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US4361828A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automotive communication
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1980-07-18
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Granted: 1982-11-30
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Expires: 2000-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle communication system device consisting of an opto-electrical message display unit adapted to be viewed from the exterior of the vehicle and of a message control unit that is connected to the display unit for programming a message and transmitting an electrical pulse pattern to the display unit that causes the display unit to display the programmed message.
Inventors
- 👤 Wanda H. Hose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:06
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/50; B60Q1/503; B60Q1/547
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
A visual communication device for vehicles comprising: (a) an opto-electrical display unit including a viewing screen adapted for being viewed from outside of the vehicle and a plurality of light-emitting elements forming part of a display circuit and arranged in a matrix on said viewing screen, said elements being selectively energizable to emit light, said unit being effective to receive an electrical pulse pattern and to display a message on the screen that corresponds to said received electrical pulse pattern, (b) an electrical message control unit having a message slot and a plurality of message switches to form a message circuit, each switch of the message circuit having a biased arm that extends into the message slot to maintain the switch in an actuated state, means being provided to produce an incremental movement of said arm against the bias of the bias arm which movement is effective to de-activate the switch, (c) means for selectively actuating said message switches comprising a message card of a thickness that provides said incremental movement of the switches upon insertion of the card into the slot, said card being provided with holes arranged in a message pattern for registering with selected ones of said biased switch arms to enable the switches associated with said selected switch arms to remain actuated and for transmitting an electrical pulse pattern to the display unit that corresponds to the message pattern on said card, and (d) a source of electrical power connected to said display and control units.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
A visual communication device for vehicles comprising: (a) an opto-electrical display unit including a viewing screen adapted for being viewed from outside of the vehicle and a plurality of light-emitting elements forming part of a display circuit and arranged in a matrix on said viewing screen, said elements being selectively energizable to emit light, said unit being effective to receive an electrical pulse pattern and to display a message on the screen that corresponds to said received electrical pulse pattern, (b) an electrical message control unit having a message slot and a plurality of message switches to form a message circuit, each switch of the message circuit having a biased arm that extends into the message slot to maintain the switch in an actuated state, means being provided to produce an incremental movement of said arm against the bias of the bias arm which movement is effective to de-activate the switch, (c) means for selectively actuating said message switches comprising a message card of a thickness that provides said incremental movement of the switches upon insertion of the card into the slot, said card being provided with holes arranged in a message pattern for registering with selected ones of said biased switch arms to enable the switches associated with said selected switch arms to remain actuated and for transmitting an electrical pulse pattern to the display unit that corresponds to the message pattern on said card, and (d) a source of electrical power connected to said display and control units.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A visual communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein said light-emitting elements are incandescent lamps.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
A visual communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein each switch comprises a contact on one side of the message slot and the biased arm is a contact arm extending from the opposite side of the slot and biased into electrical engagement with the contact, the message card being effective upon insertion into the slot to separate the contact arm from the contact and de-activate its associated switch except where a hole is provided with the contact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A visual communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein the matrix of light-emitting elements is divided into a plurality of symbol units, each symbol unit comprising a plurality of light-emitting elements, the light-emitting elements of each symbol unit being selectively actuated by said pulse pattern to form any one of a plurality of symbols.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A visual communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein the light-emitting elements in each symbol unit are divided into primary and secondary elements, each primary element being energized upon receiving an electrical pulse from the control unit, each of said secondary elements being connected to two primary elements through electrical circuitry that enables the secondary element to be energized when either of the two primary elements is energized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A visual communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein the message control unit comprises means for storing a plurality of selected message programs and means for selectively transmitting the pulse pattern of any one of said stored message programs to the display unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A visual communication device as recited in claim 6, wherein each message program is stored in a message circuit comprising a plurality of selectively actuated switches and the means for selectively transmitting the pulse pattern of any one of the stored message programs comprises a manually operated selector switch for each message unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A visual communication device as recited in claim 7, wherein a message indicator light is connected in series with each selector switch so that the light is illuminated upon closing of the switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A visual communication device as recited in claim 8, wherein each selector switch is actuated by a translucent hollow button and the light associated with the selector switch is located within the button.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A visual communication device as recited in claim 9, wherein the control unit comprises a message reader panel to provide a visual display of programmed messages and the correlation of the messages with appropriate buttons.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-29 | 1986-05-31 | 1986-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-29 | 1990-05-31 | 1990-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-29 | 1994-05-31 | 1994-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |