CN1668975A - Floor display system - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a floor display system (100) with interactive features. The floor display system may be arranged in a public place, and be configured to display electronically modifiable arbitrary content, such as advertising or other informational content. The floor display system (100) may be configured to detect an indication of the presence or activity of a person in the vicinity, and upon detecting the indication, perform a corresponding action in response, such as generating a predetermined display or audio output.

Description

ground display system

technical field

The present invention relates to floor display systems, and more particularly to constructions and methods for adapting floor display systems to a variety of commercial applications.

Background technique

Many media are known for publicly conveying information such as advertisement information. More commonly, such a medium takes "vertical space", for example. That is, the medium is typically devices such as billboard displays, wall and ceiling mounted displays, and displays on electronic devices such as generally vertical television screens and computer monitor screens.

However, a large amount of horizontal space is unused for overtly conveying information. This horizontal space includes ground space within public transit areas, such as commercial buildings or other public buildings.

US Patent No. 6,417,778, fully incorporated herein by reference, discloses a system for electronically communicating information via floor displays. The disclosed invention relates to several advantageous modifications and variations of such floor display systems. In particular, a floor display system including a plurality of interactive features for use in commercial or other public venues is disclosed.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows the ground display system of the embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2A-2E show details of ground coverings for the ground display system;

Figure 3 represents a floor covering comprising a "mixed media" display comprising a fixed non-electronic part and a dynamic electronic part;

Figure 4 shows a floor display system including a contactless mechanism for obtaining identity information from an identity device, and also relates to other embodiments described in further detail below;

Figure 5 shows a ground display system including security features;

6A-6C illustrate a ground display system in which an image is projected by an image projection system on a ground covering; and

Fig. 7 shows a floor display system including data input/output means for inputting desired merchandise and outputting its corresponding location within a commercial establishment.

Detailed ways

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a ground display system with interactive features. Floor display systems may be placed in public places, such as commercial facilities or other public buildings, and configured to display electronically adjustable content, such as advertisements or other informational content. In various embodiments, the ground display system may be configured to indicate a person or activity of a person in the vicinity, and when an indication is detected, perform a corresponding movement in response. For example, when an indication of a person is detected, the ground display system may generate a predetermined display in response. The ground display system may further generate certain predetermined audio outputs in response to detecting a person. These and other advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below.

As mentioned above, US 6,417,778 discloses a system for electronic delivery of information using floor displays. More particularly, the floor display may incorporate a modifiable electronic display surface, such as a liquid crystal display. Such a display can be connected to a computer, and images generated by the computer can be displayed on the display. In this way, the image displayed on the display can be altered by generating a different computer image and displaying that computer image on the display. The display may be incorporated into the base portion of a floor covering, such as contained in a recess, or may be contained on the upwardly facing underside of the insert portion of the floor covering. Alternatively, the display can be integrated with the base portion or the insert portion. A changeable display can utilize a number of different graphics that can be displayed on the display in a variety of different ways. For example, a graphic can be displayed in a generally fixed position on the display or can be scrolled across the display in two exemplary ways of displaying several graphics individually or in combination.

Other alternative methods of altering the graphics displayed on the floor covering include using light emitting polymers to create the graphics and thus altering the graphics. Light emitting polymers can be applied to, attached to or compounded into floor coverings. Light emitting polymers may be utilized on any portion of the floor covering, such as on the base portion or the insert portion, or any other portion of the different embodiments of the floor covering. Light emitting polymers are known and have been described in US Patent Nos. 5,945,502, 5,869,350 and 5,571,626, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Other options for displays are to use electronic ink or electronic paper. Electronic paper is offered by Xerox and is described in US Patents 5,723,204, 5,604,027, 4,126,854, 4,143,103, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Electronic paper uses thousands of tiny electrically charged beads called gyricons, each about the width of a human hair, to create pixels. Bi-color beads are embedded within a liquid-filled plastic guard that forms the surface of the paper. Each bead is half black and half white, and rotates continuously according to the electric field. Whether the bead is black side up or white side up determines the image. Because there is no need to update the image, and because the screen is not backlit, electronic paper uses only a fraction of the power used by conventional electronic displays. Electromagnetic pens and printer-like devices can be used to render images on paper.

Electronic ink was provided by E Ink Corp., at 45 Spinelli P1., Cambridge, MA 02138 (E Ink Corp.). Electronic ink uses a microstructure display system enclosed in microcapsules. Tiny microcapsules are trapped between two plastic sheets to create pixels. Alternatively, the capsules can be sprayed onto a surface. The result is a plastic display material. The tiny capsules are transparent and contain a mixture of black ink and white pigment flakes. Charges pass through these capsules. Depending on the electrostatic charge, the pigment fragments float to the top of each capsule or settle at the bottom of each capsule. The surface appears white as the pigment flakes float on top. When they rest on the bottom, so just below the ink, the surface appears black. Each of the two states is static: black or white. A transparent electromagnetic grid covering the surface of the sheet controls the shape of the image. This display system can be connected wirelessly to, for example, a computer, thereby connecting to the world Internet by using, for example, a Motorola imaging system. If multiple monitors are used, the text on all monitors can be changed at once by one editor via the web page.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, ground display systems may be implemented using techniques other than those described above or other techniques. A floor display system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 . Floor display system 100 includes electronic display device 101 associated with floor covering 102 . More particularly, the display device 101 may be at least partially connected to, supported by, housed therein or 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 a variety of different materials and are not limited to the particular form shown here. In an embodiment, the floor covering 102 and electronic display device 101 are designed for use in applications with foot access and other (eg, wheeled shopping cart) access. Thus, the floor covering and electronic display can be durable enough to be repeatedly stepped on, walked on, or have wheeled shopping carts or other rolling or sliding objects pass over them without detriment to the floor covering and display Influence. The electronic display device may, for example, have a durable protective cover that may be transparent or translucent so that it can be viewed through the electronic display device and protects the electronic display device from damage associated with feet or other passing objects, such as scratches scratches, cracks, chips, tears or other damage caused by environmental contamination. The floor covering 102 may be fixed to the ground, or may be portable so that it can be easily moved to another location.

2A and 2B are top or plan and side orthographic or elevational views, respectively, of floor covering 102 . As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the floor covering 102 may include at least one sloped surface. More particularly, floor covering 102 includes a plurality of sloped surfaces 212, 213, 214, and 215 that slope downward and away from top surface 200 (which may be the surface of a protective covering for display device 101, as shown), such that the floor The entire perimeter of the covering provides a sloped surface for persons approaching the ground covering. If the floor covering is placed in an aisle of a commercial establishment, this configuration can make the floor covering easier for people walking across the floor covering and for wheeled shopping carts to step over. According to various embodiments, at least a portion of the display device 101 is arranged coplanar with one or more inclined surfaces of the floor covering. Since the display device can be raised slightly, this makes the display of the display device easier to see by persons at a distance from or close to the floor covering.

Figures 2C-2E illustrate one option for using a floor covering according to an embodiment of the present invention. The two-part structure is shown in Figures 2C-2E. The two-part structure includes separate and substantially identical components 220,221. Part 220 has a top surface 240 and sloped surfaces 225 , 230 and 250 . Part 221 has a top surface 241 and inclined surfaces 226 , 231 and 251 . Each component 220, 221 can be used individually in a ground display system. However, as shown in Figures 2D and 2E, the two components may be joined along their respective edges 260, 261 to form a composite structure that both have sloped surfaces at their perimeters to facilitate easier stepping over the composite structure.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , electronic display device 101 associated with floor covering 102 may be configured to electronically display graphical images and alphanumeric data in static (non-moving or changing) or dynamic (eg, scrolling or other moving or changing) modes. More particularly, the electronic display device 101 can be connected to the controller 102 through wired or wireless means and can be adjusted by the controller 102 to display any content selected by the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , an electronic display device 101 may be connected to a controller 103 via a display driver circuit such as a video graphics adapter card 105 . Controller 103 may comprise any type of electronic logic circuitry, such as a general-purpose microprocessor, or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), which may be configured by software. The driver 105 of the electronic display device can be integrated with the controller 103 or built in an ASIC. The controller can also be a single board computer with a processor and memory and with one or more display driver circuits fabricated on the circuit board and wireless components to communicate with the outside world or load data into the memory.

The controller may be connected to a storage medium 104, which may be any form of medium suitable for storing digital data, including RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory), flash memory, or other non-volatile solid state Electronic memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Read Only Memory) or magnetic and/or optical disk memory. The storage medium 104 may store, for example, control software implemented by the controller 103 and video content selected for display on the electronic display 101 under the control of the control software. A user interface (not shown), such as a human computer with a display monitor and keyboard, can be connected to the controller such that, through specific user input, such as a specific control program, the controller is configured to produce a specific display and/or audio output. An audio device 111 such as a speaker may also be connected to the controller 103 via the sound card 110 . The audio device 11 may output selected audio content stored in the storage medium 104 under the control of the controller 103 . Components of floor display system 100 may be powered by power supply 114 . The floor display system may also include detection means 113 to provide various interactive applications of the floor display system, as described in more detail below. The detection device 113 can be connected to the controller 113 and provide signals thereto. The connection between the detection device and the controller can be wired or wireless.

Data may be stored in storage medium 104 using, for example, data port 106 connected to a common system bus. By way of example only, the bus may be USB (Universal Serial Bus). The ground display system may also include a wireless port 107 for use through the use of a wireless WAN/LAN card. Through the wireless port 107 , the ground display system 100 can be connected to the network 125 and communicate with the network 125 . The network may be any type 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 can be connected to the server computer 108 of the network via the wireless communication device 112 . Server computer 108 may be connected to database 109 . Database 109 may store information related to the operation of ground display system 100 . For example, the database may include video and audio content and control software downloaded to the storage medium 104 of the ground display system. Therefore, the floor display system 100 can be remotely controlled. However, the ground display system 100 does not need to be networked, and can be controlled, for example, by content and control software locally downloaded via the data port 106 . Also, although a wireless communication method and system is shown in FIG. 1, a wired system may also be used, or in combination with a wireless system.

In addition to the technologies previously described, display technologies that may be used in embodiments of the present invention include: Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), Electroluminescent Displays (FEDs). Other display technologies that may be used in this embodiment include fiber optic technology, where electrons form a remote image and are delivered onto a fiber array or bundle using a light guide source. The remote image light source can be external or internal to the ground covering. Other display technologies employed include holography. In this technique, a white light or laser hologram is generated on the outside or inside of the floor covering 102 and focused through a lens, which may be a Fresnel lens, so that the display 101 is visible to a human at an acute angle.

Depending on the embodiment, the components of floor display system 100 as described above may be housed entirely inside floor covering 102 , entirely outside floor covering 102 , or with some components inside floor covering 102 and others outside.

As noted above, the floor display system may include a power source 114 . Power is supplied to the floor display system via a wall socket via cable or by using batteries. The batteries used may be non-rechargeable or rechargeable. Other possible methods of delivering power to the floor display system include the use of photovoltaic cells that convert ambient light into electricity that can be stored in the battery or used to directly power the display system. Photovoltaic cells may be included, for example, within a floor covering, or connected remotely via wires to the display.

Another method of powering the floor display system 100 may be accomplished, for example, by means in which the pressure of a pedestrian stepping on the floor covering and the associated display device is converted from mechanical energy to electrical energy. By way of example only, this could be accomplished with some form of piezoelectric generator or other similar device. In addition, vibrations in the ground from nearby machinery or passers-by can also supply the required mechanical energy for electrical conversion to the display system.

As noted above, a wireless connection from a computer and/or a network such as the Web can be used to deliver image content to the ground display system. The wireless connection between the computer or other processor and the control electronics of the ground display system can use many different technologies. A common technology today is wireless Ethernet, in which one processor or computer communicates with another processor or computer via r-f or infrared (IR) signals. However, wireless communication links can be implemented through a variety of technologies and network protocols.

Wireless links can be ultrasonic, lightwave (IR, visible, ultraviolet), lasercomm, radio frequency, terahertz, microwave, electromagnetic, inductively coupled, electrostatic, or other forms of propagating energy between a transmitter and receiver. In addition to Ethernet, the network protocol can be Token Ring, Bluetooth modem, cellular and PCS connections, or any other type of wireless LAN or WAN. The mode of data transmission can include time-separated, frequency-separated, or code-separated, and can also be multipass or spread spectrum. One mode of wireless transmission well suited for the intended application of terrestrial display systems is ultra-wideband (UWB) transmission. Contemplated commercial applications of the floor display system include use in, for example, electronically noisy environments such as grocery stores, department stores, supply stores, industrial facilities, restaurants, hotels, airports, apartment buildings, and residential establishments. Ultra-wideband (UWB) transmissions work well in these types of environments due, among other factors, to UWB can perform high-speed data communication over a wide spectrum range (usually 3-10 MHz) with low power spectral density. UWB also eliminates small attenuation for any antenna position or orientation, which is useful for displays positioned on the ground. UWR is also more effective against the detrimental effects of multi-pass inductive fading common to narrower band wireless technologies.

Wireless communications may also include other now known or future known technologies that may be used to communicate with and control the ground display system. In addition, the wireless communication may conform to the WiFi standard.

As noted above, electronic display device 101 is capable of displaying at least alphanumeric data and graphic images. Depending on the selected video content, the content may consist of static, dynamic or both individual alphanumeric data, individual graphic images (eg pictures) or a combination of both. Dynamic alphanumeric data and images can, for example, be scrolled. Alphanumeric data and graphic images can be black and white or full color. In addition, the display device 101 may include more than one unique display: that is, the display area of the display device may be separated corresponding to the content. For example, a display area may include two or more distinct "windows," each displaying different content. Such partitioning of displays is known, for example, in "split-screen" TVs and is widely used with different graphics software applications, including the usual "Windows" software from Microsoft Corporation.

FIG. 3 shows a possible configuration of an electronic display device 101 according to various embodiments. In FIG. 3, electronic display device 101 is the dynamic part of a "mixed media" display. Since part of the overall display provided by the upper exposed surface of the floor covering 102 is electronic and the other part is not, the display in FIG. 3 is a mixed media display. In FIG. 3 the non-electronic fixed or static part 302 of the display is combined with the dynamic or changeable electronic part 101 . Note however that "static" as used here should not be equated with "non-electronic". In this instance, the fixed part reads "CAMBELL SOUP IS__OFF TODAY". The fixed portion may, for example, be printed on the upper exposed surface of the material of the floor covering 102 . The dynamic portion may be implemented by an electronic display device 101 housed within the floor covering and employing one or more of the display technologies described. The dynamic portion can be electronically adjusted to display any content as described above. Content, the dynamic section may display information related to the sale price of an item such as "30% off" or "40 cents". Thus, in Figure 2, the entire ground display could mean "CAMPBELL SUOP IS 30%", or "CAMPBELL SOUP IS 40 CENTS OFFTODAY". By employing a combination of static and dynamic parts of the device display, it is possible to significantly reduce the size and thus cost of the electronic part of the display. Additionally, by designing and manipulating the dynamic portion of the display to dynamically change a message by scrolling or flashing, lights located within the display can also be flashed or blinked to draw attention to the display, significantly increasing the attention of nearby persons to the display force.

As noted above, embodiments of the ground display system of the present invention provide for interaction with persons in the vicinity of the ground display system. In particular, the detection means 113 can take many different forms, each of which can detect the presence and movement of a person in the vicinity of the ground display system and cause the ground display system to perform a corresponding movement in response. In one such embodiment, the detection device 113 is an acoustic detection device. The acoustic detection device 113 may be located in the floor covering 102, or may be located at a distance from the floor covering. The acoustic detection means may be configured to detect a person as he or she approaches the ground display system, or to cause a corresponding response transmitted by the ground display system. For example, the sound detection device may be connected to the floor display system via a wired or wireless connection, and configured to send a signal via the connection to the controller 103 to activate the display device 101 when sound waves are detected indicating the approach of a person. When the signal is received, the controller 103 can cause the display device 101 to transmit a predetermined display of any desired content: for example, a display that can indicate a price or advertise a product. The content may be related to a newly launched product. The floor display system may also be configured to deliver a predetermined audio output of any desired content in response to the signal from the sound detection device. With the above in mind, the floor display system can operate in an active mode (ie, a mode in which the system actively transmits certain display and/or audio outputs) and a fixed or static mode (in which certain display and/or audio outputs are not actively produced). This static mode is entered when no one is detected nearby to save power. The ground display system may alternate between active and static modes according to some programmed schedule, or enter active mode in response to certain signals, as described above.

The sound detection means may be adapted to detect only predetermined frequencies of sound and send an activation signal to the display system in response. More specifically, the sound detection system can be a multidirectional or directional microphone, depending on how noisy the general environment is. Multi-directional microphones have a constant sensitivity regardless of the direction the sound is coming from, and are therefore very effective in quiet environments in order to detect someone approaching from any direction. The multi-directional microphone is available as one or more electret microphones placed or embedded within the floor covering. While electret microphones are one example, dynamic and condenser microphones can also be used. Commercially available multi-directional microphones include (by way of example only) the Audio Technica MT830R, DPA Type 4060 and MMC4041.

In noisy environments, or if a person is detected approaching from a specific direction, a directional microphone is preferable. A directional microphone is a microphone with well-defined directional response properties and is therefore better able to filter sounds from a specific direction while blocking out random ambient noise than a multi-directional microphone. Examples of directional microphones that are commercially available and applicable include cardioid microphones, supercardioid microphones, and shotgun microphones. Examples of cardioid microphones include DPA® Type 4021, Earthwork® A30X, and Shure® SM57. Examples of supercardioid microphones include the Peavey(R) PVM480 and Electrovoice(R) ND767A. Examples of shotgun microphones include Beyerdynamic® MCE86 S.1, Sennheizer® K6 ME-66, and Shure® SM89. Depending on how noisy the environment the microphone is used in, a microphone with greater directional sensitivity will produce better results than a microphone with less directional sensitivity. For example, in very noisy environments, a microphone with high directional sensitivity, such as a hypercardioid or shotgun, may be preferable.

In another embodiment providing interaction, the detection means 113 may be a motion detection means. The motion detection device 113 may be positioned within the floor covering 102, or may be positioned at a distance from the top covering, for example inside or on a ceiling or a wall near the floor covering. The motion detection means may be configured so that when a person approaches the ground the display system detects him or her and causes a corresponding response to be generated. For example, a motion detection device may be connected to the floor display system via a wired or wireless connection and configured to send a signal via the connection to activate the display system 101 when motion is detected indicating the approach of a person. The display device 101 can produce the desired display at startup; the floor display system can also produce corresponding audio output. The motion detection device can be adjusted so that it only detects motion within a certain area or perimeter near the display. The motion detection device can also be orientation sensitive so that, for example, only users entering the facility can trigger the motion detection device and the corresponding display. Motion detection devices that may be used in connection with displays include (by way of example only) motion detection devices using IR technology, simple radar and light beams.

There are many different ways of implementing the motion detection means 113, including active motion detection and passive motion detection. Active motion detection systems typically inject energy (such as light, microwaves, or sound) into the environment and then detect changes in energy. For example, stores typically have means to emit a beam of light through the space of the store's entryway and a photosensitive sensor positioned opposite the beam to measure the amount of incident light produced by the beam. When the user moves through the light beam, thereby interrupting it, the photosensitive sensor detects the change in the amount of incident light and can generate an audio alarm such as ringing a bell. This type of detection system can be used to notify the ground display system that a person is approaching. Similarly, many grocery stores have automatic door openers that use a very simple form of radar to detect a person approaching the door. Such a system may use a transmitter/receiver arranged on the door. The transmitting part sends microwave radio energy and waits for the reflected energy to come back and be detected by the receiving part. When a person moves into the area of microwave energy, it changes the amount of reflected energy or the time required to reflect the conductive receiving part, and thus the transmitting/receiving device generates a signal that causes the door to automatically open. Similar operations can be done with ultrasonic waves, that is, they return from the target and wait for an echo, and perform certain predetermined operations based on the echo.

Passive motion detection systems include systems that detect infrared energy in order to detect motion. Such systems include sensors known as PIR (passive infrared) sensors or pyrosensors. PIR or pyrosensors can be used, for example, in security systems that are sensitive to body temperature. The human body has a skin temperature of approximately 93°F and radiates infrared energy with a wavelength between 9 and 10 microns. Therefore, the sensor is usually sensitive in the wavelength range of 8-12 microns. Sensors are usually simple electronic components similar to light-sensitive sensors. Infrared energy radiated from a source knocks electrons off the substrate of a PIR or pyrosensor, and these electrons can be detected and amplified into an electrical signal that can be used to initiate some predetermined action. As a person walks past the sensor, the amount of infrared energy within the sensor's "field of view" changes rapidly and is easily detected. Sudden changes are used to detect motion. PIR or pyro sensors can be configured with a wide or narrow field of view. A wide field of view can be created, for example, by placing a lens over the sensor. A narrow field of view can be achieved by using a sensor without a lens; the field of view can be achieved by placing the sensor in a notch or box or tube that opens in the direction that motion needs to be detected. The ground display system of the present invention may use any of the described systems and methods and combinations thereof, or systems and methods not disclosed herein, in order to implement the motion detection means 113 .

Depending on other circumstances within the physical environment, floor display systems according to embodiments of the present invention may also interact by detecting a person or movement of a person. For example, the floor display system may be connected to an entryway door or other door of a commercial establishment or other building via a wired or wireless connection. Through this connection, the ground display system can detect the opening of the door and activate the display in response.

In another embodiment that provides for interaction, a ground display system within a commercial establishment may display information customized to a particular person. Such embodiments may include mechanisms to automatically determine a person's identity. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the ground display system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a contactless input device 401 capable of receiving identity information from an identity device 402 carried by a person. The contactless input device 401 may be a wireless port, for example, including a receiver and an antenna configured to receive and process wireless electromagnetic signals of identity information emitted by the identity device 402 . The identity information obtained from the identity device 402 is supplied to the controller 103 through the wireless interface 401, and the controller then accesses a database such as the database 109 to obtain information related to a person according to the identity information. Such related information may include (but is not limited to): name, age, purchase history, purchase frequency, most frequently purchased items, and the like. Depending on the relevant information, the surface display system may cause the display of information that is particularly relevant or specific to a person. By way of example only, the display may include a greeting. Additionally, the controller of the ground display system may cross-reference the person's purchase history with current available or promotional items at the commercial establishment. Based on the person's purchase history, the ground display system can display information informing the person that certain items that are of interest to the person are being sold, and display the shelf location of the item. Additionally, the ground display system can generate coupons for the merchandise, thus further encouraging people to purchase the merchandise.

An example of an identity device 402 for a contactless input device 401 is known as a "contactless" card. Contactless cards do not require a person to physically impose on the reading device. A contactless card may have an antenna coil and a chip embedded in the card and be configured to output information in the form of wireless electromagnetic signals. Identity information on this type of card is obtained when the card passes a predetermined range of a reading device comprising a receiver and an antenna adapted to receive and process the card output signal, such as the contactless input device shown in Figure 4 401.

According to some, the illustrated contactless cards fall within the general category of "smart" cards. A smart card (or electronic card) is a well-known device that usually includes an embedded computer chip and is usually the size of a traditional credit or payment card. Chips typically include a microprocessor or memory that can hold operating system and application data protected by prior art security features. There are many types of smart card technologies available in the current market. An example is a memory card. Memory cards contain memory chips and are similar to small floppy disks. This type of (memory) chip can store identity information as well as other types of information, such as store credit guarantees.

In other embodiments, a card known as a microprocessor card may be used to provide a person's identity for customizing the display. Microprocessor cards contain microprocessor chips that can add, delete, change, and update information. A microprocessor card also includes input/output ports, an operating system, and a hard disk, and thus can be roughly thought of as a microcomputer.

Identification cards such as the described smart cards, memory cards and microprocessor cards do not need to be read by the contactless mechanism shown in FIG. 4 . Rather, they may be read, for example, by a person physically imposing on a reading device located at a convenient location in the commercial establishment. The reading device can be connected to or be part of the identification system. The identification system may for example be a computer 108 and a database 109 connected to the ground display system of the invention. The identification information obtained by the identification system may then be communicated to the ground display system.

Certain types of cards that specifically require a person to physically force onto the reading device can also be used in the floor display system of the present invention. Such cards are known as "contact" cards. A contact card may have a gold chip embedded in the card. This type of card needs to be inserted into a smart card reader and connect directly to the physical contact points on the card in order to transfer data. Contact cards are frequently used in banking, communication, medical and loyalty (eg storing vehicle maintenance history) applications.

Cards known as hybrid/dual cards can also be used to provide human identification for ground display systems. These cards have two chips embedded in them: a contactless chip and a contact chip. The two chips are usually not connected to each other. Instead, typically one chip is used for consumer needs and the other is used for issuer needs. In other embodiments, combination cards may be used. These cards are also known as dual interface cards and they include one chip designed to support contact and contactless readers.

Using the techniques described above, other embodiments of the present invention can be configured to track the movement of people in commercial establishments or other public places. In such an embodiment, a person may carry an identification card that is read by the contactless mechanism. Multiple floor display systems equipped with contactless mechanisms can be placed at predetermined locations in a facility and track people's movements by detecting identification cards. The card can be customized as described above (ie identify a person) or can be generic and attached to a shopping cart or basket, for example. Information detailing the motion detected by the floor display system can be recorded in a database and used by merchants, for example, to optimize store configurations, help identify where to place popular items and the like. Examples of technologies that can be used to track a person carrying or transporting a contactless identification device include Bluetooth technology, IRDA, r-f links, or any other local area network technology that connects ground display systems.

As is known, certain commercial establishments (eg, Wal-Mart and Target) and self-service stores (eg, Home Depot and Lowes) are very large and include large quantities of goods. As a result, some people who shop at these stores have difficulty finding what they want. Therefore, the floor display system according to the present invention also provides assistance for people to find their way around a large commercial facility and find desired merchandise.

According to these embodiments, when entering a store, a shopper verbally (such as by using a microphone and other sound recording device) or manually (such as using a keyboard, keypad, or touch monitor type device) enters a desired product or product catalog into the machine Inside. The machine then produces an "itinerary" that can be inspected by a number of ground display systems placed at predetermined locations in the store.

The itinerary may be a so-called "smart card" device capable of storing information such as a product catalog entered by the shopper. The information on the itinerary can be read through the contactless technology described in connection with the different embodiments above. Floor display systems distributed throughout the store can be equipped with contactless technology to read itineraries. The system detects and reads the itinerary as shoppers move through the store and arrive at different ground display systems. When an itinerary is detected and the product catalog therein read, the ground display system can be configured to show the directions the shopper should walk to the desired product location. Also, the itinerary cannot actually store the product catalog itself. Instead, product catalogs or other information corresponding to identifiable itineraries may be stored in a database accessible by the ground display device and retrieved upon detection and identification of the itinerary.

In another embodiment of the invention, detection of mobile phones may be provided. The increasing use and proliferation of mobile phones creates more social friction. In many cases, the ringing tone of a mobile phone is rude and inappropriate and disturbs those nearby. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may include a mobile phone detection device using the configuration shown in Figure 4, wherein the contactless input device 401 is a mobile phone detection device. Means that can be used to detect mobile phones include, for example, near-field RF detectors that can identify a wide range of RF signals. Such devices are known, for example, to detect illegal wiretapping devices or "bugs". A commercially available example includes the MicroAlert(R) system, which is capable of detecting mobile phones or any device that emits RF radiation. The mobile phone detection device 401 may be configured to send a signal to the controller 103 of the ground display system when a powered-on mobile phone is detected. In response to the signal, the controller may cause a display to be formed including a message indicating detection of a powered-on mobile phone and/or an alarm indicating detection of a mobile phone. In addition, the ground display system may display a request to turn off the mobile phone, or issue an audio request to turn off the mobile phone. It has been found that the embodiments of the present invention described above may be particularly useful under conditions of an opera house entrance, a concert or performance venue, a movie theater or any other venue where it is deemed inappropriate for a phone to ring.

Floor display systems according to other embodiments of the present invention may be used in security applications. Known security techniques used in commercial facilities to prevent theft include "electronic device surveillance" techniques that monitor the entrance/exit of the facility. This technique involves the use of antennas placed on either side of the door opening. The antenna is connected to other components of the commodity surveillance technology. One antenna acts as a transmitter and the other as a receiver. An identification device comprising a tuned circuit comprising an inductor and capacitor, soft tape or wire, or a vibrating resonator can trigger detection by disturbing the transmission between the transmitting and receiving antennas while passing through it. Each protected item in the store can be identified by identification means detected by antennas placed on either side of the store entrance/exit. Item detection technology identifies protected items as they pass through the antenna and sends an alarm to alert shoppers who may be trying to steal.

The Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) technology described above can be combined in the ground display system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In one configuration such as that shown in Figure 5, the floor covering 102 of the present invention may include antennas 501 and 502 arranged along the floor covering to detect protected merchandise marked with identification means. The antenna is connected to other components of the article surveillance technology to identify the article to be protected. In order to detect the theft of protected goods, a floor covering or a plurality of floor coverings comprising such an antenna may be arranged on the floor covering near the entrance/exit of the store. Thus, when a person walks on the floor covering and tries to leave the store with a protected commodity with an identification device, the identification device can pass between or near the two antennas and thus be detected and identified by the commodity detection technology. When protected goods are detected, the ground display system can display a visible alarm or sound an audible alarm. The electronic article surveillance system using the ground display system according to the embodiment of the present invention can also use the third antenna 503 . The third antenna may be a transmit antenna of the EAS device, while the one or more antennas within the ground covering may be receive antennas. Additionally, the third antenna 503 may be an additional receive antenna, while the floor covering includes both receive and transmit antennas. The third antenna 503 may eg be arranged on a floor covering, in or suspended from the ceiling. In various embodiments, the ground covering may include a single antenna that cooperates with the overhead antenna.

In another embodiment of the invention, a floor covering may be used in conjunction with an image projection device. In such an embodiment, the floor covering provides a surface on which the projection device projects an image from a distance. Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a system for projecting an image from a distance onto a ground covering. Such a system may be used, for example, in the hallways of commercial establishments such as grocery stores. Floor coverings 608 and 609 may be placed on the ground 610 near the shelves 601, 602 of the commercial establishment. The projection devices 603, 604 are movably connected to guide members, eg rail systems 605, 606, on the floor covering. The rail system can eg be attached to the ceiling. The image projection devices 603, 604 may be (by way of example only) electronic projectors similar to those used for presentations using a laptop computer, or other image projection devices including optics to focus an image on a surface at a given distance .

By connecting the projection device to the system components described in connection with FIG. 1, the image projected onto the floor covering can be configured to include any of the content described. That is, the projection device may be connected to a controller, a storage medium, a network, etc. in order to control the projection device. For example, the projection device may be configured to project graphic and alphanumeric information related to products on adjacent shelves 601 , 602 onto floor coverings 606 and 609 .

The projection device moves along the rail system. FIG. 6B shows a front view of the right shelf 602 and associated rail system 606 , projection device 604 and floor covering 609 . The projection device 604 can be moved manually along the track system 606 or automatically by means of motorized pulley or slide systems as is well known in the automation industry, for example. The projection device 604 may, for example, be moved to a position in front of the merchandise on the shelf to display required information thereon. A corresponding floor covering 609 can then be placed under the projection device 604 and the image can be seen by a person standing in front of the shelf 602 and facing the shelf. The floor covering 609 can be manually aligned with the projection device 604, or automatically by using a photodiode and corresponding detector system. More particularly, more photodiodes may be provided within the floor covering, and the projection device may be provided with photodiode detectors for proper alignment of the projection device and the floor covering. A symmetrical construction is of course possible, where the detector diode is located in the floor covering and the sending diode is located on the projection device, the floor covering sending a signal to the drive mechanism of the moving projection device indicating its correct position.

Another embodiment of the use of a floor covering in conjunction with an image projection device is shown in Figure 6C. As shown in FIG. 6C , according to various embodiments, an image projection device 625 may be disposed within a recess 620 in the ground 610 . A floor covering 650 may be disposed over the recess and provide a surface on which the image projected by the image projection device 625 is displayed. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6C , the floor covering 650 may be formed from a "transmissive" medium such that an image projected on its lower surface 651 is visible on its upper surface 652 . The image projection device can move along the guide rail 630 .

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7 , the floor display system 100 may be connected to a data input/output device 700 . The data input/output device may include a mechanism for a user, such as a shop customer, to enter specific data to be processed by the floor display system. For example, the data input/output means may include voice input means 701 such as a microphone and/or a keyboard 702 for entering alphanumeric data. The data input/output device may include a computer and software, and the software is used to perform speech recognition processing on the speech input by the user into the speech input device 701 . Data input/output devices may also include a printer that produces printouts 703 .

The floor display system 100 and data input/output devices can be arranged at convenient locations in commercial establishments. Customers visiting the facility have access to the data input/output device, which can be arranged at an appropriate height for speaking or typing. Customers can enter merchandise and catalogs of merchandise by voice into the voice input device and type one or more merchandise into the keyboard. In response, the ground display system may display corresponding output, such as one or more advertisements for merchandise, and/or the location of one or more merchandise within the facility, and/or generate printout 703, such as one or more coupons , or specify the location of one or more items.

Various embodiments of the invention are specifically described and/or illustrated herein. However, it will be understood that the above teachings cover variations and modifications of the present invention and are within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention.

Claims (47)

1. A ground display system comprising: ground coverings; and Electronic display devices associated with floor coverings; Wherein the electronic display device is configured to display electronically adjustable arbitrary content. 2. The floor display system of claim 1, further comprising an audio device configured to output electronically adjustable arbitrary audio content. 3. The ground display system of claim 1, further comprising a detection mechanism configured to detect indications related to human presence and activity and cause the ground display system to act accordingly in response. 4. The floor display system according to claim 3, wherein the detection mechanism comprises a sound detection device. 5. The floor display system of claim 3, wherein the detection structure comprises a motion detection device. 6. The ground display system of claim 3, wherein the action is to generate a predetermined display. 7. The floor display system of claim 3, wherein the action is to generate a predetermined audio output. 8. The floor display system of claim 3, wherein the detection mechanism comprises a contactless input device configured to receive identification information from the identification device. 9. The ground display system of claim 8, wherein the ground display system is configured to generate a customized display associated with a particular person corresponding to the identification information. 10. The floor display system of claim 8, wherein the contactless input device is configured to receive information from an itinerary corresponding to at least one item within the commercial establishment. 11. The floor display system of claim 10, wherein the floor display system is configured to display the location of at least one item within the commercial establishment. 12. The floor display system of claim 3, wherein the detection mechanism comprises a mobile phone detection device. 13. The ground display system according to claim 3, wherein the detection mechanism includes a security device for detecting commodities in the commercial facility for anti-theft. 14. The floor display system of claim 1, wherein the floor covering and electronic display device are configured to be traversed repeatedly by foot pedal and wheel conveyors. 15. The floor display system of claim 14, wherein the floor covering includes at least one sloped surface to facilitate repeated traversal of foot and wheel conveyers. 16. The floor display system of claim 14, wherein the floor covering includes an inclined surface around its perimeter to facilitate repeated traversal of foot and wheel conveyors. 17. The floor display system of claim 14, wherein the floor covering is formed as a two-piece structure joined along its edges to form a Composite structure of sloped surfaces around its perimeter. 18. The floor display system of claim 1, wherein the electronic display device forms a dynamic portion of the display combined with a static portion of the display. 19. The floor display system of claim 1, wherein the floor display system comprises a network. 20. The ground display system of claim 1, wherein the electronic display device comprises at least one of light emitting diodes, organic light emitting diodes, electroluminescent displays, plasma displays, field emission displays, ferroelectric displays, fiber optic displays and Holographic display. 21. The floor display system of claim 1, wherein the floor display system is powered by mechanical energy from treading through the floor covering. 22. The floor display system of claim 19, wherein the floor display system is wirelessly connected to the network. 23. The floor display system of claim 22, wherein the wireless connection uses an ultra-wideband mode of transmission. 24. The floor display system of claim 1, wherein the electronic display device is capable of displaying at least static or dynamic or both static and dynamic alphanumeric data and graphic images, alone or in combination. 25. The floor display system of claim 4, wherein the sound detection means comprises a multi-directional microphone. 25. The floor display system of claim 4, wherein the sound detection means comprises a directional microphone. 26. The floor display system of claim 5, wherein the motion detection means uses active motion detection. 27. The floor display system of claim 5, wherein the motion detection means uses passive motion detection. 28. The floor display system of claim 26, wherein the active motion detection includes means for radiating energy and means for detecting radiant energy. 29. The floor display system of claim 27, wherein passive motion detection includes detecting infrared energy. 30. The ground display system of claim 8, wherein the identification device is a smart card. 31. The floor display system of claim 1, wherein the floor display system is connected to an identification system comprising an identification system configured to obtain identity information from the identification device by physically imposing the identification device on the reading device. and wherein the ground display system is configured to generate a customized display associated with a particular person corresponding to the identity information. 32. The ground display system of claim 31, wherein the identification device is a smart card. 33. The floor display system of claim 12, wherein the mobile phone detection means comprises a near field RF detector. 34. The floor display system of claim 13, wherein the security device includes an antenna configured to detect merchandise marked with the identification device. 35. The floor display system of claim 1, further comprising a data input/output device configured to receive specific user inputs and generate corresponding outputs. 36. The floor display system of claim 35, wherein the data input/output means comprises speech recognition means. 37. The floor display system of claim 35, wherein the data input/output device comprises a keyboard. 38. The floor display system of claim 35, wherein the data input/output device comprises a printer. 39. The floor display system of claim 35, wherein the corresponding output is a user input location of an item. 40. The floor display system of claim 35, wherein the corresponding output is a coupon for a user input product. 41. A ground display system comprising: ground coverings; and An image projection device configured to project electronically adjustable arbitrary image content from a distance onto a floor covering. 42. The floor display system of claim 41, wherein the image projection device is movably connected to the guide member to position the image projection device at a desired position relative to the floor covering. 43. The floor display system of claim 41, wherein the image projection device is configured to automatically align with the floor covering. 44. The floor display system of claim 41, wherein the floor covering has a white or silver surface. 45. The floor display system of claim 41, wherein the image projection device is located in a recess in the floor, and the floor covering is arranged over the recess. 46. The floor display system of claim 45, wherein the floor covering comprises a transmissive medium.

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