Interactive bulletin board system and method

• US 7,667,617 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2006
• Issued: 02/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Teddy Yeung Man Lo
• Original Assignee: Teddy Yeung Man Lo
• Inventors: Lo, Teddy Yeung Man
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunnings; Travis R
• Application Number:
  US11/510,365
• Publication Number:
  US 20070008178A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 340/907, 340/908, 340/908.1, 340/925, 340/928, 340/944, 362/800, 362/231
• US Class Current: 340/907
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/608 for guiding, warning or controlling traffic, e.g. delineator posts or milestones
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096 provided with indicators in which a mark progresses showing the time elapsed, e.g. of green phase
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A messaging board and a traffic light apparatus comprising a primary traffic panel including a first matrix of multicolored LEDs for directing motor traffic by displaying a plurality of images; a message panel including a second matrix of multicolored LEDs for displaying information unrelated to the directing of traffic; and a personal device interface providing two-way communication of information between the traffic light apparatus and at least one local user with a personal portable electronic device is disclosed. The messaging board is capable of being used as a communications station, as well as an information terminal and/or point-of-sales station.

Claims

1. An interactive bulletin board system, comprising:

a signal processor coupled to a computer communications network;

a messaging board coupled to said signal processor, said messaging board providing visual indicia responsive to said signal processor;

a personal portable electronic device wirelessly coupled to said computer communications network; and

a primary traffic panel directly coupled to said messaging board, said primary traffic panel including a first matrix of multicolored LEDs, said primary traffic panel directing motor traffic,

wherein said signal processor updates said visual indicia displayed on said messaging board in response to a message sent from said personal portable electronic device to said signal processor, and

wherein said interactive board system is a column with at least three lateral sides, and wherein a plurality of said lateral sides comprise said messaging board and said primary traffic panel.

2. The interactive bulletin board system of claim 1, wherein said messaging board comprises a second matrix of multicolored LEDs.

3. The interactive bulletin board system of claim 1 or 2, wherein said visual indicia represents information requested through the personal portable electronic device.

4. The interactive bulletin board system of claim 3, wherein said information is obtained from the Internet.

5. The interactive bulletin board system of claim 4, wherein said signal processor authenticates said personal portable electronic device before updating said visual indicia.

6. The interactive bulletin board system of claim 1 or 2, wherein said personal portable electronic device comprises a device selected from the group comprising a cellular phone, a wireless laptop, a handheld email browser, an MP3 player and a digital camera.

7. The interactive bulletin board system of claim 6, further comprising a camera coupled to said signal processor, wherein said visual indicia comprises images provided by said camera.

8. The interactive bulletin board system of claim 1 or 2, wherein said signal processor responds to messages sent from more than one personal portable electronic device.

9. The interactive bulletin board system of claim 8, wherein said signal processor responds sequentially to messages received from more than one personal portable electronic device.

10. The interactive bulletin board system of claim 9, wherein said signal processor responds to messages received from only a single personal portable electronic device until an ending condition is met.

12. The interactive bulletin board system of claim 1, 2 or 11, wherein said column is triangular or rectangular.

11. An interactive bulletin board system, comprising:

a signal processor coupled to a computer communications network;

a messaging board coupled to said signal processor, said messaging board providing visual indicia responsive to said signal processor;

a personal portable electronic device wirelessly coupled to said computer communications network;

a primary traffic panel including a first matrix of multicolored LEDs, said primary traffic panel directing motor traffic; and

a spacer directly coupled between said messaging board and said primary traffic panel,

wherein said signal processor updates said visual indicia displayed on said messaging board in response to a message sent from said personal portable electronic device to said signal processor, and

wherein said interactive board system is a column with at least three lateral sides, and wherein a plurality of said lateral sides comprise said messaging board and said primary traffic panel.