TWI576721B - Digital signage apparatus, portable device synchronization system, and method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Digital signage device, digital signage system and operation method thereof

The present invention relates to a digital signage system, a digital signage device and an operation method thereof; in particular, the present invention relates to a digital signage system, a digital signage device and an operation method thereof capable of simultaneously playing back images on a Kanban and a handheld device.

As the population expands and the cities expand, how to effectively convey product information to the public has become an important key to market competition among various department stores, stores, companies, and media advertising companies. As a result, most of these companies have achieved the effect of effectively communicating product information to the public by setting up digital kanbans in public places where people gather. A digital signage is a display device that displays information to be conveyed to a viewer and displays it to a viewer in a dynamic or static picture.

As shown in FIG. 1, the digital signage 100 typically displays a dynamic or static image by the digital video player 110. The digital video player 110 generally includes a network module 120, a storage module 130, and a processor unit 140. The network module 120 can be connected to the image data by the physical network, so that the digital video player 110 can play the image information through the digital signage 100. The image information can be stored in the storage module by the processor unit 140. 130, and can be transferred to the digital signboard 100 for display and playback by the processor unit 140 at any time.

In general digital kanban, the digital kanban is usually placed at a height that is easy for the user to easily view, and at the same time attracts the user's attention. For example, it is often seen that digital kanbans are placed near elevator doors, department stores, subway trains, and other transportation stations. However, when there are too many people, the viewer who is far away from the digital signboard cannot clearly see the image of the digital signage in the crowd. Specifically, when there are too many people watching the digital signage, the viewer who is far away from the digital signage will be unable to see the image information displayed by the digital signboard because the front viewers block the line of sight. In this way, if the viewer who is far away from the digital signage wants to view the information displayed by the digital signboard, the person in front must be allowed to make way and move to the digital signboard. Since it is inconvenient for the average person to squeeze this action forward, most people will give up watching the information displayed on the digital signboard. In addition, for the viewers in action, because they cannot stay on the digital display for a long time, even if they really see the information or pictures of interest, they can usually only give up and continue to act. In terms of the company and the advertising company, in order to improve the convenience of the viewers and improve the advertising efficiency of the kanban, it is necessary to solve the above problems.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital signage system for use with a handheld electronic device that allows a user to view the same image displayed on a digital display panel for viewing by the user on the digital display panel. Image without being limited by space.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital signage device that utilizes a smart mobile device to allow a user to quickly establish a connection with a viewing board being viewed to achieve a more complete interaction between the instant image and the data.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an operation method for transmitting a kanban instant image to a handheld electronic device, allowing the user to operate simply, quickly, and intuitively, so that the system can transmit the live image to the digital signage and the handheld electronic device, and The transmitted live image can be simultaneously displayed on the digital signage and the handheld electronic device to overcome the problem that the digital signage is too far away or the crowd is too much to block the line of sight.

The digital signage system of the present invention comprises: a display panel, a handheld electronic device, and a kanban player, wherein the display panel is configured to receive and play digital images; and the kanban player is configured to output digital images to the display panel. The kanban player includes: an image capture module, a communication module, and a processor unit, wherein the image capture module is configured to capture digital images, the communication module is coupled to the image capture module, and the processor unit is The image capturing module and the communication module are electrically connected, and the digital image is transmitted from the image capturing module to the handheld electronic device, so that the handheld electronic device can play the digital image synchronously with the display panel.

The digital signage device of the present invention comprises: a kanban player and a display panel, wherein the kanban player is used for providing digital images and encoded images, and the display panel is configured to receive and display digital images and encoded images. The coded image is captured by the handheld electronic device, and the kanban player simultaneously provides digital images to the handheld electronic device and the display panel.

The method for operating the digital signage system of the present invention comprises: generating a coded image, wherein the coded image is captured by the handheld electronic device; playing the digital image and the coded image on the display panel; receiving the connection demand message, and according to the connection requirement The message enables the handheld electronic device to communicate with the kanban player; and the digital image is transmitted to the handheld electronic device, so that the handheld electronic device can play the digital image synchronously with the display panel.

In an embodiment, the communication module transmits the digital image to the handheld electronic device in a wireless or wired manner. The encoded image includes a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, a black-and-white image, or a color image.

The invention provides a digital signage system, a digital signage device and an operation method thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the user of the present invention can easily, quickly and simply see the displayed image displayed by the digital signage device in a crowded crowd or in a scene where the line of sight of the kanban is obstructed.

2 is a preferred embodiment of the digital signage system 200 and the digital signage device 300 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the digital signage system 200 and the digital signage device 300 of the present invention include a display panel 201 and a kanban playback. 210. The digital signage system 200 further includes a handheld electronic device 280. The display panel 201 is configured to receive and play digital images, and the display panel 201 can simultaneously receive and play the encoded image 270. In this embodiment, the digital image may be a dynamic or static image and played in a continuous or intermittent manner, and the encoded image 270 is a colored two-dimensional barcode and displayed on the lower left of the display screen 202 of the display panel 201. However, in other embodiments, the encoded image 270 may also be a black and white image encoding, a color encoding, a one-dimensional barcode, or a two-dimensional barcode, and the display position is not limited to the lower left side but may be at any suitable position of the display screen 202 or The picture of the child is presented.

In the preferred embodiment, the kanban player 210 of the digital signage system 200 is configured to output digital images to the display panel 201 of the digital signage system 200. The kanban player 210 of the digital signage system 200 of the present invention in FIG. 2 further includes an image capturing module 250, a communication module 260, and a processor, relative to the conventional kanban player 110 shown in FIG. The unit 240, the network module 220 and the storage module 230. The network module 220 can be connected to the digital video device 210 to receive the image information, so that the digital video player 210 can play the digital image through the display panel 201. The digital image can be stored in the storage module by the processor unit 240. 230, and can be captured by the processor unit 240 for transmission to the display panel 201 for display. The image capture module 250 is electrically coupled to the processor unit 240 and is configured to capture digital images from the storage module 230 (eg, buffer buffer or memory) or from the network module 220. The communication module 260 is coupled to the image capturing module 250. The processor unit 240 is configured to transmit the digital image from the image capturing module 250 to the handheld electronic device 280. In this embodiment, the communication module 260 of the kanban player 210 has connection information, which includes authentication information and connection category information required when the handheld electronic device 280 and the communication module 260 are connected. Preferably, the authentication information is a set of login accounts and passwords, so that the handheld electronic device 280 can log in to the communication module 260 via the authentication information provided in the connection information and generate a connection with the kanban player 210. The content included in the connection category information is preferably a connection mode that the communication module 260 can provide for the connection of the handheld electronic device 280, such as a wireless network, a wired network, an infrared, and a Bluetooth connection. In the preferred embodiment, the connection category information of the communication module 260 preferably includes at least a wired or wireless connection. At this time, the communication module 260 will encode the connection information and generate a coded image 270, wherein the coded image 270 is transmitted from the communication module 260 to the display panel 201 of the digital signage system 200 via the processor unit 140 for display on the display. On the screen 202. That is, in one embodiment, the present invention also provides a digital signage device including the above-described kanban player 210 that provides a digital image and a coded image 270, and a display panel 201 that receives and displays the digital image and the encoded image 270, wherein The encoded image 270 is captured by the handheld electronic device 280, and the kanban player 210 is synchronized to provide digital images to the handheld electronic device 280 and the display panel 201.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment, display panel 201 in digital signage system 200 can simultaneously receive and play display digital images and encoded images 270. As shown in FIG. 2, on the display screen 202 of the display panel 201, the display of the encoded image 270 is superimposed on the digital image display, and placed on the lower left side of the display screen 202, or embedded in the display screen. 202. However, the size of the encoded image 270 and the position in the display screen 202 of the display panel 201 are not limited thereto; in other embodiments, the encoded image 270 may also be disposed at other suitable positions such as the upper right corner. In addition, in this embodiment, the display panel 201 and the kanban player 210 of the digital signage system 200 are separated and connected by a high-speed transmission line, such as a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), level 5 Transmission line such as Category 5 cable (CAT5). However, the kanban player 210 and the display panel 201 are not limited to being connected by a transmission line; in other embodiments, the kanban player 210 of the digital kanban system 200 can also be built in the display panel 201, thereby saving the use of the transmission line to generate the kanban. The connection between the player 210 and the display panel 201.

As shown in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3A is a structural view of the handheld electronic device in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2. In FIG. 3A, the handheld electronic device 280 of the digital signage system 200 preferably includes a communication unit 281, an image capturing unit 282, an input/output unit 283, a decoding unit 284, and a display unit 285. The decoding unit 284 is separately connected to the communication unit 281, the image capturing unit 282, the input/output unit 283, and the display unit 285. In the embodiment, the image capturing unit 282 is configured to capture the encoded image 270 displayed on the display screen 202 of the display panel 201 and transmit the captured encoded image 270 to the decoding unit 284. The decoding unit 284 has a function of interpreting the encoded image 270, so that the decoding unit 284 can interpret the wired information contained in the encoded image 270. At this time, after the decoding unit 284 reads the connection information included in the coded image 270, the handheld electronic device 280 can automatically and digitally communicate with the connection type information according to the connection information and the connection category information. The communication module 260 of the kanban player 210 in the kanban system 200 generates a connection. In this embodiment, the decoding unit 284 is a software on the handheld electronic device 280, and has the most connectable manner that can be provided from one or a plurality of communication modules 260 included in the connection category information. The function of the appropriate connection method. In this embodiment, the decoding unit 284 can determine the communication module of the handheld electronic device 280 and the kanban player 210 according to the communication connection mode in which the communication module 260 of the connection message can provide the handheld electronic device 280. The best quality communication connection is connected between 260, and the connection between the handheld electronic device 280 and the communication module 260 is determined and determined according to this judgment. However, in other embodiments, the decoding unit 284 of the handheld electronic device 280 can also be a hardware built into the handheld electronic device 280, and also has the same functions as the above-mentioned software, such as the decodeable encoded image 270. And automatically generating a communication connection with the communication module 260 in the kanban player 210 based on the decoded information.

FIG. 3B is also a preferred embodiment of the digital signage system and the digital signage device of the present invention in FIGS. 2 and 3A. As shown in FIG. 3B, in the present embodiment, the coded image is preferably selected. The image capturing unit 282 of the handheld electronic device 280 captures the photographic element in the handheld electronic device 280 to capture the encoded image 270 using the camera function of the handheld electronic device 280. However, the method of capturing the encoded image 270 by the handheld electronic device 280 is not limited to being captured by the image capturing unit 282 on the handheld electronic device 280, as shown in FIG. 3B. As shown, the handheld electronic device 280 can also capture encoded images by other electronic devices 290. For example, the handheld electronic device 280 can capture the encoded image 270 by using other electronic devices 290, such as digital cameras, other handheld electronic devices, and the like, and connect with other electronic devices 290 to capture other electronic devices. The captured encoded image 270 within 290. In this manner, the handheld electronic device 280 can capture the encoded image 270 from other electronic devices 290 without directly capturing the encoded image 270, and then indirectly capture the encoded image 270 from the other electronic device 290. In other words, the handheld electronic device 280 does not need to capture the encoded image 270 in the display screen 202 of the display panel 201 by the image capturing unit 282. After the handheld electronic device 280 is connected to other electronic devices 290, the handheld electronic device 280 can be borrowed. The encoded image 270 is captured by the input/output unit 283. The input/output unit 283 can include an interface for transmitting information, such as a card reader, a Universal Serial Bus Interface (USB), and a mini USB interface. The decoding unit 284 can capture and interpret the encoded image 270 included in the other electronic device 290 by using another electronic device 290 (such as a notebook computer, a flash memory, or the like) connected to the input/output unit 283, and The connection information interpret according to the encoded image 270 automatically generates a communication connection with the communication module 260.

As shown in FIG. 3B, when the communication unit 281 of the handheld electronic device 280 in the digital signage system 200 is in communication with the communication module 260 of the kanban player 210, the image capturing module 250 of the kanban player 210 will The digital image transmitted to the display panel 201 by the processor unit 140 is captured, and the captured digital image is transmitted to the handheld electronic device 280 via the communication connection between the communication module 260 and the communication unit 281, and the communication unit 281 is further provided by the communication unit 281. The connection between the decoding unit 284 and the decoding unit 284 is transmitted to the decoding unit 281, so that the decoding unit 284 can play the digital display on the display unit 285 and the display panel 201 of the handheld electronic device 280 in synchronization with the display panel 201 of the digital signage system 200. The screen 202 is displayed. In this embodiment, the communication module 260 of the kanban player 210 preferably wirelessly transmits the digital image to the communication unit 281 in the handheld electronic device 280. However, in other embodiments, the communication module 260 can also transmit digital images to the communication unit 281 in the handheld electronic device 280 in a wired manner, such as a CAT5, CAT6 network route, HDMI, USB, and the like. In the present embodiment, the communication module 260 actually transmits image information to the handheld electronic device 280 according to the type of communication connection mode generated between the handheld electronic device 280 and the kanban player 210. For example, if the handheld electronic device 280 is initially connected to the kanban player 210 by the wireless network 802.1X protocol, the kanban player 210 will use the same communication connection to transmit the digital image to the handheld electronic device. 280.

The flow diagram shown in FIG. 4 is a preferred embodiment of the method of operating the digital signage system of the present invention. The digital signage system includes a display panel and a kanban player, and the operation method of the digital signage system includes the following steps.

Step 10 includes generating a coded image, wherein the coded image is captured by the handheld electronic device. In a preferred embodiment, the encoded image is generated from a communication module 260 in a kanban player of the digital signage system, and the resulting encoded image is preferably a color image, such as a color two-dimensional barcode, for handheld When the encoded electronic device captures the encoded image, the captured encoded image is made clearer, so that the handheld electronic device can more easily define the feature on the captured encoded image in the subsequent encoded image processing. That is, the service set identifier (SSID) of the wireless network access point (that is, the wireless base station, Access Point, or AP) in the kanban player is preferably performed by using the color bar code coding method. Encode to form a coded image. However, the encoded image is not limited to a color image or a two-dimensional barcode, and the encoded image may be a black-and-white image or a one-dimensional barcode in other embodiments. In this embodiment, the handheld electronic device is preferably a smart phone; however, in other embodiments, the handheld electronic device may also be a related electronic device such as a non-smart mobile phone, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, and a digital camera. Device. In this embodiment, the captured image is preferably captured by an image capturing component of the handheld electronic device, such as a camera component in a handheld electronic device, to capture a coded image by using a camera function of the handheld electronic device. image. However, in the case of capturing an encoded image by a handheld electronic device, the method of capturing the encoded image is not limited to being captured by the image capturing component on the handheld electronic device, and the handheld electronic device may also be used by other means. The electronic device captures the encoded image. For example, the handheld electronic device can capture encoded images by other electronic devices, such as digital cameras, other handheld electronic devices, and the like, and connect with other electronic devices to capture captured data from other electronic devices. Coded image. In this way, the handheld electronic device can capture the encoded image from other electronic devices without capturing the encoded image directly, and then capturing the encoded image from other electronic devices. In addition, in other embodiments, the handheld electronic device can also capture encoded images from the network.

Step 20 includes playing the digital image and the encoded image on a display panel of the digital signage system. The digital image and the encoded image are preferably transmitted from the kanban player of the digital signage system to the display panel, wherein the encoded image is embedded in the display screen of the display panel (for example, a corner). In this embodiment, since the digital signage system is usually used for related information exchange purposes such as advertisements, the digital image playing by the digital signage system has a high probability of being a still image, so that it is used when playing on the display panel. There is enough time to view and absorb the content of the digital image. However, in other embodiments, the digital image of the digital signage system may also be a motion image or merely a sound effect information. The encoded image is also displayed on the display panel while the digital image is being played. In this embodiment, when the encoded image and the digital image are displayed on the display panel, the encoded image is preferably displayed on the lower left of the display range of the display panel, and the encoded image is superimposed on the displayed digital display. Image screen. Specifically, when the digital image and the encoded image are simultaneously displayed on the display panel, the encoded image is superimposed on the digital image, so that the encoded image masks a small portion of the digital image. In other words, in the present embodiment, on the display panel of the digital signage system, the preset placement position of the coded image is displayed as the above-mentioned lower left and blocks a part of the digital image frame. After the digital image and the encoded image are displayed on the display panel, the encoded image will be captured by the handheld electronic device, for example, by the image capturing component in the handheld electronic device.

Step 30 includes receiving a connection demand message and communicating the handheld electronic device with the kanban player according to the connection demand message. In this embodiment, after the handheld electronic device captures the encoded image, the handheld electronic device can decode the connection information by using the software self-encoded image mounted thereon. Here, the handheld electronic device provides a connection demand message to the kanban player according to the connection information of the encoded image (for example, the SSID of the wireless AP). Therefore, the connection demand message is preferably transmitted from the handheld electronic device and received by the kanban player, wherein the connection demand message can be transmitted by wire or wirelessly. In this embodiment, the connection demand message is transmitted wirelessly from the handheld electronic device to the kanban player. Specifically, when the handheld electronic device and the kanban player are first connected, the connection demand message is a request for the connection of the handheld electronic device to the kanban player, and the connection request message preferably includes a set of login accounts. And the password can be provided to the kanban player for confirmation by the handheld electronic device.

Step 40 includes transmitting the digital image to the handheld electronic device, so that the handheld electronic device can play the digital image synchronously with the display panel. When the kanban player receives the connection demand message from the handheld electronic device, the digital image is transmitted from the kanban player to the handheld electronic device and the display after the handheld electronic device is connected according to the content of the connection demand message. Panel, and the kanban player can adjust the transmission of digital images to the handheld electronic device and display panel according to the immediate situation (such as the connection quality of the display panel and the handheld electronic device, bandwidth, transmission speed, etc.), resulting in handheld electronic The digital image displayed by the device and the display panel can achieve synchronization effect. The way to transfer digital images can be wireless. However, the transmission method is not limited to the wireless method; the digital image can also be transmitted to the handheld electronic device in a wired manner. However, in the present embodiment, the manner of transmitting the digital image to the handheld electronic device is preferably transmitted in the same manner as when the handheld electronic device was originally connected to the kanban player. For example, if the kanban player receives the connection demand message in a wired manner, the kanban player preferably returns the digital image in a wired manner. Of course, if the kanban player receives the connection demand message in a wireless manner, the kanban player preferably returns the digital image wirelessly. However, the transmission of the digital image is not limited to this conditional transmission. In other embodiments, the digital image may also be transmitted back to the same manner as the original connection request message is received. The kanban player can determine the most suitable transmission mode, transmission volume and speed to transmit digital images to the handheld electronic device and display panel according to the above conditions and conditions, and achieve simultaneous playback of digital images in handheld electronic devices and digital signage. The function of the display panel of the system.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations of the digital signage device, digital signage device and related methods of operation of the present invention are made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The possibility of change. Accordingly, the invention is to cover all modifications and alternatives

100‧‧‧ digital board

110‧‧‧Digital video player

120‧‧‧Network Module

130‧‧‧Storage Module

140‧‧‧Processor unit

200‧‧‧ digital signage system

201‧‧‧ display panel

202‧‧‧Display screen

210‧‧‧ Kanban player

220‧‧‧Network Module

230‧‧‧ storage module

240‧‧‧ Processor unit

250‧‧‧Image capture module

260‧‧‧Communication Module

270‧‧‧ encoded image

280‧‧‧Handheld electronic devices

281‧‧‧Communication unit

282‧‧‧Image capture unit

283‧‧‧Input/output unit

284‧‧‧Decoding unit

285‧‧‧Display unit

290‧‧‧Other electronic devices

300‧‧‧ digital kanban device

1 is a schematic view of a conventional kanban player and a digital kanban; FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the digital kanban system of the present invention; and FIG. 3A is a view schematically showing the structure of the handheld electronic device of FIG. 2; 3B is a kanban player of the second drawing, a display panel, and a digital kanban system of the handheld electronic device of FIG. 3A; and FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation method of the digital kanban system of the present invention.

200. . . Digital signage system

201. . . Display panel

202. . . Display

210. . . Kanban player

220. . . Network module

230. . . Storage module

240. . . Processor unit

250. . . Image capture module

260. . . Communication module

270. . . Coded image

280. . . Handheld electronic device

281. . . Communication unit

282. . . Image capture unit

283. . . Input/output unit

284. . . Decoding unit

285. . . Display unit

290. . . Other electronic devices

300. . . Digital signage device

Claims (14)

A kanban system comprising: a display panel for receiving and playing an image and a coded image; and a handheld electronic device having an image capture component for capturing the coded image played on the display panel And a kanban player for outputting the image to the display panel, the kanban player comprising: an image capture module for capturing the image; and a communication module coupled to the image capture module The communication module is configured to generate the coded image, the coded image includes a connection information, and a processor unit for electrically connecting the image capture module and the communication module, and Transmitting the image from the image capturing module to the handheld electronic device, so that the handheld electronic device can play the image synchronously with the display panel according to the encoded image; wherein the handheld electronic device is configured according to the captured image The encoded image decodes the connection information and automatically communicates with the communication module of the kanban player by the connection information. The kanban system of claim 1, wherein the communication module transmits the image to the handheld electronic device in a wireless or wired manner. The kanban system of claim 1, the coded image comprising a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode. The kanban system of claim 1, the encoded image is included as a black and white image or a color image. A method of operating a kanban system, the kanban system comprising a display panel and a kanban player, the method comprising the steps of: generating a coded image, wherein the coded image comprises a connection information for capturing by a handheld electronic device Playing an image and the encoded image on the display panel; Receiving a connection demand message, and causing the handheld electronic device to communicate with the kanban player according to the connection demand message, wherein the connection demand message is generated by the handheld electronic device according to the connection information; and transmitting The image is applied to the handheld electronic device, so that the handheld electronic device can play the image synchronously with the display panel. The method of claim 5, wherein the encoded image comprises a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode, and the encoded image is a black-and-white image or a color image. The method of claim 5, wherein the handheld electronic device captures the encoded image by an image capturing component. The operating method of claim 5, wherein the handheld electronic device decodes a connection information from the encoded image by a software and provides the connection demand message according to the connection information. According to the operation method described in claim 5, synchronously playing the image includes synchronously playing still images, motion pictures or sound effect information. A kanban device comprising: a kanban player for providing an image and a coded image, wherein the coded image includes a connection information; and a display panel for receiving and displaying the image and the coded image The coded image is captured by a handheld electronic device, and the handheld electronic device automatically connects to the kanban player according to the connection information, so that the kanban player simultaneously provides the image to the handheld electronic device. Device and the display panel. The kanban device of claim 10, the kanban player includes: an image capture module for capturing the image; a communication module coupled to the image capture module for the image And transmitting to the handheld electronic device; and a processor unit for electrically connecting the image capturing module and the communication module, and transmitting the image from the image capturing module to the handheld electronic device. The kanban device of claim 11, wherein the communication module transmits the image to the handheld electronic device in a wireless or wired manner. The kanban device of claim 12, wherein the encoded image is generated by the wireless communication module. The kanban device of claim 10, the encoded image comprising a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, a black-and-white image, or a color image.