DYNAMIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING MACHINES
The present invention relates, in general, to dispensing machines and methods and, more particularly, to dispensing machines capable of dynamic-content presentation and methods of using dispensing machines capable of dynamic-content presentation. The dispensing machine includes a content display unit that communicates with a display controller, visually displaying dynamic-content. The controller may comprise a timing means, altering the visual display as a function of the timing means. The display controller adapted to receive, store, and display dynamic-content from a plurality of servers, comprising a hierarchical control scheme to select dynamic-content from one server of the plurality of servers for display. The device may comprise a plurality of display controllers, each display controller having a type identifier, wherein each selects dynamic-content for display on its content display unit as a function of the type identifier.
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This application is a continuation of prior, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/412,539, filed Apr. 11, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/175,057 filed Jun. 19, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,015,875, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/302,093, filed Jun. 29, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates, in general, to dispensing machines and, more particularly, to dispensing machines capable of dynamic-content presentation and methods of using dynamic-content presentation on dispensing machines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDispensing machines are used to display various messages typically consisting of a combination of text and graphics. Traditionally, the message has been provided by way of fixed sheets that are attached to a backing or molded into structural components. This traditional approach suffers from the inability to quickly change the displayed message, because it requires the use of a crew to change the message, or replace an entire machine for upgrading.
Electronic billboards are known that include the dot matrix type utilizing many individual bulbs or Light Emitting Diodes (LED's). Within stadiums, arenas and auditoriums there presently are electronic dot matrix display devices used for instant replays, advertising and customer information.
Loban et al. disclose a video billboard including a remote computer control with radio communications to the billboard display in U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,741 ('741). The '741 patent discloses that display information is communicated from a master computer to a receiver in the billboard housing which, in turn, controls the light valve display of the '741 invention. Commands may also be communicated via shared or dedicated landlines. The '741 billboard is capable of providing complex video graphics with high contrast ratios. It can provide message changes on command through landline, cellular phone, satellite relay or other wireless communication links. Within the commercial advertising billboard industry it will allow the use of computer video control to change graphics easily and quickly, as desired. Information displays, public service announcements or traffic conditions can be displayed in near real time from remote locations since images can be downloaded via the communication links and displayed at pre-programmed time slots, if desired.
Gofman et al. disclose a system and method for serving local and global media content in PCT publication WO 00/52935 ('52935). The '52935 publication discloses a system and method for combining broadcast media content with additional content at a local site according to at least one locally determined characteristic of the audience to which the combined content is served. The '52935 publication discloses a template containing information concerning the type of data objects to be displayed, their size and location on the display, as well as the timing of display and transitions to the display, such that the template describes how to process and display the data.
New display materials are being developed that have the potential to expand advertising display technology, such as, for example, GYRICON a trade name of Xerox Corporation, Palo Alto Research Center, Palo Alto Calif. These new materials have the potential to expand the capabilities of dispensing machines. Another new material for displays is E-INK, a trade name of E Ink Corporation 733 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, Mass. GYRICON technology is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,854. E-INK technology is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,588.
It would therefore be advantageous to provide an improved method of dispensing machine advertising that reduces the effort necessary to manage dynamic dispensing machine displays. It would further be advantageous to provide methods of controlling dispensing machines that include content-display units. It would also be advantageous to provide easily manageable dynamic-content displays on dispensing machines. It would further be advantageous to provide a system capable of time shared display output for dispensing machines from a hierarchical control structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA dynamic device and methods for dispensing machine displays are disclosed. A dispensing machine device in accordance with the present invention comprises a display controller adapted to receive and display dynamic-content. At least one content display unit is in communication with the display controller, wherein the content display unit visually displays the information from the dynamic-content. The dispensing machine display controller may also comprise a timing means, the display controller altering the visual display of the content display unit as a function of a signal from the timing means. The display controller may be adapted to receive, store, and display dynamic-content from a plurality of servers, wherein the display controller comprises a hierarchical control scheme, the hierarchical control scheme adapted to select dynamic-content from one server of the plurality of servers for display on the content display unit. The dispensing machine device may also comprise a plurality of display controllers in communication with a plurality of content display unit devices, each display controller from the plurality of display controllers having a type identifier, wherein each of the display controllers selects dynamic-content for display on its content display unit as a function of the type identifier.
A method for dispensing machine advertising in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:
A) providing a dispensing machine, wherein the dispensing machine comprises:
-
- a display controller, wherein the display controller is adapted to receive, store, and display dynamic-content; and
- a content-display unit in communication with the display controller, wherein the content-display unit visually displays the information from the dynamic-content;
B) receiving information from a source; and
C) displaying the information on the content-display unit.
A method in accordance with the present invention may also include one or more of the steps of:
D) In step C, the displaying step may be divided into a plurality of time segments, allowing the step of: displaying a first information display during a first time segment and displaying a second information display during a second time segment.
E) segmenting a plurality of content-display units into a plurality of groups, each group from the plurality of groups identified with a characteristic;
F) selecting a group from the plurality of groups to display dynamic-content on the plurality of content-display units having the group characteristic.
A method for dispensing machine advertising in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention may include some or all of the following steps:
A) providing a dispensing machine, wherein the dispensing machine comprises:
-
- at least one server;
- at least one display controller, wherein the display controller is adapted to receive, store, and display dynamic-content from the server; and
- at least one content display unit in communication with the display controller, wherein the content display unit visually displays the information from the dynamic-content;
B) receiving information from a source;
C) communicating the information as dynamic-content from the server to the display controller;
D) displaying the information on the content display unit. In step D, the displaying step may be divided into a plurality of time segments, allowing the step of: displaying a first information display during a first time segment and displaying a second information display during a second time segment.
E) segmenting a plurality of content display units into a plurality of groups, each group from the plurality of groups identified with a characteristic;
F) selecting a group from the plurality of groups to display dynamic-content on the plurality of content display units having the group characteristic.
In step A, a plurality of servers may be provided, and the method may further comprise:
G) selecting a hierarchy, the hierarchy defining a prioritization of the plurality of servers to at least one of the display controllers such that the display controller selects one server from the plurality of servers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and methods of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention relates, in general, to dispensing machines and, more particularly, to dispensing machines capable of dynamic-content presentation and methods of using dynamic-content presentation on dispensing machines.
Content-display units are herein defined to include any visual display or portion of display on a dispensing machine capable of displaying information from dynamic-content such as, for example, video billboards, GYRICON, E-Ink, computer monitors, and other forms of electronic paper. Content display units are divided into two types, active content-display units and passive content-display units. Active content-display units are displays that only display dynamic-content when they are actively being addressed or written on, such as, for example, computer monitors, movie-theater screens, and L.E.D. displays. Passive content-display units are displays that, when not being actively written to or addressed, retain a viewable image such as, for example, GYRICON and E-INK.
A suitable material for a passive content-display media would be, for example, SMARTPAPER (Trademark of Gyricon Inc. Palo Alto, Calif.) technology using an array of tiny (100 micron diameter or smaller) solid beads with one hemisphere of each bead one color (e.g. white) and the other a different color (e.g. black). These beads are embedded in a flexible plastic sheet in small cavities surrounded by a liquid. Each bead carries an electrical charge. When an external electric field is applied the bead rotates or gyrates. Adhesive forces between each bead and cavity wall require an electrical threshold be exceeded before it will rotate. This makes an image electrically “printed” onto the material stable and unchanging until “erased” by another transmission. Electrical signals can be applied to the SMARTPAPER sheets through fixed surface electrodes or a moving stylus. A networked programmable sign will run for up to 2 years on 3 AA batteries, with the power almost completely used by the communications and processing systems. SMARTPAPER itself requires just a capacitance or voltage (about 100 volts), not a power current. Unlike other types of electronic displays, SMARTPAPER has a wide viewing angle identical to traditional printed signs. This allows SMARTPAPER to be viewed like paper, from all angles and without added backlighting. Images can currently be displayed on SMARTPAPER with resolution over 100 dpi. Applying electrical fields to the display surface changes the image on SMARTPAPER. For purposes herein, GYRICON and SMARTPAPER are synonymous.
Dynamic-content is herein defined as information or data to be visually displayed that is updateable or changeable by electronic control such as, for example, pixel data for an image, analog beam modulation information for a cathode ray tube (CRT), streaming video, and ASCII or other codes.
Display-time is herein defined as the actual display of dynamic-content on a content-display unit.
The content display unit 25 visually displays the information from the dynamic-content. The timing means 31 may be, for example, a clock, a Global Positioning System (GPS), timing trigger, or other means of detecting a timing event. The display controller 30 alters the visual display of the content display unit 25 as a function of the time or position from the timing means 31. For example, if content display unit 25 is located near a restaurant visible to customers, it may be desirable to display a first message on content display unit 25 during lunch hours, and to display a second different message on content display unit 25 at other times.
A) providing a dispensing machine, wherein the dispensing machine comprises:
-
- at least one display controller, wherein the display controller is adapted to receive, store, and display dynamic-content; and
- at least one content-display unit in communication with the display controller, wherein the content-display unit visually displays the information from the dynamic-content; (illustrated as step 61)
B) receiving information from a source; (illustrated as step 62)
C) displaying the information on the content-display unit. (illustrated as step 64)
In step C, the displaying step may be divided into a plurality of time segments, allowing the step of:
D) displaying a first information display during a first time segment and displaying a second information display during a second time segment. (illustrated as step 65)
E) segmenting a plurality of content-display units into a plurality of groups, each group from the plurality of groups identified with a characteristic; (illustrated as step 66)
F) selecting a group from the plurality of groups to display dynamic-content on the plurality of content-display units having the group characteristic. (illustrated as step 67)
Further, one or more servers may be provided, each in communication with one or more content-display units. A plurality of servers may be provided, and the method may further comprise:
G) selecting a hierarchy, the hierarchy defining a prioritization of the plurality of servers to at least one of the display controllers such that the display controller selects one server from the plurality of servers. (illustrated as step 68)
Illustrations of method steps, such as, for example, the steps illustrated in
First dispensing machine 701 may have a type identifier of first-machine-of-six, second dispensing machine may have a type identifier of second-machine-of-six, through sixth dispensing machine with a type identifier of sixth-machine-of-six. Dynamic content may be created to span all six displays, creating a larger-scale presentation for storefront 708. Alternately, dynamic content may span 2 or more dispensing machines, and may move across storefront 708 over time, traveling from display 709 to display 714 over time.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features having the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. In addition, it should be understood that every structure described above has a function and such structure can be referred to as a means for performing that function.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A dispensing machine device comprising:
- a server;
- a display controller, wherein said display controller is adapted to receive and display dynamic-content from said server; and
- at least one passive content display unit in communication with said display controller, wherein said at least one passive content display unit visually displays the information from said dynamic-content.
2. The dispensing machine device of claim 1, wherein said passive content-display unit comprises GYRICON.
3. The dispensing machine device of claim 1, wherein said passive content-display unit comprises E-INK.
4. The dispensing machine device of claim 1, wherein said display controller comprises a timing means, said display controller altering the visual display of said at least one passive content display unit as a function of the time from said timing means.
5. The dispensing machine device of claim 1, wherein said display controller is adapted to receive, store, and display dynamic-content from a plurality of servers, wherein said display controller comprises a hierarchical control scheme, said hierarchical control scheme adapted to select dynamic-content from one server of said plurality of servers for display on said content display unit.
6. The dispensing machine device of claim 4, wherein said display controller is adapted to receive, store, and display dynamic-content from a plurality of servers, wherein said display controller comprises a hierarchical control scheme, said hierarchical control scheme adapted to select dynamic-content from one server of said plurality of servers for display on said content display unit.
7. The dispensing machine device of claim 4 comprising a plurality of display controllers in communication with a plurality of content display units, each display controller from said plurality of display controllers having a type identifier, wherein each said display controller selects dynamic-content for display on its content display unit as a function of said type identifier.
8. The dispensing machine device of claim 6 comprising a plurality of display controllers in communication with a plurality of content display units, each display controller from said plurality of display controllers having a type identifier, wherein each said display controller selects dynamic-content for display on its content display unit as a function of said type identifier.
9. The dispensing machine device of claim 6, wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises GYRICON.
10. The dispensing machine device of claim 6, wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises E-INK.
11. The dispensing machine device of claim 7, wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises GYRICON.
12. The dispensing machine device of claim 7, wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises E-INK.
13. The dispensing machine device of claim 8, wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises GYRICON.
14. The dispensing machine device of claim 8, wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises E-INK.
15. A dispensing machine device comprising:
- a display controller, wherein said display controller is adapted to receive and display dynamic-content; and
- at least one passive content display unit in communication with said display controller, wherein said at least one passive content display unit visually displays the information from said dynamic-content.
16. The dispensing machine device of claim 15, wherein said display controller is adapted to receive, store, and display dynamic-content from a plurality of sources, wherein said display controller comprises a hierarchical control scheme, said hierarchical control scheme adapted to select dynamic-content from one source of said plurality of sources for display on said content display unit.
17. The dispensing machine device of claim 15 comprising a plurality of display controllers in communication with a plurality of content display units, each display controller from said plurality of display controllers having a type identifier, wherein each said display controller selects dynamic-content for display on its content display unit as a function of said type identifier.
18. The dispensing machine device of claim 16 comprising a plurality of display controllers in communication with a plurality of content display units, each display controller from said plurality of display controllers having a type identifier, wherein each said display controller selects dynamic-content for display on its content display unit as a function of said type identifier.
19. The dispensing machine device of claim 16, wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises GYRICON.
20. The dispensing machine device of claim 16, wherein at least one of said content-display units comprises E-INK.
21.-37. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 27, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 25, 2007
Applicant:
Inventor: Scott Wampler (Wester Chester, OH)
Application Number: 11/460,501
International Classification: G09G 5/00 (20060101);