GB2407196A - Programmable sign - Google Patents

Programmable sign Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2407196A
GB2407196A GB0321377A GB0321377A GB2407196A GB 2407196 A GB2407196 A GB 2407196A GB 0321377 A GB0321377 A GB 0321377A GB 0321377 A GB0321377 A GB 0321377A GB 2407196 A GB2407196 A GB 2407196A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
sign
display
keyboard
message
programmable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0321377A
Other versions
GB0321377D0 (en
Inventor
John Edward Welch
Gina Janet Welch
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0321377A priority Critical patent/GB2407196A/en
Publication of GB0321377D0 publication Critical patent/GB0321377D0/en
Publication of GB2407196A publication Critical patent/GB2407196A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09FDISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F9/00Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
    • G09F9/30Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements
    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09FDISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F21/00Mobile visual advertising
    • G09F21/04Mobile visual advertising by land vehicles

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)

Abstract

FIGURES 1 and 2 show a programmable sign 1 of general flat form having a full size alphanumeric keyboard array 2 on one side and a front verification screen 4 adjacent said array. Rear face 5 of the sign has a message display screen 6 that may be arranged, in use, towards a person to whom the message is intended. Handles 8 and 9 are provided spaced from the keyboard. The sign may be used by a taxi driver to display the name of a passenger to be collected from an airport terminal.

Description

24071 96
IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO DISPLAYS
This invention relates to improvements in or relating to displays and is more particularly concerned with a portable, programmable display or sign.
Hand held, portable programmable displays or signs are known that may, for example, be utilised at airports or cruise ship terminals in particular by travel agents or taxi drivers to attract the attention of a disembarking passenger that may be unknown to them by sight but known by name. The name can be temporarily entered on the display or sign and erased once the passenger has been met, for use in future similar situations.
Such a display or sign may comprise a unitary T-shaped housing including an upper sign portion and a lower hand held, miniaturised "pistol grip" keyboard portion of square cross section (see for example US Patent Specification No. 5973607). In such signs, it is possible to type out a message using the alphanumeric keys of the keyboard.
The message appears in large letters on a message display on the rear face of the upper sign portion (which in use will face in the direction of the person for whom the message is meant) and simultaneously on a smaller viewing screen on the front of the upper sign portion facing the user. Thus, the user can verify that the message appearing on the rear face of the upper sign portion is correct whilst typing out the message on the keyboard. Whilst it is possible to type out the message using the alpha numeric keys, which message will appear on the rear face of the upper sign portion that can be verified by the viewing screen on the front of the upper sign portion, it is believed the programmable sign tends to be disadvantageous in a number of respects. Firstly, it is believed that the programmable sign is not as user friendly as it could be and the inclusion of a glare shield over the message display renders the sign unnecessarily bulky. Furthermore, it is believed that the inclusion of an alphanumeric keypad in the pistol grip handle tends to be inconvenient since the programmable sign is awkward to hold whilst a message is input using the keys of the keypad. Furthermore, if the programmable sign is carried using the handle, it is possible that keys may be pressed inadvertently and a message displayed on the rear face of the upper sign without the intention of the user. Since the hand may be wrapped around the keys of the miniaturized keyboard whilst carrying the sign by the handle, the keys themselves may be susceptible to damage and the symbols thereon may be susceptible to wear.
Additionally, the size of the alphanumeric keys may not be as convenient or ergonomic as desirable since they are of a miniaturized format that may not be easy to use, for example, by a disabled or arthritic person. Additionally, the range of message display options provided by the alphanumeric keyboard may not be as wide as required in some circumstances. The programmable sign may also not be as shock proof or robust as it could be. The overall construction of the sign may not have been optimised and may be more complex than need be the case.
It appears that the patentee of the invention described in patent specification No. US 5973607 recognised some of the problems associated with his design of sign and patented an improved version in which the handle and keyboard can be pivoted to an out of the way storage position (see US Patent Specification No.6177877).
US Patent Specification No.6177877 explains that various problems were encountered with the sign as described in US 5973607. However, it is believed that rendering the handle pivotable as in US 6177877, in order to overcome some of the problems with the design shown in US 5973607, tends to result in an unnecessarily complex apparatus which, additionally, may not solve all potential problems inherent in the design, more particularly as described in relation to the bulk and general handling of the sign.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to at least alleviate one of the aforementioned, or other disadvantages associated with portable, programmable signs or to provide a programmable sign which is improved in at least some respect.
According to the present invention there is provided a programmable display or sign including a keyboard or keypad array carrying alpha numeric indicia utilisable for displaying a message on a rear screen of the display/sign, said display/sign including a front viewing screen for the user, the rear screen overlapping the front viewing screen and the keyboard or keypad array and said display/sign including handle means spaced from the keyboard or keypad array.
Usually, the keyboard or keypad array will be arranged on the same chassis or housing as the front viewing screen and/or rear screen.
In one embodiment of the present invention the handle means comprises two opposed handles each handle appearing on a respective side of the keyboard.
Each handle is, preferably, formed by an opening extending from the front face of the sign to a rear face of the display/sign.
The keyboard/keypad array may comprise a number of moveable, raised keys or be of a flat touch sensitive design. Preferably, the keys are of such a size that can be activated relatively easily e.g. by an arthritic person.
The front viewing screen and rear screen may be of any suitable type of illuminated display (e.g. L.E.D. or L.C.D.).
Preferably, the display/sign is of generally flat, planar or sheet form that may possibly be slightly curved.
Advantageously the display/sign may have a contoured periphery and/or may be provided with a soft or resistant covering. The display/sign may be provided with an extended alpha numeric facility allowing a message to be displayed in a chosen or selected language. It is possible that the same message may appear on the near screen in two or more languages.
The display/sign may be provided with a translator program so that the message as typed on the front viewing screen is translated to appear as a message in a different language on the rear screen.
Further according to the present invention there is provided a display or sign having means to display an erasable message, said display/sign having one or more of the following features: a) handle means spaced from, or not containing all of, the keypads or buttons of a keyboard! keypad array, said keypad or keyboard array being for entering a message on the display/sign; b) a translator program to enable a message to appear on the display/sign in a chosen language; c) a keyboard or keypad array carrying alpha numeric indicia utilisable for displaying a message on a rear screen of the display/sign, said display/sign including a front viewing screen for the user, the rear screen overlapping the front viewing screen and the keyboard or keypad array; d) a keyboard or keypad array arranged on the same chassis or housing as a front viewing screen and/or as a rear screen on which a message can be displayed; e) handle means comprising two handles; f) handle means that can be gripped without touching keys of a keypad or keyboard array; g) a contoured periphery and/or a cushioned exterior; h) an outer appearance of generally, flat, planar or sheet form; i) an electronic, preferably illuminated, display; j) a rechargeable battery.
Many advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the
following description and drawings.
An embodiment of a programmable sign in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying somewhat diagrammatic drawings in which: FIGURE l is a perspective front view of the programmable sign, and FIGURE 2 is a perspective rear view of the programmable sign.
Referring to the FIGURES of the drawings, a programmable sign or display I is generally of flat, compact, sheet form and includes a full size alphanumeric keyboard array 2 raised on a front face 3 of the programmable sign. A front, viewing or verification screen 4 is provided on the sign 1 adjacent to the keyboard array 2. Keys of the array 2 are positioned both above and below the viewing screen 4 in FIGURE 1 but the present invention is not limited to the particular configuration of the keyboard array.. Rear face 5 of the sign] is provided with a message display screen 6 that may in use, be arranged towards a person to whom the message appearing on the display screen is directed.
The periphery 7 of the programmable sign is contoured and, advantageously, is provided with an ergonomically inwardly curved lower portion 7a that enables the sign to be rested easily on the lap whilst a message can be typed onto the viewing screen 4 and simultaneously onto the rear display screen 6.
FIGURE I shows the Message 'JOHN WELCH BA 252' and thus is intended, in this instance, to attract the attention of John Welch, disembarking flight No. BA 252. The message will also appear simultaneously on the rear display screen 6 although is not shown in FIGURE 2.
Thus, the sign 1 could be utilised, for example, by a taxi driver who has been assigned to pick up a person (for example, John Welch, from the airport).
Importantly, the programmable sign 1 is provided with handle means in the form of two opposed handle portions 8 and 9 on opposite sides of the keyboard 2. The handle portions 8 and 9 are formed by slightly curved openings 10 and It that pass all the way through the sign l from the front face 3 to the rear face S. thereby allowing the fingers of the associated gripping hand to pass completely through the sign and grip onto either handle 8 or 9 as required.
Thus, the sign I may be gripped firmly using two hands, one on each handle 8,9 and then held up in front of the user at a convenient height to attract the attention of a person to whom the message on the rear display screen 6 is directed.
Advantageously, the keyboard array 2 and front viewing screen 4, overlap the rear screen 6 to seemingly maximise use of all the available space for the rear screen 6, with the handles 8,9 being designed so as not to interefere with the function of the keyboard array 2. Even so, it is possible that a keypad or button (not shown) may be positioned adjacent to or on a handle 8,9, preferably, in such a position that the handle can still be gripped comfortably without any contact with said key/button. In such a scenario, the keypadlbutton may, for example, be operable by a thumb of the gripping hand.
It is to be noted that the portable sign 1 is covered with a soft material such as plastics, leather or imitation leather to give a soft, cushioned, user friendly feel to the sign so that it is easy to carry and to use, both when typing a display message and when handling the sign in a message display mode.
Preferably, the screen 6 is able to provide a full colour message display and the content thereof can be checked during typing on the keyboard via the front viewing or verification screen 4 to check the content on the display screen 6 as the message is being typed.
The programmable sign is provided with a robust shockproof chassis and a removable mains rechargeable battery unit 10. The keyboard array 2 is arranged on the same chassis or housing as the front viewing screen 4 and rear screen 6 in order to simplify construction.
Although not shown, the sign 1 may be provided with extended alphanumeric facility to allow a changeable message to be displayed in a range of given languages or in a particular language such as Greek or Russian or Arabic. Thus, the sign 1 may be provided with one or more language chips as appropriate that may or may not be readily interchangeable in the design.
It is to be appreciated that the present invention offers many improvements, at least some of which might be patentable individually or in combination. Any individual feature as aforementioned or as shown or implicit herein or combinations thereof, or functions or methods appertaining thereto, may be patentably inventive and any specific term as used herein should not be construed as unnecessarily or unduly limiting; the scope of such a term should extend to, or may be replaced or supplemented by, any equivalent or generic expression. For example, the phrase programmable display or sign' may be replaced by 'message display' or 'message display unit or device'; 'keyboard' may be replaced by 'console'. Additionally, any range mentioned herein for any parameter or variable shall be taken to include a disclosure of any derivable subrange within that range or of any particular value of the variable or parameter arranged within, or at an end of, the range or sub-range. The singular may include the plural and vice versa.

Claims (16)

  1. I.A programmable display or sign including a keyboard or keypad array carrying alpha numeric indicia utilisable for displaying a message on a rear screen of the display/sign, said display/sign including a front viewing screen for the user, the rear screen overlapping the front viewing screen and the keyboard or keypad array and said display/sign including handle means spaced from the keyboard or keypad array.
  2. 2. A programmable display or sign as claimed in Claim 1 in which the keyboard or keypad array is arranged on the same chassis or housing as the front viewing screen and/or rear screen.
  3. 3. A programmable display or sign as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 in which the handle means comprises two opposed handles, each handle appearing on a respective side of the keyboard.
  4. 4. A programmable display or sign as claimed in Claim 3 in which each handle is formed by an opening extending from the front face of the sign to a rear face of the display/sign.
  5. 5. A programmable display or sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the keyboard/keypad array comprises a number of moveable, raised keys.
  6. 6. A programmable display or sign as claimed in any one of claims I to 5 which is of a flat touch sensitive design.
  7. 7. A programmable display or sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the keys are of such a size that can be activated relatively easily e.g. by an arthritic person. s
  8. 8. A programmable display or sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the front viewing screen and rear screen are an illuminated display (e.g. I,.E.D.
    Or L.C.D.).
  9. 9. A programmable display or sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the display/sign is of generally flat, planar or sheet form.
  10. l O. A programmable display or sign as claimed in claim 9 in which the display/sign is slightly curved.
  11. 11. A programmable display or sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the display/sign has a contoured periphery.
  12. 12. A programmable display or sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims provided with a soft or resistant covering.
  13. 13. A programmable display or sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the display/sign is provided with an extended alpha numeric facility allowing a message to be displayed in a chosen or selected language.
  14. 14. A programmable display or sign as claimed in Claim 13 in which the same message can appear on the near screen in two or more languages.
  15. l 5. A programmable display or sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the display/sign is provided with a translator progrram.
  16. 16. A programmable display or sign substantially as herein described with reference to the FIGURES of the accompanying drawings.
    17 A display or sign having means to display an erasable message, said display/sign having one or more of the following features: a) handle means spaced from, or not containing all of, the keypads or buttons of a keyboard/ keypad array, said keypad or keyboard array being for entering a message on the display/sign; b) a translator program to enable a message to appear on the display/sign in a chosen language; c) a keyboard or keypad array carrying alpha numeric indicia utilisable for displaying a message on a rear screen of the display/sign, said display/sign including a front viewing screen for the user, the rear screen overlapping the front viewing screen and the keyboard or keypad array; d) a keyboard or keypad array arranged on the same chassis or housing as a front viewing screen and/or as a rear screen on which a message can be displayed; e) handle means comprising two handles; f) handle means that can be gripped without touching keys of a keypad or keyboard array; g) a contoured periphery and/or a cushioned exterior; h) an outer appearance of generally, flat, planar or sheet form; i) an electronic, preferably illuminated, display; j) a rechargeable battery.
GB0321377A 2003-09-12 2003-09-12 Programmable sign Withdrawn GB2407196A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0321377A GB2407196A (en) 2003-09-12 2003-09-12 Programmable sign

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0321377A GB2407196A (en) 2003-09-12 2003-09-12 Programmable sign

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0321377D0 GB0321377D0 (en) 2003-10-15
GB2407196A true GB2407196A (en) 2005-04-20

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2473831A (en) * 2009-09-24 2011-03-30 Max Rosen Portable sign for displaying names when meeting people.
GB2488557A (en) * 2011-03-01 2012-09-05 Keith Collis Dual screen airport arrivals type meeting point sign.
GB2495764A (en) * 2011-10-21 2013-04-24 Lawrence Sorunke Portable electronic sign with keyboard.

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0283752A2 (en) * 1987-03-24 1988-09-28 Hewlett-Packard Company Portable terminal
US6177877B1 (en) * 1998-02-23 2001-01-23 Timothy Munyon Hand-held programmable sign with rotatable handle
US6347468B1 (en) * 1999-11-04 2002-02-19 Abdulahi Mohamed Portable illuminated sign with changeable messages

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0283752A2 (en) * 1987-03-24 1988-09-28 Hewlett-Packard Company Portable terminal
US6177877B1 (en) * 1998-02-23 2001-01-23 Timothy Munyon Hand-held programmable sign with rotatable handle
US6347468B1 (en) * 1999-11-04 2002-02-19 Abdulahi Mohamed Portable illuminated sign with changeable messages

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2473831A (en) * 2009-09-24 2011-03-30 Max Rosen Portable sign for displaying names when meeting people.
GB2473831B (en) * 2009-09-24 2011-11-16 Max Rosen Portable sign for disembarking passengers
GB2488557A (en) * 2011-03-01 2012-09-05 Keith Collis Dual screen airport arrivals type meeting point sign.
GB2495764A (en) * 2011-10-21 2013-04-24 Lawrence Sorunke Portable electronic sign with keyboard.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0321377D0 (en) 2003-10-15

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