BILLBOARD APPARATUS AND ADVERTISING METHOD USING A BILLBOARD APPARATUS

• US 20070277413A1
• Filed: 03/01/2007
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alexandra Bailey, Derek Wayne Bailey
• Original Assignee: Alexandra Bailey, Derek Wayne Bailey
• Inventors: Bailey, Derek Wayne, Bailey, Alexandra
• Application Number:
  US11/681,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20070277413A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/606.30
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address

Abstract

A billboard apparatus is provided. The billboard apparatus includes a frame, a billboard display connected to the frame for providing information to a user, and a telephone connected to the frame in proximity to the billboard display. A method of advertising using a billboard apparatus is also provided.

Claims

1. A billboard apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a billboard display connected to the frame for providing information to a user; and

a telephone connected to the frame in proximity to the billboard display.

2. The billboard apparatus of claim 1, wherein the billboard display is at least 3 feet by 2 feet in area.

3. The billboard apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pedestal connected to the frame for mounting the billboard apparatus to a floor surface.

4. The billboard apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a substantially vertically oriented structure and the billboard display is substantially vertically oriented on the frame, and wherein the frame and pedestal have a combined height of at least 6 feet.

5. The billboard apparatus of claim 1, further comprising internet equipment configured to provide a wireless access point to provide wireless transmissions.

6. The billboard apparatus of claim 1, wherein the billboard display comprises an interactive touch screen and a control unit connected to the interactive touch screen.

7. The billboard apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one banner connected to the frame and extending above the frame.

8. The billboard apparatus of claim 1, wherein the telephone comprises:

a handset; and

a handset receptacle connected to the frame at least three feet from a bottom surface of the billboard apparatus.

9. The billboard apparatus of claim 1, wherein the telephone comprises a control unit including a timer configured to limit a length of time of a phone call, and a control unit display connected to the control unit configured to display an amount of time remaining for a phone call as determined by the control unit.

10. The billboard apparatus of claim 1, wherein the telephone comprises a control unit configured to prevent a previously dialed number from being redialed for a predetermined length of time.

11. A method of advertising comprising:

providing a billboard apparatus comprising a billboard display and a premium dispensing device connected to the billboard display;

dispensing at least one of a free and a reduced priced premium using the premium dispensing device; and

displaying an advertisement using the billboard display.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing the premium dispensing device with a telephone, and dispensing free telephone calls with the telephone.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising dispensing redeemable tickets using the premium dispensing device.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing the premium dispensing device with a telephone;

dispensing free telephone calls with the telephone; and

limiting a length of time which a user can talk on the telephone.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing the premium dispensing device with a telephone;

dispensing free telephone calls with the telephone;

limiting a length of time which a user can talk on the telephone;

notifying a user of an amount of time remaining for a telephone call; and

preventing numbers previously dialed with the telephone from being redialed for a predetermined length of time.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing the premium dispensing device with a telephone;

dispensing free telephone calls with the telephone;

limiting a length of time to less than 10 minutes for each number dialed with the telephone; and

preventing numbers previously dialed with the telephone from being redialed for a predetermined length of time.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing the premium dispensing device with a telephone; and

displaying an advertisement with the billboard display based on a quality of a number dialed by a user using the telephone.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing the premium dispensing device with a telephone;

providing the billboard display with an interactive touch screen directory connected to a control unit for displaying a plurality of vendor listings; and

dialing a vendor telephone number, in response to a user selection of a vendor listing with the interactive touch screen, to permit a user to call a vendor with the telephone.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing the premium dispensing device with internet equipment configured to provide a wireless access point to provide wireless transmissions; and

positioning the billboard apparatus within proximity of a seating area including a plurality of seats facing the billboard apparatus; and

providing wireless transmissions with the internet equipment with an effective range which does not extend substantially beyond the seating area.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing the premium dispensing device with internet equipment configured to provide a wireless access point to provide wireless transmissions; and

positioning the billboard apparatus within 50 feet of a seating area including a plurality of seats facing the billboard apparatus; and

providing wireless transmissions with the internet equipment with an effective range of less than 100 feet.

21. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing the premium dispensing device with a scanning device and a ticket dispenser;

scanning with the scanning device a label of a product provided by a user; and

dispensing printed media with the ticket dispenser based on an advertising promotion associated with the product.