PORTAL PROXIMATE DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE

• US 20100013925A1
• Filed: 07/20/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daniel B. Fowler, Suzette M. Fowler
• Original Assignee: Daniel B. Fowler, Suzette M. Fowler
• Inventors: Fowler, Daniel B., Fowler, Suzette M.
• Application Number:
  US12/505,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20100013925A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3265 Power saving in display device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A device which incorporates a digital camera and video display monitor that displays, in real time, live video of activities occurring in the proximity of the device and as a digital signage electronic display that is capable of receiving and displaying video information, advertising and other messages transmitted from a network. The device is typically mounted on or proximate to a door of a residential dwelling or a hotel guestroom. A group of devices can be managed locally or remotely over a network. The multi-functional display is capable of displaying live video of the area located on the exterior side of the door and/or video advertising that may or may not be specifically directed to a specific group of devices. The device includes, among other things, a miniature camera and camera housing located on the exterior of the door and a video display and motion sensor located on the interior of the door and controlled by a microprocessor.

Claims

1. A portal proximate digital communications device comprising:

a camera housing adapted to attach to a portal, a digital camera and a lens piece in the camera housing, the lens piece providing a light path from an exterior of the portal to the digital camera;

a display housing spaced from and not connected to the camera housing, the display housing having a chassis configured to fit against an interior side of the portal and hold a display device, a power source and circuitry for generating and displaying an image;

an embedded microprocessor, contained on a printed circuit board within the display housing with electronic circuitry for generating, receiving, transmitting, processing and displaying video, graphic images or text, on the display and originating from a variety of local and wide area networks and internet sources;

an infrared motion sensor located within the display housing and mounted on the interior side of the portal;

digital signage software;

network control software; and

a power supply,

wherein the PPDCD is connectable to at least one content designer workstation for preparing digital content which is operatively connected to at least one content management server which is operatively connected to at least one distribution server.

2. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 1, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.

3. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is a system-on-a-chip (SoC).

4. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 3, wherein the SoC is fully programmable.

5. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 1 further comprising a touch-screen capable of detecting the presence and location of a touch within the display area.

6. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 1, further comprising a programmable electronic timing device.

7. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 1, wherein the display screen may be segmented into various viewing regions.

8. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 1, wherein the device is capable of delivering layered content.

9. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 1 further comprising a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS).

10. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 1, wherein the device is mounted to a hotel guestroom door.

11. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 1, wherein the device is mounted to a residential door.

12. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is designed for a 45 nm CMOS process.

13. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 1, wherein the infrared motion sensor is a pyroelectric infrared sensor.

23. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 1, wherein the device is mounted to a hotel guestroom door.

14. A portal proximate digital communications device for displaying images across a portal and for displaying network-delivered information comprising:

a camera housing;

a lens piece and a digital camera within the camera housing, the camera housing adapted to be mounted proximate to an exterior surface of a portal;

a display housing spaced from and not connected to the camera housing;

a display, power source and image generation circuitry within the display housing adapted to be mounted proximate to a side of the portal opposite the camera housing;

power control for controlling power to the image generation circuitry for display of an image obtained by the digital camera on the display;

a microprocessor and software for displaying images detected by the digital camera and for establishing a connection to a network and receiving digital signage data via the network; and

an infrared motion sensor;

15. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 14, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.

16. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 14, wherein the microprocessor is a system-on-a-chip (SoC).

17. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 16, wherein the SoC is fully programmable.

18. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 14 further comprising a touch-screen capable of detecting the presence and location of a touch within the display area.

19. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 14, further comprising a programmable electronic timing device.

20. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 14, wherein the display screen may be segmented into various viewing regions.

21. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 14, wherein the device is capable of delivering layered content.

22. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 14 further comprising a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS).

24. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 14, wherein the device is mounted to a residential door.

25. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 14, wherein the microprocessor is designed for a 45 nm CMOS process.

26. The portal proximate digital communications device of claim 14, wherein the infrared motion sensor is a pyroelectric infrared sensor.