Vehicle Windshield Ad Projection via License Plate Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing targeted advertising systems fail to effectively reach high-value targets in non-computer settings, such as automobiles, where traditional methods are inefficient and the market has become crowded.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a fixed location with a projector and camera, which detects and identifies characteristics of self-driving or user-driven vehicles, correlates this information with user databases to deliver targeted advertisements, and projects or displays ads on the vehicle's windshield or display screens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional advertising methods are used in non-computer settings, then advertisers can reach general audiences, but the efficiency of reaching high-value targets is low and the market becomes crowded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadvertising efficiencyVSAvoidtarget audience identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical advertising delivery methods (billboards, radio, TV) with an optical system using projectors to display advertisements directly on vehicle windshields. This substitution enables precise targeting by projecting ads only to specific vehicles identified through license plate recognition, thereby improving advertising efficiency while maintaining accurate target audience identification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables vehicles to receive advertisements autonomously without requiring active user engagement or computer devices. The projector automatically detects vehicles, identifies them through license plate recognition, and delivers targeted ads to the windshield, allowing the advertising system to serve itself and reach high-value targets efficiently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If targeted advertising is delivered to specific vehicles, then ad relevance to drivers is improved, but the system complexity increases due to vehicle detection and identification requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget audience identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device that captures images of vehicles and their license plates. This intermediary enables the system to automatically identify and target specific vehicles without requiring complex direct communication protocols, thereby improving target audience identification accuracy while managing system complexity through a straightforward imaging and recognition approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11361345B2Targeted advertising system and method for drivers

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 HACKER CRAIG

AI summary

An advertising system and its method of use are disclosed. The advertising system includes at least one sensor coupled to a fixed location, where the at least one sensor is configured to generate an impression based on at least one characteristic of a proximate automobile, at least one processor configured to receive the impression, at least one server, having an advertising database and a user database, and at least one delivery mechanism. Preferably, the advertising database contains information relating to at least one advertisement and the user database is configured to check if the at least one characteristic matches an existing entry for a user, and either associate that impression with a user or create a new entry for the impression.