Illuminated display system and method of use

• US 7,326,179 B1
• Filed: 12/01/2005
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Southwest Synergistic Solutions, Llc
• Original Assignee: Juan Enrique Cienfuegos
• Inventors: Cienfuegos, Juan Enrique
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cranson, Jr.; James W
• Application Number:
  US11/291,391
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 362/231, 362/253, 600/300
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

An illuminated display system and method for prioritizing medical care administered to an injured user, such a soldier in battlefield settings. The illuminated display system may be applied to triage scenarios whereby illuminated signals visually provide the triage status of an injured user at a distance and in low-visibility settings. In particular, the illuminated display system includes a plurality of light emitters. Each light emitter from the plurality of light emitters provides a different predetermined wavelength of light than the other light emitters from the plurality of light emitters. In operation, each respective predetermined wavelength of light provides information relating to the degree of injury or other information associated with the user such that a desired light emitter is selected to display the desired wavelength and, ultimately, the desired information. In one exemplary embodiment, the illuminated display system further includes an interchangeable dial lens in operative engagement with the plurality of light emitters and having a combination of optical modifiers and light filters to enhance the overall visibility of light emitted from the dial lens to the surrounding environment.

Claims

1. A method for prioritizing medical care administered to an injured user with respect to a plurality of injured users, the method comprising the steps of:

administering a brief clinical assessment to the injured user;

securing an illuminated display system to the user,

the illuminated display system comprising a base assembly,

the base assembly including a base body having a first portion and a display interface disposed on the first portion of the base body,

the display interface including a plurality of light emitters, each light emitter from the plurality of light emitters providing a different predetermined wavelength of light than the other light emitters from the plurality of light emitters,

each respective predetermined wavelength providing information relating to the degree of injury of the user with respect to the plurality of injured users, and

a dial assembly operatively coupled to the base assembly,

the dial assembly including a dial lens positioned adjacent to the display interface and a selector to activate a desired light emitter from the plurality of light emitters;

activating the desired light emitter via a voltage from the selector; and

illuminating the light emitter at the desired predetermined wavelength to

provide information relating to the degree of injury of the injured user with respect to the plurality of injured users.

2. A method for prioritizing medical care, the method comprising the steps of:

administering a brief clinical assessment to an injured soldier in battlefield settings;

securing an illuminated display system to the injured soldier,

the illuminated display system comprising a base assembly,

the base assembly including a base body having a first portion and a display interface disposed on the first portion of the base body, the display interface including a plurality of light emitters,

each light emitter from the plurality of light emitters providing a different predetermined wavelength of light than the other light emitters from the plurality of light emitters,

each respective predetermined wavelength providing information relating to the degree of injury of the soldier, and

a dial assembly operatively coupled to the base assembly,

the dial assembly including a dial lens positioned adjacent to the display interface and a selector to activate a desired light emitter from the plurality of light emitters;

activating the desired light emitter via a voltage from the selector; and

illuminating the light emitter at the desired predetermined wavelength to provide

information relating to the degree of injury of the soldier.

3. The method according to claim 2 further comprising the step of:

ranking the degree of injury of the solider in the context of administering

medical care to the injured soldier with respect to other injured soldiers in battlefield conditions.