ADVERTISING METHOD AND SYSTEM WITH USE OF MULTI-SCREENED COMPUTER MONITOR UNITS

• US 20100094705A1
• Filed: 12/17/2007
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: U-See 2 Limited
• Original Assignee: U-See 2 Limited
• Inventors: Sitbon, David Eduard
• Granted Patent: US 8,589,232 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.49
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements

Abstract

An advertising method and system with use of multi-screened computer monitor units is disclosed. A server having a database in which is stored a plurality of advertisement software packages is in data communication with a network of interconnected computers, each of which is associated with a multi-screened monitor unit having an agent side and at least one oppositely facing client side. After a request for an advertisement is initiated, an advertisement software package is retrieved from the database according to predetermined selection rules and transmitted to a target computer. A corresponding advertisement image is displayed on a client side of the monitor unit while the agent is able to view other images on the agent side of the monitor unit. In one embodiment, the multi-screened monitor unit receives VGA data and USB video data from the target computer and transmits the same to the agent and client sides, respectively.

Claims

1. A method of advertising with use of multi-screened computer monitor units, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a network of interconnected computers in data communication with a server having a database in which is stored a plurality of advertisement software packages, one or more of said computers being disposed in the vicinity of a corresponding agent desk and being associated with a multi-screened monitor unit having an agent side and at least one oppositely facing client side;

b) initiating a request for an advertisement;

c) retrieving an advertisement software package from said database according to predetermined selection rules;

d) transmitting said selected software package to a target computer;

e) generating an advertisement image from said selected software package; and

f) displaying said advertisement image on a client side of the monitor unit associated with said target computer while the agent is able to interface with, and view other images on the agent side of, said monitor unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of initiating a request for an advertisement is carried out by a target computer, after which a request signal is transmitted to the server.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of initiating a request for an advertisement is carried out by providing a proximity sensor in data communication with a target computer, detecting the presence of a client in the vicinity of the agent desk corresponding to said target computer, and transmitting a detection signal to said target computer.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the proximity sensor transmits a detection signal to the target computer after the client exits the agent desk and the target computer transmits a disable signal to the server whereby to terminate transmission of the selected software package to the target computer.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of initiating a request for an advertisement is carried out by interacting with a pointing device coupled to the target computer.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of initiating a request for an advertisement is carried out by an internal command of the server which is generated at a predetermined time.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined selection rules are defined by a representative of an establishment in which the network of computers are located.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined selection rules are changed by the agent after entering a code indicative of the nature of a meeting between the agent and a client.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the generated advertisement image is constantly viewed by the client on a selected region of a client side of the monitor unit.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the generated advertisement image is suppressed by the agent during a meeting, and is displayed only when the agent is engaged in another activity in which the client is not involved and requests by means of a pointing device that the generated advertisement image be displayed on the client side of the monitor unit.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein each monitor unit of the network displays a different advertisement.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein clients who are sitting in a waiting area view advertisement images displayed on the client side of a desired monitor unit.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the displayed advertisement images changes after a client approaches the agent desk corresponding to the desired monitor unit.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network is a local area network.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network is a wide area network.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein each computer is disposed in the vicinity of a corresponding agent desk.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein a monitor unit comprises screens in communication with corresponding video ports of the same computer.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein a monitor unit comprises screens in communication with a corresponding video port of different computers.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein a monitor unit comprises two screens.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein a monitor unit comprises three screens.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein a monitor unit is operable in an agent only mode, a uniform mode whereby the agent side screen and client side screen both display the same images, or in a dual mode, whereby in the dual mode the agent side screen displays images corresponding to received video graphics array (VGA) data and the client side screen displays images corresponding to received universal serial bus (USB) data.

22. An advertising system with use of multi-screened computer monitor units, comprising:

a) a server having a database in which is stored a plurality of advertisement software packages;

b) a network of interconnected computers in data communication with said server, each of said computers being provided with a network card and with a dedicated software module for interfacing with a monitor unit; and

c) a corresponding multi-screened monitor unit coupled to each of said computers, said multi-screened monitor unit having an agent side and at least one oppositely facing client side,

wherein said server, following transmission thereto of a request for an advertisement, is adapted to retrieve an advertisement software package from said database according to predetermined selection rules and to transmit said selected software package to the network card of a target computer, the dedicated software module of said target computer being adapted to convert said selected software package into USB video data,

wherein said multi-screened monitor unit comprises means for receiving VGA data from said target computer and for transmitting the same to said agent side, and means for receiving said USB video data and for transmitting the same to each of said client sides, images associated with said transmitted VGA data and with said transmitted USB video data being simultaneously displayable on said agent and client sides, respectively.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein the multi-screened monitor unit comprises a control module for controlling the flow of USB control and video data received from said target computer, a switch module for delivering video data to a client side in response to the operation of said control module, a video splitter for splitting received VGA data into a first portion transmitted through a first line to said agent side and into a second portion transmitted through a second line to said switch module, a first USB segment extending from said control module to said switch module, and a second USB segment extending from said switch module to the client side screen.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the multi-screened monitor unit further comprises means for selecting a desired mode of operation, corresponding USB control data being transmittable to the control module upon selection of the desired mode of operation.

25. The system according to claim 23, wherein the control module generates a disable signal and transmits the same to the switch module during an agent only mode to suppress the transmission of the VGA data via the second line.

26. The system according to claim 23, wherein the control module generates an enable signal and transmits the same to the switch module during a uniform mode to enable the transmission of the VGA data via the first and second lines simultaneously.

27. The system according to claim 23, wherein the control module generates a disable signal and transmits the same to the switch module during a dual mode, the USB video data being transmittable via the first and second USB bus segments to the client side.

28. A multi-screened computer monitor unit capable of being coupled to a computer, comprising:

a) a first screen;

b) at least one oppositely facing second screen;

c) a control module for controlling the flow of USB control and video data received from a computer;

d) a switch module for delivering video data to each of said second sides in response to the operation of said control module;

e) a video splitter for splitting received VGA data into a first portion transmitted through a first line to said first screen and into a second portion transmitted through a second line to each of said switch modules;

f) a first USB segment extending from said control module to each of said switch modules;

g) a second USB segment extending from each of said switch modules to a corresponding second screen; and

h) means for selecting a desired mode of operation, corresponding USB control data being transmittable to said control module upon selection of the desired mode of operation,

wherein said control module is adapted to generate a disable signal and to transmit the same to said switch module during an agent only mode to suppress the transmission of the VGA data via said second line,

wherein said control module is adapted to generate an enable signal and to transmit the same to said switch module during a uniform mode to enable the transmission of the VGA data via said first and second lines simultaneously,

wherein said control module is adapted to generate a disable signal and to transmit the same to each of said switch modules during a dual mode, the USB video data being transmittable via the first USB bus segment and each of second USB bus segments to each of said corresponding second screens, respectively, images associated with said VGA data and with said USB video data being simultaneously displayable on said first and second screens, respectively.

29. The monitor unit according to claim 28, wherein the first screen is stationary and the second screen is displaceable.

30. The monitor unit according to claim 28, wherein the second screen is angularly spaced from the first screen.