Vehicle sensor cover display
View Patent ↗Disclosed is a system for controlling the visual appearance of a sensor cover on a vehicle. The system includes a processor, and a sensor cover display disposed on the sensor cover and in communication with the processor. A color-changing element is included in the sensor cover display. The processor is configured to provide a signal representing a desired color or pattern to the color-changing element, and the color-changing element is configured to render the desired color or pattern.
1. A system for controlling visual appearance of a cover of a sensor for a vehicle, comprising:
a processor;
a sensor cover display in communication with the processor and disposed on the cover of the sensor; and
a color-changing element included in the sensor cover display,
wherein the processor is configured to provide a signal representing a desired color or pattern to the color-changing element,
wherein the color-changing element, responsive to the signal, is configured to render the desired color or pattern,
wherein the sensor cover display is transparent or translucent to energy used b the sensor.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the desired color is selected to match or complement a color of the vehicle.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the desired pattern comprises an image, logo, or text.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the color-changing element comprises a reflective or transflective display.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the color-changing element comprises a bi-stable display.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the signal representing the desired color or pattern is provided by a manufacturer at a time of manufacture or service.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the desired color or pattern is selectable via a head unit or portable device.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the desired color or pattern is selectable via a remote server.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the desired color or pattern is selectable based on an uploaded image.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor cover display is transparent or translucent to at least one of radar, lidar, infrared, visible light, or ultrasonic waves.
11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the cover.
12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising the sensor.
13. The system of claim 12 , further comprising the vehicle.
14. A method for controlling visual appearance of a cover of a sensor for a vehicle, comprising:
positioning a sensor cover display on the cover of the sensor, wherein the sensor cover display comprises a color-changing, element;
providing a communication path between a control unit and the sensor cover display; and
in response to the sensor cover display receiving a signal of a desired color or pattern from the control unit over the communication path, setting a color or pattern of the color-changing element to the desired color or pattern,
wherein the sensor cover display is transparent or translucent to energy used by the sensor.
15. The method of claim 14 , herein the desired color matches a color of the vehicle.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the desired pattern comprises an image, logo, or text.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the color-changing element comprises a bi-stable reflective or transflective display.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the desired color or pattern is set by a manufacturer at a time of manufacture or service.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the desired color or pattern is set via a head unit, portable device, or remote server.
20. The method of claim 14 , wherein the desired color or pattern is set based on an uploaded image.