FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates to display systems, particularly beverage display systems, incorporating interactive

components and content.

BACKGROUND TO THE DISCLOSURE

Display systems for beverages often take the form of coolers or vending machines. These systems include

refrigerated cabinets for storing the beverage product and in some instances for dispensing that product. The display systems often include transparent panels (typically glass) that allow for visual inspection of the product to encourage selection or purchase of the product. Such display systems are commonly used in retail establishments or in public areas (in the case of vending machines) .

To promote brand awareness and encourage product purchase, signage has been associated with the display systems and in more recent times media display screens have been used providing video or picture content in association with the display system.

SUMMARY OF THE DI SCLOSURE

Disclosed in some forms is a display system comprising a container having an internal compartment for storing product, a media display screen, at least a portion of the media display screen allowing visual inspection of product stored within the internal compartment through the media display screen; a camera positioned to sense a person in proximity to the display system, the camera and media display screen configured to allow the display screen to display interactive content to the person in proximity to the display system.

Disclosed in some forms is a door for a display system comprising a container having an internal compartment for storing product, the door comprising:

a media display screen, at least a portion of the media display screen allowing visual inspection of product stored within the internal compartment through the media display screen;

a camera positioned to sense a person in proximity to the display system, the camera and media display screen configured to allow the media display screen to display interactive content to the person in proximity to the display system.

Disclosed in some forms is a display system comprising a container having an internal compartment for storing product; a media display screen, at least a portion of the media display screen allowing visual inspection of product stored within the container through the media display screen;

a touch panel configured to detect a touch or near touch to allow for user interaction with the display system.

Disclosed in some forms is a display system comprising a container having an internal compartment for storing product; a media display screen, at least a portion of the media display screen allowing visual inspection of product stored within the container through the media display screen; the media display screen being configured to detect a touch or near touch associated with the media display screen to allow for user interaction with the display system.

In some forms, the display system is a beverage display system such as a beverage cooler or beverage vending machine. In some forms the container comprises a refrigerated cabinet.

Disclosed in some forms is a content management system comprising a centralised computing system that interfaces with a plurality of interactive on-site beverage display systems as disclosed in any form above through a common data network, the centralised computing system administering interactive content that is presented on individual on-site beverage display systems.

Disclosed in some forms is a distributed beverage display system network comprising:

a plurality of on-site beverage display systems as disclosed in any form above and each having a container with an internal compartment for displaying product and an interactive consumer interface, and

a centralised computing system that interfaces with the interactive on-site beverage display systems, the centralised computing system administering interactive content that is presented on individual on-site beverage display systems.

Disclosed in some forms is a content management method for a distributed beverage display system network comprising distributing content to a plurality of on-site beverage display systems according to any form above from a centralised content management system and scheduling content presentation on individual on-site beverage display systems.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display system in the form of a beverage cooler;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the display system of Fig.

1;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting an interaction process that may be implemented by a display system;

FIG. 4 is a network schematic depicting a possible system interrelation for various components of an expanded display system;

FIG. 5. is a schematic representation of a display system presenting interactive media content derived from a consumer; and

FIG. 6. is a schematic representation of a display system presenting interactive content to a consumer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, depicted in the drawings and defined in the claims, are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilised and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this disclosure.

This disclosure is directed generally to display systems. While the disclosure is described generally in the context of beverage display systems, such as beverage coolers or beverage vending machines, having refrigerated containers for storage, display, and/or dispensing of a beverage or other product, it may be used in other display systems providing access to a food or drink product such as, for example, heated units or room temperature containers.

Display systems using LCD screens to advertise the product held therein are known, In retail applications display systems may incorporate an LCD screen showing images of the product in an effort to attract a customer to the product .

Disclosed are embodiments of a display system such as a beverage display system having a refrigerated cabinet for storing and possibly dispensing beverages. In some forms a display system comprises a container having an internal compartment for storing product; a media display screen, at least a portion of the media display screen allowing visual inspection of product stored within the internal compartment through the media display screen; a camera positioned to sense a person in proximity to the display system, the camera and media display screen configured to allow the media display screen to display interactive content to the person in proximity to the display system.

In some forms the media display screen comprises a LCD screen, at least a portion of which is transparent at least a portion of the time.

In some forms the display system is adapted such that an attribute of the person positioned proximal to the display system sensed by the camera effects a change in the content displayed on the media display screen.

In some forms the display system is adapted such that an action of the person positioned proximal to the display system sensed by the camera effects a change in the content displayed on the media display screen.

In some forms the display system further comprises a door allowing access to the internal compartment, at least a portion of the door being transparent, and the media display screen is positioned on the door.

In some forms the display system is a beverage display system and the container is a refrigerated cabinet.

In some forms, a door for a display system comprises a container having an internal compartment for storing product, the door comprising a media display screen, at least a portion of the media display screen allowing visual inspection of product stored within the internal compartment through the media display screen; a camera positioned to sense a person in proximity to the display system, the camera and media display screen configured to allow the media display screen to display interactive content to the person in proximity to the display system.

In some forms a display system comprises a container having an internal compartment for storing product; a media display screen, at least a portion of the media display screen allowing visual inspection of product stored within the container through the media display screen;

a touch panel configured to detect a touch or near touch to allow for user interaction with the system.

In some forms a display system comprisesa container having an internal compartment for storing product; a media display screen, at least a portion of the media display screen allowing visual inspection of product stored within the container through the media display screen; the media display screen being configured to detect a touch or near touch associated with the media display screen to allow for user interaction with the display system.

As illustrated in the Figures, some illustrative embodiments of a display system allow for greater

interactivity and an enhanced engagement between consumer and product .

Figure 1 depicts a display system. The illustrated display system is in the form of a beverage display system (being a beverage cooler 1) having a refrigerated container for storing product such as food or drink for sale to a consumer. The cooler 1 comprises a container body 2 defining an interior compartment which is configured for display and storage of product. The cooler 1 comprises a door 15 which allows access to the interior compartment for dispensing product. The container body 2 and door 15 illustrated in Figure 1 define a ^λ cabinet' style cooler. Other container forms (such as ^chest' or raw' enclosures) may also be employed. In the illustrated form, the door 15 is hinged and is configured to be opened using a handle 16 positioned at one side of the door 15. It is clear that alternative door embodiments, including sliding doors and doors positioned on the upper surface of the container will fall under the scope of the disclosure.

The door 15 comprises a media display screen 10 such that the cooler 1 can display media content on the screen 10. That media may be video or still images or a combination of both. In the illustrated form the media display screen 10 extends the full length and breadth of the door 15. In alternative embodiments the media display screen 10 is positioned to extend over a portion of the door 15. The cooler 1 may incorporate other interactive consumer

interfaces, such as speakers for presentation of audio media content.

The media display screen 10 is adapted to allow a user to have visual contact with the product within the

compartment. In some forms, this reguires at least a portion of the media display screen to be transparent at least for a portion of the time, or in a resting state, to allow a user to see through the media display screen. This visual contact allows a user to view the product and packaging while viewing the media display screen 10. Transparent LCD, plasma and LED displays typically facilitate this functionality. These displays can be mounted to the container door 15 (either set within the container enclosure or mounted to the door exterior) and interfaced with a media control system that manages the media content presented through the cooler.

The media control system may be a dedicated processing unit that is integrated with the display system 1 or a remote controller (such as a centralised content server) .

Integrated media control systems typically comprise dedicated hardware components (such as micro-controller (s) and system memory) that execute customised operations defined by firmware instructions. The functions performed by a dedicated control system may be configurable through revision of the control system firmware.

The media display screen 10 is interfaced with a media control system that manages the content (typically images or video content) presented on the media display screen 10. In the illustrated display system, the media display screen is in the form of a liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying content to a user. The LCD is capable of obscuring the product contained within the compartment by restricting or preventing the passage of light through the door 15 and media display screen 10. This is typically accomplished by displaying an obstructive image on segments of the LCD. In some forms these images cover the items housed within the compartment. Obstructive images generally comprise a black strip or block that occupies specific sections of the LCD. The images are typically black (or darkly coloured) as the transparent LCD panel is repressing backlighting from within the body 2 that is responsible for illuminating the LCD. In some forms, the display system further comprises an interactive device positioned on a side wall 12 of the container body 2. The interactive device is ideally

interfaced to the display system media control system. The interactive device is, in the illustrated cooler 1, in the form of a touch panel 20 configured to detect a touch or near touch, allowing a user to interact with the touch panel. In some forms, interaction with the touch panel 20 effects a change on the media display screen 10, enhancing

interactivity of the display system. The media control system may present games a user can play or allow a user to select content for presentation on the media display screen 10 (such as music video selection) using the interactive device. In some forms, the touch panel 20 is positioned on the same wall or door as the media display screen 10. In some forms, the touch panel 20 is integral with a media display screen. The touch panel 20 allows a user to interact with a consumer interface. It also allows the system to gather user data. In some forms this data is gathered via a touch panel keyboard .

In some forms, the touch panel 20 may be functionally integrated with an infrared touch sensor that receives user input. The infrared touch sensor is ideally interfaced to the media control system. The media control system processes user input received through the touch sensor and may record user information. The infrared touch sensor system of the touch panel 20 allows for vandal resistance, large size availability and simple customisation.

In some forms the touch panel 20 comprises an array of micro fine conductive electrodes printed in both X and Y axes. In these forms the array is laminated behind a protective substrate to form a touch sensor for the touch panel 20. X and Y axis electrodes are oscillated at a known frequency. The electrode frequency is modulated remotely by proximity to a user's finger. The peak change in frequency accurately

determines the touch position.

Figure 2 depicts the cooler 1 in an exploded view. In this view it can be seen that the door 15 comprises a media display screen 10 in the form of a transparent LCD. The illustrated transparent LCD is generally commensurate in width with the door 15 and spans approximately two thirds of the door 15 height. A transparent sheet in the form of a sheet of toughened glass 101 is located external to the media display screen 10 for protection of the media display screen. A diffuser 102 and lighting system 103 are associated with the media display screen 10. It is to be appreciated that other configurations are possible with the LCD being

positioned on an external surface of the door 15 or internal to the door.

The cooler 1 further comprises a boundary lighting system. The boundary lighting system backlights the

transparent media display screen 10 and directs light into the refrigeration compartment to illuminate items positioned within the refrigerator 1.

The boundary lighting system incorporates one or more lights. Ideally, the lights are arranged to emit light uniformly across the display surface of the transparent media display screen. The illustrated boundary lighting system has two strip lights 103 that are disposed adjacent opposing edges of the transparent media display screen 10. A single strip light may also be used and the strip light (s) may extend around the entire perimeter of the transparent media display screen. Ideally, the strip lights 103 are orientated to direct light toward the centre of the transparent media display screen display surface and into the refrigeration compartment .

The strip light may comprise a single continuous light source (such as a CCFL tube) or a plurality of discrete light sources regularly spaced along the strip (such as an LED strip light) . The illustrated strip lights 103 comprise a strip of high intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are housed in a common body. The strip lights may also comprise multiple individual light sources coupled directly to the refrigerator body 2 (ie strip lights without an integrated or unitary body) . Ideally, the selected strip lights provide an elongate light source that emits a uniform intensity of light along the length of the strip.

The one or more strip light 103 may be disposed on an internal surface of the container body. In one form, the transparent media display screen may be disposed in the door 15 of the cooler that provides access to the compartment. In one form, one or more strip lights may be disposed on the door of the container along one or more edges of the media screen 10. In another form, one or more strip lights may be disposed on a fixed part of the container adjacent the door opening and the strip light (s) 103 registers with the edge of transparent media display screen 10 when the door is in a closed position. In one form of this latter arrangement, the strip lighting may change state when the door is opened. For example the strip lighting may dim or switch off when the door is opened.

The panel diffuser 102 is generally commensurate in area with the display surface of the transparent media display screen 10. The strip lights 103 and the diffuser 102 are disposed within the refrigerated body 2 directly behind the transparent media display screen 10 in the illustrated embodiment .

The strip lights 103 are disposed at a perimeter edge of the diffuser panel 102 and direct light into the diffuser. The diffuser 102 scatters light from the strip lights 103 transverse to the display surface of the transparent media display screen 10 to illuminate items within the refrigerator compartment and backlight the transparent media display screen 10.

The illustrated configuration of boundary lighting system illuminates the items within the refrigerator

compartment from an extremity of the refrigerator body 2. As the boundary lighting system is disposed between the items and the consumer, the consumer facing portion of the items is illuminated (the portion of the items closest to the

transparent media display screen) . This lighting position illuminates the items so that they are easily identifiable through the transparent media display screen (as opposed to a lighting source disposed behind the items, which would create a silhouette) .

The diffuser panel 102 is generally aligned with the transparent media display screen 10 and disposed between the media display screen 10 and the refrigeration compartment. This arrangement produces a light path through the

transparent media display screen 10 into the refrigeration compartment that also passes through the diffuser panel 102. As such visual inspection of product in the compartment is through the transparent media display and the diffuser. As such the diffuser needs to be sufficiently transparent to allow the products in the compartment to be seen. The illustrated boundary lighting system enables the diffuser to scatter light from within the refrigerator body 2 (including light emitted from the strip lights disposed at the edges of the diffuser panel 102) uniformly across the display surface of the transparent media display screen 10.

Ideally, a reflective lip is disposed adjacent the media display screen in front of the boundary lighting system 103 so that the strip lights are positioned between the

reflective lip and the refrigeration compartment. The reflective lip shields the strip lights from the exterior of the container body, redirecting incident light from the strip light (s) into the refrigeration compartment and isolating the consumer from the light source.

The display system further comprises a camera 27 which, in the illustrated form, is located behind an upper panel 18, but may be disposed above or below that panel if the upper panel provides another function (say for example a secondary media display screen) . The camera 27 is ideally interfaced with the media control system that regulates content

presentation on the display system 1.

The media control system ideally receives an image stream (either still images or video content) from the camera 27 in real-time. The control system may process the image stream and use the captured content to engage the consumer in an interactive presentation. Typical presentations include reproducing the consumer image on the media display screen 10. The media control system may implement content

processing routines (such as gesture recognition and facial expression identification) to facilitate user interaction. For example, the media control system may identify ^swipe' gestures that enable the consumer to ^scroll' through content presented on the media display screen 10.

To facilitate consumer interaction, the camera is ideally positioned such that it has a line of sight to a user in a particular position relative to the display system (such as in front of the door 15) . In some forms the upper panel 18 is a media display screen.

In use, the media control system senses the presence of a user in proximity to the media display screen 10 from the image stream captured by the camera 27. The media control system recognises the presence of the user and directs the media display screen 10 to effect a change to the content visible to the user. As such, the media control system co- ordinates the camera 27 and media display screen 10 to create an interactive display on the media display screen 10. This modifies the content that is presented through the display system in response to sensing at the display system. The content presented by the display system may also be modified in response to a defined content schedule (as described later in this specification) .

The media control system, in some forms, is adapted to recognise an attribute or characteristic of the user captured in the image stream of the camera 27. For example, the media control system may recognise the user's size, shape, age, gender or facial expressions. The media control system may also recognise actions performed by the user positioned proximal the media display screen 10. Upon recognition of these attributes of the user, a change in the media display screen 10 is affected by the media control system. The changes to the media display screen may take multiple forms. For example, the media display screen could display varied content depending upon notions of the likely interests of the user proximal the media display screen 10. This allows for customised displays that are directed at individual users, and in some forms customised promotion of the product contained within the display system 1. In other examples, a change is effected to the media display screen 10 in response to a visual cue such as a facial expression or action (such as a gesture) on the part of the user. This change may be in the form of a reward or customised promotion directed to the user. In still other forms, a change could be effected to the media display screen such that an image of the user is displayed with another image superimposed at a particular portion of the user's body (such as displaying a creative hairstyle on the user's image) . It will be clear that many alternative changes may be effected upon the media display screen 10 in order to create an interaction with the user. In some forms, the camera 27 is adapted to gather an image of a user positioned proximal the media display screen 10. In some forms, the media control system displays the image of the user on the media display screen 10 in response to a particular cue. Alternatively the image of the user can be changed or added to the media display screen 10 to further enhance a user's engagement with the display system. For example, the user's image may be reproduced on the media display screen 10 with an interactive background or

landscape .

Two exemplary interactive displays are illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 respectively. The interactive display 30 depicted in Figure 5 is customised to a consumer standing in front of the display system door. An image of the consumer 32 is presented on the media display screen 10 with simulated flames 33 disposed around the consumers head and feet. The flames 33 ideally replicate the general dynamics of a fire. This can be achieved using video content (typically computer generated imagery) that is dynamically adapted by the display system 1 to reflect individual consumer characteristics (such as the height of the consumer) .

An interactive jukebox display 31 is presented on the media display screen 10 depicted in Figure 6. The media control system may receive music reguests from consumers and play media content (either audio content or combined video/audio content) responsive to received input. The consumer may interact with the jukebox 31 by engaging a touch sensitive interface associated with the display system 1, through a suitable mobile phone (typically employing a dedicated app) or using a gesture recognition system that detects control gestures captured by the display system camera 27.

The media control system may also detect items (such as a product) in the image stream captured by the camera 27. Detected items are typically disposed adjacent the media display screen 10. The media control system ideally recognises the presence of a product in proximity to a user (such as in the user's hand) and directs the media display screen 10 to effect a change to the content visible to the user. Ideally, the media control system is configured to detect identifiers associated with particular products in the camera 27 image stream (such as the shape of a beverage container, a product label or another suitable product characteristic) and display content that is defined by the detected identifier. Some products may incorporate an interaction tag that defines the content the display system presents when the tag is detected. For example, the display system may mimic a jukebox' for some tags. The interaction tag associated with a product may define the content that is presented as well as the general reaction of the display system. For example, an interaction tag may cause the display system to display music videos (including audio content) for a year that is defined by the tag.

Interaction tags ideally encode content information in a pre-defined format (such as a bar code or QR code) that the media control system decodes when the tag is detected.

Interactive products (such as a beverage container with an interaction tag) ideally incorporate instructions that explain how to initiate content presentations. For example, the product label may direct a user to orientate the

interaction tag toward the container door 15 so that the tag is captured in the image stream generated by camera 27.

The media control system may apply a dynamic item detection procedure to item identification. The detection procedure ideally reduces content initiation by static items (such as items that are stored adjacent the container 1 on a sales floor) , so that the interactive content is not

continually triggered by items stored adjacent the display system 1. The dynamic detection procedure ideally identifies items that are associated with a user (such as a product that has been retrieved from the internal compartment of the container) and initiates a predefined content presentation that is defined by a product identifier. The display system may incorporate another form of sensor (such as a bar code scanner, a microphone or a radio frequency receiver) for item detection. For example, the display system may incorporate a microphone that detects the sound of a carbonated beverage being opened and modifies content presentation accordingly. Alternatively, the product identification tag may be a radio frequency transponder that activates interactive content when removed from the internal compartment of the container 1.

The transparent LCD allows for a user to interact with the media display screen 10 while viewing the product within the display system 1. In some forms of the display system, interactions with the media display screen 10 allow for a user to engage with the content displayed upon the media display screen 10 and the product simultaneously.

An interaction flow diagram for the display systems of the above type is depicted in figure 3. The flow diagram 200 represents a response sequence that may be implemented by an interactive display system. The sequence is initiated when a user interacts with an ^n-site' display system

(depicted in operation 210 of the flow diagram 200) . The illustrated process is implemented by an expanded display system that comprises an on-site display system (such as the display system 1 illustrated in figures 1 and 2) and an ^λ οίί- site' campaign management system (CMS) . The off-site system may incorporate other modules (as illustrated in Figure 4) . The operations executed by the on-site point sale system are depicted in section 201 of the flow diagram 200. The operations implemented in the off-site components (the campaign management system in the illustrated embodiment) are depicted in section 202. The on-site display system documents user interactions that initiate the process illustrated in flow diagram 200 (operation 212) . User interactions are ideally recorded in a predefined data format (such as MPEG for video files, MP3 for audio files or XML for touch screen interactions) and stored locally within the display system. The display system 1 may use this data to adapt the content presented on the media display screen 10 (corresponding to operation 212 of the flow diagram 200) . The display systemTypical display adaptions can include enhancing a user's experience by customising interactions (such as reproducing the user's image on the media display screen 10) . The display system may also use the user data to promote products (such as beverages) housed within the on-site display system 1.

The display system ideally incorporates a network interface that enables it to communicate with auxiliary display systems that are located off-site (i.e. not on the ^ales floor' ) . The off-site display system components may be located at a remote premise (geographically separated from the on-site system) or spatially separated from the on-site system within the same premise (the off-site display systems may be housed in a server room away from the ^ales floor' ) . The auxiliary display systems are implemented in a ^campaign management system' (CMS) in the embodiment represented by flow diagram 200. The campaign management system (CMS) provides a centralised data repository, content source and communications link for the on-site display system 1. A plurality of on-site display systems may communicate with a single centralised campaign management system (CMS) . Each on-site display systems 1 may intermittently connect to the campaign management system (CMS) or maintain a dedicated communications link.

An intermittent communications protocol is represented in operations 215, 216 and 220 of the flow diagram 200 illustrated in figure 3. The communications connection may be periodically initiated by any of the display system components or triggered by specific events (such as new user interactions) . The on-site display system 1 monitors the connection status (operation 216) and transfers new data to the campaign management system (CMS) when a connection is established (operations 215 and 220) . The campaign

management system (CMS) stores the data received from each associated display system 1.

The campaign management system (CMS) may use the data received from on-site display systems 1 to monitor how the on-site systems 1 are being used, provide information for content developers, refine existing content and provide feedback to individual on-site display systems 1. These functions are represented by operation 221 of the flow diagram 200. The campaign management system (CMS) may facilitate other functions (such as aggregating user data from a plurality of display systems) .

The campaign management system (CMS) benchmarks the received data and generates usage reports (operation 221 of the interaction process illustrated in figure 3) . The usage reports ideally document how each on-site display system 1 is being used and characterise the individual systems (such as identifying systems that are under utilised) . The campaign management system (CMS) feeds benchmark data back to the individual on-site display systems 1 (operation 220 of the flow diagram 200 illustrated in figure 3) . The benchmark data may be distributed with interaction refinements and new media content. The display system 1 ideally uses the benchmark data to refine or update the content that is presented to users (operation 212) .

An exemplary network schematic 250 for an expanded display system is illustrated in figure 4. The expanded display system illustrated in figure 4 represents a

distributed display system network that comprises a plurality of on-site display systems. Each of the display systems ideally has a container with an internal compartment for displaying product and an interactive consumer interface (such as the display system illustrated in figures 1 and 2) .

The individual on-site display systems are interfaced to a centralised computing system (ideally through a common data network) . The central computing system is typically part of a content management system that administers interactive content presentation on the individual on-site display systems. The content management system may be implemented in dedicate computer hardware (such as a individual server or a bank of servers) , as part of a virtual machine, in a cloud based system or any other suitable implementation.

The content management system ideally incorporates a scheduling module that manages media content presented on the individual on-site display systems. The scheduling module may organise content presentation on individual on-site display systems based on the geographical location of an on- site system or the time at the site (location) . The content management system may also include a content module that facilitates content updates. The content module ideally provides a centralised terminal where the content may be modified and distributed to individual on-site display systems in a distributed display system network.

The expanded display system illustrated in figure 4 comprises a plurality of on-site display systems 260 (such as the display system illustrated in figures 1 and 2) and an off-site display system 270. The on-site system and off-site components are linked by a common data network in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4.

The illustrated off-site display system incorporates a campaign management system (CMS) 271, a media server 272, a cloud interface 273 and an interaction module 274. These components may form part of the content management system for the distributed network.

The campaign management system (CMS) 271 organises the content that is distributed to the on-site display systems 260 in the illustrated network 251. The campaign management system (CMS) 271 performs several content management

functions, including scheduling content presentation and facilitating content modifications (such as adding new content, modifying existing content or removing old content) .

Content changes are transferred from the campaign management system (CMS) 271 to the media server (s) 272 for distribution to the on-site display systems 260 in the illustrated embodiment. The media server (s) 272 depicted in Figure 4 also receives data from the on-site display systems 260. The data received from the on-site display systems 260 may be used to monitor the network 251 and document any faults. The media server (s) 272 ideally stores on-site display system records in computer memory.

The on-site display systems 260 depicted in figure 4 are also connected to a cloud interface 273. The cloud interface provides a network gateway that connects the individual on- site display systems to an auxiliary data network. The cloud interface 273 ideally enables a user to retrieve data from a remote server. For example, the cloud interface 273 may provide a gateway to an external website (such as youtube) where a user can retrieve media files that can be presented through a corresponding on-site display system.

The on-site display systems 260 may facilitate user interaction through a touchscreen interface, a wireless interface that facilitates connection with smart devices (such as a smart phone) , a dedicated web interface that can be accessed by a web browser or an SMS message inbox that receives website URL' s with media content a user wants to display. Media content that is hosted by non-affiliated (third-party) websites is ideally filtered by a filter module (associated with the cloud interface 273 in the system depicted in figure 4) before being presented through the on- site display system. The filter module may regulate the content that can be retrieved through the network gateway. Adequate filtering may be achieved by restricting the websites that content can be drawn from.

An interaction module 274 manages the interactive components of the on-site display systems 260. The interactive components presented in figure 4 include facial recognition, augmented reality tracking and emotion tracking.

The on-site display systems 260 are connected to the auxiliary off-site components 270 by a data network 251. The network may be implemented as a wireless link (such as a 3G/4G network) or a wired connection where the off-site components 270 are accommodated locally, (such as a campaign management system that services a cluster of on-site display systems distributed in close proximity) .

The extended display system ideally implements a content management method that facilitates centralised control of the interactive on-site display systems within a distributed network. The content management method comprises

distributing content to the on-site display systems from a centralised content management system and scheduling content presentation on the individual on-site display systems.

The presentation of content on individual on-site display systems can be scheduled based on the system location or time at the system location. The content may also be modified on the centralised content management system and distributed to individual on-site display systems in the network to reduce upgrade times and overheads.

Ideally, the individual on-site display systems incorporate an interface that enables consumers to submit content requests. The content requests may specify content from external data networks that the user wants presented on local display system. The external content may be specified by a uniform resource locator (URL) address or another suitable identifier. Externa1 content that is retrieved following a consumer' s request is ideally routed through the centralised content management system before reaching the on- site display system. This enables the centralised content manager to filter external media before it is presented on individual display systems.

The foregoing describes the display system including embodiments thereof. Alterations and modifications as will obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof as defined in the accompanying claims .

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word

"comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments.