ADVERTISING RECEPTACLE

• US 20080289235A1
• Filed: 05/23/2007
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anthony C. Free
• Original Assignee: Anthony C. Free
• Inventors: Free, Anthony C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,530,154 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/567
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 19/105 with ornamental objects
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1426 Housings, cabinets or enclosures for refuse receptacles B65F1/006, B65F1/1452 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/128 Data transmitting means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/16 Music playing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/168 Sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/005 Signs associated with a sensor

Abstract

A receptacle may include a container to receive trash and other items. The receptacle may also include a display area to provide advertisements to people located in the vicinity of the receptacle.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

providing an advertisement on a receptacle that is used to receive trash or cigarette butts;

determining how many times or how long the advertisement was provided over a period of time; and

generating billing information based on the determining and previously agreed upon billing parameters.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is located outside a business establishment, the method further comprising:

providing a portion of the revenue associated with the advertisement to the business establishment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is located outside a business establishment, the method further comprising:

providing free advertisement to the business establishment via the receptacle.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing a plurality of advertisements associated with a plurality of advertisers in the receptacle.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

automatically outputting the advertisements via a display based on at least one of time of day or a location associated with the receptacle.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing advertisements to the receptacle via a wireless network.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the generating billing information comprises:

estimating foot traffic or customer use of the receptacle over a period of time when the advertisement was displayed; and

using the estimated foot traffic or customer use to determine how much to charge the advertiser.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing an advertisement comprises providing a multi-media advertisement.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing an advertisement comprises providing a print advertisement.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing coupons via the receptacle.

11. A receptacle, comprising:

an external housing;

an internal container to receive trash or cigarette butts; and

a display area configured to display advertisements.

12. The receptacle of claim 11, further comprising:

a memory configured to store a plurality of advertisements associated with a plurality of advertisers.

13. The receptacle of claim 12, further comprising:

a radio frequency (RF) receiver configured to receive advertisements via a network.

14. The receptacle of claim 13, further comprising:

logic configured to;

track advertisements provided by the receptacle, and

generate billing information associated with the advertisements.

15. The receptacle of claim 14, wherein the logic is further configured to:

generate revenue sharing information associated with a business establishment where the receptacle is located.

16. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:

display advertisements via a display connected to a trash receptacle;

track how many times the advertisement has been displayed;

generate billing information associated with the advertisement; and

determine an amount of money to be provided to an establishment where the trash receptacle is located.