Use private devices to control public displays

Abstract

Control of a public display with a private device is described. Techniques and tools for controlling a public output device (eg, a public display device) with a client device over a network. In some examples, a time-limited proximity code is displayed by a public display device and may be provided by a client device over a public network to verify that the client device exists within the proximity zone and is allowed to control the public display. Once authorized, the client device can provide control data to control the visual content on the public display. A relay service may be used to relay data over a network between a client device and a public display device through a communication connection. For example, a relay service may be implemented on a server connected to a network, and may use HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) to relay data (such as control data) from one device to another through messages.

Description

technical field [0001] This application relates to controlling public displays, and more particularly to controlling public displays with private devices. Background technique [0002] Electronic displays are becoming increasingly common in public areas. Such displays may display content such as text, images, video, or graphics, and the content may change over time (eg, in different advertising sequences). Sometimes electronic displays in public areas are connected to computers at kiosks at fixed locations. A user at the kiosk can enter information into the computer, and the display can change in response to the entered information. However, such kiosks typically only accommodate one user at a time, so the number of users that can affect the displayed output is limited. Furthermore, such displays typically do not accept input from other computing devices. In some public environments, such as stadiums, the display can display SMS messages sent by mobile phones to specific...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the content of an SMS message is limited to plain text, and waiting for the SMS message to be delivered to the target phone number before being displayed or waiting for the content of the message to be interpreted and filtered (e.g., by a human moderator) can create significant waits time (for example, seconds, minutes, or longer delays)

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