Advertisement Apparatus

The present invention concerns advertisement apparatus for use in particular, although not exclusively, in car parks (or "car lots" as they are known in the USA). The invention also concerns a method of collecting information concerning the occupancy of vehicle bays in car parks, and a method of collecting information relating to the traffic passing an advertisement display.

hi car parks (known as car lots in the USA) it is known to have advertising displays or hoardings. However, these are typically located at locations such as staircases or lifts and are for attracting the attention of pedestrians. Furthermore, there is no means for collecting information on the number of times a particular advertisement may have been viewed.

Car parks are often badly illuminated and are considered undesirable, or even dangerous, places to use. Also, central payment points can malfunction, or be damaged, such that a user has to seek out, and possibly walk further than desired to locate, one that is operational. Further, although the provision of security in car parks has increased recently, for instance through the use of CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras, it is very difficult to maintain a watch of all vehicles parked in the car park at all times and accordingly the theft of, or damage to, vehicles may go unchecked or unrecorded.

Accordingly, there is a need to improve the environment of car parks, to provide better services to its user, to provide information for the management of the car park, and to provide information for the management of any advertising.

In one aspect, the present invention provides advertisement apparatus comprising at least one display means for providing advertising information, detection means for automatically detecting the presence and/or absence of a vehicle and/or a person within a predetermined distance, and storage means for recording the number of detections of such vehicles and/or persons.

hi another aspect, the invention provides advertisement apparatus comprising at least one display means for providing advertising information, detection means for automatically detecting the presence and/or absence of a vehicle and/or a person within a predetermined distance, and illumination means for illuminating at least the advertising information in response to the detection of the presence of a vehicle and/or person.

The apparatus may include discrimination means for discriminating between the presence of a vehicle and a person. The storage means may be capable of recording the number of detections of each.

The apparatus may include means for identifying the time of each detection and/or measuring the time period during which the vehicle or person remains within the

predetermined distance. The storage means may be capable of recording said time and/or time period.

The apparatus may include connection means for facilitating interrogation of the storage means. This may provide data which may be useful for the management of a car park in which the apparatus is installed. For instance, the data may highlight areas, or particular bays, in the car park which are not used as regularly as others. This may be due to awkward access, which once brought to the attention of the management may be addressed. Other aspects relating to the data may be useful such as the overall usage of the car park at different times.

The recording of the information relating to the number of detections of vehicles and/or persons may also be useful for managing the advertising within the car park. For instance, particular bays or areas of the car park which have a greater number of detections would be more desirable to advertisers compared to areas of the car park which detect lower numbers. Since, as described below, it may be possible to derive a revenue stream from the advertisers which, in part, may be passed onto the car park management/owners, the pricing of various locations within the car park may be more effectively managed in the light of the recorded information. Furthermore, the advertisers may be interested to know the number of times their advertisements are being seen or illuminated.

The storage means which records the total number of detections of such vehicles and/or persons may be different from, or may be the same as, the storage means

which records the number of discriminated detections of each, and the storage means which records the times and time periods.

Such apparatus may be produced at relatively low cost so that it is relatively inexpensive, and therefore possible, to locate one at each parking bay within a car park. The apparatus may be situated at the centre of the short side of the parking bay such that when a driver drives his vehicle into the parking bay the apparatus is directly in front of the vehicle and visible through the windscreen. However, other locations are contemplated such as the long side of a parking bay, or adjacent communal routes such as entrances, exits, lifts, stairs, etc.

The apparatus may be formed so that advertising material can be placed in the display means so that it is visible to the driver. The display means may be, in one embodiment, a box-like structure having a transparent window through which the advertising material can be viewed.

The apparatus may be mounted on a support and fixed to the ground at the lower end of the support. The height may be adjustable according to requirements. In this way, the display may be positioned at the right height to attract the driver's attention. For instance, it may be positioned so that the display is easily viewed through the windscreen of the vehicle. The height of the support may be adjusted automatically depending on the type of vehicle that enters the bay. The apparatus may therefore comprise means for determining the approximate height of a vehicle, for example an optical camera.

The apparatus may also be attached to vertical surfaces such as walls, fencing, barriers, and to other structures such as hand rails.

Examples of the means by which the apparatus may detect the presence or absence of vehicles and/or people are a passive infrared detector, an inductance loop, an RFID reader, an ultrasonic sensor, and an optical camera. Another way of activating the apparatus may be via a pressure pad provided in the surface of the vehicle parking bay such that when the vehicle drives over the pressure pad the apparatus is activated. Other means are also contemplated, hi this way, when a vehicle or person approaches, or passes within a predetermined distance of, the apparatus it will record that event. The presence of a vehicle and/or person may also activate the apparatus. Alternatively, or additionally, a switch may be provided on the apparatus itself such that an individual has to activate the manually.

Such activation may take many forms. For instance, the apparatus may include means of illumination for illuminating either, or both, of the advertising information and the parking bay and surrounding area. In this way, as the vehicle or person approaches the apparatus, the means of illumination may be activated. This may aid manoeuvring of the vehicle into the parking bay, illuminate the advertising material to attract the person's attention, and increase the illumination of an area. The means of illumination may be controlled by a timer such that it remains activated for a predetermined amount of time. In this way, a driver may be able to exit the vehicle in a lit environment. This may increase the feeling of

security for the users of the car park and, of course, be useful in low light situations such as during the hours of darkness, or in multi-story car parks.

The means of illumination may comprise low voltage LED's. The adverting material may be provided as printed paper. Alternatively or additionally, the advertising material may be provided on a substantially transparent material and lit from behind by an electro-luminescent lamp which may be in the form of a sheet.

With regard to the advertising information in the apparatus, it may be provided on a static support within a housing, the housing having a transparent window.

Alternatively, or additionally, the information may be provided in a continuous loop on a revolving support within a housing. This revolving support may allow more than one advertisement to be retained in the apparatus at one time. Rotation of the loop, at predetermined intervals, indexes each advertisement around into the viewable area. Alternatively, multiple advertisements could be provided on two or more faces of a support. For example, three different advertisements may be provided on vanes having triangular cross-sections, the vanes being rotated at predetermined intervals such that three separate images may be displayed one after another.

Another possibility is that the apparatus includes a visual display unit (VDU) such as a touch sensitive screen, a liquid crystal display, a plasma screen or a TFT screen. These electronic displays may be controlled by a central processing unit which may be either located within the apparatus or remote from the apparatus.

The apparatus may include means of electronic communication with a remote central processing unit or computer. This means of communication may be wireless, and alternatively, or additionally, may be provided by a wired connection. This communication would allow, amongst other things, for the advertising information to be transmitted to the display means within the apparatus. Other uses are also contemplated, as will be discussed below.

The apparatus may be connected to an external source of electricity, such as the mains supply. However, the apparatus may alternatively, or additionally, include an independent means of electricity supply such as a solar panel, or batteries, which may be rechargeable.

The apparatus may also include means for automatically recognising a number plate of a vehicle, (known as ANPR). This means may use an optical camera provided in the apparatus connected to a central processing unit, either located within the apparatus or remote from the apparatus and communicated with via the communication means discussed above. This ANPR may be used for security purposes in that it could identify stolen vehicles. Alternatively, or additionally, it may be used for payment purposes for use of the car park. This may be achieved by the central processing unit automatically debiting an electronic financial account for use of the car park. Such an account may be for a mobile telephone and/or a bank, for instance. This would avoid the necessity for the driver to have to find a working payment point within the car park and having available cash on his person.

Another possibility is that the apparatus includes means for producing sounds. This means may be a loud speaker audible from outside of the vehicle. Alternatively, or additionally, this means may produce vibrations in the vehicle, for instance the window glass, such that the sound is audible within the vehicle.

The apparatus may include a closed-circuit television camera. This may be useful for security purposes in aiding the identification of would-be vandals and/or thieves for example.

The apparatus may also include means for electronic communication with a mobile telephone. This may be by the use of so-called Bluetooth (RTM) technology. This may allow the driver to download information from the apparatus to his mobile telephone for example.

The apparatus may also include means for producing a predetermined smell. This may be used in conjunction with the visual advertising display information, and/or to enhance the environment of the car park.

The detection of people within a predetermined distance of the apparatus may be useful for security purposes in deterring would-be thieves or vandals, and also for activating the apparatus, such that, for instance, the illumination means is activated when the driver returns to the vehicle.

So that relevant people, such as the driver, may be able to communicate with a car park attendant, an emergency service, or any other remotely positioned party, the apparatus may include means of audio communications such as an intercom. Of course, if the apparatus also includes an electronic VDU and optical camera, then this means of communication may also be audiovisual in nature.

The apparatus may include means of measuring the distance between the apparatus and the leading edge of an adjacent vehicle to assist the driver of the vehicle with parking the car in the parking bay. The means may measure the distance optically or sonically, for instance, and may produce a sound or other means of warning to the driver that the distance between the leading edge of the vehicle and the apparatus is less than a predetermined value. This feature may ensure that the vehicle is correctly positioned in the parking bay.

The apparatus may include support means for retaining the apparatus at a predetermined height off the ground. The apparatus may be resiliently mounted to the support means. The support means may be resiliently mounted on the ground. This resilient mounting may take the form of a spring or other such resilient mounting means.

The apparatus may include means for accepting payment for parking a vehicle adjacent the apparatus, such as in a parking bay. For instance, the apparatus may accept coins, bank notes, credit cards or other means of payment. The apparatus

may include means for automatically debiting money from a financial account for parking a vehicle adjacent the apparatus.

The apparatus may include means for identification of the bay. For instance, the apparatus may include indicia, such as numbers and/or letters. These indicia may be provided on the housing of the apparatus. Alternatively, they may be displayed on the information retained within the apparatus. Another possibility is that the indicia are displayed on the VDU.

To overcome the problem many motorists encounter of finding their vehicle after returning to a large car park the apparatus may have means of issuing a telephone number when the vehicle is parked. The driver may call this number when they return to the car park, causing the apparatus to produce a signal such as a flashing light and/or a sound to help identify the particular bay.

Another possibility is that the apparatus includes means for issuing a code to the driver when parking, whereby the driver must enter that code into the apparatus before driving away. Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being identified, as having been stolen, to whatever authorities are deemed appropriate. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus may issue instructions to the barriers at the exit to the car park not to open when the vehicle, as identified by the ANPR system, reaches it.

In one embodiment, the apparatus may have more than one display means such that respective advertising information is visible from both sides of the apparatus. For instance, the apparatus may be double-sided in that, for example, a transparent window is provided in both sides and advertising information is provided within the housing so that it can be seen from either side, hi this way, a single apparatus may be used to service two adjacent parking bays positioned end-to-end.

Chevron markings may be provided on the apparatus to assist with the alignment of vehicles in the vehicle parking bay during manoeuvring of the vehicle.

The apparatus may be formed of a combination of metal and plastic. However, the outer casing may be made entirely of rubber to provide greater resilience and provide a degree of protection against impact from vehicles.

hi one embodiment, the apparatus may have a square or rectangular shape head unit, for displaying the information, supported on a relatively slender support shaft. The lower end of the support shaft may be fixed to the ground in various ways including being concreted into a hole or fixed to a base plate which itself is fixed to the ground via bolts or adhesive etc. However, other shapes and forms of support are of course possible. For instance, the apparatus may be suspended from an overhead support such as a gantry. This may remove the need for the apparatus to be supported from the ground which may be undesirable in certain circumstances and may also provide improved protection against impacts from vehicles.

The apparatus may include a photo-electric sensor for detecting low light situations such as during dusk or at night time. When the level of light falls below a predetermined threshold the apparatus may automatically illuminate the advertising within the apparatus and also the vehicle parking bay in addition. The apparatus may be formed from materials such as polycarbonates, nylons, polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylic, wood, rubber, recycled plastics, or metal.

The apparatus may be fixed in position permanently or semi-permanently, or may be portable and movable; temporary securing means may be provided.

In an alternative aspect, the invention provides a parking bay apparatus comprising any combination of the features described above.

In another aspect, the invention provides a vehicle parking bay multimedia device having any combination of the features described above.

In a different aspect, the invention provides a vehicle parking bay multimedia advertisement apparatus comprising display means for providing advertising information, means for entering information and means for receiving information.

In a yet further aspect, the invention provides a car park including apparatus having any combination of the features described above.

In an additional aspect, the invention provides a car park including a multimedia device having any combination of the features described above.

The use of the term "multimedia" is defined as one which relates to any of various systems which can manipulate data in a variety of forms, such as sound, graphics, and text. It includes input means such as optical cameras, RFID sensors, keyboards, Bluetooth (RTM) transmitters/receivers, and touch sensitive screens. It also includes output means such as VDUs, printers, means of providing electronic data in the form of microwave transmissions, and means to store information on removable memory devices. However, these examples are not limiting and other forms are contemplated.

It is envisaged that a company may supply and install these apparatus in a car park. This company may also sell advertising space in the apparatus to advertisers. The revenue generated from this advertising may be used to service the apparatus and possibly provide a revenue stream to the car park owner, as well as to the company. As well as providing space for advertising, the apparatus may also incorporate local information supplied by the council, or local tourist office.

The provision of these apparatus in a car park may be useful to the car park operator in that it may provide data on usage of the car park for planning and operational purposes.

A vehicle driver using the car park may take advantage of the apparatus in several different ways. For instance, they may use it merely as a source of advertising information. However, the apparatus may also inform them of the reference number of the vehicle parking bay and may also be used for payment purposes for parking the vehicle in the car park. If the apparatus is interactive, in that information may be input and output from the apparatus, then the driver may also be able to access other forms of information via the apparatus. This information may be provided visually and it also may be downloaded to a mobile telephone, a laptop or a removable memory means by various known techniques such as Bluetooth (RTM), SMS etc. The provision of these apparatus may also identify free spaces. This information may be made available to drivers so that they may locate the free spaces more easily.

Another example is that the apparatus may be used in hotel car parks for automatic checking in to, and checking out from, the hotel. This may be assisted by automatic number plate recognition means provided in the apparatus.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of collecting information relating to the occupancy of at least one pre-selected vehicle parking bay comprising the steps of providing monitoring apparatus for automatically and remotely monitoring at least one parking bay, operating the apparatus to automatically and remotely detect the presence and/or absence of a vehicle in the parking bay, and to automatically count and store the number of times the bay is occupied by a vehicle.

The method may include the step of storing the times at which the presence and/or absence of a vehicle in the bay is detected and the duration of the occupancy of the bay.

In a yet further aspect, the invention provides a method of collecting information relating to the traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian, passing an advertising display, comprising the steps of providing monitoring apparatus, operating the apparatus to automatically and remotely detect the presence of traffic within a predetermined distance of the display, and to automatically count and store the number of detections .

The method may further comprise the step of storing, the time at which the presence of traffic is detected.

The method may include the step of providing the monitoring apparatus in the display.

The method may further comprise the steps of receiving consideration from a third party for displaying advertising material in said display, and/or using said collected and stored information for management purposes.

In this respect "management purposes" may be as described above with regard to determining the usage of various bays and areas within a car park to identify high usage areas and low usage areas. The method may include the possibility of

obtaining consideration in return for this information and/or the use of the information to aid the management of a pricing structure for various bays and areas within the car park.

The present invention and its advantages will be better understood by referring, by way of example, to the following detailed description and the attached Figures, in which;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an advertisement apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of part of an advertisement apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of an advertisement apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a car park including several display apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 5 is a plan view of an alternative car park including display apparatus according to a different embodiment of the present invention.

In Figure 1 the display apparatus is generally indicated 10. It comprises an upper part, or head unit 20 defined by a housing. In the embodiment shown, the housing is box-like in shape having a transparent panel 30 on one of its major sides through which information 40 may be viewed. The information 40 is retained within the housing in the form of printed matter.

The head unit 20 of the apparatus 10 is supported off the ground by a support member 50, which in this case is an aluminium extruded tube with an elliptical cross-section. This support 50 is fixed to a base plate 60 via a resilient mounting means 70. This resilient mounting 70 is a rubber element fixed to the base plate 60 at one end and to the support member 50 at the other end. The base plate 60 is fixed to the ground by the means of bolts (not shown). A collar, or hood, (not shown) may fit over the base plate 60 and mounting 70 for aesthetic purposes.

The apparatus 10 is illustrated as being serviced by underground cables 140 which pass up through the base plate 60 and support 50 to reach the head unit 20.

The cables 140 supply electricity and provide a communication link with an external computer network and/or control device. Additionally or alternatively, electricity may be supplied by internal batteries (possibly re-chargeable) and/or solar panels 80 provided on an exposed outer surface of the apparatus 10.

The support 50 includes a distance sensor 90 mounted approximately half way along its length so that it is substantially level with the height of a bumper on a

vehicle. This distance sensor 90 provides an aid to drivers parking a vehicle in the parking bay by providing a warning to the driver when the distance between the bumper and the sensor 90, and hence the support 50, is less than a predetermined amount.

The support member 50 ensures that the information 40 displayed in the upper part 20 of the apparatus 10 is supported at a height above the ground such that it is clearly visible through the windscreen of a vehicle.

Loudspeakers 100 are provided on either side of the transparent panel 30 and face towards the vehicle bay. These loudspeakers are used for providing an audible warning in relation to the distance sensor 90 discussed above. They are also used for other purposes such as providing information and enabling communication between a driver and a remote person or organisation.

Above the transparent panel 30 a sensor 120 is provided. This sensor may be one or more of the following; passive infrared detector, RFID detector, ultrasonic sensor. Any, or all, of these may be used to determine the presence of a vehicle and/or a person within a predetermined distance from the apparatus 10. By detecting the presence of a vehicle and/or a person the apparatus 10 is activated in that the information is illuminated and communication means are enabled. An inductance loop (not shown) may also be provided (in the ground or in the apparatus) for the purpose of detecting vehicles and/or persons within a predetermined distance.

A camera 110 is also provided above the transparent panel 30. This is for use with CCTV for security and/or communication purposes.

A microphone 130 is also provided above the transparent panel 30 for communication and/or security purposes.

The apparatus is individually numbered, in this case "C4", referenced 150 in Figure 1. This identification indicia is used to identify the parking bay so that the person who has parked their vehicle in the relevant parking bay is more easily able to find the parking bay on their return to the car park.

A perspective view of a different embodiment of the head unit 21 is seen in Figure 2. A visual display unit 35 is visible through an opening 31 within the housing. This visual display unit 35 has a touch sensitive screen shown displaying a keyboard 174, a "YES" 176 and "NO" 178 button and a moveable pointer 180. The movement of the pointer 180 may be controlled by directional controls 172.

The Head unit 21 also has slots 160,162 for accepting removable memory devices, and a CD/DVD/floppy disk drive 164. An infrared transmitter/receiver 166 is indicated in the lower right hand corner of the head unit 21 adjacent to two general purpose sockets 168,170.

Within the head unit 21 a central processor unit 18 is indicated in addition to a Bluetooth (RTM)/GSM transmitter/receiver.

Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the apparatus 410 which has a similar structure to that described with reference to Figure 1. However, this embodiment is much simpler in that the information 430 provided in the display 440 is illuminated by LED lights 450 which are powered by a series of batteries 460.

A sensor 470 is provided to automatically and remotely detect the presence and/or absence of a person and/or a vehicle within a predetermined distance of the apparatus 410. Means for discriminating between a vehicle and/or person may be provided (not shown). A storage means 470 records the total number of detections and the number of detections of persons and vehicles. A device 480 is provided for producing the time. The storage 470 means therefore may also record the time at which each detection is made and the presence and absence of a vehicle and/or person within a predetermined distance.

In Figure 4 a plan view of a car park 200 is shown having five individual vehicle parking bays 210 separated by lines 220 marked on the ground. The car park has a boundary wall 205. Each individual parking bay 210 has an apparatus 10 at one end, so that, in use, when a vehicle is parked in one of the bays 210 the information 40 displayed in the apparatus 10 is visible through the windscreen in front of the driver.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of an alternative car park 300. This car park 300 has ten individual parking bays 310 separated by lines 320 marks on the ground. The

individual parking bays 310 are arranged in two rows of five such that the two rows share a common boundary. Along this boundary are arranged display apparatus 11 such that each apparatus 11 is arranged between two adjacent parking bays 31OA, 310B. hi this embodiment, the display apparatus 11 includes transparent panels 30, or visual display units 35, on both sides of the head unit 20,21 so that information 40 is viewable from both sides 11A ₅ I lB such that one apparatus 11 may serve two individual parking bays 310A,310B.