GB2514766A

GB2514766A - A device and method for displaying geographical information on public transport

Info

Publication number: GB2514766A
Application number: GB1309224.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joyce Edwards
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-05-22
Filing date: 2013-05-22
Publication date: 2014-12-10
Also published as: GB201309224D0

Abstract

A display comprising a sheet 40 is mounted to a ceiling 46, in particular to the ceiling of a public transport vehicle such as a bus or train. The sheet may be mounted by means of adhesive, by means of a ceiling attached mounting means or as part of a sign attached to the ceiling by catches or projections. The display is preferably of geographical information and may depict a map. The display may be illuminated and a plurality of light sources, e.g. LEDs, may be used to illuminate a route on the map.

Description

A device and method for displaying geographical information on public transport

Field of Invention

The pictured embodiment of the invention provides a device and method for displaying geographical information on public transport, in particular for displaying information on tourist attractions and places of interest on surfaces located above the heads of travellers.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an example of information content provided in an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a detail of the information content shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a further detail of the information content shown in figure 1.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the invention as applied to a ceiling in a public transport vehicle.

Detailed Description of the Embodiment

Public transport vehicles have roofs positioned relatively close to the heads of travellers and at a distance from their eye level that is relatively constant between different vehicles, for example railway carriages, buses, coaches and lifts, for adult travellers. For example, an adult may vary between around 5ff and 6ff in height, and the ceiling may be between 7ft and 9ff above the floor. It is well known to place advertisements and public information boards around eye level on the side walls and doors of vehicles but not to date on the ceiling. A sign or information board placed on the ceiling will have immediate visual impact as it is an unusual location. There is considerable free space on the ceiling, allowing attention catching choice of size, aspect ratio, and shape, that is generally not possible on walls as these are interrupted by windows and doors.

The invention provides an apparatus and a method for presenting information to users of transport vehicles comprising a sign provided and adapted to be mounted on the ceiling of the transport vehicle. The sign may be for example a poster or a sticker adapted to be stuck to the ceiling using adhesive, preferably provides on the rear

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side of the sign. The sign may comprise a sheet mounted in a ceiling attached mounting means, the sheet having printed information on it. The sign may comprise other means of fitting to the ceiling, such as catches or projections adapted to interfit with fixing means on the ceiling.

Referring to figures 1 to 4, in some embodiments the sign may comprise information related to tourism1 for example information on a region or area of a town or a country.

In some embodiments the information may relate to a region or area through which the vehicle may travel. In some embodiments the information may relate to an area town or region different from that through which the vehicle may travel, in order to stimulate a tourist to visit a different region or town within a country.

In some embodiments the information may comprise information on more than one size scale, for example a combination or larger and smaller images or text.

In some embodiments the information may comprise information relating to the area or region on a range of distance scales. The information may relate to one or more of the following: the location of the area within the world, the location of the area within a country, the area as a whole, sub-parts of the area, individual towns and cities, districts or locations within a town or city, a neighbourhood or street. or a specific item or place of interest.

In preferred embodiments the sign comprises information relating to a plurality of the above distance scales.

Information may comprise for example geographical, economic, cultural, artistic, historical and travel information. Information may comprise text, images and maps.

Information may comprise overlaid images, text and maps, for example printed in whole or part so that two types of information may be seen overlaid at the same location.

As seen in figures 1 to 4, in some embodiments the apparatus comprises an information field divided into a plurality of areas, in the embodiment 10 shown a first area 12, a second area 14 and a third area 16. In this embodiment the first area 12 comprises large scale map information, here showing the position 20 of a town on a world map 18; the second area 14 comprises larger scale map information 22, here a street map of a part of the town, with icons 24 illustrated points of interest on the map. Third area 16 comprises text 28 and image information 26 relating to the points of interest 24. Preferably the icons used to denote the points of interest 24 are the same as those in the image information or key 26.

In some embodiments the icons 24 comprise illustrations 30 of buildings or other items of interest at a location.

As shown in figure 4, the apparatus may be provided in the form of a poster 40 having an information side 42 and a mounting side 44, adapted to mount on the ceiling 46 of the transport vehicla In some embodiments the mounting side comprises an adhesive layer adapted to stick to the ceiling. By locating the sign close to or between handrails 48 and handles 50, it is close to the viewer and just above their usual eyeline, making it eye-catching and easy to read.

In some embodiments the sign is formed from vinyl and has an adhesive area on the mounting side, comprising a removable sealing strip as known in the art.

In some embodiments the apparatus comprises two or more signs, at least one sign comprising a form, colour, shape or information that indicates at least one other sign.

In this way the two or more signs are adapted to be read together and so to offer enhanced attention catching over one sign alone. In some embodiments at least one sign comprises information related to information on another sign, the two signs being adapted to be placed close together and to be read together.

In some embodiments the apparatus may have one or more of the following characteristics: The apparatus; Provides visually stimulating images of the world and local map placed onto the ceiling of public transportation; Provides tourist with a guide of the local attractions the city/town has to offer, inspiring them to visit new places/ attractions; Can be integrated onto buses, trains, couches, trams and the underground etc. Provides a world and local map placed onto the ceilings of public transport, helping tourists decide where they would like to go next locally.

In some embodiments the apparatus comprises an image of the world map and a point indicating where we are in the world and an image of the local map indicating different local attractions and places to visit.

In some embodiments the apparatus comprises one or more light sources indicating one or more items of information provided on the apparatus.

In some embodiments the map could have LED lights that indicate the route of the public transportation.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the pads of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A device for displaying information includes: an apparatus for attaching at least one sign to a surface has at least one sheet displaying information and at least one ceiling attachment mounting means wherein the at least one ceiling attachment mounting means is/are adapted to receive the at least one sheet.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes catches for inter-fitting with the ceiling attachment mounting means to aid with connection of the sheet to the ceiling attachment mounting means.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the apparatus includes projections for inter-fitting with the ceiling attachment mounting means to aid with connection of the sheet to the ceiling attachment mounting means.
4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the sheet includes adhesive on a rear face of the sheet.
5. A device according to any preceding claim having at least one light source to illuminate the sheet.
6. A device according to claim 5 wherein a plurality of light sources are arranged to indicate a depicted route.
7. A device as substantially herein described with reference to the figures.S