Digital display advertising apparatus fixable to a printed directory

• US 8,191,293 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2009
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Trotman, Douglas Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoge, Gary
• Application Number:
  US12/565,684
• Publication Number:
  US 20110067277A1
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 404/46, 404/47, 401/240.2, 401/240.3, 401/240.4, 283/64, 281/15.1
• US Class Current: 40/446
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2007/1852 for fastening magnetically or by suction or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/10 on paper articles, e.g. booklets, newspapers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/007 Displays with power supply provided by solar cells or photocells
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/208 Electronic labels, Labels integrating electronic displays

Abstract

A solar powered advertising apparatus comprising a digital display to display an advertisement heading, wherein the apparatus is configured to be affixable to an exterior of a printed directory. The apparatus comprises a memory to store a set of advertisement headings, with the advertisement headings stored in the memory prior to affixing the advertising apparatus to the printed directory. The advertising apparatus further comprises a set of buttons for selecting an advertisement heading to be displayed.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a digital display configured to display an advertisement heading;

a memory configured to store a set of advertisement headings; and

a set of buttons configured to select advertisement heading being displayed;

wherein the apparatus is affixed to an exterior of a printed directory, the apparatus being powered by solar generated energy.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic strip configured to affix the apparatus to a metallic surface after being removed from the printed directory.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is affixed to one of a front cover and a spine of the printed directory.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one advertisement heading is displayed as a hologram.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a height of the apparatus is less than a quarter of an inch.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display comprises a monochrome display.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory is less than 1 megabyte.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory is greater than 1 megabyte and less than 2 megabytes.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory is greater than 2 megabytes and less than 4 megabytes.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a digital clock display.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a calculator and calculator display.

12. The apparatus of 11, further configured to provide access to and display of electronic games.

13. A method comprising:

providing a solar powered advertising apparatus comprising a digital display displaying an advertisement heading, wherein the advertising apparatus is configured to be affixable to an exterior of a printed directory, and the advertising apparatus comprises a set of buttons for selecting an advertisement heading to be displayed;

storing a set of advertisement headings in a memory of the advertising apparatus, prior to affixing the advertising apparatus to the printed directory; and

affixing the advertising apparatus to the exterior of the printed directory.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the advertising apparatus further comprises a magnetic strip for affixing the advertising apparatus to a metallic surface after removal from the printed directory.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein affixing the advertising apparatus to the exterior of the printed directory comprises affixing the advertising apparatus to one of a front cover and a spine of the printed directory.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one advertisement heading is displayed as a hologram.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein a height of the advertising apparatus is less than a quarter of an inch.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the display comprises a monochrome display.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the advertising apparatus displays at least one of a digital clock and a calculator.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a digital display configured to display an advertisement heading;

a memory configured to store a set of advertisement headings; and

a set of buttons configured to select advertisement heading being displayed;

wherein the apparatus is affixed to an exterior of a printed directory.