Voice recognizing digital messageboard system and method

• US 8,976,009 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2014
• Issued: 03/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Technosignz Ltd
• Original Assignee: Verbalized Signs Ltd.
• Inventors: McGie, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): HOLLOWAY III, EDWIN C
• Application Number:
  US14/179,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20140159993A1
• Time in Patent Office: 390 Days
• Field of Search: 340/7.55, 340/7.28, 340/7.29, 340/5.91, 705/14.55, 455/419, 455/420, 704/275, 345/2.3
• US Class Current: 340/7.55
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1438 using more than one graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/301 flexible foldable or roll-able electronic displays, e.g. thin LCD, OLED

Abstract

Provided is a system and method of updating a message displayed on an electronic screen via wireless communications device or remote website. Messages are entered into the communications device (input terminal) or web interface via verbal commands or entered text. The input is then transmitted to one or more electronic screens, where the message is displayed. Thus, users can update an electronic display without directly manipulating the display screen. Each electronic screen is in enabled to wirelessly communicate over cellular networks and via BlueTooth connections. These connection methods enable pairing of multiple electronic screens to a single wireless communications device, as well as allowing multiple communications devices to manipulate any given screen directly or via web interface.

Claims

1. A digital message display system comprising:

at least one remote input terminal, comprising a central processing unit adapted to handle conversion of analog voice input to digital signals, a storage memory, an input/output controller, a network interface adapted to receive and transmit wireless data, an alphanumeric input means, a microphone, speakers, a display, and a power source;

at least one webserver hosting a website;

one or more wireless networks;

at least one electronic display screen comprising an illumination means, a microcontroller unit, a memory, a transceiver, a modem, a power source, and a code retrieval button disposed on an exterior portion of said at least one electronic display screen and electronically connected to said microcontroller unit such that depression of said button results in display of a code associated with said at least one electronic display screen via said illumination means, and wherein said at least one electronic display screen is in bi-directional wireless communication with said at least one remote input terminal and said at least one webserver;

an application layer installed on said storage memory of said at least one remote input terminal, wherein said application layer converts user input into a signal and transmits same to said at least one electronic display screen for display;

an interface associated with said website, wherein said application layer converts user input into a signal and transmits same to said at least one electronic display screen via said one or more wireless networks for display.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one remote input terminal further comprises RF amplifiers.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said at least one remote input terminal and said at least one electronic display screen is Bluetooth enabled.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one remote input terminal is a smartphone.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one electronic display screen is a flexible LED display.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one electronic display screen further comprises suction cups secured to an exterior perimeter of said at least one electronic display screen.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one electronic display screen further comprises ferrous material secured to a backside of said at least one electronic display screen exterior.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said modem comprises a GPRS interface.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said one or more wireless networks are cellular data networks.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless microphone in communication with said at least one remote input terminal, wherein said wireless microphone comprises a digital signal processor, a memory, a transceiver, and a power source.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said wireless microphone further comprises at least one speaker.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said user input is verbal commands spoken into said microphone of said least one remote input terminal.

13. A method of updating a message displayed on an electronic screen, comprising the steps of:

establishing wireless communication between at least one remote input terminal and at least one electronic display screen, wherein said wireless communication may comprise a direct communication or an indirect communication transacted through a webserver, and said wireless communication is established by entering a pairing code associated with and displayed on said at least one electronic display screen into a client interface on said at least one remote input terminal;

inputting a message into a microphone associated with said at least one remote input terminal;

converting analog signals received by said microphone into digital signals;

submitting said digital signals for transmission;

transmitting said digital signals to said at least one electronic display screen;

displaying received digital signals in a textual format by said at least one electronic display screen.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said direct communication is via Bluetooth pairing.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said indirect communication occurs over a cellular data network.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said microphone comprises a wireless microphone in communication with said at least one remote input terminal.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said microphone is in communication with said at least one remote input terminal via a Bluetooth connection.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

transmitting said digital signals to said at least one remote input terminal from said wireless microphone prior to submitting said digital signals for transmission to said at least one electronic display screen.

19. A method of updating a message displayed on an electronic screen, comprising the steps of:

establishing wireless communication between at least one remote input terminal and at least one electronic screen, wherein said wireless communication may comprise a direct communication or an indirect communication transacted through a webserver, and said wireless communication is established by registering said at least one electronic display screen with a web interface and associating said at least one electronic display screen with at least one remote input terminal, thereby enabling future transmission to said at least one electronic display screen;

inputting a message into a wireless microphone of said at least one remote input terminal;

wherein said wireless microphone is in communication with said at least remote one input terminal;

converting analog signals received by said wireless microphone into digital signals;

submitting said digital signals for transmission;

transmitting said digital signals to said at least one electronic display screen;

displaying received digital signals in a textual format by said at least one electronic display screen;

transmitting said digital signals to said at least one remote input terminal from said wireless microphone prior to submitting said digital signals for transmission to said at least one electronic display screen.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein registering said at least one electronic display screen with a web interface and associating said at least one electronic display screen with at least one remote input terminal involves inputting an identification number associated with a GRPS controller interface of said at least one electronic display screen.