Patent Publication Number: US-2011066478-A1

Title: Advertising display control system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Product display stands, such as stand-alone kiosks, aisle end caps or other display stands are often used in retail stores to feature certain products or to promote a special sale on a product. It is well established that display stands located in high traffic areas will have greater sales than in areas where fewer shoppers pass. Thus, display areas located near the store entrance or near check-out aisles or at the ends of aisles are often vigorously pursued by sales representatives and distributors of consumer products. 
     Presenting a product in an appealing manner is an important driver of sales volume. For example, it is well established that if the display stand runs out of product or is otherwise in disarray, sales volume will decrease. Thus, it is important to monitor the display stand to ensure that it is neat, orderly and is well stocked with product so that the product is presented in the most appealing manner to consumers. 
     Utilization of audio-visual (“AV”) components into display stands to drive sales by playing infomercials or videos to shoppers passing buy is becoming increasingly more popular. This increase in popularity is due to advent of thin flat screen televisions and compact portable media, such as CD&#39;s, DVD&#39;s and SD cards, which are now much more portable and take up less space their predecessors, and because they have become relatively inexpensive. It is well established that incorporating AV components which visually and audibly convey product features, advantages and uses of a product to shoppers passing by will result in increased sales of that product. It is also well established that if a display stand incorporating AV components is not properly maintained to ensure that the AV components are operating and functioning properly, sales volume of the product will fall. Thus, with AV incorporated display stands, it is not only important that the display stand remains neat, orderly and well stocked with product, it is important that the AV components incorporated into the display stand are operating properly and continuously during store hours. 
     Monitoring and maintaining product displays in stores is typically the responsibility of the product vendor. Historically, this required the vendor to have sales representatives visit the retail store at least once, if not several times a week, to restock the display with product, to ensure that the display is neat and to ensure that all AV components are operating properly. This task can become overwhelming when it is necessary to monitor multiple product displays located in multiple stores in multiple locations. 
     While one method of remotely monitoring product displays may be possible by using the Internet and a Webcam, most store owners will not permit vendors to access or utilize the store&#39;s wired or wireless local area network (LAN) to communicate the Webcam images over the Internet because of potential security issues, nor will most stores allow a vendor to install its own Internet connection to facilitate use of the Webcam to monitor the product display over the Internet. In any event, the cost of installing a separate Internet connection through an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”) at multiple stores would be cost prohibitive even if permitted by the store owner. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a means of remotely monitoring a product display that does not require the use of the store&#39;s LAN, does not interfere with or disrupt the store&#39;s existing LAN or Internet connection, does not require a separate Internet connection or the services of an ISP to facilitate data transmission for the remote monitoring, and which is low in cost to install, use and maintain. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of an advertising display control (ADC) system for monitoring a product display. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of the ADC system of  FIG. 1 , for monitoring multiple product displays in multiple locations. 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are front and rear perspective views, respectively, showing an embodiment of the ADC system of  FIG. 1  showing the product display stand. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the controller for the ADC system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front side elevation view of the controller of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the controller of  FIG. 5  illustrating one position for the moveable mounting plate. 
         FIG. 8  is another bottom plan view of the controller of  FIG. 5  illustrating another position of the movable mounting plate. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic block diagram of the components of the controller of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the state detector for the controller of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIGS. 11A-11F  are electrical schematics of the various preferred components for the controller of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 12  is an example of an embodiment of a screen for the Web-based user interface of the ADC system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13  is an example of an embodiment of another screen for the web-based user interface of the ADC system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  schematically illustrates an embodiment of the Advertising Display Control (“ADC”) system designated generally by reference numeral  10 . Continuing to refer to  FIG. 1  along with  FIGS. 2-4 , the ADC system  10  includes a controller  20  located at or near a display stand  12  used to display merchandise or products “P” being offered for sale. The display stand  12  includes an audio-visual (“AV”) component or components  14  on which a pre-recorded promotional video of the product P is being played to consumers as they pass by the display stand  12 . As used herein, the term “AV component” should be understood to include any component or combination of components capable of displaying and playing recorded video and audio, such as, for example a television and a DVD player. As used herein, the term “merchandise” or “product” should be understood to include any good or service that may be offered for sale or for licensing, rental, leasing to a consumer, prospective purchaser or user of the good or service. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the ADC system  10  utilizes a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) module (discussed later) as a relatively low cost means to communicate the detected state (i.e., on, off, no power) of the AV component  14  and visual images of the display stand  12  to a database  102  while avoiding the need for an Internet connection through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to facilitate the data communication from the controller  20  located in the store to the database  102 . The ADC system  10  preferably utilizes a World-Wide-Web (“Web”) based user interface  100  to allow a user to monitor the status of the AV component  14  and, preferably, to visually inspect the display stand  12  from any remote location via the Internet. The user interface  100  is preferably hosted on a Web server connected to the Internet by any suitable Internet connection. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , it is contemplated that a typical ADC system  10  will enable a user to monitor multiple display stands  12  at different locations within a single store or in multiple stores. 
     As used herein, the term “database” should be understood to include or refer to any software or computer implemented system that permits the storage, management and retrieval of data. The database  102  may reside on the Web server hosting the user interface  100  or it may reside on any other computer server. In any event the database  102  is preferably connected to the Internet via any suitable Internet connection. The database  102  preferably includes numerous fields by which a user can search the database to retrieve desired data by entering or selecting search criteria, such as the search criteria identifiable in  FIGS. 12 and 13  discussed later. 
     Although specific reference is made throughout this specification to the “Internet,” such term should be understood to include any type of network infrastructure now existing or later developed. Similarly, although specific reference is made throughout this specification to the “World-Wide-Web” or “Web,” such terms should be understood to include any type of data sharing model now existing or later developed for sharing data over the Internet or other network infrastructure. 
     A preferred embodiment of the exterior of the controller  20  is shown in  FIGS. 3-8 . The controller  20  preferably includes a housing  22  ( FIGS. 5-6 ) with a Power-In port  24 , a Power-Out port  26 , a camera port  28 , a Secure Digital (“SD”) memory card port  30 , and at least one universal serial bus (“USB”) port  32 . The purpose of each of these components and other components comprising the controller  20  will be discussed later. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the bottom of the housing  22  preferably includes a plurality of apertures  38  and a removable mounting bracket  40  secured by screws  42 . It should be appreciated that the mounting bracket  40  is capable of being removed and reattached to the housing  22  by the screws  42  in different orientations (compare  FIGS. 7 and 8 , for example) so as to permit different mounting options for securing the controller  20  to the support structure of the display  12  or other structure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a schematic block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the controller  20  is illustrated. Power is supplied to the controller  20  via a power cord  21  (see also  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ). One end of the power cord  21  plugs into the store&#39;s conventional power outlet  23  ( FIG. 1 ) and the other end plugs into the controller&#39;s Power-In port  24  ( FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  9 ). The Power-In port  24  is electrically coupled to the controller&#39;s Power-Out port  26  (see also  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ) which is adapted to receive the AV component&#39;s power cord  25  ( FIGS. 1 ,  4 ). A voltage regulator  50  is electrically coupled with the Power-In port  24  to provide the appropriate voltage to the printed circuit board (PCB)  52 . 
     The various electrical components which provide the desired functionality of the controller  20  are preferably electrically coupled to the PCB, including, for example, the state detector  60 , the state controller  70 , the GPRS module  80 , the SIM card  90 , light indicators  92 , etc., each of which is discussed in greater detail below. 
     State detector  60  is electrically coupled between the Power-In port  24  and Power-Out port  26  to detect whether power is being supplied to the controller  20  and to detect electrical current flow as a means of detecting whether the AV components  14  are powered on or off. In a preferred embodiment a state controller  70  is also preferably provided to permit the power to the AV components  14  to be remotely controlled by the user. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of the state detector  60 . The state detector  60  includes a coil  62  through which passes either the hot or neutral wire  63  extending between the power inlet  24  and power outlet  26 . As current passes through the wire  63  a corresponding signal is generated by the coil  62 . Amplifier  64  (such as an LM324) amplifies the signal. The amplified signal is compared by comparator  66  with a predefined current reference input  68  corresponding to the “on” state of the AV component  14 . If the amplified signal meets or exceeds the predefined current reference, an output signal is generated by the comparator  66  corresponding to an “on” state for the AV component  14 . If the amplified signal does not meet the predefined current reference, an output signal is generated by the comparator  66  corresponding to an “off” state for the AV component  14 . If no signal is generated by the coil  64  due to no current flowing through the wire  63 , a “no power” state output signal is generated by the comparator  66 . These “on”, “off” and “no power” signals are delivered to the GPRS module (discussed later) for communication to the database  102 . 
     The preferred GPRS module  80  (such as a Cinterion TC65i) cooperates with the Subscriber Identity Module (“SIM”) card  90  which is provided by a wireless GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) carrier, such as AT&amp;T, T-mobile, etc. The GSM carrier provides the data communication services between the controller  20  and the database  102 . The GPRS module, along with any other necessary circuitry as recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, is preferably programmed to perform the state detection (i.e., “on”, “off”, “no power” states) and to upload those detected states to the database  102  at predefined or definable time intervals. 
     The USB port  32  provides a data connection for programming and configuring the controller  20  prior to installation and/or for updating the controller. The SD Card port  30  receives SD Cards used to update the controller  20  as desired to add new features or functionalities to the system and it may be used for calibrating the state detector  60  as needed for different types of AV Components  14 . 
     Indicator lights  92  provide visual indication that the controller  20  is powered on and communicating with the database  102  via the GRSM module  80 . 
     The camera port  28  receives the video cable  29  ( FIG. 4 ) connected to the camera  16  used for monitoring the display  12 . The camera port  28  may be a VGA port (shown in  FIG. 5 ) or any other type of video connection port, including IEEE 1394, USB, etc.). 
       FIGS. 11A-11F  are electrical schematics of the various preferred components comprising the preferred controller  20 . Specifically,  FIG. 11A  is an electrical schematic showing the preferred GPRS module  80 , SIM connector  90  and USB port  32 .  FIG. 11B  is an electrical schematic of the preferred state control  60  and state detector  70 .  FIG. 11C  is an electrical schematic of a preferred voltage regulator  50 .  FIG. 11D  is an electrical schematic of the preferred SD Card connector  30 .  FIG. 11E  is an electrical schematic of the preferred camera connector  28 .  FIG. 11F  is an electrical schematic of the preferred light indicators  92 . 
     In use, the controller  20  is preferably mounted behind the AV component  14  so that it is preferably hidden from view ( FIGS. 3-4 ). The AV component  14  with the controller  20  mounted thereto are preferably secured to the display stand  12  or some other structure. A power cord  21  ( FIG. 1 ) is plugged into the Power-In port  24  of the controller  20 . The other end of the power cord  21  is plugged into the store&#39;s power outlet  23 . The power cord  25  of the AV component  14  is plugged into the Power-Out port  26  of the controller  20 . A camera  16  is preferably mounted to preferably view and capture as much of the display stand  12  as possible so a user can remotely visually inspect the display stand  12  to ensure it is adequately stocked with product P and that the AV component  14  is operating properly. Output signals of the state detector  60  are communicated to the GPRS module  80  which then transmits the detected state output signals and captured camera images to the database  102  via GPRS. The captured camera images may be video images or photographic images. 
     A remote user preferably accesses the user interface  100  over the Internet via a Web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc., to monitor the data, including the captured camera images, transmitted via GPRS to the database  102 . The preferred user interface  100  preferably allows a user to choose between a “Global” template or screen  104  ( FIG. 12 ) and a “Daily” template or screen  106  ( FIG. 13 ). Within each template  104 ,  106  are preferably are number of predefined selectable criteria corresponding to searchable fields of the database  102 . For example, the selectable criteria may include one or more drop-down listings that allows the user to search by customer  120 , store  122 , product  124 , and location  126  (such as city, state or province) among or other criteria. The template also preferably allows the user to select desired time intervals or periods  128  and date ranges  130  (only in Daily template  FIG. 13 ) for displaying the retrieved data. The user interface  100  also preferably allows the user to select the desired “Detected State”  132  to retrieve (i.e., “on”, “off”, “no power”). For example, a user may only want to retrieve search results in which AV components  14  have detected states of “off” or “no power.” Below the selectable criteria drop downs, the templates  104  and  106  include a window  134  in which the data corresponding to the selected search criteria is displayed. As illustrated, in  FIG. 12 , each of the drop-down search criterias in the template preferably has a default of “all” such that the search query will retrieve and display a listing of all the data associated with a particular user, preferably organized by date. Also as shown in  FIG. 12 , the preferred user interface  100  preferably identifies whether images are available of the particular display stand  12  by an image icon  136 . The user interface  100  preferably allows the user to view the captured images by selecting the image icon  136  with a mouse or other pointing device. Upon selecting the image icon  136 , the user interface  100  preferably opens up a separate window on the screen (not shown) to display the captured image. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a preferred “Daily” template  106  displaying results of a query in which a user, for example, chose display results based on the following criteria for the respective drop-down listings: store  122 =“1”, customer  120 =“D-Company”, and product  124 =“A”. The example also shows that the user selected a date range 130 between April 21 and Apr. 28, 2010. The results based on the search criteria are displayed in the results window  134 . In the example of  FIG. 13 , the results window  134  shows the various detected states (on/off/no power) of the AV components  14  reported in hourly increments over a twenty four hour period. Other time intervals are also preferably definable and selectable. 
     It should be appreciated that the user interface  100  preferably includes a log-on screen (not shown) wherein the user is required to enter a username and password or other unique identifier to be able to gain access to the database  102 . Once assigned, this unique identifier is then used to associate particular data to that user so as to prevent other users from accessing and retrieving data to which they are not associated and authorized to view. It should also be appreciated that the user interface may include other templates which allow a user to add or input data into the database or to edit previous entries in database. 
     The foregoing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use a preferred embodiment of the invention. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment, and the general principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawing figures, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.