Content output device and content output method

Abstract

The invention provides a content output device and a content output method, which can improve convenience of user operation when content provided to an account of a user is output in a mobile body. A content output device is provided with: a display control unit that controls the output of content to display devices provided in respective seats of a mobile body; and a recognition unit that recognizes each passenger seated in a seat of the moving body, the display control unit being connected to an account related to content viewing of one passenger in accordance with a content output instruction from the one passenger seated in one seat, and displaying the content in accordance with the content output instruction. And a control unit that outputs the content provided to the account to one display device, which is a display device of the one seat, when the one passenger leaves the one seat, and stops outputting the content to the display device of the one seat while maintaining the connection of the account when the one passenger leaves the one seat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a content output device and a content output method. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, research and development has been conducted to acquire data related to the user's seating position and provide assistance.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a seating position determination system capable of determining the seating position of each user in a vehicle. This system determines the user's seating position by detecting the user's smart key when the door is opened and searching for the smart key after the door is closed. Furthermore, the system pre-stores the user's vehicle settings, such as HMI settings, and automatically adjusts the vehicle settings to the user's preferences when the user takes their seat.

[0004] [Prior art literature]

[0005] [Patent Document]

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-84358 Summary of the Invention

[0007] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0008] Furthermore, when content using a user's account is displayed on a display device installed at each seat in a vehicle, when the user leaves their seat, such as when getting off the vehicle or changing seats (seat change), they may need to turn the content display on or off to prevent other users from viewing the content. Such an operation may also be necessary when temporarily leaving their seat, which may be troublesome for the user.

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present application aims to improve the convenience of user operations when outputting content provided to a user's account on a mobile object, and further contribute to the development of a sustainable transportation system that further improves traffic safety.

[0010] [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] One embodiment of the present invention is a content output device comprising: a display control unit that controls the output of content to a display device provided at each seat of a mobile body; and an identification unit that identifies each passenger seated at the seat of the mobile body, wherein the display control unit connects to an account related to content viewing and listening of a passenger seated at a seat in accordance with a content output instruction from the passenger seated at the seat, and outputs the content provided to the account to a display device serving as the display device of the seat, and when the passenger leaves the seat, the display control unit stops outputting the content to the display device of the seat while maintaining the connection to the account.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, the display control unit disconnects the account of the one passenger when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after output of the content to the display device of the one seat has stopped.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, the movable body is a vehicle, and the waiting time is determined based on a location where the movable body is parked when the one passenger leaves the one seat.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, during the standby time after stopping outputting the content to the display device of the one seat, when it is detected that a passenger is seated in the moving body, the display control unit determines whether the one passenger is seated in the moving body, and when the one passenger is seated in the moving body, restarts outputting the stopped content to the display device of the seat where the one passenger is seated.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, during the standby time after stopping outputting the content to the display device of the one seat, when it is detected that a passenger is seated in the moving body, the display control unit determines whether the one passenger is seated in the moving body, and when the one passenger is not seated in the moving body, maintains the output of the stopped content in a stopped state.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, when the moving body becomes full during the standby time after stopping outputting the content to the display device of the one seat, the display control unit determines whether there is the one passenger in the moving body, and when there is no one passenger in the moving body, disconnects the account of the one passenger.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, when a switch of the driving device of the movable body is turned off during the waiting time after output of the content to the display device of the one seat is stopped, the display control unit shortens the waiting time.

[0018] Another embodiment of the present invention is a content output method, which is executed by a computer of a content output device, and the content output device outputs content to a display device set at each seat of a mobile body. The content output method includes: a display control step of controlling the output of content to the display device set at each seat; and an identification step of identifying each passenger sitting at the seat of the mobile body. In the display control step, according to a content output instruction from a passenger sitting at a seat, an account related to content viewing and listening of the passenger is connected to the account, and the content provided to the account is output to a display device serving as the display device of the seat. When the passenger leaves the seat, the output of the content to the display device of the seat is stopped while maintaining the connection to the account.

[0019] [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of user operations when outputting content provided to a user's account on a mobile device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of a scenario in which a content output device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a vehicle equipped with a content output device.

[0023] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the structure of a content output device.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the content output device.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the content output device.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a diagram for explaining the stopping of content output when a passenger leaves their seat.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a diagram for explaining changes in the content output destination accompanying the movement of the passenger. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] [1. Implementation Method]

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] [1.1 Overall Overview]

[0031] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing an example of a scene using a content output device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content output device 1 is mounted on a moving body 2 in which a plurality of people are riding as passengers P. Figure 1 In the illustrated example, a three-row passenger car 2a, a two-row passenger car 2b, and a bus 2c are shown as examples of the mobile object 2. However, these are merely examples, and the mobile object 2 may be any vehicle that multiple people can ride in (e.g., a shared car, taxi, or shared bus).

[0032] The mobile object 2 is not limited to a vehicle and may be any mobile object capable of carrying multiple persons. Such a mobile object may include not only land-based mobile objects such as passenger cars, buses, taxis, and trains, but also marine mobile objects such as ships and submarines, aerial mobile objects such as aircraft and airships, including eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft), and space-based mobile objects such as spacecraft and artificial satellites.

[0033] The content output device 1 outputs, for example, content provided by a server device external to the mobile body 2 or content stored in a storage device included in the mobile body 2, within the interior (inside the cabin) of the mobile body 2, in accordance with an instruction from a passenger P of the mobile body 2. In this embodiment, content refers to any information that can be viewed and listened to by a user via an audio-visual device, such as movies, animations, TV dramas, games, and the like.

[0034] As an example of a server device that provides content, Figure 1 1 shows a first content server 4a, a second content server 4b, and a game server 5. The content output device 1 is communicably connected to the first content server 4a, the second content server 4b, and the game server 5 via a communication network 3. The communication network 3 is, for example, the Internet.

[0035] The first content server 4a and the second content server 4b are respectively used for different content and audio-visual services provided by different content providers. For example, the content and audio-visual services may be Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc. Hereinafter, the first content server 4a and the second content server 4b are collectively referred to as content servers 4.

[0036] In this embodiment, for example, the content provided by each of the first content server 4a and the second content server 4b can be viewed by a user who previously obtains an account for a corresponding content viewing service and subscribes to the content viewing service.

[0037] The game server 5 is a server device that provides game content (hereinafter referred to as game content), and is operated, for example, by a company that provides game content services. For example, by accessing the game server 5, a user can enjoy online games. In this embodiment, the user obtains an account that provides a corresponding game content service and joins the game service, thereby being able to use the game content provided by the game server 5 (play the game). In this embodiment, viewing and listening to content also includes utilizing the game content. When using the game content, the user views and listens to the video and sound of the game content.

[0038] Hereinafter, content provision services, including content viewing services and game content provision services, will be collectively referred to as content provision services.

[0039] Each company that provides content services using the first content server 4a, the second content server 4b, and the game server 5, for example, establishes a website on the communication network 3 for users to use these services. Users log in to the website of each service using an account obtained for each service and view the content provided by each service.

[0040] The content provided by the first content server 4a, the second content server 4b, and the game server 5 is prohibited from being viewed by anyone other than the user who has obtained an account (hereinafter also referred to as the account user) in the regulations of the corresponding services, for example.

[0041] Furthermore, the content output device 1 may communicate with a content server or game server (not shown) that can be used without acquiring an account via the communication network 3 , and output content provided by these server devices within the mobile object 2 .

[0042] Any number of content servers and / or game servers may be connected to the communication network 3 and utilized by the content output device 1 .

[0043] [1.2 Vehicle Structure]

[0044] Next, the structure of the mobile object 2 on which the content output device 1 is mounted will be described.

[0045] Figure 2 : is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the moving body 2. Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , the configuration of a passenger car 2 a with three rows of seats is shown as an example of the mobile body 2 , but a passenger car 2 b and a bus 2 c as other mobile bodies can also be configured similarly.

[0046] A cabin 10 in which passengers P of a mobile vehicle 2 are seated is provided with a driver's seat 12a for a driver who operates a steering wheel 11; a front passenger seat 12b; a second-row left seat 12c; a second-row right seat 12d; a third-row left seat 12e; and a third-row right seat 12f. Hereinafter, the driver's seat 12a, the front passenger seat 12b, the second-row left seat 12c, the second-row right seat 12d, the third-row left seat 12e, and the third-row right seat 12f are collectively referred to as seats 12.

[0047] A display device for allowing a passenger P sitting in the seat 12 to view content is provided in front of each seat 12 of the vehicle 2 .

[0048] For example, a display device 13a is arranged in front of a driver's seat 12a on an instrument panel (not shown) of the mobile object 2, so that the driver, or a passenger P, who is seated in the driver's seat 12a, can see it. Furthermore, a display device 13b is arranged in front of a passenger's seat 12b on the instrument panel, so that the driver, who is seated in the passenger's seat 12b, can see it.

[0049] Furthermore, display devices 13c and 13d are disposed on the rear surfaces (facing the rear of the vehicle 2) of the backrests of the driver's seat 12a and the front passenger seat 12b, respectively, in front of the second-row left seat 12c and the second-row right seat 12d, respectively. Display devices 13c and 13d are disposed on the rear surfaces of the backrests of the driver's seat 12a and the front passenger seat 12b, respectively, in front of the second-row left seat 12c and the second-row right seat 12d, respectively. Similarly, display devices 13e and 13f are disposed on the rear surfaces of the backrests of the second-row left seat 12c and the second-row right seat 12d, respectively, in front of the third-row left seat 12e and the third-row right seat 12f, respectively. Display devices 13e and 13f are disposed on the rear surfaces of the backrests of the second-row left seat 12c and the second-row right seat 12d, respectively, in front of the third-row left seat 12e and the third-row right seat 12f, respectively.

[0050] Furthermore, a display device 13 g , which is a central display device and can be seen by all passengers P sitting in any seat 12 , is arranged at the center of the instrument panel of the vehicle 2 .

[0051] Hereinafter, the display devices 13 a , 13 b , 13 c , 13 d , 13 e , 13 f , and 13 g are collectively referred to as the display device 13 .

[0052] Here, in this specification, “display device 13 provided in seat 12 ” and “display device 13 of seat 12 ” refer to display devices 13 provided in front of each seat 12 of the moving body 2 for viewing and listening by passengers P seated in the seat 12 .

[0053] In this embodiment, the display device 13 is a touch panel that combines display functions with user input functions. However, the display device 13 is not limited to a touch panel and can be any type of display device. If the display device 13 does not have an input function, each seat 12 may be equipped with an input device for operation by the passenger P seated in that seat 12 in addition to the display device 13. The input device may be, for example, a keyboard, keypad, or game controller.

[0054] Furthermore, the display devices 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, and 13g do not all need to be of the same type, and different types of display devices may be mixed. For example, the display device 13a may be a HUD (head-up display) instead of a touch panel.

[0055] In the driver's seat 12a, the front passenger seat 12b, the second-row left seat 12c, the second-row right seat 12d, the third-row left seat 12e, and the third-row right seat 12f, speakers 14La and 14Ra, 14Lb and 14Rb, 14Lc and 14Rc, 14Ld and 14Rd, 14Le and 14Re, and 14Lf and 14Rf are respectively arranged inside the headrests at the upper parts of the back rests.

[0056] Hereinafter, the speakers 14La, 14Lb, 14Lc, 14Ld, 14Le, and 14Lf are also collectively referred to as speakers 14L, and the speakers 14Ra, 14Rb, 14Rc, 14Rd, 14Re, and 14Rf are also collectively referred to as speakers 14R. Hereinafter, the speakers 14R and 14L are also collectively referred to as speakers 14.

[0057] The speakers 14L and 14R function as a left speaker and a right speaker, respectively, for outputting stereo sound to a passenger P seated in the corresponding seat 12 .

[0058] Under the seat surfaces of the driver's seat 12a, the front passenger seat 12b, the second-row left seat 12c, the second-row right seat 12d, the third-row left seat 12e, and the third-row right seat 12f, are seat occupancy sensors 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, and 15f for detecting when a passenger P is seated in each seat 12. Hereinafter, seat occupancy sensors 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, and 15f will be collectively referred to as seat occupancy sensors 15.

[0059] Furthermore, an interior camera 16 is installed in the cabin 10 of the mobile object 2 at a position capable of capturing images of passengers P seated in the driver's seat 12a, the front passenger seat 12b, the second-row left seat 12c, the second-row right seat 12d, the third-row left seat 12e, and the third-row right seat 12f. The interior camera 16 is disposed, for example, above the front windshield (not shown) of the mobile object 2 (i.e., near the ceiling of the cabin 10).

[0060] The mobile object 2 may further include a media reader 17 as a storage medium reader located below the display device 13g serving as a central display device on the instrument panel. The media reader 17 may include a CD / DVD drive, which is a device that reads storage media such as CDs and DVDs, in addition to devices that read semiconductor memories such as USB memories (registered trademark) and SD memory cards (registered trademark).

[0061] The mobile object 2 further includes a vehicle control device 18 and a navigation device 19 for controlling the travel of the mobile object 2 as a vehicle. The vehicle control device 18 detects the on / off state of a switch SW of a drive device M provided by the mobile object 2 and the travel speed of the mobile object 2, and controls the drive device M. The navigation device 19, for example, receives GNSS radio waves according to conventional technology, determines the current driving location and / or parking place of the mobile object 2 based on the position coordinates of the current location of the mobile object 2 and map information, and guides the mobile object 2 along a travel path to the destination.

[0062] [1.3 Structure of Content Output Device]

[0063] Figure 3 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a content output device 1 mounted on a mobile object 2 .

[0064] The content output device 1 includes a processor 20, a memory 21, and a communication device 22. The memory 21 is composed of, for example, a volatile and / or nonvolatile semiconductor memory and / or a hard disk device.

[0065] The communication device 22 is a transceiver used for the content output device 1 to perform wireless communication with external devices (including the content server 4 and the game server 5 ) via the communication network 3 .

[0066] The processor 20 is, for example, a computer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Alternatively, the processor 20 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which programs are written, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing data, or the like. Furthermore, the processor 20 includes a recognition unit 25 and a display control unit 26 as functional elements or functional units.

[0067] These functional elements of the processor 20 are implemented, for example, by the processor 20, which is a computer, executing a program 23 stored in the memory 21. Furthermore, the program 23 can be stored in advance on any computer-readable storage medium. Alternatively, all or part of the functional elements of the processor 20 may be implemented by hardware each including one or more electronic circuit components.

[0068] The recognition unit 25 recognizes each passenger P seated in the seat 12 of the vehicle 2. When a person becomes a passenger P on the vehicle 2, the recognition unit 25 stores inherent information such as a facial image of the passenger P as recognition information 24 for identifying the passenger P in the memory 21.

[0069] Specifically, for example, the recognition unit 25 detects a new person boarding the vehicle 2 and sitting in any of the seats 12 based on images of the interior of the cabin 10 captured by the interior camera 16 and seating information (information indicating whether a person is seated in that seat 12) from the seating sensors 15 located at each seat 12. Upon detecting a new person boarding and sitting, the recognition unit 25 obtains a facial image of the person and identifies the seat 12 in which the person is seated based on the images and sensor output. The recognition unit 25 associates the acquired facial image with the seat information indicating the identified seat 12 and stores it as new identification information 24 of the passenger P in the memory 21.

[0070] The "seat information indicating the seat 12" may be, for example, a seat number that is pre-associated with each seat 12. The identification unit 25 can assign a passenger ID as a temporary ID to the passenger P, and the identification information 24 includes the passenger ID of the corresponding passenger P. Figure 2 In FIG, one block of identification information 24 is shown in the memory 21 , but in reality, identification information 24 for a number of passengers P is stored in the memory 21 .

[0071] Furthermore, the recognition unit 25 detects the departure of any passenger P from a seat 12 within the cabin 10 based on the image of the cabin 10 acquired by the interior camera 16 and the seating information from the seating sensor 15. Upon detecting the departure of any passenger P from a seat 12, the recognition unit 25 notifies the display control unit 26 of the departure and information indicating the seat 12 that has been left.

[0072] When detecting the departure of any passenger P, the recognition unit 25 identifies the departing passenger P (for example, identifies the passenger ID of the departing passenger P) based on the identification information 24 of each passenger P stored in the memory 21 .

[0073] The recognition unit 25 tracks (or traces) the movement of the passenger P who has left the vehicle 2 based on the image inside the cabin 10 acquired by the interior camera 16, and determines whether the passenger P has gotten off the vehicle 2. When the passenger P has gotten off, the recognition unit 25 notifies the display control unit 26 of this fact, and deletes the seat information indicating the seat 12 corresponding to the facial image of the passenger P from the identification information 24 of the passenger P.

[0074] Furthermore, when the passenger P who left the seat takes a seat after leaving the seat (including when the passenger P who disembarked returns to the vehicle 2 and takes a seat), the recognition unit 25 identifies the seat 12 in which the passenger P sat. The recognition unit 25 updates the identification information 24 of the passenger P stored in the memory 21 with the seat information indicating the seat 12 in which the passenger P sat after leaving the seat. Specifically, the recognition unit 25 updates the identification information 24 of the passenger P by overwriting the seat information indicating the seat 12 associated with the passenger P's facial image in the identification information 24 of the passenger P with the seat information indicating the seat 12 in which the passenger P sat after leaving the seat. There is a possibility that the passenger P sits in the same seat 12 after leaving the seat 12. In this case, the seat information indicating the seat 12 associated with the passenger P's facial image remains the same before and after the update.

[0075] When any passenger P leaves and takes a seat again, the recognition unit 25 notifies the display control unit 26 of this fact.

[0076] When the recognition unit 25 detects that the vehicle 2 is fully occupied, it notifies the display control unit 26. Whether the vehicle 2 is fully occupied can be determined by, for example, whether the seat occupancy sensors 15 of all seats 12 of the vehicle 2 output sensor information indicating that a person is seated.

[0077] The display control unit 26 controls output of content on the display device 13 provided in each seat 12 of the moving body 2 .

[0078] For example, the display control unit 26, in response to an instruction from a passenger P seated in a seat 12, connects to the passenger P's account related to content viewing and outputs the content provided to the account to the display device 13 of the seat 12. Here, "connecting to the account related to content viewing" specifically means logging into the content provision service using the account.

[0079] Specifically, the display control unit 26 accesses a website providing a content service indicated by a passenger P seated in a seat 12 in response to an instruction inputted by the passenger P into the display device 13, which is a touch panel provided in the seat 12. Furthermore, the display control unit 26 obtains the account of the passenger P inputted into the display device 13 by the passenger P.

[0080] The display control unit 26 uses the account obtained above to register the content provision service on the accessed website. The passenger P uses this account to input an output instruction for the content they wish to view and listen to into the display device 13. In accordance with the content output instruction, the display control unit 26 transmits a request to output the content to the corresponding first content server 4a, second content server 4b, or game server 5.

[0081] The content provision service provides the requested content from the first content server 4a, the second content server 4b, or the game server 5 to the account of the logged-in passenger P. Specifically, the display control unit 26 obtains the provided content data (including video data, audio data, etc.) from the corresponding first content server 4a, the second content server 4b, or the game server 5. Using the obtained content data, the display control unit 26 outputs the designated content to a display device 13 located in a seat 12 where the passenger P is seated.

[0082] Hereinafter, a passenger P seated in a seat 12 who has input an account connection instruction via a display device 13 located in the seat 12 will also be referred to as a "target user PT," and the seat 12 in which the target user PT is seated will also be referred to as a "target seat 12T." Furthermore, the display device 13 located in the target seat will also be referred to as a "target display device 13T," and the content indicated by the target user via the content output instruction will be referred to as "target content."

[0083] In this embodiment, in particular, when the target user PT leaves the target seat 12T where they were previously seated, the display control unit 26 maintains the connection to the target user PT's account (i.e., maintains the login status of the account) and stops outputting the target content to the target display device 13T. As described above, the recognition unit 25 detects when the passenger P leaves the seat 12. The display control unit 26 can determine whether the passenger P leaving the seat 12 is the target user PT by, for example, determining whether the target content is being output on the display device 13 of the seat 12.

[0084] Figure 6 : is a diagram showing an example of the departure of the target user PT as one passenger P. Figure 6 In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the target user PT is seated in the passenger seat 12b. Therefore, in this case, the passenger seat 12b is the target seat 12T, and the display device 13b located in the passenger seat 12b is the target display device 13T. While the target user PT is seated in the target seat 12T, the display control device outputs the target content to the target display device 13T.

[0085] Furthermore, when the target user PT leaves the target seat 12T, i.e., the front passenger seat 12b, where they were previously seated, for example, to get off the vehicle, the display control unit 26 stores the correspondence information that associates the target user PT's account related to the target content with the information representing the target seat 12T in the memory 21, and stops outputting the target content to the target display device 13T. Here, "stopping outputting the target content to the target display device 13T" specifically means stopping the transmission of the target content's image data to the target display device 13T and not displaying the target content on the target display device 13T. At this time, the display control unit 26 may, for example, temporarily stop the operation of the target content (e.g., the playback of the image, or the output of the game image and the acquisition of the user's operation) without displaying it on the target display device 13T. Furthermore, while the output of the target content is stopped, the display control unit 26 may display a predetermined default screen on the screen of the target display device 13T.

[0086] Therefore, when the content (target content) provided to the account of the target user PT is output in the mobile body 2, when the target user PT leaves the seat, the output of the target content is stopped and the connection status of the account is maintained, thereby preventing the content from being viewed and listened to by others, and simplifying the user operations involved in resuming the output of the target content when the target user PT returns to the original seat 12, thereby improving convenience.

[0087] When the target user PT stops outputting the target content to the target display device 13T due to the target user PT leaving the target seat 12T, the display control unit 26 begins measuring the time elapsed since the output of the target content ceased. Furthermore, when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since the output of the target content ceased, the target user PT's account is disconnected, effectively logging out of the account.

[0088] Thus, when the target user PT's absence time exceeds the waiting time, the display control unit 26 disconnects the account. Therefore, the target user PT does not need to return to the mobile object 2 to perform an operation for account disconnection, thereby further improving convenience for the target user PT.

[0089] Here, the waiting time is determined based on the location where the mobile object 2 is parked when the target user PT leaves the target seat 12T. For example, if the mobile object 2 is parked at a convenience store, the waiting time is set to 5 minutes, and if the mobile object 2 is parked at a supermarket, the waiting time is set to 1 hour. Furthermore, the waiting time for each parking location and / or each parking location type can be predetermined and stored in the memory 21.

[0090] The display control unit 26 can obtain information indicating that the mobile object 2 has stopped from the vehicle control device 18. In addition, the display control unit 26 can obtain information on parking places from the navigation device 19.

[0091] The time it takes for a passenger P to get off and back on can generally vary depending on the parking location of the mobile object 2. In the above configuration, the waiting time can be set according to the parking location of the mobile object 2, thereby further improving the convenience for the user (specifically, the target user PT).

[0092] Furthermore, during the period from when the output of the target content to the target display device 13T has been stopped until the standby time has elapsed, if the recognition unit 25 detects that any passenger P in the moving object 2 has taken a seat (i.e., that any passenger P has sat down in any seat 12), the display control unit 26 determines whether the target user PT is seated in the cabin 10 of the moving object 2 based on the recognition information 24 stored in the memory 21 by the recognition unit 25. If the target user PT is seated in the cabin 10 of the moving object 2, the display control unit 26 resumes the previously stopped output of the target content, using the display device 13 of the seat 12 where the target user PT is currently seated as the target display device 13T.

[0093] As a result, the target user PT who has left the seat 12 can continue viewing the target content in another seat 12 that is subsequently seated, and thus the convenience of the target user PT is further improved.

[0094] Figure 7 This is an example in which a target user PT who is one of the passengers P leaves the vehicle 2 and gets on the vehicle again, and then sits in a seat 12 different from the original seat 12. Figure 7 In the example, the target user PT leaves the passenger seat 12b and exits the vehicle. Consequently, the display control unit 26 stops outputting the target content to the display device 13b in the passenger seat 12b. Subsequently, the target user PT re-enters the vehicle and takes a seat in the second-row, right seat 12d. In this case, when the target user PT re-enters the vehicle and takes a seat, the recognition unit 25 updates the seat information included in the identification information 24 regarding the target user PT stored in the memory 21 to the second-row, right seat 12d. Furthermore, the recognition unit 25 sends a notification to the display control unit 26 indicating that a passenger P has taken a seat.

[0095] Upon receiving the notification from the identification unit 25, the display control unit 26 searches all the identification information 24 stored in the memory 21 and finds the identification information 24 of the target user PT. This allows the display control unit 26 to detect that the target user PT is seated in the cabin 10. Then, based on the seat information included in the found identification information 24, the display control unit 26 selects the display device 13d in the second row, right seat 12d, where the target user PT is currently seated, as the target display device 13T, and resumes the previously stopped output of the target content.

[0096] When the target user PT changes his seat from the front passenger seat 12b to the second-row right seat 12d without getting out of the vehicle, the same operation as described above is also performed to resume output of the target content on the display device 13d of the second-row right seat 12d where the target user PT is currently seated.

[0097] Furthermore, during the period from when the output of the target content to the target display device 13T is stopped until the waiting time has elapsed, if the recognition unit 25 detects that any passenger P is seated in the moving object 2, the display control unit 26 determines whether the target user PT is seated in the cabin 10 of the moving object 2. Furthermore, if the target user PT is not seated in the cabin 10, the display control unit 26 maintains the state of stopping the output of the target content to the target display device 13T.

[0098] Thus, even when another passenger P sits in a seat 12 after the target user PT leaves, the output of the target content is kept stopped, thereby appropriately preventing the other passenger P from improperly viewing the target content.

[0099] Furthermore, if the recognition unit 25 detects that the mobile object 2 is fully occupied during the period from when the output of the target content to the target display device 13T stops until the standby time has elapsed, the display control unit 26 determines whether the target user PT is present in the cabin 10 of the mobile object 2 based on the recognition information 24 from the recognition unit 25. Furthermore, if the mobile object 2 is fully occupied and there is no target user PT in the cabin 10 of the mobile object 2, the display control unit 26 disconnects the account of the target user PT.

[0100] Thus, for example, when the target user PT leaves the vehicle to get off and the vehicle 2 becomes fully occupied, and there is a low possibility that the target user PT will get on again, the connection of the above-mentioned account is automatically disconnected without waiting for the waiting time to elapse, thereby reducing the power consumed for unnecessarily maintaining the connection state of the account.

[0101] Furthermore, the display control unit 26 may shorten the standby time when the switch SW of the drive device M of the mobile object 2 is turned off during the period from when the output of the target content to the target display device 13T stops until the standby time has elapsed. Furthermore, the display control unit 26 can be informed by information from the vehicle control device 18 that the drive device of the mobile object 2 is turned off.

[0102] When the switch SW of the driving device M of the mobile object 2 is turned off, it is generally believed that the target user PT, who has left the seat after starting to view content, is less likely to return to the mobile object. According to the above configuration, the standby time is shortened when the switch SW of the driving device M of the mobile object 2 is turned off, thereby preventing the account connection from being maintained for an unnecessarily long period of time, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption.

[0103] [1.4 Operation of Content Output Device]

[0104] Next, the operation of the content output device 1 will be described. Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing the steps of the content output method executed by the processor 20 of the content output device 1. Figure 4 The start process starts when the power of the mobile body 2 is turned on and the power of each device mounted on the mobile body 2 including the content output device 1 is turned on, and is then repeatedly executed until the power of the mobile body 2 is turned off.

[0105] Reference Figure 4 When the process starts, the recognition unit 25 of the content output device 1 identifies the passenger P currently boarding the mobile body 2, generates identification information 24 for each passenger, and stores it in the memory 21 (S100). Thereafter, the recognition unit 25 detects departures from or arrivals at any seat 12 within the cabin 10 of the mobile body 2, as well as the arrival of a person on the mobile body 2 (i.e., an increase in passengers), identifies the passenger, and generates or updates the identification information 24 for that passenger.

[0106] Next, the display control unit 26 of the content output device 1 determines whether a passenger P seated in one seat 12 has instructed to connect the account via the display device 13 of the seat 12 (S102). If no passenger P seated in the seat 12 has instructed to connect the account via the display device 13 (S102, No), the display control unit 26 returns to step S102 and repeats the process, waiting for a passenger P in any seat 12 to input an instruction to connect the account.

[0107] On the other hand, when a passenger P seated in any seat 12 instructs account connection via the display device 13 of the seat 12 (S102, Yes), the account of the passenger P input in the instruction is connected in accordance with the account connection instruction (S104). As described above, "connecting to an account" means logging into the account on the website providing the content service.

[0108] Hereinafter, a passenger P who has input the connection instruction for the account is referred to as a target user PT, and a seat 12 in which the target user PT is seated when the connection instruction for the account is input is referred to as a target seat 12T.

[0109] Next, the display control unit 26 determines whether the target user PT has input a content output instruction via the display device 13 of the target seat 12T (S106). If no content output instruction has been input (S106, No), the display control unit 26 determines whether the target user PT has input an account disconnection instruction via the display device 13 of the target seat 12T (S108). As described above, "account disconnection" means logging out of the account on the content providing service website.

[0110] Then, when the instruction to disconnect the account is not input (S108, No), the display control unit 26 returns to step S106 to repeat the process. On the other hand, when the instruction to disconnect the account is input (S108, Yes), the display control unit 26 transfers the process to Figure 5 In step S130, the account connection is released (S130), and the present process is ended.

[0111] On the other hand, when a content output instruction is input in step S106 (S106, yes), the display control unit 26 uses the content specified in the content output instruction as the target content and the display device 13 of the target seat 12T as the target display device 13T, and starts outputting the target content in the target display device 13T (S110).

[0112] Next, the display control unit 26 determines whether the output of the target content has been completed in the target display device 13T (S112). If the output of the target content has been completed (S112, Yes), the display control unit 26 returns to step S106 and repeats the process.

[0113] On the other hand, if the output of the target content is not completed (S112, No), the display control unit 26 determines whether the target user PT has left the target seat 12T (S114). Specifically, the display control unit 26 determines whether it has received a notification from the recognition unit 25 that the target user PT has left the target seat 12T.

[0114] Then, when the target user PT has not left the seat ( S114 , No), the display control unit 26 returns to step S112 and repeats the process.

[0115] On the other hand, when the target user PT leaves the target seat 12T (S114, YES), the display control unit 26 maintains the connection state of the account connected in step S100, and stops outputting the target content in the target display device 13T ( Figure 5 S116).

[0116] Next, the display control unit 26 determines whether a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since the output of the target content was stopped in step S116 (S118). If the waiting time has elapsed (S118: Yes), the process proceeds to step S130, where the account is disconnected, terminating the present process. At this point, the display control unit 26 may also instruct the identification unit 25 to delete the identification information 24 regarding the target user PT from the memory 21.

[0117] On the other hand, when the waiting time has not elapsed (S118, No), the recognition unit 25 determines whether the seating of any passenger P in the cabin 10 of the moving body 2 (i.e., the action or behavior of any passenger P sitting in any seat 12) is detected (S120).

[0118] Then, when the seating of the passenger P is not detected ( S120 , No), the display control unit 26 returns to step S118 and repeats the process.

[0119] On the other hand, when any passenger P is detected seated (S120, YES), the recognition unit 25 generates or updates the identification information 24 regarding the seated passenger P (S122). Then, the display control unit 26 determines whether the target user PT is present in the cabin 10 based on the identification information 24 of all passengers P (S124).

[0120] If the target user PT is present in the cabin 10 (S124, YES), the display control unit 26 sets the display device of the seat 12 where the target user PT is currently seated as the target display device 13T, and resumes output of the target content, which was stopped in step S116, on this target display device 13T (S126). The display control unit 26 then returns to step S112 and repeats the process.

[0121] On the other hand, if the target user PT is not present in the cabin 10 in step S124 (S124, No), the display control unit 26 determines whether the cabin 10 of the mobile object 2 is fully occupied (S128) based on the information from the recognition unit 25. If the cabin 10 of the mobile object 2 is not fully occupied (S128, No), the display control unit 26 returns to step S118 and repeats the process.

[0122] On the other hand, if the cabin 10 of the mobile object 2 is fully occupied (S128, YES), the display control unit 26 disconnects the account connection established in step S104 (S130), terminating the present process. At this time, the display control unit 26 may instruct the identification unit 25 to delete the identification information 24 regarding the target user PT from the memory 21.

[0123] Here, in Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the embodiment, the processing of steps S102 to S112 and the processing of steps S16, S118, S124 to S130 correspond to the display control step in the present disclosure. In addition, steps S100, S114, S120 and S122 correspond to the recognition step in the present disclosure.

[0124] [2. Other Implementations]

[0125] In the above embodiment, the recognition unit 25 detects the seating and leaving of the passengers P in each seat 12 using the seating sensors 15 provided in each seat 12 . However, the recognition unit 25 may detect the seating and leaving of the passengers P based on images of the cabin 10 acquired by the interior cameras 16 .

[0126] The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0127] [3. Structure supported by the above-mentioned embodiment]

[0128] The above-mentioned embodiment supports the following configuration.

[0129] (Structure 1) A content output device comprising: a display control unit for controlling output of content to a display device provided at each seat of a moving body; and an identification unit for identifying each passenger seated at the seat of the moving body, wherein the display control unit connects to an account of a passenger seated at a seat related to content viewing and listening in accordance with a content output instruction from the passenger seated at the seat, and outputs the content provided to the account to a display device serving as the display device of the seat, and when the passenger leaves the seat, the display control unit stops outputting the content to the display device of the seat while maintaining the connection to the account.

[0130] According to the content output device of structure 1, when outputting content provided to a user's (passenger's) account in a mobile body, when the user leaves the seat, the output of the content is stopped and the connection status of the account is maintained, thereby preventing the content from being viewed and listened to by others, and simplifying the user operations involved in resuming the output of the content when the user returns to the original seat, thereby improving convenience.

[0131] (Structure 2) The content output device according to Structure 1, wherein the display control unit disconnects the account of the one passenger when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after output of the content to the display device of the one seat is stopped.

[0132] According to the content output device of structure 2, when the user (one of the passengers) leaves the seat for a longer time than the waiting time, the display control unit disconnects the account, so the user does not need to return to the moving body to perform operations in order to disconnect the account, and the convenience for the user is further improved.

[0133] (Structure 3) The content output device according to Structure 2, wherein the movable body is a vehicle, and the waiting time is determined based on a location where the movable body is parked when the one passenger leaves the one seat.

[0134] According to the content output device of configuration 3, the waiting time can be set to match the general time from when a passenger gets off the vehicle to when he or she gets on again, which can vary depending on the parking place of the mobile body, thereby further improving the convenience for the user.

[0135] (Structure 4) A content output device according to Structure 2 or 3, wherein, during the standby time after stopping outputting the content to the display device of the one seat, when it is detected that a passenger is seated in the moving body, the display control unit determines whether the one passenger is seated in the moving body, and when the one passenger is seated in the moving body, restarts outputting the stopped content to the display device of the seat where the one passenger is seated.

[0136] According to the content output device of Structure 4, a user (a passenger) who has started viewing content provided to their account in a seat within the mobile vehicle and then returns to a seat within the mobile vehicle after leaving the seat can resume viewing the content in the new seat, regardless of whether the new seat is the original seat (the one seat) or another seat. Thus, the content output device of Structure 4 can further improve user convenience.

[0137] (Structure 5) A content output device according to any one of Structures 2 to 4, wherein, during the standby time after stopping outputting the content to the display device of the one seat, when it is detected that a passenger is seated in the moving body, the display control unit determines whether the one passenger is seated in the moving body, and when the one passenger is not seated in the moving body, maintains the output of the stopped content in a stopped state.

[0138] According to the content output device of structure 5, after a passenger who has started viewing and listening to content provided to his or her own account in a seat in a moving body leaves the seat, the output of the above-mentioned content is maintained in a stopped state even when other passengers sit in the seat, thereby appropriately preventing other passengers from viewing and listening to the above-mentioned content.

[0139] (Structure 6) A content output device according to any one of Structures 2 to 5, wherein, when the moving body becomes full during the standby time after stopping outputting the content to the display device of the one seat, the display control unit determines whether there is the one passenger in the moving body, and when there is no one passenger in the moving body, disconnects the account of the one passenger.

[0140] According to the content output device of structure 6, when a user (a passenger) who started viewing content using an account leaves the vehicle and the vehicle becomes full, and the possibility of the user getting on the vehicle again is low, the connection of the account is automatically disconnected without waiting for the standby time to elapse, thereby reducing the power consumed for unnecessarily maintaining the connection status of the account.

[0141] (Structure 7) The content output device according to any one of Structures 2 to 6, wherein, during the standby time after outputting the content to the display device of the one seat is stopped, when the switch of the driving device of the movable body is turned off, the display control unit shortens the standby time.

[0142] When the switch of the driving device of the moving object is turned off, it is generally believed that the probability of a passenger who has left after starting to watch content returning to the moving object is low. According to the content output device of Configuration 7, when the switch of the driving device of the moving object is turned off, the standby time is shortened, thereby preventing the situation where the account connection state is maintained for an unnecessarily long period of time and unnecessary power consumption is prevented.

[0143] (Structure 8) A content output method, which is executed by a computer of a content output device, wherein the content output device outputs content to a display device provided at each seat of a mobile body, the content output method comprising: a display control step of controlling the output of content to the display device provided at each seat; and an identification step of identifying each passenger seated at the seat of the mobile body, wherein in the display control step, according to a content output instruction from a passenger seated at a seat, the user is connected to an account of the passenger related to content viewing and listening, and the content provided to the account is output to a display device serving as the display device of the seat, and when the passenger leaves the seat, the output of the content to the display device of the seat is stopped while maintaining the connection to the account.

[0144] According to the content output method of structure 8, when content provided to a user's (passenger's) account is output in a mobile body, when the user leaves the seat, the output of the content is stopped and the connection status of the account is maintained, thereby preventing the content from being viewed and listened to by other people, and simplifying the user operations involved in resuming the output of the content when the user returns to the original seat, thereby improving convenience.

[0145] Description of Reference Numerals

[0146] 1…content output device, 2…mobile body, 3…communication network, 4…content server, 4a…first content server, 4b…second content server, 5…game server, 10…cabin, 11…steering wheel, 12…seats, 12a…driver's seat, 12b…passenger seat, 12c…second-row left seat, 12d…second-row right seat, 12e…third-row left seat, 12f…third-row right seat, 12T…target seat, 13, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g…display device, 13T…target display device, 14, 14L, 14R, 14La , 14Lb, 14Lc, 14Ld, 14Le, 14Lf, 14Ra, 14Rb, 14Rc, 14Rd, 14Re, 14Rf…speaker, 15, 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f…seat sensor, 16…indoor camera, 17…media reader, 18…vehicle control device, 19…navigation device, 20…processor, 21…memory, 22…communication device, 23…program, 24…identification information, 25…identification unit, 26…display control unit, M…drive device, P…passenger, PT…target user, SW…switch

Claims

1. A content output device, comprising: a display control unit that controls output of content to a display device provided at each seat of the mobile body; and an identification unit that identifies each passenger seated on the seat of the moving body, The display control unit connects to an account related to content viewing of a passenger seated in a seat in response to a content output instruction from the passenger seated in a seat, and outputs the content provided to the account to one of the display devices serving as the display device in the seat. When the one passenger leaves the one seat, the display control unit stops outputting the content to the display device of the one seat while maintaining the connection to the account.

2. The content output device according to claim 1, wherein: The display control unit disconnects the account of the one passenger when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after output of the content to the display device of the one seat is stopped.

3. The content output device according to claim 2, wherein: The mobile object is a vehicle, The waiting time is determined based on the location where the moving object is parked when the one passenger leaves the one seat.

4. The content output device according to claim 2, wherein: During the standby time after stopping outputting the content to the display device of the one seat, when it is detected that a passenger is seated in the moving body, the display control unit determines whether the one passenger is seated in the moving body, and when the one passenger is seated in the moving body, restarts outputting the stopped content to the display device of the seat where the one passenger is seated.

5. The content output device according to claim 2, wherein: During the standby time after stopping outputting the content to the display device of the one seat, when it is detected that a passenger is seated in the moving body, the display control unit determines whether the one passenger is seated in the moving body. When the one passenger is not seated in the moving body, the output of the stopped content is maintained in a stopped state.

6. The content output device according to claim 2, wherein: During the standby time after stopping outputting the content to the display device of the one seat, when the moving body becomes full, the display control unit determines whether there is the one passenger in the moving body, and disconnects the account of the one passenger if there is no one passenger in the moving body.

7. The content output device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein: The display control unit shortens the waiting time when a switch of the driving device of the movable body is turned off during the waiting time after output of the content to the display device of the one seat is stopped.

8. A content output method, the content output method being executed by a computer of a content output device, the content output device outputting content to a display device provided at each seat of a mobile body, The content output method includes: a display control step of controlling output of content to the display device provided at each seat; as well as an identification step of identifying each passenger seated on the seat of the moving body, In the display control step, in response to a content output instruction from a passenger seated in a seat, the display device is connected to an account of the passenger related to content viewing and outputting the content provided to the account to one of the display devices serving as the seat. When the one passenger leaves the one seat, output of the content to the display device of the one seat is stopped while maintaining the connection to the account.

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