Weather forecasting umbrella

Abstract

A weather forecasting umbrella includes a display device in the umbrella's handle that provides a visual indication of the day's weather, such as the probability of precipitation. The display device may take the form of one or more lamps that emit a color, or flash at a varying rate, to indicate forecast weather conditions. The weather forecast that is displayed is preferably obtained using a wireless receiver built into the umbrella that receives data via a wireless paging or cell broadcast network. A display screen may be used to display forecasted information in more detail, including the likelihood of precipitation and / or the forecast high and low temperature for the day.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a non-provisional of, and claims the benefit of the filing date of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 763,861 filed on Jan. 31, 2006. [0002] This application is also a continuation in part of, and claims the benefit of the filing date of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 247,780 filed Sep. 19, 2002 and published as U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003 / 0076369 on Apr. 24, 2003. Application Ser. No. 10 / 247,780 was a non-provisional of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 323,493, filed Sep. 19, 2001, Ser. No. 60 / 358,272, filed Feb. 20, 2002, and Ser. No. 60 / 398,648 filed Jul. 25, 2002. [0003] This application is also a continuation in part of, and claims the benefit of the filing date of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 149,929 filed on Jun. 10, 2005 which is a non-provisional of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 578,629 filed Jun. 10, 2004 and is a continuation in part of the above-noted U.S....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] The preferred embodiment of the invention is an umbrella combined with a display device that forms part of said umbrella and presents information on weather conditions to the user, The display device may be an integral part of the umbrella, or may take the form of an aftermarket product which is attached to an existing umbrella and thereafter carried with the umbrella. The display device may include a display screen for displaying images indicative of said information on weather conditions, such as an icon that graphically portrays at least some of said information on weather conditions, such as the likelihood of rain. The display screen may also display an indication of one or more forecasted temperatures, thereby assisting the user in selecting an appropriate garment to wear when going outside. The displayed temperatures may include both the high and low forecasted temperatures for a selected day. The umbrella may further include a manually operated selector for selecting a particular day and means responsive to said selector for presenting information on weather conditions forecast for that particular day.

[0019] The forecasting umbrella may acquire the weather forecast information from a wireless transmission network, and employ means for rendering at least selected portions of the information acquired by said receiver in perceptible form to said user. A wireless receiver forming part of the umbrella acquires said information from a wireless transmission network such as a wireless paging network or a cellular phone network using a cell broadcast protocol. At least some of the information transmitted by the wireless transmission network to the wireless receiver varies depending on the geographic location of said wireless receiver; for example, the weather forecast information for a geographic region that includes the location of the wireless receiver may be displayed, allowing the forecasting umbrella to automatically display forecast information for the region in which it is currently located, and if it is moved to a new and different geographic region, to automatically display the forecast to that new region without requiring any action by the user.

[0021] Thus, umbrella users can use either or both satellite and local forecasts to assist with informed decision as to whether or not an umbrella will provide utility in the short term. Embodiments of the present invention may integrate of these forecasting technologies into the actual umbrella such that the umbrella itself informs the user whether or not it is likely to provide utility in the near term. This removes the need for any external media to provide forecasting information. A quick look at the umbrella itself indicates whether or not it should be utilized.

Problems solved by technology

While some umbrellas are small and portable and can be reasonably stowed in a backpack, purse, or briefcase, even these compact umbrellas are sufficiently unwieldy that most people don't carry them continuously.

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