Telecommunications – Transmitter and receiver at separate stations – Having diverse art device
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-28
2001-10-02
Le, Thanh Cong (Department: 2684)
Telecommunications
Transmitter and receiver at separate stations
Having diverse art device
C455S063300, C455S310000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298218
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a system and a method for advertising and other content on an entertainment unit, and more particularly to such systems where data transmission is to a receiver which can receive the data on a selected one of a plurality of frequencies or channels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of headsets or headphones to listen to prerecorded audio programs has become commonplace. Sometimes this use is because the listener is mobile and listening to a tape or CD, usually walking or running, and there is no fixed radio receiver available. Sometimes the user is at a sports event, such as a football or baseball game and uses the headset to listen to an AM or FM broadcast of the game. In some instances, the listener is within a gym or other building where either the traditional broadcast bands are blocked or distorted or where there are other available bands, such as a higher frequency carrier (for example the 900 MHZ band) which is carrying programs or other information unique to the local facility. This “other” information can be music channels, instructions for the use of certain equipment, directions for following a detour, audio component of an advertisement, or a walking tour of an art exhibit, etc.
Often, in such environments, it is necessary to change from one channel to another (or one band to another) once, twice, or several times, perhaps depending upon what material content the user desires to listen to, or watch.
A major problem in gyms, stock brokerage houses, factories, and other places where many people gather is to allow each individual person to listen to or view, a unique audio or video program without interference with other people in close proximity. Furthermore, advertisers are often unable to get an attentive audience, especially if the product or service does not appeal to the particular individual. Therefore, in such facilities, there is a need to provide entertainment on an individual basis to the users and also to provide advertisers with a captive audience.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,735, issued on Apr. 25, 1995 to Robert L. Borchardt, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, is one example of a portable headset designed to receive a 900 MHZ signal for the purpose of allowing the user to listen to programs at a distance remote from a local transmitter.
The problem discussed above exists in applications other than traditional radio. For example, many portable processors store information in a memory and need to communicate that information to a fixed unit, or to a plurality of fixed units, each possibly operating on different bands, or on different channels, within the same band.
One specific example of such a problem is a gym environment where there are multiple work stations and many users. Presently, it is common practice to place a video display, such as a television, in a location having common visibility from a number of stations. This situation does not allow a user to have individual data, such as video or audio, communicated only to that user. Consequently, advertisers are unable to target their audience based on the needs of the particular individual. This results in users either changing the channels or switching off the device. Therefore, a seller is unable to get a captive audience for his products.
Assuming that a plurality of data transmission devices were to be made available to a like number of work stations, then a user at such a work station could view, or listen to, data of that user's choice. In such a situation, data (e.g. sound and pictures) from one transmission device would interfere with data from other devices. The solution to this problem is the use of headsets, preferably wireless headsets. A system is required that can differentiate one user from the next, so that each user would see and hear program materials unique to that user.
Further, since some of the information that a user desires is unique to that user, a system is required to identify that particular user.
Thus, a need exists in the art for a data receiving device, that is multi-modal in that it can be used to receive data on several different channels, with the user being able to control the selection of at least one of the currently operating channels.
A further need exists in the art for such a system in which the information content that the user desires to hear or see serves to select the band, or the channel within a band, that is operable at a particular point in time.
A still further need exists in the art for such a system in which the physical position of the user serves to select the band, or the channel within a band, that is operable at a particular point in time.
A still further need exists in the art for advertisers to be able to target their audiences based on the particular needs of the individual user.
A still further need exists in the art for advertisers to have a captive audience in order to effectively convey their message.
A still further need exists in the art for a system which detects the presence of a user without a headset in proximity to a transmitter so that the user can be targeted with a different type of advertising.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other problems have been solved by having a multi-channel data receiver device within, for example, a headset or a video display, allowing the channel to be selected by a signal received by the headset or the display. In one embodiment, this signal is an out-of-band infrared (IR) signal. Contained within the IR transmission is data pertaining to the band and/or the desired channel within that band. In an alternative embodiment, the control signal could be received on a fixed tuned channel within a certain band, or within each of the available bands, or in response to a temporary coupling between the transmitter and the receiver, during which time data is exchanged between the two devices.
As an example, assume a person using one of many treadmills (or other exercise equipment) in a gym or club environment is also using a headset. The person would step onto the treadmill (or otherwise come within proximity to the treadmill) and, in one preferred embodiment, an IR signal from a sender unit mounted on the treadmill would be received by the headsets of the user. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the headsets would be brought into physical contact (or near physical contact) with the treadmill mounted unit (transmitter) and data exchanged between the treadmill unit and the headsets. In another preferred embodiment, the person would step onto the treadmill (or other exercise equipment) and push a button on the treadmill to initiate data transfer between the headset and the treadmill. A touch sensitive screen could be used in place of the button.
In yet another embodiment, when a person without a headset steps on the treadmill, an ultrasound, or other user presence detection interface would detect the presence of the user in proximity to the treadmill and trigger the display to light up.
In the following, Full Effect advertising refers to advertising containing full motion video with stereo sound included. Video Effect advertising refers to advertising containing full motion video or “billboards” without sound. The term “billboard” in this context refers to a fixed video image, in contrast to video which incorporates motion.
For those users with headsets, the received IR signal (or the physically coupled data transfer) would tune the headset to the channel, within the audio signal band, that is unique to that particular treadmill, and, in the other direction, identify the user to the unit associated with the treadmill. During this time the entertainment unit on the treadmill will synchronize with an advertising server. This advertising server would feed advertisements to the entertainment unit, based upon the user's demographics. The advertisements would comprise full motion video or billboards, with or without sound. The synchronization step is required to ensure that advertisements are always viewed from beginning to end, o
Lowe Danny D.
Simpson Todd G.
Clubcom, Inc.
Cong Le Thanh
Reed Smith LLP
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