Writing instrument with display module

• US 20040080400A1
• Filed: 10/24/2002
• Published: 04/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Pen Co. LLC (Cimpress Plc)
• Original Assignee: TLCD LLC
• Inventors: Liguori, Thomas A., Lupfer, Thomas H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,943,670 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/321
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/007 with advertising means
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/08 with measuring, computing or indicating devices

Abstract

A writing instrument including an integrated display module. The display module is used to provide a presentation to a user or consumer. The presentation can be in the form of scrolling text, a still image, a flashing image, an image that fades in and out of view or a movie. The presentation can be an advertisement, for entertainment or informative in nature.

Claims

1. A writing instrument comprising:

a housing;

a display module joined to the housing;

an electrically operated storage device;

a power supply;

an actuation switch;

wherein the display module displays a selectively customized presentation that is preprogrammed and stored in the electrically operated storage device; and

the presentation is displayed in response to triggering of the actuation switch.

2. The writing instrument of claim 1 wherein the storage device is comprised of a semiconductor chip.

3. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the power supply is comprised of a solar cell.

4. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the presentation is provided in the form of a scrolling image.

5. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the presentation is provided in the form of a flashing image.

6. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the presentation is provided in the form of an image that fades in and out of view.

7. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a chamber, and wherein the storage device and display module are arranged in the chamber.

8. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a chamber, and wherein the storage device, display module and power supply are arranged in the chamber.

9. The writing instrument of claim 3, wherein the housing comprises a chamber, and wherein the storage device, display module and solar cell are arranged in the chamber.

10. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the storage device, power supply and actuation switch are arranged on a printed circuit board.

11. The writing instrument of claim 1, further comprising a computer port for accepting an external connection, wherein an external device is coupled to the computer port for downloading a presentation from the external device to the writing instrument.

12. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the actuation switch is triggered by movement.

13. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the actuation switch is triggered by propelling or repelling an ink cartridge within the writing instrument.

14. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the presentation is downloaded from an external source to the storage device.

15. A method for displaying an advertisement on a writing instrument comprising:

providing a power source;

providing a storage unit coupled to the power source;

storing a presentation of the advertisement to the storage unit;

providing a display module coupled to the power source and coupled to the storage unit;

providing an actuation member, wherein the actuation member signals the power source to send current to the storage unit and the display module when the actuation member is triggered;

displaying the presentation of the advertisement on the display module in response to current supplied to the storage unit by the power source in response to signaling by the actuation member.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising downloading a presentation from an external source to the storage unit.

17. A method for displaying an electronic presentation comprising:

storing an electronic presentation in a memory;

activating the presentation for display on a display module;

providing electric current to the memory and the display module;

displaying the presentation on the display module for a predetermined period of time.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the presentation is activated upon provision of sufficient ambient light.