[0001] The present invention relates generally to employee communication programs, and, more particularly, to an electronic communication display system for publishing employee communications.
[0002] Conventional business communication programs have typically included providing a bulletin board upon which printed material, e.g., posters including photographs, artwork, designs and/or slogans, and messages which pertain to a client's business are displayed. Topics which may be the subject of business communications include employee communications involving safety, quality, teamwork, morale and self-motivation. For example, since safety is an important consideration in most working environments, a poster with a slogan such as using prudence in a potentially dangerous situation may be displayed for impressing upon employees an employer's requirement for observing on-the-job safety. Other examples of representative employee communications include messages such as news releases made by a client and messages for boosting employee morale such as those involving employee activities.
[0003] In conventional systems to which the invention relates, the posters and messages may be developed by graphic designers by hand or on a computer aided design system. Typically, they are printed as a large communication display and then sent to a client where the communication display may be mounted onto a bulletin board. The bulletin board may be relatively sophisticated and creatively organized for efficiency and visual attention such as a three-panel bulletin board on the order of 26 inches (66 centimeters) by 63 inches (160 centimeters). For conventional systems to which the invention relates, the posters are typically regularly replaced by manual means depending on corporate goals, news of interest and employee activities.
[0004] At regular time intervals, such as once a month, clients may select new posters and messages and/or the new posters and messages are automatically selected, printed and shipped periodically to each client. Because of the large number and variety of clients and the specific requirements for certain users, there are significant inefficiencies associated with selecting, printing and shipping the employee communications. Also, achievement of a high degree of customization and selectivity is economically problematic.
[0005] Accordingly, it is desired to provide an efficient system which overcomes many of the deficiencies of prior art systems and services.
[0006] Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is an electronic communication display system which is at least partially disposed on a computer readable medium and is configured for transmitting data corresponding to media to a remote client location where the media is displayed. The electronic communication display system comprises an electronic poster display board for displaying media, and a client computer server which receives data corresponding to the media for the electronic poster display board. A web server capable of communicating with the client server for transmission of data thereto is also provided. The web server along with an application server communicating with the web server formulates the data for the ultimate transmission to the client server.
[0007] At its most fundamental configuration, the electronic communication display system comprises two computers. The main server stores, sorts and keeps track of each client's order. It also receives the news, weather and sports information and reformats it for client use. Each remote location of the system has a “client” computer which is hooked up to the Internet and to a flat panel display device. This computer checks, via Internet, with the main server on a regular basis and retrieves the correct assortment of materials in electronic form. It then displays them on the flat panel display. The display may also include regularly updated news, weather and sports information.
[0008] In one particular embodiment of the invention, the client server has a web browser configured in kiosk mode for display of the media. The web browser may contain a plurality of channels wherein each of the channels contains an electronic poster or an electronic message.
[0009] Another preferred form of the invention involves a method of providing a customized poster service to a plurality of remote locations and comprises the steps of: generating a poster kit containing at least one electronic poster and/or electronic message for each client or subscriber selecting posters and/or messages by the client from the remote location; providing an electronic poster display board at each location; and communicating each selected poster and/or message over the Internet to each electronic poster display board for display of the least one electronic poster and/or electronic message.
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic communication display system capable of electronically transferring business communications from a primary location to a plurality of remote locations.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic communication display system which enhances customization and increases the variety of materials available for selection.
[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide an electric communication display system which allows for substantially instantaneous transmission of selected materials to a remote location.
[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and drawings wherein:
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[0019] An electronic communication display system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated generally at
[0020] The term “media” as used herein is intended to include all forms of visual communication including graphics, written and printed text along with photographs, visual works and artistic material developed for display alone or therewith.
[0021] The electronic communication display system
[0022] The administrative server system
[0023] The second web server
[0024] The data base server
[0025] Each work station
[0026] The coordination and communication with computer
[0027] The client communication and display system
[0028] The electronic poster display board
[0029] The client server
[0030] Referring now also to
[0031] With reference to
[0032] The application server
[0033] Each subscriber may modify these kits as will be more fully described hereafter. Once the kits are established, the client may select the specific electronic posters for display on the electronic communication display
[0034] The client may also modify the client's poster kit as follows. Using a client workstation
[0035] While the present invention has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather it is intended to cover all of the various modifications and equivalent arrangements including within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.