Patent ID: 6088008
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: G09F,G09G

Abstract:
A variable message display sign having a power source and operative to display a variable message, comprising:(a) a plurality of interchangeable character displays each having a plurality of signal elements organized in a plurality of distinct sets, each said signal element having an on state and an off state;(b) a controller located remotely from said character displays and operative to produce an address signal containing character address data for identifying an addressed character display which resides at a desired address location within said message display sign, a set signal containing set address data for identifying an addressed set of signal elements and a data signal containing display data corresponding to desired on/off states for each signal element in the addressed state;(c) a logic circuit associated with each of said character displays and having a unique character address therefor, each said logic circuit secured to a respective one of said character displays and having a memory operative in response to the address signal containing character address data corresponding to the unique character address of said logic circuit to receive and store the display data according to the set address data for an addressed set of signal elements, said logic circuit operative to switch the signal elements of its associated character display to a desired pattern of an on/off states according to the display data stored in said memory thereby to display a desired character irrespective of which one of said plurality of character displays resides at the desired address location; and(d) a data bus interconnected said controller and said logic circuits whereby said character address data, said set address data and said display data is communicated.