WO2013036270A1

WO2013036270A1 - Multi-functional indoor/outdoor device

Info

Publication number: WO2013036270A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/059672
Authority: WO
Inventors: Evaldo AMARAL; Gerardo Camacho SANTELICES; Abraham Moreno SOBRINO
Original assignee: Promolight International Corporation
Priority date: 2011-09-08
Filing date: 2011-11-08
Publication date: 2013-03-14
Also published as: PE20141863A1; MY155367A

Abstract

A multifunctional indoor/outdoor device, comprising an element with photoluminescent means covering and placed over an entirety or a portion of a surface of the element, the combination of the element with photoluminescent means to placed over the entirety or a portion of a seat used in an indoor/outdoor venue, and mobile advertising means placed over the surface of the element with photoluminescent means for providing visual information regarding occupancy over seats and advertising space.

Description

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL INDOOR/OUTDOOR DEVICE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a PCT International Application of Malaysian

Application No. PI 2011004212 filed on 08 September 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers generally to devices that provide visual information regarding occupancy over seats and that provide advertising space in indoor and outdoor venues and vehicles. More specifically, the present invention refers to a multifunctional device with photoluminescent means and mobile advertising means that allows users to advertise products and services and/or find seats in indoor and outdoor venues such as open or closed (roofed) stadiums, concert halls, theaters, movie theaters, auditoriums, restaurants, discotheques or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays, there are few ways of advertising and finding seats simultaneously in indoor and outdoor venues such as open or closed (roofed) stadiums, concert halls, theaters, movie theaters, auditoriums, restaurants, discotheques or the like. The prior art solutions are only directed to a single purpose only devices either have the limited capacity of finding seats or the limited capacity of advertising in the venues, but not both. In this respect, for example, the problem of finding vacant seats or provide advertising mobile space in indoor or outdoor venues while the lights are off or where there is a lot of sunlight reflecting on the seat are generally very complex and expensive to acquire, operate and maintain. Besides, they lack versatility or multi-functionality or are likely to experience electromechanical breakdowns. The prior art describes apparatuses and methods for finding indoor seats. An example of such apparatus and method is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,140,921 to Baron. Said Patent describes an indicator and display system for providing information regarding occupancy on indoor seats through multi-colored lights mounted on the top of the seat and controlled by sensors and switches electrically connected to the seat. However, said apparatus and system for providing seat occupancy status information on indoor seats is enabled only by an insulated electrical power means whose mechanism is complicated, and expensive to acquire, operate and maintain, it lacks versatility and is likely to experience electromechanical breakdowns.

The prior art has also considered an apparatus with photoluminescent means for indication purposes in dark and indoor places. An example of said apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,358,563 to Van Duynhoven. This document describes an apparatus that, in this case, is a self-luminescent signage or indicia that absorbs ambient light and emits it in the darkness, used to display trademarks or emergency signs with signaling purposes. However, the use of said apparatus with photoluminescent means has not been considered for signaling purposes or for finding seats in indoor and/or outdoor venues as open or closed (roofed) stadiums, concert halls, theaters, movie theaters, auditoriums, restaurants, discotheques or the like. Furthermore, such apparatus is particularly limited to architectural applications.

The prior art has also considered the use of trademarks or identification distinctive signs in a headrest cover. An example of such an apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. US/2002/0074838 to Whiting. Said document describes a headrest cover for vehicle seats with a surface that comprises identifying trademarks or distinctive signs having parts of differing light reflectivity.

With the purpose of eliminating these and other inconveniences and also of allowing different uses, a new device has been developed consisting of a photoluminescent means and mobile advertising means to be placed over the entirety or just a portion of a surface of a seat, the seat located in indoor and outdoor venues such as open or closed (roofed) stadiums, concert halls, theaters, movie theaters, auditoriums, restaurants, discotheques, or the like, or inside vehicles such as cars, buses, airplanes, or the like, which enable a user to find seats in indoor and outdoor venues, and/or provide advertising space which can be static or mobile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The characteristic features of this novel device and method for finding seats and/or providing advertising space on indoor seats are clearly shown in the following description and in the accompanying drawings.

It is a first object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional indoor/outdoor device, comprising an element with photoluminescent means covering and placed over an entirety or a portion of a surface of the element, the combination of the element with photoluminescent means to placed over the entirety or a portion of a seat used in an indoor/outdoor venue or a vehicle, and mobile advertising means placed over the surface of the element with photoluminescent means for providing visual information regarding occupancy over seats and advertising space.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional indoor/outdoor device with remote data retrieval and storage means capabilities. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The details of the invention are described next, making reference to the drawings, which help to understand the novel aspects of the same:

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the device with photoluminescent means and mobile advertising means of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the device with photoluminescent means and mobile advertising means of the present invention in place for use as it is placed over the surface of a portion of the seat.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the device with photoluminescent means and mobile advertising means of the present invention in operation as it is placed over the surface of a portion of the seat in an indoor or outdoor venue.

Figure 4a shows an embodiment of the device with photoluminescent means and mobile advertising means of the present invention in place for use as it is placed over the surface of a portion of the seat.

Figure 4b shows an embodiment of the device with photoluminescent means and mobile advertising means of the present invention in place for use as it is place over the surface of a portion of the seat.

Figure 4c shows an embodiment of the device with photoluminescent means and mobile advertising means of the present invention in place for use as it is placed over the surface of a portion of the seat.

Figure 4d shows an embodiment of the device with photoluminescent means and mobile advertising means of the present invention in place for use as it is placed over the surface of a portion of the seat. Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the device with photoluminescent means and mobile advertising means of the present invention in place for use as it is placed over the surface of a portion of the seat.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the device with photoluminescent means and mobile advertising means of the present invention in place for use as it is placed over the surface of a portion of the seat.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the device with photoluminescent means and mobile advertising means of the present invention in place for use as it is placed over the surface of a portion of the seat.

Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the device with photoluminescent means and mobile advertising means of the present invention in place for use as it is placed over the surface of a portion of the seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention and making reference to Figures 1 through 8, a multifunctional indoor/outdoor device comprising an element 10 with photoluminescent means 20 covering and placed over an entirety or a portion of a surface of the element 10, the combination of the element 10 with photoluminescent means 20 to placed over the entirety or a portion of a seat 30 used in an indoor/outdoor venue or vehicle, and mobile advertising means 200 placed over the surface of the element 10 with photoluminescent means 20 is sought to be protected, the multifunctional indoor/outdoor device which provides visual information regarding occupancy over seats and advertising space in a place which is not typically considered for advertising. The indoor/outdoor venue can be an open or closed (roofed) stadium, concert hall, theater, movie theater, auditorium, restaurant, discotheque or the like. The photoluminescent means 20 placed over the entirety or a portion of the surface of the element 10 may be a trademark or distinctive or advertising sign.

As specifically illustrated in Figures 2 and 4 through 8, the multifunctional indoor/outdoor device comprises an element 10 with photoluminescent means 20 selected comprising from a group consisting of cushion 80, a patch 90, a label 100, a patterned or printed fabric 110, a flag or a banner 305, a hat 105, a scarf 405 or a backpack 205.

As specifically illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 4 through 8, the mobile advertising means 200 of the multifunctional indoor/outdoor device is a QR Code (Quick Response Barcode) tag, chip or transponder. The QR code placed over the surface of the element with photoluminescent means comprises a specific matrix barcode in the form of a tag, transponder or card that is readable by dedicated QR readers, smartphones, and to a less common extent, computers with webcams. The QR code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a background which, preferably, is white in such a way that information encoded therein may be text, URL, or other data. The QR code is used for convenience-oriented application aimed at mobile phone users and display text to the user, to add a vCard contact to the user's device, to open a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), or to compose an e-mail or text message. The QR code may be scanned with users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader application to display text, contact information, connect to a wireless network, or open a web page in the telephone's browser (hardlinking or object hyperlinking).

The mobile advertising means 200 embodied in the QR Code is used to increase customer engagement and satisfaction, build brand awareness, increase both online and in-store traffic, extent special offers, coupons, enhance multichannel advertising campaign efforts and increase customer acq uisition , engagement and loyalty and si mulate word-of-mouth and social media engagements.

[0027] The mobile advertising means 200 embodied in the QR Code and coupled to the element 1 0 with photol umi nescent means 20 provides the ability to increase traffic to a website associated with the advertising information included i n the element with photoluminescent means, thus providing high opt-i n numbers and heavy traffic to a specific promotion such as, for example, local food suppliers.

The mobile advertising means 200 embodied i n the QR Code and coupled to the element 1 0 with photol umi nescent means 20 provides the ability of building opt-in databases of a prospective com pany such as, for exam ple, back to school suppl ies for a suppl ies com pany at a launch of a fami ly movie or family events such as fairs, concerts.

The mobile advertising means 200 embodied i n the QR Code and coupled to the element 1 0 with photol umi nescent means 20 provides the ability of boosti ng brand engagement as a sponsor of a concert, movie premier or conventions are able to maximize marketing events by offeri ng QR codes that can take fans to U RL to alert concert tour in advance of the date to encourage opt-i n , with additional links to make the audience aware of activities such as autograph's signi ngs and special events.

The mobile advertising means 200 embodied i n the QR Code and coupled to the element 1 0 with photol umi nescent means 20 provides the ability of enhanci ng events at conventions as visitors can scan the QR code and opt-i n in order to receive special sponsor only benefits d rive by this QR code in order to enhance convention stay.

The mobile advertising means 200 embodied i n the QR Code and coupled to the element 1 0 with photol umi nescent means 20 provides the ability of guiding users to physical locations such as a coupon to a local Pizza parlor or providing an element of excl usivity with the idea of "unlocking the box" which incentives consumers to engage.

The mobile advertising means 200 embodied in the QR Code and coupled to the element 10 with photoluminescent means 20 provides the ability of offering an immediate "Get More" button to an interested user/consumer as it is simple to get to the content and a visible call to action such as, for example, after a movie, conference, concert or the like, to engage the fan to the fan club site, as the codes signify to consumers that there is more than meet the eye, through more contents or information that allows them to go further than just seeing.

The mobile advertising means 200 embodied in the QR Code and coupled to the element 10 with photoluminescent means 20 provides the ability of connect to a user at a personal level in every movie, concert, event or the like by continuing to deliver informative contents via mobile devices as it creates unique interactions between brand and user.

The mobile advertising means 200 embodied in the QR Code and coupled to the element 10 with photoluminescent means 20 provides the ability of providing more user interactivity with exclusive offers, video demos and social networking to users, inspiring and engaging and creating a deeper brand experience.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the multifunctional indoor/outdoor device may also comprise remote data retrieval and storage means (not illustrated) in the form of is a RFID tag, transponder or card.

The remote data retrieval and storage means provides the ability of tracking the usage, location and redemption of the multifunctional indoor/outdoor device if the device were to be removed by the user from the seat 30. For example, for those advertising campaigns in which the device is not to be removed from the seat 30 of the indoor/outdoor venue, the remote data retrieval and storage means provides that abi l ity of stopping the user from removing the device from the indoor/outdoor venue by alerting the i ndoor/outdoor venue operator and/or advertising cam paign advertiser that is the device is bei ng removed from the seat 30 through an electronic platform that is designed to receive the radio frequencies emitted by the remote data retrieval and storage means. For those campaig ns in which the device is to be removed or al lowed to be removed from the seat 30 of the indoor/outdoor ven ue, the remote data retrieval and storage means allows the indoor/outdoor venue operator and/or advertising campaign advertiser to measure the effectiveness of the campaign in terms of redemption and/or location of the device as it is removed from the seat 30 of the i ndoor/outdoor venue.

I n operation , the multifunctional i ndoor/outdoor device may be placed on a portion of the surface of a seat 30 where the head of a spectator rests.

The element 1 0 with photoluminescent means 20 of the multifunctional indoor/outdoor device may comprise a photol uminescent i nk with a pigment that absorbs am bient light and emits it in the darkness.

The pigment of the photol um inescent ink of the element 1 0 with photol uminescent means 20 of the multifunctional i ndoor/outdoor device may comprise a chemical compound contai ni ng copper and thin crystals of zi nc sulfite or thi n crystals of calci um , stronti um sulfite and bismuth .

The element 1 0 with photoluminescent means 20 of the multifunctional i ndoor/outdoor device may be made of a material that can absorb photoluminescent ink and is wear-resistant. The element 10 with photoluminescent means 20 of the multifunctional indoor/outdoor device may comprise silk screen printing printed on the surface of the element.

The multifunctional indoor/outdoor device may also be used in the entirety or a portion of a seat 30 of vehicle which may be an airplane, car, truck, bus, train, or the like.

In one of several operation environments used with the multifunctional indoor/outdoor device, the photoluminescent ink of the element 10 with photoluminescent means of the multi-functional indoor/outdoor device keeps glowing during about the first 25 minutes of the beginning of each show in movie, conference, concert hall or the like, and it gets recharged autonomously with the lights of the theater which are turned on at the end of each show to carry out the maintenance of the theater. The photoluminescent glow of the device is best achieved if the device is exposed to a light source rich in ultraviolet rays.

In one of several operation environments used with the multifunctional indoor/outdoor device, as illustrated in Figure 3, upon entering indoor/outdoor venue such as movie, conference, concert hall or the like, with the lights or illumination off at the beginning of a movie, conference, concert hall function or the like, a spectator 50 may easily visualize the vacant seats 60 or advertising space due to the strategic place where a distinctive sign or trademark with a photoluminescent means 20 may be placed over the element which may be placed over a portion of the surface of the seat 40. The portion of the surface of the seat 30 where the distinctive sign or trademark can be placed may be the center of the cover where the head of the spectator rests. Upon seating, the spectator 70 covers the center and photoluminescent portion of the device, thereby allowing the spectator 50 entering the theater to easily visualize the vacant seats. The lights of the indoor/outdoor venue such as movie, conference, concert hal l or the li ke, where the device may be used should al low the photolum inescent means 20 placed with the photol uminescent ink to glow and to take advantage of the darkness to highlight and find the vacant seats in the closed premises, d ue to its characteristics, works with the lights, thereby al lowi ng to have a greater presence in a place not typically considered for advertising .

Claims

1. A multifunctional indoor/outdoor device, comprising:

an element with photoluminescent means covering and placed over an entirety or a portion of a surface of the element, the combination of the element with photoluminescent means to placed over the entirety or a portion of a seat used in an indoor/outdoor venue or a vehicle; and

mobile advertising means placed over the surface of the element with photoluminescent means.

2. A multifunctional indoor/outdoor device according to claim 1, further comprising remote data retrieval and storage means.

3. A multifunctional indoor/outdoor device according to claim 1, wherein the element with photoluminescent means is selected from a group consisting of a cover, a label, a patch, a cushion, a flag or a banner, a hat, a scarf or a backpack.

4. A multifunctional indoor/outdoor device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile advertising means is a QR Code (Quick

Response Barcode) tag, chip or transponder.

5. A multifunctional indoor/outdoor device according to claim 1, wherein the remote data retrieval and storage means is a RFID tag, transponder or card.

6. A multifunctional indoor/outdoor device according to any of the claims 1 through 5, wherein the device is placed on a portion of the surface of a seta where the head of a spectator rests.

7. A multifunctional indoor/outdoor device according to claim 1, wherein the element with photoluminescent means comprises photoluminescent ink with a pigment that absorbs ambient light and emits it in the darkness.

8. A multifunctional indoor/outdoor device according to claim 7, wherei n the pigment of the photoluminescent ink consists of a chemical compound containing copper and thin crystals of zinc sulfite or thin crystals of calcium, strontium sulfite and bismuth.

9. A multifunctional indoor/outdoor device according to claim 1 , wherein the photoluminescent means placed over a portion of the element surface is a trademark or distinctive sign.

10. A multifunctional indoor/outdoor device according to claim 1 , wherein the element with photoluminescent means is made of a material that can absorb photoluminescent i nk and is wear-resistant.

1 1 . A multifunctional indoor/outdoor device according to claim 1 , wherein the indoor/outdoor venue is an open or closed (roofed) stadi um , concert hall, theater, movie theater, auditorium, restaurant, discotheque or the like.

12. A multifunctional indoor/outdoor device according to claim 1 , wherei n the element with photoluminescent means comprises silk screen printing printed on the surface of the element.