Manual switch system for outputting multimedia content to a digital sign

摘要

The present invention extends to a manual switch system for selecting multimedia content from one or various source inputs to be provided to a digital display. The manual switch system of the present invention provides a compact, convenient, and simple to use solution for updating a digital display in many environments. In a particular example, the manual switch can be used within a fast food restaurant to quickly and easily update the menu such as when the restaurant switches from serving breakfast to lunch or dinner.

主权项

1. A manual switch system for controlling the output of multimedia content to a digital display device, the manual switch system comprising:
a plurality of source input ports for receiving external media devices, the external media devices storing multimedia content; an output port configured to couple the manual switch system to one or more display devices; a first switching mechanism for selectively connecting one of the source input ports to a processor; a remote source port for receiving remotely rendered multimedia content from another manual switch system; the processor for accessing and rendering the multimedia content on a selected one of the external media devices; a second switching mechanism for routing either the multimedia content rendered by the processor or the remotely rendered multimedia content to the output port of the manual switch system; a remote output port for outputting the multimedia content rendered by the processor to the other manual switch system; a third switching mechanism for selectively routing the multimedia content rendered by the processor to the remote output port for output to the other manual switch system; a master/slave switch for controlling the second and third switching mechanisms, wherein when the master/slave switch is in a master position, the second and third switching mechanisms route the multimedia content rendered by the processor to the output port of the manual switch system and to the remote output port respectively, and when the master/slave switch is in a slave position, the second switching mechanism routes the remotely rendered multimedia content to the output port of the manual switch system; and a manual switch for controlling the position of the first switching mechanism.