Dynamic display based on estimated viewers

• US 8,781,968 B1
• Filed: 08/25/2008
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Mobile Innovations LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Bushman, Serge J. L., Gailloux, Michael A., Gunasekara, Don, Persson, Carl J., Wilson, Thomas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEUNG, CALVIN K
• Application Number:
  US12/197,780
• Time in Patent Office: 2,150 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14.4, 705/14.49, 705/14.5, 705/14.58, 705/14.63, 705/50
• US Class Current: 705/50
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0252 based on events or environment, e.g. weather or festivals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location

Abstract

A system is provided for dynamic display based on estimated viewers. The system includes a sensor, a server, and a dynamic display. The sensor senses traffic in an environment. The server estimates a number of potential viewers based on sensing the traffic, selects content based on the number, and communicates the content. The dynamic display receives the content and displays the content for the potential viewers.

Claims

1. A system for dynamic display based on estimated viewers, comprising:

a sensor to sense traffic in an environment;

a server computer to;

estimate a number of viewers based on sensing the traffic,

select content for display on a dynamic display based on a winning bid of a plurality of bids for the dynamic display placed by a plurality of advertisers, at least one advertiser of the plurality of advertisers places more than one bid of the plurality of bids,

wherein each bid of the plurality of bids specifies a range defined by a discrete lower limit of a number of viewers greater than zero and a discrete upper limit of a number of viewers, and

wherein the winning bid is a highest bid of the plurality of bids that is associated with the corresponding range that includes the estimated number of viewers, and

communicate the content; and

the dynamic display to;

receive the content,

display the content, and

power off when the estimated number of viewers is less than a minimum threshold number.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor uses at least one of a radio signal, a microwave signal, a camera, a radar signal, a laser, a pressure sensor, a magnetic signal, and an optical sensor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the content is at least one of an advertisement, a public service announcement, weather information, traffic information, an image, and a video.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic display is powered by a solar-charged battery.

5. A computer implemented method for dynamic display based on estimated viewers, comprising:

sensing traffic in an environment;

estimating a number of viewers based on sensing the traffic;

selecting, by a server computer, content for display on a dynamic display based on a winning bid of a plurality of bids for the dynamic display placed by a plurality of advertisers and further based on a type of vehicle sensed, at least one advertiser of the plurality of advertisers places more than one bid of the plurality of bids,

wherein each bid of the plurality of bids specifies a range defined by a discrete lower limit of a number of viewers greater than zero and a discrete upper limit of a number of viewers, and

wherein the winning bid is a highest bid of the plurality of bids that is associated with the corresponding range that includes the estimated number of viewers; and

displaying the content on the dynamic display.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 5, further comprising estimating at least one of a speed of the traffic and perceived viewing conditions.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 5, further comprising broadcasting an audio signal that is associated with the content to one of a vehicle radio and a mobile device.

8. A computer implemented method for dynamic display based on estimated viewers, comprising:

sensing traffic associated with an event;

estimating a number of viewers based on sensing the traffic;

selecting, by a server computer, content for display on a dynamic display based on the event and a winning bid of a plurality of bids for the dynamic display placed by a plurality of advertisers, at least one advertiser of the plurality of advertisers places more than one bid of the plurality of bids,

wherein each bid of the plurality of bids specifies a range defined by a discrete lower limit of a number of viewers greater than zero and a discrete upper limit of a number of viewers, and

wherein the winning bid is a highest bid of the plurality of bids that is associated with the corresponding range that includes the estimated number of viewers and the winning bid is based on at least one of a previous bid, the event, or a buy now price associated with displaying the content; and

displaying the content on the dynamic display.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 8, wherein the event is at least one of an end of a planned event and a traffic event.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 8, wherein selecting content is also based on an outcome associated with the event.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 8, further comprising providing compensation to an advertiser associated with a losing bid of the plurality of bids when a value associated with the winning bid is more than a value associated with the losing bid.

12. The computer implemented method of claim 11, further comprising displaying another content associated with the losing bid on a secondary dynamic display.

13. The computer implemented method of claim 8, further comprising providing compensation to an advertiser associated with the winning bid when the number of viewers is less than the number of estimated viewers.