Elevator advertising system and method for displaying audio and/or video signals

• US 6,206,142 B1
• Filed: 04/01/1999
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Nancy K. Meacham Living Trust
• Original Assignee: The Nancy K. Meacham Living Trust
• Inventors: Meacham, Nancy K.
• Primary Examiner(s): SALATA, ANTHONY J
• Application Number:
  US09/283,811
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 187/391, 187/392, 187/396, 187/397, 187/394
• US Class Current: 187/392
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 3/00 Applications of devices for indicating or signalling operating conditions of elevators
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 3/008 Displaying information not related to the elevator, e.g. weather, publicity, internet or TV

Abstract

A system is provided for displaying an audio/video signal in an elevator car. The system includes a signal storage assembly for storing the audio/video signal to be displayed, a display supported on the elevator car for displaying the audio/video signal, and a sensor fixed to the elevator car for sensing a condition indicative of the presence of a user in the elevator car. A controller is also provided which is connected to the signal storage assembly and to the first sensor for initiating display of the audio/video signal in response to the sensed condition of the first sensor.

Claims

1. A system for displaying an audio/video signal in an elevator car having a door and being movable between floors of a building, the system comprising:

a signal storage assembly for storing the signal to be displayed, wherein the signal includes two or more tracks of information;

a display supported on the elevator car for displaying the signal;

a first sensor for sensing a condition indicative of the presence of a user in the elevator car, wherein the first sensor detects the difference between the weight of the elevator car when empty and the weight of the elevator car when a passenger is present; and

a controller operably connected to the signal storage assembly and to the first sensor for initiating display of the signal in response to the sensed condition of the first sensor, wherein the controller displays the two or more tracks of information in random order without regard to the identity of occupant or time of day.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal storage assembly is a computer hard drive.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal storage assembly is a compact disc player.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage assembly is a video cassette player.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display is a monitor.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display includes a speaker.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sensor includes an optical sensor directed across the door of the elevator car so that the condition sensed is of a person passing through the door.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elevator car includes a keypad including a plurality of floor selection buttons for controlling operation of the apparatus, and the first sensor senses activation of the floor selection buttons.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second sensor for sensing the location of the elevator car in the building.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is remote from the elevator car.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage assembly is remote from the elevator car.