Remotely programmable messaging apparatus and method thereof

• US 20050190895A1
• Filed: 03/01/2004
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lloyd Ploof, Lon S. Thrasher Jr, Matthew J. Sisti
• Original Assignee: Lloyd Ploof, Lon S. Thrasher Jr, Matthew J. Sisti
• Inventors: Sisti, Matthew J., Ploof, Lloyd, Thrasher, Lon S. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US10/790,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20050190895A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.16
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication

Abstract

A remotely programmable messaging apparatus for displaying a message in a vehicle and method of displaying the message in the vehicle. The messaging apparatus includes a First Auto-Message or First Instant Message that may be included in a source device, wherein the source device includes a source antenna, a source microprocessor, a locator, such as a GPS, and a source display device. In addition, the messaging apparatus may include a Second Auto-Message or Second Instant Message in a mailbox that may be displayed on the source display device. The vehicle may be any vehicle used for transportation of people, such as automobiles, busses, trains or trucks, who may benefit from receiving information such as the First Auto-Message or First Instant Message and the Second Auto-Message or Second Instant Message.

Claims

1. A messaging system, comprising:

a First Auto-Message or First Instant Message; and

a mailbox in a mailbox vehicle, wherein the mailbox includes a mailbox microprocessor and a mailbox visual display device, and wherein the First Auto-Message or First Instant Message is displayed on the mailbox visual display device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the First Auto-Message or First Instant Message is verbal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the verbal First Auto-Message or First Instant Message is recognized by the system using voice recognition software.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the verbal First Auto-Message or First Instant Message is spoken into a telephone, a radio transmitter, a hand held microprocessor or a microphone.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the display device is a Light Emitting Diode Array, a thin film transparency, a cathode ray tube, a liquid crystal display, or a television, or projected image or message.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the First Auto-Message or First Instant Message includes region specific information selected from the group of specific information consisting of nearest grocery stores, emergency services, restaurants, entertainment providers and combinations thereof.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the First Auto-Message or First Instant Message is input to the mailbox microprocessor from a keyboard or keypad.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the First Auto-Message or First Instant Message is instant news.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the First Auto-Message or First Instant Message is selected from the group consisting of personalized messages, advertising, accident notification, weather conditions, hazards and combinations thereof.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein a location of the display device is selected from the group consisting of a car window, a radio console, and a car console.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the mailbox has a locator.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the locator is a GPS.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a source device, wherein the First Auto-Message or First Instant Message is included in the source device, wherein the source device includes a source microprocessor and a source display device, and wherein the mailbox generates a Second Auto-Message or Second Instant Message that is displayed on the source display device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the source device is in a source vehicle.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the source vehicle and the mailbox vehicle each have a locator.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the second Auto-Message or second Instant Message is selected from the group consisting of personalized messages, advertising, accident notification, weather conditions, hazards and combinations thereof.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the second Auto-Message or second Instant Message is instant news.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the second Auto-Message or second Instant Message is input to the source microprocessor from a keyboard or keypad.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the second Auto-Message or second Instant Message includes region specific information selected from the group of specific information consisting of nearest grocery stores, emergency services, restaurants, entertainment providers and combinations thereof.

20. A method of displaying information from at least one vehicle, comprising:

providing at least one source device in at least one source vehicle, wherein the at least one source device includes a First Auto-Message or First Instant Message; and

providing at least one mailbox in at least one mailbox vehicle, wherein the at least one mailbox includes a mailbox display device, and wherein the at least one mailbox receives the First Auto-Message or First Instant Message; and

displaying the First Auto-Message or First Instant Message on the mailbox display device.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

providing a Second Auto-Message or Second Instant Message in the at least one mailbox; and

providing a source display device in the source device and displaying the Second Auto-Message or Second Instant Message on the source display device.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the First and Second Auto-Message or First and Second Instant Message include region specific information selected from the group of specific information consisting of nearest grocery stores, emergency services, restaurants, entertainment providers and combinations thereof.