Written By Kate Zimmermann | January 18, 2007 | Share This |

New Scientist has spotted a Google patent filing for an interactive kiosk that could potentially replace the “you are here” maps in malls and tourist attractions. The patent states:

“Advances in technology have created new advertising channels to promote products and services. One example of this are kiosk-type billboards typically located in retail outlets, such […]

New Scientist has spotted a Google patent filing for an interactive kiosk that could potentially replace the “you are here” maps in malls and tourist attractions. The patent states:

“Advances in technology have created new advertising channels to promote products and services. One example of this are kiosk-type billboards typically located in retail outlets, such as shopping malls, airports, hotel lobbies, etc. In their simplest form these devices loop through a series of poster-type advertisements promoting, movies, products and/or retail outlets in proximity to the sign to induce specific customer behavior…The following description is intended to convey details involving systems and methods for managing a distributed advertising network of electronic billboards and allocating advertising space in this network based on the proximity of each billboard to categories of retail outlets.”

In other words, Google envisions a video-based public portal that would serve ads and information about stores in the kiosk’s proximity. As Search Engine Land writes, “Imagine getting directions, learning about items for sale, printing out coupons, and seeing how long the wait is at mall restaurants from a kiosk like this.”

Google’s patent doesn’t just put traditional poster advertisements to shame, it indicates how far Google intends to go as an “archive of the world’s information” and as an ad network.

Search Engine Land presents screen shots of a similar patent filed in June that hints at what’s to come: