Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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INTERACTIVE AND DYNAMIC ELECTRONIC FLOOR
ADVERTISINGIMESSAGING DISPLAY
[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. ~ 119(e) of U.S.
s provisional application serial no. 60/441,408, filed January 22, 2003.
Moreover, this application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application
serial no. 10/682,435, filed October 10, 2003. Application serial no.
10/682,435 is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application serial no.
10/438,923, filed May 16, 2003. Application serial no. 10/438,923 is a
to continuation-in-part of co-pending application serial no. 10/285,639, filed
November 1, 2002, which is a continuation of application serial no.
10/137,357, filed May 3, 2002, and issued as U.S. Patent 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 issued as U.S.
is Patent No. 6,417,778 on July 9, 2002. Application serial no. 09/767,846 is
a
continuation of application serial no. 09/418,752, filed 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 issued as U.S.
Patent No. 6,219,876 on April 24,2001. Each of the above-identified
2u applications is fully incorporated herein by reference.
Background
[0002] Advertising and other kinds of messaging are typically presented in
forms that use "vertical space": that is, billboards, walls, ceiling-mounted
2s displays, and the like. On the other hand, one kind of space that has great
potential for advertising and messaging, but has been largely overlooked, is
floor space, which may be characterized as "horizontal space."
[0003] There have been efforts to exploit floor space for advertising.
Adhesive (i.e., "stick-on") floor decals are known. Such decals may include
3o a colorful image and convey some kind of advertising message, such as
"Drink Coke". Such an advertising medium is limited, however, by the fact
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that the message is static and not easily changed. On the other hand, U.S.
Patent 6,417,778, which is fully incorporated herein by reference, describes
a modifiable electronic display associated with a floor that enables images
and text to be easily changed, allowing an advertising message to be quickly
s adaptable and efficiently targeted toward desired customers.
[0004] Interactive features in a floor display system may increase its
usefulness and commercial appeal. U.S. application serial no. 10/438,923
by Blum et al., filed May 16, 2003, for example, describes a floor display
system including a number of interactive features for use in various
to commercial or other public applications. The present disclosure relates to
a
number of advantageous improvements and enhancements to such a floor
display system.
Brief Description of the Drawings
is [0005] FIG. 1 shows a floor display system according to embodiments of
the present invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a floor display system according
to embodiments of the present invention;
[0007] FIG. 3 shows an example of an array of sensing devices according
2o to embodiments of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 shows another example of an array of sensing devices
according to embodiments of the present invention;
[0009] FIGs. 5 and 6 show a floor display system including an audio device
according to embodiments of the present invention;
2s [0010] FIGs. 7A-7C show an example of an operation of a floor display
system according to embodiments of the present invention;
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[0011] FIG. 8 shows a floor display system according to embodiments of
the present invention wherein a transparent member thereof does not
include support ribs;
[0012] FIG. 9 shows a floor display system including a substantially vertical
s or inclined display device according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 10 shows a floor display system including a signaling device
according to embodiments of the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 11 shows further details of the signaling device according to
m embodiments of the present invention.
Detailed description
[0015] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a floor display
system. The floor display system may be arranged in a public place, such
is as a commercial establishment or other public building, and be configured
to
display electronically modifiable arbitrary content, such as advertising or
other informational content. More specifically, the floor display system
comprises a floor covering and an electronic display device associated with
the floor covering. The electronic display device is able to display
2o 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.
2s This enables eye-catching effects to be created on the display device, as
described in more detail below, and consequently enhances the usefulness
and commercial appeal of the floor display system.
[0016] As noted above, U.S. 6,417,778 discloses a system for electronically
conveying information via a floor display. More specifically, the floor
display
3
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may incorporate a modifiable electronic display surface presenting, for
example, a liquid crystal display. The display could be connected to a
computer and a computer generated image could be displayed on the
display. Thus, the image displayed on the display could be modified by
s generating a different computer image and displaying that computer image
on the display. The display could be associated with a base portion of a
floor covering, such as included within a recess thereof, or could be included
on a bottom surface, facing upward, of an insert portion of the floor
covering.
Alternatively, the display could be integrally formed with either of the base
to portion or the insert portion. The modifiable display could utilize a
plurality of
different graphics that can be displayed in any of a variety of manners on the
display. For example, the graphics could be displayed in a generally fixed
position on the display or could scroll across the display, with both
exemplary methodologies displaying multiple graphics either individually or
is in combination.
[0017] Other alternatives for modifying graphics displayed on the floor
covering include using light emitting polymers to create, and thus change,
the graphics. The light emitting polymers can be either applied to, attached
to, or woven into the floor covering. The light emitting polymers may be
2o utilized on any portion of the floor covering, for example, on either the
base
portion or the insert portion, or on any other portion of the different
embodiments for the floor covering. Light emitting polymers are known and
described in U.S. Patents 5,945,502, 5,869,350, and 5,571,626, which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
2s [0018] Other options for a display are to use electronic ink or electric
paper.
Electric 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, which are incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety. Electric paper employs thousands of
tiny, electrically charged beads, called Gyricon, each about the width of a
3o human hair, to create pixels. The two-tone beads are embedded inside a
liquid-filled plastic sheeting that forms the surface of the paper. Each bead,
half-black, half-white, gyrates in response to an electric field. Whether the
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beads are black- or white-side up determines the image. Because there's no
need to refresh the image, and because the screen isn't backlit, electric
paper uses only a fraction of the power used by conventional electronic
displays. Electromagnetic styluses and printer-like devices can be used for
s getting images onto the paper.
[0019] Electronic ink is available from E Ink Corp., at 45 Spinelli PI.,
Cambridge, MA 02138. Electronic ink uses a microencapsulated
micromechanical display system. Tiny microcapsules are captured between
two sheets of plastic to create pixels. Alternatively, the capsules may be
io sprayed on a surface. The result is a flexible display material. The tiny
capsules are transparent and contain a mixture of dark ink and white paint
chips. An electric charge is passed through the capsules. Depending on the
electrostatic charge, the paint chips float at the top or rest on the bottom
of
each capsule. When the paint chips float at the top, the surface appears
is white. When they rest at the bottom, and thus under the ink, the surface
appears black. Each of the two states is stable: black or white. A
transparent electromagnetic grid laid over the sheet's surface controls the
shape of the image. The display may be wirelessly connected to, for
example, a computer and thus, the World Wide Web by utilizing, for
2o example, a Motorola paging system. Text on all displays, if multiple
displays
are used, can be changed at once by a single editor, through a Web page.
[0020] According to embodiments of the present invention, additional or
alternative technologies to those described above may be used to implement
a floor display system. "Floor" as used herein means floor, ground, or any
?s surfaces thereof including concrete, asphalt, carpeting, wood, linoleum,
tile,
rubber, vinyl and the like. A floor display system 100 according to
embodiments of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The floor display
system 100 includes an electronic display device 101 associated with a floor
covering 102. More specifically, the display device 101 may be at least
partly connected to, supported by, received within or otherwise associated
with the floor covering 102. The floor covering 102 and associated electronic
display device 101 may take many structural forms and be constructed from
s
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various types of materials, and are not limited to the specific forms
illustrated
herein. In embodiments, the floor covering 102 and electronic display device
101 are designed to be used in places where there is foot traffic or other
(for
example, wheeled shopping cart) traffic. Accordingly, the floor covering
s and electronic display device may be sturdy and durable enough that they
may be repeatedly stepped on, walked over, or have a wheeled shopping
cart or other rolling or sliding object traverse them, with negligible adverse
effect on the floor covering and display device. The electronic display device
may have, for example, a sturdy protective covering that is transparent or
to semi-transparent to allow the electronic display device to be viewed
therethrough, and that protects the electronic display device from damage
associated with foot or other traffic, such as scratches, cracks, chips,
tears,
or damage caused by environmental dirt. The floor covering 102 may be
;~ ,
affixed to a floor or may be portable so that it can be easily moved to
is different places.
[0021] The floor covering 102 could comprise a plurality of inclined surfaces
131, 132, 133 and 134 that slope downward and away from a top surface
(which could be the surface of a protective covering of the display device
101, as described above) so that the entire perimeter of the floor covering
2o presents an inclined surface to a person approaching the floor covering.
Such a structure may make the floor covering easier to cross over, either by
a person walking over the floor covering, or by a wheeled shopping cart, for
example, if the floor covering is placed in the aisles of a commercial
establishment.
2~ [0022] The electronic display device 101 associated with the floor covering
102 may be configured to electronically display graphical images and
alphanumeric data in either a static (not moving or changing) or dynamic
(e.g., scrolling or otherwise moving or changing) format. More specifically,
the electronic display device 101 may be coupled by wired or wireless
3o means to a controller 103 and modifiable via the controller 103 to display
any
content chosen by a user. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the electronic
display device 101 may be coupled to the controller 103 via a display driver
6
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circuit such as a video graphics adapter card 105. The controller 103 may
include any kind of electronic logic circuit: for example, a general
microprocessor configurable with software, or an ASIC (application specific
integrated circuit). The driver 105 of the electronic display device may be
s integrated with the controller 103 or built into an ASIC. The controller may
also be in the form of a single board computer with a processor and memory
and with one or more display driving circuits built onto the board, as well as
wireless components for communicating with the outside world or for loading
data into memory.
io [0023] The controller may be coupled to a storage medium 104, which
could be any form of medium suitable for storing digital data, including RAM
(random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), flash or other non-
volatile solid-state electronic'storage; EEPROM (electronically erasable and
programmable read only memory), or magnetic and/or optical disk storage.
is The storage medium 104 may store, for example, control software for
execution by the controller 103 and video content of choice for display,
under the control of the control software, on the electronic display device
101. A user interface (not shown), such as a personal computer with a
display monitor and keyboard, may be coupled to the controller to enable
2o configuration of the controller with specific user input, such as specific
control programs to produce specific displays and/or audio output. An audio
device 111 may further be coupled to the controller 103 via a sound card
110. The audio device 111 may output audio content of choice, stored in the
storage medium 104, under the control of the controller 103. Components of
2s the floor display system 100 may be powered by a power supply 114. The
floor display system may further comprise a sensing device 113 to provide
for a variety of interactive applications of the floor display system. The
sensing device 113 could be coupled to the controller 113 and provide
signals thereto. The connection of the sensing device to the controller could
3o be wired or wireless.
[0024] Data may be stored in the storage medium 104 using, for example, a
data port 106 coupled to a common system bus. The bus could be, by way
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of example only, a USB (Universal Serial Bus). The floor display system
may further comprise a wireless port 107 implemented, for example, using a
wireless WAN/LAN card. Through the wireless port 107, the floor display
system 100 may be coupled to and communicate with a network 125. The
s network could be any kind 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, for example, via a wireless communication
device 112, to a server computer 108 of the network. The server computer
to 108 may be coupled to a database 109. The database 109 may store
information relevant to 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 floor display
system. Thus, the floor display system 100 may be remotely controllable.
is However, the floor display system 100 need not be networked, and could be
controlled locally by, for example, downloading content and control software
locally via data port 106. Also, while wireless communication methods and
systems are illustrated in FIG. 1, wired systems could also be used, or could
be combined with wireless systems.
20 [0025] Display technologies that may be utilized in embodiments of the
present invention, in addition to those described earlier, include: liquid
crystal displays (LCDs), light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting
diodes (OLEDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), field emission displays
(FEDs) including printable field emitters, ferroelectric displays, nanocarbon
2s displays, polymeric light emitting diodes (PLEDs), light emitting polymers
(LEPs), electronic paper, and light-emitting ceramic or other light-emitting
inorganic materials. Other display technologies that may be utilized in
embodiments include optical fiber technology, where a remote image is
formed electronically and transmitted utilizing a light guiding source to
fiber
3o arrays or bundles. The remote image light source could be internal or
external to the floor covering. Other contemplated display technologies
include holographic displays. In this technique, either a white-light or laser
s
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hologram may generated either internally or externally to the floor covering
102, and focused by a lens, possibly a Fresnel lens, to make it visible to
persons viewing the display 101 at an acute angle.
[0026] As noted above, the electronic display device 101 is capable of
s displaying at least alphanumeric data and graphic images. The content may
include alphanumeric data alone, graphic images (e.g., pictures) alone, or
combinations of the two, either static, moving, or both static and moving, in
accordance with selected video content. Moving alphanumeric data and
images may, for example, be scrolled. The alphanumeric data and graphic
io images could be black and white or in full color. Further, the display
device
101 may include more than one distinct display: that is, the display area of
the display device could be partitioned with respect to content. For example,
the display area could include two or more different "windows," each
displaying different content. Such a partitioning of displays is well known,
for
t~s example, in "split-screen" TV and through the widespread use of various
graphics software applications, including the ubiquitous "Windows" software
by Microsoft.
[0027] Various digital video file formats could be used to generate images
on the electronic display device 101, including MPEG (Moving Picture
2o Experts Group), DVD (digital versatile disc) or digital video disc, and
Flash.
Further, conventional video content used, for example, in network television,
could be converted into digital video content for display on an electronic
display device 101 according to embodiments of the present invention. One
such converting process involves taking conventional NTSC (National
2s Television Systems Committee) video from a tape, and capturing it on a
computer through a video capture card. An example of this type of card is a
Targa 2000 RTX board. Once captured, the video may be compressed into
a file with a format that can be played by digital equipment. The file could
be
saved, by way of example only, in MPEG 1, MPEG 2, MPEG 3 or MPEG 4
3o formats.
9
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[0028] According to embodiments, components of the floor display system
100 as described above could be housed completely internally to the floor
covering 102, completely externally to the floor covering 102, or some
components could be internal to the floor covering 102, while others are
s external.
[0029] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the floor display system 100 according
to possible embodiments. A base component 210 may be configured to
receive and support a wiring assembly 220 comprising electronic inverters
221, 222, 223, and a fourth inverter not visible in FIG. 2, and associated
to power supply cables 226. The four electronic inverters may be used for
providing power for driving a back light on each of, for example, four LCD
displays in a four-panel electronic display device 240. A structure 230 may
be arranged over the wiring assembly 220; structure 230 may be formed
from plastic 'or other material and provide support for the inclined surfaces
is 131, 132, 133, 134 and for the display device 240. Sections of surfacing
material 250, such as carpet or rubber, may be placed over structure 230, to
form inclined surfaces 131, 132, 133, 134. A transparent member such as a
plate of tempered glass 260 including support ribs 270 and further supported
by structure 230 may be used as a protective covering for the display device
20 240. Components of the floor display system may be held together, for
example, with adhesive, epoxy or mechanical fasteners. A controller (not
shown) such as controller 103 (see FIG. 1 ) might be constructed to be small
or thin enough to be held within the borders of the floor covering 102 and
among the components shown in FIG. 2.
2s [0030] It should be understood that embodiments of the present invention
are not limited to the components, or forms thereof, of the system illustrated
in FIG. 2. For example, the transparent member 260 need not include
support ribs, nor need the display device 240 include four panels; more or
fewer panels are possible.
30 [0031] According to embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of
sensing devices 280 may be included in the floor display system 100. For
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example, the plurality of sensing devices could be arranged below the
transparent member 260. Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of
sensing devices could arranged above, in or on the transparent member
260. FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the sensing devices 280. The sensing
s devices may be arranged, by way of example only, in an array comprising N
rows and M columns. In embodiments, the array could be a square array
where N = M.
[0032] Each sensing device could be associated with a particular location
on the display device 240. For example, each sensing device could be
to identified by a coordinate pair, such as (3, 2), identifying the sensing
device
in the third row and second column. Each coordinate pair would further
correspond to a location on a display area of the display device 240. Based
on a signal generated by a sensing device(s), a corresponding display area
of the display device could be caused to display a desired content. For
is example, a previous content could be modified and/or new content
generated based on a signal from a sensing device. More specifically, the
sensing devices 280 could be coupled to the controller 103. Based on
signals received from a sensing device(s), the controller could execute logic
to cause desired content to be displayed at a location or locations on a
2o display area of the display device corresponding to the sensing devices)
from which signals are received.
[0033] The sensing devices could, in particular, be capable of sensing the
presence of an object on, near or above the display device. To this end, the
sensing devices 280 could include, by way of example only, devices
2s responsive to light. These include any or all of photo detectors, photo
diodes, and photo transistors. Such devices are responsive to a change in
an amount of ambient light, and may be made to generate corresponding
output signals in response to a decrease or increase in the amount of
ambient light. These signals may be input to a controller as described
3o above. Thus, the floor display system 100 could be configured to generate
content at specific locations in response to a person stepping on or walking
across the floor display system by causing sensing devices corresponding to
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the specific locations to generate signals in response to the stepping or
walking. More specifically, because the stepping or walking will block light
input to the sensing devices, the sensing devices will register a decrease in
light and may be caused to generate corresponding signals to the controller.
s Based on the signals, the controller may generate desired content at
locations corresponding to the sensing devices that generate the signals.
The content, for example, could be an eye-catching image such as ripples
that track the movement of a person's feet. Objects that could be tracked by
the sensing devices, however, are not limited to feet. For example, an object
to such as a ball could be rolled across the floor display system, and a
series of
images generated in response that shows the path of the ball.
[0034] Pressure-sensing devices or temperature-sensing devices could
. also be used to detect and track objects on the floor display system using
operations similar to the operations involving the light-responsive devices as
is described' above. The pressure-sensing devices, temperature-sensing
devices and light-responsive devices could each be used solely or in
combination with one or more other types of sensing devices. While the
sensing devices may be arranged below the transparent member, they need
not be. They could be on an upper surface of the transparent member or
?o embedded within the transparent member. For example, the transparent
member could be machined or fabricated to receive a sensing device array
therein in such a way that the sensing device array is protected but can
sense changes in light and/or pressure and/or temperature.
[0035] In embodiments, the light-responsive devices could be passive
zs devices that receive light energy from ambient light and register changes
in
the amount of light energy received. A baseline level of light energy may be
determined based on an average of light energy received by a plurality of
sensing devices, and all of the plurality of the sensing devices may be
calibrated based on this baseline level. On the other hand, individual
3o sensing devices could be calibrated based on different respective baseline
light energy levels. The sensing devices could be calibrated so when there
was a change the baseline level of light energy, for example due to some
t2
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object blocking incident light energy, they would output a signal that is
received by the controller. In response, the controller could cause desired
content to be displayed. To discourage spurious signals from the sensing
devices, the sensing devices could be arranged in a recess to ensure that
s most incident light energy is received from a desired direction. In
alternative
embodiments, the sensing devices could be active sensing devices that emit
electromagnetic energy such as light or other radiation, and generate signals
based on whether the emitted light energy is reflected or interrupted.
Embodiments could include both passive and active sensing devices.
to [0036] The sensing devices could be arranged in any desired way, and
need not form a regular pattern. For example, the sensing devices could be
spaced to achieve a desired resolution. To detect comparatively small
objects .on or near the floor display .system, the sensing devices could be
comparatively close together and comparatively more numerous to yield a
na comparatively fine resolution. On the other hand, to detect comparatively
large objects, the sensing devices could be comparatively far apart and
comparatively less numerous to yield a comparatively coarse resolution. In
a given floor display system, there could be an arrangement of sensing
devices in a mixture of comparatively fine resolution and comparatively
2o coarse resolution. FIG. 4 shows an example of a sensing device array with
finer resolution than the array in FIG. 3. In embodiments, sensing devices
could be arranged with a comparatively fine resolution on or near the edges
of a floor display system. Such an arrangement could be effective to
produce eye-catching effects, such as a display of a ripple in a pool of water
?s beginning as a person's shoe approaches an edge of the floor display
system and conforming to the shape of the shoe near the edge.
[0037] As noted with reference to FIG. 1, the floor display system 100 may
include an audio device 111. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the present
invention wherein the audio device 111 is suspended by a support 530
3o above or otherwise in the vicinity of the floor display system. The audio
device 111 may include a loudspeaker 520 and a receiver 525. The audio
device may be coupled by a wired connection 510 to the controller 103 of
l3
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the floor display system 100. The audio device may include an amplifier (not
shown) to amplify signals received from the controller via the wired
connection. The audio device may be configured to generate audio output
under the control of the controller in response to signals generated by
s sensing devices in the floor display system as described above. According
to embodiments, the speaker 520 could be a directional speaker such as the
Dual-ParabolicT"" speakers produced by SoundtubeT"~. Use of such a
directional speaker could enable sound to be confined to a desired area.
The controller 103 could control the volume and frequency range of the
to output of the speaker to minimize the effect of reflected sound. As shown
in
FIG. 6, in embodiments the controller 103 could be coupled to the audio
device 111 wirelessly via transmissions from a transmitter 605 of the floor
display system. The transmitter 605 could be, for example, arranged below
a~ surface of the floor coveririg 102. An amplifier of the audio device may
is amplify a signal received from the transmitter.
[0038] The audio device could be configured to generate audio output
corresponding to a display of the floor display system. An example is shown
in FIGs. 7A-7C. In FIG. 7A, an image 710 of a dog is displayed on the floor
display system. In response to a person's foot 730 stepping on or passing
20 over the image of the dog as shown in FIG. 7B, the audio device might, for
example, be caused to emit a barking sound. In combination with the
barking sound, the image of the dog might be caused to appear to run to
another location on the display of the floor display system, as shown in FIG.
7C. A related audio output 750 such as an advertising message could
2s further be emitted by the audio device as shown in FIG. 7C. For example,
along with the barking sound, a location of dog food in a store could be
announced, as in "ALPO - aisle 11".
[0039] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the floor display system comprising
an array of sensing devices 280 wherein the transparent member does not
~o include support ribs.
t=t
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[0040] In still further embodiments of the present invention, the floor
display
system 100 may comprise a display that is substantially vertical or inclined.
An example is shown in FIG. 9. In FIG. 9, a substantially vertical or inclined
display device 910 is included with the floor display system 100. For
s example, the substantially vertical or inclined display device 910 could be
an
electronic device coupled by a wired connection 911 or wirelessly (not
shown) to the controller of the floor display system. The substantially
vertical
or inclined display device 910 could incorporate any of the display
technologies disclosed herein or otherwise suitable. The substantially
io vertical or inclined display device 910 could, for example, be a projection
device that projects an image onto a surface from distance.
[0041] Under the control of the controller, the substantially vertical or
inclined display device 910 could be caused to generate content relating to
content displayed on the electronic display device 240 associated with the
is 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 over the floor
covering 102 of the floor display system, the controller causes the display
device 240 associated with the floor covering 102 to generate an advertising
message 920 ("Coke T"~") in a corresponding location and causes the
2o substantially vertical or inclined display device 910 to generate a display
of a
related advertising message 921 ("The Real Thing T"~") and a store location
and price of the advertised product ("Aisle 12 -- $3.99"). The audio device
111 is caused to generate a related audio message 930 ("It's the real
thing T~~").
7$
Product identification/location feature
[0042] In applications of the floor display system according to embodiments
of the present invention, a product being promoted on the floor display
system may be located in a store among a number of similar products,
3o making the product being promoted difficult to find. An example is shown in
FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, a floor display system 100 is arranged in front of a row
~s
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of shelves 1002. The shelves hold a variety of different brands of hair care
products. The floor display system 100 is displaying an advertising message
1001 promoting one particular brand of the hair care products on the
shelves. Because the shelves hold an array of similar hair care products
s extending many feet, the particular product being promoted may be difficult
to find.
[0043] Accordingly, in still further embodiments of the present invention, the
floor display system 100 may comprise a product identification/location
feature. This feature could be very helpful in allowing a consumer to quickly
to locate a product being promoted on the floor display system. Referring to
FIG. 10, the product identification/location feature may comprise a signaling
device 1003 (not shown to scale) arranged near a product being promoted
. on the floor display system. ~ . The controller 103 (see FIG. 1 ) of the
floor
display system may communicate with the signaling.device 1003. Under the
is control of the controller, the signaling device may be caused to emit a
signal
when a particular product is being promoted on the floor display system.
The signal could be visible, audible or olfactory, or any combination of
these.
For example, when a particular product is being promoted, the signaling
device could be caused to blink or flash a light, emit a sound, emit a
~o fragrance, or perform any combination of these. Such signals would enable
a consumer to easily and quickly locate the product being promoted.
[0044] A signaling device 1003 for product identification/location according
to embodiments of the present invention is further illustrated in FIG. 11. The
signaling device 1003 may comprise a light source 1101, a sound source
2s 1102, and a fragrance source 1103. However, the signaling device 1003
need not include all of these and may include only a light source, only a
sound source, or only a fragrance source. Or, the signaling device could
include any desired combination of a light source, a sound source, and a
fragrance source. Any of the light source, the sound source or the fragrance
3o source, or combination thereof, may have associated therewith a housing
1100. The housing 1100 could be designed so that the signaling device
1003 could be free-standing. Additionally or alternatively, the housing could
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have a fastening device 1104 associated therewith. The fastening device
1104 could be part of the housing or an independent part affixed to the
housing. The fastening device 1104 could include, for example, hooks,
snaps, adhesive, magnets, a hook-and-loop arrangement such as VeIcroT"~,
s or any other suitable fastening arrangement. The signaling device 1003 may
further include an independent power source 1105, such as a battery, but
could receive power from the floor display system or other source.
[0045] The signaling device 1003 may be coupled by a wired connection
1107 or a wireless connection 1108 to the floor display system 100 and
to receive control signals from the controller 103 via the wired connection
1107
or wireless connection 1108. To receive wireless signals, the signaling
device could include a transceiver 1106. The signaling device could further
include its own logic device 1109; such.as. a microprocessor, that could be
programmed to execute processes independently ,of the control of the
is controller 103. For example, the controller 103 might simply send an
initiating signal to the signaling device 1003 to cause it to initiate some
sequence of light flashes, or of sounds, or of fragrance emissions, or of any
combination of these, under the control of logic device 1109.
[004G] Again, the signaling device 1003 may be used for product
2o identification/location. For example, the signaling device could be
arranged
on a shelf near a product being promoted, either free-standing or affixed by
the fastening device 1104 to the shelf or other support. When the floor
display system is generating a particular display to promote the particular
product, it may send a corresponding signal to the signaling device 1003. In
2s response, the signaling device may generate a visible display, such as a
continuous light or a sequence of light blinks or flashes, emit a sound such
as a tone or buzz or product jingle, emit a fragrance, or any combination of
the foregoing.
[0047] The floor display system could be caused to generate the particular
3o display promoting the particular product based on signals generated by an
array of sensors 280 arranged in, on or below the transparent member 240
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as described above. Additionally or alternatively, the floor display system
could be caused to generate the particular display promoting the particular
product based on the detection of merely the proximity of a person to, as
opposed to a person actually stepping or walking on, the floor display
s system. Such detection could be performed by sensing device 113 (see
FIG. 1 ). Sensing device 113 may take on a number of varying forms, each
of which enables the detection of phenomena or activities indicating the
presence of persons in the vicinity of the floor display system, and causes
the floor display system to perform some corresponding action in response.
to The corresponding action may be generating a display promoting a particular
product, and as a result, activating the signaling device 1003 as described
above. In one such embodiment, the sensing device 113 is a sound-sensing
device. Examples of sound-sensing devices include omni-directional and
directional microphones. The sound-se~rising 'device 113 may be located
t, within the floor covering 102 (see FIG. 1 ), or may be located at some
distance from the floor covering. The sound-sensing device could be
configured to detect an individual as he or she approached the floor display
system, and to cause a corresponding response to be generated by the floor
display system.
ao [0048] In yet another embodiment, sensing device 113 may be a motion-
detection device. Examples of motion-detection devices include devices that
detect light, temperature or pressure changes as discussed above, and
devices that detect motion by injecting energy (e.g., light, microwaves or
sound) into the environment, and then detecting a change in the energy.
zs The motion-detection device 113 could be located within the floor covering
102, or may be located at some distance from the floor covering, for
example, in or on a ceiling or wall near the floor covering. The motion
detection device could be configured to detect an individual as he or she
approached the floor display system, and to cause a corresponding
~o response to be generated.
[0049] The floor display system according to embodiments of the present
invention may also detect the presence or movement of a person based on
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events within the physical environment. For example, the floor display
system could be coupled via a wired or wireless connection to a door in an
entry way or other door of a commercial establishment or other building.
Through the connection, the floor display system could detect the opening of
s the door, and activate the display in response.
[0050] In embodiments, the floor display system could be arranged, for
example, in the "raceway" of a commercial establishment. A raceway is a
common area at ends of a plurality of aisles (e.g., in a common layout of
grocery stores, the raceway is between the checkout counters and the aisle
to ends). A signaling device or devices could be arranged down the aisles and
visible from the raceway to indicate the location of a product being promoted
on the floor display system.
[0051] Several embodiments of the present invention are specifically
illustrated and/or described herein. However, it will be appreciated that
is 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.
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