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Joint collaboration with NEC Laboratories brings sensor plug-and-play functionality under a single, intuitive interface

NEC Display Solutions brings true context-aware signage with official leafengine launch

Munich, 01 August 2013 – NEC Display Solutions Europe has officially unveiled leafengine, a software layer that introduces a new era in context-aware digital signage.

In a joint R&D project with NEC Laboratories in Heidelberg, leafengine is developed as a distributed middleware layer that allows for the development of more intelligent digital signage solutions. It easily connects the vast array of sensors available today through a standardised interface and lets users build them into whatever digital signage applications they want.

"New smart signage uses sensors to drive interactive, personalised content based on what the sensors detect. This could be audience measurement, combined with touch screens, proximity sensors, NFC or QR readers. Encoding all the different manufacturers’ sensors and changing priorities can be time consuming and inflexible," said Thorsten Wilm, Manager Software Solutions and Future Technologies at NEC Display Solutions Europe. "NEC’s leafengine is a middleware designed to drastically simplify the high complexity associated with programming and maintaining sensor-driven, context-aware signage. Once enabled, it allows end users to modify what happens with content based on a possible mix of sensors, giving the ability to maximise the benefits and sensor-backed audience accountability. It provides real-time interaction with minimal resource consumption and is designed to run next to the player software, making the whole process as simple as possible – and digital signage context-aware."

Leafengine can help users deliver on a wide range of intelligent digital signage solutions, including interactive trailers, audience measurement, interactive shopper support, loyalty systems and data mapping.

The software itself is a small Java-based application that can run in a Windows or a Linux environment. Management of the application and the connected sensors is done via an online portal as well as through an intuitive web page graphical user interface or an HTTP REST API.

The newly launched leafengine was successfully showcased at this year's Integrated Systems Europe in Amsterdam and at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

NEC Display Solutions Europe GmbH has its European headquarters in Munich, Germany and is responsible for all business activities in EMEA. NEC Display Solutions benefits from the technological know-how and technologies of the NEC Corporation and, with its own Research and Development, is one of the world's leading manufacturers offering the widest product range of display solutions in the market. The display product portfolio ranges from entry-level to professional and speciality desktop LCDs, via large-size Public Displays for Digital and Retail Signage. The Projector range offers products for all needs, from portable devices via business projectors to products for permanent operation (such as PoS applications) and digital cinema projectors. Bernd Eberhardt is President and CEO of NEC Display Solutions Europe.

Further information can be found online at: www.sharpnecdisplays.eu

NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company’s experience and global resources, NEC’s advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society.

For more information, visit NEC at: www.nec.com

Contacts for further information:

Ann Kjellser
PR Manager EMEA
NEC Display Solutions Europe GmbH
Tel: +46 72 162 8719
Email: ann.kjellser@emea.nec.com

Gabrielle Hui-Hutter
International Account Manager
LEWIS PR
Tel: +33 1 55 31 98 02
Email: gabrielle.hui-hutter@lewispr.com