Brad L Harkavy

US Patent:

6812851, Nov 2, 2004

Filed:

Dec 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/751664

Inventors:

Semyon Dukach - Boston MA
Matt W. D. Mankins - Somerville MA
Leonid Fridman - Somerville MA
Brad Harkavy - Cambridge MA
Michael Platsidakis - Mansfield MA

Assignee:

Vert, Inc. - Boston MA

International Classification:

G08B 500

US Classification:

3408154, 3404255, 3406916, 3406933, 345212

Abstract:

A system for publicly displaying messages can comprise an automotive vehicle having an automotive electrical system including an ignition system and a generator and a publicly visible electronic display; video drive circuitry for generating images (which can include advertisements) on the display; display-power circuitry for receiving power from the vehicles automotive electrical system, supplying that power to the display, and automatically reducing the power supplied to the display after the vehicles ignition is turned off. The display-power circuitry can automatically increase power to the display when the vehicles ignition is turned back on. A computer can control the images on the display and the display-power circuitry can automatically reduce power to the display independently of whether the computer is operating. A system for publicly displaying messages can also comprise an automotive vehicle having a publicly visible electronic display; a computer for showing various messages (which can include advertisements) on the display; an input device which can be used by an occupant of the vehicle to generate one or more emergency signals; and a connection supplying such emergency signals to the computer. The computer can respond to the emergency signal by showing an emergency message on the display.

US Patent:

6850209, Feb 1, 2005

Filed:

Dec 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/751661

Inventors:

Matt W. D. Mankins - Somerville MA, US
Brad Harkavy - Cambridge MA, US
Michael Platsidakis - Mansfield MA, US
Adam M. Whiton - Boston MA, US

Assignee:

Vert, Inc. - Somerville MA

International Classification:

G09G 500

US Classification:

345 13, 345 87, 345207, 340469, 40590, 40591

Abstract:

A system for publicly displaying messages includes elements carried by an automotive vehicle. In some embodiments the vehicle carries a publicly visible electronic display; a sensor for sensing the brightness of light in the vicinity of the display; and illumination varying circuitry for varying the brightness of light generated by the display in response to brightness detected by the sensor. In some embodiments the vehicles carries a publicly visible display formed by ganging together a plurality of displays, each having at least 640×480 pixels; and video drive circuitry for causing images to be shown on the ganged display with different portions of individual images being shown on each of the individual displays. In some embodiments the vehicle has an automotive electrical system and carries a publicly visible high-bright display, capable of providing over 1000 NITS illumination and having 640 by 480 or greater pixel resolution; and video drive circuitry causing images to be shown on the display. In some embodiments the vehicle carries a publicly visible electronic display and a computer.

US Patent:

20020009978, Jan 24, 2002

Filed:

Dec 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/751404

Inventors:

Semyon Dukach - Boston MA, US
Matt Mankins - Somerville MA, US
Leonid Fridman - Somerville MA, US
Brad Harkavy - Cambridge MA, US
Michael Platsidakis - Mansfield MA, US
Adam Whiton - Boston MA, US

International Classification:

H04B001/034

US Classification:

455/099000, 455/457000, 455/066000

Abstract:

A vehicle display unit is designed to be carried by an automotive vehicle. Some such units are designed for mounting on the roof of a car, bus, or other vehicle. Others are designed to be mounted in other locations on or in a vehicle, such as, for example, on the side of a car, truck, or bus. Such a display unit can include components such as an one or more electronic displays; display drive circuitry, which can include a computer; a connection for receiving power from the electrical system of a vehicle; an enclosure around the one or more displays and their drive circuitry which has ventilation openings; and a ventilation fan for moving cooling air through the enclosure. The electronic displays can have 640×480 or greater resolution. Some roof-mounted embodiments have three electronic displays arranged in a triangle, with two displays each visible from the front and one side of the vehicle, and the third display visible from the behind the vehicle. Some roof-mounted embodiments include an enclosure for their display(s) and drive circuitry; one or more roof protectors having a weight distributing surface shaped to fit the curved roof of a vehicle on which they are mounted; and a plurality of mountings supported by the one or more roof protectors for suspending the enclosure in a position spaced above the roof, which mounting includes vibration isolators, for at least partially isolating the enclosure from vibration of the vehicle roof.

US Patent:

20020111146, Aug 15, 2002

Filed:

Oct 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/970086

Inventors:

Leonid Fridman - Somerville MA, US
Matt Mankins - Somerville MA, US
Brad Harkavy - Cambridge MA, US
Edward Porter - Boston MA, US

International Classification:

H04B001/034

US Classification:

455/099000, 455/073000

Abstract:

Databases provide information on viewership for messages. In some embodiments the database can describe the numbers and/or type of pedestrians who can watch public displays at different locations and times. The displays can be outdoors and/or vehicle mounted. The database can be updated by information from sensors. In some embodiments data having a given temporal and spatial granularity, such as pedestrian or vehicle data, is smoothed to produce data having a higher spatial and/or temporal resolution. In some embodiments a database of potential viewership is used to automatically select the message and charge for a showing on a given display. In some embodiments the database indicates viewership for different times of day and the charges or messages selected also vary by time of day. Such message or charge selection can be applied to nonpublic displays, based on multiple-viewer demographics associated with different displays, including demographics derived by sensors.

US Patent:

20020164962, Nov 7, 2002

Filed:

Dec 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/751935

Inventors:

Matt Mankins - Somerville MA, US
Leonid Fridman - Somerville MA, US
Brad Harkavy - Cambridge MA, US
Michael Platsidakis - Mansfield MA, US
Edwin Selker - Arlington MA, US
Adam Whiton - Boston MA, US

International Classification:

H04B001/034

US Classification:

455/099000, 455/001000, 455/066000

Abstract:

A system for publicly displaying messages includes one or more mobile units, each including an automotive vehicle carrying a publicly visible electronic display; a computer for controlling the images shown on the display; and a radio for transmitting and receiving information, including information about which messages should be shown on the mobile unit's display. A central system receives and sends information to radios on the mobile units to control what messages they display. In some embodiments the mobile unit includes programming to enable a remote computer, such as a central system computer, to have remote access over the radio to commands of the mobile unit's computer's operating system. In some embodiments, the information transmitted by a mobile unit's radio includes information about the status of the mobile unit's computer. This can include how much more room its memory has, how utilized its CPU is, how much radio traffic it is having, what display message it is currently showing, etc. In some embodiments, the radio transmits real time information about the status of the mobile display unit. This can include information about one or more temperatures in the display device, the amount of light falling on or near the display's screens, the amount of light emitted by the display's screens, whether or not the vehicle's ignition is on, and the strength of the signal being received by a mobile unit's radio.

US Patent:

20040036622, Feb 26, 2004

Filed:

Oct 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/168149

Inventors:

Semyon Dukach - Boston MA, US
Matt Mankins - Somerville MA, US
Leonid Fridman - Somerville MA, US
Salvatore D'Agostino - Cambridge MA, US
Brad Harkavy - Cambridge MA, US
Edwin Selker - Arlington MA, US
Edward Porter - Boston MA, US

International Classification:

G09F021/04

US Classification:

340/691600, 340/988000, 040/592000

Abstract:

A system shows messages on electronic displays, including networks of outdoor displays, such as displays mounted on vehicles. With such vehicle displays, a display's current geographical location can be sensed, such as by a GPS receiver in the vehicle or by multiple wireless receivers separate from the vehicle. The sensed location can then be used to select which messages are shown the display. Different values can be associated with showing messages on displays at different locations and times, and values associated with the locations and time through which a display travels can be summed, such as for charging advertisers or crediting vehicle operators. The system can be controlled by a computer system, such as an e-commerce site, which allows advertisers to upload message content, select messages, and select the time and place at which a messages is to be shown, either directly or by specifying criteria for the system to select such times and places. Message content and information controlling which messages are shown when and where can be downloaded to displays, such as by wireless. Displays can have cameras associated with them. These can be used to derive information about potential audiences to be used in the selection of when and where to show messages. The cameras can also be used to gather other types of information, including traffic and weather information. Image and speed information can be combined from multiple display and then be distributed, such as by showing it on the system's displays.

US Patent:

20050231978, Oct 20, 2005

Filed:

Mar 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/085677

Inventors:

Anthony Kvenvold - Harvard MA, US
Brad Harkavy - Cambridge MA, US

International Classification:

G02F001/1335

US Classification:

362600000

Abstract:

A backlighting system for liquid crystal display provides low power consumption and high efficiency. The backlighting system includes an array of LEDs arranged in a matrix to generate backlight needed to display light and dark colors on the liquid crystal display. The backlighting system emulates light and dark areas of video images being displayed on the liquid crystal display, selectively backlighting only areas of the liquid crystal display that require backlighting, thereby reducing power consumption.

US Patent:

6701143, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

Jul 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/618862

Inventors:

Semyon Dukach - Boston MA
Matt W. D. Mankins - Somerville MA
Leonid Fridman - Somerville MA
Salvatore A. DAgostino - Cambridge MA
Brad Harkavy - Cambridge MA
Edward W. Porter - Boston MA

Assignee:

Vert, Inc. - Boston MA

International Classification:

H04M 342

US Classification:

4554142, 4554141, 4554561, 4554564

Abstract:

A system of advertising information on one or more mobile vehicles as a function of the vehicles location. The system comprises mobile units and a central system for controlling the displays on the mobile units. The mobile units include displays visible from the outside of the vehicle, a controller, and a wireless communication system for repeatedly transmitting a locator signal to and receiving display-selection messages from the central system. The central system includes a wireless communication system for receiving locator signals from the mobile units, a memory and a processor. The central system determines a zone in which the mobile unit is located, selects a display to be shown by the mobile unit based on the zone that the mobile unit is located, and transmits a display-selection message to the mobile unit identifying a selected display message to be shown on the mobile units display.