1. Results
BC-Live: A Web 2.0 Based Low Cost Digital Signage Service
1
Geovanni West, 1
Kory Griggs , 1
Hong Jiang
1
Computer Science Department
Benedict 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