Digital sign network
The disclosed subject matter provides a computing system configured to present a map-centric interface to a user, the map-centric interface usable by the user to control selected ones of a plurality of digital signs. The computing system is further configured to receive via a network interface travel data indicative of availability of travel resources, data corresponding to emergency events, and instructions from a third-party entity regarding the emergency events. The computing system is further configured to connect to a particular digital sign of the selected ones and display information corresponding to the received travel data associated with a geographic region in which the digital sign is located. In addition, the computing system is configured to display on one or more of the plurality of digital signs emergency event messages based on the data corresponding to emergency events.
1. A computing system, comprising:
at least one processor;
a memory; and
a network interface configured to couple to a wide-area network;
wherein the computing system is configured to present a map-centric interface to a user, the map-centric interface usable by the user to control selected ones of a plurality of digital signs;
wherein based on an identity of the user, the selected ones are displayed on the map-centric interface and non-selected ones of the plurality of digital signs which the user is restricted from controlling are not displayed on the map-centric interface;
wherein the computing system is further configured to receive, from the wide-area network via the network interface, travel data indicative of availability of travel resources, data corresponding to emergency events, and instructions from a third-party entity regarding the emergency events;
wherein the computing system is further configured to connect to a particular digital sign of the selected ones and display information corresponding to the received travel data associated with a geographic region in which the digital sign is located;
and wherein the computing system is further configured to display, on one or more of the plurality of digital signs, emergency event messages based on the data corresponding to emergency events.
2. The computing system of claim 1 , wherein the particular digital sign is further configured to display advertising information.
3. The computing system of claim 1 , wherein the received travel data includes data regarding availability of lodging.
4. The computing system of claim 1 , wherein the received travel data includes data regarding availability of fuel.
5. The computing system of claim 1 , wherein the received travel data includes data regarding availability of food.
6. The computing system of claim 1 , wherein the computing system is further configured to connect to a second digital sign and to display information corresponding to received travel data associated with a geographic region in which the second digital sign is located, wherein the information displayed on the particular digital sign and the second digital sign is different.
7. A method, comprising:
receiving, by a computer system, data indicative of a current availability of travel resources, data corresponding to an emergency event, and instructions from a third-party entity regarding the emergency event;
connecting, by the computer system, to a digital sign;
causing, by the computer system, the digital sign to display information corresponding to a portion of the received data, the portion being associated with a geographic region in which the digital sign is located; and
presenting, by the computer system, a map-centric interface to a user, the map-centric interface usable by the user to control selected ones of a plurality of digital signs, wherein, based on an identity of the user, the selected ones are displayed on the map-centric interface and non-selected ones of the plurality of digital signs which the user is restricted from controlling are not displayed on the map-centric interface.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the travel resources include fuel, food, and lodging.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the connecting includes connecting to a plurality of digital signs; and
the causing includes causing each particular digital sign in the plurality of digital signs to display information corresponding to the portion of the received data associated with the geographic region in which that particular digital sign is located.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein individual ones of the plurality of digital signs are associated with two or more digital sign vendors.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the connecting includes connecting via at least one third-party digital sign control system.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the data indicative of the current availability of travel resources is received from a database updatable in real-time.
13. The method of claim 7 , wherein causing the digital sign to display information corresponding to a portion of the received data includes causing, pursuant to the instructions from the third-party entity, the digital sign to display an emergency event message corresponding to the emergency event.
14. A system, comprising:
a plurality of digital signs located in a corresponding plurality of geographic locations; and
a computer system configured to control the plurality of digital signs, the computer system being configured to present a map-centric interface to a user, the map-centric interface usable by the user to control selected ones of the plurality of digital signs, wherein, based on an identity of the user, the selected ones are displayed on the map-centric interface and non-selected ones of the plurality of digital signs which the user is restricted from controlling are not displayed on the map-centric interface;
wherein each digital sign in the plurality of digital signs includes:
a communications interface configured to receive, from the computer system, data corresponding to a current availability of travel resources in a region including the geographic location of that sign, data corresponding to emergency events in the region, and instructions from a third-party entity regarding the emergency events; and
a display interface configured to display information regarding the received data.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the instructions from the third-party entity include instructions regarding timing of emergency event messages, and wherein the display interface is further configured to display emergency event messages based on the instructions.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the display interface is configured to interleave the emergency event messages with advertising messages.
17. The system of claim 14 , wherein at least one digital sign in the plurality of digital signs includes a camera configured to receive control instructions from the computer system and transmit image data to the computer system.
18. The system of claim 14 , wherein at least one digital sign in the plurality of digital signs further includes a video camera configured to transmit live video, via the communications interface, to an operator.
19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the communications interface of the at least one digital sign is further configured to receive instructions regarding camera positioning, and wherein the camera is configured to respond to the instructions regarding camera positioning.
20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the communications interface of the at least one digital sign is further configured to receive instructions regarding camera positioning, and wherein the camera is configured to respond to the instructions regarding camera positioning.