METHODS AND SYSTEMS UTILIZING A PROGRAMMABLE SIGN DISPLAY LOCATED IN PROXIMITY TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT

• US 20070118395A1
• Filed: 12/12/2006
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Haase
• Original Assignee: Michael Haase
• Inventors: HAASE, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,538,689 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0265 Vehicular advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/087 Override of traffic control, e.g. by signal transmitted by an emergency vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096758 where no selection takes place on the transmitted or the received information
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

Methods and systems use a programmable sign display located in proximity to a traffic light to provide information to motorists upon the motorists directing their attention toward the traffic light. The programmable sign display may receive programming for content to be displayed in various ways, such as through an interface to a telephone network accessible by a cell phone that sends programming information to the sign. The programmable sign may be used to inform motorists of a radio frequency upon which relevant information such as advertising or traffic reports is being broadcast. The programmable sign may be used to provide textual or graphical information, such as an instruction to motorists that relates to avoiding an approaching emergency vehicle. Additionally, management of the sign is provided to coordinate programming and control of the content being displayed. The display of content on the programmable sign display may be coordinated with the states of the traffic light to avoid distracting motorists.

Claims

1. A method of providing visual information to motorists on a programmable sign display placed in proximity to a traffic light having the ability to signal a plurality of colors, one of which is red, comprising:

receiving, by a managing entity, advertising content to be displayed on the programmable sign display from one or more customers;

sending, by the managing entity, programming to the programmable sign display, the programming corresponding to the content provided by the plurality of customers; and

displaying the advertising content on the programmable sign display in response to the programming received by the programmable sign display and in coordination with the color signaled by the traffic light, for viewing by motorists as they direct their attention toward the traffic light.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the color signaled by the traffic light is the color red.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining, by the managing entity, authorization from a governing entity to install and display content on the programmable sign display in proximity to the traffic light.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein programming the programmable sign display occurs as a result of a bartered exchange between the managing entity and the customers.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more customers comprise government customers and advertising customers.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending, by the managing entity, self-promoting programming to the programmable sign display, the self-promoting programming corresponding to advertising for sales of content to be displayed on the programmable sign display; and

displaying the advertising for sales of content on the programmable sign display in response to the self-promoting programming received by the programmable sign display.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending, by the programmable sign display, a notice of power loss upon occurrence of a loss of power.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising authenticating, by the programmable sign display, an incoming message from the managing entity.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending, by the programmable sign display, a message that is indicative of a malfunction upon the malfunction of the programmable sign display occurring.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein advertising content is animated content.

11. A method of providing visual information to motorists on a programmable sign display placed in proximity to a traffic light having the ability to signal a plurality of colors, one of which is red, comprising:

in coordination with the color signaled by the traffic light, displaying advertising content on the programmable sign display placed in proximity to the traffic light.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the color signaled by the traffic light is the color red.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the advertising content is animated content.

14. A method of providing visual information to motorists on a programmable sign display placed in proximity to a traffic light having the ability to signal a plurality of colors, one of which is red, comprising:

when a traffic light signals a color other than red, displaying content other than advertising content;

when a traffic light signals the color red, displaying advertising content on the programmable sign display placed in proximity to the traffic light.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein content other than advertising content is a blank screen.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein content other than advertising content is the absence of advertising content.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the advertising content is animated content.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the advertising content is animated content.

18. A method of providing visual information to motorists on a programmable sign display placed in proximity to a traffic light having the ability to signal a plurality of signal colors, comprising:

when the traffic light changes signal color, in coordination with the signal color change, displaying advertising content on the programmable sign display placed in proximity to the traffic light.

20. A system for providing information to motorists comprising:

a programmable sign display capable of displaying content to motorists;

a computer in communication with the programmable sign display, said computer receiving input comprising at least (1) advertising content to be displayed on the programmable sign display, and (2) traffic light state information defining the current state of at least one traffic light.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the traffic light is located in proximity to the programmable sign display.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the traffic light state information corresponds to at least two states, one of which indicates the traffic may proceed, the other of which indicates the traffic may not proceed.

23. The system of claim 21, further comprising a software module executing on the computer which causes advertising content to be displayed on the programmable sign display in coordination with the traffic light state information.

24. The system of claim 21, further comprising a software module executing on the computer which causes advertising content to be displayed on the programmable sign display in coordination with changes in the traffic light state information.