Patent ID: 8209261

Claim:
A content distribution method, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of electronic signs distributed among a plurality of locations; providing each electronic sign with a universal, unique identifier, wherein each electronic sign is associated with an owning entity; associating said electronic signs with a distributed electronic network; selectively downloading content published by any of a plurality of content providers to said electronic signs; said owners of said electronic signs and said content providers collaboratively determining what content is downloaded to said electronic signs and times at which said content is presented on said electronic signs; and providing a set of functions for managing at least electronic sign from among said plurality of electronic signs and content presented on said electronic signs, wherein said set of functions is presented via a web interface which is provided to owners of electronic signs and content providers to access said set of functions, wherein said web interface configured to perform the steps of: registering and managing at least electronic sign from among said plurality of electronic signs in a content network, wherein each electronic sign is registered using its unique identifier along with other identifying information in the form of viewer demographics; and uploading electronic visual and audio content from content sources to a server, wherein content uploaded to said server is targeted to one or more electronic signs based on any or all of said registration information for the electronic signs; and said owners of said electronic signs selecting and approving content to be presented on their electronic signs.