[go: up one dir, main page]

WO2002009308A1 - Systeme permettant de remettre des messages mediatiques aux occupants d'un vehicule et son procede d'utilisation - Google Patents

Systeme permettant de remettre des messages mediatiques aux occupants d'un vehicule et son procede d'utilisation Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002009308A1
WO2002009308A1 PCT/US2001/022446 US0122446W WO0209308A1 WO 2002009308 A1 WO2002009308 A1 WO 2002009308A1 US 0122446 W US0122446 W US 0122446W WO 0209308 A1 WO0209308 A1 WO 0209308A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
transponder
customer
media messages
base system
vehicle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2001/022446
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2002009308B1 (fr
Inventor
Frank Sohaei
Kyun Tae Kim
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PACIFIC TELECOM RESEARCH
Pacific Telecom Res
Original Assignee
PACIFIC TELECOM RESEARCH
Pacific Telecom Res
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by PACIFIC TELECOM RESEARCH, Pacific Telecom Res filed Critical PACIFIC TELECOM RESEARCH
Priority to AU2001275954A priority Critical patent/AU2001275954A1/en
Publication of WO2002009308A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002009308A1/fr
Publication of WO2002009308B1 publication Critical patent/WO2002009308B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to the field of media message delivery systems and particularly to systems which deliver media messages to vehicle occupants in a vehicle positionable adj acent a commercial establishment and a method of using such systems.
  • Media messages serve several purposes as public service announcements and emergency broadcasting. Through the use of television and radio, useful services may be provided to alert the general audience of such things as health risks, problems in society, political views and instructions for emergency situations.
  • the most commonly used form of media message is the advertisements. Advertisements serve as highly effective tools in persuading consumers to purchase a product, promote a service, announce new product, offer special incentives and discounts, promote a brand name, and countless other ways of informing the public that a particular business has something valuable to offer.
  • the underlying assumption that advertisements generate business is based upon the premise that consumers who are visually and/or audibly stimulated by interesting ideas will make a mental note of the product, service or brand name.
  • Advertisements are especially effective in promoting a brand name when the advertisement reaches a consumer who possesses little or knowledge about a particular type of product, service or brand name. For example, a consumer who observes a television commercial favorably describing the features of "Band A' s Product" may be more inclined to purchase that product if they are unfamiliar with any of the competing brand names.
  • the respectability of a brand name is commonly built through the use of advertisements and consequently, many consumers rely upon such advertisements as representations of the reliability and quality of the associated products or services.
  • a common way that advertisers capture the attention of a consumer is by offering a free product or service to the consumer.
  • the underlying rationale of businesses offering free products and services is to create an incentive for the consumers. Although businesses lose the cost of the product or service given away to the consumers, the objective is to recover the lost profit by gaining future business from the benefitted consumers. Consumers are content with receiving free products and services but such a system of advertising is not always effective where consumers merely take free products and services from the business and never return their patronage. Thus, offering free products and services has generally been successful in gaining the attention of potential customers, but businesses are continually striving to retain customer loyalty.
  • Gasoline consuming vehicles comprise a maj ority of the vehicles used commonly throughout the world for transportation. It follows that the supply and cost of gasoline to fuel such vehicles has always been an important issue for consumers. Oil companies and gasoline service stations constantly attempt to gain customer loyalty by claiming that a particular additive in their gasoline is better than a competitor ' s and use numerous other tactics to gain more business. At the same time, oil companies and gasoline service stations have a difficult time convincing consumers to purchase their gasoline over another's while the price of oil and gasoline continues to be highly volatile. In general, it is difficult for a consumer to determine whether one company's gasoline is truly better than another's.
  • the differences between the competing gasolines may be subtle and less apparent to the consumer, especially when the selling point of most gasolines is an additive that typically works "invisibly” by doing such things as cleaning fuel injectors and valves.
  • the ultimate strategy for oil companies and gasoline service stations is to use vigorous advertising targeted at the consumer who has no loyalty to any particular oil company. Some oil companies and services stations accomplish this by offering competitive gasoline credit cards with incentives or focusing advertisements on the wide selection of products available in their convenience store.
  • the ultimate selling point for most consumers is the bottom line - price.
  • a reasonable solution to such a dilemma is to formulate a method of providing consumers with discounted products and services for continuing to give their patronage to a particular business. Such a solution should not only benefit the consumer but also ensure that the businesses are equally benefitted. It then follows that a consumer who receives a discount on products and services from one business versus another is more likely to retain their loyalty towards that business for as long as the incentive exists.
  • Advertisements have proven to be highly effective in conveying a message to consumers regarding a business' products, services, and brand name.
  • the methods of advertising take many forms and the chosen medium of advertising depends upon several factors including the available revenue of the business. Offering free products and services has historically been an effective way of gaining new customers but this method is not completely without disadvantages. It is therefore evident that there exists a need in the art for a media message delivery system which accomplishes the purpose of retaining customer loyalty and benefits all parties involved by providing discounted goods and services.
  • Some of the prior art generally discloses automobile navigations systems and electronic vehicle billboard systems, while others formulate efficient methods of utilizing broadcast signal transmissions to communicate with these devices. Such systems may be useful in directing automobile drives to their desired destinations and some may provide location sensitive advertisements.
  • a system embedded in the automobile facilities the transmission of data from an external transmission source for navigation. Typically, global positioning satellite (GPS) technology is used to help indicate the initial and final locations of the driver. These systems are generally directed at providing automobile navigated systems.
  • GPS global positioning satellite
  • Other inventions contemplate the use of microwave signals to transmit information to the embedded navigation systems and vehicle billboard systems. For example, a common use of microwave signals is implemented in conventional paging systems. Paging systems are capable of sending and receiving text or numeric messages to users through microwave signal transmission station.
  • microwave signal transmissions are capable of sending large amounts of data such as high-quality audio and high-resolution graphics in addition to the alphanumeric and text message.
  • data For such data to be transferred from one medium to another, substantially large amounts of bandwidth is required.
  • some microwave signals, including cellular transmissions might be capable of transmitting such data, the data transfer rate is relatively slow (approximately 19.2 kilobytes per second) and this is generally set by the FCC as maximum speed limit using cellular transmissions.
  • Microwave signals are also susceptible to dropped connections due to variations in signal strength and distance from signal transmission repeaters.
  • microwave signal data transmissions are susceptible to several problems which may cause data loss and a waste of resources where numerous communications handshake attempts would typically be made to reestablish data connections.
  • a correspondingly large amount of data of data storage space is required to store the large graphics and sound files. Therefore, microwave and other radio frequency based automobile communications systems are subject to the several limitations of radio frequency technology.
  • the system is further provided with a dispensing/billing base system located at the commercial establishment for electrically interrogating the transponder and receiving customer identification data and transponder usage data in response.
  • the base system includes a billing discount unit operative to reduce costs of goods and services based on detected cumulative operating time of the graphical display unit.
  • the base system further includes a base system communications interface for communication with a remotely-located central database server via a remote network.
  • the base system further includes and at least one communications cham el board for sending media messages to the transponder.
  • a method of discounting the cost of goods and services to a customer for accumulated exposure to advertising messages in a vehicle provides for compiling a database of the customers and the respective interests of each customer who purchases goods and services from a commercial establishment.
  • the customers are provided with a vehicle transponder unit capable of displaying the media messages and storing transponder usage data.
  • the transponder unit is programmed with customer identification data.
  • the customers are provided with a membership card programmed with customer identification data and capable of marking purchases made by the customer at the commercial establishment.
  • the transponder usage data is measured and recorded..
  • the transponder unit is electrically interrogated and the customer identification data and the transponder usage data is received via the transponder datalink.
  • a method of computing the value of discount allocated to a customer based on accumulated exposure to media messages in a vehicle is further provided.
  • a database record is received from a commercial establishment including customer identification data and transponder usage data.
  • the database record is stored in a central database server.
  • the total media message exposure is compiled based on transponder usage data stored in the database record.
  • the current media message exposure computation formula is retrieved.
  • the discount/rebate value is calculated based on the compiled media message exposure using the formula.
  • the database record is updated in the central database server with a computed discount/rebate value. Finally, the discount/rebate value is sent to the customer.
  • the present invention provides for a system of providing customers with a transponder unit installed in vehicle capable of displaying media messages.
  • the transponder may monitor the usage of the transponder in the form of timing the cumulative exposure to media messages by the vehicle occupants.
  • the transponder may be installed into the vehicle without any cumulative exposure monitoring.
  • Also provided may be an input device for allowing the vehicle occupants to make media message inquiries regarding specific products and services displayed on the transponder, and to receive media message responses as a result of the inquiries.
  • the transponder and the graphical display are installed in a vehicle- occupant viewable location of the vehicle. In this location, the media messages are viewable to the vehicle occupants.
  • the transponder and the graphical display may be installed in an external-observer viewable location of the vehicle. In this respect, the media messages are viewable to external observers and not the vehicle occupants.
  • the display unit is preferably attached to the read window of the vehicle when the display unit is installed in the vehicle to display media messages to the external observers.
  • the transponder may send media message inquiries, customer identification data and transponder usage to the base system.
  • the base system may transmit updated media messages to the transponder.
  • the base system may then periodically connect to a remotely-located central database server to report the information received from the transponders.
  • the base system may receive updated media messages to later transmit to the transponders upon establishing a datalink.
  • the server may be connected to a remote network, such as the Internet, and receive the transponder information from a plurality of base systems. In this respect, the server may continually be updated with information received from transponders.
  • a database server may then compute and allocate a discount/rebate amount to the customers based upon the accumulated media message exposure.
  • the discount/rebate amount may be computed based on installing the transponder in the vehicle without any usage monitoring.
  • the server may then send media message responses to the customer, issue rebates to the customer and/or discount goods and services from the participating commercial establishments to the customer.
  • a website account may be provided to the customer for purchasing goods and services observed in the transponder, for redeeming discounts/rebates.
  • Figure 1 symbolically depicts the communications relationship between the remotely-located central database server, the dispensing/billing base system, and the vehicle transponder unit;
  • Figure 2 depicts the vehicle positionable adjacent a commercial establishment having the transponder installed in the vehicle with the graphical display unit visible to the vehicle occupants;
  • Figure 3 depicts the vehicle positionable adjacent a commercial establishment having the transponder installed in the vehicle with the graphical display unit visible to external observers
  • Figure 4 depicts a rear view of the vehicle positionable adjacent a commercial establishment having the transponder installed in the vehicle with the graphical display unit visible to external observers;
  • Figure 5 is a symbolic schematic diagram of the transponder unit
  • Figure 6 is a symbolic schematic diagram of the dispensing/billing base system
  • Figure 7 is a symbolic schematic diagram of the base system controller disposed in the dispensing/billing base system
  • Figure 8 is a symbolic schematic diagram of the channel board controller disposed in a channel board
  • Figure 9 is a symbolic schematic diagram of the transmitter/receiver
  • Figure 10 is a symbolic flow chart of the steps of the method of the present invention
  • Figure 11 is a symbolic flow chart of the steps of the method of the present invention.
  • Figure 12 is a symbolic flow chart of the steps of the method of the present invention.
  • Figures 1-9 illustrate a system for delivering a plurality of media messages to a vehicle 10 positionable adjacent a commercial establishment 12.
  • the system is provided with a vehicle interior-attachable transponder 14.
  • the transponder 14 attached to the interior of the customer's vehicle 10 and includes a graphical display unit 22 and a system board 24.
  • the display 22 graphically displays media messages for the vehicle occupant to observe.
  • the system board 24 contains the circuitry to control the transponder 14 and is preferably programmed with customer identification data. Using customer identification data, each transponder is unique and this allows the dispensing/billing base system 16 to differentiate between other transponders 14.
  • the unique customer identification data is necessary where a plurality of transponders 14.
  • the unique customer identification data is necessary where a plurality of transponders 14 and receiving the customer identification data and transponder usage data in response.
  • the transponder 14 communicates with the base system 16 via a datalink 20 between the transponder 14 and the commercial establishment 18.
  • the datalink 20 is automatically established when the transponder 14 is positioned within close proximity to the base system 16.
  • the communications datalink 20 between the transponder and the base system 16 is conducted independent of user interaction.
  • such an automatic communications datalink 20 may be accomplished by using radio frequency transmissions.
  • Automatically establishing the datalink 20 is accomplished by continually transmitting a handshake request signal from the base system 16 until a signal is received from the transponder 14 in response. Alternatively, the transponder 14 continually transmits the handshake request signal until a signal is received from the base system 16 in response. Once a handshake request signal is sent and a response is received, the datalink 20 is established and allows for bidirectional data transfers between the transponder 14 and the base system 16. For example, a customer driving a vehicle equipped with the transponder 14 may drive into a commercial establishment 18 equipped with the base system 16 to purchase fuel. The transponder 14 and the base system 16 may then establish a datalink 20 without interaction by the customer.
  • the base system 16 is in communication with a remotely-located central database server 26 via a communication interface 42 connected to a remote network 28.
  • the remote network 28 is the Internet. It is contemplated, however, that the system may operate on a similar type of network which allows customers to access the same information transmitted through the datalink 20. In this respect, all information retrieved from the transponder 14 is reported to the central database server 26 regarding the transponder usage and any other data stored in the transponder such as media message inquiries. In practice, authorized users 30, through user computers 32, may access information stored in the central database server 26 by logging into a website 34 associated with the central database server.
  • the central database server 26 may also include an online purchasing system for allowing authorized users 30 to purchase goods and services.
  • the commercial establishment 18 is preferably a fuel service station. However, it is contemplated that the commercial establishment 18 may be any type of business as long as the commercial establishment 18 is cable of being equipped with a dispensing/billing base system 16 and the vehicle 10 may be positioned within communication range of the commercial establishment 18.
  • the commercial establishment may be a food service establishment wherein the transponder 14 establishes a datalink with the base system 16 while the vehicle 10 is in close proximity to the food service establishment.
  • the transponder 14 having a display unit 22 attached to the vehicle 10 as mentioned above.
  • the transponder 14 and the display unit 22 are both contained in a singular unit disposed in a vehicle occupant-viewable location of the vehicle 10.
  • the transponder 14 may be installed in the front dashboard 88 of the vehicle 10 such that a vehicle occupant can observe the display 22.
  • the datalink 20 is established.
  • the datalink 20 is established independent of interaction by the vehicle occupant.
  • the transponder 14 and display unit 22 may be attached to the vehicle 10 in an external observer-viewable location.
  • the graphical display 22 faces outward and cannot be observed from an occupant of the vehicle 10. In this position, the graphical display 22 may be observed by an external observer while passing by the vehicle 10.
  • the graphical display unit 22 may be detached from the transponder 14 such that the graphical display unit 22 may be placed in any location of the vehicle 10 and facing any direction while the transponder 14 is located in another location of the vehicle 10.
  • the display unit 22 by itself may be placed in the rear window 86 facing outward as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
  • both the transponder 14 and the display unit 22 maybe placed in the rear window 86 facing outward as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
  • the detachable graphical display unit 22 may be placed in an external observer- viewable or vehicle occupant-viewable location of the vehicle 10. It si also contemplated that the graphical display unit 22 may be integrated into the rear window 86 of a vehicle 10 as a singular unit.
  • the transponder 14 is further provided with a transponder system controller 46 disposed in the system board 24 for receiving media messages from the commercial establishment 18 and for outputting the media messages to the graphical display unit 22.
  • the system board 24 is manufactured with a material and arrangement as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, such as a multilayer circuit board.
  • a transponder central processing unit (CPU) 50 processes all control messages within the transponder 14.
  • the CPU 50 may be of any CPU known in the art with sufficient processing speed and capacity to control all of the components of the transponder 14.
  • a transponder identification EPROM Erasable Program Read Only Memory
  • Memory 52 for storing customer identification data is in electrical communication with the CPU 50.
  • the CPU 50 reads the data from the EPROM 52 and transmits the data contained in the EPROM to the base system via a transponder communications port 48.
  • the base system 16 electrically interrogates the transponder 14 and in response, the transponder 14 transmits the customer identification data from the EPROM 52.
  • the EPROM 52 may be programmed during manufacturing with a unique identification number or similar type of identifier sufficient to allow the base system 16 to differentiate between multiple transponders 14.
  • the EPROM 52 may also include data identifying compatible base systems 16.
  • the transponder 14 may receive a handshake request signal from a wireless radio frequency transmitter and in response, the transponder 14 may access the EPROM data to determine if source of transmission is authorized to communicate with the transponder 14.
  • the nature of the EPROM chip 52 allows for the data contained in the EPROM chip 52 to be reprogrammed with the proper EPROM writer .
  • the customer identification data may be reprogrammed to a new transponder 14 to avoid delay in use.
  • the CPU 50 is also in electrical communication with a transponder display interface 54.
  • the display interface 54 is also in electrical communication with the display unit 22.
  • a microprocessor dedicated to processing graphics may be embedded within the display interface 54 or alternatively, the display interface 54 may be embedded with the CPU 50.
  • the CPU 50 may provide graphics processing capabilities in addition to the primary function of controlling the transponder 14.
  • the CPU 50 is preferably coupled with at least one transponder program/data random-access-memory chip (RAM) 56 for storing an retrieving program instructions and at least one transponder program read-only-memory chip (ROM) 58 for storing program instructions.
  • the ROM 58 is of sufficient capacity to store the preprogrammed instructions for operating the transponder.
  • the ROM 58 may be programmed with instructions which determine the frequency and duration of each media message displayed on the display unit 22.
  • the ROM 58 stores program instructions to be read from the CPU 50.
  • the RAM 56 is constructed with sufficient capacity to execute the program instructions stored in the ROM 58 and to store transponder usage data.
  • the display interface 54 may utilize the RAM 56 to output graphics to the display unit 22 where the display interface 54 is configured to operate dependent on system memory rather than operating independently of system memory.
  • the RAM 56 is preferably a high capacity memory chip such as memory chips commonly used in personal computers.
  • the transponder 14 is further provided with a transponder communications port 48 in electrical communication with a transponder communications controller 76.
  • the communications controller 76 is in electrical communication with the CPU 50 and provides the circuitry to control the communications port 48.
  • the transponder communications port 48 is a wireless radio frequency transmitter/receiver configured to communicate with a plurality of base systems 16. It is contemplated however that the communications port 48 may be any type of communications port including wired communications ports so long as the port provides sufficient bandwidth to transfer the media messages and its associated data. For example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) port may be used such the networking ports used in standard PCs and networks.
  • NIC Network Interface Card
  • Typical NIC ports may be 10-base-T, 10-base-2, and 100-base-T ports which use twisted pair or single stranded networking cable with bandwidths ranging from 10 megabits per second to 100 megabits per second.
  • the graphical display unit 22 is in electrical communication with the display interface 54.
  • the display 22 may be manufactured as a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or other similar type of display capable of displaying both text and graphics.
  • the display 22 is visible to the occupant of the vehicle during day and night.
  • a backlit display LCD display or active-matrix type display used in portable laptop computers may be utilized.
  • the type of display is not crucial, as long as the display is capable of displaying both text 82 and graphics 84.
  • the size and thickness of the display 22 may vary. However, the size and thickness of the display 22 is not crucial, as long as the display is capable of displaying both text 82 and graphics 84.
  • the display 22 may be detachable from the transponder 14 for placement is a separate location from the transponder 14. In this respect, the detachable display 22 may be in communication with the transponder 14 via an electrical connection between the display interface 54 and the display 22.
  • the graphical display 22 may also provide a transponder usage indicator for displaying accumulated exposure to the media messages. By using a timer unit 60 to measure the accumulated transponder usage, the transponder 14 may then display the amount of usage measured by the transponder 14.
  • a timer unit 60 for measuring accumulated exposure to media messages by the vehicle occupant is provided in the system controller 46. It is contemplated that the timer unit 60 is in electrical communication with the CPU 50 and the display unit 22 for the purpose of measuring the total operating time of the display.
  • the timer unit 60 allows usage information to be written in the transponder 14 and then subsequently transmitted to the base system 16 via the datalink 20 when the transponder 14 is positioned adjacent a commercial establishment 18. Based on the data created by the timer unit 60, customers may then receive a discount on goods and services.
  • An auxiliary port 62 may be provided for connecting external communications devices 68, such as mobile phones, to the transponder unit 14.
  • the auxiliary port 62 may be a RGB (Red Green Blue) or a SNHS (Super VHS) composite video input jack commonly used by many home electronics and portable electronics for outputting a video signal to an external display unit.
  • a RGB Red Green Blue
  • SNHS Super VHS
  • the auxiliary port 62 may be a computer video input jack configured to accept a video signal outputted by home computers, laptop computers and similarly configured devices which utilize a VGA adaptor (Video Graphics Array) for outputting a video signal.
  • VGA adaptor Video Graphics Array
  • An expansion port 64 may also be provided for electrically connecting a plurality of extended feature modules 66, such as memory chips.
  • the expansion serves as a multifunction port allowing for upgradability of the transponder 14.
  • extended feature modules may be provided which attache to the transponder 14 via the expansion port 64.
  • extended features may include higher capacity memory, a second display unit for placement in another location of the vehicle, or an additional communications port.
  • the expansion port 64 also provides for more simplified upgrades since any extended features not now developed, may be added to the unit without the need for redesigning the entire transponder unit 14.
  • a sound interface 80 in electrical communication with a vehicle occupant- accessible sound emission mechanism 70 may be provided for presenting audible media messages to the vehicle occupants.
  • the media messages stored in the transponder 14 may have audible messages in addition to graphic messages.
  • a sound interface 80 in electrical communication with the CPU 50 allows for the media messages to be heard by the vehicle occupant.
  • the sound interface 80 is in turn comiected to the sound emission mechanism 70.
  • the sound emission mechanism is preferably a speaker 72 disposed on the transponder 14 but may also be a connection to the existing vehicle sound system for allowing the audible messages to be heard through the existing vehicle sound system.
  • a vehicle occupant-selectable input device 74 disposed in a vehicle occupant- accessible location of the vehicle 10 may also be provided by the transponder 14.
  • the input device 74 marks vehicle occupant-selected media message inquiries in the transponder 14 and stores the mark as transponder usage data in a data storage medium in the transponder 14, preferably the RAM 56.
  • the input device 74 is a wireless remote control device configured to transmit the media message inquiry signal to the transponder 14.
  • the transponder 14 stores the media message inquiry signal as transponder usage data in the response to receipt of the media message inquiry signal.
  • the input device 74 may include a single button or a plurality of buttons as long as the input device 74 transmits the proper media message inquiry signal to the transponder
  • a transponder power supply 78 is provided in electrical communication with all components disposed in the transponder 14.
  • the power supply 78 is preferably an AC/DC power converter capable of converting the AC power source from a vehicle to the DC power lead for the transponder 14.
  • the power supply 78 may be a self-sustaining power source disposed in the transponder 14.
  • the power supply 78 may be a high capacity battery with sufficient power to operate the transponder.
  • a dispensing/billing base system 16 for electrically interrogating the transponder 14 and receiving customer identification data and transponder usage data in response.
  • the base system 16 is disposed in a location of the commercial establishment 18 such that vehicles 10 are positionable in close proximity to the base system 16 to establish a datalink 20 between the transponder 14 and the base system 16.
  • the base system 16 includes a base system controller 90 for controlling the components of the base system 16.
  • the base system controller 90 is manufactured with a material and arrangement as one of the ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, such as a multilayer circuit board.
  • a base system communications interface 42 for communicating with the remotely-located central database server 26 via the remote network 28.
  • the communications interface 42 is a modem device, as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate.
  • the communications interface 42 allows the base system 16 to connect to the remote network 28 and the central database server 26 to report stored customer identification data and the corresponding transponder usage data while receiving media messages from the central database server 26 via the remote network 28.
  • this data transfer allows the central database server 26 to store all data received from the transponder 14 in a central location.
  • the base system 16 may be programmed to periodically connect to the central database server 26 and conduct data transfers.
  • a high speed/high bandwidth communications interface may be utilized as the communications interface 42 as the size of media messages and data packets transferred increases.
  • the communications interface 42 may be a constant direct link to the Internet such as a digital Tl connection.
  • the base system controller 90 is in electrical communication with a billing discount unit 92 operative to reduce cost of goods and services based on detected cumulative operating time of the graphic display unit 22.
  • the billing discount unit 92 may be a membership card reader for receiving customer identification data stored on a membership card and for marking purchases made by customers at the commercial establishment 18 to be discounted.
  • the billing discount unit 92 may include a magnetic stripe reader as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate. For example, a customer provided with a membership card may drive to the commercial establishment 18 and present the membership card to the commercial establishment 18. The membership card may then be swiped through the billing discount unit 92 before the customer makes a purchase at the commercial establishment 18.
  • the purchases made by the customer are marked as purchases which qualify for a discount, reduction in price or rebate.
  • the customer identification data may be read by the billing discount unit 92 from the membership card and subsequently transferred to the base system controller 90.
  • the customer purchase date may then be transferred to the central database server 26 via the remote network 28.
  • the billing discount unit may transfer the customer identification data and the purchase data to the base system controller 90 which may then subsequently be transferred to a host computer from the host interface 104 disposed in the base system controller 90 as shown in Figure 7.
  • the billing discount unit 92 is a usage receipt output device in electrical communication with a printing output device 94 for computing discounted value data and for creating a receipt indicating discounted value data.
  • the billing discount unit 92 reduces the cost of goods and services and sends the information to a usage receipt output device such as a printer 94.
  • At least one communications channel board 102 for sending media messages to the transponder 14 is provided in electrical communication with the base system controller 90.
  • the channel board 102 provides a channel board controller 96 and a channel board communications port 98.
  • the channel board communications port 98 is a wireless radio frequency transmitter/receiver configured to communicate with a plurality of transponders 14. It is contemplated however that the communications port 98 may be any type of communications port including wired communications ports so long as the port provides sufficient bandwidth to transfer the media messages and its associated data.
  • a NIC (Network Interface Card) port may be used such as networking ports used in standard PCs and networks.
  • Typical NIC ports may be 10- base-T, 10-base-2, and 100-base-T ports which use twisted pair or single stranded networking cable with bandwidths ranging from 10 megabits per second to 100 megabits per second.
  • the communications port 98 is configured to communicate with the transponder 14.
  • a plurality of channel boards be in electrical communication with the base system controller 90.
  • each channel board 102 may transmit/receive at a different frequency, or alternatively, each channel board 102 may transmit/receive at the same frequency as one another. It is contemplated that each channel board 102 may communicate with a different transponder 14.
  • each channel board may be dedicated to a specific type of transmission. For example, one channel board 102 may be dedicated to transmitting data only whereas another channel board 102 may be dedicated to receiving only.
  • a base system power supply 100 is provided in electrical communication with all components disposed in the base system 16.
  • the power supply 100 is preferably in DC/DC power converter capable of converting the AC power source from a vehicle to the AC power lead for the base system 16.
  • a base system controller 90 is provided disposed in the base system 16.
  • the base system controller 90 is provided with a CPU. 106 for controlling the components of the base system controller 90.
  • the CPU 106 may be of a similar type utilized as the transponder CPU 50.
  • the CPU 106 is in electrical communication with at least one base system program read-only-memory (ROM) 108 for storing program instructions in a similar configuration as the transponder ROM 58.
  • ROM read-only-memory
  • the ROM 108 is operative to store the program instructions which is read by the CPU 106 to control the base system 16.
  • At least one base system program/data random-access-memory (RAM) 110 for storing and retrieving program instructions and generated is provided in a similar configuration as the transponder RAM 56.
  • the CPU 106 reads the program instructions from the ROM 108 and executes the instructions using the RAM 110.
  • the RAM 110 may be used to store data such as received transponder usage data and customer identification data.
  • the RAM 110 may function solely as a program execution RAM while a separate data RAM 112 may be used to store generated data and/or received data.
  • the base system controller 90 is provided with a plurality of channel card controllers 114 for interfacing with the channel board controllers 96.
  • the channel card controllers 114 provide a communications interface for allowing the base system CPU 106 to communicate with the channel board controllers 96.
  • a plurality of channel boards 102 preferably communicate with a plurality of transponders 14.
  • each channel card controller 114 communicates with a corresponding channel board controller 96.
  • a channel board controller 96 is provided having a channel board CPU 116 having a similar configuration with the transponder CPU 50 and the base controller CPU 106.
  • the channel board CPU 116, the transponder CPU 50 and the base controller CPU 106 may use the same type of microprocessor for controlling their respective components.
  • the CPU 116 is in electrical communication with at least one channel board program read-only-memory (ROM) 120 for storing program instructions in a similar configuration as the transponder ROM 58 and the base system ROM 108.
  • the ROM 118 is operative to store the program instructions which is read by the CPU 116 to control the channel board 102.
  • at least one channel board system program/data random-access-memory (RAM) 122 for storing and retrieving program instructions and generated is provided in a similar configuration as the transponder RAM 56 and the base system RAM 110.
  • RAM random-access-memory
  • the CPU 116 reads the program instructions from the ROM 120 and executes the instructions using the RAM 122.
  • the RAM 122 may be used to store data such as received transponder usage data and customer identification data.
  • the RAM 122 may function solely as a program execution RAM while a separate data RAM 124 may be used to store generated data and/or received data.
  • a channel board communications controller interface 118 is provided for communicating with the base system controller 90. Specifically, the controller interface 118 communicates with a corresponding channel card controller 114 disposed on the base system controller 90.
  • a channel board communications controller 126 is also provided in the channel board contr oiler 96 such that the communications controller 126 is in communication with a channel board communications port 98 as shown in Figures 6 and 8.
  • the communications controller 126 is a radio frequency wireless interface configured to communicate with a radio frequency wireless transmitter /receiver.
  • a transponder 14 in close proximity with the base system 14 may be interrogated by the channel board communications port 98 through a radio frequency controlled by the channel board communications controller 126 in the form of a radio frequency interface driven by the channel board CPU 116 disposed in the channel board controller 96.
  • a transmitter/receiver is provided which may be utilized as the transponder communications port 48 and the channel board communications port 98.
  • the transmitter /receiver is known to one of ordinary skill in the art and contains associated components and circuitry for both simultaneously transmitting and receiving data through radio frequencies.
  • a method of discounting the cost of goods and services to a customer for accumulated exposure to media messages in a vehicle is provided.
  • a central database server 128 is provided for storing media messages 134. Media messages stored on the central database server 128 are sent to the commercial establishment 130 and in turn, the media messages are transmitted to the vehicle 132.
  • the further steps are provided of storing media messages, monitoring media message exposure and storing media message inquiries 138 which in turn is sent to the commercial establishment 130.
  • the media message exposure and media message inquiries are transmitted 140 to the server 128.
  • the server Preferably, the server then computes and allocates a discount/rebate from media message exposure.
  • the server may implement a database server software for processing the data.
  • the database server 128 may receive a database record including customer identification data and transponder usage data from the commercial establishment 150, then store the database record in the central database 152, then compile the total media message exposure based on transponder usage data 154, then retrieve the current media message exposure computation formula 156, then calculate the discount/rebate value based on the media message exposure using the formula 158, then update the database record in the central database server with computed discount/rebate value 160 and finally send the computed discount/rebate to the customer 162.

Landscapes

  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système permettant de remettre une pluralité de messages médiatiques aux occupants d'un véhicule (14) pouvant être placé près d'un établissement commercial (18). Ledit système comprend un répondeur pouvant être fixé à l'intérieur du véhicule et programmé à l'aide de données d'identification de client. Ledit répondeur comprend une unité d'affichage graphique (22) pouvant être vue d'un occupant d'un véhicule, pour afficher une pluralité de messages médiatiques visibles par les occupants du véhicule. Ledit répondeur comprend également une unité de commande du système de répondeur, pour recevoir des messages médiatiques de l'établissement commercial et émettre des messages médiatiques vers l'unité d'affichage graphique. Ledit répondeur comprend également une unité de minuterie pour mesurer la durée d'exposition accumulée de l'occupant du véhicule aux messages médiatiques. Ledit répondeur comprend également un port de communication de répondeur pour créer une liaison de données entre le répondeur et l'établissement commercial (20). Ledit système comprend également un système de base de distribution/facturation (16) situé dans l'établissement commercial, pour interroger électriquement le répondeur et recevoir les données d'identification de client ainsi que les données d'utilisation de répondeur en réponse. Ledit système de base comprend une unité de facturation de rabais permettant de réduire le coût des marchandises et des services en fonction de la durée d'utilisation cumulative détectée de l'unité d'affichage graphique. Ledit système de base comprend également une interface de communication de système de base, pour communiquer avec un serveur de base de données central situé à distance, à travers un réseau à distance. Ledit système de base comprend également au moins une carte de voies de communication permettant d'envoyer des messages médiatiques au répondeur.
PCT/US2001/022446 2000-07-21 2001-07-17 Systeme permettant de remettre des messages mediatiques aux occupants d'un vehicule et son procede d'utilisation Ceased WO2002009308A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001275954A AU2001275954A1 (en) 2000-07-21 2001-07-17 System for delivering media messages to vehicle occupants and method of using the same

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US62102600A 2000-07-21 2000-07-21
US09/621,026 2000-07-21

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002009308A1 true WO2002009308A1 (fr) 2002-01-31
WO2002009308B1 WO2002009308B1 (fr) 2002-07-04

Family

ID=24488422

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/022446 Ceased WO2002009308A1 (fr) 2000-07-21 2001-07-17 Systeme permettant de remettre des messages mediatiques aux occupants d'un vehicule et son procede d'utilisation

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001275954A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002009308A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2449476A (en) * 2007-05-24 2008-11-26 Airmax Group Plc Fuel cards
CN101175046B (zh) * 2006-10-30 2011-05-25 中兴通讯股份有限公司 主动获取消息投递状态的方法
US9456346B2 (en) 2006-07-25 2016-09-27 Virginia Innovation Science, Inc Method and system for improving client server transmission over fading channel with wireless location and authentication technology via electromagnetic radiation

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5539395A (en) * 1993-11-01 1996-07-23 Motorola, Inc. Location dependent information receiving device and method
US5995015A (en) * 1989-05-16 1999-11-30 Electronic Advertising Solutions Innovators, Inc. D/B/A Easi, Inc. Remote electronic information display system for retail facility
US6006159A (en) * 1995-08-14 1999-12-21 Schmier; Kenneth J. Public transit vehicle arrival information system
US6123259A (en) * 1998-04-30 2000-09-26 Fujitsu Limited Electronic shopping system including customer relocation recognition
US6161018A (en) * 1998-02-27 2000-12-12 Motorola, Inc. Method and system for estimating a subscriber's location in a wireless communication system service area
US6173271B1 (en) * 1997-11-26 2001-01-09 California Institute Of Technology Television advertising automated billing system
US6182010B1 (en) * 1999-01-28 2001-01-30 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for displaying real-time visual information on an automobile pervasive computing client
US6208857B1 (en) * 1996-11-04 2001-03-27 Qualcomm Incorporated Method and apparatus for performing position-and preference-based service selection in a mobile telephone system

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5995015A (en) * 1989-05-16 1999-11-30 Electronic Advertising Solutions Innovators, Inc. D/B/A Easi, Inc. Remote electronic information display system for retail facility
US5539395A (en) * 1993-11-01 1996-07-23 Motorola, Inc. Location dependent information receiving device and method
US6006159A (en) * 1995-08-14 1999-12-21 Schmier; Kenneth J. Public transit vehicle arrival information system
US6208857B1 (en) * 1996-11-04 2001-03-27 Qualcomm Incorporated Method and apparatus for performing position-and preference-based service selection in a mobile telephone system
US6173271B1 (en) * 1997-11-26 2001-01-09 California Institute Of Technology Television advertising automated billing system
US6161018A (en) * 1998-02-27 2000-12-12 Motorola, Inc. Method and system for estimating a subscriber's location in a wireless communication system service area
US6123259A (en) * 1998-04-30 2000-09-26 Fujitsu Limited Electronic shopping system including customer relocation recognition
US6182010B1 (en) * 1999-01-28 2001-01-30 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for displaying real-time visual information on an automobile pervasive computing client

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9456346B2 (en) 2006-07-25 2016-09-27 Virginia Innovation Science, Inc Method and system for improving client server transmission over fading channel with wireless location and authentication technology via electromagnetic radiation
CN101175046B (zh) * 2006-10-30 2011-05-25 中兴通讯股份有限公司 主动获取消息投递状态的方法
GB2449476A (en) * 2007-05-24 2008-11-26 Airmax Group Plc Fuel cards

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2001275954A1 (en) 2002-02-05
WO2002009308B1 (fr) 2002-07-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20230005048A1 (en) Systems and methods for automated mass media commerce
US7426480B2 (en) In-vehicle promotions system
JP4377394B2 (ja) 広告主による指定場所への視聴メンバーのアクセスに対する検出および追跡により広告収益を上げるビジネスモデルを実現するシステム及び方法
US20110282724A1 (en) Reward Based Interactive Kiosk Advertising
US20030218535A1 (en) Method and apparatus for displaying advertising indicia on a wireless device
US20080040219A1 (en) Proximity-based wireless advertising system
WO2008131181A2 (fr) Procédé et appareil pour une distribution et une personnalisation de coupons électroniques
US20080221957A1 (en) System for Issuing Short Life Coupons or Other Promotional Devices
EP1420352A1 (fr) Système de publicité and méthode pour analyser l'effet publicitaire
US20080046921A1 (en) Advertisement Management Device, Advertisement Distribution Device, Advertisement Display Device, Advertisement Distribution Method, And Advertisement Display Method
US20020099610A1 (en) Shopping cart
US20030160809A1 (en) Individualized product information display system
JP4511910B2 (ja) 広告配信装置および広告配信方法
WO2002009308A1 (fr) Systeme permettant de remettre des messages mediatiques aux occupants d'un vehicule et son procede d'utilisation
KR101119836B1 (ko) 옥외 미디어 기기를 통한 광고 노출에 따른 광고 서비스 제공시스템
KR20020038321A (ko) 무선 인터넷 모바일을 이용한 택시광고 방법 및 시스템
CN112425133A (zh) 增强道路使用者间通信的系统和方法
WO2003056486A1 (fr) Systeme de babillard electronique et procede de fonctionnement d'un systeme de babillard electronique
EP1113379A2 (fr) Système d'affichage d'informations
HK40044369A (en) System and method for enhancing communication among road users

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP