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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to display devices, and, more particularly, to a device operative to display random messages such as a sentence, phrase or individual words while ensuring that successive messages are different from one another.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, a toy has been sold under the name “Magic 8 Ball” or similar designation. The toy comprises a hollow round ball at least partially filled with a liquid containing a number of messages written on small strips of plastic or the like. One surface of the ball has a flattened area forming a display panel. To operate the device, one shakes the ball causing the strips to float around within its interior. At some point, one of the strips surfaces at the display panel in position for the message printed on it to be read by the user.

Devices of this type were notoriously easy to break and/or malfunction. A child using it tended to shake the ball too hard, or drop it, causing the messages to fail to register in position at the display panel. Additionally, a limited number of messages were provided within the interior of the ball and very often the same message would appear time after time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a random display device including a controller, a switch, a display such as a liquid crystal display (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 written messages such as 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.

An important aspect of this invention is the ability of the controller to ensure that different messages are displayed as a result of successive switch actuations. After one message is displayed and the switch is thereafter actuated, the controller first randomly selects another message from its memory and then compares that message to the one previously displayed. If the newly selected message is different from the immediately preceding one, the new message is displayed. If not, the controller selects another message to display which is different from the preceding one.

The display device of this invention is entertaining for younger children and not nearly as susceptible to damage as the old “Magic 8 Ball” type of toy. Additionally, the controller ensures that successive messages are different from one another which adds to the enjoyment of playing with the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure, operation and advantages of the presently preferred embodiment of this invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the display device of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting the operation of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the display device herein; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, the display device 10 of this invention includes a housing 12 having handles 14 and 16 which mounts a button switch 18 and an LCD display 20. An electrical circuit 22 is carried within the housing 12, which, in addition to the switch 18 and LCD display 20, comprises a battery 24, two capacitors 26 and 28 arranged in parallel and a controller 30. The controller 30 is preferably an integrated circuit such as one commercially available under Model No. ET50C030 from ______ [company name].

The controller 30 is provided with a memory which contains a number of written messages in the form of sentences, phrases or individual words either alone or in combination with numbers, symbols and the like. Generally, the display device 10 is operative to display different messages on the LCD display 20 upon actuation of the button switch 18 for the entertainment of children and others using the device 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the operation of the display device 10 is discussed in detail. Initially, when the device 10 is powered up as indicated schematically in box 32, the LCD display 20 is activated, as at box 34, and lights up. Within a short period of time, such as about two seconds, the LCD display 20 goes into a standby mode, as at box 36. The controller 30 continuously monitors the state of the switch 18, as indicated at box 38. If the switch 18 is depressed and held in that position for more than about two seconds, as shown in box 40, the LCD display 20 is illuminated again and then returns to the standby mode. A switch actuation of less than about two seconds in duration causes the controller 30 to randomly select a message from its memory as schematically depicted in box 42.

One important aspect of this invention is to provide a number of different messages on the LCD display 20, wherein successive messages are different from one another, especially one message immediately following another message. Box 44 is representative of the comparison function performed by the controller 30. A message is randomly selected by the controller 30 as a result of a “new” switch actuation, as at box 42. This newly selected message is compared to the “previous” message, i.e., the one displayed after the immediately preceding switch actuation, as depicted in box 44. The controller 30 checks to see if the newly selected message is different from the immediately preceding one shown on the LCD display 20, as represented in box 46. If the answer is “yes,” then the newly selected message is visually indicated in written form on the LCD display 20, as represented by box 48. If not, as represented by the “no” indication to the left of box 46, then the controller 30 repeats the process of selecting a new message and comparing it to the preceding one shown in boxes 42, 44 and 46 and discussed above.

After displaying a new message on the LCD display 20, the controller 30 is ready to receive a new signal from the switch 18 as illustrated at the bottom of FIG. 2 in box 50. The controller 30 monitors the status of the switch 18, and as indicated at box 52, if no new switch actuation signal is received within about 15 seconds from the last switch actuation, then the LCD display 20 goes into the standby mode at box 36. In the event of a switch actuation which is less than about 2 seconds, as at box 54, the controller 30 begins the selection of a new message and comparison sequence described above in connection with a discussion of boxes 42, 44 and 46. A switch actuation having a duration of more than about 2 seconds causes the LCD display 20 to activate, at box 34, and light up as discussed above.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. For example, the “messages” displayed on the LCD display 20 have been characterized in the preceding discussion as comprising written sentences, phrases and words either alone or in combination with numbers, symbols or the like. It should be understood that other visual indicators could appear on the LCD display 20, such as designs, graphical representations and the like, all of which are considered “messages” as that term is used herein.

Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

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.