Apparatus and system for displaying wares and services including a mannequin and interactive display panel

• US 6,879,961 B1
• Filed: 07/25/2000
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Upali D. Pathirana
• Original Assignee: Upali D. Pathirana
• Inventors: Pathirana, Upali D.
• Primary Examiner(s): McClellan, James S.
• Application Number:
  US09/624,825
• Time in Patent Office: 1,722 Days
• Field of Search: 705/16, 705/20, 705/21, 705/22, 705/24, 705/27, D20/31, D20/32, D20/33, 902/30, 434/395, 434/396, 434/397, 434/398, 434/399, 434/400
• US Class Current: 705/16
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/00 Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for conveyor aspects B65G; building aspects E04H; coin-freed apparatus G07F
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 8/00 Dummies, busts or the like, e.g. for displaying garments tailors' dummies A41H5/00; artificial limbs A61F; dolls in general A63H
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address

Abstract

The present invention relates to a marketing apparatus that is a combination of a mannequin and an interactive system. The mannequin holds in its “hands” an interactive panel which is hard-wired to a computer control station. By using the interactive panel, prospective customers can obtain information about selected wares and services. The mannequin may be attired to promote specific wares and services. The mannequin may be designed to “speak” to prospective customers through the inclusion of appropriate computer controls and a voice synthesizer, and it may be configured to prevent theft or unauthorized removal of the display panel from the hands of the mannequin.

Claims

1. An apparatus and system for displaying wares and services to prospective customers, comprising;

a mannequin with at least partially outstretched arms terminating in hands, said mannequin secured at a base thereof to an underlying support surface and adapted to wear clothing and articles relating to wares and services offered for sale;

a control system for storing information pertaining to the wares and services; and

an interactive display panel attached to said hands, said panel communicating with said control system through wires hidden within said arms and hands of said mannequin whereby prospective customers can obtain the information pertaining to the wares and services by operating said interactive display panel.

2. The system of claim 1 including a means for detecting changes in temperature and humidity within said mannequin and means responsive to said detecting means for maintaining the temperature and humidity at predetermined levels.

3. The system of claim 1 including a means for sensing the presence of a prospective customer and a voice synthesizer, said control system being responsive to said sensing means by causing said voice synthesizer to initiate a greeting.

4. The system of claim 1 including a means for detecting undue motion of said interactive display panel, said means causing an alarm to sound.

5. The system of claim 1 in which said control system is remotely located.

6. The system of claim 1 including a means to accept and acknowledge payment for commercial transactions through said interactive display panel.

7. An apparatus for displaying wares and/or services to prospective customers, comprising:

a mannequin wearing articles relating to the wares and/or services offered for sale and having partially outstretched arms terminating in hands;

a control system for storing information pertaining to the wares and/or services; and

an interactive display panel attached to the hands of said mannequin and in communication with said control system, such that prospective customers of the wares and/or services can access information pertaining to the wares and/or services through operation of the interactive display panel.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said interactive display panel communicates with said control system through wires hidden within the arms and hands of said mannequin.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said interactive display panel communicates with said control system through a wireless connection.