Random display device

Abstract

A random display device is provided including a controller, a switch, an LCD and a power source all coupled to one another forming an electrical circuit located within a housing. The controller is provided with a memory containing a number of messages in the form of written sentences, phrases and/or individual words. In response to actuation of the switch, the controller is effective to randomly select one of the messages and cause it to be displayed on the LCD.

1 . Apparatus for displaying a message, comprising: 
 a controller having a memory containing a number of different messages;    a display coupled to said controller;    a switch coupled to said controller;    a power source coupled to said switch, controller and display;    said controller being effective upon a first actuation of said switch to cause said display to provide a visual indication of a first message, and upon a second actuation of said switch said controller causing said display to provide a visual indication of a second message which is different from said first message.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which each of said first and second messages is a written sentence, phrase or individual word.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said display is a liquid crystal display.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said switch is actuated a number of times, said controller being effective at each switch actuation to randomly select a message from said memory, compare said randomly selected message to the message last displayed and select another message if said randomly selected message is the same as said message last displayed.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus for displaying a message, comprising: 
 a controller having a memory containing a number of different messages;    a display coupled to said controller;    a switch coupled to said controller;    a power source coupled to said switch, controller and display;    said switch being activated a number of times, said controller being effective at each switch actuation to cause said display to provide a visual indication of a selected one of said messages stored in said memory of said controller, said controller being operative upon each switch actuation to compare said selected message to the message previously displayed as a result of an immediately prior switch actuation and to select another message for display if said selected message and said message previously displayed are the same.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  in which each of said first and second messages is a written sentence, phrase or individual word.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  in which said messages display is a liquid crystal display.  
   
   
       8 . The method of displaying a message, comprising: 
 (a) providing a switch and a display each coupled to a controller having a memory containing a number of different messages, said controller being effective to cause said display to provide a visual indication of said messages;    (b) actuating the switch to cause the controller to select one of the messages stored within said memory;    (c) displaying the message selected in step (b) on said display;    (d) actuating the switch again to cause the controller to select one of the messages stored within said memory;    (e) comparing within said controller the message selected in step (d) with the message selected in step (b); and    (f) displaying the message selected in step (d) on said display provided it is different from the message selected in step (b).    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  further including the steps of: 
 selecting another message if the message selected in step (d) is the same as the message selected in step (b); and    displaying said another message on said display.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  in which step (c) comprises displaying a written sentence, phrase or individual word on said display.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  in which step (f) comprises displaying a written sentence, phrase or individual word on said display.