Patent ID: 6543688
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: A47F,G06F,G06Q,G09G

Abstract:
An electronic display module for electronically displaying item data provided in updatable form by a computer, said display module comprising:a multiple tone frequency receiver and detector for receiving message data transmitted by said computer; a timing and control logic circuit coupled to the tone detector for routing, transferring and controlling received message data by said tone detector; a random access memory coupled to said timing and control logic circuit for storing message data from the computer; a read only memory for storing the address code of said display module; a decoder coupled to said read only memory being adapted to determine if address code stored in the read only memory is contained within the message received from said computer; means for electrically connecting said display module to electrical power and signal buses; a second memory coupled to said timing and control logic circuit, said second memory storing the item data provided by said computer when said local address code matches said transmitted address code, said second memory being nonvolatile such that item data is retained in the event of loss of external power; a display driver and electronic display means coupled to said second memory for visually displaying item data provided by said computer; and a tone frequency generator coupled to said control and timing logic for generating and transmitting a display module message to said computer.