Dispensing rack with high definition liquid crystal display header

• US 6,896,145 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2003
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philip Morris USA Incorporated (Altria Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated (Altria Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Spencer, Kristin T., Katzenmeyer, Thomas A., Garguilo, Thomas M., Sweeney, William R., Higgins, Charles T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, II, Hugh B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PUROL, SARAH L
• Application Number:
  US10/371,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20030172563A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 211/1, 211/49.1, 211/59.2, 211/1.51, 345/1.1, 345/1.2, 345/2.1, 340/825.35
• US Class Current: 211/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/02 for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets A47F10/06 takes precedence; hand-carts B62B; baskets B65D
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 2005/0075 Headers for show stands, shelves, racks or cases
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0018 Display racks with shelves or receptables racks per se A47B; storage devices for warehouses B65G1/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address

Abstract

A point-of-sale dispensing rack for retail consumer goods includes a high definition liquid crystal display header system for showing a variety of preprogramable picture and/or written messages over an extended period of time. The system includes a high definition liquid crystal display header and a portable memory storage device housing for receiving a portable memory storage device with preprogramable messages thereon. A computer connected between the portable memory storage device housing and the header sends the messages to the header for display. The system allows for periodic automatic rotation of several messages e.g. throughout the day and month versus paper graphics that must be changed by hand. The system also enables programming of messages at different times or dates which enhances the ability of a brand of a particular consumer product to reach its unique audience. The system is also capable of being networked to provide coordination of displays and the updating of messages and images stored in the memory.

Claims

1. A point-of-sale dispensing rack having shelving for holding and displaying retail consumer goods, and a high definition liquid crystal display header system connected to the dispensing rack, the system including:

a high definition liquid crystal display header at a top region of the dispensing rack above the shelving;

a portable memory storage device housing for receiving a portable memory storage device;

a portable memory storage device containing a variety of preprogramable messages as well as a schedule for displaying same;

a computer connected between the header and the portable memory storage device housing for transmitting messages on the portable memory storage device within the housing to the liquid crystal display header on the dispensing rack; and

a remote control receiver on the dispensing rack.

2. The combination of claim 1 further including a hand held remote control constructed and arranged to remotely activate and inactivate the display header system as well as change the message viewed on the liquid crystal display header.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein an internally stored default message is displayed when no portable memory storage device is inserted in the housing.

4. A point-of-sale dispensing rack having shelving for holding and displaying retail consumer goods, and a high definition liquid crystal display header system connected to the dispensing rack, the system including:

a high definition liquid crystal display header at a top region of the dispensing rack above the shelving;

a portable memory storage device housing for receiving a portable memory storage device;

a portable memory storage device containing a variety of preprogramable messages as well as a schedule for displaying same;

a computer connected between the header and the portable memory storage device housing for transmitting messages on the portable memory storage device within the housing to the liquid crystal display header on the dispensing rack; and

wherein the messages and schedules are encrypted to both prevent display of unauthorized messages and to prevent theft of messages and schedules.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein an internally stored default message is displayed when no portable storage device is inserted in the housing.

6. The combination of claim 4 including a network connected to the computer for changing the messages of the portable memory storage device.

7. The combination of claim 4 including a network connected to the computer for changing the messages of the portable memory storage device.

9. The combination of claim 6 including a network connected to the computer for changing the messages of the portable memory storage device.

8. A point-of-sale dispensing rack having shelving for holding and displaying retail consumer goods, and a high definition liquid crystal display header system connected to the dispensing rack, the system including:

a high definition liquid crystal display header at a top region of the dispensing rack above the shelving;

a portable memory storage device housing for receiving a portable memory storage device;

a portable memory storage device containing a variety of preprogramable messages as well as a schedule for displaying same;

a computer connected between the header and the portable memory storage device housing for transmitting messages on the portable memory storage device within the housing to the liquid crystal display header on the dispensing rack; and

wherein an encrypted log is stored in the portable memory storage device as to which messages were actually displayed at what time.

10. The combination of claim 8 including a network connected to the computer for changing the messages of the portable memory storage device.

11. A point-of-sale dispensing rack having shelving for holding and displaying retail consumer goods, and a high definition liquid crystal display header system connected to the dispensing rack, the system including:

a high definition liquid crystal display header at a top region of the dispensing rack above the shelving;

a portable memory storage device housing for receiving a portable memory storage device;

a portable memory storage device containing a variety of preprogramable messages as well as a schedule for displaying same;

a computer connected between the header and the portable memory storage device housing for transmitting messages on the portable memory storage device within the housing to the liquid crystal display header on the dispensing rack; and

a plurality of geographically widely separated dispensing racks where each dispensing rack has a unique identification and where messages are encoded with a table of identification to control whether the message is either displayed or skipped depending on the unique identification of the particular rack.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein comparison of message identification to dispensing rack identification for decision as to whether or not to display a message is accomplished by boolean or fuzzy logic.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein the unique identification of the dispensing rack is a single or multiple parameter representing various attributes of the rack.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein the attributes of the rack comprise location and model.

15. The combination of claim 11 including a network connected to the computer for coordination and timing of messages at the plurality of dispensing racks.

16. The combination of claim 11 including a network connected to the computer for transmitting to a remote host a log stored in the portable memory storage device of messages actually displayed and the time such messages were actually displayed.

17. The combination of claim 11 including a network connected to the computer for changing the messages of the portable memory storage device.

18. The combination of claim 11 including a network connected to the computer for changing the messages of the portable memory storage device.

19. A point-of-sale dispensing rack having shelving for holding and displaying retail consumer goods, and a high definition liquid crystal display header system connected to the dispensing rack, the system including:

a high definition liquid crystal display header at a top region of the dispensing rack above the shelving;

a portable memory storage device housing for receiving a portable memory storage device;

a portable memory storage device containing a variety of preprogramable messages as well as a schedule for displaying same;

a computer connected between the header and the portable memory storage device housing for transmitting messages on the portable memory storage device within the housing to the liquid crystal display header on the dispensing rack; and

a network connected to the computer for changing the display schedule of the portable memory storage device.

20. The combination of claim 19 including a network connected to the computer for changing the or picture messages of the portable memory storage device.