| 摘要 |
The present invention provides a visual messaging device for use with a high speed network. The message data is communicated to the network by a remote device, such as a computer or server. The visual messaging device includes a network interface circuit that receives the message data from the network and arranges it in a memory unit in usable form (packets) for use by a processor at the high network speed. The processor includes a central processing unit (CPU) and is a multi-tasking device, which sequences the messages in real time for display by the display device according to programmed instructions stored or provided to the visual messaging device. A display driver activates and deactivates the visual elements, such as individual LEDs, according to the processor's instructions. The various elements of the visual messaging device communicate in real time over a common data bus. The network may be a local area network, wide area network or the internet. A first memory stores the available messages from the receiver in a selected format for use by said processor and a second memory stores programs or programmed instructions. A common data bus provides two-way communications means for the processor, memories, network interface and the display driver. The processor provides status reports of the messages to the remote unit at the network speed.
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