Patent Publication Number: US-10332478-B2

Title: Systems and methods for decrypting digital art and imaging for display of the same

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/214,017, filed Mar. 14, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/800,681, filed Mar. 15, 2013, and 61/917,067, filed Dec. 17, 2013, and U.S. Design patent application Nos. 29/469,599, 29/469,606, 29/469,621, 29/469,628, 29/469,633, 29/469,638, and 29/469,645, all of which were filed on Oct. 11, 2013 and are now abandoned, the disclosures and teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for displaying digital art, decorations, posters, visual lifestyle, social media, over-the-top, MSO, and other types of digital content on thin sleek display devices for use in a home, office, hotel, gallery, or any other public or private location. The invention also provides systems and methods for managing the display of such digital content, including systems and methods for the distribution, viewing, and control thereof. The invention also includes systems and methods for preserving, distributing, and protecting content through a suite of innovative technologies and processes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Art and photography is used to decorate the walls of homes and public places. Art comes in many styles and colors and tends to be created by painting, drawing, placing, and/or printing colors, shapes, and/or designs on a medium, such as glass, canvas, wood, metal, film and/or paper. Unlike digital displays, once an image is painted, printed, or created on a medium, that image is fixed. Thus, once installed on a wall of a home or public place, the image cannot be changed unless it is repainted, reprinted, physically modified or moved in some way. To display a new piece of art in the same place, the existing piece would need to be taken down with the new piece installed in its place. This is difficult when art is hung in large and possibly heavy frames, making movement, repositioning, or replacement of the same impractical. Thus, there is no means currently to change the pictures, posters, paintings, and photographs on the wall like one can change the songs on their iPod or change the program on their TV. 
     Additionally, there is no TV, computer, or mobile device, or system for display, which allows a user to easily manipulate and interact with art, photography, decorations, posters, applications, social media, visual lifestyle media, over-the-top content, MSO content, and any other types of content onto an internet cloud ecosystem powered elegant thin framed display, where the user can self-adjust every element of the experience. 
     Televisions, computer monitors, and other digital display devices are adapted to present digital images, which can include images of artwork, photography, and other images. However, such devices are heavy, cumbersome, thick, difficult to install, hard to use and not flexible with regard to their orientation and interaction with digital content. Additionally, they generally have fixed orientations, include sound functions or capabilities, lack a fine frame, contain controls and buttons, include power supplies, have on-board processors, and contain many additional features that prevent them from serving as thin displays that can present digital art or other visual and/or audio content in an elegant, unobtrusive, and refined manner. Furthermore, the televisions, computer monitors, and other digital display devices require direct connection to high voltage power making them difficult, expensive, and inflexible to use and install. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
     To the Applicants&#39; knowledge, there is no integrated means to change the pictures, posters, paintings, and photographs on the wall like one can change the songs on ones iPod, and there is also no currently existing broad database of digital art images available for subscription on such an integrated platform. To the Applicants&#39; knowledge, there is also no prior art system to provide a user the ability to easily manipulate and interact with art, photography, decorations, posters, applications, social media, visual lifestyle media, over-the-top content, MSO content, and any other types of content onto an internet cloud ecosystem-powered elegant thin framed display, where the user can self adjust every element of the experience. There is, therefore, a need for a comprehensive digital content system and experience to deliver digital content for easy, convenient, and elegant consumption and display. There are also no current user interfaces in the art which allow a user to interact with and control the display of digital imagery on a remote display device for display of art, photography, decorations, applications, social media, posters, visual lifestyle, over-the-top, MSO, and any other types of content. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention discloses a system and method for displaying digital content, comprising a display device, comprising a display screen, comprising a processor, configured to display digital content, a structural assembly, secured to the rear face of the display screen, configured to mount the display screen on a vertical surface, and a processing controller within the structural assembly, comprising a memory, a display processor, and a power distribution and adaptation module configured to receive power for the display screen, wherein the processing controller is configured to communicate with the processor of the display screen. Additionally, a power assembly, external to the display screen, and configured to connect to an external power supply to power the power distribution and adaptation module, and a connector cord configured to connect the power distribution and adaptation module and the power assembly, are also presented. Further, the present invention comprises a case for the display device, configured to couple to the display screen and adapted to provide structural rigidity to the display screen during shipping and mounting of the display screen. An application is provided, configured to run on a computer with memory, processor, and user input device, and configured to communicate via the internet with the processing controller of the display device and a service cloud to control the display of digital content on the display screen. The service cloud comprises a server, a memory, and a processor, and further comprises a secure storage system, configured to store and manage digital content to be displayed on the display device, a communication controller, configured to communicate with the display device, a provisioning engine, configured to control the provisioning of digital content on the display device, and a digital media content ingestion engine, configured to control importation of digital content. The processing controller of the display device is configured to: segment digital content into a plurality of segments, encrypt one or more of the plurality of segments, send a small portion of each of the plurality of encrypted segments to the memory in the service cloud for storage, and store the remainder of the encrypted segments in the memory of the processing controller. An interface of the application comprises a virtual representation of the display device in communication with the application through the service cloud, and the application is configured to accept a signal from the user input device. In response to the signal from the user input device, the application is configured to detect a display of at least one digital content item on the interface operable to be selected and moved within the interface, select the display of the at least one digital content item from a virtual representation of a digital library on the interface of the application, and move the display of the at least one digital content item from the virtual representation of the digital library to the virtual representation of the display device on the interface corresponding to the desired display device. Finally, in response to the selection and moving of at least one digital content item on the interface, the processor of the service cloud is configured to send the at least one digital content item to the display screen of the desired display device via the internet. 
     In preferred embodiments of the invention, methods and systems are provided for delivering digital art, decorations, posters, visual lifestyle, social media, over-the-top, MSO, and other types of content to a thin, elegant framed display. By creating an ecosystem of ground-breaking devices, enriched digital content, a natural and intuitive user experience, new social exchanges, and innovative purchase options, the present invention is adapted to fundamentally change the experience and enjoyment of art, posters, paintings, photographs, video, and apps and provide a new manifestation of how digital content is enjoyed. 
     In preferred embodiments, the invention includes a display device for artwork or the like—including a lightweight digital display with a thin and sleek design, an application (“APP”), which is a program that enables management of digital content displayed on the Display Devices of the present invention, and an associated Internet Service Cloud, which provides access to digital content displayable on these Display Devices. 
     Display devices disclosed by the present invention preferably range in size from hand-held to potentially over 60″ displays. Preferably, the characteristics of a display device include an ultra-thin (preferably less than 13 mm) minimalistic design with a nearly invisible front bezel and border; an external power supply; ultra thin or small diameter wiring between external power supply and display assembly; a built-in display processor with wireless connection to the Internet Service Cloud; an optional external decorative frame attaching to the device to replicate the aesthetics of a traditional painting; optional digital frames and/or digital matting rendered by a graphics engine embedded in the system of the present invention; and audio-over-WiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), or iBeacon, which allows the device to stream audio to an external audio system. Preferably, embodiments of the Display Device of the present invention comprise no embedded user interface so that all controls occur through a connection to the App and/or the Internet Service Cloud. Additionally, embodiments of the Display Device of the present invention preferably comprises an external detachable structure to facilitate shipping, handling, and installation of the device, and a mounting and installation system allowing vertical or horizontal installation of the unit and leaving preferably a less than 2 mm gap between the mounting surface and display unit which also preferably has the ability to alter its orientation automatically depending on the characteristics of the displayed content. 
     The App is a highly intuitive native software application for a mobile platform such as IOS, Android, Windows and others which preferably manages and controls all aspects of the display devices and allows users to access resources on the Internet Service Cloud. The Internet Service Cloud provides a digital media content ingestion engine and management system to validate, normalize, adapt, protect, and manage rights, and to enforce standards for unique digital content, including still images, motion images, interactive images, app images, and user private content, all of which is adapted to be displayed on the display devices disclosed by the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts an overview of the present invention, a system for distributing, viewing, and controlling digital art and other digital visual and/or audio content; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the various physical assembly components of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the display device and display assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a front perspective view of the wall mounting bracket of the present invention, adapted to mount the display device and display assembly of the present invention on a vertical surface; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates the process of mounting a display device and display assembly of the present invention to the wall mounting bracket seen in  FIG. 4A  on a vertical surface; 
         FIG. 4C  discloses the adjustability of a display device of the present invention, when hung on a vertical surface, in a landscape or portrait configuration, to various degrees of freedom; 
         FIG. 4D  illustrates the rear surface of the display device seen in  FIGS. 4B and 4C  and showing the external processor and electronics secured to the rear thereof; 
         FIG. 5A  depicts the power system for controlling a display device of present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  depicts the LED backlighting power distribution of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of a digitally-rendered graphics frame and mat of the present invention, adapted to be incorporated an in embodiment of a display device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  depicts an embodiment of the first level content storage security and protection system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  depicts an embodiment of the exoskeleton packaging of the present invention used for shipping and installation of a display device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of a physical decorative frame designed to hold the display device embodiment of the present invention as opposed to use of a digital frame; 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of a frame designed for a display device of the present invention and more specifically for use with a mobile device; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an installation process of a display device with the Service Cloud of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12A  is a block diagram illustrating the general architecture and key components of the Service Cloud of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12B  is a block diagram illustrating the components of the Service Cloud of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13A  is a first portion of a block diagram of the detailed architecture of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13B  is a second portion of a block diagram of the detailed architecture of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13C  is a third portion of a block diagram of the detailed architecture of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  discloses the internet cloud storage disclosed by the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart depicting the ingestion workflow of still images and motion images to the Service Cloud storage presented by the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart depicting the creation and storage of interactive and app driven images in the Service Cloud presented by the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  depicts the means for stronger secure—i.e., a higher level protection than first level content storage security and protection system depicted in  FIG. 7 —storage of information disclosed by the present invention by means of dissecting content therein; 
         FIG. 18  is a depiction of the secure process disclosed by the present invention for the re-assembly of securely stored information which was encrypted and separated in the process depicted in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a depiction of the on-premise computing and storage system utilized for a digital art exhibit and display of other visual and/or audio content for commercial purpose disclosed by the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  discloses the audio streaming system of the present invention to an external audio system; 
         FIG. 21A  is a front perspective view of the player of digital art, decorations, posters, visual lifestyle, social media, over-the-top, MSO, and other types of content associated with the present invention; 
         FIG. 21B  is a rear perspective view of the player of digital art, decorations, posters, visual lifestyle, social media, over-the-top, MSO, and other types of content seen in  FIG. 21A ; 
         FIG. 22  discloses the social distribution system of personal user media content presented by embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  discloses the installation procedure of a display device of the present invention utilizing the client application on a mobile device to visualize a room and simulate the desired placement of the display device; 
         FIG. 24  is an exploded view of the Display Assembly of the present invention seen in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a front elevational view of a display device of the present invention simultaneously displaying three separate images simultaneously, each being displayed in full 16:9 aspect ratio; 
         FIG. 26A  discloses a display stand configured to secure to the display device of the present invention for display thereof in a horizontal configuration; 
         FIG. 26B  discloses the display stand seen in  FIG. 26A  configured to secure to the display device of the present invention for display thereof in a vertical configuration; and 
         FIG. 27  is a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of a back plate of the present invention configured to secure to the display device of the present invention for display thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Description will now be given of the invention with reference to the attached  FIGS. 1-27 . Other and further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following descriptions of the various embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the following embodiments are provided for illustrative and exemplary purposes only and that numerous combinations of the elements of the various embodiments of the present invention are possible. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an overview of the present invention system, which includes a Display Device  105  or  106  which is configured to store content for digital display, manage display functions, and interact with a Client Control  107  running a Client Application  108  through the Service Cloud (“VSC”)  101  over the Internet  102 . The Client Application (“App”)  108  allows users to manage the content they display or applications they execute on the Display Device  105  or  106  of the present invention, including by purchasing content to own, uploading user-created content, or, through various tiered subscriptions, accessing a rental library of digital images, which allows users to obtain digital posters, art, sports, entertainment, ambiance, travel, and other content for display. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the present invention system is configured to be set up in a home environment, although use of the present invention in other public or commercial venues is also envisioned. The Service Cloud  101  communicates through the Internet  102  with Client Control  107 . The Client Control  107  has installed on it App  108  to manage digital content displayed on the Display Devices  105  and  106  and perform other account management functions. 
     An Environment  100 , such as the home environment depicted in  FIG. 1 , may include one or several Display Devices  105  and  106 . For ease of reference, only a single Display Device  105  will be referred to throughout, though in every environment and embodiment of the present invention, the use of multiple Display Devices is envisioned. Each Display Device  105  is preferably in wireless communication with Client Control  107 , and is configured to display the same or different digital content as other Display Devices in the Environment  100 . Each Display Device  105  in the Environment  100  may be mounted on a wall in either a vertical or horizontal configuration. Additionally, as will be described in detail later, the orientation of each Display Device  105  is adapted to change, whether manually or automatically, through input from the App  108  on the Client Control  107  depending on the characteristics of the digital content displayed on the Display Device. 
     The devices disclosed by the present invention can ideally be installed in any environment such as a home, office, vehicle, or public venue, connected to the Internet, and linked to an on-line account managed through the Client Application  108  and the Service Cloud  101 . Users have the ability to purchase or subscribe to digital art, decorations, posters, visual lifestyle, social media, over-the-top (delivery of video content without an MSO being involved, i.e., Netflix, Hulu, etc.), multiple system operator (“MSO”), and other types of content, as well as specially designed apps to interact with media content displayed on the Display Devices  105 , or subscribe to external apps that make content reactive to external stimuli. While the Display Devices  105  and App  108  of the present invention are designed for the control and display of numerous categories of digital content, including digital art, decorations, posters, visual lifestyle, social media, over-the-top, MSO, and other types of content, for ease of description, the digital content will hereinafter be collectively referred to as “digital visual content.” This in no way limits the scope of the content available and applicable for the present invention. 
     The Display 
     A preferred element of the present invention is a portfolio of aesthetically designed Display Devices  105  and an overall Display System  200 . It is an object of these devices to render digital art as well as dynamic data-driven visuals and graphics with or without audio, in the most compelling way possible to enhance the ambiance of homes, offices, and public areas and create new ways to consume visual and/or audio content and data of all types. The present invention thereby creates a new digital display product category, which is distinct from existing TV flat displays, computer monitors, and digital frames, by virtue of its unique form factor and holistic user experience, unique wall mounting design installation and procedure and optimized performance for display of a broad range of digital media types extending beyond traditional TV entertainment programming to include all forms of digital content, including digital art. 
     The Display Device  105  uses a different architecture than traditional flat TV or computer monitor devices. All heavy and bulky electronics components, including power and audio subsystems, are removed from the Display Device  105  itself and its Display Assembly  201  and replaced with external components or packaged in one or more lightweight circuit boards to make the actual Display Assembly lighter, thinner, and easier to handle and to install. In place of an audio sub-system, the Display Device  105  uses digital wireless audio streaming to a compatible external third party audio system. Embodiments of the present invention incorporate a powerful processor to manage sophisticated functions such as content self-healing or auto-color calibration to ensure a consistent viewing experience across all devices. Embodiments of the present invention system preferably incorporate WiFi wireless capabilities to connect to local peripheral devices or the Service Cloud  101  through the Internet. WiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), and iBeacon connectivity can also be used to fully integrate into a “connected” home environment where a Display Device  105  can become an intelligent node capable of controlling or reacting to other remotely connected devices such as motion or proximity sensors, home controller, or other Display Devices. The underlying design of the Display Device  105  is modular to minimize re-design efforts when new technologies or display sizes are introduced. 
     Components 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , embodiments of the present invention device preferably comprise several components: a Display Assembly  201 , a Wall Mount  206 , a Connection Cord  204 , a Power Brick  205 , an Exoskeleton  202 , and an Installation Template and Tools  203 , and other optional components such as a Decorative Frame  207  or an Auto-Rotation Accessory  208 . More detail about each component of the present invention follows. 
     The Display Assembly  201  comprises a Display Device  105  which is designed as a bare display system without any user interface or audio. It preferably incorporates an invisible linear touch interface located on side of the device and a pin-hole reset button that is recessed in the frame. It preferably receives power from the Power Brick  205  through the Connection Cord  204  and can be attached to a vertical surface with the Wall Mount Bracket  206 . The Exoskeleton  202  protects the Display Device  105  during shipping and handling and facilitates installation. The Display Devices preferably use a display surface with a rectangular aspect ratio, and diagonal sizes preferably ranging from 20″ to 60″. Customized Display Devices  105  in sizes larger than 60″ or non-rectangular shapes are also envisioned. 
     The Display Device  105  is preferably designed in a modular way to adapt to various display technologies  201 A, including plasma, LCD with edge LED Backlighting or OLED. Graphene display technologies are also envisioned. These display technologies are preferably selected to handle FullHD (1080p), UHD, and 4K, 8K, or higher display resolutions at up to 480 or more frames per second, and preferably deliver the lightest and thinnest display assembly and meet target production cost while providing a uniform brightness in excess of 450 NITS and the sharpest contrast and deepest black possible. The Display Device  105  preferably also incorporates a brightness sensor  201 B to automatically adjust brightness, contrast and color saturation to most lighting conditions and a white and black auto-calibration mechanism to ensure a consistent viewing experience across all displays and most viewing conditions. 
     The preferred embodiment of the Display Device  105  of the present invention preferably has a very thin front bezel that is nearly invisible to enhance the overall aesthetic of the Display Assembly  201  and maximize display surface. The effective border of the display, i.e., the distance from edge of active display area to the outside edge of the bezel, is preferably less than 15 mm. The Display Assembly  201  is secured to the rear side of the Display Device  105  and is adapted to secure to a Wall Mount Bracket  206  for hanging of the same. The Display Assembly  201  may also incorporate an attachment mechanism  201 C allowing the Display Device  105  to attach to a physical Decorative Frame  207 . The rear face of the Display Assembly  201  can be partially open to further reduce weight and facilitate heat dissipation and incorporates a recessed mounting mechanism for easy attachment to the Wall Mount Bracket  206  and connection to the Connection Cord  204 . Unlike standard display devices such as TVs and Monitors, the Display Device  105  can easily be attached to a near-vertical surface either with the Wall Mount Bracket  206 , a free rotation accessory, or the Auto-Rotation Accessory  208 . Hence, its mechanical structure preferably provides the bare minimum structural rigidity required to maintain the Display Device  105  on a vertical surface while reducing the overall weight as much as possible. 
       FIG. 3  is a depiction of the back cover of the Display Assembly  201 . The back cover  301  preferably (1) prevents excessive structural torsion and bending while the Display Device  105  is attached to the Wall Mount Bracket  206 , and (2) acts as a contact radiator to distribute and dissipate excessive heat generated by the iC-DPC  500 , which will be described in detail later, and backlighting LED arrays. Back cover  301  is preferably a generally flat surface with a very small space gap, preferably of approximately only a few millimeters, between any part the back cover and the mounting surface except for the middle section where the Wall Mount Bracket  206  can be inserted into the back cover  301 . The back cover  301  preferably incorporates cross corrugations  303  to improve structural rigidity of the overall display assembly without increasing its overall thickness or weight. The back cover  301  is opened to allow the iC-DPC module cover  2408  to be inserted to complete the back surface of the Display Assembly  201 . The iC-DPC module cover  2408  is preferably snapped in place through a mechanism to facilitate thermal conductivity across the entire back surface of the Display Assembly  201 . The iC-DPC module cover  2408  is shaped, and incorporates contact thermal pads  304 , to create a thermally conductive mechanical interface with the hot components of the iC-DPC  500  modules to distribute and dissipate the heat load across the entire back cover surface area. The iC-DPC module cover  2408  also acts as an additional EMI shield. The middle section  305  of the back cover is recessed to allow the Wall Mount Bracket  206  to be inserted into the back cover with minimum space gap between the back cover and the mounting surface. The iC-DPC  500  electronics modules housed in the iC-DPC module cover  2408  are preferably positioned on the periphery of the back cover away from edge backlighting LEDs  302  to free the recessed middle section. Power connectors  306  are preferably located on the edge of the recessed part of the back cover for wired connection to the Power Brick  205  by means of the Connection Cord  204 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the Connection Cord  204  is configured to attach from Power Brick  205  directly to a Display Device  105  or Display Assembly  201 . In another embodiment of the present invention, Connection Cord  204  is configured to attach from Power Brick  205  to Wall Mount Bracket  206 , which in turn in connected to Display Device  105 . 
       FIGS. 4A-C  depict the Wall Mount Bracket  206  and the process of mating the same to the back cover  301  of the Display Assembly  201 .  FIGS. 4A-C  depict the Wall Mount Bracket  206  itself. The bracket can be anchored to a vertical mounting surface either using the screw holes  402  and provided screws or using a double-sided stick pad  403 , as seen in  FIG. 4A , depending on the type of mounting surface. The adhesive strips provided with the device preferably adhere to most surfaces and can be removed without damaging the surface. The Wall Mount Bracket  206  is preferably circular to facilitate installation of device in vertical or horizontal orientations and to hold a Display Device  105  on a wall and maintain the same, despite the lack of structural rigidity provided by the Display Assembly  201 . 
     The Wall Mount Bracket  206  is a unique mechanical assembly that preferably maintains the Display Device  105  on a vertical mounting surface made preferably of standard construction materials including drywall, painted wood, metal, cement, brick or cinder blocks, preferably with a gap less than 2 mm between the mounting surface and the back of the Display Assembly  201 . The structure of Wall Mount Bracket  206  preferably allows a device mounted in a horizontal or vertical orientation to change from one orientation to another without having to reinstall or modify the Wall Mount Bracket  206 . The Wall Mount Bracket  206  is also designed to act as an intermediary between the Connector Cord  204  and the Display Device  105  through use of thin power connectors that close the power circuit when the Display Assembly  201  is installed in the Wall Mount Bracket. Thin silicon pads are preferably installed at the corners of the Display Assembly  201  to create a slight friction against the mounting surface to maintain the display orientation and prevent the Display Assembly from moving unintentionally. Contrary to standard flat TV wall installation procedures that require screwing a potentially large, heavy, visually unappealing mounting surface or equivalent structure into a wall, the installation of a Display Device  105  preferably does not require many—if any—tools, does not create any permanent damage to a wall, and can preferably be accomplished in less than 10 minutes by a single average person using the adhesive tape. 
     The top end  405  of the bracket is shaped as a wide U to make room for the mating connector  406  that delivers power to a corresponding connector  306  embedded in the back cover of Display Assembly  201 . The bracket mating connector  406  has a wider opening  407  to facilitate alignment of the connector during the installation process and provide some rotation freedom  404  for level adjustments. An outward “wing”  408  is located on each side of the U-shape to guide the mating connection of recessed part of the back cover  301  of the Display Assembly  201  into the right position in case the mounting surface is slightly depressed relative to the surrounding surface. This mating process can be seen in  FIG. 4B . Finally two silicon pads  409  are preferably located in the lower part of the bracket to prevent vibration of the Display Assembly  201  by applying a slight pressure to the back cover  301  of the Display Assembly  201 . 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the Auto-Rotation Accessory  208  can be an independent structure which replaces Wall Mount Bracket  206 . In another embodiment, Auto-Rotation Accessory  208  can be a component which attaches to Wall Mount Bracket  206  already secured to a vertical wall. The Auto-Rotation Accessory  208  preferably allows free rotation of full 90° from vertical to horizontal and vice-versa so that a Display Device may be viewed horizontally or vertically. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Auto-Rotation Accessory  208  also comprises a micro-controller connected to the iC-DPC  500  of the Display Assembly  201  for precise calibration, alignment and control through VSC  101 . This preferably enables the Auto-Rotation Accessory  208  to automatically shift 90° in direction—from vertical to horizontal (portrait to landscape configuration), or vice-versa—depending on the image to be displayed on the Display Device  105 . That is, the Auto-Rotation Accessory  208  is preferably configured to rotate a Display Device  105  based on the desired viewing content. Through the process of mounting the Wall Mount Bracket  206  to the wall to ensure perfect alignment of one side of Display Device  105  with the floor, ceiling, or door or window frame. Thus, the Auto-Rotation Accessory  208  is preferably adapted to rotate a Display Device  105  a perfect 90° to ensure that the Display Device  105  is always perfectly aligned. The Auto-Rotation Accessory  208  preferably incorporates a micro-controller for precise calibration, alignment and control through VSC  101 . 
     The Connection Cord  204  is a wiring system that carries power from the Power Brick  205  to the Display Device  105 . The Connection Cord  204  allows for installation of the Power Brick  205  at a distance, preferably up to 10 meters, from the vertical axis of the Wall Mount Bracket  206 . All types of Connection Cords  204  share a common connector preferably providing an easy-to-use yet robust connection to the Wall Mount Bracket  206  and the Power Brick  205 . The Connector Cord  204  preferably meets safety regulations for transport of preferably less than 30V DC power at less than 6 A over a distance of 100 m, securely connects to the Wall Mount Bracket  206 , and preferably allows for less than 2 mm gap between the mounting surface and the back of the Display Device  105 . Further, the Connector Cord  204  is preferably assembled with the Wall Mount Bracket  206  with one degree of freedom away from the wall and towards a user to allow for some flexibility when the Display Device  105  is mated with the Connection Cord  204 . The actual visible part of the wire preferably enhances the iconic look of the device while addressing practical installation requirements. 
     A first type of Connector Cord  204  is a thin, minimally visible wire that lies flat against the mounting surface to minimize visible cross section. It is preferably made of two conductors protected by silicon insulation of various colors. A second type of Connector Cord  204  is wide and flat wire that can be secured to a wall and “disappear” under a coat of paint. Once installed, the wire can be maintained in place with a cleat  209  that is either attached to the wall with pre-installed sticking tape or simply that maintains vertical alignment by gravity. The cleat  209  preferably has a solid grip on the wire without damaging it and provides a clean pivot to turn the wire from vertical orientation (from the Wall Mount Bracket  206 ) to horizontal orientation (to the Power Brick  205 ) while maintaining a straight line along both axes. Alternately, this thin wire can be installed in a shallow groove on the mounting surface and covered with plaster and painted over to make it completely invisible. A second type of Connector Cord  204  is a thin flat cable that is glued or taped to the mounting surface and can be painted over to camouflage the same on a wall. This wire can be folded to a right angle at the base of the mounting surface to connect to a Power Brick  205  that is anchored to the mounting surface at the base of the wall. A third type of Connector Cord  204  preferably runs in the wall from the Wall Mount Bracket  206  to an exit cleat that connects to a thin wire connected to the Power Brick  205 . 
     The Power Brick  205  provides DC power to the Display Device  105  through the Wall Mount Bracket  206  and the Connector Cord  204 . The Power Brick  205  preferably comprises a power supply, a power cord, a status indicator and an enclosure. The power supply transforms sector AC power into DC power that is required to run the Display Device  105 . The power supply is rated to provide up to 30V at 6 A. The power cord connects the power support to a regular residential or commercial power outlet through a replaceable connector that can be adapted to local power outlet regulation. The status indicator is a simple LED that provides power ON/OFF status. The enclosure preferably contributes to the iconic signature of embodiments of the present invention and facilitates installation in multiple positions, including flat on the ground, leaned against a wall or baseboard, or anchored to a wall. 
     Alternatively to the Wall Mount Bracket  206  and Rotation Accessories, a Display Device  105  could be installed using a display stand  2601  as shown in  FIGS. 26A &amp; 26B . The stand  2601  is designed to attach to the side of the Display Device  105  to hold it straight up on top of a horizontal surface. This optional stand is preferably available in different heights to accommodate the short or long edge of the different sizes of Display Devices  105 . The stand is designed to let the Display Device  105  sit directly on the horizontal surface and to mate flush with the edge of a Display Device with approximately the same thickness as the display assembly. The stand  2601  can be attached to the Display Device with either adhesive tape or screws, and can hold the Display Device  105  in a horizontal or vertical (landscape or portrait) configuration. The design of the stand preferably includes a separate power adapter that can be mated with the power connectors  306  of the Display Device  105  to complete the power circuit. The connection cord of this power adapter can be routed at the base of the display and attached to the base of the stand. In an alternate design, a power connector is added to the side frame of the Display Device  105 , with a corresponding connector built into the stand and power wire running in the stand coming out at the base. The stand  2601  is preferably made of brushed aluminum but can also be made of other materials such as other metals, acrylic or wood. The display stand  2601  is configured to hold a Display Device in either a vertical or horizontal configuration, and a single display stand  2601  is configured to hold a Display Device in both configurations depending on the user&#39;s desire for configuration of the Display Device  105 . 
     As another alternative to the Wall Mount Bracket  206 , Rotation Accessories or the stand  2601 , a Display Device  105  could be displayed free standing—i.e., not secured to a vertical surface or a stand—using a back-plate accessory  2701 , as shown in  FIG. 27 . The back-plate accessory  2701  is designed to re-enforce the structural rigidity of the Display Device  105  for leaning the Display Device  105  against a wall, use the Display Device  105  in a free standing situation where the Wall Mount bracket  206  or rotation device is not used or use with a standard VESA wall mount. The back-plate  2701  is designed to mate with the Display Device  105  using its recessed back cover attachment mechanism  305  and lock in place. Pads are preferably used to create a slight pressure between the back-cover  301  of the Display Device  105  and the back-plate  2701  to prevent any rattle or vibration in any potential free space between the back-cover  301  and the back-plate  2701 . It incorporates power connectors to mate with the corresponding power connectors of the Display Device  306  as well as a connection interface with the Connection Cord  204 . The back-plate  2701  preferably covers the entire area of, and marries flush with, the back cover  301  of the Display Device  105 . Its attachment to the Display Device  105  is designed to maximize heat transfer to further increase distribution and dissipation of the heat generated by the active components of the Display Device  105 . The back plate  2701  is configured to hold a Display Device in either a vertical or horizontal configuration, and a single back plate  2701  is configured to hold a Display Device in both configurations depending on the user&#39;s desire for configuration of the Display Device  105 . 
     The preferred Display Assembly  201  of the present invention, no matter the size, preferably has a maximum and uniform thickness (depth) of 13 mm across the entire surface of the display assembly including its edges. This ultra-thin form factor is obtained through one or more of (1) minimizing of the mechanical structure, (2) design of electronics components to create ultra-thin profile electronics modules, (3) minimizing of the optical stack sub-assembly, (4) design of an ultra-thin power connector, and (5) design of the back-lighting sub-assembly. The mechanical structure of the Display Assembly  201  reduces weight and thickness to a minimum by allowing for greater bend and torsion of the Display Assembly  201  when it is not mated to its exoskeleton  202 , secured to Wall Mount Bracket  206 , mated to the stand  2601 , or mated with the back plate  2701 . The design preferably uses a thin aluminum frame and rear cover that work jointly with other components to create the minimum structural strength required to allow the Display Assembly  201  to remain in a flat plane when securely attached to its Wall Mount Bracket  206 . 
     The electronics sub-assembly, generally referred to as the Display Processing Controller (iC-DPC)  500 , is designed, preferably to a maximum of 4.5 mm in profile (height) and located on the edge of the display, to facilitate heat management and placement of the recessed Wall Mount Bracket  206  receiving end in the middle of the back cover  301 . The thickness of the optical stack sub-assembly made of the TFT glass panel, filters and films, diffuser, light guide plane and reflector was reduced by minimizing the air gap between the layers and thickness of the light guide plane. The reduction of air gap thickness was compensated with improved (passive) airflow. An ultra-thin power connector preferably allows the Display Assembly  201  to mate with the power source attached to the Wall Mount Bracket  206 . The shape of each connector is such that it allows for rotation freedom of approximately +/−5 degrees without losing power connection. A single or dual edge backlighting solution with high efficiency LED arrays is preferably used to match the reduced thickness of the light guide plane while delivering a uniform brightness in excess of 450 NITS across the entire active display surface. Edge LED arrays  302  are preferably mounted on L-shape brackets to simplify the mechanical design and facilitate assembly, increase heat distribution, and contribute to the overall structural rigidity of the Display Assembly  201 . Finally, the Display Assembly  201  is mostly assembled using high strength adhesive tape to facilitate mechanical assembly and further reduce thickness and weight. 
     The Display Assembly  201  preferably incorporates a touch strip  201 D on one or more sides of the display. These touch strips  201 D preferably blend with the material of frame to make them invisible, and they are touch-sensitive to allow for linear analog control of various functions of the device. By moving a finger along the touch sensitive strip or tapping, a user can adjust display parameters or interact with Interactive or App Images. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 4D and 5A , the Display Device  105  preferably incorporates a powerful dedicated processing module and electronics sub-system called Display Processing Controller (iC-DPC) assembly  500  which is configured to control the display of images on the Display Device  105  through a processor connected to the display screen of the Display Device  105 . The iC-DPC assembly  500  preferably comprises three main components: a Display Processor  510 , a Time Controller (T-CON)  520 , and a Power Distribution and Adaptation module  502 . The iC-DPC assembly  500  controls all functions of the present invention and communicates with the Service Cloud  101 . The main component of the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  is preferably based on a multi-core high clock speed ARM® Cortex™-A9 architecture that incorporates a crypto-core, hardware video decoder and a fast I/O sub-system. The crypto-core is used to encrypt media content files for onboard storage and real-time de-encryption when needed. The iC-DPC Display Processor  510  is preferably configured with a minimum of 1 GB of DDR3 or other types of fast random access memory that can be increased to 64 GB and two or more SD-RAM slots for a minimum onboard storage of 8 GB. The iC-DPC Display Processor  510  also preferably includes a number of standard Ethernet, USB and I/O ports, an onboard orientation sensor (to detect horizontal or vertical orientation), and WiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), and iBeacon wireless interfaces and connectors that can be populated to achieve various I/O configurations. The design of the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  preferably ensures that the entire decoded video path is physically and mechanically protected. Specifically, the length of the traces is kept to preferably less than 1 mm and a cover is glued on top of LVDS connectors to prevent probing the raw video signal driving the TFT panel. The entire iC-DPC Display Processor module preferably achieves the lowest profile possible by selecting low profile components starting with the main processor which is preferably less than 2 mm, using a variable layers PCB design and placing all components on the same side of the PCB, including fast random access memory modules (e.g., DDR3). T-CON  520  preferably receives Low Voltage Differential Signal (LVDS) video signal and power over one or two flat ribbons from the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  depending of frame rate. It connects the LVDS to the TTL electronics and drives the TFT panel  521  over a native interface to an electronic module commonly called “Source PCB.” 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 24 , the Display Assembly  201  is preferably made of a front frame  2401 , a TFT panel  2402 , a series of optical films and filters  2404  (polarizing filters and image and color enhancers) held in place with a Guide Panel  2403 , the backlighting subsystem, the back cover  2410  and the iC-DPC assembly  500  contained in the iC-DPC module cover  2408 . The front frame  2401  is designed to provide minimum front bezel width to cover the inactive area at the edge of the glass and contribute to overall structural rigidity. The optical films and filters  2404  are made of thin polarizing filters, image and color enhancers and diffuser plane that are layered to enhance brightness, contrast, color, and image resolution and ensure maximum uniformity of image and motion quality. The backlighting unit is preferably made of a single or dual edge array of LEDs and a heat sink  302 , a specially designed light guide plane  2405  of preferably less than 3 mm to match the actual size of the LEDs  302 , and a back reflector  2406 . The brightness of the LEDs  302  is controlled by the LED driver  509  (part of the power sub-system) which is, in turn, controlled by the iC-DPC Display Controller  510 . The light emitted by the LEDs  302  propagates through the Light Guide Plane  2405 . The iC-DPC assembly  500  is pre-assembled in the iC-DPC module cover  2408  that snaps in the back cover  201  to complete the assembly. The iC-DPC module cover  2408  and the iC-DPC electronics assembly  500  are designed to be used with all Display Assembly  201  sizes to facilitate assembly and reduce production complexity and costs. 
     The Power sub-system preferably includes three main active components: (1) Power Brick  205 , (2) Power Adaptation and Distribution Module  502  and (3) LED Driver  509 . The Power Brick  205  is a universal power supply rated for 150 W to support Display Device sizes up to 60″ with an efficiency rating of 85% and safety margin of 15%. It accepts standard residential AC  504  ranging from 110V to 220V at 50 Hz to 60 Hz and feeds 24 VDC at up to 6 A to the Power Adaptation and Distribution Module  502  located in the Display Assembly  201  through the Connection Cord  204 . Although several types of Connection Cord  204  are envisioned, the preferred wire is made of a very thin (2.2 mm) and flexible 20 AWG (copper) two-conductor flexible wire covered with silicon material. This Connection Cord  204  is very malleable and does not retain any deformation to ensure near perfect vertical alignment when properly installed. The Power Adaptation and Distribution Module  502  uses a series of DC/DC step-down elements to provide 5 VDC and 12 VDC rails  505  to the iC-DPC Display Processor  510 , and a 24 VDC rail  507  to the LED Driver module  510 . The Display Processor  510  sends 12 VDC  506  to the Time-Controller (T-CON)  520  and TFT IC Driver  521  modules. The Power Adaptation and Distribution Module  502  preferably uses electronics components that offer the lowest z-axis (thickness of) profile possible and still offer proper critical de-rating to ensure product quality and longevity. Capacitors are selected for de-rated voltage, inductors, diodes and FETs are de-rated for current, and preferable values preferably depend of the size of the display and design of backlighting. 
       FIG. 5B  is a block diagram of the iC-DPC LED Driver  509 . The LED Driver module  510  receives 24 VDC  507  from the Power Adaptation and Distribution Module  502  and provides adapted power  511  to LED arrays  512  to drive proper lumen level for the LED Backlighting  522  sub-system. The LED Driver module  510  preferably drives up to 200 mAmps per LED string  513  and achieves the lowest z-axis profile possible while offering proper critical de-rating to ensure product quality and longevity. Traditional electrolytic capacitors are preferably replaced with banks of parallel ceramic capacitors to obtain a lower z-axis profile for same performance ratings. In addition, the LED Driver module  510  preferably includes a thin 2 mm connector capable of supporting up to 3 A. The iC-DPC LED Driver  509  also preferably includes a Voltage Output and a Power Management source. 
     The Display Device  105  is preferably capable of presenting one or more of four different types of images: (1) Still Images, which are digital images that do not change over time (a single “still picture” image may be displayed on one or several separate and coordinated devices to create a desired artistic effect); (2) Motion Images, which are digital motion video at various frame rates and various length, which can be looped (a single “motion picture” item may be displayed on one or several separate coordinated devices to create a desired artistic effect); (3) Interactive Images, which are digital images that have interaction between still or motion images displayed on the Display Devices  105  and the mobile apps running on the Client Control  107  to create changes in the image displayed on the Display Device  105 , reveal information through the mobile App  108  when the camera of the Client Control device  107  overlays the App display with the Display Device  105 , and/or trigger changes in the images or information displayed on the mobile app; and (4) App Images, which are real-time graphics renderings—i.e., not pre-rendered video—of visual scenes with or without audio or live data sets or objects driven by a software app and hosted on the Display Device  105  of the present invention that may react to external data sources or user input. 
     App Images are images and sounds that are produced by an Application running in the Display Processor  510  of the Display Device  105  and controlled by an extension to the Client Control  107  user interface that is specific to the functionality of that App. App Images can also stream audio-only content with no visual and/or audio content. The App can be previewed and purchased from an App Store using the Client Control  107  user interface, and it can be installed on the Display Processor  510  of the Display Device  105  by dragging the iconic representation of the App on the Client Control  107  user interface to the graphics representation of the selected Display Device  105  on the user interface. Once selected from an app catalog, the actual download and installation of the App on the selected Display processor  510  is preferably fully automated without any other action from the user. App Images are secured and managed like other types of Images, i.e., downloaded to a Display Device  105  when requested, secured, and prioritized in onboard memory based on viewing profile. App Images can also be locked in the Display Processor  510  memory during production process or when a user acquires the App Image to create a specialized Display Device  105  that can execute a limited number of Apps (e.g., digital signage or video playback). App Images can be driven by an internal data source (i.e., time) or by an external real-time data feed or audio/video stream, or combination of more than one type of data source. Examples of data feed include standard RSS feed—weather, stock market, etc.—as well as social data feeds—Twitter, etc.—or custom or proprietary data feeds—telemetry, game data, etc. Apps may or may not offer corresponding user interface controls and indicators on the Client Control  107 . 
     In addition to these four types of Images, the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  allows for composite Images where different types of Images (Still, Motion, Interactive, or App) are combined into a single display. The layout and composition can be static or change over time, whether through preprogramming, control from external data source, or manual controlled. iC-DPC Display Processor  510  also preferably provides layout management using graphics rendering capability. Layout management allows juxtaposition of several images in one or more predetermined layouts that are adapted to change over time either in a pre-defined way or driven by an external source. Using a number of pre-defined layout templates, the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  can display a plurality of images simultaneously (preferably up to 12 different images, comprising a combination of Still, Motion, Interactive or App Images) on a single Display Device  105 . Layout templates define number and location of each active area (i.e., an area where an Image is displayed) as well as background and border attributes. A user can select a layout template or allow the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  to manage the same automatically. 
     One specific type of layout is illustrated in  FIG. 25 , showing a Display Device  105  in vertical Portrait orientation to display three 16:9 images  2501 ,  2502 , and  2503  vertically, one on top of the other. In the example shown in  FIG. 25 , three images of 1080 pixels (horizontally) by 608 pixels (vertically) are displayed simultaneously, leaving a total of 96 pixel rows for borders and other graphics elements rendered by the Display Processor  510 . Each of these 16:9 areas can display any type of Images (Still, Motion, Interactive or App Images). A user can select this pre-defined layout using the Client Control  107  user interface and assign content to each area independently. Each image in each area is also controlled independently of the others using a specific extension of the user interface. For example, the top area  2501  can display a live video feed of a sporting event, while the center area  2502  can display a scoreboard feed of the same event and the lower area  2503  can display live Twitter feed of the same event. The user may decide to move the sport event (top area  2501 ) to the center area  2502  and select a different sport event to be displayed in the top area  2501 . Finally, playlists define a sequence of Images (including composite Images) that will be displayed sequentially either along a fixed timeline or under manual user input control or reacting to external triggers from the Service Cloud  101 . These images can combine to cover all or substantially all of the display area of Display Device  105  while each maintaining their 16:9 aspect ratio and not compromising the image quality. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, three separate digital content images can be displayed on a Display Device  105 , which is positioned in a vertical (portrait) configuration, so that the three digital content items, when stacked vertically, cover approximately 95% of the display screen viewing area. 
     iC-DPC Display Processor  510  can use its graphics rendering capabilities to create a digital frame and/or digital mat around a piece of digital content.  FIG. 6  is a depiction of the Digital Frame  601  and Digital Mat  602  generated by the iC-DPC Display Processor  510 . A Digital Frame  601  is a 3D shaded graphics rendition of a traditional painting or poster frame that is digitally rendered by the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  graphics engine. A Digital Mat  602  is a 3D shaded graphics rendition of a traditional painting or poster mat that is digitally rendered by the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  graphics engine. A Provisioning Engine  1203  of the present invention preferably automatically adjusts the dimensions and 3D shaded attributes of the Digital Frames  601  and Digital Mats  602  to adapt to the displayed digital media content item and the size and orientation of the Display Device  105  and enforce guidelines defined by the artist and curators. 
     The Digital Frames  601  and Digital Mats  602  can be combined and multiple mats can be layered to create various depth, shadowing and perspective effects rendered by the graphics engine of the present invention. As an alternative to a physical Decorative Frames seen in  FIG. 9 , Digital Frames  601  and/or Digital Mats  602  may be included around any digital content displayed on embodiments of the Display Device  105  of the present invention. These features can be selected from a library of pre-defined styles (varying based on texture, pattern, color, or in other ways). This library is presented in the form of a digital framing store with a wide selection of pre-defined frames and mats and a rule engine (part of the Provisioning Engine  1203 ) to recommend the best combination of the same to match a specific visual and/or audio digital content item based on the nature, attributes and composition of each visual and/or audio content item. The content Provisioning Engine  1203  of the present invention also allows a curator to recommend or limit selection of Digital Frames  601  and Digital Mats  602  for a given visual and/or audio digital content item. 
     Additionally, the Provisioning Engine  1203  optimizes the visualization of digital content to be displayed in the Display Device  105  of the present invention. Specifically, if the aspect ratio of a content item to be displayed, such as a painting, does not correspond to the display area of a Display Device  105 , the Provisioning Engine  1203  will preferably automatically detect this situation and provide a Digital Frame  601  and/or Digital Mat  602  for the image to maximize the display viewing area of the Display Device without hindering the quality of the image displayed thereon. A Digital Frame  601  and/or Digital Mat  602  can be selected from the content library or, if none exists, from the Internet to match the digital image to be displayed. 
     As seen in  FIG. 9 , an optional external Decorative Frame  902  similar to the physical frames that surround traditional paintings or posters can be added to device to enhance the minimalistic design of the Display Device  105 . The optional Decorative Frame allows a Display Device  105  to be mounted in a traditional physical frame  902  and installed on a wall using a traditional anchoring mechanism  903 . The Display Device  105  can be locked in place inside the Decorative Frame  902  using a friction mechanism built into the frame of the Display Device  105 . A Framing Kit is also available to allow traditional frame makers to build a frame where a display assembly will lock perfectly in place and allow for air flow required for cooling Display Device&#39;s active electronics components. For the installation of Display Device  105  using a Decorative Frame  902 , the Connection Cord  904  is preferably connected to the Display Device  105  using a direct connection adaptor included in the Framing Kit before mounting on the wall and then connected to the Power Brick  205 . The Wall Mount Bracket  206  or Auto-Rotation Accessories  208  are preferably not used with Decorative Frames  902 ; instead, a traditional frame mounting mechanism  903 —hook and wire, nail and bracket, etc.—may be used to attach the Decorative Frame  902  (including the Display Device  105 ) to the mounting surface. 
     iC-DPC Display Processor  510  is configured to automatically manage its onboard storage to keep the most current or frequently viewed images in storage within the Service Cloud  101 . This allows older or less viewed Images (Still, Motion, Interactive or App Images) to be replaced with newer content; removed Images can be automatically reloaded when viewing is requested by user. This onboard image management process is configured to be automatically performed continuously without any intervention from a user. However, a user preferably has the ability to lock an image in the memory of the Display Processor  510  to prevent it from being dislodged to the Service Cloud  101  by a more recent or viewed Image. 
     The iC-DPC  500  generates Still or Motion Images by decoding digital media content from local onboard storage  2003 , progressive download or direct streaming. It also provides audio functionality by extracting encoded audio from the digital media content and generating a real-time audio stream that is compatible with third party external audio rendering systems and transmitted over the WiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), or iBeacon wireless interface. iC-DPC  500  also incorporates the V-Sound Engine  2012  which modifies the decoded source audio stream to adapt to the external audio system by modulating audio frequencies or audio range or generating surround sounds channels. The V-Sound Engine  2012  also allows for adjusting a video compensate for lag introduced by the wireless communication interface, transmission, and external audio system internal processing. In order to obtain the optimum audio and video synchronization, the Display Processor  510  has a calibration application which allows a user to visually adjust the video delay to perfectly synchronize with the audio signal using a visual pattern. 
       FIG. 20  is a block diagram that illustrates an embodiment of the general audio streaming sub-system of the present invention. The iC-DPC  500  preferably streams high quality audio embedded in digital media content obtained from the Service Cloud  101  and stored in iC-DPC onboard storage  2003  over WiFi wireless interface (IEEE802.11)  2004  and other wireless interfaces  2005  (including Bluetooth—802.15.1, Near Field Communication or NFC—including ISO/IEC 18092, and iBeacon) to external third party audio rendering systems  2006  and  2007 , respectively. A digital media content item  2008  is re-constructed using data from onboard storage  2003  and decrypted by the iC-DPC crypto-core  2009  before being transferred to the iC-DPC decoder  2010 . The decoder  2010  sends the decoded image/video to the TMDS/LVDS interface  2011  and transfers the audio data to the Sound Engine  2012  before being encoded  2013  and transferred to the audio streaming engine  2014 . Depending on configuration, the audio streaming engine  2014  can send the audio stream across one of the previously mentioned wireless communication interface to an external audio (rendering) system  2006  or  2007  that renders the actual acoustics. 
     The iC-DPC Display Processor  510  includes a secured lock-down processor  510  with a secure booth loader, a signed Android OS running on a secured partition, and security key registers (all features of a security sub-system of a Freescale iMX6 processor preferably used) that are preferably not exposed in clear outside of a trusted application space. All software applications are preferably signed and authenticated before being installed. In addition, the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  mechanical design ensures that the entire decoded video path is protected. Also, as a design and safety feature of the present invention, all removable storage and memory modules are preferably glued to their receptacle socket if not soldered to the electronics module to prevent unauthorized removal without irremediable destruction of the electronics module. 
     The iC-DPC Display Processor  510  preferably uses a Virtual Environment Abstraction Layer (VEAL) Adapter  1220  to allow an App Image connected to one or more external public or private Service Clouds  1216  and  1217  to execute securely within iC-DPC Display Processor  510 . The VEAL adapter  1220  is preferably wrapped around the App to deliver all required resources including Access Control, Management and Control, Content Delivery and Security. It allows the App to communicate securely with its external Service Cloud  1216  or  1217  through its corresponding Virtual Environment  1223  hosted within the Service Cloud  101 . 
     The iC-DPC Display Processor  510  OS is configured to allow for secure remote OS update and application update down to the file level using a signature authentication mechanism. In the case where an OS update is broken or current OS gets corrupted, the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  has the capability to automatically fall back to a previous safe OS version that is stored securely on the iC-DPC Display Processor  510 . Using this mechanism a Service Cloud  101  operator is able to force fall back or remotely install and configure a new OS version with information securely stored on the iC-DPC  500 . 
     There are preferably two mechanisms disclosed by embodiments of the present invention to protect content stored by the components of the present invention: the first can preferably be used for most content types and the second is a security model that offers additional protection for higher value content. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, these two mechanisms are mutually exclusive but complementary processes, though it is envisioned in an alternate embodiment of the present invention that they could be combined. For digital content which are not of high value, the first security mechanism—shown in  FIG. 7 —can be utilized, which segments a digital media item into a plurality of segments before storing the same onboard the iC-DPC  500  and sends only a small percentage of the segments—called a pre-formatted file  702 —to the V-Secure Content Service (“VCSC”)  1218  of the VSC  101  for storage. The second security mechanism—shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , and described in detail later—can be used for securing higher value digital content items  1810 , where content is instantly dissected on the Service Cloud  101  into particles  1507  which can then be further cut into slices  1802  which can individually be encrypted using a Cypher Key  1806  and separately stored. 
       FIG. 7  is a representation of an iC-DPC first level content storage security system design embodiment of the present invention. This storage security model can preferably be applied to all content unless the higher level content security model depicted in  FIGS. 17 and 18  is desired and utilized. A Digital Content Image  700  which has been simply encrypted in the VCSC  1218  can be downloaded by iC-DPC  500  using secured protocol, at which point the Digital Content  700  can be de-encrypted and segmented into a plurality of segments  701 . A small portion of each segment  701  can be removed and packaged in a container  702  (so-called “segment-in-the-sky”) that is provided with an encryption  703 A and sent to the Service Cloud  101  to be stored. The remaining portion of the segments can be re-encrypted with an encryption  703 B and stored together on the iC-DPC  500  until they are reconstructed back together. Thus, each Digital Content Image  700  stored in iC-DPC  500  is missing a key piece of data necessary for the image to be reconstructed. Upon receiving an authenticated command to display a Digital Content Image  700  on a Display Device  105 , the iC-DPC  500  requests the appropriate “segment-in-the-sky”  702 , decrypts it, and reconstructs each segment  701  at step  705  to reassemble the complete image. 
     Embodiments of the present invention preferably incorporate an anti-tampering mechanism  530  that triggers immediate zero-removal of all encryption and segmenting keys and digital media content if an attempt to physically access the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  module is detected. The anti-tampering mechanism  530  is a mechanical switch that is preferably embedded in the iC-DPC Module Cover  2408 . As soon as an attempt is made to separate the cover from the Display Processor  510 , the anti-tampering mechanism  530  is preferably configured to send a signal to the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  to initiate a zero-removal procedure. The iC-DPC Display Processor  510  incorporates a battery to ensure that the switch and processor have enough power to detect and execute this procedure in case power is disconnected from Display Device. A zero-removal procedure has the highest execution priority and can&#39;t be interrupted once initiated. It preferably starts by erasing all registers and keys (replacing with zeros) and then continues by erasing stored Image file indexing and then stored Image files and finally the application software and operating system until it runs out of power. 
     As for any storage system, digital content integrity may be impacted by digital rotting or data corruption over time. To protect against such degradation, which affects the quality of images displayed, the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  incorporates software to continuously monitor the data integrity of stored content for data integrity and requests downloads of parts or complete items if it detects digital rotting or data corruption. This process takes place in the background, ideally guarantees all aspects of stored content protection, and does not impact the viewing of digital content on the Display Device  105 . 
     Embodiments of the present invention preferably integrate the Display Device  105  seamlessly into a connected home network and can be configured to become either a master, slave or peer node. Through its wireless connectivity interfaces, iC-DPC Display Processor  510  can receive commands or send commands from other connected devices or appliances or other Display Devices  105 . Among other types of devices, a Display Device  105  can be integrated with proximity and location sensors, thus enabling it to become “aware” of its environment and react accordingly. For example, it may be able to detect the presence of a warm body or a motion and adjust its displayed Images accordingly; alternatively, it may detect the proximity of another smart device and trigger an action in the remote device or coordinate an action between itself and the remote device. Multiple Display Devices  105  can communicate with one another within wireless proximity and relay (“hop”) messages (e.g., motion detected), commands, or images back and forth to coordinate actions. 
     The iC-DPC Display Processor  510  preferably incorporates standard IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) capability. Once the device is connected to the cloud, all control, command and reporting dialogs are preferably exclusively routed through the cloud using secure IP protocol over the WiFi communication link through a local wireless access point  1104 , thus enforcing a strong security framework and preventing unauthorized access to its resources. The WiFi interface can operate in master (infrastructure) or slave (peer) modes depending on the initialization status of the Display Device  105 . 
     Other wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth—802.15.1, Near Field Communication—including ISO/IEC 18092, and iBeacon may also be used to communicate with remote devices. Local peripheral devices such as audio rendering system or sensors can communicate with a Display Device  105  over WiFi or other wireless communication interfaces to establish a direct link with an authorized mobile Client Control  107  device hosting the Client App  108 . The iC-DPC  500  may also incorporate a USB port to allow external devices such as external sensors to connect and transfer data to/from the iC-DPC Display Processor  510 . 
     A 3G (IMT-2000) and 4G/LTE and 4G/WiMax (IEEE 802.16) cellular wireless interface can also be enabled to allow the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  to communicate with the Service Cloud  101  through a local cellular data service operator network. 
     Exoskeleton 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , the Exoskeleton  202  is a protective shell that is attached to the front side—comprising the display screen—of a Display Device  105  which is preferably formed of glass. The Exoskeleton  202  preferably provides ease of manipulation, handling, and installation of the Display Device  105 , makes the installation process more accurate, protects the Display Device  105  during shipping and handling, and allows for dramatic reduction of the Display Assembly  201  internal structure, thus enabling a much thinner and lightweight design. Preferably, the Exoskeleton  202  is configured to couple to the Display Device  105  to protect it on all sides—except for the rear surface of the Display Assembly  201  which connects to a Wall Mount Bracket  206 —and is adapted to quickly and easily decouple from the Display Device  105  once it is in place on a wall. The Exoskeleton  202  is designed to prevent excessive bending and twisting of a Display Device  105  and provides holding points (e.g., handles) to facilitate removal from the shipping packaging and attachment to the Wall Mount Bracket  206  or Auto-Rotation Accessory  208 . 
     The three main components of the Exoskeleton  202  include (1) handles  802  to grab and manipulate the Display Assembly  201 , (2) locking mechanism  803  to securely attach the Exoskeleton  202  to the Display Assembly  201  without risk that the Display Device  105  will fall and shatter, and (3) Body  804  that provides the required structural rigidity while remaining light and easy to handle. The locking mechanism  803  is preferably made of a plastic material part  805  that pivots behind the Display Assembly  201  to securely and firmly attach the Display Assembly  201  to the Exoskeleton  202 . 
     Installation 
     The Display Device  105 , mated to its Exoskeleton  202 , is preferably delivered new in packaging that protects the device during shipping and handling, facilitates installation of the device, includes installation tools to install the device, and delivers a unique and rewarding “out-of-the-box” experience. The entire packaging and installation procedure is ideally completed in less than 20 minutes by consumers with no specific home renovation or construction or mechanical skills once the location of the device is determined. Immediately upon opening the shipping packaging, a printed protective layer providing a preview of the device is preferably visible. The back of this protective layer also serves as an installation template. 
     The installation procedure may begin without any components other than the Client App  108  loaded on a Client Control  107  device such as tablet T or other mobile device. Using the App  108  a user can visualize what the wall and the room will look like once the device is installed. Using the camera of the Client Control  107  device, the App  108  preferably recognizes the printed pattern  2301  and can overlay a synthetic representation of a Display Device  105  on top of the picture captured by the camera in real-time to simulate the desired placement of the Display Device  105 . Once locked on the pattern  2301 , the camera can be moved around the room and the representation overlay is configured to maintain the right position and orientation of the simulated Display Device  105  with reference to the wall using the mobile device&#39;s built-in accelerometer and spatial referencing system. Once the correct position is located, the reference pattern  2301  can be replaced with the actual installation template  203  included in the packaging. This can be seen in  FIG. 23 . 
     The Installation Template  203  provides a full size representation of the Display Device  105 . It is used on the mounting surface without having to install the Wall Mount Bracket  206  and possibly damage the mounting surface. Template  203  preferably incorporates a bubble level to ensure proper leveling, sticky points to easily attach the same to the mounting surface and make adjustments and markers to precisely determine the position of the Wall Mount Bracket  206  and its anchor points (sticky pads or screws). The Template  203  can be placed on a wall—and leveled to be exactly parallel with the floor or ceiling—and when it is removed from the wall, the markers are preferably left on the wall to direct a user as to the exact desired location of the Display Device and the Wall Mount Bracket  206 . If the user needs to adjust the level to achieve the desired angle, the user can easily detach and re-attach the Template  203  on the wall without damage to the wall. Once the Template  203  is correctly located, the user can mark the wall where screws or adhesive pads will be installed (the template preferably incorporates a chalk-like substance that automatically marks the wall when pressed). The user can then peel off the central part of the template to leave an empty hole  203 A that is the exact shape of the Wall mount bracket. Once the Wall Mount Bracket  206  is installed, then the user is instructed to install the Connector Cord  204  and connect it to the Power Brick  205  (without connecting the Power Brick  205  to a power outlet). The remainder of the Template can be used to guide the actual mounting of the Display Device to the Wall Mount Bracket, as the shape perfectly aligns with the edges of the Display Device to be installed. Finally, using the Exoskeleton handles  802 , the Display Device  105  can be attached to the Wall Mount Bracket  206  by sliding the recessed back cover  305  of the Display Assembly  201  into the Wall Mount Bracket  206  using the guiding channels built into the back cover. The Exoskeleton  202  can then be removed to reveal the glass display screen of the Display Device  105 , and it can be set aside for later relocation of the device if necessary or desired. The last step is to connect the Power Brick  205  to the power outlet to initiate the power-up sequence of the Display Device  105 . The user then removes the remainder of the Installation Template  203  to complete installation. 
     The preferred embodiment for installation procedure  1100  is depicted in  FIG. 11 . In Step 1, Display Device  105  powers up in infrastructure/master mode and displays an encoded splash screen  1102  (artistic rendering with encoded unique ID) while Mobile App  108  is connected to Service Cloud  101  through local Wireless Access Point (WAP)  1104  (or 3G/4G/LTE). In Step 2, a user takes a picture of the splash screen  1102  with Mobile App  108  and extracts an SSID of the device from information encoded in splash screen  1102 ; the Mobile App  108  is still communicating with Service Cloud  101  through its normal WiFi  1104  (or 3G/4G/LTE) connection. In Step 3, the Mobile App  108  switches its WiFi connection  1105  to the device and the user sets local WAP settings directly or copies the configuration from another Display Device. In Step 4, the Display Device  105  restarts in slave mode to connect to local WAP  1104 , Mobile App  108  resets its connection to WAP  1104 , and Display Device  105  registers with Service Cloud  101 . Finally in Step 5, Mobile App  108  receives confirmation that a new Display Device  105  is fully commissioned and ready for normal operations. 
     As an alternative to the configuration procedure presented in  FIG. 11 , the Display Device may use its internal WiFi, BlueTooth, NFC, or iBeacon capability to communicate with the Client Control  107  device. After completing its power-up sequence, the Display Device  105  configures its WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, or iBeacon wireless interface in auto-discover model (encrypted). The Mobile App  108  scans the opening pictures displayed on the Display Device  105  or the QR code printed on the packaging to extract the key information necessary to find the Display Device Bluetooth, NFC, or iBeacon signal, authenticate securely, and obtain Display Device  105  information that is validated with the Service Cloud  101 . Once the Display Device  105  is authenticated, the Mobile App  108  copies its own WiFi settings to Display Device  105  through the BlueTooth, NFC, or iBeacon connection and instructs the Display Device  105  to reboot with the new WiFi configuration that will allow the Display Device  105  to connect with the local Wireless Access Point  1104 . A second Display Device  105  may also auto-discover an existing Display Device  105  in close proximity upon completing its power-up sequence and communicate with this Display Device  105  to obtain its WiFi configuration, thus removing the need for manual configuration using a Client Control  107  device. 
     Display Processor 
     The iC-DPC Display Processor  510  module may also be packaged as a stand-alone unit, hereinafter called Player  2100 , capable of driving a standard FullHD display through a standard HDMI port. The Player  2100  can be seen in  FIGS. 21A and 21B . The Player  2100  is a stand-alone packaging of the ultra-thin iC-DPC Display Processor  510  module enclosed into the ultra-slim form factor of a flat and thin solid preferably having a maximum thickness of 7 mm. It preferably communicates with a traditional display device such as a TV or computer monitor through a standard micro-HDMI connector  2103 . The Player  2100  provides a means to display visual and/or audio media content through App  108  and VSC  101  on a standard TV instead of a Display Device  105 . For example, if a Gallery wants to display some digital artwork on a 105″ display, then the gallery can use the Player  2100  to drive a standard 105″ TV through its standard HDMI port. The Player  2100  is configured to embed the same iC-DPC Display Processor  510  electronics as the Display Device  105 , thus allowing a user to connect the standard TV with VSC  101  so that the standard TV can be controlled in exactly the same way as a standard Display Device  105  would. The only difference between the use of Player  2100  with a regular TV and the use of a Display Device  105  is that the Player  2100  is an external component to a standard TV instead of the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  being embedded in the Display Device  105  itself. 
     The Player  2100  preferably uses a stylized LED indicator  2102  to provide status information to user. The Player  2100  preferably uses the same type of wireless connection as the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  embedded in a Display Assembly  201  to communicate with the Service Cloud  101 . In addition, it preferably has the capability to embed audio along with video into the HDMI signal. The Player  2100  is preferably powered through a standard external power supply. It may also be configured to be powered through its embedded Power Over Ethernet (IEEE 802.3-2012) internal capability. 
     Mobile Client Application 
     A Mobile Client Application (“App”)  108  may be compatible with one or more of the iOS, Android, Windows and other mobile platforms and is used to enable users to control and manage their entire user experience. Its functionalities can also be embedded into web pages available through a Web browser or a single-purpose tablet device. The App  108  preferably incorporates an advanced and innovative visual and interactive design to offer a highly intuitive and stylish user interface to control operations of embodiments of the Display Devices  105  embodying the present invention and enable other functions such as secure access to user account and profile information; review, monitoring, and management of owned devices; review, monitoring, and control of product subscriptions; browsing and management of purchased digital media content; browsing and management of private user media content; browsing and viewing of media content collections and catalog; purchase or subscription of products or services through a shopping cart including immediate access to a payment gateway; access to all social functions including subscribing to specific media content items, updating social network app status, sharing comments, and more; adapt and push selected media content (purchased, subscribed or private) to specific devices; and ingesting private user media content (selecting one&#39;s own still images or video, normalizing to set viewing standards, adapting to the viewing experience of the present invention, and uploading to the Service Cloud  101  or private cloud storage). In fact, the App  108  is the user interface of the Display Device  105  which allows users to control all aspects of its operations. 
     All communications between App  108  and Display Device  105  are preferably routed through the Service Cloud  101  to enforce a strong security framework except for the very limited use cases when a direct Bluetooth, NFC, or iBeacon connection can be established between the Display Device  105  and the Client Control device  107  running the Mobile Client App  108 . The App  108  is configured to communicate with the service cloud over public or private Internet. In turn the Service Cloud  101  is configured to send requests and content to, and receive information from, the Display Devices  105  of the present invention. The communication link is a generally wireless one, through a local network, the connection to which is managed by the smart mobile device  107  hosting the App  108 , but generally proceeds by allowing the selection of the SSID of a local WiFi network and entering of a security key, if required. Alternately the smart mobile device can communicate over its cellular data communication interface. 
     A single Client Control  107  and App  108  are preferably adapted to remotely control several Display Devices  105 , whether the Display Devices  105  are in the same room or across the world. The App is designed to control each Display Device  105  separately or coordinate the actions of several Display Devices  105  synchronously, to coordinate a spatial arrangement of Display Devices  105  where a single digital media content item can be displayed across several Display Devices. The user experience of the present invention is aimed to deliver a pure interactive experience where all complexity is handled by the system to leave the user with a simple and highly intuitive user interface. The primary function of the App  108  is to control the operations of the Display Device  105 ; the App  108  is designed to bridge the separation between the two devices and make them behave as one highly intuitive and coordinated system. 
     The App&#39;s user interface is based on a structured tiling layout where a user can visually group digital media content items (including Apps) and slide a thumbnail representation of the content item to an abstract user interface representation of the selected Display Device  105 . All content management functions can be implemented using this intuitive paradigm. Due to the geometric arrangement of the various elements of the user interface, the user can intuitively select and drag content items to mimic the gesture of “pushing” the content item to a Display Device  105  that is physically in front of, or in some way connected to, the Client Control  107 . A similar gesture can be used to remove images from a Display Device  105  which have been placed thereon by a user. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, all images can be uploaded to and removed from Display Devices  105  by means of the App  108  by using a simple drag-and-drop configuration on the Client Control  107  through the App&#39;s user interface. A user can thus drag an image to a digital representation of a specific Display Device  105  on their App  108  to display an image, and drag the image away from the Display Device  105  representation to remove the image therefrom and place it back in the content library. In another embodiment, App  108  can also be provided with an erase function, by which an image can be removed from a Display Device merely by waiving App  108  (on the Client Control  107 ) in front of a Display Device displaying an image. This will preferably remove the image from the Display Device and place the image back into the content library, in the same manner as the drag-and-drop configuration. The user interface interaction model is designed to manage all types of media content—still images, motion images, interactive images and app images—in the same way regardless of their type of interaction, installation complexity, or operations controls. 
     Similarly—and unlike traditional applications—the execution of an app image is controlled by the App  108  with the simple gesture of drag-and-dropping the App Image icon to a Display Device  105 . The App  108  software is configured to detect the drag-and-drop gesture and to send a command to the VSC  101  to instruct the selected Display Device  105  to download the App Image, install it, and have it ready for execution. This background process may actually cause a slight delay in the appearance of the app-driven image on the Display Device  105  because of the time required for that process. Preferably, the App  108  interface can display an interim image for the brief time during which this process is occurring. 
     The App  108  allows users to create an account, manage account profile, settings and payment information, set usage preference, and review usage and payment history. Each owner of one or many Display Devices  105  has a Customer account. Each user has a separate User account that can be linked to the same Customer account. All User accounts of the same Customer account are able to share access and control of a common pool of devices or digital media content. One of these User accounts is preferably designated as primary and controls specific access privileges for all User accounts linked to this Customer account. There are different types of Customer accounts based on the type of commercial activities that they can perform within the Content Service Cloud  1218  community: selling content, buying content, buying and subscribing to content, reselling content, ingesting original content or simply viewing content. Finally one or several Display Devices  105  are linked to a Customer account along with all digital media content items purchased or subscribed by this Customer account. 
     The App  108  enables authorized users to configure devices linked to the same Customer account. Users can define their profile (name and location), privacy settings (access list, visibility), content restrictions (type of content, notification) and operation settings such as sleep time, audio delay, brightness offset, and maintenance rules and periods. 
     The App  108  enables a properly authenticated user to install and provision a Display Device  105  linked to a Customer account. Each Display Device  105  can be linked to a Customer account using its unique identification number. This number is preferably encoded in the image displayed by the device during its start-up procedure and captured by the App  108  through the camera of Client Control  107 . 
     The App  108  enables authorized users to control operations of a Display Device  105  that is linked to the same Customer account. Users can load or remove digital media content, review storage usage, mirror content from another authorized device, set the digital frame and mat rules, activate/disable playlists, adjust brightness, contrast and color saturation of specific digital media content items on a specific device or control backlighting intensity, pixel hoping, reboot to factory settings, reset network interface or display status. The App  108  also provides access to support and maintenance to enable functions such as browsing knowledge base, chat with a customer support agent, reporting a defective device or service malfunction, or restoring a backup configuration to a new device. 
     The App  108  allows authorized users to manage content that is owned or subscribed to by the Customer account taking into consideration limitations defined by the primary User account owner. Each Customer account has a master content library that contains references to content items which are owned (i.e., digital media content, frames, mats, and playlist) or subscribed to (content channel) by the account. Using the same user interface paradigm as described for controlling operations of the present invention, users can browse, review metadata, preview, and push to the device any content item that is referenced in the account master content library. In addition, a user can add or remove any content item (purchased or subscribed) from a Display Device and create or modify Favorites, playlists or a configuration made of specific digital media content items paired with specific frames, mats, and playlist items. Subscribed digital media content is presented in the form of content channels, i.e., a large number of digital media content items grouped under a common theme and available for display on any device linked to a Customer account for a limited period of time. Finally, users can organize content items in folders or browse by age, viewing frequency, type, viewing locations, etc. 
     If an image is desired to be pulled from the Internet and displayed on a Display Device  105 , upon its selection on the App  108 , VCSC  1218  will preferably determine whether that image has been cached on the Display Device  105  previously and instantaneously download and display the selected image on a desired Display Device  105  if it was not cached. The image will then be stored in the content library  1408  on VCSC  1218  for future use. Any time thereafter that a user wishes to re-display that image, it can be selected on App  108  from the content library and drag-and-dropped to the digital representation of a desired Display Device on the App  108  for display thereon. 
     The App  108  enables authorized users to acquire content items (including App Images) or subscribe to a content channel. Its intuitive user interface preferably allows users to browse content catalogs and collections by keywords, pricing parameters, theme, type, ranking, recommendations and emotional attributes, view metadata of content items, preview watermarked content in the App&#39;s viewer or, for a short period of time, on the device and complete a one-time transaction to purchase content items using payment information linked to the Customer account. Through this process, a user can acquire ownership rights of digital media content (Still Images, Motion Images, Interactive Images and App Images), frames, mats, and playlist items. For playlist purchase, in addition to previous functions, the App  108  also allows user to preview the entire playlist with play controls and watermarked content and preferably automatically generates a list of digital media content items that are missing from customer&#39;s own content library to have the complete playlist. Similarly, a user can acquire limited duration viewing rights for the content included in the content channel through a recurring payment model. Finally, the user interface provides access to commercial terms and conditions of transactions, transaction history and order status. 
     Under certain pre-determined conditions, the App  108  preferably allows certain categories of authorized customers to sell digital media content that was either previously acquired through the Service Cloud  101  or newly added to its own catalog. Typically, resale of digital media content is controlled by the terms of ownership that explicitly determine whether a content item can be resold and the commercial terms that are applicable. A limited number of customer Account types preferably have the privilege to sell content. Once content is fully ingested and made available for sale, the App  108  allows customers to monitor and control the selling process including defining commercial metadata, terms, conditions and pricing, reviewing and accepting or rejecting offers and completing the commercial transaction. 
     The App  108  also enables authorized users to manage their social user experience. It allows users to send, receive and reject friend requests, post status automatically or manually on the internal social network or externally to third party social networks, publish like/dislike, reviews and comments of content managed by the cloud service, make suggestions and recommendations and create or participate in discussion groups and blogs that are open to the entire online cloud community or limited to a private sub-community. User can also trade playlists or join authoring groups that are jointly and dynamically creating shared playlists. All such content can be displayed on a Display Device  105 . 
     Users can also use the App  108  to import their own private user content  2204 , display it on their Display Device  105 , and share it among the Service Cloud  101  community. The user interface guides the user through an automated workflow with gates and checkpoints that allow the user to control the quality and specifications of the media content item that will be stored in the Service Cloud  101 . First, it allows a user to select a private picture or video content item  2201 , in a wide variety of format, from local storage or a third party cloud service. Then, it triggers the upload  2206  &amp;  2207  of the selected content to the Service Cloud  101  where it is preferably normalized, adapted to internal standards and converted to mezzanine format. Finally, a user can make color saturation, brightness and contrast adjustments, and preview  2210  in full resolution on device, add metadata and set share attributes. Once the content is stored in the user&#39;s private library  1408 , the user can browse, organize, edit viewing preferences, push to any authorized device, or delete. The App  108  also allows authorized user to send, accept or decline a share request to/from another user that is part of its social network, modify sharing attributes, review sharing history and trace, review viewing history or withdraw sharing privileges. 
     Additionally, the App  108  is configured to hide all security and rights permissions for the Display Devices  105  to which it is connected through VSC  101 . Thus, a user can send an image directly from App  108  on his Client Control  107  directly to a Display Device  105 —whether their own or one for which he has previously been granted access—without any intermediate steps from a third party intermediary granting rights to do so—or without requiring the interface of a third party intermediary. Previously, a user would require such a third party intermediary, such as Facebook, Instagram, a text message, or other device to send an image to another. The present invention aims to overcome this issue. 
     The App  108  is designed to allow extensions to be added automatically when App Images are installed the iC-DPC Display Processor  510 . These extensions are specific to each App Images. They are preferably encapsulated into the VEAL adapter  1221  that delivers all required resources including Access Control, Management and Control, Content Delivery and Security. The VEAL adapter  1221  allows App  108  Extensions to communicate securely with its external Service Cloud  1216  or  1217  through its corresponding Virtual Environment  1223  hosted within the Service Cloud  101 . Extensions are additional user interface elements which can be loaded onto the App  108  for display on the Display Device  105 . For example, if a user loads a NetFlix app on the Display Device, the App  108  can have additional user interface elements to allow the user to control the NetFlix app (e.g., select a movie). These new user interface elements can preferably be grouped together under a NetFlix panel as an “extension” of the user interface. 
     Shown in  FIG. 10 , Active Frame  1002  is provided for standard mobile device (for example, tablets, iPads, Kindles, Iconias, PadPhones, Transformer Pads, Galaxy Notes, Nexuses, Xperias, Excites), hereinafter collectively referred to as “tablet T.” The Active Frame for a tablet device is preferably made of two mechanical components configured to connect around the perimeter of a mobile device. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two mechanical components comprise: (1) a U-shape frame  1001  with a rail that allows a standard tablet T to slide therein and (2) a straight fourth side of the frame  1003  that matches the design of the U-shape frame assembly  1001 . The fourth side has a locking mechanism  1004  at each end to lock it in place and create a solid frame around the tablet. The fourth side incorporates a male connector  1005  that will be inserted into the female connector of the tablet when the fourth side is locked in place. Different sized Active Frame for tablets preferably match the exact specifications of different types of tablet devices T. The frame preferably aesthetically enhances the viewing experience of digital art, posters, decorations and other visual and/or audio content and may allow a standard tablet to stand nearly upright on a horizontal surface or be mounted on a vertical surface using a simple anchoring system  1006  similar to traditional frame mounting mechanism  903 . Other variations of the configuration of the Active Frame  1002  are also envisioned. 
     This Active Frame  1002  preferably functions to lock a standard mobile tablet to allow it to function solely as a device disclosed by the present invention, thus preventing the tablet from being used for any other purposes than viewing digital media content. Prior to inserting the tablet T into the Active Frame  1002 , the user must load an app  1010  (shown schematically) on the tablet T to enable the tablet to operate in a way that is similar to the Display Device  105  of the present invention. Once inserted in the Active Frame  1002 , the electronics, discussed below, embedded in the Active Frame can send a signal through the tablet connector to inform the tablet operating system to allow only the application of the present invention to run while connected to the Active Frame. Detaching the frame side that is connected to the tablet connector port  1005  will restore the tablet to its normal operations. Once locked, the tablet and frame assembly communicates with the VSC  101  through the tablet WiFi interface and can be controlled like other Display Devices  105 . The Active Frame  1002  preferably draws power from the tablet T when connected through its connector port  1005 , but preferably also comes with its own external power supply to power the active frame and the tablet. In another embodiment, Active Frame  1002  comprises a communication device which is configured to communicate with the tablet T through radio, including Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC, or iBeacon. 
     The Active Frame  1002  contains a processor  1009 , media storage  1007  to store digital media content securely, separately from the tablet&#39;s own storage  1008  and secured registers  1007 A where the frame unique identifier and security keys are stored. This information is used to encrypt, encode and slice digital media content in a way that is similar to the security sub-system of the iC-DPC Display Processor  510 . 
     Internet Cloud Infrastructure 
       FIG. 12A  is a block diagram that illustrates the functional components of the V-Service Cloud  101  that delivers a fully virtualized environment to deliver content and services to iC-DPC Display Processor  510  (embedded in the Display Device  105  and Player  2100 ), the Client Control  107 , Mobile App  108 , and Service Operations Management applications  1224 . These content and services are primarily managed and delivered through native service clouds entirely hosted and operated within the V-Service Cloud  101 . Other services are managed by the V-Service Cloud  101  resources and delivered from other service clouds external to the V-Service Cloud  101 ; these external service clouds can be private  1216  or public  1217 . Content and service originating from external service clouds  1216  or  1217  uses the V-Live Data Gateway  1211  and its Virtual Environment Abstraction Layer (VEAL)  1223  to communicate content and controls to App Images  1220  running in the iC-DC Display Processor  510 , Client Control  107  user interface extensions  1221 , and extensions to System Operations Management applications  1222 . 
     Native service clouds have direct access to all resources of the V-Service Cloud  101  to deliver maximum performance. The main native service cloud is the V-Content Service Cloud  1218  that is designed to deliver visual and/or audio content to the Display Device  105  under user Client Control  107  and managed by Service Operations Management Application  1224 . Other native service clouds  1219  are also deployed to deliver services such as enterprise visual communications and digital signage. 
     V-Live Data Gateway (VDG) 
     The V-Live Data Gateway (VDG)  1211  provides a Virtual Environment Abstraction Layer (VEAL)  1223  to allow external service clouds  1216  or  1217  to deliver their services to Display Devices  105  and the App  108  running on Client Control  107  within the V-Service Cloud  101  environment. VEAL  1223  follows a three-tier model where the top tier is a standardized and structured layer attached to the external service cloud  1216 , allowing the external service cloud  1216  to securely communicate with a second tier made of a corresponding Virtual Environment  1223  within the Service Cloud  101  that directly controls interaction with a third tier which is a VEAL interface attached to the corresponding app  1220  installed on the Display Processor  510  and controlled through a corresponding extension  1221  of the Client Control  107 . The top tier, i.e., the external standardized layer, communicating with the second tier Virtual Environment  1223 , is structured in four elements: content, security, access control, and management, with each element being specific to each external cloud service  1216  or  1217 . In addition to acting as a secure proxy routing data from the external service cloud  1216  or  1217  to and from the Display Processor  510  and the Client Control  107 , the external service Virtual Environment  1223  splits controls from content allowing each one to be routed to and from a different device. By opposition to traditional cloud services (for example a video on demand service) which combines user controls and content viewing on the same device (e.g., a TV), the external service Virtual Environment  1223  allows controls to be routed to and from the Client Control  107  and content to be simultaneously routed to the Display Device  105 . The external service Virtual Environment  1223  also performs deep data filtering to prevent any malware from reaching the Display Device  105  and other management functions allowing both the external service cloud  1216  or  1217  and the Service Cloud  101  to keep track of activity history and other usage and commercial metrics. 
     In simpler situations where data is simply sent from an external source to the Display Device  105  Display Processor  510 , the VDG  1211  acts as a data concentrator to securely route data from an external service cloud  1216  or  1217  to create an App Image  1220 . VDG  1211  uses connectors to receive live RSS, XML or URL data feeds and make them available to App Images  1220  running on registered Display Devices  105 . VSDK  1604 , which will be discussed in further detail, allows developers to create new connectors and/or register their Apps to connected live data feeds. VDG  1211  also incorporates a security filtering mechanism to make sure that live data feeds do not carry any harmful data. 
     A specific application of VDG  1211  and VEAL  1223  is to enable over-the-top (“OTT”) capability for the Display Devices  105  of the present invention by creating an OTT Virtual Environment  1223  that acts as a secure proxy for external service clouds and aggregates their content to be sent to the corresponding VEAL-wrapped App Image  1220  running on Display Processor  510  and managed (e.g., by login credential) and controlled (e.g., by feed selection) through a Client Control  107  and a corresponding “VEAL-wrapped” extension  1221 . Thus, a user with a single Display Device  105  can use the multi-image layout capability of the iC-DPC Display Processor  510  to aggregate several types of App Images  1220  driven by their corresponding Virtual Environment  1223  (for example, a movie feed, a video game feed, or Skype chat feed), so that all images can be displayed separately and yet simultaneously and concurrently on the same Display Device  105  using a preset display layout and under control of specific Client Control  107  user interface extensions  1221 . This can include any combination of still images, motion images, interactive images, or app images. The OTT aggregation capability can be utilized for digital art, poster and decor images, for social networking, for gaming, or even for television broadcast or on-demand or other MSO or OTT content. 
     Using the split relationship between the App  108  and a Display Device  105 , a user can log into his/her own web service account—i.e., social network, media streaming, etc.—on the Client Control  107  and direct the output to be displayed on a select Display Device  105  by simply pushing the visual representation of the web service to the selected Display Device  105  without the need for a third party intermediary. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the present invention discloses the display of digital art, it is also envisioned that the Display Device  105 , App  108 , and VSC  101  of the present invention are configured for the transmission and display of other digital content such as decorations, posters, internet streaming of television or movies, video games, social media, video chatting, social networking, MSO, or OTT visual and/or audio content or even the display of Applications normally accessed on a mobile device. 
     V-Communication Controller (ViCC) 
     The V-Communication Controller (ViCC)  1202  preferably maintains communication with all active Display Devices  105 , routes native data to and from the various native Service Clouds  1218  or  1219  and VEAL-wrapped data to and from Virtual Environments  1223 , and keeps track of the operational status of all Display Devices  105  that are provisioned. Communication to and from each Display Device  105  preferably employs XMPP messages over secured IP connection for signaling a secure payload transfer protocol over secured IP connection for digital media content distribution. ViCC  1202  can keep track of the status of each device through XMPP presence status. Upon receiving a request to upload a digital media content item, ViCC  1202  can solicit a cloud Content Distribution Network (CDN) to deliver the payload to the device. 
     V-Interface Server (VIS) 
     The V-Interface Server (VIS)  1205  is a highly scalable server architecture that handles all communications between the Service Cloud  101  and the App  108  on Client Control  107  to service all functions and capabilities accessible through the user interface of App  108  on the Client Control  107 . VIS  1205  routes native messages from native Service Clouds  1218  or  1219 , or VEAL-wrapped messages from Virtual Environments  1223  to the App  108 . VIS  1205  also routes information and data requests from the App  108  to the appropriate Service Cloud  1218  or Virtual Environment  1223 . VIS  1205  enforces strict positive authentication to authenticate user and validate commands and requests. 
     V-Service Management System 
     The V-Service Management System (VSMS)  1204  is configured to collect all data reflecting operational status and performance levels of provisioned Display Devices  105 , VSC  101  systems and applications, and VSC  101  itself, to generate alerts, reports and dashboards allowing a service operations team to maintain peak service performance at all time, anticipate service degradation and plan capacity. All components of the service disclosed by the present invention (Display Device  105 , Mobile Client App  108 , VSC  101  and its corresponding cloud systems infrastructure) preferably generate status information on a regular basis. 
     The instrumentation is designed with several levels of awareness that can be automatically triggered by an internal rule engine. An operator can also manually put a system or device on a watch list that will automatically trigger a higher level of awareness. Depending on the level of awareness, the instrumentation agent can send different types of information to VSMS  1204  ranging from simple heartbeat to alerts or detailed configuration reports. The remote device sending more detailed information along with the standard heartbeat is called “higher level of awareness” because the central monitoring system is now “aware” of more detailed information regarding the remote device. VSMS  1204  preferably uses a correlation engine to detect and streamline cascading conditions, link causes and effects and perform trend analysis. All data and tools are preferably accessible through secured web services allowing authorized operators to visualize information and rapidly implement corrective actions from any web-enabled device. VSMS  1204  can also automatically capture traces and log for audit, capacity planning, and training. Finally, VSMS  1204  can allow operators to plan and execute system upgrades and updates on a granular basis. It enables distribution and installation of software upgrades and updates based on model number, serial number/unique identification code, region or time zone, date of commissioning, usage pattern and according to update rules set by users. It also enables software upgrades or updates of the Service cloud and its underlying cloud infrastructure. 
     VSMS is designed to route all data to and from Apps Virtual Environment  1223  within the Service Cloud  101  to Service Operations Management applications  1224  that are capable of controlling and monitoring Virtual Environments  1223  and their corresponding Client Control  107  user interface extensions and Display Processor  510  Image Apps. A VEAL adapter  1220  is wrapped around the extensions  1222  to Service Operations Management applications  1224  that are required to properly manage all resources related to App Images. 
       FIG. 12B  is a block diagram that illustrates functional components of the Internet Content Service Cloud  1218 , hosting a suite of cloud applications collectively referred to as the “V-Content Service Cloud” (VCSC)  1218 , which operates to facilitate and support the experience of viewing digital media content on a Display Device and uses the Mobile Client Application to, among other functions, control the Service Operations  1200  of linked Display Devices  105 . The VCSC  1218  may be a private cloud hosted by commercial cloud service provider that preferably guarantees 99.999% service availability and 100% data integrity and recovery, and a commercial Content Distribution Network (CDN) that preferably guarantees 99.999% content delivery. The Service Cloud  101 , VCSC  1218  and CDN preferably provide a demonstrated and audited secure infrastructure framework involving, account security, network security (protection of access points and transmission), fault tolerant design, business continuity management, change management control, and physical and environmental security. 
     The VCSC  1218  preferably comprises a Secure Data and Media Storage System (VSSS)  1201 , a Provisioning Engine (VPE)  1203 , a Social Network Engine (VSNE)  1206 , a Customer Relationship Management Engine (VCRME)  1207 , an Advanced Commerce Engine (VCE)  1208 , a Digital Media Content Ingestion Engine (VIE)  1209 , and an External Content Gateway (VCG)  1210 . VCSC  1218  also uses resources from the V-Service Cloud  101  to communicate with other elements of the ecosystem, such as the Communication Controller (ViCC)  1202  to control all communications with Display Devices  105  through a secured Primary Internet Connection  1215 , the (user) Interface Server (VIS)  1205  to interface with the App  108  through a Secondary Internet Connection  1214 , and the Service Management System (VSMS)  1204  to deliver operations control and monitoring capabilities. 
     The VCSC  1218  is built on a strong security framework to positively identify, authenticate and protect all user requests coming from the App  108  and all communications with Display Devices  105 . Preferably all elements of all instances and representations of digital media content stored in the VCSC  1218  are fully encrypted and protected from unauthorized access through a strict and granular access control mechanism that explicitly defines access privileges for each authenticated user. Preferable performance and scalability characteristics of the VCSC  1218  may be provided by its internal secure signaling fabric using the highly extensible XMPP protocol to signal between all cloud systems, the App  108 , and Display Device  105  embedded software. Using this signaling fabric, all control, command and reporting communications are routed quickly from origin to destination. Each communication instance is secured through an authentication and integrity mechanism that allows receiver to positively authenticate the source and validate the integrity of the data. Hence, in addition to using a highly secured private cloud infrastructure, preferably all communications taking place within or across this private cloud boundary are protected. 
     V-Secure Storage System (VSSS) 
       FIG. 14  is a block diagram that illustrates some the functional components of the V-Secure Storage System (VSSS)  1201 . The VSSS  1201  resides in the VCSC  1218 . It stores, protects, and manages all components of information or data that is ingested through the Ingestion Engine (VIE)  1209 . Through VIE  1209 , an authorized user can upload its original digital media content to its VSSS&#39; library  1406  and create related and derivative information that is also stored in VSSS  1201 . 
     The VSSS  1201  storage architecture includes four primary storage components. The first component is a Metadata Repository  1402  which preferably uses a NOSQL database to store and index all metadata and derived non full resolution digital media representations that are ingested, captured otherwise, or automatically generated during the ingestion process including derivate media format such as thumbnails and icons. Once the decision is made to make media content items visible in the online catalog (i.e., available for browsing, searching, previewing/viewing, purchasing and subscribing), then its metadata is copied to a Commerce Catalog  1403  where is preferably accessible by VPE  1203  and VCE  1208 . VPE  1203  (which will be discussed later in detail) is also adapted to access the Key Vault  1704  and its Cypher Key Repository  1405  to validate and manage digital media content requests. A second component, called the Image Blob  1401 , is a highly scalable and secure flat file system storing the actual full resolution media content (Still, Motion, Interactive, and App Images) that can be distributed to a Display Device  105  in mezzanine format. A wrapper is preferably used to permit storage of all types of digital media content (Still Image, Moving Image, Interactive Image, App Image, Digital Frames and Digital Mats) using a single internal representation, thus speeding up access and transfer and facilitating security enforcement. Together the Image Blob  1401  and the Metadata Repository  1402  are called “library”  1406 . The third component is the Commerce Catalog  1403  that preferably uses an SQL or other known database to store a subset of the library data that is accessible by VPE  1203  and VCE  1208  for commercial transactions. VPE  1203  uses the Key Vault  1704  and its Cypher Key Repository  1405  to validate and manage full resolution media content from the Image Blob  1401  to Display Devices  105 . Finally, the fourth component is the Originals Archive  1407 , which preferably uses the same data structure as the Image Blob  1401  to preserve the original digital media content representation for later retrieval and processing if needed. The Originals Archive  1407  uses a highly secured but low access speed partition of the VSSS  1201 . Digital media content can be uploaded by an artist to the VCSC  1218  in whatever format was chosen by the artist. The VIE  1209  receives this file in its original format and normalizes it into the internal “mezzanine” format that is used to display all digital images on the Display Devices disclosed by the present invention. Digital media content ingested by VIE  1209  can be stored in the Image Blob  1401  in this format as well. However, there is also a need to preserve the artwork or other digital media image in its original format for later processing in a different mezzanine format—if a new format is adopted—or simply to give the assurance that original artwork can be restored in its original format. Hence the original artwork is preserved in its original format in the Originals Archive  1407  using the same interface file structure as the Image Blob  1401 . A fifth component of the VSSS  1201 , the user Private Libraries  1408 , are used to store and manage Private User Content  2201  that is ingested in the Service Cloud  101  to be viewed on Display Devices  101  or shared with the Service Cloud community. Finally, VSMS  1204  has complete secure access to all elements of VSSS  1201  for management and system administration purpose. Critical metadata, full resolution digital media content and original digital media content can be secured using standard asymmetric cryptography whereby encryption keys are secured in a separate Key Vault  1704  hosted in a separate highly secure private cloud and managed by the Crypto Controller application  1809  running in a secure partition of the VCSC  1218 . The same Key Vault  1704  also stores the Cypher Keys  1806  used to re-assemble a higher value digital content item from its particles. 
     V-Provisioning Engine (VPE) 
     The V-Provisioning Engine (VPE)  1203  delivers the core functionality for deploying, provisioning, and delivering the best digital content experience to a Display Device. VPE is a rule-based deterministic cloud software application that works with a Display Device  105  and App  108  to deliver media content items in accordance with commercial right rules and security policies governing their use. VPE  1203  also ensures that the experience guidelines defined by the author or creator of a digital media content item are strictly enforced by preventing unauthorized viewing conditions of digital media content. VPE  1203  is configured to control all aspects of distributing and viewing digital media content on a Display Device, including but not limited to: 
     (1) Rights: ensuring that a Display Device (and its owner) has acquired the rights to store and/or view a digital media content item at a given time and for a given location; 
     (2) Orientations, Sizing, and Scaling: making sure that each digital media content item is displayed in accordance with the viewing rules set by its creator, ingestion specialist or curator (display resolution, orientation detected by built-in sensor, etc.); 
     (3) Framing and Matting: making sure that media content is properly framed and matted to deliver the best viewing experience in accordance with the guidelines set by its creator, ingestion specialist, or curator; and 
     (4) Interaction: ensuring proper coordination between apps and media content and preventing unauthorized apps from entering the VSC  101  and interacting with managed or protected content. 
     VPE  1203  can create and recommend presentation layouts in real-time to combine several digital media content items (all types) on a single Display Device  105  based on guidelines and limitations dictated by the media content author or creator, settings from users and internal provisioning rules. These layouts can be static, change over time following a specific pattern, or change over time driven by an external data source (e.g., temperature). 
     VPE  1203  also incorporates complete Digital Rights Management (DRM)  1304  capability to manage rights to access, load, and view each digital media content item registered with the VCSC  1218 . VPE&#39;s DRM capability strictly limits the number of instances of a digital media content item that can be distributed or viewed at any given time. VPE&#39;s DRM  1304  use stenographical watermark (invisible) to keep an unbreakable trace of all V-managed digital media content items. The DRM  1304  is preferably used to create, manage and deliver a digital Certification of Authenticity that replaces the traditional COA that is common in the art world. The DRM  1304  preferably provides an unbroken chain of ownership and location from initial content ingestion to current ownership and active location is maintained and can be consulted at any time through the App  108 . This digital COA provides authorized users with specific details about a specific digital media content item like identity of people or organizations involved in production or creation, location and time of release (production completion), exact name of the item, exact dimensions, resolution color depth and other representation attributes, name and qualifications of the individual who ingested and authenticated the item, and reference sites, books or other resources that contain related information about the item. Digital COAs are preferably encrypted and locked to current owner. 
     V-Social Network Engine (VSNE) 
     The V-Social Network Engine (VSNE)  1206  enables all social networking functions accessible through the App  108  user interface both internal and external to the VSC  101 . In addition, VSNE  1206  provides a suite of tools to control and manage all aspects of social networking activities. It can keep a detailed trace of all activities for audit, trend and cohort analysis and detection. It can also provide granular control to selectively activate, disable or filter any social networking functions for any item or group of items in the commercial catalog. Also, it has the capability to monitor all social networking channels to detect keywords or combination of keywords and automatically send alerts, post a reply or quarantine information. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 22 , a key component of VSNE  1206  is its Social Distribution System  1206 A that enables a user to upload private pictures and videos  2201  to a private library  1408  in VSSS  1201  and provides such Private User Content (PUC)  2204  for sharing and viewing in a secure manner under strict control of the user. To ensure security, unprocessed private content  2201  is preferably two-key encrypted, encoded and normalized before it is uploaded to the Service Cloud  101 . Private content owner PCO retrieves a private key  2205  to encrypt both the full resolution PUC  2206  and its lower resolution watermarked preview version  2207 . The encryption key exchange is preferably managed through a Third Party Crypto Key Management Service  2202  to ensure that encryption keys preferably never touch the Service Cloud  101  un-encrypted thus denying the Service Cloud  101  from ever decoding PUC  2206  or  2207  without the explicit contribution of the owner PCO. 
     Once fully ingested and stored in the private user library  1408 , VSNE  1206  enables sharing of PUC  1206  or  1207  with other users. Upon positively accepting the receipt of a shared PUC item, the recipient preferably obtains a key pointer directly from the PUC item owner and retrieves its private key  2203  directly from the Third Party Crypto Key Management Service  2202  to preview a watermarked version of the PUC  2208  without ever touching the Service Cloud  101 . The same mechanism is preferably used to send the full resolution version of PUC  2209  to the Display Device  105 . Once delivered to the recipient, the PUC is preferably managed by recipient like any other digital media content item. However shared PUC viewing and re-sharing rights are preferably defined by the PUC owner, encoded in the PUC Ingestion  2204 , and preferably automatically enforced by Social Distribution System  1206 A of VSNE  1206 . These rights define distribution and viewing conditions such as time period for which the private content is available, the type of device on which the content can be viewed, and redistribution limitations. PUC owner can also cancel viewing and/or re-sharing right collectively or individually at any time. The combination of encryption keys managed by a third party service and encoded sharing constraints limits and restricts distribution of PUC within the social network. 
     V-CRM Engine (VCRME) 
     The V-CRM Engine (VCRME)  1207  is a highly secure cloud application that keeps track of all information pertaining to customers and users, registered devices and partners. For customers and users, VCRME  1207  is adapted to keep track of all account information such as name, contact information, usage history, relationships to other customers and users, usage preferences, content and ownership and accessibility and access credentials. VCRME  1207  also keeps track of all registered Display Devices  105 , their relationships to customer accounts and authentication information. Finally VCRME  1207  preferably also manages all data allowing partners, including gallerists, independent artists and content suppliers, to access resources, content and devices according to their access privileges. 
     V-Commerce Engine (VCE) 
     The V-Commerce Engine (VCE)  1208  preferably enables the entire transaction cycle allowing users to sell, buy or loan digital media content that is managed by the cloud service. VCE  1208  facilitates browsing and search for digital media content items through traditional keyword search and an analog tag search engine that identifies content items by a series of tags that have a value of 1 to 100 thus allowing a user to incorporate less tangible nuances in its search criteria. VCE  1208  works with payment gateways to settle the transaction and ensure that proper payment is completed either through an automated credit card transaction or manual invoicing and reconciliation. VCE  1208  also enforces commercial transaction rules by ensuring that royalties and commissions are registered and all parties are properly notified and credited or debited. Finally VCE  1208  is preferably configured to enforce digital rights of ownership and consuming (viewing) by ensuring, as a minimum: 
     1) Ownership: ensuring that ownership is properly transferred and recorded and ownership history is properly updated; 
     2) Uniqueness and Viewing Rights: ensuring that distribution rules such as number of authorized copies, concurrent viewing and duration of viewing set by the originator of the content are enforced; 
     3) Trading rights: ensuring that trading rules determining whether a digital media content item can be resold, pricing and other commercial terms and conditions are strictly enforced; and 
     4) Protection: managing mechanisms that protect the authenticity and uniqueness of all digital media content items and trace potential unauthorized access and enforces visible watermarking of all media content that is displayed in the App, and secure transfer, storage, and traceability of all digital media content that is distributed to a Display Device. 
     V-Digital Media Content Ingestion Engine (VIE) 
     As seen in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the V-Digital Media Content Ingestion Engine (VIE)  1209  is an automated workflow engine configured to control importation and adaptation of digital media content of all types (Still Images, Motion Images, Interactive Images, and App Images) into the library  1602  of the V-Secure Storage System (VSSS)  1201 . Depending on the type and volume of content to import, VIE  1209  offers two primary mechanisms: web user interface driven import tools for low volume ingest  1500 B and an XML-based API for high volume ingest  1500 A. VIE  1209  can also provide a user interface to allow an ingestion specialist to complete origination, curation, commercial and technical metadata as well as metadata that is specifically used by the search engine. Finally, VIE  1209  can provide access to a suite of visual editing tools to modify the way a digital media content item is displayed on embodiments of the Display Device of the present invention. Using these tools, an authorized user can interactively adjust contrast, default brightness, color saturation and black/white levels while watching the impact of these changes on a device display in real-time. All data derived from ingested content or created during the ingestion process can preferably be stored in the VSSS  1201 . During this process, a number of validation gates are created to allow various authorities to approve artistic, curation, technical and commercial information. 
     The Ingestion Workflow of the present invention, seen in  FIG. 15 , preferably uses unique algorithms to maximize the appearance (audio and video) value of content being viewed on a Display Device. It analyses the visual and/or audio content to identify critical viewing elements and optimum sightline, and makes adjustments (such as cropping, scaling, or altering of images, including color enhancement and translation/rotation) to maximize the viewing experience. Each modification can preferably be undone, and a sequential list of recent modifications is preferably available, linked to the media content and saved on the Service Cloud  101 . 
     VIE  1209  provides a web-based interactive authoring tool to support creation of Interactive Images. Using these tools, an authorized user can create Interactive Images by importing Still and Motion Images from a library and adding interactivity using a series of pre-defined interactivity profiles. Each profile defines the trigger and Image reaction. Triggers can be time based, driven from an external data feed or driven from an interactive app that reacts to the presence of an Image. Image reaction can change any aspect of the image or trigger a change in the interactive app. The interactive authoring tool also provides a simulator to test the Interactive Image. Once completed, metadata can be created and validated and the Interactive Image is packaged and stored in a VSSS library  1602 . 
     Using Still and Motion Images  1601  stored in VSSS library  1602 , a creator can use the V-Creative Studio (VCS)  1603  and V-Software Development Kit (VSDK)  1604  to create or modify Interactive Images and App Images respectively. The VCS  1603  provides an integrated user interface to access a suite of tools including an (1) interactive visual editor, (2) an annotation and text editing tool, (3) a visual scripting user interface for the interactive Image mobile app, (4) a visual scripting user interface to create new connectors with Display Devices or external data sources and, (5) a toolbox of existing external data source connectors. 
     The interactive visual editor provides a highly intuitive user interface to select, import and modify still and motion Images, import or create and edit graphics elements, create static and dynamic layouts and collages including overlays and transparencies and synchronize all visual and/or audio elements with external data sources using connectors. The annotation and text editing tool provides a powerful suite of tools to create, morph, and animate visual text elements. The resulting visual and/or audio elements can be used on a Display Device  105  or within the Interactive Image App  1605 B depending of the type of interactivity that is required. Interactive Image App  1605 B can be added on to the App  108 —or be packaged as separate apps linked to the main control App  108 —to allow a user to interact with and control interactive images on a Display Device  105 . Using one of the default Interactive Image App containers as foundation, the visual scripting tool allows a user to rapidly create scripts using a close derivate of JavaScript adapted to the context of Interactive Images; the script controls the interaction and synchronization between the mobile app and the visual and/or audio content displayed on a Display Device. Finally the same visual script editor can also be used to create new connectors or modify existing connectors from the VSSS library  1602  to bind external data sources and events with the Interactive Image mobile App and related visual content. An Interactive Image Simulator  1605  allows interactive image creators to troubleshoot their Interactive Image creation before performing final tests on a real Display Devices  105  in sandbox mode  1606 . “Sandbox Mode” refers to staging a software system in an environment that closely mimics the real production environment for pre-production readiness texting. It is between the product development testing environment and actual production environment. In the context of the present invention, the Sandbox Mode  1606  refers to one or several Display Devices  105  that are connected to a “pre-production” test cloud (sandbox cloud)  1609  to test it in a real environment without the risk of corrupting the actual Service Cloud  101 . This “sandbox” cloud  1609  preferably assists with evaluating and, possibly, troubleshooting readiness issues, and can preferably be used to collect information on the interactive or app Image and make sure that meets all of the release criteria. Finally, a creator is asked to provide the metadata  1607  required to complete the registration of a new Interactive Image media content item to VSSS library  1602 . 
     The VSDK  1604  provides similar capabilities for the creation of App Images. The VSDK  1604  includes (1) a complete Android IDE with specific resource libraries, (2) a suite of connectors to handle Display Device  105  resources and (3) a suite of connectors to handle external data sources. As for the VCS  1603 , the IDE of the VSDK  1604  allows developer to create or modify existing connectors. VSDK  1604  also incorporates an App simulator  1608  and a sandbox where a real Display Device is tightly linked to VSDK  1604  for rapid evolution and troubleshooting iterations. Finally VSDK  1604  is requested to provide metadata  1610  before a new App Image is stored in VSSS library  1602 . 
     VIE  1209  provides access to the VSDK  1604  to allow App Image creators to develop and test their App Images. VSDK  1604  is largely based on a commercial Android IDE whose libraries and other resources have been modified to limit access to iC-DPC resources only. Additional libraries are also made available to access VCSC  1218  resources including “live data feed” connections. 
     As seen in  FIG. 15 , VCSC  1218  incorporates an automated workflow for ingesting digital media content, adapting the content to internal standards, and securely saving it in designated storage space in the Service Cloud. The workflow preferably accepts most standardized media formats commonly in use. The adaptation process normalizes the content to facilitate access by various functions of the Mobile Client App  108  and Display Devices  105 , such as browsing or downloading. The workflow preferably provides content creators and ingestion specialists with checkpoints to ensure the quality of the normalized content and traceability to approval authorities. 
     VIE  1209  preferably supports two types of ingestion process: Low Volume Ingestion  1500 B, using an interactive web interface, and High Volume Ingestion  1500 A using an XML-based API. After initial access control login  1518 , the web interface allows the user to select one or several media files  1501  in a wide range of standard formats to upload to the VIE system where it is queued. All media files are encrypted at the source, before being uploaded and queued in the VCSC  1218 . Captured content is first validated  1502  to detect format or content defects and malware and obtain content confirmation from the owner. Then validated original content can be normalized  1503  to create a number of derivatives representations (e.g., thumbnail) and transcoded to internal mezzanine format and distribution format for full resolution display on a Display Device. Mezzanine and distribution content is adjusted  1504  for calibrated white, black, and color saturation value to provide a consistent viewing experience across all Display Device viewing, including aspect ratio, orientation, size, and scale are adjusted to deliver a consistent viewing experience. Artists also have access to interactive tools  1505  that allow them to make final adjustment directly on the Display Device. All ingested media content is protected  1506 : lesser resolution media content representations are preferably watermarked while full resolution mezzanine media content is protected through the process of dissecting content into particles  1507  presented in  FIG. 17 . 
     All ingested content is managed by a digital rights management system which controls access and keeps a persistent ownership trace of each commercial digital media content item that is ingested into the VCSC  1218  through encoding, encryption and bi-univocal linkage between a content instance, a customer account, and a Display Device. The digital right management system also provides strictly controlled tools to modify and revoke credentials and securely remove all imprints of selected digital media content. VIE  1209  captures and creates a large quantity of metadata to properly describe and index ingested content. Some metadata is captured directly from the ingested file  1501 , while other used-defined metadata  1508  is specifically requested. VIE  1209  can preferably also automatically detect and create metadata  1509  related to the technical specifications of the ingested media content item (e.g., size, resolution, aspect ratio). Once all metadata is created, then VIE  1209  performs a complete consistency and validation scan  1510  before submitting all data for final user approval  1519 . User can pause and resume the ingestion workflow at any time without any loss of information. 
     The final step before submission  1512  of all data to VSSS  1201  is to ask user to accept legal terms and conditions  1511 . Digital media content stored in VSSS  1201  can be regularly accessed and modified or augmented by various specialists to perform product management  1513 , curation  1514  and accounting  1515  tasks. Content and metadata stored in VSSS  1201  is also accessed by VCS  1603  and VSDK  1604  to create and modify Interactive and App Images. 
     High Volume Ingestion  1500 A is initially captured through an XML-based API to allow for high volume and high speed ingestion directly from content suppliers&#39; own content repository. This ingestion workflow is similar to the Low Volume Ingestion  1500 B with the exception of human intervention steps (original validation and interactive adjustment) until final validation in order to streamline the automated ingestion process. 
     V-External Content Gateway (VCG) 
     The V-External Content Gateway (VCG)  1210  enables near real-time transfer of authorized digital media content from an origination point outside of the VSC  101  to a Display Device. Under proper commercial arrangement with an external digital media content catalog, a user could browse and purchase a media content item that is not ingested in the Service Cloud and push it to a Display Device in near real-time. VCG  1210  is preferably pre-configured to gain access to the external catalog and process the media content item. By opposition to other digital media content that is managed by the Service Cloud, external media content items are stored in the user library and fully protected by the digital right management system. 
     Content Service Cloud Architecture. 
     Shown in  FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C , the Content Service Cloud  1218  uses a combination of storage mechanisms to ensure quick access to data, protect all data and deliver peak performance at all scales. The dashed lines represent communication done between cloud components and endpoints done via SSL; dotted lines represent communication done internally within the cloud; and solid lines represent non-secure http. Additionally,  FIGS. 13A, 13B , and  13 C are provided with letter labels A-I corresponding to the communication lines connecting the components of each of these Figures together and how the components of each Figure interact with components of the other Figures. Each of the  FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C  represents one of three components of the architecture of the Content Service Cloud  1218  of the present invention. 
     With an expected growth to millions of assets, a cloud preferably combines highly scalable server capacity and secured storage. Great synergy, performance, and security are preferably achieved by having servers and storage in the same cloud. As a result, scaling horizontally is as easy as adding a server to the cluster. This database is also closely integrated with a full text search engine that can handle full text searching of metadata of millions of assets. The CRM  1305  is a series of http service-based apps with each service having one focus which can keep track of all users, assets, devices, and controllers. Each service will follow the same scalability, security, and access model. With an http load balancer on the front and a cluster of backend virtualized server instances handling individual requests. By keeping the CRM  1305  within the cloud, the core architecture is independent of a third party SaaS e-commerce engine  1301 . The App  108  preferably provides a native e-commerce user interface by using a third party SaaS application REST API  1306  which allows App  108  to browse the product catalog and complete the entire purchases cycle. An XMPP protocol is preferably used for communication between App  108  and Display Device  105 , which delivers blazingly fast, highly scalable, and secure performance in near real-time. XMPP Servers  1307  (“Jabber Backend”) are clusterable to handle scaling, and TLS is supported out of the box. Middleware handles communications between the Cloud CRM  1301  and endpoints (Display Device  105  and App  108 ). This middleware routes messages from the CRM  1305  (HTTP) and translates to XMPP for delivery to the endpoint (App  108 /Display Device  105 ). For securing digital media content, an industry standard DRM solution  1304  is preferably used to provide hardware based decryption libraries for the iC-DPC crypto core and the ability to perform encryption in VCSC  1218 . 
     Protection of Higher Value Digital Content 
     Systems and methods exist to deliver a complete solution for durable and secure commerce of higher value digital content that require further protection. Systems and methods are provided that aim to guarantee the value of higher value digital content, which includes limited edition, high value digital posters, paintings, photos, videos, decorations and other visual and/or audio content (including MSO, broadcast, and content); and by extension any digital document, through durability, uniqueness and authenticity, integrity, privacy, and traceability. 
     Higher value digital content  1810  may be managed, ensured to be durable, authenticated and protected through various mechanisms, including preferably by: (1) using Cypher Keys  1806  to encode the instructions to re-assemble dissected higher value digital content particles  1507 ; (2) ensuring that content-ready-for-display is identical to reference content through a series of integrity markers  1803 ; and (3) slicing each particle  1507  of the dissected higher value digital content  1810  into “n” slices  1802  that are dispersed across various storage locations in the Service Cloud  101  using dispersed storage, such that the each particle of higher value digital content  1810  can be recovered using “m” slices out of “n” where n&gt;m. 
       FIG. 17  is a block diagram that illustrates the process of ingesting higher value digital content  1810  and dissecting the same for secure encryption and storage. A higher value digital content item  1810  can be analyzed and instantaneously dissected in the VCSC  1218  into “p” particles  1507  while a Cypher Key K I1  is created and stored in the secured Key Vault  1704  and its Cypher Key Repository  1405 , located in a secure partition of the VCSC  1218 . Each particle  1507  preferably incorporates a unique Integrity Marker  1803  that is used to authenticate and validate the integrity of the particle  1507  during its lifecycle. Each particle is then preferably pushed to a Storage App  1706  using a dispersed storage model  1707 . Each particle can then be sliced into “n” slices  1802 , wherein n&gt;1, that are dispersed across specific locations of the Service Cloud  101 . This provides two separate and distinct levels of protection for a piece of higher value digital content  1810 . The particles  1507  then preferably require the Cypher Key  1806  for re-assembly of the higher value digital content  1810  from a plurality of slices  1802 . 
       FIG. 18  is a block diagram that illustrates the operations of a Cypher Key for re-assembly of digital content from content particles  1507 . The Cypher Key  1806  will be described in further detail shortly. Upon Request  1801  from a Display Device  105  to display a High Value Digital Content item, ViCC  1202 , working with the Crypto Controller  1809 , pulls slices  1802  stored in dispersed storage in the VCSC  1218  and sends them to a Display Device where particles  1507  are re-assembled and stored in separate secure containers  1805  on the Display Device. Particles&#39; integrity and authenticity can be validated by comparing their integrity marker  1803  with reference markers. At display time, the High Value Digital Content item can be re-constructed from its slices  1802  and particles  1507  using the Cypher Key  1806  pulled from the Key Vault  1704  and activated using the activation code  1808  provided in real-time by the Crypto-Controller  1809 . The same process takes place each time the High Value Digital Content item is displayed on a Display Device and preferably occurs almost instantaneously so that there is preferably almost no lag time between a user dragging-and-dropping an image on his Client Control  107  into a representation of a Display Device and that item&#39;s appearance on the corresponding Display Device. 
     The Crypto Controller  1809  is also part of the VPE  1209 . The Crypto Controller  1809  is designed as a secured application running in a secured portion of the VCSC  1218  to handle Cypher Key  1806  requests from the various devices. It preferably authenticates the device requesting access to a Cypher Key  1806  using its unique identification code and registration information and manages the primary and recovery Cypher Keys attached to each High Value Digital Content item. The Crypto Controller  1809  also manages pre-formatted files stored in the Key Vault  1704  as well as the asymmetric encryption keys used throughout the system. 
     From the moment the original content is ingested into the VCSC  1218  until it is viewed on a Display Device, higher value digital content  1810  is dissected into “n” distinct particles that are secured separately during the ingestion process until they are re-assembled on a Display Device using the proper Cypher Key  1806 . The number of particles  1507  is a function of the size and morphology of the original higher value digital content  1810 . A single file of higher value digital content  1810  is preferably dissected in no less than 5 particles, each of preferably no more than 200 KB. Multiple files of higher value digital content are preferably sliced in no less than “m”×3 particles of preferably no more than 200 KB, where “m” is the number of files. The slicing process ensures that each resulting slice is meaningless by itself and does not represent a legible portion of the higher value digital content  1810 . 
     During the dissection process, an encoded reference marker is introduced in each particle and referenced by the Cypher Key  1806  to re-assemble a complete display representation of a higher value digital content in clear on a Display Device. Preferably, a Cypher Key  1806  is a compact and encrypted hexadecimal sequence describing (1) the method for reassembling content particles, (2) the minimum number of particles required to have a complete reassembly, and (3) the type of cyphering used to protect each particle. Each Cypher Key  1806  is unique and its encoding changes with each key generation. The ingestion process generates as many unique Cypher Keys as there are authorized copies or instances of higher value digital content  1810 . For example, if a still picture is to be distributed in 300 copies, then 300 unique Cypher Keys are generated. Each Cypher Key  1806  is preferably uniquely encoded and encrypted to be traceable to its original at any time. 
     Cypher Keys are initially stored in a Key Vault  1704  that is stored in a secured partition of the Secured Storage System (VSSS)  1201  until the acquirer of a higher value digital content  1810  item downloads the content to its registered device and “consumes” an original Cypher Key. At this point a Recovery Key K I2  is generated in case the Display Device is destroyed and there is a need to create a clone. The Recovery Key K I2  can be left in the Key Vault  1704  or moved to a new storage location. Content Keys are stored separately from the particles and are encrypted. 
     Once an original Cypher Key is consumed and downloaded to a device, it is re-encoded with the unique identification of the targeted device to ensure that the higher value digital content  1810  item is now securely locked and traceable to that device. The Cypher Key  1806  is used by the iC-DPC  500  to request a number of particles that is sufficient to re-assemble a complete display representation of the higher value digital content item. Each content particle  1804  can be stored in an encoded and encrypted container  1805  that is uniquely tied to a single device to ensure that the higher value digital content  1810  item is now securely locked and traceable to that device. These containers  1805  cannot be opened in an environment that does not authenticate the hosting device correctly. Containers  1805  preferably incorporate an obfuscation algorithm to completely remove all traces of itself and its content if tempering is detected. 
     Once a higher value digital content  1810  item is re-assembled on a device, a series of checks is performed periodically to ensure that the display representation is identical in all aspects to the original resulting from the ingestion process. This process is performed using a series of Integrity Markers  1803  that were created during the ingestion process to authenticate the re-assembled display representation of the content item and ensure that its data representation is identical to the referenced original. 
     Access to higher value digital content  1810  is ensured for long periods of time (preferably in excess of 75 years) through a combination of physical storage location, physical storage technology, logical storage dispersion and software application preventing degradation of digital content integrity through digital erosion (or digital rotting). Each content particle is (1) sliced into “n” slices that are stored using a dispersed object model such that each particle can be recovered using “m” slices out of “n” where n&gt;m; (2) each slice being stored on a physical device leveraging SSD technology and low level bit-rotting prevention technology; (3) SSDs installed at different locations selected for their extreme business continuity capabilities, (4) the dispersed storage management system continuously evaluating the state of each slice to detect bit corruption or rotting and re-creating corrupted or decaying data as needed the information if needed; and (5) the dispersed storage management system continuously monitoring slices and storage devices to optimize slice distribution and preservation. 
     One or several higher value digital content  1810  items may be displayed on one or several Display Devices  105  linked to the same Customer account owning the content. The App&#39;s intuitive user interface hides the complexity of setting up a Display Device to display higher value digital content item(s). Several uses are supported: (1) Single device displaying one higher value digital content item; (2) Multiple devices displaying a single higher value digital content item; (3) Single Device displaying multiple higher value digital content items; and (4) Change of Ownership of higher value digital content. 
     Single Device Displaying One Higher Value Digital Content Item 
     The following is an example of the process executed to configure the device to display the higher value digital content once a device (D 1 ) is granted access to a specific instance of a higher value digital content item (I 1 ): 
     (1) The Crypto Controller  1809  initiates download of the Cypher Key K I1  from the Key Vault  1704  that is part of the V-Provisioning Engine (VPE)  1203  to the device D 1 —the Crypto Controller is a dedicated sub-system to oversee the protection, provisioning, storage, privacy, maintenance, and control of higher value digital content. It is partially “opened,” re-encoded with the unique identification of the device, and kept in its Key Vault to lock I 1  to the D 1  permanently, thereby creating Media Content item I 1D1 . 
     (2) K I1  is deleted from the Key Vault. 
     (3) Before the Cypher Key is downloaded, a Recovery Key (K I2 ) is generated and activated. It is stored at a location to be dictated by the profile of the customer account owning the higher value digital content instance (default is a separate partition of the Key Vault). 
     (4) The Display Device uses the information contained in K I1  to download required I 1  slices. 
     (5) Once higher value digital content slices are securely stored on D 1  then D 1  receives the Activation Code  1808  from the Crypto Controller  1809  to complete its Cypher Key. With this Activation Code, K I1  is now complete and able to re-assemble the digital content. 
     (6) The device D 1  processes K I1  to re-assemble the higher value digital content “just-in-time” for consumption. 
     If the device is somehow destroyed, then the Recovery Key K I2  is used to re-assemble the higher value digital content instance I 1  on a new properly authorized and registered Display Device (D 2 ) as follows: 
     (7) The destroyed D 1  device is flagged as “missing” by the Crypto Controller and a notification is sent to the registered account linked to the device to obtain confirmation. K I1  is then de-activated. 
     (8) Upon receiving confirmation, K I1  is permanently destroyed and K I2  becomes the active Cypher Key. 
     (9) Once D 2  is granted access to the same instance of a higher value digital content item (I 1 ), D 2  undertakes steps 1 to 6 (above) initially performed by D 1 . 
     (10) A second Recovery Key (K I3 ) is generated and stored at a location to be dictated by the profile of the customer account owning the higher value digital content instance. 
     Multiple Devices Displaying a Single Higher Value Digital Content Item 
     The owner of a higher value digital content instance may want to display the same content on more than one device linked to its Customer account. In this case, the Crypto Controller  1809  allows the higher value digital content to be consumed on more than one Display Device at any given time through a carefully designed process, an example of which follows: 
     (1) The Crypto Controller initiates downloading of the Cypher Key K 11  from the Key Vault that is part of the Service Cloud to the first device D 1 . It is partially “opened,” re-encoded with the unique identification of the device, and kept in its Key Vault to lock I 1D1  to the D 1  permanently. 
     (2) K I1  is deleted from the Key Vault. 
     (3) Before the Cypher Key is downloaded, a Recovery Key (K I2 ) is generated and activated. It is stored at a location to be dictated by the profile of the customer account owning the higher value digital content instance (default is a separate partition of the Key Vault). 
     (4) The first Display Device D 1  uses the information contained in K I1  to download required I 1  slices. 
     (5) Once higher value digital content slices are securely stored on D 1  then D 1  receives the Activation Code  1808  from the Crypto Controller  1809  to complete its Cypher Key. With this Activation Code  1808 , K I1  is now complete and able to re-assemble the digital content. 
     (6) The first Display Device D 1  processes K I1  to re-assemble the higher value digital content “just-in-time” for consumption. 
     (7) A user decides to consume higher value digital content instance I 1  on a second Display Device D 2 . 
     (8) D 1 &#39;s Recovery Key K I2  is retrieved by the Crypto Controller  1809  to generate a unique K I1D2  Cypher Key. K I2  is then returned to its storage location. 
     (9) K I1D2  is downloaded to D 2 . It is partially “opened,” re-encoded with the unique identification of D 2 , and kept in its Key Vault to permanently lock I 1D2  to the D 2 . 
     (10) K I1D2  is deleted from the Key Vault. 
     (11) Before the Cypher Key is downloaded, a Recovery Key (K I2D2 ) is generated and stored at a location to be dictated by the profile of the customer account owning the higher value digital content instance. 
     (12) The device uses the information contained in K I2D2  to download required I 1  slices. 
     (13) Once higher value digital content slices are securely stored on D 2  then D 2  receives the Activation Code  1808  from the Crypto Controller  1809  to complete its Cypher Key. With this Activation Code  1808 , K I1D2  is now complete and able to reassemble the digital content. 
     (14) The second device processes K I1D2  to re-assemble the higher value digital content “just-in-time” for displaying. 
     Single Device Displaying Multiple Higher Value Digital Content Items 
     A higher value digital content owner may want to consume more than one higher value digital content on the same device either using a pre-defined or manual control. The following carefully designed process is executed to add higher value digital content instance J 1  to device D 1  that is already containing content I 1 : 
     (1) D 1  receives Cypher Key K J1  for higher value digital content instance J 1 . 
     (2) D 1  validates whether both higher value digital content I 1  and J 1  can be stored concurrently with the information encoded in K J1  (i.e., whether there is enough storage space available for both). 
     (3) If J 1  can reside concurrently with I 1 , then D 1  uses the same process as outlined above to securely store J 1  on D 1 . Cypher Keys and content particles are containerized separately on D 1 . 
     (4) If D 1  can&#39;t handle I 1  and J 1  concurrently, then I 1  particles are permanently deleted from D 1  to make room for J 1 . K I1  is kept on D 1  to accelerate a future request to return to I 1 . D 1  uses the same process as outlined above to securely store J 1  on D 1 . Cypher Keys and particles are containerized separately on D 1 . 
     Change of Ownership of Higher Value Digital Content 
     To enable commerce of higher value digital content, Display Devices are configured to execute a carefully designed process when an active higher value digital content item changes ownership. Assuming the previous case where Display Device D 1  stores both I 1  and J 1  and the Customer account owning I 1  sells its I 1  instance to another Customer account, then the following is an example of a process which preferably takes place: 
     (1) K I1  is automatically de-activated (i.e., Activation Code  1808  encoded in K I1  is revoked). 
     (2) D 1  is instructed to delete all traces of I 1  slices (containerized). 
     (3) D 1  generates a destruction code DC I1  from K I1  before deleting all traces of K I1 . 
     (4) D 1  sends DC I1  to Crypto Controller  1809  to confirm annihilation of I 1  on D 1 . 
     Displaying Digital Visual Content for Arts Exhibits and Other Commercial Venues 
     The Display Device  105  of the present invention can also be used to display Controlled Visual Content with or without audio, such as digital arts, digital signage, and other higher value digital visual and/or audio content in the context of art exhibits or other uses where a large number of Display Devices  105  are desired to be centrally managed. Digital art exhibits and similar uses lack a reliable, affordable, secure, and normalized solution for easily deploying higher value digital content  1810  on a number of devices distributed across a closed network. An Exhibit Server  1901  provides a turnkey solution for digital curators, exhibit managers or operator of large public venues seeking a complete solution to display digital content collections. The Exhibit Server  1901  preferably incorporates a number, but not necessarily all, of the functions that are otherwise provided by the Content Service Cloud  1218  in order to remove dependency on a broadband connection and reduce time to display a new digital media content item. It can also exceptionally be used to keep ingested media content items in local storage. 
       FIG. 19  is a block diagram that illustrates the general architecture of the Art Exhibit and Large Venue System. The Art Exhibit and Large Venue System  1900  includes an Exhibit Server  1901  that is made of the Speed Cache  1902  and optional local VSSS storage  1903 , optional Streaming Server  1904  and a number of Display Devices  105  connected through a secured WiFi network. The Speed Cache  1902  is made of a subset  1906  of VCSC  1218  servers and high-speed storage  1907  that work together to deliver content to Display Devices  105  located on a local network faster than if content was pulled directly from the VSC  101  over a public Internet connection  1909 . The Speed Cache  1902  of the Exhibit Server  1901  hosts ViCC  1912 , VPE  1913 , VIS  1914 , VSMS  1915 , and a reduced version of VCE  1916  locally to provide full display and management capability without a permanent connection  102  to the VCSC  1218 . The Art Exhibit System  1901  can also be used to ingest and store content locally using an Ingestion Engine  1209 ; in this case the optional local VSSS storage  1903  is required. Local VSSS storage  1903  replicates the same topology and equivalent security configuration as the VSSS  1201 . 
     A specialized user interface  1910  to preferably control all aspects of the ingestion, management of displays and management of digital media content is provided and optimized for tablet and standard browsers. It preferably combines individual display controls similar to the App  108  with the capability to monitor and control a large number of displays with functions such as preset push of content to all displays or preset trigger of playlists for each display with one action. It also preferably provides controls of the ingestions process and several monitoring capabilities to rapidly identify and troubleshoot issues. 
     The Exhibit Server  1901  incorporates a Speed Cache Server  1902  combined with an optional media Streaming Server  1904  to send and to manage higher value digital content  1810  on a large number of devices installed on the closed network where the Speed Cache Server  1902  is installed. A Speed Cache Server  1902  is an intermediary storage solution which preferably accelerates the display process of digital content stored in the cloud on local devices, and is preferably used when Internet connection is too slow or digital art items are too large causing significant delays between a request to display a specific digital art item and the actual viewing on a device. The Speed Cache Server  1902  is designed as a secure server using the same security and protection mechanisms designed for protecting digital media content stored on the Service Cloud, i.e., dissecting media content into particles  1507  using Cypher Keys  1806  to reconstruct higher value digital content  1810  using Integrity Markers  1803  to validate authenticity and integrity and recreating corrupted particles when needed. 
     The Streaming Server  1904  is used for situations where digital media content is not allowed to be stored on each unit for legal or security reasons or new and very large digital media content items must be presented simultaneously and immediately on one or several units without pre-fetching time. In this case, the Speed Cache  1902  will use an optional Streaming Server  1904  to stream visual and/or audio content in real-time to designated units. The option to use a streaming server instead of the standard upload-and-display model can be configured by an Art Exhibit or Large Venue manager or operator. 
     The Exhibit Server  1901  is not a persistent storage solution; it preferably works with the Service Cloud  101  that continues to deliver critical services such as the Cypher Key Repository  1405  of the Key Vault  1704 , Cypher Key Activation Codes  1808 , and general log, traces and history for external audits. Hence a network connection to the Service Cloud  101  is required to obtain Cypher Keys  1806  from the Key Vault  1704  when a new higher value digital content item is desired to be displayed. 
     The Exhibit Server  1901  also preferably incorporates an ingestion engine to provide the capability to capture new digital media content items and store them locally. The user has the option to keep the ingested digital media and metadata in the Service Cloud  101  or stored in an (optional) local VSSS-like storage unit  1903 . However, encryption keys and other security services are still provided by the Service Cloud at all time. The Exhibit Server  1901  provides other services such as catalog, search, playlist editor and usage report generator to facilitate deployment and management of medium to large size digital art exhibit. A specially designed mobile app  1910  connected to the local Exhibit Server facilitates setting-up, configuring, operating, and managing a complete digital art exhibit. 
     It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular feature or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.