HK1090463A1 - Interactive and dynamic electronic floor advertising/messaging displaying - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a floor display system comprising a floor covering and an electronic display device associated with the floor covering. The electronic display device is able to display electronically modifiable arbitrary content. The floor display system further comprises a controller and a sensing device coupled to the controller. The sensing device is associated with a specific location on the display device and generates a signal to the controller to cause a content of a display of the display device to be modified or newly generated at the specific location.

Description

Dynamic interactive electronic ground advertising/information display

This application claims the rights under 35 u.s.c. § 119(e) to provisional application No. 60/441,408 filed on 22/1/2003 in the united states of america. This application is also a continuation-in-part application of co-pending application No. 10/682,435 filed on 10.10.2003. The 10/682,435 application is a continuation-in-part application of the 10/438,923 co-pending application filed on 16/5/2003. Application No. 10/438,923 is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending application No. 10/285,639 filed on 1/11/2002, whereas application No. 10/285,639 is a continuation-in-application of application No. 10/137,357 filed on 3/5/2002, and issued as patent No. us 6,507,285 on 14/1/2003. 10/137,357 is a continuation of the 09/767,84 application filed 24.1.2001, issued as U.S. patent No. 6,417,778 at 9.7.2002. The 09/767,846 application is a continuation of the 09/418,752 application filed on 15.10.1999 and has been abandoned. The 09/418,752 application is a continuation-in-part application filed on 4.5.1999 and published on 24.4.2001 as an application for U.S. patent No. 6,219,876. Each of the above applications is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a floor display system and a method.

Background

Advertisements and other types of information distribution are typically presented in "vertical spaces": i.e. billboards, walls, ceiling mounted displays, etc. On the other hand, one of the spaces that has great potential for advertising and information distribution but is largely ignored is the terrestrial space, which is called "horizontal space".

There have been attempts to advertise using floor space. It is known to affix a pattern. Such stickers include color graphics that convey some advertising information, such as "cola drinks". Such advertising media are limited due to the fact that the information is static and not easily changed. In addition, U.S. patent No. 6,417,778, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a ground-associated electronic display that is modifiable such that images and text are easily changed, allowing advertising information to quickly fit and be efficiently directed to targeted customers.

The interactive nature of floor display systems may increase their utility and commercial requirements. For example, U.S. patent No. 10/438,923, filed by Blumet al, 16, 2003, describes a floor display system that includes multiple interactive features for different business or other public applications. The present disclosure relates to a number of excellent improvements and enhancements to such floor display systems.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor display system including: a floor covering for placement on a floor and comprising at least one incline sloping downward and away from a top surface of the floor covering to the floor; an electronic display device associated with the floor covering and in a plane substantially parallel to the floor, wherein the electronic display device is for displaying any content that is electronically alterable, wherein the floor covering is adapted to at least partially support the position of the electronic display device; a controller; and a sensor coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is associated with a particular location on the display device and is configured to generate a signal to the controller such that the displayed content of the display device is altered or recreated at the particular location.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor display system including: a floor covering for placement on a floor and comprising at least one incline sloping downward and away from a top surface of the floor covering to the floor; an electronic display device associated with the floor covering and in a plane substantially parallel to the floor, wherein the electronic display device is for displaying any content that is electronically alterable, wherein the floor covering is adapted to at least partially support the position of the electronic display device; a controller; and a plurality of sensors coupled to the controller for generating images on the electronic display device that track movement of objects.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor display system including: a floor covering for placement on a floor and comprising at least one incline sloping downward and away from a top surface of the floor covering to the floor; an electronic display device associated with a floor covering and in a plane substantially parallel to the floor, wherein the electronic display device is for displaying any content that is electronically alterable, wherein the floor covering is adapted to at least partially support a position of the electronic display device; a controller; a sensor coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is associated with a particular location on the display device and is configured to generate a signal to the controller such that the displayed content of the display device is altered or recreated at the particular location; and a signaling device coupled to the controller for signaling display content corresponding to the electronic display device.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ground display method including: (a) providing a floor display system within a commercial establishment, the floor display system having an electronic display device, a controller, and a sensor coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is associated with a particular location on the display device and is configured to generate a signal to the controller such that the displayed content of the display device is altered or recreated at the particular location; (b) displaying content on the floor display system, the content relating to a promotion or advertisement for a product within the commercial establishment, the content comprising an electronically alterable verbal message; (c) providing a signaling device coupled to the floor display system in proximity to the product; and (d) in response to step (b), causing said signaling device to emit a signal.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor display system including: a floor covering for placement on a floor; an electronic display device associated with the floor covering and in a plane substantially parallel to the floor, wherein the electronic display device is for displaying any content that is electronically alterable, wherein the floor covering is adapted to at least partially support the position of the electronic display device; a controller; and a sensor coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is associated with a particular location on the display device and is configured to generate a signal to the controller such that the displayed content of the display device is altered or recreated at the particular location, wherein the sensor is sensitive to light.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor display system including: a floor covering for placement on a floor; an electronic display device associated with the floor covering and in a plane substantially parallel to the floor, wherein the electronic display device is for displaying any content that is electronically alterable, wherein the floor covering is adapted to at least partially support the position of the electronic display device; a controller; and a plurality of sensors coupled to the controller, wherein the sensors are associated with a particular location on the display device for generating a signal to the controller such that displayed content of the display device is altered or re-generated at the particular location.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor display system including: a floor covering for placement on a floor; an electronic display device associated with the floor covering and in a plane substantially parallel to the floor, wherein the electronic display device is for displaying any content that is electronically alterable, wherein the floor covering is adapted to at least partially support the position of the electronic display device; a controller; a sensor coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is associated with a particular location on the display device and is configured to generate a signal to the controller such that the displayed content of the display device is altered or recreated at the particular location; and a generally vertical or inclined display device.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a floor display system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a floor display system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a sensor array according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows another example of a sensor array according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 and 6 illustrate a floor display system including an audio device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7A-7C illustrate an example of operation of a floor display system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows a floor display system according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the transparent body does not comprise a supporting framework.

FIG. 9 illustrates a floor display system including a generally vertical or inclined display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 illustrates a floor display system including a signaling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 shows more details of a signaling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to floor display systems. The floor display system may be located in a public place, such as a commercial building or other public building, and configured to display electronically alterable content, such as advertising and or other informational content. More specifically, the floor display system includes a floor covering and an electronic display device in communication with the floor covering. The electronic display device may display any content that is electronically alterable. The floor display system also includes a controller and a sensor coupled to the controller. The sensor is associated with a particular location on the display device and generates a signal to the controller to cause the display content at the particular location of the display device to be altered or recreated. This creates an eye-catching effect on the display device, as described in more detail below, resulting in enhanced utility and commercial needs for the floor display system.

As mentioned above, U.S. patent No. 6,417,778 discloses a system for electronically transmitting information through a floor display. More specifically, the floor display includes a modifiable electronic display surface presentation, such as a liquid crystal display. The display may be connected to a computer where the computer generated image is displayed. Thus, the image on the display can be modified by generating and displaying a different computer image on the display. The display may be associated with a bottom portion of the floor covering, such as in a recess thereof or an upwardly facing bottom surface of an insert portion of the floor covering. Alternatively, the display may be integrated in the bottom or the insert portion. This modifiable display can display most different graphics in different ways. For example, the graphics may be displayed in a fixed position as is commonly used on a display or may be scrolled across the display, two typical methods of use being to display multiple graphics individually or in combination.

Another method of modifying the graphics displayed on the floor covering includes using light emitting polymers to create and thereby replace the graphics. The light emitting polymer may be applied to or mixed with a floor covering. The light emitting polymer may be used anywhere on the floor covering, such as the base or insert portion, or other portions of the different embodiments of the floor covering. Luminescent polymers are known and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,945,502, 5,869,350, and 5,571,626, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Other options for the display are with electronic ink or electrical paper (electronic paper). Electrical paper is available from Xerox, and is described in U.S. patents 5,723,204, 5,604,027, 4,126,854, and 4,143,103, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Electrical paper uses thousands of tiny, hair-wide, charged particles called Gyricon to create pixels. These two-color particles are embedded in a thin liquid-filled plastic sheet that forms the surface of the electrical paper. Each particle, half white and half black, rotates in response to an electric field. The orientation of the black or white surface of the particles determines the image. The electrical paper power is only a small fraction of that used by a conventional display because there is no need to refresh the image and the screen is not reflective. Electromagnetic pens and printer-like devices are used to capture images onto paper.

Electronic Ink is available from E-Ink, Inc. located at 45 Spinelli PI, Cambridge, MA 02138. The electronic ink uses a micro-power display system enclosed in micro-capsules. The pixels are created by tiny capsules captured between two thin plastic layers. Alternatively, the vesicles may be sprayed onto a surface. The result is a modifiable display material. The microcapsules are transparent and contain a mixture of black ink and white pigment flakes. Electric charge is transferred through the microcapsules. Depending on the magnitude of the static charge, the paint chips float to the top or sink to the bottom of each capsule. When the paint chips float to the top of the capsule, the surface becomes white. When positioned at the bottom, i.e. under the ink, the surface turns black. Both states are stable: black or white. The transparent electromagnetic grid on the surface of the sheet controls the shape of the image. The display may be wirelessly connected to the computer and thus to the world wide web using, for example, a Motorala paging system. If multiple displays are used, the text on all displays can be changed at once using one editor, through the web page.

According to particular embodiments of the present invention, the floor display system may be implemented using the additional or alternative techniques described above. As used herein, "floor" refers to a floor, or other surface that includes concrete, carpet, wood, linoleum, rubber, polyvinyl film, or other similar material. FIG. 1 illustrates a floor display system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The floor display system 100 includes an electronic display device 101 that is associated with a floor covering 102. More specifically, the display device 101 is at least partially attached to the floor covering 102, or is supported by, or contained within the floor covering 102, or is associated with the floor covering 102. The floor covering 102 and the associated electronic display device 101 may take a variety of structural forms, may be constructed from a number of materials, and is not limited to the specific forms described herein. In an embodiment, the floor covering 102 and the electronic display device 101 are designed for use in places where people are present (e.g., wheeled shopping carts) or other vehicles. The floor covering and electronic display device may thus be sufficiently strong and durable to be repeatedly stepped upon, walked upon, or have a shopping cart or other rolling or sliding object ride over, which produces negligible adverse effects on the floor covering and display device. The electronic display device may have, for example, a rugged protective cover that is transparent or translucent so that the electronic display can be seen through the protective cover, and that protects the electronic display device from damage from feet or other vehicles, such as rubbing, squeezing, nicking, scratching, or damage caused by dust in the environment, and the floor covering 102 may be fixed to the ground or made portable so that it can be easily moved to different locations.

The floor covering 102 may include a plurality of sloped surfaces 131, 132, 133, and 134 that slope downwardly away from a top surface (which may be the surface of the protective covering of the display device 101 described above) such that the entire perimeter of the floor covering appears as a slope to an approaching person. For example, such a structure allows for the convenient passage of pedestrians or wheeled shopping carts while the floor covering is located in the aisles of a commercial establishment.

The electronic display device 101 associated with the floor covering 102 may be configured to display the electronic graphic images and alphanumeric data in a static (not moving or changing) or dynamic (e.g., scrolling or moving, changing) manner. More specifically, the electronic display device 101 is coupled to the controller 103 by wired or wireless means, and the content selected by the user is displayed in an altered manner by the controller 103. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, an electronic display device 101 may be coupled to a controller 103 via display driver circuitry, such as a video graphics adapter card 105. The controller 103 may comprise any kind of electronic logic circuit: for example, a general purpose microprocessor configurable by software, or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). The driver 105 of the electronic display device may be integrated within the controller 103 or built into the ASIC. The controller may also take the form of a single board computer with a processor and memory, one or more display driver circuits built into the board, and a wireless element to communicate with the outside world or to load data into the memory.

The controller may also be coupled to a storage medium 104, and the storage medium 104 may be in the form of a medium suitable for storing digital data, including RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory), flash memory or other stable solid state electronic memory, EEPROM (electronically erasable and programmable read only memory), magnetic media, or optical disk storage. The storage medium 104 may store control software, as executed by the controller 103, and video content that is selected for display on the electronic display device 101 under the control of the control software. A user interface (not shown) such as a keyboard and mouse personal computer may be coupled to the controller such that the controller is configured with specific user inputs, such as specific video and/or audio outputs generated by specific control programs. An audio device 111 may also be coupled to the controller 103 via a sound card 110. Under the control of the controller 103, the audio device 111 may output the selected sound content stored in the storage medium 104. Portions of the floor display system may be powered by a power supply 114. The floor display system further includes sensors 113 to implement various interactive functions of the floor display system. The sensor 113 may be coupled to the controller 113 to provide a signal. The connection of the sensors and the controller may be wired or wireless.

Data may be stored in the storage medium 104 using, for example, a data port 106, the data port 106 being coupled to a general system bus. The bus is, for example, a USB (universal serial bus) type. The floor display system also includes a wireless port 107 implemented with a wireless WAN/LAN card. The floor display system 100 may be coupled to and communicate with a network 125 via a wireless port 107. The network may be any type of network, including a Wide Area Network (WAN), such as the Internet, or a Local Area Network (LAN), including, for example, other floor display systems. Through the network 125, the floor display system 100 may be coupled to a server computer 108 on the network through a wireless communication device 112. Server computer 108 may be coupled to database 109. The database 109 may store information regarding the operation of the floor display system 100. For example, the database may include video and audio content or control software that may be downloaded to the storage medium 104 of the floor display system. Thus, remote control of the floor display system 100 may be achieved. However, the floor display system 100 need not be networked, and may be controlled locally, for example, via content and control software downloaded locally via the data port 106. Wireless communication methods and systems are also illustrated in fig. 1, and wired systems may also be used, or in combination with wireless systems.

In addition to the foregoing, in the embodiment of the present invention, the following display techniques are included: liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs), photodiodes (LEDs), organic photodiodes (OLEDs), Plasma Display Panels (PDPs), Field Emission Displays (FEDs) including printable field emitters, ferroelectric displays, nanocarbon displays, polymer Photodiodes (PLEDs), Light Emitting Polymers (LEPs), electronic paper and light emitting ceramics or other light emitting inorganic materials. Other display technologies used in embodiments include fiber optic technologies, where an electronic image is formed and transmitted into a fiber optic bundle using a light guiding source. The remote image light source may be inside or outside the floor covering. Other contemplated display technologies include holographic displays. In this technique, white light or laser holograms are generated inside or outside the floor covering 102, focused by a lens, possibly a fresnel lens, so as to be visible to the human eye in an acute angular direction.

As mentioned above, the electronic display device 101 is capable of displaying at least alphanumeric data and graphical images. The content may include only alphanumeric data, graphical images (e.g., pictures), or both, in either a static or dynamic manner or both, depending on the video selected. For example, the dynamic digital data and the image are scrolled. The alphanumeric data and the graphic images are black and white or full color. In addition, the display device 101 may include more than one display, and the display area may be partitioned according to the display content. For example, the display area may contain two or more different "windows," each displaying different content. Such a partitioned display is well known, for example, in the popular applications of "split screen television" and various different graphics software applications, including the popular application of Microsoft Windows software.

The images on the electronic display device 101 may be generated in a variety of digital video file formats, including MPEG (moving picture experts group), DVD (digital versatile disc) or digital video disc, and Flash animation. In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the conventional video content adopted by the network television can be converted into the digital video content to be displayed on the electronic display device 101. Such a conversion process involves taking a conventional NTSC video from a tape and grabbing it to a computer with a video capture card. An example of a video capture card is a Targa 2000 RTX board. After grabbing, the compression can be performed in a form that can be played by the digital device. The files are stored in, for example, MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG3 or MPEG4 formats.

According to embodiments, portions of the floor display system described above may be entirely internal or external to the floor covering 102, or partially external and partially internal.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the floor display system 100, according to a possible embodiment. The ground component 210 may be configured to receive and support a hub 220 that includes electronic inverters 221, 222, 223 and a fourth inverter and associated power cable 226, not visible in fig. 2, that may be used as a power source to drive the 4 backlights of the LCD display in a four panel electronic display device 240. The structure 230 may be disposed on the hub 220, and the structure 230 may be formed of plastic or other material and support the surfaces 131, 132, 133, 134 and the display device 240. Areas of surface material 250, such as carpet or rubber, may be placed over the structure 230 to form the chamfers 131, 132, 133, 134. A transparent member such as a steel glass plate 260 including a supporting skeleton 270 and further supported by the structure 230 may be used as a protective layer of the display device 240. The various parts of the floor display system may be mounted using, for example, adhesives, epoxies, or mechanical fasteners. The controller (not shown), such as 103 (see fig. 1), may be designed to be small or thin enough to fit on the boundary of the floor covering 102 and between the various components, as shown in fig. 2.

It is to be understood that embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the system components and form illustrated in fig. 2. For example, the transparent member 260 may not necessarily include a supporting skeleton, nor may the display device 240 require 4 panels, possibly with more or fewer display panels.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the floor display system 100 may include a plurality of sensors 280. For example, a plurality of sensors may be disposed below the transparent member 260. Alternatively, a plurality of sensors may be disposed on the transparent member 260, either therein or on a surface. Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the sensor 280. The sensors may be arranged, for example, in a matrix comprising N rows and M columns. In an embodiment, the matrix may be a square matrix, where M ═ N.

Each sensor may be associated with a particular location of the display device 240. For example: each sensor may be identified by a coordinate pair, as identified by (3, 2) being the sensor at the third row and second column. Each coordinate pair also corresponds to a location of the display device 240. And displaying the desired content on the corresponding display position on the display equipment according to the signal generated by the sensor. For example, previous content may be modified and/or content may be regenerated based on the sensor's signal. More specifically, the sensor 280 is coupled to the controller 103. Based on the signals received from the sensors, the controller may execute logic to cause the desired content to be displayed at one or more locations of the display device, the locations corresponding to the sensors of the received signals.

The sensor is sensitive to objects that are present near or on the display device. The sensor 280 may include, for example, a photoreactor to achieve this. These devices include some or all of the photodetectors, photodiodes, and phototransistors. These devices react to changes in the amount of ambient light and produce output signals that increase or decrease in response to changes in the amount of ambient light. These signals are input to the controller as described above. Thus, the floor display system may be configured to generate content at a particular location by causing the sensor corresponding to the respective location to generate a response signal to stepping or walking. More specifically, since stepping or walking blocks light incident on the sensor, the sensor may register the amount of light reduction, which generates a corresponding signal to the controller. Based on this signal, the controller will generate the desired content at the corresponding location of the sensor that generated the signal. This content may be, for example, eye-catching wave images such as tracking a person's foot. However, objects that can be tracked by the sensor are not limited to feet, for example, a ball rolling across the floor display system will produce a sequence of images representing the path of the ball.

Pressure or heat sensitive sensors may also be used to detect and track objects above the floor display system using similar operation to the photoreactor described above. The pressure sensor, the thermal sensor and the photoreactor can be used independently, and the pressure sensor, the thermal sensor and the photoreactor can also be used in combination. The sensor may or may not be provided below the transparent member. They may be placed on the upper surface of the transparent member or embedded in the transparent member. For example, the transparent member may be machined or otherwise fabricated to accommodate an array of sensors, which both protect the sensors and are sensitive to light/pressure/temperature changes.

In an embodiment, the photoreactor is a passive device that can receive energy from ambient light and register changes in the amount of light received. From the average of the light energy received by the plurality of sensors, a baseline level of light energy may be determined, from which all sensors may be calibrated. Alternatively, the sensors may be individually calibrated based on respective different baseline levels of light energy. When the baseline level of light energy changes, the sensor needs to be calibrated, for example, because some objects block incident light energy, the sensor will output a signal that is received by the controller. The controller responsively generates content intended for display. To block spurious signals introduced by the sensor, the sensor may be recessed. This ensures that the most incident light is received from the desired angle. In further embodiments, the sensor is an active sensor that emits electromagnetic energy, such as light or other radiation, and generates a signal based on how much light is reflected or blocked. Embodiments include passive and active sensors.

The sensors can be arranged in a desired manner without having to form a fixed pattern. For example, the sensors may be spatially arranged to a desired resolution. To detect objects that are relatively small near or on the floor display system, the sensors may be relatively concentrated and relatively increased in number to produce better resolution. Conversely, to detect relatively large objects near or on the floor display system, the sensors may be relatively dispersed and relatively reduced in number to produce poor resolution. In a given floor display system, higher resolution and lower resolution sensors are mixed. The resolution of the sensor array shown in fig. 4 is higher than the example of fig. 3. In an embodiment, the resolution of sensors on or near the boundary of the floor display system may be higher. Such an arrangement would have the effect of attracting eye sight. For example, when a person's shoe approaches the edge of the floor display system, the wave shape of the pool water begins to be displayed and takes on the shape of the shoe near the edge.

As mentioned in the description of FIG. 1, the floor display system 100 may include an audio device 111. Fig. 5 shows the audio device 111 suspended by a support 530 above or near the floor display system in an embodiment of the invention. The audio device 111 may include a speaker 520 and a receiver 525. The audio device and the controller 103 of the floor display system 100 may be coupled by a wired connection 510. The audio device may include an amplifier (not shown) to amplify signals received from the controller over the wired connection. As described above, the audio device is configured to generate an audio output under control of the controller in response to a signal generated by a sensor of the floor display system. According to an embodiment, the speaker 520 may be a directional speaker, such as Soundtube^TMProduced Dual-Parabalic^TMA loudspeaker. With such a directional loudspeaker, the sound can be confined to a desired area. The controller 103 may control the volume and frequency range of the speaker output toThe echo effect is minimized. As shown in fig. 6, in an embodiment, the controller 103 may be wirelessly coupled with the audio device 111 via transmission by the floor display system transmitter 605. For example, the transmitter 605 may be disposed below the surface of the floor covering 102. An amplifier of the audio device may amplify a signal received from the transmitter.

The audio device may be arranged to produce an audio output corresponding to the system display. One example is shown in fig. 7A-7C. In fig. 7A, an image 710 of a dog is displayed on a floor display system. In response to a person stepping on or past the dog image, as shown in FIG. 7B, for example, may cause the audio device to make a bark sound. In conjunction with this, the dog image will go to another location on the display, as shown in FIG. 7C. The audio device may also emit an associated audio output 750 such as advertising information, for example accompanying a dog barking sound playing a sound of a store dog food location, as in "ALPO-aisle 11".

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a floor display system including an array of sensors 280 where the transparent member does not include a supporting framework.

In further embodiments of the present invention, the floor display system 100 may include a generally vertical or inclined display. One example is shown in fig. 9. In FIG. 9, the floor display system 100 may include a display device 910 that is generally vertical or inclined. For example, a generally vertical or inclined display device 910 may be coupled to a controller of the floor display system via a wired connection 911 or wirelessly (not shown). The generally vertical or inclined display device 910 may incorporate display technology as disclosed herein or as appropriate. For example, the generally vertical or tilted display device 910 may be a projection device that projects an image onto a surface from a distance.

Under the control of the controller, the substantially vertical or inclined display device 910 may be caused to generate relevant content for display on the electronic display device 240 associated with the floor covering 102 of the floor display system 100. In the example of FIG. 9, in response to a person's foot 730 stepping on or passing by the floor covering 102 of the floor display system 100, the controller causes a display associated with the covering 102Device 240 generates associated advertising information 920 ("make") at corresponding locations^TM") and cause the generally vertical or inclined display device 910 to display the associated advertising information 921 (" the relative same thing ")^TM"), store location and price of the advertised product (" Aisle12- $3.99 "). Causing the audio device 111 to generate associated audio information 930 ("It is the relative that^TM”)。

Product identification/location feature

In the application of the embodiment of the present invention, there may be many similar products in the shop, so that it is difficult to find the advertised product. One example is shown in fig. 10, where the floor display system 100 is positioned in front of a shelf 1002. Various hair care products of different brands are placed on the shelf. The floor display system displays product information 1001 promoting a brand of hair care product therein. Because of the row of similar hair care products on the shelf that extends several feet, it can be difficult to find the specific product advertised.

Accordingly, in further embodiments of the present invention, the floor display system 100 may include product identification/location features. This feature is useful to help customers quickly find the product being promoted. Referring to fig. 10, the product identification/locating feature would include a signaling device 1003 (not shown to scale) located adjacent the product being promoted. The signaling device 1003 may communicate with the floor display system controller. The signaling device may be caused to transmit a signal when a certain product is advertised on the system, under the control of the controller of the floor display system (see fig. 1). The signal may be visual, audible or any combination of these. For example, promoting a product, causing the signal generating device to flash or flash a light, emitting a sound, emitting a stream of fragrance, or any combination thereof. These signals enable the customer to easily and quickly locate the item being promoted.

Fig. 11 further illustrates a product identification/location signaling device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The signaling device 1003 may include a light source 1101, a sound source 1102, and a fragrance source 1103. But instead of the other end of the tubeThe signaling device 1003 need not include all of the above sources, but may include only a light source, or a sound source or a fragrance source. Alternatively, the signaling device includes any combination of a light source, a sound source, and a fragrance source. A light source, a sound source, a fragrance source, or any combination thereof may be associated with the stand 1100. The holder 1100 is designed to allow the signaling device 1003 to be freely placed. In addition, there is a securing device 1104 associated with the bracket. The securing device 1104 may be part of the bracket or separate from the bracket. The securing device 1104 may include, for example, hooks, fasteners, adhesives, magnets, hook-and-loop, such as Velcro^TMOr other suitable fasteners. The signaling device 1003 may also include a separate power source 1105, such as a battery, but may also be powered from a power source on the floor display system or elsewhere.

The signaling device 1003 may be coupled to the floor display system 100 via a wired connection 1107 or a wireless connection 1108, and may receive control signals from the control 103 using the wired connection 1107 or the wireless connection 1108. To receive wireless signals, the signaling device may include a transceiver 1106. The signaling device may also include its own logic device 1109, such as a microprocessor, which may be programmed to perform processes that are independent of the control of the controller 103. For example, under the control of the logic device 1109, the controller would simply send an initial signal to the signaling device 1003 causing it to produce a sequence of flashes of light, sounds or scents, or a combination thereof.

In addition, product identification/location can be performed with a signaling device. For example, the signaling device may be positioned adjacent to the product being promoted, either removably or by being secured to a shelf or other support with the securing device 1104. When the floor display system generates a particular display to promote a particular product, a corresponding signal may be generated to the signaling device 1003, which may emit a sound such as a buzz or a jingle of the product, emit a scent, or any combination thereof, in response to generating a visual display such as a sequence of continuous lights or flashing lights.

As described above, the floor display system may generate a display of a particular product for promotion based on signals from the sensor array 280 disposed in, on or below the transparent member. In addition, the floor display system generates a specific display advertising a certain product based on the signal that detects whether a person is approaching or stepping or walking on it. This detection can be performed by a sensor 113 (see fig. 1). The sensor 113 may take a variety of forms, each of which is capable of detecting a phenomenon or activity indicative of a person present in proximity to the floor display system and causing the floor display system to generate some corresponding responsive action. The corresponding action would be to promote the display of a certain product, resulting in the activation of the signal transmitter 1003, as described above. In one embodiment, the sensor 113 is an acoustic sensor. Examples of acoustic sensors include omnidirectional and directional microphones. The acoustic sensor 113 may be placed within the floor covering 102 (see fig. 1), or at some distance from the floor covering. The acoustic sensor may be arranged to detect a signal of a person approaching the floor display system. And the ground display system generates corresponding reaction.

In yet another embodiment, the sensor 113 is a motion detector. Examples of motion detectors include devices that detect changes in light, temperature, or pressure, as discussed above, and devices that detect motion by energy (e.g., light, microwaves, or sound) incident to the environment and then detecting the change. The motion detection device 113 may be placed inside or at a distance from the floor covering, e.g. on or in a ceiling near the floor covering. The motion detector may be arranged to detect a person walking towards the floor display system and to generate a corresponding response.

The floor display system according to the embodiment of the present invention can also detect the presence or motion of a person based on an event occurring in an actual environment. For example, the floor display system may be coupled to a door at an entrance or elsewhere in a commercial establishment or other building via a wired or wireless connection. Through this connection, the floor display system will detect the opening of the door and cause a corresponding display.

In an embodiment, the floor display system may be located at a "runway" of a commercial establishment. A runway refers to a common area at the end of a plurality of aisles (e.g., in a typical layout of a grocery store, the runway is located between a counter and the end of an aisle). A signaling device may be positioned along the corridor and visible at the runway to indicate the location of the product being promoted by the floor display system.

Several embodiments of the present invention are described in detail herein. However, modifications and variations of the present invention are covered by the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention.

Claims (54)

1. A floor display system comprising:

a floor covering for placement on a floor and comprising at least one incline sloping downward and away from a top surface of the floor covering to the floor;

an electronic display device associated with the floor covering and in a plane substantially parallel to the floor, wherein the electronic display device is for displaying any content that is electronically alterable, wherein the floor covering is adapted to at least partially support the position of the electronic display device;

a controller; and

a sensor coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is associated with a particular location on the electronic display device and is configured to generate a signal to the controller such that displayed content of the electronic display device is altered or re-generated at the particular location.

2. The floor display system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is sensitive to light.

3. The floor display system of claim 2, wherein the sensor generates the signal based on detecting a change in an amount of light.

4. The floor display system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is pressure sensitive.

5. The floor display system of claim 4, wherein the sensor generates the signal based on detecting a pressure change.

6. The floor display system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is sensitive to temperature.

7. The floor display system of claim 6, wherein the sensor generates the signal based on detecting a change in temperature.

8. The floor display system of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a photodiode.

9. The floor display system of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a light detector.

10. The floor display system of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a phototransistor.

11. The floor display system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the sensors.

12. The floor display system of claim 11, wherein the sensors are arranged in an array comprising rows and columns.

13. The floor display system of claim 11, wherein the sensor is disposed below a transparent member of the floor display system.

14. The floor display system of claim 2, wherein the sensor is disposed in a recess.

15. The floor display system of claim 2, wherein the sensor is a passive device.

16. The floor display system of claim 2, wherein the sensor is an active device.

17. The floor display system of claim 1, further comprising an audio device for generating an audio output related to content displayed on the electronic display device.

18. The floor display system of claim 17, wherein the audio device includes a directional speaker.

19. The floor display system of claim 1, further comprising a display device that is substantially vertical or tilted.

20. The floor display system of claim 19, wherein the substantially vertical or inclined display device generates a graphical image having a display of or associated with alphanumeric data or a display of the electronic display device associated with the floor covering.

21. The floor display system of claim 19, wherein the substantially vertical or inclined display device comprises a projection device.

22. The floor display system of claim 1, wherein the electronic display device comprises a nanocarbon display.

23. A floor display system comprising:

a floor covering for placement on a floor and comprising at least one incline sloping downward and away from a top surface of the floor covering to the floor;

an electronic display device associated with the floor covering and in a plane substantially parallel to the floor, wherein the electronic display device is for displaying any content that is electronically alterable, wherein the floor covering is adapted to at least partially support the position of the electronic display device;

a controller; and

a plurality of sensors coupled to the controller to generate images on the electronic display device that track movement of objects.

24. The floor display system of claim 23, wherein each sensor is associated with a particular location on the electronic display device for generating a corresponding signal to the controller to cause displayed alphanumeric data or graphical images of the electronic display device to be altered or recreated at the corresponding particular location.

25. A floor display system comprising:

a floor covering for placement on a floor and comprising at least one incline sloping downward and away from a top surface of the floor covering to the floor;

an electronic display device associated with a floor covering and in a plane substantially parallel to the floor, wherein the electronic display device is for displaying any content that is electronically alterable, wherein the floor covering is adapted to at least partially support a position of the electronic display device;

a controller;

a sensor coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is associated with a particular location on the electronic display device and is configured to generate a signal to the controller such that displayed content of the electronic display device is altered or reproduced at the particular location; and

signaling means coupled to the controller for signaling display content corresponding to the electronic display device.

26. The floor display system of claim 25, wherein the signal comprises light.

27. The floor display system of claim 25, wherein the signal comprises a sound.

28. The floor display system of claim 25, wherein the signal comprises an olfactory stimulus.

29. The floor display system of claim 25, wherein the signaling device is free-standing.

30. The floor display system of claim 25, wherein the signaling device comprises a securing device that secures the signaling device to the support.

31. The floor display system of claim 25, wherein the signaling device is coupled to the controller via a wired connection.

32. The floor display system of claim 25, wherein the signaling device is coupled to the controller via a wireless connection.

33. The floor display system of claim 25, wherein in response to detecting the proximity of a person, the floor display system generates the display and the signaling device generates a corresponding signal.

34. A ground display method, comprising:

(a) providing a floor display system within a commercial establishment, the floor display system having an electronic display device, a controller, and a sensor coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is associated with a particular location on the electronic display device and is configured to generate a signal to the controller such that displayed content of the electronic display device is altered or recreated at the particular location;

(b) displaying content on the floor display system, the content relating to a promotion or advertisement for a product within the commercial establishment, the content comprising an electronically alterable verbal message;

(c) providing a signaling device coupled to the floor display system in proximity to the product; and

(d) in response to step (b), causing the signaling device to emit a signal.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the signal comprises light.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the signal comprises sound.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the signal comprises an olfactory stimulus.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein in response to detecting the proximity of a person, the floor display system displays content and the signaling device emits a corresponding signal.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the floor display system is disposed in a public area of the establishment.

40. A floor display system comprising:

a floor covering for placement on a floor;

an electronic display device associated with the floor covering and in a plane substantially parallel to the floor, wherein the electronic display device is for displaying any content that is electronically alterable, wherein the floor covering is adapted to at least partially support the position of the electronic display device;

a controller; and

a sensor coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is associated with a particular location on the electronic display device and is configured to generate a signal to the controller such that the displayed content of the electronic display device is altered or reproduced at the particular location, wherein the sensor is sensitive to light.

41. The floor display system of claim 40, wherein the sensor generates the signal based on a change in an amount of light detected.

42. The floor display system of claim 40, wherein the sensor comprises a photodiode.

43. The floor display system of claim 40, wherein the sensor includes a light detector.

44. The floor display system of claim 40, wherein the sensor comprises a phototransistor.

45. The floor display system of claim 40, wherein the sensor is disposed in a recess.

46. The floor display system of claim 40, wherein the sensor is a passive device.

47. The floor display system of claim 40, wherein the sensor is an active device.

48. The floor display system of claim 40, wherein the floor covering defines a top surface adapted to support a pedestrian thereon, the electronic display device defines a top surface, the floor covering further adapted to support, at least in part, a position of the top surface of the electronic display device in a plane substantially parallel to the top surface of the floor covering.

49. A floor display system comprising:

a floor covering for placement on a floor;

an electronic display device associated with the floor covering and in a plane substantially parallel to the floor, wherein the electronic display device is for displaying any content that is electronically alterable, wherein the floor covering is adapted to at least partially support the position of the electronic display device;

a controller; and

a plurality of sensors coupled to the controller, wherein the sensors are associated with a particular location on the electronic display device for generating a signal to the controller such that displayed content of the electronic display device is altered or reproduced at the particular location.

50. The floor display system of claim 49, wherein the sensors are arranged in an array comprising rows and columns.

51. The floor display system of claim 49, wherein the sensor is disposed below a transparent member of the floor display system.

52. A floor display system comprising:

a floor covering for placement on a floor;

an electronic display device associated with the floor covering and in a plane substantially parallel to the floor, wherein the electronic display device is for displaying any content that is electronically alterable, wherein the floor covering is adapted to at least partially support the position of the electronic display device;

a controller;

a sensor coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is associated with a particular location on the electronic display device and is configured to generate a signal to the controller such that displayed content of the electronic display device is altered or reproduced at the particular location; and

a generally vertical or inclined display device.

53. The floor display system of claim 52, wherein the substantially vertical or inclined display device generates a graphical image having a display of or associated with alphanumeric data or a display of the electronic display device associated with the floor covering.

54. The floor display system of claim 52, wherein the substantially vertical or inclined display device comprises a projection device.