Virtual signs for improving information communicated to the automotive driver
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsGordon James Smith, George Willard Van Leeuwen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for providing information to an individual using an electronic sign in which the sign displays information in response to the identity of the tag or an account associated with the tag. The information is displayed when the tag, which may be carried by the individual or in a vehicle, approaches the sign. A user can preselect from among various information types he wishes to receive, such as news, weather, sports and personal messages. The user can also select a priority for each information type.
Claims28
A method for providing information to an individual with whom an electronic tag is associated using an electronic sign, said electronic sign having a dynamic display, comprising the steps of:
- establishing an account associated with said tag;
- receiving an information selection from said individual;
- selecting information in response to an identity of said account and said information selection;
- electronically detecting said tag being brought into proximity with said electronic sign;
- electronically determining an identity of said tag being brought into proximity with said electronic sign;
- retrieving said information selected in response to said identity of said account if said identity of said account matches said identity of said tag;
- and
- displaying retrieved information on said dynamic display.
A method for providing information to an occupant of a road vehicle using an electronic road sign, said electronic road sign having a dynamic display, comprising the steps of:
- receiving from the occupant a prioritization of information types, said prioritization ranking information types in order of said occupant's preference;
- electronically detecting at least one vehicle approaching said electronic road sign;
- electronically determining a respective identity of at least one identifier associated with said at least one vehicle;
- selecting information in response to said respective identity of at least one identifier and said prioritization;
- and
- displaying said selected information on said dynamic display.
A system for providing information to an occupant of a road vehicle, comprising:
- an electronic road sign having a dynamic display;
- a receiver apparatus for receiving electronically detectable tags, each tag being borne by a respective vehicle approaching said electronic road sign;
- and
- a programmable processor coupled to said receiver apparatus and to said electronic road sign, said processor being programmed to receive a prioritization of information types from said occupant, to select information in response to at least one said electronically detectable tags and said prioritization, and to cause said information to be displayed on said dynamic display when the at least one vehicle bearing the at least one said electronically detectable tags approaches said road sign.
A method for providing dynamic information, comprising:
- associating a tag with an individual;
- receiving a desired information selection from the individual;
- detecting the tag as being in close proximity to an electronic sign, the electronic sign having a dynamic display;
- and
- in response to detecting the tag:
- determining the identity of the tag;
- receiving the desired information associated with the identified tag;
- and
- displaying the information on the dynamic display.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.