Interactive information kiosk assembly

• US 5,663,746 A
• Filed: 01/20/1995
• Issued: 09/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Miller Zell, Inc. (CDI Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Miller Zell, Inc. (CDI Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wikle, David L., Nix, W. Glenn, Jaworski, Stephen Jr., Pellenberg, Alan, Lamar, Thomas A. III
• Primary Examiner(s): SARAS, STEVEN J
• Application Number:
  US08/376,156
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/113, 345/133, 345/150, 211/40, 211/70, 211/163, 211/165, 235/375, 235/304, 312/135, 348/825, 348/839, 348/840, 356/402, 356/42, 361/681, 361/682, 364/400, 364/401 R, 434/74, 434/98, 434/105
• US Class Current: 345/581
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0075 Computer kiosks or stands
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/005 for orientation or public information
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0081 Rotating pillars
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address

Abstract

An interactive information kiosk assembly (10) for use by automotive dealerships, or the like, to inform potential customers about the exterior paint colors and the colors and materials for upholstery and trim available for selected model automobiles. The interactive information kiosk assembly (10) has a series of turntable assemblies (58, 59, 61) having a series of color and material swatches (67, 68, 69) that are indicative of the color and material choices available for the exterior paint, upholstery and trim of selected model automobiles. The turntable assemblies (58, 59, 61) are rotatable about a vertical axis extending through the kiosk assembly (10) to enable the customer to mix and match varying exterior paint colors with various upholstery and trim materials and colors. An interactive video display monitor (82) is provided for displaying a video image of a selected model automobile having a selected combination of exterior paint, upholstery and trim colors and materials.

Claims

1. An information kiosk for enabling selection and matching of colors and materials for the exterior paints, upholstery and trim of automobiles, comprising:

a base;

a series of turntable assemblies mounted in stacked series on and supported by said base and rotatable about a vertical axis extending through said base, including a first turntable assembly having a series of swatches of colors indicative of colors for the exterior paint of an automobile, a second turntable assembly mounted adjacent said first turntable assembly and having a series of swatches indicative of the colors and materials available for the upholstery of an automobile, and a third turntable assembly mounted adjacent said first and said second turntable assemblies and having a series of swatches indicative of colors and materials available for the trim of an automobile;

a video display monitor mounted above said turntable assemblies and connected to a processing unit for generating a video image of an automobile having a desired exterior paint color and a desired color and material style upholstery and trim; and

a video screen support platform removably mountable to said base, said support platform being positioned above said turntable assemblies for supporting said video display monitor thereon;

whereby said turntable assemblies can be rotated with respect to one another about said base to align swatches of exterior paint, upholstery, and trim for an automobile in desired combinations to provide a quick visual indication of the appearance and matching of differing exterior paint colors with various materials and colors for upholstery and trim of an automobile.

2. The information kiosk of claim 1 and wherein said video display monitor comprises an interactive touch-screen display.

3. The information kiosk of claim 2 and wherein said processing unit is programmed with the availability of all combinations of exterior paint colors and trim and upholstery colors and materials shown on said turntable assemblies for particular model automobiles and for generating a video image of an automobile having a particular selected color and material combination and for indicating the nonavailability of selected combinations.

4. The information kiosk of claim 1 and wherein said base includes a series of spaced supports, and a plurality of shelves adjustably mountable along the length of said supports.

5. The information kiosk of claim 1 and further including an internal cylindrical core mounted to said base at an upper end thereof and about which said turntable assemblies are received, and sets of rollers mounted in series about the circumference of said core spaced vertically from one another and in engagement with said turntable assemblies to support said turntable assemblies in a vertically stacked alignment while enabling said turntable assemblies to rotate freely about said core to align said swatches of said turntable assemblies in desired combinations.

6. The information kiosk of claim 1 and wherein the kiosk is substantially cylindrically shaped.

7. The information kiosk of claim 1 and further including roller means mounted to said base to enable the kiosk to be moved easily to a desired location.