WebWrap: Embed Interactive Webpages With Auto Return

WebWrap embeds any webpage inside a digital signage playlist and automatically returns to the playlist once the visitor stops interacting with it.

The Problem

SMIL playlists can open a webpage on various triggers, but have no way to detect user interaction inside the widget. The only option is a static duration, and that breaks interactive use cases: if a visitor opens a wayfinder or shopping guide and walks away mid session, the playlist is stuck until the fixed timer runs out.

The Solution

WebWrap wraps the target URL in an iframe and monitors touch and click activity. If the screen goes idle for a defined period, it calls the REST API from Garlic-Player or IAdea to switch back to the default playlist. The visitor gets a countdown overlay warning before the switch, and tapping anywhere cancels it.

Configuration

All parameters are set through any CMS that can read config.xml, here shown in Garlic-Hub, no code changes needed per deployment.

Parameter	Default	Description
`url`	—	URL to display (required)
`idle_timeout`	`60`	Seconds of inactivity before returning to the playlist
`warn_at`	`10`	Seconds before timeout at which the countdown overlay shows
`show_overlay`	`true`	Show countdown overlay (`true`/`false`)
`overlay_msg`	`Tap to continue`	Message shown in the countdown overlay
`player_host`	`localhost`	REST API host
`player_port`	`8080`	REST API port

Once idle timeout is reached, the countdown overlay appears over the embedded page:

Features

Opens any URL in a fullscreen iframe
Configurable idle timeout
Countdown overlay before returning to the playlist, configurable or disabled
Calls POST /v2/app/switch on the local Garlic-Player REST API to resume the playlist
OAuth2 token handling with automatic refresh, handled internally by the widget
Activity detection: touch, click, keyboard, scroll
Same origin iframe activity detection, best effort, silently ignored for cross origin pages

SMIL Example

<ref src="WebWrap.wgt">
  <param name="url"          value="https://your-wayfinder.example.com"/>
  <param name="idle_timeout" value="60"/>
  <param name="warn_at"      value="10"/>
  <param name="overlay_msg"  value="Returning to main screen..."/>
</ref>

Use Cases

Wayfinder: visitor touches the screen to open an interactive map, WebWrap returns to the slideshow after they walk away
Shopping guide: product catalog opens on touch, auto returns after idle
Info kiosk: any interactive webpage embedded in a playlist without manual timeout guessing

Compatibility

WebWrap uses the Garlic-Player REST API. IAdea media players are 1:1 compatible with this API. Cross origin URLs load normally. Same origin URLs additionally allow idle detection inside the iframe itself.

Download WebWrap