Passive display unit and system and method of use

Abstract

A device for displaying messages includes a passive display unit having a display screen, a receiver that receives downloaded information and a processor for processing and storing the downloaded information and providing control to the passive display unit. The display system may include a computer which stores information and a transceiver which downloads and stores the information received from the computer. A method of transmitting and displaying information on the passive display unit is also provided.

1 . A device for displaying information, comprising a passive, mobile display unit having a display screen, a receiver that receives downloaded information and a processor for processing and storing the downloaded information and providing control to the passive, mobile display unit to display the information on the display screen.  
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the display screen is a single line, multiple line or graphic display.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor includes memory for storing the information.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver includes at least one infrared data port, a radio frequency (RF) port and cellular port to receive the downloaded information.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein during the download of information, the processor ceases display operations and activates the display screen when the download is completed.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein during the download of information, the display screen continues to display the information.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein during the download of information, the display screen displays default information loaded within memory of the display unit until the download is completed.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one of a motion sensor and a timer to activate the display screen.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein after a successful download is received the passive display unit ignores any erroneous data input and begins displaying the information on the display screen.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an anti-theft device.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the anti-theft device is a global positioning system or RF triangulation.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the anti-theft device includes a sound or light alarm or circuitry for activating a wheel-locking mechanism which is activated when the passive display unit is moved beyond a determined range from a central location.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the display screen is one of a plasma display, an organic light emitting diode (LED) display and active matrix LCD display.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver is an infrared or radio frequency (RF) receiver.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the infrared receiver communicates at an effective data rate of about 115,200 bits per second and is sensitive to establish an error-free transmission at a distance of about 18 inches, and    the RF receiver communicates at an effective data rate of about 5,000 to 10,000 bits per second and is sensitive to establish an error-free transmission at a distance of about up to at least 300 yards.    
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a power module to power the display screen, processor and receiver.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the power module includes a sleep command to conserve energy and battery life.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the passive display unit includes a transmitter for message verification and is absent of any user controls.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the passive display unit is void of user inputs.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the passive display unit is not activated via a trigger signal.  
     
     
         21 . A passive display system, comprising: 
 a computer which downloads and stores information;    a transceiver which downloads and stores the information received from the computer; and    a passive, mobile display unit which receives the information stored in the transceiver, at any location, and displays the information on a display screen.    
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the passive, mobile display unit is programmed by the transceiver independent of any location of the passive, mobile display.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the transceiver is one of a mobile and a fixed transceiver.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the mobile transceiver includes: 
 an internal receiver that receives the information from the computer;    an infrared transmitter for transmitting the information to the passive display unit;    a processing unit controls functions of the internal paging receiver and the infrared transmitter; and    a protected port connector to allow initial parameters to be entered, and allow various message buffers to be downloaded into the mobile transceiver.    
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the internal receiver is field programmable and is capable of receiving a minimum of four (4) cap codes.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the infrared transmitter communicates at an effective data rate of approximately 115,200 bits per second and at an intensity or signal strength to establish an error free transmission at a distance of about 18 inches.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the processor is pre-programmed to at least one of: 
 (i) separate data and commands structure packets buffering each for proper inclusion and execution;    (ii) assemble the data in form and sequence for download;    (iii) save the information in event of a power loss or failure;    (iv) store at least two complete unique downloads;    (v) receive, load, and change to alternate operational software on command;    (vi) switch between transmitted message downloads on a time-based command;    (vii) continuous transmit of the data on external command;    (viii) adjust the clock time with a received command;    (ix) store and load cap codes with the time-based command; and    (x) store and change frequency with the time-based command.    
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein: 
 the passive, mobile display unit includes a RF receiver, and the transceiver includes: 
 an RF receiver for receiving information from the computer; and  
 an RF transmitter for transmitting the information to the passive, mobile display unit,  
 wherein the transceiver is one of a fixed and mobile transceiver.  
   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the passive, mobile display unit includes: 
 an infrared receiving unit for receiving the information from the transceiver; and    a processing unit for processing the information from the transceiver.    
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the processing unit includes a motion sensor and an anti-theft unit.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the processing unit includes a motion sensor and an anti-theft unit.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the display screen is one of (i) a single or multiple line LCD display screen, (ii) a plasma display screen, (iii) a graphical display, (iv) organic light emitting diode (LED) display and (iv) active matrix LCD display.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the passive, mobile display unit includes one of a motion sensor and a timer to activate the display screen.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein: 
 during the download of the information, the processor ceases display operations and activates the display screen when the download is completed; and    after a successful download is received the passive display unit ignores any erroneous data input and begins displaying the information.    
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein during the download of information, the display screen continues to display the information.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein during the download of information, the display screen displays default information loaded within memory of the display unit until the download is completed.  
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the passive display unit transmits message verification.  
     
     
         38 . A passive display system, comprising: 
 a computer which stores and transmits information;    a remote off-site transceiver receiving and transmitting the information received from the computer; and    a passive, mobile display unit which receives the information from the transceiver, and displays the information on a display screen.    
     
     
         39 . A method of transmitting and displaying information on a passive display unit, comprising the steps of: 
 downloading information from a computer system to a mobile transceiver unit;    locating at least one passive display unit;    placing the mobile transceiver unit in proximity to the passive display unit; and    transmitting the information from the mobile transceiver unit to a receiver in the at least one passive display unit.    
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising the step of ceasing display operations during the download of the information.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein during the download of information, the display screen continues to display the information.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein during the download of information, the display screen displays default information loaded within memory of the display unit until the download is completed.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising activating the display screen when the download is completed and ignoring any erroneous data input.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the downloaded information may be downloaded from one of (i) internet, (ii) intranet, (iii) telephone, (iv) email and (vi) wireless.  
     
     
         45 . A method of transmitting and displaying information on a passive display unit, comprising the steps of: 
 downloading information to a computer system;    transmitting the downloaded information to a single transceiver unit;    locating at least one passive display unit; and    transmitting the information from the single transceiver unit to a receiver in the at least one passive display unit regardless of a location of the at least one passive display unit within a retail environment.    
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising the step of ceasing display operations during the download of the information.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the downloaded information may be downloaded from one of (i) internet, (ii) intranet, (iii) telephone, (iv) email and (vi) wireless.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the transmitting information to the receiver and transceiver is accomplished by RF signals.