Applications can be used for a full interactive experience such a Channel Control Applications, Interrupts, using UDP streams, or any content on individual application pages. Unique URLs are created that allow the user to jump to a page and view content using a touchscreen, IR remote, or URL links.
Application Types and Specific Setup Steps:
- IR Remote – Number keys on the IR remote are used to change the “channel” to different pages. For a step-by-step video guide of creating Applications for using the IR Remote, please also see: Basic Training for using Applications with an IR Remote.
- Touchscreens – Linked buttons in your application are used as an interactive touch experience in changing content. For a step-by-step video guide of creating Touchscreen Applications, please also see: Basic Training for Applications.
- URL Links – URL links or can be generated to easily compile the Trigger URL when used within 3rd Party Control Systems
Applications are divided into four sections:
Applications – Applications allows you to manage the overall application. This section will also provide direct links to touchscreen page Properties, Designer and Previews. Once your design work is complete, the Application is what is assigned to your Player(s).
Templates – These are the master templates that will provide the framework for your Applications; design elements that you want to show in the same place on multiple pages: Main background, navigation buttons and links to various ‘Pages’. If your application does not require navigation buttons; etc.. a blank template can be used for your pages.
Pages – These are the individual touchscreens or “pages” of your overall Application. Much like pages on a website. These pages will contain design elements that are separate from the main template: Text zones, widgets, images or videos, playlists, event tables, products tables; etc..
Groups – When multiple Players are using the Application, Groups are needed to link Players so they will change content when the Remote Control Interface or External Links are used.
Templates
When designing content for a Touchscreen, a template will provide the framework for your Applications; design elements that you want to show in the same place on multiple pages: Main background, navigation buttons and links to various ‘Pages’.
When using the Applications to create touchscreen, it’s important to remember that touchscreen content will be built around your design work that is created outside of the software (i.e. Photoshop, PowerPoint). Mapping your content, from your backgrounds, buttons, pages, widgets; etc. should be planned out in advance so you have the framework in place before you start building your touchscreen in the software.
1) Click on the ‘Applications’ icon from the Home page.
2) Click on the ‘Create New’ button under the Templates section. Note: If your Application is being used for remote control or triggered interrupts, and does not require navigation buttons; etc., a blank template can be used for your pages.
3) Give your Template a name and adjust the Width and Height to match your Players’ screen size, if needed. The default resolution is 1920×1080.
4) Click ‘Save’.
5) Click on the Description name or the ‘Designer’ to open the Layout Designer.
6) If your Template will be used for various interrupts, the layout can remain blank. If you will be using the Template to create a interactive touch screen, use the Toolbar icons to add content: Text, Widgets, Images, Videos; etc. Please see: Understanding the Layout Designer to see the various options of the Toolbar.
6) The Layout Designer will save your work automatically. Use the left navigation to get back to the Applications sections:
Pages
Pages allow you to create content specific to the page that will be viewed. When creating a touch screen application, Pages work very much like pages on a website – buttons will be link to each individual page from other pages, or from the main Template you create. For detailed steps on creating a touch screen, please see: Understanding Applications for Building Touch Screens.
- Add remote keys to Page properties
- If needed, create URL links using the Link Generator
1) Under the Pages section of the Applications page, click on the ‘Create New’ button to create a new page:
- Name – This is the page name.
- Width – This will be the page width on the screen (landscape will be 1920 pixels).
- Height – This will be the page width on the screen (landscape will be 1080 pixels).
- Template – Select the template you would like to use with your page.
- Timeout Mode – Timeout mode can be set to follow:
- Application default (which will be covered under Creating the Application below).
- Page Specified – Will timeout to a specific page that you define under ‘Timeout Page’
- No timeout – The page will not timeout and will stay on the page until an action is taken by the user.
- Timeout – This will be the number of seconds of when the page will timeout.
- Timeout Page – If you selected Timeout, you have the option to set the page you want to timeout to from this setting.
- Start Time – If you would like to schedule your page to only be active during a specific date range, the Start and End Time can be set.
- Remote Key – If you are using a IR remote to change pages on your Application, enter a number you would like to use to pull up this page. Using the number buttons on the remote will call the page to show on the screen.
- Show in Widget – If you would like your page to show as an option when using the Remote Control widget, you can enable or disable from this setting.
- Geofence – Provides the ability to trigger content based on a geographical zone drawn on Google Maps. This could be defining the boundary of a car park of a hotel, then when a guest with the hotel loyalty app loaded on their mobile phone drives into the car park, the staff in reception could then get an alert on screen confirming that ‘Mr Goldsmith’ has arrived, which prompts them to get the room key ready. Or it allows a company to push content to the mobile phone when that person enters the zone e.g. if someone with a QSR app walks near the QSR, a message could pop up encouraging them to pop in and receive a 25% discount.
- Logo – Images can be uploaded from this setting to automatically add a button to pages when using the Remote Control Interface widget from the Store. Please see steps below for setting up a layout for Remote Control Interface.
Set Properties for Multiple Pages
The ‘Set Properties‘ button allows you to set and apply settings to multiple pages at once.
Set the properties as needed and click ‘Apply to All Page in Network‘ to apply the settings to all pages, or ‘Select Page to Apply‘ if you only want the settings to apply to specific Pages:
Creating the Application
After templates and pages have been created, you will need to define your Application main settings.
Click on the ‘Create New’ button under Applications.
- Name – Give your Application a name.
- Enabled – When checked, the Application is actively enabled. When unchecked, the Application is flagged as inactive and will not appear from the main Applications page (to view disabled Applications, click on the ‘Enabled/Disabled’ drop-down next to the search field at the top of the Applications main page).
- Timeout – This is the global timeout time for pages that will use the Application Default for their timeout. Enter the number of seconds.
- Page – This is the page that the Application will show first and timeout to, unless defined specifically at the Page level. You can click on the ‘Create New’ button to create a new page or go back to the Pages section and use the ‘Create New’ button from there.
- Status – This setting allows you to flag the status of the Application. Please see: Application Statuses for more information.
- Main Page – This drop-down allows you to assign the “Main” or “Home” page the Application should use as the starting point.
- Password – You can set a password that anyone who views the Application preview would have to enter to view. When left blank, anyone can view the preview URL, even if it shared.
As pages are created and buttons linked, pages will show under the main Application settings. You can open the Properties or Designer from here as well.
Each page also has a ‘Preview’ option where you can preview that page in a new tab. If a password is set under the Applications Properties, each user who views the preview URL will have to enter the password.
The page you designate as your main or “Home” page will allow you to test all pages in a new tab. If you are using Applications for a touch screen, you can use your mouse on all buttons to replicate a touchscreen.
Creating Groups
Groups are used when you are using Applications as Interrupts. Please see steps on how to use groups as part of Using Applications as Interrupts.
If you haven’t already created Groups for your players, please follow the steps below.
1) Click on the ‘Groups’ icon from the Home page.
2) Click on the ‘Create New’ button.
3) Give your Group a name.
4) Select only the Players you would like as part of this Group. This ensure that the triggers you send to the Group through the Remote Control only change content on these players.
5) Click ‘Save’
6) If needed, you can create additional groups for the same or different players.
Remote Control Interface Widget
When using this widget, to activate the triggers, you will need to select the ‘Group(s)’ and then the Application Page you’d like to trigger. If using Icon view, then you must attach your Icons in the Application Page(s) properties. Once you’ve built this Layout, you can take the ViewKey URL and save as a book mark on your laptop, desktop or tablet for quick access to fire the interrupt content.
NOTE: Websockets must be switched on for your EngagePHD network. Contact helpdesk@pinghd.com to ensure this is switched on.
Click here for steps on how to setup the Remote Control Widget Interface
Assign the Application to your Player(s)
1) Click on the ‘Players’ icon from the Home page.
2) Click on the Player to open the Player Record.
3) Use the ‘Application’ dropdown to select your Application.
4) Click ‘Save’. The Player will start downloading content shortly after.
5) Repeat for other Players as need.