Inter-vehicle communication using digital symbols

Abstract

The disclosure presents a set of novel methods and apparatus designed to add a communication ability to an external surface of a vehicle, using an animated visible light electronic message device, by selectively displaying pre-defined digital symbols. The addition of the display to a vehicle allows the vehicle to communicate with other vehicles, persons, or devices without requiring any functionality change to the other party. The new methods and apparatus also enable two vehicles that are both installed with the message devices to communicate with each other. These message devices can be installed on surfaces which include, but are not limited to, windshields of the vehicle, the top of the vehicle, the front and back bumper of the vehicle or other windows of the vehicle. The digital symbols displayed are pre-defined by the device manufacturer and not modifiable or creatable by the vehicle user. The digital symbol may be in the format of a blockchain asset that is strictly controlled and managed by the device manufacturer's eco-system. However, the vehicle user can choose which symbol to display and the way it is displayed, for example, the color, position, size, animation speed, and time and duration. The animation speed can either be fast or close to still. The display parameters can also be controlled automatically by pre-defined scripts, rules, or an artificial intelligence (A.I.). The new inter-vehicle communication networking topology ranges from point-to-point transmission and single-to-multiple broadcasting, to multiple-to-multiple and nested networks.