Floor display system with interactive features and variable image rotation

• US 7,629,896 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2007
• Issued: 12/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Collin Peel
• Original Assignee: Intellimat, Inc.
• Inventors: Greenberg, Kobby, Harari, Boaz, Katzman, Youval, Thibodeau, Joseph A., Walker, J. Thomas, Whalen, Barry H., Blum, Ronald D., Duston, Dwight P., Kokonaski, William, Blum, Bradley J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen; Thomas J
• Application Number:
  US11/769,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20080055105A1
• Time in Patent Office: 895 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.4, 340/691.6, 340/541, 340/555, 340/567, 340/572.1, 340/10.1
• US Class Current: 340/815.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/22 Advertising or display means on roads, walls or similar surfaces, e.g. illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/228 Ground signs, i.e. display signs fixed on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/06 Remotely controlled electronic signs other than labels

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a floor display system with variable image orientation. Embodiments may further relate to networked data distribution and management; interactivity; image-enhancing optics; controlled audio; a protective covering; an anti-slip feature; fragrance technology; theft prevention; deployment in a track-and-trench system; specialized positioning mechanisms; and lightweight, flexible implementations.

Claims

1. A floor display system, comprising:

a floor covering on a floor, the floor covering comprising an electronic display device in a plane substantially parallel to the floor, wherein the electronic display device is configurable to display an electronically modifiable verbal message and an electronically modifiable graphic message.

2. The floor display system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of floor coverings, wherein at least two of the floor coverings comprise a detection mechanism configured to detect an indication associated with a presence or activity of a person, wherein the detection mechanism comprises a contact-less input device configured to receive identity information from an identity device, and wherein at least two of the detection mechanisms are adapted to track the movement of at least one identity device.

3. The floor display system of claim 2, further comprising a database connected to at least two of the electronic display devices of the plurality of floor coverings and wherein information detailing the movement of the at least one identity device is recorded in the database.

4. The floor display system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of floor coverings, wherein at least two of the floor coverings comprise a detection mechanism configured to detect an indication associated with a presence or activity of a person, wherein the detection mechanism comprises a contact-less input device configured to receive identity information from an identity device, and wherein the identity device is a Bluetooth device.

5. The floor display system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of floor coverings, wherein at least two of the floor coverings comprise a detection mechanism configured to detect an indication associated with a presence or activity of a person, wherein the detection mechanism comprises a contact-less input device configured to receive identity information from an identity device, and wherein the identity device is a contact-less local area network device.

6. The floor display system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of floor coverings, wherein at least two electronic display devices of the plurality of floor coverings are connected to a network.

7. The floor display system of claim 6, wherein the floor display system further comprises a server computer connected to at least one of the electronic display devices through the network, and wherein the server computer is adapted to store information relevant to operation of the floor display system.

8. The floor display system of claim 7, wherein the at least one of the electronic display devices is adapted to receive content from the server computer.

9. The floor display system of claim 7, wherein the server computer is further adapted to store control software adapted to remotely control the operation of at least one of the electronic display devices.

10. The floor display system of claim 1, wherein the electronic display device is adapted to wirelessly receive at least one of content and control software.

11. The floor display system of claim 1, wherein the floor is a stair step.

12. The floor display system of claim 1, wherein the floor is a raised stage.

13. The floor display system of claim 1, wherein the floor is part of an elevator.

14. A floor display system comprising:

a floor covering on a floor, the floor covering comprising an electronic display device in a plane substantially parallel to the floor;

a controller coupled to the electronic display device, wherein the controller is configured to generate an electronically modifiable verbal message and an electronically modifiable graphic message and wherein the electronic display device is configured to display the electronically modifiable verbal message and the electronically modifiable graphic message generated by the controller.

15. The floor display system of claim 14, wherein the electronic display device is wirelessly coupled to the controller.

16. The floor display system of claim 14, wherein the floor is a stair step.

17. The floor display system of claim 14, wherein the floor is a raised stage.

18. The floor display system of claim 14, wherein the floor is part of an elevator.

19. A method for detecting a contact-less device using a floor display system comprising:

placing at least two floor coverings on at least one floor, each floor covering comprising an electronic display device in a plane substantially parallel to the at least one floor, wherein the electronic display devices are configurable to display an electronically modifiable verbal message and an electronically modifiable graphic message;

providing a detection mechanism configured to detect the presence of an identity device, wherein the detection mechanism comprises a contact-less input device configured to receive identity information from the identity device;

detecting the identity device; and

receiving identity information from the identity device.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising coupling at least one electronic display device to a network.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein placing at least two floor coverings on at least one floor comprises placing the at least two electronic display devices in at least one plane substantially parallel to a stair step.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein placing at least two floor coverings on at least one floor comprises placing the at least two electronic display devices in at least one plane substantially parallel to a raised stage.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein placing at least two floor coverings on at least one floor comprises placing the at least two electronic display devices in at least one plane substantially parallel to a part of an elevator.

24. A floor display system, comprising:

a plurality of floor coverings on at least one floor, each floor covering comprising at least one electronic display device in a plane substantially parallel to the at least one floor, wherein each electronic display device is configurable to display an electronically modifiable verbal message and an electronically modifiable graphic message, wherein at least two of the electronic display devices are adapted to be connected to a network; and

a computer at a central control location adapted to electronically communicate with at least two of the electronic display devices through the network.

25. The floor display system of claim 24, wherein at least two of the electronic display devices are adapted to be connected to different local area networks, wherein at least one of the electronic display devices is adapted to be connected to a first local area network and at least one of the electronic display devices is adapted to be connected to a second local area network, and wherein the computer is further adapted to electronically communicate to at least one of the electronic display devices through the first local area network and to electronically communicate to at least one of the electronic display devices through the second local area network.

26. The floor display system of claim 25, wherein the computer is further adapted to transmit a first data to at least one of the electronic display devices on the first local area network and a second data to at least one of the electronic display devices on the second local area network.

27. The floor display system of claim 26, wherein the computer is further adapted to transmit a third data to at least one of the electronic display devices on the first local area network.

28. The floor display system of claim 27, wherein the computer is further adapted to transmit a fourth data to at least one of the electronic display devices on the second local area network.

29. The floor display system of claim 26, wherein the computer is further adapted to transmit a third data to at least one of the electronic display devices on the second local area network.

30. The floor display system of claim 25, wherein at least one of the electronic display devices on the first local area network is assigned a first unique identifier code and at least one of the electronic display devices on the first local area network is assigned a second unique identifier code.

31. The floor display system of claim 25, wherein at least one of the electronic display devices on the first local area network is assigned a first unique identifier code, and wherein at least one of the electronic display devices on the second local area network is assigned a second unique identifier code.

32. The floor display system of claim 24, wherein the floor is a stair step.

33. The floor display system of claim 24, wherein the floor is a raised stage.

34. The floor display system of claim 24, wherein the floor is part of an elevator.

35. A method for transmitting data to a floor display system comprising:

placing at least two floor coverings on at least one floor, each floor covering comprising an electronic display device in a plane substantially parallel to the at least one floor, wherein the electronic display devices are configurable to display an electronically modifiable verbal message and an electronically modifiable graphic message, and wherein at least two of the electronic display devices are adapted to be connected to a network; and

transmitting data through the network between a computer and at least one of the electronic display devices.

36. The method of transmitting data to a floor display system of claim 35, further comprising displaying a verbal message and a graphic message on the at least one electronic display device based upon data received through the network from the computer.

37. The method of transmitting data to a floor display system of claim 35, further comprising displaying a first verbal message and a first graphic message on a first electronic display device based upon a first data received through the network from the computer and displaying a second verbal message and a second graphic message on a second electronic display device based upon a second data received through the network from the computer.