Suction Lighting System and Method

Abstract

A suction lighting system may provide a plurality of suction cups that may attach to a surface and display an advertisement or a decorative facade. The suction lighting system may provide at least one suction cup that may be provided to attach to the surface and may emit light from one or more LEDs. The method may provide steps for advertising on or decorating a structure utilizing a set of suction light devices. The method may include searching for available advertising space and displaying the advertisement within the space.

Claims

1. A suction lighting system arranged to form an advertisement or a decorative facade on a structure, comprising: at least one set of suction light devices, comprising: a plurality of suction cups provided to removably attach to an available space on the structure; a plurality of optical lenses arranged within the lighting system; and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) provided to emit light from the lighting system; a plurality of lines connected to a plurality of printed circuit boards (PCBs), the plurality of lines including an anode line, a data line, and a cathode line; and a plurality of drive chips provided to drive each of the plurality of PCBs.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of suction cups receives the plurality of optical lenses.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of optical lenses is attached to each of the plurality of PCBs.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: an LED strip provided to support the plurality of suction cups, wherein the LED strip includes a metal wire provided to bend the LED strip in different shapes and directions.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising: at least one installation frame provided to secure any number of the plurality of suction cups, wherein the at least one installation frame is movable in different directions.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a reflective material secured to an inner portion of each of the plurality of suction cups, wherein the inner portion engages with the structure.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a tinted material secured to an inner portion of each of the plurality of suction cups, wherein the inner portion engages with the structure.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a power source connected to the system.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a signal receiving and sending device configured to receive a wireless signal and to send the wireless signal to the at least one set of suction light devices, wherein a plurality of sets of the suction light devices are connected wirelessly without cables or wires.

10. A suction cup arranged to form an advertisement or a decorative facade on a structure, comprising: an optical lens connected to the suction cup; one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) provided to emit light from the suction cup; a plurality of lines connected to at least one printed circuit board (PCB), the plurality of lines including an anode line, a data line, and a cathode line; at least one drive chip provided to drive the at least one PCB; and an LED strip attached to the structure and provided to support the suction cup, wherein the LED strip includes a metal wire provided to bend the LED strip in different shapes and directions.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the optical lens is arranged within the suction cup.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the optical lens is attached to the at least one PCB.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising: a signal receiving and sending device configured to receive a wireless signal and send the wireless signal to provide light to the advertisement or the decorative facade on the structure.

14. The system of claim 10, further comprising: at least one installation frame provided to secure the suction cup, wherein the at least one installation frame is movable in different directions.

15. A method of providing an advertisement or a decorative facade on a structure, the method comprising: searching, by a processor, one or more available structures for the advertisement or the decorative facade to be displayed on the one or more available structures, wherein a user initiates the method of advertising on the structure by searching the one or more available structures; displaying, by the processor, the one or more available structures to the user, wherein the user selects at least one of the one or more available structures to install a set of suction light devices that form the advertisement or the decorative facade; reserving, by the processor, the one or more available structures for the user to display the advertisement or the decorative facade; and installing the set of suction light devices at the at least one of the one or more available structures selected by the user to display the advertisement or the decorative facade.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: capturing a picture, a video, or a combination thereof of the set of suction light devices that form the advertisement or the decorative facade when installed on the at least one of the one or more available structures, wherein an audience captures the picture, the video, or the combination thereof utilizing a mobile device.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: sharing, by the processor, the picture, the video, or the combination thereof of the advertisement or the decorative facade online.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: tracking the advertisement or the decorative facade, wherein a tracking code is implanted in the picture, the video, or the combination thereof, and wherein the tracking code collects information corresponding to the audience.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: collecting data corresponding to the advertisement or the decorative facade by utilizing the tracking code and building a database of the collected data.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: filtering the database, by the processor, to generate sets of information corresponding to the audience.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a common display system according to the prior art;

[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a suction lighting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 3 depicts a sectional side view of the suction light of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 4 depicts a sectional side view of the suction light of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 5 depicts a sectional side view of a suction light of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 6 depicts a side view of a suction light device including an optical lens provided in a suction cup according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 7 depicts a side view of a suction light device including an optical lens provided on a printed circuit board (PCB) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 8 depicts a side view of a light emitting diode (LED) strip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 9 depicts a top view of an LED strip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 10 depicts a top view of an LED strip including built-in suction cups according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 11 depicts a top view of an LED strip including installation frames according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 12 depicts a top view of a pixel dot formation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 13 depicts a top view of a fixed pixel dot or strip secured by attached or detached suction cup formation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 14 depicts a top view of a pixel matrix according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 15 depicts a top view of sets of suction light devices without a cable connection according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0025] FIG. 16 depicts a method of selecting a location for advertising, display the advertising, and collecting consumer information in connection with the advertising according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide systems that may include a plurality of removable suction lighting devices. Further embodiments of the present disclosure may provide installing and tracking a lighting system formed of removable suction lighting devices.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a front view of suction light system 201 may include one or more suction light devices 203, one or more smooth surfaces 205, and one or more sources of electricity 207. When in use, suction light devices 203 may be attached to smooth surface 205 via a vacuum that may be created by suction light devices 203, and may then be connected to source of electricity 207 in order to power a light display. It should be appreciated that each suction light device 203 may individually adhere to smooth surface 205 and may allow infinite varieties of displays to be created. It should be appreciated that individual components or individual suction light devices 203 may be mechanically re-configured and may form different patterns and/or shapes. Suction light devices 203 may provide interior lighting from the inside of a building that may provide pictorial and/or video advertising that may be displayed inside and/or outside of the building or structure. Suction light devices 203 may be attached, adhered, and/or sucked onto smooth surface 205 from an interior of a building. It should be appreciated that smooth surface 205 may include, but is not limited to, a glass window, transparent structure, and a glass door. Suction light devices 203 may be attached to smooth surface 205 by applying pressure on suction cup 603, 703, 1003, 2003, 3010, 4010 (FIGS. 6-7, 10-11, and 12-13, respectively) against smooth surface 205. It should be appreciated that suction light devices 203 may be configured in the form of a sign. It should be appreciated that a sign may include, but is not limited to, an outdoor structure, sign, display, light device, figure, painting, drawing, message, plaque, poster, billboard, or another device that is designed, intended, or utilized to advertise or inform individuals.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, suction light device 203 may include one or more suction means 301 that may have transparent center 303, housing 305, and one or more light sources 307 that may be in electronic communication with signal receiving device 309 that may be in electronic communication with power input means 311. It should be appreciated that suction means 301 may be a suction cup or any other device arranged to attach a light to a surface via suction without departing from the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that signal receiving device 309 may receive signals that may change any aspect of the light produced by light source 307.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, suction light device 401 may provide suction means 403 that may be lined with reflective material 405. It should be appreciated that reflective material 405 may increase the perceived intensity or brightness of light source 407 in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, suction light device 501 may provide suction means 503 which may be lined with tinted material 505. It should be appreciated that tinted material 505 may modify the color of the light from light source 507. It should also be appreciated that a lens of any type or tint may be applied to focus or disperse the light and/or to change the color of the light according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, suction light device 601 may include suction cup 603 which may provide built-in optical lens 607. Optical lens 607 may provide at least one LED 625 which may be in the form of a surface-mounted device LED and/or an LED chip. Suction cup 603 may further provide printed circuit board (PCB) 623 that may be attached to suction cup 603 and may include drive chip 613, anode line 615, data line 617, and/or cathode line 619. PCB 623 may drive at least one LED 625 to emit light in embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that LEDs may be controlled digitally without departing from the present disclosure.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 7, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, suction light device 701 may include suction cup 703. Suction cup 703 may provide PCB 723 which may include drive chip 713, anode line 715, data line 717, and/or cathode line 719. Optical lens 707 may be built into PCB 723, and optical lens 707 may provide at least one LED 725 which may be in the form of a surface-mounted device LED and/or an LED chip. PCB 723 may drive at least one LED 725 to emit light according to embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that LEDs may be controlled digitally without departing from the present disclosure.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 8, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, LED strip 800 may provide a plurality of LEDs 807 and drive chip 813. PCB 823 may provide a flexible printed circuit and may include anode line 815, data line 817, and cathode line 819. Metal wire 827 may be provided in LED strip 800 and may be crafted to bend and provide pliability for the plurality of LEDs 807 in embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that LEDs may be controlled digitally without departing from the present disclosure.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 9, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, LED strip 900 may provide a plurality of LEDs 907. LED strip 900 may include PCB 923 which may provide a flexible printed circuit. Silicon case 927 and/or half-round silicon case 929 may be provided on LED strip 900 and may support the plurality of LEDs 907. It should be appreciated that a metal wire may be provided in LED strip 900 and may be crafted to bend and provide pliability without departing from the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that LEDs may be controlled digitally without departing from the present disclosure.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 10, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one suction cup 1003 may be built into LED strip 1000. At least one LED 1007 may be provided along LED strip 1000. LED strip 1000 may provide PCB 1023 which may provide a flexible printed circuit silicon case 1027. It should be appreciated that any number of LEDs may be provided along LED strip 1000 without departing from the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that LEDs may be controlled digitally without departing from the present disclosure.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 11, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one suction cup 2003 may be built onto or affixed to LED strip 2000. At least one LED 2007 may be provided along LED strip 2000. LED strip 2000 may provide at least one installation frame 2010 that may be provided to extend from LED strip 2000. It should be appreciated that LEDs may be controlled digitally without departing from the present disclosure.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 12, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, pixel dot formation 3000 may form a picture or video. Pixel dot formation 3000 may include a plurality of suction cups 3010 that may be arranged along LED strip 3020. LED strip 3020 may support a plurality of LEDs 3030 and PCB 3040. PCB 3040 may provide a flexible printed circuit and silicon case 3050. It should be appreciated that LEDs may be controlled digitally without departing from the present disclosure.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 13, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, fixed pixel dot formation 4000 may be secured to a surface by utilizing a plurality of suction cups 4010 that may be attached to installation frames 4015. Installation frames 4015 may extend from LED strip 4020. Fixed pixel dot formation 4000 may provide LED strip 4020 that may support a plurality of LEDs 4030 and PCB 4040. PCB 4040 may provide a flexible printed circuit and silicon case 4050. It should be appreciated that LEDs may be controlled digitally without departing from the present disclosure.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 14, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, pixel matrix 5000 may be controlled by software that may provide changing pictures and/or video that may be displayed. It should be appreciated that pixel matrix 5000 may provide easily reconfiguring and/or exchanging suction cups to provide different images and/or pictures. It should be appreciated that a memory and a processor may be provided to change pictures and/or video without departing from the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that LEDs may be controlled digitally without departing from the present disclosure.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 15, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, more than one set of suction light devices 203A, 203B may be form a single image and/or visual media. Suction light devices 203A, 203B may form the image and/or visual media without utilizing a cable wire connection. It should be appreciated that sets of suctions light devices may form an unlimited number of patterns without departing from the present disclosure. It should also be appreciated that the sets of suction light devices may form an image and/or visual media that may have a size that may be as large as a size of the structure or building upon which the image and/or visual media is applied.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 16, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, method 6000 may provide a method of advertising on a structure. It should be appreciated that a memory and a processor may be provided to complete each step of method 6000. A user or customer may initiate the method of advertising on a structure by conducting a search (step 6010). The method may provide searching for an available space on a structure (step 6020). It should be appreciated that the search may be based on one or more factors including, but not limited to, location (i.e., city, zip code, neighborhood), structure type, car traffic around the structure, size of space available for advertising, cost to advertise, and time available for advertising to be displayed in embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that the available space for a user to reserve may be displayed on a map that may provide a 3D image of the building and surrounding streets. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a user may employ filters to narrow down the available space based on the one or more factors. The available space may be displayed to a user, and the user may select one or more locations for a set of suction light devices to be installed (step 6030). The location to install the set of suction light devices may be reserved (step 6040). In reserving the location, the user may be prompted to provide one or more items of information including, but not limited to, identification of the desired location, payment information, an image or description of the advertising, and the amount of time for the advertising to be displayed. The set of suction light devices may be installed at the location selected by the user and may display an advertisement or a decorative facade (step 6050). It should be appreciated that prior to installation, the user reserving the location may be provided with a sample or mock-up of how the set of suction light devices will be installed (i.e., colors, movement, positioning) so that the user may approve the installation. It should be appreciated that the set of suction light devices may include LEDs provided in each suction light device. It should be appreciated that LEDs may be controlled digitally without departing from the present disclosure.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the advertisement or the decorative facade may be displayed on the side of a building so that it may be visible to pedestrians in the area and/or vehicular traffic around the building. There may be embodiments of the present disclosure where the user who has reserved the location for advertising may wish to evaluate his/her advertising reach. A picture and/or a video may be captured of the set of suction light devices forming the advertisement or the decorative facade (step 6060). It should be appreciated that the audience may capture the picture and/or the video by utilizing a mobile device. The picture and/or the video of the advertisement or the decorative facade may be shared online (step 6070). It should be appreciated that the picture and/or the video may be shared on social media platforms in embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the advertisement or the decorative facade may be tracked by utilizing a tracking code that may be implanted in the set of suction light devices forming the advertisement or the decorative facade that may be captured in the picture and/or the video (step 6080). It should be appreciated that the tracking code that may be implanted into the set of suction light devices may automatically and/or instantaneously transmit, by a processor, information about the audience or individual to a computer or database. It should be appreciated that the tracking code may collect information that may correspond to the audience. Data that may correspond to the advertisement or the decorative facade may be collected in a database by utilizing the tracking code (step 6090). The database may be filtered and may generate sets of information that may correspond to the audience (step 6095). It should be appreciated that the sets of information may be generated and displayed by category.

[0043] It should be appreciated that the audience or individual may share the picture and/or video of the set of suction light devices forming an advertising by utilizing an online platform. It should be appreciated that the audience or individual may be rewarded for sharing the picture and/or video on an online platform in some embodiments of the present disclosure. It should further be appreciated that the number of views and/or shares of the picture and/or video may be calculated and advertising data may be gathered. It should be appreciated that the audience and/or individual's personal information may be generated and/or analyzed by category including, but not limited to, age, geographic location, and demographic information. It should further be appreciated that the report may be transmitted to a third-party including, but not limited to, an advertising agency or company's marketing department. It should be appreciated that method 6000 may provide receiving, by the processor, a listing of available space that may be added to a database.

[0044] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be useful for various entities including outdoor advertising services, advertising agencies, and building owners having available space for advertising, display installation services. Building owners may employ embodiments of the present disclosure to receive extra income from the window and/or walls of their buildings/structures that have not been previously used for income. Embodiments of the present disclosure also may provide for secondary advertising through online platforms including social media by building a digital watermark (i.e., a secret embedded code that may be tracked online) in an advertising picture or video. An audience may capture a picture or video of the building advertisement or decorative facade and share it online, whether for fun or for reward. Through use of the digital watermark, the effects of advertising may be evaluated online (i.e., how many people viewed the advertisement or the decorative facade, where the people are from that viewed/shared the advertisement or the decorative facade, and the platform(s) where the advertisement or the decorative facade was shared).

[0045] It should be appreciated that a plurality of suction light devices may form a sign or display that may be unlimited in size. It should be appreciated that the sign or display may be installed and/or uninstalled in increments of an area of approximately five square-meters or 50 square-feet per person, per day.

[0046] It should be appreciated that tools, glue, screws, and other materials may not be utilized to install, remove, and maintain the light device. Accordingly, the method of installation may be considered non-destructive as it keeps the structure where the set of suction light devices are installed intact. It should be appreciated that the light device may be the size of one or more windows in a building, the size of the entire building and/or a wall of the building. It should further be appreciated that the light device may not damage a surface. It should be appreciated that a length of approximately five square-meters or 50 square-feet) of suction light devices 203 may be manually installed by one person in approximately one hour without departing from the present disclosure. Thus, unlike an outdoor wall wrap, the set of suction light devices may be installed or removed easily from inside of the structure. It should also be appreciated that a plurality of suction light devices 203 may provide an advertisement or a decorative facade that may be at least approximately ten times larger than a billboard advertisement or a decorative facade. It should be appreciated that installation of the removable light system may cost approximately 90% less than installation of a conventional billboard. It should be appreciated that suction light devices 203 may connect a wireless control system that may control playing video. It should be appreciated that suction light devices 203 may operate without a cable wire connection between window-to-window and/or room-to-room sets of suction light devices 203. It should be appreciated that no cable connection may be provided between sets of suctions light devices 203 in embodiments of the present disclosure. It should also be appreciated that suction light devices 203 may provide addressable LED pixels with built-in lens.

[0047] It should be appreciated that each suction light device may include a male connector and a female connector that may provide an output and an input, respectively. It should be appreciated that each suction light device may be connected to another suction light device via male and female connectors. It should be appreciated that each individual suction light can be replaced easily for the maintenance. It should be appreciated that each suction light device may include a light controlling chip that may control color, pattern, and speed of light emitted by each device without departing from the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that lighting patterns provided by suction light devices may be unlimited.

[0048] There may be embodiments of the present disclosure where a community website may be provided. Products that employ a set of suction light devices can be created by customers, and then customers may use the community website to sell their products. Unlimited lighting patterns may be created in embodiments of the present disclosure. A user may sign onto an online platform or mobile application to create a project that may include a design that could be formed using a set of suction light devices. The project may then be shared through the online platform or mobile application. A product may later be formed based on the project, and either the user who created the project may request that the product be formed or another user on the online platform or mobile application may request the product based on the shared project. Upon request, the product may be formed using the set of suction light devices and then delivered to the requestor.

[0049] The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various changes and modifications can, of course, be made, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.