Interactive video display system

An interactive video display system is disclosed for communicating with local viewers. The system includes a receiver for receiving a modulated signal carrying related audio and video information. A video and audio control is operatively connected to the receiver for receiving the modulated signal and separating the signal into a video signal and an audio signal. A video display monitor is connected to the control for receiving the video signal and displaying the video information carried by the video signal. A radio transmitter is connected to the control for receiving the audio signal and transmitting a radio frequency signal at a select frequency so that the audio information related to the video information can be received by viewers proximate the video display system. An interactive control is operatively associated with the video and audio control for generating instructions to be displayed, the video and audio control combining the received instructions with the received video information prior to transferring the video signal to the video display monitor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a display system and, more particularly, to a 
display system comprising a large screen video display system having 
interactive capabilities. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Advertisers continue to strive to improve presentation of products to 
potential customers. Various media are typically used depending on the 
desired audience. 
One common form of advertisement is a roadside billboard. The typical 
billboard consists of a large board mounted at an elevated position 
alongside the road. A large print ad is adhered to the billboard. Such ads 
can be effective as drivers are a captive audience while passing the 
billboard. Often the billboard stands out simply due to its large size. 
One problem with such a billboard is that advertisements remain static. 
Changing the displayed ad can be time consuming and expensive, being a 
labor intensive procedure. Also, with such a billboard there is a limited 
amount of information that can be conveyed to the relevant public. This is 
due to the fact that the billboard is visible for only a short period of 
time. Moreover, feedback regarding effectiveness of the billboard is 
unavailable. 
In addition to the advertisement itself being static, the location of the 
billboard remains unchanged. The exact location of the billboard can 
impact on its success. Different locations may be appropriate at different 
times of the day, different days of the week or the like. To satisfy such 
requirements, an advertisement must place numerous ads on a plurality of 
appropriately situated billboards, increasing advertising costs. 
All of the above problems may not exist with respect to other forms of 
advertising, or programming, such as on television. However, with any form 
of advertisement direct customer feedback is desirable. Advantageously, a 
viewer could "talk back" to a program being viewed. 
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems 
discussed above in a novel and simple manner. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the invention there is provided a dynamic interactive 
video display system. 
Broadly, there is disclosed herein an interactive video display system for 
communicating with local users. The system includes means for receiving a 
modulated signal carrying related audio and video information. A video and 
audio control is operatively connected to the receiving means for 
receiving the modulated signal and separating the signal into a video 
signal and an audio signal. A video display is connected to the control 
for receiving the video signal and displaying the video information 
carried by the video signal. A radio transmitter is connected to the 
control for receiving the audio signal and transmitting a radio frequency 
signal at a select frequency so that the audio information related to the 
video information can be received by users proximate the video display 
system. An interactive control is operatively associated with the video 
and audio control for generating instructions to be displayed, the video 
and audio control combining the received instructions with the received 
video information prior to transferring the video signal to the display. 
It is a feature of the invention that the receiving means comprises a 
television receiver. 
It is another feature of the invention that the receiving means comprises a 
video tape playing device. 
It is a further feature of the invention providing an enclosure supporting 
the video display and housing the receiving means, the controls and the 
radio transmitter. 
It is an additional feature of the invention to provide a stationary post 
supporting the enclosure at an elevated position. 
It is still another feature of the invention to provide a mobile vehicle 
and a lift supporting the enclosure on the vehicle. 
It is still another feature of the invention to provide an audio sound 
system operatively associated with the display and connected to the video 
and audio control for receiving the audio signal and generating audio 
sounds in response thereto. 
It is still another feature of the invention to provide a local receiver 
operatively associated with the operator control for receiving user 
responses from a user input device proximate the system. 
It is yet another feature of the invention that the interactive control 
comprises an interactive marketing system including means for generating a 
series of statements to be displayed on the display and means for 
receiving and storing responses to the statements received from the local 
receiver. 
It is still a further feature of the invention to provide a video camera 
mounted proximate the display system and connected to the video and audio 
control for developing a video camera signal representing images proximate 
the display system. 
It is still another feature of the invention to provide a television 
transmitter connected to the video and audio control for transmitting a 
signal including video information from the camera. 
It is still yet a further feature of the invention that the video and audio 
control includes means for displaying images from the video camera with 
received video information on the display system.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the invention an interactive video display system is 
provided which, in addition to providing dynamic programming, provides 
numerous options in presenting programming to viewers as well as providing 
feedback regarding the programming. 
With reference to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a conventional application 
for an interactive video display system 10 according to the invention. The 
common form of a billboard consists of a roadside board mounted at an 
elevated position along the side of a road. Such a billboard is viewable 
to drivers passing by. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the 
interactive video display system 10 includes a video billboard 12 mounted 
atop a stationary post 14 proximate a road 16. As such, the billboard 12 
is viewable by persons passing by in cars 18. Beyond displaying 
information to passersby, the display system 10 communicates audio 
information to be heard on a car radio or with a local sound system. 
Likewise, the display system 10 is operable to receive feedback from the 
user either in the form of responses to statements presented on the 
billboard 12 or via image information. All of these features are described 
more particularly below. 
With reference to FIG. 2, the interactive video display system 10 is 
illustrated in another application. This application comprises mounting 
the display system 12 to a lifting device 20 mounted on the trailer 22 of 
a mobile vehicle 24. The lifting device 20 may be hydraulic, mechanical, a 
crane or the like. This provides for portability of the display system 10 
as it can be moved to different locations either along a roadside or 
elsewhere, as necessary or desired. For example, the system 10 could be 
positioned in a shopping center parking lot with the billboard 12 raised, 
as shown. Alternatively, the billboard 12 could be lowered so that it was 
resting atop the trailer 22 while the vehicle was moving. 
With reference to FIG. 3, a still further application is shown. This 
application comprises providing four display systems 10 circumferentially 
spaced about the top of a stadium 26. This is illustrated more 
particularly in FIG. 4, wherein it is apparent that each display system 10 
can display uniquely different video information. 
With reference to FIG. 5, the interactive video display system 10 according 
to the invention is illustrated in greater detail. 
The video display system 10 includes an enclosure 30 in the form of a 
parallelepiped having an internal space. A large screen video display 
monitor 32 is supported on the front of the enclosure 30. The display 
monitor 32 may comprise, for example, a JumboTron large screen color video 
display system as manufactured and sold by Sony Corporation of America 
(JumboTron is a trademark of Sony Corp.). The exact size of the display 
monitor 32 can be selected as necessary to suit the intended application. 
In the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the display monitor 32 is 
larger than a conventional table top television set. 
In one aspect, the display system 10 is similar to a television set. It can 
display video information from received program signals from local or 
remote transmitters, satellites, cable and local or remote broadcast 
centers. The contents shown on the display monitor 32 can range from 
simple graphic images, for example, a corporate logo, to complex 
multi-media messages such as a conventional television commercial. For 
example, in the illustration of FIG. 5, the display monitor 32 displays, 
in part, an advertisement for an automobile. Additionally, the display 
system allows the viewer to "talk back" using various forms of 
communication. 
Mounted atop the enclosure 30 is an antenna 34 used for receiving and 
transmitting various signals, as discussed below. Also, there is provided 
atop the enclosure 30 a video camera 36 as well as a speaker 38 for an 
appropriate sound system, as discussed below. 
FIG. 6 illustrates in block diagram form the interactive video display 
system 10 according to the invention. Other than the components previously 
mentioned above relative to FIG. 5, the remaining components are installed 
in the internal space of the enclosure 30. 
A television receiver 40 is connected to the antenna 34 for receiving 
remotely broadcast modulated television signals. As is well known, such a 
television signal conveys both video and audio information. The receiver 
40 may comprise any conventional television receiving apparatus including 
tuner and the like for demodulating the received signal. The signal from 
the television receiver 40 is transferred to a video and audio control 42. 
A conventional television transmitter 44 is likewise connected between the 
video and audio control 42 and the antenna 34 for transmitting television 
signals to remote locations, as described below. A video cassette recorder 
(VCR) is connected to the television transmitter 44 for recording signals, 
as necessary, and to the television receiver 40 to provide for playback of 
previously recorded programming. 
Although the receiver 40 and transmitter 44 are shown connected to an 
antenna 34, these devices could alternatively be connected to a microwave 
antenna or cable television system or satellite system, as will be 
apparent. 
The video and audio control 42 also receives video information from the 
video camera 36. Particularly, the video camera 36 develops video signals 
representing images in an area surrounding the billboard system 10. The 
system 10 can include one or more cameras 36 so that the billboard is 
capable of "seeing" what is in front, on each side, or behind the display 
monitor 32. The camera 36 is shown as being mounted in a fixed position. 
Alternatively, the camera 36 could be mounted to a robotics device 
controlled by the video and audio control 42 for remote control operation 
of received images. 
The video and audio control 42 also transfers video signals to the video 
screen 32 for driving the same, as well as audio signals to the sound 
system 38 for generating audio sounds in response thereto. 
The video and audio control 42 is also connected to a local radio 
transmitter 48 also connected to the antenna 34. The video and audio 
control 42 transfers audio signals to the local radio transmitter 48. The 
transmitter 48 then transmits a radio frequency signal at a select 
frequency so that the audio information related to particular video 
information can be received by viewers proximate the system 10. 
Particularly, a viewer can set his or her radio 50 to the select frequency 
to receive the transmitted signals. 
Further, the video and audio control 42 is connected to a receiver 52 for 
receiving commands from a user input device 54 operated by a viewer. In 
the illustrated embodiment, the receiver 52 receives through the air 
signals from a user input device in the form of a remote transmitter 54 
held by a user. The user input device 54 could be a stationary device 
hardwired to the receiver 52, as is apparent. Particularly, the remote 
transmitter 54 can be used to provide feedback information to the 
interactive system 10. This is done in connection with an interactive 
marketing system 56 connected via a CPU 58 to the video and audio control 
42. The CPU 58 may comprise any conventional personal computer or the like 
capable of generating conventional video signal transferred to the video 
and audio control 42 to be transferred to the video screen 32. Such video 
information may be driven by the interactive marketing system 56 which may 
comprise a conventional application program or the like run on the CPU 58. 
Further, responses received via the receiver 52 can be stored in the 
interactive marketing system 56 to provide feedback regarding programming 
or the like being presented. 
With reference to FIG. 5, the video display monitor 32 is illustrated 
showing video information for a particular advertisement for an 
automobile. In the lower right hand corner there is shown a "window" or 
interactive dialogue box including additional video information. This 
information may be in the form of text or the like used, for example, as 
operating instructions to a viewer of the system, as well as instructions 
regarding entry of feedback on the user input device 54. 
The described system has plural applications previously unavailable with 
conventional forms of advertising. Some of these applications are 
discussed with the following examples. 
Considering the roadside billboard application as illustrated in FIG. 1, 
the display system 10 can be used to receive programming or advertising 
material, such as conventional commercials, by standard television 
broadcast, by satellite, through tapes in the VCR 46, see FIG. 6, or 
through computer storage on the CPU 58. The video information from such ad 
material is then sent directly to the video display 32 for display. The 
accompanying audio could be send directly to the sound system 38. However, 
doing so would serve no purpose with a typical roadside billboard. 
Instead, the audio signal is transmitted to the local radio transmitter so 
that it can be received on the car radio of the passersby. In order to 
instruct the passersby as to the appropriate frequency, the display window 
60, see FIG. 5, can include appropriate instructions as to which station 
ought be tuned in. The instructions are generated by the CPU 58 and 
combined with the ad by the control 42, similar to a conventional 
"picture-in-picture" television feature, or by an overlaying procedure, as 
is well known. Thus, the effectiveness of the advertisement is increased 
due to the dynamic nature of the advertisement, the ability to 
continuously change the displayed advertisement as well as the ability to 
continually convey audio information to the user even after the video 
display monitor 32 is no longer visible. With appropriate spacing between 
adjacent billboard systems 20, a very effective advertising campaign can 
be planned in roadside applications. 
Similarly, in an application such as in FIG. 2, a portable display system 
is evident in which the display system 10 could be placed in appropriate 
shopping center parking lots to advertise goods or services which might be 
available at the shopping center. In this application, the sound system 38 
might be used as a pedestrian would often not have a radio readily 
available. Additionally, the radio transmitter 48 could be used to entice 
individuals passing by the shopping center. The portability allows the 
system 10 to be moved from one general location to the other or to 
particular locations in the local area, as appropriate. 
Similar to the prior application, the interactive display system 10 could 
be temporarily placed in a parking lot for use after hours as a form of 
"drive up" theater. In this application, the sound could again be conveyed 
either via the sound system 38 or via the radio transmitter 48 to be heard 
on car radios. 
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the display system 10 could be used as a large 
screen display for the activity occurring in the stadium 26. The image 
displayed could be that received from the camera 36 associated therewith. 
Alternatively, the display system 10 could display conventional commercial 
type messages. This application is particularly appropriate for use of the 
remote transmitters 54. For example, with special events such as the Super 
Bowl or the like, each customer could be given a remote transmitter 54 as 
they enter the stadium 26. During time outs from playing of the game, 
particular commercials could be displayed on the display system 10 
followed by questions displayed in the window 60, see FIG. 6, regarding 
preferences or the like relating to the advertising material. For example, 
and with reference also to FIG. 5, a user could be instructed to press a 
particular button on the transmitter 54 according to the desired selection 
to be made. These instructions would be developed by the interactive 
marketing system 56, which would also store the results. This would allow 
the marketing system 56 to immediately survey those present to determine 
effectiveness of the advertising or consumer preferences. 
Another application, not particularly illustrated, might comprise a 
marketing survey or special event in which interactive display systems are 
placed at remote locations relative to one another. Each display system 
could show a common overall display along with window type displays 
showing activities occurring at the remote locations. For example, one 
billboard system could be located at a beach, another in the mountains and 
another at an indoor reception. Each of the locations in addition to the 
main display would receive a window display showing activities at the 
other two locations as recorded by the video camera at the other 
locations. 
As is evident, the use of the interactive video display system including 
the various output devices and feedback devices provides a myriad of 
applications for the system. The principle element of output is a video 
image on the large screen video display 32. This can be accompanied with 
audio output either through the sound system 38 or via radio transmission 
through the transmitter 48. Likewise, text type instructions could be 
generated by the CPU 58 for display on the screen 32. The source of any 
video signals can be through remote reception, tape storage or computer 
storage. The viewer can talk back to the display 32 in the form of video 
as received by the video camera 36 or transmitted responses via the user 
input device 54. 
The illustrated applications of the interactive video display system are 
intended to broadly illustrate the basic inventive concept.