US5870110A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hand held messaging system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-04-28
•
Granted: 1999-02-09
•
Expires: 2017-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A hand held device for displaying a message. The device includes a keypad including a plurality of keys for inputting data indicative of the message to be displayed and generating a message signal based upon the received signals, a microprocessor for receiving and interpreting the message signal from the keypad and producing a display signal based upon the interpretation and a display device for receiving the display signal from the microprocessor and displaying a message representative of the received display signal. A power supply is connected to supply power to the microprocessor, display device and keypad and a plurality of templates may be removably positioned over the keypad to identify each key of said keypad, each template represents a different language in which the message may be displayed. The desired language for selection of the message is selected prior to inputting the message and the corresponding template is then positioned to cover the keypad to properly identify the keys. The keypad, micro processor means and display device are all contained within a housing which includes a handle for holding the device in an upright position, a window through which the keypad is viewable and a slot leading to the window through which the template corresponding to the selected language is removeably positioned to cover the keypad.
Inventors
- 👤 Perry M. Mallory
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:16
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S345/00; Y10S345/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
A hand held device for displaying a message, comprising: a) a keypad including a plurality of keys for inputting data indicative of the message to be displayed and generating a message signal based upon the received signal; b) microprocessor means for receiving and interpreting said message signal from said keypad and producing a display signal based upon said interpretation; c) display means for receiving said display signal from said microprocessor means and displaying a message representative of said received display signal, said display means including a display panel for displaying said message; d) a power supply for supplying power to said microprocessor means, display means and keypad; e) replaceable template means positioned to cover said keypad for identifying each key of said keypad; f) means for housing said keypad, microprocessor means and display means including a handle for holding said device in an upright position, a window through which said keypad is viewable and slot means leading to said window through which said template is removably positioned to cover said keypad; g) said housing means comprising a housing having a face side and a rear side on opposite sides of said housing and substantially parallel to each other, and top and bottom edges, said display panel being mounted on said face side, and said keypad being mounted on said rear side; h) said slot means being mounted along said top edge of said housing in a manner to permit said template to be inserted and removed without altering said housing; and i) means mounted on said top edge for suspending said housing in a manner to provide a public display of said display panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
A hand held device for displaying a message, comprising: a) a keypad including a plurality of keys for inputting data indicative of the message to be displayed and generating a message signal based upon the received signal; b) microprocessor means for receiving and interpreting said message signal from said keypad and producing a display signal based upon said interpretation; c) display means for receiving said display signal from said microprocessor means and displaying a message representative of said received display signal, said display means including a display panel for displaying said message; d) a power supply for supplying power to said microprocessor means, display means and keypad; e) replaceable template means positioned to cover said keypad for identifying each key of said keypad; f) means for housing said keypad, microprocessor means and display means including a handle for holding said device in an upright position, a window through which said keypad is viewable and slot means leading to said window through which said template is removably positioned to cover said keypad; g) said housing means comprising a housing having a face side and a rear side on opposite sides of said housing and substantially parallel to each other, and top and bottom edges, said display panel being mounted on said face side, and said keypad being mounted on said rear side; h) said slot means being mounted along said top edge of said housing in a manner to permit said template to be inserted and removed without altering said housing; and i) means mounted on said top edge for suspending said housing in a manner to provide a public display of said display panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The hand held device for displaying a message as recited in claim 1, further comprising a disk drive for receiving data indicative of a language in which said message is to be displayed and transmitting said data to said microprocessor for use in interpreting said message signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The hand held device for displaying a message as recited in claim 1, wherein said keypad includes a clear key for clearing the display means of a message displayed thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The hand held device for displaying a message as recited in claim 3, wherein said keypad said mounted means includes a plurality of language keys, each of said plurality of language keys corresponding to a particular language and for directing said microprocessor means to interpret said message signal in accordance with a predetermined protocol associated with said language.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The hand held device for displaying a message as recited in claim 1, further comprising a flash means connected to said display means for causing said message displayed on said display means to flash.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The hand held device for displaying a message as recited in claim 5, further comprising scroll means connected to said display means for scrolling said message displayed on said display means to scroll across said display means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hand held device for displaying a message as recited in claim 6, further comprising means for changing a color of the message displayed on said display means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The hand held device for displaying a message as recited in claim 1, further comprising a clamp, at least one bracket connected to said housing and at least one wing nut extending from said bracket, wherein said wing nut engages said clamp for hanging said device in a predetermined position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The hand held device for displaying a message as recited in claim 1, further comprising a message board, first and second riveted brackets connected to said housing and a shield positioned to cover said message board connected between said first and second riveted brackets for retaining said message board between said first and second riveted brackets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The hand held device for displaying a message as recited in claim 8, wherein said shield is formed of a clear material and said message board is viewable when covered by said shield.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-02-08 | 2002-08-10 | 2003-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-08 | 2006-08-10 | 2007-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-08 | 2010-08-10 | 2011-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |