Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Light pen for fluid matrix display panel
Reexamination Certificate
1994-03-10
2001-03-13
Chang, Kent (Department: 2778)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Light pen for fluid matrix display panel
C345S182000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201525
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to alphanumeric displays and more particularly to moving message displays.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Lapel buttons for promotional purposes that are worn by sales, clerical or other personnel are known. For example, AVIS′ “We Try Harder” button is well known. There is presently no known device that can be similarly worn, is light emissive so as to attract attention from a distance, provides a moving display so that significant information is presented while the attention is naturally drawn to word motion, and can be programmed to allow short term change of the promotional message.
Moving message displays are included in vending machines, are used for displaying rapidly changing stock and bond prices, and are supported high above street level to announce events, for example. Such displays are commonly large to enhance readability, and consequently, are also quite bulky.
Wearable displays are known for amusement purposes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,191 discloses a jacket with programmable lights in which apertures are provided over the surface of the jacket that allow tri-color light emitting diodes to protrude. The lights are programmable as to both their color and pattern of activation. The patterns of activation are abstract and cannot convey a message. Another example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,982 wherein a wristwatch includes a preprogrammed stationary message display which is activated unpredictably on some, but not all of the occasions when a wearer's arm is raised to check the time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A programmable, wearable moving display is disclosed that includes a wearable display portion with a clip to facilitate attachment of the display portion to a shirt pocket or coat lapel. A concealable battery portion is preferably connected to the display portion via an unobtrusive thin wire. Moving alphanumeric messages can be programmed by manipulating only five buttons which allow a user to scroll forward through an alphanumeric character table, scroll backward through that table, enter a chosen character at a display position and then advance to a neighboring display position, delete characters, and modify the rate at which the characters move across the display.
The programmable, wearable moving display of the invention allows a wearer to program any message up to, for example,
96
characters long. As the message scrolls through the display, a number of characters at a time can be seen in the display window, eight being the number used in the present embodiment. The message cycles, returning to the beginning after the last characters have been displayed. The rate of scrolling and cycling is controllable by the wearer. The device includes a memory that retains the message that was most recently programmed, even when the display is off.
Preferably, to facilitate attachment of the display to a variety of points on a wearer's garments, the clip can be detached from the display portion, rotated by 90° or 180°, and be reattached to the display portion to provide a choice of four orthogonal clip orientations. Alternatively, nylon hook and loop fabric, such as VELCRO® can be used for attaching the display to a wearer's garment.
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Chang Kent
Weingarten, Schurgin Gagnebin & Hayes LLP
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