System and method for delivering audio-visual content along a customer waiting line
First Claim
1. A system for providing audio information to persons in an approach path, comprising:
- a. an interaction point;
b. an approach path, leading to the interaction point; and
c. a parametric sound system, including a parametric speaker disposed adjacent to the interaction point, the parametric sound system being configured for limited delivery of sound in a spatially limited audio zone along the approach path and within a decibel level above ambient noise levels in the area of the interaction point, and sufficiently high to be heard primarily by a person progressing along the approach path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for providing audio information to persons in an approach path (12) includes an interaction point (14), and an approach path (12) leading to the interaction point. A parametric sound system (18) is provided, which includes a parametric speaker (20) disposed adjacent to the interaction point. The parametric sound system is configured for limited delivery of sound in a spatially limited audio zone (24) along the approach path (12), within a decibel level above ambient noise levels in the area of the interaction point (14), and sufficiently high to be heard primarily by a person progressing along the approach path (12). The interaction point can be a cashier station, and the system can also include a video display (16) configured to provide video information to persons in the approach path along with the audio information.
111 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A system for providing audio information to persons in an approach path, comprising:
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a. an interaction point;
b. an approach path, leading to the interaction point; and
c. a parametric sound system, including a parametric speaker disposed adjacent to the interaction point, the parametric sound system being configured for limited delivery of sound in a spatially limited audio zone along the approach path and within a decibel level above ambient noise levels in the area of the interaction point, and sufficiently high to be heard primarily by a person progressing along the approach path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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- 20. A system for protecting persons from undesired sound, comprising a parametric speaker, configured to produce an audio zone wherein sound from the parametric speaker is audible, and to produce a null zone wherein sound from the parametric speaker is substantially inaudible, the null zone being configured to substantially protect persons in the null zone from sound from the parametric speaker.
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24. A method for protecting persons in a localized area from undesired sound, comprising the steps of:
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a. orienting a parametric speaker to selectively produce sound along an axis so as to create an audio zone and a null zone; and
b. manipulating the null zone to cover a localized area, and to protect persons in the localized area from sound from the parametric speaker. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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- 27. A method for maintaining a substantially constant sound level along an audio path, comprising the step of broadcasting sufficient ultra-sonic energy along a path using a parametric speaker so that a relative level of parametric activity along the path dissipates approximately at a rate of dissipation of sound as distance from the speaker increases.
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29. A method for processing customers at a point of purchase, comprising the steps of:
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a. providing an approach path for customers to move toward a cashier station;
b. positioning a display screen at the cashier station with a viewing orientation projected along the approach path;
c. coupling a parametric sound system including a parametric speaker to the display screen, for processing audio sound corresponding to video data displayed on the display screen; and
d. configuring the parametric speaker for limited delivery of sound projection along the approach path and within a decibel level above ambient noise levels in the area of the cashier station and sufficiently high to be heard by a customer progressing along the approach path. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification