GB2449059A

GB2449059A - Intellegent wearable sign system

Info

Publication number: GB2449059A
Application number: GB0703098A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip James Barnett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-17
Filing date: 2007-02-17
Publication date: 2008-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-17
Also published as: GB2449059B; GB0703098D0

Abstract

A wearable sign system comprising an electronic display screen which is controlled to display images. The displayed images may be dependent upon time and/or location of the system. Image data can be received wirelessly from a remote server or a user can directly manipulate the images on the screen. The system may comprise a plurality of similar signs which can communicate wirelessly with one another. Unlike other mobile or sandwich board type sign ideas, each sign in this system knows where it is in both time and space. Its main strength lies therefore in its time and location sensitivity. This makes possible some previously unavailable applications: For advertising and promotion, it can be activated when the wearer is walking past a particular retail unit for instance to advertise the competition. In exhibition centres the wearer could direct visitors to a particular stand or point of interest or to the next wearer of the system and so on. This would be particularly helpful for crowd marshalling and say for organising people in the aftermath of a disaster or terrorist attack. Likewise the unit can receive and broadcast news bulletins, advertisements and so on. Reports can be produced showing the location and time of activation to enable billing according to usage for advertisers.

Description

* 1 2449059

DESCRIPTION

INTELLIGENT WEARABLE SIGN SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a mobile sign and computer. The sign is particularly suitable for, but not limited to, wearing and/or being held by a person.

In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes an electronic or electrical screen e.g. a liquid crystal display.

The computer can include a clock, and can be arranged to alter the information displaycd on the device dependent upon the time of day.

Thus, the displayed information can be varied as a function of time. For example, a database stored within the computer can contain an indication of which information has to be displayed at different times. Thus, the computer can control the screen(s) to display relevant information at different times (and/or on different days).

For example, at lunch times, information relating to food outlets could be displayed.

At other times, other information is displayed.

The computer may be coupled to a locational device (such as a GPS unit), providing information indicative of the position of the computer/sign. The computer is also portable, and preferably wearable by a user.

Thus, the screen can be controlled by the computer to act as a mobile advertising display, with the information displayed being varying based upon the location of the sign.

For example, as a user wearing the sign walks past different aisles in a supermarket, the advertising information displayed by the sign could change, to show relative information pertinent to the nearest aisle. The computer would determine the information to be displayed by referencing a database stored within the computer. A range of different adverts for display on the screen would be stored in the database, along with position information associated with each advert. The computer will thus select, and control the sign to display, the advert associated with the position determined by the location device, using the database.

The sign may utilise RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology or other transponders, to monitor its position or the location of other signs or users.

The position and time information could be combined. For example, the computer could control the screen to display infonnation regarding the nearest food outlet or restaurant at lunchtimes, and to display information regarding ongoing &c! events (or adverts of nearby shops) at other times. As a user wearing the sign walks around, this information would be continuously updated based upon the current position and time.

The computer may also contain information indicating the relative positions of nearby establishments, and software allowing the display to indicate directions to the relevant positions (e.g. a map, and/or street directions and/or directions through a building) to the establishment. Such directions would be updated as the user wearing the sign moves.

Preferably, each sign is able to communicate not only with the server, but also with any other sign connected to the server. Such communication could be via the server, or alternatively directly to other signs i.e. peer to peer communication. For example, assuming that the signs can communicate using Internet protocol, then the signs could be arranged with the appropriate microphones/speakers and video cameras so as to allow VOIP (voice over IP) and/or MOIP (meeting over IP).

Preferably, the sewer is arranged to provide a tracking report, indicating the location of each sign over a period of time e.g. the sign location as a function of time, tracking the sign position. The report may also indicate the activities performed by the signs as a function of location. The tracking function could be performed in real time e.g. with the signs continuously providing data to the server indicative of each sign location and/or providing such information at regular, predetennined intervals.

Alternatively, each sign could keep a record of the location (e.g. as determined from (JPS data), and transmit a copy of the record to the sewer data at predetermined intervals.

A computer is coupled to the screen(s), so as to control the information displayed on each screen. The screen area is preferably at least 0.1 metres squared (e.g. greater than 0.3 metres by 0.3 metres). The screen is preferably portable. For example, straps may be attached to the screen, allowing the screen to be worn by a person, e.g. mounted on the back of a person like a backpack or one portion of a sandwich board.

Alternatively, a handle or pole may be attached to the screen, allowing the screen to be held as a hand held sign. Preferably, the apparatus includes both a wearable screen and a separate screen mounted on a handle or pole, with a splitter allowing the S 3 provision of the same signal to both screens, so as to display the same information on both screens.

Preferably the computer can receive software and/or information updates by one or more mechanisms, such as from flash memory, CD ROM or via SMS (short message service). If the mobile sign includes two (or more) screens, then the computer can be arranged to control the screens so as to display the same infonnation on each screen, or different information on each screen. For example, a larger screen in the system could be used to display information to attract people to the sign (e.g. information indicative of a live event such as a concert), with a small screen arranged to display infonnation regarding the concert e.g. price of concert tickets.

The sign preferably includes a user interfice, to enable interaction with local users (e.g the surrounding public). Preferably, this user interface is arranged to be mounted on the body or worn on the wrist of the user wearing the sign. The user interface is arranged to enable data to be collected e.g. by a person near to the sign user inputting data on the interface via a keyboard, or by infrared communication from another device such as a mobile phone. Thus, the user interface can be used to collect data for voting/polling purposes.

Further, the user interface could be utilised to act as an input for an electronic point of sale (EPOS) procedure, for instance allowing the sale of tickets to an event by the sign.

The mobile sign may include a camera device (e.g. in the form of a digital camera) coupled to the computer and/or screen, so as to allow the recording (and the subsequent display, if desired) of still and moving images. Preferably, the camera is coupled to the computer, so as to allow the manipulation of the recorded images.

Wireless communication apparatus may also be coupled to the computer to remotely communicate with a central server. For example, such communication apparatus could include Wi-Fi or a GSM telephony link, e.g. using TCP/IP. The server can thus communicate with each mobile sign to which it is wirelessly connected. Thus, the server can be used to direct the operation and control of each sign. Such a communication apparatus could be used to send a variety of control signals, including control signals to arrange the shutdown of the mobile device (i.e. to stop the operation of the mobile sign) if the sign has been stolen. S 4

For example, the server can be arranged to send instructions to the computer, arranging for the database of the computer to be updated. For example, the database could be updated to indicate local events that are ongoing (with information regarding both the type of event, the advert which should be associated with the event, and the relevant position of the event) being downloaded to the database. Thus, the information that is displayed by the sign can be dynamically updated. The sign can thus be used to broadcast live information or playback pre-recorded information.

The server may be used to coordinate the display of each sign to which it is coupled. For example, consider a number of mobile signs worn by users at a large event. The server could coordinate the display of each sign, taking into account the location of each sign as the wearer moves through the event grounds, so as to direct people to a predetermined position. The signs could be utilised to provide way points e.g. a first sign directs people to a second sign, a second sign to a third sign, a third sign to a predetermined location or exit The directions to the next way point would be continuously updated, based upon both the position of each sign and the activities or hazards at the event site. This could be particularly useful if an emergency occurs at the event e.g. a fire. The signs could thus be used to coordinate the evacuation of people from the event grounds, to a safe exit, avoiding any areas of danger (e.g. fire).

Preferably, the signs also include a loudspeaker allowing the sign to be used as a public address system. The sign may broadcast via the loudspeaker pre-stored information, live information streamed from the central server, or the amplified voice of the sign user. S 5

Claims

1. A portable sign comprising a screen and a computational device arranged to control the information displayed on the screen.

2. A sign as claimed in claim 1, wherein the area of the screen is at least 0.1 metres squared.

3. A sign as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising means to allow the sign to be worn by a person.

4. A sign as claimed in any one of the above claims, further comprising a clock, the computational device being arranged to alter the information displayed on the screen in dependence upon the time determined by the clock.

5. A sign as claimed in any one of the above claims, wherein the sign further includes a location device arranged to determine the location of the sign, the computational device controlling the information displayed on the sign in dependence upon the detenrnned location.

6. A sign as claimed in claim 5 when dependent upon claim 4, wherein the computational device is arranged to control the screen to display information in dependence upon both the time and the determined location.

7. A sign as claimed in any one of the above claims, further comprising a wireless communications device for connecting the computational device to a remote server, the computational device being arranged to download information from the server to update the information for display on the sign.

8. A system comprising a central server and a plurality of the signs claimed in claim 7, the server downloading information to each sign, such that each sign displays respective information for directing observers to a predetermined location.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the system is arranged to provide information such that the screen of a first sign provides directions to a further sign, and the further sLgn provides directions to either yet a further sign, or to a predetermined location.

10. A system as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the server is arranged to provide a report indiaiive of the location of each sign over a predetermined time period.

11. A sign as claimed in any one of the above claims, comprising a further screen, the computational device being arranged to control the information displayed on the further screen.

12. A sign as claimed in claim 11, wherein the computational device is arranged to control the further screen to display different information than the infonnation displayed on the other screen.

13. A sign as claimed in any one of the above claims, further comprising wireless communication apparatus for allowing a user of the sign to communicate with the user of another sign, preferably using VO1P or MO1P.

14. A sign as claimed in any one of the above claims, wherein the sign further comprises a camera for recording images, the computational device being arranged to manipulate the images and display the manipulated images on the screen.

15. A sign as claimed in any one of the above claims, further comprising a user interface for collection of data from users.

16. A sign as claimed in any one of the above claims, further comprising a loudspeaker for providing audio information to users.