EP1102221A2 - Système de distribution de produits configuré pour présenter un montage électronique de diapositives - Google Patents

Système de distribution de produits configuré pour présenter un montage électronique de diapositives Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1102221A2
EP1102221A2 EP00310149A EP00310149A EP1102221A2 EP 1102221 A2 EP1102221 A2 EP 1102221A2 EP 00310149 A EP00310149 A EP 00310149A EP 00310149 A EP00310149 A EP 00310149A EP 1102221 A2 EP1102221 A2 EP 1102221A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
slide
template
fields
field
display
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00310149A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1102221A3 (fr
Inventor
Michael James Symonds
Stephanie Mae Barclay
Philip Andrew Robertson
Diana Angelica Cyrill
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Gilbarco Inc
Original Assignee
Marconi Commerce Systems Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Marconi Commerce Systems Inc filed Critical Marconi Commerce Systems Inc
Publication of EP1102221A2 publication Critical patent/EP1102221A2/fr
Publication of EP1102221A3 publication Critical patent/EP1102221A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F13/00—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs
    • G07F13/02—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs by volume
    • G07F13/025—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs by volume wherein the volume is determined during delivery
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/02—Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus

Definitions

  • This invention is directed to a product dispenser, and particularly but not exclusively a fuel dispenser, incorporating a visual display which allows the presentation of a slide show to a customer dispensing fuel.
  • Another technique developed by fuel station attendants comprises using an audio system to broadcast advertisements to the forecourt of the fuel station to alert customers of specials or items for sale within the building.
  • slide shows In another field of study, computer users have developed "slide shows” whose images and image order are dictated by the computer programmer. These slide shows can be combinations of text and graphics as desired or needed. While traditionally reserved for art-like presentations, slide shows have expanded into business presentations and other locations where sequences of images are desirable.
  • a product dispenser configured to display an electronic slide show, said product dispenser comprising:
  • the above described deficiencies in the prior art are solved by the present invention providing a visual display capable of showing images and text on product dispenser and particularly a fuel dispenser.
  • the visual display is communicatively connected to a computer located within the fuel station building.
  • the computer is programmed to store a series of templates in its memory.
  • Each template preferably includes text and images.
  • Each template can include fixed fields, which are permanent parts of the template, and relatively static or dynamic fields, which may be selectively programmed by a fuel station attendant to form electronic slides. For example, one slide may have a picture of a hamburger and a dollar sign stored in fixed fields and then a value corresponding to the current price of the hamburger in a relatively static field. Slides are preferably related to current items or services for sale at associated facilities, but do not have to be. Other slides could include weather updates, road condition updates, news items or the like.
  • the fuel station takes advantage of the fact that the customer's attention is already focused on the area where the advertising will take place.
  • Other forms of signage do not have this advantage since they require the customer to divert their attention away from the screen that has directed them through the transaction.
  • the use of a computer allows the slides to be arranged into a slide show, which is then shown on the visual displays of the fuel dispensers.
  • the slide shows can change according to the time of day if desired, for example, breakfast specials in the morning, lunch or snack specials the rest of the day.
  • This is a simple programming step for the computer programmer.
  • the computer may be connected to a central office computer, which controls all the computers owned by the company. This may be accomplished via the Internet, dedicated lines or an equivalent communications link.
  • the purpose of this particular aspect of the invention is so that all the fuel stations provide uniform messages, templates or slides. This may be desirable from a corporate standpoint in terms of policing the use of a trademark or for other reasons.
  • Systems that rely solely on information that is downloaded from an external host are subject to failure when the external connection is lost.
  • the present system has the ability to program the advertising both locally and remotely, and thus, has a "fall back" operating mode if this external connection fails.
  • FIG. 1 shows a slide show system 10 including a central office building 12 with a central computer 14 located therein.
  • the central computer 14 is communicatively connected by a communications network 16 to at least one fuel station computer 18, located within a fuel station building 20.
  • the fuel station computer 18 is communicatively connected by a dedicated network 22 to a fuel dispenser 30.
  • the fuel dispenser 30 includes a conventional nozzle 32, coupled to the fuel dispenser 30 by a conventional hose 34.
  • a plurality of buttons 36 allow fuel grade selection, while a conventional monitor 38 displays information such as gallons pumped, price for fuel already pumped and which grade was selected.
  • the fuel dispenser 30 also includes a visual display 40, which is preferably capable of transmitting colour images like a television screen or computer monitor.
  • the fuel dispenser 30 includes a control system 23 that may be a microprocessor or the like with an attached memory 25.
  • the communications network 16 may be the Internet or it may be a proprietary network, wireless or land-based, which allows communication between the central computer 14 and the fuel station computer 18.
  • the dedicated network 22 is preferably a conventional data line for communication strictly between the fuel dispenser 30 and the computer 18.
  • the network 22 could be formed from a twisted pair line, other similar conductors, or it could be wireless if desired. While both computers 14 and 18 are referred to as computers, it should be appreciated that any comparable programmable machine will suffice to fit within the scope of the present invention.
  • the computer 18 preferably includes software 42, although for the purposes of the present invention an equivalent structure would be one hard wired to do the same functions.
  • the software 42 includes a communications module 44, which handles the communications from the central computer 14 and to the fuel dispensers 30 (only one shown).
  • the software 42 also includes a command module 46 which interfaces with a keyboard 19 or other similar user interface ( Figure 1) and the communications module 44 as well as a memory module 48.
  • the communications module 44 also can communicate with the memory module 48.
  • Stored within the memory module 48 is a plurality of templates 50 as well a number of subroutines which facilitate the present invention. Each template 50 could be stored in the computer 18 as a data file or the equivalent whose data is read, formatted and transmitted to the fuel dispensers 30 for viewing on visual display 40.
  • Sample templates 50 are seen in Figures 3-6.
  • a plurality of templates 50A-50F are located within a memory module either in the computer 14 or the computer 18.
  • Each template 50 forms the basis for a "slide" for the slide show to be shown on visual display 40.
  • the template 50 is an image which may be broken into fields 51, including fixed fields which do not change after the template is created, relatively static fields, which may change from show to show if reprogrammed and dynamic fields which provide approximate real-time information, which is updated continuously. Dynamic fields may also provide information which is updated during the presentation of a given slide, or between presentations of the slide. It should be understood that the number, position, size and shape of the fields 51 may be varied at the time of programming according to the desires of the programmer.
  • Figures 4-6 show templates 50 that have been programmed into slides.
  • images 52 and 54 and text 56 are fixed fields, as are dollar signs 58.
  • prices 60 and 62 are located within the relatively static fields.
  • Temperature scroll bar 64 is a dynamic field with the towns' temperatures updated continuously from a source, such as the corporate headquarters computer 14, a local thermometer or an Internet site.
  • image 66 is in a fixed field while text 68 and 70 are relatively static, only changing when reprogrammed.
  • images 72 and 74 as well as text 76 are fixed, while text 78 and price 80 are relatively static. It should be appreciated that a dynamic field could be added to either Figure 5 or Figure 6 if desired.
  • Figure 3 shows several example arrangements of fields; it should be appreciated that the number and placement of fixed and non-fixed (dynamic and relatively static) fields can be varied as desired or needed. It should particularly be noted that while the fields of Figures 4-6, which include images (e.g. 52, 54) are shown as fixed fields, it is possible to make image fields relatively static fields. Templates 50, and particularly the dynamic fields therein, could also be directed to weather bulletins, travel advisories, temperature updates and the like as well as advertisements as to what is being sold within the fuel station building 20.
  • a dynamic field may also show real time or current information, for example, streaming audio/video, information, current stock quotes, etc.
  • the source of this real time information may be an audio/visual source, a broadcast channel, the Internet or the like.
  • a slide as used herein, is defined to mean a template 50 in which the fields have been defined and filled.
  • the non-fixed fields or the relatively static and dynamic fields, are programmed to display information, either as text or graphically, appropriate to the field. It should be appreciated that multiple slides can be created from the same template 50 through the substitution of different information into the non-fixed fields.
  • Each of the templates 50 seen in Figures 4-6 is actually a slide by virtue of the fact that the fields have been programmed.
  • a slide show for the purposes of the present invention, is a subset of the total available number of slides, preferably five, linked together to be seen in a particular order and for a particular amount of time on the display 40 of the fuel dispenser 30 without human intervention once the slide show has begun.
  • Five slides are preferred as a good trade off between memory and number of messages desired to be conveyed to a customer, however, variations in the number of slides used are within the scope of the present invention.
  • the slide show lasts for some period of time T.
  • Each slide within the slide show has a screen display time t n , which the fuel dispenser 30 counts down as it displays that particular slide on the visual display 40. Then the fuel dispenser 30 will display the next slide in the slide show on display 40.
  • the slide show 90 includes template 50A ( Figure 3), which has been used three times (50A, 50A', and 50A") followed by the template 50C and finally template 50F.
  • the fields 51 have been filled in for all the slides and each slide is assigned a screen display time t n .
  • the total slide show takes T seconds.
  • the templates 50 must first be created (block 100).
  • the template creation is better understood with reference to the flow chart of Figure 9.
  • the computer programmer begins template creation (block 200).
  • the programmer stepping through the preprogrammed software package 42, selects the number of fields (block 202). Each field is then positioned on the template (block 204).
  • the size of the field is determined (block 206) as is the shape of the field (block 208).
  • each field is assigned a type, namely fixed, relatively static, or dynamic (block 210).
  • the software asks if there are any fixed fields (block 212). If the answer is yes, then the programmer assigns the appropriate text or image to the fixed field (block 214).
  • the software 42 preferably includes a number of frequently used images, such as a hamburger, a six-pack, a bag of ice or the like, preprogrammed therein. Approximately one hundred (100) images are preferably provided for use in building slides from the templates 50 in the memory module 48. These one hundred images reflect a reasonable and manageable compromise between memory constraints and providing a nice selection of images.
  • the attendants may also create their own images and templates.
  • a conventional digital camera could be used for example to upload images into the memory module 48 for later use by a template 50. Text can be entered through the use of a conventional keyboard or the like.
  • the images may be digital pictures or sketches of items as desired.
  • Appropriate formats include, but are not limited to TIFF, BMP, DXF, DWG, GIF, EMF, WMF, PDF, JPEG, CDR or the like. Since it is highly likely that any fixed field will be filled with a commonly used image, most fixed fields can be filled with these preprogrammed images. If the answer to block 212 is no, or all of the fixed fields have been assigned, the software asks if enough templates have been created (block 216). If the answer is yes, then the subroutine for template creation ends (block 218). If the answer is no, then template creation resumes at block 200.
  • the templates 50 are created at the central computer 14 and transmitted to the fuel station computer 18 over the network 16. In another embodiment, the templates 50 are created at the fuel station 20, and more particularly on the fuel station computer 18. As a result, the templates 50 could initially be resident in the memory of computer 14 or of computer 18. The templates 50 must be further programmed to form slides. This step to can be performed at either the central office 12 or the fuel station computer 18, so the templates 50 must be passed to the slide programmer (block 102, Figure 8) wherever he or she may be located. It is also possible that the template creation software could be distinct from the slide creation software discussed below.
  • the next step in the process is the creation of the slides (block 104).
  • the creation of slides will be better understood upon reference to Figure 10.
  • the slide programmer selects a template to turn into a slide (block 250). Each non-fixed field should be filled. It is preferred to fill to relatively static fields first (block 252).
  • the software 42 asks if the memory module has the desired image (block 254). If the answer is yes, or the particular field is text, then the programmer provides a link to the appropriate image or types in the appropriate text (block 256). If the answer to block 254 is no, then the software 42 invites the programmer to create an image (block 258). This may be done with a digital camera, an appropriate art program or the like as desired. As noted above, the software 42 is preferably configured to accept a number of different formats. Once created, the image is stored in memory (block 260).
  • the software 42 asks if that was the last relatively static field (block 262). If not, the process repeats until a yes is returned at block 262. When a yes is returned, the software 42 then causes the dynamic fields to be linked to a source of information which updates the dynamic field either periodically or continuously (block 264). That is, the computer 14 could provide instructions so that the computer 18 would poll a thermometer for temperature readings, or log on to the Internet to get a weather report or the like as desired or needed. Other arrangements can be made for the computer 14 to poll a remote source as needed or desired and pass this information to the local computer 18, but such is not preferred.
  • the software 42 queries whether the last dynamic field has been linked (block 266). If not, the process repeats. If yes, then the process ends (block 268).
  • the slide programmer can program as many slides as he or she sees fit. It should be noted that a particular template 50 can be used multiple times to create different slides through the substitution of different images, text or dynamic links into the appropriate fields 51. Returning now to Figure 8, with a number of slides created, the programmer can now create slide shows (block 106).
  • slide shows The creation of slide shows is better understood by reference to Figure 11, where block 106 is expanded.
  • the number of slides in the show is selected, and optionally a total run time T (block 300).
  • a slide is selected (block 302) and assigned to a slot within the slide show (block 304).
  • Each slide is preferably given a display time (block 306) which corresponds to t n .
  • the parameters can be varied between the slides. For example, one slide may be shown for thirty seconds, and one for fifteen seconds.
  • the software 42 subsequently asks if this is the last slide in the show (block 308). If not, the process repeats. If yes, the process ends (block 310).
  • Figure 7, described above shows a completed slide show 90 with the slides inserted into the appropriate slots. It should be appreciated that the slide show creation can be a distinct program from the slide creation program, but such is not preferred.
  • Slide shows are preferably customized to run at distinct times during the day as will be explained further below.
  • the programmer having completed the slide show assigns it a time slot within the day (block 108, Figure 8). If only one slide show is to be shown, it is acceptable for the time slot to be the entire day, or some fraction thereof.
  • the central computer 14 may create the actual slide show. This is appropriate where a central office 12 wishes to make a plurality of fuel stations 20 present the same slide shows. Once the slide show is created at the central computer 14, it may be downloaded to a plurality of fuel stations 20 for display on the dispensers 30 (block 110). Once at the fuel station 20, the slide show is downloaded or sent to the dispensers 30 for the viewing by the customer (block 112).
  • the templates 50 are downloaded from the central computer 14 and then selected and programmed into slides and slide shows at the fuel station computer 18.
  • the non-fixed fields must be programmed to have content. Images and/or text are assigned to the relatively stationary fields and links are provided for the dynamic fields from which information can be retrieved in approximately real time fashion.
  • the fuel station computer 18 could be programmed to retrieve the desired information from an appropriate source through the Internet or the like as needed. Allowing the fuel station 20 to select the templates 50 and fill the templates 50 to create slides allows the fuel station to customize sales or sell regional specialties without the central computer 14 having to create unique slide shows for each fuel station.
  • the slide show regardless of its creation site may be stored in the memory 25 of the fuel dispenser 30 and called up by the control system 23.
  • the computer 18 may store the slide show and download to the fuel dispenser 22 at any desired time.
  • the control system 23 acts to pass the slide show through to the display 40.
  • Still a third option would be to store the slide shows at the central computer 14 and broadcast the slide shows to the computers 18 via the network 16. The last alternative is not preferred due to the demands such an arrangement would place on the network 16, but is possible.
  • the slide show is preferably programmed to show on the visual display 40 while a customer dispenses fuel through the hose 34 and the nozzle 32. That is, the slide show begins when the customer begins dispensing fuel and ends when the nozzle 32 is returned to its rest. Alternatively, the slide show may begin when the customer finishes the fueling transaction, and end when the customer begins a fueling transaction. Still another embodiment would allow the slide show to run continuously regardless of the beginning or ending of a fueling transaction. This aspect may be controlled through the appropriate programming.
  • Parameters may also be varied between fuel dispensers. This may be appropriate where slide shows are directed at different audiences. For example, dispensing fuel to a car is quicker than dispensing fuel to a tractor-trailer so the shows may be much quicker for the car. Additionally, different items may be displayed at a diesel-only dispenser as opposed to a fueloline-only dispenser. For example, a CB might be advertised to a trucker at a dedicated diesel dispenser, but not a minivan at a fueloline-only dispenser.
  • the slide shows could change with the time of the day.
  • the fuel station computer 18 or the central computer 14 could instruct the fuel dispensers 30 to switch between slide shows at certain times.
  • a morning slide show could feature templates directed towards traffic reports, breakfast menu items available in the fuel station building and a weather report for the day. Later, the slide show could change to focus on snacks, drinks and road conditions or the like.
  • An evening slide show could include templates directed towards traffic reports, tomorrow's weather forecast and other menu items more appropriate to the evening hours.
  • the preferred show times are from 6 AM to 10 AM; 10 AM to 2 PM; 2 PM to 12 AM and 12 AM to 6 AM, representing a morning show, a lunch show, an afternoon/evening show and a late night show. Variations in the times are within the scope of the present invention. This corresponds to block 112 in Figure 8.
  • the station may also be given a level of control that allows the operator to enable or disable the slide show at will. This "on-the-fly" feature would enable the operator to temporarily disable the presentation of the show. In the event that an advertised item is no longer available because it is sold out, this option prevents customer confusion or misunderstandings.
  • the present invention allows slide shows to automatically change with the time of day according to a predetermined schedule. Furthermore, the slide shows are not intended to perform the financial transactions, rather they are designed to induce customers to enter the fuel station building and be exposed to impulse items.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Controls And Circuits For Display Device (AREA)
  • Displays For Variable Information Using Movable Means (AREA)
EP00310149A 1999-11-17 2000-11-15 Système de distribution de produits configuré pour présenter un montage électronique de diapositives Withdrawn EP1102221A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US441809 1995-05-16
US44225999A 1999-11-17 1999-11-17
US44180999A 1999-11-17 1999-11-17
US442259 1999-11-17

Publications (2)

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EP1102221A2 true EP1102221A2 (fr) 2001-05-23
EP1102221A3 EP1102221A3 (fr) 2002-05-02

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EP00310149A Withdrawn EP1102221A3 (fr) 1999-11-17 2000-11-15 Système de distribution de produits configuré pour présenter un montage électronique de diapositives

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AU (1) AU7167600A (fr)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5493315A (en) * 1992-10-13 1996-02-20 Gilbarco Inc. Video display control
US5719781A (en) * 1992-10-13 1998-02-17 Gilbarco Inc. Transaction display on video/graphics in fuel dispensers
US5945975A (en) * 1996-04-30 1999-08-31 Dresser Ind Graphics display advertising system for a fuel dispenser
US6008807A (en) * 1997-07-14 1999-12-28 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for controlling the display of objects in a slide show presentation
US6014137A (en) * 1996-02-27 2000-01-11 Multimedia Adventures Electronic kiosk authoring system
US6052629A (en) * 1997-07-18 2000-04-18 Gilbarco Inc. Internet capable browser dispenser architecture

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5493315A (en) * 1992-10-13 1996-02-20 Gilbarco Inc. Video display control
US5719781A (en) * 1992-10-13 1998-02-17 Gilbarco Inc. Transaction display on video/graphics in fuel dispensers
US5734851A (en) * 1992-10-13 1998-03-31 Gilbarco Inc. Multimedia video/graphics in fuel dispensers
US6014137A (en) * 1996-02-27 2000-01-11 Multimedia Adventures Electronic kiosk authoring system
US5945975A (en) * 1996-04-30 1999-08-31 Dresser Ind Graphics display advertising system for a fuel dispenser
US6008807A (en) * 1997-07-14 1999-12-28 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for controlling the display of objects in a slide show presentation
US6052629A (en) * 1997-07-18 2000-04-18 Gilbarco Inc. Internet capable browser dispenser architecture

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1102221A3 (fr) 2002-05-02
AU7167600A (en) 2001-05-24

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