Information Distribution System for Use in an Elevator
The invention features a system for displaying video information to passengers of an elevator in accordance with a play list defining a sequence of messages. The video information messages can include combinations of digital advertising, “real-time” general information, as well as, building-related information. The system includes an elevator display unit having a display monitor for displaying video information to the passengers, and a local server which, receives scheduling information associated with the video information over a data communication path and, in accordance with the scheduling information, generates a play list used to display at the elevator display unit.
1 . A method for displaying general and commercial information in an elevator, the method comprising:
receiving general and commercial information;
generating a playlist, including
selecting at least a subset of the general information and at least a subset of the commercial information,
determining a schedule for the display of the subset of the general information and the subset of the commercial information, and
formatting the subset of the general information and the subset of the commercial information; and
displaying on a display unit located in the elevator the subset of the general information and the subset of the commercial information according to the playlist.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subset of the commercial information is selected on the basis of demographic information for a building in which the elevator is located.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subset of the commercial information is selected on the basis of characteristics of the commercial information.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein characteristics of the commercial information include a demographic targeted by the commercial information.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein characteristics of the commercial information include a preselected date range for display of the commercial information.
6 . The method of claim 3 , wherein characteristics of the commercial information include a preselected time of day for display of the commercial information.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subset of the general information is selected on the basis of characteristics of a building in which the elevator is located.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the schedule is determined at least in part on the basis of occupancy data indicative of how many passengers are present in the elevator in a period of time.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the schedule is determined at least in part on the basis of an amount of commercial information included in the subset of the commercial information.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving building message information, the building message information including at least one building message and a building message display schedule;
determining a schedule for the display of the subset of the general information, the subset of the commercial information, and the building message at least in part on the basis of the building message display schedule; and
displaying on the display unit the subset of the general information, the subset of the commercial information, and the building message according to the playlist.