System and Method for Converting Screens into Remotely Controlled Terminals

Abstract

A system and method for converting conventional screens, televisions and monitors into content terminals is disclosed. The invention being comprised of three main parts: a first part being software; a second part being a peripheral, plugin device or a standalone computer; and a third part being a cloud network. Said plug-in device having an HDMI port allowing it to connect to the majority of conventional screens as well as a microcontroller with onboard memory and wireless receiver to obtain signals from said cloud network, or a hard wired internet connection. The invention allowing users to create content and content sequences (such as public information, commercials, interactive content and advertisements etc.) on the server that is then sent to the plugin device at the time the user selects in their scheduling which in turn obtains control over the screen and displays the content thereon. Other features also include, but are not limited to: scheduling content broadcasts, status notifications and mobile app compatibilities. An object of the invention is to convert any screen into a customizable, independent content terminal without the need for a computer and is controllable through the app or the dashboard from anywhere with an internet connection.

Claims

1. A system for converting screens into advertising, display or interactive multimedia content terminals comprised of the following parts: a) a software program recorded on a computer-readable plugin device for displaying advertisements and/or display content; b) a cloud network for hosting a website, creating content, storing content, scheduling content and transferring content to the software program; c) a plugin device for storing the program, connecting to screens and transferring content received from the cloud network; and d) a mobile device application for configuration, content creation, schedule adjustments and uploading.

2. The system for converting screens into advertising, display or interactive multimedia content terminals of claim 1 wherein the software program transferring multimedia content from a server to the plugin device.

3. The system for converting screens into advertising content terminals of claim 1 wherein the plugin device having an HDMI coupling, microcontroller, onboard memory, WiFi receiver and Bluetooth communications.

4. The system for converting screens into advertising, display or interactive multimedia content terminals of claim 1 wherein the plugin device receives content and content schedules from the cloud network.

5. The system for converting screens into advertising, display or interactive multimedia content terminals of claim 1 wherein the cloud network having operations that include scheduling locations and timing of content broadcasts (called Timelines), managing subscriptions, and archiving multimedia content.

6. A method for converting screens into advertising, interactive or display content terminals, the method is comprised of the following steps: a) creating multimedia or interactive content for advertising, interactive or display purposes; b) scheduling content for screens at different time frames and intervals; c) optionally either remotely loading content to a plugin device remotely using the cloud network or loading content to a remote computer using the cloud network; d) controlling content on single or multiple display terminals at once remotely; and e) installing a plugin device into a screen's input port;

7. The method for converting screens into advertising, display and interactive content terminals of claim 6 wherein the creating multimedia content for advertising or display purposes is generated on the cloud network of claim 1.

8. The method for converting screens into advertising content terminals of claim 6 wherein the scheduling multimedia and/or interactive content for screens at different time frames is performed on the cloud network of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the invention and a conventional screen.

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a representative view of the invention process.

[0021] Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0022] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation. Conventional components of the invention are elements that are well-known in the prior art and will not be discussed in detail for this disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 1 showing perspective views of a preferred embodiment of the invention's plugin device 1 being comprised of a microcontroller having elements such as, but not limited to: an onboard memory (to maintain software); a Bluetooth unit; a WiFi receiver and a 4k HDMI coupler thereon. Said HDMI coupler being compatible with conventional HDMI port 3 on a typical monitors and screens including but not limited to: televisions 2; computers; laptop computers 8, smartphones 10 and the like. Said software on the plugin device 1 being written from code that may include, but not be limited to: Java, C++, Visual Basic, Linux, Basic etc. and having a user interface that includes but is not limited to graphical content 5, options for scheduling 14 with timeline interface, and user settings 16. The software also compatible with a plurality of operating systems such as, but not limited to: Windows, Apple, and Android, and compatible with a multitude of hardware platforms such as, but not limited to: personal desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones and the like.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a representative view of the invention process with users having access to functions including but not limited to: making online payments 4 to the subscription service; creating content 5 display on their chosen screens (digital multimedia graphics, video and audio etc.); assigning content 6 to specific screens and organizing various available screens at different locales; and scheduling content broadcasts 7 (by date, time, and location). Users also having the option of accessing the invention software by means of but not limited to desktop computers 8, tablets 9, laptops and smart phones 10 and the like. The cloud-based network 18 interacting with said user devices and having algorithms performing functions such as but not limited to managing user subscriptions 12 (online payments, levels of service etc.); pairing and configuring screen types and multimedia content with plug-in devices 13; scheduling plug-in device 1 broadcasts 14; archiving and organizing multimedia broadcasts for future use 15; administrative management (passwords, user access) 16 and broadcasts/device status 17. FIG. 3 also showing cloud network 18 interacting with plug-in device 1 by means of WiFi and receiving said signals 19; displaying broadcasts to selected screens 20 and handshaking with other plug-in devices 1 by means of Bluetooth.

[0025] It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner. While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.