Communication Device Digital Sign Mode Configuration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Custom-made and existing digital signs are expensive and have limitations in controlling digital content, requiring manual data transfer and having limited computing capabilities, which hinders efficient updating and usage as digital signs.
Innovation Solution
Configuring communication devices, such as cellular phones, to connect to a remote portal for receiving and storing digital content, activating a digital sign mode to disable unnecessary functions, and a content present mode to display the content, including video, sound, and interactive elements, using a processor, memory, transceiver, screen, and other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If communication devices are converted to digital signs, then cost is reduced and remote control capability is improved, but device functionality is limited compared to custom-made digital signs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes communication devices universal by enabling them to perform multiple functions: they operate as both communication devices and digital signs. The system allows a single device type (communication device) to serve dual purposes through software configuration and mode switching, eliminating the need for separate custom-made digital sign hardware while maintaining advertising and information display capabilities
2Device complexity
If manual data transfer is used for updating digital content, then device complexity is reduced, but time consumption and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portal server as an intermediary between the communication device and the content management system. This mediator enables automatic, remote content updates by handling data transfer, storage, and distribution automatically, eliminating the need for manual technician intervention while keeping the device itself relatively simple without requiring complex built-in content management capabilities
3Ease of manufacture
If computing capabilities of digital signs are limited, then device cost is reduced, but content processing and interactivity are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the computing functions between the communication device and the portal server. The communication device maintains limited local processing capabilities for basic display operations, while complex content processing, storage, and management functions are separated and performed remotely on the server. This segmentation allows using low-cost devices for display while leveraging powerful remote computing resources for content processing
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies are described herein for configuring a communication device to be used as a digital sign. Connection to a remote portal may occur through a transceiver of the communication device. Digital content is received from the remote portal and stored in a memory of the communication device. A digital sign mode of the communication device is activated in response to receiving a first instruction from the remote portal. In the digital sign mode, a ringing function of the communication device may be disabled. A digital content present mode of the communication device is activated in response to receiving a second instruction from the remote portal. In the digital content present mode, the digital content may be presented via at least one of a screen and a speaker of the communication device.