System and method for controlling outdoor signs

• US 20070074433A1
• Filed: 10/14/2005
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Skyline Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Skyline Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Brown, Vance, Rose, Mike, Daigle, Gene, Lindsay, Charles
• Application Number:
  US11/250,273
• Publication Number:
  US 20070074433A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/574
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/06 Remotely controlled electronic signs other than labels

Abstract

A system for controlling outdoor signs has an outdoor sign having a price that is controllable. A controller sends a price signal that controls the price on the outdoor sign. A feedback system determines if the outdoor sign is functioning properly.

Claims

1. A system for controlling outdoor signs, comprising:

an electronic sign having a price that is controllable;

a controller sending a price signal that controls the price on the outdoor sign; and

a feedback system that determines if the outdoor sign is operative.

2. The system of claim 1, further including a store server coupled to the controller and remote from the controller.

3. The system of claim 1, further including a server storing a plurality of competitive prices in electronic communication with the controller.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the server has a price rule algorithm based on the competitive prices.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the server can transmit an alert message to a portable wireless device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller communicates with a point of sale system to change the price.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a point of sale system that changes the price.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the point of sale system communicates with a sign interface system.

9. The system of claim 3, wherein the server receives the plurality of competitive prices from a plurality of price sources.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein step (a) further includes the step of:

a1) determining a price based on a price algorithm.

10. A method of operating a system for controlling outdoor signs, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a plurality of competitor prices; and

b) changing remotely a displayed price on a controllable electronic sign.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein step (a) further includes the step of:

a1 ) transmitting an alert signal including the price.

13. The method of claim 10, further including the step of:

c) checking a displayed price electronically.

14. The method of claim 13, further including the step of:

d) when the displayed price contains an error, transmitting an error message.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein step (a) further includes the step of:

a1) collecting a plurality of price factors.

16. The method of claim 12, further including the step of:

a2) transmitting the alert signal to a wireless device.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein step (b) further includes the step of:

b1) inputting the price into a point of sale system.

18. A system for controlling outdoor signs, comprising:

a server coupled to a plurality of price factor data sources;

a controller in communication with the server; and

a controllable sign receiving a display price signal from the controller and having a feedback system that determines the display price is operative.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the server has a price algorithm.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the server is coupled to an alerting system.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the alerting system includes a wireless network.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the controller communicates with a point of sale system.

23. The system of claim 22, further including a sign interface system coupled to the point of sale system.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein the controller is a point of sale system.