Smart sign box using electronic interactions
The present invention relates to an advertising system and method of using the same. The advertising system includes a light source which may be activated by near field communication devices in order to extract information from the system.
1. A method of using an advertising system, comprising the steps of:
providing a frame having a backlighting illumination source, an RFID reader and a controller connected to the RFID reader;
producing a replaceable graphic medium, the graphic medium having
at least one of advertising and marketing information provided on a surface thereof; and
an RFID inlay, the RFID inlay having a chip encoded with product information and illumination instructions;
wherein the replaceable graphic medium is transparent, semi-transparent, or translucent;
affixing the replaceable graphic medium to the frame;
sensing an individual near the frame;
varying the output of the illumination source with the controller in connection with the illumination instructions provided on the chip;
detecting a mobile communication device near the frame;
uploading at least a portion of the information encoded on the chip on the RFID inlay to the mobile communication device; and
displaying information on the mobile communication device;
wherein the controller shuts off the light source if the RFID reader does not detect valid authentication data on the chip.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of displaying information includes providing an individual with an electronic product coupon.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the RFID inlay is adhered, laminated, embedded, or attached to a substrate of the replaceable graphic medium.
4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of uploading provides an individual with product information relating to the content of the graphic medium.
5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of producing a replaceable graphic medium is performed by one of printing, imaging, perforating or cutting to form a visual graphic.
6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of varying the output of the illumination source includes altering at least one of wavelength, color variation or combinations thereof.
7. A method of using an advertising system, comprising the steps of:
providing a frame having an illumination source, an RFID reader and a controller connected to the RFID reader;
producing a replaceable graphic medium, the graphic medium comprising:
at least one of advertising and marketing information provided on a surface thereof; and
an RFID inlay, the RFID inlay having a chip encoded with product information and illumination instructions;
affixing the replaceable graphic medium to the frame;
sensing an individual near the frame;
varying the output of the illumination source with the controller in connection with the illumination instructions provided on the chip;
detecting a mobile communication device near the frame;
uploading at least a portion of the information encoded on the chip on the RFID inlay to the mobile communication device; and
displaying information on the mobile communication device;
wherein the illumination source provides light at a wavelength outside of the visible range;
wherein the replaceable graphic medium includes a fluorescent material that glows or fluoresces in response to the light; and
wherein the controller shuts off the light source if the RFID reader does not detect valid authentication data on the chip.
8. A method of using an advertising system, comprising the steps of:
providing a frame having an illumination source, an RFID reader and a controller connected to the RFID reader;
producing a replaceable graphic medium, the graphic medium comprising:
a substrate selected from the group consisting of a paper, a metal foil, a metal film, and a polymeric film;
an image on the substrate, the image formed by selectively perforating the substrate; and
an RFID inlay, the RFID inlay having a chip encoded with product information and illumination instructions;
affixing the replaceable graphic medium to the frame;
sensing an individual near the frame;
varying the output of the illumination source with the controller in connection with the illumination instructions provided on the chip;
detecting a mobile communication device near the frame;
uploading at least a portion of the information encoded on the chip on the RFID inlay to the mobile communication device; and
displaying information on the mobile communication device;
wherein the controller shuts off the light source if the RFID reader does not detect valid authentication data on the chip.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the substrate is a paper.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the substrate is a metal foil or a metal film.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the substrate is a polymeric film.
12. The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of producing the replaceable graphic medium is performed by perforating to form a visual graphic.
13. The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of producing the replaceable graphic medium is performed by cutting to form a visual graphic.
14. The method of claim 3 , wherein the substrate is a paper.
15. The method of claim 3 , wherein the substrate is a metal foil or a metal film.
16. The method of claim 3 , wherein the substrate is a polymeric film.
17. The method of claim 7 , wherein the illumination source is a backlighting illumination source.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein
the frame comprises a front panel, a template panel, and a rear panel;
the front panel comprises a transparent portion through which the replaceable graphic medium may be viewed;
the template panel comprises a viewing aperture and one or more magnetic fasteners, the viewing aperture being sized and configured to correspond with the transparent portion of the front panel; and
the rear panel having one or more magnetic fasteners, the magnetic fasteners of the template panel and the rear panel being in alignment.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the magnetic fasteners of the template panel and the magnetic fasteners of the rear panel comprise rare earth magnets.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein
the template panel comprises one or more locking posts; and
the rear panel comprises one or more keyhole slots aligned with the one or more locking posts.