SEQUENTIAL DISPLAY SYSTEM

Abstract

This certificate of addition concerns improvements to the patent for the invention "Sequential Display System" No. 87 04465 of March 30, 1987. The improvements consist of adding a video switching unit to the system, which allows the display of not only digital images stored in the SAS but also analog images from various video sources (VCR, television transmitter, videodisc). These two different types of images can be displayed simultaneously on four independent display channels and appear according to four separate sequences.

Description

- DESCRIPTION "DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR SUPERMARKETS, SHOPS AND PUBLIC PLACES" This certificate of addition relates to the improvements made to the patent for invention Sequential Display System NO 87 04 465 of 30 / 03 / 1987. The improvements mainly concern the following points: - Text images can be created not only by the store or public space manager, but also by a central organization. This allows the head office of a retail chain to send general messages to its various stores, while still allowing the store or public space manager to create their own messages. - Graphic advertising images can be animated thanks to the new possibility offered by the invention of receiving and displaying video clips from private television channels < 6), video discs and acting on behalf of an advertising agency. These video clips and films can be of any duration and can be fine-tuned using the switch (5) on one or more of the four independent TV outputs (4) without disturbing the sequencing of each of the four independent channels of the Sequential Display System. - "Text" images can be loaded remotely via the modem line (7) or by any existing telematic means (Transpac, Minitel, Antiope, radio network via the receiving antenna (6)). - An image switcher (5) directs video images broadcast by a private or national television center or from a videodisc, and digital images from the SAS, to one or more display televisions. For example, thanks to this switch (5), digital images stored in the SAS can be displayed on televisions a and c. and on TVs b and d, moving pictures broadcast from a TV studio and received by the antenna (6) or from the videodisc. The digital images stored on the Display System's hard drive Sequential images are displayed with a delay, while analog images sent back by the antenna (6) or from the video-disc are displayed in real time, that is, as soon as they arrive at the input of the switch. All digital images, regardless of their origin—that is, text images created by the director of the public space or graphic advertising images—are stored in the Sequential Display System (SAS) on a hard drive as they arrive. When the store or public space manager creates a "text" image, they use the software on the microcomputer to tell the SAS (System Access System) which display output they want it to appear on, as well as its position among all the images displayed sequentially on that output. They can therefore insert an image at any point in the sequence associated with a given output. Of course, they can also delete images from a sequence at any time. The administrator has access to each of the four sequences that are programmed on each of the four independent outputs of the SAS. An image that has just been created can therefore be inserted into one or more of the four sequences associated with the four independent outputs. It can then be removed from one of the sequences without affecting the execution of the other three sequences. Digital advertising images are also stored on the SAS hard drive and, in the same way as "text" images, can be inserted into or removed from one or more of the four independent sequences displayed on the four independent outputs of the SAS. The creator of the graphic advertising image can therefore remotely, using the modem line (7) or any existing telematics means, modify the sequences of the SAS units under their responsibility. This remote modification of the sequence on each unit is independent of any modifications made on-site by the store or public venue manager. Thus for example, while the manager of the large store modifies the sequencing on the (4a) track of the SAS by inserting a "text" image, an advertising agency can simultaneously modify the sequencing of this same track (t4a) or of a different track by inserting a digital advertising image. The insertion of analog images (television network or video-disc) into one or more of the sequences does not disrupt the. system operation. The four sequences associated with the four independent outputs of the SAS are always independent of each other, regardless of the origin and nature of the images.

Claims

RLVEICDICITIOWS i - Display system for public places according to claim 2 of the main patent characterized in that the images can be digital (stored in the SAS (3)) and analog (captured by an antenna (6) or from a video disc player. 2 - Display system for public places according to claim 4 of the main patent characterized in that the analog type advertising images can have any duration without modifying the display sequence of the "text" and advertising images. 3 - Display system for public places according to claim 5 of the main patent characterized in that the "text" image can be issued either by the manager of the store or public place or by a central body. 4 - Display system for public places according to claim 1 of the main patent characterized in that a switching unit (5) directs video images onto one or more of the four television groups, while the digital images stored in the SAS are displayed on the other television groups. 5 - Display system for public places according to claims 2, 3, and 4 of the main patent characterized in that the digital or analog images can be displayed on one or more of the four independent outputs of the system according to four independent sequences.