Integrated display light assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10899273-B2
Application number	US-201816170662-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 25, 2018
Priority date	Dec 4, 2017
Publication date	Jan 26, 2021
Grant date	Jan 26, 2021

Abstract

An integrated display-light assembly for a vehicle includes a lamp housing for mechanically supporting an outer lens. A light source is positioned within the lamp housing behind a first portion of the outer lens. A display device is positioned within the lamp housing behind a second portion of the outer lens, different than the first portion. The display device illuminates a changeable visual content visible through the outer lens. The display device may be adapted for displaying digital images received from a controller. The light source may provide an automotive lighting function. The outer lens is positioned externally beside the display device and the light source for providing protection from external environmental conditions. The lamp housing is adapted to support the display device, the light source, and the outer lens.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An integrated display-light assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a lamp housing configured to mechanically support an outer lens;
a light source positioned within the lamp housing behind a first portion of the outer lens, wherein the lamp housing and the light source provide a rear combination lamp for a vehicle;
a display device positioned within the lamp housing behind a second portion of the outer lens, different than the first portion, wherein the display device illuminates a changeable visual content visible through the outer lens; and
a controller for controlling the changeable visual content such that the controller instructs the display device to illuminate the changeable visual content when doors of the vehicle are unlocked from a key fob.

2. The integrated display-light assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface for providing inputs to the controller for changing the changeable visual content.

3. The integrated display-light assembly of claim 2 , wherein the user interface is provided via a mobile device.

4. The integrated display-light assembly of claim 1 , wherein the changeable visual content comprises customizable markings.

5. The integrated display-light assembly of claim 4 , wherein the customizable markings include a welcome function programmed via the user interface.

6. The integrated display-light assembly of claim 1 , wherein the display device displays license plate and registration information for the vehicle.

7. An integrated display-light assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a lamp housing configured to mechanically support an outer lens;
a light source positioned within the lamp housing behind a first portion of the outer lens, wherein the lamp housing and the light source provide a rear combination lamp for a vehicle;
a display device positioned within the lamp housing behind a second portion of the outer lens, different than the first portion, wherein the display device illuminates a changeable visual content visible through the outer lens; and
the changeable visual content is based on inputs received from other vehicle subsystems, wherein one of the other vehicle subsystems comprises a fuel gauge and the changeable visual content provides a low fuel alert.

8. The integrated display-light assembly of claim 5 , wherein the controller instructs the display device to display the welcome function when doors of the vehicle are unlocked from a key fob.

9. An external vehicle lamp assembly, comprising:
a display device adapted for displaying digital images received from a controller;
a light source located adjacent the display device for providing an automotive lighting function;
an outer lens positioned externally beside the display device and the light source for providing protection from external environmental conditions;
a lamp housing adapted to support the display device, the light source, and the outer lens, thereby providing dual functions of 1) displaying digital images and 2) providing the automotive lighting function in the external vehicle lamp assembly; and
the display device provides a digital image to indicate a status of the vehicle, wherein the digital images are based on inputs received from other vehicle subsystems, and one of the other vehicle subsystems comprises a battery charge meter such that the digital image indicates a low-charge battery status.

10. The external vehicle lamp assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a user interface for providing inputs to the controller for changing the digital images.

11. The external vehicle lamp assembly of claim 10 , wherein the user interface is part of a mobile device.

12. The external vehicle lamp assembly of claim 9 , wherein the digital images comprise customizable markings.

13. The external vehicle lamp assembly of claim 12 , wherein the customizable markings include a welcome function programmed via the user interface.

14. The external vehicle lamp assembly of claim 9 , wherein the display device displays license plate and registration information for the vehicle.

15. The external vehicle lamp assembly of claim 9 , wherein the lamp housing and the light source provide a rear combination lamp for a vehicle.

16. The external vehicle lamp assembly of claim 9 , wherein the digital images are based on inputs received from other vehicle subsystems.

17. The external vehicle lamp assembly of claim 16 , wherein one of the other vehicle subsystems comprises a fuel gauge and the digital image provides a reminder when the fuel gauge indicates a low fuel status.

18. The external vehicle lamp assembly of claim 9 , wherein the controller instructs the display device to display a custom message when doors of the vehicle are unlocked from a key fob.

19. The integrated display-light assembly of claim 1 , wherein the changeable visual content provides a low fuel alert.

Assignees

• Flex N Gate Advanced Product Dev Llc

Inventors

• Nykerk Todd
• Sullivan Les

Classifications

• B60Q1/549

  for expressing greetings, gratitude or emotions · CPC title

• B60Q1/5037

  the display content changing automatically, e.g. depending on traffic situation · CPC title

• B60Q1/543

  for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle (indicating taxis' state of hire or fare G07B13/045) · CPC title

• B60Q1/2607 Primary

  comprising at least two indicating lamps · CPC title

• G09F2013/222

  with LEDs · CPC title