Digital display method and digital display system, digital display device, and digital display server

Abstract

To improve efficiency of a digital display method enabling deployment of a play list and a content on a digital display device.SOLUTION: A digital display method for controlling display of digital content items by a plurality of digital display devices (2) includes: by a server (7), creating a play list including a digital content identifier and a download manifest including a loading address for a digital content item; from the server, updating play lists and download manifests of the plurality of digital display devices; and, by each digital display device, reading a digital content item corresponding to its play list.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] This description relates to a digital display method and system, a digital display device, and a digital display server.

Background Art

[0002] Digital display methods that enable the deployment of playlists and content to digital display devices are known. WO2005 / 015362 relates to an example of such a method.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The object of this description is, in particular, to improve the efficiency of these methods.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] For this purpose, this description is a digital display method for controlling the display of digital content items by a plurality of digital display devices, a) generating, by at least one server, a playlist based on a display campaign, each playlist being for reading by one or more of the plurality of digital display devices, each playlist including at least a series of identifiers of digital content items to be read, but not including the loading address of the digital content item or the digital fingerprint of the digital content item; b) For each digital display device, the at least one server generates a download manifest that includes at least the loading address of the digital content item, c) Updating playlists and download manifests using multiple digital display devices, c1) Polling the at least one server at predetermined intervals by the digital display device to determine whether the at least one server has a new playlist and / or a new download manifest corresponding to each digital display device. c2) If yes, load the new playlist and / or the new download manifest onto the digital display device. c3) When a new download manifest is loaded from the server, the digital display device determines what new digital content items are referenced in the download manifest. c4) and downloading the new digital content item from the address indicated in the new download manifest using the digital display device. This includes updating, d) Each digital display device reads digital content items corresponding to a playlist valid for that digital display device, and displays these digital content items on the digital screen attached to the digital display device. We propose a digital display method that includes [the following].

[0006] These provisions make the proposed digital display method efficient and economical, particularly in terms of bandwidth. In fact, this method requires only small distribution lists and download manifests to be sent from the server to the digital display device, and only when they are modified. In addition, some modifications to playlists do not result in any modifications to download manifests (especially when modifications involve the reading order or frequency of content already present in previous download manifests, in accordance with dynamic modifications of display campaigns), thereby eliminating the transmission of some download manifests that are larger than playlists.

[0007] In various embodiments of the digital display method, one or more of the following provisions (single or in any combination, possibly independently of the provisions described above) may be used at the discretion of the user.

[0008] Each playlist and download manifest is loaded in an encrypted format by multiple digital display devices, thereby enhancing the security of this method.

[0009] Each download manifest includes at least one reference digital fingerprint for each digital content item referenced within the download manifest, and during step c4), the digital display device determines a digital fingerprint calculated from the newly downloaded digital content item, verifies that the calculated digital fingerprint matches the reference digital fingerprint, and only if the calculated digital fingerprint matches the reference digital fingerprint does it validate the authenticity of the downloaded digital content item, thereby improving the security of the method.

[0010] In step c4), the digital display device downloads a new digital content item in an unencrypted format.

[0011] In step c4), the digital display device downloads new digital content items through a proxy server located within the local area network, together with the display device and other digital display devices, thereby improving performance when downloading digital content.

[0012] In step c4), the digital display device downloads new digital content items in chunks, thereby improving performance when downloading digital content items.

[0013] In step c1), each digital display device polls the at least one server at a predetermined address specific to the digital display device, thereby improving the security of the method.

[0014] Each digital display device communicates with the at least one server via a mobile phone network to download new content items.

[0015] Furthermore, this description relates to a digital display system comprising at least one server and multiple digital display devices, The at least one server is adapted to generate playlists based on display campaigns, each playlist being to be read by one or more of the plurality of digital display devices, and each playlist including at least a set of identifiers for the digital content items to be read, but not including the loading address or digital fingerprint of the digital content items. - The at least one server is adapted to generate a download manifest for each digital display device that includes at least the loading address of the digital content item. - Multiple digital display devices update their playlists and download manifests, c1) Polling the at least one server at predetermined intervals by the digital display device to determine whether the at least one server has a new playlist and / or a new download manifest corresponding to each digital display device. c2) If yes, load the new playlist and / or the new download manifest onto the digital display device. c3) When a new download manifest is loaded from the server, the digital display device determines what new digital content items are referenced in the download manifest. c4) and downloading the new digital content item from the address indicated in the new download manifest using the digital display device. It is adapted to perform updates, including - Each digital display device is adapted to read digital content items corresponding to a playlist valid for that digital display device and to display these digital content items on a digital screen attached to the digital display device. This also relates to digital display systems.

[0016] In various embodiments of the digital display system, one or more of the following provisions (single or in any combination, and possibly independently of the provisions described above) may be used at the discretion of the user.

[0017] Multiple digital display devices are adapted to load each playlist and each download manifest in an encrypted format.

[0018] Each download manifest includes at least one reference digital fingerprint for each digital content item referenced within the download manifest, and during the process of downloading each new digital content item, the digital display device determines a digital fingerprint calculated from the downloaded new digital content item, verifies that the calculated digital fingerprint matches the reference digital fingerprint, and is adapted to prove the legitimacy of the downloaded digital content item only when the calculated digital fingerprint matches the reference digital fingerprint.

[0019] The digital display device is adapted to download new digital content items in an unencrypted manner.

[0020] Some of the plurality of digital display devices belong to a local area network including a proxy server, and each digital display device within the local area network is adapted to download new digital content items through the proxy server.

[0021] Each digital display device is adapted to download new digital content items in the form of chunks.

[0022] Each digital display device is adapted to poll the at least one server at a specific predetermined address specific to the digital display device.

[0023] Each digital display device is adapted to communicate with the at least one server via a mobile phone network and download new content items.

[0024] Furthermore, this description includes a digital screen and at least in the memory - A playlist that includes at least a set of identifiers for the digital content items to be read, but does not include the loading address or digital fingerprint of the digital content items, - A download manifest that includes at least the loading address of the digital content item. A digital display device having, - This involves updating the playlist and download manifest, c1) Polling at least one server at predetermined intervals to determine whether at least one server has a new playlist and / or a new download manifest corresponding to the digital display device. c2) If yes, load the new playlist and / or the new download manifest onto the digital display device. c3) When a new download manifest is loaded, the digital display device determines what new digital content items are referenced in the download manifest. c4) and the digital display device downloads the new digital content item from the address indicated in the new download manifest. This includes updating, - To read digital content items corresponding to the playlist and display these digital content items on the digital screen. This also relates to digital display devices that are adapted to perform this function.

[0025] In various embodiments of the digital display device, one or more of the following provisions (single or in any combination, possibly independently of the provisions described above) may be used at the discretion of the user.

[0026] The digital display device is adapted to load each playlist and each download manifest in an encrypted format.

[0027] Each download manifest includes at least one reference digital fingerprint for each digital content item referenced within the download manifest, and during the download of each new digital content item, the digital display device is adapted to determine a digital fingerprint calculated from the newly downloaded digital content item, verify that the calculated digital fingerprint matches the reference digital fingerprint, and only if the calculated digital fingerprint matches the reference digital fingerprint, the authenticity of the downloaded digital content item is verified.

[0028] Digital display devices are adapted to download new digital content items in an unencrypted format.

[0029] The digital display device belongs to a local area network that also includes a proxy server and several other digital display devices, and the digital display device is adapted to download new digital content items through the proxy server.

[0030] Digital display devices are adapted to download new digital content items in chunks.

[0031] The digital display device is adapted to poll the at least one server at a predetermined address.

[0032] The digital display device is adapted to communicate with the at least one server via a mobile phone network and download new content items.

[0033] Finally, this description applies to digital display servers, - To generate playlists based on display campaigns, each playlist being to be read by one or more of the aforementioned digital display devices, and each playlist including at least a set of identifiers for the digital content items to be read, but not including the loading address or digital fingerprint of the digital content items, - For each digital display device, generate a download manifest that includes at least the loading address of the digital content item, - Enabling updates by enabling multiple digital display devices to update their playlists and download manifests, which includes polling at least one server at predetermined intervals to determine whether the server has a new playlist and / or a new download manifest corresponding to each digital display device, and, if yes, enabling the digital display devices to load the new playlist and / or the new download manifest. This also relates to digital display servers adapted to perform this function.

[0034] In various embodiments of the digital display server, one or more of the following clauses (single or in any combination, possibly independently of the preceding clauses) may be used at will.

[0035] The digital display server is adapted to allow multiple digital display devices to load each playlist and each download manifest in an encrypted format.

[0036] Each download manifest includes at least one reference digital fingerprint for each digital content item referenced within the download manifest.

[0037] The digital display server has a predetermined address specific to each display device, adapted to receive requests from the said digital display device.

[0038] Other features and advantages of digital display methods, digital display systems, digital display devices, and digital display servers will become apparent from the following description of two of their embodiments, which are given as non-limiting examples with reference to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a digital display system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing a digital display system according to another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0040] In various diagrams, the same reference number indicates identical or similar elements.

[0041] Figure 1 shows a digital display system 1 comprising at least one server 7 (SERV) and several digital display devices 2 (DISP). For simplicity, the following description will refer to one server 7, but the functions of server 7 described below can be distributed across multiple servers 7.

[0042] Each display device 2 is equipped with a control device 3 (CTRL), such as a microcomputer, that controls the digital screen 4.

[0043] The control device 3 runs the digital content reader 5 (PL) (a software module executed by the control device 3) and also runs the synchronization module (software) 6 (SYNC).

[0044] Server 7 runs Engine 8 (ENG) specifically to generate the content item list and download manifest.

[0045] The synchronization module 6 of each digital display device 2 communicates with the server 7 and, if necessary, with other resources, possibly on the Internet 9 (INT). In the illustrated embodiment, the digital display device 2 communicates with the server 7 and the other resources through a central proxy server 13 (PROX CENT).

[0046] This communication can be conducted over any wide-area network (WAN, i.e., the link labeled 11 in Figure 1). For example, in many cases, this communication is conducted over a mobile telephone network (e.g., a 3G or 4G type broadband cellular network). Needless to say, any other communication mode is possible.

[0047] The server 7's engine 8 is adapted to generate playlists (a) iteratively and / or in response to certain operational events (programming, content changes, etc.) according to display campaigns. This playlist generation is carried out based on reservations made by advertisers involved with various display devices 2, based on the digital content items to be played for these display campaigns, and based on the available digital display devices.

[0048] Each playlist is intended to be read by one or more of the aforementioned digital display devices.

[0049] Each playlist includes at least a set of identifiers for digital content items that are read sequentially over one or more predetermined time periods.

[0050] A playlist does not contain the loading address or digital fingerprint of a digital content item; therefore, it is a document representing small amounts of data.

[0051] The server 7's engine 8 is also adapted to generate a download manifest (b) for each digital display device iteratively and / or in response to certain operational events (such as programming or content changes), the download manifest (b) including at least the loading address of the digital content item referenced in the loading list. Each download manifest may further include, for each digital content item, an identifier included in the playlist.

[0052] Each download manifest may further include at least one reference digital fingerprint representing a digital signature for each digital content item referenced within the download manifest. For example, the digital fingerprint may be a checksum of type “MD5”. For example, the digital fingerprint may be a digital signature of type “GPG”. For example, the download manifest may further include two reference digital fingerprints for each digital content item, in particular a checksum of type “MD5” and a more complex digital signature of type “GPG”.

[0053] Generally, a digital fingerprint (digital signature) can be any known type, ranging from a simple hash function or checksum to a complex signature such as the "GPG" type.

[0054] The frequency at which Engine 8 generates playlists and download manifests can be variable depending on the speed at which advertisers make new or modified reservations. This frequency can be as high as once every few minutes, or even higher if it is known that some reservations may be handled by automated online auctions. As explained above, some updates to playlists are made without modifying the download manifest when the changes relate to, for example, the order or frequency of reading digital content items, or the conditions for reading digital content items.

[0055] The synchronization modules 6 of the multiple digital display devices 2 are adapted to perform (c) updating their playlists and download manifests based on the engine 8 of the server 7.

[0056] This update may include the following steps: c1) To determine whether server 7 has a new playlist and / or a new download manifest corresponding to digital display device 2, the synchronization module 6 of display device 2 polls the engine 8 of server 7 by sending requests at predetermined intervals. The polling frequency of engine 8 may be fixed (e.g., every few minutes) and may be determined by playlists and / or download manifests previously downloaded from engine 8. For example, the polling frequency of engine 8 for playlists may be fixed (e.g., every few minutes, especially every 5 minutes), and the polling frequency of engine 8 for download manifests may be included in the playlist. Playlists and download manifests may be timestamped, and to determine whether server 7 has a new playlist corresponding to digital display device 2, the synchronization module 6 can send a request to engine 8 asking for the timestamp of a playlist valid for digital display device 2. If this timestamp is more recent than the timestamp of the last playlist downloaded by digital display device 2, it is determined that engine 8 of server 7 has a new playlist corresponding to digital display device 2. The same procedure is followed for the download manifest. c2) If the engine 8 determines that it has a new playlist and / or a new download manifest corresponding to the digital display device 2, the synchronization module loads the new playlist and / or a new download manifest from the engine 8 of the server 7 (by sending a request asking to receive the new playlist and / or a new download manifest). c3) When a new download manifest is loaded from server 7, the synchronization module 6 of the digital display device 2 determines what new digital content items are referenced in the new download manifest. This determination can be made, for example, by comparing the digital fingerprints of the digital content items referenced in the new download manifest with the digital fingerprints of the digital content items already present in the memory of the digital display device 2. c4) Next, the synchronization module 6 of the digital display device 2 downloads the new digital content items from the URL addresses corresponding to each digital content item indicated in the new download manifest. Generally, this download is performed via the Internet 9. The URL addresses may correspond to server 7, another server specific to the operator of server 7, or another location on the Internet.

[0057] The reader 5 of each digital display device 2 is adapted to read digital content items corresponding to its valid playlist (the last playlist loaded by the synchronization module 6) and display these digital content items on the digital screen 4 of the digital display device 2.

[0058] In steps (c1) and (c2), the synchronization module 6 of each digital display device 2 always sends its request to the same URL address that is specific to the digital display device 2.

[0059] In steps (c1) and (c2), the synchronization module 6 and the server 7's engine 8 may, advantageously, communicate in an encrypted manner using, for example, the "https" protocol.

[0060] In step (c4), the synchronization module 6 of the digital display device 2 determines a digital fingerprint calculated from the newly downloaded digital content item, verifies that the calculated digital fingerprint matches a reference digital fingerprint contained in the download manifest, and validates the authenticity of the downloaded digital content item only if the calculated digital fingerprint matches the reference digital fingerprint. If the authenticity of the downloaded digital content item is not validated, the digital content item is discarded. If the download manifest contains two (or more) digital fingerprints for at least some digital content items, this validation can be performed sequentially or in parallel for different digital fingerprints of the digital content items.

[0061] In step (c4), the synchronization module 6 of the digital display device 2 may download new digital content items in an unencrypted manner, for example, using the "http" protocol.

[0062] In step (c4), the synchronization module 6 of the digital display device 2 may, in one embodiment, download new digital content items in chunks.

[0063] The embodiment shown in Figure 2 is similar to the embodiment in Figure 1, and therefore will not be described in detail again. This embodiment in Figure 2 differs from the embodiment in Figure 1 in that some of the multiple digital display devices 2 belong to a local area network (link 12) which also includes a content proxy server 10 (PROX LOC), and the synchronization module of each digital display device 2 in the local area network is adapted to download new digital content items through the proxy server 10. Thus, the proxy server 10 loads each new content item only once via a link 11 which can optionally be relatively slow or relatively low quality, and then distributes this content to the various digital display devices 2 in the local area network via a faster and / or better quality link 12 of the local area network. The proxy server 10 may optionally also communicate with a local server 14 (SERV AIRP) specific to, for example, an airport. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Digital display system 2. Digital display devices 3. Control devices 4 Digital screen 5. Digital Content Reader 6. Synchronization Module (Software) 7 Servers 8 engines 9 Internet 10. Content proxy server 11 links 12 links 13. Central proxy server 14 Local Server

Claims

1. An advertising digital display method for controlling the display of digital content items by multiple digital display devices (2), a) A step of generating a playlist based on an advertising campaign by at least one server (7), wherein each playlist is to be read by one or more of the plurality of digital display devices (2), and each playlist includes at least a set of identifiers for sequentially read digital content items, but does not include either the loading address of a digital content item or the digital fingerprint of a digital content item, and each digital display device (2) is associated with one specific predetermined playlist generated by the at least one server (7), b) For each digital display device (2), the at least one server (7) generates a download manifest which includes at least the respective loading addresses of the digital content items, wherein the download manifest is a file larger than the playlist and is generated by the at least one server (7) at a lower frequency than the playlist. c) A step of updating the playlist and download manifest using the plurality of digital display devices (2), c1) A step of polling the at least one server (7) at predetermined intervals by each digital display device (2) in order to determine whether the at least one server (7) has a new playlist corresponding to each digital display device (2) and whether the at least one server (7) has a new download manifest corresponding to each digital display device (2), c2) If it is determined that the at least one server (7) has a new playlist for the digital display device (2), load the new playlist onto the digital display device (2); if it is determined that the at least one server (7) has a new download manifest for the digital display device (2), load the new download manifest onto the digital display device (2). c3) When a new download manifest is loaded from the server (7), the digital display device (2) determines what new digital content items are referenced in the new download manifest, and c4) The digital display device (2) downloads the new digital content items from the corresponding addresses indicated in the new download manifest and stores the new digital content items in the digital display device (2). Steps including, d) Each digital display device (2) reads previously downloaded digital content items corresponding to a playlist valid for that digital display device (2), and displays these digital content items on a digital screen (4) attached to the digital display device (2). A digital display method, including

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each playlist and each download manifest is loaded in an encrypted manner by the plurality of digital display devices (2).

3. Each download manifest includes at least one reference digital fingerprint for each digital content item referenced within the download manifest. During step c4), the digital display device (2) determines a digital fingerprint calculated from the downloaded new digital content item, verifies that the calculated digital fingerprint matches the reference digital fingerprint, and only if the calculated digital fingerprint matches the reference digital fingerprint does it validate the authenticity of the downloaded digital content item. The method according to claim 2.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein in step c4), the digital display device (2) downloads the new digital content item in an unencrypted manner.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein in step c4), the digital display device (2) downloads the new digital content item together with the digital display device and other digital display devices (2) through a proxy server (10) located in the local area network.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein in step c4), the digital display device (2) downloads the new digital content item in chunk form.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in step c1), each digital display device (2) polls the at least one server at a predetermined address specific to the digital display device (2).

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each digital display device (2) communicates with the at least one server (7) via a mobile telephone network (11) to download the new content item.

9. An advertising digital display system comprising at least one server (7) and a plurality of digital display devices (2), The at least one server (7) generates playlists based on advertising campaigns, each playlist being read by one or more of the plurality of digital display devices (2), each playlist including at least a set of identifiers for sequentially read digital content items, but not including either the loading address of a digital content item or the digital fingerprint of a digital content item, and each digital display device (2) is adapted to generate, associate with one specific predetermined playlist generated by the at least one server (7). The at least one server (7) iteratively generates a download manifest for each digital display device (2) that includes at least the respective loading address of a digital content item, wherein the download manifest is a file larger than the playlist and is generated by the at least one server (7) at a lower frequency than the playlist, The plurality of digital display devices (2) update their playlists and download manifests, c1) Each digital display device (2) polls the at least one server (7) at predetermined intervals in order to determine whether the at least one server has a new playlist corresponding to each digital display device (2) and whether the at least one server has a new download manifest corresponding to each digital display device (2). c2) If it is determined that the at least one server (7) has a new playlist for the digital display device (2), load the new playlist onto the digital display device (2), and if it is determined that the at least one server (7) has a new download manifest for the digital display device (2), load the new download manifest onto the digital display device (2). c3) When a new download manifest is loaded from the server (7), the digital display device (2) determines what new digital content items are referenced in the new download manifest, and c4) The digital display device (2) downloads the new digital content items from the corresponding addresses indicated in the new download manifest and stores the new digital content items in the digital display device (2). It is adapted to perform updates, including Each digital display device (2) is adapted to read previously downloaded digital content items corresponding to a playlist valid for the digital display device (2), and to display these digital content items on a digital screen (4) attached to the digital display device (2). Digital display system.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of digital display devices (2) are adapted to load each playlist and each download manifest in an encrypted form.

11. Each download manifest includes at least one reference digital fingerprint for each digital content item referenced within the download manifest. While downloading each new digital content item, the digital display device (2) is configured to determine a digital fingerprint calculated from the downloaded new digital content item, verify that the calculated digital fingerprint matches the reference digital fingerprint, and only if the calculated digital fingerprint matches the reference digital fingerprint, to validate the authenticity of the downloaded digital content item. The system according to claim 10.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the digital display device (2) is adapted to download the new digital content item in an unencrypted manner.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein some of the plurality of digital display devices (2) belong to a local area network (12) which further includes a proxy server (10), and each digital display device (2) in the local area network is adapted to download the new digital content item through the proxy server (10).

14. The system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein each digital display device (2) is adapted to download the new digital content items in chunk form.

15. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein each digital display device (2) is adapted to poll the at least one server (7) at a predetermined address specific to the digital display device (2).

16. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein each digital display device (2) is adapted to communicate with the at least one server via a mobile telephone network (11) and download new content items.

17. Equipped with a digital screen (4), and containing at least, A playlist that includes at least a series of identifiers for sequentially read digital content items, but does not include either the loading address or the digital fingerprint of the digital content items, A download manifest that includes at least the loading address for each digital content item and A digital display device (2) having, This involves updating the playlist and download manifest, c1) Polling the at least one server (7) at predetermined intervals in order to determine whether the at least one server (7) has a new playlist corresponding to the digital display device (2), and whether the at least one server (7) has a new download manifest corresponding to each digital display device (2), c2) If it is determined that the at least one server (7) has a new playlist for the digital display device (2), load the new playlist onto the digital display device (2), and if it is determined that the at least one server (7) has a new download manifest for the digital display device (2), load the new download manifest onto the digital display device (2). c3) When a new download manifest is loaded, the digital display device (2) determines what new digital content items are referenced in the new download manifest, and c4) The digital display device (2) downloads the new digital content items from the corresponding addresses indicated in the new download manifest and stores the new digital content items in the digital display device (2). This includes updating, The system reads the previously downloaded digital content items corresponding to the playlist and displays these digital content items on the digital screen (4) attached to the digital display device (2). A digital advertising display device (2) adapted to perform the following:

18. An advertising digital display server (7), The generation of playlists based on an advertising campaign, each playlist being read by one or more of a plurality of digital display devices (2), each playlist including at least a set of identifiers for sequentially read digital content items, but not including either the loading address or the digital fingerprint of the digital content items, and each digital display device (2) corresponding to one specific playlist generated by at least one server (7), For each digital display device (2), iteratively generate a download manifest that includes at least the loading address of each digital content item, wherein the download manifest is a file larger than the playlist and is generated by at least one server (7) at a lower frequency than the playlist. The plurality of digital display devices (2) update their playlists and download manifests, which includes polling the at least one server (7) at predetermined intervals to determine whether the server (7) has a new playlist corresponding to each digital display device (2) and whether the server (7) has a new download manifest corresponding to each digital display device (2), and enabling the digital display device (2) to load the new playlist if it is determined that the at least one server (7) has a new playlist for the digital display device (2), and enabling the digital display device (2) to load the new download manifest if it is determined that the at least one server (7) has a new download manifest corresponding to the digital display device (2). A digital display server (7) adapted to perform the following.

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