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Advanced Video Walls Using the Userful REST API - Userful Blog

Written by Userful | Dec 15, 2016 7:00:00 AM

Userful REST API allows programmatic change to video wall based on presence detection or customer interaction

For years Userful has been pushing the limits of creativity for video walls and public displays, and now, with the newly released REST API, there are virtually no limits on what you can do with a video wall other than your imagination.

System integrators and administrators can now take full advantage of many of the advanced features within the Userful video wall by using the new Userful REST API. This new API provides a platform for any one of a number of tools to programmatically interact with Userful.

This makes installing sophisticated and unique video walls a whole lot easier and it also makes it easier to design powerful customer engagement experiences that boost revenues--and ROI.

 

New API Adds More Power to Userful Video Wall Solution

Here are some of the changes that Admins will be able to program using this new API:

  1. Trigger content or playlists
  2. Save pre-set configurations then trigger these using the API
  3. Trigger zone changes
  4. Invoke mirror groups for signage replication
  5. Set up anyone of a number of trigger events from presence detection, customer touch screen interaction, or content and zone changes based on time of day or date.
  6. Broadcast messages, verify that a message has been broadcasted, and stop broadcasting a message

 

With this new functionality, Userful’s video wall just got more powerful, and now administrators and system integrators have more control over the operation of their video walls. Userful’s REST API is a powerful tool across many industries and use-cases.

 

Example of how the REST API can be used to create exciting applications across different industries:

Retail (Proximity Sensors)

Used in conjunction with proximity sensors (which detect when a customer approaches the video wall), or pressure sensors (which detect when a customer stands in a certain place), to trigger content or configuration changes on the video wall.

Museums (NFC)

Create an interactive video wall that uses touch screens in the museum to allow guests to trigger changes on the video wall. Leverage the use of digital docent devices to trigger changes in the video wall or allow live guides to using their own devices to trigger changes to content messaging or zone layout of the video wall.

Sports Venues (Live Feeds / Goal Scored)

Arenas and Stadiums can programmatically customize video walls to show a sequence of content feeds. When a goal is scored the API could be used to show certain live, canned, or replayed video feeds (or a combination thereof) on the video wall. Home team scores and the video wall can play a 2-second celebration clip, followed by replay video, followed by short sponsorship message.

Office/Lobby (Social Media)

Using the Userful REST API with social media platforms, the video walls can be used to show the company’s feed (i.e. Twitter, Instagram, etc.) for a specific period of time or for specific posts, then switch back to its regular content.

Interactive/Gaming

A video wall can be programmatically subdivided based on the number of players. (e.g., if there are two people, the screens would be subdivided into two; 6 people subdivide into 6, etc.).

Live Events (Conferences / Concerts)

Changes to content or layout of the video wall could be pre-programmed throughout the event so that people on (or back) stage could easily trigger the pre-programmed switches.

Sports Bar

The API allows integration with data feeds (e.g., the Budweiser red-light) to trigger specific content or messaging when the home team scores.

Hospitality

Trigger changes in the video wall when a guest walks through the door or walks up to the “video wall” concierge. Add a touch screen for guests to use the video wall to find helpful information.

Elevators

A video wall deployed in the elevator’s back panel can be triggered to showcase content when it detects people inside the elevator.

Transportation

Allow a video wall that normally displays advertisements to switch to displaying helpful messaging at key times. For example, a video wall could display full-sized advertisements when passengers are waiting and then could change to display messages on a portion of its screens when the train is arriving.

It could also display emergency evacuation info when triggered to do so via the API.

These are just a few of the many ways you can use Userful’s new REST API

To learn more about Userful’s API and how to get started with it, contact us today.

 

Access to Userful's API

API Access is available to Userful customers as part of Maintenance and Support. For those that require support for actively developing for the API or need support or assistance working through any problems encountered while working with the API, they can get access to API developer support for an additional fee.