US6587755B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Virtual signs for improving information communicated to the automotive driver
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 2000-07-12
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Granted: 2003-07-01
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Expires: 2020-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for providing information to an individual using an electronic sign in which the sign displays information in response to the identity of the tag or an account associated with the tag. The information is displayed when the tag, which may be carried by the individual or in a vehicle, approaches the sign. A user can preselect from among various information types he wishes to receive, such as news, weather, sports and personal messages. The user can also select a priority for each information type.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon James Smith
- 👤 George Willard Van Leeuwen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0241; G06Q30/0251; G06Q30/0269; G06Q30/0271; G06Q30/0277; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/01; G08G1/017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for providing information to an individual with whom an electronic tag is associated using an electronic sign, said electronic sign having a dynamic display, comprising the steps of: establishing an account associated with said tag; receiving an information selection from said individual; selecting information in response to an identity of said account and said information selection; electronically detecting said tag being brought into proximity with said electronic sign; electronically determining an identity of said tag being brought into proximity with said electronic sign; retrieving said information selected in response to said identity of said account if said identity of said account matches said identity of said tag; and displaying retrieved information on said dynamic display.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for providing information to an individual with whom an electronic tag is associated using an electronic sign, said electronic sign having a dynamic display, comprising the steps of: establishing an account associated with said tag; receiving an information selection from said individual; selecting information in response to an identity of said account and said information selection; electronically detecting said tag being brought into proximity with said electronic sign; electronically determining an identity of said tag being brought into proximity with said electronic sign; retrieving said information selected in response to said identity of said account if said identity of said account matches said identity of said tag; and displaying retrieved information on said dynamic display.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for providing information to an occupant of a road vehicle using an electronic road sign, said electronic road sign having a dynamic display, comprising the steps of: receiving from the occupant a prioritization of information types, said prioritization ranking information types in order of said occupant's preference; electronically detecting at least one vehicle approaching said electronic road sign; electronically determining a respective identity of at least one identifier associated with said at least one vehicle; selecting information in response to said respective identity of at least one identifier and said prioritization; and displaying said selected information on said dynamic display.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for providing information to an occupant of a road vehicle using an electronic road sign, said electronic road sign having a dynamic display, comprising the steps of: receiving from the occupant a prioritization of information types, said prioritization ranking information types in order of said occupant's preference; electronically detecting at least one vehicle approaching said electronic road sign; electronically determining a respective identity of at least one identifier associated with said at least one vehicle; selecting information in response to said respective identity of at least one identifier and said prioritization; and displaying said selected information on said dynamic display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method claimed in claim 2 , wherein: said step of electronically detecting at least one vehicle approaching said electronic road sign comprises communicating a radio frequency signal between a respective device in said at least one vehicle and a device associated with said road sign; and said step of electronically determining a respective identity of at least one identifier associated with said vehicle comprises communicating a radio frequency signal between a respective device in said at least one vehicle and a device associated with said road sign.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method claimed in claim 3 , further comprising the steps of: prior to said steps of electronically detecting at least one vehicle and electronically determining said identity of at least one identifier, said occupant providing a base station computer located remotely from said road sign with said prioritization of information; and communicating information from said base station computer to said road sign; wherein said step of selecting information comprises selecting information of one of said information types.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method claimed in claim 4 , wherein said step of selecting information of one of said information types comprises the steps of: determining an amount of time elapsed since previously selecting information of one of said information types; and selecting information of a type not previously selected within a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method claimed in claim 4 , wherein said step of selecting information of one of said information types comprises the steps of: determining whether information of one of said information types is not available; and selecting information of a type that is available but of lower priority than information of a type that is not available.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method claimed in claim 3 , wherein: said step of selecting information in response to said identity comprises selecting said information at a base station computer located remotely from said road sign; and said step of displaying information on said dynamic display comprises communicating selected information from said base station computer to said road sign.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method claimed in claim 7 , further comprising the step of, prior to said steps of electronically detecting at least one vehicle and electronically determining an identity of at least one identifier, providing said base station computer with a textual message, wherein said information selected in response to said identity includes said message and said information displayed on said dynamic display includes said message.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method claimed in claim 8 , wherein said step of providing said base station computer with a textual message comprises the step of entering said textual message into a computer in communication with said base station computer via a wide-area computer network and located remotely from said base station computer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method claimed in claim 7 , further comprising the step of, prior to said steps of electronically detecting a vehicle and electronically determining an identity of an identifier, establishing an account associated with said vehicle on said base station computer in exchange for a predetermined payment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method claimed in claim 2 , wherein said step of selecting information in response to the respective identity of at least one identifier comprises selecting information in response to at least one characteristic associated with a plurality of said identifiers.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for providing information to an occupant of a road vehicle, comprising: an electronic road sign having a dynamic display; a receiver apparatus for receiving electronically detectable tags, each tag being borne by a respective vehicle approaching said electronic road sign; and a programmable processor coupled to said receiver apparatus and to said electronic road sign, said processor being programmed to receive a prioritization of information types from said occupant, to select information in response to at least one said electronically detectable tags and said prioritization, and to cause said information to be displayed on said dynamic display when the at least one vehicle bearing the at least one said electronically detectable tags approaches said road sign.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for providing information to an occupant of a road vehicle, comprising: an electronic road sign having a dynamic display; a receiver apparatus for receiving electronically detectable tags, each tag being borne by a respective vehicle approaching said electronic road sign; and a programmable processor coupled to said receiver apparatus and to said electronic road sign, said processor being programmed to receive a prioritization of information types from said occupant, to select information in response to at least one said electronically detectable tags and said prioritization, and to cause said information to be displayed on said dynamic display when the at least one vehicle bearing the at least one said electronically detectable tags approaches said road sign.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system claimed in claim 11 , wherein a radio frequency signal is communicated between said receiver apparatus and said tag to electronically detect said tag.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system claimed in claim 12 , further comprising a base station computer located remotely from said road sign, wherein said occupant provides said base station computer with the prioritization of information types in order of said occupant's preference, and wherein said information is selected from one of said information types and communicated from said base station computer to said road sign.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system claimed in claim 13 wherein said base station computer determines an amount of time elapsed since previously selecting information of one of said information types and selects information of a type not previously selected within a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system claimed in claim 13 , wherein said base station computer determines whether information of one of said information types is not available and selects information of a type that is available but of lower priority than information of a type that is not available.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system claimed in claim 12 , further comprising a base station computer located remotely from said road sign, wherein selected information is communicated from said base station computer to said road sign.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system claimed in claim 16 , wherein said base station computer is part of a computer system having an input device for receiving a textual message, wherein said information selected in response to said identity includes said message and said information displayed on said electronic road sign includes said message.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system claimed in claim 17 , wherein said computer system includes a wide-area network, and said textual message is entered into a computer in communication with said base station computer via said wide-area computer network and located remotely from said base station computer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system claimed in claim 12 , wherein said programmable processor is programmed to select information in response to at least one characteristic associated with a plurality of said tag.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the information comprises travel information.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the information comprises road conditions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the information comprises advertisements.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 23 , further comprising selecting the advertisements to be displayed based on the individual in close proximity to the electronic sign.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the tag comprises a personal digital assistant having an identifier associated therewith.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the tag comprises a cellular telephone having an identifier associated therewith.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the tag comprises a pager having an identifier associated therewith.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for providing dynamic information, comprising: associating a tag with an individual; receiving a desired information selection from the individual; detecting the tag as being in close proximity to an electronic sign, the electronic sign having a dynamic display; and in response to detecting the tag: determining the identity of the tag; receiving the desired information associated with the identified tag; and displaying the information on the dynamic display.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for providing dynamic information, comprising: associating a tag with an individual; receiving a desired information selection from the individual; detecting the tag as being in close proximity to an electronic sign, the electronic sign having a dynamic display; and in response to detecting the tag: determining the identity of the tag; receiving the desired information associated with the identified tag; and displaying the information on the dynamic display.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-06-30 | 2006-12-30 | 2007-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-30 | 2010-12-30 | 2011-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-30 | 2014-12-30 | 2015-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |