Digital signage with refreshing function and method for refreshing the digital signage

Abstract

A digital signage includes: a front display screen including a plurality of pixels; and a processor connected to the front display screen, the front display screen being controlled by the processor to display a content thereon. The processor is programmed to initiate a refreshing operation on the front display screen. The refreshing operation includes controlling the front display screen to display a refreshing content in a crawling manner for a predetermined refreshing period, and each of the plurality of pixels of the front display screen is configured to display a part of the refreshing content during the refreshing operation.

Description

[0001] The disclosure relates to a digital signage with refreshing function and a method for implementing a refreshing operation on the digital signage.

[0002] In the field of digital signage products, certain kinds of digital signage (e.g., liquid crystal displays, LCDs) may be subjected to an adverse phenomenon called screen burn-in. Screen burn-ins may be caused by static images being displayed for an extended period of time, thereby resulting in polarization of the liquid crystals in the LCDs. Such a phenomenon may be frequently seen in public digital signage in which specific static images (e.g., public messages) are displayed for an extended period of time (such as 18 hours a day).

[0003] Conventionally, a number of techniques aimed to reduce screen burn-ins are employed. For example, the LCDs may be controlled to perform a pixel update procedure in which the brightness and / or the color of each pixel associated with the specific image(s) is / are periodically adjusted; the LCDs may be installed with a screensaver program that periodically changes the images to be displayed thereon; the brightness and / or the contrast of a backlight module of the LCDs may be designed to reduce the potential screen burn-in; and an automatic sleep function may be implemented such that after being activated for a predetermined period, the LCDs may be controlled to enter a sleep mode.

[0004] It is noted that the conventional techniques may be insufficient in some circumstances. For example, in some cases, only a portion of the LCDs displays static images while other portions of the LCDs display dynamic contents. In addition, adjusting the brightness and / or the colors too much may cause the quality of the displayed contents to decrease, while not adjusting enough may result in not effectively reducing the potential screen burn-in. Also, in some cases, the use of screensaver and sleep mode may not be available due to the purpose of the LCDs.

[0005] Therefore, one object of the disclosure is to provide a digital signage with refreshing function so as to reduce the potential screen burn-in.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a digital signage as claimed in Claim 1.

[0007] Another object of the disclosure is to provide a method for implementing a refreshing operation on the above-mentioned digital signage.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a method for implementing a refreshing operation on the above-mentioned digital signage as claimed in Claim 9.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment(s) with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that various features may not be drawn to scale. Figure 1 illustrates components of a system for implementing refreshing operation of a digital signage according to one embodiment of the disclosure Figure 2 illustrates steps of an exemplary method for refreshing the digital signage according to one embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates exemplary settings associated with the refreshing operation that may be stored and adjusted by a user according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0010] Before the disclosure is described in greater detail, it should be noted that where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, which may optionally have similar characteristics.

[0011] Throughout the disclosure, the term "coupled to" or "connected to" may refer to a direct connection among a plurality of electrical apparatus / devices / equipment via an electrically conductive material (e.g., an electrical wire), or an indirect connection between two electrical apparatus / devices / equipment via another one or more apparatus / devices / equipment, or wireless communication.

[0012] It should be noted herein that for clarity of description, spatially relative terms such as "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," "on," "above," "over," "downwardly," "upwardly" and the like may be used throughout the disclosure while making reference to the features as illustrated in the drawings. The features may be oriented differently (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates components of a system 100 for implementing refreshing operation of a digital signage 110 according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The system 100 may be embodied using a server, a personal computer, a laptop, a tablet, or other suitable electronic devices. The system 100 includes a processor 102, a data storage unit 104, and a communication unit 106.

[0014] The processor 102 is connected to the data storage unit 104 and the communication unit 106, and may be embodied using one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a single core processor, a multi-core processor, a dual-core mobile processor, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), etc.

[0015] The data storage unit 104 may be embodied using, for example, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), firmware, flash memory, etc. In this embodiment, the data storage unit 21 stores a software application therein. The software application may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 102, cause the processor 102 to implement the operations as described below.

[0016] The communication unit 106 may include one or more of a radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a short-range wireless communication module supporting a short-range wireless communication network using a wireless technology of Bluetooth ®< and / or Wi-Fi, etc., and a mobile communication module supporting telecommunication using Long-Term Evolution (LTE), the third generation (3G) of, the fourth generation (4G) of or the fifth generation (5G) of wireless mobile telecommunications technology, or the like. The communication unit 106 enables the system 100 to communicate with the digital signage 110.

[0017] The digital signage 110 generally refers to a display panel that is used for displaying a content, a message and / or an advertisement. In use, the digital signage 110 may be embodied using a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, a Plasma Display Panel (PDP), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) or other suitable display apparatus.

[0018] In some embodiments, the digital signage 110 is disposed at a specific landmark (e.g., a bus station, an airport, a public office, a department store, a subway station, a hotel, a hospital, etc.) or any public site where people may gather (e.g., an elevator, a theater, a hotel, a shopping mall, a brick-and-mortar store, etc.), and is configured to display a designated content (a display content).

[0019] In different embodiments, the digital signage 110 may be embodied using a one sided screen, a double-sided screen, a curved screen, a flexible screen, a circular screen, etc.

[0020] In some embodiments, the digital signage 110 may be equipped with a data storage unit that stores the content to be displayed. In some embodiments, the digital signage 110 may receive the content to be displayed from the system 100 or from an external source via a network (e.g., the Internet).

[0021] In some embodiments, the digital signage 110 includes a front display screen 112, a backlight module 114, an input unit 116, a data storage unit 118, a timer 120, a communication unit 122 and a processor 124.

[0022] In some embodiments, the front display screen 112 is an LCD panel, and the backlight module 114 includes light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and provides illumination from the back or side of the front display screen 112. The input unit 116 is configured to receive a content signal and process the content signal into a digital signage signal (e.g., an RGB signal indicating the red, green and blue values) for display. The front display screen 112 includes a plurality of pixels, and a display driver 112A that is configured to receive the digital signage signal and control the front display screen 112 to display the display content from the content signal, which may be an image, a video, a text, etc.

[0023] The data storage unit 118, the communication unit 122 and the processor 124 may be embodied using components similar to the data storage unit 104, the communication unit 106 and the processor 102, respectively. The data storage unit 118 stores another software application therein. The software application may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 124, cause the processor 124 to implement the relevant operations as described below.

[0024] The timer 120 is configured to count a time period when activated. Specifically, in embodiments, after the front display screen 112 is activated, the timer 120 is configured to start timing a usage time of the front display screen 112. In embodiments, the processor 124 may reset the timer 120, and the usage time becomes zero.

[0025] It is noted that in some embodiments, the system 100 may be built in the digital signage 110 and serves as a control system of the digital signage 110.

[0026] In use, the front display screen 112 of the digital signage 110 may be required to constantly display static images or texts for an extended period of time. In order to reduce the potential screen burn-in of the front display screen 112, the processor 102 executing the software application may implement a method for refreshing the digital signage 110. Typically, while the front display screen 112 is activated, the backlight module 114 is also activated to provide backlight.

[0027] In the embodiments where the system 100 is built in the digital signage 110 and serves as a control system of the digital signage 110, the digital signage 110 may be configured to operate in a number of different operations. Specifically, in some embodiments, an alternating current (AC) on operation indicates that the digital signage 110 is in a power-on state, and is fully operational. An AC off operation indicates that the digital signage 110 goes into a power-off state, and the system 100 is not powered. As such, the operation of the system 100 is unavailable in the power-off state. A direct current (DC) off operation indicates that the digital signage 110 enters a standby state, and unnecessary components that are not critical to the operations, are deactivated, therefore the standby state may be also considered as a low-power state. A DC on operation indicates that the digital signage 110 goes from the standby state to the power-on state. It is noted that in different embodiments, the digital signage 110 may automatically implement the DC off operation to enter the standby state (e.g., after a preset period of time has elapsed), or may implement the DC off operation in response to user operations. Then, the digital signage 110 may automatically implement the DC on operation to enter the power-on state, or may implement the DC on operation in response to user operations.

[0028] Additionally, the digital signage 110 may enter a pseudo off state, in which the backlight module 114 is deactivated while the front display screen 112 remains activated. In such states, the digital signage 110 may appear to be shut down to viewers, but remains operational.

[0029] It is noted that the term "refreshing operation" of the digital signage 110 throughout the disclosure refers to the operations of: controlling the front display screen 112 of the digital signage 110 to display a predetermined refreshing content for a predetermined refreshing period. In this manner, all of the pixels in the front display screen 112 are controlled to change the content of display for a time period. As such, all the liquid crystal molecules in the front display screen 112 may be controlled to rotate and realign, thereby reducing the risk of permanent polarization of the liquid crystal molecules, and the possibility of potential screen burn-in may be reduced. It is noted that generally, an assembly of the front display screen 112 and the corresponding driver integrated circuit (IC) is referred to as an open cell, and the refreshing operation is performed with respect to the open cell, therefore also known as "refreshing the open cell". It is noted that the refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 may also be implemented while in the standby state.

[0030] In embodiments, the refreshing content may be in the form of a rectangular image with a size that is smaller than a size of the digital signage 110. For example, in the case where the digital signage 110 has a size (i.e., width*height) of x*y centimeters, the refreshing content may be in the form of a rectangular image with a size of x*0.05y, 0.05x*y, or other sizes based on different applications. The rectangular image may include a number of colored sections that are aligned next to each other. In one example, the rectangular image includes seven colored sections, each having a different color (e.g., red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple). In different examples, the colored sections may extend horizontally or vertically. It is noted that by deliberately controlling all pixels of the front display screen 112 to display all different colors for a short duration, the liquid crystals in the LCD may be activated, thereby reducing the risk of polarization of the liquid crystals, and the possibility of potential screen burn-in may be reduced.

[0031] In use, the refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 may be implemented by controlling the digital signage 110 to display the refreshing content in a crawling manner. That is to say, the refreshing content may be controlled to appear from one side of the digital signage 110 (e.g., a top side, a bottom side, a left side or a right side), "crawl" along a direction toward an opposite side of the digital signage 110 (e.g., the bottom side, the top side, the right side or the left side) and eventually "leave into" the opposite side of the digital signage 110. Generally, a size of the refreshing content is designed such that the refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 is done to cover all of the plurality of pixels of the front display screen 112. In other words, each of the plurality of pixels of the front display screen 112 is configured to display a part of the refreshing content during the refreshing operation. That is to say, for example, in the case where the refreshing content is in the form of a rectangular image with a size of x*0.05y, the refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 may include controlling the refreshing content to crawl from a top side of the front display screen 112 downward to the bottom side of the front display screen 112. As such, all of the pixels included in the display screen 112 are controlled to display each of the different colors during the refreshing operation. This configuration may be beneficial that all of the pixels included in the display screen 112 may be temporarily activated to display other colors, thereby reducing the potential polarization of the liquid crystals and screen burn-in.

[0032] In some embodiments, a user may operate the system 100 or the digital signage 110 to manually set different settings associated with the operations of the digital signage 110. For example, the user may operate the system 100 or the digital signage 110 to authorize an automatic refreshing of the digital signage 110. The user may operate the system 100 or the digital signage 110 to set an auto power-up time and / or an auto shutdown time.

[0033] In addition, in some embodiments, after receiving a setting input from the user, the digital signage 110 implements the refreshing operation automatically as soon as the digital signage 110 is powered on, the digital signage 110 implements the refreshing operation automatically prior to shutting down, the digital signage 110 implements the refreshing operation automatically during the pseudo off state, and / or the digital signage 110 implements the refreshing operation automatically at designated times.

[0034] Moreover, a manner in which the refreshing operation is implemented may also be customized. For example, in a default setting, the refreshing content may be in the form of a rectangular image that includes seven colored sections, and is configured to crawl from one side of the front display screen 112 to an opposite side of the front display screen 112 at a predetermined speed. In some embodiments, the digital signage 110 may further include an interacting interface 126 (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc.). In response to receiving a user input from the interacting interface 126, the processor 124 adjusts a number of settings associated with the refreshing operation. For example, the user is enabled to adjust the refreshing content (e.g., change the size and / or the colors of the image), select one of the sides of the front display screen 112 for the refreshing content to start crawling, adjust the predetermined speed of crawling and / or a total time for the refreshing operation (that is to say, in some cases, the refreshing operation may include the refreshing content crawling multiple times), and designate the predetermined refreshing period. In other embodiments, the user may manually set one or more scheduled refreshing times for the digital signage 110 to automatically initiate the refreshing operation.

[0035] Figure 3 illustrates some exemplary settings associated with the refreshing operation that may be stored and adjusted by the user according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0036] In some embodiments, while the digital signage 110 is activated, the processor 102 may continuously determine whether a preset refresh condition is satisfied. In some embodiments, a number of preset refresh conditions are present, and in the case where one or more of the preset refresh conditions is(are) satisfied, the processor 102 implements the refreshing operation of the digital signage 110. In some embodiments, the refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 may be implemented by the processor 124 executing the software application.

[0037] In some embodiments, the preset refresh conditions may include: 1) a predetermined period has elapsed (e.g., 24 hours) since a previous refreshing operation of the digital signage 110; 2) prior to an AC off operation (i.e., shutdown) of the digital signage 110, the processor 102 determines that a predetermined condition indicating that a refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 is to be implemented is met (the details to be elaborated later); 3) the digital signage 110 enters the pseudo off state; and 4) a scheduled refreshing time has arrived. The scheduled refreshing time may be manually set by a user or calculated by the processor 102 based on a number of parameters (e.g., the brightness of the digital signage 110, power consumption of the digital signage 110, a pattern of time of usage of the digital signage 110, etc.), and at the scheduled refreshing time, the processor 102 initiates the refreshing operation of the digital signage 110. It is noted that in some embodiments, after one refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 has occurred, the timer 120 may be reset and activated for keeping track of how much time has elapsed. The determination of whether a refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 is necessary may be done by the processor 102 executing an algorithm based on a number of parameters, such as the brightness or other settings of the front display screen 112.

[0038] In some embodiments, after a first predetermined time period has elapsed since a previous refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 (e.g., 72 hours), the processor 124 may generate and output a first reminder for notifying a user (e.g., an operator of the digital signage 110) to manually initiate a refreshing operation of the digital signage 110. For example, after the digital signage 110 is powered on, the timer 120 starts timing the usage time, and when the usage time reaches 72 hours, the processor 124 generates and outputs the first reminder.

[0039] In the case where a refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 is manually initiated by the user, the processor 124 may reset the timer 120, causing the usage time to be set to zero, and the timer 120 may then be activated to time another usage time.

[0040] In the case where no refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 is initiated and after a second predetermined time period has elapsed (which is longer than the first predetermined time period, such as 120 hours), the processor 124 may generate and output a second reminder notifying the user that the digital signage 110 will attempt to automatically implement a refreshing operation of the digital signage 110, and then schedule a refreshing operation of the digital signage 110. For example, after the digital signage 110 is powered on, the timer 120 starts timing the usage time, and when the usage time reaches 120 hours, the processor 124 generates and outputs the second reminder.

[0041] For example, the refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 may be scheduled to be done as soon as the digital signage 110 enters the pseudo off state. Alternatively, the refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 may be scheduled to be done prior to entering the standby state, but it is not limited to such.

[0042] In some embodiments, prior to performing the refreshing operation of the digital signage 110, the digital signage 110 may output an alert to notify the viewers. In some embodiments, during the refreshing operation of the digital signage 110, the digital signage 110 may output the alert to notify the viewers. The alert may include a text displayed on the front display screen 112, and an audio output in the case where an audio output component is present.

[0043] Figure 2 illustrates steps of an exemplary method for refreshing the digital signage 110 according to one embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, the method is implemented by the processor 124.

[0044] In step 202, the digital signage 110 implements the AC on operation. In step 203, the digital signage 110 implements the DC on operation. As such, the digital signage 110 enters the powered on state, and the processor 124 activates the timer 120 to start timing the usage time.

[0045] In step 204, the processor 124 determines whether a refreshing operation is scheduled to be implemented. In the case where a refreshing operation is scheduled to be implemented, the flow proceeds to step 206; otherwise, the flow proceeds to step 212.

[0046] In step 206, the processor 124 implements a refreshing operation on the digital signage 110. Then, in step 208, the processor 124 resets the timer 120, and the flow proceeds to step 212.

[0047] In step 212, the processor 124 activates the timer 120, and controls the front display screen 112 to start displaying the display content.

[0048] Then, in step 214, the processor 124 determines whether the first predetermined time period (which is set as 72 hours in this embodiment) has elapsed without a refreshing operation being implemented. That is to say, the processor 124 determines whether the usage time has reached (i.e., equal to or longer than) the first predetermined time period. In the case where the determination is negative, the flow goes back to step 212; otherwise, the flow proceeds to step 216.

[0049] In step 216, the processor 124 generates and outputs a first reminder for reminding a user to manually initiate a refreshing operation of the digital signage 110.

[0050] Then, in step 218, the processor 124 determines whether a user input signal indicating initiation of a refreshing operation has been received. In the case that the user input signal is received, the flow goes back to step 206 to implement a refreshing operation; otherwise, the flow proceeds to step 220.

[0051] In step 220, the processor 124 determines whether the second predetermined time period (which is set as 120 hours in this embodiment) has elapsed without a refreshing operation being implemented. That is to say, the processor 124 determines whether the usage time has reached (i.e., equal to or longer than) the second predetermined time period. In the case where the determination is negative, the flow goes back to step 218; otherwise, the flow proceeds to step 222.

[0052] In step 222, the processor 124 generates and outputs a second reminder notifying the user that the digital signage 110 will attempt to automatically implement a refreshing operation of the digital signage 110.

[0053] In step 224, the processor 124 determines whether an automatic implementation of the refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 has been authorized by the user. In the case where the automatic implementation of the refreshing operation digital signage has been authorized by the user, the flow proceeds to step 230; otherwise, the flow proceeds top step 226.

[0054] In step 226, the processor 124 controls the digital signage 110 to enter the pseudo off state (i.e., deactivate the backlight module 114). It is noted that in some embodiments, the operations of step 226 may be omitted.

[0055] Then, in step 228, the processor 124 determines whether an auto shutdown time has been set. In the case where the auto shutdown time has been set, the flow proceeds to step 232 where the processor 124 schedules one refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 to be automatically implemented based on the auto shutdown time (e.g., immediately prior to the auto shutdown time). The flow then proceeds to step 234 where the processor 124 implements the refreshing operation thus scheduled while in the pseudo off state, and controls the digital signage 110 to enter the power off state (i.e., AC off operation) at the auto shutdown time. Otherwise, in the case where the auto shutdown time has not been set, the flow proceeds to step 236 where the processor 124 immediately implements the refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 while in the pseudo off state. Afterwards, the processor 124 may activate the backlight module 114 to exit the pseudo off state, and the flow goes back to step 208.

[0056] In some embodiments, the operations of step 228 may include determining whether the auto shutdown time and an auto power-up time have been set. In the case where both the auto shutdown time and the auto power-up time have been set, the processor 124 may determine a schedule time that falls within a period during which the digital signage 110 is in use (e.g., after the auto power-up time and prior to the auto shutdown time), and proceeds to implement the automatic refreshing operation at the schedule time. In some embodiments, the processor 124 may further determine the schedule time based on an estimated power consumption associated with time and a geographical area where the digital signage 110 is located. Specifically, the estimated power consumption during the day may be higher than that of midnight, as such, the processor 124 may prioritize designating the schedule time at midnight over noon. In some embodiments, the estimated power consumption may be obtained from an external source, such as a data server, or user input.

[0057] It is noted that in some embodiments, the operations of step 226 may be omitted, and the processor 124 may control the digital signage 110 to enter the pseudo off state after step 228 (whether a result of the determination is affirmative or negative).

[0058] In step 230, the processor 124 initiates at least one refreshing operation of the digital signage 110. For example, in some cases, the processor 124 immediately implements one refreshing operation of the digital signage 110, but is not limited to such. Afterwards, the flow goes back to step 208. In some cases, after the refreshing operation of the digital signage 110 has been implemented, the processor 124 implements the DC off operation so that the digital signage 110 enters the standby state. It is noted that the predetermined condition mentioned above may include at least one of the results of the determinations made in steps 214, 218, 220, 224 and 228.

[0059] Generally, in some embodiments, the case that no user input signal is received, the digital signage 110 is configured to perform the refreshing operation with respect to the open cell automatically after entering the pseudo off state. Alternatively, after the AC on operation is implemented, the digital signage 110 is configured to perform the refreshing operation with respect to the open cell automatically.

[0060] In sum, embodiments of the disclosure provide a digital signage with refreshing function and a method for implementing a refreshing operation on the digital signage. In the method, the refreshing operation involves controlling the digital signage to display a refreshing content in a crawling manner when the digital signage is active for an extended period of time. In addition, a size of the refreshing content is designed such that each of the plurality of pixels of the front display screen 112 is configured to display a part of the refreshing content during the refreshing operation. As such, all of the pixels included in the display screen 112 are controlled to display each of the different colors during the refreshing operation. This configuration may be beneficial that all of the pixels included in the display screen 112 may be temporarily activated to display other colors, thereby reducing the potential polarization of the liquid crystals and screen burn-in.

[0061] In some embodiments, the refreshing operation may be scheduled at specific times based on the use of the digital signage. For example, in one case, the refreshing operation of the digital signage may be scheduled at midnights when fewer people are likely to be around the digital signage to see the refreshing operation. As such, the method may improve the lifespan of the digital signage without interrupting the usage of the digital signage.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a digital signage that includes a front display screen and a processor connected to the front display screen. The front display screen is controlled by the processor to display a content thereon. The processor is programmed to initiate a refreshing operation on the front display screen. The refreshing operation includes controlling the front display screen to display the refreshing content in a crawling manner for a predetermined refreshing period. The digital signage is also configured to implement the method as shown in Figure 2.

[0063] In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment(s). It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects; such does not mean that every one of these features needs to be practiced with the presence of all the other features. In other words, in any described embodiment, when implementation of one or more features or specific details does not affect implementation of another one or more features or specific details, said one or more features may be singled out and practiced alone without said another one or more features or specific details. It should be further noted that one or more features or specific details from one embodiment may be practiced together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment, where appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A digital signage <b>characterized by: a front display screen including a plurality of pixels; and a processor connected to the front display screen, the front display screen being controlled by the processor to display a content thereon; wherein the processor is programmed to initiate a refreshing operation on the front display screen, the refreshing operation includes controlling the front display screen to display a refreshing content in a crawling manner for a predetermined refreshing period, and each of the plurality of pixels of the front display screen is configured to display a part of the refreshing content during the refreshing operation.

2. The digital signage as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising a backlight module connected to the processor, wherein the processor is programmed to initiate the refreshing operation on the front display screen when one of a plurality of preset refresh conditions is met, the preset refresh conditions including: a predetermined period has elapsed since a previous refreshing operation of the digital signage; prior to a shutdown of the digital signage, a predetermined condition indicating that a refreshing operation of the digital signage is to be implemented is met; the digital signage enters a pseudo off state in which the backlight module is deactivated while the front display screen remains activated; and a scheduled refreshing time has arrived.

3. The digital signage as claimed in Claim 2, further comprising a timer that is controlled by the processor and that is configured to time a usage time of the front display screen.

4. The digital signage as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to: generate and output a first reminder for notifying a user to manually initiate the refreshing operation of the digital signage after the usage time reaches a first predetermined time period; in a case where the refreshing operation of the digital signage is initiated manually by the user, reset the timer, causing the usage time to be set to zero; and in a case where no refreshing operation of the digital signage is initiated and after the usage time reaches a second predetermined time period which is longer than the first predetermined time period, generate and output a second reminder notifying the user that the digital signage will attempt to implement the refreshing operation of the digital signage automatically, and schedule the refreshing operation of the digital signage.

5. The digital signage as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to: implement the refreshing operation of the digital signage automatically after entering the pseudo off state; and after the refreshing operation of the digital signage, implementing a direct current (DC) off operation so that the digital signage enters a standby state.

6. The digital signage as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising: a data storage unit that stores a software application therein, wherein the processor executes the software application to implement the refreshing operation of the digital signage; and an interacting interface that enables a user to adjust a number of settings associated with the refreshing operation, the settings including a size of an image of the refreshing content, one or more colors of the image, one of sides of the front display screen for the refreshing content to start crawling, a speed of crawling, and the predetermined refreshing period.

7. The digital signage as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the refreshing content includes a rectangular image that includes seven colored sections that are aligned next to each other, and the seven colored sections have a red color, an orange color, a yellow color, a green color, a cyan color, a blue color, and a violet color, respectively.

8. The digital signage as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the refreshing operation includes controlling the front display screen to display the refreshing content to crawl from one side of the front display screen to a side opposite to the one side of the front display screen.

9. The digital signage as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the processor is configured to: output an alert, which includes one of a text and an audio output, to notify viewers in one of following circumstances: prior to the refreshing operation of the digital signage; and during the refreshing operation of the digital signage.

10. A method for implementing a refreshing operation of a digital signage, the digital signage including a front display screen, a processor and a timer, the method being characterized by steps of: after the digital signage enters a power-on state, activating the timer to start timing a usage time; in a case where the usage time has reached a first predetermined time period, generating and outputting a reminder for reminding a user to manually initiate a refreshing operation of the digital signage; in a case where a user input signal indicating initiation of the refreshing operation has been received, implementing the refreshing operation that includes controlling the front display screen to display a refreshing content in a crawling manner for a predetermined refreshing period, and resetting the timer; in a case where the usage time has reached a second predetermined time period which is longer than the first predetermined time period, generating and outputting a second reminder notifying the user that the digital signage will attempt to automatically implement the refreshing operation of the digital signage; after outputting the second reminder, in a case where an automatic implementation of the refreshing operation of the digital signage has been authorized by the user, implementing the refreshing operation of the digital signage; in a case where the automatic implementation of the refreshing operation of the digital signage has not been authorized by the user, determining whether an auto shutdown time has been set; in a case where an auto shutdown time has been set, scheduling the refreshing operation of the digital signage based on the auto shutdown time; and in a case where the auto shutdown time has not been set, entering a pseudo off state and implementing the refreshing operation of the digital signage.

11. The method as claimed in Claim 10, the refreshing content including a rectangular image that includes seven colored sections that are aligned next to each other, the seven colored sections having a red color, an orange color, a yellow color, a green color, a cyan color, a blue color and a violet color, respectively, the digital signage further including an interacting interface, the method further including: in response to a user input from the interacting interface, adjusting a number of settings associated with the refreshing operation, the number of settings including a size of the rectangular image of the refreshing content, one or more colors of the rectangular image, one of sides of the front display screen for the refreshing content to start crawling, a speed of crawling, and the predetermined refresh period; wherein the refreshing operation includes controlling the front display screen to display the refreshing content to crawl from one side of the front display screen to a side opposite to the one side of the front display screen.

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