PCT
`
`WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
`International Bureau
`
`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`WO 97/41546
`
`(11) International Publication Number:
`
`(51) Inter:national Patent Classification 6:
`G09F 19/18
`
`Al
`
`(43) International Publication Date:
`
`6 November 1997 (06.11.97)
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`PCT/SE97/00684
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`23 April 1997 (23.04.97)
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`9601603-5
`08/676,517
`9700250-5
`
`26 April 1996 (26.04.96)
`2 July 1996 (02.07.96)
`29 January 1997 (29.01.97)
`
`SE
`us
`SE
`
`(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): DAHLGREN,
`HYLIN, JONASON MEDIA AB [SE/SE]; Jllgarbacken 12,
`S-182 35 Danderyd (SE).
`
`(72) Inventors; and
`(75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): HYLIN, Mats [SEISE];
`Jiigarbacken 12, S-182 35 Danderyd (SE). DAHLGREN,
`Mats [SEISE]; Erik Dahlbergsgatan 9A, S-254 38 Helsing(cid:173)
`borg (SE). JONASON, Joakim [SEISE]; Stjiimviigen 19, S-
`181 34 Lidingo (SE).
`
`(74) Agents: ONN, Thorsten et al.; AB Stockholms Patentbyril, Za(cid:173)
`cco & Bruhn (publ), P.O. Box 23 IO I, S- 104 35 Stockholm
`(SE).
`
`(54) Title: DIGIT AL lNFORMA TION SYSTEM
`
`(57) Abstract
`
`The invention relates to a digital information
`system (I 0) for displaying information on at least one
`display means with the aid of at least one projector
`(22). The exposures are presented at places accessible
`to and frequented by a general public. The informa(cid:173)
`tion system (10) includes external information medi(cid:173)
`ators (24) and infonnation is controlled dynamically
`through the medium of a communication interface
`(26) and through the medium of an exposure handler
`in a central computer (28). The inventive system
`also includes a communication interface (14) against
`an elective number of station computers (34) hav(cid:173)
`ing connected projector computers (38) which control
`projectors (22) for displaying pictures or exposures.
`The station computers (34) and peripheral equipment
`are situated at mutually distanced places. According
`to one particular field of use, the places mentioned
`are subway stations (16, 18, 20) and projectors (22)
`project exposures or pictures onto display means po(cid:173)
`sitioned at selected places in the stations (16, 18, 20).
`
`(81) Designated States: AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR,
`BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, Fl, GB, GE,
`HU, IL, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS,
`LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL,
`PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, Sl, SK, TJ, TM, 1R, IT, UA,
`UG, US, UZ, VN, ARlPO patent (GH, KE, LS, MW, SD,
`SZ, UG), Eurasian patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU,
`TJ, TM), European patent (AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FI,
`FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OAPI patent
`(BF, BJ, CF, CG, Cl, CM, GA, GN, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD,
`TG).
`
`Published
`With international search report.
`
`to
`~,...,,.
`
`S1111on 2
`
`\ 10
`
`Petitioner Barco’s Exhibit 1006 - WO1997041546
`Page 1 of 39
`
`

`

`Codes used to identify States party to the PCT on the front pages of pamphlets publishing international applications under the PCT.
`
`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
`
`AL
`AM
`AT
`AU
`AZ
`BA
`BB
`BE
`BF
`BG
`BJ
`BR
`BY
`CA
`CF
`CG
`CH
`Cl
`CM
`CN
`cu
`CZ
`DE
`DK
`EE
`
`Albania
`Armenia
`Austria
`Australia
`Azerbaijan
`Bosnia and Herzegovina
`Barbados
`Belgium
`Burkina Faso
`Bulgaria
`Benin
`Brazil
`Belarus
`Canada
`Central African Republic
`Congo
`Swit:r.crland
`COie d'Ivoire
`Cameroon
`China
`Cuba
`Czech Republic
`Germany
`Denmark
`Estonia
`
`ES
`Fl
`FR
`GA
`GB
`GE
`GH
`GN
`GR
`HU
`IE
`IL
`JS
`IT
`JP
`KE
`KG
`KP
`
`KR
`KZ
`LC
`LI
`LK
`LR
`
`Spain
`Finland
`France
`Gabon
`United Kingdom
`Georgia
`Ghana
`Guinea
`Greece
`Hungary
`Ireland
`Israel
`Iceland
`Italy
`Japan
`Kenya
`Kyrgyzstan
`Democratic People's
`Republic of Korea
`Republic of Korea
`Kazakstan
`Saint Lucia
`Liechtenstein
`Sri Lanka
`Liberia
`
`LS
`LT
`LU
`LV
`MC
`MD
`MG
`MK
`
`ML
`MN
`MR
`MW
`MX
`NE
`NL
`NO
`NZ
`PL
`PT
`RO
`RU
`SD
`SE
`SG
`
`Lesotho
`Lithuania
`Luxembourg
`Latvia
`Monaco
`Republic of Moldova
`Madagascar
`The former Yugoslav
`Republic of Macedonia
`Mali
`Mongolia
`Mauritania
`Malawi
`Mexico
`Niger
`Netherlands
`Norway
`New Zealand
`Poland
`Portugal
`Romania
`Russian Federation
`Sudan
`Sweden
`Singapore
`
`SI
`SK
`SN
`sz
`TD
`TG
`TJ
`TM
`TR
`TT
`UA
`UG
`us
`uz
`VN
`YU
`zw
`
`Slovenia
`Slovakia
`Senegal
`Swaziland
`Chad
`Togo
`Tajikistan
`Turkmenistan
`Turkey
`Trinidad and Tobago
`Ukraine
`Uganda
`United States of America
`Uzbekistan
`Viet Nam
`Yugoslavia
`Zimbabwe
`
`Petitioner Barco’s Exhibit 1006 - WO1997041546
`Page 2 of 39
`
`

`

`W097/41546
`
`PCT/SE97/00684
`
`1
`
`DIGITAL INFORMATION SYSTEM
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`5
`
`The present invention relates to a method and to apparatus for controlling and
`
`coordinating projectors in a digital information system for displaying information on
`
`at least one display device through the medium of at least one projector for each said
`
`device, said information being displayed in places that are accessible to and/or
`
`1 o
`
`frequented by a general public. In one particular aspect, the invention is applied to
`
`control projectors for displaying information directed towards people in such places as
`
`main railway stations, subway stations, airport waiting lounges, cinemas, private homes
`
`etc.
`
`15
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART
`
`Systems that are used to show information in the form of advertisements, timetable
`
`messages or arrival and departure times in present-day public service infrastructures
`
`with regard to buses, trains, subway traffic, etc., is of a static nature. Such information
`
`2 o
`
`is given on notice boards, posters, charts, tables, verbally through loudspeakers, and
`
`on digital displays, etc. A characteristic feature of such information media is that the
`
`information media is not coordinated, but is in the form of individual items which are
`
`controlled and updated separately, often manually.
`
`25
`
`Modem digital displays used, e.g., in conjunction with subway railway traffic gives
`
`some of the aforesaid information but is not controlled to display advertisements,
`
`warning messages, etc. Furthermore, the information is often supplemented with verbal
`
`messages transmitted from traffic control centres. The information channel cannot be
`
`subscribed to directly for the display of external information suppliers, such as
`
`Petitioner Barco’s Exhibit 1006 - WO1997041546
`Page 3 of 39
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`

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`W097/41S46
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`PCT/SE97 /00684
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`advertising bureaux, the authorities, newspapers, etc., but is processed administratively
`
`and fed manually into the information display systems.
`
`2
`
`Although the administration of information is often processed manually with the aid of
`
`5
`
`modern computer technology, the available display time will nevertheless contain "dead
`
`time", among other things due to back-logging caused by the manual infeed process.
`
`Thus, present-day systems do not enable information to be updated dynamically for
`
`display in real time. Neither do present-day systems enable external mediators to update
`
`1 o
`
`information for display in a central control system, nor yet the administrator who
`
`makes the display of information available, but that it is the administrator who
`
`determines when, where and how the information shall be displayed.
`
`The present-day static information display systems are therefore beset with a number
`
`15
`
`of problems.
`
`Also known to the art are systems for displaying or showing picture series in local
`
`public places, such as assembly halls, lecture halls, and conference rooms in industry.
`
`The systems comprise diapositive projectors which are controlled to display pictures,
`
`2 o
`
`images and sound in an attractive manner, often with rapid picture changes and
`
`overlaps, so as to avoid the risk of boring viewers, as with conventional display with
`
`diapositive projectors. The computer control of such systems may well be both
`
`complicated and advanced. Unfortunately, these systems are nevertheless static insofar
`
`as they are used in one and the same locality and controlled and managed on the display
`
`2 5
`
`site. The display must be planned carefully beforehand, this planning often being
`
`carr~ed out by experts within the technical field in question, so as to obtain a finished
`
`display product. For instance, when a company wishes to change its display and
`
`introduce a new picture series combined with sound, the process again becomes static
`
`by virtue of the need to employ experts to program and arrange the new display.
`
`Petitioner Barco’s Exhibit 1006 - WO1997041546
`Page 4 of 39
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`

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`WO 97/41546
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`PCT/SE97/00684
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`3
`
`The same problem as that mentioned above is also met when showing pictures through
`
`diapositive projectors in one and the same locality, because the display subscriber has
`
`very little chance of influencing the display, especially in real time. The picture display
`
`is directed towards a limited public and towards scheduled display of one and the same
`
`5
`
`information material to the public concerned. The picture display is not directed to a
`
`large number of people, as in the case of a railway station platfonn, a subway platfonn
`
`or in airports. In places of this nature, it should be possible to spread the information
`
`and to display different information in different places within said stations and it should
`
`be possible to update and change the infonnation quickly. When the information
`
`1 o
`
`displayed on said stations is not effectively coordinated, the displays on which
`
`information is presented will often become static, for instance show the time of the next
`
`display or show a pause picture, i.e. dead time. This becomes nerve-wracking to
`
`travellers, who often wait for long periods in waiting halls or stand on platforms.
`
`Neither is the failure to utilize expensive information display equipment to the highest
`
`15
`
`possible degree compatible with good economy.
`
`Further, It is a known problem when new films or movies are to be released att
`
`different locations such as cinemas that there are pirate copies made when the movies
`
`or films are distributed to the locations where they are going to be displayed to the
`
`2 o
`
`public.
`
`Still further, the advertisement sent at cinemas during the projection of a film is static,
`
`i.e. not instantly changeable.
`
`2 5
`
`Also, for advertisement on television the same drawbacks as for other systems are valid
`
`e.g. ~onceming changing of advertisement spots.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Petitioner Barco’s Exhibit 1006 - WO1997041546
`Page 5 of 39
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`

`

`W097/41S46
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`PCT/SE97 /00684
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`4
`
`An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible system in which external
`
`information mediators are able to dynamically control in real time the transmission of
`
`display instructions to a larger public in different places situated at any chosen distance
`
`apart through projectors which project information onto displays intended herefor.
`
`Another object of the invention is
`
`to enable pictures,
`
`images, messages and
`
`announcements to be configured in accordance with modern digital technology,
`
`therewith providing rapid communication.
`
`A further object of the invention is to enable a picture, image or other information to
`
`be changed in practice as often as is desired, in real time, therewith providing direct
`
`and immediate communication, and to enable similar or specific information to be
`
`displayed in places that are mutually far apart and to enable message information to be
`
`alternated with advertising spots, for instance.
`
`5
`
`1 o
`
`15
`
`According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of coordinating and
`
`controlling projectors in a digital information system for displaying information on at
`
`least one display device through the medium of at least one projector for each such
`
`display device, said information being displayed in places that are generally available
`
`2 o
`
`to and frequented by a general public.
`
`Information display subscribers are connected to a computerized control centre via
`
`computer and
`
`telecommunication
`
`interfaces for all-day-round
`
`transmission of
`
`information, wherein the control centre has a communication interface against
`
`2 5
`
`computerized devices situated in connection with said places for projector coordination
`
`and control.
`
`The control centre is able to create and update a display list in real time with control
`
`instruction fields via booking information for display dynamically in time from
`
`Petitioner Barco’s Exhibit 1006 - WO1997041546
`Page 6 of 39
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`

`

`W097/41S46
`
`PCT/SE97/00684
`
`5
`
`mediators having drive routine means which are connected to the subscription and
`
`which are transparent for the transmission of information to the drive routine means of
`
`the control centre for transmission of information in the system.
`
`s
`
`The display list, which includes control instructions, coordinates and controls the
`
`projectors concerned with regard to what shall be displayed, when it shall be displayed,
`
`where it shall be displayed and for how long it shall be displayed, and causes each
`
`projector,
`
`independently of other projectors,
`
`to receive the same or different
`
`information for display through respective projectors and through the computerized
`
`1 o
`
`devices, in accordance with the display list.
`
`The administrator of the digital information system is able to update the display list
`
`with desired information at any time whatsoever, wherein the dynamic booking can be
`
`changed or delayed.
`
`The projector may also interrupt display of information when the allocated display
`
`devices, or the projector, is/are visually obstructed in said public place. The projector
`
`lens can then be covered with a protective device when a dirty atmosphere is detected
`
`or anticipated and ·which is immanently likely to dirty the lens.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`In one embodiment, the projectors provided with a projector computer which controls
`
`and delivers exposures to the projectors controlled by a server included in the
`
`computerized device, wherein the projector computer has a buffer memory which is
`
`filled with subsequent exposures as the exposure to be displayed at that moment via the
`
`2 s
`
`projector is emptied from the buffer memory.
`
`Alternatively, a server included in said computerized device is provided with a
`
`projector computer which controls and feeds exposures to the projectors, wherein the
`
`projector computer is connected to a buffer memory which is filled with subsequent
`
`Petitioner Barco’s Exhibit 1006 - WO1997041546
`Page 7 of 39
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`

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`W097/41S46
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`PCT/SE97 /00684
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`exposures as the exposure current at that particular moment is displayed through the
`
`projector and emptied from the buffer memory.
`
`6
`
`A server situated in a specific place and included in a computerized device further
`
`5
`
`includes databases, and information in the databases concerning exposures in the
`
`exposure list is copied in databases of servers in a selected number of computerized
`
`devices situated in other places.
`
`In one embodiment, the exposure list may include reserved instruction fields for
`
`1 o
`
`updating with control instructions via the mediator interface, wherein the control
`
`instructions can be placed in a waiting line, or queue, when the exposure list lacks
`
`instruction updating fields at that moment in time.
`
`In another embodiment of the invention, a switch detects when a station computer is
`
`15
`
`not functioning, wherein those projectors controlled by the station computer are
`
`controlled by another station computer situated at some other place.
`
`A further embodiment can also be used as "feedback" and monitoring in statistical
`
`analysis by a system administrator with respect to whether or not vehicles keep to the
`
`2 o
`
`timetable, when the display of information is interrupted either because the display
`
`device is obstructed or because the projector is obstructed. In one embodiment, the
`
`computerized devices comprise an electronic display with control computer, wherein
`
`projectors are comprised of electronic displays.
`
`2 5
`
`Every projector is in one embodiment of the present invention assigned to a unique
`
`address. The addresses can be of the type TCP/IP.
`
`Further, the present invention may comprise that addresses to a specific projector are
`
`stored on a smart card which can be read by the computerized devices such as projector
`
`Petitioner Barco’s Exhibit 1006 - WO1997041546
`Page 8 of 39
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`W097/41S46
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`PCT/SE97 /00684
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`computers or control computers with built in smart card readers.
`
`7
`
`The present invention also relates to an arrangement of apparatus for carrying out the
`
`aforesaid method, said apparatus including the aforesaid devices and an exposure
`
`s
`
`handler which creates the exposure list.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The following description makes reference to the text in the accompanying drawings
`
`1 o
`
`to provide a better understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, said
`
`drawings illustrating schematically a system for coordinating and controlling projectors
`
`in a digital information system for displaying information in accordance with the
`
`invention.
`
`15
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a method for the dynamic coordination and control of
`
`projectors in a digital information system for displaying information on at least one
`
`2 o
`
`display device via at least one projector for each display device, wherein the
`
`information is displayed in places that are accessible to and frequented by a general
`
`public. The invention also relates to an arrangement of apparatus for carrying out the
`
`method.
`
`2 5
`
`It is to be understood that the projector itself can be a digital display device or
`
`incorporated in a digital display device such as an LCD-display, a digital television set
`
`etc.
`
`Although implementation of embodiments are limited in the following to subway
`
`Petitioner Barco’s Exhibit 1006 - WO1997041546
`Page 9 of 39
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`

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`WO 97/41546
`
`PCT/SE97 /00684
`
`8
`
`railway stations, it will be understood that the invention is not restricted to these
`
`embodiments. As before mentioned, the inventive system can be used in places where
`
`large sections of the public are known to visit or look at advertisement, such as railway
`
`stations, airports, outdoor locations, cinemas, in homes looking at television etc., in
`
`s
`
`addition to subway stations.
`
`Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference
`
`to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate schematically a system IO for
`
`coordinating and controlling projectors in a digital information system for displaying
`
`1 o
`
`information on display devices, such as free-standing picture screens, wall-mounted
`
`screens, walls, and overhead screens or other means suitable for reproducing or
`
`exposing picture information in the form of text, stills, movable pictures, images, etc.
`
`(displays not shown in the drawing).
`
`15
`
`In the main, the system is comprised of a control centre 12 having a communication
`
`interface 14 which connects an unlimited number of computerized devices 16, 18, 20
`
`which are placed at desired distances from one another for the control of projectors 22,
`
`or as mentioned other projectors such as LCD-display, TV-set 40 etc., whose projector
`
`images or pictures are displayed in the aforesaid public places.
`
`20
`
`The illustrated system also includes an advertising agency which is connected to the
`
`control centre 12 through the medium of a computer 24 and a modem 26. Although
`
`only one modem is shown connected to the central computer 28 of the control centre,
`
`it will be understood that modem poles, telephone switching centres and other similar
`
`2 s
`
`devices may be used to this end in accordance with present-day techniques.
`
`The central computer 28 in the control centre 12 also includes databases 30, in the
`
`illustrated case two databases. The databases 30 may be externally connected to the
`
`central computer. The control centre also includes working stations 32, which are
`
`Petitioner Barco’s Exhibit 1006 - WO1997041546
`Page 10 of 39
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`W097/41S46
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`PCT/SE97 /00684
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`9
`
`preferably connected to the central computer 28 via a Local Area Network (LAN) in
`
`accordance with known techniques. The working stations 32 are used by the personnel
`
`serving the control centre 12, in monitoring, checking, maintaining and updating
`
`functions in the central computer with its databases. The control centre administrator
`
`5
`
`is able to insert projector control instructions via the working stations, for instance
`
`when information is directed specifically to travellers and passengers travelling by ship,
`
`train, subway, aircraft or some other vehicular traffic who require specific information.
`
`The information may concern the arrival times and departure times of passenger(cid:173)
`
`carrying vehicles. The administrator controls internally how, what, when or where the
`
`1 o
`
`information shall be displayed by the projectors 22. An important feature in this
`
`context, however, is that external information mediators 24 are able to give control
`
`instructions to the projectors 22 with regard to the information that the external
`
`mediators 24 desire the system 10 to display via the projectors 22, each on its own
`
`initiative and communication-wise transparent via modems 26. This can be achieved in
`
`15
`
`accordance with one embodiment of the invention without involving the working
`
`stations 32 in the procedure of transmitting the control instructions to the central
`
`computer 28.
`
`The term information mediator 24 used in the following shall be interpreted in its
`
`20
`
`widest meaning, i.e. as not only referring to advertising agencies but to all companies
`
`and private persons who wish to utilize the system 10 for commercial reasons or for
`
`the display of information that concerns a general public. At present a mediator which
`
`wishes to display information in public places is normally forced to wait about two
`
`weeks, perhaps longer, before his order can be implemented and the information
`
`2 5
`
`publicly displayed. With the inventive digital information system 10, the information
`
`can be displayed principly in real time, i.e. at the time of making the order, possibly
`
`with a short delay due to processing, fully-booked exposure lists and other quickly
`
`passing causes. Furthermore, an external information mediator 24 is able to put through
`
`information to the system 12 twenty-four hours a day, whereupon the information can
`
`Petitioner Barco’s Exhibit 1006 - WO1997041546
`Page 11 of 39
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`WO 97/41546
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`be included instantaneously in an exposure list, as illustrated in more detail below.
`
`10
`
`Those external information mediators which connect to the control centre 12 via
`
`modems are, in one embodiment of the invention, connected to the control centre via
`
`5
`
`specially designed interfaces (drive routine means) for data and telecommunication. In
`
`this way, only external mediators 24 having the correct interface are able to connect
`
`transparently to the control centre 12 for delivering control instructions to the projectors
`
`22, which avoids unauthorized access to the display of such information and misuse of
`
`the system. In this regard, the special interface, which may be included in the
`
`1 o
`
`computers of external mediators, also includes commercially available code keys or
`
`other codes sent between the control centre 12 and the computer 24 of the external
`
`mediator to verify the right to enter control instructions into the central computer 28,
`
`without the administrator needing to supply through the working stations 32 further
`
`information or authority permitting access of the external information mediators 24 to
`
`15
`
`the central computer for transmitting system transparent control instructions to the
`
`projectors 22.
`
`In accordance with the invention, the control centre 12 has a communication interface
`
`14 against the computerized devices 16, 18, 20 situated on shifting positions or places
`
`2 o
`
`for projector coordination and control.
`
`The drawing shows specifically a radio link which forms an interface between the
`
`control centre 12 and the computerized devices 16, 18, 20, this interface being a
`
`preferred interface, although not necessarily the sole possible interface. Other interfaces
`
`2 s
`
`for transmitting information between the control centre 12 and the computerized devices
`
`16, 18, 20 may consist of a cable-carried ISDN solution (Integrated Services Digital
`
`Network) or other fixed lines that have the same capacity.
`
`In one embodiment of the invention relating to subway station 1, the computerized
`
`Petitioner Barco’s Exhibit 1006 - WO1997041546
`Page 12 of 39
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`W097/41S46
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`PCT/SE97 /00684
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`11
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`device 16 is comprised of a station computer (server) which either includes or is
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`connected externally to a hard disk 36, wherein the station computer 34 is connected
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`to a plurality of projector computers 38, three such projector computers in the
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`illustrated case, which transmit control infonnation to connected projectors 22, only one
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`5
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`of which is shown. The projector computers 38 have the form of PC units with picture
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`screens in the illustrated case. The information sent to projectors 22 can be monitored
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`on the picture screens of the PC units 38 and edited by personnel stationed at different
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`locations within the subway station 16, or from a central location. In the illustrated
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`embodiment, station 2, referenced 18, and station 3, referenced 20, comprise other
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`subway stations that are equipped with devices similar to the devices of the subway
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`station 16, although without showing the projector computers 38 and the projector 22.
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`It is assumed, however, that these stations also include projector computers 38 and at
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`least one projector 22.
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`In an alternative embodiment of the device or devices 38, i.e. the projector computers
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`38, included in the station computer 34, the projector or projectors 22 is/are controlled
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`directly from the station computer 34.
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`In yet another embodiment of the devices included in the computerized devices 16, 18,
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`20, the projector 22 is replaced with an electronic display (not shown), such as a large
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`picture screen in LCD technology, light-emitting diode technology (LED technology)
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`or the like. The station computer 34 is then included in the large picture screen or is
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`connected externally thereto. Preferably, the projector computers 38 in the station
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`computer 34 and the database 36 are also included. Information is transmitted from the
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`25
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`control centre 12 generally in the same manner as that before described. However, each
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`separate large picture screen may be addressed directly through a radio network 14,
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`wherein the screens are controlled from the control centre 12 which includes
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`redundancy. Thus, in the illustrated case, the computerized devices 16, 18, 20 form an
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`electronic display with control computer 34, said projector 22 effecting the display.
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`Petitioner Barco’s Exhibit 1006 - WO1997041546
`Page 13 of 39
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`W097/41546
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`PCT/SE97 /00684
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`12
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`According to one embodiment, the computerized devices 16, 18, 20 may include
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`redundancy by virtue of all databases 36 or hard disks on the stations 16, 18, 20
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`including the same projector control infonnation or instructions for monitoring the
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`system in a subway station 16, 18, 20. Thus, all inf onnation is copied between the
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`5
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`station computers 34 and their databases 36 via the communications interface 14 from
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`the central computer 28. This means that a computerized device for displaying
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`infonnation in a subway station via projectors 22 will not be disabled should one or two
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`of the stations shown in the drawing suffer a computer or hard disk power down in a
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`station computer 34. In the event of a power down in a station computer 34, the
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`communications interface 14 can be coupled to a switch which automatically bypasses
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`the station computer and connect projectors 22 connected to the power down computer
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`34 to one of the station computers 34 that is still in function (the switch is not shown
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`in the drawing).
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`15
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`The digital information system 10 has been described in the aforegoing with regard to
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`respective hardware and interfaces. Implementation of the present invention in
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`achieving the objects and purposes thereof will now be described more specifically.
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`25
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`The illustrated central computer 28 is divided into three powerful servers 1, 2, 3, of
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`which server 1 receives material from external information mediators 24, via modems
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`26. Server 2 sends infonnation material to the station computers 34. The same material
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`can be sent to all station computers 34, even though the infonnation is to be displayed
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`solely on a given display or on given displays. What shall be exposed and where it shall
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`be exposed will be explained in more detail below.
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`Server 3 functions to process infonnation and control instructions received from the
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`infonnation mediator 24, as described in more detail blow.
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`The server 3 of the central computer 28 functions partly as an exposure handler. The
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`Petitioner Barco’s Exhibit 1006 - WO1997041546
`Page 14 of 39
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`W097/41S46
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`PCT/SE97/00684
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`13
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`exposure handler 3 carries out the important object of the invention with regard to the
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`possibility of an external mediator 24 to organize the information delivered to the
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`station 16, 18, 20 via an exposure list, this organizing of information being effected in
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`real time via the modem 26 and the server 1 that receives projector control information
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`s
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`from the external mediator.
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`In one invention of the invention, a queue, or line, is created from the information
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`material received by the server 1, in accordance with some known line or queuing
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`method, such as FIFO (First In First Out), LIFO (Last In First Out) or Round Robin,
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`etc., wherein the server 3 or exposure handler 3 has set-up or created an exposure list
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`which covers a twenty-four hour period for information exposure or display via
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`projectors 22. The exposure handler 3 collects and processes, i.e. allocates, information
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`relating to projector control instructions, wherein mediator information is sorted into
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`the exposure list in accordance with the wishes of the mediator 24 or its instructions,
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`15
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`when available space is found in the exposure list or in alternative places in the
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`exposure list given by the mediator. If the exposure list is completely filled with
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`instructions, the mediator instructions to the control centre remain in the queue list in
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`the servo 1 in readiness for later inclusion in the exposure list, in accordance with a
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`preferred embodiment.
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`20
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`2 s
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`In one embodiment of the invention, the exposure handler 3 creates or allocates a data
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`message (data field) including a header, a control character field, an address field,
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`optionally at least one CRC field (Cyclic Redundancy Code), and optionally status flags
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`which identify and are connected to the information from an information mediator 24
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`and filed in the exposure list in the time interval that the information shall be exposed
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`or displayed through a projector 22. This constitutes an alternative to the insertion of
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`the entire information bit from an external mediator 24 in a specific time interval in the
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`exposure list, and enables the provision of an exposure list that contains much less
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`information and which is thus easier to handle, and to accelerate transmission of the list
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`Petitioner Barco’s Exhibit 1006 - WO1997041546
`Page 15 of 39
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`W097/41546
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`PCT/SE97 /00684
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`between computers and databases included in the system.
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`14
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`A data message in the exposure list can be understood here as being a control
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`instruction in an instruction field for activating projectors 22 to project information.
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`5
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`A data message of this kind connected to each individual information exposure enables
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`known HASH or switching methods to find information included in the exposure time
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`intervals in the exposure list both effectively and quickly. A First Class® server can be
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`used conveniently for communications transmission between external information
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`10
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`mediators 24 and the control centre 12. Each external information mediator is then able
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`to send an e-mail with included information material in any chosen format, which
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`provides the advantage of not needing to write in any n