FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to management of public display devices.

BACKGROUND [0002] Recent availability and development of public display devices, combined with the ubiquitous availability of high-speed network connectivity, facilitate access to the public display devices by mobile user devices. In order to use a public display device, the user needs access to a suitable input device Such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch screen interface, etc. In order to control the display device. However, for various reasons including economic and sanitary reasons, it is not feasible for the public display devices to have associated input devices.

[0003] Besides being able to select the information shown in the display via their mobile device, users may be willing to have their own content displayed in the public display. [0004] WO2013/187870 discloses a digital signage management system comprising a user device configured to manage display of advertising or other user content on the digital sign. The user content may be configured to be displayed on the digital sign in a time slot reserved and/or purchased by the user after the user content has been reviewed and approved by the management system.

SUMMARY

[0005] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus for an information management system comprising a plurality of public display devices, comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive a request from a user device for displaying user content on at least one public display device controllable to display a user interface comprising two or more partitions, at least one partition being controllable for displaying user content by a user device, assign, in response to acceptance of the request, a display partition for the user device on the basis of a set of display partitioning rules and a set of dynamically adapting input parameters associated with current content sets of different content types for display in the user interface, wherein the display partition is assigned on the basis of received device location information and priority levels of different information providing entities as input parameters for display partition assignment, control the at least one display device to display a user interface comprising the assigned partition for control by the user device to display the user content, and send an authorization to the user device to control the display partition to display the user content.

[0007] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: receiving, by a device of an information management system comprising a plurality of public display devices, a request from a user device for displaying user content on at least one public display device controllable to display a user interface comprising two or more partitions, at least one partition being controllable for displaying user content by a user device, assigning, in response to acceptance of the request, a display partition for the user device on the basis of a set of display partitioning rules and a set of dynamically adapting input parameters associated with current content sets of different content types for display in the user interface, wherein the display partition is assigned on the basis of received device location information and priority levels of different information providing entities as input parameters for display partition assignment, controlling the at least one display device to display a user interface comprising the assigned partition for control by the user device to display the user content, and sending an authorization to the user device to control the display partition to display the user content.

[0008] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program product, a computer readable medium, or a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform the method according to the second aspect or an embodiment of the method.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising means for performing the method according to the second aspect or an embodiment of the method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] FIGURE 1 illustrates a system in accordance with at least some embodiments;

[0012] FIGURE 2 illustrates a method in accordance with at least some embodiments;

[0013] FIGURE 3 illustrates a control apparatus in accordance with at least some embodiments; [0014] FIGURE 4 illustrates inputs and outputs of a visual information system in accordance with at least some embodiments; and

[0015] FIGURE 5 illustrates an example apparatus capable of supporting at least some embodiments.

EMBODIMENTS

[0016] There is now provided an improved public display device management system facilitating dynamic partitioning of the display to two or more partitions comprising at least one display partition for control by a user device to display user content. Advanced management of the display partitions on the basis of a set of display partitioning rules and dynamically adapting input parameters is enabled, facilitating, inter alia, adaptive user content display based on prioritization of media content. The term public display device refers to display devices mainly used in public places, and may be referred to as digital signs or signage, for example. [0017] FIGURE 1 illustrates an example system in accordance with at least some embodiments. One or more sets of public display devices 10 may be provided. The set of display devices 10 may form a visual information system (VIS) 18. The display devices 10 in a set may be connectable directly or via one or more intermediary devices, such as a VIS control unit or device (not shown). Also the different sets 18, 80 of display devices may be connected to each other via a network 50.

[0018] In addition to a display portion 12, the display device 10 comprises a communications unit 14 for communicating at least with a smart connection platform (SCP) 30. The VIS may further comprise one or more sensors 16 for obtaining information on the current environment of the display device, such as monitoring users and/or their user devices 20 in proximity to the display device 10. Such sensors may comprise one or more of a positioning device (e.g. GPS device), an orientation detection sensor, a motion, a proximity detection sensor, a microphone, a still and/or video camera, a short range radio receiver configured to detect signals from proximate devices, a light sensor, a temperature or other weather condition sensor, air pressure, temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind, a sensor connectable to CAN or other vehicle network (e.g. a sensor capable for OBD2 protocol communication), ambient light sensor (ALS), accelerometer, gyroscope, ultrasonic sensor, microwave radar, proximity sensor, laser sensor, acoustic sensor, liquid/gas sensor, etc. The display device may also comprise a communications unit for communicating with the user device 20.

[0019] The system comprises the SCP 30, which may also be referred to e.g. as delivery and management system or framework. The SCP 30 may be centralized to at least one server, or implemented by a plurality of connected computing devices. In an embodiment, the SCP is implemented as a cloud service. The SCP 30 is configured to manage at least some aspects of one or more VIS 18, 80 and their associated information display devices 10 via one or more networks 50.

[0020] The SCP 30 may comprise a content delivery network (CDN) or content management system (CMS) unit 32 configured to manage content provision and user interface generation on the basis of a set of dynamically adapting input parameters, a device management system (DMS) unit 34 configured to manage one or more VIS 18, 80, and a recognition and authentication system (RAS) unit 36 configured to identify and authenticate entities, such as the display devices 10 and the user devices 20. However, it is to be appreciated that these are just examples of applicable operational units and some or all of the presently claimed embodiments for the SCP 30 may be implemented by one or more devices and/or operational units. [0021] A user device 20 comprises at least one wireless communications unit 22 which may be applied for communicating with the display device(s) and/or with the SCP, such as the CMS unit 32 and/or the RAS unit 36. The signal of the communications unit may also be applied for generating audience attribute information, position information, and/or movement information which may be applied in specifying a user interface for a proximate display device 10. In some embodiments, information from the VIS 180, 80 and/or the SCP 30 may be provided to the user device 20 and displayed on a display of the user device 20. In some embodiments, information may be sent from the user device 20 to the VIS 180, 80 and/or the SCP 30. The user device 20 may be configured to provide identification and authentication data to the SCP 30, send requests and/or other control signals to control information displayed in a display device 10 in proximity to the user device, and/or control information of the user stored in the SCP 30 or database 40.

[0022] The SCP 30 may be connected by secure API(s) to other databases 40, 70 and/or systems 60, such as other SCPs or interfaces of other information systems, such as interfaces for emergency systems and/or interfaces for open governmental, municipal, and/or business data. The SCP may thus be connected to a set of content provider systems or units providing content for some or all of the displays of the VIS 18. The SCP may be configured to dynamically select which content providers and/or which content thereof is provided to a selected set of displays on the basis of selection rules or criterion (which may be independent of information from the display units) and may be based on inputs outside the SCP 30. In an embodiment, an authorized content provider representative may affect content selection by the SCP 30 by an application of his user device connecting to the SCP (without requiring interaction with a display device 10). For example, information of desirable time period, location, and/or target user profile may be received by the SCP from such device. A content provider device may be authenticated by the SCP and send content to be selectively displayed at the VIS 18. The SCP may receive auction bids content provision (e.g. for display time) from connected content providers and select content provider(s) and content based on processing the auction bids.

[0023] The SCP 30 may comprise or be connected to a database 40 comprising and updated with user information record(s) 42. The user information records 42 may comprise any type of information which may be applied for specifying a user interface for a display device 10 and comprising a partition for content provided by a user device 20. The user information is to be understood broadly to refer to information specific for a single user, associated by a user (or user device) identifier, or information specific for a user group, associated by a user group, class or category identifier. Thus, a user group may be formed on the basis of certain qualifier(s), classifier(s) or descriptor(s) common to a set of users. Users in proximity to the display device 10 may be referred to as audience, and such users may be classified into one or user or audience groups on the basis of the predetermined group classifiers and information received from the user device 20 and/or information otherwise obtained regarding the user, e.g. by image processing. The user groups and associated classifier and other parameter data may be dynamically modified.

[0024] FIGURE 2 is a flow graph of a method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. The phases of the illustrated method may be for an information management system comprising a plurality of public display devices and performed in a public display control apparatus or device, such as the SCP 30 or one or more modules thereof.

[0025] The method comprises receiving 200 a request from a user device for displaying user content on at least one public display device controllable to display a user interface comprising two or more partitions, at least one partition being controllable for displaying user content by a user device. The request may be received via a direct connection with the user device or indirectly, e.g. via the VIS 18, 80. It is to be appreciated that the request may comprise various further information and parameters regarding the request, such as one or more of identification information of the display device(s) 10, user, the user device and/or the content, payment information, content or content characterization information, content type, and timing, etc.

[0026] In response to acceptance of the request, a display partition is assigned 210 for the user device on the basis of a set of display partitioning rules and a set of dynamically adapting input parameters associated with current content sets of different content types for display in the user interface.

[0027] The input parameters may comprise information affecting user interface generation and partitioning, such as currently available content and/or content types from content providers connected to the SCP 30, current status of the display device, incoming information flows, and/or the user device, some examples being illustrated below. An input parameter may be directly or indirectly associated with one or more current content sets. The display partition may be assigned 210 on the basis of received device location information and priority levels of different information providing entities as input parameters for display partition assignment. However, it will be appreciated that various other input parameters and criteria may be applied, some further examples being illustrated below. It is to be noted that there may be further input parameters, not associated with content sets and content types, applied for display partition assignment, such as user- associated information received from the record 42.

[0028] The display partitioning rules define how the partitions are selected on the basis of the input parameters. In some embodiments, different content types have different priorities. Thus, for example if there are more content sets than available display partitions, content sets associated with the content types having the highest priorities are selected or assigned with the display partitions. However, it is to be appreciated that different content sets may be prioritized in another manner, such as assigning a priority level indicator to an input content information set (identifier) based on an associated content source (identifier), e.g. as a result of a competition procedure for content providers and/or other processing of available content sets.

[0029] It is to be noted that the current content set refers generally to an information flow currently available for display. The content set may represent a continuously updated or an ongoing information flow, such as a video stream, or a data set or file that is displayed without continuous updating. Further, in some cases there may be a plurality of contents sets of the same content type, and one of these content sets is selected, or a plurality of display partitions are assigned for the content sets of the same type.

[0030] The display device is controlled 220 to display a user interface comprising the assigned partition for control by the user device to display the user content. An authorization is sent 230 to the user device to control the display partition to display the user content.

[0031] It is to be appreciated that FIGURE 2 illustrates general features associated with controlling user interface generation facilitating user controllable partition(s) and there are a large number of various embodiments and implementation options available, some of which are further illustrated below. For example, in some embodiments, there are one or more checks performed between blocks 200 and 210 for ensuring that the request can be approved. [0032] The control in block 220 may be a preliminary step, to inform that the assigned partition for the user content shall and is authorized to be displayed, e.g. at a time and parameters defined in the control message. Block 230 may thus control mapping of the authorized information flow from the user device 20 to the adopted partition of the user interface of the at least one display. However, it is to be noted that there may be further signalling to provide the user content information set or flow from the user device to the assigned partition. The user device may be configured, in response to block 230, to inform the user of the authorization and/or initiate sending of content (if not already sent) for the display partition in response to receiving the authorization 230. A local connection may be set-up between the user device 10 and the display device 10 after block 230 to transfer the user content. In some embodiments, the screen of the user device is not shared, but a substantially more advanced UI generation is applied in which content and/or control information from the user device is applied for generating the UI view in the assigned partition. The UI in the display partition may be configured to provide interaction with the requesting user and/or other users in proximity to the display device. The user content may be processed by one or more content processing (e.g. image processing) algorithms by the VIS 18 and/or the SCP 30 before displaying.

[0033] FIGURE 3 illustrates an apparatus or functional unit 300 for an information management system comprising a plurality of public display devices. The apparatus 300 may be part of the SCP 30 or configured to implement at least some of the SCP 30, such the CMS unit 32. The apparatus may comprise functional modules and associated information flows in accordance with at least some embodiments. The apparatus 300 may be configured to perform at least some of the presently disclosed display device control related features, as illustrated in FIGURE 2 and related further embodiments.

[0034] A request processing module (RPM) 302, which may also be referred to as or implemented by a user device communication module, may be configured to at least receive information 320 from the user device, and in particular receive 200 the user request. The RPM may be configured to check allowability of the request. This may involve authenticating the user on the basis of authentication information received from the user device 20 and by checking rights of the user device. A payment procedure for the partition provision for the user content may be also be required before entering block 210, so there may be one or more data flows 322 to one or more further entities by the RPM 302. The RPM may be configured to send 230 the authorization to the user device 20. [0035] The RPM 302 is connected to a user interface adaptation module (UIAM) 304 and may indicate the approved user request to the UIAM. The UIAM 304 may receive the set 324 of input parameters and assign 210 the display partition on the basis of the request and the inputs. The UIAM may receive further information as input parameters, such as the user information record 42 and/or currently available content and other inputs which may be outside the VIS or SCP, e.g. from content providers. In some embodiments, the UIAM is also configured to specify the user interface for the display device 10 comprising the assigned partitioning.

[0036] Alternatively, another module generates the user interface on the basis of inputs from the UIAM. There may be a separate input processing module (IPM) configured to receive a set of input parameters and process the set of inputs for the UIAM 304. For example, the IPM may be configured to filter out such parameters that affect the assignment of the display partitions, and in particular the partition for control by user device to display user content.

[0037] The UIAM 304 may be connected to a VIS control module (VCM) 306, which may be part of the DMS unit 34. The UIAM may provide or control the user interface or at least the partitioning to the VCM 306. The VCM 306 is configured to send a control signal 326 to the VIS 18, 80, and in particular the display device(s) 10 assigned for the user content. In some embodiments, as further illustrated below, the user device 20 may be applied as a remote control for controlling the display device 10, and the VCM 306 may be configured to send control signals to the VIS and the associated display device 10 in response to control commands received by the RPM 302 from the user device 20.

[0038] According to some embodiments, the assignment 210 of the display partition comprises defining control parameter(s) on one or more of activation, timing, size, positioning of the user content partition. However, it is to be appreciated that these are just examples of available parameters for displaying the partition that may be set in block 210.

[0039] According to some embodiments, the display partition is assigned 210 on the basis of one or more of current reservation status of the display. For example, one or more of the following reservation status properties is applied: currently available space, number of content providers, and availability of user content partition (there may be limited number of or space for user content partitions). [0040] Communications resource status may be applied as the input parameter in block 210. For example, available bandwidth associated with a connection to the display device may be applied.

[0041] In some embodiments, priority levels of different information providing entities are applied as input parameters for display partition assignment. For example, the SCP 30/CMS 32/apparatus 300/UIAM 304 may be configured to apply in block 210 one or more of: priority level associated to content sets of different content categories to be displayed, priority level of a user of the user device, priority level of a content provider, and relation of one or more other media content sets to be displayed to the user content. The priority levels may be fixed, such as fixed highest priority for authority alarm information type, and/or dynamically updatable. For example, a display partition may be auctioned, and the user device or other entity that has sent the highest bid will get the highest priority.

[0042] The SCP 30 may be configured with a plurality of sets of display partitions reserved for different information providing entities or entity types, e.g. entity categories. For example, first set of display partitions reserved for user devices and a second set of display partitions for content providers connected to the SCP 30. The SCP 30 may be configured in connection with block 210, in addition to assigning the display partition for the requesting user device, assign display partitions for a set of other user devices among a set of display partitions available for user devices. The SCP 30 may thus also be configured to assign in connection with block 210 one or more display partitions for content providers connected to the SCP (outside and not via the VIS 18) among a set of display partitions available for the content providers. It is to be appreciated that these are just simple examples, and there may be various other information providing entities, such as local information entities dynamically changing along with movement of a mobile information display.

[0043] The sets of display partitions and their assignment for different entities may be dynamically adapted on the basis of at least some of the illustrated input parameters. For example, in case of an announcement from a high-priority content provider, such as an authority, the relation of display partition sets reserved for different entities is adapted so that partitions for user devices are instantly reduced or removed. The partitioning and sets of display partitions for different information providing entities may continuously change over time, on the basis of a predefined procedure or program and the dynamically adapting input parameters.

[0044] In some embodiments, the display partition is assigned 210 on the basis of received device location information, such as location of the user device 20 providing the user content and/or location of other user devices in relation to the display device 10. In some embodiments, the display device 10 is mobile. Thus, the display partition is assigned 210 on the basis of the location of the display device. Location information of the device 10, 20 may be received in connection with block 200, maintained in the apparatus performing the method or a memory or database connectable by the apparatus, or received upon specific request e.g. in response to block 200.

[0045] According to some embodiments, the VIS 18 or the associated display device 10 is controlled to validate admissibility of the user content on the basis of user authorization and automatic content review.

[0046] In some embodiments, the user information record 42 comprises a location- based user knowledge model, which may be a model specific for a single user or a group of users. The location-specific refers that at least some information in the model is associated with given location, such as given location of the display device 10. In another embodiment, there may specific user knowledge models for different locations. At least some of the entries of the knowledge model may be associated with detected locations of the user device(s) and one or more public display devices. The user knowledge model may indicate incurred relationships between the user device and one or more content category or type identifiers associated with location. The knowledge model may be applied directly or indirectly for specifying user interface for the display device, the partitioning, and/or properties of the partition assigned for the content from the user device. For example, the SCP 30 may be configured to generate parameters defining user interface specification on the basis of processing received user monitoring data. The user knowledge model may be updated continuously on the basis of information learned on the basis of user monitoring, such as user reaction and number and times of visits.

[0047] The UIAM 304 may be configured to access 324 a location-based user knowledge model 42 on the basis of the user identification information. The UIAM may apply the model 42 to specify a user interface for the first public display device on the basis of the user position information and/or the display position information. For example, the SCP 30 may be configured to generate parameters defining user interface specification on the basis of processing model or receive parameters stored in the model. The UIAM may be configured to request the model in response to receiving an input from the PDM 302 indicative of the user being detected in proximity to the display device and/or the approval of the request 200. The PDM 302 may also submit the user position information for the UIAM. The UIAM 304 is configured to provide or control the specified user interface for display in the assigned display device(s).

[0048] According to some embodiments, the system 30, such as the CDN 32 and/or DMS 34, is configured to establish a session with the user device 20 for controlling at least some information on the display device 10 in proximity to the user device.

[0049] A method for arranging a remote control of the display device may comprise:

- receiving a session establishment request from a user device (e.g. device 20) to a resource locator identifying a network resource (e.g. the SCP 30 or a unit or module thereof, such as the CMS 32 or the unit 300 and further the RPM 302 thereof) configured to control content displayed in a first public display device (e.g. the display device 10);

- establishing a session with the user device to the network resource on the basis of the received request;

- sending a remote control user interface from the network resource to the user device over the session;

- receiving a control command from the user device, the control command being indicative of a user input to the remote control user interface;

- controlling change of information contents in the first public display device in response to the control command.

[0050] A method, which may be implemented by the user device 20, for arranging remote control of the display device 10, may comprise:

- receiving by a user device a resource locator from a public display device over a wireless connection, wherein the resource locator identifies a network resource controlling content displayed in at least the display device; — establishing a session from the user device to the network resource on the basis of the received resource locator, receiving a remote control user interface from the network resource, detecting a user input to the remote control user interface, and — in response to the user input, sending a control command from the user device for causing the network resource to control change of information contents in at least the display device.

[0051] By applying the remote control interface, the user may further control at least a partition of the display contents. The control command may comprise the request 200. The user device 20 may thus be applied as a remote control for controlling also other content than the user content on the assigned display partition and/or further display partition(s) assigned for user device control. For example, the user may select upon an input to a topic of interest be displayed with a new window in the partition comprising further information on the topic. In a further embodiment, the user information record(s) 42, such as the knowledge model may be updated on the basis of control commands from the user device.

[0052] FIGURE 4 illustrates example input categories to the SCP 30. The SCP 30 may be configured to gather information from multiple different sources, 18, 80, 10, 40, 60, and/or 70. It may be configured to intelligently apply and/or combine input data of different categories on the basis of the user information record(s) 42 and/or possible further parameters and preferences.

[0053] As indicated above, some or all of the following input categories may be provided to the SCP as inputs:

— Positional data, regarding the current positions of the user devices 20 and the information displays 10. The positional data may further indicate the movement of the user device 20 and/or the information display 10, for example.

— Contextual data, which may also be referred to as Big data, and may be data collected from multiple sources i.e. from information distribution stakeholders. The contextual data may be data from a set of content providers connected to the SCP, at least some of which data may be determined to be displayed in one or more display devices. In an embodiment, the contextual data may comprise information regarding context or environment of the information display(s) 10, such as events, traffic, and/or weather information relevant for the (current) position of the information display 10.

— Device specific data, such data received by the display device 10 from a vehicle or elevator at which the display device 10 is mounted.

— User specific data, such as data received or detected by the display device 10 from the user device 20.

[0054] The SCP 30 may be configured to manage the dynamically changing VIS portfolio 18, referring to a selection of display devices 10. The VIS portfolio may be managed on the basis of input data the SCP 30 receives, such as sensor data, the user information record(s) 42 and/or possible further parameters and preferences.

[0055] The centralized SCP 30 may receive control inputs, leam from the internal data flows in the management system, further develop inputs based on: sensors linked to the apparatus; control tools such as user devices and implement changes into visual data show in each display and in the portfolio of the displays. The SCP may thus provide an automated self-learning system capable of handling increasing amounts of input data and various options to control or manage inputs related to the data displayed. The larger the potential audience and the amount of the inputs is, the higher surplus is enabled by the present system. The SCP may be continuously trained on the basis of processed user reaction inputs and in some embodiments also other inputs to the SCP, such as inputs from the content providers. For example, the SCP may be configured to dynamically adapt content available to or being selected the display device(s) on the basis of earlier received inputs from the content providers, inputs via the VIS 18, and dynamically changing operation environment of the information display(s) 10.

[0056] Input data of at least some of these categories may be applied by the UIAM 304 to specify 230 the user interface. For example, currently available contextual data delivered and enhanced by content providers currently connected to the SCP 30 may affect UI specification and also the display partitioning 210. As also earlier illustrated, there thus may be a plurality of input information channels and input categories affecting the UI specification, some of which may is independent of and outside the VIS. [0057] The content and content types may be selected and allocated to the VIS portfolio and the dynamically adapting user interfaces thereof by the SCP on the basis of the inputs to the SCP 30. Thus, the SCP 30 may be configured to dynamically define which role each content type (visually) has in each portfolio and/or display device 10. The decision making is further affected by control parameters stored in the SCP 30, such as (smart) contracts. For example, the user interface and partitioning may thus be specified on the basis of learned and explicitly set user preferences, learned user behavior, VIS display position, dynamic contextual data and device specific data.

[0058] There may be different content types that may be provided in the VIS 18, 80 and the display devices 10. In the example embodiment of FIGURE 4 there are 5 categories: consumer to consumer (C2C), i.e. content shared by users to other users, government to consumer (G2C), such as alerts, events or other information by or for (e.g. feedback) authorities, business to consumer (B2C), such as advertisements or other paid content, location to consumer (L2C), such as location based information for showing directions, speed and possible estimated time of arrival (ETA) calculations and interface to consumer (I2C), referring generally to locally shared screens of user devices via the VIS. The user interface may comprise specific partitions for some or all of the above content types. The SCP 30 may be configured to dynamically adapt the partitioning. The partitioning may be based also on the location-based user knowledge model 42.

[0059] Thus, the presently disclosed smart display system facilitates to combine and partition information in a way that the device location generates surplus and the context increases synergy of the information, facilitating improved local user interaction and content sharing of multiple users. At the same time each smart info display enables several personalization and earning possibilities supporting each other. This facilitates to lower the critical point of the investments and therefore may enable to open up digital media to much wider audience than today. The user interfaces for the smart display devices can be made much more interesting for the passing users and their attention can be more likely obtained, since the system dynamically specifying the user interface based on a large number of inputs can be trained all the time based on detected user reactions.

[0060] An electronic device comprising electronic circuitry may be an apparatus for realizing at least some embodiments. In some embodiments, certain aspects of the techniques described above may implemented by one or more processors of a processing system executing software. The software comprises one or more sets of executable instructions stored or otherwise tangibly embodied on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The software can include the instructions and certain data that, when executed by the one or more processors, manipulate the one or more processors to perform one or more aspects of the techniques described above.

[0061] FIGURE 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an apparatus 501 for a display device management system according to an embodiment. The apparatus may comprise or be formed of a computing unit 501. The computing unit 501 may be configured to operate as a controller of the display device management system, which may comprise at least some of the already illustrated units and functions, such as the at least part of the SCP 30 illustrated in FIGURE 1. The system may comprise or be connected to further control unit(s) 510 and network(s)/service(s) 511, such as at least some of the entities 18, 20, 40, 60, 70, and/or 80 illustrated in FIGURE 1. It is to be appreciated that FIGURE 5 illustrates only one example of an applicable apparatus for carrying out at least some of the presently disclosed embodiments.

[0062] The computing unit 501 may comprise a processor 502, a communications unit 503 and a memory 504. The communication unit 503 may comprise a transmitter and/or receiver, which may be configured to operate in accordance with global system for mobile communication, GSM, wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA, long term evolution, LTE, 5G or other cellular communications systems, wireless local area network, WLAN, and/or Ethernet standards, for example. The computing unit 501 may comprise a short range communication, SRC, transceiver, such as a Bluetooth or a Bluetooth Low Energy transceiver (any of the BLE versions).

[0063] The memory may comprise random-access memory and/or permanent memory. The memory may comprise at least one RAM chip. The memory may comprise solid-state, magnetic, optical and/or holographic memory, for example. The memory may be at least in part accessible to the processor 502. The memory may be at least in part comprised in the processor 502. The memory 504 may store computer program code 505 and parameters 506 for causing the computing unit 501 to perform at least some of the presently disclosed features, such as the method of FIGURE 2 and some or all further embodiments thereof, when the computer program code is executed by the processor. The memory, processor and computer program code may thus be the means to cause the computing unit 501 to perform at least some of the presently disclosed features related to arranging a learning system for partitioning the user interface for public display devices, such as the method of FIGURE 2 and some or all further embodiments thereof The computing unit 501 may comprise and/or be configured to apply, for example, a mathematical model, a formula library and an AI module.

[0064] The UI 5079 may comprise one or more user interface devices, such as a display and input means, such as one or more of a keyboard, a touch screen, a mouse, a gesture input device or other type input/output device.

[0065] The display device 10 and/or user device 20 may comprise at least some similar elements as the apparatus 501. When computer instructions configured to cause a processor of the user device to perform certain actions are stored in a memory of the display device 10 and/or the user device, and said device in overall is configured to run under the direction of the processor using computer instructions from the memory, the processor and/or its at least one processing core may be considered to be configured to perform at least some of the actions of said device illustrated above.

[0066] There may be further elements inside or in connection with (508) the apparatus 501, such as a unit of the SCP 30, the display device 10 and/or the user device not illustrated in FIGURE 5. The user device may comprise or be arranged to accept a user identity module. The user identity module may comprise, for example, a subscriber identity module, SIM, card installable in the device. The user identity module may comprise information identifying a subscription of a user of device. The user identity module may comprise cryptographic information usable to verify the identity of a user of device and/or to facilitate encryption of communicated information and billing of the user of the device for communication effected via the device. In some other example embodiments, as indicated earlier, the apparatus 10 and/or 20 comprises at least one digital camera and/or one or more sensors.

[0067] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. [0068] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Where reference is made to a numerical value using a term such as, for example, about or substantially, the exact numerical value is also disclosed.

[0069] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.

[0070] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the preceding description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0071] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below. [0072] The verbs“to comprise” and“to include” are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of "a" or "an", that is, a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0073] At least some embodiments of the present invention find industrial application in display systems.

ACRONYMS LIST

AI Artificial intelligence

API Application programming interface

ASIC Application-specific integrated circuit

CAN Controller area network

FPGA Field-programmable gate array

GSM Global system for mobile communication

LTE Long term evolution

NFC Near-field communication

N-RAT 3GPP new radio access technology

UI User interface

WCDMA Wideband code division multiple access,

WiMAX Worldwide interoperability for microwave access

WLAN Wireless local area network