Smart External Display for Vehicles with Proximity Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for identifying vehicle details, such as make, model, and specifications, require individuals to remember and later research cars they encounter, lacking an efficient way to access this information in real-time.

Innovation Solution

A smart external display system for vehicles that includes a viewable display screen, processor, memory, and sensors, allowing for the display of vehicle information, advertisements, and operational status, which can be updated wirelessly and activated by proximity or user input, providing real-time information to onlookers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If traditional fixed branding (emblem and lettering) is used on vehicles, then the branding is simple and cost-effective, but real-time information access and interactivity are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle information accessibilityVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a display screen that can show images, text, and videos of the vehicle, effectively creating a digital copy or representation of the vehicle's branding and information. This allows potential buyers to access detailed vehicle information without physically inspecting every aspect of the car, resolving the contradiction between information accessibility and system complexity by providing a comprehensive digital alternative to physical inspection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The display screen serves multiple functions: it displays vehicle branding, provides detailed specifications, shows promotional content, and enables two-way communication with potential buyers. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by consolidating numerous information delivery methods into a single universal device, making comprehensive vehicle information accessible while maintaining manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If no external display is used, then the vehicle maintains a clean and simple appearance, but real-time information provision to onlookers is impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation access convenienceVSAvoidexternal display system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display system automatically activates when a potential buyer approaches the vehicle, using proximity sensors to detect presence and trigger the display without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability resolves the contradiction by making information access convenient and automatic while keeping the system simple to operate, as no manual activation is needed from the vehicle owner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The display system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on user interaction - it can be activated by proximity detection, user input, or vehicle operations, and can display different content based on the situation. This dynamic nature resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable and easy to use in various scenarios while maintaining a clean appearance when not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If the display always shows detailed information, then information accessibility is maximized, but energy consumption and visual clutter increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle detail visibilityVSAvoiddisplay energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display operates periodically rather than continuously - it activates when a potential buyer approaches the vehicle or when specifically requested, and remains inactive otherwise. This periodic operation resolves the contradiction by maximizing information accessibility during relevant periods while minimizing energy consumption during inactive periods, avoiding both constant energy drain and information loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The display dynamically adjusts its content and activation state based on user needs and vehicle operations, showing detailed information only when requested or when the vehicle is being viewed. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing full information visibility when needed while conserving energy when the display would not be useful, preventing both information loss and unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3307580B1Smart external display for vehicles
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 KARMA AUTOMOTIVE LLC
  • EP3307580B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3307580B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3307580B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a vehicle (100) comprising a body having an exterior, an external display screen (105, 205) visible on the exterior of the body, a proximity sensor (260), a non-transitory memory (230) storing an executable code (240) and a vehicle information database (235) including vehicle information, and a hardware processor (220) executing the executable code (240) to detect, using the proximity sensor (260), an individual within a proximity of the vehicle (100), activate the external display screen (105, 205) in response to detecting the individual within the proximity of the vehicle (100), display, on the external display screen (105, 205), the vehicle information from the vehicle information database (235) stored in the memory (230), in response to detecting the individual within the proximity of the vehicle (100).