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BC-Live: A Web 2.0 Based Low Cost Digital Signage Service1Geovanni West, 1Kory Griggs , 1Hong Jiang

1Computer Science DepartmentBenedict College, 1600 Harden Street, Columbia SC

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Literature Cited

Acknowledgements

This undergraduate research generates a solution to convert traditional local server based digital signage service to cloud. Unlike the traditional server based method which utilizes an in house server for content management and as such limits the exposure range of the information as it is limited to the equipment that have access to the server, this research proposes adopting Web 2.0 technology, which decreases the technicality while improving the content management ability. As such it allows the possibility for universal broadcasting of information on any internet capable device. This research provides a new low cost and easy-to-use approach for digital signage.

Presently, our campus is filled with numerous unused digital signage screens in our residential and college halls. These screens that were mounted on the wall to display appropriate notices and updated information to draw awareness in our school, are left blank and not updated as a result of the disadvantages associated with current type system used. Such disadvantages include the system stores all the information on a localized server which restricts the ability for such systems to be updated unless the individual is in direct contact with the server on campus. Also, on average the content manager lacks the technical knowledge and resources to manage the system and as a result a more tech savvy individual has to be hired or an individual from the technology department has to be borrowed. This makes the system costly to in essence maintain and vastly inefficient. In this research we create a way to implement an alternative means of setting up a digital signage system that can be utilized in such a way that anybody with the proper credentials is able to update the system anywhere and to any specific screen by

The system will be divided into three (3) separate sections: content management, interface design, and hardware configuration.Specifically, free blog and web albums are used to store related news / slides, which gives the authorized individuals easier access in managing and updating relevant information needed to be broadcasted within the area or any targeted individual; Web based platform is used for content showing with desired interface; and designed gadgets or free 3rd party widgets provide embedded web services, such as to fetch the information needed to be broadcasted through rss.

Conclusion

After implementing the test system which will be fairly identical to the final system, it proved easier to maintain. The cost of implementing this system is non-existent and since it shows no obvious disadvantages it will be best to implement. Our approach on the signage system opens up a door of possibilities for creation and variation. Web 2.0 is a big step in web development and brings with it a limitless supply of creation.

Fig 2: A sample website using premade code to access post from an official Benedict College website and an art gallery.

Fig 1: Proposed outcome of research

Content Management

This is where the authorised individual will be able to send post by email or update the site directly and the webpage will handle how it will be displayed automatically.

Interface design

Using Web 2.0 technology, such as dynamic text/images and RSS functionality, the web page will be able to automatically go through a pre-determined number of items and display each. As a new post is created, the RSS feed handler will update the screens accordingly.

Hardware configuration

All it would need is the accessibility of the internet and a web browser and each screen being able to display the webpage assigned.

[1] See Saw Networks, Technical Report. “Engaging People with Digital Out-of-Home Media”. See Saw Networks, 10, 2007

[2] Jimmy Schaeffler. “Digital Signage: Software, Networks, Advertising, and Displays: A Primer for Understanding the Business”. Focal Press, XVIII, Apr 2008.

• NSF/HBCU-UP grant • Kory Griggs• Dr Hong Jiang• Dr Godwin E. Mbamalu• Summer Underground Research Institute 2015• Federal Grant Number : 1436222 Project Title: Implementation Project - Center for Engineering and

Science