JP4506215B2 - Information system, schedule generation device, and schedule generation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information system, a schedule generation device, and a schedule generation method.

  In recent years, with the spread of computers and the development of network technology, an increasing number of companies conduct advertising activities using networks such as the Internet. Companies create promotional content (information content) including company logos, products and services, etc., and distribute them to content playback devices located throughout the city for viewing as many people as possible. Helped to increase product sales and service usage.

  The content reproduction apparatus is installed in, for example, commercial facilities such as convenience stores and coffee shops, and public facilities such as schools, libraries, government offices, hospitals, stations, and airports. Various contents played back by the content playback apparatus include those that are not directly related to the facility where the content playback apparatus is installed (hereinafter referred to as “facility”). The managers, staff, managers, or owners (hereinafter referred to as “facility managers”) of each facility reproduce contents from companies that create and distribute contents (hereinafter referred to as “content providers”). It is also possible to obtain device installation fees and content broadcast fees. Patent Document 1 below discloses such a conventional content reproduction apparatus.

  In general, users of each facility differ in gender, occupation, age group, etc., and the number of users and user preferences change with time. In addition, each facility has various characteristics. Therefore, in order to appeal the products and services handled by the content provider to the user, it is effective to reproduce the content that matches the facility with a schedule adjusted for each facility.

  When a content playback schedule is created for each content playback device, the same number of schedule patterns as the content playback device may occur, and the creation of the schedule requires a great deal of labor and a long time. Moreover, each facility manager may desire a playback schedule for different contents. For this reason, conventionally, content reproduction apparatuses (or facilities) are grouped according to predetermined conditions, and a schedule is created for each group. That is, a plurality of content reproduction apparatuses belonging to the same group reproduce the same content with the same schedule.

JP 2002-152672 A

  However, if the content is not reproduced in accordance with the situation of each facility, there is a possibility that the product or service cannot be effectively advertised to users of each facility.

  If the number of content playback devices is increased for the purpose of widespread advertising, the effort required to create a content playback schedule increases accordingly, and content playback services cannot be provided at low cost. Also, if it takes a long time to create a content playback schedule, it may not be possible to introduce products and services to users at each facility in a timely manner.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to efficiently create a reproduction schedule for a plurality of information and to reproduce desired information according to each schedule, a schedule A generation device and a schedule generation method are provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to a first aspect of the present invention, an information system including a schedule generation device that generates a schedule and an information reproduction device that reproduces information according to the schedule is provided. This information system is characterized in that the schedule generation device generates a schedule by giving a reference schedule to the information reproduction device and changing the reference schedule in response to a change request for the reference schedule from the information reproduction device.

  According to this information system, the schedule generation device acquires a change request for the reference schedule from the information reproduction device, and creates a schedule based on the change request. Since the reference schedule is a so-called draft for generating the schedule, the schedule generation device can roughly generate the reference schedule. Therefore, the schedule generation device can generate a schedule more easily than when a schedule is generated alone. Moreover, since the request | requirement from an information reproduction apparatus is reflected in the produced | generated schedule, the information reproduction apparatus can reproduce | regenerate suitable information at a suitable timing. Furthermore, the information reproducing apparatus only requests the schedule generating apparatus to change the reference schedule given from the schedule generating apparatus with respect to the generation of the schedule. That is, the information reproducing apparatus does not need to newly generate a schedule.

  It is preferable that the schedule generation device determines whether or not the change request for the reference schedule from the information reproducing device is valid, and generates the schedule when the change request is valid. As a result, a more appropriate schedule is generated.

  If the information reproducing apparatus is provided with one or more alternative schedules together with the reference schedule, the information reproducing apparatus changes the reference schedule to either one or two or more alternative schedules for the schedule generating apparatus. Can be requested.

  The schedule preferably indicates a relationship between an information group composed of one or more pieces of information and a reproduction time during which the information reproducing apparatus reproduces the information. According to this schedule, the information reproducing device can reproduce predetermined information at a predetermined reproduction time.

  In addition, it is preferable that at least one of one or more pieces of information constituting the information group can be changed to other information. In addition, it is preferable that at least one of one or more pieces of information constituting the information group can be deleted. This facilitates adjustment of information to be reproduced. However, it is preferable that the schedule generation device determines whether or not to change or delete information based on the value of the change deletion permission flag included in the information group or the value of the change deletion permission flag included in each information. It is possible to prevent information from being changed or deleted by mistake.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the schedule generation device determines whether or not to perform the change or the deletion based on the cumulative number of change deletion requests and the cumulative amount of information transmitted to the outside. Basically, information is reproduced according to the schedule created by the schedule generation device. In addition, the schedule generation device is responsible for the degree of consistency between the attribute of the facility where the information is reproduced and the attribute of the information related to the change request, and / or the attribute of the user of the facility where the information is reproduced and the change request. It is preferable to determine whether or not to make the change based on the degree of consistency with the information attribute. As a result, information optimum for the facility and the user is reproduced.

  It is preferable that the schedule generation device acquires in advance information on a facility where the information reproducing device is installed and its user, and generates a reference schedule based on the information. This increases the accuracy of the reference schedule, and as a result, an optimal schedule is generated.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a schedule generation device for generating a schedule applied to reproduction of information. The schedule generation device generates a reference schedule, and generates the schedule by changing the reference schedule in response to a change request for the reference schedule given from the outside. According to this schedule generation device, schedule generation is facilitated.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a schedule generation method including a schedule generation apparatus that generates a schedule and an information reproduction apparatus that reproduces information according to the schedule. In this schedule generation method, the schedule generation device gives a reference schedule to the information reproduction device, the information reproduction device gives a change request for the reference schedule to the schedule generation device, and the schedule generation device And generating a schedule by changing the reference schedule according to the method.

  According to this schedule generation method, it is possible to easily generate an appropriate schedule as compared with the conventional method in which the schedule generation device generates a schedule independently. In addition, since the request from the information reproducing apparatus is reflected in the generated schedule, appropriate information is reproduced at a preferable timing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily generate a schedule applied to information reproduction.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a content distribution system (information system) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The content distribution system 1 includes a content update device 200, a content distribution device (schedule generation device) 300, a content reproduction device (information reproduction device) 400, and a communication network 500 that links them. FIG. 1 shows the minimum configuration of the content distribution system for convenience of explanation, but a plurality of content input devices 200 and a plurality of content reproduction devices 400 are arranged for one content distribution device 300. You may do it.

  The content update device 200 includes a content update control unit 210 and a content data transmission unit 220.

  The content update control unit 210 controls operations of the content data transmission unit 220 and other functional units.

  The content data transmission unit 220 transmits content data reproduced by the content reproduction device 400 to the content distribution device 300.

  The content updating apparatus 200 configured in this manner creates content that is viewed by a user of a facility where the content reproduction device 400 is installed (hereinafter referred to as “facility”) and creates it in the content distribution device 300. At the same time, various contents stored in the content distribution apparatus 300 can be updated. Therefore, for example, companies (hereinafter referred to as “content providers”) that advertise products and services handled by themselves (hereinafter referred to as “products etc.”) by having the facility users view the content. It is preferable to manage the update device 200. A case where the same content provider manages the content distribution apparatus 300 is also conceivable. In this case, the content update device 200 may be incorporated in the content distribution device 300.

  The content distribution apparatus 300 includes a content distribution control unit 310, a facility information / user information reception unit 320, a facility information / user information storage unit 321, a content data reception unit 330, a content data transmission unit 331, and a content data storage unit 332. A schedule data creation unit 340, a schedule data transmission unit 341, a schedule data change request reception unit 342, a schedule data change availability determination unit 343, and a schedule data storage unit 344 are provided.

  The content distribution control unit 310 controls operations of the plurality of functional units included in the content distribution device 300.

  The facility information / user information receiving unit 320 receives facility information and user information from the facility information / user information transmitting unit 420 belonging to the content reproduction apparatus 400, and uses the received facility information and user information as facility information / use information. Stored in the person information storage unit 321. This facility information and user information will be described in detail later.

  The content data reception unit 330 receives content data from the content data transmission unit 220 belonging to the content update device 200 and stores the received content data in the content data storage unit 332. The content data transmission unit 331 reads content data from the content data storage unit 332 and transmits the content data to the content reproduction device 400.

  The schedule data creation unit 340 creates a content reproduction schedule. The content reproduction device 400 reproduces predetermined content according to this schedule. When there are a plurality of content reproduction apparatuses 400, the schedule data creation unit 340 creates a content reproduction schedule for each content reproduction apparatus. The created schedule data is stored in the schedule data storage unit 344. The schedule data transmission unit 341 transmits the schedule data created by the schedule data creation unit 340 (or stored in the schedule data storage unit 344 after creation) to the content reproduction device 400.

  The schedule data change request receiving unit 342 receives a schedule data change request issued by the schedule data change request transmitting unit 442 belonging to the content reproduction apparatus 400, and the schedule data change availability determination unit 343 changes the schedule data related to the change request. It is determined whether or not to perform.

  For example, the content distribution apparatus 300 configured as described above may be managed by a content provider, or may be managed by a system administrator separate from the content provider. In the latter case, a plurality of content providers can join the content distribution system 1. Then, the user of the facility views the content created by each content provider who has joined the content distribution system 1 through the content reproduction device 400.

  The content reproduction apparatus 400 includes a content reproduction control unit 410, a facility information / user information transmission unit 420, a content data reception unit 430, a content data storage unit 431, a schedule data reception unit 440, a schedule data storage unit 441, and a schedule data change request. A transmission unit 442 and a content reproduction unit 450 are provided. For example, the content reproduction apparatus 400 can be configured by a hard disk recorder having a communication function.

  The content reproduction control unit 410 controls operations of the plurality of functional units included in the content reproduction control device 400.

  The facility information / user information transmitting unit 420 transmits facility information and user information to the facility information / user information receiving unit 320 belonging to the content distribution device 300.

  The content data reception unit 430 receives content data from the content data transmission unit 331 belonging to the content distribution device 300 and stores the received content data in the content data storage unit 431.

  The schedule data receiving unit 440 receives schedule data from the schedule data transmitting unit 341 belonging to the content distribution apparatus 300 and stores the received schedule data in the schedule data storage unit 441. The schedule data change request transmission unit 442 transmits a change request to the schedule data change request reception unit 342 belonging to the content distribution device 300.

  The content playback unit 450 plays back the content data stored in the content data storage unit 431 according to the schedule stored in the schedule data storage unit 441.

  The content reproduction apparatus 400 configured as described above is managed and operated by, for example, a facility manager, staff, manager, or owner (hereinafter referred to as “facility manager”).

  According to the content distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, the facility manager can introduce a mechanism for obtaining an installation fee for the content reproduction device 400 and a content broadcast fee from the content provider. Conversely, it is also possible for the content provider to adopt a method of collecting content viewing fees from the facility manager.

<Operation>
The operation of the content distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in the case where the facility is a commercial facility such as a general store.

[Step S1]
The facility information / user information transmission unit 420 belonging to the content reproduction device 400 transmits data of information on the facility (hereinafter referred to as “facility information”) to the content distribution device 300. The facility information / user information receiving unit 320 belonging to the content distribution apparatus 300 receives the facility information data and stores it in the facility information / user information storage unit 321.

  A specific example of the facility information is shown in FIG. The facility information includes fields of “identification number”, “location location”, “scale”, “transportation”, and “user group”.

  A number for identifying facility information is stored in the “identification number” field. The “location location” field stores a location where the facility exists (for example, a distance from the main facility). The “scale” field stores the scale of the facility (for example, the total floor area). The “transportation” field stores the main transportation means of users to the facility. The “user group” field stores the age, gender, etc. of the users of the facility. The content distribution apparatus 300 can grasp the feature of the facility based on the facility information.

[Step S2]
The content data transmission unit 220 belonging to the content update device 200 transmits content data to the content distribution device 300. The content data receiving unit 330 belonging to the content distribution device 300 receives the content data and stores it in the content data storage unit 332.

  Two specific examples of content data are shown in FIGS. This content data is created by the content provider, and stores a file name of a content file (displayed on a monitor (not shown) of the content playback device 400) played back on the content playback device 400. ”Field, and“ identification number ”,“ validity period ”,“ deletion ”,“ content name ”, and“ content classification ”fields for storing attribute information of content data.

  The content file is, for example, a text file, a still image file, an audio file, or a moving image file. The content provider uses the content file to advertise products handled by the content provider to users of the facility.

  In the “identification number” field, a number for identifying content data is stored.

  The “validity period” field stores the validity period of the content data. This valid period is determined, for example, between the content provider and the facility manager. When playing back a content file according to the schedule, the content playback device 400 refers to the value of the “valid period” field of the content data prior to this, and if the playback timing is other than the valid period, playback of the content file For example, another content file is reproduced.

  In the “delete” field, when the content data is included in the reproduction schedule created by the content distribution device 300, the content distribution device 300 deletes the content data from the reproduction schedule in response to a request from the content reproduction device 400. It functions as a flag indicating whether or not it can be performed (change / deletability flag). The content data shown in FIG. 4A is an example that can be deleted, and the content data shown in FIG. 4B is an example that cannot be deleted. The setting of this flag is determined, for example, between the content provider and the facility manager. If there is an error in the content data stored in the content data storage unit 332 belonging to the content distribution device 300 or the content data storage unit 431 belonging to the content reproduction device 400, the content update device 200 It is preferable to create new correct content data after deleting content data including Further, the content update device 200 may correct an error included in the content data.

  The name of this content is stored in the “content name” field. When this content indicates a product, the name of the content is, for example, a product name.

  The “content category” field stores the category name to which this content belongs. When creating a content reproduction schedule, the content distribution apparatus 300 refers to the value of the “content classification” field to narrow down the content data and selects content data to be incorporated into the reproduction schedule.

[Step S3]
The facility information / user information transmission unit 420 belonging to the content reproduction device 400 transmits data of information on the main users of the facility (hereinafter referred to as “user information”) to the content distribution device 300. The facility information / user information receiving unit 320 belonging to the content distribution device 300 receives the facility information and stores it in the facility information / user information storage unit 321.

  A specific example of user information is shown in FIG. The user information includes fields of “time zone”, “age”, “gender”, “configuration”, “use target”, and “use target classification”.

  In the “time zone” field, a facility usage time zone (business hours) or a time zone that divides this usage time zone into several zones is set. In particular, when the type of facility user changes from time to time, it is preferable to manage user information in several time zones as shown in FIG.

  The “age” field stores the age (age) of the main user, and the “sex” field stores the gender of the main user.

  The “configuration” field stores the configuration of main users. For example, the main user stores information that the facility is used by women, a couple of men and women, or a family.

  The “use target” field stores the name of the target used by the facility user. In this embodiment, since the facility is a commercial facility, the usage target is the most sold product or the most frequently used service among the products sold at the commercial facility and the services provided. Is entered.

  In the “use object classification” field, a classification name for classifying the use object is stored. When creating a content reproduction schedule, the content distribution apparatus 300 refers to the value of the “use target classification” field to narrow down user information and select content data to be incorporated into the reproduction schedule. Therefore, it is preferable that the value stored in the “use target classification” field corresponds to the value stored in the “content classification” field of the content data shown in FIG.

  By executing the above steps S1, S2, and S3, the content distribution device 300 acquires each data of facility information, content, and user information, and a content reproduction schedule in the content reproduction device 400 based on each data. Create As described above, steps S1, S2, and S3 are preparation steps for the content distribution apparatus 300 to create a reproduction schedule, and are not necessarily executed in this order.

  When the facility information or the user information needs to be changed, the content reproduction device 400 can transmit the updated facility information data and user information data to the content distribution device 300 at any time. Similarly, when the content data needs to be changed, the content update device 200 can transmit the updated content data to the content distribution device 300 at any time. The content distribution device 300 updates the reproduction schedule based on these updated data.

[Step S4]
The schedule data creation unit 340 belonging to the content distribution device 300 performs “playback” when the content playback device 400 plays back content based on the facility information, content, and user information data acquired in steps S1, S2, and S3. Create a schedule. However, in this step S4, the content distribution apparatus 300 creates a “reproduction schedule (candidate)” including some “reproduction content data (information group)” instead of the decided reproduction schedule, and reproduces the content. Transmit to device 400. The “reproduction schedule (candidate)” and “reproduction content data” will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the “reproduction schedule (candidate)”, as shown in FIG. 6, n pieces of reproduction data (1) to (n) can be set for each reproduction time. However, the content distribution apparatus 300 may not set n pieces of reproduction content data for each reproduction time. In FIG. 6, for example, “2004.01.10 / 10: 00-110: 00” is set with n pieces of reproduction content data, but “2004.01.10 / 11: 00-11: 11”. Only one reproduction content data is set in 30 ″. As will be described later, the content playback apparatus 400 selects one playback content data for each playback time from the “playback schedule (candidate)”, but the content distribution is performed for only one playback time set. The playback content data is fixed by the device 300, and the content playback device 400 has no selection right.

  Two specific examples of “reproduction content data” registered in the “reproduction schedule (candidate)” shown in FIG. 6 are shown in FIGS. This reproduction content data includes fields of “identification number”, “validity period”, “change”, “content classification”, “user group”, and “content data”.

  In the “identification number” field, a number for identifying reproduction content data is stored. This identification number is set in the “reproduction schedule (candidate)” shown in FIG.

  The “validity period” field stores the validity period of the reproduction content data. This valid period is determined, for example, between the content provider and the facility manager. In addition, the content distribution apparatus 300 can determine based on each valid period (see FIG. 4) of a plurality of content data included in the reproduction content data. When creating the “reproduction schedule (candidate)”, the schedule data creation unit 340 belonging to the content distribution apparatus 300 refers to the value of the “valid period” field of the reproduction content data so that the reproduction time does not become other than the valid period. The reproduction content data is assigned to each reproduction time.

  The “change” field functions as a flag (change deletion enable / disable flag) as to whether or not the content data included in the reproduction content data can be deleted or replaced with other content data. The reproduction content data shown in FIG. 7A is an example that cannot be changed, and the reproduction content data shown in FIG. 7B is an example that can be changed. The setting of this flag is determined, for example, between the content provider and the facility manager. In the case of the reproduction content data shown in FIG. 7B, it can be changed. Therefore, in response to a request from the content reproduction device 400, for example, the content data (1) is changed from “C-0101011” to “C-0000001”. Can be changed.

  The “content classification” field stores a classification name for classifying the reproduction content data on the basis of the contents. In other words, the classification name of the content included in the reproduction content data is stored. The value stored in the “content classification” field preferably corresponds to the value stored in the “content classification” field of the content data shown in FIG.

  The “user group” field stores a classification name for classifying the reproduction content data on the basis of the user. In other words, the attributes (for example, age, sex) of main users such as products indicated by the content included in the reproduction content data are stored. The value stored in the “user group” field includes the value stored in the “user group” field of the facility information shown in FIG. 3 and the “age” field of the user information shown in FIG. It preferably corresponds to the value stored in the “gender” field.

  In the “content data” field, the identification number of the content data shown in FIG. 4 is stored. The content data (content file) specified by the identification number stored here is reproduced by the content reproduction device 400 at a predetermined reproduction time.

  Here, the operation of the schedule data creation unit 340 belonging to the content distribution apparatus 300 will be described in more detail using a specific example.

  First, the schedule data creation unit 340 creates reproduction content data (see FIG. 7) by grouping the content data (see FIG. 4) acquired in step S2. At this time, the schedule data creation unit 340 uses the value of the “valid period” field and the value of the “content classification” field of the content data as grouping criteria. Then, the schedule data creation unit 340 sets the age group and sex of the user who will be interested in the content included in the reproduction content data in the “user group” field of the reproduction content data.

  Next, the schedule data creation unit 340 creates a “playback schedule (candidate)” (see FIG. 6) using the playback content data. At this time, the schedule data creation unit 340 refers to the content of “facility information” acquired in step S1 and the content of “user information” acquired in step S4.

  For example, the schedule data creation unit 340 refers to the value of the “user group” field of the facility information, and the main user of the facility identified by the facility identification number “0301” is “female in the 20s”. Grasp that. In addition, the schedule data creation unit 340 refers to the values of the “use target classification” field, the “age” field, and the “gender” field of the user information, so that the time zone “09: 00-17: 00”. "Clothing" is mainly sold, and it is grasped that "Women" of "20s" purchases this. Based on these pieces of information, the schedule data creation unit 340 selects one or more reproduction contents data including contents that the facility user will be interested in for each reproduction time. The “reproduction schedule (candidate)” is constituted by the reproduction content data selected in this way.

  The schedule data creation unit 340 creates the “playback content data (1)” field in the “playback content data (1)” field for the playback content data determined to be most suitable for the contents of the facility information and the user information when creating the “playback schedule (candidate)”. To store. In addition, the schedule data creation unit 340 performs playback in accordance with the playback content data stored in the “playback content data (1)” field for the “playback content data (2)” to “playback content data (n)” fields. Stores content data. That is, the reproduction content data stored in the “reproduction content data (1)” field is the reference reproduction content data, and is stored in the “reproduction content data (2)” field to the “reproduction content data (n)” field. The reproduction content data is alternative reproduction content data.

As described above, the “reproduction schedule (candidate)” data created by the schedule data creation unit 340 is stored in the schedule data storage unit 344 and transmitted to the content reproduction device 400 by the schedule data transmission unit 341. The At this time, the schedule data transmission unit 341 specifies the transmission destination according to the value stored in the “facility identification number” field of “reproduction schedule (candidate)”. In the present embodiment, the transmission destination is a facility identified by the facility identification number “0301”. However, when a plurality of content reproduction devices are installed in each facility, the schedule data transmission unit 341 It is also possible to transmit a “reproduction schedule (candidate)” for each content reproduction apparatus. In this way, the schedule data receiving unit 440 belonging to the content reproduction apparatus 400 receives the “reproduction schedule (candidate)” data.

[Step S5]
The content playback apparatus 400 confirms the “playback schedule (candidate)” acquired in step S4, and selects playback content data for each playback time. For example, with regard to the playback time “2004.01.10 / 100: 00-11: 00: 00”, playback content data is set in all of the “playback content data (1)” field to the “playback content data (n)” field. Therefore, the content reproduction apparatus 400 selects one reproduction content data from the n pieces of reproduction content data. Similarly, the content reproduction apparatus 400 selects one reproduction content data for other reproduction times.

  When only one piece of reproduction content data is set as in the reproduction time “2004.01.10 / 11: 00-11: 30”, the content reproduction apparatus 400 uses the other reproduction contents for this reproduction time. The data cannot be selected. In the present embodiment, the content playback apparatus 400 uses any playback content data stored in the “playback content data (1)” to “playback content data (n)” fields of the “playback schedule (candidate)”. If not selected, it is considered that the reproduction content data stored in the “reproduction content data (1)” field is selected.

  When the content playback device 400 selects playback content data set in any of the “playback content data (1)” field to the “playback content data (n)” field for each playback time, the content playback device 400 The schedule data change request transmission unit 442 to which it belongs requests the content distribution apparatus 300 to change the “reproduction schedule (candidate)”. When the content reproduction device 400 selects the reproduction content data set in the “reproduction content data (1)” field for each reproduction time, the schedule data change request transmission unit 442 displays “reproduction schedule (candidate)”. You do not have to request changes.

  Further, the content reproduction device 400 requests the content distribution device 300 to replace the content data included in each reproduction content data with other content data or to delete any content data. can do. In this case, the content reproduction device 400 first inquires of the content distribution device 300 about whether or not it is possible. This inquiry is made from the schedule data change request transmission unit 442 belonging to the content reproduction device 400 to the schedule data change request reception unit 342 belonging to the content distribution device 300.

  This step S5 can be performed up to a predetermined time before the content playback time.

[Step S6]
The schedule data change permission determination unit 343 belonging to the content distribution device 300 examines the “playback schedule (candidate)” change permission inquiry from the content playback device 400 in step S5.

  For example, the playback content data stored in the “playback content data (1)” field of the “playback schedule (candidate)” from the content playback device 400 is changed from the “playback content data (2)” field to the “playback content data (n). ) ”Field, when it is inquired about whether or not to change to the reproduction content data stored in any of the fields, the schedule data change possibility determination unit 343 determines that if it is up to a predetermined time before the content reproduction time, Allow change.

  Also, for example, when the content playback device 400 inquires whether or not the content data included in each playback content data can be changed to other content data, the schedule data change permission determination unit 343 displays the playback content data. With reference to the value of the “change” field (see FIG. 7) and the value of the “delete” field of the content data, for example, when both are “permitted”, the change is permitted.

  Furthermore, the schedule data change availability determination unit 343 may adopt the following rules when determining whether the change is possible.

  For example, the schedule data change permission determination unit 343 determines that the cumulative number of times that the change deletion request from the content reproduction apparatus 400 is permitted is N percent or less of the number of contents (information amount) distributed so far to the content reproduction apparatus 400. In the case of, the change is permitted, and when the cumulative number exceeds N percent of the number of distributed contents, the change is not permitted. As a result, content is basically played back by the content playback device 400 in accordance with the policy of the content distribution device 300. The request of the content reproduction device 400 is reflected to some extent on the content reproduced on the content reproduction device 400 and its reproduction schedule.

  Further, for example, the schedule data change possibility determination unit 343 determines between the attribute information of the facility information and user information where the inquired content reproduction apparatus 400 is installed and the attribute information of the content newly requested for distribution. The degree of matching is calculated, and when the degree of matching is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, the change is permitted, and when the degree of matching is lower than the predetermined threshold, the change is not permitted. As a result, the content distribution device 300 distributes the optimal content to the facility and user to the content reproduction device 400.

  The schedule data change possibility determination unit 343 notifies the content reproduction apparatus 400 of the determination result.

[Step S7]
Upon receiving the determination result from the schedule data change permission determination unit 343 belonging to the content distribution device 300, the content reproduction device 400 requests the content distribution device 300 to change the “reproduction schedule (candidate)”. When requesting a change of content data, the content data as candidates for change are grouped according to the value of the “content name” field or the value of the “content classification” field and are displayed on a monitor (not shown) of the content playback apparatus 400. It is preferable to display. Thereby, the operator (for example, facility manager) of the content reproduction apparatus 400 can easily select the changed content data.

  In the present embodiment, the content playback apparatus 400, for example, from the “playback schedule (candidate)” (see FIG. 6), for playback time “2004.01.10 / 100: 00-110: 00” The reproduction content data (identification number “PD-000001”) stored in the “reproduction content data (1)” field is selected, and the reproduction time “2004.01.10 / 11: 30-15: 00” The reproduction content data (identification number “PD-201011”) stored in the “reproduction content data (2)” field is selected, and the reproduction time “2004.01.10 / 15: 00-18: 00” The reproduction content data (identification number “PD-500283”) stored in the “reproduction content data (3)” field is selected. For the playback time “2004.01.10 / 11: 00-11: 30”, the playback content data (identification number “PD-100101”) is stored only in the “playback content data (1)” field. Therefore, the content reproduction device 400 cannot select other reproduction content data. However, as described above, the content playback apparatus 400 also replaces any content data included in the playback content data with other content data, or deletes any content data. Is possible.

[Step S8]
The schedule data creation unit 340 belonging to the content distribution device 300 creates a “playback schedule (determined)” shown in FIG. 8 in response to the request received from the content playback device 400 in step S7. In this “playback schedule (confirmed)”, playback content data determined for each playback time is stored. “Reproduction schedule (determined)” is stored in the schedule data storage unit 344 belonging to the content distribution device 300 and transmitted to the content reproduction device 400 by the schedule data transmission unit 341. The schedule data receiving unit 440 belonging to the content reproduction apparatus 400 receives “reproduction schedule (confirmed)” and stores it in the schedule data storage unit 441.

  In step S8, the “playback schedule (determined)” transmitted by the schedule data transmission unit 341 to the content playback device 400 includes a plurality of playback content data, and each playback content data includes a plurality of content data. Yes. The content data transmission unit 331 belonging to the content distribution device 300 acquires these content data (see FIG. 4) from the content data storage unit 332 and transmits the content data to the content reproduction device 400. The content data receiving unit 430 belonging to the content reproduction device 400 receives these content data and stores them in the content data storage unit 431.

  As described above, in step S4, “reproduction schedule (candidate)” is transmitted from the content distribution apparatus 300 to the content reproduction apparatus 400. However, the content reproduction apparatus 400 performs “reproduction schedule ( When the reproduction content data stored in the “reproduction content data (1)” field of “candidate)” is selected, that is, when the content reproduction device 400 selects the reference reproduction schedule recommended by the content distribution device 300, content distribution is performed. The system 1 performs an operation different from the above steps S5 to S7.

  First, after step S4, the content reproduction apparatus 400 notifies the content distribution apparatus 300 that there is no schedule change. Next, upon receiving this notification, the content distribution apparatus 300 creates a “playback schedule (confirmed)” composed of the playback content data stored in the “playback content data (1)” field of the “playback schedule (candidate)”. Then, this is transmitted to the content reproduction apparatus 400.

[Step S9]
The content reproduction device 400 confirms the content of the “reproduction schedule (confirmation)” acquired from the content distribution device 300, and reproduces content data (identification number “PD-000001”) defined by the “reproduction schedule (confirmation)”. , “PD-100101”, “PD-201011”, “PD-500283”) is verified whether the content data storage unit 431 stores the content data (or content file). When the necessary content data does not exist in the content data storage unit 431, the content reproduction device 400 requests the content distribution device 300 for the content data.

[Step S10]
The content data transmission unit 331 belonging to the content distribution device 300 reads out the content data requested from the content reproduction device 400 in step S9 from the content data storage unit 332 and transmits it to the content reproduction device 400. The content data receiving unit 430 belonging to the content reproduction device 400 receives this content data and stores it in the content data storage unit 431.

[Step S11]
The content reproduction unit 450 belonging to the content reproduction apparatus 400 reproduces predetermined content data at a predetermined time according to “reproduction schedule (confirmation)”.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the content reproduction device 400 makes a desired reproduction schedule to the content distribution device 300 based on the “reproduction schedule (candidate)” given from the content distribution device 300. Can be requested to generate.

  In addition, the content distribution apparatus 300 does not need to create a “reproduction schedule (determined)” that differs for each of the content reproduction apparatus 400 and the plurality of other content reproduction apparatuses. Therefore, the burden on the content distribution apparatus 300 for creating the “reproduction schedule (confirmation)” is reduced.

  In addition, the content reproduction apparatus 400 is also involved in creating the “reproduction schedule (confirmation)”. Since the content reproduction device 400 follows the “reproduction schedule (determined)” created by the cooperative operation of the content distribution device 300 and the content reproduction device 400, it is possible to reproduce appropriate content at a more preferable timing. The user of the facility views the content at an effective timing. This also contributes to an increase in sales of products.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a “delete” field is prepared for the content data (see FIG. 4), and a “change” field is prepared for the reproduction content data (see FIG. 7). For this reason, for example, a situation in which content that must be reproduced due to a contract between the content provider and the facility manager is accidentally deleted from the reproduction schedule by the content reproduction apparatus 400 is avoided. Is done.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, the embodiment of the present invention has been described in the case where the content update device 200, the content distribution device 300, and the content reproduction device 400 constituting the content distribution system 1 are realized by hardware. It can also be realized.

  The present invention, for example, distributes moving image data, still image data, audio data, etc. to a large number of terminals installed in a commercial facility, and the contents obtained by combining these data via the monitors and speakers of each terminal. The present invention can be applied to a multimedia distribution system provided to users of commercial facilities.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the content delivery system concerning embodiment of this invention. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the content delivery system of FIG. In the content distribution system of FIG. 1, it is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the facility information transmitted to a content distribution apparatus from a content reproduction apparatus. In the content distribution system of FIG. 1, it is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the content data transmitted to a content distribution apparatus from a content update apparatus. In the content distribution system of FIG. 1, it is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the user information transmitted to a content distribution apparatus from a content reproduction apparatus. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the content of a reproduction schedule (candidate) transmitted from the content distribution device to the content reproduction device in the content distribution system of FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the reproduction content data contained in the reproduction schedule (candidate) of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a reproduction schedule (determined) transmitted from the content distribution device to the content reproduction device in the content distribution system of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Content distribution system 200 Content update apparatus 220 Content data transmission part 300 Content distribution apparatus 320 Content information reception part 330 Content data reception part 331 Content data transmission part 340 Schedule data creation part 341 Schedule data transmission part 342 Schedule data change request reception part 343 Schedule data change availability determination unit 400 Content playback device 420 Facility information / user information transmission unit 430 Content data reception unit 440 Schedule data reception unit 442 Schedule data change request transmission unit 450 Content playback unit 500 Communication network

Claims (15)

  A schedule data creation unit for creating a reference schedule indicating a relationship between an identification number for identifying information to be reproduced, a reproduction time for reproducing the information, and a change / deletability flag indicating whether the information can be changed / deleted;
  A schedule data transmission unit that transmits the reference schedule created in the schedule data creation unit to an information reproduction device that reproduces the information;
  A schedule data change availability determination unit that determines whether the reference schedule can be changed and deleted; and
A schedule generation device having
  A schedule data receiving unit for receiving a reference schedule created in the schedule generation device;
  A schedule data change request transmission unit for transmitting a change deletion request about the content of information to be reproduced in the reference schedule to the schedule generation device;
An information reproducing apparatus having
With
  The schedule data change enable / disable determining unit, when requested to change or delete the information to be played back of the reference schedule to other information by a change delete request transmitted from the information playback apparatus, To determine whether to make the change or the deletion based on
  The schedule data transmission unit transmits a confirmed schedule reflecting changes and deletions based on the determination in the schedule data change permission determination unit to the information reproduction device,
  The information reproducing apparatus reproduces information based on the fixed schedule.   The schedule data creation unit creates an alternative schedule that is an alternative to the reference schedule together with the reference schedule,
  The schedule data transmission unit transmits the reference schedule and the alternative schedule to the information reproduction device,
  The schedule data change availability determination unit receives the change deletion request for changing the reference schedule to one of the alternative schedules from the information reproducing device, and performs the change or the deletion according to the change deletion request. The information system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not to perform.   When receiving the change / deletion request, the schedule data change enable / disable determining unit determines the cumulative number of the change / delete request and the cumulative amount of the information transmitted from the schedule generation device to the information reproduction device up to that point. The information system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether to perform the change or the deletion based on the information system.   The schedule data change enable / disable determining unit is installed when the information to be reproduced in the reference schedule is requested to be changed to other information by a change deletion request transmitted from the information reproduction apparatus. The information according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is determined whether or not to make the change based on a degree of consistency between the attribute of the facility to be used and the attribute of the other information. system.   The schedule data change enable / disable determining unit is installed when the information to be reproduced in the reference schedule is requested to be changed to other information by a change deletion request transmitted from the information reproduction apparatus. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not to make the change based on a degree of consistency between an attribute of a user of the facility and an attribute of the other information. The described information system.   The reference schedule includes an information group associated with an identification number for identifying one or more of the information, a reproduction time for reproducing the information group, and a change / deletability flag indicating whether the information group is changeable / deletable. Including
  When the schedule data change permission determination unit receives the change deletion request for changing or deleting at least one of one or more pieces of information of the information group to other information, the change deletion of the information group 6. The information system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not to perform the change or the deletion based on an availability flag.   The reference schedule includes an information group associated with an identification number for identifying one or more pieces of information, a reproduction time for reproducing the information group, and a change / delete enable / disable flag indicating whether each information can be changed / deleted. Including
  When the schedule data change availability determination unit receives the change deletion request for changing or deleting at least one of one or more pieces of information of the information group to other information, the change deletion of each information 6. The information system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not to perform the change or the deletion based on an availability flag.   A schedule data creation unit for creating a reference schedule indicating a relationship between an identification number for identifying information to be reproduced, a reproduction time for reproducing the information, and a change / deletability flag indicating whether the information can be changed / deleted;
  A schedule data transmission unit that transmits the reference schedule created in the schedule data creation unit to an information reproduction device that reproduces the information;
  When it is requested to change or delete the information to be reproduced in the reference schedule to other information by the change deletion request transmitted from the information reproducing apparatus, the change or deletion is performed based on the change deletion enable / disable flag. A schedule data change permission determination unit that determines whether or not to perform;
With
  The schedule data transmitting unit transmits a confirmed schedule reflecting changes and deletions to the information reproducing device based on the determination in the schedule data change possibility determination unit.   The schedule data creation unit creates an alternative schedule that is an alternative to the reference schedule together with the reference schedule,
  The schedule data transmission unit transmits the reference schedule and the alternative schedule to the information reproduction device,
  The schedule data change availability determination unit receives the change deletion request for changing the reference schedule to one of the alternative schedules from the information reproducing device, and performs the change or the deletion according to the change deletion request. The information system according to claim 8, wherein it is determined whether or not to perform.   When receiving the change / deletion request, the schedule data change enable / disable determining unit determines the cumulative number of the change / delete request and the cumulative amount of the information transmitted from the schedule generation device to the information reproduction device up to that point. 10. The information system according to claim 8, wherein it is determined whether to perform the change or the deletion based on the information.   The schedule data change enable / disable determining unit is installed when the information to be reproduced in the reference schedule is requested to be changed to other information by a change deletion request transmitted from the information reproduction apparatus. The information according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein it is determined whether or not to make the change based on a degree of consistency between an attribute of the facility to be used and an attribute of the other information. system.   The schedule data change enable / disable determining unit is installed when the information to be reproduced in the reference schedule is requested to be changed to other information by a change deletion request transmitted from the information reproduction apparatus. 12. The method according to claim 8, wherein whether or not to make the change is determined based on a degree of matching between an attribute of a user of a facility and an attribute of the other information. The described information system.   The reference schedule includes an information group associated with an identification number for identifying one or more of the information, a reproduction time for reproducing the information group, and a change / deletability flag indicating whether the information group is changeable / deletable. Including
  When the schedule data change permission determination unit receives the change deletion request for changing or deleting at least one of one or more pieces of information of the information group to other information, the change deletion of the information group The information system according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein whether or not to perform the change or the deletion is determined based on an availability flag.   The reference schedule includes an information group associated with an identification number for identifying one or more pieces of information, a reproduction time for reproducing the information group, and a change / delete enable / disable flag indicating whether each information can be changed / deleted. Including
  When the schedule data change availability determination unit receives the change deletion request for changing or deleting at least one of one or more pieces of information of the information group to other information, the change deletion of each information The information system according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein whether or not to perform the change or the deletion is determined based on an availability flag. A schedule generation method for generating a schedule by a schedule generation device for generating a schedule and an information reproduction device for reproducing information according to the schedule,
A step of creating a reference schedule indicating a relationship between an identification number for identifying information to be reproduced, a reproduction time for reproducing the information, and a change deletion permission flag indicating whether the information can be changed or deleted; When,
The schedule generating device transmitting the reference schedule to the information reproducing device;
The information reproduction device receiving the reference schedule from the schedule generation device;
The information reproduction device transmitting a change deletion request for the content of information reproduced in the reference schedule to the schedule generation device;
Determining whether the schedule generation device that has received the change deletion request performs the change or the deletion based on the change deletion enable / disable flag;
The schedule generating device generating a fixed schedule reflecting changes and deletions based on the determination result in the determining step;
The schedule generating device transmitting the confirmed schedule to the information reproducing device;
The information reproducing device reproducing information based on the fixed schedule;
The schedule generation method characterized by including.

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