MX2007003444A - Electronic floor display with weight measurement and reflective display. - Google Patents

Abstract

A floor display system (100) comprises or is associated with a weight measuringdevice (120, 125, 130). An output of the weight measuring device (117) may be processedby electronic logic (170) to display corresponding information (119) on an electronicdisplay device (117) of the floor display system. The information may relateto the weight of an object on the floor display system, in particular, for example,the weight of a person standing on the floor display system. The floor displaysystem may further be capable of displaying arbitrary content including graphicalimages and verbal information, where the content is changeable on demand. Embodimentsof the present invention further relate to a floor display system with reflectiveproperties (117, 401).

Description

ELECTRONIC FLOOR SCREEN WITH WEIGHT MEASUREMENT AND REFLECTIVE SCREEN This application claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119 (e) of the US Provisional Application No. Series 60 / 612,149 filed on September 23, 2004. In addition, this application is a continuation in part of the Co-pending Application No. Series 1 1 / 199J30, filed on August 9, 2005, which claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119 (e) of US Provisional Application No. Series 60 / 599,878 filed on August 10, 2004. Application No Series 1 1/1 19,130 is a continuation in part of Co-pending Application No. Series 11 / 002,276, filed on December 3, 2004, which claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119 (e) of the Provisional Application 60 / 526,271, filed December 3, 2003. Application No. Series 11 / 002,276 is a continuation in part of Co-pending Application No. Series 10 / 454,631, filed on June 5, 2003, which claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119 (e) of the US Provisional Application No. Series 60 / 385.57 9 filed on June 5, 2002. Application Serial No. 10 / 454,631 is a continuation in part of Co-pending Application No. Series 10 / 438,923, filed May 16, 2003, which claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119 (e) of US Provisional Application No. Series 60 / 378,070 filed May 16, 2002. Application Serial No. 10 / 438,923 is a continuation in part of Co-pending Application No. Series 10 / 285,639, filed on November 1, 2002, which is a continuation of Application No. Series 10 / 137,357, filed on May 3, 2002, and published as the Patent of E. U. A. No. 6,507,285 on January 14, 2003. Application Serial No. 10 / 137,357 is a continuation of Application Serial No. 09 / 767,846 filed January 24, 2001, and published as US Patent No. 6,417,778 on July 9, 2002. The Application No. Series 09 / 767,846 is a continuation of Application Serial No. 09 / 418,752, filed on October 15, 1999, and now abandoned. Application Serial No. 09 / 418,752 is a continuation in part of Application Serial No. 09 / 304,051, filed May 4, 1999, and published as US Patent No. 6,219,876 on April 24, 2001. In addition, this application is a continuation in part of Co-pending Application No. Series 10 / 759,167, filed on January 20, 2004, which claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119 (e) of the US Provisional Application No. Series 60/441, 408, filed January 22, 2003. Application No. Series 10 / 759,167 is a continuation in part of Co-pending Application No. Series 10 / 682,435, filed October 10, 2003, which claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119 (e) of the US Provisional Application identified as follows: Application No. Series 60 / 418,626, filed on October 12, 2002; Application No. Series 60 / 428,387, filed on November 21, 2002; and Application No. Series 60 / 429,044, filed November 23, 2002. Application No. Series 10 / 682,435 is a continuation in part of Co-pending Application No. Series 10 / 438,923, filed May 16, 2003 . Each of the Previously identified applications and patents are incorporated herein in full for reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION U.S. Patent No. 6,417,778 to Blum et al., Which is fully incorporated herein by reference, discloses an electronic display device associated with a floor, which allows information to be transmitted via dynamic images and text. The present disclosure relates to several novel and advantageous features of such electronic display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGs. 1A and 1B show a plan view and a side elevation view, respectively, of a floor screen system comprising a weight measuring device in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention; FIGs. 2, 3 and 3A show side elevation views of a floor display system comprising a weight measuring device in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention; The FlG. 4 shows a floor screen system with reflective properties in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and The FlG. 5 shows further details of a floor display system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The embodiments of the present invention relate to a floor screen system comprising or associated with a weight measuring device. In the embodiments, the weight measuring device may include a scale. In other embodiments, the weight measuring device may include pressure detectors. An output of the weight measuring device can be processed by electronic logic to display corresponding information in an electronic display device of the floor screen system. The information can be related to the weight of an object on the floor screen system, in particular, for example, the weight of a person standing on the floor screen system. The information related to the weight may be, for example, a numerical value for the weight of the object in some unit of measurement, say, pounds or kilograms and fractions thereof. In addition to information related to weight, the floor screen system may also be able to display arbitrary content, other than the weight value numerical, including both static and dynamic graphic images (moving and changing) and verbal information (for example words and drawings). Because people are typically interested in knowing their weight, the floor screen system could be used, for example, in commercial establishments to display propaganda messages in combination with information concerning the weight of people. For this purpose, the embodiments of the present invention can also be capable of wired or wireless communication with a network. Via the network connection, messages on the floor screen system can be changed, and new information can be added, at will or on demand. This could be advantageous, for example, by tailoring particular propaganda messages to a target audience. For example, the content of the system screen could be updated, such that, if the measured weight of the person is over a certain amount, a advertisement for a dietetic product such as Slim-Fast® or Weight Watchers®, or for a visit to a gymnastic club such as Gold's® gym, could be deployed. Another useful application of a floor screen system in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention could be in health care. For example, the floor screen system could be placed in offices of doctors, health care clinics, gymnastic clubs and the like. In such scenarios, the floor screen system could be changed configured to display content sensitive to particular weight thresholds or intervals, for example. So, let's say that, for a visitor to a doctor's office whose weight is within a particular range (for example a healthy interval), the floor screen system may display a first message and / or images (other than the same weight measurement). This first message can be comforting or complementary, and / or announce any activity or product associated with a healthy lifestyle. For a visitor whose weight is in a different interval (for example, an unhealthy interval) the floor screen system can display a second message and / or images different from the first ones. This second message could be more in the nature of a warning about the health risks associated with being overweight, or encouraging you to be in shape. The second message and / or images could, for example, advertise weight-loss products or gymnastic clubs or drugs for cholesterol or the like. There can be any number of predetermined weight ranges (for example 0-45.36 kg. (0-100 Ibs.), 45.36 kg. -68.03 kg. (100-150 Ibs.), 68.03 kg.-90.72 kg. (150-200 libs.), And so on, or finer gradations, for example 0-20, 20-40 180-200, and so on, or coarser gradations, for example, 0-100, 100-200, 200-300, and so on) for which the floor screen system could be configured to generate the corresponding content. Since height is a factor in weight, to assist in determining whether a particular weight is in a healthy or unhealthy range, the floor display system may also include an input device, for example a keyboard or a screen sensitive to touch, through from which a person could enter their weight. The floor screen system may also include a detection device to measure the height automatically, without requiring manual entry. The value of the height could be used by the floor display system in combination with the measured weight to make several determinations, such as whether the person's weight is in a healthy or unhealthy range. As noted above, the embodiments of the present invention may also be capable of wired or wireless communication with a network. In accordance with the modalities, communication can be two-way. That is, not only the content can be downloaded via the network to the floor screen system, but information can also be sent from the floor screen system via the network to a remote location. The remote location can be, for example, an office / database of the health care provider. Thus, for example, the floor screen system could be placed in a person's home (or health club and other location), and when the person weighs himself or herself, the value of the measured weight could be transmitted and entered. in the database of the health care provider. This could avoid the need for the person to keep such records for later reporting to the health care provider. In accordance with the modalities, the measured weight value could be transmitted, for example, in the form of electronic mail ("e-mail"). The transmission could be automatic or it could be initiated by the person, for example using a keyboard or touch screen or other input device. In the embodiments, an electronic display device of the floor screen system may include reflective properties. Reflective properties can improve the visibility of a screen over the display device, for example, when the ambient lighting is poor. The FlG. 1A shows a floor display system 100 in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. The system 100 may include a housing comprising a transparent or translucent protective cover 115 bounded by an outer frame 1 10. The outer frame 110 may comprise inclined surfaces tapering towards a thin edge. The housing may be able to withstand walking on it, where the inclined surfaces and the thin edge act to reduce the likelihood that a person may trip over the screen system. In addition, the accommodation can remain standing. The housing may enclose one or more electronic display devices 117 and protect the latter from damage. The floor display system 100 may further comprise a controller 170. The controller 170 may be internal or external to the housing. The FlG. 1 B shows a side elevation view of the floor display system 100. As illustrated, the floor display system 100 may further comprise a weight measuring device. In the mode of the FlG. 1 B, the weight measuring device is formed as a thin, flat scale 120. In use, the scale 120 can be disposed below the protective cover 115 and the upper surfaces of the outer frame 110. The scale 120 can record the weight of an object, such as a person standing, on the protective cover 115 and the upper surfaces of the outer frame 1 10, and generating an output, such as an electronic signal corresponding to the weight of the object. The controller 170 can process the output and generate the corresponding information 119 which is displayed on the electronic display device 117. See for example, the FlG. 1A, which shows the information "Your weight is 82.55 kilograms (182 pounds)" displayed on the screen device 1 17. In the example of the FLG. 1A, the display device is also displaying the graphic image of a car and the verbal information "Try Driving a Toyota Today". The controller 170 may also be programmed to generate changeable content (e.g., words and drawings) of choice on demand, other than weight measurement, sensitive to thresholds / weight ranges, as described above. A weight measuring device in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention may comprise one or more pressure detectors 125, as shown in the FlG. 2, which is another side elevation view of the floor display system 100. As with the thin flat scale 120, the detectors 125 may be disposed under the protective cover 1 15 and upper surfaces of the outer frame 1 10, and recording the weight of an object on the protective cover 115 and upper surfaces of the outer frame 110. The detectors can generate an output which is translated by the controller 170 into information displayed on the display device 117. To process the output to obtain the displayed information, the controller 170 can, for example, perform calculations based on a calibration equation, or look up values in a table. The calibration equation and search table can be developed, for example, based on the placement of known weights on the upper surfaces of the floor shield system and corresponding outputs of the detectors. FIGs. 3 and 3A show a floor display system 100 with a weight measuring device in accordance with still other alternative embodiments. The FlG. 3 is a side elevational view of the floor 100 display system and the FLG. 3A shows an enlargement of a portion of the floor 100 display system in section. Here, the weight measuring device includes one or more pressure detectors, springs or other apparatus 130 for recording the weight. The weight measuring device can be contained within the housing. In the embodiments shown in FIGs. 3 and 3A, the protective cover 115 and outer frame 110 or portions thereof can be displaceable, compressible, or deformable to a degree to transfer force to the weight measuring apparatus. The received force can be translated into an output which is processed by the controller 170 to generate pull-down information as described above. The controller 170 may be coupled to the weight measuring device and the electronic display device 117. The controller 170 may include any type of electronic logic circuit, for example, a general microprocessor configurable with software, or an ASIC (dedicated integrated circuit). the application). The controller can be programmed with logic to process an output from the weight measuring device and generate a corresponding display on the display device 117. The logic could include any type of calculation or algorithm, but could at least partially involve a translation of a measurement of a physical effect (eg, weight or pressure) recorded by the weight measurement device on pull-down information, such as weight in pounds or kilograms. As described in more detail hereinafter, the controller 170 may be coupled to a storage medium by storing, for example, control software for execution by the controller 170 and video content of choice for deployment, under the control of the software control, on the electronic display 117. The control software could cause the controller to generate selected content, other than the weight measurement, based on whether the weight measured by the weight measuring device is within a particular range . As noted, in the embodiments of the present invention the floor screen system 100 may further comprise properties reflective For example, the electronic display device 17 may include reflective display technologies such as reflective LCD (liquid crystal display), electronic ink screens, magnetic ink screens and digital ink screens, such as those developed by Maglnk. Such reflective screen technologies can help improve visibility in low light. For example, a screen on the display device 117 could be clearly visible in daylight hours or under normal interior lighting conditions, but less at night or under low lighting conditions. Consequently reflective technologies could be used in combination with a complementary external light source making the screen easier to see. This is illustrated in the FlG. 4. The FlG. 4 shows the floor display system 100 placed on a floor 400. The floor display system 100 has reflective properties. For example, the electronic screen device 117 of the floor screen system incorporates one or more reflective screen technologies as in the previous examples. A complementary external light source 401 is also provided. The light source 401 may have an energy source 402 and be movable along a track 403 mounted to the ceiling or to a beam, for example. Being movable along the track, the light source 401 can be moved along with the floor display system 100. At night or when the ambient light is otherwise scarce, the light source 401 could be directed towards he 100 floor screen system, activating the reflective technologies there to make a more easily visible display. Advantages of reflective technologies as described above are at least two parts. First, they operate with less energy than light generation technologies. Second, some reflective technologies, such as Maglnk® products, are bi-stable, which means that energy only needs to be applied to change the image on the screen. Therefore, for static announcements and other images, for example, energy may only need to be applied to switch from one image to another. If this were done below some predetermined threshold frequency, the floor screen system could, for example, be turned on only by a conservative power source such as an integrated battery that was recharged from time to time. As noted above, an electronic display device associated with a floor has been previously described. More specifically, U.S. Patent No. 6,417,778 describes a system for electronically transmitting information via an electronic display device associated with a floor. The electronic display device may incorporate a modifiable electronic display surface presenting, for example, a liquid crystal display. The screen could be connected to a computer and an image generated by the computer could be displayed on the screen. Thus, the image displayed on the screen could be modified by generating a different computer image and displaying that computer image on the screen. The screen could be associated with a base portion of a floor covering, such as included within a recess thereof, or it could be included on a bottom, upwardly facing surface of an insertion portion of the floor covering . Alternatively, the screen could be formed integrally with the base portion or insertion portion. The modifiable screen could use a plurality of different graphics that can be displayed in any of a variety of ways on the screen. For example, graphs could be displayed in a generally fixed position on the screen or could be moved across the screen, with both exemplifying methodologies displaying multiple graphs individually or in combination. Other alternatives to modify the graphics displayed on the floor cover include using light emitting polymers to create, and thus change, the graphs. Light emitting polymers can be applied, fixed or woven into the floor covering. The light emitting polymers can be used on any portion of the floor covering, for example, on the base portion or insertion portion, or on any other portion of the different modalities for the floor covering. Light emitting polymers are known and described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,945,502, 5,869,350, and 5,571, 626, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Other options for a screen are using electronic ink or electrical paper. Electrical paper is available from Xerox and is described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,723,204, 5,604,027, 4,126,854, and 4,143,103, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Electric paper uses thousands of tiny, electrically charged beads called Gyricon, each about the width of a human hair, to create pixels. The two-tone beads are embedded within a plastic laminate filled with liquid that forms the surface of the paper. Each account, half black, half white, rotates in response to an electric field. The fact that the accounts are with the black or white side up determines the image. Because there is no need to refresh the image, and because the screen is not illuminated from behind, the electrical paper uses only a fraction of the energy used for conventional electronic displays. Electromagnetic stylus and printer-like devices can be used to obtain images on paper. Electronic ink is available from E Ink Corp., at 45 Spinelli Pl., Cambridge, MA 02138. Electronic ink uses a micro-encapsulated micro-mechanical screen system. The tiny microcapsules are captured between two plastic sheets to create pixels. Alternatively, the capsules can be sprayed on a surface. The result is a flexible screen material. The tiny capsules are transparent and contain a mixture of dark ink and pieces of white paint. A load Electrical is passed through the capsules. Depending on the electrostatic charge, the pieces of paint float on top or rest on the bottom of each capsule. When the pieces of paint float on top, the surface appears white, when they rest on the bottom, and so under the ink, the surface appears black. Each of the two states is stable: white or black. A transparent electromagnetic mesh that lies on the surface of the sheet controls the shape of the image. The screen can be connected wirelessly to, for example, a computer and thus, the World Wide Web, using, for example, a Motorola paging system. The text on the screens, if multiple screens are used, can be changed at the moment by an individual editor, through a Web page. Screen technologies that may be used in embodiments of the present invention, in addition to those described above, include: light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), electroluminescent (EL) screens, plasma screen (PDPs), field emission screens, ferroelectric screens (FEDs), light emission polymers, pixels, micro-encapsulated components, and fiber optic screens. A floor screen system as described above can be used in places where there is pedestrian traffic or other traffic (for example, wheeled shopping cart), such as warehouse entrances, public buildings or houses. In such environments, strong forces can imparted to the floor screen system by pedestrian traffic or other traffic. Techniques have been described to properly protect the electronic display device from damage due to such forces and other factors. Techniques include using a durable, strong protective material such as tempered glass or plastic to cover the electronic display device. More sophisticated protective structures have been described. For example, U.S. Patent Application No. 10 / 454,631, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses a modular protective structure for an electronic display device associated with a floor. As described in the U.S. Patent Application No. 10 / 454,631, an electronic screen assembly may comprise a plurality of display modules. A coherent screen can be presented on the plurality of display modules. That is, while individual display modules may present only fragments of a display, in the aggregate the plurality of display modules may be present a complete or unified display. On the other hand, each of the modules could be configured to display unrelated images and / or text. More specifically, a display module may be an electronic display device incorporating some display technology, including those described herein, and others not specifically described. A screen module can be configured to display electronically graphical images and alphanumeric data in any static format (without movement or without changing) or dynamic (for example, moving in line or moving in another way or changing). More specifically, a display module may be coupled by wired or wireless means to controller 170 and modifiable via the controller to display any content chosen by a user. The controller 170 may be disposed laterally with respect to (ie, towards one or more sides of) the display modules. The display modules and the controller may be arranged to lie substantially in the same plane, and may both be thin and flat. The FlG. 5 shows further details of the floor display system 100. The controller 170 may be coupled to a storage medium 104., which could be any form of appropriate means for storing digital data, including RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory), flash or other non-volatile electronic solid state storage, EEPROM (electronically erasable and memory programmable read only), or optical and / or magnetic disk storage. The storage means 104 may store, for example, control software for execution by the controller 170 and video content of choice for deployment, under control of the control software, on the electronic screen 117. A user interface 128, such as a personal computer with a display monitor and keyboard, can be attached to the controller to allow the configuration of the controller with the specific user input, such as specific control programs to produce specific displays and / or audio output. The user interface 128 may also be used to, for example, enter a high value, initiate the transmission of a weight measurement to a remote location such as a health care provider's office / database, or the like. The user interface 128 may additionally, or alternatively, take the form of, an input device such as a touch screen with a screen for viewing, or the like. An audio device 11 1, such as a loudspeaker may further be coupled to the controller 103 via a sound card 112. The audio device 11 may output audio content of choice, stored in the storage medium 104, under controlling the controller 170. Components of the floor display system 100 may be energized by a power source 1 14. The floor display system may further comprise a detection device 113 to provide a variety of interactive screen system applications of floor. The detection device 113 could be coupled to the controller 113 and provide signals thereto. The connection of the detection device to the controller could be wireless or wired. The data can be stored in the storage medium 104 using, for example, a data port 106 coupled to a bus of the common system. The bus could be, as an example only, a USB (Universal Serial Bus). The floor screen system can also comprising a wireless port 107 implemented, for example, using a wireless WAN / LAN card. Through the wireless port 107, the floor screen system 100 can be coupled and communicate with a network 126. The network could be any type of network, including a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a network of local area (LAN) including, for example, other floor screen systems. Through the network 126, the floor display system 100 can be coupled, for example, via a wireless communication device 112, to a computer server 108 of the network. The computer server 108 may be coupled to a database 109. The computer server 108 may also be coupled to the remote location 127 such as an office / database of the health care provider where the care provider health could receive, for example, e-mails reporting a weight of the person. The database 109 may store information relevant to the operation of the floor display system 100. For example, the database may contain video and audio content or control software that is downloadable to the storage medium 104 of the computer system. floor screen. Thus, the floor display system 100 can be remotely controllable. However, the floor display system 100 does not need to be networked, and could be controlled locally, for example, by downloading content and control software locally via data port 106. Also, while wireless communication methods and systems they are illustrated in the FlG. 5, wired systems could also be used, or could be combined with wireless systems. The embodiments of the present invention may also include any combination of features or properties described in this application, or any of the features or properties of the applications incorporated herein for reference. For example, the floor screen system may include both a device for measuring weight and reflective properties. As additional examples, the detection device can be adapted to detect the presence of people and perform an action in response, including variable image orientation and provide product information in response to consumer questions. Various embodiments of the present invention are specifically illustrated and / or described herein. However, it will be appreciated that modifications and variants of the present invention are covered by the foregoing teachings and within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A floor screen system characterized in that it comprises: an electronic display device having a protective cover capable of supporting walking on it or standing; and a weight measuring device; wherein the floor screen system is capable of displaying arbitrary content including graphic images and verbal information, the content being changeable on demand, and displaying information related to the weight of an object measured by the weight measuring device, on the device of electronic screen.

2. The floor screen system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the content is related to the weight of the object.

3. The floor screen system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the measured weight is within a predetermined range, and the content corresponds to the range.

4. The floor screen system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the measured weight can be transmitted to a remote location.

5. - The floor screen system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the content can be controlled remotely.

6. The floor screen system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the content can be changed via a network.

7. The floor screen system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the weight measuring device includes a scale.

8. The floor screen system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the weight measuring device includes a pressure sensor.

9. The floor screen system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the weight measuring device includes a spring.

10. The floor screen system according to claim 1, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a controller for processing an output of the measuring device and generating corresponding information to display on the electronic display device.

11. The floor screen system according to claim 1, further characterized in that a housing of the system of Floor screen is deformable to transfer a force towards the weight measuring device.

12. The floor screen system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the floor screen system includes reflective properties.

13. A floor screen system characterized in that it comprises: an electronic display device; wherein the floor screen system is capable of displaying arbitrary content including graphic images and verbal information on the electronic display device, and additionally wherein the electronic display device includes a reflective technology.

14. The floor screen system according to claim 13, further characterized in that the reflective technology includes reflective LCD.

15. The floor screen system according to claim 13, further characterized in that the reflective technology includes electronic ink.

16. The floor screen system according to claim 13, further characterized in that the reflective technology includes magnetic ink.

17. The floor screen system according to claim 13, further characterized in that the reflective technology includes digital ink.

18. - The floor screen system according to claim 13, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a complementary light source to activate the reflective technology.

19. The floor screen system according to claim 18, further characterized in that the complementary light source is movable along a track.

20. The floor screen system according to claim 13, further characterized in that it comprises a weight measuring device, wherein the floor screen system is additionally capable of displaying information related to the weight of an object measured by the weight measuring device on the electronic display device.