TRANSMITTER APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USE WITH ADVERTISING DISPLAY

EMETTEUR, ET METHODE POUR UTILISATION AVEC ETALAGE PUBLICITAIRE

English Abstract

A method and apparatus for transmitting from a base unit to a plurality
of portably infrared devices using established communication protocols
for the purpose of disseminating advertising and other sorts of
information, through audio, visual, textual or other means. A signal
(infrared, radio frequency or other wireless signal) is generated and
transmitted from a base unit. Any portable device(s) with the ability
to receive and process these signals in sufficient proximity to a
transmitter apparatus will receive the transmission (appropriately
encoded audio, visual, textual, or other information) from that
transmitter apparatus. the transmitter apparatus will also be capable
of receiving a signal from the portable device that will correspond to a
specific registered account that may be credited with reward points
awarded by the advertiser.

Claims

CLAIM:
We claim:
1. An apparatus for transmitting information from an outdoor
advertisement to portable devices using established communication
protocols comprised of:
a transmitter;
a receiver;
a power supply;
a control device; and
an information storage device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transmitter transmits an
infrared signal.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transmitter transmits a radio
frequency signal.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the apparatus is further
comprised of a plurality of access ports, said access ports being
facilitating the exchange of data between the information storage device
and a diagnostic and programming device.
5. A method for transmitting electronic information from a transmitter
apparatus associated with an advertisement in a public place to
portable devices, said transmitter apparatus including a transmitter, a
receiver, a power supply and an information storage device, said method
comprising:
transmitting a signal to a portable device using an established
communication protocol;
obtaining feedback from said portable device receiving the signal;
recording the feedback obtained from said portable device: and
transmitting a subsequent signal according to the feedback
obtained from said portable device.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the signal is infrared.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the signal is radio frequency.
8. The method of claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein the subsequent signal is sent
to said portable device in the same manner as the original signal.
9. The method of claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein the feedback obtained from said
portable device includes a unique identification code corresponding to
an account in a remote database, and the subsequent signal is sent to
said remote database where said account is updated based on the nature
of the interaction between the transmitter apparatus and the portable
device.
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Description

CA 02304442 2000-04-07
SU~~ARY 0~ T~~ INVENTION:
The present invention relates to the enhancement of billboards and
dther advertising in public places. The advertising display will be
accompanied by a small transmitter apparatus that sends out information
stored in memory via a signal capable of being received by portable
devices such as mobile phones and other hand held electronic devices.
The user of the portable device would have the option of storing the
information sent by the transmitter or using the information to make
direct contact with the advertiser, depending upon the capabilities of
the individual device.
It is a further aspect df the invention that the transmitter
apparatus would a1so be equipped with a receiver and a means of
accessing and updating a remote database. Users of the system will be
able to set up a unique identification code and a related account that
will be credited with reward points upon interacting with a transmitter
apparatus which ha.s been designated by the a~vextiser to reward.a
certain number of points for certain interactions. The user will send
the unique identification code to the transmitter apparatus, which will
in to=n reeei~e the identification code and access the remote database,
crediting the account related to that code with the amount of points
determined by~the advertiser.

CA 02304442 2000-04-07
UESCRIPTI~~ ~~ TYfL Ii~NTIO~:
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
transmitting apparatus consists of a transinitte_r, rece_iv~r, p9wer
supply, storage device, control device and access ports. The
transmitter and power supply will be sufficient to transmit a viable
signal into the immediate area.
In the case that two or more transmitter apparatuses are in close
proximity, each will be configured in such a way as to ensure that the
signal from each is distinguishable, either by a physical directional
coils, or by including a distinguishincj code iii the signal. The iftethod
of distinguishing the signals is not an essential aspect of the
invention.
The transmitter will either continuously or upon r~Ceiving a
signal from a portable device broadcast a signal to any portable device
in the immediate area using established communication protocols. Upon
receiving the signal, a portable device will present the information
contained in the signal to the user of the device via textual display,
audio or visual means, depending on the type of portable device.
The transmitter, receiver and storage device will be controlled by
a eo trol device. The control device could be either a avicrop_ r6cessor
or some sort of programmable array.
The contents of the signal to be transmitted shall Y~e store_d in an
electronic storage device sufficient for the immediate application. The
contents of the signal to be transmitted may be modified either by
physically changing the storage device, or changing the information in
the storage device by electronic means such as a direct connection to an
access port on the transmitter apparatus, or a wireless signal sent from
a physically separate diagnostic and programming device.
The tzansi~itter apparatus i~nay receive a req_~iiest for more
information from the portable device. Depending on the information
selected by the advertiser, the transmitter apparatus will, on receipt
of such a request from a portable dyvice_, transmit andthe_r signal which
wil1 present new alternatives to the user of the portable device. Such
interactions will be recorded and temporarily stored in the storage
device and will enable the user to access the information that is
desired.
In addition to transmitting the informational message, the_
transmitter apparatus wil1 a1so be capable of sending messages regarding
its state for maintenance purposes either on its own or in response to a
query from a diagnostic device that is received by the receiver.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the transmitter
apparatus will also be capable of accessing and updating accounts in a
remote database. Suitably-equipped (able to transmit and receive
signals by an established co~iiceiini.catioii protocol v~hich will be
understood by the transmitter apparatus) portable devices may signal the
transmitter apparatus associated with the advertisement. The portable
device will have a unique i~te_ntifier and furthermbre the user of that
device will have established an account in the remote database which
will uniquely identify the user. The unique identifier for the device
is necessary for updating an account in the remote database. Because
there may be several users of any portable device, each user must be
3

CA 02304442 2000-04-07
dis~inguishe_d. For protection, each user may choo_se_ a PTN (Pers_onai
Identification Number)which needs to be entered to activate that user's
account. Upon receipt of a message from a portable device, the
transmitter apparatus will signal the remote database where the
interaction will be recorded. The value in points for each such
interaction will be selected by the merchant and the points database
maintainer, based on the type of interaction and other relevant factors.
The method for signaling the remote database may be infrared, radio
frequency br some other wireless technology. The communication is
unidirectional, from the outdoor advertisement installation to the
remote database. The user of the portable device may choose to query
the r2mbte database dir2ctly and fan do so ~y a variety gf means. The
user's direct interactions with the database are not essential aspects
of the invention.