Method and apparatus for adding commercial value to traffic control systems

• US 6,813,554 B1
• Filed: 02/14/2002
• Issued: 11/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Peter Ebert
• Original Assignee: Peter Ebert
• Inventors: Ebert, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US10/077,741
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 701/117, 701/118, 701/119, 340/921, 340/927, 340/928, 705/13
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096 provided with indicators in which a mark progresses showing the time elapsed, e.g. of green phase
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address

Abstract

An apparatus and methods suited to add commercial value to traffic control systems. A computer device is provided that allows connections with a computer network, external sensors or external devices, and a traffic control system. Combinations of the features of the connected components result in a variety of commercially valuable implementations.

Claims

1. A method of presenting a commercial to motorists, comprising the steps of:

deploying at least one electronic display in view of at least one motorist, each one of said at least one electronic display capable of presenting at least two commercial advertisements;

providing a computer device having access to said at least two commercial advertisements;

said computer device controlling the display of said at least two commercial advertisements on said at least one electronic display;

receiving an image of a motor vehicle with the at least one motorist therein;

providing means to interpret the type of motor vehicle based at least in part on said image; and

displaying said at least two commercial advertisements based at least in part on the type of motor vehicle; and

dividing at least one commercial advertisement of said at least two commercial advertisements into at least two sections, displaying a first section of said at least one commercial advertisement at a first traffic light, displaying a second section of said at least one commercial advertisement at a subsequent traffic light.

2. A method of presenting a commercial to motorists, comprising the acts of:

providing at least one traffic light;

deploying at least one electronic display in view of at least one motorist, each one of said at least one electronic display capable of presenting at least two commercial advertisements;

providing a computer device having access to said at least two commercial advertisements, said computer device controlling the display of said at least two commercial advertisements on said at least one electronic display, said computer device monitoring the status of said at least one traffic light;

receiving an image of a motor vehicle with the at least one motorist therein;

providing means to interpret the type of motor vehicle based at least in part on said image;

selecting one of said at least two commercial advertisements at least based in part on the type of motor vehicle;

displaying said at least two commercial advertisements based at least in part on the status of said at least one traffic light; and

dividing at least one commercial advertisement of said at least two commercial advertisements into at least two sections, displaying a first section of said at least one commercial advertisement at a first traffic light, displaying a second section of said at least one commercial advertisement at a subsequent traffic light.

3. A method of presenting a commercial to motorists, comprising the acts of:

providing at least one traffic light;

deploying at least one electronic display in view of at least one motorist, each one of said at least one electronic display capable of presenting at least one commercial advertisement;

providing a computer device having access to said at least one commercial advertisement, said computer device controlling the display of said at least one commercial advertisement on said at least one electronic display, said computer device monitoring the status of said at least one traffic light; and

advertisement based at least in part on the status of said at least one traffic light; and

dividing at least one commercial advertisement of said at least two commercial advertisements into at least two sections, displaying a first section of said at least one commercial advertisement at a first traffic light, displaying a second section of said at least one commercial advertisement at a subsequent traffic light.