US20160155210A1 - Interactive display based on near field communications - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing interaction between a user device and an interactive display system using near field communications are provided. The interactive display system includes a display panel configured to present visual content and near field communication (NFC) devices behind or within the display panel. The interactive display system detects a user device adjacent to the display panel using at least one of the NFC devices. The interactive display system determines a position relative to the display panel for the user device. The interactive display system exchanges data with the user device based on the position. The interactive display system may receive data that includes displayable information from the user device and present the displayable information on the display panel at or near the position for the user device. The interactive display system may simultaneously interact with more than one user device.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to interactive display systems and, more particularly, to interactive display systems that include near field communication (NFC) devices.
RELATED ART
• Touchscreen display panels allow users to touch the touchscreen display panels to interact with visual content presented. Touch input is typically received by the touchscreen display panel based on capacitive or resistive changes in vertical and horizontal conductive lines, which traverse the display panel, at the location of the touch. However, the information received by the touchscreen display panels is limited to the location of the contact or near contact with the panel, and no information, other than the visual content, is transmitted by the display. Further, touchscreen display panels typically are only able to detect a limited number of points of contact. Thus, even a large touchscreen display panel can typically only interact with a small number of users at one time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware environment supporting an interactive display system that includes near field communication (NFC) devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2dare diagrams illustrating various aspects of an interactive display system and a user device adjacent to the interactive display system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a networked system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a user interacting with an interactive display system with a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an illustrative method for providing interaction between a user device and an interactive display system using near field communications according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an interactive display system presenting user representations for check-in to a location or an event according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 7 is an illustrative screenshot of a check-in screen presented on a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an illustrative method for providing check-in through interaction between a user device and an interactive display system using near field communications according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an interactive display system presenting items according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 10 is an illustrative screenshot of an item information screen presented on a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a method for providing item information and/or offering items for sale through interaction between a user device and an interactive display system using near field communications according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
• FIGS. 12aand 12bare diagrams illustrating an interactive display system presenting a map according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIGS. 13aand 13bare illustrative screenshots of map screens presented on a user device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an illustrative method for providing location information and/or directions through interaction between a user device and an interactive display system using near field communications according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
• FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an interactive display system presenting messages according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 16 is an illustrative screenshot of a message screen presented on a user device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an illustrative method for posting, editing, and/or downloading messages from a message board through interaction between a user device and an interactive display system using near field communications according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
• FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a system for implementing one or more components inFIGS. 1 and/or 3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures, wherein showings therein are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure and not for purposes of limiting the same.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The present disclosure provides systems and methods for an interactive display system using near field communications.
• An interactive display system may be a system including a display panel and a plurality of near field communication (NFC) devices behind, within, or otherwise disposed on or around the display panel. The NFC devices may be arranged as an array of NFC devices. For example, the NFC devices may be arranged in rows and columns behind or within the display panel. The display panel may present visual content. In an embodiment, the NFC devices allow the interactive display system to sense where an NFC-enabled user device is placed (e.g., position, orientation, movement) relative to the display panel. In further embodiments, the NFC devices are used to synchronize the interactive display system and the user device based on the user device's position and/or movement.
• In various embodiments, an interactive display system presents visual content, such as images, text, and videos, on a display panel. The interactive display system detects a user device adjacent to the display panel using at least one of the NFC devices. The interactive display system determines a position relative to the display panel for the user device. The position for the user device may be based on which of the NFC devices detected the user device. The interactive display system then exchanges data with the user device based on the position for the user device. The interactive display system may detect, determine a position for, and exchange data with more than one user device simultaneously using respective more than one NFC devices.
• In various embodiments, the visual content presented on the display panel may be changed, modified, or updated based on the data and/or the position for the user device. The interactive display system may receive data that includes displayable information from the user device. The interactive display system may present the displayable information on the display panel at or near the position for the user device based on the received data.
• In an embodiment, the interactive display system is at a location or event where users may check-in (e.g., a conference, a seminar, a meeting, a wedding, a convention, a movie theater, a concert, an airport, a stadium, a hotel, etc.). The interactive display system presents representations of users including names of users (e.g., names of attendees, guests, participants, passengers, etc.). A user may place a user device in front of a name. The interactive display system detects the user device with one or more of the NFC devices and determines a position relative to the display panel for the user device based on which of the NFC devices detected the user device. The interactive display system determines the name based on the position and receives user data from the user device. The interactive display system may authenticate the user by determining that the user data and the name are associated with (e.g., belong to) the same user. The interactive display system may then check in the user based on the user data and/or the authentication. In other embodiments, in addition to or in place of the names of the users, the representation of users may include pictures of users, seat numbers, usernames, registration numbers, and/or other user representations.
• In an embodiment, an interactive display system is at a location or event with items, such as goods and/or services, for sale (e.g., a merchant such as a clothing store, an electronics store, a restaurant, a café, etc.), for viewing (e.g., a museum, an exhibition, etc.), or for loaning (e.g., a library, a movie rental, etc.). The interactive display system presents the items on a display panel. A user may place a user device in front of an item. The interactive display system detects the user device and determines a position relative to the display panel for the user device based on which of the NFC devices detected the user device. The interactive display system determines the item based on the position and transmits item data for the item to the user device. Item information may be presented on the user device in response to receiving the item data. In certain embodiments in which the items are for sale, the interactive display system may function as a point of sale and allow the user to purchase the item. An option to purchase the item is presented on the user device in response to receiving the item data. A user may select to purchase the item on the user device. The interactive display system may receive purchase request data and payment data for the item from the user device (e.g., via NFC communications with the user device), and may transmit such data to a payment service provider server for payment processing.
• In an embodiment, an interactive display system presents a map on a display panel (e.g., a map of a mall, a convention center, an airport, a building, a city, a park, etc.). A user may place a user device in front of a map location, which represents a physical location. The interactive display system detects the user device and determines a position relative to the display panel for the user device based on which of the NFC devices detected the user device. The interactive display system determines the map location based on the position and transmits location data for the map location to the user device. Information relating to the physical location (e.g., attractions, amenities, stores, etc., at the physical location) and/or directions from the current location to the physical location may be presented on the user device in response to receiving the location data.
• In further embodiments, a user may use a user device to further transmit data relating to the map location. The interactive display system receives such data and may present information on the map based on the received data, or in turn transmit the received data to relevant parties. In an example, a parent who is missing a child may place a user device at the location where the parent last saw the child and transmit data including missing child information and/or a picture of the child. The interactive display system may present a missing child message, which may include the missing child information and the picture, on the map for others to view. The interactive display system may transmit the data to relevant authorities, such as security personnel or law enforcement.
• In an embodiment, an interactive display system presents a message board including messages (e.g., a text message, a picture, a video, etc.). In an example, the message board may be for advertisements, job postings, rental listings, classifieds, etc. In another example, the message board may be a crisis message board to post information relating to a crisis (e.g., a natural disaster, military conflict, terrorist attack, etc.). A user may place a user device in front of a message board location. The interactive display system detects the user device and determines a position relative to the display panel for the user device based on which of the NFC devices detected the user device. The interactive display system determines the message board location based on the position. The user may post a message on the message board using the user device by sending message data for the message. The interactive display system receives the message data and presents the message on the message board location. The user or another user may place his or her device in front of the same message board location and update or delete the message. In other embodiments, the user may also download a previously posted message onto the user device by receiving message data for the posted message. The interactive display system transmits message data for the posted message to the user device, and the posted message may be stored on the user device. In further embodiments, the user may select to be updated on the user device when the message is updated. In an example, the message board may be utilized after a natural disaster. Users may post messages (e.g., searching for a missing person, status regarding rescue efforts, etc.) and may further store messages on their user devices, which may be automatically updated in real-time (e.g., that the missing person was found, progress of rescue efforts, etc.).
• Referring now toFIG. 1, a block diagram100 of a hardware environment of an exemplaryinteractive display system110 is illustrated.Interactive display system110 may include a bus120 or other communication mechanism for communicating data, which interconnects subsystems and components, including adisplay panel112, a user interface114, a plurality ofNFC devices116, speakers118 (or alternatively, an audio interface to connect to external speakers), one or more processing components122 (e.g., a processor, a micro-controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), etc.), a system memory component124 (e.g., RAM), a storage component130 (e.g., a static storage drive such as ROM), and anetwork interface circuit126.
• Display panel112, in various embodiments, is configured to present visual content.Display panel112 may include a pixel array. Each pixel may be manipulated and have an address corresponding to its physical coordinates.Display panel112 may be a light-emitting diode (LED) display panel, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, liquid-crystal (LCD) display panel, plasma display panel (PDP), cathode ray tube (CRT) display panel, or other display panel.Display panel112 may be flat or curved, and may have a rectangular shape, round shape, or other shape. In some embodiments,display panel112 may include a touchscreen component.
• Auser102 may interact withinteractive display system110 using user interface114. User interface114, in an embodiment, may include an input component, such as a touchscreen (e.g., touchscreen component of display panel112), a remote control, a keyboard, or other input component. In an embodiment, user interface114 may be provided, at least in part, by a graphic user interface (GUI) provided ondisplay panel112 or auser device150. In other embodiments, user interface114 includes a remote control.User102 may provide input on the remote control, and the remote control may transmit the user input via infrared or near-infrared signals to theinteractive display system110. User interface114 may provide a menu or settings ondisplay panel112, anduser102 may interact with the menu or settings using the remote control.
• NFC devices116, in various embodiments, are each located at a corresponding position behind, within, in front of, along the edges of, or otherwise disposed on, in, or arounddisplay panel112.NFC devices116 may be located at various positions relative to the display such thatNFC devices116 are capable of exchanging data withuser devices150 adjacent to displaypanel112. The plurality ofNFC devices116 may include an array of NFC devices arranged in rows and columns that spandisplay panel112. However, this is merely exemplary and the array of NFC devices may be arranged in any shape and/or may cover a part ofdisplay panel112.
• NFC devices116, in various embodiments, include an NFC transceiver circuitry and/or an NFC antenna. NFC devices may communicate using magnetic fields or electric fields, and may implement standards such as ECMA-340 (NFCIP-1), ECMA-352 (NFCIP-2), ISO/IEC 18092, ISO/IEC 21481, ISO/IEC 14443A, ISO/IEC 14443B, ISO/IEC 15693, JIS X6319-4, and FeliCa. However, it is contemplated that other short-range wireless communication technologies and standards (e.g., radio-frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth low energy, etc.) may be utilized and fall within the scope of the present disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the use of near field communication betweenNFC device116 anduser devices150 may be advantageously utilized to provide for low power communication, and also provide a more secure communication due to its short range.
• EachNFC device116, in various embodiments, is configured to detectuser device150 adjacent to displaypanel112, such as in front ofdisplay panel112, whenuser device150 is within the range of NFC device116 (e.g., within 2 cm, within 5 cm, within 10 cm, within 20 cm, etc.). EachNFC device116 may create a communication area in whichuser device150 is detected. The communication area may cover, for example, a spherical region on and arounddisplay panel112. Whenuser device150 is placed in the communication area ofNFC device116,NFC device116 may detectuser device150 and exchange data withuser device150.
• NFC device116 may receive identifier data packets fromuser device150. The identifier data packets may include one or more user identifiers, which may be operating system registry entries, cookies associated with a user interface application, identifiers associated with hardware ofuser device150, or various other appropriate identifiers. The user identifiers may be used to identifyuser device150,user102, or a user account associated withuser device150 oruser102.NFC device116 may further exchange data and information withuser device150. In some embodiments,NFC device116 may communicate withuser device150 without receiving an identifier ofuser device150 oruser102.
• In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure,interactive display system110 performs specific operations by processor orprocessing component122 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained insystem memory component124. Such instructions may be read intosystem memory component124 from another computer readable medium, such asstorage component130. These may include instructions, for example, to operateNFC devices116 to detect one or more user devices within its respective communication area, determine a position ondisplay panel112 foruser device150, and operateNFC devices116 to exchange data withuser device150. In other embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions for implementation of one or more embodiments of the disclosure.
• Storage component130, in various embodiments, is configured to store an address for eachNFC device116, which may correspond to its physical coordinates and/or an area (e.g., a communication area). In other embodiments,storage component130 may store associations between each NFC device116 (or NFC device address) and pixels and/or a visual content area on display panel112 (or pixel addresses) that are at, or within the vicinity of (e.g., within a communication area), each NFC device.Storage component130 may also contain one or more databases for storing user data and information, such as personal information (e.g., user login, user's age, user's location, etc.), user account information, user interest data, sensor data (e.g., sensor data from sensors of user device150), and other user data and information.
• Processor122, in various embodiments, detectsuser device150 usingNFC devices116 and determines a position foruser device150 based on which of NFC device ordevices116 detectuser device150. The position may enclose pixels ofdisplay panel112, andprocessor122 may determine which pixels are within the position and/or what visual content is being presented by those pixels based on the address ofNFC device116 and the pixel addresses.
• Interactive display system110 further includesnetwork interface circuit126 coupled to anetwork170.Interactive display system110 may transmit and receive data, information, messages, and instructions, including one or more programs (i.e., application code), throughnetwork interface circuit126 and acommunication link128.Interactive display system110 may further include other components, such as an audio/visual (A/V) interface to receive A/V signals via the A/V interface.
• Referring now toFIG. 2a, a diagram of aninteractive display system210 anduser device150 adjacent tointeractive display system210 is illustrated.Interactive display system210, which may be an implementation ofinteractive display system110, includes adisplay panel212 configured to presentvisual content220.
• Referring now toFIG. 2b, a diagram showing a plurality ofNFC devices216 located behind or withindisplay panel212 of aninteractive display system210 is illustrated. Dashed lines are used forNFC devices216 to show thatNFC device216 may be disposed behind or within thedisplay panel212 andNFC devices216 may not be visible (as inFIG. 2a). An array ofNFC devices216 arranged in rows and columns is illustrated. However,NFC devices216 may be arranged in other patterns or shapes according to the implementation. For example,interactive display system210 may be used to display a map, andNFC device216 may be located at positions corresponding to points of interest, pathways, roadways, bridges, or other map features.
• Referring now toFIG. 2c, a diagram showingcommunication areas226 ofrespective NFC devices216 of aninteractive display system210 is illustrated. Dashed lines are used forcommunication areas226 to indicate thatcommunication areas226 may not be visible (as inFIG. 2a). In various embodiments,communication areas226 are regions in the vicinity ofrespective NFC devices216, such as an area enclosed by a range of arespective NFC device216.NFC devices216 may have a predetermined range (e.g., 2 cm, 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, etc.). The range ofNFC devices216 may be configured depending on how compacted or spread apartNFC devices216 are arranged from each other.Interactive display device210 may detectuser device150 and determine a position foruser device150 based on which ofNFC devices216 detectsuser device150.
• In some embodiments, the position is based onuser device150 communicating with a single one ofNFC devices216. For example,interactive display system210 may determineNFC device216ais detectinguser device150 and determine, based on that communication, thatuser device150 is incommunication area226a. The position may be determined to be, for example, the position ofNFC device216a, an area aroundNFC device216a, and/orcommunication area226a. In embodiments in which the position foruser device150 is determined using asingle NFC device216, it may be advantageous to reduce the likelihood ofuser device150 being placed within more than onecommunication area226 by arrangingNFC devices216 to reduce overlap betweencommunication areas226 and/or by reducing the range of eachNFC device216. For example,FIG. 2dprovides a diagram showingNFC devices216 arranged to minimize overlap ofcommunication areas226 by using a hexagonal pattern ofNFC devices216.
• In other embodiments, the position ofuser device150 may be determined based onuser device150 communicating with one ormore NFC devices216. For example,interactive display system210 may determine thatNFC devices216aand216bare both detectinguser device150 and determine thatuser device150 is in an overlapping area ofcommunication area226aandcommunication area226b. The position may be determined to be, for example, a position betweenNFC device216aandNFC device216b, an area located betweenNFC device216aandNFC device216b, and/or an overlapping area ofcommunication area226aandcommunication area226b. In embodiments in which the position may be determined using more than oneNFC devices216, it may be advantageous to have overlapping areas in whichuser device150 is within more than onecommunication area226.NFC devices216 may be arranged to have optimal overlap betweencommunication areas226 for better localization ofuser device150.
• In certain embodiments, further localization techniques may be implemented to determine the position foruser device150. For example, further NFC-based localization techniques (e.g., using NFC tags, triangulation, etc.) may be used. In another example, localization ofuser device150 may be based on capacitive sensing, such as by using a capacitive touchscreen display panel. Accordingly,user102 may be able to interact withinteractive display system210 usinguser device150 and touchingdisplay panel212, and the position may be based on whereuser102touches display panel212. In a further example, motion sensors may be located in relation to displaypanel212 such that the motion sensors can detect whereuser102 has placeduser device150.
• Referring now toFIG. 3, an embodiment of a network-basedsystem300 for implementing one or more processes described in the present disclosure is illustrated. As shown, network-basedsystem300 may comprise or implement a plurality of servers and/or software components that operate to perform various methodologies in accordance with the described embodiments. Exemplary servers may include, for example, stand-alone and enterprise-class servers operating a server OS such as a MICROSOFT® OS, a UNIX® OS, a LINUX® OS, or other suitable server-based OS. It can be appreciated that the servers illustrated inFIG. 3 may be deployed in other ways and that the operations performed and/or the services provided by such servers may be combined or separated for a given implementation and may be performed by a greater number or fewer number of servers. One or more servers may be operated and/or maintained by the same or different entities.
• The embodiment of thenetworked system300 illustrated inFIG. 3 includesinteractive display system110, one or more NFC-enabled user devices150 (e.g., a mobile phone, a smartphone, a wearable device, etc.), one or more service provider servers or devices380 (e.g., network server devices), and one or more merchant servers ordevices390 in communication overnetwork170.Network170, in one embodiment, may be implemented as a single network or a combination of multiple networks. For example, in various embodiments,network170 may include the Internet and/or one or more intranets, landline networks, wireless networks, and/or other appropriate types of communication networks. In another example,network170 may comprise a wireless telecommunications network (e.g., cellular phone network) adapted to communicate with other communication networks, such as the Internet. As such, in various embodiments,interactive display system110,user device150,service provider server380, andmerchant server390 may be associated with a particular link (e.g.; a link, such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) to an IP (Internet Protocol) address).
• Interactive display system110, in various embodiments, includesNFC modules312 configured to be communicatively coupled to user device150 (e.g., via anNFC module354 of user device150) and anetwork interface module314 that is communicatively coupled tonetwork170.NFC modules312 andnetwork interface module314 may be communicatively coupled to any or all of adisplay module316, adetection module318, acontrol module320, and acontent display module322, any of which may be coupled to astorage module330. Any or all of the modules may be implemented as a subsystem ofinteractive display system110 including a circuit, a hardware component, a hardware subcomponent, and/or a variety of other subsystems known in the art. For example, any or all of themodules312,314,316,318,320,322, and330 may be implemented using any or all of the hardware components described inFIG. 1. Furthermore, any or all of the modules may be preconfigured to perform their disclosed functionality, or may be configured by a processing system “on-the-fly” or as needed to perform their disclosed functionality. As such, any or all of the modules may include pre-configured and dedicated circuits and/or hardware components, or may be circuits and/or hardware components that are configured as needed.
• For example, any or all of the modules may be provided via one or more circuits that include resistors, inductors, capacitors, voltage sources, current sources, switches, logic gates, registers, and/or a variety of other circuit elements known in the art. One or more of the circuit elements in a circuit may be configured to provide the circuit(s) that cause the modules to perform the functions described below. As such; in some embodiments, preconfigured and dedicated circuits may be implemented to perform the functions of the modules. In other embodiments, a processing system may execute instructions on a non-transitory, computer-readable medium to configure one or more circuits as needed to perform the functions of the modules.
• NFC modules312 may be included as a separate module provided ininteractive display system110, or may include communications hardware (e.g., antennas) and instructions stored on a computer-readable medium that, when executed by a processing system ininteractive display system110, configureNFC modules312 to operate the communications hardware to detectuser device150 and exchange data packets and information withuser device150, as well as provide any of the other functionality that is discussed herein. In an embodiment,NFC modules312 may be implemented, at least in part, asNFC devices116 inFIG. 1.Network interface module314 may be included as a separate module provided ininteractive display system110, or may include communications hardware (e.g., antennas) and instructions stored on a computer-readable medium that, when executed by a processing system ininteractive display system110, configurenetwork interface module314 to operate the communications hardware to send and receive information overnetwork170, as well as provide any of the other functionality that is discussed herein. In an embodiment,network communication module314 may be implemented, at least in part, asnetwork interface circuit126 inFIG. 1.
• Display module316 may be included as a separate module provided ininteractive display system110, or may include display hardware and instructions stored on a computer-readable medium that, when executed by a processing system ininteractive display system110, configuredisplay module316 to operate the display hardware to display visual content on a display panel, such asdisplay panel112, as well as provide any of the other functionality that is discussed herein. In an embodiment,display module316 may includedisplay panel112 inFIG. 1, as well as other hardware and software components relating to displaying visual content.
• Detection module318 may be included as a separate module provided ininteractive display system110, or may be provided using instructions stored on a computer-readable medium that, when executed by a processing system ininteractive display system110, configuredetection module318 to detectuser device150 adjacent to displaypanel112 using at least oneNFC module312, and determine a position foruser device150 relative to displaypanel112, as well as provide any of the other functionality that is discussed herein.Control module320 may be included as a separate module provided ininteractive display system110, or may be provided using instructions stored on a computer-readable medium that, when executed by a processing system ininteractive display system110, configurecontrol module320 to determine visual content to be presented ondisplay panel112, exchange data withuser device150 based on the position using the at least oneNFC module312, and change visual content based on the exchanged data and the position, as well as provide any of the other functionality that is discussed herein.Content display module322 may be included as a separate module provided ininteractive display system110, or may be provided using instructions stored on a computer-readable medium that, when executed by a processing system ininteractive display system110, configurecontent display module322 to receive, process, and/or generate visual content data for visual content to be presented ondisplay panel112, and provide the visual content data to displaymodule316, as well as provide any of the other functionality that is discussed herein.
• Other modules discussed herein but not illustrated inFIG. 3 may be provided as separate modules oninteractive display system110, or using instructions stored on a computer-readable medium similarly as discussed above. Whilestorage module330 has been illustrated as located ininteractive display system110, one of skill in the art will recognize that it may include multiple storage modules and may be connected to other modules throughnetwork170 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment,storage module330 may be implemented asstorage component130 inFIG. 1.
• User device150, in various embodiments, may be utilized byuser102 to interact withinteractive display system110 using near field communications.User device150 may also be utilized byuser102 to interact withservice provider server380 and/ormerchant server390 overnetwork170.User device150 may be implemented using any appropriate combination of hardware and/or software configured for near field communications with other NFC-enabled devices, and for wired and/or wireless communication overnetwork170. In various embodiments,user devices150 may include at least one of a smartphone, wireless cellular phone, satellite phone, tablet, laptop computer, notebook computer, hybrid/convertible computer, and/or other types of mobile computing devices. In other embodiments,user devices150 may include at least one of a wearable device, such as an activity tracker (which may also be called a fitness tracker and/or health tracker), smartwatch, eyeglasses with appropriate computer hardware resources, and/or other types of wearable computing devices.User devices150 may include a user interface352,NFC module354, one or more user identifiers356, one ormore sensors358, astorage module360, alocation module362, anetwork interface module364, and other modules.
• In various implementations,user102 is able to input data and information into an input component (e.g., a touchscreen, a keyboard, a microphone, etc.) ofuser device150 to provide personal information, user interest information, user identification information, and other user data and/or information.
• User interface application352, in an embodiment, may be utilized byuser102 to access applications, to view data or information on a display, and to conduct transactions (e.g., shopping, purchasing, bidding, etc.) withservice provider server380 and/ormerchant server390 over network370. In one aspect,user102 may login to an account related touser102 and purchase expenses may be directly and/or automatically debited from the account via user interface application352.
• In one implementation, user interface application352 comprises a software program, such as a graphical user interface (GUI), executable by a processor that is configured to interface and communicate withservice provider server380 vianetwork170. In another implementation, user interface application352 comprises a browser module that provides a network interface to browse information available overnetwork170. For example, user interface application352 may be implemented, in part, as a web browser to view information available overnetwork170.
• In an example,user102 is able to access merchant websites via one ormore merchant servers390 to view and select items for purchase, and theuser102 is able to purchase items from one ormore merchant servers390 viaservice provider server380. Accordingly, in one or more embodiments,user102 may conduct transactions (e.g., purchase and provide payment for one or more items) from one ormore merchant servers390 via service provider server180.
• User device150, in various embodiments, may include other applications as may be desired in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure to provide additional features available touser102. In one example, such other applications may include security applications for implementing client-side security features, programmatic client applications for interfacing with appropriate application programming interfaces (APIs) overnetwork170, and/or various other types of generally known programs and/or software applications. In still other examples, the other applications may interface with user interface application352 for improved efficiency and convenience.
• NFC module354, in an embodiment, is configured to communicate with other devices using near field communications.User device150 may communicate withinteractive display system110 byNFC module354 ofuser device150 exchanging data packets withNFC module312 ofinteractive display system110.
• User identifiers, such as user identifier356, in an embodiment, may be implemented, for example, as operating system registry entries, cookies associated with user interface application352, identifiers associated with hardware ofuser device150, or various other appropriate identifiers. User identifier356 may include one or more attributes related touser102, such as personal information related to user102 (e.g., one or more of names, user names, passwords, photograph images, biometric IDs, addresses, phone numbers, social security number, etc.), banking information, financial information, and/or funding source information (e.g., one or more banking institutions, credit card issuers, user account numbers, security data and information, etc.). In various embodiments, identifier data packets that include user identifier356 may be transmitted from user device150 (e.g., via NFC module354) to interactive display system110 (e.g., via NFC module312). In other embodiments, identifier data packets that include user identifier356 may be transmitted with a user login request (e.g., user login data packets) toservice provider server380 vianetwork170, andservice provider server380 may use the identifier data packets toassociate user102 with a particular user account maintained byservice provider server380.
• Sensors358, in an embodiment, may include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, one or more cameras, and other sensors. An accelerometer that measures acceleration and a gyroscope that measures orientation may be used together to measure movement and/or orientation ofuser device150. A camera may be back-facing such that the camera facesdisplay panel112 whenuser102places user device150 in front ofdisplay panel112. The camera may be used to measure distance fromdisplay panel112 and/or localizeuser device150 in relation to displaypanel112.Sensors358 may generate sensor data in response to the measurements. A processor ofuser device150 may receive the sensor data by accessing and/or communicating withsensors358. The processor may process, analyze, infer from, and/or interpret the sensor data to generate further sensor data.
• Storage module360, in an embodiment, may store data and information.Storage module360 may contain one or more databases in which to store the data and information.User device150 may locally store user account information and/or sensor data in a database onstorage module360.
• Location module362, in various embodiments, determines, tracks, monitors, and/or provides an instant geographical location ofuser device150. In one implementation, the geographical location may include GPS coordinates, zip-code information, area-code information, street address information, and/or various other generally known types of location data or information. In various embodiments, location data may be automatically obtained and/or provided byuser device150 via an internal or external monitoring component, such as global positioning system (GPS), which uses satellite-based positioning, assisted GPS (A-GPS), which uses cell tower information to improve reliability and accuracy of GPS-based positioning, and Wi-Fi-based positioning. In other embodiments, location data may be obtained based on communications betweenuser device150 and a device at the location, such asinteractive display system110 inFIG. 1 (e.g., via NFC device116) or a check-in device (e.g., a beacon device). This may help to save battery life and allow for better indoor location. In further embodiments, location information may be directly entered intouser device150 byuser102 via a user input component, such as a keyboard, touch display, and/or voice recognition microphone.
• Network interface module364, in various embodiments, communicates with other devices or servers overnetwork170. For example,user device150 may communicate withinteractive display system110,service provider server380, andmerchant server390 vianetwork interface module364 exchanging data packets with a network interface module of respective devices or servers overnetwork170.
• In one aspect, when interfacing withuser device150,user102 may elect and/or consent to provide personal information, user interest data, sensor data, location data, and/or other user data or information toservice provider server380 and/ormerchant server390.User102 may set or configure the user settings/configuration menu of user interface application352 ofuser device150. Through the user settings/configuration menu,user102 may provide consent to share user data or information and the extent of shared user data or information.User device150 may transmit shared user data or information dynamically by push synchronization, periodically, or each time an application associated withservice provider server380 ormerchant server390 is opened byuser102. In some embodiments,user102 may be prompted for permission to release user data or information. Accordingly,user102 may have exclusive authority to allow transmission of personal information, user interest data, sensor data, and/or location data fromuser device150 toservice provider server380 and/ormerchant server390.
• Service provider server380, in one embodiment, may be maintained by a service provider, such as an online service provider or a transaction processing entity that provides processing for financial transactions and/or information transactions betweenuser102 and one or more ofmerchant servers390. As such,service provider server380 includes aservice application382, which may be adapted to interact withuser device150 overnetwork170 to facilitate the searching, selection, purchase, and/or payment of items byuser102 from one ormore merchant servers390. In one example,service provider server380 may be provided by PayPal® Inc. or eBay® Inc. in San Jose, Calif., USA, and/or one or more financial institutions or a respective intermediary that may provide multiple point of sale devices at various locations to facilitate transaction routings between merchants and, for example, financial institutions.
• Service application382, in one embodiment, utilizes a payment processing application384 to process purchases and/or payments for financial transactions betweenuser102 and each ofmerchant servers390. In one implementation, payment processing application384 assists with resolving financial transactions through validation, delivery, and settlement. As such,service application382 in conjunction with the payment processing application384 settles indebtedness betweenuser102 and each ofmerchant servers390, wherein accounts may be directly and/or automatically debited and/or credited of monetary funds in a manner as accepted by the banking industry.
• Service provider server380, in one embodiment, may be configured to maintain one or more user accounts and merchant accounts in an account database onstorage module386, each of which may include account information388 associated with one or more individual users (e.g., user102) and merchants. For example, account information388 may include private financial information ofuser102 and merchants (e.g., one or more merchants associated with merchant servers390), such as one or more account numbers, passwords, credit card information, banking information, or other types of financial information, which may be used to facilitate financial transactions betweenuser102, and one or more merchants associated withmerchant servers390. Account information388 may also include personal information, such as one or more contact information (e.g., phone number, address, email, etc.) and other account IDs ofuser102 that are maintained by third parties (e.g., user names or account numbers). In various aspects, the methods and systems described herein may be modified to accommodate users and/or merchants that may or may not be associated with at least one existing user account and/or merchant account, respectively.
• In one implementation,user102 may have identity attributes stored withservice provider server380, anduser102 may have credentials to authenticate or verify identity withservice provider server380. User attributes may include personal information, banking information and/or funding source information. In various aspects, the user attributes may be passed toservice provider server380 as part of a login, search, selection, purchase, and/or payment request, and the user attributes may be utilized byservice provider server380 toassociate user102 with one or more particular user accounts maintained byservice provider server380.
• One ormore merchant servers390, in various embodiments, may be maintained by one or more business entities that offer various items, such as goods and/or services, for purchase and payment (e.g., a clothing store, an electronics store, a restaurant, a café, or other merchant) or, in some cases, by a partner of a business entity that processes transactions on behalf of business entities. The business entities may maintain a merchant website through which the various items are offered for purchase and payment. In some embodiments, business entities may need registration of user identity information as part of offering items touser102 overnetwork170. As such, each of one ormore merchant servers390 may include a merchant database on astorage module392 for identifying available items, which may be made available, at least in part, tointeractive display system110 and/oruser device150 for viewing and purchase byuser102. In one or more embodiments,user102 may complete a transaction such as purchasing the items viaservice provider server380.
• Each ofmerchant servers390, in one embodiment, may include amarketplace application394, which may be configured to provide data overnetwork170 tointeractive display system110 and/or user interface application352 ofuser device150. For example,marketplace application394 may transmit data including visual content for items and item information tointeractive display system110, which displays the items ondisplay panel112.User102 may interact withmarketplace application394 through the user interface application352 by placinguser device150 in front ofdisplay panel112 such thatuser device150 communicates withinteractive display system110.
• Each ofmerchant servers390, in one embodiment, may include at least onemerchant identifier396, which may be included as part of the one or more items made available for purchase so that, for example, particular items are associated with particular merchants. In one implementation,merchant identifier396 may include one or more attributes and/or parameters related to the merchant, such as business and banking information.Merchant identifier396 may include attributes related tomerchant server390, such as identification information (e.g., a serial number, a location address, GPS coordinates, a network identification number, etc.). In various embodiments,user102 may conduct transactions (e.g., searching, selection, monitoring, purchasing, and/or providing payment for items) with eachmerchant server390 viaservice provider server380 overnetwork170.
• The merchant website, in various embodiments, may communicate (e.g., using merchant server390) withservice provider server380 overnetwork170. For example, the merchant website may communicate withservice provider server380 in the course of various services offered byservice provider server380 to the merchant website, such as payment intermediary between customers of the merchant website and the merchant website itself. The merchant website may use an application programming interface (API) that allows it to offer sale of goods in which customers are allowed to make payment throughservice provider server380, whileuser102 may have an account withservice provider server380 that allowsuser102 to useservice provider server380 for making payments to merchants that allow use of authentication, authorization, and payment services ofservice provider server380 as a payment intermediary. The merchant website may also have an account withservice provider server380.
• Referring now toFIG. 4, a diagram ofuser102 holdinguser device150 in front ofinteractive display system410 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A plurality ofNFC devices416 are shown with dashed lines (asNFC devices216 inFIGS. 2b-d), indicating thatNFC devices416 are located behind or within adisplay panel412. In an embodiment, plurality ofNFC devices416 is an array ofNFC devices416 arranged such that whenuser102 holds upuser device150 anywhere neardisplay panel412, at least one ofNFC devices416 will detect and communicate withuser device150. In an example,user device150 is detected by one of NFC devices416 (e.g.,NFC device416a). In another example,user device150 is detected by two neighboring NFC devices416 (e.g.,NFC device416aand416b).
• Referring now toFIG. 5, aflowchart500 of a method for providing interaction betweenuser device150 and an interactive display system, such asinteractive display system410, using near field communications is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• Atblock502,interactive display system410 presents visual content420 (seeFIG. 4) ondisplay panel412.User102 may viewvisual content420 and decide to interact withinteractive display system410.
• Atblock504,interactive display system410 detects thatuser device150 is adjacent to displaypanel412 using at least one of plurality ofNFC devices416. In various embodiments,user102 may placeuser device150 in front ofdisplay panel412 and close enough to be within range of NFC devices416 (e.g., within 2 cm, within 5 cm, within 10 cm, within 20 cm, etc.).User device150 may be within communication range (e.g., inside a communication area) of at least one ofNFC devices416, such asNFC device416a. In an embodiment,NFC device416amay receive identifier data packets fromuser device150. The identifier data packets may include one or more user identifiers (e.g., user identifier356) that identifyuser102,user device150, a user account associated withuser102, and/or a user account associated withuser device150. In response toNFC device416areceiving the identifier data packets, interactive display system410 (e.g., byprocessor122 and/or detection module318) determines thatuser device150 is adjacent to display device140.
• Atblock506,interactive display system410 determines a position foruser device150. In an embodiment, interactive display system410 (e.g., byprocessor122 and/or detection module318) determines which particular NFC device ordevices416 detected user device150 (e.g.,NFC device416a), and determines a position relative to displaypanel412 foruser device150. In an example, the position may be a physical coordinate corresponding to a physical coordinate of a particular NFC device (e.g.,NFC device416a). In another example, the position may be an area corresponding to a particular NFC device (e.g.,NFC device416a), such as a communication area of the particular NFC device. In a further example, the position may be a physical coordinate or area between two NFC devices (e.g.,NFC device416aand416b).
• Atblock508,interactive display system410 exchanges data withuser device150 using the at least oneNFC device416. In an embodiment, interactive display system410 (e.g., byprocessor122 and/or control module320) exchanges data withuser device150, which may include transmitting data touser device150 and/or receiving data fromuser device150. The data that is exchanged may depend on the position foruser device150 and/or the part of the visual content that is presented at or near the at least oneNFC device416
• Atblock510,interactive display system410 changes, modifies, and/or alters the presented visual content based on the exchanged data and/or the position foruser device150. In an embodiment, interactive display system410 (e.g., byprocessor122 and/or control module320) may determine a corresponding location on the visual content based on the position foruser device150, and change a part of the visual content that is at the location based on the exchanged data and/or the position for user device. In other embodiments, a part of the visual content at another location may be changed, modified, or altered based on the exchanged data and/or the position for user device. In an example, a change in visual content at the location may be followed by changes in the other locations (e.g., a ripple effect, a ball moving from the location to another location, etc.) Such interaction may be utilized in various applications, such as games or activities played by multiple users interacting withinteractive display system410.
• Referring now toFIG. 6, a diagram of aninteractive display system610 presentingvisual content620 includinguser representations622 for check-in on adisplay panel612 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In various embodiments,user102 is at a location or event whereusers102 may check-in (e.g., a conference, a seminar, a meeting, a wedding, a convention, a movie theater, a concert, an airport, a stadium, a hotel, etc.).Interactive display system610 provides check-in services at the location.Interactive display system610 may presentvisual content620 includinguser representations622 that identify users (e.g. names of users, pictures of users, seat numbers, usernames, registration numbers, and/or other user representations), a location orevent name624, andsection names626 ondisplay panel612. In some embodiments, section names626 may be information that assistsusers102 to find their respective user representations626 (e.g., first letters of the alphabet of users' names, names of groups that users are in, etc.) and/or information regarding whereusers102 are headed (e.g., names of halls, rooms, or gates).
• Referring now toFIG. 7, a screenshot of a check-inscreen700 presented onuser device150 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, whenuser102places user device150 near a particular user representation, such asuser representation622aofFIG. 6,user device150 may present a location orevent name702, auser representation704 corresponding touser representation622a, and a check-inbutton706 based on information received byuser device150 frominteractive display system610. In some embodiments,user device150 may also present a userID entry area708, apassword entry area710, and/or other information712 (e.g., a greeting, a schedule, directions, etc.).
• Referring now toFIG. 8, aflowchart800 of a method for providing check-in through interaction betweenuser device150 andinteractive display system610 using near field communications is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• Atblock802,interactive display system610 presentsuser representations622 of users (e.g., attendees) ondisplay panel612.User102 may decide to check-in usinginteractive display system610 and holduser device150 in front of a particular user representation for a particular user (e.g., a particular attendee), such asuser representation622a.
• Atblock804,interactive display system610 detects thatuser device150 is adjacent to displaypanel612 using at least one of a plurality of NFC devices, such as at least one ofNFC devices416 as described at block404 ofFIG. 4.
• Atblock806,interactive display system610 determines a position foruser device150 based on which of the NFC devices detecteduser device150, such as which NFC device ordevices416 detecteduser device150 as described at block406 ofFIG. 4.
• Atblock808,interactive display system610 determines, based on the position foruser device150, a corresponding attendee of the position, such as an attendee corresponding touser representation622a.
• Atblock810,interactive display system610 receives user data fromuser device150, In an embodiment,interactive display system610 may receive user data including one or more user identifiers (e.g., user identifier356) that identifyuser102,user device150, a user account associated withuser102, and/or a user account associated withuser device150.User device150 may transmit user identifiers tointeractive display system610 automatically or after user authorization.
• In another embodiment,interactive display system610 may transmit data for user check-inscreen700 touser device150.User102 may enter user credentials (e.g., user ID in userID entry area708, password inpassword entry area710, etc.) on check-inscreen700 presented onuser device150.User102 may confirm thatuser representation704 belongs touser102 by selecting check-inbutton706.Interactive display system610 may then receive the user data that includes the user information entered on user check-inscreen700.
• Atblock812,interactive display system110 checks-inuser102 based on the user data. In an embodiment,interactive display system110 may authenticateuser102 by determining thatuser representation622aand the user data (e.g., user identifier, user credentials, and/or user confirmation) belong to or are associated with the same user, and check-inuser102.
• Referring now toFIG. 9, a diagram ofinteractive display system910 presenting items922a-d(e.g., goods and/or services) on adisplay panel912 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In various embodiments,user102 is at a location or event with items for sale (e.g., a merchant such as a clothing store, an electronics store, a restaurant, a café, etc.), for viewing (e.g., a museum, an exhibition, etc.), or for loaning (e.g., a library, a movie rental, etc.).Interactive display system910 may presentvisual content920 including items922a-dand/or location or event name926 (e.g., a merchant name) ondisplay panel912.
• Referring now toFIG. 10, a screenshot of anitem information screen1000 presented onuser device150 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, whenuser102places user device150 near aparticular item922a,user device150 may be detected by an NFC device near the item, receive item data for that item via the NFC device.User device150 may present a location orevent name1002,item information1006 corresponding toitem922a, and purchase-related options, such as an add toshopping cart button1008, based on the received item data. In some embodiments,user device150 may also present asearch area1004 and item-related options, for example, an add to wishlist button1010, checkstore availability button1012, and/or adetails button1014 for further information.
• Referring now toFIG. 11, aflowchart1100 of a method for providing item information and/or offering items for sale through interaction between a user device and an interactive display system using near field communications is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• Atblock1102,interactive display system910 presents items, such as items922a-d, ondisplay panel912.User102 may decide he or she is interested in a particular item, such asitem922a, and holduser device150 in front ofitem922a.
• Atblock1104,interactive display system910 detects thatuser device150 is adjacent to displaypanel912 using at least one NFC device, such as at least one ofNFC devices416 as described at block404 ofFIG. 4.
• Atblock1106,interactive display system910 determines a position foruser device150 based on which of the NFC devices detecteduser device150, such as which NFC device ordevices416 detecteduser device150 as described at block406 ofFIG. 4.
• Atblock1108,interactive display system910 determines, based on the position foruser device150,corresponding item922ato that position.
• Atblock1110,interactive display system910 transmits item data touser device150. In an embodiment,interactive display system910 transmits item data including item information.User device150 receives the item data and presents the item information on item information screen1000 (seeFIG. 10). In an example, ifuser102 is at a store, restaurant, or movie theater, item information may include, respectively, merchandise information (e.g., merchandise pictures, price, sizing, reviews, etc.), food item information (nutrition information, price, reviews, etc.), or movie information (e.g., a summary, seat selection option, reviews, etc.). In another example, ifuser102 is at a museum or an exhibition, item information may be information regarding an item on display. In a further example, ifuser102 is in a library or movie rental, item information may include, respectively, book information or movie information (e.g., a summary and loan period).
• In an embodiment whereuser102 is at a merchant location,interactive display system910 transmits item data including purchase information for providing an option to purchaseitem922a, anduser device150 receives the item data and provides the option to purchaseitem922atouser102 onitem information screen1000. In an example,interactive display system910 is configured as a point of sale for the merchant, anduser device150 provides the option to purchaseitem922athroughinteractive display system910. In other examples,user device150 provides an option to purchaseitem922athroughmerchant server390 and/orservice provider server380. In a further example,user device150 provides an option to purchaseitem922avia the merchant website, such as by providing a button (e.g., add to shopping cart button1008) that links to a purchase page or a purchase confirmation page of the merchant website.
• Atblock1112,interactive display system910 receives purchase request data and payment data. In an embodiment, in response touser102 selecting to purchaseitem922aonuser device150,user device150 transmits purchase request data and payment data tointeractive display system910.
• Atblock1114,interactive display system910 transmits purchase request data and payment data tomerchant server390 and/orservice provider server380. In other embodiments,user device150 may transmit purchase request data and payment data directly tomerchant server390,service provider server380, and/or the merchant website overnetwork170 in place of or in addition to transmitting the purchase request data tointeractive display system910.Service provider server380 may process the purchase request and payment based on the purchase request data and the payment data.
• Referring now toFIGS. 12aand 12b, diagrams of aninteractive display system1210 presenting a map, for example amall map1222aor acity map1222b, on adisplay panel1212 are illustrated according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments,user102 is at a location or event (e.g., a mall, a city, a park, an amusement park, an airport, a stadium, a building, a store, a restaurant, etc.).Interactive display system1210 may present visual content, such asvisual content1220aor1220b, including a map, such asmap1222aor1220b, a location/event name ormap name1224aor1224b, a location A1226 (e.g., a current location), and a location B1228 (e.g., a location of interest) ondisplay panel1212.User102 may placeuser device150 at a position anywhere onmap1222aand1222bto selectlocation B1228. In some embodiments,location A1226 and/orlocation B1228 may be visibly indicated onvisible content1220aand1220b. In other embodiments,location A1226 and/orlocation B1228 may not be shown onvisible content1220aand1220b.
• Referring now toFIGS. 13aand 13b, screenshots of map screens, for example amall map screen1300aor acity map screen1300b, presented onuser device150 are illustrated according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Whenuser102 selects a location by placinguser device150 in front of a particular location, such aslocation B1228,user device150 may present a location orevent name1302aor1302b, amap1304aor1304b, alocation information button1306, adirections button1308, and/or adownload button1310.
• Referring now toFIG. 14, aflowchart1400 of a method for providing location information and/or directions through interaction betweenuser device150 andinteractive display system1210 using near field communications is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• Atblock1402,interactive display system1210 presents a map, such asmap1222aormap1220b, ondisplay panel1212.User102 may decide he or she is interested in a particular location, such aslocation B1228, and holduser device150 at or nearlocation B1228.
• Atblock1404,interactive display system1210 detects thatuser device150 is adjacent to displaypanel1212 using at least one NFC device, such as at least one ofNFC devices416 as described at block404 ofFIG. 4.
• Atblock1406,interactive display system1210 determines a position foruser device150 based on which of the NFC devices detecteduser device150, such as which NFC device ordevices416 detecteduser device150 as described at block406 ofFIG. 4.
• Atblock1408,interactive display system1210 determines, based on the position foruser device150, correspondinglocation B1228.
• Atblock1410,interactive display system1210 transmits location data touser device150. In an embodiment,interactive display system910 transmits locationdata including map1304aor1304b, location information, and directions.User device150 may receive location data andpresent map1304aor1304b,location information button1306 for accessing the location information, and/ordirections button1308 for accessing the directions onmap screen1300aor1300b. The location information may include, for example, information regarding attractions, amenities, stores, store hours, etc., atlocation B1228. The directions may include directions from location A1226 (e.g., current location) to location B1228 (e.g., location of interest whereuser102 placeduser device150 onmap1222aor1222b). In some embodiments,users102 may be able to view items for purchase at a merchant at location B by receiving item data.User102 may be able to conveniently purchase items (e.g., as described atblock1112 and1114 ofFIG. 11) before heading over to the merchant.
• Referring now toFIG. 15, a diagram of aninteractive display system1510 presenting messages1522a-eon adisplay panel1512 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In various embodiments,user102 is at a location or event with a message board (e.g., a commercial message board for posting advertisements, job postings, rental listings, classifieds, etc., or a crisis message board for posting information relating to a natural disaster, military conflict, terrorist attack, etc., or other message board).Interactive display system1510 may presentvisual content1520 including messages1522a-eand/or message board name1526 (e.g., a merchant name) ondisplay panel1512.
• Referring now toFIG. 16, a screenshot of amessage screen1600 presented onuser device150 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, whenuser102places user device150 near a particularmessage board location1524,user device150 may present amessage board name1602, a message entry/display area1604, apost message button1606, a view and/or editmessage button1608, adownload message button1610, and buttons for an option to receiveupdates1612 and1614. In some embodiments,message board location1524 corresponding to a position ofuser device150 may be visibly indicated onvisible content1520. In other embodiments, message board,location1524 may not be shown onvisible content1520.
• Referring now toFIG. 17, aflowchart1700 of a method for posting, editing, and/or downloading messages onmessage board1520 through interaction betweenuser device150 andinteractive display system1510 using near field communications is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• Atblock1702,interactive display system1510 presents messages ondisplay panel1512.User102 may decide he or she would like to post a new message, or edit and/or download an existing message.User102 may holdsuser device150 in front of a particular message board location, such asmessage board location1524.
• Atblock1704,interactive display system1510 detects thatuser device150 is adjacent to displaypanel1512 using at least one NFC device, such as at least one ofNFC devices416 as described at block404 ofFIG. 4.
• Atblock1706,interactive display system1510 determines a position foruser device150 based on which of the NFC devices detecteduser device150, such as which NFC device ordevices416 detecteduser device150 as described at block406 ofFIG. 4.
• Atblock1708,interactive display system1510 determines, based on the position foruser device150, correspondingmessage board location1524.
• Atblock1710,interactive display system1510 receives message data fromuser device150. In an embodiment,user102 may compose a message or, message entry/display area1604 ofmessage screen1600 or select a message onuser device150.User102 may select postmessage button1606, anduser device150 may transmit message data for the message tointeractive display system1510.
• Atblock1712,interactive display system1510 presents the message as a message onmessage board1526, such asmessage1522a.
• Atblock1714,interactive display system1510 transmits message data touser device150. In an embodiment, when there is an existing message at or nearbymessage board location1524,user102 may select view/edit message button1608 or downloadmessage button1610 ofmessage screen1600 onuser device150.Interactive display system910 transmits message data for messages at or nearbymessage board location1524, such asmessage1522a.
• Atblock1716, a message corresponding tomessage1522ais presented onuser device150. In various embodiments, a message corresponding tomessage1522amay be presented in message entry/display area1604 ofmessage screen1600 onuser device150. In an embodiment, ifuser102 selected view/edit message button1608 atblock1714,user102 may edit message in message entry/display area1604 andselect post message1606 to post the edited message.Interactive display system1510 may receive message data for the edited message fromuser device150 and post the edited message as described atblock1710 and1712.
• In another embodiment, ifuser102 selecteddownload message button1610 atblock1714, message data formessage1522amay be stored onuser device150. In further embodiments,user102 may selectbutton1612 to receive updates formessage1522astored onuser device150.Interactive display system1510 may transmit data for updated messages touser device150 vianetwork170.
• Referring now toFIG. 18, an embodiment of acomputer system1800 suitable for implementing, for example, the interactive display system, user device, service provider server, and merchant server is illustrated. It should be appreciated that other devices utilized by users, service providers, and/or merchants in the system discussed above may be implemented ascomputer system1800 in a manner as follows.
• In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, computer system1800, such as a computer and/or a network server, includes a bus1802 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, which interconnects subsystems and components, such as a processing component1804 (e.g., processor, micro-controller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc.), a system memory component1806 (e.g., RAM), a static storage component1808 (e.g., ROM), a disk drive component1810 (e.g., magnetic or optical), a network interface component1812 (e.g., modem or Ethernet card), a display component1814 (e.g., light-emitting diode (LED) display component, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) component, liquid-crystal (LCD) display component, plasma display panel (PDP), cathode ray tube (CRT) display component, or other display component), an input component1818 (e.g., keyboard, keypad, virtual keyboard, touchscreen, etc.), a cursor control component1820 (e.g., mouse, pointer, trackball, etc.), a location determination component1822 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) device as illustrated, a cell tower triangulation device, and/or a variety of other location determination devices known in the art), and/or a sensor component1823. In one implementation,disk drive component1810 may include a database having one or more disk drive components.
• In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure,computer system1800 performs specific operations byprocessor1804 executing one or more sequences of instructions contained inmemory component1806, such as described herein with respect to the interactive display system, user device, service provider server, and merchant server. Such instructions may be read intosystem memory component1806 from another computer readable medium, such asstatic storage component1808 ordisk drive component1810. In other embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the present disclosure.
• Logic may be encoded in a computer readable medium, which may refer to any medium that participates in providing instructions toprocessor1804 for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. In one embodiment, the computer readable medium is non-transitory. In various implementations, non-volatile media includes optical or magnetic disks, such asdisk drive component1810, volatile media includes dynamic memory, such assystem memory component1806, and transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, including wires that comprise bus1802. In one example, transmission media may take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications.
• Some common forms of computer readable media includes, for example, floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM, FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer is adapted to read.
• In various embodiments of the present disclosure, execution of instruction sequences to practice the present disclosure may be performed bycomputer system1800. In various other embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality ofcomputer systems1800 coupled by acommunication link1824 to the network170 (e.g., such as a LAN, WLAN, PTSN, and/or various other wired or wireless networks, including telecommunications, mobile, and cellular phone networks) may perform instruction sequences to practice the present disclosure in coordination with one another.
• Computer system1800 may transmit and receive messages, data, information and instructions, including one or more programs (i.e., application code) throughcommunication link1824 andnetwork interface component1812.Network interface component1812 may include an antenna, either separate or integrated, to enable transmission and reception viacommunication link1824. Received program code may be executed byprocessor1804 as received and/or stored indisk drive component1810 or some other non-volatile storage component for execution.
• In view of the present disclosure, it will be appreciated that various devices, systems, and methods have been described according to one or more embodiments for providing interaction between a user device and an interactive display system using near field communications.
• Although various components and steps have been described herein as being associated withinteractive display system110, display device140, one ormore user devices150,service provider server380,merchant server390 ofFIGS. 1 and/or 3, it is contemplated that the various aspects of such devices and servers illustrated inFIGS. 1 and/or 3 may be distributed among a plurality of servers, devices, and/or other entities.
• Where applicable, various embodiments provided by the present disclosure may be implemented using hardware, software, or combinations of hardware and software. Also, where applicable, the various hardware components and/or software components set forth herein may be combined into composite components comprising software, hardware, and/or both without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Where applicable, the various hardware components and/or software components set forth herein may be separated into sub-components comprising software, hardware, or both without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, where applicable, it is contemplated that software components may be implemented as hardware components and vice-versa.
• Software, in accordance with the present disclosure, such as program code and/or data, may be stored on one or more computer readable mediums. It is also contemplated that software identified herein may be implemented using one or more specific purpose computers and/or computer systems, networked and/or otherwise. Where applicable, the ordering of various steps described herein may be changed, combined into composite steps, and/or separated into sub-steps to provide features described herein.
• The various features and steps described herein may be implemented as systems comprising one or more memories storing various information described herein and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and a network, wherein the one or more processors are operable to perform steps as described herein, as non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising a plurality of machine-readable instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, are adapted to cause the one or more, processors to perform a method comprising steps described herein, and methods performed by one or more devices, such as a hardware processor, mobile device, server, and ether devices described herein.
• The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. An interactive display system, comprising:

a display panel configured to present visual content;

a plurality of near field communication (NFC) devices located behind or within the display panel; and

one or more processors configured to:

detect a user device adjacent to the display panel using at least one of the plurality of NFC devices;

determine a position relative to the display panel for the user device based on which of the plurality of NFC devices detected the user device; and

exchange data with the user device based on the position.

2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of NFC devices comprises an array of NFC devices arranged in rows and columns.

3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the user device is a first user device, wherein the position is a first position, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

detect a second user device adjacent to the display panel using the at least one of the plurality of NFC devices or another of the plurality of NFC devices;

determine a second position relative to the display panel for the second user device based on which of the plurality of NFC devices detected the second user device; and

communicate additional data to or from the second user device based on the second position.

4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

determine a corresponding location on the visual content based on the position; and

change the visual content at the location or another location based on the communicated data and the position.

5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the visual content comprises a message board, wherein the data comprises message data for a message, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

determine a corresponding message board location based on the position;

receive message data for the message from the user device; and

present the message at the message board location.

6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the visual content comprises one or more user representations, wherein the data comprises user data, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

determine a corresponding user representation for a user based on the position;

receive the user data for the user from the user device; and

check in the user based on the user data.

7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the visual content comprises one or more items, wherein the data comprises item data, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

determine a corresponding item based on the position; and

transmit item data for the item to the user device, wherein the item data comprises item information to be presented on the user device.

8. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the item data further comprises purchase information for providing an option to purchase the item to be presented on the user device, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive purchase request data and payment data for the item from the user device.

9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the visual content comprises a map, wherein the data comprises location data, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

determine a corresponding map location representing a physical location based on the position; and

communicate location data for the map location to or from the user device, wherein the location data comprises information relating to the physical location, directions from a current location to the physical location, or both.

10. A method, comprising:

presenting visual content on a display panel;

detecting, by one or more processors using at least one of a plurality of NFC devices, a user device adjacent to the display panel;

determining, by the one or more processors in response to the detecting, a position relative to the display panel for the user device based on which of the plurality of NFC devices detected the user device; and

exchanging, by the one or more processors using the at least one of the plurality of NFC devices, data with the user device based on the position.

11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the plurality of NFC devices are behind or within the display panel, and wherein the plurality of NFC devices comprise an array of NFC devices arranged in rows and columns.

12. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the visual content is a first visual content, the method further comprising presenting a second visual content on the display panel, wherein second visual content differs, at least in part, from the first visual content based on the data and the position.

13. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the user device is a first user device, wherein the position is a first position, the method further comprising:

detecting, by the one or more processors using the at least one of a plurality of NFC devices or another of the plurality of NFC devices, a second user device adjacent to the display panel;

determining, by the one or more processors in response to the detecting of the second user device, a second position relative to the display panel for the second user device based on which of the plurality of NFC devices detected the second user device; and

communicating, by the one or more processors using the plurality of NFC devices, data to or from the second user device based on the second position.

14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the visual content comprises a message board, wherein the data comprises message data, the method further comprising:

determining, by the one or more processors in response to the determining of the first position, a corresponding first message board location based on the first position;

receiving, by the one or more processors using the at least one of the plurality of NFC devices, message data for a first message from the first user device;

presenting the first message on the display panel at the first message board location;

determining, by the one or more processors in response to the determining of the second position, a corresponding second message board location comprising a second message based on the second position; and

transmitting, by the one or more processors using the at least one of the plurality of NFC devices or the other of the plurality of NFC devices, message data for the second message to the second user device.

15. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the visual content comprises one or more user representations, wherein the data comprises user data, the method further comprising:

determining, by the one or more processors in response to the determining of the position, a corresponding user representation for a user;

receiving, by the one or more processors using the at least one of the plurality of NFC devices, the user data for the user from the user device; and

checking in, by the one or more processors in response to the receiving, the user.

16. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the visual content comprises one or more items, wherein the data comprises item data, the method further comprising:

determining, by the one or more processors in response to the determining of the position, a corresponding item; and

transmitting, by the one or more processors using the at least one of the plurality of NFC devices, item data for the item to the user device.

17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the item data comprises item information, the method further comprising:

presenting item information and an option to purchase the item on the user device; and

receiving, by the one or more processors using the at least one of the plurality of NFC devices, purchase request data and payment data for the item from the user device.

18. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the visual content comprises a map, wherein the data comprises location data, the method further comprising:

determining, by the one or more processors in response to the determining of the position, a corresponding map location representing a physical location; and

transmitting, by the one or more processors using the at least one of the plurality of NFC devices, location data for the physical location to the user device, wherein the location data comprises information relating to the physical location, directions from a current location to the physical location, or both;

presenting the directions, the information, or both on the user device.

19. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising a plurality of machine-readable instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of an interactive display system, causes the interactive display system to perform a method comprising:

presenting visual content on a display panel;

detecting a user device adjacent to the display panel using at least one of a plurality of NFC devices;

determining a position relative to the display panel for the user device based on which of the plurality of NFC devices detected the user device; and

communicating data to or from the user device using the at least one of the plurality of NFC devices based on the position.

20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium ofclaim 19, wherein the user device is a first user device, wherein the position is a first position, the method further comprising:

detecting a second user device adjacent to the display panel using the at least one of the plurality of NFC devices;

determining a second position relative to the display panel for the second user device based on which of the plurality of NFC devices detected the second user device; and

communicating data to or from the second user device based on the second position using the at least one of the plurality of NFC devices.

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