Advertising method for dynamic billboards

Abstract

An advertising billboard comprises a server and a display controller adapted to receive, store, and display dynamic-content from a server. At least one content display unit is in communication with the display controller, wherein the content display unit visually displays the information from the dynamic-content. The display controller may be adapted to receive, store, and display dynamic-content from a plurality of servers, wherein the display controller comprises a hierarchical control scheme, the hierarchical control scheme adapted to select dynamic-content from one server of the plurality of servers for display on the content display unit. The advertising billboard device may also comprise a plurality of display controllers in communication with a plurality of content display units, each display controller from the plurality of display controllers having a type identifier, wherein each of the display controllers selects dynamic-content for display on its content display unit as a function of the type identifier.

1 . A method of billboard advertising comprising the steps of: 
 A) providing a passive content display unit;    B) providing a display controller, wherein said display controller is adapted to receive, store, and provide dynamic-content for said content display unit;    C) providing a server, wherein said server is adapted to send dynamic-content to said display controller; and    D) displaying dynamic-content on said content display unit.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: 
 E) providing a plurality of content display units, each having a display controller;    F) identifying each content display unit of said plurality of content display units with a characteristic; and    G) displaying dynamic-content on each of said plurality of content display units wherein said dynamic-content is different for each said characteristic.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the steps of: 
 H) providing a clock indicating a time;    I) storing a plurality of dynamic-contents; and    J) changing the dynamic-content displayed on one said content display unit from a first stored dynamic-content to a second stored dynamic-content at a first time.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the steps of: 
 K) providing a plurality of servers; and    L) providing a hierarchy to at least one said display controller, said hierarchy used to select one server from said plurality of servers for dynamic-content to display by said display controller.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the steps of: 
 M) providing a camera, said camera in viewing proximity to one of said content display units; and    N) taking a picture of said one content display units with said camera.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said passive content display unit comprises GYRICON.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said passive content display unit comprises E-INK.  
   
   
       8 . A method of billboard advertising comprising the steps of: 
 A) providing a passive content display unit;    B) providing a display controller, wherein said display controller is adapted to receive, store, and provide dynamic-content for said content display unit;    C) providing a server, wherein said server is adapted to send dynamic-content to said display controller;    D) displaying dynamic-content on said content display unit;    E) providing a clock indicating a time;    F) storing a plurality of dynamic-contents; and    G) changing the dynamic-content displayed on one said content display unit from a first stored dynamic-content to a second stored dynamic-content at a first time.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the steps of: 
 H) providing a camera, said camera in viewing proximity to said passive content display unit; and    I) taking a picture of said passive content display unit with said camera.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said passive content display unit comprises GYRICON.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said passive content display unit comprises E-INK.  
   
   
       12 . A method for billboard advertising comprising the steps of: 
 A) providing an advertising system, wherein said advertising system comprises: 
 at least one server;  
 at least one display controller, wherein said at least one display controller is adapted to receive, store, and display dynamic-content from said at least one server; and  
 at least one content display unit in communication with said at least one display controller, wherein said at least one content display unit visually displays the information from said dynamic-content;  
   B) receiving advertising information from an advertiser;    C) communicating said advertising information as dynamic-content from said at least one server to said at least one display controller; and    D) displaying said advertising information on said at least one content display unit.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of: 
 E) segmenting a plurality of content display units into a plurality of groups, each group from said plurality of groups identified with a characteristic.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of: 
 F) selecting a group from said plurality of groups to display dynamic-content on said plurality of content display units having said group characteristic.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein in step D, said displaying step is divided into a plurality of time segments, wherein a first advertisement is displayed during a first time segment and a second advertisement is displayed during a second time segment.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein in step D, said displaying step is divided into a plurality of time segments, wherein a first advertisement is displayed during a first time segment and a second advertisement is displayed during a second time segment.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein in step A, a plurality of servers are provided, said method further comprising the steps of: 
 G) selecting a hierarchy, said hierarchy defining a prioritization of said plurality of servers to at least one of said display controllers such that said at least one display controller selects one server from said plurality of servers.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein in step A, a plurality of servers are provided, said method further comprising the steps of: 
 G) selecting a hierarchy, said hierarchy defining a prioritization of said plurality of servers to at least one of said display controllers such that said at least one display controller selects one server from said plurality of servers.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein in step A, a plurality of servers are provided, said method further comprising the steps of: 
 G) selecting a hierarchy, said hierarchy defining a prioritization of said plurality of servers to at least one of said display controllers such that said at least one display controller selects one server from said plurality of servers.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said passive content display unit comprises GYRICON.