WAN-Based Visual Display Coordination via Synchronization Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital display implementations lack coordination across different entities, requiring expensive hard-wired connections or local area networks, which do not scale effectively for large-scale visual experiences.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a master device and slave devices connected through a wide area network, where the master publishes synchronization commands to a synchronization server, allowing coordinated visual content on a segment-by-segment basis across multiple digital displays, audio devices, and visual devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard-wired connections or local area networks are used to coordinate digital displays, then coordination between displays is achieved, but cost and scalability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a wide area network (WAN) that can serve multiple functions: it coordinates displays across different locations, enables content distribution, and provides synchronization capabilities. This replaces the need for dedicated hard-wired connections or separate local area networks, making the system scalable and cost-effective while maintaining reliable coordination between displays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a synchronization server as an intermediary component that mediates between the master display and slave displays. This server receives synchronization commands from the master display via WAN and distributes them to slave displays, enabling coordinated operation without requiring direct peer-to-peer connections between displays, thus reducing system complexity and cost
2Reliability
If dedicated solutions with hard-wired connections are used for coordination, then synchronization is achieved, but scalability and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal wide area network infrastructure that can accommodate any number of displays across any geographic location. The synchronization server and protocol are designed to be scalable, allowing the system to adapt from small installations to large-scale deployments without requiring dedicated hardware solutions for each configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic scalability through software-based synchronization that can adapt to changing system configurations. New displays can be added or removed from the network dynamically, and the synchronization protocol automatically adjusts to maintain coordination, enabling the system to grow or shrink based on requirements without physical reconfiguration
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a first digital display, a master content player configured to supply first visual content to the first digital display, a second digital display and a slave content player configured to supply second visual content to the second digital display. The master content player publishes synchronization commands to a synchronization server accessed through a wide area network and the slave content player utilizes the wide area network to access the synchronization server for the synchronization commands. The first visual content on the first digital display is coordinated in a predetermined manner with the second visual content on the second digital display on a segment-by-segment basis.