Smart Public Information Displays: Enabling Reliable, Remote-Managed Digital Signage at Scale

Driving Factor

Information display systems are required to display the latest critical information, to show event information and key notifications to the public. This mixed in with the need to remain visible, accurate, and dependable. The displays are typically located in awkward and inaccessible busy public locations. This creates operational constraints when the service is taking place, which means the engineers have a small window to get the job right.

Problem

The calculated cost of servicing would make the product non-viable. Information displays must deliver accurate, real-time updates, yet they're so often installed in busy, hard to reach locations. Engineers have limited access and very short maintenance windows, making rapid diagnosis and repair difficult. These constraints increase the risk of outages, slow recovery, and visible service failures. More resilient systems, better remote monitoring, and faster maintenance workflows are needed to ensure consistent, reliable public communication.

Solution

RDS deployed SensConnect Edge, integrated with the SensConnect Core WebApp, to enable continuous asset-health monitoring, localised schedule control, and basic automated decision making. This combined platform provides real-time visibility of display system performance, reduces the need for on-site diagnostics, and supports faster, more reliable maintenance in challenging public environments,

Product

Kontron hardware has been engineered directly into the SensConnect Edge Gateway, creating a robust and modular platform that can evolve with changing user facing media requirements. This architecture allows new display technologies or content modules to be dropped in seamlessly, while the mission-critical SensConnect software stack remains stable and untouched. The result is a future proof system that supports rapid upgrades, reduces service disruption, and maintains long term reliability in demanding public environments.

Problems / Solutions / FAB

Reduced Site Visits: One of the most common fixes to technical issues is a simple reboot. However, this is not always straightforward when devices are installed in hard-to-access locations. The ability to perform a remote restart gives the support team significantly greater control. This allows both hardware and software components to fully reinitialise, reducing the need for on-site visits and improving incident resolution times. In addition, local schedule management ensures displays continue to operate reliably and consistently, even in environments with unstable connectivity.

Fleet Management: A core feature of SensConnect is its KPI-based monitoring system. In simple terms, thresholds can be set on any parameter the device is transmitting, or not transmitting, with alerts triggered directly within the dashboard. This enables potential issues to be identified proactively, allowing problems to be detected and addressed before the client is even aware. Implementing SensConnect Edge alongside the SensConnect Core WebApp transforms how public information displays are managed.

Bespoke System Design: The Edge Gateway is built around the powerful NXP i.MX8 processor and is customised with dual Ethernet ports, dual HDMI outputs, and RS232/RS485 communication interfaces. Running a custom embedded Linux operating system, it provides sufficient processing overhead to support Docker-based modular application management. This architecture delivers continuous insight into asset health, enabling issues to be identified and addressed before they become service-impacting.

Broaden Horizons: The solution created a new pipeline for content management and on-screen notifications. While not used for advertising, the ease of update and the SensConnect web app for centralised management created a system that is highly adaptable for a wide range of public information display applications. The simplicity of interconnected HDMI screens provides a flexible foundation that can be scaled and adapted as required. Automated decision logic further reduces the need for manual intervention, allowing engineers to focus on higher-value tasks and respond more effectively during limited maintenance windows, providing a broader operational view.

Data from New Places: Deploy, diagnose, digest. This represents the transformation from product to data asset. Each device regularly reports a snapshot of key metrics and readings, which are securely stored within the SensConnect databases. This data can then be rapidly accessed through in-app graphs and charts or exported as .csv files for further analysis and manipulation. The product can be viewed in an entirely new way; the value lies in the reusability of its data. These insights can be used to inform product development teams, support teams, and customer service teams, providing a clearer understanding of system behaviour and performance.