Display Apparatus Content Replacement via Placeholder Rules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital signage systems face challenges in easily replacing content on display apparatuses, especially when there are multiple distribution destinations with different content requirements, leading to labor-intensive re-creation and re-distribution of signage programs.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus with a display controller that includes a replacement rule storage unit and a determination unit, allowing for the identification and implementation of replacement content based on predefined rules within the distributed data, enabling seamless content updates without re-creating and re-distributing entire programs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If content is uniformly distributed to all display apparatuses from the content distribution side, then the content distribution process is simple and efficient, but it becomes difficult to partially replace content according to local requirements at individual display locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of content distributionVSAvoidadaptability of content replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments content into replaceable units by introducing placeholder structures and replacement rules. Instead of distributing complete fixed content, the system distributes content templates with placeholders that can be selectively replaced at display locations. This allows the content distribution side to send unified templates while enabling local customization through placeholder replacement based on location-specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining replacement rules and placeholder structures in the distributed content. The content distribution side prepares content with embedded placeholders and replacement rules in advance, so that when content is displayed, local replacement can occur automatically without requiring manual re-creation. This preliminary structuring enables easy local adaptation while maintaining efficient centralized distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the content distribution side re-creates and re-distributes signage programs for each branch with different content requirements, then local content needs are met, but the labor and time required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization for individual branchesVSAvoidtime for re-creation and re-distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by distributing a master content template with placeholders to multiple branches, then allowing each branch to replace placeholders with local content. Instead of creating separate content programs for each branch, the system copies the same template structure and enables local customization through placeholder substitution. This dramatically reduces the time and labor required compared to manual re-creation while maintaining full customization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal content templates that can serve multiple branches simultaneously. A single distributed template with placeholders can be adapted to different local requirements by replacing different placeholders with location-specific content. This multi-functional approach allows one content structure to fulfill multiple local needs, eliminating the need for separate content creation for each branch and significantly reducing distribution time and effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If many distribution destinations require different signage programs, then local relevance is improved, but the complexity of content management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocal content relevanceVSAvoidcomplexity of content management system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces replacement rules as an intermediary mechanism between the distributed content and local display requirements. Instead of directly managing different content for each destination, the system uses replacement rules as a mediator that automatically substitutes placeholders with appropriate local content based on display location. This intermediary layer simplifies content management by providing a systematic, rule-based approach to handling multiple local requirements without manually managing separate content sets for each destination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11388478B2Display apparatus, content displaying method, and non-transitory recording medium

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 SHARP KK

AI summary

A display apparatus includes a display controller that displays, on the basis of a display schedule, content included in distribution data distributed from a content distribution apparatus. The display apparatus determines whether or not content that matches the replacement rule is included in the distribution data. When displaying content included in the distribution data on the basis of the display schedule, if it is determined that content that matches the replacement rule is included in the distribution data, the display apparatus replaces the content with the replacement content and displays the replacement content.