# US 11,897,336 B2 · Vehicle bodywork display screen > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,897,336 B2 - Document ID: US11897336B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/255,767 - Filed: 2019-06-28 - Published: 2021-04-22 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-29 - Assignees: Seamless Digital Limited - Applicants: Seamless Digital Limited - Inventors: Robert Rodrigues De Castro Turner; Mark Antony Castro Turner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897336B2 ## CPC - G09F 21/048: {Advertisement panels on sides, front or back of vehicles} - B60K 35/22: Display screens - B60K 35/223: {Flexible displays} - B60K 35/50: Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle (B60K35/231 takes precedence) - B60K 35/55: Instruments with parts that can change their shape or position to configure an active screen, e.g. by folding or by rolling - B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) - B60K 35/81: for controlling displays - B60K 35/85: Arrangements for transferring vehicle- or driver-related data - G09F 9/301: {flexible foldable or roll-able electronic displays, e.g. thin LCD, OLED} - B60K 2360/1523: Matrix displays - B60K 2360/586: Wired data transfers - B60K 2360/589: Wireless data transfers - B60K 2360/5899: Internet - B60K 2360/5905: Wi-Fi® - B60K 2360/5911: Bluetooth® - B60K 2360/592: Data transfer involving external databases - B60K 2360/797: at the vehicle exterior - B60K 2360/816: Fastening of displays or touch screens - G09F 21/023: {fixed on clothing} - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES ## Abstract A bodywork panel (13,28) for a vehicle such as a racing car (1,2) or a racing motor cycle (27) is fitted with one or more optically clear panels (16), which are profiled to follow the aerodynamic form of the bodywork panel (13,28). A flexible reflective display screen (17), for examples based on e-paper, is mounted to an inner face of each optically clear panel (16) such that an image on the display screen (17) is visible outside the vehicle through the optically clear panel (16). A paint finish on the bodywork panel (13,28) continues over a peripheral region of each optically clear panel (16), concealing a join between it and the bodywork panel (13,28). Images displayed on the display screens (17) via a display controller (25) can thus appear like painted graphics on the bodywork panel (13,28), except that they may be changed as desired. Thus, graphics on the vehicle, such as advertising and sponsorship logos, can be changed at will during a race. Leathers (30,40) worn by racing motor cyclists can be fitted with similar display screens (17) mounted behind optically clear flexible plastic panels (42) sewn to the leathers (30,40). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bodywork element for a vehicle, adapted for the external display of controllably selectable images, comprising a bodywork panel having an aperture formed therein, a inset panel of optically clear plastics material filling said aperture, with an outer surface of the inset panel extending flush with an outer surface of the bodywork panel and being formed to continue a surface profile of the bodywork panel, and flexible display screen means mounted to an inner face of the inset panel so as to be visible through the inset panel, the display screen means being operatively connected or connectable to control means for the display screen means, said control means being adapted to control the display screen means to display a selected image; wherein the display screen means comprises a reflective display screen means. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A bodywork element for a vehicle as claimed in either claim 1, wherein a volume defined between an inner surface of the inset panel and an adjacent display surface of the display screen means is filled with an optically clear solid, liquid or gel material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A bodywork element for a vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the display screen means is mounted to the inner surface of the inset panel by means of a continuous, void-filling layer of optically clear adhesive. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A bodywork element for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a filler material is inserted along a join between an inner circumference of the aperture in the bodywork panel and an outer circumference of the inset panel, so as to fill any gaps between the bodywork panel and the inset panel, and is optionally shaped to blend together a surface profile of the bodywork panel and a surface profile of the inset panel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A bodywork element for a vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bodywork panel is coated with a conventional paint finish, which is feathered over a marginal zone of the inset panel, camouflaging the join and an outer rim of the display screen means beneath the inset panel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A bodywork element for a vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bodywork panel is coated with a conventional paint finish extending across a marginal zone of the inset panel to camouflage the join, wherein a shape of the inset panel and a shape of an inner edge of the conventional paint finish are substantially different, thus obscuring the shape of the inset panel and a shape of the display screen means beneath the inset panel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A bodywork element for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aperture in the bodywork panel is formed with a rebate on an outer or an inner surface of the panel, extending around the circumference of the aperture. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A bodywork element for a vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the inset panel is profiled around its circumference to conform to said rebate, optionally so as to form an interference fit therewith. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A bodywork panel for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, where the control means comprises part of the bodywork element and is mounted thereto. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A bodywork panel for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means is mounted to the vehicle away from the bodywork element, with a detachably wired or wireless operative connection between the control means and the display screen means. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A bodywork panel for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means is wirelessly operatively connectable to remote server means, by which image data and/or display instructions are transmittable to the control means. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A bodywork element for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bodywork element has a plurality of apertures formed therein, each aperture being filled by a corresponding inset panel and having a respective display screen means mounted to the inner face of each inset panel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A bodywork element for a vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the plurality of display screen means are each operatively connected or connectable to a respective control means. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A bodywork element for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises a racing motor car or a racing motorcycle. ### Claim 15 A method for producing a bodywork element for a vehicle, adapted for the external display of controllably changeable images, comprising the steps of: providing a bodywork panel having an aperture formed therein, providing an inset panel of optically clear plastics material shaped to fit said aperture and formed to match a surface profile of the bodywork panel; fitting said inset panel into said aperture; providing reflective flexible display screen means; mounting the flexible display screen means to an inner face of the inset panel so as to be visible through the inset panel; and arranging an operative connection between the flexible display screen means and control means for the display screen means, said control means being adapted to control the display screen means to display a selected image. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method for producing a bodywork element for a vehicle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control means is mounted to the bodywork element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A method for producing a bodywork element for a vehicle as claimed in either claim 15, wherein the control means is adapted to receive image data and instructions from a remote server means, optionally by radio. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) A method for producing a bodywork element for a vehicle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the method comprises the step of filling any volume extending between the inner surface of the inset panel and a display surface of the display screen means with an optically-clear solid, liquid or gel material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) A method for producing a bodywork element for a vehicle as claimed in claim 15, wherein said bodywork element comprises a bodywork element for a vehicle, adapted for the external display of controllably selectable images, comprising a bodywork panel having an aperture formed therein, a inset panel of optically clear plastics material filling said aperture, with an outer surface of the inset panel extending flush with an outer surface of the bodywork panel and being formed to continue a surface profile of the bodywork panel, and flexible display screen means mounted to an inner face of the inset panel so as to be visible through the inset panel, the display screen means being operatively connected or connectable to control means for the display screen means, said control means being adapted to control the display screen means to display a selected image; wherein the display screen means comprises a reflective display screen means.