Information distribution system for use in an elevator

• US 20040222047A1
• Filed: 06/08/2004
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Captivate, LLC
• Original Assignee: Captivate Network Incorporated
• Inventors: Newville, Todd A., DiFranza, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,962,240 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 187/391
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 1/34 Details , e.g. call counting devices, data transmission from car to control system, devices giving information to the control system
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 3/00 Applications of devices for indicating or signalling operating conditions of elevators
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 3/008 Displaying information not related to the elevator, e.g. weather, publicity, internet or TV

Abstract

The invention features a system for displaying video information to passengers of an elevator in accordance with a play list defining a sequence of messages. The video information messages can include combinations of digital advertising, “real-time” general information, as well as, building-related information. The system includes an elevator display unit having a display monitor for displaying video information to the passengers, and a local server which, receives scheduling information associated with the video information over a data communication path and, in accordance with the scheduling information, generates a play list used to display at the elevator display unit.

Claims

1-22. -22 (Cancelled)

23. A system for displaying content, the system comprising:

a display visible to viewers present in a viewing zone;

an occupancy detector for providing occupancy data indicative of a population of viewers present in the viewing zone; and

a processing system configured to associate the occupancy data with content provided on the display.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the processing system is configured to select, at least in part on the basis of the occupancy data, content to be viewed on the display.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the display is configured to display content selected at least in part on the basis of the occupancy data.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the viewing zone comprises an elevator interior.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the occupancy detector is configured to provide the occupancy data to the processing system.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the occupancy detector is configured to provide the occupancy data to the processing system at periodic intervals.

29. The system of claim 23, wherein the processing system comprises a building server in communication with the display.

30. The system of claim 23, further comprising a building server in communication with the display, and wherein the processing system comprises a production center in communication with the building server.

31. The system of claim 23, wherein the processing system is configured to compile, at least in part on the basis of the occupancy detector, occupancy statistics representative of the population of viewers in the viewing zone.

32. The system of claim 23, wherein the processing system comprises a storage medium containing an occupancy database for storing the occupancy data.

33. The system of claim 23, wherein the processing system is configured to generate an occupancy history, and to determine a value associated with display of selected content at least in part on the basis of the occupancy history.

34. The system of claim 23, wherein the processing system is configured to generate a play list at least in part on the basis of the occupancy data.

35. The system of claim 23, wherein the processing system is configured to estimate, at least in part on the basis of the occupancy data, a number of impressions associated with selected content.

36. The system of claim 23, further comprising an occupancy accumulator for receiving occupancy data and extracting there from summarized occupancy.