Fault detection and correction for single and multiple media players connected to electronic displays, and related devices, methods and systems
Systems, devices, software, hardware and networks adapted and arranged for monitoring and correcting faults in networked media player systems that include electronic displays are provided. After detection or notification of a fault in at least one networked media player in a network of at least two, or N, media players operationally connected to electronic displays, the invention provides an alternate source of signal to the affected display. In some preferred embodiments, the invention utilizes at least one additional, or N+1, media player as a backup to substitute for the failed media player. Reconfiguration of the faulted media player by means of the N+1 backup networked media player advantageously increases the reliability and efficiency of ongoing maintenance of digital visual systems operating in commercial and other environments.
1. A method for correcting one or more faults in the electronic display functions of a digital system network, the network comprising one or a plurality of electronic displays, the method comprising the steps of:
A) providing N networked media players, wherein each of the N networked media players is operatively connected to at least one corresponding electronic display, and wherein each display has at least two alternately selectable inputs,
B) providing an additional (N+1) networked media player, wherein the N+1 player is operatively connected to each of the N networked media players and to each of the electronic displays,
and wherein the N+1 player comprises video display screen reconfiguration software and media playlist reconfiguration software,
C) monitoring each of the NMP's to detect a fault with respect to a specific NMP, wherein the fault affects a specific display, and
D) with respect to the specific display, switching the display input from the faulted NMP to an alternately selected input, wherein the alternately selected input is the N+1 NMP.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the Step of
E) reconfiguring the network to bypass the faulted NMP, and to substitute the N+1 NMP therefor, wherein the N+1 NMP is adapted and arranged to provide content and instructions to the specific display via the alternately selected input to the extent necessary to correct the detected fault.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein one or more of Steps C, D and E are performed by a server operatively connected to the digital system network.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein one or more of Steps C, D and E are performed by a system operator acting through the server.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein Step C is performed by the N+1 NMP.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein Step D is performed by the N+1 NMP such that the content and instructions provided by the substituted N+1 NMP provides all of the functions formerly provided by the faulted NMP, including content.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein Step D is performed by the N+1 NMP such that the content and instructions provided by the substituted N+1 NMP provide the functions formerly provided by the faulted NMP, including alternate content, substitute content, and content provided through a tertiary or other source via the N+1 NMP.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more of Steps C and D are performed by an end user or a system operator.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more of Steps C and D are performed by a server operatively connected to the digital system network.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the server is adapted and arranged to do one or more of provide content and instructions such as playlists and schedules to one or more NMP's, monitor one or more of the NMP's and report their status to one or more operators; and provide one or more conduits by which the operators can run the commands on the N+1 NMP that enact the reconfiguration of one or more displays.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein software means are provided in one or more of the components of the network, and wherein the software means are adapted and arranged for performing one or more functions of the method.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein each visual display comprises one or more selected from the group comprising video monitors, signage, flat panel LCD displays, video projectors, televisions, Plasma displays, electronic paper displays, flap leaf displays, OLED displays, FED displays, SED displays, and CRT's capable of receiving and displaying one or more of a video and an audio signal.
13. A digital system network adapted and arranged for providing one or more of video and audio signals to one or a plurality of electronic displays, the network being adapted and arranged for correcting one or more faults in the electronic display and other functions of the network, the system comprising:
A) a network of N media players, wherein each of the N networked media players is operatively connected to at least one corresponding electronic display, and wherein each display has at least two alternately selectable inputs,
B) an additional (N+1) networked media player, wherein the N+1 player is operatively connected to each of the N networked media players and to each of the electronic displays,
and wherein the N+1 player comprises video display screen reconfiguration software and media playlist reconfiguration software,
C) means for monitoring each of the NMP's to detect a fault with respect to a specific faulted NMP, wherein the fault affects a specific display, and
D) means for switching the display input from the faulted NMP to an alternately selected input, wherein the alternately selected input is the N+1 NMP.
14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising E) means for reconfiguring the network to bypass the faulted NMP, and to substitute the N+1 NMP therefor, wherein the N+1 NMP is adapted and arranged to provide content and instructions to the specific display via the alternately selected input to the extent necessary to correct the detected fault.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein one or more of means C, D and E, are actuated by a server operatively connected to the digital system network.
16. The system of claim 14 , wherein one or more of means C, D and E, are actuated by a system operator acting through the server.
17. The system of claim 13 , wherein the N+1 NMP is adapted and arranged to perform the functions of means C.
18. The system of claim 13 , wherein the N+1 NMP is adapted and arranged such that the content and instructions provided by the substituted N+1 NMP provides all of the functions formerly provided by the faulted NMP, including content.
19. The system of claim 13 , wherein the N+1 NMP is adapted and arranged such that the content and instructions provided by the substituted N+1 NMP provide the functions formerly provided by the faulted NMP, including alternate content, substitute content, and content provided through a tertiary or other source via the N+1 NMP.
20. The system of claim 13 , wherein one or more of the functions of one or more of means C and means D are actuated by an end user or a system operator.
21. The system of claim 13 , wherein one or more functions of one or more of means C and D are actuated by a server operatively connected to the digital system network.
22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the server is adapted and arranged to do one or more of provide content and instructions such as playlists and schedules to one or more NMP's, monitor one or more of the NMP's and report their status to one or more operators; and provide one or more conduits by which the operators can run the commands on the N+1 NMP that enact the reconfiguration of one or more displays.
23. The system of claim 13 , wherein software means are provided in one or more of the components of the network, and wherein the software means are adapted and arranged for performing one or more functions of the system.
24. The system of claim 13 , wherein each visual display comprises one or more selected from the group comprising video monitors, signage, flat panel LCD displays, video projectors, televisions, Plasma displays, electronic paper displays, flap leaf displays, OLED displays, FED displays, SED displays, and CRT's capable of receiving and displaying one or more of a video and an audio signal.
25. A method for doing business in a commercial environment that utilizes one or a plurality of electronic displays to provide one or more of advertising and marketing information, the method adapted and arranged to correct one or more faults in the electronic display functions of a digital system network comprising those displays, the method comprising the steps of:
A) providing N networked media players, wherein each of the N networked media players is operatively connected to at least one corresponding electronic display, and wherein each display has at least two alternately selectable inputs,
B) providing an additional (N+1) networked media player, wherein the N+1 player is operatively connected to each of the N networked media players and to each of the electronic displays,
and wherein the N+1 player comprises video display screen reconfiguration software and media playlist reconfiguration software,
C) monitoring each of the NMP's to detect a fault with respect to a specific NMP, wherein the fault affects a specific display, and
D) with respect to the specific display, switching the display input from the faulted NMP to an alternately selected input, wherein the alternately selected input is the N+1 NMP.
26. The method of claim 25 , further comprising the Step of
E) reconfiguring the network to bypass the faulted NMP, and to substitute the N+1 NMP therefore, wherein the N+1 NMP is adapted and arranged to provide content and instructions to the specific display via the alternately selected input to the extent necessary to correct the detected fault.
27. The method of claim 26 , wherein one or more of Steps C, D and E are performed by a server operatively connected to the digital system network.
28. The method of claim 26 , wherein one or more of Steps C, D and E are performed by a system operator acting through the server.
29. The method of claim 25 , wherein Step C is performed by the N+1 NMP.
30. The method of claim 25 , wherein Step D is performed by the N+1 NMP such that the content and instructions provided by the substituted N+1 NMP provides all of the functions formerly provided by the faulted NMP, including content.
31. The method of claim 25 , wherein Step D is performed by the N+1 NMP such that the content and instructions provided by the substituted N+1 NMP provide the functions formerly provided by the faulted NMP, including alternate content, substitute content, and content provided through a tertiary or other source via the N+1 NMP.
32. The method of claim 25 , wherein one or more of Steps C and D are performed by an end user or a system operator.
33. The method of claim 25 , wherein one or more of Steps C and D are performed by a server operatively connected to the digital system network.
34. The method of claim 33 , wherein the server is adapted and arranged to do one or more of provide content and instructions such as playlists and schedules to one or more NMP's, monitor one or more of the NMP's and report their status to one or more operators; and provide one or more conduits by which the operators can run the commands on the N+1 NMP that enact the reconfiguration of one or more displays.
35. The method of claim 25 , wherein software means are provided in one or more of the components of the network, and wherein the software means are adapted and arranged for performing one or more functions of the method.
36. The method of claim 25 , wherein each visual display comprises one or more selected from the group comprising video monitors, signage, flat panel LCD displays, video projectors, televisions, Plasma displays, electronic paper displays, flap leaf displays, OLED displays, FED displays, SED displays, and CRT's capable of receiving and displaying one or more of a video and an audio signal.