US6298218B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combined advertising and entertainment system network
Assignee: E-ZONE NETWORKS Inc
•
Filing: 1998-09-28
•
Granted: 2001-10-02
•
Expires: 2018-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A wireless remote unit is operable to demodulate signals received over a plurality of different bands, such as the FM broadcast band, and one or more higher frequency bands. The various bands have different channels and the selection of the band and the channel is accomplished by control signals received by the receiver. The control signal can carry menu information in one direction to the user and can carry user data, including the identity of the user, in the other direction. There can be multiple transmitters, wherein each transmitter sends information on a different channel within a band, and tunes remote units to a particular transmitter based upon proximity to that transmitter. The transmitter is capable of displaying visual data. The visual data includes a predetermined number of advertisements to be displayed during a user session, prompted either by a user logging onto the system, or by the system's detection of a user's presence.
Inventors
- 👤 Danny D. Lowe
- 👤 Todd G. Simpson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/02; H04B1/03; H04B1/06; H04B1/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 80
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for disseminating data to at least one information unit comprising the steps of: storing the data in a storage medium; transmitting the data to the information unit; displaying the data on the information unit; and preventing a user of the information unit from interfering with the step of displaying the data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for disseminating data to at least one information unit comprising the steps of: storing the data in a storage medium; transmitting the data to the information unit; displaying the data on the information unit; and preventing a user of the information unit from interfering with the step of displaying the data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the user obtains at least a portion of the transmitted information via a headphone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said user's headphone identifies said user and causes specific data to be transmitted for display to said user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a local server transmits data to one or more information units.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the data to be disseminated is selected based upon the identity of the user at a particular information unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the storage medium is chosen from the group consisting of magnetic, electronic, laser and optical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the storage format is chosen from the group consisting of RAM, ROM, hard disk, CD, tape cartridge, floppy disk, and DVD.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the storage medium is capable of storing digital data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the data includes information to be conveyed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the data includes instructional information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the data includes advertising.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the data includes instructional data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the data includes advertising and instructional data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the data includes advertising and additional information.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the data includes instructional data and additional information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the data includes advertising, instructional data, and additional information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the advertisement includes a video component and an audio component.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the advertisement includes a video component.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the advertisement includes an audio component.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the data is in digital form and the transmitting step further comprises the step of: converting the digital data into analog form.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the video component includes full motion video.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the video component includes at least one billboard.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the video component includes full motion video.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the video component includes at least one billboard.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the data is transmitted through a channel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the data includes at least one advertisement and the transmitting step comprises the step of: transmitting the advertisements on separate channels.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the data includes at least one advertisement, and the synchronizing step comprises the step of: synchronizing the advertisement on a channel with the information units, whereby the entire advertisement is presented to the user.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the transmitting step further comprises the step of: detecting the presence of a user.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the detecting step comprises the step of: tuning a portable receiver to a particular channel based on momentary communication between the receiver and the information unit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the detecting step further comprises the step of: tuning a portable receiver to a particular channel based on a control signal exchanged between the receiver and the information unit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the detecting step comprises the step of: detecting the presence of the user in proximity to the information unit via a sensor, wherein a mode of sensing used by the sensor is chosen from the group consisting of ultrasound, motion, IR, sound, light, applied manual pressure, heat and air pressure.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the preventing step comprises the step of: disabling at least one control on the information unit thereby preventing the user from switching off the information unit.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the preventing step comprises the step of: disabling at least one control on the information unit thereby preventing the user from changing channels.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the preventing step comprises the step of: disabling at least one control on a portable receiver thereby preventing the user from switching bands.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the data includes an audio component and a video component, and the displaying step further comprises the steps of: transmitting the audio component and the video component of the data to the information unit; and re-transmitting the audio component from the information unit to a portable receiver.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the data includes a video component, and the displaying step further comprises the step of: displaying the video component on a visual device associated with the information unit.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the data includes an audio component, and the displaying step comprises the step of: transmitting the audio component to a portable receiver.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the displaying step has been performed, the method further comprises the step of: enabling at least one control of the information unit thereby allowing the user to turn off the information unit.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the displaying step has been performed, the method further comprises the step of: enabling at least one control of the information unit thereby allowing the user to change channels.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the displaying step has been performed, the method further comprises the step of: enabling at least one control of a portable receiver thereby allowing the user to switch bands.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of: transmitting the data in digital form.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the data includes at least one advertisement, and the synchronizing step further comprises the step of: synchronizing the advertisement on a channel with the information units, whereby the entire advertisement is presented to the user.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 42 wherein the preventing step further comprises the step of: disabling at least one control on the information unit thereby preventing the user from switching off the information unit.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the data includes a video component, and the displaying step further comprises the step of: displaying the video component of the data on a visual device associated with the information unit.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 44 wherein the displaying step has been performed, the method further comprises the step of: enabling at least one control of the information unit allowing the user to turn off the information unit.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for disseminating an advertisement to a plurality of information units comprising the steps of: storing components of the advertisement on a storage medium; detecting the presence of a user near the information unit; selectively delivering stored ones of said advertisements to an information unit, upon the detected presence of a user of said information unit, including at least one control for controlling the components of delivered ones of said advertisements; disabling at least one of said controls so that said user cannot interfere with delivery of said advertisement; continuing to deliver a particular advertisement to information unit until a predetermined criterion has been met; and reactivating any said disabled controls after the predetermined criterion has been met.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for disseminating an advertisement to a plurality of information units comprising the steps of: storing components of the advertisement on a storage medium; detecting the presence of a user near the information unit; selectively delivering stored ones of said advertisements to an information unit, upon the detected presence of a user of said information unit, including at least one control for controlling the components of delivered ones of said advertisements; disabling at least one of said controls so that said user cannot interfere with delivery of said advertisement; continuing to deliver a particular advertisement to information unit until a predetermined criterion has been met; and reactivating any said disabled controls after the predetermined criterion has been met.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 46 wherein the components are audio and video.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 47 wherein the video component includes full motion video.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 47 wherein the video component includes at least one billboard.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 47 wherein the delivering step further comprises the step of: transmitting the audio component to a portable receiver.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 50 wherein the portable receiver has at least one control for controlling the receiver, and the disabling step further comprises the step of: disabling at least one of said controls of the portable receiver so that the user cannot switch bands on said portable receiver.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 51 wherein the reactivating step further comprises the step of: reactivating any disabled control of the portable receiver.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 47 wherein the delivering step further comprises the step of: displaying the video component on a video display.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the disabling step further comprises the step of: disabling the video display so that the user cannot remove the delivered video advertisement therefrom.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 46 wherein the predetermined criteria is the delivery of a predetermined number of advertisements to a particular user.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 46 wherein the predetermined criteria is a passage of a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 46 whereby the storage medium is chosen from the group consisting of magnetic, electronic, laser and optical.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 46 whereby the storage format is chosen from the group consisting of RAM, ROM, CD, hard disk, tape cartridge, floppy disk, and DVD.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
69 words
An information system including a transmitting device and a plurality of receiving devices capable of receiving data from the transmitting device, the system comprising: means for storing the data; means for synchronizing the data with at least one of the plurality of receiving devices; means for displaying the data on the one receiving device; and means for preventing a user from interfering with the means for displaying the data.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
69 words
An information system including a transmitting device and a plurality of receiving devices capable of receiving data from the transmitting device, the system comprising: means for storing the data; means for synchronizing the data with at least one of the plurality of receiving devices; means for displaying the data on the one receiving device; and means for preventing a user from interfering with the means for displaying the data.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
13 words
The information system of claim 59 wherein the data is in digital form.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
12 words
The information system of claim 59 wherein the data includes an advertisement.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
17 words
The information system of claim 61 wherein the advertisement includes a video component and an audio component.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
15 words
The information system of claim 59 wherein the transmitting device is operative via a channel.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
27 words
The information system of claim 63 wherein the data includes at least one advertisement, and the transmitting device comprises: means for transmitting the advertisement onto separate channels.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
19 words
The information system of claim 59 wherein the transmitting device comprises: means for detecting the presence of a user.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
36 words
The information system of claim 65 wherein the means for detecting comprises: means for tuning a portable receiver to a particular channel based on a momentary connection between the portable receiver and the one receiving device.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
37 words
The information system of claim 65 wherein the means for detecting comprises: means for tuning a portable receiver to a particular channel based on a control signal exchanged between the portable receiver and the one receiving device.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
57 words
The information system of claim 65 wherein the means for detecting comprises: means for detecting the presence of the user in proximity to the one receiving device via a sensor, wherein a mode of sensing used by the sensor is chosen from the group consisting of ultrasound, motion, IR, sound, light, applied manual pressure, and air pressure.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
35 words
The information system of claim 59 wherein the means for preventing comprises: means for disabling at least one control on the one receiving device thereby preventing the user from switching off the one receiving device.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
35 words
The information system of claim 69 wherein the means for displaying further comprises: means for enabling the one control on the one receiving device thereby allowing the user to switching off the one receiving device.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
31 words
The information system of claim 59 wherein the means for preventing comprises: means for disabling at least one control on the one receiving device thereby preventing the user from changing channels.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
30 words
The information system of claim 71 wherein the means for displaying further comprises: means for enabling the one control of the receiving device thereby allowing the user to change channels.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
30 words
The information system of claim 59 wherein the means for preventing comprises: means for disabling at least one control on a portable receiver thereby preventing the user from switching bands.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
29 words
The information system of claim 73 wherein the means for displaying comprises: means for enabling the one control of the portable receiver thereby allowing the user to switch bands.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
52 words
The information system of claim 59 wherein the data includes an audio component and a video component, and the means for displaying comprises: means for transmitting the audio component and video component to the one receiving device; and means for re-transmitting the audio component from the one receiving device a portable receiver.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
33 words
The information system of claim 59 wherein the data includes an audio component and the means for displaying further comprises: means for transmitting the audio component of the data to a portable receiver.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
37 words
The information system of claim 59 wherein the data includes an advertisement, and the means for synchronizing comprises: means for synchronizing the advertisement with the one receiving device, whereby the entire advertisement is presented to the user.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-10-01 | 2005-04-02 | 2005-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-10-01 | 2009-04-02 | 2009-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-10-01 | 2013-04-02 | 2013-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |