Mobile billboard advertising system and apparatuses

• US 7,882,653 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2005
• Issued: 02/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frog Marketing, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Frog Marketing, Inc.
• Inventors: Barlow, Eslee Buckley
• Primary Examiner(s): Myhre; James W
• Application Number:
  US11/142,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20060271428A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,079 Days
• Field of Search: 405/31, 406/01, 406/061.5, 406/43
• US Class Current: 40/606.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0265 Vehicular advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0275 Auctions

Abstract

A novel method at least includes: receiving at least one placement offer for the placement of an advertisement, the offer including proposed consideration; accepting an placement order; and displaying an advertisement which is the subject of an accepted placement order on a plurality of mobile, changeable advertising message displays carried by a plurality of coordinated automobiles, which changeable displays are capable of displaying more than one separate message at different times. Each changeable message display at least includes: a visual display; a multiple advertising message generator coupled to the visual display, the multiple message generator adapted to generate a plurality of different messages; and an message selector adapted to select a current message to be displayed.

Claims

1. A method of displaying messages comprising:

selecting a plurality of changeable message displays wherein each of the changeable message displays comprises a changeable visual display, a multiple message generator and message selector;

each of the plurality of changeable message displays being attached to a respective coupling mechanism for attaching one of the changeable message display to an automobile, the coupling mechanism for each changeable message display having a pivot point disposed thereon beyond the lateral edges of that changeable message display so that pivoting the coupling mechanism moves opposing lateral edges away from the automobile when pivoted;

removably attaching the changeable message displays to automobiles; and

selectively pivoting the changeable message displays so that the entire changeable message displays move away from the automobiles to which they are attached to increase accessability to the automobiles.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the changeable message display comprises:

a plurality of juxtaposed prisms rotatable about their longitudinal axes, each lateral prism face being adapted to display a segment of a message; and

wherein the method comprising aligning lateral faces of a plurality of prisms in a common plane to integrate segments of a message into a complete message image, and wherein more than one different message can be displayed at different times.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said prisms each comprise three lateral faces and wherein the prisms are rotated to display one of three messages disposed on the prisms.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising a message selector which comprises:

a mechanical linkage connected between said prisms; and

a rotatable selector device coupled to said mechanical linkage adapted to allow a user to rotate said rotatable selector device and transmit rotation to said prisms to move and rotate prism faces simultaneously and select an message for display; and

wherein the method comprises the user rotating the rotatable selector device to select a desired message for display.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said coupling mechanism further comprises:

a carrying arm member having first and second carrying arm member ends, said first carrying arm member end coupled to said changeable message display;

a mounting arm member having first and second mounting arm member ends, said first mounting arm member end adapted to be coupled to a hitch on an automobile;

wherein said pivot point is comprised by connecting the second carrying arm member end and the second mounting arm member end; and

wherein the method comprises attaching the first mounting arm member end to a hitch on a vehicle and pivoting the carrying arm member relative thereto to move the changeable message display away from the automobile end so as to allow for ingress to and egress from an automobile adjacent the first mounting arm member end.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said changeable message display comprises a plasma display.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said changeable message display comprises a liquid crystal display.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises taking and accepting at least one offer as part of a bidding process which determines the amount which a message is displayed.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said at least one offer specifies an amount of aggregate distance over which a particular message shall be displayed by said coordinated automobiles.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said at least one offer specifies an amount of aggregate time over which a particular message shall be displayed by said coordinated automobiles.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said at least one offer specifies a geographic region within which a particular message shall be displayed by said coordinated automobiles.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said at least one offer specifies a projected density of motor vehicles on roads traveled during the display of a particular message by said coordinated automobiles.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said at least one offer specifies a projected number of message viewers during the display of a particular message by said coordinated automobiles.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

periodically selecting new messages to be displayed on the changeable message displays of said coordinated automobiles; and

changing elements of said changeable displays accordingly.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

changing the message to be displayed based on the time of day.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

changing the advertising message to be displayed based on the particular day.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing remuneration to coordinated automobile operators;

wherein each said coordinated automobile operator may accept or reject an offer to display a particular message.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the automobiles comprises a trailer hitch receiver and a rear access structure having an outer lateral edge and wherein the method comprises attaching the coupling mechanisms to the trailer hitch receivers so that the pivot point is disposed outwardly beyond the lateral edge of the structure so that when the changeable message displays are pivotable outwardly away from the automobiles beyond the outer lateral edge of the rear access structure.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the automobiles comprise bumpers and wherein the coupling mechanisms comprise trailer hitch receiver couplers, and wherein the method comprises engaging the trailer hitch receiver couplers in trailer hitch receivers so that the mounting arms are held behind and generally parallel to the bumpers and so that the carrying arms are pivotable between positions generally parallel to the bumpers and generally perpendicular to the bumpers.

20. A visual message display comprising:

a changeable message display adapted to display multiple visual messages at different times;

a carrying arm member having first and second carrying arm member ends, said first carrying arm member end coupled to said changeable message display and said second carrying arm member end extending beyond the changeable message display;

a mounting arm member having first and second mounting arm member ends, said first mounting arm member end adapted to be coupled to an automobile;

said second carrying arm member end and said second mounting arm member end being coupled together to provide a pivot point;

wherein said changeable message display is movable about said pivot point from a first position adjacent to an automobile and a second position wherein the entire changeable message display is further away from the automobile than when in the first position so as to allow for ingress to and egress from an automobile while the changeable message display is coupled to the automobile; and

wherein said billboard is operated while being transported by an automobile

21. The display of claim 20, wherein the changeable message display has a multiple message generator which comprises:

a plurality of juxtaposed message segment mechanisms rotatable about their longitudinal axes, each message segment generator comprising;

at least two mounts coupled by at least one column member, said mounts being adapted to connect to an message segment and display said message segment;

wherein message segments corresponding to the same message are aligned in a plane to integrate segments of an message into a complete message image, and wherein more than one different message can be displayed at different times.

22. The display of claim 20, further comprising:

a light source adapted to outwardly project message segments.

23. The display of claim 20, wherein the mounting arm comprises a hitch receiver coupler configured for engaging a hitch receiver disposed generally opposite the pivot.

24. The display of claim 23, wherein the hitch receiver coupler extends generally perpendicular to the remainder of the mounting arm, and wherein the carrying arm pivots between a position wherein the long axis of the carrying arm is generally perpendicular to the long axis of the mounting arm.

25. A hitch receiver mounted message display comprising:

a changeable display configured for displaying a plurality of messages in an alternating sequence;

a coupling mechanism for attaching the changeable display to a hitch receiver on a vehicle, the coupling mechanism being configured to hold the changeable display in a first position and a second position, said coupling mechanism further comprising a vertically oriented pivot point for allowing the changeable display to be swung away from the vehicle horizontally to increase access to the vehicle adjacent the hitch receiver.

26. The hitch mounted message display of claim 25, wherein the changeable display comprises a plurality of rotatable members, each member having a plurality of faces configured for displaying a segment of an advertisement.

27. The hitch mounted message display of claim 26, further comprising means for selectively rotating the members to selectively change the faces of the members visible outside the changeable display.

28. The hitch mounted message display of claim 25, wherein the coupling mechanism has an end attached to a hitch on an automobile and an end attached to the changeable display.

29. The hitch mounted message display of claim 28, wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to hold the changeable display above and rearward from a hitch to which the coupling mechanism is attached.

30. The hitch mounted message display of claim 28, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of arm members.

31. The hitch mounted message display of claim 30, wherein at least two arm members of the plurality of arm members are coupled together to form the pivot point to enable the changeable display to pivot away from the hitch of a vehicle in which the coupling mechanism is disposed.

32. The display of claim 28, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a generally L-shaped mounting arm pivotably attached to a carrying arm which is attached to the changeable display.

33. The hitch mounted message display of claim 25, further comprising means for changing the advertisement displayed in the changeable display remote from the changeable display.

34. The hitch mounted message display of claim 25, wherein

wherein the changeable display is adjacent to the vehicle in the first position so as to prevent opening of the vehicle adjacent the changeable display;

wherein the entire changeable display is to spaced further away from the vehicle in the second position than when in the first position so as to allow opening of the vehicle adjacent the changeable display; and

wherein the changeable display can be moved from the first position wherein the changeable display prevents opening of a door of the vehicle to the second position when attached to the vehicle by rotation about the pivot point to allow for ingress to egress from vehicle structures.

35. A method for displaying messages, the method comprising:

selecting a changeable message display;

selecting a vehicle having a hitch receiver;

connecting the changeable message display to the hitch by a coupling mechanism having a pivot point such that the changeable message display is supported by the hitch on the vehicle so that the changeable display interferes with opening a structure of the vehicle adjacent the hitch receiver, the coupling being pivotable about the pivot point so that the entire changeable message display can be swung away from the vehicle to provide access to the vehicle;

swinging the changeable message display away from the vehicle while the coupling mechanism is still connected to the hitch receiver; and

opening the structure of the vehicle adjacent the hitch receiver.

36. The method for displaying messages of claim 35, wherein the method comprises disposing the changeable message display behind the vehicle so that display is directed toward persons disposed behind the vehicle and wherein the changeable message display is pivotable to a position generally in alignment with a side of the vehicle so that the changeable message display is still visible.

37. The method for displaying messages of claim 36, wherein the method comprises periodically changing an advertisement shown on the changeable message display while the vehicle is moving.

38. The method for displaying messages of claim 37, wherein the method comprises selecting a changeable message display which has a plurality of members, each member have a plurality of faces containing a segment of an advertisement, and periodically rotating the plurality of members to change the faces visible outside the changeable message display to thereby change the advertisement seen by those behind the vehicle.

39. The method for displaying messages of claim 38, wherein the method comprises attaching the changeable message display to the hitch with a pivot point at or beyond a plane defined by a lateral side of the vehicle so as to enable the changeable message display to be pivoted away from the vehicle and into a position at or beyond the side of the vehicle to thereby provide access to a rear portion of the vehicle.

40. The method for displaying messages of claim 35, wherein the method further comprises removing the coupling mechanism of the changeable message display from the hitch when the changeable message display is not needed so as to remove the changeable message display from the vehicle.

41. The method for displaying message of claim 35, wherein the method comprises

disposing the changeable message display in a first position adjacent to the vehicle thereby making the advertisement visible to others;

and

rotating the changeable display about the pivot point to a second position nonadjacent to the vehicle thereby providing improve access to the vehicle while maintaining the advertisement visible to others.

42. A hitch receiver mounted message display comprising:

a changeable display configured for displaying a plurality of messages in an alternating sequence; and

a coupling mechanism for attaching the changeable display to a hitch receiver on a vehicle, the coupling mechanism having a being configured to hold the changeable display in a first position adjacent the vehicle and configured to enable the changeable display to swing generally horizontally away from the vehicle to thereby provide access to the vehicle.