GB2326510A

GB2326510A - Visitor guidance system

Info

Publication number: GB2326510A
Application number: GB9713051A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Bateman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-06-21
Filing date: 1997-06-21
Publication date: 1998-12-23
Also published as: GB9713051D0

Description

Visitor Guidance System This invention relates to a visitor guidance system, which herein means a system for enabling visitors readily to find their way around an arena, such as the different stands at an exhibition, or locations such as aisles and/or seats at a football ground, cinema or theatre.

According to one aspect of the invention, a visitor guidance system comprises throughout an arena, mats adhered to the floor immediately adjacent each of a number of locations, each mat visibly bearing a numerical code.

The numerical code may be, for example, a code having meaning in relation to a map supplied to each visitor, or in relation to a ticket supplied to each visitor.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided, for use at an arena, a set of mats visibly bearing different numerical codes, the mats being adapted for adherence to the floor at the arena immediately adjacent the respective locations therein, one mat for each location, whereby, in use, for example in conjunction with a map or ticket with which each visitor is supplied, whereon the various locations are positionally indicated and have corresponding numerical codes associated therewith, visitors are guided around the arena by reference to the mats adhered to the floor.

Each mat may comprise a laminate of a relatively rigid plastics layer printed with its allotted numerical code and a substantially transparent covering layer providing a scuff, scratch and slip resistant surface. The back of the mat preferably has laminated thereto a layer bearing adhesive protected by a release film. The printed plastics layer is preferably made of PVC, conveniently white in colour, to which contrasting printing, conveniently in one or more colours, is applied.

The scuff, scratch and slip resistant transparent layer may also be made of PVC, and conveniently may be about 0.2 mm thick.

Overall, each mat may be rectangular of approximate dimensions 210 mm by 297 mm, and be about 0.4 mm thick.

For use at a dark arena, such as a floodlit football stand, a cinema or a theatre, the mat may alternatively include a layer of photoluminescent material, printed in like manner and adapted in like manner for adherence to the floor (or ground), as above described. In this case, the mat luminesces in the dark and forms a bright background for the non-luminescent printed numerical code. Typically, therefore the printing shows up as a black numerical code on a glowing surround.

The invention is further described with reference, for example, to an exhibition in which the stands are positioned on a rectangular grid having say 10 longitudinal aisles.

In this case, on a map with which each visitor is supplied, the positional relationship of the various stands is shown and each stand on the map is designated with a numerical code. Thus, if there are 20 stands on each aisle, i.e. 10 on each side, the numerical codes allotted for the stands may be Al to A20, B1 to B20, etc. up to El to E20.

Within the exhibition itself, abutting the base of each stand, a printed mat is adhered to the floor, e.g. carpet, the mat bearing the same numerical code, i.e.

Al up to E20, as that designated on the map for each particular stand in question.

Visitors are thus readily able to find their way around the exhibition by reference to the numerically coded floor mats, and can readily find their way to any stand of particular interest.

The above particular example relates, of course, to an exhibition of regular layout. In general, the stands may not be on a wholly rectangular grid of only 10 longitudinal aisles; there may be transverse aisles as well as longitudinal aisles, all stands may not be of the same size, so that where one aisle has 20 stands another may only have 12 say, and, moreover, the pattern in which the stands are positioned may not be rectangular at all. However, provided the map indicates the position of each stand with reference to its numerical code, visitors will always be able readily to find their way around the exhibition by reference to the floor mats.

Each mat is preferably a laminate, as hitherto described, in which a printed base layer is protected by a substantially transparent scuff, scratch and slip resistant layer. Each mat may be about 210 mm by 297 mm in dimensions, and be about 0.4 mm thick.

While the above-described example suggests the use of numerical coding also incorporating letters, smaller exhibitions may only require the use of numerals, whilst very large exhibitions spreading over several halls may also require the mats to be printed with hall identifying marking, especially as the layouts of stands in the various halls may be different.

Spare space on each mat may be utilised to bear an indication of the name, title or logo of an exhibition or of the sponsors thereof, or any such spare space may also be at least partly used for advertising material.

In a modification, for use at a dark arena, the numerical codes are printed on phosphorescent mats, so as to show up in black against a bright background.

Claims

1. A visitor guidance system (as hereinbefore defined) comprising throughout an arena, mats adhered to the floor immediately adjacent each of a number of locations, each mat visibly bearing a numerical code.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the numerical code is a code having meaning in relation to a map supplied to each visitor, or in relation to a ticket supplied to each visitor.

3. For use in a visitor guidance system according to claim 1, a set of mats visibly bearing different numerical codes, the mats being adapted for adherence to the floor at the arena immediately adjacent the respective locations therein, one mat for each location, whereby, in use, in conjunction with a map or ticket with which each visitor is supplied, whereon the various locations are positionally indicated and have corresponding numerical codes associated therewith, visitors are guided around the arena by reference to the mats adhered to the floor.

4. A set of mats according to claim 3, wherein each mat comprises a laminate of a relatively rigid plastics layer printed with its allotted numerical code and a substantially transparent covering layer providing a scuff, scratch and slip resistant surface.

5. A set of mats according to claim 4, wherein the back of the mat has laminated thereto a layer bearing adhesive protected by a release film.

6. A set of mats according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the printed plastics layer is made of PVC, conveniently white in colour, to which contrasting printing, conveniently in one or more colours, is applied.

7. A set of mats according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the scuff, scratch and slip resistant transparent layer is also made of PVC, conveniently about 0.2 mm thick.

8. A set of mats according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein, overall, each mat is rectangular of approximate dimensions 210 mm by 297 mm, and is about 0.4 mm thick.

9. A set of mats according to any of claims 3 to 8, wherein each mat includes a layer of photoluminescent material whereby the mat luminesces in the dark and forms a bright background for the non-luminescent printed numerical code.

10. A set of mats according to claim 9, wherein the printing shows up as a black numerical code on a glowing surround.

11. A visitor guidance system substantially as hereinbefore described.

12. A set of mats for use in a visitor guidance system, substantially as hereinbefore defined.