WO2009003480A2

WO2009003480A2 - An electronic signboard

Info

Publication number: WO2009003480A2
Application number: PCT/DK2008/000248
Authority: WO
Inventors: Søren Johan LARSEN; Carsten Brysting
Original assignee: Idt-Form Holding Aps
Priority date: 2007-07-03
Filing date: 2008-07-03
Publication date: 2009-01-08
Also published as: WO2009003480A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of electronic signboards comprising a display means for displaying names, messages or other information in such a manner that this information can be clearly perceived and understood even at relatively large distances from the signboard such as at distances up to at least 20 to 30 meters from the signboard. An embodiment of the invention comprises basically a main body (2) provided with a display screen (3) and means (4) for entering information items or for altering information items stored in memory means in the electronic signboard. And holder means (6) extending from the main body (2) of the electronic signboard, whereby the display screen (3) to be located sufficiently high above the head of the user to be clearly visible to persons in a crowded area.

Description

AN ELECTRONIC SIGNBOARD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of electronic signboards comprising a display means for displaying names, messages or other information in such a manner that this information can be clearly perceived and understood even at relatively large distances from the signboard such as at distances up to at least 20 to 30 meters from the signboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic signboards as such are known within the art. Thus DE 44 08 951 A1 describes a portable communications device that for instance may be attached to the clothing of a person. An object of the device is for instance to provide messages to other persons about the wearers needs and desires in order to facilitate getting in contact with other people, who may then respond to such needs, desires etc. The device may thus be worn by a person in a discotheque or by a person who provides certain services, such as a tourist guide, who wants to draw other peoples attention to him, or by handicapped persons, such as persons suffering from speech impairment and who wants to or needs to communicate with others. The device comprises a display unit that can be controlled from a control unit. The display unit is provided with a storage means for storing pictures etc. to be shown on the display. It is also possible to edit the stored pictures etc. Furthermore it is described that pre-designed pictures can be transferred to the display unit from a compact disc.

DE 198 22 407 A1 describes a variable badge that may be used for finding unknown persons in a crowd, for instance when a person is to be picked up in a railway station or an airport. The object of the disclosed device is to provide a reusable badge that may display variable information items and that may be immediately applicable due to its programmability. The device comprises a display unit and a control unit. The information that is to be transferred to the device can be transferred via a serial interface means from an external computer. The data transfer may also take place by wireless means, for instance infrared means.

GB 2 393 548 A describes an electronic display that is sufficiently small to allow it to be carried in the hand or in a pocket. Control means on the display unit allows messages to be written from a keyboard on the unit or being selected for display from an internal memory. It is envisaged to use the electronic display at locations where verbal communication is difficult for instance due to heavy background noise.

WO 03/010710 describes a wearable electronic badge that is designed to be attached to the clothing of a wearer. The information displayed on the display means can for instance be transferred to the electronic badge via a wireless Bluetooth connection. Data entry can also be accomplished from a keyboard or by using a touch screen as display screen. It is mentioned that delegates at exhibitions could download their name badges to be displayed, thereby saving time for it to be printed or hand written. It is furthermore mentioned that additionally such persons might choose to display who they were looking for, or if trying to network such persons could display special interests.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

On the above background it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic signboard with display means making it possible to display names, messages or other information in such a manner that this information can be clearly perceived and understood even at relatively large distances from the signboard such as at distances up to at least 20 to 30 meters from the signboard and also in situations where many persons are present, some of which may obscure visibility of the signboard.

The electronic signboard according to the invention comprises according to a preferred embodiment means for holding and supporting the signboard in an easy and ergonomically correct manner, such that a person may hold the signboard in an elevated position above his head for optimal display of the items on the display of the signboard, without the person holding the signboard being exposed to unacceptable stress and fatigue, for instance in the hands, arms or shoulders of the person, even if the signboard has to be held in this elevated position for a prolonged period of time. Furthermore according to an embodiment of the invention these means for holding and supporting the electronic signboard are designed such that when not in use they can be collapsed/retracted and stored in or immediately adjacent the body of the signboard, the signboard as a whole then assuming a compact and easily portable unity, with dimensions that render this unit easily portable. The electronic signboard according to the invention furthermore advantageously comprises means for entering and/or altering said names, messages or other information if required. Such means could comprise a traditional keyboard, but one or more names, messages or other information items could also be pre-stored in an electronic memory device, such as an USB key for easy transfer to the electronic signboard of the invention, either directly to the display means in the signboard or to internal storage means in the signboard.

The present invention provides an electronic signboard offering the advantages of being able to easily and quickly change the information (names, pictures and other information items) that is displayed on a display screen on the electronic signboard and furthermore provided with holder and support means that are ergonomically advantageous for a person holding the signboard over extended periods of time, which holder and support means - when not in use - can furthermore be collapsed/retracted and stored in or at the body of the signboard for facilitating transport and storage of the electronic signboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the figures of the drawing, where:

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an electronic signboard according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of holder means for an electronic signboard according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of alternative holder means according to an embodiment of the invention; and;

Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a tilting member for use with the electronic signboard according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to figure 1 , the electronic signboard 1 according to the invention basically comprises a main body 2 provided with a display screen 3 and an optional keyboard 4 for entering new information items (for instance a name as shown in figure 1 ) or for altering information items already stored in a memory in the electronic signboard. The keyboard 4 can, when not in use, be covered with a protective cover 5, if desired. A cover (not shown) may also be provided over the display screen. New information items or other pertinent data can optionally be transferred from an external storage means, such as the USB key 8 shown in the figure, via a serial data interface 7 in the electronic signboard.

During actual use, for instance when picking up an unknown person in an airport or railway station, it will often not be enough simply to hold the signboard itself by hand at the level of the users body, but it may be necessary to locate the signboard at a higher vertical level, above the users head, to make it possible to be seen in a crowded area. Holding the signboard by hand at a position above the head will require the user holding the signboard in outstretched arms above his head, a posture that will cause the user unacceptable stress and fatigue if kept for an extended period of time. In order to solve this problem the electronic signboard according to the invention is furthermore provided with a bar 6 extending from the main body 2 of the electronic signboard over a sufficient length to enable the display screen 3 to be located sufficiently high above the head of the user to be clearly visible to all persons in a crowded area.

It is furthermore advantageous that, when not in use, said bar 6 can be collapsed or retracted into a state, where it can be fully kept within the confines of the main body 2 of the signboard thereby forming a compact unit with the signboard. A number of alternative embodiments of a holder bar system according to the invention is shown in figures 2 through 4.

During actual use of the electronic signboard in a crowd it may be necessary to draw the attention of a person to the signboard and hence to the user of the signboard. According to the invention this object could be attained by the signboard being provided with means for making all or chosen information items displayed on the display screen 3 flashing or otherwise changing their appearance over time in a manner that will draw a persons attention to the information displayed on the signboard. Complementary or alternatively the main body 2 or portions of the main body 2 of the signboard may be made to change appearance over time for instance by providing the main body with light emitting surfaces that change emission of light (light intensity or colour) over time.

As a further means of drawing a persons attention to the signboard during use the electronic signboard according to the invention may be provided with auditory means, such as a loudspeaker, that upon activation by the user may emit sound signals for drawing attention to the signboard. As a more sophisticated auditory means the electronic signboard according to the invention may comprise electronic sound processing means for converting written information items displayed on the screen or stored in memory in the signboard to a corresponding sound signal that can be emitted from the loudspeaker. Thus for instance the name "Mr. John Johnson" shown on the display screen in figure 1 may by such means be emitted as a sound signal at appropriate intervals during actual use.

Referring now to figure 2 there is schematically shown a first embodiment of holder means for the electronic signboard according to the invention. The shown holder means are accommodated within the main body 2 of the signboard but they could alternative have been provided externally of the main body 2, preferably on the rear surface 12 of the main body. The shown holder means comprises a telescopic arrangement of bar members 9, 9', 9" that can be substantially cylindrical as shown in figure 2(a) and (b), although one alternative would be substantially rectangular bar members as shown in cross sectional view in figure 2(c).

An alternative holder means is shown in figure 3, where the rear portion 12 of the main body 2 has been provided with a dovetail groove 13 for accommodating a telescopic arrangement of correspondingly shaped bar members 14, 14', 14", where the outer bar member 14 can slide within the dovetail groove 13.

The bar members of the holder means may be extended from retraced storage position in or at the main body of the signboard to an extended state and back again to the storage position either by purely manual means or by automatic, for instance electric, means. Furthermore, as shown in figure 4 there may be provided a tilting member, a hinge or the like, 15, whereby the main body 2 can be tilted as indicated by the angle α in the vertically elevated position to provide persons in a surrounding crowd with a better view of the information items on the display screen.

Claims

1. An electronic signboard comprising basically a main body (2) provided with a display screen (3) and means (4) for entering information items or for altering information items stored in memory means in the electronic signboard.

2. An electronic signboard according to claim 1 , furthermore comprising a cover (5) for covering said means (4) for entering or altering information.

3. An electronic signboard according to claim 1 or 2, furthermore comprising a cover for covering said display screen (3).

4. An electronic signboard according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein said means (4) for entering or altering information is a keyboard.

5. An electronic signboard according to any of the preceding claims, furthermore comprising a data interface (7) through which data from an external storage means, such as a USB key (8) can be transferred to or from the electronic signboard.

6. An electronic signboard according to any of the preceding claims, furthermore comprising holder means (6) extending from the main body (2) of the electronic signboard, whereby the display screen (3) to be located sufficiently high above the head of the user to be clearly visible to aW persons in a crowded area.

7. An electronic signboard according to claim 6, wherein said holder means comprises a telescopic arrangement of bar members (9, 9', 9"; 14, 14', 14").

8. An electronic signboard according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said holder means can be brought to a retraced state, where the holder means are accommodated within the main body (2) of the signboard or externally on a surface of the main body 2, preferably on the rear surface (12) of the main body.

9. An electronic signboard according to any of the preceding claims 6, 7 or 8, wherein said holder means (6; 9, 9', 9"; 11 , 11', 11") are substantially cylindrical or substantially rectangular.

10. An electronic signboard according to any of the preceding claims 6, 7 or 8, wherein the holder means (14, 14' 14") has a substantially trapezoidal cross section, whereby they can be accommodated in a correspondingly shaped passage or groove (13) in said main body (2).

11. An electronic signboard according to claim 6, wherein said holder means are provided at a surface portion, preferably the rear portion (12) of the main body (2), where the main body (2) has been provided with a dovetail groove (13) for accommodating a telescopic arrangement of correspondingly shaped bar members (14, 14', 14"), where the outer bar member (14) can slide within the dovetail groove (13).

12. An electronic signboard according to any of the preceding claims 6 to 11 , wherein said holder means can be brought from an retraced storage position to an extended state and vice versa either by automatic, for instance electric, means.

13. An electronic signboard according to any of the preceding claims, furthermore provided with a tilting member (15), whereby the main body (2) can be tilted (α), whereby persons in a surrounding crowd can obtain with an improved view of information items on the display screen (3).

14. An electronic signboard according to any of the preceding claims, furthermore comprising means for making all or chosen information items displayed on the display screen (3) flashing or otherwise changing their appearance over time, whereby attention will be drawn to the information displayed on the screen (3).

15. An electronic signboard according to any of the preceding claims furthermore comprising means for changing the appearance of the main body (2) or portions hereof over time, said means comprising light emitting surfaces provided on the signboard, which means change emission of light (light intensity or colour) over time.

16. An electronic signboard according to any of the preceding claims furthermore comprising auditory means, such as a loudspeaker, that upon activation by the user will emit sound signals for drawing attention to the signboard.

17. An electronic signboard according to any of the preceding claims furthermore comprising electronic sound processing means for converting written information items displayed on the screen (3) or stored in memory in the signboard to a corresponding sound signal that can be emitted from sound emitting means in the signboard, for instance a loudspeaker.