GB2393548A

GB2393548A - Personal electronic display

Info

Publication number: GB2393548A
Application number: GB0222594A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Clifford Pate
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-09-30
Filing date: 2002-09-30
Publication date: 2004-03-31
Also published as: GB0222594D0

Abstract

According to the present invention there is an electronic visual display unit sufficiently small that it may be easily carried by hand, or in the pocket. Controls 2 on the display allow messages to be displayed to others over distances exceeding 2 meters. The unit contains a memory which stores messages and new messages can be input by keyboard control 2, knob 3, a touch screen 1 or by speech recognition. The display screen may be LCD, LED, plasma, vacuum tube or TFT. The messages may contain embedded control characters to vary the display attributes e.g. inverse video, scroll, flash or control of colour or intensity. The display may be associated with other hardware such as PC, mobile phone, palmtops, calculators, smart cards, clocks, watches, torches, lighters or pens. The display is intended to be used in e.g. high noise environments, between vehicles or wherever voice communication is difficult. As such the message displayed is intended to be read at least 2 meters away.

Description

Background

Electronic displays are well known and frequently used for advertising in shops, usually comprising of a matrix of light emitting diodes. These displays are usually quite large and programmed using a separate unit or personal computer.

There are many occasions in life where verbal communication is difficult or impossible such as crowded locations, locations where loud music is played, or communications between motor vehicles. In such situations a visual sign, or placard, would be useful.

Description

According to the present invention there is an electronic display made sufficiently small that it may be easily carried by hand, or in the pocket.

Controls on the display allow messages to be easily written, or selected from an internal electronic memory. Batteries (rechargeable or otherwise) would power the electronic display in order to make it easily portable.

The display could be illuminated to allow it to be seen read under low light levels common in bars and nightclubs A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I shows in perspective a personal electronic display.

Figure 2 shows how the personal electronic display may be used.

Referring to Fig 1. The invention comprises of a small case ( 4) that contains an electronic display ( 1). A series of buttons or a keypad ( 2) allows messages to be written on the display, or selected from memory.

Alternatively a knob or wheel ( 3) that steps through the alphabet, or steps through the stored messages when rotated may be employed.

The personal electronic display may include a microphone allowing text to be entered or selected using speech recognition electronics.

Alternatively the display area could be be made touch sensitive allowing messages to be entered or selected by touching the screen.

Messages may be stored in an electronic memory within the personal electronic display under an index allowing them to be easily recalled.

Additionally messages may be pre-programmed into the display during manufacture. The personal electronic display could also be programmed to interpret common text message abbreviations e.g. U=You R=Are B=Be 2=to 2moro = Tomorrow The personal electronic display may also allow the user to display inverse video text (Fig 3), non-scrolling or scrolling text (Fig 4), flashing text or text using a different colour or intensity.

The functionality of the personal electronic display (i.e. its ability to be easily carried in the hand or pocket and -visually counipate messages to others cover distance;) could also be incorporate etcher devices such as mobile phones.

Claims

l Claims

1 An electronic display designed to be sufficiently small that it may be easily carried in the hand or pocket, that is able to communicate a visual message to others over a distance of 2 metres or more. The electronic display shall incorporate a control or controls allowing messages to be written or recalled from memory. Display devices designed to communicate visual messages over a distance less than 2 meters are specifically excluded from this claim.

2 An electronic display as in claim 1 that is powered by batteries.

3 An electronic display as in claim 1 or 2 where memorised messages may be easily recalled by employing some form of indexing.

4 An electronic display as in any preceding claim wherein a keypad, I rotational knob or wheel, touch screen or speech recognition is used to control the device.

5 An electronic display as in any preceding claim wherein the display and controls are illuminated to allow use in low light levels.

6 An electronic display as in any preceding claim wherein a non volatile memory is employed to ensure memorised messages are not lost when power is removed or replaced.

7 An electronic display as in any preceding claim wherein Liquid crystals, Light emitting diodes, Plasma screen, vacuum tube or TFT display technologies are used.

8 An electronic display as in any preceding claim wherein text messaging shorthand's are recognised and translated (e.g. U = You, D8 = Date, M8=Mate)

9 An electronic display as in any preceding claim wherein 'control characters' can be entered to allow inverse video text (Fig 3), non scrolling or scrolling text (Fig 4), flashing text or text at a different colour or intensity to be displayed

10 An electronic display as in any proceeding claim that contains hardware to allow communication with personal computers, mobile phones, palmtop computers or similar devices.

11 Any device, software or firmware that incorporates the functionality as described in any proceeding claim, such devices include: Palmtop computers (small hand-held computers) Calculators Mobile Phones Smart cards Or any similar devices such as clocks, watches, torch, cigarette lighters or pens.

Excluded from this claim is any device, software or firmware where the intention is clearly to allow the user (including visually impaired users) access to the device. What is not excluded from this claim is any device, software or firmware designed to communicate visual messages to others over a distance of 2 metres or more.