Talking display signage

Claim 1

A system for presenting automatic verbal announcements comprising: a modulated infrared signal generator for generating a modulated signal of given frequency at a target when the target is within a sensing range; a detector for detecting a modulated infrared signal of the given frequency after is it reflected from a target within the sensing range; a digital voice recorder/playback means for recording an announcement and subsequently providing said announcement when a target is within the sensing range; speaker means to provide an audible output in response to the announcement received from said digital voice recorder/playback means; and, a microprocessor operatively connected to said generator to periodically output a modulated signal from said generator to said detector, said microprocessor being operatively connected to said digital voice recorder/playback means for initiating an announcement when a reflected signal of the given frequency is received at said detector.

Claim 2

A system for presenting automatic verbal announcements comprising: a modulated infrared signal generator for generating a modulated signal of given frequency at a target when the target is within a sensing range; a detector for detecting a modulated infrared signal of the given frequency after is it reflected from a target within the sensing range; a digital voice recorder/playback means for recording an announcement and subsequently providing said announcement when a target is within the sensing range; speaker means to provide an audible output in response to the announcement received from said digital voice recorder/playback means; and, a microprocessor operatively connected to said generator to periodically output a modulated signal from said generator to said detector, said microprocessor being operatively connected to said digital voice recorder/playback means for initiating an announcement when a reflected signal of the given frequency is received at said detector.

Claim 4

A system for presenting automatic verbal announcements comprising: a modulated infrared signal generator for generating a modulated signal of given frequency at a target when the target is within a sensing range; a detector for detecting a modulated infrared signal of the given frequency after it is reflected from a target within the sensing range; a digital voice recorder/playback means for recording an announcement and subsequently providing said announcement when a target is within the sensing range; speaker means to provide an audible output in response to the announcement received from said digital voice recorder/playback means; and, a microprocessor operatively connected to said generator, said detector and said digital voice recorder/playback means to periodically output a modulated signal from said generator to said detector, receive said modulated signal from said detector, digitally time analyze said modulated signal to determine the presence of a target within said sensing range, and, in response thereto, initiate announcement from said digital voice recorder/playback means.

Claim 5

A system for presenting automatic verbal announcements comprising: a modulated infrared signal generator for generating a modulated signal of given frequency at a target when the target is within a sensing range; a detector for detecting a modulated infrared signal of the given frequency after it is reflected from a target within the sensing range; a digital voice recorder/playback means for recording an announcement and subsequently providing said announcement when a target is within the sensing range; speaker means to provide an audible output in response to the announcement received from said digital voice recorder/playback means; and, a microprocessor operatively connected to said generator, said detector and said digital voice recorder/playback means to periodically output a modulated signal from said generator to said detector, receive said modulated signal from said detector, digitally time analyze said modulated signal to determine the presence of a target within said sensing range, and, in response thereto, initiate announcement from said digital voice recorder/playback means.

Claim 6

A system for presenting automatic verbal announcements comprising: a modulated infrared signal generator having a variable output level for generating a modulated signal of given frequency at a target when the target is within a sensing range, said generator including an infrared emitter for emitting the signal, an oscillator/driver for modulating the signal, and a means to vary the output level of said generator; a detector for detecting a modulated infrared signal of the given frequency after it is reflected from a target within the sensing range, said detector including an infrared detector for receiving a modulated signal of the given frequency reflected from a target when the target is within the sensing range, an amplifier for conditioning the reflected modulated signal of the given frequency and, a band pass filter for passing the reflected signal of the given frequency; a digital voice recorder/playback means for recording an announcement and subsequently providing said announcement when a target is within the sensing range, said digital voice recorder/playback means including a digital voice recorder/playback unit, means for providing an audio input to said digital voice recorder/playback unit when said digital voice recorder/playback unit is in a recording mode and, means for storing said audio input as an announcement; speaker means to provide an audible output in response to the announcement signals received from said digital voice recorder/playback unit when said digital voice recorder/playback unit is in a playback mode, said speaker means including a speaker, an amplifier, and, a volume control; a microprocessor operatively connected to said oscillator/driver of said generator to periodically output a modulated signal from said emitter, said microprocessor being operatively connected to said digital voice recorder/playback unit for sending a start signal to said digital voice recorder/playback unit to initiate an announcement when a reflected signal is received at said detector band pass filter, said microprocessor receiving an announcement completion signal from said digital voice recorder/playback unit, said microprocessor adapted to send a parting announcement signal to said digital voice recorder/playback unit, to initiate a parting announcement; means operatively connected to said microprocessor for switching said digital voice recorder/playback unit between play mode and record mode, means operatively connected to said microprocessor for switching said digital voice recorder/playback unit to record or initiate an announcement; and means operatively connected to said microprocessor for switching said digital voice recorder/playback unit to a parting announcement.

Claim 7

A system for presenting automatic verbal announcements comprising: a modulated infrared signal generator having a variable output level for generating a modulated signal of given frequency at a target when the target is within a sensing range, said generator including an infrared emitter for emitting the signal, an oscillator/driver for modulating the signal, and a means to vary the output level of said generator; a detector for detecting a modulated infrared signal of the given frequency after it is reflected from a target within the sensing range, said detector including an infrared detector for receiving a modulated signal of the given frequency reflected from a target when the target is within the sensing range, an amplifier for conditioning the reflected modulated signal of the given frequency and, a band pass filter for passing the reflected signal of the given frequency; a digital voice recorder/playback means for recording an announcement and subsequently providing said announcement when a target is within the sensing range, said digital voice recorder/playback means including a digital voice recorder/playback unit, means for providing an audio input to said digital voice recorder/playback unit when said digital voice recorder/playback unit is in a recording mode and, means for storing said audio input as an announcement; speaker means to provide an audible output in response to the announcement signals received from said digital voice recorder/playback unit when said digital voice recorder/playback unit is in a playback mode, said speaker means including a speaker, an amplifier, and, a volume control; a microprocessor operatively connected to said oscillator/driver of said generator to periodically output a modulated signal from said emitter, said microprocessor being operatively connected to said digital voice recorder/playback unit for sending a start signal to said digital voice recorder/playback unit to initiate an announcement when a reflected signal is received at said detector band pass filter, said microprocessor receiving an announcement completion signal from said digital voice recorder/playback unit, said microprocessor adapted to send a parting announcement signal to said digital voice recorder/playback unit, to initiate a parting announcement; means operatively connected to said microprocessor for switching said digital voice recorder/playback unit between play mode and record mode, means operatively connected to said microprocessor for switching said digital voice recorder/playback unit to record or initiate an announcement; and means operatively connected to said microprocessor for switching said digital voice recorder/playback unit to a parting announcement.