APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR DIGITAL DISPLAY MONITORING AND REPORTING

Abstract

A monitoring, alerting and reporting system and methods for recording and monitoring specific portions of static and digital displays and display panels, such as billboards, by recording the display using multiple cameras and providing remote monitoring, operational reporting and alerts, along with POP services, which include a web-based or application-based monitoring, alerting and reporting system. For accuracy purposes, the system relies on a camera to record the actual advertisement or message being displayed on the billboard, while a second camera is used to record a unique identification code or mark pertaining to the particular advertisement being displayed, whether the advertisement is an image, a video or even text. By recording both the actual video and the identification code, the system can accurately monitor and report on the various advertisements being displayed, including the time and length of display.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring static displays by recording the static display using multiple sensors and providing remote monitoring, operational reporting and alerts, along with proof of performance services, the system comprising: a. a first sensor, said first sensor installed in a first location on a static display, said first location configured to allow said first sensor to record an advertisement being displayed on said static display; b. a second sensor, said second sensor installed in a second location on said static display, said second location configured to allow said second sensor to record a unique identification mark, said unique identification mark pertaining to the said advertisement; and c. a control box, said control box sized and configured to fit onto said static display, wherein said control box monitors the recording of said advertisement and said unique identification mark, and provides reporting functions pertaining to the advertisement being displayed.

2. The system for monitoring static displays of claim 1, further comprising an application to which the control box provides said reporting functions.

3. The system for monitoring static displays of claim 2, where the application is a web-based monitoring, alerting and reporting system.

4. The system for monitoring static displays of claim 2, where the application is an application-based, alerting and reporting system.

5. The system for monitoring static displays of claim 1, where said reporting functions include details of the operation of the static display, alerts for faulty operation, proof of performance.

6. The system for monitoring static displays of claim 1, where said first sensor is a first camera.

7. The system for monitoring static displays of claim 1, where said second sensor is a second camera.

8. The system for monitoring static displays of claim 1, where said static display is a billboard, a display panel, an in-store display or an airport terminal display.

9. The system for monitoring static displays of claim 1, where said advertisement is an image, a video or a text.

10. The system for monitoring static displays of claim 5, where said details of operation include the date, time, length of display of the advertisement, frequency and failures.

11. The system for monitoring static displays of claim 1, where said reporting functions are gathered intermittently.

12. The system for monitoring static displays of claim 11, where said reporting functions are gathered every few minutes.

13. The system for monitoring static displays of claim 11, where said reporting functions are gathered every few seconds.

14. The system for monitoring static displays of claim 1, where said reporting functions are provided in real time.

15. A method of monitoring static displays by recording the static display using multiple sensors and providing remote monitoring, operational reporting and alerts, along with proof of performance services, the steps of the method comprising: a. installing a first sensor in a first location on a static display, said first location configured to allow said first sensor to record an advertisement being displayed on said static display; b. installing a second sensor in a second location on said static display, said second location configured to allow said second sensor to record a unique identification mark, said unique identification mark pertaining to the said advertisement; c. installing a control box, said control box sized and configured to fit onto said static display, d. using the control box to monitor the recording of said advertisement and said unique identification mark; e. using the control box to provide reporting functions pertaining to the advertisement being displayed.

16. The method of monitoring static displays of claim 15, further comprising an application to which the control box provides said reporting functions.

17. The method of monitoring static displays of claim 16, where the application is a web-based monitoring, alerting and reporting system.

18. The method of monitoring static displays of claim 16, where the application is an application-based, alerting and reporting system.

19. The method of monitoring static displays of claim 15, where said reporting functions include details of the operation of the static display, alerts for faulty operation, proof of performance.

20. The method of monitoring static displays of claim 19, where said details of operation include the date, time, length of display of the advertisement, frequency and failures.

21-40. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a digital display monitor and reporting system in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a control box for a digital display monitor and reporting system in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a hardware diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an identification code camera box for a digital display monitor and reporting system in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an identification code camera box for a digital display monitor and reporting system in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a hardware diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a screen camera box for a digital display monitor and reporting system in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a screen camera box for a digital display monitor and reporting system in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a flow chart diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a digital display monitoring reporting system in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a flow chart diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a digital display reporting system in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] As stated herein, the objective of the present disclosure is to provide an improved apparatus, system and methods for the monitoring of and reporting on digital displays, and in particular, the present invention is an apparatus, system and methods for monitoring static and digital displays and display panels, such as billboards, by recording the display, and providing for operators and users remote monitoring, operational reporting and alerts, along with proof of performance (POP) services, all through a web-based or application-based monitoring, alerting and reporting system.

[0033] The present disclosure further relates to such a POP system that is independent from the digital display's internal media player and proves content was actually displayed on the screen, not just an output ostensibly displayed on the screen. In doing so, the present disclosure incorporates a digital display monitoring system featuring a two camera system and a control box. The two cameras are housed in housing designs that can be attached easily to the screen or monitor frame to obtain actual video as it is displayed.

[0034] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar features in the various views, FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a digital display monitor and reporting system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a control box 12, a first camera or code camera 14, a second camera or screen content camera 16, a cellular module 18 and a battery backup 20.

[0035] The control box 12 comprises a computer 22, a control box battery backup 24 and a USB hub 26 for connecting to the code camera 14 and the screen content camera 16. The code camera 14 and the screen content camera 16 are connected to the USB hub 26 via USB cables 28, which are connected to the USB hub 26 at the USB connectors 30.

[0036] The USB hub 26 also connects to the computer 22 through a USB cable 32 at the USB connector 34. The USB hub 26 also connects to the control box battery backup 24 through a USB cable 36 at a USB connector 38. The control box battery backup 24 also connects to the computer 22 through a USB cable 40 to the power connector 42 on the computer 22. The power connector 42 is also a USB connector.

[0037] The computer 22 also contains an SD card reader 44, which can accept an SD card 46. The battery backup 20 for the cellular module 18 is connected to the cellular module 18 through a USB cable 48 at a USB connector 50. While the cellular module 18 is connected to the computer 22 through a Local Area Network (LAN) cable 52 at a LAN connector 54.

[0038] The components disclosed herein can be replaced by other components that would provide the same functionality as understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, although most of the connections between the components as disclosed herein are through USB cables and connectors, any other type of connector and cable will suffice.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an actual exemplary embodiment of a control box 12 for the digital display monitor and reporting system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. The control box 12 houses the computer or processor 22, the USB hub 26, which comprises the associated USB connectors 30 and the battery backup 24, connected to the USB hub 26 through the USB cable 36. The cellular module 18 (not shown in FIG. 2) will connect to the computer 22 through the LAN connector 54 and the LAN cable 52.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a hardware diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an identification code housing 60 for the identification code camera 14 for the digital display monitor and reporting system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. The identification code camera housing comprises an identification code camera housing cover 62, which will be used to cover the actual identification code camera 14, the identification code camera housing base 64 and the identification code camera housing insert 66. The identification code camera housing base 64 is configured to securely hold the identification code camera 14 along with containing a USB cable recess 68 for the USB cable 30 connecting the identification code camera 14 to the USB hub 26.

[0041] The identification code camera housing insert 66 fits securely between the identification code camera housing cover 62 and the identification code camera housing base 64 to assist in securely holding the identification code camera 14 in the correct position. The identification code camera housing 60 is attached with magnets or screws, if the latter is allowed.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an identification code camera housing 60 for a digital display monitor and reporting system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure, located in position with respect to a digital display monitor 100. The identification code camera housing cover 62 covers the remaining components of the identification code camera housing 60. In particular, the identification code camera 14 is placed and located against the portion of the digital display monitor 100, such as a billboard, that displays the unique identification code (not shown). In this example, the identification code camera housing 60 is located in the bottom left of the digital display monitor 100, if the observer was facing the monitor 100.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a hardware diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a screen camera housing 70 for the screen camera 16 for a digital display monitor and reporting system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. The screen camera housing 70 comprises a screen camera housing cover 72, which will be used to cover the actual screen camera 16 and the screen camera housing base 74. The screen camera housing base 74 is configured to securely hold the screen camera 16 along with containing a USB cable recess 76 for the USB cable 30 connecting the identification code camera 16 to the USB hub 26.

[0044] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a screen camera housing 70 for a digital display monitor and reporting system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure, located in position with respect to a digital display monitor 100. The screen camera housing cover 72 covers the remaining components of the screen camera housing 70. In particular, the screen camera 16 is placed and located in a position that it can record and capture the actual screen portion of the digital display monitor 100, such as a billboard, that displays the advertisement or message 102. In this example, the screen camera housing 70 is located in the upper right of the digital display monitor 100, if the observer was facing the monitor 100. The screen camera housing 70 is attached using magnets or screws, if the latter is allowed.

[0045] FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of the preferred disclosure. As set forth in detail herein, the digital display monitor and reporting system 10 comprises, inter alia, a control box 12, an ID code camera 14 and a screen content camera 16, along with additional components. The control box 12 comprises a computer 22 which includes a memory for storing software and data, with or without a separate database 56 (shown in FIG. 8) for storing data captured by one or both cameras 14, 16, along with data for comparing to the captured data. The software stored in the computer 22 or in a memory that can be accessed by the computer 22 can be accessed and executed by the computer 22 to control the various components of the system 10. For example, the computer 22, based on the executable program, can determine the correct time for the ID code camera 14 to acquire the ID code on the display screen. The acquired code can then be checked against a code stored in the database 56, or transmitted for comparison to a remote location.

[0046] The example in FIG. 7 is the preferred embodiment of the digital display monitor and reporting system 10, however, one having ordinary skill in the art can understand alternative embodiments based on the example provided herein. In the example, the initial step 110 is for the ID code camera 14 to acquire the code on the actual screen. This is performed by the ID code camera 14 which is controlled by the computer 22 in the control system 12. Once the code is acquired 110 by the code camera 14, the acquired code is transmitted 112 to the database 56 for compiling and/or processing.

[0047] Next, the screen camera 16 acquires a picture 114 of a portion of the screen 100 or the entire screen 100, at that particular moment. This is performed by the screen camera 16 which is also controlled by the computer 22 in the control system 12. Once a portion or the entire screen 100 is acquired 114 by the screen camera 16, the acquired screen information is transmitted 116 to the database 56 for additional compiling and/or processing.

[0048] If additional code or screen information is needed 118 for compiling or processing, the system 10 begins again by instructing the ID code camera 14 and screen camera 16 to acquire more data and transmit that data to the database 56.

[0049] If the system 10 determined that enough data has been acquired 118, the system 10 can compile the data acquired 120. The acquired and compiled data is then transmitted to the system 122 for further processing as detailed in FIG. 8. Next, the system 10 determines if there is a need to continue 124 with the data acquisition and compilation of the data. If so, the system 10 starts again at the initial step 110. If not, the system 10 ends the process 126.

[0050] The example in FIG. 8 is also the preferred embodiment of the digital display monitor and reporting system 10 as that system 10 prepares reports and makes those reports available to the users of the system 10. However, as with FIG. 7 above, one having ordinary skill in the art can understand that alternative embodiments exist based on the example provided herein.

[0051] In the FIG. 8 example, in the initial step 130, the compiled data (from FIG. 7) is received. Next, that data is verified 132 against data previously entered into the database 56. The system 10 checks that the monitor is displaying content 134, and if not, an alert is sent 136, and the system 10 goes back to receive additional compiled data 130. If the monitor is displaying content 134, the system 10 checks to see if more data is needed 138 prior to preparing reports.

[0052] If additional data is needed 138, the system 10 goes back to receive additional compiled data 130. If no more data is needed 138, the system 10 prepares operational reports 140, then prepares proof of performance reports 142 and makes the reports available to users 144, either by website access, through an application, or in other ways understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. To the extent the system 10 determines that more compiled data is needed 146, the process begins again to receive compiled data 130. If no more compiled data is needed 146 the system 10 can stop the process 148. As detailed herein, the exemplary reporting functions include details of the operation of the billboard and alerts for faulty operation, along with POP services, and the communications to the users can be implemented through a web-based or application-based monitoring, alerting and reporting system.

[0053] Reference throughout the specification to various embodiments, some embodiments, one embodiment, or an embodiment, or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases in various embodiments, in some embodiments, in one embodiment, or in an embodiment, or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0054] Further, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation given that such combination is not illogical or non-functional. Although numerous embodiments of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure.

[0055] All directional references (e.g., plus, minus, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the any aspect of the disclosure.

[0056] As used herein, the phrased configured to, configured for, and similar phrases indicate that the subject device, apparatus, or system is designed and/or constructed (e.g., through appropriate hardware, software, and/or components) to fulfill one or more specific object purposes, not that the subject device, apparatus, or system is merely capable of performing the object purpose. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0057] Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materials does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.