IE892890A1 - A message display unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A message display unit 1 and system 40 for airport terminals and the like providing a paging system for direct use by the public for meeting arriving passengers. The display unit 1 5 comprises a ground engaging console 2 supporting an upright 3 with an LED matrix display 4 on the top of the upright 3 above normal head height. A coin release mechanism when operated allows a member of the public to type a message on a keypad 5 to show the message on the display 4.

Description

The present invention relates to a message display unit and in particular to a message display unit for passenger outflow areas.

In airports, bus, rail and other transport terminals one of the major difficulties encountered is to balance the smooth handling of the passenger outflow from and through the arrivals areas with the need of visitors waiting for such passengers. The problem is exacerbated when customs and immigration control are involved at borders between countries and international airport terminals. The problem is that these facilities are centralised facilities into which all arrivals are streamed from a baggage hall and then out of the said area into the public areas of the arrivals complex. Thus there is of necessity a bottleneck formed where passengers emerge into a waiting area of people awaiting the passengers. The problem has been acknowledged by providing barrier rails to keep exit areas clear and by doing the utmost to channel the passengers for some distance beyond the exit from these areas to allow time for identification and interception by the waiting people. While it is often possible to anticipate when somebody will be arriving by consulting arrivals information - 2 which is often displayed particularly in airports it is not that easy to achieve. Generally speaking there is considerable congestion and confusion in this exit area and this can be further exacerbated when the parties cannot visually identify each other either due to crowding of the area or simply due to the fact that they are unknown to each other. It is thus not uncommon to see such an exit area with a considerable number of people all carrying signs and other means of identification which are waved in the air to further add to the confusion. The failure of passengers to make their rendezvous in this situation creates considerable demand for personal public address announcements thus adding to the noise pollution in the arrival's area and necessitates additional work and staffing at the arrival's information desk.

The present invention is directed towards providing a device which will overcome this problem.

According to the invention there is provided a message display unit comprising: a display device; means for supporting the display device above normal head height; and - 3 a keyboard operated message inputter remote from and connected to the display device.

Ideally the display device is a light emitting diode matrix display device.

In a preferred embodiment the message display unit incorporates a payment operated release mechanism for operation of the keyboard. The payment operated release mechanism may be a coin release mechanism or any other type of release mechanism operated, for example, by a smartcard, credit card wipe, a note reader or magnetic card reader.

Ideally the invention incorporates some form of keyboard locking device.

In one embodiment of the invention the message display unit is a free standing unit comprising: a console unit incorporating a keypad and a payment operated release mechanism; an upright on the console; and a display device on the top of the upright.

The payment operated release mechanism may be a coin release mechanism. Alternatively, any other type of payment release - 4 mechanism may be provided, such as a smartcard, credit card wipe, note reader or magnetic card reader release mechanism. Preferably the display device is a light emitting diode display device.

Ideally the console has a number of keypads each keypad being adapted to input a message to a predetermined portion of the display device. Thus more than one message may be transmitted.

Further the unit may incorporate a seat operable only when a 10 message is being transmitted. In one embodiment of the invention the seat may be supported on a post forming part of a piston and ram assembly in a closed fluid operating system having a flow valve closable by the coin release mechanism. In this embodiment with the flow valve open any weight placed on the seat would simply allow the seat to sink to the ground while once the flow valve is closed the seat can support a user's weight.

In another embodiment there is provided a message display system comprising a number of the message display units previously described, the message display units being connected to a central control unit. Preferably, one or more notice boards are provided, connected to the central control unit to simultaneously display the messages shown on the message display units. Ideally, the central control unit - 5 includes screening means to screen each message entered on a message display unit prior to displaying the message on the message display unit, the screening means blocking the display of pre-selected, unacceptable messages on the message display unit.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a rear elevational view of a message display unit according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the message display unit, Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the message display 15 unit, Fig. 4 is a plan view of portion of a keypad used in the embodiment of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a number of message display units, in use, - 6 Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative construction of message display unit according to the invention, Fig. 7 is a front view of the message display unit of Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a plan view from above of the message display unit of Fig. 6, Fig. 9 is alternative according to a front perspective view construction of message the invention, of a further display unit Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of another message display unit according to the invention, Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the message display unit of Fig. 10, Fig. 12 is a front elevational view of a row of the message display units of Fig. 10, Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic illustration of a message display system according to the invention, and - 7 Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of portion of the message display system of Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 5 thereof there is provided a message display unit indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 comprising a ground engaging desk-like console 2 supporting an upright 3 with an LED matrix display 4 on the top of the upright.

The LED matrix display 4 can have messages inputted by a keypad 5 (see Fig. 4). The keypad 5 is incorporated in the console 2 in conjunction with a further LED matrix display 6. The LED matrix displays 4 and 6 are linked so that the messages displayed are always identical. A time elapsed display 7 and a payment operated release mechanism, in this case a coin release mechanism, only its coin slot 8 being illustrated are provided. Any other type of payment release mechanism could be used such as a smartcard or credit card wipe release mechanism.

In use, a predetermined number of coins are needed to release the keypad 5 for use. A message can then be displayed and the time it will remain displayed is indicated on the time elapsed display 7 so that if necessary additional coins can be inserted to retain the message for an additional period. - 8 Reference is now made to Figs. 6 to 8 in which parts similar to those described in the previous embodiment are identified by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment there is provided a message display unit, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 having a multi message LED matrix display 11 mounted on a ground engaging desk-like console 12. The LED matrix display 11 is connected to a number of keypads 5 on the console 12. The console 12 has a number of stations indicated by reference letters A to F which are repeated on the LED matrix display 11 as can be seen from Fig. 6. The keypad 5 at each station is adapted to input a message to the portion of the LED matrix display 11 corresponding to that station. Preferably, the LED matrix display 11 is rotatable on the upright 3.

Referring to Fig. 9 there is illustrated a further construction of message display unit indicated generally by the reference numeral 20. Again parts similar to those described with reference to the previous embodiments are identified by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment the message display unit 20 is adapted for mounting on an existing barrier 21 and comprises a plurality of LED matrix display units 22 each mounted by uprights 23 on the barrier 21. Beneath each LED matrix display 22 and supported between a pair of uprights 23 is a console 24 substantially similar to the consoles previously described except that it is not ground engaging. - 9 Referring now to Figs. 10 to 12 there is illustrated another message display unit 30 which is substantially similar to the message display unit described previously with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case, each message display unit 30 incorporates a seat 31 at one side of the message display unit 30. Fig. 12 shows a row of the message display units 30 such as would be provided in an arrivals area of an airport for example.

Referring now to Figs. 13 and 14 there is illustrated a message display system according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 40. Parts similar to those described previously with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 are assigned the same reference numerals. The system 40 comprises a number of the message display units 1 connected to a central control unit 42. Each message display unit 1 may be connected either directly or indirectly by radio link, lasers, infrared, for example, with the control unit 42. A number of electronic notice boards 43 are also connected to the central control unit 42, only one electronic notice board being shown in Fig. 11. Each notice board 43 is composed of standard 20character Textlites 44 assembled into a public notice board format with a back-lit top panel 45 for captioning and advertising. - 10 The central control unit 42 comprises a computer normally located at a central control station such as, for example, behind the arrivals information desk at an airport. The computer has an associated display screen 47, giving a readout of messages displayed on each of the message display units 1 and electronic notice boards 43. The computer is dedicated to perform the following key functions:1. To receive, screen and confirm or reject messages entered into individual message display units 1 for display on that message display unit 1 and on the electronic notice boards 43. The screening is done through a spell check type programme which is basically a library of offensive, lewd or otherwise unacceptable words and messages. The library can be updated as required. Where the programme finds such a message it prevents it for being displayed and instructs the message display unit 1 to display a message refusal and invite a second input. When such an event occurs, the computer issues an audible and/or visual alarm for the information/security desk staff's attention quoting refused message and the relevant message display unit 1. The staff can also remove any message which is already displayed and which has already passed the message display unit's onboard filter and which they consider offensive, with the option of adding any such message to the library. - 11 2. To display on a continuous basis information on the usage of the system by message display unit/message/elapsed time/remaining time. Particularly to alert the operator's staff when cash needs to be collected from a message display unit 1 or when a coin mechanism is jammed in a message display unit 1. 3. To record on disc file a continuous record of the usage of each message display unit 1 by time/date/message/cash input/cash collection/performance status. 4. To allow direct intervention into the system through the seizure of free message display units 1 to display remotely directions to specific passengers, e.g. John Smith - to red telephone please.

. To provide a technical diagnostic facility in the event of a problem, allowing where feasible, the disabling of a faulty message display unit 1 thus allowing the rest of the system 40 to operate normally. Also to identify the origin of a particular fault. 6. To provide a permanent management record of usage and accounting records for each message display unit.

The invention provides a public access paging and meeting system which allows members of the public direct access to a - 12 display system. It also allows the system operators to fully supervise the system allowing them to monitor and ultimately control the messages displayed on any of the message display units.

The present invention will ensure that people are able to identify and meet each other at well defined places and they will further earn revenue for the company or authority operating the particular area. It will however mainly assist in improving overall crowd control and flow in such arrivals areas. The display units may be either fixed at set locations or may be mobile. It will be appreciated that a centralised input console may be provided for a number of display units arranged about a building or other area. In airports an associated display screen may be provided in baggage retrieval areas alerting passengers to the fact that they are being met and indicating the number and location of the display unit at which they will be met.

It is envisaged that the LED matrix display is an ideal construction for display units in that high brightness LEDs can be used on a dark background. It is envisaged that the display may be pitched at an angle to avoid burnout from ambient light such as overhead lighting or window light. Any other display units may alternatively be provided such as black LCD, colour LCD, gas plasma display, or a conventional computer/TV monitor. In some cases the display unit may - 13 comprise an LCD display associated with the keypad and a colour TV monitor on which would be displayed, for example, flight information and/or advertising or other information. The same keypad may be used to select programmes for display on the monitor. In some cases the monitor may be of the touch screen operated type.

It will also be appreciated that the message display unit according to the invention can also include advertising material. Indeed it is envisaged that advertisers might also pay to have their logo and messages incorporated within the unit. It is envisaged for example that when the unit is not in operation that it may be used to display advertising material. This would be additional to having advertising material permanently or semi-permanently arranged on the unit itself.

The keypads may be elastomeric keypads or membrane type keypads. The keypads and associated display device may be arranged for displaying messages in a number of languages, including Arabic and Japanese for example.

It is further envisaged that in some cases seats may be provided. However, it is admitted that seats may cause certain difficulties in that if the arrivals area is anyway crowded people will occupy the seats irrespective of whether they are delivering a message or not. It is, therefore. - 14 advantageous that the seats be so arranged that they can only be operated when the coin released mechanism has operated and a message is being displayed.

A range of different payment methods may be provided for the 5 display units, for example, a central credit facility, charge cards, cash and tokens. Also the message display unit may be provided with means for recording each use of the unit with details such as duration and cost.

Claims (17)

1. A message display unit comprising; a display device; means for supporting the display device above normal 5 head height; and a keyboard operated message inputter remote from and connected to the display device.

2. A message display unit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the display device is a light emitting diode matrix display 10 device.

3. A message display unit as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein a payment operated release mechanism is provided for operation of the keyboard.

4. A message display unit as claimed in Claim 3 wherein a 15 coin release mechanism is provided for operation of the keyboard.

5. . A message display unit as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the keyboard incorporates a locking device. - 16

6. A free standing message display unit comprising; a console unit incorporating a keypad and a payment operated release mechanism; an upright on the console; and 5 a display device on the top of the upright.

7. A message display unit as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the payment operated release mechanism is a coin release mechanism.

8. A message display unit as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7 10 wherein the display device is a light emitting diode display device.

9. A message display unit as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 8 wherein the console has a number of keypads, each keypad being adapted to input a message to a 15 predetermined portion of the display device.

10. A message display unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the display device is rotatable on it's support means . ,E 892890 - 17

11. A message display unit as claimed in any preceding claim incorporating a seat.

12. A message display unit as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the seat is operable only when a message is being 5 transmitted.

13. A message display unit as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the seat is supported on a post forming part of a piston and ram assembly in a closed fluid operating system having a flow valve operable by the coin release mechanism, 10 closure of the flow valve rigidly supporting the seat ready for use.

14. A message display unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A message display system comprising a number of the 15 message display units as claimed in any preceding claim, the message display units being connected to a central control unit.

16. A system as claimed in Claim 15 wherein one or more notice boards are provided, connected to the central

17. 20 control unit to simultaneously display the messages shown on the message display units.