DIGITAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WITH SECURITY FEATURES

Abstract

A digital communication system is disclosed, that allows a display of override content to interrupt a display of ongoing content on one or more display units. Ongoing content, such as advertisements, news, entertainment, or other relevant information, is provided on the display units until an urgent or security-related alert is required, and display of override content becomes necessary. Override content can include information relevant to the security of a passenger or passer-by viewing the display. Override content can relate to security threats such as accidents, major delays, fire, missing children, terrorist activity, or other content deemed adequately pertinent to warrant interrupting the display of ongoing content.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures.

FIG. 1 shows a system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary cascade of events occurring upon receipt of an urgent message by a system interfacing with a surveillance camera.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a system capable of receiving a plurality of input signals and providing content to a display unit.

Claims

1. A digital communication system for distributing ongoing content and override content to a plurality of display units, the system comprising: an override controller for receiving an override control signal and for retrieving override content from an override media source; anda content distribution controller for controlling ongoing content for dissemination to the display units; and for overriding, on receipt of the override control signal from the override controller, the ongoing content in preference to the override content.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the override controller is configured to receive the override control signal from a security authority.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the security authority comprises a police department; a fire department; a weather authority; an anti-terrorism authority; a building manager; or a transit authority.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the override controller receives the override control signal from a security device.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the security device comprises a fire alarm, a motion detector, a proximity detector, a surveillance camera, or an intrusion alarm.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the ongoing content comprises advertisements, news, entertainment, location information, or transit-related information.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the override content comprises security information.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein ongoing content comprise static visual content, animated visual content, audio content, or a combination thereof.

9. A method of providing security alert information in a digital communication system for distribution to a plurality of display units displaying ongoing content, the method comprising: receiving an override control signal;retrieving override content in response to the override control signal;formatting and transmitting override content to the display units to interrupt ongoing content.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving an override control signal comprises receiving a signal from a security authority.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving an override control signal comprises receiving a signal from a security device.

12. A method of providing security alert information to passengers in a transit network, the network having a digital communication system for distribution of ongoing content to a plurality of display units mounted within the network, the method comprising: receiving an override control signal from a transit authority;retrieving override content containing security alert information in response to the override control signal;formatting and transmitting override content to the display units to interrupt ongoing content.

13. A method of providing security alert information to passengers in an elevator of a building, the building having a digital communication system for distribution of ongoing content to a display unit mounted in the elevator, the method comprising: receiving an override control signal;retrieving override content containing security alert information in response to the override control signal;formatting and transmitting override content to the display unit to interrupt ongoing content.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the override control signal is received from a building administrator, an external security authority or a security device.