System for selectively communicating promotional information to a person

Abstract

A system for selectively communicating promotional information to a person, includes a sensing system, a storage device, a controller, and a projection device. The sensing system measures a detectable feature associated with the person sensed by the sensing system and the storage device stores a plurality of promotional segments. The controller uses the measured detectable feature associated with the person for selecting one of the stored promotional segments and causing the projection device to project to the person at the predetermined location the selected promotional segment.

1 . An automated method for communicating individualized promotional information to a person, the method comprising:
 sensing an activity;   determining a distinguishing characteristic of a person responsible for the activity; and   selectively communicating one or more promotional information segments to the person based on the determined distinguishing characteristic of the person.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining the person's interest in the communicated promotional information segments. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the promotional information segments are communicated to the person using an electronic display. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step of determining the person's interest comprises determining whether the person is looking in the direction of the electronic display. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step of determining the person's interest comprises determining the duration that the person is looking in the direction of the electronic display. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of determining the person's interest comprises measuring changes in the person's eye pupil size. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of determining the person's interest comprises analyzing eye movement of the person. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of selectively communicating is further based on the determined interest. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining whether the person ordered or purchased a product or service which is the subject of a communicated promotional information segment. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining whether the person ordered or purchased a product or service which is the subject of a communicated promotional information segment within a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining whether the person ordered or purchased a product or service which is the subject of a communicated promotional information segment from a predetermined vendor. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of affording the person the opportunity of effect a purchase or order of a service or product which is the subject of a communicated information segment. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of affording comprises establishing communication between the person and a vendor of the product or service. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein communication is established using an input device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining a distinguishing characteristic comprises accessing pre-stored information about the person. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pre-stored information is conveyed via a data link from a remote location to the location from which the promotional information segment is communicated. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining a distinguishing characteristic comprises determining one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of gender, race, ethnic background, age, nationality, height, weight, and shape of the person. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more characteristics are determined by facial scanning. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more characteristics are determined by an optical detector effecting a retinal and/or iris scan. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more characteristics are determined by voiceprint analysis. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing entry of the person into a detection zone. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing pressure exerted by the person. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing pressure exerted by vehicle operated by the person. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step of sensing comprises sensing heat and/or infrared radiation emitted by and/or reflected by the person. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing sound waves emitted and/or reflected by the person. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing comprises sensing activity of a device operated by the person. 
     
     
         27 . An automated method for projecting feature-specific promotional information, the method comprising:
 sensing an activity;   identifying a feature of the activity; and   projecting one or more promotional information segments specific to the identified feature.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising the step of offering for sale a service or product associated with a projected promotional information segment. 
     
     
         29 . An automated method for interactively communicating information to a person and/or determining information about the person, the method comprising:
 sensing an activity;   communicating one or more promotional information segments to a person responsible for the activity; and   determining a level of-interest of the person in a communicated promotional information segment.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the step of communicating comprises displaying the promotional information segments or a display means, the method further comprising the step of determining the portion of the display means the person is viewing. 
     
     
         31 . A system for selectively communicating promotional information to a person, the system comprising:
 a sensing system for sensing an activity of the person;   a controller for identifying a feature of the sensed activity; and   a projection device for projecting to the person promotional information based on the identified feature.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the identified feature is a location of the system for selectively communicating. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the location is identified using a global positioning system (GPS).