Content Management Apparatus for Digital Signage Scheduling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Digital signage systems face operational complexity and burden on administrators due to the need for manual scheduling and last-minute adjustments of advertisement content, leading to potential human errors and unsold advertisement spots.

Innovation Solution

A content management apparatus with a content reservation unit and attribute determination unit that reserves content in available time frames while ensuring attributes do not overlap with existing content, automating the scheduling process and allowing last-minute sales of advertisement spots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the administrator manually creates content display schedules and checks advertisement attributes, then the schedule can be configured according to business requirements, but the administrative burden and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveschedule configuration flexibilityVSAvoidadministrative burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically determining attribute overlaps and managing schedule conflicts without administrator intervention. The attribute determination unit automatically checks whether to-be-reserved content attributes overlap with existing content attributes, and the content reservation unit automatically accepts or rejects reservations based on this determination, eliminating the need for manual administrator checking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual checking process with an automated information processing system. The attribute determination unit uses computer-based logic to automatically compare content attributes and detect overlaps, substituting the administrator's manual review process with an efficient automated system that handles multiple attributes simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the administrator carefully checks each advertisement attribute to prevent broadcasting accidents, then content display reliability improves, but the time and effort required for schedule creation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebroadcasting accuracyVSAvoidschedule creation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by determining attribute overlaps before content reservation is finalized. The attribute determination unit checks for attribute conflicts in advance, and the content reservation unit prevents reservations that would cause broadcasting accidents, ensuring reliability before the actual content display occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by providing immediate information about attribute overlap status to the reservation process. When an attribute overlap is detected, the content reservation unit automatically rejects the reservation, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures broadcasting accuracy without requiring manual verification of each attribute.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If advertisement spots are sold at the last minute, then sales opportunities are maximized and unsold spots are reduced, but the administrative workload for schedule adjustment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesales efficiencyVSAvoidschedule adjustment burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service for last-minute sales by automatically handling attribute overlap checks and schedule adjustments without administrator intervention. When new content is reserved at the last minute, the attribute determination unit automatically checks for conflicts and the content reservation unit automatically adjusts the schedule, allowing sales personnel to focus on selling rather than administrative tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If the administrator manually manages content reservation and schedule adjustment, then control over content display is maintained, but human errors leading to broadcasting accidents increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveschedule control flexibilityVSAvoidbroadcasting error prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical human review process with an automated attribute determination system. The attribute determination unit systematically compares content attributes using computer-based logic, eliminating human errors while maintaining schedule control flexibility through programmable reservation rules and automatic conflict detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10965973B2Content management apparatus, content display system, and content reservation method

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 SHARP KK

AI summary

A content management apparatus manages a content display schedule specifying a time frame for displaying content on a display device. The content management apparatus can reserve to-be-displayed content in an available time frame of the content display schedule. At this time, it is determined whether an attribute of the to-be-reserved content overlaps an attribute of other content in a time frame before or after the time frame where the content is reserved. When the two attributes do not overlap each other, reservation of the content is acceptable.