· Create a digital signage communications platform on a network (be it a local area network, or wide area network)
· Create a library of media assets that can be included as items in a layout
· Initiate, create, author, deploy, monitor and control a dynamic digital signage projects
The Cnario Messenger is the CMS (Content Management System)
The following modules are used to create and define a project:
· Edit Module: - Enables you to create a project and define a layout's appearance by choosing the background and creating and positioning zones as you desire. - Allows you to assign and attach the desired media content to each zone, as well as schedule each item in each zone. - Provides an extensive array of advanced media items. The C-nario digital media display system can meet the specific needs of the end-user for success in this new media. - Enables sequence functionality and filter options as well as the production of content set to playback on a sequential timeline.
· Network Module: - Enables distribution of created layouts to the remote C-nario Universal Players. - Monitoring the progress. - Show history of previous distributions and current playback. - Provides detailed control and monitoring of playlists during transfer to the players together with an historical record of jobs previously transferred. - Multiple playlists can be sent to multiple sites in a single operation. Opens the way for the deployment of multiple playlist\layouts to many sites.
· Layout: Contains the composition of media content (items), available to be screened over a digital signage display or array of displays. This is the visual appearance of the programmed content screened on the digital signage node. The content of a display can be either discrete or synchronized. Layouts contain windows.
· Window: A rectangular portion of the display area, within a layout, defined by specific coordinates, that displays user specific content. Each window in a layout is given a specific name to which playlists are associated. The windows in a layout can also be defined by depth.
· Sequence: A collection of media items/Assets having time, position and depth constraints among themselves sharing the same zone or targeted to number of zones in a layout. The sequence item in C-nario Messenger is a unique item type which like all other items can be added to any empty window but has a distinct functionality. The sequence item can host other item types (much like a playlist), however these are played according to an exact time code. With the use of tracks in the sequence, special layering effects can be achieved, and most importantly – synchronize items across several zones, with an accuracy down to the frame. With C-nario’s multi display technology, these zones can be either on the same screen or on a different screen, or even on a different computer. Lastly, sequence allows for use of filter effects on the post production items. Effects which are also completely time code based.
· Variables are used to create logical names and the device control allows triggering a device action on a media item. C-nario XML Device provides a way of interfacing with an external XML system connected to C-nario Universal Player and introducing it as usable information within the C-nario system. XML Device concept The XML device is specifically designed to allow the end user to configure the different settings relevant for the creation of an interface for an external XML system. It allows the use of different communication options such as serial or IP protocols and to manually create pins that can be then used (as any other device pins) either as triggers or informational pins. Furthermore, advanced settings allow even greater options such as the manipulation of pin values – including filtering the values, applying VB expressions etc’, the management of a ‘state’ file updating according to different pins and the management of pin value tables Xpath language The XML device is based on Xpath language, allowing the easy selection of nodes from a XML file. Integrated as part of the device, a XML test file can be set for each of the pins in order to verify the Xpath expressions.
o Pins turn logical names on or off
o logical names (pin tables) The value to which the Target Pin changes as the Device Rules result.
o Variables: sequences use variables to communicate where the pins will play the associated media on the layout
· Variable Example: #BG$CMP$$CMP_8U$$CMP_8U_007_A$
o #: Denotes that this is a window name to be played on
o BG: Background
o $ open and close the sections of the variables $
o CMP: Airline Code for Copa Airlines
o CMP_8U: Denotes that the size of the sequence is 8 units in size
o CMP_8U_007_A: Denotes the asset that will display on window #7
· Playlist: A list of items or sequences to be played in a layout window. These items can also be programmed to be played at a specified time.
· Assets: Program content that can be a video, image, text, RSS, web text, live feed or any customized items
· Keywords\Metadata: Names assigned to layouts, network player nodes (sites), attendant displays or groups of layouts or nodes, generally relative to the type of media, node location, target audience or client. Keywords are used, in a large area digital signage network, to more easily identify, group and select layouts and the displays to which they are destined to be sent for playback
· Chainmail: Manages the flow of information to all devices
· SDMC: The SDMC is responsible for airline counter allocations
· SDS: The SDS is responsible for orchestrating and changing content at specific times and in specific areas based on timing rules and the SDMC assignments
Layout Transfer Tab:
The main tab in the network module is the layout transfer tab which allows for distribution of layouts, patches and files to the selected channels. The layout transfer tab can be used either by pressing ‘Transfer’ while in the ‘Edit Module’. Or by dragging a selected layout from the left pane list to the center pane and checking the required channels on the right-hand pane. Pressing the ‘Send’ button, will initiate the sending.
· Device Manager: running at center locations. Pin Table is used for monitoring and controlling remote devices. Pin Table is can be used to control thousands of remote players through a well-organized tabular form templates.
· Canvas Controller device: The canvas controller device allows the pausing of the played content as well as to control the appearance of each of the windows (zones) of the channel's layouts Specific display devices The following devices exist for a specific channel and represent a specific channel ID. The specific Canvas controller device provides a wide scope of the content which is being played on the channel including the channel name, available layouts on the channel, current played layout, available playlists and more.
Device Flow:
1. Messenger (CMS)
2. Universal Player: Device Manager
3. CCCore: Display Device
o Canvas Controller: The engine that drives Canvas Controller playback. Can run as a standalone software to allow synched playback across several computers. The settings for CCCore are controlled via Watchdog’s Wolfpack tab. If CCCore is not running, no playback is possible. (in our case use x84).
o Screen arrangement settings attach the display channel to the available GPU head)
o The Broadcast Address field displays the default IP of the Universal Player you are addressing.