Rotating LED display device receiving data via infrared transmission

• US 20040102223A1
• Filed: 03/11/2003
• Published: 05/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Giant Electronics Limited (Yong Ling Liu)
• Original Assignee: Giant Electronics Limited (Yong Ling Liu)
• Inventors: Sit, Kwok Wah, Lo, Wai Kin
• Granted Patent: US 7,099,701 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/005 forming an image using a quickly moving array of imaging elements, causing the human eye to perceive an image which has a larger resolution than the array, e.g. an image on a cylinder formed by a rotating line of LEDs parallel to the axis of rotation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for displaying and transmitting information in which a rotatable member has a display end upon which a plurality of light emitting devices (LEDs) are disposed in a linear manner normal to a plane of rotation. The invention also includes an infrared transmitter (IRT), for communicating energize instructions conforming to a message to be presented; and an infrared receiver (IRR), for receiving the energize instructions and responsively energizing specific light emitting devices such that the message is presented by the rotating light emitting devices.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a rotatable member having a display end upon which a plurality of light emitting devices (LEDs) are disposed in a linear manner normal to a plane of rotation;

an infrared transmitter (IRT), for communicating energize instructions conforming to a message to be presented; and

an infrared receiver (IRR), for receiving said energize instructions and responsively energizing specific light emitting devices such that said message is presented by said rotating light emitting devices.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a user interface for communicating user instructions to a controller, said controller providing corresponding energize instructions to said IRT.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said user interface comprises a key pad interface.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said user interface comprises at least one button on said apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a substantially translucent barrier for allowing visual perception of said LEDs when said LEDs are energized.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said rotatable member comprises an underside portion having attached thereto said IRR for receiving said energize instructions and a second IRT, for providing a rotation rate indicium to said motor controller, wherein said motor controller responsively adapts a rotation speed.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a battery within said apparatus for supplying power to said apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a processing circuit for communicating with a communications network.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a processing circuit for communicating with a short message service center (SMSC).

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a processing circuit for communicating with a server.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is part of a telephone.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said telephone has a cordless headset.

13. A method comprising:

rotating a member having a plurality of LEDs attached thereto;

transmitting energize/de-energize instructions towards said plurality via infrared signals; and

energizing/de-energizing said plurality in response to said transmitted instructions.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising monitoring a rotational speed of said rotating member via infrared signals and adjusting said rotational speed if necessary.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising communicating with a communications network.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising inserting a text message for display.

17. The method of claim 16 comprising transmitting said text towards said communications network.

18. A system comprising:

a communications network; and

an apparatus adapted to receive, edit and send signals from and towards said communications network wherein said apparatus comprises a rotatable member having a display end upon which a plurality of light emitting devices (LEDs) are disposed in a linear manner normal to a plane of rotation;

an infrared transmitter (IRT), for communicating energize instructions conforming to a message to be presented; and

an infrared receiver (IRR), for receiving said energize instructions and responsively energizing specific light emitting devices such that said message is presented by said rotating light emitting devices.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein said signals are from a short message service center.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein said signals are e-mail messages.