Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SUBWAY TV MEDIA SYSTEM
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to video display systems, and more specifically
to video
display systems mounted in and operating in mass transit subway cars.
Technical Background
[0002] It is commonplace to provide visual advertising displays such as
posters in mass
transit subway cars, where the displays are available for reading by subway
passengers
during travel. It is also known to equip subway cars with closed circuit
television
cameras, for surveillance of passenger behaviour and other safety checks.
Images of such
surveillance are either displayed at a central security facility, or recorded
for subsequent
viewing in the event of safety problems.
[0003] It is also commonplace to equip subway cars with audio public address
systems
for a myriad of uses, including transit service announcements, community
service
events, advertising, safety and emergency procedures, as well as inter-staff
communications.
[0004] Proposals have been made previously to equip other transportation
items,
especially aircraft, with television or video systems, primarily for the
entertainment of
passengers on long journeys. Examples of such systems in the patent literature
can be
found in U.S. Patent 4,647,980 Steventon et al., U.S. Patent 4,630,821
Greenwald, U.S.
Patent 4,352,124 Kline, U.S. Patent 5,123,728 Gradin et al., and U.S. Patent
3,457,006
Brown et al.
[0005] Entertainment of passengers on subway cars has until now generally been
ignored, since the average journey taken by a passenger on a mass transit
subway system
is usually short, lasting perhaps fifteen minutes. Nevertheless, subway
transit riders offer
an attractive audience for visual advertising messages, as evidenced by the
proliferation
of advertising signs which commonly adorn a subway car. In addition, mass
transit
CA 02888312 2015-04-17
systems such as subways are in need of extra sources of revenue, to keep
passenger fare
structures at an affordable level as operating costs rise, and to avoid
decreased ridership
as a result.
Summary of the Invention
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a public service
message display
system, entertainment system and advertising system for mass transit subway
cars.
[0007] It is a further object to provide a novel source of extra revenue for a
mass transit
subway system.
[0008] The present invention provides a television public service message
display,
entertainment and advertising system for subway cars, in which television
monitors are
provided at spaced intervals in subway cars, to display short duration
televisual
entertainment and advertising features to subway riders. The system is
designed so that
advertising spots on it can be sold by the transit system to potential
advertisers and
sponsors, for extra revenues for the transit system. It takes advantage of the
fact that
subway riders are, for the most part, occupying a subway car under relatively
crowded
conditions but for only a relatively brief duration. They are looking for
something on
which to focus their attention during their brief ride, whilst at the same
time often
finding it inconvenient to open newspapers, magazines or the like under
crowded
circumstances and becoming bored by static advertising or other displays
around them.
The present invention provides properly positioned television monitors
displaying
moving images of news items, advertising material and the like, viewable by
substantially all riders in the car, and filling their need for visual
entertainment during
the brief duration of their subway ride.
[0009] Thus, according to the present invention, from one aspect, there is
provided a
video system for displaying televised material to passengers in a mass transit
subway car,
and comprising at least one video display monitor adapted for mounting inside
a subway
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car so as to display televised materials to passengers riding therein, and a
video signal
source unit operatively connected to said at least one monitor.
[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a subway
car for mass transportation and comprising a video display system including at
least one
video display monitor having a video screen, the monitor being mounted in the
subway
car in a manner such that the video screen thereof is readily visible to
passengers in the
subway car, and a video signal source unit operatively connected to said at
least one
monitor.
[0011] The term "video signal source unit" as used herein embraces player
units for
playing pre-recorded video material, such as computer-based digital video
recorders
(including CD-ROM players), video tape players and video disk players, and
television
receivers for receiving live or pre-recorded broadcast television signals from
a remote
transmitter and supplying these to the video display monitors mounted in the
subway
cars. One system according to the invention utilizes receivers including
computer-based
digital video recorders for receiving broadcast television signals from a
remote
transmitter as the video signal source unit. Such video signal source unit can
be located
either within the mass transits' premises or on a remote broadcasting site.
Alternatively,
the invention utilizes a video tape player, a video disk player, or a computer-
based =
digital video recorder, as the video signal source unit. The video signal
source unit may
be located in the same subway car as that in which the monitor or monitors are
located,
or in adjacent or remote cars of the same train, with the necessary operative
connection
between the player and the monitor(s). An individual subway car can be
equipped with
its own video signal source unit, connected to a plurality of monitors mounted
at
different, appropriately chosen locations along the length of the subway car.
Alternatively, one central video signal source unit can be located in one car
of subway
train, and connected to monitors in some or all of the cars of the train, to
provide a
central video signal source unit for the train.
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[0012] Computer (PC) based digital video recorders basically transmit video
signals from
a hard drive or CD-ROM storage. They are however also capable of receiving
transmitted input at intervals, e.g. news item updates, at, say, hourly
intervals, to add to
their stored transmittable video data. In this sense they also act as
television receivers.
[0013] The video signal source unit and video display monitors used in the
present
invention can be of known, standard form, obtainable as off the shelf items
from
manufacturers and sales outlets. The connections between them, for display of
televised
material, are also standard and well within the skill of the art. For example,
use can be
made of the existing subway infrastructure by which audio announcements are
currently
transmitted. Alternatively, the connections may be by use of coaxial cables,
fibre optics,
cell phone systems or satellite transmission, or by other appropriate means.
[0014] A preferred system according to the invention is a subway car or
plurality of
subway cars equipped with a plurality of television monitors, especially LCD-
based
television monitors, and a video signal source comprising a video tape player,
video disk
player or computer-based digital video recorder, the video signal source and
the
monitors being interconnected by suitable electrical cable systems which are
self-
contained within the subway car. In this way, new subway cars can be built
with the
video system or parts thereof installed, and usable on substantially any
transit system,
since the operation of the video system is independent of any previously
installed track,
tunnel or control systems.
[0015] The video system according to the present invention provides a means
for
communicating a very wide range of information to viewers in an environment
ideally
suited to communicating short video messages to viewers, especially commercial
messages or sponsored community service, or informational news bytes. Most
subway
rides are of short duration, e.g. 15-30 minutes or less. It is normally
undesirable to play
television programs of any significant length to subway passengers for fear of
distracting
them from their proper points of interchange and disembarkation on the subway
system.
However, the system according to the invention is ideally suited for
displaying a series of
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short, 30 second - 1 minute messages, in sequence, such as a series of
commercial
messages. These can range from straightforward advertising as seen on
commercial
television, or the type of news feed with corporate sponsorship as seen by
cable
television viewers, with news se/vices provided by specialized companies in
this
business. If the information is delivered by video tape player, video disk
player or
computer-based digital video recorder, it can be repeated at intervals of,
say, 5-15
minutes, based upon the average duration of individual subway rides, i.e. the
pre-
recorded program is of total duration of about 5-15 minutes. If the feed is
delivered from
an outside source, its delivery depends on the package of the server, and
according to
agreement between the purchaser and the mass transit management, and other
interested
parties as necessary.
[0016] Typically, the television images displayed by the monitors of the
system
according to the invention do not incorporate sound, though they may contain
rolling
script, similar to cable television news channels, or similar to closed-
captioning for the
hearing impaired. This avoids risk of interference with announcements being
played to
passengers through the normal audio address system carried by the subway
train, and
avoids adding to the general noise level experienced by passengers on the
subway cars, a
noise level which is commonly quite high even under normal running conditions.
However, sound may be incorporated where appropriate, for example in safety or
emergency situations, or to mark the beginning of a message to which the
subway or
transmission provider wishes to call attention.
[0017] The manner in which the video display monitors are disposed and mounted
in
the subway car depends to some extent on the design of the subway car itself.
Such
designs can vary between different subway systems. Normally from 6-12 such
colour
monitors are provided in each subway car, suitably of 12"-13" size, spaced
along the
length of the car, and disposed above the windows of the car, in a manner and
at a
location which does not interfere with the operation of any other essential
element of the
car (door operation, lights, heating, air conditioning etc.). A subway car is
normally
constructed so that it has a cavity wall, defined between its outer structural
shell and its
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inner lining wall, the cavity providing for wiring and cables and other
mechanical
functions, and, at places, containing insulation. The video display monitors
in the
system of the invention are suitably mounted in the cavity wall.
[0018] In a preferred arrangement, the video display monitors have a strong
metal frame
construction, fixed to the frame of the subway car. The screens are preferably
covered
with a rigid transparent unit, e.g. of polycarbonate, shaped to coincide with
the shape of
the internal wall of the subway car at the location of mounting. For example,
when the
monitor is mounted at the junction of the wall and ceiling of the subway car,
where there
is commonly provided a concavely curved segment of internal wall, the
transparent
cover unit is suitably similarly concavely curved, so that it can be mounted
as a
continuum with the internal walls and blended to contours thereof, with the
monitor
mounted behind it. The screen is suitably angled downwardly, for best viewing
by
passengers seated opposite the screen. The entire structure of the monitor,
including the
cover unit if used, is suitably housed in a stainless steel or strong plastic
casement,
designed to appear integral with the subway car, without visible edges or
protuberances,
and matching the materials and colours of the subway car interior.
[0019] The video monitors used in the system of the present invention can be
of
standard, cathode ray tube-based design. Such monitors have the advantage of
economy,
being mass-produced items manufactured on a very large scale. They are
eminently
suitable for use in most embodiments according to the invention, and can be
viewed
clearly from a variety of angles. However, in circumstances where the subway
car in
operation encounters locations of large magnetic field, it is possible that
the picture
displayed on a CRT monitor will be distorted as the monitor moves through such
location. Any such distortion effect can be reduced by surrounding the
monitor, to an
extent practical and consistent with its provision of full visual display,
with an
appropriate shield such as a steel or other ferromagnetic casement. Where such
a
magnetic field problem turns out to be particularly acute, the CRT-type
monitor may be
replaced by a monitor incorporating a colour liquid crystal display (LCD)
screen, which
is not sensitive to intermittent encountering of external magnetic fields.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
[0020] Specific preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated
in the
accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 shows in plan view (FIG. 1A) and in side elevation (FIG. 1B), an
existing
subway car as used on the Toronto Transit System with indications of
appropriate
locations for mounting video monitors according to the invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a subway car according to the invention
with video
monitors in place;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a detail, in section, of an existing subway car illustrating
the location for
receiving a video monitor according to the invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a detail similar to FIG. 3, with the video monitor in place;
[0025] FIG. 4A is a view, similar to FIG. 4, of an alternative embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a detail in perspective view, of a subway car equipped with a
monitor
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a detail similar to FIG. 5 but of a further alternative
embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, showing the general appearance when
the
monitor is operating.
Detailed Description
[0029] A typical subway car 10, as illustrated in FIGS. lA and 1B, is equipped
with
sliding doors 12 and windows 14, spaced at convenient intervals along the
length of the
car. Passenger seats, in sets of 2's and 3's, are disposed beneath and
alongside the
windows 14, clear of the doors 12, some sets 16 being inward facing, other
sets 18 being
forward facing and other sets 20 being rearward facing.
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[0030] Suitable locations for video monitors 22 in accordance with the
invention are at
the junction of wall and ceiling of subway car 10, above the windows 14 and
clear of the
doors 12. They are thus disposed opposite to sets of inward facing seats 16,
and angled
downwardly for ease of viewing of passengers 24 seated in such inward facing
seats 16,
as shown in FIG. 2, with direct sight lines. 26, but visible to passengers
seated elsewhere,
and standing in the car 10. A video player 23 is suitably located in the
driver's cab 27
(FIG. 1A), and connected to all the monitors 22 by cables (not showing)
disposed in the
cavity walls of the car.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a detail of the car 10, at the location where a monitor 22
is to be
installed. The car wall has an outer shell 28 in which windows 14 are
sealingly mounted,
and structural pillars 30 mounted at intervals and secured to the vertical
structural
member 32. Centrally secured to the exterior skin and body structure of body
34 of the
car are a main air duct 36 and a housing 38 carrying ceiling lights running
substantially
the full length of the car 10. The space between the ceiling housing 38 and
the top of the
pillars 30 is normally occupied by back lit advertising panels 40. Removal of
appropriate
portions of these panels 40 provides space for location of video monitors 22,
according
to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0032] Thus as shown in FIG. 4, the video monitor 22 is enclosed and rigidly
mounted
in its own enclosure 42, of stainless steel, rigid plastic or the like. The
enclosure in turn is
secured to the top of structural pillar 30 and the side of housing 38, in a
space between
the ends of illuminated panels 40, and protruding rearwardly to a position
adjacent the
outer part of the exterior skin and body structure 34. The front wall of
enclosure 42 is
comprised of a clear transparent polycarbonate shield 44, through which the
screen 46
the monitor 22 is clearly visible. The screen 46 is angled downwardly for best
viewing by
a passenger 24 seated opposite. The enclosure 42 with monitor 22 therein and
connections protruding outwardly therethrough is removable as a unit, for
replacement
or service.
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[0033] An alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 4A, a view similar to
that of
FIG. 4. In this alternative embodiment, CRT video monitor 22 is replaced with
an LCD-
based video monitor 22A which is of thin, rectangular cross-section, and
occupies less
space in the ceiling structure of the car. Accordingly, it can be moved
towards the ceiling
so that its viewing screen is substantially flush with or even behind the
light panel 40.
This use of an LCD-based monitor gives a better aesthetic appearance to the
inside of
the subway car as a whole, as well as improving the display performance by
minimizing
the interference effects, as previously discussed. An appropriately shaped
enclosure 42A
for the LCD-based monitor, with transport screen 44A, replaces enclosure 42
for the
CRT video monitor, and is similarly mounted in place.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows a front, perspective view of the arrangement shown in
section in
FIG. 4. The monitor 22 and its covering shield 44 are recessed behind the
upper portion
of the adjacent advertising panels 40, and the sides of the enclosure 42
protrude inwardly
from the lower portion of panels 40. This provides ease of access to the
enclosure 42 for
its removal when necessary.
[0035] An alternative arrangement is shown in FIG. 6. Here the polycarbonate
shield 44
is convexly curved, and is disposed further forward from the monitor screen
44. The
shield 44 now blends with forward facing part 48 the exterior skin and body
structure 34,
to provide a perhaps more aesthetically appealing arrangement. In FIG. 7,
there is
diagrammatically illustrated the arrangement of FIG. 6 in practical operation.
Poster-
type illuminated advertisements are provided by advertising panels 40 flanking
the video
monitors 22, whilst the video monitor 22, disposed at intervals along the
length of the
car 10, show video information and/or advertising spots, at convenient, easily
viewed
locations and disposition to passengers riding in the car 10.
[0036] It will be appreciated that the specific embodiments illustrated and
described
herein are by way of example only, and are not to be construed as limiting on
the scope
of the invention. The description pertains specifically to the type of subway
car currently
in use in the Toronto Transit System, and illustrates a means and location for
mounting
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the video monitors in such a system. Details of construction, and hence
details of
appropriate mounting for video monitors may differ from subway system to
subway
system according to the form of car in use. Such mounting details do not
depart from the
scope of the present invention. In all cases, it is contemplated that a
plurality of monitors
will be provided in each car, each rigidly mounted at a convenient location
clear of the
doors and windows, and at a disposition where it can be viewed by passengers
riding the
subway car, without difficulty. The provision of such video monitors mounted
in their
own enclosures as described herein, and faced with a transparent screen of,
for example,
polycarbonate, allows for considerable variation in the detail of mounting
means and
locations, to adapt them to different constructions of subway cars currently
in use on
different mass transit systems.
