VISUAL DISPLAY COMMUNICATION APPARATUS FOR ENABLING A HANDICAPPED OR INFIRM INDIVIDUAL TO COMMUNICATE INFORMATION

• US 3,651,512 A
• Filed: 05/05/1970
• Issued: 03/21/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George D. Summers
• Original Assignee: George D. Summers
• Inventors: Summers, George D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Curtis, Marshall M.
• Application Number:
  US05/034,749
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 340/324,325,334,337,365,225,286,381,372,373 40/13R,13L,132R,132D
• US Class Current: 340/4.13
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

An apparatus for permitting a handicapped or infirm individual to visually communicate information including a display unit that has a display panel that has a series of compartments containing lamps and has translucent windows located over the compartments that have messages or other similar information. An illuminating circuit is provided to cause sequential illumination of the lamps in either a vertical or horizontal direction upon receipt of appropriate input signals. Various control units are also provided for permitting a handicapped or infirm individual to readily transmit input signals to the illuminating circuit to cause sequential illumination of the lamps.

Claims

1. A visual display communication apparatus for enabling a handicapped or infirm individual to communicate information comprising:

a display unit having a display panel comprising;

a horizontal and vertical series of compartments, translucent windows having a message or similar information that the handicapped or infirm individual may wish to convey located over the front of at least some of said compartments, and individual illuminating means individually located within at least some of said compartments for illuminating said windows, said compartments having walls comprising a translucent material that is adapted to permit transmission of light from the individual illuminating means located within one compartment to the adjacent compartments so that messages or similar information on the windows of the adjacent compartments are at least partially illuminated to permit the handicapped or infirm individual to read the messages or similar information and select the message or similar information the individual wishes to convey;

an illuminating circuit connected in circuit relationship with said illuminating means, said illuminating circuit having sequential circuit means for controlling the sequential illumination of only one individual illuminating means at one time both up and down in a vertical direction or back and forth in a horizontal direction to illuminate the window having the message the handicapped or infirm individual may wish to convey;

a control unit adapted to be operable by the handicapped or infirm individual having control circuit means that is adapted to communicate with said sequential circuit means, said control circuit means having at least one vertical input switch means for permitting the handicapped or infirm individual to provide an input signal to said sequential circuit means for causing sequential illumination of said individual illuminating means in a vertical direction upon activation by the handicapped or infirm individual and having at least one horizontal input switch means for permitting the handicapped or infirm individual to provide an input signal to said sequential circuit means for causing sequential illumination of said individual illuminating means in a horizontal direction upon activation by the handicapped or infirm individual; and

means for providing electrical energy to energize said illuminating circuit and said control circuit.

2. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vertical and horizontal input switch means are adapted to be operated by the pressure of a portion of the body of the handicapped or infirm individual.

3. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 2 wherein said control unit includes a substantially flat base member and wherein said vertical and horizontal input switch means are located on said substantially flat base member.

4. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 2 wherein said control unit comprises a hand piece adapted to be grasped by the handicapped or infirm individual.

5. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 4 wherein said hand piece comprises a cylindrical member.

6. The visual display communication device of claim 5 wherein said vertical and horizontal input switch means comprise switches having projections located on one end of said cylindrical member for activating said switches.

7. The visual communication apparatus of claim 6 wherein said projections are located in a triangular pattern.

8. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 6 wherein said vertical and horizontal input switch means are adapted to be operated by the breath of the handicapped or infirm individual.

9. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 8 wherein said vertical and horizontal input switch means include paddle-shaped activating members.

10. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein said walls are adapted to transmit between about 20 percent and about 50 percent of the light that is incident on the surface of a wall from the individual illuminating means located in one compartment to the adjacent compartment.

11. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control unit is connectable to and disconnectable from said illuminating circuit.

12. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional alternative control unit adapted to be connectable to and disconnectable from said illuminating circuit.

13. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising audible means connected in circuit relationship with said illuminating circuit, said audible means being operable by said controL unit.

14. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sequential circuit means includes bidirectional stepping relays.

15. The visual display communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vertical and horizontal input switch means comprise two vertical input switches and two horizontal input switches.