MXPA04003661A - System and method for providing for out-of-home advertising utilizing a satellite network. - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for distributing content for a broadcaster on a communications network. The system may include a database operable to maintain the content for the broadcaster. A user interface may be in communication with the database and be operable (i) to provide a self-servicing scheduler for the broadcaster to form a playlist of the content and (ii) to distribute the playlist and associated scheduled content across the communications network. A server may be operable to receive the playlist and scheduled content associated therewith via the communications network. A visual appliance may be in communication with the server and be operable to receive and display the scheduled content.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PROVIDE ADVERTISING EXTERNAL USING A SATELLITE NETWORK " FIELD OF THE INVENTION The principles of the present invention refer in general terms to a system and method for making external advertising, and more particularly, but without limitation, to provide the system and method for subscribers (e.g., retailers and agencies). of external advertising) operate as private issuers in order to provide advertising or content delivery services to advertisers and subscribers in a targeted manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Traditional external advertising, including point of sale and retail promotional advertising, has generally been formed from static and expensive advertisements and promotional materials typically using photographs, graphics, and text for advertising products. The advertising space located in retail stores is generally rented, rented, or otherwise disposed of by a manufacturer for a certain period of time, such as one month. Although the rental cost of advertising space can be expensive, the cost to produce the content that is placed in the ad space can be as much or more expensive (for example, $ 800 per ad) due to production and printing costs. In addition, advertisers (for example, product manufacturers) typically have as much as 70 percent or more of the advertisements, promotional materials, and display fixed attachments not used or displayed by the retailer. The cost to produce these items or materials can also incur additional costs if techniques such as backlighting are used. In an effort to reduce production and printing costs and increase revenue from external advertising venues, dynamic ads have been developed. Dynamic ad includes many techniques to allow ads to be non-static, including rotating mechanical devices that have multiple print ads installed on it and that use electronic displays. In the case of using electronic screens, a technique has included playing video tapes, compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs), etc., of advertisements and / or content on an electronic screen that is approximately related to to a product. The content is any and all information in any form, including, without limitation, images (still, moving, and / or animated) and audio. Advertising is content related to products and / or services. Additionally, computers have been connected directly to monitors to display digitally stored advertising data. More recently, larger, flat-panel displays have allowed retailers to display ads with increased space savings and better visual appearance. However, conventional systems of dynamic advertisements that use advertising screens have several disadvantages. First, distributing and maintaining content (for example, large-scale advertising information) is difficult. Even in the case of having a single screen, installing, updating, and servicing the advertising data on the associated computer requires a lot of time and is expensive from a team and labor perspective. In the case of using a computer server and a local computer network to maintain and distribute data from the computer server at a central location, distribution costs can be reduced, but higher equipment costs and maintenance fees are needed. because more sophisticated hardware and software is used. These costs are generally beyond what retailers and external media entities, for example, want or are able to offer given that they are reluctant to purchase the equipment and hire staff to support the technology. A second disadvantage includes computer capitalization and electronic screen equipment that are significant. Although the cost of this equipment has been reduced in recent years, especially for computer equipment and flat panel displays, retailers have not fully embraced the technology due to capitalization costs - particularly from a balance sheet point of view. In other words, retailers and other business establishments are cautious about acquiring and possessing computer and electronic display equipment that will be updated and will adversely affect the balance sheet. A third disadvantage is that large content data files for advertising or other purposes require a high bandwidth communications network to communicate the data files. Due to the high bandwidth requirement, the use of terrestrial broadband for the communication of large data files to many distribution points is currently not feasible due to communications quotas and bandwidth limitations. Additionally, the geographic coverage of the Internet is not sufficient in many rural areas that customers or potential users require. Other forms of terrestrial communication that has insufficient bandwidth, such as cellular networks, cable, digital subscriber lines (DSL), and broadcasts are similarly problematic in terms of coverage areas and associated costs throughout the country and throughout the world. the world. These communication limitations are magnified when large-scale content distribution is carried out. A fourth disadvantage is that electronic displays traditionally used by outside establishments have been large (eg, 36 * 48 inches [91.4 * 121.9 cm]) in such a way that electronic displays have generally been used to carry out brands "or" billboards "for advertisers and retailers. Our reason for the limited use of large electronic screens is due to the inability to place large electronic screens on or near point-of-sale screens. Placements include installing electronic screens to walls or ceilings or on a pedestal that is independent on the floor. Such placements, again, are provided for brand messages, which help to increase sales volume, but "boost" sales, as is understood in the matter, but can not be fully captured due to the electronic screens because they are in the market. general neighborhood of products that are advertised and do not come close enough to inspire consumers to easily purchase the product that is advertised. Furthermore, large electronic screens have typically been fixed or installed to walls or other relatively immobile structures in such a way that it is difficult for the retail establishment to easily relocate the electronic screens. And, because electronic screens are not easily mobile, advertisers are limited in being able to use advertising technology since their products are unable to relocate in the proximity of one of the electronic screens. Also, because electronic displays are limited in number and placed "where convenient", the specification of the location of the electronic display in relation to a warehouse sketch is generally not carried out or is performed at a very broad level (for example, verification counter), making it difficult or impossible for retailers to easily manage and sell advertisers the use of advertising. A fifth disadvantage includes the old common practice for advertisers to request "proof sheets" as it is understood in the matter of print advertisements in newspapers or other printed material. However, in the case of using electronic screens, advertisers are unable to receive true verification to know if the content was currently deployed as requested both in terms of time and quality (eg, color and intensity). Although it may be possible to verify that the content was communicated to an electronic screen, simply knowing that the content was communicated does not truly indicate whether the electronic display was operating properly (eg, proper operation of the image tube, appropriate color, proper brightness, existence of energy, sound quality, etc.) Due to the lack of a "proof sheet" verification, advertisers are reluctant to engage in the use of electronic display technology for advertising in remote locations. In order to address the bandwidth requirements for the large amounts of digital media content for the ads and the insufficient geographic coverage currently existing with terrestrial networks, satellite networks have been used. The satellite network offers sufficient global reach for the advertising industry, which is truly international in scope. One such satellite network is provided by Hughes Network Systems. Other satellite networks are available through Loral Space and Communications and Gilat Satellite Networks, to name a few. However, although communications technology has become available to solve communication problems, the other disadvantages and issues (for example, administration, cost, verification, etc.) remain open issues that restrict the use of technology and the growth of the industry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION To overcome the disadvantages of conventional electronic screen advertising in external locations, which include (i) distributing and managing the content, (ii) capitalization equipment, (iii) using wide-area communications equipment, band, (iv) place electronic screens, and (v) promptly and appropriately verify the deployment of content, systems and methods that have been developed that address the disadvantages. To overcome the problems of limited geographical distribution and storage of external content, a satellite communications network with storage can be used. Instead of the infrastructure service provider having to operate as the issuer (i.e., the group that registers and schedules the content and / or sells the advertising space), the principles of the present invention are provided to the subscribers (for example, retail establishments, manufacturer of - ii -product, external media entity) operate as a private issuer when carrying out registration and programming operations for advertisers, thus allowing subscribers to obtain significantly more income and maintain control over the type and quality of content that is deployed. To provide a cost-effective infrastructure, including satellite communications equipment, local computer equipment, and electronic screens, subscribers can subscribe to the content management and distribution service through a subscription and the service provider charges them based on capacity ( for example, megabytes per period of time) for the distribution of the content (for example, photography, video, etc.). Additionally, subscribers may be charged for content storage based on capacity (eg, megabytes per month). These charges can be passed on to advertisers, minimizing the cost to subscribers. To address the limitations of the placement of large electronic screens, small, wireless, electronic screens can be used that can be installed in shelves, stalls, and other previously inaccessible locations. To provide security to advertisers, the current verification of the content that is displayed by the electronic screens is provided when performing the feedback. A feedback modality includes the use of an identifier associated with the content and display on the electronic screen. A record of the content displayed on an electronic screen is stored by a computing device in communications with the electronic screen and communicated with a service provider computing system to allow subscribers to provide current verification to content providers and advertisers and Sea subscribers ca s.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of the system and the methods of the principles of the present invention can be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the Drawings where: Figures 1A-1B are maps by way of example of the United States showing the coverage area of digital subscriber line (DSL) and cable communications and the coverage areas of satellite communications; Figure 2 is an exemplary system diagram of a communication system that provides content communication using the principles of the present invention; Figures 3A-3C are block diagrams of the system as a more detailed example of the infrastructure of the communication system of Figure 2; Figures 4A-4C are exemplary illustrations of various embodiments of visual applications of Figure 3A coupled to point of sale screens as used in the facilities of Figure 2; Figure 5A is an edge view of an exemplary energy distribution system that includes a low profile track and energy conducting bands used in the facilities of Figure 2; Figure 5B is another exemplary power distribution system formed of piping that can operate as a support extension arm for installing and extending visual applications from a fixed screen attachment within the facilities of Figure 2; Figure 5C is yet another embodiment of an energy distribution system configured as a support arm connector that can be installed under a shelf, along a wall, or in another manner that supports the visual applications of Figure 3A; Figure 6 is a planogram by way of example that maps a physical sketch of an installation of Figure 2; Figure 7A is a system diagram describing a functional architecture of the service provider server of the service provider of Figure 2; Figure 7B is an exemplary block diagram of a functional architecture provided by the local server according to Figure 3A; Figure 7C is an exemplary block diagram graphically depicting the communication between the service provider and the local servers of Figures 7A and 7B; Figure 8 is a hierarchy account structure as an example for the subscribers of the service provider of Figure 2; Figure 9 is an exemplary block diagram describing the functional components used by the account management package of Figure 7A; Figure 10 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the creation of a new subscriber account as provided by a subscriber account creation module of Figure 9; Figure 11 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the creation of a new subscriber domain by a subscriber domain creation module of Figure 9; Figure 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating the creation of a new user account as provided by the user account creation module of Figure 9; Figure 13 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the addition of a new security role by a role creation module of Figure 9; Figure 14 is an exemplary block diagram for providing a visual application and installation manager package of Figure 7A; Figure 15 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the creation and saving of records of an installation on the service provider server of Figure 7A; Figure 16 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the creation and saving of records of a visual application on the service provider server of Figure 7A; Figure 17 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the search of records for visual applications on the service provider server of Figure 7A; Figure 18 graphically depicts the provisioning management packet that is provided to supply the local servers and visual applications on the service provider server of Figure 7A; Figure 19 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the addition of provisioning information for the local server in an installation that has already been created on the service provider server of Figure 7A; Figure 20 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the addition of provisioning information for a visual application that has already been created by the service provider of Figure 2; Figure 21 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the installation of the visual application of Figure 3A that has been provisioned in the service provider server; Figure 22 is an exemplary block diagram showing the content management package of Figure 7A that is used by subscribers to administer the content as it is understood in the art.; Figure 23 is an exemplary sequence diagram for illustrating the creation of content using the service provider server of Figure 7A; Figure 24 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the sending of content for approval by a user designated as content approver to the subscriber of Figure 2; Figure 25 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the approval process for the content to be issued by the subscriber of Figure 2; Figure 26 is an exemplary block diagram of the playlist administration packet of Figure 7A and associated modules; Figure 27 is an exemplary sequence diagram for illustrating the creation and saving of a scheduled record using the service provider server of Figure 7A; Figure 28 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating sending a scheduled record for approval using the service provider server of Figure 7A; Figure 29 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the sending of scheduled records for content distribution using the service provider server of Figure 7A; Figure 30 is an exemplary block diagram that is provided for the distribution of content by the communications network service provider of Figure 2; Figure 31 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the creation of a satellite packet for the multiemission / uniemission to local server (s) of Figure 3A; Figure 32 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the multicast / uniemission of the satellite packet to the local server (s) of Figure 3A; Figure 33 is an exemplary block diagram of the goods management package for managing the physical goods of Figure 3A; Figure 34 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the process of adding goods provided by an asset addition module of Figure 33; Figure 35 provides a package of system operations for the service provider to provide service and maintenance operations for the communications system assets of Figures 2 and 3A; Figure 36 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating recovery of the alert history by the communications system of Figure 2; Figure 37 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the retrieval of records from the local server of Figure 3A; Figure 38 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the replacement of a default image for a visual application by an operator of the service provider of Figure 2; Figure 39 is an exemplary block diagram that provides the packets with which a local server administration packet interfaces to operate the local server of Figure 3A. Figure 40 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating registration of the local server to the service provider server of Figure 7A at the time of sourcing; Figure 41 is an exemplary block diagram that graphically represents the local server and the functionality provided for that reason of Figure 3A; Figure 42 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the reception and post-processing of satellite packets by the local server of Figure 3A; Figure 43 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating the sending of content to the visual applications of Figure 3A; Figure 44 is an exemplary sequence diagram that graphically depicts a registration process for visual applications with the local server of Figure 3A; Figure 45 is an exemplary flow chart for updating the location information of the visual application of Figure 3 A; Figure 46 is an exemplary sequence diagram showing polling of summary information by the local server from the visual application of Figure 3 A; Figure 47 is an exemplary class diagram for operating on the local server of Figure 3 A in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 48 is an exemplary class diagram for operating in the communications system of the communication system of Figure 2 and for providing the principles of the present invention; Figure 49 is an exemplary block diagram of a local network for displaying and verifying that visual content and / or the deployment parameters are displayed in a visual application of Figure 3 A; Figure 5 0 A-C are more detailed block diagrams of the electronic display controller and the electronic display of Figure 49; Figure 51A is an exemplary flow chart that provides the level of verification 1 of the content displayed in the visual application of Figure 3A; Figure 51B is an exemplary flow chart of a level 2 content verification process that is displayed in the visual application of Figure 3A; Figures 52A-C provide a number of exemplary embodiments for using an optical sensor to measure the illumination of a verification code in the visual application of Figure 3A; Figure 53 is an exemplary graph to show a digital verification code signal representative of a content identifier that can be used to form a verification code associated with a content signal to be displayed in the visual application of the Figure 3A; Figures 54A-D are a sequence of images illustrating the digital verification code signal that is displayed as a visual verification code signal in the visual application of Figure 3A; Figure 55A is an exemplary flow chart describing an operation for the verification level 3 of the visual content that is displayed in the visual application of Figure 3A; Figure 55B is an exemplary flow chart describing a level of verification 4, which indicates that a particular content signal is deployed punctually and appropriately in the visual application of Figure 3A; Figures 56A-56D are user interfaces by way of example to use the communications system of Figure 2; Figure 57 is an exemplary block diagram describing a subscription model for the service provider of Figure 2 in order to provide content administration and distribution services in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 58 is an exemplary flow chart that deforms the operation of the income stream represented graphically in Figure 57; Figure 59 is an exemplary block diagram describing a subscription model that uses a point-of-sale (POP) display manufacturer and advertising agencies / manufacturer-advertiser to provide the content management and distribution services of the service provider of Figure 2 according to the products and / or services offered by the POP screen manufacturer and the advertising agency / advertiser-manufacturer, | Figure 60A is a flow diagram by way of example which describes the subscription model of Figure 59; Figure 60B is an exemplary flow chart describing the subscription model of Figure 59 from the POP screen manufacturer view; Figure 61 is an exemplary block diagram describing a subscription model derived from the service provider of Figure 2 to an advertisement management company; Figure 62 is an exemplary block diagram that provides a billing system bridge for the subscribers of the service provider of Figure 2; Figure 63A is another billing system bridge model for subscribers to bill advertisers using the communications system of Figure 2; Figure 63B is an exemplary flow chart describing a process for carrying out the billing system bridge model of Figure 63A; Figure 64 is a block diagram by way of representative example of a local network of a subscriber installation of Figure 2; Figure 65 is an exemplary map showing a distributed network of a storage unit located in the subscriber facility of the service provider of Figure 2; and Figure 66 is an exemplary flow chart describing a data storage model using the storage units of Figure 65.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1A-1B are maps 100a and 100b as an example of the United States showing the area 105 of communications coverage of the digital subscriber line (DSL) and the area 110 of satellite communication coverage . Because the coverage of cable and digital subscriber lines in the United States and around the world (DSL) is relatively low, terrestrial communications of large data files are expensive and difficult or impossible if a destination location for the Data is not covered either by these or other forms of terrestrial communication. It should be understood that slower forms of communication are impractical for communicating large content data files, such as those communicated for advertisements. Satellite communication coverage allows communication throughout the United States. And because satellite communication covers the entire country, the cost of distributing content is simple and cheap in relation to terrestrial communication. Additionally, satellite coverage offers government-level security in terms of encryption and other data and communication security measures. Satellite communications also provide a fully distributive network, which allows communication from one to many locations. Users of satellite communications are charged for their use and do not need to be charged for being online because the bandwidth of the system does not decrease due to having additional users. Because the subscribers of the services as defined below are more closely located throughout the United States with varying densities, satellite communication currently provides the "broadest" coverage.

General System Description A content management and distribution service provider ("service provider") can provide infrastructure equipment to external companies (eg, retail facilities) or locations (eg, billboards). In one modality, the users of the infrastructure are "subscribers", which can be companies, external advertisers, resellers of advertising spaces, retailers, manufacturers, or other sellers or advertising buyers. The infrastructure team may include satellite communication equipment, computer equipment, local network equipment and electronic display equipment. In the event that a subscriber is a company, such as a large retail chain that has a corporate office and individual stores, the local office receives access to a network-accessible service and the individual stores receive satellite communication equipment, server, local area communication equipment, and visual applications. Visual applications include an electronic display and an electronic display controller, which can be formed from a circuit board that has communication and screen handler capabilities. For practical reasons, electrical screens can be flat panel displays. Electronic flat panel displays can be LCD, LED, plasma, CRT, projection or the like. Electronic screen coders can be established to have unique identifiers in order to be individually or individually addressable. The visual applications may alternatively be formed of an electronic screen controller and a cathode ray tube (CRT), television, or other controllable electronic display device. An end-to-end external content display system can be integrated as explained below. The service provider operates a server that hosts an interface for the subscribers to use it in the administration content, such as the advertisements, to be displayed on the local network (s) of the subscribers. The subscriber's local office can communicate with the service provider's server to establish a playlist for the content, where the playlist establishes the content to be played at some time (s) and in any visual application (s). The data files containing the content to be displayed can be uploaded through the network or through the satellite communication equipment of the satellite service provider. Once the playlist is defined, the service provider's server can communicate manually, semi-automatically, or automatically with a communications network service provider (eg, satellite service provider) to distribute the (s) file (s) of data containing the content to the local servers that are operated by individual company locations before the content is scheduled to be played in the visual applications. In one modality, the data file (s) can communicate to local servers at non-peak moments to reduce communication fees as data files are used for low priority business operations (related to to credit card verification operations, for example). Local servers store the data file (s) up to approximately the scheduled playback time. At or near the scheduled reproduction time, the data file (s) are communicated to the visual application (s) for deployment according to schedule. The communication can be carried out wirelessly by a local area network. The visual application (s) that receives (n) the content in the form of a data file that contains image and / or sound data of the content loads (n) and stores (n) the data file . The data file can be played in the visual application (s) (i) (i) in response to receiving a "start" command by the local server, (ü) automatically during or after the file is downloaded of data, or (iii) simply by turning on (that is, by playing the content in memory). However, because visual applications are generally operated as "dumb" terminals (ie, slaves), a network interaction is used to begin the deployment of the content. Because content providers (eg, advertisers) are often very concerned about verifying that the content (i) is deployed, (ii) at the appropriate time, having (iii) the correct visual appearance (eg, color and intensity), the principles of the present invention are provided so that the content data files are encoded with an identifier and / or other attribute information of the content. Alternatively, instead of coding the data file, a separate data signal can be displayed in the visual application in association with the content. Other techniques for verifying the timely and appropriate deployment of the content can be found in the Patent Application of E.U. co-pending Series No., filed on October 3, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference. The identifier and / or other attribute information is displayed in the visual application in conjunction with the display of the content.

Alternatively, the identifier and / or other attribute information may be displayed before or after the term of the content that is displayed. In order to provide verification of the content that is displayed punctually and appropriately, an exemplary embodiment may include an optical sensor positioned to measure the identifier and / or other attribute information associated with the content and feed back the measured information. In an exemplary embodiment, the optical sensor is coupled to the external surface of a visual application display screen for detecting the identifier and / or other attribute information. The feedback of the detected information can be measured by the electronic display controller of the visual application or a remote computing system. In any case, the measurements are interpreted to determine the measured information. In the case of the visual application that performs the measurement, a record is generated and stored in the visual application. The measured information, which may include the content identifier, color information, intensity information and deployment time, for example, may be used to provide certified verification to advertisers that the content was reproduced in time and location. correct, and that the appearance was correct, thus providing a "virtual voucher sheet". Other registration information can be stored and read by the local server. Such other registration information may include visual application operation, content start / end times, currently stored content, performance data, interactive tracking information, etc. To close the loop for the communication system or private broadcast network, local servers can communicate the registration information to the service provider. The service provider, in turn, can generate billing information and reports for the retailer and / or advertisers. However, it should be understood that the transfer of information may be performed by other sequences or together with other communication paths and be in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As will be further described hereinafter, the visual applications may be reduced in size in order to be installed to specific shelves or other locations in a retail establishment or other establishment. By installing visual applications to specific shelves to be located specifically close to the products being advertised, impulsive purchases by advertisers can be better captured. Additionally, visual applications can be "mapped" to a warehouse sketch plan (that is, how and where products or merchandise are displayed in the warehouse), generally known in the art as a planogram. By having the mapping capability, subscribers can easily manage visual applications in relation to the products associated with the content. The service provider also provides an interface in a network that enables subscribers to receive or send and program content through a playlist. Because visual applications are network-addressable, content can be programmed to be deployed in selected visual applications. For example, an advertisement for a particular beverage may be displayed in visual application (s) to a store shelf that supports the particular beverage.

Detailed System Description Figure 2 is an exemplary system diagram of a communications system 200 that is provided for content communication using the principles of the present invention as described generally above. A content management and service provider 202 ("service provider") provides retail subscribers 204 and brand subscribers 206 with the ability to operate as private network providers or broadcasters by allowing branded subscribers 204 and 206 administer, program, and control the content that is distributed through the communications system 200. The retail subscriber 204 is a business entity or establishment, such as a retail or retail establishment, which may be formed of multiple facilities 208a-208g (collectively 208) operating in different locations. In an exemplary embodiment, a main office can operate to administer the content for each installation 208. Alternatively, each facility can administer the content that is deployed therein. The brand subscriber 206 may be a manufacturer, for example, who conducts business with or who sells products to multiple retailers, who may be the retail subscribers 204a-204c (collectively 204). The retail subscribers 204a-204c may be comprised of multiple facilities 210a-210c, 212a-212d, and 214a-214d, respectively. It should be understood that other types of subscribers can use the services of the service provider 202. The service provider 202 may use a communications network service provider 216 to perform the current distribution of content via the communications system 200. One such communication network service provider 216 is a satellite network service provider that uses a satellite dish 217 to communicate with one or more satellites 218 via a communication link 219 in order to communicate the content to the subscribers 204 and 206 for facilities 208-214. By providing subscriber services (eg, administering, scheduling, distributing, deploying, and storing the content) to subscribers 204 and 206, service provider 202 enables subscribers 204 and 206 to communicate with them via a network 220. In an exemplary embodiment, the network 220 is a terrestrial network, such as the Internet.

Alternatively, the network 220 can be other terrestrial networks, be it wireless (for example, cellular) or wired (for example, cable, DSL, local area network (LAN), or wide area network (WAN)). Still, the network 220 can use the satellite 218 to enable the service provider 202 to provide subscriber services. In providing the subscriber services, the service provider 202 and the communications network service provider 216 may operate in conjunction to allow the subscribers 204 and 206 to manage, schedule, store, and communicate or distribute the content to the facilities 208 -214. For non-content communication (e.g., administration and scheduling services), subscribers can communicate via network 220 with service provider 202 on communication lines 221a and 221b (collectively 221) via data packets 222a-222d ( collectively 222) and on communication lines 222a and 223b (collectively 223) by data packets 224a-224d as understood in the art. The network 220 can be used for communications without content since low bandwidth communications are performed. However, for high bandwidth communications to communicate the content, which is typically large data files, satellite 218 is used. As shown, communication path 225 is used to communicate the content in the form of packets data 226a-226d (collectively 226) and communication path 227 carries packets 228a-228d of data from subscribers 204 and 206, collectively. The satellite 218, in turn, communicates the data packets 226c-226d and 228c-228d to the communication network service provider 216. The content may be maintained at the communication network service provider 216 for distribution to the facilities 208-214 associated with the subscribers 204 and 206. The service provider 202 may communicate on a communication link 229 with the service provider 216 of communications network. The information may be in the form of data packets 230a-230b (collectively 230) for managing, distributing, etc., the content of the subscribers 204 and 206 that are maintained by the communication network service provider 216. If the subscriber 204 schedules the particular content to be displayed by the facilities 208, then before the scheduled deployment time, the content is communicated by the communication network service provider 216 to the facilities 208. Because the content communication it is a non-critical business communication, a communication status of low priority can be applied to the communication so that the communication occurs in low peak hours (for example, at night) in order to minimize the cost of communication for the service provider 202 and / or subscribers 204 and 206. During the operation, a retail operator 232 of the retail subscriber 204 may interface with the service provider 202 for service. upload, download, manage, store, distribute and display the content. The content can be distributed to the retail facilities 208 by the communication network service provider 216 via the satellite 218. Similarly, a brand operator 234 of the brand subscriber 206 can interface with the service provider 202 to purpose of administering and distributing the content to facilities 210, 212, and 214 of retail subscribers 204a-204c. Figure 3A is a more detailed example system diagram 300a according to the communication system 200 of Figure 2. As shown, the equipment used in a facility 208 for a retail subscriber 204 may include a satellite dish 302 maintained in the installation 208 which includes a local server 304. In the installation 208, a wireless local area network (LAN) 306 can be used to communicate with a variety of visual applications 308. Visual applications 308 can be formed in an electronic display 310 coupled to an electronic screen controller 312. One embodiment of the visual application 308a is a small electronic display 310 having an electronic display controller 312 incorporated therein. Another visual application 308b by way of example includes a large electronic display 310 having an electronic display controller 312 incorporated therein. Yet another visual application 308c by way of example includes an electronic display 310 having an electronic display controller 312. During the operation, the communication network service provider 216 communicates the content to be displayed in the visual applications 308, either individually or in groups, via the satellite dish 217 to the satellite 218 in the communication link 219. The satellite 218 operates as an ansponder and communicates the content via the communication path 225 to the satellite dish 302 located in the installation 208. The local server 304 receives and stores the content for distribution to the visual applications 308 via the wireless LAN 306 The local server 304 communicates the content to the visual applications 308 according to a broadcast program by means of a playlist, for example, for the content set by the subscriber 204. In the programming of the content to be distributed to the subscriber 204, a operator 314 associated with subscriber 204 may interface with service provider 202 on communication lines 221 to schedule content for display in visual applications 308. When establishing the program, operator 314 may use an interface provided by the operator. service provider 202 The interface may be a website or other online interface that is provided for programming services for the content to be displayed in single or multiple visual applications. In addition to the operator 314 that interfaces with the service provider 202 to schedule the content to be sent and deployed in the facility 208, the interface can also provide the operator 314 with the ability to access and manage accounts that include the functionality of managing the library of digital goods, view the content in the library, determine the reproduction of the content, make the site selection, schedule a transmission of the content, and obtain detailed accounting and billing information of the subscriber. The interface also provides the ability to view the detailed information of the subscriber's account, which includes, but is not limited to, storage, billing, playlist programs, transmissions, reproduction recognitions, airtime plans, fault records, and any historical records that are generated. Multi-layer security can be used to allow subscribers 204 and 206 to design various levels of restricted access to the stored content based on the individual organizational requirements. Figure 3B is a local network 300b by way of example as used by a retail subscriber 204 in a 208 facility or brand subscriber 206 in a facility 210, 212, 214 as shown in Figure 2. The local network 300b includes the satellite dish 302 coupled to the satellite multi-media video receiving unit 303, which is additionally coupled to the local server 304. An access point 314 is coupled to the local server 304 and is operable to wirelessly broadcast the content to the visual applications 308d-308f through communication paths 307d-307f, respectively, as is understood in the art. Communication paths 307 can use an 802.11 wireless network protocol. During the operation, the content is emitted in accordance with the functionality provided by the local server 304 and the visual applications 308. Figure 3C is an exemplary block diagram of a visual application 308 of Figure 3A. The visual application 308 may include the electronic display controller 316 in communication with the electronic display 310. To provide wireless communication, the visual application 308 may include a wireless receiving / transmitting unit 316 (Rx / Tx) coupled to an antenna 318. The transmitting / receiving wireless unit 316 and antenna 318 can be tuned to frequencies used by the 802.11 standard or another wireless LAN standard as understood in the art. The electronic display controller 312 may additionally be coupled to the wireless receiving / transmitting unit 316 to receive and store data in a memory 320 for display on the electronic display 310. It should be understood that the electronic display 310 may be integrated with the display controller 312. electronics in order to form a visual application 308 capable of receiving, processing, storing, and displaying the content. According to the foregoing, the electronic display controller 312 may include processing capacity and is further described with respect to Figure 3B.

Visual Application Positioning in Facilities Figures 4A-4C are exemplary illustrations of various modalities of the various visual applications 308. Figure 4A is an exemplary installation environment 400a showing large visual applications 308 formed from computer screens. plasma or CRTs installed on the roof. Because the visual applications 308 installed in the ceiling are not placed close to the products as are the visual applications 308 installed in shelves, these visual applications 308 can be used for more general advertising than the advertising that selects products as a target. Because the electronic display controllers 312 can be stand-alone devices with the conventional video / audio output connectors, the electronic display controllers 312 can be adapted to the existing electronic displays 310 (eg, televisions) in order to enable the subscriber 204 to display the content in them. However, these visual applications 308 installed in the ceiling may not be mapped to a traditional planogram, but may be assigned with alternative posi- tional values corresponding to the planogram. It should be understood that other configurations of CRTs and / or large flat panel displays can be configured in a similar manner with an electronic display controller 312 to form a visual application 308 that is mapped in association with the planogram (see, for example, Figure 6). Figure 4B is an exemplary independent floor display 402 that includes a visual application 308. Because the electronic display 310 is large enough, multiple content and / or advertisements can be displayed consecutively or simultaneously. By providing such use, the content for the screen can be "spliced" into a single content (e.g., video clip and / or circuit) prior to distribution in order to reduce the complexity of the electronic screen controller 312. Similar to the visual applications 308 of Figure 3A, the independent floor display 402 may not be mapped to the planogram, but may be associated with it. Figure 4C is an exemplary point of sale display 400b that is intended to display products and is configured to support visual applications 308i and 308 j. Because the visual applications 308 can use a small, lightweight electronic display 310, edge-mounted designs (eg, visual application 308i) and support extension designs (eg, visual application 308) can be used to install the visual applications 308 to a shelf 404 and a support 406 extending from a frame 408 of the point of sale screen 400b. And, because the visual applications 308 are installed on the point of sale screen 400b and are found in relation to the products stored therein, the visual applications 308 can use planogram positioning values for location and positioning information. By being able to install or configure the visual applications 308 to a wide variety of product screen add-ons due to the ability to produce visual applications 308 of light, small nature, the subscriber 204 can assign the content to be displayed according to the locations of product and / or shelves as defined in the planogram of one or more facilities 208. Visual application 308i is installed in a sliding shelf installation and may therefore be repositioned by simply sliding to another section along the same shelf. The visual applications 308 can be further integrated with the other point-of-sale displays 400b, including independent price and display screens in a fixed or mobile configuration, stand-alone display, and cosmetic boxes. It should be understood that the variety of configurations for the visual applications 308 is practically infinite since the size and type of the electronic display 310 and the electronic display controller 312 may be varied according to the desired attachments and placement. For example, a shelf supporting a sports shoe can use a visual application 308 having an electronic screen 310 of an inch by an inch (1"* 1") [2.54 cm * 2.54 was], while a wall located in a unit of Light product screen can use an electronic screen 310 that uses plasma technology and 48 inches by 36 inches in size (48"* 36") [121 cm * 91 cm].

Power Distribution Systems Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C are exemplary power distribution systems that conduct electricity to turn on visual applications 308 and enable subscribers 204 who use visual applications 308 of Figure 3A to maintain aesthetically pleasing public environments. Although the size and power requirements for visual applications may be relatively low, instead of relying on batteries, rechargeable or otherwise, energy distribution systems in order to conform to the display or point of sale attachment (e.g. , shelves). Figure 5A is an edge view of an exemplary energy distribution system 500a including a low profile track 502 and power conducting bands 504a and 504b (collectively 504). The dimensions of the low profile track 502 are of a width x and a height and are dimensioned to allow the visual application 308 to be installed under a shelf of a 400b point of sale screen without substantially obstructing the products that are deployed . Accordingly, the low profile track 502 extends along a shelf in such a way that the visual application 308 coupled thereto can slide along the track to lie in relation to different products throughout. of the shelf. And, because the power bands 504 extend along the track 502, the operator moving the visual application 308 does not have to contend with wires, cables, or other connecting devices. Figure 5B is another exemplary energy distribution system 500b formed from pipe 506 that can operate as a support extension arm for installing and extending the visual application 308 from a point of sale screen 400b. The side and bottom views of the energy distribution system 500b are shown, where the dimension x of the tube 506 can be sized according to the use. In an exemplary embodiment, the pipe 506 may be copper coated with nickel and separated by a non-conductive material 508 so as to isolate the two conductive paths. According to the above, the power adapters (e.g., connectors) can be configured to the visual application 308 in order to receive energy from the power distribution system 500b. It should be understood that other, non-tubular designs may be provided in order to functionally offer the same or a similar power distribution functionality and be integrated into a support structure of a point of sale screen 400b. Figure 5C is yet another exemplary embodiment of a power distribution system 500c configured as a support arm connector that can be installed under a shelf, along a wall, or that otherwise supports a visual application 308.

As shown, the edge view of the power distribution system 500c shows two electrical contacts 510a and 510b that are provided for power to be distributed along the power distribution system 500c. Again, the power distribution system 500c is to be used to simplify the use of visual applications 308 in a facility 208, such as a grocery store, which dictates that those power cables and other aesthetically unpleasant devices are not used in together with the visual applications 308. It should be understood that other power distribution systems can be used that offer simple connections (e.g., fast placement) and that support the visual applications 308 in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Planogram The planograms are mappings of the physical layer of a facility 208, 210, 212, 214, (for example, grocery store) in order to show the specific locations of the visual applications 308 according to the principles of the present invention ( see Figures 2 and 3A). Figure 6 is a plan view of an exemplary planogram 600 of the physical layer of the facility 208 that provides administrators of the facility 208 with an image or graphic representation of the physical layer. You must understand that planograms can provide different views, including perspective views (see, for example, Figure 4C), of the physical layer in order to assist the installation administrators with the administration of the installation. By using the planogram 600, the installation administrator can determine where to place the visual applications 308 relative to the particular products placed on the shelves of the installation 208. As noted, the planogram 600 shows the locations A to I, showing structures that They support the products. For locations C a l, for example, sections 1-7 are provided to represent the different products that are placed in physical structures C a l. According to the above, the visual applications 308 can be attached to the sections (for example, C1-C7) in order to display the content related to the products stored therein. CR1-CR5 represent cash register verification lines, which may also have visual applications 308 coupled thereto. The subscriber 204 using the planogram 600 may have the values and / or the planogram 600 itself incorporated into the system so that the determination of where to place the visual applications 308 based on the content is shown to be easier from the point of view of the operation. Additionally, the use of planogram information within the system allows workers in facility 208 to more easily place and register visual applications 308 through an interface having pre-established planogram information. It should be understood that the planogram 600 may allow subsections (eg, C11-C16, not shown) within a certain section (eg, Cl) as understood and that the system can accommodate substantially any resolution amount of the planogram 600.Detailed Description of the Continuous System Figure 7A is a system diagram 700a showing the functional architecture of a service provider server 702 that can be used by the service provider 202 (not shown) in conjunction with communication with the installation 208 by satellite dish 217 (see also Figures 2 and 3A). The service provider server 702 includes conventional hardware components, such as a processor, memory, input / output (I / O) unit, and storage unit (not shown). The processor or processors are operable to provide the functionality of the service provider server 702 as provided by the functional architecture 704. In general, the service provider server 702, which can operate as a central or distributed site, enables administration of content, storage management and deployment, and content distribution functionality for the service provider 202. The service provider server 702 can be used to supply new subscribers 204 and 206, facilities 208, visual applications 308, and domains for each subscriber 204. When a new subscriber 204 is configured, a new subscriber administrator account is established. When the new subscriber account is established, an employee designated as subscriber administrator (not shown) can be designated to manage a functionality belonging to the content, users, facilities 208, visual applications 308 and domains for the subscriber. The subscriber administrator is able to add new users to the account and assign roles to users, where the roles provide a way to define the system characteristics available to users based on the responsibility of the users for the subscriber 204. The subscriber administrator is able to create new users and assign roles that allow each of them to perform various tasks. A user can be a facility administrator (for example, warehouse administrator), content creator, or content approver, for example. Each user has predefined responsibilities and levels of access security associated with the role assigned to that user. After the subscriber account is established and new users with appropriate security privileges are created, the subscriber 204 can begin to use the system. The user who has been assigned a role as a content creator can upload the content to the network 220 (Figure 2) or import the content via an external interface (not shown) into a storage unit that is accessible by the server 702 of service provider and communication network service provider 216. A user who is assigned the role of content approver is able to review the content and approve it for distribution. The users are able to search and see the content. A user assigned to the role of installation manager can add installations 208 and visual applications 308 for subscriber 204 or 206. A user who was assigned a role of playlist creator can create a playlist after it is added the relevant content information, facility 208, and visual application information 208. A "playlist" is a content mapping to specific visual application (s) 308 together with the associated start and end times . Once the content is loaded into the system and the play list is created, the content is sent to the local servers 304 via a packet sending subsystem (not shown) from the communication network service provider 216 . In an exemplary embodiment, the content may be sent via satellite 218. The content is first packaged by a content distribution management package, where the term "package" refers to any data (including playlist and content) that may take the form of one or more files. The package shipment supports the simultaneous transmission of content to one or more locations and the preferential right to purchase lower priority packages in order to ensure timely delivery of higher priority packages. Service provider server 702 has modules that allow a user assigned to a service provider system operator role to execute system operation functions ranging from asset management to monitoring performance to security administration . It should be understood that the service provider 702 can see and perform operations on the content that is uploaded for distribution by each subscriber 204 or 206. The service provider server 702 provides the ability to keep track of the communications of equipment or infrastructure in the service. communication system 200, including local servers 304, visual applications 308, and wireless access point (not shown). A user who was assigned an asset manager role for the service provider 202 is allowed to add or remove goods from an asset information database. By maintaining the current information on equipment disposition and historical records, asset management essentially provides the inventory for the infrastructure located in the communications system 200. The service provider server 702 provides the capabilities to monitor and manage the local servers 304 and the visual applications 308 from a system perspective. The service provider 202 is capable of monitoring the broad functionality of the system, such as local server connectivity, local server configuration, local server storage management, visual application activation / deactivation, local server status verification, verification of visual application status and local network verification. The security for the communications system 200 ensures the integrity of the components and information stored therein. For this purpose, the service provider server 702 provides the operators of the service provider 202 with multiple tools to ensure that the security of the communications system 200 is not compromised. Apart from monitoring any unauthorized access, operators are responsible for creating extensive system roles by default, such as subscriber administrator, content creator, content approver, playlist creator, verification manager, etc. In addition, the operators of the service provider 202 can change the encryption keys for any local server 304 or visual application 308 in real time in order to ensure that an intruder has not compromised the security keys for the same. Table 1 describes the functionality provided by the functional architecture 704 executed by the service provider server 702.

Do not . Server Package Functionality Description Ref. of Service Provider / User Interface 705 Administration Coordinates and controls the Server functionality 702 service provider system and ensures the operability and maintenance of service 706 Administration of Formats and Handles Presentation of interactions for internal and external user interfaces 708 Interface Provides a user user interface for Subscriber Administrator in order to manage Digital Goods digitally by server 702 of service provider. 710 Portal Provides a Subscriber Portal for subscribers 204 and 206 to upload and schedule content and access business information 712 Portal Provides an interface Operations for the service provider to administer the system and the subscribers 204 and 206 714 Administration Creates and analyzes the Account requirements collected for the creation, modification and deletion of the subscriber account.

Do not . Server Package Description of Functionality ef. of Service Provider / User Interface 716 Administration Creates installation and installation records 208 and Visual application visual applications 308. 718 Administration Provides Records for Provisioning facilities and visual applications 308 for use by subscribers 204 and 206 720 Administration Manages collection Content content and process maintenance 722 Administration Provides the list of necessary playback functionality to create, modify, delete, view, and approve program records (data that the system directs to play the particular content in a particular visual application at a time particular). 724 Administration Manages distribution Distribution of content based on Content program records 726 Track and manage Physical assets (for example, local servers 304, visual applications 308, and wireless access points 303) NO. Server Package Functionality Description Ref. Service Provider User Interface 728 Administration Validates the rights to Regist that a local server 304 operates on the communications system 200 730 Administration Controls the Connection of the Service Provider Connection 402 with a local server 304 732 Administering Configure the servers Local configuration 304 and visual applications 308 in the service provider server 402 734 Rendimi statistics collection management performance of the communications network 200, including local servers 304, visual applications 308, and other equipment to be reported with the system operator For revision . 736 Administering Recover events and alarms Local server failures 304 and visual applications 308 738 Administrating Administrations sessions Currently active sessions with local servers 304 and visual applications 308 when generating a list of users and enabling use No. Server Package Functionality Description Ref. of Service Provider / User Interface 740 Administration of Maintains and manages Record and depository of records Audit generated by events and audit results 742 Management of Administration report reporting operations for service provider 202 and subscribers 204 and 206 associated with the use of communication system 200 744 Management Provides Billing Billing operations for subscribers 204 and 206 746 Security and Keeps depository for Administration of related information Roles with security for users, local servers 304, visual applications 308, and communications system 200 747 Management Provides Administration Operations from system functions to Server System 702 from Service Provider 748 Administration Manager and maintains Storage contained in storage units, on local servers 304 operating in communication system 200 No. Server Package Functionality Description Ref. Service Provider / User Interface 749 Administrator Admin Verification Verification of content that is displayed in visual applications 308 TABLE 1. FUNCTIONALITY OF SERVICE PROVIDER SERVER Figure 7B is an exemplary block diagram of functional architecture provided by the local server 304 according to FIGS. 2 and 3A. Similar to the service provider server 702, the local server 304 includes a processor, memory, input / output unit (1/0), and storage unit (not shown) as is understood in the art. It should be understood that the storage unit can be coupled to the local server 304 instead of being integrated into it. The local server 304 substantially reflects much of the functional architecture of the service provider server 702, but with more limited functionality. In general, the local server 304 is operable to receive the contents of the communication network server provider 216 and communicate the content to the programmed visual (s) (s) 308. Each installation 208 may include a local server 304. However, the closely spaced facilities 208 may share local servers 304. In response to receiving the content and the associated playlist, the local server 304 creates a local program for the visual applications 308 that forms the basis of the content distribution to the visual applications 308. Based on the local program, the local server 304 issues or multicast the content to the specific visual application (s) 308 in installation 208 by wireless LAN 306. In one embodiment, wireless LAN 306 is an 802.11 wireless network (i.e., wireless ethernet). Alternatively, other wireless protocols may be used as is understood in the art. . Transmission errors from the local server 304 to the visual applications 308 are handled locally. In the case of an improper transmission, the local server 304 is operable to retransmit lost segments to the visual application 308. The polling of the visual applications 308 by the local server 304 can be performed to collect errors, alerts and record data. In one embodiment, when the transmission exceeds a specific threshold, an alert message may be generated to the service provider server 702 or another monitoring system for corrective action. In general, the visual application 308 receives the content derived from the local server 304 and begins to play the content in the memory 320. In addition, the visual application 308 can store a default image that can be played during moments when no content has been programmed for that visual application 308. The visual application 308 can forward use and alert records to the local server 304, and provides the interfaces, which allows the operator of the service provider 202 to monitor and administer the visual application 308. TABLE 2 describes the functionality provided by the functional architecture 750 executed by the local server 304.

Do not . Functional Package Package Ref. Local Server 752 Administration Coordinates and controls the Server Functionality System Local Local Server 304 and ensures the operability and maintenance of the local server 754 Administering Registration by the local Registration Server 304 with the service provider server 702 at the time of provisioning. 756 Administration Controls Connection operations connection to server 702 from service provider 758 Administration Manage local server configurations 304 and Configuration of visual applications 308 as directed by server 702 of service provider 760 Administration Collect and manage of performance inforon of operations summary and performance of local server 304 and visual applications 308 to be reported to server 702 of service provider 762 Administration Collect and generate Events and Failures of local server alarms 304 and visual applications 308 to report to server 702 of service provider.

Do not . Functional Package Package Ref. Local 764 Server Keeps Repository for Supply supplying information associated with local 304 server and visual applications 308 766 Receiver Receives content packets and playlists as provided to server 702 from service provider 768 Issuer Sends content packets to Paque you the visual applications 308 770 Administration Manages Content to Local Server Content 304 772 Administration Maintains operating state of system current 200 of Communications device, including local server 304, local LAN 300b, visual applications 308, server 702 of service provider, etc. 774 Administration Maintains and manages records repository of records generated by events in communication system 200, including local server 304, local LAN 300b, and visual applications 308 776 Audi tar / Performs and maintains trace audit information from local server 304 and the visual applications 308 No. Functional Package Package Ref. Local Server 778 Administration Manage content storage on the server Local store 304 780 Administration Keeps repository for Security information related to security for users, local server 304, and visual applications 308 782 Scheduler Determines content Particular list to transmit to particular visual application playback 308 at a particular time 784 Administration Provides Operations Management for system functions in the Local Server Systems 304 786 Administration Manage content verification to be deployed in the Visual Application Verification 308 TABLE 2. Local Server Functionality Figure 7C is an example block diagram 700b that provides the service provider server 702 to communicate with the local server 304 of Figures 7A and 3A, respectively. As shown, the system administration packets 705 and 752 of the service provider server 702 and the local server 304, respectively, are used to communicate information, such as programming and / or system administration information, via the network 220 to allow subscribers 204 and 206 to use the content management and distribution services provided by the service provider 202. It should be understood that other packets and / or additional packets may be used in order to perform the communications between the service provider server 702 and the local server 304. Figure 8 is a hierarchy account structure as an example for subscribers. and 206 of the service provider 202. It must be understood that a subscriber can also be considered a customer. As noted, each subscriber has an 802a-802c account that includes the same information or similar categorical information. Included in the 802 subscriber accounts are user accounts 804a-804c (collectively 804), which allows people to use the system, the 806a-806c content (collectively 806), visual applications and installations 808a-808c (collectively 808), roles 810a-810c (collectively 810), and storage 812a-812c for users. It should be understood that other information for subscriber account 802 can be used to provide functionality for subscribers 204 and 206. In general, subscriber accounts 802 operate as a master account for a subscriber 204 with no estimate of the number of facilities 208 associated with the subscriber. subscriber 204. For example, a subscriber 802a account is created for each subscriber 204 that is a direct subscriber 204 of the service provider 202. Each subscriber account 802 is assigned a unique identification number (ID) in the system. further, billing is associated with each 802 subscriber account. In the creation of a new subscriber account 802, a logical directory structure can be created to retain the content 806. The content belonging to the subscriber 204 is associated with the corresponding subscriber account 802. In addition, a default user account 804 with a subscriber administrator role is created for each 802 subscriber account. Multiple user accounts 804 with different roles can be created under the subscriber's 802 account. Users belonging to a particular subscriber's 802 account are able to access the functionality of the system and objects in the subscriber's domain. For example, users belonging to a subscriber's 802 account for a brand subscriber 206 are able to access only the facilities, content, visual applications 308, etc., that have been defined under the domain for the brand subscriber 206. A role is an aggregation of different system functionality. Users associated with specific roles are able to access system functionality as defined for those roles in the system. For example, a user who has been assigned a content creator role can access the created content, modify the content and delete the content functions. The operators for the service provider 202 are able to create roles in the system. In addition, subscriber managers are able to create subscriber-specific roles that are applicable in their subscriber domain. A default set of roles is created that can be assigned to both the service provider and the subscribing users. Figure 9 is an exemplary block diagram 900 describing the functional components used by the account management package 714 of Figure 7A. The account management package 714 is provided to manage subscriber 802 accounts, user roles, subscriber domains, and user 804 accounts. In managing the subscriber accounts 802, the account management package 714 includes the subscriber account creation module 902, the subscriber account modification module 904, and the subscriber account deletion module 906. Once the subscriber 802 accounts are created, the account management pack 714 is provided for the subscriber account domain creation module 908 in order to define the domain for each subscriber 204. The users for the subscribers 204 can created by a module 910 for the creation of user accounts. Once the user account 804 is created, the user account 804 can be modified by the user account modification module 912 and eliminated by the user account deletion module 914. The user can be defined roles, so a role defines the features available to users based on the area of responsibility in the subscriber's organization 204. When managing the roles, a role creation module 916 is provided, module 918 of role modification, and role elimination module 920. Figure 10 is an exemplary sequence diagram 1000 illustrating the creation of a new subscriber account 802 as provided by the subscriber account creation module 902 of Figure 9. The numbers of associated steps and actions are provided in Table 3 below shown. As noted, when performing account management, an actor 1002, which may be a user of the service provider 202, interacts with a user interface module (UI) of administrator service provider (SP) accounts, module 1004 user interface service provider account administrator can interact with other modules including a module 1006 administrator service provider accounts, module 1008 security administrator service provider, and administrator module 1010 content of service provider.

TABLE 3. New Subscriber Account Creation Flow In operation, the actor 1002 requests a form of account creation in step 1012 from the user interface module 1004 of the service provider account administrator. The service provider account administrator user interface module 1004 can display a form of account creation in step 1014. The actor 1002 can use the account creation form to create a new subscriber account in step 1016 When creating the new subscriber account 802, the service provider account administrator user interface module 1004 displays the form of account creation, which requests the subscriber's name, address, e-mail domain, list of subscribers. contact number, contact person list, subscriber ID, and subscription ID, for example. The system automatically generates a user subscriber identifier (ID) for the new subscriber 802 account. In step 1018, the service provider account administrator user interface module 1004 can initiate a request to the service provider account manager module 1006 to create a new subscriber account 802. The service provider account administrator user interface module 1004 can then display a form of creating subscriber administrator for actor 1002 in step 1020. In step 1022, actor 1002 can create a subscriber administrator. The service provider account administrator user interface module 1004 can communicate a request to the service provider account administrator module 1006 to create a subscriber administrator in step 1024. In step 1026, the service module 1006 The service provider account administrator can obtain a default security role for the subscriber administrator that is created from the service provider security administrator module 1008. In step 1028, the newly created subscriber manager is associated with a default security role by the service provider account manager 1006 module. In step 1030, a directory structure for the new subscriber account 802 is created by the service provider account manager module 1006 notifying the service provider content manager module 1010. The default user account can include the following attributes: user name, password, position, contact number, email address, subscriber ID, and subscription ID. After the subscriber account 802 is created, the subscriber account modification module 904 and the subscriber account deletion module 906 allow the service provider 202 the ability to modify and / or delete the subscriber 802 account when using the components 1014-1010 as it is understood in the art. Figure 11 is an exemplary sequence diagram 1100 illustrating the creation of a new subscriber domain by the subscriber domain creation module 908 of Figure 9. The step numbers and associated actions are provided below in Table 4. A subscriber domain is a collection of subscriber installations 208 and visual applications 308 that belong to that subscriber 204 and are used to specify the context within which the security roles of the users are applicable. For example, subscriber 204 can create a "northeastern" domain that comprises all stores for that subscriber in the northeastern United States. Subsequently, a user who was assigned a content approver role and who has access to the Northeast domain is limited to approving the content intended for facilities 208 or warehouses in the Northeast domain.

TABLE 4. New Domain Creation Subscriber Flow Module Subscriber domain creation module 908 uses a service provider session manager module 1102 and service provider installation manager module 1104 in addition to actor 1002, user interface module 1004 of service provider account administrator, and service provider account administrator module 1006. Upon creating the new subscriber domain, a request is made from the actor 1002 to the service provider user interface module 1004 from the service provider's account in step 1106 for a form of domain creation. The service provider account administrator user interface module 1004 issues a request to the service provider session manager module 1102 for the session information. In addition, the service provider account administrator user interface module 1004 issues a request to the service provider account manager module 1006 for the information associated with the subscriber 204 and the visual application 308. In step 1112, the service provider account manager module 1006 requests a list of subscriber installations 208 and visual applications 308 from the service provider installation manager module 1104. In step 1114, the list of subscriber installations and visual applications 308 is sent from the service provider account administrator module 1006 to the service provider account administrator user interface module 1004. The service provider account administrator user interface module 1004 displays a form with the list of subscriber installations and visual applications 308 to the actor in step 1116. In step 1118, actor 1002 creates a domain for the operator. subscriber 204 selecting facilities 208 and / or visual applications 308 and providing the domain name and description to the service provider user interface module 1004 from service provider accounts. In step 1120, the domain of the subscriber 204 is created by the service provider user interface module 1004 of service provider accounts by broadcasting a news item to the service provider account administrator module 1006. Figure 12 is a sequence diagram 1200 illustrating the creation of a new user account as provided by the user account creation module 910 of Figure 9. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 5 shown below. Before establishing the user account, the actor 1002 is authenticated and authorized to access the user creation functionality for the subscriber 204. The creation of a new user account for a subscriber 204 is a three-step process. In the first step, the actor 1002 provides the user attributes, including, but not limited to, username, password, user contact information, email address, subscriber ID, subscription ID, etc., for enable the creation of the user account by module 1006 of service provider account manager. In addition, account managers of the service provider 202 are able to define the following attributes for a user account: division, department, contact number, address, and status, for example. The system creates a unique ID for each user of the subscriber 204. The system is also able to verify that the entered email address corresponds to the email domain of that subscriber 204. In the second step, the actor 1002 selects the list of security roles to which the newly created user must access and send this information. Each user has access to at least one role. In the third step, the actor 1002 selects the domains, (ie, group of facilities 208) so that that subscriber 204 that the newly created user has access to and sends this selection. By default, new user accounts are marked as "inactive" and are not available for use. After the creator of user accounts marks the newly created account as "active", the new user account is available for use.

STEP ACTION 1202 Request add new user form 1204 Request session information 1206 Display create user form 1208 Create new user 1210 Create new user for that subscriber 1212 Request a list of security roles to which the user can belong 1214 Get a list of roles security 1216 Display list of security roles 1218 Select security role (s) to which the user belongs 1220 Add user to security role (s) 1222 Add user to security role (s) 1224 Request list of domains for that subscriber 1226 Display list of domains 1228 Select the subscriber domains that the user can access 1230 Select the domains that the user can access 1232 Apply permissions that allow the user to access the selected domains TABLE 5. Creation flow New User Account As noted, in step 1202, a request is executed by the actor 1002 via the service provider user interface module 1004 of service provider accounts for a way to add a new user. In step 1204, the service provider account administrator user interface module 1004 requests session information from the service provider session manager module 1102. In step 1206, the service provider account administrator user interface module 1004 displays a way to create user for the actor 1002. The actor 1002 creates a new user by providing the user name, password, contact information , Subscriber ID, etc., in the form of creating user. The service provider account administrator user interface module 1004 creates a new user for the subscriber 204 when sending the information to the service provider account administrator module 1006. Additionally, the service provider account administrator user interface module 1004 requests a list of security roles that are assigned to the user in step 1212. The service provider account administrator module 1006 requests a list of security roles. security roles derived from the service provider security administrator module 1008 in step 1214. In step 1216, the service provider account administrator user interface module 1004 displays a list of security roles for the actor 1002. The actor 1002 selects the security roles assigned to the user in step 1218 and adds the user in step 1220. The service provider user interface user interface module 1004 communicates to the administrator module 1006 of service provider account security roles for the user account that is created. In step 1222, the service provider account manager module 1006 adds a user to the security role (s) by informing the service provider security administrator module 1008. The service provider account administrator user interface module 1004 requests a list of available domains for the subscriber 204 from the service provider account administrator module 1006 in step 1224. In step 1226, the module 1004 User interface of service provider accounts administrator displays the list of domains to actor 1002. The actor selects subscriber domains that the user can access in step 1228. In step 1230, the selected domains that the user can access they communicate to the service provider account administrator module 1006 in step 1230. In step 1232, the permissions that allow the user to access selected domains are applied to the user account by the provider security administrator module 1008. of service. In addition to creating the user account, user accounts can modified and removed by the actor 1002 when using the service provider server 702 as understood in the art when using the administration tools as described herein. Figure 13 is an exemplary sequence diagram 1300 illustrating the addition of a new security role by the role creation module 916 of Figure 9. The snumbers and associated actions are provided in Table 6 to continuation. To add the new security role, a service provider role administrator user interface module 1302 and a service provider role manager module 1304 are used. In step 1306, the actor 1002 requests a new form of role creation from the user interface 1302 of the service provider role manager. The service provider role administrator interface user 1302 requests information from the service provider session manager module 1102. Additionally, the service provider role administrator user interface 1302 requests a list of features to be assigned to a role from the service provider role manager module 1304 in step 1310. In step 1312, the form of The new role creation is displayed for the actor 1002 by the service provider role administrator user interface 1302.

STEP ACTION 1306 Request new role creation form 1308 Request session information 1310 Request feature list to be assigned to a role 1312 Deploy form 1314 Create new role 1316 Create new role 1318 Make new role available TABLE 6. New Role Creation Flow Security In step 1314, a new role is created by actor 1002 by providing a new role name, list of characteristics for this role, and type of access for these characteristics. In step 1316, the service provider role administrator user interface 1302 creates a new role by notifying the service provider role manager module 1304. In step 1318, the service provider role manager module 1304 notifies the service provider security administrator module 1008 and the new role becomes available. It should be understood that the roles can be modified and eliminated as understood in the art using the components as described herein. Table 7 below is an exemplary table that provides a mapping of user roles with the functionality available to service provider 202 when managing user accounts for subscribers 204. As shown, the roles indicated they are default roles for subscriber user accounts 804 and that the roles and functionality can be modified accordingly. Additionally, it should be understood that the list is not exhaustive and that other different roles or roles may be added based on the business rules desired by the service provider 202 and the subscribers 204 and 206. The subscribers 204 are able to access the functionality of the service. system gives subscriber domain 204 while service provider 202 is able to access system functionality in multiple subscriber 802 accounts.

Functionality Adm. Adm. Adm. Adm. Adm. Operator Account list of of Cont. Reproduces abast. Well System Create Content X X Modify X X Content Delete X X Content View content X X Assign Rights X X Access to Content Approve Content X X Create Directory X X Delete X X Directory Apply X X Permissions to Directory Move Directory X X Delegate Authority X X Search X X Content Create list of X X plays. Modify list X X of plays. Delete list of X X plays. Approve list of X X plays. See list of X X plays. Search list of X X plays. Create User X X Modify User X X See User X X Delete User X X Adm. Adm. Adm. Adm. Adm. Adm. Operator Adm. Abast. Well System Search X X Users Create X X Subscriber Subscriber Account X X Subscriber Account View X X Subscriber Subscriber Delete X X Subscriber Account Create X X Account Manager Create Role of X X Security Modify Role of X X Security Remove Role of X X Security Assign Role of X X Security Create Domains X X Subscriber Specific Set rules X X password expiration and password recovery Reset X X user passwords Create Installation X X Modify X X Installation Functionality Adm. Adm. Adm. Adm. Adm. Operator Adm. Well System Remove X X Installation See Installation X X Supply X X Installation Unsupply X X Installation Create VA X X Modify VA X X Delete VA X X See VA X X Supply VA X X Deplete VA X X Add Well X X See Good X X Modify Well X X Remove Good X X Query of X State LS Query of X State of VA Records of X Recovery Query of X Storage Capacity Retrieve Data X of Configuration of LS Retrieve Data X of Configuration of VA Delete Files X LS Functionality Adm. Of Adm. Adm. Adm. Adm. Operator Account list of of Cont. Reproduces abast. Well System Retrieve X VA Program in LS Retrieve X List of VA Apply X LS Software Update Apply X VA Software Update Recover X Alerts Replace X Image with Default of VA Modify X System Parameters of LS Change Password of X Encryption of LS Change Password of X Encryption of VA Change State X Operative of VA TABLE 7. Roles of User by Default Users Service Providers Table 8 is an exemplary table defining user roles for users of subscribers 204 and 206, where the functionality for each of the users is predefined. It should be understood that a different functionality may be available for different subscriber users 204 by an administrator for the subscriber 204 or service provider 202.

Adm. Creator Adm. Adm. Adm. Creator Adm. To Subscribed Administrator Operator. Cont. Cont. Cont. Tractor list Xnstalac reprod. list of Instalac reprod ion Create XXXX Content Modify XXXX Content Delete XXXX Content See XXXX Content Assign XX Access Rights to Content Ap roba r XXX Contents Create X Directory Delete X Directory Api ica r X Permissions to Directory Move X Directory Delegate XX Authority Search XXXX Contents Create Play XXX List Modify XXX Play List Delete XXX Play List Functionality Adm. Creator Approver Adm. Creator Approve Admin Operator Subscription Cont. Cont. Cont. Tray list Install - play. list of Instalac reprod ion Approve X X Replaced List. See List X X X of Play Search X X Play List. Create X X X User Modify X X X User View User Delete u uario TABLE 8. User roles by Def ault for Subscriber Users Figure 14 is an exemplary block diagram 1400 that provides the installation and the visual application manager package 416. Installation and administration of visual application involves the creation of records for facilities 208 and visual applications 308 by a subscriber 204. Before an operator of service provider 202 can supply an installation 208 or visual application 308 for use, the Subscriber 204 creates or defines facilities 208 and visual applications 308. Subscriber 204 is able to create records for visual applications 308 at facilities 208 defined by retail subscriber 204 or facilities 208 defined by subscribers 206 of another brand that administrators have access to create records for visual applications 308. Records of facilities 208 created by retail subscribers 204 in their domain are called "primary stores", while facilities 208 belong to a domain of another retail subscriber 204 to which they have access to create the visual applications 308 are called s "secondary warehouses". In other words, a brand subscriber 206 (e.g., a manufacturer) may have the ability to create visual applications 308 in retail subscriber facilities 208 (e.g., retail chain stores). For example, a large manufacturer of a consumer product may be a brand subscriber 206 and visual control applications 308 that are defined and established in a variety of grocery stores and retail stores. As a result, the branded subscriber 206 can be provided with access to the premises 208 of the retail subscribers 204. In addition, the retail subscribers 204 can also specify the list of valid location IDs for the visual applications 308 in the facility 208 and assign the subscriber IDs 208. defined location to the visual applications 308. As is understood in the art, the valid locations in a facility 208, such as a retail store, can be defined by the planogram 600, where the point of sale screens 400b, such as shelves, are mapped and the products placed in the storage space are associated with particular locations in the particular store. The retail subscribers 204 may also modify and search facilities 208 and visual applications 308 and eliminate unsupplied installations 208 and visual applications 308. As noted, the modules may be included in the installation and the visual application administration package 416 to define and modify the installations 208 and visual applications 308. Such modules may include an installation creation module 1402, installation modification module 1404, and installation elimination module 1406. The modules for providing the visual applications 308 include a visual application creation module 1408, the visual applications modification module 1410, and the visual applications removal module 1412.

Additionally, the search modules, which include a visual application search module 1414 and a facility search module 1416 allow the operator to search the visual applications 308 and defined facilities 208, respectively. Figure 15 is an exemplary sequence diagram 1500 illustrating the creation and saving of an installation 208 in the service provider server 402 of Figure 7A. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 9 below shown. To create the installation 208, the actor 1002 is to have authentication and authorization privileges to access the installation creation module 1402. In accordance with the foregoing, the subscriber account 802 has been created in advance for the retail subscriber 204 for which the installation 208 is created.

TABLE 9. Installation Creation Flow To define the installation 208 and visual applications 308, a service provider installation user interface module 1502, service provider installation manager 1504, and service provider provisioning module 1506 are used. In step 1508, the actor 1002 requests the creation of an installation 208 to the service provider installation user interface 1502. In step 1510, a service provider installation user interface 1502 obtains session information from the service provider session manager module 1102. The service provider installation user interface 1502 provides a form of installation creation for actor 1002 in step 1512. In step 1514, actor 1002 enters installation information, including location name, address, contact person , Subscriber ID, etc. In step 1516, the service provider installation user interface 1502 performs a syntax and semantic check of the entered installation information. The service provider installation user interface 1502 stores the installation information when communicating with the service provider installation manager module 1104 in step 1518. The service provider installation manager module 1104 notifies the module 1506 of service provider provisioning manager that facility 208 is ready for provisioning in step 1520.

In step 1522, the service provider installation user interface 1502 notifies the actor 1002 that the installation has been created in the same subject. Figure 16 is an exemplary sequence diagram 1600 illustrating the creation and saving of a visual application 308 in the service provider server 702 of Figure 7A. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 10 below. Upon creation of an installation 208, the actor user 1002 will be authenticated and authorized to access the installation creation module 1402.

Additionally, subscriber account 802 was created in advance for subscriber 204 for whom installation 208 is created.

STEP ACTION 1602 Request for installation list 1604 Get session information 1606 Get all facilities for the user 1608 Installation list 1610 Select installation and request visual application creation 1612 Visual application creation form 1614 Enter visual application information 1616 Verify syntax and semantics 1618 Save visual application information 1620 Ready for sourcing 1622 Visual application created TABLE 10. Visual Application Creation Flow Facility managers 208 are able to create a new facility 208 in the system, where facilities 208 are defined as primary stores belonging to that subscriber's 802 account. In addition, users of service provider 202 who have a sourcing administrator role are able to create new facilities for subscribers 204. At the time of creation, users enter installation information, such as site, ID, installation or store name, address, subscriber ID, installation contact person name, contact person phone number, open installation hours, installation planogram , valid locations of visual applications 308, etc. The system generates a unique identifier for each new installation 208 that is added. Each new installation 208 is added, by default, in the "not supplied" state until a new installation is "supplied". The sourcing administrators of service provider 202 are able to add subscriber IDs for these subscribers 204 and can create visual applications 308 on facilities 208. For these subscribers 204, facility 208 is defined as "secondary facilities". Users can then enter a minimum set of information when the installation 208 is created. During the operation, the actor 1002 requests an installation list from the user interface 1502 of the service provider installation in step 1602. In step 1604, the service provider installation user interface 1502 requests session information from the service provider session manager module 1102. In step 1606, the service provider installation user interface 1502 requests the facilities 208 of the actor 1002 from the service provider installation manager module 1104. In step 1608, the service provider installation user interface 1502 provides the installation list to the actor 1002. In step 1610, an installation is selected and a request is made to create a visual application 308 to the interface 1502 of user of service provider installation. In step 1612, a form of visual application creation is provided from user interface 1502 of service provider installation to actor 1002. The actor can then enter visual application information in step 1614, where the application information visual can include a visual application name, type, location, resolution, IP address, subscription ID, etc. In step 1616, the service provider installation user interface 1502 performs a syntax and semantic check on the visual application information entered. The visual application information can then be saved with the service provider installation manager module 1104 in step 1618. In step 1620, the service provider installation manager module 1104 can notify the supply manager module 1506 of service provider that the visual requester is ready for supply. Accordingly, the service provider installation user interface 1502 can notify the actor 1002 that the visual application was created in step 1622. It should be understood that the modification and removal of the facility can be done using the same modules or different ones provided to create the facilities as it is understood in the matter. Similarly, searches can be performed for the installations by the installation administrators and / or users by the service provider 202. Figure 17 is an exemplary sequence diagram 1700 illustrating a search of visual applications 308 by subscribers 204 and 206 of Figure 2. The numbers of associated steps and actions are provided in Table 11 below shown. Searches for visual applications 308 can be performed by subscribers 204 and 206 for inventory, verification, accounting, planning, and scheduling purposes, for example. The actor 1002 can be an installation administrator, installation operator, and service provider sourcing administrator.

STEP ACTION 1702 Request new search 1704 Get session information 1706 Get search fields allowed 1708 Find form 1710 Enter search criteria 1712 Obtain visual applications for actor 1714 Provide list of facilities to actor 1716 Request visual application details 1718 Obtain visual application details 1720 Provide visual application details TABLE 11. Visual Application Search Flow.

In step 1702, the actor 1002 requests a new search to the user interface 1502 of the service provider installation. In step 1704, the service provider installation user interface 1502 requests session information from the service provider session manager module 1102. Additionally, the service provider installation user interface 1502 requests allowed exploitable fields based on the role defined for the actor 1002 from the service provider installation manager module 1104 in step 1706. In step 1708, provides a form of search for actor 1002. In step 1710, actor 1002 enters search criteria in the search form. The service provider installation user interface 1502 requests the visual applications 308 for the user from the service provider installation manager module 1104 in step 1712. A list of visual applications 308 includes the facilities corresponding to the criteria entered and an installation list is provided to the actor 1002 in step 1714. The actor 1002 can request visual application details from the service provider installation user interface 1502 in step 1716 and visual application details are requested from of the service provider installation manager module 1104 in step 1718. The details of the visual applications 308 that are provided to the actor 1002 in step 1720 depend on the role of the actor 1002.

Figure 18 graphically depicts the supply management pack 718 that is provided to supply the local servers 304 and the visual applications 308 in the service provider server 702 of Figure 7A. To supply the local servers 304, a local server provisioning module 1802, module 1804 for modifying local server provisioning information, local server provisioning status 1806, local server installation module 1808, are available. and module 1810 of local server shortage. To handle the provisioning of the visual applications, a module 1812 for supplying visual applications 308, module 1814 for modifying information of the visual application supply, module 1816 for checking the status of the supply of the visual application, module 1818 for installation is available. of visual application, and module 1820 of shortage of visual application. Each of these modules can be used by the service provider 202 and / or subscriber 204 to handle sourcing operations for local server 304 and visual applications 308 to be installed and uninstalled in facilities 208 of a subscriber 204 and 206. Figure 19 is an exemplary sequence diagram 1900 illustrating the addition of provisioning information for the local server 304 in a facility 208 that has already been created in the service provider server 702 of Figure 7A. The numbers of associated steps and actions are provided in Table 12 below. In this case, the actor 1002 can be the sourcing administrator of the service provider 202 and will be authenticated and authorized in order to access the local server sourcing module 1802. The installation 208 has been created and marked ready for supply.

STEP ACTION 1908 Request installation for supply 1910 Obtain facilities that are ready for supply 1912 List of installations 1914 Select installation and enter sourcing information 1916 Save supply information 1918 Request for encryption key 1920 Generate encryption key 1922 Update warehouse and supply information 1924 Update supply information 1926 Installation supply information created TABLE 12. Installation Supply Flow.

A minimum set of information will be entered for installation 208 before a list is selected for the supply. The provisioning information may include serial ID of local server, IP address (to communicate with server 702 of service provider and WLAN access points), remote computer ID of communication network service provider, site ID, Subscriber ID, installation program, name and contact information of the installer, etc. During provisioning to the local server 304, the service provider server 702 uses a service provider provisioning user interface module 1902, service provider local information manager module 1904, and registry manager module 1906. The local server provisioning process begins at step 1908 with the actor 1002 requesting facilities 208 for supplying the service provider provisioning interface 1902. The service provider supplying user interface 1902 requests facilities that are ready for sourcing from the service provider installation manager module 1104. In step 1912, the service provider provisioning user interface 1902 provides a list of facilities to the actor 1002. The actor 1002 selects an installation 208 and enters the provisioning information using the service provider provisioning user interface 1902. in step 1914. In step 1916, the service provider provisioning interface 1902 stores the provisioning information with the service provider provisioning module 1506. In step 1918, the service provider provisioning module 1506 requests an encryption key to be used by the local server 304 in order to communicate with the service provider server 402 after establishing the connection for the first time. In step 1920, the service provider security administrator module 1008 generates an encryption key. In step 1922, the service provider provisioning module 1506 updates the installation and provisioning information to be sent to the local server 304 after registration upon notifying the service provider local information manager module 1904. The installation and supply information may include open hours of installation, associated visual application lists, etc. In step 1924, the service provider provisioning module 1506 updates the sourcing information with the administrator module 1906. registry, where the sourcing information can include local server ID, site ID, subscriber ID, and encrptation key. In step 1926, the service provider provisioning interface 1902 notifies the actor 1002 that the installation provisioning information has been created. It should be understood that the actor 1002 can additionally perform the modification and status checks in the supply facility. Figure 20 is an exemplary sequence diagram 2000 illustrating the addition of sourcing information for a visual application 308 of the Figure 3A that has been created by the service provider 202. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 13 below shown. A sourcing administrator of the service provider 202 operating as the actor 1002 is to be authenticated and authorized in order to gain access to the visual application sourcing module 1812. Installation 208 has been created and marked to be ready for supply. A minimum set of information will be entered for visual application 308 before being marked ready for sourcing, such as visual application location, size, etc. The provisioning information may also include a visual application IP address, local server IP address, subscription ID, installation program, name and contact information of the installer, etc.

STEP ACTION 2002 Request visual applications for sourcing 2004 Obtain visual applications that are ready for sourcing 2006 List of visual applications 2008 Select visual application and enter supply information 2010 Save supply information 2012 Request encryption key 2014 Generate encryption key 2016 Update visual application and supply information 2018 Visual application supply information created TABLE 13. Visual Application Supply Flow.

In particular, actor 1002 requests visual applications 308 available for provision in step 2002 from the service provider's 1902 service interface. In step 2004, the service provider provisioning user interface 1902 requests a list of visual applications that are ready for sourcing from the service provider installation manager module 1104. In step 2006, the service provider provisioning user interface 1902 provides the actor 1002 with a list of visual applications available for provisioning. The actor 1002 may select one or more visual applications 308 and enter the provisioning information in step 2008. In step 2010, the service provider provisioning interface 1902 stores the provisioning information through the administrator module 1506 of the service provider. sourcing from service provider. In step 2012, the service provider provisioning module 1506 requests an encryption key for the visual application 308 in order to communicate with the local server 304 when the connection is established for the first time. The service provider security manager module 1008 generates an encryption key in step 2014 in response to the request for encryption by the service provider provisioning module 1506. In step 2016, the service provider provisioning module 1506 updates the visual application and sourcing information to be sent to the local server 304 for registration of the visual application size, visual application location, subscriber ID, and encryption key. In addition, other visual application attributes, such as visual application memory, resolution, etc., may be sent to the location information manager module 1904 for communication of the information to the local server 304. In accordance with the above, the interface 1902 of service provider provisioning user notifies actor 1002 that the visual application provisioning information was created in step 2018. Figure 21 is an exemplary sequence diagram 2100 illustrating the installation of an application display 308 that has been provisioned in the service provider server 702 of Figure 7A. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 14 below shown. The installer for the service provider 202 enters information into the visual application 308. More specifically, the actor 1002 is capable of interfacing a visual application user interface module 2102 provided directly in the visual application 308 by a device or input element , such as a touch screen as understood in the art or other control device (e.g., keyboard, remote wireless device, and bar code scanner). Alternatively, the visual application user interface 2102 can be located on the service provider server 702 or local server 304. In addition to the input element to be usable for installation purposes, the visual application 308 can provide interactive applications, such as polls or formulas databases, to which consumers can interconnect in an installation 208 through the input element. An output device, such as a printer, integrated or external to the visual application 308, may allow the consumer to receive requested information or other information, such as coupons or recipes. A visual application configuration manager module 2104 and the visual application registration manager module 2106 may also be used for the installation of the visual application 308. In step 2108, the actor 1002 may enter configuration information for the visual application 308. The configuration information may include the subscriber ID, password, location ID, visual application IP address, local server IP address, subscription ID, location name, and planogram information, at interface 2102 of the visual application user by means of the touch screen of the visual application 308. If the visual application is connected to an external electronic screen 310, then the installer enters the size and resolution of the electronic screen 310. When entering the installation information, A graphical user interface can provide input elements, such as windows d Splegable, or drop-down menus. Alternatively, simple text entry can be used. Still, a pen-based entry system can be provided. The serial ID, MAC address, size, type, and subscriber ID is sent to the local server 304 by the visual application 308. In step 2110, the visual application user interface 2102 can store the visual application configuration 308 by the module 2104 of the visual application configuration manager. The term of the configuration may request a notification from the visual application user interface 2102 to the actor 1002 in step 2112.

TABLE 14. Visual Application Installation Flow.

In step 2114, the actor 1002 can request the registration of the visual application 308. The visual application user interface 2102 can send the registration request to the local server 304 via the visual application registration manager module 2106. The local server 304 can receive the registration request in step 2118 from the visual application registration manager module 2106 and uses the information to validate and register the visual application 308 when the visual application 308 communicates with the local server 304 by first time The service provider 202 verifies that the information is received before the installation of the visual applications 308. The information may include serial ID of local server, IP addresses, encryption key, subscriber ID, subscription ID, information of planogram, installation location, etc. In step 2120, local server 304 can confirm the registration for module 2106 of visual application registration manager. The registration status can be communicated to the visual application user interface 2102 in step 2122 and to the actor 1002 in step 2124 via the visual application user interface 2102. The visual application 308 is thus supplied and is ready for installation in an installation 208. It should be understood that the visual application may be additionally depleted which has been installed in a facility 208 and is registered in the local server 304 and the provider server 702 of service by a sourcing administrator of the service provider 202. Once the visual application 308 is depleted, the local server 304 is updated. After receiving the unsupplied notification, the local server 304 updates the registers and deregisters the visual application 308. The local server 304 can therefore stop monitoring the visual application 308 after deregistration. The installation administrator 208 is also informed by the service provider provisioning module 1506 about the shortage state of the visual application 308. Referring now to Figure 22, the content management package 720 allows the creation and Content management Using the content management package 720, users are able to upload multimedia files, modify content ownership, view content, and assign permission for that content. Users are also able to submit content for approval by content approvers of Subscriber 204. To facilitate content management, users are allowed to create logical test directories in order to segregate content as understood in the subject matter. . Content managers and subscribers are able to create test directories and assign security privileges to them. Each content record can comprise a multimedia file and belongs to a test directory / directory. For security purposes, the content records are not shared between different subscribers 204 and 206. The content management package 720 uses multiple functionality modules. To manage the content. More specifically, Figure 22 is an exemplary block diagram showing the content management pack 720 that is used by the subscribers 204 and 206 in order to manage the content as understood in the art. As noted, the content management package 720 includes a content creation module 2202, content modification module 2204, content deletion module 2206, content submission for approval module 2208, content approval module 2210 , content search module 2212, and content permission module 2214. Additionally, the content management package 720 includes the ability to manage the content through a directory structure as understood in the art, using a directory creation module 2216, child directory movement module 2218, authority delegation module 2220 of directory, module 2222 of directory permission application, and module 2224 of directory removal. Figure 23 is a diagram 2300 of exemplary sequences to illustrate the creation of content for distribution in the communications system 200. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 15 below shown. The actor 1002 can be a user of the subscriber 204 and 206, including a content creator, content approver, and / or content manager. Additionally, the actor 1002 can be a content manager of the service provider 202. The actor 1002 is going to authenticate and authorize in order to access the content in order to use the content creation functionality.

TABLE 15. Content Creation Flow.

The actor 1002 requests a loading form from the service provider content administrator user interface module 2302 in step 2304. The service provider user interface user interface 2302, in turn, requests information from the service provider. session from the service provider session manager module 1102 in step 2306. In step 2308, the service provider content administrator user interface 2302 displays the load form for actor 1002 in order to load the content through the user interface 2302 of the service provider content manager. Uploading the content involves loading the multimedia file, adding attributes to it, and mapping the content to a directory. The content can be aggregated attributes, including content name, file ID, file name, file description, expiration date, creator name, subscriber account, creation time, modification history, file path, type of file, file size, resolution, aspect ratio, visual application type list, installation list, status, metadata, and clearance, for example. For each content, a unique content ID and file ID are also generated. The system can also deduct the following information for each content, file ID, file path, file type, file size, creation time, modified history, resolution, aspect ratio, subscriber account, and creator name. for example. By default, each content can use a loaded multimedia file. In addition, by default, the status of each content is set as "inactive" and the clearance is assigned as "unsupplied". The content information is sent via the service provider content administrator user interface 2302 to the service provider content manager module 2303 in step 2312. The service provider content manager module 2303 stores the content in step 2314, and in step 2316, the permissions of the parent directory are applied to the content. According to the above, the content modification and elimination can be carried out in accordance with the principles of the present invention and as it is understood in the art. Figure 24 is an exemplary sequence diagram 2400 illustrating the sending of content for approval by a user designated as content approver for subscriber 204 of Figure 2. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in the Table 16 below shown. The content approver is loaded with approved content deemed acceptable to a subscriber 204 or 206 for the screen in a facility 208 associated with the subscriber 204 or 206. When providing the approval shipment, a provider notification manager module 2402 is used. of service in conjunction with other modules. The process starts at step 2404 where the actor 1002 requests unsent or unapproved content records from the service provider user interface user interface 2302. In step 2406, the service provider content administrator user interface 2302 requests session information from the service provider session manager module 1102. In step 2408, the service provider content administrator user interface 2302 requests content records not sent for the actor 1002 from the service provider content manager module 2303. Records of unsent content are provided to actor 1002 by user interface of service provider user interface 2302 in step 2410.

TABLE 16. Submission of Content for Approval Flow.

In step 2412, the content record (s) is sent for approval by actor 1002 to user inace 2302 of service provider content manager. In step 2414, the service provider content administrator user inace 2302 sends the content record (s) for approval to the service provider content manager module 2303. The content record is set to be available for approval in step 2416. In step 2418, the service provider content manager module 2303 requests a list of approver (s) for subscriber 204 and administrator module 2303. The content of the service provider notifies the approver (s) of the content that is available for approval. By notifying the approver (s), an email or other notification may be notified either actively or passively to the approvers in step 2420. Additionally, the service provider content manager module 2303 may mark the content as " waiting for approval" . Figure 25 is an exemplary sequence diagram 2500 illustrating the approval process for the content to be issued by the subscriber 204 of Figure 2. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 17 below. The actor 1002 may be a user from the subscriber 204 or 206 (for example, content approver or content manager) and / or a content manager from the service provider 202. The actor 1002 will authenticate and authorize in order to access the content approval module 2210.

TABLE 17. Content Approval Flow In step 2502, the actor 1002 can request a list of unapproved content from the service provider user interface user interface 2102. In step 2504, the service provider content administrator user interface 2102 requests session information from the service provider session manager module 1102. Additionally, the service provider content administrator user interface 2102 requests a list of approved content for that actor from the service provider content manager module 2303 in step 2506. The content manager user interface 2102 of service provider displays the list of content not approved for actor 1002 in step 2508, whereby actor 1002 can select the content to be approved in step 2510. In step 2512, administrator user interface 2102 The content of the service provider can approve the content as selected by the actor 1002 and notify the content manager module 2303 of the service provider thereof. The service provider content manager module 2303 may make the content available to be added to the registers programmed in step 2514. As is understood in the art, other content functionality may be provided to the subscriber 204 and 206 and service provider 202 including content search and permission change as understood in the subject. Additionally, the creation of directories, delegation of directory authority, application of directory permissions, move child directory, and deletion of directory for subscriber 204 and 206 and service provider 202 can be provided. A playlist approver is a role that is assigned to one or more users per subscriber 204 and 206. The playlist approver role enables a user to approve and send a scheduled record (SR). In addition, the playlist approver role gives the user the same privilege as the playlist creator role. A user is able to add, modify, view, and delete scheduled records. In addition, the playlist approvers may have the authority to neutralize any program conflicts presented by the system in the scheduled register during the program record sending process. FIG. 26 is a block diagram 2600 as an example of the packet. 722 of playlist management and associated modules of Figure 7A. The playlist management pack 722 provides the management of scheduled records used to play the content in visual applications 308 in the facilities 208 of the subscribers 204 and 206. The playlist administration 722 includes a record creation module 2602 programmed, sending scheduled registration for approval module 2604, programmed record approval module 2606, programmed record search module 2608, programmed record modification module 2612, and programmed record elimination module 2614. Figure 27 is an exemplary sequence diagram 2700 for illustrating the creation and saving of a scheduled record using the service provider server 702 of Figure 7A. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 18 below. A service provider playlist user interface module 2702, and the service provider playlist manager module 2704 are used in conjunction with other modules for the scheduled registration creation process. In step 2706, the actor 1002 creates a scheduled registration request with the service provider playlist user interface 2702. The service provider playlist user interface 2702 requests session information from the service provider session manager module 110 in step 2708. The service provider playlist user interface 2702 further requests a list of facilities 208 for subscriber 204 in step 2710 from module 1104 of service provider installation manager. In step 2712, the service provider playlist user interface 2702 lists the facilities for the actor 1002. At this point, the actor 1002 has the installation IDs in the domain of the subscriber 204 for selection. TABLE 18. Create Scheduled Record Flow In step 2714, actor 1002 selects an installation ID or group of facility IDs. The service provider playlist user interface 2702 requests a visual application list for the installation 208 selected for the subscriber 204 from the service provider installation manager module 1104 in step 2176. In step 2718, the service provider playlist user interface 2702 requests content valid for the subscriber 204 from the service provider content manager module 2303. In step 2720, the service provider playlist user interface 2702 presents a programmed registration form to the actor 1002, where the programmed registration form may include an installation ID, visual application list, and file list of multimedia, for example. In step 2722, the actor 1002 can select an installation ID, visual application ID, content ID, and start and end times for the content to be displayed in the visual application 308. It should be understood that other identifiers and / or identifiers and alternative parameters may be further selected according to the foregoing. In step 2724, the service provider playlist user interface 2702 performs a syntax check in the scheduled register, which is stored in step 2726 by the service provider playlist manager module 2704. . The service provider playlist manager module 2704 further performs a validation check in step 2728. A news item from the scheduled record that is saved is provided to the actor 1002 in step 2730. It should be understood that the scheduled register may be modified additionally and eliminated as it is understood in the art. Figure 28 is an exemplary sequence diagram 2800 illustrating the sending of a registration scheduled for approval to the service provider server 702 of Figure 7A. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 19 below shown. The actor 1002 can be a user from the subscriber 204 or 206 and / or playlist manager of the service provider 202. The actor 1002 will be authenticated and authorized in order to access the scheduled registration submission for the 2604 approval module. In step 2802, the actor 1002 requests scheduled unsent records from the service provider playlist user interface 2702, which, in turn, requests session information from the provider session manager module 1102. of service in step 2804. In step 2806, the service provider playlist user interface 2702 requests scheduled registrations not sent by that actor 1002 from the service provider playlist manager module 2704. Unsent scheduled records are provided to actor 1002 in step 2808.

STEP ACTION 2802 Request unsent scheduled records 2804 Get Session Information 2806 Request scheduled records not sent for that actor 2808 Return unsent scheduled records 2810 Send scheduled record (s) for approval 2812 Scheduled record is available for approval 2814 Get list of approvers for subscriber 2816 Notify approvers 2818 Notify successful submit user TABLE 19. Send Scheduled Record Approval Flow In step 2810, the actor sends scheduled registration (s) for approval to user interface 2702 of service provider playlist. Note the service provider list list manager 2704 indicating that the scheduled record (s) are available for approval in step 2812. In step 2814, a list of approvers for the subscriber is requested by the service provider playlist user interface 2702 from the service provider account administrator module 1006. In step 2816, the service provider playlist user interface 2702 notifies the approvers that the program record (s) are available for approval by the notification manager module 2402. of service provider. By notifying the approvers, the system may use email or other means of communication about the new scheduled registration (s) awaiting approval. In step 2818, the actor is notified of the successful delivery of the scheduled record (s) sent. It should be noted that a scheduled record may not be sent for approval unless the following attributes have valid values: file ID, installation name, visual application name, location name >; content name, scheduled start time, scheduled end time or relevant information, including verification of the content screen. The system labels scheduled records sent as "sent" for record keeping purposes. Figure 29 is an exemplary sequence diagram 2900 illustrating the sending of scheduled records for content distribution by the service provider server 702 of Figure 7A. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 20 shown below. The actor 1002 may be a playlist approver from either the subscriber 204 or the service provider 202. The actor 1002 is going to authenticate and authorize to access the programmed registration sending module 2504. A service provider content distribution manager module 2902 is used to provide the scheduled registration approval functionality.

STEP ACTION 2904 Request list of unapproved scheduled records 2906 Get Session Information 2908 Get list of scheduled records not approved for that actor 2910 Display list of unapproved scheduled records 2912 Select scheduled records to approve 2914 Submit approved scheduled records 2918 Send scheduled records for content distribution TABLE 20. Sending Scheduled Registers for Approval Flow In step 2904, actor 1002 requests a non-approved scheduled registration (s) list for user interface 2702 from service provider playlist, which, in turn, requests the information session from the 1102 module of service provider session manager. In step 2908, the service provider playlist user interface 2702 requests a list of unapproved service requests for the actor 1002 from the service provider playlist manager module 2704. The unapproved schedule (s) list is displayed for actor 1002 in step 2910. In step 2912, actor 1002 selects the programmed record (s) for be approved The service provider playlist user interface 2702 sends the selected scheduled registration (s) selected for the service provider list manager 2704 in the service provider. step 2914. In step 2916, the system validates that there is no conflict between the scheduled registers sent for distribution as well as between scheduled registers sent and registers currently programmed in the local server 304. After the successful validation of conflicts, the The system sends the selected scheduled register (s) to the service provider content distribution manager module 2902 in step 2918. However, if during the resolution of the program conflict, the system detects a conflict, the conflict is reported to the actor 1002. The actor 1002 can send the programmed records (s) despite the conflict. In the case of conflicting programmed records, the system overwrites the existing programmed record with the new programmed record. Once the scheduled registers are sent, a registration search scheduled by the subscriber 204 or service provider 202 as it is understood in the art can be performed. Figure 30 is an exemplary block diagram 3000 that provides content distribution by the communication network service provider 216 of Figure 2. The content distribution management package 724 includes monitoring the scheduled records to determine when transmit the scheduled records to the appropriate local servers 304.

Additionally, the content distribution packets determine the additional content to be transmitted to the local servers 304. In addition, the content distribution management pack 724 is responsible for determining the scheduled registers that are ready to be transmitted to the local servers 304 and to the particular local server (s) 304 for the transmission. The use of bandwidth is optimized by the content distribution management package 724 when determining scheduled records that contain the same content and multiemit the content to multiple locations. After determining the content to be transmitted to the different local server 304, the content distribution management package 724 creates satellite packages that multiemize the content and meta data associated with the local servers 304 in remote facilities 208 by a package delivery service. of the communication network service provider 216. The content distribution management package 724 is responsible for substantially guaranteeing the sending of the satellite package to the local server (s) 304. To substantially guarantee the sending of the satellite packages, the multi-issue content distribution management package 724 / unites the satellite package (s) to the local server (s) 304 and receive successful shipment confirmations from them. The pre-transmission of the complete or partial satellite packets can also be done as it is understood in the matter. As seen in Figure 30, the content distribution management package 724 includes a module 3002 for creating satellite packet and a module 3004 for transmitting satellite packet. Figure 31 is an exemplary sequence diagram 3100 illustrating the creation of a satellite packet for multiemit / uniemit to the local server (s) 304 of Figure 3A. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 21 below shown. Instead of having a human actor, the service provider content distribution manager module 2902 operates as the initiator of the creation of the satellite package. The service provider content distribution manager module 2902 initiates the sequence once it has programmed the record (s) to be transmitted or communicated to the local server 304. As shown, the sequence uses a module 3102 of satellite package creator of service provider, service provider local information manager module 3104, and service provider packet sender module 3106.

Table 21. Creation of Satellite Package Flow During the operation, the service provider content distribution manager module 2902 selects the scheduled records to be sent in step 3108. When selecting the scheduled records to be sent, the service provider content distribution manager module 2902 determines which scheduled records to be sent based on the time the content to be played is scheduled. The time interval for sending before the playback time may be configurable (for example, 2 days, 5 days, or 1 week) for priority sending purposes. In step 3110, the service provider content distribution manager module 2902 can select other scheduled records that have the same content as previously selected, but still not eligible for delivery, in order to maximize the distribution of a single content by one broadcast / multi-broadcast In step 3112, the service provider content distribution manager module 2902 sends the scheduled registers to the service provider satellite package module 3102. The service provider satellite packet module 3102 requests packet delivery site IDs for each visual application ID in the scheduled registration (s) of the local provider information manager module 3104. service in step 3114. The service provider satellite package module 3102 can create multiple satellite packages. A first satellite packet is created in step 3116 and includes scheduled logs and site IDs. A second satellite packet is created in step 3118 and includes content and site IDs. Packages that have content can have the following attributes for each file: file name, size, resolution, aspect ratio, creation date, last modification date, expiration date, subscriber ID, subscription ID, verification parameters and state. The service provider satellite packet module 3102 sends the satellite packet (s) to the service provider packet sender's module 3106 in step 3120. In response, the module 3106 of service provider packet sender sends a packet send confirmation receipt back to the service packet creator module 3102 of service provider in step 3122. The service provider satellite packet module 3102 notifies to the service provider local information manager module 3104 of a successful transmission in step 3124 and the service provider playlist manager module 2704 of the successful transmission in step 3126. The list manager module 2704 of service provider playback can mark the status of the records programmed as "sent". Figure 32 is a more basic exemplary sequence diagram 3200 of the sequence diagram 3100 of Figure 31 illustrating the multiemission / unification of the satellite packet (s) to the server (s) local (s) 304. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 22 below. During the operation, the service provider server 702, by the service provider packet sending sender module 3106, receives a valid satellite packet together with a list of valid site ID (s) to send the packet to, and, based on this information, the transmitter module 3106 of the multisite service provider packet delivery / uniemite the satellite packet to the local server (s) speci fi ed (s) 304. More specifically , the service provider server 702 sends the satellite packet together with the site ID (s) to the service provider packet sender module 3106 in the step 3202 and the satellite packet is multiemmitted / uniemitted to the local server 304 in step 3204. In step 3206, the local server 304 sends a confirmation of a successful reception of the satellite packet to the service provider server 702.

Table 22. Satellite Package Flow Distribution Figure 33 is a 3300 block diagram as an example of the asset management package 726 for managing the physical assets of Figure 3A. The goods are defined as the infrastructure components of the system, which include the servers, such as server 702 of service provider and local server 304, satellite dishes 302, visual applications 308, wireless access point 602, etc. The administration of goods implies maintaining a knowledge base of the inventory. In one embodiment, asset management maintains the entire inventory in a single location through the communications system 200. The asset management package 726 provides a mechanism for performing asset management from the service provider server 702. The asset management package 726 includes an asset addition module 3302, asset modification module 3304, asset search module 3306, and asset elimination module 3308. Figure 34 is an exemplary sequence diagram 3400 illustrating the process of adding goods provided by module 3302 of the addition of goods of Figure 33. The step numbers and associated actions are given in Table 23 to continued shown. The actor 1002 may be the asset manager of the service provider 202 that has been authenticated and authorized to access the asset addition functionality. The asset managers can use the asset addition functionality to add goods from the service provider 202, including the local server 304, visual applications 308, satellite dishes 302, receivers 303, and access points 314. A service provider goods user interface module 3402 and service provider goods manager modules 3404 are used in the goods addition process.

STEP ACTION 3406 Request to add a property 3408 Get information of assets 3410 Form of goods 3412 Enter detailed information of goods, ID and attribute 3414 Verify syntax 3416 Create information of good again 3418 Information of new good added Table 23. Flow of Addition of Goods During the operation, the actor 1002 requests to add goods through the user interface 3402 of the service provider good in step 3406. In step 3408, the service provider good user interface 3402 requests session information from the module 1102 of service provider session administrator. In step 3410, the service provider good interface 3402 provides the actor 1002 with a good form, which includes fields, such as serial ID, physical location, type, processing, owner, and status for each asset . In step 3412, actor 1002 enters detailed information of good as provided by the fields in the form of good. In step 3414, the service provider good user interface 3402 performs a syntax check on the good information and new good information is created in response to the local information service administrator module 3404 which receives a communication from the user interface 3402 of the service provider. New good information is created in step 3416. In step 3418, the service provider good user interface 3402 notifies the actor 1002 that new good information has been added to the system for future use. It must be understood that the modification of goods, disposal of goods, and search for goods can be carried out as understood in the matter. Figure 35 provides the system operation packet 748 for the service provider 202 to provide the service and maintenance operations for the assets of the communication system 200 of Figure 2. As noted, the functionality of the system operations package 748 includes performing operations for the local servers 304 and the visual applications 308. The functionality for the local servers 304 includes change 3502 of the local server operating state, change of the local server encryption key 3504. , verification 3506 of local server status, verification 3508 of configuration and performance of local server, update 3510 of local server software, change 3512 of parameter of local server system, verification 3514 of storage system of local server, and elimination 3516 of local server content. Visual application functionality includes change 3518 of visual application operating state, change of visual application encryption key 3520, verification of visual application status 3522, verification 3524 of configuration and visual application performance, replacement 3526 of default image of visual application, software 3528 for visual update application, application application 3530 for local server visual application, and recovery 3532 for visual application list. In addition, package 748 of system operations includes functionality for the retrieval of system information, including retrieval 3534 of alerts and retrieval 3536 of records. In general, the functionality provided by the system operations package 748 includes status checks, update configuration parameters, and update software. The functionality of the modules is as it is understood in the matter. However, some operations are described hereinafter in accordance with the principles of the present invention in order to provide those aspects of the communication system 200 that allow the service provider 202 the ability to provide system characteristics in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Figure 36 is an exemplary sequence diagram 3600 illustrating recovery of alert history by the communication system 200 of Figure 2. Step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 24 below. The actor 1002 in this case is a system operator of the system provider 202 that has been authenticated and authorized to retrieve records from the local servers 304. As can be seen, a user interface module 3602 operating system provider The Service Provider System Operation Manager and 3604 module module are used to provide alert recovery functionality. It should be understood that the alert recovery functionality is a post-processing function for querying alerts that have occurred in the past and that the current alerts, in general, are propagated automatically from the device (eg, local server 304 and visual application 308) to server 702 of service provider. The service provider server 702, in response, can communicate message (s) to the facility 208 or an operator in the service provider 202 to take corrective actions in order to address the alert.

STEP ACTION 3606 Request form of alert recovery for a specific local server 3608 Deploy form of alert recovery 3610 Send form with search parameters 3612 Send form of alert recovery 3614 Retrieve alerts based on parameters in all 3616 Send alerts 3618 Send alerts 3620 Display alerts Table 24. Alert Recovery flow In step 3606, the actor 1002 requests a recovery alert form for a particular local server 304 from the user interface 3602 of the service provider system operation. The requested alerted form of alert is displayed for actor 1002 in step 3608. Agent 1002 can search for alerts for a particular local server 304 based on the visual application identifier (ID), date, and alert severity level. , for example, in step 3610 when sending the form with the search parameters to the service provider system operation user interface 3602.

In step 3612, the recovered alert form is communicated to the service provider system operation manager module 3604, which, in turn, requests the alerts based on the parameters sent from the information manager module 3104 service provider local in step 3614. Alerts as searched are returned in step 3616 and 3618 and deployed to actor 1002 in step 3620. Figure 37 is an example sequence diagram illustrating recovery of records from local server 304 of Figure 3A. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 7 below. The process begins at step 3702 by actor 1002, who may be a system operator of service provider 202, requesting retrieval of records for a particular local server 304 from user interface 3602 of service provider system operation. In step 3704, the service provider system operation user interface 3602 requests the records from the local server 304 coming from the service provider system operation manager module 3604, which, in turn, requests to transmit the records from the local server 304 in step 3706. The local server 304, in response to the request for transmission of the records, transmits the records to the module 3604 of the service provider system operation manager in step 3708. The registers they can be transmitted by an administration channel in the communication system 200. The logs of the local server 304 are sent in advance to the user interface 3602 of the service provider system operator in step 3710 and are deployed to the actor 1002 in step 3712.

Table 25. Record Recovery Flow Figure 38 is an exemplary sequence diagram 3800 illustrating the replacement of a default image for a visual application 308 by a subscriber 204 of the service provider 202 of Figure 2. Step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 26 below. A default image can be any image, including fixed (for example, logo) or moving (for example, video), to prevent an electronic screen 310 having a black screen. The default image replacement process starts at step 3802, where a request is made to download a default image form by the actor 1002 to the service provider system operation user interface 3602. The default image form is displayed for actor 1002 in step 3804. In step 3806, the actor sends the default image form after entering a visual application ID and loads the content (eg, the image by default previously approved). In step 3808, the content sent to be downloaded to the visual application 308 is sent to the operator module 3604 operator of the service provider system, which sends the content to be downloaded as the default image for the visual application 308 to the service provider content distribution module 2902 in step 3810. The content is then communicated to the local server 304 in step 3812. The server local 304 communicates content to visual application 308 in order to load as the default image in step 3814. It should be understood that the default image can be a fixed or dynamic image.

STEP ACTION 3802 Request form to download image by def ault 3804 Display form 3806 Send form 3808 Send content to be downloaded to visual application 3810 Send content to be downloaded as Default image for visual application 3812 Submit content for visual application 3814 Send content to be loaded as the default image 3816 Notify successful image upload by default 3818 Notify successful image upload by default 3820 Update default file information for visual application 3822 Notify successful image upload by default 3824 Notify load successfully of image by default Table 26. Flow of Replacement of Image by Default In response to the visual application 308 that receives and loads the content as the default image, the visual application 308 notifies the local server 304 of a successful default image upload in step 3816. The notification of the successful image upload by default it is also updated in the system in steps 3818, 3820, 3822, and 3824, which ultimately notifies the actor 1002.

Local Server Software Packages and Processes Figure 39 is an exemplary block diagram 3900 that provides packets that the local server management pack 752 interfaces to operate the local server 304 of Figure 3A. As noted, local server management pack 752 interfaces with local registry management pack 754, local server connection management pack 756, local server configuration management pack 758, performance management package 760 of local server, administration packet 762 by default of local server, and package 754 of administration of visual application record. The modules 754-762 are described in general terms with respect to Figure 7B. The visual application registration administration package 754 is operable to register visual applications 308 with the local server 304. Figure 40 is an exemplary sequence diagram 4000 illustrating the registration of the local server 304 of Figure 7B to the server 702 of service provider at the time of supply. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 27 below shown. For registration, the local server 304 is to be defined in advance in the service provider server 702 by means of the supply management pack 718, locally configured, and ready for registration with the service provider server 702. To provide local server registration 304, a service provider configuration manager module 4002 is used.

STEP ACTION 4004 Registration request 4006 Authentication request 4008 Authentication process 4010 Obtain new encryption key 4012 Obtain initial configuration profile 4014 Registration confirmation 4016 Registration notification 4018 Registration notification 4020 Registration notification Table 27. Local Server Registration Flow At the time of installation, an operator installing the local server 304 configures the local server 304 when loading the software on the local server 304 and entering system parameters into the system. Such parameters may include the IP address of the service provider server 702, local server ID (LSID), subscription ID, and an initial encryption key. Once the local configuration is successful, the operator or installer will take the local server 304 online to register with the service provider's 702 server. In step 4004, the local server 304 requests registration of the service provider registration manager module 1906. The registration request communicates an information packet containing an encrypted local server ID, which can be decrypted and validated by the service provider security administrator module 1008 in steps 4006 and 4008. After successful validation, the service provider registration manager module 1906 requests a new encryption key from the service provider security administrator module 1008. An initial configuration profile may be requested in step 4012 from the service provider configuration manager module 4002, where the configuration profile may include the site ID for content distribution purposes and the visual application list for purposes of administration of visual application. After the end of the registration, the service provider registration manager module 1906 communicates a registration confirmation to the local server 304 in step 4014. The registration confirmation may include registration profile, including the new encryption key for purposes of connection and other system parameters. The service provider registration manager module 1906 may additionally communicate a registration notification message to the service provider provisioning module 1506 in step 4016, the service provider installation manager module 1104 in step 4018, and the service provider good module 3404 in step 4020.

Local Server Local server 304 is typically deployed at each installation 208 of subscriber 204. Local servers 304 have multiple functions and receive satellite packets as provided for server 702 of service provider. Additionally, the local server 304 validates the satellite packets and extracts the programmed registers and content. The extracted content is stored locally and the programmed records are added to the visual application programmer that is maintained locally. Also, the local server 304 is responsible for transmitting the content to the visual applications 308 and the installation 208 at the scheduled times. Apart from receiving the satellite packets as provided by the service provider server 702 and transmitting the content to the visual applications 308, the local server 304 is responsible for commissioning the visual applications and collecting logs, alerts, and data related to the performance from the visual applications 308. The local server 304 also monitors the visual applications 308 in the installation 208 and notifies the real-time service provider server 702 of any high priority alerts. The local server 304 is responsible for its own maintenance. In this regard, the local server 304 constantly monitors its local storage capacity and removes the content if the usage reaches a certain threshold. The local server 304 may also be able to decide which visual application alerts to pass to the service provider server 702 in real time and which ones pass periodically. In addition to performing the various system administration tasks, the local server 304 also processes requests from the service provider server 702. Operators of the service provider 202 may send multiple types of requests from the service provider server 702 to the local server 304. The requests may request information, performance of tasks, or collected records. However, in general, the local server 304 basically receives tasks with transmission content to the visual applications 308 and which collect logs and alerts from them. Figure 41 is an exemplary block diagram graphically depicting local server 304 of Figure 7B and the functionality provided by it, including satellite packet receiver pack 766, visual application management pack 754, packet 756 of visual application connection management, visual application configuration administration package 758, visual application performance management package 760, visual application failure management package 762, and content transmission package 4102. The functionality of the packets is provided for the substantially automatic operation by the local server 304 so that the programming of the content can be performed by a single operator of the subscriber 204 or service provider 202 when interfacing with the service provider server 702, thus minimizing stresses in the individual facilities 208. Figure 42 is an exemplary sequence diagram 4200 illustrating the reception and post-processing of satellite packets by the local server 304 of Figure 7B. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 28 below shown. The satellite packet reception verification process uses a local server packet delivery client module 4202, local server packet extractor module 4204, local server storage manager module 4206, and visual application programmer module 4208 of local server. The process starts at 4210 as the service provider server 702 sends the satellite packet to the local server packet delivery client module 4202., which verifies that the complete satellite packet has been received in step 4212. In the event that the satellite packet lacks one or more segments, a request is made for those segments missing from the service provider's server 702. After successfully receiving the satellite packet, the local server packet delivery client module 4202 sends a successful packet send reception to the service provider server 702 in step 4214.

FASO ACTION 4210 Send satellite package 4212 Verify that this complete package has been received 4214 Send successful sending of packet 4216 Send satellite packet 4218 Validate 4220 satellite packet Send content along with descriptors 4222 Store content in respective directories 4224 Send scheduled records 4226 Add scheduled records to the visual application program Table 28. Satellite Package Reception Flow The satellite packet is also sent to the local server packet extractor module 4204 in step 4216 and a packet validation is performed in step 4218. The validation includes performing multiple tests, including verifying that the content as specified in each program record, verify that the content has been programmed for the visual application (s) 308 with the correct resolution, and verify that the file descriptors exist for each content received. In step 4220, the local server packet extractor module 4204 sends a content along with descriptions to the local server storage manager module 4206, which stores the content in respective directories at 4222. In step 4224, the module The local server packet extractor 4204 sends the programmed registers to the local server visual application programmer module 4208, which adds the programmed registers to the visual application program 308 in step 4226. In the case of a conflicting program, the current scheduled record can override any other programmed record existing in the program. Figure 43 is an exemplary sequence diagram 4300 illustrating the sending of content to the visual applications 308 of Figure 3A. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 29 below shown. For sending the content, the local server 304 uses a list of active visual application programs as it occurs when receiving content from the service provider 216 of the communication network as directed by the service provider server 702. The content transmission is responsible for transmitting the content to the visual applications 308 in these facilities 208 of the subscribers 204 and 206. The local server visual application programmer module 4208 is constantly running on the local server 304 and, at the moment The content is transmitted to the visual application (s) 308 as indicated in the stored record (s). Before the sending of any content to a visual application 308, verification is performed. of the content that is appropriate for the visual application 308 in step 4304. The verification process may include checking the aspect ratio, content size, and expiration date and time against the specifications of the visual application 308 to be displayed · Content After ensuring the validity of the content, the local server visual application programmer module 4208 sends the content for multiemission / unie mission to local server content distribution module 4302 in step 4306.

Table 29. Content Submission Flow In step 4308, the local server content distribution module 4302 communicates the content by a multi-broadcast / uniemission technique to the visual applications 308 as understood in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication technique uses an 802.11 wireless protocol. The visual application 308 loads the content into memory for execution or deployment therein. In an exemplary embodiment, the local server visual application programmer module 4208 communicates a "start" command over an administration channel to the visual application (s) 308 that begin playing the content. Alternatively, the application (s) (en) visual (s) 308 may begin to play the content during or after the term of receipt of the content in memory. It should be understood that the visual application 308 generally operates as a dumb terminal because it responds to commands by the local server 304 for content deployment. Figure 44 is an exemplary sequence diagram 4400 that graphically depicts a registration process for the visual applications 308 with the local server 304 of Figure 3A. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 30 below. Before communicating content to visual applications, visual applications 308 are registered with local server 304 at the time of provisioning. Also, before the visual applications 308 are installed locally (ie, by the local server 304), the visual applications 308 are to be provisioned in the service provider server 702 prior to the registration process. When performing the registration process, a local server registry manager module 4402, a local server security manager module 4404, and a local server configuration manager module 4406 are used.

Visual The registration process begins at step 4408 where a registration request is made, which may contain an encrypted visual application ID, from the visual application 308 to the local server registration manager module 4402 operating on the local server 304. The operator or installer of the visual applications 308 configures the visual application 308 by entering the system parameters, such as the IP address of the local server 304, the visual application ID, and the initial encryption key. The visual application ID can be composed of three fields, including subscriber ID, installation ID, and serial machine ID. It should be understood that other fields or alternative ID fields may be used. In step 4410, the local server registry manager module 4402 requests authentication from the local server security manager module 4404, which, in turn, performs an authentication process in step 4412. Once authenticated , the local server registration manager module 4402 communicates a request for a new encryption key from the local server security administrator module 4404 in step 4414. In step 4416, the server registration manager module 4402 local requests an initial configuration profile from module 4406 of local server configuration manager. The local server registration manager module 4402 communicates a registration confirmation to the visual application 308, where the associated registration profile includes a new secret key for connection purposes and other system parameters. In step 4420, the local server registry manager module 4402 communicates a message to the service provider server 702 that the visual application registration process is complete for that visual application 308. Figure 45 is a 4500 diagram of flow as an example to update location information of the visual application 308 of Figure 3A. The location update process starts at step 4502. At step 4504, a request is received for a location form in the visual application. The location form is displayed in step 4506 of visual applications. The location form can be a graphical user interface displayed in the visual application 308, where the graphical user interface includes input fields for an operator to enter the location or position information of the visual application 308. Because the application visual 308 may be small enough to apply directly to a shelf containing products in a facility 208, the location form may include information associated with a planogram of installation 208. For example, in the case of facility 208 which is a grocery store, a graphic map, entry field, product list, or other representative feature may be available in the grocery store for the operator to select or notify the visual application 308 of the position of the same. In step 4508, the new location information of the visual application 308 is received and communicated from the visual application 308. In an exemplary mode, the location information is communicated to the local server 304 to update a database that contains location information of the visual applications 308. Alternatively, the location information can be communicated via the satellite 218 to the service provider server 702 directly from the visual application 308. It should be understood that the communication can be a passive communication, so that the local server 304 requests the updated information from the visual application 308 instead of the visual application 308 by actively notifying the local server 304 in response to the information of update that is received. The location update process ends in step 4512. Figure 46 is an exemplary sequence diagram 4600 showing polling of summary information by local server 304 from visual application 308 of Figure 3A. The step numbers and associated actions are provided in Table 31 below shown. The summary information may be probed on a periodic or non-periodic basis from the local server 304. The poll can occur on an established administration connection channel with the visual application 308 and the local server 304. Two modules used to poll the information of Summary includes a 4602 local server performance manager module and a 4604 local server registry administrator module.

STEP ACTION 4606 Get summary statistics 4608 Performance statistics 4610 Record performance information 4612 Send visual application performance summary statistics to the service provider server Table 31. Information Polling Flow Summary The performance management polling process starts at step 4606 as the local server performance manager module 4602 requests summary performance statistics from the visual application 308. In step 4608, the visual application 308 responds to the 4602 local server performance manager module and reports the summary performance statistics to the 4602 local server performance manager. In step 4610, a summary performance statistics record is communicated to the local server registration administrator 4604 periodically or not periodically and the visual application summary performance statistics are periodically or not periodically sent to the provider server 702 service in step 4612. In general, the performance management receives aggregate statistics derived from the visual application 308 including CPU utilization, memory utilization, screen rating measurement index, packet losses, loss rate of content transfer, and other performance statistics.

Service Provider Software Classes Figure 47 is an exemplary class diagram for operating on local server 304 of Figure 3A in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The interaction and interconnection between the classes is provided. Classes are provided for each module in Tables 32-50 as shown below in the present. Table 32 shows the classes used by the content manager module 2303 and provides content management functionality ranging from content creation to child directory creation to apply permissions to the content.

CONTENT MANAGER Authorized () Delete by Content ID () Get_Content ID by Attribute)) Set Permission in Content Get Content_Not Approved Approve Content Content Creation () Delete Content)) Set Description_Content () Modify Description Content Create Directory)) Delete Directory)) Get Structure Directory)) Get Patent Directory)) Set Access User Directory Delete Access User Directory)) Modify Access User Directory Get Parameter Search_Context () Table 32. Administrator Classes Content Table 33 shows the classes used by the playlist manager module 2704 that provides functionality to create, modify, delete, view, and approve scheduled records. The playlist manager module 2704 interfaces with other classes to provide its functionality, and provides the interfaces with other classes.

PLAYER LIST MANAGER Record_Existing_Program () Content_En_Program () Add_Programmed_Registration () The_Regist_registration or beloved_Progr () Modify_Attribute__Programmed_Registration () Get_Registration_Programmed_Not Sent () Get_Search_Parameter () Table 33. Playlist Administrator Classes Table 34 shows a class used by the content distribution manager module 2902. Approved scheduled records are sent to the content distribution administrator, which processes the scheduled records according to the start times specified in the scheduled records. After processing the scheduled registers, the content distribution manager module 2902 interacts with the package creator module 3102 in order to create the satellite package that is multistemped to the facilities 208.

CONTENT DISTRIBUTION ADMINISTRATOR Send Scheduled Record (Table 34. Content Distribution Manager) Table 35 shows a class used by the package creator module 3102 to receive scheduled records and content from the content distribution manager module 2902, and to create satellite packages with appropriate and addressed packet headers for the appropriate local servers 304.

PACKET CREATOR Transmit_Programmed Record (Table 35. Packet Creator Class Table 36 shows the classes used by the account manager module 1006 to provide functionality for creating / modifying / deleting a subscriber account 802 and a user account 804. Administrator module 1006 how many also maintains the depository the subscriber-specific domains.

ACCOUNT MANAGER Get List Approver () Change Control Access Create Directory) Modify Account (Create Account (Delete Account (Get Account Info () Create Domain () Modify Domain Delete Domain () Get Domain () Create User Delete User () Get Role User () Add_Rol_Usua io () Modify User Role () Delete User Role!) Table 36 Account Administrator Classes Table 37 shows the classes used by module 1104 to maintain the installation depository for subscribers. The installation manager module 1104 also provides interfaces for other classes in order to consult this depository.

INSTALLATION ADMINISTRATOR Ob ene r_Lista_Ins ation () Get_LSID () Get_Installation_Installation () Create_Installation () Modify_Installation_Attribute () Delete_Installation () Get_Installation_Attributes () Get_Bus_Parameter remains () Create_VA () Delete_VA () Get_List_VA () Get_Attribute_VA () Modify icar_Atribute_VA () Get_VA_Not Available () Get_VA_Shipped () Update_State_Supply () Table 37. Classes of Installation Manager Table 38 shows the classes used by the local information manager module 3104 to provide functionality for the information, including configuration, visual application program, storage space, file list, etc., on each local server 304 maintained by this class on the service provider server 403 in order to provide quick access to that information.

LOCAL INFORMATION MANAGER Update Installation Status () Update VA Status () Update LS Status () Update Software Version () Get LS Status (Get VA Status () Get File List Deleted () Table 38. Administrator Classes Local Information Table 39 shows a class used by the notification administrator module 2402 in order to notify the applicable parts of an event occurring in the service provider server 402 that are reviewed and / or approved.

NOTIFICATION ADMINISTRATOR Notification () Table 39. Administrator Class Notification Table 40 shows the classes used by the system operator administrator module 3604 (sysop) that provide the functionality used by system operators to perform administrative tasks, such as update software, local query server or visual application , recovery alerts, etc.

SYSOP ADMINISTRATOR Request_Software_Version () Current i zar_Software_version () Retrieve_Setup_Profile () Request_LS_State () Change to r_Cl to e_Enterption () Activate_VA () Disable r_VA () Acti var_LS () Disable_LS () Retrieve_Statistica_VA () Get_Estado_V () Get_Estado_LS () Table 40 SYSOP Administrator Classes Table 41 shows the classes used by the fault manager 4702 to collect the events and alarms from the local server 304 and the visual applications 308. When the local server 304 or visual application 308 detects the abnormal or special conditions that change the operational state of the devices, the alarm / event is reported to the server 402 of the service provider. The fault management process allows the operations of the service provider 202 to identify the location of failures and can quickly take corrective action to fix or find a way to work around the failures.

FAULT ADMINISTRATOR Get History Alerts () Alert () Table 41. Classes of Fault Manager Table 42 shows the classes used by the 4704 record manager to maintain the depository of records generated by events and provide interfaces to the other components to add records and consult existing records.

RECORD MANAGER Register Event_Alarraa () Register _Statistics Performance () Register _Violation_Security (.}. Retrieve Record () Table 42. Classes of Registry Administrator Table 43 shows a class used by the performance manager 4706 to provide a mechanism that collects the performance statistics derived from the local server 304 and the visual applications 308 and reports the revision to the system operator. The statistics collected can include the operational characteristics of the local server 304 that are consolidated in the form of aggregation.

PERFORMANCE MANAGER Start Collection () Table 43. Performance Manager Classes Table 44 shows the classes used by security manager module 1008 in order to maintain the depository for related information for security for users, local servers 304, and visual applications 308. Security manager module 1008 is also responsible to generate encryption keys and maintain the relationship between users and security roles. Interfaces are also provided to other classes in order to consult information related to security.

SECURITY ADMINISTRER Get List Permissions () Change Permissions () Delete Permissions () Set Permissions Create Password_script () Request authentication (Table 44. Administrator Classes Security Table 45 shows classes used by the configuration manager module 4002 in order to properly configure the local server and the visual applications 308 during the time of registration and during the connection state. The configuration parameters include the broad local server system parameters and installation-specific parameters.

CONFIGURATION ADMINISTRATOR Get_Soft_Version_version () Get_Setup_Profile () Get_System_Parameter () Modify_System_Parameter () Start_Config () Table 45. Configuration Manager Classes Table 46 shows the classes used by the connection manager 4708 to control the connection to the local server 304 when establishing an administration channel for transporting the administration-related information (command / response) to the local server 304 from the server 402 from service provider or vice versa. The connection manager 4708 is responsible for sending a keep alive message to the local server 304 to ensure that the administration channel is continuously operational.

CONNECTION MANAGER Connection_Request () Connection Release Table 46. Connection Manager Classes Table 47 shows the classes used by role manager 1302 to maintain the security role repository and provides the interfaces to create, view, delete, and modify the roles. Role manager 1302 is also the repository of basic system unicity that creates roles and provides interfaces to other classes to consult about existing roles.

ROLL ADMINISTRATOR Add_Rol () The_image_Rol () odif icar_Rol () Associate_Rol () Table 47. Role Administrator Classes Table 48 shows a class used by the registry manager module 1906 for the service provider server 402 to validate the rights of a local server 304 to operate in the communications system 200. When the local server 304 is supplied with the installation 208, it registers it with the service provider server 402 when sending the encrypted local server ID. The service provider server 402 validates the local server ID to authenticate the local server 304. At the end of the successful registration, the service provider server 402 assigns a unique encryption key to the local server 304.

REGISTRATION ADMINISTRATOR Updates r_Registration_Information () Table 48. Registration Administrator Classes Table 49 shows classes used by the supply manager module 1506 to maintain the supply information store for local servers 304 and visual applications 308.

SUPPLY MANAGER Verify Supply Status () Update Supply Status () Ready Supply Installation () Remove Supply_Account_Ans (Get Info Supply () Table 49. Supply Administrator Classes Table 50 shows the classes used by the Administrator 3404 module. goods to maintain the repository of infrastructure goods (for example, visual applications 308) and provides interfaces to other classes in order to add / modify / view / delete goods.

GOODS ADMINISTRATOR Update Status Register () Get Well Not Provided. { Add_New_Good () Well () Obtain Info Good () Modify Info Good () Table 50 Classes of Asset Manager Local Server Software Classes Figure 48 is an exemplary class diagram for the local server 304 that operates in the communications system 200 of Figure 2 and provides the principles of the present invention. The class diagram includes associations between modules and classes. The classes are further provided in Tables 51-67 as seen in the present below. Table 51 shows the classes used by the local server registry manager module 4402 for the local server to validate the rights of the visual applications 308 in order to operate in the local server domain 304. When the visual applications 308 are supplied at local location 208, visual applications 308 are registered with local server 304 by sending the encrypted visual application identifier. The local server 304 validates the visual application ID to authenticate the local server 304. After successful registration, a new unique encryption key is assigned to each of the visual applications 308.

LS: REGISTRATION ADMINISTRATOR Registro_VA () Regís tro_LS_a_SP () Table 51. Classes of Local Server Registry Administrator Table 52 shows the classes used by the local server security administrator module 4404 that run on each local server 304 and that are responsible for ensuring that communications with the visual applications 308 and the service provider server 402 are secure. . Classes are also responsible for generating enrollment keys.

LS: SECURITY ADMINISTRATOR Create_Clave_E encryption () Request_Authenticate () Replace r_Key_Encriptation () Table 52. Classes of Local Server Security Administrator Table 53 shows the classes used by the local server visual application session administrator 4802 for the start of the network connection between the local server 304 and the visual applications 308.

I LS: VISUAL APPLICATION SESSION MANAGER I ria_V_Session () AV_Session_Release () Table 53. Local Server Visual Application Session Administrator Classes Table 54 shows the classes used by the local server connection administrator 4804 to provide control for connection of the visual applications 308 to the local server 304. The purpose of providing connection control is to establish an administration channel for transporting the information related to the administration (command / re spue sa) to the local server 304 coming from the visual applications 308 or vice versa. The connection manager 4804 is responsible for sending the "stay alive" message to the visual application 308 in order to ensure that the administration channel is continuously operational.

LS: CONNECTION MANAGER Connect VA () Connect SP Disconnect VA Disconnect SP Table 54. Classes of Local Server Connection Manager Table 55 shows the classes used by the local server device state administrator 4812 to manage the operating status of the visual applications 308 in the installation 208 of the local server 304. Interfaces are provided to other classes in order to consult this depository .

LS: DEVICE STATE ADMINISTRATOR Change_VA_State () Get_VED_State () Get_SL_State () Table 55. Local Server Device Status Administrator Classes Table 56 shows the classes used by the local server configuration manager module 4406 to properly configure the visual applications 308 during the registration / connection time. The configuration parameters include broad visual application system parameters and installation-specific parameters.

LS: CONFIGURATION ADMINISTRATOR Start Configuration () Get Configuration_Profile () Modify Configuration Parameter!) Table 56. Administrator Classes Local Server Configuration Table 57 shows the classes used by the local server performance manager 4602 to collect the derived performance statistics of the visual applications 308 and report to the system operator for review. The collected statistics may include the operational characteristics of the visual applications 308 in aggregate form.

LS: PERFORMANCE MANAGER Collect_ Performance Send LS Performance () Get VA Performance (Get LS Performance () Table 57. Local Server Performance Manager Classes Table 58 shows the classes used by the 4604 local server registry administrator to maintain the depository of records generated by the events. The record administrator 4604 runs on the service provider server 402, except that this class runs on each local server 304 and is limited in functionality.

Interfaces to other classes to add records and consult existing records are also provided.

LS: REGISTER ADMINISTRATOR Regi s t rar_Evento_Alerta () Register Statistics_Rendimiento Package_Recibr_Er ror Table 58. Classes of Local Server Registry Administrator Table 59 shows classes used by the session service provider administrator 4806 for initiating the network connection with the service provider server 402 and for routing the network message to the appropriate handlers, such as the connection manager 4804, register manager module 4402, etc., on local server 304.

LS: SERVICE PROVIDER SESSION ADMINISTRATOR Start_Session_SP () Release_SP_Session () Table 59. Session Classes of Local Server Service Provider Session Table 60 shows the classes used by administrator 4803 of local server failures to collect the event and alarms derived from the visual applications 308. When the visual application 308 detects abnormal or special conditions that change the operational state of the devices, the event / event is reported to the local server 304. The process of fault collection and alarm it allows the operators of the service provider 202 to identify the location of faults and quickly take corrective action to fix or find a way to work on the faults.

LS: FAILURE MANAGER Fail_VA () Fail_LS () Fail_Receive_Batch () Conflict_RelayList () Table 60. Local Server Failure Manager Classes Table 61 shows a class used by the local server system operation module 4810 to handle the system requests originating from the service provider server 402, such as visual application status verification, storage distribution, etc.

LS: SYSTEM OPERATION Operation_Proc () Table 61. Class of Operation of Local Server System Table 62 shows the classes used by the local server content administrator 4812 to maintain the local repository of content files and to provide interfaces to other classes of local server to interact with the content repository. The local server content manager 4812 is similar in functionality to the content manager module 2303 running on the service provider server 402, except that this content administrator 4812 runs on each local server 304 and is of limited functionality .

LS: CONTENT MANAGER Get_MMF_Def ault () Get_MMF_Trajectory () Delete_File () Secure_File () Obtain Play_List () Table 62. Local Server Content Manager Classes Table 63 shows the classes used by the local server storage manager module 4206 to maintain the storage of the local servers 304. The local server storage manager module 4206 determines when and which content to be deleted.

LS: STORAGE ADMINISTRATOR Archi o_Save () Operation_Storage () Table 63. Classes of the Local Server Connection Manager Table 64 shows a class used by the local server packet receiver 4814 to receive the transmitted satellite packets or cause them to be transmitted by the service provider 202. The packet receiver 4814 verifies that the received packets are complete and free of error and, if needed, requests the service provider server 402 to retransmit segments of the packet or the entire packet.

LS: PACKET RECEIVER Received r_Pack () Table 64. Class of Local Server Package Receiver Table 65 shows a class used by the local server packet extractor 4816 to accept a verified complete satellite packet from the local server packet receiver module 4814 and extract the content and requests for programs contained in the satellite packet.

Local Server Table 66 shows a class used by the local server playlist scheduler module 4208 to maintain a program of what files need to be transmitted to which visual application 308 at what time in the installation 208.

LS: PLAYLIST LIST PROGRAMMER In i a r_Li s tadeReproduction () Table 66. Local Server Play List Programmer Classes Table 67 shows a class used by the local server content distribution administrator 4302 to create packages, including files, and transmit the packets to the visual applications 308 in the same installation 208. The local server content distribution administrator 4302 304 is similar in functionality to the content distribution manager module 9202 of the service provider server 402, except that it runs on each local server 304 and that it has limited capacity.

LS: CONTENT DISTRIBUTION ADMINISTRATOR Transmit File () Table 67. Class of Local Server Content Distribution Administrator Content Screen Verification Figure 49 is an exemplary block diagram of a local network 300b for displaying and verifying that the visual content and / or deployment parameters are displayed in a visual application 308 of Figure 3A. As noted, the local network 300b includes the local server 304 and the visual application 308. Accordingly, more or fewer components may be used to provide proper and timely deployment of the content. The loco server 1304 includes a content screen administrator 4902, which may include the packets described above, which is operable to administer the content for deployment by the visual application 308. As is understood in the art, the local server 304 may performing the interface and operating many electronic display controllers 312 coupled to or integrated with electronic displays 310 located in the local network 300b. The content screen administrator 4902 may include a 4904 storage unit operable to the installation (i) a content database 4906a having the content installation therein, (ii) a management database 4606b that maintains information used to distribute the content to the visual application 308 at specific times and dates, for example, (iii) an operable record database 4906c for maintaining information associated with the screen of the content that is fed back from the visual application 308, and (iv) a database 4906d of expected operational parameter for the use of signature analysis. By managing the content, a user locally or remotely from the local server 304 can use the control devices 4908a and 4908b coupled to the local server 304. The input and output control devices 4908a and 4909b can be a keyboard and a computer mouse, respectively. Alternatively, other control and input devices 4908a and 4908b, such as a stylus, operable to interact with the content screen administrator 4902 may be used to generate and / or schedule the content for distribution and deployment. It should be understood that maintaining security control may be limited to control in the service provider server 702. The electronic screen controller 312 is operable to receive information from the local server 304 and operate the electronic screen 310. Additionally, the electronic screen controller 312 may be used to interact with and / or control the electronic screen 310 based on the information or operational parameter (s) that are fed back by the electronic display 310. Additional detail for an exemplary mode of the electronic display controller 312 and the electronic display 310 are further shown in accordance with Figures 50A-50C. In another exemplary embodiment (not shown), the functionality of the local server 304 may be included in the electronic display controller 312 to enable the electronic display 310 in order to operate substantially independently (i.e., where there is no server local and without having to operate in a local network). During the operation, the local server 304 communicates a content signal 4910a in the form of data packets 226 (Figure 2) via a communication path 307a to the electronic display controller 312, which, in turn, communicates a content signal 4910b via communication path 307b to the electronic display 310. The content signals 4910a and 4910b (hereinafter 4910) may be identical or the content signal 4910b may be a derivative of the content signal 4910a. The content signal 4910 can be analog or digital. If the content signal 4910 is analogous, then the electronic display controller 312 can convert the content signal 4910 into a digital signal for communication to the electronic display 310. Alternatively, the electronic display controller 312 can directly or indirectly communicate the content signal 4910 as an analog signal for the directb display or for the analog to digital (A / D) conversion and display by the electronic display 310. Additionally, the local server 304 communicates the control signals 4912a via the communication path 4914a to the electronic display controller 312, which, in turn, can communicate the control signals 4912b (hereinafter control signals 4912) via the communication path 4914 for the electronic display 310. The same control or derivative signals 4912a received by the electronic screen controller 312 can communicate to the electronic screen 310 as control signals 4912b. The control signals 4912 may be used to initiate the display of the content signal 4910, alter operational parameters of the electronic display 310, or perform some other control function of the electronic display controller 312 or electronic display 310. The control signals 4912 they may be digital signals, however, analogous control signals may alternatively be used in order to control the electronic display 310. A conventional bus architecture and protocol may be used to communicate the control signals 4912. Alternatively, a protocol and an unconventional or proprietary bus architecture can be used. If the content signal 4910 is digital, then the content signal 4910 and the control signals 4912 can communicate by a single communications path (eg, bus) as understood in the art. The electronic display controller 312 processes or transmits the content signal 4910 and the control signals 4912 for sending to the electronic display 310. The electronic display 310, which can be any type of display, including CRT, LCD, LED, The organic OR, plasma, or any other electronic display device, may receive the control signals 4912 and provide operational data 4916a to be fed back from the electronic display 310 to the electronic display controller 312 via the communication path 4918a and may be analogous or digital. The operational data 4816a may include any operational information of the electronic display 310 that may be measured as understood in the art. Such operational data 4916a may include temperature, voltage, current, image frequency, refresh rate, etc., according to the type of electronic display 310 that is used and the sensors operating in the electronic display 310. It should be understood that a variety of voltage and currents are measured on the electronic display 310. For example, a voltage level derived from the power source that feeds the electronic display 310 can be measured. Alternatively, the voltage or current levels drawn by various components, such as a fluorescent light bulb of a liquid crystal display device or LED of a LED display device. The electronic display controller 312 may further process and / or communicate the operational data 4961a back to the local server 304 as operational data 4916b (collectively operational data 4916). The local server 304 may apply the operational data 4916 of the electronic display 310 to the registration database 4906c stored by the storage unit 4904. Additionally, data other than the operational data 4916 of the electronic display 310 can be provided to the local server 304. For example, the information regarding the communication of the content signal 4910 from the electronic display controller 312 to the electronic display 310 can be applied to the base 4906c of registration data. The communication information may include the existence of date and / or time of the communication of the content signal 4910. Upon feedback to operational data 4916 and data associated with communication of content signal 4910 to local server 304 and ultimately to service provider server 702, verification levels 1 and 2 can be achieved. In other words, by recording when the content is communicated to the electronic screen 310 and recording the operational parameter (s) (s) of the electronic screen 310 at the time of the deployment of that content, the level of verification may be performed. either automatically or manually by determining that (a) the content was sent and (b) the electronic screen 310 was operating properly during the deployment of the content. If the operational data 4916 has an associated installation of expected operational parameter data in the expected operational parameter data base 4906d, then the verification level 2 can be reached by comparing the operational feedback parameter data with the expected operational parameter data. Figures 50A, 50B, and 50C (Figure 50) are more detailed block diagrams of the electronic display controller 312 and the electronic display 310 of Figure 49. Figure 50A illustrates the electronic display controller 312 coupled to a communications path or data bus 307a and 307b, which may be analog or digital and operable to carry the content 4910 signal. A network IP bus or communications path 4914a, the PCI bus 4918b, and the power bus 5004 are additionally coupled to the electronic display controller 312 and used to communicate general network, control information (e.g., 4912 signals). control), and power, respectively, to the electronic display controller 312 from the local server 304. It should be understood that the content signal 4910 may communicate along the PCI bus 4918b instead of the data bus 307. It should be further understood that the content signal 4910 and the control signals 4912 are not dependent on the protocol or architecture of the associated buses. For example, instead of using multiple buses 307, 4914a, and 4918b, a single bus may be used to provide communication of the content signal 4910 and control signals 4912. The electronic display controller 312 may include a processor 5006 coupled to a memory 5008, and further coupled to a storage unit 5010 and a handling unit 5012. Handler unit 5012 may include a deployment handler 5014 and handler module 5016 input / output (I / O). Processor 5006 is operable to execute software 5018 as described with respect to Figure 7B. As seen in Figure 50B, software 5018, which is executed by processor 5006, may include a local content manager 5022 that manages the visual content and other content information received by the electronic display controller 312. The rule administrator 5024 is operable to apply rules for making decisions in order to administer the content, apply the verification code, monitor operational parameters, and perform other functional operations in accordance with the principles of the present invention. It should be understood that the packages described for the software are general and that the specific packages described with respect to Figures 7A and 7B provide additional details. The control function handlers 5026 may be software that operates hardware to control the electronic display 310. The control function handlers 5026 may include multiple handlers to provide capability of performing interfaces with a variety of type and brands of electronic displays 310 produced by different manufacturers of electronic screens 310. For example, an electronic screen 310 of the plasma type uses different control function drivers 5026 than those used by an electronic screen 310 of the LCD type. And, different manufacturers of the same type of electronic screen 310 can use different protocols or control commands and therefore require different 5026 control function drivers. The control function handlers 5026 may include various levels of control capability for the electronic display 310. For example, a low cost electronic display controller 312 may not include various automatic adjustment type handlers, such as intensity or volume, while that a more expensive electronic display controller 312 may include handles 5026 of intensity and volume control function. Addition, depending on the level of verification to be used, other control function drivers 5026 may be included. For example, although a verification level 1 system can simply measure the existence of a particular operational parameter communicated by operational data 4916, a verification level 2 system can use a control function handler 5026 that alerts the operational parameters that they are monitored by the electronic display 310 when comparing the operational data 4916 with some expected operational parameters of the electronic display 310 as a result of displaying a 4910 signal of particular content or test signal. A limit board manager 5028 can be used to determine that some responses of the operational parameters are a result of displaying a content signal 4910 on the electronic display 310, thus providing verification levels 2 and 4. For example, the table manager 5028 limit may interact with the expected operational parameter database 4906d stored in the storage unit 4904 of the local server 304 or a corresponding expected operational parameter data base 4906d stored in the storage unit 4904 of the electronic display controller 312 to perform the analysis of signatures based on the expected feedback of the operational parameters. The test or signal patterns can be stored and inserted into the content signal 4910 to perform the signature analysis. Also included in the software 5018 of the electronic display controller 312 are the measurement functions 5030 as it is understood in the art. The measurement functions 5030 are operated to receive the operational data 4916 and determine the values associated therewith. For example, operational data 4916 representative of voltage levels (eg, power supply or use of individual components) used by electronic display 310 can be detected by sensors on electronic displays 310 and measured by measurement functions 5030. Alternatively, the measurement function can be performed by the electronic display 310. The measurement functions 5030 can also interact with the limit board manager 5028 to perform the signature analysis by comparing the expected operational parameters with the current measured operational parameters as provided by operational data 4916. A record generator 5032 can be used to form a record event in the record data base 5020b each time the electronic screen controller 312 communicates the content signal 4910 to the electronic display 310 and / or each once the content signal 4910 is displayed on the electronic display 310. The registration generator 5032 may receive information via the PCI bus 4918a or as part of the content signal 4910 or control signals 4912 that includes the associated identification data. with the 4910 signal of content. By having the 5032 record generator form a record event, the verification levels 1 and 2 of the content signal 4910 that are displayed are enabled. However, it should be understood that the record generator 5032 can be executed by the local server 304, whereby when the local server 304 communicates the content signal 4910 with the electronic screen controller 312, a communication record may be the installation in base 4906c of record data. As seen in Figure 50C, the handler unit 5012 may include a number of components that include a clock 5034, test pattern or character generator 5036, local area network (LAN) handler 5038, screen handler 5040 / local bus, PCI bus interface 5042, unit 5044 of signal measurements, and screen handler 5014. However, it should be understood that the functions of the handler unit 5012 can be further executed and / or alternatively by the processor 5006. The clock 5034 can be used to maintain proper synchronization between the electronic screen controller 312 and the electronic screen 310. The pattern of tests or 5036 character generator can be used to generate a test pattern in order to allow the electronic screen controller 312 to measure the operational parameter (s) that have (n) a feedback of expected operational parameters , thus providing testing and calibration capabilities. The network LAN handler 5038 can be used to perform communications between the electronic display driver 312 and the electronic display 310. The network LAN handler 5038 can also be used to communicate with other remotely located devices as is understood in the art. The local screen / bus driver 5040 may additionally provide local communication with the electronic screen 310 or other remotely located devices. The PCI bus interface 5042 can be used to interface with the processor 5006 and the local server 304 via the PCI bus 4918b as understood in the art. A 5044 unit of signal measurements may be capable of interfacing with analog and / or digital signals from the electronic display 310. Accordingly, the 5044 unit of signal measurements may include A / D converters (not shown). show) to sample analog signals, if the signals received from the electronic display 310 are analogous. The signal measurement unit 5044 may also include a processor (not shown) or other operable electronic device for performing the measurements of the operational data 4916. It should be understood that the measurement functions 5030 and the signal measurement unit 5044 may be combined or operated in conjunction with another such that the operational data 4916 is measured or received in accordance with the types of operational parameters that are fed back by the electronic display 310 via the PCI bus 4918a. The electronic display 310 includes a processor 5046 coupled to the memory 5048 and video handler 5050, which is coupled to and operable to operate an electronic display unit 5052. It should be understood that, depending on the type of electronic display 310, other hardware components of the electronic display 310 may be included or excluded as is understood in the art. For example, an electronic CRT-type display 310 would include an image tube to display the content signal 4910 and an electronic LCD screen 310 would include LCD handlers and, typically, a fluorescent light source. The processor 5046 may further be coupled to conventional sensor (s) 5054 which may be used to measure operational parameters of the electronic display 310. For example, the sensors 5054 may detect voltage, current, sweep frequency, etc. The information detected by the sensor (s) 5054 can be received directly by the processor 5046 or, in the case of measuring analog signals, it can be sampled by D / A converters (not shown) located on the electronic screen 310 or electronic display controller 312. The processor executes the software 5056 which is used to interface with the video handler 5050 in order to display the content signal 4910 by the electronic screen unit 5052. The software 5056 may also be used to form registration data in the memory 5048 for communication of the electronic display controller 312.

For example, software 5056 may be used to interface with a wireless communication device or interface to receive content signal 4910 and control signals 4912 and communicate operational data 4916 to it. return to the electronic screen controller 312. It should be understood that the electronic display 310 may alternatively be a slave device and operated and fully controlled by the electronic display controller 312. Figure 51A is an exemplary flow diagram 5100a that provides the level of verification 1 of the visual content that is displayed in the visual application 308 of Figure 3C. The verification level process 1 starts at step 5102. At step 5104, the content signal 4910, which may be analog or digital, is communicated via a wired or wireless communications channel to the visual application 308. In a modality , the wireless ethernet using the 802.11b standard can be used. Alternatively, the wireless satellite communication may be used directly or indirectly to the visual application 308. Depending on the configuration of the system, the fact that the content signal 4910 is provided to the visual application 308 from the local server 304 may be sufficient to consider that the content is displayed in the visual application 308. Alternatively, a communication can be communicated from the electronic screen controller 312 to the electronic screen 310 to verify that the content is displayed in the visual application 308. In step 5106, it is recorded a first indicator of the occurrence of communication of the 4910 content signal. The first indicator may be set in response to the content signal 4910 that is communicated from the local server 304 to the electronic display controller 312 or from the electronic display controller 312 to the electronic display 310 depending on the configuration of the system. In one modality, the first indicator includes a date and time. Other indicators may alternatively be recorded, including a flag indicative of the signal 4910 of content being communicated. In step 5108, the content is displayed on the electronic screen 310 via the content signal 4910. At least one operational parameter of the visual application 308 is detected in step 5110. The operational parameter (s) may be any operational parameter that is (are) available to be detected by a conventional or custom designed sensor 5054 for the electronic display 310. In step 5112, a second indicator indicative of the detected operational parameter (s) is recorded. The second indicator can be a measured value or an indicator that is indicative of the fact that the operational parameter (s) is (are) operating in a normal range. For example, the operational voltage parameter of the electronic display 310 can be verified to be operating at 120 ± 5 volts. By associating or combining the knowledge that the first and second indicators are valid, the level of verification 1 can be satisfied for the operator of the visual application 308 and / or the provider of the visual content. The verification level process 1 ends in step A. Figure 51B is an exemplary flow diagram 5100b of a verification level process 2. The verification level 2 process starts in step A, which it extends from the verification level process 1 of Figure 51A. In step 5114, a value indicative of the detected operational parameter is determined. In other words, a measurement of the detected operational parameter produces a measured value corresponding thereto. Verification level 2 can additionally measure the variable operational parameter over time at multiple times for determination purposes. In step 5116, a determination is made if the measured value is within a range of expected measured value. In step 5118, a notification identifier indicative of the measured value that is within or outside the desired range of measured values is formed. If the measured value is within the desired range of measured values, then the notification identifier can be set to a value of "1" or logical TRUE. If the measured value is outside the desired range of measured values, the notification identifier may be a "0" or logical FALSE. In step 5120, a notification is communicated based on the notification identifier. In an exemplary embodiment, the notification may be communicated from the electronic screen 310 to the electronic screen controller 312. Alternatively, the notification may be communicated from the electronic display controller 312 to the local server 304. The process ends in step 5122. It should be understood that each of the indicators and identifiers may be stored in the local server's registration data base 4906c. 304. Table 68 is an exemplary record table that contains records for verification levels 1 and 2. As noted, a number of different data elements indicative of the sending of the 4910 content signal and stored the measurement of operational parameters. Examples of such data elements are send / time of reproduction of the content signal 4910, content identifier, content name, operational parameters, and verification identifier. The sending / playback time may include a date and time that the content signal 4910 is sent from the local server 304 to the electronic screen controller 312 or from the electronic screen controller 312 to the electronic screen 310. Since the sending of the content signal 4910 can be performed only once and after the display of the content signal 4910 can be repeated continuously in the visual application 308, the playback time can also be recorded. It should also be understood that the subscriber ID, the visual application ID, and other relevant information associated with the content verification may be stored. o o SHIPPING / IDENTIFICATION NAME OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS NAME IDENTIFIER REPRODUCTION OR CONTENT OF CONTENT VERIFICATION DATE HOUR TEMP VOLTOS CORRIENTE LIGHT REFRESCO 6/14/02 2:45 pm 50286-03741 Shoe for 96 120 .5 - - L1-PAS0 run 6/14/02 2:48 pm 50286-03741 Shoe for 98 122 .58 - L1-PAS0 run 6 / 14/02 2:51 pm 50286-03741 Shoe for 110 32 .01 - - Ll-FAIL to run 6/21/02 8:30 am 28400-07056 Snacks-Chips 95 120 .5 1.4 60 L2-STEP 6/21/02 8:35 am 28400-07056 Snacks-Chips 95 120 .52 1.4 60 L2-PAS0 6/21/02 8: 0 am 28400-07056 Snacks-Chips 95 120 .52 1.4 60 L2-PAS0 6/21/02 8:45 am 28400-07056 Snacks-Chips 95 120 .51 1.32 60 L2-PAS0 6/21/02 8:50 am 28400-07056 Snacks-Chips 95 120 .5 1.28 60 L2-FAIL 6/28/02 12:00 pm Coca-cola® Drink 95 120 .5 1.4 60 L2-Carbonated STEP TABLE 68. REGISTRATION DATA BASE The content identifier can be any identifier associated with the content provided by the content signal 4910. For example, if the content is an advertisement that shows a running shoe, then the content identifier can be the uniform product code (UPC) associated with it. Alternatively, the operator can assign a random or non-random alphanumeric value to the content identifier. The content name can be an identifier associated with the content or a content provider, for example. The operational parameters may include any operational parameter of the electronic display 310 which is measured or derived from the electronic display 310. As shown, the operational parameters may include temperature, volts, current, light, and refresh rate. For the visual content of the running shoe, the operational parameters are measured and stored in the record table each time the content is sent and / or played. For example, on June 14, 2002, at 2:45 pm, the operating temperature of the visual application 308 is 96 degrees Fahrenheit (35.5 ° C) and the operating voltage is 120 volts with the visual application 308 extracting a current of 0.5 amps. As indicated by the verification identifier (column to the far right) which is "L-STEP", the sending of the 4910 content signal was successful and the visual application 308 is considered operational. The announcement of the running shoe is displayed at three minute intervals (ie, 2:45 p.m., 2:38 p.m., and 2:51 p.m.). However, although the visual application 308 at 2:51 p.m. it is considered operational at 2:48 p.m., the operational parameters (volts and current) indicate a failure of verification level 1 of visual application 308 as identified by the verification identifier (i.e., "ll-FAIL") . The record table also includes data associated with a second announcement. As shown, on June 21, 2002, at 8:00 a.m., a "chip-snack" advertisement is displayed that has a content identifier of 28400-07056, representative of the UPC number or any other proprietary number. or conventional associated with the product of snacks -chips. The operational parameters for the visual application 308 include an additional light parameter, which is derived from measuring an operational parameter of current drawn by the image tube, for example, and using the installation setup parameters as understood in the art. The operational light parameter can be used by the visual application 308, and more specifically by the limit table manager 5028, to verify that the operational parameter is operating within an expected range of operational parameters for a given time sample of the 4910 signal screen of content. In this case, the measured current has a corresponding light operational parameter of 1.4 Foot-Lamberts (FL). The range of expected light parameters can be set between 1.3 FL and 1-5 FL, so that the operational parameter of light for the visual content displayed at 8:30 a.m. allows the administrator 5024 of rules of the electronic screen controller 312 to indicate that the display of the 4910 content signal was acceptable from the point of view of the level of verification 2. Accordingly, the verification identifier at 8: 30 am receives "L2-STEP". The carbonated beverage ad is displayed every 5 minutes and continues to receive "L2-PASS" indications until 8:50 a.m., where the operational light parameter falls outside the expected range of light operational parameters with a value of 1.28 FL. According to the foregoing, the verification identifier is recorded as being "L D-FAIL", which indicates a verification level failure 2. A third visual content is shown to be communicated to the visual application 308 by signal 4910 of content on June 28, 2002 at 12:00 pm The content identifier is alphanumeric and spells the name of the manufacturer "Coca-cola®" instead of using a uniform product code number (UPC). As described in relation to Figure 50A, the content identifier can be used as a verification code to be displayed in the visual application 308 in order to provide verification levels 3 and 4. The shipping and operational parameters successfully fulfill the conditions of verification level 2, and consequently, a verification identifier of "L2 - STEP" is registered. It should be understood that instead of using a single table of records to record both levels of verification separating the tables can be used to support each level of verification. Additionally, it should be understood that one or more tables may be organized to record the visual content that is displayed in each visual application 308, thereby providing the local server operator 304 with easier record management. It should also be understood that there may be more or fewer operational parameters than those shown in Table 68. Although operational parameters are shown as static, the operational parameters may be provided in a more detailed format or variables in time. The data file (s) containing (n) variable registers at the time of measurements of operational parameters that are provided for signature analysis can be stored by the base 4906d of expected operational parameter data of the local server 304. The software 5018 can provide the data files for consultation by the parametric limit table for the 5028 administrator of control functions and 5024 administrator of rules to perform the verification process of the verification level 2. Verification levels 3 and 4 They rely on a detection technique that extends beyond the conventional detection of operational parameters. As is understood in the art, conventional detection of operational parameters in non-production operations (ie, beyond factory testing operations) is limited to those parameters that can be measured electronically (i.e., voltage or current) in the electronic screen 310. Again, in the case of determining the color of the intensity of the light for conventional systems, a measurement and a numerical conversion are performed using parameters established from the factory as it is understood in the matter to calculate the light produced by electronic screen 310. The techniques for performing verification levels 3 and 4 are described hereinafter. To provide the content verification levels 3 and 4, a verification code may be generated (see, Figure 53) and associated with or be descriptive of the content displayed in the visual application 308 (see, Figure 52A). The verification code can be generated automatically or manually. If it is generated automatically, the verification code may be based on the name of the content data file stored in the content database 4906a. Alternatively, the verification code may be based on another identifier associated with the visual content, such as the UPC number or proprietary bar code number, product or service name, or other related information stored in the data base 4906a. content . The verification code is ultimately a binary word or multiple binary words to represent the information associated with the visual content. For example, a letter "G" in ASCII can be represented as 7H (hexadecimal or binary 010001112).

Alternatively, the verification code may be an alphanumeric identifier generated by the content provider or operator of the operation server 102. For example, alphanumeric identifiers can be generated over time or for successive image frames, either serially (for example, C001, C002, C003, etc.) or randomly (for example, XP483, YN248, 32A3N, etc.). .) without repeating values, or, alternatively, used by a limited predetermined base in order to form the verification code. Still, the time and date can be included to generate unique verification codes for the associated content. For example, a verification code may include a product name, date, time, and / or identifier of a visual application 308. If the verification code is generated manually, the same information or similar information used to generate automatically may be used. the verification code. It should be understood that the verification code may be generated on the local server 304, the electronic screen controller 312, the electronic screen 310, or a combination thereof. In practice, a number of techniques can be used to generate and apply the verification code to be displayed on the visual screen 310. An example mode includes using a software tool to produce video content. One such software tool is Macromedia Director ™. Another method for generating and / or applying the verification code to be displayed by a visual verification code signal includes software or hardware operator by the local server 304, electronic display controller 312, electronic display 310, either individually or by a combination of the same. The software and / or hardware can apply the visual verification code signal to either a analog or digital video signal that possesses the content. The digital video signal can be MPEG-1, -2, or, -4, or any other digital video signal format supported by a communications system. It should be understood that the verification code may be applied automatically, semi-automatically, or manually by any of the subscribers 204 and 206, service provider 202, advertiser, or other content provider / publisher. In the case of the signal 4910 of content that is analogous, the synchronization pulses indicating the start of lines and fields (i.e., horizontal and vertical synchronization) as understood in the art can be used to insert the verification code signal visual. In one embodiment, an on screen display or video pattern generator, such as that used to generate a screen menu guide, may be used to insert the signal the visual verification code in the content signal 4910 that is displayed by the visual application 308. For example, in a specific line and column based on the synchronization pulses, the content signal 4910 that is sent or displayed by the visual application 308 is switched to the visual verification code signal. To perform the switching of the signals, an on-screen display (OSD) chip can be used as is understood in the art. In the case of the content signal 4910 that becomes digital by any of the local server 304, the electronic display controller 312, or the electronic display 310, a variety of techniques can be used to display the verification code signal visual in association with the 4910 content signal. Those three techniques include (1) using the same or similar techniques as described above with respect to the insertion of the visual verification code signal 5206 by counting the synchronization pulses in conjunction with a video pattern generator, (2) ) forming a data stream of the contents of the memory content and applying or overwriting the visual verification code signal at the appropriate locations in the memory so that the verification code is displayed at a desired location on the electronic screen 310, or (3) performing the real-time insertion of the visual verification code signal to the content signal 4910 using video mixing equipment as is understood in the art. Again, when displaying the verification code, verification levels 3 and 4 can be enabled. Figures 52A-52C provide a number of exemplary embodiments for using an optical sensor to measure the illumination of a verification code. FIG. 52A (1) provides an electronic display 310 as an example having an optical sensor 5202 coupled thereto for detecting illumination of a display region 5204 identified with dashed lines to display a visual verification code signal 5206 the display 5208 of the electronic display 310. The optical sensor 5202 can be electronic or any other type of sensor (e.g., photodiode, phototransistor, and solar cell) capable of detecting the illumination of the visual verification code signal 5206 by the electronic display 310. In one embodiment, the optical sensor 5204 is one produced by Panasonic Corporation and is identified as the PN335 part number. As can be seen in the facade of the electronic display 310a of Figure 52A (1), the optical sensor 5202 is installed in the display area or region 5204 formed to display the visual verification code signal 5206. To reduce optical noise during detection by the optical sensor 5202, including simultaneous display of the visual content and ambient lighting conditions, the optical sensor 5202 should have a field of view no greater than the display region 5204 for displaying the signal 5206 of visual verification code. The optical sensor 5202 can be coupled to the 5208 display using adhesives or other permanent or non-permanent security materials. Figure 52A (2) shows a front isometric view of the electronic display 310 having the optical sensor coupled to the display 5208. The optical sensor as shown has no cable to communicate the signal detected by illumination from the code signal 5206 of visual verification, but uses a wireless communications device (not shown) coupled to the optical sensor 5202. In an exemplary embodiment, the wireless communications device is produced by Radiotronix, Inc. and has the part number rtc -433-as. Alternatively, the optical sensor can be wired to an electronic tablet to communicate the visual verification code signal 5206. Figure 52B (1) is a front view of the electronic display 310 that provides an alternative mode for coupling the optical sensor 5202 to the electronic display 310 for illumination by the visual verification code signal 5206. In this embodiment, a brake or support member 5210 may be coupled to a housing 5212 of the electronic display 310 using adhesives or other fastening techniques as is understood in the art. As seen in Figure 52B (2), the support member 5210 is curved and places the optical sensor 5204 in a position to be illuminated by the display of the visual verification code signal 5206. Alternatively, the optical sensor 5202 can be installed in a support member not directly coupled to the housing 5212 of the electronic display 310. In another embodiment, a mirror, a light pipe, an optical fiber, or another reflective device can be used. of light to project the illumination of the visual verification code signal 5206 on the optical sensor 5202 that is remotely associated with the electronic display 310. For some types of screen having rear projection systems, the optical sensor 5202 can be placed behind of the view screen. For a frontal projection system, the optical sensor 5202 can be placed in the deployment plane (for example, screen) or within the same projector. Figure 52C (1) is a front view of the electronic display 310a showing that the optical sensor 5202 is not positioned externally 'in front of the display region 5204 on the screen 5208. As shown in Figure 52C (2) , the optical sensor 5202 is placed inside the electronic screen 310 and behind the screen 5208 by coupling the optical sensor 5202 by the support member 5210, which is further coupled to the housing 5212 or the screen 5208 of the electronic screen 310b. To illuminate the optical sensor with the visual verification code signal 5206, a mirror 5214 reflects the visual code signal 5206 on the optical sensor 5202. It should be understood that a beam splitter can alternatively be used to reflect the visual code signal 5206 on the optical sensor 5202 so that at least a portion of the visual verification code signal 5206 or other content signal 4910 is displayed on the display 5208 to reduce distraction upon viewing the electronic display 310. Another embodiment for using the optical sensor 5202 is an outdoor display that uses LED and LCD devices (for example, electronic billboard). LED outdoor screens can use LED bulbs, as is understood in the art, where LED bulbs include multiple light emitting diodes in order to produce multiple colors from a single LED bulb. To ensure that the electronic billboard is operating properly, the optical sensor 5202 can be attached to a portion or all of the LED bulbs. Alternatively, the optical sensor 5202 may be or be positioned to receive illumination from some or all of the LE D bulbs. According to the above, when detecting the illumination that is displayed from the LED bulbs, the content and / or deployment parameters (for example, color, intensity, etc.) of the outdoor screen can be verified. The optical sensor 5202 can be used in a similar way with an LCD screen. Yet another embodiment for using the principles of the present invention includes a video screen wall, wherein multiple electronic screens 310 form a large single electronic screen. In such a case, each individual electronic display 310 may have the optical sensor 5202 or other feedback mechanism (s), as described above, in order to ensure the proper operation of each individual electronic display 310. Figure 53 is an exemplary graph 5300 for displaying a digital verification code signal 5302 representative of a content identifier (Table 68), which can be used to form a verification CODIG associated with a content 4910 signal . The digital verification code signal 5302 is formed by 48 bits having four (4) bits per word. The time segments? 0-? 48 represent the time segments for each bit. For example, bit 0 extends between times T0-Ti, bit 1 extends between times ?? -? 2, bit 2 extends between times T2-T3, and bit 3 extends between times T3-T4. The word 1, therefore, forms the hexadecimal number 5H (that is, the binary number 01012). Word 2, forms a hexadecimal number of 6H ie 01102) and word 12 forms hexadecimal number 8H (ie, 10002). It should be understood that the digital verification code signal 5302 can be formed from words having less than or more than 4 bits. For example, if you want to use ASCII or alphanumeric code values for the verification code, then 8-bit words can be used, thus providing a potential of 256 values for each character. By displaying the digital verification code signal 5302 as a visual verification code signal 5206, the bits are displayed in series (i.e., bit 0, bit 1, bit 2, bit 3, etc.). The bits may be synchronized with the content signal 4910 according to the frame and / or refresh rate of the electronic display 310. It should also be understood that other modulation techniques may be used to represent the verification code. For example, pulse width modulation (PWM) can be used such that the percentage of a word that is HIGH can be used to form different levels or average values that represent characters of the verification code. Figures 54A-54D show a sequence of images illustrating the digital verification code signal 5302 (Figure 53) which is displayed as a visual verification code signal 5206 on the electronic display 310. Figures 54 A (1) - 54 D (1) show a sequence of the 4 representative bits of the word 1 of the digital verification code 5302 of Figure 53. Between the times To and Ti, the visual verification code signal 5206a is highlighted, thus indicating that the bit between the times T0 and i of the digital verification code signal 5302 is HIGH. Figure 54B (1) has the visual verification code signal 5206b highlighted, thereby indicating that the second bit (i.e., bit 1) of the digital verification code signal 5302 is LOW between the times Ti and T2. Figure 54C (1) again has the visual verification code signal 5206a which is indicated as highlighted, thus representing that the third bit of the digital verification code signal 5302 is HIGH. Figure 54D (1) shows the highlighted visual verification code signal 5206b, thus indicating that the fourth bit of the digital verification code signal 5302 is LOW. Upon detecting the illumination of the visual verification code signal 5206 from each frame provided by Figures 54A (1) -54D (1), a determination can be made that the verification code that is represented by the code signal 5302 The digital verification code that is displayed by the visual verification code signal 5206 is a hexadecimal number 5H (ie, OIOI2) - Figure 54B illustrates the digital verification code signal 5302 that is displayed as a combination of values (eg example, HIGH and LOW). The display region 5204 is formed from a visual verification code signal 5206c having two inverse regions one from the other. In other words, to represent a HIGH value, shown in Figure 54A (2), the left half 5206e of the visual verification code signal 5206c is highlighted and the right half 5206f is left out. Figure 54B (2) shows a low bit of the digital verification code signal 5302, whereby the right half 5206f of the visual verification code signal 5206d is highlighted and the left half 5206e is left out. By using a pair of sensors that are electronically configured as a differential pair, the optical noise from ambient lighting conditions can be reduced by detecting the visual verification code signal 5206 illuminated by the electronic display 310. It should be understood that they can be used other configurations and / or patterns generated to represent a HIGH value and a LOW value of the digital verification code signal 5302 for detection purposes. Also, the HIGH and LOW colors may be different than black and white. For example, an operator may wish to verify that the colors (ie, red, green, blue) of the electronic display 310 are operating properly. To verify the colors, the visual verification code signal 5206 can be selectively recycled or turned on independent of the other colors in order to verify that (i) each color is operating and (2) the intensity of each color is balanced with respect to the other colors. Still, the visual verification code signal 5206 can be formed for appropriately coupling other colors surrounding the content identification region in order to minimize distraction for the observer as the visual verification code signal 5206 is displayed by the electronic display 310. Another technique for verifying colors may include applying color them simultaneously with the same or substantially different intensities and measures accordingly. Figure 55A is an exemplary flow chart 5500a describing an operation for the verification level 3 of the visual content displayed in the visual application 308 of Figure 3C. The verification level process 3 starts at step 5502. In step 5504, a digital signal representative of a verification code is converted into a visual verification code signal 5206. The verification code signal 5206 is displayed in relation to a content signal 4910, where the visual verification code signal 5206 may be displayed before, in conjunction with, or after the content signal 4910. By displaying the visual verification code signal 5206 relative to the visual content signal, the knowledge that a particular content signal 4910 was displayed by measuring the visual verification code signal 5206 can be determined. In step 5508, the displayed digital verification code signal 5302 is read as a visual verification code signal 5206. Upon reading the visual verification code signal 5206, the illumination of the visual verification code signal 5206 can be detected by optical sensors 5204 and measured by circuitry and / or software. In step 5510, a verification code is determined based on the visual verification code signal 5206 read. The verification code is the code based on a content identifier and generated to form the digital verification code signal 5302. By determining the verification code as represented by the visual verification code signal 5206, a high level of certainty can be realized at which the content signal 4910 deployed to successfully provide the level of verification 3. The verification level process 3 ends in step B. Figure 55B is an exemplary flow diagram 5400b which describes verification level 4, which indicates that a particular content signal 4910 is displayed in the visual application 308 of the Figure. 3C. The process starts in step B, which is an extension of the process in Figure 55A. In step 5512, the parameter (s) is detected. Upon detection of the operational parameters, the optical sensor (s) 5054 can be used to measure operational parameters of the visual application 308. The process continues in step A of Figure 51B in order to determine the values of the detected operational parameters and of comparing the detected values with the expected operational parameter values in order to determine (1) the quality of the visual content signal that is displayed and (2) to perform signature analysis of the parameter (s) (s) operational (s). In one embodiment, the signature analysis can be performed by measuring each of the component colors displayed by the visual verification code signal 5206. Verification level process 4 ends in step 5514. Although the principles of the present invention provide feedback of parameters associated with the display of content, it should be understood that the feedback of parameters associated with audio may also be used in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In case of feedback of audio parameters, measurements of audio characteristics are made instead of the optical characteristics. Such audio features may include fidelity (for example, static and interference), volume, range dynamics, etc. According to the verification levels (1) and (2), the measurement and knowledge of sensory information, such as audio, which is communicated to an electronic device (eg, the visual application 308) can establish the verification that the sensory information (for example, audio and / or video) is properly communicated and delivered as output or reproduced by the electronic device. A transducer or microphone (not shown) may be used to detect the audio produced by the electronic display 310 or, optionally, a remotely located radio. In one mode, the feedback of the audio measurements can be used to verify that the audio is operating properly. The feedback can be fed back additionally to provide the volume in order to automatically adjust to a particular level. For example, in the case of the visual application 308 which is located in a corridor of a grocery store, the volume can be adjusted to a predetermined level in order to allow people at a certain distance (for example, 2.4 meters) to listen to the audio which is produced by the visual application 308. According to the verification levels (3) and (4), a verification code may cause an audio verification code signal that may or may not be heard by the human ear (it is say, at a low or very high frequency), but that is capable of being produced by a sound system and measured by an audio sensor. The measurement of the audio verification code signal may be fed back to the local server 304 in order to verify that a particular audio and / or video content is played by the output device (eg, radio or visual application 308). To further improve audio verification, speech recognition can be used to detect keywords or phrases incorporated in the audio content to "mix" the audio verification code in the content itself. An audio selection flag can be set for each visual application 308 on the local server 304. If the operator of the visual application 308 does not wish to play the audio, the audio selection flag can be set to a OFF state, thus preventing report error conditions when the measurement of the audio signal of the visual application 308 results in a condition of OFF. Otherwise, an error condition may be reported and the operator can correct the audio problem manually, semi-automatically or automatically.

SYSTEM DATA BASES Tables 69-71 are exemplary databases that are provided to maintain information associated with the service provider 202 and the subscribers 204 and 206. In addition, the tables for maintaining information in connection with the server 702 of service provider, local servers 304 and visual applications 308. Additionally, Tables 73-75 maintain information associated with the content, operation of the components, and financial obligations (e.g., billing) of subscribers 204 and 206 to the provider 202 of service.

Local Server Population Visual Application Population Contents Playlists Accumulated records Storage Mapping Billing Report Table 69. Server Provider Server data base (s) Table 69 includes databases maintained by the service provider server 702 that includes information associated with the equipment (eg, local servers 304 and visual applications 308), content and programs for the content to be played in the visual applications 308, billing, and reports. The local server population database is used to maintain information associated with local servers 304 that are distributed between subscribers 204 and 206. Such information may include detailed information identifying local servers, locations, operators, software versions, etc. The visual application population database includes information associated with the visual applications 308 that are used in the communications system 200 operating in the facilities 208 of the subscribers 204 and 206. The visual application population database may associate the visual applications 308 in communication with specific 304 local servers.

Additionally, the visual application population database includes identification information associated with each of the visual applications 308. Still, the visual application population database may include other relevant information associated with each visual application 308, including version software, processor, age, screen size, refresh rate, etc. The content database may include content information associated with each subscriber 204 and 206. For example, the content information may include content storage location, content size, content type, cumulative content size, movements on average per month of content, etc. The playlist database includes generated playlists maintained by the subscribers 204 and 206 and used to display the content in the visual applications 308 located in the facilities 208. The cumulative record database includes the records generated by the subscribers. local servers 304 and visual applications 308. Accumulated records may include performance, health, number of reproductions, verification information, etc. It should be understood that the accumulated records are typically a summary of the recorded information provided by the local servers 304 and visual applications 308. However, a complete set of records can also be maintained.

The storage mapping database includes the location of the content to be stored for the subscribers 204 and 206. Because the equipment, such as the local servers 304, are owned by the service provider in a business model, the provider business is able to maintain storage for content for different subscribers anywhere in the local server network 304. In other words, because the content is not considered critical business data, subscribers 204 and 206 can share the storage on local servers 304 with data from other subscribers 204 and 206. Therefore, a mapping of storage of the content by the service provider 202 in order to maintain location information of the stored content for each subscriber 204 and 206. The reported database is used to maintain information associated with the use of reports and billing information to the subscribers 204 and 206. The billing database is used for billing purposes to maintain billing records for subscribers 204 and 206 for the use of the services provided by the service provider 202. For example, the billing information may include the distribution of data charges via satellite 218 over a measurement rate per unit (megabytes). Additionally, billing information may include storage content on a unit-by-time measurement basis (e.g., megabytes for a month). It should be understood that other billing facilities may be maintained by the billing databases as described herein and as understood in the art.

Local Server ID Visual Application Population Type Location Current Content Visual Application ID MAC Address IP Address Subscription ID Accumulated Registers of the Visual Application Contents Playlists Content Initial Time End Time Location Specifies Storage Table 70. Local Server Data Base (s) Table 70 includes databases maintained by the local server 304. The databases may include local server identification information, visual application population, cumulative records from the visual applications 308, content, playlists, and storage. The local server identification information can include addresses, serial numbers, etc. The visual application population may include type, location (in facilities 208), current content, visual application identification number, MAC address, IP address, etc. The location information may be associated with the planogram of the facilities 208 as understood in the art. Accumulated records from the visual application may include performance, health, type of ID, start and end of content reproduction, number of reproductions, verification information, or any other information generated by visual applications 308. The database of The content may include a list of content that is stored by the local server 304. In one embodiment, the content database includes a list of content to be reproduced in the associated visual applications 308. The playlist database may include content, start time, end time, subscription ID, content ID, visual application ID, specific location for visual application 308, etc. The database of the playlist can be used by the administrator of an installation 208 to ensure that the content is displayed in association with the product located in the installation. For example, an administrator of a grocery store will notify staff that a particular visual application 308 will be placed in association (eg, attached to a particular shelf) with a particular product. For example, a soup advertisement will have the visual application 308 located or placed in relation to the soup product. Therefore, the installation administrator can verify and confirm that the visual application 308 to reproduce the soup advertisement is located on or has moved to a shelf that stores the soup prior to the distribution of the content to the visual application 308. A verification of the location of the visual application 308 can be performed automatically before the content is communicated or displayed. If it is determined that the visual application 308 is not properly located for the deployment of the particular content, a notification may be sent to the subscriber 204 in order to move the visual application 308. The storage database may maintain information associated with the content to be displayed by the visual applications 308 in the installation 208. Additionally, the storage database may maintain information associated with all content stored by the local server 304, whether or not it is to be displayed by the visual applications 308 in the installation 208 Visual Application Address Information Local Server ID MAC Address IP Address 5 ESN Location ID Application ID Visual Subscription ID Content Registration 2Q Health Performance Type of ID Start / End Number of Views Verification Information Correct ID ^ Frequency Image Color Intensity Performance Resolution Correct for Screen Table 71. Base (s) of Data Application 2Q Visual Table 71 is an exemplary set of databases maintained by the visual applications 308 of Figure 3C. 25 Databases can include visual application ID information, including local server ID, MAC address, IP address, EFN, location ID, subscription ID, and visual application ID number, for example. The location ID may be associated with a planogram mapping of an installation 208 and updated each time the visual application 308 moves from one location to another. The update can be performed in the visual application 308 by a touch screen or local connection in order to ensure that the location information has been updated appropriately. The content database maintains the current content information that is downloaded in the visual application 308. The content database may include download data, file size, content name, content type, subscriber ID, etc. ., as provided by the subscriber 204 in a playlist. The registration database maintains information associated with the operation of the visual application 308. The registration database may include information, such as performance and alerts of the visual application 308. For example, the performance may include temperature or other conditions environmental and operational features of the visual application 308, be determined by the electronic display controller 312 or electronic display 310. The registration information may also maintain information associated with the content that is displayed by the visual application 308, including the type of ID, start / end time, subscriber ID, and number of views. The type of ID can be the type of content that is displayed, such as still or video images. The start / end times can be used to verify that the content that is displayed by the visual application 308, including the number of times reproduced in the visual application 308. The verification information can be used to provide subscribers 204 and 206 a " electronic proof sheet "for verification purposes using the verification levels described above. The verification information may include correct ID, image frequency, color, intensity, performance, correct resolution for screen and / or other verification information. Accordingly, the visual application 308 may summarize or accumulate the registration information before communicating the registration information to the local server 304. By accumulating the registration information, a minimum amount of bandwidth can be used and storage space while capturing enough information for reporting and billing purposes. Alternatively, the visual application 308 may be notified in order to load the registration information to the local server 304, which, in turn, uploads the registration information to the service provider server 402. Because the visual application 308 is formed in the electronic display controller 312 and the electronic display 310 is in an integrated or separate configuration, a wide variety of designs of the visual application 308 may be used in accordance with the principles of the present invention. . Designs can range from small, lightweight, flat-panel LCD screens that can be integrated into installation shelves, display stands, rack-mount screens, and other screen structures. Additionally, visual applications can be integrated into functional product dispensers, such as candy machines, non-alcoholic beverage dispensers, beer dispensers, cigar machines, etc. In other non-integrated embodiments of the visual application 308, the electronic display controller 312 may be coupled to an existing electronic display, such as a CRT or television, for download and display of the content.

System User Interfaces Figures 56A-56D show a set of user interfaces 56 provided by the subscribers 204 and 206 for use to provide transmission services using the communications system 200. The user interfaces may include a library user interface 5602, programming / transmission user interface 5604, site selection user interface 5606, and accounting interface 5608. The user interfaces 5600 allow the subscribers 204 and 206 to handle the content to be maintained, communicated, and deployed in the facilities 208 of the subscribers 204 and 206. Additionally, the user interfaces 5600 are provided to receive and report the information of the subscribers. accounting (for example, billing). The library user interface 5602 of Figure 56A allows subscribers 204 and 206 to manage the content to be stored by the service provider 202. The library user interface 5602 may be formed into a hierarchical structure or folder-based structure as understood in the art. Alternatively, the library user interface 5602 can use a content management system that manages the content in the form of "black boxes". The content library or database shares the content to be stored by the subscribers 204 and 206 so that each subscriber 204 and 206 is prevented from viewing the content of the other subscribers. The library user interface 5602 can be used for the subscribers 204 and 206 that are interconnected to the system for storage and / or transmission purposes. In other words, the library user interface 5602 can be used for a variety of different subscription types. Subscribers 204 that upload the content to the library may establish rules for distributing the content through the library user interface 5602. For example, if a new product advertisement is loaded, but is intended to be confidential until a certain release date, the subscriber 204 may set a restriction date whereby the service provider server 702 prevents the content from being distributed. . Additionally, the library user interface 5602 may allow the user to establish rules for the storage of the content. For example, a rule can be established in order to always maintain a backup copy of the content of at least one foreign time zone. The programming / transmission user interface 5604 of Figure 56B allows subscribers 204 and 206 to set times, locations, and / or visual applications 308 for the content maintained by the library to be transmitted. The programming / transmission user interface 5604 can be used to generate playlists for the content to be distributed and reproduced in the visual applications 308. The programming / transmission user interface 5604 can provide the subscriber 204 with the ability to categorize the facilities 208 and / or visual applications 308 in a variety of categories to multiemite the content. For example, facilities 208 may be categorized into regions (e.g., Midwest), locations (e.g., shopping centers), size (e.g., more than 929 square meters), type (e.g., clothing store). , locations (for example, northeast), owners (for example, Southwest Enterprises), or any other category to associate the facilities 208. The visual applications 308 can also be categorized for multiemit, including categorization by locations (e.g., warehouse facades), regions (e.g., northeast), places (e.g. shopping centers), departments (for example, gentlemen), locations defined by planogram (for example, aisle 3), associated products (for example, gelatins), associated services (eg turf services), size (eg, 48 * 36 inch [122 * 91 cm] electronic screens), or any other category to associate visual applications 308. Still, the interphase 5604 of programming / transmission user may include the quote to be provided to subscribers 204 and 206 dynamically as subscribers 204 and 206 define the content to be transmitted. Subscriber 204 and 206 may select content delivery delivery options based on priorities. For example, the content to be transmitted in a few weeks may be sent as low priority, while the content to be transmitted on the same day may be selected as a high priority shipment, which may have a higher cost than that established by the provider. 216 of communications network service. The selection site user interface 5606 of Figure 5C can provide subscribers 204 and 206 with the ability to set details for facilities 208. Such details may include address, installation manager, planogram, size, products, hours of installation , place, owner, facility ID, and / or any other details in order to help the service provider 202 and the subscriber 204 provide infrastructure and content distribution services. One or more planograms can be generated and associated with the facilities 208 of the subscribers 204 and 206 on an individual or collective basis, thus providing the subscribers 204 and 206 with an easy way to administer and service the infrastructure and program of the content to be transmitted. The account information user interface 5608 of Figure 56D provides subscribers 204 and 206 the ability to view accounting information, including billing and income. The subscribers 204 and 206 can be billed according to the use of the communication system 200, such as on a unit size basis per unit of time (e.g., megabytes / month). Subscribers 204 and 206 can, in turn, form the revenue when billing advertisers for the broadcast services. Additionally, the user interface information interface 5608 may be provided for verification information indicating that the content was displayed timely and appropriately in the visual applications 308. It should be understood that the user interface 5608 of account information may provide other information. administrative and functionality as it is understood in the matter.

Business Models for System Usage Flow Modeling Models Figure 57 is an exemplary block diagram that describes a subscription model 5700 for service provider 202 in Figure 2 to provide content and service management of distribution according to the principles of the present invention. Because the cost of infrastructure is generally prohibitive for most retailers, the subscription model 5700 generally allows large and small subscribers 204a-204n (collectively 204) to use the infrastructure and derive gains from the use of the sale of the infrastructure. advertising space, communication, access, capacity for advertisers 5702. More specifically, the service provider 202 interconnects the communication services of the communication network service provider 216 in order to provide the 5703 communications services through the system 200 communications for subscribers 204. Communication services 5903 may be via satellite 218 in order to provide substantially complete communications coverage for the United States and / or other continents. To provide the communication network service provider 216 with subscribers 204, the service provider 202 can offer a subscriber-based subscription service 204 that allows subscribers 204 to utilize content delivery maintenance and distribution technology. according to the principles of the present invention without having to acquire the infrastructure 5704 (eg, local servers 304 and visual applications 308). By providing subscriptions 5708 to subscribers 204, service provider 202 establishes subscriptions 5708 for infrastructure 5704 and services 5706 at minimal or no cost to subscribers 204. In one embodiment, subscriber 204 pays usage fees of the subscriber. infrastructure 5704 regardless of the type or amount of infrastructure 5704 used. In another embodiment, subscriber 204 pays for the use of a number of visual applications 308. Usage quotas may include communication and / or storage quotas in terms of reported capacity and / or stored content during a certain period of time. The infrastructure 5704 may include all the equipment necessary to operate as a transmission provider for the advertisers at the premises 208 of the subscriber 204. For example, the infrastructure 5704 may include a local office and individual installation equipment. The local office team may include a satellite dish, local office server, local office terminals, and local office network equipment. The individual installation equipment may include a satellite dish 302, local server 304, wireless access point 314, wired access point, storage units, and visual applications 308. Additionally, service provider 202 provides 5706 services in order to install and maintain infrastructure 5704. Because infrastructure 5704 is not owned by subscriber 204, but is only used, subscriber 204 may receive 5706 installation and maintenance services as part of a 5708 subscriber or subscription agreement. And , because the infrastructure 5704 is not owned by the subscriber 204, the subscriber 204 can treat the use of infrastructure as an expense instead of having to treat the 5704 infrastructure as a capital asset in a balance sheet, thereby minimizing exposure to equipment and technology that become obsolete while continuing to depreciate. In addition to the installation and services 5704 maintenance provided by service provider 202, service provider 202 provides content management and distribution services for subscribers 204. As described above, the service provider 202 offers a network interface to allow the subscribers 204 to upload the content of the advertisers 5702 and program the content for distribution and reproduction in the visual applications 308 at the premises of the subscribers 204. Because the subscribers 204 operate as the issuer, subscribers 204 have an incentive to search advertisements of advertisers 5702 from both advertising revenue and point of sale of product movement (ie, sales). Using the income model 5700 of Figure 57, subscribers 204 can incur advertising revenue without having to manage and maintain the 5704 infrastructure. Subscription 5708 can set 5708 subscription fees for the use of the 5704 infrastructure in order to be in the form of user fees for both the 5703 communication services and storage for the content. For 5903 communication services, 5710 subscription fees may be established as a fee per billable unit of measurement over a unit of time. For example, subscriber 204 can be charged a certain amount of money per megabyte per month (for example, $ 1 / megabyte / me s). In addition, the service provider 202 may be able to predetermine a date of profitability by establishing a minimum subscription fee over unit of time (eg, monthly). If subscriber 204 is able to sell additional content transmission services and the volume of communications is on the minimum unit, then subscriber 204 may be charged a 5711 premium communications fee. However, although the communications fee to the subscriber 204 may be charged, the communications fee may be passed to the 5702 advertisers who use the transmission services in order to minimize the cost to subscribers 204. Depending on the agreement between the subscriber 204 and the subscribers. 5702 advertisers, overload information (e.g., communication and storage fees) may be applied to the advertising cost for advertisers 5702. For storage fees, service provider 202 may offer the subscriber 204 storage fees for the content in a measurement per unit over a unit of time (for example, megabytes per month). Additionally, a minimum amount of storage capacity for content at no cost on a unit-time basis (eg, monthly) for promotional purposes, based on the number of visual applications 308 used, based on the number of facilities 208 that owns subscriber 204, based on subscription fees, etc. Any storage capacity used over the minimum, the service provider 202 may evaluate a premium storage quota to the subscriber 204. Further discussion regarding storage distributed using the principles of the present invention is provided in conjunction with Figures 65 and 66 In operation, the subscribers 204 sell advertising, access, capacity, advertising space, etc., which includes the communication services 5703 of the communication network service provider 216 and the content management by the service provider 202 , to the advertisers 5702 in the facilities 208 of the subscribers 204. In exchange for the transmission services, the subscribers 204 collect 5714 advertising fees, which may include collecting miscellaneous fees, such as premium communication and / or storage fees, passes from subscriber 204 to advertiser 5702. Subscribers 204 load and program the content 5712 to be distributed to the visual applications 308 as requested by the advertisers 5702 as described above. According to the foregoing, the cost to transmit and / or store the content may be applied to the advertising fees 5714 paid by the advertisers 5702. If the subscriber 206 is a manufacturer or advertiser that places the visual applications 308 in the facilities 208 of your customers (for example, grocery store), then subscriber 206 may not have advertisers 5902 because subscriber 206 is, in fact, the advertiser. The subscriber 206 in this case may have a lower overhead information cost because the subscriber 206 may not pay the extra charges that the subscriber 204 (eg, retailer) would evaluate the subscriber 204. Additionally, the subscriber 206 essentially guarantees the dedicated use of the 5904 infrastructure (for example, visual applications 308) over time. In other words, if the brand subscriber 206 is sufficiently large, the brand subscriber 206 can acquire a long-term subscription 5908 from the service provider 202, thereby making subscription 5708 more profitable for the subscriber 206. The subscriber 206 it can therefore place the visual applications 308 in the facilities 208 in association with the subscriber's products 206 and control the content to be distributed to the visual applications 308. If the 208 subscriber 206 subscriber's facilities do not have the 5904 infrastructure needed for the communicating the content to the visual applications 308, then the brand subscribers 206 can, in essence, "motivate" and / or subsidize the clients so that they become subscribers 204 of the service provider 202. The brand subscribers who motivate the customers can reach a status of "contracted subscriber", which allows the brand subscriber to operate under a "special" agreement with the service provider, thus allowing the subscriber hired to provide service to the subscriber. selected retailers. In one embodiment, the subscription fees are based on the costs of the infrastructure used by the subscriber 204. In determining the capacity utilization quotas, a total cost of the local server 304, receiver 303, visual applications 308, and point 314 of Wireless access can be calculated and divided visual applications 308 in the term of the subscription (for example, 5 years). To produce an income in order to continue to produce infrastructure for subscribers, initial subscriptions sold to large merchant entities that have good credit (for example, credit rating A) can be sold to financial institutions for a discount, thus producing income. Once the revenue is no longer needed to capitalize the infrastructure, the service provider 202 can maintain the subscriptions and subscription fees generated by it. Figure 58 is an exemplary flow chart 5800 that describes the operation of the 5700 revenue stream depicted graphically in Figure 57. The process for establishing the income flow for the subscriber 202 begins at step 5802. In step 5804, the infrastructure is provided to the subscriber 204. The infrastructure can be provided to the subscriber 204 a, below, or at no cost to the subscriber 204 as payment for the infrastructure 5704 is supported by the subscription 5708 for utilizing the infrastructure 5704 by administering content and communication services by the service provider 202. In step 5806, subscriber-controlled programming and storage services for subscriber 204 are provided, where subscriber-controlled programming services allow subscribers to schedule content 5712 for distribution and deployment in visual applications 308. Due to the subscriber 204 controlling the content programming for distribution and deployment in the visual applications 308 located in the installation (s) 208 of the subscriber 204, the subscriber 204 is motivated to schedule as many announcements or content delivery as possible . In step 5808, the communication services 5703 are configured by the communication network service provider 216. When using the communications system 200, the subscriber 204 can receive the invoice on a capacity utilization basis. In step 5810, the subscriber receives the invoice for the capacity used. The process ends in step 5812.

Network Affiliation Model Figure 59 is an example block diagram that describes a network membership subscription model 5900 that uses a 5902 point-of-sale display (POP) manufacturer and 5904 advertising agencies / advertisers. to offer the content management and distribution services of the service provider 202 of Figure 2 according to the products and / or services offered by the 5902 POP screen manufacturer and the advertising agencies / advertisers manufacturers 5904. The manufacturers 5902 of POP screen face a competitive market with respect to the sale of point of sale screens. The business model for 5902 POP screen manufacturers has traditionally been to manufacture and sell potential-free point of sale displays for any residual financial benefits after the sale of the displays. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the POP screen manufacturer 5902 can execute a 5906 agreement that allows the 5902 POP screen manufacturer to incorporate the visual applications 308 into 5908 point-of-sale displays and sell 5910 subscriptions to the subscribers 204 with the point of sale screen 6908 for the service provider 202. The POP screen manufacturer 5902 can reduce or eliminate the cost of the point of sale screen 5908 by selling the subscription 6910 due to the service provider 202 that provides a residual income over the duration of the 5910 subscription. , the subscriber 204 can pay the 5902 manufacturer of the POP screen the 5912 fees for the cost of the 5908 point-of-sale screen and the 5914 fees of the service provider 202 for the use of the services. Additionally, the POP screen manufacturer can pay the 5916 fees to the service provider for the infrastructure and / or services by producing the point of sale screen 5908 and the service provider 202 can financially compensate the 5902 POP screen manufacturer for the initial sale of the 5910 subscription and residual income in the form of 5918 installments during the useful life of the 5910 subscription. The 5902 POP screen manufacturer can sell additionally and / or alternatively the 5908 point-of-sale display for the 5902 installments to the advertising agencies / advertisers manufacturers 5904, who can sell or distribute the 5908 point of sale screen to the subscriber 204 in order to help with the sales of products and / or services. The 5902 POP screen manufacturer can sell a 5910 subscription to the advertising agency / advertiser manufacturer 5904 with the 5908 point-of-sale display in order to offset the cost of the 5908 point-of-sale display, optionally. According to the above, the advertising agency / advertiser manufacturer 5904 can pay the 5914 subscription fee directly to the service provider 202. According to the above, the POP screen manufacturer 5902 can receive the financial compensation for the sale of the subscription 5910 and the residual income during the useful life of the subscription 5910. Figure 60A is a flow diagram 6000 in the manner of example describing the subscription model 5900 of Figure 59. The subscription model process starts at step 6002. In 6004, a 5906 agreement is established with the 5902 POP screen manufacturer to provide visual application (s) 308 for the 5908 point-of-sale displays and communication services based on a subscription that can be offered by the 5902 POP screen manufacturer to subscribers 204 and 206. The visual application (s) 308 can be provided to the 5902 manufacturer of POP screen to, below, or at no cost to the 5902 manufacturer of POP screen for integration into 5908 point-of-sale displays in order to motivate the manufacturer 5902 d The POP screen incorporates the visual applications 308 on the 5908 point-of-sale displays. In step 6006, the subscriber-controlled program and communications services based on subscription 5910 can be provided to subscribers 204 and 206. The process ends in step 6008. Figure 60B is an exemplary flow diagram 6010 describing model 5900 Subscription subscription network of Figure 59 from the point of view of the manufacturer 5902 POP screen. The process starts at step 6012. At step 6014, a point-of-sale attachment or screen 5908 is formed that has at least one visual application incorporated therein. The point of sale addon 5908 is distributed to subscribers 204 and 206 who use point of sale attachments 5908 to display products in step 6036. In step 6018, a subscription by the 5902 POP screen manufacturer is sold to that the services use the visual application (s) 308 to the subscribers 204 and 206. The process ends in step 620.

Ad Management Model Figure 61 is an exemplary block diagram describing a subscription model from a service provider 202 of Figure 2 to an ad management company 6102. As is understood in the art, the ad management company 6102 typically administers external advertisements that are visible to the public viewing them. Because the ad management company 6102 currently manages established advertisements located in the main real estate areas, the service provider 202 is motivated to work with the ad management company 6102. The ad management company 6102 can execute a 6104 subscription to use the infrastructure 5904 provided by the service provider 202. The subscription 6104 may force the service provider 202 to replace the current advertisements of the ad management company 6102 with visual applications 308 and force the ad management company 6102 to use the provider's content management and distribution services 202 of service for a minimum number of years, for example. As is understood in the art, the ad management company 6102 sells ad space for the ad placements to the advertisers. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the ad management company 6102 can sell ad space in the visual applications 308 for the replaced advertisements and manage the content provided by the 5902 advertisers using the content management services provided by the provider 202 of service. In accordance with the foregoing, a 6106 subscription fee may be paid to the service provider 202 on a substantially periodic basis based on the use of the communication and storage capacity used by the 6102 ad management company for the distribution and storage of the service. content 5912. Further, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the service provider 202 may provide the infrastructure 5904 to the billing management company 6102 at, below, or at no cost to the billing management company 6102. .

Billing System Bridge Model Figure 62 is an exemplary block diagram 6200 that is provided for a billing system bridge for subscribers 204 of the service provider 202, performing the billing system bridge, the provider 202 of service uses the infrastructure 5904 provided to the subscribers 204 in order to electronically distribute invoices or charges 6202a and 6204a to the different subscribers 204. As shown, the subscribers 204 may include a retailer 6203 and an external advertiser 6205. The invoices 6202a and 6204a may be "passed on" to subscribers 204 to advertisers 5902a-5902m and 5902a-5902n, respectively, in the form of invoices 6202b and 6204b. The billing system bridge, which may be operated by the server used by the local office of the subscribers 204, may (i) operate in or in conjunction with an accounting software package as understood in the subject and (ii) incorporating the invoices 6202a and 6204a generated by the subscribers 204 using the services of the service provider 202 on the invoices 6202b and 6204b for the advertising services provided to the 5902 advertisers. In other words, the billing system bridge can provide a mechanism seamless to pass invoices from the service provider 202 to the advertisers 5902 for the subscribers 204. Alternatively, the invoices 6202a and 6204a can be formatted according to the information of the subscribers 6203 and 6205, including letterhead, cost structures, etc. . and can be sent only from subscribers 204 to advertisers 5902 without being incorporated into an accounting package managed by subscribers 204. Figure 63A is another billing system bridge model 6300 for subscribers 204 in order to bill advertisers 5902 using the communications system 200 of Figure 2. As noted, a service provider billing system 6302 issues an invoice 6304 to a subscriber billing system 6306, which may operate on a server used by a local subscriber's office 204. Bill 6304 may include fees generated by the subscriber 204 using the communications and storage services provided by the service provider 202. As noted, the 6304 bill quotas are for a total of $ A for the 5902 advertiser. In response to the 6306 subscriber billing system that receives the 6304 bill, including an invoice 6308 (i) the $ A quotas for the service provider fees and (ii) costs or $ B fees associated with advertiser 5902 for advertising by visual applications 308 operated by subscriber 204 at facilities 208. As noted, bill 6308 is for a total of $ A + $ B. Alternatively, a percentage mark may be applied to the bill for the subscriber 204. In response to the bill 6308, the advertiser 5902 sends the subscriber 204 a payment 6310 for $ A + $ B. Subscriber 204, in turn, sends service provider 202 a payment of $ 6312. When using such billing system bridge 6300, the fees for using the content management and distribution services provided by the subscriber service provider 202 may be seamless and / or invisible to the advertiser 5902. It should be understood that the bill 6304 provided by the service provider billing system 6302 may be on an individual advertiser basis or on a cumulative basis for all 5902 advertisers that are serviced by the subscriber 204 depending on how the system is configured 6306 subscription billing. Figure 63B is an exemplary flow chart 6314 that describes a process for performing the billing system bridge model 6300 of Figure 63A. The process starts at 6316. At step 6318, a subscription is established with the subscriber 204 in order to provide content management, distribution and storage services. In step 6320, the advertising programming services for the subscriber 204 are provided. In step 6322, the content communication is initiated based on a program established by the subscriber 204. The cost of content management and communication for the subscribers. advertising services are determined in step 6324. In step 6326, the communication cost for inclusion in an invoice from the subscriber 204 is reported to the advertiser 5902. In one embodiment, the cost is a cumulative cost for all advertisers 6302 of Subscriber 204. Alternatively, the cost of content management and communication is separated for individual advertisers 6302 from Subscriber 204. The process ends in Step 6328.

System Appendices Model Figure 64 is a block diagram 6400 as an example representative of the local network 300b of a facility 208 of a subscriber 204 of Figure 2. The local network 300b can use the infrastructure 5904 provided by the provider 202 of service and other equipment provided by a vendor of the service provider 202. The vendors of the service provider 202 may be suppliers or manufacturers of the local server 304, who also produce 6402 and 6404 retail equipment that the subscriber 204 uses in the 208 facility to perform retail functions. For example, the seller can provide cash registers used by retailers to perform retail and service operations. Additionally, and / or alternatively, the sellers can provide services that the subscribers 204 use to perform the services often. For example, the communications network service provider 216 can provide credit card confirmation communication services for subscribers 204, where retailers currently purchase the infrastructure for credit card confirmation communications services. Accordingly, the vendors of the service provider 202 can sell or provide subscriptions to the subscribers 204 to the content management and distribution services provided by the service provider 202 in conjunction with the sale of equipment and / or services to the subscribers 204. In other words, the sellers can sell appendices for the 5904 infrastructure provided by the service provider 202 operating in conjunction with the 5904 infrastructure. For example, the cash registers can be connected to the local servers 304 or other services that the visual applications 308 operate simultaneously. This sale of a subscription by the service provider 202 to the subscribers 204 can be a "value-added" service that entices the subscribers 204 to acquire the 6402 equipment from the vendors. It should be understood that the selling equipment 6402 may be provided at, below or without cost to the subscribers 204 in connection with the acquisition of a subscription to the services of the service provider 202. Alternatively, the infrastructure 5904 can be provided to the subscribers 204 in connection with the acquisition of a subscription directly from the service provider 202 and the equipment 6402 and 6404 can be provided to the subscriber 204 as an aggregate to the infrastructure 5904, thus seducing the subscriber 204 to acquire a subscription from the service provider 202. Still, the service provider 202 can offer reduced or free credit card verification communication services from the communication network service provider 216, or network operated by the service provider 202, in conjunction with a subscriber 204 that acquires the subscription for content management and distribution services. Again, because the service provider 202 is able to accurately determine a minimum amount of revenue generated by the sale of subscriptions to subscribers 204 for the administration of content and distribution services over a long period of time (e.g. , five years), the service provider 202 may provide a variety of different subscription options in conjunction with the equipment and services provided by the vendors of the service provider 202. A variety of functional operations can be provided by the local server 304 due to the equipment 6402 and 6404 and the visual applications 308 that are managed simultaneously by the local server 304. One such functional operation can include the dynamic quote of the products. Because local server 304 can monitor product sales in real time, price changes can be displayed in visual applications 308 in substantial real time. If a product is sold quickly or slowly, then the price can be altered dynamically by providing a notice to buyers through the visual application 308 located on the shelf of the product. Another functional operation may include dynamic deployment of one content against another based on sales volume. For example, if the sales are below an average, a more attractive advertising for the customer can be reproduced in the visual application 308, possibly based on the time of day if a more risky content is going to be played.

Distributed Storage Model Figure 65 is an exemplary map 100 that shows a distributed network of storage unit 6500 located in subscriber facility 208 of service provider 202 of Figure 2. Storage units 6500 are typically sub-utilized by the facilities 208 using the visual applications 308. Because the service provider 202 owns the storage units 6500, the service provider 202 may utilize a 6502 over capacity in the 6500 storage unit for storing the content of the subscribers 204 differently from those used by the storage units 6500 for the communications operations in the facilities 208. The content is generally considered non-critical data of a subscriber 204 and therefore can be stored in the 6500 unit of storage with content from other subscribers 204. By providing subscribers 20 4 to share the storage capacity available in the storage unit 6500, the service provider 202 can load the subscribers 204 with the current storage capacity used on a storage quantity basis per time unit, (e.g. month) . By providing the storage capacity on a unit of time basis, the service provider 202 can allow the subscribers 204 to have a free amount of storage capacity on a monthly basis and pay for an additional storage capacity used on a premium basis , for example. Alternatively, subscribers 204 can simply be billed on a current amount of storage capacity used over a certain period of time. In one embodiment, the current storage capacity is an average storage capacity used over the given period of time. A variety of different billing models may be used, but, essentially, the storage capacity subscriber does not need to pay for the storage unit 6500 either located in a facility 208 or central location of the service provider 202 given that the 6500 storage units they are owned and / or administered by the service provider 202. Therefore, subscriber 204 does not need to pay for unused storage capacity. It should be understood that the storage capacity subscribers do not need to be subscribers of the content management and distribution services of the service provider 202.

Because the 6500 storage units are established in a network distributed in the United States, for example, the service provider 202 can strategically locate and make redundant the content of the subscribers 204 and 206 in a variety of locations or regions in the entire country to substantially minimize the risk of content loss based on a regional disturbance in the distributed network. Because the storage unit 6500 can be joined by the satellite 218 (Figure 2) managed by the communications network service provider 216, the content can easily communicate between locations. Terrestrial communication may alternatively be used to communicate the content for storage purposes. Storage rules may be generated to provide content management in accordance with the wishes of the subscribers 204. For example, a subscriber 204 may wish not to have the content of other subscribers 204 located in storage units 6500 operating in facilities 208 of subscribers 204. In such a case, the service provider 202 may charge additional fees to the subscriber 204 to make available the excess storage capacity of the storage unit 6500 operating in the premises 208 of the subscriber 204. It should be understood that they may be used. other rules for charging quotas or managing data between the storage units 6500 in accordance with the principles of the present invention (i.e., service fees to enter and extract data in addition to bandwidth charges). Figure 66 is an exemplary flow diagram 6600 describing a data storage model using the storage units of Figure 65. The process starts at step 6602. In step 6604, a subscription is received for storage capacity for digital data from a storage subscriber. The digital data to be stored in the storage unit 6500 is received from the storage subscriber in step 6606. In step 6608, the digital data is stored in a 6500 storage unit. It should be understood that the digital data can be stored in a storage unit 6500 operated by another subscriber 204 since the storage unit 6500 is used only by the subscriber 204, but is owned and / or managed by the service provider 202. During storage of the digital data in the 6500 storage unit, rules can be used to determine where and when to store and distribute the digital data. The subscription for a storage capacity can allow the subscriber to have a fixed amount of storage area during a certain period of time. For example, the fixed amount of storage capacity can be in terms of megabytes per month. To any storage capacity used by the storage subscriber over the fixed amount of storage capacity (eg, 100 megabytes) per month a premium may be charged to the storage subscriber by the service provider 202. Alternatively, the subscriber can pay for a current amount of storage capacity used for a certain period of time without having to purchase a minimum amount of storage capacity through the storage subscription fee. Other subscription models can be used to provide storage capacity for storage subscribers using the distributed network of 6500 storage units. In step 6610, the storage subscriber is loaded by the storage capacity used on a current or average basis, for example, according to the subscription. The process ends in step 6612. The above description is of a preferred embodiment for implementing the invention, and the scope of the invention should not necessarily be limited by this description. The scope of the present invention is defined instead by the following descriptions.

Claims (1)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the invention as antecedent, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: CLAIMS 1. A system for distributing content for an issuer over a communications network, characterized in that system comprises: an operable database to maintain the content for the issuer; a user interface in communication with said database and operable to provide a self-service scheduler for the sender in order to form a playlist of the content, and distribute the playlist and associated scheduled content in the communications network; an operable server for receiving the playlist and scheduled content associated therewith via the communication network; and a visual application in communication with said server and operable to receive and display the programmed content. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said server is operable to communicate an initial command to said visual application to initiate the deployment of the programmed content. 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sender is a subscriber. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the playlist includes an advertising content identifier, a start time for display, and a visual application identifier. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication network includes a satellite. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a wireless local access point that provides communication between said server and said visual application. The system according to claim 6, characterized in that said access point - 328 - wireless local operates an 802.11 wireless protocol. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said user interface is accessible through the Internet. 9. A method for issuing to an subscriber an advertisement from a network having a plurality of advertisements, characterized in that said method comprises: accessing a network location of an advertisement on the network desired by the subscriber to broadcast to the subscriber; select the desired advertisement from the network location to broadcast to the subscriber; schedule a delivery time for the desired advertisement for the subscriber; receive the desired ad for the deployment based on the scheduled delivery time; and display the desired advertisement for the subscriber according to the schedule. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that said programming includes selecting at least one time and date. 11. The method according to the rei indication 9, characterized in that said programming further includes selecting at least one device for displaying the advertisement. 12. The method according to the claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises: operating at least one visual application; and assign the ad to one or more visual applications. 13. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the subscriber is at least one of a retailer, advertising agency, manufacturer, and an external media entity. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises receiving a load based on a quantity of data reported for the advertisement. 15. The method according to the claim 9, characterized in that said programming includes assigning the advertisement to at least one installation of the subscriber for the distribution of the advertisement. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that said programming includes assigning the advertisement to be displayed in a location defined by a planogram in a subscriber's facility. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the advertisement includes at least one of a photograph, graphic, text, audio, and video. 18. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises substantially simultaneously receiving the desired advertisement in substantially any location in a country. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that it also comprises receiving the advertisement from at least one of the following: the Internet, satellite network, wide area network, local area network, private network, and public network. 20. A system for issuing advertisements to a subscriber, characterized in that system comprises: means for accessing a network location of an advertisement on the network desired by the subscriber to broadcast to the subscriber; means for selecting the desired advertisement from the network location to broadcast to the subscriber; means to schedule a delivery time for the desired environment for the subscriber; means to receive the desired advertisement for deployment based on the scheduled delivery time; and means for displaying the desired advertisement to the subscriber according to the schedule. The system according to claim 20, characterized in that said means for programming include means for selecting at least one of between date and time. The system according to claim 20, characterized in that said programming means include means for selecting at least one means for displaying the advertisement. 23. The system according to the claim 20, characterized in that said means for programming includes means for assigning the advertisement to at least one installation of the subscriber for the distribution of the advertisement. The system according to claim 20, characterized in that said programming means include means for assigning the advertisement to be displayed in a location defined by a planogram. 25. A method for scheduling an advertisement to be displayed by at least one electronic display in a facility, characterized in that method comprising: identifying product locations in a facility; select an identifier associated with data representative of the advertisement; selecting a network address of at least one electronic display device operating in the installation to display the advertisement, associating the network address with an identified location; set a start time to start the ad's deployment; and approve the ad for the screen. 26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that it further comprises verifying the representative data of the advertisement conforming to the limitations of the electronic display device. 27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that said verification includes determining that the advertisement conforms to at least one of memory size, screen size, and screen resolution. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that said selection of the network address is based on the map established as a planogram by the retail establishment. 29. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that it also comprises establishing a final time to stop the display of the advertisement. 30. The method according to the claim 25, characterized in that said selection of the network address includes selecting a group of network addresses. 31. The method according to the rei indication 30, characterized in that it also comprises predefining the group of network addresses. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that said predefinition includes selecting the group of network addresses based on at least one of the following: geographic location, installation location, product association, business establishment, location, and locations similar in multiple retail establishments 33. A system for scheduling an advertisement to be displayed by at least one electronic display in a facility, characterized in that method comprising: means for identifying product locations in the facility; means for selecting an identifier associated with data representative of the advertisement; means for selecting a network address of at least one electronic display device for displaying the advertisement, the network address being associated with a location provided by said means to identify the product locations; means responsive to said selection means to establish a start time in order to initiate the display of the identified advertisement by at least one selected electronic display; and means responsive to said selection means and setting means to approve the display of the advertisement by the selected electronic screen. 34. The system according to the claim 33, characterized in that it further comprises means for verifying the data in accordance with the limitations of the electronic display device. 35. The system according to the claim 33, characterized in that it also comprises means for establishing a final time to stop the display of the advertisement. 36. The system according to claim 33, characterized in that said means for selecting the network address further includes means for selecting a group of network addresses from a plurality of electronic displays. 37. The system according to the claim 36, characterized in that it also comprises means for predefining the group of network addresses. 38. The system according to the claim 37, characterized in that said means for predefinition further include means for selecting the group of network addresses based on at least one of the following: geographic location, installation location, product association, business establishment, location, and similar locations in multiple retail establishments. 39. A system for verifying the content displayed on an external site, characterized said system because it comprises: an operable database to maintain the content and verification identifiers associated with it; a server accessible to said database and operable to select the desired content from said database and the verification identifier associated solely with it in order to communicate the desired content and the associated verification identifiers; a visual application located on the external site and responsive to said server to receive and display the desired content and the associated verification identifier; a sensor installed in relation to the visual and operable application to detect the deployment of the content and the associated verification identifier; and a circuit electrically connected to said sensor to compare the desired content and the associated verification number to verify the display of the content. 40. The system according to the claim 39, characterized in that it comprises a processor in communication with the visual and operable application to determine that the content is deployed appropriately. 41. The system according to the claim 40, characterized in that said processor is also operable to determine the time of deployment of the content. 42. The system according to claim 40, characterized in that said processor is operated by one of said server and visual application. 43. The system according to claim 39, characterized in that said database is also operable to maintain the verification of the content deployment. 44. The system according to claim 338-39, characterized in that the verification identifier is an alphanumeric value associated with the content. 45. The system according to claim 39, characterized in that said sensor is an optical sensor. 46. The system according to claim 45, characterized in that the optical sensor includes a plurality of optical sensors. 47. The system according to the claim 39, characterized in that the external locations are within retail facilities. 48. The system according to claim 39, characterized in that said visual application includes at least one of a flat electronic screen, cathode ray tube screen, plasma screen, LED screen, and projection screen. 49. The system according to the claim 39, characterized in that it further comprises a second database having expected operational parameter data indicative of an expected response of the visual application when displaying the content. 50. The system according to claim 49, characterized in that the expected operations data include a range of values. 51. The system according to claim 49, characterized in that it further comprises a comparator to determine if the measurements of the verification identifier are in accordance with the operational data. 52. The system according to claim 51, characterized in that it further comprises a third database that includes data indicating whether the measurements of the verification identifier are in accordance with the operational data. 53. The system according to the claim 39, characterized in that it further comprises a second database that includes data associated with the content and indicative of the content that is displayed. 54. The system according to the claim 53, characterized in that the second database also includes data indicative of the content that is displayed appropriately. 55. A method for verifying the content deployed in external locations, characterized said method because it comprises: displaying the content and a verification identifier; detect the verification identifier that is displayed in association with the content screen; and measuring the detected verification identifier to verify the content screen. 56. The method according to claim 55, characterized in that it further comprises: maintaining the content and an associated verification identifier; and communicate the content and verification identifier to at least an external location. 57. The method according to claim 55, characterized in that it further comprises determining that the content is displayed appropriately. 58. The method according to claim 55, characterized in that it also comprises the moment of deployment of the content. 59. The method according to claim 55, characterized in that it further comprises maintaining the content verification that is displayed. 60. The method according to claim 55, characterized in that said detection includes optically detecting the identi fi cation of the verification that is deployed. 61. The method according to claim 55, characterized in that it further comprises adjusting at least one parameter of the content screen. 62. The method according to claim 55, characterized in that it further comprises forming the verification signal based on an alphanumeric value associated with the content. 63. A system for verifying the content displayed in external locations, characterized said method because it comprises: means for displaying the content and a verification identifier; means for detecting the verification identifier that is deployed in association with the deployment of the content; and means for measuring the detected verification identifier to verify the deployment of the content. 64. The system according to claim 63, characterized in that it further comprises: means for maintaining the content and an associated verification identi fi er; and means for communicating the content and verification identifier to at least one external location. 65. The system according to the claim 63, characterized in that it also comprises means for determining that the content is displayed appropriately. 66. The system according to claim 63, characterized in that it also comprises means for determining the time of deployment of the content. 67. The system according to claim 63, characterized in that it also comprises to maintain the verification of the content that is displayed. 68. The system according to claim 63, characterized in that it further comprises means for forming the verification signal based on an alphanumeric value. 69. The system according to claim 63, characterized in that it also comprises means for adjusting at least one parameter of the content deployment. 70. A database for maintaining the information used in order to verify the display of content on an external electronic screen, characterized said database because it comprises: a content identifier associated with a location of a content data file that contains the content; a verification identifier associated with the content; and a verification indicator indicative of said verification identifier that is detected and measured in the external electronic screen in relation to the content that is displayed therein. 71. The database according to claim 68, characterized in that said verification indicator is indicative of the content that is displayed properly. 72. The system according to claim 68, characterized in that said indicator of -344 -verification is indicative of the content that is displayed punctually. 73. A system for verifying content that is deployed in external locations, characterized said system because it comprises: an operable database to maintain the content; an operable server to communicate the content; a visual application having a processor and electronic screen, said visual application being operable to receive and display the content; and at least one sensor that operates to detect at least one operational parameter of the visual application to verify that the content is displayed. 74. The system according to claim 73, characterized in that it further comprises a second operable database for maintaining data associated with the content, the data including the time of content deployment. 75. The system according to claim 74, characterized in that the data further includes an indicator of whether the content was properly deployed. 76. The system according to claim 73, characterized in that said sensor is one of a current sensor or voltage sensor. 77. The system according to claim 73, characterized in that said sensor is an optical sensor. 78. The system according to claim 73, characterized in that said server is local to the visual application. 79. The system according to claim 73, characterized in that it further comprises a second database that has expected operational data indicative of the visual application operation for displaying the content. 80. The system according to claim 79, characterized in that the expected operational data includes a range of values. 81. The system according to claim 79, characterized in that it further comprises a comparator for determining whether at least one measurement of at least one operational parameter is in accordance with the operational data. 82. The system according to claim 79, characterized in that it further comprises a third database that includes data indicating whether the measurements of at least one operational parameter are in accordance with the expected operational data. 83. The system according to claim 79, characterized in that it also comprises a third database that includes data associated with the content and indicative of the content that is displayed on time. 84. The system according to claim 83, characterized in that the third database includes data indicative of the content that is displayed properly. 85. The system according to claim 73, characterized in that at least said sensor includes an operable audio sensor for detecting an audio operational parameter. 86. The system according to claim 73, further characterized in that it comprises an operable circuit for adjusting the display of the content based on at least one detected operational parameter. 87. A method for verifying the content displayed on an external electronic screen, characterized said method because it comprises: displaying the content on the external electronic screen; and detect at least one operational parameter of the external electronic screen in relation to the content that is displayed in order to verify that the content is displayed. 88. The method according to claim 87, characterized in that it further comprises: maintaining the content; and wirelessly communicate the content to the external electronic screen. 89. The method according to claim 87, further characterized in that it comprises maintaining data indicative of the time of deployment of the content. 90. The method according to claim 87, further characterized in that it comprises maintaining an indicator indicative of whether the content is properly displayed based on said detection of at least one parameter I - 348 -operating the external electronic screen. 91. The method according to the indication rei 87, characterized in that said detection includes detecting a voltage or current. 92. The method according to the claim 87, characterized in that detecting includes detecting an optical signal corresponding to the content that is displayed. 93. The method according to claim 87, characterized in that said detection includes detecting an audio signal. 9. The method according to claim 87, further characterized in that it comprises maintaining expected operation data indicative of the visual application operation to display the content. 95. The method according to claim 94, characterized in that the expected operational data includes a range of values. 96. The method according to the claim 94, further characterized in that it comprises comparing whether the measurements of at least one operating parameter are in accordance with the expected operational data. 97. The method according to claim 94, further characterized in that it comprises: based on said comparison, forming data indicative of whether the measurements of at least one operational parameter are in accordance with the expected operational data; and maintaining the indicative data of whether the measurements of at least one operational parameter are in accordance with the expected operational data. 98. The method according to rei indication 94, further characterized in that it comprises: determining if the content is displayed punctually based on said detection; form data, in response to said determination, indicating whether the content is displayed on time; and keep the data formed. 99. The method according to claim 87, characterized in that it further comprises: determining whether the content was properly deployed based on said detection; form data in response to that determination to know if the content was properly deployed; and keep the data formed. 100. The method according to claim 87, characterized in that it further comprises adjusting the deployment based on said detection of at least one operational parameter. 101. A system for verifying the content displayed on an external electronic screen, characterized said system because it comprises: means for displaying the content on the external electronic screen; and means for detecting at least one operational parameter of the external electronic display in relation to the content that is displayed in order to verify that the content is displayed. 102. The system according to claim 101, further characterized in that it comprises: means for maintaining the content; and means for wirelessly communicating the content to the external electronic screen. 103. The system according to claim 101, characterized in that it comprises means for maintaining data indicative of the time of deployment of the content. 104. The system according to claim 101, characterized in that it further comprises means for maintaining an indicator indicative of whether the content was properly deployed based on said detection of at least one operational parameter of the external electronic display. 105. The system according to claim 101, characterized in that it further comprises means for maintaining the expected operational data indicative of the visual application operation for displaying the content. 106. The system according to claim 105, characterized in that it also comprises means for comparing whether the measurements of at least one operating parameter are in accordance with the expected operational data. 107. The system according to claim 105, characterized in that it further comprises: means for forming data, based on said comparison, indicative of whether the measurements of at least one operational parameter are in accordance with the expected operational data; and means for maintaining the data indicative of whether the measurements of at least one operational parameter are in accordance with the expected operational data. 108. The system according to claim, further characterized in that it comprises: means for determining whether the content is displayed punctually based on said detection means; means for forming data in response to said means to determine whether the content is displayed on time; and means to maintain the data indicative of the content that is displayed on time. 109. The system according to claim, further characterized in that it comprises: means for determining whether the content is appropriately displayed based on said detection means; means for forming data in response to said means to determine whether the content is properly displayed; and means to maintain the data formed. - 353 - 110. The system according to claim 101, further characterized in that it comprises means for adjusting the means for deployment based on said means for detecting at least one operational parameter. 111. A system for distributing content to external locations, said system characterized in that it comprises: an operable server for distributing the content based on a playlist to program the content and operating parameters associated with such content; a local server responsive to said server and operable to receive the scheduled content and manage the distribution of locally programmed content according to the playlist; and a visual application in wireless communication with said local server and operable to receive and display the programmed content, said visual application having a sensor used to detect an operational parameter with relation - 354 - to the deployment of the programmed content in order to verify that the content programmed is displayed in said visual application. 112. The system according to claim 111, characterized in that the operating parameter is a voltage or current. 113. The system according to claim 111, characterized in that the operating parameter is an optical signal. 114. The system according to the claim 113, characterized in that the optical signal includes a verification code. 115. The system according to the claim 114, characterized in that the verification code is based on an alphanumeric value associated with the programmed content. 116. The system according to the claim 111, characterized in that the operational parameter is an audio signal. 117. The system according to the claim 112, further characterized in that it comprises a database operated by said local server and that maintains a record of information based on the detected operating parameter. 118. The system according to claim 355- 112, further characterized in that it comprises a database operated by said server, said database including information indicative of the programmed content displayed in the visual application. 119. The system according to claim 118, characterized in that the information includes a time of deployment of the programmed content. 120. The system according to claim 118, characterized in that the information includes a verification identifier indicative of the scheduled content that is displayed properly. 121. The system according to claim 104, characterized in that it further comprises a communication server operated by a communication network service provider and in communication with the service provider server, said communication server operable to distribute the content via a network of communications to said local server according to the playlist. 122. The system according to claim 121, characterized in that the communication network is a satellite communications network. 123. A method for distributing the content to external locations, characterized said method because it comprises: remotely distributing the content based on a playlist that identifies the content for distribution; receive the content at a local distribution point; distribute content locally according to the playlist; and receive the content on an electronic screen; display the content on the electronic screen; detecting an operational parameter in relation to said content deployment; feedback the operational parameter in relation to said deployment of the content to a computing device; and verify the deployment of the content on the electronic screen by the computing device based on the operating parameter feedback. 124. The method according to claim 123, characterized in that said detection includes detecting a voltage or current. 125. The method according to the claim 123, characterized in that said detection includes detecting an optical signal corresponding to the operational parameter. 126. The method according to the claim 124, characterized in that said detection of the optical signal includes detecting a verification code. 127. The method according to the claim 125, further characterized by comprising forming the verification code based on an alphanumeric value associated with the content. 128. The method according to claim 123, characterized in that said detection includes detecting an audio signal. 129. The method according to the rei indication 123, further characterized in that it comprises maintaining a record of information based on the detected operating parameter. 130. The method according to claim 123, further characterized by comprising -358 -determining one hour of content deployment. 131. The method according to the rei indication 123, further characterized in that it comprises determining that the content is properly deployed. 132. The method according to claim 123, characterized in that said remote distribution of the content based on a playlist includes communicating the content by means of a satellite transmission. 133. The method according to claim 123, further characterized in that it comprises adjusting the electronic screen based on the operating parameter feedback. 134. A system for distributing content to external locations, characterized said system because it comprises: means for remotely distributing the content based on a playlist that identifies the content for distribution; means to receive the content at a local distribution point; means for locally distributing the content according to the playlist; and means for receiving the content on an electronic screen; means for displaying the content on the electronic screen; means for detecting an operational parameter in relation to said deployment of the content to a computing device; means to feed back the operational parameter; and means to verify the deployment of the content on the electronic screen based on the operating parameter feedback. 135. The system according to the claim 134, further characterized in that it comprises means for maintaining a record of information based on the detected operating parameter. 136. The system according to claim 134, further characterized in that it comprises means for determining a time of deployment of the content. 137. The method according to claim 134, further characterized in that it comprises means for determining that the content is displayed appropriately. 138. A database for maintaining information associated with visual images displayed on an electronic screen located at an external site, characterized said database because it comprises: representation of image data of a visual image for deployment; an identifier associated with said image data; a start time associated with said image data and said identifier to display the visual image on the electronic screen; and a first indicator sensitive to the visual image and said identifier and operable to confirm that the visual image has been displayed on the electronic screen at said start time. 139. The database according to claim 138, characterized in that it further comprises a second indicator that is indicative of signals associated with the visual image that is measured remotely on the electronic screen for verification of the displayed visual-361 image. 140. The database according to claim 138, characterized in that said second indicator is indicative in addition to the visual image that has the appropriate color and intensity while it is displayed on the electronic screen. 141. The database according to rei indication 138, characterized in that the signals are a code associated only with and displayed simultaneously with the visual image. 142. The database according to claim 138, characterized in that it further comprises a source identifier associated with said identifier indicative of the owner of the representative data of the visual image. The database according to claim 138, characterized in that it also comprises physical location data indicative of the physical location of the electronic screen. 144. The database according to claim 143, further characterized in that it comprises a confirmation identifier indicative of the electronic display that is displayed in a programmed physical location before the visual image is displayed. 145. The database according to rei indication 138, further characterized in that it comprises programmed location data indicative of the physical location for the electronic display to be physically located before the visual image is displayed. 146. The database according to claim 138, further characterized in that it comprises: a set of unique electronic screen identifiers associated with corresponding electronic screens; and physical location data associated with each electronic screen identifier representative of the physical location of the corresponding electronic screen. 147. The database according to claim 138, characterized in that the visual image is a static or dynamic image. 148. A system for administering an electronic screen used by a subscriber, said system characterized in that it comprises: a support structure mechanically coupled to an attachment and the electronic display; located the attachment in a location identified on a map established by the subscriber; an input device electrically coupled to the electronic display and operable to receive an entry of an identifier indicative of the location identified on the map on the electronic screen; a transmitter coupled to the electronic screen and operable to transmit the identifier; a receiver in communication with said transmitter and operable to receive the identifier; and a computing device in communication with said receiver and operable to receive and store the identifier. 149. The system according to claim 148, characterized in that the map is a planogram. 150. The system according to claim 148, characterized in that said support includes energy transmission elements placed in a hidden visual position for an observer. 151. The system according to the claim 148, characterized in that the attachment includes a shelf. 152. The system according to claim 148, characterized in that the map is associated with a retailer store operated by the subscriber. 153. The system according to claim 148, further characterized in that it comprises an electronic display controller coupled to the electronic display device, and operable to receive and display the identifier. 154. The system according to claim 148, characterized in that said transmitter and receiver are wireless. 155. The system according to the claim 148, characterized in that said input device is a touch screen. 156. The system according to claim 148, characterized in that it further comprises: a storage unit in communication with said communication device, the storage unit being operable to store the identifier; and a database stored in said storage unit having the identifier indicative of the identification stored in association with an address of the electronic screen. 157. A method for administering an electronic screen in a subscription installation, characterized in that said method comprises: placing the electronic display device in a location in the installation, corresponding the location to a location identified in a map established by the subscriber; enter an identifier indicative of the location identified on the electronic screen; transmit the identifier of the identified location from the electronic screen to a computing device; l! - 366 - store the identifier of the location identified by the computing device. 158. The method according to claim 157, characterized in that the map is a lanogram. 159. The method according to claim 157, characterized in that said entry of the identifier to the electronic screen is carried out by means of a touch screen. 160. The method according to claim 157, characterized in that said transmission is performed using a wireless link. 161. The method according to claim 157, characterized in that said positioning is performed when installing the electronic display device in a point of sale screen. 162. The method according to the rei indication 157, characterized in that said storage includes associating the identified location with other information associated with the electronic display device. 163. The method according to claim 157, characterized in that it also comprises i - 367 - associate the identified location with a product. 164. A system for administering an electronic display device in a subscriber's facility, characterized in that said method comprises: means for positioning the electronic display in a location within the installation, corresponding the location to a location identified in a map established by the subscriber; means to enter an identifier indicative of the location identified on the electronic screen; means for transmitting the identifier of the identified location from the electronic display device to a computing device; and means for storing the identifier of the location identified by the computing device. 165. An apparatus for installing a visual application and sending energy thereto, characterized in said apparatus because it comprises: a structural member having a - 368 - outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface substantially concealed from a view by the outer surface and extending along the structural member; a plurality of energy conducting elements placed on the inner surface; a plurality of attachment elements operable to couple said structural member to a screen attachment; and a plurality of visual application coupling elements operable to install the visual application to the structural member, the visual application being electrically coupled to said plurality of energy conducting elements to receive energy. 166. The apparatus according to claim 165, characterized in that said structural member is configured as a slide that allows the visual application to slide selectively along the structural member to vary the positioning. \ - 369 - 167. The apparatus according to claim 165, characterized in that said structural member is substantially tubular in shape to allow the visual application to slide selectively along the structural member to vary the positioning. 168. The apparatus according to claim 165, characterized in that said plurality of energy conducting elements are coupled to the inner side of the structural member. 169. The apparatus according to claim 165, characterized in that said plurality of energy conducting elements are formed of the same materials as the structural element. 170. The apparatus according to claim 165, characterized in that said structural element must have a height less than the height of the ticket channel in a shelf of the screen attachment. 171. The apparatus according to claim 165, characterized in that the screen attachment is a shelf. 172. A method to configure a visual application for operational use, 1 - 370 - characterized said method because it comprises: coupling a structural member to a screen attachment; install the visual application to the structural member; turn on the visual application by the structural member; and sliding the visual application along the structural member for positioning in relation to the screen attachment. 173. The method according to claim 172, characterized in that said sliding of the visual application along the structural member does not interrupt the energy that is received by the visual application. 174. A method for providing an advertising service of dynamic, external advertisements, based on subscriptions, to the subscribers, characterized said method because it comprises: providing equipment to a subscriber, operable the equipment to receive digital data representative of visual images selected by the subscriber. Subscriber and! - 371 - to communicate the digital data for deployment by the subscriber; provide the subscriber programming services controlled by the subscriber in order to program the digital data to be displayed by the equipment; install communication services for the subscriber to use the equipment, including communication services to provide emission capacity used in association with the program to display the digital data; and billing the subscriber the broadcasting capacity used to communicate the digital data representative of the visual images. 175. The method according to claim 174, characterized in that said supplying of the equipment to the subscriber is done without cost for the infrastructure. 176. The method according to claim 174, further characterized by comprising setting up a discrete operable addressed visual application for receiving and displaying the digital data. \ - 372 - 177. The method according to claim 174, further characterized in that it comprises determining a cost for the communication services based on the capacity used for a time. 178. The method according to claim 178, characterized in that the duration is one month. 179. The method according to claim 177, characterized in that if the capacity is below a predetermined amount, then a fixed cost is determined. 180. The method according to the indication 177, characterized in that the capacity is measured in megabytes. 181. The method according to claim 174, further characterized in that it comprises determining a cost for the communication services as a function of the cost of the equipment. 182. The method according to rei indication 174, characterized in that if the capacity used is above a predetermined amount, then the additional cost is determined based on the capacity used above a minimum value of capacity utilization. 183. The method according to claim 174, further characterized in that it comprises installing storage services to store the digital data. 184. The method according to the claim 183, further characterized because it comprises forming minimum rates for the capacity used for the emission and storage services. 185. The method according to the claim 184, characterized in that said formation of the minimum rates for the emission and storage services are formed independently. 186. The method according to the claim 174, further characterized because it comprises installing and maintaining the infrastructure. 187. The method according to claim 186, characterized in that said installation and maintenance are provided at no cost to the subscriber in lieu of quotas for communication services. 188. The method according to claim 174, characterized in that the subscribers include a retail business. 189. The method according to claim 174, characterized in that the subscriber is an ad management business. 190. The method according to the indication 174, characterized in that the visual images include static and moving. 191. The method according to claim 174, characterized in that the equipment includes a computing device, storage device, satellite receiving unit, and at least one visual application. 192. The method according to claim 191, further characterized in that it comprises adapting at least one of a visual application to a point-of-sale display structure. 193. The method according to claim 174, characterized in that it also comprises: selling a subscription for a discount to a third party in order to generate capital or use the subscription as collateral in a promissory note to generate capital. 194. A system for providing advertising services on external sites, characterized in that said system comprises: operable infrastructure for receiving digital data representative of visual images selected by the subscriber for advertisements and communicating such digital data and displaying such visual images on external sites; a user interface controlled by the subscriber via a network, said user interface having an operable programmer for programming the distribution of the selected digital data and displaying the visual images selected by said infrastructure; a server in communication with the programmer via the network and operable to distribute the programmed digital data through a communication system to said infrastructure; and a billing system responsive to said user interface and said server, and operable to generate an invoice for the subscriber for the programmed distribution of selected digital data and visual images from the system of! - 376 - communications to said infrastructure. 195. The system according to claim 194, characterized in that said infrastructure includes a local server, wireless access point, and at least one visual application. 196. The system according to claim 194, characterized in that the capacity used is determined as the capacity used during a certain period of time. 197. The system according to claim 196, characterized in that the capacity used during a period of time is megabytes per month. 198. The system according to claim 194, characterized in that the communication system is a satellite network. 199. The system according to claim 194, characterized in that the network is the Internet. 200. The system according to claim 194, characterized in that the user interface is a web page. 201. A method for providing a point-of-sale structure having at least one visual application associated therewith to an installation, characterized in that method! - 377 - because it includes: establishing an agreement with a point-of-sale manufacturer to include at least one visual application with the point of sale structure to be supplied to the facility, including the agreement a provision to provide satellite communication services to In order to support at least one visual application based on a subscription sold by point of sale manufacturers to a subscriber that operates the installation; and provide satellite communication and programming services controlled by the subscriber based on the subscription to the business establishments in order to communicate information to the installation for deployment in at least one visual application included with the point of sale structure. 202. The method according to claim 201, further characterized in that it comprises providing programming services controlled by the subscriber through a network. 203. The method according to claim I - 378-201, further characterized in that it comprises providing operable electrical supply components for providing power for at least one visual application and installing at least one visual application to the point of sale structure. 204. The method according to claim 201, characterized in that said settlement of the agreement is provided at least for a visual application in order to be provided to the point-of-sale manufacturer without cost for inclusion in the point-of-sale structures. 205. The method according to claim 201, further characterized in that it comprises collecting subscription fees from the subscriber for the satellite communication services. 206. The method according to claim 201, further characterized in that it comprises providing digital data storage services to the subscriber for the information to be displayed. 207. The method according to claim 206, further characterized in that it comprises collecting subscription fees from the subscriber for the digital data storage services. 208. The method according to claim 201, further characterized in that it comprises providing local network equipment to the subscriber in conjunction with the point of sale structure. 209. The method according to claim 201, further characterized in that it comprises providing satellite communication services for at least one visual application associated with the point of sale structure. 210. The method according to claim 209, further characterized in that it comprises billing the subscriber for satellite communication services as a function of the volume of data reported during a certain period of time. 211. A method for distributing point of sale structures to a business enterprise, characterized in that said method comprises: forming a point of sale screen having at least one visual application included therewith; distribute the I point screen - 380 - sale to the business company; and sell a subscription for services provided by a service provider to the business enterprise to use at least one visual application in order to display content. 212. The method according to claim 211, further characterized in that it comprises installing the point of sale screen in an installation of the business enterprise. 213. The method according to claim 211, characterized in that said training includes constructing the point-of-sale display that has electrical supplies used to turn on at least one visual application and support at least one visual application. 214. The method according to claim 211, further characterized in that it comprises coupling at least one visual application to the point of sale screen by electrical supplies. 215. The method according to claim 214, further characterized in that it comprises allowing the position adjustment of at least one visual application while the electrical supplies remain in a substantially fixed position and while continuing to apply energy to it. 216. The method according to claim 214, further characterized in that it comprises receiving at least one visual application for incorporation into the point of sale screen, at least one visual application being received at, below, or at no cost to include the screen of point of sale. 217. A point-of-sale screen, characterized in that it comprises: a structure formed to support at least one product; an electricity distribution component coupled to said structure and used to distribute electricity; and at least one visual application coupled to said electricity distribution component and receiving power therefrom, and having a wireless communication link to receive content for deployment, at least said visual application being provided by a distributor below the cost. for inclusion with the! - 382 - structure. 218. The point of sale screen according to claim 217, characterized in that said structure includes a shelf and has an electricity distribution component that extends along the shelf, said electricity distribution component further having a plurality of electrical conductors. accessible to said at least one visual application in multiple locations along the electricity distribution component. 219. The point of sale screen according to claim 217, characterized in that said electricity distribution component is configured to allow said visual application to slide to different positions along the shelf while maintaining the energy. 220. The point of sale screen according to claim 217, characterized in that at least said visual application is operable to receive the content via the communication link in accordance with a subscription sold to the subscriber. 1 - 3 8 3 - 2 2 1 Í The point of sale screen according to claim 2 2 0, characterized in that the subscription allows at least one visual application to receive the content on a volume basis on duration. 2 2 2. The point of sale screen according to claim 2 2 1, characterized in that the volume basis on duration is determined on a base of megabytes per month. 2 2 3. A method for billing advertisers of a subscriber using an electronic, dynamic advertising system, characterized in that method comprises: establishing a subscription by a subscriber with a service provider in order to provide advertising services using a communication service for the communication of content to be displayed in the electronic advertising system, including the subscription terms of conditions that establish the quote for the communication service; sell advertising time to an advertiser to display the content in the electronic advertising system; 1 - 384 - perform advertising for the advertiser by displaying the content; receive a cost for the communication service used by the advertiser; form an invoice for the advertiser, the invoice being a sum that includes the cost for the communication service and a deployment fee for displaying the content; and communicate the bill for advertising to the advertiser. 224. The method according to claim 223, characterized in that said embodiment of advertising is carried out by the subscriber. 225. The method according to claim 223, further characterized in that it comprises: arranging the visual application in relation to a product or service provided by the advertiser; and register the visual application with the electronic advertising system as it is arranged in relation to the product service. 226. The method according to claim 223, further characterized by comprising: verifying content deployment; and provide results of said verification to the advertiser. 227. The method according to claim 226, characterized in that said verification includes the measurement of a code associated only with the content. 228. The method according to claim 226, characterized in that said verification includes determining that the content is displayed with the appropriate color. 229. The method according to claim 226, characterized in that said verification includes that the content is displayed punctually. 230. The method according to claim 223, characterized in that said communication of the invoice is made electronically. 231. The method according to claim 223, characterized in that the content is at least one of static and dynamic images. 232. The method according to claim 223, characterized in that the quote for the communication service includes a minimum cost I - 386 - for the capacity used over a duration. 233. The method according to claim 223, characterized in that the quote for the communication service is based on a cost for the equipment used by the subscriber in order to perform the advertising services. 234. A system for billing advertisers using a communication system, characterized in that said system comprises: an operable subscriber server for communicating with a service provider server in order to schedule the content to be distributed for the distribution fee in the electronic advertising system; a local server operable to receive and display the scheduled content; and software that operates on the subscriber and operable server (i) to receive the distribution fee from the service provider server for the content to be distributed, (ii) form an invoice that includes the distribution fee and a deployment fee to display the content for the advertiser, and (iii) 1 - 387 - communicate the invoice to the advertiser. 235. The system according to the claim 234, characterized in that the distribution share is based on a volume of content distributed over a duration. 236. The system according to the claim 235, characterized in that the volume of content distributed over a duration has units of megabytes per month. 237. The system according to the claim 234, characterized in that said software is formed of multiple components. 238. The system according to claim 234, further characterized by comprising a database operated by said subscriber server and operable to maintain the verification information associated with the content to be displayed for the advertiser to confirm the deployment of the content. 239. A method for billing subscribers using a communication system, characterized in that method comprises: establishing a subscription with a subscriber to provide advertising services using a communication service to communicate the content to a subscriber that is deployed in the system of electronic advertising, including subscription terms of condition that establish the quote for the communication service; provide content to programming services for the subscriber in order to schedule the content to be distributed to a subscriber for a deployment fee; initiate the communication of the content through the communication service based on a program by the subscriber for the content to be deployed; determine a cost to communicate the content based on the established quote; and communicate the cost of communicating the information for inclusion in an invoice to the subscriber, including the invoice a total fee based on the cost of communicating and displaying the content. 240. The method according to claim 239, characterized in that the subscriber is an i - 389 - Retail establishment. 241. The method according to claim 239, characterized in that the subscriber is an organization of external means. 242. The method according to the claim 239, characterized in that said provision of the content programming services includes providing an operable online location for the subscriber to operate the content to be displayed at a certain time on a certain day. 243. The method according to claim 242, characterized in that the online location is also operable for the subscriber to program the content to be displayed in the visual application. 244. The method according to claim 239, characterized in that initiating said communication of the information is performed substantially before displaying the content. 245. The method according to claim 239, characterized in that the invoice is also based on the cost of the equipment. 246. An operable system for providing retail point-of-sale and functional services for retailers, characterized in that said system comprises: a computer system that includes a processing unit, memory unit, and input / output unit (I / OR); software operated by said computer system and operable to perform point of sale advertising services and functional services of retailers; a wireless transmitter / receiver unit in communication with the I / O unit and operable to communicate the information; at least one visual application in wireless communication with said computer system by said wireless transmitter / receiver unit, said at least visual application being operable to display an image associated with the information; and an electronic device in communication with said computer system and operable to be used in performing the functional services of retailers; 247. The system according to claim 246, characterized in that said electronic device is in wireless communication with said wireless transmitter / receiver through the 1/0 unit. 248. The system according to the claim 245, characterized in that said electronic device is a cash register. 249. The system according to claim 246, further characterized in that it comprises software executable by the processing unit and operable to communicate the information to at least said visual application in accordance with a program established by an operator of said computing system. 250. The system according to the claim 246, further characterized in that it comprises software executable by the processing unit and operable to manage the revenue produced when performing retail services. 251. A method for distributing retail equipment used to conduct retail operations for a business enterprise, characterized in that method comprises: integrating the retail equipment into the operable infrastructure to administer and distribute the content for deployment and company facilities of business; offer the business company a subscription to use the infrastructure to provide advertising services, including also subscription subscription fees to use the retail equipment; receive an executed subscription; and install the infrastructure and equipment of a retailer in an installation of the business enterprise. 252. The method according to claim 251, further characterized in that it comprises providing the retail equipment at no cost to the business enterprise. 253. The method according to claim 251, further characterized in that it comprises receiving the subscription fees on a monthly basis from the business enterprise for the use of the retail equipment. 254. The method according to claim 251, further characterized in that it comprises receiving the subscription fees from a service provider that collects subscription fees from the business company that uses the infrastructure. 255. The method according to the claim 251, characterized in that the retail equipment includes cash registers. 256. A system for storing digital data, characterized in that it comprises: at least two storage units operated by different business companies and located in different facilities; a service provider server in selective communication with the storage units, said service provider server being operable to manage digital data for the different business enterprises; and software executed by said service provider server and operable to store the digital data to any of said two storage units. 257. The system according to claim 256, further characterized in that it comprises a local server located substantially in each -394 -installation of the different business enterprises, coupled each local server to a storage unit located in the respective installation. 258. The system according to the claim 256, characterized in that said software is further operable to determine the memory capacity used for storage by the digital data for a certain time. 259. The system according to the claim 258, characterized in that the duration is one month. 260. The system according to claim 258, characterized in that the memory capacity used for storage is determined in megabytes. 261. The system according to claim 258, characterized in that the software is also operable to calculate an invoice based on the memory capacity used for storage by the digital data for a certain time. 262. A method for storing digital data, characterized in that it comprises: configuring at least two storage units to be operated by different ones! - 395 - subscribers and located in different facilities; communicate selectively with at least two storage units; manage digital data for different business enterprises; and storing the digital data in one of said two storage units. 263. The method according to claim 262, further characterized in that it comprises communicating the digital data to the selected storage unit. 264. The method according to claim 262, further characterized in that it comprises determining the memory capacity used for storage by the digital data for a certain time. 265. The method according to claim 264, characterized in that said determination is carried out for one month. 266. The method according to claim 264, characterized in that said determination of the memory capacity used for storage is determined in megabytes. 267. The method according to claim 264, further characterized in that it comprises calculating an invoice based on the memory capacity used for storage by the digital data for a certain time. 268. The method according to the claim 264, further characterized in that it comprises calculating an invoice based on the cost of a storage unit operated by a subscriber. 269. A method for providing storage services for digital data, characterized in that said method comprises: receiving a subscription for storage capacity for the digital data from a first storage subscriber; receive the digital data to be stored from the first storage subscriber; store the digital data in a storage unit; and billing the first storage subscriber for the storage capacity used for a certain time. 270. The method according to claim 269, further characterized in that it comprises storing the digital data in a storage unit located in an installation of a second storage subscriber. 271. The method according to claim 269, further characterized in that it comprises establishing a minimum storage capacity below which the first storage subscriber is billed a fixed amount. 272. The method according to claim 269, characterized in that said billing of the storage capacity used during a certain time is calculated as megabytes per month. 273. The method according to claim 269, further characterized in that it comprises forming rules for determining the storage locations for the digital data. 274. The method according to claim 273, further characterized in that it comprises forming rules that determine a certain number of backup locations. 275. The method according to claim 1 - 398-269, characterized in that said billing also includes billing a cost of the storage unit to form an invoice. 276. The method according to claim 273, further characterized in that it comprises forming rules for determining storage locations for the digital data based on the diversity of the geographic regions. 277. The method according to claim 269, further characterized in that it comprises billing the first storage subscriber to transfer digital data between the storage units based on the transferred capacity. 278. The method according to the claim 277, further characterized in that said billing for capacity transferred between storage units is calculated as megabytes per month. 279. The method according to the claim 277, characterized in that the transfer of the digital data is carried out by means of a satellite communication system. 280. The method according to claim 277, characterized in that said billing includes calculating a premium for the first storage subscriber based on the storage capacity used over a minimum storage capacity. 281. The method according to the claim 269, further characterized in that it comprises providing a minimum storage capacity to the first storage subscriber based on a use of a digital data management and distribution system. 282. A system for providing storage services for digital data, characterized in said system because it comprises: means for receiving a subscription for storage capacity for the digital data from a first storage subscriber; means for receiving the digital data to be stored from the first storage subscriber; means for storing the digital data in a storage unit; and means to bill the first? - 400 - storage subscriber for the storage capacity used for a certain time. 283. The system according to claim 282, further characterized in that it comprises means for storing the digital data in a storage unit located in an installation of a second storage subscriber. 284. The system according to claim 282, further characterized in that it comprises means for establishing a minimum storage capacity below which a fixed amount is billed to the first storage subscriber. 285. The system according to claim 282, further characterized in that it comprises means for forming rules to determine storage locations for the digital data. 286. The system according to rei indication 282, further characterized in that it comprises means for forming rules that determine a number of backup locations for storing the digital data. 287. The system according to claim 282, further characterized in that it comprises forming rules for determining storage locations for the digital data based on a variety of geographic regions. 288. The system according to the rei indication 282, further characterized in that it comprises means for billing the first subscriber to transfer digital data between storage units based on transferred capacity. 289. The system according to claim 282, further characterized in that it comprises means for providing a minimum storage capacity to the first storage subscriber based on a use of a digital data management and distribution system.