AU2010241225A1 - Information communication apparatus, method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

5 Abstract An information communication apparatus, method and system for providing a means to utilize idle digital display screens to communicate with, and display information from, remote sources. A Monitoring the activity level of a source device Switching the screen of a computer-enabled source device (e.g. computer, PDA, smart phone, digital television panel) to show a virtual interface to the screen of a remote device (e.g. networked computer, server, internet or other network, any distributed computing system) when the source device enters idle mode Communicating information (e.g. from one or more information sources) to an audience to whom the screen of the source device is visible by displaying the virtual interface on the screen of the source device Enabling a member of the audience to communicateback to B or interact with the remote device through the virtual interface by inputting data into the source device via any suitable data input means

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE STANARD PATENT Name and Address of Applicant: Stuart Marsh 223 Woodland St Balgowlah NSW 2093 Australia Actual Inventor[s]: Stuart Marsh Thomas Blackden Address for Service: 1 PLACE PATENT ATTORNEYS+ SOLICITORS Suite 404 / 107 Walker St NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2060 FOR THE INVENTION ENTITLED: Information communication apparatus, method and system The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5 TITLE INFORMATION COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM INTRODUCTION 10 The present invention relates to a computer-enabled information communication apparatus, including a digital display screen of a computer-enabled device such as a television, a computer or a mobile device such as a smart phone. COPYRIGHT NOTICE 15 This document is subject to copyright. The reproduction, communication and distribution of this document is not permitted without prior consent from the copyright owner, other than as permitted under section 226 of the Patents Act 1990. 20 BACKGROUND Many devices including televisions, smart phones, set-top boxes or computers have a visual display screen with software controlling the visual display screen. There are also standalone screens with computer chips incorporated within them, 25 such that the screen is a computer-enabled device. In the past, plasma screens and analogue screens would suffer from image burn-in if left on when the computer-enabled device was idle. As a result, the use of "screensavers" became commonplace as a way to avoid the problem of burn-in 30 and thus "save" screens from damage. LCD and new plasma display screens do not suffer from the same problem. Thus screensavers are no longer required to perform the purpose for which they were originally designed. Nevertheless, the use of screensavers is still common - often as a way of 35 protecting the privacy of underlying information within the computer from access by unauthorised people, or for entertainment. 2 5 The prevalence of screensavers has sought some to incorporate devices within screensavers to passively display (communication) of information. For example, US 2004/0049533 involves the display of information in a screensaver, which can be interactively selected by the user through having one section of the screensaver reserved for user input. However, a disadvantage of this means for information 10 display is that it is not interactive for other devices such as smart phones and television panels. Further, such screensaver devices require software and cookies to be incorporated into the user's computer. This raises security concerns since downloaded software can introduce: (a) computer viruses and/or other forms of malware; 15 (b) configuration problems which produce system instability; (c) control of the viewing environment (unified selection of appropriate material in corporate and consumer environments may be preferred), and/or (d) limitations in platform selection. 20 Technology has been suggested to allow a Web browser to be implemented on to a screen without using downloadable transient or resident programs (see Korean patent application number 1020047005418 and WO 03/032146). This technology described is used for dynamically adapting the web browser to suit different contexts but requires a user to launch a browser as a means to surf the internet. 25 Displaying of a web browser within a screensaver has also been developed so that the web browser acts as a portal to content on the screensaver (e.g. advertising data) when a computer device is idle or passive (as shown in patent application US 10/061558). However, the content displayed has no contextual relationship with 30 the audience's browsing history or contextual relevance to the audience. Further, the browser navigates to a single predefined page that is neither customisable nor interactive. Separately there has been the development of running a variety of applications 35 from within the web browser interface, so these applications are executed from a server environment where the browser calls and executes applications on the 5 client's screen display as an interface to the server. In this scenario, the web browser does not require software to be downloaded and installed or to be run on a client's computer or any form scripting language to be incorporated (see patent WO 2007 1402 37A2). Other variations on this theme have been the use of terminal computing and hypervisors. Other approaches have used (Software as a 10 Service (SaaS) and/or "Webtop" applications which is a desktop environment embedded web browser which integrates a variety of client server applications and web services et cetera. One of the areas that has been problematic in displaying advertising via a web 15 browser is the use of a custom window designed to display advertising such as pop-ups and banners. These have been designed to attract the user's attention by disrupting the user's browsing activity. However, the disadvantages of disruptive advertising are well known. 20 It would be useful to have means to: 1. display information including advertising on a digital screen when the screen is idle, that is, when the user is not inputting information or browsing; and 2. display of information which has been pushed or promoted from a remote 25 source. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new or alternative information communication apparatus, method and system, by providing means to utilise idle digital display screens for displaying/communicating information..

5 Detailed description of preferred embodiments According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an information communication apparatus for displaying and communicating information, including: a. a computer-enabled source device, said source device: 10 i. having access to a screen; and ii. being switchable between an idle mode and an active mode, wherein said idle mode is activated when: a) the source device falls below a threshold level of activity; or 15 b) is programmed to switch to idle mode at a scheduled date/day/time; b. an information communication means for communicating information between the source device and a computer-enabled remote device, 20 said remote device providing idle mode information, wherein said remote device includes one or more of: i. a networked computer; ii. a computer network; iii. a server; 25 iv. the cloud; v. the internet; vi. another form of networked or distributed computing; c. a computer program product embodied in a computer readable storage means accessible by the source device, the computer 30 program product comprising programming instructions for the source device to access information on a remote device when the source device enters idle mode, r% 5 wherein the screen of the source device is enabled to display idle mode information from the remote device when the source device is in idle mode. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an information communication apparatus for displaying and communicating information, 10 including: a. a computer-enabled source device, said source device: i. having access to a screen; and ii. being switchable between an idle mode and an active mode, wherein said idle mode is activated when: 15 c) the source device falls below a threshold level of activity; or d) is programmed to switch to idle mode at a scheduled date/day/time; b. an information communication means for communicating 20 information between the source device and a computer-enabled remote device, said remote device providing idle mode information, wherein said remote device includes one or more of: i. a networked computer; 25 ii. a computer network; iii. a server; iv. the cloud; v. the internet; vi. another form of networked or distributed computing; 30 c. a computer program product embodied in a computer readable storage means accessible by the source device, the computer program product comprising programming instructions for the source device to access the virtual screen of the remote device when the source device enters idle mode 35 wherein the screen of the source device is enabled to display idle mode information from the remote device when the source device is in idle mode.

A

5 According to further aspect of the invention, there is provided an information communication system comprising: (a) a plurality of computer-enabled source devices, each said source device having a screen and being switchable between an idle mode and an 10 active mode; (b) an information communication means for communicating information between the source device and a computer-enabled remote device, said remote device providing idle mode information to the source device's screen, 15 (c) a computer program product comprising programming instructions for each said source device to access the idle mode information of the remote device when said source device enters idle mode wherein the screens of said plurality of source devices collectively form part of an electronic billboard, said billboard being able to communicate idle mode 20 information from one or more information sources to an audience to whom a source device is visible, wherein said idle mode information is accessed by the remote device and communicated to the audience by displaying the idle mode information on one or more screens of one or more source devices. 25 According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of information communication including the steps of: a. monitoring the activity level of a source device, the source device: i. having access to a screen; and 30 ii. being switchable between an idle mode and an active mode; b. switching the screen of the source device to show a browser with a specific URL when the source device enters idle mode; displaying the browser on the screen of the source device such that idle mode information is communicable via the browser to an audience to whom the screen 35 of the source device is visible.

5 According to still yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided an information communication method including the steps of: a. monitoring the activity level of a source device, the source device: i. having access to a screen; and 10 ii. being switchable between an idle mode and an active mode; b. switching the screen of the source device to show a virtual screen of a remote device when the source device enters idle mode; c. displaying the virtual screen on the screen of the source device such that idle mode information is communicable to an audience to whom 15 the screen of the source device is visible. The present invention thus provides a new or alternative information communication apparatus, system and method, including means to utilise idle digital display screens (e.g. computer screens) for displaying/communicating information. 20 For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may be performed, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 25 FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration of an information communication apparatus according to a preferred embodiment. FIGURE 2 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary arrangement of a virtual screen to the screen of a remote computer-enabled device according to an 30 embodiment of the information communication apparatus. FIGURE 3 is an alternative arrangement of the virtual screen of Figure 2 showing a mashup of sub-screens on a screen page. 35 FIGURE 4 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of an information communication system according to the invention.

5 FIGURE 5 is a flowchart showing two embodiments of an information communication method according to the invention. Figure 5A (above the dashed line) is a preferred embodiment of the information communication method. 10 Figure 5B is an alternative embodiment of the method of Figure 5A including the further step of enabling interactivity. Referring to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of the information communication apparatus 100 includes programming instructions 110 to enable a user's computer 15 enabled device 120 (the source device) to be switchable between an "idle mode" and an "active mode". An idle mode is when the activity of the source device 120 falls below a threshold level of activity (e.g. a user-defined threshold such as a period of time during which there is no activity on the source device 120). 20 Actuator The ability to be switchable from "active mode" to "idle mode" may be configured via an actuator to enable threshold settings to be selected, directly or remotely, to change the operation of the device between active mode and idle mode. For example, settings can be set to detect one or more thresholds including the 25 following: 1. Activity: a. an idle period in i. Detection meeting a predetermined threshold. For example if a camera detects no light then this may indicate that the 30 computer-enabled device such as a laptop, computer or iPad is contained in a bag, a pocket or a darkened room, so the device goes to sleep rather than entering idle mode; ii. User interaction meeting a predetermined threshold interval can be pre-set. User interaction can include input from keyboard, 35 moue/track pad/touchscreen, microphone, camera or other input devices; 5 iii. output such as image or sound so that display of films or the playing of music are not disturbed; 2. Time and location: a. the time period of the day specific to the time zone or geolocation of the device to reflect potential viewer's diurnal rhythms, such that idle 10 mode may, for example, be set to have limited sound out during 11 pm & 7 am so as not to inadvertently disturb household members, midday to 2 pm may be food related idle mode information; weekends may be leisure related information; 3. Position: 15 a. the position and motion of the devices: for example if it is laying horizontal or face down, or moving back and forth quickly (such as being the pocket of a user), then the idle mode is not activated. The idle mode and the active mode need not be mutually exclusive in that the idle 20 mode setting may still allow active mode information be revealed. For example, an active mode may be gleaned as a transparent background if so set via the actuator settings. The setting of the overlay idle mode screen is enabled to be configured with a level of transparency so as to enable the underlying screen to be viewed or hidden. 25 To take the example of a source device such as a screen on the door of a fridge which always displays the fridge's internal temperature and/or contents such as "you are out of eggs" which may be enabled to shown as an underlying "active mode screen" with the transparent idle mode information in the overlay of the 30 screen so that the underlying "you are out of eggs" is enabled to be viewed. The term browser and webpage are used broadly to cover information displayed and communicated by any application where information from remote sources is enabled to be accessed and viewed. Therefore, gadgets, applications, RSS feeders 35 and so on are envisage to be included by the inventor. 1 A 5 The source device 120 has access to its own screen (i.e. the source device's screen) 160 (e.g. is connected to a screen or integrated with a screen). When a source device 120 and it's associated source screen(s) 160 becomes idle, the programming instructions 110 activate a browser on the source device 120 as shown on the source screen 160. The programming instructions 110 further enable the browser 10 to display information (hereafter referred to as "idle mode information" from a source such as a web location (such as a URL or pathname) for displaying and/or communicating information onto the source screen(s) 160. The display information when referred to as "idle mode information" is 15 distinguished from "active mode information" which is displayed by the computer when it is: a) actively used; b) accessing information which is may reside on the computer's hard drive; or c) potentially private information. 20 Therefore, idle mode is specifically defined to include events such as when external input falls below a preset threshold, is accessing the computer's local storage or accessing secure information. Idle mode information is also specified information, which is a restricted subset of information provided by one or more of the following: 25 a. access rights; b. policy; or c. one or more specified locations; wherein information displayed is limited to one or more specific locations such as intranet communications, policy setting such as publically acceptable information 30 and/or publically available information such that private information is not accessed. The information communication apparatus 100 enables control of the browser by a user inputting data 170 by any suitable data input means 180 into the source 35 device 120. The invention offers the advantage of utilising "idle" computer 11 5 resources for the display of idle mode information, with which a user can interact to perform an action. Preferably, the display of idle mode information takes place when the computer becomes "idle", allocating computer resources for the display of idle mode 10 information. This enables a user to perform an action without accessing the contents of the "active" computer's hard drive and the associated "active" mode information. Preferably still, when idle mode information is enabled to display on a source 15 computer's web browser, this idle mode information is the equivalent to a "guest" or restricted login on the "idle" source device 120 and source screen 160. The term "guest" login is used here to highlight the setting of a low level of access and alteration rights on the source computer. These "guest" login rights are enabled to limit access to idle mode information sites according to the policy of the "guest" 20 login setup. More preferably, the "idle" computer is enabled to display a web browser with specific idle mode information such that the user can interact with any or specific information displayed depending on the configuration of the actuator. An 25 information communication apparatus according to any one of the proceeding claims wherein said actuator switchable displaying of screens from "active mode information" to "idle mode information" is the switching of screens between the overlay and the underlying positions on the screen such that the transparency of the overlying screen is enabled to be preset such that the underlying screen is 30 viewable or non-viewable. The most unrestricted configuration will include "idle mode information" being able to view information without restriction; however, in a restricted configuration, the user is unable to move from the boundaries of the specified idle 35 mode information - that is, the user is limited from surfing within the browser fully but only with the specified locations. 12 5 Referring to Figure 1, an alternate embodiment of the information communication apparatus 100 includes programming instructions 110 to enable a user's computer enabled device 120 (the source device) to control a virtual screen 130 of a remote computer-enabled device 150 (the remote device). This virtual screen 130 is 10 enabled to display idle mode information via a browser based technology or via an application executed on the remote computer. In the alternate embodiment the information communication apparatus 100 enables control of a virtual screen 130 to the remote device 150 by a user inputting 15 data 170 by any suitable data input means 180 into the source device 120. The invention offers the advantage of utilising idle computer resources for the display of idle mode information, with which a user can interact to perform an action. In the preferred and alternate embodiments, the information communication 20 apparatus 100 includes means to display idle mode information on a digital display screen 160 of a source device 120, such as an idle computer screen in a workplace - that is, a computer screen not actively in use by the designated user of that computer. In this way, the computer-enabled source devices 120 (e.g. computers) of one or more registered users of the information communication apparatus 100 25 in effect collectively form part of a virtual electronic billboard (refer item 260 in Figure 4) when those source devices 120 are in "idle mode". The information communication apparatus may be used as an advertising medium for communicating advertising or promotional information during the display of 30 idle mode information. Therefore, in this arrangement, idle mode information is a specified and restricted subset of all information that may be available. This idle mode information is enabled to be used as an information distribution means for disseminating any information or content, including news content - such as emergency services notifications, weather warnings, local traffic warnings, or 35 financial information. It may also be used to disseminate educational content and may be particularly useful in relation to information often learnt by rote such 1ll 5 as "sight" words (spelling), mathematical 'times tables', grammatical rules and so on. Referring to Figure 1, in the preferred and alternate embodiments, the information communication apparatus 100 includes: 10 b. a source computer-enabled device (source device) 120 having access to (e.g. by being integrated with or connected by any suitable communication means) its own display screen 160; c. information communication means 200 for communicating with a second or remote computer-enabled device (remote device) 150. The remote 15 device 150 may be any one of a networked computer, a computer, a network, a server, the cloud, the internet or any other form of networked or distributed computing. The information communication means 200 may also include a proxy server (see item 270 in Figure 4 and/or a network [including the internet or networked or distributed computing system] as 20 shown schematically as item 280 in Figure 4). In the preferred embodiment, when the activity level of the source device 120 falls below a certain threshold as assessed by any suitable method of assessing computer activity (e.g. a predefined duration of inactivity), this triggers programming instructions 110 that cause the source computer 120 to activate a 25 browser followed by linking to a location, via a URL or pathname, to link to a remote device 150 via the source's device's 120 browser. In the alternate embodiment, when the activity level of the source device 120 falls below a certain threshold as assessed by any suitable method of assessing 30 computer activity (e.g. a predefined duration of inactivity), this triggers programming instructions 110 that cause the source computer 120 to access the virtual screen 130 of the remote device 150. Preferably in the alternate embodiment, the remote device 150 is enabled to 35 provide a plurality of virtual screens 130 to a plurality of source device 120 screens 100. 1Al 5 Further preferably in the alternate embodiment, depending on the behavioural file (discussed below) characteristics captured from each unique source device 120, the remote device is enabled to provide a plurality of unique virtual screens to each of the plurality of unique source device 120 depending on each source 10 device's behavioural file. In the preferred embodiment, it is preferable that the remote device 150 is enabled to be one or more remote devices which are enabled to provide a plurality of locations, such as URLs and/or pathnames, to a plurality of source device 120 15 screens 100. Further, depending on the behavioural file characteristics captured from each unique source device's 120 browser, the remote device is enabled to provide a plurality of unique URLs and/or pathnames to each of the plurality of unique 20 source device 120 depending on each source device's behavioural file. For example, a hypothetical scenario is as follows for the preferred (using a source device's browser to access URLS and/or pathnames) and the alternate embodiment (using a virtual screen) as described: 25 a. if each of a plurality of source devices each have unique browsing characteristics on Facebook T M , including a unique login and password, which form part of the each source device's behavioural file, b. then each source device 120, when it becomes idle is set to communicate with the remote device's 150 virtual screen 130 (alternate embodiment) or 30 URLS and/or pathnames (preferred embodiment), c. resulting in a unique virtual screen 130 (alternate embodiment) or set of URLs and/or pathnames (preferred embodiment) being displayed on the particular source device's 120 source screen 160 such as the specific Facebook T M page particular to the source computer's 120 behavioural file is displayed. 35 5 Referring to Figure 2, the information communication apparatus 100 may further include an interactive screen page 210 to provide the user with a screen page 210 displaying one or more idle mode information sources and means to make a purchase or otherwise interact with idle mode information visible on the screen page 210. The screen page 210 is viewed through either the browser of the source 10 device or the virtual screen 130of the remote device 150. Figure 2 shows an exemplary arrangement in which more than one screen page 210 may be accessible to a viewer (e.g. by switching or scrolling between screen pages). The idle mode information in the interactive screen page 210 is enabled to be 15 displayed by scrolling, rolling, rotated or changed in a manner and frequency suited to the user's requirements. In the exemplary arrangement illustrated in Figure 3, the screen page 210 may include a plurality of sub-screens 230 mashed up together so a variety of different information sources are displayed simultaneously on the same screen page 210. 20 In the preferred and alternate embodiments the user's computer-enabled device (source device) 120 (Figure 1) will display content (idle mode information) from remote sites displayed through a source device's browser (preferred embodiment) or via a virtual screen 130 (alternate embodiment) to a remote computer-enabled 25 device (remote device) 150 when the source device 120 enters idle mode. The term "idle mode" in relation to the source device 120 describes a situation when a user's input into the source device 120 is below a specified (configured) threshold. When the source device 120 crosses the threshold of idleness, the 30 source device 120 switches from the source device screen 160 to displaying the webpage of a remote device 150 or virtual screen 130. Referring to Figure 4, in the preferred and alternate embodiments, the remote device 150 may further include: 35 1. one or more remote servers (e.g. item 270); 2. a network (including the internet, or any distributed computer system represented schematically by item 280); and/or 1 A 5 3. one or more virtual computer(s); so that the source device 120 is displaying idle mode information directly from a remote device 150. By directly displaying idle mode information in the alternate embodiment, the 10 information is: 1. not interpreted by the user's or source device 120; 2. does not display the information through a browser or other source device applications that can be enabled to modify the information; and 3. no downloading of data onto the source device 120 is required to update 15 information (e.g. a news update, change of advertising "reel", a new information source). In the preferred and alternate embodiments, the remote device 150 may still further include unique behavioural files for each source computer such that the 20 source device 120 is displaying idle mode information uniquely applicable to it and different from other source devices which are also directly accessing the remote device (be it the same or other remote device). The unique idle mode information displayed on each of a plurality of source devices is delivered by the remote device and not interpreted by each of the unique source devices. 25 Effectively, as the activity of the user's computer-enabled device (source device) changes to idle mode, its screen display shifts from displaying the desktop or page of an active application on the source device to idle mode information sourced from one or more remote device(s). 30 Preferably, in both the preferred and alternate embodiments, the information communication apparatus 100 is interactive, allowing a third party user to make a purchase, request information, accept an offer, obtain a quote or otherwise interact with the idle mode information being displayed on the screen 160 of a source computer-enabled device 120 in idle mode without interfering with the 35 underlying desktop. 17 5 In a preferred embodiment, when the activity of the source device 120 falls below a threshold level (referred to hereafter as "idle mode"), the source device 120 is switched automatically to displaying, via a browser, the idle mode information from a remote device 150 (including a network, the internet, the cloud or any other form of networked or distributed computing). This is enabled by 10 programming instructions 110 in a computer program product (software) accessible by the source device 120. The programming instructions 110 automatically trigger the source device 120 to switch to a browser to display specific information from a remote device 150 when the source device 120 enters idle mode. The idle mode information from the remote computer-enabled device 15 150 is programmed to display a customisable user interface (described below). The idle mode information from a remote device 150 may be present and, if present, may or may not show the one or more of the plurality of information sites that are shown on the one or more source screens 160. 20 In an alternate embodiment, when the activity of the source device 120 falls below a threshold level, the source device 120 is switched automatically to displaying the virtual screen 130 of a remote device 150 (including a network, the internet, the cloud or any other form of networked or distributed computing). This is enabled by programming instructions 110 in a computer program product (software) 25 accessible by the source device 120. The programming instructions 110 automatically trigger the source device 120 to switch to the virtual screen 130 to the screen of the remote device 150 when the source device 120 enters idle mode. The virtual screen 130 of the remote computer-enabled device 150 is programmed to display a customisable user interface (described below). A remote screen 140 of 30 a remote device 150 may be present and, if present, may or may not show the one or more of the plurality of virtual screens 130 that are shown on the one or more source screens 160. Referring back to Figure 1, the computer program includes programming 35 instructions 110 to provide a user of the source computer-enabled device 120 with a warning (e.g. a countdown timer or some other alert) that the source device 120 1 R 5 is about to enter idle mode, which will in turn result in the screen 160 being switched to display either: 1. active a web browser and point it to a specified URL or path name on the source screen 160 on the source device 120 (preferred embodiment); or. 2. the virtual screen 130 of a remote device 150 (alternate embodiment). 10 The computer program includes programming instructions 110 that enable the user to prevent the source device from entering into an idle mode, hence interrupting the trigger that switches the screen of the source device 120 to display the idle mode information from the remote device 150. 15 In another arrangement of the alternate embodiment, the computer program may further include programming instructions 110 that allow the user to delay the switching of the source screen 160 to the virtual screen 130, or to minimise the view of the virtual screen 130 on the source device screen 160 while re-activating the source device. In this way, users can retain access to the virtual screen 130 20 while using the source device 120. This is useful if users wish to continue an activity on the source device 120 via the source screen 160 while also performing an action on the virtual screen 130 of the remote device. In a further arrangement of the preferred and alternate embodiments, the 25 computer program may also include programming instructions that enable the source device 120 to be locked from use by a third party but allows limited two way communication. That is, communication relating only to the idle mode information being displayed on the relevant screen page 210 (see Figures 4 and 5) of the 30 1. preferred embodiment's browser, or 2. alternate embodiment's virtual screen at any given time, even while the source device 120 remains in "idle mode". In any embodiment, the information communication apparatus allows two-way 35 communication, including: 10 5 a. communicating information, say regarding a product or a service (e.g. advertising or promotional information), to a member of a target audience; and b. a member of the target audience communicating information back to the information provider (or relevant intermediary), say regarding a purchase, 10 credit card and delivery details, an information request. Referring to Figure 2, the following takes place: 1. the preferred embodiment's browser; or 2. the alternate embodiment's virtual screen 130 are at least party customisable by a user of the source device to receive 15 information via a remote or second device. For example, 1. the browser of the source device (preferred embodiment); or 2. the virtual screen 130 (alternate embodiment), receive information from a remote device which may contain one or more interactive screen pages 210 (see also Figure 3) that are able to be selected by the 20 user. To elucidate further, the selected idle mode information displayed may be simply a user's Facebook T M page, news and/or technology site, or targeted meaningful information such as local traffic flows determined for the user's local transport 25 routes, price comparisons for goods of interest locally/globally and/or arbitrage opportunities made by fluctuations in currency exchanges globally. Here, the 1. browser of the source device (preferred embodiment); or 2. the virtual screen 130 (alternate embodiment), also allows the user to set preferences, e.g. through a preference/control/settings 30 page or page part (hereafter, the control bar) 220. Thus the information communication apparatus 100 (Figure 1) is enabled to communicate to one or more information sources to an audience in viewing distance from a screen 160 of an idle source device 120 and to provide means for

,)A

5 members of the audience to interact (e.g. make a purchase) with information from a remote device 150 through the browser (preferred embodiment) or virtual screen 130 (alternate embodiment). Referring to Figure 3, there may be a plurality of sub-screens 230 mashed up 10 together in a single screen page 210 so a variety of different idle mode information sources are displayed simultaneously on a single screen page 210. The computer program includes programming instructions that enable a user to select sub screens 230 for display through the browser (preferred embodiment) or virtual screen 130 (alternate embodiment) on the source device's screen 160 - for 15 example, the programming instructions that allow user selection can be activated by the user making selections in a control bar 220 as depicted in Figure 2 or other similar means for setting user preferences. This enables the browser (preferred embodiment) or virtual screen 130 (alternate embodiment) to be utilised by the user of the first device in a manner analogous to an opening homepage for a web 20 browser, displaying the user's selection of idle mode information sources (e.g. selected or favourite websites) and other idle mode information targeted to the user's geographic location and/or time zone. The computer program may also include programming instructions that enable a 25 user to change the sub-screens displayed on the user interface according to different times of the day or "day parts" (e.g. via the control bar 220 [refer Figure 2]) . This would allow, for example: (a) news feeds, stock reports and, say, weather to be displayed to the user in the morning; and 30 (b) say, personal webmail, sports reports, localised retail offers and other personal interest information to display in the evening. A user can determine preferences (including settings) that affect, say, the frequency of change in idle mode information displayed (i.e. how frequently information is displayed, or how frequently the information sources in each sub 35 screen change), preferred sources of information, preferred nature of content (e.g. interests), or number of simultaneous sub-screens. The information 21 5 communication apparatus is enabled to access these settings so that idle mode information displayed on any given digital display is in accordance with user determined preferences. Idle mode information is enabled to be displayed in any suitable manner - for example, by scrolling, rolling, rotating or changing in a manner and frequency suited to the user's requirements. 10 If the user's pre-selected frequency of change in idle mode information displayed is too low, or if no new information is appearing, then the remote (second) computer-enabled device is enabled to move the selected display at one or more sub-screens (or the entire "home" or screen page) to another site - such as an 15 associated site or other sites of "interest". "Interest" is determined by a behavioural file at the remote site collecting idle mode information on the user's interest associated with their 'Globally Unique Identifier' (GUID) and IP address or like unique identifying parameters. The 20 behavioural file will record the interspersion of new information as it is displayed, selected and/or redirected by the user. Frequency of change in idle mode information display refers to the changing of display content by moving across content as an observer would pass down a street 25 or shopping isle with topics of interest passing until the user paused to examine more closely the displayed content. This requires the rotation, refocusing or metamorphosis of content as the user realigns and refocuses their eye to observe something in the immediate vicinity or in the peripheral distance. 30 The frequency of change of idle mode information can also be tied into the demographic and time zone of the observer. For example, individuals who have a viewing profile as determined from their behavioural profile that places them into an age group of between 24 and 35 years of age who are located in the time zone of +10 hours Greenwich Mean Time (such as this could be Sydney, Australia) will be 35 given specific information as to the weather and the news early in the morning, financial information as the stock market at around the world and assortments of 9Y9 5 offers regarding food and cocktails around mealtimes. This would allow particular advertisers to target users of a particular demographic very precisely. Further, non-corporate environments such as safe home environments idle mode information can be displayed in passive nature regarding stock portfolios belonging 10 to the immediate casual observer. If there is a sudden fall or rise in a particular stock of interest to the casual observer, there can be voice activation of the computer such that a trade is performed when the user utters specific words such as "buy" or "sell". Likewise, programs such as Facebook can be voice activated such that messages to selected friends are performed. Voice activation is able to 15 be performed by intermediate programs such as DragonDictateTM or other inbuilt voice-activated programs. Other means of import include camera interfaces that detect particular biometrics of the user (Xbox KinectTM performs this biometrics detection as an intermediate program) such that specific users can activate programs that are passively displaying or scrolling across the display, such that 20 with particular movements or combination of movement and sound particular commands can be input into the computer from the display. The advantage of such passive display of idle mode information that is unable to be interfaced with as it arises from the screen is that the real time data is able to 25 be interacted with over and above the current searching of data that currently needs to take place. Consequently, idle mode information is able to be caught by an observer through the corner of their eye such that they are able to interact with that idle mode information immediately. There is no delay or the task needing to be at top of mind for an interaction to take place. The user merely needs to select 30 a series of idle mode information displays to be displayed when the computer is idle, such that information updates are available at all times through the glance of an eye. The advantage of a virtual screen over browser content is that there is not the 35 limitation of display since browsers display either statically or via flash content which is not accessible for display currently on many platforms such as smart 5 phones. Additionally, information has to be searched for on a Web browser and therefore even before research can be performed the information request has to be the top of mind task. Many tasks need to be performed but they are forgotten since they are not top of mind. Consequently the exposure of idle mode information via passive display removes the need to be searching actively. The 10 ability to wonder through an idle mode information scape, albeit a landscape, shopscape or some other form of information scape, that the user has derived. This provides an interesting appeal for display on an idle computer. The term "scape" is used to express a view that may take many different forms. 15 For example, the landscape usually involves a panoramic view to enable the viewer to get a high level overview of all objects and their relationship to each other. An idle mode information scape may display structured and unstructured information such that an overview and a directional flow between componentry data and resultant information are observed. A shopscape is to portray a user wandering 20 through streets window-shopping before entering the shop of their selection. The flow of idle mode information within all these "scape" presentations is enabling the user to direct the path taken within the display offered. The more adventurous of these scapes are offered in virtual worlds such as second life and the life where many purchases of goods (both visual and actual) and services are available. For 25 example, I am to buy goods and or services that I can use in either the virtual world or my actual world. The advantage of providing a means to have different scapes being displayed on an idle computer is that a game or virtual world or any other scape is selection can be 30 offered to boost displayed idle mode information that does not have the normal barriers that have formed through advertising in the traditional media. In the ages of teenagers to people in their early 30s there have been many obstacles that are form where traditional banner advertising magazine advertising and other forms of advertising do not penetrate the minds of these age groups. 35 5 Consequently, advertising in grey or quasi-legal markets opened up such that in the early to late part of this decade it was observed that corporate advertising was moving strongly across to the illegal download sites. The reasoning behind this was often proposed that the sites enabled users to directly access information or products that they were interesting instead of being pushed upon them and that 10 they were receptive to such advertising as opposed to a blindness to advertising that they had developed through traditional advertising. Therefore, the user dictating information that they want to be displayed and having this information displayed when the observer is receptive rather than performing specific tasks on a computer is beneficial. 15 The advantage of providing idle mode information in various "scapes" is that they are able to be contextually adaptive such that the information can be displayed and adapted to a particular environment without any complex program(s) being installed. The idle mode information displayed in different scapes is enabled to 20 have different forms of functionality provided with it such that access, purchase, delivery and payment can take place through voice, body movement or traditional input devices. Consequently, the purchase of shares via a share trade may be executed by voice command "buy", whereas the purchase of product from online site to be delivered to a particular address may take place by more traditional 25 means. The setting up of scape environments is determined via the behavioural file's information, the content of idle mode information being displayed, the history that has been displayed and had an action associated with it (such as user responding 30 to the display), the users demographic detail such as the age location preferences and other selections such as preferences declared by the user or options provided by third party. When the casual bystander, in the vicinity of a display, has a thought that pops up 35 in the mind they are enabled to perform a search via activation of the display. This can be performed through the use of normal input devices, including a keyboard, 5 voice or other forms of computer activation. Consequently, searches will be performed and transmitted to a remote Web server or performed directly upon a remote computer, such that privacy of the user's request may be provided along with security of the first computer's assets such as information contained on the first computer's hard drive and/or executed in RAM. Consequently operation 10 security is protected. In a further embodiment, the program that executes the measurement of computer activity such that it displays either the source or a remote computer's display, is installed into RAM on the source computer (user's computer) and 15 executed. The program is able to be downloaded or installed using the variety of ways used to install and execute programs. In yet another embodiment, a remote computer is enabled to be accessed via a browser on the user's computer which enables the controlled installation of 20 software. The installation of software can be enabled by the user selecting the installation or upon a specific trigger being activated - such as opening a specific webpage or requesting the software implementation. Once the software is installed, a remote or second server is able to transfer 25 instructions to the user's (first) computer when it becomes idle without having a requirement for a user to be present at the idle computer for this software activation to take place. Such browser-based implementation of software installation does not need to be 30 platform specific since there are many different methods to run software including JAVA Virtual machines which use a platform independent language (JAVA). In alternative embodiments the implementation of application program interfaces (APIs) can be incorporated into the web browser in the form of plug-ins and the like. 35 5 In yet a still further embodiment, a remote computer is enabled to be accessed via a hypervisor in the form of client being executed on the first computer such that any idle mode information accessed via the hypervisor, or browser within a hypervisor, will be completely separate from the host operating system of the first computer. That is anything that is run or executed in a hypervisor client 10 environment is jailed within the client hypervisor and cannot contaminate the host operating system on the first computer. In its simplest form, the computing resources required to run the interactive displays such as news, finance, et cetera may consist of a rotation of the content 15 history within the browser optionally on a full screen (often the selection of F11 on PCs will remove the tabs and menu bars so that the content will fill the screen). Here, the content of the browser is the content in the user's computer's browser; however, remote browsers or displays may be selected such as a company's Local or Wide Area Networks (LAN or WAN) intranet or a campaign server such that a 20 political or community announcements are enabled to be displayed on idle computers. A local or a remote Web browser can display a mashup, which is a webpage or application that combines data presentation and/or functionality from multiple 25 remote sources. A mashup in different embodiments can be a web-based client application or a cloud hosted application accessing using a variety of GUI widgets and services which, in the preferred embodiment, provides interactive advertising specific to the user's geolocation and behavioural profile. 30 The web browser is enabled to perform the analysis from the data obtained either locally, remotely or via a networked or distributed system. Examples of displays performing networked or distributed computation include Seti@home. For example, the unused capacity of desktop machines are enabled be reallocated 35 to other computer applications locally or remotely. Techniques for allocation of resource can include the use of hypervisors wherein the excess capacity is the 9)7 5 hypervisor which analyses data that it accesses from local or remote sources. The analysis of computer aided tomography of cancers and the like are typical analyses that are performed. Likewise, such excess computer capacity can also be sold in computer units that are part of a distributed or cloud computing resource. This can add to the book value of a company and be used to offset IT costs. 10 Excess capacity is also enabled to access information or to search for and access information that may be of interest to the user(s), such as executing a preset task. For example, a preset task may include selecting and downloading one or more movies at the lowest cost within a range specified by the user. The selection is 15 enabled to be based on the user's behavioural file information. The advantages of using networked or distributed computing with the networked or distributed operating system are that multiple autonomous computations are taking place, each computation taking place on its own. Such networked or distributed computing is very stable because it ensures that the networked or 20 distributed operating system will not crash because local failures are tolerated. Examples of networked or distributed computing include Skype VoIP where a local node (each computer on the Skype network) is indexed as active or not at a Supernode (the local node which has been elevated in status) which will contain 25 information of approximately 200 nodes which will be constantly sharing this index within a Supernode such that indexes have been constantly updated. In other embodiments of the invention there can be the implementation of the networked or distributed operating system such as Inferno, which in itself is a virtual machine that is distributed. This would provide complete interactive idle 30 mode information to be provided and allow purchases et cetera to be made without installing programs onto the computer. Further, the user can return to local computer operations at any stage. Referring to Figure 4, the present invention also provides an information 35 communication system 250. The information communication system 250 includes one or more registered users, each registered user's source device 120 becoming 5 part of the information communication medium, the collective source devices 180 forming part of a virtual electronic billboard 260. The information communication system 250 may include one or more proxy servers 270 and a network 280 (including the internet, the cloud or any networked or distributed computing system), to enable the communication of information from one or more remote 10 devices 150 to one or more source devices 120. Referring to Figure 5, two embodiments of an information communication method are illustrated. The alternate embodiment (depicted in Figure 5, above the dashed line) and the preferred embodiment includes the steps of: 15 (a) monitoring the activity level of a source device (step 300); (b) switching the screen 160 of the source device 120 to show either: a. a browser accessing information from a specified URL or pathname to remote device when the source device 120 enters idle mode (step 310) (preferred embodiment); or 20 b. a virtual screen 130 of a remote device when the source device 120 enters idle mode (step 310) (alternate embodiment); and (c) communicating idle mode information (e.g. from one or more information sources) to an audience to whom the screen of the 25 source device is visible by displaying the remote information on the screen of the source device (step 320). In a still yet further embodiment (see Figure 5B, below the dashed line), the method includes the further step of enabling control of the remote device through the virtual screen by inputting data into the source device via any suitable data 30 input means. In yet another embodiment, the method includes the further steps of signing up (registering) multiple users to use of an information communication apparatus (the apparatus being at least in part enabled by software), signing up information 35 providers, enabling registered users to set preferences. 90 5 An advantage of the preferred and alternate embodiments are that they provide a medium to keep casual observers informed of idle mode information that they so desire to have displayed while they are performing other tasks rather than working on the computer-enabled device directly. 10 A further advantage of the alternate embodiment is that it provides means to utilise idle digital display screens (e.g. computer screens) for displaying/communicating information that does not involve frequent downloading of data onto a user's computer e.g. every time information is updated. 15 In the home, the embodiments may be used to communicate educational material where it is useful to have frequent, episodic exposure (such as times tables, "sight" words or other information generally taught through rote learning). 20 Another advantage of the embodiments is that they can be used to distribute information to a plurality of source devices in a manner that does not require a user to log in to a specific website, or turn to a specific television or radio channel. This may be useful for disseminating certain forms of information such as weather warnings, emergency services communications, and traffic reports. 25 Further, in public places such as corporate environments, television, phone and computer display centres, the apparatus of the computer screen is able to be optimised to display corporate information or consumer information where appropriate. 30 The embodiments provide an information communication apparatus for use as a new or alternative means for distributing advertising or other information. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to these particular fields of use and that it is not limited to particular embodiments or 35 applications described herein. In

Claims (24)

1. An information communication apparatus for displaying and communicating information, including: a. a computer-enabled source device, said source device: 10 i. having access to a screen; and ii. being switchable between an idle mode and an active mode, wherein said idle mode is activated when: a) the source device falls below a threshold level of activity; or 15 b) is programmed to switch to idle mode at a scheduled date/day/time; b. an information communication means for communicating information between the source device and a computer-enabled remote device, 20 said remote device providing idle mode information, wherein said remote device includes one or more of: i. a networked computer; ii. a computer network; iii. a server; 25 iv. the cloud; v. the internet; vi. another form of networked or distributed computing; c. a computer program product embodied in a computer readable storage means accessible by the source device, the computer 30 program product comprising programming instructions for the source device to access information on a remote device when the source device enters idle mode, wherein the screen of the source device is enabled to display idle mode information from the remote device when the source device is in idle 35 mode. 5

2. An information communication apparatus for displaying and communicating information, including: a. a computer-enabled source device, said source device: i. having access to a screen; and ii. being switchable between an idle mode and an active mode, 10 wherein said idle mode is activated when: a) the source device falls below a threshold level of activity; or b) is programmed to switch to idle mode at a scheduled date/day/time; 15 b. an information communication means for communicating information between the source device and a computer-enabled remote device, said remote device providing idle mode information, wherein said remote device includes one or more of: 20 i. a networked computer; ii. a computer network; iii. a server; iv. the cloud; v. the internet; 25 vi. another form of networked or distributed computing; c. a computer program product embodied in a computer readable storage means accessible by the source device, the computer program product comprising programming instructions for the source device to access the virtual screen of the remote device 30 when the source device enters idle mode wherein the screen of the source device is enabled to display idle mode information from the remote device when the source device is in idle mode. 35

3. An information communication apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the computer program product further includes programming 5 instructions for the source device to communicate with a remote device to access information, wherein the information accessed is idle mode information visible on the browser of the screen of the source device.

4. An information communication apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 10 wherein the computer program product further includes programming instructions for the remote device to communicate information to the source device, wherein the idle mode information communicated is the virtual screen of the remote device, said virtual screen being visible on the screen of the source device. 15

5. An information communication apparatus according to any one of the proceeding claims wherein the computer program product further includes programming instructions to enable the remote device to be controlled by performing an action on the remote device by inputting of data into the source 20 device, wherein the inputting of data is by any suitable data input means.

6. An information communication apparatus according to any one of the proceeding claims wherein the computer program product further includes programming instructions to enable the unused capacity of the source device 25 to be reallocated to other computer applications locally or remotely.

7. An information communication apparatus according to any one of the proceeding claims including an actuator to enable the screen to be switchable between displaying "active mode information" to "idle mode information". 30

8. An information communication apparatus according to any one of the proceeding claims wherein said actuator is configurable to enable threshold settings to be selected, directly or remotely, the screen to be switchable between displaying "active mode information" to "idle mode information". 35 5

9. An information communication apparatus according to any one of the proceeding claims wherein said actuator is configurable to detect threshold settings including one or more of the following: a. Activity: i. Detection of activity meeting a predetermined threshold 10 including one or more of the following source device's input means: a) a camera wherein if the camera detects no light then this indicates that the source device's screen is not viewable such as a laptop, computer or iPad is contained in a bag, 15 a pocket or a darkened room, so the device goes to sleep rather than entering idle mode; b) input from keyboard, mouse/track pad/touchscreen, microphone, camera or other input devices wherein a predetermined threshold interval is enable to be pre-set 20 such that user interaction thresholds can be set; c) output wherein image and/or sound are preset such that viewer activities including the display of films or the playing of music are not interrupted; b. Time and location: 25 i. the time zone and/or geolocation of the source device are enabled to be set to reflect time period and/or weather actions of the day specific to reflect the potential viewer's diurnal rhythms, such that idle mode may, for example, be set to have limited sound out during sleeping, leisure related information 30 shown during weekend and the like; c. Position: i. the source device's position and/or motion are enabled so the source device's position, such as laying horizontal or face down, and/or motion, including moving back and forth quickly (such as 35 being the pocket of a user), is enabled to stop idle mode being activated. 5

10. An information communication apparatus according to any one of the proceeding claims wherein said actuator switchable displaying of screens from "active mode information" to "idle mode information" is the switching of screens between the overlay and the underlying positions on the screen such that the transparency of the overlying screen is enabled to be preset such that 10 the underlying screen is viewable or non-viewable.

11. An information communication apparatus according to any one of the proceeding claims wherein said idle mode information is specified information, which is determined by one or more of the following: 15 a. access rights; b. policy; or c. one or more specified locations; wherein information displayed is: i. limited to one or more specific locations including intranet sites; 20 ii. policy setting such as publically acceptable information; and/or iii. publically available information such that private information is not accessed.

12. An information communication system comprising: 25 (a) a plurality of computer-enabled source devices, each said source device having a screen and being switchable between an idle mode and an active mode; (b) an information communication means for communicating information between the source device and a computer-enabled remote device, 30 said remote device providing idle mode information to the source device's screen, (c) a computer program product comprising programming instructions for each said source device to access the idle mode information of the remote device when said source device enters idle mode 35 wherein the screens of said plurality of source devices collectively form part of an electronic billboard, said billboard being able to communicate idle mode 5 information from one or more information sources to an audience to whom a source device is visible, wherein said idle mode information is accessed by the remote device and communicated to the audience by displaying the idle mode information on one or more screens of one or more source devices. 10

13. An information communication system according to claim 12 wherein said information from the remote device is communicated in the form of a virtual screen to the source device, said virtual screen being visible on one or more screens of one or more source devices. 15

14. An information communication system according to claim 12 wherein said idle mode information from the remote device is communicated to the browser of the source device, said browser being visible on one or more screens of one or more source devices. 20

15. A method of information communication including the steps of: a. monitoring the activity level of a source device, the source device: i. having access to a screen; and ii. being switchable between an idle mode and an active mode; 25 b. switching the screen of the source device to show a browser with a specific URL when the source device enters idle mode; c. displaying the browser on the screen of the source device such that idle mode information is communicable via the browser to an audience to whom the screen of the source device is visible. 30

16. An information communication method including the steps of: a. monitoring the activity level of a source device, the source device: i. having access to a screen; and ii. being switchable between an idle mode and an active mode; 35 b. switching the screen of the source device to show a virtual screen of a remote device when the source device enters idle mode; 5 c. displaying the virtual screen on the screen of the source device such that idle mode information is communicable to an audience to whom the screen of the source device is visible.

17. An information communication apparatus for displaying and communicating 10 idle mode information as hereinbefore described by reference to the accompanying Figures.

18. An information communication apparatus for displaying and communicating idle mode information as hereinbefore described by reference to the 15 accompanying examples.

19. An information communication system as hereinbefore described by reference to the accompanying Figures.

20 20. An information communication system as hereinbefore described by reference to the accompanying examples.

21. An information communication method as hereinbefore described by reference to the accompanying Figures. 25

22. An information communication method as hereinbefore described by reference to the accompanying examples.

23. A method of information communication as hereinbefore described by 30 reference to the accompanying Figures.

24. A method of information communication as hereinbefore described by reference to the accompanying examples.