hinder the paged party in most circumstances, it can be dangerous if the person carrying the pager is paged while driving a vehicle. 'Me driver may look away from the road to view the pager display, and it can take a few seconds for the driver to read the paging message as it scrolls across the LCD. This is particularly dangerous if the pager must be located and moved to a viewing position before the LCD is read. If the driver places the pager on the instrument panel, such that it is conveniently positioned for viewing, the pager can become a dangerous projectile if it is dislodged during an accident. Regardless of where the pager is located, in some ambient light conditions, the pager LCD will be difficult, or impossible, to read even if it is positioned directly in front of the driver.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a vehicle pager with a paging message display system which is readily visible to the vehicle driver and does not interfere with the driver's field of vision. It is also desirable to provide such a display which is easy to read in all ambient light conditions.

SUNMIARY Of THE INVENTION The present invention provides a vehicle pager having a message display system including a display positioned in the vehicle windshield area at a location which is readily visible to the vehicle driver while not intafeft with the driver's field of vision.

According to ow aspect of ft invention, the paging signal message display system is provided in a housing adapted to be mounted in the windshield area of a vehicle. The system iwhides a display device positioned on a housing, a receiver which demodulates a detected paging signal and a controller which generates display control signals responsive to the output of the receiver. I he display device is responsive to the control signals for displaying the paging message.

According to other aspects of the invention, the display device is positioned on a rearview mirror housing, an A-pillar housing, an overhead console, or a visor. The display device is preferably implemented using a vacuum fluorescent display.

The paging message display system is thus adapted to be mounted in a vehicle such that the paging message is displayed in the area generally in front of the driver and does not interfere with the driver's field of view. 1"he paging message display system may be provided as part of a vehicle accessory, such that the paging message display system is assembled to the vehicle with the accessory. The paging message display utilizing a vacuum fluorescent display is readily visible in all ambient light conditions.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following written description thereof together with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRI]MON OF THE-DRAWINGS Fig. I is a schematic diagram depicting a paging system including a land based transmitting station in communicati n with a vehicle having a paging message display system according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the windshield area of a vehicle including a paging message display system according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a block electrical circuit diagram of a vehicle paging message display system according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior including a paging message display system located in the A-pillar of the vehicle according to an alterhate embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior including a paging message display system in an overhead console according to another alternate embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior including a paging message display system in a sun visor according to another alternate embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the vehicle interior including a paging message display system in a sun visor according to Fig. 6 with the sun visor in its rest position against the vehicle headliner; and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the sun visor including the paging message display system and the headliner taken along plane VIII-VIII of Fig. 7. DETAILED DESCREMON OF THE EREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring initially to Fig. 1, there is shown a land based station 10 and vehicle 12 including one preferred embodiment of the present invention. A paging is message originated from a telephone subscriber station, or telephone, 14, is communicated to land based station 10 through the telephone system. Station 10 transmits a radio frequency signal to vehicle 12 responsive to the message from telephone 14. Vehicle 12 includes a paging message display system 16 (Fig. 3) in rearview mirror assembly 18 (Fig. 2), which includes a housing 30. 11e vehicle also, conventionally, includes an Apillar 21, a steering wheel 23, an instrument panel 27, a windshield 25, sun visors 29, 31, and a headliner 38. The mirror assembly 18 inchdes a a 37 which may he connected to a connector 34 in the le roof structure.

The paging message display system 16 includes a radio ncy (RF) receiver 20 (Fig. 3) which demodulates the RF signal A from land station 10 and ts a digital control signal. A microcontroller 22 is coupled to receiver 20 and is responsive to the digital control signals output from the re for generating display control signals when a paging message is received. A display source 24 is coupled to the microcontrofier 22 and receives display control signals therefrom. Receiver 20, microcontroller 22 and display sou= 24 are mounted in housing 30 of rearview mirror assembly 18. Accordingly, a pager including a paging message display system 16 is provided in rearview mirror assembly 18 to display a paging message for the driver.

The paging signals A are of the type conventionally utilized for paging signals transmitted from a land station 10. llie paging message may include only numerical information if it is originated at a conventional telephone subscriber station 14. Alternatively, if the message is generated at a telephone subscriber station 14 having an alpha-numeric input (e.g., a computer keyboard), the message may include alphanumeric message information from the paging party. The paging signals A typically have a frequency range from 137 to 175 MHz (VHF band) or within the frequency range 405 to 513 M11z (UHF band).

Receiver 20 (Fig. 3) includes an ante= 26 which detects the radio is frequency signals from land station 10. RF receiver 20 demodulates the signals detected by antenna 26 and conditions the demodulated signal to have digital levels appropriate for decoding in the microcontroller 22. Microcontroller 22 is preferably implemented using a Motorola MC68HCO5 microcontroller, which is commercially available from Motorola Corporation. However, any suitable microcontroller may be utilized. In general, microcontroller 22 receives and der-odes the data signals output from the RF receiver 20. If the message is a paging message for the vehicle in which the pager is mounted, the microcontroller is responsive to the paging message for generating a serial display control signal which is communicated to display source 24 through a serial data link 28.

Display 24, according to the preferred embodiment, is a vacuum fluorescent alpha-numeric display. The alpha-numeric display may be advantageously implemented using a commercially available Noritake CU2055CPB-52A, which is a reconfigurable 20-character vacuum fluorescent display. The Noritake display includes a serial input and integral display driver components. Although the Noritake display includes integral display driver components, dx= skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable commercially available vacuum fluorescent display may be utilized. If the display does not include an integral display driver circuit, a suitable commercially available driver circuit may be used to generate appropriate signal levels for the display. A vacuum florescent display is the preferred embodiment because it generates a particularly bright image which is clearly defined and readily decipherable in all ambient light conditions. However, other display devices could be utilized, such as LED and/or back-lit LCD displays.

With reference now to Figs. 2 and 3, RF receiver 20, microcontroller 22 and display source 24 are preferably positioned in the housing 30 of rearview mirror assembly 18.

is Assembly 18 includes at least one circuit board (not shown) positioned within the mirror housing 30 and on which receiver 20, microcontroller 22 and display source 24 are conventionally mounted. A reflective surface 32 is positioned above the display (e.g., the vacuum fluorescent display 24) at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the plane of the display su of the display. llie image from display 24 is reflected on surface 32 such that a driver looking at the reflective surface can read the reflected image. 11r paging message display system 16 mounted m housing 30 is connected through a wiring haram 34 to vehicle bus 36, which is positioned in the vehicle roof structure above headliner 38. 11he rearview mirror assembly 18 may include a mirror support 37 removably connected to comectm 40. 11w mirror assembly is attached to the vehicle as an optional accessory by plugging the rearview mirror support 37 into connector 40.

To assemble rearview mirror assembly 18, RF receiver 20, microcontroller 22 and display 24 are mounted on at 1 one circuit board (not shown). The circuit board is assembled into the rearview mirror housmg 30. The wire harness 34, including the control inputs and outputs of microcontroller 22 and power supply conductors connected to the vehicle power supply, are connected to the paging message display system 16. Tle wiring harness is extended outwardly from rearview mirror housing 30 through mirror support 37 for connection with wiring in the vehicle roof structure when support 37 is connected to connector 40 in the vehicle roof structure. The rearview mirror assembly 18 is fully assembled to vehicle 12 when mirror support 37 is connected to connector 40.

In operation, vehicle 12 is paged from land station 10 by a person dialing the number for vehicle 12 using telephone 14. The page signal will be communicated from telephone 14 to land base station 40 through the telephone system. Land base station 10 transmits an RF signal A to vehicle 12. Receiver 20 demodulates the radio is frequency signal A and outputs a control signal to microcontroller 22. Microcontroller 22 is responsive to the demodulated page signal for indicating that a paging message is received. The driver may control when the message is displayed on display 24 using a READ switch 48 (Figs. 2 and 3) on rearview miffor housing 30. Microcontroller 22 is responsive to actuation of the READ switch 48 to communicate a control signal to the alpha-numeric display such that the paging message is displayed. If the driver wishes to immediately call the party back, and vehicle 12 has a cellubw tekpbone, the driver pushes the TRANSMIT switch 50. Responsive to depression of the TRANSMIT switch, microcontroller 22 will control the cellular telephone to call the number indicated in the paging message.

According to an alternate embodiment of the invention, pager message display system 16 is provided in a housing 52 (Fig. 4) mcRmted over a vehicle A-pillar 21 (Fig. 2). The paging message display system 16 shown in the circuit of Fig. 3 is mounted to housing 52. 1-he RF receiver 20 (Fig. 3), microcontroller 22 and display 24 also can be mounted in the housing by conventional means (not shown) such as snap connectors, threaded fasteners, adhesives, or the like. The A-pillar housing 52, including display system 16, the circuit board (not shown) is assembled to A-pillar 21 using suitable threaded fasteners, snap connectors, adhesive, or the like. The housing may be manufactured from plastic, metal, or other suitable materials conforming to the interior of the vehicle. The paging message display system 16 is located within the housing 52 at the lower end such that the display surface of the display 24 is readily visible to the vehicle driver. The alpha-numeric display may include two rows of ten characters or a vertically oriented display in this embodiment of the invention.

According to another alternate embodiment of the invention, paging message display system 16 is mounted in an overhead console 54. The overhead console includes a housing 56 attached to the vehicle roof structure in a conventional man r.

is The overhead console housing may be of any suitable, conventional construction. The paging message display system 16 is mounted on a circuit board (not shown) which, in turn, is mounted in overhead console housing 56 by conventional means. Display 24 is positioned on overhead console housing 56 such that the display source image is directly visible to the vehicle driver.

According to another embodiment of the invention, paging message display system 16 is provided in a vehicle sun visor 58 mounted to the roof of vehicle 12 by a mounting bracket 60 for movement between a raised stored position against the vehicle roof (Fig. 7) to a lowered non-blocking piston (Fig. 6). In order to be able to view the paging message regardless of the adjuster position of the visor, a pair of displays 24 and 24' are mounted in the visor such that they may be viewed from opposite sides of the sun visor. In this manner, display source 24' is visible when visor 58 is in the rest position against the headliner (Fig. 7) and display 24 is visible when visor 58 is in the lowered position (Fig. 6) to shade the driver from the sun. Both displays simultaneously display the paging message. 71 ne sun visor 58 may be of any suitable construction. Receiver 20, microcontroller 22 and displays 24, 24' are preferably mounted in the sun visor. However, microcontroller 22 and receiver 20 may be mounted externally of the sun visor, and displays 24, 24' mounted in sun visor 58, with a serial data link 28 connected through the hollow visor pivot bracket 60.

It can thus be seen that a paging message display system is disclosed herein which is readily visible to the vehicle driver. The paging message display system is conveniently located in a housing in the windshield area of the vehicle so the vehicle driver can view the paging message without taking his/her eyes completely off of the road for an extended period of time. The paging message display system may be integral with a vehicle accessory and is readily visible to the driver in all ambient light conditions.

It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications to the preferred embodiments of the invention, as described herein, can be made by those skilled in the art. Such modifications will fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention as def by the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or

Claims

privilege is claimed are defined as follows.

A vehicle paging message display system, comprising:

a receiver responsive to RF signals including a paging message for outputting first control signals; a controller coupled to said receiver for inputting said first control signals and generating display control signals responsive thereto; a rearview mirror assembly including a housing adapted to be mounted in a vehicle; and a display device coupled to said controller to receive said display control signals, whereby said display device mounted in said rearview mirror assembly housing and said paging message is displayed responsive to said display control signals such that it is readily visible to a vehicle driver.

The vehicle paging message display system as defined in claim 1, wherein said rearview mirror assembly further includes a mirror positioned on said housing, said display device positioned on said rearview mirror assembly housing such that said message is displayed adjacent said mirror.

The vehicle paging message display system as defined in claim 2, wherein said controller and said receiver are mounted in said rearview mirror assembly housing.

The vehicle paging message display system as defmed in claim 3, wherein said controller is coupled to a cellular telephone.

The vehicle paging message display system as defined in claim 4, wherein said rearview mirror assembly includes signal conductors connected to said controller and adapted to be connected to the vehicle electrical system. -6- A vehicle paging message display system comprising:

a vehicle accessory including an accessory housing adapted to be mounted adjacent the vehicle windshield in the interior of a vehicle; a display device positioned on said housing and responsive to display control signals for displaying a paging message; a controller operably coupled to said display device, said controller responsive to first control signals for generating said display control signals; and a receiver operably coupled to said controller, said receiver receiving page signals and responsive thereto for outputting said first control signals to said controller whereby said controller controls said display device to display paging messages to the vehicle driver responsive to said first control signals. -7- 17he vehicle paging message display system as defined in claim 6, wherein said accessory is a rearview mirror assembly. -8- The vehicle paging message display system as defined in claim 6, wherein said accessory housing is adapted to be mounted to the vehicle roof assembly. -9- The vehicle paging message display system as defined in claim 8, wherein said accessory is a rearview mirror assembly.

17he vehicle paging message display system as defined in claim 8, wherein said accessory is an overhead console.

The vehicle paging message display system as defined in claim 8, wherein said accessory is a visor.

The vehicle paging message display system as defined in claim 6, wherein said accessory is a vehicle A-pillar display.

The vehicle paging message display system as defined in claim 6, wherein said controller and said receiver are mounted in said accessory housing.

1-he vehicle paging message display system as defined in claim 13, wherein said display device includes a vacuum fluorescent display.

The vehicle paging message display system as defined in claim 14, wherein said display device includes a reflective surface which reflects an image from a display source.

The vehicle paging message display system as defined in claim 6, wherein said controller is coupled to a cellular telephone.

A pager for a vehicle including a windshield comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted in the vehicle adjacent the windshield; a receiver responsive to a page signal for generating first control signals; a display controller coupled to said receiver and responsive to said first control signals for generating display control signals; and a display device coupled to said controller and including a display surface positioned in said housing, said display device responsive to said display control signals for displaying a message to the vehicle driver at said display surface.

Ibe vehicle pager as defined in claim 17, ftwther including a signal conductor coupled to said controller and to a vehicle power supply Whereby said pager is powered by said vehicle power supply.

The vehicle pager as defined in claim 17, wherein said controller is coupled to a cellular telephone.

The vehicle pager as defined in claim 17, further including a display source, wherein said display surface is provided by a surface which reflects light generated by said display source.

The vehicle pager as defined in claim 17, wherein said housing is a rearview mirror housing.

The vehicle pager as defined in claim 17, wherein said housing is adapted to be mounted on the vehicle A-pillar.

The vehicle pager as defined in claim 17, wherein said housing is an overhead console housing.

The vehicle pager as defined in claim 17, wherein said housing is a visor. -25- The vehicle pager as defined in claim 24, wherein said housing includes a display device on opposite sides of said housing for displaying said pager message to the vehicle operator regardless of the position of the visor.