Switch System for Outputting Multimedia Content to a Digital Sign

• US 20140043296A1
• Filed: 01/25/2013
• Published: 02/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael S. Barnes
• Original Assignee: Uni-Structure Incorporated
• Inventors: Barnes, Michael S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,430,090 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/06 Remotely controlled electronic signs other than labels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/006 Details of the interface to the display terminal specific for a display terminal using a CRT G09G1/167; using a flat panel G09G3/2096; circuits for interfacing with colour displays G09G5/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8186 specially adapted to be executed by a peripheral of the client device, e.g. by a reprogrammable remote control

Abstract

The present invention extends to a switch system for selecting multimedia content from one or various source inputs to be provided to a digital display. The switch system of the present invention provides a compact, convenient, and simple to use solution for updating a digital display in many environments. The switch system employs an IR touch screen for receiving user input. Based on the user input received by the IR touch screen, control signals are generated that control the position of a switch for selecting a source of content for display.

Claims

1. A switch system for controlling the output of multimedia content to a digital display device, the switch system comprising:

a plurality of source input ports for receiving external media devices, the external media devices storing multimedia content;

a switching mechanism for connecting one of the source input ports to an output port;

a processor for accessing and rendering the multimedia content on the external media devices for display on a display device connected to the switch system via the output port; and

an IR touch screen switch for receiving user input for controlling the position of the switching mechanism.

2. The switch system of claim 1, wherein the switching mechanism is implemented by the processor.

3. The switch system of claim 1, wherein the IR touch screen is positioned overtop of the display device.

4. The switch system of claim 1, wherein the source input ports comprise USB ports or SD sockets.

5. The switch system of claim 1, wherein the output port comprises an HDMI port.

6. The switch system of claim 1, further comprising:

a master/slave switch for configuring the switch system as a master or a slave in a group of switch systems.

7. The switch system of claim 6, further comprising:

a remote output port over which is outputted a control signal for controlling the switching mechanism in another switch system when the master/slave switch is in a master position.

8. The switch system of claim 7, wherein the remote output port is further configured to output multimedia content from an external media device connected to one of the source input ports when the master/slave switch is in the master position.

9. The switch system of claim 6, further comprising:

a remote source port over which is input a control signal from another switch system for controlling the switching mechanism of the switch system when the master/slave switch is in a slave position.

10. The switch system of claim 9, wherein the remote source port is further configured to receive multimedia content from the other switch system and route the received multimedia content to the output port for display on an attached display device.

11. The switch system of claim 1, wherein the IR touch screen generates a control signal for controlling the position of the switching mechanism, the control signal being generated based on one or more of a location where the user input is received, a direction of the user input, or a pattern of the user input.

12. The switch system of claim 1, wherein the IR touch screen generates a control signal to advance the position of the switching mechanism each time user input is received.

13. The switch system of claim 1, wherein the switch system is contained within a display device.

14. A display system comprising:

a first and a second switch system, each of the first and second switch systems comprising;

a plurality of source input ports for receiving external media devices, the external media devices storing multimedia content;

a switching mechanism for connecting one of the source input ports to an output port;

a processor for accessing and rendering the multimedia content on the external media devices for display on a display device connected to the switch system via the output port;

an IR touch screen switch for receiving user input for controlling the position of the switching mechanism;

a master/slave switch for configuring the switch system as a master or a slave in a group of switch systems;

a remote output port over which is outputted a control signal for controlling the switching mechanism in another switch system when the master/slave switch is in a master position; and

a remote source port over which is input a control signal from another switch system for controlling the switching mechanism of the switch system when the master/slave switch is in a slave position.

15. The display system of claim 14, wherein the first switch system is configured as the master, and the second switch system is configured as a slave such that the state of the switching mechanism of the first switch system controls the state of the switching mechanism of the second switch system.

16. The display system of claim 14, wherein the remote output port of each switch system is further configured to output multimedia content from an external media device connected to one of the source input ports when the master/slave switch is in the master position;

and

wherein the remote source port of each switch system is further configured to receive multimedia content from the other switch system and route the received multimedia content to the output port for display on an attached display device.

17. The display system of claim 14, wherein one or both of the first or second switch systems is incorporated into a display device.

18. The display system of claim 14, wherein the switching mechanism is implemented by the processor.

19. The display system of claim 14, further comprising:

a first display device connected to the output port of the first switch system, the first display device comprising a first digital sign in a restaurant; and

a second display device connected to the output port of the second switch system, the second display device comprising a second digital sign at the restaurant that is located remote from the first digital sign.

20. The display system of claim 19, wherein the first digital sign is located inside the restaurant, and the second digital sign is located outside in a drive through of the restaurant.