GB2400225A

GB2400225A - Mobile message data display device

Info

Publication number: GB2400225A
Application number: GB0304875A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Warburton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-04
Filing date: 2003-03-04
Publication date: 2004-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-04
Also published as: GB0304875D0; GB2400225B

Abstract

A portable display device 1 comprising; a means to receive messaging data, e.g. SMS text messages, from a remote telecommunications apparatus, a means to display the data, and a means to connect the device to an article. In one embodiment the device is attached to an article of clothing 20, e.g. a T-shirt. Attachment means may comprise a clip, or Velcro (RTM). Alternatively the device may be attached to the interior of a vehicle, on a window for example. The attachment means may comprise vacuum suckers, or an adhesive layer. The device may permit flashing or scrolling text.

Description

1 2400225

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO DISPLAY DEVICES

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to portable display devices, methods of connecting portable display devices to articles and methods of displaying information. In particular, the invention relates to portable display devices for displaying text or multimedia messages.

Background to the Invention

Many mobile or cellular telephones include the ability to send short text messages, generally in SMS (short message service) format, from one phone to another. Recently, cellular telephones have been developed which include the ability to send multimedia messages (MMS - multimedia messaging service) from one phone to another which can include graphics, animations and text. Thus it has become possible for one person to send information to another person via a text or multimedia message, for their personal viewing.

Previously, devices known as "pagers" have been available for which text messages could be sent from one pager to another, but did not have the telecommunication ability to transmit and receive voice messages between the pager.

Problems with mobile telephones and pagers include the inability to show another person what has been displayed on the cellular telephone or pager, unless that person is in very close proximity to the telephone or pager.

Furthermore, in order for a third party to view a message sent to them, they must take the telephone or pager out of their pocket, or bag, and manipulate the phone or pager in order to display the message. This can be inconvenient or dangerous, if for example is driving a vehicle or involved in dangerous work.

It would therefore be advantageous to provide a portable display device which may be connected to an article, especially an item of clothing or the inside of a vehicle, lo which could receive and transmit displayed messages, especially text messages or multimedia messages.

It would be further advantageous to provide a portable display device for which a user may transmit a message from their own cellular telephone or pager, which message will then be displayed on a larger portable display device screen, in order that a person remote from the screen may be able to view the message from a distance.

It is therefore an aim of preferred embodiments of the invention to overcome or mitigate at least one problem of the prior art, whether expressly disclosed herein or not.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable display device comprising a means to receive messaging data from a remote telecommunications apparatus, means to display said data and means to connect the device to an article.

Preferably the means to receive data from a remote telecommunications apparatus comprise means to receive data from a mobile or cellular telephone. Suitably the data receiving means comprises means to receive a text message or multimedia message from the mobile or cellular telephone. By "text" message we mean a message which when sent by the cellular or mobile telephone, can be displayed as text on the display means of the device, and typically comprises a SMS message. By "multimedia message" we mean a message which may be received by the device and displayed as one or more text passages, pictures, lo photographs or other visual displays, or any combination thereof, and typically comprises a MMS message.

Suitably the portable display device does not comprise any means to emit data to an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, and preferably does not comprise means for a user to manually input text or data into the device.

The display means may comprise a display screen.

Preferably the display screen is a substantially planar screen. Suitably the display screen comprises a quadrilateral display screen.

Preferably the connection means comprises means to connect the device to an article of clothing. Preferably the clothing connection means comprises one or more of connection members, arrange in use to connect to an edge of the article of clothing. The or each connection member may comprise a clip, movable between a closed position in which the clip can grip the edge of the clothing, to an open position, in which the clip can be connected and removed from the clothing. The clip is preferably biased towards the closed position. Suitable clips include bulldog clips, for example. Many other types of clip are known to persons skilled in the art.

Alternatively the connection means may comprise a plurality of hooks, arranged to releasably connect to fibres within the clothing. Thus, the connection means may comprise, for example, a VELCRO (RTM) strip or strips.

In alternative embodiments the connection means may lo comprise means to releasably connect the portable display device to the interior of a vehicle, preferably to the inside of a window of a vehicle. The connection means may comprise a tacky or adhesive material which in use, may be releasably connected to the window of the vehicle.

Preferably, however, the connection means comprises a suction cup, pad or similar suction means. The suction means may comprise means to apply and release suction of the suction means on the window, when the suction means contacts the window.

The means for applying and releasing suction may comprise a lever arranged to move between a first position in which at least a portion of the lever exerts pressure against the suction pad to effect suction, and a second position in which pressure is released to allow release of the suction.

Preferably the vehicle connection means are arranged such that in use, the portable display device is connectable to the windscreen of the vehicle with the display means facing into the window. Thus the connection means may be present round the periphery of the display means.

The display device may comprise both means to connect to an article of clothing and means to connect to a window of a vehicle.

The portable display device may comprise means to alter the format of the text displayed on the display means.

For example, the device may comprise means to effect intermittent flashing of the text on the display means, or continuous scrolling of the text across the display means.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of mounting a portable display device on an article of clothing, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a portable display device comprising a display means, a means for receiving data to be displayed and a connection means; and (b) connecting the connection means to a desired area on the article of clothing.

Preferably the portable display device is as described for the first aspect of the invention.

Suitably the connection means comprises a plurality of hooks or loops, arranged to connect to fibres or material on the article of clothing. Preferably the connection means comprises VELCRO (RTM).

Preferably the means for receiving data is means for receiving a text or multimedia message from a mobile or cellular telephone.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of displaying a text message or multimedia message on an item of clothing, the method comprising the steps of: (a) connecting a portable display device comprising display means, a means for receiving a text message or multimedia message and a clothing connection means; and (b) transmitting a text or multimedia message to the portable display device such that the message is displayed on the display means.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of mounting a portable display device on a window of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a portable display device comprising a display means, a means for receiving data to be displayed and a connection means; and (b) connecting the connection means to a desired area of the vehicle window, such that the display means faces out of the vehicle.

Preferably the display device is as described for the first aspect of the invention. Suitably the connection means comprises a tacky material or a suction means.

Preferably the means for receiving data is a means for receiving a text or multimedia message from a cellular or mobile telephone.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of displaying a text or multimedia message from a vehicle to outside of the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: (a) connecting a portable display device to the window, the device comprising a display means, a means for receiving a text or multimedia message from a cellular or mobile phone, and a window lo connection means; and (b) transmitting a text or multimedia message to the display device such that it is displayed on the display means.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how embodiments of the same may be put into effect, the various aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a portable display device of the first aspect of the invention, in perspective view; Figure 2 illustrates a rear view of the portable display device of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates the portable display device of Figures 1 and 2 attached to the driver side door window of a vehicle; and Figure 4 illustrates the portable display device of Figures 1 and 2 attached to a T-shirt.

We refer firstly to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a portable display device 1 of the first aspect of the invention. The display device 1 comprises a casing 2 which houses a data receiving means (not shown), in the form of a receiver for receiving text messages and multimedia messages (SMS and MMS messages) from remote mobile or cellular phones. The casing 2 also includes a display means in the form of an LCD display screen 4. The LCD display screen 4 is located on the front face of the casing 2, and includes a casing border 7 extending there around. Located on the casing border 7 are four connection means in the form of suction cups 6, two located either side towards the top and bottom of the display screen 4.

We refer now to Figure 2. On the back of the casing 2 are located two strips of connection means in the form of VELCRO strips 8.

We refer now to Figure 3, which illustrates use of the portable display device 1 on a window 14 of a door 12 of a car 10. In order to be able to display text messages from within a car 10, such that the messages can be read from outside of the car 10, the portable display device 1 is connected to the driver side door window 14 by way of the suction cups 6. The suction cups 6 are pressed against the inside of the window 14 until the device 1 is securely connected to the window 14. In this way, if a text message is received by the device 1 from a mobile or cellular telephone, the display screen 4 will display the text message towards the window 14, such that it can be seen by a party remote from the vehicle 10. For example, the driver of a vehicle may wish to catch the attention of a person outside of the vehicle 10, and thus send a text message from his or her mobile or cellular telephone to the portable display device 1 inside his or her vehicle, in order to grab the attention of the person remote to the vehicle 10.

lo We refer now to Figure 4, which illustrates use of the portable display device connected to an article of clothing in the form of a T- shirt 16. The portable display device 1 can be connected to an article of clothing such as a T-shirt 16 by connecting the VELCRO strips 8 on the back of the display device 1 to the fibrous material of the T-shirt 16. In the examples shown in Figure 4, the display device 1 is connected to the front of the T-shirt 16, such that a person remote from the T-shirt 16 on looking at the T-shirt may view any messages displayed on the display screen 4 of the display device 1. Also shown on Figure 4 in dotted lines is an alternative positioning of the display device 1 on the arm of the T-shirt 20.

In other embodiments of the display device 1 of the invention, the connection means may comprise any suitable connection means which can either be connected to the window of a vehicle or an article of clothing or both. In embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 an advantage is that a single display device may be constructed which can be connected to both the window of a vehicle and an article of clothing, without obstruction of the display screen 4, and which includes two different connection means in order to facilitate connection to smooth (i.e. window) surfaces and rough or fibrous surfaces (articles of clothing). In other embodiments, the connection means may comprise tacky material such as found on car window stickers, or releasable adhesive means.

The display device 1 may also comprise means to receive multimedia text messages in which animations and graphics may be displayed as well as or alternatively to text messages.

In further embodiments, there may be a display screen on the rear surface of the display device l shown in Figures 1 and 2 such that when the display device 1 is attached to the window 14 of the vehicle 10, the driver of the vehicle may also read any text message displayed by the display device 1.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the lo foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A portable display device comprising a means to receive

messaging data from a remote telecommunications apparatus, means to display said data and means to connect the device to an article.
2. A portable display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means to receive data from a remote telecommunications apparatus comprises means to receive data from a mobile or cellular telephone.
3. A portable display device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the data receiving means comprises means to receive a text message or multimedia message from the mobile or cellular telephone.
4. A portable display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the portable display device does not comprise any means to emit data to an electronic device.
5. A portable display device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the display means comprises a display screen.
6. A portable display device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connection means comprises means to connect the device to an article of clothing.
7. A portable display device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the clothing connection means comprises one or more connection members, arranged in use to connect to an edge of the article of clothing.
8. A portable display device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the or each connection member comprises a clip, movable between a closed position in which the clip can grip the edge of the clothing, to an open position, in which the clip can be connected and removed from the clothing.
9. A portable display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connection means comprises a plurality of hooks or loops, arranged to releasably connect to fibres or material within the clothing.
10. A portable display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connection means comprises means to releasably connect the portable display device to the interior of a vehicle.
11. A portable display device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the connection means comprises a tacky or adhesive material which in use, is releasably connectable to a window of the vehicle.
12. A portable display device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the connection means comprises a suction cup, or suction pad.
13. A portable display device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the suction cup or pad comprises means to apply and release suction of the suction means on a window or a vehicle, when the suction means contacts the window.
14. A portable display device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the means for applying and releasing suction comprises a lever arranged to move between a first position in which at least a portion of the lever exerts pressure against the suction pad to effect suction, and a second position in which pressure is lo released to allow release of the suction.
15. A portable display device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising both means to connect to an article of clothing and means to connect to a window of a vehicle.
16. A method substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A portable display device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising means to alter the format of the text displayed on the display means.

17. A method of mounting a portable display device on an article of clothing, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a portable display device comprising a display means, a means for receiving data to be displayed and a connection means; and (b) connecting the connection means to a desired area on the article of clothing.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, using the portable display device of any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the connection means comprises a plurality of hooks or loops, arranged to connect to fibres or material on an article of clothing.

20. A method of displaying a text message or multimedia message on an item of clothing, the method comprising the steps of: (a) connecting a portable display device comprising display means, a means for receiving a text message or multimedia message and a clothing connection means; and (b) transmitting a text or multimedia message to the portable display device such that the message is displayed on the display means.

21. A method of mounting a portable display device on a window of a vehicle/ the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a portable display device comprising a display means, a means for receiving data to be displayed and a connection means; and (b) connecting the connection means to a desired area of the vehicle window, such that the display means faces out of the vehicle.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the display device is as described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

23. A method of displaying a text or multimedia message from a vehicle to outside of the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: (a) connecting a portable display device to the window, the device comprising a display means, a means for receiving a text or multimedia message from a cellular or mobile phone, and a window connection means; and (b) transmitting a text or multimedia message to the display device such that it is displayed on the display means.

24. A portable display device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. A method substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. in

Amendments to the claims have been fled as follows CLAIMS: 1. A portable display device comprising a means to receive messaging data from a remote telecommunications apparatus, means to display said data and means to connect the device to an article of clothing.

2. A portable display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means to receive data from a remote telecommunications apparatus comprises means to receive data from a mobile or cellular telephone.

3. A portable display device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the data receiving means comprises means to receive a text message or multimedia message from the mobile or cellular telephone.

4. A portable display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the portable display device does not comprise any means to emit data to an . electronic device.

5. A portable display device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the display means comprises a display screen.

6. A portable display device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the clothing connection means comprises one or more connection members, arranged in use to connect to an edge of the article of clothing.

7. A portable display device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the or each connection member comprises a clip, movable between a closed position in which the clip can grip the edge of the clothing, to an open position, in which the clip can be connected and removed from the clothing.

A portable display device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connection means comprises a plurality of hooks or loops, arranged to releasably connect to fibres or material within the clothing.

9. A portable display device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising both means to connect to an article of clothing and means to connect to a window of a,, vehicle. ' ;

10. A portable display device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising means to alter the format of the text displayed on the display means.

11. A method of mounting a portable display device on an article of clothing, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a portable display device comprising a display means, a means for receiving messaging data to be displayed and a connection means; and (b) connecting the connection means to a desired area on the article of clothing. 1"

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, using the portable display device of any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the connection means comprises a plurality of hooks or loops, arranged to connect to fibres or material on an article of clothing.

14. A method of displaying a text message or multimedia message on an item of clothing, the method comprising the steps of: (a) connecting a portable display device comprising display means, a means for receiving a text message or multimedia message and a clothing connection means; and (b) transmitting a text or multimedia message to the portable display device such that the message is displayed on the display means. ' 15. A portable display device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.