Non-Telephonic, non-remote controller, wireless information presentation device with advertising display

• US 6,504,580 B1
• Filed: 04/01/1997
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Evolve Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Thompson, Brandt, Darbee, Paul, OʼDonnell, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Application Number:
  US08/829,928
• Time in Patent Office: 2,107 Days
• Field of Search: 455/6.2, 455/6.3, 455/412, 455/5.1, 455/90, 340/825.22, 340/825.44, 340/825.69, 340/825.71, 340/825.72, 340/825.73, 340/825.74, 340/825.75, 340/825.76, 345/1, 345/2, 345/3, 345/158, 345/169, 348/6, 348/13, 348/734, 395/100
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/07 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/36 Visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/5651 Reducing the amount or size of exchanged application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

The annunciator includes a visual display, wireless receiving circuitry for receiving, from a host device, data including selected information to be displayed, and software and/or hardware for maintaining the selected information displayed on the visual display of the annunciator. The circuitry of the annunciator can include wireless transmitting circuitry. Further the annunciator can have mounting structure, such as a magnet for mounting the annunciator to a wall surface, such as a refrigerator door.

Claims

1. An information presentation device for visually presenting information including a liquid crystal, bi-stable, visual display requiring no refresh-buffer and requiring no power to maintain an image on said display, wireless means for receiving, from a host device, data including selected information to be displayed, a realtime dock, a buffer memory, said selected information including advertising and television program guide information and said data being stored in said buffer memory for being displayed under command of said realtime clock, maintaining means for maintaining said selected information displayed on said visual display of said information presentation device and means including liquid crystal materials for maintaining said selected information on said display even when said information presentation device is in a quiescent state or turned off.

2. The information presentation device according to claim 1, wherein said wireless means for receiving data is constructed and arranged to receive RF data from a transmitting device forming part of one of (a) a paging network, (b) a FM/SCA, (c) a cellular phone network, (d) a PCS, or (e) receiving circuitry associated with a television set for receiving a television signal.

3. The information presentation device of claim 1 including means for detecting a low-battery condition, and means for displaying an advertisement to replace the batteries with a specific brand of battery.

4. The information presentation device of claim 1 including means for interfacing with a Smart Card containing a computer chip.

5. The information presentation device of claim 1 wherein said advertising is formatted the same way as a banner on a page on a multi-user global computer information network.

6. The information presentation device of claim 1 wherein some of the information comprises codes for upgrading said information presentation device.

7. The information presentation device of claim 1 wherein said selected information includes at least one of news, weather, temperature, sports, traffic reports, or financial reports.

8. The information presentation device of claim 1 wherein said information presentation device is configured to look like and act as a beverage coaster.

9. The information presentation device of claim 1 including hook and loop material fixed to a surface of said device and mating hook and loop material fixed to a surface on which said device is to be mounted.

10. The information presentation device of claim 1 including mounting means selected from the group comprising:

a magnet for attaching said device to a metal surface;

a suction cup for attaching said device to an impervious surface;

an adhesive for attaching said device to a surface;

a pin for attaching said device to a suitable piece of material, such as clothing; and

/or a chain, a string, a ribbon, or other flexible means for attaching said device to another object or to a person.