Ride Share Signage Device for Dynamic Vehicle Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ride sharing vehicles, such as those for Uber and Lyft, are difficult to identify in busy areas due to lack of distinctive signage, making it challenging for riders to recognize their designated vehicles, especially in low-light conditions.
Innovation Solution
A ride share signage device featuring a border display element for displaying company initials and an LED dot-matrix display for advertisements and welcome messages, controlled by a processor that manages displays and receives rider information through wireless or USB inputs, to identify and communicate with riders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional taxi signage is used (top sign and painted colors), then vehicle identification is clear, but ride sharing vehicles cannot maintain distinctive branding while using personal vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs LED display elements that can change colors and patterns to display different ride share company logos and branding. The border display element and LED dot-matrix display element can dynamically alter their visual output to match different company identities, allowing a single vehicle to adapt its appearance for multiple ride share services.
Solution Approach 2:
The signage device transitions from static traditional taxi branding to dynamic digital displays. The controller can change the displayed content, colors, and patterns in real-time based on which ride share service is active, making the vehicle adaptable to different services while maintaining clear identification.
2Ease of operation
If no signage is used on personal vehicles, then vehicle flexibility is maintained, but riders cannot identify vehicles in busy areas like airports
Solution Approach 1:
The signage system is divided into separate functional modules: a border display element for company branding, an LED dot-matrix display element for additional information, and a controller. This segmentation allows the system to be installed on personal vehicles without requiring complete vehicle replacement, maintaining flexibility while adding identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The signage device serves multiple functions: displaying company logos, showing rider names, providing route information, and indicating vehicle status. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single integrated device, reducing overall complexity.
3Illumination intensity
If static signage is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but riders cannot be identified in low-light conditions or evening hours
Solution Approach 1:
The LED display elements can be configured to flash, pulse, or change patterns periodically to attract rider attention in low-light conditions. The border display element may pulse with company colors while the LED matrix displays scrolling rider information, creating a dynamic visual signal that stands out in evening or low-visibility environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or static visual identification methods with electronic LED display technology. This substitution enables illuminated signage that can be seen in low-light conditions without adding significant mechanical complexity to the vehicle.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ride share companies are supported, then driver versatility is improved, but signage display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically switches between different company branding displays based on which ride share service is active. The border display element and LED matrix can transition between different logos, colors, and display patterns, allowing a single vehicle to serve multiple companies without requiring physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The signage device is designed to universally support multiple ride share companies through a single integrated system. The controller can be programmed with multiple company profiles, and the display elements can render various branding styles, eliminating the need for separate signage systems for each company.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances visibility and identification of ride sharing vehicles by displaying company logos and personalized messages, improving the pick-up and drop-off experience for riders in busy environments.
Implementation Method 1
The LED dot-matrix display element displays one or more advertisement messages and rider welcome messages in different languages
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a ride share signage device and method of using the ride share signage device. In certain embodiments, ride share signage device includes: a border display element for displaying initials of ride share companies, an LED dot-matrix display element for displaying one or more advertisements and rider welcome messages in different languages. Signage controller includes a display driver to manage displays, an input module and a processing element. The input module receives information about one or more riders through a ride request and the advertisements. The processing element includes a processor and a non-volatile memory storing computer executable instructions. When executed by the processor, the computer executable instructions cause the processor to receive ride request and advertisement messages, display rider welcome message in certain distance from rider's pick-up location, and display the advertisements before displaying rider welcome message and after the riders have been dropped off.