# US 11,307,744 B2 · Billboard and method of retrofitting a billboard for a video content replacement system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,307,744 B2 - Document ID: US11307744B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/912,247 - Filed: 2020-06-25 - Published: 2021-12-30 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2020-06-25 - Assignees: Supponor Oy - Applicants: Supponor OY - Inventors: Vesa Suontama - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11307744B2 ## CPC - G06F 3/04842: Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements (G06F3/0482 takes precedence) - G09F 9/33: being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes - G02B 6/0043: {provided on the surface of the light guide} - G02B 6/0055: {Reflecting element, sheet or layer} - G02B 6/0061: {to provide homogeneous light output intensity} - G02B 6/0065: {Manufacturing aspects; Material aspects} - G02B 6/0066: {characterised by the light source being coupled to the light guide} - G02B 6/009: {of the light source in the package (G02B6/0021 takes precedence)} - G02B 6/0093: {Means for protecting the light guide} - G09F 9/00: Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements (in which the variable information is permanently attached to a movable support G09F11/00; abacus G06C1/00; slide-rules G06G1/00) - G09F 15/0012: {frames therefor} - G09F 19/12: using special optical effects - G09F 19/228: {Ground signs, i.e. display signs fixed on the ground} - H04N 5/645: Mounting of picture tube on chassis or in housing - H04N 21/23418: {involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics (television picture signal circuitry for scene change detection H04N5/147; filtering for image enhancement G06T5/00; methods or arrangements for recognising scenes G06V20/00; arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59)} - H04N 21/23424: {involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for inserting or substituting an advertisement} - H04N 21/2668: Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles {(information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063)} - H04N 21/41415: {involving a public display, viewable by several users in a public space outside their home, e.g. movie theatre, information kiosk} - H04N 21/4316: {for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window} - H04N 21/812: {involving advertisement data (advertising per se G06Q30/02)} - G09F 2013/222: {with LEDs} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A billboard which is formed as a dasher board (600) and adapted for use in a video content replacement system (400) is described. The dasher board (600) comprises at least one non-visible radiation source (604) arranged to emit non-visible radiation toward a light guide plate (602). The light guide plate (602) is arranged to distribute the non-visible radiation over the light guide plate (602) and radiate the non-visible radiation away from the dasher board (600). An area of the light guide plate (602) over which non-visible light is distributed from is correlated to an area of the dasher board (600) which is to be replaced in the video content replacement system (400). There is also described is a billboard (700) similarly adapted for use in a video content replacement system (400) and which comprises an electronic display, as well as a method of retrofitting an existing billboard (10) ready for use in a video content replacement system (400). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A billboard formed as a dasher board and which is adapted for use in a video content replacement system, comprising: at least one non-visible radiation source arranged to emit non-visible radiation toward a light guide plate, wherein the light guide plate is arranged to receive the non-visible radiation on at least one edge of the light guide plate, distribute the non-visible radiation over the light guide plate, and radiate the non-visible radiation away from the dasher board, wherein an area of the light guide plate over which non-visible light is distributed from is correlated to an area of the dasher board which is to be replaced in the video content replacement system, and wherein the dasher board is configured to house the infra-red radiation source in a handrail portion of the dasher board. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The billboard of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-visible radiation source includes a near infra-red emitter and the non-visible radiation is near infra-red radiation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The billboard of claim 1, wherein the light guide plate is formed from a polycarbonate which is capable of withstanding impact from an ice hockey puck. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The billboard of claim 1, wherein the light guide plate comprises a plurality of infra-red scattering dots to improve an efficiency of non-visible radiation distribution. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The billboard of claim 4, wherein the plurality of infra-red scattering dots have a size which increases with increasing distance from the at least one edge of the light guide plate which receives the non-visible radiation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The billboard of claim 1, wherein the dasher board houses a power source for the infra-red radiation source. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The billboard of claim 1, further comprising a reflector plate arranged in between the light guide plate and a frame of the dasher board. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The billboard of claim 7, wherein the reflector plate and light guide plate are arranged with an airgap therebetween. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The billboard of claim 1, further comprising a protective shield panel covering the light guide plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The billboard of claim 9, wherein the protective shield panel and the light guide plate are arranged with an airgap therebetween. ### Claim 11 A billboard adapted for use in a video content replacement system, the billboard comprising: an electronic display which displays visible content, and at least one non-visible radiation source arranged to emit non-visible radiation toward a light guide plate mounted in front of the electronic display, wherein the light guide plate is arranged to receive the non-visible radiation on at least one edge of the light guide plate, distribute the non-visible radiation over the light guide plate, and transmit the non-visible radiation away from the billboard, wherein an area of the light guide plate over which non-visible light is distributed is coincident with a display area of the electronic display which displays visible content and is to be replaced with an alternative content in the video content replacement system, and wherein the billboard comprises a cover cushion, and the electronic billboard is arranged to house the at least one non-visible radiation source within the cover cushion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The billboard of claim 11, wherein the at least one non-visible radiation source includes a near infra-red emitter and the non-visible radiation is near infra-red radiation. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The billboard of claim 11, wherein the at least one non-visible radiation source and at least one edge of the light guide plate includes: a first edge of the light guide plate arranged to receive non-visible radiation from a first non-visible radiation source, and a second edge of the light guide plate arranged to receive non-visible radiation from a second non-visible radiation source. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The billboard of claim 13, wherein first non-visible radiation source is arranged on an opposite side of the light guide plate to the second non-visible radiation source.