Managing advertising devices

• US 8,912,898 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2013
• Issued: 12/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Outdoorlink Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lites Out, LLC
• Inventors: Arnold, Brent D., Reinle, Brian K., Galaise, Scott H.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US13/953,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20140015669A1
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 340/500, 340/5.9, 340/5.91, 340/5.92, 340/3.5, 340/539.1, 340/531, 340/641, 340/642, 340/331, 340/332, 340/691.1, 340/815.47, 340/815.4, 315/76, 315/200.A, 406/24, 348/14.03, 348/14.04, 348/14.05, 348/14.07
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements

Abstract

In one general aspect, a request to determine a status of a first of a plurality of advertising devices is received. The advertising devices are spatially separated. Operating conditions of the first advertising device are identified. The status of the first advertising device is determined based, at least in part, on the operating conditions. A presentation including information indicating the status of the first advertising device is transmitted.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the operating conditions of a plurality of billboards, the method comprising:

determining a set of operating conditions associated with one of the plurality of billboards;

determining a status of the one of the plurality of billboards in response to comparing current operating conditions that are associated with the one of the plurality of billboards to the determined set of operating conditions, the set of operating conditions including the desired operating conditions for the one of the plurality of billboards; and

communicating an alert over a wireless network, wherein the plurality of billboards each includes a wireless transceiver to wirelessly transmit the alert over the wireless network, the alert including information representative of the current operating conditions of the one of the plurality of the billboards;

wherein the operating conditions of the plurality of billboards are the parameters under which the plurality of billboards operate in order to present advertising information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the current operating conditions for a plurality of billboards comprises comparing the current operating conditions for a static visual display.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the current operating conditions for a plurality of billboards comprises comparing the current operating conditions for a dynamic visual display.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the current operating conditions for a plurality of billboards comprises comparing the current operating conditions for a video display.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the current operating conditions for a plurality of billboards comprises comparing the current operating conditions for an electronic billboard.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating an alert comprises communicating an indication of a tripped breaker.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating an alert comprises communicating an indication of a ballast failure.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the current operating conditions for a plurality of billboards comprises receiving operating conditions of a maintenance visit.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating an alert comprises communicating an indication of an override.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating the alert further comprises messaging an end user device of a designated individual.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises receiving commands through the wireless network, the commands operable to update the operating conditions.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises receiving commands through the wireless network to modify operation of the one of the plurality of billboards.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the current operating conditions include operating conditions indicative of a power supply and wherein determining the status includes determining if the one of the plurality of billboards has a power failure.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the status includes determining if the one of the plurality of billboards has violated specified operating conditions.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the status includes determining if the one of the plurality of billboards has experienced a lighting failure.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises receiving a schedule for modifying the operating conditions for the plurality of billboards.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises a schedule for modifying the operating conditions for the plurality of billboards and wherein the method further comprises receiving commands through the wireless network to modify the schedule.

18. A system for monitoring the operation of a billboard, the system comprising:

a processor;

a memory in communication with the processor, the memory including instructions operable when executed by the processor to;

determine a set of operating conditions associated with one of the plurality of billboards;

determine a status of the one of the plurality of billboards in response to comparing current operating conditions that are associated with the one of the plurality of billboards to the set of operating conditions, the set of operating conditions including the desired operating conditions for the one of the plurality of billboards; and

communicate an alert over a wireless network, wherein the plurality of billboards each includes a wireless transceiver to wirelessly transmit the alert over the wireless network, the alert including information representative of the current operating conditions of the one of the plurality of the billboards;

wherein the operating conditions of the plurality of billboards are the parameters under which the plurality of billboards operate in order to present advertising information.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the alert is a message communicated to an end user device of a designated individual.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of billboards is a dynamic visual display.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the instructions are further operable when executed by the processor to receive commands through the wireless network, the commands operable to update the operating conditions.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the instructions are further operable when executed by the processor to receive commands through the wireless network, the commands operable to modify the operation of the plurality of billboards.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the status is a power failure.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein the status is a violation of a specified operating condition.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein the status is a lighting failure.

26. The system of claim 18, wherein the instructions are further operable when executed by the processor to receive a schedule for modifying the operating conditions for at least one of the plurality of billboards.