Implementation of a control application for a hotel display system using qt and sockets

Abstract

This Master’s thesis presents the implementation of a centralized digital signage control system for hotel environments. The solution combines Raspberry Pi single-board computers as display nodes with a Qt-based crossplatform control application. Communication between the central control station and distributed display units is achieved through reliable TCP/IP socket programming, ensuring real-time content synchronization. The system features a client-server architecture where the server application enables hotel staff to remotely manage display content, update room prices, modify promotional materials, and control page navigation across multiple terminals. The client application, running on Raspberry Pi devices, renders dynamic multimedia content through an elegant graphical interface with automatic page rotation and smooth transitions. Key achievements include: (1) development of a lightweight, responsive control interface; (2) implementation of a robust text-based communication protocol; (3) design of nine distinct promotional pages showcasing hotel services; and (4) successful validation demonstrating stable operation with minimal resource consumption (<5% CPU, 150MB RAM). This cost-effective solution proves the viability of combining open-source hardware with modern cross-platform frameworks for scalable hospitality digital signage deployments.