What is GPIO-triggered signage?
With Yodeck, you can now make your digital signage react to physical signals, like sensors or controllers, using the GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins on a Raspberry Pi.
This means your screen content can change based on real-world events without relying on the Internet, APIs, or cloud-based automation that can add sensors and custom logic outside Yodeck.
How It Works
When you connect a Raspberry Pi to a physical input (like a switch or sensor), that signal is received through the Pi’s GPIO pins. A custom Yodeck app running on the player reads those signals every second or two and adjusts the content it displays based on what it sees.
The content logic lives inside the app itself
GPIO signals are binary (ON/OFF) — simple, fast, and reliable
Works fully offline once installed
🧪 Want to try it?
Check out our ON/OFF demo app – a basic widget that shows or hides a message based on an input signal.
What You’ll Need
Raspberry Pi | Running Yodeck Player software |
Physical signal source | Sensor, controller |
Safe wiring | 3.3V logic required — use opto-isolators or voltage dividers |
Custom Yodeck App (HTML App) | Built to read GPIO signals and update what’s displayed |
Developer or integrator | Technical skills required |
Enable GPIO on screen | Use the “Interactivity” tab in Screen Settings |
What It Can Do (and Can’t Do)
React to ON/OFF inputs from real-world sources
Show different messages, layouts, or content within the app
Work fully offline
Change app content dynamically
❌ What It Cannot Do
❌ Change the screen’s playlist or layout.
❌ Interpret complex signals (e.g., RFID codes, barcode scans).
❌ No support for I2C or SPI protocols - Plain GPIO pins.
What’s Next?
Depending on your role or goal, here’s where to go next:
ON/OFF Demo App -- A basic app that reacts to GPIO input.
Developer Integration Guide -- Complete technical documentation on GPIO APIs and app setup
Need Help?
We recommend having a technician or integrator assist with hardware setup. If you need guidance or want to propose a new use case, get in touch with us.
✨ Tip: Keep It Simple
Start with one pin, one switch, one app.
Once that works, you can scale the logic up.
Safety Reminder
Only 3.3V signals are allowed on GPIO
Max 16mA per pin, 51mA total
Never connect high-voltage lines directly to the Pi