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 interactive system for identifying, measuring, and tracking consumer exposure to a number of different advertisements or promotional segments, comprising:
 a processor receiving inputs from one or more sensors and, responsive thereto, configured for simultaneously identifying at least one potential viewer and measuring viewer responses and the number of viewers of different advertisements, while displaying different selected advertisements for viewing by the viewer;   in an idle mode, said processor displaying programmed non-advertisement information;   said processor invoking an active mode in which a programmed sequence of advertisements is displayed when presence of at least one potential viewer within a proximity range is sensed by said one or more sensors;   said processor again activating said idle mode and displaying associated non-advertisement information when it is sensed by said one or more sensors that viewers are no longer present within said proximity range;   said processor determining an activation time period of said active mode and determining portions of the programmed sequence of advertisements that were displayed during the active mode to identify one or more advertisements that may have been viewed by an identified viewer, as well as said viewer's response thereto; and   said processor generating viewer tracking data and viewer response data representative of the time period that the active mode was invoked and portions of the sequence of advertisements that were displayed during the active mode.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said processor configured for analyzing said tracking data to determine:
 information that was displayed in the active mode; 
 duration of the active mode; 
 viewer presence and identification; 
 viewer response and what portions of the active mode information may have been viewed by potential viewers; 
 viewer response and tracking data that indicates the viewer response and number of viewers that are present within the proximity range and viewing the display; and 
 a number of occurrences that particular advertisements were presented to potential viewers. 
   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , said one or more sensors further comprising;
 a proximity sensor comprising any of position and distance sensors, including any of ultra-sound sensors and complex sensors operating with an object recognition algorithm;   pressure sensors activated by body or vehicle weight;   a receiver for voice activation;   switches that sense use or viewer action involving a telephone handset, door, seat, or grab handle;   heat sensors that include any of commercially available heat sensors and infrared detectors;   sensors that detect persons;   facial recognition sensors; optical sensors, including any of retinal and iris scans;   cameras; and   combinations thereof.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said processor, in response to inputs from said one or more sensors, determining a viewer's shape and identifying a viewer within a proximity range.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said processor determining if a viewer is facing the display for any of:
 determining if the viewer is actually viewing information being shown by the display; 
 determining what portion of the display is being viewed by the viewer; and 
 determining an interest level on the part of the viewer to what is being seen, using any of changes in eye pupil size and an analysis of fine eye movement. 
   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said processor determining certain characteristics of the viewer, said characteristics comprising any of approximate age, nationality, race or ethnic background, gender, physical characteristics, or interest level in what advertisement is being shown.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said processor implying proximity sensing by viewer use of devices physically adjacent to the system;   wherein said adjacent devices communicate with said processor using a data link to inferred proximity when a viewer uses the adjacent device.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said processor using visual and audible sensing of the viewer to determine the viewer's identity, said sensing comprising any of analysis of a voiceprint, facial recognition, and retinal scan; and   said processor using at least said identity information to display viewer-specific advertising that is custom created for that particular viewer.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said processor determining that when a viewer uses a credit card at a vending facility the consumer's identity is known;   said processor simultaneously capture any of the viewer's picture and voiceprint;   a next time said viewer makes a purchase at said facility said processor identifying the viewer from a picture or voice in advance of the viewer using a credit card;   said processor using said viewer's identity and spending profile to create a targeted advertisement that is custom to the viewer; and   said processor directly correlating said viewer's identity with subsequent purchases.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said processor changing advertising material presented to the viewer depending upon any of the position of the viewer, proximity of the viewer to another device, and time of day.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said processor receiving an input from a transit vehicle seat switch to trigger the display to enter the active mode when a viewer sits down;   said processor knowing said transit vehicle location by use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other device; and   said processor presenting an advertisement to said viewer for a business that is coming up at an approaching stop of the transit vehicle.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said processor changing advertising material presented based upon information gathered by the one or more sensors.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said processor, in connection with one or more displays, tracking viewer viewing of material presented on the display by using said one or more sensors to observe eye and head movements of the viewer or determine if a potential viewer is within the proximity of the display;   wherein advertising or other material is presented to the viewer on the display, or on a portion of the display, and the viewer's eye movement is tracked to determine if the viewer is looking at the advertising material, how long the viewer is looking at the advertising material, the viewer's interest level in the material, the volume setting of any audio channel, and the amount of background distraction; and   said processor collecting any of demographic and identification information about the viewer.