Digital Signage Controller for Dynamic Content Overlay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital signage systems cannot display additional content beyond the sequentially set content, limiting their ability to show important information such as fax reception notifications.

Innovation Solution

A display control device that includes a storage unit for content and a playlist, and a controller that acquires and displays additional content stored in a prescribed storage area, allowing for the display of additional information on the digital signage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If content is sequentially displayed based on a playlist, then the display follows a predetermined schedule, but additional content cannot be displayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to display additional contentVSAvoiddisplay control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display control device dynamically adjusts its operation mode between sequential display (based on playlist) and additional content display (when content is stored in the storage unit). The controller monitors the storage unit for newly stored content and automatically switches to displaying additional content when detected, making the system adaptable to different operational requirements without manual reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The storage unit acts as an intermediary between the content source and the display device. It stores additional content separately from the sequential content and triggers the controller to switch display modes. This intermediary structure allows the system to maintain both sequential display functionality and additional content display capability without direct conflict in the control mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If the system only displays sequentially set content, then the display control mechanism remains simple, but important information such as fax reception notifications cannot be shown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimportant information displayVSAvoidcontent management operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display control device automatically detects when additional content is stored in the storage unit and switches to displaying it without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the transition between sequential display and additional content display modes, reducing the operational burden on users while ensuring important information is not lost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The storage unit pre-stores additional content (such as fax reception notifications) before the display is needed. The controller continuously monitors the storage unit and is ready to immediately display additional content when it becomes available, ensuring that important information is displayed promptly without requiring manual content management operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11249704B2Display control device, display control method, and display system

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 SHARP KK

AI summary

The present invention is a display control device including a storage unit that stores content and a playlist, and a controller that displays the content on a display device based on the playlist. When additional content is stored in a prescribed storage area, the additional content is acquired, and the additional content is displayed on the display device.