WO2009026616A1

WO2009026616A1 - A visual display system

Info

Publication number: WO2009026616A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/001237
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bryan James Larkin
Original assignee: Bryan James Larkin
Priority date: 2007-08-24
Filing date: 2008-08-22
Publication date: 2009-03-05

Abstract

The invention resides in a visual display system comprising a processing module; a display module configured to display information, the display module controlled by the processing module; a proximity sensor connected to the processing module; a storage module to store display information, the storage module controlled by the processing module; and a communication module connected to the processing module; the communication module configured to receive a request to display information; wherein when the proximity sensor is activated, a first cycle of display information is displayed on said display module and when the communication module receives a request to display information, a second cycle of display information is displayed on said display module.

Description

A VISUAL DISPLAY SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a visual display system. In particular, the visual display system is used in the field of advertising and therefore will be describe in this context. However, it should be appreciated that a visual display system may be used for other purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Signs are a popular way in which to display information about a particular product or service. Signs today come in many shapes, sizes and forms. There are two main types of signs namely printed signs and electronic signs.

Traditional printed signs are relatively cheap to manufacture and install. However, the amount of information that can be displayed on a printed of sign is limited to the physical area of the sign. Further, in order to place more information on the sign, pictures and text have been made smaller which often detracts from the visual aspect of the sign.

Electronic signs are becoming more popular due to the amount of information that can be viewed on a sign. The information that can be displayed is only limited by the amount of associated electronic storage.

Further, electronic signs are not limited to static images. Electronic signs can play videos, have sound and generally present information in a more ascetically pleasing manner. Historically, electronic signs have not been widely used due to the associated cost of technology used in the signs. However, with the advent new manufacturing techniques, costs have been reduced dramatically. Thus, more and more, electronic signs are becoming the chosen way in which to advertise.

One inherent problem with signs, both printed and electronic, is the lack of information that is obtained about a person viewing the sign. Signs are inherently a passive form of advertising. Accordingly, it is difficult to tell if the sign is effective in advertising the associated product or service.

Further, unless a person viewing the sign contacts the company promoting the product or service, no additional sales techniques can be employed on the person who has viewed the sign.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to overcome and/or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful and/or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form, although not necessary the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a visual display system comprising: a processing module; a display module configured to display information, the display module controlled by the processing module; a proximity sensor connected to the processing module; a storage module to store display information, the storage module controlled by the processing module; and a communication module connected to the processing module; the communication module configured to receive a request to display information; wherein when the proximity sensor is activated, a first cycle of display information is displayed on said display module and when the communication module receives a request to display information, a second cycle of display information is displayed on said display module.

Typically, the processing module contains central processing unit. There may be locally and/or remotely based processing units. Each display module normally includes a visual display unit.

An associated graphics card typically forms part of the display module.

• The proximity sensor may be of any suitable type such as capacitive, eddy current, inductive, photoelectric, ultrasonic and Hall effect.

The storage module may store the first cycle of display information and/or the second cycle of display information. The storage module may also store other information, such as requestor information.

The storage for the storage module may be located locally and/or remotely. The storage module typically is in the form of either a. hard drive or a flash drive.

Communication module may be able to receive the request for display information via email, short messing service, phone call or other electronic communication. The communication module may also be able to transmit a further communication to a third part. Typically, the communication module transmits requestor information to a third party.

In another form, the invention resides in a method of operating a visual display system; the method including the steps of: activating a proximity sensor; displaying a first cycle of display information on a display module; receiving a request on a communication module to a display a second cycle of display information; and displaying a first cycle of display information on a display module.

The method may further include the step of storing information about the request on the storage module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG.1 shows a schematic representation of a visual display system according to first embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a visual display system according to second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a self contained visual display system 10 in the form of a sign. The visual display system 10 can be used for many applications but typically is used to advertise real estate. The visual display system 10 includes a processing module 20, a visual display module 30, a proximity sensor 40, a storage module 50 and a communication module 60. The processing module 20 is used to control the operation of the visual display system 10. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that any action occurs within the visual display system 10 utilises the processing module. The processing module 20 is in the form of a micro chip such as those provided by Intel or AMD. However, it should be appreciated that the processing module 20 may be of any form that is well known in the art.

The visual display module 30 is used to display information. The visual display module 30 includes a visual display unit 31 and a graphics card 32. The visual display unit 31 is in the form of an LCD screen. However, it should be appreciated that the visual display unit 31 can be of other suitable forms including a plasma screen or CRT screen. The graphics card 32 is suitable to enable information to be displayed on the screen. For example, graphics card provided by Voodoo would be suitable.

The proximity sensor 40 is used to determine if there is movement occurring in front of the visual display system 10. The proximity sensor 40 is a photoelectric motion sensor. However, it should be appreciated that various other types of proximity sensors may be used depending on the environment conditions at the location of the visual display system. The proximity sensor 40 is located so that any person who walks past the proximity sensor 40 causes the proximity sensor 40 to be activated .

The storage module 50 is used to store display information and requestor information. The storage module 50, in this embodiment, is in the form of a flash drive. The flash drive holds both requestor information and display information. A relational database, located on the flash dive, is used to store requestor information.

It should be appreciated that the storage module 50 may of any suitable form, such as a hard disc drive. It should also be appreciated that the storage module 50 may include different types of media as storage.

For example, display information may be stored on a CD or DVD whilst other requestor information may be stored on hard disk drive.

The communication module 60 is used to receive a request from a mobile communication device 70, such as a mobile telephone or personal digital assistant (PDA). The communication module 60 is configured to receive a communication in the form of a Short Message Service (SMS). However, it should be appreciated that the communication module 60 can be configured to receive other types of communications such as voice communication, email, general packet radio services, voice calls or the like.

Further, the communication module is used to transmit a communication to a third party 80 who is advertising their product or service. This communication is typically an SMS. However, again it should be appreciated that the communication module 60 can be configured to transmit other types of communications such as voice communication, email, general packet radio services, voice calls or the like.

In use, the visual display system 10 is activated when the proximity sensor 40 detects the movement of a person or object. This causes the activation of the visual display module 30 and a first cycle of display information is displayed on the visual display unit 31. A person viewing the first cycle of display information is requested to send an SMS to a designated telephone number in order to receive a second cycle of display information. When the person sends an SMS, the SMS is received by the communication module 60. The visual display module 30 is again activated and displays a second cycle of display information on the visual display unit 31.

Requestor information, in the form of the person's telephone number from which the SMS was sent, is stored in the relational database on the storage module 50. Further, the communication module 50 sends the person's telephone number from which the SMS is sent to a third party 80 via a further SMS. The third party 80 is then able to contact the person viewing the display information at their leisure.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a visual display system 100. This embodiment of the visual display system 100 includes various visual display modules 120 that all display individual display information. All of the visual display modules 120 are all located locally. Proximity sensors 140 are also located locally adjacent visual display module 120.

The processing module 130 includes a locally based processing unit 131 and a remote based processing unit 132. The locally based processing unit 131 and the remote based processing unit 132 work in cooperation with each other.

The storage module 150 includes a flash drive 151 which is located locally and stores display information. The storage module 150 also includes a hard disk drive 152 which is located remotely and stores requestor information.

The communication module 160 is used to receive a request from a mobile communication device, such as a mobile telephone. Further, the communication module 160 is used to allow the locally based processing unit 131 and the remote based processing unit 132 to interact. The internet is used for this purpose. However, it should be appreciated that the other forms of communication can be used, such a wireless network, WLAN or LAN.

In use, the visual display system 100 is activated when a proximity sensor 140 detects the movement of a person or object locally. The locally based processing unit 131 activates the visual display module 120 and displays a first cycle of display information using the visual display module 120. The first cycle of display information contains an identifier which identifies the visual display module 120 which is displaying the display information. An instruction is provided in the first cycle of information that this identifier is to be transmitted by a mobile communication device 70 via SMS to a designated telephone number in order to receive a second cycle of display information. When the person sends an SMS containing the identifier, the SMS is received by the communication module 150. Requestor information in the form of the person's telephone number from which the SMS was sent is stored in a relational database on the hard disk drive. Further, the communication module 150 sends the person's telephone number from which the SMS is sent to a third party 180 via a further SMS. The third party 180 is then able to contact the person viewing the display information at their leisure.

The remote based processing unit 132 processes the identifier located in the SMS and identifies which display module is required to display a second cycle of display information. The remote processing unit 132 communicates this action via the communication module 160 to the local processing unit 131. The local processing unit 131 then causes the visual display module 120 to display the second cycle of information.

It should be appreciated that the locally and remotely based modules 131 , 132 may be varied as is required. For example, the storage module may be located entirely remotely and transmit display information over the internet to the locally based display module.

The visual display system 100 allows the content of the display information to be changed quickly and easily. The visual display system 100 provides the advantage of determining if advertising is effective. By determining the number of requests for a second cycle of display information, the effectiveness of the placement and content of the advertising can be obtained. Further, the contact details of people who have requested display information is obtained by the visual display system. This enables a follow to occur of prospects who are considered to be "hot prospects".

It should be appreciated various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A visual display system comprising: a processing module; at least one display module configured to display information, the display module controlled by the processing module; at least proximity sensor connected to the processing module; a storage module to store display information, the storage module controlled by the processing module; and a communication module connected to the processing module; the communication module configured to receive a request to display information; wherein when the at least one proximity sensor is activated, a first cycle of display information is displayed on said at least one display module and when the communication module receives a request to display information, a second cycle of display information is displayed on said at leat one display module.

2. The visual display system of claim 1 wherein the processing module contains central processing unit.

3. The visual display system of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the processing module contains a locally based processing unit.

4. The visual display system of any one of the preceding claims wherein the processing module contains a remotely based processing unit

5. The visual display system of any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one display module normally includes at least one visual display unit.

6. The visual display system of claim 3 wherein an associated graphics card forms part of the at least one display module.

7. The visual display system of any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one proximity sensor is of a type selected from capacitive, eddy current, inductive, photoelectric, ultrasonic and Hall effect.

8. The visual display system of any one of the preceding claims wherein the storage module stores the first cycle of display information and/or the second cycle of display information.

9. The visual display system of any one of the preceding claims wherein the storage module stores requestor information.

10. The visual display system of any one of the preceding claims wherein the storage module is in the form of either a hard drive or a flash drive.

11. The visual display system of any one of the preceding claims wherein the storage module includes locally based storage.

12. The visual display system of any one of the preceding claims wherein the storage module includes remotely based storage

13. The visual display system of any one of the preceding claims wherein the communication module is able to receive the request for display information via email, short messing service, phone call or other electronic communication.

14. The visual display system of any one of the preceding claims wherein the communication module is be able to transmit a further communication to a third part.

15. The visual display system of any one of the preceding claims wherein the communication module transmits requestor information to a third party.

16. A method of operating a visual display system; the method including the steps of: activating a proximity sensor; displaying a first cycle of display information on a display module; receiving a request on a communication module to a display a second cycle of display information; and displaying a first cycle of display information on a display module.

17. The method of claim 1 further including the step of storing information about the request on the storage module.