Distributed monitoring and control of network components

Abstract

A distributed monitoring system and a computer-implemented method monitors and controls locally situated network components through a monitoring and control device or processor querying the network component operating parameters and sending control commands for controlling the parameters queried. Reports of the status of the monitored network components are periodically generated from throughout the network and sent to a remotely located status viewing station configured to generate a monitoring interface and display the operational status of the network based on the status reports. If necessary, the status viewing station automatically transmits instructions, or a user enters instructions into the status viewing station, for instructing action be taken by the monitoring and control device or processor, e.g., to adjust one or more operating parameters queried. The distributed monitoring system may be particularly useful in monitoring and managing the health of a digital signage network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A digital network configured with a distributed monitoring system for monitoring and controlling network components, the digital network comprising:
 a plurality of local monitoring and control environments each comprising a monitoring and control device and network components, wherein the monitoring and control device is configured to:
 assemble a report of an operational status for the local monitoring and control environment, and 
 transmit the operational status report; and 
   a status viewing station remotely located from the local monitoring and control environments, wherein the status viewing station comprises a processor configured to:
 receive the transmitted operational status reports from each local monitoring and control environment, and 
 generate a display listing an operational status of each local monitoring and control environment based on the plurality of reports received. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the network components comprise display devices within the local monitoring and control environment. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the network components further comprise a content player configured to transmit content to the display devices. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the display devices include one or more large format digital screens, televisions, computer monitors, touch screens, projectors, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the monitoring and control devices is a display device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the display device comprises a computer monitor and an onboard PC. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring and control device and network components are communicatively coupled via wired connections, wireless connections, or both. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the status viewing station comprises a PC communicatively coupled to each monitoring and control device via a network connection or an Internet connection. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the status viewing station comprises a status viewer interface accessible by logging into a website. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the status viewing station is accessible by a PC configured to remotely maintain and update each monitoring and control device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the status viewing station is further configured to display an error indicator corresponding to an identified network problem. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the status viewing station is configured to receive the transmitted operational status reports directly from each monitoring and control device via a web service or an IP-based communication. 
     
     
         13 . A digital network configured with a distributed monitoring system for monitoring and controlling network components, the digital network comprising:
 plurality of local monitoring and control environments each comprising a monitoring and control device and network components, wherein the monitoring and control device is configured to:
 receive updates for programming or software, 
 assemble a report of an operational status for the local monitoring and control environment using information about the installed updates, and 
 transmit the operational status report; and 
   a status viewing station remotely located from the local monitoring and control environments, wherein the status viewing station comprises a processor configured to:
 receive the transmitted operational status reports from each local monitoring and control environment, and 
 generate a display listing an operational status of each local monitoring and control environment based on the plurality of reports received. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the network components comprise display devices within the local monitoring and control environment. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the display devices include one or more large format digital screens, televisions, computer monitors, touch screens, projectors, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the monitoring and control devices is a display device. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the display device comprises a computer monitor and an onboard PC. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the status viewing station is accessible by a PC configured to remotely maintain and update each monitoring and control device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the status viewing station comprises a PC communicatively coupled to each monitoring and control device via a network connection or an Internet connection. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the status viewing station is configured to receive the transmitted operational status reports directly from each monitoring and control device via a web service or an IP-based communication.