Growth of Digital Signage demands reliable system operation

GPEG has therefore developed an in-service monitoring system which is embedded in the video processing card inside networked display monitor systems such as digital signs and point-of-sale kiosks. The system communicates with a host PC via a monitor driver that sits alongside the PC video card drivers. "This means no additional wires, communications ports or power supplies are needed for the implementation, just an additional driver," said Nick How, CEO of GPEG. The system, called m2Talk, consists of a daughter-board that is connected to the main A/D card in the monitor chassis which uses existing fixing holes and connectors. According to How, the system allows users to remotely check the monitor for fault conditions. As well as making status checks, on demand, the system automatically posts status information. "These can be set up through polling any of the intelligent on-board sensors to report faults, user damage and other critical information vital to the proper operation of the monitor. Typical features and benefits of the m2Talk system are: • Backlight control and sensing; extends backlight life and identifies failures • Light and temperature sensing; extends lifetime • Shock and tilt sensing; protects investment from external damage • Touch screen sensing; remotely check touch screen health Having instant access to this data can be used to record and report physical abuse and thus reduce equipment damage," said How. Adding this level of control to the monitor also allows for the adjustment of backlight consumption automatically or remotely. "This increases product lifetime and overcomes the reduced half-life of many modern LED backlit panels," said How. There are also on-board temperature and ambient light sensors and the implementation of a proximity sensor can be used for automated interaction with a nearby target. The m2Talk daughter board is fitted into the monitor chassis. It is compatible with a wide range of video cards and will support monitor sizes from 10.4in to 104in. Powered directly from these video cards or from the 5V VGA line (if available) it is, however, separate from the A/D board. The system is provided with a dynamic link library (DDL) which is placed on the host PC, allowing polling and communication with the m2Talk daughter board via the existing VGA or DVI header. Once installed, the monitor functions available on m2Talk can be accessed and used either locally or via an existing network connection to and from the host PC."Once the DDL is installed the network owner can develop a set of actions based on the information provided by the m2Talk-enabled monitor using the supplied software API. In this way the intelligence can be overlaid on the monitor estate, enhancing utility and improving services," said How. By using GPEG's built in m2Talk intelligence we are paving the way for even greater advances in the utilisation of Digital Signage which will allow brand managers to promote their products in an engaging and interactive way, thus creating an interactive and informative brand experience.