Patent Publication Number: US-2015084838-A1

Title: Public Signage

Description:
COPYRIGHT NOTIFICATION 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its attachments contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Video displays are common in public spaces. New York&#39;s Times Square, for example, has many large electronic signs that advertise products and services. Electronic signage is also found in stores and in stadiums. Conventional public signage, though, lacks an ability to publically interact with the people observing the public signage. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments are understood when the following Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1-3  are simplified schematics illustrating an environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates dual-formatting, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIGS. 5-6  are schematics illustrating an alternate environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented; 
         FIG. 7  is a more detailed schematic illustrating the operating environment, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic illustrating a registration process, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIGS. 9-11  are schematics illustrating location-based pairing, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic illustrating network pairing, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic illustrating alternative pairing schemes, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic illustrating display instructions, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic illustrating a search for a closest electronic public sign, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic illustrating queuing of responses, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic illustrating signage services, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic illustrating proactive content, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic illustrating an upload of content, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic illustrating content blocking, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic illustrating privacy settings, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic illustrating requested hand-offs, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic illustrating availability, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic illustrating a common response, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIGS. 25-27  are schematics further illustrating the common response, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 28  is a schematic illustrating an alternate operating environment, according to exemplary embodiments; and 
         FIGS. 29-30  depict still more operating environments for additional aspects of the exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the exemplary embodiments to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). 
     Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating the exemplary embodiments. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named manufacturer. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first device could be termed a second device, and, similarly, a second device could be termed a first device without departing from the teachings of the disclosure. 
       FIGS. 1-4  are simplified schematics illustrating an environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented.  FIG. 1  illustrates a mobile device  20  that interacts with an electronic public sign  22  using a communications network  24 . The mobile device  20 , for simplicity, is illustrated as a smart phone  26 , but the mobile device  20  may be any mobile or stationary processor-controlled device (as later paragraphs will explain). As a user of the mobile device  20  stands before the electronic public sign  22 , the user may wish to interact with the electronic public sign  22 . The user may thus cause the mobile device  20  to submit a query  28  for some information. The user, for example, may wish to obtain a news article, product information, or an answer to a question. Whatever the query  28 , the query  28  routes along the communications network  24  to a server  30 . The server  30  retrieves a response  32  to the query  28 , and the server  30  sends the response  32  to a network address associated with the electronic public sign  22 . The electronic public sign  22  thus publically displays the response  32  to the user&#39;s query  28 . The response  32 , in other words, is publically displayed for all to see and hear. The electronic public sign  22  may be any display device using any technology, such as LED, LCD, and Plasma components. 
       FIGS. 2-3  illustrate multiple users interacting with the electronic public sign  22 . Public environments will have many people who wish to interact with the electronic public sign  22 .  FIG. 2 , then, illustrates several queries  28  sent from mobile devices  20  crowded around the electronic public sign  22 . The queries  28  route along the communications network  24  to the network address associated with the server  30 . The server  30  retrieves the various responses  32  to the queries  28 . The server  30  sends the responses  32  to the network address associated with the electronic public sign  22 . 
       FIG. 3  further illustrates public display of the responses  32 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the electronic public sign  22  as a large screen display at a baseball field. As crowds gather in public places, the mobile devices (not shown) in the crowd submit the queries (illustrated as reference numeral  28  in  FIGS. 1-2 ), and the electronic public sign  22  displays each response  32 . Multiple people in the crowd, using their respective mobile devices, may thus submit queries, and the various responses  32  are publically displayed for the crowd to observe. 
     Exemplary embodiments thus extend social interactions. The electronic public sign  22  allows multiple, mobile devices  20  to share a single, public display. Individual users may request advertisements, stock quotes, driving/walking directions, movie clips, websites, or any other information or content. Whatever the query request, the different queries  28  may be simultaneously processed so that each response  32  is publically displayed by the electronic public sign  22 . Exemplary embodiments thus provide simultaneous interactions between multiple devices  20  and the single electronic public sign  22 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates dual-formatting of the response  32 , according to exemplary embodiments. When the user&#39;s mobile device  20  submits the query  28 , two or more versions of the response  32  may be generated.  FIG. 4  thus illustrates a public response  34  and a private response  36 . The public response  34  is sent to the network address associated with the electronic public sign  22 . The private response  36 , however, may be sent to the network address associated with the mobile device  20 . That is, the public response  34  is processed and/or formatted for the size and capabilities of the electronic public sign  22 . The private response  36  may be separately processed and/or formatted for the size and capabilities of the mobile device  20 . The server  30  may query for, retrieve, or be informed of the capabilities of the electronic public sign  22  (such as its model, display size, video capabilities, and other performance characteristics). The server  30  may, likewise, obtain the capabilities of the mobile device  20  (such as its model, display screen size, video capabilities, and other performance characteristics). Exemplary embodiments may thus generate the different, but dual-responses  34  and  36 , one for public consumption and another one for private consumption. 
     The dual-formatting is further explained. When the response  32  is determined, the public response  34  and the private response  36  may have the same, or nearly the same, content. That is, the public response  34  and the private response  36  may be nearly identical (perhaps a copy) and nearly simultaneously sent to two different destinations (e.g., the mobile device  20  and the electronic public sign  22 ). The private response  36 , however, may have less content than the public response  24 , as the mobile device  20  will likely have a much smaller display screen. The private response  36  may thus be formatted to abbreviate, redact, reduce, and/or trim the content to suit wireless bandwidth and screen size. 
     The dual-formatting may also reflect public/private considerations. When the mobile device  20  submits the query  28 , some portions of the response  32  may be desirable or appropriate for public consumption. Other portions, however, may be private. For example, some portions of the response  32  may contain names, images, or account numbers that the user does not wish to be publically displayed. Some portions of the response  32  may contain content that is inappropriate for public display (such as violence and nudity). So, when the response  32  is generated, the server  30  may generate the public response  34  for public display by the electronic public sign  20 . Not only may the public response  34  be formatted for the electronic public sign  20 , but the public response  34  may be redacted and/or sanitized for public consumption. The server  30  may format the public response  34  to hide or remove names, social security numbers, images, and any other personal/private information. The server  30  may even remove content that is deemed socially offending. The private response  36 , however, may retain any information that is private or offensive. The server  30  may thus implement dual formatting to simultaneously resolve public and private considerations. This disclosure will discuss personal/private concepts in later paragraphs. 
       FIGS. 5-6  are schematics illustrating an alternate environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented. Here there are several electronic public signs  22  communicating with the server  30  and with the communications network  24 . That is, the server  30  may control a network  40  of the electronic public signs  22 . Each individual electronic public sign  22  has its own corresponding, unique network address  42 . Whatever the query  28 , the corresponding public response  34  may thus be sent to any network address  42  of any electronic public sign  22  in the network  40 . This addressability enhances many services and features, which later paragraphs will explain. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates one or more cameras  50  and microphones  52 . As users pass by, or gather around, the electronic public sign  22  may interact with the users based on speech inputs, touch inputs, and/or gesture inputs. The camera  50  and/or the microphone  52  enable exemplary embodiments to respond to the users&#39; speech inputs and their gestures. Exemplary embodiments may simultaneously process any inputs from multiple mobile devices. That is, the mobile device  20  may also control the interaction on the electronic public sign  22  using speech and touch. The audio/video sources displayed on the electronic public sign  22  may be used in conjunction with the inputs from the mobile device  20  to manage and optimize the interaction and handoff back and forth between the mobile device  20  and the electronic public sign  22 . At the same time, the audio/video sensors built into the electronic public sign  22  are watching and hearing who is speaking into their mobile device  20 , which is in sync with the content  54  displayed by the electronic public sign  22 . 
     Exemplary embodiments may be cloud-based. The central server  30  may process any interactions between the mobile device  20  and the electronic public sign  22 . The central server  30  may execute a server-side algorithm  56 , which may function has a virtual service agent. Each mobile device  20  may execute a device-side algorithm  58 . The synchronization between different instances of the same mobile application used by different users in front of different electronic public signs  22  allows the virtual service agent to send back the customized responses  32  in real time or nearly in real time. Any microphones on the mobile devices  20  enable the virtual service agent to receive high-quality speech input while the far-field video/microphone array subsystem  50 ,  52  enables the virtual service agent to determine which user is speaking and when the user has finished speaking. The network  40  of the electronic public signs  22  may thus provide a cloud-based service operated through a number of geo-distributed electronic public signs  22  networked together and controlled by one or more speech-enabled and vision-enabled virtual service agents. Each virtual service agent may control the electronic public signs  22  for a set of products from a retail merchant (e.g., MACY&#39;S®, HOME DEPOT®, and AMAZON®). 
     The mobile devices  20  interact with the electronic public sign  22 . The centralized virtual service agent software system allows users in front of the electronic public sign  22  to interact directly or indirectly through modalities such as voice inputs, screen touches, hand gestures, and/or facial expressions. Direct interaction with the virtual service agent can be accomplished though speech, gestures, and any other inputs captured by the microphone  52 , camera  50 , and other sensors locally attached to the electronic public sign  22 . Indirect interaction with the virtual service agent can be similarly captured by the device-side algorithm  58  running on the user&#39;s mobile device  20 . These interactions may be personified using a 3D human-like avatar displayed on the electronic public sign  22  or voiced through attached media systems. Exemplary embodiments may intelligently switch between direct and indirect interactions according to privacy/personal settings and modality needs of the user (in crowded settings, some users may not feel comfortable speaking into the microphone  52  built into the electronic public sign  22 ). Any inputs made to the mobile device  20  may be sent into the communications network and processed to control the electronic public sign  22 . 
     Exemplary embodiments provide many conveniences. The user of the mobile device  20  may query for, retrieve, and publically share product and service information. For example, a mobile user standing in a long line at a movie theater ticketing office may want to know about movie choices of other people in front of the line. Similarly, knowing about popular purchases or being able to identify the recent purchase of other shoppers at a department store would be very valuable to both the consumer looking for similar merchandise and the retailer, who can garner additional sales, simply by informing other shoppers in a convenient and personalized way. The electronic public sign  22  thus allows simultaneous, multiple user interactions using their respective mobile devices  20 . In addition, the small display screen on the smart phone  26  and other mobile devices  20  is a limiting factor when looking for physical products and their actual sizes for product comparisons. Moreover, slow data connections are exacerbated in a crowded indoor space such as a shopping mall where the over-the-air bandwidth is limited. The electronic public sign  22 , instead, can have fast wired network connections that relieve congestion and bottlenecks in wireless networks. 
     Exemplary embodiments benefit retailers. The network  40  of the electronic public signs  22  allows a retail operator to provide a variety of time sensitive and location-specific product information to targeted consumers who are near one of the electronic public signs  22 . Each electronic public sign  22  may include, or interface with, sensors to detect human activities when consumers are approaching. An optional 3D human-like digital avatar, for example, may proactively invite people to interact with the electronic public sign  22 , either directly or indirectly, via their mobile device  20 . For example, the electronic public sign  22  may have components and/or capabilities to monitor the number of people in a pre-defined proximity using facial detection and tracking technology analyzing video feeds from the one or more video cameras  50 . Should a face be detected, additional demographic (age, gender, etc.) and appearance (smiling, frowning, inquisitive) attributes may be computed and attributed to the user. These attributes may be used to personalize tasks for a more specific and accurate interaction. Should a user indicate a potential interest in the content displayed on the electronic public sign  22  (e.g., looking at the screen for more than three seconds), exemplary embodiments may optionally activate the 3D human-like avatar to speak to the engaged user and seek their interaction. 
     Exemplary embodiments facilitate mobile interactions. The user of the mobile device  20  may download the device-side algorithm  58  from common application stores. Each electronic public sign  22  is uniquely identified and may visually scan the users&#39; mobile devices  20  for passive interaction registration. Passive interaction registration also allows users to uniquely identify themselves without speaking, typing, or submitting the query  28 . To facilitate this registration, the user launches the device-side algorithm  58  and orients the display of the mobile device  20  towards the electronic public sign  22 . The camera  50  interfacing with the electronic public sign  22  may identify a unique visual code displayed by the mobile device  20 . A session may then be initiated for interaction with the electronic public sign  22 . 
     The central server  30  may thus mediate the interactions. The server  30  may mediate the interactions locally and at larger scopes within the network  40  of the electronic public signs  22 . Information may be passed to any of the electronic public signs  22  in the network  40  and to any mobile device  20 . Exemplary embodiments may thus hand-off content between the electronic public signs  22  and the mobile device  20 , as later paragraphs will explain. Content may thus follow the mobile device  20  whether displayed by a small in-store display, by a large sign in a public space, or by the user&#39;s mobile device  20 . This hand-off, for example, may transfer content from a small sign at a checkout register to a larger sign near products for a virtual showroom of a product. That is, advertisements may move from tablet size that has some shirt visuals to a life-size display that allows augmented reality to replace the shirt with a new design. Similarly, if a store has three signs along a walkway, the network  40  may update content to guide a user to his/her product&#39;s location in the store (e.g., large directional arrows may be displayed to lead the user where to walk to a desired product). This network-centric capability allows interactions with mobile devices  20  that have only one input type (like audio-only capture/playback devices that operate as virtual assistants). 
       FIG. 7  is a more detailed schematic illustrating the operating environment, according to exemplary embodiments. The mobile device  20  may have a processor  70  (e.g., “μP”), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other component that executes the device-side algorithm  58  stored in a local memory  72 . The server  30  may also have a processor  74  (e.g., “μP”), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other component that executes the server-side algorithm  56  stored in a local memory  76 . The electronic public sign  22  is an intelligent terminal that may communicate with the mobile device  20  and/or with the server  30 . The electronic public sign  22  may thus also have a processor  78  (e.g., “μP”), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other component that executes a terminal-side algorithm  80  stored in a local memory  82 . The device-side algorithm  58 , the server-side algorithm  56 , and the terminal-side algorithm  80  may thus include instructions, code, and/or programs that cooperate in a server-client relationship, via the communications network  24 , to publically display content on the electronic public sign  22 . 
     Exemplary embodiments may be applied regardless of networking environment. As the above paragraphs mentioned, the communications network  24  may be a wireless network having cellular, WI-FI®, and/or BLUETOOTH® capability. The communications network  24 , however, may be a cable network operating in the radio-frequency domain and/or the Internet Protocol (IP) domain. The communications network  24 , however, may also include a distributed computing network, such as the Internet (sometimes alternatively known as the “World Wide Web”), an intranet, a local-area network (LAN), and/or a wide-area network (WAN). The communications network  24  may include coaxial cables, copper wires, fiber optic lines, and/or hybrid-coaxial lines. The communications network  24  may even include wireless portions utilizing any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and any signaling standard (such as the IEEE 802 family of standards, GSM/CDMA/TDMA or any cellular standard, and/or the ISM band). The communications network  24  may even include power line portions, in which signals are communicated via electrical wiring. The concepts described herein may be applied to any wireless/wireline communications network, regardless of physical componentry, physical configuration, or communications standard(s). 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic illustrating a registration process, according to exemplary embodiments. The mobile device  20  may register to have content publically displayed by the electronic public sign  22 . The mobile device  20  may authenticate by sending authentication credentials  84  to the network address associated with the server  30  and/or with the electronic public sign  22 . If the authentication credentials  84  are verified, the server  30  may authorize the electronic public sign  22  to display content associated with the mobile device  20 . Exemplary embodiments may utilize any authentication scheme. As many authentication schemes are known, no further details are needed. 
       FIGS. 9-11  are schematics illustrating location-based pairing, according to exemplary embodiments. Even though the mobile device  20  has registered with the server  30 , the correct electronic public sign  22  must be chosen. As this disclosure explains above, there may be many electronic public signs in the network  40 . Exemplary embodiments may thus determine which of the electronic public signs  22  should display the response  32  associated with the mobile device  20 . If the mobile device  20  is geographically located in New York&#39;s Times Square, but the response  32  is displayed in Chicago&#39;s Wrigley Field, then the response  32  is likely meaningless to the user. Exemplary embodiments thus determine which electronic public sign  22  in the network  40  should be paired with the mobile device  20 . 
     Pairing, then, may be based on the location  90  of the mobile device  20 . The server  30  may obtain the current location  90  associated with the mobile device  20 . The current location  90 , for example, may be the Global Positioning System coordinates of the mobile device  20 . The device-side algorithm  58  may cause the mobile device  20  to send its GPS coordinates to the server  30 . Once the mobile device&#39;s location  90  is known, the server  30  may select the electronic public sign  22  that matches the location  90 . 
       FIG. 10  thus illustrates a database  92  of signs. The database  92  of signs is illustrated as being locally stored in the memory  76  of the server  30 , but the database  92  of signs may be remotely maintained and accessed within the communications network  24 . The database  92  of signs is illustrated as a table  94  that maps, relates, or associates the different electronic public signs  22  to their corresponding locations  90  and network addresses  42 . Each entry in the database  92  of signs may thus be populated with GPS coordinates of the corresponding electronic public sign  22 . Once the server  30  obtains the current location  90  of the mobile device  20 , the server-side algorithm  56  may query the database  92  of signs for the location  90 . If the current location  90  of the mobile device  20  matches one of the locations  90  in the database  92  of signs, the server-side algorithm  56  retrieves the unique network address  42  assigned to the electronic public sign  22  having the closest geographic proximity. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a database  96  of pairings. The server-side algorithm  56  may thus store a paired association between the mobile device  20  and the closest electronic public sign  22 . The database  96  of pairings is illustrated as a table  98  that maps, relates, or associates a mobile device network address  100  of the mobile device  20  to the network address  42  of the closest electronic public sign  22 . The server  30  may thus store this mapping when routing queries and responses associated with the mobile device  20 . 
     Exemplary embodiments may track the mobile device  20 . As the mobile device  20  travels, its current location  90  changes. The device-side algorithm  58  may cause the mobile device  20  to randomly or periodically send its GPS coordinates to the server  30 . The device-side algorithm  58  may even send the GPS coordinates with each query  28 . Regardless, the server  30  may then query the database  92  of signs for the current location  90  of the mobile device  20 . So, as the mobile device  20  geographically moves, exemplary embodiments may track the current location  90  and update the database  96  of pairings. Exemplary embodiments thus ensure the public responses  34  are correctly routed to the geographically closest electronic public sign  22 . 
     Location-based tracking is especially advantageous for motorized travel. As the user travels along a highway, for example, the current location  90  of the mobile device  20  may quickly change. The network  40  of the electronic public signs  22  may act as electronic billboards, thus presenting advertising and content as the user travels. The server  30  may thus track the current location  90  of the mobile device  20  and send content to the appropriate electronic public sign  22  along the highway. 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic illustrating network pairing, according to exemplary embodiments. Here the database  92  of signs may associate the different electronic public signs  22  to access networks. As most readers understand, mobile devices may utilize a local area network (“LAN”) to send the queries (illustrated as reference numeral  28  in  FIGS. 1-6 ). The LAN, for example, may be a WI-FI® network that is commonly found in public spaces. The LAN, however, may be a BLUETOOTH® network or any other networking standard. Regardless, each local area network may have its own unique network identifier  110 . When the mobile device  20  registers with or accesses any local area network, the corresponding network identifier  110  may be sent to the server  30 . The server-side algorithm  56  may then query the database  92  of signs for the network identifier  110 . If a match is determined, the server-side algorithm  56  retrieves the unique network address  42  assigned to the electronic public sign  22  serving the corresponding local area network. Should the mobile device  20  connect to a WI-FI® network in a public space, for example, the corresponding network identifier  110  may be used to select which electronic public sign  22  (in the network  40 ) should be paired with the mobile device  20 . 
     Indeed, exemplary embodiments may be applied to any network. Some mobile devices  20  have the capability to access a wide-area network (“WAN”), a cellular access network, or any other networking standard. Whatever the network, the network identifier  110  may uniquely identify any network. When the mobile device  20  registers with or accesses a network, the corresponding network identifier  110  may be sent to the server  30 . The database  92  of signs may thus map different BLUETOOTH®, WI-FI®, cellular, and any other networks to their electronic public sign  22  serving the corresponding social space. Once the server  30  obtains the network identifier  110  associated with the mobile device  20 , the server-side algorithm  56  may query the database  92  of signs for the network identifier  110 . The server-side algorithm  56  retrieves the unique network address  42  assigned to the electronic public sign  22  mapped to the corresponding network. The server-side algorithm  56  may then store the paired relationship in the database  96  of pairings, as explained above. 
     Social spaces may thus have their own electronic public sign  22 . Coffee shops, stores, gyms, and car dealers commonly provide a WI-FI® network for their customers. Even larger venues, such as parks, malls, city squares, and even large stadiums, also provide WI-FI® access for their patrons. Whatever the network, each of the social venues may have one or more electronic public signs  22  displaying content to the public. As crowds gather around the electronic public sign  22 , patrons may have their content publically displayed. Exemplary embodiments may thus track and monitor the access LAN/WAN network serving the mobile device  20 . The device-side algorithm  58  may randomly or periodically send the corresponding network identifier  110  to the server  30 . The device-side algorithm  58  may even send the network identifier  110  with each query  28 . Regardless, the server  30  may then query the database  92  of signs for the network identifier  110 . The server  30  retrieves the network address  42  assigned to the electronic public sign  22  serving the access LAN/WAN network. As networks are added to public spaces, the database  92  of signs may thus be populated with the corresponding network identifier  110 . 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic illustrating alternative pairing schemes, according to exemplary embodiments. As the user approaches the electronic public sign  22 , the electronic public sign  22  may display a unique terminal identifier  112 . The user may enter the unique terminal identifier  112  on a keypad or touch screen, which the device-side algorithm  58  may send to the server  30 . The unique terminal identifier  112  may also be a bar code or watermark that is visually displayed and optically obtained by the mobile device  20 . The database  92  of signs may store associations between different terminal identifiers  112  and their corresponding network addresses  42 . Once the server  30  obtains the terminal identifier  112 , the server  30  retrieves the unique network address  42  assigned to the electronic public sign  22  matched to the corresponding terminal identifier  112 . The server-side algorithm  56  may then store the paired relationship between the network address  42  of the mobile device  20  and the network address  42  of the electronic public sign  22  serving the social space. 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic illustrating display instructions, according to exemplary embodiments. However the mobile device  20  is paired with the appropriate electronic public sign  22 , instructions may be sent to ensure content is properly displayed. The server  30 , for example, may send a public display instruction  114  to the electronic public sign  22 . The public display instruction  114  may accompany the public response  34  that is displayed by the electronic public sign  22 . The public display instruction  114  may contain any information, command, or code that causes content to be publically displayed on the electronic public sign  22 . Because the server  30  may dual-format the response  32 , the server  30  may also separately send a private display instruction  116  to the mobile device  20 . The private display instruction  116  may provide instructions for privately displaying the private response  36  on the display screen of the mobile device  20 . 
     Display instructions need not be repeated. Once the mobile device  20  is paired to the electronic public sign  22 , pairing may be retained. For example, the mobile device  20  may automatically specify the network address  42  of the electronic public sign  22  in any future queries. That is, even though the query  28  may originate from the mobile device  20 , the network address  42  of the electronic public sign  22  may be specified as the destination for the public response  34 . The network address of the mobile device  20  may be specified as the destination for the private response  36 . A web browser, for example, may thus specify two different destination addresses for content requests. Exemplary embodiments may thus remove the server  30  from future transactions (e.g., requests and responses) until the pairing changes or ends. 
     The display instructions  114  and  116  may also propagate. Because the mobile device  20  is paired to the electronic public sign  22 , components operating within the communications network (illustrated as reference numeral  24  in  FIGS. 1-2 ) may be updated. Switches, routers, and other servers may have routing tables updated to map the device network address  100  of the mobile device  20  to the network address  42  of the electronic public sign  22  (as illustrated and explained with reference to  FIG. 11 ). Wherever and whenever the pairing need be reflected, the display instructions  114  and  116  may propagate to the necessary equipment. 
     Sessions may be initiated once pairing is established. When a user wishes to interact with the electronic public sign  22 , a session may be established between the user&#39;s mobile device  20  and the server  30  and/or the electronic public sign  22 . The session may end when the user no longer desires interaction. 
     Sometimes the session may automatically end. The session, for example, may end by timing out without interaction. If the user, for example, fails to make inputs or responses to prompts within a window of time, the session may end. If there are multiple people watching the content and the current active user session exceeds a pre-defined threshold in terms of time, exemplary embodiments may conduct a poll in a sidebar portion of the electronic public sign  22 . For example, the audience may be prompted to raise their hand (or answer a polling question) if they would like to see a product video about men&#39;s running shoes or electronic devices. By counting the hands (the number of people who responded to an onscreen poll using their hand gesture), exemplary embodiments may terminate any active user session and start a new product demonstration cycle based on the consensus of the audience. If this majority-rule occurs, the interactions with any current active user may be moved to a side-bar location on the screen or handed-off to the user&#39;s mobile device  20 . Thus, the main section of the electronic public sign  22  may be switched to a different context based on the consensus derived from the last poll. 
     Bookmarks may be saved. Whenever the session ends, exemplary embodiments may store website links and bookmarks to the server  30 , to the mobile device  20 , and/or to the electronic public sign  22 . Links and bookmarks may also be sent to any destination the user prefers. Exemplary embodiments thus allow the user to take information with them and revisit the information and products previously displayed, thus resuming the recent session at another location or another electronic public sign  22  in the network  40 . The user can access the same product information (in video, and/or webpages, etc.) from a different location when they are no longer near the electronic public sign  22  using any network connection. 
     Session records may also be saved. Data regarding each session may be recorded/stored in the server  30 , in the mobile device  20 , in the electronic public sign  22 , or in any other network location. Session records may be saved short-term or long-term. Exemplary embodiments may even aggregate the session records across users. Individual session retention allows the same mobile device  20  to visit a different electronic public sign  22  and resume an earlier user session. Individual session identifiers may also saved until the user deletes them as a running catalog associated with the user&#39;s mobile device  20 . Thus, a user can interact with an electronic public sign  22  in one department store and then resume the interaction later with a different electronic public sign  22  in a different store in a different shopping mall. When the user interacts with a different electronic public sign  22 , the unique session identifier from the previous session may be retrieved and resumed from the session records. Exemplary embodiments may thus know what type of goods/services the user was looking for at the previous electronic public sign  22 . As a result, historical interactions, from the same or previous locations, may be resumed, whether thirty minutes or two days ago. 
       FIG. 15  is a schematic illustrating a search for the closest electronic public sign  22 , according to exemplary embodiments. Many users will enjoy public interaction with the electronic public sign  22 . Some users, then, may wish to learn the geographic location of the nearest public space offering publically-observable social interactions.  FIG. 15  thus illustrates the mobile device  20  again sending its current location  90  to the network address of the server  30 . The server-side algorithm  56  queries the database  92  of signs for the current location  90  and retrieves a geographical sign location  120  that maps to the closest electronic public sign  22 . The sign location  120  may be stored as GPS coordinates or a physical street address. The server-side algorithm  56  return sends the sign location  120  of the closest electronic public sign  22  to the mobile device  20 . The sign location  90  may be visually mapped on a display of the mobile device  20 , thus allowing the user to travel to the closest electronic public sign  22 . 
     Alerts may also be sent. When the electronic public sign  22  is encountered, exemplary embodiments may send alerts, advertisements, and other notifications to the user&#39;s mobile device  20 . The device-side algorithm  58  may have options for opting in, or for opting out, of the alerts. Alerts may be pushed to the mobile device  20  when in proximity of the electronic public sign  22 . If the mobile device  20  responds, the device-side algorithm  58  may launch to provide services to the user. Exemplary embodiments, for example, may display a map with directions explaining how to get to the closest electronic public sign  22 . 
       FIG. 16  is a schematic illustrating queuing of different public responses  34 , according to exemplary embodiments. Sometimes several mobile devices  20  may be paired to the same electronic public sign  22 . Each mobile device  20  is competing with other mobile devices in the same vicinity to have its corresponding public response  34  displayed by the electronic public sign  22 . The electronic public sign  22  may thus develop a backlog of content awaiting display.  FIG. 16  thus illustrates a queue  120  of responses that may develop.  FIG. 16  illustrates the queue  120  of responses stored in the memory (illustrated as reference numeral  82  in  FIG. 8 ) of the electronic public sign  22 , but the queue  120  of responses may be remotely maintained at any location in the network  40 . Positions in the queue  120  of responses may sequentially advance as content is displayed by the electronic public sign  22 . The queue  120  of responses may progress on a first in, first out basis, such that all users&#39; public responses  34  equally progress through the queue  120  of responses according to time of receipt. 
     Some content, though, may have priority  122 . Even though the queue  120  of responses may exist, some content or one of the public responses  32  may advance ahead of other content in the queue  120  of responses. Some advertisers, for example, may have a contractual agreement to have their advertisements immediately advance to a top-most, first position in the queue  120  of responses. Some users may opt to pay a fee to have their public response  34  advance in the queue  120  of responses or to enter the queue  120  of responses at an elevated position. Some content may be public service announcements that receive the priority  122 . Some public responses  34  may be emergency-related and advance to a top-most, first position in the queue  120  of responses. The priority  122  may be established based on logical rules according to an originating address and/or a destination address. 
     The users may also be queued. Should several mobile devices  20  be paired to the same electronic public sign  22 , queuing may be applied to the mobile devices  20 . The queue  120  of responses may thus progress according to interactions with the multiple mobile devices  20 . If an indirect interaction was used to start a session, the positions in the queue  120  of responses may be assigned and sent from the server  30  to the mobile device  20 . The queue  120  of responses may be publically displayed by the electronic public sign  22 , thus allowing the users in the crowd to gage their time and interest in waiting for public interaction. The queue  120  of responses may additionally or alternatively be sent to the mobile device  20  for private display. 
       FIG. 17  is a schematic illustrating signage services, according to exemplary embodiments. Once the mobile device  20  is paired to the electronic public sign  22 , exemplary embodiments may provide many services and features. Targeted content, for example, may be tailored to the mobile device  20 , but the targeted content may be displayed on the electronic public sign  22 . Once the mobile device  20  is paired to the electronic public sign  22 , advertisements may be publically directed to the mobile device  20 . The server  30 , for example, may notify a content server  130  of the pairing between the mobile device  20  and the electronic public sign  22 . The content server  130  may then send the targeted content to the network address  42  of the electronic public sign  22 . The content server  30  retrieves a profile of the mobile device  20  and selects the targeted content that appeals to the profile. The profile may include the current location, time, addresses, demographics, historical selections, purchasing histories, and any other information for profiling the user of the mobile device  20 . The content server  30  then sends the targeted content to the electronic public sign  22 . The content server  130  may also use the dual-formatting to send targeted content to the mobile device  20 . Exemplary embodiments, then, may publically and/or privately display the targeted content, despite being individually tailored to the user of the mobile device  20 . Many schemes for recommending and/or targeting content are known, and exemplary embodiments may utilize any scheme. 
       FIG. 18  is a schematic illustrating proactive content, according to exemplary embodiments. Here the electronic public sign  22  may interface with the microphone  52  and/or the camera  50  to further enhance social interactions. The camera  50  may provide visual inputs to the terminal-side algorithm  80 , and the microphone  52  may provide audible inputs to the terminal-side algorithm  80 . The visual inputs and the audible inputs allow the electronic public sign  22  to interact with humans and mobile devices, even if pairing is not accomplished. 
     Facial recognition  140  and speech recognition  142  are examples. As people pass by the electronic public sign  22 , the terminal-side algorithm  80  may use facial recognition  140  to display advertising and other content. If a face is recognized, content may be displayed that appeals to an identity of the face. Simple recognition techniques may be used to recognize clothing and demographic traits in the crowd. The speech recognition  142  may also be used to discern audio-visual cues from faces, voices, and actions in the visual inputs and in the audible inputs. Content may be selected and publically displayed based on observed behaviors, clothing, colors, and even textures. The bodily positions (e.g., standing or sitting) of people in the crowd, and the volume of their interactions, may indicate mood and other potential advertising opportunities. Observed speech dialects and accents may influence advertising selections. Locations where children and families are know to congregate may display more family-friendly content. The observed pace of people in the crowd (running or strolling) may influence content selections. Observed gazing may indicate interest. Once a face is recognized, demographics and human attributes (such as gender, age bracket, race, and body height/weight and mood) may be determined. Media content may thus be personalized to the user, or the crowd, based on demographics and/or spoken requests from the users in the audience. The electronic public sign  22  may thus proactively display content, based on the cues in the crowd. 
     Content may be selected, based on cues. When someone passes by the electronic public sign  22 , the visual and audio inputs may be used to generate audible content, such as answers to questions. A speaker system  144  may thus output commentary and other audible content to further influence the passerby. “Shout outs” and other audible alerts may be generated to catch someone&#39;s attention. The terminal-side algorithm  80  may even suggest public interactions, based on the cues. Products and services may be proactively recommended, again based on the cues in the crowd. 
     Exemplary embodiments may utilize any cues. Exemplary embodiments may add unique interaction cues based on audio-visual cues. For example, behavioral context may be observed, along with personal context/dress for more precise information. The color of clothing, texture, and material patterns may be used as cues to infer mood. Gate and poise, along with speech dialects/accents, may be used as cues for targeting content. Cues may also be derived from groups of people, such as observed family interactions. Lone, solo persons may also provide cues. The electronic public sign  22  may thus allow more passive interaction with users in both advertising and informational cases. As people walk by, the electronic public sign  22  may enter a certain mode of operation, which may be further modulated by how fast (run, casual stroll, interested gaze at screen) the user passes. The speech recognition  142  capability may also use audio cues to perform the automatic speech recognition  142  and act as an over the shoulder advisor to help provide information. This scenario is more fitting for an information kiosk at a mall, where the user is relieved of the burden of menu navigation by suggesting interactions using audio/video cues. Should a person exhibit stress cues (e.g., behavior/temperament), for example, exemplary embodiments may recommend products for relaxation. The electronic public sign  22  may also engage the crowd with games, such as “Hey! You look like . . . ,” based on face, clothing, or other recognition. 
     Retailers, of course, may target their content. Advertisers may provide interactive product advertisements targeted to customers using timely and location-specific needs. These needs can be expressed through a number of convenient modalities, like naturally spoken words, touch interaction, and physical gestures, directly or indirectly through the mobile device-side algorithm  58 . The electronic public sign  22  may allow the user to engage in a natural language based dialog, with touch-based interactions, or intuitive gestures. The 3D human-like avatar can engage the user during their interaction via the electronic public sign  22  and natural voice audible feedback. The device-side algorithm  58  may also facilitate indirect interaction (speech, touch, gestures), may allow correct routing of information for privacy-sensitive operations, and may provide a passive mechanism for a large number of users to interact with a single display simultaneously. Video and other content used to promote a brand or product is highly dynamic and can be customized based on the actual users who are watching the electronic public sign  22  at any given time. Exemplary embodiments may determine how many viewers at a given time interval are watching the electronic public sign  22  and attempt to engage them. 
     Exemplary embodiments may also incentivize the interactions. Electronic coupons, deal alerts, and other promotions may be sent to the mobile device  20 , perhaps based on the quality of the user&#39;s interaction, frequency of use, or other external factors determined by the retail vendor. Rules may thus be stored and associated to interaction metrics, such that the user&#39;s interactions are graded or evaluated by comparison to the rules. For example, any user that remains engaged over a period of time watching some ads will be rewarded with a coupon. 
     The interactions may be crowd sourced. As people gather around the electronic public sign  22 , their mobile devices  20  may collaborate for content changes. For example, demographic analysis may reveal that several people have an interest in shoes. This trend may override other content in favor of advertisements for shoes. Content may also be geographically determined (by city, national, or regional considerations), by time (day or year), by global events (e.g., news or weather), and by celebrity spotting/endorsement. 
     The interactions may also include sensor inputs. As the above paragraphs explained, the mobile device  20  may have GPS capabilities. The mobile device  20 , however, may also have a camera, temperature sensor, an inclinometer, a humidity sensor, a light sensor, and any other means of sensing some physical quantity. Whatever the capability, exemplary embodiments may utilize any sensory inputs to further enhance the interactions. Voice inputs and touch inputs, for example, may be combined with ambient measurements (such as temperature, altitude, humidity, ambient light, and ambient sounds), which may help to modulate interactive experiences. The interaction may thus be considered a two-way video conference, allowing the user to request information by spoken request. Exemplary embodiments may connect to a customer representative for the relevant store/product. Exemplary embodiments may also utilize the network camera capture system to facilitate product interactions not possible before; such as returns or purchasing additional product during the returns scenario. When the user returns a product, exemplary embodiments may recognize the product and/or the packaging and starts an RMA ticket. As a simple example, consider when the user returns a light bulb. Exemplary embodiments may display prompts for interactive rotation (turn bulb left, right, upside down) to gather sufficient 3D and other representative data, perform a search of available products for that store, and then identify the same product. This capability helps the user to determine that the light bulb is a forty Watt (40W) green floodlight. 
       FIG. 19  is a schematic illustrating an upload of content  150 , according to exemplary embodiments. Once the mobile device  20  is paired to the electronic public sign  22 , the user may upload text, images, files, video, audio, and/or any other content  150  for public display. The device-side algorithm  58 , for example, may generate a graphical user interface (“GUI”)  152  that permits selection of files and other content  150  locally stored in the mobile device  20 . The graphical user interface  152  may also allow the user to select the content  150  from remote locations. Regardless, once the content  150  is selected, the user may select the electronic public sign  22  as the destination. The device-side algorithm  58  thus causes the mobile device  20  to upload the content  150  into the communications network (illustrated as reference numeral  24  in  FIGS. 1-2 ) for delivery to the electronic public sign  22 . Exemplary embodiments, then, permit users to upload and share their own pictures, music, and other content  150  for public display. As an example, the user may upload the content  150  to a website, where a product or information search may be conducted. If a match is found, the response  32  incorporates the desired product information and is displayed by the paired electronic public sign  22 . The content  150  may also be emailed to an email account associated with the electronic public sign  22 . The content  150  may also be posted to a web site (such as a social media web site) and associated with a tag (such as a hash tag on TWITTER®, for example). The electronic public sign  22  may retrieve any or all messages associated with that tag. The tag may be advertised on the electronic public sign  22 , as an email account or a Web site may be advertised. A software application on the mobile device  20  (perhaps calling or executing the device-side algorithm  58  or any other program) may determine how to associate the content  150  (originating from the mobile device  20 ) with the electronic public sign  22 . 
       FIG. 20  is a schematic illustrating content blocking, according to exemplary embodiments. As this disclosure earlier explained, some content may be inappropriate for public display. Most public spaces will not want violent, R-rated, or pornographic content publically displayed. The terminal-side algorithm  80 , then, may have a content filtering module  160  to help ensure inappropriate content is not publically displayed. The content filtering module  160  may be software, code, or instructions that implements filtering criteria  162  for blocking objectionable content  164 . The filtering criteria  162  are configured to suit a town, business, or operator of the public space having the electronic public sign  22 . So, should any mobile device  20  in the crowd attempt to publically display inappropriate content, exemplary embodiments may block public presentation. Many content filtering schemes are known, and exemplary embodiments may be adapted to utilize any content filtering scheme. This disclosure, then need not discuss the known schemes. 
       FIG. 20 , though, illustrates a hand-off module  166 . The hand-off module  166  may determine when any content should be routed to the mobile device  20 , instead of the electronic public sign  22 . The hand-off module  166 , for example, may intervene and send the objectionable content  164  to the mobile device  20 . When the terminal-side algorithm  80  determines, or is informed of, the objectionable content  164 , the terminal-side algorithm  80  may invoke the hand-off module  166 . The hand-off module  166  may be software, code, or instructions that redirect any content to the mobile device  20 , despite the pairing. So, in response to the objectionable content  164 , the hand-off module  166  may cause the objectionable content  164  to be routed to the network address of the requesting mobile device  20 . A notification  168  may also be sent, informing the user of the mobile device  20  that the objectionable content  164  failed the filtering criteria  162  of the electronic public sign  22 . The device-side algorithm  58  may then privately display the objectionable content  164  on the display of the mobile device  20 . 
     Dual-formatting may be used. When the objectionable content  164  is determined, the dual formatting may be used to send the private response  36  to the mobile device  20 . The private response  34  may include the objectionable content  164  prohibited or excluded from public display. The electronic public sign  22 , instead, receives or generates the sanitized public response  34 . The terminal-side algorithm  80  may itself remove the objectionable content  164 , or the terminal-side algorithm  80  may receive or process the sanitized public response  34 . Again, dual-formatting allows exemplary embodiments to satisfy the user&#39;s content desires without offending social norms. 
       FIG. 21  is a schematic illustrating privacy settings  170 , according to exemplary embodiments. Sometimes the content, displayed by the electronic public sign  22 , may include personally identifying information  172  that should not be publically displayed. As earlier paragraphs mentioned, some users may not want their name, address, or image publically displayed. Exemplary embodiments, then, may implement the privacy settings  170  to ensure the user&#39;s desired privacy is maintained. The device-side algorithm  58 , the server-side algorithm  56 , and/or the terminal-side algorithm  80 , for example, may utilize the dual-formatting to render any content anonymous. The personally identifying information  172 , for example, may be excluded and/or removed prior to public display. Names, addresses, images, credit card numbers, relationships, and any other identifying information may be redacted or blocked from public display. A profile  174  may be retrieved (such as from a profile server) that stores the privacy settings  170  associated with the user and/or the mobile device  20 . Exemplary embodiments may thus block public presentation of the personally identifying information  172 , as specified by the profile  174 . Many privacy schemes are known, and exemplary embodiments may be adapted to utilize any privacy scheme. This disclosure, then need not discuss the known schemes. 
     The hand-off module  166  may again be invoked when the personally identifying information  172  is detected. When public presentation is blocked, the hand-off module  166  may intervene. The hand-off module  166 , for example, may redirect any personally identifying information  172  back to the network address of the requesting mobile device  20 . The notification  168  may also be sent, informing the user of the mobile device  20  that the personally identifying information  172  failed the privacy settings  170  of the profile  174 . The device-side algorithm  58  may then privately display the personally identifying information  172  on the display of the mobile device  20 . 
     Dual-formatting may again be invoked. Whenever the response  32  contains the personally identifying information  172 , exemplary embodiments may invoke the dual formatting of the response  32 . The public response  34  may be generated without the personally identifying information  172 , while the private response  36  may be generated to contain the personally identifying information  172 . Again, dual-formatting allows social interaction without compromising the user&#39;s personally identifying information  172 . 
       FIG. 22  is a schematic illustrating requested hand-offs, according to exemplary embodiments. The user of the mobile device  20  may also invoke the hand-off module  166  when desired. At any time the user may make some selection that suspends the pairing with the electronic public sign  22 . Sometimes, for example, the user may wish to privately communicate with another user at different mobile device  180 . The user of the device-side algorithm  58 , for example, may thus select a graphical control in the graphical user interface  152 . Whatever the input, the device-side algorithm  58  may send a suspension notification  182 . The suspension notification  182  includes information that may at least temporarily suspend the pairing between the mobile device  20  and the electronic public sign  22 . The suspension notification  182  communicates into the communications network  24  and routes to any destination to affect the hand-off. The suspension notification  182 , for example, may be received by the server  30  and/or by the electronic public sign  22 . The suspension notification  182  may at least temporarily divorce the pairing in the database  96  of pairings between the mobile device  20  and the electronic public sign  22 . The server  30  may return a confirmation to the mobile device  20 , thus allowing the mobile device  20  to specify its network address  42  as the destination for communications with the different mobile device  180 . Moreover, the server  30  may propagate the divorce through the communications network  24  to ensure routing tables are updated. 
     Exemplary embodiments may hand-off at will. The server-side algorithm  56 , the device-side algorithm  58 , and/or the terminal-side algorithm  80  may autonomously determine that a hand-off is desired. Any interaction may move between the electronic public sign  22  and the mobile device  20  at will. For example, to facilitate a financial transaction, or to send the personally identifying information (illustrated as reference numeral  172  in  FIG. 21 ) for a product trial, any interaction may switch to the display of the mobile device  20  alone. Public interactions, like general product viewing, answering frequently asked questions, or generic advertisement playback, can be shown on the electronic public sign  22  and/or the mobile device  20  exclusively or simultaneously. 
     Hand-offs may also be invoked for other social opportunities. Users may wish to transfer their interactions out of the network  40  of the electronic public signs  22  and to other social media channels (such as the FACEBOOK® website, a TWITTER® SMS text group list, or an email distribution list). This type of hand-off may pull other people into the interactive experience. Hand-offs may also be location-based, such that as the mobile device  20  moves to a different location, the current interaction follows to the next closest electronic public sign  22 . That is, exemplary embodiments may leverage social networks from a user&#39;s profile and prompt friends to join. 
       FIG. 23  is a schematic illustrating availability  190 , according to exemplary embodiments. Sometimes there may be several electronic public signs  22  in nearly the same location  90  of the mobile device  20 . Nanjing Street in Shanghai, China, for example, has many electronic public signs that advertise to shoppers. When the server  30  queries the database  92  of signs for the location  90  of the mobile device  20 , the server  30  may retrieve network addresses of multiple electronic public signs  22  that match the location  90  (as explained with reference to  FIGS. 9-12 ). Exemplary embodiments, then, may determine which one of the matching electronic public signs  22  is best available to display content. The server  30 , for example, may choose one of the matching electronic public signs  22  having no backlog, or a shortest wait time, in the corresponding queue of responses (illustrated as reference numeral  120  in  FIG. 16 ). 
     The availability  190 , however, may also be determined from other characteristics. Some electronic public signs, for example, may lack sufficient processing capabilities to adequately display video-intensive content. An older electronic public sign, as an example, may lack the processing power, memory, or software to meet the needs of an advertiser. The server  30  may thus determine that a particular electronic public sign  22  is unsuited to some content requirement. 
       FIG. 24  is a schematic illustrating a common response  200 , according to exemplary embodiments. As there may be many mobile devices  20  interacting with the electronic public sign  22 , some users will inevitably submit similar queries  28 . In a crowd of people, for example, several mobile devices  20  will likely submit queries for weather information. The electronic public sign  22  may thus display a weather forecast as the common response  200  for the similar queries  28 . Indeed, many people may submit nearly simultaneous queries  28  for sports scores, stock scores, news events, and other popular, trending topics. The single, common response  200  may thus suffice for many similar queries  28 . 
     Exemplary embodiments may thus determine the common response  200 . As the multiple queries  28  are received, the server-side algorithm  56  may determine that the one common response  200  suffices for the multiple queries  28 . Exemplary embodiments, for example, may compare text in fields of the multiple responses  32  for matches. Should one or more of the responses  32  contain matching text, the server-side algorithm  56  may determine that the single, common response  200  suffices. More sophisticated language parsing of the queries  28  may be used to determine similar content or intent. Regardless, the single, common response  200  may thus be routed to the electronic public sign  22  for display in response to the multiple queries  28 . The single, common response  200  thus saves processing and network resources and, yet, still interacts with several users. 
     Exemplary embodiments may also inspect the multiple queries  28 . As the multiple queries  28  are processed, exemplary embodiments may additionally or alternatively compare the text in the fields of the multiple queries  28 . Should one or more of the queries  28  contain matching text or subject matter, exemplary embodiments may retrieve, process, and/or route the single, common response  200 . The server-side algorithm  56 , for example, may provide instructions to have the single, common response  200  routed to the electronic public sign  22  for display in response to the multiple queries  28 . The single, common response  200  again saves processing and network resources. 
       FIGS. 25-27  are schematics further illustrating the common response  200 , according to exemplary embodiments. Here the common response  200  may be sized for display according to the number of mobile devices  20  submitting the similar queries  28 . Assume one hundred (100) queries are submitted, and fifty (50) of those queries are determined to require the single, common response  200 . That is, fifty percent (50%) of the queries  28 , perhaps at a particular moment in time, may be answered with the single, common response  200 . Exemplary embodiments may thus cause the electronic public sign  22  to display the single, common response  200 . Yet, as 50% of the queries  28  deserve the same or similar interaction, exemplary embodiments may cause the electronic public sign  22  to size the single, common response  200  at 50% of a display area  210 . The display area  210  may be determined by square inches/millimeters, diagonal length, horizontal and/or vertical pixels, or any other measure. However the display area  210  is determined, exemplary embodiments may determine a percentage  212  of the queries having the single, common response  200  and then display the single, common response  200  sized to the same percentage  212  of the display area  210  available on the electronic public sign  22 . In this example, then, half of the display area  210  of the electronic public sign  22  is consumed by the common response  200 . 
       FIG. 26  extends common responses to an entire population of the queries  28 . Exemplary embodiments may determine that multiple groups  214  of the queries  28  deserve different, but corresponding, common responses  200 . Suppose, again, that one hundred (100) queries  28  are received within a period of time (such as within one minute). Half of the queries (50%) are determined to deserve a first common response  216 . Perhaps another thirty percent (30%) of the queries  28  deserve a different, second common response  218 . Still a smaller ten percent (10%) of the queries  28  may require a third common response  220 . Whatever the percentage  212  of the groupings  214 , exemplary embodiments may size each different common response  200  according to its corresponding percentage  212  of the query population. In other words, the most common response  200  to a very popular query  28  is thus sized for display in a larger font that lesser popular queries  28 . Each common response  200  may thus be sized to its corresponding percentage  212  of the display area  210 . 
       FIG. 27  illustrates reserved display space  222 . Exemplary embodiments may reserve some quadrants, pixels, or portions of the display area  210  for advertising. Even though users may submit their queries  28 , perhaps 50% of the display area  210  of the electronic public sign  22  may be reserved for advertising opportunities. So, whatever the percentage  212  groupings of the common responses  32 , only some of the display area  210  may be available. Whatever an available display space  224 , each common response  200  may thus be sized to its corresponding percentage  212  of the available display space  224 . 
       FIG. 28  is a schematic illustrating an alternate operating environment, according to exemplary embodiments. Here the mobile device  20  submits its query  28 , but the response  32  need not route through the server  30 . Once the server  30  pairs the mobile device  20  with the electronic public sign  22  (as explained with reference to the database  96  of pairings), the server  30  need not process the query  28  and the corresponding response  32 . Instead, once the pairing is established, the mobile device  20  may send the query  28  to a network address associated with a query handler  230 . The query handler  230  is any software operating in a query server  232  that determines or obtains the response  32  to the query  28 . Once the response  32  is determined, the query handler  230  is instructed to send the response  32  to the paired electronic public sign  22 . Here, then, the server  30  is not burdened with processing the queries  28  and responses  32 . 
     Exemplary embodiments may be applied to home networks. As friends gather within a home, the friends may wish to interact in front of a wide-screen display. The users may thus socially interact on the wide-screen display using a residential local area network. A gateway server in the residential local area network may pair each mobile device  20  with the wide-screen display. The users may thus submit their queries  28 , and the corresponding responses  32  are displayed by the wide-screen display. Exemplary embodiments may thus be applied to residential networks such that the responses  32  are redirected to the network address  42  associated with the wide-screen display. 
       FIG. 29  is a schematic illustrating still more exemplary embodiments.  FIG. 29  is a more detailed diagram illustrating a processor-controlled device  300 . As earlier paragraphs explained, the server-side algorithm  56 , the device-side algorithm  58 , and/or the terminal-side algorithm  80  may operate in any processor-controlled device.  FIG. 29 , then, illustrates the server-side algorithm  56 , the device-side algorithm  58 , and/or the terminal-side algorithm  80  stored in a memory subsystem of the processor-controlled device  300 . One or more processors communicate with the memory subsystem and execute either, some, or all applications. Because the processor-controlled device  300  is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, no further explanation is needed. 
       FIG. 30  depicts other possible operating environments for additional aspects of the exemplary embodiments.  FIG. 30  illustrates the server-side algorithm  56 , the device-side algorithm  58 , and/or the terminal-side algorithm  80  operating within various other devices  400 .  FIG. 30 , for example, illustrates that the server-side algorithm  56 , the device-side algorithm  58 , and/or the terminal-side algorithm  80  may entirely or partially operate within a set-top box (“STB”) ( 402 ), a personal/digital video recorder (PVR/DVR)  404 , a Global Positioning System (GPS) device  408 , an interactive television  410 , a tablet computer  412 , or any computer system, communications device, or processor-controlled device utilizing the processor  50  and/or a digital signal processor (DP/DSP)  414 . The device  400  may also include watches, radios, vehicle electronics, clocks, printers, gateways, mobile/implantable medical devices, and other apparatuses and systems. Because the architecture and operating principles of the various devices  400  are well known, the hardware and software componentry of the various devices  400  are not further shown and described. 
     Exemplary embodiments may be physically embodied on or in a computer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable medium, for example, may include CD-ROM, DVD, tape, cassette, floppy disk, optical disk, memory card, memory drive, and large-capacity disks. This computer-readable medium, or media, could be distributed to end-subscribers, licensees, and assignees. A computer program product comprises processor-executable instructions for public interactions with mobile devices, as the above paragraphs explained. 
     While the exemplary embodiments have been described with respect to various features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilled in the art will recognize the exemplary embodiments are not so limited. Other variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments.