| Methods and apparatus for ultra-violet stimulated displays -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Methods and apparatus for ultra-violet stimulated displaysUSPTO Application #: 20060111981Title: Methods and apparatus for ultra-violet stimulated displays Abstract: A display element for use in a display device that exhibits extended illumination longevity and uniformity, as well as a wide viewing angle, is provided. The element can include a light source that emits ultraviolet light, a liquid crystal device having a plurality of independently controllable (i.e., addressable) shutters, a screening element between the light source and the liquid crystal device, a plurality of luminescent elements optically aligned with the shutters, and a regulated power supply. Display devices, calibration techniques, and power management methods are also provided. (end of abstract) Agent: Frost Brown Todd, LLC - Cincinnati, OH, US Inventors: Charles Eric Hunter, Laurie McNeil USPTO Applicaton #: 20060111981 - Class: 705014000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice, Management, Or Cost/price Determination, Automated Electrical Financial Or Business Practice Or Management Arrangement, Distribution Or Redemption Of Coupon, Or Incentive Or Promotion Program The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060111981. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/133,733, filed Apr. 29, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/416,333, filed Oct. 12, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,605, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/315,111, filed May 18, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,998, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/301,102, filed Apr. 28, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,603, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/382,623, filed May 24, 2002, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. BACKGROUND [0002] The invention relates to the display of video or still image content on electronic display devices. More particularly, the invention relates to luminescent-type displays that are ultraviolet light stimulated, networks that include such displays, such as electronic billboards or electronic digital movie displays, and related systems that permit display of content on selected displays according to customer dictates. [0003] 1. Electronic Display Devices [0004] Liquid crystal displays are well known, but applications of these devices are still plagued by a variety of problems, including limited viewing angle, longevity, and manufacturing cost. For example, Crossland et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,345 describes a liquid crystal display that includes a light source that produces activation light at a predetermined narrow range of UV wavelengths, a collimator for directing the activation light in parallel in a predetermined direction, a LC cell formed from an array of pixels, a photoluminescent screen on the cell arranged to emit a visible output when struck by the narrow-band excitation light passing through the cell, and a drive circuit for addressing the LC cell in a multiplexed manner. According to Crossland et al., the direction of light and the thickness of the cell are chosen to give the best contrast ratio for the liquid cell. Crossland et al. does not address the problem of light source failure and illumination nonuniformity across the screen. [0005] Filters for liquid crystal displays are also known. For example, Honda et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,700 shows a filter that has a light diffusing plate formed from a film containing at least two photopolymerizable oligomers or monomers. According to Honda et al., "[w]hen the filter is fitted to a light emitting side of a liquid crystal display device, an angle of view of the liquid crystal display face plane is widened, shadows due to opaque parts of the device are reduced, and a Moire fringe is hardly formed" (Abstract). Honda et al. also does not address light source failures that can shorten the lifespan of the device nor illumination nonuniformity that can adversely affect a viewing experience. [0006] Moreover, high efficiency fluorescent lamp devices are known that include UV stimulated phosphors. For example, Armstrong et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,626 shows a lamp that includes a UV light source (i.e., a mercury arc producing tube) within an enclosure that excites a phosphor coating applied to an interior surface of the enclosure. Armstrong et al. provides geometric formations on the interior surface to increase the oblique surface area to increase the amount of phosphor without using a thick coating. Still, Armstrong et al. does not address light source failure and illumination nonuniformities. [0007] Thus, there is a need for electronic display devices that provide a wide viewing angle, an extended longevity, and minimal illumination nonuniformities. [0008] 2. Advertising/Billboards [0009] Consumer product advertising takes many forms, such as television commercials, newspaper and magazine advertisements, mailings, point-of-sale displays, outdoor billboards, etc. Using current advertising media, advertisers engage in a constant struggle to efficiently use their budgets to effectively reach their geographic and demographic targets. [0010] Focusing on the outdoor advertising component of advertising by consumer product companies, it is well known that outdoor billboards have traditionally taken the form of single-message displays formed of printed sheets or painted surfaces containing the advertising content adhered to a flat backing. This time-honored outdoor advertising technique has remained essentially unchanged throughout the twentieth century. The high cost of printing, transporting, and mounting a message on a conventional billboard has dictated that the same message remain in place for a considerable period of time. Thus, a conventional billboard cannot be readily be changed to reflect current events within the geographical area of the billboard. [0011] Additionally, the content on a conventional billboard tends to become essentially "invisible" as a part of the landscape after its content has been in place for a relatively short period of time, especially to commuters and others who regularly pass the billboard. Beyond the above problems with cost, single-message content, lack of content changeover capability, and the like, conventional outdoor billboards have come under increasing criticism because in their large numbers, and often tattered condition, they clutter highways with a distasteful form of visual "pollution". A reduction in the number of billboards and improvement of the appearance of those that remain, if accomplished while increasing the overall advertising impact afforded by outdoor advertising, would please virtually everyone. [0012] The use of electronic billboards has been suggested, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,741. However, applicants lack of no electronic billboard network in operation whereby commercial advertisers may directly place ads onto selected billboards at selected times through direct access to a master network. Such a network, properly designed and operated, promises to overcome the numerous disadvantages currently associated with the outdoor advertising industry, while also meeting the above needs of consumer products advertisers. [0013] 3. Distribution and Display of Movies at Movie Theaters [0014] For virtually the entire twentieth century the practice of distributing movies on film reels to movie theaters has gone fundamentally unchanged. As is well known, movie content is stored on large reels of film, one or more copies of which must be physically transported to each movie theater where the movie will be shown. The films are bulky, heavy, and expensive to reproduce and ship to movie theaters. Films also show wear and eventually must be removed from use. Obviously, a movie theater's ability to show a particular movie is subject to the film reels being physically present at the proper time. Thus, substantial lead time must be provided anytime a movie theater operator is preparing the schedule for his screen(s). [0015] In addition to the above problems inherent in the current movie distribution scheme, the high cost of conventional film reel movie distribution results in most movies not going to full distribution. In this regard, the full distribution of a movie (e.g., the cost of film reels and their transportation) can cost four to five million dollars or more. As a related problem, the cost of making film reels of older movies, particularly non-"blockbuster" movies, which are available on an ongoing basis is prohibitive. Thus, theater owners and movie goers are deprived of movie theater screening for the vast majority of available movie content because the movies are not in current distribution. Moreover, content providers (e.g., Disney, Warner Brothers, etc.) are deprived of the revenue from the movies for which ongoing, continuous distribution is simply too expensive. [0016] Thus, there is a need for a new movie distribution system that will overcome the above shortcomings of current movie distribution practices. SUMMARY [0017] Consistent with one aspect of the present invention, a display element for use in a display device that exhibits a wide viewing angle, extended longevity, and which improves illumination uniformity can be provided. The element can include at least a first light source that emits ultraviolet light, a liquid crystal device having a plurality of independently controllable (i.e., addressable) shutters, a screening element between the light source and the liquid crystal device, and a plurality of luminescent elements optically aligned with the light source and each of the shutters, wherein each of the luminescent elements absorbs at least some of the ultraviolet light and converts it to visible light. [0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, a display device can be provided that can include a plurality of light sources that each emits ultraviolet light, a plurality of independently controllable shutters, a plurality of luminescent elements optically aligned with the light source and each of the shutters, wherein each of the luminescent elements can absorb at least some of the ultraviolet light and convert it to visible light, and a regulated power supply for supplying power to the light source. The device can further include a screen between the light source and the liquid crystal device. [0019] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a system can be provided that permits display content (e.g., video or still image content) to be displayed on selected ones of multiple, networked electronic displays at selected times according to dictates of the customers of the system. [0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, commercial advertisers, such as consumer product companies and the advertising agents that represent them, can directly access a network of multiple, large, high resolution electronic displays located in high traffic areas and directly send their own advertisements electronically to the network to be displayed at locations and times selected by the advertisers. In one particular embodiment, the invention can include a central information processing center that permits customers to review a schedule of times and electronic display locations that are available for placement of advertisements, and permits customers to purchase available time slots at selected electronic display locations for placement of their advertising content. A customer can then transmit advertising content to the processing center where the content is reviewed for appropriateness and transmitted to one or more customer-selected electronic displays. [0021] In some embodiments, the electronic display devices are large (e.g., 23.times.331/2 ft.) flat LED display devices that are driven by dedicated video or image servers. Verification that the advertisements run as ordered can be facilitated by an information storage module or by a digital camera or series of digital cameras. A traffic counter may be used to determine the traffic that passed by the display while the advertisement was running. Bills and reports containing market and demographic analysis can be generated and sent to the customer. [0022] In another illustrative embodiment of the invention, operators of digital movie theaters have ongoing, continuous access to tens of thousands of movies that can be ordered in digital form for display on selected "screens" at their theaters at selected times. The movie theater operator is a customer of a system that permits the customer to review movies that are available in digital form and thereafter schedule and purchase a movie for display on the digital movie screens located at the customer's movie theater. [0023] The movies can be transmitted by the system to the movie theater operators by a number of transmission modes, including a satellite uplink/downlink system that transmits movie content in non-real time (allowing faster transmission speeds) in encoded digital format, with a decoder at the movie theater to protect against piracy. The system can include means for generating bills to the customers and forwarding the bills for debit payment. The system may also include means for generating royalty payment information for use in paying the content providers for the display of their movies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Continue reading... Full patent description for Methods and apparatus for ultra-violet stimulated displays Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Methods and apparatus for ultra-violet stimulated displays patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20080109318 - Business method for facilitating advertisement response - This invention relates to a business method of facilitating response to advertisements, presented in any medium, and the use of the method for the purpose of performing demographic research. ... 20080109308 - Internet-based frequency and award redemption system and method - An on-line frequency award program is disclosed. A user may access the program on-line and may browse a product catalog for shopping. The user may electronically place an order, upon which the program automatically checks the user's credit and electronically issues a purchase order to the supplying company. The program ... 20080109306 - Media marketplaces - Aspects of the present invention include methods and systems that involve enabling content item generators to present content items for association of advertisements; enabling an advertiser to request association of an advertisement with at least one of the presented content items; and associating the content items with advertising, tracking, and ... 20080109315 - Method and apparatus for determining a customer's likelihood of paying off a financial account - A system, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code for predicting or otherwise determining a customer's likelihood of paying off a financial account. The financial account may have a maximum loan amount, interest rate, minimum monthly payment, or other term or condition associated with it. In some embodiments, the financial ... 20080109314 - Method and apparatus for determining a customer's likelihood of reusing a financial account - A system, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code for predicting or otherwise determining a customer's likelihood of reactivating or reusing a financial account, particularly when the account has a zero or near zero balance. The financial account may have a maximum loan amount, interest rate, minimum monthly payment, or ... 20080109311 - Method of providing product demonstrations - A method of enabling adaptable demonstrations of a household appliance comprising providing consumer-specific updates to a demonstration software at a location remote from an appliance and downloading the consumer-specific updates to the appliance over an information network in response to a determined characteristic of the consumer or enabling a video ... 20080109307 - Methods and systems for securing content played on mobile devices - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for managing content, including advertising content, delivered to various network-connected devices, including screens, mobile devices, computers, televisions, radios, and the like, based on usage profiles associated with device-specific identifiers for mobile devices, short-distance wireless technologies for transmission of content and detection of proximity, and ... 20080109316 - Pointer region capture to form a registry independent of a merchant site - A method, apparatus and system of method and system of pointer region capture to form a registry independent of a merchant site is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method a registry module, includes determining an item boundary surrounding a current location of a pointer based on a merchant site mapping ... 20080109309 - Powered print advertisements, product packaging, and trading cards - Compact powered systems are provided that include a substrate, a thin battery, an activation element, and an output device in electrical communication. The compact powered systems may be dynamic, powered print advertisements, product packaging, trading cards, printed ephemera or printed media that activate when subjected to an outside influence or ... 20080109310 - Product demonstration system and method - A method of demonstrating a household appliance by executing a demonstration software to cause demonstration of at least one component of the appliance and to display related information on a user interface of the appliance by a multimedia program. ... 20080109312 - Product demonstration systems - An appliance having a smart device in communication with multiple components of the appliance and a user interface of the appliance, the smart device having an updatable demonstration software that takes over control of the multiple components from the controller when executing the demonstration software to implement a demonstration of ... 20080109313 - System and method for toy adoption and marketing - A method provides defining a profile associated with an image representing a real toy or product, said profile including at least one variable parameter therein, which variable parameter effects the way the image is displayed on the website, based on said interacting, changing a part of the profile that includes ... 20080109317 - Wireless dissemination of environment aware information - The method and system disclosed herein enables non-spamming dissemination of environment and proximity aware information and advertisements to a user of a mobile device. The method disclosed herein provides a client application on the mobile device. The client application detects the presence of base station sensor devices in proximity to ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Methods and apparatus for ultra-violet stimulated displays or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method, system and computer program for providing a loyalty engine enabling dynamic administration of loyalty programs Next Patent Application: Online game advertising system Industry Class: Data processing: financial, business practice, management, or cost/price determination ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Methods and apparatus for ultra-violet stimulated displays patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 2.7839 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , |
||
