Information processing apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides an information processing device for improving the visual effect of a content image displayed by a vehicle. The information processing apparatus includes: a communication unit; and a control unit that, via the communication unit, communicates with a plurality of vehicles having a display unit that displays an image to the outside, and causes the plurality of vehicles to display a part of a content image corresponding to the respective position when a time period during which the distance between the plurality of vehicles is equal to or less than a reference distance continues for a reference time period or more.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus. Background Art

[0002] There is known a vehicle that displays an image such as an advertisement on an outer wall of a vehicle body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the following technique: the time during which an occupant of another vehicle can visually confirm an image displayed on a display mounted on the own vehicle is calculated, and an advertisement edited so that the display time becomes an image time corresponding to the visually confirmable time is displayed on the display.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-147107 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] There is room for improvement in the visual effect of the content image displayed on the vehicle.

[0008] The present disclosure provides an information processing apparatus and the like that can improve the visual effect of the content image displayed on the vehicle.

[0009] Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The information processing apparatus in the present disclosure includes: a communication unit; and a control unit that communicates with a plurality of vehicles each having a display unit for displaying an image toward the outside through the communication unit, and when the inter-vehicle distance of the plurality of vehicles during travel becomes equal to or less than a reference distance for a reference time or more, causes the plurality of vehicles to display a part of a content image corresponding to their respective positions.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the information processing apparatus and the like of the present disclosure, the visual effect of the content image displayed on the vehicle can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 A diagram showing a structural example of a vehicle management system.

[0014] Figure 2 A sequence diagram showing an operation example of a vehicle management system.

[0015] Figure 3 A flowchart showing an operation example of a server device.

[0016] Figure 4A A diagram showing an example of content image allocation.

[0017] Figure 4B A diagram showing an example of an allocation for a content image.

[0018] Figure 4C A diagram showing an example of an allocation for a content image.

[0019] Figure 5A A diagram showing an example of an allocation for a content image.

[0020] Figure 5B A diagram showing an example of an allocation for a content image. Detailed implementation mode

[0021] Hereinafter, the implementation mode will be described.

[0022] <Structure of vehicle management system>

[0023] Figure 1 A diagram showing an example of the structure of a vehicle management system in one implementation mode. The vehicle management system 1 has one or more server devices 10, one or more terminal devices 12, and multiple vehicles 13 that are connected via a network 11 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The server device 10 is, for example, a server computer belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system and functioning as a server for installing various functions. The server device 10 corresponds to the "information processing device" in the present implementation mode. The terminal device 12 is an information processing terminal used by an operator of an operator who posts advertisements on the vehicle 13, and sends and receives various information to and from the server device 10. The terminal device 12 is, for example, a personal computer. The vehicle 13 has a display unit 137 for displaying content images such as advertisements on the outer wall portion of the vehicle body. The vehicle 13 is, for example, a commercial vehicle such as a bus or a truck, but may also be a car. The vehicle 13 has a communication function and an information processing function, and is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication network. The vehicle 13 can be driven by a driver or can be autonomously driven at any level (for example, any one of levels 1 to 5 in SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)). In addition, the vehicle 13 is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle that uses electric power of a storage battery for at least a part of the energy used for traveling. Hereinafter, when distinguishing multiple vehicles 13 from each other, the branch number is marked as vehicle 13-n (n = 1, 2,...). Although the network 11 is, for example, the Internet, it includes a self-organizing network, a LAN (Local Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), or other networks, or any combination of these networks.

[0024] In this embodiment, the vehicle management system 1 controls the display of content images implemented by multiple vehicles 13. The server device 10 includes a communication unit 101 and a control unit 103 that communicates via the communication unit. The control unit 103 communicates with multiple vehicles 13 each having a display unit 137 that displays an image toward the outside through the communication unit 101, and when the inter-vehicle distance of the multiple vehicles 13 during travel becomes equal to or less than a reference distance for a duration equal to or longer than a reference time, causes the multiple vehicles 13 to display a part of the content image corresponding to their respective positions. Since the content image can be displayed using a large display surface (hereinafter referred to as a combined display surface) formed by combining the display surfaces of the display units 137 of the multiple vehicles 13, the visual effect of the content image can be improved.

[0025] <Structure of Server Device 10>

[0026] The server device 10 includes a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a control unit 103. The server device 10 is, for example, a single computer. Alternatively, the server device 10 may be composed of two or more computers connected and operating in cooperation in a manner capable of information communication. In this case, Figure 2 The structure shown is appropriately configured in two or more computers.

[0027] The communication unit 101 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 101 receives information used in the operation of the server device 10 and transmits information obtained through the operation of the server device 10. The server device 10 is connected to the network 11 through the communication unit 101 and communicates with the vehicle 13 via the network 11.

[0028] The storage unit 102 includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of them that function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM is, for example, an SRAM (Static RAM) or a DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM). The storage unit 102 stores information used in the operation of the server device 10 and information obtained through the operation of the server device 10.

[0029] The control unit 103 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) dedicated to specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like. The control unit 103 controls each part of the server device 10 and performs information processing related to the operation of the server device 10.

[0030] The functions of the server device 10 are realized by the processor included in the control unit 103 executing a control program. The control program is a program that causes a computer to realize a function corresponding to the processing of a step by causing the computer to execute the processing of the steps included in the operation of the server device 10. That is, the control program is a program for causing a computer to function as the server device 10. In addition, part or all of the functions of the server device 10 may also be realized by the dedicated circuit included in the control unit 103. In addition, the control program may be stored in a non-temporary recording or storage medium readable by the server device 10 and read by the server device 10 from the medium.

[0031] <Structure of the terminal device 12>

[0032] The terminal device 12 includes a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a control unit 123, an input unit 125, and an output unit 126.

[0033] The communication unit 121 has a communication module corresponding to a wired or wireless LAN standard, a module corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation), and the like. The terminal device 12 is connected to the network 11 through the communication unit 121 via a nearby router device or a base station for mobile communication, and communicates information with other devices via the network 11.

[0034] The storage unit 122 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of them. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The storage unit 122 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 122 stores the information used in the operation of the control unit 123 and the information obtained through the operation of the control unit 123.

[0035] The control unit 123 has, for example, one or more general-purpose processors such as a CPU or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or one or more dedicated processors dedicated to specific processing. Alternatively, the control unit 123 may have one or more dedicated circuits such as an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 123 comprehensively controls the operation of the terminal device 12 by operating according to a control or processing program, or according to the operation steps installed as a circuit. Moreover, the control unit 123 transmits and receives various information to and from the server device 10 etc. via the communication unit 121, and executes the operations related to this embodiment.

[0036] The input unit 125 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface includes, for example, physical buttons, capacitive buttons, a pointing device, a touch screen integrally provided with a display, a camera that acquires a captured image or an image code, or an IC card reader. The input interface may also include a microphone that accepts voice input. The input unit 125 accepts the input of the information used in the operation of the control unit 123 and sends the input information to the control unit 123.

[0037] The output unit 126 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The output unit 126 outputs the information obtained through the operation of the control unit 123.

[0038] The function of the control unit 123 is realized by the processor included in the control unit 123 executing a control program. The control program is a program for causing the processor to function as the control unit 123. In addition, part or all of the functions of the control unit 123 may also be realized by the dedicated circuit included in the control unit 123.

[0039] <Example structure of vehicle 13>

[0040] The vehicle 13 includes a communication unit 131, a storage unit 132, a control unit 133, a positioning unit 134, an input unit 135, and an output unit 136. The output unit 136 includes a display unit 137. One or more of these units may be configured as one control device, or may be constituted by a personal computer including a tablet terminal, a smartphone terminal, or a navigation device. Alternatively, each unit may be connected in a manner enabling information communication via an in-vehicle network based on a standard such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0041] The storage unit 132, the control unit 133, and the input unit 135 have structures respectively equivalent to those of the storage unit 122, the control unit 123, and the input unit 125 of the terminal device 12.

[0042] The communication unit 131 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, an interface corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G, or 5G. The communication unit 131 receives the information used in the operation of the control unit 133 and transmits the information obtained through the operation of the control unit 133. The control unit 133 is connected to the network 11 through the communication unit 131 and via a base station for mobile communication, and performs information communication with other devices via the network 11.

[0043] The positioning unit 134 includes one or more GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers. In GNSS, for example, it includes at least any one of GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), BeiDou (Beidou Navigation System), GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and Galileo (Galileo Satellite Navigation System). The positioning unit 134 obtains the position information of the vehicle 13 based on the acquired information.

[0044] The output unit 136 includes one or more output interfaces for outputting the information obtained through the operation of the control unit 123. The output interface includes, for example, a display or a speaker, and also includes the display unit 137 provided outside the vehicle body. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. In addition, the display unit 137 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display having a substantially rectangular shape with one side being several meters or more.

[0045] The control unit 133 controls these units while transmitting and receiving various information to and from the communication unit 131, the storage unit 132, the positioning unit 134, the input unit 135, and the output unit 136, and controls the operation of the vehicle 13.

[0046] <Actions of the vehicle management system 1>

[0047] Figure 2 It is a sequence diagram showing an example of the steps of the collaborative operation of the server device 10, the terminal device 12, and the vehicle 13. Figure 2 In, the steps related to various information processing of the server device 10, the terminal device 12, and the vehicle 13 are executed by their respective control units 103, 123, and 133. In addition, the steps related to the transmission and reception of various information of the server device 10, the terminal device 12, and the vehicle 13 are executed by their respective control units 103, 123, and 133 to transmit and receive information to and from each other via the communication units 101, 121, and 131, respectively. In the server device 10, the terminal device 12, and the vehicle 13, the respective control units 103, 123, and 133 appropriately store the processed, transmitted, and received information in the storage units 102, 122, and 132, respectively.

[0048] In step S20, the server device 10 acquires the schedule information of each of the multiple vehicles 13. The schedule information includes the area and time period in which each vehicle 13 is to travel. The schedule information may also be stored in each vehicle 13 and sent from the vehicle 13 to the server device 10. The schedule information of each vehicle 13 is stored in the server device 10 and read by the control unit 103. Step S20 is executed, for example, once a day.

[0049] In step S21, the server device 10 sends the operation information to the terminal device 12. The operation information includes information on the advertising fees for each area and time period in which the multiple vehicles 13 travel. The advertisement is displayed as a content image on the combined display surface formed by the display units 137 of the multiple vehicles 14. The advertising fee is set, for example, to increase according to the size of the combined display surface or the number of vehicles 14 forming the combined display surface. In addition, the advertising fee may be increased or decreased according to the attributes of the area and the time period. For example, since it is speculated that in areas, time periods, or combinations of areas and time periods with higher population density, there are more consumers who come into contact with the advertisement, the advertising fee can be set higher.

[0050] In step S22, the server device 10 receives information on an advertisement application from the terminal device 12. The information on the advertisement application includes identification information for identifying an operator and their financial information, information specifying the area and time period in which the vehicle 13 travels, and data on a content image for the advertisement. The terminal device 12 outputs the operation information received from the server device 10 through display or the like, and in response to an operation for the advertisement application performed by an operator of the operator, sends the information on the advertisement application to the server device 10.

[0051] In step S23, the server device 10 determines content images for each group of vehicles 14. The server device 10 associates the content images with each group of multiple vehicles 14 traveling in the same area during the same time period according to the advertisement application. When multiple content images are applied for in a group of vehicles 14, the server device 10 arranges the priority order of the multiple content images, for example, in the order of application, in the order from the largest to the smallest advertising fee, etc., and associates the content image with a higher priority order than other content images with the group of vehicles 14. Alternatively, the server device 10 can also derive the aspect ratio of the combined display surface in a substantially rectangular shape and select the content image on the condition of conforming to the aspect ratio. The aspect ratio is classified into at least vertical or horizontal, for example. For example, the server device 10 stores in advance in the storage unit 102 information on the display surface generated by the display unit 137 of each vehicle 14 and can use this information to derive the aspect ratio of the planned combined display surface.

[0052] When the operation of the vehicle 14 starts, in step S25, the server device 10 acquires the position information of each vehicle 14. Each vehicle 14 sends information on its current position to the server device 10 at an arbitrary cycle, for example, a cycle of several tens of microseconds to several seconds.

[0053] In step S26, the server device 10 generates a display instruction for the content image of each vehicle 14 and sends the instruction to each vehicle 14. The detailed steps of step S26 are shown in Figure 3 In.

[0054] Figure 3 It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation steps of the server device 10 related to the generation of the display instruction for the content image. Figure 3 Each step of is executed by the control unit 103.

[0055] In step S30, the control unit 103 acquires the position information of each vehicle 14 for each group of vehicles 14. The control unit 103 reads the position information sent from each vehicle 14 and stored in the storage unit 102.

[0056] In step S31, the control unit 103 determines whether the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicles 14 is below a reference. The control unit 103 derives the inter-vehicle distance based on the difference in the positions of the vehicles 14 and compares it with the reference. The inter-vehicle distance can be the front-to-back distance when multiple vehicles 14 are traveling in a longitudinal arrangement, or the left-to-right distance when multiple vehicles 14 are traveling in a lateral arrangement. When multiple vehicles 14 are traveling in a longitudinal arrangement, a combined display surface is formed by the display units 137 on the sides of each vehicle 14. When multiple vehicles 14 are traveling in a lateral arrangement, a combined display surface is formed by the display units 137 on the rear surfaces of each vehicle 14. The reference is a distance that is large enough to ensure the safe travel of the vehicles 14 and small enough to form a combined display surface through the display surface of the display unit 137. The control unit 103 can use the reference for longitudinal arrangement when the positions of multiple vehicles 14 are in a longitudinal arrangement, and can use the reference for lateral arrangement when the positions of multiple vehicles 14 are in a lateral arrangement. When the inter-vehicle distance is below the reference (Yes in step S31), the control unit 103 proceeds to step S32. When the inter-vehicle distance is not below the reference (No in step S31), the control unit 103 ends Figure 3 the step.

[0057] In step S32, the control unit 103 determines whether a reference time has elapsed while the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicles 14 is below the reference. The reference time is arbitrarily set within ten seconds to several tens of seconds as a time sufficient to display the content image on the combined display surface. When the reference time has elapsed (Yes in step S32), the control unit 103 proceeds to step S33. When the reference time has not elapsed (No in step S32), the control unit 103 returns to step S31.

[0058] In step S33, the control unit 103 allocates the content image to the display surfaces of the multiple vehicles 14. The control unit 103 allocates a part of the content image to each vehicle 14 according to the position of each vehicle 14.

[0059] Figures 4A to 4C FIG. is an example showing the allocation of the content image. Figure 4A An example in which the content image 40 shown is allocated to the longitudinally arranged vehicles 13-1 and 13-2 is shown in Figure 4B and an example in which it is allocated to the laterally arranged vehicles 13-1 and 13-2 is shown in Figure 4C In. In the case where the vehicles 13-1 and 13-2 are longitudinally arranged as shown in Figure 4B , the control unit 103 allocates in such a way that the respective display units 127 display partial content images 40-1 and 40-2 obtained by dividing the content image 40 into left and right parts. In addition, in the case where, as shown in Figure 4CWhen the vehicles 13-1 and 13-2 are arranged horizontally, the control unit 103 distributes the content images 40 in such a way that the respective display units 127 display partial content images 40-1 and 40-2 obtained by dividing the content image 40 horizontally.

[0060] Return to Figure 3 , in step S35, the control unit 103 sends a display instruction of the content image to each of the multiple vehicles 14. The display instruction includes a part of the data of the allocated content image. In addition, the display instruction includes information related to the distinction of the display surface on which a part of the content image should be displayed, such as the left and right side surfaces and the rear surface. Then, the control unit 103 ends Figure 3 this step.

[0061] Return to Figure 2 , in step S27, each vehicle 13 displays a part of the content image based on the display instruction sent from the server device 10. As Figure 4B or Figure 4C shown, by the vehicles 13-1 and 13-2 respectively displaying the partial content images 40-1 and 40-2, the entire content image 40 is displayed on the combined display surface formed by the respective display units 127 of the vehicles 13-1 and 13-2.

[0062] In step S28, the server device 10 performs a charging process for the advertising fee related to the display of the content image. The server device 10 uses the identification information of the operator who applied for the advertisement release and cooperates with the server that manages the financial account of the operator to perform the charging process.

[0063] In step S29, the server device 10 sends the result of the charging process to the terminal device 12 and ends Figure 2 this step.

[0064] By operating each structure of the vehicle management system 1 through the above steps, the visual effect of the content image displayed on the vehicle can be improved.

[0065] <Change Example>

[0066] Figure 5A , Figure 5B is a diagram showing an example of the distribution of the content image in the change example. Figure 5A The content image 50 shown is a moving image including an object 51 moving from the right side to the left side of the drawing. As Figure 5BAs shown, when vehicles 13-1 and 13-2 are traveling longitudinally in the moving direction 52 indicated by the arrow marks, the control unit 103 distributes the content images 50-1 and 50-2 obtained by dividing the content image 50 into left and right parts so that the respective display units 127 display them. At this time, the content images 50-1 and 50-2 are distributed in such a way that the moving direction 52 of vehicles 13-1 and 13-2 is opposite to the moving direction of the object 51. The control unit 103 derives the moving direction of the object 51 from the content image 50, and derives the moving directions of vehicles 13-1 and 13-2 based on the change over time of the positions of vehicles 13-1 and 13-2. By adopting such a method, when a stationary observer observes the content image 50 as a whole, the sense of speed of the movement of the object 51 is emphasized. Alternatively, the moving direction of the object 51 can be set to the same direction as the moving direction 52 of vehicles 13-1 and 13-2. By adopting such a method, when the observer is in the process of moving in the same direction as the moving direction 52 of vehicles 13-1 and 13-2, the movement of the object 51 can be stably observed.

[0067] Although the embodiments have been described based on the respective drawings and examples above, note that various modifications and corrections can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure. Therefore, note that these modifications and corrections are included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions and the like included in each unit or each step can be reconfigured in a logically non-contradictory manner, and multiple units or steps can be combined into one or divided.

[0068] Symbol Explanation

[0069] 1 Vehicle Management System

[0070] 10 Server Device

[0071] 11 Network

[0072] 12 Terminal Device

[0073] 13 Vehicle

[0074] 101, 121, 131 Communication Unit

[0075] 102, 122, 132 Storage Unit

[0076] 103, 123, 133 Control Unit

[0077] 125, 135 Input Unit

[0078] 126, 136 Output Unit

[0079] 134 Positioning Unit

[0080] 137 Display unit.

Claims

1. An information processing device, comprising: Ministry of Communications; A control unit communicates with a plurality of vehicles having a display unit for displaying an image toward the outside through the communication unit, and when the inter-vehicle distance between the plurality of vehicles in motion becomes less than a reference distance for a period of time longer than a reference time, the plurality of vehicles are caused to display a portion of a content image corresponding to their respective positions.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit selects a content image having a higher priority than other content images from among the plurality of content images as a content image for displaying the plurality of vehicles.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit selects, from among a plurality of content images, content images corresponding to the aspect ratio of display surfaces formed by display units of the plurality of vehicles as content images to be displayed on the plurality of vehicles.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit selects, from among a plurality of content images, content images corresponding to a section or a time period in which the plurality of vehicles travel as content images to be displayed on the plurality of vehicles.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: When the content images displayed on the display units on the sides of the plurality of vehicles include a moving object, the control unit distributes a portion of the content images to the plurality of vehicles so that a moving direction of the moving object and a moving direction of the plurality of vehicles have a predetermined relationship.

Images